Introducing the first weekly Aggie Roundtable..

The Panelists: Tom from Off Tackle, Ryan of TAMABINPO, another Ryan - this one from Aggie Sports Blog, and of course..Me.

Make sure to check out the other guys' responses. This weeks questions are:

1. What was your favorite single play from the 2006 Football season?
   
   While any number of plays from the game @ Texas could be picked as the single most important play of the year, my personal favorite was in the final seconds of the 4th Qtr @ Oklahoma State. Standing on the sideline, foolishly wearing flip flops and a very light jacket, I was unprepared for both the bitter cold and the ferocity with which the Cowboys played in front of their Homecoming crowd. Down by 7, the Ags get the ball at their 32 with about 3 mins left in the game. After an incomplete pass, and then a 9yd sack causing a 4th & 13, things were looking grim. I wasn't even looking through my lens anymore, I was just kneeling on the sideline, my stomach sick with anxiety and tension. Then, McGee throws a desperation pass to..Jorvorskie Lane?!? The ball is thrown behind him, but the J-Train rotates time, space, and his torso among other things, to reach back and make the catch one-handed, keeping the drive alive. The Ags go on to tie the game, winning in overtime.
   
   
2. What is the most underrated sports blog/site, besides yours, on the internet today?
   
   The Sports Economist - Being an Economics major myself, I'm always interested in the hidden forces at work in the ever increasing convergence of Sports and Business. TSE, covers all sports, from college football to Champions League futbol.
   
   
3. Forget about the "who will win the Big XII" discussions, who do you think will finish last?
   
   
   
   As SMQ points out, the general consensus seems to be that Iowa State will be the worst team in the Big XII.
   
   I disagree, I think most people are overlooking how bad Baylor's offense will be next year with the loss of Bell, Zeigler, and their incoming QB to Texas. Sure, Chizik's first year as head coach of the Cyclones has disaster written all over it, but with a talented veteran QB in Bret Meyer I see them being able to pull an upset or two within the North. I don't see Baylor being able to compete with anyone in the South this year, and with roadtrips to Kansas and K-State, beating a North opponent isn't looking likely either.
   
   
4. Pull out the Magic 8Balls, will Acie Law get drafted higher than #15, breaking the A&M record set by Antoine Wright in 2005?
   
   
   
   Yes. With his ability to make the clutch play Acie Law became a household name and fan favorite in 2006. His dramatic game winning 3's and his ability to go to the hoop with either hand make him one of the most appealing choices in this year's draft. Yet, many NBA scouts will look at his size relative to NBA standards, and downgrade his potential. I see Acie going anywhere between 9-14.
   
   
5. Where's your favorite place to eat in B/CS?
   
   Cheddar's. Lame answer, I know. In spite of it being a corporate franchise, it's consistently awesome. The food is always great. Two World Class Margaritas and it's time to call CARPOOL. I have friends that work there. And in keeping with a sports related theme, you can't ever go there without running into some star Aggie athlete. I swear Martellus eats there atleast twice a week.
   
   

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as we continue to get deeper into summer..

The Secret Handshake - Summer of '98 (mp3)

I first heard this guy when I was walking across campus this past spring. He was playing a "Lunchbox Concert" in Rudder Plaza. He sounded really good, and yet really familiar..

Turns out his real name is Luis Dubuc, and the guy graduated high school with me, I remember him playing a song in the talent show under the same name. It was just acoustic emo back then, not the electro-pop it is now. From high school talent show to touring the country, not bad at all. Check it out.

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With baseball's 5-2 loss to Rice yesterday, completing the Owls' sweep of the Aggies, we've officially entered the desert wasteland that is the infinitely wide span of space and time that lies between the conclusion of the spring sports season and kick-off September 1st.

While there won't be any active sports to follow, there's plenty to write about and analyze. In particular, the 2 months of "free time" will give us the opportunity to pursue and analyze some bigger issues and stories within A&M and surrounding NCAA Athletics in general.

To look for this summer:

• Introduction of the Aggie Roundtable
  Consisting of various aggie bloggers, the weekly roundtable will discuss and answer a set of questions posed by one of the roundtable members.
• Tech vs. A&M: The Dallas Debate
  As the move to a neutral site game with Texas Tech becomes more and more likely, we'll analyze the motives and consequences, eventually deciding whether or not the move is in the best interests of Texas A&M.
• Bill Byrne: 3.5 Years of Building Champions
  We're about 3.5 years into Bill Byrne's tenure as Texas A&M's Athletic Director and it's time for a progress report.
• 2007 Big XII Preview
  Breaking down the Big XII team by team, and predicting who will meet at the Big XII Championship game in December.
• Top 5 Best Moments of 06-07
  I'll break down what I think were the 5 highest points for A&M athletics during the 06-07 season, and yall will vote on the #1 moment for Aggies this past year
• Top 5 Worst Moments of 06-07
  Just like the Top 5 Best Moments, but with 500% more agony and depression.
• '06 Roadtrip Review
  A looong overdue review and rankings of ALL of A&M's away games last year (yes, i went to all of them), this piece will naturally segue in to...
• '07 Roadtrip Preview
  We'll draw on personal experience and interview other bloggers on what to do/where to eat when roadtripping to this season's away games
• Cheating: Why Every School Is
  We'll look at the economics behind its inevitablity, the financial incentives, and the politics behind the lack of enforcement.

- Brad -

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ESPN is reporting that Nebraska has suspended its star WR, Maurice Purify, indefinitely after being arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Time will tell whether the suspension will last on into the season, but Ags could sleep much better knowing that this won't happen again in 2007:

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(HT: The Wiz)

***update: Crimson and Cream Machine was all over this last week

Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard would like to see a more egalitarian distribution of Big XII TV earnings. Speaking after last month's conference meeting, Pollard proposes that the Big XII move to a Big10 (his former conference) style system of equal revenue distribution. Pollard attributes the Big10's success and status as an elite conference to the all-for-one earnings redistribution policy adopted in the mid-90's.

2005-06 BigXII TV Revenue Allocation

BigXII vs. Big10 = Apples vs. Oranges

When discussing the distribution of Television revenue, one must consider the various Television Markets located within the conference. The reason the Big10 is able to share equally, is because the each region of Big10 country contributes equally. The Big10 boasts 7 of the nation's Top 25 Markets (Nielsen Media):

3. Chicago
4. Philadelphia
11. Detroit
15. Minneapolis-St.Paul
18. Cleveland
22. Pittsburg
25. Indianapolis

Not only is this a very densely populated conference, but the markets appear to be spread fairly evenly throughout the conference. (No wonder they were able to bully the service providers into carrying their new network)

Now, a look at the Top 25 markets located within the Big XII:

7. Dallas-Ft. Worth
10. Houston
18. Denver
21. St. Louis

Four. A mere four large markets located in the BigXII, and the lion's share of viewership being located in the South region.

Iowa State's Dilemma

Iowa State along with many plains/midwest schools, are dealing with the frustration of functioning within states that are becoming less and less economically significant, thus fewer funds and donors are available. So when your biggest rival (Iowa) generates a handsome income just for being a member of the Big10, it can be fairly disheartening.

Let's be honest though, Iowa State and the rest of the BigXII north are in no position to be making demands. The best thing the old Big 8 ever did was pick up the remnants of the old SWC. Without the revenue generated by the Texas schools (hell, the Oklahoma schools are 50% Texan), the old Big 8 schools might have trouble competing financially with the friggin MAC.

In other words, Jamie Pollard needs to stop whining for seconds and be thankful for what the South schools put on his plate.

- Brad -

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In honor of my return from hiatus..

Third Eye Blind - My Time In Exile (mp3)

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After months of wandering in the desert, I've decided I'm ready to come back.

My sincerest apologies for the abrupt and unannounced hiatus. The blog was beginning to feel like work and contributed to an ever mounting pile of actual work.

After taking a much needed break from the life of a keyboard warrior, and several trips to the lake, I feel refreshed and energized enough to continue following and analyzing Aggie sports.

..and just in time for the Ags' surprising bid for the CWS.

your regularly scheduled blogging returns this week.

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It's finally here.

While most college students spend their all nighters yearning for the day they can walk across the stage with diploma in hand, and toss their cap into the sky, Aggies are working for something different.

For us Aggies, the Aggie Ring is often valued and cherished more than the actual degree it symbolizes.

Only the service academies can relate in their dedication and recognition of the class ring. No matter where you are, whether it be interviewing at a large firm or traveling the world, an Aggie ring serves as a bright, blinking, neon sign that says Howdy, how are you? how can I help you?

I hear Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert Gates, is back in town this weekend. That combined with the odd placement of Ring Day on a Friday, gives me reason to think that Dr. Gates will be handing out Aggie Rings today. I can only hope..

Now to the fun part of getting one's Aggie Ring...

My roommates and I will be dunking our rings tonight. A buddy of mine set the bar pretty high earlier this semester: 12 seconds (and not a drop of spilled beer)

I'll be going for speed, thus a cheap light beer: probably natty or keystone.

My Goals: sub 20 seconds, no beer on the shirt, to not choke on the ring.

for those of yall not familiar with an Aggie Ring Dunk:

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Apologies for the lack of posts the past two days. i've been consumed with assisting & testifying in a friend's small claims lawsuit. The case was heard this morning, and it was very much like judge judy, except that it was judge mike, and mike has 17 SONS.

suffice it to say, we were the florida to their ohio state

pictures of the Turgeon Press Conference, Aggie news, and M&W game preview to come later today and tomorrow.

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(because i'm a music elitist, and because aggieland is rarely exposed to anything that wouldn't be heard at Chilifest, i'll be posting songs that complement the news or themes from each week/weekend)

M83 - Gone (mp3)

- Brad -

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Multiple news outlets, along with program insiders, are reporting that A&M is set to make Mark Turgeon its next basketball coach. With Coach Turgeon set to arrive in College Station today for talks and facility tours, it's possible A&M will have a coach within the next 36 hours. Some sources even hint at a possible mid-day press conference today. The bottom line: it no longer appears to be a question of "if" Mark Turgeon will be the next basketball coach at A&M, but rather a question of "when". The sooner we have a coach, the sooner we can get figure out the asst. coach situation, and the status of our recruits.

John Lopez of the Houston Chronicle posts an account of the Gillispie-Kentucky drama, as well as Byrne's coaching search. The implications are sobering and the timing is uncanny. Just as Aggies everywhere seemed to be rallying around Byrne, placing their faith in him, this information leaks. The timing is what gives me reason to believe some, if not most of it. Yet, the fact that this information was limited to a Chronicle blog and podcast, as opposed to in print also gives me reason for pause. Thoughts on the implications of Lopez's post, and a certain contradictory post on TexAgs 2 days ago to follow later today or tomorrow.

The Texas Aggie Baseball team split its series with Tech 1-1. The deciding game was cancelled due to the snow and freezing temperatures in Lubbock over the weekend. The series will not be made up, The Ags will most likely try to schedule a midweek game later this spring to make up for the lost game. The Ags are currently 27-7 (6-5).

News from a less green diamond. The #4 Aggie Softball team continues its pitching dominance, posting two 1-0 shutouts against Nebraska. The ladies are now 31-6 (5-3).

In what can only be described as karma for taking such pleasure in our agony here in aggieland, Peter at BON has solemnly alluded to an announcement expected today concerning Kevin Durant's future. While I'm tempted to cackle with evil glee at the thought of Mr. Goal Post Arms declaring for the draft. The quasi-moral victory for A&M and other Big XII rivals of Texas is outweighed by the loss of another Big XII basketball star. It's these big name players and big name coaches that the Big XII seems to hemorrhage that could overcome the perception barrier that the Big XII faces due to a lower population density than say, certain conferences east of the mississippi. But I'll save that treatise for another time..

- Brad -

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24 hours after Gillispie's departure there are still plenty of uncertainties concerning the future of Texas Aggie Basketball. While a lengthy list of realistic candidates has emerged, information has been tightly compartmentalized within the Athletic Department as to Bill Byrne's top targets. With this being Easter weekend, we're unlikely to hear anything until late Sunday evening. Leaving Aggies to debate how Bill Byrne will make another momentous hire?

or..

I'd like to thank crude photoshop skills, Ashley Judd's legs, and Peter at BON for helping me achieve a little bit of Deadspin glory yesterday. 5,000 hits in 5 hours. wow.

While sifting through all the message board rumors swirling around the A&M vacancy, Rick Pitino's name came up. While the notion of Rick Pitino leaving Louisville after just hiring new assistants seems absurd, I decided to check in on the air traffic in and out Louisville.

What the hell was Purdue up to in Louisville yesterday??

Go ahead Big XII rivals, laugh. enjoy this moment of pleasure in our pain. breathe a sigh of relief(i'm looking at you, Texas). But what you need to remember is this: The Big XII lost two big name, very respected coaches this week, and a lot of street cred to go with it.

Coaches consistently moving east (Williams, Sampson, Huggins, Gillispie) is not good for anyone in the Big XII, and you can only expect national perception to continue to drop, our # of tournament bids along with it.

- Brad -

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