Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Pope follow

Alright people. Here's the deal on Herb.

Apparently, NMSU is allowing him to explore his options on the East Coast. This is designed to get him closer to his family in Pennsylvania. Him playing for a new team next year is contingent on a hardship waiver, which would allow him to suit up immediately in 2008-09 instead of being forced to sit out due to transfer rules.

McKinley Boston said that if the waiver is not granted, Herb will most likely be back at NMSU next season. Will it be granted or not, or will he find the right school remains up in the air. As The Star Ledger has reported, Seton Hall appears to be interested. And I'm sure others will follow suit.

Here is the story on the Sun-News Web site....

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_10318199

Feel free to comment on the issue. Lets get some chatter going....

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obviously I want him in an Aggie uni. But if he has issues he needs to address, then I guess I'll wish him well. Hopefully it won't come to that, and whatever the reason for him looking into a transfer resolves itself, and he can stay in Las Cruces and lead the Aggies on the court.

Anonymous said...

I am a very loyal aggie fan, but all of the transferring and exploring other options by players is getting old. The Pope situation does not look good considering the "no comments" by his aunt and Seton Hall. This situation is probably more advanced than we know. It's is wrong for Dr. Boston to compare this to the Mckines situation, and assume Pope will also be back. It was a fluke that Mckines returned. I think these players get discouraged by poor attendence and lack of community support. If this team stays together until the 2009-2010, it could be one of the most talented Las Cruces has ever seen.

Anonymous said...

The no comments are pretty standard IMO. Pope's camp doesn't want to get painted in the story, and SH is just practicing good policy.

Was it a fluke Big Wen returned? Or is he returning because Pope is leaving? Who knows. But it's possible. Besides, I don't think Mac compared the situations. He just said rosters change in the positive and negative direction in competitive sports.

Catsandbeer.com said...

Well, whether he's going to SHU or not, no one at Seton Hall is going to comment on him - coaches can't even comment on recruits until they sign an LOI, so there's no way an member of the SHU admin is going to go on record about a player from another school who may or may not be looking to transfer

Anonymous said...

Getting a hardship waiver is very hard for athletes to get. I think that is why Dr. Boston more or less is saying Heb will return this year. I have seen hardship cases that were very bad and the athletes did not get the waiver. Its probably an excuse to get out of town.

Anonymous said...

If Pope doesn't want to be here, then I wish him good fortune at another school. Here he would be "the star." At one of the eastern schools, maybe not. Either way, it doesn't do the Aggies any good to be waiting on him.

Good luck Herb, here or there.

Anonymous said...

It seems pretty hypocritical to me. Is it a hardship or not?!?!?!

If it is a hardship then what does it matter if he can play this year or not???

If it is a hardship then why come back to NMSU under any circumstance? Why not stay on the East Coast?

For the sake of the culture of this team, stay gone!

Anonymous said...

I heard that Herb Pope is going to an Aggie. Can you find this out. I got this information from the same guy who posted on the NMSU about Pope's possible transfer if he got the hardship.

Anonymous said...

Right on Fed Up!

If it's a family hardship, he should go and play JUCO ball, SHU, etc.
If things are that bad, be with your family but, please make up your mind.

My biggest beef w/ this is, why do you wait so long? You basically put tyou teamates and team in a bind because it's after the rcruiting season.

Kids need to take other people into consideration.
Are you listening, Hanna "hot pants" Spanich?!

El Hombre

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I think that Herb wants to leave he should. I remember when he signed and there were stories done about him in the paper he said that he chose to come here because it was far away. Far away from all of the trouble that was in his home and he would be able to escape that here. Now, the biggest reasons for him leaving are to go back to his family. I think that if you really want to help your family you stay and endure what you committed yourself to. By staying here you avoid putting yourself in a situation where you might get shot again and place less stress on those who care about you. You can focus on achieving your dream of being in the NBA without worrying about the streets or anything like that. But we cant make that decision for him and if he eventually transfers then oh well. It just keeps showing that skills on the court dont always reflect skills off the court.

As far as Wen is concerned, Im glad he came back. I saw him last night buying groceries with a girl who appeared to be holding his baby girl so its good to see he is not leaving her behind. Wen gives the team a lot of energy which should help out this season in filling up the Pan Am and get the community to follow the team

GS

Anonymous said...

There's a bigger problem that lies in this issue. And it's that of young uneducated men and women having children before they are ready. Now I'm not getting preachy, but it is a serious problem in this nation.

Anonymous said...

you know, GS,

I for one think the team is actually better off with Wendell rather than Pope. I don't know this yet, but I believe its a good trade. Not just culturally, but from a basketball standpoint. Pope can't shoot free throws, is irradic, plays defense when he feels like it...is generally checked out...I think when Herb came on the scene last year, the coach dissed him by shelving him in favor of Pope. I think that was a mistake. and we almost lost Wendell as a result.

Well, let us see where it all goes, but if I am Marvin Mensies, I send a letter to Herb Pope telling him to go and stay gone!

Anonymous said...

Herb Pope should be in Las Cruces tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

who runs the program? We have a player dictating the program rather than the head coach. I also find it very disturbing that the AD, Boston, is all in the news with his quotes on this. Where is the Head Coach in all this mess? Why don't we hear from coach Menzies on this matter? I'll tell you why. Coach really doesn't want Pope here. He's tired of his act and we all should be too. Boston is worried because the Pope name brought some exposure, be it negative, but exposure. Boston is also scared of the APR numbers.

I suggest we take Pope to the airport and drop him off. That is if he ever returns to Cruces.

Enough of Pope.

Anyone know where Gipson is? I heard he wasn't back either. I hope he is back.

Anonymous said...

Gibson is on campus. Don't know why that rumor was mixed into it all. Whats the word on Fat Cat, since his name has been linked to being on the outs here. I like his energy and passion. Great bench type player.

I can see the point of view of wanting to drop Pope. Heck, I sometimes think the same myself. However, if he decides to come back (which seems apparent he will now), I will welcome him back just like I welcomed Big Wen back. With open arms, and excitement for the talent this Aggie team has.

Anonymous said...

His name is Gibson and he is here. Hes been here most of the week. Herb was good while he lasted but now its time to move on. I mean with or with out him we still have a young team. Thats will hurt the aggies a lot. I wish them the best. Also dont blame kids for leaving college is a business dont think other wise. If you have ever left a job you have no right say anything about college athletes looking for better situations. If you liked hawkins, iti,fred, and Steward then ur a hipacrat!!! Think bout it...
Rain Man 2008

Anonymous said...

Whoever wrote the last post needs to learn how to check their work. I can't understand what the are trying to write. In this day and age of texting young people can't spell or write complete sentences.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:29am

I know its a business and I know that athletes transfer schools. I also admit I don't know what the real situation is; perhaps there are some problems out east that are not terrible but uncomfortable.

But I also know that in business you are only as good as your word.

If you have a hardship on the east coast, why come back under any circumstance. Seems a bit sketchy to me. If he just left and ate the year or played juco ball than OK. But to come back to NMSU after saying he had a hardship on the east coast...what happened to the hardsip? Did it go away when he found out he couldn't get an exception from the NCAA???

And what kind of message does that send to the rest of the team?

ps I will also welcome him back; but only if he can shoot 60% from the FT line, what!

Anonymous said...

Is the football game going to be rescheduled? It's going to be a tough task to make a bowl game with only 11 games.

Anonymous said...

You know what Herb. I will tell you one thing. You will not find a better place to play. Single handed if you wanted you could bring back the old Panamaniacs. These are some of the best fans in the world. Think to yourself could you do this at Seton Hall or any other East coast team? Probably not. Just think Herb you are the man stop and think what you are doing. If you wanted to go back to the east coast more power to ya.But here at NMSU you could be a league player of the year.

Anonymous said...

Dude this is a basketball blog. Go somewhere else with your football concerns. No body cares...

Anonymous said...

Dude, it's a sports blog. I can post anything I want. How about that volleyball game yesterday. It was exciting but the team didn't quite have enough for victory. Hope they beat the Illinois today.

Anonymous said...

Teddy,
Word on the street is that despite yesterday's confirmation that Pope is returning, he is going to stay back east after all. Can you confirm?

Anonymous said...

sorry anon 11:14. I thought I was on JG's basketball blog. You can cyber punch me in the face. But really, Pope is the topic here. I hope he returns.