Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Dirk's Article Today in OWH

Well, today was fun when Dirk Chatelain for the OWH came on the show to talk about his piece in the paper today. I want to thank him again for calling into the show and as I said on air, I often enjoy his work. However, he wrote opinions today that drew my attention. Yes, he speculated a bit as every writer does but it was mixed with opinion that came off as more hoping than fact. Here on Dec. 18th....it's WAAY to early to talk about the Dance unless that's your primary job.

Example of one guy: Joe Lunardi of ESPN.com....check it out. That was done AFTER the NU win over Oregon. Do you see NU on that bracket? Anywhere? Nope. How about the Jays? an 8 seed. Do Jays fan like that? Sure, it's fun but it's not FACT! But that guy gets paid to speculate on the dance. That was my problem with the article. Talking about resume's right now in a paper that covers both teams is just ridiculous because we don't know what teams are going to do over the next 3 months. Even Joe would tell you that he has no clue....that bracket is no where near his final, actual one.

What if Oregon has a losing record in the Pac-10? Could it happen - sure. An injury here, an injury there....things happen in 3 months of basketball. What if St. Joe's dominates the A-10? Runs the table....has an RPI in the Top 30? What if Xavier blows up too? The non-conference resume for both NU and CU will look different for both teams come Selection Sunday - trust me. Might be better or worse for both....

As for who's path is easier to the Dance? Are you kidding me? Would you rather have your first 4 games in conference against? CU - Illinois st., At Indiana St., At Missouri St. and Evansville OR NU - No. 3 KU, At Colorado, Baylor, then AT No. 3 Kansas? I like the Jays to go 4-0 and the Huskers could be 0-4! The Big 12 is just WAY better than the MVC this year...there is no debating it. They have 3 Top 15 teams! The MVC doesn't have a single team ranked. Their so-called best team is 4-4 (SIU).

The "speculation" was slanted...that was my point for bringing up the fact that Dirk is a Husker grad. I think it was fair to bring that up. I love how people are writing emails saying he "owned me". Really? Listen to it objectively and not pro-husker - I think for every point he tried to make - I countered with a point he couldn't explain. He didn't even use the RPI in the article (Jays are 38 according to Realtimerpi.com. Huskers are 83) ...why not? I think because it made he's argument weaker for Nebraska. He's a reporter, a feature writer - not a columnist and that was my problem.

It was a fun exchange but in the end....we basically agreed that it was a piece with opinion. I disagreed with that opinion. He's not a columnist - that's Tom Shatel gig (who also came on the show and was upset that I preferred the LJS Husker coverage - which by the way never writes about NU vs. CU basketball against each other. Tom defended and agreed with Dirk by the way).

We'll see what happens at the end of the year but I hope we don't see anymore "speculation" articles coming out from Husker grads of the OWH anytime soon. Way too early to say who's non-conference will look better to the Selection Committee in March.

34 comments:

simonomaha said...

Just had to question Dirk's professionalism one last time with the last statement, didn't you? Is it that one-sided that the only way one could come to the conclusion Dirk did is if you were a Husker grad? I suppose one could attribute every point you've made the last month on the fact that you openly despise Husker basketball and are part of the voice for Creighton basketball. Or does the "slant" not apply to you? You're starting to become more similar to those Pinnacle personalities than you'll ever know. Support CU at all costs and attack NU any chance you get. So who is the real one that can't form an objective analyis?

Matt Perrault said...

I never deny my slant...that's the difference

CubsNSkers05 said...

You never admit your a creighton fan though Matt, I've never heard you say you were a fan of Creighton. You told Creighton fans to keep Nebraska off their home court not our homecourt as in you are a fan as well, because you dont admit you are a fan but everyone knows you are a fan of creighton basketball and hate nebraska.

simonomaha said...

Matt,
The difference too is that Dirk is a professional with a well-earned reputation in this state. A person that probably doesn't assume that everyone else has a slant just because someone else's conclusions don't line up with his. Question: a Creighton grad writes the same article bringing up your points, would you feel it was a slanted article?

celticpride said...

I think it's funny how both major newspapers in the state devote most of their coverage to Nebraska basketball. The LJS couldn't care less about Creighton basketball and the OWH regularly covers NU basketball. And Jays' fans are always whining about the coverage. And yet, somehow Huskers have the "inferiority complex"?? Positive or negative, the fact that Nebraska basketball is even being talked about on the Home of the Jays says PLENTY. Any exposure is good exposure. Thanks Matt! You hate Nebraska but you are giving us some GREAT publicity.

Jovo said...

Matt no way Nebraska goes 0-4 to start the Big 12. You are out of your mind. You wont even give Nebraska a little credit and say they'll beat Baylor at home. Matt you've lost all credibility. You're a huge idiot and I hope your not in Omaha much longer.

celticpride said...

the dude

-be happy with the 0-4 prediction. With Matt's track record when it comes to predictions about Nebraska basketball, 0-4 is a great sign for us.

Jovo said...

yeah dude that is true

magic said...

Listening to your interview today was entertaining, but you could clearly tell who was the professional and who should be a used car salesman. In fact we just bought a new car and the way your constantly trying to sell the Creighton program vs the Husker program is exactly why we went to the dealer that in the end didnt give us the hard sell that bashed the other dealers and was just honest. Also if Nebraska has a program that Sucks so bad why do you feel the need to worry about them all the time. This is just my opinion and I was'nt paid to say it.

Jovo said...

matt has his own inferiority complex. The only thing that really makes his show is that it covers the Jays. So now he is scared that people might start paying more attention to Nebraska basketball. Are you scared matt that poeple might start paying more attention to basketball at the real university in this state?

(Notice how I never capitalize his first name)

Matt Perrault said...

How about the fact that basically only Husker fans post on here? Interesting...but I appreciate it :)

Jovo said...

Husker fans a generally more passionate

detroit said...

Bash Creighton and their fans will post too. Pretty simple.

CubsNSkers05 said...

detroit why would matt bash his own team? He bashed one player once dotlzer I think it was to try and cover up his bluejay heart or something.

CubsNSkers05 said...

oh and by the way in your blog you state that nebraska is 83 in realtimerpi.... they are actually 78 and they could not have been 83 when you posted your blog because they have the dropping arrow next to their name....

celticpride said...

"How about the fact that basically only Husker fans post on here? Interesting...but I appreciate it :)"

yeah it's a nice break from the constant love-fest with you have with Creighton.

mpluvcreighton said...

The only reason that "only" Nebraska fans post on here is because the Creighton fans don't really give a crap....is that too hard to accept? Seriously, we understand that you hate Nebraska basketball. I guess my biggest thing is that, in life, when people hate things, they don't usually bring it up 20 times a day....especially in a public form like radio....

celticpride said...

let's face it, if Nebraska basketball were irrelevant, he would not give us the time of day on his radio show. But, sadly for him, we are relevant, and he has to talk about us. He spends all day talking about us and then goes and does the Bluejays pregame show. That's just good stuff right there.

sublime_fan27 said...

Matt,

Once again, more crying. I can't imagine a grown man crying so much about something. Have you ever cried about anything more? How about the time when Daddy snatched your My Little Ponies from your clinching fingers and told you to act like a man?

Nebraska beat the 16th best team in the country who just so happened to be in the Elite 8 last year on your rented court. Are you mad or jealous because we rented it? I don’t understand, do you get just as angry or jealous when you see a guy walk in the Rent-A-Center returning the nail gun you used to drywall your house last week? You’re supposed to be the “big sports guy”, surely you could appreciate Nebraska coming into the Qwest and beating a big-time team. That’s something Creighton has never done. I don’t understand why its so hard for you to accept big-time basketball. I mean the MVC is fun and all, but THAT was big-time basketball.

Jovo said...

MVC = boring basketball

BIG 12 = Exciting basketball

sublime_fan27 said...

As an outsider....

MVC is a great brand of basketball. The MVC is fun to watch, a great mid-major conference! However, big-time basketball takes place in the Big 12. Each is great in its own way, but the MVC is inferior to the Big 12.

magic said...

How about the fact that basically only Husker fans post on here? Interesting...but I appreciate it :)

Matt! If it wasnt for Husker Fan your show would DIE!! Your Blog would DIE. And you know it. Try not talking about Husker anything for an entire week. You know better because the phones would stop! Anytime you devote the show to a Bluejay hour your phones die unless you bring up a husker spin to it. I dare you to talk about just Creighton, UNO, Patriots and Red Sox for one day without a Husker spin and lets see what your advertisers think about that! You then wouldnt have to worry about any of us. We only listen, speak and write to cover up the info you put out that isnt true! But thanks for all the publicity lately for Husker Basketball. for any average listener they probably now know the names of all the Husker players. Heck when I want to find out info on Husker Basketball I can find out more on 590 then 1620 or 1110!!! and I'm paying more attention to Husker Basketball because of 590. This is my opinion and I wasnt paid to say it.

Loynograd said...

I agree with Matt it was an opinion piece.

Here is the thing. Kansas and Texas would win against the best Valley teams 90% of the time on a neutral court. However, that does not make the whole BIG 12 better. For example, last year's Southern Illinois team would have likely finished 3rd or 4th in the Big 12. Creighton would have likely finished 4th to 6th had the hypothetically played Nebraska's schedule.

Redhead said...

What I'm trying to figure out is how Creighton will even make the dance. They only have one shot - win the MVC tourney. That is the strength of the MVC conference - possibly two teams will make it. But considering the strength of the teams Bradley, SIU, Drake, and even UNI could be stronger than Creighton.

Look at the Big 12 and we always get 4, many times get 6 and I think on occasion have had 7 make the dance.

Because Doc is building his team on defense first, we will defend our home court, excepting Kansas. Also because of defense, we will steal three on the road (Colorado, Iowa State, and Kansas State) that makes us 10-6 in the conference - before the tournament.

Projecting chances I'd say that NU has a good shot at dancing if they play like they did against Oregon. I question whether two teams from Nebraska will make it just because the other team isn't in as strong a conference and their pre-season won't carry them past the weakness of their league.

Loynograd said...

Red head.

The Valley will get two teams in. The regular season champ gets in always (last 10 years or so) and the tournament champion. As of today, the Valley's RPI is 8th. History shows that a solid 2nd place team with a decent conference tournament showing will also get a bid.

My problem with the article is this. If the OWH wants to write an article about UNL's chances fine. There is no reasons to contrast it against Creighton's. The article is about UNL. I doubt the Milwaukee papers does this fan baiting between Marquette (Milwaukee's team) and the University of Wisconsin.

mattiscool said...

Who cares about creighton. The only reason Matt talks about them is because they are small enough and irrelavant to the state to give him media time. He still holds and always will hold a grudge against Nebraska because they don't give him the time of day. This whole crieghton vs nebraksa talk shouldn't even be an issue. Nebraska fans don't even care. The reason I do care is because I have to defend ourselves against this idiot. He makes it a one sided issue. Creighton will only be a rival according to them. I grew up in Nebraska and didn't even know who creighton was until I moved to Omaha. They have a nice little team in a nice little conference. That is it. THey can't play with the big boys and never will. Nebraska isn't really focused on basketball. Creighton obviously doesnt have a football team so they have to try to compare their stats in the MVC with ours in a real conference such as the big 12. This is like comparing my little league stats with a major league players stats.

Seriously think about it.

Sorry for the typo's

Andy said...

I doubt the Milwaukee papers does this fan baiting between Marquette (Milwaukee's team) and the University of Wisconsin.

That's not a valid comparison (Marquette plays in a real conference). Try Wisconsin and UW Milwaukee, and those Panthers have the same inferiority complex that CU does (in all things not just basketball).

Loynograd said...

andy,

You mean the same real conference that has produced exactly one national championship (in basketball) since the John F. Kennedy administration.

Loynograd said...

andy,

Also, to answer your point directly. The New Orleans Times Picuyane (sic)did not write (to my memory)articles about Tulane football (which was pretty good in the late 90s with Shawn King as QB) and constantly contrast Tulane's program with LSU's program.

Why do some Nebraska fans come back with we play in a better conference? Could it be that Creighton is the better team over the past 10 years.

Andy said...

Why do some Nebraska fans come back with we play in a better conference?

Because NU does, if you think otherwise you're delusional.

Could it be that Creighton is the better team over the past 10 years.

No doubt CU has been better, but comparing Marquette to Creighton is laughable...the better comparison is UW Milwaukee.

That was my point, I don't know what else you were arguing with me.

Loynograd said...

andy,

I wasn't comparing Creighton's basketball program to Marquette's program or Nebraska's program, respectively.

I don't like that the OWH can't seem to write a column about Creighton without mentioning Nebraska and vice versa. Creighton and Nebraska are the two biggest programs in Nebraska. Marquette and Wisconsin and Tulane and LSU are the two biggest programs in their states. That is what makes the comparison valid.

Keep playing in the better Big 12. I'd rather have the better team.

Unknown said...

Having moved recently to the Omaha area, I felt the need to comment here in regard to Matt's show and blog. First off, Omaha doesn't know how good they have it in regards to The Big Show and Big Sports 590. Coming at this from the perspective of someone who has worked at other sports radio stations in numerous cities, Matt's show is leaps and bounds better than most afternoon shows where the hosts think that the louder they talk the better their point is. Many sports radio talking heads either are pure radio guys (shill masters) or know only sports (social idiots), but Matt does a good job as far as running a quality 4-hour radio show and keeping it entertaining. What most of you don't realize is how hard that actually is. Especially when people on here, and in general, flip their biscuit when someone has an opposing viewpoint. People think it's easy until they have a microphone in front of their face. It's not like sitting down with your like-minded buddies and drinking beer and talking sports. Sports radio shouldn't be about trying not to disrupt listener's delusions, but rather challenging the listener to engage in critical conversations. It's too bad most people aren't up to that challenge.

celticpride said...

"Matt's show is leaps and bounds better than most afternoon shows where the hosts think that the louder they talk the better their point is."

Sorry, but I stopped reading your post right here. You obviously haven't listened to the show very much. The whole show is based at yelling at people until he convinces himself he's "won" the argument. He yelled at a caller the other day for not "listening" to him talk. He yelled at the World Herald writer so he could barely get some words in. He is totally unopen to opposing viewpoints, and if you have one, he will raise his voice and yell at you. He hung up on a caller for "not listening while matt tried to talk" the irony of the situation was hilarious because matt is notorious for just yelling at anyone with a different opinion.

Husker_Engineer said...

Jason:

I have no problem being challenged. But how does referring to the coach at NU as a matricidal retard challenge me? How does calling one of the players a midget engage me in critical conversation?

For the most part, I really don't have a problem with Matt. The alternative has their problems too. I just think that if you want to have discourse, the personal attacks should stay at home.