Rebel Netters Headed to NCAA Tournament; Reasons To Bitch Nevertheless Exist

by Ivory Tower on Apr 28, 2009 10:23 PM EDT

You assumed, I am sure, that the men's tennis team, ranked #2 in the nation, would somehow sneak into the NCAA Tournament - a fine assumption you have made. Neither is it surprising that, despite their undefeated SEC ledger and tournament championship, that they were not able to surmount #1 Virginia and rest away the top seed in the tournament. What you did not expect, but now know, is that the #2 seed in the tournament was not chosen to host a regional.

Um, what?

Despite leading the nation in average attendance and earning its conference's automatic bid, the Rebels were deprived of what is, generally, considered to be a merit-based accommodation. Not mad yet? Because of its position in the bracket, when the Rebels make it to the Sweet 16, they will likely face Finals host Texas A & M, the 15th seed in the tournament. Still need some motivation? For the first two rounds, Ole Miss will be playing in Baton Rouge.

via i263.photobucket.com

Seriously. What the ****?

Wondering where to direct your ire? I know I was, until I found Sybil Blalock, Chair of the NCAA Division I Tennis Committee, whose day is about to get a whole lot worse. She can be contacted at blalock_sa@mercer.edu. Or by voice at 478-301-2059. Technically, she represents "women's tennis interests," but she made the mistake of being chair of the Division I Tennis Committee during the period where that committee decided to piss me off.

Also, if you feel froggy enough to look up more contact information for the people that messed things up so bad, their names are here. Also, someone named Kristin W. Fasbender is the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis "Contact," whatever that means. Hassle her by emailing to kfasbender@ncaa.org. I'm going to email both of them without profanities, but you all do what you feel is best.

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Sybil Blalock: any relation to Doyle Jackson?

by the_drake on Apr 28, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

I just don't get it...

Really. This may be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I’m stunned. Truly.

There is not a word in the english language, (at least that I can think of right now), to explain how stupid this is.

by AR Rebel on Apr 28, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

Attempts at the word AR is looking for...

stunning… insane… fuckingretarded… unprecedented… unfair (even though I really hate that word)…

I don’t know if I would use the strong language of Captain-My-Captain Boone – boneheaded? Really? What is this – Andy Griffith?

Thanks for the contact info. It will be put to use.

by RedHighHeels on Apr 28, 2009 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks Red….we’ll start there.

by AR Rebel on Apr 28, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll admit when I'm wrong

I used to claim that it didn’t apply to tennis, that it was the single exception to the unfortunate rule. But I was wrong. And I must remember. We are……Ole Miss.

I get crunk 25 days a week!

by 25 Days a Week on Apr 29, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Un-fucking-believable

I am going to use every bit of the legal education I am receiving right now to write the one hell of a letter to the NCAA over this. Hell, I am tempted to call to get their address so I can inform them that a process server is about to come and serve them for an upcoming trial in Oxford, MS. I’m not exactly sure what the grounds of the suit will be for yet, but rest assured I am about to start researching it as soon as exams are over and done with.

by ColRebsLastBreath on Apr 29, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

I like the irony of the post

The juxtaposition of “LSUcks” with a series of phone numbers and email addresses of our enemies (an popular tactic on the bayou) made me chuckle.

But you’re right, fuck the NCAA for this. There is no logical reason for them to have done this. Even the argument that they’re saving money on travel expenses by doing this is full of holes when considering that more people watch collegiate tennis in Oxford, MS than anywhere on the fucking globe. When increased ticket sales are the payoff, why should minor travel expenses matter?

Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 29, 2009 7:09 AM EDT reply actions

an popular?

Wow. It’s too early in the morning to get pisst awrf at the NCAA.

Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 29, 2009 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions

check this shit

Minnesota has to go to Southern Cal
Washington has to go to Texas
Boise State has to go to Alabama
Columbia has to go to Florida
Marist has to go to Florida
Oklahoma State has to go to UCLA
Binghamton has to go to Texas A & M

There goes the whole traveling expense bullshit excuse out the window.
WE JUST GOT HOSED!!!!!!

by lhking on Apr 29, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the contact info.

by Charles2006 on Apr 29, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, I emailed them.

by Greg H on Apr 29, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

I sent an email and will be sending a copy to the second person on that list in a minute. I pull for all of Ole Miss’ various sports, and want to see us succeed so in that respect it pisses me off. The thing that makes this even worse however, is that it sets the precedent that the NCAA can stick it in the pooper of anyone they see fit so long as they can come up with a completely shitty excuse that holds as much water as a mesh bucket. What happens when the NCAA decides they just don’t want a team from mississippi hosting this baseball regional? They’ll just send us to some ACC school and grab another team from the east coast and call it, “saving money.”

That’s the next logical progression of this shit unless somebody bitches hard about this. What else could explain forcing the highest seeded team in a regional to travel the farthest distance?…and to a team they’ve beaten twice already. Every other sport grants home field advantage to those who’ve earned it.. The NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, NIT, (usually) college baseball, etc. I know it’s too early in the morning to get this mad over tennis, but damn we got screwed.

by RedStickRebel on Apr 29, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

Here’s another place you can drop some feedback. Don’t know if they’ll read it or not, but I just copied and pasted the other shit I had written in here. I tried to keep it classy for the most part. It was tough though.

http://www.ncaa.com/feedback/ncaa-feedback.html

Does somebody have a grudge against Chadwick or OM? That would be the only explanation that would make sense.

This saves Rice 5 hours of drive time.

by Charles2006 on Apr 29, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Here’s probably what happened. Rice knew how good the tennis fans are in Oxford, so in order to avoid our home court advantage, they bitched and moaned about travel expenses. LSU probably pushed and prodded behind the scenes, and the NCAA bought it. If Rice or anybody else feels the need to whine about traveling, they are welcome to finish in the top 10 and host themselves. If their budget is that tight, drive an extra 5 hours rather than fly. If they make it to the next round, they will have one of the shortest travel times of anyone going to Texas A&M.

Unbelievable!!!

by Charles2006 on Apr 29, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

pretty sure the NCAA pays for all postseason travel expenses. Doubt it had anything to do with Rice complaining about their budget. This one is all on the NCAA

by lhking on Apr 29, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I have sent four at this point

and they are going down hill quick

by BLMacgowan on Apr 29, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Emaling as we speak

First time reading this since ya’ll joined SBNation and I’m glad I did. This is ridiculous and the explanation simple-they just thought they could get away with it and they are not gonna get off that easy. Did they think they could just sneak one by since it’s baseball season and no one is paying attention to tennis? Thanks for bringing this one to my attention, as the Daily Mississippian’s were out by the time I got to class today. I wish the editorial staff would have posted something about it but I doubt anyone on there besides the sports guys know anything about it.

“Because of having to travel, seniors Jonas Berg and Bram ten Berge will miss their graduation ceremonies. Both had family flying in from overseas.”

Poor guys.

by Her? on Apr 29, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

That's just wrong

I was disappointed until I read about their families. Now I’m angry.

-goose

by DYMongoose on Apr 29, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

first tennis then?

If our #2 seeded tennis team gets screwed by the NCAA, I’m afraid of what’s to come for our baseball team at the end of May. According to a reliable source, we’re a lock for hosting a Regional and eight wins shy of a lock as a Super Regional host. The tennis team shoud’ve been a lock to host too…

And with all the money the NCAA/whoever the heck it is is saving by not allowing Ole Miss to host, are they going to reimburse the parents of the two seniors on the tennis team? Because they were flying in from across the ocean to watch their sons walk at graduation, something that won’t be happening now- thanks, NCAA, you win again. ridiculous.

by LazySusan on Apr 29, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

We already know what's going to happen Lazy...

http://www.redcuprebellion.com/posts/list?type=FanShot

by Hunter C. on Apr 29, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

http://deadspin.com/5233024/some-people-are-really-passionate-about-college-tennis-okay

by Thile on Apr 29, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Ha I wonder how many of us sent that in, didn’t think they’d post it though since they hate tennis at deadspin unless it has to do with ana ivanovic. it can’t be possible people are interested in something besides Erin Andrews or jokes that have a “/” in them

by Her? on Apr 29, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I just saw it over there. Don't really comment there or anything.

by Thile on Apr 29, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice work getting Deadspin’s attention

by In-RickyDavis'Hummer on Apr 29, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

I'm Am LSU Grad

and of course a huge fan, and I can agree with you all this is BS on several levels. One that you didn’t get to host the regional after a wonderful season. And two, and way more important, LSU is playing in the same darn regional.

I mean you do actually have tennis courts on campus at MSU don’t yeah all :)?

by tommyguniii on Apr 29, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, it's true...

you’re are an LSU grad.

by Role Player on Apr 30, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I think the positive that will come out of this is that the team will have a little more motivation going into the tourney. It does suck to play LSU for a third time this year though.

by Charles2006 on Apr 29, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

tommygunii

Goddamnit, we’re not MSU. There’s only one “tennis school” in this state and it’s Ole Miss. Seriously, though, do you not know the difference between other schools in your own fucking conference division? You do realize LSU isn’t in the Big XII, right?

by ssmund on Apr 29, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

He am a LSYoo Grad

Don’t expect him to know such things.

by Rebels7 on Apr 29, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullshit

He should know the fucking difference between Ole Miss and Mississippi State in that his beloved Tigers have to play BOTH of them EVERY SEASON in EVERY SPORT.

Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 29, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I was making fun of the retard’s lack of basic grammar skills. I’m assuming he was just being a prick with his comment. Shocker, coming from south LA, I know.

by Rebels7 on Apr 29, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Believe it or not...

…I’m giving that asshat the benefit of the doubt and assuming he said “MSU” to get under our skins. Generally, fans who follow blogs like this aren’t thaaaaat stupid. Then again, he probably does wear a purple leotard to football games.

by FireBoone on Apr 29, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I must agree that he was kidding... hence the ":)"

speaking of lack of basic grammar skills…. where’s gonzo?

by RedHighHeels on Apr 29, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

He vowed never to return until football season.

That makes me sad.

Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Apr 29, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you're there, Gonzo!

What do I have to do – spin around three times in front of the mirror at midnight and say “gonzohog! gonzohog! gonzohog!”?

Stop sitting on your hands and share your thoughts on our men’s tennis debacle – or anything else!

by RedHighHeels on Apr 29, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Call to Rich Alumni

We need to overcome this shafting by the NCAA and get together some alumni to send a bus load of fans to baton rouge that Saturday May 9th. This would show who the NCAA is messing with, die hard Ole Miss Tennis Fans.

by S. 16th Rebel on Apr 29, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions