Sam Webb on Malik Mcdowell
February 1st, 2014 at 11:34 PM ^
Things are looking up for him. Hopefully he will decide to come here because 2014!
February 2nd, 2014 at 5:15 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 8:33 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
I knew I was doing it wrong.
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
Conversely, he needs to realize that Michigan is not all work either. There are no shortages of parties and so on, especially for star football players.
Plus, if he's that good, he'll be in the NFL in three years and he can buy his own parties.
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:41 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^
While it may suck to lose a recruit to MSU, if the reason we are losing those recruits is the MSU party scene, I would much rather have recruits who vaule education and football over partying.
February 1st, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
At this point the rumblings certainly seem to indicate Malik himself leans to MSU while his parents remain solidly pro-Michigan. We'll see what wins out soon
February 1st, 2014 at 11:42 PM ^
Yeah based on the quote from his dad, it sounds like a 99% chance he's going to MSU.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:25 AM ^
I'm not sure about that. I do definitely get the sense that MSU is not where his father wants him to go, though.
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
As I was reading the piece, I kept thinking the same thing - how fortunate he is to have parents like that. Reading between the lines on a lot of Sam's other recruits, I don't think many are as lucky to have parents like Malik's.
I remember being 17, and I definitely wouldn't blame him for choosing MSU because he likes the atmosphere. Every kid looking at colleges should feel the same love and excitement for his or her future university campus, town, and events.
In the end, if he does pick MSU, I wish him all the best and hope he keeps his head on straight while he's up there (probably with the help of his parents and family).
February 1st, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
The Sparty sluts got to him. I can't even say I blame him
"While the Green and White’s memorable season certainly served as an added lure, his appreciation for the social scene in East Lansing apparently has been the bigger hook."
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:31 AM ^
Think about that party scene at state Malik...
Get your degree and football on at Michigan and worry about the STD when you're making millions in the NFL
February 1st, 2014 at 11:50 PM ^
The feeling you get from Sam's article is definitely what we have been hearing, that Malik really likes that party atmosphere at MSU, while his parents really think much more highly of the UM academics.
The travel issue makes it sound that although he likes FSU, they will probably be on the outside looking in. I'm not sure where OSU will fit, as a result of the travel aspect for his grandparents.
A good article by Sam, but I still don't have any more idea where he will go than I did before I read it, which is to say, none. He'd certainly be a welcome addition though. Maybe Lawrence Marshall can break the tie in our favor ?
February 1st, 2014 at 11:43 PM ^
I didn't like the article. Seems like we're fighting against the tide. The quotes are meant to be reassuring but if he needs this much convincing I just don't see it happening. It bothers me that Malik doesn't seem to appreciate the difference in academics. Very shortsighted on his part...
February 1st, 2014 at 11:48 PM ^
Yeah, Michigan is like 30ish in the world and MSU averages close to 100th or so but MSU is still a good school that a lot of major companies respect highly. He'll do well with a degree from either.
February 1st, 2014 at 11:49 PM ^
February 1st, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^
All of the UMich graduates working next to Spartan graduates begrudgingly shrug their shoulders at you. We could go into ROI disparities between even "lesser" schools and UMich for some people working next to said "lesser" school employees, but that would just get too depressing.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:04 AM ^
My brain surgeon sister and my pediatrician sister from UM disagree.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:07 AM ^
No degree to point out for yourself? That just makes this string seem petty. If you don't think they're are MSU grads in the medical field then you're just a moron.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:09 AM ^
And theres NFL players from Western Michigan. Whats your point ? Clearly, in almost all cases, a degree from UofM is better than from MSU.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:13 AM ^
It was your defense, not mine. Is that clear? So far your only defense is that your sisters have done it.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:18 AM ^
Im not defending anything, im stateing a well known fact, that on AVERAGE a degree from UofM is worth more than one from MSU. If you dispute that your simply wrong.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:28 AM ^
That wasn't what you were talking about. But okay, for this entirely different topic, you'll have average ROI back you up by 0.6%.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:29 AM ^
Im sorry you arn't understanding your own conversation.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:35 AM ^
Was that your grand point from the beginning? That someone would understand how to look up ROI to make a blanket statement on your behalf? Run this by your sisters next time.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:59 AM ^
Clearly you seem very occupied on ROI, however not once did I comment on that.
February 2nd, 2014 at 5:19 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
It's theres, man. Just stay out of it.
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^
Let's be honest here - most football players will be in general studies or the school of kinesiology. The real value of most universities is in the alumni network, endowment, and resources.
February 11th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Instead of relying on your honesty, how about we rely on facts? The 2013 football media guide has 113 players listed. There are 16 that are general studies majors and 12 that are in kinesiology. 16 + 12 = 28. 28/113 = 24.8% (rounded to nearest tenth percent). Most usually means greater than 50%. Less than 25% doesn't seem like most to me.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:08 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:11 AM ^
Simply trying to illustrate the point that in general UofM is significantly better than MSU.
February 2nd, 2014 at 12:14 AM ^
It's really not ''significantly'' better. Slighty better, yes. Significantly, no.
February 2nd, 2014 at 1:20 AM ^
MSU isn't a terrible school, or anything, but if the difference in prestige between the two schools is "slight," then why does virtually everyone who gets admitted to both choose U-M? Why do MSU grads have to explain forever to people why they ended up at MSU and not U-M, whereas no one ever asks a U-M grad why he/she didn't go to State?
You're trying too hard to be contrarian.
February 2nd, 2014 at 5:26 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
that the quality of a college education and the effect on a person's success (whatever your definition) is directly related to the students attitude and effort both in school and upon graduation. I know many people who are wildly successful in their given field who have graduated from little known or unranked institutions as well as the opposite.
That said, the rankings and reputations do have an affect on getting into grad school, job prospects (at least for the first or second job), etc. My view is that the most important difference between UofM and MSU is the average attitude and effort of the student sitting next to you in class. Forget the rankings on USnews etc, just look at the required SAT/ACT, gpa requirements and the like. Students attending Michigan have demonstrated a better attitude, effort level and potentially maturity (I am staying away from intellect) during their high school years. A student at either school with the right attitude will succeed, and the opposite is true. That said, there are probably more high achievers at Michigan than at State; the same is true at Harvard versus Michigan.
I believe these SAT statistics are recent and accurate (25% -75%) and they speak for themselves:
Michigan
Reading: 610-700
Math: 650-760
Writing: 620-720
MSU
Reading: 430-580
Math: 540-680
Writing: 460-580
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
MSU is much closer to GVSU than U of M in terms of accepted and enrolled student stats. MSU is a good state school that is not recognized nationally. Not to say that anyone from MSU can't outperform a person from M in the job market (becasue some do obviously) but the two really are not in the same class. MSU acceptance rates are 73% and Michigan is less than 40%. GVSU? About 80%. Look at ACT's, GPA's etc and you will see a huge difference.
Visit here http://www.parchment.com/c/college/college-2-Michigan-State-University.html and look at the peer colleges and then visit the Michigan page and look at peer colleges.
February 2nd, 2014 at 1:29 AM ^
It is possible to make the statement that Michigan is significantly better without stating that MSU is a terrible school. A student can get a fantastic degree at MSU and go on to all sorts of success.
The rankings put Michigan ahead by a significant margin though and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence as well. Just as an example here in Seattle I've made plenty of friends with other alums and have met dozens more that work for companies like Amazon or Microsoft, and that doesn't even touch on the large number of Michigan alums working in academia. I have met two MSU grads total on the entire west coast. Considering the size of classes MSU and Michigan put out there has to be something that accounts for the greater number of Michigan grads in large metropolitan areas - they are the ones primarily getting the better jobs. So yeah, I'd say the Michigan degree is better.
February 2nd, 2014 at 3:01 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
This is not anecdotal, it's fact born out by university job placement departments from time eternal.
Show me the major Fortune 500 company that has such a disproportionate array of msu grads working for it. You can't.
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 1:42 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
Kid wants to go to MSU
Parents want him to go to UM
Our lack of success on the football field the past 2 seasons (11 losses total) will probably be the factor in the end
I hope I am wrong but can't blame a 17 yr old kid for wanting to play for a winner
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
I would strongly disagree. I've lived in Utah, Nevada, California and for the past 25 years here in Ohio and I can safely say that the people I've encountered in business know and respect the academics offered at Michigan and virtually none even know that MSU isn't simply a big in-state "directional school". MSU carries zero educational "cred" outside of the mitten.
I know in Michigan some people like to hold State up as some sort of Academic equal but it's just not so. Sorry State people on the board - you may have us in football (temporarily) but please don't even try the academic arguement. Unless you're referring to something only State offers like Hotel Management or Animal Husbandry degrees.
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
in my experience living in NEO (much shorter than your 25) I have had to correct a number of people that say, "oh, you went to Michigan State, right?" For some reason there are people that don't know there is a University of Michigan and a Michigan State University. Perhaps it is because Ohio only has Ohio State and the next closest large university is Cincinnati and by default they think UoM is the only major state school in Michigan.
Is it a slap in the face to MSU or UoM? I guess that depends on whether you are a Michigan alum or not.
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
Agh...must stop replying to your one liners.