The conundrum of opinion

There are multiple factors at play behind the offering of opinion. Among them is personal bias -- both known and unknown -- as well as what we know that has been established as fact but also what we don't know we don't know about a person, an institution or a situation.

No this is not the opening tract of Philosophy 1A but more an introduction to the latest blog entry from Teddy Feinberg, sports editor of the Los Cruces Sun-News. Feinberg writes that some of the New Mexico State players were not allowed to participate in the opening practice due to academic laxities -- apparently missing a class or classes.

Here's our take on this situation, any bias or ignorance notwithstanding:

Now if we were NMSU fans (some in The Land of Enchantment reading this will fall over laughing or possibly gag at the previous seven words), we would welcome Coach Marvin Menzies' determination to tighten up the requirements to sail with the Good Ship Aggie, so to speak.

Consider that Menzies lost a load of seniors and the accompanying leadership due to graduation and now has a very young roster that is all his to mold. It appears to us that he is trying to do it the right way -- no short cuts allowed -- with any rebelliousness or shirking of obligations being met with steadfastness. Those players now on the sidelines have the opportunity to learn a lesson -- it's up to them -- one that could very well pay off in the long run for both themselves and the Aggies basketball team if taken to heart.

Menzies certainly wants all hands on deck but only if everyone is doing his job.

Pieces of a Man blog
Basketball scrimmage
Teddy Feinberg
Las Cruces Sun-News

I know this isn't at the forefront of everyone's mind but I wanted to discuss the absence of some key players from Friday night's basketball scrimmage at the Pan Am.

Jahmar Young, Terrance Joyner, Troy Gillenwater and Chris Gabriel all didn't suit up. Assistant coach John McMullen said that the players are out "until they show better progress in the classroom." What is this? It was a very sparse crowd at the Pan Am Friday and I'm sure the limited people that did show up came to see those four players in action. These guys need to get their academics in order. They're all central pieces to this team. I know, it's early, they have plenty of time to get things together, but why can't this team get out in front of these situations instead of always playing catchup. It was like this last year with a number of issues...

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