MVC Manager Games

by **Adunk33** » January 7th, 2020, 2:35 pm

I've seen some chatter around Twitter about the manager games. It's pretty cool to see how much it has grown. If I remember correctly, the Redbirds kind of pioneered the efforts in the MVC a few years back and now, most MVC teams have a manager team.

For those who don't know, the night before the actual teams play, the Manager teams play. These teams typically consists of under-grad managers, to grad-assistants, video coordinator, or Dobo. They keep track of the scores, there are rankings and everything. I took a look around the MVC to see if any familiar names might be playing and sure enough there are some!

Former Redbird Tony Wills is a GA at SIU and plays on their team and Jake Odum plays on Indiana State's team.

I did notice Seth Tuttle and Marc Sonnen are on the staff over at Northern Iowa but I couldn't confirm if they have played on the manager's team.

I think this is a pretty cool payoff for the managers who work their asses off day in and out for their respective teams. They get to run full-court games in Division 1 arenas throughout the country. That'd be a pretty sweet gig!

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by **PantherSigEp** » January 7th, 2020, 9:00 pm

I don't think Tuttle plays, not sure about Marc, but they've gotten some good publicity and are pretty good. If Tuttle does play then that explains a lot.

by **Aces44** » January 8th, 2020, 9:49 am

The Manager games are great imho. I talked about them on this week’s Aces Hoopcast.

That being said, guys like Odum (I’m not attacking him personally, just using his name bc it was referenced) jumping in and playing are going to ruin it I would guess.
Those guys and girls work their tail off and should have the opportunity to compete at their own level.

No dog in this fight, but guys that have been on scholarship probably shouldn’t be lacing them up.

by **BCPanther** » January 8th, 2020, 10:01 am

Sonnen and Tuttle do not play. UNI has enough managers to field a team without them.

by **TreeFan** » January 8th, 2020, 10:31 am

During the UNI/ISU game, the announcers said that when Tuttle learned that Odum played in the manager's game, he was bummed that he didn't play too.

by **PantherSigEp** » January 9th, 2020, 12:36 am

I agree with the idea that former players (especially those that have pro experience) participating takes away a bit of the fun. I like the idea of it being the kids who were role players, benchwarmers or borderline stars in HS getting another chance to show off what they have.

Some of the trick shot and goofy videos the UNI managers have posted over the years are hilarious

by **PantherSigEp** » January 11th, 2020, 9:38 am

After the ISUb game, Seth Tuttle heard that Jake Odum played in the managers game and thought it was cool Jake was out there with the guys. So of course last night Tuttle, Sonnen and Erik Crawford joined the team against the MSU managers. Looks like a can of worms has been opened and UNI has it's own Big 3.

Again, I find it somewhat lame that its not just true managers and guys with 0 college experience, but if everyone is having fun, then who cares. Although who ever is assigned to guarding Tuttle is certainly NOT going to have fun.

Side Note: Prior to the loss against the ISUb Fighting Odums, UNI was çranked" #1 in the nation (yes, there are rankings and yes they're probably based on...nothing) and SIU was #10.