Odom and Jones

Let’s just say that Coach Dave Odom didn’t have a choice, either time.

Odom couldn’t say no to a ex-Palmetto State Mr. Basketball who was interested in coming home. Odom would have been roasted by the fans had he done otherwise given the perception – true or not-that he and his staff haven’t worked hard enough to keep in-state players in state. Which I think that he has not done enough but that is just me.

But now Jones is gone.

And some are looking to blame Odom and his staff. That blame would be misplaced. Odom knew Jones might not make it; why else would he have him focus exclusively on academics after he enrolled in January?

Who’s to blame? I say not Odom. There is, as he said, a culture in basketball in which young athletes are taught that “because you’re gifted everything’s going to be okay. And at some point those lessons have to be untaught. That’s difficult.’’ Jones should have stepped up and did what was expected of him. As a athlete he already gets extra love from school officals…just focus. Jones may have learned that lesson this week when he was told by Odom that his scholarship wasn’t going to be renewed. For that, you can’t blame Dave Odom. Odom did the right thing for the kid and for the program. One could argue that doing the right thing is why SC basketball has never really performed year in and year out….but at the end of the day I would rather do the right thing.

I hear some “fans” are upset and calling for Odom’s head? That has been the talk for what 2 years now. I still think that the 07-08 season is Odom’s do or die year….he has the talent to compete in the SEC (key word compete) and do better than last year. If Odom and the team have a poor year like last year…..Odom is gone.

Thoughts?