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Rule #1

Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:

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Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.

That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.

Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.

In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.

Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.

If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!

All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.

Rule #2

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If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

Rule #3

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When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:

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Rule #4

Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

Rule #5

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

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If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
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Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

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The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

Rule #7

Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.

It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

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However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.

Rule #8

We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

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Rule #10

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Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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Official Butler Basketball Thread

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  • #31
    Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

    They've been my college team since I was about 5. Those DAWGS are awesome! with some higher ranked recruits We'll see if Butler can do it again next year.

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

      If Butler loses tomorrow you can thank Kohl's for jinxing them

      http://beyondthearc.nbcsports.com/20...r-now/related/

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

        I'm just trying to figure out why Butler "wasn't supposed to do this" this year....weren't they national runners up last year? Weren't they out of UConn, Kentucky, and VCU the most likely team out of the Final 4 to be there? They're either a legitimate national bball power or cinderella, but they can't be both, and to me, that's what rubs me the wrong way about a lot of Butler fans, they want to be both.

        Also, Blue 2, UGA 18 would like to have a chat with you.

        That being said, as much as the mascot and some of the fans who want to both wear the glass slipper and call themselves the Duke of the Midwest annoy me, I love the team and the coach. So I'm at a deep conundrum when it comes to Butler basketball and this national championship game this year.
        Last edited by Trader Joe; 04-04-2011, 09:51 AM.


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        • #34
          Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

          Originally posted by Trader Joe View Post
          I'm just trying to figure out why Butler "wasn't supposed to do this" this year....weren't they national runners up last year? Weren't they out of UConn, Kentucky, and VCU the most likely team out of the Final 4 to be there? They're either a legitimate national bball power or cinderella, but they can't be both, and to me, that's what rubs me the wrong way about a lot of Butler fans, they want to be both.

          Also, Blue 2, UGA 18 would like to have a chat with you.

          That being said, as much as the mascot and some of the fans who want to both wear the glass slipper and call themselves the Duke of the Midwest annoy me, I love the team and the coach. So I'm at a deep conundrum when it comes to Butler basketball and this national championship game this year.


          I agree but I think it has to do with the fact they are a midmajor than anything else. Its such a small school (4400 students total) nobody expected them to ever get there once let alone twice.

          However you're right they stopped being a Cinderella after last season.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

            Duke University's undergrad enrollment is only like 6500 I think. Butler's still a private school, but I understand your general point, I just don't think it works that way.

            It just rubs me the wrong way, either wear the glass slipper or be the big badass on the block, but don't try to be the big badass who also wears a glass slipper. It's not a good look. I can't tell you the hand fulls of Butler fans I've spoken to in the past week that have used the Cinderella argument and the "Duke of the Midwest" argument in the same discussion. You can't be both.


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            • #36
              Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

              Originally posted by Trader Joe View Post
              Duke University's undergrad enrollment is only like 6500 I think. Butler's still a private school, but I understand your general point, I just don't think it works that way.

              It just rubs me the wrong way, either wear the glass slipper or be the big badass on the block, but don't try to be the big badass who also wears a glass slipper. It's not a good look. I can't tell you the hand fulls of Butler fans I've spoken to in the past week that have used the Cinderella argument and the "Duke of the Midwest" argument in the same discussion. You can't be both.

              You've articulated perfectly everything that annoys me about this second Butler run.

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                I don't understand why it's such a sticking point for you two. It's very rare for a school to go to back-to-back national championship games.

                For all our talk about IU's history, they've never done it. (I'm not trying to pick a fight, just a factual statement with no emotional undertones attached)

                Then add in the fact that they're a mid-major and it makes it all that much more improbable.

                I really don't care about enrollment, because colleges have the power to recruit. (obviously) If Butler wanted too, and had the funds, it could have an enrollment of 1000 and the whole school only be the top notch athletes. Obviously academics wouldn't be worth a darn, but I highly doubt Coach Cal recruits with any mention of academics. (Brandon Knight being the exception)

                But it's all about what conference you play in, and our love for the major/BCS conferences. If you're not in a major conference then you suck, or so many seem to think.
                Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

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                • #38
                  Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                  I just want their fans to choose. Is this run an improbable Cinderella moment or at they really going to be the Duke of the Midwest...time to choose.

                  The program itself, the players, the coaches, etc, I think they have all made their choices. Do I think Brad Stevens views this as a fluke? Hell no. The guy is a cocky mother****er and I appreciate that.

                  Again, they were national runners up last year, they lost Hayward, but added Marshall and kept Howard and Mack and Nored and Vanzant and Hahn, I mean do I need to go on? And yet it's unexpected that their back here? I disagree, a great accomplishment, a rare feat, all of those things are true, but I think those players expected to be here even if their play in November, December, and January didn't exactly inspire those hopes.


                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                    Originally posted by Trader Joe View Post
                    I'm just trying to figure out why Butler "wasn't supposed to do this" this year....weren't they national runners up last year? Weren't they out of UConn, Kentucky, and VCU the most likely team out of the Final 4 to be there? They're either a legitimate national bball power or cinderella, but they can't be both, and to me, that's what rubs me the wrong way about a lot of Butler fans, they want to be both.

                    Also, Blue 2, UGA 18 would like to have a chat with you.

                    That being said, as much as the mascot and some of the fans who want to both wear the glass slipper and call themselves the Duke of the Midwest annoy me, I love the team and the coach. So I'm at a deep conundrum when it comes to Butler basketball and this national championship game this year.
                    Butler wasn't supposed to do this year, because they were never even supposed to do this last year. It wasn't EVER supposed to happen. Then they lost their best player to the draft, and it definitely wasn't supposed to happen again. How many people thought last year was a once-in-a-lifetime situation? Now it has happened twice.

                    Out of the Final Four teams, there is no way that Butler was the most likely to be there. They were supposed to be there more than a VCU team that probably never should have gotten in the tournament, but definitely not more than UK or UCONN. UK is the 2nd greatest college basketball program ever. UCONN has already won 2 national titles in the past 12 years, and is looking for a 3rd. Was it a surprise that those teams went on such great runs to end the season? Yes. Was it more of a surprise than a Butler team that lost to a terrible Youngstown St. team made it? No chance. It is certainly possible that Butler might wouldn't have even made the tournament themselves if they do not beat Milwaukee on their home floor to win their conference tourney.

                    Last year was shocking, but it was obvious early on, and throughout the course of the season, that they were just a really good team. This year, that wasn't the case, which makes it even more surprising really.

                    I think people are taking how special this really is somewhat for granted, because it happened just a year ago.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                      Originally posted by Trader Joe View Post
                      I just want their fans to choose. Is this run an improbable Cinderella moment or at they really going to be the Duke of the Midwest...time to choose.

                      The program itself, the players, the coaches, etc, I think they have all made their choices. Do I think Brad Stevens views this as a fluke? Hell no. The guy is a cocky mother****er and I appreciate that.

                      Again, they were national runners up last year, they lost Hayward, but added Marshall and kept Howard and Mack and Nored and Vanzant and Hahn, I mean do I need to go on? And yet it's unexpected that their back here? I disagree, a great accomplishment, a rare feat, all of those things are true, but I think those players expected to be here even if their play in November, December, and January didn't exactly inspire those hopes.
                      Marshall was a big addition, and the improvement of Andrew Smith has been huge, but you're forgetting the loss of Willie Veasley. He was a (the?) leader of that team.

                      They were a team built on defense, and they lost their two best defenders in Hayward and Veasley.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                        Then they're still Cinderella. Fine, I can live with that. What I can't live with is someone who says "We're on a Cinderella run!" then goes on to say "But we're also the Duke of the Midwest". You can't have it both ways.

                        It's either a Cinderella run or it's not.

                        And I still think all the Blue 2 hype is incredibly stupid.


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                        • #42
                          Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                          Originally posted by Mackey_Rose View Post
                          Marshall was a big addition, and the improvement of Andrew Smith has been huge, but you're forgetting the loss of Willie Veasley. He was a (the?) leader of that team.

                          They were a team built on defense, and they lost their two best defenders in Hayward and Veasley.
                          Nored? Nored is/was the best perimeter defender on that squad.

                          EDIT: Also, yeah Smith coming out of his shell in January is really probably the biggest reason they're here. He's probably the biggest reason Howard hasn't dealt with foul trouble.


                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                            Originally posted by Trader Joe View Post
                            Then they're still Cinderella. Fine, I can live with that. What I can't live with is someone who says "We're on a Cinderella run!" then goes on to say "But we're also the Duke of the Midwest". You can't have it both ways.

                            It's either a Cinderella run or it's not.

                            And I still think all the Blue 2 hype is incredibly stupid.
                            Whoever is calling Butler the "Duke of the Midwest" is just flat out wrong to start with. When/if Butler wins multiple championships then people can start making that comparison, but right now that's not even in the ball park, let alone in left field.

                            Can I ask your feelings towards indiana high school history? How do you view Milan? When everyone talks about what was the beauty of a single class system, Milan is the very first thing that's brought up. Yet everyone seems to forget, or just not know, that they were in the state finals the year before and returned every player from that team.

                            (I know it's a little of topic, I just think the parallels between the two stories and how they're connected as far as the state and Hinkle is pretty cool)

                            As long as Butler is a mid-major, they will always be a Cinderella.
                            Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                              Since, I think we're not far apart on this issue at all.

                              I like the Milan story and I was aware of it's parallels.

                              My opinion is that Butler's runs here are Cinderella runs that should be appreciated for that, not a sign of a program set up for long term success.

                              My beef is simply with the fans that want to be both a national power and a cinderella. Oh and Blue 2.


                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Official Butler Basketball Thread

                                Congrats.. Not really a Butler fan, but great work. Hopefully they win it all and Shelvin Mack/Ronald Nored can shut Kemba down. Maybe next year I'll watch them more often?

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