athletes in action

stj vs niagara

2007-12-15T12:55:00.000-05:00

New post at the East Coast Bias-- pre-game quotes from the ST. John's Red Storm, who play Niagara at 4 PM Eastern time.

Niagara Purple Eagles at St. John's Red Storm this Saturday

2007-12-13T16:25:00.001-05:00

New post on the upcoming St. Johns vs. Niagara basketball game at THE East Coast Bias, your source for Red Storm news, pregame information, and recaps.

New Look, New Style, New Insight.

2007-12-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

We're moving the blog:

http://theeastcoastbias.wordpress.com/

Bookmark THE East Coast Bias in your readers. We're stepping up the game. It'll still have the same St. John's Red Storm news and analysis, with more player notes and information, stats, and other goodies culled from firsthand viewing and all the best online sources. The U Mass, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox components are also coming. I promise.

And I left more gracefully than Petrino:

Mets Links

2007-12-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

Mets in the Dominican:

Reyes, training and at rest in the Dominican. And a photo gallery. Reyes will also be on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K8. Which will be available on the Wii!

2 Rule 5 picks: Steve Register (taken in the major league portion) from the Rockies organization and Garry Bakker (taken in the Triple A portion) taken from the White Sox organizaiotn. The Rule 5 explained by Baseball America:

The Rule V Draft is held annually during baseball's Winter Meetings. Teams must file a 40 man roster with the league office by November 20. Any player who fits all of the below criteria is eligible for the Rule V Draft:

* Player is not on the 40 man roster
* Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 4 years if he was signed after age 19 (was 3 years before the 2006 CBA).
* Player has been in the minor leagues for at least 5 years if he was signed before age 19 (was 4 years before the 2006 CBA).

Any player drafted must stay in the major leagues all season. Before he is sent to the minors, he must be offered back to the club who had his rights for a $25,000 waiver fee. Often, teams will send a player in lieu of the fee.

Minor league teams can also participate in the draft. AAA teams can draft any player eligible from AA for $12,000, and AA teams can draft any players that are eligible from A for $4,000. Players chosen in the minor league part of the draft do not need to return to the original teams for any reason.

John Maine was Impersonated. Dammit, I Was Diggin' The X-Dress Action.

2007-12-05T14:20:00.000-05:00

A New Refutation of ~~Time and Space~~ Identity:

The Mets say pitcher John Maine is the victim of an impostor who has been asking women for their outfits. Thursday, a woman named Abby Cohen called the club Touch to get "John Maine" a table at their opening night. When the man arrived, he identified himself as the Mets pitcher and asked several young ladies if he could try on their dresses (even offering a reporter $200 for hers). Despite being "recognized" as Maine by doormen and publicists for Touch, the Mets insist that he has not been in New York since October and was in Virginia on the night of incident.

John Maine is the Kind of Man Made for the New York Nightlife

2007-12-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

I really love it when a New York athlete really gets into being a New York athlete-- the parties, the gossip column mentions, some gambling, and not being afraid of going out in drag. Even if Rudy "Lieutenant 9/11" Giuliani did it too.

John Maine, in fact, welcomes a touch of gender-bending:

At the opening of Touch nightclub on Thursday, Mets' pitcher John Maine approached a twentysomething club-goer and offered her several hundred dollars to try on her dress.

The Virginia-born ball-hurler later approached PageSix.com and asked to test-drive our frock as well. “I’m John Maine. I pitch for the Mets! I’m a hot piece of ass!” he kept repeating. He claimed that he was on his way to a drag party later that night.

“Come on, I’ll give you $200 to try on your dress,” he begged. “Just to take a picture. It’ll be fun.”

While I'm not going to throw around money to rock a stranger's dress (and at 6'4", 200 lbs, I have no idea where he's readily going to find a woman that is his size), I love this. John Maine, keep the solid pitching up and with nightlife stories like this, you will be legend-- wait for it-- I'm not going to jack How I Met Your Mother, I respect the show too much for that. But still. David Wright needs to hang out with you, man.

John Maine: second coming of Joe Willie Namath?

Jets Football Song

2007-12-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

Taken from The Sports Hernia:

"The Garv" on trying out for left guard of the Jets in this year's training camp. Seriously, watch this. Over an over again. This man is serious about protecting Chad Pennington. His verbal style will... oh, just watch the video.

Game #5: St. John's 47 at Miami Hurricanes 66

2007-12-03T21:53:00.000-05:00

It was an ass-whoopin', clean and clear. More notes on the game later, but basically, Miami's bigger athletes overpowered the Johnnies. The first half was ugly but St. John's tied the game at the half. Then they came out and got abused in the second half by Anthony King, who was Tyler hansbrough for one small stretch of his life. That will be his highlight reel to eastern European teams when he's done with this, his 6th year of eligibility.

The Red Storm looked confused, out of sorts; Larry Wright couldn't hit the sidewalk with his shot; Burrell was handled on both ends of the court; and the coaches had no good answers.

Game #5: St. John's at Miami Hurricanes

2007-12-02T12:58:00.000-05:00

So this is what passes as a big game this year-- St. John's at Miami, the first road test for the young Johnnies. I can't say i know what to expect, exactly; under Coach Roberts, the team has not been a road warrior:

Including St. John's Super Bowl Sunday win at Cincinnati on Feb. 4, 2007, the Red Storm owns four road victories since the dawn of the Norm Roberts Era...

4 victories in 4 years? Well, that's a trend to turn around, isn't it? Coupled with the Vegas point spread (not that I bet or condone betting), which has MIA favored by 10 and a 135 point over under, there are less-than-positive indicators for the Red Storm men's basketball squad. Part of that has to be the amount of information we just don't know about this team. There will be one player on the court who received significant minutes last year in Eugene Lawrence. i don't know how Norm Roberts is going to coach the game-- will Sean Evans get lots of time? Will Larry Wright play half the game? If it were me 3 or 4 guys would be playing 35 minutes each.

Miami is 6-0, seems pretty effiecient and solid defensively. They've beaten Providence College. They rebound well, especially on the offensive side, shoot quite a few free throws, and depend on their three point shooting, because their two-point shooting is suspect. Statistically, they play a little slower than St. John's. The teams that have hung close with the Hurricanes seem to shoot the ball well. They play man to man, physical defense, kind of like St. John's (but sometimes the Johnnies aren't really getting in guards' grills). Norm and Justin Burrell on the Miami squad:

Norm:

"The other thing they do a great job is getting to the offensive glass. What's going to be a huge key for us is our ability to rebound the ball and defend the first shot and get open looks. The big guys all hit the glass, they all have double figure offensive rebounds in the six games they played."

Burrell:

"We're definitely going to need a big team effort to rebound this weekend. Their three big guys have about 50 rebounds together so far, we're going to need Dele Coker, Tomas Jasiulionis and Sean Evans and our guards as well to rebound in order to get it done.

This afternoon, the Miami team may be without starting guard Jack McClinton, but will start their top freshman Eddie Rios, who has had a pair of 2-10 shooting games recently. Anthony King weighs in at 246 lbs and 6'9"; the rest of the team is strong but not tall.

Some notes from the Miami Herald:

The Hurricanes didn't just improve in the paint, they also made their free throws. After going 8 of 21 from the line Saturday, they went to the free-throw line a season-high 42 times and converted 31 attempts.

Something else got better, too, Wednesday -- attendance. There were 2,339 fans at the game -- 600 more than Saturday's game. More are expected Sunday, when UM faces former Big East rival St. John's (4-0). It is expected to be UM's stiffest test before it plays at Mississippi State on Dec. 13.

Haith hopes to have co-captain Jack McClinton back by then. McClinton, the team's leading scorer, missed his second consecutive game because of an injured left thumb. Haith said he is hopeful McClinton will be able to play Sunday.

''I know Jack is anxious, he wanted to get back tonight,'' Haith said. ``. . . I think we're looking to take the cast off in the next couple days. I think we want to see what it looks like, feels like, and we'll go from there.''

Freshman point guard Eddie Rios got his second consecutive start in place of McClinton, and again shot 2 of 10 from the field.

But he showed positive signs running Miami's offense, finishing with 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and three turnovers in 35 minutes.

Keys to the game:

Composure. Not that those 3000 fans are going to be overwhelming. The Red Storm play in front of about that many people at home games against crap teams, and Miami has historically had bad attendance for their basketball games. But being on the road for the first time as freshmen, and on national television will certainly get a few players to press, to try to impress. Burrell, especially, has to concentrate on his game and not imagined fouls or the fouls that will be called on him as he goes against the veteran Anthony King defensively. The talent is there to win, but the team has to try not to play above their heads.

Mano-a-mano. This is obviously the most talented team the Red Storm has had to play defense against, and they have to be up to the challenge early. In other games, the defense on the guards has been more lax than it needs to be, and while they have been able to step it up in the second half, this is a different weight class. The 'Canes have some strong guards, and that will favor Eugene Lawrence on defense, hopefully. St. John's will need to screen to get Larry Wright free, and Burrell will have a chance to show what he can do on offense and defense with his incredible quickness and skill around the basket. If Coker (and Jasiulionis, if he plays) can stay on the court, they may be difference makers. And DJ Kennedy will slip inside and make plays.

Make it Ugly. Paris Horne and the other guards need to force turnovers, keep them out of rhythm-- especially if freshman guard Eddie Rios is starting. And collect the rebounds.

Big Time 'Em. Burrell, Kennedy, here's your showcase. Go get them.

Milledge Traded for $24 worth of trinkets, a Chaucer tale, and a water-stained Power Pack comic book

2007-11-30T15:07:00.000-05:00

Bye, Milledge, we hardly knew ya.

I was prepping a New York Mets post about the offseason so far, asking why the team doesn't let Ramon Castro hold down the catcher's job full time (since he's a capable catcher and beats the piss out of the ball when he's on the field), wondering about pitchers and relievers, when I see this from metsgeek and the nynewsday:

1:20 PM EST, November 30, 2007

The Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, a baseball official confirmed this afternoon. Milledge was believed to be a major chip in the Mets' pursuit of an elite starting pitcher this offseason, but that apparently was not the case.

Schneider, 31, will now take over in the catching tandem with Ramon Castro, only a week after the Mets traded for Johnny Estrada. Schneider is expected to be a defensive upgrade to Estrada, who is now almost certain to be released. Schneider hit .235 with six homers and 54 RBI last season.

Church, 29, will be added to the mix in rightfield. He batted .272 with 15 home runs and 70 RBI in 144 games for the Nationals.

Milledge showed flashes of his highly-touted potential in the past two seasons. He batted .272 (50-for-184) with seven homers and 29 RBI last year. Evidently, the Mets value Carlos Gomez, a superior defensive player, over Milledge. But Gomez could be moved in a deal for a starting pitcher at next week's winter meetings.

Well, dick on a platter. If that's not one of the worst trades I've ever seen, I think it's time to come up with a list. Milledge was a high first round pick, hit solidly last year. Had potential. Now we have:

Brian Schneider. A weak hitting defensive catcher. We had Yorvit Torrealba for that role; why did we have to trade a valuable player? Maybe this line from the ap report has something to do with it:

Milledge... had been reprimanded for not running hard on the bases and had arrived late to the clubhouse for a game. He also rankled Mets management by making a rap CD that used offensive language.

Tem Mets are very image conscious, so we get a nice "veteran presence":

Ryan Church. Have YOU heard of Ryan Church? He's 29. If he were of much note, you would have heard of him. A few homers, 43 doubles, a credible glove, but nothing impressive.

This just in-- he's a frickin' bible-thumper?

An article in Sunday's paper about Baseball Chapel quoted Church as saying that he had turned to Moeller for advice about his former girlfriend, who was Jewish. "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed? Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word," Church said.

I love my Bible too, but that's a) ridiculous and b) some crap you don't say to a reporter.

Ah crap. No more L-Millz:

Or slick sliding:

Game #4 Quick Hits: St. John's 68, LIU 56

2007-11-28T21:45:00.000-05:00

- Dele Coker got the start. He played some minutes... and picked up 4 fouls. The rotation in general was highly "experimental," with Cavataio coming in during the first half but only taking one shot, Sean Evans coming in and giving some minutes, Larry Wright not playing enough time. And Jasiulionis played also!

- Justin Burrell and DJ Kennedy were pretty masterful, shooting well, rebounding, stealing the ball...

- Anthony Mason Jr's defense was credible but his shot (air-ball) was NOT. And then he rolled over an LIU player's ankle, hurting it again... Norm's postgame comments sound cheery but somehow I think the result will not be as sunny.

- Ugly effing game. No one shot, Larry Wright got bumped/ hurt a little, but scored some crucial points late for 10 in total.

- Lawrence and Horne shot bricks... and I believe they had 15-20 turnovers. More when I get my hand on the box scores and news on Mason's condition.

Game #4, LIU Blackbirds at St. John's

2007-11-28T08:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight, the St. John’s Red Storm faces the Long Island University Blackbirds, 7.30 ET at Carnesecca Arena. For some reason Long Island University is in Brooklyn, a borough whose residents never think of themselves as “Long Islanders.” I know I didn’t when I lived there. I should have some affection for the team; they’re Brooklyn, they were a mile from the old Brooklyn home, they’re across the street from Junior’s.

Let me stop selling them short though. Unlike Fairleigh Dickinson (aka Fairleigh Ridiculous) they have won some games—albeit against Army (who can’t score against their early-season competition), Canisius (who really can’t score against the early competition), and Columbia (the Ivy league hasn’t been semi-capable in a few years). LIU has also lost to Notre Dame. Actually, they got tore up by Notre Dame, 82-50. As an aside, LIU has a rich basketball history back in the 40’s and 50’s, when they were coached by Hall of Famer Clair Bee with stars like William King. Plus, the team includes transfer Ron Manigault, cousin of NYC streetball/ hoops legend Earl "The Goat" Manigault, famed for grabbing quarters off the tops of backboards, a feat that's up there with Dwight Howard's sticker dunk (photo) for pure unadulterated illness.

LIU is regarded as perhaps the best of the Northeast Conference competition. LIU’s two leading scorers, senior Kellen Allen (14.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and freshman Kyle Johnson (14.2 ppg, 6 rpg, 45% 3-pt) come off the bench. From the news recaps, it seems that LIU has some good scoring runs in them, and they are regarded as a pretty good squad

Ken Pomeroy’s rankings have the Blackbirds a bit higher in terms of offensive efficiency (259) and defensive efficiency (98) than the other NEC squads that St. John’s has played; but St. John’s is also capable offensively (32) and defensively (22). Note that the numbers are all raw and St. John’s isn’t actually that good. But they have been solid.

So, tonight’s the night, like Redman said—Anthony Mason Jr. returns from his high ankle sprain to get some playing time before facing “the U” aka the University of Miami this Sunday. Rumor has it that center Tomas Jasiulionis will be held out of this contest after aggravating his tendonitis; this isn’t official word so we don’t know if Coach Roberts will start DJ Kennedy, Dele Coker, or maybe even Paris Horne (I would consider getting his defensive presence in the game).

Keys to tonight’s game:

- Don’t overlook the competition. I know the team is probably feeling all good about itself but I am sure Norm Roberts is reminding them that they had to grit out an opening game win against St. Francis, and FDU was up on them at halftime. The Red Storm needs to come out with the defensive intensity—success for this team starts with the defense, and they need to build good habits before the Sunday game in Miami.

- Mason, Mason, Mason. Fans have been anticipating his return for a long time and wondering about chemistry and whose minutes get cut. But damn, a little depth is good to have; and will prove very good when the team faces better competition. For his part, Mason has to play that complementary role at times and know when to look for his offense. At times last year, he took shots like a superstar at his coming out party, but he’s not going to be a superstar that way; his mid-range and outside jumpers aren’t so great that he can continue to jack up shots when there are capable and creative options in Wright, Burrell, and perhaps Kennedy. Mason has to rebound, drive, drive-and-kick. And perhaps he will be more effective with fewer shots.

- Rebounding. If Jasiulionis is out, this is an opportunity for Burrell, Coker, Mason, and Kennedy to really get after the ball on defense and on the boards. Cleaning the windows means this team can run; and with the athletes out there, this team should look for all of the easy fast break shots and putbacks it can.

- Keep up the Pace. This team needs to get Malik Boothe more time to make plays and make this team run. Eugene Lawrence needs to keep his excellent play going, and Larry Wright needs to further establish himself as a threat—no nights off for anyone on this squad.

RIP Sean Taylor.

2007-11-27T10:16:00.000-05:00

From the AP via ESPN:

"According to a preliminary investigation, it appears that the victim was shot inside the home by an intruder," Miami-Dade County police said in a statement.

But police were still investigating the attack, which came just eight days after an intruder was reported at Taylor's home. Officers were dispatched about 1:45 a.m. Monday after Taylor's girlfriend called 911.

Sharpstein said Taylor's girlfriend told him the couple was awakened by loud noises, and Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Taylor's 1-year-old daughter, Jackie, was also in the house, but neither she nor Taylor's girlfriend were injured.

Police found signs of forced entry, but have not determined if they were caused Monday, or the previous burglary.

The shooting happened in the pale yellow house he bought two years ago in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay. Eight days before the attack someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed at Taylor's home, according to police.

"They're really sifting through that incident and today's incident," Miami-Dade Detective Mario Rachid said, "to see if there's any correlation."

Born April 1, 1983, Taylor starred as a running back and defensive back at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami.

He was a hell of a player, and that's a shady way to go out. I hope they catch whoever did this. Reports don't list any missing items from the Taylor home, and by the nearby machete, he obviously felt threatened by something. But this seems different than the summer's Chicago area home invasions of Antoine Walker's and Eddy Curry's homes and closer to Darrent Williams' shooting-- senseless, and a cause for security concerns for athletes. Why? Neighborhood connections? Reputation? Earlier altercations? One day maybe we'll know a little more.

Game 3: Final Score St. John's 92, FDU 67

2007-11-25T21:26:00.000-05:00

A little tight until the beginning of the second half, but a 15-4 run will wipe some grim off the game. Larry Wright hit 6 three-pointers, Burrell blocked a few shots and brought down 13 rebounds, I think, and Paris Horne used his defense to harass the FDU guards. DJ Kennedy and the rest played major minutes and was very good, even shot well. Larry Wright also played solid defense. And Lawrence shot well, dribbled well, passed well-- I think 9 assists along with 20 points. The bigs didn't play much because FDU played small and they had foul trouble... At the end, a nice game.

Tonight - 7:30ET: Game 3, FDU Knights at St. John's

2007-11-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Photo of Larry Wright taken from Red Storm Sports.

Tonight, St. John's Red Storm has another home contest at Carnesecca Arena against a Northeast Conference (NEC) opponent, Fairleigh Dickinson University from Teaneck. The fans are feeling pretty good about this St. John's team, with their convincing victory over Connecticut's Sacred Heart University, also from the NEC. Dickinson is 1-3 on the season, and have allowed 88 points per game. This seems like a fairly easy game for the Johnnies...

But with 7 freshmen, and Anthony Mason still out with his high ankle sprain, no team can be overlooked. The FDU Knights play a three-guard lineup, and thus far in the season, have shot well from beyond the arc. They have also been blown out by every team they have lost to. According to Ken Pomeroy's basketball efficiency statistics (based mainly on effectiveness per 100 possessions) the two teams in terms of national Offensive and Defensive efficiency rank (the adjusted numbers take into account the quality of the opponents):

It's early, of course, and St. John's hasn't played a team that has really challenged them, but by all metrics, FDU is a really bad defensive team, but offensively, not bad. Again, a lot of this may be their hot shooting from beyond the arc, with senior Manny Ubilla shooting 44% (12-27), senior forward Eric Hazard at 53% (9-17), senior Bernell Murray lagging with 31.6% shooting (6-19) and Sean Baptiste contributing with 66.7% (8-12) shooting. They also have freshman John Galvin manning the middle.

Last week, the Red Storm played extremely well. The second game found the freshmen playing better, rebounding well, and holding the lead. Paris Horne didn't take many unnecessary/ ridiculous shots, Justin Burrell was a decent offensive and defensive force, Dele Coker was effective with his minutes.

This week, I would like to see:

A more effective Malik Boothe and Tomas Jasiulionis. In 18 minutes against Sacred Heart, Malik missed all three field goal attempts and had a single assist. He needs to get some minutes and push the pace of this team, but not to the point where they are out of control. TJ should look for his shot more, especially from mid-range (though I am sure we still won't see that) and continue to block shots and use his height defensively. It would be nice to see more rebounds, but there is little indication that he is going to be a beast on the boards.

Continued hot shooting from Lawrence and Wright. They have been effective in their spots, with Larry Wright looking for his shot and Lawrence knocking down open attempts.

Better overall play from Burrell, Coker, and Kennedy. Burrell needs to get easier attempts and really use his athleticism to go off. Kennedy's shooting has been mediocre but he has made up for it by moving the ball, rebounding, and making plays; his dribble/ ball handling will hopefully show improvement. Coker just needs to see more time and cut down on the fouls; hopefully Coach Roberts will give the kid some run.

Defense of the three. The three-pointer is the great equalizer. It would be great to see the Red Storm guards stifling the outside shot and putting pressure on FDU's ballhandlers. This is the kind of game where Paris Horne and Malik Boothe should shine. I'll assume the FDU Knights will draw Burrell out of the defensive paint with Hazard; this will be a test of how well Burrell can defend in space.

Props to the team on their work last Wednesday, serving turkey dinners at the Bread and Life Soup Kitchen in Brooklyn.

News Articles on Last Night's Game

2007-11-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

New York Post (Lenn Robbins):

The only thing St. John's lost last night was a tooth.

Sophomore Larry Wright would have pumped in more than the 16 he did in a 76-49 rout of Sacred Heart in Carnesecca Arena were it not for the front tooth he lost to an accidental elbow.

The Red Storm (2-0) took a 10-0 lead and never lost it. St. John's never lost its intensity, which was a problem that plagued it last season.

Today the team will not lose the meaning of the university's mission when it serves Thanksgiving Day dinner to some 1,200 less fortunate at the St. John's Bread and Life Soup Kitchen in Brooklyn.

"It will probably be the best day they have," said St. John's coach Norm Roberts.

It won't be great for Wright, who will have to pay a visit to the dentist. It won't be great for center Tomas Jasiulionis, who took a knee to the knee that exacerbated tendinitis, and he sat the last 18 minutes and 16 seconds....

Burrell posted his first double-double (15 points, 11 boards) but he must break the habit of lobbying for calls.

"Coach Q [Fred Quartlebaum] and Coach Roberts told me I don't want to get a reputation," said Burrell, who along with the other six freshmen accounted for 41 points and 34 boards.

Senior Eugene Lawrence had a team-high 17 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field to go along with eight assists and two turnovers. Lawrence has 13 assists and no turnovers in two games.... Roberts said he didn't think Jasiulionis' injury was serious, but that was the initial call on Mason, too.

Mason's injury already has proven to be more problematic than initially assumed.

"You could say that," said Roberts. "High ankle sprains can be hard to get back from quickly. He's responding to treatment, so that's good. It gives everyone else a chance to step up."

NY Daily News (Roger Rubin):

This time there would be no last-minute scare. No crisis of confidence, no late scoring drought and no mistake-prone stretch either. St. John's was everything it is supposed to be last night.

Larry Wright made a pair of three-pointers as the Red Storm opened against Sacred Heart with 10 unanswered points in the first two minutes and then overpowered the Pioneers for a 76-49 win before 3,403 at Carnesecca Arena.

The game played out pretty much exactly as it should when a Big East team takes on a mid-to-low major. The Storm was clearly a cut above in every aspect of the game.

"Larry kind of got me excited when he came out," said senior Eugene Lawrence who finished with 17 points on 5-for-5 shooting and eight assists. "He made a big steal, he hit two big shots. He kind of set the tone for this....It was a good win for us."....

In the second half, St. John's never allowed Sacred Heart closer than 22 and got the lead as big as 76-44 on a jumper by Mike Cavataio with 1:21 to play. At the end, Roberts had played each of his 12 scholarship players at least 10 minutes.

New York Newsday/ AMNY (Joseph Staszewski):

As Wright's shooting helped St. John's control the game early, Burrell's play in the paint did so for the rest of the half. The highly touted newcomer almost had a double-double (10 points, eight rebounds) before the halftime buzzer. Lawrence found him for an easy lay-in for a 48-21 lead at the half. That may have been Burrell's easiest basket. His 6-8 frame moved through packs of Sacred Heart defenders to grab rebounds for putbacks.

The Red Storm tried to work the ball inside to Dele Coker and Burrell to start the second half, but started just 1-for-6 from the field. Then Wright made two free throws and a beautiful reverse layup, and Lawrence hit a three from the left side to put St. John's back up 25 with 12:55 left. Burrell was not as sharp in the second half, missing his first five shots.

Game #2, Sacred Heart Pioneers (49) at St. John's (76)

2007-11-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

Sacred Heart	21	28	49
St. John's	48	28	76

- St. John's got off to a quick lead in this one, with Eugene Lawrence and Larry Wright hitting from beyond the arc. The team ended 8-15, 53%, and even DJ Kennedy and Paris Horne sunk one each.

- The quick beginning gave way to the freshmen, but they played decently; seemed as though fast break defense is going to be an issue with this team. With Big East games in a month-- Louisville, U-Cons, Seton Hall, and Marquette come to mind as teams that will run the fast break all day long on a team.

- Coker was active, though he had 4 fouls. I'll take the 5 rebounds. Strong rebounding from DJ Kennedy again (9) and from Burrell (11 to go along with his 15 points). Sean Evans scored 4 and pulled down 5 rebounds.

- Sounds like Burrell missed some bunnies-- finish hard, big man! Like Walton likes to say. I didn't see them because the game was radio only... Speaking of bunnies, 57% free throw percentage won't cut it. And the turnovers could be improved upon-- 4 by Burrell and 3 by Kennedy, but he lost his handle more often than that.

- Mike Cavataio and the senior walk-ons, Otaja Abit and Liam Biesty both got burn! Only Cavataio scored, and his time on the floor made me think that perhaps he should be redshirted.

- Lawrence passed well, with only a couple over-aggressive flings in his 8 assist, 2 turnover line. Boothe played well but hardly showed up in the box score. Is that like a tree falling in the forest?

- Larry Wright is quickly becoming a favorite. 5-8 shooting, 3-6 from beyond the 3 point arc, 3-4 from the free throw line, 16 points. With 3 steals, 2 assists, and defensive effort. And a chipped tooth.

- The Pioneers got some easy baskets in the second half, and the game was generally sloppy after the blowout first half... but we'll take it. Coach Roberts commented on the transition defense, so hopefully he'll get that sorted.

- Tomas Jasiulionis seemed to hurt his shin in the second half... and never came back. Hope he's okay.

Tonight-- St. John's vs Sacred Heart, 7.30 ET

2007-11-20T13:01:00.000-05:00

It's good to see that the New York Post, in their fact and spell checking wisdom, can't spell the name of St. John's leading scorer and returning scholarship player, Larry Wright. They report Anthony Mason is out for tonight's game with a high ankle sprain that worries the fans more with each missed practice and contest.

Supposedly the athletic Mason, who the Johnnies are supposed to be built around might return by Sunday's game against Fairleigh Dickinson, but this is the paper that can't spell the players' names right, and is known for their half-truths and scraped from the bottom innuendo, so we'll see Mase when he's on the court.

Also, there was a rumor flitting about that freshman guard from Queens Mike Cavataio would redshirt... but Coach Roberts denies that report. He may be keeping Cavataio active until the team knows when and how well Anthony Mason returns.

They keys to the game are basic. Sacred Heart is supposed to be a quality NEC team, come on, it's Sacred Heart! It's the NEC! This team has to be able to whoop up on them.

- Rebounding. A smaller St. Francis team beat the Red Storm on the boards, despite the supposed rebounding prowess of freshman Justin Burrell and the size of Tomas Jasiulionis and Dele Coker. DJ Kennedy pulled down 14 rebounds last week.

- Holding the lead. This one was all coaching, as Norm Roberts put 5 freshmen on the floor at different times, and the lead trickled away. The freshmen need to get their minutes, for sure, and if Justin Burrell is sidelined with foul trouble, his backup is raw. But the kids have to hold the lead, or get out and score.

- Shot selection, especially from Paris Horne. He likes to jack up threes, but in the exhibition and in the opener, I think he's hit 1 of 8. His shot is flat. He's a fast, active athlete, and needs to use that to his advantage rather than take Nate Robinson ill-advised-shot practice.

DJ Kennedy, despite not shooting well, was phenomenal. Here's one of his drives.

Show and Tell, Meadowlands-style

2007-11-20T12:42:00.000-05:00

You know, I've been to a Jets game or two, and I never knew there was an unofficial halftime show of women showing their breasts on the Gate D ramps. But now everyone knows, thanks to the NY Times article. And if you're looking for the YouTube videos referenced in the article, they've been taken down.

From the article:

The mood of previous Gate D crowds — captured on video clips posted on YouTube — sometimes bordered on hostile, not unlike the spirit of infamously aggressive European soccer hooligans. One clip online shows a woman being groped by a man standing next to her....

Such fan behavior is not uncommon at other sporting events in the United States, like Nascar races and the infield at the Kentucky Derby.

1- Jets fans, we're like Nascar? That's just embarrassing.
2- The tradition does not apply to Giants games... and I am sure will not apply after last week.
3- When I went to the Meadowlands, I was cold as hell. You couldn't convince me to take off any layers, let alone show my...
4- It wouldn't be hard to arrest the people who show their tits (just, you know, unfair and kinda skeevy) vs arresting all the men watching (though I think a sturdy "move along" might help, security! as would arresting one seemingly drunk guy for public intoxication-- shouldn't be hard to find a drunk in that crowd). But if there's no show, there's no congregation.
5- If this was a rap show, there would be MANY arrests. Just saying.

St John's Preview from Basketball Prospectus

2007-11-16T14:26:00.000-05:00

A preview from Basketball Prospectus, from one of my favorite places for basketball news and stats. The St John’s entry for the Big East Team profiles is ¾ down the page.

The summary:

1- St. John’s changed their style of offense from an interior oriented offense to the 3rd most 3-pt attempts in Big East conference play. As mentioned, this is partly because the team had an actual shooter (who had the green light) and Anthony Mason (who always has a green light) and perhaps reflects a tendency by both to not drive inside for the higher percentage shot and foul shot opportunities.

2- Despite early results, Lawrence’s outside shooting was the best among last year’s starters; but he only attempted 100 attempts because he was always on the floor. Also, he turns the ball over, but all St. John’s fans know that part.

3- The team will be young (we KNOW that) and author John Gasaway notes that Burrell will be looked to be a star; Mason shot with the frequency of a star but without stellar results (his effectiveness was mercurial like the moon); and Jasiulionis is a shot blocker but will be able to show what the rest of his skills look like.

4- And the team is going through a complete roster turnover, which bodes for rough times in Queens.

Because Everyone Loves Insight into Marbury Drama

2007-11-16T13:07:00.000-05:00

“I want you guys to know I’m sorry,” Stephon Marbury said, “for everything you’ve had to go through the past couple days.”

The players turned to look at Marbury, waiting to hear if the Knicks’ prodigal point guard had anything to add. Over the previous 48 hours, Marbury had threatened to “bury” his coach; left the team in Phoenix to fly home to New York; reportedly incurred a team-issued fine worth just under $200,000; and, finally, jetted back across the country to Los Angeles to rejoin his teammates.

Marbury, however, stayed quiet. He hadn’t even bothered to stand up to issue his brief apology.

This is what the Knicks had come to expect from their $20 million star. The size of the gesture didn’t matter as much as its lack of sincerity.

And that’s why, less than 24 hours earlier, when Isiah Thomas dispatched Jamal Crawford to find out how the players would react if and when Marbury rejoined the team, all of them voted against allowing him to play. Thomas, according to one person who spoke with Crawford, had pledged to hold out Marbury if even a single Knick didn’t want him on the court.

So how did Thomas react to the team’s unanimous vote?

He sat Marbury until late in the first quarter then played him nearly 34 of the game’s remaining 39 minutes.

from Yahoo! Sports

Box Score: St. John's vs St. Francis (NY)

2007-11-15T07:45:00.000-05:00

Sports Illustrated box score from last night's game.

St. John's 72, St. Francis (NY) 64 Recap

2007-11-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

A win is a win, especially without star player Anthony Mason. A fuller analysis to come once some site puts up the full box score with steals, assists, turnovers, and rebounds. But from what I heard from the radio feed:

- This game was too close for comfort. Even though all kinds of Division I teams had opening game troubles, this team had some sloppy stretches, turnovers, and ill advised shots.

- On defense, St. Francis got some run up and down the court, and their forward Robert Hones went off for 19 points and 12 rebounds (I think).

- St. John's had some solid offensive stretches, ran a little bit, converted turnovers to points, mostly on Paris Horne's effort.

By player:

Starters

(-) Eugene Lawrence left a bit to be desired. Having the senior leader jack up three pointers early in the shot clock is not by design.

(++) DANG! Larry Wright was on like Donkey Kong! In fact, I wonder why he didn't get more minutes; Coach Roberts chose to play 5 freshmen for stretches, especially in the first half. It's a good time to get them acclimated but Wright, who had a 1-4 shooting day outside the arc, hit 12 footers and drove the lane (6-10 inside the arc), and took a crucial charge.

(+) DJ Kennedy played like a man on a mission. Some of that mission was to make turnovers, and his handle was at times reckless or too high, but the rest of the mission was nice-- 14 rebounds from the small forward and 9 points, along with some nifty defense and interior passing.

(-) It's tough to call Justin Burrell a negative. By the radio accounts he was playing hard and making solid moves to the basket but the result only had 2 rebounds. This team needs him to be a monster on the boards. He'll be nice on putbacks from missed Anthony Mason bricks, but he has to rebound on defense as well. Burrell was in foul trouble much of the evening, and if he were a more foul-free factor, the team would have been in better shape.

(?+) Tomas Jasiulionis was active early on the offensive glass and scored 6 points, but only had 5 boards. He seemed to handle the ball well, but he was not a huge factor in the second half.

Bench:

(+) Boothe was reckless once in a while but excellent at getting to the hoop and hitting shots. Nice defense, also.

(+) It's hard to call Paris Horne a positive. Well, in the first half. He came in the game and jacked up two terrible sounding threes. But he got himself under control, scoring on two breakaways off of his own steals, disrupted passes, and got to the rim. A work in progress, but it'll be an energetic work.

(+) Dele Coker was iffy early but a revelation late, scoring with a little touch around the basket, pulling down some rebounds, blocking a shot (leaving the shooter on the floor) that started a 3 on 2 fast break.

(--) Sean Evans. Let's just say he was kind of a disaster on the court. He will learn.

Coaching-wise, these guys need to learn to start the offense earlier in the shot clock and to stop with the terrible threes. The playing time rhythm, hopefully, will come. But some guys need to get more minutes.

Anthony Mason Out for St. John's Season Opener

2007-11-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Anthony Mason Jr.—the leading returning scorer and centerpiece of the Red Storm basketball team— is out for tonight’s season opener against St. Francis (NY):

Swingman Anthony Mason Jr. suffered a high ankle sprain in practice and missed an exhibition game against Molloy. He was going to try to get about 40 minutes of practice yesterday, but Roberts said he would not rush back his most versatile player.

Aw, crap. DJ Kennedy, 6’6” freshman swingman out of Schenly High in Pittsburgh should get the start, along with fellow freshman Justin Burrell (PF), junior Tomas Jasiulionis (C), sophomore shooting guard Larry Wright, and senior captain (and Big East’s returning assist leader) Eugene Lawrence. It’s St. Francis, but with the freshmen playing their first game—the aforementioned pair and likely Malik Boothe (PG), Paris Horne (SG), most likely Dele Coker (C), and possibly forward Sean Evans and guard/ forward Mike Cavataio—this could be an interesting game.

Where to look for Starbury? Italy?

2007-11-14T00:37:00.000-05:00

Stephon Marbury is AWOL?

From the Knicks Nation blog on the NY Daily News:

Stephon Marbury has gone AWOL. The Knicks controversial point guard was conspicuously absent from this morning's team practice, putting his Knicks' tenure in jeopardy and throwing the team's season into chaos.

On the day the Daily News reported that the club had decided to reduce Marbury's role and may be discussing severing ties with the Brooklyn-bred hoops star, head coach Isiah Thomas informed the media at this morning's shootaround that second-year guard Mardy Collins will replace Marbury in the starting lineup tonight against the Suns.

Isiah puts the smooth in smooth move, once again.

Update from ESPN:

"Isiah has to start me," Marbury reportedly said, according to the Daily News. "I've got so much [stuff] on Isiah and he knows it. He thinks he can [get] me. But I'll [get] him first. You have no idea what I know."

if you haven't seen it...

2007-11-09T13:07:00.001-05:00

bo ryan does the soulja boy dance, like jerry rice and so many others before him:

game #0, exhibition: vs Molloy College @ Carnesecca Arena

2007-11-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night's St. John's exhibition game win against Molloy was a great moment for Red Storm fans... than again, it was an exhibition... against a Division II team... that isn't very good. The game was a chance to see the 7 freshmen (freshman number 8, Rob Thomas, the self-proclaimed "next great basketball star" redshirted last year) in game action. No more speculating over high school stats, grainy promo videos, 3 word phrases on recruiting websites, or firsthand practice accounts on message boards.

It's not quite ON yet. But the Red Storm season is close.

Observations from grainy online video:

- Boothe was nice. Quick, solid passer, good sense. Even nailed a couple of open outside shots, which is the most exciting part-- this team is going to need all the offense it can get.

- DJ Kennedy is a pretty skilled player, even as a freshman. Good ball movement, good drives to the basket. Better defensively than I thought he would be.

- Larry Wright looks more aggressive. It might be because he's actually on the court. I'll wait to say more, but it looks like he's trying to expand his game.

- Geno Lawrence looked under control, but the defensive competition was not high caliber. Still, his shot looked good, and he will be counted on to hit open outside shots.

- Paris Horne was aggressive-- maybe too aggressive. His outside shot clanged the front of the rim like a bell in the second half, but it seems like he has more sense to constantly shoot that shot. His quickness was impressive, but again-- against weak competition. But it looks like he'll be able to hang with D-I competition, and play some good defense, too.

- I didn't see much of Jasiulionis.

- Justin Burrell looked decent, got his shot off. But if he's going to enjoy a diet of turn around jumpers, I'll comment after he does it against defenders who are his height. But he is quick and agile.

- Mike Cavataio aka Mikey Cavs moved well, but like shooters sometimes do, even when given screens, he looked like he was pressing to make his shot.

- Dele Coker and Sean Evans are not ready for prime time. Maybe Coker was feeling shy; but those long jump shots are not why the team brought in the 6'10", 270 pound center. I hope he rebounds and, well, rebounds. Evans blocked a couple of shots, even hit a three (which would be great for spacing with this team; 3-point shooting is NOT going to be a strength), but looked like he was in the wrong place every time. Along with his turnovers... the guy needs a year to study basketball.

Here is a favorite quote from the Sports NY recap:

Boothe and Horne were diving on the floor with their team up by 30 and less than two minutes left in the game.

"It's something that you must do in basketball if you want to win," Burrell said.

Is that something Roberts stressed before the exhibition?

"Coach didn't have to say it," Boothe said. "We already knew that."

The First USA Today Poll (taken from USA Today

2007-11-05T09:44:00.000-05:00

2007 USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Preseason Coaches' Poll

Outlooks by USA TODAY's Jack Carey

1. North Carolina (31-7)

Points: 739 (10 first-place votes). Final 2006-07 rank: 5 (tie). Outlook: Fs Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry have departed, but a wealth of talent returns after a trip to the Elite Eight. All-American Tyler Hansbrough teams with Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington to form a solid nucleus as the Heels try to rise to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Davidson at Charlotte (ESPN, 7).

2. UCLA (30-6)

Points: 734 (12). Final 2006-07 rank: 3. Outlook: After consecutive trips to the Final Four, the Bruins appear primed for another strong season behind G Darren Collison, wing Josh Shipp and Fs Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Alfred Aboya. Freshman Kevin Love could be an immediate star. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Portland State.

3. Memphis (33-4)

Points: 731 (8). Final 2006-07 rank: 7. Outlook: One of the top contenders for the national title. The talented Tigers will return an experienced group that includes Gs Chris Douglas-Roberts, Antonio Anderson and Willie Kemp and Fs Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier. Look for freshman G Derrick Rose to make an immediate splash. Opens: Nov. 5 vs. Tennessee-Martin in 2K Sports Classic (ESPNU, 7).

4. Kansas (33-5)

Points: 669 (1). Final 2006-07 rank: 5 (tie). Outlook: The Jayhawks should have a big year in the Big 12 behind Gs Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins and F Darrell Arthur. Balance and depth could take them far. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Louisiana-Monroe.

5. Georgetown (30-7)

Points: 625. Final 2006-07 rank: 4. Outlook: Star F Jeff Green left early for the NBA, but C Roy Hibbert decided to return for another run at Big East honors and the Final Four. He will be joined by Fs Patrick Ewing Jr. and DaJuan Summers and Gs Jessie Sapp and Jonathan Wallace. Opens: Nov. 10 vs. William & Mary.

6. Louisville (24-10)

Points: 620. Final 2006-07 rank: 20. Outlook: This might be the best team in the Big East, and the Cardinals could be set up for a deep tournament run behind G Terrence Williams and Edgar Sosa, Fs Derrick Caracter and Juan Palacios and C David Padgett. Opens: Nov. 17 vs. Hartford.

7. Tennessee (24-11)

Points: 598. Final 2006-07 rank: 18. Outlook: The experienced Volunteers should be a force in the Southeastern Conference. They are solid in the backcourt behind Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith and Ramar Smith. F Wayne Chism also returns, although coach Bruce Pearl indefinitely suspended F Duke Crews in late September. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Temple.

8. Michigan State (23-12)

Points: 503. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Spartans should be major contenders for Big Ten honors behind Gs Drew Neitzel and Travis Walton, Fs Raymar Morgan and Matquise Gray and Cs Goran Suton and Idong Ibek. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Chicago State in CBE Classic (ESPNU, 7).

9. Indiana (21-11)

Points: 479. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: The Hoosiers are expected to take another step up in coach Kelvin Sampson’s second season. F D.J. White is one of the best in the nation at his position, and G Armon Bassett should play a key role. Well-regarded recruiting class includes blue-chip G Eric Gordon. Opens: Nov. 12 vs. Chattanooga.

10. Washington State (26-8)

Points: 464. Final 2006-07 rank: 17. Outlook: The Cougars have been growing into a Pacific-10 power and should be right in the mix this year with an experienced cast that includes Gs Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver and Fs Daven Harmeling and Robbie Cowgill. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Eastern Washington.

11. Duke (22-11)

Points: 390. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Blue Devils are hoping for a bounce-back year in the ACC behind Gs DeMarcus Nelson, Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer. and Greg Paulus and Fs Lance Thomas and David McClure. Highly regarded recruiting class includes F Kyle Singler.. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. North Carolina Central.

12. Marquette (24-10)

Points: 381. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: The Golden Eagles will field a veteran team that could do serious damage in the Big East. All-conference G Dominic James returns with backcourt mates Jerel. McNeal and Wesley Matthews. Fs Ousmane Barro.. and Dan Fitzgerald are also back. Opens: Nov. 10 vs. IUPUI.

13. Oregon (29-8)

Points: 360. Final 2006-07 rank: 8. Outlook: Standout G Aaron Brooks has moved on, but after a trip to Elite Eight, the Ducks welcome back long-distance shooting specialist Tajuan Porter, fellow Gs Malik Hairston and Bryce Taylor and F Maarty Leunen... Opens: Nov. 10 vs. Pepperdine in World Vision Invitational.

14. (tie) Gonzaga (23-11)

Points: 252. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Sean Mallon and Derek Raivio are gone, but the Bulldogs should again be the class of the West Coast Conference with the return of F Josh Heytvelt and Gs Matt Bouldin and Jeremy Pargo. Opens: Nov. 11 vs. Montana.

14. (tie) Texas A&M (27-7)

Points: 252. Final 2006-07 rank: 9. Outlook: With coach Billy Gillispie. and standout G Acie. Law having moved on, the Aggies turn to former Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon. He welcomes back F Joseph Jones and sharpshooting wing Josh Carter as the team eyes the top of the Big 12. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. McNeese State.

16. Texas (25-10)

Points: 216. Final 2006-07 rank: 16. Outlook: Point guard D.J. Augustin has been named Big 12 preseason player of the year by league coaches, and the Longhorns will probably go as far as he takes them. Horns also return Gs A.J. Abrams and Justin Mason, wing Damion James and post Connor Atchley. Opens: Nov. 12 vs. Texas-San Antonio.

17. Arizona (20-11)

Points: 205. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: F Chase Budinger and G Jawann McClellan are back to help lead the Wildcats, who will also feature F Jordan Hill and Gs Daniel Dillon and Nic. Wise in an attempt to contend in a strong Pacific-10. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Northern Arizona.

18. Southern California (25-12)

Points: 189. Final 2006-07 rank: 15. Outlook: After a Sweet 16 trip a year ago, the Trojans return F Taj Gibson and Gs Daniel Hackett and Dwight Lewis. All eyes will be on freshman O.J. Mayo, one of the nation’s top recruits. Opens: Nov. 10 vs. Mercer.

19. Arkansas (21-14)

Points: 173. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: New coach John Pelphrey is greeted by plenty of talent and experience from a team that made the NCAAs, including Gs Patrick Beverley and Gary Ervin, wing Sonny Weems and Fs Charles Thomas and Darian Townes. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Wofford.

20. Pittsburgh (29-8)

Points: 160. Final 2006-07 rank: 10. Outlook: C Aaron Gray will be missed, but Fs Sam Young and Mike Cook and Gs Levance Fields and Ronald Ramon return and will likely step into bigger roles as the Panthers attempt another run to the NCAAs. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Houston Baptist in Hispanic College Fund Challenge.

21. Stanford (18-13)

Points: 158. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Cardinal will return a ton of experience from the team that made the NCAAs last year, including Fs Lawrence Hill and Fred Washington, C Robin Lopez and Gs Mitch Johnson and Anthony Goods. Second-leading scorer Brook Lopez, a 7-footer, has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Harvard in Basketball Travelers Classic.

22. Kentucky (22-12)

Points: 155. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: New coach Billy Gillispie. steps into the spotlight and will count on Gs Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford, Derrick Jasper and Jodie Meeks along with freshman F Patrick Patterson, who could have a major impact right away. Opens: Nov. 7 vs. Central Arkansas in 2K Sports Classic (ESPNU, 7).

23. Southern Illinois (29-7)

Points: 137. Final 2006-07 rank: 11 (tie). Outlook: One of the best defensive teams in the nation returns F Randal. Falker, the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year, from a Sweet 16 team, along with F Matt Shaw and point guard Bryan Mullins. Opens: Nov. 17 vs. Northern Illinois

24. North Carolina State (20-16)

Points: 119. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: The Wolfpack are starting to be heard from again in the ACC, and the progression should continue with Fs Brandon Costner, Gavin Grant and Ben McCauley and G Courtney Fells. Freshman F J.J. Hickson could help out right away. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. William & Mary.

25. Villanova (22-11)

Points: 111. Final 2006-07 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Wildcats don’t have loads of experience, but they do have standout G Scottie Reynolds, who can make up for that. F Shane Clark needs to stay healthy. Freshman G Corey Fisher is expected to make an immediate impact. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Stony Brook.

Others receiving votes: Kansas State (23-12) 94; Syracuse (24-11) 69; Ohio State (35-4) 65; Clemson (25-11) 56; Connecticut (17-14) 55; Butler (29-7) 42; Davidson (29-5) 39; Xavier (25-9) 38; Alabama (20-12) 31; Mississippi State (21-14) 30; Florida (35-5) 26; Wisconsin (30-6) 21; Illinois (23-12) 16; Brigham Young (25-9) 12; Washington (19-13) 12; Nevada (29-5) 8; Bradley (22-13) 7; Virginia (21-11) 7; Virginia Commonwealth (28-7) 5; Utah (11-19) 4; Baylor (15-16) 3; Old Dominion (24-9) 3; Saint Joseph’s (18-14) 3; Fresno State (22-10) 2; George Mason (18-15) 2; Utah State (23-12) 2; California (16-17) 1; Maryland (25-9) 1; Notre Dame (24-8) 1.

Red Storm Preview

2007-11-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

For my money, I don't think St. John's will be as bad as advertised, if only for the simple fact that no matter the losses the team had, they didn't play defense well, especially in terms of stopping dribble penetration; Lamont Hamilton couldn't finish at the rim, and Aaron Spears didn't play enough, and neither was a tremendous rebounder. The big scoring loss was Avery Patterson who was solid in the non-conference portion of the schedule, including 22 points against Texas, but was awful in the conference games, topping 15 points at DePaul and in a volume shooting effort at Georgetown (4-13 from beyond the arc). Qa'rraan Calhoun was an up-and-coming talent in the Big East and chose to transfer; the lithe forward was effective near the glass, especially on offensive rebounds and was developing a solid 3-point shot.

Frontcourt
Hamilton will be a bigger loss; his steady scoring paced the team and dictated their style of play. This year, will they play fast? Will they try to make newcomer Justin Burrell a post presence? No one knows; but the personnel would seem to dictate a faster style. Anthony Mason is better in transition than in making shots; in half court sets he falls in love with his outside shot, which isn't pretty enough for that kind of dedication.

His running mates will be Justin Burrell, who the Red Storm hope will be a freshman of the year candidate. He's quick, athletic, a strong and tough leaper who is offensively raw. Here's hoping he turns out to be an excellent rebounder on the offensive end. Also in the frontcourt is likely starter Tomas Jasiulionis, who is widely panned as a bust. I think he falls victim to Coach Roberts' unwillingness to let players run, make mistakes, and learn. In limited time Tomas has not put up great statistical output but he does one thing I love in a collegiate big man-- he knows he's nearly 7 feet tall. Years ago, I watched Georgia Tech's Luke Schenscher and his slow feet simply put his hands up and become a defensive presence. Tomas moves his feet and is effective in this role; he does, however, have a pair of stone covered hands when it comes to rebounds and putbacks. That skill isn't easy to learn, so i don't expect that to improve.

The other newcomers are Dele Coker, a strong powerful center who should come in handy for his shot blocking presence. he is also raw offensively, and is rumored to be a hard and eager fouler. Sean Evans is a less-heralded recruit from the Philadelphia area, where he was a noted defensive end and raw but effective basketball player. Redshirted last year, Rob Thomas may play a factor after recovering from a knee injury and when academically eligible in January. He provides some mid-range shooting, size, and inside scoring at 6'6', 220. Otaja Abit is a walk-on that I have seen little of, but may see some time this season.

Backcourt
Eugene Lawrence is where the story of the backcourt begins. He was the assist leader in the Big East in the 2006-07 season. And he turned over the ball almost as much as he assisted on baskets. Some were errors of aggression, and some were simply poor ballhandling. Lawrence, or Geno, as he's known, has been a tough defensive stalwart for the Red Storm for 3 years, and entering his senior year, will give up his body for the team. Now he'll do it with breaks from freshman Malik Boothe (Rosedale on the map! Like Flavor Flav once said), a slick-handling true point guard from catholic school power Christ the King HS. Boothe is the future of the point guard position for the team, though he's known as a questionable shooter and stands at 5'8". With Boothe in the lineup, St. John's will probably play Lawrence at the 2-guard for stretches, where his lack of quickness may be less evident and his tough, physical defense will be an asset. Additionally, on a team that will be desperate for players who can score, having Lawrence look for his shot will be a plus. Former walk-on Liam Bietsy may also get some playing time this year.

At the 2 guard position, second-year player Larry Wright will be the likely starter. He showed flashes of potential last year and shot 40% from beyond the arc, yet Coach Roberts played Avery Patterson over him. This year, the job his his; he will have to improve his 2 pt shooting, which was 28% (13-46). He will face some challenges to his playing time from the deep group of guards/ wings recruited for this year-- Paris Horne, DJ Kennedy, and Mike Cavataio. Paris Horne is a slashing, high-flying guard who teamed with Justin Burrell at prep school. Early reports indicate he may be a solid defender, which the Red Storm would welcome. DJ Kennedy is touted as a do-everything forward and aggressive scorer; though when I hear "do-everything" I think "do nothing particularly well." He may prove to be the glue guy on this team this or next year. Cavataio had a great year at Queens' St. Francis Prep, and was known as an active athlete and excellent shooter. He may need a year or two to contribute heavily to the team's effort.

Coaching

Norm Roberts has not yet imprinted a certain offensive style on this team. He is, as listed above, on the "hot seat," which is not a good place to be with 7 incoming freshmen and no incoming players for the 2008 season (he has 2 scholarships to use). His teams had been solid defensive teams but took a step back last year, in part due to injury to Daryll Hill and to terrible play from Avery Patterson and some of the bigs. Defense alone won't win games; the team has to score and this team is inefficient at best and unbelievably bad at worst, such as the 45-44 overtime win over Boston University. Lamont Hamilton was the offensive rock last year. This year, Coach Roberts must get the ball into the hands of Anthony Mason and Eugene Lawrence, and find easy shots for the freshmen, especially Justin Burrell. The defense must be stout for this team to exceed expectations.

Player retention is the other issue; last year Qa'rraan Calhoun looked to be a great running mate for Anthony Mason but transferred. Avery Patterson, after two years of junior college and one in the Big East, transferred. Ricky Torres, once seen as a star out of the NYC high school ranks, also chose to transfer since he hardly got the sniff the sweat on the court. Added to the transfers over the years of players who may not have been, talent-wise, ready for Big East play, player retention seems to be a problem. I don't know why; but other coaches deal with their players with less turnover. Whether it is a recruiting or character issue, or a coaching issue, this must be resolved. The revolving door of players has made it hard to build consistency and continuity.

But I think that a number of Big East teams are not as good as advertised; and while pundits compare the 7-member class as a recipe for disaster a la U Conn's team last year, it does not have to be so. Those U Conn players looked confused and offensively challenged; whereas St. John's has an offensive pecking order set up-- Mason first, Lawrence as the distributor, Wright as the outside shooter, Burrell as the inside guy. If St. John's can stay out of the bottom four of the Big East conference, they will make the Big East conference tournament again, and that will be seen as a positive sign.

st john's previews

2007-11-04T10:19:00.001-05:00

November is here! College basketball season is up and going! Preseason games are afoot-- College teams are beating up on Division II and NAIA talent (except for #8 Michigan State who obviously have some kinks to work out), getting the fans excited, getting the freshmen on to the court, getting the upperclassmen in game rhythm, and dreaming big dreams of upsets and conference championships. Hope springs eternal... unless you're a basketball writer reviewing St. John's. Here are some indicative tidbits:

[Coaches on the] Hot seat:

3. Norm Roberts, St. John's
Roberts enters his fourth year with the Red Storm carrying a 37-48 record, including a 15-33 mark in Big East play. His conference high-water mark was last season when St. John's finished 7-9. The problem is the team loses its No. 1 scorer and rebounder, Lamont Hamilton (13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and it was one of the worst scoring (63.5 ppg, 15th in the Big East) and worst rebounding teams (minus-2.1 rebounding margin, 14th in the Big East) in the country. Shooting guard Avery Patterson (10.4 ppg, 72 3-pointers) added to the bad news by transferring. If you can't make your conference's postseason tournament you won't be playing anywhere else in the postseason either.

Team on the decline:

Team on the decline
St. John's. It has been a while since the Red Storm was heard from in the Big East. It has won three, five and seven Big East games in the past three seasons. It's steady, if mild, progress, but there isn't much reason for optimism this season. The trend will not continue. The team loses its No. 1 scorer and rebounder, Lamont Hamilton (13.4 points, 6.5 rebounds), and it was one of the worst scoring (63.5 points per game, 15th in the Big East) and worst rebounding teams (minus-2.1 rebounding margin, 14th in the Big East) in the nation last season. The league remains quite powerful among the top eight to 10 teams, so it figures to be another long season for the Red Storm.

Big East:

15 (of 16). St. John's

The good: Anthony Mason Jr. is back after averaging 11.9 points last season. And if that's not impressive on its own, consider that the junior averaged 17.4 points in his final five games, which included a 17-point performance in a win over Providence.

The bad: Outside of Mason and Eugene Lawrence, there just isn't much Big East talent on the roster. The off-season transfer of Avery Patterson, who averaged 10.4 points last season, didn't help things.

The bottom line: It's a shame the New York-area schools aren't succeeding in a league that revolves around New York. But the reality is that this is a game made of players, and without them it's tough to flourish.

From the Daily News:

"You can't win in this league if you don't have depth or talent," Roberts said. "I think we are more talented from 1 to 13. We are going to score better, going to create our own shot. We're more athletic and have more talent."

other previews:

From SI.com:

As much as Norm Roberts knows that St. John's fans have grown weary of hearing that the program is still in a rebuilding mode, he's hoping that last year's modest success will give the faithful a reason to be a little more patient.

It wasn't much: a 16–15 overall finish and the Red Storm's first Big East tournament appearance since 2003. But Roberts hopes people take it for what it is: a sign of real progress. "It shows we're doing what we set out to do — and that's to improve every year," said the Johnnies' fourth-year head coach. "There were two, maybe three, Big East-caliber players when I got here. Now there are 10."

One problem: with only two returning starters and seven incoming freshmen, growing pains may be unavoidable. But Roberts' latest recruiting class is far and away his best, and the reason for that, he said, is because he and his staff can now go after top talent on equal footing without the specter of NCAA sanctions.

"Even if we have to take a small step back because we’re young, I think people can see we’re getting better and we have more talent," said Roberts. "We're not trying to make this work for one year. We’re trying to build a program that will have success for a long time."....

FINAL ANALYSIS

Even though Roberts is again preaching patience, he will be able to do so this time while dangling the promise that his highly rated seven-player recruiting class offers. But as UConn found out last year, this is a tough league in which to win with mostly sophomores and freshmen. A realistic goal would be a season similar to last year’s, with the Red Storm flirting with .500 and making the Big East tournament. The youth makes that difficult but not impossible.

From foxsports.com:

Strengths: Anthony Mason Jr. is as good as anyone in the Big East. The recruiting class brings a much-needed talent infusion to the program.

Weaknesses: This is still a team that can play some brutal basketball when the shots aren't falling. Shooting is a concern, and Mason is a bigger offensive threat when he can drift out onto the wing and not stay anchored in the paint.

Scouting the newcomers: D.J. Kennedy could see early minutes on the wing, and Malik Boothe and Paris Horne will push incumbents Eugene Lawrence and Larry Wright for minutes in the backcourt. Ayodele Coker and Justin Burrell are both strong candidates to win minutes in the paint, and one of them will likely be starting before long.

Program direction: Descending slightly. The offseason transfer of Avery Patterson, though not a great surprise, is a significant loss of talent. Even with Anthony Mason Jr. and Eugene Lawrence, this team will struggle to finish .500.

Also:

College Hoops Net

Big East Basketball Blog

2007-10-23T10:50:00.000-04:00

smooth move, jaguars fan. your tongue skills get all the ladies... something. from last night's jaguars vs. colts game.

this weekend in sports

2007-10-22T19:01:00.000-04:00

This weekend in sports:

- The Jets sucked incredibly, giving up a 20-10 halftime lead against the defensively moronic Cincinnati Bungles, who are reverting to mid-90's inept form, though this time with an adequate offense vs an adequate defense. Someone replaced Chad Pennington's arm with a working NFL model, as he threw a ball 40 something yards in the air. But of course the offensive and defensive lines stunk, with some no name RB ripping through the Jets.

- The Giants got reacquainted with Trent Dilfer, a man they repeatedly clowned when he was with Tampa Bay (he, of course, got them back with the Superbowl victory featuring Jason Sehorn chasing Brandon Stokely with his pants falling down). The Giants took care of business.

- Reasons I hate fantasy football: all of a sudden Kevin Jones starts for the Lions and pass-happy Mike Martz gets all ball control and won't call pass plays (to Roy Williams)? Martz, I hate you more each day. Roy Williams makes my team not suck until Larry Johnson and Ronnie Brown start having dominating games.

- Florida vs Kentucky football game was incredible and Tim Tebow is as great as the Florida fans think he is. Well, he is not as great as the myth of Chuck Norris, but an excellent QB nonetheless.

- Those crazy Red Sox brought back Millar (who threw out a presidentially wussy first pitch) and then proceeded to wear down the Indians until beating o'clock, which was about 11 pm eastern. World Series game 1 vs the Rockies, coming up. Could there be colder weather than Detroit 2006? Denver folks keep telling me the city receives 300 days of sun. And the city's team has God on their side... maybe that is intended to distract Him from Monfort slaughterhouses? He is All-Seeing, Colorado, remember that. If the Rockies lose to those heathen Why Panic Who Cares Red Sox, it could be the end of the world or something!

- Philadelphia is filled with unattractive folk. Also least stylish, least active, and least worldly. If it were anywhere else I would question the methodology but...
come on, it's PHILLY.

"We were asking people to vote on attractiveness, not unattractiveness. Travel & Leisure editors believe there are a lot of attractive people in Philadelphia," she said.

"The relative attractiveness of its residents is only a minuscule factor in evaluating a city's merit."

Philadelphians' self-esteem has been undermined by national surveys showing they are among the fattest people in the United States. The American Obesity Association ranked the city in the top 10 for overweight people every year between 2000 and 2005.

And sporting pride in a city known for the fierce loyalty of its fans has been hurt by not having had a national champion in any of its four main sports since the 76ers won the National Basketball Association title in 1983.

- John Elway's son is going to play football at Arizona State.

- WHEN DO THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAMES START? grr.

it's almost basketball season. do you have... the funk?

2007-10-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

2007-10-02T14:39:00.001-04:00

It's just not that serious, but I will post it anyway. Thanks to Eben for forwarding the Conan video of Mr Met trying to commit suicide, only to be offed by the Phillie Phanatic. Once again, it's NOT THAT SERIOUS.

And since it came up last week, the Rockies are obviously God's team. Go Rocks, kick that heathen dirty Philadelphia in their five remaining teeth!

2007-09-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

I wish the Mets were doing better and we could have a moment like A-Rod is having here, celebrating the Wild Card entry into the playoffs:

Uhm, maybe after the cameras go.

Meanwhile, the Mets have coughed up a 7 game lead in half a month, and are playing for their playoff existence against the Pheel-deez (for the division) and against the Padres, Colorado Rockies(?! ), and Arizona Diamondbacks. The way the Mets are playing, it's entirely possible that they'll miss the playoffs.

2007-09-02T02:03:00.001-04:00

The reason we love college football is summed up in this year's kickoff weekend:

L'il I-AA Appalachian State-- a creampuff game for the storied Michigan Wolverines-- beats Michigan, at home, in front of 101,000 screaming haters.

Good night Wolverines-- no more #5 ranking, no more national title hopes.

q calhoun gone. st johns closer to a losing season?

2007-08-20T17:25:00.001-04:00

I have been holding off on St John's Red Storm basketball posts all summer, so as not to shoot my basketball wad too early. I've amused myself with reading the message boards on the team at redmen.com and at big east basketball, where posters can hit apocalyptic in 2 posts flat. There's been a lot of debate about the quality of the coach's recruiting and game planning, his ability to keep players in the fold, and the players coming in. It's a young class-- 7 incoming players:

PF: Justin Burrell
C: Dele Coker
G/F: DJ Kennedy
PG: Malik Boothe
G: Paris Horne
F: Sean Evans
G: Mike Cavataio

And these players will be discussed in a later post. But I'm sitting at home, chatting with Dor about language on cover letters when I see this.

Red Storm Sports News
Forward Qa’rraan Calhoun Withdraws From St. John’s

Coach Norm Roberts Published: August 20, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y.
St. John’s head men’s basketball coach Norm Roberts announced that rising sophomore forward Qa’rraan Calhoun (Hazlet, N.J.) has withdrawn from the University and plans to transfer to another institution for the 2007-08 season.

“Qa’rraan and his family have made the decision for him to transfer,” said Roberts. “He leaves the team in good academic standing, and we wish him the best of luck with his decision.”

“This has been a difficult decision to make,” said Calhoun. “But I feel it is what is best for me and my family right now. I want to thank Coach Roberts and the coaching staff for the opportunities they gave me here at St. John’s, and my teammates as well.”

Calhoun played in all 31 of St. John’s games in 2006-07 as a freshman, and drew 10 starts, averaging 5.9 points per game and 4.0 rebounds in 22.5 minutes.

What.

The.

F*&%^$%#%$^.

This guy had the chance to be one of the centerpieces of the team-- a speedy and lithe forward, always working the offensive glass, occasional shots from 3-point range, and excellent on backdoor cuts and playing above the rim. he was listed as a probably breakout candidate this year. The team was going to have to run and press, and he was the perfect forward for that.

Instead, he withdraws from school a week before class?

This after the transfers of last year's leader 3-point chucker Avery Patterson and Coach Norm Roberts' first big-ish recruit in the city, Ricky Torres? On top of the injury to last year's academic non-qualifier, Rob Thomas (not the guy from Matchbox 20) and the academic fail-to-qualify of Derwin Kitchen? Along with transfers from Jermaine Maybank, Cedric Jackson, and Dexter Gray? It's only been 4 years-- how can this many players leave a program?

While I am not predicting the apocalypse, Calhoun was a hell of a player and a big loss to a team with only 5 returning scholarship players.

endy chavez bobblehead

2007-07-14T08:15:00.000-04:00

Here is the Endy Chavez bobblehead doll. Yes it's 2 (now 8.40) in the morning and yes it's time to be tucked away and sleeping well and planning how to clean up and back the apartment. And yes the dog is seemingly weirded out by the schedule changes, rambunctious and carrying everything toy-sized in his mouth, including toilet paper roll and paper towel roll.

But the tale is like this. Dor and I got tix for a Mets vs Reds game, the last game before we leave the city. Dor's girls picked this week to be in the Adirondacks, and it's a chance she couldn't pass up for a game. I went with Raycroft, and tonight's game is coincidentally Endy Chavez bobblehead night.

Let me backtrack to game 7 of the National League Championship Series. Long after Steve Trachsel dropped a heap of crap in game 4 as his performance, and in the cold NYC night, the Mets are holding on to a tied game, trying to beat a pesky St Louis team with gems from unsung guys like John Maine and Oliver Perez. I forget who's pitching, but someone leaves a ball out over the plate and the ball is hit. Hard. The damn thing is leaving the park. Defensive backup Endy Chavez is manning the left-field wall, tracks the ball, and it's going over the fence. No matter. He leaps up over the wall, brings it back; anyone can see that the ball is only half in the glove. A matter of inches and that ball is a home run.

I almost cried. It will last as one of my favorite Met moments, even though the Mets lost to the likes of So Taguchi and Adam Wainwright in the later innings.

I love Endy. And I wanted a bobblehead. But I arrived a little late and only the first 25,000 through the gate got the majesty of the bobblehead. It has his hand up! Making the catch! And me with no Endy! I resigned myself to going bobblehead free. But after my 2 beers, I looked at the lovely AIG sponsored boxes in blue and orange. The box design mutes the details of Endy and the catch for the classic look, and I considered how much I would pay on E Bay for one.

The game was a dog-- John Maine walked people over and over again and gave up a grand slam in the first. As usual Paul LoDuca was fairly useless in run-producing spots. Ruben Gotay's reactions were... questionable at second base (I see now that he was charged with two errors). And the kid in front of us kept whacking his dad or uncle with a Thunder Stick, which is a really annoying sound throughout a baseball game. But at the end, I was waiting to see if anyone was going to leave their bobblehead. The one I targeted, sitting alone behind some people, was offered to the crew behind us with two others. I piped up and asked if they were getting rid of one and they gave it to me instead.

Made my day. I told the couple next to us how Dor and I freaked out when he made the catch, how we knew the Mets were gonna win, though they didn't. And on the subway, a guy told a Brooklyn-bound hip crew that when he gets pissed at work, he'll look at the Endy bobblehead and everything will be all right.

vick + dogfighting

2007-05-22T11:27:00.000-04:00

Recently, Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick was linked to a dogfighting ring-- a home he owned was searched by the cops looking for drugs in connection to a friend of his who listed the home as his address, and they found dogfighting equipment, some blood, some scarred dogs, and some well-cared for dogs. Vick is registered as a dog breeder in the state of Virginia; and he denies involvement, though there is some evidence that he has been seen at the dogfighting pit.

Dogfighting is prevalent to some NFL players. Clinton Portis on Vick's predicament:

In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be "putting him behind bars for no reason."

"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."

Portis said dog fighting is a "prevalent" part of life.

Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names." .....

"Haven't you seen Animal Planet?" Samuels added with a giggle.

Hours after making light of the possible crime in the television interview, Portis issued a statement late Monday through the Redskins.

"In the recent interview I gave concerning dog fighting, I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner," the statement said.

Good work, Clinton. Real stand up of you. I hope Vick gets some jail time for this; and that cops get into people's dogfighting businesses, because that's some sick anachronistic medieval bloodsport boredom bullshit. And the NFL in particular needs a sense of order-- guys aren't getting arrested for driving while toking up as often happens in the NBA, they're getting arrested for crimes of aggression, disrespect for people and animals, and ridiculous amounts of weaponry.

One Day There'll Be Sun

2007-04-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

Joe Thomas chooses fishing over going to the NFL Draft. Well, good. It's kind of boring, isn't it, to sit for hours and listen to Mel Kiper yap on and on and on? Not that I won't be following the whole thing, but still-- he'll be picked in the top five and all that waiting would make me nervous.

******

For some cockamamie reason I am really excited (momentarily) about the NBA, now that those horrible 82 games are over. Now the players might try a little harder. It might be the great sadness, the great missing of college basketball-- I'll take a less passionate version. Hell, I watch streetball at West 4th sometimes just to get the summertime fix. A preview might be coming. In which I ask, how does one deal with one's team's jerk player? I am thinking of Jason Kidd and what physical battles his wife and he may or may not have had.

******

John Maine had a no-hitter through six in the Mets' blowout win ... trhe Chicago White Sox' Mark Buerle had a complete game no-hitter through nine, facing only 27 batters in the 6-0 victory.

******

Now, this is how a Philly baseball manager gets fired. Not yet, but it's coming Charlie Manuel, watch for the ax.

The Weather's Still Nasty

2007-04-16T15:37:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's Mets game was cancelled, as is tonight's in Philly. Which is good because I had tickets to tonight's game in Philly.

Well, I'm 'Touched'

2007-04-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

I am baseball purist.

I don't like red Yankees' caps. Just like I don't like navy and white pinstriped Red Sox caps. Seriously, the red Yankees' caps are atrocious. And, not because I feel red is the sacred color, but rather, a true fan would never, ever, wear the color or style of their most hated rival. Seriously, that is just wrong and makes no sense. I don't like alternate jerseys either. Most of them are hideous and for a purist, there is nothing like the tradition of the ole' dress whites for home and grays for away.

So, naturally, I am not a big fan of almost all of the sport apparel out there on the market, with exception of the vintage reissues, like Mitchell & Ness, and Moonlight Graham.

However, I am also a realist, so when I saw today that Alyssa Milano was creating a special line of personal baseball fan attire for women, I yelled "swing!" because first of all, unlike many of the A-list posers we saw hanging out at Fenway in the summer of 2005, she is a real baseball fan...so much that she dates the players¹. So, naturally, it is important to her to look...um...'charming' at the ballpark (sorry, but you knew it was coming.)

But let's get down to it - most women's sports fan apparel is pretty bad and if when I go to a ball game and see the stands packed with beautiful young women (as I do at most parks) I would much rather have their attire inspired by Alyssa Milano than Bug Selig. I know you're with me...

As my friend Kurtsnogle says, "...view...larger...image...please." Click away, my good man.

Post note: Alyssa has actually started an MLB blog. You can read about her escapades here: http://alyssa.mlblogs.com/alyssa/

1. She is known to have dated Brad Penny, Barry Zito and Carl "I've Fallen and I can't get up" Pavano and his $40M bruised butt cheek. She seems to like a man with ball control.

Oliver Perez vs my DVR

2007-04-12T07:02:00.000-04:00

My DVR is very smart. While Oliver Perez was having his meltdown tonight—
that 1-hitter that came with 7 walks—it was conveniently time for Friday night Lights and America’s Next Top Model (that’s my girlfriend’s recording, ok? Ok). By the time I got to the radio to hear whether Oliver had walked in a run… he was in the process of walking in run number two. Nice work, dude. Aaron Sele came in after run number three and stabilized things… not that it brought a win but at least it was a fighting chance.

Philadelphia Silles 5, NY Mets 2. Mets season: 5-3

The Truth of Sams and Dogs

2007-01-17T18:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, the story so far...

To start the season as predicted by Collegehoopsnet.com :

#33: Connecticut Huskies : UCONN loses a full NBA roster.. but should still be better than most teams in the Big East.oster.. but should still be better than most teams in the Big East.

#51: Massachusetts Minutemen : UMASS has a shot at the Big Dance depending on the play of a crop of incoming transfers.

The predictions are running true - kind of. The stories are different.

As of today, both teams are 13-4. However, UConn already losers of 3 of their last 5, dropped another last night. Granted it was to #7 ranked Pitt at Pitt. To their credit, UConn did play stellar defense holding the Panthers to only 63 points.

But...the Huskie offence is atrocious - to be kind. With 4:30 to go last night, they had yet to earn 50 points, while had a field goal drought of 11 plus minutes. After going 11-0 in their non-con schedule (RPI: 71; SOS 297) they dropped 3 games to conference teams (WVA, Marq, Pitt) and one non-con match up to LSU, meaning that their only victory over a school with an RPI over 100 is Ole Miss (93). Incidentally, that is also the only win over a school from a major conference.

The Minutemen, by contrast, lost 4 non-con games (Pitt, BC, Kentucky, Miami) to go into conference play at 10-4. However, they are undefeated in conference at 3-0. Furthermore, while the UMass Minutemen's non-conference strength of schedule is a non-impressive 199, it is still leaps and bounds above UConn's 297 and with victories over Louisville, BU, George Washington, and Temple, we have pushed our RPI up to 71, two spots above UConn's 73.

I stand behind the philosophy that scheduling a total cream puff non-conference schedule is not the way to go.

That said, if the U-Game (as it was called) were to be held this season, it would be a even match up...on paper. However, if the Huskies were to beat us, then we would be by far the highest ranked victory of the season so far. However, if we were to lose, it would actually knock us down. So, seriously I ask, where is the damage truly done? Yup, I totally see why Calhoun won't play us.

...46 days until Selection Sunday!

allen iverson. nugget.

2006-12-22T07:57:00.000-05:00

Allen Iverson, Nugget. I don’t even think it sounds so crazy; Allen Iverson, Sixer, just sounded like one of those cruel jokes the league performs to make a team look viable when it’s really a ship made of rotting wood. I think John Hollinger has it best—we are about to see some good ol’ basketball. Mostly because Andre Miller was miscast in the Denver go-go offense. And because Iverson can actually pass, and might do so more now that he has batter players to pass to. After all, have you seen Sam Dalembert finish? Me neither. Have you seen Chris Webber keep up? Me neither.

The Sixers might actually get an okay deal out of this. Two mid-round draft picks could be parlayed into one lottery pick—no, wait, those are pretty late draft picks. It’s a deep draft, but looking at the possible selections on nbadraft.net, well, I have my doubts. I’d tank a few games and go for Kevin Durant over Greg Oden. Who needs a center, anyway? Or talent? (See, I can think like Billy King!) Though Durant might take playing time from that wonderful Willie Green. That was sarcasm.

At the very least, the Sixers won’t be the Iversons;
we’ll see what Iguodala can do; we’ll watch Webber ride into a star-crossed sunset. We’ll see what Kyle Korver can do with more shots.

Man, this is a good deal for Denver! Wow. The next question would be, does it make them contenders? Dallas is still tough, the Suns might put it together this year, and the Rockets are worth watching. But Denver? They’re in that conversation. Definitely. They might want to find someone to defend on the perimeter; and George Karl can needle anyone into hysterics. But I think they definitely have a chance.

2006-12-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

My predictions for post-fight suspensions were pretty solid, except I overestimated how hard Jared Jeffries would have been hit and underestimated the role of Mardy Collins--

The NBA handed down its penalties in the aftermath of Saturday's brawl

Player	Team	Suspension
Carmelo Anthony	Nuggets	15 games
Nate Robinson	Knicks	10 games
J.R. Smith	Nuggets	10 games
Mardy Collins	Knicks	6 games
Jared Jeffries	Knicks	4 games
Jerome James	Knicks	1 game
Nene	Nuggets	1 game

In addition, the Nuggets and Knicks were each fined $500,000.

basketbrawl!

2006-12-18T10:43:00.000-05:00

Meanwhile, in sports, the Knicks get into one of the craziest brawls in basketball history. New York got a little taste of Red Star Belgrade's Serbia for the night (sans thrown batteries, etc). Of interest, and my guesses on suspensions:

1- NBA scoring leader Carmelo Anthony watches too much of the Wire. He really does. His sucker punch of Mardy Collins (who is commits the initial foul) is guessed to be worth a 5-game suspension. But NBA Commissioner David Stern is probably very heated about this; I think Carmelo gets 15 for walking back into the fray and throwing a ridiculous punch. He should get a few more days for backpedaling like a damned punk. He ran back to his bench after his punch. If you're gonna keep a brawl going, don't just get your shot in and then run from Jared Jeffries and crew. Come on, dog. That's bullshit. You could have found him after the game, Carmelo, if you really wanted to get a good shot in.

2- Nate Robinson, NBA's 2nd shortest player, will get 7-10 games to rest his bruised ego. He felt the need to... I don't know what. Uphold someone's honor? Show everyone that a man (listed at) 5 foot 9 can still fight the giants? Afterwards, he talked about respecting the Knicks court, and how the Nuggets shouldn't have had their leading scorers in the game. This from the guy who tried to dunk off of a backboard in a game against Cleveland-- that counts as showboating and disrespect kid. So you can Identify him, he's the little guy running about yelling "let me at 'em! I'll splat 'em!" Please tell me you get that reference.

3- Jared Jeffries, I'm okay with what he did. He gets 5-7 games for continuing the fight and trying to get back at Carmelo (he didn't throw a punch so he won't get the same penalty as Carmelo). But I respect him trying to break it up and when that punk Carmelo threw a fairly unwarrented punch, trying to go after him.

4- Benchwarmer Mardy Collins gets 2 games for the hard foul. Maybe only 1.

5- Youngster JR Smith, Denver's 2nd leading scorer, was trying to whoop up on people and accelerated the incident. I think he gets maybe 10-15, since he threw a punch and went into the stands wrestling with Nate Robinson. And for fun, you can watch a spinning loop of Nate Robinson and JR Smith dancing.

6- I hope Mexico's finest basketball player, Eduardo Najera, doesn't get a suspension. He might get a game. So might the Knicks David Lee, just for being there-- David Stern will want to hammer anyone within twenty feet of the fight. I think I saw Jerome James up off the bench, he gets a fine. So will Isiah Thomas. But I don't think Coach Thomas will get a suspension... but a fine.

Here's a version set you MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This." Thanks YouTube!

Also, meanwhile-- Terell Owens spat on a guy.

it's just ducky.

2006-11-22T13:31:00.000-05:00

Ha! West Coast taking over yr blog!

No, just kidding. But seriously, I ducked in here for a read and realized no one was talking about basketball. In fact, no one was talking about anything. And there is much to discuss: Dukes loses! UCLA doesn't! NC vs. Gonzaga tonight!

These are the things that interest me. Also, I found myself wondering last night if the creators of long-lost ’80s (or was it ’70s?) cartoon "Thundarr the Barbarian" had something against UCLA, seeing as they named a strange, incoherent creature Ookla the Mok. But I digress. What really interests me, as Pico can tell you, is Oregon. Which is silly, since their last attempt at decency was Luke Jackson's 42 points against Colorado in the 2004 NIT, but I live here: I can't help it.

But things are looking just the teensiest bit up. It all started with freshman Tajuan Porter, a former classmate of Much-Hyped-But-Can't-Deliver Malik Hairston (currently out with some injury or another), and his scoring in the first three games. He was averaging about 31 points; in one game he broke two school records. Oregon took out a bunch of pansy-ass opponents. Good times.

Then came the first road game. Last year, it was Vanderbilt. Last year, it was lost in the last few minutes, if I remember correctly. And this year's game against Rice looked to be going the same way, to the point where I had given up all hope, content simply to swear at the TV. Then a very strange thing happened: Aaron Brooks started acting like a senior. And Porter, who'd been ice cold all night, started making his shots. He'd have won the game for the Ducks if his feet hadn't slipped out from under him. But between the two of them, they got the game into overtime and finished off Rice.

Not a major opponent, sure (and Georgetown is on the horizon). But it's a much better start than last year.

Now tell me about your pet teams, y'all.

nfl preview... afc

2006-09-07T21:04:00.000-04:00

afc west is tough. tougher than people think. but ALWAYS BET AGANIST AARON BROOKS. always. he threw backwards in a game. how does a professional quarterback get so confused as to throw backwards? denver is good, and yes, jake plummer makes a fan grab their tums. and san diego and phil rivers, he's young, he's inexperienced. and he will ride ladainian tomlinson. kansas city has herm edwards. great speeches and still, where's the defense? i hope it's there because larry johnson is the crux of my fantasy team, and he won't run in blowouts. shoot. i'll go broncos 1st, chiefs 2nd, chargers 3rd, raiders... poor art shell.

afc central, i mean north-- also tough. the ravens have a real qb. if they can score a touchdown a game they're a playoff team. that's how bad kyle boller is. the browns will take it on the chin. often. in the cold, in the heat, in domes and on grass. we will cry for charlie frye. ben roethlisberger will look more like a quarterback but is willie parker that good? the defense will kick tail. cincinnati is kind of... great? who ever thought we might say that? i don't love rudi johnson, though. and i think the defense will get better. i call cincinnati 1st, pittsburgh 2nd, ravens 3rd, browns last.

afc south, well, i love david carr. and i will stop right there because everything i say will be biased. i think the texans knock someone off. i think the titans might be embarrassingly bad. the colts will beat the giants. who's the other team? i mean it, who is the other team?? jacksonville. you know what? everything has been very straightforward so this division, i will flip up my prognosticating. colts will come first. they're ready. the texans take second. they won't suck. david carr will go a whole game without tasting turf. he'll be so perturbed he'll start grazing in his backyard. the actionville jaguars might take third. or second. i like matt jones. i liked him in college, that guy has some TALENT. and the defense has some talent too. the titans are no good. 1st colts, 2nd jaguars, texans a close third, and the titans will be playing vince young.

afc east, well, the jets... give them a week to see how bad they are. the bills are really bad, i think, but no one seems to agree. the miami dollfaces are a surprise in the making. put some cash on them. 6 game win streak at the end of the year with gus frerotte. and the patriots... they're such a sure thing i'm putting them 2nd. then again, i don't believe in daunte's knee. so i guess new england patsies 1st, miami 2nd, jets 3rd, bills 4th. jp losman is unconvincing.

football preview... nfc

2006-09-07T21:03:00.000-04:00

nfc east is an asswhuppin'. but i don't think the cowboys are that great (drew bledsoe is like a passing machine-- the ball goes far and yet he doesn't move). The giants have high hopes, a solid offense, and a qb who didn't come to their playoff game. i love the eli, i have him on my fantasy team, but i'm just saying... and lavar arrington, if he's up for the job, should make the defense something to shit one's pants about. and the redskins are playing mark brunell and that's embarrassing. no matter what they say, no matter how great joe gibbs is, mark brunell touches the ball every play. he. will. break. the eagles have done it for years. do you know how? me neither. i pick the giants first (i'm a homer), cowtools 2nd, redskins 3rd, eagles 4th.

remember the nfc central is sad and maybe brett farve should be doing celebrity charity events. i think they will run the ball and look decent, and give up a lot of points on defense. brett is good for a 7 interception game and lots of retrospectives. the vikings are not so bad. but not so good. brad johnson should be doing celebrity charity events. i think they're have a shot to win that division. they don't suck and don't they have that hutchinson guy and the birk guy on the offensive line? everyone picks the bears to win the divsion and i say, "on what grounds?! rex effing grossman?" rex grossman. who went to florida. florida quarterbacks never win. rex grossman should be doing rock the vote events. he's a good looking fella... and the lions, they have Matt Millen, who should be doing charity eating events. then again, there is mike martz as offensive coordinator. oh, it's the nfc north? whatever. vikings 1st, bears 2nd, lions and packers, you guys mudwrestle for the 1st pick. my bet's on the packers. who are the good ass college quarterbacks again? with the first pick in the draft, the packers pick... brady quinn!

nfc south: michael vick is NOT that good. he's not. remember that. he hasn't mastered that whole passing thing. the carolina panthers are a damn good team, the saints' drew brees will see the superdome roof a lot, and tampa will surprise, even though chris simms will lose a game for them and win a game for them. it's a wash. so panthers 1st, trampa 2nd, hotlanta 3rd, and those hapless saints... the hapless saints.

nfc west... i don't believe in the seahawks but i think the other teams have some flaws. huge flaws. as in, they can't quite play football. the rams have the receivers and the running back, and bulger has some good games, but can he survive in a normal, balanced offense? and where's the defense? i keep expecting the cardinals to put a kicking on someone. and they never do. i do expect some improvement but edgerrin james will be picking up his gold teeth from that new field's retractable grass turf. never discount norvelous norv turner's offense in san francisco, but if that alex smith didn't scare every fan who likes the niners... i call park slope west seahawks 1st (a very very close call, not surprised if they don't win the division), the rams 2nd, the cactus cards 3rd (with cardiac games), and the niners will be mining for crisp, close losses.

on the knicks' signing of jared jeffries:

2006-08-09T12:53:00.000-04:00

from ESPN's John Hollinger player profile (subscription required):

Jeffries discovered a role in his third NBA season, taking over as the Wizards' perimeter defensive stopper. Because he's 6-11 and has decent quickness, Jeffries proved a real headache for high-scoring small forwards. He also was among the Wizards' best help defenders, which is important on a team whose guards gamble so much.

The downside is that he's still a huge stretch as a starter because he's so ineffective on offense. Jeffries averaged only 10 points per 40 minutes and couldn't take advantage of all the easy opportunities that Hughes and Arenas gave him because he is such a terrible finisher. The Wizards can live with him scoring infrequently, but they need him to convert a higher percentage of his shots to justify his presence in the lineup. With the arrival of Butler and Daniels, Jeffries is likely to be pushed into a reserve role this year, and that usage is more consistent with his talents.

Duaner.

2006-08-03T10:57:00.000-04:00

How is our boy Duaner Sanchez an idiot? I don't know. Gothamist calls him out for no reason, after his season ending car accident. The accident happened late night in Miami, as he and his brother were looking for some Dominican food and were rammed by a Crown Victoria that had swerved through 4 lanes of traffic.

All of the commenters on Gothamist have come to Sanchez' defense. Some are calling the post racist, which I don't see; Dora agrees on the tone:

I think the tone is kinda racist; the biggest problem was when the writer wrote:

"a move that wouldn't have been necessary if Sanchez didn't have a craving for late night Dominican food. Note to Jose Reyes and Pedro Martinez: if you have cravings like your fellow Dominican, please don't go on a futile late-night search in a city you don't live in. Thank you."

Why is he warning Jose and Pedro? That implies that it was a stupid DOMINICAN thing to do. If Sanchez didn't foolishly crave food from his home country, this wouldn't have happened! Silly Dominicans, ruining everything with their need for rice and plantains.

Certainly, athletes go out after the game. They're on a different schedule; their work day ends at 10, 11 pm. He wasn't coming from a strip club or out with a gun in his belt-- he was looking for frickin' comfort food. In a city likely to have Dominican food. Should he have stayed in his hotel? Hotel food actually does get a touch old after a while. It misses that home-cooked feeling.

I'll also take this moment to note that NBA players make sojourns to find soul food in places like Indiana and more famously, in Sacramento-- where Chris Webber griped about the lack of soul food. Croatian and Serbian players have spots in Los Angeles and likely, in New York for their home cooking. Et Cetera.

Good luck on his surgery for a separated shoulder-- he braced himself with his pitching arm so he wouldn't hurt his head-- and recovery. Here is a blog wishing Duaner well.

is somebody recording this?

2006-07-06T10:21:00.000-04:00

The NY Knicks will have a Las Vegas Summer League entry. Note the picture at the top of the Knicks website... where's Stephon? Where's Eddy Curry? Where's Jerome James? Are they trying to tell me there is a future in this team?

So will the Dallas Mavericks:

Mavericks open summer-league play: The Mavericks will open play today in the first of three summer leagues this month, taking on the Denver Nuggets at the Toshiba Vegas Summer League.

The opener begins at 5 p.m. Rolando Blackman is coaching the Mavericks' entry in the Las Vegas league that is considered their "A" team. First-round draftee Maurice Ager joins veterans Josh Powell, Rawle Marshall and Pavel Podkolzin on the squad of 12. The "A" team also will compete in the Rocky Mountain Revue, July 14-21 in Salt Lake City.

The Mavericks will send a "B" team to the Long Beach Summer Pro League, which starts Sunday.

Unfortunately, the Bricks' Renaldo Balkman won't play against Ronaldo Blackman's Knicks (with the ten fans watching in Vegas yelling for a trade).

Meanwhile, the Knicks second-year players give the back alley whooping to Larry Brown's coaching style in the NY Newsday:

"It was like, 'I'm trying to do everything you ask me, and it seems like it's not good enough,' " [Nate] Robinson said. "It's like, 'We're butting heads here because, Coach, you told me to do this yesterday, but today, you told me not to do it.' ... At first, it was like he was trying to take my joy."

*****

"We won six in a row [in January, when I started at small forward], and I was a little surprised when, all of a sudden, I'm not only not starting, I'm not playing at all," [David] Lee said. "It was a little strange, and toward the end of the season [playing time] was so up and down. I really didn't understand what was going on."

Meanwhile, in New Jersey Nets camp, Cliffy Robinson is back and free of herbal smoke supplements.

Enjoy a visual offseason primer on the New Jersey Nets.

And their Orlando Summer League schedule.

why do i follow the nba again?

2006-07-03T10:59:00.000-04:00

It's the time of the year for blockbuster deals, sign-and-trades, and hope for every team except for the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks. And without further ado, so far in NBA free agency:

Peja Stojakovic is a New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornet, after his subpar year with Sacramento and then with Indiana, where his stroke was not as true.

Sam Cassell is a Clipper, still; molding the young mind of Shaun Livingston (isn't it his time yet?) and being the big balls that makes winning happen.

Tim Thomas is a clipper? 4 yrs, 24 million? Dammit, why do people keep hiring this guy? "Oh, he flashed brilliance (again)!" 6 mil a year for subpar effort and 14 points per game whether he's on the bench or not? Nothing I hate more than a guy who mopes his way into a trade to a much better team. We'll call that pulling a Vince Carter. Or an 'Zo Mourning, because he's a bigger jerk-off. Tim Thomas: should consider a move to basketball movies. He'd look very authentic.

The Philly Sixers are interested in Ben Wallace (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Like that's going to happen. How? A sign and trade? Bringing Webber back to Michigan? Ballhogging Iverson to play under Joe Dumars? Please.) and Jared Jeffries.

Also: Renaldo Balkman is still a warts-and-all player, according to his college coach, Dave Odom.

Draft Recaps, Knicks + Nets

2006-06-29T07:47:00.001-04:00

Knicks:

You know, I like Mardy Collins. Yes, he's another guard, but this is a guard who actually passes. That is an important trait in the guy who is bringing the ball up. I would have liked a shooter, so the Knicks can trade Quentin Richardson, but beggars with few draft picks can't be choosers.

But that Renaldo Balkman... if the Suns were going to pick him at 21, then let them. I don't care. Is that the basketball version of penis envy? Come on, man. If he's overvalued, you can find another hustling athletic player with no range and no handle who dominated the NIT but not his (kinda weak SEC) conference. It must be so hard to score against Vanderbilt, huh. His defense is great? Yeah, but you can't play him at middle linebacker and leave him out of the offensive sets. Come on, man. And i believe in Isiah's draft skills.

Nets:

I effing hate U-Conns. Now Jason Kidd has a more reliable backup (I like Jacque Vaughn's game, and if Coach Lawrence Frank had some patience, he'd note that he has some players on his bench in Planinic and Padgett and maybe Antoine Wright) and he can get a backup laptop on the cheap! Marcus Williams knows where to get the deals!

Josh Boone is Jason Collins with less skill. Okay, more shot blocking skill. But nothing else. His grimaces look like a man who knows he isn't that good and is trying real hard to project intensity. An actual intense person would have obliterated University of Albany's offense in the first half. Or rebounded better against George Mason. Albany? George Mason? How the hell is this man going to handle Ben Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal? With his mean mug? O-ver-rated.

oh you pretty knicks

2006-06-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

I.

New Yorkers cannot stop watching the debacle unfold, getting worse each day. Sillier. Dumber. Now with James Dolan dropping proclamations on his chosen few reporters like a hero or a tough lawman in the Old West. I would go into more detail but every columnist and blogger is whacking at this easy Knick piñata. But if you want to deliver a message in person, check out http://selltheknicks.com/-- those folks are organizing an in-MSG draft night protest.

Really, the biggest problem with Isiah as coach of the Bricks is Dolan’s demand that the team show improvement. But Larry Brown set the bar so infernally low (hey, Starbury, is that the 8th circle of hell?) that of course Isiah will show improvement. In fact, the Knicks will win games. 40 of them. Maybe a few more, maybe a few less.

Look at the roster. They have a decent amount of talent. Enough for mediocrity (as long as they don’t play Maurice Taylor. My God, can’t he retire and be the Corporate Liaison for Hot Dog Eating?) and enough for the playoffs. Laugh now. Then look at the Hawks’ roster, the Timberwolves’ roster, even the Bulls’ roster. If he can find a way to get players to defer to each other, Isiah will be able to run them uptempo and leave the defense to be a monthly exercise against the Bobcats and the Hawks. He’s good at letting a team run.

He’s also a decent drafter… but he traded away this year’s second round pick and now I hear that part of the Eddy Curry deal involves flip flopping 1st round picks with the Bulls next year? What kind of asshat made this deal? HEART CONDITION. EDDY CURRY HAD A HEART CONDITION. He didn’t need to command so much, Isiah!! No one wants a player with no "heart" who has a HEART CONDITION.

Stevie Franchise needs to be farmed out to Philly or Minnesota or somewhere with a simple-minded GM, Malik Rose needs to stop taking minutes from actual NBA talent, and Jalen Rose (also known as the “expiring contract”) needs to be traded for a second round draft pick. Because there is talent in the second round.

II.

There is always hope. Sport fans know hope as the draft. The draft is tomorrow. I have gone to watch the draft and let off some choice expletives in very crowded bars with children present. My favorite being “God f**king dammit all to f**king hell” at the Riviera over the mid-draft trade of Nené. More on the draft later—I think that if Isiah can find a second round pick, he might just make out like a bandit.

Remember last year? Channing Frye, David Lee, Nate Robinson. That’s a pretty awesome trio.

For now enjoy:

The Editor's Inbox: Blue Grass Joys of the Spring Signing Season

2006-05-19T10:52:00.000-04:00

Being a braketologist has its duties. Even though we are still 148 days to Midnight Madness, there is still work to be done. Specifically following the last of the 2006 graduating class and see where they end up. My beloved UMass Minutemen are working on prying a super recruit from UConn (TheyCon)'s grasp, which would make for a brilliant steal.

However, since UMass head coach (The Human Deliberator of Western Mass) Travis Ford is a Kentucky Grad, I seem to have met many a UK alum who naturally love the blue hoops and all things Ashley Judd. I have become a UK fan once-removed which means I meet the UK Alumni Group of NYC for the Saturday game of the week (and some weeknights too) drink beer from buckets and eat nothing but bbq'ed fat sandwiches. Oh my f'n lord!

The side effect is, other than cholesterol filled beer gut, is that I get many updates in my inbox regarding UK hoops. As many know, this was a not-so-perfect season for the Boys in Blue, going 19-10 and getting bounced by TheyCon in the second round of the dance. Players graduated, declared for the draft and transferred, leaving head coach Tubby Smith with a sparse bench for the future. However, one fan wanted us to know that, like the Phoenix, his Cats will rise again. And, as the immortal Chumbawamba said so eloquently, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." And that said, here is his email about the bright blue future of UK basketball.

Many thanks to Alfi and Martha for the info.

From: Alfi
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 7:17 PM
Subject: Good morning Cats fans

As is often the case this time of year (the Morris and Azubuike recruitments come immediately to mind), the master of the spring signing period, Tubby, appears to be hard at work.

After the season, we lost Rondo to the draft, Sparks, LeMaster and Stockton to graduation, as well as Sims and Williams (who both are transferring), but we add a very exciting mix of new recruits. Derrick Jasper, a 6'5" true point guard (!) from California will be joining the team next year. He was one of the top PG's in the country last year, and with his size will create all kinds of matchup problems at the college level.

Along with Jasper is, of course, Jodie Meeks, a 6'4" SG from Georgia with as much athleticism as anyone. In addition to being one of the top SG's in the country last year, Jodie also went out for the track team this year. After doing the long jump for all of 3 weeks, he jumped a preposterous 24 feet to become regional champion. He went on to become all-state, and anchored his team's 4x100 meter relay team. He's an absolute beast, folks. Think Azubuike with attitude. Oh and he's an 85% free throw shooter! (There is a God).

Joining these 4-star recruits is another 4-star player in 6'10" PF Perry Stevenson. Stevenson is the exact type of player that was the missing ingredient to last year's squad. He *averaged* a triple double in Louisiana this year, guys. That's right. This Cajun jumping jack blocked a preposterous 11+ shots a game in his senior campaign, finishing his career with over 1000 blocked shots. The national record is 1100-something. In other words, he's one of the greatest shot blockers in the history of high school basketball. He can jump out of the gym, and is also an all-state 400 m runner (reminds me of former 800m star Walter McCarty in that regard). He's rail thin but can finish with authority. Think Jules Camara with more offense and greater finishing ability.

Joining these blue-chippers is Michael Porter, a 6'3" PG from....MODESTO, California! That's right. He attended Chuck Hayes' alma mater. He's an outstanding shooter (thank you, Lord) and literally is as tough as they come. He's a former football star that was recruited by USC for football (yeah, *THE* USC) before concentrating only on basketball this year. He doesn't have the accolades as the other recruits, but that's because he was playing football instead of AAU ball. He's a coaches son that had a brilliant senior campaign, capped off with an MVP performance in a California all-star game that featured 8 future Div. 1 ballers and other future college players. Oh and he's a coach's son!

UK is also about to name a new strength and conditioning coach, which was an obvious weakness in the past few years. This coach is the S&C coach for Marquette and was handpicked by the legendary Rock Oliver. This guy will get the Cats in top shape (finally), and will hopefully add some muscle to Stevenson's light frame.

Okay, so is Tubby satisfied with this top-10 class and new S&C coach? Ha! The recent coaching departures of Herb Sendek at NC State and Kelvin Sampson at Oklahoma has made spring recruiting very exciting this year. NC State released a 6'7" SF from his national letter of intent (LOI) named Dan Werner. Werner is a 4-star recruit that was recently named New Jersey's Mr. Basketball, over the likes of 2 dUKe-bound Mcdonald's All-Americans and 1 Ga. Tech-bound Mckie D's All American. He's a great shooter but also has enough muscle to bang inside. He also seems to be a very heady player (I saw a pic of him with a shirt that said "Basketball Math" and had a guy dunking the ball = 2pts and a guy shooting it from the outside = 3 pts). He and his family(!) are visiting UK later this week. Reports are that he's very high on UK.

Oklahoma released 6'8" SF Damion James from his LOI. James is a 5-star (!) recruit ranked in the top-20 overall. He's an instant impact player. A do-everything swingman with strength, hops, ball-handling...the whole 9. Word is he's visiting UK as I write this email!

Signing these 2 guys would clearly make this Tubby's finest class, including the vaunted 2004 class. So where does that leave us? Tubby, in a recent interview, indicated that he's likely to move Crawford to his natural position, SG. So, at point we have Bradley, who gives us a true outside shooting threat as opposed to Rondo, who allowed the defenses to completely sag and pack the lane. Backing him up will be 6'5" Jasper (I think I may always refer to him as 6'5" Jasper instead of merely Jasper. The thought of a 6'5" PG tickles me to death). At the 2, we have Crawford in his natural position (finally!), where he won't be overpowered as he was from time-to-time at the 3 last year. Backing him up will be Jodie Meeks. At the 3, we have Bobby Perry, whose star began to shine in postseason play last year. He will also play his natural position, as opposed to the 4, where he was repeatedly overpowered. *Hopefully* we can sign Werner and/or James, which would, at the very least, give Perry a solid backup, and at most, assuming we sign James, give us an impact player at the wing, something that Kelenna's departure last year resulted in a glaring weakness. At the 4 we have Sheray, as well as a ridiculous defensive stopper/rebounder/finisher in Stevenson (again, finally!). At the 5 we have Mr. Morris, who will be one of the top big men in the college game next year.

Also, word is that Jared Carter is improving by leaps and bounds as we speak. Tubby has always been very high on him, which I think is warranted considering the fact that Roy Williams wanted him badly too. Big men improve the most the summer after their freshmen seasons. It's *possible* that if Jared continues to improve at this rate, he could start at the 5, and we'd be able to shift Morris to the PF position. At the least, we should have a solid backup to Morris next year, something that unfortunately wasn't the case last year.

We'll be back next year guys. There's not a doubt in my mind.

Me neither, Alfi.

-mjr

Uncle Cliffy, What's That in Your Hand?

2006-05-15T15:41:00.000-04:00

While some writers and columnists like to point at the Richard Jefferson/ Vince “Vinsanity” Carter similarities as the reason the Nets are down 3 games to 1 to the geriatric Miami Heat, or to the fact that the greeziest coach in the NBA is outthinking the Lawrence Frank the boy wonder, I would like to point at Uncle Cliffy Robinson and his purported love for the doobie as the downfall of the New Jersey Nets' playoffs. It looked so good this year, rattling off 14 wins in a row, integrating Vince Carter and learning to run again, the emergence of Nenad Krstic...

RJ and VC can play together. Despite Vinsanity jacking up shots with 20 seconds left on the shot clock, and despite an 0 for 7 from behind the three point line performance, they are not incompatible. They are a double threat. But Vince, here’s something we know from college: the three point line gives you hope, but it is the inside score that brings you victory (mjr: That sentence will be a part of my entry in the “Bible” which will be discussed in this blog at a later date). The Nets need RJ to bring the victory. And though he needs to demand the ball, his passivity is not an indication that this pairing cannot work.

If anything, the issue is that neither Vinsanity nor Jason Kidd is a very good defender. The team can’t get stops. The backup point, Jacque Vaughn, is a speed bump. A very short, weak speed bump. I’d whip out Zoran Planinic’s long arms and chaotic drives to the basket myself, but I can’t seem to get Lawrence to hear me yelling at the television.

Lawrence’s rotation yesterday had John Thomas at the forward spot; his name, Dor informs me, was a name used by Kyle Machlachlan for his male member in Sex and the City. The JohnThomas rebounded and hustled… and refused to put up shots, even at point blank range. Good for a guy to know his role, but damn, do something. Anything. The JohnThomas looks like starting PF Jason Collins out there, with an offensive arsenal taken from a monk’s playbook—no scoring! And 4 on 5 basketball just doesn’t work so well. Coach Lawrence also played Lamond Murray (who looked passable on defense but did little offensively). Meanwhile, the Heat scored 47 from the forward positions, to the Nets’ 29 (with 17 from Richard Jefferson).

Note Jacque Vaughn and The JohnThomas’ +/- stats from 82games.

And yes, while RJ needs to do more, and sho’ nuff, Lawrence needs to find a bench player who has experience playing competitive basketball, the issue is Cliff Robinson. Uncle Cliffy, who has apparently run afoul of the doobie before, happens to be 6-10 and possessed of muscle and desire. Meaning—he would be put on Shaq, Haslem, Antoine Walker, et cetera. He might actually put a hand up. He might rebound. He might muscle those guys out of the box. He definitely would shoot a few threes, taking Haslem/ Walker away from near the basket, and opening slashing lanes for RJ.

Instead, he is watching on television, banned for five games. And Nets fans will soon find their basketball at a physical and emotional distance, thinking through the summer months about J-Kidd triple doubles and RJ dunks, wondering what might have been.

Mizzou Men's Basketball

2006-05-08T16:32:00.000-04:00

Here's a little note on the new Missouri coach from March. I don't believe Missouri will win a championship anytime soon; they're still in the shadow of much more talented Illinois and Kansas teams, the Big 12's ugly basketball stepsister, and no amount of tough fast-break basketball is going to help.

But they'll never play that ridiculous three-point offense or that terrible overplaying defense, meant to get into the passing lanes for steals. That defense left them open to backdoor cuts and open short jumpers.

And the Mizzou players will never have to be embarrassed with this:

All you young aspiring coaches out there-- if you're going to clown yourself by singing offkey,

1. think of a song your players were alive to hear when it came on the radio, and

2. Learn. The. Words.

But How Do You Really Feel, Billy?

2006-05-08T15:35:00.000-04:00

Oh, Snap. Billy fastball just pulled out the Emo-Card!

Wagner said he became "everyone's least favorite Phillie in the clubhouse" after he called his teammates on the carpet for their spiritless play in an interview that appeared July 1 in The Inquirer.

In response to Wagner's critical comments, former teammate Kenny Lofton called a team meeting in the weight room. Wagner described the meeting as "24 against one," and added that Pat Burrell called him a "rat" during the meeting....

"Me and Placido Polanco used to talk about it all the time last year," Wagner said. "Something needed to be said. I was trying to be a leader. I wasn't trying to say, 'You stink.' I was trying to say, 'We need to get going.' I wanted to win....

"After I called them out, they were waiting for me to fall flat," Wagner said. "In my mind, when I went out to the mound, they were waiting for me to go in the tank. I could be wrong, but that's the feeling I got."

Brett Myers isn't too happy about that. And Pat Burrell apparently called the new Met closer a "rat." I'm hoping for a brawl, as the Mets sweep the Pheel-deez and remind them what kind of gray and pink sore losers they are.

Mets vs Brewers

2006-04-17T12:36:00.000-04:00

My high school friend called with seats four boxes behind the visitor’s dugout. I dropped any possible plans (sorry, Dor!) and subway’d it to Shea Stadium. Good game. The Brewers kept it close for 6 innings behind Ben Sheets and then Jorge De La Rosa and Jose Capellan did not. Mets win, 9-3. Some game notes:

Brian Bannister… might need some time in the minors. For a control pitcher, getting up to 112 pitches and for most of the game going 50/50 on balls/ strikes is NOT a good idea. The walks, the bases loaded moments… there’s careful and then there is crazy. Bannister says he’s not sweating enough. He did improve in the later innings, hitting his spots and pitching more crisply after getting some Pedro Martinez advice.

Another high school friend made fun of Geoff Jenkins’ and Carlos Lee’s goatees, talking about how Carlos’ goatee was mediocre, and how Geoff can’t spell his name right and is a poor man’s Jeff Bagwell (with his number, and his name, and his power).

Carlos Delgado seemed to mail in innings 2-7, with the awful strikeouts and the errant throw on a possible double play. He threw from 1B to near-second, and the ball skipped into left field. And then, he beat the laces off the ball.

Securing the victory.

The Met fans howled when mop-up guy Jorge Julio (and his 19.00 ERA) came in, with some yelling “bring back Benson,” referring to mediocre pitcher Kris Benson, whose wife Anna Benson (site is NOT WORK SAFE) is often near-naked and outrageous. I’ll miss her rants on Omar Minaya latining up the team and on Michael Moore.

Here is a gratuitous picture of a failed Brewer pitcher.

The rest of the photo set.

Why we love Carlos Delgado

2006-04-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

In keeping with the spirit of free speech and dissent this country was founded on, we see how to deal with a visit to your clubhouse by Vice President Trigger Dick Chaney:

Carlos Delgado's opposition to U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan are well documented. But the first baseman took a tactful approach when Dick Cheney visited the Mets' clubhouse yesterday, before the VP tossed out the ceremonial first pitch at the Nationals' home opener.
Delgado conveniently got busy with pregame preparations as his teammates posed for a picture with Cheney.

"I was doing my routine," Delgado said with a smile. "I happened to be somewhere else. Go figure."

Additionally, I like our new met Xavier Nady:

The Mets' clubhouse recently had been a Republican stronghold, with Al Leiter an aspiring GOP politician and Mike Piazza last year referring to Rush Limbaugh as "American royalty." It's not exactly left-leaning now, but Cliff Floyd identified himself as a Democrat and Xavier Nady said he grew up in a Democratic household.

Nady had the VP sign a bat, but later joked: "I'll probably use it tomorrow. It depends how many I go through." At least, the right fielder presumably was joking.

Who the Foulke is Papelbon?

2006-04-05T23:34:00.000-04:00

There is an interesting controversy about to start brewing within Red Sox Nation. Monday in Texas, which was opening day for the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox, the Sox got off to a 7-2 lead behind Curt Schilling when Manager Terry Francona called for his closer.

The closer was none other than Keith Foulke, who was the hero closer for the Sox during that Championship season in 2004 - oh, it seems so far away. His saves were not always pretty, but they were effective. However, 2005 was not too good to him as he spent most of the season on the DL with knee problems. He attempted to come back late in the season, but didn't have the stuff, ballooning his ERA out to 5.91 by giving up 30 earned runs in only 43 appearances.

After much scrutiny, Foulke had offseason surgery to repair his knees and showed up for camp ready to go. His spring training was very strong, but he was still under the microscope until he proved differently.

So, back to opening day, top of the 9th, Sox up 7-2 and even though it was not a save situation, in comes "Cardiac Keith" Foulke. He closed out the game, but in one inning two hits and one earned run.

He didn't make an appearance on Tuesday, since the Sox got shelled when knuckleballer Tim Wakefield tossed BP to the Rangers' young and potent lineup.

But, then there was tonight. Newly acquired pitcher Josh Beckett debuted with a 7-inning, 1-run gem, followed by a solid 8th inning by old faithful set-up man Mike Timlin. The score was 2-1 at the start of the 9th. It is time for the closer, but who comes out of the bullpen? Not Cardiac Keith, but rookie heatster Jonathan Papelbon, who is normally a starter, but has been moved to the bullpen since there is no starting spot for him in the rotation. 24-year old Papelbon came up late last season and showed that the hype was real.

Francona didn't hide the fact that Papelbon will be used as the closer if Foulke does not seem to have his stuff. However, he was called in to close after Foulke faltered after his first appearance. Talk radio in the hub ought to be interesting tomorrow.

It's Opening Day!

2006-04-03T22:34:00.000-04:00

Wake me when it's over.

Seriously, this has got to be one of the most overrated days in the sports calendar, right up there with the ESPYs and the Daytona 500.

After a month of games that don't count, we're now subjected to games that matter. And all this hoopla for 0.6% of the season to be complete? If nothing else, this just signals the time of the year that it's actually okay to talk about the Sawx and the Yanks (add your own PTI impression). The same old men write the same old lines about the beauty and timelessness of the game. Seriously, what other sport has men like George Will wax poetic about it?

Don't get me wrong, I dig a good game every now and then. One of my fondest memories was seeing the Green Monster in person a few years ago. But don't tell me to get excited about seeing Frank Thomas suck for a new team or seeing how the Mets can find a new way to come in 2nd place in the NL East.

If you don't mind, I've got some college basketball to watch.

Standings After Day 9

2006-04-02T04:47:00.000-04:00

(Or, The "They Might As Well Be Final" Results)

4th place- Molly, with 500 points.
3rd place- Neverecho, with 610 points.
2nd place- Greg, with 630 points.

And our Athletes in Action 2006 Grand Champion...

Pico, with 730 points, thanks to Florida's 15-point beatdown of George Mason.

Congratulations to Pico, who gets to enjoy an entire year of not having his judgement questioned. (At least when it comes to college basketball, that is...)

Big Baby, Glen Davis

2006-03-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

The NY Times has an article about my Final Four favorite, Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

The Sooner They Come, The Sooner They Fall

2006-03-29T13:18:00.000-05:00

Today, it is expected that Indiana University will name Oklahoma University Head Coach Kelvin Sampson their new men's basketball coach, replacing the pushed-out...ahem, resigned Mike Davis.

Let's start with the good. Over Sampson's 18 year career as a head coach, he has proven to be one of the game's best. With a career record of 435-248 (.637), Sampson, posted the highest winning percentage in Oklahoma University history (.721). He was named National Coach of the Year twice, in 1995 and 2002. He has won more games in Big 12 Conference tournament play, beating out Roy Williams, and took his OU teams to postseason play each year, including 10 NCAA Tournaments. He has certainly proven his worth.

The problem I have with this move is that Indiana had it in for Coach Davis as soon as Bobby Knight was fired because...well, he was not Coach Knight. Indiana kicked out Mike Davis basically for his lack of success in the postseason regardless of the fact that he made "The Dance" 4 of the 6 seasons.

Granted, other than his Final Four run in 2002, he had limited success in NCAA Tournament play, never making it past the second round again, and for schools steeped in tradition, such as Indiana, it is understandable that they have high standards.

However, will Sampson be the answer? During his 11 seasons as OU head coach, he has an NCAA record of 11-10, which does include one trip to the Final Four (2002) and the Elite Eight (2003). Take away those years, and that leaves a record of 4-8, including 6 tournaments where his Sooners were bounced in the first round (in all but two, they were the favorite.)

In contrast, Mike Davis only lost in the first round once, advancing to the second round twice not including his trip to the Championship game in 2002. Let's be real here for a moment - this is all number play because the trick is to get to the tourney first and if you can't do that, the argument is moot. And, with Davis missing the Big Dance 2 of his 6 seasons may stick out like a missing laptop in a UConn locker.

However, Mike Davis subscribes to the John Chaney school of schedule tough non-conference schedules every year, which provides a certain risk of not making the tourney. As I said before, with RPI and the selection committee, a loss to Duke is equal to a loss to Moorehead St. However, this scheduling philosophy does more to prepare your teams for postseason play, as witnessed by Davis losing 1 first round game (or as we call, a "one and done") in 4 tries, opposed to Sampson's Sooners losing 6 first round games in 10 trips.

My point is, while Indiana is hiring a top quality coach and expect better results than Mike Davis, will Sampson give his new bosses the results they expect? He better, because he will certainly be on the hot seat right out of the gate if he doesn't.

According to ESPN's Andy Katz, Indiana decided to go with a 'name' coach, approaching Gonzaga's Mark Few, Memphis' John Calipari and Louisville's Rick Pitino first, who "want no part of Indiana." At their schools, each coach are saviors, rebuilding (or building in the case of Gonzaga) big programs.

Mike Davis is a great coach, who understands the game and how to teach it. He has proven himself and will make a leader wherever he goes. Indiana administrators and alumni sent the message to Davis because it is tourney wins they want.

If so, maybe they should not have jumped 'sooner' rather than later.

(Ironically, it was Mike Davis' Indiana team who knocked off Sampson's Oklahoma team in the 2002 Final Four allowing the Hoosers to advance to the Championship game against eventual champion Maryland...but what to I know??)

Standings After Day 8

2006-03-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

(Or, Go Patriots!)

Greg- 630 points
Pico- 610 points
neverecho- 610 points
Molly- 500 points (0/4 during the last two days. Not to be redundant, but ouch...)

So the entire pool comes down to one game: Florida vs. George Mason. If Florida wins, Pico picks up enough points to win. If George Mason's run continues, then I win.

Standings After Day 7

2006-03-26T01:01:00.000-05:00

Greg- 630 points (apparently, I was the only one who had any faith in UCLA)
neverecho- 610 points
Pico- 530 points
Molly- 500 points

Standings After Day 6

2006-03-25T13:58:00.000-05:00

neverecho- 610 points (went 3/4 last night)
Greg- 550 points (1/4)
Pico- 530 points (2/4)
Molly- 500 points (2/4)

And, now an NCAA Moment of Zen.

2006-03-24T16:27:00.000-05:00

Duke Freshman Guard Greg Paulus shows his emotion at last night's loss to LSU.

*Sorry Echo! I couldn't resist. Go BC!

Standings After Day 5

2006-03-24T14:54:00.000-05:00

Greg- 510 points (though I see my stay in 1st as temporary, 3/4 of my Final Four are out)
neverecho- 490 points
Pico- 450 points
Molly- 420 points (went 0/4 last night... ouch)

Meanwhile, in Austin...

2006-03-24T14:37:00.000-05:00

Another big game, another trip 80 miles north to visit with friend and watch on television. I'm guessing I should start making a habit of this.

I swear, I haven't seen a basketball team live and die by the three like West Virginia did since the Houston Rockets in their championship* years. Yet, Mr. Barnes defensive scheme kept allowing the Mountaineers to have more 3-point attempts than Texas had made field goals (33 vs 28). It was a great game, though. Even when Kevin got hit in the Pittsnogle, he was able to get the (possibly) game-tying shot (on yet another screened three-pointer).

If you would have told me the line on the player of the man who had the game-winning shot would read 3/9 for 8 pts, 1 reb. and 1 assist in 30 minutes, I would have laughed in your face. Now I'm just laughing till Saturday, when the big rematch against Duke comes about.

Wait... what happened? Never mind then. I'm still worried, though. Apparently, according to every talking head I've seen today, the players from LSU are very "long."

2006-03-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

Y'all knew it was going to happen. Duke lost to LSU last night and it was so, so, sad. LSU's defense was super tough, they basically had two men on JJ at all times (and yes, I'll admit, his shooting sucked), allowing him to get in just 11 points (two of which were free throws) last night. Shelden tried to pick up the slack, but there was only so much he could do. McRoberts also had two pretty awesome dunks towards the end of the game, and I can't wait for the day that he starts playing that well more consistently. Anyway...the guys whose last game it was, Sheldon, JJ, Lee, and Sean, started at Duke the same year I did, so I kind of feel like this was MY team, and now it's over.

Four days of ball and...

2006-03-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

I've lost my voice.

I'm a fan of the Albany Great Danes.

We have spread the chant "We steal lap-tops!" which is appropriate at any U Conn game where Marcus Williams plays.

Villanova and Gonzaga are going to give us heart attacks.

The Bradley Braves are crisp (and in Peoria Illinois, not Indianapolis as I previosuly thought).

Jim is our favorite bartender.

Dora loves basketball.

Tennessee was obviously not that good.

Neither was Syracuse. Neither was Iowa.

West Virginia... sweet sixteen? Huh.

Can Washington knock off U Conn? Please?

Standings After Day 4

2006-03-20T07:37:00.000-05:00

Neverecho- 450 points
Molly- 420 points
Greg- 390 points (though my pick for National Champion is out)
Pico- 370 points

Standings After Day 3

2006-03-19T10:58:00.000-05:00

Neverecho- 350 points
Molly- 320 points
Greg- 310 points
Pico- 290 points

Standings After Day 2

2006-03-18T10:08:00.000-05:00

Neverecho- 230 points
Molly- 220 points (though 2 of her Elite 8 are out)
Greg- 210 points
Pico- 190 points (with 1 of his Final 4 out)

Standings after Day 1

2006-03-17T07:58:00.000-05:00

Neverecho- 120 pts.
Molly- 110 pts.
Greg and pico- 100 pts.

(seriously though... Nevada in the Elite 8?)

Think this stuff is easy?

2006-03-14T20:13:00.000-05:00

Trying beating us bloggers at our own game!

I've set up a bracket pool over at ESPN's site to let all our dear readers face off against the writers to see who can really pick a winner or two (or sixty-four).

Search for group name "athletes in action" (original, huh?). There's no password that's needed, just sign up, fill out your bracket(s), and enjoy having your butt whupped by us writers.

Good luck, everyone.

Out like an Owl

2006-03-13T23:16:00.000-05:00

After 34 years and 741 victories on the sidelines, longtime Temple coach John Chaney has announced his retirement pending the completion of his run in the NIT. Having, never reached the final four during his tenure, Chaney has done much more off the court teaching boys to be men. The game will miss his love and dedication to young people.

Lost now, the "play anyone, anywhere, anytime" attitude of non-conference scheduling that is sadly a thing of the past. So, will his patented match-up zone defense.

Last year, Chaney created controversy as he sent in a player to commit hard physical fouls resulting in a season ending injury for a St. Joe’s guard. Always classy, Chaney admitted his mistake, accepted responsibility and suspended himself for the remainder of the season. During that time many called for his resignation, and I wrote and editorial for my blog, The Junior Page. I quote from that post:

As an alum of an A-10 school, I followed the Temple program for the past fifteen years. In the early to mid-1990’s, the UMass/Temple rivalry was the story of the A-10. The games were nationally televised (on ABC, not ESPN,) we slept out in the cold for tickets. I was in attendance in 1992 for the first time UMass beat Temple...ever. We were silly. We screamed. We stomped on the bleachers seats of the ole' Curry Hicks Cage. The officials actually stopped the game momentarily as the paint was literally coming off the ceiling and falling onto the court. It is still one of the most exciting basketball games I ever witnessed.

As with any rival, I hated Temple. I hated Pepe Sanchez, Eddie Jones, Aaron McKay, Rick Brunson, and Johnny Miller. Most of all, I hated John Chaney. After all, he was the chief. I hated them, but like the Yankees to my beloved Red Sox, I loved when they came to my house. Its sports hatred, not personal hatred. I am a fan of the college game, and especially a fan of solid coaching, and there are not many coaches I respect more than John Chaney. I respect him as a coach, a person, and a teacher, not to mention how much he has done for the game of college basketball.

In 1994, John Chaney attacked then UMass Head Coach John Calipari during Caliari’s press conference following another UMass/Temple battle. I remember watching it on TV. I remember Temple leading the entire game. I remember the Minutemen clawing back. I remember the late minute shot from Mike Williams to win the game for us. I also remember John Chaney charging into the UMass press room and threatening Coach Cal yelling, “I’ll kill ya! Next time I see you, I’m gonna kick your ass!” The next day Chaney issued public apology to the his school, Calipari, our program and the fans, promptly suspending himself from coaching.

Coaching is a passionate profession. Without that passion, you will not succeed. I say that from personal experience. Sometimes that passion gets the better of you.

I am not excusing his actions, however sports offers a certain hypocrisy, in that, the violence in the arena has little repercussions. “Its just part of the game,” they say and responsibility is not taken most of the time. And, as fans we except (and accept) that.

Former Indiana legend, Bob Knight, one of the highest regarded coaches in college basketball has always been the center of controversy over the years; from his on-court temper tantrums, to throwing a chair across the court during a game, to choking a former player. Sadly, he has never once taken responsibility for his actions. He does not show remorse and would rather blame the media for his shortcomings and yet he seems to have a foul to give.

Regardless of intent, Coach Chaney’s behavior was inexcusable. His actions lead directly to the career ending injury of an opposing player. John Bryant will never have the chance to start on Senior day. He will never be able to play in the Big Dance again. He will never be able to play for his alma mater one last time, and that sadness he will feel as the last buzzer sounds will be felt on the bench and not on the court where it should be.

There is no question that Coach John Chaney is intense, but he loves his kids, his job and the game itself. The idea of Chaney even being fired for this action is ludicrous. He has given so much more to the game and his community that he has taken away. Despite his shortcomings, he has shown proper responsibility for his poor judgment and taken proper actions. In his statement, he said, "In view of all the circumstances, I believe the fair thing is for me not to coach during the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament in Cincinnati. John Bryant is unable to play in the Tournament because of the injury he sustained last week against Temple. Neither should I be able to coach."

That shows fantastic leadership and isn’t that what teaching is all about?

Live on, John. We will miss you. Thank you.

Tourney Season

2006-03-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, Oregon stopped winning. And the weekend was jammed with finals and tough games; Boston College and Duke was insanity, Florida is a good looking ball club. Selections were made, snubs were discussed, matchups set.

Your Six Star Writers and friends will spend the week telling you about some teams you should know, and some teams you should laugh at. It's what we do, and we love our jobs. For now, this correspondent has to put his nose in some spreadsheets and do his job; enjoy team capsules from fox sports while you wait and fill out brackets.

Once Again, Our West Coast Correspondent Molly

2006-03-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

So I should have written about the game, like, when I got home last night, despite the absurd hour, because now all I can think about is the NEXT game. But here's what happened: J had a show. The show was in a bar with no TV. After the show, our friend P stuck his little radio headphones in his ears and reported that Oregon was down by 11 at the half.

Bunk, I say.

So J and I crossed the street to the bar with a TV, where we nicely asked to have the Ducks game on and the slightly surly bartender nicely complied with our request. The Ducks were down. Probably still by 11; I don't know, because I was too busy going, "What the fuck is Stelly doing in there?" Adrian Stelly, for those not in the know, is a walk-on who has played a total of 41 minutes this season, generally at times like the end of the WSU game when Oregon won by 30. P had mentioned that Aaron Brooks was out, and we figured it was because he was sick - he'd been held out of the second half of the previous game with "flulike symptoms."

And then we saw Ryan Appleby. With a piece of tissue sticking out his nose. J started to put things together, and the paper today confirmed it: Brooks got ejected for "fighting." Can't play tonight either. DAMMIT, BROOKS. The year before last, he put himself out with a broken hand when he punched the, uh, I don't know the technical term, the thingy what holds up the basket. That was Luke Jackson's last year, and though Brooks was a freshman, I like to think he would have made a difference. Now he's out the follow-up game for throwing an elbow at the Greatest American Hero's nose. Bummer. (Turns out Appleby needed six stitches in his upper lip. Ouch.)

But Stelly really came through. It was his three, early in the second half, that got things going - and then sophomore Chamberlain Oguchi took over again, after a scoreless first half, with a quick succession of wicked awesome (sorry, I had to say it) threes. One of them, off a hot steal, tied the game; another fantastic shot came off an assist from Stelly after Stelly had a fast break and a sweet pass backward to Oguchi. Another was contested by two Washington players and I do love the shots of Oguchi with Bobby Jones in his face, draining the three all the same. Johnson had some nice moments and Kent, of course, had a goofy dunk, which he followed with a panther-growl face that would have made Andre Joseph proud.

The really amazing thing was, though I got nervous, I never thought they were going to throw it away. I feared for those final minutes, but ultimately it wasn't even close (at least by my definition). It was a feisty, ferocious team coming out and playing like they meant it. Hairston astonished us with 7-of-8 free throw shooting in those last vital minutes; Oregon has lost games on missed free throws more than once before. At least three Washington players were bleeding and yet the refs were lettin' 'em play - at one point there was something that looked mighty like a foul that wasn't called, and J observed, "The refs are totally in their pocket."

That is NOT a normal situation for Oregon. If I had one wish, I would have liked to see Ray Schaefer in there for a few fiery blocks - the one thing Washington consistently got by the Ducks with was their inside shot (god, I hope I'm using basketball speak right. I'm never sure). But hey, if it ain't broke ... you know the rest. I like Schaefer and I like Leunen, but if the Hairston-Stelly-Oguchi-Johnson-Lincoln lineup works? USE THE FUCK OUT OF IT.

If Oregon can beat Washington, they can beat Cal. The only way they can get a .500 season is by winning the Pac-10 tournament; the only way that's gonna happen is if they beat Cal, who beat them twice, and Arizona beats UCLA - Oregon split the Arizona games, but UCLA trounced the Ducks both times.

Fingers crossed.

-Molly

From West Coast Correspondent Molly

2006-03-10T08:56:00.000-05:00

It's much too hard to cover all the conference tournaments by ourselves, of course; and there is action all across the land. For example:

Oral Roberts got their conference's automatic bid! Heh, I said "Oral." Those young Christians and their wacky names.

The Southern Illinois Salukis are in, training another set of neophyte viewers on what a "saluki" is. I'm hoping the St Louis University Billikens get in next year, because the debate over what a "Billiken" is will always be curious.

The Temple Owls are making life hard for the Atlantic 10. Earlier this year, Coach John Chaney was assailed for scheduling too hard-- the NCAA tourney's selection process gives more credit to conference wins over teams with good overall records, and Temple always starts conference play with a relatively poor record, because they'd play pro teams if they could. Now it pays off with a win over the 6th ranked George "Gotta Have My Pops!" Washington Colonials.

And Gerry MacNamara doesn't want college to end, hitting big threes to send Cincinnati packing, and then to dispatch top-ranked U Conn.

But then, there is the Wack-10. Teams that roll over in the NCAA tournament, teams from places we all want to move to, teams with fun colors and adorable mascots and sun-kissed people. My dear friend Molly is an Oregon partisan-- she's new-ish to basketball, but the past few years have found her listening to games on the radio while her boyfriend plays amateur games, passing along updates.

That, people, is basketball fan street cred. Her note from last night (BEFORE the Oregon Ducks gave the Washington Huskies a good quacking):

Basketball.

Is eating.

My brain.

Glad to see Arizona beat Stanford; if that ends Stanford's many-year run of tournament appearances, well, the little part of me that irrationally hates Chris Hernandez will smile.

Arizona did it without Hassan Adams, too, which makes it all the better. Even my hatred for Lute Olson can't keep me from wanting the Wildcats to do better than most of the other Pac 10 teams. Not sure why that is. Maybe because it's fun to make dirty, rude jokes about what Olson will do when his players lose to teams like, oh, say, Oregon. (Oregon almost beat them AT Arizona, after winning at home. I laugh.)

Speaking of Oregon, I can't help but hope they have a chance tonight against UW. The last game was a three point loss; no surprise there as I believe it's eight games Oregon has lost by three or less points, which, while I know it's the W or L that really matters, seems to suggest that the games were winnable right up to the end, unlike a 30 point blowout. And Chamberlain Oguchi (spelled on the captions last night as 'Chamber Lynn,' 'Agucci,' 'Oguchically,' and about three other ways I forget) has really, seriously, truly been a force to be reckoned with, which he was not, earlier in
the season. Last night, Hairston scored the quietest 20 points I've ever seen an Oregon player score. Very interesting. Hope they keep it up.

I realize that no one else in the country gives a shit about the Pac 10. Thus my little
newbie fan self feels all the more compelled to comment. In the rest of the
world, nice that Syracuse beat Connecticut, just to see a #1 team lose. (I'm a
long-time underdog fan, what can I say.) I haven't seen many East Coast schools
play and tend to pick favorites as the tournament starts, often just by player,
but I will be rooting for Gonzaga, I can tell you that much. That Adam Morrison
is fucking crazy.
-Molly

(image thanks to http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/sports/)

Game 2: The Bad Day for the Red Birds.

2006-03-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

As mjr says, Louisville should have never gotten off the bus. Thanks for the photograph, kind sir. And maybe the Louisville Cardinals got off the bus late; maybe Pitino was having a good time seeing old New York friends. Even the band couldn’t find its section, couldn’t set up, so the time between the two games was filled with Pitt’s band blasting and rocking, the Pitt dancers + cheerleaders jumping around and showing their stuff. Nothing from Louisville. Prohpetic.

And Louisville, the basketball team? Uh… uh…

They didn’t score until 11:15 left in the 20 minute half. Free throws. First field goal: 9:12 left in the half, hit by Taquan Dean. At 7:37 left, Louisville’s field goal percentage was 7%.

The Louisville band played Spinal Tap’s Big Bottom (thanks to Rob for identifying that). They’re pretty good. Their cheerleaders are spectacular; one guy is a hella good gymnast, the ladies fly in the air. Once they get on the court, the support section is pretty good. Also prophetic.

35-7 with 4:27 to go in the half. That’s a bad football score. “Jeff Brohm really needs to avoid those interceptions,” says Kirk Herbstreit. Louisville pulls out the ¾ court and full court press, and claw closer—39-16 at the half.

A commercial in the second half, shown on the monitors: Louisville implanted the first artificial heart. But first they tried implants on the players, obviously, and the heart transplant didn’t take.

But from planet HOLY CRAP, Louisville gets within 15. And within 10. And within 5? What? Pitt really is this bad. The final stats show almost even field goal percentage. Pitt outrebounded the Cardinals, but that’s because they simply cannot shoot. Too many New York players?

This game was really ugly, but it was good to be at the Garden. Out at night. Cracking wise with a wise ass. Good living.

Game 1: The Battle of New Jersey.

2006-03-09T10:33:00.000-05:00

At the Garden (the most famous arena, next to the Parthenon):

Rob and I think this doesn’t bode well. The battle of New Jersey—Rutgers vs Seton Hall, first round of the Big East Conference Tournament—is tied at 9, 8:00 left in the first half. The Rutgers cheerleaders have that trashy look we all like. We can smell the hairspray up here, and the Bon Jovi style lives on.

But then, as wry Rob notes: Quincy Douby is smokin’! Once Rutgers gets him the ball, the kid can motor, he moves the ball well, hits some shots, has a nice touch at the free throw line.

On Seton Hall’s side, it would be nice if someone other than Coupland scored. We like Jared Nutter’s name better than his game. Grant Billmeier is a lump of goo. And a loss like this will NOT get Seton Hall into the tournament. I’d even wager that they don’t get in. I think Cincinnati has a better shot of making the 65-team field.

The Editor's Inbox

2006-03-08T14:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes during our day, we get to hear the friendly chime of the Inbox (in my case is it is the gavel - dun, dun - from Law & Order) from which we get to hear the masses (all 10 of you) speak to us for once. Hey, this is all about freedom of speech, right? So, please send us your thoughts an we just might post them. And, in the interest of lawsuits, my cute lawyer friends from Brooklyn tell me I need to say that any letters/emails to the editor posted on 'athletes in action' are not necessarily the view and opinions of the writers/creators of this blog, (unless you are slandering A-Rod.) Also, the editors of AIA have to right to refuse to post any letters/email they see fit. Hey, we love free speech, but we are the ones doing all the work here. Thank you.

Practice Makes Perfect,
mjunior, PhD - Bracketology

Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 22:21:09 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Kirby Puckett

Ok, I need to vent somewhere. Why are they making Kirby Puckett out to be Mother Theresa just because he passed away. Obviously, I feel bad that he probably passed before his time, and yes he was a Great ballplayer and I always admired the way he approached the game. But lets not forget that this man had problems with violence, he was violent towards his wife and towards his mistress (lets not even go into the fact that he had a mistress, that's a whole other can of worms).

Here he is a hall of famer, and now all we hear is how great he was now that he is no longer with us. These are the same baseball writers that have condemned Pete Rose for gambling. Now I agree that Pete should not be in the Hall, but to my knowledge he never beat a women. And I can certainly say I am much more likely to forgive someone for gambling and tax evasion then I ever would for violence on women.

I guess it just makes me mad that there are so many great former ballplayers that were also great people too that don't get recognized, like lets say Jim Rice, Dale Murphy, Orel Hershiser and the list goes on and on. But I guess these guys didn't have the infectious smile of Puckett and the also didn't have the right hook he has either. For once I would just like the media to speak the truth about an athlete.

Ok I am done venting now. I hope you are doing well.

Take Care,
Chris

Chris, you make a fanstastic point. Let me say right up front that I don't have much of a feeling about Kirby Puckett either way, but it is fascinating how the media does build someone up, to rip them down again. However, when tragedy strikes, all will be forgotten. We see it in athletes, entertainers, polititians, etc. It will be amazing to hear what the media comes up with when Barry Bonds* is gone because if they center squarely around the numbers, will they remind us that they are tainted? Stay tuned.
-mjr

baa baa leemire goat

2006-03-06T13:24:00.000-05:00

GOAT: Scapegoat; one that is made to bear the blame of others. Not the slang “Greatest Of All Time.”

The term "goat" is tossed about loosely in corporate and athletic circles, but it takes a lot to make a true goat. The kind of gaffe where everyone who hears the tale shakes their head and says “what an ass clown,” or, “I’m glad not to be him despite his good looks and riches.” For my definition, a goat is not the one who falls on his sword (see: Oliver North). It will be the person who thought they wouldn’t get caught, the person who thought they were doing right despite years of human history to inform them otherwise, the person who fails in the performance their life was geared towards.

It’s harsh. But it’s true.

Examples include Chris Webber’s “time-out” in the NCAA finals; Chris Webber having to apologize for recruiting/ monetary violations that wiped those Michigan basketball victories and losses from the official record books; Hugh Grant getting caught with a street hooker; the great Bill Buckner moment; the executives at Enron; et cetera.

Today, the definition refers to Leemire Goldwire, guard, UNC-Charlotte 49ers of the Atlantic 10 basketball conference.

The Niners, the second place team in the conference, were facing the George Washington Colonials (GW) in the league final, before the conference tournament. Some things to know:
• Charlotte had lost to George Washington earlier in the year.
• George Washington is the 6th ranked team in the country; a win over GW would give Charlotte (the 49ers or Niners) a better look at the NCAA tournament.
• GW hadn’t lost a conference game.

The Niners took the game into overtime with dogged play and determination and all the other things that make underdogs competitive in basketball. Like GW’s shots just not falling. With six seconds left, GW’s Maureece Rice takes a long three pointer from the elbow. Of course it falls short. Charlotte is up two points here, and once the Niners’ D’Angelo Alexander pull down the rebound, their player will be fouled, he’ll make a free throw or two, and George Washington may well lose their first conference game.

But, the goat moment.

Tangled in the throng of bodies, GW’s Mike Hall and Leemire Goldwire are wrestling for position. Trying to foul Alexander, Hall tries to disentangle from Goldwire. He does this violently, and is yanking a piece of Goldwire’s jersey. Goldwire takes exception and swings his arms, landing a blow.

In schoolyard fights, everyone knows: the kid who gets in trouble is the one who reacts to taunts and throws an obvious punch/ shove.

Goldwire’s first punch wasn’t the goat moment. It was looking back over his opponent while trying to get free and swinging that elbow again.

That goat move earned double technicals. The GW guy shot two free throws and made them. The Charlotte player shot two free throws and missed one. With four seconds, one point down, GW flies upcourt, Noel Wilmore takes a wild shot that catches nothing but air; only to find Carl Elliot on the other side of the basket to receive the “pass.” He’s in the air and just as the clock strikes zero, tips the ball in.

For the George Washington win.

GW may have made that play anyway. But if Goldwire doesn’t foul Hall, Charlotte is at least up two and most likely, up 4 points.

Good work, goat.

Articles: Washington Post, and Winston-Salem Journal.

2006-02-25T21:13:00.000-05:00

other pictures from my great seats at the knicks/ nets game are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/picodulce/sets/72057594070337955/.

Seton Hall?

2006-02-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

The Mountaineers had enough Gansey; Seton Hall got Pittsnogled-- but no hugs from the Herber (pronounced Hair-Bear). Seton Hall beats West Virginia to advance to 7-4 in the conference, losing to what WVU coach John Beilein called the rugged "New Jersey defense."

Huh.

NCAA, we have a problem. Not with West Virginia-- they are haing their mid-season crisis, they will get spanked by U Conn this Saturday, and then re-commit to attempts at defense. No. It's the recurring Seton Hall problem. No one wants to see Seton Hall in the tournament. Their fans don't want to see them in the tournament. Putting them in means a team that is actually interesting-- Northern Iowa, perhaps, or St. Joseph's, maybe, or even Michigan-- will be bounced.

And then, we all know what's going to happen. For some reason CBS will think that ass-part of Jersey is in the New York "region" and instead of watching a good game we'll be subjected to a Seton Hall-Wisconsin paint-drying session, for the rights to play the molasses-paced Pittsburgh Panthers. We'll take naps in our buffalo wings and wake up to a final of 47-44, because each team made 10 free throws apiece in the last 2 minutes. I like defense as much as the next guy. I'd just prefer it in the NIT.

I have seen one thrilling Seton Hall game. It was an accident. Shaheen Holloway wrecked his ankle playing against the Temple Owls in 2000 and Ty Shine took control of the point guard duties.

He had no idea what he was doing, and it was evident from the start of the second half. He was tentative, he was a little out of sorts. And then he said, forget it. Started jacking shots. And they kept going in. Oh, Temple has the lead? Three. Oh, it's overtime and we can't get into Temple's zone? Three.

They lost in the next round, Tommny Amaker got a new job at a real school (Michigan), and Seton Hall has been boring viewers, players, and fans ever since.

Maybe it was strength of schedule

2006-02-14T01:05:00.000-05:00

Good News: Not even a win against Morehead State could help the #1 ranked Huskies of UConn, as tonight they go down to the #4 ranked Villanova Wildcats. The loss leaves UConn 7-1 on the season against ranked teams and 7-0 against teams with an RPI under 214.

Bad News: Now that means, barring that Poet laureate Blue Devil J.J. Redick doesn't get into a car accident, Duke will be #1.

Other notes: Villanova is now in the top spot in the bloated Big East conference, followed by West Virginia and UConn. Right now, Jay Wright is celebrating by studying film so they don't get Pittsnogled. West Virginia plays Seton Hall tomorrow night. Congratulations Jay!

Eddie Sutton might not reach 800 career victories, as he has taken medical leave following a drunken automobile accident. Sad that he won't be coaching, but lucky to be alive.

2006-02-08T00:41:00.000-05:00

tee hee, go duke!

Like Jerome Bettis at the After Party

2006-02-06T12:48:00.000-05:00

Congrats to the Steelers on their Superbowl victory. And Hines Ward on the MVP. And Jerome Bettis, who is rather bubbly, for being able to retire on top and with a joyous jiggle.

And congrats Pepsi for grossing us out with “Brown and Bubbly.” No, it doesn’t refer to me. Or to Greg. Or to Neverecho. More to come in the brown and bubbly future.

Enough of "Johnny Bitch Lately"

2006-02-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

I have been trying as hard as I can ‘not’ to get into the Johnny Damon mix here. First of all, it was over covered in media constantly looking to capitalize on the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Frankly, I didn’t want to bother. What more could I say that would be different or add into a story that was already over blown. Yes, it was the biggest baseball story in the offseason, but I like to think the staff of AIA tries to post material different to most other sports media outlets.

However, the Johnny Damon situation has blown me to a new level. You just can’t stop talking can you? After you got the contract ‘you’ wanted, you still find a need to bitch:

"'He (New Sox Centerfielder Coco Crisp) is a guy they wanted. It was clear in the papers they were wanting other center fielders as soon as the season was over. The fact that my jersey went for half price after the season, that kind of tells you something. -- 1.29.06, Johnny Damon to Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

“Manny (Ramirez) really wants out of Boston, just so he can relax and chill,' Damon told (Yankee’s broadcaster Michael) Kay. 'If he played for the Mets, he probably wouldn't be able to chill much. But I think the Yankees would be a perfect fit for him, as well as for David Ortiz.'" -- 2.1.06, Tyler Kepner, New York Times

First off all, let me say as a Sox fan, I stay pretty level headed. I don’t ‘hate’ the Yankees, but I love the rivalry, so I hate the Yankees. Other than the first four days of March Madness, there is no time in sports that I enjoy more. Like watching Duke/UNC, regardless of how good or bad a team may be, you will always get top-notch baseball, played with passion and love. You can’t ask for more.

Earlier this season, when Red Sox star Johnny Damon announced that he was signing with the Yankees for 52 million over 4 years, I was heartbroken. There was a breakdown from Lucchino’s office, just like there was with the Theo resigning. People in Boston, on a whole, were not mad at Damon, but angry with the Red Sox front office run by the big ego of double L. The organization was weakened. Flaws exposed. This would not have happened under Theo’s watch. Damon claimed, “I wanted to stay,” and, “they just wanted me more” Well, at $52 million over 4 years, I guess he was right because, seriously no other team would pay that kind of baked beans for a declining contract (remember Bernie Williams).

Now, I am not going to argue whether he deserves it or not. Regardless of talent, a player is worth whatever he brings to a team, whether it be wins, butts in seats, or jerseys on backs, it is an investment and if someone is worth the investment, make the deal.

Now, we all know how it will be the first time Johnny steps out of the visitor’s dugout. The Boo Birds will be in high glory just remind Johnny Judus of his actions. But, that is part of the fun and he expects it. However, there are two types of boos. The boos that are fun boos because an old friend is in the pinstripes and the boos of hatred. People in Boston were sad at Johnny leaving but he was still the local boy. The anger was directed at management. Through the boos, the Fenway Faithful would have welcomed their boy home. Believe me because I know how this works.

When Mark Bellhorn came back to Fenway in the dress grays sporting that large blue “New York” across his chest, he got a standing ovation because he understood that this is how the games works. He was grateful to be a part of historic team, but they parted ways when his average barely skimmed over the Mendoza Line for most of the season. Boston released him and the Yanks picked him up. He didn’t toss the Sox management under the bus. He thanked people, acknowledged good times and moved on. It was graceful. Boston remembered, Bellhorn remembered and all was good.

Ok, you might fight this argument because Bellhorn was let go by the Sox as opposed to Damon who chose to sign with the Yanks. And, that is true. In fact, it proves my point. Bellhorn had all the more reason to throw the Sox under the bus. He would have more bitterness. But, he didn’t because, unlike Johnny Damon, he is not an egotist.

Since the Sox won the World Series in 2004, Johnny became more outspoken. Before he was just a team player. A Dirtdog. An Idiot in the loveable sense. But, after the World Series, he fluffed his hair a bit more. He ‘offered’ his opinions to the media on how Curt Schilling should train. He publicly ripped manager Terry Francona for not assigning Mike Timlin the closer job when Keith Foulke went down. The media fluffed him. The fans fluffed him. He wrote a book (??) and did a media tour. The spotlight was on him and he sucked it in. During 2005, Sox fans across the Nation watched little Johnny transform into a superstar.

When the offseason came, he signed with the Yankees because the “they wanted him more.” In other words, it was about respect.

Oh, that again?? Haven’t we heard this one already??

Pedro Martinez is still bashing Grady Little and Sox management for lack of respect. What is it about guys getting what they want (the big inflated contracts) and then bitching about it? I am so sick of that hit and run!

So, I only have one thing to say: Johnny, you got your money, now shut the fuck up!

You got want you wanted, a top payday that no one else would touch – many in NY and Boston would say you were overpaid. Regardless, you are on a winning team, a competitive team, and a team with major tradition where the city will embrace you with love like a son but that is not good enough is it? If you really cared about staying with the Sox you would not have retained Scott “bloodsucker” Boras to be your agent. You could have followed Bronson Arroyo’s lead, but no you didn’t really care about staying with the Sox, did you. It is not the question of ‘them’ wanting you more, but what ‘you’ wanted more.

And honestly Johnny, that’s ok. I’m not bitter that you took the money and ran. This is a business, just ask Mark Bellhorn. Get as much money as you can because the shelf life of an athlete is shorter than any other occupation and I might do the exact same thing if I were in your position. However, I would turn to my new teammates and buddy up instead of swerving to run your old fans over as you cruise down the Pike.

We still would have embraced you. We would have booed you, but it would have been tough love because you were there, a major piece of the bridge to the first championship in 86 years. But, no you had to go piss on that. So, to that, I say good riddance. You are getting 52 million dollars to play for the most historic franchise in sports history. I put the whole thing aside and wanted so bad to root for you. But, you insult me as a baseball fan. I don’t feel bad for you. Shut the fuck up and play.

"But I'm not waving a flag for them off the balcony of my condo."

2006-01-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

While servicemen in Iraq rock their Steelers yellow on tanks, and while Pittsburghers everywhere are eager to show their toughness and yellowness, Seattle is asleep at the Superbowl frenzy wheel, something not missed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. And from Seattle P-I, some quotes from this article:

....collective response to Seattle's first Super Bowl contest might best be described as polite, though pleased, bewilderment....

Call it laid-back cool or uptight reserve, Seattle's signature style does not often lend itself to overt displays of joy.

"You've got probably 70 percent of the people here are on some kind of anti-depressants because of Seasonal Affective Disorder," said Vinnie Richichi, better known as "New York Vinnie," the garrulous and decidedly un-Seattle commentator on KIRO sports radio.

"People don't let their emotions out here like they do in other places. It's the kind of town where you're told to sit down at a Rolling Stones concert. It's the kind of town where you have to be told, 'It's OK to go crazy.' "...

Monica Corsaro a Methodist minister leading an Equality Day rally at the capitol in Olympia on Monday, called out to the crowd, "We are gay, we are straight, and we are Seahawks fans!" to roars of appreciation. (God loves the Pittsburgh Steelers too, she noted.)....

"I will say that when they won, there was definitely a change in the air," the part-time cashier said. "But I'm also a yoga instructor, so I feel these things."

The place where Eben mentioned that people were very polite to opposing baseball players. Seattle, know this: you and your God want Pittsburgh to fall into the three rivers and be washed away by Lake Erie. That's what Pitt ministers would wish on you, and it's all in good fun.

Park Slope West is going to get smoked in the Superbowl.

2006-01-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Last night, we were eating buffalo wings and Dora asked me if the Seahawks would receive many cheers from the people gathered around the televisions in the crowded bar. I murmured something about Steve Largent and the Seahawks not even being bad enough to be really bottom of the barrel bad, just constantly mediocre. And then, thinking of the Seahawks’ pretty new stadium—complete with art gallery—and Seattlers’ penchant for coffee, their well-educated populace, neat communities, and indie rock scene…

I realized that Seattle is Park Slope west.

So, in two weeks: The Park Slope Seahawks against the rough and tumble Pittsburgh Steelers.

Have you seen Park Slope football in Prospect Park? Work that around your mind a little bit.

p.s.: secretly, I really want to tour the stadium, along with SF's Pac Bell Park. But I can still mock the Seahawks.

all i'm saying is: kobe bryant likes to score and won't let anything get in his way

2006-01-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

Phil Jackson is a smart man. Triangle offense? Not without talent! The Zen Master is intent on winning behind Kobe Bryant’s scoring outbursts—he scored 81 in a game. 81! Teams barely score 81! When a man scores over 60, can we officially call it a scoregasm?

Maybe if Kobe expends all this energy-- I'll stop the Kobe cracks right there. A box score for the Lakers' starting five. And yes, they did win the game over the Toronto Raptors.

Name	Min	FG	3Pt	FT	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
K. Brown	24	1-5	0-0	1-2	4	10	1	2	0	2	3	3
L. Odom	42	1-7	1-2	5-6	0	10	7	4	0	2	3	8
C. Mihm	29	5-8	0-0	2-3	5	8	2	1	0	2	2	12
S. Parker	35	5-11	1-5	2-2	1	2	4	3	3	0	5	13
K. Bryant	41	28-46	7-13	18-20	2	6	2	3	3	1	1	81

2006-01-21T22:10:00.000-05:00

i'm going to cry. the only duke game that i actually see LIVE and IN PERSON (and with fucking AMAZING seats, kids!), and my boys lose to an unranked team. ugh-o-rama.

The Boy Wonder Returns...without the Gorilla suit!

2006-01-19T19:54:00.000-05:00

Welcome Back, Theo!

So, I was just talking to Neverecho about how I need to start posting again. (My apologies for my silence) I was focused on some other writing projects and therefore have not been following the sports as much as I normally do. Except of course for the 8-6 UMass Minutemen (3-1; A-10) but I imagine there are not many folks reading who want to hear about that.

And...quite frankly, I was asked by so many of my New Yorker non-baseball fans about the Johnny Damon situation, I didn't even want to talk about it.

However, once I had my time back, there was nothing going on in sports¹...NCAA has not had many huge stories. Larry Brown is struggling in NY, but that won't last. Neither my Pats or my Bucs are in the playoffs (PLAYoffs??) so there is not much football for me to watch. And, even Andrew Raycroft is hurt.

The MLB offseason has not been that smokin' since Johnny Damon. Let's face it, the biggest story was whether or not A-Rod was planning to represent his home country or defect for the World Baseball Classic. Oh, poor widdle A-Rod, he doesn't know where he wants to play. How about your home country - the one you were born in, jackass! There was a transit strike here in NYC stranding 7 million real NY'ers, during the coldest days of the year and A-Rod is stressed about the WBC! While your blue lips are trembling just thinking about it, send your limo over and give me a ride to work, Slappy!

Ok, venting done. Forget A-Rod, forget Raycroft, forget UMass basketball this season, but look out next year. And, forget the NFL playoffs, but tonight I got the news.

As I was writing this little post, I got a zap on the ole' sports news wire that Mr. Theo "the boy wonder" Epstein is rejoining the Red Sox. As posted on ESPN.com:

Epstein and Red Sox management issued a joint statement Thursday saying he will return to the organization full-time, but they did not say in what capacity Epstein would rejoin the team. His return had been rumored almost since the day he slipped out of Fenway Park wearing a borrowed gorilla costume to avoid the media.

"As you know, we have spoken frequently during the last 10 weeks. We have engaged in healthy, spirited debates about what it will take over the long-term for the Red Sox to remain a great organization and, in fact, become a more effective organization in philosophy, approaches and ideals," the statement said.

Seriously, for the rest of Red Sox Nation this is not much of a surprise. As the story says, it has been rumored since day one. However, like watching the overdone but always lovable Law & Order, we don't care if we have seen the same episode every week for 17 years, it still feels right to hear the "dun/dun". So, despite the rumors, it feels save to know that Theo is back...officially.

This is the place for Theo to be and it makes no sense to see him anywhere but back with the ole' town team. Sometimes, you CAN go home. Welcome back! Now, get us a damn lead-off hitter!!!

Footnotes:
1. Big mjunior apologies to Greg and Pico because the College Bowls turned out to be quite amazing. I don't follow much College Football, so I usually don't have much to write about.

...and speaking of Slappy McBlue Lips and the World Baseball Classic.

2006-01-19T18:48:00.000-05:00

A quick note on this:

Bob Cook from NBCSports.com wrote a fantastic commentary on how the Dominican Republic should be blessed that A-Rod decided to play for the States, saying:

Alex Rodriguez’s tortuous vascillating over whether he would play for the United States, the Dominican Republic or not play at all in the World Baseball Classic was the most drawn-out public display of indecision since Meat Loaf repeatedly begged Ellen Foley to “let me sleep on it” as she demanded “I gotta know right now” in “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”

Now that Rodriguez has chosen the United States, Americans can rest easy knowing their entrant in Major League Baseball’s Real World Series has filled its need for a power-hitting star who melts under pressure. The Dominican Republic team must be relieved Rodriguez chose the U.S, given that, in Vladimir Guerrero, it already has one big-name player who can consistently hit weak grounders with two men on base in a playoff situation.

Absolutly fantastic!!!