The General and the Radio
The GeneralFirst off, the real "General" is Sherman Douglas. No one ran Jim Boeheim's show quite like Sherm, and Douglas enjoyed a nice little 12-year NBA career. Nevertheless...
Did you see Bobby Knight punch that kid? Look at that balled up fist in the picture! How can this be referred to as "raising a chin", "flipping up a chin" or "a quick lift?" He punched him! But let's not get technical, Bobby was just helping the kid be a more confident player. Hey, I agree the kid is now oozing with something, but it ain't confidence!
The Radio
The honeymoon's over between me and that Warm 103. At 11:00 AM today, they flipped the switch. Contemporary adults no longer want to hear "Unwritten" or "that McPhee song that no one knows the actual title to or artist of" 5 times a work-day, they want to hear Christmas music and Christmas music only. Not only are these songs so 6 months ago, they're so 10:59 AM this morning ago too.
Let's check the math: Today's November 15th and Warm claims they will play these cover-bands non-stop through the season, which is probably January 1st. That totals 48 days, which means I'll be wished a Merry Christmas in so many ways roughly 13% of the year.
Maybe they need some help understanding how inharmonious this proportion is... whose chin needs raised?
Labels: music, rants, the college game
The College Game
With March Madness set to begin, I would like to share an observation about the college game: All they do is foul!
I'm usually on my own to defend the NBA game against the college game when discussing hoops with my friends. One of the key points college fans consistently make is that the college kids play a lot harder and with more intensity, which leads to better team defensive efforts.
I'll skirt the "they play harder and with more intensity" argument, and instead focus on the effects of the high-intensity, over-aggressive defensive result: it's killing the game. I've been watching more college hoops recently than I have in years (no league pass) and nothing bothers me more than the constant fouling on the defensive side of the ball. On any given possession, I would guess the defense commits anywhere from 4 to 8 fouls. Reaching, nudging, holding, grabbing, shoving... little of which is called. The officials are naturally reluctant to blow their whistles when they see all of these infractions, the game would take 3 hours to play and half of the players would foul out were the rulebook honored.
So the fouling continues, and offensive basketball suffers. I really think one of the reasons today's players attempt so many three-point shots is because a catch-and-shoot from beyond the arc is one of the few offensive plays where a foul can usually be avoided. The three is the greatest opportunity to score without compromised rules effecting your success. Well, that and the fact a bonus point is awarded for the same shot these 20 year-olds took when they were on the Junior High JV team.
The greater problem in all of this is the trickle-down effect it is taking. Players no longer understand what good defense is. The whole concept is flying over the heads of those who play basketball on any level, including young players just getting started. What's worse is that cleaning up this mess is at the mercy of the enablers - Refs.
When you tune in this weekend to see how you're making out with your bracket, give the defensive side of the ball a look. See how the officials turn a blind eye to contact initiated by defenders. Listen to how the commentators reward high-contact defense by translating it into intensity and aggressive play. Enjoy the hack-fest!
3.13.2006I'm usually on my own to defend the NBA game against the college game when discussing hoops with my friends. One of the key points college fans consistently make is that the college kids play a lot harder and with more intensity, which leads to better team defensive efforts.
I'll skirt the "they play harder and with more intensity" argument, and instead focus on the effects of the high-intensity, over-aggressive defensive result: it's killing the game. I've been watching more college hoops recently than I have in years (no league pass) and nothing bothers me more than the constant fouling on the defensive side of the ball. On any given possession, I would guess the defense commits anywhere from 4 to 8 fouls. Reaching, nudging, holding, grabbing, shoving... little of which is called. The officials are naturally reluctant to blow their whistles when they see all of these infractions, the game would take 3 hours to play and half of the players would foul out were the rulebook honored.
So the fouling continues, and offensive basketball suffers. I really think one of the reasons today's players attempt so many three-point shots is because a catch-and-shoot from beyond the arc is one of the few offensive plays where a foul can usually be avoided. The three is the greatest opportunity to score without compromised rules effecting your success. Well, that and the fact a bonus point is awarded for the same shot these 20 year-olds took when they were on the Junior High JV team.
The greater problem in all of this is the trickle-down effect it is taking. Players no longer understand what good defense is. The whole concept is flying over the heads of those who play basketball on any level, including young players just getting started. What's worse is that cleaning up this mess is at the mercy of the enablers - Refs.
When you tune in this weekend to see how you're making out with your bracket, give the defensive side of the ball a look. See how the officials turn a blind eye to contact initiated by defenders. Listen to how the commentators reward high-contact defense by translating it into intensity and aggressive play. Enjoy the hack-fest!
Labels: rants, the college game
McNaMadness!
What a week for Gerry McNamara and the Orange... they went from a bubble-team to a 5-seed thanks to clutch shooting and passing from their senior guard. I'm wondering if this season's NCAA tournament champ will have had as impressive of a run as Syracuse's Big East Championship run. SU won 4 games in 4 nights:
9.06.2005- Win one came against Cininnati, who are now considered one of the teams to get snubbed from the NCAA tournament. Going into the game against the 'Cuse, the Bearcats were considered a tournament team and probably would have received an 8 to 10 seed. Gerry McNamara's running 3 at the buzzer propelled Syracuse to the win.
- The next win came against the tournament's top seed, UConn. The Huskies are also a #1 seed in the Washington DC bracket in the NCAA tournament. McNamara hit another 3 at the buzzer to send the game into OT and helped them close the game at the line. We'll see how UConn rebounds this week... they went down to Syracuse without involving their best player. If their point guard dominates the ball and their spot-up shooters get trigger-happy, they might not do as well as most predict.
- In the Big East semis, Syracuse topped old rival Georgetown, who is a 7 seed in the Minneapolis bracket. McNamara was again the hero with a late 3 to pull the Orange within 1 point, and an assist on the go ahead and final basket of the game.
- Finally, in the championship game against Pitt, Gerry's heroics weren't needed. Syracuse pieced together a pretty solid team effort and Josh Wright sealed the win with 4 late free throws, despite the officials best efforts to ice the freshman. Somehow, despite a 24-7 record, being ranked in the top 10 to 12 for most of the season, and upsetting 2nd ranked Villanova in the Big East semis, Pitt is only a 5 seed in the Oakland bracket.
Labels: the college game
College Football 2005
A few takes from some College Football this weekend:
I watched the Notre Dame game vs #20 Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
2 Things came to my mind when watching this game:
#1- The Irish are back! Weis is a great coach, and he was running that same offense he ran in New England. The short, quick throws finding mismatches and exploiting whatever the defense threw at them. It was very impressive, and he doesn't even have his players in there yet!! When Willingham was there they had a tremendous defense, and a bit of luck his 1st year (which proved to be his only successful one). I felt like I was watching the Patriots play, and they scored at will against the Panthers. 35 1st half points and the game was over. We may be looking at a historical coach in the making and it wouldn't surprise me if they knock off USC when they play later this year. The Irish have a tough schedule as usual, and they should be primed to knock off the defending champs who play a bunch of cupcakes in the mean time. They are probably a few years away, but welcome back Notre Dame to prominance!!
#2- The Pats could be in trouble! That offense they have had the last few years was always ahead of the curve. I remember the year after their 1st Superbowl they opened against the Steelers who were looking to maul them physically. Weis orchestrated a game plan that had them going empty backfield in the 1st half and throwing almost every down. Completely out of character for the Pats, they torched the Steelers in that 1st half. The loss of Charlie could be devasting especially now that Belicheck will play a big part in the offensive play calling?!? Stick to the Defense Billy. Last year may have been the swan song for that Patriots team. Would that really bother anyone that isn't from Boston?
Game #2- Miami vs Florida State from Tallahassee:
Thought #1- This game has always been full of close games. Most known for the "Wide Rights" that have cost the Seminoles 2 games against the Canes and perhaps, the National Championship those years as well. Last year they played another close one, with Miami trailing by 10 at the half, they came back to beat FSU yet again. Last night's game was awful. It was a 10-7 victory for FSU, which did have some nice plays from their Tailback Booker. Aside from him, and a solid performance from their defense, FSU looked like SMU. I don't think you can find many passing performances worst then last nights debacle. Luckily i went to bed at halftime, because not only did I not miss any scoring, I heard the game ended on a botched Field Goal attempt. That would be 3 on the game for Miami. The U that is...
Thought #2- Both of these teams will likely be ranked ahead of the previously unranked Fighting Irish after the new polls come out.
This just further shows the irrelevance on preseason polls. Or any polls for that matter. It's time we get a postseason in College Football, there just isn't any other way around it. The BCS is terrible, in it's enterity it has gotten the best 2 teams to play each other only once, a year in which Ohio State played the U. They just happened to be the only undefeated teams that year.
I watched the Notre Dame game vs #20 Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
2 Things came to my mind when watching this game:
#1- The Irish are back! Weis is a great coach, and he was running that same offense he ran in New England. The short, quick throws finding mismatches and exploiting whatever the defense threw at them. It was very impressive, and he doesn't even have his players in there yet!! When Willingham was there they had a tremendous defense, and a bit of luck his 1st year (which proved to be his only successful one). I felt like I was watching the Patriots play, and they scored at will against the Panthers. 35 1st half points and the game was over. We may be looking at a historical coach in the making and it wouldn't surprise me if they knock off USC when they play later this year. The Irish have a tough schedule as usual, and they should be primed to knock off the defending champs who play a bunch of cupcakes in the mean time. They are probably a few years away, but welcome back Notre Dame to prominance!!
#2- The Pats could be in trouble! That offense they have had the last few years was always ahead of the curve. I remember the year after their 1st Superbowl they opened against the Steelers who were looking to maul them physically. Weis orchestrated a game plan that had them going empty backfield in the 1st half and throwing almost every down. Completely out of character for the Pats, they torched the Steelers in that 1st half. The loss of Charlie could be devasting especially now that Belicheck will play a big part in the offensive play calling?!? Stick to the Defense Billy. Last year may have been the swan song for that Patriots team. Would that really bother anyone that isn't from Boston?
Game #2- Miami vs Florida State from Tallahassee:
Thought #1- This game has always been full of close games. Most known for the "Wide Rights" that have cost the Seminoles 2 games against the Canes and perhaps, the National Championship those years as well. Last year they played another close one, with Miami trailing by 10 at the half, they came back to beat FSU yet again. Last night's game was awful. It was a 10-7 victory for FSU, which did have some nice plays from their Tailback Booker. Aside from him, and a solid performance from their defense, FSU looked like SMU. I don't think you can find many passing performances worst then last nights debacle. Luckily i went to bed at halftime, because not only did I not miss any scoring, I heard the game ended on a botched Field Goal attempt. That would be 3 on the game for Miami. The U that is...
Thought #2- Both of these teams will likely be ranked ahead of the previously unranked Fighting Irish after the new polls come out.
This just further shows the irrelevance on preseason polls. Or any polls for that matter. It's time we get a postseason in College Football, there just isn't any other way around it. The BCS is terrible, in it's enterity it has gotten the best 2 teams to play each other only once, a year in which Ohio State played the U. They just happened to be the only undefeated teams that year.
Labels: the college game
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