During the winter months, this blog will have a lot of news and notes surrounding college basketball (easily my favorite sport) as well as special interest stories all around athletics. Once pitchers and catchers report, you'll also get plenty of baseball analysis.
While Rutgers (the University that will provide me with a degree in May) was busy picking up its first Big East win of the season, a fellow conference member had a very special afternoon. Georgetown not only dominated Duke from start to finish but President Barack Obama was in attendance in Washington D.C. for the entire game.
The coolest part of the situation came when the President joined Verne Lundquist and Clark Kellogg in the CBS broadcast booth. As an announcer, watching their interaction with him was a highlight of my sports day. Verne was clearly nervous, but Clark had some outstanding back-and-forth with Obama.
Not only did Obama break down Greg Monroe's drive to the hoop with professional ease (and let's not forget the lack of Kyle Singler help defense as the President pointed out) but he made sure to let Kellogg know that he'd be coming for his job in three... err... maybe seven years.
Side Note: I have a VHS copy of the Rutgers-Penn State 1989 Atlantic 10 championship game during which a very young Clark Kellogg tosses it back to an equally youthful John Saunders in the ESPN studio... pretty cool stuff.
Watching the President interact with sports broadcasters in a classy and knowledgeable manner was very refreshing. I could live without seeing the video of his drive on Tyler Hansbrough again, but all in all, great job by CBS getting him on the air.
Now, if only Bill Rafftery was there... oh man... maybe we could have heard a presidential "ONIONS."
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
David Lee Got Snubbed
It has been a long time since the New York Knicks had a legitimate gripe over a player being left off the NBA All-Star Game roster. They have every right to complain today.
There are few players in the Eastern Conference that produce gaudier stats or work harder than forward David Lee.
Since graduating from Florida in 2005 (where he played on some stacked pre-title Gators teams), Lee has consistently improved leading into the 09-10 campaign.
Yes, the Knicks have 27 losses in 45 games, but if an undersized power forward (6'9" 250lbs.) can post almost 20 points and 12 rebounds per game in that team environment, he deserves to be showcasing his skills in Dallas.
Add 3.4 assists per contest to Lee's line and you realize that the NBA left out a scoring threat with monster rebounding numbers and solid interior passing ability. At nearly 37 minutes per game, Lee's shooting 56 percent from the floor.
And if you're from the school of "what have you done for me lately," Lee's 68 points, 42 rebounds and 10 assists in the last five days (three games) should be plenty to change your mind.
David Lee should be in the NBA All-Star Game. Too bad the Knicks' futility ruined that for him.
There are few players in the Eastern Conference that produce gaudier stats or work harder than forward David Lee.
Since graduating from Florida in 2005 (where he played on some stacked pre-title Gators teams), Lee has consistently improved leading into the 09-10 campaign.
Yes, the Knicks have 27 losses in 45 games, but if an undersized power forward (6'9" 250lbs.) can post almost 20 points and 12 rebounds per game in that team environment, he deserves to be showcasing his skills in Dallas.
Add 3.4 assists per contest to Lee's line and you realize that the NBA left out a scoring threat with monster rebounding numbers and solid interior passing ability. At nearly 37 minutes per game, Lee's shooting 56 percent from the floor.
And if you're from the school of "what have you done for me lately," Lee's 68 points, 42 rebounds and 10 assists in the last five days (three games) should be plenty to change your mind.
David Lee should be in the NBA All-Star Game. Too bad the Knicks' futility ruined that for him.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Interesting Note to Add...
ESPN just ran a very interesting full-screen board that is very relevant to our first topic.
The teams that have defeated the nation's No. 1 haven't fared too well the next time they take the court.
Tennessee beat Auburn, but Kansas St. lost to Oklahoma St. and Connecticut suffered a bad loss to Providence.
Let's see if South Carolina can bring the top-ranked spoilers' record to .500...
The teams that have defeated the nation's No. 1 haven't fared too well the next time they take the court.
Tennessee beat Auburn, but Kansas St. lost to Oklahoma St. and Connecticut suffered a bad loss to Providence.
Let's see if South Carolina can bring the top-ranked spoilers' record to .500...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
College Basketball's No. 1 Teams in Trouble
Back in 2007, being ranked in the No. 2 slot in the college football polls was a sure-fire way to immediately lose a game.
Early in the 2010 conference season in college basketball, it's the top spot that has produced the same fate around the country.
After looking virtually untouchable in a soft out-of-conference schedule (before being tested by the fiesty Big Red of Cornell), Kansas relinquished their No. 1 ranking after losing to a decimated Tennessee team in Knoxville.
Fellow Big 12 rival Texas jumped up after looking flawless against UNC (which doesn't look as impressive now-- bang-up job by the Tar Heels in the early part of ACC play). But, a week of poor decisions by Rick Barnes' squad led to two road losses in a row at Kansas State and Connecticut.
And now last night, undefeated Kentucky suffered a close loss in mediocre South Carolina's building, with Devan Downey showing Cincinnati how much they lost with another 30-plus point performance. John Calipari hadn't lost a regular season game in a very long time until the buzzer sounded Tuesday.
Lesson learned-- don't take No. 1 for granted. Road tests in any major conference can spell trouble, especially when a top-ranked team is protecting its newfound glory. President Obama warned UK... they clearly didn't take his advice to heart.
NOTE: South Carolina was fined $25,000 by the SEC after its student body stormed the court following the win. I understand safety protocol, but this adds so much excitement to college basketball. Why discourage it?
Comment away...
Early in the 2010 conference season in college basketball, it's the top spot that has produced the same fate around the country.
After looking virtually untouchable in a soft out-of-conference schedule (before being tested by the fiesty Big Red of Cornell), Kansas relinquished their No. 1 ranking after losing to a decimated Tennessee team in Knoxville.
Fellow Big 12 rival Texas jumped up after looking flawless against UNC (which doesn't look as impressive now-- bang-up job by the Tar Heels in the early part of ACC play). But, a week of poor decisions by Rick Barnes' squad led to two road losses in a row at Kansas State and Connecticut.
And now last night, undefeated Kentucky suffered a close loss in mediocre South Carolina's building, with Devan Downey showing Cincinnati how much they lost with another 30-plus point performance. John Calipari hadn't lost a regular season game in a very long time until the buzzer sounded Tuesday.
Lesson learned-- don't take No. 1 for granted. Road tests in any major conference can spell trouble, especially when a top-ranked team is protecting its newfound glory. President Obama warned UK... they clearly didn't take his advice to heart.
NOTE: South Carolina was fined $25,000 by the SEC after its student body stormed the court following the win. I understand safety protocol, but this adds so much excitement to college basketball. Why discourage it?
Comment away...
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