I really need some white shoes for this time of year...
Here are my picks....
I will blog more tomorrow...I mean it's not like the Mighty Hoya Saxa plays today or anything
PS...this is one of the best articles I have read in quite some time. Check it out my man!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thank you sir, may I have another...
Don't live in the past.
That is always good advice and especially good advice when the past sucked. Last Saturday Night didn't work out too well on various levels so I am going to pretty much skip over that evening except to extend my congratulations to the Pittsburgh Panthers who did the unthinkable. They won 4 straight games against good teams, culminating in a win over the Hoyas. I honestly didn't think Jamie Dixon's guys had it in them.
The Hoyas enter the Big Dance with a 27-5 record with two of those losses coming at the hands of the Panthers.
UMBC is up next down in Raleigh. Game is on Friday. Tip is approx 2:40pm.
Ok one more thought from last Saturday Night: Wanna know how I feel right after the Hoyas lose a game that they should have won?
This is pretty how I feel when they lose and I've had a few shots.
Pretty good huh? Looks like the life of the party wouldn't you say?
Random College Basketball thoughts on the Eve of Tournament:
John Thompson, Jr wears crocs. I wonder what store makes size 22 crocs available for purchase. They have to be special order items right? I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that there isn't a huge market for such an item
Steve Lavin shocked the nation last night during the play-in game by not putting any sort of product in his hair. He looks like a totally different dude.
Sidenote: Does anybody like Brent Musberger? Yeah I didn't think so.
UCLA: I think too many people (myself included) are picking them to make the Final Four. I might have to readjust my bracket just because they are getting on my nerves.
George Mason: Am I the only one that is getting tired of hearing the following slogan: George Mason is this year's George Mason. Clever.
Verizon Center: What a terrible slate of games for the afternoon session. The scalpers, that I assume just never leave outside of the Arena, must be bitter. Ironically enough I was just offered tickets again.
I wish Pitt was the four seed in the MidWest.
I would hate to be the three seed the draws the conference tournament champ from the SEC. Congrats Xavier!
South Alabama. Have you ever considered Alabama to be Northern???
Ok I am leaving...I will be sure to post my bracket tomorrow before noon.
That is always good advice and especially good advice when the past sucked. Last Saturday Night didn't work out too well on various levels so I am going to pretty much skip over that evening except to extend my congratulations to the Pittsburgh Panthers who did the unthinkable. They won 4 straight games against good teams, culminating in a win over the Hoyas. I honestly didn't think Jamie Dixon's guys had it in them.
The Hoyas enter the Big Dance with a 27-5 record with two of those losses coming at the hands of the Panthers.
UMBC is up next down in Raleigh. Game is on Friday. Tip is approx 2:40pm.
Ok one more thought from last Saturday Night: Wanna know how I feel right after the Hoyas lose a game that they should have won?
This is pretty how I feel when they lose and I've had a few shots.
Pretty good huh? Looks like the life of the party wouldn't you say?
Random College Basketball thoughts on the Eve of Tournament:
John Thompson, Jr wears crocs. I wonder what store makes size 22 crocs available for purchase. They have to be special order items right? I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that there isn't a huge market for such an item
Steve Lavin shocked the nation last night during the play-in game by not putting any sort of product in his hair. He looks like a totally different dude.
Sidenote: Does anybody like Brent Musberger? Yeah I didn't think so.
UCLA: I think too many people (myself included) are picking them to make the Final Four. I might have to readjust my bracket just because they are getting on my nerves.
George Mason: Am I the only one that is getting tired of hearing the following slogan: George Mason is this year's George Mason. Clever.
Verizon Center: What a terrible slate of games for the afternoon session. The scalpers, that I assume just never leave outside of the Arena, must be bitter. Ironically enough I was just offered tickets again.
I wish Pitt was the four seed in the MidWest.
I would hate to be the three seed the draws the conference tournament champ from the SEC. Congrats Xavier!
South Alabama. Have you ever considered Alabama to be Northern???
Ok I am leaving...I will be sure to post my bracket tomorrow before noon.
good to be home...
It seems weird to go to a United match at RFK right before the NCAA tournament starts, but sometimes you gotta go with the weird. United needed a win in order to advance to the semi-finals of the regional club competition. 5 goals later everybody went home happy.
Staying with the number 5, United saw five new players take the field at RFK last night:
Wells in goal
Martinez in central defense
Peralta in central defense
Gallardo in central midfield
Niell up top
Quaranta made his return to the team he started with oh so many years ago as a teenager.
What was new?: Well for the first time in I don't know how long, I had real trouble getting into the parking lot earlier than it officially opened. Yvonne and I (Josh showed up later) ended up doing our best impersonation of that scene from European Vacation where they keep circling around Big Ben and Parliament. Finally I just jumped the curb and went down the hill. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Being late for a tailgate is most definitely a drastic time.
That problem will quickly be solved as I have an actual United pass coming my way before the next game.
We were promised sod in Lot 8, but..... Well I guess beggars can't be choosers but we got some sort of garden type stones. Interesting. For all of you Lot 8 newbies, there used to be grass everywhere. Of course the flip side to that is that the team used to suck. Pick you poison I guess.
Apparently beer vendors don't work the aisles until at least April. What a major inconvenience for the Barra as a whole. Having to walk to get a beer is just inhumane.
United has a player, Niell, that is listed at 5'4 and looks more like 4'11. When he is in the game I can't keep my eyes off of him. I want to just put him in a headlock and give him a nuggie. I can't wait to get on the field to get an actual feel for how short he really is in person.
Some guys used my grill to cook up veggie burgers and other vegan type items. This will be a sign of things to come as some Barra members I can think of said goodbye to meat over the off-season. I could see a lot of shrimp kabobs in our future.
What wasn't new?: At the last minute there was some confusion on who was getting the keg, so I stopped off and got one. Big surprise right? Well at least I didn't have to stop off at RFD and beg them to treat me like an actual human being.
Some guy I have never seen in my life just walked up to me, handed me a bag full of hot dogs and buns, said they were for everybody, and proceeded to just walk out of our lives forever. This happens every week.
The smell of "special" cigarettes was in the air.
We had problems with the tap.
I still don't know Spanish. Not even conversational Spanish.
I said "Hi" to countless people whose name I couldn't come up with if you gave me a thousand tries.
We managed to sneak a few beers inside the stadium.
Baker broke a seat inside the stadium.
Fans threw 7 dollar beers like they were independently wealthy.
Great News: Three home games were added to the schedule in July.
Better News: Two of those games are SATURDAY NIGHT GAMES! Who doesn't love a Saturday Night game??? No seriously tell me so we can stop being friends.
Staying with the number 5, United saw five new players take the field at RFK last night:
Wells in goal
Martinez in central defense
Peralta in central defense
Gallardo in central midfield
Niell up top
Quaranta made his return to the team he started with oh so many years ago as a teenager.
What was new?: Well for the first time in I don't know how long, I had real trouble getting into the parking lot earlier than it officially opened. Yvonne and I (Josh showed up later) ended up doing our best impersonation of that scene from European Vacation where they keep circling around Big Ben and Parliament. Finally I just jumped the curb and went down the hill. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Being late for a tailgate is most definitely a drastic time.
That problem will quickly be solved as I have an actual United pass coming my way before the next game.
We were promised sod in Lot 8, but..... Well I guess beggars can't be choosers but we got some sort of garden type stones. Interesting. For all of you Lot 8 newbies, there used to be grass everywhere. Of course the flip side to that is that the team used to suck. Pick you poison I guess.
Apparently beer vendors don't work the aisles until at least April. What a major inconvenience for the Barra as a whole. Having to walk to get a beer is just inhumane.
United has a player, Niell, that is listed at 5'4 and looks more like 4'11. When he is in the game I can't keep my eyes off of him. I want to just put him in a headlock and give him a nuggie. I can't wait to get on the field to get an actual feel for how short he really is in person.
Some guys used my grill to cook up veggie burgers and other vegan type items. This will be a sign of things to come as some Barra members I can think of said goodbye to meat over the off-season. I could see a lot of shrimp kabobs in our future.
What wasn't new?: At the last minute there was some confusion on who was getting the keg, so I stopped off and got one. Big surprise right? Well at least I didn't have to stop off at RFD and beg them to treat me like an actual human being.
Some guy I have never seen in my life just walked up to me, handed me a bag full of hot dogs and buns, said they were for everybody, and proceeded to just walk out of our lives forever. This happens every week.
The smell of "special" cigarettes was in the air.
We had problems with the tap.
I still don't know Spanish. Not even conversational Spanish.
I said "Hi" to countless people whose name I couldn't come up with if you gave me a thousand tries.
We managed to sneak a few beers inside the stadium.
Baker broke a seat inside the stadium.
Fans threw 7 dollar beers like they were independently wealthy.
Great News: Three home games were added to the schedule in July.
Better News: Two of those games are SATURDAY NIGHT GAMES! Who doesn't love a Saturday Night game??? No seriously tell me so we can stop being friends.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
it all comes down to this
Well it was another good night in Madison Square Garden as the Hoyas took care of the Mountaineers of West Virginia. It was almost a carbon copy of the previous game against Villanova. They got out to a double digit lead only to leave WVU get right back into the game thanks to some hot shooting by Alex Ruoff early in the second half.
But after closing the gap to 4, the Hoyas promptly went on a 16-0 run to end any chance of the upset.
Last night was living proof of why you have to believe in Roy. He came out early hitting a three and getting a steal on the perimeter. As DaJuan Summers likes to say, he was "Angry Roy" last night.
Tonight's game will likely be the last Big East game for Jon, Roy, Tyler, and Pat, unless, of course, they meet up with one of these familiar foes in the NCAA Tournament.
How fitting is it that this class can be the first class to ever win back to back regular season and conference tournament titles? Oh and a win tonight gives them 100 for their career as well as a win over every other team in the conference this season.
Not too bad my man.
Game 11: Hoyas 68 Panthers 60 First it was Sapp, then Hibbert, so tonight I look for Summers or Freeman to lead the team in scoring. I think the fourth game in as many days will catch up with Pittsburgh in the second half. MVP of the tournament should go to the whole team.
SEC = MESS: I saw the footage of the Georgia Dome rocking last night. No it wasn't because of some great play, it was because of a Tornado. It was pretty scary, especially if, like me, you sat in the upper deck last year. I would have freaked out if that had happened while I was there.
In a scheduling oddity, the winner of today's Kentucky - Georgia game is going to have to play another game later tonight. The rare basketball doubleheader.
Story of the Day: Check out the blurb below to see what the Redskins are up to these days. I can't believe Kirk is in line for another job like this after his last mistake.
Former San Francisco 49ers public relations director Kirk Reynolds is scheduled to interview Monday for the Redskins' top media relations job, a league source said yesterday.
But after closing the gap to 4, the Hoyas promptly went on a 16-0 run to end any chance of the upset.
Last night was living proof of why you have to believe in Roy. He came out early hitting a three and getting a steal on the perimeter. As DaJuan Summers likes to say, he was "Angry Roy" last night.
Tonight's game will likely be the last Big East game for Jon, Roy, Tyler, and Pat, unless, of course, they meet up with one of these familiar foes in the NCAA Tournament.
How fitting is it that this class can be the first class to ever win back to back regular season and conference tournament titles? Oh and a win tonight gives them 100 for their career as well as a win over every other team in the conference this season.
Not too bad my man.
Game 11: Hoyas 68 Panthers 60 First it was Sapp, then Hibbert, so tonight I look for Summers or Freeman to lead the team in scoring. I think the fourth game in as many days will catch up with Pittsburgh in the second half. MVP of the tournament should go to the whole team.
SEC = MESS: I saw the footage of the Georgia Dome rocking last night. No it wasn't because of some great play, it was because of a Tornado. It was pretty scary, especially if, like me, you sat in the upper deck last year. I would have freaked out if that had happened while I was there.
In a scheduling oddity, the winner of today's Kentucky - Georgia game is going to have to play another game later tonight. The rare basketball doubleheader.
Story of the Day: Check out the blurb below to see what the Redskins are up to these days. I can't believe Kirk is in line for another job like this after his last mistake.
Former San Francisco 49ers public relations director Kirk Reynolds is scheduled to interview Monday for the Redskins' top media relations job, a league source said yesterday.
Reynolds, who works with Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, left the 49ers in 2005 after producing a controversial in-house video meant to prepare players for dealing with the media. The video, which was shown to players as part of a diversity workshop, included racist jokes and topless women.
Friday, March 14, 2008
wow...what a day
Sometimes being wrong is a beautiful thing. After going 4-0 in the first round of games I was only able to pick 2 out of 4 winners yesterday.
The great news: I got the Georgetown game right.
The good news: Uconn, Louisville, and Notre Dame lost.
The bad news: I got none baby.
Oh I thought of another life lesson that could have been learned from watching the game yesterday but I don't really have time to type it up right now.
Gotta get out of Dodge if you know what I mean.
Game 9: Georgetown 62 West Virginia 55 - Look for the Hoyas to cool off a bit from beyond the arc and look for Hibbert to have more than zero points this timeout. I hope Huggins attacks a ref.
Game 10: Pittsburgh 68 Marquette 65 - Did anybody see the play that Jaime Dixon drew up at the end of regulation? This has to be two of the worst coaches with good teams in the country. Tom Crean's best strategy is to chug Diet Pepsi on the sideline.
The great news: I got the Georgetown game right.
The good news: Uconn, Louisville, and Notre Dame lost.
The bad news: I got none baby.
Oh I thought of another life lesson that could have been learned from watching the game yesterday but I don't really have time to type it up right now.
Gotta get out of Dodge if you know what I mean.
Game 9: Georgetown 62 West Virginia 55 - Look for the Hoyas to cool off a bit from beyond the arc and look for Hibbert to have more than zero points this timeout. I hope Huggins attacks a ref.
Game 10: Pittsburgh 68 Marquette 65 - Did anybody see the play that Jaime Dixon drew up at the end of regulation? This has to be two of the worst coaches with good teams in the country. Tom Crean's best strategy is to chug Diet Pepsi on the sideline.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
still to come tonight...
Well I was perfect in my predictions for the first round. Yeah that's right - a big 4 - 0 for this guy. I wasn't able to post my predictions for the first two quarterfinals, but I will hit up the final two real quick here:
Game 7: Louisville 72 Pittsburgh 59 Two teams moving in the opposite direction. The only way the Panthers win this game is if Pitino wears a white suit for the entire game.
Game 8: Marquette 84 Notre Dame 80 It has been two years since Dominic James was actually a good player. That changes again tonight. If Mike Brey comes out wearing a tie, I will eat a salad every Friday until 2009.
For the record I would have predicted a Georgetown win and a Uconn win fore the earlier games. That would have pushed my record to 5-1 but we will never, ever really know huh?
Futbol: Lost among the Big East Tournament is the fact that DC United actually took the field in a game that counted last night. They ended up getting a 1-1 tie against Harbour View in Jamaica last night. The two same teams face off again this coming Tuesday at RFK to decide who gets to move in in the tournament.
They really need to fix their jersey situation. Their trademark three stripes are gone but have to be replaced by a possible sponsor. They looked like they were wearing a training jersey.
I wish I could have cared a little bit more about the game last night, but I mean seriously, basketball is my baby right now. Call me back in a few weeks sweetheart.
Game 7: Louisville 72 Pittsburgh 59 Two teams moving in the opposite direction. The only way the Panthers win this game is if Pitino wears a white suit for the entire game.
Game 8: Marquette 84 Notre Dame 80 It has been two years since Dominic James was actually a good player. That changes again tonight. If Mike Brey comes out wearing a tie, I will eat a salad every Friday until 2009.
For the record I would have predicted a Georgetown win and a Uconn win fore the earlier games. That would have pushed my record to 5-1 but we will never, ever really know huh?
Futbol: Lost among the Big East Tournament is the fact that DC United actually took the field in a game that counted last night. They ended up getting a 1-1 tie against Harbour View in Jamaica last night. The two same teams face off again this coming Tuesday at RFK to decide who gets to move in in the tournament.
They really need to fix their jersey situation. Their trademark three stripes are gone but have to be replaced by a possible sponsor. They looked like they were wearing a training jersey.
I wish I could have cared a little bit more about the game last night, but I mean seriously, basketball is my baby right now. Call me back in a few weeks sweetheart.
welcome back mr. wright...
What a way for Chris Wright to make his return to the court. In Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, for the Big East Tournament.
He didn't show many signs of rust in his 15 minutes on the court. Chris ended the day by hitting two 3 pointers and dishing out 4 assists in 15 minutes of action. I mean he only missed 19 straight games with foot problems.
What a crazy game. I wasn't able to make it up the Garden today because every once in awhile something comes before Georgetown Basketball. This time it was my mom flying in from Denver for a visit. She was scheduled to land towards the end of the game but it worked out well for everybody that her plane was a tad bit late. Everybody wins. She wins, I win, and lets be honest, most importantly the Hoyas win!
The last time these two teams faced off against each other it ended with a touch foul on Wallace with .1 left. Very controversial. It looked like they guys were tired of hearing about how that win was somehow tainted so they went out and just blew them out of the water by hitting a tournament record 17 three's.
If you had told me that Roy Hibbert would foul out without scoring a single point, I would probably tell you that there's no chance the good guys are gonna win.
WRONG.
The numbers for the rest of the guys was sorta staggering:
Wallace 20 points including 5 for 6 three's.
Sapp a career high 23 including 6 for 9 three's.
Summers 19 points including 4 for 7 three's.
Ewing went for 7 points, 9 boards, and 7 assists off the bench.
Oh and they assisted on 25 of their 28 makes for the game.
There is really nothing like tournament time.
PS. I believe in a thing called Roy.
He didn't show many signs of rust in his 15 minutes on the court. Chris ended the day by hitting two 3 pointers and dishing out 4 assists in 15 minutes of action. I mean he only missed 19 straight games with foot problems.
What a crazy game. I wasn't able to make it up the Garden today because every once in awhile something comes before Georgetown Basketball. This time it was my mom flying in from Denver for a visit. She was scheduled to land towards the end of the game but it worked out well for everybody that her plane was a tad bit late. Everybody wins. She wins, I win, and lets be honest, most importantly the Hoyas win!
The last time these two teams faced off against each other it ended with a touch foul on Wallace with .1 left. Very controversial. It looked like they guys were tired of hearing about how that win was somehow tainted so they went out and just blew them out of the water by hitting a tournament record 17 three's.
If you had told me that Roy Hibbert would foul out without scoring a single point, I would probably tell you that there's no chance the good guys are gonna win.
WRONG.
The numbers for the rest of the guys was sorta staggering:
Wallace 20 points including 5 for 6 three's.
Sapp a career high 23 including 6 for 9 three's.
Summers 19 points including 4 for 7 three's.
Ewing went for 7 points, 9 boards, and 7 assists off the bench.
Oh and they assisted on 25 of their 28 makes for the game.
There is really nothing like tournament time.
PS. I believe in a thing called Roy.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
our enemy has a name...
And that name is Villanova.
Yeah originally my plan was to catch the game later on DVR but I accidentally saw the score on the bottom of my yahoo email so that's that.
I'd like to take a moment to salute Syracuse.
They have gone from a program that recently won a National Championship (2003) to a program that maxes out by occasionally upsetting a rival at home. Their highlight the past two seasons has been to rush the court after beating conference champs Georgetown. Hope it was fun.
Later losers.
I wonder if JT3 (Happy Birthday big guy) will let Chris Wright play a little bit tomorrow. They could definitely use his quickness and aggressiveness against our old pal Scottie.
Now a couple of words for all of the Villanova players who read my daily words of wisdom:
Thanks so much for sending Syracuse to the NIT. Please go out tonight, enjoy yourselves. Celebrate a little too much. Make it rain somewhere. Sleep it off at the local precinct. We'll see you at noon tomorrow.
Your old friends,
Hoya Saxa
Yeah originally my plan was to catch the game later on DVR but I accidentally saw the score on the bottom of my yahoo email so that's that.
I'd like to take a moment to salute Syracuse.
They have gone from a program that recently won a National Championship (2003) to a program that maxes out by occasionally upsetting a rival at home. Their highlight the past two seasons has been to rush the court after beating conference champs Georgetown. Hope it was fun.
Later losers.
I wonder if JT3 (Happy Birthday big guy) will let Chris Wright play a little bit tomorrow. They could definitely use his quickness and aggressiveness against our old pal Scottie.
Now a couple of words for all of the Villanova players who read my daily words of wisdom:
Thanks so much for sending Syracuse to the NIT. Please go out tonight, enjoy yourselves. Celebrate a little too much. Make it rain somewhere. Sleep it off at the local precinct. We'll see you at noon tomorrow.
Your old friends,
Hoya Saxa
even this cold can't keep me down
So while my body is trying to keep me down, my mind is not having any of it. I don't have time to be sick right now. There is way too much going on right now.
The Big East Tournament just started about 30 minutes ago. Did you hear me? It's party time at the Garden. The winner of Today's first battle gets to go up against the mighty Hoya Saxa tomorrow afternoon at high noon.
If that wasn't enough for you, tonight is opening night for DC United's 2008 season. The boys are down in Jamaica taking on Harbour View in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Club Championship. It is a two game series (most goals wins) with the final game taking place next Tuesday at RFK.
It looks like I'm not making it up to MSG tomorrow (thanks for not calling me back Keith) but should the Hoyas advance to Friday Night's Semifinals, I should be in the house.
First Round predictions:
Game 1: Villanova 68 Syracuse 59 - Scottie Reynolds will get hot and carry the wildcats into the quarters. I love watching both teams lose so this will be a difficult watch later on my DVR.
Game 2: West Virginia 72 Providence 60 - Providence Coach Tim Welsh's seat just got a little bit warmer. Alex Ruoff needs to bring the pain to the coaches who snubbed him this year.
Game 3: Pittsburgh 54 Cincinnati 51 - The Panthers know how to win BE Tournament Games almost everyday of the week. Saturday is the exception.
Game 4: Marquette 71 Seton Hall 58 - Tom Crean is the worst coach of a good team that I can think of right now. Still doesn't matter as the Hall have overachieved all year.
So there you have it. Go home right now and watch these games.
You will thank me later.
The Big East Tournament just started about 30 minutes ago. Did you hear me? It's party time at the Garden. The winner of Today's first battle gets to go up against the mighty Hoya Saxa tomorrow afternoon at high noon.
If that wasn't enough for you, tonight is opening night for DC United's 2008 season. The boys are down in Jamaica taking on Harbour View in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Club Championship. It is a two game series (most goals wins) with the final game taking place next Tuesday at RFK.
It looks like I'm not making it up to MSG tomorrow (thanks for not calling me back Keith) but should the Hoyas advance to Friday Night's Semifinals, I should be in the house.
First Round predictions:
Game 1: Villanova 68 Syracuse 59 - Scottie Reynolds will get hot and carry the wildcats into the quarters. I love watching both teams lose so this will be a difficult watch later on my DVR.
Game 2: West Virginia 72 Providence 60 - Providence Coach Tim Welsh's seat just got a little bit warmer. Alex Ruoff needs to bring the pain to the coaches who snubbed him this year.
Game 3: Pittsburgh 54 Cincinnati 51 - The Panthers know how to win BE Tournament Games almost everyday of the week. Saturday is the exception.
Game 4: Marquette 71 Seton Hall 58 - Tom Crean is the worst coach of a good team that I can think of right now. Still doesn't matter as the Hall have overachieved all year.
So there you have it. Go home right now and watch these games.
You will thank me later.
Monday, March 10, 2008
March 8, 2008
Seeing as how the season has just hit the the final (and most important third) I don't want to get stuck reminiscing the last four years at home for too long - but I gotta get something in real quick.
Is there anything better than sitting at the Acela Club at 1030am putting away Yuengling with the players warming up behind you?
Normally I would answer with a resounding "No", but there is something better.
What made it better this past Saturday is the fact that the Hoyas were getting ready to take on one of the Hottest Teams in the Country in Louisville with the following at stake:
1. back to back Big East titles
2. 21 Game Home Winning Streak
3. a final Verizon Center appearance in Hoya Grey for Roy, Jon, Patrick, & Tyler
Not too shabby my man.
In order to ensure that the remains kick ass no matter who wins, you gotta put in a solid plan for the before and the after. My thinking here is that while I obviously try and put as much luck out there as possible, my actual impact on the outcome of the game is fairly minimal. Notice: minimal > zero.
Oh and it is very important to roll with your luckiest, most enthusiastic, most knowledgeable Hoya fan. BTW I think it's even luckier if it's a girl.
You put all of those things together and you set yourself up nicely for another Hoya win. Well we got just that as Georgetown comes up with another late shot to win yet another close game.
So after losing their first game together in the Verizon Center, this group, along with Jeff Green for 3 years, went 53 - 9. I'll take it. Overall they have won 97 games with a real good chance at 100.
Turns out that 4 years can make a pretty big difference if you find a coach that knows what he is doing.
As for the rest of the day, I had a great time and I didn't even make it past 10pm!
I was in such a good mood I even tried guacamole. Turns out its ok. I was thinking it was horrible given the avocado roots. And if anybody is thinking about seeing Vantage Point, I give it two big thumbs up. You know its a good movie when you are hoping that it lasts longer. Quite a contrast from when I saw There Will be Blood a few weeks ago and just wanted it to end for over an hour.
PS. I believe in a thing called Roy.
Is there anything better than sitting at the Acela Club at 1030am putting away Yuengling with the players warming up behind you?
Normally I would answer with a resounding "No", but there is something better.
What made it better this past Saturday is the fact that the Hoyas were getting ready to take on one of the Hottest Teams in the Country in Louisville with the following at stake:
1. back to back Big East titles
2. 21 Game Home Winning Streak
3. a final Verizon Center appearance in Hoya Grey for Roy, Jon, Patrick, & Tyler
Not too shabby my man.
In order to ensure that the remains kick ass no matter who wins, you gotta put in a solid plan for the before and the after. My thinking here is that while I obviously try and put as much luck out there as possible, my actual impact on the outcome of the game is fairly minimal. Notice: minimal > zero.
Oh and it is very important to roll with your luckiest, most enthusiastic, most knowledgeable Hoya fan. BTW I think it's even luckier if it's a girl.
You put all of those things together and you set yourself up nicely for another Hoya win. Well we got just that as Georgetown comes up with another late shot to win yet another close game.
So after losing their first game together in the Verizon Center, this group, along with Jeff Green for 3 years, went 53 - 9. I'll take it. Overall they have won 97 games with a real good chance at 100.
Turns out that 4 years can make a pretty big difference if you find a coach that knows what he is doing.
As for the rest of the day, I had a great time and I didn't even make it past 10pm!
I was in such a good mood I even tried guacamole. Turns out its ok. I was thinking it was horrible given the avocado roots. And if anybody is thinking about seeing Vantage Point, I give it two big thumbs up. You know its a good movie when you are hoping that it lasts longer. Quite a contrast from when I saw There Will be Blood a few weeks ago and just wanted it to end for over an hour.
PS. I believe in a thing called Roy.
Friday, March 7, 2008
November 22, 2004
It was a Monday night right around Thanksgiving. In was my second year as a season ticket holder and I had no idea what to expect. The Hoyas were coming off of their worst season in the history of the Big East (started in 1979). Craig Esherick has been fired and John Thompson III has been hired.
They had brought in a very unheralded recruiting class. None of the kids were ranked in the top 100 nationally, but there had been some late buzz that Jeff Green had been flying under the radar.
*Roy Hibbert was a huge 7 footer that had disappointed in high school with sub par play and lots of injuries. Went by the nickname "The Big Stiff".
*Jeff Green was said to be an undersized center with a decent outside shot. Oh and he had dreads.
*Tyler Crawford was a great player in a second rate level of Virginia High School Hoops (AA). Probably better suited to stay closer to home and play at JMU.
*Jon Wallace was some walk-on that apparently was set to play for JT3 at Princeton but was coming along for the ride.
*Patrick Ewing, Jr was a sophomore playing for Indiana.
After watching Temple thump them at home to the tune of 75 - 57, I can remember my exact statement as the final buzzer sounded:
"Great. We suck again."
Nothing changed that first night. Well at least nothing that my ignorant eyes could see. It was another terrible performance in front of another embarrassing crowd. Announced crowd of 6,320.
Simply put: It was depressing.
I was even a little upset that JT3 had been awarded the job of turning the program around. I felt that they needed a clean break from the Thompson name.
Turns out I am a huge moron.
Shocking.
They had brought in a very unheralded recruiting class. None of the kids were ranked in the top 100 nationally, but there had been some late buzz that Jeff Green had been flying under the radar.
*Roy Hibbert was a huge 7 footer that had disappointed in high school with sub par play and lots of injuries. Went by the nickname "The Big Stiff".
*Jeff Green was said to be an undersized center with a decent outside shot. Oh and he had dreads.
*Tyler Crawford was a great player in a second rate level of Virginia High School Hoops (AA). Probably better suited to stay closer to home and play at JMU.
*Jon Wallace was some walk-on that apparently was set to play for JT3 at Princeton but was coming along for the ride.
*Patrick Ewing, Jr was a sophomore playing for Indiana.
After watching Temple thump them at home to the tune of 75 - 57, I can remember my exact statement as the final buzzer sounded:
"Great. We suck again."
Nothing changed that first night. Well at least nothing that my ignorant eyes could see. It was another terrible performance in front of another embarrassing crowd. Announced crowd of 6,320.
Simply put: It was depressing.
I was even a little upset that JT3 had been awarded the job of turning the program around. I felt that they needed a clean break from the Thompson name.
Turns out I am a huge moron.
Shocking.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
saturday can come whenver it feels like it...
For as long as I can remember I have always been big on making countdowns. I remember hating the start of elementary school so much. I would immediately start a countdown towards the Columbus Day holiday, and then to Thanksgiving and so forth. Ever since those early days, I have pretty much continued this practice in most areas of numeric measure.
Well yesterday while I was running I realized that participating in a countdown is entirely idiotic. I mean seriously, what's the rush brah? Now please don't take this as me saying that you should never look forward to something in advance. I don't mean that at all. I just think that people (especially me) should place more emphasis on the journey as opposed to the destination. You usually find out more about yourself during the journey as opposed to the end game, especially if it's a difficult one.
I think time is moving pretty damn quick on its own. Time doesn't need some jackass (me) marking down the days in an effort to make the process fly by any quicker. I think the situation is under control.
I know I am a little crazy because I like to relate so many of life's lessons to sports, but I guess whatever forces a little critical thinking can't be all that bad.
Saturday is the last time Roy, Jon, Tyler, and Pat will take the court at Verizon as Hoyas. Seniors come and go all the time, but this group, along with Jeff, came in at the absolute worst time in the modern era of Hoya Hoops. All they are about to do is leave the program in its best shape since 1985.
After Saturday it will be time to hit the road, but that's alright. Nobody can stay home forever.
Well yesterday while I was running I realized that participating in a countdown is entirely idiotic. I mean seriously, what's the rush brah? Now please don't take this as me saying that you should never look forward to something in advance. I don't mean that at all. I just think that people (especially me) should place more emphasis on the journey as opposed to the destination. You usually find out more about yourself during the journey as opposed to the end game, especially if it's a difficult one.
I think time is moving pretty damn quick on its own. Time doesn't need some jackass (me) marking down the days in an effort to make the process fly by any quicker. I think the situation is under control.
I know I am a little crazy because I like to relate so many of life's lessons to sports, but I guess whatever forces a little critical thinking can't be all that bad.
Saturday is the last time Roy, Jon, Tyler, and Pat will take the court at Verizon as Hoyas. Seniors come and go all the time, but this group, along with Jeff, came in at the absolute worst time in the modern era of Hoya Hoops. All they are about to do is leave the program in its best shape since 1985.
After Saturday it will be time to hit the road, but that's alright. Nobody can stay home forever.
Monday, March 3, 2008
i wish it was just bakery favorite
Can we drop the "S" from the Bakery Favorites? It would be super awesome if we could do that.
Here's the deal: I love banana bread, banana pudding, pie, whatever. Years ago I used to eat Banana Bread Eggo Waffles for breakfast. They were the best. Unfortunately I think Karen was the only one buying them seeing as how they are no where to be found on local shelves these days.
OMG I just went to the Kellog's website and learned that Banana Bread Eggo Waffles still exist. So that's the good news. The bad news is that I am going to have to do a little bit of driving. Nothing good comes easy now does it boys? Closest store to is a Giant Eagle in Frederick Maryland. Funny thing about that is I noticed the Giant Eagle on my way to and from Syracuse a few weeks ago. I wondered if it was part of the Giant chain or it's own separate thing.
Ok so back to the no "S" thing. Quaker puts out this Oatmeal variety pack. Problem is that I only like the Banana Bread oatmeal. Never been that cised for Cinnamon flavored anything. The Apple Crisp oatmeal is alright.
I'd pay top dollar just to buy Bakery Favorite instead of Bakery FavoriteS.
Man Life sure is hard sometimes.
Here's the deal: I love banana bread, banana pudding, pie, whatever. Years ago I used to eat Banana Bread Eggo Waffles for breakfast. They were the best. Unfortunately I think Karen was the only one buying them seeing as how they are no where to be found on local shelves these days.
OMG I just went to the Kellog's website and learned that Banana Bread Eggo Waffles still exist. So that's the good news. The bad news is that I am going to have to do a little bit of driving. Nothing good comes easy now does it boys? Closest store to is a Giant Eagle in Frederick Maryland. Funny thing about that is I noticed the Giant Eagle on my way to and from Syracuse a few weeks ago. I wondered if it was part of the Giant chain or it's own separate thing.
Ok so back to the no "S" thing. Quaker puts out this Oatmeal variety pack. Problem is that I only like the Banana Bread oatmeal. Never been that cised for Cinnamon flavored anything. The Apple Crisp oatmeal is alright.
I'd pay top dollar just to buy Bakery Favorite instead of Bakery FavoriteS.
Man Life sure is hard sometimes.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
jon you have a call...jon you have a call
When the phone rings at the White House at 3am, I want Jon Wallace answering it.
“I just knew I had to make the free throws,” Wallace said. “I knew what was at stake.”
Hibbert wasn’t worried.
“He’s as cold as ice on the free throw line,” Hibbert said.
He (Jon) might be afraid of bridges and the DC Metro, but I'd like to be able to vote Wallace/Hibbert in 2028.
Lesson Time: There is a very important lesson you can learn while watching a team play with great regularity: Play within yourself, play to your strengths.
By doing that you give yourself the best chance to succeed/win. For instance, I know that Ewing can't force shots in the lane - it's not his game. I know that Wallace has no business dribbling the air out of the ball like Iverson and then just going one on one. I know that Rivers should never take a shot that isn't a layup. Those plays have low success rates. I know this because I have been watching them for years.
So after sitting through a game where I think I know what everybody should do, I go out and play right into my weaknesses. I can't take shots.
What did I do towards the end of last night? I took shots.
What was the result you ask? Well I lost all concept of time, got into a ridiculous argument with Bobby over Virginia Tech/Notre Dame football, felt like crap when I got home, and still feel like crap right now. Weird.
Stunning results. Really surprising info there.
The good news is that I don't see myself drinking anytime between now and next Saturday at the Verizon Center. Zero chance I drink anything besides beer at that event so I should be good.
“I just knew I had to make the free throws,” Wallace said. “I knew what was at stake.”
Hibbert wasn’t worried.
“He’s as cold as ice on the free throw line,” Hibbert said.
He (Jon) might be afraid of bridges and the DC Metro, but I'd like to be able to vote Wallace/Hibbert in 2028.
Lesson Time: There is a very important lesson you can learn while watching a team play with great regularity: Play within yourself, play to your strengths.
By doing that you give yourself the best chance to succeed/win. For instance, I know that Ewing can't force shots in the lane - it's not his game. I know that Wallace has no business dribbling the air out of the ball like Iverson and then just going one on one. I know that Rivers should never take a shot that isn't a layup. Those plays have low success rates. I know this because I have been watching them for years.
So after sitting through a game where I think I know what everybody should do, I go out and play right into my weaknesses. I can't take shots.
What did I do towards the end of last night? I took shots.
What was the result you ask? Well I lost all concept of time, got into a ridiculous argument with Bobby over Virginia Tech/Notre Dame football, felt like crap when I got home, and still feel like crap right now. Weird.
Stunning results. Really surprising info there.
The good news is that I don't see myself drinking anytime between now and next Saturday at the Verizon Center. Zero chance I drink anything besides beer at that event so I should be good.
lucky my ass...
If believing in luck gets you through the night, then by all means, have at it baby. But for me, when you are trying to figure out the reason behind a trend, consider digging a little deeper than just labeling the situation as lucky. Seems a bit lazy to me. When you keep churning out similar results, especially in pressure situations, it's not luck.
It's called execution. The main reason that Georgetown wins the close games is that they play as a team. The offense they run on their last possession is the same that they run on their first possession. Most other teams have it break down to one on one play and forced shots in the final minutes.
*Moments after Wallace was fouled on a potential game tying three-pointer with just seconds remaining, my mind immediately began racing to a memory from 1993. Early in the 1993-1994 season Hoya Guard Eric Micoud faced the same situation against Villanova at home. He hit the first, hit the second, and then bricked the third free throw in a one-point loss to the hated Wildcats.
I wish I could forget stuff like that but I have a problem. Micoud left after the season, his second with the Hoyas, to join the French Legion Army. At the time it was said they he would return for his final two years of eligibility. We are still waiting for your triumphant return Eric. I hope you have been working on your free throws bud.
(after that game I remember going to Fair Oaks Mall with the family to have coffee mugs made for both of my Grandmothers as christmas presents. the mugs featured me and my sister. we actually still have one in Kings Park.)
*Twice this season Hibbert and Wallace have finished games tied for the team high in points. Both games were two-point, overtime wins. Coincidence? Doubtful. I'd like to see that happen more often now that we have finally made it to the money part of the season.
*As soon as Wallace was fouled the tv cameras cut away to a shot of Marquette coach Tom Crean chugging a can of Diet Pepsi. He looked clueless. Earlier in the game they showed him pumping up the crowd. I though that was really lame coming from a head coach. I want my head coach thinking 5 moves ahead, not trying to get a few more cheers at home. I also don't think it was just Diet Pepsi in that can.
*Even though Rivers still makes me nervous I have gotten used to seeing him on the court. Jeremiah has a great nose for the ball and plays lockdown defense. His problem is that he sometimes throws passes you wouldn't expect to see in a 7th grade girls game.
It's called execution. The main reason that Georgetown wins the close games is that they play as a team. The offense they run on their last possession is the same that they run on their first possession. Most other teams have it break down to one on one play and forced shots in the final minutes.
*Moments after Wallace was fouled on a potential game tying three-pointer with just seconds remaining, my mind immediately began racing to a memory from 1993. Early in the 1993-1994 season Hoya Guard Eric Micoud faced the same situation against Villanova at home. He hit the first, hit the second, and then bricked the third free throw in a one-point loss to the hated Wildcats.
I wish I could forget stuff like that but I have a problem. Micoud left after the season, his second with the Hoyas, to join the French Legion Army. At the time it was said they he would return for his final two years of eligibility. We are still waiting for your triumphant return Eric. I hope you have been working on your free throws bud.
(after that game I remember going to Fair Oaks Mall with the family to have coffee mugs made for both of my Grandmothers as christmas presents. the mugs featured me and my sister. we actually still have one in Kings Park.)
*Twice this season Hibbert and Wallace have finished games tied for the team high in points. Both games were two-point, overtime wins. Coincidence? Doubtful. I'd like to see that happen more often now that we have finally made it to the money part of the season.
*As soon as Wallace was fouled the tv cameras cut away to a shot of Marquette coach Tom Crean chugging a can of Diet Pepsi. He looked clueless. Earlier in the game they showed him pumping up the crowd. I though that was really lame coming from a head coach. I want my head coach thinking 5 moves ahead, not trying to get a few more cheers at home. I also don't think it was just Diet Pepsi in that can.
*Even though Rivers still makes me nervous I have gotten used to seeing him on the court. Jeremiah has a great nose for the ball and plays lockdown defense. His problem is that he sometimes throws passes you wouldn't expect to see in a 7th grade girls game.
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