UCONN came for a game, Georgetown came for a fight - Jay Bilas.
I'm not sure I totally agree with that quote, but I like it. A lot even.
Last night was one of the best coaching jobs, in terms of game management, I have seen out of JT3. Monroe, as I feared, got into foul trouble by picking up his 3rd early in the 2nd half. Thompson did a magnificent job of shuffling him in and out with Vaughn. He also gets valuable minutes of Omar Wattad, which, in my opinion, is beyond amazing.
Why did they win?
1. They only took 13 threes - most were good shots as they made 6
2. They ran when the opportunity presented itself
3. Played some of the best match up zone I have ever seen them play (and for the longest period of time)
4. Kept going at Thabeet even though he was blocking shots (7 in all)
5. Made their last 18 free throws
6. Nearly matched UCONN on the offensive glass (10 to 14)
7. They never get rattled and it bothers the other team
What's that AJ? "They are very solid on both ends of the floor," UConn senior point guard A.J. Price said. "They never seem to get rattled. When you look at the tape, you can't ever tell if they're up 10 or down 10 and that showed tonight."
Yeah they just go out there and methodically beat that ass. The Michael Myers of college hoops. I told ya brah
I love quotes like these: "With a win, as with a loss, we have to go back and see if we can get better," Thompson said, noting that Georgetown hosts No. 3 Pittsburgh on Saturday. "The commissioner's not handing out any trophies after tonight."
Did everybody hear that? The only reward being presented to the Hoyas after being UCONN is a home date with the third ranked Panthers of Pitt. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Winning last night meant one thing...that they won't start 0-3 with their ridiculous hard start to the "real" season.
Tonight's NBA pick: LeBron.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
going for 3
So it's like this, if the rest of the conference wants to take the title away from the two-time defending Big East Champs, they better put them in an 0 -3 hole by next Monday night at around, oh I don't know, 9pm est.
It's their only chance.
Georgetown (28 - 6 the last two years in the Big East) opens up the season at Connecticut - the school that most publications have already crowned as this years champion. They have a good squad. Lots of length and athleticism across the board. They probably have more depth than this year's version of the Hoyas.
My advice so them is to come out with everything they have because if you let Georgetown hang around, they will do you wrong.
They are the Michael Myers of college hoops. You always look back and see him just walking towards you, not in any particular hurry. Problem with that is that the next thing you know, they are in front of you going for the kill.
My keys to the game for the good guys:
1) Freeman needs to relax on those sloppy ass passes he seems to get cised for
2) Monroe has to stay out of foul trouble
3) Using Monroe to break the press
4) FGA/3FGA ratio - there will be good shots available even with Thabeet in the game - take them
5) Wright getting into the paint to score/dish
6) Limit the offensive rebounding by the Huskies
I expect a fast-paced tempo where Connecticut stays in the game due to their advantage on the offensive glass. The Hoyas should limit them to a low shooting percentage. I expect Sapp to hit a late shot that enables the Hoyas to leave Hartford with a very important early season win.
Most points: Sapp
First three: Summers
First sub: Clark
First dunk: Monroe
The Skins: So they finished at 8 - 8. It's funny how expectations can take such drastic changes. After watching their first game of the season against the defending Super Bowl champs, I struggled to see them winning 5 games. Fast forward 4 weeks later and the Skins were 4-1 and people had them in winning the division. The problem was that they had only scored 11 more points than they had given up. Something had to give and it gave fast in the form of the dreadful St. Louis Rams.
So 8-8 and was probably just about right for this group. The way things are currently done at Redskins Park, anything better than .500 is a random shot in the dark. A decade of Snyder has produced zero consecutive winning seasons. I hope it doesn't take him another decade to figure out what he is doing wrong. Time well tell.
NBA: I've got Devin Harris tonight.
It's their only chance.
Georgetown (28 - 6 the last two years in the Big East) opens up the season at Connecticut - the school that most publications have already crowned as this years champion. They have a good squad. Lots of length and athleticism across the board. They probably have more depth than this year's version of the Hoyas.
My advice so them is to come out with everything they have because if you let Georgetown hang around, they will do you wrong.
They are the Michael Myers of college hoops. You always look back and see him just walking towards you, not in any particular hurry. Problem with that is that the next thing you know, they are in front of you going for the kill.
My keys to the game for the good guys:
1) Freeman needs to relax on those sloppy ass passes he seems to get cised for
2) Monroe has to stay out of foul trouble
3) Using Monroe to break the press
4) FGA/3FGA ratio - there will be good shots available even with Thabeet in the game - take them
5) Wright getting into the paint to score/dish
6) Limit the offensive rebounding by the Huskies
I expect a fast-paced tempo where Connecticut stays in the game due to their advantage on the offensive glass. The Hoyas should limit them to a low shooting percentage. I expect Sapp to hit a late shot that enables the Hoyas to leave Hartford with a very important early season win.
Most points: Sapp
First three: Summers
First sub: Clark
First dunk: Monroe
The Skins: So they finished at 8 - 8. It's funny how expectations can take such drastic changes. After watching their first game of the season against the defending Super Bowl champs, I struggled to see them winning 5 games. Fast forward 4 weeks later and the Skins were 4-1 and people had them in winning the division. The problem was that they had only scored 11 more points than they had given up. Something had to give and it gave fast in the form of the dreadful St. Louis Rams.
So 8-8 and was probably just about right for this group. The way things are currently done at Redskins Park, anything better than .500 is a random shot in the dark. A decade of Snyder has produced zero consecutive winning seasons. I hope it doesn't take him another decade to figure out what he is doing wrong. Time well tell.
NBA: I've got Devin Harris tonight.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
christmas eve eve
When I think of Florida International, this is the vision that dances in my head. I really don't want to see anything remotely resembling this tonight on the court at the Verizon Center. But since you asked, I will tell you want I DO WANT to see tonight:
1. Vaughn getting minutes with Monroe as opposed to just giving him a rest. The schedule is about to turn absolutely nasty with size everywhere that the eye can see. This team needs some quality minutes with 3 Bigs on the court.
2. Sims to show signs of life. I feel like I'm going to keep saying this until he does it. He just looks completely lost out there. The weird thing is that the top 100 guys from Charm City are usually legit. Oh well. Maybe he's just waiting for Big East play to show everybody what's really up.
3. For the Jiffy Lube Trivia question to actually require a brain. This competition has become an absolute joke. It's so bad that non basketball fans are answering it correctly before the choices are even presented. I'm sure tonight's question will be something along the lines of: What arena are you in right now? Tough one.
Tonight's Superlatives
High scorer: Freeman
First three: Summers
First sub: Vaughn
NBA High Scorer of the night: Dirk Nowitzki.
Happy Christmas Eve Eve to everybody out there.
First Dunk: Monroe
1. Vaughn getting minutes with Monroe as opposed to just giving him a rest. The schedule is about to turn absolutely nasty with size everywhere that the eye can see. This team needs some quality minutes with 3 Bigs on the court.
2. Sims to show signs of life. I feel like I'm going to keep saying this until he does it. He just looks completely lost out there. The weird thing is that the top 100 guys from Charm City are usually legit. Oh well. Maybe he's just waiting for Big East play to show everybody what's really up.
3. For the Jiffy Lube Trivia question to actually require a brain. This competition has become an absolute joke. It's so bad that non basketball fans are answering it correctly before the choices are even presented. I'm sure tonight's question will be something along the lines of: What arena are you in right now? Tough one.
Tonight's Superlatives
High scorer: Freeman
First three: Summers
First sub: Vaughn
NBA High Scorer of the night: Dirk Nowitzki.
Happy Christmas Eve Eve to everybody out there.
First Dunk: Monroe
Friday, December 19, 2008
uprights at RFK
I'm kinda bitter that I can't go to the inaugural bowl game at RFK. I mean how cool is that??? A bowl game less than 20 miles from my house. Wait I thought you said bowl games were lame exhibitions.
Ok lame exhibitions aside, I'll always hold a special place in my heart for RFK. And even though I still frequent the place on a regular basis for soccer games, I always think about Redskins games when I'm there.
Navy v Wake Forest. I might be one of the only ones out there but I find that match-up kinda sexy. I love the way both teams play. I mean who doesn't love a little misdirection and option right?
I'll make sure to set the dvr, if for nothing else, just to check out the field and seating configurations.
I'm missing that bowl game for the Hoyas. It's amazing how fast time flies by. The Blue and Gray only have 2 more dress rehersals before the lights really come on in the Big East. They take on the Mountaineers from near-by Mount St. Mary's. Besides a win, there are a few things I'm looking for from the Hoyas.
1. Limit the 2nd chance opportunities
2. More crisp passing against the zone looks
2a. Summers to find that space around the free throw line against zone
3. Omar getting his feet set before getting his 3's off
4. Sims to contribute something, anything
Ok so last night I lost the NBA high scorer. My man Tony Parker got off 17 shots but only 3 of those shots found the bottom of the net.
OUCH!
Tonight I am going with Carmello Anthony. I think it will be a back and forth shootout with him and LeBron tonight. It should be pointed out that some loyal blogger reader picked Roy with a complete shot in the dark type guessing method. Congrats :)
So I noticed Brendan has Irish Spring in the bathroom. For some reason I couldn't remember their theme song from any commercials. I tried for a minute or two and then my mind immediately went to the Zest soap add. Those guys with Zest did a great job. I'm not sure if I've ever purchased Zest, but I'll never forget: You're not fully clean unless you're ZEST fully clean.
I hope those guys got a bonus.
Ok lame exhibitions aside, I'll always hold a special place in my heart for RFK. And even though I still frequent the place on a regular basis for soccer games, I always think about Redskins games when I'm there.
Navy v Wake Forest. I might be one of the only ones out there but I find that match-up kinda sexy. I love the way both teams play. I mean who doesn't love a little misdirection and option right?
I'll make sure to set the dvr, if for nothing else, just to check out the field and seating configurations.
I'm missing that bowl game for the Hoyas. It's amazing how fast time flies by. The Blue and Gray only have 2 more dress rehersals before the lights really come on in the Big East. They take on the Mountaineers from near-by Mount St. Mary's. Besides a win, there are a few things I'm looking for from the Hoyas.
1. Limit the 2nd chance opportunities
2. More crisp passing against the zone looks
2a. Summers to find that space around the free throw line against zone
3. Omar getting his feet set before getting his 3's off
4. Sims to contribute something, anything
Ok so last night I lost the NBA high scorer. My man Tony Parker got off 17 shots but only 3 of those shots found the bottom of the net.
OUCH!
Tonight I am going with Carmello Anthony. I think it will be a back and forth shootout with him and LeBron tonight. It should be pointed out that some loyal blogger reader picked Roy with a complete shot in the dark type guessing method. Congrats :)
So I noticed Brendan has Irish Spring in the bathroom. For some reason I couldn't remember their theme song from any commercials. I tried for a minute or two and then my mind immediately went to the Zest soap add. Those guys with Zest did a great job. I'm not sure if I've ever purchased Zest, but I'll never forget: You're not fully clean unless you're ZEST fully clean.
I hope those guys got a bonus.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
thank you danny
I really don't like to brag but I mean, C'mon! I freaking nailed it brah.
Who was last night's leading scorer in the NBA again?
Oh that's right. The guy I picked. My boy Danny Granger. He's my boy because I had him as my dark horse to winner rookie of the year in 2006. It's taken a little bit longer than I predicted, but he's turning into a damn good player.
Hawaii bound?: Any Redskins fan with a brain will tell you that over the last several weeks the only thing keeping them in their games has been the defense. The offense has been a complete nightmare - scoring 12 points a game over their last 5 outings.
Well those putrid numbers didn't stop the 'Skins from landing 4 offensive guys on the Pro Bowl Roster.
Congrats guys.
You really earned it.
Ok I can't be that mean. I'm actually happy for Portis and Sellers. Samuels is always overvalued and Cooley is, in my opinion, just whatever.
RIP 33: Slingin' Sammy Baugh passed away at the age of 94 yesterday. I'm a little bit too young to have seen him play but from everything I've heard and read about the man, he was a freaking bad ass.
Today's article in the Washington Post does him quite well. A couple of my favorite Baugh quotes are in there as well. Something I hadn't seen that really caught my attention was the little note about how he left coaching in 1964 because he couldn't properly maintain his cattle ranch. Pretty good.
I hope Jim Zorn has an out of control cattle ranch somewhere that I don't know about.
Ok tonight's pick is Tony Parker.
My reasoning: I think Orlando's guards suck.
Who was last night's leading scorer in the NBA again?
Oh that's right. The guy I picked. My boy Danny Granger. He's my boy because I had him as my dark horse to winner rookie of the year in 2006. It's taken a little bit longer than I predicted, but he's turning into a damn good player.
Hawaii bound?: Any Redskins fan with a brain will tell you that over the last several weeks the only thing keeping them in their games has been the defense. The offense has been a complete nightmare - scoring 12 points a game over their last 5 outings.
Well those putrid numbers didn't stop the 'Skins from landing 4 offensive guys on the Pro Bowl Roster.
Congrats guys.
You really earned it.
Ok I can't be that mean. I'm actually happy for Portis and Sellers. Samuels is always overvalued and Cooley is, in my opinion, just whatever.
RIP 33: Slingin' Sammy Baugh passed away at the age of 94 yesterday. I'm a little bit too young to have seen him play but from everything I've heard and read about the man, he was a freaking bad ass.
Today's article in the Washington Post does him quite well. A couple of my favorite Baugh quotes are in there as well. Something I hadn't seen that really caught my attention was the little note about how he left coaching in 1964 because he couldn't properly maintain his cattle ranch. Pretty good.
I hope Jim Zorn has an out of control cattle ranch somewhere that I don't know about.
Ok tonight's pick is Tony Parker.
My reasoning: I think Orlando's guards suck.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
unpaid scout
In my efforts to "scout" the Big East, I try and watch every team play at least one game before the conference schedule begins. You know back in the good old days this wasn't such daunting task. The current problem is that there are now 16 teams in the league for basketball purposes, and, to be quite honest with you, I have a hard time accepting the new ones as my own. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I feel as if South Florida is my new 17 year old step-son that I just don't give two shits about. He's off to college in the Fall and getting to know him would be a waste of my time.
So I tried to watch a little South Florida - Vanderbilt last night. Right before the first TV timeout it was 2-1 and my eyes were bleeding. I mean here I go giving them a chance and they prove to be exactly who I thought they were - aka hot trash.
Next up was Marquette - Tennessee. Marquette has had the same team for about 4 years now. Matthews, McNeal, and James just fly around the court trying to fast break on your ass. The trick is to get James to do most of the shooting while in a half court setting and you are silly. The only wrinkle is that they have a new coach this time around. Maybe he isn't a complete no talent like Tom Crean.
I missed most of the first half but during the second half I found myself saying, "This is being played at a pace where Georgetown could have beaten the Vols."
Turns out I was right. The Vols beat the (used to be called) Warriors 80 - 68. Three weeks earlier they had beaten Georgetown 90 - 78 thanks to some insane shooting from behind the arc. I mean they were 10 for 16 from downtown. Freaking Cameron Tatum, a freshman, went 5 for 6 all by himself in about 15 minutes of action.
Here's a little "Did you know" that only I will find interesting. That 90-78 loss on Nov 28 was the most points Georgetown has scored in a loss during the JT3 era. Before that the previous high in a loss was 73 - but that was in overtime.
In fact the Hoyas, under JT3, are 62 - 6 when scoring over 68 points. Not too bad.
So getting back to my "scouting" from the beginning of this post, it's never been actually used. By that I mean that none of the coaches have actually come to me for my advice on the opponents. Weird huh?
Ok I'm starting a new game today. I'm going to see if I can predict tonight's high scorer in the NBA.
Tonight I select Danny Granger from the Pacers.
My thinking: He scores a lot normally and tonight hes facing the Golden State Warriors. Seems like a winner to me.
So I tried to watch a little South Florida - Vanderbilt last night. Right before the first TV timeout it was 2-1 and my eyes were bleeding. I mean here I go giving them a chance and they prove to be exactly who I thought they were - aka hot trash.
Next up was Marquette - Tennessee. Marquette has had the same team for about 4 years now. Matthews, McNeal, and James just fly around the court trying to fast break on your ass. The trick is to get James to do most of the shooting while in a half court setting and you are silly. The only wrinkle is that they have a new coach this time around. Maybe he isn't a complete no talent like Tom Crean.
I missed most of the first half but during the second half I found myself saying, "This is being played at a pace where Georgetown could have beaten the Vols."
Turns out I was right. The Vols beat the (used to be called) Warriors 80 - 68. Three weeks earlier they had beaten Georgetown 90 - 78 thanks to some insane shooting from behind the arc. I mean they were 10 for 16 from downtown. Freaking Cameron Tatum, a freshman, went 5 for 6 all by himself in about 15 minutes of action.
Here's a little "Did you know" that only I will find interesting. That 90-78 loss on Nov 28 was the most points Georgetown has scored in a loss during the JT3 era. Before that the previous high in a loss was 73 - but that was in overtime.
In fact the Hoyas, under JT3, are 62 - 6 when scoring over 68 points. Not too bad.
So getting back to my "scouting" from the beginning of this post, it's never been actually used. By that I mean that none of the coaches have actually come to me for my advice on the opponents. Weird huh?
Ok I'm starting a new game today. I'm going to see if I can predict tonight's high scorer in the NBA.
Tonight I select Danny Granger from the Pacers.
My thinking: He scores a lot normally and tonight hes facing the Golden State Warriors. Seems like a winner to me.
the official start of winter
I know that most calendars will tell you that the First Day of Winter is December 21st, but I'm here to tell you that it actually started today. I mark the beginning of Winter when I reach into the last box of Pumpkin Delights and come out empty.
This is how I know that Fall has ended. It's so sad but so very true.
So the NBA season tipped-off on Oct 28 and last night was the first time that I watched an entire game from start to finish. The Lakers outlasted the Knicks, 116 - 114 on NBATV. Now in my defense, this is the first season in forever where I am waiting for the mid-way point to purchase the NBA League Pass.
Ok so back to the game. I like how the Knicks are playing. I like the up and down style given their roster composition. I don't like the talk of trading David Lee to Charlotte for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell before the deadline. I also didn't like the way I knew that no matter how big the lead got, the Lake Show was going to comeback and win. I hate Derek Fisher.
Town and Country magazine. Ever heard of it?
Well I have now heard of it. You know why? Because one of you jokers is having it sent to my house in my name. I doesn't even say Robert Bancroft, rather it says Bobby Bancroft. Look I know I didn't sign up for this junk. Please identify yourself and prepare for the proper payback. Thanks.
FatHeads. I keep seeing commercial for these gigantic wall clings but I've never seen one in somebody's house. I've never even heard somebody talk about how their friend has one in there house. Does anybody know if these things are actually being purchased? I assume the answer is yes because they keep running commercials, but I've yet to see any physical evidence.
I love Christmas but I love waiting to buy Christmas presents even more. As of today I've bought zippy. I've got a 3 hour window on Sunday from the end of the Arsenal game to the start of the Redskins game where I'm hoping to knock out some names on my list.
This is how I know that Fall has ended. It's so sad but so very true.
So the NBA season tipped-off on Oct 28 and last night was the first time that I watched an entire game from start to finish. The Lakers outlasted the Knicks, 116 - 114 on NBATV. Now in my defense, this is the first season in forever where I am waiting for the mid-way point to purchase the NBA League Pass.
Ok so back to the game. I like how the Knicks are playing. I like the up and down style given their roster composition. I don't like the talk of trading David Lee to Charlotte for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell before the deadline. I also didn't like the way I knew that no matter how big the lead got, the Lake Show was going to comeback and win. I hate Derek Fisher.
Town and Country magazine. Ever heard of it?
Well I have now heard of it. You know why? Because one of you jokers is having it sent to my house in my name. I doesn't even say Robert Bancroft, rather it says Bobby Bancroft. Look I know I didn't sign up for this junk. Please identify yourself and prepare for the proper payback. Thanks.
FatHeads. I keep seeing commercial for these gigantic wall clings but I've never seen one in somebody's house. I've never even heard somebody talk about how their friend has one in there house. Does anybody know if these things are actually being purchased? I assume the answer is yes because they keep running commercials, but I've yet to see any physical evidence.
I love Christmas but I love waiting to buy Christmas presents even more. As of today I've bought zippy. I've got a 3 hour window on Sunday from the end of the Arsenal game to the start of the Redskins game where I'm hoping to knock out some names on my list.
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