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.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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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