QU Basketball on verge of NCAA Tournament

With a win on Wednesday night the Quinnipiac University men’s basketball team will make their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, a feat that has come much faster than expected to this Bobcat fan.  I knew three years ago when Tom Moore took over the reins that it would only be a matter of time before the program would rise to the top of the Northeast Conference, but in three years?

Coach Moore has done a great job recruiting the right kids and getting people to buy into what he is coaching.  The team is 13-0 at home this season and has racked up a school record 23 wins, turning the TD Bank Sports Center into one of the toughest places in the NEC to play.

This year’s version of the Bobcats includes two first-team all conference players in James Feldeine and Justin Rutty; the NEC Coach of the Year, Tom Moore; and NEC Player of the Year Justin Rutty, but the talent pool doesn’t end there.  John Cruz has come on in the second half of the season, since February 4^th Cruz has averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.9 rpg compared to his season average of 5.3 and 4.4 respectively.  Deontay Twyman has come off the bench all season to provide a spark and consistently knocked down shots from the perimeter, including a big boost in Sunday’s semi-final win over Long Island University (16 points).  Starting point  guard James Johnson has been rock solid all season averaging 12.1 PPG including 28 in a big win at Robert Morris late in the season, and 22 in Thursday’s quarter-final match up with Monmouth.  In my opinion Johnson was a snub from this year’s all conference teams. .

Regardless of what happens on Wednesday night this team has a lot to be proud of, they’ve changed the face of Quinnipiac Basketball forever and for the first time in my four years at Quinnipiac the arena is close to full on a regular basis.  If you’re in the Hamden, Connecticut area this Wednesday night come out to the game and support this team as they try and clinch their first ever NEC title and make a trip to the big dance.

Almost 30 Years to the Day!

Today marks the 30^th anniversary of the United States biggest hockey win ever, the day that they beat the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics.  Yesterday the Americans possibly posted the second biggest win in the history of U.S. Hockey.  The Americans went to Vancouver expected to finish third or fourth depending on which analyst you listen to.  This team didn’t have a real practice until the day after their first game against the Swiss.  They all came to the games from their respective NHL teams and essentially just hopped on the ice, not to say that the Canadians (the only other Olympic team comprised of only NHL players) didn’t have to do the same thing, but they are much more experienced and proven in the league.

The United States opted to go younger this year and they have comprised a team of the best young talent possibly in the world.  These guys are playing great, playing together and most importantly playing with pride.  This pride was most evidently exposed on Ryan Kesler’s open net goal to give the Americans a 5-3 lead with 45 seconds to play.

If you didn’t see this goal you would rightfully think that he just put the puck in the net, but Kelser outskated a Canadian defensemen that was skating back to retrieve the puck, then dove to the defensemen’s left side sweeping the puck with a one handed shot and sent it across his body into the net.  Most players would have just retreated back on defense to make a last stand against another Canadian push but Kesler dug deep in the final minute of the game and added the insurance goal and gave the Americans the number 1 seed heading into the tournament part of the Olympics.

It was uncertain if this younger American team would be able to play with some of the top teams in the world comprised of some older players who have been on the Olympic scene before, but youth can’t be underestimated.

Had this been in a medal game the game would have been much bigger but even though it was the prelim portion of the games, it was still a huge game.  These players on both teams all know each other, some are normally teammates while some do not like each other based on NHL play.

The crowd, while on TV looked to be mostly Canadian, was loud for both teams and anytime I hear fans chanting U.S.A. it is bone chilling.  How the U.S. team responds from this huge win and continues will be huge, but not having to play an opening round game will surely benefit this team.  The players are all in the middle of an NHL season and any amount of rest of will be beneficial.  If they keep playing the way they did last night this team could have a few more upsets in them and could possibly be listening to their national anthem at the medal ceremony.

Really George Karl?

With 5 seconds remaining in the NBA All-Star game from Cowboys Stadium, George Karl unfortunately did exactly what I expected him to do.  As the Western All-Stars took a time out following Chris Bosh’s two free throws to give the East squad a two point lead I hoped and prayed that Coach Karl would do exactly what he should do: draw up a play for Dirk.  I mean let’s be honest; this was Dirk Nowitzki’s all-star weekend.  It was in his home city, the only NBA city that he’s ever called home.

There were 108,713 screaming fans who most of which I’m sure were Mavs fans, and then Karl did it.  I knew he would end up drawing up a play for one of his guys.  Two Nuggets players were on the floor (Chauncey “Big Shot” Billups and Carmello Anthony), and I had a sneaky suspicion that the ball would go to one of those two.  Granted neither of them are bad choices, actually they’re both great choices for a game winning shot, but why not go to an equally great Dirk.

I was trying to imagine what the scene would have been like in Dallas if Dirk sinks a three to win the game in that situation.  It would have been incredible for him and his home fans.  The fall out would have been a West victory, bringing the last 6 All-star games to a 3-3 tie for the conferences,  Dwayne Wade’s team loses so he doesn’t get the MVP, Dirks team wins and he gets the MVP in his home city.

But regardless it was a very entertaining game and a very entertaining weekend.  The NBA puts together a great all-star weekend and placing it at Cowboy Stadium was unbelievable.  The venue did not disappoint and neither did the game.  Here are the winners from all-star weekend.

All Star weekend winners:

H.O.R.S.E. presented by Geico: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Haier Shooting Stars: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks; Becky Hammon, San Antonio Silver Stars; Kenny Smith

Taco Bell Skills Competition: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Foot Locker 3-Pt Contest: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

Sprite Slam Dunk: Nate Robertson, New York Knicks

Aint’s to Saints

That’s right New Orleans fan’s you are no longer the doormat of the NFL, but then again you haven’t been for a few years, you’ve just been a team that couldn’t get to the promise land.  This whole transition really started in 2006 when you acquired possibly the most underrated quarterback of this past decade, an undersized Drew Brees.  After 5 seasons in San Diego, which Brees threw for at least 2000 yards every season, with the exception of his 2001 rookie season in which he only played one game, Brees headed to New Orleans and the transformation began.  Then came the electric Reggie Bush, and then undrafted Pierre Thomas and suddenly the Saints had a backfield.  Throw in an unknown receiver out of Hofstra and you got yourself an explosive offense.

The Saints have been a high powered offense for a few seasons now, but this year’s difference was the defense.  They weren’t the highest rated defense or the best defense around, but they could do one thing great, force you to make mistakes.  They thrive on big offensive plays and defensive touchdowns, making them one of the more exciting teams in the league to watch.  But even after being the NFC number one seed and making to the Super Bowl it still felt like they were huge underdogs to Peyton Manning’s Colts.  I myself even picked the Colts to win this one, it’s just so hard to pick against Peyton.

The talk all week was that Drew Brees needed to be flawless and that Sean Payton had to be willing to take some chances, and both worked out beautifully.  Brees was unbelievable on Super Sunday, completing 32 of 39 pass attempts for 288 yards and did not turn the ball over, and Payton called the gutsiest Super Bowl I have ever seen a coach call.  The Saints went for it late in the first half on 4^th and goal when a field goal would have cut the Colts’ lead to 10-6.  The Colts’ made the stop they needed and then turned uncharacteristically cautious.  The Saints’ D came through and forced a punt to set up a field goal to send them to the locker room down 4.  Then came the call of the game.  On the opening kickoff of the half the Saints kicked and onsides kick and recovered changing the entire game.

After an unbelievable play by Lance Moore to convert a 2pt. conversion I still thought Manning would drive the Colts down the field and tie game up.  Then it happened, Peyton Manning became human, something we have not seen in the last few seasons from him.  With 3:12 to play Terry Porter jumped Reggie Wayne’s route and picked off Manning returning it 74 yards to the house and starting the party in the Bayou.

So congratulations Saints fans and enjoy this one, you earned it.  A city that has gone through so much hardship has an extra reason to celebrate this Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras started 9 days early this year.

A Year’s Worth of News in Three Weeks Pt. 3

In the early part of the new decade the college football world has been greatly overshadowed by stories about coaches, not the nice heartwarming stories of coaches doing great things for their teams, universities and communities, but rather the stories many of us would just rather not hear.

Brian Kelly bolted from Cincinnati, a team that went undefeated and was slated to play Florida in the Nokia Sugar Bowl, for a chance to coach the Fighting Irish in South Bend.  A move that still doesn’t make sense to me, sure Notre Dame is the ideal coaching position in the country, just not this century, where the Irish have continually under achieved, but are they under achieving, or do we have to realize that this isn’t Knute Rockne’s Notre Dame program anymore and that they are no longer a national powerhouse?  We’re talking about a program that in the last two seasons has lost on senior day to Big East teams Syracuse and Connecticut.  A team that lost its last four games, which started with a lost to Navy, despite their coaches job being on the line for those last four games.  It’s not like Charlie Weis was coaching a bunch of bums either.  The Irish had one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Jimmy Clauson (by the way at what age are you too old to be called Jimmy?), one of the top receivers in Golden Tate, and an all around good offense.  Time will tell if Brian Kelly made the right decision by abandoning his team, but it appears he left a program on the rise for a program that seems to be free falling.  Oh by the way Brian, your quarterback is going to be playing on Sundays next season, should make for a smooth transition.

This short off season has also seen two coaches get fired for their mistreatment towards players.  With investigations and trials pending in the instances of Texas Tech and the University of Southern Florida it’s hard to say what really happened.  At this point it’s all he said she said, but the universities did what they had to do.  With even allegations of player mistreatment the universities have to let the coaches go.  Now if either coach is found innocent it will be interesting to see what their respective universities do in terms of reinstatement.  Either way not the way you like to start the college football off season, which should be full of news of recruitment signings and mock drafts, not coaches placing students in an electrical closet, allegedly.

I think it’s safe to say that even Hurricane and Gator fans were happy to see inter-state archrival Florida State win their bowl game this year for Bobby Bowden.  The images that came from this game were a great way for the coach currently 2^nd in all time wins as a college football coach at the 1-A level.  Coach Bowden trails only Joe Paterno by four wins, a number that is expected to grow as Coach Paterno is still roaming the sidelines in Happy Valley.  From driving the spear into the middle of the field before the game, a tradition usually done by the Seminoles mascot, until he was carried off the field by his players it was a great way for Coach Bowden to say goodbye.  After the game Coach Bowden seemed ok with leaving the university and appeared to be looking forward to some time off, besides being driven into retirement by the university so that a guy who elects to be called Jimbo in public could take over.  It was probably the right move for FSU, but it’s always tough to watch a legend walk away.

(Note: Bobby Bowden career numbers, 44 years as a division 1 head coach, 26 straight bowl games, 15 consecutive New Year’s Day bowls [1991-2005], tied for most appearances in BCS game with 6, only coach to win 11 straight bowl games [1985-1995], only coach ever with 14 consecutive bowl wins [1982-1995], 14 straight AP top 5 finishes at FSU [1987-2000], two national championships [1993 and 1999], 1999 team is the only ever to go wire to wire as AP #1 ranked team, 389 career wins) (www.CBSSportsline.com)

From that feel good story back to another betrayal story to finish out the 2010 three week review.  A year ago the University of Tennessee brought in the coach that was going to save their program.  A program that had gone from national prominence to a SEC punching bag now had a coach that would change all that. From the start it looked to be true. Layne Kiffen brought his father Monte on as a defensive mastermind, the long time defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Times were changing in Knoxville, Kiffen was out spoken, calling out Florida coach Urban Meyers, accusing him of recruiting violations (turned out not to be true) and even said that after the Vols beat the highly touted Gators they’d be singing “Rocky Top” all the way back home to Knoxville.  Whether he really believed it or was just using it as a motivational tool, it worked.  Tennessee didn’t beat Florida this year but they played them as tough as anyone (aside from Alabama) losing by ten in a defensive oriented game.

The Vols finished 7-6 in a very tough SEC and were bowl eligible, which gave them something to build upon on top of a strong recruiting class for next season, Layne Kiffen’s specialty.  Then it all changed.  Pete Carroll decided to make a return to the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Layne Kiffen was out of Tennessee so fast he left a dust trail like the Tasmanian Devil.  Time will tell how many if any of his recruits follow him but to me this guy has completely killed his credibility.  He spent the last year causing trouble in the SEC only to run out of there at the first opportunity, granted it is a good one at USC, and left behind the players and university that took him in, despite a losing record as a head coach.  This guy continues to get coaching opportunities and is yet to prove himself as a winner.  There is no question he can recruit and despite having any sense of loyalty, will continue to recruit well at USC, but as an 18 year old sitting in your living room making the biggest decision of your life could you trust him?

He does have some things on his side, like how its USC, I mean what 18 year old wouldn’t want to play football at a premiere program in Southern California.  Hopefully he stays there long enough to regain some of his credibility and time will tell how good of a coach he can be, but there has to be a sense of betrayal and shock still running through Knoxville.

This concludes my 2010 three week review.  I will be posting again this weekend with a more current topic, until then enjoy part 3.

A Year’s Worth of News in Three Weeks Pt 2

While part one of this column focused on two tremendous games to begin the new year part two has some of the surprising and non-surprising things we’ve seen in a long time.  Mark McGwire shocked no one with his confession, and for the first time in a while someone in the NBA not named Artest left us shaking our heads, all the while one of the more vocal coaches in all of college football crushed his credibility and Volunteer nation with an abrupt move out of town.

While Mark McGwire sat with Bob Costas and told America things we already knew he did over a decade ago, the one thought that ran through my mind continuously was, “will this guy ever drop the act and just be blatantly honest with us.”

I personally do not care for Alex Rodriguez at all, but I do respect him sitting down and telling people the truth about what he did.  Whether or not he told us everything will never be known by anyone but him, but at least he made me believe that he was telling the truth.  He said he used them and didn’t try and cover it up, unlike Big Mac.

Big Mac first shocked us all when he said that he periodically used steroids throughout the 90’s and during the infamous 98 season where it became more interesting to guess whether it would be McGwire or Sosa, that would bust the seams on their jerseys first, rather than who would actually hit more home runs.  Please spare me the tears if you’re not going to be completely honest.  To come out and say that you did them to stay healthy and that they did not impact his performance is a sad attempt at trying to make the situation ok.  Well I hate to be the one to break it to Big Mac but if you are taking steroids to avoid the disable list your numbers are going to improve because you are playing that many more games a season.

Steroids have become so main stream with fans during the last decade that nothing surprises us anymore, it’s just another player that we worshipped doing what every other player of the time was doing.  This is why I don’t understand why players can’t just be honest and say that they did it, admit that they needed to keep pace in a league that became so over run by steroids that the commissioner looked the other way to increase revenue.   Whether or not this will affect Big Mac’s Hall of Fame chances is yet to be decided but guys who do come forward and admit are viewed in a better light than those who try and hide from it.  Did Big Mac wait too long to come clean, time will tell, but maybe he should be in, could you tell the history of baseball without mentioning him? I don’t think I could.

In the basketball world Gilbert Arenas somehow managed to top Ron Artest drinking Hennessey at halftime when we admitted to keeping an unloaded fire arm in his locker.  The facts started to unfold after it was leaked that Gilbert Arenas and teammate Jarvaris Crittenton pulled guns on reach other following an argument about a gambling debt.  This story seemed to be a little ridiculous to be true from the beginning but as an investigation began and Arenas admitted to keeping a gun in the locker room it became appearent how small this was for Arenas, how little he seemed to care about his career.   Arenas still had one for surprise for us up his sleeve.  During a federal investigation and Arenas’ fate hanging in the balance, the Wizards guard found this to be an appropriate time to have his teammates circle around him pregame and for him to pretend to be shooting guns, with his hands being the guns.   Despite how outrageous all of this has been and who knows if, and when we will get to see Gilbert Arenas play basketball again, but for me the real shocker has been that we are yet to hear Artest comment on the situation.  I mean this is a guy who out of the blue this season told us how he used to drink Hennessey at half time, and I was truly looking forward to an unforgettable sound bite down playing what Arenas did.  Who knows if we’ll get it, but in the mean time lets be glad Gilbert Arenas wasn’t involved in the brawl at The Palace in Auburn Hills, because that could have gotten bad for the league.

I originally wasn’t planning on a three part column as my first one, but due to the events that have happened that’s what we’re looking at.  I will be posting the part about Layne Kiffen within a few days. Until then enjoy part two.

A Year Worth of News in Three Weeks pt. 1

We’re only three weeks into 2010 and already we’ve had a year’s worth of news in the world of sports.  From the Winter Classic to the McCoy-less Rose Bowl, gun charges to steroid confessions and a coach singing Rocky Top all the way back home to southern California, 2010 looks to be one of the biggest sports year I can remember in my 22 years on this earth.

The year started out with a phenomenal overtime game in the NHL played at historic Fenway Park where the hometown Bruins came away with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, in a game that faced the possibility of postponement due to a Nor’easter sweeping up the east coast.  The snow came early and the ice was clear in time for this game to go into extra time for the second time in three years.

Less than a week later every Longhorns fan felt their heart drop in the early moments of the 2010 BCS National Championship game as Colt McCoy (NCAA record holder with 45 career wins) jogged slowly to the sideline holding his right shoulder.  In stepped true freshman Garrett Gilbert who for the first half seemed more eager to see McCoy return than any Longhorn fan did.  With a 6-0 lead after one quarter the Texas offense was nowhere to be seen and their defense was doing all they could but still gave up two touchdowns and a field goal, before Mack Brown decided that he would try and make something happen with under 10 seconds in the half, with a true freshman quarterback who looked completely lost against the Tide defense.  (Still not sure why he didn’t kneel on it and go into the locker room down 17-6, still a two score game.) Sure enough on the ensuing screen play the Tide intercepted the pass and took it to the house with 3 seconds left in the half, giving them a 24-6 lead that seemed like it would be too much for the Longhorns to overcome.

I don’t know what happened to Garrett Gilbert at half time but it was the equivalent of Clark Kent stepping into a phone booth.  After half the freshman seemed poised and in a rhythm finishing (15-40, 186 yds. 2 td’s and 4 int’s) continuing going back to Jordan Shipley (10 rec. 122y yds. and 2 td’s).  The Longhorns’ made it a 21-24 game with just over 6 minutes remaining before a Mark Ingram TD, a Gilbert desperation interception and then a final Alabama touchdown.

Walking away from this game I’m sure the Longhorns were very disappointed but if they want to take anything from the game, they didn’t quit and they have to feel good about the future QB in Austin.

As this is my first post on the blog I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will be posting pt. 2 of the first three weeks wrap up in the next couple days.  Until then enjoy part 1.