Friday, March 27, 2009
LeBron is ridiculous
LeBron James is being profiled on “60 Minutes” this week, and in the middle of the interview he casually drains a shot from well past half court.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
USA Basketball announces 2009-2012 committees
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (March 25, 2009) -- USA Basketball today announced that its Board of Directors has approved USA Basketball committees for the 2009-2012 quadrennium.
The committees, which feature representation from USA Basketball member organizations as well as elected athlete representatives, include the Men's and Women's Junior National Team Committees, Men's and Women's Developmental National Team Committees, Women's National Team Ad Hoc Committee, Finance & Audit Committee and Officials Advisory Panel.
Men's and Women's Junior National Team Committees
The 2009-2012 Men's Junior National Committee, which was formerly known as the Men's Collegiate Committee, is chaired by NCAA representative Jim Boeheim (head coach, Syracuse University) and includes NCAA appointees Lorenzo Romar (head coach, University of Washington), Bruce Weber (head coach, University of Illinois) and Roy Williams (head coach, University of North Carolina); and Athlete Representative Jay Williams, a member of the 2002 USA World Championship Team.
The 2009-2012 Women's Junior National Team Committee, also formerly known as the Women's Collegiate Committee, is chaired by NCAA representative Sue Donohoe (Vice President for Division I Women's Basketball), and includes NCAA appointees Joanne Boyle (head coach, University of California), Coquese Washington (head coach, Penn State University) and Connie Yori (head coach, University of Nebraska); and Athlete Representative Beth Cunningham (head coach, Virginia Commonwealth University), a member of the 1999 USA Pan American Games Team.
The Men's and Women's Junior National Team committees will select coaches and athletes for USA Basketball college-aged competitions, which include the 2009 and 2011 FIBA U19 World Championships; the 2010 and 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championships; the 2009 and 2011 World University Games; and the 2011 Pan American Games. The four NCAA members on both committees represent different geographic regions of the country.
Men's and Women's Developmental Committees
The USA Basketball Men's Development National Team Committee is chaired by Sean Ford (Men's National Team Director, USA Basketball) in a non-voting position and includes National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) appointees Eric Flannery (St. Edward's High School, Ohio) and John Olive (Torrey Pines High School, Calif.); Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) representatives Ron Crawford (Arkansas Wings, Ark.) and Boo Williams (Boo Williams Summer League, Va.); and Athlete Representative Kermit Holmes (assistant coach, Lamar University), a member of the 1999 USA Pan American Games Team.
The USA Basketball Women's Development National Team Committee is chaired by Carol Callan (Women's National Team Director, USA Basketball) in a non-voting position and includes NFHS members Jill Meerman (Decatur Central High School, Ind.) and Sue Phillips (Archbishop Mitty High School, Calif.); AAU appointees Jody Patrick (Vogues AAU, Va.) and Brian Robinson (Stealers AAU, N.C.); and Athlete Representative Jamie Carey (head coach, Legacy High School, Colo.), a member of the 2003 USA Pan American Games Team.
The Men's and Women's Developmental National Team committees will select coaches and athletes for USA Basketball teams competing in the 2009 and 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championships; and the 2010 and 2012 FIBA U17 World Championships. The Men's Developmental National Team Committee also will select staff and players for the Nike Hoop Summit.
Women's National Team Ad Hoc Committee
The 2009-2012 Women's National Team Ad Hoc Committee includes: Val Ackerman (Past President, USA Basketball); Renee Brown (WNBA Vice President of Player Personnel); Carol Callan (Women's National Team Director, USA Basketball); Jim Tooley (Executive Director, USA Basketball); and Athlete Representative Teresa Edwards, a five-time Olympic athlete and four-time gold medalist.
The role of the Women's National Team Ad Hoc Committee is to review basketball matters related to the participation of the Women's National Team in the FIBA 2010 World Championship and the 2012 Olympics. The USA Basketball Women's National Team automatically qualified for the 2010 World Championship with its gold medal finish in the 2008 Olympics. The USA women will have three opportunities to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, including a World Championship gold medal finish. Should the USA not finish with the gold medal in 2010, it would have two additional chances to qualify for the Olympics: the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Finance & Audit Committee
The 2009-2012 USA Basketball Finance & Audit Committee includes: Jerry Colangelo (Chairman, USA Basketball); Gene Smith (Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics at Ohio State University); Bob Kanaby (Executive Director of the NFHS); and Athlete Representative Steve Smith, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist.
The Finance & Audit Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding the organization's financial investments, reviewing independent auditors for USA Basketball and, if necessary, oversight, implementation and compliance with the USA Basketball Code of Ethics.
Officials Advisory Panel
The 2009-2012 USA Basketball Officials & Advisory Panel includes: John Adams (NCAA Coordinator of Men's Officiating); Sally Bell (1996 Olympic referee); Joe Borgia (NBA Director of Officiating & Development); Dee Kantner (WNBA Supervisor of Officials); Terry Moore (2006 World Championship referee); and Mary Struckhoff (NCAA Coordinator of Women's Officiating).
The primary purpose of the Officials Advisory Panel is to recommend to the Board referees that are FIBA certified from the USA to officiate at various international basketball competitions.
Bulls, Jazz to play in London
LONDON – March 25, 2009 – The NBA returns to London for the third consecutive year as Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls take on the Utah Jazz at The O2 on Oct. 6 as part of NBA Europe Live 2009 presented by EA SPORTS™ the National Basketball Association, Euroleague Basketball and EA SPORTS announced today. A second game of the NBA’s European tour will be announced at a later date.
Deng, British-born Ben Gordon and the Bulls will face the Jazz in London, who feature U.S. Senior National Team teammates and 2008 Olympic Gold medalists Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Tickets for the game at The O2 are on sale now at www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.
“For the last three years through NBA Europe Live, I have been able to witness first-hand, the passion and excitement of basketball fans in Europe.” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “This year will be no different when two franchises rich in tradition and success, the Bulls and the Jazz, play at The O2. The continued efforts of Euroleague Basketball and EA SPORTS, together with the ongoing support of England Basketball, British Basketball and the British Basketball League, are a testament to the commitment to grow basketball in the U.K.”
Since the 1993 preseason games at Wembley Arena -- the first NBA games in Europe -- London has hosted four NBA games and seven teams. The Bulls, who are six-time NBA Champions, last played in Europe at the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris.
“It has always been my dream to play for the Bulls in London.” said Luol Deng. “They were the team I supported as a kid growing up and I am looking forward to playing in front of my hometown family and friends. We will put on a great show for the fans, whilst having the opportunity to show my teammates the culture that London has to offer.”
Basketball in the U.K. has enjoyed a recent resurgence with club membership doubling over the last four years ahead of the 2012 Olympics. British Basketball, behind Deng and Pops Mensah Bonsu (Toronto Raptors), qualified for EuroBasket 2009 and will host a four-team tournament at The O2 from August 14-16. In addition, thousands of young people in London will have access to basketball coaching instruction and organized competition with the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, in partnership with Greenhouse Schools. The NBA will also support the London Youth Games, which tips-off in May.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the NBA back again to The O2 for a third successive year. With home grown stars like Luol Deng playing I know that the game will be another must see sporting event at the venue,” said The O2’s Managing Director Mark Donnelly. “The event has previously drawn visitors from across the UK and Europe – and I am sure they will be flocking back again this year.”
EA SPORTS will once again serve as the presenting partner of NBA Europe Live, which it has since the inaugural tour in 2006. adidas, American Airlines, Champion and The Coca-Cola Company will also return as marketing partners, while Spalding, the official basketball of the NBA, will serve as the tour's official supplier. Carey and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will serve as marketing partners in London and will join all partners in conducting NBA-themed promotional activities to reach basketball fans around the game at The O2.
“We’re excited to continue our support of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS, a great platform for basketball fans across Europe to experience the world’s best basketball on a grand stage,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “This continues to be the perfect opportunity for EA SPORTS to help expand the NBA’s global footprint, to grow our NBA LIVE videogame franchise, and to further globalize our business.”
NBA Europe Live 2009 will again serve to raise the profile of basketball in the U.K with new events and marketing partner support across a number of activities. As part of the 2008 Europe Live Tour, the NBA’s Central Court in London provided a stage for free basketball opportunities featuring participants from the UK’s Jr. NBA program, London Youth Games and the GB Wheelchair Basketball Team. NBA Jam Van joined Europe Live making an impact in each host city, while presenting partner EA SPORTS hosted a skills challenge for fans in London and Paris. In addition to the basketball action, the NBA conducted a variety of community events and programs as part of its NBA Cares initiative, including a court refurbishment at Larkhall Park, working in partnership with Lambeth Council and the Lambeth Sports Action Zone.
The inaugural NBA Europe Live in 2006 featured the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs playing preseason games in Barcelona, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Lyon and Cologne. NBA Europe Live returned in 2007 with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors visiting Rome, Madrid, London and Istanbul. In 2008, the Miami Heat faced the New Jersey Nets in London and Paris, while the New Orleans Hornets played the Washington Wizards in Barcelona and Berlin.
Deng, British-born Ben Gordon and the Bulls will face the Jazz in London, who feature U.S. Senior National Team teammates and 2008 Olympic Gold medalists Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Tickets for the game at The O2 are on sale now at www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.
“For the last three years through NBA Europe Live, I have been able to witness first-hand, the passion and excitement of basketball fans in Europe.” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “This year will be no different when two franchises rich in tradition and success, the Bulls and the Jazz, play at The O2. The continued efforts of Euroleague Basketball and EA SPORTS, together with the ongoing support of England Basketball, British Basketball and the British Basketball League, are a testament to the commitment to grow basketball in the U.K.”
Since the 1993 preseason games at Wembley Arena -- the first NBA games in Europe -- London has hosted four NBA games and seven teams. The Bulls, who are six-time NBA Champions, last played in Europe at the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris.
“It has always been my dream to play for the Bulls in London.” said Luol Deng. “They were the team I supported as a kid growing up and I am looking forward to playing in front of my hometown family and friends. We will put on a great show for the fans, whilst having the opportunity to show my teammates the culture that London has to offer.”
Basketball in the U.K. has enjoyed a recent resurgence with club membership doubling over the last four years ahead of the 2012 Olympics. British Basketball, behind Deng and Pops Mensah Bonsu (Toronto Raptors), qualified for EuroBasket 2009 and will host a four-team tournament at The O2 from August 14-16. In addition, thousands of young people in London will have access to basketball coaching instruction and organized competition with the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, in partnership with Greenhouse Schools. The NBA will also support the London Youth Games, which tips-off in May.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the NBA back again to The O2 for a third successive year. With home grown stars like Luol Deng playing I know that the game will be another must see sporting event at the venue,” said The O2’s Managing Director Mark Donnelly. “The event has previously drawn visitors from across the UK and Europe – and I am sure they will be flocking back again this year.”
EA SPORTS will once again serve as the presenting partner of NBA Europe Live, which it has since the inaugural tour in 2006. adidas, American Airlines, Champion and The Coca-Cola Company will also return as marketing partners, while Spalding, the official basketball of the NBA, will serve as the tour's official supplier. Carey and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will serve as marketing partners in London and will join all partners in conducting NBA-themed promotional activities to reach basketball fans around the game at The O2.
“We’re excited to continue our support of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS, a great platform for basketball fans across Europe to experience the world’s best basketball on a grand stage,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “This continues to be the perfect opportunity for EA SPORTS to help expand the NBA’s global footprint, to grow our NBA LIVE videogame franchise, and to further globalize our business.”
NBA Europe Live 2009 will again serve to raise the profile of basketball in the U.K with new events and marketing partner support across a number of activities. As part of the 2008 Europe Live Tour, the NBA’s Central Court in London provided a stage for free basketball opportunities featuring participants from the UK’s Jr. NBA program, London Youth Games and the GB Wheelchair Basketball Team. NBA Jam Van joined Europe Live making an impact in each host city, while presenting partner EA SPORTS hosted a skills challenge for fans in London and Paris. In addition to the basketball action, the NBA conducted a variety of community events and programs as part of its NBA Cares initiative, including a court refurbishment at Larkhall Park, working in partnership with Lambeth Council and the Lambeth Sports Action Zone.
The inaugural NBA Europe Live in 2006 featured the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs playing preseason games in Barcelona, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Lyon and Cologne. NBA Europe Live returned in 2007 with the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors visiting Rome, Madrid, London and Istanbul. In 2008, the Miami Heat faced the New Jersey Nets in London and Paris, while the New Orleans Hornets played the Washington Wizards in Barcelona and Berlin.
Bucks' Bango has surgery
Bucks mascot Bango had successful surgery Monday morning to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, the team announced today.
The surgical procedure was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Gordon, M.D., at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Ozaukee, Wisconsin.
Bango will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to make a complete recovery in time for the start of the 2009-10 season. The popular mascot will continue to set the entertainment pace at Milwaukee’s final five home games of the season next month, and is expected back for the next home game on Wednesday, April 1 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.
The ageless Bango has brought smiles and thrills to Bucks fans at home games, appearances, parades, school assemblies, hospital visits, festivals, and everywhere Bucks fans celebrate since 1977. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada and in China.
Raptors sign Douby
Douby, a 6-3, joined the BayHakws on March 11 and has played in five games, averaging 18.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.6 minutes. He scored in double-figures in all five games, including a season-high 23 points in a 107-98 loss at
Selected in the first round, 19th overall, by the Sacramento Kings in the 2006 NBA Draft, Douby averaged 4.1 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.7 minutes over 116 career games with the Kings before being released by Sacramento on January 21, 2009.
In 95 career games at Rutgers University, Douby averaged 17.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists, finishing his career ranked sixth in school history in scoring (1,690) while holding the school’s career record for points scored in a single season (839, 2005-06). During his junior year, Douby led the Big East in scoring, and finished sixth nationally, with 25.4 points per game and earned first-team All-Big East honors.
Skiles, CV31 and Twitter-gate
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - I'm usually safely behind the curve in the technological revolution.
I text, and am fairly well versed in the world of computers, but I still struggle with my DVR and can't figure out how to sync up Rhapsody to my cell phone.
If it were up to me, I would still be tucking a newspaper under my arm when the mood struck, and buying CDs at Sam Goody.
I could care less about My Space and Facebook and I have never been, nor do I have any desire to be, "tweeted."
In fact, when I think "tweet," I picture a young Michael Jackson singing "Rockin Robin," or Sylvester the Cat chasing around Tweety Bird.
So, for the rest of the technically-challenged, Twitter is the latest in thing in the social networking world, a micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as "tweets."
According to the good folks at Twitter.com, "Tweets" are text-based posts of up to 140 bytes in length. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.
Evidently plenty of people love getting updates on the grocery-shopping skills of their favorite celebrities, politicians and sports stars.
Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva is one of a handful of NBA players that has embraced the Twitter phenomenon and has cultivated more than 1,600 "followers" subscribing to his feed.
On Sunday, Villanueva took things a little too far.
Instead of updating his fans on his latest cereal purchase or the BLT he had for lunch, the rising star posted a message to his Twitter feed from his mobile phone during halftime of the team's win over the Boston Celtics.
Using the screen name "CV31," Villanueva wrote: "In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up."
Certainly nothing earth-shattering but the no-nonsense coach who wanted that toughness, Scott Skiles, wasn't amused when he found out.
"We made a point to Charlie and the team that it's nothing we ever want to happen again," Skiles said after practice Tuesday. "We don't want to blow it out of proportion. But anything that gives the impression that we're not serious and focused at all times is not the correct way to go about our business."
Probably a legitimate point by Skiles but Villanueva did finish the contest with a team-high 19 points as the Bucks, who are fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, topped the C's 86-77.
Skiles gave Villanueva the benefit of the doubt but made sure the former UConn star understood other people could view things very differently.
"I think a reasonable person could look at that either way," Skiles said. "I know from the comments I've gotten from some people in the game that there could be people who think it's a sign (showing lack of focus). We just want to distance ourselves, that's all."
For his part, Villanueva didn't think his "tweet" would cause such a stir but did understand that some people could jump to the conclusion that he wasn't all that focused on the task at hand.
"That wasn't the case at all, because I was very into the game," Villanueva told The Associated Press. "But you can interpret it two different ways. You can look at it like, 'OK, he's definitely going to step up' versus, 'Oh, he's really not into the game, he's not paying attention.'"
Skiles elected not to fine Villanueva for his indiscretion but called it a "no-brainer" that players shouldn't be doing such things from the locker room.
"My personal opinion is, it doesn't have any place in the locker room," Skiles said.
I text, and am fairly well versed in the world of computers, but I still struggle with my DVR and can't figure out how to sync up Rhapsody to my cell phone.
If it were up to me, I would still be tucking a newspaper under my arm when the mood struck, and buying CDs at Sam Goody.
I could care less about My Space and Facebook and I have never been, nor do I have any desire to be, "tweeted."
In fact, when I think "tweet," I picture a young Michael Jackson singing "Rockin Robin," or Sylvester the Cat chasing around Tweety Bird.
So, for the rest of the technically-challenged, Twitter is the latest in thing in the social networking world, a micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as "tweets."
According to the good folks at Twitter.com, "Tweets" are text-based posts of up to 140 bytes in length. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.
 |
Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva is one of a handful of NBA players that has embraced the Twitter phenomenon and has cultivated more than 1,600 "followers" subscribing to his feed.
On Sunday, Villanueva took things a little too far.
Instead of updating his fans on his latest cereal purchase or the BLT he had for lunch, the rising star posted a message to his Twitter feed from his mobile phone during halftime of the team's win over the Boston Celtics.
Using the screen name "CV31," Villanueva wrote: "In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up."
Certainly nothing earth-shattering but the no-nonsense coach who wanted that toughness, Scott Skiles, wasn't amused when he found out.
"We made a point to Charlie and the team that it's nothing we ever want to happen again," Skiles said after practice Tuesday. "We don't want to blow it out of proportion. But anything that gives the impression that we're not serious and focused at all times is not the correct way to go about our business."
Probably a legitimate point by Skiles but Villanueva did finish the contest with a team-high 19 points as the Bucks, who are fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, topped the C's 86-77.
Skiles gave Villanueva the benefit of the doubt but made sure the former UConn star understood other people could view things very differently.
"I think a reasonable person could look at that either way," Skiles said. "I know from the comments I've gotten from some people in the game that there could be people who think it's a sign (showing lack of focus). We just want to distance ourselves, that's all."
For his part, Villanueva didn't think his "tweet" would cause such a stir but did understand that some people could jump to the conclusion that he wasn't all that focused on the task at hand.
"That wasn't the case at all, because I was very into the game," Villanueva told The Associated Press. "But you can interpret it two different ways. You can look at it like, 'OK, he's definitely going to step up' versus, 'Oh, he's really not into the game, he's not paying attention.'"
Skiles elected not to fine Villanueva for his indiscretion but called it a "no-brainer" that players shouldn't be doing such things from the locker room.
"My personal opinion is, it doesn't have any place in the locker room," Skiles said.
I'll take LeBron over Cinderella anytime
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - I'm an unapologetic NBA guy, but at the end of the day, I love basketball.
In fact, I'm a little like Larry Brown or Blue Chips' Pete Bell when it comes to hoops. If Brown wasn't a Hall of Fame coach turning around yet another franchise in Charlotte, he might be piloting his local high school team...or so he says.
Meanwhile, caught up in a scandal at the fictional Western University, Bell (played by Nick Nolte) confesses to his part in the shenanigans, and walks away from his high-profile gig in order to coach high school ball.
I feel a kinship.
If I wasn't lucky enough to cover the NBA, I would probably string a few high school games for my local newspaper. Basketball is that much fun for me.
And that's why I found myself at the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Wachovia Center on Thursday.
If you ask the average basketball fan, nothing is more fun than "March Madness." In fact, the NCAA Tournament is one of those sacred cows that's bulletproof. I've found that knocking the "Big Dance" is like kicking someone's dog, at least to the simple-minded who buy the annual hype of the thing.
And as a lifelong basketball fan, I found it amusing when I was recently attacked for telling the truth about college basketball.
You know, the common sense stuff. Things like the fact that the regular season has been rendered meaningless by greed and the mindless conference tournaments. Or the fact that maybe every kid and every coach in the country may not be all that Dick Vitale cracks them up to me.
Of course, it's not that I don't like the tourney -- I love it once it actually gets underway.
You see, I am enamored with good basketball so the real NCAA Tournament doesn't begin for me until Saturday. All the dregs will have been thrown out on their collective ears by that point, and most of the remaining teams actually have something to offer.
It's at this point where I can already feel the blood begin to boil and anticipate your next question -- What about Cinderella?
Well you have been hoodwinked people -- Cinderella is a fairy tale. A story of folkloric characters where the context is perceived by certain rubes as having historical significance. However, the superficial references to actual places and persons isn't steeped in reality.
Since the NCAA Tournament was expanded to 64 teams, the 16 seed is now a sterling 0-98 entering Friday's play, although some may take solace in the fact that Chattanooga kept it within eight touchdowns of UConn on Thursday.
Yep, that's great basketball -- I've seen executions that had more suspense than that. And, in case you are wondering, two seeds have dropped all of four games in the past 25 years of the tourney.
Take a look at the lowest seeds to advance "deep" into the tourney and you see the stark reality of "Cinderella" -- Two 14 seeds (Cleveland State in 1986 and Chattanooga in 1997) have made the Sweet 16. One 12 seed (Missouri in 2002) made the Elite Eight and two 11 seeds (LSU in 1986 and George Mason in 2006) made the Final Four.
Of that group, only Cleveland State, Chattanooga and George Mason would qualify as a so-called mid-major Cinderella.
But, even that misses the point -- last time I looked Cinderella wasn't a runner-up.
To me, many who tell you college hoops offers a better brand of basketball than the NBA are biased against the league and its racial makeup.
That said, the sudden death format of the NCAA Tournament certainly brings with it the opportunity for far more excitement. After all, one-and-done is always more compelling than best-of-seven.
Unfortunately, the NCAA's obsession with creating Cinderella results in far more mismatches than we deserve. There were four games at the Wachovia Center on Thursday, and I was subjected to two stinkers.
The most interesting affair of the day should have been the eight/nine game that kicked things off.
Texas A&M faced off with BYU in a first round West Regional bracket game. As expected, ninth-seeded A&M, led by senior forward Josh Carter and junior guard David Sloan, was the more athletic team.
After Jackson Emery opened the game with a three for BYU, the Aggies scored the next 11 points to establish control, and never looked back.
Things only got worse in the next game as the top-seed in the West Bracket, UConn, hit the floor against an overmatched Chattanooga club. The Huskies dominated the 16th-seeded Mocs despite the absence of coach Jim Calhoun.
Keyron Sheard opened the game for the Mocs by picking the pocket of A.J. Price and igniting the quickly-growing crowd with a fastbreak lay-up. Moments later, Nicchaeus Doaks deposited his own layup and Chattanooga, led 8-6. That was the last lead the Mocs would enjoy.
Chattanooga was down by as many as 30 points in the opening half and trailed by a ridiculous 48-20 margin at intermission. The second half was just glorified garbage time as the Huskies opened the stanza with a 15-0 run en route to tattooing the Mocs, earning a 103-47 win, one of the largest scoring differentials in NCAA Tournament history.
Am I missing something?
Is that fun?
Give me LeBron James until the real tournament games start.
In fact, I'm a little like Larry Brown or Blue Chips' Pete Bell when it comes to hoops. If Brown wasn't a Hall of Fame coach turning around yet another franchise in Charlotte, he might be piloting his local high school team...or so he says.
Meanwhile, caught up in a scandal at the fictional Western University, Bell (played by Nick Nolte) confesses to his part in the shenanigans, and walks away from his high-profile gig in order to coach high school ball.
I feel a kinship.
If I wasn't lucky enough to cover the NBA, I would probably string a few high school games for my local newspaper. Basketball is that much fun for me.
And that's why I found myself at the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Wachovia Center on Thursday.
If you ask the average basketball fan, nothing is more fun than "March Madness." In fact, the NCAA Tournament is one of those sacred cows that's bulletproof. I've found that knocking the "Big Dance" is like kicking someone's dog, at least to the simple-minded who buy the annual hype of the thing.
And as a lifelong basketball fan, I found it amusing when I was recently attacked for telling the truth about college basketball.
You know, the common sense stuff. Things like the fact that the regular season has been rendered meaningless by greed and the mindless conference tournaments. Or the fact that maybe every kid and every coach in the country may not be all that Dick Vitale cracks them up to me.
 |
You see, I am enamored with good basketball so the real NCAA Tournament doesn't begin for me until Saturday. All the dregs will have been thrown out on their collective ears by that point, and most of the remaining teams actually have something to offer.
It's at this point where I can already feel the blood begin to boil and anticipate your next question -- What about Cinderella?
Well you have been hoodwinked people -- Cinderella is a fairy tale. A story of folkloric characters where the context is perceived by certain rubes as having historical significance. However, the superficial references to actual places and persons isn't steeped in reality.
Since the NCAA Tournament was expanded to 64 teams, the 16 seed is now a sterling 0-98 entering Friday's play, although some may take solace in the fact that Chattanooga kept it within eight touchdowns of UConn on Thursday.
Yep, that's great basketball -- I've seen executions that had more suspense than that. And, in case you are wondering, two seeds have dropped all of four games in the past 25 years of the tourney.
Take a look at the lowest seeds to advance "deep" into the tourney and you see the stark reality of "Cinderella" -- Two 14 seeds (Cleveland State in 1986 and Chattanooga in 1997) have made the Sweet 16. One 12 seed (Missouri in 2002) made the Elite Eight and two 11 seeds (LSU in 1986 and George Mason in 2006) made the Final Four.
Of that group, only Cleveland State, Chattanooga and George Mason would qualify as a so-called mid-major Cinderella.
But, even that misses the point -- last time I looked Cinderella wasn't a runner-up.
To me, many who tell you college hoops offers a better brand of basketball than the NBA are biased against the league and its racial makeup.
That said, the sudden death format of the NCAA Tournament certainly brings with it the opportunity for far more excitement. After all, one-and-done is always more compelling than best-of-seven.
Unfortunately, the NCAA's obsession with creating Cinderella results in far more mismatches than we deserve. There were four games at the Wachovia Center on Thursday, and I was subjected to two stinkers.
The most interesting affair of the day should have been the eight/nine game that kicked things off.
Texas A&M faced off with BYU in a first round West Regional bracket game. As expected, ninth-seeded A&M, led by senior forward Josh Carter and junior guard David Sloan, was the more athletic team.
After Jackson Emery opened the game with a three for BYU, the Aggies scored the next 11 points to establish control, and never looked back.
Things only got worse in the next game as the top-seed in the West Bracket, UConn, hit the floor against an overmatched Chattanooga club. The Huskies dominated the 16th-seeded Mocs despite the absence of coach Jim Calhoun.
Keyron Sheard opened the game for the Mocs by picking the pocket of A.J. Price and igniting the quickly-growing crowd with a fastbreak lay-up. Moments later, Nicchaeus Doaks deposited his own layup and Chattanooga, led 8-6. That was the last lead the Mocs would enjoy.
Chattanooga was down by as many as 30 points in the opening half and trailed by a ridiculous 48-20 margin at intermission. The second half was just glorified garbage time as the Huskies opened the stanza with a 15-0 run en route to tattooing the Mocs, earning a 103-47 win, one of the largest scoring differentials in NCAA Tournament history.
Am I missing something?
Is that fun?
Give me LeBron James until the real tournament games start.
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