Saturday, May 10, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
Vote to Unionize, or Not
Today there was a vote to unionize the college athlete. Know matter the vote end result, these young men have started a process of not only changing the game. But, name changing the job description of student athlete.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Extension of a Podcast
Rant about a College Recruiting Blacklist
Didn't sleep well last night. Couldn't sleep at all really, simply wasn't enough. It bothered me to no end that someone would attempt to put a blacklist together, lest lone post it with defiance. I've been at this since '85. I've watched all this recruiting crap evolve. I was told along time ago, "DON'T WRITE CHECKS YOU CAN'T CASH!" It took a while to grasp that concept but I did. Better for it.
No one, I repeat NO ONE in the state of Texas has total autonomy power to put any kind of recruiting blacklist together. Those days are long gone. Because the rules of engagement have changed. No longer are you using land line phones calling long distance. No longer are you allowed to stash recruits at an undisclosed location. No longer can you post neighborhood security to keep other schools away. Try as you may, it will not happen. And you definitely don't clamp on the flow of information and traffic. Either to the coach, the parent, or the recruit.
A few parameters have changed the landscape. With the addition of the internet. Information is too widely accessible from everywhere. Fax machines are used today because during it's hay day. It was the fastest way to get print information from point A to point B. With a secure line. The internet changed that.
Getting back on track. That someone with the where withal, would attempt to think that a threat of a blacklist would enough scare a somewhat non knowledgeable fan. And that is all the person did. Coaches operate on a very different level these days. Electronics, wireless connection has changed it all. We know the office travels 24/7. Some are better at it than others. The office in pocket is what it is referred to. So with that said, folks sometime it's not good to fear claims of recruit restriction.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Tournament Time
Guards, Free-throws, & A Dominant Big-man
March came, with last ditch hopes of getting to the conference tournament. Get hot, then on to an extended season. While others head to the exit, board a plane, or get on a bus and head home. We all understand that the regular season didn’t matter to some teams. Because, it was all about the conference tournament. Where other conferences, who didn’t have a conference tournament, it was all, or nothing. Winning records be damn. Losing records be damn. There’s the first 32 (regular season, tournament), conference winners. Then the next 36(M), 32(W) at-large get their shot to dream, hope for that shining moment. And the rest get what the alphabets allow them to. Somebody has to fill those slots. It’s just that away.
While others took to the road to either watch, or play. The Houston area hosted two college basketball tournaments. Katy’s Merrill Center hosted the Southland, while the Toyota Center hosted the SWAC. Top 8 team’s in one (Southland) and all 10(SWAC) in the other. It was a different environment at both tournaments. While both conferences have a regional distinction. They both bring it when they need to. Talent was what it was, sparingly. They had one or the other. A decent guard or a big-man that did what was needed to get his or her team to the next game and extend the season. Of all the teams that I watched. Guard play was competent. It made me understand why those teams were crowned regular season champions. But, in tournament action, it’s winning or go home. Cut the turnovers to a minimum. Then knock down free-throws at a timely point in the game to win it. That didn’t happen often enough, even though it should have. Basketball IQ hasn’t kept up with the athletes of today’s game. Not enough good guard development going on for these guys to carry to the next level. I’m talking about High school to college. They have enough to get them into school but is it enough to keep them from getting recruited over. It’s just an observation.
Bench play keep’s the dream alive. Depth played a huge roll in Stephan F. Austin winning the Southland. Then depth showed itself again in the NCAA first round. Winning in overtime against VCU 77-75. Just wasn’t enough to take them beyond. Losing the next game to UCLA 77-60. This was a squad that depended on team O/D. Up or down by double digits. Which happened, during the regular season, the conference tournament, and the NCAA’s? As was noticed, by all in the game against VCU. They don’t get rattled.
Where as TSU had the best big man in the region. Aaric Murray proved it when the lights went on. Won Defensive player of the Year in the SWAC. 2014 MVP of the SWAC tournament. And continued that work in the Tigers first round game against Cal-Poly. He just needed more help from others, when he wasn’t on the floor. And in the end it caught up with them in the NCAA’s. What worked for them in the SWAC, didn’t translate over to the NCAA’s. The SWAC Conference coaches have start venturing over to the thought pattern of not just getting to post season tournaments. But, winning games once they get there. A few are starting to push that button. And are tied of just playing in post season tournaments. It’s time to start winning games.
The Northwestern St Lady Demons with Sr, F, Trudy Armstead (12pts/13reb/2blk/3stl) just out worked Stephan F. Austin Lady Jacks in the championship game. Forcing SFA’s Jr, C, Porsha Roberts somewhat beyond her limits. And she mentioned of it, “…I was looking to score and they made it a little more difficult than other teams had made it.” Even though she finished with 14pts/13reb/3ast/2stl. Two years ago this Northwestern St team won only 6 games. A balance of recruiting, coaching, and players buying in to what was needed to move forward. 2014 SLC Champions, a 16 seed, playing #1 seed Louisville Regional Tennessee. That’s all you can ask. Their season ended Saturday 70-46 to Tennessee. Scoring droughts and being able to answer the other teams runs, get’s teams to the next game.
To say I’m disappointed is to put it mildly. I took this personally. That the Lady Tigers haven’t overcome their conference tournament issues with Prairie View. At some point the players have got to overcome. All coach can do, is coach. Players got to play. With that said, all and all, it was a good tournament and some good games. But, this is March and PVAMU WBB understands what the month means to them. WINNING! They pulled off a 63-58 stunner and another SWAC WBB Championship. Four to be exact. As TSU Lady Tigers Coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry, “…they’re winners. They know how to win.” Talking to Coach Brown early in the season she mentioned,”…that the team was needing to find their identity.” And apparently they did. 0-12 going into conference play. 6-4 January, 8-4 February, 2-3 going into conference tournament. Because of the format, 3 games in three days. And PVAMU Lady Panthers headed off to another NCAA Tournament. A 16 seed playing in Storrs, CT against the vaunted #1 over-all seed UCONN Huskies. And alas, put a kibosh on PV’s season. 87-44.
By this time next month, UCONN-ND will have decided the 2014 NCAA Women’s Div 1 Champion. Will Notre Dame stop UCONN from getting #9? In Nashville, TENN, Volunteer country.
It’s good to have good college baseball teams to watch this year in Houston. Pitching has come to the college game around the area. Come out and watch.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
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