I couldn't think of a better subject for my first blog entry than a random collection of thoughts I've had recently. There is no rhyme or reason to any of this, but it doesn't really matter since I'm sure no one is gonna read this thing anyway!
1. Since it is getting down to crunch time in college basketball...why the hell can't any Big Ten team win on the road? All we hear about is how good the teams in this conference are, and I definitely agree, but are you telling me that the home court advantage in this part of the country is THAT much better than in other conferences?
2. Speaking of the Big Ten...I've just about had it with MSU. In the interest of full disclosure, I should reveal that I'm an alum who typically does not get too worried about the ups and downs that occur during the course of a long season...but this year? These guys should have ran away with the Big Ten title this year...they're definitely the most athletic team in the conference and have a solid post player. What really surprises me about the Spartans is how mentally fragile they have become...this is supposed to be a Tom Izzo team? If they don't get ahead early...especially on the road...the game might as well be over. If I may, I'd like to humbly offer 2 suggestions to Coach Izzo for the Big Ten tournament...
First...as I said, your team is as athletic as any in the conference...utilize that skill by pressing full court. This might not work against a team like Illinois, but the other teams in the league are nowhere near quick enough to handle a well put together press. Use some in your face defense to get Ager and Brown out on the fast break for some higlight reel action!
Second...and this is most important...get Paul Davis on the block! Stop using him to pick and pop all the time...yeah, that's a skill that he's gonna need in the NBA, but right now, his best value is in the post. When State runs their offense through him in the block, their chances of scoring improve greatly. While he's not a great low post scorer, he's effective enough down there to require a double team from most teams in the league. That would leave Ager, Brown, and Neitzel open to hit some triples. Besides, if Davis doesn't get involved enough, he'll start making this face, and no one wants to see that!
3. FX has a new TV series coming out where they turn white families black and vice versa...sounds like a semi-interesting idea. I have 2 questions about this though. First, was C. Thomas Howell consulted? Second, if J.J. Redick was turned into a black athlete for this show, would fans still hate him?
4. Roger Clemens buzzes his son after Koby hits a homer off him. Man, this guy Clemens sounds like an ultra-competitive guy...if he goes after his own flesh and blood in a meaningless simulated game, then he must be a hell of a post-season pitcher...or maybe not.
5. This has been covered ad nauseam around the country today, but how does Vince Young score a 6 on the Wonderlic test? How can you comprehend a complicated offensive playbook, but not know some of these questions? I guess college really is a different experience for high level student athletes.
6. Finally, if like me, you consider The Shawshank Redemption amongst the finest movies ever made, you should do yourself a favor and check out the short film, The Sharktank Redemption. It stars Morgan Freeman's son, and is a very clever spoof of the original flick.
First off, welcome to blogland where sports matter lmao!! Secondly I am glad I could have the priviledge to be the first to respond to your blog. Thirdly, good question on Young, most say it is of little concern. Shawshank is on my top five movies of all time and the Bode Miller comment was killer!! Nice one for your first post, Blog On!! Oh yeah, I would also like to add that it was the title of your post that got me to read it, cudos for the clever heading.
Last edited by born2playin69 on February 27th at 7:29 PM.
I think that the home court advantage really is that much greater in the Big Ten than in any other conference. First, you have to look at the size of the arenas and crowds. The Big Ten always leads the nation in attendance. Second, you have to look at the history. Nine of the teams have been together for 100 years. Michigan State has been there for 50 years. Penn State has only been in the Big Ten for 14 years, and the intensity is a little lower when the play. But that will change over time. You also have to look at the importance of basketball in the conference. I would say only Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan place more importance on football than basketball in the Big Ten. So yeah, the Big Ten is the hardest road to travel in college basketball.
A thought about the 4th thought you thought about while thinking of things to think about..Clemens..I have followed the amazing career of Roger Clemens since his Longhorn days at U.T.One of the things which make him great is his lack of hesitancy to bust one high and tight on a guy.Today's little incident was indeed humerous and re-affirming.How cool is it that his kid drills his old man's first pitch over the fence?And then how funny Clemens would buzz the kid with high heat?That was a Kodak moment i wish i could have witnessed.But think about for a moment how confident,how good Clemens and other big-league pitchers are.He has such command of his talent he can confidently buzz his own child with a 90plusmph fastball without fear of actually hitting him!These guys are that good.And some are indeed that competitive.Remember Hall Of Famer Bob Gipson once stated he would dust his own mother if she crowded the plate!...Welcome to the show.
Well said canyondave, I joked in my last post about Clemens being a tad bit competetive in brushing back his youngin, most will understand the fact that he only did it knowing he had total control of the pitch, it was funny to see though.
Ben venuto, o mio blogero.
The Big 10 is a mixed bag. I would venture Wisconsin goes for Football over B-ball, too.
Road games? Hard to say.
Clemens is as agressive as a bunch of corporate suits out of big league families or universities.
And finally:the black/white perception is interesting. Like Tiger or Hally Berry being called black when they are at least half something else. Skin tone defines too many people, I say.
