I know I had mentioned that I was going to try to do a retro live blog of the NBA draft since I couldn't watch it myself, but I just couldn't do it. I already knew what happened. It's kind of like tivoing a Gopher basketball game, finding out the lost by 10, and then watching it anyway. You just wouldn't do that, because the fun of watching sports is watching an event with an uncertain outcome in which you are emotionally invested in the result. Knowing what happens and then watching is stupid. I know there are people who would tivo a game and then watch it even if they know the end result already. Those people are psychopaths.
WHO WAS AWESOME
1. Minnesota Timberwolves. I think they'd have been better off using #20 by either keeping Motiejunas or grabbing Marshon Brooks (or trading it for a veteran SG or C - Brad Miller is retiring) but I can be talked into Kahn's madness because #1 - it's fun and #2 - they did get a future 1st. The real reason I'm going to praise the mad man here is because, despite himself, he did the right thing and picked Derrick Williams - and kept him (at least thus far). In my opinion Irving is the surest thing - his downside is probably a long-time starter - but I think Williams has the most upside in the draft. I suppose this belongs in the back-handed insult department, but kudos to Kahn for not outsmarting himself even though it became abundantly clear he wanted to. So hurray for competence, accidental or otherwise.
2. JaJuan Johnson. The awesome thing for him is that he managed to get himself drafted in the first round, so like, congrats. What I'm really fascinated about, however, is that the player Snake and I have been calling "College KG" for four years because his skill set was so similar to KG (and Hakim Warrick, FYI) will now be playing with the real KG. I'd say he couldn't find himself in a better situation with the perfect player to pattern himself after on the same team, but the word "mentor" doesn't exactly come to mind when you think about Garnett. How is he going to react to a young, new player showing up who has the same game KG himself had 15 years ago? Fights? Verbal assaults? Undermining his confidence? Or maybe he'll actually see an opportunity to sort of live on after he retires by doing everything he can do help Johnson. I doubt it, and I'm thinking more of the pushing and yelling is likely, but I'm totally fascinated here. I've never watched Hard Knocks or whatever, but if they did a show like that on the Celtics this year I would totally watch. And just fast forward to the KG/JJ parts.
3. Evan Longoria. Big sexy is back, in case you missed him. Longoria struggled so far this year after returning from injury, but he finally broke out this week. Well, maybe not a total breakout, but in his last four games he has two 2-HR games, including Sunday's game against the Astros where he went 4-6 and missed he cycle by a triple. Interestingly enough, this little hot streak has started ever since Longo dropped the batting gloves which reminds me of this dude I played amateur baseball with. See, I hit with no batting gloves because I like to feel the wood (insert your own joke here). Snacks played on the team too, and he liked to wear eye black because it was the most effective way for him to keep the sun out of his eyes in the outfield. We had another guy who used a ton of pine tar, another guy who wore two big wristbands around his forearms, and another guy who wore his hat slightly cocked to the left. All these things were done because they worked for people. But then we had this one little weiner dork on on our team who did all of them - no batting gloves, eye black, pine tar, wrist bands, and hat cocked. God he was such a little idiot, and he sucked too. This really has nothing to do with Evan Longoria any more.
4. J.J. Hardy. Well the Twins didn't need him now did they? While the revolving door of Tolbert/Casilla/Nishioka/Plouffe has put up a combined .225 batting average and a whopping .339 slugging, Hardy hit as many home runs this past week (3) as Twins' shortstop have all year. He also has multiple hits in 6 of his last 7 games, and for the season has the 4th highest average of all MLB shortstops (.304), the second-highest OBP (.369), the highest slugging (.538), the highest OPS (.907), and the fourth most homers despite only playing in slightly more than half the team's games. Basically he'd be the best hitter on the Twins: only Kubel has a a higher average and he'd lead the team in both on-base and slugging and be tied with Cuddy for the HR lead at 10. Meanwhile Jim Hoey's averaged more than 2 base-runners allowed per inning in his 17 shitty innings. I hate you, Bill Smith.
5. Justin Verlander. I think he's a cyborg of some kind, sent from the future to rescue major league baseball from crappy, wussy pitchers who both suck and are marshmallow soft. Him and Roy Halladay (and maybe a couple of others) are just a completely different species. I've always wondered what would happen if Gardy was managing Verlander. Say it's the bottom of the 7th and the Twins were up 2-0, Verlander is at 98 pitches and just gave up back-to-back singles with Mijares warm in the bullpen. When Gardy goes out there to try to get the ball from him do you think they would actually get in a fist fight? Is there any way we can make this happen?
WHO SUCKED
1. Minnesota Twins. Well it's over. I hope you didn't get sucked into believing this team actually had the ability to turn around that 13-29 start or whatever it was. I know the weak division and sliding Indians and everything made things look possible, but all you had to do was keep looking at that lineup. 50% of that lineup every game should be hitting ninth, which, based on the rules of baseball as set down by the great Abner Doubleday, is illegal. I know injuries have played a huge part of it - the team only has four guys who have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title for christ's sake - but there were some pretty bad decisions made this offseason. Specifically not looking for a viable back-up catcher when you know your starter is a china doll who only plays 2 out of every 3 games when he is healthy, deciding, "yeah, we'll go to war with Alexi Casilla as an everyday regular even though he's failed year after year after year" and not getting someone, anyone, to be insurance in case Morneau wasn't ready. The season was set-up to be a high-wire toward success, and the team tipped over and has gone splat on the city street below. When you dig yourself a hole you can't weather a 5-game losing streak. 2 or 3, yeah. Five? It's over.
2. Sacramento Kings. Let me get this straight. First, the Kings trade the only guy on their roster who ever considers passing for John Salmons, a gunning ballsink with an absolutely enormous contract and the right to move down in the draft. Then they usually their newly acquired 10th pick to draft Jimmer Fredette so they can team him up with Tyreke Evans in their back court. This means their two starting guards both need the ball in their hands at all times and are both shoot first kind of guys, and their first man of the bench shoots the ball every time he touches it. I think the two second round picks they made in Tyler Honeycutt and Captain Circus Ball himself were solid, but that can't over shadow this insane roster. Fredette, Evans, Salmons, and DeMarcus Cousins? Is anybody ever going to pass the ball? And how quickly do you think Jimmer asks for a trade, before or after he's threatened with bodily harm by Cousins and/or Evans?
3. Adam Dunn. I'm going to admit that I was terrified when the White Sox signed Dunn. Since he basically only hits homers, walks, or strikes out and the Twins' pitchers don't walk or strike out anyone I figured he basically just stand at home plate and hit tape measure home runs all day. Turns out, however, the he's decided to completely suck instead. This entire week he managed all of 2 hits (which both came in a game where he got 7 at-bats) and struck out 14 times. 14 times in one week! I'm not a guy who looks at strikeouts as a huge negative, especially when balanced out with power, but holy crap that's ridiculous, especially when he's now struck out in his last seven consecutive at-bats and is now hitting .179 on the year with an OPS nearly identical to Luke Hughes. Of course, it's still higher than Justin Morneau's so there's that. Plus Morneau is a huge girl.
4. Madison Bumgarner. It already feels like it happened 100 years ago, but you remember Captain Stripper Name's game against the Twins, don't you? Let me refresh you: single, double, single, double, single, double, single, double, strikeout, double, gone. 1/3 ip, 9 hits, 8 runs allowed. Now he did bounce back with a good game last night against Cleveland, but I feel like when you get shredded in such an epic way these things need to be mentioned whenever possible. Especially when the team that shredded you ranks in the bottom 7 of all of MLB in runs scored, batting average, OBP, slugging, and OPS. God what a fun year this has been. I'm going to become a Lynx fan.
Just kidding.
5. All the idiots who shouldn't have entered the NBA Draft. There are always plenty of idiots who get bad advice and/or have an overinflated ego who go into the NBA Draft despite everyone knowing they have no chance of getting drafted or maybe a slight prayer at getting snagged in the second round except for them. Some of those geniuses this year include Terrence Jennings of Louisville, who could have been a major player in the Big East next year, Jereme Richmond of Illinois who had a ton of potential but didn't bother to let it develop, Willie Reed of St. Louis who never had a prayer, Josh Selby of Kansas, who did get picked in the late second but probably could have been a lotto pick in a year or two, and Jordan Williams of Maryland, who was also picked in the late second but, like Selby, could have ended up a lottery pick in another year or two. Well done, gentlemen. Well done. All of you will be awarded an Anderson Hunt Memorial Award for terrible draft decisions.
I finally started watching Game of Thrones. Best show on TV, and it's not even close. If you don't have HBO do yourself a favor and order it, download all the Game of Thrones episodes on HBO on Demand, watch them, realize how good this show is and how you've been wasting your time, and then cancel HBO after a month. Brilliant.
Showing posts with label JaJuan Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JaJuan Johnson. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Week in Review - 02.28.2011
So I didn't watch the Gopher game. I would have, but circumstances conspired to keep me from witnessing that crime against basketball. We had a family bowling tournament that normally would have ended up with me watching the game with Snacks and Grandslam at a bar or at the alley, but one of my damn wiener kids got all barfy and we had to go home before after just one game (132 - holla). Then I had the game tivo'd and was going to watch it later, but I got a texted from Bogart referencing the NIT, one from Dawger that mentioned he hated the gophers and hated his life, and one from Snacks that just flat out said, "Don't bother watching. Gophers lose." So I didn't watch.
I mean, what's the point? I would just end up angry and probably hurt either a loved one or myself or a stranger who was walking past my house life before, so I didn't bother. Not sure if I'll watch another Gopher game this year outside of the Penn State game, and that's only because I'll be in attendance with WonderbabyTM who rocks way more than you do. There were years in the past when I really enjoyed the NIT, and enjoyed going to games at Williams and checking out teams I normally would never see in person. This is not that kind of year. This is more like, at the beginning of the year the NIT was a worst case scenario and the kind of thing that could only happen if there was a complete collapse. Nobody thought this would be the end result, even if there was always a little nervous laughter and whistling past the graveyard if it was brought up.
Kill me.
WHO WAS AWESOME
1. Syracuse Orange. Well here's a team that's impossible to figure out. They start 18-0 and look like they're on the road to a #1 seed, then lose six out of eight and appear to be unable to guard quick, penetrating guards, then they follow it up with a four game winning streak including two this week against Villanova and Georgetown - teams with excellent guard play (and even with Wright hurt the Hoyas have good guards), and win both of those on the road no less. I had a chance to watch decent chunks of both those games and all I can say is wow to Scoop Jardine. Kris Joseph is a dynamic scorer and Rick Jackson is a beast in the paint, but this team may go as Scoop goes, and this week he was on fire going for 20 pts and 6 assists against Nova and 17 and 5 against G-Town. I was convinced I would have the Cuse as an early out in March as soon as they faced a team with good guards, but watching the adjustments Boeheim has made to their 2-3 (less ball pressure, more gap help) and Scoop's resurgence now I just don't know. Just like everything else about this god damn stupid season.
2. BYU Cougars. If you're like me you're handsome, rich, and successful, but you also figured that San Diego State was the real threat out of the Mountain West while BYU was more of a one-man trick with Jimmer and weren't a "real" team. Well you couldn't have been more wrong and should hang your head in shame because the Cougars went to SDSU this weekend and smacked them right in the face, walking out with an 80-67 win, a season sweep of the Aztecs, and what is now looking quite likely like a 2-3 seed in March. That win followed up a trouncing of bubble hopeful Colorado State earlier in the week, and suddenly BYU's challenges prior to a MWC Tournament semi-final are pretty much done with. Will this finally be the year they breakthrough and make a run? Last year they beat Florida in overtime, their first NCAA victory since 1993, snapping an 0-7 streak. With most of the same team back that went first round-first round-second round, a bonafide star in Fredette, and at worst a 4-seed, I'd say the sweet 16 should be an absolute minimum goal right now.
3. Colorado Buffaloes. I realize as Gopher basketball fans we aren't really accustomed to this, but occasionally it happens where a team making a run towards an NCAA bid has the opportunity for a huge, almost status-changing win and actually, you know, wins. Colorado is just such a team this year, seizing their chance and knocking off the #5 Texas Longhorns 91-89. They did it in very impressive, "we're not going to let this season die yet dammit we're going to fight" fashion, storming back from a 22-point first half deficit to grab the marquee win they really needed, moving themselves from probably not in to squarely in the middle of the "maybe" tier. It's just so nice to see a team actually rise up and win a tough game they really need. I wish I knew what that was like.
4. Marquette Eagles. Another middle of the bubble team that took a huge step towards the good side, it now looks extremely likely the Big East is going to send 11 teams to the big dance. The Eagles snagged a huge marquee victory earlier this week by going into Storrs and beating UCONN. Not only was that a monster win for them in terms of beating a top flight team on the road, but it also got them above .500 in Big East play - a not insignificant milestone considering the strength of the league. They then managed to avoid falling into a lull and beat Providence this weekend. I guess that's not that big a deal since they've lost six straight, but anytime you got a guy who can go for 52, as the Friars' Marshon Brooks did against Notre Dame on Wednesday, you're dangerous. In any case, Marquette is now almost assuredly in - as long as they don't choke here in the last few games.
5. JaJuan Johnson. Man, as much as it's going to help the Gophers I'm really going to miss watching this guy - he's freaking unreal. When he was younger I compared him to Hakim Warrick, and Snake always refers to him as "The College KG", and he might be better than that. I loved Hakim Warrick, and compared Johnson to him because of their long arms and ability to shoot outside, but Johnson is so much more than Warrick ever was - and that's no slight to Hakim. His line in Purdue's 67-47 win over Michigan State was incredible: 20 points on 8-13 shooting, 17 rebounds, and 7 blocks. The amazing thing is that it's not really even that far off his normal night. He's shooting 50% on the year, and while that might not seem that great for a center, if you watched him play you know how many 18 footers and so on he takes, so that 50% is very, very good. [Side note: does anybody know of a site that keeps insane stats for college like shooting percentage on long 2s or other things like that you can find for NBA players?] The guy is absolutely in a class by himself and should be the runaway winner for Big 10 player of the year. I'm going to shed a tiny tear when Purdue gets bounced from the tournament and his career comes to a close. And I'll make sure to follow his pro career in Europe closely.
WHO SUCKED
1. Corey Fisher. Holy Scottie Reynolds, batman! Villanova lost two games this week, both at home, but both were to very good teams (Syracuse and St. Johns) so it's hard to rip on the Wildcats too much. Good thing for us though it's not too hard to rip on Corey Fisher, who had a truly Reynolds-esque run this week, shooting a combined 4-26 from the floor in the two games. That's not a joke or anything, he went 3-16 against 'Cuse and then went 1-10 against St Johns. And this is their leading scorer here. Is there some kind of law that Nova must always have a gunner with no conscience who sucks at shooting but loves shooting? Did Reynolds "will" his ability to Fisher in the school paper after he graduated? Seriously, anybody who has Villanova surviving the first weekend in their bracket should be committed.
2. Arizona Wildcats. Ah, the Pac-10, where good teams continually find ways to die. Washington looked like the class of the league but bombed out, leaving the top clear for Arizona. Until this week, that is, when the Wildcats took their LA trip and lost to both USC and UCLA, and although both losses are understandable the USC loss is a game a good team wins and the UCLA loss was an absolute shellacking by 22. Suddenly UCLA is looking like the class of the league, but in reality I still think Washington is the only Pac-10 team with a legit chance at making the sweet 16. Arizona would have to get a really good draw to do it and UCLA has no chance, so it's up to Washington, who recently got swept by the Oregon schools. Wow, the Pac-10 is awesome. Good thing for them they have all the hot chicks at least.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum from Colorado stepping up is Nebraska, who crashed on burned their NCAA chances to a level that could only be described as St. Marysian. First they got bounced at home by Kansas State, a fellow bubble team, and then followed it up by losing at Iowa State - a school/team I love but also a team that you absolutely, 100%, guaranteed cannot lose to if you want to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament. So that won't be happening, but you'll be very happy to know that Nebraska, after decades of ineptitude, has decided to become frisky just as they're about to enter the Big Ten. Yeah, another team the Gophers should beat but won't. Another crappy team that will beat them at home as the season winds down and the Gophers desperately need a win. Another shitty team they won't be able to beat on the road, even when they are supposed to have a good team. God dammit. All of it. Everything. I hate everyone. I hate you.
4. Boston College Eagles. Allegedly BC is still alive to get a bid, but after they lost to Miami - at home, I'm just not seeing it. They bounced back by beating Virginia over the weekend, but that brings them to just 7-7 in a very weak ACC this year. They do have a very good win with their victory over Texas A&M in Orlando, but they also have some brutal losses - Harvard, Yale, Rhode Island, and they got swept by the Hurricanes. They're just a thoroughly mediocre team, and if they get in the tournament this year that just goes to show just how weak the teams are and just how easy it is to get a bid this year. And yes, I'm aware that in a year where it's looking extremely easy to get in the Gophers won't make it in Tubby Smith's fourth year here. Yeah, I'd say we're right where we thought we'd be in Year Four.
5. Tennessee Volunteers. There are plenty of confusing teams this year, teams who you can't quite get a handle on, but Tennessee might be the worst of all. Just this week was a pretty good microcosm of their season - beating a very good, sweet-16 type team in Vanderbilt on the road, and then coming home and losing to mediocre at best, potential Gopher NIT opponent Mississippi State. As far as the entire season goes, here are some impressive games they've won: @ Kentucky, @ Vandy, Memphis, Pitt, Villanova, Vandy, VCU - that's a damn impressive list of wins. But here are some of their losses: Oakland, Charlotte, USC, @ Arkansas, Mississippi State - those are some bad teams. Just a mess of a confusing and weird team. They're so schizo I won't even bet on them come March.
Just kidding.
Take heart, Gopher fans. Not because of anything to do with the Gophers, but this week kicks off conference tournament week, which is followed by BCS conferences tournament week, which is then followed by the NCAA Tournament. So just go ahead and let go of this season and enjoy all the high quality ball that's coming in the next two weeks.
I mean, what's the point? I would just end up angry and probably hurt either a loved one or myself or a stranger who was walking past my house life before, so I didn't bother. Not sure if I'll watch another Gopher game this year outside of the Penn State game, and that's only because I'll be in attendance with WonderbabyTM who rocks way more than you do. There were years in the past when I really enjoyed the NIT, and enjoyed going to games at Williams and checking out teams I normally would never see in person. This is not that kind of year. This is more like, at the beginning of the year the NIT was a worst case scenario and the kind of thing that could only happen if there was a complete collapse. Nobody thought this would be the end result, even if there was always a little nervous laughter and whistling past the graveyard if it was brought up.
Kill me.
WHO WAS AWESOME
1. Syracuse Orange. Well here's a team that's impossible to figure out. They start 18-0 and look like they're on the road to a #1 seed, then lose six out of eight and appear to be unable to guard quick, penetrating guards, then they follow it up with a four game winning streak including two this week against Villanova and Georgetown - teams with excellent guard play (and even with Wright hurt the Hoyas have good guards), and win both of those on the road no less. I had a chance to watch decent chunks of both those games and all I can say is wow to Scoop Jardine. Kris Joseph is a dynamic scorer and Rick Jackson is a beast in the paint, but this team may go as Scoop goes, and this week he was on fire going for 20 pts and 6 assists against Nova and 17 and 5 against G-Town. I was convinced I would have the Cuse as an early out in March as soon as they faced a team with good guards, but watching the adjustments Boeheim has made to their 2-3 (less ball pressure, more gap help) and Scoop's resurgence now I just don't know. Just like everything else about this god damn stupid season.
2. BYU Cougars. If you're like me you're handsome, rich, and successful, but you also figured that San Diego State was the real threat out of the Mountain West while BYU was more of a one-man trick with Jimmer and weren't a "real" team. Well you couldn't have been more wrong and should hang your head in shame because the Cougars went to SDSU this weekend and smacked them right in the face, walking out with an 80-67 win, a season sweep of the Aztecs, and what is now looking quite likely like a 2-3 seed in March. That win followed up a trouncing of bubble hopeful Colorado State earlier in the week, and suddenly BYU's challenges prior to a MWC Tournament semi-final are pretty much done with. Will this finally be the year they breakthrough and make a run? Last year they beat Florida in overtime, their first NCAA victory since 1993, snapping an 0-7 streak. With most of the same team back that went first round-first round-second round, a bonafide star in Fredette, and at worst a 4-seed, I'd say the sweet 16 should be an absolute minimum goal right now.
3. Colorado Buffaloes. I realize as Gopher basketball fans we aren't really accustomed to this, but occasionally it happens where a team making a run towards an NCAA bid has the opportunity for a huge, almost status-changing win and actually, you know, wins. Colorado is just such a team this year, seizing their chance and knocking off the #5 Texas Longhorns 91-89. They did it in very impressive, "we're not going to let this season die yet dammit we're going to fight" fashion, storming back from a 22-point first half deficit to grab the marquee win they really needed, moving themselves from probably not in to squarely in the middle of the "maybe" tier. It's just so nice to see a team actually rise up and win a tough game they really need. I wish I knew what that was like.
4. Marquette Eagles. Another middle of the bubble team that took a huge step towards the good side, it now looks extremely likely the Big East is going to send 11 teams to the big dance. The Eagles snagged a huge marquee victory earlier this week by going into Storrs and beating UCONN. Not only was that a monster win for them in terms of beating a top flight team on the road, but it also got them above .500 in Big East play - a not insignificant milestone considering the strength of the league. They then managed to avoid falling into a lull and beat Providence this weekend. I guess that's not that big a deal since they've lost six straight, but anytime you got a guy who can go for 52, as the Friars' Marshon Brooks did against Notre Dame on Wednesday, you're dangerous. In any case, Marquette is now almost assuredly in - as long as they don't choke here in the last few games.
5. JaJuan Johnson. Man, as much as it's going to help the Gophers I'm really going to miss watching this guy - he's freaking unreal. When he was younger I compared him to Hakim Warrick, and Snake always refers to him as "The College KG", and he might be better than that. I loved Hakim Warrick, and compared Johnson to him because of their long arms and ability to shoot outside, but Johnson is so much more than Warrick ever was - and that's no slight to Hakim. His line in Purdue's 67-47 win over Michigan State was incredible: 20 points on 8-13 shooting, 17 rebounds, and 7 blocks. The amazing thing is that it's not really even that far off his normal night. He's shooting 50% on the year, and while that might not seem that great for a center, if you watched him play you know how many 18 footers and so on he takes, so that 50% is very, very good. [Side note: does anybody know of a site that keeps insane stats for college like shooting percentage on long 2s or other things like that you can find for NBA players?] The guy is absolutely in a class by himself and should be the runaway winner for Big 10 player of the year. I'm going to shed a tiny tear when Purdue gets bounced from the tournament and his career comes to a close. And I'll make sure to follow his pro career in Europe closely.
WHO SUCKED
1. Corey Fisher. Holy Scottie Reynolds, batman! Villanova lost two games this week, both at home, but both were to very good teams (Syracuse and St. Johns) so it's hard to rip on the Wildcats too much. Good thing for us though it's not too hard to rip on Corey Fisher, who had a truly Reynolds-esque run this week, shooting a combined 4-26 from the floor in the two games. That's not a joke or anything, he went 3-16 against 'Cuse and then went 1-10 against St Johns. And this is their leading scorer here. Is there some kind of law that Nova must always have a gunner with no conscience who sucks at shooting but loves shooting? Did Reynolds "will" his ability to Fisher in the school paper after he graduated? Seriously, anybody who has Villanova surviving the first weekend in their bracket should be committed.
2. Arizona Wildcats. Ah, the Pac-10, where good teams continually find ways to die. Washington looked like the class of the league but bombed out, leaving the top clear for Arizona. Until this week, that is, when the Wildcats took their LA trip and lost to both USC and UCLA, and although both losses are understandable the USC loss is a game a good team wins and the UCLA loss was an absolute shellacking by 22. Suddenly UCLA is looking like the class of the league, but in reality I still think Washington is the only Pac-10 team with a legit chance at making the sweet 16. Arizona would have to get a really good draw to do it and UCLA has no chance, so it's up to Washington, who recently got swept by the Oregon schools. Wow, the Pac-10 is awesome. Good thing for them they have all the hot chicks at least.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum from Colorado stepping up is Nebraska, who crashed on burned their NCAA chances to a level that could only be described as St. Marysian. First they got bounced at home by Kansas State, a fellow bubble team, and then followed it up by losing at Iowa State - a school/team I love but also a team that you absolutely, 100%, guaranteed cannot lose to if you want to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament. So that won't be happening, but you'll be very happy to know that Nebraska, after decades of ineptitude, has decided to become frisky just as they're about to enter the Big Ten. Yeah, another team the Gophers should beat but won't. Another crappy team that will beat them at home as the season winds down and the Gophers desperately need a win. Another shitty team they won't be able to beat on the road, even when they are supposed to have a good team. God dammit. All of it. Everything. I hate everyone. I hate you.
4. Boston College Eagles. Allegedly BC is still alive to get a bid, but after they lost to Miami - at home, I'm just not seeing it. They bounced back by beating Virginia over the weekend, but that brings them to just 7-7 in a very weak ACC this year. They do have a very good win with their victory over Texas A&M in Orlando, but they also have some brutal losses - Harvard, Yale, Rhode Island, and they got swept by the Hurricanes. They're just a thoroughly mediocre team, and if they get in the tournament this year that just goes to show just how weak the teams are and just how easy it is to get a bid this year. And yes, I'm aware that in a year where it's looking extremely easy to get in the Gophers won't make it in Tubby Smith's fourth year here. Yeah, I'd say we're right where we thought we'd be in Year Four.
5. Tennessee Volunteers. There are plenty of confusing teams this year, teams who you can't quite get a handle on, but Tennessee might be the worst of all. Just this week was a pretty good microcosm of their season - beating a very good, sweet-16 type team in Vanderbilt on the road, and then coming home and losing to mediocre at best, potential Gopher NIT opponent Mississippi State. As far as the entire season goes, here are some impressive games they've won: @ Kentucky, @ Vandy, Memphis, Pitt, Villanova, Vandy, VCU - that's a damn impressive list of wins. But here are some of their losses: Oakland, Charlotte, USC, @ Arkansas, Mississippi State - those are some bad teams. Just a mess of a confusing and weird team. They're so schizo I won't even bet on them come March.
Just kidding.
Take heart, Gopher fans. Not because of anything to do with the Gophers, but this week kicks off conference tournament week, which is followed by BCS conferences tournament week, which is then followed by the NCAA Tournament. So just go ahead and let go of this season and enjoy all the high quality ball that's coming in the next two weeks.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Live Game Blog: Minnesota Gophers vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Alright, I'm not a true fan. It's now 8:00pm, and I'm about to watch the Gopher/Purdue game. I couldn't watch it live because I'm stupid enough to have two kids, and said kids take up too much of my attention for me to be able to pay any kind of attention to the game, so I Tivo and I wait. Such is life. So now I'm here with my remote, a box of Turning Leaf chadonnay, and a bowl full of beef-flavored ramen. Since I'm clearly living the high life, I thought I'd invite you along with me. I'm really hoping the Gophers can pull this one out.
19:28 - Colton Iverson (starting for Trevor Mbakwe) with a really nice move, taking the ball from the free-throw line to the block with two dribbles, backing in on whoever Purdue's dorky white center is, faking to the left and tossing up a nice jump hook to the right. Swish. Honestly that whole thing was a thing of beauty. It's amazing how he can do that and then look like the fat kid who quit hockey to play basketball on the 8th grade B team the next trip. I coached 8th grade B team once. I know of what I speak, and it ain't pretty.
19:04 - Rodney draws E'Twaun Moore. I love this. Challenge Rodney and hope he steps up.
18:18 - Ok, JaJuan Johnson has now hit a three-pointer and an 18-footer to give Purdue a 5-4 lead. Hopefully Ralph will soon realize that you have to guard him on the perimeter as if he was a guard, not a typical plodding center. And he just hit a turnaround 12-footer over Iverson. This is ridiculous. We on this blog have been calling him "The college KG" since his sophomore year (because we have such an eye for talent), but that might not be high enough praise.
16:58 - And he hits a turnaround over Ralph. This is just ridiculous. I think "The college Jesus" might not be high enough praise.
16:16 - Trevor Mbakwe in to a nice ovation. I approve of that.
15:53 - Rodney and Nolen can't decide if there's supposed to be a switch on a pick, leading to a wide open three-pointer for Purdue and a 12-6 lead. I don't know if the Gopher players are dumb or if Tubby just can't coach, but this shit happens way too often.
15:50 - By the way, how about everybody out there pays attention to flights from MSP to Chicago (either airport) leaving either the 17th or 18th of March and returning the 20th and then email me if you find something cheap. Sound good? Thanks guys, you're the best.
14:59 - Mbakwe draws the foul inside and that might have been against Johnson. I'd know for certain if this announcing team was remotely competent, but instead they're busy telling us that the only way to stop E'Twaun Moore is to hope he gets food poisoning. Really, jackass? I know you're trying to be cute but it turns out you're just a retard.
14:30 - Austin Hollins with a nice take for a lay-up and the foul, cutting the lead to 14-12 (13 if he makes the free-throw). Where the hell has he been? And he misses the free-throw. Hollins has been awfully non-descript for several weeks. I know that's probably typical, but I liked it better when he was a tish more dynamic.
12:53 - Looking like a white-boy shooting battle might be breaking out between Blake and Ryne Smith. My money's on Blake.
12:03 - Noeln for three! And we're tied at 17. Do you remember in my preview of this game how I said D.J. Byrd was the new Brian Cardinal. Well, he's in the game and he's rockin' black socks, a shooting sleeve, and some sort of tank top under his jersey. He just looks annoying.
11:44 - I love how they have Magic Johnson talking about "content of character." I love the guy, he's still my favorite all-time NBA player besides Billy Hoyle, but this is the guy who cheated on his wife for years and years to the point where he contracted HIV and was damn lucky he didn't end up giving it to her or his kid. I really don't think a "content of character" piece is really the place for the Magic Man.
10:17 - This announcer is so bad I seriously want to kill him. My head is literally exploding right now.
9:43 - God damn this ramen is hot! Why you gotta play me like that, ramen?
9:00 - Nolen airballs a three. That's more like it. 22-21 Purdue thanks to a DJ Dickface three-pointer.
8:31 - Chip Armelin just stole Moe Hargrow's move. He got the ball on the break on a 2-on-2 situation, saw the Purdue's guy guarding him was a white dude, and just took it right at him and ended up scoring. Hargrow used to do that every time.
7:48 - Lewis Jackson now abusing Al Nolen for back to back lay-ups. That's not supposed to happen. I thought Nolen was a better defender than that.
6:54 - Jackson splits the top of the zone (Nolen & Armelin) and finds Moore for a wide open three. I know the guy is quick, but that's just awful. Just awful. Once again, either these guys are kind of dumb or Tubby is an overrated coach.
5:26 - Nobody bothers to pick up Barlow on the wing and he coasts in for a lay-up. The amount of mistakes this team makes on a nightly basis is mind-boggling. I'm starting to think they're more talented than I give them credit for, just because they can actually compete despite making so many dumb plays.
3:23 - Sampson gives the Gophers the lead back at 34-33 with a jump hook over Johnson, but the importantly is that he got the ball on teh block, ignored the double-team, and aggressively went for the bucket. I don't even care that he made it, just showing that kind of aggressiveness is a good sign.
2:45 - Jackson tried driving on Nolen again, but this time Nolen blocks his shot and causes the jump ball. Much better.
1:21 - Rodney misses an alley-oop dunk. Freaking awesome.
HALF - Gophers lead 41-40, and that was a great, great half of basketball on the offensive end. Even their half-court sets are looking smooth and and working. JaJuan Johnson (18 pts already) is ridiculously hot and making everything, but they've managed to take E'Twaun Moore out of the game for the most part (1-8 shooting). If the Gophers keep playing like this the rest of the game, they're going to take this one. That Lewis Jackson/Al Nolen match-up might be the key to the game.
19:42 - That play where Blake comes from the corner off a double-pick and curls to the free-throw line seemingly works every time. I'm thinking his rep as a guy who only shoots threes leads to poor defenders on him, and when he takes that cut further inside they can't keep up. With a sample size of tonight, that certainly looks to be the case, because Ryne Smith isn't going to win any defensive awards.
18:41 - Sampson goes to the deck to dig out a steal, and it leads to a three-pointer by Blake to give the Gophers a 46-40 lead. They just have more energy right now, and Purdue seems near meltdown mode. Of course, this is usually where the rug gets pulled out and the Boilers go on a 11-2 run.
16:59 - Lewis Jackson just hit a fadeaway three-pointer. Lewis Jackson can't shoot, and never shoots threes, and only chucked up that one because of the shot clock about to expire. Great. And just to add insult to injury, announcer guy tells us that Jackson is back from injury and healthy and is hitting 45% of this three-pointers this year. But, in reality, he's 1-5 on the season. So this guy is still a jackdonkey.
16:11 - Hoff from 28 feet. Dude is dialed tonight. I'm hoping we get a heat-check from 35, Jake Sullivan style.
15:14 - Hoff hits the jumper on that same curl pick play, and is fouled. Tonight is his night, folks.
15:14 - Of course he misses the free throw, because that makes total sense. 53-45 Gophers.
14:53 - Jackson beats Nolen again for the lay-up. This is embarrassing for Al, for real. It's also embarrassing for everybody else. Where the hell is the help every time this guy gets in the lane. He's 5 foot 9, somebody slide over and make him pass it, jesus christ. I think I learned that in third grade.
13:37 - Purdue just took the lead 54-53 on two Johnson free throws. Yes, they made up 8 points in a minute and a half. I'd go into detail but it's depressing. Let's just say that after a near flawless night from the team overall they've suddenly decided to do stupid crap on offense and stop playing defense. My mood is darkening.
12:48 - Nolen just passed up a wide-open three-pointer because he missed his last two attempts. God damn it's hard to win with a PG who can't/won't shoot. And, as I type, he then steals a pass for an easy dunk to give them back the lead. The love/hate is strong with this one. He's the Sam to my Diane.
11:37 - Iverson with literally the worst defensive play I've ever seen to give Johnson a three-point play. He's half-fronting him and decides to try to steal the entry lob but half-way there realizes he can't get it and stops, but by then he's so far out of position he's really just rubbing up on Johnson's hip and giving Johnson a wide open layup and instead of saying "Fuck it, I fucked up" and letting him score, he kind of pelvis-checks him but not hard enough so he can't score, just perfectly hard enough to get called for a foul. Brilliant.
10:51 - You know what would be really god damn awesome? If they could avoid allowing Johnson to catch the ball when he's already in the lane. You're allowed to push him out before the ball gets there, girls.
10:09 - Nolen again passes up the wide open three. Even if he misses he really, really needs to shoot that shot.
9:44 - Sampson might actually be retarded.
8:14 - Chip Armelin is suddenly everywhere. Announcer guy wants us to know that Chip Armelin "did a great job of pulling out." That's what Mrs. W said last night.
7:47 - Steal by Nolen, then Rodney decides to just glide with the ball and not really bothering putting it on the floor. Turns out the refs don't like that very much. We're tied here at 61 folks. Barn-burner. Need more expensive fancy wine.
7:25 - Remember in Major League how Willie Mays Hayes had to do pushups every time he hit the ball in the air? I'm starting to think Mbakwe should do push-ups every time he doesn't get a rebound. Good lord.
7:00 - Nolen with his patented "drive into the lane pick up the dribble with no idea what to do and turn it over." I don't like this Nolen. I like the gooder Nolen.
5:55 - Nolen with the rip right out of Moore's hands, leading to a lay-up and possible three point play by Rodney. This is the Nolen which is the good one. He's like some kind of god damn two-face. In fact, I'm going to roll with it. He even kind of looks like him:
4:35 - Sampson gives the Gophers the lead with a nice hook in the lane, which naturally leads to these announcers having to gush about his dad and then show footage of him from when he played for Virginia. I can't even express how old that has gotten, I can't even imagine how much our Ralph must hate that. I'm surprised he hasn't gone all Oedipal yet.
4:12 - We're down to 14 on the shot clock before Nolen passes the ball. Timeout, Gophers. Thank god. Tubby is a master at drawing up out-of-bounds plays after a time-out (see: Ohio State game). This is sure to lead to points.
4:00 - Apparently the play was for Sampson to can an 18-footer. Ok then. Sampson jumpers are kind of like a handjob from a fat chick. It's not really what you want, there are better options, and it's not the way things are supposed to go, but if it works you'll take it and be happy.
3:34 - Tied again. Time to figure out a way to get the Hoff a look. Or Nolen, who had another wide open three and this time didn't turn it down, and buried that sumbitch. Hey, if Lewis freaking Jackson is going to be perfect from the free-throw line even though he only shoots 60% on the year and is going to hit a fall-away three, we get to have Nolen hit a couple treys. It's only right.
2:05 - Gophers 70, Purdue 67, Boilers ball and a timeout. Great googily moogily, this game reminds me why I love college ball and specifically the Gophers. Please don't make me remember why I hate them.
1:45 - After Ryne Smith misses a wide open three (thank you), Purdue grabs the board and it leads to Moore with an open three from about 23 feet. He hits backboard first and it clangs away. Seriously, something is wrong with Moore. This is three straight just awful shooting games. I mean, it's good for the Gophers and all, but wow.
1:12 - Hoff drops the ball out of bounds. Shit. Still a three-point game. Wow, not off Hoff. Should have been a foul and if not should have been Gopher ball. Yuck.
0:53 - Rodney blocks Jackson's shot and it ends up Gopher ball. Remember how I talked about how when Jackson drives there needed to be people coming to help? If you don't recognize how I'm a bonafide god damn genius I'm going to drive to your house and shoot you to death. With logic and trivia.
0:30 - White guy on Nolen! White guy on Nolen! Drive! Drive!
0:27 - Yes! He drives and is fouled. Ha ha, stupid white people. Go play hockey.
0:25 - Naturally, Nolen misses. Did I mention it was 1-and-1? Freaking great. Guaranteed E'Twaun Moore three-pointer here, even though he hasn't hit shit all night.
0:10 - Timeout Purdue because the Boilers are running around like a bunch of guys playing in an intramural league who decided to go get blitzed before their game. Which I assume is all of them.
0:10 - Announcer guy's big plan is for Ryne Smith, the smallest guy on the court other than Lew-Jack, to set a single screen to get JaJuan open for a three-pointer, even though he's not actually a three-point shooter. God this guy is a freakin' idiot.
0:00 - Ball game. Gophers win 70-67. Apparently Matt Painer went to the Tubby Smith school of drawing up plays because Purdue ended up with DJ freaking Byrd shooting up a forced three pointer. Brilliant.
Awesome awesome win for the Gophers. I said this wasn't a must-win, but getting it here is just so big. Not only does it give them another marquee win, but it proves that they are a quality team, something that has been in question since Puerto Rico. I'm a very happy guy right now.
And by the way, check out what this guy predicted this game's score to be (at the bottom).
19:28 - Colton Iverson (starting for Trevor Mbakwe) with a really nice move, taking the ball from the free-throw line to the block with two dribbles, backing in on whoever Purdue's dorky white center is, faking to the left and tossing up a nice jump hook to the right. Swish. Honestly that whole thing was a thing of beauty. It's amazing how he can do that and then look like the fat kid who quit hockey to play basketball on the 8th grade B team the next trip. I coached 8th grade B team once. I know of what I speak, and it ain't pretty.
19:04 - Rodney draws E'Twaun Moore. I love this. Challenge Rodney and hope he steps up.
18:18 - Ok, JaJuan Johnson has now hit a three-pointer and an 18-footer to give Purdue a 5-4 lead. Hopefully Ralph will soon realize that you have to guard him on the perimeter as if he was a guard, not a typical plodding center. And he just hit a turnaround 12-footer over Iverson. This is ridiculous. We on this blog have been calling him "The college KG" since his sophomore year (because we have such an eye for talent), but that might not be high enough praise.
16:58 - And he hits a turnaround over Ralph. This is just ridiculous. I think "The college Jesus" might not be high enough praise.
16:16 - Trevor Mbakwe in to a nice ovation. I approve of that.
15:53 - Rodney and Nolen can't decide if there's supposed to be a switch on a pick, leading to a wide open three-pointer for Purdue and a 12-6 lead. I don't know if the Gopher players are dumb or if Tubby just can't coach, but this shit happens way too often.
15:50 - By the way, how about everybody out there pays attention to flights from MSP to Chicago (either airport) leaving either the 17th or 18th of March and returning the 20th and then email me if you find something cheap. Sound good? Thanks guys, you're the best.
14:59 - Mbakwe draws the foul inside and that might have been against Johnson. I'd know for certain if this announcing team was remotely competent, but instead they're busy telling us that the only way to stop E'Twaun Moore is to hope he gets food poisoning. Really, jackass? I know you're trying to be cute but it turns out you're just a retard.
14:30 - Austin Hollins with a nice take for a lay-up and the foul, cutting the lead to 14-12 (13 if he makes the free-throw). Where the hell has he been? And he misses the free-throw. Hollins has been awfully non-descript for several weeks. I know that's probably typical, but I liked it better when he was a tish more dynamic.
12:53 - Looking like a white-boy shooting battle might be breaking out between Blake and Ryne Smith. My money's on Blake.
12:03 - Noeln for three! And we're tied at 17. Do you remember in my preview of this game how I said D.J. Byrd was the new Brian Cardinal. Well, he's in the game and he's rockin' black socks, a shooting sleeve, and some sort of tank top under his jersey. He just looks annoying.
11:44 - I love how they have Magic Johnson talking about "content of character." I love the guy, he's still my favorite all-time NBA player besides Billy Hoyle, but this is the guy who cheated on his wife for years and years to the point where he contracted HIV and was damn lucky he didn't end up giving it to her or his kid. I really don't think a "content of character" piece is really the place for the Magic Man.
10:17 - This announcer is so bad I seriously want to kill him. My head is literally exploding right now.
9:43 - God damn this ramen is hot! Why you gotta play me like that, ramen?
9:00 - Nolen airballs a three. That's more like it. 22-21 Purdue thanks to a DJ Dickface three-pointer.
8:31 - Chip Armelin just stole Moe Hargrow's move. He got the ball on the break on a 2-on-2 situation, saw the Purdue's guy guarding him was a white dude, and just took it right at him and ended up scoring. Hargrow used to do that every time.
7:48 - Lewis Jackson now abusing Al Nolen for back to back lay-ups. That's not supposed to happen. I thought Nolen was a better defender than that.
6:54 - Jackson splits the top of the zone (Nolen & Armelin) and finds Moore for a wide open three. I know the guy is quick, but that's just awful. Just awful. Once again, either these guys are kind of dumb or Tubby is an overrated coach.
5:26 - Nobody bothers to pick up Barlow on the wing and he coasts in for a lay-up. The amount of mistakes this team makes on a nightly basis is mind-boggling. I'm starting to think they're more talented than I give them credit for, just because they can actually compete despite making so many dumb plays.
3:23 - Sampson gives the Gophers the lead back at 34-33 with a jump hook over Johnson, but the importantly is that he got the ball on teh block, ignored the double-team, and aggressively went for the bucket. I don't even care that he made it, just showing that kind of aggressiveness is a good sign.
2:45 - Jackson tried driving on Nolen again, but this time Nolen blocks his shot and causes the jump ball. Much better.
1:21 - Rodney misses an alley-oop dunk. Freaking awesome.
HALF - Gophers lead 41-40, and that was a great, great half of basketball on the offensive end. Even their half-court sets are looking smooth and and working. JaJuan Johnson (18 pts already) is ridiculously hot and making everything, but they've managed to take E'Twaun Moore out of the game for the most part (1-8 shooting). If the Gophers keep playing like this the rest of the game, they're going to take this one. That Lewis Jackson/Al Nolen match-up might be the key to the game.
19:42 - That play where Blake comes from the corner off a double-pick and curls to the free-throw line seemingly works every time. I'm thinking his rep as a guy who only shoots threes leads to poor defenders on him, and when he takes that cut further inside they can't keep up. With a sample size of tonight, that certainly looks to be the case, because Ryne Smith isn't going to win any defensive awards.
18:41 - Sampson goes to the deck to dig out a steal, and it leads to a three-pointer by Blake to give the Gophers a 46-40 lead. They just have more energy right now, and Purdue seems near meltdown mode. Of course, this is usually where the rug gets pulled out and the Boilers go on a 11-2 run.
16:59 - Lewis Jackson just hit a fadeaway three-pointer. Lewis Jackson can't shoot, and never shoots threes, and only chucked up that one because of the shot clock about to expire. Great. And just to add insult to injury, announcer guy tells us that Jackson is back from injury and healthy and is hitting 45% of this three-pointers this year. But, in reality, he's 1-5 on the season. So this guy is still a jackdonkey.
16:11 - Hoff from 28 feet. Dude is dialed tonight. I'm hoping we get a heat-check from 35, Jake Sullivan style.
15:14 - Hoff hits the jumper on that same curl pick play, and is fouled. Tonight is his night, folks.
15:14 - Of course he misses the free throw, because that makes total sense. 53-45 Gophers.
14:53 - Jackson beats Nolen again for the lay-up. This is embarrassing for Al, for real. It's also embarrassing for everybody else. Where the hell is the help every time this guy gets in the lane. He's 5 foot 9, somebody slide over and make him pass it, jesus christ. I think I learned that in third grade.
13:37 - Purdue just took the lead 54-53 on two Johnson free throws. Yes, they made up 8 points in a minute and a half. I'd go into detail but it's depressing. Let's just say that after a near flawless night from the team overall they've suddenly decided to do stupid crap on offense and stop playing defense. My mood is darkening.
12:48 - Nolen just passed up a wide-open three-pointer because he missed his last two attempts. God damn it's hard to win with a PG who can't/won't shoot. And, as I type, he then steals a pass for an easy dunk to give them back the lead. The love/hate is strong with this one. He's the Sam to my Diane.
11:37 - Iverson with literally the worst defensive play I've ever seen to give Johnson a three-point play. He's half-fronting him and decides to try to steal the entry lob but half-way there realizes he can't get it and stops, but by then he's so far out of position he's really just rubbing up on Johnson's hip and giving Johnson a wide open layup and instead of saying "Fuck it, I fucked up" and letting him score, he kind of pelvis-checks him but not hard enough so he can't score, just perfectly hard enough to get called for a foul. Brilliant.
10:51 - You know what would be really god damn awesome? If they could avoid allowing Johnson to catch the ball when he's already in the lane. You're allowed to push him out before the ball gets there, girls.
10:09 - Nolen again passes up the wide open three. Even if he misses he really, really needs to shoot that shot.
9:44 - Sampson might actually be retarded.
8:14 - Chip Armelin is suddenly everywhere. Announcer guy wants us to know that Chip Armelin "did a great job of pulling out." That's what Mrs. W said last night.
7:47 - Steal by Nolen, then Rodney decides to just glide with the ball and not really bothering putting it on the floor. Turns out the refs don't like that very much. We're tied here at 61 folks. Barn-burner. Need more expensive fancy wine.
7:25 - Remember in Major League how Willie Mays Hayes had to do pushups every time he hit the ball in the air? I'm starting to think Mbakwe should do push-ups every time he doesn't get a rebound. Good lord.
7:00 - Nolen with his patented "drive into the lane pick up the dribble with no idea what to do and turn it over." I don't like this Nolen. I like the gooder Nolen.
5:55 - Nolen with the rip right out of Moore's hands, leading to a lay-up and possible three point play by Rodney. This is the Nolen which is the good one. He's like some kind of god damn two-face. In fact, I'm going to roll with it. He even kind of looks like him:
4:35 - Sampson gives the Gophers the lead with a nice hook in the lane, which naturally leads to these announcers having to gush about his dad and then show footage of him from when he played for Virginia. I can't even express how old that has gotten, I can't even imagine how much our Ralph must hate that. I'm surprised he hasn't gone all Oedipal yet.
4:12 - We're down to 14 on the shot clock before Nolen passes the ball. Timeout, Gophers. Thank god. Tubby is a master at drawing up out-of-bounds plays after a time-out (see: Ohio State game). This is sure to lead to points.
4:00 - Apparently the play was for Sampson to can an 18-footer. Ok then. Sampson jumpers are kind of like a handjob from a fat chick. It's not really what you want, there are better options, and it's not the way things are supposed to go, but if it works you'll take it and be happy.
3:34 - Tied again. Time to figure out a way to get the Hoff a look. Or Nolen, who had another wide open three and this time didn't turn it down, and buried that sumbitch. Hey, if Lewis freaking Jackson is going to be perfect from the free-throw line even though he only shoots 60% on the year and is going to hit a fall-away three, we get to have Nolen hit a couple treys. It's only right.
2:05 - Gophers 70, Purdue 67, Boilers ball and a timeout. Great googily moogily, this game reminds me why I love college ball and specifically the Gophers. Please don't make me remember why I hate them.
1:45 - After Ryne Smith misses a wide open three (thank you), Purdue grabs the board and it leads to Moore with an open three from about 23 feet. He hits backboard first and it clangs away. Seriously, something is wrong with Moore. This is three straight just awful shooting games. I mean, it's good for the Gophers and all, but wow.
1:12 - Hoff drops the ball out of bounds. Shit. Still a three-point game. Wow, not off Hoff. Should have been a foul and if not should have been Gopher ball. Yuck.
0:53 - Rodney blocks Jackson's shot and it ends up Gopher ball. Remember how I talked about how when Jackson drives there needed to be people coming to help? If you don't recognize how I'm a bonafide god damn genius I'm going to drive to your house and shoot you to death. With logic and trivia.
0:30 - White guy on Nolen! White guy on Nolen! Drive! Drive!
0:27 - Yes! He drives and is fouled. Ha ha, stupid white people. Go play hockey.
0:25 - Naturally, Nolen misses. Did I mention it was 1-and-1? Freaking great. Guaranteed E'Twaun Moore three-pointer here, even though he hasn't hit shit all night.
0:10 - Timeout Purdue because the Boilers are running around like a bunch of guys playing in an intramural league who decided to go get blitzed before their game. Which I assume is all of them.
0:10 - Announcer guy's big plan is for Ryne Smith, the smallest guy on the court other than Lew-Jack, to set a single screen to get JaJuan open for a three-pointer, even though he's not actually a three-point shooter. God this guy is a freakin' idiot.
0:00 - Ball game. Gophers win 70-67. Apparently Matt Painer went to the Tubby Smith school of drawing up plays because Purdue ended up with DJ freaking Byrd shooting up a forced three pointer. Brilliant.
Awesome awesome win for the Gophers. I said this wasn't a must-win, but getting it here is just so big. Not only does it give them another marquee win, but it proves that they are a quality team, something that has been in question since Puerto Rico. I'm a very happy guy right now.
And by the way, check out what this guy predicted this game's score to be (at the bottom).
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Game Preview: Minnesota Gophers vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Can you be an NCAA title contender with two stars and a bunch of role-players? I was one of many to write off the Boilers chances after Robbie Hummel went down with yet another injury, but they are looking awfully good thus far this year. And although I can't remember the last team that was so reliant on two players (JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore score 50% of the team's points), those two might be good enough and might have the perfect complimentary pieces around them to make a big run come March.
Johnson, the best player in the Big Ten in my estimation, is the team's leading scorer (19.4 per game), rebounder (8.3 per game), and shot-blocker (2.5 per game). He is so versatile with the ball that he's nearly impossible to stop. He has a variety of moves on the inside, can hit a stand-still jumper out to 18 feet, and has a really nice turnaround that's very reminiscent of Hakim Warrick. He's also one of the best rebounders in the conference, on either end, and he's going to make Sampson/Mbakwe work and work hard on both sides of the ball. Really the only weakness I can think of is that I don't recall him being particularly adept at putting the ball on the floor, so if the Gopher defenders can get out on him on the perimeter and force him to give up the ball, then try to keep him off the block, the Gophers do have at least an outside shot at controlling him - although he's scored in double digits every game this year.
Moore (18.8 pts, 6.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals per game) is just as big a concern, if not bigger given the Gophers' lack of perimeter defense this year. Moore can score from anywhere - he's an excellent shooter from three (42%), has a quality mid-range game, and can put the ball on the ground and drive. He's struggled the last two games from the outside (1-8 from three combined, just 15 total points), and the Gophers will need that to keep up. Even if his shot isn't falling, however, he does enough other things on the court with his rebounding and ability to find open teammates that he can still have a big impact on the game.
Simply put, limit those two and you have a chance. There is, however, one other major concern I'll point out, and that's junior guard Ryne Smith. Simply put, he's Hoffarber/Diebler in black (uniform, not skin). Since fellow shooter John Hart went down to injury, Smith has really stepped up his game. Since Big Ten play started, he's been unconscious. In Purdue's four conference games he's shot 5-6, 2-7, 5-5, and 6-9 from behind the line for a 67% accuracy mark, and is averaging 17 points per game in those four contests. All he does is shoot threes, but he does it extremely well (52% overall for the season). With all the attention that Johnson and Moore draw, he's going to get open looks. Against a team like Minnesota and their poor perimeter defense, he's going to get even more.
The last two individuals I want to mention for Purdue and Lewis Jackson and D.J. Byrd. Jackson is the lightning quick midget point guard who is almost impossible to keep out of the lane. He's not much for shooting (just 1-5 on threes this year), but uses his quickness to get lay-ups and short floaters as well as set up teammates for open looks (4.2 assists per game). He's basically a slightly better offensive version of Al Nolen without the defense. Byrd, on the other hand, is the next in the Brian Cardinal/Chris Kramer line. I mention him here not for you to fear him, but rather to warn you that you are going to be annoyed by him.
As a team, the Boilers are formidable as well. They rank 24th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive, and the only thing they don't do well is that they're slightly below the national average in free-throw percentage (68.1% vs. 68.6%). In fact, they are so solid on defense the only metrics they don't rank in the top 50 nationally in are blocked shot percentage (86th) and steal percentage (153rd), but that doesn't really matter since apparently they just make you throw the ball out of bounds all day (24th in turnover percentage). It's going to be tough going on the offensive end for your beloved rodents.
It's going to be tough all around. Purdue is an outstanding team, and their would be no shame in losing this one, which is why it's not a "must-win" game. It is, however, a "must-compete" game. All we've seen out of this team since the West Virginia game (other than controversy) is poor performances against bad teams at home, and decent showings against good teams on the road. This is the Gophers' first opportunity to take on a good team at home, and they need to come out strong, play well, and keep this one tight if not win it. A three-point loss will convince me we have an NCAA caliber team, while a 15-point loss will have me making my NIT ticket reservations.
If the Gophers can limit at least one of Johnson or Moore while keeping the three-point line in check, continue to be a strong rebounding team, get out in transition and run whenever they can to avoid the half-court game, and get the ball into the bigs in the paint when they are in the half-court offense, they can win this. A lot of ifs, yes, but this is the kind of game a good team can use to make a statement. I am positive I am making a mistake, but something tells me this is exactly what the Gophers are going to do. It goes against everything in my pessimistic nature, but:
Minnesota 70, Purdue 66.
Johnson, the best player in the Big Ten in my estimation, is the team's leading scorer (19.4 per game), rebounder (8.3 per game), and shot-blocker (2.5 per game). He is so versatile with the ball that he's nearly impossible to stop. He has a variety of moves on the inside, can hit a stand-still jumper out to 18 feet, and has a really nice turnaround that's very reminiscent of Hakim Warrick. He's also one of the best rebounders in the conference, on either end, and he's going to make Sampson/Mbakwe work and work hard on both sides of the ball. Really the only weakness I can think of is that I don't recall him being particularly adept at putting the ball on the floor, so if the Gopher defenders can get out on him on the perimeter and force him to give up the ball, then try to keep him off the block, the Gophers do have at least an outside shot at controlling him - although he's scored in double digits every game this year.
Moore (18.8 pts, 6.0 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals per game) is just as big a concern, if not bigger given the Gophers' lack of perimeter defense this year. Moore can score from anywhere - he's an excellent shooter from three (42%), has a quality mid-range game, and can put the ball on the ground and drive. He's struggled the last two games from the outside (1-8 from three combined, just 15 total points), and the Gophers will need that to keep up. Even if his shot isn't falling, however, he does enough other things on the court with his rebounding and ability to find open teammates that he can still have a big impact on the game.
Simply put, limit those two and you have a chance. There is, however, one other major concern I'll point out, and that's junior guard Ryne Smith. Simply put, he's Hoffarber/Diebler in black (uniform, not skin). Since fellow shooter John Hart went down to injury, Smith has really stepped up his game. Since Big Ten play started, he's been unconscious. In Purdue's four conference games he's shot 5-6, 2-7, 5-5, and 6-9 from behind the line for a 67% accuracy mark, and is averaging 17 points per game in those four contests. All he does is shoot threes, but he does it extremely well (52% overall for the season). With all the attention that Johnson and Moore draw, he's going to get open looks. Against a team like Minnesota and their poor perimeter defense, he's going to get even more.
The last two individuals I want to mention for Purdue and Lewis Jackson and D.J. Byrd. Jackson is the lightning quick midget point guard who is almost impossible to keep out of the lane. He's not much for shooting (just 1-5 on threes this year), but uses his quickness to get lay-ups and short floaters as well as set up teammates for open looks (4.2 assists per game). He's basically a slightly better offensive version of Al Nolen without the defense. Byrd, on the other hand, is the next in the Brian Cardinal/Chris Kramer line. I mention him here not for you to fear him, but rather to warn you that you are going to be annoyed by him.
As a team, the Boilers are formidable as well. They rank 24th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive, and the only thing they don't do well is that they're slightly below the national average in free-throw percentage (68.1% vs. 68.6%). In fact, they are so solid on defense the only metrics they don't rank in the top 50 nationally in are blocked shot percentage (86th) and steal percentage (153rd), but that doesn't really matter since apparently they just make you throw the ball out of bounds all day (24th in turnover percentage). It's going to be tough going on the offensive end for your beloved rodents.
It's going to be tough all around. Purdue is an outstanding team, and their would be no shame in losing this one, which is why it's not a "must-win" game. It is, however, a "must-compete" game. All we've seen out of this team since the West Virginia game (other than controversy) is poor performances against bad teams at home, and decent showings against good teams on the road. This is the Gophers' first opportunity to take on a good team at home, and they need to come out strong, play well, and keep this one tight if not win it. A three-point loss will convince me we have an NCAA caliber team, while a 15-point loss will have me making my NIT ticket reservations.
If the Gophers can limit at least one of Johnson or Moore while keeping the three-point line in check, continue to be a strong rebounding team, get out in transition and run whenever they can to avoid the half-court game, and get the ball into the bigs in the paint when they are in the half-court offense, they can win this. A lot of ifs, yes, but this is the kind of game a good team can use to make a statement. I am positive I am making a mistake, but something tells me this is exactly what the Gophers are going to do. It goes against everything in my pessimistic nature, but:
Minnesota 70, Purdue 66.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Week in Review - 5/10/2010
Well the Players Championship was pretty lame. Nobody within sniffing distance of the lead played well on Sunday with the exception of Tim Clark, letting that weird little midget and his gay-ass long putter to end up taking the win. I refuse to acknowledge he is awesome despite the fact that I was planning on bestowing that status on whoever won at Sawgrass, because I refuse to compliment anyone who uses a long putter - and little people creep me out. Also amongst the things done by creepy little people that I won't be acknowledging is Dallas Braden's perfect game against the Rays on Sunday. To throw a perfecto against that lineup would normally be amazing, but every since his little 12-year-old-boy-like outburst against A-Rod for "stepping on my mount" I can't stand the little guy. Plus his name is Dallas.
Actually, I suppose I could just put an entry for "Dwarves" in the Who Was Awesome section and talk about these two, but I don't really want to get into it because I have a couple of small friends and I'm not sure what side of the normal/freaky line they fall on. So let's just ignore these oompa loompas this week and move on. Agreed? Agreed.
WHO WAS AWESOME
1. Nick Blackburn. Pretty tough to ignore the week Blacky pulled out, going 2-0 with a complete game against Detroit earlier this week and then following it up with seven shutout innings on Sunday against Baltimore. I really don't know what to make of him. He doesn't strike anyone out (just 9 this year in 40 innings), but he doesn't walk anybody (11) either, and when he keeps the ball down and gets batters to keep it on the ground he can be very effective, like in that CG against Detroit where he got 22 ground balls to just 11 fly balls. Of course, when he's bad and batters are hitting the ball in the air, he generally gets shelled. All said, he's a good middle of the rotation starter, just like every other Twins' pitcher not named Liriano. In other words, he's good enough to win more than he loses, and with this team's offense should have a solid year.
2. LeBron James. Wow, talk about making a statement. After the Celtics stole game 2 in Cleveland to even the series at 1-1 there was a lot of chatter about how the Celtics were going to win, and the Cavs choked and were likely to choke the series away and blah blah blah. I'm guessing LeBron heard that, because he absolutely took the Celtics behind the woodshed on Friday and showed them his dark secret. He scored 21 points in the first quarter on something like 9-11 shooting, grabbed every rebound, and assisted on several other Cav baskets in route to a huge 1st quarter lead that ended up in becoming a huge blowout win. I've really never seen anything like it. Against a very good defensive team, James could literally do anything he wanted. I don't watch a ton of NBA, but now I know what all those NBA dorks are talking about with the "greatest ever" talk. Just wow. Of course.....
3. Rajon Rondo. Thanks to Rondo, you can't count the Celtics out just yet, because just as when LeBron is on nobody on the Celtics can stop him, the Cavs don't have anyone on their roster who can stop Rondo when he gets it going either. Paul Pierce absolutely sucked on Sunday, but it didn't matter since Rondo basically became LeBron (who, by the way, gets every single call to the point of embarrassment), putting up 29 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing 13 assists. Like James in the previous game, Rondo could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And as impressive as LeBron was, there's still a sense that he could do it whenever he wanted and sometimes coasts on his jumper. With Rondo it was more impressive, because you really got that "raising his game" vibe. Very fun to watch.
4. Purdue. With JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore having put themselves in the NBA draft but not hiring an agent, there was a pretty clear best and worst case scenario here. If Johnson and Moore stayed in the draft, the Boilers would become Robbie Hummel plus talented question-marks and would likely be a fringe NCAA type team with a Sweet 16 upside and an NIT downside. If those two pulled out of the draft, the become a national title contender where a Sweet 16 elimination would be a failure. Since I'm putting this team in the Awesome category, you can probably guess that Moore and Johnson have decided to return. Actually, with Talor Battle, Mike Davis, and Demetri McCamey all doing the right thing and coming back to school, the Big Ten is only losing Evan Turner and that dumbass Manny Harris to early entry. Great. I love it when the conference gets stronger.
5. Vladimir Guerrero. Monster week for Vlad. It seemed like every time I was watching Sportscenter they were showing a Vlad home run this week. And he certainly was ripping the ball, hitting .360 and slugging .840 this week with 4 home runs and 13 ribbies in the 7 games, probably because he's feeling threatened by the awesomeness that is Justin Smoak. Whether it's Smoak-related, the change of scenery to Tejas, or health related, it's working. After a disastrous 2009 where he hit just .295 and OPSed .794 with 15 home runs (all career worsts) , his stats this year are at a much more robust .348 average with an OPS of .941, numbers much more suited to his prime years. Ponce de Leon was wrong. The Fountain of Youth isn't in Florida. It's in Texas. At the Alamo. In the Basement.
WHO SUCKED
1. Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, a big-time SP propect for the Dodgers, had a very, very nice season last year - his second in the bigs. He was just 8-8, which doesn't really matter, and in 171 innings pitched he allowed just 119 hits while striking out 185. Those are pretty incredible numbers, which makes his struggles this year even more confusing. Going into Sunday he was sporting a 4.99 ERA this year (it was 2.79 last season) and a WHIP of 1.70 (it was 1.23 last year), and he hit his nadir (at least thus far) in a disaster of an outing last week against Milwaukee, where he lasted just 1 and 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and seven runs before getting yanked. I've watched Kershaw pitch a couple of times, and the kid has electric stuff. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I'm sure he'll get it figured out and start making morons look like fools at the plate again soon. Or he's in a death spiral and will be out of the league in two years. Since he actually bounced back with a really nice outing on Sunday and out-dueled Ubaldo, I'm betting against the death spiral thing.
2. Atlanta.. Starting with the Hawks, who are now down 0-3 to the Magic, and haven't even been close in a game yet, losing by 43, 14, and 30, and I literally watched three Hawks watch a missed Orlando three pointer bounce right back to the shooter, then continue watching as he waltzed in for an uncontested dunk. They can't shoot either, with their best shooting performance in the three games has been just 40%, and "star" Joe Johnson has practically torn-up the max contract someone was going to give him this offseason by chucking it up some stinkers: 10 pts (4-11 shooting) and 5 TOs in game 1, 5-16 shooting and just 2 rebounds in game 2, and just 8 points on 3-15 shooting in game 3. He's helped to guarantee that this is the most boringest series of the most boringest NBA playoffs ever. Seriously, three of the four series suck. At least Phoenix/LA and Cleveland/Orlando should make for a pretty good Final Four - as long as LA doesn't win again. And although the Braves haven't been terrible, they did toss out a couple of clunkers this week. First, they almost get perfected by Scott Olsen on Tuesday, and then on Friday night they let old man Moyer toss a complete game two-hitter against them, just his second shutout in the last seven years. And don't forget, this is the team that was no-hit by Ubaldo earlier this season as well. The Braves might not be a horrible team overall, but at their worst, they hit like a collection of nine Puntos. Or Kubels, at this point, jesus.
3. Tiger Woods. Well he made the cut at the Players, which is good, but had to withdraw in the middle of the fourth round due to a neck injury, which is bad. And his swing right now is all kinds of F'd up. Not only can he not hit a fairway to save his life (he only 6 last week at Quail Hollow), but he can't hit for distance either - he was dead last in driving distance this week at just 258 yards. Seriously, Brad Faxon thinks Tiger hits the ball like a girl. Clearly, he rushed himself back a bit early, and if he's smart he'll shut it down for a bit and maybe target the PGA Championship for his return. Of course, he won't be able to stay away from the rest of the majors, at a minimum, but I really think he needs to take a lot of time, and get himself back into the same shape he was before his wife lost her mind. He's at a very interesting crossroads, that's for sure. Can't wait to see how this goes down.
4. San Antonio Spurs. Speaking of boring series, I knew the Spurs window was closing, but I wasn't expecting it be slammed shut on their fingers with a 4-0 sweep by the Suns. I guess when, except for a couple of guys, every contributor on the team is either old or white Father Time can catch up pretty quickly. You might be tempted to chalk it up to the fact that they were playing the Suns and their unusual-ish style, but the Spurs have basically owned the Spurs over the years. Getting swept by the Sun in round 2 is probably more damaging and soul-baring than getting swept in the first round by the Mavs would have been. Realistically, they can hold on and be a non-threatening playoff team for a couple of years, but if they're smart it's time to start trying to get all the value they can out of whichever pieces they can move, otherwise they'll be looking at a long fall down the line.
5. Jason Kubel. As you probably know, I am Kubel's biggest fan. However, he is starting to lose even me, going just 3-15 this week and is still hitting just .209 this year and is still sitting on two home runs - the same amount as Orlando Hudson. He's still walking, which shows he hasn't completely lost it, and he isn't striking out significantly more often, but he just isn't hitting. I haven't seen a lot of hard hit balls right at people or miraculous plays to rob hits, it's more a bunch of super weak tappers at infielders and infield pop ups (he's doubled his IF popup % from last year) and he's now losing at-bats to Thome. I know one of these days he'll be back, and when he does he's going to be white hot, you can count on it. I just don't know when. So I'm going to try to jump start his season for him - we'll be benching him in fantasy this week. That practically guarantees he's going to break out. Or at least he better. I don't want to have to burn my Kubel shirt. It cost me like fifteen bucks.
Finally I'd like to add a couple more people that are awesome in honor of Mother's Day: Mama W and Grandma W. You both rock, and have been a huge influence on the person I have become.
Shame on you.
Actually, I suppose I could just put an entry for "Dwarves" in the Who Was Awesome section and talk about these two, but I don't really want to get into it because I have a couple of small friends and I'm not sure what side of the normal/freaky line they fall on. So let's just ignore these oompa loompas this week and move on. Agreed? Agreed.
WHO WAS AWESOME
1. Nick Blackburn. Pretty tough to ignore the week Blacky pulled out, going 2-0 with a complete game against Detroit earlier this week and then following it up with seven shutout innings on Sunday against Baltimore. I really don't know what to make of him. He doesn't strike anyone out (just 9 this year in 40 innings), but he doesn't walk anybody (11) either, and when he keeps the ball down and gets batters to keep it on the ground he can be very effective, like in that CG against Detroit where he got 22 ground balls to just 11 fly balls. Of course, when he's bad and batters are hitting the ball in the air, he generally gets shelled. All said, he's a good middle of the rotation starter, just like every other Twins' pitcher not named Liriano. In other words, he's good enough to win more than he loses, and with this team's offense should have a solid year.
2. LeBron James. Wow, talk about making a statement. After the Celtics stole game 2 in Cleveland to even the series at 1-1 there was a lot of chatter about how the Celtics were going to win, and the Cavs choked and were likely to choke the series away and blah blah blah. I'm guessing LeBron heard that, because he absolutely took the Celtics behind the woodshed on Friday and showed them his dark secret. He scored 21 points in the first quarter on something like 9-11 shooting, grabbed every rebound, and assisted on several other Cav baskets in route to a huge 1st quarter lead that ended up in becoming a huge blowout win. I've really never seen anything like it. Against a very good defensive team, James could literally do anything he wanted. I don't watch a ton of NBA, but now I know what all those NBA dorks are talking about with the "greatest ever" talk. Just wow. Of course.....
3. Rajon Rondo. Thanks to Rondo, you can't count the Celtics out just yet, because just as when LeBron is on nobody on the Celtics can stop him, the Cavs don't have anyone on their roster who can stop Rondo when he gets it going either. Paul Pierce absolutely sucked on Sunday, but it didn't matter since Rondo basically became LeBron (who, by the way, gets every single call to the point of embarrassment), putting up 29 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing 13 assists. Like James in the previous game, Rondo could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And as impressive as LeBron was, there's still a sense that he could do it whenever he wanted and sometimes coasts on his jumper. With Rondo it was more impressive, because you really got that "raising his game" vibe. Very fun to watch.
4. Purdue. With JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore having put themselves in the NBA draft but not hiring an agent, there was a pretty clear best and worst case scenario here. If Johnson and Moore stayed in the draft, the Boilers would become Robbie Hummel plus talented question-marks and would likely be a fringe NCAA type team with a Sweet 16 upside and an NIT downside. If those two pulled out of the draft, the become a national title contender where a Sweet 16 elimination would be a failure. Since I'm putting this team in the Awesome category, you can probably guess that Moore and Johnson have decided to return. Actually, with Talor Battle, Mike Davis, and Demetri McCamey all doing the right thing and coming back to school, the Big Ten is only losing Evan Turner and that dumbass Manny Harris to early entry. Great. I love it when the conference gets stronger.
5. Vladimir Guerrero. Monster week for Vlad. It seemed like every time I was watching Sportscenter they were showing a Vlad home run this week. And he certainly was ripping the ball, hitting .360 and slugging .840 this week with 4 home runs and 13 ribbies in the 7 games, probably because he's feeling threatened by the awesomeness that is Justin Smoak. Whether it's Smoak-related, the change of scenery to Tejas, or health related, it's working. After a disastrous 2009 where he hit just .295 and OPSed .794 with 15 home runs (all career worsts) , his stats this year are at a much more robust .348 average with an OPS of .941, numbers much more suited to his prime years. Ponce de Leon was wrong. The Fountain of Youth isn't in Florida. It's in Texas. At the Alamo. In the Basement.
WHO SUCKED
1. Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, a big-time SP propect for the Dodgers, had a very, very nice season last year - his second in the bigs. He was just 8-8, which doesn't really matter, and in 171 innings pitched he allowed just 119 hits while striking out 185. Those are pretty incredible numbers, which makes his struggles this year even more confusing. Going into Sunday he was sporting a 4.99 ERA this year (it was 2.79 last season) and a WHIP of 1.70 (it was 1.23 last year), and he hit his nadir (at least thus far) in a disaster of an outing last week against Milwaukee, where he lasted just 1 and 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and seven runs before getting yanked. I've watched Kershaw pitch a couple of times, and the kid has electric stuff. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I'm sure he'll get it figured out and start making morons look like fools at the plate again soon. Or he's in a death spiral and will be out of the league in two years. Since he actually bounced back with a really nice outing on Sunday and out-dueled Ubaldo, I'm betting against the death spiral thing.
2. Atlanta.. Starting with the Hawks, who are now down 0-3 to the Magic, and haven't even been close in a game yet, losing by 43, 14, and 30, and I literally watched three Hawks watch a missed Orlando three pointer bounce right back to the shooter, then continue watching as he waltzed in for an uncontested dunk. They can't shoot either, with their best shooting performance in the three games has been just 40%, and "star" Joe Johnson has practically torn-up the max contract someone was going to give him this offseason by chucking it up some stinkers: 10 pts (4-11 shooting) and 5 TOs in game 1, 5-16 shooting and just 2 rebounds in game 2, and just 8 points on 3-15 shooting in game 3. He's helped to guarantee that this is the most boringest series of the most boringest NBA playoffs ever. Seriously, three of the four series suck. At least Phoenix/LA and Cleveland/Orlando should make for a pretty good Final Four - as long as LA doesn't win again. And although the Braves haven't been terrible, they did toss out a couple of clunkers this week. First, they almost get perfected by Scott Olsen on Tuesday, and then on Friday night they let old man Moyer toss a complete game two-hitter against them, just his second shutout in the last seven years. And don't forget, this is the team that was no-hit by Ubaldo earlier this season as well. The Braves might not be a horrible team overall, but at their worst, they hit like a collection of nine Puntos. Or Kubels, at this point, jesus.
3. Tiger Woods. Well he made the cut at the Players, which is good, but had to withdraw in the middle of the fourth round due to a neck injury, which is bad. And his swing right now is all kinds of F'd up. Not only can he not hit a fairway to save his life (he only 6 last week at Quail Hollow), but he can't hit for distance either - he was dead last in driving distance this week at just 258 yards. Seriously, Brad Faxon thinks Tiger hits the ball like a girl. Clearly, he rushed himself back a bit early, and if he's smart he'll shut it down for a bit and maybe target the PGA Championship for his return. Of course, he won't be able to stay away from the rest of the majors, at a minimum, but I really think he needs to take a lot of time, and get himself back into the same shape he was before his wife lost her mind. He's at a very interesting crossroads, that's for sure. Can't wait to see how this goes down.
4. San Antonio Spurs. Speaking of boring series, I knew the Spurs window was closing, but I wasn't expecting it be slammed shut on their fingers with a 4-0 sweep by the Suns. I guess when, except for a couple of guys, every contributor on the team is either old or white Father Time can catch up pretty quickly. You might be tempted to chalk it up to the fact that they were playing the Suns and their unusual-ish style, but the Spurs have basically owned the Spurs over the years. Getting swept by the Sun in round 2 is probably more damaging and soul-baring than getting swept in the first round by the Mavs would have been. Realistically, they can hold on and be a non-threatening playoff team for a couple of years, but if they're smart it's time to start trying to get all the value they can out of whichever pieces they can move, otherwise they'll be looking at a long fall down the line.
5. Jason Kubel. As you probably know, I am Kubel's biggest fan. However, he is starting to lose even me, going just 3-15 this week and is still hitting just .209 this year and is still sitting on two home runs - the same amount as Orlando Hudson. He's still walking, which shows he hasn't completely lost it, and he isn't striking out significantly more often, but he just isn't hitting. I haven't seen a lot of hard hit balls right at people or miraculous plays to rob hits, it's more a bunch of super weak tappers at infielders and infield pop ups (he's doubled his IF popup % from last year) and he's now losing at-bats to Thome. I know one of these days he'll be back, and when he does he's going to be white hot, you can count on it. I just don't know when. So I'm going to try to jump start his season for him - we'll be benching him in fantasy this week. That practically guarantees he's going to break out. Or at least he better. I don't want to have to burn my Kubel shirt. It cost me like fifteen bucks.
Finally I'd like to add a couple more people that are awesome in honor of Mother's Day: Mama W and Grandma W. You both rock, and have been a huge influence on the person I have become.
Shame on you.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
PLACEHOLDER: Mo Walker committs to the Gophers
Star Trib Link Here
Or maybe we need to slow down on this. Despite reports from everyone from Rivals and ESPN.com that Maurice "Escalade" Walker will be committing to your Golden Gophers tomorrow when the spring signing period officially begins, there seems to be some question as to just how much of a "lock" this "lock" is.
From what I've picked up from various sources culled from the Gopher Hole posters, both Walker and his father have backed off a bit, with the dad reporting that Pitt, Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky are all still in the mix and Walker himself telling GopherLady that he hasn't made a decision yet. Of course, these reports directly conflict with some earlier reports, including a text directly from Walker saying that he has decided to play for the Gophers but was asked by Tubby not to announce anything until tomorrow so "out of respect I'm waiting until tomorrow to make everything official."
There seem to be two schools of thought as to what's going on. The first, most optimistic and I think most likely is that Walker has made up his mind to play for the Gophers but for whatever reason - Tubby, his dad, wanting to make his choice a bigger media spectacle - he's backing off so he can make an official announcement with at least a little drama. The second, which seems a bit too doom and gloom even for me, is that he really is changing his mind due to Cory Joseph.
If you follow Gopher recruiting, you know that Walker and Joseph are good friends, good enough even that Walker was trying to get Joseph to come play with him wherever he signed. It was also obvious that Walker loved the Gophers and Tubby, and was basically ready to sign before he even stepped foot on campus. So the conspiracy thought is that Walker decided to be a Gopher and was expecting Joseph to follow him, but has since talked with Cory and found out that he has either decided on another team (Texas) or has eliminated the Gophers from his list without making that info public.
Personally, I think it's the first one. Or at least I hope so. Walker is a great get - 6-10, 300 lb. centers with offers from Kansas don't exactly come knocking at the door often - and I love the idea of sticking somebody with that kind of size next to Mbakwe next year at times. Hell, Ralph can play small forward.
Let's hope this is all nothing and we'll get official word tomorrow that Walker has signed and that we hear Joseph is following him here a few days later. If not, I don't know what plan B is, but the Gophers would end up with one of the worst recruiting classes in the Big Ten, and I would probably cry for three days.
Speaking of crying for three days, JaJuan Johnson has entered the NBA draft, thus ending his reign as "The college KG" and giving the NBA a Hakim Warrick clone. I won't miss him lighting up the Gophers, but I'll miss watching that sweet J and his excellent work on both ends of the floor. I won't be following his career further because I don't watch the NBA because I'm not retarded.
Or maybe we need to slow down on this. Despite reports from everyone from Rivals and ESPN.com that Maurice "Escalade" Walker will be committing to your Golden Gophers tomorrow when the spring signing period officially begins, there seems to be some question as to just how much of a "lock" this "lock" is.
From what I've picked up from various sources culled from the Gopher Hole posters, both Walker and his father have backed off a bit, with the dad reporting that Pitt, Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky are all still in the mix and Walker himself telling GopherLady that he hasn't made a decision yet. Of course, these reports directly conflict with some earlier reports, including a text directly from Walker saying that he has decided to play for the Gophers but was asked by Tubby not to announce anything until tomorrow so "out of respect I'm waiting until tomorrow to make everything official."
There seem to be two schools of thought as to what's going on. The first, most optimistic and I think most likely is that Walker has made up his mind to play for the Gophers but for whatever reason - Tubby, his dad, wanting to make his choice a bigger media spectacle - he's backing off so he can make an official announcement with at least a little drama. The second, which seems a bit too doom and gloom even for me, is that he really is changing his mind due to Cory Joseph.
If you follow Gopher recruiting, you know that Walker and Joseph are good friends, good enough even that Walker was trying to get Joseph to come play with him wherever he signed. It was also obvious that Walker loved the Gophers and Tubby, and was basically ready to sign before he even stepped foot on campus. So the conspiracy thought is that Walker decided to be a Gopher and was expecting Joseph to follow him, but has since talked with Cory and found out that he has either decided on another team (Texas) or has eliminated the Gophers from his list without making that info public.
Personally, I think it's the first one. Or at least I hope so. Walker is a great get - 6-10, 300 lb. centers with offers from Kansas don't exactly come knocking at the door often - and I love the idea of sticking somebody with that kind of size next to Mbakwe next year at times. Hell, Ralph can play small forward.
Let's hope this is all nothing and we'll get official word tomorrow that Walker has signed and that we hear Joseph is following him here a few days later. If not, I don't know what plan B is, but the Gophers would end up with one of the worst recruiting classes in the Big Ten, and I would probably cry for three days.
Speaking of crying for three days, JaJuan Johnson has entered the NBA draft, thus ending his reign as "The college KG" and giving the NBA a Hakim Warrick clone. I won't miss him lighting up the Gophers, but I'll miss watching that sweet J and his excellent work on both ends of the floor. I won't be following his career further because I don't watch the NBA because I'm not retarded.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Beat the Boilers
Like I said in my post from yesterday I can't believe how geeked out I am for this game, especially since Purdue is probably going to win by twenty. But I just can't help it. I can't wait for the game. I guess I'm a bit like Jennifer Aniston. She just knows that whatever guy she gets with is going to get sick of her and break her heart, but she keeps flinging herself at dudes anyway. That's me. But instead of dudes it means Gopher basketball. As far as you know.
On to your preview.
1. Mediocre team that desperately needs a win at home vs. a final four contender - what usually happens? Well, I detailed in the last post how UCONN beat WVU Monday night in a very similar position to what the Gophers are in. Checking back to last year, I found nine similar situations, where a team on the bubble is visited by a top 10 team: Maryland vs. #3 North Carolina, Cincinnati vs. #7 Louisville, Georgetown vs. #6 Louisville, Maryland vs. #7 Duke, UAB vs. #4 Memphis, VA Tech vs. #7 Duke, Maryland vs. #10 Wake Forest, Va Tech vs. #2 North Carolina, and West Virginia vs. #6 Louisville. The bubble team's record in those games: 1-9. Gulp. But hey, thanks to UCONN Bubble teams are undefeated in this type of game this year, so it's practically a lock for your precious Gophers.
2. How good is the big three of Purdue? Really, really good and getting better. E'Twaun Moore might be emerging as the real go-to guy on this team and he absolutely took over the game against Michigan State. JaJuan Johnson has added a 19-foot pull-up jumper to his already Hakim Warrick like game, and Robbie Hummel is steady as they come (except for his shooting slump the last three games which hopefully will continue). The three combine to score 65% of Purdue's points and grab 52% of the team's rebounds, and Hummel and Johnson are two of the most offensively efficient players in the country according to Ken Pom, and Moore has a higher effective field goal percentage than either of them. Oh, and Lewis Jackson is back and has seemingly solved his turnover issues from last year. Yeah, this all sounds real good.
3. What's been working for the Gophers the last two games? Offensive flow, keeping the ball moving in the half court, and the high/low. Against the Badgers they shot 48% while turning it over just 11 times and against the Hoosiers it was 56% and again just 11 turnovers, this time against 23 assists. That ball movement and just overall efficient offense is leading to a lot of open shots, as evidenced by the team's 14-29 three point shooting in the last two. Of course, Purdue is a better defensive team (6th in def. efficiency) than Wisconsin (20th) or Indiana (153rd), and I can't envision how the high/low would possibly work against the Boilers and their size, but moving the ball and finding open shots is going to be a huge key - as it is in pretty much every game of basketball since Naismith and his peach basket.
Defensively this new 3-2 zone has been very effective. Indiana and Wisconsin combined to shoot just 33% from three and 30% from two, and according to Myron Medcalf of the Star Tribune the two teams combined to score just 22 points in the paint. That's all well and good, and there's not doubt a properly executed zone with good athletes - which the Gophers have - can be a devastating defensive weapon, but Purdue ain't Wisconsin or Indiana. The Badgers are more reliant on the three for offense than Craig Hodges and Indiana flat out sucks. The Boilers don't rely on the three, and Moore, Johnson, and Hummel all attack the paint. We'll see just how good that zone is, and we'll see it in a hurry.
4. Who needs to step up? Honestly, everyone. This game isn't remotely close on talent, so it's going to take effort, smart-play, hustle, and some luck if the team is going to pull this one out. Hummel has shot just 8-26 in the last three so if he keeps that up it would be huge, but I'm not that worried about the defense, it's the scoring points part that concerns me. Westbrook is going to have to avoid the temptation to revert back to "the man", and in such a high-profile game you better believe he's going to be tempted. That's probably the #1 key to the game, how Westbrook plays within the offense. I mean, Devoe is going to have to play one of his best games of his career, Sampson is going to have to continue his evolution towards Big Man of the Century and check Johnson, Hoff is going to have to find open shots, and there will probably have to be a surprise hero here somewhere, but the Westbrook thing trumps all. If he's in "showcase my talent" mode, nothing else is going to matter.
5. Well, what do we think? I may be amped up for the game and even feeling a bit optimistic, but I am a realist at heart. Checking kenpom.com, they give the Gophers a 45% of winning this game and predict a one-point Purdue win. That's probably not too generous towards Minnesota. I think if the Gophers and Boilers play this game ten times, Purdue wins seven times - let's just hope this is one of the other three.
Purdue 66, Minnesota 62
As far as other bubble-related news goes, two huge developments last night. The first was Florida notching a huge win by beating Tennessee, and beating them by double-digits. This is everything the Gators needed, and gives them not only another win, but a big-time signature victory. They helped themselves out immensely.
Second, and even more impactful to the bubble, Northern Iowa lost to Evansville in a shocker. Not only was UNI a heavy favorite, but Evansville had lost 17 of its last 18 games and ranked #275 in the RPI going into last night's game. Prior to this all UNI would have had to do was win their last two MVC games against bottom feeders and it would have locked up a bid regardless of what happened in the conference tournament. Now? This is so huge UNI pretty much needs to get to conference final or it's going to be a very nerve-wracking Selection Sunday. What a huge whiff.
Elsewhere, Louisville didn't get a big win it was looking for against Georgetown but are still probably ok, while Illinois, Old Dominion, and Seton Hall all got wins they needed for one reason or another. Northeastern had slim, slim, slim at-large hopes, and those are now officially bye-bye with their loss at home against Hofstra.
WEDNESDAY'S BUBBLE GAMES OF NOTE:
South Florida @ Villanova - The Bulls have a couple of really good wins (beat Pitt and Georgetown earlier), but because the rest of the profile is pretty weak they could really use another.
San Diego State @ BYU - SDSU is probably about as much of a middle of the bubble team as there is. They could really use a high-profile win and this chance to beat the Cougars is as good as it gets.
Pitt @ Notre Dame - The Irish are as good as dead, any single-loss probably kills their chances and with Harangody still injured it will probably happen sooner rather than later.
Dayton @ Temple - The Flyers at-large chances are spiraling down, down, down, and they're probably fifth in the A-10 pecking order at this point. Stealing one from the Owls would help right the ship.
UTEP @ Southern Miss - The Miners lead C-USA, but are on pretty thin ice due to a weak non-conference profile. They can't afford a loss here.
Virginia Tech @ Boston College - If the Hokies lose here, they're done.
Florida State @ North Carolina - Florida State's profile is good but not great - they can't afford to lose to the craptastic Heels.
UAB @ Central Florida - I think UAB is nearing lock status for a bid, but they still have to win games like this one.
DePaul @ Cincinnati - A loss here ends the Bearcats chances.
Saint Joe's @ Charlotte - The 49ers are another team that can't afford a loss.
Marquette @ St Johns - I personally think the committee is going to reward Marquette for playing so many good teams tight even though they lost them all (Marquette has six losses against RPI top 50 teams by single-digits), but winning a game like this is still a must for the Eagles.
Xavier @ St. Louis - X is already in, but the Billikens are making a late push. Something like, say, a win over the Musketeers would be an immense help.
Auburn @ Ole Miss - Lunardi says the Rebels are out. I'm not necessarily agreeing with that, but they definitely have to win out to have a prayer.
Memphis @ Houston - Memphis probably needs to win at least three of its last four and make a run in the CUSA tournament to have a chance.
Wichita State @ Bradley - Any loss short of in the MVC Tournament final ends the Shockers' hopes.
Alabama @ Mississippi State - Varnado and company have an empty profile when it comes to big time victories, so their only chance is win a lot of games.
TCU @ UNLV - The only way UNLV doesn't get in is by losing games like this one.
Sheesh, busy night. Hopefully the Gophers win and all these other teams lose.
On to your preview.
1. Mediocre team that desperately needs a win at home vs. a final four contender - what usually happens? Well, I detailed in the last post how UCONN beat WVU Monday night in a very similar position to what the Gophers are in. Checking back to last year, I found nine similar situations, where a team on the bubble is visited by a top 10 team: Maryland vs. #3 North Carolina, Cincinnati vs. #7 Louisville, Georgetown vs. #6 Louisville, Maryland vs. #7 Duke, UAB vs. #4 Memphis, VA Tech vs. #7 Duke, Maryland vs. #10 Wake Forest, Va Tech vs. #2 North Carolina, and West Virginia vs. #6 Louisville. The bubble team's record in those games: 1-9. Gulp. But hey, thanks to UCONN Bubble teams are undefeated in this type of game this year, so it's practically a lock for your precious Gophers.
2. How good is the big three of Purdue? Really, really good and getting better. E'Twaun Moore might be emerging as the real go-to guy on this team and he absolutely took over the game against Michigan State. JaJuan Johnson has added a 19-foot pull-up jumper to his already Hakim Warrick like game, and Robbie Hummel is steady as they come (except for his shooting slump the last three games which hopefully will continue). The three combine to score 65% of Purdue's points and grab 52% of the team's rebounds, and Hummel and Johnson are two of the most offensively efficient players in the country according to Ken Pom, and Moore has a higher effective field goal percentage than either of them. Oh, and Lewis Jackson is back and has seemingly solved his turnover issues from last year. Yeah, this all sounds real good.
3. What's been working for the Gophers the last two games? Offensive flow, keeping the ball moving in the half court, and the high/low. Against the Badgers they shot 48% while turning it over just 11 times and against the Hoosiers it was 56% and again just 11 turnovers, this time against 23 assists. That ball movement and just overall efficient offense is leading to a lot of open shots, as evidenced by the team's 14-29 three point shooting in the last two. Of course, Purdue is a better defensive team (6th in def. efficiency) than Wisconsin (20th) or Indiana (153rd), and I can't envision how the high/low would possibly work against the Boilers and their size, but moving the ball and finding open shots is going to be a huge key - as it is in pretty much every game of basketball since Naismith and his peach basket.
Defensively this new 3-2 zone has been very effective. Indiana and Wisconsin combined to shoot just 33% from three and 30% from two, and according to Myron Medcalf of the Star Tribune the two teams combined to score just 22 points in the paint. That's all well and good, and there's not doubt a properly executed zone with good athletes - which the Gophers have - can be a devastating defensive weapon, but Purdue ain't Wisconsin or Indiana. The Badgers are more reliant on the three for offense than Craig Hodges and Indiana flat out sucks. The Boilers don't rely on the three, and Moore, Johnson, and Hummel all attack the paint. We'll see just how good that zone is, and we'll see it in a hurry.
4. Who needs to step up? Honestly, everyone. This game isn't remotely close on talent, so it's going to take effort, smart-play, hustle, and some luck if the team is going to pull this one out. Hummel has shot just 8-26 in the last three so if he keeps that up it would be huge, but I'm not that worried about the defense, it's the scoring points part that concerns me. Westbrook is going to have to avoid the temptation to revert back to "the man", and in such a high-profile game you better believe he's going to be tempted. That's probably the #1 key to the game, how Westbrook plays within the offense. I mean, Devoe is going to have to play one of his best games of his career, Sampson is going to have to continue his evolution towards Big Man of the Century and check Johnson, Hoff is going to have to find open shots, and there will probably have to be a surprise hero here somewhere, but the Westbrook thing trumps all. If he's in "showcase my talent" mode, nothing else is going to matter.
5. Well, what do we think? I may be amped up for the game and even feeling a bit optimistic, but I am a realist at heart. Checking kenpom.com, they give the Gophers a 45% of winning this game and predict a one-point Purdue win. That's probably not too generous towards Minnesota. I think if the Gophers and Boilers play this game ten times, Purdue wins seven times - let's just hope this is one of the other three.
Purdue 66, Minnesota 62
As far as other bubble-related news goes, two huge developments last night. The first was Florida notching a huge win by beating Tennessee, and beating them by double-digits. This is everything the Gators needed, and gives them not only another win, but a big-time signature victory. They helped themselves out immensely.
Second, and even more impactful to the bubble, Northern Iowa lost to Evansville in a shocker. Not only was UNI a heavy favorite, but Evansville had lost 17 of its last 18 games and ranked #275 in the RPI going into last night's game. Prior to this all UNI would have had to do was win their last two MVC games against bottom feeders and it would have locked up a bid regardless of what happened in the conference tournament. Now? This is so huge UNI pretty much needs to get to conference final or it's going to be a very nerve-wracking Selection Sunday. What a huge whiff.
Elsewhere, Louisville didn't get a big win it was looking for against Georgetown but are still probably ok, while Illinois, Old Dominion, and Seton Hall all got wins they needed for one reason or another. Northeastern had slim, slim, slim at-large hopes, and those are now officially bye-bye with their loss at home against Hofstra.
WEDNESDAY'S BUBBLE GAMES OF NOTE:
South Florida @ Villanova - The Bulls have a couple of really good wins (beat Pitt and Georgetown earlier), but because the rest of the profile is pretty weak they could really use another.
San Diego State @ BYU - SDSU is probably about as much of a middle of the bubble team as there is. They could really use a high-profile win and this chance to beat the Cougars is as good as it gets.
Pitt @ Notre Dame - The Irish are as good as dead, any single-loss probably kills their chances and with Harangody still injured it will probably happen sooner rather than later.
Dayton @ Temple - The Flyers at-large chances are spiraling down, down, down, and they're probably fifth in the A-10 pecking order at this point. Stealing one from the Owls would help right the ship.
UTEP @ Southern Miss - The Miners lead C-USA, but are on pretty thin ice due to a weak non-conference profile. They can't afford a loss here.
Virginia Tech @ Boston College - If the Hokies lose here, they're done.
Florida State @ North Carolina - Florida State's profile is good but not great - they can't afford to lose to the craptastic Heels.
UAB @ Central Florida - I think UAB is nearing lock status for a bid, but they still have to win games like this one.
DePaul @ Cincinnati - A loss here ends the Bearcats chances.
Saint Joe's @ Charlotte - The 49ers are another team that can't afford a loss.
Marquette @ St Johns - I personally think the committee is going to reward Marquette for playing so many good teams tight even though they lost them all (Marquette has six losses against RPI top 50 teams by single-digits), but winning a game like this is still a must for the Eagles.
Xavier @ St. Louis - X is already in, but the Billikens are making a late push. Something like, say, a win over the Musketeers would be an immense help.
Auburn @ Ole Miss - Lunardi says the Rebels are out. I'm not necessarily agreeing with that, but they definitely have to win out to have a prayer.
Memphis @ Houston - Memphis probably needs to win at least three of its last four and make a run in the CUSA tournament to have a chance.
Wichita State @ Bradley - Any loss short of in the MVC Tournament final ends the Shockers' hopes.
Alabama @ Mississippi State - Varnado and company have an empty profile when it comes to big time victories, so their only chance is win a lot of games.
TCU @ UNLV - The only way UNLV doesn't get in is by losing games like this one.
Sheesh, busy night. Hopefully the Gophers win and all these other teams lose.
Monday, January 4, 2010
To the Boiler Room
Get it? Boilers? Boiler Room? Freddy Krueger? Actually this bit would have worked out a lot better if I knew how to use the picture software on my computer. I was going to paste in a Purdue jersey over Freddy's shirt so it was like he was Chris Kramer, but my computer kept telling me "Error: Source and Destination File Name is the Same" which is total BS because the one file is called "purduejersey" and the other is called "freddykrueger" so how can those be the same? I once kind of knew how to use computers. Now I'm like an 80-year old asking how to use "The Google." Let's just get to something else I'm bad at - basketball analysis.
I've decided to try to add a little bit of structure to my game previews, and as such I'm going to start using a stupid gimmick that I like to call "5 Questions."
1. How are the Gophers going to deal with the next KG? Purdue has a ton of weapons - specifically three - but I am more worried about JaJuan Johnson than either E'Twaun Moore or Robbie Hummel. Not that Moore and Hummel are going to be easily stopped, but Johnson's skill set is prefect to take advantage of Iverson and/or Sampson. He's got the range to pull them out to the perimeter and the ability to go around them from there, or on the block he has a nice turnaround and good moves and footwork to get himself open shots. Not to mention he is an oustanding offensive rebounder, and the Gophers aren't great at preventing them.
The one weakness I see is that Johnson does have a tendency to bring the ball down when he gets it inside rather than keeping the ball high. If the guards and other assorted wing-types can get down there and double before he can get into a move and/or grab the ball when it's down low they can keep him down. Of course, that could lead to open three-pointers, but we'll have to take that chance.
2. What is Hoffarber's role going to be? It's an interesting situation with the Hoff, who has basically become the Gophers top offensive weapon lately, but he can be taken advantage of on the defensive side of the ball by certain teams - and Purdue is probably one of them. He doesn't fare badly against less athletic teams and can actually be a "force" on the boards in those situations, but I don't know how he fits in against Purdue. When Ryne Smith is in the game he should be able to handle him, but every other wing on the Boilers would go right around him.
Still, they are going to need him in the game for his offense, and especially in this game because Purdue's one defensive weakness is defending the three-pointer. They allow opponents to shoot 38.8% from three, 305th in the country. Whether they play a lot of zone or find other ways to help him out, he's going to need to be in the game. And if he can go off like he has lately, that gives the Gophers a good chance to steal one.
3. Any chance that with the Boilers coming off the huge win over West Virginia and then traveling to Madison this weekend that they are overlooking this game? Well, if you want to make that up and use it for bulletin board material go ahead, but I don't think so. No matter how lofty the team's goals - and the Boilers have got to believe they are final four bound - here in the Big Ten I don't think anybdoy overlooks anybody else, particularly not a Tubby Smith coached opponent. I don't think the Gophers are quite looked at as highly as they should be and eventually will be, but I also don't think they are going to be ignored by Painter and Co. Just for kicks, I checked out Purdue in what you could call "trap" games between two biggies the last several years and I can't find even one single instance of them sleeping on a team they should have beaten in between two big games. So there goes that sliver of hope.
4. Which Lawrence Westbrook will show up? It is clear that Westbrook is the go-to scorer on this team. Yes, Hoffarber has been the biggest weapon, but his inability to create his own shot makes me too much of a liability to be "the man." Devoe can create his own shot, but he isn't quite their yet either, so that leaves it to L-Dub to be the alpha dog on this team, and when it works it's a thing of beauty; both Wisconsin games last year, this year's Penn State game were examples of what he can do when he's on. But, as any Gopher fan can tell you, he has been incredible inconsistent throughout his career, and this year has been no exception. In games against top 50 teams as defined at kenpom.com, Westbrook is playing significantly worse than his overall season averages. Points per game: 9 vs. 14. Field Goal Percentage: 41% vs. 52%. Assists per game: 0 vs. 2. Turnovers per game: 3 vs. 1.7. Steals: 0.3 vs. 1.5.
If the Gophers are to do anything in conference play this year Westbrook is going to start bringing his A game against the tough opponents with more regularity. Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State are all in the top 50 and Northwestern and Illinois are just outside of it. I predicted that Westbrook would have a "special" senior season and he got it off to a good start with that Penn State game. If he can keep it going with a huge game against the Boilers that would go a long way towards a possible upset.
5. Can the Gophers beat Purdue in West Lafayette? Short answer: no. Long answer: probably not. Any time you play defense as well as the Gophers, and make no mistake this is one of the best defensive teams in the country, you always have a chance to win anywhere. Although with Purdue being nearly as good on that end (they are 7th to the Gophers 5th in defensive efficieny) and with the Boilers having little trouble with Wake Forest, another top 15 defensive team, earlier this year it doesn't seem really likely.
Still, with a defense that is that good and a team that showed they can win tough road games (@ Madison last year), I don't expect this to be an embarrassment.
Purdue 60, Minnesota 54.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fantasy College Basketball Update
I laid the rules and some initial strategy out in this post.
Here is where the draft currently stands:
1.1 DWG - Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame
1.2 TLEF - Craig Brackins, F/C, Iowa State
1.3 NotoriousTREJetBrit - Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
1.4 Saintfool - Grievis Vasquez, G, Maryland
1.5 Aerial Assault - Kyle Singler, F, Duke
1.6 WuBanger - John Wall, G, Kentucky
1.7 Truck - Jarvis Varnado, F/C, Mississippi St.
1.8 Jeter23 - Patrick Patterson, F, Kentucky
1.9 Tar Heel Boy - Damion James, G/F, Texas
1.10 BasketballCoach - Michael Washington, F/C, Arkansas
1.11 Tobias Funke - Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State
1.12 Balco - Greg Monroe, F/C, Georgetown
2.1 Balco - Lazar Hayward, F, Marquette
2.2 Tobias Funke - James Anderson, G, Oklahoma St.
2.3 Basketball Coach - Tasmin Mitchell, F, LSU
2.4 Tar Heel Boy - Trevor Booker. F. Clemson
2.5 Jeter23 - Devan Downey, G, South Carolina
2.6 Truck - Dominique Jones, G, South Florida
2.7 WuBanger - Jeremy Hazell, G, Seton Hall
2.8 Aerial Assault -
2.9 Saintfool -
2.10 NotoriousTREJetBrit -
2.11 TLEF -
2.12 DWG -
So I am five picks away, and wil have two in a row. I'm hoping to get Manny Harris from Michigan and JaJuan Johnson from Purdue right here. Harris I think would be a steal, and while it seems a little early for Johnson, it turns out there is actually quite a shortage of centers in college hoops, and since we have to start two of them, it feels like it's time.
If Harris is gone, an intriguing prospect would be Derrick Favors, the freshman from Georgia Tech who qualifies as both a forward and a center. He's called "the favorite to win ACC Rookie of the Year", but is that enough to draft him this early? Guards Cory Higgins of Colorado and Talor Battle of Penn State are also possibilities. Last year, Battle put up 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game with just 2.4 turnovers. With less help around him, I could see him pushing those numbers to 20/7/5/2, which would be elite level production.
I may have to take him.
Here is where the draft currently stands:
1.1 DWG - Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame
1.2 TLEF - Craig Brackins, F/C, Iowa State
1.3 NotoriousTREJetBrit - Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
1.4 Saintfool - Grievis Vasquez, G, Maryland
1.5 Aerial Assault - Kyle Singler, F, Duke
1.6 WuBanger - John Wall, G, Kentucky
1.7 Truck - Jarvis Varnado, F/C, Mississippi St.
1.8 Jeter23 - Patrick Patterson, F, Kentucky
1.9 Tar Heel Boy - Damion James, G/F, Texas
1.10 BasketballCoach - Michael Washington, F/C, Arkansas
1.11 Tobias Funke - Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State
1.12 Balco - Greg Monroe, F/C, Georgetown
2.1 Balco - Lazar Hayward, F, Marquette
2.2 Tobias Funke - James Anderson, G, Oklahoma St.
2.3 Basketball Coach - Tasmin Mitchell, F, LSU
2.4 Tar Heel Boy - Trevor Booker. F. Clemson
2.5 Jeter23 - Devan Downey, G, South Carolina
2.6 Truck - Dominique Jones, G, South Florida
2.7 WuBanger - Jeremy Hazell, G, Seton Hall
2.8 Aerial Assault -
2.9 Saintfool -
2.10 NotoriousTREJetBrit -
2.11 TLEF -
2.12 DWG -
So I am five picks away, and wil have two in a row. I'm hoping to get Manny Harris from Michigan and JaJuan Johnson from Purdue right here. Harris I think would be a steal, and while it seems a little early for Johnson, it turns out there is actually quite a shortage of centers in college hoops, and since we have to start two of them, it feels like it's time.
If Harris is gone, an intriguing prospect would be Derrick Favors, the freshman from Georgia Tech who qualifies as both a forward and a center. He's called "the favorite to win ACC Rookie of the Year", but is that enough to draft him this early? Guards Cory Higgins of Colorado and Talor Battle of Penn State are also possibilities. Last year, Battle put up 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game with just 2.4 turnovers. With less help around him, I could see him pushing those numbers to 20/7/5/2, which would be elite level production.
I may have to take him.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hello my Friends - Again (also with Sweet 16 picks)
Hello. I'd love to lie to you and tell you I'm not drunk right now, but that would be lying. And don't you, constant reader, deserve better? I think you do. So you deserve to know that I'm drunk to quite drunk right now. Please pay zero attention to what may follow.
- If it seems like the spelling here is good to quite good, thank firefox and their built in spellcheck. Also, if you're not using firefox, you're not really living.
- My new favorite "guy" at the hotel bar was the guy who I heard saying to someone on the phone, "I can't wait for that Spartans game. Yeah, I'm so amped up. They play at nine. No, I don't know who they're playing." I swear to god that's verbatim.
- Have you ever heard of Gaby Sanchez, 1b, florida? I hadn't really either, but then I did some digging and this guy could be huge. He was stuck behind Mike Jacobs last year. You can say who all you want, but Jacobs hit 32 homers for the Marlins last year. The rest of his stats were pretty underwhelming, but still, it's tough to take a guy like that out of the lineup. Well, Sanchez could be a real stud this year. Last year at AA he hit .314/.404/.513 with 17 homers and 17 steals, following up a year at A+ ball where he hit .279/.369/.433 with 9 homers and six steals. Not overwhelming numbers, but solid, and for a kid who is just 24 a 1-1 walk to strikeout ratio with some power is very impressive. Remember the name. Also I just picked him in the 25th round of a fantasy draft, and I have no idea if he's starting the year in the majors or not. Remember him anyway.
- Speaking of baseball stats, I had an interesting discussion on them with Dawg and Snake in Chicago last weekend. They were under the impression that OPS+, the jesus of statistics, was subjective in someway. They thought the fact that it takes ballpark into account was some guys guess of how many more runs and what not were scored in a given park.
I'm not here to scorn those dipshits, I'm here to educate. No, there is no subjectivity to OPS+. It is simply taking a players SLG + OPB, and comparing to the league average - where the league average is adjusted not only for the "average" of the league, but also for what players do in certain parks, based on that parks comparison to a league average. Is it perfect? Of course not, there are all kinds of variables you can't account for, but it's so much better than using batting average, which brings in all kinds of luck - which OPS minimizes as much as possible.
There is no subjectivity, and there is less randomness than batting average. Please, I beg of you, read up on it. Learn what it really means. And also stop being so stupid and thinking that batting average is superior as an evaluator to on base percentage, when one fluctuates so much from year to year based on luck and the other is fairly consistent. Please. Please, Dawger, please. Bear - back me up here.
- Patrick Mills is very good at basketball.
= Speaking of baseball, I'm sure nobody watch the final of the World Baseball Classic (or any of the games, actually) but stupid Japan won for a stupid second straight time. Their closer, whose name I'm too lazy to look up but I will assume it's something like Chiang Kai-Shek, looked really, really good. I'm fully expecting to see Kai-Shek over in the US in a year or two - but definitely not on the Twins, that would cost money.
- Today's post is brought to you by Bridget Regan:
- And also whoever this girl is:
Who, it would seem, hearts baseball.
- If you're wondering what happened to Luis Flores, the basketball jesus, formerly of the college of Manhattan, he is currently dominating and is an absolute Arriel McDonald of the Israel league, which I think is where McDonald was before anyway so I guess he's the next Arriel Mcdonald. Yeah, that's right. 18 points per game while his team wins the championship? MVP baby, MVP.
- I was going to write about something else, but since I went down to get more beer now I can't remember, and Snacks texted me that I should preview the sweet 16 games. It seems appropriate, since they start tomorrrow, I think, so here you go.
- Louisville vs. Arizona. Wow, really. This is a game? This is going to be a slaughter. I've clearly underestimated Zona in their first two games, but that's because they actually suck. Yet, they still managed to beat Utah and Cleveland State. What do those two teams have in common? Not athletic. You know who is athletic? Yep, the ville. This one is going to be a slaughter. Need more? I'm sure you do, queer. Well how about the Ville ranking #2 in defensive efficiency while Arizona is #119. Yeah, that aught to do it. Louisville 83, Arizona 65.
- Kansas vs. Michigan State. You know who I want to win? Michigan State. Because they're in the big ten and also because I'm pretty sure Cole Aldrich likes the cock. I can't prove it, but I'm suspect. Look, Kansas is basically a two man team with your guy Aldrich and Sherron Collins. They have plenty of nice complementary guys (Taylor is actually looking pretty good) but don't you think Kalin Lucas and/or Travis Walton - the worst shooter since Jacque Vaughn - can keep him in check? And the eighty hundred big guys MSU trots out can handle Aldrich? Michigan State 71, Kansas 68.
- UCONN vs. Purdue. On one hand, I really like Purdue these days. Since Hummel came back, they've playing some great ball. Also JaJuan Johnson (the college KG) is probably the best player in college ball. On the other hand, UCONN is really very, very good at the hoops. AJ Price may be playing the best ball of anybody right now. And how do the Boilers deal with Thabeet? Conventional wisdom says KG can't handle him, but I'm a believer. KG dominates Thabeet, somehow the Boiler guards slow down Price. My head says UCONN, but my heart says Purdue. Boilers 70, UCONN 66.
- Memphis vs. Missouri. I cannot wait to watch this game. Even though this year Memphis actually plays a pretty average paced game, can you really see them sticking too it against an uptempo team like Mizzou? I can't. And let's not pretend Calipari is a real good game coach here. The dude is great at recruiting, skirting the rules, and managing egos (except apparently in the NBA) but his game skills are lacking. Add in the fact that the Memphis point guard is a freshman, and this is going to turn into a track meet, which favors Mizzou. Missouri 88, Memphis 80.
- Pitt vs. Xavier. The Mustketeers are the kind of team who has been in this position before, and always seems to exceed expectations. Pitt is the kind of team that chokes every year. Plus, I heard from a very reliable, confidential source that LaVance Fields was caught making out with Carl Krauser last night, and the team is in turmoil. Plus, DeJuan Blair got caught taking roids. Xavier 72, Pitt 66.
- Villanova vs. Duke. Pardon my french, but this game is gays central. I'm assuming I don't have to tell you how gay Duke is as a program, but if you're one of those weirdos who likes them and consistently mispronounces Laettner I can't help you. Villanova is gay because in all honesty Scottie Reynolds might be the worst college basketball player who people love not named Curry. Also if you think curry could be good in the pros you should probably go to the gas station and buy a lighter and light yourself on fire. Watching nova against UCLA, they just shredded them. How much of that was Nova people not named Reynolds since he sucked all game, and how much was the soft Pac-10? You know who else is soft? Again? Duke. Kyle Singler is their only good "post" player and he's more of a Rickert. This is more a Big East vs. soft defense pick than anything else. Villanova 83, Duke 72.
- North Carolina vs. Gonzaga. I bet you love UNC. I'd bet anything you do. Everybody does. Plus they have that whole stupid story about Lawson going for them. Wrong again Liberal media. Guess who was the team you wanted to make out with for about ten years and always disappointed but lost twenty pounds and got a boob job (to steal a Simmons bit)? Zags baby. Inside, outside, offense, defense, this team haas got it all. I beg of you to pay atttention to Austin Daye. Gonzaga 90, UNC 71.
- Syracuse vs. Oklahoma. Toughest game to pick. You know the Sooners will toss it in to Griffin all day long, and although the Cuse are deep, the have no one single individual who can handle Griffin. Good news - Jimmy Boeheim is a hell of a coach and will find a way. Syracuse 90, Oklahoma 86.
So that will do it. I'm sure I had a lot more to say but damn beer. I will leave you with the latest picture of wonderbaby, since I am pretty sure that's the only reason you show up here anyway. I asked her to pose for DWG, and I'm pretty sure this look says, "Holy crap, you are all idiots."
Pretty accurate, no?
- If it seems like the spelling here is good to quite good, thank firefox and their built in spellcheck. Also, if you're not using firefox, you're not really living.
- My new favorite "guy" at the hotel bar was the guy who I heard saying to someone on the phone, "I can't wait for that Spartans game. Yeah, I'm so amped up. They play at nine. No, I don't know who they're playing." I swear to god that's verbatim.
- Have you ever heard of Gaby Sanchez, 1b, florida? I hadn't really either, but then I did some digging and this guy could be huge. He was stuck behind Mike Jacobs last year. You can say who all you want, but Jacobs hit 32 homers for the Marlins last year. The rest of his stats were pretty underwhelming, but still, it's tough to take a guy like that out of the lineup. Well, Sanchez could be a real stud this year. Last year at AA he hit .314/.404/.513 with 17 homers and 17 steals, following up a year at A+ ball where he hit .279/.369/.433 with 9 homers and six steals. Not overwhelming numbers, but solid, and for a kid who is just 24 a 1-1 walk to strikeout ratio with some power is very impressive. Remember the name. Also I just picked him in the 25th round of a fantasy draft, and I have no idea if he's starting the year in the majors or not. Remember him anyway.
- Speaking of baseball stats, I had an interesting discussion on them with Dawg and Snake in Chicago last weekend. They were under the impression that OPS+, the jesus of statistics, was subjective in someway. They thought the fact that it takes ballpark into account was some guys guess of how many more runs and what not were scored in a given park.
I'm not here to scorn those dipshits, I'm here to educate. No, there is no subjectivity to OPS+. It is simply taking a players SLG + OPB, and comparing to the league average - where the league average is adjusted not only for the "average" of the league, but also for what players do in certain parks, based on that parks comparison to a league average. Is it perfect? Of course not, there are all kinds of variables you can't account for, but it's so much better than using batting average, which brings in all kinds of luck - which OPS minimizes as much as possible.
There is no subjectivity, and there is less randomness than batting average. Please, I beg of you, read up on it. Learn what it really means. And also stop being so stupid and thinking that batting average is superior as an evaluator to on base percentage, when one fluctuates so much from year to year based on luck and the other is fairly consistent. Please. Please, Dawger, please. Bear - back me up here.
- Patrick Mills is very good at basketball.
= Speaking of baseball, I'm sure nobody watch the final of the World Baseball Classic (or any of the games, actually) but stupid Japan won for a stupid second straight time. Their closer, whose name I'm too lazy to look up but I will assume it's something like Chiang Kai-Shek, looked really, really good. I'm fully expecting to see Kai-Shek over in the US in a year or two - but definitely not on the Twins, that would cost money.
- Today's post is brought to you by Bridget Regan:
- And also whoever this girl is:
Who, it would seem, hearts baseball.
- If you're wondering what happened to Luis Flores, the basketball jesus, formerly of the college of Manhattan, he is currently dominating and is an absolute Arriel McDonald of the Israel league, which I think is where McDonald was before anyway so I guess he's the next Arriel Mcdonald. Yeah, that's right. 18 points per game while his team wins the championship? MVP baby, MVP.
- I was going to write about something else, but since I went down to get more beer now I can't remember, and Snacks texted me that I should preview the sweet 16 games. It seems appropriate, since they start tomorrrow, I think, so here you go.
- Louisville vs. Arizona. Wow, really. This is a game? This is going to be a slaughter. I've clearly underestimated Zona in their first two games, but that's because they actually suck. Yet, they still managed to beat Utah and Cleveland State. What do those two teams have in common? Not athletic. You know who is athletic? Yep, the ville. This one is going to be a slaughter. Need more? I'm sure you do, queer. Well how about the Ville ranking #2 in defensive efficiency while Arizona is #119. Yeah, that aught to do it. Louisville 83, Arizona 65.
- Kansas vs. Michigan State. You know who I want to win? Michigan State. Because they're in the big ten and also because I'm pretty sure Cole Aldrich likes the cock. I can't prove it, but I'm suspect. Look, Kansas is basically a two man team with your guy Aldrich and Sherron Collins. They have plenty of nice complementary guys (Taylor is actually looking pretty good) but don't you think Kalin Lucas and/or Travis Walton - the worst shooter since Jacque Vaughn - can keep him in check? And the eighty hundred big guys MSU trots out can handle Aldrich? Michigan State 71, Kansas 68.
- UCONN vs. Purdue. On one hand, I really like Purdue these days. Since Hummel came back, they've playing some great ball. Also JaJuan Johnson (the college KG) is probably the best player in college ball. On the other hand, UCONN is really very, very good at the hoops. AJ Price may be playing the best ball of anybody right now. And how do the Boilers deal with Thabeet? Conventional wisdom says KG can't handle him, but I'm a believer. KG dominates Thabeet, somehow the Boiler guards slow down Price. My head says UCONN, but my heart says Purdue. Boilers 70, UCONN 66.
- Memphis vs. Missouri. I cannot wait to watch this game. Even though this year Memphis actually plays a pretty average paced game, can you really see them sticking too it against an uptempo team like Mizzou? I can't. And let's not pretend Calipari is a real good game coach here. The dude is great at recruiting, skirting the rules, and managing egos (except apparently in the NBA) but his game skills are lacking. Add in the fact that the Memphis point guard is a freshman, and this is going to turn into a track meet, which favors Mizzou. Missouri 88, Memphis 80.
- Pitt vs. Xavier. The Mustketeers are the kind of team who has been in this position before, and always seems to exceed expectations. Pitt is the kind of team that chokes every year. Plus, I heard from a very reliable, confidential source that LaVance Fields was caught making out with Carl Krauser last night, and the team is in turmoil. Plus, DeJuan Blair got caught taking roids. Xavier 72, Pitt 66.
- Villanova vs. Duke. Pardon my french, but this game is gays central. I'm assuming I don't have to tell you how gay Duke is as a program, but if you're one of those weirdos who likes them and consistently mispronounces Laettner I can't help you. Villanova is gay because in all honesty Scottie Reynolds might be the worst college basketball player who people love not named Curry. Also if you think curry could be good in the pros you should probably go to the gas station and buy a lighter and light yourself on fire. Watching nova against UCLA, they just shredded them. How much of that was Nova people not named Reynolds since he sucked all game, and how much was the soft Pac-10? You know who else is soft? Again? Duke. Kyle Singler is their only good "post" player and he's more of a Rickert. This is more a Big East vs. soft defense pick than anything else. Villanova 83, Duke 72.
- North Carolina vs. Gonzaga. I bet you love UNC. I'd bet anything you do. Everybody does. Plus they have that whole stupid story about Lawson going for them. Wrong again Liberal media. Guess who was the team you wanted to make out with for about ten years and always disappointed but lost twenty pounds and got a boob job (to steal a Simmons bit)? Zags baby. Inside, outside, offense, defense, this team haas got it all. I beg of you to pay atttention to Austin Daye. Gonzaga 90, UNC 71.
- Syracuse vs. Oklahoma. Toughest game to pick. You know the Sooners will toss it in to Griffin all day long, and although the Cuse are deep, the have no one single individual who can handle Griffin. Good news - Jimmy Boeheim is a hell of a coach and will find a way. Syracuse 90, Oklahoma 86.
So that will do it. I'm sure I had a lot more to say but damn beer. I will leave you with the latest picture of wonderbaby, since I am pretty sure that's the only reason you show up here anyway. I asked her to pose for DWG, and I'm pretty sure this look says, "Holy crap, you are all idiots."
Pretty accurate, no?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Quick Hitters
A few quick notes
1. The college KG, JaJuan Johnson of Purdue, is freaking awesome. I have a feeling I would be writing him up in the who was awesome section of the weekend review, but I'm heading to Utah for the week and likely won't have a computer and even less access to sports and internet since I'll have to spend most of my time with Mrs. W's insane family so I probably won't get to a weekend review. Anyway, that dude is definitely the next Hakim Warrick who was the next Kevin Garnett, and he lit up the Buckeyes tonight for a career high 30 points on 10-16 shooting in their overtime loss (sans Hummel). One of the most impressive things, and they pointed this out on the ESPN broadcast too, is that when he gets the ball in the paint he doesn't dribble like so many other big guys do, giving the double-team extra time to get there - and his very nice turnaround jumper too, of course. He can still disappear at times, which is partially his teammates' fault, but look out for this kid the next two years.
2. Hey Lady at the Gym (yes, I joined a gym), are you seriously going to sit there on the Elliptical machine and have a ten minute conversation on your cell phone? And then, five minutes later, make another call and have another ten minute conversation? I don't even know where to begin. Who brings a cellphone with them into the gym? Unless you're the go to surgeon for the president or Sam Jacobson's pot dealer his senior year, you can go 30 minutes unattached from your cellular telephone device. Not to mention that having a ten minute conversation in close quarters with other people should be grounds for a beat down. Hey, jackasses around the world, if you need to talk on the phone for more than 30 seconds, LEAVE THE GOD DAMNED ROOM. This goes for personal or professional, in public or even in your own home. It's just good manners. And lastly, if you're on the phone 20 of your 25 minutes on a machine, you probably should just give up, stay home, watch the Biggest Loser and eat bon-bons. And you're ugly.
3. If the Twins trade Delmon Young for Jarrod Washburn I quit. I will absolutely quit. I will never go to another game, I will never watch another game, I will never read about another game. I will burn my Twins hat (but I'll keep my Jason Kubel shirt). I will start a blog called billsmithisastupidjerkfaceloser.com. Why would you give up on Delmon Young already? I mean, I get why, actually, but to trade him for Washburn? If you're going to give up and trade him, get something of more value come back, but Washburn? He'll be 35 this year. He hasn't had a WHIP under 1.26 since 2002, and last year topped out at 1.46, a career worst and equal to Boof Bonser's numbers last year. His K rate is down, his walk rate is up, and he's a flyball pitcher who'd be throwing in the Metrodome. He has articles written about him called, "Is Washburn Washed Up?" Honest to god, if they trade Delmon Young for him, I'm done.
4. Speaking of the Twins, please just sign Joe Crede already. Give him something like $4-$5 million with another half mil in incentives for a year. If it doesn't work out, you're just out the $5 million, no big whoop. If it does, you'll lose him but maybe Luke Hughes will be ready the next season or another option will present itself. Third base needs to be upgraded, and time is running out.
5. UCONN stomped an awesome Louisville team in Louisville. I think they're my new pick to win the whole shebang.
6. Lastly, I just want to say that Wonderbaby can now give high fives on demand, and also, for the first time today, was able to put a ball in a hoop (not an actual hoop, but a hooped shape container - shut up, still counts)
1. The college KG, JaJuan Johnson of Purdue, is freaking awesome. I have a feeling I would be writing him up in the who was awesome section of the weekend review, but I'm heading to Utah for the week and likely won't have a computer and even less access to sports and internet since I'll have to spend most of my time with Mrs. W's insane family so I probably won't get to a weekend review. Anyway, that dude is definitely the next Hakim Warrick who was the next Kevin Garnett, and he lit up the Buckeyes tonight for a career high 30 points on 10-16 shooting in their overtime loss (sans Hummel). One of the most impressive things, and they pointed this out on the ESPN broadcast too, is that when he gets the ball in the paint he doesn't dribble like so many other big guys do, giving the double-team extra time to get there - and his very nice turnaround jumper too, of course. He can still disappear at times, which is partially his teammates' fault, but look out for this kid the next two years.
2. Hey Lady at the Gym (yes, I joined a gym), are you seriously going to sit there on the Elliptical machine and have a ten minute conversation on your cell phone? And then, five minutes later, make another call and have another ten minute conversation? I don't even know where to begin. Who brings a cellphone with them into the gym? Unless you're the go to surgeon for the president or Sam Jacobson's pot dealer his senior year, you can go 30 minutes unattached from your cellular telephone device. Not to mention that having a ten minute conversation in close quarters with other people should be grounds for a beat down. Hey, jackasses around the world, if you need to talk on the phone for more than 30 seconds, LEAVE THE GOD DAMNED ROOM. This goes for personal or professional, in public or even in your own home. It's just good manners. And lastly, if you're on the phone 20 of your 25 minutes on a machine, you probably should just give up, stay home, watch the Biggest Loser and eat bon-bons. And you're ugly.
3. If the Twins trade Delmon Young for Jarrod Washburn I quit. I will absolutely quit. I will never go to another game, I will never watch another game, I will never read about another game. I will burn my Twins hat (but I'll keep my Jason Kubel shirt). I will start a blog called billsmithisastupidjerkfaceloser.com. Why would you give up on Delmon Young already? I mean, I get why, actually, but to trade him for Washburn? If you're going to give up and trade him, get something of more value come back, but Washburn? He'll be 35 this year. He hasn't had a WHIP under 1.26 since 2002, and last year topped out at 1.46, a career worst and equal to Boof Bonser's numbers last year. His K rate is down, his walk rate is up, and he's a flyball pitcher who'd be throwing in the Metrodome. He has articles written about him called, "Is Washburn Washed Up?" Honest to god, if they trade Delmon Young for him, I'm done.
4. Speaking of the Twins, please just sign Joe Crede already. Give him something like $4-$5 million with another half mil in incentives for a year. If it doesn't work out, you're just out the $5 million, no big whoop. If it does, you'll lose him but maybe Luke Hughes will be ready the next season or another option will present itself. Third base needs to be upgraded, and time is running out.
5. UCONN stomped an awesome Louisville team in Louisville. I think they're my new pick to win the whole shebang.
6. Lastly, I just want to say that Wonderbaby can now give high fives on demand, and also, for the first time today, was able to put a ball in a hoop (not an actual hoop, but a hooped shape container - shut up, still counts)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
When Doves Cry
Yep, that's pretty much what we've come to at this point. It's probably time to realize the Gophers are a thoroughly mediocre team after dropping a game at home to Purdue 70-62, a score I almost called. In a game which was made even worse by rush-hour like traffic both before and after, the Gophers followed up their sloppy effort against Northwestern on Sunday with an even sloppier, uglier, lazier effort last night. A lot of that can be credited to Purdue, who is a fabulous defensive squad, but if you're a national ranked team with aspirations on a good seed in the NCAA tournament you find a way to get it done, especially when you're at home.
An ugly game was made even uglier by Heavy Handed Hightower who, along with those other guys, called a ridiculous 49 fouls leading to a total of 61 free throws between the teams. The Gophers were actually right there in the rebound battle (losing 32-29) and forced the Boilers into 17 turnovers to just 14 for the home team. Unfortunately, none of that matters when you shoot just 28% (3-19 from three) and allow the other team to shoot 47% (6-11 from three).
It's time to ramp down projections and temper your hopes and dreams, as it's becoming clear that maybe this Gopher team just isn't as good as it had appeared. They can't guard or score against the really good teams. I'm not saying they are a bad team, far from it, but after the Wisconsin win expectations really rose, my own included. It's time to realize they are basically a bubble team, looking at a 7-11 type seed if they get in and possibly one victory in the tournament. That is the new level of success we should hope for. Pretty much exactly where we were going into this season. Still a good team, but my hopes have been dashed. Let me pose something, perhaps the win over wisconsin wasn't an indication of how good the Gophers are, but how bad the Badgers are. I just blew your mind.
Anyway, here's some stuff:
Halftime Show: That was awful. When it's a bunch of girls running around jumping and flipping about like the Fargo-Moorhead Acro Team it's awesome. When it's two dudes doing the same thing, it's just gay.
Lewis Jackson: I don't know that I've ever seen anybody as fast as this little midget. His numbers aren't all that impressive this year or anything, but I have no idea how that's possible since he appears to be completely and totally unguardable. He did turn it over five times last night, but I think that's just the kind of thing you have to take sometimes with a guy like this. Not even Nolen could stay in front of him, and I didn't think that was possible. Speaking of unguardable...
Al Nolen: He's still unguardable as well, and can get to the paint anytime he wants. Here's the problem, he gets in too deep, and has no idea what to do. He either needs to start pulling up for a jumper, commit to getting to the rim and just keep going, or pass it back out before he gets in too deep. He seemed to have two modes last night, either drive and stop and have no idea what to do once he got in the lane, or keep charging in. He keep charging in thing has it's place, and last night it worked thanks to the refs as Nolen had 17 points, mainly thanks to his 10-10 on free throws. The stopping in the lane thing, however, has got to stop. He's got a ton of talent, and other than his 3-14 shooting and the driving and stopping thing, he had a great line (17pts, 6rebs, 4assists, 3steals). He's starting to become quite the enigma.
Poor Unsuspecting Girl: This was just some poor girl Snake pointing out to me, vulgarly referring to her as "Trim." Then she turned around, and was clearly no older than thirteen and wearing braces. I hope you enjoy prison Snake, say hi to Tweeder for me.
Lawrence Westbrook: I'm pretty upset with myself for defending Westbrook in the comments of my last post, he really played a very lazy game last night. He got lost on defense a few times, and even seemed to have trouble handling the ball - like he couldn't quite dribble correctly, more like an 8 year old girl than a nationally ranked team's leading scorer. One play was completely inexcusable - I don't remember exactly the situation, but a ball was heading out of bounds of the Boilers and in Westbrook's direction, rather than grab it, he lazily waited for it to go out of bounds, when instead a Purdue player ran over and saved it to a teammate. Just inexcusable. I honestly think he might have the flu or mono or the HIV or something, because I've never seen somebody play with less energy.
Ralph Sampson: One of the lone bright spots last night, Sampson finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds and won the coveted "Boston Scientific Heart of the Game." I still think this guy has the most potential out of any of the newcomers, and he seems to be gaining confidence. His outside jumpshot is pretty much completely random, either it's on or it's way, way, way off, but I have faith in him. All American in two years?
Devoe Joseph: I really liked how he tried to take over the game offensively for a stretch when the Gophers couldn't seem to score. It showed he has a scorers mentality, despite being used mainly as a PG - including playing the 1 when he and Nolen were in together. It wasn't his best game, but I saw something I really liked - much like when I watch that stats lady walk across the floor.
Green Guy: Honest to christ, what the hell was that? I don't even get it. Am I just old? I think it's pretty much just kind of stupid and weird. If you're going to be weird, at least make sense. Like, I get the guy who dresses like a cow, and I get the guys who painted their chests. It's demented and sad, but I get it. I don't get the gorillas (they aren't found in barns - you don't make sense) and I really don't get the green guy.
Travis Busch: Busch played 12 minutes which is far too many against a team like Purdue. I get that you want to mix it up a bit when things aren't working, but how about giving Devron Bostick more than 8 minutes? He might be our most complete offensive player, so why not give him more of a shot against a good defense? Sorry, I know I'm not allowed to question Tubby, my bad. The only memorable thing Busch did was when he blocked the shot of a 5-5 midget, then backed away from the ball which allowed the midget to grab it and throw it over to Hummel for a wide open three pointer, which he thankfully missed. You'd think a guy with all that grit and hustle would know to grab the ball, and probably dive at it even when not necessary.
Cross Country Hat Wearing Guy: This dude sat in front of us, wearing some kind of cross country hat, which was completely unformed and the back tab thing wasn't tucked in so it stuck out like some kind of reverse antenna. Every single timeout he had to stand up. It may not sound like much, but when me, Snake, and Snacks all noticed it separately, it's clearly pervasive and completely irritating. Just stay in your god damn seat, you damn hippie.
JaJuan Johnson: I said I was a bit concerned about Johnson, and didn't think Iverson could handle him and hoped Sampson could. Turns out nobody could. "The College KG" led Purdue with 19 points and 8 rebounds, and tossed in five blocked shots just for kicks. Completely unstoppable force. Big Ten Player of the Year.
Paul Carter: I didn't much notice Carter, and other than a very short stretch where he grabbed a steal and blocked a shot or two, he didn't do much, but the important question is: Who would win in a bar fight, Westbrook or Carter? Official bar type fight, where whatever weapons you can find (broken bottle, pool cue) are available? Snake says Carter, I say Westbrook.
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