Gopher Basketball
* Although he was plagued yesterday with foul problems and his stat line wasn’t spectacular, every time I watch J’Son Stamper play, I’m sad that he can’t don the Gophers uniform for another couple years (for different reasons than Gopher Lady). Not that I wouldn’t like to have Grier or Puchtel back for a couple more years too, but Stamper has definitely become a favorite. You realize in just a few years you could mention Stamper’s name and you’ll receive quizzical looks from the casual or novice Gopher fan who won’t see his name anywhere in the record books. But you mention his name to a hardcore fan, and they’ll know. . .it’ll be liking having the password to an exclusive club.
* I also want to send a bit of love towards Moe Hargrow. As the Gophers were spiralling downward and even when they defeated Indiana, Hargrow’s play could be described as erratic, and that would be generous. When he was benched to make room for Abu-Shamala and jacking up shots against Indy, I thought that might be it-this might be the second time we saw Moe leave the Gophers squad prematurely. Instead, he’s been coming off the bench, to our knowledge not sulking about his new role, and contributing to the squad even as his minutes continue to slide. He’s had as tumultous a Gopher career as anyone I can recall, and has received a great deal of criticism, whether warranted or not. His perseverance through this difficult time has been interesting to view, and one hopes that it demonstrates the maturation of a young man that will benefit him throughout his life.
* Let’s say, for hypothetical sake, that the Gophers recent overall strong play all of a sudden leaves them and they go on a swoon which leaves them with a losing record. They will still have a chance for postseason play, as I read this week that the NIT will no longer require teams to have at least a .500 record to be eligible for their tournament. (Let’s just hope that if this does occur, someone in the Gopher athletic/marketing program does not choose to feature the feat “first team with a losing record to play in the NIT” the next time ESPN runs their Pride of the Program feature.) For a tournament that is largely considered irrelevant, I can’t see how admitting teams below .500 will add to their prestige. The NIT’s turned into that guy at the bar when it’s nearing closing time, he’s feeling a bit tipsy, he’s realized that all his buddies have hooked up with someone at the bar, and he begins drastically reducing his standards for companionship for the night, the repercussions of the next morning be damned.
* Remember when Bobby Knight was fired and several Hoosier players (led by current IUPUI coach Dane Fife) talked about quitting the team and leaving Indiana without a team to field? Well, not quite on the same scale, but today Packer mentioned on TV that Robert Vaden has mentioned transferring and DJ White stated that he came from Alabama to play for coach Davis, and would be rethinking his decision. Do you think there might be a few coaches out there salivating at the prospect of adding one of these guys as a transfer onto their squads?
* Since I’ve been confused lately by the Gophers, I’ll extend my confusion to the seemingingly almost universal assumption that the Hoosiers will be hiring Steve Alford, cause he’s “one of their own”. What a stupid reason to hire a coach, especially when that means hiring a guy whose career at Iowa has been decidedly mediocre and also has the albatross of Pierre Pierce in his closet (and I’ll bet anyone a dinner that if Alford gets hired by Indiana, mention of Pierce will be brought back into the spotlight). I like Alford in Iowa City-much like Amaker in Ann Arbor, I’m never too worried that these programs will dominate the Big Ten as long as those guys are in charge.
* Going on the “one of their own” theory, I sure hope the Gophers never get boxed into that category-beyond Flip and maybe JB, who are we talking about? Ryan Wolf???
* After watching Bucknell-Northern Iowa yesterday, I’m quite certain I don’t want Greg McDermott to be hired as Iowa’s next coach. His team plays a disciplined defense, he has an extensive playbook on offense, and also has established himself with the high school coaches in Minnesota. With Izzo, Bo Ryan, and Crean already making inroads into Minnesota, I’d prefer not to have another coach from a major program competing for our top talent.
* There were three bracket buster games I watched intently yesterday: Bucknell-UNI; UW-Milwaukee-Mo. State; and Wichita State-George Mason. While I came away very impressed with Bucknell, UNI, Mo. State, and Wichita State, the team that resonated the most was George Mason. I had seen Wichita State play before and knew their team was very solid, with some good height, which can be a rare commodity on the mid-major circuit. George Mason came onto their home court, and while they almost gave away a double-digit lead in the second half, I was wowed by them. They have a very well balanced team and two very solid post players, one of whom could be a breakout star come tourney time-nearly 300 lbs widebody Jai Lewis, who controls the paint, but also can launch the trey, and was seen dribbling behind his back and between his legs (albeit, not that effectively). Watch this team come March.
* I feel like I’m reviewing the first Star Wars, so much time has elapsed, but last Monday’s UConn-Nova game did not disappoint, especially since the Wildcats won. When Nova was behind twelve in the second half, I almost conceded the game, especially with the ‘Cats struggling so much from the outside-and then Allen Ray just went off. And while I’ve loved watching Villanova all season, I was not able to give much credence to the thought that they can contend for the national championship, but if Will Sheridan can contribute like he did against the deepest frontline in the nation, I believe this team can beat anyone, anywhere. That all being said, I still think UConn is the national championship favorite. Looking at this team, I see NBA players all over the place, and the tremendously talented Rudy Gay is starting to assert himself, although he still has a ways to go in that category. They had a good bounce back against West Virginia yesterday (what a week for the #1 team-at Villanova, at West Virginia. . .I still can’t get over how stacked the Big East is at the top of their league).
* Before I leave Villanova, I just have to ask the question: how can anyone not love the way Kyle Lowery plays the game? Always hustling, always at an accelerated, yet controlled pace. I just love watching this kid. I’m very curious as to how he will adjust his game next year when his senior backcourt mates leave.
* The SEC has long (and I mean long) been my favorite whipping boy in college basketball. I’ve felt they’ve often been overrated and seemingly offer up mediocre showings in the tourney. But I’m coming around on the SEC-I think over the next few years we’ll be watching some very good teams emerge from the league and challenge for national championships, led by Florida, with their current sophomore-dominated starting lineup. Right there with them will be Tennessee, as long as Bruce Pearl sticks around. Alabama won’t be far behind, as Mark Gottfried continues to recruit very well and has done a masterful job of coaching this year with leading scorer Chucky Davis having been lost for the season. LSU and Arkansas have been inconsistent, but their coaches recruit very well. Notice a prominent program missing? That would be Kentucky. With rumors of Rajon Rondo being a lottery pick, questions on whether Randolph Morris will give the NBA another try, and not much else in the cupboard, Kentucky could be fighting to maintain a grip in the upper division of the SEC.
* Seth Davis mentioned today that Tubby Smith might listen to suitors from the NBA, specifically Charlotte if Bernie Bickerstaff elects to move exclusively into the front office. Indiana and Kentucky looking for new coaches this off-season-that’d be something, wouldn’t it?
* I was reminded earlier this week why I’m a Doug Gottlieb fan. I believe it was Friday night when I caught the tail end of his commentary on Eddie Sutton, and he was saying that with the revelations of Sutton’s blood alcohol level, Sutton should have unequivocally resigned as coach of Oklahoma State. He stated this while saying that there are lot of people pulling for him, yet remained firm in his statement that Sutton should not return as coach for the Cowboys. If you remember, Gottlieb is a product of Oklahoma State, and played for Sutton, who took him onto his team after he had left Notre Dame in the midst of trouble (I believe Gottlieb was busted for shoplifting). With this back story, you would expect Gottlieb to be the first media member to step up and defend Sutton without question. Instead, he seems to be about the only ESPN talking head who’s not ignoring the fact that Sutton’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit and was quite fortunate he didn’t kill or maim anyone that night. A bit pathetic that the most honest accounting from a ESPN personality is coming from a guy whose position is probably most precarious in the pecking order, while the insulated Dick Vitale can only pledge admiration for Sutton’s integrity.
* I believe it was during my first ever Ramble when I mentioned that I had been impressed with Kansas’ Micah Downs and said the little bit I had seen of him made me think of Adam Morrison‘s game. While barely watching the Kansas-Oklahoma St. game on Monday, I wondered where Downs was, as I didn’t see him on the floor. Well, when I was reading through Sports Illustrated late in the week, I discovered that Downs had transferred-to Gonzaga. Perhaps to become the next Morrison?
* I’ve been meaning to write about Baylor for a long time, but have kept putting it on the back burner, like bumping a guest on a talk show because the show’s running long. Anyway, I’m making it a priority this week. (To my chagrin, Sports Illustrated beat me to it with a nice feature on the program in this week’s edition). Scott Drew stepped into probably the worst coaching situation ever three years ago, taking over a tragic, scandalous situation in Waco. The program is still dealing quite tangibly with that scandal-in one of the more infuriating and inexplicable rulings handed down by the NCAA, the Bears had their entire non-conference schedule taken away from them this season, three years after anyone remaining in the regime that brought such shame upon the program had been removed. In addition the program was given 5 years of probation for Drew to wade through. How has he and his players responded? Well, they are struggling on the court, enduring a season where they are currently 2-10 in conference play with wins against Kansas State and Missouri. But Drew is bringing in very good recruiting classes, and is in the mix for one of the top-ranked seniors still available, PF Darrel Arthur. Gopher fans know all too well that highly regarded recruiting classes don’t necessarily equate to turning a program around, but Drew seems to be on the right track, despite some incredible obstacles.
* Have you noticed there’s Olympic games going on? I really haven’t, and I was one who voted in Bleed’s poll that I was enthusiastically looking forward to the winter games. I don’t know what it is (tape delay, blaise attitude among US athletes, compelling college bb action all are contributing factors), but right now the NBA All-Star game is on my TV rather than the Olympics and that says A LOT.
* Speaking of the NBA, the Slam Dunk competition was a lot of fun last night-if you didn’t see it, I’m guessing you’ve seen Nate Robinson’s dunk over Spud Webb by now (which was electrifying) but Andre Iguadola was no slouch-in fact, if Robinson was a few inches taller, I believe Iguadola would have walked away with the win. He’s a freakish athlete, and he had one dunk where he came from under the backboard that has be to be seen rather than described.
* Alright, in closing. . .I’m seriously jonesing for some new Entourage episodes. I’ve been wearing out episodes 9-14 through On Demand, and am constantly checking for the second half of the second season to be put On Demand-when I’m not checking to see if it’s been released on DVD yet, or checking to see when season 3 starts. It’s truly sick.
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