Here's a look around the league on some of the players/subjects I hate the worst:
1. Bruce Weber's Orange Blazer - You either need to wear this every (or at least every home game) game or not wear this at all. Otherwise, it's just called a distraction...and the last thing your inconsistent team needs is a distraction.
2. Northwestern and NCAA talk - Dead. Wisconsin...yes, the slow paced, work the shot clock team hammered the Wildcats 78-46 on their OWN FLOOR. Only 46 points for a team for team that probably boast to future recruits that they have scored 90+ points in six games this year...but, refuse to name the opponents.
3. John Beilein's post game speeches - I was watching The Journey on the Big Ten Network last night. Michigan falls to 1-5 in conference play with the last two losses coming against Indiana and Northwestern (not exactly upper-tier teams). Afterwards...he said of Northwestern's home court advantage: "...not many teams will win here." Re-read #2 on this blog. Beilein was also preaching to his team that they can still make the NCAA tourney if they just believe. They must not be believing hard enough that they can indeed get a rebound here and there then as well?
4. Misinformed McCaffery - McCaffery was also doing a spot on The Journey and was informing us on the transition from Siena over to Iowa. He stated that coming over to Iowa was great because it's one of the ten best programs in the country. I shit my pants when he said this...Iowa is not even a top ten program in the Big Ten, much less the country. I, seriously hope one of my sons is a top flight recruit so I can hear first hand all the bullshit that comes out of these guys' mouths. I would chuckle in the corner as they spout off ridiculous exaggerations about the minimal success they have endured.
5. Colton Iverson having the ball in his hands anywhere on the court, except on the block - Oh. My. God...he was horrendous with the ball at Michigan. And he wasn't even under duress at all by any defenders. His passes were wretched (outlet and at the elbow/free throw line area). His catching was pathetic...yet, somehow he made some of the prettiest (ok not pretty, but very solid) post moves he's made all year during that game. I'm a Colton fan, but boy was that hard to watch.
6. The term "best athlete" by basketball analysts - This is the worst thing you can be called if you consider yourself a basketball player. See: Rodney Williams and Kelsey Barlow. It pretty much means you don't know how to play the game and you are only getting by on pure genetics at this point.
7. Word just broke that Nolen will need surgery on a broken foot - This sucks more than #7, but I'm too lazy to put it at number one and then change all the rest of the items to the corresponding number. I like Al. He stymies his opponents...and realistically he lets us play man to man because he dominates his matchup and we rebound a helluva lot better in man to man than we do when we're in a zone. If there is a positive in this news...it should be on the offensive side. Maverick is a capable shooter. Chip Armelin will get more time and seems to be in attack mode on offense. Austin Hollins has been invisible lately, but he'll have to step up. Blake will probably not get as many good looks now with more point guard duties, but he's always a steady player...so, it sucks on one end of the floor but may be a better long term answer for us on what we need for next year. The scary part is we'll probably be playing a zone on defense from here on out.
8. Ryne Smith - My hatred for 'Ryne' continues...he was the inbounder for JaJaun Johnson's game winner for the Penn State game. He celebrated as if he hit it himself. He models his celebratory cheers/actions after Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen, but 'Ryne' is way more annoying.
9. Thad Matta - Simply for being 20-0 while playing maybe 6.5 players at the most. They usually just roll with six players (Sullinger, Lighty, Diebler, Craft, Buford and Thomas...Lauderdale gets the honor of starting every game and then rides the bench the rest of the way) and still have not been defeated. Three guys (Diebler, Lighty & Sullinger) played all 40 minutes at Illinois. That's absurd.
10. Michigan's roster - A putrid 11 team rebounds for the whole game against Minnesota. Once again, I ask what the hell are you recruiting, Mr. John Beilein...?? This is the Big Ten...we bang it out ugly in this league...there are no pretty points for your three point shooting dandy team in this league.
SBG
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Big Ten Basketball Power Poll (Hater's Edition):
Here's a Power Poll on the Top Ten figures/subjects in the Big Ten that I hate the most:
1. Thad Matta - He compared his freshmen duo (Craft and Sullinger) to playing like Stockton and Malone against Penn State. OK...do you watch basketball or just recruit? First off, your playing an improved Penn State...but, in all honesty they are still Penn State. Second of all...no pick and rolls were converted by those two...that was a staple of Stockton/Malone. This is what happened the majority of the time: feed Sullinger in the post/one on one he usually scores...feed Sullinger/double team comes and he kicks it to WIDE OPEN Craft because they didn't care if he shot the ball...rather have him than Diebler, Lighty or Buford get a good look.
2. Bo Ryan - Ugly, ugly game against Illinois. There were probably about 50 fouls called. No flow...majority of points were all scored at the free throw line = win for Wisconsin. Memo to Bo Ryan: Quit complaing to the refs...if you don't like the blocking calls they are calling on your guys than you should probably stop recruiting the slow footed white guys that can't keep up with the McCamey's of the world.
3. Luka Mirkovic - Can we darken that see through protective mask so we don't have to see your face when you go berserk every time you score? This is not hockey...scoring actually happens frequently in basketball...even in the Big Ten. I can't wait until you meet Minnesota's front court.
4. Ryne Smith - He's one of those asshole three point assassins. Cocky as hell when he's on. He'll make his shot and leave his follow through up in the air as he's running back on defense/or the huddle during a TV timeout. Plus, his parents had to give him the 'Ryne' Sandberg spelling for his first name...for that alone...he'll be present on this poll for a long time.
5. Michigan's Roster - What is John Beilein doing? If you can shoot a three at a decent clip, you should ask Mr. Beilein for a scholarship. They didn't have one single REBOUND (offense or defense) in the first TEN minutes against a bad to moderately bad Indiana team. Guess what he recruited for next year...yep, two more guards. Plus, if you add in that Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims were more Tommy Amaker's recruits than his, then what has John Beilein actually done? He did not inherit a massive mess like Indiana and Iowa (twice) were when new coaches came on the scene for those programs...this is ridiculous. With all this said...they'll probably beat Minnesota this coming Saturday night.
6. Feeding the Post/Minnesota Style - I have a feeling Jared Sullinger would be just OK in a Gophers uniform, simply because for whatever reason we can't make an entry pass into the post. We have a distinct size advantage over pretty much everyone else in the league, however we can't take advantage because we can't get the ball down there. Is it the guards simply not being able to or don't want to...or the post guys not sustaining position...?? I was so excited last year during the Big Ten tourney because I thought the lights went on during that run and everything clicked that it all starts with pounding the ball inside...well, I guess not.
7. Northwestern having TWO basketball analysts on BTN - I've brought this up in other social forums. Northwestern has NEVER made the NCAA Tournament EVER. And they have Tim Doyle and Shonn Morris both working games as analysts. I'm not doubting their basketball acumen, but I just find it a tad regional and biased that they both have jobs on the Big Ten Network doing the same job(s). And not to rip on Northwestern any more (I do however have a $30 bet that they wouldn't make the NCAA tourney though...and it's looking good up to this point), but basketball has been one of the more balanced sports in the conference (unlike football)...and they still haven't done anything in their existence.
By the way, Quinn Buckner was doing the Indiana vs Michigan game on Saturday night...what happened to his career...he was ahead of Clark Kellogg at one point on CBS.
8. Tom Crean - Kind of subtle...but, I re-winded and re-winded it again...and Tom Crean is an asshole. After his FIRST Big Ten victory of the year over Michigan...he flew through the line with quick bullshit handshakes and stormed out of the arena like his shit doesn't stink. Are you serious...?? You're on rebuilding year number three and still very minimal progress has been made by your program. I'd slow your roll if I was you.
9. Michigan State's comebacks - These are getting old already...two in one week against both Wisconsin and Northwestern. I will say I saw the collapse of both, and at least there were no significant calls that normally Izzo gets just because he's Tom Izzo that altered the result of the game(s).
10. Hype on Penn State - They defended their home court well and competed and stuck with Ohio State. But, let's not get too crazy on the Penn State bandwagon...they've already got seven losses (UGLY one to Maine) and look at their remaining Big 10 schedule. They only get Indiana (already played them) and Iowa once this year on their schedule...good luck in the NIT.
SBG
1. Thad Matta - He compared his freshmen duo (Craft and Sullinger) to playing like Stockton and Malone against Penn State. OK...do you watch basketball or just recruit? First off, your playing an improved Penn State...but, in all honesty they are still Penn State. Second of all...no pick and rolls were converted by those two...that was a staple of Stockton/Malone. This is what happened the majority of the time: feed Sullinger in the post/one on one he usually scores...feed Sullinger/double team comes and he kicks it to WIDE OPEN Craft because they didn't care if he shot the ball...rather have him than Diebler, Lighty or Buford get a good look.
2. Bo Ryan - Ugly, ugly game against Illinois. There were probably about 50 fouls called. No flow...majority of points were all scored at the free throw line = win for Wisconsin. Memo to Bo Ryan: Quit complaing to the refs...if you don't like the blocking calls they are calling on your guys than you should probably stop recruiting the slow footed white guys that can't keep up with the McCamey's of the world.
3. Luka Mirkovic - Can we darken that see through protective mask so we don't have to see your face when you go berserk every time you score? This is not hockey...scoring actually happens frequently in basketball...even in the Big Ten. I can't wait until you meet Minnesota's front court.
4. Ryne Smith - He's one of those asshole three point assassins. Cocky as hell when he's on. He'll make his shot and leave his follow through up in the air as he's running back on defense/or the huddle during a TV timeout. Plus, his parents had to give him the 'Ryne' Sandberg spelling for his first name...for that alone...he'll be present on this poll for a long time.
5. Michigan's Roster - What is John Beilein doing? If you can shoot a three at a decent clip, you should ask Mr. Beilein for a scholarship. They didn't have one single REBOUND (offense or defense) in the first TEN minutes against a bad to moderately bad Indiana team. Guess what he recruited for next year...yep, two more guards. Plus, if you add in that Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims were more Tommy Amaker's recruits than his, then what has John Beilein actually done? He did not inherit a massive mess like Indiana and Iowa (twice) were when new coaches came on the scene for those programs...this is ridiculous. With all this said...they'll probably beat Minnesota this coming Saturday night.
6. Feeding the Post/Minnesota Style - I have a feeling Jared Sullinger would be just OK in a Gophers uniform, simply because for whatever reason we can't make an entry pass into the post. We have a distinct size advantage over pretty much everyone else in the league, however we can't take advantage because we can't get the ball down there. Is it the guards simply not being able to or don't want to...or the post guys not sustaining position...?? I was so excited last year during the Big Ten tourney because I thought the lights went on during that run and everything clicked that it all starts with pounding the ball inside...well, I guess not.
7. Northwestern having TWO basketball analysts on BTN - I've brought this up in other social forums. Northwestern has NEVER made the NCAA Tournament EVER. And they have Tim Doyle and Shonn Morris both working games as analysts. I'm not doubting their basketball acumen, but I just find it a tad regional and biased that they both have jobs on the Big Ten Network doing the same job(s). And not to rip on Northwestern any more (I do however have a $30 bet that they wouldn't make the NCAA tourney though...and it's looking good up to this point), but basketball has been one of the more balanced sports in the conference (unlike football)...and they still haven't done anything in their existence.
By the way, Quinn Buckner was doing the Indiana vs Michigan game on Saturday night...what happened to his career...he was ahead of Clark Kellogg at one point on CBS.
8. Tom Crean - Kind of subtle...but, I re-winded and re-winded it again...and Tom Crean is an asshole. After his FIRST Big Ten victory of the year over Michigan...he flew through the line with quick bullshit handshakes and stormed out of the arena like his shit doesn't stink. Are you serious...?? You're on rebuilding year number three and still very minimal progress has been made by your program. I'd slow your roll if I was you.
9. Michigan State's comebacks - These are getting old already...two in one week against both Wisconsin and Northwestern. I will say I saw the collapse of both, and at least there were no significant calls that normally Izzo gets just because he's Tom Izzo that altered the result of the game(s).
10. Hype on Penn State - They defended their home court well and competed and stuck with Ohio State. But, let's not get too crazy on the Penn State bandwagon...they've already got seven losses (UGLY one to Maine) and look at their remaining Big 10 schedule. They only get Indiana (already played them) and Iowa once this year on their schedule...good luck in the NIT.
SBG
The Barn: Hawkeyes @ Gophers
My three year old son Cullen (not named after the stupid Vampire family...just wanted to clarify) and I attended the hoops game last night while sitting in Section 209/Row 3...here's how the night transpired:
* We had to get there early because the leg room up in the upper level is cramped (I know from experience...I had to carry Cullen out one time and he proceeded to kick two people in the head in the row in front of us on our way out.), so I wanted to get the souvenirs out of the way early and get situated at our seats. Cullen wanted another glow and the dark basketball, while I also picked up a stuffed "Goldy" for his twin sister who was supposed to originally be my date for this game.
* We got there early enough to view their intro video...I've shown this video to my son at home on the computer and I name him all the guys that are shown. For some reason, he goes crazy over still photo shot of Jim Brewer's banner. By the way, they took Devoe's part off and added another Blake.
* So MANY people hyped up Austin Hollins coming into the year as a "heady" player that "knows how to play the game" because of who his dad is/was. This statement is FALSE. Once again, an opponent has a clear breakaway for an easy two and Austin decides to waste a cheap foul and let's the guy pretty much convert an easy three point play. This is about the third time I've seen this bonehead play from him this year. If you're going to foul in that situation, that ball better not come close to getting up near the rim. And now that I've seen him live in two games...he's weak with the ball and his passing is even weaker. Plus, he's just flat out not making shots...so, if this is all true wouldn't freshman Chip Armelin be a more "heady" player that "knows how to play the game"?
* Fran McCafferey gets a technical and the student section chants "Asshole" (best chant/cheer of the game). Welcome to the Big Ten, Fran. Student section was a lot better against Iowa than they were for the Indiana...but, they still lack any creativity. "Who hates Iowa, We hate Iowa" = lame. There must be some kind of rules against any chants/cheers with any creativity.
* Cullen was craving some popcorn midway through the first half. So, we waited until halftime to run and get some...however, they were introducing basketball alumni at the break and I wish we would have been in our seats. I couldn't catch all the names, but I saw Quincy Lewis (no surprise, he works with the U of M), David Grim, one of the Stanford twins...this would've been great material for my blog that nobody reads.
* Gophers blow their 10 or 11 point halftime lead within minutes in the second half. Seriously, I always revert back to the Virginia game at the Barn this year when things start to go south. They also had a 10 point lead at halftime of that game and it evaporated in minutes due to Virginia's hot three point shooting and our lackluster offense. If Tubby Smith wasn't our coach, I'd pretty much be convinced that our players were bought off to keep the game at a certain point spread for each game. The peaks and valleys (and specifically the lengths of the valleys) of this team just doesn't make sense...especially, for a team that doesn't rely on the three ball all the time. I mean we're not Michigan or Northwestern that hoist up threes at an ungodly rate.
* How spoiled is the younger generation getting to see Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe play? I mean these guys give us 5-10 highlights a game where they are violently dunking or blocking shots. I'm not saying these plays result in wins...but, as a kid is there anything better than watching these type of plays? I mean Sam Jacobson was pretty sick, but I think these two are on a different level amongst their peers.
* Gophers manage to get a win...we walk out to our car and get in. My son asks, "Why do all the girls' smile at me?"
SBG
* We had to get there early because the leg room up in the upper level is cramped (I know from experience...I had to carry Cullen out one time and he proceeded to kick two people in the head in the row in front of us on our way out.), so I wanted to get the souvenirs out of the way early and get situated at our seats. Cullen wanted another glow and the dark basketball, while I also picked up a stuffed "Goldy" for his twin sister who was supposed to originally be my date for this game.
* We got there early enough to view their intro video...I've shown this video to my son at home on the computer and I name him all the guys that are shown. For some reason, he goes crazy over still photo shot of Jim Brewer's banner. By the way, they took Devoe's part off and added another Blake.
* So MANY people hyped up Austin Hollins coming into the year as a "heady" player that "knows how to play the game" because of who his dad is/was. This statement is FALSE. Once again, an opponent has a clear breakaway for an easy two and Austin decides to waste a cheap foul and let's the guy pretty much convert an easy three point play. This is about the third time I've seen this bonehead play from him this year. If you're going to foul in that situation, that ball better not come close to getting up near the rim. And now that I've seen him live in two games...he's weak with the ball and his passing is even weaker. Plus, he's just flat out not making shots...so, if this is all true wouldn't freshman Chip Armelin be a more "heady" player that "knows how to play the game"?
* Fran McCafferey gets a technical and the student section chants "Asshole" (best chant/cheer of the game). Welcome to the Big Ten, Fran. Student section was a lot better against Iowa than they were for the Indiana...but, they still lack any creativity. "Who hates Iowa, We hate Iowa" = lame. There must be some kind of rules against any chants/cheers with any creativity.
* Cullen was craving some popcorn midway through the first half. So, we waited until halftime to run and get some...however, they were introducing basketball alumni at the break and I wish we would have been in our seats. I couldn't catch all the names, but I saw Quincy Lewis (no surprise, he works with the U of M), David Grim, one of the Stanford twins...this would've been great material for my blog that nobody reads.
* Gophers blow their 10 or 11 point halftime lead within minutes in the second half. Seriously, I always revert back to the Virginia game at the Barn this year when things start to go south. They also had a 10 point lead at halftime of that game and it evaporated in minutes due to Virginia's hot three point shooting and our lackluster offense. If Tubby Smith wasn't our coach, I'd pretty much be convinced that our players were bought off to keep the game at a certain point spread for each game. The peaks and valleys (and specifically the lengths of the valleys) of this team just doesn't make sense...especially, for a team that doesn't rely on the three ball all the time. I mean we're not Michigan or Northwestern that hoist up threes at an ungodly rate.
* How spoiled is the younger generation getting to see Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe play? I mean these guys give us 5-10 highlights a game where they are violently dunking or blocking shots. I'm not saying these plays result in wins...but, as a kid is there anything better than watching these type of plays? I mean Sam Jacobson was pretty sick, but I think these two are on a different level amongst their peers.
* Gophers manage to get a win...we walk out to our car and get in. My son asks, "Why do all the girls' smile at me?"
SBG
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Barn: Hoosiers @ Gophers
My wife and I attended the Big Ten home opener between two awful 0-2 squads...here were some of the highs and lows of the night:
* 6 pm start times blow. I left work early, picked up my wife and parked at around 4:50 pm. We walked into Pagoda's (I believe...Asian cuisine nonetheless) where I shoveled my face with vegetable fried rice and slammed three beers (because no alcohol is served in The Barn)...this was a horrible idea on my part, and I knew it while I was doing it.
* We left the restaurant at around 5:40 pm...witnessed a car accident while walking to the arena, where some dumbass chick hurried to make a light only to crash into the back of another vehicle to cause a three car pile up.
* We get to our seats...and I cough/puke (the sharting of the mouth) up some mucus of chinese food/beer. Great.
* Gophers PA announcer calls Jerimiah Rivers..."Jeremy" during introduction and all throughout the game. He did this around 8-10 times and only corrected himself twice. He's the fucking son of Doc Rivers...how do you screw this up that many times?
* Al Nolen turned it on late in this game...but, there have been major stretches in the last two games where he's on the court, but not really on the court on the offensive end. He may be "running the offense" but he's pretty much dribbling side to side on the perimeter. I'm not sure if he's more hurt than he's letting on or conserving himself for later in the game. But the offense isn't good enough to have lameduck possessions where they're not getting efficient, productive possessions on offense.
* The perimeter play for the Gophers is terrible. It's a bunch of spare parts. Al can drive and dish, but not finish. Blake can shoot, but can't get open or create his own shot. Rodney is athletic as all hell, but can't shoot or dribble to create anything for himself or others. Chip Armelin looked decent and at least isn't scared with the ball in his hands (even though he didn't convert some layups). Austin looked weak with the ball. And Maverick hit two threes, but outside of that I don't know what he really brings to our team yet.
* The departure of Devoe sucks. He wasn't great...but, he was 6'3'' and had good enough handles to at least create a shot (or at least a good look at the basket) of his own. And he didn't publicly carry around a "me" attitude much like Westbrook often did. And, I don't really understand the transferring decision during the middle of his junior year on his part. Is it jealously of his brother getting major minutes at a major college while he's only a freshman? I don't know...but, I'm pretty sure Fred Hoiberg has already placed a phone call to Devoe with the Cyclones picking up other misfits such as Royce White and Chris Allen in the past year.
* Tubby bashers...meet Tom Crean. He's in year three of rebuilding and no sign of even sniffing an "expanded" (mind you) NCAA tourney invitation. Tubby has done more with less and that is still true today. Tom can recruit (see: D. Wade @ Marquette)...but, can he actually coach...because all I see is him just standing on the sidelines and clapping constantly as if he's a coaching a girls' house league team every minute of every game.
* For having one of the largest student enrollments in the country...our student section is pretty lame. I'm not saying the play on the court inspired any more cheers (besides highlight type plays by Mbakwe and Williams)...but, the originality and effort to antagonize the opponent throughout the game is a FAIL.
* Did anyone miss my great insight on the Lions-Vikings matchup in week 17? Yeah, I didn't think so.
SBG
* 6 pm start times blow. I left work early, picked up my wife and parked at around 4:50 pm. We walked into Pagoda's (I believe...Asian cuisine nonetheless) where I shoveled my face with vegetable fried rice and slammed three beers (because no alcohol is served in The Barn)...this was a horrible idea on my part, and I knew it while I was doing it.
* We left the restaurant at around 5:40 pm...witnessed a car accident while walking to the arena, where some dumbass chick hurried to make a light only to crash into the back of another vehicle to cause a three car pile up.
* We get to our seats...and I cough/puke (the sharting of the mouth) up some mucus of chinese food/beer. Great.
* Gophers PA announcer calls Jerimiah Rivers..."Jeremy" during introduction and all throughout the game. He did this around 8-10 times and only corrected himself twice. He's the fucking son of Doc Rivers...how do you screw this up that many times?
* Al Nolen turned it on late in this game...but, there have been major stretches in the last two games where he's on the court, but not really on the court on the offensive end. He may be "running the offense" but he's pretty much dribbling side to side on the perimeter. I'm not sure if he's more hurt than he's letting on or conserving himself for later in the game. But the offense isn't good enough to have lameduck possessions where they're not getting efficient, productive possessions on offense.
* The perimeter play for the Gophers is terrible. It's a bunch of spare parts. Al can drive and dish, but not finish. Blake can shoot, but can't get open or create his own shot. Rodney is athletic as all hell, but can't shoot or dribble to create anything for himself or others. Chip Armelin looked decent and at least isn't scared with the ball in his hands (even though he didn't convert some layups). Austin looked weak with the ball. And Maverick hit two threes, but outside of that I don't know what he really brings to our team yet.
* The departure of Devoe sucks. He wasn't great...but, he was 6'3'' and had good enough handles to at least create a shot (or at least a good look at the basket) of his own. And he didn't publicly carry around a "me" attitude much like Westbrook often did. And, I don't really understand the transferring decision during the middle of his junior year on his part. Is it jealously of his brother getting major minutes at a major college while he's only a freshman? I don't know...but, I'm pretty sure Fred Hoiberg has already placed a phone call to Devoe with the Cyclones picking up other misfits such as Royce White and Chris Allen in the past year.
* Tubby bashers...meet Tom Crean. He's in year three of rebuilding and no sign of even sniffing an "expanded" (mind you) NCAA tourney invitation. Tubby has done more with less and that is still true today. Tom can recruit (see: D. Wade @ Marquette)...but, can he actually coach...because all I see is him just standing on the sidelines and clapping constantly as if he's a coaching a girls' house league team every minute of every game.
* For having one of the largest student enrollments in the country...our student section is pretty lame. I'm not saying the play on the court inspired any more cheers (besides highlight type plays by Mbakwe and Williams)...but, the originality and effort to antagonize the opponent throughout the game is a FAIL.
* Did anyone miss my great insight on the Lions-Vikings matchup in week 17? Yeah, I didn't think so.
SBG
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