In the last couple of weeks or so, I've seen many examples of how the inability of players to make free throws at crucial times of a game have cost their teams a win. In particular, Texas, who at one point was ranked No. 1 in the country.
The Longhorns lost to Big Xll opponent Baylor on their home floor yesterday 80-77 in OT. In that game, the Baylor Bears went 21-27 from the line, while the Longhorns went 19-31. A week ago, the Longhorns went to Storrs, Connecticut to take on then No. 21 UCONN. They were handed an 88-74 loss to the Huskies. In that contest, the Longhorns went 9-16 from the line, which is 56.3%, a terrible percentage to shoot free throws at. The Huskies, though they got to the free throw line more, went 26-37, which is 70.3%. A week before that, Texas went into Manhattan, KS to take on No. 9 Kansas St. At that time, Texas was the top dog in the country. The Longhorns lost that game 71-62, and hit only 9 of 22 free throws. If this trend continues, the Longhorns will not win the national championship. Just ask the 2007-08 Memphis squad, who despite being a terrible free throw shooting team, made it to the national final, only to lose to Kansas after the Tigers missed two critical free throws giving the Jay Hawks the opportunity to tie the game and send it to OT.The rest is history.
Bad free throw shooting isn't just limited to Texas. Their fellow Big Xll foes Kansas St. cost themselves a chance to beat their No. 2 ranked in-state rivals Kansas yesterday in Manhattan in front of a raucous crowd of Wildcat supporters. The Wildcats went 15-22 from the line (68%). The Jay Hawks themselves actually shot worse (22-33 for 67%), but got more opportunities. Last night, Georgia, down 78-77, had a chance to go ahead of South Carolina with 3 second left. Georgia Guard Dustin ware needed only to hit the front end of a 1 and 1 to tie the game, but he missed, and the Gamecocks won the game. At a smaller college level, Oregon Tech, ranked No. 3 in the nation in the NAIA Div. ll Top 25, lost to in conference foe Northwest Christian in OT. In that game, the Hustlin Owls went 13-20 from the foul line while the Beacons of NWC shot a terrific 14-16 free throws (87.5%). A week ago, OIT had to hold on to beat Eastern Oregon 72-67 after being up by as much as 20 points. To their credit, EOU was able to come back due to free throw shooting. They shot 20-24 free throws (83%) while Oregon Tech shot 17-32 from the stripe (53%).
These examples should convince the reader that good free throw shooting is not overrated. It is an essential to win games and win championships. A good team may get away with bad foul shooting against inferior talent, but not against top quality opponents and certainly not in the post season. Again, just ask the members of the 2007-08 Memphis squad. When I was playing high school basketball many years ago, I was told that players should be able to shoot at least 70-75% from the foul line. I'll bet you that most of the good teams who don't make it to the final 8 or final four of national tournaments shoot below 70 % as a team.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Anger Against Tim Tebo May Be Faith Based
Why is it that many people in the sports media are upset with Tim Tebo. What's not to like about him? He was a great quarterback in the SEC, he won the Heisman Trophy, and he led the Florida Gators to two national titles. On top of all that, he spends the off season doing charitable Christian mission work in the Philippines. He has never broken the law, unlike his teammate Carlos Dunlap. He's a great person!
Much a do about nothing was made of his crying on national television after losing the SEC Championship to Alabama. So what! He's emotional. He has a great amount of passion for winning. We all want our college and pro athletes to have that . He's not a wimp, and he is not afraid to get into a teammate's face and let him know he isn't getting the job done and he's hurting the team. He embodies everything we want our athletes to be: tough and gritty on the field, but a nice guy with good morals off the field. You cant ask for more than what you get with Tim Tebo.
So why does Tim Tebo rub some in the media the wrong way? I'm wondering if it's because of his Christian faith. He was criticized for wearing Bible verse titles above his eyes. No one criticizes these athletes who wear tattoos of dragons, skulls and other strange things. Some have suggested that Tim Tebo isn't being real. I don't think that's the case. He wears his emotions on his sleeves and he does it at the proper time, nothing wrong with that. He has the heart of Christ for the unfortunate. That's why he helps his missionary parents over in the Philippines during the off season. Why else would he do that? He's a lot like another former University of Florida QB, Danny Wuerffel. Both are Christians and both are involved in charitable missionary work.
It's nothing new that most in the media are hostile to the Christian message. Perhaps they are waiting for Tebo to pull a Jim Baker or Jimmy Swagger. They want to see him fall from grace. He doesn't come across as arrogant and haughty, like a lot of athletes do. If you had a daughter, Tebo would be the kind of guy you would want your daughter to marry. He's a leader, but a leader with humility. There are those who don't think he can play quarterback in the NFL because he has too slow of a delivery. That's interesting. If I recall, several NFL people thought current San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers' side arm delivery of the football would keep him from succeeding in the NFL. Other than getting his team to a Super Bowl, Rivers has been very successful.
I think Tebo can correct that slow, wind up delivery that he has. I believe he can work on getting rid of the ball quicker. If he doesn't play quarterback, he has the size and body type to be a Tight End or a wide receiver like former Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Out Matt Jones. He certainly would be great on Special Teams. There is a place somewhere for Tebo in the NFL.
Perhaps those who criticize him do so because, deep down, they want what he has. They would like to be as good as him but know they cant be and they are jealous. It's understandable if you are an Alabama fan, a Tennessee fan or a Georgia fan, like I am. We root against the Gators know matter who plays QB, but I'm rooting like heck for Tebo to succeed at the next level. He's worked hard to get where he is, and I don't begrudge him for that. What I like about him most is that he doesn't let all of his success get to his head. As I mentioned earlier, he is humble and not full of himself. He is a fiery competitor and it's ok to be a fiery competitor and be a Christian. We Christians (I am one) do strive, and should always strive, to do their very best to honor our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tebo reminds me of another former Christian athlete: former L.A. Dodgers Pitcher Orel Herscheiser. Hersch was a fiery competitor on the mound, but was humble and gave glory to God for his successes. That is what Tim Tebo does.
We complain when athletes break the law or cheat on their spouses. We excoriate them. Why are people complaining about a great athlete who does what is right. Why should they want him to fail. Tim, I wish you all the best whether you play in the NFL or not. You are the proper model of what an athlete should be, striving to be the best, but doing it with humility.
Much a do about nothing was made of his crying on national television after losing the SEC Championship to Alabama. So what! He's emotional. He has a great amount of passion for winning. We all want our college and pro athletes to have that . He's not a wimp, and he is not afraid to get into a teammate's face and let him know he isn't getting the job done and he's hurting the team. He embodies everything we want our athletes to be: tough and gritty on the field, but a nice guy with good morals off the field. You cant ask for more than what you get with Tim Tebo.
So why does Tim Tebo rub some in the media the wrong way? I'm wondering if it's because of his Christian faith. He was criticized for wearing Bible verse titles above his eyes. No one criticizes these athletes who wear tattoos of dragons, skulls and other strange things. Some have suggested that Tim Tebo isn't being real. I don't think that's the case. He wears his emotions on his sleeves and he does it at the proper time, nothing wrong with that. He has the heart of Christ for the unfortunate. That's why he helps his missionary parents over in the Philippines during the off season. Why else would he do that? He's a lot like another former University of Florida QB, Danny Wuerffel. Both are Christians and both are involved in charitable missionary work.
It's nothing new that most in the media are hostile to the Christian message. Perhaps they are waiting for Tebo to pull a Jim Baker or Jimmy Swagger. They want to see him fall from grace. He doesn't come across as arrogant and haughty, like a lot of athletes do. If you had a daughter, Tebo would be the kind of guy you would want your daughter to marry. He's a leader, but a leader with humility. There are those who don't think he can play quarterback in the NFL because he has too slow of a delivery. That's interesting. If I recall, several NFL people thought current San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers' side arm delivery of the football would keep him from succeeding in the NFL. Other than getting his team to a Super Bowl, Rivers has been very successful.
I think Tebo can correct that slow, wind up delivery that he has. I believe he can work on getting rid of the ball quicker. If he doesn't play quarterback, he has the size and body type to be a Tight End or a wide receiver like former Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Out Matt Jones. He certainly would be great on Special Teams. There is a place somewhere for Tebo in the NFL.
Perhaps those who criticize him do so because, deep down, they want what he has. They would like to be as good as him but know they cant be and they are jealous. It's understandable if you are an Alabama fan, a Tennessee fan or a Georgia fan, like I am. We root against the Gators know matter who plays QB, but I'm rooting like heck for Tebo to succeed at the next level. He's worked hard to get where he is, and I don't begrudge him for that. What I like about him most is that he doesn't let all of his success get to his head. As I mentioned earlier, he is humble and not full of himself. He is a fiery competitor and it's ok to be a fiery competitor and be a Christian. We Christians (I am one) do strive, and should always strive, to do their very best to honor our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tebo reminds me of another former Christian athlete: former L.A. Dodgers Pitcher Orel Herscheiser. Hersch was a fiery competitor on the mound, but was humble and gave glory to God for his successes. That is what Tim Tebo does.
We complain when athletes break the law or cheat on their spouses. We excoriate them. Why are people complaining about a great athlete who does what is right. Why should they want him to fail. Tim, I wish you all the best whether you play in the NFL or not. You are the proper model of what an athlete should be, striving to be the best, but doing it with humility.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Lane Kiffin's Name Is More Than Mud in Tennessee
A Tennessee politician suggested that a local sewage treatment plant in Knoxville should be named after former Tennessee Head football Coach Lane Kiffin. After the way he treated the Tennessee program and its fans, I don't think I disagree.
Like a leopard that doesn't change its spots, Lane Kiffin didn't change one bit. He is still the scum bag that Tennessee hired a year ago. He embarrassed the program with his false accusations against Flordia Head Coach Urban Meyer, among other incidents. Even though the university put up with his childish behavior and was willing to give him a chance, he abruptly bolted to USC at the worst time possible, the period of recruiting leading up to National Signing Day.
I am all for naming the sewage plant after Kiffin. I also think that if and when the state of Tennessee build a new prison, they should name it the Kiffin Correctional Facility. Perhaps the state should change the name of one of its current prisons to that of Kiffin. Lane Kiffin's name is worse than Mud in Tennessee, and rightly so. Instead of Kibbles and Bits, change the name of the dog food to "Kiffins and Bits" There's not much more to say than that.
Like a leopard that doesn't change its spots, Lane Kiffin didn't change one bit. He is still the scum bag that Tennessee hired a year ago. He embarrassed the program with his false accusations against Flordia Head Coach Urban Meyer, among other incidents. Even though the university put up with his childish behavior and was willing to give him a chance, he abruptly bolted to USC at the worst time possible, the period of recruiting leading up to National Signing Day.
I am all for naming the sewage plant after Kiffin. I also think that if and when the state of Tennessee build a new prison, they should name it the Kiffin Correctional Facility. Perhaps the state should change the name of one of its current prisons to that of Kiffin. Lane Kiffin's name is worse than Mud in Tennessee, and rightly so. Instead of Kibbles and Bits, change the name of the dog food to "Kiffins and Bits" There's not much more to say than that.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Two "Northern" Schools Could Topple Giants Come March
The NCAA Tournament, otherwise known as "March Madness", is my favorite time of the year. The reason being, the "Mom and Pops" occasionally take down the "IBMers". In fact, there is at least 1 upset in every NCAA tourney that no one is expecting.
However, in the case of Northern Iowa, those who call themselves "experts" on the science of Bracketology (those such as ESPN's Bracketologists Andy Katz and Joe Linardi) will agree that the Panthers have the talent to advance at least past the first round of the tournament.
A year ago, Northern Iowa, out of the Missouri Valley Conference, nearly took out Big Ten power Purdue University. Way back in 2004, they took eventual national runner up Georgia Tech down to the wire. A long, long time ago, the Panthers actually did take out the #3 seed Missouri on a last second shot in the first round of the 1990 NCAA Tourney. UNI was the #14 seed. I can actually tell you where that game was played: The Richmond Colosseum in Richmond, VA.
UNI has a terrific point guard that , like many great players in Mid-Major conferences, doesn't get the publicity because he doesn't play for a school in a "power conference". His name is Kwadzo (pron. Kajo) Ahelegbe. This year, his Senior year, Ahelegbe is averaging 11.8 points per game and 2.6 assists per game. He is a tremendous outside shooter and is capable of knocking down three pointers. The Panthers' top scorer is 6'8 Senior Forward Adam Koch. Koch is averaging 12.9 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. the Panthers have already beaten Boston College from the ACC, Iowa St. from the Big 12, and Iowa out of the Big 10. They are certainly the best college basketball team in the state of Iowa.
UNI had the nation's second longest winning streak until they were beaten by Wichita St. Tuesday night and were ranked #22 in the country. They are currently 16-2 on the year and 7-1 in the MVC. Unless they have a monumental collapse, Northern Iowa will once again make the field of 65 and will be a tough out for their first round opponent. Being that Ahelegbe and Koch are Seniors, they will want to go out with at least an NCAA Tournament win.
The other "Northern" school that may give someone worries, should they make the tournament, is Northern Colorado, who hails from the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky has had some success in the NCAA Tournament, most recently #12 seeded Montana upsetting #5 seed Nevada in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. On two occasions, Weber St. won their first round games, defeating #3 seeded Michigan St. in 1995 and #3 seeded North Carolina four years later.
The Bears of Northern Colorado will need more than history to not only make the field of 65 but to win and advance. They are currently 16-4 on the season and are 5-2 in conference play. They stand in second place behind Weber St.. They came very close to upsetting Oklahoma in Norman, but lost 80-79. The Bears' top player is Senior Guard Will Figures. figures is averaging 16 points per game and 2.7 assists per game. His partner in the back court, Junior Guard Devon Beitzel, is averaging 14.6 PPG and 2.3 assists a game. Beitzel is a prolific three point shooter who on three occasions hit 5 trifectas and hit six threes in a 93-69 win over San Jose St. back on 12/21/09.
The Bears have 10 games left, one of which is against NCAA Div. ll foe Johnson & Wales. Should they win out, they will have an outstanding record of 26-4 going into the Big Sky Tournament and will have the selection committee's attention. The problem is that they don't have any big wins against the "power conferences". A win over Big Xll opponent Oklahoma would have helped. What will most likely happen, in my opinion, is that UNCO will lose two conference games and finish the regular season at 24-6 before the conference tournament. should they win the tournament, they're automatically in. However, a couple of wins in the tournament, yet not winning it, might get them an automatic bid. It will depend on their RPI rating along with the performance of teams throughout the country. If Northern Colorado does make it to the "Big Dance", they will be a tough out in the first round.
However, in the case of Northern Iowa, those who call themselves "experts" on the science of Bracketology (those such as ESPN's Bracketologists Andy Katz and Joe Linardi) will agree that the Panthers have the talent to advance at least past the first round of the tournament.
A year ago, Northern Iowa, out of the Missouri Valley Conference, nearly took out Big Ten power Purdue University. Way back in 2004, they took eventual national runner up Georgia Tech down to the wire. A long, long time ago, the Panthers actually did take out the #3 seed Missouri on a last second shot in the first round of the 1990 NCAA Tourney. UNI was the #14 seed. I can actually tell you where that game was played: The Richmond Colosseum in Richmond, VA.
UNI has a terrific point guard that , like many great players in Mid-Major conferences, doesn't get the publicity because he doesn't play for a school in a "power conference". His name is Kwadzo (pron. Kajo) Ahelegbe. This year, his Senior year, Ahelegbe is averaging 11.8 points per game and 2.6 assists per game. He is a tremendous outside shooter and is capable of knocking down three pointers. The Panthers' top scorer is 6'8 Senior Forward Adam Koch. Koch is averaging 12.9 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. the Panthers have already beaten Boston College from the ACC, Iowa St. from the Big 12, and Iowa out of the Big 10. They are certainly the best college basketball team in the state of Iowa.
UNI had the nation's second longest winning streak until they were beaten by Wichita St. Tuesday night and were ranked #22 in the country. They are currently 16-2 on the year and 7-1 in the MVC. Unless they have a monumental collapse, Northern Iowa will once again make the field of 65 and will be a tough out for their first round opponent. Being that Ahelegbe and Koch are Seniors, they will want to go out with at least an NCAA Tournament win.
The other "Northern" school that may give someone worries, should they make the tournament, is Northern Colorado, who hails from the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky has had some success in the NCAA Tournament, most recently #12 seeded Montana upsetting #5 seed Nevada in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. On two occasions, Weber St. won their first round games, defeating #3 seeded Michigan St. in 1995 and #3 seeded North Carolina four years later.
The Bears of Northern Colorado will need more than history to not only make the field of 65 but to win and advance. They are currently 16-4 on the season and are 5-2 in conference play. They stand in second place behind Weber St.. They came very close to upsetting Oklahoma in Norman, but lost 80-79. The Bears' top player is Senior Guard Will Figures. figures is averaging 16 points per game and 2.7 assists per game. His partner in the back court, Junior Guard Devon Beitzel, is averaging 14.6 PPG and 2.3 assists a game. Beitzel is a prolific three point shooter who on three occasions hit 5 trifectas and hit six threes in a 93-69 win over San Jose St. back on 12/21/09.
The Bears have 10 games left, one of which is against NCAA Div. ll foe Johnson & Wales. Should they win out, they will have an outstanding record of 26-4 going into the Big Sky Tournament and will have the selection committee's attention. The problem is that they don't have any big wins against the "power conferences". A win over Big Xll opponent Oklahoma would have helped. What will most likely happen, in my opinion, is that UNCO will lose two conference games and finish the regular season at 24-6 before the conference tournament. should they win the tournament, they're automatically in. However, a couple of wins in the tournament, yet not winning it, might get them an automatic bid. It will depend on their RPI rating along with the performance of teams throughout the country. If Northern Colorado does make it to the "Big Dance", they will be a tough out in the first round.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Alcorn St. Chasing "Perfection"?
The Alcorn St. University Men's Basketball Team is closing in on a record that not too many college basketball teams have accomplished. However, it's not a record ANY team wants to accomplish: a winless season.
The Braves are currently 0-18 on the season after losing to SWAC foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night. To say that Alcorn St. has taken it on the chin this season is an understatement. In their season opener they were drubbed by Ohio St. 100-60 followed by an absolute massacre at the hands of Arkansas 130-68. These two games are two of the four games in which the Braves have given up at least 100 points. The other two came at the hands of Robert Morris (107-76) and UTEP (101-41). Ouch!!
Alcorn St. has come close on one occasion to getting win #1. Back on Dec. 30, 2009, the Braves dropped a 4 point loss to Central Michigan 68-64. So far, that game is the closest the Braves have come to winning a game. All of their other 17 losses were by double digits. In the CMU game, the Braves trailed the Chippewas by as many as 15 points in the first half before making a run and cutting the lead to 1 at 37-36. The Braves have now lost 22 consecutive games, their last win coming against
Alabama A&M by the score of 89-79 on Feb. 21, 2009.
The last NCAA Div. l team to go the whole season without a win was Savannah St.. They went 0-28 during the 2004-05 season and lost their final game against Florida A&M 49-44. Let's hope that the Braves will be able to avoid having a "perfect" season.
The Braves are currently 0-18 on the season after losing to SWAC foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night. To say that Alcorn St. has taken it on the chin this season is an understatement. In their season opener they were drubbed by Ohio St. 100-60 followed by an absolute massacre at the hands of Arkansas 130-68. These two games are two of the four games in which the Braves have given up at least 100 points. The other two came at the hands of Robert Morris (107-76) and UTEP (101-41). Ouch!!
Alcorn St. has come close on one occasion to getting win #1. Back on Dec. 30, 2009, the Braves dropped a 4 point loss to Central Michigan 68-64. So far, that game is the closest the Braves have come to winning a game. All of their other 17 losses were by double digits. In the CMU game, the Braves trailed the Chippewas by as many as 15 points in the first half before making a run and cutting the lead to 1 at 37-36. The Braves have now lost 22 consecutive games, their last win coming against
Alabama A&M by the score of 89-79 on Feb. 21, 2009.
The last NCAA Div. l team to go the whole season without a win was Savannah St.. They went 0-28 during the 2004-05 season and lost their final game against Florida A&M 49-44. Let's hope that the Braves will be able to avoid having a "perfect" season.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Plight of Native American Athletes Trying To Gain Attention From College Coaches
Imagine you are travelling 700 miles on a bus with just a piece of paper in your pocket with a phone number on it. Imagine your future depends on whether or not you contact the person at that phone number.
Terrance Little Thunder is 6"10 and is a decent basketball player, but he's 29 years old and down to his last chance to get a college education and play college basketball. He is travelling from his home on the Lakota Indian Reservation in Eagle Butte, S.D. to Lawrence, Kansas. The phone number on his piece of paper is that of Haskell Indian Reservations University Head Basketball Coach Ted Juneau. "All I had was a little bit of money and that piece of paper with Coach's number on it," Little Thunder said. "I held onto that thing so tight, man. I wasn't about to lose it."
Juneau spent 33 years in the Lawrence public schools as both an assistant principal and principal, and both as a boys and girls basketball coach. In fact, Juneau is the only coach in Kansas history to win both a Boys and Girls Basketball State Championship. One of his former players was former Kansas Jay Hawk star Danny Manning. In 2007, Haskell took the job at Haskell as the Athletic Director and Men's Head Basketball Coach. The HIRU President told Juneau that had only $5,000 in their budget to pay for a new coach. Juneau decided to take it. "I wanted to see if I could give these kids something they had never been exposed to; I thought they deserved it," Juneau said. "They're no different than the kids at KU. They deserve a college atmosphere every bit as much."
There could be no two worlds more different from each other. The University of Kansas is only 10 minutes from Haskell. KU, as you know, is one of the elite basketball programs in the country. they just finished a $42 million renovation of Fogg Allen Field House with a new court and new locker rooms with multiple flat tv screens showing other games going on along with new reclining chairs. On the other hand, Haskell's only really cool thing they have is a relic. Haskell plays on the court that was used at Kemper Arena in Kansas City when Danny Manning and his Kansas "miracles" won the 1988 NCAA National Championship.
Opportunities for Native American students, let alone student-athletes,
are dim. The student-athletes at Haskell are a rarity. There is a 40.7 % high school drop out rate among students living on Indian reservations. In fact, according to the most recent labor force reports from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the unemployment rate for Native Americans nation wide is 49%, and 29% are employed below the poverty line.
"In some ways it mirrors what's happened to Natives in this country," Juneau said. "They're damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they try to join the general population, they encounter problems and discrimination. If they stay on the reservation, what is there for them there?" There is no doubt that American Indians have talented athletes, including basketball players. Basketball on the reservation is held in high esteem. Thousands of people will fill the reservation high school gym, some donning Indian headdresses, to see a game. They call it "Rez Ball".
However, college coaches will go everywhere from French Lick, IN to France or from New York City to Sudan to find talent, but shun the talent on the Indian reservations.
Here's one example of this. D.J. Fish is a Sophomore Forward at Haskell, a school competing in the NAIA. He use to travel with a Summer travelling team who played in a show case tournament in Las Vegas a few years ago. He said he had heard that coaches from NCAA schools were interested in him. "But then they heard I was Native and they dropped me like that," he said, snapping his fingers. "Why? I don't know. I think because there are so many stereotypes."
As for the one who took the long bus ride, Terrance Little Thunder, Haskell was his last stop. He had redsirted at Presentation, a small NCAA Div. lll school in Aberdeen, S.D. He then transferred to United Tribes, a tribal college in Bismark, N.D., where he played two seasons. After two seasons at United Tribes, he moved back to the Lakota Indian Reservation where he was making good money as a welder. Then someone suggested to him that he should finish college. "In my tribe, the Lakota Nation, a man like me is supposed to be a warrior, to himself last," Little Thunder said. "That's what I'm trying to do. I want to help the youth and be a good example to them. I want to teach them what's out there for them. When I was working, I was taking care of myself but how was I helping other people? I wasn't."
So Little Thunder decided to take the bus ride to Lawrence. He was playing well for Haskell two season ago, until he tore his ACL. Last Summer, Little Thunder worked out with KU Center Cole Aldridge, and the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff. Danny Manning also helped out Little Thunder. Both he and Aldridge taught him some new post moves.
Unfortunately for Little Thunder, his season this year is over because of bureaucratic junk. After he tore his ACL, Little Thunder had two choices. He could stay in school as a full-time student, but this year would count as his final year of eligibility since he redshirted a few years ago. The other choice was he could be a part-time student at Haskell and keep his final year of eligibility. There was one big problem with choice #2, however. If Little Thunder wasn't a full-time student, he would lose the medical insurance which is part of the federal government's covenant with Native American students at Haskell. In other words, he couldn't get the surgery he needed to have on his ACL.
Little Thunder decided to stay and enroll as a full-time student, and try to win his case on appeal to the NAIA. "We waited three months for the red tape before he even got the surgery," Juneau explained. "And then we applied for the hardship." The NAIA ruled that Little Thunder's case was a hardship case, but they wouldn't grant him that extra year of eligibility. The NAIA's Marcus Manning said that under the organization's bylaws, only two situations allowed for an extra year: pregnancy and/or illness, and Little Thunder didn't fit either one. I'm wondering how a torn ACL cannot be considered an illness. He had a "sick" ACL. The NAIA must mean by "illness" a terminal illness, like cancer.
Haskell fought on Little Thunder's behalf, and the NAIA changed its ruling and granted the appeal. However, there was a catch. Lttle Thunder could only play one term and it had to be the first term. Therefore, he could only play the first 8 games of the season. His eligibility ended on Dec. 14, 2009. In his final game on Dec. 14 against Rockhurst, an NCAA Div. ll school, Little Thunder had 19 points, but Haskell lost 89-80.
When the Christmas break came, Coach Juneau wondered if Little Thunder would come back for the Spring semester. He still had another full year to earn his degree. It wasn't unusual for Haskell players to go home to their Indian reservations during the Holidays and decide not to come back. "We're going to stay on him and make sure he finishes," Juneau said. As much as the game of Basketball is played worldwide, there is one stunning statistic coming out of the NCAA Student-Athlete Race and Ethnicity Report. Out of the 5.051 basketball players playing at the NCAA Div. l level, only 5 are Native Americans or Alaska natives.
To me, this is a surprising statistic since Native American athletes have had tremendous success in the past. The two most prominent examples are former Olympians Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills. Why college basketball coaches tend to shun the talent-laden Indian reservations is a mystery. You could argue that the situation on the reservation isn't any different than that of the inner city. ""In some ways it's no different than the kid in the inner city," Coach Juneau said. "They have to fight through things like poverty, alcoholism, drugs, dysfunctional families. But what they don't have, they don't have the person who can funnel them to some topflight program and get them out. It doesn't exist." However, coaches are plucking African American players from the inner city. They should also be targeting the Indian reservations. They have talent too.
As far as Haskell is concerned, they could really use Little Thunder. The Fightin Indians are 2-20 on the season. It was their goal this year to win their conference regular season title so they could host the conference tournament. It doesn't look like that will happen. Much of the information in this article is credited to ESPN writer Dana O'Neil. You can see her work at espn.com
Terrance Little Thunder is 6"10 and is a decent basketball player, but he's 29 years old and down to his last chance to get a college education and play college basketball. He is travelling from his home on the Lakota Indian Reservation in Eagle Butte, S.D. to Lawrence, Kansas. The phone number on his piece of paper is that of Haskell Indian Reservations University Head Basketball Coach Ted Juneau. "All I had was a little bit of money and that piece of paper with Coach's number on it," Little Thunder said. "I held onto that thing so tight, man. I wasn't about to lose it."
Juneau spent 33 years in the Lawrence public schools as both an assistant principal and principal, and both as a boys and girls basketball coach. In fact, Juneau is the only coach in Kansas history to win both a Boys and Girls Basketball State Championship. One of his former players was former Kansas Jay Hawk star Danny Manning. In 2007, Haskell took the job at Haskell as the Athletic Director and Men's Head Basketball Coach. The HIRU President told Juneau that had only $5,000 in their budget to pay for a new coach. Juneau decided to take it. "I wanted to see if I could give these kids something they had never been exposed to; I thought they deserved it," Juneau said. "They're no different than the kids at KU. They deserve a college atmosphere every bit as much."
There could be no two worlds more different from each other. The University of Kansas is only 10 minutes from Haskell. KU, as you know, is one of the elite basketball programs in the country. they just finished a $42 million renovation of Fogg Allen Field House with a new court and new locker rooms with multiple flat tv screens showing other games going on along with new reclining chairs. On the other hand, Haskell's only really cool thing they have is a relic. Haskell plays on the court that was used at Kemper Arena in Kansas City when Danny Manning and his Kansas "miracles" won the 1988 NCAA National Championship.
Opportunities for Native American students, let alone student-athletes,
are dim. The student-athletes at Haskell are a rarity. There is a 40.7 % high school drop out rate among students living on Indian reservations. In fact, according to the most recent labor force reports from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the unemployment rate for Native Americans nation wide is 49%, and 29% are employed below the poverty line.
"In some ways it mirrors what's happened to Natives in this country," Juneau said. "They're damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they try to join the general population, they encounter problems and discrimination. If they stay on the reservation, what is there for them there?" There is no doubt that American Indians have talented athletes, including basketball players. Basketball on the reservation is held in high esteem. Thousands of people will fill the reservation high school gym, some donning Indian headdresses, to see a game. They call it "Rez Ball".
However, college coaches will go everywhere from French Lick, IN to France or from New York City to Sudan to find talent, but shun the talent on the Indian reservations.
Here's one example of this. D.J. Fish is a Sophomore Forward at Haskell, a school competing in the NAIA. He use to travel with a Summer travelling team who played in a show case tournament in Las Vegas a few years ago. He said he had heard that coaches from NCAA schools were interested in him. "But then they heard I was Native and they dropped me like that," he said, snapping his fingers. "Why? I don't know. I think because there are so many stereotypes."
As for the one who took the long bus ride, Terrance Little Thunder, Haskell was his last stop. He had redsirted at Presentation, a small NCAA Div. lll school in Aberdeen, S.D. He then transferred to United Tribes, a tribal college in Bismark, N.D., where he played two seasons. After two seasons at United Tribes, he moved back to the Lakota Indian Reservation where he was making good money as a welder. Then someone suggested to him that he should finish college. "In my tribe, the Lakota Nation, a man like me is supposed to be a warrior, to himself last," Little Thunder said. "That's what I'm trying to do. I want to help the youth and be a good example to them. I want to teach them what's out there for them. When I was working, I was taking care of myself but how was I helping other people? I wasn't."
So Little Thunder decided to take the bus ride to Lawrence. He was playing well for Haskell two season ago, until he tore his ACL. Last Summer, Little Thunder worked out with KU Center Cole Aldridge, and the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff. Danny Manning also helped out Little Thunder. Both he and Aldridge taught him some new post moves.
Unfortunately for Little Thunder, his season this year is over because of bureaucratic junk. After he tore his ACL, Little Thunder had two choices. He could stay in school as a full-time student, but this year would count as his final year of eligibility since he redshirted a few years ago. The other choice was he could be a part-time student at Haskell and keep his final year of eligibility. There was one big problem with choice #2, however. If Little Thunder wasn't a full-time student, he would lose the medical insurance which is part of the federal government's covenant with Native American students at Haskell. In other words, he couldn't get the surgery he needed to have on his ACL.
Little Thunder decided to stay and enroll as a full-time student, and try to win his case on appeal to the NAIA. "We waited three months for the red tape before he even got the surgery," Juneau explained. "And then we applied for the hardship." The NAIA ruled that Little Thunder's case was a hardship case, but they wouldn't grant him that extra year of eligibility. The NAIA's Marcus Manning said that under the organization's bylaws, only two situations allowed for an extra year: pregnancy and/or illness, and Little Thunder didn't fit either one. I'm wondering how a torn ACL cannot be considered an illness. He had a "sick" ACL. The NAIA must mean by "illness" a terminal illness, like cancer.
Haskell fought on Little Thunder's behalf, and the NAIA changed its ruling and granted the appeal. However, there was a catch. Lttle Thunder could only play one term and it had to be the first term. Therefore, he could only play the first 8 games of the season. His eligibility ended on Dec. 14, 2009. In his final game on Dec. 14 against Rockhurst, an NCAA Div. ll school, Little Thunder had 19 points, but Haskell lost 89-80.
When the Christmas break came, Coach Juneau wondered if Little Thunder would come back for the Spring semester. He still had another full year to earn his degree. It wasn't unusual for Haskell players to go home to their Indian reservations during the Holidays and decide not to come back. "We're going to stay on him and make sure he finishes," Juneau said. As much as the game of Basketball is played worldwide, there is one stunning statistic coming out of the NCAA Student-Athlete Race and Ethnicity Report. Out of the 5.051 basketball players playing at the NCAA Div. l level, only 5 are Native Americans or Alaska natives.
To me, this is a surprising statistic since Native American athletes have had tremendous success in the past. The two most prominent examples are former Olympians Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills. Why college basketball coaches tend to shun the talent-laden Indian reservations is a mystery. You could argue that the situation on the reservation isn't any different than that of the inner city. ""In some ways it's no different than the kid in the inner city," Coach Juneau said. "They have to fight through things like poverty, alcoholism, drugs, dysfunctional families. But what they don't have, they don't have the person who can funnel them to some topflight program and get them out. It doesn't exist." However, coaches are plucking African American players from the inner city. They should also be targeting the Indian reservations. They have talent too.
As far as Haskell is concerned, they could really use Little Thunder. The Fightin Indians are 2-20 on the season. It was their goal this year to win their conference regular season title so they could host the conference tournament. It doesn't look like that will happen. Much of the information in this article is credited to ESPN writer Dana O'Neil. You can see her work at espn.com
Friday, January 15, 2010
Two Players Reach the 1,000 Point Milestone
Here at KG's College Athletics, we want to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes who have achieved both on and off the field or court, and not just those from the big schools.
Two lady basketball players have achieved what many will never even dream of. They have both scored over 1,000 points in their college careers. Reinhardt College Jr. Forward Kinsey Galan reached the 1,000 point milestone in the Lady Eagles win over Montreat College 72-66. The Knoxville, TN native came off the bench to score 28 points in 27 minutes. She entered the Montreat game with 997 points scored in her college career. Right now, Galan ranks second in scoring in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) with an average of 17.1 PPG.
Tennessee Wesleyan Sr. Forward Lindsey Jackson joined the 1,000 point club back on Nov. 28, 2009 in a 70-69 loss to Brenau University. Jackson is the 20th player in Tennessee Wesleyan history reach the 1,000 point milestone. What is interesting is that both these young ladies play against each other being that both Reinhardt and TWC are in the same conference, the Appalachian Athletic Conference. As of January 10, Jackson has 1,072 career points. From time to time, we at KG's College Athletics will highlight accomplishments such as those of Lindsey Jackson and Kinsey Galan.
Two lady basketball players have achieved what many will never even dream of. They have both scored over 1,000 points in their college careers. Reinhardt College Jr. Forward Kinsey Galan reached the 1,000 point milestone in the Lady Eagles win over Montreat College 72-66. The Knoxville, TN native came off the bench to score 28 points in 27 minutes. She entered the Montreat game with 997 points scored in her college career. Right now, Galan ranks second in scoring in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) with an average of 17.1 PPG.
Tennessee Wesleyan Sr. Forward Lindsey Jackson joined the 1,000 point club back on Nov. 28, 2009 in a 70-69 loss to Brenau University. Jackson is the 20th player in Tennessee Wesleyan history reach the 1,000 point milestone. What is interesting is that both these young ladies play against each other being that both Reinhardt and TWC are in the same conference, the Appalachian Athletic Conference. As of January 10, Jackson has 1,072 career points. From time to time, we at KG's College Athletics will highlight accomplishments such as those of Lindsey Jackson and Kinsey Galan.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Loyalty Becoming A Relic
A-Track tapes, vinyl records, S&H Green Stamps, the Wing T Formation, the "New Coke", all of these things have gone into the scrap heap of history. After today, you can put one other thing in the pile: Loyalty! It's a relic.
Fourteen months ago, Tennessee named former Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin as the Vols' new skipper. He came in excited about the opportunity to coach the Vols. He was already to sing "Rocky Top" after beating Florida (except he didn't beat the Gators). He tried to bring attention to the Tennessee Program. Some of that attention was not good. He went a little too far at times.
However, under Kiffin's leadership, the 2009 season for Tennessee saw marked improvement from Philip Fulmer's last year. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton vastly improved his Senior season under Kiffin. the team went 7-6 with a trip to the Chick Fillet Bowl. Even though they lost that Bowl game to Virginia Tech, things seemed very bright for the future for Rocky Top & Company. That is, until today.
With former USC Head Coach Pete Caroll bolting for the NFL, the Trojans were in a hurry to find the next man. Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio was thought to be the top candidate. Current Oregon St. Boss Mike Riley was also a candidate until he turned the Trojans down. Then, the Council of Troy turned to Knoxville to a former assistant. It was too much of a temptation for Kiffin to resist.
Everything was in place for a resurgence of success for the Tennessee Football Program. Recruits were poised to don Big Orange unis. Now, they are in a lurch. We think it wrong when a team fires its head coach after one year, like in the case of Jim Mora Jr. being fired from the Seattle Seahawks after just one season. When coaches like Lane Kiffin make an about face after one season, making a multi-year contract about as valuable as toilet paper (assuming Kiffin's contract with Tennessee was a multi-year contract), that gives athletic directors and general managers the excuses they need to fire their head coaches after only one year (or sometimes even less).
The problem is that there is no such thing as loyalty anymore. Come one , Lane! Tennessee was loyal to you. They were willing to put up with your antics last Spring because they had faith in you that you could restore pride and respectability to the program, which , to a certain extent, you did. I'm sure your contract was for more than 14 months. Now you turn your back on Mike Hamilton, the administration, and most of all, your players. You did the very thing to Tennessee that Al Davis did to you. This reminds me of Dennis Franchione's dumping of Alabama to go to Texas A&M. Franchione told his players to "Hold on to the Rope". Interesting, since that happened, Alabama won a National Title and Franchione is now a color commentator for Westwood One's College Football radio broadcasts. You'd better come through for the Trojans, Lane, because there's always room in the broadcast booth.
Many recruits and fans believed in Lane Kiffin. They have been betrayed. It's true that Kiffin is familiar with the USC program being that he worked there and he knows the recruiting landscape. There is also rumors that USC is trying to get former Trojans Off. Coordinator Norm Chow away from arch rival UCLA, where he currently serves in that capacity. that would probably be a good fit since Chow has a reputation of making good QBs into great ones. Current Trojan starter Matt Barkley is a good quarterback.
All that having been said, this is still not right when everyone at Tennessee was loyal to Kiffin and believed in him. One other thing, what about his family? this is the second cross-country move in two years. The emotional toll his wife and kids must be taking. they were adjusting to life in Knoxville, in the South, and in the SEC. The kids were making new friends at school, and now they are being uprooted again. LSU Head Coach Les Miles was rumored to be going to Michigan after the departure of Lloyd Carr. Miles is a Michigan alum. He could have easily gone there if in fact they offered him the job, but he decided to be loyal to LSU and to keep his family grounded and stable. One caller on a sportstalk show here in Atlanta said that "in the South, loyalty means something". Lane Kiffin did not learn that lesson. Lane, you had a good thing going at UT. If things don't go well in Los Angeles and you are without a job, you'll rue the day you stabbed Rocky Top in the back.
Fourteen months ago, Tennessee named former Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin as the Vols' new skipper. He came in excited about the opportunity to coach the Vols. He was already to sing "Rocky Top" after beating Florida (except he didn't beat the Gators). He tried to bring attention to the Tennessee Program. Some of that attention was not good. He went a little too far at times.
However, under Kiffin's leadership, the 2009 season for Tennessee saw marked improvement from Philip Fulmer's last year. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton vastly improved his Senior season under Kiffin. the team went 7-6 with a trip to the Chick Fillet Bowl. Even though they lost that Bowl game to Virginia Tech, things seemed very bright for the future for Rocky Top & Company. That is, until today.
With former USC Head Coach Pete Caroll bolting for the NFL, the Trojans were in a hurry to find the next man. Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio was thought to be the top candidate. Current Oregon St. Boss Mike Riley was also a candidate until he turned the Trojans down. Then, the Council of Troy turned to Knoxville to a former assistant. It was too much of a temptation for Kiffin to resist.
Everything was in place for a resurgence of success for the Tennessee Football Program. Recruits were poised to don Big Orange unis. Now, they are in a lurch. We think it wrong when a team fires its head coach after one year, like in the case of Jim Mora Jr. being fired from the Seattle Seahawks after just one season. When coaches like Lane Kiffin make an about face after one season, making a multi-year contract about as valuable as toilet paper (assuming Kiffin's contract with Tennessee was a multi-year contract), that gives athletic directors and general managers the excuses they need to fire their head coaches after only one year (or sometimes even less).
The problem is that there is no such thing as loyalty anymore. Come one , Lane! Tennessee was loyal to you. They were willing to put up with your antics last Spring because they had faith in you that you could restore pride and respectability to the program, which , to a certain extent, you did. I'm sure your contract was for more than 14 months. Now you turn your back on Mike Hamilton, the administration, and most of all, your players. You did the very thing to Tennessee that Al Davis did to you. This reminds me of Dennis Franchione's dumping of Alabama to go to Texas A&M. Franchione told his players to "Hold on to the Rope". Interesting, since that happened, Alabama won a National Title and Franchione is now a color commentator for Westwood One's College Football radio broadcasts. You'd better come through for the Trojans, Lane, because there's always room in the broadcast booth.
Many recruits and fans believed in Lane Kiffin. They have been betrayed. It's true that Kiffin is familiar with the USC program being that he worked there and he knows the recruiting landscape. There is also rumors that USC is trying to get former Trojans Off. Coordinator Norm Chow away from arch rival UCLA, where he currently serves in that capacity. that would probably be a good fit since Chow has a reputation of making good QBs into great ones. Current Trojan starter Matt Barkley is a good quarterback.
All that having been said, this is still not right when everyone at Tennessee was loyal to Kiffin and believed in him. One other thing, what about his family? this is the second cross-country move in two years. The emotional toll his wife and kids must be taking. they were adjusting to life in Knoxville, in the South, and in the SEC. The kids were making new friends at school, and now they are being uprooted again. LSU Head Coach Les Miles was rumored to be going to Michigan after the departure of Lloyd Carr. Miles is a Michigan alum. He could have easily gone there if in fact they offered him the job, but he decided to be loyal to LSU and to keep his family grounded and stable. One caller on a sportstalk show here in Atlanta said that "in the South, loyalty means something". Lane Kiffin did not learn that lesson. Lane, you had a good thing going at UT. If things don't go well in Los Angeles and you are without a job, you'll rue the day you stabbed Rocky Top in the back.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Norm Chow Would Be A Great Hire For USC
Today, USC Head Coach Pete Caroll decided to leave the Trojans to return to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. the job became available after Seattle Seahawks Owner Paul Allen fired Head Coach Jim Mora Jr. after only 1 year. Caroll's last experience in the NFL was as the Head Coach of the New England Patriots. He didn't do a terrible job, but not a great job either.
Of course, unless you've been hibernating for the last 9 years, you know that Caroll has led the Trojans to 7 PAC-10 Titles, a National Title in 2004 and finished as a National Runner up in 2005 when the Trojans lost to Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns. Pete Caroll made it clear that he will always cherish his time at USC, but like a lot of men, the excitement of a new challenge whetted his appetite.
Now what do the Men of Troy do? Well, according to reports, the leading candidate is current Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio is interested in taking the USC job and when all is said and done, he may very well be the Trojans' new head coach. However, I have my own suggestion as to who USC should hire as their new coach; current UCLA Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow. Chow was the architect behind the Trojans' offensive success before going to the NFL's Tennessee Titans. finding the NFL not all it was cracked up to be, Chow went to arch rival UCLA where he currently serves as the Bruins' O.C.
From what I have heard, Chow has wanted to be a Head Coach in college. He has a great track record of training great quarterbacks; Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinert and John David Booty. He can re-install his system, and he can make Matt Barclay, already a decent college quarterback, into a great one. I think USC should give Chow at least an interview. That's my opinion, and I welcome yours.
Of course, unless you've been hibernating for the last 9 years, you know that Caroll has led the Trojans to 7 PAC-10 Titles, a National Title in 2004 and finished as a National Runner up in 2005 when the Trojans lost to Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns. Pete Caroll made it clear that he will always cherish his time at USC, but like a lot of men, the excitement of a new challenge whetted his appetite.
Now what do the Men of Troy do? Well, according to reports, the leading candidate is current Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio is interested in taking the USC job and when all is said and done, he may very well be the Trojans' new head coach. However, I have my own suggestion as to who USC should hire as their new coach; current UCLA Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow. Chow was the architect behind the Trojans' offensive success before going to the NFL's Tennessee Titans. finding the NFL not all it was cracked up to be, Chow went to arch rival UCLA where he currently serves as the Bruins' O.C.
From what I have heard, Chow has wanted to be a Head Coach in college. He has a great track record of training great quarterbacks; Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinert and John David Booty. He can re-install his system, and he can make Matt Barclay, already a decent college quarterback, into a great one. I think USC should give Chow at least an interview. That's my opinion, and I welcome yours.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Adversity Helps Team Overcome Tremendous Odds
You've probably heard all of the cliches: "Tough times don't last but tough people do", or "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". We've seen adversities such as hurricanes and other natural disasters bring communities together. In this case, nothing tragic happened (at least no one was hurt or killed), but for the Tennessee Men's Basketball Team, adversity earlier this week molded them into a true "team".
Sunday night, the Vols, with only 6 scholarship players and three walk-ons, toppled undefeated and #1 ranked Kansas 76-68 in front of a crowd of at least 19,000 at Thompson Bowling Arena in Knoxville. "It's pretty amazing what chemistry can do when guys put their minds to something and know their backs are up against the wall a little bit and they rally, and they don't quit and they believe in themselves," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said.
Earlier last week, Tennessee's leader, Sr. Forward Tyler Smith, was dismissed from the team after being arrested for involvement in drug and weapons charges. three other players who were involved in the scandal, Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins and Brian Williams, were suspended indefinitely. that left the Volunteers with only 6 scholarship players (no disrespect to the walk-ons). However, Coach Bruce Pearl and his charges used this set back to come together and accomplish something that most of the college basketball world thought was impossible.
The Vols did much of it through defense, using six scholarship players and three walk-ons. The Jay hawks came into this game shooting 51.3%, but Tennessee was able to limit Kansas to a 37.7% shooting percentage. Early in the first half, Tennessee trailed the Jay hawks but went on a 14-2 run keyed by three consecutive three pointers by UT's Rolando Woolridge. The first half ended with the Vols on top 30-20.
One of Tennessee's walk-ons, Freshman Guard Skylar McBee, proved that hard work will eventually pay off. With 1:14 left int eh game, Tennessee led 71-68 after Kansas Guard Tyshon Taylor hit a three pointer. McBee answered with his own trey pushing the lead back up to 6. This proved to be a crucial basket leading to Tennessee's win. "McBee's shot was worth how many hours in the gym?" Pearl said. "When other kids were doing everything else, you could see McBee in the gym practicing all night long. It paid off -- the beautiful thing about sports."
It is truly a beautiful thing when someone unexpected contributes in a very big way. McBee was not expected to play much this season. For him to come through in the clutch like he did proves that a players who don't get the notoriety are still capable of contributing to the success of their team. It also shows that reserves must always be ready when their name is called. In the case of McBee, he was.
As for the Jay hawks, Head Coach Bill Self is still not convinced his team is really a true "team". "The thing I will tell you is this: I don't know if Tennessee was a team until this past week. I don't know if Kansas is a team yet," Self said. In the case of the sport of Basketball, a team on the court is made up of 5 players "functioning as one unit". That was the quote of the Hickory high School Coach in the movie "Hoosiers" Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski put it something like this: "You accomplish as a team what no one person can do alone". I don't know if those were his exact words, but that is the message Coach K was trying to convey.
All of those sayings mentioned above are very true, through times of adversity, people, and especially teams, come together, grow stronger, and are able to muster enough will power to accomplish great things.
Sunday night, the Vols, with only 6 scholarship players and three walk-ons, toppled undefeated and #1 ranked Kansas 76-68 in front of a crowd of at least 19,000 at Thompson Bowling Arena in Knoxville. "It's pretty amazing what chemistry can do when guys put their minds to something and know their backs are up against the wall a little bit and they rally, and they don't quit and they believe in themselves," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said.
Earlier last week, Tennessee's leader, Sr. Forward Tyler Smith, was dismissed from the team after being arrested for involvement in drug and weapons charges. three other players who were involved in the scandal, Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins and Brian Williams, were suspended indefinitely. that left the Volunteers with only 6 scholarship players (no disrespect to the walk-ons). However, Coach Bruce Pearl and his charges used this set back to come together and accomplish something that most of the college basketball world thought was impossible.
The Vols did much of it through defense, using six scholarship players and three walk-ons. The Jay hawks came into this game shooting 51.3%, but Tennessee was able to limit Kansas to a 37.7% shooting percentage. Early in the first half, Tennessee trailed the Jay hawks but went on a 14-2 run keyed by three consecutive three pointers by UT's Rolando Woolridge. The first half ended with the Vols on top 30-20.
One of Tennessee's walk-ons, Freshman Guard Skylar McBee, proved that hard work will eventually pay off. With 1:14 left int eh game, Tennessee led 71-68 after Kansas Guard Tyshon Taylor hit a three pointer. McBee answered with his own trey pushing the lead back up to 6. This proved to be a crucial basket leading to Tennessee's win. "McBee's shot was worth how many hours in the gym?" Pearl said. "When other kids were doing everything else, you could see McBee in the gym practicing all night long. It paid off -- the beautiful thing about sports."
It is truly a beautiful thing when someone unexpected contributes in a very big way. McBee was not expected to play much this season. For him to come through in the clutch like he did proves that a players who don't get the notoriety are still capable of contributing to the success of their team. It also shows that reserves must always be ready when their name is called. In the case of McBee, he was.
As for the Jay hawks, Head Coach Bill Self is still not convinced his team is really a true "team". "The thing I will tell you is this: I don't know if Tennessee was a team until this past week. I don't know if Kansas is a team yet," Self said. In the case of the sport of Basketball, a team on the court is made up of 5 players "functioning as one unit". That was the quote of the Hickory high School Coach in the movie "Hoosiers" Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski put it something like this: "You accomplish as a team what no one person can do alone". I don't know if those were his exact words, but that is the message Coach K was trying to convey.
All of those sayings mentioned above are very true, through times of adversity, people, and especially teams, come together, grow stronger, and are able to muster enough will power to accomplish great things.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Balanced Offensive Attack Wins Championship for Bama, Lack Thereof Hooks Horns
Both defenses, I thought, played extremely well over all in Alabama's win over Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. But one big thing gave Alabama the advantage, and it wasn't that Texas QB Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game (although that was a factor). The major advantage was that Alabama could run the football effectively and the Horns couldn't.
It helped the Tide to have the school's first Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram as their starting running back. He didn't disappoint, as he scored the deciding touchdown with just over 2 minutes left in the game after Bama Defensive End Eric Anders sacked Texas QB Garret Gilbert forcing a fumble which was recovered by the Crimsnon Tide.
When Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban decided to throw for a first down instead of punt deep in the Tide's own territory, and it resulted in a Texas interception, I thought that would lead to a Texas victory and Saban would be haunted by that decision for the rest of his life. He had to have been watching Boise St. and TCU last Monday Night. It was a shame that Texas starting QB Colt McCoy could not finish the game. Give Credit to Alabama's Marcel Dareus for the hard hit on McCoy. Gilbert, McCoy's backup, didn't do that badly. He did lead the Longhorns back to within 3 points with a touchdown pass to Jordan Shipley.
To me , the turning point in this game happened with :15 left in the first half. Texas had the ball on their own 37. Instead of taking a knee, which would have been the prudent move, Head Coach Mack Brown decided to call time out. Gilbert's shuffle pass to D.J. Monroe was fumbled and run back by the Tide's Marcel Dareus for a touchdown. Bama's running game was solid with Mark Ingram and the other RB, Richardson. QB Greg McElroy didn't have to do much in this game. All he had to do was not turn the ball over and manage the game. He didn't turn it over and he managed the game well. One stat about McElroy is that he has still never lost a game as a starter since 8th Grade.
It was a good, competitive game. Texas had their chances, but the Longhorn Wide Receivers weren't able to make the clutch catches. Both defenses played well, but the Crimson Tide just made more plays. It was 1992 when Alabama, under Gene Stallings, one their last National Championship when they beat Miami. Bama now has a total of eight national titles in football, and Head Coach Nick Saban has now won national titles at two SEC schools, the other being when at the helm at LSU in 2003.
It helped the Tide to have the school's first Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram as their starting running back. He didn't disappoint, as he scored the deciding touchdown with just over 2 minutes left in the game after Bama Defensive End Eric Anders sacked Texas QB Garret Gilbert forcing a fumble which was recovered by the Crimsnon Tide.
When Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban decided to throw for a first down instead of punt deep in the Tide's own territory, and it resulted in a Texas interception, I thought that would lead to a Texas victory and Saban would be haunted by that decision for the rest of his life. He had to have been watching Boise St. and TCU last Monday Night. It was a shame that Texas starting QB Colt McCoy could not finish the game. Give Credit to Alabama's Marcel Dareus for the hard hit on McCoy. Gilbert, McCoy's backup, didn't do that badly. He did lead the Longhorns back to within 3 points with a touchdown pass to Jordan Shipley.
To me , the turning point in this game happened with :15 left in the first half. Texas had the ball on their own 37. Instead of taking a knee, which would have been the prudent move, Head Coach Mack Brown decided to call time out. Gilbert's shuffle pass to D.J. Monroe was fumbled and run back by the Tide's Marcel Dareus for a touchdown. Bama's running game was solid with Mark Ingram and the other RB, Richardson. QB Greg McElroy didn't have to do much in this game. All he had to do was not turn the ball over and manage the game. He didn't turn it over and he managed the game well. One stat about McElroy is that he has still never lost a game as a starter since 8th Grade.
It was a good, competitive game. Texas had their chances, but the Longhorn Wide Receivers weren't able to make the clutch catches. Both defenses played well, but the Crimson Tide just made more plays. It was 1992 when Alabama, under Gene Stallings, one their last National Championship when they beat Miami. Bama now has a total of eight national titles in football, and Head Coach Nick Saban has now won national titles at two SEC schools, the other being when at the helm at LSU in 2003.
Psychological Tests For Recruits Might Need To Take Place
Twice in the past two months the University of Tennessee Athletic Department has been rocked by UT student-athletes getting in trouble with the law. Last week, 4 Volunteer Men's Basketball players, Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams and Melvin Goins, were all arrested on drug and weapons charges. About two months ago, three UT football players were arrested for Armed Robbery, although one was acquitted. To me , all this raises a question. Do college athletic departments need to do what NFL teams do when they draft players: administer psychological testing.
Teams in the NFL administer the "Ink Blot Test" among other forms of psychological testing to determine if the prospective player is the right fit for their team as far as attitude, work ethic and chemistry issues. Perhaps the aame thing needs to be done with prospective college recruits. It's true that recruiters cant always see the "red flags", but I'm wondering if some of these tests would give recruiters a better indication of the player's psyche and his ability to work within a team concept. These tests may also "predict" the player's potential risk of getting invovled in the wrong activities.
It's impossible to tell most of the time, but if you're investing thousands of dollars in giving a player a scholarship, then you should know what the "total package" is. A university cant afford to have too many incidents like they have had at Tennessee. Why not implement psychological testing of recruits. NFL teams are investing millions in their draft picks, and colleges are investing thousands (and in a way, millions) in a recruit. That's my opinion, and I welcome yours.
Teams in the NFL administer the "Ink Blot Test" among other forms of psychological testing to determine if the prospective player is the right fit for their team as far as attitude, work ethic and chemistry issues. Perhaps the aame thing needs to be done with prospective college recruits. It's true that recruiters cant always see the "red flags", but I'm wondering if some of these tests would give recruiters a better indication of the player's psyche and his ability to work within a team concept. These tests may also "predict" the player's potential risk of getting invovled in the wrong activities.
It's impossible to tell most of the time, but if you're investing thousands of dollars in giving a player a scholarship, then you should know what the "total package" is. A university cant afford to have too many incidents like they have had at Tennessee. Why not implement psychological testing of recruits. NFL teams are investing millions in their draft picks, and colleges are investing thousands (and in a way, millions) in a recruit. That's my opinion, and I welcome yours.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Hawkeyes Take Sting Out Of Jackets
Last Summer, I wrote on another blog, kgussports.blogspot.com, that Iowa had a great shot to win the Big 10 Title. They didn't do it, but they did the next best thing. They shut down the vaunted Georgia Tech Tripple Option Offense and won the FedEx Orange Bowl over the Jackets 24-14.
It shouldn't;t be a total surprise since Iowa's defense is among the top defenses in the country, leading the nation in take aways. Adrian Clayborne had a fantastic game and was named the MVP of the FedEx Orange Bowl. There was concern over how Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi would play after an ankle injury and his inconsistent play during the season. Stanzi answered the critics and doubters by completing 17-29 passes for 231, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Why do I cheer for the Hawkeyes? I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA but grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA cheering for the Dawgs and yest, at times, the Yellow Jackets. It all has to do with cataracts. I was born with congenital cataracts, a growth forming over the eyes that, if not removed, can cause blindness. At the time (1972), the University of Iowa had the best eye care program in the country. My parents found out about it and waisted no time in getting an appointment.
One thing led to another, and eventually the cataracts were removed by a surgeon at the Univ. of Iowa Hospital. The surgeon was Dr. Dick Scott, who happened to be a former All-Big 10 Football and Basketball player at Iowa. Here's another amazing footnote: Dr. Scott only has one eye himself. In the Summer of 1985, we went back to Iowa and got an eye appointment with none other than Dr. Scott, who was still working and teaching at the university. He was a tall man, about 6'7 with huge hands. He asked me if I remembered him. Obviously, having been an infant at the time of the surgery, I said no. It was so neat and such an honor to meet the man who gave me my sight. You can now see why I root tenaciously for the Hawkeyes. On January 1, 1986, we had the pleasure of seeing the Hawkeyes in person as they battle d the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The Hawkeyes lost 45-28, but it was still thrilling to see the Hawkeyes play. As far as the current Iowa football Team is concerned, this team has the talent to win the Big 10 Title and eventually compete for a National Championship.
It shouldn't;t be a total surprise since Iowa's defense is among the top defenses in the country, leading the nation in take aways. Adrian Clayborne had a fantastic game and was named the MVP of the FedEx Orange Bowl. There was concern over how Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi would play after an ankle injury and his inconsistent play during the season. Stanzi answered the critics and doubters by completing 17-29 passes for 231, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Why do I cheer for the Hawkeyes? I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA but grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA cheering for the Dawgs and yest, at times, the Yellow Jackets. It all has to do with cataracts. I was born with congenital cataracts, a growth forming over the eyes that, if not removed, can cause blindness. At the time (1972), the University of Iowa had the best eye care program in the country. My parents found out about it and waisted no time in getting an appointment.
One thing led to another, and eventually the cataracts were removed by a surgeon at the Univ. of Iowa Hospital. The surgeon was Dr. Dick Scott, who happened to be a former All-Big 10 Football and Basketball player at Iowa. Here's another amazing footnote: Dr. Scott only has one eye himself. In the Summer of 1985, we went back to Iowa and got an eye appointment with none other than Dr. Scott, who was still working and teaching at the university. He was a tall man, about 6'7 with huge hands. He asked me if I remembered him. Obviously, having been an infant at the time of the surgery, I said no. It was so neat and such an honor to meet the man who gave me my sight. You can now see why I root tenaciously for the Hawkeyes. On January 1, 1986, we had the pleasure of seeing the Hawkeyes in person as they battle d the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The Hawkeyes lost 45-28, but it was still thrilling to see the Hawkeyes play. As far as the current Iowa football Team is concerned, this team has the talent to win the Big 10 Title and eventually compete for a National Championship.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Leach Needed To Go: Red Raider Fans Value Emotion Over Reasoning
The performance put on by Interim Head Coach Ruffin McNeill and the Texas Tech Football Team in their 41-31 win over Michigan St. in the Valero Alamo Bowl was fantastic. However, some of the Red Raider fans at the game who booed embattled Tech WR Adam James indicates just how much, or how little, the Red Raider fans use their heads in processing the events involving James and fired Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach.
Unless you've been living in a cave, you by now know something about how Leach ordered that one of his players, Sophomore WR Adam James, to be locked in an electrical closet for at least a couple of hours since James was unable to practice due to a concussion. There is no doubt that this was done. Several of James' teammates, including Offensive Lineman Brandon Carter, have supported James through all of this. In the words of Carter, "this is just the first time someone stepped forward. I don't want fans thinking that Adam James did this because he was upset but it was just kind of the last straw, and sooner or later something was going to come out", Carter said. " This is the first situation that someone spoke up about."
According to what Carter is saying, there have been other instances of mistreatment of players on the part of Leach. More evidence to support this came from the Texas Tech Administration, as they released a signed, sworn affidavit from an athletic trainer, Steve Pincock, who said that Leach instructed him to lock James in a dark place and that he disagreed with Leach's treatment of James after the player was diagnosed with a concussion.
I wonder, how does locking a player in a dark room help him heal from a concussion? That sounds extremely strange. James sent a cell phone video which was obtained by ESPN. ESPN showed it on Sports center and it does show James was locked in a room that was mostly dark. As has been well documented, the administration investigated the matter and suspended Leach indefinitely. Leach ten filed a restraining order so he could coach in the Valero Alamo Bowl. He was then fired 2 days after the suspension as a result of him suing Texas Tech and due to the fact that the university found that mistreatment of James had occurred. All thsi you know about.
Other evidence pointing to Leach's guilt and deserved termination comes from Dr. Michael Phy, who said in a sworn affidavit that James "may not have been harmed," but he "considered this practice inappropriate, and a deviation from the medical standard of care."
If the Texas Tech fans would just step back, look at, and weigh the evidence, they will see that Leach crossed the line. Whether Adam James is "lazy", as Leach told ESPN's Reece Davis on a nationally televised interview, is not the issue here. The issue is did Mike Leach cross the line in how he treated James. The evidence show s that he did. Steve Pincock, the athletic trainer mentioned earlier, said in a sworn affidavit that "Leach told me to place James in a dark place near the practice field." Pincock also said that he told James he was "sorry for having to place him in a dark shed but these were Leach's instructions. I do not agree with this form of treatment for anyone, and I discussed this with James."
The fact that James's family, including his father, ESPN analyst Craig James, has been receiving death threats over this event, is nothing short of insanity. Also, some Leach supporters at the Alamo Bowl had little baby-sized t-shirts containing derisive statements directed at James. He didn't play in the game because of the concussion, but it's a good thing he didn't play anyway because I don't think he, or the rest of the team, would have been able to concentrate on making the necessary plays. In a nut shell, the evidence compiled by the university's investigation through it's interviewing of the witnesses involved, shows that Leach was in the wrong. The Texas Tech fans need to shut up and leave James alone. The only thing he is guilty of is standing up for himself and telling the world that he was done wrong. If Leach wasn't winning, the fans would have no problem with him being fired over this. Again, we come back to the quotes made by legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardy: "Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing". That is all that most Texas Tech fans seem to care about. Some information for this blog was obtained from http://www.espn.com/.
Unless you've been living in a cave, you by now know something about how Leach ordered that one of his players, Sophomore WR Adam James, to be locked in an electrical closet for at least a couple of hours since James was unable to practice due to a concussion. There is no doubt that this was done. Several of James' teammates, including Offensive Lineman Brandon Carter, have supported James through all of this. In the words of Carter, "this is just the first time someone stepped forward. I don't want fans thinking that Adam James did this because he was upset but it was just kind of the last straw, and sooner or later something was going to come out", Carter said. " This is the first situation that someone spoke up about."
According to what Carter is saying, there have been other instances of mistreatment of players on the part of Leach. More evidence to support this came from the Texas Tech Administration, as they released a signed, sworn affidavit from an athletic trainer, Steve Pincock, who said that Leach instructed him to lock James in a dark place and that he disagreed with Leach's treatment of James after the player was diagnosed with a concussion.
I wonder, how does locking a player in a dark room help him heal from a concussion? That sounds extremely strange. James sent a cell phone video which was obtained by ESPN. ESPN showed it on Sports center and it does show James was locked in a room that was mostly dark. As has been well documented, the administration investigated the matter and suspended Leach indefinitely. Leach ten filed a restraining order so he could coach in the Valero Alamo Bowl. He was then fired 2 days after the suspension as a result of him suing Texas Tech and due to the fact that the university found that mistreatment of James had occurred. All thsi you know about.
Other evidence pointing to Leach's guilt and deserved termination comes from Dr. Michael Phy, who said in a sworn affidavit that James "may not have been harmed," but he "considered this practice inappropriate, and a deviation from the medical standard of care."
If the Texas Tech fans would just step back, look at, and weigh the evidence, they will see that Leach crossed the line. Whether Adam James is "lazy", as Leach told ESPN's Reece Davis on a nationally televised interview, is not the issue here. The issue is did Mike Leach cross the line in how he treated James. The evidence show s that he did. Steve Pincock, the athletic trainer mentioned earlier, said in a sworn affidavit that "Leach told me to place James in a dark place near the practice field." Pincock also said that he told James he was "sorry for having to place him in a dark shed but these were Leach's instructions. I do not agree with this form of treatment for anyone, and I discussed this with James."
The fact that James's family, including his father, ESPN analyst Craig James, has been receiving death threats over this event, is nothing short of insanity. Also, some Leach supporters at the Alamo Bowl had little baby-sized t-shirts containing derisive statements directed at James. He didn't play in the game because of the concussion, but it's a good thing he didn't play anyway because I don't think he, or the rest of the team, would have been able to concentrate on making the necessary plays. In a nut shell, the evidence compiled by the university's investigation through it's interviewing of the witnesses involved, shows that Leach was in the wrong. The Texas Tech fans need to shut up and leave James alone. The only thing he is guilty of is standing up for himself and telling the world that he was done wrong. If Leach wasn't winning, the fans would have no problem with him being fired over this. Again, we come back to the quotes made by legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardy: "Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing". That is all that most Texas Tech fans seem to care about. Some information for this blog was obtained from http://www.espn.com/.
Friday, January 1, 2010
"Tebowcam" A Bit Much
During the Fox Sports telecast of the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Florida and Cincinnati, the broadcasters were telling the fans that they could follow Florida QB Tim Tebow's every move on foxsports.com. I know the guy is a great player. He's arguably one of the best ever in the history of College Football. He set a Sugar Bowl record for by gaining at least 500 yards of total offense (passing and rushing). He did complete 31-35 passes for 482 yards and three touchdowns to lead Florida to a "Sugar Blowout " of #3 ranked Cincinnati, But come on! Tebowcam? Isn't that a bit much?
The media is in love with Tim Tebow, and with good reason. He's a great guy who has done so much good for many people: his ministry work at his parents' orphanage in the Philippines, what he 's done off the field at Florida. He's a been a great ambassador for College Football. But let's not worship the guy. He himself does not want that. He would rather people worship his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tebow has been elevated to "god-like" status. I don't think even he is comfortable with fans watching his every move on the field or on the side lines with Tebowcam. If we are going to have Tebowcam, why not have Ingramcam, McCoycam or Sucam (Mr. Su, Defensive Lineman from Nebraska). RB Mark Ingram of Alabama won this year's Heisman and Mr. Su was not far behind in the voting. Let's not get carried away over the success of one player. It's a bit silly, and I don't think Tebow is comfortable with that anyway. Those are my thoughts and I welcome yours.
The media is in love with Tim Tebow, and with good reason. He's a great guy who has done so much good for many people: his ministry work at his parents' orphanage in the Philippines, what he 's done off the field at Florida. He's a been a great ambassador for College Football. But let's not worship the guy. He himself does not want that. He would rather people worship his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tebow has been elevated to "god-like" status. I don't think even he is comfortable with fans watching his every move on the field or on the side lines with Tebowcam. If we are going to have Tebowcam, why not have Ingramcam, McCoycam or Sucam (Mr. Su, Defensive Lineman from Nebraska). RB Mark Ingram of Alabama won this year's Heisman and Mr. Su was not far behind in the voting. Let's not get carried away over the success of one player. It's a bit silly, and I don't think Tebow is comfortable with that anyway. Those are my thoughts and I welcome yours.
Ryan's Song: Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams Sets ACC Record
College Football players such as Mark Ingram, the Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have gotten all the attention this year. But one player's achievements have been left largely ignored, yet are no less impressive. Virginia Tech Freshman RB Ryan Williams set a single season ACC record for rushing yards yards and touchdowns when he scored the first of his two TDs in the Hokies 37-14 win over Tennessee in the 2009 Chick Fillet Bowl.
Williams' Chick Fillet Bowl performance capped off an incredible season in which he rushed for 1,655 and 21 rushing touchdowns in 2009 en route to setting a new single season ACC record for most yards rushed and touchdowns scored. The amazing thing about this is that Williams is only a Freshman. Can you imagine if he stays another three years and is able to put up numbers like this, he might end up being the new all time rushing leader in the Football Bowl Division (FBS) level. However, with another season like 2009, Williams is bound to test the waters of the NFL Draft.
However, he should study the tragically failed career of former Ohio St. Running Back Maurice Clarette. A few years ago after Clarette's Sophomore season, Clarette declared ineligible by the NCAA for accepting thousands of dollars in extra benefits from a caterer from near his hometown and for attempting to conceal those gifts from NCAA investigators. He then went into the NFL Draft where he was picked up by the Broncos but ended up being cut. He then committed an armed robbery and is now serving jail time. Williams would do well to learn from Clarette's mistakes and stay in school as long as possible, at least another 2 years. Should Williams heed this advice, he should be a candidate for the Heisman in a year or two and move on to a stellar career in the NFL. Let's hope he stays away from the negative outside influences that brought down Clarette and several other promising college stars.
Williams' Chick Fillet Bowl performance capped off an incredible season in which he rushed for 1,655 and 21 rushing touchdowns in 2009 en route to setting a new single season ACC record for most yards rushed and touchdowns scored. The amazing thing about this is that Williams is only a Freshman. Can you imagine if he stays another three years and is able to put up numbers like this, he might end up being the new all time rushing leader in the Football Bowl Division (FBS) level. However, with another season like 2009, Williams is bound to test the waters of the NFL Draft.
However, he should study the tragically failed career of former Ohio St. Running Back Maurice Clarette. A few years ago after Clarette's Sophomore season, Clarette declared ineligible by the NCAA for accepting thousands of dollars in extra benefits from a caterer from near his hometown and for attempting to conceal those gifts from NCAA investigators. He then went into the NFL Draft where he was picked up by the Broncos but ended up being cut. He then committed an armed robbery and is now serving jail time. Williams would do well to learn from Clarette's mistakes and stay in school as long as possible, at least another 2 years. Should Williams heed this advice, he should be a candidate for the Heisman in a year or two and move on to a stellar career in the NFL. Let's hope he stays away from the negative outside influences that brought down Clarette and several other promising college stars.
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