My Beloved 80 Bloggees (Welcome Judge and Pace):
Another routine Gator road SEC win beyond regulation on Tuesday night....this time, an 104- 91 double overtime thriller over the Georgia Bulldogs http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/boxscore.php?gameid=9461 . In the past two years, I don't think the Gators would have had the beef to contend with such a physical challenge
However, this year, with both a more seasoned Vernon Macklin and the youthful recklessness of Patric Young playing center, the Gators can compete in the prime retail estate, which ESPN broadcaster, Jimmy Dykes, calls the area near the basket (about five times a game). During key minutes of regulation and overtimes, Billy had both Macklin and Young in the game at the same time which would have prompted Bill Raftery to say, if he were doing the game for CBS or ESPN, "Lock up the china". (Raftery is my favorite analyst...you have to love when a bank shot is made and you hear Raftery...."with the kiss off the glass" or "with the smooch")
Erving Walker redeemed himself for missing key throws near the end of regulation by knotting up the game with one second remaining in the first overtime connecting on a long, long three (no foul, Georgia?). The Gators took advantage of the deflated Bulldog players and crowd in the second overtime, especially Chandler Parsons' 9 points in that period. Kenny Boynton helped the Gators get off to a hot start in the game but then he cooled off, except for his "perfect dozen" free-throw shooting...12 for 12. NEXT
One of our new bloggees, Bebe, is a Clemson grad and wants to hear some Tiger love. Well here it is, at the expense of Sidney Lowe and his North Carolina State Wolfpack who had a 19-point lead in the first half that tranformed into a 60 - 50 loss Tuesday night at Clemson. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/scoreboard?d=2011-01-25&refresh=60 NC State scored just 16 points in the second half. I didn't see the game, but I am sure Clemson's defense was a factor. On the other hand, scoring less than a point a minute in a half leaves a sour taste in my mouth, especially by a 5-year coach that has never made March noise during his tenure other than a couple trips to the NIT. My guess is that Sidney needs to go to the Dance this year. Otherwise.........
The new NC State athletic director is Debbie Yow coached Gator Women's Basketball in the 80's Lowe's top current assistant, Monte Towe, was the late Norm Sloan's assistant for the Gators also in the 80's. Towe was also the legendary Wolfpack point guard during its 1974 national championship year. Hmmmmm. Are you thinking what I am thinking? NEXT
It's time for You Make Me Feel Old . When you see the name of senior Jerai Grant on Clemson's roster you can't help but do some digging http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/grant_jerai00.html . Yes, 6' 8 230 lb Jerai is the son of one of the famous twins who played at Clemson, Harvey Grant . (Harvey went on to finish his collegiate career at Oklahoma). That also means his uncle is Horace Grant who has some NBA finger jewelry thanks to His Airness, which doesn't seem that long ago. Yes, Jerai Grant, You Make Me Feel Old .
By the way, Harvey has another son, Jerian Grant, who is a 6' 5" freshman guard at Notre Dame but is out for the year with a shin injury (After the Jay Cutler controversy, I am not judging). http://www.und.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/grant_jerian00.html Also, there are two more younger brothers, one a junior at "rich-in-tradition" DeMatha High School. Coach Billy D., is Harvey Grant on your Christmas card list yet? NEXT
It may seem like http://www.channelsurfing.net/ is paying me, but that is not true. However, last night I was able to watch the end of the UAB -Marshall game for free on that magnificent website. It was not being broadcast on local or satellite TV. It was a thriller.
UAB had a hangover of the Memphis blues, after losing to the Tigers at home, Saturday evening in overtime in front of an unusual packed house at Bartow Arena. That help Marshall take a 48 - 38 lead withjust over 7 minutes left. Suddenly, as if they took a sobering shower, the Blazers played tremendous defense and had key scoring from Jemarr Sanders and Aaron Johnson. Good job, down the stretch, Blazers. Otherwise, that would have been a "program-setback" loss to the Thundering Herd. NEXT
To football...the Senior Bowl will be televised this Saturday on the NFL Network at 3:00 CST. Three Florida Gators will be participating:
# 17 Chaz Henry - Punter
# 35 Ahmad Black - Defensive Back
# 76 Marcus Gilbert - Offensive Tackle
To see the names of participants from other schools click on http://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters.asp NEXT
The South team of the Senior Bowl is being coached by former Gator quarterback, Chan Gailey. Chan was a backup signal caller for most of his collegiate career (1971 - 1973). But I do recall an act of unselfishness that has been etched in my memory.
The Gators were hit with numerous injuries during one season and it got to the point where they needed a long snapper. Who volunteered? Quarterback Chan Gailey. I still retain the unique image of him hustling out on the field with a center's jersey (number 51, I believe) taped onto his quarterback jersey (number 10 or 12, not sure). Do you think Coach Doug Dickey liked having him on the team? THAT'S IT.
Enjoy....going to see the feared Elon Phoenix and their stud guard, Drew Spradlin, in a revenge game for Samford...the Southern Conference is not strong in the paint but they have some star "don't miss" guards including Spradlin, Charleston's Andrew Goudelock, Appalachian State's Donald Sims and Citadel's Cameron Wells. Buth they are still a one-bid league.
Barry
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