Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog #7 - Season 2

My Beloved 95 Bloggees (Welcome Bruce):


Florida decommit Austin Rivers had 15 points, 3 steals and no turnovers on Saturday to lead Duke to a 96 - 55 victory over the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College from the Big South Conference http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111120173  . "Doc Jr." was 5 for 8 from the field contributing to the Blue Devils whopping 61 % shooting percentage.

For you Birmingham bloggees, Presbyterian's big William Truss from last year's State Final Four participant, Vestavia Hills High School, had 4 points in 8 minutes. Surprisingly his 257 pound frame did not fetch any rebounds. NEXT




Butler, who defeated the Gators in the Elite Eight last year, is off to a miserable start. After losing in an exhibition game to Northern State, it dropped its opening game in overtime at Evansville 80 - 77 http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111120193  . Gator killer Khyle Marshall only had 6 points and 2 offensive rebounds. He should have imagined that the Purple Aces were wearing Orange and Blue so that he could possibly duplicate the key numbers he had against Florida, 10 points and 7 offensive rebounds.

Butler is certainly looking forward to next year when the Arkansas transfer sharpshooter, Rotnei Clarke, will be eligible for the Bulldogs. NEXT



Wisconsin demolished Kennesaw State from the Atlantic Sun Conference 85 - 31on Saturday http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111120657  . At halftime it was 41 - 8......for the game the Badgers outrebounded the Owls, 40 - 17 and outshot them, 59 % to 23 %. The number one-ranked point guard, Jordan Taylor, http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/viewcbse.asp only had 11 points but distributed 7 assists for 15th ranked Wisconsin.

The first year coach for Kennesaw State is former Gator assistant Lewis Preston. Here are his frustrating words after the game: "When I go back and look at this film, if I don’t kick the TV in, I’m going to go back and look at the number of open shots. We probably missed five or six layups; we missed some easy shots in the sweet spot.” Take it easy, Coach. NEXT




On Sunday, Middle Tennessee State from the Sun Belt Conference defeated host Loyola Marymount 58 - 51 http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111130317  . What made this victory so meaningful for the Blue Raiders was Loyola Marymount's upset of then 17th ranked UCLA on Friday night. Middle Tennessee State gets a crack at UCLA themselves on Tuesday.

If you have DISH Network, on Tuesday night you can tune into Channel 411 Fox Sports Prime Ticket at 10:00 Central to watch that intersectional matchup. You may see a "not-so tall" guy wearing a suit on the Middle Tennessee State bench, prompting the question "Hey, Who is That Assistant Coach". It will be former Gator assistant Monte Towe, who recently was an assistant to Sidney Lowe at his alma mater, North Carolina State. NEXT




In a Sunday shocker, Cleveland State upset 7th ranked Vanderbilt 71 - 58 in Music City USA http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201111130615  . Does Mouse McFadden have any eligibilty left? (He was the star in 1986 who led Cleveland State to the Sweet Sixteen http://clevelandsportshall.com/mcfadden-ken-mouse/  ).

No, Mouse didn't play, but D’Aundray Brown did. The 6' 4 senior guard had 18 points, 7 of his team's 15 steals and 8 rebounds for a good day's work. John Jenkins was not sharp for the 'Dores, shooting 5 for 14 and just 2 for 8 from long range on his way to 17 points. Jeffrey Taylor also had a disappointing performance with 6 turnovers and just 9 points. NEXT




In Friday night's annual "Blogger Barry's IQ is not allowed near the building" rivalry game, Harvard defeated MIT 76 - 49 http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-201111110245.had.recap. The Crimson of Harvard are Ivy League Champs coached by former Duke great Tommy Amaker who already has a history of big-time upsets while at the school. THAT'S IT





Enjoy....speaking of Ivy League, I feel bad for bloggee Barbara who went to Princeton, NJ and saw her alma mater lose to Wagner 73 - 57....looks like 28 Princeton turnovers were too tough to overcome.....on Wednesday her Tigers travel to Raleigh against Mark Gottfried's 2 - 0 NC State Wolfpack.....Barbara, I am pulling for Princeton,




Barry

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog #6 - Season 2

My Beloved 92 Bloggees:



The Veteran's Day battle between North Carolina and Michigan State on the USS Carl Vinson was a terrific way for the sports world to honor our military. The pre-game including President Obama addressing the brave men and women who defend our country was memorable. I am a firm believer when it comes to honoring these wonderful Americans, one leaves their partisanship at the door and enjoy the experience like I did watching on TV.


Michigan State probably did not enjoy the subsequent 40 minutes losing to North Carolina 67 - 55. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201111110413  I believe I saw a couple of MSU players licking a finger and then putting it up to the wind to determine its direction...like we did when playing on the driveway. That didn't help their 31% overall shooting and just 10% from beyond the arc, 2 for 20. The outside elements did not affect the Spartans' Draymond Green who had 18 rebounds nor the Heels' top two players, Harrison Barnes (17 points) and John Henson (12 points....he is from Tampa, FL....grrrrrr). NEXT





Two future in-state Gator opponents FSU and Jacksonville, played each other on Friday night with the Seminoles coming out on top 79 - 67. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201111110213  Terrance Shannon came off the bench with his 6' 8 220 lb frame achieving a rare double double for a reserve, 15 points and 12 rebounds. Deividas Dulkys and his 16 points also contributed to the Noles' reserves outscoring JU's 42 - 6. Jacksonville still should be a force again in the Atlantic Sun....Gator fans and Samford fans (which I qualify as both) won't forget last year's home upset losses to the Dolphins.

Here is a relevant trivia question ....which two Final Four coaches have been head coach at both FSU and JU? Scroll down to the bottom for the answer. NEXT





Two future out-of-state Gator opponents tangled on Friday night with Florida's next opponent, Ohio State, smashing Wright State 73 - 42. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110443  Not surprisingly, Jared Sullinger led the Buckeyes with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. For you wrasslin' fans, it will be like a cage match when Patric Young of Florida goes against Sullinger on Tuesday night. NEXT





With all due respect to current Gator assistant John Pelphrey (with whom I am upset because he did not follow-up on a lead I gave him over the phone that might have helped both the Gator basketball and football programs), Arkansas fans must be ecstatic to see Mike Anderson on the sidelines. I saw the impact he made when he was UAB coach, not just winning but the entertaining way his frenetic teams won during the regular season and at the Big Dance.

Anderson's Razorbacks won their first game on Friday night against South Carolina-Upstate from the Atlantic Sun Conference 83 - 63 . As expected, Marshawn Powell was a force with 6 for 8 shooting for 19 points. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110019

Check out the shot at Pelphrey taken by former Arkansas coach, Nolan Richardson, for whom Anderson had served as an assistant for 17 years, “It’s good to see the energy back in this place.” http://arkansasnews.com/2011/11/12/basketball-anderson-era-begins-with-arkansas-win/  Ouch, babe. NEXT



Former Gator Final Four Coach Lon Kruger had a shaky debut at the helm of the Oklahoma Sooners who barely defeated Idaho State 78 - 74 Friday night http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201111110444  Coming into the game, the Bengals had lost 24 straight against BCS opponents. With that in mind, this slim win seems to indicate that Lon has a lot of work to do in Norman. NEXT






On Friday night, Vanderbilt got off to a solid start with a 78 - 64 win at the "Nashville Dungeon". http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110615  Sweet strokin' John Jenkins led the 'Dores with 24 points on 7 for 16 deep shots. Jeffrey Taylor had a double double for the victors, 21 points and 11 rebounds. Vanderbilt was upset on Sunday which will be discussed in the next blog. NEXT






Last year's Cinderella Final Four participant, VCU, had an opening night win against St. Francis (PA) 63 - 57. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110613  The highlight or should I say lowlight was Shaka Smart's Rams having to overcome the 0 for 12 shooting by one of last year's March heroes, 6' 6 senior Bradford Burgess. He had consistently shot 48 % each of his previous three years for VCU.  NEXT





Look who got his first win as an ACC coach on Friday night. Former Alabama player and head coach, Mark Gottfried, and his NC State Wolfpack defeated UNC-Asheville 84 - 75. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110411  The victors had two players with double-doubles: Richard Howell, 14 points 15 rebounds and DeShawn Pointer coming off the bench, 12 points and 12 boards. You might remember that UNC-Asheville did go dancing last year after winning the Big South Conference tourney. NEXT





Speaking of the Big South, how about a tip of the hat to bloggee Bob, the new AD at Campbell University for the Camels' opening night win over Houston Baptist http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110096j  . Bob seems to have the golden touch, so look for Campbell hoops to begin to rise, just as its 4-year old football program has already done, going 6 - 4 so far this year. http://www.gocamels.com/sports/fball/2011-12/schedule  THAT'S IT.




Enjoy....I don't want to wear you out ...the next blog will include the rest of the action this weekend,




Barry





The trivia answer is Hugh Durham and Joe Williams.

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog # 5 - Season 2

My Beloved 92 Bloggees (Welcome Jerry, Mark and Bo):


Gulp! That is the way Jackson State might describe the Gator basketball team after last night's 99 - 59 thrashing by Florida.  http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/boxscore.php?gameid=10277

The Gators started out to a scary 41 - 8 lead with virtually all aspects of their game clicking. They cruised the rest of the way to the 40-point victory. Jackson State is a young, inexperienced less-talented team, so it was difficult to learn much about Florida after this game except they are athletic and deep, which are both critical for Billyball's pressure defense to succeed. Also, they are entertaining the way they unselfishly make the extra pass.

The Gators might have the best backcourt in the country with 5 guards who could probably start anywhere. Most everyone knows about scorers Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton after making the Elite Eight last year. Don't forget Scottie Wilbekin might be the nation's top defender at the guard position. Then there is the freshman Bradley Beal who reminds me of Pavlov's dog because watching his all-around play makes you salivate http://www.wisegeek.com/who-was-pavlovs-dog.htm . Finally, Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario, who led the Scarlet Knights in scoring two years ago with over 16 points per game, could be the cherry at the top of the sundae as evidenced by his 19 points in 20 minutes including 5 for 8 from way downtown against Jackson State.

We will know more about the Orange and Blue when they travel to Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday night in a televised revenge bout against Ohio State and Jared Sullinger. NEXT


Gator transfer 6' 11 Kenny Kadji started for the University of Miami in his debut for new coach Jim Larranaga (from George Mason) with some mixed results in his team's 69 - 58 win over Tennessee Tech. Kadji had a "bagel" in terms of scoring with 0 - 3 from the field. He did snatch 5 rebounds in his 19 minutes. Georgia transfer guard Zach Swansey led the Golden Eagles with 19 points. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110355  NEXT



Gator transfer Eloy Vargas grabbed 8 rebounds and scored 5 points for the number two-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on their way to a 108 - 58 victory over Marist. Kentucky outrebounded their opponent a whopping 50 - 27. Where is Rik Smits when you need him? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Smits

Kentucky flexed their muscles with freshman Anthony Davis leading the way with 8 dunks among his 23 points. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist also represented the highly-touted freshman class with 15 points. Last year's super freshman, Terrence Jones, had 8 points coming off the bench after being involved in an early morning auto accident as a passenger.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110292  Kansas is next on Tuesday. NEXT




The Southern Conference did not fare well against the SEC in three games:

Georgia defeated Wofford 62 - 49. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the 6' 4 highly-recruited freshman guard, led the Bulldogs with 15 points. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110230

In a battle of Carolinas, South defeated Western 75 - 50 in spite of the Gamecocks point guard from last year, Bruce Elkington, busy on the gridiron as wide receiver and wildcat quarterback . http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110525

And the "Cuonzo era" (or post-Pearl era) began in Knoxville where the Volunteers upended UNC-Greeensboro 92 - 73 for their new coach, former Purdue great, Cuonzo Martin. We might have to remember the name of Tennessee sophomore 6' 1 guard Trae Golden who averaged just 3 points a game last year. On Friday night, he scored 29 on 10 of 14 from the field including 4 of 5 from long-range. Golden also contributed 9 assists. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110580  NEXT


Alabama is a team to be feared. All the players seem to have now bought into Anthony Grant's disciplined system and their defense reflects that. The Crimson Tide limited North Florida, the runner-up in last year's Atlantic Sun tourney, to a stifling 23 % shooting, on 13 for 56 in the Alabama 64 - 44 victory. We should get used to the following game recap......JaMychal Green (18 pts) and Tony Mitchell (17 pts) were the top scorers for the Crimson Tide. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110006  NEXT


Auburn looks to be a more dangerous team. With Tony Barbee and his John Calipari pedigree at the helm for his second year, expect much improvement as evidenced by its 84 - 62 win over McNeese State, picked to finish 2nd in the East Division of the Southland conference. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110028  The decisive win even came during an off-shooting night by stud Frankie Sullivan who was just 3 for 12 and 8 points. Texas transfer Veraz Ward is a terrific upgrade at point guard. He began his War Eagle career with 14 points and 5 assists in 25 minutes. NEXT


Duke barely squeezed by Belmont 77 - 76. Austin Rivers, Doc's son who decomitted from Florida, tied for the team lead with 16 points. He was only 3 for 9 from the field and had a team-leading 5 turnovers. The other scoring leader for Duke was another son of a former NBA player, Seth Curry, Dell's son. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201111110173  THAT'S IT



Enjoy.....the next blog will continue highlighting this weekend's action,



Barry

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog # 4 - Season 2

My Beloved 89 Bloggees (We had some attrition during the offseason...kindly help me get back to triple digits by spreading the word):




In this year's previous blogs we focused on exhibition game upsets. Last Saturday there was a near shocker. UMass Lowell missed a shot at the buzzer to barely fall to the Big East's Providence College 76 - 75  http://www.goriverhawks.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111011aab.html . One of the problems for Providence is they play at the Dunkin Donuts Center....I prefer Krispy Kreme.  http://instantrimshot.com/

Seriously, we will give a pass to the Friars for the close call. Ed Cooley, previously the head coach at Fairfield University, is now at the helm. Gator football fans can identify with first-year growing pains when there is a new leader. NEXT



I remember watching all-SEC Ole Miss guard/forward Elston Turner a few years back (technically it was 1978 - 1981). He played in the NBA and had a fine 8-year pro career followed by 14 years as an NBA assistant coach, including his new gig this year (if there is a this year) with the Phoenix Suns. http://www.nba.com/suns/turner_staff_110714.html .


On Wednesday night, his son, also Elston Turner, scored 16 points for Texas A & M in their 81 - 59 victory over Liberty University. It was Turner's first game as an Aggie after playing two years for the Washington Huskies and then sitting out his transfer year. Elston Turner, because I remember your dad playing, for the first time this season You Make Me Feel Old. NEXT



When I was growing up in Orlando I used to go to all the Rollins College Tars basketball games with bloggee Jim . In fact their big rival was the Stetson University Hatters with their legendary coach, bloggee Dr. Glenn.

Last week Division II Rollins played a pickup game against current and former Orlando Magic players (because of the NBA lockout) and defeated the pros 101 - 92. Be sure to watch the 2-minute video report of this game at http://www.rollinssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92649&SPID=11254&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=19500&ATCLID=205327702  Go Tars!

By the way, former Gator walk-on, Kyle McClanahan has transferred to Rollins and will play on their hoops squad next year when he will be on scholarship. McClanahan is from the metro Orlando area. THAT'S IT



Enjoy.....Florida opens tonight at 6:00 CST against Jackson State (ranked 287 out of 345 in the Sagarin Computer Rankings) coached by Tevester Anderson, former assistant at Auburn and Georgia...the game is on Fox Sports Net Florida, Channel 634 on DirecTV, Channel 423 on Dish Network and if you live in a state that does not have an SEC school, you can view it online at http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/source/espn3/#type/livenow/  ....many other teams start their regular season schedule today and tomorrow....love this time of year,




Barry

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog # 3 - Season 2 (with a little bit of football)

My Beloved 89 Bloggees (Welcome Steve, David, Justin, Jeffrey, Ellen and Adam):



With college basketball's regular season not yet in full gear, let's continue from the last blog and look at some more upsets in exhibition games. I usually emphasize hoops in the South, but I will stray a bit this time.



It has not been a good week for the Nutt family. First, Houston Nutt is asked to resign from the head coaching job at Ole Miss. Then on Monday brother Dicky Nutt, the head coach at Division I Southeast Missouri State (known as SEMO in the Ohio Valley Conference), lost 68 - 63 in an exhibition game to Division II Harding University.  http://www.hardingsports.com/news/2011/11/7/MBB_1107111804.aspx


Remember in March 2008 when talented Drake University suffered a loss in the first round of March Madness on a buzzer-beater to Western Kentucky (and current South Carolina coach Darrin Horn).   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOzyE_S5AY What a difference a few years make. Last Saturday, Drake was beaten by Division II Quincy University 84 - 74  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111105/SPORTS/311050062/Drake-men-s-basketball-Scant-Bulldogs-upset-by-Quincy


Florida Gator opponent on Nov. 21st, Wright State from the tough mid-major Horizon League (which includes Butler), was upset on Saturday by Division II Central State 56 - 50.  http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/entries/2011/11/06/wright_state_coach_on_loss_to.html I had originally thought Wright State could be a tough game for the Gators with their 5th place conference finish last year, but scratch that after this loss and the pre-season 8th place prediction for the Raiders.


There was another upset in an exhibition game that did not get much ink. Last Friday night West Virginia lost to Division II Northern Kentucky at the buzzer on a three-pointer 77 - 74.  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/ncaa/11/05/nku.wvu.exhibition.ap/index.htm Would you have liked to have been in the locker room after the game listening to the mild-mannered coach of West Virginia, Bob Huggins, address the team?


The University of Utah lost to Division II Adams St. 61 - 60 also last Friday night.  http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17959633&nid=635&title=utah-falls-to-div-ii-adams-state . Pac-12 teams must be salivating after seeing this score of their new league member. New Running Utes Coach, Larry Krystkowiak, has a tough gig with only 4 returning players after 8 left the team when Jim Boylen was fired earlier this year.   http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=teamreports-2011-ncaab-uae NEXT


To football,........beginning in 1973. I became an Oakland Raiders fan, primarily because most of my college buddies were from Miami (like bloggee Steve ) and the Raiders were the only team that could beat the Dolphins. I developed a love affair with the Silver and Black and some of their stars like Kenny Stabler, Anthony Davis, Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett, Ted Hendricks, Willie Brown, Cliff Branch and two of my three favorite running backs to ever play at Colgate, Marv Hubbard and Mark van Eeghan (the third being bloggee Joe). I even went to the "Marcus Allen" 1984 Super Bowl in Tampa with bloggee Charlie when they beat the Washington Redskins 38 - 9 and Allen ran for 191 yards including a 74-yard TD scamper.

So, I have been a diehard Raider fan for 38 years. This past Sunday was the first time since 1973 that I rooted against them when Denver and my fellow UF alumnus, Tim Tebow, defeated the Raiders 38 - 24. It was the POWER OF TEBOW which trumped the long-time allegiance I had for the Raiders. NEXT



Sadly, bloggee Irby passed away last week. He fought an unbelievably courageous 3-year battle against cancer. I wish you all had a chance to know this special guy. Attending Samford and UAB basketball games will never be the same. I usually end the blogs with the closing, Enjoy, but that is surely not appropriate this time. THAT'S IT




Barry

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog # 2 - Season 2

My Beloved 82 Bloggees (Welcome Dan, Andy, Doug, Bernard, Bobby, Ben, and Franz):



In the battle of Billy Donovans on Thursday night, Dad ended up on the winning side when Florida defeated Catholic University 114 - 57.  http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/boxscore.php?gameid=10276 . Billy Donovan Jr. scored 13 points on 3 for 7 shooting in 27 minutes as a last-minute addition to the starting lineup for the Division III Cardinals.

The Gators made 20 of 40 three-point field goal attempts with their 3-guard lineup. Athletic freshman 6 '3 guard Bradley Beal is special and you will want to remember that name. He was 8 for 11 from the field including 4 for 7 from the arc for 20 points. Kenny Boynton had a super game with a double-double, 21 points and 10 assists.

Although Patric Young is a horse in the middle, rebounding will be a challenge this year for the Orange and Blue. Vernon Macklin, now with the lockout Detroit Pistons, and his physicality will be sorely missed, especially without a "thick" (the relatively new "trendy" word describing a broad-shouldered tall physical frontcourt player) replacement from the freshman class. NEXT



It is never a good sign for a Division I college basketball team when it loses an exhibition game usually against a team in a lower division. Many remember when Syracuse was upset in 2009 by Division II LeMoyne and last year when Tennessee was upset by Division II Indianapolis. The pre-season upsets have continued this year.

This past Wednesday, the Division II Northern State Wolves, from Aberdeen, South Dakota, upset the national runner-up the last two years, 31st ranked Butler University, 53 - 50 after trailing by 9 with less than 5 minutes to play. http://rapidcityjournal.com/sports/college-basketball-thomas-s-triple-helps-northern-state-upset-butler/article_4a5338e4-05d5-11e1-82dd-001cc4c002e0.html

Last week Division II Seattle Pacific upset no.16 ranked Arizona 69 -68  http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncb&id=7183144

I am sure practice was not pleasant for Butler and Arizona players the day after these stunning upsets. NEXT



On Thursday night, the NBDL had their annual draft. Here are some of the Southern highlights:

1. In the first round, Mustapha Farrakhan from Virginia and grandson of Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan, was drafted by the Bakersfield Jam.

2. In the fourth round, Donald Sims from Appalachian State, was drafted by the Reno Bighorns. Many in Birmingham remember seeing this sharpshooter play against Samford in Southern Conference action. In 2009-2010 he led the nation with an astounding free throw percentage of 95.1, on 175 out of 184.

3. In the eighth round, Justin Tubbs, from East Tennessee State after transferring from Alabama, was drafted by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. THAT'S IT



Enjoy...will be attending my first college basketball game of the year Monday when Samford hosts Berry College in an exhibition encounter....as a Samford fan, I hope I don't have to report another upset.



Barry

Gator (and Southern) Hoops Blog # 1 - Season 2

My Beloved Bloggees (Welcome Coach Murray):




It is time for a new season of hoops and blogs. I can hardly talk about the NBA lockout. The players need to realize that how great they have it and stop being so greedy. How about thinking about the out-of-work folks like arena employees because of your "not enough millions" selfishness. Be grateful and let's play. We want to see last year's all-BB (Barry's Blog) rookies like Kenneth Faried snatching rebounds for Denver and Andrew Goudelock draining threes for the Lakers. NEXT



The David vs. Goliath college exhibition games are already starting. Thursday features an interesting coach-player father-son matchup..... Gator head coach Billy Donovan vs 6' 2 sophomore Billy Donovan http://www.cuacardinals.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/bios/billy_donovan  Florida hosts Catholic University.

Last year the coach's son averaged 1.4 points in less than 4 minutes a game, but something tells me he will get much more PT at the O-Dome on Thursday. I am predicting double figures for Junior. NEXT



Throughout the year we will once again, focus on transfers. When you think back to last year's Arkansas basketball team, which player do you think would have been a great fit for Butler's squad? If you guessed sharpshooter (except when Gator Kenny Boynton was covering him) Rotnei Clarke, you are correct and he has transferred to the "perennial" national runner-up school. Clarke will sit out this year and become an integral part of the Butler Bulldogs for the 2012 - 2013 season http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-08-01/sharpshooter-rotnei-clarke-transfers-to-butler  . THAT'S IT




Enjoy....keeping it short...don't want you to get burned out...our thoughts are with a giant hoops fan bloggee Irby who is at home with hospice....a Samford season ticketholder in our bloc of seats, he would watch the Samford game, while listening to the UAB radio broadcast on his headphones if both teams played at the same time...also was passionate about Penn (his alma mater) and Alabama basketball....a great guy and recently voted 2011 Realtor of the Year by the. Birmingham Association of Realtors.





Barry