NCAA College Hoops

Big slate tonight of college games.  I happen to be at Draddy Gym for the Iona/Manhattan game - 38-23 Iona in the first half.  Iona scores in bunches it seems, it was just a seven point game I thought.  I watched through the first two media timeouts.  For those unfamiliar with this, media timeouts take place in each half during the first stoppage after the 16-, 12-, 8, and 4-minute mark.  That is why on television, during games, there are at least four timeouts every half - even if there are no called team timeouts. 

Other action includes:

#5 Duke at Virginia - Duke up seven with just over three minutes to play in the first half.  Duke had to overcome a 31-25 halftime defecit the first time they played at Cameron Indoor - a 51-29 second half helped the Dukies coast.

#18 Vanderbilt at Georgia - Georgia is looking to pull an upset (only if you go by ranking) as they lead #18 Vandy 21-16 with a little over two minutes to go in half number one.  Georgia was actually favored in this one.  The Commodores took down UGA the first time they met, 73-66.

#16 Louisville at Cincinnati - This one is getting ugly, but it's not that surprising, as Cinci was a 2-point favorite going into tip-off.  We all know my feelings on Big East play - it's a bear.  This is the only meeting between these two teams this season. 

#9 Georgetown at #13 UCONN - This one was looking like a blowout early, as G'Town led by 10 midway through the first half, but Jim Calhoun (almost) always has his guys ready to scrap.  With 2:25 left, it's the Hoyas 34, the Huskies 31.

#10 Wisconsin at #11 Purdue - I know my man thormoo has his eyes on this Big Ten showdown.  With 14:48 to go in the game, the Boilers are up 44-34 on Wisco.  This was a 6-point Purdue lead at the half - they're looking to avenge their loss in Madison on February 1st. 

Time to unlock the locker rooms.  First, a quick update on this one.

Iona at Manhattan - 54-33 Iona.  They were laying 12.5 points coming in to this one, so this, I guess, is no surprise.  Manhattan played well against Siena last time out, and with Senior Day festivities, I figured they'd come out with a little more fire.  Iona does look pretty tough and athletic though.

Draddy-ville

The Manhattan basketball team faces last years MAAC Champion Siena Saints today at 2 pm in the friendly confines of the Draddy Gym.  

I was speaking to the Siena staff yesterday for a while - good bunch of coaches on that staff. 

Their previous coach, Fran McCafferey, jumped ship to take the Iowa head job.  They're struggling a little bit, but so are the Saints this season.

On to the game...

NCAA College Hoops

Tonight, in the Draddy Gymnasium, the Jaspers host the first place Fairfield Stags.  Fairfield escaped their home game with Manhattan with a 61-59 win.

Tonight, the Jaspers are looking for payback - and to knock off a solid team (18-5 overall) with their losses coming to Rutgers, Penn St., St. Joe's, Loyola (MD), and Rider.  They were supposed to travel to Florida in late December but the Post-Christmas Storm cancelled that trip.

The MAAC has a full slate tonight.  This one features the 11-2 Stags and the 2-11 Jaspers.  There's a whiteout here in the Draddy - they're handing out white t-shirts to whatever students decide to show up.  Free t-shirts typically bring out students in droves.

Whiteout City!!! 

Lazy Days

Today was not a relaxing day.  Winter clinic from 9-2.  I've been setting up for basketball since the clinic ended and am finally ready to go home and spend the rest of the day with my wife and dog.

I am very hungry and a headache is starting to set in.  I better get home and take some medicine to stop this monster before it starts.

I tend to get very bad, bad migraines from time to time.  Luckily, they aren't like my father's - he gets severely ill, bed-ridden, and vomit-prone.  I just get stuck on the couch.

Sorry for a slow weekend Blog Army.  It's been a long one and tomorrow (Martin Luther King Day) is supposed to be an off day (for the rest of campus) but there's a basketball game, so I'll be here at 9:45am. 

My friend (and Niagara assistant coach Phil Martelli Jr.) is headed back to the Bronx.  Gonna make a dinner out of it after the game before he takes a flights back to the B-Lo in the morning.

Headed home for a few hours before I have to return here, to my second home, Draddy Gymnasium.

Splatterday

there's a college basketball game here today

canisius (-5) vs. manhattan

i wouldn't touch this one

a 7-8 team vs. a 2-14 team

this one's shaping up to be a barn-burner

unmotivated today but i think i'll have some ammo for later on though, when i finally get home at 6 o'clock

KC Chiefs < Oakland Raiders; and it's Birthday Tiiiiiiime

It's taken some time, but the Ravens seem to have finally began to impose their will on the measly Chiefs.  After an early 41-yard jaunt to pay dirt for Jamaal Charles, not much has gone right for the AFC West champs.

The Chiefs were +9 this  year, but today, for some reason (inexperience in the playoffs) they're -2 (2 takeaways, 4 turnovers).  Cassel has two interceptions.  Charles and McCluster both have lost a fumble.  Three of their 8 possessions so far have ended in a turnover and one more ended on downs.  They've mustered up only 37 yards in the third quarter. 

Meanwhile, the Purple People Eaters have scored on 3 straight possessions, and are knocking on the door step of making it four in a row.  2nd & 4 at the KC four yard line.  TD Baltimore.  Anquan Boldin - dude's a beast.  Wacco Flacco is playing out of his mind too - 245 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Only thing that worries me is their running game is nonexistent.  Gotta get Ray Rice going downhill if they expect to keep playing past next weekend.

23-7 Baltimore.  Might as well get some things done before the Packers and Eagles start, this one's all but over.  Baltimore at Pittsburgh next week is going to be some bloodbath.  Let's go Ravens!

Silver & Black would have represented the AFC West better than the bumbling, stumbling, fumbling Chiefs.  Maybe they got too much of that KC BBQ sauce on their fingers.

Here's a feature I haven't spoken on in a while - one that was a regular in the repertoire last year - my birthday roll call.  Happy birthday to Kate Middleton, the fiancée of Prince William of Wales.  Her last one as a single woman, I'm sure she's on lockdown.  Maybe they'll let her family come to the castle once in a while, just to say hi.

On the sports side of things, Packers great Bart Starr is 77 years old today.  He helped lead the Packers to five Super Bowl titles - including being MVP of Super Bowl I and II.  The former 17th round pick (200th overall) was one of five HOF'ers in the 1956 NFL Draft.  Happy birthday Bart Starr.  I'm sure Aaron Rodgers is making you proud like his predecessor Brett Favre didn't.  Go Pack!

Time to take off, this game's almost over.  Marist leads Manhattan 61-55 with 1:28 left.  Both teams are struggling this year, looks like the Jaspers are hurting a little more.  They travel to Florida after the game to take on FAU on Tuesday in a rescheduled game (snow wiped out travel the first time they were supposed to fly down).

Bye!

White Gold, Headlines, Idle Laughter, and Christmas...

Last night it began to snow.  And it kept snowing.  And I woke up and there was snow covering the ground and the grass and the cars parked out back.  The temperatures haven't been up over 35° in a few days.  I've been going outside to walk Nathan and my hands get numb after about 3 minutes - granted, that's my own fault.  I just dug out my gloves, so that problem has been addressed.  I also have a few wool hats to keep my head warm, so that's a plus.

Jay Leno had "Headlines" last night - by far one of the funniest segments on late-night television (right up there with "Jay-walking").  The fact that people have jobs as editors blows my mind on some of these.  All in all, a hilarious segment.  DVR Leno on Tuesday, 11:35pm.  Do it!

I am feeling so very unmotivated today and can really care less.  My office is freezing cold besides the one vent in the ceiling that blows out 200° heat straight into a closet.  Well placed.

People come in and out and try to make small talk when in fact I don't want any talk.  These are the same people that 95% of the time just say hi in passing.  No thanks.


Basketball just started practice and judging by how the season is going so far, they should keep practicing until the next game. 

Christmas is coming and I cannot wait to have a few days off from this igloo of an office.

I hate when people make fun of something or someone pretending not to know what they're seeing, even though they know full well what the hell it is.  Then try to get other people to buy in to their solo laugh party.

People here are complaining because they aren't getting a bonus - they're part-time coaches.  Shut your mouth!

The school Christmas party is on Friday.  Yippee!

I am just reading through some blogs waiting for the clock to strike.

Baked tilapia, spinach, tomatoes tower tonight for dinner -it's been a while since I've whipped this one up.

My fingers are getting numb, time to bail.  Later on followers.

Tracking the ACC - Week 2

Boston this weekend was great, as it typically is (besides the accents).  Went for a camp, celebrated one year of wedded bliss with the wife, left Nathan with my parents in Long Island.  It was good to get away for a few days.  Back to the grind, women's hoops tonight - Manhattan vs. Columbia.  7:00pm tip.

Team by team breakdown of what's what in the ACC the past few days.

(1)Duke - beat a feisty Marquette team last night behind a career night from sophomore Mason Plumlee.  They play (4)Kansas State tonight in what's shaping up to be the premier matchup of the early NCAA season.  Last Friday, they pumped Colgate.  4-0.  Test tonight at 10:30pm.

FSU - beat FIU by 23 last Thursday.  Mercer and (10)Florida this week.  4-0 start with a chance to go 6-0 with a quality win over the Gators.

Clemson - lost at Old Dominion, a bad loss, 61-60 on Sunday.  Bounced back Monday with a win over a much maligned Seton Hall team.  South Carolina St. this week.  5-1 is within reach.

NC State - defeated George Mason to go 3-0, then got smushed at Georgetown.  Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday in what hopes to be a bounce back game and tune-up for Wisconsin.

Georgia Tech - Took care of the Northern NY schools, Albany and Niagara.  UTEP the day after Turkey Day.  3-1 with a bad loss to Kennesaw St.

VA Tech - 2-1 after an ass-kicking of UNC-Greensboro - after getting thrashed by Kansas St.

BC - beat in state rival Holy Cross - Texas A&M on Thanksgiving Day.  Respectable at 2-1 - the loss was to Yale.

Maryland - 3-2 with both losses coming to top-15 teams - (5)Pitt and (13)Illinois - a tough test early on, will certainly help them later on.  Delaware St. and Elon are next to help them get back on track.

(25)UNC - 2-0 going in to this week, dropped games to the Gophers and the Commodores.  2-2, not a Top 25 team in my book, but who am I?  UNC-Asheville is next - they'll feel the Wrath of Roy.

Miami (FL) - 2-2 with losses to (19)Memphis and Rutgers.  Louisiana's McNeese St. is next, then Florida Gulf Coast.  Good opportunity to get to 4-2.

Virginia - never known as a basketball power, 2-2 isn't bad considering their schedule (William & Mary, Stanford, (17)Washington) - Oklahoma and (15)Minnesota don't let them rest before opening the ACC season with the Hokies.

Wake Forest - they should hold a wake for this team - losses to Stetson, VCU, and Winthrop.  2-3 and they're the only ACC school below .500.  MAAC foe Marist is on deck, then Big Ten middler Iowa.  We'll see how it goes.

The men's Jaspers hoopsters just got to Orlando - Wisconsin on Thursday.  The Badgers are coming off a tough loss at UNLV.  I think it may be on ESPN2, but chances are football will be the staple on the television that day. 

Later fools.

Banner Day

An article that went up earlier this year after a road trip of NYC college hoops.  Give it a read while I hang 8 more banners here in the Draddy.

Draddy Gymnasium nymag article
 

Freddy "Sez" Passes Away; R.I.P.

  The world of sports lost one of the great unofficial mascots yesterday when Freddy "Sez" Schuman passed away at the ripe age of 82.

  Best known for his enthusiasm for the Yankees, he was never seen without his shamrock pan on a stick with homemade signs for each game.  He'd walk throughout the Stadium letting fans young and old take a whack at the pan with a spoon.  The Yankees should do something to honor Freddy at tonight's game, and adding a 28th World Championship would make Freddy smile in his grave.

  They do need help tonight (& tomorrow night) as Cliff Lee takes the mound tonight and A.J. Burnett toes the rubber for the Yanks in Game 4.  Getting on the board early is a must tonight - Lee tends to get better as the game goes on.  And he certainly isn't going to give away any free passes (185 K : 18 BB) - get in there, and hit the first good one you see.

  Freddy was also a supporter of Manhattan College athletics (namely basketball), showing up at Draddy for many home games throughout the years. 

  A legend was lost yesterday, and here's to hopes that the Yankees will keep the legend alive with another World Series title.  It's now a best of five, so getting the first one tonight is huge.

  Say Hey Freddy!

Lights Out in Draddy-land!!!

  During the third set of last nights volleyball match with Lafayette, there was a sudden black out in the Draddy.  The Jaspers led 17-13 and were already up two sets to none and it was looking like a straight set victory - a real treat when you're in the gym for 14 hours a day like I am.

  After the 30th point of the third set, and after a giant unforeseen storm blew in to the Riverdale section, it sounded as if the roof would finally blow off the Draddy.  Lights went out in a flash.  Fans screamed.  Then it sounded as if a 500 lb. lead ball was dropped on top of the building.  My guess is lightning, but I was stuck inside so it'll be a mystery.

  After around 20 minutes or so, the lights started flicking back on and soon enough the third set resumed.  Lafayette went on a run and tied it up.  Immediately after they tied it, I thought I was in for a classic 5-set match, a real marathon.

  The Lady J's relieved my building stress and held on for their 6th W in a row.  That has to be as long a winning streak as they've had in the past 5 years. 

  Joe Clifford was pumped up for the game as well, and was very helpful when the lights went out, informing spectators to "remain calm, the lights will be back on shortly" even though he had no idea when and if the lights were coming back on.  Order was restored in the Draddy and after the breakdown of the game, I got the hell out of there before something else went wrong.

  This morning, everything looked good in the gym, the electrician is here trying to figure out why some lights are still out.

  Time to get a drink

The Raiders WIN!!; Yankees lose; Lady J's win

  The Silver and Black are tied for the 2nd best record in football after two weeks of play after former Toledo great Bruce Gradkowski led them to a 16-14 win over the hapless Rams.  It was a battle of former L.A.-based franchises who've since moved to greener pastures. 

    Jason Campbell was ineffective, so Tom Cable let loose some Bruce.  Good win heading into next weekend's game with the Arizona Cardinals, who got pumped 41-7 by the Falcons.  I mean they only managed 11 first downs and 20+ minutes time of possession.  Tim Hightower had 115 yards on the ground, so the Raiders need to key in on him in order to possibly put together a winning streak.  I'm not all that worried about Derek Anderson lighting them up through the air.  He did throw for 23 yards in a full game last season on 2-17 passing - in a 6-3 win over the Bills.  Looking to make it two in a row. 

  Al Davis isn't smiling yet, but he'll crack once they win two in a row.

  Yankees blew a two-run lead in Baltimore to lose to the pathetic Orioles 4-3.  They were up 3-1 going into the 8th, let up a run in the 8th and 9th and lost the game in the 11th.  On the bright side, Andy Pettitte looked pretty good in his first start since July 18th.

  The Manhattan Volleyball team beat St. Peter's yesterday in the first home match of the year for the Lady J's.  They could have wrapped it up a little sooner but took a snooze in the first set, before winning the next three.  St. Peter's had some height, but their lack of communication led to their demise on Sunday.  Plenty of balls dropped in between girls, and the Jaspers kept pouring it on.  An hour and 40 minutes later, the madness was over - 3-1 Jaspers.

  Time to scour through the fall stats and put them into a document, see who's doing what, and who needs to work on things.  Hitters first, then the arms.  Hope my eyes don't bug out.

Game Over

Thanks to Joe Clifford for the extra ticket. Yankees win. Thaa-a-a-a-aaaa Yankees win.

And Earl held off. Peace Earl!

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Thursday Started with a Pissed Off Wednesday Night...

   ...and that sucker carried right over into the better part of the morning.  And, in unrelated news, I just heard a mouse scamper across the ceiling directly over my head.  Can't wait for it to get electrocuted in the wall panels and smell up the entire 110° office.

  King Douche of the Landlords decided to bill be a late fee - for last month.  Our fridge was broken for over 3 weeks and we lost about $100 in groceries.  So in essence, we lost $200 because we had to get all new ones.  I refused to pay the bill until it was fixed.  On the stub, it clearly states that the late fee is assessed after the 10th of the month.  The thing got fixed (read: they took the one from the vacant apartment downstairs) and I paid the month's rent minus the $200 - on the 11th.

  Get the monthly slip just yesterday, and I have an opening balance of $200.  Not gonna happen.  Then rent.  OK.  Then late fee of $50.  Again, not gonna happen.  This guy is quite possibly the biggest P.O.S. in the Bronx.  I mean he is the prototypical deadbeat landlord.  It's almost laughable.  But at the same time, it makes me want to turn his face into a bowl of earthworms.

  I called him one day a while back about the window leaking when it was raining.  He said sometimes it leaks when it rains, but he'd come by the next day to check it.  He called me the next day and asked if it was leaking.  It was 70° and sunny.  Why the shit would the window be leaking?  I said it wasn't and he said OK, sounds good.

  So the slip started my Thursday a few hours early.  I watched a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" when I get home from the soccer game, made me laugh a little bit and forget about what a dick this guy is.  Charlie is the best dimwitted character since Kramer on "Seinfeld".  I can (and probably will) watch the first two seasons again as soon as I finish them.  Or maybe just order the third season on NetFlix.

  Time to take care of some minor housekeeping around the gym. Changing some basketball nets perhaps.

  Be well people!

Friday Dinner

Ham steak with red & white potato hash browns with sauteed spinach.

Lady Jasper's soccer season started 45 minutes ago. 1-1 with Fairleigh Dickinson at the half.

Time for the second half. Later dudes!

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