Not that I'm breaking open a closely guarded secret, but summers in the sporting world can get a bit dull. Now that both the NBA and NHL champions have been crowned, there's really nothing other than baseball and golf available for viewing until August (And even I, lover of baseball that I am, can get a little tired of the game by the All-Star break). From here until the start of football season it's baseball, baseball, baseball; with the odd, intermittent pause for a major golf tournament thrown in for kicks. Hope everyone enjoys dudes hitting balls with sticks.
Today in the bag I'll touch on some baseball, some golf, and some recruiting news.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Basketball Summer Preview Series: Roster Turnover
Hey, look! A basketball post! It's just less than a week away from the official start of summer, and I'm already back to basketball on the brain. I believe this is what the late, great Barry White was singing about on the Space Jam soundtrack.
The upcoming season may prove to be one of the most interesting/important in recent memory as the CU mens basketball program tries to carry over the momentum built by last year's NIT warriors. Periodically throughout the summer I will be posting parts of a preview series to keep the basketball flame alive while everyone else is gearing up for football. Hopefully this will keep my start-of-the-season preview post from ballooning into 30,000 words.
First up: Roster turnover
The upcoming season may prove to be one of the most interesting/important in recent memory as the CU mens basketball program tries to carry over the momentum built by last year's NIT warriors. Periodically throughout the summer I will be posting parts of a preview series to keep the basketball flame alive while everyone else is gearing up for football. Hopefully this will keep my start-of-the-season preview post from ballooning into 30,000 words.
First up: Roster turnover
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday Grab Bag: It's all about the NBA Finals
This is an all NBA Finals edition of the Grab Bag. Baseball will have its time, as all other professional sports drop off the radar, but for now it's time to recap the NBA Finals.
Click below for the bag...
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Quick Post: pre-emptively hating on NCAA 12
I had been extremely excited for the July 12th release of NCAA 12. The thought of Ralphie being in the game (finally; an aesthetic touch, but necessary) along with a revamping of the dynasty mode that keeps me recruiting till the wee hours of the morning had me more amped than usual to donate my annual $60 to EA's coffers.
Then came the release of the team rankings.
You'll have to scroll all the way down, past fucking CSU at #87, to get to the Buffs at #89. (Rating us below CSU's shit program is just a low blow. Some Ram must work on that staff, there's just no other explanation.) And the shit has truly hit the fan as what was once a 4-star rated program not three years ago is now 2-star rated along with a bunch of BCS rejects like Bowling Green and Wyoming. We now have a tangible cost associated with the Hawk Dynasty: our virtual football reality is on par with the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Scorched earth indeed.
Hawk bashing aside: 2-stars? It's not that bad is it? I know the product hasn't been what we're accustomed to in recent years, but the program was in the Big XII title game not even a decade ago. C'mon EA, give us a pity 3rd star.
Please, I'm begging you.
Then came the release of the team rankings.
You'll have to scroll all the way down, past fucking CSU at #87, to get to the Buffs at #89. (Rating us below CSU's shit program is just a low blow. Some Ram must work on that staff, there's just no other explanation.) And the shit has truly hit the fan as what was once a 4-star rated program not three years ago is now 2-star rated along with a bunch of BCS rejects like Bowling Green and Wyoming. We now have a tangible cost associated with the Hawk Dynasty: our virtual football reality is on par with the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Scorched earth indeed.
Hawk bashing aside: 2-stars? It's not that bad is it? I know the product hasn't been what we're accustomed to in recent years, but the program was in the Big XII title game not even a decade ago. C'mon EA, give us a pity 3rd star.
Please, I'm begging you.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Quick Post: 8 points
How the hell does LeBron James only score 8 points in a Finals game? Sure, he added 9 rebounds and 7 assists, but seriously, how the hell does he only score 8 points last night?
In the wake of all the recent discussion over whether LBJ is better than Michael Jordan, I would like to submit Lebron's doleful shit of a performance last night as MJ defense exhibit "A." Michael would never have allowed himself to only score 8 in a playoff performance, let alone a Finals game. He would've ripped the ball out of teammates hands rather than live through 48 playoff minutes without cracking double-digits. LeBron is otherworldly talented, yes, but he's no Michael. Michael was defined not only by his talent, but his crushing will to constantly prove that he was better than his opponent. Dropping a sad and lonely 8 points in a losing game 4 effort proves that LeBron just doesn't have the fire, the lethal burning hate of losing, to compete at MJ's level, and I'm betting he never will. You were either born with that shit, or you weren't.
(For the record, Michael scored 15 in a '89 playoff game for his lowest postseason total. In the '96 finals, he only got 22 in game 4, but was still the Bulls leading scorer that night.)
Sure, LeBron may drop 50 Thursday night, and the Heat may very well cruise to a 6-game series victory, but last night definitively proved that Michael is still the G.O.A.T.
In the wake of all the recent discussion over whether LBJ is better than Michael Jordan, I would like to submit Lebron's doleful shit of a performance last night as MJ defense exhibit "A." Michael would never have allowed himself to only score 8 in a playoff performance, let alone a Finals game. He would've ripped the ball out of teammates hands rather than live through 48 playoff minutes without cracking double-digits. LeBron is otherworldly talented, yes, but he's no Michael. Michael was defined not only by his talent, but his crushing will to constantly prove that he was better than his opponent. Dropping a sad and lonely 8 points in a losing game 4 effort proves that LeBron just doesn't have the fire, the lethal burning hate of losing, to compete at MJ's level, and I'm betting he never will. You were either born with that shit, or you weren't.
(For the record, Michael scored 15 in a '89 playoff game for his lowest postseason total. In the '96 finals, he only got 22 in game 4, but was still the Bulls leading scorer that night.)
Sure, LeBron may drop 50 Thursday night, and the Heat may very well cruise to a 6-game series victory, but last night definitively proved that Michael is still the G.O.A.T.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday Grab Bag: Bohn gets a well deserved extension
In a light bag today we have some welcome news on the business side of CU athletics, and a slight hiccup in the Alec Burks draft express.
Click below for the bag...
Click below for the bag...
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday Beer Post: The remote awesomeness of Alpine Beer Company
If you were a brewer (if only!), and you had to imbibe something other than your own product, where would you turn? Apparently, the answer for many of crew over at Stone involves a tiny brewery called the Alpine Beer Company. When visiting my friend at Stone last month, he near demanded a visit to the joint, which included a trek to the far eastern edges of the San Diego area. I was not to be disappointed.
Situated in tiny Alpine, CA, the nearly decade-old brewery has quickly gained a reputation for great brews and food. It's somewhat awkwardly located in a tiny strip mall; the modesty of the brewery and tap room quickly giving way to the quality of its offerings. They seem to be fellow worshipers of the all-mighty hop, as they offer 5 different varieties of "west-coast IPA," with the best being their Pure Hoppiness Double IPA. A fantastically large amount of hops go into making this brew something to remember. The blast of hops is certainly impressive, and welcome, but it doesn't necessarily overwhelm the beer experience.
The biggest surprise of the tap room, however, is the quality of their food offerings. Some damn tasty BBQ litters the menu, and gives you more then enough reason to want for return visits. The BBQ topped nachos were a hit, as well as the brisket plate. Combined with the beer it made for a blissfully contented ride back into SD.
You have to drive a ways to get there, and it's in a very quiet, unassuming locale, but it's worth the trek out there if you're in the SD area.
Happy Friday!
Situated in tiny Alpine, CA, the nearly decade-old brewery has quickly gained a reputation for great brews and food. It's somewhat awkwardly located in a tiny strip mall; the modesty of the brewery and tap room quickly giving way to the quality of its offerings. They seem to be fellow worshipers of the all-mighty hop, as they offer 5 different varieties of "west-coast IPA," with the best being their Pure Hoppiness Double IPA. A fantastically large amount of hops go into making this brew something to remember. The blast of hops is certainly impressive, and welcome, but it doesn't necessarily overwhelm the beer experience.
 |
| PH is a fantastic brew for a hop-head like myself. Picture ripped off from here. |
The biggest surprise of the tap room, however, is the quality of their food offerings. Some damn tasty BBQ litters the menu, and gives you more then enough reason to want for return visits. The BBQ topped nachos were a hit, as well as the brisket plate. Combined with the beer it made for a blissfully contented ride back into SD.
 |
| This gives you a good idea of the size of the bar. Picture ripped off from here. |
You have to drive a ways to get there, and it's in a very quiet, unassuming locale, but it's worth the trek out there if you're in the SD area.
Happy Friday!
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