I hope everyone had a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. No time for idle chit-chat, it's straight on to this post-holiday edition of the grab bag.
Today in the bag, I'm taking hockey, basketball, and, for the first time since April, a little baseball
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: The Final Four in the NBA and NHL
A hearty congratulations goes out to the CU men's lacrosse club team, who took down the previously undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils 13-12 to win the MCLA national championship Saturday afternoon!
It's been a pretty damn good year for the sport of lacrosse in Boulder, with the women's varsity squad finishing third in their inaugural campaign, and the men's club squad taking home a trophy. I still don't understand this sport, but, at this rate, I'd better learn quick.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking NBA and NHL playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
 |
| Trophies are always welcome in BuffNation, regardless of sport and circumstance. From MCLA.us |
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Today in the bag, I'm talking NBA and NHL playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, May 12, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Paul Richardson and the NFL Draft
The day has finally arrived; CU will break ground on the new facilities project this afternoon. While no one is sure about real dollar numbers in place, Kyle Ringo did report today that the project has been officially greenlit to proceed. Just the idea of everything being completed for the 2015 football season is exciting, but we'll have to wait and see how the money situation shakes out. Until then, enjoy the pictures of shovels being placed into snowy mud that are sure to pour out over the next few hours.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking P-Rich's draft day, basketball scheduling, and the NHL playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
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Today in the bag, I'm talking P-Rich's draft day, basketball scheduling, and the NHL playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
Friday, May 9, 2014
Friday Beer Post: Sprocket Bier
No there isn't a game this weekend, and yes, I gave up the ghost of making the beer post a weekly occurrence outside of football season some time ago, but there's a damn good reason to head to your local liquor store with wallet open today. Friend of the blog Rick Blankemeier, the QA genius that keeps Stone safe and delicious, has brewed a beer. Sure, that in and of itself is nothing unique - as an avid homebrewer, he brews on a regular basis. What makes this beer special is that he's tricked his employer into distributing it for him. No big deal, just a NATIONAL GODDAMN RELEASE WITH RICK'S NAME ON IT!
In honor of my friend making the big time, I'm naming his beer, Sprocket Bier, my non-gameday beer-o-the-week.
Rick, along with fellow brewing conspirator Robbie Chandler, won an in-house contest at Stone for a beer that is so unique that they had to invent their own style for it. Labeled a black rye Kolsch, their beer has been hung with the Sprocket monicker of the old SNL shorts, which, if you knew Rick, is be 100% appropriate. Now's the time on Sprockets when we drink!
On the pour the nose gets hit with chocolate and roasted grain, and the beer sits demonically dark in the glass. The taste is light and bittersweet up front, with a slightly-spicy note that brushes the tongue along with sweeter chocolate and malt flavors. The aftertaste is mostly a dark, roasted bitterness, which compliments an overall smoky feel. The man himself says "It's dark as Satan's black heart, but tastes like an angel's soul." A fitting description, I'd say.
I want to be very honest here: I really like this beer. I know, you're thinking 'you're just supporting your friend,' and that certainly is the point of diving back into the word mines today. But, if anything, I hope I've proven to be a passionate diarist who can still separate his heart from his head, and let me tell you that this beer is simply wonderful. If you think I'm full of shit, run out to the store, buy some for yourself, and see if I'm not right. This is a damn good product from a pair of damn good brewers, and it's definitely worthy of a try.
Do it, do it now.
Happy Friday!
In honor of my friend making the big time, I'm naming his beer, Sprocket Bier, my non-gameday beer-o-the-week.
Rick, along with fellow brewing conspirator Robbie Chandler, won an in-house contest at Stone for a beer that is so unique that they had to invent their own style for it. Labeled a black rye Kolsch, their beer has been hung with the Sprocket monicker of the old SNL shorts, which, if you knew Rick, is be 100% appropriate. Now's the time on Sprockets when we drink!
On the pour the nose gets hit with chocolate and roasted grain, and the beer sits demonically dark in the glass. The taste is light and bittersweet up front, with a slightly-spicy note that brushes the tongue along with sweeter chocolate and malt flavors. The aftertaste is mostly a dark, roasted bitterness, which compliments an overall smoky feel. The man himself says "It's dark as Satan's black heart, but tastes like an angel's soul." A fitting description, I'd say.
I want to be very honest here: I really like this beer. I know, you're thinking 'you're just supporting your friend,' and that certainly is the point of diving back into the word mines today. But, if anything, I hope I've proven to be a passionate diarist who can still separate his heart from his head, and let me tell you that this beer is simply wonderful. If you think I'm full of shit, run out to the store, buy some for yourself, and see if I'm not right. This is a damn good product from a pair of damn good brewers, and it's definitely worthy of a try.
Do it, do it now.
Happy Friday!
Monday, May 5, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Basketball renewals
Work has me swamped (as usual), so straight to the action...
Today in the bag, I'm talking ticket renewals, and the continuing playoffs in the NBA and NHL.
Click below for the bag...
Today in the bag, I'm talking ticket renewals, and the continuing playoffs in the NBA and NHL.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Hey, who left this scholarship just laying around?
I'd like to thank everyone who read my piece on Spencer Dinwiddie's departure. It's the #1 most-viewed non-Top Gear post in the history of this blog (Note to self: more Top Gear posts). It probably helped that the Mayor himself gave it a shout, to which I am both humbled and grateful. For those who have just recently discovered this little corner of the interwebs, welcome! I hope you find something that encourages you to stick around. For those who are regulars, your patronage, as always, is greatly appreciated.
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Today in the bag, I'm talking scholarship math, lacrosse, and the NBA playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
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Today in the bag, I'm talking scholarship math, lacrosse, and the NBA playoffs.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, April 24, 2014
The Attrition Files: Spencer Dinwiddie
What we've all expected for some time has come to pass. Hizzoner the Mayor of Buffaloes, Spencer Dinwiddie, has declared his intention to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility, and enter the NBA Draft.
Before we go any farther, let me say that this is the right choice. Even with the injury and the resulting questions, Spencer will still be drafted, probably much higher than any doubter is expecting. With that in mind, going pro is wise. Another year in college, burdened by expectations that would easily outpace reality, is destined to come off as a disappointment, even as successful as it would be. If teams are telling Dinwidde they are interested, which I assume they are, then the NBA makes far more sense than another year in Boulder.
But what if the NBA increases their age limit for next year, lightening the 2015 draft class? Doesn't matter. This isn't about money (well, it is, but... you know what I mean), this is about progression in his career. Another year in college beating up on the same people he's punked for the last three years won't help him develop past the whole 'well, he's healthy' thing. Best to start the professional phase of his career, rather than hold out hope for a weak draft class and a little extra folding cash. This is a long-term choice, not just one about his first paycheck.
Last year, his father doubted his son's maturity in relation to his pro prospects. I would argue that this is now the mature choice. It's a tough pill to swallow, going lower in the draft that you probably could/should go, but Dinwiddie is still going after his dream, rather than coming back to college with an 'I'll show you' chip on his shoulder. He's done his time at this level, has gotten as much out of it as could be expected. Now it's time to move on. It's the natural progression.
Of course, that means that BuffNation is forced to say goodbye to one of the more special talents to ever grace the hardwood at the University of Colorado. Dinwiddie is, without a doubt, the best all-around basketball player I have watched play in Black and Gold since moving to Boulder in 2002. Alec Burks may have been a better scorer, and Andre Roberson may have been a better defender, but Spencer has the entire package. He is a stat-stuffer, an all-encompassing hardwood badass. Over 86 games in his career, he averaged a solid 13/3/3, but his numbers always seemed to belie his importance to his team. Whenever his squad needed a lift, there was Spencer. When they needed a big shot, or a drive to the rim, there was Spencer. When they needed a big defensive stop, there was Spencer. It's hard imagining the program without him over the last few years, and it will be near impossible to replace him.
I knew when Spencer committed in 2010 that Colorado was getting a good player, I just didn't realize how great this kid would become. A wiry, probably undersized, guard from California, he was dwarfed by flashier talent in his age group. But, once on campus, he flew past his peers. The word on him then was exactly what it would be if I were scouting him for a game tomorrow: an incredibly smart player who may not make the top-10 highlight, but has a knack of making the right play. The kind of player you want to build around, which is exactly what Coach Boyle did.
People are quick to forget, but Dinwiddie was 'the Mayor' before even stepping on campus. The Allbuffs crew popularized the nickname on the basketball recruiting forums for seemingly knowing everyone in AAU ball, and proving more than willing to try and sway them over to Colorado. The name stuck once in Boulder, as it became obvious that Spencer was a star in the making, one comfortable with the spotlight that followed the success earned through victory after victory. My first memory of Dinwiddie came when he showboated after making a three in a meaningless pre-season scrimmage in front of maybe 500 fans. That was the kid to a 'T' - always confident and comfortable, and always eager to make sure everyone knew it.
His freshman season was one of the most successful in program history, and he played a huge roll in working with veterans like Nate Tomlinson, Austin Dufault and Carlon Brown to scratch and claw to a conference title, the program's first in over 40 years. He performed with poise and stature that surpassed his age, and it surprised no one when he lead the team in scoring during the Pac-12 title game, going 4-for-4 from behind the arc in his hometown.
By the time his sophomore campaign rolled along, it was de facto his team. While senior Sabatino Chen was the elder statesman and Andre Roberson was closing in on his own trip to the NBA draft, it was Dinwiddie who ran the offense, and was at the top every scouting report. He was no longer just a budding star, he was a legitimate member of the conference elite, signified by his inclusion on the 2013 All-Pac-12 First Team.
Spencer's 2012-13 was so good that he thought of jumping pro last spring. While the public openly debated the pros and cons of Andre Roberson's draft status, Dinwiddie quietly sat behind the scenes pondering his future. With the help of his father, he eventually decided to return for his junior season, with a plan to build up to a statement making collegiate conclusion. He did the summer rounds, playing at Adidas Nations and the World University Games for Team USA, before headlining the media blitz headed into '13-'14. He was no longer just a local star, he was a national curiosity. If you wanted to sound smart about the sport, you had to know the name Spencer Dinwiddie, no matter where you were.
In true Mayor fashion, Spencer was leading the way for CU this season. In charge of a youthful supporting cast, along with running mate Askia Booker, he was the show in Boulder, in clear command of the team from behind the scenes to the hardwood. Headed into conference play, it seemed like a perfect culmination of his amateur career.
Then, that awful thing happened. A season, and, now, a collegiate career cut short in a matter of seconds. It's a brutal and harsh reality.
Even in his absence in uniform, Spencer was a visible part of the program. When College GameDay came to town, he was the player interviewed with Coach Boyle on national television. He remains the face of the program to this day, injury and professional status be damned.
Is there a tinge of regret behind my words? Yes, of course there is. That fateful afternoon in Seattle deprived BuffNation and the rest of the basketball loving world of a final dose of Pac-12 play from the Mayor. It's also a shame, much like with Andre Roberson last season, who missed his final home game due to illness, that the CEC never got a chance to send Dinwiddie out with his ears ringing. But that's life. Sometimes goodbyes aren't what you expect. That's what makes college ball so appealing to me. The joy gained from watching is fleeting. What is here today will be different tomorrow, which underscores how important it is to enjoy success at face value.
At the end of the day, I had a blast cheering for Spencer over the past three seasons. He is not only one of the all-time CU greats, but the foundation upon which the current transformative era of CU hoops was built, and anyone who has ever cared about Colorado Basketball owes him a debt. This program wouldn't be nearly in the condition it is today without his efforts, and for that he will always be one of my favorite Buffs.
Thank you, Spencer! Good luck in the NBA. We will always #CountOnTheMayor
--
Best remembered for -
Kicking the shit out of CSU. His three games against little brother speak for themselves:
2011: 16/8/1, 6-10 from the floor, leading scorer as a freshman in Moby
2012: 29/2/3, 8-10 from the floor, 5-7 from 3-pt range
2013: 28/2/4, 8-14 from the floor, 11-11 from the line
The games against the Rams may not be the biggest on the calendar, but Spencer seemed to enjoy them the most. He lived to troll the wearers of green and gold, and, in true Mayor fashion, could back up his mouth with his play.
As an extension, I don't think a player ever enjoyed being the public face of CU athletics more than Spencer Dinwiddie. He was a lively twitter follow, openly played with teammates, opponents and fellow students on social media, and was one of the best, most open quotes the media could turn to. That he could walk-the-walk to back it up only increased his legend.
... also, the 'stache.
Best aspect of his game -
His ability to get to the line. Always one of the more efficient players in all of basketball, he was served well by his ability to draw contact and get to the line With his 6-6 frame, Dinwiddie was able to fight through traffic and stay strong through abuse. By the time he was a junior, he was getting the star treatment, and could buy a call from the refs almost by looking at a defender.
Best game as a Buff -
This is a tough one, as there are a slew of reasonable options that would headline the career of almost any other player. There's his ring-winning performance against Arizona as a freshman, his perfecto against Oregon St, his evisceration of the Wildcats, again, during the Valentine's Day Massacre, his home finale against Oregon, and the little brother game against the Rams.
In the end, however, I was swayed by another of his efforts against State. His 2013 effort against the Rams takes the cake. On the road, in front of a frothing CSU student section that was out for his blood, Spencer single-handedly willed the Buffs to victory. He didn't miss a free throw, didn't commit a foul, and didn't turn the ball over in 36 minutes of play, all while dumping 19 of his game-high 28 on the hapless Rams in the second half. Dinwiddie was, at his best, a cold-blooded game-winning machine, and his effort last December 3rd against CSU was the epitome of that.
Before we go any farther, let me say that this is the right choice. Even with the injury and the resulting questions, Spencer will still be drafted, probably much higher than any doubter is expecting. With that in mind, going pro is wise. Another year in college, burdened by expectations that would easily outpace reality, is destined to come off as a disappointment, even as successful as it would be. If teams are telling Dinwidde they are interested, which I assume they are, then the NBA makes far more sense than another year in Boulder.
But what if the NBA increases their age limit for next year, lightening the 2015 draft class? Doesn't matter. This isn't about money (well, it is, but... you know what I mean), this is about progression in his career. Another year in college beating up on the same people he's punked for the last three years won't help him develop past the whole 'well, he's healthy' thing. Best to start the professional phase of his career, rather than hold out hope for a weak draft class and a little extra folding cash. This is a long-term choice, not just one about his first paycheck.
Last year, his father doubted his son's maturity in relation to his pro prospects. I would argue that this is now the mature choice. It's a tough pill to swallow, going lower in the draft that you probably could/should go, but Dinwiddie is still going after his dream, rather than coming back to college with an 'I'll show you' chip on his shoulder. He's done his time at this level, has gotten as much out of it as could be expected. Now it's time to move on. It's the natural progression.
Of course, that means that BuffNation is forced to say goodbye to one of the more special talents to ever grace the hardwood at the University of Colorado. Dinwiddie is, without a doubt, the best all-around basketball player I have watched play in Black and Gold since moving to Boulder in 2002. Alec Burks may have been a better scorer, and Andre Roberson may have been a better defender, but Spencer has the entire package. He is a stat-stuffer, an all-encompassing hardwood badass. Over 86 games in his career, he averaged a solid 13/3/3, but his numbers always seemed to belie his importance to his team. Whenever his squad needed a lift, there was Spencer. When they needed a big shot, or a drive to the rim, there was Spencer. When they needed a big defensive stop, there was Spencer. It's hard imagining the program without him over the last few years, and it will be near impossible to replace him.
I knew when Spencer committed in 2010 that Colorado was getting a good player, I just didn't realize how great this kid would become. A wiry, probably undersized, guard from California, he was dwarfed by flashier talent in his age group. But, once on campus, he flew past his peers. The word on him then was exactly what it would be if I were scouting him for a game tomorrow: an incredibly smart player who may not make the top-10 highlight, but has a knack of making the right play. The kind of player you want to build around, which is exactly what Coach Boyle did.
 |
| Even in high school, the 'stache was there. From: AllBuffs |
His freshman season was one of the most successful in program history, and he played a huge roll in working with veterans like Nate Tomlinson, Austin Dufault and Carlon Brown to scratch and claw to a conference title, the program's first in over 40 years. He performed with poise and stature that surpassed his age, and it surprised no one when he lead the team in scoring during the Pac-12 title game, going 4-for-4 from behind the arc in his hometown.
By the time his sophomore campaign rolled along, it was de facto his team. While senior Sabatino Chen was the elder statesman and Andre Roberson was closing in on his own trip to the NBA draft, it was Dinwiddie who ran the offense, and was at the top every scouting report. He was no longer just a budding star, he was a legitimate member of the conference elite, signified by his inclusion on the 2013 All-Pac-12 First Team.
Spencer's 2012-13 was so good that he thought of jumping pro last spring. While the public openly debated the pros and cons of Andre Roberson's draft status, Dinwiddie quietly sat behind the scenes pondering his future. With the help of his father, he eventually decided to return for his junior season, with a plan to build up to a statement making collegiate conclusion. He did the summer rounds, playing at Adidas Nations and the World University Games for Team USA, before headlining the media blitz headed into '13-'14. He was no longer just a local star, he was a national curiosity. If you wanted to sound smart about the sport, you had to know the name Spencer Dinwiddie, no matter where you were.
In true Mayor fashion, Spencer was leading the way for CU this season. In charge of a youthful supporting cast, along with running mate Askia Booker, he was the show in Boulder, in clear command of the team from behind the scenes to the hardwood. Headed into conference play, it seemed like a perfect culmination of his amateur career.
Then, that awful thing happened. A season, and, now, a collegiate career cut short in a matter of seconds. It's a brutal and harsh reality.
Even in his absence in uniform, Spencer was a visible part of the program. When College GameDay came to town, he was the player interviewed with Coach Boyle on national television. He remains the face of the program to this day, injury and professional status be damned.
Is there a tinge of regret behind my words? Yes, of course there is. That fateful afternoon in Seattle deprived BuffNation and the rest of the basketball loving world of a final dose of Pac-12 play from the Mayor. It's also a shame, much like with Andre Roberson last season, who missed his final home game due to illness, that the CEC never got a chance to send Dinwiddie out with his ears ringing. But that's life. Sometimes goodbyes aren't what you expect. That's what makes college ball so appealing to me. The joy gained from watching is fleeting. What is here today will be different tomorrow, which underscores how important it is to enjoy success at face value.
 |
| What a joy it was to watch Spencer play the last few years. |
Thank you, Spencer! Good luck in the NBA. We will always #CountOnTheMayor
--
Best remembered for -
Kicking the shit out of CSU. His three games against little brother speak for themselves:
2011: 16/8/1, 6-10 from the floor, leading scorer as a freshman in Moby
2012: 29/2/3, 8-10 from the floor, 5-7 from 3-pt range
2013: 28/2/4, 8-14 from the floor, 11-11 from the line
The games against the Rams may not be the biggest on the calendar, but Spencer seemed to enjoy them the most. He lived to troll the wearers of green and gold, and, in true Mayor fashion, could back up his mouth with his play.
As an extension, I don't think a player ever enjoyed being the public face of CU athletics more than Spencer Dinwiddie. He was a lively twitter follow, openly played with teammates, opponents and fellow students on social media, and was one of the best, most open quotes the media could turn to. That he could walk-the-walk to back it up only increased his legend.
... also, the 'stache.
Best aspect of his game -
His ability to get to the line. Always one of the more efficient players in all of basketball, he was served well by his ability to draw contact and get to the line With his 6-6 frame, Dinwiddie was able to fight through traffic and stay strong through abuse. By the time he was a junior, he was getting the star treatment, and could buy a call from the refs almost by looking at a defender.
Best game as a Buff -
This is a tough one, as there are a slew of reasonable options that would headline the career of almost any other player. There's his ring-winning performance against Arizona as a freshman, his perfecto against Oregon St, his evisceration of the Wildcats, again, during the Valentine's Day Massacre, his home finale against Oregon, and the little brother game against the Rams.
In the end, however, I was swayed by another of his efforts against State. His 2013 effort against the Rams takes the cake. On the road, in front of a frothing CSU student section that was out for his blood, Spencer single-handedly willed the Buffs to victory. He didn't miss a free throw, didn't commit a foul, and didn't turn the ball over in 36 minutes of play, all while dumping 19 of his game-high 28 on the hapless Rams in the second half. Dinwiddie was, at his best, a cold-blooded game-winning machine, and his effort last December 3rd against CSU was the epitome of that.
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