Before I get to one of the craziest finishes in the history of college basketball, I want to give a shout-out to the football program for leveraging a huge recruiting weekend into a major commitment. 4-star Texas WR Jaylon Jackson pledged to Colorado and new recruiting guru Darrin Chiaverini on Saturday, looking to bring his lightning-fast pace to the Foot of the Flatrirons in 2017. The announcement is certainly something to get excited about, and a sign that things are trending up over at Folsom.
However, with bucket of cold water in hand, I take the stand with all football commitments that they are relatively meaningless outside of signing day. The culture of the sport and the way the calendar sets up makes early pledges oftentimes wishy-washy. Not that I have any reason to doubt Jackson's veracity, just that I've seen commits across the nation come and go far too often to not take these kinds of things with a grain of salt. The real truth is that what is news today can be gone tomorrow without something to back it up. Simply, the Buffs will need to finally get some meaningful wins on the field if they want to both earn Jackson's final signature and add more high profile signees in the class of 2017. Winning, as ever, is the magical cure to whatever ails you.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the national title game, a new coach officially signing on with the basketball program, and mulling over the possibilities for the two open scholarships.
Click below for the bag!
Showing posts with label NCAA Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA Tournament. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Tuesday Grab Bag: Wherein I Refuse to Acknowledge Spring Football
I've been assured by a number of sources that the CU football team is currently going through spring ball. A very important mile marker in the yearly existence of any football program, the seasonal stint of practices is, nonetheless, completely uninteresting to me. I don't mean to go all Allen Iverson on everyone, but we talkin' bout practice, man. I'm excited that the team has a chance to improve, to focus on finally handing in their bowl game V-card. I really am. But to expect me to give two shits about a series of practices six months from their first real game (with the expected starting quarterback still some 550 miles away) is like asking me to get excited about Arizona Fall League results.
And don't even start with me about the Spring Game. If I turn up my nose at All-Star games, why would I care about a glorified intra-squad scrimmage? If you're excited to get to Folsom two Saturdays from now to see 3/4ths of a program go through the motions, then God bless you. Me? I'll be in California, watching baseball games that actually count, and much better off for it.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the Final Four, some confusing movement on the recruiting trail for the Buffs, and a new coach for the Women's team.
Click below for the bag...
And don't even start with me about the Spring Game. If I turn up my nose at All-Star games, why would I care about a glorified intra-squad scrimmage? If you're excited to get to Folsom two Saturdays from now to see 3/4ths of a program go through the motions, then God bless you. Me? I'll be in California, watching baseball games that actually count, and much better off for it.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the Final Four, some confusing movement on the recruiting trail for the Buffs, and a new coach for the Women's team.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Tuesday Grab Bag: Leaving the Dance After Only One Song
With college basketball season winding down, I'm straight to the action this afternoon.
Today in the bag, I'm talking the end of the road for the Colorado Buffaloes, the wild and wacky happenings of a weekend of insane basketball action, and the weirdness that is the Adam LaRoche v. White Sox scandal.
Click below for the bag...
Today in the bag, I'm talking the end of the road for the Colorado Buffaloes, the wild and wacky happenings of a weekend of insane basketball action, and the weirdness that is the Adam LaRoche v. White Sox scandal.
Click below for the bag...
Thursday, March 17, 2016
2016 NCAA Tournament Preview: Colorado vs UConn - West Coast Bias
Let me state this off the bat: I did not watch one UConn game this season. Why would I? Their games are usually played at uncomfortably early times against regional opponents I don't care about on a channel I may or may not get (CBS Sports Network, or something). They don't even hail from the Big East anymore, coming from something called the 'American Athletic Conference;' is that even a real thing? More like C-USA-plus, if you ask me. Pshaw, essentially, I am too knowledgeable of a fan, and my time far to valuable, to spend my free hours watching any of that stuff.
Look, if those on the East Coast can use lethargy and regional bias to limit their understanding of the great game of college basketball, then so can I. And so, I'm bringing my great West Coast Bias to bear on the problem at hand. That's right, with ignorance as my guide, I'm going to blithely predict victory for our Buffaloes without even looking at KenPom; Buffs win 84-52. Ha ha! My shortest preview ever!
... Naw, I'm totally kidding. Yes, of course I've seen UConn play this season. Not only are they a good basketball team, easily on par with everyone short of Oregon that CU has seen this season, but I have oodles of respect for their program and their capabilities. I'm going to give them the full preview treatment today, and they fully deserve it. Don't be scared, though. Unless you're a top-four seed, these are the kind of opponents you're going to face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament; it's a sign of the position Colorado has put themselves in this season. Veteran, capable groups, ones equally as talented and dangerous as you are, are going to be your draw, and that's the way it should be. The time comes, though, that you have to stop looking at the name on the front of the jersey, and start beating the names on the back. That's how you get Big Boy basketball swagger. Time for the Buffaloes to earn their share.
--
Hype Music for the Day: "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats
This beast, from Canadian one-hit-wonder group Men Without Hats, is an iconic New Wave hit from the 80s. I think it strikes a good message. Since we're going Dancing today, might as well do it safely. Also, this song will now be stuck in your head for the rest of the morning. You're welcome!
--
Tip-off from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA is set for 11:30 AM MT today. Never heard of 'the Well' before? I'm not surprised, 'cause the teams that play there are exclusively minor league: the NBADL's Iowa Energy, the Iowa Barnstormer's of the Indoor Football League, and the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Also, it's in Iowa, which is the state equivalent of stale white bread (I can make these jokes, being a native Midwesterner). The building is still a standard, modern, multi-purpose facility, however, and a fitting place to play a first round game.
Televised coverage can be found on TNT, with the radio call on 850 KOA. The game can also be followed through CBS' March Madness on Demand website and app, giving you plenty of opportunity to spike work in favor of watching the game.
Click below for the preview...
Look, if those on the East Coast can use lethargy and regional bias to limit their understanding of the great game of college basketball, then so can I. And so, I'm bringing my great West Coast Bias to bear on the problem at hand. That's right, with ignorance as my guide, I'm going to blithely predict victory for our Buffaloes without even looking at KenPom; Buffs win 84-52. Ha ha! My shortest preview ever!
... Naw, I'm totally kidding. Yes, of course I've seen UConn play this season. Not only are they a good basketball team, easily on par with everyone short of Oregon that CU has seen this season, but I have oodles of respect for their program and their capabilities. I'm going to give them the full preview treatment today, and they fully deserve it. Don't be scared, though. Unless you're a top-four seed, these are the kind of opponents you're going to face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament; it's a sign of the position Colorado has put themselves in this season. Veteran, capable groups, ones equally as talented and dangerous as you are, are going to be your draw, and that's the way it should be. The time comes, though, that you have to stop looking at the name on the front of the jersey, and start beating the names on the back. That's how you get Big Boy basketball swagger. Time for the Buffaloes to earn their share.
--
Hype Music for the Day: "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats
This beast, from Canadian one-hit-wonder group Men Without Hats, is an iconic New Wave hit from the 80s. I think it strikes a good message. Since we're going Dancing today, might as well do it safely. Also, this song will now be stuck in your head for the rest of the morning. You're welcome!
--
Tip-off from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA is set for 11:30 AM MT today. Never heard of 'the Well' before? I'm not surprised, 'cause the teams that play there are exclusively minor league: the NBADL's Iowa Energy, the Iowa Barnstormer's of the Indoor Football League, and the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Also, it's in Iowa, which is the state equivalent of stale white bread (I can make these jokes, being a native Midwesterner). The building is still a standard, modern, multi-purpose facility, however, and a fitting place to play a first round game.
Televised coverage can be found on TNT, with the radio call on 850 KOA. The game can also be followed through CBS' March Madness on Demand website and app, giving you plenty of opportunity to spike work in favor of watching the game.
Click below for the preview...
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Tuesday Grab Bag: The Dance Begins
Back from Las Vegas, I'm still wobbly on my road to recovery. Looking back on the week, it was a wonderful time, as always, made all the more wonderful by the opportunity to meet so many Buff fans who admitted to reading this space; some who even claimed to like what they find here! Thank you all for your continued patronage, and here's to many more years of whatever this is.
Of course, this season is not yet over. As everyone is aware of by now, the Colorado Buffaloes are Dancing for the fourth time in five seasons -- something wholly unprecedented in the history of this program. With the Madness officially descending this evening (the opening tip-off in Dayton has already commenced, as of the writing of this piece), it's officially March. Whatever you thought you knew about this season is about to change dramatically, and I can't wait to cover it. My preview of the first round action against UConn will drop Thursday morning, with hopefully many more to come in the following days and weeks.
But, for now, it's grab bag time!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the drowsy Pac-12 final, my All-Tournament Team and Best Band in Vegas awards, my view of the Buffs' NCAA Tournament seeding, and a shakeup to the Colorado coaching staff.
Click below for the bag...
Of course, this season is not yet over. As everyone is aware of by now, the Colorado Buffaloes are Dancing for the fourth time in five seasons -- something wholly unprecedented in the history of this program. With the Madness officially descending this evening (the opening tip-off in Dayton has already commenced, as of the writing of this piece), it's officially March. Whatever you thought you knew about this season is about to change dramatically, and I can't wait to cover it. My preview of the first round action against UConn will drop Thursday morning, with hopefully many more to come in the following days and weeks.
But, for now, it's grab bag time!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the drowsy Pac-12 final, my All-Tournament Team and Best Band in Vegas awards, my view of the Buffs' NCAA Tournament seeding, and a shakeup to the Colorado coaching staff.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: Snubbed by the NCAA
Pour a quick one out for the women's volleyball team, who got straight hosed by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The team who finished 5th in the toughest conference in America, beat six top-25 opponents, and who finished the year on a roll by winning five of their last six was left on the side of the road by a committee who seemed (unsurprisingly) over-impressed by RPI. Consider that three teams that finished below them in the Pac-12 standings made the dance, and understand how royally they were screwed.
I especially feel bad for seniors Alexis Austin and Nicole Edelman. They deserved to go out with another trip to the tournament, not the heartbreak of a truly indefensible snub. For that, I have only one word for the committee:
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the hoops win over Northern Colorado, the end of the football season, and an uncomfortable anniversary.
Click below for the bag...
I especially feel bad for seniors Alexis Austin and Nicole Edelman. They deserved to go out with another trip to the tournament, not the heartbreak of a truly indefensible snub. For that, I have only one word for the committee:
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the hoops win over Northern Colorado, the end of the football season, and an uncomfortable anniversary.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: A Champion is Crowned
Straight to the action today. I have thoughts on the national championship decided last night, baseball's opening day, and the lacrosse team.
Click below for the bag...
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: The Final Four is set
The Final Four still lies ahead, but my brain is already sneaking peeks over the hill to the oncoming baseball season. I'm so eager for the return of the National Pastime that I went ahead and did something ridiculous: I booked a ticket home for the home opener for My Sox.
'What's so ridiculous about that,' you ask? Well, the trip will entail a 1am arrival in my hometown, having to essentially break into my Mom's house (with her permission; she's away that weekend), and an inevitable mad-dash through Chicago traffic to catch my flight back on Sunday. Logistical acrobatics will be performed, all in the name of consuming baseball at it's blurry, April best.
There is a method to my madness, however. See, I've never been to an opening day. Sure, I've been to opening week before, but never an opening day of any kind. When I went on the Sox website late Sunday night, and found one - and only one - ticket available for the affair, I took it as a sign. That streak needed to end. So here I go; I hope the weather is passable.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the Final Four, the NCAA and transfer rules, and the football program.
Click below for the bag...
'What's so ridiculous about that,' you ask? Well, the trip will entail a 1am arrival in my hometown, having to essentially break into my Mom's house (with her permission; she's away that weekend), and an inevitable mad-dash through Chicago traffic to catch my flight back on Sunday. Logistical acrobatics will be performed, all in the name of consuming baseball at it's blurry, April best.
There is a method to my madness, however. See, I've never been to an opening day. Sure, I've been to opening week before, but never an opening day of any kind. When I went on the Sox website late Sunday night, and found one - and only one - ticket available for the affair, I took it as a sign. That streak needed to end. So here I go; I hope the weather is passable.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the Final Four, the NCAA and transfer rules, and the football program.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: ... and the hits just keep on comin'
I'll get to the mess in Seattle in a second, but first: a confession. This was to be my last season. With work and other commitments, I felt I was losing my focus and touch, and was prepared to step away from the lucrative world of amateur blogging at the end of the season.
Over the last few months, however, it dawned on me that I'd be quitting after a rotten egg of a year. Not one to give out a last shriek on the retreat into irrelevancy, I've reversed decision. As a result, I will be back next year for at least one more go at chronicling Colorado Basketball. If this thing is going to crater, I'm going to ride the bomb all the way down, a la Slim Pickens:
Hopefully, however, a return to form will follow, and I can ride off into the sunset with a clear conscience. We'll see...
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the loss to a WAC school, the Pac-12 in the Dance, and a surprising coaching move in the desert.
Click below for the bag...
Over the last few months, however, it dawned on me that I'd be quitting after a rotten egg of a year. Not one to give out a last shriek on the retreat into irrelevancy, I've reversed decision. As a result, I will be back next year for at least one more go at chronicling Colorado Basketball. If this thing is going to crater, I'm going to ride the bomb all the way down, a la Slim Pickens:
 |
| YEE FUCKIN' HA! |
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the loss to a WAC school, the Pac-12 in the Dance, and a surprising coaching move in the desert.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Tuesday Grab Bag: Brackets!
This weekend was just too busy. From travels to and from the Pac-12 Tournament to news breaking across the basketball landscape, I'v never had so much to throw in one grab bag. It's so stuffy in here that I even had to leave a couple of important items on the cutting board.
For example, did you know CU is scheduled to play a non-conference basketball game with Iowa State in South Dakota this November? They are! In a tiny-ass gym, no less. That's pretty cool and newsworthy. Arielle Roberson isn't returning for her senior year. Also newsworthy, but far more sucky. Or, what about the Spring Game? Didn't watch, didn't care, but I know a lot of people do. There was so much breaking news this weekend that I don't even have time to halfheartedly struggle through three paragraphs on that!
The point is, there's a lot of stuff after the jump, each item worthy of its own, dedicated column. Please, bear with me as I dive through everything from an insane weekend. I'm talking the Pac-12 finale, bracket snubs, the CBI, a pair of new basketball recruits, and the Frozen Banana Stand winning number 20. *whew*, let's get started.
Click below for the bag...
For example, did you know CU is scheduled to play a non-conference basketball game with Iowa State in South Dakota this November? They are! In a tiny-ass gym, no less. That's pretty cool and newsworthy. Arielle Roberson isn't returning for her senior year. Also newsworthy, but far more sucky. Or, what about the Spring Game? Didn't watch, didn't care, but I know a lot of people do. There was so much breaking news this weekend that I don't even have time to halfheartedly struggle through three paragraphs on that!
The point is, there's a lot of stuff after the jump, each item worthy of its own, dedicated column. Please, bear with me as I dive through everything from an insane weekend. I'm talking the Pac-12 finale, bracket snubs, the CBI, a pair of new basketball recruits, and the Frozen Banana Stand winning number 20. *whew*, let's get started.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, December 8, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Forever
If you haven't seen it yet, the latest from @CU_Video - "Forever" - is fantastic, and worth your time. Give it a look:
FOREVER from CU Football Video on Vimeo.
Lawrence Vickers is the best!
--
Today in the Bag, I'm talking another disappointing road trip for the basketball team, the volleyball team making us all proud in Ft Collins, and the college football playoff.
Click below for the bag...
Lawrence Vickers is the best!
--
Today in the Bag, I'm talking another disappointing road trip for the basketball team, the volleyball team making us all proud in Ft Collins, and the college football playoff.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, April 14, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: A busy week
I don't know if you noticed, but this has been a huge week for sports. We saw champions crowned in college basketball, the wrapping up of the regular season in hockey (congrats to the Avs), ramping up of baseball action across MLB, a little thing called the Masters, and spring games throughout the college football landscape. Not too shabby for a random week in April. Oh, and I turned 30 on Friday. Yeah, I'd say there's a little bit going on.
Today in the bag, I've managed to condense all that action into a few quick blurbs on UConn's double, CU's Spring Game and stadium expansion, and the Masters.
Click below for the bag...
Today in the bag, I've managed to condense all that action into a few quick blurbs on UConn's double, CU's Spring Game and stadium expansion, and the Masters.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, April 7, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: A champion will be crowned
No time for idle chit-chat. Straight onto today's bag...
Today I'm talking Final Four, Championship Monday, and the baseball series that has me missing the final.
Click below for the bag...
Today I'm talking Final Four, Championship Monday, and the baseball series that has me missing the final.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: The Final Four is Set
I'm sorry to say it, but the women's season came to an end in El Paso Friday night, as they fell 68-60 to the host Miners in front of over 8,000 fans. The ladies played well, especially considering the hostile environment. Jamee Swan came off the bench to post a monster 15/7/2 line, but it just wasn't enough to sneak past UTEP and Kristine Vitola (22/5). The wait for November has officially started in earnest across the Boulder campus.
Much like with the men's team, this is going to be a very introspective offseason for the women. They failed to live up to expectations in 2013-14, and have plenty of difficult questions to answer over the summer months. Thankfully, there is more than enough talent staying on the roster, which gives me hope that the stumbles in January and February are just a blip on the radar, and that the program will continue to reclaim their glorious past. Onwards and upwards...
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking about the excellent Elite Eight action from the weekend before reminding everyone that today is Opening Day for baseball.
Click below for the bag...
 |
| 2013-14 ends on a sour note. From: the Prospector Daily |
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking about the excellent Elite Eight action from the weekend before reminding everyone that today is Opening Day for baseball.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday Grab Bag: The Offseason Begins
I've been slightly ticked to see the reaction to Thursday's on-court mess in the NCAA Tournament. All of a sudden, fans who wouldn't know a pick-and-roll from a hole in their head are questioning Coach Boyle, and offering their 'insight' on what's needed to 'fix' the team (Josh should take more jump shots, that'll end the double-teams -- LOL).
I guess this comes with the territory, especially in a state with citizens as obsessed with their own righteousness as Colorado. CU Basketball is now a headline grabbing attraction, so their pratfalls will necessarily attract comments from the peanut gallery. As I've said often this year, we're now a basketball school stuck with a football fanbase. At the very least, it's going to be interesting to see how BuffNation deals with the transition to life with an actual basketball power.
Regardless, let me assure the huddled masses that the program you've all just discovered is in good hands. Remember, it was only four years ago that CU was all offense, no defense with Cory and Alec running the show. Granted a little health, the potential of a lucky attrition break, and the oncoming infusion of freshman talent, the Buffs should be back to their winning ways in 2015.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the quick exit from the Dance, the Sweet Sixteen, and the women progressing through the NIT.
Click below for the bag...
I guess this comes with the territory, especially in a state with citizens as obsessed with their own righteousness as Colorado. CU Basketball is now a headline grabbing attraction, so their pratfalls will necessarily attract comments from the peanut gallery. As I've said often this year, we're now a basketball school stuck with a football fanbase. At the very least, it's going to be interesting to see how BuffNation deals with the transition to life with an actual basketball power.
Regardless, let me assure the huddled masses that the program you've all just discovered is in good hands. Remember, it was only four years ago that CU was all offense, no defense with Cory and Alec running the show. Granted a little health, the potential of a lucky attrition break, and the oncoming infusion of freshman talent, the Buffs should be back to their winning ways in 2015.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the quick exit from the Dance, the Sweet Sixteen, and the women progressing through the NIT.
Click below for the bag...
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
2014 NCAA Tournament Preview: PIttsburgh
Happy Tournament, BuffNation!
I hope we never get to the point that we as fans take for granted what seeing the name 'Colorado' in the field of 68 means. This should be a joyous time for all true basketball fans, and, as the program continues to progress, and the Dance tickets become more and more common place, it would be a shame for us to lose perspective. Anytime you make the Tournament is special, even when you've strung together more consecutive appearances than anyone else in your conference (*cough*).
So, enjoy tomorrow. Take the opportunity to skip out on work and meet with your friends to cheer on the team. It's America's national sporting holiday, after all, and, even if only for the briefest of moments, everyone's attention should be on Orlando and our Buffs.
Hit it, Barry!
--
Tip-off from the Amway Center in Orlando, FL is set for Thursday at approximately 11:40am MT. Televised coverage can be found on both TBS and March Madness Live, with the radio call coming on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
I hope we never get to the point that we as fans take for granted what seeing the name 'Colorado' in the field of 68 means. This should be a joyous time for all true basketball fans, and, as the program continues to progress, and the Dance tickets become more and more common place, it would be a shame for us to lose perspective. Anytime you make the Tournament is special, even when you've strung together more consecutive appearances than anyone else in your conference (*cough*).
So, enjoy tomorrow. Take the opportunity to skip out on work and meet with your friends to cheer on the team. It's America's national sporting holiday, after all, and, even if only for the briefest of moments, everyone's attention should be on Orlando and our Buffs.
Hit it, Barry!
--
Tip-off from the Amway Center in Orlando, FL is set for Thursday at approximately 11:40am MT. Televised coverage can be found on both TBS and March Madness Live, with the radio call coming on 850 KOA.
Click below for the preview...
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Tuesday Grab Bag: A Ticket to the Dance
I'm finally back from Vegas, fatter and poorer for my efforts. The Pac-12 has the perfect setup at the MGM Grand, and I hope all parties involved do the right thing and keep the tournament in place for the foreseeable future. It's a great venue for both the league and the teams, and it makes for an easily justifiable trip for the fans. If you haven't been either of the past two years, I highly suggest you start making plans for next March. You won't be sorry, I promise.
--
Today in the bag, I'm going to mostly talk NFL free agency... LOL, of course I'm not. It's March, so I'm talking basketball and brackets, like a true, red-blooded American should.
'Murikuh.
Click below for the bag...
--
Today in the bag, I'm going to mostly talk NFL free agency... LOL, of course I'm not. It's March, so I'm talking basketball and brackets, like a true, red-blooded American should.
'Murikuh.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, March 10, 2014
Monday Grab Bag: Onto the Postseason
I will admit to being absolutely unable to focus on work today. I imagine the story will be the same tomorrow. We're 48 hours away from the start of the Pac-12 tournament, and I have crossed the threshold into 'can't sit still because I'm too excited' territory. I apologize to my co-workers, but my mind has checked out, and might as well already be in the MGM Grand. See you next Monday!
While work will suffer due to the basketball distraction, this blog will not. Tomorrow I'll have up my conference awards, with a tournament teaser up Wednesday morning. From there, I'll have daily reports from the action in Vegas, with a quick run-down of how I view the next day's slate of games You would also do well to keep an eye on my twitter account, as I'll be updating on the sights and sounds.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking CU's late-game stumbles against Cal, the final standings in the Pac-12, and a few notes from around the world of college basketball.
Click below for the bag...
While work will suffer due to the basketball distraction, this blog will not. Tomorrow I'll have up my conference awards, with a tournament teaser up Wednesday morning. From there, I'll have daily reports from the action in Vegas, with a quick run-down of how I view the next day's slate of games You would also do well to keep an eye on my twitter account, as I'll be updating on the sights and sounds.
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking CU's late-game stumbles against Cal, the final standings in the Pac-12, and a few notes from around the world of college basketball.
Click below for the bag...
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday Grab Bag: A Perfect Saturday
To all those sad-sack schools who had the miss-fortune to be playing the University of Colorado on Saturday, I apologize. You never had a chance, it was CU's day. It didn't matter what sport it was, the Buffs were better. Basketball? Check. Soccer? Check. Football? Check. All we needed was some distance running, and it would've been a perfect 24 hours at the Foot of the Flatirons.
For those of us in BuffNation: we get far too few days like this to celebrate, so live it up!
For those of us in BuffNation: we get far too few days like this to celebrate, so live it up!
--
Today in the bag, I'm talking the basketball win over Jackson St, the soccer win over DU, and the football win over Cal.
Click below for the bag...
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Post-Championship Thoughts
What a way to end the basketball season! Other than a photo finish, the Louisville/Michigan title fight had everything: speed, scoring, stars playing great, role players stepping up, and a righteous outcome. Sure, it also featured more than a few blown calls and some poor endgame strategy from the Wolverines, but I'm not going to complain too loudly. The Cardinals deserved their 82-76 victory, and they earned it in thrilling fashion.
Last night was about how great college basketball can be, when coaches set their players loose, and let them win or lose on their own merits. Far too often in the college game, coaches pump the breaks by slowing possessions down in a desperate attempt to keep their kids on a short leash (Coach Boyle is often guilty of this; we call it Tadball). But not once last night did either Rick Pitino or John Beilein excessively slow the game down. Both teams were well over one point per possession, and, as a result, basketball fans across the nation were treated to a beautiful exhibition of speed, athleticism, and effort. It was joyous to watch.
Did Michigan get screwed by a couple of calls, particularly the phantom foul called on Trey Burke? Yeah, but I'm begrudgingly resigning myself to the fact that basketball played at anything close to a high level is impossible to officiate cleanly. I'm just glad that, for the most part, the zebras stayed out of it.
I just hope this tournament serves as a lesson to coaches around the nation: you don't have to play negative basketball to win. Run, score, be aggressive on defense. Play fearless, play to win. Don't look at Bo Ryan, as he is clearly the devil in disguise.
So, now the long wait for November officially begins. 205 days. *sigh*
After NBA decisions are made next week, and barring any surprise transfer news, things should be pretty quiet in Boulder until October practices start up. There's a good chance that the intervening months will be filled with talk of a top-25 team, and the potential for the greatest season in CU basketball history, but, for now, we'll just have to wait patiently.
I hate waiting patiently.
 |
| BOOM! TITLE! |
Did Michigan get screwed by a couple of calls, particularly the phantom foul called on Trey Burke? Yeah, but I'm begrudgingly resigning myself to the fact that basketball played at anything close to a high level is impossible to officiate cleanly. I'm just glad that, for the most part, the zebras stayed out of it.
 |
| Notice the ref screened by the play. He had to guess. He guessed wrong. From: Deadspin. |
So, now the long wait for November officially begins. 205 days. *sigh*
After NBA decisions are made next week, and barring any surprise transfer news, things should be pretty quiet in Boulder until October practices start up. There's a good chance that the intervening months will be filled with talk of a top-25 team, and the potential for the greatest season in CU basketball history, but, for now, we'll just have to wait patiently.
I hate waiting patiently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)