Don't Disrespect the NIT... Irish Updates

Even if they didn’t make the big dance this year, accepting a bid as a 2 seed in the lowly NIT, I’ll call this a successful season yet again for Mike Brey and the boys. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say getting down to the NIT semis is their most successful post season since making it to the Sweet Sixteen in 02-03 where they were then bounced by 3 loss Arizona. Two years ago, the upset by Winthrop in the first round was a huge disappointment, and even last year where they did beat George Mason in Rd 1, they got their ass handed to them by Washington State in Rd 2. With the seasons they had in those two years, I call those finales disappointing.

This year however, where they’ve had a few tough breaks in the toughest Big East in a long time, they’re one of the last four teams alive in a NIT filled with some damned good basketball programs.

The NIT truly gets a bad wrap. With teams like Georgetown, Kansas St., Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Florida, who, hello, is two years removed from their NC! These are no scrubbini programs here. Whomever comes out on top will have accomplished no small feat.

So back to the Irish… They bounced UAB, squeaked by New Mexico on the last second drive by Tory Jackson, then pretty much handed Kentucky a beatdown in the Joyce Center last night, with the exception of a late UK run. Harangody has been his normal self scoring 78 points in those three games. But last night, I think proved to be the better win of the three. While I don’t believe Kentucky is that good, they do have talent; they are still Kentucky after all.

The biggest story of the night though I think is this was the last home game for four seniors. Kyle McAlarney, Ryan Ayers, Zach Hillesland, and Luke Zeller. With Harangody testing the NBA waters this off-season, this could shape up to be a huge blow to next years squad. As a fan, I can only hope Luke decides to stick it out one more year. I think with additions of the transfers and some developing talent, they could actually have a better than solid group next year. More on that later…

But for now, Pennsylvania State University awaits in the Big Apple.
Good luck to the boys… GO IRISH!

Buffalo's 2-0 Baby....This Week at Least

I guess it’s true what they say; 4.5 M per for a couple years provides a little kick in the ass. In the case of Tim Connolly, amidst rumors of a possible trade, and many fans calling for the trade, a new contract has proved just that.

While only two games after the trade deadline, and dangerously close to must win territory, they’re 2-0. In those two games, the Sabres have notched 10 goals giving up only 2. Lalime as not only started and won both games, due to Miller’s injury, but has stopped 67 shots. That doesn’t bode well for Buffalo’s D, but I’ll take 2 goals on 67 shots any day!

Connolly meanwhile has two goals and three assists in the same time. Not too shabby for a guy who was unsure of his future only a few days ago.

With seven teams within five points of each other in the playoff race, every win is crucial as it seems the competition not letting off.

NHL Network, NHL Not-work?

There are some things I don’t understand when it comes to the folks running the NHL...well, a lot of things. We’ve seen a lot of fans talking of contraction, shifting teams, bringing back old teams, etc. All good ideas if you ask me.

One of the major issues I have is their selling the game. Better yet, how they’re not selling the game. I actually like the NHL games on VS. I think they do a fine job; I’ve become accustomed to the corny-ness of the set, etc. It’s better than a few years ago on FOX with the dumbass robots, which everyone knows and loves.

The reason for my post today is that the NHL has its own channel yet only shows games every few days. Why is it that on a night that 12 games are going to be played, zero of them will be shown on the NHL network? There’s NHL Live and about four hours of NHL on the fly. While I like NHL on the fly, where they’ll hit on every game, I believe it would benefit more to show actual games. There’s no excuse to not show a live game every single night one is played.

I’m a huge college basketball fan, so I don’t mind that any given night Jan-Mar, I have the choice of anywhere from two to four games on various channels. In a dream world, I would have a hockey game on every night too! I won’t go so far as to wish for a choice...yet.

NHL Network...get with the program!

NCAA Superstar Treatment...Does it Exist?

A recent post by a faithful Duke fan has prompted me to give my unsolicited two cents on the subject of preferential treatment to a handful of NCAA teams, the “basketball” schools if you will.

I always find it funny when people refuse to recognize the real truth usually only when you’re team is one of discussion.

In my previous article, I point out the NCAAs fault in allowing a so called "hurt" player who happens to be a superstar player, who happens to be a 60% free throw shooter get subbed out for an 80% shooter at the time of a critical foul in the last minute of a two point game. Preferential treatment? I don’t know, maybe just a loophole in the system. But would they have allowed Kyle McAlarney to shoot for Tory Jackson in the same situation AGAINST UConn? YES, since there’s no rule against it, but the difference is, it would have been pasted all over the front pages, ESPN and other outlets would have publicized the outrage on how the lowly Irish scammed the system to sure up a win against the poor #2 Huskies. In this case, I think my crappy blog is the only written word of the incident.

I digress…

If you think preferential treatment does not exist whether consciously or not, you are living in a dream world folks. There are a handful special teams in the league, one of which IS Duke, that get these calls. I don't go so far to say "all the calls" that's ridiculous. I do however believe that when it comes down to a call being made in the split second to make it, the call will always go to those teams. "Tyler Hansbrough under the rim could never put up a poop shot, he must have been fouled there...whistle..." (These are the thoughts going through the mind of a ref in a fraction of a second"

It's not a conscious decision, it's a reaction to the outcome of a moment on the court, not actually processing whether or not a foul or NO foul has taken place. For the sake of explanation I call this a tie, to use the baseball analogy, and the tie always goes to the aforementioned special teams. Just to name a few: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Connecticut, Georgetown, and Syracuse, Louisville... (not to mention any team playing Notre Dame ;-)

On top of those teams is the "superstar" treatment some receive. Names such as Hansbrough, Griffin, Thabeet, Meeks, Texas players in Big 12 play, etc, (even my boy Harangody sometimes...not really). Those guys and like players will always get the benefit of the doubt. It's just natural... but very unfortunate. But to say it doesn't exist is just a little naive.

To Flop, or Not to Flop...Irish Lose Close One

In my previous post, I thought there is nothing worse for an Irish fan than considering their road ahead. I was wrong. There is something much worse. That is watching a University of Connecticut home game. There is not much more detestable a place in the league. I’m not talking about the facilities; I’ve never been. Nor have I been to Storrs, CT. I’m talking about the all out ridiculousness UConn gets away with.

I know what the thoughts will be, “Of course, Irish lose and you scream ‘bad officiating’.” That’s probably a valid point in most cases. For the sake of argument though, I’ll try to pry the homer goggles off for a second and break down a couple of points.

First, are the calls and non-calls. When viewing a game, it’s natural to believe your team is getting the shaft, I know I always do. But I’ll just look at the statistics first. UConn had 13 blocked shots...13! Okay, I get it, they have a 7 footer, who’s a blocker. But my problem is 13 blocked shots with 7 personal fouls. Seven personal fouls, in 40 minutes, that’s unheard of in most games. The commentators stated they don’t have to commit fouls because they know they can block shots. What a bunch of bollocks! The fact is, I’d say 50% of those, were legit blocked shots, heck, I’ll give them 60%, which would put them right around their average. But I will not accept the fact they have they have the second best blocks per game average and near, if not at, the top of the list for least penalized. I throw the BS flag on that.

My second beef is with Thabeet. His antics in the last minute were the most revolting thing I’ve seen all season. While it may be legal, it’s dirty. The NCAA should take a hard look at the rule, or lack there of. To flop, sit out, and let an 80% free throw shooter take the shots... Calhoun and your 800 wins, shove it! I have zero respect for you and that call. In a moment where those free throws basically locked up your victory. To call it unsportsmanlike is an insult to unsportsmanlike! Calhoun and Thabeet, shame on you both.

And that’s all I have to say about that.
GO IRISH!