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Open Thread Thursday | February 25, 2010
Okay loyal readers, here is your chance to get the discussion going. Please post a topic and get us started.
32 Responses to “Open Thread Thursday | February 25, 2010”
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Let’s all take a moment to observe the passing of Mosi Tatupu. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/sports/football/25tatupu.html?hpw
Couple Big East Basketball notes…
1) Can anyone believe that Notre Dame beat Pitt? I was SHOCKED this morning when I saw that, especially considering Notre Dame was without Harangody. I’m in shock. I guess once again it proves how competitive this league is. What do the Notre Dame fans think about that one??
2) I brought this up weeks ago, maybe not on here, but I’ve alluded to it at times…Is there some type of conspiracy to name Wes Johnson Big East Player of the Year?? I know I won’t do this argument justice because I just don’t have enough time to elaborate…but, is he even the best player on his own team? Is he more valuable to ‘Cuse’s success than say Andy Rautins?? The announcers during the Providence game made some great points that echoed my thoughts on this topic. They brought up the argument for Rautins. They said that if you’re going to nominate Johnson, how do you not nominate Rautins? I don’t think the so-called experts have or even have had the chance to watch as many games as needed to make this determination. Numbers are not everything.
3) Any predictions for the Big East tournament? Who will win it all in Madison Square Garden?
4) How many Big East teams will be in the tourney and how high should they be seeded?
No shock from me. I watched the game. Notre Dame has been capable of playing this way all year. I hope Harangody took a look at his teammates and said: wait a minute these guys CAN do it. Abromaitis is the top three-point shooter in the country. Tory Jackson is a good college point guard. He would have more assists if guys did not miss lay ups. Hansbrough is just starting to get a rhythm.
The Big East does not have a corner on the market as far as tough in conference play goes. How many Big Ten games have watched? The ACC is having a ‘down’ year, but look at it this way. Florida State has 7 losses only two out of conference. VTech-6 losses only one out of conference. Clemson has 8 losses only two out of conference. Georgia Tech and Wake also only have two out of conference losses.
As far as Wes Johson goes – he leads his team in ppg, rpg; he is second in free throws made, and second in threes made. I like Rautins. Don’t get me wrong. He is a glue guy. Glue is hard to measure. Johnson does just as much, and don’t overlook his adhesive qualities. He has an infectious spirit about the game. When your leading scorer is only taking about 11 shots per game, it helps the team.
Oh yeah…almost forgot – Rutgers all the way at the Garden!
I CANNOT believe ND won a game against a good team at this point after dropping countless recent close games on the road and with Harangody out. But they did it at home and they used the trey. Not exactly a recipe for getting into and winning some games in the big dance. Don’t be fooled … this was an abberation.
The difference between last night and other games which ended as close losses – shots that rimmed out were falling last night.
Topic #2 for the day… I’m enjoying the NBA this year. No clear cut favorite, 3 good teams out West, 3-5 good teams in the East. All capable of winning a championship. I’m enjoying the competitive and winning attitudes of these superstars.
Has not been true always. Look at when Iverson was the man…just not the same team qualities as a guy like Lebron or ‘Melo.
Anyone up on the NBA this year? Curious what people are feeling or are we continuing to ignore this league? I admit I haven’t been into the NBA in a while and usually only watch the playoffs or the finals. However, this year I’ve been interested in some regular season games…Any theories out there as to why??
I like watching games that feature Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant.
Did we finish topic #1?
I want to buy into the Magic but can’t because of Carter. I can not think of a worse acquisition in the last decade…or well at least since the Suns traded for Shaq. The Magic were all about ball movement on the perimeter last year. They had a great flow to their offense and don’t forget, they were a Courtney Lee missed lay up at the buzzer or a pair of Dwight Howard free throws from being the champs. Turkoglu left, and they had no control over that. But then they take their best perimeter defender (Lee) and trade him for the Mr. Iso.
If anyone takes down the Lakers, it’s going to be the Nuggets. Chauncey is the man. Not the sweetest point guard. He doesn’t have the flash of Parker or Nash. He just gets the job done. Kenyon Martin is not intimidated by anyone on the Lakers. And Anthony is ready.
Topic #1: I’m with Wally; an aberration. And he cited the exact reasons, home and 3s that were dropping (“at home” is WHY they were dropping). A young ND alum was excitedly im’ing me last night that we had won. My first question was, “At Home?” Even without Harangody, ND is a formidable opponent on its home court. If they get to the Dance, they won’t get that advantage. Without it they are mediocre at best. And as long as Brey is there that is there lot in basketball life; mediocrity with occasional flashes of brilliance at home.
Topic #3: Was reminiscing today about the days when I followed NFL and remembering some brilliant but short-lived running backs circa the 70s-80s. Boobie Clark (Bengals) was the first name that came to mind, then Wilbert Montgomery (Eagles) and OJ somebody (Cardinals while still in StL). These guys came out of nowhere and for a year or two were All Pro and then … poof! Comments about them? Names to add to the list?
I am not trying to make a case for ND doing in well in the tournament, but last night was about more than the 3. Hansbrough and Jackson did a great job off the dribble. Pittsburgh was forced to sink back and take away the drive. Plus, ND out-rebounded them 31-21. Now, if Harangody would stop playing LIKE HE IS AUDITIONING FOR THE NBA, the Irish might get an invite. I cringe every time I see Harangody stepping out on the perimeter. It screams: Hey look scouts! I am a tweener, but I can shoot.
OJ Anderson played with the Cards and he was the MVP for the Giants when they won the Super Bowl. Wilbert Montgomery played with Harold Carmichael.
I couldn’t agree more with the case for Andy Rautins. He has improved so much, over the years. Especially in the passing game, some of the passes he made were incredible. Also his driving to the hoop on the fast break. Such a special player, and the key to SU success.
BTW i might be going to the game Saturday
OJ Anderson; that’s it. Who does ‘Cuse have Sat nite?
The Cuse will be playing Villanove in front of the biggest on campus crowd in NCAAB history.
Topic #1: For ND, outrebounding anybody is a step in the right direction. They have generally lacked interior toughness and muscle for several years, including this year. Maybe there’s a distinct focus to fix that NOW. Let’s see if we see that tenacity over the next few games … all of them are “must-wins”. Casey … your point about ‘Gody is legit … and I will also agree with your other point … I’ve seen Jackson, Abro, Hansbrough and others miss tons of layups or short put-backs … it’s unnerving. Free throws, too! For as big as he is, Abro can sure play soft in the paint. For 95% of his career, Jackson has been terribly unclutch when it comes to shooting … outside or inside.
Pete’s topic #3: Some names to add to the list of “3-4 year wonders” at running back: Terry Metcalf (Cardinals), Lawrence McCutcheon (Rams), Chuck Foreman (Vikings), Leroy Kelly (Browns), Neal Anderson (Bears), Billy Sims (Lions), Icky Woods (Bengals). A more recent example has to be Terrel Davis (Broncos) … 2-3 awesome years, then pffft … gone. Kelly actually made the HoF due to a fairly long career, but his years of “stardom” were few. His brother Pat Kelly was one of my favorites on the ’70s White Sox.
Mark – you are going Saturday? I am JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy Rautins should be in the Big East POY discussion as should Wes Johnson. Judging by the way those guys play together, they would probably deflect any and all praise to someone other than themselves.
Lawrence McCutcheon – great name – staccato cadence. It always sounded great Lawrence McCutcheon for the first down.
Here is a name: Floyd Little.
Since you mentioned Floyd Little … we probably need to add Otis Armstrong, also from the Broncos. There’s Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick from Miami. Mark Van Eeghen of the Raiders.
Floyd Little of SU and Denver. Probably just me, but I did not consider Little, McCutcheon, Foreman, or especially Leroy Kelly as shooting stars. Ithought they had legitimate longevity, but then those years are hazy in my old age. Otherwise Wally, some very good additions to the list. Remember Bobby Mitchell? Wasn’t he part of the Jim Brown/Leroy Kelly Browns before going to Washington and changing his name?
Let me introduce topic #4 … actually a question: Who will win the Gold in Men’s Hockey this weekend???
My brain says the Canucks will take it, but my heart is obviously with the Yanks! It’s kinda funny that Canada’s entire national self-esteem is hanging on the outcome
Pete —
Regarding the name change … are you thinking of Bobby Moore (Ahmad Rashad with the Vikings)???
Think I was Wally. Good call. The changed-to name I had in mind was Rashad, but I knew he was too young to be Mitchell’s era. I liked Mitchell; he was one of the first true flanker backs. Of course I liked Rashad too; he was a Viking. I think as Bobby Moore he played at Oregon or OSU.
Mark VanEghen; wasn’t he a Colgate product. That IS coming from nowhere in NFL. I think USA takes the gold. If the Canadians could not muster enough emotion to beat them in the first match, then I can’t see them finding a hidden cache now. Even if they do, USA’s emotions are going to be an even bigger factor in a rematch. USA! USA!
Back to short-lived running backs: Wendell Tyler
Wow! That name would not even have entered my mind, that’s how flash-in-the-pan he was. But for “one brief moment in time” like Gordo Cooper in The Right Stuff”. Was Tyler with the Rams?
I looked it up. Tyler played for the Rams and 49ers. He had three 1,000-yard seasons ’79, ’81, and ’84.
Had to research it, but van Eeghen is Colgate, as was his predecessor at the Raiders, Marv Hubbard. Both were key performers on the Raiders when the Raiders were good. Hard to call Hubbard a flash, he was pretty productive for 8-10 years and his teams were AFL/Super Bowl champions. van Eeghen; flash-in-the-pan.
Tyler was spread out over 5 years; I wouldn’t have guessed that long.
How about Timmy Smith from the Redskins. He had basically one Super Bowl and 2 year season run.
Good call Smitty. He may be the shortest-lived of all. But he was hot for awhile.