Alabama gives Ole Miss basketball the Bryant-Denny Stadium treatment in the opulent Tad Smith Coliseum.
For at least 22 minutes they did, although it certainly did not take place in a world-class arena. Ole Miss, after spending those 22 minutes in a catatonic state, awoke and won a game that had to be won if the Rebels want to spend a sliver of March in a tournament not called the NIT (or whatever the latest insignificant tournament is that I can't remember). I still don't understand the completely different teams that played in the first half and the second half, but then again I don't understand this team at all. They can roll through spurts where only five or six teams in the country can beat them, then they follow that up with whatever the hell happened for the first 20 minutes in Oxford on Saturday. I don't know if it's a chemistry issue or a faulty internal belief in how good they actually are, thus the periods of complete disinterest and lack of effort, but 23 games into the season it's time for them to get their asses in gear and play to their potential. Or go ahead and totally collapse so I can stop spending my time following this team, which will spare me the pain and suffering I know is coming.
Florida State receives NCAA honor for being a bastion of academic integrity.
Not so much. Instead, due to their inability to control academic fraud, the Seminoles will vacate 12 wins that were a part of the Bobby Bowden era, or, as most people know it, the only significant period of Florida State football. It's hard to believe that between Bowden and Joe Paterno, one of them finally went away (had this academic thing not happened or Bowden's losing of his mind, they might both still be waging a silent war on one another). I was quite certain that one would eventually coach the other into the grave. Instead, Paterno will just coach himself into the grave. JOE, PLEASE STOP COACHING. NO ONE WANTS TO SEE YOU LITERALLY DIE ON THE SIDELINE. MY FRAGILE EMOTIONAL STATE WOULD BE OUT OF BALANCE FOR AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR DAYS.
Kevin Costner has a pleasant Super Bowl.
Did you see the trailer for the new version of Robin Hood (actually titled just boring Robin Hood, instead of a "Prince of Thieves" addition or a "We promise our leading actor will give a crap this time" tag)? Apparently, there were those in the Hollywood community unsatisfied with the last major installment of Robin Hood, which starred Costner and his Iowa accent rather than a British accent like everyone else in the movie (seriously, even Christian Slater made an effort to pull off the accent). The latest version stars Russell Crowe and is directed by Ridley Scott, who last teamed up with Crowe in Gladiator (or so I think; I'm not looking this one up). But more importantly, it appears as though the music of Brian Adams will not be a part of the 2010 version, which is a total disgrace. Ridley Scott, have you ever heard "Everything I Do"? It's a MUSICAL MASTERPIECE. HOW DARE YOU LEAVE OUT A PIANO SOLO ON SOME CLIFF IN THE ENGLISH WILDERNESS. I ALREADY HATE THIS MOVIE.
The New Orleans Saints wilt once again in the face of pressure.
Never in my lifetime did I think I would ever utter the sentence, "I can't believe the Saints just won the Super Bowl." And I did just that Sunday night, which, a few hours after the Super Bowl, is still hard to believe I did. A franchise with a foundation of failure and four cornerstones of even more failure (is it possible to have more than one cornerstone? I know nothing in terms of building things so forgive me if I'm off on that one.) is now the best team in professional football.
Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi (or, as those of us who lived their knew it, The Bold New City), I was subjected to the Saints appearing on our television every Sunday afternoon. And they sucked. Terribly. Despite this suckiness, we still got them every Sunday. No matter what important national game might be on, we did not see that game. Instead, we watched the Saints bumble around with a team that either kicked the crap out of them or a team that managed to win by not being as awful as the Saints. So, I hated the Saints for being awful and for keeping me from watching a game that actually mattered in the NFL. And it was made worse by those around me, who were Saints fans, despite already caring for teams that consistently failed them (Ole Miss and Mississippi State), and I was forced to listen to their constant belief that the Saints would eventually be relevant in professional football.
Even when the Saints experienced a taste of success with the hiring of Sean Peyton and signing of Drew Brees, I still carried the same dislike of them despite that success, after all they had ruined by childhood experience with the NFL. And I still carry that spite now, and had it throughout the Super Bowl. In fact, I was hoping they'd lose in the most painful way possible, just to make the loss even worse (maybe something like Eli Manning tripping against LSU in '03 on fourth down). But, even with my bias, it's hard to deny how awesome this win was for a group of people who have kept the faith all these years. I'm not talking about all these assholes (like so many Cubs' fans) who jumped on the bandwagon this season or in the past couple of years, but those people who put up with a steaming pile of crap for their lifetimes. To endure a seemingly endless display of failure with no indication things were getting better is an especially brutal task for a sports fan (to this day, I have no idea how someone who followed Ole Miss in the 70s and 80s can give a crap about the school), yet there is a large group of people who did just that. And to those people, I say congratulations, you've earned it. Even though it irritates the hell out of me. But as for the Saints fans who appeared around 2006, take off your Red Sox or Cubs hat, go find your Tom Brady jersey and get out of the way of the real Saints fans who need to let everyone know what this win means.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Coach's Diary: Houston Nutt Edition
It's a little known fact that most coaches in every sport in every level of competition keep a diary. Here, they have a place where they can turn and reveal their innermost thoughts and reactions to both the smart and incredibly stupid things they do during the course of their job (We know they don't turn to their wives because she doesn't understand the complexities of sport, but a blank piece of paper sure does.). And, thanks to my stealthy skills in the field of breaking and entering, you, the reader, now have access to these innermost thoughts penned by some of the finest and not-so-finest minds in the world of sport.
2/3/10
3:54 PM
Dear Diary,
What an outstanding day. Signing day. Just amazing. Got a little sunshine and got a great group of outstanding young men coming to Oxford. Can't wait for them to get here. Gonna have 'em out to the house in August. Show 'em around. Big fish fry. Maybe even let 'em ride my horses. Big, beautiful animals those horses. So gentle and obedient. And they loooove their food. Eat two times a day. More oats than I can count. Although sometimes I'll slip 'em a carrot or two. Wish I could eat like that. A beautiful thing.
But, oh boy, I'll tell you what else I like. The tremendously outstanding group of young men our fine staff was able to sign today. Lots of character in this group. Come from fine families. All of 'em. They're gonna look beautiful when they finally put on those red and blue jerseys in the fall. That blue says tradition, but those reds look so beautiful out on the field. Really nice. Beautiful like so many mamas and grandmamas I met over the last year. Great families. Lots of character. And good people. Just outstanding. I hope that's what our Ole Miss family is like. Home away from home.
And those mamas, families are outstanding like our coaches' recruiting efforts over the last year. It takes that kind of effort to succeed in this league. Southeastern Conference. Most competitive league in America. Each days is a challenge. A challenge to get better. As a team and individually. Gotta meet that challenge. That's what we need and demand of our young men. We'll teach it if they don't have it. Bring 'em into the Ole Miss family. No question about it.
Well, gotta go. Jerrell and Kentrell should be out here any minute now. See if we can't catch some fish in the pond out back. Funny creatures those fish. Always underwater. Gills. And slippery. But beautiful. Can't wait to see what we get.
P.S. Don't like to touch those bait worms. To slimy. Sneaky. Worried they might bite. See if Kentrell can't help me out.
P.S.S. Gotta watch Jerrell's catfish intake. Need him slim and trim for spring practice.
2/3/10
3:54 PM
Dear Diary,
What an outstanding day. Signing day. Just amazing. Got a little sunshine and got a great group of outstanding young men coming to Oxford. Can't wait for them to get here. Gonna have 'em out to the house in August. Show 'em around. Big fish fry. Maybe even let 'em ride my horses. Big, beautiful animals those horses. So gentle and obedient. And they loooove their food. Eat two times a day. More oats than I can count. Although sometimes I'll slip 'em a carrot or two. Wish I could eat like that. A beautiful thing.
But, oh boy, I'll tell you what else I like. The tremendously outstanding group of young men our fine staff was able to sign today. Lots of character in this group. Come from fine families. All of 'em. They're gonna look beautiful when they finally put on those red and blue jerseys in the fall. That blue says tradition, but those reds look so beautiful out on the field. Really nice. Beautiful like so many mamas and grandmamas I met over the last year. Great families. Lots of character. And good people. Just outstanding. I hope that's what our Ole Miss family is like. Home away from home.
And those mamas, families are outstanding like our coaches' recruiting efforts over the last year. It takes that kind of effort to succeed in this league. Southeastern Conference. Most competitive league in America. Each days is a challenge. A challenge to get better. As a team and individually. Gotta meet that challenge. That's what we need and demand of our young men. We'll teach it if they don't have it. Bring 'em into the Ole Miss family. No question about it.
Well, gotta go. Jerrell and Kentrell should be out here any minute now. See if we can't catch some fish in the pond out back. Funny creatures those fish. Always underwater. Gills. And slippery. But beautiful. Can't wait to see what we get.
P.S. Don't like to touch those bait worms. To slimy. Sneaky. Worried they might bite. See if Kentrell can't help me out.
P.S.S. Gotta watch Jerrell's catfish intake. Need him slim and trim for spring practice.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Ole Miss at Kentucky: Live and Uncensored
5:47
We're a few minutes before tip-off and I just read that Jevan Snead has been invited to the NFL Combine. Is this a good or bad omen for tonight's game? I'll go with anything involving him is a bad omen. And I hope he doesn't fly into the wrong city later this month.
6:00
Perhaps John Wall will still be pouting over Calipari getting on his case in the last two weeks. And maybe DeMarcus Cousins got lost on his way to Rupp Arena or assaulted someone and is currently behind bars....dammit. Starting lineups indicate Cousins is not incarcerated or lost.
6:03
Our analyst tonight, Jimmy Dykes, is dressed like a funeral home director.
6:06
Outstanding start. 7-0 Kentucky two minutes in. Cousins is on pace for 60 rebounds (3 so far) and we look as confident as Jevan Snead staring at a rotating zone defense.
6:15
First TV timeout sees the fouling factory, DeAundre Cranston with two fouls and the recipient of one shot blocked. He's on pace to foul out in 10 minutes. Kentucky has also lost interest in playing defense, which is our only hope for victory right now, and the Rebs have snuck back in it, 12-9.
6:17
DEANGELO RILEY IS IN THE GAME. SHIT.
6:18
After a charge, DeAngelo Riley is no longer in the game.
6:20
And the rout is on. 20-9 and Ole Miss calls timeout with 12:29 to go in the first half. Whatever the exact opposite of intimidating defense is, that's what we're playing.
6:24
The Rebels are staggering into TV timeout number two. It's now 24-9. As Cousin Eddie once said, I haven't seen a beating this bad since something to do with a monkey and a banana in someone's pants.
6:32
Someone tell Terrico White the game has actually started. We're 11 minutes in and waiting for a pulse. 29-18.
6:33
Cranston is back in and I'm not sure even Vegas would give odds for him seeing the five minute mark with only two fouls.
6:36
Kennedy prevents Cranston from his automatic third foul by taking him out. And in better news, DeAngelo Riley is wondering around the floor. If Kentucky were to strategically place pieces of tin foil around the court, it would easily become a five on four game, given Riley's tendency to be distracted by shiny objects. And the game of basketball. 36-23, 5:30 to go, and Cousins should have a double-double by halftime. And Jimmy Dykes is trying to hit 100 in number of times he says "the box."
6:45
The under four timeout and the Rebels, including Terrico White, have revived themselves, only down seven. By me typing this, Kentucky will most assuredly go on a 10-0 run to close the half. That and whatever nonsense David Kellum is saying on the radio about a late push before halftime.
6:46
Patrick Patterson is yet another black man who can pull off the wispy mustache. Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Carl Weathers to name a few others. My wispy mustache would result in all of my neighbors getting a flyer from a government agency warning them of my presence.
6:52
I recant my disparagement of DeAngelo Riley. Two big rebounds, a low post move for a score and a blocked shot. But he also just got foul number three.
6:55
Halftime. Great job to get it to three before wilting and entering half down nine (46-37). At least for the first half, total disaster has been avoided. And enough of this John Wall got his feelings hurt talk. It's called someone finally telling him his shit stinks just like everyone else's on God's green Earth. Welcome to reality, coddled superstar.
7:12
The most uninteresting way to spend halftime? A lecture on Michigan State's ability to set great screens. That's just great, but for one small detail, NO ONE OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN GIVES A CRAP.
7:17
Let the record show that DeAundre Cranston just blocked DeMarcus Cousins. In a related story, continents are starting to fall into the world's oceans.
7:20
The Rebels are now operating on three wheels and the power steering has gone out. Down 15 and in danger of losing another wheel. Also, John Wall looks like he's having fun out there, which is what we're all very concerned with. Someone check him for woman parts.
7:23
Kentucky's laziness on defense is the Rebels' best friend right now. It's back down to nine. And Calipari is one more Cousins' jog back on defense from physically attacking him.
7:27
Two shockers at the under 16 timeout: One, Cranston has yet to pick up his third foul, setting some sort of personal record. And two, he just hit a three to cut it to eight. Unfortunately, this will cause him to think he can actually shoot threes, which he cannot. Before that three, his last make was December 19th against Centenary. DON'T DO IT AGAIN, DEAUNDRE.
7:33
Ah, life with Cranston and Trevor Gaskins. Last two possessions: Missed three by Cranston (I told you he would shoot again) and a Gaskins turnover. Kentucky goes up by eight after the Rebels cut it to three.
7:39
Unless Kentucky starts missing threes, the Rebels have no chance. Too small inside and......HOLY BALLS. Cranston just took Cousins off the dribble, got fouled and made the shot, then naturally missed the free throw. And amazingly, the Rebels then create a turnover and Cranston plows over someone for a charge. Kentucky leads 71-61.
7:46
Back to staggering as we reach the under eight timeout. Kentucky is up 12, but can pretty much do what they want on offense now. Solid effort though by Ole Miss, especially Terrico White who finally woke up earlier and starting playing to his potential, 19 points and seven rebounds.
7:50
Kennedy needs to tell Eniel Polynice that if he shoots one more three, he's going to eat his soul for his next meal.
7:55
With 2:52 to go, Ole Miss down 14, but more importantly, the Official DeAundre Cranston Foul Out Watch begins as he just picked up number four. And he also allowed Cousins to score on his foul. To be fair, and I'll have to check the stats after the game, Cranston may have set a personal record for most minutes played in a conference game this year.
8:00
Brad Nessler, you know doesn't give a shit if John Wall is happy? AMERICA. Don't act as if we should feel sorry for a guy who will be making millions of dollars in a few months (up from the thousands he makes now) just because his coach is on his ass. Tell us something we can use, like what kind of panties he wears.
8:02
He's done it. Cranston is done. Five spectacular fouls.
8:03
And it's finally over. Kentucky wins 85-75. Not many complaints about this loss, other than the John Wall pity party. We took some bad shots, made our usual stupid decisions, but played pretty well considering the deficit we faced down low. I can only hope Terrico White realizes that this is the game we need from him the rest of the way. And finally, a tip of the hat to DeAundre Cranston, who managed to play an entire half (20 total minutes) of basketball before fouling out.
We're a few minutes before tip-off and I just read that Jevan Snead has been invited to the NFL Combine. Is this a good or bad omen for tonight's game? I'll go with anything involving him is a bad omen. And I hope he doesn't fly into the wrong city later this month.
6:00
Perhaps John Wall will still be pouting over Calipari getting on his case in the last two weeks. And maybe DeMarcus Cousins got lost on his way to Rupp Arena or assaulted someone and is currently behind bars....dammit. Starting lineups indicate Cousins is not incarcerated or lost.
6:03
Our analyst tonight, Jimmy Dykes, is dressed like a funeral home director.
6:06
Outstanding start. 7-0 Kentucky two minutes in. Cousins is on pace for 60 rebounds (3 so far) and we look as confident as Jevan Snead staring at a rotating zone defense.
6:15
First TV timeout sees the fouling factory, DeAundre Cranston with two fouls and the recipient of one shot blocked. He's on pace to foul out in 10 minutes. Kentucky has also lost interest in playing defense, which is our only hope for victory right now, and the Rebs have snuck back in it, 12-9.
6:17
DEANGELO RILEY IS IN THE GAME. SHIT.
6:18
After a charge, DeAngelo Riley is no longer in the game.
6:20
And the rout is on. 20-9 and Ole Miss calls timeout with 12:29 to go in the first half. Whatever the exact opposite of intimidating defense is, that's what we're playing.
6:24
The Rebels are staggering into TV timeout number two. It's now 24-9. As Cousin Eddie once said, I haven't seen a beating this bad since something to do with a monkey and a banana in someone's pants.
6:32
Someone tell Terrico White the game has actually started. We're 11 minutes in and waiting for a pulse. 29-18.
6:33
Cranston is back in and I'm not sure even Vegas would give odds for him seeing the five minute mark with only two fouls.
6:36
Kennedy prevents Cranston from his automatic third foul by taking him out. And in better news, DeAngelo Riley is wondering around the floor. If Kentucky were to strategically place pieces of tin foil around the court, it would easily become a five on four game, given Riley's tendency to be distracted by shiny objects. And the game of basketball. 36-23, 5:30 to go, and Cousins should have a double-double by halftime. And Jimmy Dykes is trying to hit 100 in number of times he says "the box."
6:45
The under four timeout and the Rebels, including Terrico White, have revived themselves, only down seven. By me typing this, Kentucky will most assuredly go on a 10-0 run to close the half. That and whatever nonsense David Kellum is saying on the radio about a late push before halftime.
6:46
Patrick Patterson is yet another black man who can pull off the wispy mustache. Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Carl Weathers to name a few others. My wispy mustache would result in all of my neighbors getting a flyer from a government agency warning them of my presence.
6:52
I recant my disparagement of DeAngelo Riley. Two big rebounds, a low post move for a score and a blocked shot. But he also just got foul number three.
6:55
Halftime. Great job to get it to three before wilting and entering half down nine (46-37). At least for the first half, total disaster has been avoided. And enough of this John Wall got his feelings hurt talk. It's called someone finally telling him his shit stinks just like everyone else's on God's green Earth. Welcome to reality, coddled superstar.
7:12
The most uninteresting way to spend halftime? A lecture on Michigan State's ability to set great screens. That's just great, but for one small detail, NO ONE OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN GIVES A CRAP.
7:17
Let the record show that DeAundre Cranston just blocked DeMarcus Cousins. In a related story, continents are starting to fall into the world's oceans.
7:20
The Rebels are now operating on three wheels and the power steering has gone out. Down 15 and in danger of losing another wheel. Also, John Wall looks like he's having fun out there, which is what we're all very concerned with. Someone check him for woman parts.
7:23
Kentucky's laziness on defense is the Rebels' best friend right now. It's back down to nine. And Calipari is one more Cousins' jog back on defense from physically attacking him.
7:27
Two shockers at the under 16 timeout: One, Cranston has yet to pick up his third foul, setting some sort of personal record. And two, he just hit a three to cut it to eight. Unfortunately, this will cause him to think he can actually shoot threes, which he cannot. Before that three, his last make was December 19th against Centenary. DON'T DO IT AGAIN, DEAUNDRE.
7:33
Ah, life with Cranston and Trevor Gaskins. Last two possessions: Missed three by Cranston (I told you he would shoot again) and a Gaskins turnover. Kentucky goes up by eight after the Rebels cut it to three.
7:39
Unless Kentucky starts missing threes, the Rebels have no chance. Too small inside and......HOLY BALLS. Cranston just took Cousins off the dribble, got fouled and made the shot, then naturally missed the free throw. And amazingly, the Rebels then create a turnover and Cranston plows over someone for a charge. Kentucky leads 71-61.
7:46
Back to staggering as we reach the under eight timeout. Kentucky is up 12, but can pretty much do what they want on offense now. Solid effort though by Ole Miss, especially Terrico White who finally woke up earlier and starting playing to his potential, 19 points and seven rebounds.
7:50
Kennedy needs to tell Eniel Polynice that if he shoots one more three, he's going to eat his soul for his next meal.
7:55
With 2:52 to go, Ole Miss down 14, but more importantly, the Official DeAundre Cranston Foul Out Watch begins as he just picked up number four. And he also allowed Cousins to score on his foul. To be fair, and I'll have to check the stats after the game, Cranston may have set a personal record for most minutes played in a conference game this year.
8:00
Brad Nessler, you know doesn't give a shit if John Wall is happy? AMERICA. Don't act as if we should feel sorry for a guy who will be making millions of dollars in a few months (up from the thousands he makes now) just because his coach is on his ass. Tell us something we can use, like what kind of panties he wears.
8:02
He's done it. Cranston is done. Five spectacular fouls.
8:03
And it's finally over. Kentucky wins 85-75. Not many complaints about this loss, other than the John Wall pity party. We took some bad shots, made our usual stupid decisions, but played pretty well considering the deficit we faced down low. I can only hope Terrico White realizes that this is the game we need from him the rest of the way. And finally, a tip of the hat to DeAundre Cranston, who managed to play an entire half (20 total minutes) of basketball before fouling out.
The Belly of the Beast Live
In a little less than five hours, Ole Miss collides with Kentucky in what could have been an interesting game had Ole Miss not lost Reginald Buckner and lost to Arkansas. Instead, we'll probably be treated to the DeMarcus Cousins Show and a thrashing the likes of which we haven't seen since the Rod Barnes era. So, in honor of the impending flashback, I'll be doing a live blog/post/whatever throughout the game. Make plans for an after-hours stop here and feel free to leave disparaging comments as you wait for the season premiere of Lost, which IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME FOR IT TO START. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT NEED VAGUE ANSWERS.
Monday, February 01, 2010
What Didn't Happen Over the Weekend
Ole Miss protects home court; punishes mediocre Arkansas team.
At least it seemed fairly likely to happen. After winning back-to-back SEC road games for the first time since Rod Barnes was unknowingly and slowly laying the groundwork for four straight seasons of no more than four conference wins, the Rebels came tumbling down from the top of the gently rising hill that is the SEC West. Outsized, due to foul trouble and the loss of Reginald Bucker, and outshot due to, well, bad shots and an inability to score at the rim, the Rebels now find themselves in serious and most certain danger of being .500 at the halfway point of conference play. Currently at 4-3 in the SEC, Ole Miss plays at Kentucky on Tuesday night and faces the strong possibility of getting run out of the gym. Or as head coach Andy Kennedy put it after the game, letting "Kentucky name their score."
Without Buckner (out at least another week with a sprained ankle), the Rebels are hopeless in the post. And given that Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson are next up, things could turn ugly. Standing in their way of scoring a combined 60 points and grabbing 30 rebounds are DeAundre Crantston, a less athletic version of Dwayne Curtis (which is almost hard to imagine), Terrance Henry (while tall, not a true post player) and Murphy Holloway (very athletic and strong, but terribly undersized). And that's assuming these guys don't foul out (Cranston most certainly will; it took him all of 13 minutes to do so last night, which didn't even break his record of eight minutes to foul out against Mississippi State), which would lead the way to Zach Graham moving down low as he did against Arkansas, and we know how that turned out. So if you enjoy brutal, physical domination in the arena of sport, I invite you to watch Tuesday night as Cousins and Patterson pillage and burn the Ole Miss post.
No other SEC basketball games were played.
While they did not appear on my television, I'm sure they were marginally enjoyable games to watch. I can only assume that some teams won and others lost.
Rex Ryan of the New York Jets enjoys a healthy, quiet night at home.
Well, I'm sure that was the plan anyway. Ryan is taking heat for flipping off a Miami Dolphins fan at a mixed martial arts event on Saturday night as shown in pictorial form here. I'm sure this was just a knee-jerk reaction to Rex being lied to about the location of a buffet of bear claws and meatballs, as he tends to get a little surly when he falls short of his 7,000 calorie a day diet. After eventually sniffing out the location and then punishing the buffet, he later told the crowd that his Jets were going to wreck the Dolphins' shit next year. Or something close to that.
The Pro Bowl holds the sports world hostage for a few hours.
If the Pro Bowl were to actually try to hold someone hostage, I think they'd be about as successful as me. First, subduing the hostage would be an enormous challenge. I don't know any CTU or Seagal moves, so unless I had a gun, it probably wouldn't work. And second, tying the hostage up. I don't know any good knots other than a square knot, so I think it be pretty easy to wiggle free with a little determined effort. Plus, and more importantly, I don't own any rope, so that's sort of a problem right there. So in review, the Pro Bowl is not and will never be a good kidnapper.
At least it seemed fairly likely to happen. After winning back-to-back SEC road games for the first time since Rod Barnes was unknowingly and slowly laying the groundwork for four straight seasons of no more than four conference wins, the Rebels came tumbling down from the top of the gently rising hill that is the SEC West. Outsized, due to foul trouble and the loss of Reginald Bucker, and outshot due to, well, bad shots and an inability to score at the rim, the Rebels now find themselves in serious and most certain danger of being .500 at the halfway point of conference play. Currently at 4-3 in the SEC, Ole Miss plays at Kentucky on Tuesday night and faces the strong possibility of getting run out of the gym. Or as head coach Andy Kennedy put it after the game, letting "Kentucky name their score."
Without Buckner (out at least another week with a sprained ankle), the Rebels are hopeless in the post. And given that Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson are next up, things could turn ugly. Standing in their way of scoring a combined 60 points and grabbing 30 rebounds are DeAundre Crantston, a less athletic version of Dwayne Curtis (which is almost hard to imagine), Terrance Henry (while tall, not a true post player) and Murphy Holloway (very athletic and strong, but terribly undersized). And that's assuming these guys don't foul out (Cranston most certainly will; it took him all of 13 minutes to do so last night, which didn't even break his record of eight minutes to foul out against Mississippi State), which would lead the way to Zach Graham moving down low as he did against Arkansas, and we know how that turned out. So if you enjoy brutal, physical domination in the arena of sport, I invite you to watch Tuesday night as Cousins and Patterson pillage and burn the Ole Miss post.
No other SEC basketball games were played.
While they did not appear on my television, I'm sure they were marginally enjoyable games to watch. I can only assume that some teams won and others lost.
Rex Ryan of the New York Jets enjoys a healthy, quiet night at home.
Well, I'm sure that was the plan anyway. Ryan is taking heat for flipping off a Miami Dolphins fan at a mixed martial arts event on Saturday night as shown in pictorial form here. I'm sure this was just a knee-jerk reaction to Rex being lied to about the location of a buffet of bear claws and meatballs, as he tends to get a little surly when he falls short of his 7,000 calorie a day diet. After eventually sniffing out the location and then punishing the buffet, he later told the crowd that his Jets were going to wreck the Dolphins' shit next year. Or something close to that.
The Pro Bowl holds the sports world hostage for a few hours.
If the Pro Bowl were to actually try to hold someone hostage, I think they'd be about as successful as me. First, subduing the hostage would be an enormous challenge. I don't know any CTU or Seagal moves, so unless I had a gun, it probably wouldn't work. And second, tying the hostage up. I don't know any good knots other than a square knot, so I think it be pretty easy to wiggle free with a little determined effort. Plus, and more importantly, I don't own any rope, so that's sort of a problem right there. So in review, the Pro Bowl is not and will never be a good kidnapper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)