Vandy post-mordem

First half -- we saw just how good this team can be.
Second half -- we saw just how bad this team can be.
I have never witnessed such incongruence in two halves of college basketball. Very disappointing; very disheartening. I went with a friend of mine (who is not a Hoyas fan) and we agreed that it wasn't until the game was basically over that we thought the Hoyas would lose. We were clearly the better team and completely dominated the first half. In the second half, we looked like the team that lost to Temple by 18 in our first game of the season. I would love to hear some explanation for what happened. We couldn't hit a shot; we couldn't grab a rebound. (And give Vandy some credit--I don't think they missed a shot in the last 10 mintues of the game.) This makes the games against Oregon and Illinois so much more important.

From the Hoya

The Type of Thing That Makes Diamond's Blood Boil

The Washington Post on-line posted a story on its front page this morning that read: "Goals Same for Terps, Hoyas."

Yet, if you actually go to the actual article it only talks about Maryland...there is not a single mention of Georgetown.

A slap in the face to be sure!

As much as I delude myself, I know it's not as sexy as being 7th ranked in college hoops. But, the current national ranking of 7th for the men's x/c team is a pretty amazing thing. To me it signifies the resurgence of the men's team to back to a level not seen since our freshman year - we were 6th or 7th in the country going in to the national qualifier & ended up not going to nationals. (ncaa has since adopted an at large bid procedure similar in nature to the final four). Prior to our arrival at GU, we were a historical power (to an extent greater than hoops).

Although bball brings in scores more cash & national name recognition (i've personally never met anyone who said they first heard of GU b/c of track), it was always a sore point that the number of national championships & all-americans far outnumbered that of any team at GU.

But, I guess such is the frustation of realizing that being scrawny & fast isn't as cool as being able to put on a show on the bball court. It's just great to see the Hoyas running well again.

http://guhoyas.collegesports.com/sports/m-track/recaps/111205aab.html

Vince Neil make's GU's media guide

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/gu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/MBB_Intro_0506MG.pdf

It is unclear whether this is before or after his celebrity make-over.

Poor Seton Hall

Seton Hall 40 - Duke 93

I think this result just proves that Seton Hall is going to be the program that suffers most from the new, deeper Big East.

"Cell Phone Bandit" is a Hoyas fan

Bowman

According to the press guide Bowman is Antoine Walker's cousin. Draw whatever conclusions you wish from that IPB.

Fantasy Final Four

Pretty cool / interesting final four scenarios pitting the "dream team" for each school up against one another. GU's staring 5 would be Iverson, Sleepy Floyd, Ewing, Mutombo, & Zo.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hoops/tournament/index

Great article on front page of WashTimes

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20051115-124752-1128r.htm

Article on Doc and Jeramiah

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/orl-rivers1305nov13,0,2136513.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines-hs

new b-school building coming soon

http://www.msb.edu/alumni/new_building/

Letter of intent watch

It appears Summers has signed his. Still waiting on Rivers (can we call him "Baby Doc"?) and Big Ticket.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/bal-sp.signing09nov09,1,5898607.story?coll=bal-college-mbasketball%20&ctrack=1&cset=true

Austin's a Hoya!

Huge pick-up. One of the best shooting guards in the country. Check the video below; very impressive. He's ranked #37 nationally by Rivals and #24 by Scout in the class of 2007. Austin had offers from Maryland, Cuse, Notre Dame, and NCState.

Articles:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20051110-121538-9320r.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110902192.html

(You'll note that the post article focuses on Maryland's consolation prize; the local coverage is still very very biased in favor of the Terps. That will change.)

Implications:
1. Firmly establishes GU as the #1 recruiting power in the D.C. area. This is the second major talent we've snapped up from under Gary's nose (the first being Summers). Local kids want to play at GU.
2. Leaves us with only one open slot guaranteed for 2007. That said, there will be attrition (likely Green going pro) and a second will undoubtedly open up. That means JTIII will probably try to get a commit soon from Biggie Mclain and then focuses on the top few local players left. He is largley building the program on local ties and local playes like Pops did in the 1970s. With all of the talent in the D.C. area that's a pretty bankable strategy.

Austin Freeman announces on Wednesday

Dematha sensation Austin Freeman is announcing his college decision on Wednesday. He visited NC St. last weekend and Notre Dame this weekend. Word is that GU and Maryland are the local favorites, but GU has supposedly been leading for a while. Rivals ranks him #37 in class of 2007. This video will make me weep if we don't get him:
http://www.hssmtv.com/Players/Austin%20Freeman.htm


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102702563.html

U Convicts!

Somebody on another board compiled this list of run-ins with the law at UConn since 1990. It is amazing how rarely you hear UConn called out for this stuff. Wow!

Since 1990 the confirmed incidents involving University of Conneticut men's basketball players goes something like this.
1990Murray Williams – DWI. He was later dismissed from the team for academic reasons.
1993Brian Fair - Shoplifting. Placed on accelerated rehabilitation, community service.
1994Rudy Johnson - Breach of peace.
1998Antric Klaiber – DUI. Suspended for two games. Doug Wrenn – Shoplifting. Community service.
1999Khalid El-Amin – Possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana. Record cleared after small amount of community service.Doug Wrenn – Public disturbance citation.
2000Tony Robertson and Doug Wrenn – Tickets for goods investigation. Two suspensions; Wrenn for eight games; Robertson for one.Doug Wrenn - Breach of peace. Placed on accelerated rehabilitation and dismissed from the team.
2001Marcus Cox - Marijuana possession. Placed on accelerated rehabilitation and allowed to enter drug education program.
2003Ben Gordon - Charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Placed on accelerated rehabilitation and community service.
2004Assistant coach Clyde Vaughan - Patronizing a prostitute and interfering with an officer. Resigned from the coaching staff.
2005Antonio Kellogg - Charged with possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana. Suspended from team March 14 because of an undisclosed violation of team policy (code violation). Antonio Kellogg - Charged with criminal intent to assault a police officer, criminal trespass and interfering with an officer. Granted accelerated rehabilitation for both charges and previous marijuana charge, education program, community service and was expelled from UConn.A. J. Price - Charged with four counts of third-degree larceny and one count of making a false statement to police. One year suspension form team activities, suspended from classes until spring semester.Marcus Williams - Charged with four counts of third-degree larceny. Granted accelerated rehabilitation and placed on 18 months probation, community service. Suspended from team activities for remainder of fall semester. Granted return to practice on Dec. 17th and full competition Jan. 3rd. He was previously suspended from competition at the end of his freshman season for academic reasons.

CBS BE preview

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9017076