Last week Pete Thamel of the New York Times reported that prized Kentucky recruit Enes Kanter was being paid by a professional Turkish basketball team. Now today, in this morning's Birmingham News comes word that former Wildcat and current LA Clipper Eric Bledsoe has conflicting grades in his high school transcripts, allegedly fudged so he could be eligible to play basketball.
Bledsoe Allegations
For John Calipari, it's the same old song and dance for him; this situation sounds eerily similar to one Derrick Rose and what happened in Memphis. Yes, there was the SAT score, but Derrick's also involved grade changing that got him into Memphis. The result of that investigation cost the Tigers the 2007-08 season, in which they appeared in the National Championship game, and we can see loud and clear what can happen when a player is found ineligible by the NCAA (Looking at you, Reggie Bush).
It is in this writer's opinion that if these and the Kanter allegations are found to be true that the University of Kentucky should re-evaluate how Mr. Calipari is running their basketball program. The University of Kentucky has more at stake than possibly vacating the 2009-10 season and their Elite 8 appearance; their reputation as one of the elite basketball programs in the country is also on the line.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
What the puck? Hockey's already here?
It's here. For those that don't know, I've been a reporter and a cameraman for Charter Communication's "College Hockey Weekend" the past two seasons. CHW reaches 4 million homes across the Dakotas, MN, WI, the UP of Michigan, and Northern Iowa. While I'll be still performing these duties this upcoming year for such an amazing broadcast that I have been blessed to work for these past two seasons, I'm helping to add a new role to the CHW broadcasts. Not only will I be assisting in writing the weekly Pregame show, but I'll also be a feature blogger for their new blog over at collegehockeyweekend.blogspot.com.
Now to what this new gig encompasses: CHW covers Minnesota State-Mankato hockey, and to a lesser extent, the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Conference for the uninitiated) at large. Naturally, you'll see a lot of that in my posts. However, from me you'll also get a "bigger picture" of the national Collegiate Hockey scene, such as looking at other conferences such as the CCHA, Atlantic Hockey, and Hockey East, the latest on recruits, and even the occasional trip "North of the Border" to check in on Canadian collegiate hockey and Canadian juniors.
Even if you're not a big hockey fan but you enjoy my work it's worth a visit or vice versa.
Now to what this new gig encompasses: CHW covers Minnesota State-Mankato hockey, and to a lesser extent, the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Conference for the uninitiated) at large. Naturally, you'll see a lot of that in my posts. However, from me you'll also get a "bigger picture" of the national Collegiate Hockey scene, such as looking at other conferences such as the CCHA, Atlantic Hockey, and Hockey East, the latest on recruits, and even the occasional trip "North of the Border" to check in on Canadian collegiate hockey and Canadian juniors.
Even if you're not a big hockey fan but you enjoy my work it's worth a visit or vice versa.
Another day, Another Detroit officiating controversy
If you haven't seen the robbery controversial officiating in the last seconds of the Bears/Lions game yesterday here you go (Thom Brennaman for Fox Sports on the call):
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a77070/Controversial-call-on-Megatron-non-TD
The rule states: If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Pure and simple, to me if Calvin Johnson didn't make that unnecessary reach; he would have kept "possession" of the ball. The rule is bad, but we shouldn't be picketing the league. Next question: Should I be worried about this Lions team that's pumped after this game? Shaun Hill, after all, is an ex-Viking who's looking for revenge...
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a77070/Controversial-call-on-Megatron-non-TD
The rule states: If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Pure and simple, to me if Calvin Johnson didn't make that unnecessary reach; he would have kept "possession" of the ball. The rule is bad, but we shouldn't be picketing the league. Next question: Should I be worried about this Lions team that's pumped after this game? Shaun Hill, after all, is an ex-Viking who's looking for revenge...
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sorensen Poll Week #2
A new week, a new #1 team in the country:
As always, unless noted, games take place Saturday Sept. 18th with times in EDT.
1. Alabama (2-0 at Duke 3:30 PM)
2. Boise State (1-0 at Wyoming 8 PM)
3. Ohio State (2-0 vs. Ohio Noon)
4. Florida (2-0 at Tennessee 3:30 PM)
5. TCU (2-0 vs. Baylor 4:30 PM)
6. Texas (2-0 at Texas Tech 8 PM)
7. Oklahoma (2-0 vs. Air Force 3:30 PM)
8. Iowa (2-0 at #23 Arizona 10:30 PM)
9. Oregon (2-0 vs. Portland State 6:15 PM)
10. Wisconsin (2-0 vs. Oregon State 3:30 PM)
11. USC (2-0 at Minnesota 3:30 PM)
12. Arkansas (2-0 at #24 Georgia Noon)
13. LSU (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Mississippi State Noon)
14. Miami (Idle)
15. UNC (0-1 vs. #18 Georgia Tech Noon)
16. Pitt (1-1 Idle)
17. Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Clemson 7 PM)
18. Georgia Tech (1-1 at #15 UNC Noon)
19. Utah (2-0, 1-0 MWC at New Mexico 8 PM)
20. West Virginia (2-0 vs. Maryland Noon)
21. South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Furman 7 PM)
22. Stanford (2-0, 1-0 Pac 10 vs. Wake Forest 11:15 PM)
23. Arizona (2-0 vs. #8 Iowa 10:30 PM)
24. Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC vs. #12 Arkansas Noon)
25. Michigan (2-0 vs. Massachusetts Noon)
DROPPED OUT: #11 Virginia Tech, Team on the watch: Houston (2-0, 1-0 C-USA at UCLA 10:30 PM), FCS Matchup to watch: #13 Stephen F. Austin at #12 Northern Iowa 5:05 PM
As always, unless noted, games take place Saturday Sept. 18th with times in EDT.
1. Alabama (2-0 at Duke 3:30 PM)
2. Boise State (1-0 at Wyoming 8 PM)
3. Ohio State (2-0 vs. Ohio Noon)
4. Florida (2-0 at Tennessee 3:30 PM)
5. TCU (2-0 vs. Baylor 4:30 PM)
6. Texas (2-0 at Texas Tech 8 PM)
7. Oklahoma (2-0 vs. Air Force 3:30 PM)
8. Iowa (2-0 at #23 Arizona 10:30 PM)
9. Oregon (2-0 vs. Portland State 6:15 PM)
10. Wisconsin (2-0 vs. Oregon State 3:30 PM)
11. USC (2-0 at Minnesota 3:30 PM)
12. Arkansas (2-0 at #24 Georgia Noon)
13. LSU (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Mississippi State Noon)
14. Miami (Idle)
15. UNC (0-1 vs. #18 Georgia Tech Noon)
16. Pitt (1-1 Idle)
17. Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Clemson 7 PM)
18. Georgia Tech (1-1 at #15 UNC Noon)
19. Utah (2-0, 1-0 MWC at New Mexico 8 PM)
20. West Virginia (2-0 vs. Maryland Noon)
21. South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC vs. Furman 7 PM)
22. Stanford (2-0, 1-0 Pac 10 vs. Wake Forest 11:15 PM)
23. Arizona (2-0 vs. #8 Iowa 10:30 PM)
24. Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC vs. #12 Arkansas Noon)
25. Michigan (2-0 vs. Massachusetts Noon)
DROPPED OUT: #11 Virginia Tech, Team on the watch: Houston (2-0, 1-0 C-USA at UCLA 10:30 PM), FCS Matchup to watch: #13 Stephen F. Austin at #12 Northern Iowa 5:05 PM
Saturday, September 11, 2010
We Remember: 9/11/01
I don't ask for much, but I do ask that you take the time to read this essay I wrote about the attacks:
I was a freshly minted 6th grader and was just about to get on the bus when the first plane hit; my mom was watching the infamous Today Show footage, I heard via the radio as that was (and is) my main way of getting news and information nowadays. Got on the bus and updated my friend Brandon what was going on as he had been on the bus for a good half hour and wrote it off as "some plane". 30 minutes later we got to school and heard a very different situation; both towers had been hit and we saw the South Tower come down before our very eyes on CNN, followed soon by the North Tower, the Pentagon, and Flight 93.
I don't remember much about the rest of the day; it was more or less a blur. I do remember, however, how my homeroom teacher kept us together and comforted as a class. Teaching was his second career as he had spent the better part of the 1980's in Berlin as a Russian translator for the Army. We were in the middle of a lesson when one of my classmates asked if we were going to be okay in Minnesota. He stops and pulls down the US map and takes a good 5 minutes to outline where our Air Force bases are located, along with the fact how our fighter jets were ready to intercept anything that was in the sky at this point and how that helped a lot of the kids' minds.
I also remember that there was a blessing of sorts that day too; the day before our school had hosted a yo-yo assembly and a lot of the kids had bought yo-yos. I'll also always remember I'd say 20 kids in one corner of the playground playing with their yo-yos trying to come to grips with had happened that day. They had a distraction; I was a 12 year old kid trying to process a) what the hell had happened to our country and b) what was next...I guess you could liken it to when Scarlett returns to find Tara in ruins and has no idea what to do.
Also since then, I've realized the great sacrifices our Armed Forces make. So wherever I am, if I see someone in uniform, I thank them and shake their hand. I've heard some interesting stories; everything from a guy I met at my old job that I helped who said I was the first person outside of family to recognize his service to one I met on an airport layover and explained to me how we are winning in Iraq, despite claims to the otherwise. The official recognition of this day is Patriot Day, so go out and recognize a patriot, whether its a cop, fire fighter, active or retired armed service member, etc.
I was a freshly minted 6th grader and was just about to get on the bus when the first plane hit; my mom was watching the infamous Today Show footage, I heard via the radio as that was (and is) my main way of getting news and information nowadays. Got on the bus and updated my friend Brandon what was going on as he had been on the bus for a good half hour and wrote it off as "some plane". 30 minutes later we got to school and heard a very different situation; both towers had been hit and we saw the South Tower come down before our very eyes on CNN, followed soon by the North Tower, the Pentagon, and Flight 93.
I don't remember much about the rest of the day; it was more or less a blur. I do remember, however, how my homeroom teacher kept us together and comforted as a class. Teaching was his second career as he had spent the better part of the 1980's in Berlin as a Russian translator for the Army. We were in the middle of a lesson when one of my classmates asked if we were going to be okay in Minnesota. He stops and pulls down the US map and takes a good 5 minutes to outline where our Air Force bases are located, along with the fact how our fighter jets were ready to intercept anything that was in the sky at this point and how that helped a lot of the kids' minds.
I also remember that there was a blessing of sorts that day too; the day before our school had hosted a yo-yo assembly and a lot of the kids had bought yo-yos. I'll also always remember I'd say 20 kids in one corner of the playground playing with their yo-yos trying to come to grips with had happened that day. They had a distraction; I was a 12 year old kid trying to process a) what the hell had happened to our country and b) what was next...I guess you could liken it to when Scarlett returns to find Tara in ruins and has no idea what to do.
Also since then, I've realized the great sacrifices our Armed Forces make. So wherever I am, if I see someone in uniform, I thank them and shake their hand. I've heard some interesting stories; everything from a guy I met at my old job that I helped who said I was the first person outside of family to recognize his service to one I met on an airport layover and explained to me how we are winning in Iraq, despite claims to the otherwise. The official recognition of this day is Patriot Day, so go out and recognize a patriot, whether its a cop, fire fighter, active or retired armed service member, etc.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sorensen Poll Week #1
The Sorensen Poll is simple; it's who I believe are the Top 25 teams. Also different; the #1 team in the land gets their fight song at the top of the post. Kicking off the season at #1 is...
That's right, the Boise State Broncos are my #1 team. They go out and schedule a Top 10 team in Virginia Tech (Unlike some other schools) go pound for pound with them and come out victorious. You can't ask for much more than that.
All future games on September 11th; unless noted otherwise, kickoff times EDT:
1. Boise State (1-0, Idle)
2. Alabama (1-0 vs. Penn State 7 PM)
3. Ohio State (1-0 vs. #13 Miami 3:40 PM)
4. Florida (1-0 vs. USF 12:20 PM)
5. Texas (1-0 vs. Wyoming 7 PM)
6. TCU (1-0 vs. Tennessee Tech 7 PM)
7. Nebraska (1-0 vs. Idaho 12:30 PM)
8. Oklahoma (1-0 vs. #19 Florida State 3:30 PM)
9. Iowa (1-0 vs. Iowa State 3:30 PM)
10. Oregon (1-0 at Tennessee 7 PM)
11. VA Tech (0-1 vs. James Madison 1:30 PM)
12. Wisconsin (1-0 vs. San Jose State Noon)
13. Miami (1-0 vs. #3 Ohio State 3:40 PM)
14. USC (1-0 vs. Virginia 10:30 PM)
15. GA Tech (1-0 at Kansas Noon)
16. Arkansas (1-0 vs. LA-Monroe 7 PM)
17. Penn State (1-0 vs. #2 Alabama 7 PM)
18. LSU (1-0 vs. Vanderbilt 7 PM)
19. Florida State (1-0 at #8 Oklahoma 3:30 PM)
20. UNC (0-1 Idle)
21. Pitt (1-0 vs. New Hampshire 1 PM)
22. Auburn (1-0 vs. Mississippi State 7:30 PM, 9/9)
23. Georgia (1-0 at South Carolina Noon)
24. West Virginia (1-0 at Marshall 7 PM, 9/9)
25. Oregon State (0-1 Idle)
DROPPED OUT: N/A; Teams on the watch: Stanford (1-0; versus UCLA 10:30 ET); Utah (1-0 vs UNLV 4 ET) HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jacksonville State (#17 FCS vs. Chattanooga 7 PM), North Dakota State (#3 FCS at #12 Northern Iowa 1-0 7:37 PM)
That's right, the Boise State Broncos are my #1 team. They go out and schedule a Top 10 team in Virginia Tech (Unlike some other schools) go pound for pound with them and come out victorious. You can't ask for much more than that.
All future games on September 11th; unless noted otherwise, kickoff times EDT:
1. Boise State (1-0, Idle)
2. Alabama (1-0 vs. Penn State 7 PM)
3. Ohio State (1-0 vs. #13 Miami 3:40 PM)
4. Florida (1-0 vs. USF 12:20 PM)
5. Texas (1-0 vs. Wyoming 7 PM)
6. TCU (1-0 vs. Tennessee Tech 7 PM)
7. Nebraska (1-0 vs. Idaho 12:30 PM)
8. Oklahoma (1-0 vs. #19 Florida State 3:30 PM)
9. Iowa (1-0 vs. Iowa State 3:30 PM)
10. Oregon (1-0 at Tennessee 7 PM)
11. VA Tech (0-1 vs. James Madison 1:30 PM)
12. Wisconsin (1-0 vs. San Jose State Noon)
13. Miami (1-0 vs. #3 Ohio State 3:40 PM)
14. USC (1-0 vs. Virginia 10:30 PM)
15. GA Tech (1-0 at Kansas Noon)
16. Arkansas (1-0 vs. LA-Monroe 7 PM)
17. Penn State (1-0 vs. #2 Alabama 7 PM)
18. LSU (1-0 vs. Vanderbilt 7 PM)
19. Florida State (1-0 at #8 Oklahoma 3:30 PM)
20. UNC (0-1 Idle)
21. Pitt (1-0 vs. New Hampshire 1 PM)
22. Auburn (1-0 vs. Mississippi State 7:30 PM, 9/9)
23. Georgia (1-0 at South Carolina Noon)
24. West Virginia (1-0 at Marshall 7 PM, 9/9)
25. Oregon State (0-1 Idle)
DROPPED OUT: N/A; Teams on the watch: Stanford (1-0; versus UCLA 10:30 ET); Utah (1-0 vs UNLV 4 ET) HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jacksonville State (#17 FCS vs. Chattanooga 7 PM), North Dakota State (#3 FCS at #12 Northern Iowa 1-0 7:37 PM)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
How about those Gamecocks?
The 2 point conversion for the win with Doug Bell and Brian Jordan on the call for CSS:
That said, it was a pretty rough day for other members of the SEC; Florida struggled with Miami (OH), Vandy lost to Northwestern, and LSU almost choked against a severely depleted UNC team. This is leading some people to wonder if the SEC will have a down year. I say though that you can't judge a book by its cover (Week 1 of the 2010 season) and that time will tell if the SEC will struggle this year.
That said, it was a pretty rough day for other members of the SEC; Florida struggled with Miami (OH), Vandy lost to Northwestern, and LSU almost choked against a severely depleted UNC team. This is leading some people to wonder if the SEC will have a down year. I say though that you can't judge a book by its cover (Week 1 of the 2010 season) and that time will tell if the SEC will struggle this year.
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