UCONN Lacks Killer Instinct; Loses To Indiana

Roderick Wilmont came up big when he was needed as his 23 points led the Indiana Hoosiers past the UCONN Huskies 77-73 on Saturday afternoon in Hartford. D.J. White added 21 points and Arman Bassett had 13 points. For the Huskies, they were led by freshman Stanley Robinson’s career high 21 points. Jeff Adrien added yet another double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. No other Husky was in double figures.

UCONN got down by 14 points early in this one but used a 24-5 run to pull ahead by 1 with less than 3 minutes to go in the first half. UCONN was down three points before Doug Wiggins hit a 3 pointer to tie the game at 39 at the half.

UCONN once again was down in the second half but showed heart in taking the lead back. The problem this time is UCONN lacked the killer instinct to put away the Hoosiers. UCONN was abysmal again from the free throw line only making 17 of 28 from the charity stripe. This hurt UCONN severely. Rodrick Wilmont, who fouled out for a moment, had the call changed and managed to lead Indiana down the stretch with a big 3 pointer to take the lead for good. Indiana made their free throws down the stretch and obviously they won the game.

Normally, I’d do a notes and observations section but I had some technical difficulties when i first wrote the post last night and lost everything I wrote. So instead, I will just link you over to the boxscore.

Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Louisville, KY to take on the Cardinals on Big Monday on ESPN. Game time is 7 PM.

TechnoratiTechnorati: , ,

New Haven Coliseum Imploded

On this cold, windy Saturday morning on the shores of Connecticut, the New Haven Coliseum was finally imploded after years of delays. The New Haven Coliseum had been home to numerous sports teams including the New Haven Nighthawks, New Haven Senators, Beast of New Haven, the New Haven Knights, and the New Haven Ninjas. The Nighthawks, Senators, and Beast were members of the AHL (American Hockey League), the Knights were members of the UHL (United Hockey League), and the Ninjas were members of the AFL2 (Arena Football League).

The New Haven Coliseum also has hosted various wrestling events, concerts and tradeshows over the years. The final event that was held at the Coliseum was a WWE event in 2002. The last concert there was a TOOL show. Other famous musical acts that played there include Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Van Halen (my first ever concert), Kiss and Aerosmith. Here is the video of the implosion.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
N3zdxqvTOUI[/youtube]

 

TechnoratiTechnorati: , ,

J.D. Drew Update from Scott Boras

Finally, we have some news on the J.D. Drew contract front. This is what Scott Boras had to say on Friday:

“We’ve moved forward on this and fully expect to have it completed in their near future.”

The Red Sox of course had nothing to say about this matter. I fully expected some kind of deal to be getting done with J.D Drew, especially with Trot Nixon signing with the Indians on Friday. I am sure Trot was holding out hope that the deal wouldn’t get done and the Sox would have a need for him, maybe platooning him with Willy Mo Pena in right. Well now we know that isn’t going to happen. Hopefully this deal is taken care of really soon.

TechnoratiTechnorati: , ,

A Look at the 2007 College Basketball RPI

For those of you who don’t know what the College Basketball RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) is, I will do my best to explain it. The RPI is the formula used to rate men’s and women’s college basketball teams. The basic formula is 1/4 (Winning Percentage) + 1/2 (Opponents’ Average Winning Percentage) + 1/4 (Opponents’ Opponents’ Winning Percentage). This taken from the NCAA website will explain it the best.

The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) was created in 1981 to provide supplemental data for the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee in its evaluation of teams for at-large selection and seeding of the championship bracket.

The RPI is intended to be used as one of many resources used by the committee in the selection, seeding and bracketing process. It never should be considered anything but an additional evaluation tool. No computer program that is based on pure numbers can take into account subjective concepts, e.g., how well a team is playing down the stretch,what the loss or return of a top player means to a team, or how emotional a specific conference game may be.

Several independent elements are combined to produce the RPI. These elements are a part of the statistical information that can be utilized by each member in an objective manner.

Each committee member independently evaluates a vast pool of information available during the process to develop individual preferences. It is these subjective opinions–developed after many hours of personal observations, discussion with coaches, directors of athletics and commissioners, and review and comparison of objective data–that dictate how each individual ultimately will vote on all issues related to the selection, seeding and bracketing process.

While the various elements of the RPI are important in the evaluation process, the tournament bracket each year is based on the subjectivity of each individual committee member to select the best at-large teams available and to create a nationally balanced championship.

So lets take a look at some teams and conference’s RPI’s after the jump.

Continue reading →

Nixon Signs With Cleveland

According to Peter Gammons, Trot Nixon will be signing a 1 year $3 million dollar contract with the Cleveland Indians. To me, this makes it more apparent that the Red Sox and J.D. Drew will more than likely get their deal done after all.

Nixon had spent his entire playing career in Boston. His latter years were marred with injuries but he was still an integral cog in the Red Sox machine. His defense in right field will sorely be missed. Nixon joins former Red Sox closer, Keith Foulke, as the latest former Sox players to sign in Cleveland.

TechnoratiTechnorati: , , , ,

NFL Playoff Predictions and More

Well the weekend is almost upon us and theres been much hype about the upcoming Patriots-Colts game on Sunday that I have to way in with my thoughts and picks. For the record, I went 3-1 last week with my choices, the only one wrong being that I took the Baltimore Ravens. So let’s get to the picks and then some more of my thoughts.

NFC Championship Game-New Orleans Saints vs Chicago Bears:

Chicago’s defense has not shown it was the #1 defense in the NFL in their past 3 games. The New Orleans Saints boast the leagues #1 offense. Sexy Rexy had an ok game last week against the Seahawks but needs to be on top of his game this weekend for Da Bears to have a chance. If Reggie Bush thinks Sheldon Brown of the Eagles hits hard, wait til he gets hit by Brian Urlacher. For the Saints to be successful, Drew Brees will have to find ways to exploit the Bears secondary with his corp of young receivers (Joe Horn is older but may not play due to injury). Reggie Bush can singlehandedly beat the Bears but then again so can Devin Hester do the same to the Saints. For me, my rooting interests are with Da Bears so that I can have a chance in winning some $$$$ in my Fantasy Playoff Football contest.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
fEfufZtY6BE[/youtube]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
qFG4J9vSqOg[/youtube]

AFC Championship-New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts:

How many times have we seen this? Pats-Colts for the AFC Championship. 2 times. The result both times, Pats win behind Brady and shut down Peyton. For the Patriots to win, Brady has to keep finding the unknown’s (his WR’s) and the two headed running monster of Maroney and Dillion has to find a way to get by the suddenly improved run defense of the Colts. For the Colts to win, Peyton Manning has to overcome his demons against the Patriots in the playoffs. Look for him to be throwing a lot to Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Ironically enough if this game comes down to a field goal at the end, remember one thing. The Colts have Vinateri. For me though, I am sticking with my team and going with the Patriots.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
fKtLtmKR4Pw[/youtube]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
2G0loI0Jn5M[/youtube]

Also this weekend, the Indiana Hoosiers come to the Hartford Civic Center to take on the UCONN Huskies men’s team. The Huskies desperately need a win against the Hoosiers. Not only to get back on the right track but they are lacking a “signature” win. A win that will help them in the RPI. The Huskies are coming off a loss to the Pitt Panthers this week where they were ice cold in the game. A win by the Huskies might restore some faith in the young Huskies. Game time is 3:45 PM on Saturday afternoon and the game is a national game being shown on CBS.

The women’s team at UCONN also has a game this weekend. They will be traveling to New York City to play at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden where they will take on the St. John’s Red Storm on Sunday. This is the first ever appearance for the Huskies at MSG. Hard to believe in all of Geno’s years at UCONN that none of his teams have played there. I am sure the girls will be pumped for this one. The game is also a homecoming for Tina Charles who played in the Bronx at Christ of King. Former UCONN great, Sue Bird is an alumni of Christ of King as well. I am sure UCONN recruit Lorin Dixon, who plays for Christ of King, will be in attendance as well. That game is at 4:30 and is being broadcast locally in CT on CPTV. If your in the City on Sunday and have nothing to do, why not head over to MSG.

TechnoratiTechnorati: , , , , , , ,

UCONN Women Beat Up The Friars

Tina Charles, one of six Huskies in double figures, led UCONN to 96-53 thrashing of the Providence Friars at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence. Charles had 18 points and Mel Thomas had 17 points, rebounding from a poor shooting performance against the Lady Tarheels on Monday night. Ketia Swanier scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half while Renee Montgomery and Kalana Greene had 12 points each. Kaili McLaren rounded out the Huskies in double figures with 10 points.

Given the fact that Providence had defeated then #12 Louisville, I had thought this game would be closer than it was. Providence did get out to an early lead at 7-6 but Mel Thomas hit two 3 point shots and the Huskies never looked back again. UCONN led 57-30 at the break. UCONN actually could have been shut out in the 2nd half and still won this game. Tina Charles was amazing in the paint during the game scoring 15 of her team high 18 points in the first half. She had 3 points in limited minutes in the second half.

All of the UCONN starters were out of the game with 12 minutes left in the game. This allowed the reserves a chance to show Coach Geno Auriemma what they can do. Ketia Swanier was actually the star of the reserves tonight as no one on Providence could keep up with her. She made some amazing moves to score points and get assists. Had UCONN had another back up point guard, odds are she would have been sitting on the bench with the starters. The one thing I do enjoy about watching the women is the support that the starters show for the reserves when they are playing. The situation is the same when the starters are on the court.

Notes and Observations:

  • The starters were Montgomery, Thomas, Greene, Charles and Houston
  • Mel Thomas made the 143rd 3 point shot of her career tonight moving her into 9th place on the all time career 3 point shots made at UCONN. She passed Svetlana Abrosimova. Next up for Mel to pass is Kris Lamb at 158 3 point shots made.
  • This was the 159th consecutive game that UCONN has made at least one 3 point shot.
  • Charde Houston wasn’t really involved in the offense too much during the game but she did have a team high 7 rebounds.
  • Renee Montgomery had 6 assists to lead the Huskies.
  • Brittany Hunter made a brief appearance in the game playing 4 minutes. It looked as though she had some problems with her knee again and never came back in the game.
  • For the game, UCONN was 40 of 62 for an astounding 64.5% from the floor.
  • Free throws were another story as they were 11 of 18 (57.9%) from the line. This is an issue that Geno Auriemma I am sure is addressing every day at practice.
  • UCONN is now 15-2 and 5-0 in the Big East.

From a fans point of view, it was nice to see the Huskies rebound from the loss on Monday night at North Carolina. They played a complete whole game tonight. Next up for the Huskies is their first ever trip to Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon against the St. John’s Red Storm. Game time is 4:30 PM and as usual the game will be broadcast locally in CT on CPTV.

TechnoratiTechnorati: , , ,