The Scrapper here in Tampa, Florida reporting after the Bucs-Panthers NFC South showdown:
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Memphis has the look of a champion
Wow. Memphis just showed me that without a doubt they are the best team in America and the favorite to win the national title. Here are my thoughts about the thumping they just gave to #4 Georgetown and about their chances going forward.
As promised, here is the Derrick Rose freakshow youtube video. This might be the most impressive high school highlight I have ever seen.
As promised, here is the Derrick Rose freakshow youtube video. This might be the most impressive high school highlight I have ever seen.
A Great Day in Sports
I'm finally starting to get over the Pitt loss. It exposed a lot of Duke's weaknesses, notably our inexperience and lack of an inside presence. What I'm interested in seeing now is the changes that Coach K makes in the next few games. He's the master of pushing the right buttons and it will be fun to see how he mixes up the starting lineup, rotation, playing time, etc. I'm confident the team will emerge stronger.
In the meantime, I'm excited about enjoying a great day on the couch watching some big time games. The college football bowl season is starting to get in gear but today is a big-time college basketball day.
Here's my television viewing schedule for the day:
12:00 pm- #2 Memphis vs. #4 Georgetown
Talk about a big-time college basketball game in December. I love Roy Hibbert and the Princeton offense. Watch for Georgetown's guards and zone defense to make the difference in this one.
2:00 pm- #12 Tennessee vs. #24 Xavier
I always enjoy watching Chris Lofton play and I've only read great things about Xavier's Drew Lavender. Expect this one to be a shootout.
4:00 pm- Florida at Ohio State
Although both teams are in rebuilding mode, I'll watch a rematch of last year's championship game anyday.
6:30 pm- #5 Texas vs. #10 Michigan State
How are the Longhorns better sans Mr. Durant? Anyone? I've been hearing a lot of good things about D.J. Augustine, it'll be fun to watch this kid.
8:15 pm- My Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo, T.O., and the Cowboys seem distracted. This has been a tough year to be a Panthers fan, but I'll be cheering for my boys (especially now that we've won enough games to guarantee we won't get a really high draft pick). Here's an idea, put Steve Smith at quarterback and run the option. Why not, we've given everyone else a shot.
Off to the couch!
In the meantime, I'm excited about enjoying a great day on the couch watching some big time games. The college football bowl season is starting to get in gear but today is a big-time college basketball day.
Here's my television viewing schedule for the day:
12:00 pm- #2 Memphis vs. #4 Georgetown
Talk about a big-time college basketball game in December. I love Roy Hibbert and the Princeton offense. Watch for Georgetown's guards and zone defense to make the difference in this one.
2:00 pm- #12 Tennessee vs. #24 Xavier
I always enjoy watching Chris Lofton play and I've only read great things about Xavier's Drew Lavender. Expect this one to be a shootout.
4:00 pm- Florida at Ohio State
Although both teams are in rebuilding mode, I'll watch a rematch of last year's championship game anyday.
6:30 pm- #5 Texas vs. #10 Michigan State
How are the Longhorns better sans Mr. Durant? Anyone? I've been hearing a lot of good things about D.J. Augustine, it'll be fun to watch this kid.
8:15 pm- My Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo, T.O., and the Cowboys seem distracted. This has been a tough year to be a Panthers fan, but I'll be cheering for my boys (especially now that we've won enough games to guarantee we won't get a really high draft pick). Here's an idea, put Steve Smith at quarterback and run the option. Why not, we've given everyone else a shot.
Off to the couch!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Preview: #7 Duke vs. #9 Pitt
Hey guys, I'm still on vacation in Miami with my main man Charlie. I'm pumped for the Duke vs. Pitt showdown tomorrow night. Here's a preview from Scrapper Nation guest columnist Vivek Upadhyay. This is a great read, enjoy.
--
In what has been something of a blessing and a curse at the same time, for the first time in probably a decade the media has not given Duke the insane attention it usually receives. In comparison to last year when Duke was “dethroned,” and the year before when J.J. Redick was on his quest for a national championship, this year’s Duke squad has not gotten close to that amount of media scrutiny. While it provides Duke with the whole “we’re not getting the respect we deserve” motivation, it also may hurt Duke if this lack of media attention continues in January and February. For some reason, I don’t think it will, and the media storm will begin Thursday night in Madison Square Garden.
For Pitt, this is their first true test. Their only semi-legitimate wins this year have been at Washington (6-4) and at home against Oklahoma State (5-4). While the Pitt offense is definitely healthy (82.1 ppg), and DeJuan Blair is almost looking like an upgrade over preseason All-American Aaron Gray, they’ll get their first true test against a quality defensive team in the Blue Devils.
For Duke, Pitt will definitely be the first time for a young Blue Devil squad to prove to the country that Duke is back in the elite few in college basketball. Furthermore, this will be the first chance for Kyle Singler and/or Gerald Henderson to become household names.
Having watched every team in the top ten play, I can honestly say this will be quite a matchup. Here’s how I think it’ll break down.
FRONTCOURT
Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Kyle Singler, and Taylor King have been a surprisingly effective quartet so far this year. This is definitely the Blue Devil’s Achilles heel. While they effectively dealt with Wisconsin’s size, DeJuan Blair will be the first athletic, dominant post player they’ll face. I see this being a potential downfall for the Blue Devils.
Edge: PITT
BACKCOURT
Paulus, Nelson, and Henderson are already a deadly trio, but the play of Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith along with them give the Blue Devils the deepest backcourt in perhaps all of college basketball. What used to be the Blue Devils weakness is now their greatest strength. Ronald Ramon and Mike Cook of Pitt will have their hands full with Nelson and Henderson. Good luck on this one, Panthers.
Edge: DUKE
BENCH
The Blue Devils have abandoned their traditional 7-deep style of play, and it’s doing wonders for the team. Taylor King, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Brian Zoubek will push this 7-man deep Pitt squad.
Edge: DUKE
COACH
Jaime Dixon is one of the most underrated coaches in college basketball. Under the radar, he’s lead Pitt to 10-0 each of the past 5 seasons. However, Coach K is a legend, and by not being afraid to change things up and be creative this year, he will prove all of his critics wrong on Thursday night.
Edge: DUKE
INTANGIBLES
Pitt may be closer, but they call Duke the University of New Jersey at Durham for a reason. Add in the fact that MSG will be packed with tons of Duke alumni, this will be a hostile environment for the Panthers.
Edge: DUKE
FINAL CALL
Duke wins, 84-72
--
In what has been something of a blessing and a curse at the same time, for the first time in probably a decade the media has not given Duke the insane attention it usually receives. In comparison to last year when Duke was “dethroned,” and the year before when J.J. Redick was on his quest for a national championship, this year’s Duke squad has not gotten close to that amount of media scrutiny. While it provides Duke with the whole “we’re not getting the respect we deserve” motivation, it also may hurt Duke if this lack of media attention continues in January and February. For some reason, I don’t think it will, and the media storm will begin Thursday night in Madison Square Garden.
For Pitt, this is their first true test. Their only semi-legitimate wins this year have been at Washington (6-4) and at home against Oklahoma State (5-4). While the Pitt offense is definitely healthy (82.1 ppg), and DeJuan Blair is almost looking like an upgrade over preseason All-American Aaron Gray, they’ll get their first true test against a quality defensive team in the Blue Devils.
For Duke, Pitt will definitely be the first time for a young Blue Devil squad to prove to the country that Duke is back in the elite few in college basketball. Furthermore, this will be the first chance for Kyle Singler and/or Gerald Henderson to become household names.
Having watched every team in the top ten play, I can honestly say this will be quite a matchup. Here’s how I think it’ll break down.
FRONTCOURT
Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Kyle Singler, and Taylor King have been a surprisingly effective quartet so far this year. This is definitely the Blue Devil’s Achilles heel. While they effectively dealt with Wisconsin’s size, DeJuan Blair will be the first athletic, dominant post player they’ll face. I see this being a potential downfall for the Blue Devils.
Edge: PITT
BACKCOURT
Paulus, Nelson, and Henderson are already a deadly trio, but the play of Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith along with them give the Blue Devils the deepest backcourt in perhaps all of college basketball. What used to be the Blue Devils weakness is now their greatest strength. Ronald Ramon and Mike Cook of Pitt will have their hands full with Nelson and Henderson. Good luck on this one, Panthers.
Edge: DUKE
BENCH
The Blue Devils have abandoned their traditional 7-deep style of play, and it’s doing wonders for the team. Taylor King, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Brian Zoubek will push this 7-man deep Pitt squad.
Edge: DUKE
COACH
Jaime Dixon is one of the most underrated coaches in college basketball. Under the radar, he’s lead Pitt to 10-0 each of the past 5 seasons. However, Coach K is a legend, and by not being afraid to change things up and be creative this year, he will prove all of his critics wrong on Thursday night.
Edge: DUKE
INTANGIBLES
Pitt may be closer, but they call Duke the University of New Jersey at Durham for a reason. Add in the fact that MSG will be packed with tons of Duke alumni, this will be a hostile environment for the Panthers.
Edge: DUKE
FINAL CALL
Duke wins, 84-72
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dolphins-Ravens Halftime Podcast
I'm on the road reporting live from halftime of the Dolphins-Ravens game.
Dolphins-Ravens preview
Today we have a guest post from a lifelong Miami football fan, Jojo Remy. Jojo will break down the upcoming Miami-Baltimore game. Enjoy!
As we approach a seemingly certain fate, I encourage Miami football fans to look at the bright side of today's Dolphins versus Ravens matchup. The 'Fins head into the game ranked 32nd in stopping the run. Without Channing Crowder in the box, former UM star Willis McGahee should have no trouble setting a new career mark in season yardage.
On the other side of the ball, Baltimore is ranked 3rd in stopping the run against Miami's 30th best rushing offense. In a rainy game where field position will determine who comes out on top, you can expect to see solid performances from former Hurricanes Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
Aside from impressive UM alumni, if Miami can get going behind Ted Ginn in the return game and Cleo Lemon on offense, we can rely on our impressive pass defense (ranked 3rd) to shut down Kyle Boller. I hope to see some decent QB pressure from youngsters Rod Wright and Quentin Moses as they will see increased playing time on defense.
Prediction: Ravens 16, Dolphins 17
As we approach a seemingly certain fate, I encourage Miami football fans to look at the bright side of today's Dolphins versus Ravens matchup. The 'Fins head into the game ranked 32nd in stopping the run. Without Channing Crowder in the box, former UM star Willis McGahee should have no trouble setting a new career mark in season yardage.
On the other side of the ball, Baltimore is ranked 3rd in stopping the run against Miami's 30th best rushing offense. In a rainy game where field position will determine who comes out on top, you can expect to see solid performances from former Hurricanes Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
Aside from impressive UM alumni, if Miami can get going behind Ted Ginn in the return game and Cleo Lemon on offense, we can rely on our impressive pass defense (ranked 3rd) to shut down Kyle Boller. I hope to see some decent QB pressure from youngsters Rod Wright and Quentin Moses as they will see increased playing time on defense.
Prediction: Ravens 16, Dolphins 17
Friday, December 14, 2007
Cutcliffe to Duke!
ESPN is reporting that Tennessee assistant head coach and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe has agreed to become Duke's next head coach.
Why do I love this hire?
1. Duke's last two head coaching hires (Carl Franks and Ted Roof) went a combined 13-90. Both of these coaches had never been a head coach before and obviously struggled tremendously as leaders. I've been adamant that Duke go after someone who has not only been a head coach before, but also been relatively successful at it. Considering that Cutcliffe compiled a 44-29 record as head coach at Ole Miss from 1999-2004 (including a 4-1 bowl record), he fits the bill.
2. The guy knows how to develop quaterbacks, having already coached a few Heisman trophy finalists and a number of good professional players at the position. Cutcliffe was instrumental in developing Peyton Manning, then went to Ole Miss to mentor Eli. When you're on the recruiting trail, these things matter.
If you can't tell by now, I'm pumped and all Duke fans should be excited about the future of this program. The administration has been making subtle hints that competing in football is a priority. First Duke hired a consulting firm to guide Duke in building its program. Plans for one of the group's recommendations, a costly renovation of Wallace Wade Stadium, have already been drawn up and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Second, Duke University President Richard Brodhead decided to write a new mission statement for athletics. Brodhead wrote that "Duke aims for a level of athletic performance that will frequently produce winnings seasons and the realistic opportunity to compete for team or individual championships." This decision tells me that the Duke administration is finally ready to allocate the necessary resources to building this program.
After another terrible year, I finally feel like Duke football is back on track.
Why do I love this hire?
1. Duke's last two head coaching hires (Carl Franks and Ted Roof) went a combined 13-90. Both of these coaches had never been a head coach before and obviously struggled tremendously as leaders. I've been adamant that Duke go after someone who has not only been a head coach before, but also been relatively successful at it. Considering that Cutcliffe compiled a 44-29 record as head coach at Ole Miss from 1999-2004 (including a 4-1 bowl record), he fits the bill.
2. The guy knows how to develop quaterbacks, having already coached a few Heisman trophy finalists and a number of good professional players at the position. Cutcliffe was instrumental in developing Peyton Manning, then went to Ole Miss to mentor Eli. When you're on the recruiting trail, these things matter.
If you can't tell by now, I'm pumped and all Duke fans should be excited about the future of this program. The administration has been making subtle hints that competing in football is a priority. First Duke hired a consulting firm to guide Duke in building its program. Plans for one of the group's recommendations, a costly renovation of Wallace Wade Stadium, have already been drawn up and approved by the Board of Trustees.Second, Duke University President Richard Brodhead decided to write a new mission statement for athletics. Brodhead wrote that "Duke aims for a level of athletic performance that will frequently produce winnings seasons and the realistic opportunity to compete for team or individual championships." This decision tells me that the Duke administration is finally ready to allocate the necessary resources to building this program.
After another terrible year, I finally feel like Duke football is back on track.
Miami Sports Update
I'm done with exams and on vacation in Miami with Charlie. Here are two podcasts on the Dolphins and Heat from the perspective of a few lifelong Miami sports fans. A true treat, enjoy.
Miami Dolphins
Miami Heat
Miami Dolphins
Miami Heat
Saturday, December 8, 2007
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