Just a few quick thoughts on last nights's UH/SMU basketball game from Hofheinz Pavilion...
Good for the Cougars in pulling out the 62-59 win. The game wasn't pretty, and at times SMU didn't look like it could hit the side of the barn if they were literally standing at the side of the barn. Cougars did a decent job of shooting the ball, but they had turnover problems, and the UH defense looked downright awful at times....
Fantastic game from red shirt freshman Joseph Young who finished with a career-high 27 points (making 8 of 13 shots -- 4-7 from three point range), two assists, and four rebounds. He seemed to suffer from confidence issues earlier in the season, especially when trying to play point guard, but since he's been away from point guard, his game has lit up. He can hit the long-range jumper with ease, and has this fantastic ability to penetrate the paint where he can finish with the lay-up, or as several times last night, find a big man to dump the ball off to....
TaShawn Thomas had another impressive game, and is playing a good inside game. Nothing seems to faze him during a game, and he's gaining an ability to make a big play when needed, whether it be rebound, drawing a foul, blocking a shot, or making a bucket.
And Jimmie Jones once again came off the bench to run the offense and provide some spark. And he's a real pest on the defensive end of the ball....
On the down side, Darian Thibodeuax continues to be marred in a huge shooting slump, and Alandise Harris seemed to be missing last night, even when he was supposedly on the floor. And the point guard play is still a big issue....
The Coogs are only 13-14 (5-9) this season, but there are some actual signs for hope emerging, and if the recruiting class for next season is as good as it's supposed to be, then the Cougars might end up becoming a force in their last season in C-USA.
P.S.: And one final note, the officiating in C-USA is beyond horrendous.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Coogs Sleepwalk Through 6-1 Loss to Bobcats
It was a chilly, dreary day at Cougar Field. One of those days you just want to stay in bed and sleep. And it's obvious, now that this afternoon's baseball game is over, that the Houston Cougars stayed in bed and slept throughout this day instead of showing up at the ballpark.
The Cougars (4-2) faced off against Texas State (3-3) in the second game of a three game series today. And the Bobcats showed up while the Cougars stayed away. The final score of 6-1 doesn't look as bad as the game was because the Bobcats were in control the entire game.
Surprisingly, the Cougars got 10 hits for the game. But they stranded nine runners, had one runner get thrown out at second when a batter failed to get a sacrifice down, and lost three other base runners to stupid mistakes -- mistakes that grew out of the Cougars trying to be aggressive on the bases and force some action, but instead resulted in runners getting thrown out at various bases.
"We're trying to do things to be aggressive," head coach Todd Whitting said, "but we're not executing. Therefore it looks like we're making dumb mistakes when we're just not executing. We get base runners on. Our game is about applying pressure to the other team. But you have to execute. When you call a hit-and-run, it doesn't work if you hit a foul. When you call a bunt it doesn't work if you don't bunt it fair, or don't get it down."
And that was the day for the Cougars. They couldn't execute. And when the Cougars don't execute on offense, they're not going to win, no matter how good the pitching.
Jordan Lewis didn't have the best of days on the mound for the Cougars, lasting just four innings and giving up three runs in his final inning. That fourth inning started with Texas State's Casey Kalenkosky homering -- his second homer in two days, both coming in the fourth inning. And that was all Texas State needed.
The final game of the series is tomorrow, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00.
P.S.: And wouldn't you know it, now that the game's over, the sun is actually beginning to peek through the clouds.
The Cougars (4-2) faced off against Texas State (3-3) in the second game of a three game series today. And the Bobcats showed up while the Cougars stayed away. The final score of 6-1 doesn't look as bad as the game was because the Bobcats were in control the entire game.
Surprisingly, the Cougars got 10 hits for the game. But they stranded nine runners, had one runner get thrown out at second when a batter failed to get a sacrifice down, and lost three other base runners to stupid mistakes -- mistakes that grew out of the Cougars trying to be aggressive on the bases and force some action, but instead resulted in runners getting thrown out at various bases.
"We're trying to do things to be aggressive," head coach Todd Whitting said, "but we're not executing. Therefore it looks like we're making dumb mistakes when we're just not executing. We get base runners on. Our game is about applying pressure to the other team. But you have to execute. When you call a hit-and-run, it doesn't work if you hit a foul. When you call a bunt it doesn't work if you don't bunt it fair, or don't get it down."
And that was the day for the Cougars. They couldn't execute. And when the Cougars don't execute on offense, they're not going to win, no matter how good the pitching.
Jordan Lewis didn't have the best of days on the mound for the Cougars, lasting just four innings and giving up three runs in his final inning. That fourth inning started with Texas State's Casey Kalenkosky homering -- his second homer in two days, both coming in the fourth inning. And that was all Texas State needed.
The final game of the series is tomorrow, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00.
P.S.: And wouldn't you know it, now that the game's over, the sun is actually beginning to peek through the clouds.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Coogs Declaw Bobcats, Win Thriller 2-1
The Houston Cougars faced off against the Texas State Bobcats at Cougar Field tonight. It was a beautiful night for baseball, and the fans in attendance were treated to a thriller as the Cougars won 2-1, scoring in the seventh and nine innings.
Jared Ray got the start for the Cougars, and he pitched a beauty of a game, going seven innings and giving up just two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. One of the hits was a huge mistake though as a bad pitch from Ray ended up flying over the right field fence off of the bat of Casey Kalenkosky in the fourth inning. But Ray (0-0, 1.50) and Jordan Mannisto, who got the win while pitching the final two innings, shut down the Bobcats the rest of the way.
"It's not my job to score runs," Ray said. My job is to keep them from scoring runs....I gave up that cheap bomb, it was a bad pitch really. He took advantage of it. I just tried to focus on what my job was, and that was to keep them from scoring runs and keep us in the game."
And keep them in the game he did because Texas State's Colton Turner was dealing just as much from the mound as Ray. Turner pitched six innings of shutout ball while giving up just four hits, walking three, and striking out 12 batters on 118 pitches.
Cougars coach Todd Whitting initially didn't think his team was doing much against Turner, but then he took a look at the pitch count and discovered just how much his batters were making Turner work, especially the lead-off batter Landon Appling and the two hitter Jake Runte. Appling was 2-for-3, walked twice, and scored both runs, the winning run coming when clean-up hitter Jacob Lueneberg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth with Appling standing on third. He scored the first run in the seventh inning when Runte, who was 3-for-4 -- including two singles, two walks, and a fielders choice -- doubled in Appling in the seventh.
"We actually ran his pitch count up to a 100 pitches in five innings [actually 106]," Whitting said. "I didn't think we were doign that well. But we were actually making him throw pitches, even though he was throwing strike one. So the result wasn't very good, but the process was pretty good because we were able to get him out of the game in time to get to their relievers in there."
The primary problem for the Cougars, as it has been the past several seasons, was hitting with runners on base and hitting with two outs. The Cougars stranded nine batters, and had multiple runners in scoring position with two outs, but had trouble getting the key hit. But when it mattered, in the seventh and ninth innings, the Cougars were able to get that key out two out hit -- Runte's RBI double was with two outs and there were two outs when Lueneberg was hit by the pitch.
With the win, the Cougars move to 4-1 on the season, and they face Texas State (2-3) again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 and Sunday afternoon at 1:00.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
Todd Whitting has moved Chase Jensen to second base and moved Jake Runte from second to shortstop. This was done because Jensen had surgery on his throwing arm in the off-season and Whitting doesn't want him stressing the arm with the longer throw from short. He also wants to keep Jensen's bat in the lineup, and since Runte can play short, and can play a good shortstop, this seemed like the best solution.
****************************
The Cougar win tonight was the first time they've defeated Texas State since April 9, 2008, when the Cougars won 15-9. Texas State had won the last six games.
Jared Ray got the start for the Cougars, and he pitched a beauty of a game, going seven innings and giving up just two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. One of the hits was a huge mistake though as a bad pitch from Ray ended up flying over the right field fence off of the bat of Casey Kalenkosky in the fourth inning. But Ray (0-0, 1.50) and Jordan Mannisto, who got the win while pitching the final two innings, shut down the Bobcats the rest of the way.
"It's not my job to score runs," Ray said. My job is to keep them from scoring runs....I gave up that cheap bomb, it was a bad pitch really. He took advantage of it. I just tried to focus on what my job was, and that was to keep them from scoring runs and keep us in the game."
And keep them in the game he did because Texas State's Colton Turner was dealing just as much from the mound as Ray. Turner pitched six innings of shutout ball while giving up just four hits, walking three, and striking out 12 batters on 118 pitches.
Cougars coach Todd Whitting initially didn't think his team was doing much against Turner, but then he took a look at the pitch count and discovered just how much his batters were making Turner work, especially the lead-off batter Landon Appling and the two hitter Jake Runte. Appling was 2-for-3, walked twice, and scored both runs, the winning run coming when clean-up hitter Jacob Lueneberg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth with Appling standing on third. He scored the first run in the seventh inning when Runte, who was 3-for-4 -- including two singles, two walks, and a fielders choice -- doubled in Appling in the seventh.
"We actually ran his pitch count up to a 100 pitches in five innings [actually 106]," Whitting said. "I didn't think we were doign that well. But we were actually making him throw pitches, even though he was throwing strike one. So the result wasn't very good, but the process was pretty good because we were able to get him out of the game in time to get to their relievers in there."
The primary problem for the Cougars, as it has been the past several seasons, was hitting with runners on base and hitting with two outs. The Cougars stranded nine batters, and had multiple runners in scoring position with two outs, but had trouble getting the key hit. But when it mattered, in the seventh and ninth innings, the Cougars were able to get that key out two out hit -- Runte's RBI double was with two outs and there were two outs when Lueneberg was hit by the pitch.
With the win, the Cougars move to 4-1 on the season, and they face Texas State (2-3) again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 and Sunday afternoon at 1:00.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
Todd Whitting has moved Chase Jensen to second base and moved Jake Runte from second to shortstop. This was done because Jensen had surgery on his throwing arm in the off-season and Whitting doesn't want him stressing the arm with the longer throw from short. He also wants to keep Jensen's bat in the lineup, and since Runte can play short, and can play a good shortstop, this seemed like the best solution.
****************************
The Cougar win tonight was the first time they've defeated Texas State since April 9, 2008, when the Cougars won 15-9. Texas State had won the last six games.
Thoughts on Guy V. Lewis
The Basketball Hall of Fame finalists were announced today. And once again, former UH head coach and basketball innovator Guy V. Lewis didn't make the cut. It was announced that Phil Knight of Nike had purchased himself an induction -- sarcasm font -- and that among the finalists are Reggie Miller (not near as good as his sister was at the game), Rick Pitino who flopped in the pros, Don Nelson, Maurice Cheeks, Ralph Sampson, and Dick Motta, among others.
But no Guy V. Lewis.
Guy V. Lewis was the first coach in the South to integrate a major university. The guy who had the idea of playing a basketball game in a domed stadium on national television. The coach of five Final Four teams. The coach of some of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA.
I don't get it. I really don't. If anybody deserves this honor, deserves to be enshrined in the Basketball of Hall of Fame, it's Guy V. Lewis. Without him, the modern game of college of basketball doesn't exist.
But no Guy V. Lewis.
Guy V. Lewis was the first coach in the South to integrate a major university. The guy who had the idea of playing a basketball game in a domed stadium on national television. The coach of five Final Four teams. The coach of some of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA.
I don't get it. I really don't. If anybody deserves this honor, deserves to be enshrined in the Basketball of Hall of Fame, it's Guy V. Lewis. Without him, the modern game of college of basketball doesn't exist.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Coogs Stun Blue Hens, Win On Opening Day
A dense mist settled over Cougar Field during the last half
of this afternoon's game between the Houston Cougars and the Delaware Blue
Hens. It was a mist that perfectly exemplified the Coogs game up until that
moment, and by the middle of the eighth inning, the Cougars were trailing 5-0
in a game they looked destined to lose.
Then Taylor White led off with a double. Landon
Appling thought he got hit by a pitch, but didn't. And thought he struck
out, it appeared to light a fire under the Coogs. Before the inning was
over the Cougars were leading 7-5 and had scored a run in about every manner
possible but for the home run. The seventh run crossed the base from
second base on a suicide squeeze -- yes, that's right, a suicide squeeze.
"It was really frustrating the first part of the
game," close Mo Wiley said of the first two-thirds of the game.
"Things just weren’t going our way."
But when things did start going the UH way, they went the UH
way.
"We were sleep walking through the first seven
innings," head coach Todd Whitting said. "We weren’t making any
adjustments at the plate. We had hit two balls on the ground, on a
wet day on a wet field in seven innings. I think [Appling getting
hit and the ump not giving us the base] got us jump started a little bit. It
kind of woke up our dugout."
It's only one game. One game where the Coogs came back
to score seven runs in the bottom of the eighth to get the 7-5 win. But
it was Opening Day. And a win on Opening Day is always a beautiful thing,
even on a miserable rainy day like today.
The Cougars still have one more game to play tonight, and
wow, does it look a whole lot nicer outside.
Rainy Days and Baseball
The Cougars opened up the baseball season today with a 2:00 game against the Delaware Blue Hens. This was the first game of a doubleheader, with the second game set for a 6:15 start. This game would have been played last night, expect that it was rained out.
As for today, well the field was wet, there were lots of puddles everywhere, and a nice misty fog/drizzle settled over the field for the last half of the game. The story will come later, but here are some photos of what it looked like today.
As for today, well the field was wet, there were lots of puddles everywhere, and a nice misty fog/drizzle settled over the field for the last half of the game. The story will come later, but here are some photos of what it looked like today.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Positive Notes Re The Astros
Here's my post for the Houston Press today, in which I list 25 positive things about the Astros for this season.
Hissy Fits Over A Jersey
The Astros are going to be wearing Colt 45s jerseys on Friday nights this upcoming season, but fans are throwing a hissy fit because the jersey's not going to incorporate the Colt 45 pistol of the original jersey. And I ask, seriously? People are throwing a hissy fit over a jersey? Really?
Where were the hissy fits when Drayton McLane signed Carlos Lee? Or Woody Williams? Or traded for Jason Jennings? Or signed Kaz Matsui?
Seriously, people, the Astros are one of the worst team in the majors. Instead of throwing hissy fits about there not being a gun on the jersey, how about being pissed off at the poor state of the farm system left the new management team by Tim Purpura, Tal Smith, Ed Wade, and Drayton McLane.
Then again, Astros fans aren't exactly known for being the brightest of bulbs because most of them still think McLane was a better owner than John McMullen.
Where were the hissy fits when Drayton McLane signed Carlos Lee? Or Woody Williams? Or traded for Jason Jennings? Or signed Kaz Matsui?
Seriously, people, the Astros are one of the worst team in the majors. Instead of throwing hissy fits about there not being a gun on the jersey, how about being pissed off at the poor state of the farm system left the new management team by Tim Purpura, Tal Smith, Ed Wade, and Drayton McLane.
Then again, Astros fans aren't exactly known for being the brightest of bulbs because most of them still think McLane was a better owner than John McMullen.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Positive Astros Note of the Day (Thursday)
I've been accused in the past of being kind of negative when it comes to the Astros. So to make up for it, I've decided to toss out a few positive notes for the next several days as the team heads into spring training.
So...
They don't have to worry about pitching to Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder this season.
So...
They don't have to worry about pitching to Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder this season.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Your Positive Astros Note of the Day (Wednesday)
I've been accused in the past of being kind of negative when it comes to the Astros. So to make up for it, I've decided to toss out a few positive notes for the next several days as the team heads into spring training.
So...
There's only one more season of Milo Hamilton to sit through. After that, those of us stuck listening to games in our cars or on the radio will actually be able to know the score, the inning, the ball/strike count, the pitcher, and the batter. It'll be safe for women to visit the booth without him hitting on them. One more year. One more year.
So...
There's only one more season of Milo Hamilton to sit through. After that, those of us stuck listening to games in our cars or on the radio will actually be able to know the score, the inning, the ball/strike count, the pitcher, and the batter. It'll be safe for women to visit the booth without him hitting on them. One more year. One more year.
Milo Hamilton's Retiring, Finally
Here's my Houston Press story on Milo Hamilton announcing his retirement later today. The retirement's not actually until after the season, which means another season of listening to Milo talk about anything but baseball while he's calling the game.
It might make me a bad person, but I can't wait for a broadcast booth without this guy. Over the next year we're going to hear and read of ton about what a great guy Milo Hamilton is, and about how much he's meant to baseball and the Astros. And it's all going to be lies. Everything.
(I do hope that at some point during this year we'll get to hear from the likes of Gene Elston, or the Harry Caray family, or the Ernie Johnson, Sr. family, or anybody else that Milo tried to screw over in his many, many, many stops in the majors.)
Milo's ruined the experience of listening to Astros on the radio. Even before he started aging and losing the ability to see, his focus was never on the actual game on the field but was instead more concerned with pushing the story of Milo Hamilton.
But aside from that, in my years working the Astros DiamondVision, I saw too many petty things involving Hamilton. I saw too many near fights with co-workers and too many hissy fits because the people of Houston didn't appreciate him enough.
Frankly, I now really look forward to 2013. Not only is Milo retiring, but the Astros will be out from Carlos Lee's contract. And for once, for the first time since Gene Elston was let go by the Astros following the 1986 season, the focus of the Astros radio broadcast will be on the actual baseball game, and not on where Milo went for lunch.
And now that Milo's gone, bravo to Gene Elston, the original voice of the Astros, the true voice of the Astros. And let's celebrate the fact that a great guy, a true gentlemen, and a fantastic broadcaster, Bill Brown, will finally be the man.
It might make me a bad person, but I can't wait for a broadcast booth without this guy. Over the next year we're going to hear and read of ton about what a great guy Milo Hamilton is, and about how much he's meant to baseball and the Astros. And it's all going to be lies. Everything.
(I do hope that at some point during this year we'll get to hear from the likes of Gene Elston, or the Harry Caray family, or the Ernie Johnson, Sr. family, or anybody else that Milo tried to screw over in his many, many, many stops in the majors.)
Milo's ruined the experience of listening to Astros on the radio. Even before he started aging and losing the ability to see, his focus was never on the actual game on the field but was instead more concerned with pushing the story of Milo Hamilton.
But aside from that, in my years working the Astros DiamondVision, I saw too many petty things involving Hamilton. I saw too many near fights with co-workers and too many hissy fits because the people of Houston didn't appreciate him enough.
Frankly, I now really look forward to 2013. Not only is Milo retiring, but the Astros will be out from Carlos Lee's contract. And for once, for the first time since Gene Elston was let go by the Astros following the 1986 season, the focus of the Astros radio broadcast will be on the actual baseball game, and not on where Milo went for lunch.
And now that Milo's gone, bravo to Gene Elston, the original voice of the Astros, the true voice of the Astros. And let's celebrate the fact that a great guy, a true gentlemen, and a fantastic broadcaster, Bill Brown, will finally be the man.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Your Positive Astros Note of the Day (Tuesday)
I've been accused in the past of being kind of negative when it comes to the Astros. So to make up for it, I've decided to toss out a few positive notes for the next several days as the team heads into spring training.
So...
After this season, Astros fans won't have to worry about Minute Maid Park being invaded by douchebag Chicago Cubs fans multiple times every season.
So...
After this season, Astros fans won't have to worry about Minute Maid Park being invaded by douchebag Chicago Cubs fans multiple times every season.
Lesson One On Proper Athlete Twitter Usage
Dear Athlete:
Believe it or not, we members of the press really do like it when you speak in something besides “Craig Biggio-cliché” speak. It gives us, and by extension, the fans, more insight into you as a person. That in turns helps you to connect with the public, and connecting with the public can become a very important factor in whether you actually succeed and make the big bucks because, believe it or not, it’s not always about athletic talent.
In many ways, that’s why Twitter has been such a boon. It allows you to interact directly with your public, without going through the filter of those of us in the media, yet affording you some protection since you don’t actually have to physically meet your fans in order to interact. That said, you have to learn to be careful. Just because you’re joking around with a teammate and or a roommate on twitter doesn’t mean the whole world is absent. Unless your tweets are protected, it’s possible for those outside of your friends to see what you tweet. While you may be engaging in a twitter war with your teammate in the room down the hall, the tweet is accessible to everybody.
So before you push the “send” button, pause for a moment and make sure that what you’re about to send is something that you really want all of your followers to see. Especially if there is a racial or sexual slur included in your tweet. Yes, you may be using in a joking manner to jab back at your teammate for a joke he made about you, but jokes don’t always come over on Twitter, and there are JUST some words you can’t, even in a joking manner.
While I’m no George Carlin with his ever-expanding list of seven words you can’t say on TV or radio, be sure of this, if your tweet includes the “N” word, the “C” word, or the “F” word, you’re going to piss somebody off because those are just words that are out-and-out offensive to various groups, including, probably, somebody who is one of your followers.
It’s a shame that the Aeros’ Justin Fontaine had to learn this lesson, a lesson which currently includes a two-game suspension that was imposed on him by the parent organization – I’m still not sure how his teammate escaped suspension though I can partly attest that his teammate is someone I’ve come to know the past several years and is someone I believe is a truly good person who would never, ever intentionally set out to offend anyone.
So please use the Twitter to communicate with your friends, family, and fans. Just remember that if you’re about to tweet language that you couldn’t say in front of a crowd of fans, then it’s probably something you shouldn’t tweet, or something that perhaps you should find better, more appropriate language. (Besides, how dare anybody insult the Foo Fighters.)
Believe it or not, we members of the press really do like it when you speak in something besides “Craig Biggio-cliché” speak. It gives us, and by extension, the fans, more insight into you as a person. That in turns helps you to connect with the public, and connecting with the public can become a very important factor in whether you actually succeed and make the big bucks because, believe it or not, it’s not always about athletic talent.
In many ways, that’s why Twitter has been such a boon. It allows you to interact directly with your public, without going through the filter of those of us in the media, yet affording you some protection since you don’t actually have to physically meet your fans in order to interact. That said, you have to learn to be careful. Just because you’re joking around with a teammate and or a roommate on twitter doesn’t mean the whole world is absent. Unless your tweets are protected, it’s possible for those outside of your friends to see what you tweet. While you may be engaging in a twitter war with your teammate in the room down the hall, the tweet is accessible to everybody.
So before you push the “send” button, pause for a moment and make sure that what you’re about to send is something that you really want all of your followers to see. Especially if there is a racial or sexual slur included in your tweet. Yes, you may be using in a joking manner to jab back at your teammate for a joke he made about you, but jokes don’t always come over on Twitter, and there are JUST some words you can’t, even in a joking manner.
While I’m no George Carlin with his ever-expanding list of seven words you can’t say on TV or radio, be sure of this, if your tweet includes the “N” word, the “C” word, or the “F” word, you’re going to piss somebody off because those are just words that are out-and-out offensive to various groups, including, probably, somebody who is one of your followers.
It’s a shame that the Aeros’ Justin Fontaine had to learn this lesson, a lesson which currently includes a two-game suspension that was imposed on him by the parent organization – I’m still not sure how his teammate escaped suspension though I can partly attest that his teammate is someone I’ve come to know the past several years and is someone I believe is a truly good person who would never, ever intentionally set out to offend anyone.
So please use the Twitter to communicate with your friends, family, and fans. Just remember that if you’re about to tweet language that you couldn’t say in front of a crowd of fans, then it’s probably something you shouldn’t tweet, or something that perhaps you should find better, more appropriate language. (Besides, how dare anybody insult the Foo Fighters.)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Your Positive Astros Note of the Day
I’ve been accused of sometimes (okay, always) being too negative toward my hometown Houston Astros. So in response, and with spring training starting next week, I thought I would try posting a positive thought or fact regarding the team for the next several days.
So today’s positive thought is…
There’s just one year left on Carlos Lee’s contract.
So today’s positive thought is…
There’s just one year left on Carlos Lee’s contract.
Meet Chris Clackson, Aeros' Hockey Player, App Developer
Here's the link to my latest at the Houston Press. It's on Aeros left winger Chris Clackson and his development of an iPhone app called Grocery Time. So give it a read if you get the chance.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Rice Strangles SMU for 43-39 Win
It sure wasn't pretty, tonight's basketball game between the Rice Owls (15-11, 6-5) and the SMU Mustangs (11-14, 2-8). But in the end, at least for the Rice Owls, pretty doesn't matter as long as they get the win. And despite not making a field goal for the final 9:48 of the game, win the Owls did.
There's really not much to be said of the actual game besides the fact that it's not the ugliest college basketball game I've ever seen -- that's a tie between a UH/UCF game two years ago in which both schools shot around 20% for the game and last year's NCAA title game in which UConn beat Butler inside Reliant Stadium. But this can be said, the Owls are becoming a decent basketball team.
They've won four of their last five games and have moved into the upper half of the C-USA standings, and they're poised for a good little run to end the regular season. All-Conference forward Arsalan Kazemi appears to be over his knee injury which has slowed him down most of this season, and guard Tamir Jackson looks to be breaking out of his shooting slump, a slump so severe that he found himself getting massive bench time.
"That knee thing is kind of over. I'm over it," Kazemi said after the game. "I think I'm pretty healthy now. I'm getting bumps and bruises every game. That's normal for me."
It was a physical game, and it was another one of those games where Kazemi was beat up on by the opposition on nearly every play down in the paint. But Kazemi kicked his game into gear after a long silence, and he finished with the double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. And that might not have happened, and the Owls might not have got the win, if not for SMU coach Matt Doherty going off on Kazemi in the first half and accusing him of being a flopper.
"I didn't give up," Kazemi said. "Some people give up. I came to the gym by myself. I shoot it. I practice with the team pretty hard and try to just get back on track and be patient. I think that's what happened tonight. I was still struggling for the first couple of minutes -- they were fouling me pretty hard, but the referees weren't calling anything. And then when their coach called me a flopper, it just really got into me, and I said, 'I'm going to go there and play as hard as I can and get this win, and I think that's what happened, and I'm really happy with this win."
Braun credited the defense with the win, which was important when the team went into the offensive slump at the end. The defensive focus allowed the team to get the win and climb back toward the top of the C-USA standings. And this focus occurred, getting the Owls wins in four of their last five games and putting them into a positive focus as they go into a one week break before they return to play next week.
"It's an opportunity to get ourselves going again," head coach Ben Braun said of the last five games. "I'm less concerned, and I really don't want our players to be concerned with the teams we're playing. It's about how we play. And I thought we've corrected a few things that have plagued us. We're making some good team plays, we're doing some things defensively. Guys have brought into that. We've got to remember that. There's always a tendency when you're down to try to get it back offensively, and get frustrated. We're down against Houston and we didn't get frustrated and climbed back into it [winning 79-71 after being down 13-0 to start the game]....[SMU] was a hard fought game. Literally, we had to fight to get this win, and that's going to make us strong in the end."
The win was ugly, but the Owls got the win. But with this win over SMU, and Wednesday's win over the Cougars, the Owls are 2-0 this past week against teams in the Big East -- UH and SMU will be joining the Big East following next season. And with the win in Dallas against SMU earlier this season, the Owls are 3-1 against future Big East opponents this season (the loss was to Memphis) with games against UCF and Houston still to go to finish out the "Big East" portion of their C-USA schedule.
There's really not much to be said of the actual game besides the fact that it's not the ugliest college basketball game I've ever seen -- that's a tie between a UH/UCF game two years ago in which both schools shot around 20% for the game and last year's NCAA title game in which UConn beat Butler inside Reliant Stadium. But this can be said, the Owls are becoming a decent basketball team.
They've won four of their last five games and have moved into the upper half of the C-USA standings, and they're poised for a good little run to end the regular season. All-Conference forward Arsalan Kazemi appears to be over his knee injury which has slowed him down most of this season, and guard Tamir Jackson looks to be breaking out of his shooting slump, a slump so severe that he found himself getting massive bench time.
"That knee thing is kind of over. I'm over it," Kazemi said after the game. "I think I'm pretty healthy now. I'm getting bumps and bruises every game. That's normal for me."
It was a physical game, and it was another one of those games where Kazemi was beat up on by the opposition on nearly every play down in the paint. But Kazemi kicked his game into gear after a long silence, and he finished with the double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. And that might not have happened, and the Owls might not have got the win, if not for SMU coach Matt Doherty going off on Kazemi in the first half and accusing him of being a flopper.
"I didn't give up," Kazemi said. "Some people give up. I came to the gym by myself. I shoot it. I practice with the team pretty hard and try to just get back on track and be patient. I think that's what happened tonight. I was still struggling for the first couple of minutes -- they were fouling me pretty hard, but the referees weren't calling anything. And then when their coach called me a flopper, it just really got into me, and I said, 'I'm going to go there and play as hard as I can and get this win, and I think that's what happened, and I'm really happy with this win."
Braun credited the defense with the win, which was important when the team went into the offensive slump at the end. The defensive focus allowed the team to get the win and climb back toward the top of the C-USA standings. And this focus occurred, getting the Owls wins in four of their last five games and putting them into a positive focus as they go into a one week break before they return to play next week.
"It's an opportunity to get ourselves going again," head coach Ben Braun said of the last five games. "I'm less concerned, and I really don't want our players to be concerned with the teams we're playing. It's about how we play. And I thought we've corrected a few things that have plagued us. We're making some good team plays, we're doing some things defensively. Guys have brought into that. We've got to remember that. There's always a tendency when you're down to try to get it back offensively, and get frustrated. We're down against Houston and we didn't get frustrated and climbed back into it [winning 79-71 after being down 13-0 to start the game]....[SMU] was a hard fought game. Literally, we had to fight to get this win, and that's going to make us strong in the end."
The win was ugly, but the Owls got the win. But with this win over SMU, and Wednesday's win over the Cougars, the Owls are 2-0 this past week against teams in the Big East -- UH and SMU will be joining the Big East following next season. And with the win in Dallas against SMU earlier this season, the Owls are 3-1 against future Big East opponents this season (the loss was to Memphis) with games against UCF and Houston still to go to finish out the "Big East" portion of their C-USA schedule.
Guess Who's Back?
I've decided to fire up the blog once again. Let's see what happens with it this time.
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