Saturday, March 30, 2013

LaQuinton Ross' 3 brings back a good XU memory...

On Thursday night, LaQuinton Ross hit one of the biggest three's in the History of Ohio State Basketball. Probably bigger than Aaron Craft's 3 the week before and bigger than Ron Lewis' 3 against Xavier in 2007.

Five years ago last night, Xavier played West Virginia in the West Regional Semi. Down 2 in Overtime, Junior BJ Raymond hit a three to put Xavier up 1. After a missed WV shot, the Musketeers had the ball and ran down the shot clock and Sean Miller called time.

Senior Stanley Burrell threw a pass across court to Raymond, who hit a shot clock buzzer beating three to send Xavier to their 2nd Elite Eight in four years.

It's hard for me to believe that its been five years since this grand Xavier Moment. Xavier would lose to #1 seed UCLA in the Elite Eight, ending the Careers of Stanley Burrell, Josh Duncan and Drew Lavender.

I am a avid You Tube watcher. I watch Elite Again on You Tube, the story about Xavier's 2008 season. Stanley Burrell said about Xavier's Elite Eight game against UCLA, "We just did not have our night that we needed". That senior trio was fun to watch. Making three NCAA Tournament appearances, One A10 Tournament Championship. They made Xavier University proud.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

My All-Time NCAA Tournament Team of the last 10 years

Tyler Hansborough: North Carolina.

Carmelo Anthony: Syracuse

Kemba Walker: UCONN

Terrence Jones: Kentucky

Ty Lawson: North Carolina

These guys played huge roles in their quest for their teams winning it all.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Why is the IZOD Center no longer hosting NCAA games

You would think with this being the 75th Anniversary of the tournament, a venue that has had some memorable moments; The IZOD Center; formerly known as The Meadowlands, has not hosted an NCAA game since the 2007 season, would have the opportunity to host games at this storied venue

Here are some memorable moments games:

1990: Christian Latenner's jumper propels Duke to the Final four

1991: North Carolina outlast's Temple to advance to the Final Four
          Temple outlasts Oklahoma State in regional semis

1993: North Carolina defeats Cincinnati in the elite eight to make the Final Four ending the career of Nick Van Exel

1995: Oklahoma State defeats # 1 seed Wake Forest and #2 Seed UMASS to advance to the Final Four behind Bryant "Big Country" Reeves and Randy Rutherford

1996: Kentucky wins their 6th National Championship, Rick Pitino's first

1999: Duke defeats Temple in the Elite Eight

2004: John Lucas' the III's 3 pointer defeats St. Joseph's and sends Oklahoma State to the Final Four

2007: Georgetown defeats Vandy on a last second shot and then beats North Carolina in Overtime to advance to the Final Four

The Prudential Center in Newark hosted the regional in 2011.

You would think the a venue that has seen some memorable tournament moments like these, this would get some recognition to host more NCAA Tournament games. I do know that Duke has played a game there 3 times in the last five years ( beating Xavier in 2008, Butler in 2010 and Temple in 2012).

I know that Thompson Boling Arena in Knoxville has not hosted any NCAA games since 1999, that was the year Ohio State beat Auburn and St. John's to go to the Final Four in Tampa.

March Madness BABY!!!!

March Madness

                March Madness is the time where legends are born, where basketball players make plays that become memories for a long time. Over the last twenty five years, we have seen some great moments during March Madness. Small Schools clinch their first ever Conference Championship and make it to their first NCAA Tournament.  Duke’s 4 National Championships, The Fab Five of Michigan, The last Final Four Most Outstanding Player not to get drafted by the NBA, Donald Williams; North Carolina 1993, Dean Smith breaking Adolph Rupp’s record for most career wins, Mike Bibby becoming the first Freshmen point guard to lead his team to a National Championship; 1997. The legend that is George Mason University was born in 2006, when they beat three of the decades National Champions in their run to Indianapolis, including Michigan State and North Carolina at Dayton in 2006. 2006 was also the first year since 1980 ( I googled it) that featured a Final Four with out  a #1 seed. The Big Ten Conference had Final Four teams in a four year stretch from 1999-2002, The Big East Conference won National Championships in 1999, 2003 and 2004, The ACC and Big Ten Conference would oppose one another in the title game in 1992, 1993, 2002, 2005, 2009, with the ACC coming out on top in all five games. The Southeastern Conference had two teams in the Final Four in 1996 and 2006 when Erik Dampier and Dante Jones led Mississippi State on a magical ride to the Final Four in 1996, beating the #1 seed UCONN in the regional semis and beating # 2 Seed Cincinnati in the elite eight, oh I forgot to mention that the Bulldogs shocked #1 ranked Kentucky in the SEC Championship game that season as well and Glen Davis and Tryus Thomas lead LSU to the Final Four beating # 1 seed Duke and ending the college career of perhaps the greatest college basketball player to never win a National Championship, JJ Redick and then beating #2 seed Texas. Xavier University would win four games in a four day span to win the Atlantic 10 tournament and reach the NCAA tournament in 2004 and 2006 as the legend of Stanley Burrell was born in 2006. Georgia winning three games in a 48 hour span to make the NCAA Tournament in 2008, giving Xavier all they can handle in the first round. Oh, who could forget Gerry McNamara leading Syracuse on a magical ride to the 2006 Big East Tournament Championship. The Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gator’s become the first teams since the John Wooden led UCLA Bruins in the 1970’s to win back to back championships. Michigan State would give a state and an economy something to cheer for in 2009 as they went on a magical ride to the National Championship Game, bowing out to North Carolina. Kemba Walker single handedly leading UCONN to the Big East Tournament Championship and National Championship in 2011 March Madness would feature some memorable games during the last 10 years: Illinois vs Arizona; 2005, Duke vs Xavier 2004; Gonzaga vs Arizona; 2003, Kentucky vs Tulsa; 2002 ( Teyshaun Prince, 41 points), Ohio State vs Tennessee (2007), Buckeyes overcome second half deficit, Michigan State vs Kentucky, 2005, Duke vs Maryland 2001, Duke overcomes 22 point 1st half deficit ( no lead was safe against the 2001 Blue Devils), Xavier vs West Virginia 2008 ( the legend of BJ Raymond was born), Kansas vs Davidson 2008 ( the legend of Stephen Curry was born), Kansas vs Memphis, 2008 National title game, Duke vs Butler 2010 National Title game, Xavier vs Kansas State 2010, Kansas Vs Arizona, 2003, Bucknell vs Kansas 2005, Vermont vs Syracuse 2005, West Virginia vs Wake Forest 2005; Mountaineers end College Career of Chris Paul,  Ohio State vs Xavier 2007, Ohio State vs Siena 2009, Ohio Vs Georgetown; 2010 Murray State vs Vandy, 2010, Maryland vs UNC Wilmington (Drew Nicholas saves the defending champs), Michigan State vs Maryland 2010; Korie Lucious 3 propels Sparty to second straight Final Four. This Tournament will mark the 10 year anniversary of Roy Williams last year at Kansas, leading the Jayhawks to the Title game, beating Arizona in a thriller in the West Regional. Not to mention the 20 year anniversary of Michigan and the Fab Five making it to their second straight title game, losing a thriller to North Carolina, which was the last time Ray Jackson, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose and Jimmy King would play in a game together.  Missouri’s run to the Elite Eight as a 11 seed in 2002, West Virginia’s run to the Elite Eight in 2005, Northern Iowa’s surprising run to the sweet 16 in 2010, Temple’s exciting run to the Elite Eight in 2001 as a 11 seed. Marquette’s ride to the sweet 16 at a 11 seed beating Xavier and Syracuse along with way, Kentucky ending thirteen years of tournament frustration beating Ohio State and North Carolina in thrillers to advance to the Final Four. VCU beginning their magical run in Dayton to the Final Four, beating the likes of Purdue and Kansas along with the way and Butler making its second straight title game appearance this time as an eight seed. Louisville advancing to the Final four, beating Michigan State and Florida, before bowing out to Kentucky in 2012, Ohio State advancing to the Final Four beating Syracuse in the thriller in the East Regional before bowing out to Kansas in the National Semi.  I can go on and on. March Madness has also seen its share of heroes as well: Scottie Reynold’s ( 2009 Villanova), Sean May, Raymond Felton ( 2005 North Carolina), Romain Soto, Dedrick Finn, Lionel Chalmers, Justin Doleman ( 2004 Xavier), Kallin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, Korie Lucious ( Michigan State 2009, 2010), Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara, Josh Pace ( Syracuse 2003), Will Bynum, BJ Elder ( Georgia Tech, 2004), Gordon Heyward, Matt Howard ( Butler, 2010), Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith (Duke 2010), Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Lee Humphries ( Florida 2006-2007), Richard Jefferson, Loren Woods, Michael Wright ( Arizona 2001), Kyle Hornsby, Dane Fife, Jared Jeffries, (Indiana, 2002), Tyler Hanbourgh, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green ( 2009 North Carolina), Ohio State 2007 ( Greg Oden, Ron Lewis, Mike Conley, Dequan Cook),  2012 was the first time that 2 #15 seeds beat a # 2 seed: Leigh beating Duke and Norfolk State beating Missouri. #16 seed Holy Cross had #1 seed Kansas on the ropes in 2002, before the Jayhawks prevailed by 11. Holy Cross put a scare into Kentucky’s 2001 tournament as a #15 seed before the Cat’s prevailed by 5. Kentucky and Indiana would go head to head for 34 minutes before Kentucky prevails by 12 in the Sweet 16 in 2012.  Kentucky would win their first National Championship since 1998 with a star studded starting five: Terrence Jones, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest, Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague, all went to the NBA.  March Madness would also feature some of the best all around teams to win the National Championship: Kentucky 1996, four of the five starters were drafted by the NBA, (Point guard Anthony Epps was not), Duke 2001, One of three best starting five’s to win the Championship, All five were drafted by the NBA, North Carolina, 2005, Sean May, Raymond Felton, Rashad McCant’s, Jawad Williams, Marvin Williams, North Carolina, 2009, Tyler Hansbourgh, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Ed Davis, all five on both teams were NBA draft picks and two outstanding teams to win National Championships. The Final Four has featured some memorable Cinderella story’s as well. 2006: LSU and George Mason, 2010, Butler, who was a half court heave from winning the National Championship, 1997 Arizona, a team many thought would not make it to the Final Four, let alone beat three #1 seeds. 2000 featured 2 #8 seeded teams, Wisconsin and North Carolina, both bowing out to ensuing National Champions. 2009, Villanova, thanks to Scottie Reynold’s runner in the lane in the Elite Eight, 2005, Louisville and Michigan State #4 and 5 seed’s, 2002 Indiana, a team that gave the Hoosier State something to be proud of once again. 2008 saw all four #1 seeds make it to the Final Four.  Duke University, the last team to play in three National Championship Games in a four year span; 1991-94. University of Kentucky making it to five straight Elite Eight’s from 1995-99 and the last program to appear in three straight National Championship Game’s. March Madness would also feature some memorable sound bites, but none more memorable then Jim Boeheim’s “10 f---ing games this year” and Roy Williams “I can get a you know what about North Carolina right now”.  This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Hakim Warricks National title saving block on Kansas guard Michael Lee’s three point attempt and the 20 year anniversary of Chris Webber’s infamous time out. The 15 year anniversary of “The Comeback Cats”. The 25th anniversary of Danny and the Miracles and the 5 year anniversary of Mario’s Miracle and the first time ever that all four # 1 seeds made the Final Four

        March Madness is a time when college basketball legends are born. It’s a time when basketball memories are etched into basketball lore and the record books. Its what makes sports fun and exciting to watch.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The NCAA's in Dayton over the years...

1995: My first time being at the NCAA's: Miami University took on Virginia in the 2nd round. Virginia outlasts the Redhawks 60-54 in overtime. Kansas defeats Western Kentucky in the nightcap

2006: Six outstanding games: Ohio State outlasts Davidson, Georgetown squeaks by Northern Iowa, George Mason begins their magical run to the Final Four by defeating Michigan State, North Carolina outlasts Murray State. George Mason defeats North Carolina and Georgetown defeats Ohio State

2009: Oklahoma State stunns Tennesee on a last second basket, Pitt destroys ETSU, Louisville destroys Morehead State and Sienna stuns Ohio State in double overtime

2011: The First Four comes to Dayton: Clemson defeats UAB. VCU begins their Magical ride to the Final Four by defeating USC

Dayton has no idea how lucky they are to host the First Four. You think of cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta (which is hosted the Final Four this year), Los Angeles, New York, East Rutherford (Izod Center; formerly called The Meadowlands), that have great venues like they do and Dayton of all of these cities, gets to host the beginning of the NCAA tournament. It's awesome.

No Big East for UD in 2013-14

ESPN.com is reporting that Xavier, Butler and Creighton will be apart of the new 10 team Big East in the 2013-14 season. Which leaves Dayton out. I think it makes some sense in large part that Xavier and Butler have had great NCAA tournament success over the years.

Xavier: 2004: Won the A10 tournament at Dayton, winning 4 games in 4 days to make the NCAA's. Which rode their momentum to a Elite Eight appearance against Duke. In 2006, again won the A10 tournament winning 4 games in 4 days and gave 3rd seeded Gonzaga all they can handle in the first round. 2008 Advanced to their second Elite Eight, thanks to the heroics of BJ Raymond. 2010 advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and nearly upset Kansas State before bowing out in Double Overtime. 2012 Advanced to the title game of the A10 before bowing out to St. Bonaventure and the Sweet Sixteen before bowing out to Baylor

Butler: In the 2000's, made the NCAA's in 2000,2001,2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Made the Sweet 16 in 2003, 2007, advanced to the National Championship Game in 2010 and 2011

Creighton: the top dog of the Missouri Valley Conference.

It would have been nice to see Dayton play the likes of Marquette, St. Johns, Villanova, Georgetown and all the other schools.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Notable Sports Moments on March 4

2000: Ft. Loramie defeats Lehman 58-37 in the Sectional Title game behind 23 points from Brad Rethman. The Redskins ended the high school careers of Ryan Ratermann, Tony Cianciolo, Tony Staley, Jake Sinclair, Dave Hodapp, Sam Mikolajewski and Luke Schlater

2005: Cedarville holds off Lehman 60-54 in the District Final, despite 31 points from Kyle Corbin. It would be the final game for Derek Horstman, Luke Maurer and Mitch Rank

2011: Lehman defeats Botkins by 5 to win the Sectional Championship

1993: The Late and Great Jimmy Valvanno game a speech for the ages at the Espy's. "Don't give up, dont ever give up".