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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

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Maybe I Could Play Big Ten College Basketball

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For years, close friends have been making fun of me for watching an inordinate amount of Big Ten basketball. I live in the northeast so one would think I should be predisposed to the ACC or Big East which is not the case. Last night I watched Wisconsin beat Purdue 66-59. I think part of the reason I enjoy watching Big Ten, especially Wisconsin, basketball is because, of all the programs in Division I college basketball, I have the best chance of suiting up and playing for the Badgers.

Please, before you think I have become completely delusional understand that I am only being partially serious. In reality, I know I couldn’t play basketball for Wisconsin.  The apex of my basketball career took place during my junior year of high school when I averaged double digit rebounds and dated a senior girl who, by the way, would eventually leave me for one of my teammates.

But back to the matter at hand. There are two main reasons why I think Wisconsin is the type of DI program where I could play.

Reason #1: I can set screens. I’m also good at rolling to the basket after setting a screen which is a requisite skill in a Bo Ryan offense.

Reason #2: I can box out.  Granted, at 6’3″ I would probably be boxing out opposing shooting guards or small forwards which could be a problem because I have slow feet and my man would be both bigger and stronger.  So actually securing a rebound could be an issue but I can tell you that it would not be for a lack of effort. My fitness would probably have to improve as well but with Wisconsin it’s all about the system and I have faith that Coach Ryan would put me in the best possible position to succeed.

There you have it. Two reasons why I could play Division I college basketball. My not so secret desire is that someone affiliated with the Wisconsin program reads this post and takes me up on my offer. It’s at least worth a pickup game or two.

view of the Kohl Center courtesy of @mdrob89

Media Day to be Replaced by a Massive Scrabble Tournament

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Here is a quick view from Reed Arena during last night’s Texas/Texas A&M college basketball showdown.  College Station is an easy three hour drive from Fort Worth, site of radio row for Super Bowl XLV. Today is media day, where players and coaches parade themselves in full regalia onto podiums and in front of microphones, prepared to answer the same questions from the same reporters over and over again.  It has been clear for many years now that media day is in need of a major face-lift. Here are just a few of my recommendations on how to improve this rather monotonous tradition.

1 – All interviews should be conducted on twitter.  This would allow anyone, not just media members with press passes, to ask questions and players could then pick and choose which ones they want to answer.  Twitter has also become a fairly candid forum for professional athletes to bear their souls, perhaps it has something to do with the 140 characters or less.

2 – If the NFL is going to insist on some sort of mass gathering, they should consider organizing the field so that opposing players share tables a la two heavyweight boxers during a tail of the tape press conference.  And you could get really creative with the pairings.  Think about Aaron Rodgers sitting alongside James Harrison or Charles Woodson next to Hines Ward.  Of course you may have a tougher time drawing an audience to Chad Clifton and Aaron Smith but I think you get the point.

3 – Media day should be replaced by a massive scrabble or words with friends tournament.  Nothing too taxing but some sort of informal competition that will allow fans to see another side of their favorite players.  Originally, I thought it would be fun for these athletes to compete in some sort of physical skills challenge but figured the risk of injury was much too high. A harmless battle of wits seems like the best remaining option plus it might be really illuminating to see which athletes have the most extensive vocabularies and who struggles to string together a coherent sequence of consonants and vowels.

So what do you think?  Any chance the NFL takes me up on any of these suggestions?

view from Reed Arena courtesy of @nathancain

Twitter Will be the End of the NFLPA

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Is it possible to have a March Madness without Gonzaga? After St. Mary’s disposed of the Zags 73-71 in Spokane last evening, it has become more and more likely that America’s Cinderella will need to win their conference tournament if they hope to have any chance of “dancing” this spring. Long are the days of John Stockton, Dan Dickau, and Casey Calvary.

The other big news out of the Pacific Northwest is the ongoing twitter feud between Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie.  To make a long story short, Cromartie has threatened to “smash” Hasselbeck’s face in over comments the quarterback  posted, then erased, on twitter that questioned Cromartie’s overall “grasp” of the current labor standoff facing the NFL this offseason. One thing’s for sure, players against players is exactly the type of behavior NFL owners were banking on as they prepare to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement.

Does the NFL truly face the possibility of a lockout? It seems like there is much too much money involved to just simply postpone, or even cancel the 2011 season.  With television ratings at an all time high, the league has way too much momentum to just simply shut itself down.  I’m hoping a deal is struck soon because Sundays just wouldn’t be the same without a health dose of football.

view from Gonzaga/SMS courtesy of @neilstover

Nobody Puts The Jimmer in the Corner

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Allow me to be the 25,000th blogger to say a few words about Jimmer Fredette this morning.  Let’s start with the obvious., the Jimmer single-handedly led his BYU Cougar team to a 71-58 upset victory over #4 ranked San Diego State.  When I say “single-handedly” what I mean to say is that if you were to take away the Jimmer’s 43 points, BYU would have lost by 30. It’s simple math really. The Jimmer is emerging as something more than a Mormon folk hero. He has become a national sensational who has justifiably drawn the attention of the entire basketball world.

I love this picture from Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker @kirkmorrison55. The Jimmer looks like a Roman Emperor just back from conquering Gaul, ready to address his adoring mob. We need to put @fivethrityeight on the case to see if the Jimmer should run for political office in Utah someday soon. From the looks it, the Jimmer is already the people’s choice.

As far as Jimmer the basketball player goes, I’m amazed by his balance and range.  He has the innate ability to get his feet set and upper body square to the basket. Even when he looks out of control he someone manages to settle himself and get off a decent shot. Also, he has in the gym range. As soon as the Jimmer crosses half court he’s got to be thinking about chucking up a shot.  As a defender, you better have a hand in his face as soon as he touches the ball in the backcourt.

What are the chances that the Jimmer and BYU make a run deep into the NCAA tourney? Lots of people are making the Steph Curry/Davidson comparison.  It’s probably going to come down to seeding/draw because I don’t see BYU getting past consecutive opponents who are both bigger and more athletic .

One final observation, why don’t I get CBS College Sports Network?  C’mon Comcast!!! You’re in charge of a massive media monopoly and the least you could do is show your customers some measure of appreciation.  And while you’re at it, I’ll take the Fox Sports Soccer Channel as well.

There Are No Actual Animals in the Oakland Zoo

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It took me forever to figure out why the Pitt student section went by the name “Oakland Zoo”. Granted, I could have figured it all out with a quick visit to “the google” but I must have wanted to make things harder for myself. Possible early guesses behind the name included: 1) Charles Oakland was a former player for the Panthers back in the early 1970’s. NOT TRUE. 2) University founders built the current campus over a prehistoric animal sanctuary. Also, NOT TRUE.  3) And this was a stretch, there is no true connection between the University of Pittsburgh and the name “Oakland Zoo”. You guessed it, NOT TRUE.

So, as it turns out, “Oakland” is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh where the university is located.  “Zoo” refers to the wild and crazy antics of the student body that has been pouring into the Petersen Events Center ever since the doors opened back in 2002.

One of my favorite parts about “The Pete” are the floor level luxury boxes that extend along the entire length of the court. Great idea that was probably modeled after Qwest Field in Seattle and perhaps has since gone on to serve as the inspiration behind similar designs in Cowboy Stadium and the New Meadowlands. It’s good for the upper class folk to mingle with us common people every now and again.

view of “The Pete” courtesy of @Chris_Gates