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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Battle for a 16 Seed Commences in Connecticut

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I took a family outing to Fairfield, CT today to watch the Sacred Heart Pioneers take on the Wagner Seahawks in a battle of Northeast Conference foes.  The game went into overtime where Wagner would eventually defeat SHU 73-68.

As the picture indicates, plenty of good seats were still available at tipoff, which is too bad because the basketball was entertaining and the setting quite intimate.  I would have expected a much larger crowd for a Saturday afternoon.  Maybe everyone was watching college football on television or out buying a Christmas tree. Either way, people are missing out on a good time. Share your views.

View of the Day: Gampel Pavilion

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Why can’t UNH basketball be more like UConn? Are the demographics between these two New England states all that different that one university system can support a perennial national championship contending DI basketball program while the other struggles to remain competitive in the America East Conference? Does it come down to interest? UNH is a hockey school with a basketball problem whereas UConn has used the basketball program(s) to help their football team emerge as this year’s Big East favorite for a BCS bowl bid.

I may live in Connecticut but I grew up in New Hampshire and can tell you that I would love to see the Wildcat basketball program become a regional power. For tonight however, please Huskies take mercy on our Granite State souls! Share your views.

College Basketball: Last Year’s Darlings, This Season’s Hunted

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For the past decade, Gonzaga has held a special place in the hearts of most college basketball fans.  They have been the Boise State of college basketball, the Cinderella team from a non BCS conference that usually hangs around, pestering the perennial powers, until late March.  Last season, with their run to the national championship game in Indianapolis, the Butler Bulldogs emerged as America’s other sweetheart alongside the Zags.  Both programs tip off this season ranked in the top 25.  If last night was any indication, opponents have circled their calendars and are ready to take aim at both teams.

The Louisville Cardinals opened their new arena, the “KFC Yum! Center” with an impressive 88-73 win over Butler.  The crowd was clearly exited about the new arena and gave their Cardinals an overwhelming home court advantage.  For their part, the Bulldogs looked detached and a bit scared.  This is not the same team that came within inches of beating Duke in last year’s national championship.  Matt Howard refuses to stay out of foul trouble and Butler clearly misses the presence of a supreme talent like Gordon Hayward.  Not time to write the obituary yet, Butler has the pedigree and coaching to recover and stay in the headlines.

Share your views. Will Butler make a run in the NCAA tourney this year?  Is Louisville a true contender in the Big East?  And finally, “KFC Yum! Center”. Really? Can’t take the place seriously with a name like that.  I prefer the name Freedom Hall.