The Drubbing

Hank Gathers

20 years ago today, Hank Gathers took his last dunk, his last shot, and collapsed on the court against Portland.  There have been many articles written about Hank, and even a movie.  I was only 10 years old at the time, and it didn’t quite sit in what had happened.  Why such a great athlete in great shape passed out and died right there on the court.  One of the most memorable scenes for me was when LMU made the NCAA tournament and Bo Kimble, with a heavy heart, shot every one of his first free throws left handed as tribute.  To this day that image sticks with me.

Hank’s death gives us one of the ultimate “what if’s”.  Think for a second the ramifications of his passing and let’s play “what if Hank did not die”:

• Would the LMU vs UNLV game be one of the most exciting, highest scoring games ever?!
• Would LMU win the NCAA tournament, knock off eventual Champ UNLV and then take care of Duke? (or would Duke win and carry a dynasty forward with 3 straight wins -they already won in ‘91 and ‘92)
• Does Hank go first overall and change the destiny of the NJ Nets? (no more Derrick Coleman)
• Was Hank a product of Westphal’s system, or was he really that dominant?  Personally i think he was that dominant.  In ‘88-’89 he averaged 32.7 pts and 13.7 rebs a game, leading the nation.  In 1990 before he passed away he put up 48pts and 13rebs against LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal.
• Does Len Bias and then Hank Gather’s death (only 4 years apart) change the NBA landscape? Does Jordan win all those rings?  Do we have 2 torches to carry us through the 90’s to the Kobe, LBJ, Wade era?

I did not know Hank Gathers, but from all accounts he sounded like a great kid.  Anytime someone is taken away from us too early it is tragic.  For anyone under the age of 25 that probably doesn’t remember, this is a good article to read and realize how special Hank really was and how the game of basketball lost a great, special player.

NCAA Tournament- Long Beach, CA. Bo Kimble in action, shooting a free throw with his left hand in honor of Hank Gathers, 3/16/90.

With the First Quarterback picked in this year’s 2010 NFL draft, the Hoff selects…

I’ve never thought the word “select” can hit me with such anticipation as it does when I hear it used in that sentence. I’m like a little kid waiting to get off the school bus on the last day before summer vacation. Those were the days.

…Tim Tebow, Quarterback, University of Florida.
The crowd erupts with a mixture of boos and cheers.
Mel Kiper Jr. gels up to ream me out and Chris Berman does another Applebee’s commercial.
Continue reading “I’d take Tebows Superman Pecs #1″ →

While I was taking a break from reading the bible that is the menu at Cheesecake Factory, I glanced up to the TV screen to see Duke beating a small school by about 35 points.  This got me to thinking, what made Duke so consistently successful in college basketball over the past 20 years?  Duke has won at least 22 games since ‘96!  Now, some bitter Tar Heel and Terp fans may say the reason for this is because of biased officials, i disagree.
Continue reading “Why is Coach K so successful?” →

Just expand the damn Big 11 already.

A few weeks back, Joe Paterno got cranky, just like old men typically do, and challenged the Big 10 leadership to correct a perceived deficiency in his coaching ability. Paterno, sick of constantly being physically manhandled in the Rose Bowl, requested that his minor conference expand to include a twelfth member. Paterno’s excuse for consistent bowl loses is simply put, the additional two week lay off from the end of the Big XI season to bowl season leaves the B11 rusty and therefore unable to compete with the likes of any other BCS conference.
Continue reading “Thoughts on Joe Pa and Dementia” →

Brett Farve makes Sean Glennon (and his girl) want to vomit

As if Tarvaris Jackson wasn’t bad enough.

Undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Sean Glennon recently entered the Viking’s spring rookie camp looking for a charitable roster spot donation by his former Virginia Tech college quarterbacks coach, current Viking assistant Kevin Rodgers. Rodgers was last seen around perennial backup Glennon in 2005 when he abruptly left Blacksburg, VA immediately after his star quarterback stomped Elvis Dummervil’s leg into submission and ended his college statutory rape, drug arrest, dogfighting, playing career. Upon realizing Sean Glennon would be his starter the following season, Rodgers bolted for anything paying.
Continue reading “Brett Farve v. Sean Glennon I” →

Every year I pull together what i think will happen in the 1st round of the NFL draft, along with some commentary on who they should take.  I spend literally minutes pulling all of this information together so you can be prepared for your team’s draft.  Let’s get right into it shall we:

1. On the Clock since sometime in February, the Detroit Lions select – Matt Stafford - QB – Georgia.  This leaves the 0-16 Lions no better than where they were the previous year.  I am not a real big fan on this year’s QB class, and would wait it out till next year’s stellar class.  I would have gone with sure thing, LB Aaron Curry.
Continue reading “My 2009 1st Round NFL Mock Draft” →

I often hear about how coaches in the college game really care about their kids. If you truly believe that, then this should interest you.

Meet Jim Boeheim, winner of the 2003 National Championship.

Meet Paul Harris. Boeheim once called him the best freshman that he recruited since Carmelo Anthony. (Thanks for that Jim, since Paul started all of three years after Melo).

Paul Harris didn’t declare for the NBA Draft but someone declared for him. Syracuse University issued a press release stating that Harris declared for the Draft. Concerning his entrance of the NBA Draft, Harris told the Post Standard “I didn’t know a thing about it, I didn’t do that. I don’t have a clue who actually did it.”
Continue reading “College Basketball Is Not Where Caring Happens” →

Where do you find ties this long?

Just when we thought we’d heard the last out of Isiah Thomas. He’s back. Now as the head coach of the Florida International men’s basketball team. In charge of teaching young men how to be better basketball players, and better citizens of the world. Perfect.

As a gesture of goodwill, he’s voiced his intent to donate his first year salary back to the athletic department at Florida International. The terms of his contract have not been released, but I’m sure he’ll really miss whatever they’re paying him.
Continue reading “Enough is enough, Isiah Thomas needs to go away” →

I’m tired of Clark Kellogg ruining NCAA tournament games. There is such a great pool of announcers, there is no excuse to continue to let him make a fool of himself and a mockery of the NCAA and the game of basketball. And I love Jim Nance, but Jimmy’s best place is up in the tower at Amen corner broadcasting The Masters live from Augusta National. Let’s leave this game to the professionals (that doesn’t mean you Doris Burke).

Don’t get me wrong, removing Billy Packer was a welcome change, and long overdue. But replacing one bad announcer with another isn’t really a change. It was really just an ACC shift. I’ve never heard any announcer openly root for any team than Billy Packer for Duke. Until maybe I heard Clark Kellogg root for UNC while doing the championship game.

In case there is anyone out there besides Clark “Kelly” Kellogg and Jim “Nancy” Nance, that don’t think they should be replaced, I decided to collect a few of Kelly’s rambling buffoonery during this year’s contest. Cause we all know, the game wasn’t that entertaining to begin with.
Continue reading “Clark Kellogg must go” →

Blue Chips 2, feature John Calipari

The “Blue Chips” award to John Calipari, for going to Kentucky.  How does a coach get really good young recruits to go to schools like UMass and Memphis?  I have no idea, but Calapari has a knack for it.  I am not accusing John of any illegal recruiting violations or shawdy academic records (although i did hear a funny rumor that Joey Dorsey is illiterate, not that illiteracy is comical, but the fact someone can graduate college not being able to read).  What i am saying is that i foresee some troubles down in bluegrass country as this school has a lot higher visibility than Memphis or UMass.

The “Poster” award goes to Durrell Summers from Michgan St.  The majority of the time Stanley Roberts will posterize other players, and on certain occasions, whole teams (like he did later in the game against the Spartans).  Unfortunately for him, when you contest as many shots as he does, you are bound to get dunked on.
Continue reading “2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four Awards” →