On a week including the resolution of the Final Four and the beginning of the baseball season, I would never have guessed that Grind It Out Sports would be addressing a college football story. Granted the Georgetown game was a big disappointment…even though Hibbert outplayed Oden in the most hyped matchup of 7-footers since Olajuwon-Ewing over 20 years ago, an uncharacteristic string of Hoya turnovers opened the door for Conley and company to score on fast breaks, as the Buckeyes kept Georgetown at bay to advance to the finals. A finals which was more a coronation for the Gators than a game as Ohio State never really got involved. The game, which was played right after the first Passover seder was disappointingly “like any other night” in which the Gators superior talent and depth allowed them to coast to victory.
None of that seems as significant as the passing of former Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson this week at age 88. “Coach Rob”, as he was affectionately known by his players coached that team for 57 years, and is not only a bridge to the past, but a man whose unique presence made a meaningful contribution to the changing social environment of our country.
Just the sound of Grambling State’s former name connotes a bygone era in our country: “Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute”. Robinson took over the coaching job at this traditionally black college in 1941, and in a segregated America his interpretation of his coaching duties included making sandwiches for his players when they went to road games, since they were not welcome at any restaurants along the way. "Coaching is a profession of love.” Robinson would say, “You can't coach people unless you love them." Anyone whose Mom or Dad made them sandwiches can relate, but what must it have meant for these young men, away from the home for the first time, to have the soothing, upbeat, and gentlemanly presence of Robinson to give them courage and teach them what it means to be a man – in a nation where they were treated as less than men.
That Robinson set the record for coaching wins is a fitting tribute, less to his X’s and O’s than to his consistency and unwavering dedication to his purpose in life. He found at Grambling a platform that allowed him to touch the lives of thousands of young men, 200 of which went on to the NFL. Within the reach of his little college he was able to lay down his own rules. Saying that he treated each player “like he wanted to marry my daughter”, Robinson created a place where every individual was respected. It just took America a little while to catch up to him.
Thanks for the legacy you created for all human beings to learn from, and rest in peace Coach Rob.
Showing posts with label Georgetown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Georgetown. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Hoyas Scrape the Tar Off Heels
Every year for the past 15 March Madnesses, I complete brackets against my brother and father for a Champion T-shirt and the bragging rights that it brings. This year my brother Andrew had the first ever perfect Elite 8 AND Final Four, very impressive, clinching victory before the last three games are even played. Andrew thinks in spreadsheets and has a deadly and unsentimental ability to divine winners, skills which have greatly contributed to my 3-12 lifetime record in the Reichman Pool. Andrew's latest victory has taken away some of the joy I would otherwise feel at picking 3 of the Final Four correctly this year, possibly for first time ever, with only Texas A&M betrtaying me. Furthermore my Hoyas-over-Bruins final outcome prediction still looks like a great call.
Most amazing of all were two emotional, nail-biting, come-from-behind Georgetown victories.
G'town advances past Vanderbilt on a clutch bank shot by Jeff Green in traffic with 10 seconds remaining. Green backed into the lane, almost lost the ball in a black-jerseyed haze of the Vandy double team, only to uncoil and go glass to put the Hoyas up. This after Hoyas had to gradually claw their way back from a big Commodores lead, as big 3s from Vandy's Byars and Foster forced all the time off the clock by the time the Hoyas were able to creep close.
And then, in the last game before the Final Four, the Meadowlands showdown between the Hoyas and UNC, won in incredible fashion by the Hoyas in a case of divine intervention. With the coffin lid closing on them, Georgetown showed Grind It Out heart and fearless determintaion coming from 11 down in the final 10 minutes to scrape the Tar right off the Heels of NC. A succession of good defensive plays by Green, Sapp and Hibbert kept allowing the Hoyas to shave UNC's lead, climaxed by Green's pass over the basket to a wide open Ewing Jr. for 2, and then the ultimate - Jonathan Wallace for three with 31 seconds and he cans it(!) tying the game at 81. In OT its off to the races as Wallace, the smallest player on the court, sneaks through the back door for two and the Hoyas never look back, going up 12 before the Heels get their only OT basket. The Heels Hansbrough, confounded by the swarming Hoya D loses concentration with traveling calls, missed foul shots and the Hoyas never blink steaming through to an almost unbelievable victory. The powder blue seas parted for G'town as just abourt everything that had to go right did over the last 10 minutes of the game and OT.
Most amazing of all were two emotional, nail-biting, come-from-behind Georgetown victories.
G'town advances past Vanderbilt on a clutch bank shot by Jeff Green in traffic with 10 seconds remaining. Green backed into the lane, almost lost the ball in a black-jerseyed haze of the Vandy double team, only to uncoil and go glass to put the Hoyas up. This after Hoyas had to gradually claw their way back from a big Commodores lead, as big 3s from Vandy's Byars and Foster forced all the time off the clock by the time the Hoyas were able to creep close.
And then, in the last game before the Final Four, the Meadowlands showdown between the Hoyas and UNC, won in incredible fashion by the Hoyas in a case of divine intervention. With the coffin lid closing on them, Georgetown showed Grind It Out heart and fearless determintaion coming from 11 down in the final 10 minutes to scrape the Tar right off the Heels of NC. A succession of good defensive plays by Green, Sapp and Hibbert kept allowing the Hoyas to shave UNC's lead, climaxed by Green's pass over the basket to a wide open Ewing Jr. for 2, and then the ultimate - Jonathan Wallace for three with 31 seconds and he cans it(!) tying the game at 81. In OT its off to the races as Wallace, the smallest player on the court, sneaks through the back door for two and the Hoyas never look back, going up 12 before the Heels get their only OT basket. The Heels Hansbrough, confounded by the swarming Hoya D loses concentration with traveling calls, missed foul shots and the Hoyas never blink steaming through to an almost unbelievable victory. The powder blue seas parted for G'town as just abourt everything that had to go right did over the last 10 minutes of the game and OT.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Big East a Subtitle for Hoyas?
Time is frozen. Georgetown’s Jeff Green, the basketball cradled in his forearms. Bent into a 45 degree angle whose corner is wedged into the thigh of Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody. Game tied less than a minute left. Time unfreezes at the perfect instant as he steps and curls toward the basket, gliding through Harangody’s forearm shove and uncoiling the ball in a catapulting hook shot at the top of the lane. The ball strikes the front of the rim. The ref’s whistle blows at Harangoday’s blocking foul. The ball hits the backboard. The ball falls softly through the basket. The tide turns as Georgetown takes a lead they will not relinquish, and, following a businesslike throttling of Pitt in the finals, they walk out of Madison Square Garden Big East champs for the first time since 1989.
The tournament and a potential number one seed awaits, but what does this classic and emotional sub-championship foretell of the Hoya’s fate in the true contest that awaits? All the complementary pieces needed to support the sublime and versatile Jeff Green are in place. The fine ball handling and 47% three point shooting of point guard Jonathan Wallace give Georgetown the prerequisite floor general. Jessie Sapp slashing at the basket can break down a defense when their pinpoint passing goes through a stretch where they can’t find a good shot. And 7’2” behemoth Roy Hibbert remains Coach Thompson’s ace in the hole, grabbing dunks and rebounds in moments when his size advantage seems unfair, yet his minutes always managed by Thompson so to never have his clumsy stiffness on the floor at the wrong time. Add the final ingredient, the X-factor hustle of role player Ewing Jr diving after lose balls, grabbing key steals, appearing out of nowhere for the offensive rebound and putback.
One could view the Hoyas as a lock for the NCAA title, but could not the jubilation of their conference title satisfy some of that hunger and desire which is needed for the journey ahead? At Grind it Out Sports, we’ve learned how ridiculously impossible it is to attempt to answer these questions coming into the tournament, and seek only to point out that Georgetown’s clutch performance in their defining moment creates a yin/yang situation whose upside could be a title and whose downside is a possible fizzling out of intensity resulting in a Sweet Sixteen loss to a lower seeded opponent.
Similarly, we examine the defining moment for each of the other tournament favorites, with the yin/yang question whose unknowable answer holds the key – either to tournament glory or humiliation.
UCLA’s defining moment was the only 3 points scored by their leader Arron Afflalo in their loss to Cal (first game of Pac 10 tourney). “Worst game ever” in Afflalo’s own Comic-Book-Guy-like opinion. This “I’ve hit rockbottom” epiphany could be the turning point toward a more determined Bruin effort just at the right time, or it could be just a plateau on the way to the real crash landing, if Afflalo gets tight and comes unglued again.
UNC’s moment came courtesy of a nose-breaking, Kobe-Bryant-style arm swinging by Duke forward Gerald Henderson. Suddenly bloodied, quiet Tar Heel leader Tyler Hansbrough first has an emotional reaction to fight back, later is thrust into a media spotlight, and eventually plastic masked for the following games. His anger flushed out, Hansbrough could be more aggressive and cutthroat with the mask on. Or a subpar performance in their ACC tourney title run could mean his spirit has been broken as well, which leaves UNC up the creek.
Florida, who just waltzed through a crummy SEC to a conference tourney title, saw their defining moment come when they were struggling right before. While getting trounced on the strangely designed court at Vandebilt, forward and emotional leader Joakim Noah exchanged shoves with the opposing coach under the basket where the Commodores bench was placed for some reason. Later a sulking Noah got his curly pony tail into a further tizzy, flinging his towel to the ground in a dramatic display. The passion of Noah and his mates in pursuit of a repeat title could keep them focused down the stretch, or the fallback of a title under their belt could make them lean back, make excuses, and give up.
The defining moment for Wisconsin and Ohio State is later today in their head to head matchup for the Big Ten tournament chamiponship. Regardless of who wins, you can almost rest assured the loser will be angrier, will have more left in the tank, and will do better in the tournament.
Finally Kansas. Sorry Jayhawks, you don’t deserve a defining moment after losing in the first round each of the last two years to Bradley and Bucknell. The defining moment for the Jayhawks comes in the upcoming tournament, where their recent colossal failure will be the story when they take the court…will they respond by erasing or widening the agony of their fans?
The tournament and a potential number one seed awaits, but what does this classic and emotional sub-championship foretell of the Hoya’s fate in the true contest that awaits? All the complementary pieces needed to support the sublime and versatile Jeff Green are in place. The fine ball handling and 47% three point shooting of point guard Jonathan Wallace give Georgetown the prerequisite floor general. Jessie Sapp slashing at the basket can break down a defense when their pinpoint passing goes through a stretch where they can’t find a good shot. And 7’2” behemoth Roy Hibbert remains Coach Thompson’s ace in the hole, grabbing dunks and rebounds in moments when his size advantage seems unfair, yet his minutes always managed by Thompson so to never have his clumsy stiffness on the floor at the wrong time. Add the final ingredient, the X-factor hustle of role player Ewing Jr diving after lose balls, grabbing key steals, appearing out of nowhere for the offensive rebound and putback.
One could view the Hoyas as a lock for the NCAA title, but could not the jubilation of their conference title satisfy some of that hunger and desire which is needed for the journey ahead? At Grind it Out Sports, we’ve learned how ridiculously impossible it is to attempt to answer these questions coming into the tournament, and seek only to point out that Georgetown’s clutch performance in their defining moment creates a yin/yang situation whose upside could be a title and whose downside is a possible fizzling out of intensity resulting in a Sweet Sixteen loss to a lower seeded opponent.
Similarly, we examine the defining moment for each of the other tournament favorites, with the yin/yang question whose unknowable answer holds the key – either to tournament glory or humiliation.
UCLA’s defining moment was the only 3 points scored by their leader Arron Afflalo in their loss to Cal (first game of Pac 10 tourney). “Worst game ever” in Afflalo’s own Comic-Book-Guy-like opinion. This “I’ve hit rockbottom” epiphany could be the turning point toward a more determined Bruin effort just at the right time, or it could be just a plateau on the way to the real crash landing, if Afflalo gets tight and comes unglued again.
UNC’s moment came courtesy of a nose-breaking, Kobe-Bryant-style arm swinging by Duke forward Gerald Henderson. Suddenly bloodied, quiet Tar Heel leader Tyler Hansbrough first has an emotional reaction to fight back, later is thrust into a media spotlight, and eventually plastic masked for the following games. His anger flushed out, Hansbrough could be more aggressive and cutthroat with the mask on. Or a subpar performance in their ACC tourney title run could mean his spirit has been broken as well, which leaves UNC up the creek.
Florida, who just waltzed through a crummy SEC to a conference tourney title, saw their defining moment come when they were struggling right before. While getting trounced on the strangely designed court at Vandebilt, forward and emotional leader Joakim Noah exchanged shoves with the opposing coach under the basket where the Commodores bench was placed for some reason. Later a sulking Noah got his curly pony tail into a further tizzy, flinging his towel to the ground in a dramatic display. The passion of Noah and his mates in pursuit of a repeat title could keep them focused down the stretch, or the fallback of a title under their belt could make them lean back, make excuses, and give up.
The defining moment for Wisconsin and Ohio State is later today in their head to head matchup for the Big Ten tournament chamiponship. Regardless of who wins, you can almost rest assured the loser will be angrier, will have more left in the tank, and will do better in the tournament.
Finally Kansas. Sorry Jayhawks, you don’t deserve a defining moment after losing in the first round each of the last two years to Bradley and Bucknell. The defining moment for the Jayhawks comes in the upcoming tournament, where their recent colossal failure will be the story when they take the court…will they respond by erasing or widening the agony of their fans?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Active Seniors
Mostly mental. That’s how you could describe a trend through this week in college basketball. Home underdogs, often clad in orange, slaying visiting giants on Senior Day. The emotions of defending your turf one last time, taking pictures with Mom, shouting senior students getting louder than ever out of nostalgia. All the makings of classic upsets, and nothing but further confusion for serious bracketologists.
On Monday, the Orange entities, formerly known as orange men, coasted on a 14-0 second half run to a rousing defeat of the mighty Hoyas, ending Georgetown’s 11 game winning streak. Syracuse came out inspired to play smashmouth defense, placing distracting orange imps in front of Jeff Green every time he attempted to shoot. (He went 3-of-13). Senior Demetris Nichols burned the Hoyas with his inspired 3-point shooting and later would join fellow senior Darryl Watkins atop the scorers table in an arm-waving farewell to the raucous people of orange descent. The extra motivation for Cuse was evident in their aggressive desire to end the season partying down (as opposed to partying down slightly less if they had lost).
Tuesday saw a similar result down in Knoxville. Tennessee women’s coaching legend Pat Summit regaled the crowd, while in a cheerleader outfit, with her version of “Rocky Top”, a sharing of spirit with men’s coach Bruce Pearl who covered his bare chest in orange paint to salute the women’s team earlier this season. “Rocky Top” refers to the rocky soil of the Volunteer state preventing the growth of corn, and yet those plucky Tennesseans managing to get their corn out of jars. Against Florida, Tennessee was able to open up another kind of jar, this one containing some whuppass. A 17-0 first half run and 50-31 halftime lead paved the way for another feel-good orange senior celebration.
Then Wednesday the victorious orange was of the burnt variety, as Texas outlasted their in-state rival A+M in a double overtime thriller. Aggie point guard Acie Law IV had incredible answers to the Horns with laser-guided non-rotating three balls to tie things up at the end of regulation and overtime one. Unfortunately for the agricultural and mining interests in the state, Law couldn’t get down a bunt after the two home runs, as overtime two and the game ended on his intentionally missed free throw, which was unintentionally not rebounded by the Aggies. Texas freshman sensation Kevin Durant is essentially more of a senior himself, as his 30 point 16 rebound performance was surely his farewell to the Austin faithful, as sneaker companies have lured him to the NBA to become the new Kevin Garnett.
Presumably, when the whistle blows both teams want the victory the same amount (a lot). Yet on Senior Day that home team wants it more than a lot. Will this extra gear be available for these orange underdogs in the neutral emotion of the neutral site NCAAs? And are top seeds G’town, FL and A+M vulnerable? All signs point to “who the hell knows.”
On Monday, the Orange entities, formerly known as orange men, coasted on a 14-0 second half run to a rousing defeat of the mighty Hoyas, ending Georgetown’s 11 game winning streak. Syracuse came out inspired to play smashmouth defense, placing distracting orange imps in front of Jeff Green every time he attempted to shoot. (He went 3-of-13). Senior Demetris Nichols burned the Hoyas with his inspired 3-point shooting and later would join fellow senior Darryl Watkins atop the scorers table in an arm-waving farewell to the raucous people of orange descent. The extra motivation for Cuse was evident in their aggressive desire to end the season partying down (as opposed to partying down slightly less if they had lost).
Tuesday saw a similar result down in Knoxville. Tennessee women’s coaching legend Pat Summit regaled the crowd, while in a cheerleader outfit, with her version of “Rocky Top”, a sharing of spirit with men’s coach Bruce Pearl who covered his bare chest in orange paint to salute the women’s team earlier this season. “Rocky Top” refers to the rocky soil of the Volunteer state preventing the growth of corn, and yet those plucky Tennesseans managing to get their corn out of jars. Against Florida, Tennessee was able to open up another kind of jar, this one containing some whuppass. A 17-0 first half run and 50-31 halftime lead paved the way for another feel-good orange senior celebration.
Then Wednesday the victorious orange was of the burnt variety, as Texas outlasted their in-state rival A+M in a double overtime thriller. Aggie point guard Acie Law IV had incredible answers to the Horns with laser-guided non-rotating three balls to tie things up at the end of regulation and overtime one. Unfortunately for the agricultural and mining interests in the state, Law couldn’t get down a bunt after the two home runs, as overtime two and the game ended on his intentionally missed free throw, which was unintentionally not rebounded by the Aggies. Texas freshman sensation Kevin Durant is essentially more of a senior himself, as his 30 point 16 rebound performance was surely his farewell to the Austin faithful, as sneaker companies have lured him to the NBA to become the new Kevin Garnett.
Presumably, when the whistle blows both teams want the victory the same amount (a lot). Yet on Senior Day that home team wants it more than a lot. Will this extra gear be available for these orange underdogs in the neutral emotion of the neutral site NCAAs? And are top seeds G’town, FL and A+M vulnerable? All signs point to “who the hell knows.”
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Hoya Toughness
Georgetown showed Grind It Out tenacity in defeating Villanova Saturday, capturing the latest opportunity for a measure of revenge for the eternal Hoya pain from the ’85 title upset. Nine consecutive victories for Georgetown have fans dreaming that the current “Ewing Jr. Era” will represent not only Patrick’s role player son’s presence on the team, but also a taste of the same NCAA glory his pop achieved. Let’s just say they have at least achieved an “Iverson Era” level of success, which feels good for fans after a lean decade there.
Georgetown’s 7’2” Roy Hibbert may get the publicity, but the Villanova game showed it’s the sharp shooting and toughness of Jeff Green around which the Hoyas revolve. Green’s fake 3 and smooth step-out to drain a laser 15-footer put Georgetown ahead for good at 56-55, and was the last field goal of the game. The fake worked nicely because of Green’s silky quickness and also because he is potentially deadly from outside. Green absorbed a smack in the face in a rebounding scrum a play later and shook off the circling tweety birds to nail two clutch free throws as the Hoyas triumphed 58-55.
The versatile Green, who finished with 19 points, 9 bounds and a career high 8 blocked shots, was aided by the sparkling play of NYC native playmaker Jessie Sapp, who thrilled audiences by sinking a shot at the halftime buzzer well beyond halfcourt in an effortless leaping shot putting motion. Told he was not winning a car for this effort, Sapp continued to hit clutch threes in the tight second half, also showing his ability to slice and dice in the lane.
Hibbert was not allowed to play offense by Nova, and got his only touch in the paint on his second of only two baskets with 2:59 remaining. G-town went right back to him off the inbounds on the next possession, but his sluggish and flat footed up-and-under move was easily blocked by Nova’s Sheridan. For whatever reason the towering Hibbert can’t seem to generate his own offense in the paint at times. Hoya coach John Thompson Jr.’s brilliance has been harnessing the giant project’s contributions while not allowing his rough spots to cost the team the game. With the clutch hands of Green waiting for the ball, Georgetown has been deadly.
Georgetown’s 7’2” Roy Hibbert may get the publicity, but the Villanova game showed it’s the sharp shooting and toughness of Jeff Green around which the Hoyas revolve. Green’s fake 3 and smooth step-out to drain a laser 15-footer put Georgetown ahead for good at 56-55, and was the last field goal of the game. The fake worked nicely because of Green’s silky quickness and also because he is potentially deadly from outside. Green absorbed a smack in the face in a rebounding scrum a play later and shook off the circling tweety birds to nail two clutch free throws as the Hoyas triumphed 58-55.
The versatile Green, who finished with 19 points, 9 bounds and a career high 8 blocked shots, was aided by the sparkling play of NYC native playmaker Jessie Sapp, who thrilled audiences by sinking a shot at the halftime buzzer well beyond halfcourt in an effortless leaping shot putting motion. Told he was not winning a car for this effort, Sapp continued to hit clutch threes in the tight second half, also showing his ability to slice and dice in the lane.
Hibbert was not allowed to play offense by Nova, and got his only touch in the paint on his second of only two baskets with 2:59 remaining. G-town went right back to him off the inbounds on the next possession, but his sluggish and flat footed up-and-under move was easily blocked by Nova’s Sheridan. For whatever reason the towering Hibbert can’t seem to generate his own offense in the paint at times. Hoya coach John Thompson Jr.’s brilliance has been harnessing the giant project’s contributions while not allowing his rough spots to cost the team the game. With the clutch hands of Green waiting for the ball, Georgetown has been deadly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)