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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

NCAA Tournament 2011: Fun Facts and Useless Trivia

Here is a list of all the teams in this year's tournament followed by a short blurb or two about their school history and other fun facts you can use to impress....er....bore your friends and family with:

AKRON -Zips (Akron, OH) #15

---Located in Akron, OH, which was at one time home to all four major tire makers ( Goodrich, Goodyear, Firestone, General Tire) and was nicknamed "Tire City."

ARIZONA -Wildcats (Tucson, AZ) #5

---From the pretty cool/really weird and gross department: the school's museum (the Arizona State Museum) houses a box of sloth dung that is 10,000 years old.

BELMONT
-Bruins (Nashville, TN) #13

---In the mid-1990s, Belmont adopted the mascot "Bruins," replacing the earlier mascot of Rebels due to the latter's association with the Confederacy.

BOSTON -Terriers (Boston, MA) #16

---Though historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Boston University currently claims to be a nonsectarian private institution.

BUCKNELL -
Bison (Lewisburg, PA) #14

---CBS Television (home of the NCAA Tournament and Final Four) has a special tie to Bucknell: Leslie (Les) Moonves. He graduated from Bucknell in 1971. He is currently the President and CEO of CBS Television.


BUTLER
-Bulldogs (Indianapolis, IN) #8

---The famed high school basketball film Hoosiers was filmed partly at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the crown jewel of Butler University....well, that and a certain Utah Jazz player named Gordon Hayward....

BYU
-Cougars (Provo, UT) #3

---The BYU men's basketball team is ranked among the top 25 NCAA programs for all-time total victories.

CINCINNATI -Bearcats (Cincinnati, OH) #6

---Sandy Koufax (baseball), Oscar Robertson (basketball), and Miller Huggins (baseball) are among the famous athlete alums who have been enshrined in their respective sport's halls of fame.

CLEMSON
-Tigers
(Clemson, SC) #12

---Clemson University's campus is also home to the the 295-acre South Carolina Botanical Garden http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Botanical_Garden

DUKE -Blue Devils (Durham, NC) #1

---Originally founded
in 1841 as a Quaker school in Wake Forest, NC, under the name Union Institute Academy. In 1892, it moved to Durham, NC. At that time, it changed its name to Trinity College and changed its affiliation to Methodist. The move and name change were because Washington Duke gave them a large donation.

FLORIDA -
Gators (Gainesville , FL) #2

---Yes, the rumor is true. "Gatorade" was indeed invented at the University of Florida.
It was first developed in 1965 by researchers as a means of replenishing the fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes that are lost from the body during physical exertion.

FLORIDA STATE
-Seminoles (Tallahassee, FL) #10

---FSU owns the only student-run three-ring circus on a U.S. campus. The Flying High Circus started in 1947 and performs for groups all across the southeast and occasionally in the Bahamas. The circus members consist of FSU students with no previous circus experience.

GEORGETOWN
-Hoyas (Washington D.C.) #6

---The school's colors of blue and gray were implemented in 1876 as a symbol of the unity of the North and South after the Civil War. More than 100 Georgetown students and alumni lost their lives during the war.

GEORGIA -Bulldogs (Athens, GA) #10

---
As a member of the SEC, the Bulldogs have won thirty-seven national championships and 130 conference championships.

GEORGE MASON
-Patriots (Fairfax County, VA) #8

---
George Mason was first created as a branch of the University of Virginia in 1957 and became an independent institution in 1972

GONZAGA
-Bulldogs (Spokane, WA) #11

---
In its first year of existence, Gonzaga enrolled just 18 boys and young men. The school now enrolls more than 4,500 students.

---Alma Mater of the greatest point guard in NBA history (author's opinion), John Stockton.

HAMPTON
-Pirates (Hampton, VA) #16

---
Hampton was founded by black and white leaders of the "American Missionary Association" after the Civil War to provide education to freed slaves and other men.

ILLINOIS -Illini (Champaign-Urbana, IL) #9

---The true full name of this school is a mouthful: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign....I wonder if Deron Williams knows that???

INDIANA STATE
-Sycamores (Terre Haute, IN) #14

---The Sycamores'
first season was in 1896, thus making them the oldest basketball team in the NCAA (along with Bucknell, Minnesota, and Washington).

---Remember Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson? It's beyond a long shot, but worth noting that it is mathematically possible for Indiana State and Michigan State to meet up in the Final Four once again....don't start planning any parade routes just yet though, Spartans and Sycamores fans.

KANSAS
-Jayhawks (Lawrence, KS) #1

---
The famous "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" chant originated in 1886 as "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk"—the cheer of the school's Science Club.

KANSAS STATE -Wildcats (Manhattan, KS) #5

---Kansas State is making its 25th appearance in the tournament

---Located in Manhattan, KS, which is called "The Little Apple," playing off New York City's nickname of "The Big Apple."


KENTUCKY
-Wildcats (Lexington, KY) #4

---The Wildcats are a storied college basketball program, evidenced by the fact that this is their record making 51st appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

LONG ISLAND
-Blackbirds (Brooklyn, NY) #15

---Larry Doby was the first African American to play in the American League, and second only behind Jackie Robinson to play in the Major Leagues overall. Doby attened LIU for one semester before he joined the Navy.


LOUISVILLE
-Cardinals (Louisville, KY) #4

---Among many prestigious and historical alumni, Darrell Griffith (aka Dr. Dunkenstein) and his fellow Doctors of Dunk must never be forgotten.

MARQUETTE
-Golden Eagles
(Milwaukee, WI) #11

---Original nickname was the Hilltoppers, and then later changed to the Warriors. However, some called the Warriors nickname politically incorrect in reference to Native American tribes, and so the school became known as the Golden Eagles.

---There are seven residence halls on the campus, three of which were built originally as hotels. In fact, The Beatles once stayed in Mashuda Hall when it was still a hotel.

MEMPHIS -Tigers (Memphis, TN) #12

---
Picky, picky...Memphis has changed names 5 official times: 1912 as West Tennessee State Normal School, 1925 as West Tennessee State Teachers College, 1941-57 asMemphis State College, 1957 to 1994 as Memphis State University, and 1994-present as the University of Memphis.

MICHIGAN
-Wolverines (Ann Arbor, MI) #8

---20 years ago 5 freshmen filled the starting lineup for the Michigan Wolverines and forever changed the game of basketball, from clothing to above-the-rim action, on the court swagger to off the court attitude. If you haven't seen the documentary "The Fab Five," you are missing out dearly.

MICHIGAN STATE
-Spartans (East Lansing, MI) #10

---Was known as Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science until Jan. 1, 1964.

MISSOURI -Tigers (Columbia, MO) #11
---The Tigers' campus is also home to the "University Of Missouri Research Reactor Center," which is the world's most powerful research nuclear reactor.

MOREHEAD STATE -Eagles (Morehead, KY)

---Morehead State was the first university in Kentucky to offer an online MBA program.

---Utah Jazz head trainer, Gary Briggs, finished his graduate work as an assistant athletic trainer at Morehead State.

NORTHERN COLORADO -Bears (Greeley, CO)

---Before the school adopted the bear as their mascot, athletes used the nickname the Teachers...and you thought St. Peter's chose poorly? The bear was said to be inspired by a bear on top of an Alaskan totem pole donated by an 1897 alum in 1914. The totem pole was kept in the University Center, but under the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, the pole was reclaimed by the Tlingit Indians in 2003.

---Ed Werder, that one NFL guy from ESPN, graduated from NoCol


NOTRE DAME -Irish (South Bend, IN)

---Official name of Notre Dame: Notre Dame du Lac, which means Our Lady of the Lake....oooookaaaayyyyy.......

OAKLAND -Golden Grizzlies (Auburn Hills, MI) #13

---If you're thinking "the Bay Area," think again. Wrong Oakland. This Oakland started as an affiliate of Michigan State University before claiming its independence in 1970.

OHIO STATE -Buckeyes (Columbus, OH) #1

--- Ohio State is one of only two universities to appear in the national championship games in both football and men's basketball in the same calendar year (vs. Florida in both contests in 2007).

OLD DOMINION -Monarchs (Norfolk, VA)

---Old Dominion University derives its name from one of Virginia's state nicknames, "The Old Dominion,"given to the state by King Charles II of England for remaining loyal to the crown during the English Civil War. The nickname serves as a reminder of ODU's royal roots.

PENN STATE -Nittany Lions (University Park, PA) #10

---You were wondering just like I was, I'm sure of it: What is a Nittany Lion? "Mountain lions had roamed on nearby Mount Nittany until the 1880s. The origin of the name "Mount Nittany" is obscure, the most commonly accepted explanation being that it is derived of Native American words (loosely pronounced as "neet-a-nee") named after the cougars that roamed the [area]." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nittany_Lion

PITTSBURGH -Panthers (Pittsburgh, PA) #1

---The Cathedral of Learning, a 42-story Gothic tower in the heart of the campus, is the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere and second-tallest university building in the world. The tower houses many classrooms and departments.

PRINCETON -Tigers (Princeton, NJ) #13

---Part of the prestigious Ivy League, these nerds have proven they know how to ball in tourneys past. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, NJ as the College of New Jersey, the university moved to Newark in 1747, then to Princeton in 1756 and was renamed Princeton University in 1896

PURDUE -Boilermakers (West Lafayette, IN) #3

---Campus is made up of 6 different locations. Purdue is the flagship location in what is called the Purdue University System. Revered as a top performing engineering school in the country.

RICHMOND -Spiders (Richmond, VA) #12

---Used to be the Colts. That all changed when a pitcher on the baseball team began being called The Spider by an announcer due to his lanky arms and long legs. The name became adopted by the school as a whole, and to this day Richmond is the only university that can claim the Spiders as its official nickname and mascot.

SAN DIEGO STATE -Aztecs (San Diego, CA) #2

---The university's first major sport was rowing, followed shortly by tennis, basketball, golf, croquet, and baseball.

---SDSU has never won a game in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

ST. JOHN'S -Red Storm (Queens, NY) #6

---Until 1994, the St. John's mascot was the Redmen, which referenced the red uniforms worn by the university in competition. However, the name began to be interpreted as a Native American reference in the 1960s, and was changed to the Red Storm after mounting pressure on colleges and universities to adopt names more sensitive to Native American cultures.

---St. John's also has campuses in Rome, Italy and Paris, France, as well as Staten Island, Manhattan, and Oakdale New York.

ST. PETER'S -Peacocks (Jersey City, NJ) #14

---St. Peter's currently sits on land once owned by a man named Michael Pauw, whose last name means peacock in Dutch. Pretty sure I would have gone with something else....anything else!

SYRACUSE -Orange (Syracuse, NY) #3

---The Syracuse Orange is the nickname used by Syracuse University, while teams were previously known (until 2004) as the "Orangemen" and "Orangewomen".

TENNESSEE -Volunteers (Knoxville, TN) #9

---Buildings on campus served as hospitals for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and were taken over by Union troops near the war's end.

TEXAS -Longhorns (Austin, TX) #4

---Texas boasts seven museums and seventeen libraries, and operates various auxiliary research facilities, such as the JJ Pickle Research Campus and the McDonald Observatory.

---Harley Clark (head cheerleader elected by student body) introduced the Hook 'em Horns sign in 1955

TEXAS A&M
-Aggies (College Station, TX) #7

---A&M was the first public institution of higher learning in Texas, opening in 1876 under the name of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.

UCLA
-Bruins (Los Angeles, CA) #7

---It's possible no other school in the nation has given the college basketball fan more than UCLA. From John Wooden (the greatest college basketball coach of all time) to the high flying, sharp shooting teams in the 90's (anyone remember Ed O'Bannon?), UCLA is synonymous with the NCAA Tournament and college basketball as a whole. As a kid, I first fell in love with this tournament because of the a fore mentioned O'Bannon-esque teams.

UCONN
-Huskies (Storrs, Mansfield, CT) #3

---Originally the Aggies, UCONN became the Huskies as the school evolved and moved away from its agricultural focuses. Every Huskie is named Jonathan after the famed Jonathan Trumbull, and can often be seen greeting fans and students at sporting events while chowing down on a doggie biscuit or two.

UCSB
-Gauchos
(Santa Barbara, CA) #15

---In the wake of anti-Vietnam unrest at the school, then Gov. Ronald Reagan set a campus curfew that was enforced by National Guard troops during the 1971–72 school year.

UNC -Tar Heels (Chapel Hill, NC) #2

---Another mascot name mystery being solved for you:
The university's teams are nicknamed the "Tar Heels" in reference to North Carolina's (the state) 18th century prominence as a tar and pitch producer.

---We all owe UNC and Dean Smith for finding and giving us The Greatest to Ever Play the Game, His Airness, Air Jordan, Mike, Michael Jordan....just wish he was a better person, and that he would've let my Utah Jazz have just one of those NBA titles....forever bitter about the push off.


UNC ASHEVILLE
-Bulldogs (Asheville, NC) #16

---
UNCA is the only designated liberal arts institution in the University of North Carolina systems. Approximately 3,600 enrolled students.

UNLV
-Rebels (Las Vegas, NV) #8

---UNLV became a school in 1957 under the name Southern Division of the University of Nevada. The school adopted its basketball program in 1958.

UTAH STATE -Aggies (Logan, UT) #12

---
Founded in 1888 as Utah's agricultural college, the university now offers 176 bachelor's degrees, 97 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees. It is organized into eight colleges at its Logan campus and other satellite campuses throughout the state.

UTSA
-Road Runners (San Antonio, TX) #16

---
Fiesta UTSA, an annual event held in April, began in 1978. It includes music, a jalapeƱo eating contest, a watermelon spitting contest, a dunk tank, and other activities. Fiesta UTSA features dozens of booths set up under the Sombrilla in a carnival atmosphere.

VANDERBILT
-Commodores (Nashville, TN) #5

---Vanderbilt's campus is designated as a national arboretum, with more than 300 tree and shrub varieties.

VCU -Rams (Richmond, VA) #11

---Interesting that the city of Richmond, VA is represented twice in the NCAA Tourney this year. VCU and Richmond both made it into the final field of 64, though VCU had to beat USC in the play in game as part of the inaugural First Four mini-tournament.

---Enrollment is over 32,000 students.

VILLANOVA
-Wildcats (Philadelphia, PA) #9

---
Named for Saint Thomas of Villanova (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_of_Villanova), the school is the oldest Catholic university in the State of Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON
-Huskies
(Seattle, WA) #7

---Receives more federal research funding than any other public university in America and the second most among all universities and colleges.

WEST VIRGINIA -Mountaineers (Morgantown, WV) #5

--- The mascot is played by a student chosen during the final two home games of the men’s basketball season. The student receives a scholarship, a tailor-made buckskin suit with coonskin hat, and a period rifle and powder horn, which is usually fired at sporting events.

---Coincidentally, the Mountaineers are coached by former WV player Bob Huggins, who was also born in Morgantown.

WISCONSIN -Badgers (Madison, WI) #4

---Actual full name is University of Wisconsin-Madison. Campus also houses 3 national landmarks: http://www.wisc.edu/about/history/landmarks.php

WOFFORD
-Terriers (Spartanburg, SC) #14

---Wofford College students and professors take the month of January off every year for what they call an “Interim Period.” During the month long hiatus from the school, students and employees are encouraged to travel, work, or volunteer in areas reflecting their choice of study or expertise. (http://www.wofford.edu/interim/)

XAVIER -Musketeers (Cincinnati, OH) #6

---Xavier actually has two recognized mascots: Traditional: D'Artagnan, the Musketeer, is the university's official mascot and is the origin of the school's nickname. Comedic: the Blue Blob, a furry creature who roams the sidelines and student sections, is the more modern and entertaining representative. http://www.blackburnreview.com/storage/xavier-blue-blob.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1295052762786




Wednesday, February 9, 2011

NBA Tonight: 20 Words or Less

Here is tonight's NBA schedule; each game has a quick "what to watch for" note in 20 words or less, followed by MY predicted spread/winner. Enjoy!
*all times Mountain Standard Time*

Detroit @ Cleveland 5:00 PM: Cavs haven't won since 1981, and Detroit cannot score (26th in NBA). Sadly, neither can Cleveland (27th in NBA)
Cleveland +3

Charlotte @ Indiana 5:oo PM: Indiana trying for 5th win in 6 games since firing head coach Jim O'Brien.
Indiana +9

New Orleans
@ New Jersey 5:00 PM: Hornets on 3 game losing streak, but New Jersey is a free falling mess.
New Orleans +12

Orlando
@ Philadelphia 5:00 PM: The two games played earlier in the year were split, with an average scoring difference of only 0.5 points.
Orlando +2

Milwaukee
@ Washington 5:00 PM: The Bucks will likely limp to the playoffs just above .500, while the Wizards are lottery bound.
Milwaukee +4

San Antonio
@ Toronto 7:00 PM: Spurs are 3rd in NBA in FG%. Raptors are last in NBA in opponents' FG%.
San Antonio +18

LA Clippers
@ New York 7:30 PM: Interesting that both teams are in the top ten of NBA for technical fouls this season.
New York +5

Chicago
@ Utah 7:00 PM: Boozer returns to Utah for the first time, which distracts from Bulls' great record. Utah in trouble tonight.
Chicago +6

Dallas
@ Sacramento 8:00 PM: Dallas going for 10th straight win; had 12 straight earlier in year.
Dallas +11

Denver
@ Golden State 8:30 PM: Nuggets last four games: Win, Loss, Win, Loss. Warriors last four: 3-1
Golden State +6

Saturday, January 29, 2011

POY: Probably Owning You

For those of you who have been lost at sea or working in outerspace during the last couple of weeks, you may not know about the season NCAA men's basketball player Jimmer Fredette (BYU) is having. Spoiler Alert: He's a leading candidate for the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the NCAA's outstanding player of the year (or POY).

A lot can be and has been said about Mr. Fredette. Like how Jimmer isn't his real name (duh!), how he's leading the NCAA in scoring (27.4 ppg), how he's able to shoot from anywhere on the court (no really, LITERALLY anywhere), or how his dad is Mormon and his mom is Catholic. Or, my personal favorite, his brother TJ is an aspiring rap artist who frequently writes lyrics about Jimmer.

(here's one such track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsMauWl02vI)

All this is fine and good, but there are some other things being said about the point guard from Glens Falls, NY, that are really starting to make me wonder about the intelligence level of some so called "experts".

Specifically, how he's in a "3 man race" for POY. The other two candidates? Kemba Walker, G, UCONN, and Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio St.

Now, Kemba Walker is a bona fide NBA prospect, as probably is Sullinger because of his size and strength. But to say either of them is having a better year than Fredette is absurd!

In fact, many ESPN, FoxSports, and SportsIllustrated reporters believe Sullinger holds the slight edge over Fredette as the favorite to win the award. I could try and explain to you in words why I believe this to be absurd, but I can do better than that.

I'll let the numbers do my talking for me.

I sat down and compared Jimmer Fredette's offensive statistics to those of both Walker and Sullinger. The leader in each category is listed first, with the margin of difference between the two players given in +/- form.

The results:

Fredette vs. Walker

Games Played: Fredette +2
Fredette: 21
Walker: 19

Minutes Per Game: Walker +1.9
Fredette: 34.1
Walker: 36.0

Points Per Game: Fredette +3
Fredette: 27.4
Walker: 24.4

Field Goal%: Fredette +.038
Fredette: .482
Walker: .444

3 point%: Fredette +.072
Fredette: .421
Walker: .349

Free Throw%: Fredette +.070
Fredette: .901
Walker: .831

_________________________________________________

Fredette vs. Sullinger

Games Played: n/a
Fredette: 21
Sullinger: 21

Minutes Per Game: Fredette +3.8
Fredette: 34.1
Sullinger: 30.3

Points Per Game: Fredette +9.6
Fredette: 27.4
Sullinger: 17.8

Field Goal%: Sullinger +.094
Fredette: .482
Sullinger: .576*

3 point %: Fredette +.199
Fredette: .421
Sullinger: .222*

Free Throw%: Fredette +.171
Fredette: .901
Walker: .730

*Sullinger plays Forward, so he shoots closer to basket (better FG%, poor 3P%)

Moral of the story: If it truly is a 3-way race between these players, Jimmer Fredette is clearly the obvious choice to win the Wooden Award, judging by the numbers.

You know what they say: Numbers never lie.

Friday, January 28, 2011

NBA Tonight: 20 Words or Less

Here is tonight's NBA schedule; each game has a quick "what to watch for" note in 20 words or less. Enjoy!
*all times Mountain Standard Time*

New Jersey at Indiana 5:00 PM: New Jersey looking for 3rd win in a row/ Indiana trying to avoid 7th straight loss

Memphis at Philadelphia 5:00 PM: Philly looking for 4th win in a row

Milwaukee at Toronto 5:00 PM: Toronto trying to avoid 10th straight loss

New York at Atlanta 5:30 PM : New York 12-12 on the road

Denver at Cleveland 530 PM : Cleveland has lost 18 in a row; Denver has 7-13 road record

Detroit at Miami 5:30 PM: Miami is a less than stellar 5-5 in last 10 games

Orlando at Chicago 6:00 PM: Chicago looking for 4th win in a row

Washington at Oklahoma City 6:00 PM: Wizards have not won a road game yet this year

Minnesota at Utah 7:00 PM: Utah will look to avoid losing 7th straight game/ Deron Williams sitting out with injured shooting wrist.

Charlotte at Golden State 8:30 PM: Charlotte trying for 3rd straight road win and 5th win in last 6 games

Sacramento at LA Lakers 8:30 PM: Lakers averaging 7.5 more points than opponent this season; 3rd behind Boston (7.8) and Miami (7.6)

Boston at Phoenix 8:30 PM: Rondo (12.7pg) and Nash (11 pg) lead NBA in assists

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

BYU 71 SDSU 58: Jimmered

I went to the BYU vs SDSU game tonight for the radio station. It was the biggest game in the nation, pitting #4 SDSU against #9 BYU. Jimmer Fredette was phenomenal offensively, as has become custom. ESPN carried his post game comments live, which I found out later meant that my questions were on the air waves of the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Pretty cool moment for me personally.

Anyway, since I don't have the opportunity to blog the game live, I just take notes throughout and then post them here. Pretty interesting to go back over them afterward and "relive" the game that way. (The thoughts I shared on Twitter are underlined, in case you are wondering what that means)

Here you go:

No question who the crowd came to see…and it’s not Cosmo

SDSU wins tip from Davies

Shot clock violation on opening possession for SDSU

Jimmer coast to coast layup goes begging hard off glass

Davies fouls SDSU on 3 attempt, makes 2 of 3 foul shots

Lots of break ups for BYU D

Jimmer first bucket of game with layup off Davies block SDSU dunk attempt

After looking very rattled the first few possessions, SDSU calms down and seems to be thriving off environment

First timeout: BYU trails 8-6. Davies strong showing to start the game. SDSU adjusting well to raucous environment of MCenter. Jimmer 2 pts.

Jimmer hits pull up 3 from 2 ft behind arc: Crowd causes seismic reaction in earth’s platonic system

Davies hits pull up 20 , BYU up 13to 12, first lead of night

-Cougars’ shot selection seems to be selfish: all want to light up the crowd

SDSU answers with 3 ptr, quiets crowd after two BYU misses

Timeout SD: 10:14 left in 1st, tied @15.Jimmer hits pull up 3 from 2 ft behind arc:Crowd causes seismic reaction in earth’s platonic system

Jimmer another layup, tied at 17

Jimmer Fredette creates and scores a baseline jumper: Smooth

TIMEOUT 7:21 left in 1st tied at 19: Fredette splits defenders from right elbow and drives to hoop, met at rim by SDSU center, goes back with right hand and flips it up: rims out twice; very acrobatic/athletic creation

Both teams go ice cold: No one scores until 5:14 mark – free throws from #15 Leonard of SDSU (21-19 Aztecs)

Jimmer gets 12th point on 3 from right elbow: being covered very tightly by SDSU

TIMEOUT: 3:34 left in 1st 24-22 SDSU / up tempo pace working in SDSU’s favor, mostly because BYU is missing shots

Jimmer Fredette killer crossover sends SD defender into 3rd row; Jimmer hits step back 3 from right elbow

2 minutes left in 1st half, crowd rises and wills SDSU into turnover: Fredette goes C2C and is fouled at the hoop

All I can do is shake my head as Jimmer splits defense to the hoop and lays up over two giants with right hand: really a talented player

Kawhi Leonard made Three Point Jumper.

31-30 SDSU at half

Fredette with first points of 2nd half

Emery shows serious “ups” getting block on breaking SDSU ‘s Leonard: but alas, goal tending

Davies’ free throw bounces 100 times on rim and falls….BYU’s omen?

Jimmer hits 3 from right elbow: started way left, willed in by other source….living right on and off???

Fredette being doubled

Biggest lead of night 42-38 BYU off Fredette fake pass in lane, up and in at hoop. Timeout SDSU

Fredette fakes pass in key and makes resulting open flip in. SDSU calls timeout down 42-38. Crowd ready to go to war for this Cougar team.

Jimmer works to hoop, kicks to left corner for Emery: Feeds Hartsock on left block, wrap around pass to open Davies for right handed stuff.

Davies blocks SD shot, Jimmer other way for 10 ft jumper

Jimmer sees shot clock at 7, pulls up for left elbow 3 from about 3 feet behind the arc. Dude is in the NBA with THAT shot alone

Jimmer sees shot clock at 7, dribbles left and hits left elbow 3 from about 3 feet behind the arc with D all over him. Dude is in the NBA.

Not sure what was said at halftime in respective locker rooms, but BYU sure heard it and responded whole heartedly. Aztecs look like they’re running in mud.

7:58 left in game: BYU up 7, 56-49. Jimmer Fredette trying to stretch that lead further. Has played like POY, as every sign in place agrees.

Big 3 from SDSU James Rahon to cut lead to 4, 56-52. Leonard and White (starters) back in for ‘Tecs.

Charles Abouo blocks SDSU dunk attempt, Hartsock down with board, fouled. Abouo races to other end of court and gives warrior yell to crowd.

Worst missed call I’ve seen in a long time as Fredette runs fast break to basket, puts it up off the glass for a layup but SDSU man blocks it after it hits glass (VERY obvious goal tend). No goal tending called. Replay confirms missed infraction.

SDSU with one timeout left: 5:35 to go in the game. BYU up 56-52

Jackson Emery gets loose ball, drives to basket and fouled on layup attempt. Wanted to dunk, not enough room to try. Makes both free throws.

BYU wins 71-58 as SDSU panics down stretch, missing 3 after 3 and free throw after free throw. Crowd rushes court. Jimmer refuses to let fans lift him up on their shoulders. Wise decision.

Kevin Durant calls Fredette greatest scorer of all time via Facebook. Fredette disagrees; says that Durant may be that guy.

___________________________________________________________________

Pretty cool night! Should have become friends with Jimmer when I had the chance as a student there. Oh well, you live and learn.