Category: Basketball

Memphis or Tennessee?

Obviously, I’m a die-hard SEC fan. However, I grew up close enough to Memphis that I was always aware of their basketball teams and I’ve always pulled for them. Clearly, these days I have more attachment to Memphis. All that said, here is my prediction.

Memphis 78, Tennessee 71

I think the game is going to come down to 3 things: Tennessee’s defense, Memphis’ free throws, and Rose’s scoring. This is an important game for Memphis. To this point we’ve not seen them play a comparably strong team, so I’ve remained unsure of just how good they are. Rose needs to show up and have another 20+ point game (it’s been a while). And Memphis needs to take much better care of its free throw shooting. On any other floor I’d pick Tennessee because of their suffocating defense. However, the city of Memphis has been abuzz about this game all week and I think the crowd will carry Memphis to victory.

What is your prediction?

A New Year Begins…

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I spent the winter break with my family and took a break from work. I pretty much unplugged (from email, blog, twitting, etc.) for the duration of the break. I’ve never really unplugged before and I’m surprised how much I enjoyed it. Of course, I’ll be catching up for a while, but it was well worth it. Anyway, that explains all the silence here on the blog.

Here are some notes to help us catch up.

  • Our presentation proposal for NECC was accepted. I’m very excited about attending this year’s conference.
  • Merry Christmas – We celebrated 4 different times. That’s actually a low number for us.
  • Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. I heard her speak once and was impressed.
  • The Bulldogs won in the Liberty Bowl. The SEC went 7-2 in bowl games and even captured the national championship.
  • Happy New Year – I remember ringing in 2000 just like it was yesterday. I can NOT believe it is already 2008!!!
  • Each of us in our family made resolutions for 2008. Did you?
  • A line of tornadoes ripped across Central and North Central Mississippi. One tornado in particular tore through the little community of Caledonia. You can read about the devastation and recovery efforts here and here.
  • The Cowboys, Titans and Colts have all lost. I don’t really care who wins now as long as it’s NOT the Patriots.
  • Our new semester begins today. I’m excited about the courses I’m teaching.
  • The Australian Open has gotten underway. I’m pulling for Djokovic and Davenport, but predicting that Federer and Henin will win.
  • The Bulldogs are now 2-0 in the SEC. Tomorrow night’s game against Kentucky will be on ESPN.

Sports Notes

Saturday was a crazy, crazy day of college football. All the top teams lost clearing the way for LSU to make it into the national championship. – Go SEC!!! I’ve always been impressed with UGA‘s Mark Richt in all the interactions I’ve had with him, in his interviews, the expectations he has of his players, his participation in Facing the Giants (great movie), etc., but he looked like a whiner on Sunday complaining that the Bulldogs should be playing for the championship rather than the Tigers. I strongly prefer UGA over LSU, but come on, you blew it. That’s not to say that the BCS does not need some work because it definitely does.

The U.S.A. won the Davis Cup title over Russia…even with Roddick on the team. Kudos to Patrick McEnroe.

Ravens lost a heart breaker to the Patriots. That leads me to say, “Go Steelers” (I don’t think I’ve EVER said that before)!!! This is going to be one of those unforgettable Monday Night Football memories (Not that I condone acting like this).

Sylvester Croom named the AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year. He’s also a finalist in Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year (Cast your vote, now.). He’s a classy guy and I’m glad he’s being acknowledged.

Brett Favre, a Mississippi native, was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.

Travis Henry won his appeal regarding his 1 year drug suspension in the NFL.