What kind of teacher do you want to be?
Category: MSU
Bill Nye at MSU
Trevor’s Theory
GUEST BLOGGER
Trevor Acy
As a long time Bill Nye the Science Guy fan, you can not begin to comprehend my excitement when I saw that the man himself was giving an environmental lecture on campus. In 2006, our then President Charles Lee, started the Global Lecture Series here at Mississippi State which aims at bringing in speakers on all sorts of different topics. This semester we had the honor of having Bill Nye come and give a lecture (more of a performance) on environmental changes.
If you ever get the chance to go hear Bill Nye speak, take it. Not only are you surely going to learn something, but you will genuinely have fun. His antics from television are only enhanced in person. His presentation was not scripted, he didn’t read from his slides (the biggest bore to an audience, so I beg you educators out there; don’t do it), kept the technical jargon down, and put a very informal spin on the whole presenta
tion.
While his lecture was on environmental issues, it never felt like we were being preached to, like I said he kept it very informal. Unlike many people on the subject who concentrate only on what problems the current situation is inflicting upon the Earth, Bill mainly just detailed simple ways to help correct the issues. For one, and though he didn’t say it quite as directly as this, NASCAR should either be completely overhauled or put to a stop. Those cars, whose only job is to race around a track for HUNDREDS of miles get 5 miles to the gallon. That’s less than a Chevy Suburban! Bill Nye has a very “green” house, with solar heating and natural lighting for the common areas of his home. He generates more electricity than he uses (he showed us a video of his meter actually running backwards). If your first thought upon reading about his house was, “but how much did it cost?” He claims that it costs less than the average swimming pool and can easily be added on to your mortgage for as little as $20-$30 bucks a month.
I’m a relatively conscientious consumer, but so far have only invested in the little things like washing my clothes with cold water detergent and buying the environmentally friendly, longer lasting, light bulbs. Listening to Bill Nye tonight though, I think has turned me into a eco-nut. I am definitely going to buy a eco-friendly car and will not settle for anything less than 30 miles to the gallon. As soon as I own my own place, which granted will be a couple of years, I’m going to make considerable strives to do more with less.
To finish up, I strongly suggest you educate yourself on ways to ease the burden of this fantastic planet (and save yourself some money). Even if you don’t believe in all the global warming hype, what harm is there in saving everyone, including yourself, from the negative externalities of the items we use and abuse today.
Day One… What a Bore
Trevor’s Theory
GUEST BLOGGER
Trevor Acy
So Thursday’s games were pathetic and my bracket is not looking too hot because of it. There were no appreciable upsets yesterday. Kansas St. over USC I guess was okay but that’s it. I picked Davidson over Gonzaga so I’m not really counting that one but I suppose it was an upset too.
Duke:
Barely beat Belmont by one point in the last 12 seconds. Are you kidding me? Duke (the most perpetually over-rated team in America) is a #2 seed and it came down to that. Don’t get me wrong, I am not taking anything away from the way Belmont played. They would’ve given a lot of good teams a run for their money. I just don’t understand how Duke remains to be ranked when their regular season is such a wash. Maybe not in years past, but let’s be honest; this year the ACC was a shell of its former self. UNC is definitely one of the best teams in the nation, but other than that Clemson was the only other team besides those two to win 10 games. Maryland finished up .500 and all the other teams you think about from that conference were worse than that. Why do people like Coach K and the Devils so much?
Miss. Valley State:
Poor guys. What a roller coaster of emotions these players went through. Winning the conference, making it to the big dance, then being held to 29 points against UCLA. Now that would have been a great upset and I am not just saying that because I am from MS. I love watching #1 seeds go down early. It’s what makes March mad, but this year I just don’t see it happening. I even have all four #1 seeds going to the Final Four in one of my brackets. Call me crazy all you want, but this year I think it’s highly possible.
MSU:
Well let’s see who shows up to play tonight. Will it be the 6-8 Charles Rhodes or the 6-1 version? As a senior I hope he comes out of the gate firing, but that all depends on if our linebacker of a guard (how many times can they say that in a game?) decides to try to work the ball inside or not. Prediction: If the bulldogs go to any considerable depth in the tournament, Varnado breaks the all-time blocks during NCAA tournament play history. Thoughts?
Seriously though, how often do you need to compare Gordon to the size of a football player or a freight train? Every time they say something like “Jamont Gordon is so big, his strength is his strength,” I want to kick a baby kitten (nothing against cats, it just infuriates me). Oregon has good three point shooting and that has been something we have struggled with the second half of the season (Vandy anyone?). So if we come out with man to man instead of zone and shut down their perimeter game I think we can win. I just want the chance to play Memphis. They are a great time and if we beat them Pitt would be a huge one to overcome too, but I just hope for Rhodes sake we can stay in for a little while. I’m going to miss that big guy.
The Rest of the Tourney:
I just want some upsets. Namely us over Memphis, but any will do. I think Vandy better watch out because if Foster doesn’t show up to play, they don’t win games. Not to keep harping on the ACC, but I don’t think Clemson is that great so they better not take Nova too lightly. South Alabama is a legitimate threat this year, to any team.
Here’s to Austin Peay and UMBC.
Let the Madness Begin
Trevor’s Theory
Trevor’s Theory GUEST BLOGGER
Trevor Acy
Another Guest Blogger? Yeah, sorry guys but you’ve got another wet behind the ears yet highly opinionated blogger on your hands. Your previous guest writer happens to be my roommate and my partner in crime when it comes to sports. Since his SEC predictions were so incredibly off, (mine were too), I’ll try to refrain from trying to predict too much about the NCAA Tourney.
This post will just be to help acquaint yourself with me and my style. I’ll give you a little insight on who I am and what I do, but most importantly what I think. Clif will probably cover this stuff in the “about the author” section so I hope I’m not taking too much of his thunder. I’ll leave the juicy stuff for him to share. I am a born and bred Mississippi boy and the third Acy son to go to Mississippi State University. I guess you could say I’m kind of a bulldog fan. A big one. College sports is where it is at for me. And yes, the SEC is the best conference in the nation, period. Comment all you want about how wonderful the ACC is in basketball or how the Big East is great at football, but the SEC is the total package and if you want to argue look at the last two football and basketball championships. Enough said.
Now onto March Madness. Easily my favorite time of year. There is nothing better than days full of nothing but college b-ball. So many teams all playing their hearts out for the same prize. Every year there are big teams, big upsets, and underdogs (we haven’t forgotten you George Mason). When your team makes it to the NCAA, it’s like winning a championship in itself. Making your personal bracket and seeing how well it turns out is a treat and one I wish could be recreated in other sports.
MSU’s loss in the SEC tournament puts us at a disadvantage. Assuming we win first round (against a grossly over ranked Oregon St.) we have to play #1 seed Memphis (also assuming they win their first game). Granted, I think of the bad positions to be in, this is probably the best one. I would much rather be playing the Tigers than the Tarheels, but it obviously isn’t as positive as being a #6 seed and not having to worry about that kind of competition until a little later.
Regardless, I can’t wait for this weekend (even though technically the tournament started today, but who really counts the play in team?). Bring on the brackets!
And thank you all for welcoming me into the fold. I hope not to disappoint.
About the Author
Trevor Acy is another of Clif’s former middle school students. Trevor is now double majoring in business and Japanese and spent last summer studying in Tokyo. He plans to intern for a Design-Build firm this summer and intends to make his way back to Japan professionally after graduating suma cume laude this spring. Mr. Acy enjoys basketball, Unbeatable Banzuke, ballet and politics. Expect more posts from TA as he shares his perspective throughout March Madness and beyond.
SEC Tourney Predictions
Hank’s Take
Hank’s Take GUEST BLOGGER
Henry Horne
Since this is a first time post on here and many of you are probably counting down the minutes until Clif returns, I will try to keep this relatively short and sweet.
SEC Quarterfinal #4:
SEC Semifinal #1:
SEC Semifinal #2:
All depends on the matchup. Should KY win, it’ll be a good game(as was their regular season matchup this year and last year’s SEC tourney bout). If
Noteworthy
Of course, all of this might just mean absolutely nothing after they reschedule these games. As it stands, before this tournament is over, SOMEONE will have to play twice in one day, and that’s mayhem on any coach’s team and staff.
About the Author
Henry Horne is one of Clif’s former elementary students. He is now studying aerospace engineering at Mississippi State University and has interned with NASA. Henry will begin working for the military as a Level 1 Engineer after graduating suma cume laude this spring. Henry enjoys baseball, hockey, magic, and long walks on the beach. Look for more posts from Hank as he shares his take throughout the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Bring on the MADNESS
Woohoo!!! March Madness begins today. I know other tournaments have been going on and some teams have already punched their tickets to the Big Dance, but…the SEC Tournament starts today and thus kicks-off March Madness for me. All of today’s games are pretty even matchups but I think the South Carolina and LSU game is the most interesting. A close second goes to the UGA and Ole Miss game. I’m not super confident in these, but here are my picks for today’s winners.
LSU
Vandy
Florida
Ole Miss
What are your picks? Let’s disucss! (HH and TA, I’m especially talking to YOU!!!) The winner gets to write tomorrow’s SEC Tournament post on this blog.
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Mississippi State Clinches SEC West
With an emphatic win over the Florida Gators the Bulldogs clinched the SEC West title in a game televised on CBS. This is MSU’s fourth divisional title in six years and assures State a #1 seed in the conference tournament.
How ’bout them DAWGS?!
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Dogs Win!!!
The Mississippi State Bulldogs triumphed over the (21) Alabama Tide with a 17-12 victory. The win makes the Bulldogs bowl eligible. It has been a lot of fun watching Coach Croom and the team this year. He’s a class act and it’s great to see him enjoying success this season.
Bulldogs into College World Series
 Image from SI.com |
The Mississippi State Bulldogs swept Clemson and are now on their way to Omaha for the CWS. Several of my friends were able to attend the Super Regional in Starkville and described the atmosphere and games as unbelievable. Way to go Dogs!!!Enjoy this photo slideshow from Saturday’s big win.Here’s what some have been saying about the dawgs. |
In other sports news, Rafael Nadal won the French Open…just as I expected. Now, it’s time for the grass court season. Who do you think will win Wimbledon this year?
Dogs to Host Super Regional
From the Mississippi State Athletics website.
Mississippi State’s baseball team learned late Monday evening that the Diamond Dogs will host Clemson in NCAA Super Regional action this weekend at Dudy Noble Field/Polk-DeMent Stadium. The three-game series will be played this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 8-10), with game times to be set Tuesday. The Super Regional is one of eight that will be held around the country to decide the teams which will advance to the 2007 NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., June 15-24.
MSU will be hosting an NCAA Super Regional for the first time since the NCAA adopted the current national championship structure in 1999. It is the third Super Regional State has advanced to since that time (2000-Clemson, S.C.; 2001-Fullerton, Calif.). Overall, the Bulldogs are making their fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2007 – the 11th in the past 12 seasons and their 24th since the NCAA adopted its regional tournament format in the mid-1970s.