Thursday, June 28, 2007

92-82 Jays Summer Team Beats Nebraska

First off - it's FREAKIN' June and I'm writing a blog about basketball in NEBRASKA! Things are changing in this state and it is only going to get better for us basketball lovers.

When most people are talking about the 2008 recruiting class for Nebraska football - over 600 people came out to watch the Council Bluffs Summer League at Omaha South (League will go back to Iowa next year). The game featured great dunks, hard fouls, clutch shots, crowd chants and MAD trash talking!! The Rivarly is growing for sure after tonight's crowd performance! Plus the Jays won with only 4 players on their future roster. Thank god for Joe Dabbert playing on the inside or it would have been a rough night for CU! Good night overall for everyone but the refs...they were high school refs who were over their heads.

Some thoughts coming out of tonight's game:

First for Creighton's team of P'Allen Stinnet, Booker Woodfox, Joe Dabbert, Josh Dotzler, and Dane Watts plus 3 scrubs who did nothing:

Incoming Freshmen P'Allen Stinnet is going to be the Newcomer of the year in the MVC if he plays with the same fire and intensity that he played with tonight. He's VERY talented. I saw all I needed when P'Allen took the ball and tried to dunk on Aleks Maric at the end of the game. The kid has crazy ups and NO fear at all. Amazing handle and great moves. In warm-ups, he bounced the ball off the back wall, caught it and reverse dunked it. It was SICK! It will be interesting to see how loose Dana will let him be inside the offense because he made Ryan Anderson looks silly on a few moves tonight.

P'Allen impressed but the star of the night was Booker Woodfox - the Juco transfer had at least 7 3's including the game winner with under one minute to play. Woodfox has good size and quickness and sees the court well. He also isn't afraid to rebound, bang bodies and run his mouth.

Josh Dotzler physically looks really good. He's cut and quick. The knee looks 100% but he shot the ball WAAAAY too much. He didn't look to pass and tried to score with the scorers. That's not Josh's game and I'm sure if Dana was there - he wouldn't have been happy. That's the problem with the summer league....too easy to get caught up in the hype of being a scorer and crowd pleaser.

Dane Watts was Dane Watts. Streaky shooter, willing to rebound, undersized but will guard big men. Aleks Maric controlled him at times but Dane played well tonight. Joe Dabert was the real story on the inside. Too bad he's not back next year because they could use him especially vs. NU next year.

As for Nebraska - Their team should have won this game. Their roster was far deeper. Aleks Maric, Charles Richardson, Ryan Anderson, Marcus Perry - All members of last year's team PLUS future roster players Alonzo Edwards, Shang Ping, Cookie Miller, Branden Richardson and Toney McCray.

For Nebraska fans looking for something good out of this game, Aleks Maric looked very good. He's in shape and ran the floor very well. Joe Dabbert got in his head but he's older and strong enough to push him around. No one on the Jays roster will be anywhere near the size of Dabert.

Ryan Anderson vs. P'Allen Stinnet was a huge highlight on the night. The two trash talked the whole game and it spilled into the crowd. Chad Millard of CU and Ricky Thenarse of the Husker Football team nearly went outside after screaming at each other across the court. Ryan hit some big 3's but got distracted by the one on one game at key moments. Charles Richardson chewed him out pretty good late in the game for not guarding. Chuck is still the floor leader that he was at NU.
As for the new Nebraska players who made noise - Shang Ping is horrible. He is thin, weak, and can't shoot to save his life. He can barely draw iron on free throws. Sure, he's tall but that's it. He's a body - nothing more. He got into it with Dabbert and got a double T called. We didn't see much of Alonzo Edwards as he twisted his ankle early in the 2nd half and didn't play much after that. He's a big guy and strong with the ball. He'll be a nice option off the bench for Doc Sadler to spell Aleks. Guard Cookie Miller is as quick as advertised. However, he's REALLY small. 5'7 might be generous and in the Big 12 - I just don't see him being able to get into the lane. He'll need to be in the open floor to be effective but he has skill for sure.
Overall, this was a BLAST. Nebraska fans were loud the entire game as they were outnumbered 2 to 1. Jays fans were a bit quieter as normal until Husker fans started to chant or talk trash. Summer league games mean nothing but they are for sure fun :).

Big Show for Thursday

Topics:
- NBA Draft
- ESPN vs. Portland fight
- Bluejays getting picked?
- Nebraska gets a former commit
- Tony Gonzalez gets hitched - sorta
- Ryan Howard hits 100th
- Big 10 Network getting hammered

Guests:
3 pm - Jeff Goodman Fox Sports
4 pm - Bryan Munson BigRedReport.com
5 pm - Mark Sullivan Big 10 Network
5:30 - Anthony Tolliver former Bluejay

Lip Syncing Genius....Love The Cut Out

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Big Show For Tuesday

Topics:
- Will Kobe get help?
- White Sox are awful
- Royals continue to play well
- Should the MVC Tourney Move?
- Wrestler involved in murder-suicide
- Bonds says he now can share
- Woman loses a million to fake Pedro

Guests:
2:15 - Chris Mannix SI NBA writer
4 pm - Doug Elgin MVC Commish
5 pm - Nick Butakey WHB in KC

More to be added within the next few hours...

True Sox Fans Will Take A Beating For His Team

Monday, June 25, 2007

Big Show for Monday

Topics:
- Who's back-to-back is more impressive?
- Tiger's wordrobe
- Joba is already at Double AA for the Yanks
- Griffey to retire an M?
- Whites Sox fire sale coming
- Would you trade KG?
- Draft on Thursday

Guests:
2:15 - Joba Chamberlain Yankee farmhand
2:30 - Harold Reynolds of MLB.com
3 pm - Fairways and Greens Panel
5 pm - Big Show Big 5 at 5

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Big Show for Thursday

Back in Studio....

Topics:
- Irvine going home
- Can Oregon St. repeat?
- Sosa hits #600
- Did Juan-Gone use too?
- Royals need a song
- Bob Stoops' bad investment
- Purify case update
- LJ will hold out if he has to
- PacMan needs to banned for life
- Social Security agreement for former players
- Wie pulls out of John Deere

Guests:
2:15 - Dennis Poppe NCAA
3 pm - John Donovan SI baseball writer
4 pm - Mike Florio Profootballtalk.com

Chasing Pat Casey Coach of Oregon St.

We Thought Irvine Was Goofy....

This is a riot! - Joey Wong of Oregon St. Get the Tonight Show appearance ready!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Let The MILF Jokes Roll....

Tiger and Elin had their first baby yesterday. HER name is Sam. What's with this trend of naming girls with boy names? My brother named his daughter Olivia...but calls her Ollie. Samatha Woods was born yesterday. Sam? Sam is your neighbor who borrowed your weed wacker 3 months ago and never gave it back. Ah, shoot - there's another joke you can run with for Tiger's wife....but seriously, Tiger is 31 - about my age - congrats to him!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Baby Bro Makes Good!

For those of you who have listened to the show for a while, you know that my little brother is a organic farmer in Western Mass. Well, our family is very proud of the small business he has built and now, US News and World Report has taken notice:

Happy Father's Day Ben! :)


Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Big Show for Thursday

Topics:
- NoDo Stadium idea dying?
- Jr. goes to the New Y...Hendrix
- Game 3 NBA Finals
- Lebron got fouled! and Side Show Bob
- Verlander hits 102 in 9th of no hitter
- No Bonds at All-Star game?
- 12 year old girl will play in the Open

Guests:
2:15 - Luke Hochevar '06 No.1 overall pick
2:45 - Kerry Tharp Dir. of Comm for NASCAR
4 pm - Steve Ryan BigRedReport.com

Might add a few others...

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Time To Be Honest

"Our program is the state of Nebraska's program. I truly believe that," Doc Sadler said.

A lot has been written on message boards and said on my show about my feelings towards the Nebraska Basketball program. I have finally come to the point where I think it's time to set the record straight and admit how I truly feel about the 2 basketball teams that I cover. 590's coverage of the Jays has nothing to do with what I'm about to say. I just made up my mind finally.

I like Creighton more than Nebraska when it comes to basketball. Period.

There. I said it. So stop telling me what we all know. Am I a fan of the Bluejays? I don't know yet. But the more press conferences like today that I have to listen to and I'll be getting closer to becoming a real one.

I don't like Nebraska basketball. That I know.

The reason why I'm saying it now is the statement that I quoted above. I heard Doc make that statement today at the press conference and just shook my head at the arrogance. While I don't know Doc personally, I have to wonder who he is trying to convince? You never hear Coach Dana Altman say things like that. He knows that it does nothing for your program in the long run. Winning is all that matters - not who's program the state owns. Sadler has said those things before - but today was really disrespectful. I saw something I really didn't like in Hawaii when Doc got thrown out by saying "F#ck You!" to a ref in front of a microphone. Today was the 2nd time he caused me to dislike his behavior.

Sitting in the lobby of the building that is the home of the Creighton Bluejays, Doc showed what he thinks of CU...which isn't very much. Thus it makes it easy for me to now lead the charge to boycott against this game and the cheers when Creighton plays Nebraska next year in Omaha. It's the arrogance that Nebraska basketball has that really bothers me. It's the humble nature of Altman's staff that makes me really like working with them.

One program has won 20 games for 9 straight years and was ranked 13th for attendance last year. The other hasn't won 20 games this decade. Knock Altman's post season record all you want but at least he's won A GAME in the tourney.

I said today on the air that I was surprised that Steve Pederson didn't call Creighton AD Bruce Rasmussen to tell him about what they were doing with the Qwest Center. Bruce would never expect that type of treatment from anyone. Except that is the exact kind of thing he would do if the roles were reversed. As Rick Majerus said, Bruce is one the best AD's in the Midwest and I have the utmost respect for him and his staff. He is all class and never wants to make waves with anyone. SP couldn't care less what Bruce thinks and that's why he had MECA talk to CU about the situation instead of doing it himself. It would have been very easy for him to make the call. He didn't.

Bottom line - the contrast between the two programs makes it very easy for me to favor one over the other. Creighton is open. Nebraska tells you to F'off. Creighton is about respecting the job you have to do. Nebraska is all about control. Creighton is appreciative. Nebraska is arrogant.

Sure, 590's carrying of the Bluejay games opened doors for me but I believe the relationships you craft once you are inside mean a lot more in the long run. Coach Dana Altman and Brian Fish gave up their time to play in our golf tournament to raise money for a former Husker's charity at my request. While NU does a lot of great things for our state, I would find it hard to believe that NU would do the same if the roles were reversed.

Before you start hammering me for covering football - there is a difference in how I feel about football versus basketball. Nebraska football operates in a different world to me. 5 National championships allow me to do that. The football program recruits the top players in the country to come play in Lincoln. You say Nebraska - and you think football. Football is king in this country - it's our passion. There really is something very special about Memorial Stadium on a Fall afternoon. It's a lot of fun to cover Nebraska football and the passion of their fans. I enjoy covering the games a lot but there is a different level of access that I have with CU. (No you can't use that paragraph to start an arguement about the CU/NU Bi Fan with me. Covering NU is my job)

I have zero problem with Bill Callahan and staff no matter what you think. I think he's done a good job so far and just like me - he had to learn what the Nebraska football tradition was all about. Now, he runs the tradition. Some former players might not love him, but winning cures all ills. I wish them nothing but the best in the upcoming season. Callahan might be arrogant and rude to the media but he has taken a team to the Super Bowl. He plays on a different level then the rest of the coaches at Nebraska.


Back to basketball and the Huskers vs. Oregon game for a moment. Jays fans should NOT go to this game. Nebraska fans - go and have fun. Yet, the fact that Nebraska is shipping in a $10,000 court should tell you that Pederson understands that they are doing something shady. When other basketball events happen at the Qwest, they don't bring in their own floor. But then again, those events aren't involving the arch rival of CU. Nebraska knows that.

I am not happy with Bluejay fans for simply ignoring this story. If you love CU, you should very upset about this. You can't do anything about it as the Qwest Center isn't yours to control but you can keep away from the event.

If you love the Jays, keep your money in your pocket. It's the only way that it won't happen again. It has to be a flop or at least a semi-flop. Even if someone offers you free tickets - you should not go. Nebraska fans need to show that they can fill the Qwest...and I'm not sure they can without the bi- fan buying tickets. Time to pick a side my friends for real. Where does your heart lie?

If you need an image to help illustrate what I'm talking about...well, here you go: Would you let someone sleep with your wife if it just happened once? Of course not. Your building is your wife. Your building is your castle.

When you look up at the big screen at the Qwest and the Under Armor man asks "Who will protect this house?" Do you answer "I will, I will"? If you do, put your action where your mouth is and boycott the event. Protect your house - even if you don't own it.

Big Show for Wednesday

Sorry for the lack of posting on here over past few weeks. We are having a debate internally as to how I will post on here. They want it on the internal site (bigsports590.com) and I have been trying to learn the new system without much luck. So, I'm back to posting on here.

Topics:
- 2 pm Press Conference as Nebraska embarrasses themselves
- NU vs. Oregon at the Qwest
- Creighton hires a new ast. coach
- NBA Finals Game 3
- Sopranos creator speaks
- Daly's wife says he hurt himself
- CWS field complete
- Omaha is against new ball park according to a new survey

Guests:
2 pm - Nebraska Basketball Press Conference
3:45 - Dan Beyer Fox live in Cleveland
4 pm - Rachael Adair CWS Ambassador
4:45 - Mike Fox UNC Baseball Coach
5 pm - Dana Altman Bluejay Basketball Coach
- Wayne Graham Rice Head Coach
5:15 - Carey Eggers Portland Tribune - Oregon St.
- Kyle Veazey Clarion Ledger Miss St.
5:30 - Ron Polk Miss. St. Head Coach


For The UFC Nuts...Your Champ is a Mess