Friday, November 26 will go down in infamy as one of the best ever days of college football. Let's revisit some of the highlights.
Uptight About Uprights
Did Boise State kicker's field goal really go wide right? The boot at the end of regulation was much higher than the high-school-height uprights. Like many of the calls in the game, this "miss" favored the Wolf Pack.
In the officials' defense, this has to be one of the toughest calls in football. Replay should probably be in effect for such plays, but not sure that would've mattered.
Yet it's the WAC and Karl Benson who are red-faced. The WAC looks like the Bush League by not requiring higher goal posts. Wethinks there will be taller yellow uprights in Reno in 2011.
Greensboro College lost to Guilford in overtime on a similar call in the 2006 Gate City Soup Bowl. But that's NCAA Division III football with a little less on the line.
Friday's Loser: Boise State
Not playing in the national championship? Check.
Not winning the BCS lottery? Check.
Yet the highlight of the Bowl season would've been the undefeated Broncos heading to Pasadena to face Ohio State. Remember, OSU Pres Gee just dissed BSU and their "sisters of the poor" schedule.
I would've paid for the cross country flight to see BSU wax the elitist Big Ten team. It would've happened, trust me, I promise.
War Eagle Comeback
Yes Auburn's comeback at Alabama was impressive. Most of the free world, however, wanted to see 'Bama roll and one of the outsiders (TCU, BSU) get a shot at the brass ring.
We all hear how great the SEC teams are. However, a more efficient Tide team should've been ahead by 40 points int he first half!
If the SEC and its teams are so great, why didn't Alabama pounce Auburn when it had the chance?
More BSC/SEC/BS
On Friday I heard a radio analyst utter ridiculous banter. He said even if Auburn lost in the SEC Championship, they should go to the BCS title game.
Huh?
Let's says Oregon, BSU and TCU all ended up undefeated. You should take a one loss Tiger team riding a one-game losing streak ahead of undefeated clubs?
"Boise and TCU could not withstand the SEC schedule week in and week out," he pontificated.
Really. We'll never know because geography and elitism would never allow such a dynamic.
By the same token, we will never know if an SEC team, with much fewer resources, much fewer future NFL athletes, with much less tradition, could go 14-0 in the WAC or MWC.
Don't Drink BCS Kool Aid
I implore you to turn the channel, page or station if you hear that current structure of the FBS/BCS is a reason to keep the status quo--or is somehow responsible for the Fantastic Friday.
Fans should not have hope that one team loses so that its undefeated team can get a shot at a championship. All undefeated teams should be included in a playoff.
It's happening today in the FCS, Division II and Division III. Imagine that...
A championship among current FBS teams would have the thrills of Friday and the excitement and pageantry of March Madness. It would also bring more money to college athletics than anything we've ever seen.
How much longer do we have to wait for a playoff?
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Future NBAer Singleton Leads FSU
FSU 97, UNCG 73 -- Singleton Gets Triple-Double
By Bob Lowe
Greensboro, N.C. – Chris Singleton had a triple-double and a game-high 22 points as Florida State (2-0) defeated UNC Greensboro (0-2), 97-73, on Sunday.
Singleton also set a new school record with 10 steals. He added 11 rebounds and six assists. His triple-double is the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference to feature 10 or more steals. He is the only ACC player to record one in the Greensboro Coliseum--home of this year’s ACC Tournament.
“Hard work paid off, and I was really into the game tonight,” said Singleton. He was 7-14 from the field, and made all seven of his free throws.
"Chris contributes for us when he’s not scoring," said FSU Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. “He is quick and has such long arms that he makes things difficult for opponents."
Singleton joins former Seminoles Reggie Royals and Bob Sura in the exclusive FSU triple-double club.
FSU got off to an 8-0 lead and led 46-29 at halftime. The visitors used a 12-2 run near the end of the half en route to the advantage.
"We got off to a good start due the energy of Singleton and (Michael) Snaer," Hamilton said. "We played well tonight and are improving as a team. The one negative: too many (21) turnovers."
Snaer and Okaro White added 16 points apiece for the Seminoles. UNCG got a team-high 16 points from David Williams, who was 7-13 from the field.
“We came out flat on offense and were just standing around on offense," said UNCG Head Coach Mike Dement. "You just can’t do that against a good defensive team like Florida State.”
Aloysius Henry scored 15 and Cody Henegar contributed 12 points for the Spartans.
The Seminoles had 11 blocked shots and forced 26 Spartan turnovers resulting in 32 points. UNCG was out-rebounded 42-39.
UNCG, a member of the Southern Conference, hosts four Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball teams at the Greensboro Coliseum this year. This is the Spartans second year using the venerable arena as its home court.
In addition to boosting attendance for UNCG, playing at the site of this year’s conference tournament has been a draw for ACC teams. In addition to FSU, Virginia Tech, and Duke will play at the Spartan’s home floor. Additionally, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and North Carolina State will compete in the arena this year.
"I guess it's good to play here in preparation for the tournament, but I think the exposure on Tobacco Road is more imporatnt," said Hamilton.
"We lost in the first round of the ACC Tournament here last year, so I'm glad we came out and played well in this building tonight," added Singleton.
In regards to being just four short of the extremely rare quadruple-double, Singleton said: “I had one in high school and I won’t rule it out.”
The Seminoles host Gardner Webb on Tuesday. Thereafter, FSU has two more mid-major schools before the University of Florida visits on Nov. 28.
Virginia Tech visits UNCG on Nov. 21.
-30-
By Bob Lowe
Greensboro, N.C. – Chris Singleton had a triple-double and a game-high 22 points as Florida State (2-0) defeated UNC Greensboro (0-2), 97-73, on Sunday.
Singleton also set a new school record with 10 steals. He added 11 rebounds and six assists. His triple-double is the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference to feature 10 or more steals. He is the only ACC player to record one in the Greensboro Coliseum--home of this year’s ACC Tournament.
“Hard work paid off, and I was really into the game tonight,” said Singleton. He was 7-14 from the field, and made all seven of his free throws.
"Chris contributes for us when he’s not scoring," said FSU Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. “He is quick and has such long arms that he makes things difficult for opponents."
Singleton joins former Seminoles Reggie Royals and Bob Sura in the exclusive FSU triple-double club.
FSU got off to an 8-0 lead and led 46-29 at halftime. The visitors used a 12-2 run near the end of the half en route to the advantage.
"We got off to a good start due the energy of Singleton and (Michael) Snaer," Hamilton said. "We played well tonight and are improving as a team. The one negative: too many (21) turnovers."
Snaer and Okaro White added 16 points apiece for the Seminoles. UNCG got a team-high 16 points from David Williams, who was 7-13 from the field.
“We came out flat on offense and were just standing around on offense," said UNCG Head Coach Mike Dement. "You just can’t do that against a good defensive team like Florida State.”
Aloysius Henry scored 15 and Cody Henegar contributed 12 points for the Spartans.
The Seminoles had 11 blocked shots and forced 26 Spartan turnovers resulting in 32 points. UNCG was out-rebounded 42-39.
UNCG, a member of the Southern Conference, hosts four Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball teams at the Greensboro Coliseum this year. This is the Spartans second year using the venerable arena as its home court.
In addition to boosting attendance for UNCG, playing at the site of this year’s conference tournament has been a draw for ACC teams. In addition to FSU, Virginia Tech, and Duke will play at the Spartan’s home floor. Additionally, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and North Carolina State will compete in the arena this year.
"I guess it's good to play here in preparation for the tournament, but I think the exposure on Tobacco Road is more imporatnt," said Hamilton.
"We lost in the first round of the ACC Tournament here last year, so I'm glad we came out and played well in this building tonight," added Singleton.
In regards to being just four short of the extremely rare quadruple-double, Singleton said: “I had one in high school and I won’t rule it out.”
The Seminoles host Gardner Webb on Tuesday. Thereafter, FSU has two more mid-major schools before the University of Florida visits on Nov. 28.
Virginia Tech visits UNCG on Nov. 21.
-30-
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A View From the Other Side
I recently had the opportunity to see my job from the other side.
I'm a sports information professional or--some say--a "strategic communicator for college athletics," at Greensboro College. With an open evening, I took on the job for stringing for a newspaper at a professional sports event.
The experience illuminated the challenges of the sports writer. It also reiterated some of the basics of our profession: common courtesy and customer service.
After confirming the gig, I contacted the public relations professional from the home team. My email requesting credential and parking details was not responded to. A day later, two phone calls requesting the same information were not returned.
I left early and it was good thing. Traffic put me behind schedule.
When I arrived, I circled the arena searching for media parking. I then asked a parking lot attendant and she noted that the television stations park "on the street near the red cones."
My baby blue Ford Taurus squeezed between TV station vans. I haphazardly created a hand-written media pass and stuck it on my dashboard.
The thoughts raced through my head. Will I be ticketed? Towed?!
The media entrance was nearby. I passed through security. Alas, there was a media pass for me.
An employee directed me to press row. I searched for my name plate, to no avail.
I asked for the PR director and where I should sit and maybe some game notes. One staffer suggested I got to one of the luxury boxes since it was very tight in the media area.
The PR pro was summoned to the press box. He was friendly bloak and cleared a seat for me. The game notes arrived shortly.
Due to the pomp and pageantry of the season opener, the game started late. That was good in some ways, but would make the 11 p.m. deadline difficult.
When halftime arrived, I made my way to the food room. You know, the big perk for scribes is a square meal provided by the home team.
Well, the prime rib was gone. There was bread, salad, popcorn and some cake. No problem except the only utensils available were plastic knives.
This meal lacked protein. I prayed the starch, veggies and sugar would get me through the night!
After the game, I headed to the locker room. To my surprise, there was another journalist waiting outside the visitor's dressing room. Intrigued, I struck up a conversation with the chap.
Turns out, he was covering the game for the same newspaper! A phone call to the sports editor followed.
Basically, we did rock, paper, scissors (or Ro-Sham-Bo, if you prefer) to seal the gig.
I won. (Note: When feeling strong, go with "rock!")
After getting some quotes, I ventured to the media room. I popped in the quotes, proofed the story and emailed it off.
My numerous confirmation calls to the sports editor went to voice mail. You know, it was Friday night night and high school football rules the day.
I exited the arena to find my car. Things were going good and there was no ticket!
I worried the entire drive home if my email made it to the sports editor. Would the whole night be for naught?
Too tired for much else, I hit the sack at 12:30 a.m.
The next morning, I checked the paper's web site and saw my article with byline. Phew!
What an adventure. It should've been a night with much less drama.
To my fellow athletic communicators, please return calls and emails.
And, save a seat for a writer and you will be cherished.
I'm a sports information professional or--some say--a "strategic communicator for college athletics," at Greensboro College. With an open evening, I took on the job for stringing for a newspaper at a professional sports event.
The experience illuminated the challenges of the sports writer. It also reiterated some of the basics of our profession: common courtesy and customer service.
After confirming the gig, I contacted the public relations professional from the home team. My email requesting credential and parking details was not responded to. A day later, two phone calls requesting the same information were not returned.
I left early and it was good thing. Traffic put me behind schedule.
When I arrived, I circled the arena searching for media parking. I then asked a parking lot attendant and she noted that the television stations park "on the street near the red cones."
My baby blue Ford Taurus squeezed between TV station vans. I haphazardly created a hand-written media pass and stuck it on my dashboard.
The thoughts raced through my head. Will I be ticketed? Towed?!
The media entrance was nearby. I passed through security. Alas, there was a media pass for me.
An employee directed me to press row. I searched for my name plate, to no avail.
I asked for the PR director and where I should sit and maybe some game notes. One staffer suggested I got to one of the luxury boxes since it was very tight in the media area.
The PR pro was summoned to the press box. He was friendly bloak and cleared a seat for me. The game notes arrived shortly.
Due to the pomp and pageantry of the season opener, the game started late. That was good in some ways, but would make the 11 p.m. deadline difficult.
When halftime arrived, I made my way to the food room. You know, the big perk for scribes is a square meal provided by the home team.
Well, the prime rib was gone. There was bread, salad, popcorn and some cake. No problem except the only utensils available were plastic knives.
This meal lacked protein. I prayed the starch, veggies and sugar would get me through the night!
After the game, I headed to the locker room. To my surprise, there was another journalist waiting outside the visitor's dressing room. Intrigued, I struck up a conversation with the chap.
Turns out, he was covering the game for the same newspaper! A phone call to the sports editor followed.
Basically, we did rock, paper, scissors (or Ro-Sham-Bo, if you prefer) to seal the gig.
I won. (Note: When feeling strong, go with "rock!")
After getting some quotes, I ventured to the media room. I popped in the quotes, proofed the story and emailed it off.
My numerous confirmation calls to the sports editor went to voice mail. You know, it was Friday night night and high school football rules the day.
I exited the arena to find my car. Things were going good and there was no ticket!
I worried the entire drive home if my email made it to the sports editor. Would the whole night be for naught?
Too tired for much else, I hit the sack at 12:30 a.m.
The next morning, I checked the paper's web site and saw my article with byline. Phew!
What an adventure. It should've been a night with much less drama.
To my fellow athletic communicators, please return calls and emails.
And, save a seat for a writer and you will be cherished.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Power of "Win"
If you are a regular fan on Bob's Blog (we have some room on the couch for newcomers) you might be wondering what's up with the photo of DJ Kahled. Why is a rapper on this site that talks of sports and tech stuff? The answer is in three letters: W-I-N. The DJ has a catchy tune with Ludacris and Snoop that has become a popular song for sports teams. I thank the Greensboro College softball team for turning me onto it last Spring.
In addition my GC teams winning at 74-percent clip on the weekend, it was a very good run for Bob's football teams.
-My alma mater, San Diego State, beat Utah State 41-7. The Aztecs 3-1 start is the best in 28 years.
-UCLA surprised all and took the Texas Longhorns to the woodshed in Austin. This seemed impossible when the Bruins were 0-2 two weeks ago.
-The Rams broke a 14-game losing streak and hammered the Redskins. It's nice to see your NFL team block and tackle for once.
What occurs after such a successful weekend?
There's more bounce in your step on Monday morning. The smile is wider when you greet co-workers.
Early in the afternoon, you start to believe:
-SDSU fans have been waiting long enough. Brady Hoke can bring a bowl, if not a championship to the Montezuma Mesa.
-USC is down, way down. LA is ripe for a Bruin Pigskin renaissance.
-The NFC West is weak, maybe the Rams can prevail.
Winning is the serotonin for the sports fan's soul! Hope springs eternal in the Fall.
Here's the CLIP, enjoy.
Good luck to YOUR teams.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Some Can't Accept the Underdog
Two non-BCS teams enter the season in the national top 5 and BCS Establishment (note capitalization) raises an eyebrow.Boise State then beats perennial power Virginia Tech and all heck is breaking loose in the sham that is the monopoly of major college football.
This whole Bowl Championship Series shindig has been closed card game for the fat cats since day one. The system (I use that term with tongue in cheek) has been a misdeal to many dues-paying institutions since its outset.
The fact that Boise, Hawaii, Utah and TCU have made a huge dent in the BCS calamity has been simply amazing.
Newspapers, talking heads and radio shows this week have all chimed in how unjust it would for a BSU to play in a BSC championship.
And I say BS.
Pundits say the upstarts from the MWC and the WAC:
-Don't play a tough-enough schedule.
-Would lose 3-4 games in the SEC.
Sorry, establishment, your syndicate wants no part of scheduling these teams that have defied the odds. Your best offer is "two games at our place and one in you home." Old habits die hard and this scheme has been prevalent long before there was a thing called B (C) S.
These teams haven't had a much of a choice where they are located or which conference they are in. Unless the SEC recruits Hawaii to join, there should be no discussion on the point.
Perhaps the upstarts would lose three games per year in a big time conference. But maybe these teams would do better with the resources afforded the BCS teams.
These are just irrelevant points.
It's not if a matter of "if" yet a challenge of "how soon" we get to a real determination of selecting a national playoff.
Every other league does it fellas. It's called a playoff. Let's do it.
Now!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thirteen Takes on MWC/WAC Shenanigans
It's been a wild week in the West with all that occurred this week. Seems like nobody is shedding a tear for the BYU Cougars. The Y felt they had to counter Utah's admission to the PAC 10 with football independence. Their reach could cost them mightily.(At right: SDSU and the MWC are in good shape...for now, anyway!)
The Western Athletic Conference is on life support. Let's hope a solution will result in the WAC remaining viable and Mr. Benson's bad moves won't cost the member institutions.
1. The Mountain West Conference is in good shape as it is. Even if BYU goes, the MWC boasts highly-rated TCU and Boise State in 2011. The addition of a solid Fresno State program and a decent Nevada Reno outfit solidifies the future.
2. The Western Athletic Conference needs to act and act fast. The WAC and Benson should be proactive. The best bet is to recruit strong FCS teams.
3. UC Davis should jump up to FBS status. While the Aggies just recently jumped from NCAA Division II, UCD has an outstanding athletics program and the wherewithal to jump the hurdle.
4. Brigham Young University had its goose cooked. There was a time when the Cougars could’ve thrown its weight around, but not now. The Y’s tail is between the proverbial legs. The rest of the MWC is stronger than the Provo school.
5. Independence a gamble for Cougars? Was taking BYU in all but football a backlash to losing Boise State? Seems that way. It seems a shortsighted move by Benson. My odds are 65-35 against this being a good thing.
6. Benson is a hypocrite. Calling out two institutions—FSU and Nevada—for loyalty is a selfish call. Benson was trying to recruit BYU and had his bluff called.
7. Montana is the other team should be courted by the WAC. The Grizzlies are strong enough to make the move.
8. Hawaii is a better independent than BYU. The Warriors are better off as an independent than in the WAC. They can schedule home-and-homes with many due to the destination. Why play Louisiana Tech when can likely get a pay day from LSU?
9. The Big West is a better fit for Hawaii for the rest of its sports. The WCC is made up small, religious schools that have no similarity to UH. The Big West, on the other hand, is a bunch of public that don’t play football. Who is the better fit?
10. BYU will end up playing in the following order. A. Status quo with football and everything in the MWC. B. Football Indy and the rest in the WCC. C. Football Indy and in the WAC.
11. The MWC should NOT combine with Conference USA. A football championship game with CUSA could earn a BCS berth. That might be good for some, but not the MWC. This coalition also buys into the BCS farce. Let’s keep a separate MWC and CUSA and a playoff in 2014!
12. Utah State to the MWC? Last I heard, Houston had no interest in the Mountain West. Should BYU exit, the Aggies are good fit to keep presence in the absence of BYU and the Utes.
13. Somebody (NCAA) needs to put a tent over this circus. A playoff would be the best for all involved. (Then maybe we could go back to 1A and 1AA!)
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