tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post3089172400346157993..comments2024-03-17T03:18:56.070-04:00Comments on Dan Shanoff: Thursday 02/08 A.M. Quickie:Why UNC-Duke Doesn't Really Matter(Plus: Signing Day, Amaechi and More)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-28773117683110704822007-02-08T18:48:00.000-05:002007-02-08T18:48:00.000-05:00I think the sentence I objected to was this one, "...I think the sentence I objected to was this one, "I don't think UNC could beat Florida, UCLA or Wisconsin, among others, in a Final Four Game." You make it seem like a guarantee, when to me none of the contenders is more than a 60-40 or maybe 70-30 (in terms of times they'd win out of 100) against any other team.<BR/><BR/>College basketball (and really basketball as a whole) provides frequent opportunities for the less talented team to win.IkeKrizzulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02462121707162240038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-23168242076023713652007-02-08T17:31:00.000-05:002007-02-08T17:31:00.000-05:00I apologize for the repeat of others, but maybe th...I apologize for the repeat of others, but maybe there is strength in numbers:<BR/><BR/>12/03/06<BR/>#4 Florida vs UR FSU<BR/>70-66<BR/><BR/>Stop dissing the Noles until you are ready to put Florida in their place.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06234390321441191258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-89435755764639601672007-02-08T17:12:00.000-05:002007-02-08T17:12:00.000-05:00Oh yeah, one other question I had...How many strai...Oh yeah, one other question I had...<BR/><BR/>How many straight years has ESPN (and / or Dick Vitale) broadcast at least ONE UNC-Duke game?Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-13574481650538842292007-02-08T16:58:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:58:00.000-05:00I wanted to add my perspective on the USA v Mexico...I wanted to add my perspective on the USA v Mexico friendly. I was lucking enough to have tickets 7 rows off the endline. The game may not have mattered to most people but it was evident that it mattered to everyone in the stadium (fans and players). After the USA scored near the start of the second half the intesity on the field and the stands racheted upward and really burst with the second goal (as was evident with the keepers actions and the hundreds of fans that started throwing things onto the field).<br /><br />I have never been to an sporting event where the atmosphere was that loud and charged the complete time. My wife who doesn't understand soccer or really like it commented on what a fun experiance it was because of the atmosphere of the stadium.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03022901532283864757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-90615057467728955862007-02-08T16:50:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:50:00.000-05:00Who called the "Wade Phillips" rebound coach? Loo...Who called the "Wade Phillips" rebound coach? Looks like he is going to Big D (no, the other Bid D). Good call!chipphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233463496650742328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-83459222042988992162007-02-08T16:42:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:42:00.000-05:00Dan, I love the expanded comments by you. I also l...Dan, I love the expanded comments by you. I also love that you put BC on that list. <BR/><BR/>And like you said, I could provide about 99 reasons why we couldn't beat Florida, but if FSU could beat Florida, I guess we theoretically could on a given night where Jared Dudley could not be stopped. <BR/><BR/>I do think that it's a slightly down year for Duke/UNC only because Duke aren't legit title contenders this year, whereas usually both squads have reasonable national championship hopes. That being said, I know I watched, (mostly due to aforementioned Duke hatred). <BR/><BR/>And sadly, I also agree that it's not exhibiting bias to call Florida the favorites in the tourney, but I too admit that I do get a little irritated with the Florida fandom by Dan.<BR/><BR/>Where are the Northwestern posts? How was their national signing day? Where's the photo of Baby Gabe in the Northwestern uni?ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-28248621386730978042007-02-08T16:29:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:29:00.000-05:00Of course it meant something to the fans of the tw...Of course it meant something to the fans of the two teams and the players involved. I'm not disputing that. You're right about that. It meant a lot less to most college hoops fans, because it was simply a "rivalry game," which -- while fun in mid-February -- really doesn't have any bearing on the national championship.<BR/><BR/>Almost everyone in the NCAA Tournament is a contender? Hardly. While you can make a good case than anything can happen in a one-game situation, to string together six wins in a row allows us to shed the number of truly legit contenders to... what... 12? 16 max.<BR/><BR/>And even the "upsets" usually end up being explainable in hindsight: Inevitably, the favored team that loses runs into a team that they match up particularly horribly with. (Before you say it, there are obvious exceptions: Most recently, there was no great explanation for George Mason to make the 4-game run it did, which is partially why it was so amazing.)<BR/><BR/>Finally, I hardly think it's crazy of me to say that Florida is the top favorite to win the national title. They won last year and return the exact same team. They are ranked unanimous No. 1 right now (so obviously there are at least a unanimous poll of media and coaching experts who agree that Florida is the team to beat).<BR/><BR/>Would you like me to offer up teams I think can beat Florida in a one-game situation? No problem. In no particular order: UCLA, Kansas, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, UNC, B.C., Pitt, Georgetown. But I guarantee you that fans of those teams can provide a lot of reasons why their teams would get beat by Florida.Dan Shanoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08126386161198401693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-1726633003319608532007-02-08T16:19:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:19:00.000-05:00College basketball is different than college footb...College basketball is different than college football, but you don't seem to be able to rap your head around it. UNC is a national championship contender, Duke is a contender, almost everyone who gets into the tournament in a contender.<BR/><BR/>I know you just want to make it black and white so you can annoint Florida the champion and move on, but it doesn't work like that in basketball. In college baskeball, with a short 3 point line and a 35 second clock, any decent quality team can beat any team on any night.<BR/><BR/>That Duke/UNC game might not have meant much standings wise, but it meant something to the rivalry. It meant something to the people going crazy in the stands, and it clearly meant something to the players who put on an all-out crazy effort in a pretty good game.IkeKrizzulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02462121707162240038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-89859951889627512592007-02-08T16:14:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:14:00.000-05:00While I haven't seen Bailey pitch in person, I thi...While I haven't seen Bailey pitch in person, I think he does have more than just the fastball. Here's a quote from the BA scouting report on Bailey:<BR/><BR/><I>His curveball is also a plus pitch. He can throw a 12-to-6 hammer or as a slower, loopier version with 11-to-5 break. It's effective both as a knee-buckler for righthanders and as a backdoor pitch that sneaks over against lefties. While it will always be his third best offering, Bailey's changeup has improved and shows some potential. </I><BR/><BR/>He might not start the year off in the majors, but with the Reds rotation, I can't imagine that if he has success in AAA that he won't be up by at the latest the All-Star break.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-67231567487573215532007-02-08T15:56:00.000-05:002007-02-08T15:56:00.000-05:00Bailey still only has one pitch. I hope they keep ...Bailey still only has one pitch. I hope they keep him in the minors til he develops at least another.rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286062038193331350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-47447999774691832962007-02-08T15:54:00.000-05:002007-02-08T15:54:00.000-05:00I'm surprised no one's talking about Amaechi. Or,...I'm surprised no one's talking about Amaechi. Or, actually, no I'm not. I'd never heard of the guy until yesterday. <BR/><BR/>Let's see here--so far, openly gay athletes include a retired NBAer who had a brief, non-spectacular career, a retired journeyman baseball player (Billy Bean), who also had a brief, non-spectacular career, and a couple retired football people whose names I don't remember. Then there's Greg Louganis--an Olympian in a who-cares sport whose fame was actually prolonged by coming out. These are all people who are at the margins to begin with--and they all waited to come out until it could not possibly do their careers any harm. <BR/><BR/>The lone exception to the above is Martina Navratilova (since Sheryl Swoopes doesn't count). But then, our culture has always had an easier time accepting lesbians for some reason. And anyway, it only plays into what the bigots are thinking to begin with, right? To wit, if you're female and athletic, you must be lesbian--isn't that the thought process? <BR/><BR/>(Also in the category of not counting: Bill Tilden. Never heard of him? Look it up.)<BR/><BR/>When someone who is still playing the game, and still playing it well, comes out, I think then it will be a sign of progress. <BR/><BR/>What IS progress is that these stories are being reported matter-of-factly, and without fanfare, and with a full sense of proportion. And then, more wonderfully, are the stories that the WWL and others run about nobodies--high school football players, college lacrosse players, and so on--who come out and, more importantly, a whole lot of nothing happens as a result. It's those people that are changing things. <BR/><BR/>I honestly think that when some guy comes out while still at the heart of his sport, and that will be sooner rather than later, that we're finally ready for it--it will still be a huge big deal, but it won't be a crucifixion.markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367754765898020281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-10849380845188393132007-02-08T15:17:00.000-05:002007-02-08T15:17:00.000-05:00Arroyo isn't a bad re-sign, (I love the guy, don't...Arroyo isn't a bad re-sign, (I love the guy, don't get me wrong), but I'm surprised considering they already had him signed for this season and next. Considering last year was a career year for him, I'm pretty surprised they signed him at current (or a little below) market price, considering he could easily revert back to a solid, back end of the rotation innings eater. <BR/><BR/>What Reds fans should be excited about is watching Homer Bailey next year. That guy throws some serious heat. <BR/><BR/>Man baseball can't come soon enough!ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-57912224295520425012007-02-08T14:57:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:57:00.000-05:00Hey Dan, I like the fact that you have commented q...Hey Dan, I like the fact that you have commented quite a bit!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071405721004631626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-2602598442953888562007-02-08T14:55:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:55:00.000-05:00hey, that was pretty good, Dan.Now find a way to p...hey, that was pretty good, Dan.<BR/><BR/>Now find a way to play off the phrase "diddly poo" in the blog!Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-29967502372266542662007-02-08T14:46:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:46:00.000-05:00Before this goes any further: I would NEVER ask yo...Before this goes any further: I would NEVER ask you to pay to be a part of this blog or for me to do this blog. Payoffs?! Payoffs?!?!Dan Shanoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08126386161198401693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-40411782647334160452007-02-08T14:42:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:42:00.000-05:00A big nay on having to pay for anything. Honestly,...A big nay on having to pay for anything. Honestly, while I like the commenting, I wouldn't do it if I had to pay for it. <BR/><BR/>Dan, do you make money off of this blog at all?ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-55198405592327660492007-02-08T14:09:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:09:00.000-05:00About the comments...It does seem like I'm only ju...About the comments...<BR/><BR/>It does seem like I'm only just now realizing the error message I got 4 hours ago means my comment didn't take.<BR/><BR/>And I don't really remember what it was....probably something Celtics-related. Oh yeah, the '86 team lost only 15 games all year. Now it's 16 games in a row this year?<BR/><BR/>And the Amaechi story. The obvious smart-ass comment is that, he's less likely to have been one of the players in SI's story years ago on NBAers having tons of kids out of wedlock and not supporting them.<BR/><BR/>How about this...Dan gives out subscriptions (or charges $$$) to some of the regulars not to require approval on their comments. Others get moderated, and Dan can approve appropriate comments, with commenters able to get "promoted" if Dan notices substantial input to the comment roll over the course of several comments.<BR/><BR/>At least then any blog warfare would have to consist of earning Dan's trust over a couple of weeks before unleashing an attack, and then Dan pulls the plug on the "subscription" for the guy if he turns out to be a spy/terrorist.Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-35923227848177418932007-02-08T14:02:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:02:00.000-05:00Cincy gives Arroyo and extension.I must say..I'm p...Cincy gives Arroyo and extension.<BR/><BR/>I must say..I'm pleased with the new leadership with the Reds. Re-signing our best pitchers is great. <BR/>I honestly think that if the whole team puts it together, they are Series' contenders.<BR/><BR/>of course..with Cincy..that's a ridiculously huge 'If'.rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09286062038193331350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-62727356359323701282007-02-08T13:26:00.001-05:002007-02-08T13:26:00.001-05:00As for college coaches, you're leaving some pretty...As for college coaches, you're leaving some pretty major stuff out.<BR/><BR/>There's recruiting, game coaching AND TEACHING the game. And the coaches with great longevity do the last bit. <BR/><BR/>After the last couple decades, Duke and UNC have built-in advantages for recruiting. Clearly Coach K finds specific types of players and personalities more than he collects blue-chippers. Then he teaches very specific things on offense that are tailored to his usual group of unathletic shooters. They always play very cleanly in terms of contact. <BR/><BR/>Boeheim has a seemingly horrible recruiting situation (upstate NY, I love you, but...) yet identifies and gets great players and teaches them a complicated zone scheme every year - playing schlubs from around upstate NY to give the players time to learn. By the time the tournament rolls around, his zone will give teams an advantage against bad shooting.<BR/><BR/>That dynamic doesn't play out as often in the NBA, I'd argue because there's less to learn, but mostly in how the game is called. With soooo many games to call, the refs bias for certain players' moves (some people always look guilty and some always look innocent) just becomes magnified. Then talent makes a huge difference and it's less important to be a good game coach, though the Rileys and Jacksons will contend more often than the Rivers and Nellies of the world.solomonrexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422035530978145136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-63237329416360339942007-02-08T13:26:00.000-05:002007-02-08T13:26:00.000-05:00I appreciate all of your comments you're sending i...I appreciate all of your comments you're sending in ABOUT the comments. I'm currently planning out a solution that I think will satisfy most of you, based on some advice and insight I got from some of the leading sports bloggers out there. Hopefully, I can get it together by tomorrow.Dan Shanoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08126386161198401693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-24019955182172945882007-02-08T13:22:00.000-05:002007-02-08T13:22:00.000-05:00Daddy Rosee:IF it was the Knicks, Isiah would have...Daddy Rosee:<BR/><BR/>IF it was the Knicks, Isiah would have already traded the pick for Nick Collison.NAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17958843468425299776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-17757826388794273602007-02-08T13:08:00.000-05:002007-02-08T13:08:00.000-05:00Additionally, touching on what natsfan just posted...Additionally, touching on what natsfan just posted, I think he has some good ideas.<BR/><BR/>Most of us here are able to just skip the offensive and spam posts, knowing that you'll eventually delete them.<BR/><BR/>And if we're going to nominate someone to be a sort of "admin" for the Shanoff site, I nominate "Big D". How you could you not, with that shirt he wears? =)Megahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407561625097289402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-45333195710551914052007-02-08T13:06:00.001-05:002007-02-08T13:06:00.001-05:00Well, I hate Duke with a passion, so I admit I'm n...Well, I hate Duke with a passion, so I admit I'm not that objective in the matter, but here are some observations I have on the matter:<BR/><BR/>1) Duke v. UNC still meant something, as people will always care when Duke is involved, as they have the Yankees' love 'em or absolutely hate 'em thing. <BR/><BR/>2) Coach K isn't a great in game coach, at least not in the 2nd half. I can't tell you how many times I've seen them have 15-20 point leads at half-time, and then seemingly milk the clock down and have the lead dwindle. <BR/><BR/>3) Duke fans can't hide behind the "we're young" excuse, as UNC is arguably younger. Also, Duke has signed how many White, McDonald's All Americans in the past few years? Seriously, there is no sympathy in that... if you make excuses, find a bridge, jump, and get eaten by something with sharp teeth. <BR/><BR/>It gives me great pleasure that BC is tied for 1st in the ACC, while Duke is at .500. And that Jared Dudley is the player of the year in the ACC as of right now (though I'm a big fan of Thornton).ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-44202846523150887592007-02-08T13:06:00.000-05:002007-02-08T13:06:00.000-05:00natsfan- Grant Hill would have been a hall of fame...natsfan- Grant Hill would have been a hall of famer if he didn't get so injured after he joined Orlando.<BR/><BR/>Also, JJ Reddick is only playing like what 5 minutes a game? I too doubt him as HOF material, but heck you never know.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and the Bulls have a couple of Duke players, one of which could eventually turn into a HOF caliber player.<BR/><BR/>And for anyone that thinks Coach K is a great coach need to watch reruns of the games he coached for USA Basketball.Megahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407561625097289402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-55700980322506851642007-02-08T12:40:00.000-05:002007-02-08T12:40:00.000-05:00Watch the Celtics tank it and Oden and Durant deci...Watch the Celtics tank it and Oden and Durant decide to go back to school. How would that not be the funniest thing ever, plus it would save us Boston getting a new star to fellate.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14085114964512611942noreply@blogger.com