Good Luck Dakich

Dan Dakich is the interim coach at Indiana following the Kelvin ‘Cheat’ Sampson scandal. I like Dakich. Maybe because his name rhymes with jock itch, maybe not. Probably not. Never the less, I like the guy, liked him at Bowling Green, liked him less when he had his flirtations with West Virginia (UM fans can thank him for backing out and allowing John Beilein the opportunity to build that program), and finally liked him more for his gracious return to BGSU. I wish him nothing but the best of luck and hope that at the end of the season the folks at IU will remove the interim tag.

I know I have said a lot about Cheat and everything surrounding him but two other things have come to mind.

First, what in the world was Indiana thinking they were getting with this guy? He came in under scrutiny for crying out loud. Play with fire and you’re bound to get burned. In my humble opinion the Hoosiers should take the step of a post-season ban this season and right now. Yes, I understand that it wouldn’t be fair to punish these players for Sampson’s transgressions and I would agree. Unfortunately it does not work that way. It didn’t for Ohio State in Matta’s first season and to those players and it didn’t matter when Michigan did it a few years back either. The message needs to be sent and made clear … don’t cheat.

Second, I need to give credit where credit is due. Kelvin you’ve apparently raised a great son. Sampson’s son Kellen is the graduate assistant for the Hoosiers. Kellen didn’t leave the team upon his dad’s resignation. When asked what his reasons were for not leaving the team with his dad his said there were 13 reasons to stick around; 13 is the number of players on the roster. Kellen Sampson, you’re a classy guy and I mean that. I also mean this … perhaps your father needs to pay attention and exhibit the same class he has taught you.

Posted in Indiana | No Comments »

Apparently I am not a know-it-all

It does come as some surprise … seeing as how brilliantly intellectual I am … to discover that I am in fact NOT a know-it-all. The most sufficient proof of this claim can be found in anything I have written on basketball in this blog.

Boy were my presumptions off. And I mean off … more like OFF … most like in the wrong area/zip code/area code/county/you name it/anything one would consider way off.

First I tried to discern the power(s) of Big Ten basketball and rank the teams. Well, I would say I was right about Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern (well and Penn State too). Illinois wound up being worse than I thought … but that’s largely due to Eric Gordon (and not just because he plays for Indiana).  I was too quick to say Tubby’s Gophers were on the verge of an NCAA berth and I put too much faith in Thad Matta and the Buckeyes (and probably biasedly so …. is biasedly even a word?).

But Purdue … I can’t wrote them off. Sure, I mentioned they were good but that they lacked depth. Then they just turn around and beat Wisconsin twice and find themselves in contention for a regular season Big Ten title and a lock for a tourney berth. Thanks Matt Painter …

What’s going on in Indiana anyway … four ranked teams? Something in the water over there?

To further my pain and further develop the fact that I am not a basketball guru (Seth Davis I am not) was my prediction for Big Ten Player of the Year. It was easy to include Eric Gordon and he still belongs there but my other two picks might not make All Big Ten Honorable Mention at this point. Drew Neitzel and Jamar Butler (my pick to win) both have gone in the tank. A fella I ignored, DJ White, has just gone one to be the most dominant player in the league.

So when I say I still expect the Buckeyes to make the dance and fall in the first round take it with a grain of salt. One way or another I am sure I will be wrong but here is to biasedly (there’s that word again) hoping I am not; unless of course that is they keep winning.

 PS. Spell check says biasedly is not a word. I like it … so it stays.

Posted in Big Ten | No Comments »

Some things in life are far more important ..

My heart is aching for the family and friends of a young man who passed away this past Saturday, February 16th. I had met this fella before through another musician friend of mine, Steve, and while I didn’t know Shawn very well his passing has really touched me.

I went to Shawn’s myspace page today … just to remember him. I had never read anything much on there and quite frankly cannot tell you the last time I ever visited the sight, other than maybe when he was promoting an upcoming show. However, I felt compelled to visit one more time. I came across a blog he wrote this past Fall; it was a story I had no idea of. I want to share the entire story but some part of me feels that would be disrespectful to Shawn’s family. There are, however, some aspects I think we should all find ourselves thinking about … regardless of age or where we find ourselves in life.

Prayer lines literally around the world were praying for me they administer the drugs.  Monday morning the doctors say “there obviously must be god”  It worked the bleeding stopped.  I was alive!!!  I get another chance to get it right this time around. Later monday they move me to a private room …  I was greeted by my wife and we hold ea other hysterical at the reality of the moment.   I get a nice shower then we get a wheelchair we go outside on one of the last nice warm days the sun never looked so bright….the fresh cut grass never smelled so sweet, the wind washed over me and i soaked it all in like i was experiencing it all for the first time and how wonderful it felt.  I then text my friends to let them know that all of their thoughts and prayers worked and that it apparently wasnt my time….they all saved my life.

It is so overwhelmingly easy to get wrapped up in the lastest Terrelle Pryor news, steroid scandal, poking fun at the fans of your rivals, or what the Tigers are going to do for middle relief, that we forget about the important things in life. Shawn was 35 years of age; far too young to be leaving behind a wife, his parents, his remaining family and countless friends.

It is far too easy, especially being young, to assume that those we find so important to us will always be there. My dad said something to me some years ago when I was complaining about not having enough time, he said, “we all have 24 hours in a day.” I took that to mean if it’s important to you then you will make the time.

I find beauty in Shawn’s words about the wind, the way the grass smelled, the sunlight; simple things I take for granted every single day. Simple things like the hug I get from my baby when I get home from work, the missing tooth smile from my six-year old, or the love of my wife. I don’t take those things for granted whatsoever but I assume they’re going to be there.

Something happened to me after reading Shawn’s words a few moments ago. Something powerful enough for me to blog these thoughts almost immediately. I hope some of these same feelings will come over you as well. I didn’t know him very well but his words have made a lasting impression on me. I know when I get home tonight I am going to cherish that hug from my little one, eat up that toothless grin, and remind my wife why I married her in the first place. Tomorrow might be my day, we never know, but today and right now can belong to all of us.

Posted in Life | 2 Comments »

Let my people go

I know I am getting a bit off topic from my usual postings but there has been something that has just been eating me up inside. Congress and this whole steroids mess. Now, you can add Al Sharpton to that list.

Sharpton compared the treatment of home run king Barry Bonds to that of star pitcher Roger Clemens. Sharpton said the members of Congress who questioned Clemens at Wednesday’s hearing acted as if “they were at a fan club meeting.”

“You’ve got to understand that the fight has always been about the criminalization of black men,” Sharpton said.

First of all, I have been immensely annoyed with the Congressional involvement in private business operations. The annoyance is only compounded by the fact that there are endless issues facing this nation that require more attention than who is and who isn’t injecting steroids into his or her buttocks.

Granted Sharpton may be on to something seeing as how it is Barry Bonds on trial right now and Marion Jones is the one who is serving time in prison but something tells me that race is not what caused them to perjure themselves; that would be a character issue.

Perhaps Sharpton has forgotten what a fool Mark McGwire was made to look when he pleaded the fifth during his Congressional testimony. There is a good chance it has at the very least delayed his entrance into Cooperstown.

Although from that same time frame when Rafael Palmeiro stated he did not use steroids under oath and then went out and tested positive during the next season there were no perjury charges brought against him.

I think Sharpton’s point is being missed … while he is concerned that this is the criminalization of the black man I am concerned that this has been criminalized at all. Congress needs to butt out of baseball, Spygate, and other sports. This grandstanding is positively ridiculous and a complete waste of tax payer money. If Bud Selig, Roger Goodell, and other leaders of their respective sports want to clean up their sports …. that is up to them.

Posted in Sports and Politics | 2 Comments »

Public Enemy Number One

Following today’s new regarding Indiana’s basketball program you would assume that public enemy number one would be Kelvin Sampson. The guy is an all out cheat. Was at Oklahoma and is now. However, Mr. Sampson is spared this day.

There is a fine university located in the south. Most specifically from the home of REM, one of the greatest rock acts to come to life in my generation. We’re talking about Athens, Georgia and the University of Georgia. Public enemy number one is ….. Mike Adams. My Michigan fan readers, like Nosh, will probably be happy to know that Dr. Adams holds a degree from Ohio State. Hey, apparently something happens in Columbus …. Clarett, Schlichter, and now this yahoo. I can’t help it.

Adams, if you recall is the jerk who on the day following the BCS Championship Game called for a college football playoff. Albeit, this isn’t an off-the-cuff or terrible idea but a team representing his conference had beaten the Buckeyes the night before for the title. Allowing LSU no time to soak in the glory of being the first team to win two BCS Championships Dr. Adams began his grandstanding to develop a playoff to determine the champion in D-1A football.

Why is this such a big deal you may be pondering? Well, one, Adams felt slighted because his Georgia Bulldogs who could not even win their division in the SEC were leapfrogged by LSU int he final BCS standings and were left out of the championship game. It’s a crybaby reaction to the situation. Hey, Adams, you as President signed off on this wonderful system. Two, just last year after Florida won the national title, again over the Buckeyes, Adams declined to through his support behind a proposal by Florida’s president to develop a playoff in D-1A football. Why the sudden change of heart? Selfishness is clearly the answer.

Some of you are probably saying …. Keith this is old news. I know it is but it is the underlying factor into stories developing in Athens and helps build the foundation for what a real jerk this guy is.

Some of you may know the name Vince Dooley. Dooley was the coach who put UGA football on the map; a legend in his own right compiling an overall record of 201-77-10 during his tenure from 1964-88. Dooley also served as AD at UGA from 1979-2004.

I take very seriously how a school treats their legends as it tends to lend a hand in the character of that school. At the University of Michigan Bo Schembechler has been prominently recognized by the university as have other greats like Fielding Yost and Fritz Crisler. At Ohio State Woody Hayes has been similarly honored. These are just two examples.

At Georgia, under Dr. Adams, it seems honoring a legend is hardly important. In 2004 Dr. Adams essentially fired Vince Dooley from his post as Athletic Director after by denying Dooley’s request for a two-year extension on his contract and promised his retirement afterwards. Hardly an overwhelming request from a man who had served the university for 30 plus years.

Since his ouster in 2004 there have been calls by many to name the football stadium after Dooley; to perhaps even hyphenate the name to Sanford-Dooley Stadium. Dr. Adams’ compromise offer is to place a statue of Dooley on the southern part of campus (the opposite end of campus from the stadium) where the other athletic facilities are located, create a garden area and called the athletic complex area the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex.

People associated with the football program and Dooley don’t feel this is enough and I agree. The football building at U of M is named Schembechler Hall. At Ohio State it is the Hayes Athletic Center. At Michigan State it is the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. Granted Dooley also served as AD and honoring his name on that part of campus is great …. it is only one step in honoring a man who meant so much to athletics at Georgia. Would Michigan fans stand for this blatant disrespect towards Bo? Would Buckeyes in regards to Woody? No! And there is no reason those supporters of Georgia football should tolerate this grandstanding by Adams either.

Posted in SEC | 1 Comment »

Something needs to change

First off, let me make a quick correction to my previous blog. During an NCAA dead period in recruiting a coach can call a recruit once a week. A recruit can call a coach as many times as he likes and the only face-to-face contact can take place on campus; a coach cannot go visit a recruit. Moving on …..

The other night the Indiana Hoosiers visited the Illinois Fighting Illini to partake in a quaint game of basketball. Perhaps during intermission the teams would forego the typical strategy session and arse chewing to share tea and crumpets and maybe by chance the ever so manly slap on the rear end out the door; the good ole atta boy slap.

C’mon people this is Big Ten basketball!

The crowds at Big Ten basketball games have long been ruthless to opposing teams. Heck, I know it was a staple of the Izzone during my years at Michigan State. The only time it crosses the line is when it becomes profane and in bad taste (or it’s at Crisler Arena, then its all profane and in bad taste). Home crowds create home court advantage.

Quick back story - Indiana basketball star Eric Gordon had orally committed to play for Bill Webber’s Illini squad before he reneged on that oral committment and went to play for Kelvin ‘Text’ Sampson. Needless to say Illini fans are p-i-s-s-e-d.

You see, Gordon is a stud and would have been the backbone of a very young Illini squad. Albeit Gordon is young himself I have to believe if the NBA hadn’t changed their clearance to enter the league that Gordon would be playing at a different level right now.

So I am sorry Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball, Kelvin ‘Cheat’ Sampson, Eric ‘Renege’ Gordon, and all others associated with this hooey but I just cannot feel sorry for the kid because the Illini fans chanted ‘Liar, Liar’ at him. He brought that upon himself.

To sum it all up. I think something needs to be done about oral committments. In fact, I think those committments may need to be binding or at least carry some sort of penalty. The recent college football signing day saw three U of M signees renege on their original oral committments to other schools, two of which were Big Ten schools, to sign with the Wolverines (and yes Wolverine fans I know it happens with other schools too).

This whole orally committing to one school and then signing with a different school is growing into quite an epidemic. I believe the only appropriate way to handle that type of situation is to publicly reopen your recruitment much like Josh Jenkins of Parkersburg, WV did. Otherwise, once a recruit makes an oral committment the rule out to be hands off or pay a price. And just perhaps part of that price is facing the cold hard truth and being called a liar all night by the school you spurned.

Posted in Big Ten, Illinois, Indiana | 1 Comment »

He delays

Pryor has supposedly delayed his decision to sign today.  Apparently his dad likes Penn State more … and wants Terrelle to take a harder look there. Word on the street is Terrelle favors the Buckeyes.

One thing I find interesting is this statement from a CBSsports.com article.

‘Paterno made what looked like a last-ditch recruiting call to Pryor on Tuesday afternoon. After speaking by phone to Pryor for almost 30 minutes, Paterno finally had to be told Pryor had to get to class.’

If that refers to February 5th, 2008 that would be a recruiting violation, a major one at that as the NCAA is currently in a dead period.

Posted in Big Ten | No Comments »

It’s nearing the end

It seems as if these guys …..

will be obtaining the services of this guy ….

At least that is what is being reported at SI.com and that he will most likely announce this on Wednesday according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The whole Terrelle Pryor thing has been exhausting. Back and forth, up and down. Even what is being reported now could be different come noon on Wednesday. I don’t think it will but it is possible. Of the schools still in contention the Buckeyes have been after him the longest and he’s apparently close with many Buckeye recruits.

If the Buckeyes land Pryor and either Josh Jenkins or Brandon Harris they most likely catapult to the #1 recruiting class in the country. The committment coming today from DE Keith Wells of Gainesville, GA definitely helped that possibility along.

I used to think recruiting rankings were a bunch of hooey. My thoughts on that had been wavering some recently. And then I read this article by Stewart Mandel regarding recruiting ratings. It goes a long way in explaining why SEC teams appear to be on the rise, USC 6 year run of dominance, Ohio State’s over-achievement, and Michigan’s underachievement. It’s amazing when you can see it all in print from well respected sources.

Finally, my readership in January wasn’t nearly as high as I had hoped. I know it will take some time to build this up. At the last site I blogged at I was achieving readership of 2-3,000 per week; last month I achieved under 1,000 here at blogsmonroe.

So I ask this, what areas of collegiate sports would you like to see me hit on. I know, there are probably many of you that wish I wouldn’t be so critical of Michigan but that’s not always going to be possible. I have been pretty good by my standards so far.

So fill me in, let me know how I can make this better … for all of us!

And finally, thanks to all of those who have commented. With the exception of you, Don. Your comment is still up for debate.

Posted in Recruiting | 1 Comment »