Thursday, October 8, 2009
I have to say I'm a little surprised at the backlash about not having Midnight Madness this year. I kind of pictured this to be greeted with "Ho-hum. What's on television?"
But between the messageboards, emails and responses to Facebook and Twitter I've gotten, I can see I was mistaken.
I'm under the impression that the main reason there is no Midnight Madness this year is because UMass plays defending national champion Boston University in hockey that night. For safety reasons the school moved Midnight Madness back to 8 p.m. last year. The school would be stupid to put 8 p.m. Madness up against a good hockey game. Nobody wins.
Every year I was a little surprised when another Midnight Madness was announced. Maybe it's because I'm getting old (er), but I thought the concept has kind of died in recent years. Lots of schools dropped it long before UMass did.
With the exception of a few good dunks, the dunk contest has gotten staler every year. It's getting harder and harder to impress us with dunks and there are far too many misses.
In many years they haven't even had a scrimmage. So exactly what are people going to see?
There's been talk of an open scrimmage/practice, but there have been date conflicts.
I never minded Midnight Madness, but I can't say I'll miss it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
There'll be no Midnight Madness this year for the UMass men's basketball team. After more than 15-years of hosting the season kickoff event, the Minutemen will begin practice on Oct. 16 at a normal hour without fanfare.
UMass is exploring hosting an open practice for fans at some point in the fall.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
At this time of year, for me one week ends when I press my laptop's send button Saturday afternoon after a football game.
I've been looking forward to this week for a lot of reasons.
1. David Ford concert at the Iron Horse (It was tremendous - Look him up on iTunes).
2. Extra hour of sleep.
3. Ihedigbo's NFL debut - Today at 1 p.m..
4. Pats-Colts
5. The election - Regardless of what you believe and who you support, this has been fascinating to follow. The season finale of this show is must-see television.
6. UMass-Dowling - I'm curious to see dribble drive motion in action. I'm curious to see how fast David Gibbs really is. I want to see what Tyrell Lynch is capable of.
5. UMass-Merrimack - Will the hockey surge continue?
7. UMass-Maine - The Minutemen's playoff momentum builds or dies at McGuirk at noon.
8. Pressing send again.
...5.5 hours, 12.5 hours, two days, three days, five days, six days til...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Former UConn Husky Doug Wiggins has decided to transfer to UMass. Wiggins, averaged who 6.7 points and 2.7 assists in 19 minutes last year, will sit out 2008-09 and have two year of eligibility remaining.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
In the past week, I've had strangers come up to me and ask what the deal is with Kellogg's coaching staff. People that care enough about UMass sports to obsess about assistant coaches should know enough that paperwork moves slowly at the University of Massachusetts.
That said I'm sitting at the Spring football game and Derek Kellogg was here with Vance Walberg and Adam Ginsburg, as well as Andy Allison and Syrone Chapman, who'll be staff members but not assistants.
I talked to Kellogg (there'll be a story in Monday's Gazette) and he can't say anything until their officially hired. But Walberg was wearing a UMass fleece.
...five months til Midnight Madness...
Friday, May 2, 2008
ESPN has a good story on Tennessee's Chris Lofton, who played his senior season after fighting cancer.
Spring football this weekend which is followed by a marrow drive afterward. Even if you don't want to watch football, show up for the marrow drive. You could save a life. Think about that.
...one day til spring football...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I'm watching the Celtics right and Rajon Rondo drove the baseline, drew a defender and threw a nifty behind the back pass to Kevin Garnett, who was fouled as he shot. If Garnett makes a free throw (he did) why doesn't Rondo get an assist for that?
If a pass is the direct cause of points being scored it should be an assist regardless of it those points came on a field goal or a free throw.
That's bugged me for years.
...one day left til UMass vs. UConn in one of the few sports they still play annually in...
