Let’s hope so. Otherwise this season’s heralded University of Louisville Cardinals are in big trouble, Birdsong.

Even by U of L’s usually desultory early and preseason standards, this was a performance as alarming as it was dispirited.

So, before I pull the alarm button, I’ll contact my gaming support guy, compatriot Bill Doolittle, who shall hopefully say, “Yes, throw this one out.”

* * * * *

Perhaps I was lulled into dissatisfaction early, and was therefore unable to see anything positive.

But I gotta say I didn’t see much from any individual player that stood out.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. I like what Stephan Van Treese did. Six boards. 2/2 at the line. Supreme hustle every second he was on the court. But other than that . . .

Peyton Siva appears not to have broken his annoying habit of reaching in on defense. He committed four personal fouls against a team that’s not even really talented by Bellarmine’s standards.

At the small forward position, arguably U of L’s deepest, they got zip from Hancock, Ware or Blackshear.

Russ Smith saw nothing on the court but the basket.

Silent L was mostly silent on the boards.

* * * * *

The Cards played okay team D. But remember, this Bellarmine squad is hardly as talented as the one Scotty Davenport has had the last several seasons.

Yet, the shorter, slower Knights outrebounded Louisville, 43-38. You can talk long rebounds all you want. That’s a disgraceful number.

My stat-keeping pal Charlie, the Nate Silver of Cardinal fans — you who lurk in the Comments section know him as cbcard — pointed out that, after 35 minutes or so (He gave me the exact time, but I forgot it), Louisville had scored on exactly three jumpers. Two of them were from Gorgui.

And you don’t need to be Nate Silver to know that this number is alarming and significant: 1/19 from beyond the arc.

Given Louisville’s talent at taking the ball to the hoop, the Cardinals are going to have to be good at the line. Last night’s 12/23 (52%) ain’t gonna cut it.

With 7:35 to play, Bellarmine was hitting 24% from the field (12/50), yet was down by only 13 to an allegedly legit national contenda.

* * * * *

Enough carping already, Seedy, it was an exhibition.

* * * * *

All that naysaying and negativitude notwithstanding, I have written an article in this week’s print edition, explaining how and why U of L will win the national championship. You can read it online here.

* * * * *

To cut through the boredom of the game, I spent some time perusing the Bellarmine media guide.

I read in wonder the accomplishments of one of my favorite college hoopsters ever, Braydon Hobbs.

He is the Knights all-time leader in assists. By a significant margin.

He is the Knights all-time leader in steals. By a similarly large margin.

He is the Knights all-time leader in made three pointers.

He’s in their top ten in career FT percentage.

Braydon Hobbs was, simply stated, a great college basketball player. A real joy to watch on the court. And, oh yes, a national champion.

* * * * *

I spent a few minutes before the game, chatting up a former Cardinal baller, whom I call “The Asterisk.” Bill Windchy. The old timers and trivia experts know him to have been Wes Unseld’s back up.

– Seedy K

Ready, aim . . .

Name Game. Let’s do Tiger.

Tiger, Tiger bo biger bonana fana fo figer/ Fe fi mo figer, Tiger

The telecast of the US Open’s final round is just hours away. And I’m looking for some help here.

My supposition is that Tiger Wood’s name will be mentioned by the announcers more than any other golfer, regardless of whether he’s in legit contention or goes bogey, bogey, bogey to start the day and shoots himself out of contention immediately.

The only one who has a chance of being talked about more is that Beau Hossler kid. You know, the new fave of parrotheads and, well, everybody else, the rising senior at Santa Margarita (Calf.) High School. He’s tied for 8th at +3. If his post round interview yesterday is a legit indication, the kid is mature beyond his years. Even with braces on his teeth that he did his best to try to hide. 

But, should he fade, as is likely despite his preternatural talent, it will be all Tiger TV, all the time, no matter who is atop the leaderboard.

(If anybody wants to help me out, and has one of those little counter thingies that pitching coaches use, please keep track of Tiger mentions and report in. Thanks.)

Ah, celebrity sports. Which means I’m shifting my aim to . . .

Name Game, Part Deux. The LeBron Show returns to Miami tonight for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. I daresay the crowd shall not be quite as color coordinated as those in Okie City. The stylin’ South Beachers will be less inclined to cover their slick threads with made for TV t-shirts, than those folks from Oooooooooooooooooooklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.

If that Durant fellow’s name were as resonant as He Who Would Be King, he would have gotten the call with :07 left in Game 2, when You Know Who mugged him on that baseline jumper that could have tied the tilt had it gone down.

Ship’s Ahoy. The trending topic on Twitter, at least among hoopaholics, is all those made for gangplank games coming next season in college hoops. Let’s hope the country isn’t engaged in any naval war, or they might have to call off the season. (Or, the war, depending on which Big TV is more willing to give up.)

Every available battleship, aircraft carrier and tugboat shall host a game. Or, so it seems.

So, I’m wondering, where’s Tom Jurich’s creative marketing mind these days? How about the Cards playing a game on the Belle of Louisville? Keep it local: “Ballin’ on the Belle vs. Bellarmine.” Has a nice ring to it.

That inside area where they hold dances and such is plenty big enough for a court. Wouldn’t leave much room for seating after you put the cameras in, but that would allow U of L to charge really really super premium prices for the privilege of courtside attendance.

That’s Why They’re Called Underdogs. Stony Brook and Kent State both took it on the chin in their CWS openers.

Maybe after they’re eliminated by the Big Boys, they could play a rubber match in the Old Rosenblatt Stadium for the old timers.

Give Him The Guillotine. As a former prosecutor, I know I should let the system play out, and allow Jerry Sandusky’s jury of his peers decide his fate. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut . . .

. . . I think, despite my aversion for watching violence, real of faux, I’d pay to see him drawn and quartered.

House Hunters. Wonder whose lavish abode will sell first, Bobby Petrino’s in Fayetteville, or Rick Pitino’s in Mockingbird Gardens?

The Playoff Payoff. Mr. and Ms. College University Presidents (Not you UVa’s Theresa Sullivan, you’ve been canned), think outside the box on this college football playoff.

16 teams, at least. Mo’ money. Mo’ interest. Mo’ on field action.

And, Mike Slive, only a marginally less chance that one of your SEC schools will about every year.

– Seedy K

On Monday, I had a meeting that prevented me from watching the U of L’s women’s game. So I listened in the car on the way home. I was struck by how much information play by play announcer Matt Andrews provides.

Periodically he throws in what lineup is on the floor. And, unlike way too many announcers these days, he continually provides the basics. Time and score and relevant stats, like scoring and free throw percentage and the number of fouls on a player when one is committed.

Plus he paints a pretty good picture of the action.

It’s a lost art.

Last night I listened to the Bellarmine W over Alabama-Huntsville in the DII Elite Eight. Because it wasn’t on TV.

(FYI, tonight’s semi-final tilt vs. Montevallo will be on the CBS SN TV, Insight 531/ 968. Tip is scheduled for 9:40.)

Anyway, Bellarmine’s play by play announcer Nick Curran isn’t half bad himself. More obviously a homer than Andrews, but still quite listenable.

I mention this, given my disgust with the changes that have evolved for TV play by play guys. (To be honest, I never listen to U of L or UK games on the radio.) Details, like the ones mentioned above, are way too often overlooked. Give us the basics, guys and gals.

Sure, on television, we now know time and score because it’s always on the screen. But how often do they fail to tell us who committed a foul and how many that player has? Who has how many points? Even during the half.

Reporting is giving way to entertaining. It’s not a healthy trend.

* * * * *

Well, the NFL certainly didn’t futz around with the New Orleans Saints.

It’s obvious the league meant to send a message. One has to believe it was heard loud and clear.

Sean Payton has been suspended for a year. Maybe there’s been a punishment that severe since, but the last time I remember that happening was when Pete Rozell sat down Louisville’s Golden Boy Paul Hornung and Alex Karras for a season for gambling.

Football is a vicious sport, more so in contemporary times because the players are bigger, faster, stronger and man for man meaner. Meaning that, these days, just about every guy on the roster is Dick Butkus or Night Train Lane mean.

That said, there’s still something very disturbing about the reality of bounties for injuries. I clearly recall that Saints game against Favre in the playoffs, and that they were going for something extra when getting to the QB.

These fines and penalties are well deserved. Let’s hope it stops the practice.

* * * * *

Here’s what I know about last night’s DII Elite 8 games. Stonehill and Western Washington upset higher rated foes by a point apiece. Montevallo won their tilt by a deuce. Which means Bellarmine’s 9 point margin over #2 rated Alabama Huntsville is a relative mauling.

It wasn’t that easy. But . . . the Knights, with Luke Sprague still not at full strength and Keisten Jones now hurt, persevere.

To further recognition of my lack of knowledge, I can tell you nothing about Montevallo. Other than what the www. tells me. The university is in Alabama. The Falcons finished second in the Peach Belt Conference, behind USC Aiken. Leading scorer DJ Rivera averages over 20 per game.

They will not have as many fans as Bellarmine tonight in the Northern Kentucky arena.

I wouldn’t be betting against the Knights.

* * * * *

A second consecutive national crown for Scotty Davenport and the Knights would be truly special. If it doesn’t happen, so be it, the metamorphosis from a perennial also ran into a legit, consistent DII power is in place.

The potential has always been there, given the quality of hoops in the surrounding area where Bellarmine recruits.

That Joe Reibel and others who have coached at the Norris Place school couldn’t get it done always surprised me. Perhaps there’s a greater commitment from the school’s administration now than, say, when Bobby Valvano was the coach.

Nonetheless Scotty Davenport is to be commended for what he’s done there. Great work, indeed.

* * * * *

Did the Denver Elways get rid of Tim Tebow quickly or what?

It’s like they wanted to purge some pox from the system.

I still say they made a mistake. Tebow’s a football player who is an asset to any team he’s on. Play him at fullback. Or tight end. Or in a Wildcat set. Too late now. He’s a Jet. And the New York papers are already finding the negativitude.

* * * * *

There’s a little thing going on tonight called the Sweet Sixteen.

I’ve got a feeling the Badgers will catch the ‘Cuse. Ohio State appears to have too much for Cincy and should beat the Bearcats for the first time ever in the Dance. I have no feel for Florida vs. Marquette, though it should be a dandy. I’ll be rooting for the Big East school.

I have no sense of the Louisville outcome, though Michigan State appears slightly better on paper. The line moved back to 5 from 4 1/2, meaning the betting public likes Sparty. I pray they’re wrong.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/03/22/thursday-dispatch-knights-roll-mania-moved-mo-mostly-hoops/feed/ 0 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/03/14/theyre-back-bellarmine-goes-for-back-to-back/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/03/14/theyre-back-bellarmine-goes-for-back-to-back/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:38:43 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7476 Syracuse’s beleaguered coach Jim Boeheim might get Bellarmine’s Scotty Davenport on the line. The coach of the DII defending champs has his Knights back to the Elite Eight for a shot at a repeat.

And they got their without starting center Luke Sprague, an integral part of the Bellarmine team.

No starting center. No problem.

Bellarmine 79, Kentucky Wesleyan 74. Bring on Alabama Huntsville in the Elite Eight.

So how exactly did Bellarmine do the tighten up and persevere?

For one, the undersized Knights offset a -11 deficit on the boards with a stunning 10 blocked shots. Mr. He’s Everywhere, He’s Everywhere Braydon Hobbs, a guard, mind you, was responsible for 7 of the rejections. When not tending to that chore, Hobbs also tallied 14 points and had 8 assists.

And he didn’t even win the MVP award. That went to running mate Chris Dowe, also a guard who had 10 boards to go along with his 21 points and 6 assists.

Sub Jelani Johnson had his best game as a Knight with 11 points.

Bellarmine scored first on a Jeremy Kendle jumper after the break, which the teams entered knotted at 31. Though it remained a dogfight, the Knights never surrendered that advantage.

Kendle tallied 19, and Richie Phares, subbing for the injured Sprague, scored 10.

– Seedy K

Bellarmine 67, Southern Indiana 53.

It’s not the first time. Hopefully it won’t be the last for the Knights.

A plethora of encounters with highly ranked foes, Kentucky Wesleyan, Northern Kentucky and SIU among others, are in the future. Those four powers are in the same division of the same conference. The road to the Elite Eight for any of these contenders is riddled with land mines. Regular season. Conference tourney. NCAA tourney. Lots of familiarity. Too much familiarity if you ask me.

But the Knights keep pickin’ ‘em off in their quest to repeat as national champions. The only L on the year came after a disastrous road trip to Indianapolis. BU stands 17-1 (9-1), the only loss in OT to Indy on the first day of December.

* * * * *

Last night’s W was the usual team affair.

All five starters in double figures. 19 assists on 25 made field goals. 10/22 from beyond the arc. Forced Southern Indiana into 19 turnovers. Against a taller, beefier, quicker gang, the Knights held their own on the boards, though SIU had a 6 rebound advantage.

* * * * *

I used the word mesmerizing as a descriptor of Bellarmine’s team in my lead. Not without purpose.

I watch their hustle and precision with awe. No point guard tom-toming the ball for most of a possession. Crisp passing. Spread court. Lots of motion. Full speed motion, but — thanks Denny Crum — under control.

They hit the boards. At both ends, holding their own against foes most often with more size. They block out. They move their feet on D, take the charge.

Etc, etc, etc.

What I don’t understand is why I don’t see any top division schools playing with the same passion, fundamentals, precision and speed?

* * * * *

Love the BU student section. Especially the guy dressed as the Pope.

Plus they have this great “cheer,” which they use only in the second half when the visitors play offense at the student section end. It’s sounds, as best I can describe it, like a flock of seagulls — real birds not the band — dive bombing on the beach. Loud. Cacophonous.

Most disconcerting. And far more clever than the unduly heralded Cameron Crazies.

* * * * *

Spotted in the crowd, former Cardinal star Scooter McCray.

– Seedy K

Knight ace Jeremy Kendle, who is to Davenport as Billy Donovan was to Rick Pitino at Providence, had another set in mind. Davenport mulled over the suggestion throughout the timeout. When his charges were returning to the court, he gave Kendle the go ahead for his call. After the perfect execution of which, and the Knights once double digit lead increasing by the deuce to 6, Kendle ran into defensive position smiling at his coach.

Having a leaders like Kendle (and Braydon Hobbs) on the court is a good thing when you are trying to repeat as national champs.

Not that Davenport doesn’t know what he’s doing.

That six point advantage had increased by another bucket at 48-40. Coming out of the media timeout @ 9:46 — which they have even though the games aren’t televised — Davenport yelled at his troops, “Get the next score.”

Problem: The Norse had the ball.

No problem. Bellarmine stole the ball. Chris Dowe brought down the house with a monster slam on an alley opp from Hobbs.

* * * * *

Though Bellarmine never relinquished the lead, their up river rivals never surrendered. Dowe completed a couple +1s in the last :38 to seal the 64-60 W.

The score should indicate the defensive intensity by both schools, since each averages well above 80 ppg on the season.

* * * * *

The Knights stand 14-1 on the year. NKU is 13-2 and will welcome Bellarmine to its house in the regular season finale on February 23.

At which point, these NCAA Division II rivals may be only halfway through their encounters this season, before Northern Ky moves up a level to Division I next season. They could meet again in the GLVC tournament. And then again, because of the cockamamie way the NCAA seeds this division’s post season tourney, in that Dance.

Kind of incestuous, I would opine.

* * * * *

This was the first time I’ve seen the Knights this season since their exhibition against U of L in the Yum!.

They remain as impressive as ever.

I’ve said it before, and I now repeat. There is not a team at any level that I’ve seen in the last three seasons that executes its offense with as much precision and movement as the Knights. It is an old school pleasure to watch.

They scored on their first possession of the game on a perfectly executed back door ending in a +1. When they later ran a classic high post give and go to perfection for a wide open layup, I intoned, “This is Clair Bee basketball.”

Sitting next to me, Catholicsportsnet.com’s Paul Najjar corrected, “Naismith.”

It’s simply a pleasure to watch a team get into its offensive sets with such ease and speed. Players are always in their spots, keeping the court spread and all options open. Crisp passing. Delightful.

This year’s Bellarimine squad is even more undersized than the recent past, but still play severly intense half court defense. Last night, they held the Norse to 26 points under their average, while outrebounding the taller, longer, more athletic visitors by a board.

* * * * *

It will take a Herculean effort for Bellarmine to repeat, playing as they do in the nation’s best league which features four Top 10 squads.

As I mentioned, the Knights are a bit undersized, especially with Richie Phares out with a concussion. They took the floor last night with four guards and a forward.

* * * * *

I’m not sure how I forget from year to year what fun it is to watch a game from the friendly confines of Knights Hall?

Reasonably priced, delectably and suitably stale popcorn sold by honest to Betsy students at the concession stands. The pep band is also all students. B-Boy McCoy does his funky dances before the game and during the break. The whole crowd sings the National Anthem. All that and new garb for the Bellarmine Knight mascot, who high fived and chest bumped fans on the way out after the victory.

It’s just fun.

When Patrick Crush, an assistant to SID John Spugnardi, asked if I had trouble finding a place to park, I had to laugh, having trudged from a spot on Alfresco across Norris Place, which was, oh, all of a hundred yards from the front door.

* * * * *

There are three more chances to catch the Knights at home in the next ten days. Lewis visits this Thursday the 19th at 8:00. Wisconsin Parkside is here at 3:15 on 1/21, followed by always tough Southern Indiana at 8:00 on 1/26.

– Seedy K

Cuonzo Martin must surely be pleased that this front court playah could find in Knoxville the right major for his future field of endeavor. The student athlete can surely help resurrect a program savaged by Bruce Pearl’s duplicitous scofflaw regime.

Scott gave the Wildcat bigs a run for their money yesterday.

* * * * *

Speaking of the Coach Cal’s Cats, they had two major wins on the road this week. Tony Barbee looks to have Auburn on the uptick, making them a tough win on the plains. A visit to Big Orange Country is never a picnic in January or February.

Road conference Ws are what set the good teams apart.

This Kentucky team is showing mettle.

* * * * *

Yesterday’s Shot of the Day happened right here in Hoopsylvania.

* * * * *

If you haven’t seen Scotty Davenport’s defending national champion Bellarmine Knights this season — and I am sad and embarrassed to say I have not myself yet — Monday evening is a good time to check them out.

Top 10 Northern Kentucky comes a callin’ to Knights Hall for an 8:00 pm tilt.

* * * * *

Thank God, we won’t have He Who Is Both A QB And A Verb — Tim Tebow — to kick around for awhile.

New England turned the Broncos into chowder last night.

* * * * *

A fascinating aspect of this NFL playoff season is how many of the contenders have statistically weak defenses. Including both top seeds — the Patriots and Packers.

Which provides an interesting perspective to the 49ers breathtaking W yesterday over the Saints. San Fran plays D. But won with O.

Four lead changes in the last four minutes. Even my bride who could care less about football — despite the fact that her uncle played for General Neyland at Tennessee — watched the end of that stunner.

I love the Saints because I love New Orleans, and was rooting for them. But I have to admire what Harbaugh has done by the Bay. The team was primed for success when he got there, and he took it from there.

Those back and forth final minutes were as exciting pro football moments as I can recall.

* * * * *

Yahoo sports columnist Pat Forde was at the U of L game yesterday.

He mentioned that one of his reasons for switching from ESPN to Yahoo was the chance to do some investigatory journalism.

When I asked why on earth he would be covering yesterday mediocre matchup, he indicated he needed to chat with Oliver Purnell about a story he’s working on.

Hmmm, what college hoops stories might have Chicago connections?

* * * * *

Okay Florida State gobsmacked North Carolina by 33 yesterday afternoon.

Does that mean U of L fans should feel less chagrined by the Cards meltdown at Providence?

I certainly don’t think so. The Tar Heels will still be a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAA, while Louisville is on a collision course with hosting an opening round NIT tilt.

* * * * *

Northwestern has now beaten Michigan State, to go along with Ws over LSU, Seton Hall and Georgia Tech.

Could this be the year Bill Carmody’s purple-clad Wildcats finally make it to the Dance?

* * * * *

If you haven’t noticed, Mick Cronin has his Cincy Bearcats playing some mighty fine hoops. They’ve only lost once since the brawl with Xavier, and stand 14-4 on the season, 4-1 in the Big East.

– Seedy K

Without Peyton Siva, U of L is at best a slightly better than average club. Nothing more. If the multitude of injuries continue — and there’s no reason to believe they won’t — last season’s magic will be just that. Ancient hiistory, fodder for my alter ego’s History Warp feature at culturemaven.com.

Bellarmine’s perfromances in losses to U of L and at Duke and Xavier prove it will again be a force to be reckoned with in Division II. Given the right conference affiliation in Division I, the Knights would be a legit NCAA contender.

* * * * *

If Gorgui Dieng gets in foul trouble, Louisville becomes nothing more than mediocre.

* * * * *

This was an exhibition game. So, riddle me this. How come you don’t give Zach Price and Angel Nunez some PT to see how they do fare against a smaller lineup that runs its sets to perfection?

* * * * *

Former future U of L Cardinal Richie Phares now toils for the Knights. In fact the kid is a perfect paradigm for Pitino Era Louisville hoops. He was a walk on. He was injured during his entire tenure at U of L. The Rick cut him loose when it was obvious Phares wouldn’t be of help.

Against the Cards, Phares was zeros across in the first half. In the second, he showed a couple of nifty moves that indicate he’ll be a help to Scotty Davenport along the way.

* * * * *

There’s a new Bellarmine Knight mascot this season, a vast improvement over Sir’s predecessor. U of L now has two Cardinal mascots — of course, mo’ mo’ mo’ is always better, right? The old school Cardinal. And a Zooper Starish bouncing Cardinal.

* * * * *

A shout out to Nate Johnson, back to a Cards game for the first time since his eligibility ran out, and introduced to the crowd. If nothing else, Johnson holds the distinction of being Louisville’s “stonedest” baller of all time. Most every game out, he’d dribble the first few off his knee or foot, but would settle down — at least most of the time — when the herb wore off.

* * * * *

U of L could do a loss worse than having Russ Smith turn into Vinnie Johnson. Or Preston Knowles.

* * * * *

Gucci shoes? Ostrich Gucci shoes?

* * * * *

His game is flawed. There are times when his movements and instincts are less than fluid. But, mark my words, Jared Swopshire is going to be a bigger contributor to this year’s team than expected. He will win a game or two for the Cards. (He may also blow one along the way also.)

* * * * *

I’d love to continue this blog. But I just suffered a concussion when I hit the Shift key too hard. I’ve been placed on Injured Reserve. Hopefully I’ll be available for Louisville’ opening tilt Friday night.

– Seedy K

It was a sweet gesture on his part.

But I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. On the back it reads “voceforte. Which sounded to me like some secret cult to which Antonin Scalia might be a member, a group that dons robs, chants in caves and reads from ancient hyroglyphs.

Helm assured me it was merely a Bellarmine booster group, that it reads “strong voice” in either Italian or Latin or both. After which explanation, I felt comfortable that I wouldn’t be stopped mid jog in the park by some fellow, expecting a secret handshake and a mumbled greeting in jabberwock.

The shirt is simply one of the victory spoils available to those wishing to celebrate and honor Bellarmine’s national hoops title, won last season. There’s also a well-crafted DVD, “TRUST – How Bellarmine Brought Home The National Championship.” And a nifty little photo album, “Bellarmine University – The Road Toi The Championship.”

Plus some other commemorative stuff, I’m so very sure.

It’s a lovely story about our local school and team that could. And did.

For more info on how to get the stuff, check out www.bellarmine.edu/championship

– Seedy K

Despite having a year’s eligibility left, he’s obviously been a goner. (Frankly, it appears his coach gave up on him early on in his Cardinal career.)

Given the flaws in Goode’s game, a move across town to National Champion Bellarmine has seemed a plausible supposition. And the subject of significant buzz about town. I get asked about Goode a lot. My response has been that I haven’t a clue.

Apparently playing for Scott Davenport is not in Goode’s future. At least according to one source.

Last night, Jeff Borzello at cbssports.com, reported that the Raytown, Missouri native is considering three schools close to home for his final season of college eligibility.

Kansas State, Missouri and Morehead State.

You can read Borzello’s blog here.

– Seedy K