Despite losing to UConn by more than 35 points - again, the UVM woman’s basketball team has had tremendous success this season. And although I poke fun at UVM’s losing margin, they did hold UConn to 84 points this year versus 104 points a year ago. Plus, success against UConn is all relative.
In any case, after the out of conference schedule UVM has played they deserve more credit for their accomplishments. UVM is a lock for the NIT tournament and they’re making a strong case for a 13/14 seed in NCAA tournament, provided they do well in conference.
Here’s a quick recap: NC State (ACC), Boston College (ACC), UMass (A-10), and Providence (Big East) have all fallen to the Cats. In fact, their out of conference record stands at 9-2! Add the fact that they played one Big 12 team close, Oklahoma State, and still play Nebraska (Big 12) at home and Dayton (A-10) and Rhode Island (A-10) on the road means they still have opportunities to build their case for a quality seed in the NCAA tourney. Imagine the Cats with an 11-3 out of conference record…
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Johnson Named AP's Top Athlete - What?!
What is an athlete? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, an athlete is a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. Assuming this is a "reasonable" definition, how can a person like NASCARS's Jimmie Johnson be named a top athlete?!
On the popular morning show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Mike Greenberg began sparing with Mike Golic about this very subject since Tiger Woods winning AP Athlete of the Decade upset some listeners. One of the Mikes, I can't remember which one, suggested the argument was moot and that people shouldn't take the definition so literally.
I disagree. For an industry obsessed with precision, such as wins and loses, stats, records and percentages, how can national awards be so loosely defined?
In any case, how is it possible for Jimmie Johnson to win an athletic award?! He's not an athlete. He's certainly talented but does he display stamina, strength, or agility? I think that anyone who spends their time stationary while competing shouldn't be considered an athlete and therefore not be eligible for athletic awards. This goes for poker players, chess players, archers, and all anglers who aren't actually standing in water even though they're questionable too.
NASCAR's Johnson named AP's top male athlete
On the popular morning show, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Mike Greenberg began sparing with Mike Golic about this very subject since Tiger Woods winning AP Athlete of the Decade upset some listeners. One of the Mikes, I can't remember which one, suggested the argument was moot and that people shouldn't take the definition so literally.
I disagree. For an industry obsessed with precision, such as wins and loses, stats, records and percentages, how can national awards be so loosely defined?
In any case, how is it possible for Jimmie Johnson to win an athletic award?! He's not an athlete. He's certainly talented but does he display stamina, strength, or agility? I think that anyone who spends their time stationary while competing shouldn't be considered an athlete and therefore not be eligible for athletic awards. This goes for poker players, chess players, archers, and all anglers who aren't actually standing in water even though they're questionable too.
NASCAR's Johnson named AP's top male athlete
UVM Skiing - A Matter Of Attention
Given the success of UVM's basketball and hockey programs it isn't surprising that they receive the most attention from the athletic department. However, as close as these programs are to competing for conference titles and NCAA tournament bids, there is one team on campus competing for a national championship annually. Any guesses?
The UVM men's and woman's ski team might be the most unsung program on campus. Considering they are the closet to winning a NCAA title, it's puzzling why UVM Athletics doesn't put more effort into marketing UVM skiing. The department's effort last year, a season in which two UVM skiers won individual national titles, only included a welcome banner on the skiing website - talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
First of all, UVM has the facilities. The indoor strength and conditioning center built in 2005 is one of the largest in the Northeast. The center is state-of-the-art and includes eight Olympic platforms, 19 working stations, a 30-yard turf sprint track, as well as ample room for core strengthening activities. UVM's strength and conditioning center should grab the eye of any recruit, whether they raced for Burke Mountain Academy, GMVS, or a school abroad.
UVM's ski teams also race at one of the finest resorts in the country, one with plenty of big name cache - Stowe.
As far as recruiting, Vermont produces some of the finest young skier in the country. Burke Mountain Academy, Green Mountain Valley School, Stratton Mountain School to name a few have all produced Olympians and there's no reason why students from these schools wouldn't want to attend UVM.
UVM also has a terrific coach, Bill Reichelt. In both 2003 and 2005, Reichelt helped lead the Catamounts to a second place finish at the NCAA Ski Championships.
All that separates UVM skiing from a national championship is marketing support by the athletic department. UVM already has elite on campus training facilities, relationships with the nation's best ski academies, access to Stowe, and a winning coach. It's time for UVM Athletics to play their part.
The UVM men's and woman's ski team might be the most unsung program on campus. Considering they are the closet to winning a NCAA title, it's puzzling why UVM Athletics doesn't put more effort into marketing UVM skiing. The department's effort last year, a season in which two UVM skiers won individual national titles, only included a welcome banner on the skiing website - talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
UVM's ski teams also race at one of the finest resorts in the country, one with plenty of big name cache - Stowe.
All that separates UVM skiing from a national championship is marketing support by the athletic department. UVM already has elite on campus training facilities, relationships with the nation's best ski academies, access to Stowe, and a winning coach. It's time for UVM Athletics to play their part.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
0-12ers Needs Recognition Too
As the 2009 college football season ends two teams will finish without a single victory. Western Kentucky and Eastern Michigan are both 0-12. Ouch.
Trying hard to match WKU and Eastern Michigan's feat were Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, and Washington State, all of whom went 1-11 in 2009. College football fans were a missed field goal and or missed tackle away from celebrating 5 winless teams! Major ouch.
The idea that college football had almost as many winless teams as undefated teams is hysterical.
Enjoy bowl season!
Bottom 10: 'No one quite knows the reason' why Bott
Trying hard to match WKU and Eastern Michigan's feat were Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, and Washington State, all of whom went 1-11 in 2009. College football fans were a missed field goal and or missed tackle away from celebrating 5 winless teams! Major ouch.
The idea that college football had almost as many winless teams as undefated teams is hysterical.
Enjoy bowl season!
Bottom 10: 'No one quite knows the reason' why Bott
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Accuracy in the Sports Industry
I find it bothersome that predictions made by sports journalists, reporters, "experts", and anchors are not revisited for accuracy. Currently these folks foretell, declare, and weigh in on issues without being accountable to standards of precision or correctness.
How many times do you hear someone predict an outcome that sounds outlandish and eventually turns out to be so? (Lou Holtz)
Frustrating to say the least but in an effort to check my precision, I've revisited some of my entries from the past nine months. I've been spot on in some case but in others been wide of the mark.
Back in April I praised UVM men's lacrosse player, Andrew Kelleher, for winning the America East Player of the Year award and said that the recognition he earned would lead to success in recruiting. Andrew is now an assistant coach at Hamilton and UVM's recruiting classes have greatly improved. Zack Telander headlines the class of 2013 and was tabbed by Inside Lacrosse magazine as the nations 30th best midfielder. The class of 2014 also looks strong and includes Derek Braig, who is a total package guy from St Paul's School.
One statement I made that turned out to be completely inaccurate was that Lane Kiffin wouldn't succeed at Tennessee. All that needs to be said is that I'll be watching Lane and the Vols take on Va Tech in the Chick-fil-A bowl on December, 31st.
UVM baseball made headlines this past fall as it was one of two programs cut by University Athletics. While many people wrote letters to the editor and filled discussion boards with their opinion of the decision, I was quick to ask, "what's going to happen with the field?" Sure enough, we still don't know the fate of one of America's oldest ballparks.
Next we come to my prediction of how ESPN's Power Rankings would look at the conclusion of the 2009 college football season. To say Cal and Penn State let me down would be an understatement. Ouch.
Last but not least was my declaration that UMass-Lowell wouldn't handle their preseason hype well and thus wouldn't win Hockey East. I guess we will have to wait a bit longer to see where the River Hawks will finish but so far they've been inconsistent and are currently in 5th place in Hockey East. If the River Hawks were comfortable playing as the hunted their resume would be better, especially considering the parity this year in Hockey East.
The process of review for the purpose of accuracy should be used more in sports. After revisiting some of my blog entries I've learned that more often than not I make accurate sports predictions. I wish we could find out if the same were true for the Lou Holtz's of the world.
Frustrating to say the least but in an effort to check my precision, I've revisited some of my entries from the past nine months. I've been spot on in some case but in others been wide of the mark.
Back in April I praised UVM men's lacrosse player, Andrew Kelleher, for winning the America East Player of the Year award and said that the recognition he earned would lead to success in recruiting. Andrew is now an assistant coach at Hamilton and UVM's recruiting classes have greatly improved. Zack Telander headlines the class of 2013 and was tabbed by Inside Lacrosse magazine as the nations 30th best midfielder. The class of 2014 also looks strong and includes Derek Braig, who is a total package guy from St Paul's School.
One statement I made that turned out to be completely inaccurate was that Lane Kiffin wouldn't succeed at Tennessee. All that needs to be said is that I'll be watching Lane and the Vols take on Va Tech in the Chick-fil-A bowl on December, 31st.
UVM baseball made headlines this past fall as it was one of two programs cut by University Athletics. While many people wrote letters to the editor and filled discussion boards with their opinion of the decision, I was quick to ask, "what's going to happen with the field?" Sure enough, we still don't know the fate of one of America's oldest ballparks.
Next we come to my prediction of how ESPN's Power Rankings would look at the conclusion of the 2009 college football season. To say Cal and Penn State let me down would be an understatement. Ouch.
Last but not least was my declaration that UMass-Lowell wouldn't handle their preseason hype well and thus wouldn't win Hockey East. I guess we will have to wait a bit longer to see where the River Hawks will finish but so far they've been inconsistent and are currently in 5th place in Hockey East. If the River Hawks were comfortable playing as the hunted their resume would be better, especially considering the parity this year in Hockey East.
The process of review for the purpose of accuracy should be used more in sports. After revisiting some of my blog entries I've learned that more often than not I make accurate sports predictions. I wish we could find out if the same were true for the Lou Holtz's of the world.
If Some Madore is Good, More is Better
Burlington Free Press writer Ted Ryan recently wrote a piece in which he asks who should be the starting goalie for the UVM men's hockey team.
Ummm, Rob Madore.
While it's true that Rob hasn't looked like the same goalie who helped UVM reach the 2009 Frozen Four, let's not forget that his stats are improving, he's got defensemen in front of him who are playing better, and we're entering a critical stretch of the season - Winter break. Why is it even a question of who should start?
Rob has the hot hand and given the fact that UVM plays one team, Dartmouth, before Winter break and before having to play in the Catamount Cup, I want Rob to build upon his momentum rather than let it go to waste. Giving Rob the start would allow him to continue focusing on being calm in net and it would give him ample time to prepare for the Catamount Cup.
Keep in mind that this year's Cup will feature quality teams - Mercyhurst, Alabama-Huntsville, and Minn-Duluth. Alabama-Huntsville has wins over Notre Dame and Air Force. Mercyhurst is tied with Air Force at the top of the AHA. Minn-Duluth has beaten teams such as Col. College, Denver, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
I know Rob is mentally tough but Winter break can seem long and it won't benefit the team if he questions his abilities during the time off. If UVM wants to have success after the break, win the Catamount Cup and put themselves in position to receive another bid to the NCAA tournament, Rob must be #1, starting with Dartmouth.
While it's true that Rob hasn't looked like the same goalie who helped UVM reach the 2009 Frozen Four, let's not forget that his stats are improving, he's got defensemen in front of him who are playing better, and we're entering a critical stretch of the season - Winter break. Why is it even a question of who should start?
Rob has the hot hand and given the fact that UVM plays one team, Dartmouth, before Winter break and before having to play in the Catamount Cup, I want Rob to build upon his momentum rather than let it go to waste. Giving Rob the start would allow him to continue focusing on being calm in net and it would give him ample time to prepare for the Catamount Cup.
I know Rob is mentally tough but Winter break can seem long and it won't benefit the team if he questions his abilities during the time off. If UVM wants to have success after the break, win the Catamount Cup and put themselves in position to receive another bid to the NCAA tournament, Rob must be #1, starting with Dartmouth.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Divorce is Tiger's Best Option
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After divorcing Elin, Tiger could return to golf relatively soon and presumably continue winning. Nothing helps fans forget drama like success. People love winners and Tiger is certainly a champion. Do you honestly think the public would like Tiger half as much as they do if they knew his true personality? No, he's a jerk. Fans like him because he's the best. The sooner Tiger can get back to playing golf, which could be accomplished via divorce, the quicker fans will forget that he ever committed a sin.
Secondly, divorce is common and as a concept fans get divorce. Once a fan understands what the hero is dealing with forgiveness soon follows. So, even though Tiger cheated on Elin people will pardon Tiger's behavior. After all let's not forget that celebrities and athletes have been forgiven after committing far worse crimes than "indiscretions". Andy Pettit admitted to using HGH yet we now celebrate him as the all time winningest post season pitcher in baseball history.
The consequences of leaving Elin seem considerable but how serious are they? Sure he would surrender millions and lose his family but he's already lost money and it appears Elin will leave him regardless. The best thing for Tiger is to divorce Elin, sincerely apologize, and commit to self improvement. If done, people will no longer have to wonder if Jack's record will be beaten, just wonder when.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Note to Gene
Hi Gene - My name is Daniel Jacobs and I am passionate about college football. As a fan of the game, having just finished watching the BCS selection show on Fox, I'm incredibly frustrated with the pairing of Boise State and TCU.
Perhaps the current "system" has caused me to develop conspiracy theory's that may or may not have any basis in reality but after reading "Don't expect a BCS Sunday surprise" I thought you might enjoy my latest speculation.
As the season drew to a close, I believe the BCS was rooting for two teams from non-automatic bid conferences to remain BCS eligible so they could be paired against one another rather than against a "big boy" school.
When Boise State TCU was announced I heard the sigh of relief from the automatic qualifiers all the way here in Vermont.
Am I fanish or foolish?
Best,
Daniel
PS - Love your weekly podcasts with Ivan.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
UVM Woman's Basketball Uniforms
The woman's home whites are much better than their away uniforms. The green away shorts are busy and I'm not sure the black socks work with white or green. Check them out
UVM at Northwestern
UVM won the game but I forgot to post the pictures.
Enjoy http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvmathletics/sets/72157622892713514/show/
Included in the pictures is another shot of Madore's new helmet - sick.
Enjoy http://www.flickr.com/photos/uvmathletics/sets/72157622892713514/show/
Included in the pictures is another shot of Madore's new helmet - sick.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Athletics : University of Vermont
Check out the patches that all UVM teams will now be wearing on their jerseys as a tribute to VT soldiers.
Pre Game Thoughts - UVM at BU
After being asked what my thoughts were about tonight's hockey game between BU and Vermont, a few things came to mind - UVM's recent history vs BU, who will be in net, and can UVM maintain their intensity.
UVM played BU four times last year, splitting the the overall series and obviously the game that mattered most - the Frozen Four semifinal game. However, let's not forget that after getting thumped 5-1 early in the 08-09 season, UVM traveled to Agganis and swept BU - something that had never happened or certainly not since the invention of color tv. Even in last year's Frozen Four game UVM played BU tight, only surrendering in the final moments. In 2007-08 UVM split their series with the Terries and held a 2-1 advantage in games in 2006-07. If history is a guide, there's a good chance UVM will leave Boston with a win.
As far as goaltending this evening, I'm betting on Spillane, who seems to have the hot hand. Madore hasn't played as well as last year and doesn't look like the same goalie who helped lead the Cats to Washington but let's be honest, the defense has been penetrable. On paper Madore appears to be struggling but a comparison like this isn't fair to Rob. During some of the early games the defense completely collapsed in front of Madore. All fans should hope that Rob gets his form back if UVM wishes to make noise in Hockey East going forward, especially since he is the future, but tonight I like Spillane.
UVM's on a two game win streak, something they haven't done since October! For much of the season the Cats have been up and down but I'm thinking the "tough love" that coach Sneddon said he would implement after the Cats' 6-1 loss versus UMass is beginning to sink in.
The Catamounts should win tonight based on how well UVM has played against the Terriers and Spillane's hot hand. Enjoy the game!
Go Cats Go!
UVM played BU four times last year, splitting the the overall series and obviously the game that mattered most - the Frozen Four semifinal game. However, let's not forget that after getting thumped 5-1 early in the 08-09 season, UVM traveled to Agganis and swept BU - something that had never happened or certainly not since the invention of color tv. Even in last year's Frozen Four game UVM played BU tight, only surrendering in the final moments. In 2007-08 UVM split their series with the Terries and held a 2-1 advantage in games in 2006-07. If history is a guide, there's a good chance UVM will leave Boston with a win.
As far as goaltending this evening, I'm betting on Spillane, who seems to have the hot hand. Madore hasn't played as well as last year and doesn't look like the same goalie who helped lead the Cats to Washington but let's be honest, the defense has been penetrable. On paper Madore appears to be struggling but a comparison like this isn't fair to Rob. During some of the early games the defense completely collapsed in front of Madore. All fans should hope that Rob gets his form back if UVM wishes to make noise in Hockey East going forward, especially since he is the future, but tonight I like Spillane.
UVM's on a two game win streak, something they haven't done since October! For much of the season the Cats have been up and down but I'm thinking the "tough love" that coach Sneddon said he would implement after the Cats' 6-1 loss versus UMass is beginning to sink in.
The Catamounts should win tonight based on how well UVM has played against the Terriers and Spillane's hot hand. Enjoy the game!
Go Cats Go!
Practice Jersey Shout Out...Sort of
Last month I sent an email to Paul Lukas, author of Uni Watch on ESPN.com, about the new UVM men's basketball uniforms. To say he responded would be a lie but I did notice that on a recent Uni Watch blog entry, he did list Vermont, which I'm taking as a shout out.
My email:
Greetings from the Green Mountain State!
Looks like The University of Vermont (UVM) is sporting a new look this year.
http://practicejersey.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-step-forward-for-mens.html
Best,
Dan
Uni Watch blog entry:
OK, one last round of late-breaking college basketball uni updates. In case you missed the first two reports, you can find them here and here. In addition to the schools listed in those columns, we can now add Ball State; Colorado (that's a new silver alternate); Lamar; Milwaukee; New Mexico State; Saint Joseph's; Vermont; and Washington State (we'd already covered the primary uni changes but now it turns out there's a "Cougs" alternate).
See? There it is...Vermont. He even picked one of the photos I originally chose and posted in my blog!
My email:
Greetings from the Green Mountain State!
Looks like The University of Vermont (UVM) is sporting a new look this year.
http://practicejersey.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-step-forward-for-mens.html
Best,
Dan
Uni Watch blog entry:
OK, one last round of late-breaking college basketball uni updates. In case you missed the first two reports, you can find them here and here. In addition to the schools listed in those columns, we can now add Ball State; Colorado (that's a new silver alternate); Lamar; Milwaukee; New Mexico State; Saint Joseph's; Vermont; and Washington State (we'd already covered the primary uni changes but now it turns out there's a "Cougs" alternate).
See? There it is...Vermont. He even picked one of the photos I originally chose and posted in my blog!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
BCS Bowl, My A$$
I don't usually quote myself but exceptions can always be made. Back in August I listened to college football analysts state that Notre Dame had an easy schedule that would surely lead to a BCS bowl bid. Here was my reaction to ND's schedule and brief season outlook.
"I'm not gonna say that ND will go 6-6 this year, but I certainly don't think they'll be headed to a BCS bowl game as I've heard some analysts say. Analysts state that ND's schedule this year is easy, which I disagree with. There are several teams on their schedule that could beat them - Nevada, Michigan, Michigan State, USC, and Stanford."
"I predict that ND will be better than 6-6 but not by a whole lot. Charlie Weis' decided schematic advantage will be proved untrue and his massive ego as well as the fat in his pants will be shown the door."
Looks like even I gave ND too much credit. They did go 6-6 and Charlie Weis was let go.
Enough gloating...
"I'm not gonna say that ND will go 6-6 this year, but I certainly don't think they'll be headed to a BCS bowl game as I've heard some analysts say. Analysts state that ND's schedule this year is easy, which I disagree with. There are several teams on their schedule that could beat them - Nevada, Michigan, Michigan State, USC, and Stanford."
"I predict that ND will be better than 6-6 but not by a whole lot. Charlie Weis' decided schematic advantage will be proved untrue and his massive ego as well as the fat in his pants will be shown the door."
Looks like even I gave ND too much credit. They did go 6-6 and Charlie Weis was let go.
Enough gloating...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Old ECAC rivals meet at the Gut - Yale at UVM 11.30.09
Yale visited the Gut in a rematch of last year's NCAA regional in Bridgeport. Highlights below. Plus an article in which UVM Coach Kevin Sneddon recognizes the play of Proctor Academy alum, Jay Anctil.
Spillane's Shutout, Pacan's Goal Carry Vermont :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online
Highlights
Photos
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