Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Tyshawn Taylor

I'm having a hard time getting a read on this guy. I've missed a few games out here without being able to get them on TV for the first time unless it's nationally televised. Probably need to bite the bullet and get ESPN Full Court or something.

He seems like a solid defender, sometimes. But he also seems like a headcase, sometimes. Yeah he's a freshman, what do you guys think his ceiling is though.

Is he more Russ Rob or more Chalmers? He kind of reminds me of a Marlon London type, but that's maybe too harsh.

And any predictions on the football hawks tonight?

I say we win the Glen Mason bowl by three TDS, 42-21.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Temple's Doom

That's more like it. The victory over a good Temple squad this weekend was the textbook for how we have to win games this year -- hardcore D, big numbers from Cole and Sherron, and more contributions than errors from the freshmen.

I think it needs to be said right now: Cole has been almost perfect this season so far. Now I've probably jinxed him.

Is this team ready for its first road test -- at Arizona, no less? Both teams are a little suspect, with the Cats facing coaching turnover, so I'll give the 'Hawks a 50-50 chance to steal this one.

Incidentally, I still don't see what the problem was with the mohawks.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Horror, The Horror

There were a lot of positive takeaways from the Syracuse loss, but yesterday's loss to the UMass Minutemen is best relegated to the dustbin of history.

The freshmen were without exception horrendous -- the capper being the late-game foul by Marcus Morris on a player 20 feet from the basket with 1 second left on the shot clock, completely wrecking what had been a great defensive sequence for the 'Hawks.

But the elder statesmen bear some blame as well -- Collins for once again taking too many bad shots, and Self for the late-game T and uncreative play-calling.

Sherron is starting to turn into Allen Iverson out there, putting up big numbers but overhandling and taking too many shots to get there -- and ultimately, losing the game. We need to start running more plays to set him up for the jumper, as when they ran the "Mario" at the end of the game.

The good news is we can't play much worse than that, yet only lost by one; and the freshmen will only get better. But what's still worrying me is shooting. Do we have any other shooters besides Sherron? If not, teams are just going to keep swarming Cole and we won't be able to counter it.

On a positive note: I do believe that despite the outcome today, the mohawks should stay.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Enemy Of The 'States'

Since the 'Cuse loss, it's been a series of home wins over "State" schools -- Coppin, Kent and New Mexico.

The only impressive one of the three was Kent State -- a perennial mid-Major nuisance that took Illinois to overtime recently. Beating them at Allen is no big deal, but doing so by 27 points is a good sign. I saw a bit of this one online -- including this play.

Oh, and I did get to watch our brilliant football victory over Mizzou last week. Was that great or what? Eh? Mmm?

Still no big basketball games on the immediate horizon, but I think the future looks bright, especially with the imminent debut of Mario Little.

Next sacrificial lamb at the Fieldhouse? Jackson State.