Tuesday, August 2, 2011
LJ Is No Fan Of UNLV
"I don’t like those Arizona people (AD Jim Livengood came over from the University of Arizona) in the administration and they don’t like me," Johnson said. "It’s not UNLV Runnin’ Rebels no more, it’s UNLV Wildcats right now."
Outside of Stacey Augmon getting a job as an assistant to new coach to new coach Dave Rice, players from the Tarkanian era, most notably from the late 80's/early 90's, are getting the cold shoulder from the Arizona contingent.
"Outside of gambling, we put Las Vegas on the map," said Johnson, who at age 42 is a successful businessman with a 15-year-old son, Lasani. "I was bitter for years at the way they treated us and Coach Tark. The administration looked at us as villains. Tark was like my father. If they messed with him, they messed with me."
I agree somewhat, but Tark put Vegas on the map. They already had a solid program that could compete with the national powers. LJ and crew just took it to another level. They were like the Miami Hurricanes of college basketball. They were looked at as villains, but they were just a supremely talented basketball team.
Johnson had some other things to say about the state of the program,the "Arizona Connection" and how former coach Lon Kruger won him over.
"Kruger gained my respect for what he was doing and the way he was trying to bring back previous Rebels, who had a bitter taste in their mouth with the University for how the Tark situation was handled," Johnson said. "Lon did an excellent job extending the olive branch. I was attending more games, going to alumni banquets and all the alumni golf tournaments. I was getting back involved."
"People all over town, wherever I went, asked me if I wanted to coach," Johnson said. "They wanted me and Stacey, knowing he had been an assistant coach. They had to hire him (as an assistant), knowing they would never consider me."
"It’s all about recruiting and identification with past performers at the school," Johnson said. The administration turned its back on us and consequently players have left for Texas, Duke and other top national programs. Today, I would probably do the same."
I don't know about coach rice, but maybe he could extend the olive branch to Johnson, being an ex-teammate of his. I'm not taking sides, but he was one of the greatest Rebels of all time. Maybe it's time to embrace who brought you to prominence.
Spencer Hawes Says David Stern Makes Too Much Money
Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes thinks Stern is overpaid. Hawes took to Twitter to give his take on Stern's high salary.
Ohio University Ranked No. 1 Party School In Country According to Survey
We're Number One...in knocking back the cold ones.
According to the annual survey by The Princeton Review released yesterday, Ohio University was named the Top Party School in the country. The Athens campus, sitting in the foothills of the Appalachians, reached the top spot for the first time.
The survey is based on 62 categories which include drug use, alcohol consumption and popularity of the Greek System. It also takes into consideration more mundane concerns like access to professors, hours of study and libraries.
The home of the Bobcats made the leap from No. 2 last and was tops in beer-drinking among the 376 colleges and universities surveyed.
It's no surprise that Brigham Young University was No. 1 on the list for stone-cold sober schools for the 14th straight year.
After Ohio U, the top-5, in order, includes the University of Georgia, University Of Mississippi, University of Iowa and University of California-Santa Barbara.
The rankings are based on an email survey voluntarily filled out by over 122,000 students.
Other categories include most beautiful campus (Florida Southern College) and best campus food (Wheaton College in Illinois).
Ohio U has made the list 12 times since 1997 and it's inclusion every year baffles school officials who have taken steps to reduce student drinking including tougher penalties and more surveillance at the infamous Halloween street party which attracts about 20,000 participants to downtown Athens. In 2003, costumed Captain Jack Sparrows and Harry Potters ran amok and lit couches on fire, started fights and threw bottles at cops and firemen during the event.
In formal complaints regarding Ohio University's student code, about 60% are alcohol-related.
The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and the survey is part of it's 2012 edition of "The Best 376 Colleges."
The annual list has come under fire by college administrators who call the survey unscientific and say it glorifies bad behavior.
Personally, I would pick my school based on Playboy Magazine's standards. In 2011, the University of Colorado in Boulder was the publication's No. 1 party school; based on hot girls, girl to guy ratio, ski slopes and bars.
Ohio University didn't even make that list.
According to the annual survey by The Princeton Review released yesterday, Ohio University was named the Top Party School in the country. The Athens campus, sitting in the foothills of the Appalachians, reached the top spot for the first time.
The survey is based on 62 categories which include drug use, alcohol consumption and popularity of the Greek System. It also takes into consideration more mundane concerns like access to professors, hours of study and libraries.
The home of the Bobcats made the leap from No. 2 last and was tops in beer-drinking among the 376 colleges and universities surveyed.
It's no surprise that Brigham Young University was No. 1 on the list for stone-cold sober schools for the 14th straight year.
After Ohio U, the top-5, in order, includes the University of Georgia, University Of Mississippi, University of Iowa and University of California-Santa Barbara.
The rankings are based on an email survey voluntarily filled out by over 122,000 students.
Other categories include most beautiful campus (Florida Southern College) and best campus food (Wheaton College in Illinois).
Ohio U has made the list 12 times since 1997 and it's inclusion every year baffles school officials who have taken steps to reduce student drinking including tougher penalties and more surveillance at the infamous Halloween street party which attracts about 20,000 participants to downtown Athens. In 2003, costumed Captain Jack Sparrows and Harry Potters ran amok and lit couches on fire, started fights and threw bottles at cops and firemen during the event.
In formal complaints regarding Ohio University's student code, about 60% are alcohol-related.
The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and the survey is part of it's 2012 edition of "The Best 376 Colleges."
The annual list has come under fire by college administrators who call the survey unscientific and say it glorifies bad behavior.
Personally, I would pick my school based on Playboy Magazine's standards. In 2011, the University of Colorado in Boulder was the publication's No. 1 party school; based on hot girls, girl to guy ratio, ski slopes and bars.
Ohio University didn't even make that list.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Rex Ryan Shows Off Plaxico and New Tattoo in Jets Training Camp
Plaxico Burress made his big debut in New York Jets green today, but his arrival in training camp was not as big as the prominent new tattoo gracing head coach Rex Ryan's right leg. It looks like Ryan used his down time, during the lockout this summer, to get his calf inked with what looks like Japanese artwork-- maybe a dragon or a serpent.
Burress, the ex-New York Giants Super Bowl hero appeared on the sidelines of the Jets Florham Park training camp this afternoon. The ex-con, who signed a one-year $3.017 million contract with Gang Green on Saturday, cannot participate in practice until Thursday due to the new labor rules.
The controversial Burress, who always expressed a desire to play under Ryan, must have really meant what he said. The wide-out appeared at the facility three days before he can even run drills.
It's been over two years since the 33 year-old Burress has touched a football in an NFL surrounding but says he is in good shape.
Burress, who will wear his old No. 17-- Braylon Edwards' number-- was even given an additional $17,000 by the Jets because of his connection to the number.
Burress, the ex-New York Giants Super Bowl hero appeared on the sidelines of the Jets Florham Park training camp this afternoon. The ex-con, who signed a one-year $3.017 million contract with Gang Green on Saturday, cannot participate in practice until Thursday due to the new labor rules.
The controversial Burress, who always expressed a desire to play under Ryan, must have really meant what he said. The wide-out appeared at the facility three days before he can even run drills.
It's been over two years since the 33 year-old Burress has touched a football in an NFL surrounding but says he is in good shape.
Burress, who will wear his old No. 17-- Braylon Edwards' number-- was even given an additional $17,000 by the Jets because of his connection to the number.
Phil Hughes Pitching for Final Spot in Yankees Rotation
Now that New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman didn't acquire any new arms before the trade deadline and we can finally put those Andy Pettitte un-retiring rumors to rest, manager Joe Girardi has to figure out what to do with the six starting pitchers he has left. His dilemma, who is the odd man out after he whittles his rotation down to five--the dead arm of Phil Hughes or the hot hand of Ivan Nova?
"We just talked about tweaking our rotation a little bit. Do you give guys an extra days rest?" was Girardi's rhetorical question.
Girardi hasn't made any decisions, but it is a sure bet he won't be going with a six-man rotation. That scenario wouldn't bode well with CC Sabathia or A.J. Burnett-- who both prefer to pitch on normal rest and what the ace CC wants, he's going to get.
On the other hand, Hughes has to pitch a near perfect game against the Chicago White Sox this Tuesday night to keep a slot. The righthander's sparkling 2010 season can only carry him so far.
Girardi seemed defensive when asked about Hughes' 1-3, 8.14 ERA this season since returning from the DL for an inflammation of his right shoulder. Hughes fastball has hovered around the 92-93 mph since coming back.
"You're evaluating [Hughes] on his last three or four starts," Girardi said. "We believe this guy still has a huge upside; he won 18 games last year, and we want to see him continue to progress. How many guys won 18 games last year? Not too many. We have to continue to evaluate him, if we think he's going in the right direction."
There's a lot wrong with that statement. Maybe Girardi is waiting for Doc Brown to pull up with the "Back to the Future" DeLorean.
First, Girardi can't live in the past and, has to put a lot of consideration on who stays in the current rotation on a pitcher's last few starts. Secondly, Nova still has the slight chance of winning 18 games this season, even with time spent on the DL. Hmm...let's see, 18 W's last year or 18 this season?
Nova pitched well in the night-cap of Saturday's double-header-- his first start since being called up from the Yankees Triple-A club in Scranton. Staked to a comfy 12-run first-inning, Nova held the Baltimore Orioles to six hits and two earned runs over seven innings. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA including going 4-0 with a 3.41 ERA over his last five starts. Nova knows how the business works.
"That's a decision I don't make," he said. "Of course, I want to be here."
If Hughes pitches lights-out on Tuesday, Nova could be going back down to the minors. Girardi indicated it would be "a natural move" to send down but would weigh other options.
Now if Hughes gets rocked, it would leave Girardi no choice but to demote Hughes to work things out. The only rationale for keeping a struggling Hughes in the rotation is if either Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia gets injured or falter badly and that doesn't look like it's going to happen.
For now, Girardi is standing by Hughes.
"We'll talk about this after Sunday," said Girardi. "His stuff in his last [start] was closer to where it was last year. I'm not ready just to throw away what he did last year."
It looks like we should have some answers after the road trip to Chicago.
"We just talked about tweaking our rotation a little bit. Do you give guys an extra days rest?" was Girardi's rhetorical question.
Girardi hasn't made any decisions, but it is a sure bet he won't be going with a six-man rotation. That scenario wouldn't bode well with CC Sabathia or A.J. Burnett-- who both prefer to pitch on normal rest and what the ace CC wants, he's going to get.
Girardi seemed defensive when asked about Hughes' 1-3, 8.14 ERA this season since returning from the DL for an inflammation of his right shoulder. Hughes fastball has hovered around the 92-93 mph since coming back.
"You're evaluating [Hughes] on his last three or four starts," Girardi said. "We believe this guy still has a huge upside; he won 18 games last year, and we want to see him continue to progress. How many guys won 18 games last year? Not too many. We have to continue to evaluate him, if we think he's going in the right direction."
There's a lot wrong with that statement. Maybe Girardi is waiting for Doc Brown to pull up with the "Back to the Future" DeLorean.
First, Girardi can't live in the past and, has to put a lot of consideration on who stays in the current rotation on a pitcher's last few starts. Secondly, Nova still has the slight chance of winning 18 games this season, even with time spent on the DL. Hmm...let's see, 18 W's last year or 18 this season?
"That's a decision I don't make," he said. "Of course, I want to be here."
If Hughes pitches lights-out on Tuesday, Nova could be going back down to the minors. Girardi indicated it would be "a natural move" to send down but would weigh other options.
Now if Hughes gets rocked, it would leave Girardi no choice but to demote Hughes to work things out. The only rationale for keeping a struggling Hughes in the rotation is if either Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia gets injured or falter badly and that doesn't look like it's going to happen.
For now, Girardi is standing by Hughes.
"We'll talk about this after Sunday," said Girardi. "His stuff in his last [start] was closer to where it was last year. I'm not ready just to throw away what he did last year."
It looks like we should have some answers after the road trip to Chicago.
St. John's Gets Verbal Agreement From Top Forward Ricardo Gathers
St. John's head coach Steve Lavin hasn't let up in his quest to become the best college basketball recruiter in the nation. Yesterday, Ricardo Gathers of Reserve, La., who was named 2011 Louisiana Mr. Basketball, gave a verbal commitment to play for the Red Storm.
Gathers, a 6-foot-7, 240 pound power forward whom his AAU coach, Scooter Owens, called a cross between Charles Barkley and Karl Malone, chose the Red Storm over LSU, Baylor, Oregon, Kansas, Syracuse, California and Connecticut.
According to Rivals.com, the man-child Gathers is the 43rd top-rated player in his class and the 11th rated power forward.
The four-star recruit led his team, the Rebels, to their second straight Class A State Championship and has numerous videos on YouTube highlighting his thunderous slams. Gathers has been called the most powerful dunker in high school.
Gathers is a man among boys. He averaged 20.7 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots last season.
Lavin scored a big-time coup in getting the agreement from the highly-recruited Gathers. The St. John's head coach, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, had the third-ranked recruiting class for the upcoming season. Gathers is another major coup for Lavin in only his second year in New York.
"I picked St. John's because of the coaching staff," said Gathers. "I liked the way coach Lavin communicated with me throughout the process."
The senior broke a lot of hearts when he didn't pick local school LSU.
"I can't wait to play in New York," said Gathers. "Watching the movie 'He Got Game' got me really excited about playing there."
Maybe Lavin should send videos of the Spike Lee to all future recruits.
Gathers, a 6-foot-7, 240 pound power forward whom his AAU coach, Scooter Owens, called a cross between Charles Barkley and Karl Malone, chose the Red Storm over LSU, Baylor, Oregon, Kansas, Syracuse, California and Connecticut.
The four-star recruit led his team, the Rebels, to their second straight Class A State Championship and has numerous videos on YouTube highlighting his thunderous slams. Gathers has been called the most powerful dunker in high school.
Gathers is a man among boys. He averaged 20.7 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots last season.
Lavin scored a big-time coup in getting the agreement from the highly-recruited Gathers. The St. John's head coach, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, had the third-ranked recruiting class for the upcoming season. Gathers is another major coup for Lavin in only his second year in New York.
"I picked St. John's because of the coaching staff," said Gathers. "I liked the way coach Lavin communicated with me throughout the process."
The senior broke a lot of hearts when he didn't pick local school LSU.
"I can't wait to play in New York," said Gathers. "Watching the movie 'He Got Game' got me really excited about playing there."
Maybe Lavin should send videos of the Spike Lee to all future recruits.
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