Like an alcoholic who feels strong enough to pour himself one small drink, I posted yesterday and got hooked again. Therefore, it is time to dive back full time into this project. Barring computer crashes or kidnapping, Black and Green will be daily again beginning Sunday. Stay loose and get your stretches in, let's try to avoid a sophomore slump.
EDIT: Note the cool little label at the bottom of this post. This year you can look forward to other neat additions to this blog. Aren't you excited?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tyler Zeller and Watch Your Phone Calls
Five star high school senior Tyler Zeller, brother of Luke, took his official visit to Notre Dame last weekend. Zeller will make a decision in a few weeks after narrowing his list to ND, Purdue, North Carolina, and Indiana... which is my segue to the next topic.
Time to take away Kelvin Sampson's phone and send him to his room, the oft-investigated Indiana coach has struck again. Sanctioned by the University, the team will lose a scholarship next season and Coach Sampson can forget about his scheduled $500,000 raise. But haven't we heard this story before? The NCAA punished Oklahoma for 577 unauthorized phone calls made during Sampson's tenure. Fran Fraschilla has this to say about Sampson's troubles.
When you hire a guy with this kind of track record, you have to be prepared for the consequences. Unfortunately, Indiana is unwilling and/or unable to break ties with Sampson over the current issue. Not that I envy the school's situation. On the verge of a great season, this is the last problem any serious program (especially one with a rather clean history) wishes to deal with. For some feedback around Bloomington, click here.
Forget recruiting, sanctions, and everything else... it's time to focus on real basketball. College Hoops Net has a nice breakdown of the upcoming season. Hopefully Saturday I'll be able to give you a breakdown of the scheduled public practice. Hope you're enjoying your last few days off before the season starts, we hit the ground running in November.
Time to take away Kelvin Sampson's phone and send him to his room, the oft-investigated Indiana coach has struck again. Sanctioned by the University, the team will lose a scholarship next season and Coach Sampson can forget about his scheduled $500,000 raise. But haven't we heard this story before? The NCAA punished Oklahoma for 577 unauthorized phone calls made during Sampson's tenure. Fran Fraschilla has this to say about Sampson's troubles.
When you hire a guy with this kind of track record, you have to be prepared for the consequences. Unfortunately, Indiana is unwilling and/or unable to break ties with Sampson over the current issue. Not that I envy the school's situation. On the verge of a great season, this is the last problem any serious program (especially one with a rather clean history) wishes to deal with. For some feedback around Bloomington, click here.
Forget recruiting, sanctions, and everything else... it's time to focus on real basketball. College Hoops Net has a nice breakdown of the upcoming season. Hopefully Saturday I'll be able to give you a breakdown of the scheduled public practice. Hope you're enjoying your last few days off before the season starts, we hit the ground running in November.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Media Day
Tom Noie on how last year's tournament appearance has inspired coach Brey and the boys for this year. Not too much of note here, but nice to have some quotes on how the team feels about the upcoming season. Hopefully we can back up those words with a solid run in March.
In other big news, the season tickets arrived in the mail today. You can look forward to another great year of analysis from yours truly after every mathup this season. 23 days until the first exhibition game against St. Ambrose.
In other big news, the season tickets arrived in the mail today. You can look forward to another great year of analysis from yours truly after every mathup this season. 23 days until the first exhibition game against St. Ambrose.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
In the Paper Today...
Tom Noie has an article in the SBT today, and just in time. Cubs are done and ND football has a win (thanks to McLeod Bethel-Thompson), but is still a year away from being anything decent. Time to look ahead to the winter months.
As usual, Noie does a solid job breaking down the squad. His first point of interest is whether a Jackson-McAlarney backcourt will fare any better than Quinn-Thomas did. A simple response is that the Irish made the tournament without McAlarney, so his addition merely adds to an already successful rotation. Noie correctly indicates that Jackson is the pure penetrator between the two, while Mac has the additional ability to shoot outside. Hopefully Tory will be able to become more of a threat from distance, keeping defenders guessing. As long as neither develops a shoot-first attitude, a la Chris Thomas, this should be a great pairing th next two years.
Noie then talks about Luke Harangody's slimmer frame. Bamm-Bamm showed the ability to take contact down low last season. Hopefully losing 15 pounds will enable him to play with added finesse without losing his physical side.
Ryan Ayers is the big question mark this season. How will the junior react to a starting role in 07-08? Ayers looks like a tall, lanky Russell Carter but plays more like Colin Falls. With a great touch from beyond the arc, he can be deadly when given the opportunity. However, I have to think that Zach Hillesland has the better overall game. If Ayers cannot connect consistently with his shots and provide help in all facets of the game, his playing time will be the most limited of the starters.
Ty Nash has also been impressive during the summer and could also press Ayers for playing time. For a freshman, he has impressed Noie with his build (6'7", 220) and ease of play. Listed as a guard with the makeup of a point-forward, he could wind up playing behind Ayers with the larger Hillesland backing up Kurz and Harangody.
Noie notes the lack of national respect for the Irish program. Unfortunately, the weak non-conference schedule for Notre Dame will keep anyone from noticing until Big East play begins. That's a long time from now...
Chew on that for a while, it's not too long until we have some real information to report. October 13th is first practice.
As usual, Noie does a solid job breaking down the squad. His first point of interest is whether a Jackson-McAlarney backcourt will fare any better than Quinn-Thomas did. A simple response is that the Irish made the tournament without McAlarney, so his addition merely adds to an already successful rotation. Noie correctly indicates that Jackson is the pure penetrator between the two, while Mac has the additional ability to shoot outside. Hopefully Tory will be able to become more of a threat from distance, keeping defenders guessing. As long as neither develops a shoot-first attitude, a la Chris Thomas, this should be a great pairing th next two years.
Noie then talks about Luke Harangody's slimmer frame. Bamm-Bamm showed the ability to take contact down low last season. Hopefully losing 15 pounds will enable him to play with added finesse without losing his physical side.
Ryan Ayers is the big question mark this season. How will the junior react to a starting role in 07-08? Ayers looks like a tall, lanky Russell Carter but plays more like Colin Falls. With a great touch from beyond the arc, he can be deadly when given the opportunity. However, I have to think that Zach Hillesland has the better overall game. If Ayers cannot connect consistently with his shots and provide help in all facets of the game, his playing time will be the most limited of the starters.
Ty Nash has also been impressive during the summer and could also press Ayers for playing time. For a freshman, he has impressed Noie with his build (6'7", 220) and ease of play. Listed as a guard with the makeup of a point-forward, he could wind up playing behind Ayers with the larger Hillesland backing up Kurz and Harangody.
Noie notes the lack of national respect for the Irish program. Unfortunately, the weak non-conference schedule for Notre Dame will keep anyone from noticing until Big East play begins. That's a long time from now...
Chew on that for a while, it's not too long until we have some real information to report. October 13th is first practice.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Summer Update #3
It's been too long since the last one, but following the football team's 33-3 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, we all need something to look forward to.
So what's new? The schedule is official (as of today). It looks like ND's 20 game home winning streak should not be in jeopardy until, well... January. This year's Syracuse-esque non-conference lineup pits the Irish against fierce rivals such as North Florida (coached by former Irish assistant Matt Kilcullen) and Youngstown State. The Paradise Jam should be interesting, with a possible rematch of Winthrop waiting in the wings, but the only concrete matchup there is Monmouth.
The eighteen game conference slate will prove to be plenty challenging. Unfortunately, without an opportunity for quality non-conference wins in 2007, making the '08 Tournament as an at-large will be somewhat difficult.
The Big East Basketball Report always does some good work. Check out that season preview for a good guide of this year's action.
An Overview:
Big East Schedule Rank- 6th
Historical Conference Record- 9th, 101-99
All-Time BET Record- 4-12
Tory Jackson- 8th Overall PG- "This year, McAlarney is back, but expect the PG position to be Jackson's as he adds more quickness to the Irish attack and to be paired with McAlarney at the guard position."
Kyle McAlarney- SG Player to Watch- "McAlarney is a tough competitor who is an excellent shooter and if Jackson can get in the lane, look for him to find a spot-up shooter like McAlarney ready to fire. The Irish offense is known to take advantage of that kind of skill set."
Honorable Mention Backcourt- "The Irish are definitely not the deepest group, but Tory Jackson and Kyle McAlarney will form a quality backcourt duo. I was impressed with the play of Jonathan Peoples as well last year as he and Jackson were both thrown into the fire when McAlarney was lost due to suspension just prior to conference play. "
Ryan Ayers- Wing Player to Watch- "Ayers is the best candidate and showed a little potential last season in a couple opportunities. He will be pushed to produce this year, as a junior, because it could be his last shot."
Rob Kurz- 1st (1a) Overall PF- "Despite battling injuries throughout the conference season, Rob Kurz still managed to put up 10 pts and 7 rebounds a contest in conference action. Kurz does everything well for Mike Brey's squad and his ability to go inside and out opens the middle for Luke Harangody. Kurz is an excellent passer underneath as well and, if he stays healthy, should be a very efficient player for the Irish this season. "
Luke Harangody- 6th Overall C- "Every other center on the list might have more upside for the next level, but here is one of the most fundamentally sound young post players I have seen come into the league in a LONG, LONG time. Harangody has the footwork down and when he develops position inside, he has an array of post moves to use with excellent touch that he is nearly automatic at getting to the line or dropping in a bucket. He uses his body very well to establish position and he aggressively chases down rebounds."
Good to see the high praise for Kurz. The rest of the starting lineup gets some credit as well (see the paragraph on Bamm-Bamm). I'll some more thoughts of my own for you as the season draws closer, but for now feel free to enjoy the great work done by NBEblogger and a bunch of other sites around the net.
'Til next time, I'll be watching Jimmy Claw and the rest of the football boys in action. Let's hope it gets better than it was Saturday.
So what's new? The schedule is official (as of today). It looks like ND's 20 game home winning streak should not be in jeopardy until, well... January. This year's Syracuse-esque non-conference lineup pits the Irish against fierce rivals such as North Florida (coached by former Irish assistant Matt Kilcullen) and Youngstown State. The Paradise Jam should be interesting, with a possible rematch of Winthrop waiting in the wings, but the only concrete matchup there is Monmouth.
The eighteen game conference slate will prove to be plenty challenging. Unfortunately, without an opportunity for quality non-conference wins in 2007, making the '08 Tournament as an at-large will be somewhat difficult.
The Big East Basketball Report always does some good work. Check out that season preview for a good guide of this year's action.
An Overview:
Big East Schedule Rank- 6th
Historical Conference Record- 9th, 101-99
All-Time BET Record- 4-12
Tory Jackson- 8th Overall PG- "This year, McAlarney is back, but expect the PG position to be Jackson's as he adds more quickness to the Irish attack and to be paired with McAlarney at the guard position."
Kyle McAlarney- SG Player to Watch- "McAlarney is a tough competitor who is an excellent shooter and if Jackson can get in the lane, look for him to find a spot-up shooter like McAlarney ready to fire. The Irish offense is known to take advantage of that kind of skill set."
Honorable Mention Backcourt- "The Irish are definitely not the deepest group, but Tory Jackson and Kyle McAlarney will form a quality backcourt duo. I was impressed with the play of Jonathan Peoples as well last year as he and Jackson were both thrown into the fire when McAlarney was lost due to suspension just prior to conference play. "
Ryan Ayers- Wing Player to Watch- "Ayers is the best candidate and showed a little potential last season in a couple opportunities. He will be pushed to produce this year, as a junior, because it could be his last shot."
Rob Kurz- 1st (1a) Overall PF- "Despite battling injuries throughout the conference season, Rob Kurz still managed to put up 10 pts and 7 rebounds a contest in conference action. Kurz does everything well for Mike Brey's squad and his ability to go inside and out opens the middle for Luke Harangody. Kurz is an excellent passer underneath as well and, if he stays healthy, should be a very efficient player for the Irish this season. "
Luke Harangody- 6th Overall C- "Every other center on the list might have more upside for the next level, but here is one of the most fundamentally sound young post players I have seen come into the league in a LONG, LONG time. Harangody has the footwork down and when he develops position inside, he has an array of post moves to use with excellent touch that he is nearly automatic at getting to the line or dropping in a bucket. He uses his body very well to establish position and he aggressively chases down rebounds."
Good to see the high praise for Kurz. The rest of the starting lineup gets some credit as well (see the paragraph on Bamm-Bamm). I'll some more thoughts of my own for you as the season draws closer, but for now feel free to enjoy the great work done by NBEblogger and a bunch of other sites around the net.
'Til next time, I'll be watching Jimmy Claw and the rest of the football boys in action. Let's hope it gets better than it was Saturday.
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