The IUPUI Dancers...a nice group of kids.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
so long, farewell, and hopefully we'll win it next year.
Well, the tournament's over. Oral Roberts won on the men's side; Oakland won in the women's tourney. I was courtside for the men's finale. I suppose you could say I am a glutton for punishment. Given my allegience to the Jags, I'm no fan of Oral Roberts or Chicago State. But I fully recognize the talent on ORU's team. Chicago State has some pretty good guard play, but they were no match for Oral Roberts. Hell, I'm still trying to figure out how Chicago State made IUPUI look so bad!
I don't think the league could've handled being represented by another sub-.500 team. Granted, I think we would've been a better team, but didn't earn it.
The talk around JagNation is NIT. Are we NIT bound? I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I am not expecting it.
So, sadly, this is the end of the line for me with IUPUI this year. It's always a bit sad for me. I love working for them and already miss the season. This blog will shut down this week. We won't be tearing off the tarps and re-opening it until September. I already can't wait.
Thanks for stopping by and going along on this March Madness ride with me. See you in a few months.
start the clock.
There is one unmistakable truth about sport: it is a profession of suffering. Oh sure, they all say "it's only a game." Tell that to the players and coaches who are going home without the trophies. I watched Ron Hunter in the postgame conference last night and it's clear how much the wins -- and losses -- matter.
On some small level, this is not unlike the Colts collapse, I suppose. But that's cold comfort, really. We came here poised and ready to face Oral Roberts of Valpo in the final. Well, perhaps I'm only speaking for myself here. We all breathed a sigh of relief over not having to face Valpo in the second round. I wonder how much difference that would've made.
Chicago State is a vexing team. They have this way of turning its opponent inside out and forcing a team out of its game. IUPUI is a premier perimeter and free throw shooting team. Tonight's line: 3-for-21 from long range, 10-for-17 from the line.
Ouch.
There were lots of plans. Viewing parties, victory rallies, Sunday Selection gatherings. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.
IUPUI's plans went astray with a hollow thud tonight that was its performance against the Cougars.
I guess we just have to wait until November.
Again.
Monday, March 06, 2006
"mulligan" first half...jags are down by a deuce.
Well, at least that half is in the books. Ugh. Ugly!! It was like they were sleep-walking out there or something. The fact that they're only down by a basket is truly stunning, considering they had a 5-1/2 minute scoring drought and are shooting well below where they need to be!
This is precisely what Chicago State wanted to do; mess with IUPUI's game. So far, mission accomplished.
We'll see what the second half holds in store.
jags lead...so far.
It's early, but the Jags look loose. That's a good thing. CSU looks loose too, honestly. The Jags are up 9-4 right now. Cole and Hill are doing their thing; as is Barlow. It's a balanced start. That's how I like to see it. The thing with Chicago State is they're always holding an ace in the hole.
Let's see when Kevin Jones decides to drop that bad boy.
pre-game...fired up.
We're a good hour away from the start of our game against Chicago State. As I sit here, Oral Roberts is taking it to Valpo pretty handily at the moment (ORU up 59-43). Coach Hunter just did his pre-game interview with ESPN 950's Greg Rakestraw for the radio broadcast.
The Oral Roberts faithfuls remember what happened at our place earlier this season and they're already giving it to George Hill pretty loudly. The team just came out to take a peak at the action....
We'll be up soon.....stay up with us, Indy!
can't buy one.
It's been who-knows-how-long since Valpo last hit a field goal. I think they hit one last Tuesday. Seriously, Oral Roberts is taking them apart right now. It's 28-14 with 7:22 remaining in the first half. Valpo just can't seem to find a bucket right now. Then again, that's how it's been for every team in this tournament, really. Well, except for Oral Roberts.
Hmm....Oral Roberts is in Tulsa. This tournament's in Tulsa. Hmmm.......
women's season is over.
A tightly played first half gave way to a second half unraveling as the Jags couldn’t hold off the surging Oakland Golden Grizzlies, who defeated the Jags in the semi-finals, 54-66.
Freshman sensation and Mid-Con Sixth Woman of the Year Jernisha Cann notched a strong double-double, scoring 15 points to go with her 14 rebounds. Kia Hayes added 15 points for the Jags.
As a team the Jags had shooting woes all game long, finishing with a humbling 36.8 percent from the field, and just five of 16 from three point range.
Oakland goes on to face the top-seeded Western Illinois Westerwinds in tomorrow’s conference championship game.
Not the way I wanted to see it end, obviously.
That's all I got right now.
just like that.
And just like that, the Jags are down by seven. Just like that, it's 51-58 in favor of Oakland.
Just like that.
It seems IUPUI can't buy a basket and Hafeli for Oakland can't miss.
Just like that.
I think Jernisha's trying to do too much on her own. She's having a great game, but somebody else needs to step up.
3:55 to go.
Buckle up.
hanging on for dear life.
The Jags are still up by three with 7:24 remaining in the game, 49-46. Jernisha Cann is tearing it up with 12 points and 14 boards.
long way to go.
To this point, Jernisha Cann has scored eight points in the second half. Kia Hayes is starting to re-assert herself with a couple baskets to get herself going again. The Jags are clinging – CLINGING – to a three point lead, 49-46.
close game, of course.
With 14:06 remaining in the game, IUPUI is clinging to a two point lead, 43-41. Jernisha Cann is playing well for the Jags, so is Jayme Wilson for Oakland. She's making a difference in this game.
jags lead at the half, 35-33.
IUPUI overcame early shooting woes to take a 35-33 lead into the half.
The Jags were down by as many as eight points in the opening period, due to the hot shooting of Oakland, who were led by Anne Hafeli’s nine first-half points. Nicole Piggott added eight points. A balanced Jaguar attack, with seven players scoring, got them ahead by as many as five.
Kia Hayes shook off a rough start to score nine first-half points. Tanika Mays scored eight and had three assists. Jernisha Cann came off the bench to score four points and pulled down six boards.
It's early, but I was impressed to see the Jags fight back from the deficit. They were down 19-27 with 7:50 remaining in the half. That's a 16-6 run.
The band is having fun at my expense tonight, those chuckleheads. I hope we do this all over again tomorrow night.
it's a game again.
IUPUI has clawed its way back into this thing. They lead 31-29 w/ 3:43 to go.
Who's been the hero? The entire team. Seven different Jags have scored. Teri Gepfert (!) is leading the Jags with six right now.
Tanika Mays has four board and three dishes.
jags are down early.
Jags are struggling early, but hanging around. Oakland leads 27-22 right now. IUPUI's been balanced on offense, but they've been in a hole most of the game.
Only down by five isn't too bad, but I'd like to see them hold down Hafeli and Piggott a bit more.
setting the scene.
I wrote this for the Jaguars Web site. I don't think they used it, so I pass it on to you....
Mid-Con Semi-Finals: Jags Women to Face Oakland, Men to Meet Chicago State
Tulsa, Okla. – Tomorrow’s semi-final games are set for the Jaguars. The women’s team will take the floor at 3:30 p.m. EST), facing sixth seeded Oakland University, who upset the #3 seed Oral Roberts 50-37 in opening round action. The winner will take on either Western Illinois or Valparaiso in Tuesday’s championship game.
Under Mid-Con Coach of the Year Shann Hart, the Jags defeated Oakland in both regular season meetings, the last being a 70-64 home win on Feb. 4. Kia Hayes led all scorers with 22 points in the win. Nicole Piggott led Oakland with 21 points.
Over in the men’s bracket, the co-champion Jaguars will take on Chicago State at 9:30 p.m. EST in the semi-finals. The Cougars knocked off UMKC 75-66. In the victory, Chicago State’s Royce Parran set the Mid-Con tourney records with free throws made and attempted in a single tournament game.
The winner will face either Oral Roberts University or Valparaiso University in the Tuesday night championship game, which will be broadcast on ESPN.
Jags split the regular season match-ups with the Cougars, losing on Feb. 23 at Chicago State 66-74. The Jags won on Dec. 30 87-64.
Both games can be seen on the Web at www.mid-con.tv. You can also tune into ESPN 950 AM to hear Greg Rakestraw call both games. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN 950 AM. You can also listen on the Web at www.espn950.com or www.indianasportsradio.com.
Fox Sports is televising the men’s game at 9:30 p.m. EST (check local listings). Champion’s Sports Bar at the Marriott (off Maryland St.) in downtown Indianapolis is hosting a viewing party for Jags fans in Indy.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
semis are set.
I don't want to use the word "nervous," but I think Jags fans are a restless over facing Chicago State tomorrow night in the semis. Chicago State used a tough defensive press to rattle UMKC and take control of the game in the last 10 minutes.
This is going to be tough.
halftime.
UMKC leads Chicago State 30-28 at the half. UMKC doesn't seem to have much of a set offense...something, I don't know. They just don't seem to have much of a game plan. Chicago State is a real athletic, quick team. They seem to be at their best in the transition.
Just my humble opinion.
the mid-con tourney & the magic #3 seed curse.
In less than two hours, we'll know who IUPUI faces tomorrow night in the semis. As it stands, UMKC is playing Chicago State. A little history: The #3 seed always loses to the #6 seed in this tournament. It just works out that way. UMKC is the #3 seed. Chicago State has been playing very well heading into the tournament (they beat us, you know).
With just under 9:30 remaining in the first half, UMKC is in controlwith a 22-15 lead.
So far, the pairings are working out like this for tomorrow's semi-final games:
Women's
Western Illinois vs. Valparaiso, noon
IUPUI vs. Oakland, 2:30 p.m.
Men's
Oral Roberts vs. Valparaiso, 6 p.m.
IUPUI vs. UMKC or Chicago State, 8:30 p.m.
Chicago State presents some problems for us because they play an uptempo game. UMKC...I have to admit, I barely remember playing them. An assistant coach told me he predicts UMKC to win this game.
What? And break the spell of the Magic #3 seed curse?????
Stay tuned.
are you ready for some football basketball?
Feel like watching the game Monday night? Champions, located in the downtown Marriott, will be hosting a Jags viewing party! Coverage starts at 9 p.m.
Learn more about viewing and listening options here.
day of rest.
Since the Jags don't play today, there's less of a sense of urgency to have to be somewhere. I'm sitting in the hotel lobby, enjoying a few tunes on my iPod, watching the activity around me. I see players, coaches, fans, family members, all mingling and meandering about, like they're waiting for a bus or something.
That's what's funny about this "vacation." It's fun, but it's work. There are games to be played, so if you're in the hotel, you're just marking time until you have to play again. It makes for an atmosphere of anticipation.
I chose today to go across the street to QDoba (woo hoo!!), read the Sunday paper and walk among the Tulsans.
It's always an easy sport to make fun of a city when you're an out-of-towner. But I'm not going to do that. The city of Tulsa is just like any other city in America; at least from what I've been able to gather. I had to run to a Walgreen's...saw churchgoers and folks just leading their lives.
Lunch was like lunch at QDoba in Broad Ripple. With cable/satellite television, cell phones and the Internet, the world is a pretty small place. Kids here are like kids there. They watch MTV and are on Myspace.
I can't complain about Tulsa at all. I'm not saying I'd come here for a weekend, but people say that about Indy as well. It'll keep me pacified until our next game.
Man...when is that next game?
sunday in tulsa.
It's Sunday in Tulsa, and I have nothing to do today. I shot some video last night at the game. I'm sorry to say I didn't shoot any during the game. I'll try and remedy that tomorrow night.
In the meantime, here's Night One in Tulsa. Please excuse the poor editing and such. I'm still tinkering with it.
Some early observations from last night:
* I love sitting next to Greg Rakestraw at these games. He's a great play-by-play guy and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Jags.
* Tulsa is REALLY spread out!
* Hotel bars in Tulsa are just as scary as hotel bars anywhere else in America.
* Our cheerleaders and JagBand are doing a great job at this tournament.
* It was nice to see the women's team in such a great mood after winning their opening round game yesterday.
* There is a QDoba here. There is a God!
Talk to you all later!
Saturday, March 04, 2006
first half.
At the half, the Jags are up on Oakland by four, 24-20. It's discouraging because they were up by 10! Oakland is a tough team to play because they seem to drag you into an alley fight. Oh sure, you can play your game for awhile and build a lead. But eventually, you get dragged down into their game and they claw back in. They are no fun to play against.
Bill Van Senus has been a high point, so far. He's made a difference.
Here's the stat of the first half: 18.2% three-point shooting for the Jags.
Not good.
That's got to get better!
big bill van senus.
The Big Man is getting some quality minutes early....he's making a difference, if you ask me. He's altered the Oakland offense and is doing the dirty work; the stuff that doesn't show up in the stats.
I love that kid!
I love that kid!
jags lead, 12-9....11:20 remaining in the first half.
It's a slugglish start for the Jags, really. But they finally got the lead at 12-9. They took the lead on a Cole three, but the offense just can't seem to get in a flow yet. Is that the Oakland defense or just jitters?
I was supposed to be in Tulsa by now.....oy vey!
Today is a lesson in why you do not procrastinate, kids!
My flight this morning left at 8:15 a.m...without me on it. Why? Because, like an idiot, I got up too late. I woke up at 7 a.m.
Yikes.
To make a long story short...Just as I was pulling into the shadows of the airport, John Q. Law snared me in his net.
"Can you give me legal justification as to why you were exceeding the speed limit?" the officer said.
I don't think there's a because I'm a moron clause in the laws, is there? So I elected to tell him I was just trying to get to the airport to make my flight. To the good officer's credit, he was polite and expeditious himself...in writing me up for 79 in a 50. So this trip is already costing me $165. Neat!!
I carefully drove the rest of the way to the airport, said thanks and goodbye to Heather (who so kindly offered to drop me off in her car so I wouldn't have to pay parking), ran inside and began checking in. The ticket agent for NWA (not that NWA! The other one!) warned me that I probably would not make my flight, as it was departing in less than 25 minutes. But she helped me as much as she could. I hustled to the gate, only to be stopped in my tracks....by an elderly woman in a maroon blazer.
In continuation of my lucky day, I had to go through the "other" security line. You know the one: where if you get snotty they turn their rubber-gloved attention to your orifaces. At this point, I'm only slightly calm because I'm losing precious time. The TSA folks were kind enough (not their fault I was late), but I was going Rain-Man because I could see my gate!!
As Maxwell Smart might say....missed it by that much!
Ugh.
The good folks of NWA were able to book me onto a noon flight to Tulsa (by way of Memphis). I chose to see the silver lining and went back to Heather's to have breakfast and decompress.
I came back at 11, with boarding passes in hand, and waited patiently by my gate.
11:20....no plane.
11:30....still no plane, and now, no crew.
11:40....natives gettin' restless.
11:45....the inevitable....the flight was INDEFINITELY DELAYED!
After a bit of bouncing around in the terminal, I was able to get a new flight plan.
So here's the latest.
NW flight 656 departing Indianapolis at 1:26 p.m., arriving in Detroit at 2:37 p.m.
NW flight 3757 departing Detroit at 3:10 p.m., arriving in Tulsa at 4:45 p.m.
I'll miss the women's game, dammit. But I'll still get there. And, truth be told, I have nothing but kind things to say about the good people of NWA. They've been extremely accommodating and helpful. I even got a $5 voucher for lunch for the inconvenience.
So far, this trip has only cost me 72 cents....and $165.
Ugh. I just want to be on a plane....any plane.
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