Sunday, February 25, 2007

More Good News

I'm excited to let you know that I've expanded my work in bringing people the good news in sports. About two months ago, I started Good News In College Sports and have received some very positive feedback from folks who have visited it.

That has inspired me to expand into the world of pro sports for the first time in my writing career. Yesterday, I began Good News In Pro Sports, searching out the positive, uplifting stories in the world of professional sports. You're won't find stories there about Terrell Owens, hockey fights, athletes holding out for extra millions of dollars, failed drug tests, or any of the negative events that so often fill up the front page of the sports section and saturate the airwaves of ESPN or sports talk radio.

There are still people involved with professional sports who ARE role models and have achieved success the old fashioned way, by hard work, perseverence, and overcoming obstacles. Others have gone beyond their accomplishments to influence and encourage others to maximize their God-given abilities and reach levels they may not have on their own.

Those are the stories I'll be telling on Good News In Pro Sports and will continue to bring you on Good News in College Sports. If you run across an item that would be appropriate for either blog, please forward it to me at thecourtmaster@aol.com and I'll make sure you receive credit for it if I use it.

This does mean, however, that I won't be publishing much if any new content for The CourtMaster Rules on College Sports. This blog has been transitioning into more of a home-page, clearinghouse for my other work. Keep checking here, though, because that could change down the road. I never know what opportunity might present itself and when it does, I'll share it with everyone here.

With March Madness upon us, I'll be continuing regular appearances with Bob Haynie on WNST radio in Baltimore (usually between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM EST during the week) and Thom Abraham on WUMP in Huntsville, AL. (almost always at 6:05 PM EST Wednesdays). If I see where I'll be popping up on another station, I'll let you know. Since it appears my Terps will be back in the NCAA Tournament after a two-season hiatus, at least I'll be in a better mood.

I also want to take a moment to get personal and thank my wonderful, amazing wife Brenda (The CourtMrs.) for her support as I continue to develop into what I want to be when I grow up. Not only has she not complained at all the time I spend on these ventures, she strongly encourages me to do so.

I couldn't have a better teammate than my beloved Brenda. She's my Good News story.

Friday, February 16, 2007

NCAA's "Three-Minute Drill"

Do you want to catch up on NCAA news? Do you have three minutes to spare? Then check out the newest multi-media feature from the NCAA, the "Three-Minute Drill." Hosted on both the NCAA's official website and its official blog, Double-A Zone, this bi-weekly video will give you three fast-paced minutes on NCAA sports news. The first installment, hosted by Double-A Zone blogger Josh Cantor, is online here.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

ACC Nation Heading For Florida for the ACC Tournament

Here's a plug for my buddies Patrick and Chris at ACC Nation, where I appear when they can't find anyone else (kidding, I hope). These guys aren't just two clowns with a podcast. They are both award-winning journalists and appear on several radio stations throughout Virginia:

The web portal covering Atlantic Coast Conference sports features an over-the-air radio broadcast, weekly podcasts, and stories, columns and blogs on the ACC. And cohosts and ACCNation.com editors Chris Graham and Patrick Hite are taking their show and coverage on the road - bringing you the latest from the Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament in Tampa March 8-11.

Graham and Hite will be blogging live from press row at the St. Pete Times Forum - and providing detailed wrapups of all 11 games. They will also offer up eight podcasts throughout the tournament - with interviews, postgame press conferences, commentaries and more.

The 2007 tournament will mark the first appearance of "ACC Nation" and ACCNation.com courtside at the premier college-basketball postseason conference event.

"We are looking forward to being able to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of this year's tournament to our readers and listeners," said Hite, who will be making his first trip to an ACC Tournament with this year's event.

"It promises to be exciting - as wide-open as this year's regular-season race is shaping up to be, the tournament should be even more so," said Graham, who has covered two ACC Tournaments in the past, in 1996 and 1998.

"ACC Nation" - a production of the Waynesboro, Va.,-based Q-Munications of Virginia LLC - broadcasts on the Internet (podcasts of the show can be accessed at www.accnation.com) and over-the-air on four radio stations in Virginia.

The show debuted in 2006 and recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

ACCNation.com just went through a website redesign - and features news and commentaries updated daily.

ACCNation.com also features live game blogs that allow readers to join Graham and Hite to share their views on games as they unfold.

Graham and Hite are both members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association - and are both multiple-time winners of excellence-in-journalism awards from the Virginia Press Association.

The two also collaborated on their first sports book - Mad About U: Four Decades of Basketball at University Hall, a chronicle of the history of basketball played at University Hall at the University of Virginia, which closed in 2006.

The book - a publication of the Waynesboro, Va.,-based Augusta Free Press Publishing - was released in September 2006, and is available at www.madaboutu.net.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

NCAA Tournament Without Duke? Could It Happen?

Probably not, but the fact that columns like this one on Fox Sports are popping up and asking that question is newsworthy.

I have been frustrated watching Coach K get a free pass from the national media while his team has floundered on its way to a 5-6 ACC record. Yoni Cohen comes the closest I've found so far to calling him out:

If the Blue Devils aren't able to quickly turn their season around, Duke fans .....will ask if Coach K has lost some of his luster.

That question may be premature, given that Duke is still a good bet to make the NCAA tournament. It may also be callous, because even in the past five seasons, few coaches have had as much success as Krzyzewski. But it won't be entirely without cause. After several years of disappointing in March, Coach K's club is underperforming in February.

As I watched the Blue Devils' last two losses vs. North Carolina and Maryland (where the struggling Terps dropped a 29-4 run on them in the first half), I heard a lot of sympathy for K and the struggles he is having with an unusually young team.

Whose fault is that? Are any key players injured--no. Did any players from last year's team leave early for the NBA--no. What's up with all of these studs he's recruited? Let's take a look:

This year's key freshmen:

Lance Thomas, ranked #15 nationally by Rivals.com--With 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15 minutes per game, he has not been a major factor.

Gerald Henderson, ranked #20 by Rivals.com--An asthmatic condition has limited his playing time. He has shown flashes of pure athleticism and averages 6.1 points per game.

Jon Scheyer, #28 by Rivals.com--He has made the biggest impact by far of any Duke freshman this season. He averages 12.2 points and at times has been the Devils' only consistent outside threat. I haven't seen him do anything else particularly well but shoot so far.

Brian Zoubek, #44 by Rivals.com--He has taken some of Josh McRoberts minutes in recent games (all losses) and just seems to be a big body to take up room near the basket.

Sophomores:

Josh McRoberts, ranked #1 by Sporting News coming out of high school--I think McRoberts is a gifted player. He can shoot, pass, dribble, rebound, and block shots. McRoberts has become a puzzling player however, and one who has also puzzled his coach if his recent one-game demotion is any indication. During the second half against Maryland, he aggressively exploited mismatches inside and kept Duke in the game. I don't know why he doesn't do that more often. He should have better numbers than North Carolina'sTyler Hansbrough because he has better talent, but he doesn't have Pshcyo T's fire.

Greg Paulis, ranked #14 by Sporting News--Paulis is perhaps more of an enigma this season than McRoberts. He has played better of late, but still not as consistently as he did last season. The issue with his pre-season injury is past its shelf life, so like McRoberts it seems to me his real issue lies between his ears.

Jamal Boynkin and Marty Pocius--Non factors.

Eric Boateng--Transfered.

This is either a talented team that is underachieving or a group that isn't as talented as the experts figured based on those high recruiting rankings.

Either way, it reflects on the coach.

Mike Krzyzewski is not having a good year, and he didn't have a great one last year, getting knocked out in the Sweet 16 with two of the best players in the nation (Redick and Williams) on his roster.

Coach K's place in history as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college basketball is secure, but he's not one of the best in the ACC this season. I submit that Boston College's Al Skinner, Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg, and NC State's Sidney Lowe (to my astonishment) are all getting more out of their team this year than Coach K.

The Duke dynasty is not crumbling, but it is slipping. If they don't rally to an 8-8 record in the ACC, they won't deserve an NCAA bid (although I suspect their name will get the Devils in at 7-9). Duke needs the on-court leadership and intensity that their fans have for so long taken for granted. Without it, the program will continue to drift back into the pack of good but not great teams.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Compliance Is Every Fan's Issue

The Internet and the plethora of team-related site have caused serious concerns about NCAA compliance in recent years. Kentucky seems to be a hot spot for this, but the potential problems are important enough to lead the compliance coordinator at Duke to reach out to Blue Devil fans on one of the most popular Duke forums at The Devils's Den.

I think being proactive like this is a GREAT idea, and the coordinator, Todd Mesibov, shares links with some important information.

The bottom line is that any contact between someone who is not an authorized representative of a school and a recruiting prospect to try to influence him/her to come to your favorite school is extremely regulated and could be a violation which could cost the school the opportunity to sign the recruit.

So let's be careful out there, okay.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Let's See More Football!

That apparently will be the result of the ongoing NCAA Football Rules Committee deliberations going on in Albuquerque, NM.

According to this post and other analysis I've heard, the NCAA will at least restore the rule that waits to start the clock on a kickoff until the receiving team has touched it. This will prevent abuse of the rule like Wisconsin did last year against Penn State last year.

Even in the Division II and III games, the new clock rules reduced the number of plays run between 12-13 per game. I don't know of anyone who has gone to a football game and said that they say too many plays. The biggest issue, not stopping the clock on change of possession, is still in play. Personally, I hope they put it back in because I can't see too much football when I watch a game.

The issue here, of course, is all of the television breaks that can stretch a game out and make it seem like it's gone on for an eternity. Ironically, the networks were behind the initiative last year to shorten the games, which puts the NCAA into the situation where it has to decide what interests to serve, the game or a primary source of income.

With this in mind, don't look for any major changes in college football clock rules this season beyond the one on kickoffs. Got to keep the people writing the big checks happy.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Recently At Good News In College Sports

If you haven't checked out my sister blog Good News In College Sports recently (and why is it called sister anyway, why wouldn't it be a brother blog?), here's some of what you've missed:

The story of two senior women's basketball players at Green Bay-Wisconsin who grew up in Green Bay and have played either with or against each other since the eighth grade.

A men's basketball head coach who changed careers; he was previously a cardiologist--just try and chart they career path.

Nine players on Butler's men's basketball team were recognized for academic achievement and, by the way, the team's record was 20-2 at the time.

A California girl who has found happiness and success in Ames, Iowa starring for the Iowa State girls' basketball team.

Virginia Tech quarterback Ike Whitaker emerging from alcohol rehab and working to reestablish himself at school and with his teammates and the coaching staff.

You can read these stories and more at Good News In College Sports.

Recently At Good News In College Sports

If you haven't checked out my sister blog Good News In College Sports recently (and why is it called sister anyway, why wouldn't it be a brother blog?), here's some of what you've missed:

The story of two senior women's basketball players at Green Bay-Wisconsin who grew up in Green Bay and have played either with or against each other since the eighth grade.

A men's basketball head coach who changed careers; he was previously a cardiologist--just try and chart they career path.

Nine players on Butler's men's basketball team were recognized for academic achievement and, by the way, the team's record was 20-2 at the time.

A California girl who has found happiness and success in Ames, Iowa starring for the Iowa State girls' basketball team.

Virginia Tech quarterback Ike Whitaker emerging from alcohol rehab and working to reestablish himself at school and with his teammates and the coaching staff.

You can read these stories and more at Good News In College Sports.