Yardbarker: Dionte Christmas

Christmas In March

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:57:25 -0500

And so happy Christmas, I hope you have fun. The near and the dear ones. The old and the young. -John Lennon Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! I like this kid. I like this kid a lot. I like me some Dionte Christmas. He’s gonna bring me some figgy pudding. Oh, he’s gonna bring me some figgy pudding and a [...]

NCAA Tourney: Friday's mid-day games

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:10:21 -0500

EAST REGION#1Pitt-72#16 ETSU-62Simply put, if DeJuan Blair did not have a big game,26pts. and 16rebs, Pitt would have loss to East Tennessee State. This 1 vs. 16 battle looked more like a 8 vs. 9 game. Pitt did not secure a double digit until the final seconds of the game. The NCAA Selection committee is shaken in their boots because they know a 16 seed with eventually down a top seed. For their sakes, hopefully it won't be this year, but at this very moment the #1 overall seed Louisville...

Temple's Turn: Owls Vs. AZ State in Miami

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:54:39 -0500

Last night's A Tale of Two Halves battle between Villanova and American was a great start to the local madness, and today's edition could prove to be just as good a game. Temple, an 11 seed, will face 6 Arizona State this afternoon in Miami, a matchup that could look a lot like the current TU team playing a former version of itself. ASU runs a zone defense not entirely unlike the hallmark of the John Chaney era on North Broad. It's not exactly a matchup zone, but it's close. A...

InClement Weather: Sweet Sixteen (Thoughts)

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:31:03 -0500

No doubt by now you've filled out a bracket (or 12) and begun to overanalyze what lies ahead for us all in the coming weeks.

Take a deep breath and calm down. In fact, enjoy sixteen (or so) thoughts about the bracket.

No, I'm not here to talk bubble either.

Midwest Region
1) Utah is already the most overrated team according to the entire country. Not me. But you say to me: "name on player on their team." That doesn't say anything negative about them; instead, it speaks to the lunacy in picking Arizona to march to the Sweet Sixteen automatically. Despite a load of talent, the Wildcats are undisciplined and unfocused (especially come March Madness in recent years). I would favor Cleveland State over Arizona. And that's not even because of the "hate".

2) Ohio State and Siena is a game you order the Direct Ticket package for, even if you don't know much about either team. It's going to be entertaining as two contrasting styles go to war. Both of these teams can scare Louisville. Big time.

3) USC ran through the Pac-10 Tournament all the way to their automatic bid, but they'll struggle with BC. If Rice hits his shots early, this game will be over very very early.

4) West Virginia is an up-and-coming team at the perfect time. If Ebanks can control himself against Kansas' bigs in the second round, the Mountaineers can shoot lights out from the beyond the arc and grab an early lead. Then Bob Huggins can switch up his defenses and frustrate you into bad shots. Just ask Pitt.

West Region
5) Nobody deserves BYU/Texas A&M again. Nobody.

6) Purdue and Washington are two teams that I fully expect to battle for a spot in the Elite Eight. Read that again and understand what I'm really saying.

7) Memphis might've gotten the break they needed by receiving the 2-seed. They get to play with a chip on their shoulder and one of the easier halves of their region's bracket. I don't buy Missouri just yet as an Elite Eight team. Despite having a fantastic coach, it won't happen this season for the Tigers.

8) Marquette is now done with that muderous Big East schedule - five-straight ranked opponents - and has (I think) finally adjusted to life with James. Nevertheless, they have a tricky first-round matchup against an underrated Utah State team. Can they win one game without James in the tournament? Of course. 2? Not so fast.

East Region

9) Two very contrasting styles when Wisconsin and Florida State meet up. Leonard Hamilton needs to be prepared for Toney Douglas to see two defenders at all times. If Kitchen attacks the hoop efficiently and the Noles use their size on both sides of the ball early on, the Noles will roll.

10) Texas and Tennessee both appeared to be top 10 squads at different points this season. During others, I wondered seriously if they were worthy of a tournament bid. One of them is bound to pull a major upset. But who? Paging Mr. Abrams and Mr. Chism.

11) Villanova playing in Philadelphia is better than 1-seed. This team is NOT afraid of meeting up with Pitt in the Elite Eight. Not one bit. They also shouldn't discount a scrappy trio of teams (American, VCU, and UCLA) in their way of a potential showdown with Duke. Yes, I actually just called UCLA "scrappy". Compared to the last three years, that's a compliment for this team.

12) Don't fall too in love with Eric Maynor and the VCU Rams pulling the "automatic upset" just yet. Even you Seth Davis. Darren Collison is the better PG on the floor, college-wise, if 100% healthy. Meanwhile, Larry Sanders will have to bang without picking up cheap fouls. While I like the Rams to win - especially if they shoot the 3 well and guard the 3 even better - the Bruins have several key players remaining (especially Collison and Shipp) from a squad that has made 3 straight Final Fours. Beware of Maynor though. Just ask the Patriots of George Mason. If the Rams start well, they don't lose very often.

South Region
13) Butler and LSU won't be able to keep up with UNC for even a half. Nevertheless, I'm interested to see how UNC manages Lawson - whom I expect to be 100% healthy - in their second round matchup. With the look of the draw, they'll need him healthy by the Sweet 16, especially if Gonzaga rolls in the opening weekend (which is far from automatic).

14) Syracuse vs. Oklahoma is a matchup many are already salivating over in the Sweet 16. Something tells me it won't happen, which would be a shame; especially for bleeding heart Orange fans like myself.

15) Look out for Temple, especially if Dionte Christmas can shoot over the Arizona State zone. The Sun Devils gave up big leads in their past two games, losing against USC in the Pac-10 final. While James Harden is the best player on the court, if he's cold early on, I like the Owls to gring this game out and potentially knock out the 6-seed.

16) If you have any ideas for gauging Clemson and Illinois: let me know, please?

Temple vs. Duquesne: Are We Dancers?

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:23:54 -0500

Villanova may be out of the Big East, but we already knew they'd be dancing come NCAA tournament time. That leaves one Philly team still hoping to have its dance card punched

BigFivePost's A-10 and Big East Semis Previews

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:49:11 -0500

Big 5 basketball fans had a great day of hoops action yesterday (those of us who didn't go to work or had TVs in our offices, that is). Temple put down St. Joe's tournament hopes like a golden lab with kidney failure, and Villanova nearly gave away a game they had clearly in hand for the first half. But 'Nova hung tough and won on a well-executed last-second play, showing the composure we've come to expect from a Jay Wright-coached team. Temple overcame a bad ankle for Lavoy A...

The KenPom 100 III: The Atlantic 14

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:20:11 -0500

There's a misnomer if there ever was one. I mean, look. Why call yourselves the Atlantic 10 if you have 14 teams? Because you're stupid. Sorry. But you make the Big 10 look like geniuses! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! Okay, I'm cool! 1. Xavier (A tall team that gets to the line and has a low post dual-threat in ...

Christmas' Present to Temple

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:34:24 -0500

Temple went into yesterday's game against the Volunteers underdogs, but came out with their heads held high - thanks to Christmas present from Dionte! Read more about the game and give your impressions at InGameNow.

Late Shift College Hoops Open Thread

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:34:19 -0500

(The President-elect tells his brother-in-law and Oregon State coach how to beat the Huskers) For you late night hoops people, after a day where Dionte Christmas drops 35 on Tennessee, G'Town takes out Memphis in OT, UMass beat a lackluster looking Kansas team, and the peppermint blood flowed freely in Lexington: Xavier @ Cincinnati (ESPN2, 8pm)- Dave O'Brien, Jay Bilas UW-Green Bay @ Wisconsin (BTN, 8pm)- Mel Proctor, Shon Morris Nebraska @ Oregon State (FSN Regional, 8pm)- TBD (Wi...

Hold the Line...Love Isn't Always On Time

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:36:11 -0500

I caught the second half of the Duke-Rhode Island game on the radio. And nothing would have been a better capper for the day after the Packers rolled the Bears for their first place bankrolls. And Jim Baron Junior went crazy go nuts. Stephen Curry in the tourney nuts. But it was not enough. Why? ...

Temple/MSU Preview

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:32:36 -0500

Everything you want to know about the Temple-MSU matchup.

NCAA Tournament Preview: Cinderellas

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:23:34 -0500

With the 2008 NCAA Tournament Bracket announced last night, every sports fan is trying to figure out who will be this year`s Cinderella squad? The biggest Cinderella of all was George Mason in 2006 when they went to the Final Four, so we ask the question: Who will be this year`s George Mason? Here are a list of possibilities: 1) #13 Siena (22-10) - The Saints are the champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and take on #4 seed Vanderbilt of the SEC in the 1st round as part of the Midwest Region. The Saints are a dangerous team because of their suffocating pressure defense and their ability to shoot from the outside. Senior Tay Fiser, juniors Kenny Hasbrouck and Josh Duell and sophomore Edwin Ubiles all can shoot the 3-pointer well and forward Alex Franklin can dominate in the paint. For a young Mid-Major team, they play with a lot of poise and will not be scared of Vandy come Friday. Look for a potential upset here. 2) #12 Temple (21-12) - The champions of the Atlantic 10 Conference finished the season strong winning 7 straight games. They take on the #5 seed in the South, the Michigan State Spartans, in the 1st round. The Owls have a balanced attack with lethal guard Dionte Christmas, guard/forward Mark Tyndale and point guard Chris Clark. The Owls have 7-foot center Sergio Olmos to clog up the middle. The Spartans of Michigan State need to come well-prepared to this one or they will be another victim of the annual 5-12 upset. 3) #10 Davidson (26-6) - The Davidson Wildcats ran through the Southern Conference going 20-0 in conference play in the regular season. And although the Wildcats did not have any big non-conference wins, they played North Carolina, Duke and UCLA all very tough. Davidson plays #7 seed Gonzaga in the 1st round, with the Zags being another potential Cinderella. But I have to like the Davidson Wildcats and sharp-shooting Stephen Curry, who averages 25 points per game this year. 4) #5 Drake (28-4) - The Drake Bulldogs of the Missouri Valley Conference had a terrific season. They were awarded with a #5 seed in the West region and take on a tough Mid-Major team in Western Kentucky. So why would Drake be considered a Cinderella if they are a #5 seed? Probably because no one is picking them to get past the Sweet 16. But these guys are for real and I would not be surprised at all if they made a Final Four run like George Mason in 2006. Led by point guard Adam Emmenecker, who has been deemed as the Mid-Major`s version of Steve Nash. Josh Young leads the team in scoring and Klayton Korver (Kyle`s little brother) is deadly from 3-point range. OTHER POTENTIAL CINDERELLAS: #10 Saint Mary`s (25-6) #10 South Alabama (26-6) #12 George Mason (23-10) #12 Western Kentucky (27-6) #13 San Diego (21-13)

THE OWLS GO DANCING!!

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:29:27 -0500

For the first time since 2001 when they reached the elite eight, the Temple Owls got an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament by beating the St. Joseph's Hawks 69-64.