SAY WHAT????

A couple of days ago (they all run together when you live hammered), I had a ‘Finkle is Einhorn’ moment only I needed not to suction my face with my plunger. I’m just wonderin’ why in the world there aren’t more colleges and universities out there with a monkey as its mascot… I mean monkeys are hilarious!!! You could have Orangutans, Baboons, Gorillas, Chimpanzes, Marmosets, Spider Monkeys, Wooly Monkeys, etc. Imagine the hilarity that would ensue betwix a roaming monkey and the kiddos at every home game!! (Look how beloved the Phoenix Suns’ Gorilla is…)

Anyhow, here’s a small sample of some of the mascots out there:

Anteaters (University of California-Irvine), Antelopes (Grand Canyon University in Phoenix AND University of Nebraska-Kearney), Banana Slugs (University of California-Santa Cruz), Boll Weevils (University of Arkansas-Monticello), Camels (Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina), Cobbers (Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota), Ephs (Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts), Humpback Whales (University of Alaska-Southeast), Kangaroos (Austin College in Sherman, Texas AND University of Missouri-Kansas City), Koalas (Columbia College in South Carolina), Moose (University of Maine-Augusta), Nads (Rhode Island School of Design), Wasps (Emory and Henry College in Emory, Maryland).

Seriously, you tellin’ me out in Santa Cruz they’d rather be sportin’ hoodies w/ Banana Slugs on ‘em than a Baboon?? Come on. And the Nads of Rhode Island? Really? Do they chant “Go Nads!” at every each home game?  Boll Weevils? You WANT to be named after a beetle pest who ruins cotton harvests and Mrs. Rudy’s flower gardens?  Kangaroos and Koalas?  Why not have Crocodile Dundee as your mascot!!  Ephs?  What the Eph?!?!?!  Moose?  Shouldn’t they be the UM-A Meese?!!?  And Humpback Whales?  I’d love to hear their battle cry/chants!!

I Just Don't Get It!!

Monkeys are even fierce beasts, and one of the dominant species in all the jungle. Gorillas’ only enemies are humans, and occasionally leopards, no one else dares mess with them. There’s not an animal out there than can measure up pound-for-pound to the sheer strength of a Silverback Gorilla. Wouldn’t this be a good mascot to have? Hilarious and Powerful? Entertaining and Dangerous?

Then there’s a whole slew of schools out there who don’t even have a nickname or mascot!! Like the University of Sarasota (Florida), Allen College (Waterloo, Iowa), Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington), and Sage College of Albany (New York). Again, the Bastyr Baboons? Sarasota Spider Monkeys?? Sage College of Albany Apes???

Bastyr Baboons???

The only monkey mascot I could stumble upon was the Pittsburg State University Gorillas out of Pittsburg, Kansas. And due to such they are now in my Top Six favorite institutions of learning. If any of yall know of any more schools out there repped by monkeys, please let me know…

RESPECT & RECOGNIZE!!

Utah  83,  NJ/PHI 68   
T. Williams (NJ/PHI)- 25min, 8pts (3-11, 0-3 3′s, 2-2FT), 6reb (6def, 0 Off), 2Asst, 1St, 4TO, 1BS
Dionte Christmas (NJ/PHI)- 22min, 7pts (3-8, 1-4 3′s), 3reb, 1st, 3to’s
Eric Maynor (Utah)- 26min, 12pts (2-9, 1-3 3′s, 7-7Ft’s), 5reb, 4ast, 1st, 2to’s

Orlando 85, Boston 82
Ryan Anderson (Orl)- 35min, 33pts (11-15, 2-2 3′s, 9-9ft’s), 14rebs (7off, 7def), 1asst, 1st, 4to’s
Koby Carl (Bos)- 32 min, 18pts (5-9, 2-3 3′s, 6-11ft’s), 5reb, 2asst, 3st, 4to’s
Chris Lofton (Bos)- 4min, 3pts (1-2, 1-2 3′s)

Indiana 91, Oklahoma City 88
Tyler Hansbrough (IND)- 25min, 23pts (6-10, 2-2 3′s, 9-10ft’s), 4reb (2def, 2off), 3asst, 4to’s
DJ White (OKC)- 31min, 8pts (3-11, 2-4ft’s), 3reb (2off, 1def), 1asst, 1to, 1bs
Robert Vaden (OKC)- 15min, 8pts (3-4, 1-2 3′s, 1-2ft’s), 1reb, 1asst, 2st, 1to
BJ Mullens (OKC)- 9min, 7pts (3-6, 1-2ft), 2reb
James Harden (OKC)- 37min, 19pts (6-13, 2-6 3′s, 5-7ft’s), 5reb, 3asst, 1st, 1to

In other basketball news, the United States remained unbeaten in the FIBA 19U World Championships with a 79-74 victory over previously unbeaten Croatia. Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas) led the way with 13 points and Darius Miller finished with 10 points (5-of-7 shooting), three rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

The U.S. will face Canada in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Christmas is understandably upset about it:

It’s a pretty safe bet that Christmas will sign with some team as a free agent. If nothing else, he can put the ball in the basket from long range, which is always a valuable asset. And this way, it could even work out to his advantage, since he might be able to choose the situation that looks to be the best fit.

“It’s disappointing,” said Christmas, who was watching from his home. “My dad is real upset. But I’ve been an underdog my whole life. People weren’t expecting me to do what I’ve done thus far. I’ve put it in God’s hands right now. Some team is going to want me. And I’m going to give them everything I’ve got. Nothing less.

“I wanted to hear my name called. My family wanted to hear my name called. If that would have happened, it would have been a blessing. I’m upset. I’m going to lay low for a little bit. Then I’m going to get back to work to show everybody that I belong. I’ve definitely got a chip on my shoulder. That’s [my motivation].”

That’s right Floyd, you will hear your name called. Especially if you sign with the Pacers and the Straitpinkie squad is able to make it up for a couple games…. FA-FA-FA-FA FLOOOYD CHRISTMAS!!!! You will soon etch your name into NBA lore as one of the greatest players ever to go undrafted; joining Keleena Azibuke, Udonis Haslem, Jose Calderon, Brad Miller and Ben Wallace among others. Check out the Hoop Doctors Top Ten Undrafted Players Ever HERE.
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University of Louisville Cardinals Terrence Williams and Earl Clark became the school’s first pair of NBA lottery picks in the same draft on Thursday night. Williams went 11th to the New Jersey Nets and will play alongside newly acquired Courtney Lee, a Western Kentucky product. Clark was selected with the 14th and final lotto pick by Steve Kerr and the Phoenix Suns.

Williams and Clark become the third UofL tandem taken in the first round, following Pervis Ellison (1) and Kenny Payne (19) in 1989 and Cliff Rozier (16) and Greg Minor (25) in 1994. Louisville has now had 63 players selected.

Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks went in the second round, the 41st pick overall, to the Milwaukee Bucks. Meeks became the 92nd UK player drafted, the 16th since 1993.

For a complete list of the 2009 NBA Draft results, just click HERE.

Mike Rutherford over at Card Chronicle posted this hilarious Top Ten list of quotes from the Cardinals’ senior leader:

The Courier posted some gems on the side of its “Cards now driven by T-Willpower” feature this morning, so I figured now is as good a time as any to count down the top ten moments in T-Will talk.

We’ll begin with something prescient at No. 10.

10. On Louisville’s midseason winning streak: “I’ve realized that if we just keep winning games, eventually we’ll win the national championship”

9. Explaining how he followed an 0-for-4 first half with an 8-for-16 second half against Massachusetts as a freshman: “Before, I was thinking about the scouting report and how they are a great shot-blocking team, and I was just trying to get the ball up there. But then I was like, ‘Terrence,’ — I call myself Terrence; I don’t call myself T-Will — I was like, ‘Terrence, you jump too high to be nervous about somebody else.’ “

8. On the importance of then-senior David Padgett: “David Padgett is the t-shirt of this team. You wouldn’t go outside without your t-shirt on, and we don’t go out on the court without David Padgett.”

7. Celebrating the return of Juan Palacios and David Padgett from injuries last season: “You go out into a game in which you know you’ve got Tello and David playing, your swagger’s a lot different. You walk different, you talk different, you talk to a girl different. … You know they’re going to back you up. They’re going to say, ‘Yeah, he’s a great guy.’ “

6. Explaining why he didn’t declare for the NBA draft after his junior season: “There are too many sharks in the water in this year’s draft. Next year there’s a lot of fish and seaweed. Hopefully, I can be one of those sharks next year.”

5. Finding the silver lining in a groin strain: “It’s a good thing, because I really like massages and now I’m getting massages all the time.”

4. On trying to lead newcomers: “Talking to these freshman is like talking to a pond – just because the water moves doesn’t mean it’s listening.”

3. On breaking out of a shooting slump with a big game from beyond the arc: “No I’m not surprised at how I shot today. If it’s two in the afternoon and it’s dark outside, then I’d be surprised.”

2. On how much the team feeds off of David Padgett: “How much do people eat off plates? We feed off him a lot because he’s our point-center, our point-forward, our point-shooting guard. He’s everything because he rebounds the ball, he passes the ball, he leads us. He could lead us out of the closet, lead us to the ocean. He’s just our everything.”

1. On coach Rick Pitino’s powers of persuasion: “He’s the type of man where, if a dog couldn’t talk — which a dog can’t talk — he would make a dog think it can talk. That dog would keep barking for a long time thinking it was talking.”

Let’s enjoy every second we have left with this kid because they’ll never be another Cardinal like him.

Date: Monday, February 2nd
Time: 7:04 p.m. EST
Site: Freedom Hall (18,865) in Louisville, KY
Series History: UofL trails 2-4(1-1 in L’ville, 1-1 @Hartford, 0-1 @Storrs, 0-1 neutral)
Last Meeting: UofL 67, UConn 69 (Jan. 28, 2008 at the XL Center)
National Rankings: UL No. 5 AP, 7 ESPN/USA Today; UConn No. 1 AP and ESPN/USA Today (Feb. 2)
Officials: John Cahill, Ed Corbett, Michael Stephens

The four letter network calls it Big Monday. February 2nd should be called Colossal Monday. The polls have been released, and Louisville is prepared to welcome its second top ranked team into the hallowed Hall of Freedom in the University of Connecticut Huskies. I don’t think you would find too many people who would take issue with the statement that the number one team in the country right now has been playing in Freedom Hall all along. The University of Louisville Cardinals, now winners of nine strait, are 17-3 and a perfect 8-0 in the Big East.

Twill has been nothing short of unstoppable during the Cardinals current run averaging 14.2 points, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals while shooting 50.5 percent from the field (51-of-101) and 38.7 percent from threepoint range (12-of-31). A scary moment for Cardinals fans came with 9:49 to play in the West Virginia game. Following a sweet dish to Terrence Jennings, Williams rolled his left ankle and spent some time on the floor between some of the Ladybirds (likely an intentional move), but returned to action a minute and fifteen seconds later at the 8:34 mark.  He’d best be healthy come monday.

The Huskies of Connecticut come into Freedom Hall sporting a 20-1 (9-1) record on the season and are also owners of a nine game winning streak. Led by Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun (789-338), this Connecticut team may be one of his best ever in his 23 years at the University.  UConn is coming off a crushing performance, a 94-61 mauling of much improved Providence.

Jeff Adrien leads the Huskies averaging 14.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, one of six UConn players averaging over eight points a game. UConn ranks among the national leaders in blocked shots (2nd, 7.4), rebound margin (third, +9.2), scoring margin (5th, +17.3) and field goal percentage(9th, .489). Along with Adrien UConn’s main contributors are guards Jerome Dyson (13.5), A.J. Price (12.3), Kemba Walker (9.3), and Craig Austrie (8.1), and the 7′ 3″ Junior center/Tanzanian monster Hasheem Thabeet (13.0 points and 4.0 blocks).

Conneticut hasn’t been outrebounded all season, and it makes a living on the defensive end. The Huskies have led the nation in blocked shots for seven strait seasons and are currently second, behind Mississippi State and just ahead of Kentucky.  Offensive firepower is not lacking however; Jerome Dyson reached the 1,000-point club by making a free throw with 2:35 to play against DePaul last Wednesday and A.J. Price reached the milestone on Saturday against Providence.

Jeff Adrien finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds against Providence. That ended his consecutive double-double streak at six, but he still has 43 in his college career.  Adrien now has 1,409 points in his career with the Huskies, No. 17 all-time at UConn. Stanley Robinson broke out of his scoring struggles with 18 points on 7-11 shooting.  That was only his second time in double figures since joining the team for the Dec. 15 game against Stony Brook and is 0-for-8 from beyond the arc on the season.  And Hasheem Thabeet? Oh, he is just coming off a 15 point, 11 rebound, 10 block triple-double performance!! He is No. 2 all-time at UConn in blocked shots behind Emeka Okafor with 346 blocks in his career at Connecticut.

Coach Rick Pitino is 11-6 all time against Jim Calhoun. Nine of those seventeen meetings came when Pitino was at Boston U. and Calhoun at Northeastern (Pitino went 6-3). Calhoun is second in all-time wins among active coaches (Mike Krzyzewski-821) and seventh all-time period, ten behind Eddie Sutton (804). Pitino has 538 wins against 194 losses all time. UConn’s Kemba Walker and Louisville’s Edgar Sosa played together at New York’s Rice High School.

Bobby E’s Gamebreaker: GUARD PLAY!!!

Edgar Sosa is going to have to show up and continue to play the way he has over the last couple of weeks. Edgar has exactly ONE turnover in his last four contests. Andre McGee and Preston Knowles will need to be at the top of their already strong defensive games as Louisville will be facing a quartet of guards unlike any they have seen this year.

The game will be televised on ESPN with Dan Shulman (play-by-play) and Dick Vitale (color) calling the action. Oh and EA will be in the house, uh, YUMP!!! You can also hear the game broadcast on WKRD (790 AM, 101.7 FM)(joined in progress on WHAS/840 AM) by Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) or on SIRIUS satellite ch. 126.