February 2009
151 posts
Calling Rutgers Fans....Bueller?... Bueller?......
Obviously this is some sort of technical problem on Rivals.com, but it still gave me a little chuckle.
Here is what you seen when you head over to main messageboard list of the Rutgers Rivals site
Anyway, here is their “Official Prediction Thread” of the Providence game, if you want to get a read on how they view their team and the upcoming game.
Ah, I Finally Realized Who Fred Hill Reminds Me...
Every time I’ve watched a Rutgers game over the past few seasons (which isn’t too much, since I’m not really into rubbernecking), I always thought that coach Fred Hill reminded me of someone — but I just couldn’t put my finger on who.
It finally came to me last night. After all, I spent my entire 6th and 7th grade years constantly watching Beavis & Butthead...
Keno Davis' Foul Shooting Distraction Shenanigans
Here is a really cool fan video of the student section trying to distract a Pittsburgh player from making a foul shot. This idea was given to them by coach Keno Davis, who employed the idea last year at Drake.
Ok, so the Pitt guy here makes the foul shot, but he must have some Matrix-like ability to slow down time to be able to concentrate. But, you get the idea.
Thanks to Sue for...
Gasaway: Providence one of the Luckiest Teams in...
Lucky and Unlucky: Measuring the Breaks by John Gasaway
Measuring that role with some degree of precision was of course pioneered by Bill James in baseball and has more recently been brought to college hoops by my Basketball Prospectus colleague, Ken Pomeroy. Where Ken’s luck stat takes in the entire season, however, my own hand-crafted measure is restricted to conference play, giving us a...
Joey Brackets Has Friars in Familiar Position
Updated Bracketlogy
FIRST FOUR OUT Minnesota PROVIDENCE Cincinnati Maryland
Funny enough, ESPN shows one commment (I guess the most recent one?) from “ESPN Conversation”. What was the comment when I loaded the page?
giam3232
What more does providence have to do? They beat the (then) #15 team in the country, they beat the #1 team in the country, they are going to finish with 10...
Fan's Thoughts and Pictures
So with 5 days in between the Pittsburgh upset and the Friars’ next game at Rutgers, we have a lot of time to reflect on the game — and you know what? This kind of thing doesn’t happen every day, so I am going to keep posting stuff about it while I have the chance — at least until the weekend starts and we get into Rutgers mode.
I got a lot of amazing pictures sent to me...
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The Embrace
Here is an awesome screen grab of Jonathan Kale hugging Geoff McDermott amongst the storming students. If this does not make you at least misty eyed, well then you are dead inside.
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Upset Leftovers Links
Here are some more links that have been trickling in throughout the day. Much like mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, I can’t get enough of this! Bring on the leftovers!!
Joe Hassett knows PC upsets… [Pawtuckett Times]
…But Pitt tops the Michigan game in terms of upsets [Projo.com]
ScoutFriars.com Has a great free article about the Pitt game [ScoutFriars.com]
For the past...
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Katz on 18 Game BIG EAST Schedule
There was some talk last week about how Jim Calhoun said that the 18 game league schedule was doing more harm than good.
“The league and the number of games, the only way is to cut it back, there’s no other way possible,” the UConn coach said. “I disagree with the 18 games. I think we’re paying too great a price to our teams. And we’re 24-2. We’re probably going to the NCAA...
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Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Tempo Free...
by Ray Floriani
Ray has been a basketball writer for over 25 years, and was named the 1999 NIT Media Man of the Year. You can find more of Ray’s writing at Basketball Times, Hoopville, and College Chalk Talk.
Following Providence’s upset win over Pitt on Tuesday, a number of interested parties, including Villanova by the Numbers’ Grey Cat, asked my opinion of the contest. I did not want to...
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Gomes Has Career Best 5th Straight Game of 20+...
After Austin Croshere got waived, Ryan Gomes is now the only former Providence Friar in the NBA. I will try to give a Gomes update each week.
Since Minnesota lost Al Jefferson for the year, Gomes has really stepped up.
Here are his lines the last 5 games.
2/18 vs MIA - 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals 2/20 vs IND - 26 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals 2/22 vs LAL - 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists...
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Sports XChange Friars Report (2/26/09)
Getting Inside
“We’re in a pretty good situation,” coach Keno Davis said after the victory over top-ranked Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. “We’re in the top half of the best conference in the country. “It puts us in the (NCAA Tournament) conversation. I’m sure if we had lost they wouldn’t be talking about us anymore.”
Strategy and Personell
...
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Three-pointers with John Rooke (2/26/08)
“Three-pointers” is a quick-hit interview with notable people in FRIARTOWN on the current state of the Friars.
John Rooke, aka the “Voice of the Friars”, was kind enough to take part via email.
John Rooke is an award-winning broadcaster, currently serving in several broadcast capacities, including 20 years as the play-by-play voice for Providence College basketball; Big...
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Listen to Keno Davis talk to Mike Francesa on WFAN...
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James Woods Was Feelin' Good at the DUNK Last...
Rhode Islander James Woods was in attendance last night at the Dunk. Shawna Hassett interviewed him early in the second half.
So. many. questions. First of all, what’s with the beads? Chan’s what? An altar boy?
Must’ve been some tasty “water” he was drinking in that bottle.
At least Shawna made it out of there alive.
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Great Video of the Court Storm from a Fan's...
When you upset the #1 team in the nation in Providence, all hell breaks loose.
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Post Game Press-Conference Audio
Listen to a bunch of good audio clips from the post game press conference — Courtesty of the blog “Rush the Court”
Also check out their excellent full recap article, as they reported from the game.
PC Players
Keno Davis
DeJuan Blair talks about the game.
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Keno Davis ESPN Interview with Scott Van Pelt...
This aired on SportsCenter last night.
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Burn Those Couches on Eaton Street, We Beat #1...
What I wouldn’t give to be a student back at Providence College right now. Should be good times all around. It’s not like you have to go to class anyway!
Congratulations to the players (especially the SENIORS and their families), the coaches and staff, and all the Friar fans out there! We will enjoy this win FOREVER!
Here is your usual post game round-up shananigans.
LETS TAKE...
StormingTheFloor.net Approved of Our Storming the...
From StormingTheFloor.net’s Twitter account
View tweet
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PC-Pitt Highlights
Friars Shock #1 Pittsburgh!
The Providence Friars just upset the #1 team in the nation, beating Pittsburgh 81-73.
Just an unbelieveable night for the Friars and for the seniors. PC led for the whole entire game, and as much as 20 early on the second half. They got DeJuan Blair into some foul trouble, and really didn’t let Pitt get in any offensive flow. Even though they had a double digit lead for most of the...
Watch PC-Pitt Video Stream
Watch live video from East Coast Zag on Justin.tv
Rush the Court Live at THE DUNK
RTC Live: #1 Pittsburgh @ Providence - Tuesday Night 7pm EDT
RTC will be liveblogging the game from courtside and will be taking questions and comments from fans to ask players and coaches in the locker room afterwards. You want to know how a Hollywood guy like Jamie Dixon gets such toughness out of his players? Ask away.
But join us Tuesday night, as RTC Live will give you the analysis and...
My Responses for "Pitt Blather"
Head on over to Pitt Blather to read my answers to questions asked by Chas
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Hello, my name is Weyinmi Efejuku. You killed a...
Say what you want about the Providence Friars senior class. Tonight, they have a chance to avenge the GREAT LOSS OF 2004 (or whatever you want to call it). A chance to pull off an amazing win over the #1 ranked team in the country. While it would not erase the failures of that 2004 season, or even gaurantee that this team would make the NCAA tournament, it would provide an excellent moment in...
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Q & A with Chas Rich from "Pitt Blather"
Chas Rich runs the Pittsburgh blog “Pitt Blather” and is also a blogger for AOL Fanhouse. You can see his archive here.
I exchanged some questions for our big matchup on Tuesday.
You can read my answers to his questions over on Pitt Blather
Friarblog.com: Before this season, Pittsburgh has never been number 1…yet here we are in February, and you guys have already taken the...
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Bob Huggins: "One of the few times the writers...
According to The Charleston Gazette, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins was “dumbfounded” by this week’s coaches poll. WVU got 96 votes in the AP Poll, which would place them unranked, but essentially 27th place. However in the coaches’ poll, WVU got just SEVEN votes — good for 34th place.
“I’m dumbfounded,” said WVU coach Bob Huggins on Monday....
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NBE: Big East Dance Card (2/23/09)
Folks, there is a good chance this will be the last day I can post stuff like this…so enjoy.
Big East Dance Card 2/23/09
Providence: The Friars were in a few prominent projected brackets heading into the week, but I guarantee it will be very tough to find their name this week. They were destroyed in the second half by Louisville during the week, and then were blown out at home by fellow...
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CBSSports BlogPoll: Friarblog's Week 3 Ballot
It’s Monday morning, so that means, CBS BLOGPOLL!
By the way, last week I placed #3 for the award of the week “Mr. Numb Existence”, which goes to the voter closest to the poll at large. Um, hooray?
Here is my ballot for the week.
1 Pittsburgh 3
2 Connecticut 1
3 Oklahoma 1
4 North Carolina 1
5 Memphis 1
6 Louisville 1
7 Villanova 1
8 ...
Pitt Will Come to THE DUNK Ranked #1
Just another reason to be afraid of DeJuan Blair and Pittsburgh
As Friar Dom noted in a previous thread, Pittsburgh will be ranked #1 on Monday after #3 UNC lost to Maryland, and #2 Oklahoma (without AA Blake Griffin) lost to Texas. Pitt had defeated #1 UCONN last Monday. so they are the last ones standing among the top 4 teams in the nation.
Pitt Blather: So It Is Back to #1
Projo Hoops Blog:...
More ND Post-Mortem Links
Sorry for the lack of usual coverage after the game yesterday…I had to jet literally right after the brutal loss, and did not smash my laptop as some may have speculated.
Here are some more links, if you can handle thinking any more about the brutal home loss on Saturday.
Hey, at least since it was a big game with NCAA bubble implications, this story was picked up a lot by the national...
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Jim Calhoun: My Best Advice to You? Shut Up!
Still down about the ND loss Friar fans? Here is some more Jim Calhoun press conference antics to cheer up your day. I am sure going to miss this bastard when he retires!
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“If we can somehow find a way to beat [Pittsburgh on Tuesday], people will...”
– Keno Davis via Projo.com
PC Loses to ND, 103-84
AP Recap
Ryan Ayers scored 28, making seven of Notre Dame’s 13 3-pointers, as the Fighting Irish beat Providence 103-84 on Saturday. Ayers went 6-for-8 from the 3-point line in the first half as the Irish (15-11, 6-8 Big East) sank nine of their first 12 attempts to open a 17-point first-half lead.
Friars.com: Men’s Basketball Defeated By Notre Dame, 103-84
The Providence...
PC-ND Open Thread, with Extra Waffles
In order to get the Friars’ mojo going for their game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center today, I just had to finally order this on my usual Saturday morning trip to DD.
Yes Friartown, I have made a great sacrifice today — and if they win I might be in trouble, being a supersistious kinda guy.
If anyone is out of TV luck today, you can listen in at WDOM here.
So, let’s hear...
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Gomes Drops 26 in BIG EAST Blast from the Past
After Austin Croshere got waived, Ryan Gomes is now the only former Providence Friar in the NBA. I will try to give a Gomes update each week.
The Timberwolves won 1 of 3 games this week, with Ryan Gomes performing well in each game. On Friday night, he his best game of the season. Let’s take a look at all the games from the week.
2/17/09 - Minnesota 103, Washington 111
Jamison gets 29;...
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Da Bubble...It's Frustrating [Game Previews]
Well this is it folks. If the Friars want any chance of staying on the bubble, tomorrow’s game versus Notre Dame is the first with “Must win” status. Even more importantly, I am going to the RAC for the Rutgers game next weekend, and I want it to mean something damnit! I don’t get to go to many games, so I hope to at least have something extra to cheer for while I...
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Bracketology First Out is Another BIG EAST Party,...
Let’s hope that tonight is not the last time I get to post one of these for the season…
Updated Bracketology
FIRST FOUR OUT PROVIDENCE Cincinnati Georgetown Miami (Fla.)
Hey Miami! How have you been? Nice to see around here. Say “hi” to BC for us.
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Permenter Poised to Take Over Kale's Role of...
Check out this video of Keno Davis’ latest recruit, 6-9 JUCO big man Russ Permenter from Temple, Texas. Gotta love the emotion! Just be sure not to slap the backboard on your way down :)
KXXV.com
H/T to Scout user EPerm, who appears to be related to the soon-to-be Friar. Thanks!
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Video of Hanke's Block vs. Louisville
Here ya go Mac :)
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1987 Final Four Signed Ball on eBay [Auction Fun]
Saw this cool item on eBay.
Providence Friars Collector’s Regulation Sized Basketball AUTOGRAPHED by the Whole Team and Coaching Staff w/ 20th Anniversay 1987 Final Four Stamp
Only one bid on it, and it’s only .99!! Don’t expect to pay that though, because there is a reserve on it, and I’m guessing it won’t be too cheap. Maybe I’ll toss a small bid as an...
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ESPN Bubble Watch 2/19/09
College Basketball Bubble Watch
Providence [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 69, SOS: 42] The last eight days kind of summed up the Friars’ season. They continue to feast on the Big East’s lesser teams, beating South Florida (road) and Rutgers (home), but they’ve been unable to close the deal against the league’s tougher opponents. After losing at Louisville 94-76 on Wednesday night,...
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Keno Davis Post-Game Press Conference Quotes
From uoflsports.cstv.com
Providence Head Coach Keno Davis
(Opening statement) “I think what I told my team after the game was that for 20 minutes, we played like we had a chance out there. Then they obviously showed that they were a better team out there than we are now. With four games left we have to improve as a team. We need to be able to play through more physical contact, which has...
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“We shot lights out in the first half. But we knew we weren’t going to score 46...”
– Jeff Xavier via Projo.com
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WatchPC-Louisville Hightowerlights
AP Writer Sums It Up
AP Recap
Kale later picked up a technical when he slapped the backboard after a dunk, one of the few times the Friars showed any fight in the second half.
Ouch.
Friars Lose 94-76
Ugh.
That’s all there is to say really. PC had a great first half and took a 1 point lead into halftime, but just went ice cold for pretty much all of the second half.
While the Friars played awful on both ends of the court in the 2nd, it didn’t help that the refs decided they wanted to be the center of attention. Keno got teed up at one point after BMac was decked several times...