The joy I felt Wednesday after the Tigers convincing win over Duke, was completely erased as they blew a 19 point lead at home to Florida State on Saturday. Classic Tigers. I was hoping to have my story of my life as a Clemson basketball fan up today, but after Saturday it is on hold until I am once again to be fan.
What I'm watching tonight:
Kansas @ Missouri- 6PM ESPN
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Purdue @ Ohio State
Every once in awhile we get a pleasant surprise. I got one last night. I spend an unhealthy amount of time bashing Big 10 basketball whenever I engage in a discussion about college hoops. I think the conference lacks talent, the pace of the games are too slow, and the coaches refuse to be invented. That's why it was so easy for Thad Matta to recruit a few athletes and instantly run the other teams out of the gym. But, last night (thanks to KenPom), I decided to watch the Purdue at Ohio State game.
First thing I hear is that Robbie Hummel is out. this does not bode well for Purdue, this game, or my viewing pleasure. I'm still not sure how Hummel is good or if actually is good, but I know Purdue is much better with him playing. Luckily the Boilermakers got off to a fast start and I quickly realized I had a chance of actually watching a good game. It was a good game bordering on great game. Although Lavin kept pestering the viewing audience by reminding how bad Purdue was playing on defense. I kept thinking "you mean we're missing out on watching a classic Big 10 game were it takes five possessions to watch a slow white guy finally score on a baby hook down low. Damn you Purdue. Damn you!"
So besides Lavin bitching about something that was making the game more pleasurable to watch, it was a good game. Although the end of regulation was classic Big 10. So Purdue hits a deep three and then gets in the passing line for a break away dunk to tie the score with a minute to go. Both teams decide that it'd be better if neither of them got a shot off for the rest of regulation. Evan Turner got ahead of himself and lost the ball out of bounds for Ohio St. Then Purdue, against Ohio St.'s zone, decided to hold the ball for the last shot. Smart decision, although I think I would've called a timeout with about :12 on the clock. No timeout called and nothing good happens. Point guard penetrates the zone, the bigs help, and the point closes his eyes and hucks it off the glass. So I guess technically Purdue got a shot off, but no rim was hit in the last minute. Good work Big 10 offenses.
Couple notes on the game. Evan Turner is good, BJ Mullens sucks. I will never care how many points Mullens scores because I'm still waiting for him to score without a great assist leading to him dunking. We get it. You are seven feet and can dunk. Now do something else. JaJuan Johnson on the other hand look silky smooth on the block. Post moves leading to dunks, quick turn arounds, and a nice hook shot. I was very impressed and if Johnson continues to improve like he has, this could be a very good Purdue team next year. Probably just good enough to get a two seed and then lose to a seven seed in the second round, classic Big 10.
Notes on the other games I watched.
-There was a concerted effort by both South Carolina and Florida to play no defense.
-Downey is good, but that team really isn't good and shows how bad the SEC is.
-Kept wondering how much happier Donovan would be coaching Dwight Howard then his team.
-Kept wondering how much happier Dwight Howard is that Van Gundy is coaching is his team.
-Melo looks good with no corn rows.
-I was disappointed that San Antonio decided not to play anyone, thanks Pop.
-HUGE win for the Aztecs.
-Game was less than well played.
-Take it with Lo looking they he was going to puke every time they showed a close-up, Ritchie limping every close-up, and Shelton in the wrong state.
-You know your friends are drunk when with a minute to go in the game they still haven't figured out what color the team you are rooting for is.
What's on tap tonight
4:30 Wake Forest @ Miami (ESPN2)
5:30 Minnesota @ Michigan St. (Big 10 Network)
6:00 Duke @ Clemson (ESPN)
6:30 Missouri @ Texas (ESPN2)
7:30 USC @ UCLA (FSN)
First thing I hear is that Robbie Hummel is out. this does not bode well for Purdue, this game, or my viewing pleasure. I'm still not sure how Hummel is good or if actually is good, but I know Purdue is much better with him playing. Luckily the Boilermakers got off to a fast start and I quickly realized I had a chance of actually watching a good game. It was a good game bordering on great game. Although Lavin kept pestering the viewing audience by reminding how bad Purdue was playing on defense. I kept thinking "you mean we're missing out on watching a classic Big 10 game were it takes five possessions to watch a slow white guy finally score on a baby hook down low. Damn you Purdue. Damn you!"
So besides Lavin bitching about something that was making the game more pleasurable to watch, it was a good game. Although the end of regulation was classic Big 10. So Purdue hits a deep three and then gets in the passing line for a break away dunk to tie the score with a minute to go. Both teams decide that it'd be better if neither of them got a shot off for the rest of regulation. Evan Turner got ahead of himself and lost the ball out of bounds for Ohio St. Then Purdue, against Ohio St.'s zone, decided to hold the ball for the last shot. Smart decision, although I think I would've called a timeout with about :12 on the clock. No timeout called and nothing good happens. Point guard penetrates the zone, the bigs help, and the point closes his eyes and hucks it off the glass. So I guess technically Purdue got a shot off, but no rim was hit in the last minute. Good work Big 10 offenses.
Couple notes on the game. Evan Turner is good, BJ Mullens sucks. I will never care how many points Mullens scores because I'm still waiting for him to score without a great assist leading to him dunking. We get it. You are seven feet and can dunk. Now do something else. JaJuan Johnson on the other hand look silky smooth on the block. Post moves leading to dunks, quick turn arounds, and a nice hook shot. I was very impressed and if Johnson continues to improve like he has, this could be a very good Purdue team next year. Probably just good enough to get a two seed and then lose to a seven seed in the second round, classic Big 10.
Notes on the other games I watched.
-There was a concerted effort by both South Carolina and Florida to play no defense.
-Downey is good, but that team really isn't good and shows how bad the SEC is.
-Kept wondering how much happier Donovan would be coaching Dwight Howard then his team.
-Kept wondering how much happier Dwight Howard is that Van Gundy is coaching is his team.
-Melo looks good with no corn rows.
-I was disappointed that San Antonio decided not to play anyone, thanks Pop.
-HUGE win for the Aztecs.
-Game was less than well played.
-Take it with Lo looking they he was going to puke every time they showed a close-up, Ritchie limping every close-up, and Shelton in the wrong state.
-You know your friends are drunk when with a minute to go in the game they still haven't figured out what color the team you are rooting for is.
What's on tap tonight
4:30 Wake Forest @ Miami (ESPN2)
5:30 Minnesota @ Michigan St. (Big 10 Network)
6:00 Duke @ Clemson (ESPN)
6:30 Missouri @ Texas (ESPN2)
7:30 USC @ UCLA (FSN)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Books I Read in January
I had a pretty productive month in terms of books read in January. My goal is to read two books a week and I was able to accomplish that in January. When I started riding the bus to work my productivity really increased and helped my catch up from the slow start to the month.
Books
Built to Last by Collins & Porras- The book compares visionary companies and other large companies that weren't able to succeed like the visionary companies. Collins and Porras compare like kind companies and point out what makes a visionary company. There are suggestion at the end of each chapters for CEOs, managers, and entrepreneurs on how to help transform your business into a visionary company. Overall easy and enjoyable read. If I had more desire to turn my business into a large visionary company I might have enjoyed it slighty more.
The Fellowship if the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien-By far my least favorite book of the month, but still better then the movie. I still think I'll read the next one, but not overally enthusiastic about it. Why do people love this so much?
Exit Ghost by Phillip Roth- I liked this a lot and going into it I wasn't sure since Ryan told me it was just ok and he had trouble relating to Zuckerman now that he is a 70 year old man. I might be a 70 year old man because I had no problems relating to him. I would recommend this.
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch- The principle is interesting and important to be aware of, but the book didn't really do it for me. Prior to reading this I've already had read a lot about the 80/20 principle and this book added little more to my knowledge and lack specific advise on how to impletement ideas based on the principle. If you don't know about the principle I'd say the book is worth reading. If you already know about the principle I'd skip the book.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle- I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to move to France for a year. The book just made me feel good about people and life. I'd recommend this to anyway who likes traveling and going to new places.
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez- Not as good as I was hoping for. The main theme of the book is figuring out how much of your life you are spending on working and material things, finding out the true cost of the things you do and your true hourly wage. It preaches to find out where your money is truly going and people need to stop spending more than they make. This is a good book, especially for people who currently don't think consciously about their financial behavior.
The Lazarus Project by Aleksander Hemon- In interesting tale of a immigrant writer from Chicago and his investigation of the death of an immigrant in the early part of the 20th century. This is a good book, the writing is stronger than the plot, but still worth a read.
What Customers Really Want by Scott McKain- This was okay, basically a repackage of ideas I've already heard.
I'm currently reading I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max and Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson.
Books
Built to Last by Collins & Porras- The book compares visionary companies and other large companies that weren't able to succeed like the visionary companies. Collins and Porras compare like kind companies and point out what makes a visionary company. There are suggestion at the end of each chapters for CEOs, managers, and entrepreneurs on how to help transform your business into a visionary company. Overall easy and enjoyable read. If I had more desire to turn my business into a large visionary company I might have enjoyed it slighty more.
The Fellowship if the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien-By far my least favorite book of the month, but still better then the movie. I still think I'll read the next one, but not overally enthusiastic about it. Why do people love this so much?
Exit Ghost by Phillip Roth- I liked this a lot and going into it I wasn't sure since Ryan told me it was just ok and he had trouble relating to Zuckerman now that he is a 70 year old man. I might be a 70 year old man because I had no problems relating to him. I would recommend this.
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch- The principle is interesting and important to be aware of, but the book didn't really do it for me. Prior to reading this I've already had read a lot about the 80/20 principle and this book added little more to my knowledge and lack specific advise on how to impletement ideas based on the principle. If you don't know about the principle I'd say the book is worth reading. If you already know about the principle I'd skip the book.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle- I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to move to France for a year. The book just made me feel good about people and life. I'd recommend this to anyway who likes traveling and going to new places.
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez- Not as good as I was hoping for. The main theme of the book is figuring out how much of your life you are spending on working and material things, finding out the true cost of the things you do and your true hourly wage. It preaches to find out where your money is truly going and people need to stop spending more than they make. This is a good book, especially for people who currently don't think consciously about their financial behavior.
The Lazarus Project by Aleksander Hemon- In interesting tale of a immigrant writer from Chicago and his investigation of the death of an immigrant in the early part of the 20th century. This is a good book, the writing is stronger than the plot, but still worth a read.
What Customers Really Want by Scott McKain- This was okay, basically a repackage of ideas I've already heard.
I'm currently reading I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max and Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson.
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