Yesterday was a good day for those searching for proof that God loves others the same way he does Tim Tebow: South Carolina picks up the first points in the Fulmer Cup. Also, the media's Tebowmania came crashing down in a cavalcade of cliches why Tim Tebow might be a super good dude, but he is a left-handed version of Byron Leftwich. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Byron might not be as medically talented as Tebow, but he does have a couple of cool rides.
Tennessee football. I think that is all I have to say about that, right?
There are few things I love more than Schadenfreude, if for no other reason than feeling superior to South Carolina/Tennessee fans and wearing ascots at parties and saying Schadenfreude. Schadenfreude.
TD
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Schadenfreude. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Schadenfreude. Sort by date Show all posts
January 15, 2012
November 16, 2009
Great Moments in Schadenfreude
Credit the kid for eating his crow in public. Classy kid. But honestly, they could bottle this sort of Schadenfreude, and I would wear it as a cologne on game day. Spectacular.
PWD
March 1, 2006
Introducing "Tech Kemp" (Former GT advisor alleges NCAA Coverup)
The Germans have a word for it. "Schadenfreude." It means to delight in the misery of others.
I'm on record as having said that half of the fun of winning is the other guy losing. On days when I get news like "Spurrier to Retire" or "Tech to Vacate Wins," the emotions that fill me are on par with those I felt as an 8-year old boy running down the stairs on Christmas Day to open presents.
Today, the AJC is reporting that a former GT academic advisor is suing Tech for wrongful termination. He says that GT "deliberately concealed some of the NCAA violations" in an attempt to avoid scandal. The coverup would be another, much larger NCAA violation to go along with Tech's existing probation.
Tech Kemp is my Red Rider BB Gun
For those that don't remember, the entire Jan Kemp case at Georgia came about because Georgia wrongfully terminated Kemp. She blew the whistle to the NCAA about the lack of academic credentials for some Georgia athletes. So, Georgia fired her. Thus her suit.
This case reeks of the same situation. In 2003, Shane "Tech Kemp" Olivett's (Tech's advisor) says that he wanted to tell the NCAA about Tech's academic problems. The same problems that resulted in GT's current probation. Violations for which GT has already been proved guilty.
The advisor says that Braine, Gailey, and New were told in 2003 of the violations and elected to cover them up. However, GT did not report the violations at the time. In Jan. 2004, someone (it looks like it would be this same advisor) blew the whistle to the NCAA on GT's 8 year stint of eligibility driven violations.
From the AJC:
The bad news for Tech. Someone DID know that GT was in violation of NCAA rules. Someone did blow the whistle to the NCAA. Those are facts.
Why wouldn't the person who blew the whistle just tell Braine about the problem? Wouldn't that be the easiest way to handle things? If Olivett can prove that Braine, New, Gailey or Clough knew that Olivett was the whistle blower, he's got a great case.
GT may or may not win this case. Who cares. But this is the type of case that if it goes to trial, all of your dirty laundry gets aired. Either way. It's good times.
Paul "Mein Schadenfreude" Westerdawg
I'm on record as having said that half of the fun of winning is the other guy losing. On days when I get news like "Spurrier to Retire" or "Tech to Vacate Wins," the emotions that fill me are on par with those I felt as an 8-year old boy running down the stairs on Christmas Day to open presents.
Today, the AJC is reporting that a former GT academic advisor is suing Tech for wrongful termination. He says that GT "deliberately concealed some of the NCAA violations" in an attempt to avoid scandal. The coverup would be another, much larger NCAA violation to go along with Tech's existing probation.
Tech Kemp is my Red Rider BB Gun
For those that don't remember, the entire Jan Kemp case at Georgia came about because Georgia wrongfully terminated Kemp. She blew the whistle to the NCAA about the lack of academic credentials for some Georgia athletes. So, Georgia fired her. Thus her suit.
This case reeks of the same situation. In 2003, Shane "Tech Kemp" Olivett's (Tech's advisor) says that he wanted to tell the NCAA about Tech's academic problems. The same problems that resulted in GT's current probation. Violations for which GT has already been proved guilty.
The advisor says that Braine, Gailey, and New were told in 2003 of the violations and elected to cover them up. However, GT did not report the violations at the time. In Jan. 2004, someone (it looks like it would be this same advisor) blew the whistle to the NCAA on GT's 8 year stint of eligibility driven violations.
From the AJC:
President Wayne Clough, athletics director Dave Braine and another Georgia Tech official deliberately concealed some of the NCAA violations that led to the school being put on NCAA probation, a former Tech academic adviser alleges in a wrongful termination lawsuit.The good news for Tech is that it's Olivett's word against Gailey, Clough, New and Braine. Unless there is documentation that proves he told them about the violations, and they covered it up.
Tech, already stung by the May 2003 announcement it had dismissed 10 football players from school, decided it couldn't afford the public relations hit it would take from further academic bad news, Shane Olivett's suit alleges.
At a July 2003 meeting to discuss the eligibility of five or six football players, football coach Chan Gailey "explained that he could not weather another academic related scandal and try to recruit quality student-athletes to Georgia Tech," the suit says. "[Associate AD] repeatedly warned Defendant Braine that another eligibility scandal, if brought to the public's attention, would ruin Georgia Tech's athletic and academic reputations."
Olivett argued Tech had an obligation to self-report rules violations, but Braine and New rejected his advice, the suit says. Clough, who was not present at the meeting, and Braine "made the decision to conceal these facts from the NCAA and the public," the suit says.
The bad news for Tech. Someone DID know that GT was in violation of NCAA rules. Someone did blow the whistle to the NCAA. Those are facts.
Why wouldn't the person who blew the whistle just tell Braine about the problem? Wouldn't that be the easiest way to handle things? If Olivett can prove that Braine, New, Gailey or Clough knew that Olivett was the whistle blower, he's got a great case.
GT may or may not win this case. Who cares. But this is the type of case that if it goes to trial, all of your dirty laundry gets aired. Either way. It's good times.
Paul "Mein Schadenfreude" Westerdawg
September 5, 2008
Great Moments in Schadenfreude: Cocks Lose
It's a shame that I missed last night's epic pillow fight between Vanderbilt and South Carolina (logistical issues). However, I awaited the text message updates from Quinton and my dad with baited breath. The sports center highlights were worth every minute. Here are some SC melt down headlines of note to start your day.
- -- The autumn of his discontent - Blutarsky
-- The Brink of Disaster - The State
-- Black Thursday - Garnet and Black attack
-- Fighting Gamecocks Forum - Meltdown Central Message board
-- Vandy Blacks Out Gamecocks - Scout.com
Oh...and in case you were wonder. Yes...this has nudged the price of the UGA vs. SC ticket down a bit.
PWD
March 6, 2012
SEC Hoops Blogger Roundtable - My Thoughts
Each year, the voters of the SEC Hoops Power Poll do a round table at the end of the season. We have a few questions, each give our answers and then compare those answers. I am hosting the round table, which should appear tomorrow here.
Here are my answers to the questions:
1) Who is the player of the year? Coach of the year? Why?
Player of the year: Anthony Davis, KentuckyWhy: It isn't even close. He is leading the conference in FG%...by over 10%. He is nearly averaging a double-double on the season. There is no surprise that in Kentucky's only loss on the season (at Indiana), he 'only' played 24 minutes and was in foul trouble early. Kentucky is a very good basketball team without him. With him, they not only take their style of play to the other team, they impose their will on other teams. Kentucky doesn't need Davis to be great, but they are great because he is the best player on the court anytime Kentucky suits up.
Coach of the year: Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee
Why: Martin has taken a team that looked like they were going fold like fresh laundry and gotten them on the precipice of the NCAA tournament. With all of the non-sense that has gone on in Knoxville over the past year, including the home loss to Austin Peay, it would be easy for Martin to label this a rebuilding year and focus on next. Instead, he has kept a very young team focused on doing things the right way and fighting through adversity. Yes, UT still loses games they should win, but they are definitely playing much better than they should be. Martin is a very big part of that.
2) Who is the breakout player of the year? Why?
Breakout player of the year: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi StateWhy: Sitting out last year after transferring from UTEP, Moultrie has become an offensive constant for Mississippi State. He leads the conference in rebouding, is second to Anthony Davis in FG% and is playing over 36 minutes per game. He's projecting a first round draft pick. Not bad for a guy who averaged less than 10ppg at UTEP two years ago.
3) What team is the biggest surprise (good or bad)?
Biggest surprise: Tennessee VolunteersWhy: Seriously? They were picked to finish 11th in the conference. Now, they are sitting out the Thursday games in New Orleans. With the hearings and the players sitting out and the early season schadenfreude losses and a new coach, it was easy to write them off. They have quietly become a team that has potential to sneak into the NCAA tournament with a strong SEC tourney run.
I'd also give Mississippi State a dishonorable mention for their late season swoon, but if you've watched the Bulldogs for the last several years, you'd know to expect it.
4) Nationally, the SEC is viewed as top heavy, but weak below about team #3. What are your thoughts on the conference's performance in the national view?
Part of the national view is shaped by the awful early season losses by Tennessee (Oakland, Austin Peay and College of Charleston), LSU (Coastal Carolina), South Carolina (Elon and Providence), and Vandy (Indiana State). It also didn't help that Kentucky lost a buzzer beater to a very good Indiana team on national TV.
Overall, that view is right. Outside of Kentucky and Vanderbilt, there is no other team that folks would be terribly nervous about playing on a neutral court. Until Florida gets their crap together, you can't put them in that group. Alabama and Tennessee are dangerous, but green. Arkansas has shown they can do it, but are playing like the Michigan win was their championship game. Ole Miss and Mississippi State are talented, but lack team unity. As for the rest of the conference, you pretty much can say they are safe senior day schedule fillers.
5) What teams will make the NCAA tourney? Any surprise runs forthcoming?
Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, and Alabama are locks. I think Mississippi State has to win at least one SECt game to get in. Tennessee has to win at least one, and maybe two, to get in. I'm predicting a UGA upset on Thursday night in New Orleans, spelling an NIT bid and the end of the Stansbury era in Starkville. I think Tennessee gets at least one win and will get a bid to the NCAA, although it is dependent on upsets around the mid-majors and no deep conference tournament runs by teams like Ole Miss, Illinois, Northwestern, NC State, BYU, or Seton Hall. If Tennessee gets in, watch out. They'll be seeded 11th or so, putting them against a middle of the road Big 10/Big East team or a mid-major at large. Don't be surprised about the Vols making a Sweet 16 run.
As for Florida/Vandy/Alabama, Vandy and Alabama are possible Sweet 16 teams, but it is hard to say they will get there with the inconsistency they have shown. Florida is in trouble and could be a first game upset.
Anything short of a National Championship will be a huge disappointment for Ketucky. As usual.
TD
May 29, 2007
UGA keeps GT out of Baseball Tourney
The Georgia Bulldog baseball season was a complete and total debacle. The only silver lining on an otherwise turd of a season were the two wins over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.(Image: Tech's second baseman)
On Monday, the Yellow Jackets were left out of the 64 team NCAA Tournament (AJC) with a record of 32-25 overall and 15-14 in the ACC. The last ACC team to make the field was Wake Forest with a record of 33-27 overall and 14-16 in the ACC.
How can there by any doubt that losing the season series to the Diamond Dogs kept the Nerds out of the Tourney?
Schadenfreude thy name is Perno.
See Also:
-- Tech's season is over - GT Blog
PWD
May 14, 2013
Tennessee Schadenfreude: Non-Dooley/Kiffin edition
Trae Golden leaving UT's basketball program was only a minor shock. After all, players leave programs fairly regularly in hoops, especially when there are allegations of academic issues. Academic progress is an issue that you must face in programs, even at Georgia.
But the story just got juicy. Apparently the head of the student judiciaryresigned instead of cooperating with the UT investigation got fired for not cooperating with an investigation. And there are allegations of 'improper relationships' with student-athletes. So, was Golden being kept eligible through the Student Judiciary while he played? How about others?
The only bad news (for Georgia's perspective) is that since UGA beat Tennessee twice this year in hoops [INSERT YOUR OWN JUST LIKE FOOTBALL JOKE HERE], we don't end up with a vacated loss from this season. The good news, beyond the possibility of yet another academic/program control issue in Knoxville, is the Internets haz comment threads and message boards. Like this one at Out Kick the Coverage. Delicious.
TD
But the story just got juicy. Apparently the head of the student judiciary
The only bad news (for Georgia's perspective) is that since UGA beat Tennessee twice this year in hoops [INSERT YOUR OWN JUST LIKE FOOTBALL JOKE HERE], we don't end up with a vacated loss from this season. The good news, beyond the possibility of yet another academic/program control issue in Knoxville, is the Internets haz comment threads and message boards. Like this one at Out Kick the Coverage. Delicious.
TD
April 27, 2010
NCAA Passes on Adams
Next time you are in Boston, be sure to give Bob Ryan a kick in the balls. Don't get us wrong. It's been slow in the schadenfreude department, so Ryan's and the Boston Globe's withering takedowns of Adams were each a pleasure. But is the enemy of my enemy my friend? Not when it means Adams is staying in Athens.
The NCAA skipped over Mike Adams and named University of Washington president Mark Emmert as its next president. Who knows what the carried the day with the search committee, but I'm sure the bad publicity from the Boston Globe didn't help, particularly taking Adams to task over graduation rates. Or maybe the search committee met him personally.
[Photo: AP/John Amis] Not so fast, my friend. Il Duce needs a new exit strategy.
The NCAA skipped over Mike Adams and named University of Washington president Mark Emmert as its next president. Who knows what the carried the day with the search committee, but I'm sure the bad publicity from the Boston Globe didn't help, particularly taking Adams to task over graduation rates. Or maybe the search committee met him personally.
[Photo: AP/John Amis] Not so fast, my friend. Il Duce needs a new exit strategy.
August 29, 2014
About last night...
South Carolina endured a very swift and far fall from pre-season SEC East favorite at the hands of Texas A&M. What does that mean for Georgia? Well, we are 1/2 game up on them, for one. Look for Spurrier to renew his call for division games to matter more, I guess. Though he's got bigger issues than the division race right now.
Or Texas A&M is going to win the west by 22 games. Mike Slive is looking like a genius going after the Aggies, because no one but Longhorn fans remembers when they were a perennially underachieving Big12 team.
And then there is Vanderbilt. Damn. James Franklin really was a genius. Losing by 30 at home to Temple?
Of course, there is plenty of football left to be played, but Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia (and hell, Kentucky) has to feel pretty good right now about what happened in Nashville and Columbia last night.
Schadenfreude tweet of the day:
TD
Or Texas A&M is going to win the west by 22 games. Mike Slive is looking like a genius going after the Aggies, because no one but Longhorn fans remembers when they were a perennially underachieving Big12 team.
And then there is Vanderbilt. Damn. James Franklin really was a genius. Losing by 30 at home to Temple?
Of course, there is plenty of football left to be played, but Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia (and hell, Kentucky) has to feel pretty good right now about what happened in Nashville and Columbia last night.
Schadenfreude tweet of the day:
#SEC Fun with Spurrier Meme's... #Gigged pic.twitter.com/pjFnVyBR0VGATA, y'all.
— GATA Dawgs (@BassinDawg) August 29, 2014
TD
March 9, 2012
Basketball Schadenfreude
It isn't often you get to write one of these, but the picture in the AJC says it all:
Between this picture, which pretty accurately sums up the whole debacle that was Georgia Tech's 36 point effort in the ACC tournament, and the Auburn point shaving non-sense, I have to ask: "How did we lose to these jokers?"
I know I've been pretty Jekyll and Hydish this season about Georgia basketball, but we lost to Auburn, Georgia Tech,Arkansas, and South Carolina, all teams that are done mailing it in. I guess the good news is that South Dakota State is in the NCAA tournament, so that win looks pretty good.
Anytime you get to see Georgia Tech's coach with this look on his face at the ACC tournament (and for all practical purposes a home game), and let's face it, we have seen it plenty recently, it isn't a terrible day.
TD
 |
| (Image: Compton @AJC) |
I know I've been pretty Jekyll and Hydish this season about Georgia basketball, but we lost to Auburn, Georgia Tech,
Anytime you get to see Georgia Tech's coach with this look on his face at the ACC tournament (and for all practical purposes a home game), and let's face it, we have seen it plenty recently, it isn't a terrible day.
TD
January 4, 2010
Spurrier's Nightmare Continues
The autopsy from South Carolina's
However, the depth of ineptitude really is staggering from the game. Consider:
- 10 Play 5 Yard Drive - How exactly do you manage to work so cover such little real estate.
- 4th and Dumb - Spurrier turned the ball over on downs after going for it on 4th and 1 from his own 32 yard line. Your offensive line is a mess without a position coach, and you go for it on your own 32? UConn got an easy FG after that.
- Hot Potato - The Gamecocks couldn't catch...anything (~10 dropped passes, dropped INTs and dropped snaps for field goal opportunities).
- Gamecocks can't turn corner - Charleston Post
- Another dismal bowl performance - Myrtle Beach Sun
- Harder to Explain than Outback Bowl Loss - The State
- So Typical, So Carolina - Post-Courier
- Permanently Stuck in Neutral - TheState
- A coaching graveyard - Birmingham News
- Bowl Season Winners and Losers - Chattanooga Free Press
- Something old. Something News - Blutarsky
May 14, 2008
Cock-a-Doodle-Doo Perrilloux to JSU
Ryan Perrilloux will be attending Jacksonville State University next season according to the B-Ham News, ESPN and Perrilloux. But, why should you care? (Image: Visitors Section at JSU)
Because schadenfreude makes my heart warm and because Georgia Tech opens its season against the JSU Gamecocks. Frankly, I had seen the other JSU QBs in action up close and personal, and they were positively wretched. Luckily for JSU, all of those bums are off the roster. According to ESPN:
He'll have a clear shot at the Jacksonville State starting job, though. The Gamecocks' 2007 starter, Cedric Johnson, was kicked off the team after the season for violating team rules. Two other quarterbacks left the team and another graduated.I'm not going to kid you. Tech should beat Jax State by three touchdowns. But a single, ultra athletic QB facing a defense with a new system and a fumble prone GT offense could make things much more interesting than the GT faithful would like.
As for motivation in that game, there are two coaches walking this planet who know more about the pain of losing to Div I-AA opponents in season openers than anyone else. Those men are Lloyd Carr and JSU head coach Jack Crowe. Crowe was the head coach at Arkansas in 1992 when the Razorbacks dropped the season opener to The Citadel. Crowe was unemployed by Sunday following the loss. That doesn't make him a great coach. Just a guy that knows both sides of the David and Goliath story.
I honestly don't expect Perrilloux to make it through the season at JSU without incident, and I frankly don't care. However, I do think that he can stay out of trouble long enough to start the season opener in this one.
PWD
January 5, 2010
Suck it Nerds. Dawgs Win!
I love college basketball. I love Georgia, and I love winning. God Bless America. Georgia defeated Tech 73-66 in basketball tonight. The Jackets and Paul Hewitt were grossly out coached by Mark Fox, and the Bulldog players played as well as possible in the victory.
Tech probably has four or more NBA players on their roster, and we...well...don't. But we have a coach now. And we don't lose to Tech in Athens. Period.
As a friend texted me post-game. "Dear Dave Braine and Mark Carmony. Thanks for Hewitt's contract." Tech will owe Hewitt $5-6 million if they terminate him, and they don't have that sort of cheese laying around.
This was a big win for Coach Fox. He needed to show that the program has life in it. That we can play entertaining basketball again. That we can build a winner here. Tonight was directionally what the program needs to move forward and put the ugly past six years slowly into the rear view mirror.
Buy a ticket. Come watch the team. There will be nights on the road in SEC play where we look lost and confused (like the Missouri game on Saturday), but there's also going to be nights in Athens where much more talented teams will tumble just like Tech.
Why? Because we're well coach, and we play a smart brand of basketball that's fun to watch. Get to Athens and give 'em a chance.
More later, when I'm not so giddy. Oh...and GO HAWKEYES!
Great Moments in Schadenfreude:
-- The Hive Reaction
-- Stingtalk Reaction
PWD
September 2, 2008
Great Moments in Schadenfreude: Vols Lose
If you're up late or rising early tomorrow, make sure you check out the Vol implosion on their message boards following the debacle in the Rose Bowl:
Georgia and Auburn will have better defenses than UCLA this year, and Alabama will be at least comparable. Georgia, Auburn, and Florida will all have better offenses than UCLA. In other words, the Vols have a lot of big picture issues to figure in an awfully big hurry.
PS -- What was so different about this "Clawfense" offense versus every other UT offense that we've seen for the past 20+ years. I saw some new formations, but it fundamentally looked like the same old thing. Only it was less productive than the Cutcliffe version.
I'm in a giddy state of bliss.
PWD
- -- VolChat
-- Volquest Chat
-- VolNation
Georgia and Auburn will have better defenses than UCLA this year, and Alabama will be at least comparable. Georgia, Auburn, and Florida will all have better offenses than UCLA. In other words, the Vols have a lot of big picture issues to figure in an awfully big hurry.
PS -- What was so different about this "Clawfense" offense versus every other UT offense that we've seen for the past 20+ years. I saw some new formations, but it fundamentally looked like the same old thing. Only it was less productive than the Cutcliffe version.
I'm in a giddy state of bliss.
PWD
November 19, 2006
RUMOR ALERT: SPURRIER TO MIAMI (ESPN.COM)
 |
In a move that would shake college football, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has been targeted as a leading candidate to succeed Larry Coker should he be dismissed as Miami head coach, a source close to the situation said Sunday. Coker is expected to be fired after Thursday's game against Boston College.When Spurrier went to South Carolina, Kirk Herbstreit said on ESPN College Gameday what the rest of the college football world was thinking....."If Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier can't win at South Carolina, no one can." These are Hall of Fame coaches, and they can't move the needle beyond an occassional 8 win season. Who on earth could SC get?
(Image: Golf season is longer in Miami)
One fan has published his list of candidates. Most of these guys wouldn't get elected Dog Catcher in Columbia. Much less get named coach. Obviously, that's not an official list...just idle chatter, but it's comedy gold reading the SC message boards today.
Why would Spurrier leave?:
-- He's unhappy with the facilities
-- South Carolina's finances won't let them upgrade facilities fast enough
-- He's struggling with recruiting.
-- His record at Columbia is a blistering 13-10 with a great chance to finish the season with another Clemson loss bringing him to the toweringly unimpressive and frustrating 13-11.
-- He's called his current group of players: Idiots, Dumbasses and Losers.
This is schadenfreude at its best. It's a stick in the eye to UF and the Gamecocks.
BTW -- Miami's Rivals.com site also lists Spurrier as the top candidate. (Subscription)
PWD
June 26, 2006
Gator Hoops 'Kingpin'
The Georgia Sports Blog staff was wondering just the other day what ever happened to Gator hoops [Photo: One of these men is a cheater. The other is Teddy Dupay.]
We were waaaay off. Teddy, 26, is more or less gainfully employed as a telemarketer for the Whitney Education Group in Salt Lake City. The telemarketing part, not so shocking. The Salt Lake City part, shocking. Never been to the fair city, but we'd have to imagine the gambling scene is bleak.
Hmmm...there's a dynamite movie screenplay here somewhere. We envision kind of a rags-to-riches story of a former sports star with a shady past who finds himself in an obscure Puritanical locale where he meet a prodigy he can mentor. Can you smell the Hollywood gold! Stop me if this sounds familiar...
You don't want to know how Teddy pays his rent.Dawgnoxious,
Schadenfreude
Hat Tip: Deadspin
June 2, 2006
Friday Morning Rundown
A couple of worthy uses of your time this morning:
A preview of the NCAA Regional in Athens this weekend.
A preview of the NCAA Regional in Athens this weekend.
AJC profiles three SEC QB recruiting sensations Mitch Mustain, Tim Tebow, and of course Matt Stafford. The article says Urban Meyer thinks Tebow deserves playing time this year, while Richt is "still evaluating" the situation. Sure he is.
SEC coaches continue to object to the new NCAA rule allowing players to transfer without sitting out a year if they have completed their undergraduate studies and received their diploma. The rule has been the scourge of the SEC summer meeting in Destin. Barring a repeal of the rule, the SEC schools are expected to close a conference rule loophole that prohibits accepting transfers unless they have two years of eligibility remaining so they can "be on the same playing field as everybody else". I'm on the fence with this one. I'd hate to see the Dawgs lose a guy in his fifth year of eligibility, but the thought of Ronnie Brown leaving Auburn high and dry is unspeakably rich schadenfreude.
Orson's Ten Things We'd like to Hear Brent Musberger Say is funny. A preview: You’re looking live…at my fat white ass! (shaking exposed buttocks) Jiggledy jiggledy doo, America!
Finally, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Kyle King previews the previewers. 
[The image, Athlon's. The analysis, the Mayor's]
October 31, 2011
Random Thoughts on the Cocktail Party
Watching our special teams play was like watching a teenage cutter holding a box of Wusthofs. It was sad and gross to watch, yet the plot line would make a pretty decent Lifetime Movie with Meredith Baxter playing the role of Coach Richt. It was enough to make me miss Jon Fabris...a little.
But we won. And that's all that matters. After 17 trips to Jacksonville, I can tell you I've seen us play way smarter and lose.
And why did we win? Because the defense, which was a rolling shipment of fail last year, simply got dramatically better. The result -- If you have a few minutes to enjoy a cold beer and warm schadenfreude, read these Gator recaps from Orson Swindle and Run Home Jack over at EDSBS:
However, without Charlie's offensive reputation, there's the cold reality that the Gators' head coach is just a loudmouth ex-UGA player who is now 0-5 in Jacksonville.
And by the way ... going for it on 4th and 19 is an absolutely, positively stupid call. It doesn't matter that it worked. It's still such a galactically stupid call as to bring your entire thought process into question. Assuming there was a thought process to begin with.
See Also:
-- "If Weis is a Genius, then Addazzio was a Mastermind." - Orlando Sentinel
PWD
But we won. And that's all that matters. After 17 trips to Jacksonville, I can tell you I've seen us play way smarter and lose.
And why did we win? Because the defense, which was a rolling shipment of fail last year, simply got dramatically better. The result -- If you have a few minutes to enjoy a cold beer and warm schadenfreude, read these Gator recaps from Orson Swindle and Run Home Jack over at EDSBS:
"You could give Charlie Weis a Garmin, fifteen Sherpas, a moving walkway made up of arrows saying "MARZIPAN FACTORY THIS WAY FREE SAMPLES" and the ball on the eight yard line and that piece of shit still couldn't find the end zone." - RHJHonestly, I don't expect Weis to be back in Gainesville next year. Muschamp really can't fire the guy, but Weis has the career competence to look around and see that his QB situation isn't going to get much better (he's sampled the goods already). This is just a bad fit. The bad news...the Gators will be better off without him.
"But don't say this is all necessary. It's not. Meyer's struggles in his first year got him to nine wins. [NAME REDACTED] learned and unlearned basic arithmetic on the job and still won seven games. This team will lose to Vanderbilt. This team will lose to South Carolina. This team will lose to Florida State, and they will miss a bowl game for the first time since the pre-Spurrier era. That is not good coaching. That's failure, and boring, depressing failure at that. At least fight James Franklin at the fifty when you're done losing to Vandy, Will, and thus give us something to cheer about." - OS
However, without Charlie's offensive reputation, there's the cold reality that the Gators' head coach is just a loudmouth ex-UGA player who is now 0-5 in Jacksonville.
And by the way ... going for it on 4th and 19 is an absolutely, positively stupid call. It doesn't matter that it worked. It's still such a galactically stupid call as to bring your entire thought process into question. Assuming there was a thought process to begin with.
See Also:
-- "If Weis is a Genius, then Addazzio was a Mastermind." - Orlando Sentinel
PWD
March 7, 2012
SEC Hoops Power Poll Blogger Round Table
1) Who is the player of the year? Coach of the year? Why?
Player of the year: Anthony Davis, Kentucky - Unanimous pickAnthony Davis is the player of year, perhaps not only for the conference but for the nation. His game-in, game-out performance is simply phenomenal; he's averaging nearly a double-double, and he has a simply unbelievable .66 FG%. As if those stats didn't say enough, he tends to play his best in big games, such as his 28-point, 10-11 (!!!) shooting performance in the recent game against Vanderbilt. Just an astoundingly good player who has the look of a Final Four MVP. - Garnet and Black Attack
Davis has distinguished himself in the SEC by being the single most important player on a team of superior players. Without Davis, the Wildcats would be a very good NCAA caliber team. With him, they are almost unbeatable. Even if Davis doesn't score a point, he is worth about 8-10 points defensively with the way he blocks, challenges, and changes shots. He is the all-time SEC leading shot blocker in a season, and affects the game in so many ways that his true value is difficult to accurately discern. - A Sea of Blue
Coach of the year: John Calipari, Kentucky
I don't know if Calipari's one and done strategy will pay off in the long run with Coach K like multiple national championships or Tom Izzo like Final Four appearances, but the one thing he has done is mold four new and very talented players into an already loaded roster and made them better as the season has gone on. This is his best coaching job in his first three seasons as the Wildcats are considered near locks to make it back to the Final 4. An impressive feat in today's world of roster turnover. - ACC and SEC Blog
Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee
Martin has taken a team that looked like they were going fold like fresh laundry and gotten them on the precipice of the NCAA tournament. With all of the non-sense that has gone on in Knoxville over the past year, including the home loss to Austin Peay, it would be easy for Martin to label this a rebuilding year and focus on next. Instead, he has kept a very young team focused on doing things the right way and fighting through adversity. Yes, UT still loses games they should win, but they are definitely playing much better than they should be. Martin is a very big part of that. - Georgia Sports Blog
Anthony Grant, Alabama
The argument against him is that Alabama was supposed to be good all along, but I've been impressed by how Grant was able to pull the Tide through a disappointing stretch and get his team in gear for a tourney run. You could also easily go with John Calipari here, who has managed to pull off the difficult feat of exceeding expectations with a team that was expected to challenge for a national title, but I feel Grant has had the tougher job this year, and he's done well with it. - Garnet and Black Attack
2) Who is the breakout player of the year? Why?
Breakout player of the year: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
The junior ranks 4th in the SEC in scoring at 16 ppg and is also pulling down nearly 11 rebounds per night. Moultrie coming off a transfer year from UTEP where he averaged 10 and 9 ppg in his first two seasons so the fact that he has raised his scoring and rebound average in a tougher league impresses me. - The ACC/SEC Blog
Patric Young, Florida
I think a lot might say Arnett Moultrie, which is my second choice, but Young was totally over matched as a freshman and has the chance to be dominant in the future at UF. He had a better "breakout" than Moultrie did, since Moultrie is older and had contributed at UTEP. - And The Valley Shook
Justin Hamilton, LSU
Hamilton, an Iowa State transfer, has been one of the conference's more steady big men, and he's made a major difference for an LSU team that struggled last year without him. He's qualifies as a great breakout player in my book. - Garnet and Black Attack
The junior ranks 4th in the SEC in scoring at 16 ppg and is also pulling down nearly 11 rebounds per night. Moultrie coming off a transfer year from UTEP where he averaged 10 and 9 ppg in his first two seasons so the fact that he has raised his scoring and rebound average in a tougher league impresses me. - The ACC/SEC Blog
Patric Young, Florida
I think a lot might say Arnett Moultrie, which is my second choice, but Young was totally over matched as a freshman and has the chance to be dominant in the future at UF. He had a better "breakout" than Moultrie did, since Moultrie is older and had contributed at UTEP. - And The Valley Shook
Justin Hamilton, LSU
Hamilton, an Iowa State transfer, has been one of the conference's more steady big men, and he's made a major difference for an LSU team that struggled last year without him. He's qualifies as a great breakout player in my book. - Garnet and Black Attack
Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt
Why: Taylor has become an extremely dangerous perimeter player, and combined with his remarkable athleticism and improved ballhandling, may have played his way into the 2012 draft lottery. Taylor keeps proving to everyone that he still has plenty of room to improve, and considering the outstanding player he has become, that's saying something. - A Sea of Blue
Why: Taylor has become an extremely dangerous perimeter player, and combined with his remarkable athleticism and improved ballhandling, may have played his way into the 2012 draft lottery. Taylor keeps proving to everyone that he still has plenty of room to improve, and considering the outstanding player he has become, that's saying something. - A Sea of Blue
3) What team is the biggest surprise (good or bad)?
Biggest surprise: Tennessee VolunteersWhy: Seriously? They were picked to finish 11th in the conference. Now, they are sitting out the Thursday games in New Orleans. With the hearings and the players sitting out and the early season schadenfreude losses and a new coach, it was easy to write them off. They have quietly become a team that has potential to sneak into the NCAA tournament with a strong SEC tourney run. I'd also give Mississippi State a dishonorable mention for their late season swoon, but if you've watched the Bulldogs for the last several years, you'd know to expect it. - Georgia Sports Blog
I think you could say both LSU and Tennessee. I don't think anyone thought they would be fighting for the 5th spot in the league at any point in the season, least of all the final week. Combined they are 11-3 in February, which is definitely shocking since they had 22 combined losses going into February. - And The Valley Shook
4) Nationally, the SEC is viewed as top heavy, but weak below about team #3. What are your thoughts on the conference's performance in the national view?
A Sea of Blue:
I think the national view has been accurate this year. Alabama has disappointed, as has Mississippi State. Vanderbilt has not been as good as advertised, and Florida, despite showing some great early prowess, seems to have peaked too early, plus suffered a key injury that may have them stumbling into a lower seed in the NCAA tournament.
The SEC had high hopes this year, but outside of Kentucky, you'd have to say it was a bit disappointing, if not a total bust.
The reason is simple. The fan support just isn't there for basketball in the SEC. The league does have a chance to get better by being able to spend more money on new coaches (and more importantly fire any coach) than any other conference. But until that money turns into wins the SEC will not be in the B1G/Big East/ACC yearly debate for best conference.
And The Valley Shook:
Part of the national view is shaped by the awful early season losses by Tennessee (Oakland, Austin Peay and College of Charleston), LSU (Coastal Carolina), South Carolina (Elon and Providence), and Vandy (Indiana State). It also didn't help that Kentucky lost a buzzer beater to a very good Indiana team on national TV.
I think the national view has been accurate this year. Alabama has disappointed, as has Mississippi State. Vanderbilt has not been as good as advertised, and Florida, despite showing some great early prowess, seems to have peaked too early, plus suffered a key injury that may have them stumbling into a lower seed in the NCAA tournament.
The SEC had high hopes this year, but outside of Kentucky, you'd have to say it was a bit disappointing, if not a total bust.
ACC/SEC Blog:
With Kentucky being so dominant, the SEC will always be in the news. But after that Florida and Vanderbilt have been very inconsistent and the West is largely mediocre again. I look at it how ACC Football was in the early 2000s when FSU was competing for national titles every year and a Clemson or Georgia Tech may have a good season here or there but largely the league was mediocre.The reason is simple. The fan support just isn't there for basketball in the SEC. The league does have a chance to get better by being able to spend more money on new coaches (and more importantly fire any coach) than any other conference. But until that money turns into wins the SEC will not be in the B1G/Big East/ACC yearly debate for best conference.
Garnet and Black Attack:
I think the SEC is underrated. It's not the best conference, but it's solid. Yes, the top three teams are head and shoulders above the rest, and Kentucky is head and shoulders above Vandy and Florida. That said, Alabama, Mississippi St., LSU, and Tennessee are all solid teams. I could see 'Bama or MSU surprising and making it into the Sweet 16 or so, and LSU and UT are good threats to win the NIT. That's not bad depth at all.
I think that is actually a fair view. In fact, I think the national view is correct with the SEC this year. It's an OK league that will get a decent amount of teams into the tournament, but didn't have the kind of year in out of conference play to support it as one of the top 3 leagues.
Georgia Sports Blog:Part of the national view is shaped by the awful early season losses by Tennessee (Oakland, Austin Peay and College of Charleston), LSU (Coastal Carolina), South Carolina (Elon and Providence), and Vandy (Indiana State). It also didn't help that Kentucky lost a buzzer beater to a very good Indiana team on national TV.
Overall, that view is right. Outside of Kentucky and Vanderbilt, there is no other team that folks would be terribly nervous about playing on a neutral court. Until Florida gets their crap together, you can't put them in that group. Alabama and Tennessee are dangerous, but green. Arkansas has shown they can do it, but are playing like the Michigan win was their championship game. Ole Miss and Mississippi State are talented, but lack team unity. As for the rest of the conference, you pretty much can say they are safe senior day schedule fillers.
5) What teams will make the NCAA tourney? Any surprise runs forthcoming?
Everyone has Kentucky (duh), Vandy and Florida as locks. There is a consensus that Alabama will make it as well. We all agree that Mississippi State and Ole Miss have to make runs in the SECt to get a bid. A couple of us think Tennessee will make it with a couple of wins.
And The Valley Shook:
Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Mississippi State.
Garnet and Black Attack:
Kentucky, Vandy, Florida, and Alabama are more or less locks, although 'Bama could miss out if it totally collapses in the last couple of games. Mississippi St. has a good chance if it wins a few games down the stretch. LSU might have a chance if it makes the finals of the SEC Tournament or so. Past that, I don't see anyone making it without winning the SECT. Tennessee has the look of a team that might be able to pull off the surprise and do that. In March, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Vandy makes a run to the Elite Eight. They're playing really well right now and have the kind of balance and depth that oftentimes serves a team well in the Tournament.
A Sea of Blue:
Making the grade: Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi St., Alabama, and going out on a limb here and predicting a couple of SECT wins, I say Tennessee sneaks in.
Everyone has Kentucky (duh), Vandy and Florida as locks. There is a consensus that Alabama will make it as well. We all agree that Mississippi State and Ole Miss have to make runs in the SECt to get a bid. A couple of us think Tennessee will make it with a couple of wins.
And The Valley Shook:
Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Mississippi State.
Surprise: Kentucky will not only lose the SEC tournament, they will lose before the finals.
Garnet and Black Attack:
Kentucky, Vandy, Florida, and Alabama are more or less locks, although 'Bama could miss out if it totally collapses in the last couple of games. Mississippi St. has a good chance if it wins a few games down the stretch. LSU might have a chance if it makes the finals of the SEC Tournament or so. Past that, I don't see anyone making it without winning the SECT. Tennessee has the look of a team that might be able to pull off the surprise and do that. In March, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Vandy makes a run to the Elite Eight. They're playing really well right now and have the kind of balance and depth that oftentimes serves a team well in the Tournament.
ACC/SEC Blog:
Kentucky, Florida, and Vanderbilt are in. I feel pretty good about Alabama too. After that I think Miss State or Ole Miss has a chance if they can win get to the Finals in the SEC Tournament and the small conference tourneys go to form and don't take away their spots. I am still waiting for the Vandy we thought we would see all season long, but I don't see a run considering Stallings recent NCAA history.A Sea of Blue:
Making the grade: Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi St., Alabama, and going out on a limb here and predicting a couple of SECT wins, I say Tennessee sneaks in.
Many thanks to the participating bloggers and to Garnet and Black attack for hosting the poll this season.
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