The BIAH Quotables

This a new feature we are trying out here at BIAH this season. Throughout the week, we are going to post some notable quotes or excerpts that show up in our google reader. Stupid people say stupid things 24 hours a day, and being somehow associated with the college hoops landscape does not preclude that fact. That said, we will not limit our quotables to the simple and idiotic, as the insightful and intelligent will also be highlighted. Feel free to pass along any quotables you stumble across to contactbiah@gmail.com or @ballinisahabit.


The biggest news of the week comes from Chapel Hill, where Roy Williams had a fan of visiting Presbyterian ejected for heckling Deon Thompson. Here is what the fan had to say afterwards:

I didn't say anything vulgar, I was not intoxicated ... I was cheering for Presbyterian. I was excited to see my little team play a big team. ... When it happened, it was so quiet in the arena; at that point, everyone was talking about their golf scores and portfolios, and I was still cheering. Coach Williams didn't like it, that's all. I don't blame him, but he did over-react.

Here's what coach Williams said in defense what he did:

I just don't think anybody should yell negative things toward our players that come in on our tickets in our place to watch the game.

Gary Parrish is never one to shy away from controversy. In this week's "Ask Gary", he gave his thoughts on how it all went down:

I suppose that's John's not-so-subtle way of demanding that I write about Roy Williams having a fan removed from North Carolina's win over Presbyterian, and so here goes. What did I think of the incident? I thought it was ridiculous, small and completely out of line, particularly for somebody of Williams' stature. Coaches shouldn't have any control over what happens in the crowd, regardless of whether they are at home or in an opposing arena.

The other big hoops-related news of the week is the possible expansion of March Madness from 64 teams to 96 teams. Mike DeCourcy gives a real world analogy to the situation:

Most important, getting into the tournament wouldn't mean much if 96 teams were admitted. It's like being invited to your class reunion. You graduated, they found your address, so you get a letter. It doesn't mean you were popular.

Cincinnati lost it's second close game in a row, losing to UAB. Head coach Mic Cronin was upset about the number of turnovers his team committed. He believes it might have cost his team the game:

When you're down and playing a quality opponent, the value of a possession doubles. We've been doing this all year. Just giving possessions away. We've just out rebounded everybody and it's made up for it. Anytime we tried to mount a run, we just gave the ball away.

Coach Cal is at it again. This time, he tried to gauge how motivated his team was by leaving practice and filming the team while they played without him:

I did the warm up stuff with them Tuesday, had them scrimmage without me stopping and I told them I’ll leave and watch the tape. All the stuff we worked on, they reverted back to playing casually. For us to be where we want to be they’ve got to be empowered, more empowered than this. But this team is not ready to be empowered, I keep saying we’re young and so inexperienced.

Despite it being finals week across most college campuses, some teams still decided to suit up and play games. Georgia Tech beat up on the ever-popular Arkansas-Pine Bluff by only 12 points. Tech's Gani Lawal was shocked it was that close:

I was a little surprised. It shouldn't have been that close at all.

his teammate, Derrick Favors revealed a secret about one of his game habits, or for that matter, un-habits:

I don't even look at the scoreboard during games.

Maybe Favors should start looking at the scoreboard a bit more. I don't think that excuse would fly if he hit a jumper instead of a 3-pointer when his team is down three. Just a thought.

Ole Miss defeated UTEP in overtime last night. Head coach Andy Kennedy was happy with the win, but would have liked a more steady performance:

One thing that I can say with all assurance is our team never panics. I told our team we play excellent basketball for periods of time and then we go from excellent to horrible, then back to excellent. I'd like to get in that in the average to good (range). I'd like to stay out of horrible.

ESPN writer Scoop Jackson wrote a good piece about John Wall (who hasn't?). Scoop might have coined a new nickname for the freshman:

If he had a nickname, it would be "The Biz."

He gives opponents the business; he handles his business.