We here at Ballin' is a Habit have always been a voice of the people. The interaction with other college basketball fans is just one of the many things that makes this sport so special.
The gentleman who reside in the B.I.A.H NYC headquarters (aka 45 Wall) are some of the most passionate Vermont basketball fans in the history of creation. So when Vermont played UConn on Tuesday night, they had me on speed-dial just in case somebody threw down the nasty.
That person was Vermont's Clancy Rugg.
See, we try to cover all the best dunks in the college basketball world, but we only have so many sets of eyeballs. So we need your help. If you see a great dunk, something that might be #POSTERIZED-worthy, give us a shout on Twitter at @TroyMachir, @RobDauster or @Ballinisahabit. Feel free to use the #POSTERIZED hashtag.
After all, friends don't let friends miss out on somebody getting #POSTERIZED.
But was it as good as these?
Jamari Traylor - Kansas vs. Michigan State, 11/14
Doug Anderson - Detroit vs. St. John's, 11/13
Kris Brewer - Kent State vs. Temple, 11/13
Rakeem Christmas - Syracuse vs. San Diego State, 11/11
Deandre Daniels - UConn vs. Michigan State, 11/9
Ben McLemore - Kansas vs. Emporia State, 10/31
Keion Bell - Missouri vs. Northwest Missouri, 10/31
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
#POSTERIZED: We take reccomendations |
Monday, November 14, 2011
Vermont lost to USF because the Bulls didn't have replay monitors? |
Over the weekend, Butler lost a fairly controversial game to Evansville.
Andrew Smith scored on a length-of-the-court pass that would have won the game in regulation, but officials ruled that the shot had happened after the buzzer. Butler went on to lose in overtime. The refs were able to go back to the video feed from the game to review the shot, but one thing you'll notice missing when you look at screen-grabs of the shot is that the square on the back board didn't light up when time expired.
Did I mention this game was played at Evansville, where the Purple Aces were debuting a brand new arena? Why didn't the back board light up? Could it have changed the officials view of the play?
That wasn't the only controversial ending to a game this weekend.
Vermont traveled down to South Florida on Friday, but found themselves trailing 61-59 with 4.3 seconds left on the clock. Four McGlynn drove to the bucket, but he missed the layup. Luckily, Matt Glass was there for the tip-in. Overtime, right?
Wrong.
South Florida's in the midst of getting a new arena, which means that they are playing their home game at the University of Tampa, a D-II school. What that means is that there were no cameras at this game. So when the refs decided to wave off the game-tying bucket, they didn't have any video to go back and review. And, according to Vermont's play-by-play announcer who somehow managed to see a replay after the game (no video, eh?), that lack of a review cost UVM the game.
"Ball was through the net when the light went off and the horn sounded…game should have been tied at 61 going to OT," Chris Villiani wrote on twitter.
I'm going to take this time to remind you that South Florida plays in the the Big East, but there was no video of the game? No online stream? No assistant coaches gathering film? No parents in the stands recording? Nothing?
The ironic part is that apparently the America East is better prepared for situations like this than the Big East is. Sean Tainsh, the director of communications for the league, said that replay monitors are required at all home games.
The video of the ending was put on the South Florida website in the highlights of the game. If you have video, please email us at ContactBIAH@gmail.com or send me a tweet @ballinisahabit.
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
POSTERIZED: Marqus Blakely does it again |
Marqus Blakely is one of the best all-around players in the country.
Just look at his line from tonight: 24 points, 18 boards, 5 assists. He also averages over two blocks and two steals per game.
The kid can play.
But that's not what he is going to be remembered for. No, for at least one website he is going to be remembered for his ability to make a poster out of a seemingly innocent fast break.
You remember this right? And this? Well, this one just may be the best:
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 3 |
Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.
Here is No. 23:
2005: Vermont vs. Syracuse: UVM head coach Tom Brennan was, and for the most part still is, a legend in Burlington. But Brennan announced prior to the 2004-2005 season that it would be his last coaching the Catamounts. He picked a good time to go out, as the Cats headed into the season as one of the best mid-majors in the country with Taylor Coppenrath and TJ Sorrentine on the roster. UVM didn't disappoint that season, as they rolled through the America East regular season and conference tournament, earning a 13 seed and drawing Syracuse in the first round of the dance.
The Cats really slowed the pace against the Orange, which prevented either team from really establishing a rhythm in the game. Syracuse committed 24 turnovers in the game, and UVM capitalized as they too a five point lead, the largest of the game for either team, midway through the second half. But Syracuse would respond, as they went on an 8-2 run, capped by two Hakim Warrick dunks, to turn a 45-41 deficit into a 49-47 lead. After trading baskets, Coppenrath drilled a 17 footer to tie the game at 51. After getting a stop, Germain Mopa-Njila drove the lane and finished what seemed to be game-winner, but he had stepped out of bounds with 3.7 seconds, sending the game to OT.
Syracuse would take a two point lead with two minutes left in the OT, setting up this series.
The Cats would hang on to win 60-57. Mopa-Njila led the way with 20 points, while Sorrentine added 17.
Andrew Bogut, Utah: Bogut's career at Utah was short, but it sure was impressive. As a freshman, the 7'0" Croatian-Australian (he parents immigrated from Croatia to Melbourne) came within four rebounds of averaging a double-double as he was named Mountain West freshman of the year. Bogut would go for 17 points and 14 boards in the MWC conference title game before the Utes lost to BC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Andrew Bogut won most of the 2005 National Player of the Year awards.
(photo credit: Best Sports Photos)
After a promising performance for Australia in the 2004 Olympics (he averaged 14 and 8), people were expecting a big year from Bogut. But no one could have expected the season he had. Bogut averaged 20.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg, and 1.8 bpg while shooting 62% from the field. He was won the AP and ESPN.com player of the year awards, while also winning the Naismith and Wooden awards, the first non-American player to do so. Bogut would leave after his sophomore season, becoming the first pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
2008 Memphis Tigers: Can you be one of the top 25 teams of the decade if your season doesn't actually exist anymore? For us, yes. The 2008 Memphis Tigers were absolutely loaded. We were used to John Calipari's Memphis team rolling through C-USA, but this season was special. The Tigers rolled through the regular season, blowing out everyone in their league en route to another perfect conference season and a 33-1 record heading into the tournament. The one loss came as then-No. 1 Memphis lost to then-No. 2 Tennessee.
Memphis rolled through C-USA in '07-'08.
(photo credit: Da Bullz)
During the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers seemed to hit their stride. All-world freshman Derrick Rose hit his stride, carrying the Tigers all the way to the title game, where the Tigers would face the Kansas Jayhawks. Memphis would take a late nine point lead, and if it weren't for some shoddy free throw shooting late, Memphis would have won the national title.
The issue for Memphis this season was never talent; it was the character of the players. Multiple players were arrested, including Robert Dozier for domestic violence. Pierre Henderson-Niles infamously slapped a UAB fan as the team got into after an exciting win in Birmingham. Three players had issues with their SAT scores, including Derrick Rose, which was eventually he reason that their season was wiped from the record books.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.
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Saturday, November 1, 2008
Teams to Watch |
We at BIAH have already talked about some of the mid-majors expected to garner national attention this year - St. Mary's, Davidson, and Kent State to name a few. But there are a lot other schools out there beyond the scope of the national media that are talented and could ruin quite a few brackets come tournament time. Here's a quick look at six of those schools.
Vermont: The Catamounts had a bit of a down year in '07-'08, going just 16-15 and 9-7 in America East play, but they return their top two players, 2nd team all-AE Mike Trimboli and AE player of the year Marqus Blakely. Trimboli, a senior, is a crafty play maker at the point that can score (17.6 ppg) and create shots for teammates (4.5 apg). He has really improved his decision making, as he has cut his turnovers and upped his FG% every year in Burlington, but he still has a habit of forcing shots and trying to make tough passes. Marqus Blakely (if you read this blog, you may remember him) is one of the most fun players in the country to watch. He is only 6'5", but he posted averages of 11.0 rpg and 2.7 bpg to go along with his 19.0 ppg. He is able to get by playing inside because of his incredible athleticism and length. The inside-outside combo of Trimboli and Blakely is one of the most underrated in the country. UVM adds Michigan State transfers Maurice Joseph, a 6'4" wing that should give the Cats three all-conference caliber players. The Cats also have a solid core of role players, including forwards Evan Fjeld and Colin McIntosh, that should make them the immediate favorite in the AE.
RPI Boosters:
Siena: Last season, the Saints went 23-11 and earned the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA tourney where they exploded onto the national scene with an 83-62 drubbing of Vanderbilt (yeah, they beat Stanford, but they were without Brook Lopez and it was early in the season, so no one cared). This year's Saints team will be very similar, as they lose just two guys from their rotation and return their top four scorers. The best player on the Saints is Kenny Hasbrouck, the MAAC's preseason player of the year. Hasbrouck was the second leading scorer for Siena, averaging 16.1 ppg, but was also one of their best perimeter defenders. Hasbrouck, a senior, is so effective because he can score in a variety of ways, best exemplified by the 30 points he put on Vandy - he was 9-14 from the floor, 2-5 from deep, and 10-10 from the line. Edwin Ubiles was the Saints leading scorer last season at 17.1 ppg. He is a tremendous athlete with a quick first step, and at 6'6" he is long enough to get his shot off against basically anyone in the MAAC. PG Ronald Moore (8.6 ppg, 5.3 apg) and PF Alex Franklin (14.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) are both excellent players, and the Saints have a deep bench and a great supporting cast. This team has already proved they can beat the big boys (Stanford, Vandy), so expect more of the same this season.
RPI Boosters:
American: American gave Tennessee all it could handle in the first round of last year's NCAA's, and bring back basically the same team. The strength of the Eagles will once again be their back court, with senior Garrison Carr leading the way. Carr is one of the best shooters in the country (hitting 135-299 3's, good for a ridiculous 45%), and once he gets it going he is tough to slow down. Senior PG Derrick Mercer also returns. Mercer, who is just 5'9", is very good at getting into the lane and finding shooters around him, but he can also score (he averaged 12.4 ppg last year, second on the team). Bryce Simon and Brian Gilmore, two senior forwards, are both solid contributors as well. This is the year for the Eagles if they want to win a couple games in the tournament, as their four best players are all seniors.
RPI Boosters:
Wright State: The Raiders play in the Horizon League, better known as "that conference Butler is in", but WSU is just a year removed from the conference regular season and tournament crowns. While they had a bit of a down year last season (is 21-10 really a down year?), the Raiders look like they are ready to return to form. Wright State hung their hat on their defensive prowess last season, holding opponent's to just 60.4 ppg. They return their entire starting back court with juniors Vaughn Duggins (1st team all HL, 13.8 ppg) and Todd Brown (12.7 ppg) and fifth year point guard Will Graham (5.9 ppg, 3.5 apg). Inside, Ronnie Thomas, Cooper Lande, and Gavin Horne should battle it out for the two starting spots, and newcomers Scott Grote (a transfer from Duquense) and Cory Cooperwood (a two-time JuCo all-american) should provide the Raiders with quality depth.
RPI Boosters:
Murray State: While the Racers have not yet returned to level they were at when they dominated the Ohio Valley conference in the '90's (9 titles in 10 years), they will put a very talented squad on the court this year. While they lose leading scorer Bruce Carter, Murray State still returns four starters. Danero Thomas is a 6'4" forward who is the Racers best perimeter defender, but he can also put the ball in the basket (12.4 ppg). 6'2" SG Tyler Holloway is the best shooter on the team, hitting at a 46% clip last season. Kevin Thomas, a senior point guard, is a quality play maker that doesn't turn the ball over (136 assists vs. 69 turnovers). Tony Easley, a 6'9" forward, is the Racers best inside presence, posting 9.3 ppg and 5.2 rpg averages. Also added to the mix are Florida's 4A-5A-6A player of the year Ivan Iska, a 6'7", 230 lb beast, and Isaac Miles, a sophomore who transferred from Creighton after a freshman season that landed him on the all-rookie team.
RPI Boosters:
Cornell: Cornell is coming off of one of their best seasons in history, going 22-6 and 14-0 in the Ivy. The Big Red return four starters from that team, including their top three scorers. Louis Dale, the reigning Ivy League player of the year, is one of the all around points guards you will see this year. He averaged 13.8 ppg, 5.0 apg, and 4.4 rpg while racking up 34 steals. Ryan Wittman, a 1st team all-Ivy pick in '07-'08, is a 6'6" forward with a deadly jump shot that. Adam Gore, another potential all-league player, tore his ACL in September, and is expected back sometime in January. Alex Tyler is a good forward, and 7'0" Jeff Foote should slide into the starting line-up and provide the Big Red with some good size inside.
RPI Boosters:
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Marqus Blakely Dunks on Brett Wilson, 2007 America East Tournament |
In today's Some Links, Some News, I talked about UVM's Marqus Blakely, which got me to thinking about the dunk he had against Albany in the America East tournament. I remember this dunk clearly (a good friend of mine is a huge UVM fan, and I've always rooted for them because they recruit the area I played high school ball in very hard), which makes me wonder how I could have left it off of my top 10 college dunks of all-time list.
Apologies to all Catamount fans, but I did get it up here... Continue reading...
9/23 - Some Link, Some News |
-Kyle Whelliston of the Mid-Majority and ESPN, who is probably the world's leading authority on mid-major basketball, profiles three guys (and gives a full list) that transferred out of power conference schools and into mid-majors, and are going to be eligible this year.
One of those guys is Maurice Joseph (who is heading to Vermont despite averaging 5.9 ppg at Michigan State in 2006-07). So not only do the Catamounts return Marqus Blakely (America East Player of the Year at 19 ppg and 11 rpg despite being 6'5") and Mike Trimboli (17.4 ppg and 4.5 apg), they add the 6'4" Joseph (who conveniently used his year off to get shoulder surgery), giving UVM a very talented 1-2-3 punch. Expect UVM to regain their spot atop the America East.
-On Friday, Sept. 19th, some of the biggest names in basketball gathered at Manhattan College for a coaches clinic, which has been dubbed "the clinic to end all clinics". The five guys who spoke: Barry Rohrssen, Hubie Brown, John Calipari, Rick Pitino, and Bob Hurley Sr. Maybe I'm too much of a basketball junkie, but I think I could sit there and listen to those guys talk basketball for hours.
-Dan Dakich, the guy who was the interim coach for Indiana after the Kelvin Sampson debacle, spoke with Gary Parrish (more here) about what he will be doing next year (coaching his 8th grade son and 6th daughter's basketball teams) and about the state of the Indiana program. The most interesting part:
-Good read on Steph Curry, who despite being a super star (he's boys with LeBron), has managed to stay grounded (apparently, he volunteered to help freshman move in at Davidson).
"Let me put it this way," Dakich said. "Sometimes being with Coach Knight you think 'Well, maybe our culture is wrong. Maybe we work too hard and demand too much.' But after seeing what I saw last year, you better have the right culture or else the thing can really blow up on you. And when you talk about everybody gone from the athletic director to the graduate managers, that thing blew up."
It's common knowledge that the players at IU last season weren't model student-athletes, evidence being how Dakich and his successor, Tom Crean, combined to dismiss pretty much everybody who didn't leave on their on accord. Out of respect for the individuals, Dakich declined to get specific. But he did acknowledge the group of players didn't "fit the Indiana basketball culture."
"I feel bad that D.J. White never got to experience Indiana basketball the way it's supposed to be," Dakich said. "And I'm really sad for the players that ended up getting kicked out of here because they will realize at some point in their lives what a colossal mistake they made by not taking advantage of Indiana."
-Syracuse's Eric Devendorf has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.
-Nothing to do with college basketball (although No. 9 was a cheerleader for the Arizona State basketball team), the top 10 cheerleader's gone bad.
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