It's been a couple days since we lost to Canisius. We've had a little time to lick our wounds and make some progress in practice.
I'm proud to say that you'll see a stronger, fresher, hungrier Buffalo basketball team on Thursday and for the remainder of the season.
But don't think I've forgotten about everyone's favorite holiday (ok, that's an exaggeration - it's not even MY favorite holiday), Thanksgiving. Amidst the commotion of the basketball season it's easy to lose track of time...if you gave me a million dollars for telling you the date today? No dice - I have no idea. I think it's still November, though.
Luckily, my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania is only about 90 minutes from Buffalo. I scooted home Wednesday night (to the surprise of my mom - I didn't tell her I was coming home) and was able to spend Thanksgiving Day with my parents. Since my mom's a mom and my dad was a Boy Scout, they were obviously prepared for Thanksgiving dinner.
Understatement of the century.
When we sat down to dinner, it was myself, my mom and my dad at the table. Happily sitting in front of us was a 30lb turkey (they really do make them that big - must be steroids or something) and HEAPING plates of mashed potatoes, stuffing (my favorite), green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls upon rolls upon rolls.
Needless to say, the back seat of my car was overflowing with leftovers that now sit in our refrigerator as breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of our lives.
As I returned to the court Friday, my dad did the same. I only had practice but Dad was suiting up for the First Annual Greenville (PA) High School Alumni Basketball Game. He had been prepping for this game for months, hitting the gym alone and with my mom lifting, shooting and everything in between so he would be in tip-top shape.
You see, my dad's basketball team was (and still is) Greenville High School's all-time winningest team. He and his teammates had a reputation to uphold.
My mom witnessed what was almost an amazing upset. The opposing team, consisting of more recent Greenville graduates took an early lead and held the lead into halftime. The old guys (literally - my dad's team was an average of 20+ years older than their opposition) mounted a furious comeback, cutting the deficit to one before finally falling to the young guns by seven.
You'll have to ask my dad for a more accurate play-by-play. But from what I hear, it was a heck of a game - and the crowd was going wild.
As we all know, Friday was also Black Friday. Did I go shopping? No.
Should I have? Yes.
Why?
Because shopping on Black Friday and on Christmas Eve (I've done both) is something everyone should experience. There's just nothing like it. So if you missed Black Friday, save those last few presents for Christmas Eve and make a game out of it: see if you can finish your Christmas shopping on time. Oh, and cross your fingers that what you're shopping for is still in stock.
Now THAT'S a good time.
Enjoy your leftovers...
November 28, 2009
November 22, 2009
Don't Change the Channel
Life on the road.
It's a struggle to stay afloat - I guess we're pretty good swimmers. In another nail-biter away from Alumni Arena we pulled off an overtime win at Towson.
Aside from some parents (who came to the games in Maryland) garnering a few more grey hairs, our four-day, two-game road trip couldn't have gone better. Stealing two games on the road against good teams makes the airport food taste so much better on the flight home. It was just Quizno's but I swear it may as well have been steak and shrimp.
As this was our first road trip of the year, it seems appropriate that I share some hotel and travel tips with you:
-Always gain control of the remote as soon as possible. This prevents the possibility of a "flipper"- or roommate who changes the channel every time a commercial comes on. Flipping A: causes one to miss a majority of the show you actually want to watch; B: expedites the deterioration of one's attention span; and C: causes one to miss the good commercials!
-Upon arrival to hotel, always call shower (e.i. "shotgun shower," much like calling shotgun on a car ride.). This enables the practice of proper hygiene and limits time spent laying sweaty in the bed you will be sleeping in later that night.
-Set multiple alarm clocks. Wake-up calls rarely work right or are on time, hotel clocks are NEVER set to the right time and are usually even unplugged (see next bullet.).
-Gain control of outlets for phone/computer/iPod charger. This often involves hijacking the outlet that houses the bedside lamp and/or alarm clock-radio. Failure to capture the bedside outlet can result in trans-room hikes just to charge your stuff.
-Always scoop up all the bathroom essentials you can. Hotel soap, shampoo, (conditioner if you like to be silky smooth), lotion and even laundry bags come in very handy on long road trips.
Home game Tuesday night. Let's rock.
It's a struggle to stay afloat - I guess we're pretty good swimmers. In another nail-biter away from Alumni Arena we pulled off an overtime win at Towson.
Aside from some parents (who came to the games in Maryland) garnering a few more grey hairs, our four-day, two-game road trip couldn't have gone better. Stealing two games on the road against good teams makes the airport food taste so much better on the flight home. It was just Quizno's but I swear it may as well have been steak and shrimp.
As this was our first road trip of the year, it seems appropriate that I share some hotel and travel tips with you:
-Always gain control of the remote as soon as possible. This prevents the possibility of a "flipper"- or roommate who changes the channel every time a commercial comes on. Flipping A: causes one to miss a majority of the show you actually want to watch; B: expedites the deterioration of one's attention span; and C: causes one to miss the good commercials!
-Upon arrival to hotel, always call shower (e.i. "shotgun shower," much like calling shotgun on a car ride.). This enables the practice of proper hygiene and limits time spent laying sweaty in the bed you will be sleeping in later that night.
-Set multiple alarm clocks. Wake-up calls rarely work right or are on time, hotel clocks are NEVER set to the right time and are usually even unplugged (see next bullet.).
-Gain control of outlets for phone/computer/iPod charger. This often involves hijacking the outlet that houses the bedside lamp and/or alarm clock-radio. Failure to capture the bedside outlet can result in trans-room hikes just to charge your stuff.
-Always scoop up all the bathroom essentials you can. Hotel soap, shampoo, (conditioner if you like to be silky smooth), lotion and even laundry bags come in very handy on long road trips.
Home game Tuesday night. Let's rock.
November 20, 2009
Dear Navy
Dear Navy,
I would like to compliment you on what may have been the nicest campus I've had the pleasure of visiting. We didn't go sightseeing, but got our own "tour" of your grounds when our kamikaze bus driver got lost. While getting lost is an expected occurrence on most road trips, this was a bit different. We were lost amidst hundreds of brick buildings that all looked the same on skinny streets that didn't fit our bus. And this guy thought he was Keanu Reeves in Speed.
And the fact that your campus is pretty much an island made the adventure even more thrilling as we nearly boarded a few sea-worthy vessels attempting to back out of a one-way street.
It was cool seeing all your "midshipmen" (editor's note: that's what the students are called- this was another topic of discussion. We knew at Army they are called "cadets," but we were unsure as to the proper title for Navy students; we asked one of the players during a pause in the game.) roaming campus in uniform - and we thought about how cool it would be if all of OUR clothes had our names on them. Laundry would be so much easier.
But I greatly respect what you do. The regiment you live under is incredibly demanding, I know - and that's to be commended. I certainly couldn't do it.
Also, midshipman whoever-he-was that sang the national anthem joined the ranks of Jimi Hendrix and Whitney Houston with his performance before the game. I mean it was unreal. This little baby-faced guy in uniform walked out to midcourt looking like a teenaged Matt Damon.
Then he started singing the national anthem and the voice of God just rocked the entire arena. I mean your boy made the "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" guy sound like a little mouse. Seriously.
It was at about this time when things got real. We battled through a sloppy first half and just kept plugging away in the second on our way to a ten-point victory.
Then it was time to boogie back into the locker room - with a win.
Oh, Navy: thank you for the locker room accommodations. The individual vanities made me feel like Marilyn Monroe. It was beautiful. (see below)
Next time, though, could you please turn on the air conditioning? It was 60 degrees outside, which I understand may be chilly for you here in Maryland, but I don't understand why the gym roasted us like Hot Pockets. By the second half the towels on our bench may as well have been underwater.
But I have no problem with a little home-court advantage. It's things like these that make games and seasons fun.
Sincerely,
Mr. Smiley
ps. We are now in Towson to battle your neighbors, the Tigers.
Towson's Arena - sight of tomorrow afternoon's showdown
I would like to compliment you on what may have been the nicest campus I've had the pleasure of visiting. We didn't go sightseeing, but got our own "tour" of your grounds when our kamikaze bus driver got lost. While getting lost is an expected occurrence on most road trips, this was a bit different. We were lost amidst hundreds of brick buildings that all looked the same on skinny streets that didn't fit our bus. And this guy thought he was Keanu Reeves in Speed.
And the fact that your campus is pretty much an island made the adventure even more thrilling as we nearly boarded a few sea-worthy vessels attempting to back out of a one-way street.
It was cool seeing all your "midshipmen" (editor's note: that's what the students are called- this was another topic of discussion. We knew at Army they are called "cadets," but we were unsure as to the proper title for Navy students; we asked one of the players during a pause in the game.) roaming campus in uniform - and we thought about how cool it would be if all of OUR clothes had our names on them. Laundry would be so much easier.
But I greatly respect what you do. The regiment you live under is incredibly demanding, I know - and that's to be commended. I certainly couldn't do it.
Also, midshipman whoever-he-was that sang the national anthem joined the ranks of Jimi Hendrix and Whitney Houston with his performance before the game. I mean it was unreal. This little baby-faced guy in uniform walked out to midcourt looking like a teenaged Matt Damon.
Then he started singing the national anthem and the voice of God just rocked the entire arena. I mean your boy made the "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" guy sound like a little mouse. Seriously.
It was at about this time when things got real. We battled through a sloppy first half and just kept plugging away in the second on our way to a ten-point victory.
Then it was time to boogie back into the locker room - with a win.
Oh, Navy: thank you for the locker room accommodations. The individual vanities made me feel like Marilyn Monroe. It was beautiful. (see below)
Next time, though, could you please turn on the air conditioning? It was 60 degrees outside, which I understand may be chilly for you here in Maryland, but I don't understand why the gym roasted us like Hot Pockets. By the second half the towels on our bench may as well have been underwater.
But I have no problem with a little home-court advantage. It's things like these that make games and seasons fun.
Sincerely,
Mr. Smiley
ps. We are now in Towson to battle your neighbors, the Tigers.
Towson's Arena - sight of tomorrow afternoon's showdown
November 19, 2009
2012
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Annapolis, Maryland getting some R&R after doing a little research on the topic of discussion last night on the bus and during dinner- 2012 and the "end of the world," according to the ancient Mayans.
You see, on the flight from Buffalo I read an article about the catastrophic results that will stem from our melting ice caps. I brought this up with a few teammates who abruptly began sharing new facts from the Discovery Channel about the ancient Mayans' prediction of the beginning of the end of the world in December, 2012.
Apparently the poles will shift, slowly causing absolute havoc complete with terrible storms, tsunamis and earthquakes. This, according to the experts on the Discovery Channel, has actually happened to the Earth before. It's our planet's way of "cleansing" itself.
We've all heard the story of the "face on the moon." Theorists believe that beings before us - who lived on the moon - built it the same way we've built the pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China as a way to remind and show us that they were here. We're not sure of the relevance of this random fact, but it seemed like it had a little to do with our discussion, so we let it go.
Other members of the team pitched in theories they had heard about what will happen on 2012. Someone heard (from an unknown source) that in 2012 the energy in our bodies will become truly aligned and we will become superhuman.
Maybe someday one of our discussions will spur one of us to change the world.
Until that time, I'll simply continue to enjoy and contribute to them every way I can.
But when stuff gets crazy in 2012, don't say we didn't warn you.
You see, on the flight from Buffalo I read an article about the catastrophic results that will stem from our melting ice caps. I brought this up with a few teammates who abruptly began sharing new facts from the Discovery Channel about the ancient Mayans' prediction of the beginning of the end of the world in December, 2012.
Apparently the poles will shift, slowly causing absolute havoc complete with terrible storms, tsunamis and earthquakes. This, according to the experts on the Discovery Channel, has actually happened to the Earth before. It's our planet's way of "cleansing" itself.
We've all heard the story of the "face on the moon." Theorists believe that beings before us - who lived on the moon - built it the same way we've built the pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China as a way to remind and show us that they were here. We're not sure of the relevance of this random fact, but it seemed like it had a little to do with our discussion, so we let it go.
Other members of the team pitched in theories they had heard about what will happen on 2012. Someone heard (from an unknown source) that in 2012 the energy in our bodies will become truly aligned and we will become superhuman.
Maybe someday one of our discussions will spur one of us to change the world.
Until that time, I'll simply continue to enjoy and contribute to them every way I can.
But when stuff gets crazy in 2012, don't say we didn't warn you.
November 16, 2009
Game One
The close ones are the fun ones - but also the toughest to swallow.
Last night we dropped our first game at home to Vermont by one point.
It was a sloppy yet exciting game; frustrating and fun at the same time. Both teams made runs taking the crowd out of the game then bringing them back in until a final free throw put the Catamounts up by one for good.
Games like this lead to a lot of thinking and "what ifs." It's important to focus on what we did well and correct our mistakes in practice before we suit up on Thursday at the Naval Academy.
It was a disappointing start, but there's a lot of season ahead of us. Our upcoming road trip will be a test - at Navy and at Towson - but it is also a great opportunity to play the game we love and get back on track.
Lots of schoolwork to get after today - have to get ahead, we're leaving Wednesday afternoon for Annapolis.
Last night we dropped our first game at home to Vermont by one point.
It was a sloppy yet exciting game; frustrating and fun at the same time. Both teams made runs taking the crowd out of the game then bringing them back in until a final free throw put the Catamounts up by one for good.
Games like this lead to a lot of thinking and "what ifs." It's important to focus on what we did well and correct our mistakes in practice before we suit up on Thursday at the Naval Academy.
It was a disappointing start, but there's a lot of season ahead of us. Our upcoming road trip will be a test - at Navy and at Towson - but it is also a great opportunity to play the game we love and get back on track.
Lots of schoolwork to get after today - have to get ahead, we're leaving Wednesday afternoon for Annapolis.
November 14, 2009
Jump on It
We love our fans.
There's nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd when you're out on the court.
So when we're given an opportunity to interact with fans - especially students - we jump on it.
And on Friday night we did just that - literally.
It was Stay Up UB, a huge slumber party in the student union from 6pm until 2am. Food, games, music and most importantly pajamas kept students fed and entertained. As a kick-off to our season we were asked to do a little special something at about 8 o'clock.
What did we do, you ask?
We challenged our dance team, the Dazzlers, to a little competition. And we were not to be taken lightly.
Dancing to "Jump on It," we had only minutes to rehearse the performance of a lifetime...
Once we hit the dance floor all eyes were on us, and we pulled off the upset of the century.
Buffalo Basketball 1
Dazzlers 0
Rumor has it that our monumental upset was caught on tape. I'm not sure how true that is because I thought my video of our rehearsal was all the evidence that might ever be found. So keep your eyes peeled, as will I, for what may be the greatest dance performance since Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.
Game day tomorrow.
Time for some rest before seeking a little revenge against Vermont.
There's nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd when you're out on the court.
So when we're given an opportunity to interact with fans - especially students - we jump on it.
And on Friday night we did just that - literally.
It was Stay Up UB, a huge slumber party in the student union from 6pm until 2am. Food, games, music and most importantly pajamas kept students fed and entertained. As a kick-off to our season we were asked to do a little special something at about 8 o'clock.
What did we do, you ask?
We challenged our dance team, the Dazzlers, to a little competition. And we were not to be taken lightly.
Dancing to "Jump on It," we had only minutes to rehearse the performance of a lifetime...
Once we hit the dance floor all eyes were on us, and we pulled off the upset of the century.
Buffalo Basketball 1
Dazzlers 0
Rumor has it that our monumental upset was caught on tape. I'm not sure how true that is because I thought my video of our rehearsal was all the evidence that might ever be found. So keep your eyes peeled, as will I, for what may be the greatest dance performance since Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.
Game day tomorrow.
Time for some rest before seeking a little revenge against Vermont.
November 11, 2009
The Floating Jersey Effect
I wear my practice jersey backwards.
Somebody has to do it. Before me, someone did. Before him, someone else. After me? I'm sure someone will.
This Smiley kid is just another crazy superstitious athlete.
False. Let me tell you how it all began.
I came into Buffalo a skinny, 155 lb freshman who needed food like a fish needs water. For a little extra "encouragement," my coaches ordered me practice gear a size too big. I would "fill out" and "grow into it," they said.
To my defense I have gained between 15 and 20 lbs since then...but I digress.
My practice jersey sagged like those hand-me-downs from your older, bigger brother. Our jerseys are fashioned like most other jerseys in the world in that they have a V-neck. Well, my XXL-Tall V-neck slung lower than the plunging neckline of a supermodel, leaving all kinds of extra jersey flailing around my scrawny little arms while I played.
Needless to say, this became a bit bothersome.
So to counteract what I like to call the "floating jersey effect," I simply flipped it around. Now, the V-neck was in the back and what was supposed to be the back of the jersey fit snugly up to my neck. All the extra jersey found itself comfortably behind me, out of the way of my arms, the ball and my shot.
Four years later, I still wear my practice jersey backwards. Now it's not so much protection from the "floating jersey effect" - it's more of a silent tribute to those who came before me as well as to the reality that a skinny little guy with a painfully high metabolism can in fact fill out over time.
So to all you little guys out there, keep eating...and be patient, for patience is a virtue, young grasshopper.
Somebody has to do it. Before me, someone did. Before him, someone else. After me? I'm sure someone will.
This Smiley kid is just another crazy superstitious athlete.
False. Let me tell you how it all began.
I came into Buffalo a skinny, 155 lb freshman who needed food like a fish needs water. For a little extra "encouragement," my coaches ordered me practice gear a size too big. I would "fill out" and "grow into it," they said.
To my defense I have gained between 15 and 20 lbs since then...but I digress.
My practice jersey sagged like those hand-me-downs from your older, bigger brother. Our jerseys are fashioned like most other jerseys in the world in that they have a V-neck. Well, my XXL-Tall V-neck slung lower than the plunging neckline of a supermodel, leaving all kinds of extra jersey flailing around my scrawny little arms while I played.
Needless to say, this became a bit bothersome.
So to counteract what I like to call the "floating jersey effect," I simply flipped it around. Now, the V-neck was in the back and what was supposed to be the back of the jersey fit snugly up to my neck. All the extra jersey found itself comfortably behind me, out of the way of my arms, the ball and my shot.
Four years later, I still wear my practice jersey backwards. Now it's not so much protection from the "floating jersey effect" - it's more of a silent tribute to those who came before me as well as to the reality that a skinny little guy with a painfully high metabolism can in fact fill out over time.
So to all you little guys out there, keep eating...and be patient, for patience is a virtue, young grasshopper.
November 7, 2009
Eight Days
I'm just sitting back relaxing on the couch in my living room after another Saturday of basketball.
Today was our first go-round suiting up and playing under the lights; an exhibition game against Daemon College brought fans into Alumni Arena for the first time this season.
We won, but similar to the scrimmage last week, tonight wasn't about the score. It's still time to learn and tonight we learned a lot about ourselves. With one week left until our rematch with Vermont, we know what we have to work on. Eight days and we rock 'n roll.
Tomorrow's staring me in the face with dirty dishes, loads of laundry and a trip to the library among other fun activities (the word "fun" here is being used very loosely) so it's time to get some rest. But not before a final snack before bed because you can never eat too much when you're a skinny little guy like me.
Refresher: darks in cold, colors in warm, whites in hot. Always hang dry to prevent shrinking but don't forget the courtesy spin through the dryer to fluff.
Enjoy your football. Happy Sunday.
Today was our first go-round suiting up and playing under the lights; an exhibition game against Daemon College brought fans into Alumni Arena for the first time this season.
We won, but similar to the scrimmage last week, tonight wasn't about the score. It's still time to learn and tonight we learned a lot about ourselves. With one week left until our rematch with Vermont, we know what we have to work on. Eight days and we rock 'n roll.
Tomorrow's staring me in the face with dirty dishes, loads of laundry and a trip to the library among other fun activities (the word "fun" here is being used very loosely) so it's time to get some rest. But not before a final snack before bed because you can never eat too much when you're a skinny little guy like me.
Refresher: darks in cold, colors in warm, whites in hot. Always hang dry to prevent shrinking but don't forget the courtesy spin through the dryer to fluff.
Enjoy your football. Happy Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
