I must have done something to please the basketball gods this weekend.
Up by three points with seven seconds left in regulation against St. Peter's College, I inbounded the ball against a full court press. With two timeouts left I threw a poor pass that was deflected and stolen, leading to a game-tying three-pointer by the Peacocks.
So we headed to overtime.
The game was back and forth from there; your regular barn-burner until the ball went out of bounds under our basket with 2.4 seconds left. After a time-out where coach drew up a play, we walked back onto the court.
Coming off a double screen I caught the ball in the corner and wanted to shoot but my defender was all over me. Knowing I had plenty of time (2.4 seconds is a long time believe it or not), I faked a shot and as my defender jumped to block it took a dribble left and shot.
The buzzer sounded as the ball arced through the air
...and then shot straight through the net. Game winner.
I had just gone from making a boneheaded inbounds pass (I should've called timeout) to hitting the game-winning shot in overtime.
Nothing like a nice emotional swing on a Saturday afternoon.
After post game pizza we road through New York City, past Times Square and across Madison Avenue; through the Holland Tunnel and another tunnel that I can't remember, before finally arriving at JFK international airport.
Where we will spend the next three and a half hours before our 11pm flight home.
We're flying JetBlue and I'm ready for the in-flight entertainment. TV's on the backs of every seat - doesn't get much better than that.
Except, on the way here when the captain turned off our TV's 20 seconds before the finish of an especially close Olympic Cross-Country Ski race.
Talk about a buzzkill.
Luckily curling is on in the terminal now - the US Women are cutting it close with Germany.
So it's goodbye New York City and hello Buffalo with a Bracketbuster win under our belt.
February 20, 2010
February 18, 2010
Curling
There was a bit of a situation on campus Tuesday. Sitting in class, I received a text message via the UB Alert System (usually utilized for notifying us of snow days, vacation days, etc.). It read, and I quote, "The Police have evacuated Lockwood Library. Please stay away until further notice. 4:40pm."
Hmm.
Despite my burning curiosity, I kept away from the library after class and headed to Alumni for study hall. About an hour later, one of our advisors walked into study hall and told us we had five minutes to evacuate Alumni Arena and go home.
That's it. No reason, just leave.
Luckily, the entire campus was being evacuated at once (brilliant) so I was faced with a traffic jam reminiscent of an Armageddon-esque movie. If you've ever tried to find a parking spot at UB during the day, you know how many cars are here - now try escaping with every single one of them leaving at the same time with only one four-way stop sign to direct traffic.
Police cars and ambulances were scattered all around. I finally heard word that someone had apparently seen a guy walk into the library with a shotgun.
Not the kind of thing you really want to hear.
Fortunately I made it home safe and turned on the news to find that no harm was done and campus eventually was announced "safe."
The next day we learned that the situation was a false alarm. Whether someone thought they saw something that wasn't or the whole thing was made up we'll never know. At least we know things are safe and aside from the evacuation plan that pretty much created a campus-wide gridlock, security seemed on top of things.
So with that behind us we now have a Bracketbuster game to look forward to on Saturday afternoon. We play at St. Peter's in Jersey City. What do you think the chances are of seeing Snooki or The Situation in the stands?
Probably zero, but a kid can dream.
I've been thoroughly enjoying the Olympics lately. I'm so glad it's 2010 because before the Games even began I had set my DVR to record everything. Now all I have to do is flip through my recordings and pick out the events I want to watch - without commercial interruption. Minus pairs figure skating I think I've pretty much seen it all including the Kroeans' SNAFU in the 1500meter short track speed skating final that gave Apolo Ohno his record-tying silver medal and USA's silver/bronze double in the event that should have been swept by the Koreans.
If you missed it I strongly urge you to search it out on YouTube - it's quite the race.
Oh, and tune into Curling. Give it five or ten minutes and you'll be hooked. It's like extreme shuffleboard on ice...with a raucous crowd.
And even though the Jamaicans failed to qualify for the first time since Cool Runnings, I'll be watching the Bobsleds slide down the ice with my cowbell ready.
Hmm.
Despite my burning curiosity, I kept away from the library after class and headed to Alumni for study hall. About an hour later, one of our advisors walked into study hall and told us we had five minutes to evacuate Alumni Arena and go home.
That's it. No reason, just leave.
Luckily, the entire campus was being evacuated at once (brilliant) so I was faced with a traffic jam reminiscent of an Armageddon-esque movie. If you've ever tried to find a parking spot at UB during the day, you know how many cars are here - now try escaping with every single one of them leaving at the same time with only one four-way stop sign to direct traffic.
Police cars and ambulances were scattered all around. I finally heard word that someone had apparently seen a guy walk into the library with a shotgun.
Not the kind of thing you really want to hear.
Fortunately I made it home safe and turned on the news to find that no harm was done and campus eventually was announced "safe."
The next day we learned that the situation was a false alarm. Whether someone thought they saw something that wasn't or the whole thing was made up we'll never know. At least we know things are safe and aside from the evacuation plan that pretty much created a campus-wide gridlock, security seemed on top of things.
So with that behind us we now have a Bracketbuster game to look forward to on Saturday afternoon. We play at St. Peter's in Jersey City. What do you think the chances are of seeing Snooki or The Situation in the stands?
Probably zero, but a kid can dream.
I've been thoroughly enjoying the Olympics lately. I'm so glad it's 2010 because before the Games even began I had set my DVR to record everything. Now all I have to do is flip through my recordings and pick out the events I want to watch - without commercial interruption. Minus pairs figure skating I think I've pretty much seen it all including the Kroeans' SNAFU in the 1500meter short track speed skating final that gave Apolo Ohno his record-tying silver medal and USA's silver/bronze double in the event that should have been swept by the Koreans.
If you missed it I strongly urge you to search it out on YouTube - it's quite the race.
Oh, and tune into Curling. Give it five or ten minutes and you'll be hooked. It's like extreme shuffleboard on ice...with a raucous crowd.
And even though the Jamaicans failed to qualify for the first time since Cool Runnings, I'll be watching the Bobsleds slide down the ice with my cowbell ready.
February 16, 2010
BEFORE THE HEAT GOT TURNED UP
Editor's note: this is the unfinished post that was started the day of the campus-wide evacuation. I apologize for an recurring or repeated themes, but it stands as evidence of the scare of Tuesday evening. I wrote this at approximately 5:30pm on Tuesday - and was unable to complete or post it. Thanks to "autosave" its contents were able to be recovered today, two days following its original conception. The incidents described below occurred prior to those discussed in the "Curling" post. Thank you
It was pretty in pink Saturday as we tipped off a mens'/womens' double-header. In support of cancer awareness, we all laced up our shoes with pink laces while the womens' team donned all pink home jerseys for their game.
The crowd delighted us with pink t-shirts creating a "sea" of pink that cheered us to victory against Kent State. It was a nice bit of revenge after they beat us badly at Kent.
Ironically, our pink game was the day before Valentine's Day.
ps: I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day.
Our victory on Saturday afternoon began a great weekend. Now it's time to get back to business as we play Bowling Green tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, the Olympics have begun. While the Winter Olympics might host a more eclectic set of sports, I love the Olympics and have been tuning in as much as I can. It's 2010; I used my DVR and recorded the entire Olympics before they even began. Now I can watch everything - without commercial interruption - anytime I want.
It's like the Jetsons.
It was pretty in pink Saturday as we tipped off a mens'/womens' double-header. In support of cancer awareness, we all laced up our shoes with pink laces while the womens' team donned all pink home jerseys for their game.
The crowd delighted us with pink t-shirts creating a "sea" of pink that cheered us to victory against Kent State. It was a nice bit of revenge after they beat us badly at Kent.
Ironically, our pink game was the day before Valentine's Day.
ps: I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day.
Our victory on Saturday afternoon began a great weekend. Now it's time to get back to business as we play Bowling Green tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, the Olympics have begun. While the Winter Olympics might host a more eclectic set of sports, I love the Olympics and have been tuning in as much as I can. It's 2010; I used my DVR and recorded the entire Olympics before they even began. Now I can watch everything - without commercial interruption - anytime I want.
It's like the Jetsons.
February 11, 2010
Ibuprofen
Today's been a pretty normal day. Not much excitement or surprise except for the juice squirting out of my elbow.
A couple days ago I reopened an old battle wound and in the process managed to inflate some kind of balloon in my elbow. Now I have a nice, natural puff surrounding my left elbow. Nothing big - I've had this happen many times before and actually enjoyed the best game of my high school career with a nasty juice bubble on my right elbow.
It's nothing a little ibuprofen and some antibiotics won't clear up in a couple days.
Ibuprofen is like duct tape for athletes. Really, the stuff's magical; you can use it for anything.
Jam your finger? Ibuprofen.
Headache? (whether from an elbow or because professors don't realize we have lives and hit us with hours of homework) Ibuprofen.
Sore muscles? Ibuprofen.
Sprain an ankle? Lots of ibuprofen.
Hydrocodine making you sick after surgery? Even more ibuprofen (in this particular case, disregard dosages on bottle).
Hangnail? Suck it up.
I know my mom has been making frequent appearances on the blog recently, but there's no such thing as too much attention so Mom, please don't worry. My elbow is fine, really. It's just a little swollen.
I think I'm going to cook dinner for myself tonight. I made some spaghetti with clam sauce the other day and it tasted pretty good. When you make your own food it tends to taste a little better, so I might be patient and do it again tonight. Who knows what's on the menu, though. Looks like I'll be surprising myself. All I know is that they used to call me Master Chef back in culinary arts class.
Just saying...
A couple days ago I reopened an old battle wound and in the process managed to inflate some kind of balloon in my elbow. Now I have a nice, natural puff surrounding my left elbow. Nothing big - I've had this happen many times before and actually enjoyed the best game of my high school career with a nasty juice bubble on my right elbow.
It's nothing a little ibuprofen and some antibiotics won't clear up in a couple days.
Ibuprofen is like duct tape for athletes. Really, the stuff's magical; you can use it for anything.
Jam your finger? Ibuprofen.
Headache? (whether from an elbow or because professors don't realize we have lives and hit us with hours of homework) Ibuprofen.
Sore muscles? Ibuprofen.
Sprain an ankle? Lots of ibuprofen.
Hydrocodine making you sick after surgery? Even more ibuprofen (in this particular case, disregard dosages on bottle).
Hangnail? Suck it up.
I know my mom has been making frequent appearances on the blog recently, but there's no such thing as too much attention so Mom, please don't worry. My elbow is fine, really. It's just a little swollen.
I think I'm going to cook dinner for myself tonight. I made some spaghetti with clam sauce the other day and it tasted pretty good. When you make your own food it tends to taste a little better, so I might be patient and do it again tonight. Who knows what's on the menu, though. Looks like I'll be surprising myself. All I know is that they used to call me Master Chef back in culinary arts class.
Just saying...
February 9, 2010
Mom
After fielding phone calls and text messages from my mom all night long, I've decided to propose a compromise via the internet and my blog.
My mom doesn't want anything further to happen to me. This is understandable considering the barrage of bumps and bruises I've taken in my five years at UB. As a matter of fact, just today in the hunt for a loose ball I re-opened a nasty little cut on my left elbow. Our trainer skillfully patched it up but there was a good bit of blood running down my arm at first.
So instead of resorting 100% to Freudian tactics for the remainder of the season, let's look at it like this...
...from now until the end of the regular season, we play every Wednesday and Saturday. This means we have two days of practice between each game, giving us over twice as many practices as games. That being said, I will wear my padded knee sleeve everyday in practice to avoid bumping my knee, but will play the games free as a bird.
Mom?
And in other news, my ingenious sister called to my attention my "Freudian Slip." Actually not a Freudian Slip at all - I was completely mistaken. Directly quoting my sister, "the whole blank slate thing (also known as "tabula resa" in latin) was originally attributed to Aristotle, later St. Thomas Aquinos, but in the sense you're talking about John Locke. ;-) THAT is what a Niagara University liberal arts education gets you - philosophy 101 m'friend!"
I apologize for all you Freudiacs out there for the mix-up. I knew it was one of those old philosopher guys, though. I know what I'm talking about.
"m'friend."
My mom doesn't want anything further to happen to me. This is understandable considering the barrage of bumps and bruises I've taken in my five years at UB. As a matter of fact, just today in the hunt for a loose ball I re-opened a nasty little cut on my left elbow. Our trainer skillfully patched it up but there was a good bit of blood running down my arm at first.
So instead of resorting 100% to Freudian tactics for the remainder of the season, let's look at it like this...
...from now until the end of the regular season, we play every Wednesday and Saturday. This means we have two days of practice between each game, giving us over twice as many practices as games. That being said, I will wear my padded knee sleeve everyday in practice to avoid bumping my knee, but will play the games free as a bird.
Mom?
And in other news, my ingenious sister called to my attention my "Freudian Slip." Actually not a Freudian Slip at all - I was completely mistaken. Directly quoting my sister, "the whole blank slate thing (also known as "tabula resa" in latin) was originally attributed to Aristotle, later St. Thomas Aquinos, but in the sense you're talking about John Locke. ;-) THAT is what a Niagara University liberal arts education gets you - philosophy 101 m'friend!"
I apologize for all you Freudiacs out there for the mix-up. I knew it was one of those old philosopher guys, though. I know what I'm talking about.
"m'friend."
February 8, 2010
Sigmund Freud
We finished off the NBA portion of our schedule (five games, ten days, four states) with our first-ever win at Toledo. It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win is a win and we'll take it.
A few things have happened recently, so I'll try to shed some light.
I found a penny on the gym floor during shoot around at Toledo.
I forgot my knee sleeve in Buffalo for this trip.
And that's where the story begins. You see, ever since tearing my ACL and MCL at the end of my freshman year, I have worn a simple Neoprene knee sleeve just to keep my joint from getting cold and stiff. Earlier this season I banged my knee on the floor and suffered a bone bruise that kept me out a couple days. In response to that I began using a different sleeve - one with a little bit of padding on it. It's more comfortable and lighter than my old sleeves and even has padding so it's been a welcome addition to my armor. Unfortunately I forgot it for our Central Michigan/Toledo road trip.
When I realized I had forgotten it (which wasn't until after the Central game), I began thinking. I began thinking of the days when I was young when our bones were rubber and our bodies could twist and turn and fall and smash without even a whisper of pain. Then I fast forwarded to now.
Currently I wear ankle braces on both ankles (everyone does these days), my new knee pad/sleeve and I get my right wrist taped due to a slight sprain I acquired a few weeks ago. I feel like a knight going into a jousting tournament.
Call me crazy, but good ol' Sigmund Freud snuck into my head. Don't ask me why or how, but the guy started making some sense. He had some theory (I think it was him) about coming into the world and going out the same way. Start fresh and end fresh, right? Makes sense. When we're little we have no responsibilities, no school, no job - just fun. When we retire, pretty much the same deal (as long as you saved up your money).
So with one month left until I play the final regular season game of my career, I actually listened to that kook Freud. I ripped the tape off my wrist, disregarded my knee sleeve and ran onto the floor feeling free as a bird (still strapped on my ankle braces, though - for obvious reasons).
Maybe old Sig is full of it, but I felt good and we won the game. Looks like I'm going to be going out just like I came in.
Sorry, Mom.
A few things have happened recently, so I'll try to shed some light.
I found a penny on the gym floor during shoot around at Toledo.
I forgot my knee sleeve in Buffalo for this trip.
And that's where the story begins. You see, ever since tearing my ACL and MCL at the end of my freshman year, I have worn a simple Neoprene knee sleeve just to keep my joint from getting cold and stiff. Earlier this season I banged my knee on the floor and suffered a bone bruise that kept me out a couple days. In response to that I began using a different sleeve - one with a little bit of padding on it. It's more comfortable and lighter than my old sleeves and even has padding so it's been a welcome addition to my armor. Unfortunately I forgot it for our Central Michigan/Toledo road trip.
When I realized I had forgotten it (which wasn't until after the Central game), I began thinking. I began thinking of the days when I was young when our bones were rubber and our bodies could twist and turn and fall and smash without even a whisper of pain. Then I fast forwarded to now.
Currently I wear ankle braces on both ankles (everyone does these days), my new knee pad/sleeve and I get my right wrist taped due to a slight sprain I acquired a few weeks ago. I feel like a knight going into a jousting tournament.
Call me crazy, but good ol' Sigmund Freud snuck into my head. Don't ask me why or how, but the guy started making some sense. He had some theory (I think it was him) about coming into the world and going out the same way. Start fresh and end fresh, right? Makes sense. When we're little we have no responsibilities, no school, no job - just fun. When we retire, pretty much the same deal (as long as you saved up your money).
So with one month left until I play the final regular season game of my career, I actually listened to that kook Freud. I ripped the tape off my wrist, disregarded my knee sleeve and ran onto the floor feeling free as a bird (still strapped on my ankle braces, though - for obvious reasons).
Maybe old Sig is full of it, but I felt good and we won the game. Looks like I'm going to be going out just like I came in.
Sorry, Mom.
February 1, 2010
Billy Joel?
It's been awhile, I know. I apologize but we're in the midst of five games played within ten days in four different states. Needless to say we've been busy.
Got a nice road win at Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon to end our three-game slide and now we're back at it again tonight against Western Michigan at home.
And I'm starving.
But we eat our pre-game meal in about a half hour so that's the good news.
I'm going to rewind a bit to yesterday, though, and our 1:30 practice. For the first time in what seems like forever, I was able to sleep in and relax all Sunday morning before practice. After a delicious breakfast (I recommend the Original Pancake House to anyone who hasn't been there) I headed to the gym and was greeted outside the locker room by...
...a group of high school kids dressed in tuxedos and black dresses?
Obviously I was caught a bit off guard, but you never know what they're up to in Alumni Arena so I shrugged it off and went on getting ready for practice until...
...these high school kids began singing. Like angels.
I'm not even joking I thought a CD was playing in the hallway until we opened the door and the heavenly voices of twenty-some adolescents nearly melted our hearts with the sweet sounds of their voices. I don't even remember what song it was that they were singing - something by Billy Joel I think - but whatever it was I almost raked my wallet for a few bucks to throw them for the afternoon entertainment.
Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to hear them perform (practice), but I'm sure they sounded just as wonderful in the arena with microphones and the whole deal. And I'm sure their parents took them all for ice cream after the concert.
Oh, how I miss the days.
But back to today. It's time to eat then get a little rest before tonight.
Had to answer a few questions for the media after shoot around, but I don't even remember what I said. They ask some funny questions sometimes so I end up just giving a stock answer - I might've answered two questions the same way. At least he had questions, though. Some guys come in and just tell you a story before they point the microphone at your face.
I mean what am I supposed to say when a reporter goes, "It seems like you guys have been shooting the ball pretty well recently," and then just stares at me?
"Um, yes, yes sir we have?" Please at least ask a question. Please.
But that's neither here nor there. It's game day so I'll see you on the court.
Got a nice road win at Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon to end our three-game slide and now we're back at it again tonight against Western Michigan at home.
And I'm starving.
But we eat our pre-game meal in about a half hour so that's the good news.
I'm going to rewind a bit to yesterday, though, and our 1:30 practice. For the first time in what seems like forever, I was able to sleep in and relax all Sunday morning before practice. After a delicious breakfast (I recommend the Original Pancake House to anyone who hasn't been there) I headed to the gym and was greeted outside the locker room by...
...a group of high school kids dressed in tuxedos and black dresses?
Obviously I was caught a bit off guard, but you never know what they're up to in Alumni Arena so I shrugged it off and went on getting ready for practice until...
...these high school kids began singing. Like angels.
I'm not even joking I thought a CD was playing in the hallway until we opened the door and the heavenly voices of twenty-some adolescents nearly melted our hearts with the sweet sounds of their voices. I don't even remember what song it was that they were singing - something by Billy Joel I think - but whatever it was I almost raked my wallet for a few bucks to throw them for the afternoon entertainment.
Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to hear them perform (practice), but I'm sure they sounded just as wonderful in the arena with microphones and the whole deal. And I'm sure their parents took them all for ice cream after the concert.
Oh, how I miss the days.
But back to today. It's time to eat then get a little rest before tonight.
Had to answer a few questions for the media after shoot around, but I don't even remember what I said. They ask some funny questions sometimes so I end up just giving a stock answer - I might've answered two questions the same way. At least he had questions, though. Some guys come in and just tell you a story before they point the microphone at your face.
I mean what am I supposed to say when a reporter goes, "It seems like you guys have been shooting the ball pretty well recently," and then just stares at me?
"Um, yes, yes sir we have?" Please at least ask a question. Please.
But that's neither here nor there. It's game day so I'll see you on the court.
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