Tuesday, January 15, 2013

We continue on with a true up and down basketball season locally. I have so much to share that I need to make this post a 2 parter with more later in the week. I always share only when I have something to say and today is one of those days.

Lets start with the local high major teams that are currently part of the soon to be defunct Big East Conference. So much can be said about each of them but the most important thing to me is Fans Need To be supportive. At least in the case of Seton  Hall and Rutgers! St. Johns? That  is another story!

Seton Hall has a current record 11 and 6 playing a pretty decent schedule. Thats 11 and 6 and not 6 and 11!  This is the time fans need to rally behind the team and make the Prudential Center a hard place to play. The support could provide points to the score board and make the Pirates achieve beyond expectations. And for those who feel Willard is on the hot seat? All I will say is lol.

Rutgers has a current record of 11 and 4. Thats pretty good in my opinion. The RAC is supposed to be a hard place to play and now is the time for the place to be a complete mad house. Like Seton Hall, Rutgers could end with a winning record worthy of post season play. Now the negative as I see it. Mike Rice looks like a maniac the way he coaches. Yesterday another person who coached similar   was fired at Southern Cal. When I watch Rutgers even I get frightened by Mike Rice's eyes, and I have watched him for years even when he was at Fordham and he worked out with our Dyckman Program here and there. Is his behavior going to ever scare some kids away? Ummmmmm!

St. Johns is a different story. The tradition, the respect, the face of NYC College basketball! The team that in the past sold out Madison Square Garden. The team that people looked at as if they were watching the Knicks. The groupies, the crazy fans, we all were St. Johns as they said in the chants. Well, they have the super star coach from Hollywood and a world class staff being paid the big money and the results have not been as expected. The head coach has had some health challenges but thank God he is back. But since coming back do we see any real difference? Rumor has it that the assistants make as much as some head coaches at other places including one Big East head coach. And the recruiting budget they have is larger than most in many ways with more in a reserve war chest for special occasions. Still no native NYC or NJ players on the roster. Yes,  the kid from Our Savior New America is playing, but where are the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Newark, Plainfield, Atlantic City, and yes Teaneck kids? St. Johns always had that area toughness more than national names stopping by before heading hopefully to the NBA. I really do not see this experiment working but what I think sure carries no weight. Even the on campus arena does not sell out any longer. Is anyone really watching? And please with the sneakers on the coaches every game with open shirts and  no ties.  We need a strong St. Johns again!

Everyone has been emailing me about being so tough on FDU. Well, as I mentioned to FDU basketball Booster James Brown, CPA, the FDU program has talent but maybe they need to recruit character as well. Just saying.....   FDU again has a losing record of 7 and 10 after losing last night to NJIT at home before a sitting in one section only crowd of 412 announced people which most likely was half that amount.  I again question the athletic leadership of that school and wonder why they even have a D1 basketball program if they are not going to be supportive. Funny thing is the campus is wonderful and getting nicer each year. However,  the Rothman Center is a sore thumb and looks like a gym in a small HS in Mississippi. I again ask does anyone really care? Unbelievable based on the potential of the program being 9 miles from NYC and about 20 from Newark NJ. But again they do have players but maybe not with the work ethic and character needed for FDU to be successful.

Speaking of NJIT I saw them on TV playing Utah Valley and I was very impressed. They played hard, had talent, and ran stuff. In fact i feel they will be a very good team in years to come once they get into a conference such as the NEC (Maybe they can take FDU's spot when they go D3), or the America East. Academically they are already a great school!

Monmouth built a great new 4000 plus facility, hired a North Carolina Alumni Coaching Staff, and continues to lose in front of record low crowds. They are currently 6 and 11! Why? I am yelling this as loud as I can, Monmouth is one of the great mid major jobs in America if they have the right people. Maybe the current coach will turn it around. Or maybe he will not. But with such an outstanding school, facilities, and potential fan base right near the shore, it is no excuse not to be able to get every great transfer, and freshmen recruits a shade under Big East caliber.

Fordham is currently playing in the tough A10 without the tools to be successful. As I mentioned to a Fordham Assistant a few weeks back, they will never be a major player in the A10 without a better place to play home games. I couldn't care less about the academic rep of the school, etc. Lots of great schools academically have state of the art facilities. To play in that place even with the upgrades will not attract the kids needed for Fordham to be what they need to be in the world of college basketball. They are not Duke! I repeat they are not Duke so that old place with limited bathrooms and concessions from behind a table etc. will just not work. It will take a certain type of kid and transfers to make Fordham good. Kids are not turning down Xavier, Dayton, St. Joe's and others for Fordham Road and the chance to play in front of 2700 in a 100 year old facility. I will say that Fordham is a great academic school and the graduates tend to be very successful but HS stars are not sophisticated enough to make that a recruiting factor.

Manhattan 5 and 11, Hofstra 5 and 11 and Rider 9 and 9.  Manhattan has a lot of work to do and I am sure they will be more competitive in the near future. Hofstra  just might be done and a new coaching staff might be in place for next season. Just a program in need of change. However, if change happens I hope they will think about Wayne Morgan being elevated to the Head position and I also hope if there is a change at FDU Steve DeMao is hired ASAP. He might be the only one locally with the know how and experience to turn FDU around. Rider is another place with a HS gym. Problem is they have a small HS gym from the 1950's  Interesting place and the coach on hand needs to get a 5 year extension for being 9 and 9 at this time playing in such a dump.

Iona............They just keep rolling on! The current coach attended St. Johns University so all I will say is ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!  This is a program that makes everything they do first class including the little 3200 seat on campus gym. The uniforms, atmosphere, and everything else says winner. Still have a concern about staffing but the AD Gene Marshall is outstanding and will make it all  correct. FDU and SHU could have used this guy and I told folks this for years. By the way I saw AD Marshall's son  play for Hackensack HS. Not a D1 player but sure will be super successful in life just by his work ethic and commitment. Might be Gov. of NJ one day!

Last but not least Columbia is 8 and 6 and no one has noticed. If you want a great atmosphere attend a Columbia game. I wonder if my man Ron Kapon still follows the team? I even like the uniforms they are wearing!  Columbia is no longer the laughing stock of the Ivy League.

Lots going on HS wise in both NYC and NJ.  The biggest surprise thus far is The Patrick School, formerly St. Patricks. They have a very good team and are far better than people thought they would be. St. Anthony's is who they are. Playing hard with discipline makes them a hard team to beat. Gil St. Bernard has totally under achieved. St. Joe's has some very good young players and will be very good next year. Hudson Catholic is a contender but to me not  serious one. Teaneck is Teaneck with no height but a wonderful little guard in Shakir Lindsey and a pretty good sg/sf in the Hernandez kid who would be a good get for a school like Monmouth. Atlantic City remains perfect and i look forward to watching them on Saturday at St. Anthony's. Most likely St. Anthony.s will win by 15 or so. St. Benedict's has the best group of players on one NJ HS Team I have seen since the old Patterson Catholic Teams with Tim Thomas and company. They are also very well coached and Tyler Ennis is one of my favorite players and a true student athlete and gentlemen.

The huge game between St. Anthony's and St. Benedict's shoud be a good one but I see St. Benedict's  winning by 12. What happened to HS basketball in Paterson NJ? Both Eastside and Kennedy are far less than competitive these days. Seton Hall Pep is now equivalent to Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco from Bergen County.  Roselle Catholic has a very good team and Tyler Roberson is a Syracuse player if I ever saw one. However, they do seem to be slightly under achieving. Pope John XXXIII of Sparta has a tremendous player who mysteriously left Cardoza HS in Queens to enroll their last season.  Question is will he ever play. Regardless this will be a great team and maybe most talented in NJ next season with an assortment of talented younger players with high D1 potential. What is it with the lack of classy warmups gear on elite HS teams this season? Teams are hitting the court like they are in the hackensack YMCA league. No warmup pants, mix matched warm-ups, etc. Horrible!

Was at the recent New Years Jump Off hosted by Jim Solman's Playaz organization. Great great event! Match-ups were not as they were supposed to be because Gil St. Bernard dropped out to preserve record. One thing still needed is at least a piece of paper with the players numbers etc.  Oh how we all miss Bobby jacobs and The Slam Dunk to the Beach or was it Slam Dunk at The Beach? Say what you wish but NYC HS Basketball is nowhere as competitive or interesting as NJ HS Basketball.  What happened?

More later in the week.   Have a great day everyone!

Tuesday,  December 17, 2012

Basketball 2012-2013

Interesting developments in the world of college basketball with the departure of the Catholic Schools from The Big East Conference.  Not sure if they will retain the name as a new basketball emphasized conference with at least 2 to 4 teams expected to be added soon. But regardless of the name this league will have,  I have some thoughts I would like to share concerning this recent development.

First I have to say what took them so long? The writing was on the wall way back when Boston College did the dumbest move in years and departed for a southern based league which is what the ACC really is.  We all know that football money can build new labs quicker than basketball money. But for basketball purposes Boston College looks silly even being in the ACC. In fact I doubt being in the ACC helps them at all recruiting wise. If they stayed in the Big East the Basketball Team sure would have been better. But again football generates great revenue. But is the ACC a real football power conference? Ummm!

Second and most important.  I honestly feel the Catholic seven would have had Notre Dame if they had moved on this quicker. In fact I wonder if ND would consider joining these teams to make up a truly super league. Yes,  I feel this will be a great league because of the teams, and more importantly the wonderful basketball tradition each brings to the table. Georgetown, St. Johns, Seton Hall, Depaul,  Providence, Marquette, and Villanova all have outstanding tradition and potential tremendous fan bases.  In fact all represent great media markets as well and even have rivalry partners as DePaul and Marquette will be.  This league will be a power conference regardless of what some haters will say. In fact top to bottom on any given year they could compete against any conference in America!

As far as additional teams? I really wish for Butler, Xavier, and Memphis! And if I can get a great Christmas present it would be Notre Dame joining the league as well!  As a last resort Temple would also bo a great addition but they have alot invested in football so the logical choice would be.....St. Joe's who would bring additional history and tradition.  I do not like the league, I  LOVE THE LEAGUE!   Caution please do not have 16 teams because to gain great visibility league teams need an opportunity to play great out of conference schedules as well as develop wonderful local rivalries.

Lastly on this subject I hope to see the new league, regardless of what it is called,  have its conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. For the remaining teams in the weakened Big East to try to do a local conference tournament without St. Johns, SHU, and others would be suicidal so the possibility of the teams playing at MSG should be great!

Finally on this subject I personally doubt if the Big East will even be in existence basketball wise within 2 years. Or at the most it will be a mid major basketball league with a stronger, not strong, football presence.


Hoop Group Event at West Orange HS

Spent all day Sunday at West Orange HS watching 6 HS games. Talk about torture this sure was close.  First game had to be a courtesy game for the usage of the gym. In a slow unnecessary game Plainfield beat West Orange HS zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! But Plainfield will always get props from me based on destroying Teaneck last year. I still owe hot dogs to a few Plainfield fans.

Next game was Bloomfield.......oops I mean Hudson Catholic vs a scrappy St. Peters Prep from Jersey City. Now there is hardly any chance for St. Peters to be anything above JV in Jersey City with St. Anthony's and Hudson Catholic also located there. But what a nice club they have and very well coached. Nice size and decent players who will win their share of games this season. They just played a team with better and more experienced talent.

Many people often come to me asking why I am somewhat hard on Hudson Catholic and The Coach. I really am not but it just seems like a movie star is the coach with all the background folks all dressed alike for the act and him wearing Armani sweaters etc.  Not important but whats that all about?  lol!   Honestly the guy does a good job and has done a lot for his players over the years.

Watched Reggie Cameron closely and keeping it real as I always do I have to say he choose the right school. A school that runs a system where he will excell. I still say he has too much meat in the fridge and remains not hungry. He watches the game often and fails to participate despite having great skills and ability. Basketball remains a game of confidence where the strong survive. After HS he has to step it up to get where he rightfully should be.

You either love or hate Kavon Stewart of Hudson Catholic. Nice player who might drive the wrong coach crazy. But at Robert Morris he could be an impact recruit for the lowly NEC school. In Pittsburgh  they will always be JV to the two larger schools currently in the Big East and A10. Thinking about the A10 school if I remember right they are a Catholic University. Ummmmmm!

Hudson Catholic won easy but had all starters on court with a minute and a half remaining in game and up 23 points. Why?  I guess the Hudson Catholic Coach was concerned about St. Peters hitting a 23 point shot!  By the way St. Peters Prep Guard Travis Wyche will have a great career at St. Peters College of the MAAC!

Before the next game I saw the same cast of characters who have hovered around the game for years betting on college games,and making side deals regarding kids going to certain schools. The games were so boring that I spent time air hustling to get information. You have to hear some of the things. "Thats one of my kids,  call me and lets discuss making it happen"  or "I sent him there but I will be making his college decision."   AAU guys making deals on who will play for them this summer, guys smoozing with parents to get an edge, low level want to be agents trying to get a foot in the door, and no one watching the games hoping to discover a player they knew nothing about previously. Sad!

Coaches I saw were from Monmouth, Fordham, Cincinnati, Pitt, West Virginia, St. Johns, and even Temple who was represented by their head coach Fran Dunphrey (sp) who was in the building watching his recruit Josh Brown the super guard fro St. Anthony's. Interesting how many of those coaches just laughed and had fun like they were doing guys out night as opposed to even watching the games.

Nice to see Kyree Irving in attendance looking like he is 20 years old. Wait, he is about 20 years old lol. He was so down to earth it was refreshing.  Also saw the same cast of characters with press credentials walking around getting in the way. Interesting that I have yet to see a story or even a blog they have done. Of course the legendary Tom Konchalski was in attendance and actually watching the games unlike many other so called scouting services.

It was now time for the Roselle Catholic vs Pope John game. And again no sign of Jermaine Lawrence who is reported to be out with a hand injury. I guess he was home in NYC watching TV. Would have been nice to see him at the game sitting on bench supporting his team. Guess he had other plans! You have to be a great player for coaches not to recognize that selfishness.  Heck,  if you have game you could do time for murder and some D1 school will take you no questions asked. One day soon I will see him play an actual game. But for now it would have been nice just watching him cheer for and encouraging his teammates.

Roselle catholic won the game but it was sure interesting. Tyler Roberson is a Syracuse Player if I ever saw one. He is really good and worthy of all his accolades.  Tall, lanky, and extremely skilled. Runs the court and competes every play. Future NBA player!   Malaki Richardson the transfer from Trenton Catholic could be just as good.  He is a tremendous player and only a sophomore. The sky is the limit for him and I predict greatness worthy of the McDonald game if he works hard.

Interesting that both teams with such great players had mix match warm-ups and no team sneakers. Whats happening is the sneaker money now off the table? These guys were dressed like they were getting ready for a game at The Riverdale Y.

I have to point out that Pope John Soph Mustafa Diagne will also be special in a year or so. He was voted best basketball body of the day. 6 ft 9 and built like a rock!

During the game one Assistant from a NJ HS power was sitting back talking loud about Parents texting him. He said they do not know him and he could whip their.....!  You never know who is listening.

Bryce Aiken, freshmen guard on Pope John is a future star. If he gets stronger and grows 4 inches he could be a high major in he same mode of the NYC and NJ  greats he has watched.

St. Anthony's beat a talented Neptune team that will compete for the states. Its interesting how Bob Hurley gets kids to play hard, play D, and compete! I love hearing HS coaches say their kids do not play good D.  Well whose fault is that? Use the Hurley model that dictates defense or a place on the bench regardless of who you are and your offensive skill level. It's not as if St. Anthony's kids are head and shoulder better than kids on other teams. It's just the fact they work harder on both ends of the court and have been taught how to play the game better. It also helps when they know their Coach is not kissing anyones ......!

Karl Towns walked into the gym and he is actually a legit 7 Ft,  strong and agile. I love the fact his Parents are right there with him every step of the way. Dad knows the deal because he was a baller himself. But funny joke from someone in the stands was Dads leather jacket had the Kentucky logo all over the inside lining lol. I guess Karl purchased the Kentucky Ski Cap he had on while he was there visiting.  Love seeing kids commit to schools and wind up with tons of gear that they must have ordered on the computer lol.

Soon after Kentucky Coach Calipari walks in with Assistant Orlando Antiqua who I remember from his days at St. Raymond's HS in The Bronx.  Honestly they arrived like Movie Stars! No Kentucky gear, no fancy bright warmups, just nice tailored clothing and tans. Most likely they came on a private jet. They sat away from the other side away from the other coaches as Rick Patino does when recruiting and actually watched Karl play his game against Teaneck.  They obviously understand how to do it while the other coaches  in attendance were BSing around having fun.

St. Josephs avenged last years Teaneck win with an overtime  victory that was very exciting. In the game karl did not hit one outside shot but was very tough inside and looked much stronger and tougher.  For Teaneck they will always be competitive except for the game against Plainfield last season where they were totally embarrassed to the point I thought there was going to be some movement of some kind within the program. Would nice to see The Hernandez kid play a bit more team ball but thats not what they ask. Right now he would be a great get for a NEC or MAAC level school.  Learn to play better team ball and he could be a A10 player. It would be nice to see them play some tough match-up zone, full court press with traps, and even a half court 131 of some type. You can have an off night offensively but defense must be consistent and  played each and every game. No D? No Play!  Shakir Lindsey is also a very very very special player and I sure hope it all comes together for him.

Watched the first quarter of the last game featuring St. Benedict's vs a Prep School from Massachusetts with a huge team. The prep team looked tremendous on the sidelines.  But horrible when the game started. proves you cannot judge a book by its cover.  By the way both of these teams also looked like they were playing at The Riverdale Y with the mix match warm-ups, different sneakers, etc. Just a terrible look and one I hate to see.

Seems to me that NJ has the best HS basketball talent in the tri-state area. maybe its because of the recruiting that is allowed in NJ that brings so many of the better players across the George washington Bridge and through the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels.  But regardless of the reason, it is not even close any longer!

My NJ Top 9

St. Anthony's
St. Benedict's
Roselle Catholic
The Patrick School
Pope John
Gil St. Bernard
St. Josephs
Hudson Catholic
Teaneck





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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

As we continue with this crazy basketball season watching teams we love fight for wins it occurs to me that changes must happen in many ways for certain programs to be successful. After all,  it sure is not about only the glitter because much of that has a tendency to turn into litter!

St, Johns of the once all powerful Big East  Loses to The University of San Francisco? Oh well they are still sporting a winning record so does anyone really care about this loss? Will St. Johns sell out the next home game regardless of this past performance? Would be a nice thing but I doubt if we will see St. Johns sell out another game anytime soon unless they change all home games to St. Joseph by The Sea HS located in somewhere NY?

OK maybe I did not get the memo but I was certain that Big East Teams were supposed to beat up on all others outside of other high D1 and power conference teams. What the heck is happening? Millions of dollars in coaching salaries and even more getting recruits from all over the country except the NY Tri-State Area and playing like they have with no purpose on the court is very interesting. Lets see how they do from here out but when all the changes were announced years ago we actually thought St. Johns was back!  This now seems like Bob Hill at Fordham all over again! Anyone else remember when Fordham was going to compete with all the big boys and hired the high level staff who were supposed to, according to rumors, each get a Range Rover as a recruiting vehicle to impress recruits?  We all thought Fordham was taking over. Ditto St. Johns with the new staff they have in place! Right now no one is in fear of playing St. Johns of the powerful Big East Conference. In fact the other local college teams are not in awe of any Big East Program between New York and Pennsylvania. with the exception of Syracuse who is running as far away from the Big east as they can.

Interesting that the Big East Program that does seem to be heading in the right direction is Providence College. Just proves what happens when folks hire substance as opposed to glitter.  And locally teams are itching to play the big boys. I hear D3 Lehman College has reached out to play home and away against St. Johns, RU, Seton Hall, and Villanova but turned down alot of money to play Providence (smile).  I am sure they will get the FDU game on the schedule because a win is a win for teams such as Lehman.

Speaking of Seton Hall I would be concerned and far from satisfied that NJIT could play the Pirates so close yesterday. Maybe it was close because they both have used the Prudential Center as a home court in the past. SHU plays all home games there and NJIT has played one or two some years. Maybe NJIT is just a better team and program now as opposed to what we remember when they were ranked the worst D1 team and program in America a few years back,  going winless for the season. Regardless, all Big East teams should win those type of games by no fewer than 20-25 points and the opposing team should be sprinting to the locker room with smiles on their faces realizing the beating could have been by 50 if they did not play as well as they did.  In a nutshell I will only say un-acceptable!

Speaking of Fordham with a coaching staff I really like, what the heck was that about going into Pa. and getting seriously whipped by Lehigh of the powerful..........heck I cannot even remember the name of the conference they play in and they are right down the road or highway from my home in Pennsylvania.  But than again I could say the same thing about Villanova losing to Columbia earlier in the season. Yes,  powerful Columbia of the powerful Ivy League!  Maybe the Big East should extend invitations to Columbia, Lehigh, and NJIT to join the conference with San Francisco also being strongly considered as well?

I am scared to even look at what other colleges and universities in the area are doing. It is just that type of year thus far. None of the very good kids want to stay home it seems. I guess they feel it is just to close. Yea right, I doubt that! The local programs just do not have it going on. Believe it or not Seton Hall has more glamour about their program this season than SJU, RU, VU, and definitely more than a place like Penn State who has all the facilities and tools to be successful but remains at the bottom of the BIG conference that continues to get even bigger.  The Prudential Center at least has atmosphere that would be impressive to recruits.

Speaking of recruits please allow me to give my take on what it takes to land the top guys and win in the year 2012, 2013, and even 2014.

Recruits want to play in front of a lot of people at home. They want the arena or gym full with fans being supportive.

Recruits want to see committed coaching staffs consisting of people who can get them better and most cases good enough to make money one day playing basketball. Or in some cases maybe I should say to continue making money!

Recruits want luxury accommodations in where they live, how they eat on campus, how they travel to games, and where they work out.

Recruits want respected coaches who command respect and have a track record of winning. By the way thats winning and not whining!

Recruits want to be impressed as they are wined and dined during the recruitment process.

Recruits want to feel as if they are a priority as Dexter Strickland did when he watched North Carolina play a home game in Chapel Hill at noon on TV and Roy Williams still showed up at his 4 PM game at Madison Square Garden arriving to the area via private jet.

Recruits want to see great player development across the board and not watch other kids they once idolized treated unfairly, and not living up to their potential.

Recruits want glitter and substance including first rate tutors, computer access, dedicated learning labs, wonderful practice facilities not shared with the women's team or used for intramurals.

Recruits want to see other high impact recruits considering the colleges recruiting them. Think it was not impressive to Kyle Anderson that other highly rated recruits were considering UCLA? By the way does anyone really feel SHU had a real chance at the time? OK folks read between the lines.....At-the-time!!!!   Remember I still say Kyle Anderson is the real deal and a future NBA Star! Put him on Kentucky and they are undefeated!

So whats the formula for a quick fix and in some cases, but certainly not all, quick births to the NCAA tournament?  Do I really need to say this? You mean you really do not know the answer? You really do not know the one thing that most schools other than the local schools do to attract players? You do not understand what many schools have done with AAU and travel team coaches as well as HS coaches from places such as Chicago, Detroit, etc. going back many-many years?  You mean you have never heard the stories about how certain schools that at one time were spitting images of what FDU was last year becoming national type programs? You mean you honestly thought it was all about coaching?

Lets change up a bit. Or are we? Ummmmmmmmm!  Does cheating actually happen all over America in athletics? What role does the sneaker companies play and how much influence do they really have? Is it true certain Sports Agents have so much access they actually support certain travel teams with under the table contributions? Is it true that on certain campuses there is even an un-official lounge for certain sports agents to come and go as they please? Is it true that on some campuses certain sports agents are almost treated like staff?

All of the above could just be rumors? Or some or all of it just might be true. Many have said that in no way except on years when the stars and moon align  just right will teams from non power conferences, or teams without winning traditions, or teams who do not cheat, make it to the final 4. Just saying what I have heard!

Locally I have heard some interesting rumors that are borderline unbelievable especially considering how certain teams have competed and played. In no way could these rumors be true based on what I have seen thus far. Not only locally but on the national level as well.  During my travels I love going to games and watching what happens off the court while the game goes on. Trust me often the real game takes place in the stands. The deals that are struck you would not believe.......according to what I have been told as well as what I THINK I HAVE HEARD AND SEEN.  But to this day I will never ever understand the NCAA because what we have in place is a system that hinges on amateur athletic destruction as we know it. A system that makes everyone go out and do all they can regardless of committing recruitment violations in an effort to keep up, compete, and to win.   A system so corrupt that kids are completing 4 years of eligibility with 41 earned credits and than returning home with low self esteem and a bunch of free athletic gear that one day will turn yellow and too small to wear as they become bigger from not playing the game as much any longer. Will schools such as FDU, St. Peters, LIU, Marist, Manhattan, and Monmouth, ever really have a chance to be successful and go far in the NCAA's? Ditto SHU, RU, Fordham, Penn State, and others? Do we need to go to a system of D1, and D1AA for the schools who really do not have the resources, commitment, or even deep pocket boosters (wink-wink) to allow them to compete with the big boys?

Lots to think about and remember it all could be just a dream, or at the least just rumors. But despite it all, change needs to happen across the board including the local programs with coaching, player development, facility upgrades, commitment,  event marketing, and other areas that will make local great players as well as some national players consider attending good ole local university!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Interesting basketball thoughts from the weekend!

First of all its a sad day in sports losing Rick Majerus, a great coach who seemed to always do it his way and produced winning teams at many universities.  Rest in Peace Coach!

Also a sad day because Kenny "Eggman" Williamson departed the Earth recently. A memorial service was held for him yesterday at Iona College. A great personality, true character,   and a wonderful person who was from the community and loved by anyone who ever met him. Rest in Peace Coach Williamson!

Basketball wise I am now about to write some things that just might have people up in arms. But as you know and understand about me,  I couldn't care less. I give it to you straight with no chaser! So if you get angry fast please depart this page now.

I will start by including St. Johns, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and FDU in the same category. What category is this you might wish to ask? it is the going nowhere fast category! Sorry, I said it. Than again I am not sorry because  it is what it is.

Seton Hall has had some health issues and things that has kept their best product from being on the floor.  But I have to say where is the depth? Where is the bench?  My thoughts on the direction of this program will be at the end of this part of my post.

St. Johns looks like a team playing a summer league game in the park uptown. Yes, I said it! What the heck? With all the money they spend and continue to spend whats the deal? Plus for the first time since I can remember they actually did not have 1 NYC or Northern NJ kid in the rotation or on the roster the last time I looked. How can you be in the MECCA, close to NJ, Pa., Connecticut, and in NY and do not have an area influence on the roster?  This should be a crime when you think about the SJU history of success. Lucky Marty Markowitz the Brooklyn Boro president is not Mayor because  he would fine them (smile).

Rutgers just seems to be doing the best they can. Unfortunately that is just not enough. What the heck! Is anyone interested? Are they really going to the Big 10? Why? OK it has to be for  Football because no one seems interested in RU Basketball. Sooner or later they will have to win some games. Even than how do they get  8500 fans out for every game. I can see it now: Indiana at Rutgers and the attendance will be 4265. Michigan State 4600, etc.  Unlike UConn, and Syracuse those Big Ten schools are too far to bring a fan base with them,  especially to Rutgers which will not be good enough till they get the formula to attract great NJ, NY, and Pa. players. It will be like traveling to Northwestern years ago. Just did not happen!

FDU is in this category because they are FDU! In  fact they are doing better than I thought they would do thus far. I might even go to a game. I will call my ex player Greg Vetrone and ask him to leave me two tickets. One for me and one for a needed body guard lol.  Maybe I will get the ticket from my good friend James Brown CPA who lives and dies with FDU and Teaneck HS basketball. Wait a moment that came out like I was saying FDU HS basketball. Maybe that's what they should do. Make the program a HS team. After all they made a nice looking facility into a horrible looking HS gym!

So here is what I think about all the programs mentioned. In fact let me say all but FDU which seems to also be doing better and the best they can.  All the programs are lacking attractiveness. They all seem plain with nothing exciting or sexy about them. St. Johns had a great opportunity with the new glamour staff. But they continue to look more like the Milbank Unlimited Team in The Rucker summer league.  What is Seton Hall doing to really get the very good to great area players? Finishing 2nd is not worthy of accolades, especially during a time when it is not uncommon for highly recruited kids to say the correct things to local media people.  St. Johns has attracted highly recruited players as only they can. Unfortunately they seem to not be jelling as a team. Also nothing like that NYC toughness on a team. see Ron Artist reference. Also see Beaver Smith, Frankie Alagia, Chris Mullin, Walter Berry, Mark Jackson, Kevin Williams, etc.

Unfortunately most of the college teams in America are playing to make the NCAA knowing for the most part they have zero chance of winning a national championship. St. Peters knows this as does Manhattan, NJIT, and yes FDU. Unfortunately SHU, RU, and SJU should feel the same way until they figure out how to keep the tremendously talented top 50  type players home, something RU has done in football. Now St. Johns has done what it had to do but the coaching and player development is the same as what is happening at UCLA to date.  But the others?

Lets talk real stuff!   I still say 85 to 90 percent of the college D1 basketball teams cheat in one way or the other. Most commit minor infractions while others are doing major stuff like paying money to players and families, supplying jobs and business opportunities, hooking up rec and even some HS coaches for a home visit, school visit, and a jackpot for a commitment.  So where does that leave most schools? They have no chance of competing. Oh yes there will be the occasional Butler (with 16000 seat arena) VCU (with strong commitment to basketball) and Gonzaga. But for the most part the "Big Boys" know how to get it done. Arriving by private jet, showing up in a limo, playing in front of 20,000 plus, wining and dining student athletes, outstanding training facilities, traveling to away games via 2 or 3 private jets, special training table, etc. Anyone watch that Kentucky recruitment film on TV?

So how do the area teams compete? Or are they just playing to be respectful? I just do not see any light at the end of the tunnel at this point. I do not see sell outs at RU, SHU (I am talking entire building not the curtain thing), or St. Johns on campus or at the Garden. I just do not see what they are doing to make kids grow up hoping to play for one of the power teams in the area. I  remember when St. Johns did not recruit, they selected!

Other Thoughts

Waiting to see what happens to the Head Coach at Hofstra after all the thefts that took place on campus. Now I say everyone is innocent till proven guilty. But I await to see the punishment the head coach will get. The last time I saw similar incidents was at Binghamton, and that was nowhere as serious. However the Head Coach was FIRED! Now I am not looking or pushing for anyone to get fired. Just curious how Hofstra handles this in comparison to Binghamton who in my opinion  handled it wrong and had to pay the ex coach a lot of money when he left.

What is the deal with all the players now sporting beards on the court? Where is Bobby Knight, John Thompson, Dean Smith, and others when we need them?  I always said if I was a HS or college basketball coach a player would have to play like Michael Jordan to get my permission to have corn rows, a beard, crazy hair, a mohawk, super tattoos all over, etc. I know I know I am behind the times. But wow does this new beard thing look ridiculous and some kids look like they are in the Junior .......(fill in the blank) .

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Not alot to say this morning but I do have some personal points to make regarding basketball, the game we love and adore.

It really seems to me that we are getting closer than ever before to the International system where players are being developed from an early age for professional basketball careers. Let me give a few examples:

Kentucky : Nuff Said!

Kids reclassifying to graduate early from HS to get NBA bucks quicker!

The NBA D league actually becoming the farm system it was designed to be with many 1st and 2nd round players spending significant time there.

We are actually pointing kids in the direction of "Balling For Dollars' as opposed to getting them interested in obtaining a great education at good ole academic university. What happened?

Seems to me that we have allowed a lot of people to make the sport their own personal toy or hobby. Yes, David Stern is guilty! So is John Calapari, though I am one of those who really feel he is not a horrible person, just an opportunistic person who figured out how to work the system to his advantage.  The powerful AAU and Prep programs are also at fault with the heavy emphasis on recruiting, sponsorships, and winning.  Laugh if you wish but some AAU type programs are more powerful than traditional HS basketball powers. I know for a fact AAU programs or shall I say traveling teams actually do home visits in an effort to recruit players. And some even cheat with money and gifts believe it or not!

I cannot believe my eyes when I read that Andrew Wiggins, Dakari Johnson, and Karl Towns Jr. all are considering re-classifying in order to graduate HS earlier. Now why would they do that? I remember when the big thing was re-classifying to gain additional years in HS. Still remember A kid from Brooklyn re-classifying and doing 2 extra years before accepting a scholarship to The University of North Carolina. And that was all right in some of our eyes because the kid actually wanted to one day get a college degree so he needed to get his academics in order.

So whats the deal with this new idea of kids deciding on their own to graduate a year early? OK I have it! They say to themselves   "I will just skip myself a grade  though I sure am not worthy of being skipped academically in the eyes of  the school system" Because of the greed and ambition of many others including but not limited to parents, trainers, AAU types, potential agents whispering in ears, and college coaches, I will take my C to B- average and immature personality and graduate from HS a year ahead of schedule.

Maybe I am wrong in thinking they are trying to get to the NBA money earlier than later. Maybe they just want to get to college and hit those sociology, biology, and english books ASAP because they cannot wait to walk across the stage to get their degree. Oops, wrong stage because I am sure the only stage they plan on walking across is the one with the NBA Commissioner calling the names of 1st round NBA draft choices.

Maybe they all were held back early in elementary or JHS allowing them to better develop and be attractive to colleges and universities. Now all of a sudden they are ready to hit the big time based on a majority of opinions, especially those who can gain from them making professional money.  In the Midwest and in Texas this is a common thing done in football towns where the entire population attends Friday Night games. And it is not uncommon in basketball. But again in both basketball and football the reclassification of a kid to allow him to graduate early and get to the money sooner is just greedy and might backfire!

Don't believe me? Do you folks actually feel Nerlens Noel  the 6 ft 10 Kentucky player who reclassified to attend The University of Kentucky Basketball Development Academy will be ready for the NBA Draft after the season? I sure do not! What about the kids who even left college early for the NBA draft and it has backfired? You have to be experimenting with drugs to see 48 underclassmen have applied for the draft and you put your name in after averaging 10 points and 2 assists at FDU (you know I had to give them a shout-out lol).  So many, too many, kids hurt by dumb basketball decisions.

This brings me back to my thoughts on The US becoming more like the International system that has 18 year olds playing for money on professional teams and affiliates. It is done in soccer, and basketball all over the globe. Now we have gone from kids needing to complete College, to being able to declare    hardship after a few seasons, to just declaring hardship after a season, to being able to go pro after HS no questions asked, to having to do 1 year of college no questions asked.  I say thanks to the NBA and NCAA for the biggest child exploitation ring this side of Asia. The college game  has been ruined to the point very few NBA players actually have schools they can be considered alumni of.  It is now a game of The Benjamin's, or balling for dollars even at an early age. For every Magic Johnson there are 20 Les Casons. For every Michael Jordan there are 30 Luther Wrights or Bill Willoughby's , although Bill has gone on to get his degree from..........Ready for this? FDU baby!!!!

In conclusion I have to say basketball is such a wonderful game. I really hope on the AAU, HS, and College side it can again become the amateur game it was years past. A game that kids played hoping for future opportunities gained over a time period that just might be 4 years of college. It is unbelievable that Kentucky, The NBA, and The NCAA, has allowed such a mockery to take place the past few years. Crazy as it sounds, when Notre Dame beat Kentucky this past week it was like the true Student Athletes beat the NBA development league  franchise out of Lexington Kentucky. Lets allow kids to be kids, lets allow young men to develop mentally and emotionally. Lets bring back real NCAA Basketball by making kids stay in college for at least 3 years before being eligible for the NBA draft because Kentucky has figured out the graduation rate penalty thing (if still in existence)  and realizes 13 scholarship players are not necessary when you have 6 freshmen in school ready for the NBA draft.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The college basketball season has come up on us very quickly. We are seeing some major developments in the sport we all love and adore. And nothing including the recent Big East defections is more news worthy than what has happened at FDU (smile)

FDU has won 3 games this season out of 6 played. Maybe they need to put a hold on the back room deal of making the program a JC or D 3 program. Maybe they need to bring those end zone bleachers back out of storage because the Knights are on fire!  I give it to them when I think they are bad. So I need to give it to them when they hold serve in the Garden State. Last night they beat St. Peters for the 3rd win this season. Congratulations to all of the players, coaches and all 75 season ticket holders. Question: Do you think the President of FDU finally knows they have a sports program including D 1 men and women basketball teams? Just curious!

What is happening to the Big East? Contrary to public opinnion I think  a league of St. Johns, SHU, Georgetown, Providence, Memphis, Temple, Villanova,  Depaul,  and others would be a great league. A basketball only league with an opportunity for all the teams to play tremendous out of conference schedules to attract people to games on campus and at area arenas.  This would be far from the old ECAC and one that could be stronger by adding teams like St. Joe's, and UMass. Interesting every one of the teams are potential future top 20 programs!

Louisville to the ACC is one of the dumbest and unnecessary moves in the history of D1 basketball. OK maybe it was a football decision because it sure was not about basketball where they traditionally sell out in that great new arena. Well I guess Rick will look great in NC with the white suit on!

What is it with all these teams joining conferences with no boundaries.  Who ever heard of playing home and away against teams on the other side of the country? I remember when Hawaii had  serious travel challenges as a D1 basketball program. They would come to the main-land and play 4 games in a row and go back. Now it seems they had an easy travel schedule compared to what other schools are doing. What about the Student Athletes? Does anyone care about the long dumb road trips that could affect academic performance?  Where is the NCAA on this? Heck why not have UCLA accept an offer to join the Big East?

Some things just does not even sound right. Syracuse of the ACC? Please! Florida State at Syracuse is some trip! How about Notre Dame in the ACC? I could see the Big 10, not the ACC. ND at NC State? Please! No one cares because money talks and it has never been about the student atheletes. And honestly it never will be.

Speaking of UCLA what is happening? Ummmmmmmmmmm! I sure do not know Ben Howland but I will say it is a great thing his hair is almost gone because if it was not he sure would lose it now based on the turmoil in Southern California.  Lets see they have a new arena, tradition, about 4 to 7 Micky D HS All Americans, lots of money, powerful boosters and playing like FDU.  OK FDU from last season! To me it is about player development and putting players in position to succeed and this is not happening. Interesting how the pitfalls of UCLA makes the case for Kentucky with recruits even stronger. I would bet Shabazz Mohammed is having second thoughts right now. Ditto Kyle Anderson who seems to have the life sucked out of him by the herky jerky way they are playing him.  Tony Parker?  Where is he? The Wear Twins? I bet they wish they would have stayed at UNC. Larry Drew might be the only person happy because he only has to experience the craziness for this season. Everyone knows that the fans will stay away in Southern California if things are not going right.  If things continue all those undergrads will return unless they transfer because none are showing true skills and abilities in Westwood  in ways to attract professional dollars anywhere other than stints in Red China and the new pro league in Alaska.  If Ben Howland does not return, and that is a great possibility, look for Mark Gottfried (sp)  of NC State to be a serious candidate. We could also see the emergence of all the players mentioned to the level we expected. Trust me Kyle Anderson is a winner and will excel soon! Mohammed is, like Anderson, a future PRO! Tony Parker? If he was at Kentucky he would have an agent already!

Speaking of Kentucky I hate what is happening but sure understand it is all about the Benjamin's (dollars). Everyone knows what they are doing, everyone accepts what they are doing, no one cares what they do. They have removed the education from the term student athlete.  Kids are attending Kentucky in the hope of turning pro after 1 season. And they have no problem with this at Kentucky or the NCAA offices. What happened to the college experience? What happened to not growing up to fast? Honestly the NBA should allow kids to go from HS to the Pros again to stop the masquerade taking place. Everything they do at Kentucky is geared to NBA. They really should be taken only courses in banking, investing, and business because they really are there as NBA interns or cooperative education students learning on a college campus before heading to the real world of the NBA.


I again look at the NCAA and wonder how 80 percent of the college programs are cheaters according to many of my friends working in the athletic business. Some more than others, some minor and others major. From illegal trips, to illegal calls, to payments through 3rd parties, to give-backs to programs for players, to years ago paying certain AAU type programs to play pre-season games against college teams (playing with ex players many supplied by the college they play).  And now all this movement between conferences and not a word about the affect on student athletes. Wow!

Until next time I say enjoy a great game near you. I personally am looking forward to the Hoop Group Tip Off event at West Orange NJ HS.  

Tuesday, November 19, 2012

Writing from NE Pennsylvania, the Poconos to be exact. Well, its that time again for my blog to start covering basketball in the Northeast. I love HS and College basketball but will occasionally write about the NBA. As in the past this blog will be written only when I have something to say and express, which is fairly often. So sit back and relax as I write about the basketball happenings in 3 states.

Rutgers to The Big 10

Wow, I never saw it coming. Is this a good move for Rutgers? I say heck yes based on the direction the football program is heading. Rutgers Football seems to have arrived. But when you put it against traditional powers such as Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and others the challenge will be great. I have seen first hand those programs in action from the private jets, to 80,000 and above full stadiums and very wealthy boosters. Can Rutgers compete in the long run? I say YES!!!  I say it is a great move for the football program.

This brings me to the Rutgers basketball program. Is it me or does the RU basketball program on both the men and women's side seem to be at a stand still. Where is the excitement? Where is the sold out RAC? Where is the great TV Contract? Where is the upgraded RAC, which is all they really need because trust me Northwestern is not that much better if at all.

Looking at RU basketball I really am not seeing much growth this season. It sure will be hard competing against schools with much larger slush accounts if you know what I mean. I really do not see RU in a post season event anytime in the near future unless they decide to take a trip to China in late JULY. The basketball program needs marketing, marketing, and marketing as well as a better product on the floor. Just my opinion!

Seton Hall

Much of what I said about the Rutgers Basketball Program can be said about Seton Hall. Where is the glamour? Where is the potential? When will they be ready for a post season event?  I love the Pru Center and the games there are exciting. Just wonder what will happen with all the BE defections?  I am not so sure a league with SJU, SHU, DePaul, Georgetown, Providence, Villanova, Temple, St. Joe's,  UMass, and Louisville would not be a great league.  I happen to like it and the out of conference possibilities based on a smaller league schedule.

As far as the SHU team I really need to watch them more. Not sure if recruiting is going in the direction they hoped it would. A lot has to be stepped up. How do they get the Roberson's, Sina's, Anderson's and others to seriously consider attending Seton Hall? Ditto Rutgers! Ditto St. Johns who I think does not have one local scholarship player on the roster!

St. Johns

Watched them play and they are young gifted and athletic. Not sure about the leadership on the floor and the way they play in regards to a post season birth, They seem to be playing at one speed the game I watched. But being young can often take some time in molding players into a real unit.  Also very interesting that it seems they do not have one local player on scholarship unless I missed something. I have never seen a SJU team without local representation. NYC has great HS and JC players. At one time SJU just chose who they wanted. Times have changed.


UCLA

I have heard whispers that Ben Howland is a bit over his head at UCLA.  Where is the player development? Honestly they have top 5 talent  on the court with very little direction. Georgetown is good but player to player UCLA is 16 points better on an off night. Are you kidding me? What a disappointment it was watching them play.

Where is Tony Parker? Is he sick? Did I miss him playing? When was the last time we saw Kyle Anderson finish with zero point? Where is the team development? What did they do on their summer trip go sight seeing? UCLA has at least 5 future NBA players on the roster. Or do they? It depends on the teaching and coaching. Trust me Howland must be on the hot seat because in no way is that team playing as they should be playing. It is up to the coach to put players in a position to be successful!  Just a terrible job all the way around!

FDU

OK no comment lolol    Nah I have to say something. Do they still have a team? Are they D1? Did they move the games to the church basement down the street? Still the saddest program in D1 and I do not blame the coaches. I blame the AD and FDU Administration.  I still say soon they will announce FDU going D3 with no scholarships. I can see it happening. Cannot wait to see that Lehman College vs FDU Game. better yet that CCNY with Coach Tom Green vs FDU game would be even better. I say CCNY by 15 right now if Tom Green is still there!

Julius Allen to Pratt Institute

Great hire by Pratt getting Julius Allen, the former D1 assistant at many schools to take over as Head Coach of Pratt Institute. If Julius stays for a while look for them to be a true power in their league.

Robert Holford to Queensborough CC

Another great hire getting the ex National JC D3 Coach of the Year. Watch them improve right out of the gate. I would not be surprised if this team wins the CUNY CC Championship.

HS Basketball

Looking forward to the Hoop Group Event scheduled for West Orange HS in a few weeks.  Great games with many great as well as underrated players participating.

Well, thats it as a start. Be ready for a lot of controversial posts and stories that many others will not say or share. Until next time, be safe and enjoy the hoops in person and on TV.