Thursday, March 12, 2009
Heartbreaking
There are heartbreaking losses, then there are HEARTBREAKING losses. My Golden Grizzlies fell the other night to a good, experienced NDSU team. We basically had the game won, literally. We were playing good defense, we were scoring, we were up 12 with ten minutes left. Then it happened. NDSU went off for a 16-4 run to win the game. Woodside hit a jumper with 3.3 seconds left, Jones had a chance to win it with an NBA 3, but just barely missed. It took me a couple days to write about this loss, because frankly it still hurts. We had the game! We just gave it away. Thats twice in 3 years that we had the Championship locked, a trip to the NCAA's and lost it. If only Oakland would of kept feeding the ball to Benson and Hudson we would be conference Champs. Only if they didn't let tevidt hit a wide open 3 to take the lead would we be champs. UGH! The loss is still painful. I already can't wait till next year. We are going to be even better next with when Derek Nelson coming back. Transfer Larry Wright should fill in nicely in Kangas departure. Only 8 more months till the season starts....
Monday, March 9, 2009
ONE MORE GAME!!!!!
That is it. One more win, and Oakland is in! Tomorrow night 8 Eastern. Oakland will play North Dakota State for the Summit Conference tournament Championship, and a automatic bid to the NCAA tournament!!!! So far Oakland has cruised to its 2 victories, winning by double digits both games. Kangas hurt is ankle yesterday against IPFW, but posted 21 points tonight. Tomorrow should be a hard fought game going to the wire. I am excited, and can't wait to watch this game!! GO GRIZZLIES!!!!!!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lions Improving??? And Oakland's chance for the Big Dance.
As the days go by, I'm slowly getting more confidence in Martin Mayhew's ability to turn the Lions around. The Lions are not players for the "big time" free agents, but they are quietly signing good, quality NFL players. Something Mr. Millen could never do at a consistent bases. With that being said, lets take a look at the players that the Lions have Signed.
Grady Jackson. He is a bit old for my liking (37) but he is still a solid NFL player, and an instant upgrade at the DT position. Jackson comes in at 6-2, 345, is a very strong player. He signed a 3 year deal, which I believe is around $8 million. Jackson is not as dominate as a player as he used to, but I have total faith that he will definitely help stop the running, which the Lions could not do last year. Plus, he came from a playoff team last year (Atlanta) and started in 15 games. Instant Upgrade!!
Philip Buchanon. Lions signed him for a two year deal. At 5-11, 186 he comes from, (Hold your breath Lions fans!) Tampa Bay. However, I don't know much about him, but I do know he started in all 16 games last year. He should be an upgrade from the Lions horrible Secondary. I expect him to compete and start when the season starts.
Bryant Johnson. The Lions signed him from San Francisco. He had a lot of potential when drafted in the first round with AZ in 2003. (He was actually drafted before Boldin) However, Johnson has never lived up to his true potential as an NFL wide receiver. He had an OK year with the 49ers last year. Hopefully a change in scenery will do him good in Detroit. He should be a good complimentary receiver for Calvin Johnson. I see him being a number 3 receiver with the potential to be a number 2.
Other notable signings for the Lions are, Eric King, and Maurice Morris. Morris is a good solid back that is a good change of pace back for the Lions, and will be the backup to Kevin Smith.
The Lions traded Jon Kitna to Dallas, for corner Anthony Henry. Getting rid of Kitna was a good thing. He was a pick waiting to happen, and put up good numbers on bad teams, that only wanted to throw the ball.
Mayhew this off-season has brought in 3 DB's. Hopefully these 3 players will help make our secondary much much better, but only time will tell....
Oakland Basketball
This is part of the season that Oakland practices and lives for! The Summit Conference Tournament will start on Saturday. As NDSU will face Centenary, and ORU will face SDSU. Oh, that is my upset special!!! SDSU will knock off ORU, the 3 time defending champion in the first round.
Oakland has the number 3 seed. Oakland finished off the season as the hottest team in the conference. Winning 7 straight, not losing in February, and getting 20 wins for the first time in D-1 history. Nobody wants to play Oakland right now, their defense has improved a lot, and their freshman have really stepped it up. (Maynard and Cushingberry)
Sunday, Oakland will face off IPFW. Oakland beat them twice this year, but this game really, REALLY scares the crap out of me. David Carson is a senior for IPFW. Don't know who he is? Well, he was a freshman on Oakland's squad that went to the NCAA tournament in 2005. He transferred two years later to IPFW. (He couldn't handle being Vova's backup) Anyway Carson is the reason why this game scares me to death. David is a flat out player, and when he plays against Oakland he always puts up monster numbers. IPFW also has a pair of guards that can really shot the 3 ball. If Oakland can contain Carson, and limit his points we should win the game. However if Carson has a monster game, I will expect IPFW to pull off the upset. If Oakland forgets about IPFW's sharpshooters, that can also come back to haunt us. Jones is one of the better defensive players in the league, and he should shut done one of their guards.
In the end I expect Oakland to pull off the victory, but it wont be easy. Actually I am predicting by Tuesday night Oakland will be dancing again!!!!!
Here are my predictions.
First Round
(1) NDSU def. (8)Centenary
(7) SDSU def. (2) ORU
(3) Oakland def. (6) IPFW
(4) IUPUI def. (5) Southern Utah
Second Round
(1) NDSU def. (4) IUPUI
(3) Oakland def. (7) SDSU
Championship Game
(3) Oakland def. (1) NDSU
Tournament MVP-Erik Kangas. He will get his revenge for missing that 3 pointer two years ago that might of put Oakland in the NCAA. The best shooter in the Summit, and one of the best in the nation. Kangas will have a dominate tournament, and will carry Oakland on his back. This is his last rodeo, and he won't let his teammates down!
Congrats to Guards Erik Kangas and Johnathon Jones who were named to All-Summit first team. While Keith Benson was named to All-Summit second team. For more information go to www.ougrizzlies.com
Grady Jackson. He is a bit old for my liking (37) but he is still a solid NFL player, and an instant upgrade at the DT position. Jackson comes in at 6-2, 345, is a very strong player. He signed a 3 year deal, which I believe is around $8 million. Jackson is not as dominate as a player as he used to, but I have total faith that he will definitely help stop the running, which the Lions could not do last year. Plus, he came from a playoff team last year (Atlanta) and started in 15 games. Instant Upgrade!!
Philip Buchanon. Lions signed him for a two year deal. At 5-11, 186 he comes from, (Hold your breath Lions fans!) Tampa Bay. However, I don't know much about him, but I do know he started in all 16 games last year. He should be an upgrade from the Lions horrible Secondary. I expect him to compete and start when the season starts.
Bryant Johnson. The Lions signed him from San Francisco. He had a lot of potential when drafted in the first round with AZ in 2003. (He was actually drafted before Boldin) However, Johnson has never lived up to his true potential as an NFL wide receiver. He had an OK year with the 49ers last year. Hopefully a change in scenery will do him good in Detroit. He should be a good complimentary receiver for Calvin Johnson. I see him being a number 3 receiver with the potential to be a number 2.
Other notable signings for the Lions are, Eric King, and Maurice Morris. Morris is a good solid back that is a good change of pace back for the Lions, and will be the backup to Kevin Smith.
The Lions traded Jon Kitna to Dallas, for corner Anthony Henry. Getting rid of Kitna was a good thing. He was a pick waiting to happen, and put up good numbers on bad teams, that only wanted to throw the ball.
Mayhew this off-season has brought in 3 DB's. Hopefully these 3 players will help make our secondary much much better, but only time will tell....
Oakland Basketball
This is part of the season that Oakland practices and lives for! The Summit Conference Tournament will start on Saturday. As NDSU will face Centenary, and ORU will face SDSU. Oh, that is my upset special!!! SDSU will knock off ORU, the 3 time defending champion in the first round.
Oakland has the number 3 seed. Oakland finished off the season as the hottest team in the conference. Winning 7 straight, not losing in February, and getting 20 wins for the first time in D-1 history. Nobody wants to play Oakland right now, their defense has improved a lot, and their freshman have really stepped it up. (Maynard and Cushingberry)
Sunday, Oakland will face off IPFW. Oakland beat them twice this year, but this game really, REALLY scares the crap out of me. David Carson is a senior for IPFW. Don't know who he is? Well, he was a freshman on Oakland's squad that went to the NCAA tournament in 2005. He transferred two years later to IPFW. (He couldn't handle being Vova's backup) Anyway Carson is the reason why this game scares me to death. David is a flat out player, and when he plays against Oakland he always puts up monster numbers. IPFW also has a pair of guards that can really shot the 3 ball. If Oakland can contain Carson, and limit his points we should win the game. However if Carson has a monster game, I will expect IPFW to pull off the upset. If Oakland forgets about IPFW's sharpshooters, that can also come back to haunt us. Jones is one of the better defensive players in the league, and he should shut done one of their guards.
In the end I expect Oakland to pull off the victory, but it wont be easy. Actually I am predicting by Tuesday night Oakland will be dancing again!!!!!
Here are my predictions.
First Round
(1) NDSU def. (8)Centenary
(7) SDSU def. (2) ORU
(3) Oakland def. (6) IPFW
(4) IUPUI def. (5) Southern Utah
Second Round
(1) NDSU def. (4) IUPUI
(3) Oakland def. (7) SDSU
Championship Game
(3) Oakland def. (1) NDSU
Tournament MVP-Erik Kangas. He will get his revenge for missing that 3 pointer two years ago that might of put Oakland in the NCAA. The best shooter in the Summit, and one of the best in the nation. Kangas will have a dominate tournament, and will carry Oakland on his back. This is his last rodeo, and he won't let his teammates down!
Congrats to Guards Erik Kangas and Johnathon Jones who were named to All-Summit first team. While Keith Benson was named to All-Summit second team. For more information go to www.ougrizzlies.com
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