I’m watching the Bearcat game right now. Huggins would be having a fit right now! Out hustled and bullied up and down the court. This is not UC basketball! Ugh
PD that is a very nice article on the Kelsey family. I went to school and played some ball with Mike. Pat will continue to climb that coaching ladder as he continues to make his family proud. Mike continues to do good things for so many people!
Free Novak Djokovic! Yes, last night had to be physically taxing for X. Hope they have the gas required what could be an epic battle with Creighton. Their defense is lacking but on any other night I doubt if Depaul could have made all those shots with a high school team defending them.
The best of basketball (my least favorite of the "major" sports) takes place on my St. Paddy's Day b-day, which is fine. I say everyone should drink and be merry on my birthday! I'll even watch it this one time of year. How can you not? And I meant that quite literally. It's on every screen.
But the best part of this column was picturing Ken Shields, who was a relatively new coach at NKU when I was cutting my writing chops on The Northerner, sitting in Price Hill Chili - a favorite haunt when I lived and worked on the westside. Thanks for taking me "home" again! Sláinte!
US Open and March Madness being the most democratic sporting events is spot on. College basketball has lost a little bit of its luster over the past 10-15 years. There used to be a time where you would get multiple years from the great players -guys like David West and Kenyon Martin were here all four years. I don't fault modern players going to the NBA as soon as possible in order to get paid but it has watered down the college game. Nevertheless, college basketball is still magical because every team starts the year with legitimate aspirations to make noise in the NCAA tournament and even make a final four. Even with the expanded playoff, you can't say the same about college football. Basketball is also intriguing because you only need a handful of guys to have a successful team. Sure, the blue blood programs are playing from the red tees while the mid majors are playing from the tips but at least they get a chance to prove themselves.
I loved just flying into NYC for the first time on a bright sunny day. What a beautiful city from the sky! It was electric and I had to keep myself from looking up to admire the buildings from the sidewalks, like I did as a country girl when we'd go to Chicago. It always felt friendly and eclectic. I loved the little cubby hole quaint restaurants and bars. I loved the art museum. Saw a great play. There was never "enough time". Was only there for a week. Felt surreal. Loved it.
MSG has the Mother Theresa of all basketball rims. After watching the tenth DePaul shot pin ball on the iron before settling into the net, I figured the die was cast. A few fell for X late, but daaaaang…
Looks to me the rims were working ok for both sides. X nailed 21/41 2s 51.2% and a sparkling 9/2o 3s 67.5% eFG (27 pts/2o shots) ... albeit DePaul did end up with an otherworldly 27/41 65.9% 2s (54pts/41shots) and a game bustingly efficient 8/16 3s 75% eFG (24/16). I'm assuming DePaul must have gone cold from 3 late?
Yeah it does if you disregard the incoherent and mathematically corrupt 2+3 combined shooting stats. If they were hitting 7o% 3s for 3omins that's 1o5% eFG 2pt scoring equivalency which is literally impossible from inside the arc. They had some kind of mojo workin' alright. But looking at the stat they ended up with combined shooting 61.4% for the game completely obscures how positively aberrant it still was what they shot for the game. Their 'combined' eFG = 68.4% doesn't. That will win 98% of the time so X being able to counter enough to hang in there looks even better
Assume 2 teams both shot the same # of shots and X and Y are made shots
X2s + Y3s = Z% so also
Y2s + X3s = Z% same and
X=1o and Y=2o
Both teams shooting the exact same Z% yields a 1o point difference in scoring value. How is citing this corrupt, ratio dependent stat referring to apples + oranges combined any kind of coherent or analytically meaningfful statement?
Team A shoots only 2s and team B only 3s and both shoot the same # of shots. A shoots a breakeven 5o% yet team B shoots "only 4o%" yet B blows A off the floor because points-wise shooting 33.3% 3s = shooting 5o% 2s ... how is this combined 2s+3s shooting stat helpful?
Mar 10, 2023·edited Mar 10, 2023Liked by Paul Daugherty
My own alma mater, Northern Arizona University, inexplicably made it to the Big Sky title game despite having a 9-22 record during the regular season. Of course they lost to Montana State at around 11pm Mountain Time, but god help me, I got sucked into believing this might be the first time they'd go dancing since 2000. Oh well, heartbreak is as much a part of the tournament as hope.
I finally went to NYC for the first time ever last April. Great place to visit, lots to do, way too many must-sees, but good lord was I ready to go back to the slower pace of life of Northern Arizona after eight days. Like DC, I'll go back to visit again and again once I have the means and time off. The FDR is the Mad Max version of Columbia Parkway.
Me too. The last time I was there I spent a week between MoMA and the Noguchi Museum and I had been to both several times before in the past.
As far as the pizza? Not a fan. Any pizza on A Tavola’s menu here is better than that NY slice. The worst is the NY City pizza walker. The urgency to get away from a dime a dozen pizza business while simultaneously folding, cramming, and choking down a slice is disgusting. Those walkers are everywhere.
Yeah, they're not always the greatest, but readily available and pretty cheap which, after walking over 20,000 steps in one day, was all I really needed to keep going.
I remember being in NYC for conference once, staying at Fordham U in the Bronx. Went down to see some friends in Chelsea and took a cab back at like 3 a.m. Passed a sirens-blaring-lights-flashing ambulance on the FDR like it was standing still. A definite "only in NY" moment.
Wasn't Pat Kelsey in the mix (had the job) at Xavier? I thought I heard from an insider that he was a shoo in when Steele was hired. Was he a) not interested in the job b) not offered the job when both Steele and then Miller was brought back? Seems like a perfect fit and no baggage.
For most of his career, I found Jim Boeheim- with his perpetual sourpuss and whiny demeanor - as annoying as most anyone else not from Syracuse would. But as I've gotten older and taken stock of the ever-smiling and always-scheming phonies I've known, alongside the crabby, dyspeptic grouches who could be relied on in the clutch, I've grown more fond of him. In any case, I'm really sorry to see him go out the way he has. He deserved better.
Supposedly he mellowed out somewhat after hooking up with his 2o years' younger 2nd wife. Imagine how he might have gone had he not stumbled into his own moderating BlueGrass sweet angel?
Interesting about Georgetown, but I read about Pitino and St. John's, which would make more sense. Actually, nothing makes sense. Ah, if ol' Rick had just stayed put in Lexington, he'd have more statutes than George Washington at this point. The grass is not always (Celtic) greener.
Which is a better way to go out, Boeheim or Coach K? Quietly shuttled off in the night, or with a year-long victory tour?
So, I keep mentioning that Sweet Soul Music book by Peter Guralnick has a bunch of stuff in there about Phil Walden, who grew up with and managed Otis and later formed Capricorn Records and signed the Allmans. Otis's death nearly destroyed him. Interesting dude, to say the least. I mention it because of the tune of the day.
One final thing: The Stones vs The Beatles? The Kinks rocked harder than both of them. The guitar riff from "You Really Got Me" sounds like a chainsaw trying to start up and cut you in two.
36% chance and they ended up with Chauncey Billups picked at #3, probably the #2 talent in an underwhelming draft. Would have been interesting to see what Ricky would have done with Duncan
Good question on why Kelsey wasn't pursued by X over Steele ... the only thing I can figure was X wanted to reward Steele's loyalty, having been an assistant there from '09 to '18 before becoming HC. That, and he was a Butler grad. Maybe they were hoping for a little Thad Matta in Steele. They sure didn't get it, though. Appears it was only a four-year aberration for X, however, regarding Steele's tenure.
Kelsey would have been a good fit for X, obviously, but I'm beginning to think he likes taking the little programs -- Winthrop, College of Charleston -- and turning them into respectable mid-majors who can at least throw a scare into the big boys come March. Some folks like to rebuild cars ... maybe Kelsey likes to rebuild little programs. Or, he's taking the long road to building a resume that, eventually, someone with a name will not be able to ignore.
It's also quite indicative of his coaching prowess. He's not doing what he's doing with five-star recruits, and hasn't since the start of his head coaching career. Props to him ... hope they can pull off a win or two in the tourney.
This UC team is kinda just ... there. And I'm a UC alum. Don't get me wrong, I hope they can somehow capture the AAC tourney title and a bid to the Dance, but I can't say I'll be heartbroken if they don't. Are they bland? Are they just existing? I dunno.
I'm glad Boeheim is gone. I tired of looking at his mug on TV every March, whining when his teams lost and basking in their victories like he was the greatest coach on this green earth.
NYC has an energy that you can feel in the air. Maybe it's just the stench. I kid, I kid. Sort of. Of all the places I've visited, two stand out for the "electricity" in the air. NYC and Barcelona. Amazing cities.
It will be interesting to see if Georgetown will hold their nose, close their eyes and hire Pitino. He’s 70 now and it may take a few years to get the program out of the current dumps but how long will he be willing to deal with the transfer portal, NIL and competing in a very tough Big East ? Better choice ….. Tommy Amaker at Harvard.
538 giving My Preciousss UK Mildcats a puncher's 1% chance 😆
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2023-march-madness-predictions/
You could probably get somebody to set you up with an ESPN online TML bracket group contest entry
I’m watching the Bearcat game right now. Huggins would be having a fit right now! Out hustled and bullied up and down the court. This is not UC basketball! Ugh
PD that is a very nice article on the Kelsey family. I went to school and played some ball with Mike. Pat will continue to climb that coaching ladder as he continues to make his family proud. Mike continues to do good things for so many people!
Free Novak Djokovic! Yes, last night had to be physically taxing for X. Hope they have the gas required what could be an epic battle with Creighton. Their defense is lacking but on any other night I doubt if Depaul could have made all those shots with a high school team defending them.
The best of basketball (my least favorite of the "major" sports) takes place on my St. Paddy's Day b-day, which is fine. I say everyone should drink and be merry on my birthday! I'll even watch it this one time of year. How can you not? And I meant that quite literally. It's on every screen.
But the best part of this column was picturing Ken Shields, who was a relatively new coach at NKU when I was cutting my writing chops on The Northerner, sitting in Price Hill Chili - a favorite haunt when I lived and worked on the westside. Thanks for taking me "home" again! Sláinte!
US Open and March Madness being the most democratic sporting events is spot on. College basketball has lost a little bit of its luster over the past 10-15 years. There used to be a time where you would get multiple years from the great players -guys like David West and Kenyon Martin were here all four years. I don't fault modern players going to the NBA as soon as possible in order to get paid but it has watered down the college game. Nevertheless, college basketball is still magical because every team starts the year with legitimate aspirations to make noise in the NCAA tournament and even make a final four. Even with the expanded playoff, you can't say the same about college football. Basketball is also intriguing because you only need a handful of guys to have a successful team. Sure, the blue blood programs are playing from the red tees while the mid majors are playing from the tips but at least they get a chance to prove themselves.
I loved just flying into NYC for the first time on a bright sunny day. What a beautiful city from the sky! It was electric and I had to keep myself from looking up to admire the buildings from the sidewalks, like I did as a country girl when we'd go to Chicago. It always felt friendly and eclectic. I loved the little cubby hole quaint restaurants and bars. I loved the art museum. Saw a great play. There was never "enough time". Was only there for a week. Felt surreal. Loved it.
MSG has the Mother Theresa of all basketball rims. After watching the tenth DePaul shot pin ball on the iron before settling into the net, I figured the die was cast. A few fell for X late, but daaaaang…
Looks to me the rims were working ok for both sides. X nailed 21/41 2s 51.2% and a sparkling 9/2o 3s 67.5% eFG (27 pts/2o shots) ... albeit DePaul did end up with an otherworldly 27/41 65.9% 2s (54pts/41shots) and a game bustingly efficient 8/16 3s 75% eFG (24/16). I'm assuming DePaul must have gone cold from 3 late?
4, 5 bounces around the iron, then down. 8-10 times, at the least. Doesn’t show up in the stats.
Yeah it does if you disregard the incoherent and mathematically corrupt 2+3 combined shooting stats. If they were hitting 7o% 3s for 3omins that's 1o5% eFG 2pt scoring equivalency which is literally impossible from inside the arc. They had some kind of mojo workin' alright. But looking at the stat they ended up with combined shooting 61.4% for the game completely obscures how positively aberrant it still was what they shot for the game. Their 'combined' eFG = 68.4% doesn't. That will win 98% of the time so X being able to counter enough to hang in there looks even better
Assume 2 teams both shot the same # of shots and X and Y are made shots
X2s + Y3s = Z% so also
Y2s + X3s = Z% same and
X=1o and Y=2o
Both teams shooting the exact same Z% yields a 1o point difference in scoring value. How is citing this corrupt, ratio dependent stat referring to apples + oranges combined any kind of coherent or analytically meaningfful statement?
Team A shoots only 2s and team B only 3s and both shoot the same # of shots. A shoots a breakeven 5o% yet team B shoots "only 4o%" yet B blows A off the floor because points-wise shooting 33.3% 3s = shooting 5o% 2s ... how is this combined 2s+3s shooting stat helpful?
My own alma mater, Northern Arizona University, inexplicably made it to the Big Sky title game despite having a 9-22 record during the regular season. Of course they lost to Montana State at around 11pm Mountain Time, but god help me, I got sucked into believing this might be the first time they'd go dancing since 2000. Oh well, heartbreak is as much a part of the tournament as hope.
I finally went to NYC for the first time ever last April. Great place to visit, lots to do, way too many must-sees, but good lord was I ready to go back to the slower pace of life of Northern Arizona after eight days. Like DC, I'll go back to visit again and again once I have the means and time off. The FDR is the Mad Max version of Columbia Parkway.
I've never spent more than a week in NYC. I've probably visited a dozen time or more though and every time, I've wished I could stay longer.
Me too. The last time I was there I spent a week between MoMA and the Noguchi Museum and I had been to both several times before in the past.
As far as the pizza? Not a fan. Any pizza on A Tavola’s menu here is better than that NY slice. The worst is the NY City pizza walker. The urgency to get away from a dime a dozen pizza business while simultaneously folding, cramming, and choking down a slice is disgusting. Those walkers are everywhere.
I actually like the slices. They're practically everywhere and unlike everything else there, fairly cheap.
Yeah, they're not always the greatest, but readily available and pretty cheap which, after walking over 20,000 steps in one day, was all I really needed to keep going.
I remember being in NYC for conference once, staying at Fordham U in the Bronx. Went down to see some friends in Chelsea and took a cab back at like 3 a.m. Passed a sirens-blaring-lights-flashing ambulance on the FDR like it was standing still. A definite "only in NY" moment.
Wasn't Pat Kelsey in the mix (had the job) at Xavier? I thought I heard from an insider that he was a shoo in when Steele was hired. Was he a) not interested in the job b) not offered the job when both Steele and then Miller was brought back? Seems like a perfect fit and no baggage.
Kelsey wanted the XU job but Travis had a great interview and was in house.
Never heard he had the X job
For most of his career, I found Jim Boeheim- with his perpetual sourpuss and whiny demeanor - as annoying as most anyone else not from Syracuse would. But as I've gotten older and taken stock of the ever-smiling and always-scheming phonies I've known, alongside the crabby, dyspeptic grouches who could be relied on in the clutch, I've grown more fond of him. In any case, I'm really sorry to see him go out the way he has. He deserved better.
Supposedly he mellowed out somewhat after hooking up with his 2o years' younger 2nd wife. Imagine how he might have gone had he not stumbled into his own moderating BlueGrass sweet angel?
https://fanbuzz.com/college-basketball/jim-boeheim-wife/#:~:text=The%20two%20didn%27t%20meet,party%20in%20Lexington%20in%201994.
Interesting about Georgetown, but I read about Pitino and St. John's, which would make more sense. Actually, nothing makes sense. Ah, if ol' Rick had just stayed put in Lexington, he'd have more statutes than George Washington at this point. The grass is not always (Celtic) greener.
Which is a better way to go out, Boeheim or Coach K? Quietly shuttled off in the night, or with a year-long victory tour?
So, I keep mentioning that Sweet Soul Music book by Peter Guralnick has a bunch of stuff in there about Phil Walden, who grew up with and managed Otis and later formed Capricorn Records and signed the Allmans. Otis's death nearly destroyed him. Interesting dude, to say the least. I mention it because of the tune of the day.
One final thing: The Stones vs The Beatles? The Kinks rocked harder than both of them. The guitar riff from "You Really Got Me" sounds like a chainsaw trying to start up and cut you in two.
If memory serves me, Pitino left UK for the Celtics because Boston thought they were going to get Tim Duncan in the draft. Oh well.......
Joanne being stuck here in this big college town Lexington outpost is why Rick left UK
Never count on the lottery!
36% chance and they ended up with Chauncey Billups picked at #3, probably the #2 talent in an underwhelming draft. Would have been interesting to see what Ricky would have done with Duncan
Good question on why Kelsey wasn't pursued by X over Steele ... the only thing I can figure was X wanted to reward Steele's loyalty, having been an assistant there from '09 to '18 before becoming HC. That, and he was a Butler grad. Maybe they were hoping for a little Thad Matta in Steele. They sure didn't get it, though. Appears it was only a four-year aberration for X, however, regarding Steele's tenure.
Kelsey would have been a good fit for X, obviously, but I'm beginning to think he likes taking the little programs -- Winthrop, College of Charleston -- and turning them into respectable mid-majors who can at least throw a scare into the big boys come March. Some folks like to rebuild cars ... maybe Kelsey likes to rebuild little programs. Or, he's taking the long road to building a resume that, eventually, someone with a name will not be able to ignore.
It's also quite indicative of his coaching prowess. He's not doing what he's doing with five-star recruits, and hasn't since the start of his head coaching career. Props to him ... hope they can pull off a win or two in the tourney.
This UC team is kinda just ... there. And I'm a UC alum. Don't get me wrong, I hope they can somehow capture the AAC tourney title and a bid to the Dance, but I can't say I'll be heartbroken if they don't. Are they bland? Are they just existing? I dunno.
I'm glad Boeheim is gone. I tired of looking at his mug on TV every March, whining when his teams lost and basking in their victories like he was the greatest coach on this green earth.
NYC has an energy that you can feel in the air. Maybe it's just the stench. I kid, I kid. Sort of. Of all the places I've visited, two stand out for the "electricity" in the air. NYC and Barcelona. Amazing cities.
It will be interesting to see if Georgetown will hold their nose, close their eyes and hire Pitino. He’s 70 now and it may take a few years to get the program out of the current dumps but how long will he be willing to deal with the transfer portal, NIL and competing in a very tough Big East ? Better choice ….. Tommy Amaker at Harvard.
Gregory and Jackson -thats sweet
I saw a rumor that ND wants Kelsey.Would he take it?
Would a good Catholic turn down being the Pope?
Charleston or ND would seem like a no brainer(other than the weather)