Some things remain to be SE-seen

March Madness is just around the corner.  Many SEC teams have solidified a spot in the field of 68; others can’t wait for the season to be over; some are right on the bubble and are fighting for their lives in the upcoming pivotal weeks.  Anything can happen in the conference tournament, but let’s take a gander at where these teams currently sit.

Alabama (19-9, 8-6 SEC) – BUBBLE - The Tide picked up a key win over Mississippi State Saturday and currently sits at fourth in the conference.  Despite their looming inability to score, ‘Bama plays lockdown defense.  As of now, the Tide is in, but that’s subject to change depending on the next few weeks.

Arkansas (18-11, 6-8 SEC) – OUT - Arkansas has had a tough year.  They’ve lost 5-7, including winnable games to Tennessee and LSU.  Marshawn Powell has been one bright spot for the Razorbacks.  He’s averaged 19.5 points and six rebounds per game.

Auburn (14-14, 4-10 SEC) – OUT - There’s not much to deliberate here.  Auburn isn’t quite there yet, but grade 94 2012 recruit Jordan Price may make a difference next season.

Florida (22-7, 10-4 SEC) – IN - Florida lives and dies by the three.  Billy Donovan’s teams usually make a run in March.  This team is capable of doing the same, yet it will need more consistency out of Kenny Boynton, who is a rather streaky three point shooter.  Patric Young is one of the most improved young big men in the country.

Georgia (13-15, 4-10 SEC) – OUT – Georgia is second to last in the SEC.  A date with Kentucky Thursday likely won’t help their cause.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a bright spot for the Bulldogs, but his 40% field goal percentage is nothing to write home about.

Kentucky (28-1, 14-0 SEC) – OUT – It’s been a disappointing season for the Wildcats.  They lost to Indiana in the most exciting game of the year and have trailed maybe three or four times all season besides that thrilling game.  There’s no way they deserve to make the tournament.  They really shouldn’t even be allowed to qualify for the SEC tournament.  (Obviously this is a joke.  Kentucky is the best team in the country and Anthony Davis’ slicing and dicing on the defensive end is the best thing since sliced bread).

LSU (17-11, 7-7 SEC) – OUT – The Tigers have actually not had a terrible season.  After suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Alabama in the BCS National Championship game, the school immediately turned to the basketball team…oh wait…well, at least the Tigers will finish with a winning record.  They picked up wins over Big East teams Marquette and Rutgers earlier in the season, but are coming off of a 24-point loss to Ole Miss.

Mississippi State (19-10, 6-8 SEC) – BUBBLE – MSU looked like a guarantee to make the tournament a mere few weeks ago.  Lately, however the ‘Dogs have been barking up the wrong tree.  They’ve lost five in a row, which really hasn’t been helpful in their pursuit of making the tournament.  Arnett Moultrie will need to lead MSU to a strong showing the SEC tourney to warrant a spot in the field of 68.

Ole Miss (16-12, 6-8 SEC) – OUT – Looks like yet another “Big Ole Miss” for the Rebels.  Ole Miss has not made the tourney since 2002 and will likely not end that futile dismal streak this season.  Having said that, Ole Miss beat Miami and Mississippi State earlier in the year.

South Carolina (10-18, 2-12) – OUT – South Carolina is last in the SEC.  Case closed.

Tennessee (16-13, 8-6 SEC) – BUBBLE – Trae Golden and Jeronne Maymon (how cool are those names?) have carried the load for the Volunteers this season.  They beat Florida twice, nearly knocked off Kentucky, and have won six of seven.  Things are looking good for Tennessee going forward.

Vanderbilt (20-9, 9-5) – IN – Vandy has key showdowns with Florida and Tennessee to close out the regular season.  Wins in both of these games will likely give Vandy the #2 seed in the SEC tourney because Florida also has to play Kentucky.  Jeffrey Taylor is capable of taking over games, Brad Tinsley’s tough at the point, and John Jenkins is a terrific shooter.  Vandy is a lock for the tournament regardless of how they fare the rest of the regular season.

An instant (replay) classic

By Trevor Hass - Syracuse University '15 - 83 views

Syracuse.com
Should calls such as the one in the final moments of West Virginia-Syracuse be reviewable?

Kevin Jones’ play had been more impressive and frightening than Deniz Kilicli’s beard. The star from West Virginia (15-7, 5-4 Big East) was right on his Big East-leading average of 20 points per game and had penetrated the trademark 2-3 zone of Syracuse (22-1, 9-1 Big East) very effectively. Then, with two seconds left, Jones missed a potential game-winning three and dejectedly sunk to the floor.

The miss was upsetting for WVU, but what was more upsetting was that the game shouldn’t have even come down to that play.

A mere four seconds earlier, Kilicli put up a lefty hook and Syracuse’s Baye Moussa-Keita attempted to swat the shot. The ball bounced off the backboard and then Keita deflected it toward the sideline.

So that’s a goaltend, right? Yes it is, but the referees failed to make the blatant call and cost WVU from potentially sending the game into overtime.

“Do I think it was (goaltending)? No. I know it was. I saw the replay,” Head Coach Bob Huggins said according to ESPN. Huggy Bear couldn’t bear the news of the missed call and he burst up into the air and rushed out onto the court to protest, yet his plea was to no avail.

After review, it is clear that the refs made an erroneous call, but the play stood and Syracuse escaped with a 63-61 win.

The NCAA season-high crowd of 28,740 went ballistic as the Orange maintained their perfect home record. Many SU fans had been complaining about the previous foul calls made by the refs, but the fans were able to smile when it was all said and done.

Brandon Triche paced ‘Cuse with 18 points, while Darryl Bryant added 12 for the Mountaineers. The game was tight throughout, as the Orange led by four at halftime and (barely and semi-debatably) held on.

Looking ahead, the result of this game has serious implications for both teams and may affect the way instant replay is used in college basketball in the near future.

Syracuse has struggled without starting center Fab Melo, who has missed the past three games due to academic ineligibility. The buzz around campus is that SU will contend for a title with Melo, but will not do so without him. He protects the paint extremely well and alters shots. Notre Dame’s Jack Cooley was able to take advantage of the smaller frames and inexperience of Keita and freshman Rakeem Christmas in SU’s lone loss of the season.

Meanwhile, for West Virginia, the loss drops the Mountaineers to seventh in the Big East. After getting upset by a young St. John’s squad, Huggins’ team was in need of a bounce-back win. They nearly got one, but now they have to play Louisville, Notre Dame, and Marquette in the next few weeks and will need to pick up a few statement wins to warrant an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament.

The controversial issue of instant replay has befuddled sports junkies for years. Each sport has adopted specific rules. For example, Major League Baseball now reviews questionable home run or foul ball calls and can check if a fan interfered with a play. In college basketball, the refs can check how much time is on the clock and whether a shot is a two or a three. However, there is nothing in the rules that states that a goaltending call, or lack thereof, can be reviewed.

Should this policy be changed? After all, the correct call was a goaltend, and that is not what was called. College basketball analysts have mixed opinions on the matter. Hubert Davis feels as if there will always be human error in certain situations and both teams have to live with the results. Digger Phelps thinks that instant replay in such circumstances would help, but implementing the rule would be a difficult task.

The Big East informed analyst Andy Katz that it would not comment on the call in order to avoid setting the precedent of doing so. The refs should not be suspended; people aren’t perfect. The NCAA should investigate what is best for the sport in terms of what is reviewable. One downside is that games would last much longer if coaches could “challenge” calls like in football.

The rule may be changed in the near future, but for now, Syracuse comes away victorious and WVU suffers a heartbreaking defeat.

Big East thumps SEC in Challenge

            While the SEC is known first and foremost as a football conference, many people in the college basketball world predicted that this would be the year that the SEC re-established itself as a basketball beast.  With teams such as Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State, the SEC was bound to have a breakout year.

            However, during the Big East-SEC Challenge, Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, and company had something to say about that.  The Big East won eight out of the 12 matchups, some in decisive fashion, and some that came down to the waning seconds. 

            In a highly anticipated matchup, Syracuse beat Florida 72-68, behind 20 points from Brandon Triche and 16 points and seven assists from Scoop Jardine.  The raucous crowd contributed to the statement win for the Orange.  Despite hot shooting from the Gators’ Kenny Boynton, ‘Cuse was able to hang on and remain undefeated.

            UConn missed freshman sensation Ryan Boatright for its first six games.  In his second game, and first at home, the co-player of the year in the state of Illinois showed why he earned the honor, dropping 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists.  Once Boatright entered the game, he righted the ship, so to speak, and the Huskies busted the game open on a 14-2 run.  From there, guards Shabazz Napier and Jeremy Lamb paced the Huskies to a 75-62 triumph.  UConn’s fast break was too much for Arkansas to handle. 

            A defensive-minded battle between Louisville and Vanderbilt came down to the wire in both regulation and overtime.  Despite 27 points from Vandy guard John Jenkins, the Cardinals were able to escape with a 62-60 win, behind a very balanced offensive attack and stellar defense.  Guard Peyton Siva slashed to the basket and made a layup with 1.4 seconds left in overtime, propelling the Cardinals to a win and maintaining their undefeated record.

            All in all, the Big East dominated the SEC, with Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh also picking up wins.  However, there were some bright spots for Kentucky, Mississippi State, LSU, and Ole Miss, as all four teams were able to beat their opponent. Mississippi State improved to 8-1 with a “state”ment win over West Virginia.  Though the Big East exceled over the weekend, the SEC still has the number one team in the country in Kentucky, a team that edged UNC 73-72 thanks in part to a game-saving block from freshman phenom Anthony Davis.

Vanderbilt Ranked No. 7 in Coaches Poll

The SEC has three teams in the top 10 of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.  Kentucky (No. 2) and Florida (No. 10) are perennially near the top of the rankings, yet the third team, Vanderbilt, finds itself in unfamiliar territory. 

(Matthew Tosh/Creative Commons)

Coaches feel so strongly about this year’s team that the Commodores are ranked seventh in the nation, ahead of the likes of Louisville, Baylor, and Kansas.

Much of the reason for the high praise is the fact that all five of head coach Kevin Stallings’ starters from last year have returned for another season.  Vanderbilt’s standout superstar is guard John Jenkins.  Jenkins averaged 19.5 points per game in his sophomore season, and could have been drafted by an NBA team.  Instead, he opted to come back for his junior year and is ready to make his mark in Commodore history.

Along with Jenkins, seniors Brad Tinsley, Festus Ezeli, and Lance Goulbourne, and junior Jeffery Taylor round out the starting five. 

       

A lethal combination of experience and talent has catapulted the Commodores into national contention.  Vandy obtained a No. 5-seed in the NCAA tournament last season, before falling to Richmond, 69-66.  This year, the expectations are loftier, and a first-round departure will not suffice.

            

In order to succeed and improve upon their 23-11 campaign from a year ago, Vandy will need to fare well in key matchups against out-of-conference and SEC opponents.  Out-of-conference, the Commodores match up against Xavier (No. 15), Louisville (No. 8), and Marquette (No. 21).  In-conference, they face Alabama (No. 17), Florida twice, and Kentucky twice. 

            

The huzzah surrounding Vandy’s season has not gone unnoticed by ESPN.  The Commodores have fourteen games scheduled on ESPN’s family of networks, including home games against Kentucky and Florida, on February 11^th and 28^th.

           

Prior to this season, the Commodores often flew under the radar.  Though they have compiled an impressive five-year streak of 19+ win seasons, there hasn’t been this much hubbub encircling Vandy in quite some time.  In fact, the elite ranking of number seven in the country is the team’s highest since 1966 (No. 5). 

            

Jenkins and the rest of the starting five are destined for excellence. However, Vandy will need to remain injury-free and get valuable production from the bench as the season unfolds in order to make a tournament run. 

WSOC | Freshman Hunsberger fits in well as role player for Syracuse

By Trevor Hass

Contributing Writer

Published: Monday, October 17, 2011

Updated: Monday, October 17, 2011 23:10

Syracuse and Villanova were in a scoreless tie in the 56th minute and neither team was breaking through. The Orange, two games below .500 at the time, needed a boost.
That's when freshman Megan Hunsberger stepped up and scored the decisive goal, propelling the team to a 1-0 victory.
"Tina (Romagnuolo) played her a great ball down the left side, and she took a great touch across the defender," SU head coach Phil Wheddon said. "The defender had a choice to either bring her down and foul her or let her go. She chose to let her go, and Megan struck the ball past the goalkeeper in the top corner."
Hunsberger's game-winning goal, the first of her Syracuse career, started a four-game winning streak and helped to turn the team's season around. The next game, she scored a goal against Seton Hall and contributed with an assist to Romagnuolo in a 4-1 triumph. Her recent success, combined with her experience playing competitive soccer in high school, has given her a significant spot on the roster of a Syracuse (7-6-3, 6-4 Big East) team that has qualified for the Big East tournament.
"She's done really well," said Romagnuolo, a junior midfielder. "Obviously, when she first got here I think she was a little nervous, but now she's coming out of her shell and playing really well. She's really good at crossing the ball."
Hunsberger's positive energy and ability to contribute at multiple positions has enabled her to play in 14 games this season in her first year. She started against Central Connecticut and Big East opponent Pittsburgh. She has played primarily in the midfield, but is flexible to other positions, such as outside back.
"She's fought hard in every training session, and when she gets on the field she's a very good technical player," Wheddon said. "She's played a lot of different positions, which is a coach's luxury."
Soccer has been at the forefront of Hunsberger's life ever since she was a child. As a teenager, she was a member of the U-15 United States national team, a team that traveled to California to play elite club teams.
"The U-15 national team was an outrageous experience," Hunsberger said. "It prepared me for the speed of play in college soccer and playing with that level of competition was unbelievable."
Along with the national team, Hunsberger participated in the Olympic Development program, played for club teams Albertson Fury and AC Perugia, and excelled at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
"Soccer, friends, that's pretty much it," she said.
Along with her soccer skills, Hunsberger's sense of humor and infectious personality off the field also keep her teammates laughing.
"She's really funny," assistant coach Abby Crumpton said. "She's a great soccer player, but is also really great for chemistry. She keeps us laughing and keeps our spirits high at the right times."
Certain aspects of the transition to collegiate-level soccer have been difficult, such as the physical style of play and fast-paced action. But Hunsberger has seamlessly made the jump from being a high school star to a Syracuse role player to start her career.
"Playing every day definitely helps you, and playing with different players expands your horizon and knowledge of the game," she said. "You understand it more. It's a different experience. It helps you out."
Although Hunsberger has already started two games and scored two goals, she has higher aspirations. "I definitely want to get into the NCAA tournament and maybe after college play for a professional team."
 
tbhass@syr.edu

Gators ready to chomp

By Trevor Hass

(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Last season the Florida Gators finished with the best record in the SEC at 29-8, including a 13-3 mark in-conference. PF Chandler Parsons, PF Alex Tyus, PF/C Vernon Macklin, G Erving Walker, and G Kenny Boynton fueled the well-balanced Gators, all averaging over 10 points per game.
     Though Parsons, Macklin, and Tyus graduated, Walker and Boynton are back to fill the void and carry the Gators this season.
      Florida won back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2006 and 2007. Despite failing to qualify in 2008 and 2009, head coach Billy Donovan led the Gators to the Elite Eight this past season.
      While most programs would be satisfied with two titles in the past six years, the University of Florida has high expectations. The Gators are eager to chomp away at SEC foes and devour opponents en route to another championship.
      The Gators have a menacing out-of-conference schedule this upcoming season, filled with the likes of Ohio State, Syracuse, Texas A&M, and Florida State.
      Last year, SEC rival Kentucky got the best of the Gators in two out of three meetings, but this year Florida will look to regain dominance. Kentucky and Florida are the favorites in the SEC and will square off in February, as well as on March 4th, the final day of the regular season.
      To defeat Kentucky and make a strong push in the NCAA tourney, the Gators will rely heavily on Kenny Boynton. Boynton averaged 14 points per game in each of his first two seasons, yet his shooting percentage was a lowly .381. Shooting a higher percentage will open up other facets of Boynton’s game. Once defenders respect his three point shot, he can utilize his quick first step to slash toward the basket and convert on easy layups.
      Jackson State travels to Gainesville to kick off Florida’s season on November 11th and the Gators commence their quest for a third national championship in seven years.

Ortiz powers Sox - By Trevor Hass

            David Ortiz is a lifetime .327 hitter with 11 home runs and 31 RBI against the Minnesota Twins.  Tonight he carried the Red Sox’ offense with four hits, including a mammoth blast to the upper deck in right field and a go-ahead RBI single in the 9^th inning.

            Down 5-1 in the sixth, the Sox were in need of some offense.  Carl Crawford started the inning off with a triple to center, getting his 8^th hit in 12 at bats.  After Adrian Gonzalez drove Crawford in with a sacrifice fly, Dustin Pedroia singled to center.  With the hit, Pedroia has now hit safely in 45 of 48 games, including four in a row.

            Then came Papi; his roaring two run shot cut the deficit to 5-4.  It was Ortiz’ team-leading 22^nd homer of the year.  After that home run, Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed suite by homering to right, knotting the contest up at five apiece.

“That’s David,” said Saltalamacchia.  “He picked us up tonight.  We just go out there and play the game.”

            With the score tied at 6-6 in the top of the ninth, Ortiz delivered yet again.  The slugger showed some finesse and patience, hitting a flair to left center field, driving in pinch runner Darnell McDonald. 

“I just tried to calm down and get that pitch,” said Ortiz.

Similar to what transpired in the 6^th, Saltalamacchia produced after Ortiz, providing an insurance run.

            “David wants to see everyone do well,” added Saltalamacchia.  “For him to go out and pick the team up was great.”

            Jonathan Papelbon closed the game out in fashion, striking out Danny Valencia and Delmon Young, and inducing a ground out to second by pinch hitter Ben Revere.  The closer two-stepped his way to his 25^th save of the season.

            With the win, the Red Sox improved to 34-21 away from Fenway Park.  They also extended their winning streak to three games, fresh off a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win over the Yankees the night before. 

            Tim Wakefield had a chance to pick up his 200^th career win.  The knuckleballer was on his game for the most part, with the exception of a tumultuous third inning where he gave up three runs.  Wakefield struck out four in seven innings and had a chance to pick up number 200.  The 45-year old threw first pitch strikes to 21 out of 28 batters.

            Alfredo Aceves gave up an RBI single to Jason Kubel in the 8^th, making the score 6-6, and thus depriving Wakefield of the milestone.  Aceves then settled down and ultimately picked up the win, improving to 8-1 on the season.

            Scott Baker was steady for the Twins through five innings, merely allowing an RBI single to the fuming hot Marco Scutaro in the second.  Scutaro connected on a whopping seventh hit in a row, driving in Ortiz.   With the exception of that lone blemish, Baker was efficient through five, striking out five Red Sox hitters and inducing many ground balls.  Then in the 6^th everything fell apart for the right-hander, as he surrendered four runs.

            Baker came into the contest with a tremendous 5-0 record and 0.26 ERA at newly constructed Target Field.  8-6 with a 3.01 ERA on the season, Baker has been a bright spot for the injury-riddled Twins.

The Twins’ offense was paced by right fielder Jason Kubel, who went three for four with a home run to right field off Wakefield.  Trevor Plouffe chipped in with two hits and also scored two runs, while veteran slugger Jim Thome added an RBI double and scored a run.

Jed Lowrie returned for the Red Sox, after being placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury on June 15^th.   He went one for four in his return, playing third base.  Jacoby Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Gonzalez all ignited the offensive attack with two hits apiece. 

Reliever Glen Perkins (3-2) gave up a single to Gonzalez before being replaced by closer Joe Nathan.  Nathan allowed an infield single to Pedroia as well as the decisive hit to Ortiz and the slicer to left by Saltalamacchia.  Pedroia is batting .331 in the seventh inning or later, including a menacing .388 since May 7^th.