Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: The Redhawks need some "gel"

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: The Redhawks need some "gel": University of San Francisco 69 Seattle University Redhawks 63 I really was not looking forward to having to be 0-2 starting off the season...

The Redhawks need some "gel"

University of San Francisco 69 Seattle University Redhawks 63

I really was not looking forward to having to be 0-2 starting off the season, but reading the Seattle Times Sports section this morning I was glad that the players understand the same things us Basketball High IQ people see after two games. Now remember I am the "Hunter S. Thompson" of the Redhawk Nation. So as much as I want to be critical, I also want to be positive and then throw you all a curve ball here and there - kind of like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" - to be aligned with "Fear and Loathing the Redhawks."

Saturday's home opener which was surrounded by so many great events such as the Alumni reception,  a double header with the women's team tipping off and the Puget Sound areas Catholic schools participation was not a disappointment in the SU loss - The Portland State game was - just remember my early season words, "Win the games we are supposed to win and pull off a couple upsets."  OK, lets move on people.

This was a very good USF team with returning players and SU hung in there with 6 lead changes and a 1 point game differential at the half.  Here is what I saw and my season ticket holder to my left and the hoop analyzer to my right - USF is a very patient team waiting for the right pass at the right time.  The Redhawks are a very athletic team with size, but are playing without 'gel' because they have only 1 returning starter in Senior Aaron Broussard and Clarence Trent practiced with the team last year but had to sit out live action as a UW transfer so things seem to be in a growing pain period.  Don't panic was the message from Broussard and the message here.  But we need to get the "Gel On" Redhawks or I for one am going have a heart attack in my courtside seats.

Now what's not working.  How the hell to you expect to win games when your starting back court shoots 2 for crying out loud 14, not to boot 0-for 9 behind the arc and as a team SU shot 7 for 25 total three pointers - Uh Coach, you are going to see a lot more zone defense if the trend continues.  USF was in man to man for three possessions.

We shot 39.3% from the field

It's the little wins game to game that matter and I don't know if any of the team or staff read my last blog but SU shot 80% from the Free Throw line Saturday- insert small applause - because it was only 8 of 10.  Thanks refs.

Now let us speak of one more observation.  With such an athletic team why is it that we only pressed down by nine with with a few minutes to play and out of four full court trap presses we forced three turnovers.  A pretty positive trend we might like to look into for the future.  It was a frustrating loss to witness and I had to relive it again on tape delay at Buckley's, yet it allowed me to re think the future 2011 season which is like that basil seed you plant and coddle, water, talk too and it eventually turns into a gigantic plant full of fantastic smells!  (insert not so Hunter S Thompson like)

Peace Out Redhawk Nation from the Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report and by the way it would be great if you would always forward this to Redhawk fans and subscribe.

These worn out Converse are 10-3 when wearing them to games

Fantello '86 - be a member and read this stuff delivered to your email door!

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: All the ways to blow a 14 point lead

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: All the ways to blow a 14 point lead: Isabella at games end - totally distraught Are you serious! SU leading by 14 points and poof it's gone by games end. You have the lead ...

All the ways to blow a 14 point lead

Isabella at games end - totally distraught

Are you serious!  SU leading by 14 points and poof it's gone by games end.  You have the lead with 35 seconds and get the ball stolen only to let Portland State score with 4.9 seconds, not to mention SU was up by eight with 1:38 to go.  Arghh.

As I noted in the previous blog if you are going to have a good season you have to win the games you should win and pull off a few upsets - this is not the way to start your year on the road season opener.

In some respects I am glad I did not make the trip down to P Town for on the way back I would be kicking and screaming the entire three hour ride.
Instead the dogs and I listened to the Groz and I texted to the faithful who did make the trip,  It sounded like an ugly game and I am miffed that SU could force 25 turnovers and lose!

After reviewing the stats I can see why.  SU shoots 38% from the field, 21% from beyond the arc and 53% from the Free Throw line (didn't we talk about this last year) The Redhawks went 7 for 13

How is it Wallace can make three pointers and go zero from twelve uncontested feet?  The Redhawks were relentless on the offensive boards which is a good thing, but also not a good thing because they were missing shots.

I would be much more happy if the game was close throughout and we lost - but with expectations high for the NIT Tournament and this talented of a team it needs to come together and smell blood early on and stay focused.

The next test in the Key Arena home opener this Saturday is no easy task against a talented University of San Fransisco team.  SU should be 1-0 going in and potentially 2-0 by Saturday's end if USF is one of those maybe wins.  Let's hope I don't have to endure an 0-2 start and I have better news to write about and I don't want to write about Free Throws anymore!

Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Game on Portland State

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Game on Portland State: Really? This is Portland State mascot? Really? For Crying out loud this dork makes 'Rudy the Redhawk' good enough to take on a date. Th...

Game on Portland State

Really?  This is Portland State mascot?  Really?  For Crying out loud this dork makes 'Rudy the Redhawk' good enough to take on a date.

The I-5 corridor will be filled with a strong Seattle U contingency as I've heard moving south as the Redhawks tip off their season opener with PSU Tuesday night in Stott Arena (by the way your arena looks like a high school gym - I've been there three times) against the Vikings.  Unfortunately, this rabid alumnus will not be in any of the hundreds of cars heading south so I will be sitting by the radio tuned into 710 AM ESPN radio listening to my friend the 'Groz' calling the action.

I won't bore you with the stats, you can find them on www.goseattleu.com but this really is a great rivalry renewed as Seattle transitions back to Division I and the series is tied at seven games apiece.  If you pay any attention to this blog - which you should because I am really a hoopaholic and know my sh*t. (can I say that on the internet?) - you will note the 2011 Redhawks are like no other sans the early years of the 50's. 60's and 70's - big, athletic and talented so watch out Vikings.  Tuesday's game is really a tester of what I believe.  Seattle U's season depends on the following assumptions.

1. Win games that you should win.
2. Win a couple of games you may not be assumed to win.
3. Be a strong force in your house at 'Key Arena' to let the country know you are for real and opponents shake entering an NBA style atmosphere.

I am way cooler than that stupid PSU Viking

Game on Seattle U Redhawks your season into the NIT (one more year for NCAA tournament and one more year for the WAC) is the first step to renewing your legitimate place back when I watched you as a child and I know you will do it bigger and better in your journey as an athlete, as a team and as a student in parallel to the Seattle University mission.

"If we do not think about the future we cannot have one!"

Go Seattle U!

That's it for the Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report

Good luck guys!

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Day and Night

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Day and Night: Seattle University played its first exhibition game against Pacific Lutheran University who was once in the same conference years ago when a...

Day and Night

Seattle University played its first exhibition game against Pacific Lutheran University who was once in the same conference years ago when a few of us where sitting in the sparse Connelley Center bleachers ( I will reiterate 'few") and now have the opportunity to play again in Key Arena - which is now home to the Redhawks with a 101 - 53 win as SU  embarks on there final year of transformation from NAIA , Division III to Division II to Division I! Entering into the elite 378 schools of competition.  Now you know this rabid alumnus does not take this with the faint of heart.  Tireless, as an 86' graduate and hoopaholic from childhood I for one keep a keen eye and my ears to the ground in constant analysis to the progress to the program.  I have been called the 'Charles Burkowski' of sports or the 'Hunter S Thompson" to SU for yes I am smoking a cigarette and and having a late night cocktail as I write (I am sure this is not helping my job hunt by the way.)

The 2011 team is like night and day from the past years and brings child hood thoughts of attending the games of the 70's against the UW with Clint Richardson et all.  Witnessing the game tonight, albeit a Division III team against the rising Division I Redhawks was like a transformation from owning a 1990 Toyota Corolla to a 750 BMW.  Sleek, smooth, easy ride with all the bells and whistles - this team has no 'attitude' just to only to prove the engine is what it is- fast and furious and can go from zero to 60 in nano seconds.  I didn't need to see dunks - I wanted to see steals, quick rotation, hard charges to the boards for a second lay up and aggressive, selfish play - I saw it all and so did my guest courtside who commented that - "Wow!  I'm impressed. I'm from Florida but I'll be following the Redhawks now."

The season has just begun and pulling into the Key Arena Garage and walking into my seats gives hope to the great energy Seattle University is on the correct path to wins, fan excitement and educating the young men into future leaders.  Watch out WAC here come the Redhawks!

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Its Time to get our 'HOOP' On! Suck it again NBA

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Its Time to get our 'HOOP' On! Suck it again NBA: Hey Seattle U Hoop fans we are finally here! Woot woot! Two years ago I started blogging for SU Men's Basketball championing the cau...

Its Time to get our 'HOOP' On! Suck it again NBA

Hey Seattle U Hoop fans we are finally here!  Woot woot!

Two years ago I started blogging for SU Men's Basketball championing the cause and now holy crap SU is everywhere and the media is trying to put me out of business (yeah like I get paid for this).

First, if you missed this months Courtside Club Luncheon then you suck because you missed being treated to the speaker series I started and so far the best from ROOT Sports Broadcaster Jen Mueller who gave a tremendous speech and was the most gracious emcee to introduce Cameron Dollar on exclusive insight to the opening season.  So if you have questions, well you should of been there with the largest lunch crowd to date back on campus.

Jen Mueller ROCKS!

For the third consecutive season, the Seattle University men's basketball team will open its season with an exhibition game against the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran University, with this year's game taking place Saturday, Nov. 12, at KeyArena beginning at 7:10 p.m.

 "What the hell is a Lute?"  Here's a little tidbit...

It's actually a bit of a blast from the past. The Lutes were once called the Knights in the 1970s and 80s.

The teams now are still the Lutes, but the mascot is the Knight. (Like in "Goodnight as we 'dunk' all over you?) The mascot will be part of the cheer squad and help rally Lutes in the stands to cheer on their fellow student athletes. (Good luck on that in Key Arena Mr. Lute or whatever)

Plans are in works to give the gallant sideline character a name.  So keep an eye out for a "Name the Knight Contest" (How about you get your ass kicked by the REDHAWKS Dude) sometime this fall. "It seems students are really excited about it and that's a great thing," said Laurie Turner, director of athletics. "It really helps in assisting and creating a home court advantage."

The Lutes enter Saturday's exhibition after posting a 15-10 record in the 2010-11 season, including a 10-6 record in the Division III Northwest Conference. Eight players return for the Lutes, led by senior guard James Conti, who averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 assists per game last season. Drew Ernest is the team's leading returning scorer, averaging 11.9 points per game. He shot 53.2 percent from the field, including 48.4 percent from behind the three-point line, and 88.1 percent from the free throw line. Cameron Schilling also returns for the Lutes after contributing 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2010-11.

Last Halloween, Seattle U shot 60.3 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the free throw line in a 121-91 offensive shootout at KeyArena. Six players scored in double figures for the Redhawks, including a 15-point, five-rebound effort from Alex Jones. Gavin Gilmore finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Cervante Burrell contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and six assists. Victor Bull led the Lutes with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyle MacTaggert added 15 points and Schilling came off the bench and scored 14 points.

Steve Dickerson enters his sixth season as head coach of the Pacific Lutheran men's basketball team. Last season was his first winning campaign at the helm, helping the Lutes ( what's a Lute again?) to a fourth place finish in the league and a spot in the postseason conference tournament. Pacific Lutheran will open its regular season next weekend at the Puget Sound Tip-Off Classic in Tacoma, facing La Verne and Portland Bible College. 

Okay...I give credit where credit is due, and the Lutes did well last season, even if I still don't know what a 'Lute' is but it should be a fun game and  it is game time so the trash talking will begin...Oh by the way, PLU have you beaten Oregon State twice or Virginia (Do you even know where Virginia is?)

Post this on the locker room Steve Dickerson and its game on for Seattle U!

Oh yes, I have no affiliation with Seattle University Athletics other than being the rabid alumni :)

Go Seattle U! from the Chieftain Chatter and Redhawk Report

One Week to the 'Tip Off' Lunch with Coach Cameron Dollar

GO Redhawks!

Hoopaholics...Eleven days until the Seattle U Redhawks tip off in an exhibition game against PLU and two weeks to the season beginning at Portland State (more to come on that one later this month) BUT don't forget the Courtside Club Luncheon back on the SU Campus next Monday November 7th at the Student Center in room 160.  With special guest...guess who?  Yep, Jen Mueller of ROOT Sports.  I persuaded her with my sporty talk charm and she is down with giving all the guest the lowdown on how our Division I move is effecting the Seattle Sports landscape.  Lunch is from 11:30 to 2 pm, cost is a value at $25 and if you want the inside track on this season you probably should be there.  Tickets are running fast and room is sparse...can't just show up or you'll be on the outside looking in.  I've been to practice and look, there is no Sonics and most likely there will not be any NBA soon so get your hoop fix at Key Arena and the hottest game in town!  RSVP to Greg Sempadian 206.3984420 ir sempadig@seattleu.edu.  See you there hoop crazed Seattleites

Yours truly,

The Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report !