Willy the Wave - Really?

 

Seattle U Men's Basketball returns to action finally after a ten day holiday vacation and last defeating Virginia. I have been going through serious withdrawals not seeing nor hearing any SU MBB action and it is time to get the new year going.  The Redhawks fly down to beautiful Malibu to take on the ....Pepperdine Waves...What? that is their mascot...the "Waves?"   Yes I get the association but look at that ridiculous thing, plus his name is Willy - there is no way in hell my Redhawks are going to lose against a mascot named Willy the Wave!

Scouting Willy and his Pepperdine Waves...they are 5-11 and just came off a East Coast trip with huge losses to Alabama and Miami - plus they lost to my friend Coach Callero and the Cal Poly Mustangs- they average 69 ppg and shoot 41% from the field so the weary waves should continue in a holiday slump.  Oh yes, they are in the WCC Conference - the ones that think we suck and aren't good enough to get into so more fodder for the fire...so if they are the "Waves." then Rudy the Redhawk is going to swoop down and eat Willy for lunch. Game action Sunday January 2nd @ 4 pm.

Catch the action on KIRO AM 710 ESPN with my buddies Dave Grosby and Gary Hill.

Happy New Year!  (be safe) from the Seattle U Hoops Blog

Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus!!

I love C-Money & the Redhawks!!

Holy Crap!  Yes, Seattle University 59 Virginia 53...on the road. Uh, hello people, yes that is the University of Virginia of the ACC, the basketball perennial powerhouse conference which includes North Carolina, Maryland, Wake Forrest etc., against us little independent powerhouse growing to become a brand - that I label BEWARE BASKETBALL WORLD.  As we used to say on the city courts..."In your face!" and as a country baller ... "Get that S*%$t out of my backyard." ( Really we did use those phrases.).  If you were to read my previous blog you would see that I proclaimed this game to be my Christmas present  - the only thing I really wanted and declared..."On any given Wednesday," based after the Al Pacino sports movie "On any given Sunday," except this Wednesday 12/22/2002 the stars were my SU Redhawks - booyaaa! 

The text where flying back and forth between us SU faithful fans during the game for it was only shown on ESPN game cast via computer and delayed on KIRO 710 ESPN yet we were all united via technology willing and believing that this team is stepping it up.

Key phrases used in tonight's broadcast  that should be noted..."Attack," "Discipline," "Believe."...Oh, hit the free throws down the stretch...hmmm ...still need some work on that...but it is a new year coming up, maybe Santa can put that in the Redhawk's Holiday Stockings :)

Next up Jan 2nd vs. Pepperdine - hell, we just beat Virginia...but remember on any given day...?

Scouting U of Virginia Cavaliers

The good news is our team gets to play another ACC team in Virginia who is averaging 8926 fans a game so it will be a fun holiday travel and great experience, plus I think Virginia is visiting us next year and this match up only raises our profile as this years schedule has three Pac 10 Teams and two ACC teams.

Now for the not so good news...UV is 7-3, they lost to Stanford and Washington, both are common upcoming opponents - this is going either to be a "David beats Goliath" or "Goliath stomps the hell out of David." story line

Here are some interesting stats (or ugly depending on ones perspective)  C Money (Coach Dollar) probably is pretty familiar with their Coach Tony Bennett formerly of WSU.  UV averages 66.6 ppg, shoots 45% from the field and 44% from behind the arc (whoa) and 74% from the charity stripe.  UV has an RPI rating of 50 the Redhawks have an RPI of 320 - the lower the better just to let you readers know.

Now I don't even want to publish how I think the end result will be - I want all of us Redhawk fans to keep the faith and know there are some positives that are present and this growth is a marathon not a sprint.

One of my all time favorite sports movies is "On any given Sunday" with Al Pacino about how on any given day a sports team can win no matter what the stats and so my fingers are crossed that there will be a new movie on my all time list..."On any Given Wednesday!"

SU vs U of Virginia Wednesday Dec 22nd - Go Seattle U! KIRO AM 710 ESPM Radio

Happy Holidays from SeattleUhoops

After Game Loss Chatter

San Jose State 86 my team 70 - ugly

OK, the best thing about getting routed by 16 points and knowing the game air was let out with about 6 minutes remaining is sitting in a bar drowning sorrows with all the stall wort fans and  being assistant "arm chair" coaches.  The real thing is we are all still here and we all stand behind Coach and the student-athletes and the building process of a Division I powerhouse...we will get there.  Now. we will get there when in two games we stop shooting 15 for 52 from three point range, when we learn to have a positive Assist to Turnover Ratio (which we don't) for the season and we get all three referees on the same page - at least tonight I had two of three ...sort of.  I am sure one did not appreciate me explaining from court side that he was refereeing a basketball game rather than a football one - one great advantage of sitting courtside under the basket- you get to be really friendly (or not) with the guys in zebra uniforms.

Happy Holidays from the Seattle U Hoops blog - all I want for Christmas is a win!

Next up Dec 22nd vs. Virginia then Jan 2nd at Peperdine all away and can be heard on KIRO AM 710 ESPN with my friends the Groz & Gary Hill.  Also don't miss out on the Courtside Club Luncheon Jan 7th with Coach Dollar - at FX McRorys - noon - contact Greg Sempadian at sempadg@seattleu.edu

From Rudy the Redhawk and me

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 

Eastern Washington 95 Seattle U 91 - err

Let's start with the UGLY - we lost!

Next the BAD - we lost and Treymane Johnson lit it up on 7-8 shooting, 3-3 behind the arc and 9 of 10 from the free throw line, plus 4 blocks and SU shot 9 of 28 from three point land - err.

The GOOD?  Not good we lost, but in the vain of finding something positive SU outscored EWU 56 to 50 in the second half, improved their free throw shooting, overcame a 20 point deficit and Sterling Carter showed he can play point guard...and...If any of you notice, the team actually plays pretty good in a set offense.

I hate when my Redhawks lose to teams we should beat - how painful is it to listen to the game on 710 ESPN and watch it on your computer with a 4 second delay knowing the outcome in your ears before your eyes see it?  Painful!  Don't give up fans - it is always painful when you climb Mt Rainier but breathtaking when you get to the top!!

San Jose State comes to KeyArena this Sat Dec 18th and Rudy better have his A Game intact!

Where is Rudy?

 

So Rudy and I were having coffee today and I had to set him straight - "Look dude you are in the KeyArena spotlight - you took over for Squatch (Sonics) and this guy was doing dunks off of trampoline, shooting t -shirts from a sling shot into the crowd, doing back flips etc.  It is time to step it up buddy - make the mascot world proud - make me proud - make SU proud!"

"I mean c'mon, against Montana State only up by a point and I look over in a media time out and you are cowering in the corner rubbing your belly?  By the way where did that belly come from?  You need to start working out."

I want to see you at center court dancing with Matt Harper to Ice Cream and Cake, I want to see you flipping cheerleaders - get your wings out of your pockets and in the air charging the crowd and for once I want to witness you hand slapping the entire front row of us stall wort fans - and I challenge you to kiss Scott Grimm and Steve Looney at center court.  I'll give you some time before I expect the trampoline dunk - let's say ... by the UW game."

"Rudy, you are now Division I, not NAIA so act like it - step it up.  Call up the San Diego Chicken for some advice.  I know you can do this and if you can't I am going to get into that bird outfit and show you how it's done."

Go Rudy GO!!  Show me your stuff this Saturday against San Jose State

By the way thanks for the latte :)

Redhawks vs Eastern Wa  U today, Wed 12/15 5:35 pm KIRO AM 710 ESPN with my buddies the Groz & Gary Hill

Red Converse High Tops 4-2 and Mr Potato Head 1-0

Yes my Redhawks defeated Idaho last night 66 to 56 with the mojo of Mr Potato Head who sat at my feet on the court under the basket and propelled Cervante Burrell to 20 points - Also Mr Potato Head made it on FSN.  Now please,  a blog or so ago I extolled the talents of Cervante cutting through 6 foot 10 inch trees and scoring - (Claypool get off my midget guards) Am I good or what?  And Mr. Potato Head who was originally bought as an anti Idaho jinx (duh it worked) may now move over to our SU side as a companion - got to build him an uniform - with the tattered Red Converse High Tops as more mojo for more wins.  Check this out - how fun is it to see the game live, go to Buckley's with friends drink beer and eat food sit with an SU Hall of Fame legend then go home and watch the FSN replay - Boooyaaa - Yes, as someone said at the game last night - "I am Mr SU."

Eastern WA U on Wednesday KIRO AM ESPN 5:35 and then my Red Converse and Mr Potato Head will return to KeyArena Saturday December 18th to tackle San Jose State...looks like its back to Target to find another MOJO buster - Go Seattle U!

Red Converse for today's game

My tattered Red "Chuck Taylor" High Top Converse are 3-2 when wearing them game day.  So I am pulling them out against Idaho this afternoon.  Chuck is old and tattered and his energy is low so he needs to be strategically worn in order to help get a win - this is the day combined with Mr Potato Head (get it Idaho) who will sit next to him to provide the Redhawk mojo!  Go Seattle U!  SU vs. Idaho 5 pm KeyArena on FSN & KIRO am ESPN 710 Radio - just do it!

Seattle U vs Mr. Potato Head

Welcome fans and lovers of the Seattle University Men's Basketball Program!  Next up Saturday December 11th at 5 pm the Redhawks take on Idaho (which I have crowned the Potato Heads) at KeyArena ( which I have crowned my house - home away from my real home - If I could sleep with my three dogs on the Elgin Baylor Court believe me I would)

The 5-3 Vandals (which we will vandalize - every pun intended)  have not lost to my beloved Redhawks since 1968, but SU holds a 13-7 all time record against the Mr. Potato Heads and is in the WAC Conference so this win will be key to show the conference we belong - this is kind of like dating - show them affection and maybe we can begin the "kissing" phase.

 Don't underestimate the 3-8 Redhawks, every post game coaches comment has declared this team is for real and tenacious!  This isn't fluff - believe, cheer, support and bleed red & black.  I'll take my 5'9 point guard Cervante over any other as he cuts through monstrous 6'10 trees like a Weyerhaeuser log man with a chainsaw clear cutting the North Cascades.


Saturday is take your kids to the game for free also on FSN and always broadcast live on 710  KIRO AM ESPN Radio with my friends the Groz & Gary Hill.

Score?  SU 76  Mr.Potato Heads 69 - I'll blog the day after the game and you can bow down to me or feel free to comment on my prediction.

Go Seattle U!

A win in the grasp, then ... poof

Saturday afternoon at 2 pm sitting in my home office with the radio on I couldn't believe what I was hearing Seattle U up by 15 points over Weber State on the road in Ogden Utah.  This was Weber State the defending Big Sky Champions, touted to win the conference again, who had only lost to Arizona State by 1 point and ranked 16 in the nation in shooting behind the arc - etc etc.  The Redhawks had totally dismantled Weber and had them on the ropes - my man Broussard (23 points) came out strong and the team was passing, shooting, playing defense like I know they can.

Within the final minutes of the game I had tossed a bowl across the room, slammed a door, kicked my dog (not really c'mon you all know how much I love my dogs) Screamed out the window and jumped up and down when Coach Dollar got hit with a technical (very timely, it kept us in the game) then after the final 6.5 seconds - slumped in my chair and said ..."Poof."  So close.  Weber State 65 SU 61

SU 3-8 faces the University of Idaho Potato Heads in KeyArena Saturday Dec 11th come join me!  Its also bring your kid to the game - buy 1 ticket and the kids get in for free

Eight against five

Really? The Saturday Night Live Weekend Update spoof called "Really" would have had a field day with last nights Portland State vs my Seattle U Redhawks - Really ref you called that?...and really ref you didn't call that? and really - my head is going to explode!  I could of found three blind men that could of called the game better than you goofballs - talk about homer - really,  do you three guys live on campus? - really?  Sometimes you get one guy with a bad day, but we got all three on the floor at the same time.

Look,  I am the last one to blame the score on the officiating - but being around athletics my whole life this ranks as one of the worst called games I have witnessed - so bad that I dubbed it the "Eight against five game rather than five on five" -such a fiasco that even PSU played the theme from Jeopardy while the three tried to figure out a call - dont da donta donta da don...

Officials: Bobby Holloway, John Weeks, Brent Watts - 

Pearl Vision is running a special on eye glasses I suggest visiting them

This being a family channel, I'll refrain from anymore.

Back on the road Redhawks vs. Weber State Dec 4th 

Hear it live KIRO AM 710 ESPN with the Groz & Gary Hill