Iggy the Lion and Scouting LMU

SU faces Loyola Marymount in LA this Monday so here is the rundown on Iggy.  Since LMU is a Jesuit school I have to be politically correct here with the only exception of Gonzaga.  Frankly Iggy the Lion is pretty ugly, but actually has an endearing quality about him - really if I had kids I would invite him over for a birthday party he is way better looking than Willy the Wave from Peperdine.

From the LMU website: Although its origin is somewhat clouded, the Lion mascot has been synonymous with Loyola Marymount University for more than 70 years. According to the Oct. 5, 1923 edition of the school newspaper, the Los Angeles Loyolan, the Lion mascot was suggested by an enthusiastic fan after 1919 when St. Vincent's College became Loyola College. Noting the Loyola football player's fierce competitiveness, that unknown fan described the Loyola players as Lions. The name did not generate too much popularity and the Loyola athletic nickname remained "Loyolan's" until 1923.

At that time, the article explains, the college wished to inspire new pride in its athletes and fans. Noting the success of nicknames for other colleges, the college opted to give the Lion's nickname a rebirth. Calling the old Lion mascot "mistreated and forgotten," the article explains that the Lion would officially find its way into all college songs and cheers. The Lion has remained firmly entrenched in Loyola lore to this very day.

An alternative origin story traces the nickname to the abundance of actual mountain lions which roamed Westchester when Loyola College moved here in 1927. The area remained widely unpopulated and teamed with wildlife when the school moved atop the bluffs. School officials reportedly adopted the nickname because mountain lions inhabited the area when ground was broken.

Now what a nice little cute, fuzzy story about Iggy - gosh, would it not be great if we had an interesting story about the Seattle University Chieftain plastered on a website?  You know, the initial pioneer and founder of the Seattle region and Northwest!  A strong symbol of leadership, full of pride.  But no, we have Rudy the Redhawk - who scares little kids and really isn't a species of bird and really can't fly amongst doing anything at all to spur the alumni passion  OK, I am done with this part for in the spirit of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson I will look forward to your letters administration.  I figured I would blog the scouting report on LMU early so you had some Friday fun reading and I am in a cranky, kind of fluff some feathers mood.  In fact I might not scout LMU I might just get on the bullhorn and continue with this whole Chieftain thing - naw I'll blog that next after I write about the fall of the Gonzaga Empire (3-3) -Rome is burning

LMU is in the West Coast Conference - where we should be.  LMU is 1-5 and 8-12 sitting close to the bottom of the WCC.  Between now and Monday they will play third place Santa Clara so maybe our records will match up (SU 8-13).  But this team is very interesting for the stats show a positive scoring ratio of plus .3 (meaning they have outscored their opponents but have a losing record) shoot 43% from the field, a respectable 31% from the arc and an even more respectable 70% from the line.  In common opponents LMU split with Cal Poly SLO and former SU coach Callero ( we lost) LMU lost to Portland we play them next Saturday, they beat UC Irvine and lost to both Pepperdine and USF (we lost to both) They sit 21 points ahead of SU in the RPI and 56 points ahead in the Sarigan rankings (Look its way to complicated for me to explain that in this session - just trust me its not good).

This should be a competitive game after beating LMU Jan 1st two years ago in the inaugural return to KeyArena then losing last year in LA this will be a rubber match and another road grueling test for the Chieftai...oh, I mean Redhawks.  Go Seattle U!  Catch the action on KIRO 710 ESPN with my buddies The Groz and Gary Hill 7 pm Monday Jan 31st

 

What can I say? Icy Cold in California

Really not much good news here after Seattle U ( 8-13) is embarrassed by a measly Fresno State Bulldog team that decided to wake up and defy all stats.  86 to 56, yes that's 30 points - ouch.  After a few good minutes in the opening half the Redhawks stayed close battling back and forth until Bracken Funk (who obviously brought his Funk) came off the bench to score 15 points (4-6 from the field & 4-5 from the arc). Fresno had five players score in double figures and outscored SU's bench 41 -8

Fresno State must of turned down the temperature in the Save Mart Center to sub freezing levels for SU froze in front of the basket shooting 34% from the field, (21 of fricken 62) 35% behind the arc ( 8 of 23) and 50% from the line,  Albeit they only went to the stripe 12 times against FS's 27 and were out rebounded 31 -43.  There is nothing good in the stat sheet or about this game other than it should be thrown in the trash and for a day SU should of changed its mascot from Rudy the Redhawk to Paul the Polar Bear.

The Redhawks return home and hopefully warm up in the gym before facing LMU of the WCC back again in Podunk California next Monday January 31st with live radio action on KIRO 710 ESPN.

I guess I need to apologize to "Timeout" the bulldog mascot for his bark was louder than my trash talking - probably should of changed the mascot to the Fresno State Pitt Bulls  On a side note there must not be much to do in Fresno California for they had 6956 in attendance to watch the Bulldogs maul the Redhawks.

Scouting the Fresno State Bulldogs

Ah, now that is a cute mascot.  NOT!  Now look, I am the biggest dog lover but can understand Fresno State couldn't be called the Fresno State Chocolate Labs or the Fresno State Golden Retrievers or the Fresno State Havanese Terriers which all are my own breeds and no one can trash them, but you will have to go to my Facebook page for that.  The Bulldogs play in the WAC which is one more reason to win to just show them one more reason they should of at least invited us.  It is kind of like dating, this conference thing, I just want you to find me interesting enough for me to say no.


FSU is now 6-10 (3-4 in the Wacky Conference & 5-4 at home) and luckily for SU on a four game losing streak, but they did beat two common opponents in Pepperdine and San Jose State which we lost.  They average 63.8 ppg and give up 66.5 ppg hence more losses than wins and they don't shoot very good from anywhere, but they love to shoot so this could be a fast paced event given SU's style.  Now from a ranking perspective FSU's RPI is 203 and SU is 290 and Saragin has FSU at 216 and SU at 272, but you know none of that matters to the athletes and none of that matters when the ball is tipped off as long as the men in Zebra uniforms call the game as they see it and not as they would like to see it.

There is some controversy on the Bulldog campus.  Seems the old mascot, not the ugly one upper left, but the even uglier one to the right used to be called "Timeout" and had a little makeover with some nip and tuck over the last year and I think he looks more like a cat than a bulldog and I also hear he is a little more tame than the original - that's what I have read anyway.  I think after the Redhawks get done with "Timeout" he will have time to get to his second job in front of PETCO!

SU versus FSU Monday January 24th 8 pm in Podunk California 8 pm - hear it on KIRO 710 ESPN and read the real story the next day here at Seattleuhoops.

Lunch with Cameron Dollar SU Men's Basketball Coach

Seriously this is a great event!  You get to meet and hear one of the hottest young coaches in NCAA Division I basketball competition.  Why else? Because I am asking you too.  The mere fact you are reading this blog means you like SU Basketball and you also like the fact that this blog makes you laugh, it makes you think and it gives you insight to the program you can't get out of the papers all from a basketball junkie - yours truly.  Do you remember "Jim Rat" from Seattle Times sports columnist Steve Kelley from the days of the Sonics?  Well I am the resurrected Jim Rat for the decade of '00 for SU.   Now I'll be frank...it's lunch, but what I didn't mention was a word "fundraiser" - yep the 4th annual one - which means bring your check book.  I don't care if you give $5 or $5,000 just RSVP and show your support because when you are at a business meeting, closing a sale, in client development or at a dinner party and you say Seattle University Basketball you want to be proud and you want heads to turn and you want everyone to know you contributed to something special when we hit the "Big Dance" and trust me, I guarantee you we will hit that hardwood dance floor!  Just ask the University of Virginia and Oregon State and that dude from the Washington Post.  You are also attending to contribute to the student-athlete experience at SU building boys into future leaders.

Friday February 4th - Noon - FX McRory's 419 Occidental.  $25 for lunch and beverage.  RSVP Greg Sempadian  sempadig@seattleu.edu 206.398.4420 MC by Hall of Fame star Johnny O'Brien

The team must of read my blog!

Last blog below was "Hit the Free Throws Please." For SU has been dismal from the charity stripe and last nights game showed even when you shoot 35% from the field, but shoot 65% (72% in the first half) from the line and force 21 turnovers you win basketball games.  The leading scorers for SU Broussard and Burrell combined to go 22 for 28 from the stripe and SU pulled out another win 75-68 for a second time against Cal State Northridge in the Mata dome, which really isn't a dome.

Now when I say the games are broadcast on 710 ESPN - I am informing you so you can listen to the games and get insight into subtleties that aren't in the paper and box score - or you can just read it here.  Hockey match?  Yes, in one of the most unorthodox coaching strategies I have ever seen (actually heard on the broadcast), the Matadors made full five man substitutions after every offensive rebound the Redhawks grabbed - they had 25 of them!  Get out?  Can you imagine!  Albeit, they stopped the insanity with about 3 minutes to go but what a revolving door for most of the game and a nightmare for announcers Dave Grosby and Gary Hill.  Fun fact - Only one starter scored in the first half for the Matadors (5-13) - DUH, how can one get into a rhythm with a coaching strategy like that.  All round great gutsy, well played game by the Redhawk boys.

Next up for SU (8-12) and winners of 4 out of their last 6 is Monday night back in California against Fresno State 8 pm on KIRO 710 ESPN.  GO SEATTLE U

Make the Free Throw please - its Free

Seattle U Men's Basketball is not going to win many games shooting 50% from the free throw line and also turning the ball over 18 times.  Albeit Utah Valley shot a blistering 70% from the field and 87% from the charity stripe the second half and that's tough to overcome, but we have got to make free throws.  Albeit again, playing on the road is tough enough, but c'mon - really -  SU went to the line once in the first half?  Either UVU played a really clean game or those refs were. well, our usuall buddies that come from the league of the opposing team.

I do not subscribe to the school of thought if you take the number of missed free throws and add it to the final score that is the difference.  That's knucklehead thinking because through the course of the game made or missed free throws change the opposing team's strategy on both ends of the court, but as teams scout us deeper and deeper into the season sending us lame duck free throw shooters is going to be easier and easier to decide to foul on a close score.  Yet still those are points left on the table and points win games.  Now missing free throws is a sign of two things, one, weary legs or two not enough practice in the gym.  Now I had a High School Basketball coach who once told me what is going to separate you on the court from others is when your buddies are out partying on Friday night you are in the gym shooting 500 shots and 100 free throws - I got to do both.  I partied on Friday night and then got up in the morning when my buddies were hung over and hit the gym Saturday morning - take that coach! Oh, and by the way I shot 87% from the charity stripe.

SU now 7-12 is going to have a difficult task breaking .500 for the rest of the schedule ain't no cakewalk and our RPI is sliding faster than a kid at Wild Waves in July.  Next up is Cal State Northridge and Matty the Matador this upcoming Wednesday which is the second meeting this year - by the way which we won at home.

Hear the action on KIRO AM 710 ESPN - Go Seattle U and go make some damn free throws!

Another Willy the Mascot -UGH

OK, Seattle U takes on Utah Valley Thursday, tomorrow Jan 13th for its first game of a long road trip away from home and what?  Another Willy the Mascot - what is it with you universities...first I had to deal with Willy the Wave from Pepperdine and now I have to face Willy the Wolverine!  But wait...Willy the Wolverine is a total stud - check out You Tube, he dunks off a trampoline, and then he sky dives - Rudy the Redhawk better be cowering under the locker room bench because this guy puts you to shame and I mean shame - Rudy you are Division I and this guy is showing you up...you have a month before the Portland home game so get it together - where is Rudy's coach?  Does he have a Coach?.  

Utah Valley is 8-8 and am I sure Willy won't have a huge impact on the game, but looks like he can get the crowd fired up.  Utah Valley plays in the Great West Conference - whatever.

UVA is down 0-2 to SU in their history and both have wins over Oregon State so this should be a good match up and could be Seattle U's beginning of a good win streak after winning two at my house (KeyArena) over Eastern and CSNU - Catch the action on KIRO AM 710 ESPN and check out Coach Dollars new radio show starting this Monday 8 pm to 9 pm on the same station - GO Seattle U

To my friend in Mountlake

If you read my blog you will find a link on the lower right corner to Seattlesportsnet.com the alter ego to this Seattleuhoops blog and I like to stay in touch with other rebel writers and fans.  Reading today I came across "I love Seattle." by Alex Akita the founder of Seattlesportsnet and felt compelled - because I have nothing else to do today besides taking the dogs to the park  - as his writing hit me right in the chest like an errant basketball pass as I was standing all lone under the basket - been there done that too many times.

Alex and I met last year via the internet.  I have never physically met him, we have never physically spoken to one another - but we have a connection.  I listened to him on KJR on the way home one day and then looked up his website claiming everything about Seattle sports except nothing about Seattle University sports.  In a email I trashed him (in the kindest way) and he responded by trashing me (in the kindest way) and hence we became pen pals even collaborating on a blog on his site about the greatest athletes in Washington sports history by their jersey numbers. By the way that was brilliant.

I have no idea what Alex looks like and I am twenty two years older than him so he could be the son I always wanted.  Well, I also love Seattle and have lived here my whole life and have no reason to leave for all the reasons he wrote.  Alex is a Husky, I am a Redhawk (really a Chieftain, but long story) and together we champion the athletics of the Northwest with a critical and sometime humorous approach- (Plus we both agree FSN's Jen Mueller is smoking hot)  I see us both championing the student-athlete in competition on the field and in the classroom through our content and bringing them support and excitement moving them to the professional level that gets us sports fans excited on any given day analyzing X's and O's and writing interesting story lines.

Alex and I will face off soon February 22nd in KeyArena (my house) when the Huskies face Seattle University in the renewed cross town rivalry and we will be enemies, but we both understand we love Seattle sports and the city and in truth we are distant friends with the same goal!  I also hope Alex understands how hard it was to post that picture of the Dawg on my blog :)

SU plays Utah Valley Thursday - I'll scout the Wolverines tomorrow - Steve

I love my team!! ...and homeless for a month

 

Matty the Matador is obviously looking at the stats from last nights loss to Seattle U...so sad Matty and so sad you could not make the trip up to Seattle and I think you forgot to bring your team as well...I am not so sad I trashed talked you and that you are definitely uglier than Willy the Wave from Pepperdine.  Since we lost to Pepperdine I had to apologize to Willy, but since we kicked your Northridge asses I don't have to apologize to you.  And Mr. Red High Top Converse are now 6-2 wearing them on my feet during game time and thanks to Alex Jones 29 points and Garrett "Fat Lever Jr" Lever's defense and AB's double double this Redhawk team is improving every game. Also, the fact that the three guys in zebra uniforms actually were all on the same page for once made it a great night at my house...KeyArena.

I have to wait almost a month to return home to KeyArena as the Redhawks embark on a tumultuous road trip, but you can catch all the action on KIRO AM radio ESPN 710 with my friends Dave Grosby and Gary Hill and of course check in with the Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report presented with entertaining insight by yours truly.  Next up Thurs Jan 13th against Utah Valley ( there is a valley in Utah?)  Oh I am sure I am going to have a field day with their mascot - stay tuned and Go SU

 

Scouting Matty The Matador and Cal St Northridge

 

 OMG!...LOL! can use every acronym to say how Matty the Matador from Cal St Northridge is way uglier that Will the Wave? This guy looks like a plastic Jay Leno!!  Rudy the Redhawk is going to have a field day with the 4-10 Matadors...although they have played some formidable opponents and lost in the likes of UCLA and Cal, VT, (nice scheduling coach) and as I was reviewing their up to game time stats on the website - the thing read like a statisticians dream, there was so much crap on there that it would of taken me a full day to print and digest...but I know the honorable SU SID Jason Behenna would slap down analysis in a second.

Regardless, gets your butts on down to KeyArena after the Seahawk playoff game tomorrow  and watch Rudy swoop down pick up the Jay Leno impersonator chew'em up and spit him out on the Elgin Baylor Floor.  Yep I am talking court trash on this game - I have the feeling GG (Gavin Gilmore) is going to come off the bench with the same fever he had after the EWU game - GO Redhawks

Pregame rally 5:30 at the Center Pavilion - I dare Matty to show up!

It's good to be home!

 

Mr. Red High Top Converse  is now 5 and 2 when present on my feet during a SU Redhawks Basketball game - last night he used his mojo to overcome Eastern Washington University 60-51.  I suppose then Mr. Red High Tops, even old, worn and tattered must be present at every SU Home game, I just hope his laces hold out?

Those not in attendance and not listening to the game missed out on a basketball clinic on how to pass the ball and pound the boards (out rebounding EWU 49-26)...and you missed my man Gavin Gilmore slam a thunder dunk and with EWU's immediate time out burst out a gigantic ARRRRGGG! chest thumping display of satisfaction.  Plus I didn't have to leave my seat once to get in the guy with the zebra top shirt's face.

Next up Cal State Northridge Saturday in KeyArena 7:10 after the Seahawks playoff game

Swoop - Scouting the EWU Eagles and the mascot report

 

First I had to deal with losing to Willy the Wave and now I have to face "Swoop." these mascots are killing me - OK I've lived in Washington my whole life so the "Eagle" is a cherished bird to me so I am going to stay away from trash talking "Swoop," but I gotta say he's no match for Rudy the Redhawk.  Well technically Rudy really isn't a bird and Swoop is a protected bird by the government so I guess there will be no real mid air collision.

EWU is now 4-9 coming into my house KeyArena tomorrow night, but already has a win over the Redhawks 95-91 over in Cheney - They play in the Big Sky Conference (1-1)...whatever.  We are 1-1 against the ACC.

EWU averages 73.1 ppg (impressive) shoots 42% from the field, 36% from downtown Cheney (where the hell is Cheney anyway?) and a measly 64% from the Free Throw line - they have no seniors on the roster but five players are averaging in double digits.  SU is home for only two games in January and for once  I would like to see the visiting teams mascot come visit so I can leave my Court Side seats and tackle him...or at least see a battle at halftime with Rudy - I need some spirit here baby - Matt Harper and "Ice Cream & Cake dance" - I'm over it (no offense Matt)

Pregame rally Thursday Jan 6th 5:30 at the Center Pavilion - Lunch with Coach Dollar Friday at FX McRorys noon everybody welcome and then Cal State Northridge Saturday night - can't wait to scout their mascot!

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Total Meltdown

Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: Total Meltdown: "See that picture above - the Redhawks melted faster than that butter in the pan in the second half against Pepperdine and as you will read a..."

Total Meltdown

See that picture above - the Redhawks melted faster than that butter in the pan in the second half against Pepperdine and as you will read a few blogs below to "Willy the Wave."  - I really didn't want to lose to Willy. So we shoot 50% from the field, 53% (thanks Sporty) from the arc and 100% from the free throw line in the first half and are down 41-40 ... then the frying pan heats up in the wrong direction and we shoot 28% from the field, 25% from behind the arc and 50% from the foul line - ugh.  To add salt to the melting butter they didn't even play their best player (hurt wrist) -ugh.  Pepperdine and the old mascot returned last year Willy the Wave had 26 points off SU turnovers against our measly 7.  Willy the Wave 84 - SU 64

OK regroup time  - we come back home for two games this up coming week Thursday against Eastern Washington (revenge game - I'm bringing the Red Converse) then Saturday against Cal State Northridge. Let's rally the troops - get behind the team.  This ain't no picnic and I don't need any more melted butter on my corn!

Willy,  I am sorry I trashed talked you - but you are still ugly, yet you got the "W" so see you next time.
Be sure to attend the pre game rally in the Center Pavilion 5:30 before each home game @ KeyArena - GO SEATTLE U!

What about the ACC?

 

Okay Redhawks let's think outside the box.  It is January 1, 2011 and I ain't got nothing to do...I just watched the SU Women beat Navy - Great job Coach B and the ladies and have watched 10 hours of college football, took the dogs to the park so it is time to hunker down and get this new year in motion.  My Republican college friend called me and had an idea.  Now I am what he thinks as a Republican in Democratic clothing - whatever.  But as a fellow basketball junkie I had to listen and... well maybe it made sense...weirder things have happened.

He's like hey we are 1-1 against the ACC (that's a powerhouse conference people) we played Maryland tough through three quarters of the game ( plus that was the first of the season) and then beat Virginia.  Now the WCC thinks we suck (cause they are scared we will take over with the biggest market of the conference) and the WAC is about ready to implode.  The rest of the west conferences are mediocre and SU is not settling for mediocrity.

So my Republican friend says why don't we join the ACC?  What?  "Yep, can you imagine the recruiting power from this community, He says - Hey kid you come join SU and you play NC, Duke. Wake Forrest, Georgia, VT etc...can you imagine the revenue influx - I know for a fact the Tar heels basketball program is worth $26 million.  Travel - so what, we travel east, but the conference geographically is so intensified we make four trips and play out the road games...we play in an NBA arena and then the women can play double headers - Coach K would love to play in the Key!

Oh, did I just get the PAC 10's attention ... hmmm - that was the point - this is a program to be reckoned with sooner than later and if you don't stir the pot then the stew burns.  Now really the ACC affiliation is far fetched, but Seattle U is go big or go home.

Bill Gates & Paul Allen sat in a garage thinking stuff similar - and we all should as well!