| 09 March 2011
As I've told you all many times, one of the best perks of my job is the schedule. I don't have to anywhere at any specific time, I don't have answer any dumb inter-office e-mails and thankfully, no one is is ever asking me for the damn TPS reports. Maybe the best part though, is that for two glorious weeks a year, I get to watch a whole heck of a lot of basketball.
Well this is one of those weeks, and I couldn't be more excited. Which is why while you're stuck at work this afternoon, I'll be Live Blogging today's Big East Tournament matchups. Starting right before noon, AaronTorres-Sports needs to be your stop for constant updates on UConn-Georgetown and Rutgers-St. John's. Stop by every hour, every 10 minutes or refresh the page every 30 seconds, I don't care. Just know that I'll be updating by the minute, anytime anything important happens.
So grab a snack, put down those TPS reports, and join me at 11:50 a.m. EST on Wednesday. I'll see you then!
11:45: To quote Brent Musberger, "You are looking liiiiive" at the AaronTorres-Sports.com headquarters, here in balmy, blustery, not-so-sunny central Connecticut for today's Big East Tournament second round matchups! I'm joined on the couch by dog Oscar, a cup of coffee, with a throwback Souleymane Wane UConn jersey draped on my shoulders.
Anyway, as promised, I will be Live Blogging all afternoon to get you through your workday, talking as much college hoops as is feasibly possible. As Ive already mentioned several times, I will be updating as much as humanly possible, so I encourage...no...demand you to refresh as regularly as possible, and as always feel free to chime in with comments below or by e-mailing at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
With UConn-Georgetown just a few minutes from tip, I will be back in just a moment!
11:50: First update: We're in the midst of a story about Biggie Smalls and Shaq as a lead in on Sportscenter to todays game. Can you feel the excitement?? No word yet if a Penny Haradaway-Tupac Shakur
11:52: Hmm, we've got a Guiness commercial with Bill Walton on the screen now. I feel like the "The Most Interesting Man in the World?" commercials are more fitting, don't you?
11:54: By the way, I met Bill Walton on a flight once, and the guy couldn't have been nicer. It was during Hasheem Thabeet's freshman year at UConn, and I think between the two of us, we cracked roughly 15 Thabeet jokes. Then I asked him if he had any eligibilty left to suit up at UConn. He thought I was joking. I wasn't.
11:58: Has anyone else noticed a weird sexual chemistry between Hannah Storm and Josh Elliott?
On a different note, two minutes to tip-off. I haven't been this excited since my prom night
11:59: Any we're here... Who wants a New York montage with lousy rap music in the background??
12:00: And we just got a shot of Ray Allen vs. Allen Iverson back in 1995. I think I'm about to faint. Seriously
12:01: Dave O'Brien opens up, "High noon at Madison Square Garden." Is there a better phrase in the world? I think not
12:02: And there's Doris Burke and Fran Fraschilla. Oh heyyyy guys.
12:03: By the way, if I've said it once, I've said it 100 times, I love Doris Burke...just not in HDB
12:03: Doris Burke is breaking down Chris Wright's abscence. She lets us know that you've got to "Be ready for the back cut," when you play Georgetown. That's why we pay her the big bucks
12:04: Fraschilla jokes, "Kemba Walker should be well rested. He only played 36 minutes yesterday." Umm, I'm not laughing
12:04: Quick note UConn fans: Alex Oriahki is starting today, after not starting yesterday. Think he got Coach Calhoun's message? I'd say so.
UConn wins the opening tip. In the paint to Oriahki, misses the games first shot
12:05: Hollis Thompson with the long two for the game's first points. In a related story, Nate Lubick looks extra pale today
12:06: Turnover UConn. 4-0 Hoyas
12:06: Kemba gets fouled and one. First UConn points of the game. Seems to be fine. Annnnnnd he makes the free throw. 4-3 Georgetown
12:07 Wild shot by Georgetown. Ball goes back to the Huskies.
12:08: Miss by Okwandu. Man do I not like that guy.
12:09: Jason Clark with a bucket.
Turnover UConn. 6-3 Georgetown. 17:13 to go
12:09: Foul on Julian Vaughn 15 feet from the basket. Three quick fouls on the Hoyas
12:09: Jeremy Lamb for threeeeeee. Tied at 6
12:10: Lubick with a turnover, and Georgetown commits another foul. Early fouls 4-0 Georgetown
12:10: We head to our first break with yet another foul on Georgetown. We're tied at 6 with 15:59 to go, and I'm off to my first bathroom break of the day.
12:13: Wow, Georgetown went for 25 percent, 36 percent and 34 percent without Chris Wright. For those of you who don't know much about basketball, umm, that's not good.
12:13: two free throws by Oriahki, 8-6 UConn
12:14: Turnove by UConn, and turnover right back. Wild runner by Jamal Coombs-McDaniel who is making his first appearance of the game. Ball out of bounds. Still 8-6
12:15: Ball to Oriahki in the post, nice move but a mis. If you're interested, Lubick has two fouls, Julian Vaughn one.
12:15: Austin Freeman siiiiick move into the lane, with a left finish 8-8
12:16: Jeremy Lamb responds with a bucket.
12:17: Marquell Starks for three.
12:17: Oriahki with a put back, 12 11 Huskies
12:18: Stakrs with his second foul. UConn misses both.
12:18: Austin Freeman just made Roscoe Smith look a fool. Missed the shot, going to the line.
12:19: And into the game is my favorite random Huskie, Shabazz Napier. God do I wish my name was Shabazz.
Freeman makes one of two. Tied at 12
12:20: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel for threeeee. UConn looking very good in the halfcourt right now
12:20: Sick pull back three by Hollis Thompson. 15-15
12:21: And Roscoe Smith responds with a 3 of his own!
O'Brien just mentions that Smith shot just 16 percent from three during the Big East regular season. As someone who watched all those games, I could've sworn it was at least 18 percent
12:22: We are at our second TV timeout, 18-15 UConn. Honestly, if we were breaking this game into four minutes games, Georgetown won the first, UConn the second. Huskies look much more fluid the last 2-3 possessions
12:24: And we've got the highlights of the epic "Allen vs. Allen" game of 1995. One of the first games I vividly remember watching. One I will legit never forget
12:24: Fran Fraschilla just said, "If you're a Big East fan, you know where you were for that Georgetown-UConn game." Is he reading this blog?
12:25: Charles Okwandu with a jump hook he apparently bought off eBay last night. Never seen him do that. Ever. 20-15 UConn
12:26: Coombs-McDaniel for 3. 23-15 UConn. Poor Chris Wright looks like a kindergartener about to get a flu-shot. Poor guy. Looks terribly helpless
12:27: Lubick with a tip back, 23-17...
12:27: Kemba Walker headed to the line. Already eight team fouls on Georgetown. You can see the frustration in their faces
12:28: Kemba 2-2 from the free throw line. 25-17
12:29: Freeman draws a foul and we're at the under 8 timeout. 25-17 UConn
12:32: Fraschilla with an excellent breakdown of how Kemba Walker is attacking on the pick and roll. What you need to know: Right now, Georgetown doesnt have anyone with the lateral quickness to stop him
12:32: Freeman with another nice runner, 25-19
12:33: WOW! Kemba Walker rebounds a long miss, and gets a nice up and under layup
12:33: Another UConn bucket. 29-19 Huskies. JTIII calls a timeout while toweling off his head.
Man does this Georgetown team miss Chris Wright
12:35: Austin Freeman with a three. 10 of Georgetown's 22 points. You can really see him saying to himself, "Im gonna have to do this myself"
12:36: Donnell Beverly into the game, and almost immediately gets fouled. At this point, John Thompson is going to have to put me in by the end of this game with all the foul trouble they're in
12:36:Another missed three, rebound Okwandu. Georgetown all out of sorts on offense.
12:37: Jeremy Lamb with a steal and stuff. Doris Burke tells us "Kid is gonna be a player." COuldn't agree more. 33-22 UConn
12:37: UConn with eight offensive rebounds right now. This margin could be a lot worse than it is.
12:38: Ok, someone give Charles Okwandu a pee test. Just made a tough banker and got fouled. Headed to the line with UConn up 35-22
12:39: And we've got our first mention of tonight's Big Sky Conference title game. Can you feel the excitement??
12:39: Another bucket by UConn. Doris Burke just hit the nail on the head: "UConn is just quicker to every loose ball."
12:42: And our first look inside the studio with Mike Tirico. Why is Mike Tirico working right now? Can someone give that poor guy a day off?
12:43: I just Googled it: The last time Mike Tirico took a day off was 1999. Who knew??
12:43: Back to game action. Hard drive by Jason Clark to the bucket and get fouled. Still 37-22 with 2:40 to go
12:44: Clark makes both, Kemba Walker responds with an almost instantaneous banker. 39-24 Huskies
12:45: Freeman with a quick bucket. Under two to go in the first
12:46: Oriahki to the foul line. Makes one of two. 40-26 with 1:52 left
12:47: Georgetown just can't get anything going offensively. Absolutely anemic. Another turonver. 1:30 to go
12:47: Freeman with a tough jumper. If he wasn't there, this game would be over. 40-28
12:48: Ok, I have seen it all. Kemba Walker comes up with a block, takes it one on three, makes a shot and gets to the foul line.
12:49: Jason Clark with a quick two before the half. Score as things stand 42-30 at the half. Freeman has 14 for the Hoyas.
Give me two minutes for another bathroom break (sorry, I have the bladder of a 93-year-old woman), and I'll give you some first half thoughts
12:52: Doug Gottlieb, Jay Williams and Tirico talking Villanova. Gottlieb just said that if Colorado beats Iowa State in the Big XII tournament first round, they should be in over Villanova. Williams reacts like Gottlieb just asked out his 11-year-old daughter on a date.
12:53: Gottlieb brings up a valid point: "Is St. John's the same team as they were in January? Of course not. So why shouldn't we say the same about Villanova."
12:57: As I mentioned, I was going to give you first half thoughts, but really, there isn't much to say: After the first four minutes, Georgetown just couldn't do anything right. On offense they can't get into the paint at all, and are either taking long three's or contested jump shots, and on defense it just seems like they can't keep up athletically.
As a UConn fan I'm always cautious, but I feel like if the first 20 minutes are any indication, they should be ok. I really just don't see how or where Georgetown gets their points unless UConn just stops playing defense. I really dont.
1:04: Random side note: I'm just now hearing rumors that Keno Davis might be out as coach at Providence. Umm, what exactly was supposed to be happening by now? The guy inherited no talent and lost his best player off last year unexpectedly.
If Friars fans disagree that's fine, but I think Davis will be fine if he's just given a bit of time.
1:05: And we're back with another lousy "I am New York," montage. Honestly with all the money ESPN spends on this tournament, couldn't they hire a real producer to put together these clip packages?
1:06: Biggest stat of the night so far: UConn has 12 points off 10 turnovers. Georgetown's not gonna win that way.
1:07: Hollis Thompsonw ith a missed three, put back in by Jason Clark. Good start for Hoyas.
1:08: It only took Georgetown one half (and the last game these two played) for John Thompson to realize that UConn can't play against a zone. Good halftime adjustment that really isn't good at all. Should've ben in it from the beginning.
1:09 Walker with a two. 44-32 UConn
1:09: Georgetown bucket, and on the other end what appeared to be a tie-up is called a foul. Bad call. 44-34 UConn
1:10: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel with another bucket. Dont know where this guy's game emerged from, but he's been the second best Husky over the past few weeks.
1:11: Announcers bring up a great point. Really is unbelievable that these two teams are playing in an 8-9 game. Will be better than any 8-9 game in the NCAA Tournament.
1:12 Jump hook by Lubick. Unfortunately he still has the same awful haircut.
1:12: Walker hits a bucket and gets fouled. Again, Georgetown just can't stay in front of him
1:13: 49-36 UConn with 16:15 to go
1:13 And Charles Okwandu goes up for a dunk and gets stuffed by the rim. Did I mention he's 7'1? Now that is the Charles Okwandu I know.
1:13: We've just hit the under 16 timeout. UConn up by 13
1:16: Jason Clark was fouled right before the commercial break. Makes two of two1
1:17: Wow Tiki Barber just came up, and Fraschilla said, "I'm glad his team got to the Super Bowl without him." Franny boy throwing daggers! I love it
1:18: Kemba for three, no good. Hoyas with the ball, and feed Vaughn in the post who misses. This game is slowly down substantially. As is my blogging. Wish I could give you more, but nobody's doing much right now
1:19: I take that back: Niels Giffey has just entered tehg ame for UConn, and hits a running banker. I just put a kilebasia on the grill to celebrate
1:20: John Thompson upset with the call, and I don't blame him. Even as a UConn fan I've got to admit that they're getting all the calls right now. Then again when Georgetown is roughly 2 of their last 62 in the field, how much can you really blame them?
1:21: Lubick hits Jason Clark with a nice back door and it's fumbled by Clark. Just one of those days I suppose
1:23: Another missed three from Georgetown. Now 3 of 16 from behind the arc.
1:23 Kemba Walker with a two. 54-38 UConn. Still enough time, but it's not looking good for the Hoyas
1:23: Lubick just pickd up his fourth foul and Georgetown brings in someone named Aasfasfacascefa. Needless to say, they're pretty deep in their bench
1:24: Dave O'Brien with a great point: For all the high scoring games Walker has had this year, this is one of his best overall. Nice pace, nice flow, not forcing theoffense...
1:25 Fastbreak for UConn with Napier finishing by faking right and going to the left. Fraschilla calls it a "thing of beauty." I call it "Sportscenter Top 10." UConn up 58-40 at the under 12 timeout
1:28: Back from break, and Napier makes the foul shot. I need a shot myself to keep me fully invested in this game
1:29: Let me put it to you this way, unless Georgetown starts making three's, and a lot of them, and in a hurry, this game is oooooooover
1:30: Napier another nice take and a bucket. 61-42
1:31: Cool scene, Rutgers fan just asked Dwight Hardy for an autograph and the cameras caught it. Says a lot about what Steve Lavin has done in one season at St. John's.
1:31: Three ball by the Hoyas. Did they need that or what?
1:32: Georgetown still not making shots, but starting to get loose balls. This game isn't over if they can only get a couple buckets to fall
1:33: Two teams trade buckets. 63-47. Georgetown calls a timeout. Why? Only John Thompson knows.
1:34: I've got to once again Jim Calhoun and his staffcredit (As if I haven't spent my whole life doing that): Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier, all SUBSTANTIALLY better than they were four months ago. Charles Okwandu? Not so much
1:36: For those of you on the edge of your seats waiting for a Nebraska-Oklahoma State score, I've got you: 30-21 Pokes.
1:37: And now we're talking UConn NCAA sanctions. Fraschilla brings up a good point: Rather than taking away regular season games from coaches (ie: Jim Calhoun getting three game suspension next year), why not take away postseason games instead?
1:39: And a UConn shot clock violation in which they looked like they'd never played basketball before. Apparently I'm not the one slowing down right now
1:40: I really like Fraschilla's point on suspending coaches for postseason games rather than regular season ones. Only counter: Whenever a coach is breaking the rules, do you think they really think they'll get caught? Did Jim Tressel? Did Bruce Pearl? Ya know??
1:41: Another tough, contested lay in missed by Georgetown. They're falling apart at the seams.
And right as I type that, Kemba puts in a running banker. How do they say "It's all over," in D.C??
1:46: Ok, that last joke was awful. My brain is starting to rot.
1:47: Here's what would worry me if I were a Georgetown fan: Today didn't have anything to do without having Chris Wright. They're missing three's and uncontested jumpers. With ANOTHER week off before they'll play again, I'd be worried about being out of sync come the first round of the NCAA Tournament with or without Wright.
1:50: UConn up 69-54, 4:24 to go
1:51: And Georgetown just quit. Uncontested dunk by Charles Okwandu down low. How do you lose a guy that's 7'1?
1:51: We have reached the under four time out (thankfully) UConn up 71-56. Huskies looking substantially better than I'd expected them to
1:52: Buddy whose a Georgetown fan just called to ask what was going on. I told him the score but didn't have the heart to tell him just how bad it is.
1:55: Again, why is Mike Tirico in the studio? Can someone give this man a day off?
1:55: Nate Lubick just fouled out, as Kemba Walker has repeatedly just killed him on the "roll" part of the pick and roll. Walker was responsible for at least three of his fouls.
1:56: For roughly the 682nd time in the last two days, Doris Burke is talking about Kemba Walker's smile. I think she's got a crush.
1:57: Kemba Walker's line for those of you scoring at home: 28 points, seven boards, 23 smiles, and one blushing announcer
1:58: Fraschilla just said that "Jim Calhoun should be on Dancing with the Stars," after he jumps up and down on the sideline.
On a different note, I know someone who is VERY close with Calhoun, and that person told me that Calhoun watches American Idol religiously. I'm not kidding.
1:59: By the way, I just remembered that the friend I just mentioned told me Calhoun refers to his family as the "Calhoun Karaoke." Again, that is 100 percent true. Apparently he takes his Idol VERY seriously.
2:01: Walker was just pulled with UConn up 17 with a minute to go. One of the best games I've seen him play in months.
2:03: Final from MSG: UConn 79 Georgetown 62.
By the way, I love how I've been to four Big East Tournaments and have yet to see a UConn win, yet the year I decide not to go, they win two games in two days. Awesome!
2:05: Ok quick food/bathroom/stretching break. Be back in about 15 for Rutgers-St. John's. Hopefully that one will be a bit more entertaining. Be back in a few.
2:23: ESPN just went to commercial. We are now six minutes from St. Johns-Rutgers tip-off.
And for those of you scoring at home, Mike Tirico's head looks extra shiny this afternoon. He's most definitely on top of his game.
2:27: And we're back. Fraschilla in the midst of breaking down St. Johns season with a "damn I wish I was still there" smirk on his face.
2:28: On a different note, Doris Burke is back, and looking as bad as ever in HD.
2:29 Honestly, any chance we can just bleep up Burke's face like they do in nude scenes on TV?
2:30 As someone who has been to many Big East tournaments, I can't tell you how disappointed that the one year I decide not to go is the where St. John's is relevant. That place is electric when they're good.
2:31: Block by Justin Brownlee on the opening possession. FOr all the talk about Hardy's offense, I don't think Brownlee's defense gets nearly enough credit.
2:32: Paris Horne with the first bucket of the game. 2-0 Johnnies
2:32: For the record, I absolutely love Mike Rice. Is going to be a star in this league within a few years.
2:33: Wow, wild stat: Rutgers has only won more than one game in teh Big East Tournament once: 1997. To quote Verne Lundquist "My Goodness."
2:33: Jonathan Mitchell with a three. 3-2 Rutgers three minutes in
2:34: Nice followup by Dwayne Polee. Didn't realize that kid could jump like that....
2:36: Wow, beautiful scoop shot by Dwight Hardy. I don't expect its the last time I use the words "Wow" and "Dwight Hardy" in the same sentence.
2:36: Hardy another bucket. Mike Coburn answers. 8-6 Johnnies as we head to the under 16 minute timeout.
2:36: By the way, Dave O'Brien just called Hardy, "A Playground Legend." St. John's fans, is that true??
2:38: We're getting switched over to Nebraska-Oklahoma State right now. Nebraska down one with the ball. 10 seconds left. Here goes....
2:39: Ohh wow. Lance Jeter took the ball to the hoop, and tripped over his own feet. Nebraska loses by one. Somewhere, T. Boone Pickens just let out a sigh of relief. Final Oklahoma State 53- Nebraska 52.
2:40: Correction from earlier: 8-5 St. Johns, not 8-6
2:41: Nice transition layup by the Johnnies, Mike Rice calls a timeout. He looks like my mom when I used to write on the walls in crayon. In other words, he's not happy.
2:42: Doris Burke tells us to "Skip the show on Broadway, because the Johnnies are on center stage." Glad she clarified that for us...
2:43: Right now Rutgers can't inlet the ball to their post players or really even dribble without turning over. They're not playing Seton Hall anymore. Trust me. 11-5 St. Johns. Should be worse.
2:44: Three for Rutgers' Austin Carroll. Thankfully the bleeding has stopped. For a second anyway.
2:45: Paris Horne with a banker and headed to the foul line. Makes the foul shot. 14-8 Johnnies
2:46: Tough jumper for Mike Poole, 14-10 Rutgers. Honestly every shot they're taking is contested. Don't know if they can keep this close for 40 minutes.
2:47: Hardy misses an open three. Again, this can, and eventually will get ugly.
14-10 as we head to the under 12 timeout.
2:50: I just realized, Jim Burr and Tim Higgins are both refing this game. Grab a blanket and a warm glass of milk, we're gonna be here awhile
2:52: Bucket for Mike Coburn 14-12, Johnnies still ahead
2:53: Justin Brownlee for two, followed by a Mike Poole two. 16-14. Still no real flow for either team.
2:53: Should've mentioned this before: Rutgers zone defense looks good so far. Sign of a well coached team: Defense is effort, ya know?
2:54: Hardy, scoop and score. Thank goodness he's here, or I might already be asleep. Very slow start to this game.
Hardy adds one at the foul line. 19-14
2:54: Fraschilla brings up a good point: Because St. John's has so many bodies fouls aren't an issue. Really, really helps tthem to play aggressive defense. Sadly its not helping them much on offense
2:56: Worst I've seen Johnnies play in the Garden in awhile. You can tell they're feeling a little heat. It's been a long time since they've been the "hunted." First time in a VERY long time in the Big East Tourney
2:57: 19-14 as we head to the under eight time out. Teams are feeling each other out like a couple on a bad first date
3:02: Sorry, had a bit of a technical problem. Not much action missed. 19-16 Johnnies
3:03: Worst thing you can do against a scrappy team like Rutgers is let them stay in a game. This one should be 15 right now. Johnnies need to start getting better looks at the hoop
3:04: Good move by Hardy: Iniated foul on the way to the bucket. Going to the line for two. Love that move: If the offense isn't coming to you, force the action.
3:05: If I had to guess, I'd say these teams are shooting right around a combined -72 percent.
3:05: And right on cue, D.J. Kennedy hits a contested three. 23-16 Johnnies
3:06: We are at the under four timeout. Still 23-16 St. Johns. Johnnies may be winning, but as things stand, we're all losers right now.
3:09: ESPN showing a montage of St. John's season right now. Pretty incredible that they beat three teams all vying for No. 1 seeds right now: Notre Dame, Pitt and Duke. I know they were all at home, but still. Damn.
3:10: Maybe it's the Garden lights, but Lav's hair looks extra jelled today. That is all.
3:12: 25-17 St. John's, for those of you actually interested in the game.
3:13: Tough take by James Beatty for Rutgers, and makes the foul shot. 26-20 St. Johns, 2:30 to go.
3:14: Another tough take by Beatty, gets Dwight Hardy called for a block. Don't know if I agree with the call, but credit Beatty for going hard none the less.
3:15: Beatty makes one of two. 26-21.
3:15: Fraschilla just said what I did 10 minutes ago, "The longer Rutgers stays in this game, the more pressure it puts on St. Johns." Again, is he reading my blog? It's ok Franny, you can admit it!
3:16: Big three for Jonathan Mitchell whose been sitting with foul trouble. 28-24 St. Johns still ahead. But looking a bit timid
3:17 Fraschilla says theRutgers zone is "flumoxing" St. Johns. You know what else it's flummoxing? The flow of this game, and my ability to make it sound interesting. 25 seconds left in the half
3:19: Malik Boothe stripped and Jonathan Mitchell misses a three to end the half. 28-24 at the half. To Rutgers credit, they're shooting just 28 percent but only down by four. Think Mike Rice would take that?
3:28: Sorry for the lack of updates, but we're at the half and the studio team of Gottlieb-Williams-Tirico is still bickering about Villanova vs. Colorado. I'm with Gottlieb: Villanova's in right now. But their season is over. A lot of teams season's aren't. A lot is going to happen between now and Sunday.
3:31: Don't know how many of you saw this, but apparently Perry Jones is in BIG trouble right now. Kind of just a metaphor for Baylor's season, huh??
3:35: And we're back. Rutgers down four with the ball to start the second half.
3:36: Looking over the first half stats, St. Johns is shooting 43 percent. It would've taken me 43 guesses to get that number.
3:37: Justin Brownlee starts off this half the way he did the last: With a bucket.
3:37: Three ball for Brownlee 33-27. Now this looks like the St. John's I remember from all season long.
3:38: Great fast-break pass from Paris Horne to D.J. Kennedy. Kennedy misses the layup but gets to the line and makes two. St. Johns finally showing signs of life.
3:40: Wow, back-to-back three's by James Beatty. 35-33, Johnnies still ahead. But Rutgers just...won't...go...away. This game just got REALLY interesting.
3:42: Just realized something: I mentioned a Guiness commercial with Bill Walton right at the top. I haven't seen it since. Damn shame.
3:43: And our first shot of Lou Carnasecca, and he's looking quite sharp in a shirt and tie. Yet still, I'm highly disappointed he's not wearing the ugly sweater I've seen him in all year.
3:45: Hardy and Mitchell trade buckets. 37-35
3:46: Right before we head to break, MItchell picks up his third foul. Huge play. Now 39-35 St. Johns with 15:56 to go.
3:50: Austin Johnson gets to the line for two. 39-37. Sean Evans responds with a bucket of its own.
3:52: Wow great story: Mike Rice's dad, Mike Rice Sr. is a Portland Trailblazers announcer who recently got ejected from a game for yelling at the refs. Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree huh?
3:53: 43-37. I'd like to tell you how St. Johns got that lead but I momentarily blacked out.
3:54: You ever watch one of those games where you kinda sorta hope someone gets hurt just to bring a little excitement? Yeh, I'm there right now.
3:55: Justin Brownlee with a sick fast break dunk. 45-39 St. Johns. Timeout Rutgers.
3:57: Just hit the under 12 timeout. Still 45-39. And Mike Rice still looks like he's ready to shank one of his players as they walk back to the bench
4:01: Another bucket for the Johnnies. Up by eight, which, given the way Rutgers is playing, feels like at least 832
4:02: Tim Higgins must really hate spending time with his wife. Because he calls fouls like he just doesn't want to go home.
4:04: Sean Evans with a nice reverse layup that he blatantly traveled on. But hey, they're points on the scoreboard. I'll take them.
4:04: Malik Boothe with his first bucket of the game. He's actually playing really well despite it
4:04: Layup for Rutgers Mike Coburn and Dwight Hardy responds right away. St. Johns by 10. Timeout Rutgers.
4:14: I apologize but I just had some major tech difficulties over here. Just know that Rutgers is in the midst of an epic run, and all of a sudden, this is a 55-51 game.
4:15: Austin Johnson on the line, makes the free throw. 55-52.
4:16: HUGE three from D.J. Kennedy: 58-52 five minutes to go.
4:17: Dane Miller with a tip in. Back to 58-54 closing in on the under four minute timeout
4:17: Big block by Jonathan Miller, leads to to a Dane Miller bucket on the other end. Down to a four point game with 3:09 to go.
We have just hit the under four minute timeout.
4:19: As we head to timeout, Doris Burke does that thing she does, when she starts talking and slowly raises her voice, saying "The Jersey Boys wanna stay on this side of the river!" God this game needs to end soon.
4:21: Nice putback by Rutgers right out of the timeout, 60-58 St. Johns. Not good if youre a Johnnies fan.
4:22: Jump ball, St. Johns lucky to still have the ball. Still a two point game.
4:23: Hardy with a missed jumper, Scarlet Knights have the ball down two, two minutes to go.4:
4:24: Big missed bucket, rebound St. Johns. They've got the ball up two, 1:45 to go.
4:25: Wow, Hardy with a miss, balls knocked out bounds, Rutgers ball!
4:25: OH MY! Defensive lapse by St. Johns, Coburn makes a bucket and is going to the line to take the lead! 60-60 with 57.9 to go.
4:26: Good point by Fraschilla, regardless of what happens with the Coburn free throw and subsequent St. Johns possession, Rutgers still gets the ball back.
4:27: Cobun makes the free throw! 61-60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4:28: Tough call, Baruda fouls Hardy 15 feet from the basket.
Hardy makes both free throws. Red Storm by a point. 37 seconds left.
4:29: Oh my. Inlet pass from Dane Miller to Baruda was fumbled, and St. Johns has recovered. Sean Evans is headed to the line with a one and one. ANd incase you're wondering, Rutgers had two timeouts, and the ball. Still not sure why Mike Rice didn't use at least one of them.
4:31: Sean Evans makes the first. 63-61. And makes the second! 64-61. Rutgers has the ball, down three 17.7 seconds to go.
4:32: Wow. St. Johns chooses to foul just three seconds into the shot clock. Couburn headed to the line to shoot two. 14 seconds still left.
4:33: Coburn makes both..... AND ST. JOHNS LOSES THE BALL OUT OF BOUNDS
4:34: Rutgers gets the ball back down one with about 13 seconds to go. Both teams in the one and one. Both teams out of timeouts. My goodness.
4:35: Coburn with the leaner....rolls out, St. Johns ball! Seven seconds to go.
No matter what happens, Rutgers still will get the ball back.
4:36: Wow, Justin Brownlee missed the front end, and the ball goes out of St. Johns.
4:37: D.J. Kennedy is fouled and misses the front end. Makes the second. St Johns up two five seconds left.....
4:38: Ok, I've seen a lot in my day, but that was one of the wackiest finishes I've ever seen: Rutgers throws the ball the length of the court, it gets tipped to St. Johns, and the horn blows. However, it did appear that the St. Johns player who recovered the turnover stepped out of bounds before the clock expired. It looked like it's going to stand up though.
4:39: St. Johns holds on to win, but I'm truly embarrassed about the refs. Jim Burr should never be allowed to work again. The fact that he refused to consult the monitor is downright unacceptable. Rutgers should've gotten one more possession. Absolutely embarrassing. EMBARRASSING.
4:47: Folks, I'm sorry for the lack of updates, but my computer is seconds from crapping out.
For everyone who was nice enough to stop by over the course of the day, it's much appreciated. It was fun, and just slightly disappointing it had to end like that.
Thanks again for swinging by, and I might decide to do this again later in the week on Friday. I'll keep you informed.
