| 08 March 2010
For the last few weeks, all the talk in the entertainment world has been on the Oscar's: What's the best picture? Who's the best actor? How much work has Sandra Bullock had done on her face? Sunday night we got all the answers.
But with the Academy Awards now behind us, a new awards season is set to begin, this one, with a one person committee (put together by me), ready to name college basketball's greatest achievements during the 2010 season.
The selections weren't easy, and actually quite taxing at times. But after a lot of late hours in front of the projector, some under the table politicking, and a whole lot of palm greasing, we've got our winners.
That's right, the Academy has spoken, and they're ready to present the 1st Annual AT Awards for College Basketball Excellence.
(Important note: Aaron will be at the Big East Tournament Wednesday, tweeting all his thoughts live as they happen. Add him on Twitter by clicking here or going to Twitter.com/Aaron_Torres)
Best Director: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
I've touched on this before, but it's worth repeating: Boeheim has really done a miraculous job this year. Especially when everyone left his team for dead after they lost their top three scorers from a year ago.
And while most coaches would have preached patience with his "inexperienced," squad, Boeheim insisted from day one that this year's team would be better than the last. Riiiiiiiight coach. Whatever you say.
Boeheim proved us all wrong though, taking a group of seemingly disjointed parts - Some role players here (Andy Rautins, Rick Jackson), a freshman there (Brandon Triche), a redshirt (Scoop Jardine) and transfer (Wes Johnson)- threw them in a bowl, stirred, baked at 400 degrees and ended up with one of the favorites to win a National Championship. Even Rachel Ray is impressed with the old coach's improvisational skills.
More importantly, I think this underlies a really important point that college basketball coaches don't get enough credit for: Their ability to adapt and adjust, as their teams turn over year after year.
Think about it. When college football and baseball coaches get their stars on campus, they're guaranteed three years with them. College coaches in every other sport get their players for four years (For example, I don't know how many women's tennis have left college early for the pros in recent years, but I can't imagine it's many). Professional teams may get the better part of two decades with their best players. College basketball coaches only get eight months in some cases.
Guys like Boeheim, Roy Williams, John Calipari and Ben Howland, never get the credit they deserve for making over their rosters, changing their coaching styles, and adapting to a new group every 12 months.
Either way, we're not here to talk about the past or the future, but the present. And despite some doubts, Boeheim has proven once again what a phenomenal coach he is. Enjoy this AT Award coach, it likely won't be the only hardware you bring home this March.
Best Costume: Bruce Pearl and his Orange Blazer, Tennessee
The easiest award the Academy will be giving out all evening.
Worst Costume: Bobby Knight's hat, on Saturday's College Gameday
Please tell me that someone besides me caught Knight on College Gameday Saturday evening. If you didn't, let me put it to you this way: The old coach was wearing some bizarre, 1920's, Great Gatsby looking sports hat, that made him look somewhere between 104 and 127-years-old. Honestly, the thing was so hideous and outdated, I wasn't sure if Knight should be giving out a basketball opinion or holding newspapers in his hand and screaming "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" Three days later I'm still not sure.
After borrowing the hat, Jay Bilas summed it up even better than I did, saying, "I thought I was playing the back nine at (Famous British Golf Course) Carnoustie."
Bravo Jay, Bravo. As a matter of fact, you just won your own AT Award, for Comedic Short. Congrats!
Worst Costume Part II: Bob Huggins, West Virginia
With so much ugly attire, it was impossible to hand out just one AT Award in this category. And even though I've touched on this subject before (most notably in my January Jerk List), it bears repeating: West Virginia coach Bob Huggins needs a fashion makeover. In a hurry.
You know what Huggins reminds me of as he strolls the sidelines in his goofy black warm-up suit, looking like an out of work aerobics instructor? He reminds me of a guy going through a bad divorce, that's given up on ever trying to be presentable in public again. All he needs is a little stubble, and he'll have the look down pat. Come on coach, smile! She'll call you this weekend! I promise.
As I've mentioned before, my bigger concern with Huggins clothing choice is what kind of precedent it may set in the future. Honestly, what's next for him? A mustard stained tee? A Hawaiian shirt and lei? Sunglasses, a wife beater and gold chain? At this point, I'm convinced Huggins is going to show up to a game one of these days without any pants on. When it happens, don't say I didn't warn you.
Either way, here's an AT Award coach. Now quick, go sell it on eBay for some loose change. Maybe you can buy a shirt and tie with the money.
Best Ensemble Cast: Portland
I know you don't know much about Portland, so let me give you a quick briefing. The other day I was doing some research and stumbled across their roster, and I've got to tell you, it's one goofy list. I haven't seen a group this mismatched since being forced to watch He's Just Not That Into You a few days ago (Ok, I can't lie, nobody forced me to watch it. But the bigger question is this: Who thought we'd see the day when "E," from Entourage would be co-starring alongside real actors like Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck? That'd be like Willie Mays Hays playing in the same outfield as Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. Or something like that.).
Anyway, here's Portland's roster, go ahead and take a quick look. We'll wait. No seriously.
Since I'm sure none of you actually clicked over, let me give you a rundown of what you missed:
- The Pilots starting point guard is Nik Raivio, brother of former Gonzaga great (and I use that term loosely), Derek Raivio. Fortunately for Nik, he's actually got some skin pigment, something his brother was sorely lacking during his four years in Spokane.
- Their starting power forward (Robin Smeulders) was born in Germany and sounds more like a lingerie model than basketball player. Although I don't know many lingerie models who could drop 12 and six per game in the WCC.
- They've got two Canadians on their roster, one of which was born in Sarajevo. Just a fun fact. Feel free to throw it around at your next family gathering, I don't mind.
- They've got a backup point guard named Taishi Ito, who was born in Japan. I also remember him pitching for the Dodgers at some point, but can't seem to confirm it.
- Luke Sikma, son of former NBA great Jack Sikma is a backup.
- And finally, their second leading scorer is a 5'9 guard from Phoenix. Well I guess that's not too weird, but the rest definitely is.
The Academy has spoken, and it's time to give this team, and their coach, Eric Revino an Award for their ensemble cast. Unfortunately, after they lost in the West Coast Conference Tournament late Sunday night, it may be the only honor they get from here on out. Enjoy!
Best Horror Performance: UConn coach Jim Calhoun in Saturday's game at South Florida
Did anyone see UConn's loss at South Florida Saturday afternoon, or was I the only one who subjected myself to it? (Seriously, UConn's season has been like the SAW movies, just when you think you've seen it all, they come out with another, more horrifying version.)
Either way, I've got to give Jim Calhoun a little credit. After another lackluster first half performance that was set to leave UConn fans having nightmares for weeks to come, Calhoun decided he'd finally seen enough. With 15 or so minutes left in the second half, he pulled
all five starters, three of which- Jerome Dyson, Gavin Edwards and Stanley Robinson- didn't return for the rest of the game.
And you know what? It worked!
Hickory High...I mean UConn's backups, played the team's most inspired basketball of the season. They played excellent defense, dove for loose balls, and (gasp!) actually ran a halfcourt offense. In the process they cut a 14 point lead down to two in the closing minutes, before ultimately losing.
While the game still ended with another defeat, the message was sent. Also, Calhoun has already gone on the record and said that the five players who finished the game Saturday will be on the court for the Huskies Big East Tournament opener Tuesday afternoon against St. John's. Good for him.
Congratulations to coach Calhoun for taking a stand against his uninspired seniors. Sure, his team probably won't make the NCAA Tournament, but a point was proven. And an AT Award was won in the process.
Best Foreign Performance: Elias Harris, Gonzaga
For those of you who might not know his story, Sports Illustrated did an awesome piece on how the German born Harris ended up at Gonzaga. It's really good stuff. And having watched him play extensively last night, I see why the NBA scouts love him: He's got length, athleticism and can hit a nice mid-range jumper. Not to mention he's got a killer accent that's likely a huge hit with the ladies.
Also garnering a handful of votes in this category was Villanova freshman center Mouphtaou Yarou.
Not so much for his game, the guy is still painfully raw. Like he should have to run sprints every time he tries to dribble the ball raw.
Nope, Yarou makes this list because quite honestly, he presents maybe the only chance I'll ever get in my career to write about an athlete from the African country of Benin. Oh, and also, the guy speaks five languages, making him the only multi-lingual player on this list. Except for the whole Portland roster of course.
Best Performance By Someone Who May Be Seconds Away From Committing A Violent Crime: DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
Forget the points and rebounds, my favorite part of Cousins game is the emotional fragility he plays with, not only on a minute-to-minute basis, but on a second-to-second one as well.
Go ahead and watch Kentucky some time, you can't miss it. Everything will be going well, the Wildcats will be cruising along, and then bam, a call goes against Cousins, and he gets this weird look on his face, half "I'm gonna shank you in the parking lot after the game," half a kid whose Playstation privileges just got taken away.
It's priceless, and may be my favorite thing about following Kentucky basketball this year. And it's earned Cousins an AT Award. I just hope he doesn't beat me over the head with it.
Best Bizarre Team Bonding Experience: Michigan State
Anyone catch the announcers during the Michigan State-Michigan game mention how after a recent losing streak, the Spartans decided to have a "sleepover," at the Breslin Center to help team bonding? It's true.
Apparently, senior Draymond Green came up with the idea in late February, with the team getting together for some X-Box and ping-pong, and Coach Tom Izzo even choosing to sleep at center court in a sleeping bag (There was no confirmation of the rumor I leaked, that the team roasted marshmallows over a garbage pale fire, however. More on that as details emerge).
And since the sleepover, things seem to have gotten better for Michigan State, as they've now won their last three games. They also won the program's first AT Award.
Best Closing Performance: Duke
What is the world coming to, when I, Aaron Torres, breathlessly fawn over Duke like this? Seriously AT, get it together! You're better than this!
But seriously, how can you not appreciate this team after their performance at North Carolina Saturday night? Nobody plays harder on defense. They've got great guards. Servicable big men. They make their foul shots. Limit their mistakes. Basically, they're everything that we all wish our team could be, but almost never are.
So while I hate to do it, Duke gets their own AT Award. And if they can somehow avoid Kansas come NCAA Tournament time, this may not be the trophy coming their way in the next four weeks.
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