Archive for April, 2007

For Callum

Posted by TD Lawlor on April 16th, 2007

On what may be considered a quiet moment in the college basketball universe, I want to direct your attention to something off topic but far more important.

Friends of friends of mine, J. Robbins (formerly of the band Jawbox) and Janet Morgan, have a one year old son named Callum who, unfortunately, has S.M.A. (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).

In an effort to help Callum, a great group of talented musicians have put together a two cd collection of music entitled For Callum. All of the artists have donated their considerable talents with all sales proceeds going directly to Cal’s medical fund. Click here to order a copy of the album from DeSoto Records.

You can learn more about Cal, S.M.A., and how to make a donation to help cover Cal’s immense medical bills, much too much of which are not covered by insurance, by clicking here. Thanks for reading.

Post Mortem And Last Rites

Posted by DJ Elsass on April 5th, 2007

At last the Thad Five All-Stars were put to rest, losing demonstrably and without ever seriously threatening a Florida team that had only one five star recruit and nary an instant NBA lottery pick but much more of what makes for high IQ basketball and championship basketball teams: teamwork, defense, offensive cohesion, consistent effort, year-to-year player development, a recruiting strategy that eschews hype in favor of intelligent, balanced, longer viewing program design, and smart game coaching. (more…)

Orr In The Arbor

Posted by DJ Elsass on April 3rd, 2007

Bill Martin has an opportunity to reverse what has been the twenty-six year reverse evolution of the Michigan basketball program. Beginning in 1980 the program began a sad, graft strewn, decision poor march from college basketball’s upper echelon to where it is today, a program of leadership enabled mediocrity that hasn’t been to an NCAA tournament in almost a decade. This downward trend is a connect the dots of coaches, from one of the leading lights of the profession to the merely serviceable to even less so. (more…)

Defense Matters

Posted by TD Lawlor on April 2nd, 2007

Ohio State earned its place in the NCAA Championship Game with defense. Quick hands, quicker feet, and the talent to convert opportunities afforded to them into points have set the Buckeyes apart from the masses this season, including a very good Georgetown team on Saturday.  In what will be Oden’s collegiate swan song against Florida (perhaps Conley and Daequan Cook as well) Ohio State once again will need to defend with intensity for forty minutes. (more…)