Dick Vitale seems like a nice guy. He drives me batty though. I can't listen to him call a college basketball game because he is constantly talking, yelling and generally straying off topic. I am sure he has some sort of college basketball knowledge based on the fact he works for ESPN as a basketball analyst, but he mainly serves as a sideshow during the game and refuses to step out of the way of a game when something remarkable happens (see: Gonzaga v. Butler game earlier this year). The game quickly becomes about Dick Vitale and what stories he has to tell during a broadcast. I rarely watch a game Vitale broadcasts and rarely feel I learn more about a coach/player than his parent's name and whether they are good people or not. The game is all about Dick, pimping out the next thing Dick is doing and Dick name-dropping those people he knows, so his tangents will often conflict with the game action being shown. So Dick does weekly chats for ESPN where he sort of, but not really, answers questions in a vague manner. He also feels very strongly about defending his friends from any type of criticism. His schtick got old a decade ago and you can feel him yelling at you through your computer. But hey, he does seem like a nice guy.
Dick Vitale (11:04 AM)
Good to be with you this morning for another chat...Meanwhile, I had a great game earlier this week as Michigan edged Ohio
State in overtime. I am looking forward to going to South Bend this
weekend to see Louisville against Notre Dame.
Tell us more about your schedule this week. That's all we really care about anyway. Did you talk to Rick Pitino this week. Does he have diaper dandies? Speak up and yell at us because we are all deaf.
Nick (Indiana)
Mr. Vitale,Last week you stated Oladipo has the skill set of MJ. How well of a player do you think he can be in the NBA.
Well Nick, he will be a very well player in the NBA. He does basketball good and makes good dribbles of the ball to get into basket with ball in his hand as crowd cheers go basketball player man!
Also, don't listen to Dick Vitale when he compares Player A to Player B. He's not always paying attention to what he says and you shouldn't either.
DV: Let's not worry about the NBA.
The question was about the NBA, so saying "let's not worry about the NBA" is basically saying, "I choose not to answer your question that I specifically chose to answer for the purposes of this chat."
I said he is a mini version when Michael was on the collegiate version.
He exploded when he went to the NBA scene. I want people to understand
that.
True, but Michael Jordan was the #3 overall pick behind Hakeem Olajuwon, so it's not like he was a late-first round prospect. He was a very, very good college player.
Matthew (Omaha)
Who is your pick for Player of the Year right now, Trey Burke or Doug McDermott?
DV: Today I would go with Trey Burke. He has had such an impact on the
Michigan team. McDermott is right up there despite the loss to Indiana
State. You can see my super seven on my page on espn.com
What? You mean Dick answered the question by hedging and then attempted to do some self-publicity? You don't say.
Matthew (Los Angeles, California)
What is the best game that you have ever seen?
DV: The one that was most dramatic was watching my buddy win the national
championship because of what was at stake and the underdog role in the
eyes of people, Jimmy V. vs. Phi Slama Jama in Albuquerque.
You see what I am talking about? Everything is very Vitale-centric. The most dramatic game wasn't NC State v. Houston, but Dick watching his "buddy" win the national championship. This game was seen by Dick through the prism of how HIS friend won the game. It's how he broadcasts games as well. There may be good action going on or something that needs to be explained and Dick Vitale will instead be off on a tangent about the Tampa Bay Rays or talking about what a great job a coach at another school has done. Don't even get me started, even though I sort of already am, on how he can't ever be quiet and leave a exciting moment alone. He has to yell through that moment.
Tom (Virginia)
Did you think ODU
should have fired Blaine Taylor during the season? I know they are 2-20,
but why not let him finish the season, they were not going to the
conference tournament anyway.
DV: I don't buy coaches being fired druring the season unless it is a moral situation.
Well morally, Old Dominion was tired of their basketball team losing and wanted to make a change. There's nothing to "buy" in this situation because no one is being convinced. ODU was terrible and the school wanted to make a change so they could turn the situation around as soon as possible.
Don't fired him over wins and losses until after the season. I
especially don't like it when a guy has given so much to the university
as he did.
Yeah, I hate how him got fired. It's about results though and why wait until after the season to fire a coach that was going to be fired anyway? Get a jump on recruiting and finding a different head coaching candidate now. 2-20 is a miserable record anyway. A team doesn't go 2-20 by accident.
seth (ohio)
It's obvious you like
Aaron Craft. Do you really think he can go to the next level? I know he
can facilitate offensivley but does't he need to develop an outside
shot?
DV: I said he can be a role player and make a roster. If he ever improves
his shot, watch out. He is a tough, competitive winner who is unique and
special.
Step back everyone, this is some analysis going on here. Aaron Craft is special, unique and he's a winner. Does it help he is surrounded by good talent on the Ohio State team? No, it doesn't. He's a winner. Also, Aaron Craft needs to improve his ability to shoot the basketball, but that probably doesn't matter because he is a winning winner who is very unique and special.
Dan (THE U)
Who do you think is National Coach of the Year at this point? Can anyone stop Jim Larranaga?
DV: Larranaga is certainly in the mix. There are a lot of good candidates.
What about the job Krzyzewski and Duke given Ryan Kelly being out.
Absolutely Coach K should be given consideration. When Ryan Kelly went down with a foot injury, Coach K then had to rely more on a Top 50 recruit (Alex Murphy) and two McDonald's All-American freshmen. What a burden! What other coaches in college basketball have an injury to a player and then HAVE to turn to two McDonald's All-Americans to fill the void? Give the poor guy some options. I'm just surprised with the lack of talent on the Duke bench they aren't a .500 team right now.
There are a lot of guys in the running and it is still early. Does
anyone realize the job Larry Eustachy has done at Colorado State? 19
wins already and they may be ranked soon. It is still early.
As Joe Morgan used to say, it's too early to tell. Has Larry Eustachy done a good job? Maybe, it's too early to tell. Is ice water cold? Perhaps, but it's too early to tell.
Terry (Detroit)
Can Michigan State make the Final Four
DV: Yes, Tom Izzo's team can certainly win the Big Ten again, they are right
there knocking on the door. Izzo is a fierce competitor who got another
good win last night. He would battle you in checkers and chess. I am
looking forward to going to East Lansing to sit next to Magic Johnson,
who is one of my favorite players of all time.
This answer is very indicative of what is it like to hear Dick Vitale call a game. He starts discussing a topic, brings the topic around to himself and finally...
What he has done with his life after basketball is an amazing success story and he is so special.
...he is completely off topic and there is a game going on and the viewer is having a non-game related story being thrown at them while on-court action is taking place.
Evan (Kentucky)
Dick, what's your
take on many of the top 10 teams having legitimate struggles recently,
Duke, UL, KU, etc. Do you think it's a legitimate possibility that about
30 teams have a shot to win it all this year due to the mediocrity?
DV: I will tell you, I would say about 15 that could win it all. It is as
wide open as ever. When you are talking about winning six game sin a
row, you separate some teams out of there.
So Dick Vitale says that 15 teams could win it all, but then says once you talk about those teams that could win it all, there are teams separated out. To win the NCAA Tournament a team has to win six games in a row, so doesn't that mean there aren't 15 teams that could win it all?
Cosmo (Anytown, USA)
What job is
Coach K doing without Kelly? They are flawed and lost by more than any
#1 ranked team ever - and they will not challenge the better teams from
other conferences. The ACC sticks right now. Keep up the good work.
Minus the misspelling about how the ACC "sticks" right now, Cosmo is coming after Duke which is an egregious error that will not stand for Dick Vitale. He will smite you for such an obvious affront.
DV: Bottom line is he has done an amazing job. They did get blown out of a
game and that happens. Carolina got blown out by Florida State and then
went to win the title.
Both good points. But then Dick Vitale just can't help himself...
Kelly is a key guy and obviously you are a Duke hater and are absolutely thrilled when Duke comes up short.
Yes, clearly by looking at a college basketball team and using his knowledge to form an opinion that Duke is a flawed team Cosmo isn't simply giving an opinion, but being a "Duke hater." Pointing out Duke struggles to win on the road without Kelly and that 99% of the coaches in college basketball would love to have the quality depth of talent behind Kelly for when he got injured and this needs to be factored in when determining the great job Coach K has done is irrelevant to Vitale. Not many college basketball teams can throw a McDonald's All-American like Amile Jefferson on the court when an injury to a starter occurs.
To knock Coach K is an absolute joke; we should all do what Coach K has
done in his career. He is an outstanding hmanitarian who is so dedicated
to help raise money in the battle for cancer at the V Foundation.
THIS is part of the problem I find with Dick Vitale. He's so busy defending his friends and talking about all the great things they do off the court that he doesn't have the time or inclination to objectively look at the situation when calling a game. The fact Coach K is a humanitarian is irrelevant when it comes to criticism of him and the job he does as a head coach. If Dick Vitale can't understand that, then that's a negative mark on him. Questioning the job Coach K is doing is not criticizing him as a person. It's business, not personal. I think Coach K has done a good job of adjusting the offense and defense without Ryan Kelly, but I also acknowledge it is a lot easier to do when you have really good (though young) players on the bench. Criticism of a coach isn't making it personal and Vitale makes the error in believing it is.
Obviously anything he does will not please you.
Just a note for future broadcasters, when you are confronted with criticism of a person you like and decide to respond to said criticism with righteous anger and indignation at this person being criticized and cite his "humanitarian" efforts then you should probably go ahead and retire. I say this because you have gotten to the point where you are no longer capable of being a neutral observer and are taking criticism way too personally.
He has done a great job this season and his team is in the top five,
with wins over the likes of Louisville and Ohio State. Give me a break.
But he (and Duke) did this WITH RYAN KELLY HEALTHY! That's not what Cosmo is talking about. Cosmo is saying that without Kelly, Duke has almost lost to Wake Forest and Boston College on the road. He's saying Duke was blown out by Miami and handily beaten by N.C. State on the road. It's a fair criticism and to respond to it with "Yeah, but look at their wins against Louisville and Ohio State" completely misses the point of the question and the criticism. Again, this is indicative of how Dick Vitale calls a basketball game. He will ignore the action on the court in order to describe what Coach K (or another coach) is doing for the community. It's great to hear, but not when these stories are being told at the expense of the action of the game being analyzed.
I am sure Vitale would say I am just being a Duke hater and nothing Coach K does will please me. I'm also pretty sure that's incredibly incorrect.
Bill (Toronto)
have you seen VT's Erick Green play this year? If so, do you think his play relates well to the NBA?
DV: Green is a talented player who has the potential to make it in the NBA. He has a scorer's mentality.
Clearly Dick Vitale hasn't seen Erick Green play because he just gave a generic, computerized answer to the question.
Teddy (NY)
How excited are you about calling the national championship game?
DV: I am thrilled to be calling a national semifinal and the championship
game for ESPN International. It will air in some 10 countries.
Well then we are very impressed with your achievements Dick. You know those people who try to be humble when they are talking about their achievements, but because they always bring up how lucky they are to be in the position they are in, you get the feeling they aren't really being humble? That's how I feel sometimes about Dick Vitale. He poses this answer as something he can't believe he is privileged enough to participate in, but I get the feeling he is more bragging he is calling the national semifinal and championship game that will air in 10 countries.
I just hope my buddies in Italy will hear me!
That probably won't be an issue. You won't even need a microphone.
It will be special and I am very excited about this. I have never called the final game and it will be so special.
I'm glad you are impressed with yourself. Just be sure to bring up how special it is when there is 8 minutes left in the Florida-Kansas national championship game. That's the perfect time to go off on a tangent and talk about yourself.
Skip (Oregon)
Can my Ducks make a deep run in March--if they get Artis back soon?
DV: He is an important piece of the puzzle.
Translation: "I don't know who he is. Is he a Diaper Dandy? Does he know Coach K? If not, I don't care who he is."
They are a different team without him. Again, it is so wide open it is
hard to dismiss anyone at this point among the top teams in the polls.
Oregon is ranked in the Top 25, but they aren't a top team in the poll. In fact, on his site Vitale didn't have Oregon even ranked in his own Top 25 for the week he did this chat. So I don't know if he means to refer to Oregon as a "top team" but it is clear Vitale doesn't believe Oregon is a top team. I think the questions Dick answers should be limited to questions such as,
"On a scale of 1-10 is Coach K a great humanitarian or a super-duper humanitarian?"
"Tell us more about some of your achievements."
"When calling a game, do you find 1% of people enjoy your yelling, or do you find 95% of people wish you would stay on topic?"
"Is UNC-Duke a good rivalry? I've never heard your opinion on this matter."
DV: I have my seven impact players posted on espn.com/dickvitale.
There is also a picture on the site of Dick Vitale with his mouth wide open yelling at us and "Your awesome baby!" written beside it, so I think it may be better to avoid this site completely. I find it shocking who ESPN chooses to give exposure to among their talent. Doris Burke is an excellent analyst who actually points out what happens on the court and why it happened. Sure, she sometimes gets caught up in the coach-worship, but at least she pays attention and analyzes the games. It's taken her a while, but ESPN is finally giving her a shot at calling games that aren't Division II title games or women's basketball games.
I can't wait for Louisville-ND as six of the last eight meetings have been decided in overtime or double-overtime.
And the Louisville-ND game went into five overtimes.
Louisville is starting to get things together. Rick Pitino belongs in the Hall of Fame, period.
And really, isn't that what this Louisville-ND game is all about? It's about Dick Vitale getting a chance to talk about how Rick Pitino needs to be in the Hall of Fame. After all, when Dick has a forum like that, there's no time to analyze and talk about the game going on. It's better to stick to meaningless catchphrases that further your own brand while spending time normally spent analyzing the Louisville-ND game to tell us what a great guy Rick Pitino is. Actually, I should just be happy he would be spending time talking about a head coach who is currently coaching in the very game he is calling.
Showing posts with label Dick Vitale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dick Vitale. Show all posts
Monday, February 25, 2013
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
0 comments Let's Pretend to Hold a Chat with Dick Vitale
I've fallen a little behind my Dick Vitale chats. For that I apologize. So I am coming back today with a greatest hits from three of Vitale's latest chats. We all know Vitale is more focused on talking about anything except college basketball if given the opportunity and this is especially true during games Vitale is actually broadcasting. Vitale is like some other ESPN analysts in that he doesn't always enjoy answering direct questions and instead prefers to talk in cliches, or give vague answers. Vitale's chats are what happens where Dan Shulman isn't there to interrupt him and get him back on track...pure madness ensues.
In the comments of the last Vitale chat I covered it was speculated that Vitale isn't really answering these questions because many of the answers resemble answers from Joe Morgan's chats with the misspellings and some of the phrasing. I like to think Vitale is by himself in an incredibly bright room answering these questions in a loud, obnoxious voice and reading the answers aloud while making furious hand motions as he is typing. That's how I like to think about it. It would hurt me to believe Vitale is dictating the answers by phone to a Chatmaster who is actually doing the typing. I also like to think ESPN tells their analysts the fastest way to get the chats over quickly is to not give direct answers and frustrate those following along in the chat. That would explain a lot. Let's get to the first chat for today.
Grant Kruszewski (Erie)
Do you think that Ohio State can win the Final Four?
(Dick Vitale reads from a piece of paper without ever looking up in a monotone voice as if it were a statement written by a PR firm so as not to offend anyone...)
DV: Ohio State is one of the leading contenders and thy have an outstanding team. They cover all three areas of the court -- the post with Sullinger, the point with Craft and the wing with Buford. When you cover those three areas you have a chance.
Thanks Dick! So if you "cover" (what the hell does that even mean?) all three areas of the court you have a chance to win the Final Four.
Congratulations College of Charleston! You have the second leading scorer in the Southern Conference, the second leading rebounder, the leader in steals (who is also second in assist-turnover ratio) in the Southern Conference. You have all three areas covered. You have a chance to win the Final Four!
I get what Vitale is saying as a generality, but in his vague answer to the question he doesn't realize covering three areas can go for quite a few teams. Not to mention, there are various other reasons Ohio State could win the Final Four that are more relevant.
Now in response to a question about NC State, Vitale responds:
I am impressed with the spirit, enthusiasm and energy Mark Gottfried has bought to the program. I tweeted about that yesterday at twitter.com/dickie v.
WHY MUST YOU INSIST ON ASKING DICK VITALE QUESTIONS DURING HIS CHAT HE HAS PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED? Before asking any questions, search through every medium of communication Vitale has, which includes his web site, every game broadcast, his Twitter, his Facebook page and every previous chat. Don't waste his precious time asking him to repreat himself when that time could be better used talking about a non-basketball related topic or could used to discuss which honor Vitale has recently received for being so damn awesome.
Lucas (Quincy, IL)
Dick, who do you think is the key to Kentucky's season? Also, UK was 10-6 in the SEC last season. Do you think they will improve on that record this year? Will you be in Rupp tonight?
Three questions? Good luck with that.
DV: Very simple, the key is Marquie Teague.
This must be Jeff and Marquis Teague's less "street" and less talented brother, Marquie, that is the key to Kentucky's season. I'm guessing he is a walk-on.
It is one of my favorite places to go to, you feel college basketball when you walk into the arena.
Don't fall for that "feeling college basketball" thing. I went to basketball game in junior high and an older, trustworthy-looking gentleman invited into a dark, private room to feel college basketball. I never felt college basketball, but he did get arrested.
I think Kentucky could improve on last year's SEC record though the league is very good.
"I think Kentucky will do better than 10-6 in the SEC, but of course they also may not do as well as last year, but aren't you glad you asked me since I am supposed to be an expert? Want to hear a lengthy monologue on a topic that has nothing to do with your question? You don't? Here goes anyway."
JESalukillini (Decatur, IL)
So does the Illini looking like that they maybe a suprise this year? Is Sam the Man at point?
Oh sweet Jesus, this question just made every English teacher in America and the world cry tears of sadness.
DV: This is an important season for Bruce Weber and the Illini has been playing pretty well. That was a good win on the road against Maryland.
Great answer if the question were, "Is this an important season for Bruce Weber and how well have the Illini been playing this year?" Otherwise, I am booing right now. I wish I could answer these questions for Dick Vitale. I would answer that Illinois could surprise this year, but they have to rebound and shoot the ball better. Brandon Paul needs to cut down on his turnovers and shoot the ball better, but once he starts doing this Illinois could win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament. Not shooting the ball well and not rebounding well isn't a good combination though.
The middle of the Big Ten is going to be very tight. Ohio State is still the team to beat clearly.
Mostly because they have all three areas covered. It doesn't really matter if Ohio State is the team to beat, this person was asking how Illinois will do this year.
BoB (Neverland)
Better freshman at the moment: Bradley Beal or Austin Rivers?
DV: Wow, that's a tough one. I like both of them a lot.
BUT YOU ONLY CAN CHOOSE ONE! Rivers or Beal? It's an opinion-based question. Choose one. Go!
Florida has such athletic guards.
Irrelevant. Rivers or Beal.
Rivers has to cut down on turnovers a bit but he is so special as well.
You didn't say the Florida guards were special, you said they were athletic. There's a difference and not need to include "as well" at the end of this sentence.
Spoiler alert: That's it. That's our answer. Dick moves on to the next question. Glad he's here to chat and not answer questions. (Bengoodfella looks down at index card in his hand like he is a game show host) The correct answer was Bradley Beal. Bradley Beal is what we were looking for as the better freshman at the moment.
I am excited to see the battle of Goliaths between North Carolina and Kentucky on Saturday. Until someone wins at Rupp, I give the slightest of edges to the Cats.
I like Vitale phrased this sentence. So until someone wins the game, Vitale gives the slightest of edges to Kentucky. After someone wins the game, who knows which team Vitale will believe has the edge? Maybe Kentucky, maybe UNC. It's too soon to tell.
On to the next chat.
I am excited to work with Mike Patrick as we are re-united for the first time in three years, it should be a lot of fun.
It should be a lot of fun as long as you aren't watching or listening to these two broadcast a Duke game on ESPN. Let's just say both broadcasters sort of like Coach K and are overly complimentary of Duke. To the point I am making, I tend to spend most of a broadcast mocking Mike Patrick's constant praise of Duke by using sexual inthewindows (No lie. I edited a third year education major's paper in college and it had that phrase spelled exactly that way in the paper, just with spaces between words. The person who wrote that phrase is now a principal. Public schools everyone!) about what Patrick may or may not be doing with any free hand he may have in the broadcast booth during the game. I believe Mike Patrick gets very excited while watching Duke.
I would guess Mike Patrick's children are named Trajan Taymon Patrick, Battier Wojciechowski Patrick and J.J. Laettner Patrick. The newest edition to the family is Nolan Singler Patrick. Patrick done loves himself some Duke. So the long form answer is I am usually not excited to see Vitale and Patrick together. One of them I could handle, both of them I struggling dealing with.
Paul (Orlando)
Dick what is your scoop and opinion on the talent of Dion Waiters?
DV: Waiters, I just put up a tweet.
Interesting response and I have three ways I think this bizarre response could have occurred:
1. Vitale thinks this is Dion Waiters asking the question. No Dick, this isn't Dion Waiters asking the question. The question is being asked about Dion Waters.
2. Vitale is ordering food at a restaurant while doing the chat and wanted to tell the waiter he just put up a Tweet, but accidentally wrote this in a response to a chat question about Dion Waiters.
3. Vitale would prefer Paul from Orlando wait for his question about Dion Waiters to be answered while Vitale finishes a Tweet.
Ray Stinger Jr (Pittsburgh)
Dickie V!!!!! What in the name of Paul Evans is going on with Pitt?
DV: Obviously the transfer of Birch did not help. They have not gotten the same execution on offense that they have in the past. It is a mystery to many involved.
I'm certainly glad there isn't anyone who gets paid to analyze and explain these types of mysteries. Why doesn't ESPN hire someone full time to do this? This person could also analyze college basketball games on television and do weekly chats.
Dusty (St. Louis)
Why the hell are you asking Dick Vitale a question he has answered on his website? He isn't chatting with you to answer your questions, but to explain to you how excited he is to be chatting with you, broadcasting games and publicizing his Twitter, Facebook, or website. Damn you Dusty from St. Louis and your insistence on asking questions about college basketball!
Ben (Chicago)
Should Illinois be more excited about Paul's performance against OSU or Leonard's play vs. Sullinger? What effect do you think this game has on the rest of both teams' seasons?
DV: Excited about both. Paul was brilliant, off the charts, shooting 28 percent from 3 before the game.
Yes, Illini fans should be excited their guard with questionable shot selection, who can also be offensively inefficient, is getting positive reinforcement from a great performance in one game. Paul has played well since this game, so Vitale is actually correct about this part of the answer. I simply feel like Vitale should point about Paul's brilliance in one game needs to result in better shot selection, which it sort of has I think.
Leonard's development has been exciting too. He may get himself into the lottery.
There's nothing wrong with getting into the lottery in case playing in the NBA doesn't work out.
Mitch (Georgia)
Know it's still early, but what do you think of Bama's chances this year for the tournament? If they can get a bit more consistent from beyond the arc, do you think they can make a deep run come March?
DV: The Tide has been a little up and down
Ba-da-boom! Dick Vitale, inadvertent comedian.
Mike (Tampa)
Dick, I like what I am seeing from the UNC lately, they seem to have stepped up their defensive intensity, particularly on the perimeter. However, I am concerned that the 'down' ACC will not provide enough of a battle test for the 'big dance', your thoughts?
This was written on Thursday and on Saturday UNC lost by 33 to Florida State. I'm not saying I enjoyed this, but merely pointing out how this (presumed) UNC fan was worried the ACC wouldn't provide enough of a test and then UNC got their ass kicked on the road.
I also want to thank all of my fans who helped me get over a quarter-million followers on Twitter. As I promised, I will be giving special prizes to my twitter fans.
You will do the rest of your broadcasts with the microphone turned off?
And now for the last chat.
I am looking forward to calling the NC State-North Carolina game tonight...I am also excited because there is a camera crew with me doing a reality show.
"I'm excited to do my job, but I'm also excited because I have found a way to put more of the focus on me. It's all about me, baby!"
That is exciting, baby! Let's get to your questions.
Once that's done, let's get back to the more important issue...which is the camera crew following Vitale around doing a reality show. I'm guessing this reality show would feature Dick Vitale screaming at different people or inanimate objects during the day and would be marketed towards those people who had lost most or all of their hearing.
Greg (Syracuse)
Games seem to be getting longer and longer and I believe the NCAA needs to make some rule adjustments. Several I can think of that would be easy. 1) Team that calls TO before getting the ball across mid court does not get another 10secs.
The NCAA may not make these changes but they should offer free English lessons to anyone in the Syracuse area who may need them.
2) Teams ahead by 15 points with less than two minutes get the option of taking ball out of bounce instead of shooting.
So they have the option of deflating the ball and taking the bounce out of the ball? I'm not sure this seems very fair.
DV: I would like to see them widen the lane and get big guys away from the basket. Adopt the NBA rule with a minutes left, I think those would be positives.
It seems Greg from Syracuse got Vitale to answer his question. Perhaps the key is to write in semi-mangled English and then Vitale can understand exactly what you are asking.
JW (Knoxville)
Do you think the Pack is finally back notwithstanding tonight's game in Chapel Hill (probably a loss)?
DV: You cannot assumer that is a loss tonight, you cannot tell that to the kids.
You can't assumer that JW from Knoxville. So don't go in the Pack locker room and tell them they are going to lose. I know you were going to do that, JW. Don't tell that to the kids! Those Pack kids have a chance to beat UNC at home, dammit!
(They didn't have a chance. NC State got their ass kicked)
He learned a lot on the UCLA staff with Jim Harrick
Gottfried learned how to file false expense reports, have a relative give athletes a grade for a class they never attended, commit academic fraud and then tell his players to lie to the NCAA?
Rob (Chicago)
Marquette is currently tied for 2nd in the BE with Gtown. Their two losses in conference were on the road to Gtown and Cuse, but have won 5 in a row since. Do you think they have what it takes to hang onto a second place finish and maybe challenge for regular season BEast title?
DV: Marquette is a dangerous basketball team, very tough mentally with some experienced players like Johnson-Odom and Crowder.
Why does Dick Vitale answer these questions like he's reading from a script? Does he want to avoid saying Marquette can't get a second place finish and challenge for the regular season Big East title? He is being asked a question. Answer it. Yet, he doesn't. Any further thoughts, Dickie V?
I like the job Buzz Williams has done.
But he doesn't like the job Buzz Williams has done enough to give an opinion on how well Marquette will do in the Big East.
Jimmy (Winston-Salem, NC)
The ACC is known for its basketball. The Big four (Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, and NC State) were once automatic contenders every year.
How sweet. Jimmy from Winston Salem thinks Wake Forest is part of "The Big Four." This is a pet peeve of mine. Let me be a snob for a minute. Maybe for a brief period in the 90's there was a "Big Four" which included Wake Forest, but overall I'm not sure I throw Wake Forest in that discussion. "Big Four" indicates these are four powerful teams who are actual national contenders and Wake Forest has really only been that when Tim Duncan played there. I'm not sure any national observer would consider Wake Forest to a part of a "Big Four" in the ACC. If anything, I think Maryland would be a part of any "Big Four" in the ACC. Seeing as they have continued excellence in the 80's, 90's and 2000's.
So Wake Forest isn't an automatic contender every year, nor were they ever except for two years in the 1990's. They have five Sweet Sixteen appearances since 1984, two Elite Eight apperances and won the conference tournament twice since 1962, and were regular season champion twice since 1995. That's just not the sign of a team that is an automatic contender every year, at least on a national level. It would help Wake Forest turn it around if they quit firing their successful coaches and hiring friends of the Athletic Director to coach the program.
Will we see this kind of dominance in the ACC again? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ACC DICK!?
We will never see the imaginary dominance NC State and Wake Forest have had in the ACC over the last 20 years (mostly for Wake Forest). Probably because it never happened. I'm not trying to be mean, but while NC State is the college with a huge inferiority complex, Wake Forest is the school that seems to believe it belongs with the big boys of the ACC and I just don't know if it is true as they seem to think it is. They are a good program, but not in the upper echelon, at least in my mind. Maybe I know too many UNC fans who are snobbish like me and just happen to agree with me on this.
DV: Talent level is not what it has been in the past but they have teams to think about up top with Carolina and Duke.
The ACC has one quality national contender in the conference. UNC. Whoop-de-doo. Let's not put Duke or any other team in the ACC up there as a national contender, Dick.
Virgnia and Fliorida State are very good, recruiting is going to go up and the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh will help. It often goes in cycles.
The correct answer is the last sentence. The ACC had some average coaches recently and it hurt the conference. The ACC has many, many new coaches so hopefully these coaches will start to build up their respective programs and the conference will be strong again. If not, who cares? There are a lot of good conferences and college basketball is still fun to watch.
Nils (Frankfurt, Germany)
Hi Dicky V! Please answer! I have never gotten to ask you a question before... What are the chances that my Gophers will make the NCAA tournament? Also what are the chances Mbakwe comes back next year? Thank you!
DV: Minnesota is a potential bubble team. Right now they are close but they need to win some more games
Wait, so Minnesota has to win more games to make the NCAA Tournament?
Connor (Connecticut)
How do UConn's chances look? They cant seem to get over the loss of Kemba
DV: Kemba Walker was a rare and special player, he carried them to a national title.
Yes, he did Mr. Robot Dick Vitale.
The absence of Boatwright is a major blow for them and the team really misses him. I think Jim Calhoun has been disappointed with the team's lack of chemistry.
So...UConn...How do their chances look again? Any answer for that? Nothing? Great. I'm just glad you don't get paid to give answers to questions about college basketball.
Ian (Indiana )
What happened to Kansas?
Is that you, Dorothy?
DV: Tyshawn Taylor has been playing well as I have said, the Big 12 goes through Lawrence...go ask Baylor about that.
(Bengoodfella goes to ask Baylor about this. Scott Drew hands me a suitcase full of cash as I leave and offers to hire my AAU coach if I play basketball for them. I explain I'm not a recruit and then he takes away the suitcase and an Escalade parked out front with a bow on it pulls away.)
I'm just kidding. Scott Drew doesn't pay his players or give them illegal benefits. He is just a reall, really good recruiter.
Scott (Georgia)
Which mid major do you think has a better chance of making it to the Elite Eight or even Final Four, Murray State or Creighton?
DV: After seeing what Butler did the past two years, I think there will be a lot of attention paid to the likes of Creighton, Wichita State and murray State.
Doug McDermott is one of the best players in America and Creighton can be heard from. If you consider San Diego State and UNLV as mid-majors, they will be up there too.
So.........................................Murray State or Creighton. Which of those two teams, not the three other teams you mentioned, have a chance to make it to the Elite Eight or even Final Four? Nothing? No answer? Great.
Samuel Ginaven (Iowa)
Who is the better player? Royce White from Iowa State or Draymond Green from Michigan State?
DV: Both players are contenders for All-Big 10. Both are very important to their teams. Hard to say. Green is so versatile.
We never get an answer, naturally. Though someone writes in to Vitale during the chat and corrects him about the conference Royce White plays in and Vitale then manages to spew more non-sensical crap that doesn't really count as in any form of an answer because it is clear Vitale may not have heard of Royce White.
I meant to say both are valuable in their respective leagues and should be on their all-conference teams. Both are vital to their squads.
Yeah, we get it. Both players are valuable to their league, their squad, their church and humanity in general. Which is the better player? We will never know. But we do know both players are important to their team. I feel educated.
I am excited about the ACC showdown tonight in Chapel Hill.
Just don't tell the NC State kids they don't have a chance at winning!
(Turns out NC State didn't have a chance at winning)
I have also had a lot of fun with a group given full access the last few days and following me around for this reality show.
"Everyone remember I have a reality show following me around. Me, me, me, me, it's all about me baby!"
We walked on the bach this morning,
Later you ran through a field of Mozarts?
It is a lot of fun for me.
Clearly more fun than answering questions in a straightforward manner about college basketball.
In the comments of the last Vitale chat I covered it was speculated that Vitale isn't really answering these questions because many of the answers resemble answers from Joe Morgan's chats with the misspellings and some of the phrasing. I like to think Vitale is by himself in an incredibly bright room answering these questions in a loud, obnoxious voice and reading the answers aloud while making furious hand motions as he is typing. That's how I like to think about it. It would hurt me to believe Vitale is dictating the answers by phone to a Chatmaster who is actually doing the typing. I also like to think ESPN tells their analysts the fastest way to get the chats over quickly is to not give direct answers and frustrate those following along in the chat. That would explain a lot. Let's get to the first chat for today.
Grant Kruszewski (Erie)
Do you think that Ohio State can win the Final Four?
(Dick Vitale reads from a piece of paper without ever looking up in a monotone voice as if it were a statement written by a PR firm so as not to offend anyone...)
DV: Ohio State is one of the leading contenders and thy have an outstanding team. They cover all three areas of the court -- the post with Sullinger, the point with Craft and the wing with Buford. When you cover those three areas you have a chance.
Thanks Dick! So if you "cover" (what the hell does that even mean?) all three areas of the court you have a chance to win the Final Four.
Congratulations College of Charleston! You have the second leading scorer in the Southern Conference, the second leading rebounder, the leader in steals (who is also second in assist-turnover ratio) in the Southern Conference. You have all three areas covered. You have a chance to win the Final Four!
I get what Vitale is saying as a generality, but in his vague answer to the question he doesn't realize covering three areas can go for quite a few teams. Not to mention, there are various other reasons Ohio State could win the Final Four that are more relevant.
Now in response to a question about NC State, Vitale responds:
I am impressed with the spirit, enthusiasm and energy Mark Gottfried has bought to the program. I tweeted about that yesterday at twitter.com/dickie v.
WHY MUST YOU INSIST ON ASKING DICK VITALE QUESTIONS DURING HIS CHAT HE HAS PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED? Before asking any questions, search through every medium of communication Vitale has, which includes his web site, every game broadcast, his Twitter, his Facebook page and every previous chat. Don't waste his precious time asking him to repreat himself when that time could be better used talking about a non-basketball related topic or could used to discuss which honor Vitale has recently received for being so damn awesome.
Lucas (Quincy, IL)
Dick, who do you think is the key to Kentucky's season? Also, UK was 10-6 in the SEC last season. Do you think they will improve on that record this year? Will you be in Rupp tonight?
Three questions? Good luck with that.
DV: Very simple, the key is Marquie Teague.
This must be Jeff and Marquis Teague's less "street" and less talented brother, Marquie, that is the key to Kentucky's season. I'm guessing he is a walk-on.
It is one of my favorite places to go to, you feel college basketball when you walk into the arena.
Don't fall for that "feeling college basketball" thing. I went to basketball game in junior high and an older, trustworthy-looking gentleman invited into a dark, private room to feel college basketball. I never felt college basketball, but he did get arrested.
I think Kentucky could improve on last year's SEC record though the league is very good.
"I think Kentucky will do better than 10-6 in the SEC, but of course they also may not do as well as last year, but aren't you glad you asked me since I am supposed to be an expert? Want to hear a lengthy monologue on a topic that has nothing to do with your question? You don't? Here goes anyway."
JESalukillini (Decatur, IL)
So does the Illini looking like that they maybe a suprise this year? Is Sam the Man at point?
Oh sweet Jesus, this question just made every English teacher in America and the world cry tears of sadness.
DV: This is an important season for Bruce Weber and the Illini has been playing pretty well. That was a good win on the road against Maryland.
Great answer if the question were, "Is this an important season for Bruce Weber and how well have the Illini been playing this year?" Otherwise, I am booing right now. I wish I could answer these questions for Dick Vitale. I would answer that Illinois could surprise this year, but they have to rebound and shoot the ball better. Brandon Paul needs to cut down on his turnovers and shoot the ball better, but once he starts doing this Illinois could win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament. Not shooting the ball well and not rebounding well isn't a good combination though.
The middle of the Big Ten is going to be very tight. Ohio State is still the team to beat clearly.
Mostly because they have all three areas covered. It doesn't really matter if Ohio State is the team to beat, this person was asking how Illinois will do this year.
BoB (Neverland)
Better freshman at the moment: Bradley Beal or Austin Rivers?
DV: Wow, that's a tough one. I like both of them a lot.
BUT YOU ONLY CAN CHOOSE ONE! Rivers or Beal? It's an opinion-based question. Choose one. Go!
Florida has such athletic guards.
Irrelevant. Rivers or Beal.
Rivers has to cut down on turnovers a bit but he is so special as well.
You didn't say the Florida guards were special, you said they were athletic. There's a difference and not need to include "as well" at the end of this sentence.
Spoiler alert: That's it. That's our answer. Dick moves on to the next question. Glad he's here to chat and not answer questions. (Bengoodfella looks down at index card in his hand like he is a game show host) The correct answer was Bradley Beal. Bradley Beal is what we were looking for as the better freshman at the moment.
I am excited to see the battle of Goliaths between North Carolina and Kentucky on Saturday. Until someone wins at Rupp, I give the slightest of edges to the Cats.
I like Vitale phrased this sentence. So until someone wins the game, Vitale gives the slightest of edges to Kentucky. After someone wins the game, who knows which team Vitale will believe has the edge? Maybe Kentucky, maybe UNC. It's too soon to tell.
On to the next chat.
I am excited to work with Mike Patrick as we are re-united for the first time in three years, it should be a lot of fun.
It should be a lot of fun as long as you aren't watching or listening to these two broadcast a Duke game on ESPN. Let's just say both broadcasters sort of like Coach K and are overly complimentary of Duke. To the point I am making, I tend to spend most of a broadcast mocking Mike Patrick's constant praise of Duke by using sexual inthewindows (No lie. I edited a third year education major's paper in college and it had that phrase spelled exactly that way in the paper, just with spaces between words. The person who wrote that phrase is now a principal. Public schools everyone!) about what Patrick may or may not be doing with any free hand he may have in the broadcast booth during the game. I believe Mike Patrick gets very excited while watching Duke.
I would guess Mike Patrick's children are named Trajan Taymon Patrick, Battier Wojciechowski Patrick and J.J. Laettner Patrick. The newest edition to the family is Nolan Singler Patrick. Patrick done loves himself some Duke. So the long form answer is I am usually not excited to see Vitale and Patrick together. One of them I could handle, both of them I struggling dealing with.
Paul (Orlando)
Dick what is your scoop and opinion on the talent of Dion Waiters?
DV: Waiters, I just put up a tweet.
Interesting response and I have three ways I think this bizarre response could have occurred:
1. Vitale thinks this is Dion Waiters asking the question. No Dick, this isn't Dion Waiters asking the question. The question is being asked about Dion Waters.
2. Vitale is ordering food at a restaurant while doing the chat and wanted to tell the waiter he just put up a Tweet, but accidentally wrote this in a response to a chat question about Dion Waiters.
3. Vitale would prefer Paul from Orlando wait for his question about Dion Waiters to be answered while Vitale finishes a Tweet.
Ray Stinger Jr (Pittsburgh)
Dickie V!!!!! What in the name of Paul Evans is going on with Pitt?
DV: Obviously the transfer of Birch did not help. They have not gotten the same execution on offense that they have in the past. It is a mystery to many involved.
I'm certainly glad there isn't anyone who gets paid to analyze and explain these types of mysteries. Why doesn't ESPN hire someone full time to do this? This person could also analyze college basketball games on television and do weekly chats.
Dusty (St. Louis)
Thomas Robinson played 19 min last night and had 19 pts and 12 reb. He has to be the leader for POY right?
DV: If you go to my website he was my choice of Midseason POY.Why the hell are you asking Dick Vitale a question he has answered on his website? He isn't chatting with you to answer your questions, but to explain to you how excited he is to be chatting with you, broadcasting games and publicizing his Twitter, Facebook, or website. Damn you Dusty from St. Louis and your insistence on asking questions about college basketball!
Ben (Chicago)
Should Illinois be more excited about Paul's performance against OSU or Leonard's play vs. Sullinger? What effect do you think this game has on the rest of both teams' seasons?
DV: Excited about both. Paul was brilliant, off the charts, shooting 28 percent from 3 before the game.
Yes, Illini fans should be excited their guard with questionable shot selection, who can also be offensively inefficient, is getting positive reinforcement from a great performance in one game. Paul has played well since this game, so Vitale is actually correct about this part of the answer. I simply feel like Vitale should point about Paul's brilliance in one game needs to result in better shot selection, which it sort of has I think.
Leonard's development has been exciting too. He may get himself into the lottery.
There's nothing wrong with getting into the lottery in case playing in the NBA doesn't work out.
Mitch (Georgia)
Know it's still early, but what do you think of Bama's chances this year for the tournament? If they can get a bit more consistent from beyond the arc, do you think they can make a deep run come March?
DV: The Tide has been a little up and down
Ba-da-boom! Dick Vitale, inadvertent comedian.
Mike (Tampa)
Dick, I like what I am seeing from the UNC lately, they seem to have stepped up their defensive intensity, particularly on the perimeter. However, I am concerned that the 'down' ACC will not provide enough of a battle test for the 'big dance', your thoughts?
This was written on Thursday and on Saturday UNC lost by 33 to Florida State. I'm not saying I enjoyed this, but merely pointing out how this (presumed) UNC fan was worried the ACC wouldn't provide enough of a test and then UNC got their ass kicked on the road.
I also want to thank all of my fans who helped me get over a quarter-million followers on Twitter. As I promised, I will be giving special prizes to my twitter fans.
You will do the rest of your broadcasts with the microphone turned off?
And now for the last chat.
I am looking forward to calling the NC State-North Carolina game tonight...I am also excited because there is a camera crew with me doing a reality show.
"I'm excited to do my job, but I'm also excited because I have found a way to put more of the focus on me. It's all about me, baby!"
That is exciting, baby! Let's get to your questions.
Once that's done, let's get back to the more important issue...which is the camera crew following Vitale around doing a reality show. I'm guessing this reality show would feature Dick Vitale screaming at different people or inanimate objects during the day and would be marketed towards those people who had lost most or all of their hearing.
Greg (Syracuse)
Games seem to be getting longer and longer and I believe the NCAA needs to make some rule adjustments. Several I can think of that would be easy. 1) Team that calls TO before getting the ball across mid court does not get another 10secs.
The NCAA may not make these changes but they should offer free English lessons to anyone in the Syracuse area who may need them.
2) Teams ahead by 15 points with less than two minutes get the option of taking ball out of bounce instead of shooting.
So they have the option of deflating the ball and taking the bounce out of the ball? I'm not sure this seems very fair.
DV: I would like to see them widen the lane and get big guys away from the basket. Adopt the NBA rule with a minutes left, I think those would be positives.
It seems Greg from Syracuse got Vitale to answer his question. Perhaps the key is to write in semi-mangled English and then Vitale can understand exactly what you are asking.
JW (Knoxville)
Do you think the Pack is finally back notwithstanding tonight's game in Chapel Hill (probably a loss)?
DV: You cannot assumer that is a loss tonight, you cannot tell that to the kids.
You can't assumer that JW from Knoxville. So don't go in the Pack locker room and tell them they are going to lose. I know you were going to do that, JW. Don't tell that to the kids! Those Pack kids have a chance to beat UNC at home, dammit!
(They didn't have a chance. NC State got their ass kicked)
He learned a lot on the UCLA staff with Jim Harrick
Gottfried learned how to file false expense reports, have a relative give athletes a grade for a class they never attended, commit academic fraud and then tell his players to lie to the NCAA?
Rob (Chicago)
Marquette is currently tied for 2nd in the BE with Gtown. Their two losses in conference were on the road to Gtown and Cuse, but have won 5 in a row since. Do you think they have what it takes to hang onto a second place finish and maybe challenge for regular season BEast title?
DV: Marquette is a dangerous basketball team, very tough mentally with some experienced players like Johnson-Odom and Crowder.
Why does Dick Vitale answer these questions like he's reading from a script? Does he want to avoid saying Marquette can't get a second place finish and challenge for the regular season Big East title? He is being asked a question. Answer it. Yet, he doesn't. Any further thoughts, Dickie V?
I like the job Buzz Williams has done.
But he doesn't like the job Buzz Williams has done enough to give an opinion on how well Marquette will do in the Big East.
Jimmy (Winston-Salem, NC)
The ACC is known for its basketball. The Big four (Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, and NC State) were once automatic contenders every year.
How sweet. Jimmy from Winston Salem thinks Wake Forest is part of "The Big Four." This is a pet peeve of mine. Let me be a snob for a minute. Maybe for a brief period in the 90's there was a "Big Four" which included Wake Forest, but overall I'm not sure I throw Wake Forest in that discussion. "Big Four" indicates these are four powerful teams who are actual national contenders and Wake Forest has really only been that when Tim Duncan played there. I'm not sure any national observer would consider Wake Forest to a part of a "Big Four" in the ACC. If anything, I think Maryland would be a part of any "Big Four" in the ACC. Seeing as they have continued excellence in the 80's, 90's and 2000's.
So Wake Forest isn't an automatic contender every year, nor were they ever except for two years in the 1990's. They have five Sweet Sixteen appearances since 1984, two Elite Eight apperances and won the conference tournament twice since 1962, and were regular season champion twice since 1995. That's just not the sign of a team that is an automatic contender every year, at least on a national level. It would help Wake Forest turn it around if they quit firing their successful coaches and hiring friends of the Athletic Director to coach the program.
Will we see this kind of dominance in the ACC again? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ACC DICK!?
We will never see the imaginary dominance NC State and Wake Forest have had in the ACC over the last 20 years (mostly for Wake Forest). Probably because it never happened. I'm not trying to be mean, but while NC State is the college with a huge inferiority complex, Wake Forest is the school that seems to believe it belongs with the big boys of the ACC and I just don't know if it is true as they seem to think it is. They are a good program, but not in the upper echelon, at least in my mind. Maybe I know too many UNC fans who are snobbish like me and just happen to agree with me on this.
DV: Talent level is not what it has been in the past but they have teams to think about up top with Carolina and Duke.
The ACC has one quality national contender in the conference. UNC. Whoop-de-doo. Let's not put Duke or any other team in the ACC up there as a national contender, Dick.
Virgnia and Fliorida State are very good, recruiting is going to go up and the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh will help. It often goes in cycles.
The correct answer is the last sentence. The ACC had some average coaches recently and it hurt the conference. The ACC has many, many new coaches so hopefully these coaches will start to build up their respective programs and the conference will be strong again. If not, who cares? There are a lot of good conferences and college basketball is still fun to watch.
Nils (Frankfurt, Germany)
Hi Dicky V! Please answer! I have never gotten to ask you a question before... What are the chances that my Gophers will make the NCAA tournament? Also what are the chances Mbakwe comes back next year? Thank you!
DV: Minnesota is a potential bubble team. Right now they are close but they need to win some more games
Wait, so Minnesota has to win more games to make the NCAA Tournament?
Connor (Connecticut)
How do UConn's chances look? They cant seem to get over the loss of Kemba
DV: Kemba Walker was a rare and special player, he carried them to a national title.
Yes, he did Mr. Robot Dick Vitale.
The absence of Boatwright is a major blow for them and the team really misses him. I think Jim Calhoun has been disappointed with the team's lack of chemistry.
So...UConn...How do their chances look again? Any answer for that? Nothing? Great. I'm just glad you don't get paid to give answers to questions about college basketball.
Ian (Indiana )
What happened to Kansas?
Is that you, Dorothy?
DV: Tyshawn Taylor has been playing well as I have said, the Big 12 goes through Lawrence...go ask Baylor about that.
(Bengoodfella goes to ask Baylor about this. Scott Drew hands me a suitcase full of cash as I leave and offers to hire my AAU coach if I play basketball for them. I explain I'm not a recruit and then he takes away the suitcase and an Escalade parked out front with a bow on it pulls away.)
I'm just kidding. Scott Drew doesn't pay his players or give them illegal benefits. He is just a reall, really good recruiter.
Scott (Georgia)
Which mid major do you think has a better chance of making it to the Elite Eight or even Final Four, Murray State or Creighton?
DV: After seeing what Butler did the past two years, I think there will be a lot of attention paid to the likes of Creighton, Wichita State and murray State.
Doug McDermott is one of the best players in America and Creighton can be heard from. If you consider San Diego State and UNLV as mid-majors, they will be up there too.
So.........................................Murray State or Creighton. Which of those two teams, not the three other teams you mentioned, have a chance to make it to the Elite Eight or even Final Four? Nothing? No answer? Great.
Samuel Ginaven (Iowa)
Who is the better player? Royce White from Iowa State or Draymond Green from Michigan State?
DV: Both players are contenders for All-Big 10. Both are very important to their teams. Hard to say. Green is so versatile.
We never get an answer, naturally. Though someone writes in to Vitale during the chat and corrects him about the conference Royce White plays in and Vitale then manages to spew more non-sensical crap that doesn't really count as in any form of an answer because it is clear Vitale may not have heard of Royce White.
I meant to say both are valuable in their respective leagues and should be on their all-conference teams. Both are vital to their squads.
Yeah, we get it. Both players are valuable to their league, their squad, their church and humanity in general. Which is the better player? We will never know. But we do know both players are important to their team. I feel educated.
I am excited about the ACC showdown tonight in Chapel Hill.
Just don't tell the NC State kids they don't have a chance at winning!
(Turns out NC State didn't have a chance at winning)
I have also had a lot of fun with a group given full access the last few days and following me around for this reality show.
"Everyone remember I have a reality show following me around. Me, me, me, me, it's all about me baby!"
We walked on the bach this morning,
Later you ran through a field of Mozarts?
It is a lot of fun for me.
Clearly more fun than answering questions in a straightforward manner about college basketball.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
3 comments Why Chat If You Won't Answer the Questions?
Dick Vitale, who as I have mentioned 100 times before seems like a really nice guy, is still chatting every Thursday at 11am with ESPN.com readers. I feel like Vitale is a lot of what I find wrong with modern sports announcing. The game tends to become more about him and the off-topic stories he tells during the telecast than it is up about the actual game he is supposed to be working. In regard to his ESPN.com chats, I expect more than the answers he gives to some of the questions in his chat. What good is experience calling basketball games if you don't use that experience to provide insight and instead choose to go off-topic about yourself or on to another topic? It's frustrating sometimes.
Concerning another person that frustrates me...Jon Gruden was just voted the NFL players favorite announcer. Well naturally, because he rarely has anything negative to say about a player and seems to avoid offending any player or team that may want to hire him in the future. It frustrates me. Gruden has shown himself to be a fairly competent analyst, I wish Gruden would be a little more critical of players or teams.
On to Dick Vitale not answering the questions he is asked...which I thought was the entire point of hosting a chat.
Dick Vitale: I'm happy to be back with you this morning for this chat...Happy holidays to everyone out there...Just got back from the City of Palms annual HS tournament. Spoke to the crowd before the game and that was a thrill.
This answers the pressing question I had about who spoke to the crowd before the City of Palms annual high school tournament.
Mike (Idianapolis)
Are you surprised with the Indiana Hoosiers start this season and how far do you see this team going?
Mike should know better than to ask two questions. It's hard enough for Vitale to answer one question, much less two.
DV: I am not surprised at all.
Vitale is not surprised at all that the Hoosiers have started off the season 12-0 (at the time of this chat). Except Vitale is a little surprised we will find out. But other than being a little surprised, he isn't surprised at all.
Great win over Kentucky...other than that, they beat everyone they should, with maybe NC State being the lone exception.
I'm confused now. So Vitale isn't surprised the Hoosiers are undefeated, but he says they possibly should not have beaten an unranked NC State team. So maybe he is a little bit surprised at Indiana's start.
I was a little surprised with the win over Kentucky.
So the whole "not surprised at all" thing was pretty much a lie then.
(Dan Shulman) "Dickie V, it appears Russian terrorists have taken 20,000 hostages at the Missouri-Texas basketball game and are demanding the immediate destruction of France by the United States military or they will detonate a nuclear weapon in a major US city. Does this surprise you?"
(Dick Vitale) "Not really Dan. Russian terrorists are pretty unforgiving people. The execution of the plan, the fact they have taken hostages and have the capability to destroy a major US city does surprise me a little."
(Dan Shulman) "So, you are not surprised this has happened then? You anticipated this could happen?"
(Dick Vitale) "I'm not surprised at all. Let me tell you about a 5 minute story about this specific event I attended two days ago that has nothing to do with our present discussion."
They have to sustain it by finishing in the upper echelon of the Big Ten and earn that NCAA tourney bid.
So Vitale thinks Indiana will have to continue to play the rest of their games to make the NCAA Tournament. Alas, we are left to guess how far he sees them going in the NCAA Tournament.
Scott (San Antonio)
You got some SUPER-SOPHS this season, Perry Jones III, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, and Jeremy Lamb. Who means the most to their team? And who's cutting down the nets in March?
DV: They all do.
This is an impossibility. When given a list of players and asked to name which one means the most to their team, it is impossible for them all to mean the most to their team. Pick one. There is no point in chatting if you don't answer the questions asked.
If you took away any of them, it would hurt the goal of winning the national championship, which is the goal of all four teams.
If you took away the best player on any NCAA team it would hurt that team's goal of winning the national championship. This doesn't mean much, so Vitale needs to make a choice. I wonder if Dick Vitale does this type thing in other areas of his life...
(Dick Vitale's wife) "Honey, what do you want for dinner tonight? I can cook spaghetti, chicken, leftover turkey, order a pizza, or we can just have sandwiches."
(Dick Vitale) "Let me tell you about this guy I spoke with at the store today. He told me---"
(Vitale's wife) "Focus, please. Which of those foods would you like the most for dinner tonight?"
(Vitale) "All of them."
(Vitale's wife) "You want me to cook spaghetti, make chicken, heat up leftover turkey, order a pizza and then make us sandwiches for dinner?"
(Vitale) "If you made any of those options for dinner, I would like them. So it is impossible for me to choose and I refuse to. Let me tell you about the guy I met at the store (25 minutes later)...but he was just a great guy, and let me tell you, he has to be one of the nicest guys I've ever met."
(Vitale's wife) "Dinner. What among those choices do you want?"
(Vitale) "All of them. They all sound good."
(Vitale's wife orders out Chinese food)
Owen (Milwaukee)
Dick:What is your take on Marquette's loss to LSU? Is this a bad loss or an expected hick-up in a long season? Will this affect them in March seeding?
DV: Obviously it is tought o sustain the unblemished record. Turner was hot and LSU needed as win badly. This may help ge Marquette to refocus. Johnson-Odom was suspended the game before and it may have affected chemistry.
Great. It appears Vitale had a seizure on the keyboard, but he still managed to not answer the question. So how will this affect Marquette in March seeding?
That said, I want to add that the court down at LSU should be named after Dale Brown.
That's just great. I like how Vitale not only doesn't answer questions he is asked, but he manages to go off on topics no one asks or cares about. Brilliant.
Alex (Louisville)
Hey Dick! My cards sure did struggle against C of Cha, in your mind, are they a top 5 team?
DV: Right now they have earned that right. We will see whent hey face Georgetown and Kentucky. That is the type of game that will show if they are top 5. I disagree with you on the Charleston game, that is not cupcake city as Bobby Cremins has a very talented team.
No, College of Charleston isn't a cupcake team, but a Top 5 team should not struggle with College of Charleston at home.
Injuries to Blackshear and Marra have hurt too.
Let's add them to the "most important player" list with Barnes, Jones, Sullinger, and Lamb then.
Terry (Nashville)
Could it be the best team in the state of Tennessee is not Memphis, Vanderbilt or Tennessee but maybe Middle Tennessee State, baby! How about some love for the Blue Raiders!
DV: You can make that claim.
You could also make the claim humans are really the descendants of Xenu but that doesn't make it true nor a valid, fact-based claim.
Right now you could say Middle Tennessee State is up there and Kermit Davis' team just beat Mississippi. They beat UCLA out west too. In the end, I think it will be Memphis.
Memphis was the right answer. I'm glad we finally got there.
Jason (Ellicott City, MD)
Buy or sell Georgetown? Do they beat Memphis again tonight?
Again, two questions. Good luck getting one answered. Two questions? You are just pressing your luck. No whammies!
DV: The next few games will tell us more about the Hoyas.
Do you know what will tell us the most about the Hoyas? If Vitale could answer this question after the season is over. But, the question was asked as of right now, so why not answer it as of now rather than defer the answer? If you get paid to analyze and know college basketball, this should be an easy, opinion-based answer.
The rematch with Memphis and then the game against Louisville will tell us a lot.
How about you tell Jason from Maryland a lot right now, like if you think Georgetown can beat Memphis again? It defeats the purpose of a chat if you defer the answer to a question until after the game referred to in the question is played.
Dre Michigan [via mobile]
Is this the best Syracuse team since 03? An can they cut down the nets I'm march?
DV: This team should be number one right now but there are a lot of challenges ahead in the Big East.
Does ESPN tell their employees to not directly answer questions in a chat? This is the same kind of answer Joe Morgan would give in his chats (R.I.P. Joe Morgan ESPN.com chats).
This is a very good team and I had them in the top five in the preseason, so I am not surprised with the good start.
Unfortunately this response doesn't make sense when knowing the question asked. I can't help but wonder if Vitale is finally getting around to answering the question about whether he is surprised with Indiana's start. Actually, I shouldn't wonder this. The odds of Vitale actually paying attention to what he is doing during this chat is not very high. He is probably telling the moderator a 15 minute story about a dinner he had with Jamie Dixon two years ago and has no idea what question he was asked. He just saw Syracuse in the question and just started rambling out an answer.
Ryan (Albuquerque)
What do you think of the Ohio Bobcats win on Tuesday? they are 10-1 with only dropping a tight game to Louisville, is this team for real?
DV: John Groce has done a really good job there. Ohio almost beat Louisville in that game as it was a real defensive dogfight. The MAC has some quality teams and the Bobcats should be up there.
Yes, Ryan from Albuquerque mentioned in the question that the game against Louisville was a tight game. He probably would like an answer as to whether Ohio is for real or not.
joe (new jersey)
hey dickie v....Is seton hall for real this year? can they actually make the dance?
DV: I salute my alma mater. I was really thrilled earlier this season when I was honored won in Patterson, New Jersey and coach Kevin Willard presented me with a chair from the Pirates bench.
"Me, me, me. Let me tell you about me before I answer the question with a general, non-specific answer that will provide the questioner with zero information, while also offending no one. Me, me, me."
Herb Pope is experienced and a factor up front. The win over Dayton was a good one. I think the Hall could surprise some people in the Big East and finish above their preseason ranking in the conference.
Who cares whether Seton Hall can make the NCAA Tournament or not. They gave Dick Vitale a chair from the bench! That's all he cares about.
Jon (Victor, NY)
Any under-the-radar teams we should watch going into conference play? KSU strikes my eye, as does UVA and LSU.
DV: We will find out which teams are contenders and which are pretenders.
But Jon from Victor, New York wants to know NOW which teams are contenders and pretenders. Considering you get paid to be a college basketball analyst, I don't think this is a request that should be a terrible hardship upon your brain. There's no point in chatting or even getting paid to be an expert if the answers to questions only end up being, "We will find out later the answer to your question." Of course we'll find out later. We'll find out all the answers we want to know about college basketball after the season is over. Unfortunately, Vitale gets paid to be a college basketball analyst who should be able to provide answers right now to questions such as this.
Naturally, in grand ESPN fashion, their top college basketball analyst refuses to answer the question of which college basketball teams are contenders and pretenders.
Happy holidays to all of the fans out there. Ireally enjoy spending time with you doing these chats. I hope that Santa brings you all of the gifts you want.
What if the gift I want is for you to tell me who the college teams that are contenders and pretenders? So I guess I'm just screwed.
Concerning another person that frustrates me...Jon Gruden was just voted the NFL players favorite announcer. Well naturally, because he rarely has anything negative to say about a player and seems to avoid offending any player or team that may want to hire him in the future. It frustrates me. Gruden has shown himself to be a fairly competent analyst, I wish Gruden would be a little more critical of players or teams.
On to Dick Vitale not answering the questions he is asked...which I thought was the entire point of hosting a chat.
Dick Vitale: I'm happy to be back with you this morning for this chat...Happy holidays to everyone out there...Just got back from the City of Palms annual HS tournament. Spoke to the crowd before the game and that was a thrill.
This answers the pressing question I had about who spoke to the crowd before the City of Palms annual high school tournament.
Mike (Idianapolis)
Are you surprised with the Indiana Hoosiers start this season and how far do you see this team going?
Mike should know better than to ask two questions. It's hard enough for Vitale to answer one question, much less two.
DV: I am not surprised at all.
Vitale is not surprised at all that the Hoosiers have started off the season 12-0 (at the time of this chat). Except Vitale is a little surprised we will find out. But other than being a little surprised, he isn't surprised at all.
Great win over Kentucky...other than that, they beat everyone they should, with maybe NC State being the lone exception.
I'm confused now. So Vitale isn't surprised the Hoosiers are undefeated, but he says they possibly should not have beaten an unranked NC State team. So maybe he is a little bit surprised at Indiana's start.
I was a little surprised with the win over Kentucky.
So the whole "not surprised at all" thing was pretty much a lie then.
(Dan Shulman) "Dickie V, it appears Russian terrorists have taken 20,000 hostages at the Missouri-Texas basketball game and are demanding the immediate destruction of France by the United States military or they will detonate a nuclear weapon in a major US city. Does this surprise you?"
(Dick Vitale) "Not really Dan. Russian terrorists are pretty unforgiving people. The execution of the plan, the fact they have taken hostages and have the capability to destroy a major US city does surprise me a little."
(Dan Shulman) "So, you are not surprised this has happened then? You anticipated this could happen?"
(Dick Vitale) "I'm not surprised at all. Let me tell you about a 5 minute story about this specific event I attended two days ago that has nothing to do with our present discussion."
They have to sustain it by finishing in the upper echelon of the Big Ten and earn that NCAA tourney bid.
So Vitale thinks Indiana will have to continue to play the rest of their games to make the NCAA Tournament. Alas, we are left to guess how far he sees them going in the NCAA Tournament.
Scott (San Antonio)
You got some SUPER-SOPHS this season, Perry Jones III, Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, and Jeremy Lamb. Who means the most to their team? And who's cutting down the nets in March?
DV: They all do.
This is an impossibility. When given a list of players and asked to name which one means the most to their team, it is impossible for them all to mean the most to their team. Pick one. There is no point in chatting if you don't answer the questions asked.
If you took away any of them, it would hurt the goal of winning the national championship, which is the goal of all four teams.
If you took away the best player on any NCAA team it would hurt that team's goal of winning the national championship. This doesn't mean much, so Vitale needs to make a choice. I wonder if Dick Vitale does this type thing in other areas of his life...
(Dick Vitale's wife) "Honey, what do you want for dinner tonight? I can cook spaghetti, chicken, leftover turkey, order a pizza, or we can just have sandwiches."
(Dick Vitale) "Let me tell you about this guy I spoke with at the store today. He told me---"
(Vitale's wife) "Focus, please. Which of those foods would you like the most for dinner tonight?"
(Vitale) "All of them."
(Vitale's wife) "You want me to cook spaghetti, make chicken, heat up leftover turkey, order a pizza and then make us sandwiches for dinner?"
(Vitale) "If you made any of those options for dinner, I would like them. So it is impossible for me to choose and I refuse to. Let me tell you about the guy I met at the store (25 minutes later)...but he was just a great guy, and let me tell you, he has to be one of the nicest guys I've ever met."
(Vitale's wife) "Dinner. What among those choices do you want?"
(Vitale) "All of them. They all sound good."
(Vitale's wife orders out Chinese food)
Owen (Milwaukee)
Dick:What is your take on Marquette's loss to LSU? Is this a bad loss or an expected hick-up in a long season? Will this affect them in March seeding?
DV: Obviously it is tought o sustain the unblemished record. Turner was hot and LSU needed as win badly. This may help ge Marquette to refocus. Johnson-Odom was suspended the game before and it may have affected chemistry.
Great. It appears Vitale had a seizure on the keyboard, but he still managed to not answer the question. So how will this affect Marquette in March seeding?
That said, I want to add that the court down at LSU should be named after Dale Brown.
That's just great. I like how Vitale not only doesn't answer questions he is asked, but he manages to go off on topics no one asks or cares about. Brilliant.
Alex (Louisville)
Hey Dick! My cards sure did struggle against C of Cha, in your mind, are they a top 5 team?
DV: Right now they have earned that right. We will see whent hey face Georgetown and Kentucky. That is the type of game that will show if they are top 5. I disagree with you on the Charleston game, that is not cupcake city as Bobby Cremins has a very talented team.
No, College of Charleston isn't a cupcake team, but a Top 5 team should not struggle with College of Charleston at home.
Injuries to Blackshear and Marra have hurt too.
Let's add them to the "most important player" list with Barnes, Jones, Sullinger, and Lamb then.
Terry (Nashville)
Could it be the best team in the state of Tennessee is not Memphis, Vanderbilt or Tennessee but maybe Middle Tennessee State, baby! How about some love for the Blue Raiders!
DV: You can make that claim.
You could also make the claim humans are really the descendants of Xenu but that doesn't make it true nor a valid, fact-based claim.
Right now you could say Middle Tennessee State is up there and Kermit Davis' team just beat Mississippi. They beat UCLA out west too. In the end, I think it will be Memphis.
Memphis was the right answer. I'm glad we finally got there.
Jason (Ellicott City, MD)
Buy or sell Georgetown? Do they beat Memphis again tonight?
Again, two questions. Good luck getting one answered. Two questions? You are just pressing your luck. No whammies!
DV: The next few games will tell us more about the Hoyas.
Do you know what will tell us the most about the Hoyas? If Vitale could answer this question after the season is over. But, the question was asked as of right now, so why not answer it as of now rather than defer the answer? If you get paid to analyze and know college basketball, this should be an easy, opinion-based answer.
The rematch with Memphis and then the game against Louisville will tell us a lot.
How about you tell Jason from Maryland a lot right now, like if you think Georgetown can beat Memphis again? It defeats the purpose of a chat if you defer the answer to a question until after the game referred to in the question is played.
Dre Michigan [via mobile]
Is this the best Syracuse team since 03? An can they cut down the nets I'm march?
DV: This team should be number one right now but there are a lot of challenges ahead in the Big East.
Does ESPN tell their employees to not directly answer questions in a chat? This is the same kind of answer Joe Morgan would give in his chats (R.I.P. Joe Morgan ESPN.com chats).
This is a very good team and I had them in the top five in the preseason, so I am not surprised with the good start.
Unfortunately this response doesn't make sense when knowing the question asked. I can't help but wonder if Vitale is finally getting around to answering the question about whether he is surprised with Indiana's start. Actually, I shouldn't wonder this. The odds of Vitale actually paying attention to what he is doing during this chat is not very high. He is probably telling the moderator a 15 minute story about a dinner he had with Jamie Dixon two years ago and has no idea what question he was asked. He just saw Syracuse in the question and just started rambling out an answer.
Ryan (Albuquerque)
What do you think of the Ohio Bobcats win on Tuesday? they are 10-1 with only dropping a tight game to Louisville, is this team for real?
DV: John Groce has done a really good job there. Ohio almost beat Louisville in that game as it was a real defensive dogfight. The MAC has some quality teams and the Bobcats should be up there.
Yes, Ryan from Albuquerque mentioned in the question that the game against Louisville was a tight game. He probably would like an answer as to whether Ohio is for real or not.
joe (new jersey)
hey dickie v....Is seton hall for real this year? can they actually make the dance?
DV: I salute my alma mater. I was really thrilled earlier this season when I was honored won in Patterson, New Jersey and coach Kevin Willard presented me with a chair from the Pirates bench.
"Me, me, me. Let me tell you about me before I answer the question with a general, non-specific answer that will provide the questioner with zero information, while also offending no one. Me, me, me."
Herb Pope is experienced and a factor up front. The win over Dayton was a good one. I think the Hall could surprise some people in the Big East and finish above their preseason ranking in the conference.
Who cares whether Seton Hall can make the NCAA Tournament or not. They gave Dick Vitale a chair from the bench! That's all he cares about.
Jon (Victor, NY)
Any under-the-radar teams we should watch going into conference play? KSU strikes my eye, as does UVA and LSU.
DV: We will find out which teams are contenders and which are pretenders.
But Jon from Victor, New York wants to know NOW which teams are contenders and pretenders. Considering you get paid to be a college basketball analyst, I don't think this is a request that should be a terrible hardship upon your brain. There's no point in chatting or even getting paid to be an expert if the answers to questions only end up being, "We will find out later the answer to your question." Of course we'll find out later. We'll find out all the answers we want to know about college basketball after the season is over. Unfortunately, Vitale gets paid to be a college basketball analyst who should be able to provide answers right now to questions such as this.
Naturally, in grand ESPN fashion, their top college basketball analyst refuses to answer the question of which college basketball teams are contenders and pretenders.
Happy holidays to all of the fans out there. Ireally enjoy spending time with you doing these chats. I hope that Santa brings you all of the gifts you want.
What if the gift I want is for you to tell me who the college teams that are contenders and pretenders? So I guess I'm just screwed.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6 comments Let's Chat with Dick Vitale and Watch Him Lose Interest Quickly
I am a huge fan of college basketball. I am not a huge fan of Dick Vitale. He seems like a fantastic guy who does great charity work, treats people nicely and just seems like a fun guy to be around. Whereas a guy like Jay Bilas seems like the kind of guy who would take a piss in your coffee and then explain to you at length about why you are a such a piece of shit that you actually deserved to have this happen to you...most likely while quoting lyrics from Lil' Wayne's latest album. Personality aside, I much prefer to hear Bilas call a basketball game as compared to hearing Vitale scream at me while calling a game. So while Vitale seems like a great guy, he is the type of sports analyst I tend to detest for three (there's probably more, but I can't think of them right now) reasons.
1. Much of his "analysis" is merely him talking in glowing tones about a team/player/coach while yelling. It usually starts with a "He's a great kid," "Let me tell you, this guy is a Hall of Famer" followed by a catchphrase, more yelling while telling a drawn-out story, and then more comments like those which really don't seem to add much in-depth analysis to the game. You don't watch a college basketball game called by Dick Vitale and feel like he has contributed much substance to what was going on during the game. Your head my hurt though.
2. He is very easily distracted by his insistence on telling stories and getting off topic. Often times ESPN will put Vitale with Dan Shulman because Shulman has the poise and patience to get Vitale back on to the game at-hand. Still, at any point in the game you will hear multiple Vitale-led discussions about non-college basketball related items while the game is being played. Vitale does great charity work, but I don't need to hear about the conversation he had with Rick Barnes about an upcoming benefit while I am trying to watch a basketball game.
I know much of the charity stuff Dick Vitale pumps up is very, very important to him and to others, but I grow tired of the long conversations during games about these charity events. I don't want that type of thing on a constant basis from my basketball analysts. Mostly, it isn't the charity-plugging that bothers me, but the drawn-out stories that don't deal with the game.
3. The yelling. It kills me. I dislike Gus Johnson for his yelling, but in a different way. Vitale subscribes to the ESPN mantra of "If you say it loudly and yell into the camera that means you know what you are talking and really mean what you are saying." Vitale is the patron saint of this mantra. He lives it. Not to mention, Vitale is always pimping an upcoming game he is analyzing while the rest of us are trying to watch the current game he is analyzing. For me, while Vitale is a really, really, really nice guy he is also representative of the "all-show, no-substance" analysis that drives sports fans nuts about ESPN. But hey, he's a great guy.
So I noticed Dick Vitale is doing chats for ESPN.com. I have been trying to find a chat to cover and I really want to talk more about college basketball since I absolutely adore the sport. So let's get a feel for Vitale's inability to discuss basketball and his insistence on going off-topic while chatting. Let's start with the September 29th chat.
DV: I know this is supposed to be all about basketball, fans. But what a night for MLB last night. I was right there in Tampa in front of the Yankees dugout. I yelled into the Yankees dugout that the Red Sox lost. The place exploded in the stadium when the rest of the crowd got word. Evan Longoria is a PTP-er. I've been there from the beginning. I've had season tickets since the inception. I can't wait until 11/11/11 with UNC and Michigan State. Should be special.
This is the introduction to the chat. Here you see the ADD-type analysis that drives me crazy. He makes me look incredibly focused. In one paragraph we get the following jumping around from topic to topic:
I know this is supposed to be all about basketball, fans. But what a night for MLB last night.
It is about basketball and now we are talking baseball. Focus.
I was right there in Tampa in front of the Yankees dugout. I yelled into the Yankees dugout that the Red Sox lost. The place exploded in the stadium when the rest of the crowd got word.
He tells us he was there. Sort of interesting, yet not related to college basketball.
Evan Longoria is a PTP-er.
This is a generic, catchphrase-oriented compliment of Longoria that means so very little in terms of the conveyance of knowledge. Vitale isn't sure how to properly say how great a professional or college athlete is without using some sort of catchphrase.
I've been there from the beginning. I've had season tickets since the inception.
And now we are back to how Dick Vitale attended the Rays game.
I can't wait until 11/11/11 with UNC and Michigan State. Should be special.
Finally, careful of whiplash, we go all the way back around in the very next sentence to talk about a college basketball game occurring and how great it will be.
I would rank the moment last night as one of the top 5 moments in my life of witnessing a live sporting moment. It was so dramatic and a great win.
And now we immediately go back to talking about the Rays-Yankees game that clinched the Wild Card for the Rays. His basketball telecasts are very much the same, except pretend this information was yelled at you while you are trying to enjoy a basketball game.
MIKE (Cincy)
1 word describing Jared Sullinger?
DV: He's great.
I'll pretend the "he's" doesn't exist, so there we go, that's one wo---
He's a great, strong, powerful guy.
That's three words.
He's got leaner.
That's four words. It is also terrible grammar.
Meaner.
Five words. And how has Sullinger gotten meaner? Does he punch toddlers now just for the pure joy of seeing their faces while they cry? If so, that's probably what my face looks like while listening to Dick Vitale call a college basketball game.
Lee (Syracuse)
The very nice thing about the NBA lockout is we are getting a taste of what it was like in the old days when players stayed for 3 - 4 years. I miss it. So how many teams do you see as having a legitimate chance of winning the NCAA tournament this year?
DV: The thing about college basketball this year is the quality of teams, not just the quantity
That's correct, which is why Lee asked you which teams have a legitimate chance of winning the NCAA Tournament. In other words, which teams this year are quality teams.
Spoiler alert: We never really get an answer to this question, but we do find out what the newspaper in front of Dick Vitale is saying about the Rays' baseball game.
Jones in Kentucky, Jones at Baylor, Sullinger, Barnes.
Those are college basketball players, not college basketball teams.
When it gets down to it, there's usually about 15 teams that have a chance to win it.
So 15 teams then. I wish I knew what the name of these teams were and let's remember UConn was unranked going into the 10-11 season when believing there are 15 teams that have a chance to win the national title.
I've got Rays on my mind! I see all of these papers in front of me and I'm reading all of the headlines. I've got the New York Post. The St. Pete Times. The paper from Sarasota. A W for the Rays!
That's great! And also not college basketball-related.
Hoops season will be right around the corner. But right now, I have baseball fever. I hope the Rays can keep playing. I'm doing double duty on Monday. I'm going to see the Rays in the playoffs and then the Bucs and Colts on Monday Night Football!
I am sure everyone has heard Dick Vitale call a game, but this is a pretty good indication of how unfocused he gets. He also doesn't tell us why a great play is happening on the court, he yells and then tells us how great that play was to see. Superior analysts to Vitale explain what the viewer just saw and why the viewer saw what he/she saw.
Now onto the October 6th chat, where we get an all-important follow-up on how the Rays are doing and find out where Vitale will be speaking that weekend. Also, in his spare time he talks about college basketball.
Thomas (Missou fan)
How big a loss was Bowers to the Tigers?
DV: Any time you lose a starter who averages double figures in scoring you don't want to lose his chemistry.
Well, you also don't want to lose a guy who scores in the double figures, regardless if he has great chemistry or not.
Missouri wants to go to a hgiher level this season, more than just making the tournament, they want to go a lot further,
I guess this is as opposed to the college basketball teams that are looking to regress and want to see if they can go from having a winning record to a losing record or go from making the NCAA to being knocked out in the first round of the NIT.
Scott (Johnson)
Who is the best college player that you ever saw play? They didn't necessarily have to be a success in the NBA, but they could have been.
DV: Wow, that is a good question. If we are talking prior to ESPN,
Whoa, whoa. "Prior to ESPN?" Was there even sports prior to ESPN? Didn't ESPN invent sports?
Sarcasm aside, I find it hilarious when asked who was the best college player he ever saw, Vitale wants to know if this questioner is talking before or after Vitale joined ESPN. It is as if Vitale may believe anything he saw prior to joining the Mothership did not exist and would not count as an answer to this question.
I would say Oscar Robertson.
YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM PLAY WHILE AT ESPN! IT DOESN'T COUNT!
Tom (The Bronx)
down by 1 who are you giving the ball to, Kemba or Laettner?
Really? Like Vitale is going to answer Kemba. I'm just surprised he didn't name Laettner the greatest basketball player he ever saw.
DV: I love Laettner. I know Kemba was terrific, but Christian Laettner was so tough and he made so many big plays.
Like stepping on a player's chest and magically not getting hit with a technical or being ejected from the game for this act. Laettner was a magician on the court!
I'm pretty sure Laettner knifed Jamal Mashburn under the basket one time and ended up getting to shoot two foul shots while Mashburn was thrown out of the game.
If you don't believe me, go ask the fans at Kentucky about the play he made against them, baby!
Or you could watch the replay that gets shown 10,000 times every year. I'm just saying you may not want to ask Kentucky fans about Laettner. That's like threatening a UNC Tar Heel fan with destroying the picture of him and Tyler Hansbrough that one time Hansbrough came by for a house party and “was real chill and cool the entire time.” The anger in the response isn't worth the question.
Meka (East Lansing,Michgan)
How will roe not playing bball affect the Spartans
1. Much of his "analysis" is merely him talking in glowing tones about a team/player/coach while yelling. It usually starts with a "He's a great kid," "Let me tell you, this guy is a Hall of Famer" followed by a catchphrase, more yelling while telling a drawn-out story, and then more comments like those which really don't seem to add much in-depth analysis to the game. You don't watch a college basketball game called by Dick Vitale and feel like he has contributed much substance to what was going on during the game. Your head my hurt though.
2. He is very easily distracted by his insistence on telling stories and getting off topic. Often times ESPN will put Vitale with Dan Shulman because Shulman has the poise and patience to get Vitale back on to the game at-hand. Still, at any point in the game you will hear multiple Vitale-led discussions about non-college basketball related items while the game is being played. Vitale does great charity work, but I don't need to hear about the conversation he had with Rick Barnes about an upcoming benefit while I am trying to watch a basketball game.
I know much of the charity stuff Dick Vitale pumps up is very, very important to him and to others, but I grow tired of the long conversations during games about these charity events. I don't want that type of thing on a constant basis from my basketball analysts. Mostly, it isn't the charity-plugging that bothers me, but the drawn-out stories that don't deal with the game.
3. The yelling. It kills me. I dislike Gus Johnson for his yelling, but in a different way. Vitale subscribes to the ESPN mantra of "If you say it loudly and yell into the camera that means you know what you are talking and really mean what you are saying." Vitale is the patron saint of this mantra. He lives it. Not to mention, Vitale is always pimping an upcoming game he is analyzing while the rest of us are trying to watch the current game he is analyzing. For me, while Vitale is a really, really, really nice guy he is also representative of the "all-show, no-substance" analysis that drives sports fans nuts about ESPN. But hey, he's a great guy.
So I noticed Dick Vitale is doing chats for ESPN.com. I have been trying to find a chat to cover and I really want to talk more about college basketball since I absolutely adore the sport. So let's get a feel for Vitale's inability to discuss basketball and his insistence on going off-topic while chatting. Let's start with the September 29th chat.
DV: I know this is supposed to be all about basketball, fans. But what a night for MLB last night. I was right there in Tampa in front of the Yankees dugout. I yelled into the Yankees dugout that the Red Sox lost. The place exploded in the stadium when the rest of the crowd got word. Evan Longoria is a PTP-er. I've been there from the beginning. I've had season tickets since the inception. I can't wait until 11/11/11 with UNC and Michigan State. Should be special.
This is the introduction to the chat. Here you see the ADD-type analysis that drives me crazy. He makes me look incredibly focused. In one paragraph we get the following jumping around from topic to topic:
I know this is supposed to be all about basketball, fans. But what a night for MLB last night.
It is about basketball and now we are talking baseball. Focus.
I was right there in Tampa in front of the Yankees dugout. I yelled into the Yankees dugout that the Red Sox lost. The place exploded in the stadium when the rest of the crowd got word.
He tells us he was there. Sort of interesting, yet not related to college basketball.
Evan Longoria is a PTP-er.
This is a generic, catchphrase-oriented compliment of Longoria that means so very little in terms of the conveyance of knowledge. Vitale isn't sure how to properly say how great a professional or college athlete is without using some sort of catchphrase.
I've been there from the beginning. I've had season tickets since the inception.
And now we are back to how Dick Vitale attended the Rays game.
I can't wait until 11/11/11 with UNC and Michigan State. Should be special.
Finally, careful of whiplash, we go all the way back around in the very next sentence to talk about a college basketball game occurring and how great it will be.
I would rank the moment last night as one of the top 5 moments in my life of witnessing a live sporting moment. It was so dramatic and a great win.
And now we immediately go back to talking about the Rays-Yankees game that clinched the Wild Card for the Rays. His basketball telecasts are very much the same, except pretend this information was yelled at you while you are trying to enjoy a basketball game.
MIKE (Cincy)
1 word describing Jared Sullinger?
DV: He's great.
I'll pretend the "he's" doesn't exist, so there we go, that's one wo---
He's a great, strong, powerful guy.
That's three words.
He's got leaner.
That's four words. It is also terrible grammar.
Meaner.
Five words. And how has Sullinger gotten meaner? Does he punch toddlers now just for the pure joy of seeing their faces while they cry? If so, that's probably what my face looks like while listening to Dick Vitale call a college basketball game.
Lee (Syracuse)
The very nice thing about the NBA lockout is we are getting a taste of what it was like in the old days when players stayed for 3 - 4 years. I miss it. So how many teams do you see as having a legitimate chance of winning the NCAA tournament this year?
DV: The thing about college basketball this year is the quality of teams, not just the quantity
That's correct, which is why Lee asked you which teams have a legitimate chance of winning the NCAA Tournament. In other words, which teams this year are quality teams.
Spoiler alert: We never really get an answer to this question, but we do find out what the newspaper in front of Dick Vitale is saying about the Rays' baseball game.
Jones in Kentucky, Jones at Baylor, Sullinger, Barnes.
Those are college basketball players, not college basketball teams.
When it gets down to it, there's usually about 15 teams that have a chance to win it.
So 15 teams then. I wish I knew what the name of these teams were and let's remember UConn was unranked going into the 10-11 season when believing there are 15 teams that have a chance to win the national title.
I've got Rays on my mind! I see all of these papers in front of me and I'm reading all of the headlines. I've got the New York Post. The St. Pete Times. The paper from Sarasota. A W for the Rays!
That's great! And also not college basketball-related.
Hoops season will be right around the corner. But right now, I have baseball fever. I hope the Rays can keep playing. I'm doing double duty on Monday. I'm going to see the Rays in the playoffs and then the Bucs and Colts on Monday Night Football!
I am sure everyone has heard Dick Vitale call a game, but this is a pretty good indication of how unfocused he gets. He also doesn't tell us why a great play is happening on the court, he yells and then tells us how great that play was to see. Superior analysts to Vitale explain what the viewer just saw and why the viewer saw what he/she saw.
Now onto the October 6th chat, where we get an all-important follow-up on how the Rays are doing and find out where Vitale will be speaking that weekend. Also, in his spare time he talks about college basketball.
Thomas (Missou fan)
How big a loss was Bowers to the Tigers?
DV: Any time you lose a starter who averages double figures in scoring you don't want to lose his chemistry.
Well, you also don't want to lose a guy who scores in the double figures, regardless if he has great chemistry or not.
Missouri wants to go to a hgiher level this season, more than just making the tournament, they want to go a lot further,
I guess this is as opposed to the college basketball teams that are looking to regress and want to see if they can go from having a winning record to a losing record or go from making the NCAA to being knocked out in the first round of the NIT.
Scott (Johnson)
Who is the best college player that you ever saw play? They didn't necessarily have to be a success in the NBA, but they could have been.
DV: Wow, that is a good question. If we are talking prior to ESPN,
Whoa, whoa. "Prior to ESPN?" Was there even sports prior to ESPN? Didn't ESPN invent sports?
Sarcasm aside, I find it hilarious when asked who was the best college player he ever saw, Vitale wants to know if this questioner is talking before or after Vitale joined ESPN. It is as if Vitale may believe anything he saw prior to joining the Mothership did not exist and would not count as an answer to this question.
I would say Oscar Robertson.
YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM PLAY WHILE AT ESPN! IT DOESN'T COUNT!
Tom (The Bronx)
down by 1 who are you giving the ball to, Kemba or Laettner?
Really? Like Vitale is going to answer Kemba. I'm just surprised he didn't name Laettner the greatest basketball player he ever saw.
DV: I love Laettner. I know Kemba was terrific, but Christian Laettner was so tough and he made so many big plays.
Like stepping on a player's chest and magically not getting hit with a technical or being ejected from the game for this act. Laettner was a magician on the court!
I'm pretty sure Laettner knifed Jamal Mashburn under the basket one time and ended up getting to shoot two foul shots while Mashburn was thrown out of the game.
If you don't believe me, go ask the fans at Kentucky about the play he made against them, baby!
Or you could watch the replay that gets shown 10,000 times every year. I'm just saying you may not want to ask Kentucky fans about Laettner. That's like threatening a UNC Tar Heel fan with destroying the picture of him and Tyler Hansbrough that one time Hansbrough came by for a house party and “was real chill and cool the entire time.” The anger in the response isn't worth the question.
Meka (East Lansing,Michgan)
How will roe not playing bball affect the Spartans
DV: A lot of guys have gone down alreayd and injries change rotations. I just did a piece on ESPN.com on that. I feel Roe will be successful int he most important game of all, the game of life.
I disagree. I think the important game of all is actually the game of Scrabble. It teaches you new words, as well as prepares you for the future inevitability of meeting someone who succeeds in excelling in life despite the fact he/she is only able to spell four or five letter words.
Brian (Virginia)
Hey Dickie V! I was wondering your thoughts in Virginia's Cavaliers this year in the ACC? With Mike Scott back and Tony Bennett getting this team moving in the right direction....could they be in the NCAA tourney this season?
Just as a note. Virginia is my sleeper in the ACC this year. When they go 22-10 and end up with a #5 seed or better in the NCAA Tournament, I am not going to be surprised. They have a soft-ish schedule, the return of a stud player (Scott), good freshman class and run a loose version of the Princeton offense. I think that puts Virginia 3rd in the ACC this year.
DV: They can be up here in the mix for number three in the ACC. We know North Carolina and Duke will bve 1-2.
Well, of course. That’s a given. There’s no need for an actual debate about this since the only two teams that matter in the ACC are North Carolina and Duke, so we’ll just give them the 1-2 spots automatically without thinking.
In reality, we don’t know North Carolina and Duke will be 1-2 in the ACC. It very well may happen, but Duke has very little senior leadership, a team full of freshmen and sophomores playing important roles off the bench, questionable point guard play and no inside game. I can see Virginia being #2 in the ACC this year in a certain scenario or two. They probably won’t be, but we don’t “know” the final standings of the ACC yet. Let's not assume we do.
They could be up there with Florida State, Virginia Tech, Miami, Clemson, etc. for number three in the league.
So basically the entire ACC could be #3 in the ACC? Thanks for the help.
Rick (Champaign-Urbana baby!)
How much pressure is there on Bruce Weber this season? I think the Illini will surprise some people.
DV: He is a throwback who loves to coach, to be in the gym and work with kids. Jereme Richmond came in last year and never materialized
(Insert joke by Illini fans about Richmond being a ghost. They heard he was going to be really good, but he was invisible most of the year.)
and then went into the NBA and was no drafted.
(Dick Vitale) “Jereme Richmond you no drafted. You go oversea and play the basketball. You no get to be basketball player in United of States. Diaper Dandy you no be!”
Jarred (Kansas)
Dick, you know you can't have a chat without having a KU question. Where do you see the Hawks in the Big 12 standings when it's all said and done?
DV: I think the one thiong you have to respect is their pride and tradition. They will be tough to beat at the Phog.
So where do you see the Jayhawks in the Big 12 standings?
They may not be as talented as some Kansas teams of the past, but they will contend in the Big 12. I love Thomas Robinson and feel he will have a really super season. Bill Self has done a great job in Lawrence
So, where do you see the Jayhawks in the Big 12 standings? How about answering the question?
and the fans will be chanting rock, chalk, Jayhawk for another winning team this season.
Oh that’s great, baby! You didn’t even come close to answering the question.
Jake (Harlem)
Dick, from what you've seen how good can this Drummond kid be when all is said and done?
Andre Drummond signed with UConn and is an early-entry freshmen who is being compared to Dwight Howard. I'm bet everyone knows this, but I'm never sure how many people follow recruiting.
DV: Based on reports I am getting from people I respect, he will have a big impact.
I have a slight problem with this statement, because it is clear Vitale doesn't know much about Drummond. This is a great example of Vitale’s commitment to style and not substance. This chat was done on October 6th. When Vitale was asked from what he’s seen on Drummond and what does he think of him, Vitale said “based on reports from people he respects” he thinks Drummond will have a big impact. So he hasn’t seen Drummond play. Other than the fact he is a college basketball analyst and probably should follow recruiting a little bit more closely, this wouldn't normally be a huge issue.
But...on September 14, Vitale wrote a column for ESPN titled “Dozen Dazzling Diaper Dandies” and had Drummond #1 on that list with a brief scouting report (Even the title of the column is style to reflect on the lack of substance). How does he know Drummond is a solid passer for a big man if he hasn’t seen him play and is relying on others to tell him this? I understand he can’t see every high school player play, but this is the best freshman in the nation according to Dick Vitale, wouldn’t it make sense to see him play or have some first-hand knowledge of his game before ranking him? How can Vitale rank Drummond or even put him on the list if he knows next to nothing about Drummond?
So Vitale raves and gives Drummond compliments, but he is just basing all of his analysis on what other people have told him. This is the #1 college basketball analyst for ESPN. He hears what other people tell him and then parrots what they have already said, except he yells and uses catchphrases to describe the player because he hasn’t seen the guy play yet. This is a great example of ESPN’s style over substance. Who cares if the analysis is correct or if the person giving the analysis knows what he is talking about? Look how certain Vitale is in giving the analysis! That's all that matters to ESPN.
Think about how much we (or I would) would criticize Joe Morgan if he said positive things about a baseball player and then said he hasn’t seen the guy play yet.
To add to my frustration look at Vitale's entire "Diaper Dandy" list compared to ESPNU's Top 100 high school prospects.
Vitale names twelve top freshman and every single one of them is in the Top 14 on ESPNU's list of 100 prospects. How lazy. He just moves the rankings around a bit. Of the two in the Top 100 that aren't included on Vitale's list, Quincy Miller and PJ Hairston, Hairston is mentioned in the column as also being able to contribute this year. This along with #15, #17, and #18 on the Top 100 are also mentioned as being able to contribute this year by Vitale. That's fine if he doesn't know much about high school players, but don't pretend you do have knowledge by essentially re-ordering a list already available to you or anyone else with an Internet connection.
Drummond can defend, pass inside and is an instant impact diaper dandy.
Or as Dick hears it this is what Drummond can do. If you get paid to have knowledge and give analysis about a player then your analysis should include more than second-hand knowledge and analysis based on a general scouting report.
Mark (Nashville)
If Vandy beats UK for the SEC title would that be considered an upset? Vandy is pretty legit and might have more talent than KY?
Well, Vandy does not have more talent than Kentucky. Vandy is going to be a pretty good team, but Kentucky has way more talent than Vandy. I would consider Vandy beating Kentucky for the SEC title to be somewhat of an upset. I'm not saying they can't do it, but they don't have more talent than Kentucky and it would be a bit of an upset if they won the SEC title.
I cannot wait for this weekend. I am speaking at a convention in Indianpolis on Saturday and one in Sioux City on Sunday.
I’m guessing Vitale will be speaking very loudly, will say a lot of things, jump around topics constantly, and then as the attendees are leaving they will realize they can’t remember anything of substance Vitale said.
I bet this is the format for Dick Vitale’s speeches:
“I’m excited for (Topic). It will be great. (Generic brief mention of topic) (Generic brief mention of specific person involved with topic) (Ends with a catchphrase) (Moves onto next topic).”
Now for the October 13th chat.
Great to be back with you. I have to get something off my chest and it is not basketgball.
There’s a shock.
I am sick and tired about reading about prima donnas showing no respect for the uniform.
I know this rash of amateur strippers who can't stay in character for more than five minutes are really giving the professional strippers who stay in character as a “policewoman” or “nurse” a really bad name. I couldn’t agree more.
If it is true that several Red Sox drank beer and played video games during games, that is embarrassing and humiliating to Red Sox nation.
“I’m not sure if this is true, but it will not stop me from overreacting to the situation immediately upon hearing this information.”
Guys like Beckett and Lackey have got to be kidding. There is something called professionalism.
“Oh yeah, they should have shown some professionalism. You should see the preview for my newest Hooters commercial. It’s terrific and awesome with a capital T&A baby!”
Mark (Nashville)
Vandy beat North Carolina last season. They both have everyone returning. Why is North Carolina preseason higher than Vandy (i know it doesnt matter) and i think Vandy would go into chapel hill and win by 10 this year if they played.
This is the same Mark that seems to think Vandy has more talent than Kentucky has. Clearly, his ability to view his favorite team through a neutral and unbiased point of view doesn’t exist. I don’t usually focus on the questioners, but I have to tackle this one.
Vandy beat North Carolina last season.
That was last season. Not this season. North Carolina finished better in the NCAA Tournament than Vandy did last year and both teams have everyone returning, including North Carolina adding two Top 20 recruits.
Why is North Carolina preseason higher than Vandy (i know it doesnt matter
Because North Carolina is going to win the National Championship and Vandy isn’t going to win the National Championship. That’s why North Carolina is ranked higher…and you clearly do think preseason rankings matter or you wouldn’t be asking this question.
i think Vandy would go into chapel hill and win by 10 this year if they played.
You also think Vandy has more talent than Kentucky has, which pretty much makes your opinion completely void due to an overwhelming bias towards your favorite team. There’s no way Vandy beats North Carolina by any amount this year at home, on the road or on the moon. North Carolina is loaded and I won't put Vandy in the same discussion as North Carolina until they prove to me they should be there. Talk to me after the Xavier and Louisville games.
Joe (NYC)
How good is UConn and do they have a real shot to repeat?
DV: Yes absolutely. UConn is right with the heavyweights and they may have more talent than last year even with Kemba. Andre Drummond has a ton of potential and one coach told me he has Alonzo Mourning type of potential.
A coach told Dick Vitale this because Vitale doesn’t know enough about Drummond to say anything of substance about him, though he does “know” enough about Drummond to put him as one of the top freshmen in the country…based on information other people have given him of course.
I want to go back and say this about Francona...
Ah yes, the lack of ability to focus on the one topic at-hand.
tim (West Caldwell,, NJ)
Hi Dick, have been a big fan following you when you were in Detriot! Can you tell me your views on how Mark Tuergon is doing at Maryland.
DV: He had a big signing but he has big shoes to fill replacing Gary Williams. I am thrilled they are naming the courts after him.
Answering a question about Turgeon with an answer about Gary Williams. These are a trademark of a Vitale broadcast. During a Maryland-Georgetown game there is a guaranteed 10 minute discussion on Gary Williams and John Thompson (the first) at the expense of what is happening during the game.
Turgeon is a winner from the day he stepped on the floor at Kansas, did a good job at Txas A&M and now he has to perform on the big stage. I am thrilled that we are honoring Gary, Jay Wright and Lou Holtz at our Dickie V gala next year, for details go to dickvitaleonline.com
Where do I go for details on the question that was asked of you? You know, your view on how Turgeon is doing at Maryland? Also, how is Kansas and Texas A&M not “the big stage?”
Ted (NYC)
Do you think some of the kids who went into the draft early are sorry now that the lockout is costing them games?
DV: I am sure they are a little upset because they want to play. They made the decision and you cannot look back in life. You cannot sit there and waste energy and time worrying about what you could and should have done.
Great advice, let’s move onto the next que---
By the way, I am really honored to be nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. That is where I grew up as a young guy. So many great people come from there, and if anyone wants to vote go to www.njhalloffame.comHelp me, the competition is tough baby!
This is another part of Dick Vitale that irritates me. The self-promotion aspect of his personality. I don't really consider him necessarily an analyst, but more of a personality calling a basketball game. Sometimes I think he believes we are as interested in Dick Vitale as he is in himself. Of course, this is part of how ESPN sets him up, as a personality in college basketball, not necessarily an expert on college basketball. It’s all about the style over substance. ESPN isn't a sports company, but an entertainment company after all.
Ok, enough ranting. Onto the ne---
Not bad, 10 Hall of Fames and I cannot run and jump and have a body by linguine. Get me to 200,000 followers on Twitter, baby!
Vitale’s job with ESPN at this point is to advertise the Vitale-brand.
Believe me, college basketball will be bigger and better than ever this season with the return of stars like Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones III and Terrence Jones. It will be awesome, baby with a capital A!
Another catchphrase! Yippee….
Dick Vitale is a really, really nice guy though. Really, really nice. Still, a lot of what his quest to be a “personality” encompasses is what I find wrong with ESPN and sports in general.
Friday, August 7, 2009
12 comments Prediction Friday
I like to make predictions, and fortunately so do many sportswriters, which gives me an opportunity to not only mock them but give my opinion and solicit other opinions at the same time. Sportswriters like John Lopez also like to make predictions based on what people think are the "trendy" picks in the NFL.
Though I would argue with some of these picks being "trendy" because generally the sportswriters tend to cover the teams extensively and then because they as sportswriters think the teams will be good, just go ahead and label that team "trendy" even if it is one person's opinion and not an actual trend. I will try to ignore this and carry on.
This is my first chance before this upcoming season to do a little NFL discussing. Let's see what John Lopez thinks is "trendy."
The trendy pick: A Cowboys Super Bowl run?
I think predicting the Cowboys to make the Super Bowl is pushing it just a little bit. I think the Cowboys could win a playoff game this year, which for them would be an accomplishment since it hasn't happened since 1996 (yes, I keep bringing this up because my area is full of the annoying kind of Cowboys fans).
I do believe in addition by subtraction and I think many of the distractions being gone and the fact the Cowboys still have a talented and fairly deep team could land them second place in the NFC East. Super Bowl run? I don't believe that is happening. Of course I am the same person who called the Pittsburgh offense "boring and predictable," or something to that effect but meant it in a good way in my AFC preview, so believe me if you dare.
So will it happen?
Not likely. The Cowboys should be better and have first-rate talent, but even if everything goes swimmingly, it would be hard to pass the Giants and Eagles.
I am not as on the Eagles bandwagon as everyone else (Peter King) seems to be. I like LeSean McCoy and thought he should have gone higher in the draft over guys like Donald Brown and Beanie Wells, but they are relying on some really young receivers to carry the load in a tough division. I am not even counting the impact of the loss of Jim Johnson, Brian Dawkins, and Stewart Bradley on defense. Throw in the fact Donovan McNabb has an injury history and with him missing a couple games I can see the Cowboys sliding into the #2 spot in the competitive NFC East.
The trendy pick: The Chargers (for the 9,786th time), could win it all.
Not to go Bill Simmons on everyone, but this is not happening while Norv Turner is the head coach. He is a great offensive coordinator but he is not a great head coach. I think the Chargers have enough firepower and play in a crappy enough division to where they could get a bye week for the playoffs but I don't enough faith they could go much further than that. I want to like the combination of mighty mite Darren Sproles and Tomlinson but I don't believe Sproles can handle carrying the ball 15 times a game and I am not sure how much Tomlinson has left in him. I see the running game as a bit of a mystery this year (Of course since it is another contract year for Sproles he will prove me wrong by gaining 3,000 total yards).
So, will it happen?
Yes. This time, yes. The Chargers could finally get over the hump. Ultimately, players make the biggest difference, and while the Steelers, Patriots and Colts are deservedly favored, San Diego's talent takes a backseat to no one.
Players do make the biggest difference as seen last year when the Steelers and Cardinals clearly had the most talented teams in the NFL (Waiting for everyone to get my sarcasm). San Diego's talent may not take a backseat to anyone and Chris Chambers may rebound from a subpar year last year but I just don't see the Chargers getting over the hump. They seem like a team that will just never be able to put it all together in one season and win a Super Bowl. They have the talent but lack the coaching and some weird intangible I can't put my finger on.
The trendy pick: The 49ers will make a glorious return under Mike Singletary
Return to what? That would be my question. Respectability? Not if they are planning on starting Alex Smith at the QB position. Everyone loves Patrick Willis and I think Shaun Hill can get the job done at QB if given the chance, unfortunately in the NFL having strength at the offensive and defensive lines is especially important and the 49ers have neither. The offensive line is mediocre and they really don't have any one who can rush the passer. Throw in the fact Michael Crabtree is threatening to not sign a contract and enter the 2010 draft and it doesn't seem like their year to make a "glorious return" to anything.
So, will it happen?
No way. Singletary deserved this chance he's gotten, but too many things are stacked against him. He'll get this club playing good football and toughen it up, but by midseason, expect a big crash.
The fact he is inheriting a bad team that has wasted high draft picks on average players like Manny Lawson, Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Kentwan Balmer, and Rashaun Woods hasn't helped the team at all. I can see the 49ers being better than last year but I don't know if 2nd/3rd place in the NFC West qualifies as a glorious return.
The trendy pick: The Texans are headed to the playoffs
I do see this happening this year actually. Just for right now, and this could change due to injuries or some other unforseen circumstance, I see the playoffs as the Texans, Colts, Steelers, Patriots, San Diego, and Bills. My biggest question about the Texans is their ability to run the ball but I think Steve Slaton is going to have a good year and the Texan defense is bound to be pretty good with some of the good young players they have, even if they weren't very good last year.
So, will it happen?
Yes, print those playoff tickets, Texans fans. Matt Schaub is due a full, healthy season. And when he's on the field, nobody stops this offense.
I don't know if a quarterback is actually ever "due" a healthy season but Schaub is bound to stay healthier this year than last year, though if he does get hurt, I am calling all bets off. We all know from Peter's King brilliant analysis that Dan Orlovsky won't be able to handle the load. The defense needs to step up a little more to get this done, which I believe will happen. Every year someone says the Texans will make it to the playoffs and this year it just happens to be true.
The trendy pick: The Chiefs are on their way back.
Again, this is sort of a vague statement. The Chiefs will be back at some point and as bad as they were last year, they can't go anywhere else but up at this point. Plus they have Matty Icccccccce 1 (or 2, I can't remember which one Matt Ryan is). Everyone knows that good teams give quarterbacks who have had one good year in the NFL, with a team that has successfully plugged players in the system and then watched them leave and do nothing, huge new contracts. That's what good teams do right? They commit themselves long term to guys who have had one good year and no prior track record other than that.
Throw in the fact Todd Haley has a history of getting into sideline arguments with his players and it took him three quarters to open up the offense in the Super Bowl and I even have major questions about the coaching staff.
Of course the Chiefs are on their way back, they can't get much lower, but I don't think it is going to be this year or next year and I don't even know if Matt Cassel is the guy to do it.
So, will it happen?
Nope. It's just asking too much. The Chiefs have cleared some cap space, but they are at least four or five years away.
That's just an ignorant statement. If Todd Haley and Scott Pioli are the guys to turn this around they will have it turned around in less time than that. If they are not the guys to do it, then it may take longer, but there is no way these guys stick around if it takes 4 years to turn the team around and make them respectable again. They will be fired before that point. The Dolphins turned their team around in one year last year and the Panthers went from 1-15 to the Super Bowl in two years. Four or five years is an incredible amount of time in the NFL and this regime won't get that long to turn it around.
The trendy pick: The Bears are going to shock the NFL world.
And have a receiver that catches more than 40 passes or one that exceeds 600 yards receiving? All kidding aside, the Jay Cutler trade has really given Bears fans hope. I am here to knock some of that hope down. The offensive line is just a huge question mark, the defense has gotten old over the past two seasons, and I just don't know who is supposed to catch the ball for them.
I think the defense can turn it around and will do so, the offensive line helped Forte last year have a great rookie season, but I still don't know how this is going to work with the complete lack of receivers for Cutler. Cutler is a great QB but he also has had some good receivers to throw the ball to and an absolutely great offensive line in Denver. Orlando Pace doesn't have too much left in him and I wonder how Cutler will play without great time to throw the ball and great receivers to throw the ball to.
So, will it happen?
Yup. Fear the Bears in 2009. I'm not saying Super Bowl, but if Cutler has any receiver step up, good things will happen.
I did like Earl Bennett coming out of Vanderbilt but the fact he couldn't find the field last year for the Bears make me nervous for his prospects this year. I don't know if the Bears are good enough to win the division and I don't think one of the Wild Cards is coming from this division either. The Bears can win the division and they will as long as a receiver other than Hester steps up, the defense doesn't keep going backwards and the offensive line gives Cutler the time he is used to in throwing. That seems like a lot to have happen but the division is for the taking.
The Vikings flirted with Brett Favre for a reason. And the Packers playing footsy with Michael Vick? Not exactly a confidence-booster.
I don't think the off season moves by the other teams in the division mean necessarily these teams fear the Bears. I know John Lopez is not saying they will make the Super Bowl but the Bears couldn't make the playoffs last year when the Packers stunk and the Lions did not win a game. I know the addition of Cutler is supposed to be the thing that gets the Bears over the hump, but I can't ignore the defense's slow decline and the fact the O-line is a bit of a mystery for them.
-Back to Michael Crabtree. I am going to try and be as impolite as possible about this. What the hell is he thinking?
Per a league source, agent Eugene Parker is telling the 49ers that Crabtree will sit out the season and re-enter the draft in 2010, unless the team gives Crabtree what he wants.
Michael Crabtree is a damn idiot. This is the NFL, not high school or college where there are only a couple guys who know exactly what the hell they are doing. Not to mention he is a rookie receiver, which is a position that has seemed to have quite a learning curve in the past. He needs to get his ass on the field and start to play football. He's an idiot. He can be replaced in a heartbeat...even on a team that is not great like the 49ers.
I defended Crabtree when he came out of the draft because I thought he was the best receiver available and didn't get it when people talked about character issues he has. Now I get it. The worst part is that his agents haven't even made a fucking offer to the 49ers yet! I can't use exclamation points enough for this. Rookies need to sign and get on the field to play with their team.
Rookies in the NFL aren't special anymore and there are 10 other guys who can do exactly what you can as a rookie (in most cases). There's no difference in $42 million guaranteed and $48 million guaranteed but there is a huge difference in starting the season on the second unit on the depth chart and starting the season in the starting lineup. Throw in the fact he had a major-ish surgery before the draft, which may or may not have caused his stock to drop, and it is clear to me he needs to get on the field and play football.
Let him sit out the entire year and entire the draft. It's clear he and his agent haven't thought this through. The 49ers hold his rights until Draft Day. That means he can't go to the Combine again or do anything football related with other teams. He can do it on his own and let the media attend or he can send out in a press release what happened but he can't work for other teams and if a team is going to draft him, especially after he showed what an asshole he can be and his injury this past year, they are going to want to watch him play.
Michael Crabtree could very well be a great receiver but I am a firm believer a rookie has more to lose than to gain by holding out of training camp, especially a rookie wide receiver. The NFL isn't easy and it is important to be in training camp adjusting to the speed of the game. The 49ers may be desperate and give him a chance once (or if) he signs a contract to play with the first team but he has to learn the playbook and be out there with his teammates. He has the prima donna part of being an NFL receiver down, but now he just needs to prove he can actually play. He's an idiot right now though.
-I know from previous experience here that I seem to be one of the few people who cares about NCAA college basketball but that is not going to stop me from commenting on it. Dick Vitale has his preseason Top 40. Why Top 40 instead of Top 25 or Top 50? Because it is Dick Vitale and he does things his way I guess. I have gotten to the point I can't hear him call a game anymore because he spends so much time talking about other topics not related to college basketball, it is just annoying.
I have some problems with his preseason predictions...I admittedly am a little bit of a snob about college basketball. I don't know it all, because no one does, but I feel like I have a firm enough grasp of it to make predictions and be semi-accurate. Last year I predicted UNC would win the National Championship back in July 2008 (I said no one should beat them for the upcoming year, it's really the same thing I guess) and I basically beat the drum for them all year. That's a lot of pressure for me this year to predict correctly again.
1. Kansas:
I know everyone is awaiting my choice for National Champion but it is not as clear cut for me this year. If I had to choose right now, I would say Kansas is my choice, simply because they have experience at PG, a big man to rebound and control the paint and two athletic wing players in Henry and Taylor. It's a formula for success in college basketball. A lot of people talk about depth being important, but it is not as important if you have starters you can trust to not get tired or foul out. Kansas has a couple of guys off the bench they can count on and that's all you need to win a National Championship.
2. Kentucky
Putting aside the fact I hate Kentucky and John Calipari, I will try to be neutral. They have A LOT of talent on that roster and a lot of young talent, which sometimes can be a bad thing. I think #2 is a bit high for them because on some nights they are going to be on and other nights I can see them being a mess. I just don't know how they are going to keep all those players happy and give them shots. Calipari will find a way I am sure. I think the best part of the year will be to see the mass exodus of players from Kentucky to the NBA. Just off the top of my head Cousins, Wall, Patterson, and very possibly Daniel Orton will go pro.
3. Michigan State
They are not an elite team this year. I believe they overachieved last year and I see them as being more of a #8-#15 team. Of course I also didn't see them making the National Championship game last year.
5. Duke:
Same thing for these guys. They are consistently over ranked because people look at the name. They still have no big men, don't have a tough rebounding type player on the roster and have three total guards on the roster worth even putting on the floor, and one of them is a freshman and none are point guards. I would put them in the top 5 if they either had a big man worth a crap or a point guard at all on the roster. The fact is they don't, so Dick Vitale needs to quit jumping on the bandwagon, stop over ranking Duke, and face reality.
(One reason I hate the Interwebs, I wrote this last night and today the Big Lead put this up. They are much more widely read so it looks like I am copying them by saying this. How dare two people have the same point of view. This is America dammit!)
7. Villanova:
I love this team this year and would move them up into the top 5 in the preseason rankings. This is my #3 team in the country. They kept Stokes, Fisher, and Reynolds around and have a top 5 recruiting class coming in. Size may be a bit of a problem because the little skill size they have are freshmen but I really, really like this team. If you put a gun to my head I would say I have Villanova and Kansas in the National Championship game.
8. North Carolina:
Schedule them for a National Championship in two more years. The talent is still there this year and I think this is the right spot for them, they just need more experience.
10. Illinois:
11. Michigan:
I think Michigan deserves this spot but Illinois is over ranked here. Put them at #20 at the maximum because they had a good, not great class this past year. I don't see Illinois making this much noise this year even in a fairly weak Big 10.
15. Florida State:
This team has height on the roster to spare and that height has athleticism and talent. I do question whether Leonard Hamilton is the right coach. He let his team stand around and watch Toney Douglas a little bit too much last year. I would push FSU to #18-#20 for the year. Dick Vitale always over ranks ACC teams.
17. Syracuse
18. Mississippi State
I actually don't love Syracuse as much this year for some reason. I like that they actually recruited a young guy who made Paul Harris expendable in DaShonte Riley but otherwise I am not jumping up and down at this point. I think they hover in and out of the Top 25 this year.
I do like Mississippi State though, even if they did recruit the turd in human form Renaldo Sydney. If they can keep him under control then I can see MSU in the Top 15 all year.
20. Georgia Tech
They did get Derrick Favors who is going to be a one man wrecking crew this year but there is no fucking way they are a Top 20 team in the preseason. No way. After stinking up the ACC last year they are going to be a Top 20 team after one year? I don't see it happening.
22. Florida
23. Butler
I would move both of these teams up 5 or 6 spots. Butler and Florida are going to be Top 20 teams this year.
24. Ohio State
26. Boston College
28. Notre Dame
I don't even think Notre Dame is a Top 40 team this year. Move the other two teams back two spots because I don't think either team is good enough to be in the Top 25 either.
29. Clemson
They will move up to #12 after starting 15-0 like they do every year and then end the season out of the Top 25 near this spot.
30. Oklahoma State
33. Minnesota
Both these teams are better than this. I would move Minnesota into the Top 25. Tubby Smith can recruit and this year he has a team with depth but may lack a go to guy, which could limit their chances of winning a couple games and me moving them up further. I would even move Oklahoma State into the Top 15...maybe not all year but for 50% of the year. How's that for hedging?
35. Siena
37. Tulsa
Both of these teams should be in the Top 25 at many points during this year but will not make it as much as they should because of the conferences they play in. Then in the NCAA Tournament the same "experts" who refused to vote them into the Top 25 in the AP Poll will talk about how "dangerous" they are when going against a higher seed in the second round as a #7 or #8 seed. It happens every year and never fails to annoy me.
I noticed one big omission from this list and that was UCLA. I can't help but think they should be ranked in the Top 40 of this list. I put Indiana as my other sleeper team for this year. Yes, I realize I chose two teams that are big name programs but I think both of them are going to be better than expected this year.
I haven't seen any of these teams play yet, so I am sure they will make me look stupid and not fulfill my predictions. Please forgive me if I change my opinion on some of these teams as we get closer to the season as things change for each team and injuries occur. My goal is to get one person to actually care about college basketball. I think I can do it. I am not trying to make fans, just make people not skip over the occasional college basketball stuff on this here blog.
Though I would argue with some of these picks being "trendy" because generally the sportswriters tend to cover the teams extensively and then because they as sportswriters think the teams will be good, just go ahead and label that team "trendy" even if it is one person's opinion and not an actual trend. I will try to ignore this and carry on.
This is my first chance before this upcoming season to do a little NFL discussing. Let's see what John Lopez thinks is "trendy."
The trendy pick: A Cowboys Super Bowl run?
I think predicting the Cowboys to make the Super Bowl is pushing it just a little bit. I think the Cowboys could win a playoff game this year, which for them would be an accomplishment since it hasn't happened since 1996 (yes, I keep bringing this up because my area is full of the annoying kind of Cowboys fans).
I do believe in addition by subtraction and I think many of the distractions being gone and the fact the Cowboys still have a talented and fairly deep team could land them second place in the NFC East. Super Bowl run? I don't believe that is happening. Of course I am the same person who called the Pittsburgh offense "boring and predictable," or something to that effect but meant it in a good way in my AFC preview, so believe me if you dare.
So will it happen?
Not likely. The Cowboys should be better and have first-rate talent, but even if everything goes swimmingly, it would be hard to pass the Giants and Eagles.
I am not as on the Eagles bandwagon as everyone else (Peter King) seems to be. I like LeSean McCoy and thought he should have gone higher in the draft over guys like Donald Brown and Beanie Wells, but they are relying on some really young receivers to carry the load in a tough division. I am not even counting the impact of the loss of Jim Johnson, Brian Dawkins, and Stewart Bradley on defense. Throw in the fact Donovan McNabb has an injury history and with him missing a couple games I can see the Cowboys sliding into the #2 spot in the competitive NFC East.
The trendy pick: The Chargers (for the 9,786th time), could win it all.
Not to go Bill Simmons on everyone, but this is not happening while Norv Turner is the head coach. He is a great offensive coordinator but he is not a great head coach. I think the Chargers have enough firepower and play in a crappy enough division to where they could get a bye week for the playoffs but I don't enough faith they could go much further than that. I want to like the combination of mighty mite Darren Sproles and Tomlinson but I don't believe Sproles can handle carrying the ball 15 times a game and I am not sure how much Tomlinson has left in him. I see the running game as a bit of a mystery this year (Of course since it is another contract year for Sproles he will prove me wrong by gaining 3,000 total yards).
So, will it happen?
Yes. This time, yes. The Chargers could finally get over the hump. Ultimately, players make the biggest difference, and while the Steelers, Patriots and Colts are deservedly favored, San Diego's talent takes a backseat to no one.
Players do make the biggest difference as seen last year when the Steelers and Cardinals clearly had the most talented teams in the NFL (Waiting for everyone to get my sarcasm). San Diego's talent may not take a backseat to anyone and Chris Chambers may rebound from a subpar year last year but I just don't see the Chargers getting over the hump. They seem like a team that will just never be able to put it all together in one season and win a Super Bowl. They have the talent but lack the coaching and some weird intangible I can't put my finger on.
The trendy pick: The 49ers will make a glorious return under Mike Singletary
Return to what? That would be my question. Respectability? Not if they are planning on starting Alex Smith at the QB position. Everyone loves Patrick Willis and I think Shaun Hill can get the job done at QB if given the chance, unfortunately in the NFL having strength at the offensive and defensive lines is especially important and the 49ers have neither. The offensive line is mediocre and they really don't have any one who can rush the passer. Throw in the fact Michael Crabtree is threatening to not sign a contract and enter the 2010 draft and it doesn't seem like their year to make a "glorious return" to anything.
So, will it happen?
No way. Singletary deserved this chance he's gotten, but too many things are stacked against him. He'll get this club playing good football and toughen it up, but by midseason, expect a big crash.
The fact he is inheriting a bad team that has wasted high draft picks on average players like Manny Lawson, Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Kentwan Balmer, and Rashaun Woods hasn't helped the team at all. I can see the 49ers being better than last year but I don't know if 2nd/3rd place in the NFC West qualifies as a glorious return.
The trendy pick: The Texans are headed to the playoffs
I do see this happening this year actually. Just for right now, and this could change due to injuries or some other unforseen circumstance, I see the playoffs as the Texans, Colts, Steelers, Patriots, San Diego, and Bills. My biggest question about the Texans is their ability to run the ball but I think Steve Slaton is going to have a good year and the Texan defense is bound to be pretty good with some of the good young players they have, even if they weren't very good last year.
So, will it happen?
Yes, print those playoff tickets, Texans fans. Matt Schaub is due a full, healthy season. And when he's on the field, nobody stops this offense.
I don't know if a quarterback is actually ever "due" a healthy season but Schaub is bound to stay healthier this year than last year, though if he does get hurt, I am calling all bets off. We all know from Peter's King brilliant analysis that Dan Orlovsky won't be able to handle the load. The defense needs to step up a little more to get this done, which I believe will happen. Every year someone says the Texans will make it to the playoffs and this year it just happens to be true.
The trendy pick: The Chiefs are on their way back.
Again, this is sort of a vague statement. The Chiefs will be back at some point and as bad as they were last year, they can't go anywhere else but up at this point. Plus they have Matty Icccccccce 1 (or 2, I can't remember which one Matt Ryan is). Everyone knows that good teams give quarterbacks who have had one good year in the NFL, with a team that has successfully plugged players in the system and then watched them leave and do nothing, huge new contracts. That's what good teams do right? They commit themselves long term to guys who have had one good year and no prior track record other than that.
Throw in the fact Todd Haley has a history of getting into sideline arguments with his players and it took him three quarters to open up the offense in the Super Bowl and I even have major questions about the coaching staff.
Of course the Chiefs are on their way back, they can't get much lower, but I don't think it is going to be this year or next year and I don't even know if Matt Cassel is the guy to do it.
So, will it happen?
Nope. It's just asking too much. The Chiefs have cleared some cap space, but they are at least four or five years away.
That's just an ignorant statement. If Todd Haley and Scott Pioli are the guys to turn this around they will have it turned around in less time than that. If they are not the guys to do it, then it may take longer, but there is no way these guys stick around if it takes 4 years to turn the team around and make them respectable again. They will be fired before that point. The Dolphins turned their team around in one year last year and the Panthers went from 1-15 to the Super Bowl in two years. Four or five years is an incredible amount of time in the NFL and this regime won't get that long to turn it around.
The trendy pick: The Bears are going to shock the NFL world.
And have a receiver that catches more than 40 passes or one that exceeds 600 yards receiving? All kidding aside, the Jay Cutler trade has really given Bears fans hope. I am here to knock some of that hope down. The offensive line is just a huge question mark, the defense has gotten old over the past two seasons, and I just don't know who is supposed to catch the ball for them.
I think the defense can turn it around and will do so, the offensive line helped Forte last year have a great rookie season, but I still don't know how this is going to work with the complete lack of receivers for Cutler. Cutler is a great QB but he also has had some good receivers to throw the ball to and an absolutely great offensive line in Denver. Orlando Pace doesn't have too much left in him and I wonder how Cutler will play without great time to throw the ball and great receivers to throw the ball to.
So, will it happen?
Yup. Fear the Bears in 2009. I'm not saying Super Bowl, but if Cutler has any receiver step up, good things will happen.
I did like Earl Bennett coming out of Vanderbilt but the fact he couldn't find the field last year for the Bears make me nervous for his prospects this year. I don't know if the Bears are good enough to win the division and I don't think one of the Wild Cards is coming from this division either. The Bears can win the division and they will as long as a receiver other than Hester steps up, the defense doesn't keep going backwards and the offensive line gives Cutler the time he is used to in throwing. That seems like a lot to have happen but the division is for the taking.
The Vikings flirted with Brett Favre for a reason. And the Packers playing footsy with Michael Vick? Not exactly a confidence-booster.
I don't think the off season moves by the other teams in the division mean necessarily these teams fear the Bears. I know John Lopez is not saying they will make the Super Bowl but the Bears couldn't make the playoffs last year when the Packers stunk and the Lions did not win a game. I know the addition of Cutler is supposed to be the thing that gets the Bears over the hump, but I can't ignore the defense's slow decline and the fact the O-line is a bit of a mystery for them.
-Back to Michael Crabtree. I am going to try and be as impolite as possible about this. What the hell is he thinking?
Per a league source, agent Eugene Parker is telling the 49ers that Crabtree will sit out the season and re-enter the draft in 2010, unless the team gives Crabtree what he wants.
Michael Crabtree is a damn idiot. This is the NFL, not high school or college where there are only a couple guys who know exactly what the hell they are doing. Not to mention he is a rookie receiver, which is a position that has seemed to have quite a learning curve in the past. He needs to get his ass on the field and start to play football. He's an idiot. He can be replaced in a heartbeat...even on a team that is not great like the 49ers.
I defended Crabtree when he came out of the draft because I thought he was the best receiver available and didn't get it when people talked about character issues he has. Now I get it. The worst part is that his agents haven't even made a fucking offer to the 49ers yet! I can't use exclamation points enough for this. Rookies need to sign and get on the field to play with their team.
Rookies in the NFL aren't special anymore and there are 10 other guys who can do exactly what you can as a rookie (in most cases). There's no difference in $42 million guaranteed and $48 million guaranteed but there is a huge difference in starting the season on the second unit on the depth chart and starting the season in the starting lineup. Throw in the fact he had a major-ish surgery before the draft, which may or may not have caused his stock to drop, and it is clear to me he needs to get on the field and play football.
Let him sit out the entire year and entire the draft. It's clear he and his agent haven't thought this through. The 49ers hold his rights until Draft Day. That means he can't go to the Combine again or do anything football related with other teams. He can do it on his own and let the media attend or he can send out in a press release what happened but he can't work for other teams and if a team is going to draft him, especially after he showed what an asshole he can be and his injury this past year, they are going to want to watch him play.
Michael Crabtree could very well be a great receiver but I am a firm believer a rookie has more to lose than to gain by holding out of training camp, especially a rookie wide receiver. The NFL isn't easy and it is important to be in training camp adjusting to the speed of the game. The 49ers may be desperate and give him a chance once (or if) he signs a contract to play with the first team but he has to learn the playbook and be out there with his teammates. He has the prima donna part of being an NFL receiver down, but now he just needs to prove he can actually play. He's an idiot right now though.
-I know from previous experience here that I seem to be one of the few people who cares about NCAA college basketball but that is not going to stop me from commenting on it. Dick Vitale has his preseason Top 40. Why Top 40 instead of Top 25 or Top 50? Because it is Dick Vitale and he does things his way I guess. I have gotten to the point I can't hear him call a game anymore because he spends so much time talking about other topics not related to college basketball, it is just annoying.
I have some problems with his preseason predictions...I admittedly am a little bit of a snob about college basketball. I don't know it all, because no one does, but I feel like I have a firm enough grasp of it to make predictions and be semi-accurate. Last year I predicted UNC would win the National Championship back in July 2008 (I said no one should beat them for the upcoming year, it's really the same thing I guess) and I basically beat the drum for them all year. That's a lot of pressure for me this year to predict correctly again.
1. Kansas:
I know everyone is awaiting my choice for National Champion but it is not as clear cut for me this year. If I had to choose right now, I would say Kansas is my choice, simply because they have experience at PG, a big man to rebound and control the paint and two athletic wing players in Henry and Taylor. It's a formula for success in college basketball. A lot of people talk about depth being important, but it is not as important if you have starters you can trust to not get tired or foul out. Kansas has a couple of guys off the bench they can count on and that's all you need to win a National Championship.
2. Kentucky
Putting aside the fact I hate Kentucky and John Calipari, I will try to be neutral. They have A LOT of talent on that roster and a lot of young talent, which sometimes can be a bad thing. I think #2 is a bit high for them because on some nights they are going to be on and other nights I can see them being a mess. I just don't know how they are going to keep all those players happy and give them shots. Calipari will find a way I am sure. I think the best part of the year will be to see the mass exodus of players from Kentucky to the NBA. Just off the top of my head Cousins, Wall, Patterson, and very possibly Daniel Orton will go pro.
3. Michigan State
They are not an elite team this year. I believe they overachieved last year and I see them as being more of a #8-#15 team. Of course I also didn't see them making the National Championship game last year.
5. Duke:
Same thing for these guys. They are consistently over ranked because people look at the name. They still have no big men, don't have a tough rebounding type player on the roster and have three total guards on the roster worth even putting on the floor, and one of them is a freshman and none are point guards. I would put them in the top 5 if they either had a big man worth a crap or a point guard at all on the roster. The fact is they don't, so Dick Vitale needs to quit jumping on the bandwagon, stop over ranking Duke, and face reality.
(One reason I hate the Interwebs, I wrote this last night and today the Big Lead put this up. They are much more widely read so it looks like I am copying them by saying this. How dare two people have the same point of view. This is America dammit!)
7. Villanova:
I love this team this year and would move them up into the top 5 in the preseason rankings. This is my #3 team in the country. They kept Stokes, Fisher, and Reynolds around and have a top 5 recruiting class coming in. Size may be a bit of a problem because the little skill size they have are freshmen but I really, really like this team. If you put a gun to my head I would say I have Villanova and Kansas in the National Championship game.
8. North Carolina:
Schedule them for a National Championship in two more years. The talent is still there this year and I think this is the right spot for them, they just need more experience.
10. Illinois:
11. Michigan:
I think Michigan deserves this spot but Illinois is over ranked here. Put them at #20 at the maximum because they had a good, not great class this past year. I don't see Illinois making this much noise this year even in a fairly weak Big 10.
15. Florida State:
This team has height on the roster to spare and that height has athleticism and talent. I do question whether Leonard Hamilton is the right coach. He let his team stand around and watch Toney Douglas a little bit too much last year. I would push FSU to #18-#20 for the year. Dick Vitale always over ranks ACC teams.
17. Syracuse
18. Mississippi State
I actually don't love Syracuse as much this year for some reason. I like that they actually recruited a young guy who made Paul Harris expendable in DaShonte Riley but otherwise I am not jumping up and down at this point. I think they hover in and out of the Top 25 this year.
I do like Mississippi State though, even if they did recruit the turd in human form Renaldo Sydney. If they can keep him under control then I can see MSU in the Top 15 all year.
20. Georgia Tech
They did get Derrick Favors who is going to be a one man wrecking crew this year but there is no fucking way they are a Top 20 team in the preseason. No way. After stinking up the ACC last year they are going to be a Top 20 team after one year? I don't see it happening.
22. Florida
23. Butler
I would move both of these teams up 5 or 6 spots. Butler and Florida are going to be Top 20 teams this year.
24. Ohio State
26. Boston College
28. Notre Dame
I don't even think Notre Dame is a Top 40 team this year. Move the other two teams back two spots because I don't think either team is good enough to be in the Top 25 either.
29. Clemson
They will move up to #12 after starting 15-0 like they do every year and then end the season out of the Top 25 near this spot.
30. Oklahoma State
33. Minnesota
Both these teams are better than this. I would move Minnesota into the Top 25. Tubby Smith can recruit and this year he has a team with depth but may lack a go to guy, which could limit their chances of winning a couple games and me moving them up further. I would even move Oklahoma State into the Top 15...maybe not all year but for 50% of the year. How's that for hedging?
35. Siena
37. Tulsa
Both of these teams should be in the Top 25 at many points during this year but will not make it as much as they should because of the conferences they play in. Then in the NCAA Tournament the same "experts" who refused to vote them into the Top 25 in the AP Poll will talk about how "dangerous" they are when going against a higher seed in the second round as a #7 or #8 seed. It happens every year and never fails to annoy me.
I noticed one big omission from this list and that was UCLA. I can't help but think they should be ranked in the Top 40 of this list. I put Indiana as my other sleeper team for this year. Yes, I realize I chose two teams that are big name programs but I think both of them are going to be better than expected this year.
I haven't seen any of these teams play yet, so I am sure they will make me look stupid and not fulfill my predictions. Please forgive me if I change my opinion on some of these teams as we get closer to the season as things change for each team and injuries occur. My goal is to get one person to actually care about college basketball. I think I can do it. I am not trying to make fans, just make people not skip over the occasional college basketball stuff on this here blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)