Thanks for still tuning in. I just posted some new video from North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough and Quentin Thomas following their 86-81 win over Clemsni in the ACC title game.
Clicker here for a direct link to the sports front page, where you can select the video.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A.D. NOT FOUL... OOGA!
Virginia Tech guard A.D. Vassallo was whistled for a foul with about 10 seconds remaining in the first half against North Carolina, which allowed the Tar Heels to tie the game heading into the break.
He stormed over to fellow Media General reporter Andy Bitter of the Lynchburg News and Advance, who was sitting just a few seats to my left, grabbed his pen and wrote "AD NOT FOUL" on his notepad. He also said "AD NOT FOUL" as he wrote it, like a caveman.
- Jason Wolf
He stormed over to fellow Media General reporter Andy Bitter of the Lynchburg News and Advance, who was sitting just a few seats to my left, grabbed his pen and wrote "AD NOT FOUL" on his notepad. He also said "AD NOT FOUL" as he wrote it, like a caveman.
- Jason Wolf
Excuse me while I step up onto my soapbox...
So it's late and I'm not really tired, so what better to do that rant on a blog. So here we go:
I've been less than impressed with what the ACC tournament has had to offer this year in Charlotte. And that's not even counting the eight uncompetitive games (for the most part) we've seen so far.
For those of you who don't get to see the behind the scenes stuff, it isn't as glamorous as it may seem. For instance, because the "media rate" for hotels is so ridiculous and not really suitable for our budget, Jason and I are sleeping on the floor of a hotel room with a few other journalists who were kind enough to let us crash there. The media hotel is the Westin, where they charge $5 a day per guest to use the pool and excercise room, according to the hotel guest services book. Boy, that's friendly. I've been usin my sleeve to wipe my nose because I'm scared I'll get charged by the tissue. I mean, seriously? Charging guests to use the amenities?
Things at Charlotte Bobcats Arena aren't much better. Although the fan areas are fine, the media work areas under the stands are subpar. You have to scramble in the first day to make sure you find somewhere to sit in the work area because they clearly do not have enough spaces for everyone. And there's one bathroom physically built in the work area. Yes, ONE. One sink, one toilet. It's wait in line or walk around to the porta-johns near the the media dining area. At least when the tournament was at Charlotte Coliseum there were actually bathrooms.
The media dining is less than impressive also. Last year in Tampa, there were food and snacks throughout the day. Here, if you don't eat within a set two-hour period, the food is yanked and you're left hungry. It may not sound like a big deal, but get this: They serve dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m. I you cover the 2:30 game which actually starts closer to 3, you're not going to get to eat by 6:30. That's two hours of game, plus 45 minutes for post-game press conferences and locker room interviews. And if you are on a strict deadline or have to knock out a story in order to be done before the next session starts, sorry pal.
I've been less than impressed with what the ACC tournament has had to offer this year in Charlotte. And that's not even counting the eight uncompetitive games (for the most part) we've seen so far.
For those of you who don't get to see the behind the scenes stuff, it isn't as glamorous as it may seem. For instance, because the "media rate" for hotels is so ridiculous and not really suitable for our budget, Jason and I are sleeping on the floor of a hotel room with a few other journalists who were kind enough to let us crash there. The media hotel is the Westin, where they charge $5 a day per guest to use the pool and excercise room, according to the hotel guest services book. Boy, that's friendly. I've been usin my sleeve to wipe my nose because I'm scared I'll get charged by the tissue. I mean, seriously? Charging guests to use the amenities?
Things at Charlotte Bobcats Arena aren't much better. Although the fan areas are fine, the media work areas under the stands are subpar. You have to scramble in the first day to make sure you find somewhere to sit in the work area because they clearly do not have enough spaces for everyone. And there's one bathroom physically built in the work area. Yes, ONE. One sink, one toilet. It's wait in line or walk around to the porta-johns near the the media dining area. At least when the tournament was at Charlotte Coliseum there were actually bathrooms.
The media dining is less than impressive also. Last year in Tampa, there were food and snacks throughout the day. Here, if you don't eat within a set two-hour period, the food is yanked and you're left hungry. It may not sound like a big deal, but get this: They serve dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m. I you cover the 2:30 game which actually starts closer to 3, you're not going to get to eat by 6:30. That's two hours of game, plus 45 minutes for post-game press conferences and locker room interviews. And if you are on a strict deadline or have to knock out a story in order to be done before the next session starts, sorry pal.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Look ahead much?
Clemson finally released its pregame packet of team facts and various other information leading into tonight's quarterfinal matchup with Boston College, which I kind of needed to help prepare myself to cover that game.
It reads, in part:
CLEMSON BASKETBALL
Game 31: Clemson vs. No. 6 Maryland
... then proceeds to list Maryland's probable starting lineup.
The problem, you ask?
Maryland choked after establishing a double-digit lead and lost to No. 11-seeded Boston College last night, so BC is the team that'll play Clemson in, oh, about an hour.
Maybe someone should tell the Tigers. If they're actually preparing to face the wrong team (which I'll admit is probably unlikely ... probably), it might at least help to partially explain their abominable 14-54 all-time record in this tournament.
- Jason Wolf
It reads, in part:
CLEMSON BASKETBALL
Game 31: Clemson vs. No. 6 Maryland
... then proceeds to list Maryland's probable starting lineup.
The problem, you ask?
Maryland choked after establishing a double-digit lead and lost to No. 11-seeded Boston College last night, so BC is the team that'll play Clemson in, oh, about an hour.
Maybe someone should tell the Tigers. If they're actually preparing to face the wrong team (which I'll admit is probably unlikely ... probably), it might at least help to partially explain their abominable 14-54 all-time record in this tournament.
- Jason Wolf
New poll up
Who had the best Day 1 performance at the ACC tournament? You make the call. Vote now! The poll is to the right side of the page.
Save of the day
One thing I forgot to mention last night was the "Save of the day." The award goes to one journalist who comes through in the clutch.
Early on, I was going to give the award to myself. I managed to solve South Boston News & Record ace reporter Tucker McLaughlin's word document issues and helped him send his story back to the office via e-mail. But I was later outdone by my Media General brother and former Register & Bee sports writer Andy Bitter. During the Virginia/Georgia Tech game, a couple of players went diving out of bounds for a ball that bounced right into Andy's direction on press row. Without hesitation, like a true champion, Andy picked up his laptop by the side of the screen, lifted it up so the keyboard and screen formed a vertical line and thus saved the computer from being crunched by the two players that landed on the table.
Fellow Register & Bee scribe Jason Wolf also got consideration for writing two versions of his Maryland gamer last night on deadline, but it was not enough to overcome Bitter's magnificent feat.
Early on, I was going to give the award to myself. I managed to solve South Boston News & Record ace reporter Tucker McLaughlin's word document issues and helped him send his story back to the office via e-mail. But I was later outdone by my Media General brother and former Register & Bee sports writer Andy Bitter. During the Virginia/Georgia Tech game, a couple of players went diving out of bounds for a ball that bounced right into Andy's direction on press row. Without hesitation, like a true champion, Andy picked up his laptop by the side of the screen, lifted it up so the keyboard and screen formed a vertical line and thus saved the computer from being crunched by the two players that landed on the table.
Fellow Register & Bee scribe Jason Wolf also got consideration for writing two versions of his Maryland gamer last night on deadline, but it was not enough to overcome Bitter's magnificent feat.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Fill in the blank
Complete this sentence:
Maryland folded like _________.
Wow, talk about going from the mansion to the outhouse. Maryland was considered to be a near lock to make the NCAA tournament two weeks ago. Instead, they blew big leads and choked down the stretch. Now Maryland will be dropped into the NIT.
Maryland folded like _________.
Wow, talk about going from the mansion to the outhouse. Maryland was considered to be a near lock to make the NCAA tournament two weeks ago. Instead, they blew big leads and choked down the stretch. Now Maryland will be dropped into the NIT.
Cavaliers, how we hardly knew ye
It's another quick exit for the Virginia Cavaliers, who haven't made it past Day 2 since Clinton's first term in the White House. This year, they were one and done (doesn't bode well for the four of you who voted in our poll that the Wahoos were going to win the tournament). I really thought they were going to come away with a win considering how hot they were shooting the first half. But Georgia Tech just beat them up and down the floor in the second half and gave them a taste of their own medice from the perimeter.
In this business, we journalists all get accused of being a fan of this school or that school. One week I'll receive an angry e-mail from a Virginia fan accusing me of being a Hokie-lover and the next week I'll have a Virginia Tech faithful swearing up and down I were navy and orange seven days a week. The truth of the matter is that I get paid the same amount, little as it may be, to cover a game whether Team A wins or loses. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I try not to get caught up in a specific team (unless it's my alma mater James Madison. Hey, I paid them enough money over four years, I'm going to get something out of it!) Where am I going with this, you might ask? Although I don't care about the teams, I occassionally come across players that I enjoy watching. As an avid ACC basketball watcher, guys like Virginia's Sean Singletary are what college sports are all about. It's a shame he didn't have the talent around him to win more games and achieve the success that a North Carolina or a Duke has.
Now that I've been all sappy, I'll end this by saying check out more video on the sports home page at registerbee.com.
In this business, we journalists all get accused of being a fan of this school or that school. One week I'll receive an angry e-mail from a Virginia fan accusing me of being a Hokie-lover and the next week I'll have a Virginia Tech faithful swearing up and down I were navy and orange seven days a week. The truth of the matter is that I get paid the same amount, little as it may be, to cover a game whether Team A wins or loses. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I try not to get caught up in a specific team (unless it's my alma mater James Madison. Hey, I paid them enough money over four years, I'm going to get something out of it!) Where am I going with this, you might ask? Although I don't care about the teams, I occassionally come across players that I enjoy watching. As an avid ACC basketball watcher, guys like Virginia's Sean Singletary are what college sports are all about. It's a shame he didn't have the talent around him to win more games and achieve the success that a North Carolina or a Duke has.
Now that I've been all sappy, I'll end this by saying check out more video on the sports home page at registerbee.com.
New video on its way
After some technical difficulties, video of N.C. State's Ben McCauley should be on the Web site shortly. Just go to Registerbee.com and click on sports and look under "ACC TOURNAMENT: Miami drubs N.C. State."
Food for thought
As March begins to pump up its madness, there are several ACC teams that need to step up their games if they want to go dancing this year. Even with its win over N.C. State, Miami didn't really help its cause. The Hurricanes beat the Wolfpack. That was supposed to happen. What wasn't impressive was that Miami let N.C. State hang around at the end (although it was clearly out of reach for the Wolfpack, who couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat in the first half.) Miami will need an impressive win over Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals to help boost its resume.
Miami might not have boosted its NCAA chances significantly by beating N.C. State, but the Hurricanes win will surely help Virginia Tech out. The Hokies needed Miami to win. A Hokies win over a top-50 team like Miami would definitely look better than one over the lowly Wolfpack when the selection committee is filling out the brackets.
Miami might not have boosted its NCAA chances significantly by beating N.C. State, but the Hurricanes win will surely help Virginia Tech out. The Hokies needed Miami to win. A Hokies win over a top-50 team like Miami would definitely look better than one over the lowly Wolfpack when the selection committee is filling out the brackets.
Florida State ousts Wake Forest in opener
I just posted a story and video from the Florida State/Wake Forest game on the Register & Bee Web site. Here is a link to both. Florida State won 70-60 and will play North Carolina on Friday at noon.
Here, finally.
Jason and I made it to the Bobcats Arena. Interstate 85 was down to one lane southbound for like 10 miles. That caused a 45-minute delay and also made us late. What a great time to do construction work!
Now we are watching the excitement that is the Wake Forest/Florida State game. To steal a line from a colleague, could anyone care less about an 8/9 matchup? This game is going by, and despite being close, just doesn't seem to have that ACC tournament game feel. Maybe it's just me. - Drew Wilson
Now we are watching the excitement that is the Wake Forest/Florida State game. To steal a line from a colleague, could anyone care less about an 8/9 matchup? This game is going by, and despite being close, just doesn't seem to have that ACC tournament game feel. Maybe it's just me. - Drew Wilson
Sitting in traffic
Drew and I are sitting in traffic on I-85 outside Charlotte. We almost rear-ended the Escalade in front of us about eight times. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be driving and typing.
Just kidding. Drew is driving. Or is he...
At any rate, this sucks.
We did see a bright orange stretch limo with "Wahoos" painted on the side. They have tickets for sale, according to the hand-written signs hanging in each of their windows.
Let me know if you need any. I'll climb out of the car and knock on theirs.
- Jason Wolf
Just kidding. Drew is driving. Or is he...
At any rate, this sucks.
We did see a bright orange stretch limo with "Wahoos" painted on the side. They have tickets for sale, according to the hand-written signs hanging in each of their windows.
Let me know if you need any. I'll climb out of the car and knock on theirs.
- Jason Wolf
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to the Danville Register & Bee's Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament blog. We'll be updating you on all the news throughout the ACC tournament. You can check out our game coverage at registerbee.com, but this blog is to add entertainment and insight into the four days of action-packed basketball. We'll have comments, polls and maybe even a few photos. Enjoy!
- Drew Wilson, sports editor
- Drew Wilson, sports editor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
