The Dukes travel to #10 Xavier tonight in a very important game if the Dukes have any hopes of playing in the big dance. Their post-season chances still look strong considering there is a new tournament this year, the College Basketball Invitational (http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_splash.htm) . As Aaron Jacson indicated, the Dukes can play with anyone, they are just inconsistent. Let's hope the X are looking forward to their weekend matchup against Dayton and looking past the 16-8 Dukes.
No chance at beating #10 you say? The post-gazette happened to mention a win against Florida State in 1992. You guessed it, http://www.bluffdivers.com/ was there!!! A great moment in Duquesne history....Allow me to reminisce.
1992. This was a year of change in the life of this young Bluff Diver and Dukes ball boy. I was in the seventh grade, was permitted to go to my first boy-girl party, discovered pornography and more importantly what to do with it, and the Dukes made their controversial one-year move to the ill-fated MCC. Xavier, Evansville, Dayton, and Notre Dame were the cats meow of the league, but the upstart Dukes were poised to contend for a league title. This eventually became the Horizon League. The Dukes started off the year 3-1 with a heart-wrenching, last second loss to Kent State being their only blemish. Dukes fever was rampant!
Dateline: December 15th, 1992. Bobby Sura, Sam "the alien" Cassel, and the #10 Florida State Seminoles had suffered two early losses, both by 3 points, to #4 Indiana in OT and # 19 UCLA in the pre-season NIT. They had wins against #19 Iowa State and also beat the UMASS Minutemen, who were ranked #19 at that point also. They came into the Palumbo as heavy favorites, although a young Charlie Ward had not yet joined the 3-2 team. The Palumbo, then in its fourth season, was filled to capacity, the Pittsburgh air was frigid and replete with Christmas cheer, and the stage was set for an electric upset!
Getting to the game 2 hours prior to the start, as was required of the ball boys back then, I personally got to rebound for Sam Cassel (who was shooting jumpers by himself before anyone stepped on the court). After asking him what he thought of the evening's match-up, he quipped "it's going to be ugly." I'll never forget that. Not only because he was possibly the ugliest person I have ever seen in my entire life and looked like a 52 year old alien, but because of what was about to transpire.
The Dukes started the game a little sluggish down 46-36 at the half, although it was a competive period of play dwarfed by a late FSU run (sound familiar?) . A certain 'Noles guard named Bobby Sura, who was heavily recruited by the Dukes, would start out the second half "white" hot. After the Dukes and 'Nole traded buckets, Sura scored 10 unanswered points to give the FSU a 20 point lead 58-38 with 15 to play-deflating the once spirited capacity crowd.
Then the inexplicable happened. FSU Coah Pat Kennedy would sit Sura for five minutes. The only logical reason had to be that Sura was sluggish from being a Marky Mark Wannabe Dicknose. The Dukes would take complete advantage, going on an 11-1 run to cut the lead to 10. Dukes fans started to believe. They would then go on another miracle 13-0 run, marked by Effrem Whitehead's three 3 pointers. 70-67 with six minutes left. Game on! Whitehead would hit another three to tie the game 76-76. The Dukes would never look back!!! Derrick Alston, an eventual 76ers draft pick, dropped 20 and the Dukes would go on to win 91-84. Sura scored 34 in the loss.
The Dukes fans stormed the court, this young Dukes ball boy was hugged by a hot cheerleader (whom I copt a cheap feal off of) and embraced by a large black man (Alston), the team was 4-1, and the game was the lead-in on Sportscenter!!!! Pops took me to Primanti's to see my Bluff Diving brother for a sandwich and then let me have a sip of his beer.....it was a rare perfect night among many that have been very imperfect as a Dukes fan.
FYI, I watched Sportcenter at Primanti's that night for the very first time since our family didn't have cable. So yes, the very first night I watched Sportcenter in my lifetime, our Dukes were the lead-in! I believe this to be the only time in Sportcenter history they were the broadcast lead-in, as they were only segment lead-ins when they beat Georgetown in 94-95 and when the shooting occured in 2006.
Just in case you were wondering, the Dukes would dissappoint the rest of the way, going 13-15. They would lose nine of those games by 6 points or less. Five of those games by 3 or less. They did post a nice win against the Irish. The team, in my estimation and in accordance with the mantra of Duquesne hoops in the last 30 years, underachieved throughout the course of the year. The next season they would jump back to the A-10 and post their last winning season of the 20th century. The program would go in the proverbial pooper following the aforemention 93-94 NIT season.
So to all you Bluff Divers, it can be done! Go DUKES! One time at #10 Xavier! The game will be replayed Friday at noon on FSN (the reason it is not on CSTV.com as it will be broadcast live on FSN Ohio...that's bull shit)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Snore of the Engines
Except for gay sex and certain far East food delicacies, I will give pretty much anything a shot or two. NASCAR racing, or as I like to call it Hicks Driving Quick, was no exception to this rule. I have given the "sport" its fair shake at winning over Bluff Divers and it keeps coming up empty every time.
First of all, I just can’t get into a sport that has so blatently sold its soul to the devil visa vie corporate sponsors. Its bad enough that the networks have to show me the cast of That 70’s Show fifteen times an inning during the World Series, but at least MLB, NFL, NBA, etc. aren’t stamping Dunkin Donut’s on the pant legs of Manny Ramirez while the Red Bull label is dyed into his dread locks. At least it’s the networks that are completely selling out, not the sport itself, and that’s somewhat ok in my book. I do have to give NASCAR credit as the sport recognizes that its fans are of the lowest common denominator. I am sure Billy Jo bought his first case of Amp Energy drink on his way to volunteer for the Tennessee National Guard (they denied him cause of a genetic mutation that is typical among in-breds and his poor dental records).
Secondly, the sport was built on tobacco, dishonesty, and breaking the law (i.e. moonshine runners) not sportsmanship, family, or tradition. Hillbilly/Racist cancer and booze pedlars founded the sport; Dr. Naismith and Abner Doubleday must be spinning in their grave! They love to talk about the glory days of NASCAR in a time period when many races were fixed. Most sports are ashamed of any sorded history of outcome fixing (see Black Sox, the movie Blue Chips, Etc.), but not NASCAR. By the way, Tony is still flunking T.V.
Also, tell me how a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, PA could break into the sport of racing without endangering his life and the lives of others (street racing?) or without a ton of money to buy track time and learn how to race? The barriers to entry in this sport are greater than any other in mainstream society and naturally exclude a huge portion of the population.
I prefer going to sporting events where participants don’t have a reasonable chance of dying. What is this, ancient Rome? That's just me.
How can a sport be anywhere near legitimate when you break into commercial in the middle of the action? Especially late in the race? Must not be that important if you ask me.
They never turn anywhere but left. And I don’t want to hear about strategy. Here it goes: Drive faster than everyone else, pit quicker, draft behind other cars and utilize teammates, try not to wreck….There it is, NASCAR strategy 101 and all you’ll ever need to know to follow the sport.
I love hearing the “you have to go to a race” theory. Look, anytime you combine massive amounts of alcohol, with good weather, and girls in their late 30’s with loose morals, you are going to have a good time. I will just the same go see the Steve Miller Band this summer when they come to Starlake. Furthermore, I do not feel like driving any amount of distance to party with rednecks. They typically don’t like my type (brown).
This theory is similar to cat lovers who say their cat is the greatest because "my cat is just like a dog." Just get a damn dog then.
Actually those theories aren't similar at all but I just fricking hate cats and cat lovers.
If I wanted to see guys change tires, I would go to the local Meineke. If you think it is exciting to watch guys fill up gas tanks, you’ve been sniffing fumes too long.
You want to see a quick tire change, go to a garage anywhere in the south in a suit and tie and scream "INS"….you’ll see a tire change, and a sub- 4 minute mile for a fraction of the price.
Nascar does have one thing going for it though: Tim Mcarver and Joe Buck don't cover the races...Yet
First of all, I just can’t get into a sport that has so blatently sold its soul to the devil visa vie corporate sponsors. Its bad enough that the networks have to show me the cast of That 70’s Show fifteen times an inning during the World Series, but at least MLB, NFL, NBA, etc. aren’t stamping Dunkin Donut’s on the pant legs of Manny Ramirez while the Red Bull label is dyed into his dread locks. At least it’s the networks that are completely selling out, not the sport itself, and that’s somewhat ok in my book. I do have to give NASCAR credit as the sport recognizes that its fans are of the lowest common denominator. I am sure Billy Jo bought his first case of Amp Energy drink on his way to volunteer for the Tennessee National Guard (they denied him cause of a genetic mutation that is typical among in-breds and his poor dental records).
Secondly, the sport was built on tobacco, dishonesty, and breaking the law (i.e. moonshine runners) not sportsmanship, family, or tradition. Hillbilly/Racist cancer and booze pedlars founded the sport; Dr. Naismith and Abner Doubleday must be spinning in their grave! They love to talk about the glory days of NASCAR in a time period when many races were fixed. Most sports are ashamed of any sorded history of outcome fixing (see Black Sox, the movie Blue Chips, Etc.), but not NASCAR. By the way, Tony is still flunking T.V.
Also, tell me how a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, PA could break into the sport of racing without endangering his life and the lives of others (street racing?) or without a ton of money to buy track time and learn how to race? The barriers to entry in this sport are greater than any other in mainstream society and naturally exclude a huge portion of the population.
I prefer going to sporting events where participants don’t have a reasonable chance of dying. What is this, ancient Rome? That's just me.
How can a sport be anywhere near legitimate when you break into commercial in the middle of the action? Especially late in the race? Must not be that important if you ask me.
They never turn anywhere but left. And I don’t want to hear about strategy. Here it goes: Drive faster than everyone else, pit quicker, draft behind other cars and utilize teammates, try not to wreck….There it is, NASCAR strategy 101 and all you’ll ever need to know to follow the sport.
I love hearing the “you have to go to a race” theory. Look, anytime you combine massive amounts of alcohol, with good weather, and girls in their late 30’s with loose morals, you are going to have a good time. I will just the same go see the Steve Miller Band this summer when they come to Starlake. Furthermore, I do not feel like driving any amount of distance to party with rednecks. They typically don’t like my type (brown).
This theory is similar to cat lovers who say their cat is the greatest because "my cat is just like a dog." Just get a damn dog then.
Actually those theories aren't similar at all but I just fricking hate cats and cat lovers.
If I wanted to see guys change tires, I would go to the local Meineke. If you think it is exciting to watch guys fill up gas tanks, you’ve been sniffing fumes too long.
You want to see a quick tire change, go to a garage anywhere in the south in a suit and tie and scream "INS"….you’ll see a tire change, and a sub- 4 minute mile for a fraction of the price.
Nascar does have one thing going for it though: Tim Mcarver and Joe Buck don't cover the races...Yet
Top Ten Things I love about Pittsburgh.
I was recently accused of hating the city that I live in. So here are ten things I love about the burgh!
10) Lots and lots of cheap places to drink
9) Every Saint Patrick's Day Parade you have a reasonable shot at getting a blow job by 3 PM
8) Every Steeler Home Game you have a reasonable shot at getting a blow job by 3 PM
7) Most people I associate with, including myself, are smarter and better looking than 90% of the population. Although that's not saying much.
6) I get the privelege of watching Dukes basketball games in person.
5) Its a reasonable drive to six cities that are actually fun
4) I'd much rather be from here than from Philly
3) There is a very slim chance of dying from a natural disaster
2) Its really cheap to live here, which means more money to blow on booze and whores when I visit other cities
1) I have an outside shot at getting my parent's condo in the will!
10) Lots and lots of cheap places to drink
9) Every Saint Patrick's Day Parade you have a reasonable shot at getting a blow job by 3 PM
8) Every Steeler Home Game you have a reasonable shot at getting a blow job by 3 PM
7) Most people I associate with, including myself, are smarter and better looking than 90% of the population. Although that's not saying much.
6) I get the privelege of watching Dukes basketball games in person.
5) Its a reasonable drive to six cities that are actually fun
4) I'd much rather be from here than from Philly
3) There is a very slim chance of dying from a natural disaster
2) Its really cheap to live here, which means more money to blow on booze and whores when I visit other cities
1) I have an outside shot at getting my parent's condo in the will!
Frustration sets in over 69-66 loss. $30 hat left as casuality
For the second time this year, the Dukes fall short against a lessor opponent as a double digit favorite, 69-66, to a surging Richmond team. Mind boggling. Having the rest of the weekend to think about this heart wrenching loss, I have some questions/items of discusion to bring forth:
1) Isn't it the coaches job to have his team ready to play after a big win? This was a classic "let down" game and all but ruined any slim hopes the Dukes had of an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney. Everhart is a good recruiter but I am not sold on his in-game coaching or motivational techniques yet. You heard it here first. I think his in-game adjustments are horrible.
2) Shawn James and Kojo Mensah were on the court for 20 and 19 miunutes, respectively. James sat the first 6 minutes of the second half. This is absolutely ridiculous. They are your two best players, particularly on the defensive end. They need to play. They need to play a lot of minutes and at crucial times. Everhart continues to put these two in the doghouse-especially Mensah. Bluff Divers has yet to find any inside scoop on this.
3) Gary Tucker and Aaron Jackson played 34 and 38 minutes. Jackson played 38 against Dayton on Wednesday. You would think against a Richmond team that shot 11 for 16 from beyond the arc they would want to run some defenders with fresh legs at them. Nope.
4) Why can't you swear at sporting events? Particularly if you are spending money to watch the Dukes. The players swear, the coaches swear, the crappy music the chubby dance team wiggles to has swear words laced throughout its jungle beats. My advice to those people sitting in the next section over who took offense to Chancellor Von Helmut's expletives, get used to it! Your kid's going to learn those words sometime. Maybe if the Dukes wouldn't lose to teams like Richmond and St. Bonaventure when they are favored by 14 points we would be less obliged to drop the F-bomb.
5) I finally purchased a new Dukes hat at the bookstore. It was a $30 under armour fitted hat. Rather nice I must say and one of the two new items available since the Reagan administration. Passing out in a drunken stupor post-game (and after several flaming doctor peppers at McArdles and a Pizza Vesuvio Run), official Bluff Diver mascot-Maggie-destroyed this hat directly off of my head. I am considering this a good omen, as the hat was only worn at one game and this was the embarassment on Saturday. Good Riddance!
6) Where the hell are the Duquesne students at these games? Honestly, of the roughly 4000 fans at the game on Saturday about a 1000 were students. This is pitiful. I would have gone crazy if the Dukes were respectable when we were in school. Another 1500 at that game and its a sell out. The AD needs to do something about this.
7) How bout you hit that three to send it to OT ONE TIME! Come out winning a game you should of lost. Aaron Jackson should not be shooting that shot.
8) The Dukes take on Xavier on Thursday night. This game is NOT on FSN but will be webcast at my house. Let me know if anyone wants to get together for some Bluff Diving. I said following the Richmond game "watch the Dukes lose this game and go to Xavier and win."
More posts to come....Let's go Dukes! Keep Hope Alive!!!
1) Isn't it the coaches job to have his team ready to play after a big win? This was a classic "let down" game and all but ruined any slim hopes the Dukes had of an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney. Everhart is a good recruiter but I am not sold on his in-game coaching or motivational techniques yet. You heard it here first. I think his in-game adjustments are horrible.
2) Shawn James and Kojo Mensah were on the court for 20 and 19 miunutes, respectively. James sat the first 6 minutes of the second half. This is absolutely ridiculous. They are your two best players, particularly on the defensive end. They need to play. They need to play a lot of minutes and at crucial times. Everhart continues to put these two in the doghouse-especially Mensah. Bluff Divers has yet to find any inside scoop on this.
3) Gary Tucker and Aaron Jackson played 34 and 38 minutes. Jackson played 38 against Dayton on Wednesday. You would think against a Richmond team that shot 11 for 16 from beyond the arc they would want to run some defenders with fresh legs at them. Nope.
4) Why can't you swear at sporting events? Particularly if you are spending money to watch the Dukes. The players swear, the coaches swear, the crappy music the chubby dance team wiggles to has swear words laced throughout its jungle beats. My advice to those people sitting in the next section over who took offense to Chancellor Von Helmut's expletives, get used to it! Your kid's going to learn those words sometime. Maybe if the Dukes wouldn't lose to teams like Richmond and St. Bonaventure when they are favored by 14 points we would be less obliged to drop the F-bomb.
5) I finally purchased a new Dukes hat at the bookstore. It was a $30 under armour fitted hat. Rather nice I must say and one of the two new items available since the Reagan administration. Passing out in a drunken stupor post-game (and after several flaming doctor peppers at McArdles and a Pizza Vesuvio Run), official Bluff Diver mascot-Maggie-destroyed this hat directly off of my head. I am considering this a good omen, as the hat was only worn at one game and this was the embarassment on Saturday. Good Riddance!
6) Where the hell are the Duquesne students at these games? Honestly, of the roughly 4000 fans at the game on Saturday about a 1000 were students. This is pitiful. I would have gone crazy if the Dukes were respectable when we were in school. Another 1500 at that game and its a sell out. The AD needs to do something about this.
7) How bout you hit that three to send it to OT ONE TIME! Come out winning a game you should of lost. Aaron Jackson should not be shooting that shot.
8) The Dukes take on Xavier on Thursday night. This game is NOT on FSN but will be webcast at my house. Let me know if anyone wants to get together for some Bluff Diving. I said following the Richmond game "watch the Dukes lose this game and go to Xavier and win."
More posts to come....Let's go Dukes! Keep Hope Alive!!!
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This man IS NOT A BLUFF DIVER
