Jones reclaimed his UFC light heavyweight title by stopping Daniel Cormier in the third round with a vicious head kick and a finish on the ground at UFC 214, completing his rocky journey back to the top after 2 1/2 years of drama with his 14th consecutive victory.
He fended off a stiff challenge from Cormier (19-2), who held the belt for most of the past two years while Jones (23-1) dealt with self-inflicted setbacks outside the cage. His title belt has been stripped twice, and he endured a yearlong suspension for a doping test failure before returning to beat Cormier for the second time.
After 2 1/2 rounds of even, high-level striking, Jones landed a left head kick that caught Cormier leaning in. The champion staggered backward and then around the cage with Jones in pursuit, and Jones finished the fight on the ground with a series of merciless strikes.
Jones’ next opponent for the 205-pound belt could be Swiss sensation Volkan Oezdemir, who kicked off the pay-per-view show with a sensational 22-second knockout of Britain’s Jimi Manuwa.
Earlier, Cris “Cyborg” Justino became a UFC champion for the first time at Honda Center, stopping Tonya Evinger in the third round to win the vacant featherweight belt. Tyron Woodley also defended his welterweight title with a clear decision over Demian Maia, thoroughly frustrating the Brazilian jiu-jitsu master in a fight that drew loud boos from the Honda Center crowd.
Former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler squeaked out a unanimous decision victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in another compelling matchup on the UFC’s most stacked card of the summer.
After Oezdemir got the Anaheim fans on their feet with a vicious first-round stoppage for his fifth consecutive victory, Lawler (28-11) and Cerrone kept them up with an entertaining three-round striking exhibition between two of the toughest veterans in the sport. Cerrone (32-9) shrugged after the judges favored Lawler in two of the three rounds.
Jones’ victory thrilled a crowd that was deflated after Woodley defended his welterweight belt with a strong technical performance against the 39-year-old Maia, a vaunted jiu-jitsu specialist from Brazil. Maia couldn’t get the fight to the ground thanks to the wrestling acumen of Woodley, who patiently stuffed takedowns and grinded out a victory that bored UFC President Dana White.
Afterward, White said Georges St. Pierre will fight middleweight champion Michael Bisping next instead of Woodley. White claimed that “nobody wants to watch Tyron Woodley fight.”
Jones also called out former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar for what would almost certainly be the highest-profile fight in MMA history.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
fans showed up to see Tomey's teams / Rise of the Rainbow Warriors
It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since a UCLA assistant started
his decade-long tenure at Manoa that changed UH football forever.
The confluence of Tomey’s hiring, a new stadium and football conference membership for the first time — all within the space of a couple of years — spurred unprecedented statewide popularity for the program. Attendance gradually climbed, as did the Rainbows’ talent level, quality of play and overall relevance.
After Tomey’s first year, the ’Bows posted five winning seasons in a row, peaking with the 1981 team that won its first seven games and finished 9-2.
Sometimes fans complained about what they saw as a bland offense in those years. But they showed up anyway, often filling the stadium to see UH’s trademark hard-hitting defense.
The biggest Aloha Stadium crowd in 1976 was for the last game with Larry Price as coach, when 33,737 saw a 68-3 loss to Nebraska.
Every home game drew more than 40,000 in 1987, when UH went 7-5 in Tomey’s last season.
*** [8/8/17]
“Rise of the Rainbow Warriors,” a new book from Watermark Publishing, will be released in early October. Authored by former University of Hawaii head football coach Dick Tomey, the book chronicles and celebrates the Tomey era of Rainbow Warrior football, which lasted from 1977 through 1986.
2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the hiring of Coach Tomey at UH.
Although Tomey’s Hawaii teams never won a conference championship or went to a postseason bowl game, his ten seasons at UH represented a special time in UH football history. The Tomey era brought record home attendance numbers, national television exposure, and the program’s first-ever national ranking.
“Rise of the Rainbow Warriors” examines the challenges and opportunities that the program faced during Tomey’s UH coaching tenure. In riveting detail, Coach Tomey shares behind-the-scenes stories that capture the spirit of his Rainbow Warriors teams: the amazing triumphs, the bitter disappointments and the lessons that were learned. Each chapter covers a different aspect of the Tomey era, including recruiting, the big games and the storied rivalry with BYU.
In addition, the book includes contributions from many of Coach Tomey’s former players and assistant coaches, including Blane Gaison, Falaniko Noga, Jesse Sapolu, Gary Allen, David Toloumu, Dana McLemore, Rich Miano, Joe Onosai, Mark Kafentzis, Nu’u Fa’aola, Walter Murray, Jeff Duva and others. “Rise of the Rainbow Warriors” also features 40 full-color and b/w photos.
The book was co-authored by Lance Tominaga, Web Editor at ESPN 1420.
***
Bob Hogue, 10/4/17 Midweek page 75
The confluence of Tomey’s hiring, a new stadium and football conference membership for the first time — all within the space of a couple of years — spurred unprecedented statewide popularity for the program. Attendance gradually climbed, as did the Rainbows’ talent level, quality of play and overall relevance.
After Tomey’s first year, the ’Bows posted five winning seasons in a row, peaking with the 1981 team that won its first seven games and finished 9-2.
Sometimes fans complained about what they saw as a bland offense in those years. But they showed up anyway, often filling the stadium to see UH’s trademark hard-hitting defense.
The biggest Aloha Stadium crowd in 1976 was for the last game with Larry Price as coach, when 33,737 saw a 68-3 loss to Nebraska.
Every home game drew more than 40,000 in 1987, when UH went 7-5 in Tomey’s last season.
*** [8/8/17]
“Rise of the Rainbow Warriors,” a new book from Watermark Publishing, will be released in early October. Authored by former University of Hawaii head football coach Dick Tomey, the book chronicles and celebrates the Tomey era of Rainbow Warrior football, which lasted from 1977 through 1986.
2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the hiring of Coach Tomey at UH.
Although Tomey’s Hawaii teams never won a conference championship or went to a postseason bowl game, his ten seasons at UH represented a special time in UH football history. The Tomey era brought record home attendance numbers, national television exposure, and the program’s first-ever national ranking.
“Rise of the Rainbow Warriors” examines the challenges and opportunities that the program faced during Tomey’s UH coaching tenure. In riveting detail, Coach Tomey shares behind-the-scenes stories that capture the spirit of his Rainbow Warriors teams: the amazing triumphs, the bitter disappointments and the lessons that were learned. Each chapter covers a different aspect of the Tomey era, including recruiting, the big games and the storied rivalry with BYU.
In addition, the book includes contributions from many of Coach Tomey’s former players and assistant coaches, including Blane Gaison, Falaniko Noga, Jesse Sapolu, Gary Allen, David Toloumu, Dana McLemore, Rich Miano, Joe Onosai, Mark Kafentzis, Nu’u Fa’aola, Walter Murray, Jeff Duva and others. “Rise of the Rainbow Warriors” also features 40 full-color and b/w photos.
The book was co-authored by Lance Tominaga, Web Editor at ESPN 1420.
***
Bob Hogue, 10/4/17 Midweek page 75
Thursday, July 20, 2017
OJ paroled
LOVELOCK, Nev. (AP) — O.J. Simpson was granted parole Thursday after
more than eight years in prison for a Las Vegas hotel heist,
successfully making his case in a nationally televised hearing that
reflected America's enduring fascination with the former football star.
Simpson,
70, could be a free man as early as Oct. 1. By then, he will have
served the minimum of his nine-to-33-year armed-robbery sentence for a
bungled attempt to snatch sports memorabilia and other mementos he
claimed had been stolen from him.
All four parole commissioners who conducted the hearing voted for his release after about a half-hour of deliberations. They cited his lack of a prior conviction, the low risk he might commit another crime, his community support and his release plans, which include moving to Florida.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Simpson said quietly as he buried his head on his chest with relief. As he rose from his seat to return to his prison cell, he exhaled deeply.
Then, as he was led down a hall, the former athlete raised his hands over his head in a victory gesture and said, "Oh, God, oh!"
Simpson's sister, Shirley Baker, wept and hugged Simpson's 48-year-old daughter Arnelle, who held a hand over her mouth.
During the more than hour-long hearing, Simpson forcefully insisted — as he has all along — that he was only trying to retrieve items that belonged to him and never meant to hurt anyone. He said he never pointed a gun at anyone nor made any threats during the crime.
"I'm sorry it happened, I'm sorry, Nevada," he told the board. "I thought I was glad to get my stuff back, but it just wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it, and I'm sorry."
All four parole commissioners who conducted the hearing voted for his release after about a half-hour of deliberations. They cited his lack of a prior conviction, the low risk he might commit another crime, his community support and his release plans, which include moving to Florida.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Simpson said quietly as he buried his head on his chest with relief. As he rose from his seat to return to his prison cell, he exhaled deeply.
Then, as he was led down a hall, the former athlete raised his hands over his head in a victory gesture and said, "Oh, God, oh!"
Simpson's sister, Shirley Baker, wept and hugged Simpson's 48-year-old daughter Arnelle, who held a hand over her mouth.
During the more than hour-long hearing, Simpson forcefully insisted — as he has all along — that he was only trying to retrieve items that belonged to him and never meant to hurt anyone. He said he never pointed a gun at anyone nor made any threats during the crime.
"I'm sorry it happened, I'm sorry, Nevada," he told the board. "I thought I was glad to get my stuff back, but it just wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it, and I'm sorry."
Saturday, July 01, 2017
Pacquiuao robbed in Australia
Jeff Horn is the new WBO welterweight champion.
The good news is that it was a very entertaining fight on the big stage, which is all too rare for boxing of late.
The bad news is that it was another controversial decision, which is all to common in boxing.
The outcome is that boxing has a new name and draw in Jeff Horn. The Australian Rocky is a world champion and he won’t be teaching school again anytime soon.
round-by-round / ESPN / punch stats
***
Jeff Horn absorbed tremendous punishment throughout the fight. He took so much in the ninth round that the referee nearly stopped the fight in his corner. He was a bloody mess.
But Horn pulled a massive -- and controversial -- upset, as he was awarded a unanimous decision against Manny Pacquiao to win a welterweight world title before an adoring hometown crowd of some 55,000 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Australia).
Shockingly, all three judges scored the fight for Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs). Judge Waleska Roldan had it 117-111, and judges Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan both had it 115-113.
ESPN.com scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao. ESPN ringside analyst Teddy Atlas also had it for Pacquiao, 116-111.
Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) has been here before, losing a decision and a welterweight title to Timothy Bradley Jr. by split decision in 2012 in one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history. Like he was after that loss, which he avenged twice, Pacquiao was gracious.
"That's the decision of the judges," he said. "I respect that."
*** [7/10/17]
WBO review shows Pacquiao lost 5 rounds to 7. So much for CompuBox.
The good news is that it was a very entertaining fight on the big stage, which is all too rare for boxing of late.
The bad news is that it was another controversial decision, which is all to common in boxing.
The outcome is that boxing has a new name and draw in Jeff Horn. The Australian Rocky is a world champion and he won’t be teaching school again anytime soon.
round-by-round / ESPN / punch stats
***
Jeff Horn absorbed tremendous punishment throughout the fight. He took so much in the ninth round that the referee nearly stopped the fight in his corner. He was a bloody mess.
But Horn pulled a massive -- and controversial -- upset, as he was awarded a unanimous decision against Manny Pacquiao to win a welterweight world title before an adoring hometown crowd of some 55,000 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Australia).
Shockingly, all three judges scored the fight for Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs). Judge Waleska Roldan had it 117-111, and judges Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan both had it 115-113.
ESPN.com scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao. ESPN ringside analyst Teddy Atlas also had it for Pacquiao, 116-111.
Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) has been here before, losing a decision and a welterweight title to Timothy Bradley Jr. by split decision in 2012 in one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history. Like he was after that loss, which he avenged twice, Pacquiao was gracious.
"That's the decision of the judges," he said. "I respect that."
*** [7/10/17]
WBO review shows Pacquiao lost 5 rounds to 7. So much for CompuBox.
Sunday, June 04, 2017
Holloway defeats Aldo to be undisputed featherweight champ
Six months after winning an interim 145-pound title, the 25-year-old Waianae native unified the UFC featherweight championship with a third-round TKO of Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 212 on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.
Holloway (18-3, 14-3 UFC) withstood the best from Aldo (26-3, 8-2) for two rounds before turning it up in the third and dismantling the longtime division kingpin, who lost for just the second time in 11 years. Referee John McCarthy stopped the fight at four minutes, 13 seconds to give Holloway his 11th straight win, tying Royce Gracie for the fourth-longest streak in UFC history.
Holloway (18-3, 14-3 UFC) withstood the best from Aldo (26-3, 8-2) for two rounds before turning it up in the third and dismantling the longtime division kingpin, who lost for just the second time in 11 years. Referee John McCarthy stopped the fight at four minutes, 13 seconds to give Holloway his 11th straight win, tying Royce Gracie for the fourth-longest streak in UFC history.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Homer at the Bat
On Feb. 20, 1992, The Simpsons aired "Homer at the Bat," the heartwarming tale of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team's improbable run to a championship -- with a little help from Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and more big league ringers.
It had it all: hypnotists, extensive heckling of Darryl Strawberry, even an elaborate parody of Terry Cashman's "Talkin' Baseball" ... sung by Terry Cashman:
Almost immediately, the episode became a cultural icon. It was the first time any show had ever beaten "The Cosby Show" in its Thursday night time slot, and it's even helped save a life or two. And on Saturday morning, just over 25 years after it first aired, "Homer at the Bat" and Homer himself got the recognition they deserve: enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The big day began with an airing of the famed "Homer at the Bat" episode in its entirety, as the occasion definitely called for such an opportunity.
The induction ceremonies began on the steps outside the Hall, where a suspiciously gigantic Homer Simpson got his very own plaque:
Longtime Simpsons showrunner and writer Al Jean introduced Homer's prerecorded acceptance speech, which began with the following:
"It is with great humility that I enter the Hall of Fame. And it's about time! I'm fatter than Babe Ruth, balder than Ty Cobb and have one more finger than Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown."
The Mayor of Cooperstown, Jeff Katz, made an appearance as well, declaring May 27, 2017, "Homer J. Simpson Day" -- and did so wearing a sash that read, "MAYOR," a wonderful nod to Springfield Mayor Quimby.
Some old friends stopped by to wish Homer well -- and Ozzie Smith even managed to find his way out of the Springfield Mystery Spot.
It had it all: hypnotists, extensive heckling of Darryl Strawberry, even an elaborate parody of Terry Cashman's "Talkin' Baseball" ... sung by Terry Cashman:
Almost immediately, the episode became a cultural icon. It was the first time any show had ever beaten "The Cosby Show" in its Thursday night time slot, and it's even helped save a life or two. And on Saturday morning, just over 25 years after it first aired, "Homer at the Bat" and Homer himself got the recognition they deserve: enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The big day began with an airing of the famed "Homer at the Bat" episode in its entirety, as the occasion definitely called for such an opportunity.
The induction ceremonies began on the steps outside the Hall, where a suspiciously gigantic Homer Simpson got his very own plaque:
Longtime Simpsons showrunner and writer Al Jean introduced Homer's prerecorded acceptance speech, which began with the following:
"It is with great humility that I enter the Hall of Fame. And it's about time! I'm fatter than Babe Ruth, balder than Ty Cobb and have one more finger than Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown."
The Mayor of Cooperstown, Jeff Katz, made an appearance as well, declaring May 27, 2017, "Homer J. Simpson Day" -- and did so wearing a sash that read, "MAYOR," a wonderful nod to Springfield Mayor Quimby.
Some old friends stopped by to wish Homer well -- and Ozzie Smith even managed to find his way out of the Springfield Mystery Spot.
Friday, May 19, 2017
All-NBA 2016-2017
Houston Rockets guard James Harden was unanimously voted to the 2016-17 All-NBA First Team, and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James matched an NBA record with his 11th First Team selection, the NBA announced today.
Harden (500 points) was the only player named to the First Team on all 100 ballots, earning First Team honors for the third time in the last four seasons. James (498 points) received 99 First Team votes, joining Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone as the only players in league history to make the All-NBA First Team 11 times.
The All-NBA First Team also features three players who were each selected to the First Team for the second time: Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, who joined James in totaling 99 First Team votes and 498 points, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (96 First Team votes, 490 points) and New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis (45 First Team votes, 343 points).
The All-NBA Second Team includes three players making their All-NBA debuts: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas. They are joined by two Golden State Warriors, guard Stephen Curry (fourth All-NBA selection) and forward Kevin Durant (seventh All-NBA selection).
The All-NBA Third Team consists of forwards Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green of the Warriors, guards DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and John Wall of the Washington Wizards and center DeAndre Jordan of the LA Clippers. Butler, DeRozan and Wall are first-time All-NBA selections. Green was named All-NBA for the second time, while Jordan earned his third All-NBA honor.
Harden (500 points) was the only player named to the First Team on all 100 ballots, earning First Team honors for the third time in the last four seasons. James (498 points) received 99 First Team votes, joining Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone as the only players in league history to make the All-NBA First Team 11 times.
The All-NBA First Team also features three players who were each selected to the First Team for the second time: Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, who joined James in totaling 99 First Team votes and 498 points, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (96 First Team votes, 490 points) and New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis (45 First Team votes, 343 points).
The All-NBA Second Team includes three players making their All-NBA debuts: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas. They are joined by two Golden State Warriors, guard Stephen Curry (fourth All-NBA selection) and forward Kevin Durant (seventh All-NBA selection).
The All-NBA Third Team consists of forwards Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green of the Warriors, guards DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and John Wall of the Washington Wizards and center DeAndre Jordan of the LA Clippers. Butler, DeRozan and Wall are first-time All-NBA selections. Green was named All-NBA for the second time, while Jordan earned his third All-NBA honor.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Don Robbs remembers
Don Robbs tells stories about Les Murakami, Les Keiter, Rolly Wray, O.J. Simpson.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
ESPN releases 100
ESPN is laying off about 100 employees, including former athletes-turned-broadcasters Trent Dilfer, Len Elmore and Danny Kanell, in a purge designed to focus the sports network on a more digital future.
The cuts will trim ESPN’s stable of on-air talent and writers by about 10 percent.
The 37-year-old network has been squeezed by rising fees to broadcast live events at the same time hordes of cord-cutting TV viewers have been canceling their ESPN subscriptions. ESPN has lost about 10 million subscribers during the past six years, based on estimates by Nielsen Media Research.
The downturn prompted an even bigger round of layoffs affecting about 300 workers in 2015, but on-air talent was mostly spared from those cuts.
ESPN chief John Skipper said today the company wants to provide distinctive content all the time on multiple screens, with more personality-oriented “SportsCenter” broadcasts, and is keeping people best suited to the new strategy.
ESPN isn’t saying who has been fired. Many are releasing the news on social media, including Dilfer, NFL reporter Ed Werder, baseball reporter Jayson Stark and college basketball reporter Dana O’Neil.
Former morning host Jay Crawford, football columnist Jane McManus, ESPNU host Brendan Fitzgerald, hockey reporter Pierre LeBrun, soccer reporter Mike Goodman, baseball analyst Jim Bowden and baseball reporter Mark Saxon were among the others to announce their departures.
“Our goal continues to be to maximize our unparalleled scale in every medium with storytelling that stands out and makes a difference,” Skipper said in a memo to employees. “We are well-equipped to thrive going forward by embracing those themes.”
The cuts will trim ESPN’s stable of on-air talent and writers by about 10 percent.
The 37-year-old network has been squeezed by rising fees to broadcast live events at the same time hordes of cord-cutting TV viewers have been canceling their ESPN subscriptions. ESPN has lost about 10 million subscribers during the past six years, based on estimates by Nielsen Media Research.
The downturn prompted an even bigger round of layoffs affecting about 300 workers in 2015, but on-air talent was mostly spared from those cuts.
ESPN chief John Skipper said today the company wants to provide distinctive content all the time on multiple screens, with more personality-oriented “SportsCenter” broadcasts, and is keeping people best suited to the new strategy.
ESPN isn’t saying who has been fired. Many are releasing the news on social media, including Dilfer, NFL reporter Ed Werder, baseball reporter Jayson Stark and college basketball reporter Dana O’Neil.
Former morning host Jay Crawford, football columnist Jane McManus, ESPNU host Brendan Fitzgerald, hockey reporter Pierre LeBrun, soccer reporter Mike Goodman, baseball analyst Jim Bowden and baseball reporter Mark Saxon were among the others to announce their departures.
“Our goal continues to be to maximize our unparalleled scale in every medium with storytelling that stands out and makes a difference,” Skipper said in a memo to employees. “We are well-equipped to thrive going forward by embracing those themes.”
Thursday, April 06, 2017
Aloha Stadium
Entering its 43rd year, Aloha Stadium has, “… served its useful life and is now a liability to fan experiences, a potential danger to public health and safety and a financial burden for maintenance and operations,” a consultant’s report warns.
The report notes “… inspections have identified pieces of the building that have actually fallen into public areas of the facility (fortunately the stadium was vacant at the time) bringing to reality the venue’s immediate and long-term risks to fans, the Stadium Authority and the State of Hawaii.”
The 180-page “Aloha Stadium Conceptual Redevelopment Report” and an accompanying 312-page structural review, which were accepted today by the Aloha Stadium Authority, were cited by a consultant who is recommending the building of a new stadium adjacent to the rusting Halawa facility as part of a redevelopment master plan.
The report notes “… inspections have identified pieces of the building that have actually fallen into public areas of the facility (fortunately the stadium was vacant at the time) bringing to reality the venue’s immediate and long-term risks to fans, the Stadium Authority and the State of Hawaii.”
The 180-page “Aloha Stadium Conceptual Redevelopment Report” and an accompanying 312-page structural review, which were accepted today by the Aloha Stadium Authority, were cited by a consultant who is recommending the building of a new stadium adjacent to the rusting Halawa facility as part of a redevelopment master plan.
Sunday, April 02, 2017
Dave Reardon's biggest upset
Listening to the car radio on the way home late Friday (or was it early Saturday?), I heard sports talk radio guys talking about Mississippi State’s win over Connecticut possibly being the greatest sports upset of all-time.
What? They had to be joking, right? If they were just trolling for callers, it worked. Their lines lit up with plenty of dissenting opinions.
The Bulldogs’ 66-64 halting of UConn’s 111-game winning streak in the national semifinals is certainly huge. But all sports? All-time?
Not even close.
I do see it, though, as very significant and perhaps groundbreaking. In women’s basketball the best players and the best programs have been so much better than the have-less-talent competitors and programs. Big upsets are less common than in other sports and the men’s game.
So, when UConn goes down like that, it gives at least some hope that something a little closer to competitive balance can develop. And that would make women’s basketball more interesting to many fans.
After listening to the radio a bit longer, I realized where the radio dudes were coming from. I don’t mean philosophically, I mean geographically. Their broadcast was from Bristol, Conn., less than 50 miles from the UConn campus in Storrs. ESPN has always seemed more excited about UConn than most of the rest of the country.
For the same reason, some of us in Hawaii are a little biased toward Chaminade over Virginia as the gold standard for sports upsets.
Richard Haenisch has even more of an excuse, since he played for the Silverswords in their 77-72 win over the No. 1-ranked Cavaliers, who featured two-time NCAA Division I player of the year Ralph Sampson.
“Considering the 111-game winning streak and the fact UConn beat them by 60 last year and that it’s the Final Four, that makes (Mississippi State’s win) spectacular. But … one Division I school beating another should NEVER be considered as big an upset as an NAIA school with a tiny budget for athletics beating a No. 1 rated NCAA Division I team,” Haenisch said in a text. “EVER!”
That’s why one caller put Appalachian State’s football win at Michigan in 2007 as his pick (and no, he’s not an Ohio State or Michigan State guy).
Here’s what one guy with no dog in the fight thinks about the ’Swords:
“I tweeted right away (after the UConn loss) the biggest upset in all of sports is Chaminade over Virginia and it will never be topped,” said Scott Strasemeier, who is senior associate athletic director in charge of sports information at Navy.
Like we talked about with greatest players of all-time a few weeks ago, this is all tricky, subjective stuff that you can measure in so many different ways.
For example, in 1974, Notre Dame beat UCLA 71-70, in men’s basketball, ending an 88-game winning streak for the Bruins. We never hear that game mentioned as an all-time upset, do we?
Sometimes we’re prisoners of the moment, sometimes we’re victims of foggy memories that remember a smaller world when we knew little and cared even less about the world beyond our favorite team’s stadium.
The largeness of the stage can factor in. So can the impact on the sport … or, like when the United States Olympic team beat the Russians in hockey, an unexpected victory can affect an entire nation.
With all of that in mind and sometimes ignored, here’s one person’s list of biggest sports upsets of all-time. I know yours will be different.
Honorable mentions: Milan (Ind.) High School (enrollment: 161) beats big-school Muncie in Indiana state basketball championship (1954); Giants beat undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl (2008); Miracle Mets take down Orioles in World Series (1969); NC State knocks off Houston in NCAA men’s basketball championship (1983); Boise State beats Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl (2007); Waimea over perennial power Kailua in state softball championship (1990).
10. Holly Holm crushes previously unbeaten Ronda Rousey in MMA fight (2016)
9. Mississippi State over UConn in women’s basketball (2017)
8. Red Sox win four after losing three to beat Yankees in ALCS, go on to capture their first World Series in 76 years (2004)
7. Jets 16, Colts 7, Super Bowl III, the Joe Namath “guarantee” game helped legitimize the AFL and form the current NFL (1969)
6. Buster Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, knocks out undefeated, undisputed heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson (1990)
5. Villanova over Patrick Ewing and Georgetown in NCAA hoops championship (1985)
4. Chaminade over Virginia (1982)
3. The Miracle on Ice (1980)
2. Bad News Bears over Yankees. Yeah, it’s a fictional movie. But (see No. 1) many of us can relate (1976)
1. Park Forest South Dodgers, the real-life Bad News Bears, beat the Reds, the real-life Yankees, in one of many real-life versions of the movie. Before the season even started we lost our only experienced player when he found a bullet, pounded it with a hammer and nearly lost an eye. But we somehow beat the Reds in the championship game. Remember, sports upsets are subjective (1972)
What? They had to be joking, right? If they were just trolling for callers, it worked. Their lines lit up with plenty of dissenting opinions.
The Bulldogs’ 66-64 halting of UConn’s 111-game winning streak in the national semifinals is certainly huge. But all sports? All-time?
Not even close.
I do see it, though, as very significant and perhaps groundbreaking. In women’s basketball the best players and the best programs have been so much better than the have-less-talent competitors and programs. Big upsets are less common than in other sports and the men’s game.
So, when UConn goes down like that, it gives at least some hope that something a little closer to competitive balance can develop. And that would make women’s basketball more interesting to many fans.
After listening to the radio a bit longer, I realized where the radio dudes were coming from. I don’t mean philosophically, I mean geographically. Their broadcast was from Bristol, Conn., less than 50 miles from the UConn campus in Storrs. ESPN has always seemed more excited about UConn than most of the rest of the country.
For the same reason, some of us in Hawaii are a little biased toward Chaminade over Virginia as the gold standard for sports upsets.
Richard Haenisch has even more of an excuse, since he played for the Silverswords in their 77-72 win over the No. 1-ranked Cavaliers, who featured two-time NCAA Division I player of the year Ralph Sampson.
“Considering the 111-game winning streak and the fact UConn beat them by 60 last year and that it’s the Final Four, that makes (Mississippi State’s win) spectacular. But … one Division I school beating another should NEVER be considered as big an upset as an NAIA school with a tiny budget for athletics beating a No. 1 rated NCAA Division I team,” Haenisch said in a text. “EVER!”
That’s why one caller put Appalachian State’s football win at Michigan in 2007 as his pick (and no, he’s not an Ohio State or Michigan State guy).
Here’s what one guy with no dog in the fight thinks about the ’Swords:
“I tweeted right away (after the UConn loss) the biggest upset in all of sports is Chaminade over Virginia and it will never be topped,” said Scott Strasemeier, who is senior associate athletic director in charge of sports information at Navy.
Like we talked about with greatest players of all-time a few weeks ago, this is all tricky, subjective stuff that you can measure in so many different ways.
For example, in 1974, Notre Dame beat UCLA 71-70, in men’s basketball, ending an 88-game winning streak for the Bruins. We never hear that game mentioned as an all-time upset, do we?
Sometimes we’re prisoners of the moment, sometimes we’re victims of foggy memories that remember a smaller world when we knew little and cared even less about the world beyond our favorite team’s stadium.
The largeness of the stage can factor in. So can the impact on the sport … or, like when the United States Olympic team beat the Russians in hockey, an unexpected victory can affect an entire nation.
With all of that in mind and sometimes ignored, here’s one person’s list of biggest sports upsets of all-time. I know yours will be different.
Honorable mentions: Milan (Ind.) High School (enrollment: 161) beats big-school Muncie in Indiana state basketball championship (1954); Giants beat undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl (2008); Miracle Mets take down Orioles in World Series (1969); NC State knocks off Houston in NCAA men’s basketball championship (1983); Boise State beats Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl (2007); Waimea over perennial power Kailua in state softball championship (1990).
10. Holly Holm crushes previously unbeaten Ronda Rousey in MMA fight (2016)
9. Mississippi State over UConn in women’s basketball (2017)
8. Red Sox win four after losing three to beat Yankees in ALCS, go on to capture their first World Series in 76 years (2004)
7. Jets 16, Colts 7, Super Bowl III, the Joe Namath “guarantee” game helped legitimize the AFL and form the current NFL (1969)
6. Buster Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, knocks out undefeated, undisputed heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson (1990)
5. Villanova over Patrick Ewing and Georgetown in NCAA hoops championship (1985)
4. Chaminade over Virginia (1982)
3. The Miracle on Ice (1980)
2. Bad News Bears over Yankees. Yeah, it’s a fictional movie. But (see No. 1) many of us can relate (1976)
1. Park Forest South Dodgers, the real-life Bad News Bears, beat the Reds, the real-life Yankees, in one of many real-life versions of the movie. Before the season even started we lost our only experienced player when he found a bullet, pounded it with a hammer and nearly lost an eye. But we somehow beat the Reds in the championship game. Remember, sports upsets are subjective (1972)
Friday, March 03, 2017
Rainbow Warrior basketball penalties reduced
The Hawaii basketball team has been cleared by the NCAA to play in the postseason, the collegiate governing body announced this morning.
UH had waited nervously as the Big West tournament crept closer — but now the Rainbow Warriors (14-14, 8-7 BWC) will be playing in Anaheim, Calif., next week.
In its release, the NCAA stated:
“The University of Hawaii, Manoa, will not have to serve a men’s basketball postseason ban, according to a reconsidered decision issued by the Division I Committee on Infractions. The university’s probationary period was also reduced from three years to two, and the men’s basketball scholarship penalty was changed from two scholarship reductions to one over each of the two years.”
Per a UH spokesperson, the basketball team will have its full allotment of 13 scholarships restored for 2017-18 because of the scholarships it’s withheld between this season and last season.
UH had waited nervously as the Big West tournament crept closer — but now the Rainbow Warriors (14-14, 8-7 BWC) will be playing in Anaheim, Calif., next week.
In its release, the NCAA stated:
“The University of Hawaii, Manoa, will not have to serve a men’s basketball postseason ban, according to a reconsidered decision issued by the Division I Committee on Infractions. The university’s probationary period was also reduced from three years to two, and the men’s basketball scholarship penalty was changed from two scholarship reductions to one over each of the two years.”
Per a UH spokesperson, the basketball team will have its full allotment of 13 scholarships restored for 2017-18 because of the scholarships it’s withheld between this season and last season.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
NBA 2016-2017 transactions
2/23/17 - Chicago trades Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott to Oklahoma City for Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Anthony Morrow
2/23/17 - P.J. Tucker traded from Phoenix to Toronto for Jared Sullinger and two second-round pickks
2/23/17 - Nerlens Noel to be traded from Philadelphia to Dallas for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, protected 2017 first-round pick
2/22/17 - Ilyasova traded from Philadelphia to Atlanta for Splitter and a second-round pick
2/22/17 - Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCoullough traded from Brooklyn to Washington for Marcus Thornton, Andrew Nicholson, and protected first-round pick
2/21/17 - Lou Williams traded from Lakers to Houston for Corey Brewer and first round pick
2/2/1/17 - Jeannie Buss ousts Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak from front office, putting Magic Johnson in charge of basketball operations
2/19/17 - DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Caspi traded from Sacramento to New Orleans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 2017 first round pick (top three protected), 2017 second round pick.
2/14/17 - Serge Ibaka traded from Orlando to Toronto for Terrence Ross and 2017 first round pick
2/12/17 - Mason Plumlee and 2018 second-round traded from Portland to Denver for Jusuf Nurkic and 2017 first round pick
2/2/17 - Bucks trade Miles Plumlee to Hornets for Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes
1/5/17 - Kyle Korver traded to Cleveland from Atlanta for Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams, first-round pick
11/1/16 - Jerami Grant traded from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected 2020 first-round pick
11/1/16 - Ray Allen retires
9/23/16 - Kevin Garnett retires after 21 seasons
9/23/16 - Chris Bosh fails physical, future unclear
8/17/16 - Yi Jianlian to sign with Lakers for 1 year, $8 million
8/12/16 - LeBron re-signs with Cleveland for three years, $100 million
8/3/16 - Russell Westbrook agrees to three-year $86 million renegotiation
8/3/16 - Jimmer to reportedly play in China for Yao Ming's team
8/2/16 - David Lee signs with Spurs
7/26/16 - Amare Stoudemire retires / will play in Israel
7/26/16 - CJ McCollum signs max extension, four years, $106 million
7/11/16 - Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons
7/11/16 - Draymond Green arrested for assault
7/11/16 - Portland matches Nets offer sheet for Allen Crabbe
7/11/16 - Heat match offer sheet for Tyler Johnson, re-sign Haslem, sign Wayne Ellington, sign James Johnson, acquire Luke Babbitt from New Orleans
7/10/16 - Meyers Leonard signs four-year, $41 million extension with Portfland
7/9/16 - James Harden agrees to $118 million, 4 year renegotiation
7/9/16 - Warriors sign David West for veteran's minimum
7/8/16 - Derrick Williams signs with Miami for 1 year, $5 million
7/8/16 - Marreese Speights agrees to join Clippers
7/7/16 - Nets offer Allen Crabbe $75 million for four years
7/7/16 - Festus Ezeli headed to Portland for two years, $15 million
7/6/16 - Nets offer Tyler Johnson $50 million for four years (matched by Miami 7/11)
7/6/16 - Dwyane Wade leaving Miami for Chicago for two years, $47.5 million, Bulls trade Jose Calderon to Lakers and Mike Dunleavy to Cleveland
7/6/16 - Barbosa to return to Phoenix for two years, $8 million
7/6/16 - Nene heads to Houston for one year, $2.9 million
7/5/16 - San Antonio trades Boris Diaw to Utah for rights to Olivier Hanlan (i.e. salary cap space)
7/5/16 - Dirk Nowitzki to re-sign with Dallas for two years, $40 million
7/5/16 - Gerald Henderson head to Philiadelphia for two years, $18 million
7/5/16 - Ramon Sessions signs with Charlotte for two years, $12.3 million
7/4/16 - Roy Hibbert signs with Charlotte for one year, $5 million
7/4/16 - Brandon Jennings to play for Knicks for one year, $5 million
7/4/16 - Andew Bogut traded from Golden State to Dallas
7/4/16 - Pau Gasol signs with San Antonio for two years, $30 million
7/4/16 - which means Harrison Barnes will be headed to Dallas
7/4/16 - Warriors are now heavy favorites to win
7/6/16 - Charles Barkley comments on Durant's move
7/4/16 - Tarik Black returns to Lakers for two years, $12.85 million
7/3/16 - Trey Burke traded from Utah to Washington for 2021 second round pick
7/3/16 - Dallas bringing back Deron Williams for one year, $10 million and Dwight Powell for four years, $37 million
7/3/16 - Cole Aldridge will go to Minnesota for 3 years, $22 million
7/3/16 - Rondo going to Chicago for two years, $30 million
7/3/16 - Garrett Temple going to Sacramento for three years, $24 million
7/3/16 - Nets to sign Tyler Johnson to four-year, $50 million offer sheet
7/3/16 - Ginobili to return to Spurs for 15th season
7/2/16 - Wesley Johnson to return to Clippers for three years, $18 million
7/2/16 - Eric Gordon to join Rockets for four years, $53 million
7/2/16 - Ian Mahinmi signs with Wizards for four years, $64 million (Mozgov money)
7/2/16 - Austin Rivers to re-sign with Clippers for three years, $35 million
7/2/16 - Dallas to make max offer to Harrison Barnes
7/2/16 - Courtney Lee agrees to join Knicks for four years, $50 million
7/2/16 - Celtics signs Al Hoford to max deal, four years, $113 million
7/2/16 - Ryan Anderson headed to Houston for four years, $80 million
7/2/16 - Arron Affalo headed to Sacrament for two years, $25 million
7/2/16 - Bismack Biyombo to leave Toronto for Orlando for four years, $70 million
7/2/16 - Marvin Williams to return to Charlotte for four years, $54.5 million
7/2/16 - Jon Leuer heads to Detroit for four years, $42 million
7/2/16 - Luol Deng agrees to join Lakers for four years, $72 million
7/2/16 - Joe Johnson signs with Utah for two years, $22 million
7/2/16 - Kent Bazemore to return to Hawks for four years, $70 million
7/1/16 - Jared Dudley returning to Phoenix for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Jeff Green to join Orlando for 1 year, $15 million
7/1/16 - Mike Conley Jr. re-signs with Memphis for 5 years and a record $153 million
7/1/16 - Dwight Howard signs with Atlanta for three years, $70.5 million
[more from the 7/1/16 feed]
7/1/16 - Solomon Hill to New Orlenas for four years, $48 million
7/1/16 - Matthew Dellavdeova agrees to Milwaukee offer sheet for four years, $38.4 million
7/1/16 - Evan Fournier to stay with Orlando for five years, $85 million
7/1/16 - Mirza Telotovic agree with Bucks for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Jerryd Bayless agrees to go to Philadelphia for three years, $27 million
7/1/16 - DJ Augustin to sign with Orlando for four years, $29 million
7/1/16 - OJ Mayo banned by NBA for at least two years
7/1/16 - Chandler Parsons signs max deal with Memphis for four years, $94 million
7/1/16 - Evan Turner headed to Portland for four years, $70 million
7/1/16 - Al Jefferson signs with Indiana for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Detroit signs Ish Smith for three years, $18 million
7/1/16 - Andre Drummond agrees to stay with Detroit for five year max of $130 million
7/1/16 - Jeremy Lin heads to Brooklyn for three years, $36 million
7/1/16 - Hassan Whiteside to stay with Heat for max deal of four years, 98.6 milllion
7/1/16 - Nicolas Batum to re-sign with Charlotte for five years, $120 million
7/1/16 - Bradley Beal agrees to stay with Wizards for five years, $128 million
7/1/16 - DeMar DeRozan to stay with Raptors for five years, $139 million
7/1/16 - Lakers resign Jordan Clarkson for four years, $50 million
7/1/16 - Joakim Noah and Knicks nearing agreement on deal for four years $72 million
7/1/16 - Lakers to pay Timofey Mozgov $64 million for four years
6/30/16 - Nets release Jarrett Jack
6/23/16 - Brooklyn trades Thaddeus Young to Indiana for first round pick (no. 20)
6/22/16 - Hawks send Jeff Teague to Pacers who send George Hill to Utah who send first round pick (no. 12) to Atlanta
6/22/16 - Knicks acquire Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, 2017 second-round pick from Bulls for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant
6/3/16 - Knicks hire Jeff Hornacek as head coach
5/30/16 - Memphis hires David Fizdale as head coach
5/28/16 - Houston to hire Mike D'Antoni as head coach
5/27/16 - the smartest coaching move of the off-season
5/19/16 - Orlando to hire Frank Vogel as head coach
5/16/16 - Pacers name Nate McMillan as head coach
5/12/16 - Scott Skiles resigns as Orlando coach
5/10/16 - Sacramento hires Joerger (to replace the fired George Karl)
5/7/16 - Memphis fires Dave Joerger
5/5/16 - Pacers part ways with Frank Vogel
4/29/16 - Luke Walton agrees to become new head coach of the Lakers
4/25/16 - Byron Scott won't return as Lakers coach
4/21/16 - Tom Thibodeaux to become coach and president of operations for Timberwolves
4/21/16 - Wizards hire Scott Brooks as head coach to replace Randy Wittman
4/17/16 - Kenny Atkinson named Brooklyn head coach
2/23/17 - P.J. Tucker traded from Phoenix to Toronto for Jared Sullinger and two second-round pickks
2/23/17 - Nerlens Noel to be traded from Philadelphia to Dallas for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, protected 2017 first-round pick
2/22/17 - Ilyasova traded from Philadelphia to Atlanta for Splitter and a second-round pick
2/22/17 - Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCoullough traded from Brooklyn to Washington for Marcus Thornton, Andrew Nicholson, and protected first-round pick
2/21/17 - Lou Williams traded from Lakers to Houston for Corey Brewer and first round pick
2/2/1/17 - Jeannie Buss ousts Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak from front office, putting Magic Johnson in charge of basketball operations
2/19/17 - DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Caspi traded from Sacramento to New Orleans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 2017 first round pick (top three protected), 2017 second round pick.
2/14/17 - Serge Ibaka traded from Orlando to Toronto for Terrence Ross and 2017 first round pick
2/12/17 - Mason Plumlee and 2018 second-round traded from Portland to Denver for Jusuf Nurkic and 2017 first round pick
2/2/17 - Bucks trade Miles Plumlee to Hornets for Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes
1/5/17 - Kyle Korver traded to Cleveland from Atlanta for Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams, first-round pick
11/1/16 - Jerami Grant traded from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected 2020 first-round pick
11/1/16 - Ray Allen retires
9/23/16 - Kevin Garnett retires after 21 seasons
9/23/16 - Chris Bosh fails physical, future unclear
8/17/16 - Yi Jianlian to sign with Lakers for 1 year, $8 million
8/12/16 - LeBron re-signs with Cleveland for three years, $100 million
8/3/16 - Russell Westbrook agrees to three-year $86 million renegotiation
8/3/16 - Jimmer to reportedly play in China for Yao Ming's team
8/2/16 - David Lee signs with Spurs
7/26/16 - Amare Stoudemire retires / will play in Israel
7/26/16 - CJ McCollum signs max extension, four years, $106 million
7/11/16 - Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons
7/11/16 - Draymond Green arrested for assault
7/11/16 - Portland matches Nets offer sheet for Allen Crabbe
7/11/16 - Heat match offer sheet for Tyler Johnson, re-sign Haslem, sign Wayne Ellington, sign James Johnson, acquire Luke Babbitt from New Orleans
7/10/16 - Meyers Leonard signs four-year, $41 million extension with Portfland
7/9/16 - James Harden agrees to $118 million, 4 year renegotiation
7/9/16 - Warriors sign David West for veteran's minimum
7/8/16 - Derrick Williams signs with Miami for 1 year, $5 million
7/8/16 - Marreese Speights agrees to join Clippers
7/7/16 - Nets offer Allen Crabbe $75 million for four years
7/7/16 - Festus Ezeli headed to Portland for two years, $15 million
7/6/16 - Nets offer Tyler Johnson $50 million for four years (matched by Miami 7/11)
7/6/16 - Dwyane Wade leaving Miami for Chicago for two years, $47.5 million, Bulls trade Jose Calderon to Lakers and Mike Dunleavy to Cleveland
7/6/16 - Barbosa to return to Phoenix for two years, $8 million
7/6/16 - Nene heads to Houston for one year, $2.9 million
7/5/16 - San Antonio trades Boris Diaw to Utah for rights to Olivier Hanlan (i.e. salary cap space)
7/5/16 - Dirk Nowitzki to re-sign with Dallas for two years, $40 million
7/5/16 - Gerald Henderson head to Philiadelphia for two years, $18 million
7/5/16 - Ramon Sessions signs with Charlotte for two years, $12.3 million
7/4/16 - Roy Hibbert signs with Charlotte for one year, $5 million
7/4/16 - Brandon Jennings to play for Knicks for one year, $5 million
7/4/16 - Andew Bogut traded from Golden State to Dallas
7/4/16 - Pau Gasol signs with San Antonio for two years, $30 million
7/4/16 - which means Harrison Barnes will be headed to Dallas
7/4/16 - Warriors are now heavy favorites to win
7/6/16 - Charles Barkley comments on Durant's move
7/4/16 - Tarik Black returns to Lakers for two years, $12.85 million
7/3/16 - Trey Burke traded from Utah to Washington for 2021 second round pick
7/3/16 - Dallas bringing back Deron Williams for one year, $10 million and Dwight Powell for four years, $37 million
7/3/16 - Cole Aldridge will go to Minnesota for 3 years, $22 million
7/3/16 - Rondo going to Chicago for two years, $30 million
7/3/16 - Garrett Temple going to Sacramento for three years, $24 million
7/3/16 - Nets to sign Tyler Johnson to four-year, $50 million offer sheet
7/3/16 - Ginobili to return to Spurs for 15th season
7/2/16 - Wesley Johnson to return to Clippers for three years, $18 million
7/2/16 - Eric Gordon to join Rockets for four years, $53 million
7/2/16 - Ian Mahinmi signs with Wizards for four years, $64 million (Mozgov money)
7/2/16 - Austin Rivers to re-sign with Clippers for three years, $35 million
7/2/16 - Dallas to make max offer to Harrison Barnes
7/2/16 - Courtney Lee agrees to join Knicks for four years, $50 million
7/2/16 - Celtics signs Al Hoford to max deal, four years, $113 million
7/2/16 - Ryan Anderson headed to Houston for four years, $80 million
7/2/16 - Arron Affalo headed to Sacrament for two years, $25 million
7/2/16 - Bismack Biyombo to leave Toronto for Orlando for four years, $70 million
7/2/16 - Marvin Williams to return to Charlotte for four years, $54.5 million
7/2/16 - Jon Leuer heads to Detroit for four years, $42 million
7/2/16 - Luol Deng agrees to join Lakers for four years, $72 million
7/2/16 - Joe Johnson signs with Utah for two years, $22 million
7/2/16 - Kent Bazemore to return to Hawks for four years, $70 million
7/1/16 - Jared Dudley returning to Phoenix for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Jeff Green to join Orlando for 1 year, $15 million
7/1/16 - Mike Conley Jr. re-signs with Memphis for 5 years and a record $153 million
7/1/16 - Dwight Howard signs with Atlanta for three years, $70.5 million
[more from the 7/1/16 feed]
7/1/16 - Solomon Hill to New Orlenas for four years, $48 million
7/1/16 - Matthew Dellavdeova agrees to Milwaukee offer sheet for four years, $38.4 million
7/1/16 - Evan Fournier to stay with Orlando for five years, $85 million
7/1/16 - Mirza Telotovic agree with Bucks for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Jerryd Bayless agrees to go to Philadelphia for three years, $27 million
7/1/16 - DJ Augustin to sign with Orlando for four years, $29 million
7/1/16 - OJ Mayo banned by NBA for at least two years
7/1/16 - Chandler Parsons signs max deal with Memphis for four years, $94 million
7/1/16 - Evan Turner headed to Portland for four years, $70 million
7/1/16 - Al Jefferson signs with Indiana for three years, $30 million
7/1/16 - Detroit signs Ish Smith for three years, $18 million
7/1/16 - Andre Drummond agrees to stay with Detroit for five year max of $130 million
7/1/16 - Jeremy Lin heads to Brooklyn for three years, $36 million
7/1/16 - Hassan Whiteside to stay with Heat for max deal of four years, 98.6 milllion
7/1/16 - Nicolas Batum to re-sign with Charlotte for five years, $120 million
7/1/16 - Bradley Beal agrees to stay with Wizards for five years, $128 million
7/1/16 - DeMar DeRozan to stay with Raptors for five years, $139 million
7/1/16 - Lakers resign Jordan Clarkson for four years, $50 million
7/1/16 - Joakim Noah and Knicks nearing agreement on deal for four years $72 million
7/1/16 - Lakers to pay Timofey Mozgov $64 million for four years
6/30/16 - Nets release Jarrett Jack
6/23/16 - Brooklyn trades Thaddeus Young to Indiana for first round pick (no. 20)
6/22/16 - Hawks send Jeff Teague to Pacers who send George Hill to Utah who send first round pick (no. 12) to Atlanta
6/22/16 - Knicks acquire Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, 2017 second-round pick from Bulls for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant
6/3/16 - Knicks hire Jeff Hornacek as head coach
5/30/16 - Memphis hires David Fizdale as head coach
5/28/16 - Houston to hire Mike D'Antoni as head coach
5/27/16 - the smartest coaching move of the off-season
5/19/16 - Orlando to hire Frank Vogel as head coach
5/16/16 - Pacers name Nate McMillan as head coach
5/12/16 - Scott Skiles resigns as Orlando coach
5/10/16 - Sacramento hires Joerger (to replace the fired George Karl)
5/7/16 - Memphis fires Dave Joerger
5/5/16 - Pacers part ways with Frank Vogel
4/29/16 - Luke Walton agrees to become new head coach of the Lakers
4/25/16 - Byron Scott won't return as Lakers coach
4/21/16 - Tom Thibodeaux to become coach and president of operations for Timberwolves
4/21/16 - Wizards hire Scott Brooks as head coach to replace Randy Wittman
4/17/16 - Kenny Atkinson named Brooklyn head coach
Monday, February 20, 2017
Ivan Koloff
Ivan Koloff, knowing among wrestling fans as “The Russian Bear,” has died. He was 74.
Koloff had been battling liver cancer and was in need of “urgent medical care,” according to a Go Fund Me page set up by his daughter, Rachel Marley, on Feb. 2.
After news of his death surfaced, condolences were spread on social media. Hulk Hogan said he felt “helpless” — with Koloff’s death coming after a string of losses for the wrestling community including George “The Animal” Steele, who died Friday.
He was born Oreal Perras in Montreal, Canada, in 1942 — and found a passion for wrestling early on, leaving high school at 18 to devote himself full-time to the sport. He first debuted as a character name Red McNulty, according to Brian Solomon’s book WWE Legends, and built up a strong following wrestling in Toronto.
Perras debuted “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff in 1967 during an International Wresting Association match, winning the Heavyweight Championship the final year. He joined the WWWF in 1969, under the guidance of “Captain “Lou Albano.
He would go on to win the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1971, defeating defending champ Bruno Sammartino by pinfall in a legendary match at Madison Square Garden. The Italian hero had previously had a seven-and-a-half year run with the belt.
In 2014 his struggle with drugs and alcohol, as well as his life as a wrestler, were shared in the book Life in the Trenches, which included testimonies from the likes of “Rowdy” Roddy Pipper, Diamond Dallas Page, Dan Severn, George “The Animal” Steele, the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Rick Martel and Jim Abbott.
Koloff had been battling liver cancer and was in need of “urgent medical care,” according to a Go Fund Me page set up by his daughter, Rachel Marley, on Feb. 2.
After news of his death surfaced, condolences were spread on social media. Hulk Hogan said he felt “helpless” — with Koloff’s death coming after a string of losses for the wrestling community including George “The Animal” Steele, who died Friday.
He was born Oreal Perras in Montreal, Canada, in 1942 — and found a passion for wrestling early on, leaving high school at 18 to devote himself full-time to the sport. He first debuted as a character name Red McNulty, according to Brian Solomon’s book WWE Legends, and built up a strong following wrestling in Toronto.
Perras debuted “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff in 1967 during an International Wresting Association match, winning the Heavyweight Championship the final year. He joined the WWWF in 1969, under the guidance of “Captain “Lou Albano.
He would go on to win the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1971, defeating defending champ Bruno Sammartino by pinfall in a legendary match at Madison Square Garden. The Italian hero had previously had a seven-and-a-half year run with the belt.
In 2014 his struggle with drugs and alcohol, as well as his life as a wrestler, were shared in the book Life in the Trenches, which included testimonies from the likes of “Rowdy” Roddy Pipper, Diamond Dallas Page, Dan Severn, George “The Animal” Steele, the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Rick Martel and Jim Abbott.
Anthony Davis breaks Wilt's record
NEW ORLEANS -- Pelicans star Anthony Davis openly proclaimed ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game that he was going after the MVP award, and he didn't make his master plan on how to do so much of a secret.
"Coach [Alvin] Gentry already told me every time I catch it to put it up," said Davis upon being selected to his fourth straight spot on the Western Conference team.
The Western Conference All-Stars seemed to have no problems feeding Davis on his home floor at the Smoothie King Center.
Davis took an All-Star record 39 shots and scored 52 points to lead the West over the East at the 66th All-Star Game, 192-182 -- the highest-scoring game in league history.
The 23-year-old's point total smashed the previous record of 42, set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.
"I stressed that, I think more than enough, to the guys in the locker room before the game that I wanted to get the MVP for this crowd, for the city, and I ended up doing it," Davis said. "Them guys did a great job of just finding me, giving me the basketball. They wanted me to score 50. Every time, Kawhi [Leonard] was like, 'Six more points.' Or James [Harden] was like, 'I'm going to pass you the ball.'"
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Kahuku defeats Punahou for boy's basketball title
Kahuku finally has its first boys basketball state championship.
In one of the most fast-paced state finals in recent memory, top-seeded Kahuku got 23 points from point guard Jessiya Villa and 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks from Samuta Avea to outlast second-seeded Punahou 70-55 in the Division I final of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships on Saturday at Stan Sheriff Center.
A crowd of 3,565 sounded double its size, and most of the volume came from Kahuku fans.
In one of the most fast-paced state finals in recent memory, top-seeded Kahuku got 23 points from point guard Jessiya Villa and 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks from Samuta Avea to outlast second-seeded Punahou 70-55 in the Division I final of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships on Saturday at Stan Sheriff Center.
A crowd of 3,565 sounded double its size, and most of the volume came from Kahuku fans.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Hawaii Swish
[2/11/17] he Hawaii Swish’s first foray into the realm of professional basketball was a success.
Team owner Geremy Robinson scored 24 points and a youthful crowd of around 600 was on hand in the Blaisdell Arena for a 99-84 victory over the Yuba City Goldminers in the Swish debut in the American Basketball Association on Friday night.
The Swish overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to win going away.
“That was wonderful. This was a really big win,” said Robinson, a former University of Hawaii guard. “I’m so proud of my team. They stepped up. Imagine when they get some real experience — these guys are going to be great.”
The Swish, sporting Lakers-esque gold jerseys, are comprised of a mix of former UH and other college players. Derrick Braziel scored 18 points, Mark Veazey added 15 and Leon Ballard 14 in the victory.
“The crowd was excellent. It was more than I thought it would be,” coach Artie Wilson said. “I think we got excited and they played the music and they got energy in this building. My team really thrived from that energy.”
*** [2/24/17]
But now what we have is the Hawaii Swish, and now maybe — just maybe — this time it’s different.
Why?
Because Geremy Robinson is no carpetbagger.
No one is coming and going — they’re already here. Hawaii is Robinson’s home, as it is for coach Artie Wilson and all of the Swish players.
You already know a lot of the names: Miah Ostrowski, Pi’i Minns, JC Carter.
This is no fly-by-night operation. Actually, the Swish aren’t flying anywhere at all. No road games, not until next year.
Robinson, 38, doesn’t only own the Swish. After one game, he is its leading scorer. A crowd of somewhere between 600 and 1,200, depending on who you talk to, saw him score 24 points as the Swish beat the Yuba City Goldminers 99-84 at the Blaisdell Arena on Feb. 10.
Team owner Geremy Robinson scored 24 points and a youthful crowd of around 600 was on hand in the Blaisdell Arena for a 99-84 victory over the Yuba City Goldminers in the Swish debut in the American Basketball Association on Friday night.
The Swish overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to win going away.
“That was wonderful. This was a really big win,” said Robinson, a former University of Hawaii guard. “I’m so proud of my team. They stepped up. Imagine when they get some real experience — these guys are going to be great.”
The Swish, sporting Lakers-esque gold jerseys, are comprised of a mix of former UH and other college players. Derrick Braziel scored 18 points, Mark Veazey added 15 and Leon Ballard 14 in the victory.
“The crowd was excellent. It was more than I thought it would be,” coach Artie Wilson said. “I think we got excited and they played the music and they got energy in this building. My team really thrived from that energy.”
*** [2/24/17]
But now what we have is the Hawaii Swish, and now maybe — just maybe — this time it’s different.
Why?
Because Geremy Robinson is no carpetbagger.
No one is coming and going — they’re already here. Hawaii is Robinson’s home, as it is for coach Artie Wilson and all of the Swish players.
You already know a lot of the names: Miah Ostrowski, Pi’i Minns, JC Carter.
This is no fly-by-night operation. Actually, the Swish aren’t flying anywhere at all. No road games, not until next year.
Robinson, 38, doesn’t only own the Swish. After one game, he is its leading scorer. A crowd of somewhere between 600 and 1,200, depending on who you talk to, saw him score 24 points as the Swish beat the Yuba City Goldminers 99-84 at the Blaisdell Arena on Feb. 10.
Monday, February 06, 2017
Super Bowl LI
They looked old and outmanned. Their star quarterback was frazzled, their stingy defense was a sieve.
So what? Tom Brady and the New England Patriots shrugged and did what they always seem to do: Win the Super Bowl.
Brady led one of the greatest comebacks in sports history highlighted by a Julian Edelman catch that was almost beyond belief. The Patriots pulled themselves out of a 25-point hole against the Atlanta Falcons to a 34-28 win for New England’s fifth NFL championship. Today was the first Super Bowl decided in overtime.
“There were a lot of plays that coach talks about, you never know which one is going to be the Super Bowl winner,” said Brady, who earned a record fourth MVP award and a fifth Super Bowl ring, the most for a quarterback. “There were probably 30 of those plays tonight and (if) any one of those were different, the outcome could have been different.”
But down 28-3 in the third quarter, Tom?
“It’s hard to imagine us winning,” the 39-year-old Brady said. “It took a lot of great plays and that’s why you play to the end.”
The Patriots scored 19 points in the final quarter, including a pair of 2-point conversions, then marched relentlessly to James White’s 2-yard touchdown run in overtime after winning the coin toss. White scored three touchdowns and a 2-pointer.
“We knew we had a shot the whole game,” White said. “It was an amazing comeback by our team. It’s surreal right now. You couldn’t write this script.”
So what? Tom Brady and the New England Patriots shrugged and did what they always seem to do: Win the Super Bowl.
Brady led one of the greatest comebacks in sports history highlighted by a Julian Edelman catch that was almost beyond belief. The Patriots pulled themselves out of a 25-point hole against the Atlanta Falcons to a 34-28 win for New England’s fifth NFL championship. Today was the first Super Bowl decided in overtime.
“There were a lot of plays that coach talks about, you never know which one is going to be the Super Bowl winner,” said Brady, who earned a record fourth MVP award and a fifth Super Bowl ring, the most for a quarterback. “There were probably 30 of those plays tonight and (if) any one of those were different, the outcome could have been different.”
But down 28-3 in the third quarter, Tom?
“It’s hard to imagine us winning,” the 39-year-old Brady said. “It took a lot of great plays and that’s why you play to the end.”
The Patriots scored 19 points in the final quarter, including a pair of 2-point conversions, then marched relentlessly to James White’s 2-yard touchdown run in overtime after winning the coin toss. White scored three touchdowns and a 2-pointer.
“We knew we had a shot the whole game,” White said. “It was an amazing comeback by our team. It’s surreal right now. You couldn’t write this script.”
Friday, January 27, 2017
Riley Wallace, Jim Leahey, Tony Davis in Circle of Honor
Three characters with character have been inducted into the University of Hawaii’s Sports Circle of Honor.
Riley Wallace, the winningest head coach in UH men’s basketball history, sportscaster Jim Leahey, and former basketball standout Tony Davis will be celebrated at an enshrinement ceremony during the Rainbow Warriors’ basketball game on Feb. 25 in the Stan Sheriff Center.
This is the Circle’s 34th class. Each inductee will have a plaque with his image displayed in the SSC.
Wallace was 334-265 in 20 seasons as UH head coach, including three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and six in the National Invitation Tournament.
Wallace is an enigma whose brash coaching style belies his off-the-court kindness. He is known for prolifically tossing jackets and picking up dinner tabs. He coached three All-Americans and three academic All-Americans, but also gave chances to a high school dropout and many with hard-scrabble backgrounds. “Old Yeller” is his description and favorite movie.
Stan Sheriff, the late UH athletic director, was heralded for his behind-the-scene lobbying for an on-campus arena that eventually would bear his name. But it was Wallace who was the frontman, persistently — and loudly — promoting the need for a seating capacity of more than 4,000. The SSC has a seating capacity of 10,300.
Wallace and his wife own a condo in Honolulu and a house in Las Vegas, where he is an executive host for Boyd Gaming properties.
For more than 40 years, Leahey, the second of a family trilogy of sportscasters, has been the narrator of UH telecasts and broadcasts.
Leahey became the television voice for UH sports, working for KGMB and then KFVE and OC Sports. As play-by-play announcer, Leahey eloquently called UH’s greatest, worst and mundane performances, blending anecdotes with vivid descriptions. Sometimes he would step away from the mic, allowing the images and the crowd’s reaction to provide the portrayal. Leahey’s father, Chuck, is enshrined in the Circle of Honor, and his son, Kanoa, is a popular OC Sports play-by-play announcer for UH sports.
Davis enrolled at UH in the late 1950s. He set the program’s single-game scoring record with 45 points against Los Angeles State on Feb. 5, 1959. Davis was the program’s first NBA draft selection, picked by the New York Knicks in the ninth round in 1960. He then played for the Harlem Clowns and Harlem Travelers, had a pro-ball stint in Europe, and worked briefly as an actor before settling in San Francisco. He continues to be involved in basketball, having won 25 gold medals and a bronze in the Senior National Games.
[2/25/17] a look at the three inductees
[2/25/17] a look at the three inductees
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Chargers headed for Los Angeles
The San Diego Chargers are moving to Los Angeles, where they will join the recently relocated Rams in giving
the nation’s second-largest media market two NFL teams for the first
time in decades.
Team chairman Dean Spanos made the announcement Thursday in a letter posted on the Chargers’ Twitter account.
“San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years. But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,” Spanos said in the letter.
The Chargers’ decision to move comes less than three months after San Diego voters resoundingly rejected a team-sponsored measure asking for $1.15 billion in increased hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a $1.8 billion downtown stadium and convention center.
They’re leaving behind a loyal fan base that cheered for Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow during the Air Coryell years in the 1970s and early 1980s, and for Junior Seau, Stan Humphries and Natrone Means on the Chargers’ only Super Bowl team in 1994.
Team chairman Dean Spanos made the announcement Thursday in a letter posted on the Chargers’ Twitter account.
“San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years. But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,” Spanos said in the letter.
The Chargers’ decision to move comes less than three months after San Diego voters resoundingly rejected a team-sponsored measure asking for $1.15 billion in increased hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a $1.8 billion downtown stadium and convention center.
They’re leaving behind a loyal fan base that cheered for Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow during the Air Coryell years in the 1970s and early 1980s, and for Junior Seau, Stan Humphries and Natrone Means on the Chargers’ only Super Bowl team in 1994.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
smaller stadium recommended to replace Aloha Stadium
The Aloha Stadium Authority is recommending that the state invest in a new, slightly smaller stadium on land surrounding the deteriorating 42-year-old Aloha Stadium and seek ancillary development of the site to help fund the project.
Stadium Authority consultants have briefed key legislators in recent weeks on studies that indicate a “state-of-the-art stadium facility can be constructed for an amount roughly comparable, including market escalation, to the department’s current estimate for health and safety repairs, depending on the materials selected for construction, the amenities included in the design and the timing of construction, exclusive in all cases of transportation improvements, remediation and related infrastructure.”
The Stadium Authority is recommending a facility with “30,000-35,000 permanent seats that is expandable to 40,000 for special events,” saying it “would create a more intimate environment significantly improving the fan experience, reduce operating costs and facilitate an efficient and more economical design.”
The Stadium Authority said the building of a rail station on the site affords “a unique opportunity to leverage increased transit options for stadium operations and transit-oriented development.”
The 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium, the state’s largest outdoor arena, opened in 1975 at a cost of $37 million.
The Stadium Authority did not put a price tag on what a new stadium would cost, but some estimates have ranged from $200 million to $300 million, depending upon when it is built, materials involved and amenities.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Nunes TKO's Rousey
Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest superstars in MMA history and turned into a crossover celebrity over the past few years. She made her reputation with dominant performances inside the cage, finishing opponent after opponent in extremely short order. Then Holly Holm came along. Last November, Holm shattered Rousey's aura of invincibility, her title run and her undefeated record. Rousey entered into seclusion and has largely avoided the public and the media since. Now she returns to recapture her title with questions abound about her mental state following the shocking upset loss. Nunes is a powerful striker and high quality jiu jitsu artist who tends to do better earlier in fights than later. She won the title with a dominant stoppage of Miesha Tate at UFC 200. This is far and away the biggest fight of her career and it's hard to imagine there will ever be another contender.
Round 1. Nunes throws some big punches early and connects well to the jaw of Rousey. She hurt Rousey with punches and has her in big trouble by the cage. Nunes is pummeling Rousey and Herb Dean has to step in. That was a one sided destruction.
Winner: Amanda Nunes, TKO, round 1.
The time of the stoppage came at 48 seconds. Most of that time involved Rousey getting punched in the face. Rousey leaves the Octagon after the defeat without saying anything. This has been such a strange and interesting path for Rousey. She rose to prominence in dominant fashion but clearly struggled greatly with her first MMA defeat just like she did when she lost in the Olympics. There are so many different angles as to why this fight went the way it did but regardless of whether it was about the style matchup, preparation, psychology or something else it was emphatic, violent and short. It seems unlikely Rousey will fight again given the options she has but it will take time to sort out the story of Ronda Rousey in general. Her fall as an athlete, just like her rise, was spectacular.
***
Champion Nunes earns $100,000, Rousey gets $3 million.
Round 1. Nunes throws some big punches early and connects well to the jaw of Rousey. She hurt Rousey with punches and has her in big trouble by the cage. Nunes is pummeling Rousey and Herb Dean has to step in. That was a one sided destruction.
Winner: Amanda Nunes, TKO, round 1.
The time of the stoppage came at 48 seconds. Most of that time involved Rousey getting punched in the face. Rousey leaves the Octagon after the defeat without saying anything. This has been such a strange and interesting path for Rousey. She rose to prominence in dominant fashion but clearly struggled greatly with her first MMA defeat just like she did when she lost in the Olympics. There are so many different angles as to why this fight went the way it did but regardless of whether it was about the style matchup, preparation, psychology or something else it was emphatic, violent and short. It seems unlikely Rousey will fight again given the options she has but it will take time to sort out the story of Ronda Rousey in general. Her fall as an athlete, just like her rise, was spectacular.
***
Champion Nunes earns $100,000, Rousey gets $3 million.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
2016 Rainbow Warrior Football
1/2/17 - Rolovich not satisfied, plans to evaluate everything
12/24/16 - Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii 52, Middle Tennessee State 35
12/4/16 - Hawaii to play Middle Tennessee State in Hawaii Bowl.
11/26/16 - Hawaii hangs on to beat Massachusetts 46-40 (6-7)
11/25/16 - CBS has Fresno State at no. 128, UMass is 125, San Jose State 121, Arizona 114, Nevada 109, Hawaii 97, UNLV 95, Cal 78, New Mexico 67, Air Force 45, San Diego State 28, Boise State 18, Michigan 4.
Team Rankings has it: UMass 120, Fresno State 118, Hawaii 117, Nevada 114, San Jose State 108, UNLV 99, New Mexico 92, Arizona 91, Air Force 71, California 68, San Diego State 39, Boise State 29. Michigan 3.
Campus Insiders: Fresno State 128, San Jose State 124, UMass 121, UNLV 109, Hawaii 107, Nevada 101, Arizona 96, New Mexico 81, Cal 64, Air Force 45, San Diego State 26, Boise State 14, Michigan 3.
Massey: Fresno State 125, Massachusetts 122, Nevada 117, San Jose State 113, UNLV 103, Hawaii 100, Arizona 97, New Mexico 73, California 68, Air Force 55, San Diego State 38, Boise State 18, Michigan 3.
11/25/16 - Fresno State is now no. 1, no. 3, no. 1 / UMass is no. 6, no. 6, no. 4
11/19/16 - Hawaii barely survives at Fresno State to stay alive in bowl picture (5-7)
11/15/16 - Fresno State ranked no. 1, no. 2, no. 4
11/12/16 - Hawaii 16, Boise State 52 (4-7)
11/5/16 - San Diego State 55, Hawaii 0 (4-6)
10/29/16 - Hawaii 21, New Mexico 28 (4-5)
10/22/16 - Air Force somehow loses to Hawaii 27-34 in 2 OT (4-4)
10/15/16 - Hawaii outscored by UNLV 38-41 (3-4)
10/8/16 - Hawaii juices past San Jose State 34-17 on the road (3-3)
10/1/16 - Hawaii energizes past Nevada 38-17 (2-3)
9/17-16 - Arizona dries up Hawaii 47-28 (1-3)
9/10/16 - Hawaii wins ugly over UT-Martin 41-36 (1-2)
9/3/16 - Hawaii 3, Michigan 63 (0-2)
9/3/16 - Michigan is a have
9/2/16 - Rolo at the Downtown Exchange Club
8/26/16 - Hawaii 31, California 51 in Rolo's first game (0-1)
8/24/16 - Preview: Rolovich, Woolsey, Harris, Kemp, Allen, Rasmussen, Tavai, Rogers, Sanchez
8/24/16 - Ferd Lewis predicts 5-8
7/27/16 - Media picks Hawaii last too
6/9/16 - Magazines pick Warriors last
3/27/16 - Warriors add six walk-ons before spring practice, to try out QBs and kickers
3/27/16 - A look at the Warriors before spring practice
3/3/16 - Mayur Chaudhari hired as special teams coordinator
2/18/16 - Jake Cookus leaves program for Oregon State as quality control analyst
1/30/16 - Rolovich picks Craig Stutzman to replace Zak Hill
1/28/16 - Zak Hill, offensive coordinator, leaves Hawaii for Boise State
1/27/16 - Josh Hauani'o, OL, Iolani commits to Hawaii
1/26/16 - Keala Santiago, DB, Kahuku commits to Hawaii
1/21/16 - McKenzie Milton decommits, will attend Central Florida
1/11/16 - what has Mouse Davis been up to?
1/10/16 - June Jones named offensive coordinator ... at Kapolei
1/9/16 - Max Hendrie, versatile athlete from Australia, commits to Hawaii
1/6/16 - A defense with no name
1/6/16 - Zach Wilson, CB, Upland (CA) commits
1/6/16 - Larry Tuileta to transfer from USC to Hawaii
1/4/16 - Norm Chow in a flower shop
1/1/16 - Kevin Lempa hired as defensive coordinator
12/20/15 - Legi Suiaunoa hired as defensive line coach
12/11/15 - Zak Hill hired as offensive coordinator
12/9/15 - Fred Ulu-Perry and Brian Smith expected to join Warriors
12/8/15 - Rolovich to retain Jake Cookus
12/6/15 - Stephen Tsai's coaching staff suggestions
12/5/15 - Dino Babers hired as Syracuse head coach
12/2/15 - Rolovich hires Naeole and Elimimiam
12/1/15 - A bold statement?
12/1/15 - Rolovich recalls awful days / Chow gets an assist
11/30/15 - Rolovich will be the lowest paid coach in the MWC
11/30/15 - UH football awards
11/29/15 - Looking forward to Rolo
11/28/15 - Hawaii 28, Louisiana Monroe 26
11/28/15 - Hawaii to open 2016 in Australia against Cal
11/27/15 - Nick Rolovich hired as the next University of Hawaii head coach
12/24/16 - Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii 52, Middle Tennessee State 35
12/4/16 - Hawaii to play Middle Tennessee State in Hawaii Bowl.
11/26/16 - Hawaii hangs on to beat Massachusetts 46-40 (6-7)
11/25/16 - CBS has Fresno State at no. 128, UMass is 125, San Jose State 121, Arizona 114, Nevada 109, Hawaii 97, UNLV 95, Cal 78, New Mexico 67, Air Force 45, San Diego State 28, Boise State 18, Michigan 4.
Team Rankings has it: UMass 120, Fresno State 118, Hawaii 117, Nevada 114, San Jose State 108, UNLV 99, New Mexico 92, Arizona 91, Air Force 71, California 68, San Diego State 39, Boise State 29. Michigan 3.
Campus Insiders: Fresno State 128, San Jose State 124, UMass 121, UNLV 109, Hawaii 107, Nevada 101, Arizona 96, New Mexico 81, Cal 64, Air Force 45, San Diego State 26, Boise State 14, Michigan 3.
Massey: Fresno State 125, Massachusetts 122, Nevada 117, San Jose State 113, UNLV 103, Hawaii 100, Arizona 97, New Mexico 73, California 68, Air Force 55, San Diego State 38, Boise State 18, Michigan 3.
11/25/16 - Fresno State is now no. 1, no. 3, no. 1 / UMass is no. 6, no. 6, no. 4
11/19/16 - Hawaii barely survives at Fresno State to stay alive in bowl picture (5-7)
11/15/16 - Fresno State ranked no. 1, no. 2, no. 4
11/12/16 - Hawaii 16, Boise State 52 (4-7)
11/5/16 - San Diego State 55, Hawaii 0 (4-6)
10/29/16 - Hawaii 21, New Mexico 28 (4-5)
10/22/16 - Air Force somehow loses to Hawaii 27-34 in 2 OT (4-4)
10/15/16 - Hawaii outscored by UNLV 38-41 (3-4)
10/8/16 - Hawaii juices past San Jose State 34-17 on the road (3-3)
10/1/16 - Hawaii energizes past Nevada 38-17 (2-3)
9/17-16 - Arizona dries up Hawaii 47-28 (1-3)
9/10/16 - Hawaii wins ugly over UT-Martin 41-36 (1-2)
9/3/16 - Hawaii 3, Michigan 63 (0-2)
9/3/16 - Michigan is a have
9/2/16 - Rolo at the Downtown Exchange Club
8/26/16 - Hawaii 31, California 51 in Rolo's first game (0-1)
8/24/16 - Preview: Rolovich, Woolsey, Harris, Kemp, Allen, Rasmussen, Tavai, Rogers, Sanchez
8/24/16 - Ferd Lewis predicts 5-8
7/27/16 - Media picks Hawaii last too
6/9/16 - Magazines pick Warriors last
3/27/16 - Warriors add six walk-ons before spring practice, to try out QBs and kickers
3/27/16 - A look at the Warriors before spring practice
3/3/16 - Mayur Chaudhari hired as special teams coordinator
2/18/16 - Jake Cookus leaves program for Oregon State as quality control analyst
1/30/16 - Rolovich picks Craig Stutzman to replace Zak Hill
1/28/16 - Zak Hill, offensive coordinator, leaves Hawaii for Boise State
1/27/16 - Josh Hauani'o, OL, Iolani commits to Hawaii
1/26/16 - Keala Santiago, DB, Kahuku commits to Hawaii
1/21/16 - McKenzie Milton decommits, will attend Central Florida
1/11/16 - what has Mouse Davis been up to?
1/10/16 - June Jones named offensive coordinator ... at Kapolei
1/9/16 - Max Hendrie, versatile athlete from Australia, commits to Hawaii
1/6/16 - A defense with no name
1/6/16 - Zach Wilson, CB, Upland (CA) commits
1/6/16 - Larry Tuileta to transfer from USC to Hawaii
1/4/16 - Norm Chow in a flower shop
1/1/16 - Kevin Lempa hired as defensive coordinator
12/20/15 - Legi Suiaunoa hired as defensive line coach
12/11/15 - Zak Hill hired as offensive coordinator
12/9/15 - Fred Ulu-Perry and Brian Smith expected to join Warriors
12/8/15 - Rolovich to retain Jake Cookus
12/6/15 - Stephen Tsai's coaching staff suggestions
12/5/15 - Dino Babers hired as Syracuse head coach
12/2/15 - Rolovich hires Naeole and Elimimiam
12/1/15 - A bold statement?
12/1/15 - Rolovich recalls awful days / Chow gets an assist
11/30/15 - Rolovich will be the lowest paid coach in the MWC
11/30/15 - UH football awards
11/29/15 - Looking forward to Rolo
11/28/15 - Hawaii 28, Louisiana Monroe 26
11/28/15 - Hawaii to open 2016 in Australia against Cal
11/27/15 - Nick Rolovich hired as the next University of Hawaii head coach
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Craig Sager
Longtime Turner Sports broadcaster Craig Sager has died at the age of 65, the network confirmed in a statement.
"Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us," Turner president David Levy said in a statement. "There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.
"While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it's the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig's wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong."
Known for his colorful and distinctive suits during his more than 40-year career, the legendary sideline reporter battled acute myeloid leukemia since he was first diagnosed in 2014.
Sager was admitted back into the hospital in late November 2016.
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said teams will observe a moment of silence in Sager's memory.
After his initial diagnosis, Sager, who worked for Turner for more than 30 years, missed the 2014 and 2015 NBA playoffs and part of the 2014-15 regular season, as well as the 2015 NCAA men's basketball tournament. During the 2014 NBA playoffs, his son Craig Sager Jr. did the sideline interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose interviews with Sager had become must-watch television.
"You did a great job," Popovich said to the younger Sager, "but I'd rather have your dad standing here. Craig, we miss you, you've been an important part of all of this for a long time doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise I'll be nice."
Through a partnership between Turner Sports and ESPN, Sager worked his very first NBA Finals game in June, sideline reporting with ESPN's Doris Burke for Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, which the Cavaliers won.
"Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us," Turner president David Levy said in a statement. "There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.
"While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it's the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig's wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong."
Known for his colorful and distinctive suits during his more than 40-year career, the legendary sideline reporter battled acute myeloid leukemia since he was first diagnosed in 2014.
Sager was admitted back into the hospital in late November 2016.
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said teams will observe a moment of silence in Sager's memory.
After his initial diagnosis, Sager, who worked for Turner for more than 30 years, missed the 2014 and 2015 NBA playoffs and part of the 2014-15 regular season, as well as the 2015 NCAA men's basketball tournament. During the 2014 NBA playoffs, his son Craig Sager Jr. did the sideline interview with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose interviews with Sager had become must-watch television.
"You did a great job," Popovich said to the younger Sager, "but I'd rather have your dad standing here. Craig, we miss you, you've been an important part of all of this for a long time doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise I'll be nice."
Through a partnership between Turner Sports and ESPN, Sager worked his very first NBA Finals game in June, sideline reporting with ESPN's Doris Burke for Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, which the Cavaliers won.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
2016 High School Football
12/18/16 - Tagovailoa, Kaniho top All-State team
12/14/16 - Amosa Amosa not retained as Campbell head coach
12/13/16 - Tua Tagovailoa named the 2016 Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year
12/3/16 - June Jones to oversee athletics at St. Louis
12/2/16 - Nelson Maeda let go as Castle head coach after 20 years
11/23/16 - Cal and Ron Lee don't know if they're return to coach next season
11/19/16 - Tagovailoa leads St. Louis over Kahuku to win Open Division title
10/21/16 - St. Louis defeats Punahou in the rubber match to win ILH title
9/29/16 - Punahou gets redemption over St. Louis
9/9/16 - Kahuku 83, Radford 0
9/9/16 - St. Louis 64, Punahou 44
9/9/16 - Clash of the ILH titans
12/14/16 - Amosa Amosa not retained as Campbell head coach
12/13/16 - Tua Tagovailoa named the 2016 Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year
12/3/16 - June Jones to oversee athletics at St. Louis
12/2/16 - Nelson Maeda let go as Castle head coach after 20 years
11/23/16 - Cal and Ron Lee don't know if they're return to coach next season
11/19/16 - Tagovailoa leads St. Louis over Kahuku to win Open Division title
10/21/16 - St. Louis defeats Punahou in the rubber match to win ILH title
9/29/16 - Punahou gets redemption over St. Louis
9/9/16 - Kahuku 83, Radford 0
9/9/16 - St. Louis 64, Punahou 44
9/9/16 - Clash of the ILH titans
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Holloway wins interim UFC featherweight title
An interim belt will have to suffice for now for Waianae’s Max Holloway.
Holloway joined B.J. Penn as the only fighters from Hawaii to win a UFC world title with a third-round TKO of Anthony Pettis in the main event of UFC 206 on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Holloway, whose 10-fight win streak ties Royce Gracie for the fifth-longest in UFC history, was awarded the interim 145-pound featherweight title.
He is expected to unify the belts against champion Jose Aldo in a fight next year and wasted no time just moments after the victory over Pettis to call out Aldo.
“Meet me in Brooklyn in February,” an-amped up Holloway yelled to the crowd. “Let’s get the (expletive) real (world title).”
Holloway improved to 17-3 overall and 13-3 in the UFC by becoming the first fighter to finish Pettis (19-6, 6-5) in 25 professional bouts.
Pettis, who failed to make the 145-pound weight limit and was forced to give up 20 percent of his fight purse to Holloway, refused to touch gloves when Holloway extended his hand before the fight. Holloway earned a performance of the night bonus of $50,000.
After a close first round, Holloway took control with an early knockdown in the second round and poured it on from there.
Holloway scored two takedowns in the third round and then finished the fight with a series of punches to the face and body that forced Pettis to turtle up against the cage.
Referee Yves Lavigne stopped the fight at the 4:50 mark of round 3.
Pettis said after the fight he broke his right hand early in the first round. He also said he will move back up to lightweight (155 pounds) because the weight cut is too tough.
“Max Holloway is a beast. Give the dude credit,” Pettis said. “He stepped in there and did his thing.”
Holloway joined B.J. Penn as the only fighters from Hawaii to win a UFC world title with a third-round TKO of Anthony Pettis in the main event of UFC 206 on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Holloway, whose 10-fight win streak ties Royce Gracie for the fifth-longest in UFC history, was awarded the interim 145-pound featherweight title.
He is expected to unify the belts against champion Jose Aldo in a fight next year and wasted no time just moments after the victory over Pettis to call out Aldo.
“Meet me in Brooklyn in February,” an-amped up Holloway yelled to the crowd. “Let’s get the (expletive) real (world title).”
Holloway improved to 17-3 overall and 13-3 in the UFC by becoming the first fighter to finish Pettis (19-6, 6-5) in 25 professional bouts.
Pettis, who failed to make the 145-pound weight limit and was forced to give up 20 percent of his fight purse to Holloway, refused to touch gloves when Holloway extended his hand before the fight. Holloway earned a performance of the night bonus of $50,000.
After a close first round, Holloway took control with an early knockdown in the second round and poured it on from there.
Holloway scored two takedowns in the third round and then finished the fight with a series of punches to the face and body that forced Pettis to turtle up against the cage.
Referee Yves Lavigne stopped the fight at the 4:50 mark of round 3.
Pettis said after the fight he broke his right hand early in the first round. He also said he will move back up to lightweight (155 pounds) because the weight cut is too tough.
“Max Holloway is a beast. Give the dude credit,” Pettis said. “He stepped in there and did his thing.”
Lamar Jackson wins Heisman Trophy
Lamar Jackson was trying to remember the last time he cried. He was
pretty sure it involved losing a little league football game.
On Saturday night, Louisville's spectacular sophomore quarterback found out winning can get a guy choked up, too.
Jackson became the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy, beating out preseason favorite Deshaun Watson of Clemson despite some late-season struggles.
Watson, who finished third last season, was a distant second. Baker Mayfield finished third and Oklahoma teammate and fellow finalist Dede Westbrook was fourth. Michigan's Jabrill Peppers was fifth.
Early in the season, Jackson leapt over a loaded field of Heisman contenders that included five of the top seven vote-getters from 2015 to become the front-runner. By the time he slowed down nobody could catch him.
Jackson accounted for 51 touchdowns and averaged 410 yards per game in total offense in his first season as Louisville's full-time starter.
"He surpassed everything I thought he could do," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said.
Jackson ultimately won the Heisman going away, with 2,144 points to Watson's 1,524. By percentage of possible points received, Jackson's victory was the seventh largest in Heisman history. He also became the youngest winner at 19 years, 337 days, a few days younger than 2013 winner Jameis Winston of Florida State.
He provided a signature moment against Syracuse , hurdling a defender on his way into the end zone, and then played his best against Louisville's toughest competition.
In a romp over Florida State and a close loss at Clemson , Jackson threw for 511 yards, ran for 308 and accounted for eight touchdowns. After ripping apart Florida State in September, he earned the stamp of approval from his idol, former Virginia Tech and NFL star Mike Vick.
Jackson continues a recent trend of breakout stars winning the Heisman. He is the sixth player to win the award as either a redshirt freshman or sophomore, all since 2007, joining Manziel (redshirt freshman), Winston (redshirt freshman), Mark Ingram (sophomore), Sam Bradford (sophomore) and Tim Tebow (sophomore).
Jackson came to Louisville as a three-star recruit from Boynton Beach High School in Florida. Some colleges were not sold on him as a quarterback, but Jackson was such a dynamic talent that Petrino altered his offense to accommodate Jackson's speed and elusiveness.
Jackson flashed brilliance as a freshman, but with so many well-established stars from Watson and Mayfield to running backs Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, Dalvin Cook of Florida State and Leonard Fournette of LSU, he entered this season with little fanfare.
On Saturday night, Louisville's spectacular sophomore quarterback found out winning can get a guy choked up, too.
Jackson became the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy, beating out preseason favorite Deshaun Watson of Clemson despite some late-season struggles.
Watson, who finished third last season, was a distant second. Baker Mayfield finished third and Oklahoma teammate and fellow finalist Dede Westbrook was fourth. Michigan's Jabrill Peppers was fifth.
Early in the season, Jackson leapt over a loaded field of Heisman contenders that included five of the top seven vote-getters from 2015 to become the front-runner. By the time he slowed down nobody could catch him.
Jackson accounted for 51 touchdowns and averaged 410 yards per game in total offense in his first season as Louisville's full-time starter.
"He surpassed everything I thought he could do," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said.
Jackson ultimately won the Heisman going away, with 2,144 points to Watson's 1,524. By percentage of possible points received, Jackson's victory was the seventh largest in Heisman history. He also became the youngest winner at 19 years, 337 days, a few days younger than 2013 winner Jameis Winston of Florida State.
He provided a signature moment against Syracuse , hurdling a defender on his way into the end zone, and then played his best against Louisville's toughest competition.
In a romp over Florida State and a close loss at Clemson , Jackson threw for 511 yards, ran for 308 and accounted for eight touchdowns. After ripping apart Florida State in September, he earned the stamp of approval from his idol, former Virginia Tech and NFL star Mike Vick.
Jackson continues a recent trend of breakout stars winning the Heisman. He is the sixth player to win the award as either a redshirt freshman or sophomore, all since 2007, joining Manziel (redshirt freshman), Winston (redshirt freshman), Mark Ingram (sophomore), Sam Bradford (sophomore) and Tim Tebow (sophomore).
Jackson came to Louisville as a three-star recruit from Boynton Beach High School in Florida. Some colleges were not sold on him as a quarterback, but Jackson was such a dynamic talent that Petrino altered his offense to accommodate Jackson's speed and elusiveness.
Jackson flashed brilliance as a freshman, but with so many well-established stars from Watson and Mayfield to running backs Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, Dalvin Cook of Florida State and Leonard Fournette of LSU, he entered this season with little fanfare.
Thursday, December 08, 2016
every All-State selection since 1972
The 2016 Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State football team will be released this month, adding a new group of talented players to the list of greats going all the way back to the first All-State team published by the Honolulu Advertiser in 1972.
Five years later, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin released its first All-State team in 1977. Prior to that, the Bulletin published only all-league teams using the rational that they hadn’t seen enough neighbor-island teams to accurately choose the best.
I'll just list the Players of the Year (Offense and Defense)
2015 - Vavae Malepeai (O), Keala Santiago (D)
2014 - McKenzie Milton (O), Rex Manu (D)
2013 - Larry Tuileta (O), Kelii Padello (D)
2012 - Aofaga Wily (O), Kawahena Johnson (D)
2011 - Kenan Sadanaga (O), Benetton Fonua (D)
2010 - not listed, but Marcus Mariota was the QB
2009 - Ryan Ho (O) / Andrew Manley (O), Hauoli Jamora (D,D) / Beau Yap (D) [why are there 3 Ds?]
2008 - Andrew Manley (O,O) / Robby Toma (O), Mani Teo (D,D)
Forget it, it's confusing. Why does 2010 have no players of the year and 2009 has three defensive player of the year awards? You can look for yourself..
OK, I now see I have a post below on the 2010 All-State team. Mariota was indeed the offensive player of the year, while Juda Parker was the defensive player of the year. Parker went on to play at Colorado.
2011 - Kenan Sadanaga (O), Benetton Fonua (D)
2010 - not listed, but Marcus Mariota was the QB
2009 - Ryan Ho (O) / Andrew Manley (O), Hauoli Jamora (D,D) / Beau Yap (D) [why are there 3 Ds?]
2008 - Andrew Manley (O,O) / Robby Toma (O), Mani Teo (D,D)
Forget it, it's confusing. Why does 2010 have no players of the year and 2009 has three defensive player of the year awards? You can look for yourself..
OK, I now see I have a post below on the 2010 All-State team. Mariota was indeed the offensive player of the year, while Juda Parker was the defensive player of the year. Parker went on to play at Colorado.
Sunday, December 04, 2016
College Football Playoff
12/4/16 - After months of debate and 14 weeks of games, the committee came down with its final decision Sunday. No. 1 Alabama will play No. 4 Washington in the Peach Bowl.
No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State will face off in the Fiesta Bowl.
The decision, as with other years past, is sure to create controversy.
The Buckeyes are the first non-conference champion to make the playoff in the three years of the current system. The Huskies, while winners of the Pac-12, had a non-conference schedule of Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State.
“The strength of schedule of Washington has been a concern for this selection committee,” chairman Kirby Hocutt said. “But what we talked about this morning was the quality wins Washington has this year. They’ve played good teams and they’ve beaten good teams.”
Penn State at 11-2 was left out as the fifth choice of the committee. The Nittany Lions won their last nine games, including defeats of Ohio State and Wisconsin, to capture the Big Ten title.
Michigan finished 10-2 and beat Penn State by 39 points along with Colorado and Wisconsin.
Oklahoma also finished with nine consecutive victories after a 1-2 start that included losses to Houston and Ohio State. The Big 12 champions beat West Virginia and Oklahoma State by a combined 46 points in its final two games.
All three were included in the line of the other Big Six bowls:
Orange Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida State
Cotton Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Southern California
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Auburn
Western Michigan earned the Group of Five spot after going unbeaten and taking the MAC championship. It's the first major bowl bid for the Chippewas.
No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State will face off in the Fiesta Bowl.
The decision, as with other years past, is sure to create controversy.
The Buckeyes are the first non-conference champion to make the playoff in the three years of the current system. The Huskies, while winners of the Pac-12, had a non-conference schedule of Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State.
“The strength of schedule of Washington has been a concern for this selection committee,” chairman Kirby Hocutt said. “But what we talked about this morning was the quality wins Washington has this year. They’ve played good teams and they’ve beaten good teams.”
Penn State at 11-2 was left out as the fifth choice of the committee. The Nittany Lions won their last nine games, including defeats of Ohio State and Wisconsin, to capture the Big Ten title.
Michigan finished 10-2 and beat Penn State by 39 points along with Colorado and Wisconsin.
Oklahoma also finished with nine consecutive victories after a 1-2 start that included losses to Houston and Ohio State. The Big 12 champions beat West Virginia and Oklahoma State by a combined 46 points in its final two games.
All three were included in the line of the other Big Six bowls:
Orange Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida State
Cotton Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Southern California
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Auburn
Western Michigan earned the Group of Five spot after going unbeaten and taking the MAC championship. It's the first major bowl bid for the Chippewas.
Friday, November 04, 2016
Cubs win World Series
CLEVELAND >> The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series championship since 1908 when Ben Zobrist hit a go-ahead double in
the 10th inning, beating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in a thrilling Game 7
delayed by rain early Thursday.
Lovable losers for generations, the Cubs nearly let this one get away, too. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman blew a three-run lead with two outs in the eighth when Rajai Davis hit a tying homer.
But the Cubs, after tormenting their fans one more time, came right back after a 17-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th and scored twice. Davis hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom half, but Mike Montgomery got the final out.
Manager Joe Maddon’s team halted the longest title drought in baseball, becoming the first club to overcome a 3-1 Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
Cleveland was trying to win its first crown since 1948, but lost the last two games at home.
World Series favorites since spring training, Chicago led the majors with 103 wins this season. The Cubs then ended more than a century of misery for their loyal fans.
Lovable losers for generations, the Cubs nearly let this one get away, too. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman blew a three-run lead with two outs in the eighth when Rajai Davis hit a tying homer.
But the Cubs, after tormenting their fans one more time, came right back after a 17-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th and scored twice. Davis hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom half, but Mike Montgomery got the final out.
Manager Joe Maddon’s team halted the longest title drought in baseball, becoming the first club to overcome a 3-1 Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
Cleveland was trying to win its first crown since 1948, but lost the last two games at home.
World Series favorites since spring training, Chicago led the majors with 103 wins this season. The Cubs then ended more than a century of misery for their loyal fans.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Bill Kwon
It’s fitting that during the same week in which Bill Kwon’s
life was celebrated the University of Hawaii football team is preparing
to play an opponent with a starting safety named Weston Steelhammer.
Two of the many things Kwon loved were UH sports and athletes with great names.
The longtime Star-Bulletin sportswriter and editor got such a kick out of the latter that he’d pore through the high school rosters each year in search of unique names to write a column about.
There was Maunakea Mossman and Cash Petty. Bruddah Choy Foo, Sista Palakiko, Boy and Pal Eldredge.
Datsun Nihipali — who did not change his first name to Nissan in 1986. And who could forget Earvin and Magic Atuaia? Or Allen Allen and Samoa Samoa?
Honolulu Mika and Hawaii Mika.
His favorite was Laborday Hunkin.
Too bad Kwon, who died two weeks ago at age 82, had retired before Wave Ryder (who ended up at the Naval Academy, of course) and Peanut Butter Kaaialii made names for themselves in Hawaii high school sports. He would’ve had so much fun writing about them.
Kwon had his serious side, but he never forgot sports were supposed to be enjoyed — even if you were a Red Sox fan who had to endure (stuff) like Bucky #$%^ing Dent, bled green while your beloved ’Bows lost to BYU every year, and waited patiently for Michelle Wie to live up to the hype.
He was the first daily newspaper editor to give a rough-around-the-edges kid a chance to work in sports, first with high school football stats in 1981. My first writing assignment came a year later.
I was eager, and Kwon gave me all I could handle. A lot of high school baseball and local golf. Tractor pulls and youth soccer. But also a few tastes of bigger events, like the Pro Bowl and the Hawaiian Open. It was all great on-the-job training.
As an editor, Kwon was patient and understanding. He was a teacher who corrected privately and tactfully.
As a columnist, he was clever yet meticulous. Critical at times, but fair.
And it was obvious which sport was his favorite.
“He taught me about golf,” said retired Star-Bulletin sportswriter Randy Cadiente. “How to cover it. But especially how to play it.”
I can’t remember him losing his temper. Ever.
He was Mr. Consistency as a columnist.
“I remember calling him once with a question and I can’t even remember what it was about,” said Clyde Mizumoto, who edited Kwon’s column for 10 years.
“He was professional, always on time,” said Curtis Murayama, the Advertiser’s sports editor at the time and now the Star-Advertiser’s deputy sports editor.
I was fortunate to have Kwon as a mentor and also to be part of his unofficial book club. We shared good reads for many years, and good conversation until just a few weeks before he passed.
On Thursday at Waialae Country Club, speakers representing the many facets of his life recalled Bill’s wit and his vast knowledge and appreciation of many subjects. Mostly, though, we talked about what he meant to us as a friend.
David Ishii, the great golf champion, noted it was “the liveliest and funnest” celebration of life he’d been to.
I drove home smiling, remembering Bill did finally get to see the Red Sox win three World Series, the ’Bows thrash BYU a few times, and Michelle Wie capture an LPGA major.
-- Dave Reardon, Star Advertiser, 10/21/16
Two of the many things Kwon loved were UH sports and athletes with great names.
The longtime Star-Bulletin sportswriter and editor got such a kick out of the latter that he’d pore through the high school rosters each year in search of unique names to write a column about.
There was Maunakea Mossman and Cash Petty. Bruddah Choy Foo, Sista Palakiko, Boy and Pal Eldredge.
Datsun Nihipali — who did not change his first name to Nissan in 1986. And who could forget Earvin and Magic Atuaia? Or Allen Allen and Samoa Samoa?
Honolulu Mika and Hawaii Mika.
His favorite was Laborday Hunkin.
Too bad Kwon, who died two weeks ago at age 82, had retired before Wave Ryder (who ended up at the Naval Academy, of course) and Peanut Butter Kaaialii made names for themselves in Hawaii high school sports. He would’ve had so much fun writing about them.
Kwon had his serious side, but he never forgot sports were supposed to be enjoyed — even if you were a Red Sox fan who had to endure (stuff) like Bucky #$%^ing Dent, bled green while your beloved ’Bows lost to BYU every year, and waited patiently for Michelle Wie to live up to the hype.
He was the first daily newspaper editor to give a rough-around-the-edges kid a chance to work in sports, first with high school football stats in 1981. My first writing assignment came a year later.
I was eager, and Kwon gave me all I could handle. A lot of high school baseball and local golf. Tractor pulls and youth soccer. But also a few tastes of bigger events, like the Pro Bowl and the Hawaiian Open. It was all great on-the-job training.
As an editor, Kwon was patient and understanding. He was a teacher who corrected privately and tactfully.
As a columnist, he was clever yet meticulous. Critical at times, but fair.
And it was obvious which sport was his favorite.
“He taught me about golf,” said retired Star-Bulletin sportswriter Randy Cadiente. “How to cover it. But especially how to play it.”
I can’t remember him losing his temper. Ever.
He was Mr. Consistency as a columnist.
“I remember calling him once with a question and I can’t even remember what it was about,” said Clyde Mizumoto, who edited Kwon’s column for 10 years.
“He was professional, always on time,” said Curtis Murayama, the Advertiser’s sports editor at the time and now the Star-Advertiser’s deputy sports editor.
I was fortunate to have Kwon as a mentor and also to be part of his unofficial book club. We shared good reads for many years, and good conversation until just a few weeks before he passed.
On Thursday at Waialae Country Club, speakers representing the many facets of his life recalled Bill’s wit and his vast knowledge and appreciation of many subjects. Mostly, though, we talked about what he meant to us as a friend.
David Ishii, the great golf champion, noted it was “the liveliest and funnest” celebration of life he’d been to.
I drove home smiling, remembering Bill did finally get to see the Red Sox win three World Series, the ’Bows thrash BYU a few times, and Michelle Wie capture an LPGA major.
-- Dave Reardon, Star Advertiser, 10/21/16
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