Currently browsing tag

basketball, Page 4

Maryland Terps Still Get No Respect

What does it take for Maryland women’s basketball to get respect?

Improving Foul Shot Distractions

One aspect of basketball games really bugs me: the amateurish attempts to distract foul shooters. It’s shameful how a partisan crowd, especially university crowds, are unable to get their act together to enact some sort of coordinated plan to distract opponent foul shooters. Shameful.

Tiered Tournament Brackets

I’ve never been a fan of conventional tournament brackets. They are essentially set up as coronation runs for the top seed.I think the best course is a little bit of “favored nation” combined with a bit of randomness to make things interesting. I suggest a tiered system.

First Thoughts – 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

The Bracket has been announced. The question is, will this be a coronation of UConn, or will someone be able to rise up to stop their run? Overall, I think this has been the fairest bracket in recent memory, but it does seem that the Trenton region (UConn’s) is a bit easier than the other three. Still, upsets await the unwary.

Maryland Lady Terps Win 2009 ACC Tournament

It was another battle to save in the vault between the Terps and the Blue Devils. Though this was the first time they met in the ACC Tournament finals, it wasn’t their first meeting in a final in their history. But, as in the 2006 NCAA Championship game, Maryland toughed it out for a hard-won win (Duke 89 – MD 92).

2009 WNBA Draft – Pre-tournament Scout

As we complete the last week or so of the regular season for most of Division I, I’ve started considering what the upcoming WNBA draft is going to look like. I like to make my selections now instead of tournament time because the one-or-done format can rob some prospects of equal consideration.

New Home For “Under The Shell”

The behind-the-scenes show, Under the Shell, which follows the University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team both on-and-off the court, has found itself a new home at www.undertheshell.tv. This new site features all the episodes of Under the Shell from the previous four seasons as well as the current season to-date.

Nameless Jerseys Revisited

A little over three years ago I bemoaned the fact that Tennessee had elected to not have their player’s names on their jerseys. Since then, the policy has spread like an epidemic from school to school. I still think that this dubious practice is bad for women’s basketball and quite possibly for team sports in general.

Winter Thoughts On The Upcoming 2009 WNBA Season

It’s been an interesting off-season in the WNBA. Without an Olympic games or a World Championship to syphon off players, this could be one heck of a season. The league and teams have already sprung some things that will make 2009 different than 2008.

I Really Did Used To Be a Sports Photographer

I received a few emails wanting to see the sports photos I used to take — or worse, thought I was full of it. While I can’t speak to the latter, I hope that I might be able to satisfy the former.

We Commend Thee, Kay Yow (1942-2009)

NC State leader, Maryland nemesis, basketball icon, a cancer inspiration. There are so many ways to describe Kay Yow, who died early on January 24, 2009. Much will be written about her accomplishments, which I’ll not repeat. I do, however, have a few comments.

Women’s Basketball: WNBA’s Sylvia Fowles Dunks In EuroLeague

Having finished her rookie WNBA season (and Olympic Gold-medal run), Sylvia Fowles playing for Euro- and Russian-League powerhouse Spartak Moscow, has given notice that she’s ready to throw down with the world. Here is her dunk on November 19, 2008 against Beretta Famila

Anticipating 2008 Maryland Women’s Basketball

There are some that forecast a difficult year for Maryland Women’s Basketball. I think they are going to have an easier go of it than Tennessee or LSU, who got decimated by graduation. Maryland still has Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman to take this young team back for their second natty.

Congratulations to 2008 WNBA MVP Candace Parker

Candice Parker winning Rookie of the Year and league MVP puts an impressive coda on a remarkable year.

2008 WNBA Finals Pre-Series Thoughts: Detroit vs San Antonio

What an interesting road to the finals, eh? All of the 2008 playoff series up until this point have gone the distance. I think it’s fair to say that parity has hit the WNBA. Will the finals be any different?

Disappointed With the WNBA Western Conference Finals

L.A. lost the 2008 WNBA Western Conference Finals for a variety of reasons, but one especially that is their own fault: their guards are lacking. For next season, this is definitely an issue that must be

WNBA 2008 Conference Finals Breakdown

A quick breakdown of the 2008 WNBA conference finals of New York vs Detroit; and Los Angeles vs San Antonio. Who is likely to win?

The WNBA in Albuquerque – Happening or Not?

It’s hardly a secret that I would love to be able to pull in a WNBA team into Albuquerque. It’s a daunting challenge, to be sure, but it should not only be doable, but it could be a very successful relationship if we keep our focus this time. Some thoughts…