Not another pig suey

Recent news:

• The Detroit Lions drafted Ndamukong Suh and appear to be on the right track for the first time in years. Yes, I am a Lions fan despite their perennial losing. And yes, I know people in Iowa don’t care about the Lions. But until you get a team of your own, I’m going to act like you do.

• The Detroit Red Wings are approaching a game-seven battle with the Phoenix Coyotes (again, the lack of team for Iowa). The Wings haven’t had their greatest season, limping through countless injuries to barely sneak into the playoffs. Fortunately, I have confidence in this star-studded roster. Lets get to round-two Wingers.

• Oklahoma City won their second-consecutive home game to even the Lakers series at 2-2. I’ve liked this team from the beginning, but really Kobe? Twelve points in a 20-point game 4 loss. Thats very un-Kobe-like.

• The short-handed Utah Jazz have looked far superior to a talented Denver Nuggets team. Even with Kyrylo Fesenko (from Dnipropetrovsk, and no I didn’t spell that wrong) as their starting center. (More on him coming soon)

However, the big news comes straight from Omaha, Nebraska. Longtime coach and MVC godfather Dana Altman is headed to Oregon to become the Ducks’ head basketball coach. This time, it’s for real.

In 2007 we heard a similar story. The classic Pig Suey incident, when Dana left to become Arkansas’s head coach, only to return to Creighton within a day after seeing the state of SEC basketball. Altman sprinted back to Creighton with his tail in between his legs. He vowed to remain at the University for the rest of his career. Fortunately for him, Creighton opened him back with open arms.

Three seasons later, Altman’s streak of 11 straight 20-win seasons was snapped. His BlueJay team looked over-matched, maybe even outcoached for the first time in years. Long gone are the days of Rodney Buford, Ryan Sears, Kyle Korver, and Anthony Tolliver. Instead, players like P’Allen Stinnett dominate the headlines with off-the-court issues. Dana Altman looked at the future of the Creighton program and decided it was time for a change (again).

Ultimately, the Valley has changed. Power has shifted. For almost an entire decade, Creighton and Southern Illinois were top-dogs. Often ranked in the top-25, both teams were perennial post-season contenders. Now, UNI dominates headlines. Illinois State moved from bottom-feeder to contended. And even Drake had one good year (come on, you knew I was throwing that in somewhere).

I can’t blame Altman for leaving. He’s done everything he could for Creighton. Sixteen seasons after arriving in a place without basketball heritage, Altman turned them into a team no one in Division-1 wanted to play. One season under 20-wins and the fans are grumbling. How is that fair?

Look at it this way – as a college coach, you are the focal point of the team. True. Accepted. So you are going to receive a disproportionate amount of credit either way. Ditto. But, fans expect loyalty to the school. They also expect perfection.

When Keno Davis left Drake a few years ago, some fans were upset. How? Would you really turn down someone quadrupling your salary? I wouldn’t say no. Especially if, like Dana’s case, people are always expecting more. He raised the fans level of expectations. One season with less than 20-wins and Creighton fans are grumbling about his ability to coach.

Believe me, I am not blaming the fans. Its just the nature of the business. Fans want their school to win. Coaches need to do whats best for themselves and their families. As much as we like to think college basketball is wholesome, it really is a cut-throat business.

Basically, I’m just trying to say congrats Dana. I wish you the best.

Looking to the future, it will be interesting to see how the BlueJays proceed. Greg McDermott looks to be a perfect fit. After planting the seeds to get UNI to their current level, McDermott’s struggles at Iowa State have been well documented. The Valley and the Big 12 represent different beasts. At Iowa State McDermott has to recruit a different type of player. And these players haven’t exactly fit to his system. Moving from the hot-seat at Iowa State to a storied Valley program in a conference he’s very familiar with seems like a good move. (Oh, and it helps that Creighton can offer more money than Iowa State. Remember, its a business.)

Succeeding in the Valley requires hard-work, tireless recruiting, and having an eye for the diamond in the rough. Coaches have to know how to recruit to this level. MVC teams are too good for average players. But outside of the power-six conference teams, it is extremely difficult to get top-100 caliber athletes. Finding the best of the rest is imperative for Valley success.

To win against the big boys, Valley teams have to play together. And coaches have to find the right mix of players. Kansas is going to be more athletic. But what does UNI do? They stick to their strengths: play great team defense, get Kansas out of their rhythm, and make timing baskets. What they lacked in athleticism, they made up for with size and hustle in the frontcourt, strength and shooting ability in the backcourt. Of course, an Ali Farokhmanesh doesn’t hurt.

It also helps to have mature teams. The last three MVC champs have been junior/senior laden groups. The 2007-2008 Drake Bulldogs had a fifth-year senior, two four-year seniors, and two four-year juniors in their rotation. UNI from 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 boasted a similar mix.

As more prime-time players become one-and-dones, the advantage often resides in experience. Valley coaches don’t recruit these players. They can’t. But they have a knack for picking the next best thing. No way Ali Farokhmanesh goes to Kansas or Kentucky. But with the right teammates, in the right system, the kid can shine.

This is what Greg McDermott struggled with at ISU. And this is why Greg McDermott is a great fit for Creighton. The Valley is a special place. But each school needs to have the right kind of coach.

Ultimately Altman leaving will be good for everyone. He needed a change. Creighton needs a change. And McDermott and Iowa State could definitely use a positive way to get out of that situation. This could be a win-win-win for all three programs. Stay posted.

One more Try

Now that the NBA Playoff matchups are finally set, lets try this whole prediction thing again.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference playoff picture is pretty cut and dry. Cleveland and Orlando are clearly the class. Atlanta and Boston are challengers. While Miami, Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Chicago were all just hoping for the right matchups to get into the second round. Lets take a look, series by series, to see how the Eastern Conference first round matchups will play out.

(1) Cleveland vs (8) Chicago

Chicago made a great run to get to the playoffs. Earning the eigth and final spot, the Bulls won three straight, placing them one game in front of the Toronto Raptors. Despite a loss to the lowly (and by lowly I mean terrible) New Jersey Nets down the stretch, the Bulls are playing some of their best basketball. (Especially considering the awkward situation between GM John Paxson and head coach Vinny Del Negro, this is quite a surprise. And come on, they have Joakim Noah as a starting center. No way that helps.)

Sitting at 14-20 on Jan. 8, it looked like the Bulls had no shot. But, in the Eastern conference anything can happen. By Feb. 16, the Bulls were in the playoff hunt. Winning 12 of 18, Chicago’s record blossomed to 26-26. Following a 10-game losing streak in March, fan’s hopes were lost. Again.

However, Derrick Rose’s will should not be underestimated. Approaching crunch time in April, Rose averaged 25.3 pts, 7.0 asts, and 4.1 rebs in the season’s last eight games. Finally, Chicago fans see the killer instinct for the first time since His Airness.

So why am I talking so much about the Bulls run to get into the postseason? Because the Cavs are the best team in the east. Oh, and because the Cavs have LeBron. Sorry Bulls fans (WebMaster included), the run ends here. At least Rose is playing better and Kirk Hinrich has been playing his best basketball in a few years (and Ben Gordon’s gone, *sigh*).

An interesting note. The WebMaster is very passionate about his sports teams. Like a crazy parent during a T-ball game. He yells at the TV like his words control player’s movements (sorry buddy, it doesn’t work that way). The Bulls, Minnesota Vikings, and Michigan Wolverine football and basketball (Is anyone else confused about the geography?) I don’t know anyone else who just picks and chooses their favorite teams, then becomes a die-hard, borderline insane, fanatic. That is the WebMaster in a nutshell ladies and gentlemen. (To be fair, he chose these team’s before the ripe-age of seven. So he’s not a fair-weather fan. Still. Stick to your city. I’m a Lions fan. Just ashamed to admit it. Now back to him.)

During contests involving these teams, watching games is almost like being on the set of a Jerry Springer show. Constant yelling, badgering, and blood-curdling screams are met with exasperated calls for help and the occasional, maybe rare, yelp for joy. No matter the outcome, expectations are not met. Adrian Peterson gains 250 yds and has three TD’s, so what? What about his two carries where he tripped and fell after a mere 15-yard gain? A throw-away to escape pressure. A pass deflected out-of-bounds. Unacceptable. Nothing short of perfection is satisfying.

You see, as a die hard fan, the WebMaster searches for any and all negative (You really can’t blame him. I mean, Chris Webber and Michigan basketball, the recent downfall(s) of the Michigan Football (believe me this one required all these links), Brett Favre‘s interception and Adrian Peterson’s fumbles, and the Bulls since Jordan. Its been a tough few years) It just makes watching games with him an adventure. I can’t wait to see the reactions to dominance by Shaq, LeBron, and Antawn. This may be the series I’m most looking forward to.

I know I haven’t touched on the matches, or the Cavs at all for that matter, but Cleveland is a superior team. We’ll have time for that next round. Despite splitting the season series, I don’t see the Bulls winning more than one home game.

Cleveland in 5

(4) Boston vs (5) Miami

Boston is a big wild card in the East. Boasting a roster with big names and good role players, for some reason they don’t quite have the same edge this year (a very possible explanation). For better or for worse, Rajon Rando has become the leader of this team. Now don’t get me wrong, he’s a great player, but this team is much better off having Kevin Garnett as the unquestioned leader.

Despite having a solid 50-win season, the Celtics largely underachieved. Two years removed from winning the title, their bodies are two-years older. While it may mean improved production from Rondo and Kendrick Perkins, its been a struggle for Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The Big Three remain solid, but injuries and age have definitely slowed their performance.

I’m not sold on Pierce being able to carry the team offensively during a playoff run. Allen is solid, but not the player he once was. Garnett is void of almost all his explosiveness, but his intangibles still offer the ability to personally alter a game or series.

Off the bench, veterans Michael Finley (he’s still playing?), Rasheed Wallace, and Marquis Daniels combine with spark plugs Nate Robinson and Glen “Big Baby” Davis to form a formidable second team. However, Sheed’s inconsistency and constant squabble with officials (and his weight) pose a threat to his personal success. And I’m not sure replacing aging veterans (Pierce and Allen) with an aged veteran (Finley) is very good in game strategy.

In Miami, the Heat are enjoying their second consecutive playoff appearance, removing the memory of 2007-2008 season when the team limped to the league’s worst record. Now with transformed roster centered around superstar Dwyane Wade the 47-win Heat are making their way toward being legit competitors. This just isn’t the year.

Despite rejuvenated efforts by Jermaine O’Neal and formerely misguided Michael Beasley, the Heat do not have enough to make a serious run at the title. Especially playing a relatively fresh Celtics team in the first round, I don’t see this going well for Miami faithful. Regardless of age, the Celts have too many weapons and Miami only has one Dwyane Wade. Wade will win at least two games by himself, but overall advantage resides in Boston.

Celtics in 6.

(3) Atlanta) vs (6) Milwaukee

Atlanta is a team I really like come playoff time. After pushing the eventual champion Celtics to seven games in the first round in 2008, the Hawks lost to the Eastern conference champion Cavaliers in 2009. Progress is progress.

I like Joe Johnson. I really like Al Horford. Josh Smith can change games with his defensive and offers huge momentum swings with his thunderous dunks. Mike Bibby offers a great counter to the team’s youth and athleticism by offering heady point guard play and a constant scoring threat.

The Atlanta Hawks are a nightmare matchup for older, slower teams. But, they also have a knack for playing themselves out of games they should win. This is where the Bucks have a chance. Oh wait, I forgot Andrew Bogut’s hurt.

The Hawks athleticism will be a nightmare for the Bucks.

I’ve been very impressed with the Bucks season. Low expectations in the beginning led to a big run in the middle of the season, especially after the addition of John Salmons. Salmons invigorated the Bucks franchise, offering a scoring option and an attitude for the team to follow.

A roster void of big names, the Bucks will rely on pick-and-roll plays to try to wear down Atlanta. The Hawks use their size and athleticism to swtich most screens. This should allow Buck perimeters Brandon Jennings, Salmons, Carlos Delfino, Jerry Stackhouse, and Charlie Bell to get to the basket and create opportunities for their teammates.

Without Bogut’s inside presence rebounding becomes a major factor. To be successful Milwaukee will have to slow down the game and pack it in against Atlanta’s big bodies. Buck Reserve Ersan Ilyasova (whom I saw play while overseas and was very impressed with) will have to live up to his “Turk” Nowitzki billing to stretch the Hawk defense and bolster frontcourt scoring.

I forsee a gritty performance from the Buck. Something we’ve come to expect from Scott Skiles’ coached teams. But, Atlanta size and athleticism will be too much (especially without Bogut, did I say that already?).

Atlanta in 6.

(2) Orlando vs (7) Charlotte

Many analysts are arguing whether Orlando can defeat the Cavs to come out of the East. They think this series is almost a foregone conclusion. Sorry, but I cannot argue.

The Bobcats, much like the Bulls, deserve a lot of credit for even reaching the playoffs. Its been a tough stretch for the uber-competitive Michael Jordan as he’s been trying to build a winner. (Once the series starts going poorly, don’t be surprised to see Michael in uniform. Weirder things have happened – the man did play baseball for two years. Well, attempted anyway.)

Dwight Howard. Sorry to change subjects so drastically, but thats what the series comes down to. The man in the middle is becoming a dominant player despite needing to refine his offensive skills. Charlotte has no answer for him. Not Jordan in the front office. Not Larry Brown on the opposing bench. And certainly not Theo Ratliff, Tyson Chandler, Nzar Mohammed, DeSagana Diop, or whoever else the Bobcats can throw out there.

The only thing that scares me about Orlando is Vince Carter and his lack of success. Never has someone with so much talent done so little when it mattered (except for maybe his cousin Tracy McGrady. They keep it in the family. Oh, and I guess I have to put Chris Webber is this one too. Sorry WebMaster.) As the third or fourth option on this team, hopefully Vince can channel his inner-Turkoglu and be the clutch performer the Magic need. A little advice – take it to the basket Vince. They won’t need him in this series anyway.’

Magic in 5