Milwaukee: Hello from the home of the Brewers and the fictitious Shotz Brewery (employer of Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney). Tonight, amidst all the hubub created by (more later).... , UConn takes on Marquette. It has the potential to be one of the best games of the season at what should be a rowdy Bradley Center.
Most games, UConn goes in with an experience advantage. Not tonite. The Golden Eagles start four serniors and a junior. And three of the seniors, Jerel Mc Neal, Wesley Matthews Junior and Dominique James, are among the best players in the Big East. Mc Neal has to be considered a top five candidate for Big East Player of the Year. Marquette will attack, attack attack. They can also knock down the three so this will be as tough a defensive assignment for UConn as they have had all season. But as Jim Calhoun noted last night with he met with the media ,UConn has kept playing good defense despite the loss of Jerome Dyson. It's the UConn offense that has suffered more with 'Rome. So, UConn will have to score the ball as well. It should be a great matchup.
Over dinner last night, Wayne and I talked about how the whole ruckus over Saturdays post game press conference will distract, if at all, the players. They don't life in a bubble, they are obviously aware what has gone on and how much criticism their coach has come under. I don't know if we'll ever get an answer to that question.
Ok, now my thoughts on Saturday and it's aftermath. Do I think the question was legit. Yes. In that setting, absolutely NOT.
The person who asked the question (who will remain nameless in this space) obtained his credentail under false pretenses. I have been covering UConn basketball for 30 years. Not once, have I seen a photographer ask a question in a post game news conference. If you know who wanted to ask the question, go thru proper channels. He wanted his 15 minutes of fame and now he has gotten much more than that. I am sure he is happy.
It has been interesting that the discussion has not been about coaches salaries (which, by the way, in case you forgot, were negotiated in good faith), but about Jim's reaction. Now, even Governor Rell has weighed in. David Borges in his blog on the New Haven Register website, says the Governor said lots of good things about Jim but apparantly, those didn't make juicy enough copy so they weren't reported (my words, not Dave's). The Governor is entitled to her opinion but I disagree. Jim didn't start off yelling to the reportographer (half reporter,half photogropher). His anger intensified at the line of questioning. What right is it of You Know Who to know how much Jim makes from his Comcast endorsements. And then when the reportographer took a shot at the beat reporters, Jim finally had had enough. The Coach has gotten to 799 wins by being emotional and fiery. That's who he is, none of you bitched in 1999 and 2004.
And finally, a word to all of the brainiacs who have been critical of the men who cover the team on a daily basis. You have no clue what you are talking about. Not one. Not even an iota of intelligence. They do their job, they are there to cover BASKETBALL. To say they give Jim a pass is totally assinine. They ask the tough questions about the subject they are ASSIGNED TO COVER WHICH IS BASKETBALL. I have heard and read more people who think they have all the answers weigh in and be critical of the groupl Seriously,stick to what you know best., if there is something you know best. Phil Chardis, Mike Anthony, Gavin Keefe, Neil Ostrout, Ed Daignault and David Borges are good,hard working reporters. They are also my friends and frankly I am sick and tired of them taking hits from people who wouldn't know a basketball from a budget defecit.
6:30 pre game on the radio and on the web. Enjoy what should be a great game!
