sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
- 25,424
- Like
- 110,194
Welcome to Dinosaur Day!
Today we celebrate those large, extinct reptiles: dinosaurs. Scientists believe they first appeared about 245 million years ago, at the beginning of the Middle Triassic Epoch, and existed for about 180 million years, going extinct about 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The period when they lived is called the Mesozoic Era. During this time they went through many changes, and various species of dinosaurs replaced other species. Some dinosaurs were bipedal, meaning they walked on two legs, and some were quadrupedal, meaning they walked on all fours. Some switched back and forth. Some were covered with feathers, while others had what was almost like body armor. Some ran fast, and others were slow; most were herbivores, but some were carnivores. There were at least 700 species of dinosaurs, and possibly more than 1,000.
There were big biotic changes at the end of the Cretaceous Period, and many other animals and plants died at that time as well. There are many theories as to why dinosaurs died out, including disease, heat waves, cold spells, changing sea levels, a large amount of volcanic activity, the emergence of egg-eating mammals, or from X-rays from an exploding supernova. One other common theory is that an asteroid smashed to earth, spread ash widely, and shifted the earth's climate. However, it is not believed that all dinosaurs died out at the same time. Rather, it is believed they had been declining during the last part of the Cretaceous Period. Scientists also believe that some dinosaurs may have evolved into birds.
SU News
Who is the Best Player in the 2019 Syracuse Basketball Class? – Orange Fizz – Free Syracuse Recruiting News (orangefizz.net; Leonard)
There has been a lot of talk about this incoming 2019 basketball class for Syracuse. Some view the class as a potential program changer, while others argue the numbers suggest it’s merely just another class.
Purely based on rankings there is no clear star in this group. The class has just one ESPN100 commit, Brycen Goodine, and no McDonald’s All-Americans. It’s only the second time in recent memory SU has not landed a recruit inside the top 50 on the ESPN100, the other year being 2017 (largely because of recruiting violations).
Instead of a “one-and-done” type of talent, Syracuse is bringing in a class with lots of guys that are around the same skill level. Brycen Goodine, Quincy Guerrier, Jesse Edwards and Joe Girard are all ranked between 90 and 180 in their class, according to 247sports.com.
FIZZ FEEDBACK: Who is the best player in the 2019 @Cuse_MBB recruiting class? Comment why to get your opinion heard on @TheScore1260.
— Orange Fizz (Orangefizz) May 14, 2019
The fact that Goodine only garnered 14% of the vote above speaks to the polarizing nature of this class. Objectively, just based on ratings, he is the clear “best player.” Every recruiting site under the sun has him as the highest rated guy in this class for Syracuse and frankly by a solid margin. ESPN has him at #75 (with no one else ranked inside the top 100). Based on that, Goodine is the most polished. He comes in with the fewest question marks and best stats against high level competition (19.6 PPG in EYBL circuit last year).
However, Fizz Nation is right. He’s not the best player. The top vote getter above Quincy Guerrier isn’t either. The best player in this class is Joe Girard.
It may not happen in his first year on campus. Honestly, there will probably be a strong deal of adversity for him early on. The hype is unhealthy for an 18 year old kid that does have to deal with a huge talent gap. Just think how long it took Buddy Boeheim to translate his shot from practice to the college pressure. But, Girard is a competitor that has risen to every high pressure challenge so far.
...
Syracuse, ACC: Fans should call cable companies and ‘make their voices heard’ on ACC Network (PS; Carlson)
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack joined many of his ACC counterparts on Monday, encouraging Orange fans across the country to contact their cable companies and request they carry the ACC Network when it launches on Aug 22.
Wildhack was in Amelia Island, Fla. last week for the ACC’s spring meetings, where the 24-hour sports channel was one of the primary points of discussion. The channel is set to launch on Aug 22.
One of the themes emerging from those meetings has been athletic department officials ramping up the public pressure on cable companies by rallying their fans.
“For our fans, consumer demand has a real, real impact on the cable and satellite providers," Wildhack said. “Our fans should go to GetACCN.com, go on to that website, log in ... that data is very important. That data will get shared with distributors. Or they should call their provider, whether its Comcast, Charter or Dish and say, ‘I want the ACC Network.’ They need to make their voices heard. Their collective voice has an impact in these conversations. I’ve seen that in my time at ESPN.”
...
Want The New ACC Network? The Conference Has A Suggestion (DBR; King)
With the ACC Network due in a few months, ACC fans are starting to ask: will we get it?
And the ACC has an answer: pressure your provider.
Naturally, there’s a Web site too.
It’s a bit unseemly to ask people to call and pressure services for it but on the other hand, when things heat up and you want some ACC, yeah...you’ll call.
The Debate: The ACC schedule starting in November (tarheelblog.com; Carpenter)
Last week, The Debate reviewed the football schedule to determine what game(s) was the one to circle on the schedule. This week, the discussion turns back to basketball and the oddity that is opening day in the ACC for 2019. On November 6, the Heels will open up their season with a conference contest against Notre Dame in Chapel Hill. Seems like a good topic to debate, so this week I am joined by Quintin Schwab to take on the subject.
Now, on with the show.
The Debate for the week of May 13: Is the opening game against Notre Dame a positive for Carolina and the ACC?
Point by Quintin: This schedule is ridiculous.
You know what sounds like a good and proper season-opening game for the UNC basketball team? Wofford. Northern Iowa. Even Michigan State. You know what doesn’t? Notre Dame. Especially now that the Fighting Irish are allegedly (correction: in reality) a fellow ACC team, this makes almost no sense at all.
The sense it does make is dollars for the soon-to-launch new ACC Network and accommodating a now 20-game conference schedule. However, that’s about where it ends, as the rather blatant disregard for basketball precedent overwhelms this change. By the way, since the season-opening head-to-head marathon/ACCN debut is a moneymaker on its face, why isn’t the ACC pulling rank and forcing its biggest cash cow Duke out of its obligation in the State Farm Classic to participate?
...
Mike Young: Kerry Blackshear Jr's status with Virginia Tech is "up in the air" - ACCSports.com (accsports.com; Geisinger)
According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Kerry Blackshear Jr. could still return to Virginia Tech for the 2019-20 season. That information was relayed to Rothstein via Virginia Tech coach Mike Young, who recently joined Rothstein’s podcast.
Mike Young tells me that Kerry Blackshear's situation at Virginia Tech remains "up in the air". Blackshear is an early entrant to the 2019 NBA Draft and also can be eligible immediately as a grad transfer.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 20, 2019
If Blackshear were to return to Blacksburg for next season, it would be a significant boon for Young and the Hokies.
After a strong sophomore season in 2017-18, Blackshear made a leap during the 2018-19 campaign. He averaged career highs in points (14.9), total rebounds (7.5), offensive rebounds (3.1) and assists (2.4). Blackshear played 30 minutes per game while his usage rate jumped to almost 27 percent. Despite the added offensive weight, Blackshear remained efficient — with a 58.7 percent true shooting rate.
More impressively, though: after the midseason injury to point guard Justin Robinson, Blackshear’s role shifted. The 6-foot-10 stretch 5 had to do more than just post-up and run screen-roll actions; Blackshear was tasked with operating as an offensive fulcrum.
...
Duke Basketball: Memphis steals No. 1 recruiting ranking from Blue Devils (balldurham.com; Connelly)
The Duke Basketball program has been overtaken by the Memphis Tigers for the No. 1 overall recruiting class for the 2019-20 season.
The Duke Blue Devils and the No. 1 recruiting class are no strangers to each other, but the two will be separated at least for this year as the Blue Devils no longer hold the top spot.
In his second year at the helm of the Memphis University basketball program, Penny Hardaway will bring the No. 1 recruiting class to town, overtaking the Blue Devils in the 247 Sports and ESPN ranking.
The Tigers also bring in the No. 1 player in the country James Wiseman, along with DJ Jeffries, Lester Quinones, Malcom Dandridge, Damion Baugh, and former Duke signee Boogie Ellis.
While Memphis rose to the No. 1 recruiting class according to 247 Sports, Duke slid down to No. 4 as the Kentucky Wildcats and Arizona Wildcats follow the Tigers.
According to ESPN, the Tigers overtook Duke for the No. 1 spot, while Arizona follows the Blue Devils at No. 3 with Kentucky coming in at No. 4.
...
2019 NBA Combine Notebook: ACC observations, Nassir Little and Terance Mann show out - ACCSports.com (accsports.com; Geisinger)
There were a lot of ACC players at last week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, including several guys who helped raise their stock with strong performances. Let’s take a look at a few of the headliners, starting with Terance Mann and Nassir Little.
“I’m trying to catch the beat”
At the 2018 NBA Combine, three ACC players posted max vertical leaps above 40 inches: Josh Okogie (who had a nice rookie season in Minnesota), Trevon Duval and Grayson Allen. So far at this year’s event, only five total players stuck verticals north of 40 inches; the only one with a tie to the ACC is Jalen Lecque.
Lecque, the highest-rated signee NC State has landed under Kevin Keatts, has shown out so far at the combine. This has included sticking the combine’s top max vertical leap, too: 43 inches. In terms of standing vertical leap, Lecque posted the event’s second best number: 35 inches.
As for guys that actually played in the ACC this season, Terance Mann of Florida State and UNC’s Nassir Little both hit 38.5 inches on the max vertical chart.
Mann has long been one of the more intriguing draft prospects in the ACC — a slashing wing that can defend and finish at the hoop with the efficiency of a 6-foot-10 big.
Terance Mann: 70% at the rim on 538 attempts in 4 years. That … is not normal. 115 dunks at 6’6” in 4 years.
— Ross Homan (@Ross_homan1) May 11, 2019
This season, Mann added a 3-point shot to his arsenal (77 3PA, 39 3P%); according to Synergy Sports, he posted an effective shooting rate of 60.8 percent on half-court catch-and-shoots. These aren’t crazy large samples, especially after three seasons of limited range shooting, but if you believe in the shot, then Mann becomes an intriguing prospect.
...
What if everything had gone according to plan? (RX; HM)
What if everything had gone according to plan? by MSTiger
According to BigEastCoastBias, Virginia Tech took Syracuse's spot in 2003. As in, they literally took their spot in the conference and division alignment. This is something I'm sure all VT fans have considered. I've just always been glad the conference added more football oriented schools at each expansion step.
Just like UofL was inserted for Maryland, it seems that the division setup was already decided and VT was just inserted for Syracuse when plans changed.
So if expansion went as planned at each phase you would have had Cuse, Miami, and BC in the first round for these divisions.
ACC
FSU - Miami
Clemson - GT
NC State - UNC
Wake Forest - Duke
BC - Syracuse
Maryland - UVA
This seems like the intended zipper from the very beginning. You might say, "Oh ok well then VT and Pitt would have been next on the list". NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! Remember, this was all about TV markets - and the ACC already had Virginia. For this reason, the league would likely never have considered VT as a primary target. So what was the plan and how would it have panned out?
I believe VT was (and probably still is) a target for the SEC. VT and NC State have been rumored targets for a long time. I contend that VT could be in the SEC right now over Missouri had Virginia politics not gotten involved back in 2003. Here is what the SEC would look like.
...
Other
Syracuse lawmakers OK 5G despite concerns: ‘If we’re wrong, the risk is terrible' (PS; Baker)
The Syracuse Common Council narrowly gave Verizon the go-ahead to launch its new 5G cell towers throughout the city. But several councilors aren’t convinced the new technology is worth the potential risk.
A deal with Verizon gives the company permission to install hundreds of small cell towers on city street lights, laying the foundation for a high-speed data network with almost unlimited connectivity.
Councilors approved the deal by a vote of five to three Monday. Once installed, Syracuse will be one of the first 5G cities in the country. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a mid-size city like this to be on the cutting edge of the tech industry, according to Mayor Ben Walsh and advocates on the council.
Proponents of the deal, including Walsh, say 5G will give Syracuse’s tech industry a shot in the arm. And by installing the cell towers on city property, local officials preserve control and oversight. A provision in the contract with Verizon allows Syracuse to require safety checks to make sure the towers comply with federal standards.
...
