It seems like the less we pay attention to the Crosstown Shootout, the better the game is.
Yes, it was sloppy at times and not the basketball purists' dream, but it was fun to watch. You saw two teams that desperately wanted to win, did everything they could do to win. It was something you don't always see in December basketball.
Both teams will get better from this game and we got a nice diversion, void of the overhyping that can happen.
* That was the Lance Stephenson we'd been promised. And that was the Xavier team we'd been promised. I'd love to see these two meet later in the season -- maybe they can meet in the NCAA tournament. Both of these teams are tournament teams.
* I remember when I first moved here, the Shootout was the biggest sports event of year (Opening Day isn't about the sport, it seems), now it was just something that happened after the Bengals game.
ESPNU and the folks at UC and XU didn't do the rivalry any favors, but it was simply fun to watch. I'm not sure it's worse that there wasn't a week of build-up.
* The Bengals are who we thought the were. A playoff team, but not much more. Laveranues Coles was supposed to do thing T.J. Houshmandzadeh couldn't do -- so far the only thing he's been able to do that T.J. couldn't was avoid the media. Too bad he's as invisible on the field as he is during media availability.
The team needs a deep threat. I know it's been said, but I think I was turning a blind eye to it, but 15 completions for fewer than 100 yards? Just not getting it done.
* If you missed it, make sure you read Paul Dehner Jr.'s story on Madisonville native Ray Edwards, now a Viking.
* Yeah, more on the Vols sending female students to high school games to help recruiting.
* A really interesting story about former 3rd Bass MC Prime Minister Pete Nice, who is now in money troubles because of his post-rap career of dealing baseball memorabilia.
* A review of McSweeney's newspaper, the San Francisco Panorama.
* Good news -- a new Drive-By Truckers album in March.
* A cool story about a couple of fans coming from Toronto to see Wussy.
.* My favorite TV critic, Alan Sepinwall, looks back at the decade in TV.
* As someone mentioned, I hadn't commented on the Top Chef finale... if you haven't seen it, well, stop reading -- I don't want to People you. In the end, I think they got the right guy, I hate to say it.
My guy, Kevin, was apparently not in a great spot when they filmed the finale. Here's a Q&A from the AJC with Kevin and another one from TV Guide. Oh, and one more -- each of these has something slightly different -- from Creative Loafing in Atlanta where he talks about the way they told him he was not Top Chef, a first for the series. I thought it was crass, Kevin doesn't seem to disagree. The one thing I like is that in each one of them, he apologizes for his comments about his sous chef.
* Entertainment Weekly has a Q&A with Michael, who doesn't seem to be as jerky in this as he did sometimes on the show. But I'm guessing his stuff is incredible. He was portrayed as a jerk on the show, but I'd love to eat his food.
* Eli from this season is leaving his restaurant in Atlanta and headed to NYC for a while.
* And a really, really interesting story on previous contestant Dale (Season 3). Although, I will say I don't think that season I ever thought Dale would win -- Hung was pretty much a shoe-in from the get-go that season.
Hey C.Trent;
i'm thinking out loud and my thought is this: Why don't you do some reporting on the UC coaching search instead of rehashing the ex-UC coach's twitter?
Thanks
oh, you want me to make up some names that may or may not be interested? there's some reporting going on, but there's nothing being thrown up there without basis in fact. would it comfort you for rumors and innuendo and made up crap to be up here?
No. As a journalist i was hoping that you might use any potential resources you have available to you from covering the Bearcats previously or try and confirm any "rumors" out there or do something besides write another BK/ND related item no matter how big or small. We get it. He no longer coaches at UC and he coaches at ND. Give us some info on who might be next.
I just read through the drama section of Sepinwall's best of TV list and came away very impressed. I never watched The West Wing religiously, but recognize it as a great show, and I complain that The Sopranos is often overrated, but I can also recognize it's importance and quality. The rest of the shows on the list are all of my favorite shows from recent years (Lost, Deadwood, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, Veronica Mars, FNL, Mad Men). The only one I haven't seen is The Shield, and it's on my to-do list from Netflix.
Did you ever stop to think that there maybe his resources aren't giving up any info on this. I remember a couple of weeks ago we talked about what a joke reporting has become in the internet age as people just run to put anything out there. I for one applaud this site for not trying to peddle a bunch of crap on us like a tabloid.
Plus, it is a news story to report on how "fans" are treating the guy who made their program relevent again. Egging his house and putting obscene signs in the guys yard are pretty ridiculous.
thank you
finnigan, bsg is the one i need to get caught up on. i know lost is supposed to be awesome, i just don't have any interest. like avatar.
i love the sopranos, but it's no wire. the wire... oh, man...
1) No where do i advocate for the unsubstantiated rumor mill BS that floods the internet. if C.Trent's sources aren't giving it up, so be it, but...
2) There has been a complete absence of reporting on the UC coaching search. No updates, not even getting a "No Comment" from any officials of any kind. C.Trent says there's been some reporting. The only thing i've seen by this outlet and others is that Butch Jones will interview and Kevin Sumlin declined to interview. GREAT JOB GUYS!!! (and yes that's sarcasm).
3) BK's Twitter is OLD NEWS. Hell, i'd hesitate to even call it "News". Besides, what C.Trent did was link to the Tweet with the snarky remark "Stay Classy Bearcats Fans". i don't necessarily consider that journalism. i suppose it's fitting that you do.
Bottomline: it seems like everyone, including but not exclusive to C.Trent and CNATI, is waiting around for an official announcement by UC and Mike Thomas to be made rather than reporting on the process. Nothing out there to report? Say so! Just don't peddle the BK tweet like it's news or something of substance. it's starting to spoil it's so old.
Watching Friday Night Lights on the web and it's the best season yet in my opinion.
CT, you dropped the ball- channel 5 is already making up names for the UC job. A guy that is going to make 6 million next year in the NFL is "very interested" in the UC job. 5 scooped you on Shanahan.
Ok, well Thinking Out Loud, is not C Trent reporting a story, it's his blog, where he shares links and gives thoughts about different sports, movies, and music stories. He writes no articles for TOL. So it's not really reporting to say here's a link about someone being a douche because they are hacked off their coach, who is the only person to make their program relevant outside of Clifton, is leaving.
If you've followed long enough, this is not the first stay classy to a team and their fans for doing something ridiculous. So, I kind of agree to leave the garbage rumor mongering to someone like Ken Broo.
if TOL is C.Trent's little space than so be it but the larger critique still stands. There is virtually no reporting on the biggest coaching search in UC history. You can be a journalist without resorting to the rumor mongering if you have the necessary skills.
Sounds like leeey should start a news site of his own then.
You don't think that when relevant news surfaces on the position you won't be able to find it here? Really? Really?
Oh wait! Breaking news: Mike Shanahan interested in UC job! Holy crap! Oh wait, it's just a rumor. But man, C Trent dropped the ball not reporting it. I guess if he had the skills he could throw a name out there.
Sounds like James needs a lesson in reading comprehension. LOL!!
it's alright James. Keep completing your homework assignments and you'll get there buddy!!