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College Basketball Nation: Georgetown Hoyas
Class of 2014's best defenders
1. Justise Winslow, Duke
Winslow has a college-ready body and mindset that will help him influence the game with his defensive prowess. His defensive versatility might be the best among the entire freshman class as the 6-foot-6 forward can defend point guards through power forwards. The athletic Winslow can be a factor in full-court pressure or trapping situations as well as in a straight-up man-to-man denial defense locking up, the opposing team's best offensive threat. What makes him a special defender is that he is always thinking about where he should be next on the floor. Winslow will be extremely important for Duke next season.
Can Josh Smith finally make good?
"Surprise" doesn't really go far enough. Simply put, there was almost no precedent for Smith -- who played six games in 2012-13, his final season at UCLA -- to earn immediate eligibility. Smith didn't fit within any traditional legislative relief (or "hardship waiver" archetype. The Kent, Wash., native wasn't transferring to be closer to home, or care for an ill family member. The NCAA has restricted players or wiped entire seasons of eligibility off the board for far less -- long-lost preseason participation has frequently been enough to do the trick. And while the situation at UCLA in Ben Howland's final year was no doubt less than conducive to Smith's development, he didn't leave after his coach was fired, or in the wake of some NCAA sanctions. He left after the first six games of his junior campaign.
ESPN's Jeff Goodman reported Wednesday that the waiver was granted thanks to a combination of "NCAA's fear" and "weight issues/Howland treatment." Why would a player who played in six regular-season games not lose at least a semester of eligibility -- or at least have to wait an extra few months -- as pretty much every other similar transfer has? Because the NCAA is scared of criticism? Because he has struggled with his weight? Because his former coach discarded him? I'm sympathetic to all of that -- and I think college players should be able to transfer with far fewer restrictions and wait times than currently exist — but that doesn't make the ruling consistent with any past precedent. What about every kid in the past five years with a legitimate appeal who was denied on technicality? Is the NCAA really that rattled?
Anyway, any furor over the decision doesn't matter now. Frankly, it might never matter -- not unless Smith has an even bigger surprise in store.
The ballad of Josh Smith has been the same lyrics, sung to the same tune, since as far back as 2007, when Smith was a promising but slightly oversized high school sophomore. He has always wowed scouts with his actual basketball skills: soft hands, quick feet, good touch around the rim. The only issue was his weight. It never came down. Indeed, under Howland, it went up, and even when Smith made it clear to the media he understood why he had to get in shape once and for all, he still never really made progress. At some point, UCLA just stopped updating his player profile dimensions.
Thus far, Georgetown has listed Smith at 350 pounds. He has two years remaining. John Thompson III has said Smith needs to "maintain a high level of commitment on and off the court," and if he does, Thompson will have a place for him. Not only do the Hoyas need another big body, period. Thompson is also far more flexible with his offensive system -- to the point that he is openly bristling against it being called the "Princeton offense" -- than many assume. If Smith is a viable addition to the Hoyas' frontcourt, Thompson would love to run sets through a post scorer with the kind of ball skills Smith has to offer. He has done so in the past: In 2011-12, center Henry Sims led the Hoyas in assist rate (27.3 percent); in 2009-10, 6-foot-11 forward Greg Monroe performed the same function.
The template is there. The opportunity is ripe. But until Smith answers the core question of his basketball career -- but can he stay on the floor? -- the impact of another inexplicable NCAA decision will be solely reserved for the theoretical.
The nonconference games we'd love to see
We've officially judged and juried every nonconference schedule.
Kudos to the teams that had the nerve to schedule bravely. Your just rewards could come in March, when the selection committee recognizes the merits of playing tough opponents, even if there's a risk of a loss.
And shame on those who scheduled meekly. Enjoy the NIT.
Now, it's time to play Armchair Scheduler -- or King/Queen of the Basketball Universe, whichever title floats your boat -- and offer up 15 nonconference games that won't be played this year, but we wish would be:
Kansas vs. Missouri: Let's just file this under an annual request. One of the greatest rivalries in college basketball ought to be played this year, next year and every year. We don't care who left what conference. We don't care who's angry. This is like two divorcing parents sparring over the china with the kids stuck in the middle. Here the two schools' fan bases and fans of the game in general are the kids. So hire a good mediator, work this out and play ball.
Georgetown vs. Syracuse: See Kansas-Missouri argument above. The two teams here at least have agreed that continuing the rivalry at some point is a good idea and it appears a multiyear contract is imminent, but there's nothing yet on the schedule. Let's fix that. Soon.
Kentucky vs. Indiana: Ibid. Or is it op. cit.? Whatever, reference the Kansas-Missouri, Georgetown-Syracuse arguments cited above. Two states separated by a river. Great rivalry. Lousy excuses. Figure it out.
North Carolina vs. Raleigh News & Observer: The Tar Heels' crimes, misdeeds and lack of punishment have been well documented in the news media, but nowhere as thoroughly and as well as at the local newspaper. The staff at the N&O has been relentless and thorough in its coverage. We suggest a game of H-O-R-S-E (with the African-American studies department excused from judging) at the Newseum to settle this once and for all.
Harvard vs. Duke: Smart school versus smart school. Mentor versus mentee. Easy storylines for reporters. What's not to like about this matchup? Not to mention it would feature two top-25 teams and give the Crimson a chance to show how good they really are.
Kansas vs. Kentucky: Yes, we will get to enjoy Kansas (Andrew Wiggins) versus Duke (Jabari Parker) in Chicago, but we're selfish. We'd like to see Wiggins go up against Kentucky, one of the schools he spurned. Not to mention it might be fun witnessing what could essentially be a freshman All-American game, with Wiggins, the Harrison twins, James Young, Julius Randle and Joel Embiid together on one floor.
Florida Gulf Coast vs. Georgetown: Let's see if the slipper still fits when last season's Cinderella goes rematch against its Madness victims, the Hoyas. Georgetown doesn't have Otto Porter anymore and Greg Whittington is hurt, but hey, Dunk City lost its drum major when Andy Enfield headed to USC. Seems about even.
Michigan vs. Notre Dame: No one would dare call Mike Brey a chicken, would they? The two schools called the football rivalry quits this year amid acrimony and an endgame Wolverine chicken dance, but maybe the basketball schools can extend the olive branch and play for the first time since 2006.
Michigan State vs. Duke: Tom Izzo may not want to see the Blue Devils very often -- he's 1-7 against Duke in his tenure -- but this game never disappoints. The two schools have met nine times and only twice, in 2003 and in 1958, has it been a blowout. The two have gone head-to-head over top recruits, including Jabari Parker, and come into the season as top-10 locks.
Memphis vs. Arizona: Josh Pastner revisits his coaching roots in a game that will answer the biggest question facing the Wildcats -- how good is point guard T.J. McConnell? If the Duquesne transfer can handle the Tigers' onslaught of Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson, Chris Crawford and Michael Dixon, he can handle everything.
Louisville vs. Oklahoma State: You like good guard play? Imagine this one. Russ Smith, Chris Jones, Terry Rozier (and maybe Kevin Ware) against Marcus Smart, Markel Brown and incoming freshman Stevie Clark. The coaches would be miserable -- with Rick Pitino going up against his own beloved point guard, Travis Ford -- but the rest of us would enjoy it tremendously.
Oregon vs. Creighton: This game stacks up on merit, not just on the storyline of Dana Altman facing his old squad. With Doug McDermott back in the fold, the Bluejays are legit. Their schedule is less so, a sort of meandering plunder of nonconference nothingness. Adding the Ducks, a team Altman has reconstructed, and his impressive backcourt would be helpful. And OK, old coach/old school is fun.
New Mexico vs. Florida: The Gators already have a pretty impressive nonconference slate, but hey, what's one more? This one would be a nice tussle between pretty skilled, albeit different, big men in Alex Kirk and Patric Young. Kirk enjoyed a breakout season last year, but facing Young would be a real test of the 7-footer's abilities.
Ole Miss vs. Ohio State: Why? Because it would be nice to watch Aaron Craft hush Marshall Henderson (presuming his indefinite suspension is lifted) once and for all.
Some rivalries can survive realignment
In a sports world full of clumsy, inane analogies to armed conflict, the Border War -- the centurylong rivalry between Kansas and Missouri -- legitimately deserved its designation. The Jayhawks and Tigers first met on the gridiron in 1891, just 36 years after a perfectly real, horribly violent border war broke out between pro-slavery Missouri and abolitionist Kansas, as The New York Times recounts:
In 1855, Missourians crossed the border in droves to vote in the first Kansas election, and 6,000 votes were somehow cast by a total voting population of 2,905 to elect a proslavery government. New Englanders opposed to slavery organized to send settlers, money and guns to the antislavery residents there. Amos Lawrence, a New England textile magnate whose name was given to the city where the University of Kansas now stands, helped ship hundreds of rifles to aid the fight against the "border ruffians" from Missouri and the proslavery settlers in Kansas.
It did not take long for violence to erupt. On May 21, 1856, parts of Lawrence were destroyed when Missourians marched on the town with five cannons in tow. A day later, Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was beaten almost to death on the floor of the United States Senate by a Southern congressman upset by Sumner's speech, "The Crime Against Kansas." A week later, John Brown and several abolitionists hacked five proslavery Kansans to death with swords.
Today, when you check in to a hotel in Kansas City, those senseless horrors are impossible to fathom. But the up-close-and-personal violence -- neighboring cities burning, rival bands of "Jayhawkers" fighting to the death, dignitaries beaten to a pulp on the Senate floor -- is really only a handful of generations removed from present day. People still remember. They just express themselves differently.
For example: In April 2012, the morning of Kansas' national title showdown with Kentucky, the morning announcements at an elementary school in tiny Lee's Summit, Mo. -- a 20-minute drive from the Kansas border -- included the Jayhawks' fight song. In roughly 99 percent of the country, that would be seen as a small, token gesture toward regional sporting spirit. In Lee's Summit, it was a slap in the face:
"As a parent of two and a taxpaying resident of the Lee's Summit R–7 School District, I am shocked and disappointed that there was an apparent attempt to indoctrinate Lee's Summit school children to be KU fans at Trailridge Elementary this week," said Brian Yates, a former state representative and graduate of the University of Missouri, at the time. "Playing the KU fight song or any college fight song over the intercom in a publicly funded elementary school is unacceptable."
Indoctrinate! Another example: In 2011, the town of Osceola, Mo., passed a citywide resolution condemning the Jayhawks' nickname, which it saw as a "celebration of this murderous gang of terrorists by an institution of 'higher education'" in a "brazen and malicious manner."
A couple of weeks ago, apropos of nothing, a Lawrence resident who had stumbled upon that old school-announcements chestnut sent me an email. He felt obligated to explain:
People that have not grown up in this area have no real understanding of this rivalry between MU and KU. To quantify it with words just diminishes the intensity of it.
This was never a sports rivalry. This was hatred that is taught and bred into the youth on both sides of the border. […] The memories are vivid and each side has their version of what "really" happened.
People along the border communities of Kansas and Missouri murdered each other at will. Bands of men from Missouri would ride into Kansas and indiscriminately kill men, women and children and so did bands of men from Kansas as well as Union forces into Missouri. This didn't happen once or twice. This occurred regularly for 8 years before the Civil War and then throughout the Civil War. It doesn't matter which side won, the Union or the Confederacy. For us it never ended.
We don't like them and they don't like us. That's the way it was, is, and will be.
In 2012, after more than 120 years of expressing their fans' intense distaste for the Kansas Jayhawks at least once a year, the Missouri Tigers left the Big 12 for the SEC. The two played three more times in the 2011-12 season, each game more thrilling than the last. And then, just like that, it was over. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, his blue-blooded program having been made suddenly vulnerable by Big 12 turmoil, loudly proclaimed that he didn't see the need to play Missouri anymore.
"I will say this," Self said in 2011, when Missouri announced its impending move. "The media is not going to dictate who we play. I'll dictate who we play as long as I'm coaching here. I have no ill will toward Missouri at all, but to do something at a time that could be so damaging and hurtful to a group, I can't see us just taking it and forgetting."
The two schools haven't played since. There are no future plans to do so. The Border War, at least for basketball purposes, is dead. How powerful is conference realignment? That's how.
Syracuse and Georgetown never shared that kind of immense historical baggage. (Thankfully, because sheesh.) The SU-GU distaste was sparked in purely sporting terms: When John Thompson Jr. "closed" Manley Field House in 1980, ending the Orangemen's 57-game win streak in the last game in the building, Syracuse fans boiled over. Their hatred of Georgetown might not have been preceded by a decade of Civil War-era violence, but it is a product of shared cultural memory. No one talks about Manley Field House like that.
In the 30 years since, both programs have won titles and been consistent national powers. Thompson's mid-'80s teams brimmed with "Hoya Paranoia"; Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone made him the second-winningest coach of all time; and the rivalry blossomed into the Big East's best and most reliable fixture, the marquee matchup in the country's marquee hoops attraction.
In 2013, those two teams played their last game as co-members of the Big East. Syracuse was headed to the ACC, set to be part of a new marquee basketball league; Georgetown had found refuge in the new Big East, a smaller, basketball-only assemblage. For the most part, conference realignment avoided drastic changes to the status quo. It hasn't been as bad, or as crazy, as we all thought. But it did kill the Border War. Now, it had taken Syracuse-Georgetown, too.
That's why this news is so very exciting. Syracuse and Georgetown are in talks to keep their rivalry alive, with the most prominent option being a 10-year, rotating home-and-home contract being enthusiastically pushed by Boeheim and Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross. There are still plenty of details to iron out, of course. Georgetown still needs to accept and hasn't commented. There are modern, real-world concerns to attend to: Will the logistics of each team's schedule line up? Does Georgetown get as much out of the game as Syracuse, which very much enjoys the chance to play in downtown Washington, one of the hottest recruiting hotbeds in the country?
But all of that stuff is minor, even petty. The fact is, Syracuse and Georgetown have a chance to do what Missouri and Kansas couldn't: keep a storied, cherished rivalry alive in the face of shifting conference allegiances. They have a chance to set a precedent for what appears to be a future of pretty much nonstop conference changes. League affiliations might come and go, but rivalries deserve to stand the test of time.
Kansas and Missouri had that once. Syracuse and Georgetown, thankfully, are doing their best not to lose it.
Nonconference schedule analysis: Big East
Toughest: Old Spice Classic (Nov. 28-Dec. 1 in Orlando, Fla.), Purdue (Dec. 14 in Indianapolis)
Next toughest: Princeton (Nov. 16)
The rest: Lamar (Nov. 9), Vanderbilt (Nov. 19), at Ball State (Nov. 23), North Dakota (Dec. 7), Manchester (Dec. 9), at Evansville (Dec. 21), NJIT (Dec. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 4 -- This isn't an overwhelming schedule for first-year coach Brandon Miller, but it's not a complete cakewalk either -- especially since Roosevelt Jones is out for the year. The Old Spice Classic gives the Bulldogs some pop, with a potential date with Marcus Smart and Oklahoma State in the second round (with Washington State as the opener) or Memphis down the road.
Toughest: Wooden Legacy (Nov. 28-Dec.1 in Fullerton and Anaheim, Calif.)
Next toughest: at Saint Joseph's (Nov. 16), California (Nov. 22), at Long Beach State (Dec. 3), Nebraska (Dec. 8)
The rest: Alcorn State (Nov. 8), UMKC (Nov. 11), Tulsa (Nov. 23), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 17)
Toughness scale (1-10): 5 -- The hefty Wooden Legacy gives the Bluejays a challenge. There's a first-round date with Arizona State and Jahii Carson then possibly San Diego State and a potential matchup with either Marquette or Miami on the other side. But for a loaded lineup like Creighton has, I would have hoped to see a little more meat in the nonconference schedule.
Toughest: CBE Classic (Nov. 25-26 in Kansas City, Mo.), Arizona State (Dec. 6)
Next toughest: at Northwestern (Dec. 27)
The rest: Grambling State (Nov. 9), Southern Miss (Nov. 13), Wright State (Nov. 16), at Milwaukee (Nov. 19), Oregon State (Dec. 1), Florida Atlantic (Dec. 12), Chicago State (Dec. 15), Houston Baptist (Dec. 18), at Illinois State (Dec. 22)
Toughness scale (1-10): 5 -- If this is the year the Blue Demons turn the corner, they will have earned their stripes. This is a decent schedule, thanks largely to an opening date with Final Four participant Wichita State in the semis of the CBE Classic. (Texas and BYU are on the other side.) Tussles with Arizona State and Northwestern also add some muscle.
Toughest: Oregon (Nov. 8 in Seoul, South Korea), at Kansas (Dec. 21), Michigan State (Feb. 1 in New York)
Next toughest: Puerto Rico Tip-Off (Nov. 21-24)
The rest: Wright State (Nov. 13), Lipscomb (Nov. 30), High Point (Dec. 5), Colgate (Dec. 7), Elon (Dec. 17), Florida International (Dec. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 10 -- Short of matching up with Kentucky in Kabul, I'm not sure how John Thompson III could have made his schedule much more daunting. From South Korea to Lawrence, with a date with Michigan State for added fun, that's literally anyone anywhere. There's also a pretty decent Puerto Rico Tip-Off field, with VCU, Michigan, Kansas State and Florida State.
Toughest: Ohio State (Nov. 16), New Mexico (Nov. 21), at Wisconsin (Dec. 7)
Next toughest: Arizona State (Nov. 25), Wooden Legacy (Nov. 28-Dec. 1 in Fullerton and Anaheim, Calif.)
The rest: Southern (Nov. 8), Grambling State (Nov. 12), New Hampshire (Nov. 21), IUPUI (Dec. 14), Ball State (Dec. 17), Samford (Dec. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 10 -- Love when a good team plays a good schedule. Buzz Williams has a delicious mix, traipsing across leagues (Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West) and mixing in a decent tourney as well. The only oddity is that the Wooden Legacy title game might merely be a Big East preview, with Creighton and Marquette seemingly headed toward each other.
Toughest: Kentucky (Dec. 1 in Brooklyn)
Next toughest: Boston College (Nov. 8), Paradise Jam (Nov. 22-25 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands), UMass (Dec. 28)
The rest: Brown (Nov. 13), Marist (Nov. 16), Vermont (Nov. 18), Fairfield (Nov. 29), at Rhode Island (Dec. 5), Yale (Dec. 17), Maine (Dec. 21)
Toughness scale (1 to 10): 4 -- Yes, Kentucky is on the schedule, which is big, but one game does not a schedule make. The Paradise Jam is a bunch of meh, with Maryland and La Salle the only intriguing opponents available. The rest of the Friars' schedule is just a trip through New England.
Toughest: Coaches vs. Cancer (Nov. 22-23 in New York)
Next toughest: at Rutgers (Dec. 8)
The rest: Niagara (Nov. 9), Kent State (Nov. 13), at Mercer (Nov. 16), Monmouth (Nov. 18), Fairleigh Dickinson (Dec. 1), LIU Brooklyn (Dec. 5), NJIT (Dec. 10), St. Peter's (Dec. 14), Eastern Washington (Dec. 22), Lafayette (Dec. 27)
Toughness scale (1 to 10): 2 -- If the Pirates beat Oklahoma in the Coaches vs. Cancer, they might face Michigan State. Or they might not. And that's about all there is to like about this schedule.
Toughest: Wisconsin (Nov. 8 in Sioux Falls, S.D.), Syracuse (Dec. 15)
Next toughest: Bucknell (Nov. 19), Barclays Center Classic (Nov. 29-30 in Brooklyn)
The rest: Wagner (Nov. 15), Monmouth (Nov. 22), Longwood (Nov. 26), Fordham (Dec. 7), San Francisco (Dec. 18), Youngstown State (Dec. 21), Columbia (Dec. 28), Dartmouth (Jan. 18)
Toughness scale (1 to 10): 6 -- The Red Storm's top two games are pretty good, and bonus points for playing the Badgers in Sioux Falls. After Penn State in Brooklyn, they face a decent test from either Ole Miss or Georgia Tech. The rest isn't much to look at.
Toughest: Battle 4 Atlantis (Nov. 28-30 in the Bahamas), at Syracuse (Dec. 28)
Next toughest: at Saint Joseph's (Dec. 7), La Salle (Dec. 15), at Temple (Feb. 1)
The rest: Lafayette (Nov. 8), Mount St. Mary's (Nov. 13), Towson (Nov. 17), Delaware (Nov. 22), Penn (Dec. 4), Rider (Dec. 21)
Toughness scale (1-10): 8 -- To understand this ranking, you have to understand the Big Five. Even when the Philly schools are down, the games are brutal, and with La Salle, Penn and St. Joe's on the uptick, the city series is a beast. Now mix in a Battle 4 Atlantis that opens with USC and then likely Kansas (with Tennessee, Iowa or Xavier as likely third opponents) plus a visit to the Carrier Dome and you have a solid slate for Jay Wright's crew.
Toughest: Tennessee (Nov. 12), Battle 4 Atlantis (Nov. 28-30 in the Bahamas), Cincinnati (Dec. 14)
Next toughest: Alabama (Dec. 21)
The rest: Gardner-Webb (Nov. 8), Morehead State (Nov. 18), Miami (Ohio) (Nov. 20), Abilene Christian (Nov. 25), Bowling Green (Dec. 7), Evansville (Dec. 10), Wake Forest (Dec. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 8 -- Like Villanova, the Musketeers get a nice boost from playing in Atlantis, taking on a good Iowa team in the opening round. An on-the-rise Tennessee offers bonus points (and they could face the Vols for a second time in the Bahamas), as does the annual Crosstown Classic with the Bearcats.
3-point shot: Hoyas' creative schedule
2. Thompson III said it's unknown when Greg Whittington will return from an ACL injury. The Hoyas are under the assumption he won't play this season, but no one is ruling out that he could return at some point. "Some people come back in six months, some take a year," said Thompson III. "You have to figure, though, nine months if everything goes well." Whittington had to sit the second semester due to academics. But there are no longer issues with his eligibility, according to JT3.
3. ESPN and the ACC and Big 12 released the new Big Monday schedule for next season. With the Big East now on Fox Sports 1, the ACC was the natural replacement. But the influx of former Big East teams into the ACC will make some nights look like the traditional Big East Big Monday. Four of the eight games include a former Big East member. And one game, Notre Dame at Syracuse on Feb. 3, is a former Big East game. Virginia got three dates, including the first two. The Cavs should be an ACC top four contender with Joe Harris and Mike Tobey. But this was clearly a sign of respect by getting the Cavaliers that many high-profile games. It will be interesting to hear how the ACC coaches deal with what the Big East coaches dealt with for years -- the dreaded Saturday-Monday turnaround. The Jan. 27 Duke at Pitt game should go down as one of the best atmospheres at the Petersen Events Center. And the Syracuse at Maryland game on Feb. 24 is quite a swan song for the departing ACC member. But this game could resurface in future years as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Putting Kansas and Oklahoma State on four times and Baylor twice was the right amount for the top three Big 12 contenders.
Georgetown mascot fracas rages on
Not so much! Indeed, even last week, a controversy was already brewing. A story in The Hoya, Georgetown's student newspaper, was filled with wholly outraged quotes from student body leadership bemoaning both the sudden decision and the lack of transparency with which it was reached. That outrage was quickly accompanied by an open letter by Father Christopher Steck, the mascots' caretaker, who was reasoned and reflective (he admitted he was biased on the topic of J.J., which, awwwww) but clearly confused by the decision.
Now, a few days later, Steck has taken to the pages of the Hoya himself, writing in critical, stern terms about Georgetown's mascot throwdown:
Unfortunately for Jack and J.J., Healy [Hall, home to Georgetown's administrative offices] has been more enthusiastic about control than support. While Healy, no doubt, appreciates the mascot, I have not sensed a great deal of passion for him within its corridors. My one request to any administrator in Healy for $200 of funding was declined because, I was told, his unit was not involved in the mascot. (The university, by the way, does not provide any financial support for Jack and J.J.'s upkeep). Before J.J.'s arrival, a few reporters shared with me their puzzlement over the university's ambivalence toward the mascot. I invited several Healy administrators to join me any time on a walk with J.J. so that they could meet him and see his interaction with children on campus — a cause for concern in Healy. All of them declined. A university spokesperson's recent praise for the importance of having "no emotional attachment" in making decisions about the mascot was institutionally revealing, even if unwittingly so.
The fear here, it seems, is that Georgetown brass is plotting to either a) begin phasing out the live Hoyas mascot entirely, a practice that began when students pushed hard for it in 1999 or b) mitigate school liability by transitioning to a "rent-a-dog" model (when random ringer dogs are brought in for campus events for a day or two at a time). In its original statement, the school said it planned to continue the live mascot tradition, but Steck and more than a few Georgetown students seem worried that's just a cover. At the very least, as Steck writes, "if the mascot is to be an adequate symbol of Georgetown, decisions about him should reflect its rich, dialogical life" -- as opposed to being made unilaterally.
It would be easy to chalk this up to some good old-fashioned campus lather. There's nothing like a seemingly minor controversy to rile students active in the school government and newspaper; in case you hadn't noticed, college kids love to argue passionately about matters both small and large. Everyone is finding their voice, and this often produces hilarious results.
There's a good bit of that going on here, sure. (As I wrote last week: Is it November yet?) But at the heart of the matter, it's hard to fault the aggrieved parties for wanting their clear emotional investment in J.J. to come to some clear resolution. At the very least, they'd like some input on the matter. Silly as it may seem from the outside, people love their fuzzy mascots something fierce, and it's hardly surprising when a poorly explained decision coalesces that attachment into outrage.
I can already see how this ends: In a moving final courtroom scene, J.J. is asked to pick between his life as a mascot and his life sitting around being an awesome bulldog. Faculty members scowl on one side; students cheer on the other. As the final soundtrack flourish rises and swells, J.J. saunters over to his mascot uniform, pauses for a second, and lays down, panting. The crowd rushes the scene, lifting the little bulldog hero above their heads, and as we zoom in we see J.J. almost smile ... just before winking unmistakably at the camera.
Freeze frame, star wipe, roll credits. You're welcome, Hollywood.
Georgetown mascot chooses the quiet life
Alas, all dogs are not created alike. Most, but not all. Some don't want the celebrity, the fawning, the constant requests for photos. Some dogs don't want to perform. Some dogs just want a full bowl of food, a toy to chew on, a couple of walks, and approximately 22 hours of sleep per day. Some dogs just want the simple life.
Such, it seems, was the case for would-be Georgetown mascot Jack Jr. (J.J.), the Georgetown mascot-in-training at the school since 2012. In a release on its athletics web site today, the Hoyas announced that, after extending time with professional trainers, J.J. never truly embraced the fame and fortune associated with being the next Georgetown mascot. J.J. would prefer to kick it at home:
Since that time, J.J.'s caretaker and walkers have worked to orient him to campus and train him for mascot duties. We also worked with professional trainers to help J.J. learn about life on a busy college campus. Recognizing that the lifestyle of a mascot is exciting and hectic, involving many people, thousands of screaming fans, and regular appearances at events both on and off-campus, we wanted to ensure that our puppy would be happy with this unique lifestyle.
After 15 months of monitoring and training, in consultation with these experts and the breeder, we determined that returning to a home environment is what is best for J.J.
You other dogs out there might not understand it. Doesn't every dog want to be famous? Wasn't J.J. about to live the dream? How could he turn down all those scratches on the head -- a whole lifetime full of head-scratches! The glitz! The glamour! The staff of handlers! The expensive gift bags full of holistic treats! You threw it all away, J.J.! You threw away the dream!
No, dogs, that's your dream. It wasn't J.J.'s dream. That's not his journey. J.J.'s a simple dog. He doesn't need the flashing lights. He'll take the quiet life, a handshake of crude protein dog treats, and no alarms and no surprises. Silent.
(Oh, and in case you're wondering, Georgetown's former mascot, Jack Sr., will continue to live on campus, and Georgetown promised that the "cherished" bulldog mascot tradition will continue. You may now breathe easy.)
Update: Apparently there is some minor controversy afoot here. Today, the Hoya reported that J.J.'s handlers disagreed with the decision and were critical of its unilateral nature. Meanwhile, Reverend Christopher Steck, who lives and trains with the Georgetown mascots, composed an open letter on the matter: "The university's decision is a surprise and disappointment to me. I genuinely believe that J.J. would thrive as the next university mascot." Georgetown mascot Kremlinology! Is it November yet?
Count 'Em Down: Tumbling Teams
Top 10 teams that will tumble in 2013-14:
10. Gonzaga: For the first time in school history, the Zags recorded a No. 1 ranking and a top seed in the Big Dance. Their early tournament exit ended their season on a sour note, but the program reached new heights in 2012-13. Elias Harris and Kelly Olynyk comprised one of the toughest frontcourts in America. Harris (14.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG) was a rugged forward who had finesse and power. Olynyk (17.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG) was the best combo forward in America. He had an underrated post game too. The duo created matchup problems for every team they faced last season. And now both players are gone. Kevin Pangos and multiple members of a respectable backcourt are back, but that Olynyk-Harris combo was special. There's still enough talent in Spokane to win the WCC and reach the NCAA tournament, but the Zags won't be the national title contenders they appeared to be through the 2012-13 campaign.
9. Cincinnati: Coach Mick Cronin had one of the nation's top backcourts last season. Now, two members of a trio that anchored his 22-win NCAA tournament team -- JaQuon Parker and Cashmere Wright -- are gone. Sean Kilpatrick, the team's leading scorer, returns. But a Cincinnati squad that struggled with consistent scoring benefited from Parker's and Wright's ability to stretch the floor. Both shot better than 36 percent from behind the 3-point line. Kilpatrick could be a one-man show in 2013-14, but that's not necessarily a good thing. The toughest void for the Bearcats (14th in adjusted defensive efficiency per Ken Pomeroy) could be the defensive deficit created by the departure of Cheikh Mbodj (2.6 BPG). There are holes everywhere for this Bearcats squad.
8. Detroit: Ray McCallum Jr. turned down offers from powerhouse programs to play for his father, Ray McCallum Sr. With McCallum at point guard, Detroit reached the NCAA tournament in 2012 after the Titans won the Horizon League tournament. But he's gone now. And he's not the only key player that Detroit will miss. The Titans have lost their top four scorers from last season. Somehow, Detroit must find respectable offensive contributors who can make up for the loss of McCallum (18.7 PPG), Nick Minnerath (14.6 PPG), Jason Calliste (14.4 PPG) and Doug Anderson (12.1 PPG). McCallum could face his toughest season as a head coach in 2013-14.
7. San Diego State: It's fair to say that San Diego State underachieved last season. The Aztecs finished in a tie for fourth in the stacked Mountain West Conference. Then they were stopped in the third round of the Big Dance by Florida Gulf Coast. Not a shameful showing, but their potential suggested that they had a higher ceiling. Well, that ceiling is lower now with the loss of four of the team's top six scorers from last season. Jamaal Franklin and Chase Tapley were two of the Aztecs' top defenders too. Franklin wasn't the game's most efficient player (3.4 TPG, 28 percent from the 3-point line), but he was the guy with the ball in his hands when the Aztecs needed a big play. Whom will they turn to next year? Steve Fisher seems to have more questions than answers right now.
6. Butler: Rotnei Clarke (16.9 PPG) and Andrew Smith (11.3 PPG) have moved on. That's a challenge for the program because they formed a potent inside-outside combo. But Roosevelt Jones, Khyle Marshall and Kellen Dunham remain. So Butler can find buckets in 2013-14. The Bulldogs are on this list, however, because Brad Stevens will not be on the sideline next season. Brandon Miller has a strong pedigree. I don't doubt his coaching acumen. But Stevens is making millions in the NBA because he has the rare ability to extract every ounce of talent from his players. At Butler, they were devoted to him and his system. That combination of buy-in and strategy led to amazing highs in recent years. Even though Miller is in the Butler family, this is still a transition. And it's a transition without the mastermind who made Butler a household name. The Bulldogs may fall before they establish their footing under Miller.
5. Georgetown: First, Otto Porter turned pro. Then Greg Whittington tore an ACL, jeopardizing his status for next season. Yes, three starters from last season's squad return, and former UCLA standout Josh Smith will join the team at midseason. And that helps. Markel Starks' presence is a major boost for the program too. But who will create offensive opportunities for a team that registered just 64.6 PPG (247th nationally) with a lottery pick running the show? That number doesn't tell the full story of Georgetown basketball in 2012-13. The Hoyas were fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency per Ken Pomeroy. But Porter's versatility eased the defensive responsibilities of his teammates. With a healthy Whittington, however, the latter will be a minimal concern for John Thompson III's program. But there's no guarantee that Whittington will be ready in time to help Georgetown in 2013-14. And that's a problem.
4. Indiana: Yogi Ferrell is back. That's the good news for Tom Crean. The bad news? Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo are in the NBA. Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls are gone too. Although Indiana entered last season as a preseason pick by many to win the national title, similar hype will not follow the Hoosiers into the 2013-14 season. They have three top-100 kids, including five-star recruit Noah Vonleh, in their incoming class. And multiple players who contributed in spurts last season will earn more minutes. So there's enough talent in Bloomington to register another NCAA tournament bid. But the Hoosiers were the No. 1 team in America in multiple stretches last season. I can't imagine the young program rivaling that effort next season.
3. Temple: Remember when Khalif Wyatt dropped 31 points in Temple's win over NC State in the NCAA tournament? Remember when he did it again versus Indiana two days later? Wyatt's offensive explosiveness helped Temple beat teams that were more talented than the Owls last season. He scored 33 points in his team's win over Syracuse in December. He recorded 30 points when the Owls defeated VCU in early March. Now, Wyatt and sidekick Scootie Randall have left the stage. That's a combined average of 31.8 PPG, 2.7 SPG and 6.1 APG.
2. Minnesota: Can a team that went 8-10 in the Big Ten tumble? Yep, especially if that team is implementing a new system with a limited talent pool. Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins could be all-Big Ten performers next season, but the void created when Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams exhausted their eligibility will be a challenge for new coach Richard Pitino. Plus, Joe Coleman transferred from a team that reached the Big Dance and beat UCLA in the second round. Pitino's fast-paced, pressure system could work in the Big Ten, but he needs the right pieces to make that happen. He just doesn't appear to have them yet.
1. Miami: Last season, Miami had it all. The hoopla that followed the surging Hurricanes included courtside appearances by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It was a great ride for the program. But a new reality will soon take hold as Miami coach Jim Larranaga attempts to replace Shane Larkin, Julian Gamble, Kenny Kadji, Reggie Johnson, Trey McKinney Jones and Durand Scott. Those veterans were responsible for one of the ACC's and the nation's top defensive attacks (28th in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom.com). His rebuilding effort will commence in a league that will add Pitt, Syracuse and Notre Dame next season. Hard times ahead for the Hurricanes.
Bracket reveal: Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Tournament bracket for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off (Editor's Note: An earlier version of this bracket had a pair of incorrect matchups. We apologize for the mix-up.)
When and where: Nov. 21-22, 24 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Initial thoughts: The bracket seems to grant Georgetown an easy path to the title game. Northeastern lost its top two scorers -- Joel Smith and Jonathan Lee -- from last season (29.9 PPG combined). And Kansas State is recovering from a tumultuous offseason that included the loss of Angel Rodriguez and Rodney McGruder. Georgetown's opening-round opponent, Charlotte, had offensive issues last year (187th in adjusted offensive efficiency, per Ken Pomeroy) and now top scorer Chris Braswell is gone.
A title, however, is not a guarantee. The Hoyas will probably travel to San Juan without Greg Whittington, who recently tore his ACL. And the other side of the bracket is much tougher, even though Long Beach State is depleted after multiple offseason dismissals. Florida State struggled last season but the Seminoles were young so most of their roster returns, although they'll miss Michael Snaer. Michigan is the obvious favorite. The Wolverines will be led by Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III, a pair of players who would have been first-round draft picks last month had they decided to leave school after their team's national title game loss to Louisville in April. Freshman Derrick Walton will probably follow Trey Burke as the team's new point guard. He'll be surrounded by a strong crew. VCU will be tough, too. The HAVOC defense helped VCU acquire the nation's highest turnover rate last season. The Rams, however, lost point guard Darius Theus and Troy Daniels. Still, they haven't lost much steam with a solid recruiting class and Florida State transfer Terrance Shannon in the mix now.
Things could get interesting on Friday in this tournament.
Matchup I can't wait to see: Florida State has a lot to prove. Last season was a mess for Leonard Hamilton, who recently received a contract extension. His program has a chance, however, to make an early statement in the 2013-14 season with a win over a VCU squad that will be a Top 25 program entering the season. But Shaka Smart has some new faces, and his squad must identify a new leader now that Theus is gone.
Five players to watch:
Treveon Graham, VCU: The Rams are often praised for their defensive strengths. Last season, however, VCU proved its worth on offense, too -- averaging 78.0 points (11th in the nation). Graham, the team's top scorer, was a catalyst. He averaged 15.1 PPG and 5.8 RPG. He also hit 36.6 percent of his 3-pointers. Graham doesn't waste minutes, either. He had the Atlantic 10's top offensive rating (118.1 per KenPom.com, among players who used at least 24 percent of their team's possessions). Last season was a breakout campaign for this guy. If VCU reaches its ceiling, the 6-foot-5 guard/forward could earn All-American consideration.
Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III, Michigan: After the Wolverines rumbled to the national championship game in Atlanta, many expected McGary and Robinson to take their talents to the NBA. The two youngsters had a chance to turn pro and make millions. But their decision to return means that the Wolverines will enter the season as Big Ten contenders again. There's a huge gap at PG, a spot that was occupied by Wooden Award winner Trey Burke last season. With McGary and Robinson back, John Beilein has one of America's top centers and one of the nation's most versatile wings. This tournament will be an early opportunity for the duo to prove that Michigan is still potent without Burke.
Okaro White, Florida State: There's a lot of pressure on White right now. Florida State will enter 2013-14 without top scorer and veteran Michael Snaer. Terrance Shannon transferred. And Leonard Hamilton will be forced to rely on some young players again in a league (ACC) that could be the nation's best conference with the arrival of Pitt, Notre Dame and Syracuse. But White made major strides in his junior campaign. The 6-8 forward averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks. He hit 81.5 percent of his free throws, and he was 10th in the ACC with a 4.13 block percentage (KenPom.com). But can he lead this group? We'll find out in Puerto Rico.
Markel Starks, Georgetown: Greg Whittington's torn ACL jeopardizes his entire season and it also jeopardizes the Hoyas' season. Three other starters from last season return. But it was much easier to view Georgetown as a threat to win the inaugural title in the new Big East when Whittington was healthy. To maintain that hope -- if Whittington can't return -- Starks has to guide a team that still has some talented pieces from last season and will add UCLA transfer Josh Smith after the first semester. Starks did it all for Georgetown last year (12.8 points, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 41.7 percent from the 3-point line). But the Hoyas might need him to do even more in 2013-14.
Title-game prediction: VCU over Georgetown.
The Hoyas should reach the title game, but I think they'll face a VCU squad that's equipped with a multitude of talent and depth. Smart has a rotation that could be 10-11 players deep. And even though he has lost a few veterans, he will gain the services of former top recruits Mo Alie-Cox and Jordan Burgess, two players who were academically ineligible for competition last season. And Shannon, the Florida State transfer, will be available, too. Smart's HAVOC attack demands talent and depth, and he has both. This is the most skilled squad that he has had at VCU. That's just too much for Georgetown to overcome, especially with VCU's interior advantage (see Shannon and 6-9 forward Juvonte Reddic). These Rams will be dangerous. They'll prove it in San Juan.
Who others are picking:
Eamonn Brennan: VCU over Georgetown
Jeff Goodman: VCU over Northeastern
Seth Greenberg: Michigan over Georgetown
Andy Katz: Michigan over Georgetown
Jason King: VCU over Kansas State
Dana O'Neil: VCU over Kansas State
South Carolina prospect pulls a switcheroo
Let's fill in the blanks: Peak, the No. 54-ranked player in the class of 2014, is a product of South Carolina's Gaffney High School, where his friend, Shaq Davidson, was a highly touted football prospect. On Tuesday, during their joint announcement ceremony, Davidson chose South Carolina. A few minutes later, Peak did the same. He donned a Gamecocks hat. He soaked in the cheers. And then, in just a few seconds' time, he whipped the USC hat off, threw it to the floor, and replaced it with a Georgetown brim. He had committed to the Hoyas after all.
And yes, lest you worry, there is video of the moment:
Needless to say, beleaguered South Carolina hoops fans didn't like losing out on a potentially huge recruit. Twitter tells us so. I wouldn't want to base an entire fan base's feelings off tweets sent by the kinds of people who send high school athletes angry tweets, of course. But you can understand why Gamecocks fans -- to say nothing of coach Frank Martin and his staff -- might be a little bit insulted at the antics. Instead of switching hats as a matter of genuine uncertainty, Peak played with the Gamecocks intentionally, just before throwing their hat and all the heavy-handed symbolism contained within it as casually as one would toss a fast food wrapper. Ouch, you know?
The easiest reaction to this: Another careless, attention-starved teenager spoiled by an environment that prematurely exalts him. Harumph. Maybe that's the only reaction. Maybe that's all there is to it.
Or maybe, just maybe, the fault lies not with the teenager having some goofy fun with one of the most exciting days of his life. Maybe the fault lies with anyone who would put stock into the decision in the first place. Maybe the fault lies with anyone who would actually be offended by what is, in the big scheme of things, an otherwise harmless bit of emotion-trolling. Maybe anyone who considers the donning of a hat to be a sacred ritual needs to re-evaluate the meaning of "sacred."
Maybe this isn't about Peak at all. Maybe everyone just needs to chill.
3-point shot: Wrong move with P.J. Hairston
2. New Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said the conference is set at 10. If this conference is going to be all about basketball then 10 is the magic number. The Big 12 is finding out what the Pac-12 (then the Pac-10) knew for years. Having a true round-robin makes for the most equitable conference season and ultimate champion. The new Big East doesn't need anymore of the A-10 schools to be solvent. They have enough of the market place and would not benefit much from adding more schools simply to get more teams in the tournament. There is not even guarantee that would occur. The most pressing moves Ackerman has to do in the coming weeks -- outside of visiting every school -- is to hire a staff, find rental space in New York City and finalize a difficult schedule because of the pro-arena conflicts for many of the teams. Ackerman impressed the media on Wednesday's conference call with her command of the issues and knowledge of the landscape after not being involved in college athletics recently -- aside from putting together a constructive critique of the women's college game.
3. Georgetown's Otto Porter said former teammates Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera are going to have breakthrough seasons next year. He was also really high on UCLA transfer Josh Smith, who will be eligible at mid-semester. Smith has had plenty of hype and potential and this redshirt year (last spring semester and this fall) are probably two of the most important semesters of his career. If Smith is in shape and ready to play then he could be a difference maker for the Hoyas in the new Big East.
Path to the Draft: No. 2 Georgetown
Top Five NBA Draftees Since 1989
- Allen Iverson (1996)
- Alonzo Mourning (1992)
- Dikembe Mutombo (1991)
- Roy Hibbert (2008)
- Greg Monroe (2010)
The rest: Charles Edward Smith, Jaren Jackson, Robert Churchwell, Don Reid, Jerome Williams, Othella Harrington, Jahidi White, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Mike Sweetney, Patrick Ewing Jr., DaJuan Summers, Chris Wright, Henry Sims
Why they're ranked where they are: My barbershop -- all barbershops -- was buzzing after Allen Iverson embarrassed the Great One with a couple of crossovers that froze the legend.
"Did you see it?"
"I can't believe he did that."
"He fears no man."
On March 12, 1997, Michael Jordan still ruled the NBA. That season culminated with Jordan and the Chicago Bulls winning their fifth NBA title.
But it was clear then that his reign would end soon. Superman would eventually age.
The NBA's influx of young talent, however, boasted a fleet of potential successors.
When his Philadelphia 76ers faced the eventual champs that night, Iverson was an emerging candidate. He was a 6-foot ball of agility, speed, skill and explosiveness. And he met the hype that began building during the 1997 rookie of the year's debut.
Iverson was one of the greatest players in NBA history.
That double-crossover against Jordan demonstrated the bravado Iverson exuded then. He wasn't the first young cat to challenge MJ. But his audacity and success contributed to the notion that he was ready to seize the throne. The career-high 37 points that evening provided more proof that the Georgetown product could be NEXT in the NBA.
In his prime, Iverson wrestled with a variety of All-Stars for the "best in the NBA" title. The league MVP in 2001, Iverson carried the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
But the second-best player on that 76ers roster might have been Aaron McKie. Think about that.
Iverson averaged 31.1 PPG, 4.6 APG and 2.5 SPG in 2000-01. Few players throughout the history of the league have carried that much weight in a run to the Finals.
Iverson was an 11-time All-Star. He was named to the NBA's all-first team three times. He won the scoring title four times. And he averaged 26.7 PPG, 6.2 APG and 2.2 SPG (78 percent free throw shooter) throughout a 14-year career.
His messy exit and disastrous post-NBA existence have made the memories of "AI" feel ancient. But he stood with the league's kings for many years.
For most of the schools that have cracked our "Path to the Draft" rankings, Iverson would represent an anomaly.
Multiple schools produced a single superstar who anchored their entire NBA legacies. But Georgetown is different.
Iverson is certainly the top performer within this group. But he's not the only elite athlete representing the Hoyas.
Georgetown is No. 2 because the majority of the school's draftees in the last 20-plus years are/were stars at the next level.
Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green anchor a group that's second in our rankings because of its undeniable depth and talent. The numbers are modest: 19 draftees since 1989.
But Mutombo, Mourning, Hibbert and Iverson made a combined 26 All-Star appearances. And Green and Monroe could be All-Stars soon.
Othella Harrington played for 11 years. Jerome "Junkyard Dog" Williams was the consummate glue guy and a gritty rebounder.
Mourning's career was interrupted by kidney issues. But he played most of his career as one of the league's best bigs. He was a seven-time All-Star. In both 1999 and 2000, he was the defensive player of the year and the NBA's blocks leader.
Mutombo was a four-time defensive player of the year. He led the NBA in rebounding twice and blocks three times. He was also vital for that 76ers team that lost to the Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals (11.7 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 2.5 BPG).
But the Hoyas also have three current NBA players who've emerged as future stars, too.
Hibbert was impressive throughout this season's playoffs. He's one of the top centers in the NBA right now.
The Boston Celtics are changing. Their new nucleus could revolve around Jeff Green, who revived his career in 2012-13 after missing significant time with a heart issue.
And the Detroit Pistons have a potent young big man in Greg Monroe.
That's a hefty lineup.
My guess is that Georgetown in the No. 2 slot will draw boos from some folks who've followed our rankings. But the Hoyas deserve this position.
This is a stacked assembly that surpasses any group we've mentioned thus far.
Why they could be higher: It's simple. Georgetown has arguably produced the most impressive collection of talent since the 1989 draft.
Mutombo, Mourning and Iverson were all great players during their respective stints in the league. All three could be in the Hall of Fame.
But the current reps have high ceilings.
Hibbert (2013 playoffs: 17.0 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 51.1 field goal percentage, 81 percent from the free throw line) was one of the most effective players in the postseason. He's obviously on the rise. The Pacers will pay him a lot of money soon.
Monroe (16.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 49 field goal percentage in 2012-13) is a franchise player for the Pistons.
And Green (2013 playoffs: 20.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 84.4 percent of his free throws, 45.5 percent from the 3-point line in six playoff games in 2012-13) was a beast in a postseason loss to the New York Knicks.
Georgetown could make an argument for the No. 1 slot in our rankings because the Hoyas have a balance of past and current standouts that's difficult to match. The program's past is rich with players who were all considered elite, and its future is attached to multiple athletes who are considered some of the NBA's top youngsters right now.
That's why the Hoyas could be a potential No. 1 in these rankings.
Why they could be lower: This is not a quantitative project. But the 19 draft picks would be the only valid reason to demote Georgetown. Our rankings have featured teams that have sent dozens of players to the NBA since the 1989 draft.
Georgetown, however, has averaged less than one draftee per year throughout our eligibility period. Arizona, No. 4 in our rankings, has produced 32 draft picks since 1989. Kansas, No. 14, has sent 34 players to the league since that time.
But I think Georgetown's concentration of talent overrides any debates about its numbers.
What's ahead? Well, we've already discussed the new flag-bearers for Georgetown. Hibbert, Green and Monroe continue to evolve each year.
Three guys who've become anchors on NBA teams.
In a few days, Otto Porter Jr. will become Georgetown's latest lottery pick and young prospect.
He's an ideal pro small forward. He's 6-foot-8. He's comfortable as a ball handler. He has enough length to hurt opponents inside. He's dangerous from the field, too (42.2 percent from the 3-point line last season). And he's efficient (118.8 offensive rating in 2012-13 per KenPom.com).
He's a top-five pick on many draft boards.
No guarantees that he'll become a star. But he has the tools to perform at a high level once he arrives.
He was born to play the 3-spot in the NBA.
And Georgetown's NBA legacy suggests that Porter will adjust well.
Final thoughts: I understand the arguments. But I don't agree with them.
Yes, multiple teams could have been listed at No. 2.
Duke, Connecticut, Arizona and others are strong candidates.
But I'll take Georgetown every day.
Iverson was the best guard in the league for a healthy stretch. Mutombo and Mourning were two of the greatest defensive players of all time. Hibbert? Identify a better center in the NBA today.
Green is a necessary component for a Boston Celtics team that's rebuilding. And Monroe is the man in the Motor City.
That's a special crew.
Only one team can top it.
Path to the Draft: Biggest underachievers
The only thing more frustrating than losing in the NCAA tournament is losing in the NCAA tournament when you have a ton of talent.
Or worse what if you don't even get there?
No team is immune to an upset. Even the best programs have inexcusable slip-ups from time to time. There are legitimate reasons for concern, however, when it begins to happen consistently.
Here are eight schools who have made underachieving a trend in March despite touting rosters stocked with NBA-caliber talent.
Alabama: Football might be the most-popular sport in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but Alabama has a history of producing some of basketball's best pros. Latrell Sprewell, Antonio McDyess, Robert Horry, Mo Williams, Gerald Wallace, Alonzo Gee you've got to admit, that's a pretty impressive list. Unfortunately, it never led to much for the Crimson Tide, which owns just one SEC regular-season championship (2002) in the past 26 seasons. Even worse is that Alabama has advanced beyond the Sweet 16 just once in school history. That occurred in 2004, and Bama has made just three NCAA tournament appearances since. Perhaps things will change this season, as Anthony Grant welcomes back a top 25-caliber squad.
Georgetown: Yes, the Hoyas are just months removed from winning a Big East title. And it was only six seasons ago that John Thompson III's squad advanced to the 2007 Final Four. Still, this list is based largely on postseason accomplishments, and no one can argue that, overall, Georgetown has been a disappointment in March. That aforementioned Final Four berth was the Hoyas' first since 1985 -- and they haven't advanced to the NCAA tournament's second weekend since. Even worse is that their past five tournament losses are to Davidson, Ohio, VCU, NC State and Florida Gulf Coast (as a No. 2 seed). That's an ugly mark on a program that boasts recent alumni such as Greg Monroe, Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert and Otto Porter.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets' loss to Connecticut in the 2004 NCAA title game marked the only time in 17 seasons that they've advanced beyond the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. To be fair, Georgia Tech has been hit hard by the one-and-done era, with players such as Stephon Marbury, Chris Bosh, Thaddeus Young and Derrick Favors spending only one season in school before turning pro. But there have also been enough quality players who stuck around longer to make this level of inconsistency avoidable (Jarrett Jack and Iman Shumpert come to mind). Former coach Paul Hewitt did a good job of luring talent to Atlanta yet always seemed to be fighting an uphill battle.
New Mexico: The Lobos might not be known for churning out NBA players in the same fashion as Georgetown, Texas or any of the other schools on this list -- although they've certainly had a handful of good ones including Danny Granger, Kenny Thomas and Luc Longley. Still, for a program that owns four of the past five MWC titles as well as a WAC championship in 1994, you'd figure the Lobos would've made at least one NCAA tournament run in their 11 appearances since 1989, but they haven't. Instead, New Mexico has lost in the first or second round in each of those seasons. One of the most gut-wrenching defeats occurred just months ago, when Steve Alford's No. 3-seeded Lobos fell to 14-seed Harvard. Not once in school history have the Lobos advanced to the Sweet 16.
Texas: It might seem unfair to include the Longhorns on this list. Texas, after all, made 14 straight NCAA tournament appearances under Rick Barnes before being left out of the field this spring. That's an amazing feat. Still, considering the talent that has flocked to Austin in recent years, simply earning a berth to the Big Dance isn't enough. Since losing to Syracuse in the 2003 Final Four, Barnes' squad has been bounced during the opening weekend six times in 10 seasons, with three of the setbacks coming in the opening round. The most-disappointing defeat occurred in 2007, when the Kevin Durant-led Longhorns were upended by USC 87-68 in the second round. More should be expected from a program that had 10 players (Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, D.J. Augustin, Avery Bradley, Tristan Thompson, P.J. Tucker, Daniel Gibson, Cory Joseph, Jordan Hamilton and Royal Ivey) on NBA rosters this season.
USC: It seems almost unfathomable that a school located in such fertile recruiting territory could boast just two second-weekend NCAA tournament appearances since 1961. But that's the case with USC, whose only claim to fame is a Sweet 16 berth in 2007 and an Elite Eight cameo in 2001. It's not as if the Trojans haven't had talent. O.J. Mayo, Taj Gibson, Nick Young, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic are all holding their own in the NBA. It would've been interesting to see if Tim Floyd could've taken USC to new heights, but an off-court scandal forced Floyd to resign in the summer of 2009, setting back the Trojans' program just as it appeared primed to take off. Perhaps new coach Andy Enfield can get things going in Los Angeles.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons have been one of the dregs of the ACC the past few seasons, but it wasn't long ago that Wake Forest had the talent to contend for an NCAA title. The 2008-09 squad featuring Jeff Teague, Al-Farouq Aminu, James Johnson and Ishmael Smith soared to the top of the Associated Press rankings after opening the season with 16 straight wins, but it floundered down the stretch and lost to Cleveland State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. The postseason failure was nothing new for Wake Forest, which has advanced to the Sweet 16 just once in the past 17 seasons. That's pretty disappointing for a program with an alumni base that includes Tim Duncan, Chris Paul, Josh Howard and Darius Songalia.
Washington: Lorenzo Romar has done a solid job since taking over the Huskies program in 2002. Washington has won two Pac-12 titles and finished second three times. Still, fans want results in the postseason, and Romar can't get over that "Sweet 16 hump." The Huskies have never advanced past that stage of the NCAA tournament -- not just under Romar, but in school history. Heck, the past two seasons, Washington didn't even make the NCAA tournament. That's a shame for a program that's produced six first-round draft picks (Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy, Spencer Hawes, Quincy Pondexter, Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten) since 2005 -- not to mention second-rounders Jon Brockman and Isaiah Thomas. The talent at Washington has simply been too good to not make at least one or two significant runs.
3-point shot: No hurry on NBA decisions
2. The Big Ten suddenly got incredibly younger with this week's two coaching hires -- Northwestern announcing Chris Collins and Minnesota tabbing Richard Pitino. The under-40 club will give the league a new look. The two take over programs that are striving for consistency, but both desperately need an upgrade in facilities to hang with the big boys. Collins and Pitino will need to use their youthful enthusiasm to build momentum since the dollars aren't in place for facilities they were used to -- Collins was at Duke and Pitino at Louisville and Florida before his stop at Florida International. Northwestern had been looking at Collins for quite some time. But Pitino was clearly a new name for Minnesota in the past week as athletic director Norwood Teague looked for an off-the-grid-type hire like he made at Virginia Commonwealth. Pitino got off to an impressive start in his coaching career at FIU with the upset of Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt tournament and a chance to earn the league's automatic NCAA tournament berth. Now he'll face his toughest challenge of his career. He has a brand name in basketball, which carries weight, but will need to put together a strong staff to quickly earn the trust of his players this spring and summer. This can work at both places. Memphis, for example, has been a soaring success under Josh Pastner. Pastner led the Tigers to conference titles and NCAA tournament appearances as a young, vibrant assistant-turned-head-coach of a major program. Collins was a fit at Northwestern so there's no issue there. But give Pitino a chance to see if this could work.
3. Old Dominion looked like it was set to go to former Western Kentucky and Georgia coach Dennis Felton before the Monarchs and athletic director Wood Selig tabbed American's Jeff Jones. This hire came out of left field, but might end up being one of the better fits. Jones played and coached at Virginia and should be able to recruit well in the fertile Tidewater area. Jones had made American a consistent Patriot League contender, which isn't easy to do in a conference where Bucknell and Lehigh are the anchors. ODU knows who it is and wanted to gravitate toward a coach that made sense. This hire does.


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All HCPL branches will close on Wednesday, November 26 at 5 PM and will be closed Thursday, November 27-Sunday, November 30. We will reopen on Monday, December 1 for regular hours.
Lone Star College - Cy-Fair Library will close at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26.
Lone Star College - Cy-Fair Library will close at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26.
ADA Info
This morning our Assistant Branch Librarian, James Meadows, gave a library tour to a local Boy Scouts Troop so they could earn the Books and Reading Merit Badge. Did you know the library carries the Merit Badge Books. Check out this link for the Books and Reading Badge Pamplet. You can order this guide and many others and have them brought directly to your library.
As I was requesting copies of Bram Stoker's Dracula for our Classic Reader's Book Club, I was inspired by the many book covers. The art varies so dractically and is very interesting. On November 23rd at 2:00 pm, we will be hosting a book club discussing horror classic.
I miss my college logic class. Without a doubt, logic was my favorite class in college. I scored so well in the class that the teacher told me that I didn't even have to take the final. If I made a zero on the final I would still have an A in the class. Today, logic is my favorite past time. Whether I am trying to solve a Sudoku puzzle, bending my mind around a "false" logic puzzle, solving cryptograms or working on any other kind of puzzle, I love solving logic puzzles!
Many people are apparently intimidated by the Dewey Decimal system! I know, can you believe it!?! Well, once upon a time so was I, but that's another story. The fact is, those numbers on the spines of the nonfiction books (you know, the mostly serious books) tell you what the book is about. Use the charts we have up, one of our bookmarks, or ask a librarian to find the number of your favorite subject. Most of the books on your favorite pastime will be grouped together; e.g. 629 = cars, 741.597 = comics, 641.5 = cooking. So go find your number! You can thank me later.
The Harris County Homeowner Disaster Recovery Program (HDRP) is a voluntary program to assist homeowners who reside in Harris County but outside the City of Houston, whose homes were affected by Hurricane Ike by providing financial assistance to repair damage and when necessary reconstruct home.
Eligibility Requirements
Harris County Texas
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Information for Persons with Disabilities: Harris County Public Library will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who are interested in attending library programs. To make a request for yourself or someone you know, please notify the Branch Librarian two working days in advance of the program.
The Harris County Public Library Website by Harris County Public Library is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. It is designed for 1024x768 resolution and Internet Explorer 7+, Firefox 3+, and Safari 3+ browsers. For additional information, see our Credits page.

subset: commoncrawl


text: How is Obama's recess appointment defeat a 'Republican' victory? by Joel B. Pollak 27 Jan 2013 post a comment Share This: The New York Times led the way in declaring Obama's court defeat over "recess" appointments a Republican victory. The Daily Kos lost no time in pointing out that the three-judge panel that unanimously struck down Obama's unconstitutional appointments was composed of Republican appointees. All well and good, except that the power that was struck down would apply equally to Republican presidents. Something these formerly hysterical critics of executive overreach by George W. Bush seem to have missed.


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There is no justification.
Those weapons are not for sport and they are not for self-defense. They are made to do one thing: allow a single person to kill as many human beings as possible, as quickly as possible. We all know that no gun control legislation is aimed at eliminating any other type of weapon -- not shotguns, not handguns, not any type of ordinary rifle -- just the automatics and semi-automatics. That includes, of course, the ammunition that makes these, very simply, "weapons of mass destruction."
The writer says we need to concentrate on gangs, on violent inner-city neighborhoods and on restoring law enforcement. All very good ideas. But the slaughter of 20 precious babies at Sandy Hook Elementary School had nothing to do with any of those; nor did the carnage at the movie theater in Aurora, nor the shooting in the Safeway parking lot in Tucson that killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl, and changed forever the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He knows this. We all know this.
It is wonderful news to think that gun-related homicides are down. The decrease in nonfatal crimes involving guns is another reason to celebrate.
Please look into your heart. Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton had the wisdom to support such bans. Please, please let's be courageous.
Raise your voice for legislation to renew the ban on assault weapons.
Marian Chmieleski


text:
Magdalen College library plan gets green light
Wright & Wright Architects' scheme for a new Library at Magdalen College, Oxford, has been granted planning permission
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text:
November 28, 2014
Stay up-to-date with KAKE News:
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The nation's farmers seeded more winter wheat this season amid higher prices and easing drought conditions in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Thursday that the 41.9 million acres of winter wheat planted for harvest in 2012 is up 3 percent from 2011 and up 12 percent from 2010.
The hard red winter wheat that is typically used for making bread accounted for the bulk of that surge. The estimated 30.1 million acres of hard red winter wheat is up 6 percent from last year.
Kansas again led the nation in winter wheat seedings with 9.5 million acres planted for an increase of 8 percent over last year.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Find commute times to your work, school, gym and more.
- This property is no longer listed on Rent.com. For this reason please note that any pricing or description information may not be up-to-date.
Prairie Springs Apartments
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Property Features
- Security
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- Elevator
- High Speed Internet Access
- Leisure
- Fitness Center
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- Laundry Facility
- Washer & Dryer In Unit
- Utilities Included
- Some Paid Utilities
- Other
- Breakfast bar
- Community Room
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- Garbage, Sewer and Water is Paid
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Property Details
Be delighted by our 1 & 2 bedroom apartments where you get exactly the amenities you want. 1 & 2 bedroom handicap units also available! Prairie Springs has a living space for every need! Amenities included: Washer/Dryer IN UNIT, Appliance package including dishwasher & built-in microwave, and controlled community access. At Prairie Springs, Garbage, Sewer, and Water is paid. Detached single garages also available. Pets OK up to 20 lbs.
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Pets Accepted. Call for service animal policy.
Our lease terms are: 12 Months. (Please note that lease terms may vary, are subject to change without notice, and are based on availability. Inquire with property staff for complete details).
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Slash will play a headline tour across the UK in November & December. Buy Slash tickets at Eventim.
More information ...
When & where?
For me and others!
EVENTIM Community
Now select your tickets:
Ticket Hotline: 0844 249 1000*
first direct arena
|Sat, 29/11/14
|Print at Home is available
Genting Arena
|Mon, 01/12/14
The SSE Arena, Wembley
|Tue, 02/12/14
|1 - 3 from 3
- *The price to attend the event, where displayed, includes the ticket price plus, where applicable, booking fee and Venue Restoration Levy. Additional per transaction charges, ranging from £2.50 for standard mail to £12.50 for Secure International Delivery apply.
Event Info
Former Guns 'n' Roses lead guitarist Slash will be coming to rock the UK in November & December with his band The Conspirators. Joining him on lead vocals will be Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy.
Support: Twenty Two Hundred
To be the first to hear when Slash tickets go on sale you can sign up to the Eventim Ticket Alarm.
Eventim is also on Facebook, Twitter & Google+! Connect for all the info on Slash plus the latest concerts & festival line-up information, travel details and loads more!
Support: Twenty Two Hundred
To be the first to hear when Slash tickets go on sale you can sign up to the Eventim Ticket Alarm.
Eventim is also on Facebook, Twitter & Google+! Connect for all the info on Slash plus the latest concerts & festival line-up information, travel details and loads more!
Slashstars, from 1 Fan report
Nottingham - Capital FM Arena Nottingham
The Treatment & Slash @ nottingham Arena from Antmagnet, 05/03/13The Treatment did an admirable job in warming up the early attendees of former Guns n Roses / Velvet Revolver axeman Slash. A straight ahead no nonsense British Metal band from Cambridge whose debut album impressed a great deal in 2011. They filled their 30 mins plus with upbeat banging tunes that served as an ideal aperitif for the main Course.
A couple of minutes to nine the house lights went down and bang we were in to the main event. Kicking off with Halo from last years Apocalyptic Love album. Next up an old Slashs Snakepit and Guns N Roses tune showing that no matter how many solo albums Slash delivers and no matter how good they are are he will always have the albatross that is Appetite For Destruction around his neck. You can not be partly responisble for the most influential metal album of the last 25 years and not play tracks from it. In fact 50 of that album was played tonight. Lets not brush aside his solo carear though and The tracks off of both his solo albums were stupendous. Myles Kennedy made Ghost and Gotten his own and bass player Todd Kerns ripped up Dr Alibi. when it all boils down to it no body cared that 50 of the set was covers of GnR or Slashs Snakepit songs the fact was we witnessed possibly the coolest guitarist on the planet with one of the best singers on the planet put on just over 2 hours of ROCK N F$*ING ROLL .
About this Artist
Artist Biography
Saul Hudson (born 23 July 1965, Stoke, England), better known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician. He is the former lead guitarist of the American Heavy Metal band Guns N' Roses, with whom he performed and recorded between 1985 and 1996. He later formed Slash's Snakepit and co-founded Velvet Revolver with his former bandmates Du...
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text: Welcome to Love ChickenAbout usRecipesFriends of Love ChickenBudgetDinnersFeatured RecipesLunchesMost PopularRoastsNewsMeet our farmersCooking and handling Why Red Tractor?Contact us You are here: Welcome to Love Chicken Welcome to Love Chicken Welcome to the Love Chicken website. Owned and maintained by the NFU, the site's aim is to encourage you, your family and your friends to to buy British chicken and support British poultry farmers.On this site you'll find dozens of FREE recipes, including ideas for family dinners, light lunches, roasts or cooking on a budget.By looking out for the Red Tractor logo - which is now found a range of everyday ingredients - you can make it easy to feed your family fresh, quality chicken all year round. Recipes Daniel's Piri Piri Chicken Click Here Featured Recipes < Prev | Page 1 of 13 | Next > Page No:Go Last updated: 27 Jun 2013Thai Style Chicken Download our FREE recipe for Thai Style Chicken - add a touch of oriental flair to your BBQ with this fragrant chicken recipe. Read More Share This: @Chickenmeals ChickenmealsCongrats @MuscleFoodUK - Love Chicken spotted you on BBC 2's The Kitchen last night! View TweetAbout 51 days ago. ChickenmealsIt's #BuyBritishDay Our poultry producers, and other farmers, want to say thank you http://t.co/uNygapJY55 http://t.co/rTnqy13e6U View TweetAbout 55 days ago.


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Michael Marano recorded two goals and an assist and Connor Vorhies made 21 stops in between the pipes as Hanover Park was victorious at Mennen Arena in Morris Township Monday night. Michael Meggiolario, A.J. Dean and Austin DeMetro also scored for Hanover Park (1-1), which received two assists from Tyler Lee. Austin Gordon accounted for both goals for Roxbury (1-2).
on December 06, 2011 6:31 p.m.
on December 06, 2011 6:31 p.m.
12/05 - 8:30 PM Boys Ice Hockey FinalRoxbury 2Hanover Park 5
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Bryant Tadeo – American Idol 12 Top 40 – Preview
Here's some video of rumored American Idol 12 Top 40 Contestant Bryant Tadeo from our American Idol 12 Spoiler list. OMG Is he Pinoy? He made it to Hollywood Week last season.
I think he's cannon fodder. American Idol HATES Asian male contestants. He'll probably be humiliated like the rest of them over the years. I've such bad memories. AJ Tabaldo anyone? Paul Kim?
Watch the video here:
Bless The Broken Road
Drift Away
House of the Rising Sun
Via Online Inquirer
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Got Something to Add?
He looks like Aiza Seguerra (Filipina actress/singer) especially while singing "The House of the Rising Sun." Hehehe I just noticed that out of the three Filipino hopefuls this year, the youtube videos of Adriana are "private" whereas the youtube videos of the other two are still up and public. Hence, I assume that Adriana will make it 'til the voting round. It was the same with Jessica's youtube vids last year. What do you think Rickey?
Rickey thats a dick thing to say...He's an awesome vocalist and he's a proud filipino...New judges a few new producers...Your attitude should change..
he's good
@KoaAkau Nigel is still running the show. He has a track record. I've been burned so many times.


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Christmas is a time of celebrating traditions, but also a time when new ones are adopted. And as one young man learned today, "giving" goes along way. The Salvation Army and it's volunteers are making sure no one goes without a meal on Christmas.
"To me, there's no greater joy you can bring to see someone with a smile on their face, whether it be through love, through laughter...or my personal favorite is through food," said Volunteer, Ryan Love.
Ryan Love is showing what giving is all about.
"Definitely an eye opener, something I have personally never experienced before," Love explained.
Ironically enough, his last name seems very fitting for a young guy with a big heart.
"The meaning of Christmas is always going to be the same, no matter what year your speaking of, it's to give and to love, to show others that you care," said Love.
Every plate of food he gives is served with warmth.
"I hope the people that came to experience the food took away as much as the people who came here to serve it," Love said.
Ryan says all he wants to do is share a glimmer of hope with someone who needs it this Christmas day.
"I hope they take from this what I take from this," he said.
And for Lisa Jackson-Jones, she says volunteers like Ryan, are simply a Christmas miracle.
"I thank them for their time, because they can't be at home with their families."
Ryan says volunteering his time on Christmas is going to be a Christmas tradition. The Salvation Army served close to 650 people today.


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Dance House is a channel on the internet radio station Power FM from Budapest, Hungary, providing Electronica House Dance music.
Budapest - Hungary - Hungarian
Songs playing in Power FM - Dance House


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Paramedic (PMED)
Available as a two-year program, primarily weekend and evening studies
- Program Code
- Credential
Two-year Ontario College Diploma
- Start Date
August entry
- Location
- Contact
Find your career
Graduates will find opportunities working as:
- Primary Care Paramedics in the ambulance system in Ontario, nationally or abroad
- Emergency medical responders with municipal fire departments
- Emergency response team members
- Private ambulance transfer service members
- Health and safety educators in industrial settings
- Technical assistants in hospital emergency departments or health centres
Professional certification is required to become a Primary Care Paramedic in Ontario:
- Grads are qualified to write the Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (A-EMCA) exam offered by the Ministry of Health
- Loyalist offers a unique opportunity for certification with ITLS International, with exams for international accreditation in ITLS and ITLS International Trauma Life Support
- Emergency training received in the program is also an asset when applying to a fire department, police service or RCMP, particularly in a remote area
- Average starting salaries in Ontario are $45,000 to $49,999 (Employment Profile 2013 Provincial Report, MTCU)
Our grads get great jobs
- Paramedic, City of Toronto
- Firefighter, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services
- Paramedic, Ministry of Health
- Manager, Radiation Protection, Ontario Power Generation
- Paramedic, Hastings-Quinte EMS
Is it for you?
Have you got what it takes? You may be well suited to a career as a paramedic if you:
- Are seeking a challenge
- Can think on your feet
- Want a career where you can make a difference
- Have a clean driving record
What employers say
"We have hired many Loyalist graduates who work at Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Service in full-time and part-time positions. Loyalist's high standards result in graduates entering the paramedic field as quality medics."
John O'Donnell
Chief, Hastings-Quinte EMS
Experiential learning
Loyalist is the only college in Southern Ontario that offers a two-year Paramedic diploma through part-time, weekend studies, with blend of practical, clinical and classroom instruction:
- Classes begin in August and are held at the Bancroft campus Friday evenings, Saturdays and/or Sundays on an average of three weekends per month
- Participate in live lectures through online delivery, weekday evenings and weekends, and interact with professors and classmates from the comfort of your home
- Prepare to respond to emergencies and provide life support measures in situations ranging from cardiac arrest to gunshot wounds to childbirth
- Learn to administer care in a moving ambulance – and to drive one
- Experience the job first-hand during 448 hours of supervised ride-out in an ambulance
- Practise skills that emphasize personal safety on the job and effective communication with families and other emergency and medical professionals
Outstanding faculty make the difference
- The up-to-the-minute curriculum is continuously enhanced by instructors who work full time in the field as Critical Care and Emergency Nurses, Primary, Advanced and Critical Care Paramedics
- Real-world emergency scenarios come to life in the classroom as faculty relate their experiences on the job to that week's lesson
- Professors work with Toronto, Durham, Hastings and Northumberland Emergency Medical Services, including one of just 14 Critical Care Paramedics with Toronto EMS
- First Year - Semester One
- PMED2000 Advanced Skills for Primary Care Paramedics
- This course covers the use of the current pre-hospital defibrillators and the current standards and protocols required by the MOH. It also includes ECG lead II rhythm interpretation.
- ANAT1002 Anatomy and Physiology
- This course is an introductory study of the structure and function of the human body as an integrated whole. The content includes an overview of basic body chemistry, cell structure, and human body systems. This gives students the basis for the subsequent study of patho-physiology and patient-care procedures.
- PMED1002 Emergency Patient Care 1
- This course covers the responsibilities of the student in assessing, managing, and transporting patients in stabilized conditions. The assessment, patho-physiological processes, and management of various medical and traumatic problems that may afflict pre-hospital patients are learned. Students demonstrate their ability to lift, transfer, position and transport patients in the pre-hospital setting.
- PMED2001 Hospital Clinical 1
- Through observation and supervised participation in various hospital departments and simulated pre-hospital care situations, the students are given the opportunity to apply the theoretical content learned in previous courses. They gain an understanding of the role of hospital staff in the continuing care of pre-hospital patients.
- PMED1001 Human Behaviour and Crisis Intervention
- The students gain an understanding of the changes in physical and psychological development from infancy to late maturity (elderly). The course includes the concepts of cumulative and critical-incident stress as they apply to self and/or colleagues and family.
- PMED1000 Medico-Legal Aspects
- This course helps students develop the ability to apply relevant legislation and regulations. Students gain an understanding of their role as advocates for the patients' rights to dignity, privacy, confidentiality and consent, or non-consent, to treatment.
Turn your diploma into a degree
Many universities across Canada and abroad will provide credit recognition for your diploma studies at Loyalist. The following is a list of agreements that are currently in place. There are many more options, and new agreements are added annually. Contact your university of choice to make individual arrangements.
- Davenport University – Bachelor of Arts in Health Services Administration or Public Safety and Security Management
- Laurier Brantford – any honours program
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Allied Health Science (Honours)
How much will it cost?
Approximate costs (2014-15)
- Domestic tuition/ancillary fees: $5,332 (Year One - three semesters); $3,077 (Year Two - two semesters)
- Consumables fee: $823
- Books and supplies: $1,550 (Year One)
- Students must provide an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone meeting minimum College requirements
- Additional costs, such as travel and parking, may be incurred during placements
Bursaries and financial assistance
Loyalist has a number of scholarships, bursaries and academic awards available to students. Our Financial Aid Office can help you explore your options, or assist you with a student loan.
Admission requirements
Required academic preparation
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND
- Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology; Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) accepted
Additional requirements
- Up-to-date immunization including influenza and Hepatitis B inoculations are required as part of the registration process
- "Fair" rating on the Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness and Leisure Assessment (CPAFLA)
- Standard First Aid and Level "C" CPR certification
- Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
- Clear Driver Abstract
- Paramedicine is a physically demanding profession. It is strongly recommended that all applicants have a high level of fitness. Students will be required to successfully complete comprehensive lifting evaluations in the first and second year to continue in the program
Discretionary considerations
- A detailed résumé of practical experience is required, i.e. number of ride-out hours, other applied experience and associated qualifications
- At the discretion of the College/faculty, entrance to the program may be based on the applicant's successful completion of an interview process
- Current, valid class "G" driver's licence; a class "F" is preferred and is required on or before graduation for employment as a Paramedic in the province of Ontario
Before taking this program, students should be aware that under the provisions of the Ambulance Act, employment as an EMCA is prohibited to any individual who:
- In the past year has received six or more demerit points on his or her driving record;
- Has had a driving licence suspended in the previous two years;
- Has been prohibited from driving under the Criminal Code of Canada within the past three years; or
- Has been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude for which he or she has not been pardoned
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Applicants with work experiences or other types of non-credentialed learning may be eligible for credits at Loyalist. Graded credits (as opposed to exemptions) are granted. Click here for more information about our assessment and credit challenge process.
International students
Click here for information about how to apply, international student fees and more.
Campus News
Kawartha Credit Union Annual Bursary Benefits Loyalist Students in Ban...
On August 28, 2013, Tina Doucet, Manager of Kawartha Credit Union's Bancroft branch, presented a $5,000 cheque to Jim Whiteway, Dean, School of Business, Continuing Education, Bancroft Camp... Read More
Loyalist Paramedic Students Bring Bronze Medal Home to Bancroft
Loyalist College Paramedic students placed third at the eighth Annual Skills Competition sponsored by the Durham Paramedic Association in Oshawa in April. Tara Leppan and Colleen McCann were the memb... Read More
Paramedic Program Enjoys Continued Success at Bancroft Campus
The Loyalist College Bancroft campus is pleased to announce that the graduates of the 2008 Paramedic program have reported 100 percent success in their Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (AEMC... Read More
Loyalist Paramedic Students Bring Gold Medal Home to Bancroft
Loyalist College Paramedic students placed first at the 6th Annual Skills Competition sponsored by the Durham Paramedic Association in Oshawa on April 5th. Rick Wright and Chelsea Robertson were the ... Read More
In the News
Prepared for the worst
Belleville Intelligencer


text:
Great article but really not true; there are many players involved in the NPF that are not from the ...more
posted 08/26/14 at 1:28pm
on Softball Standouts Plourde and Prezioso Represent Atlantic 10, Exemplify Mid-Major Potential at Next Level
posted by The IWFFA Blog
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 4:37pm EST
Keep updated in real time to what's HOT in women's flag football. The International Women's Flag Football Association host the largest women's flag football tournament in the world. The IWFFA Blog features American flag football news from around the globe.
Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!
IWFFA goes Live On Women's Football Talk – Open Mic
On December 3, 10PM – 11PM (EST)
Were going to talk about how the girls have helped change the game, the gaining popularity of Flag football within our youth, and how that is changing OUR game.
We would like to discuss the Pros and Cons of Professionalizing Flag Football, The World Challenge in Key West, FL.
The LFL – Lingerie Football League (pandora's box)
Scandinavian Tournaments for Americans as well as other IWFFA Promotional Tours
PLUS! Were going to open the forum up to you too!
So Join us!
There are two ways you can listen to the Live Broadcast.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wfb-talk-continues (You will see our IWFFA logo and "open mic" section)
Once they are on there, it will start as soon as it becomes live. This link will also open up the chat room so you do not have to have two windows open. If the chat room does not open then be sure to refresh it.
Note: We will open chat room 30 minutes before show time.
Chat Room Use: If you would like to interact in the chat room they will need to register with BlogTalkRadio. Register at the top of the BlogTalkRadio page and enter their name and user name they would like to use. Once you register you can sign in and refresh the chat room so their name will appear. We will open the chat room 30 minutes before the show so that you can use it to talk or ask questions before the show begins.
These two methods don't work for you?
If they cannot be by a computer then they can Call in to listen at 347-826-7278 (do not press #1 if you are calling in just to listen).
If you have any questions, email me at : firstname.lastname@example.com.
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View Original Post at iwffa.wordpress.com
Keep updated in real time to what's HOT in women's flag football. The International Women's Flag Football Association host the largest women's flag fo...
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For more, visit FlagFootballMea's Full Profile
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Mon at 7:37pm


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Web site: http://www.pbs.org/masterpiece/
Episode description: Mary entertains three suitors, including a Turkish diplomat whose boldness leads to a surprising event. Downstairs, the shocking former life of Carson, the butler, is unmasked and Bates risks his health to remain valet. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, and Elizabeth McGovern.
Rating: [TV-PG] (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Series Information: Masterpiece
TV Schedule
Upcoming Airdates:
- KET2: Thursday, December 25 at 1:30 pm EST
- KET: Monday, December 29 at 3:00 am EST
Past Airdates:
- KET: Monday, June 3, 2013 at 9:00 pm EDT
- KET: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 3:00 am EST
- KET2: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 9:00 pm EST
- KET: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm EST
- KET: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 3:00 am EDT
First aired: Sunday, January 16, 2011 (excluding any air dates prior to June 1999)
Official web site: http://www.pbs.org/masterpiece/
Price available upon request.
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text:
Great article but really not true; there are many players involved in the NPF that are not from the ...more
posted 08/26/14 at 1:28pm
on Softball Standouts Plourde and Prezioso Represent Atlantic 10, Exemplify Mid-Major Potential at Next Level
posted by They're Playing Basketball
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 9:41am EST
News, opinions and game reports on girl's and women's basketball of all levels.
Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!
Before the showdown between #2 Notre Dame and #9 Tennessee, Pat Summitt's banner was raised at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. On hand were Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker and Michelle Marciniak.
The Irish prevailed over the Lady Vols, 77-67, behind Skylar Diggins' career-high 33 points. But that was a heckuva comeback for Tennessee, and it bodes well for them being so young - and this year, so injured.
Speaking of which, prayers up for Isabelle Harrison, who went down in the first half with a knee injury, and was out for the rest of the game.
Other college news:
Brittney Griner is ESPNW's player of the week.
Penn State is making new memories while staying perfect in the Big Ten.
Caroline Doty is not immune from UConn Coach Geno Auriemma's demands.
Sara James and Mikaela Ruef add a lot to Stanford.
Bench players are giving Kentucky a boost.
Can Ohio State Coach Jim Foster turn his team around?
NCAA prospects have virtually vanished for Temple and Rutgers.
North Colorado junior D'shara Strange has joined the 1,000 point club.
UTEP's freshmen are giving them a big lift.
The Big East wants to add a twelfth school.
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View Original Post at hoopism.blogspot.com
News, opinions and game reports on girl's and women's basketball of all levels....
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