Weekend Fun: Full Pigskin Jacket

September 1st, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

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In case you were worried, let me assuage your ponderings: Indiana is not - repeat, is not - a football state.

Our squad, IU, is perenially terrible; the small schools - Indiana State, Ball State, etc. - give suck a new perspective. Hell, even the state’s best (Purdon’t) are terrifically average by anyone else’s standards.

Thus, with the exception of tailgating, we’re a bit more excited about non-Indiana area football this weekend. The first glorious college football Saturday is here, complete with College Gameday, hungover roommates, a late tailgate, and loads and loads of exciting games.

Ranking-wise, the most exciting should be Cal vs. Tennessee, on ESPN at 5:30, but the Notre Dame-Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt-Michigan, and USC-Arkansas things should be relatively interesting, if not disasterously entertaining. Then again, as we’re tailgating from 12-6 on Saturday afternoon, the margin of football watched here might be pretty slim. Still, it’s comforting to know the games are out there, huh?

If college football isn’t your thing - in other words, if you’re a robot - solid baseball races still abound. The White Sox will look to hold on against the Royals as the Twins and Tigers test their mettle against the Yankees and Angels, respectively. Just for kicks, the Cubs are playing too, and are actually up 6-0 on the Giants right now. Whoaaa.

Also, if you’re masochistic, you could tune into USA Basketball as they complete their only slightly dissapointing FIBA World Basketball Championships. After the loss last night, it’d be nice to see Coach K, you know, try something different, if not for the purposes of the win, then at least to see where we need to go from here.

Scattered NFL exhibitions are around this weekend, too, but come on. It’s the first weekend of college football. Get to a campus - even if it’s one without a football team; hey, just like IU! - get a grill, get some beer and some tequila or whatever else floats your boat, and break off a piece of that pigskin. And we’ll see you there.

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Starting the avalanche’s slow roll?

August 22nd, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

lebron.jpgOur favorite Men’s National basketball squad - OK, our only - rode past Slovenia with ease last night, in perhaps their best game as a FIBA team thus far.

That’s the simple part. Of course, you say - why wouldn’t they pummel Slovenia. Slovenia? Rrrasho NestEORVIC!! He’s terrwwible!! (The power of Stephen A. compels you!)

There are reasons for optimism here, though. First: Slovenia is a decent team, with proven NBA players, and the U.S. seemingly had its stars clicking within the process of the team game. LeBron had 19, D-Wade had 20. Brand had 16, Melo 14. That’s point disbursement, showcasing an ability to work though the flow of the game, get points, play pressure defense, and blow teams away. That’s good news.

Second: The game was played in Sapporo, Japan. I love Sapporo, the beer. Never been to Sapporo, the city, but if it has Sapporo, the beer, I would love it.

Third: Potential challenger Italy is up next. The U.S. should be plenty fine against the Italians, but a cold night and a sluggish offense could set the boys back. Here’s to Slovenia’s rhythm-inducing defense.

Finally, with the win, the U.S. seems to be finally developing that downhill momentum, where success breeds more success and snowballs into a matter of sheer unstoppable force. This win signfies that momentum and gives glimmer to the idea that this team still has shades of dominant American basketball force left in it.

The prospect is inviting. Cheers (a Sapporo) to that.

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