Around the internets

Note: For our articles this week, go here.

Some interesting articles from around the UAA this week:

-New York University women’s basketball forward Jessica McEntee, who dropped 28 and 15 on the Judges two Saturdays ago, was profiled in this New York Times article. It’s your typical DIII athlete profile (DII star, got offers from DI schools, chose DIII for academics, doesn’t regret her decision, etc.), but one question I had that wasn’t really answered was this: If academics mattered so much, why did she choose NYU over Penn and Cornell, two schools reportedly seeking her? Either way, nice profile of a great player who should win the UAA Player of the Year.

-This is old (January 18), but here’s a really good article from the Washington University Student Life about how they’re dealing with the absence of star junior point guard Sean Wallis. Originally, they moved starting sophomore shooting guard Aaron Thompson to the point, but after two losses, the Bears inserted sophomore Ross Kelly into the lineup, moving Thompson back to his normal position, and have succeeded. Of course, it also helps that the Bears have played only one road game during this stretch. I’m just sayin.’

-Jeff’s going to touch more on this tomorrow, but both of the men’s basketball team’s losses have come to undefeated teams. Yes, that includes Umass-Dartmouth, who was profiled in this week’s D3hoops Around the Nation. A choice quote

“The Corsairs have passed every one because they can put five scorers and defenders on the floor at any time. They average 83 points per game as a team. Holbrook leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but not far behind as far as statistical support are senior guard A.J. Tavares and senior forward Cory Tynes, freshman forward Brandon Stephens and sophomore forward Jeff Macchi. Holbrook only scored six points against Brandeis, but the team won anyway, because Tavares led the way, scoring 22, including a clutch 3-pointer in overtime.

“Brandeis definitely boosted our confidence, because it made us believe we could compete with nationally ranked teams,” Holbrook said. “But at the same time, we were very modest about it. We weren’t satisfied with just that win.”

When’s the last time you heard anyone pointing to beating Brandeis as a confidence-booster? I suppose that says something about our program.

-Does anyone else find the lead of this Rochester Campus Times story on the men’s game this weekend funny?

“If there was ever any doubt of the validity of the UR men’s basketball team’s No.1 ranking, it was stifled pretty quickly this past weekend when the ‘Jackets shut down the second-ranked Brandeis University Judges en route to a 74-68 victory.”

I have several issues with this lead.

• Prior to this game, Rochester was one of two undefeated teams in the country, and had defeated opponents by an average of 17.5 points per game. Really, was there any doubt they deserved the #1 ranking to begin with?

• Rochester won by six on its home floor. It was a tight game. They held serve like they should have. I don’t see how that proves anything except that both these teams are good. Now, if the same thing happened at Brandeis, then we can talk.

• It was an exciting game filled with twists and turns, and that’s the best you could come up with? At least give me some cliche celebration image.

Whatever. I think I’m grasping at straws here. It was a nice description of a very good game.

-From the Monday Morning Quarterbacking department:

“However, in a close game with approximately 10 minutes left, four of the Tartan starters were curiously on the bench. The Judges capitalized and extended their lead to 10 within a minute’s time. The lead did not drop below double digits for the rest of the game.

It looked like the team had a solid strategy forming during the run, with strong double teams on Brandeis’ leading scorer, Terrell Hollins, by junior Terrance Bouldin-Johnson and senior Greg Gonzalez. With Hollins neutralized and Einwag providing solid defense on the Judges’ captain and second-leading scorer Joe Coppens, the Tartans were able to create turnovers and convert them into easy buckets. Their absence from the court at the 10-minute mark proved costly, as Hollins got back into a rhythm on the next two possessions, converting one of two free throws and scoring on a lay-up from an assist by Coppens.”

I guess the alternative would be never giving starters a rest…

-Even without star forward Jamie McFarlan, the Wash U women’s team, whom the Judges will face Sunday, is still post-oriented:

“We always try to attack from the inside out, and our post players have been doing a great job sensing when to take it themselves and when to kick it out for perimeter shots,” said [junior forward Jill] Brandt. “Our point guards have been doing a great job pushing the ball in transition, so we are getting easy baskets.”

-Interesting format to this Emory Wheel article. Guy sets school record in 400-meters, talks about how he hopes to inspire team, and writer emphasizes that the Emory track team is focusing more on team results rather than individual ones, saying “The Eagles are determined to succeed as a team, rather than revel in strong individual performance.” My head is spinning.

-In preparation for the 2008 Olympics, former Brandeis fencer Tim Morehouse ‘00 had strong performances in various world cups, and has risen to 11th in the world. Be sure to look for him when watching the games this summer.

-NYU swimming, still undefeated.