COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY
Written by: Mike in DA
Date posted: 11/13/2010
COOL ATHLETE NAME:
OCTOBER ARBITRON RATINGS
The Arbitron Ratings for the four local sports talk stations for October show that in the overall ratings, SportsRadio610 has greatly benefited from the football season – from both its football broadcasts (Texan games, Westwood One’s NFL package, and selected Saturday college football games) and increased related football talk.
SR610’s share for the month increased to 1.3, up from September’s 0.9. As a matter of fact, Sports Talk 790 and 1560 KGOW also showed increases due to the football season. KFNC, the ESPN affiliate, showed a minimal overall increase.
October’s overall ratings follow with September’s in parentheses:
SR610 – 1.3 (.9)
Sports Talk 790 - 0.5 (0.4)
KFNC 97.5 FM – 0.4 (0.4)
1560 KGOW – 0.3 (0.2)
During October, SR610’s share of the listening audience surpassed the total of the other three sports talk stations combined (1.3 to a combined 1.2).
IT LOOKS LIKE JESUS IS A SPURS FAN!
FLUB OF THE DAY
Sometimes, the people who put up the TV graphics mess up. This one is from Thursday night's Ravens-Falcons game. The number should have been 77 instead of 75.
THIS GUY IS LOOKING TO GET A BROWN CARD!
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
The high school basketball season has just started, but most of the teams will begin their season during this upcoming week.
I’m not into prognosticating (aka "guessing") the Top 10 or Top 25, etc., for Texas high school basketball or the nation as a whole, but if I had to guess who the top two Class 5-A and Class 4-A teams in the state might be for 2010-11, I’ll go out on a limb with last year’s Class 5-A champ, Fort Bend Bush (Richmond), and one of last-year’s semi-finalists, Marcus (Flower Mound), in Class 5-A and Lincoln (Dallas) and Yates (Houston) in Class 4-A.
FORT BEND BUSH
Last year’s Class 5A state champion was 35-4 and brings back C Cameron Ridley (6-10, Jr.). Bush has a potentially top inside-outside combo with point guard Travis Courtney (Coach Ronnie Courtney’s son) joining Ridley once again in the starting lineup. Ridley is one of the top juniors in the nation at No. 6 overall in the ESPNU Super 60. He has attracted offers from Baylor, Georgetown, Kansas, North Carolina, and Texas.
With several expected contributors, including Courtney (QB), just finishing up the football season and the Broncos' first basketball game next week, don’t be surprised if it takes the defending champs a while to hit full stride. But once they do, watch out. Six other lettermen return, plus Coach Courtney has three talented freshmen expected to compete for a spot in the rotation.
Coach Courtney won't be in unfamiliar territory with a defending champion. He won state titles with T.J. Ford and Daniel Ewing at Willowridge in 2000 and 2001 before spending six seasons as head coach at Texas Southern University.
MARCUS
Marcus was 37-3 last season, as a Class 5A state semifinalist. It’s top three players are all juniors: SG Phil Forte (5-10); SF Marcus Smart (6-3); and PG A.J. Luckey (6-0)
It’s not as clear-cut this year as last year in Texas with mythical national champ Yates in the No. 1 position in Texas from beginning to end. Head coach Danny Henderson will certainly have one of the best squads in the state with the above three juniors back who were the top players off a 2009-10 squad that lost in the Class 5A semifinals in overtime to eventual champion Bush.
LINCOLN
LeBryan Nash (6-7, 220, Sr., F, Oklahoma State) and Keaton Miles (6-6, 190, Sr., G/F, West Virginia) are back after leading the Tigers to a 24-3 record last season. With Yates re-tooling, the 4A title could be Lincoln’s for the taking. If Lincoln can get through the early part of its schedule, which includes a trip to El Paso for the McDonald's Classic, unscathed, a rapid climb in the rankings could result.
YATES
The defending “mythical” national champions (34-0) lost a ton of talent and production from last year's team. But as impressive as Joseph Young and Brandon Peters were individually, it was more about the system than it was overwhelming talent. Head coach Greg Wise's assaulting and pressing full-court style and quick rotations off a 12-deep club has resulted in 58-straight victories entering this season and back-to-back 4A state titles.
Last season, Yates set national records for scoring average (116.2) and consecutive 100-point games (15), but the Lions displayed the ability to win close ones as well.
If you've never seen a Yates game and want to check one out, you're in for a treat. Yates opens its season on Monday night (11/15) at Delmar Fieldhouse vs. Dickinson HS.
Below is the Yates varsity schedule for 2010-11. Please note that the time of the December 16 game on the ESPN network vs. Findlay Prep is subject to change. Also, credit a flub to whoever put out this schedule for mispelling "Findlay".
CRIER'S CORNER
BASKETBALL ACTION
Yesterday’s Record ATS: 4-1
Cumulative Season Record ATS: 35-11
Today’s Action (for reading purposes only):
NBA ACTION
CHARLOTTE* (+1.5) over UTAH
Prime spot for Bobcats to shine as Jazz are playing their fourth game in five nights. Sure, Jazz started the trip with a sweep in Florida and Jazz once again came from behind last night to clip the Hawks, but that hotel food has got to be getting old by now. Key to North Carolina boys is the stretch of bench guy Tyrus Thomas, who can not only score, but can block shots too. Homers will buckle down and point D. J. Augustin chipped in with a double/double last night in the win in D.C. CHARLOTTE, 96-84
ORLANDO (-7) over NEW JERSEY*
Like Magic, Orlando shows in the Garden State and they not only hold a huge edge in the paint, but have to be mad after being beaten by the Raptors last night. Dwight Howard worked with Akeem the Dream in the off season and he is going to the hoop with more moves this year. He should be able to again dominate Brooke Lopez just like he did eight days ago when he outscored Nets center by 20 and had 11 more rebounds. ORLANDO, 113-99
BOSTON at MEMPHIS* (Under 195)
Fourth road game in five days for Celts and it could be a letdown game for visitors as they handled Heat on national TV on Thursday. Miami actually outscored Boston in the second half of that aforementioned game and hard to see them going 9 for 18 from three land again. Grizz flat-out have to play harder. In their last game they only had 10 fouls all night and that says they just are not competing on the defensive end. O J Mayo has to go to the rack more tonight to succeed. MEMPHIS, 91-90
COLLEGE HOOPS ACTION
GEORGE MASON* (-10.5) over HARVARD
Tommy Amaker’s Crimson remain quality Ivy item – but wish they were healthier than they are, and Amaker will never be confused with a great game coach. Though you seldom can be certain what you’re going to see out of Jekyll-Hyde Mason, in a given performance – especially this early, must lean homer’s way. GEORGE MASON, 87-71.
PROVIDENCE* (-21.5) over DARTMOUTH
Friars vastly better-prepared, in opener for both sides. Rhode Islanders are young, but guard tandem of top frosh Gerard Coleman and soph Vincent Council will do, and senior swingman Marshon Brooks should aid in keeping the Kiddie Korps settled down. Big Green HC Paul Cormier returns to a bare cupboard for his second tour of duty in Hanover. No returnee scored more than 10 ppg last year, and the best of those, senior G Ronnie Dixon, is not expected to play tonight. If Dartmouth somehow cracks half-century mark tonight, it’ll likely be because Friars are long gone, and shooting for 90. PROVIDENCE*, 91-57.
HORSE RACING
For those who followed the Crier's Breeders' Cup performance, check out Sunday's (tomorrow) Crier's card.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Churchill Downs - Race 2
3-yo and up $50,000 Maiden-Claiming
1 mile
Trainer Crusty Arnold has two horses in an uncoupled entry. The 2-1 favorite on the rail, which is a bad post in a one-turn mile, and 8-1 shot 8-SENATOR, who returns from a September layoff, but has been training over this track ever since. 2-TAINO has been in the money in both maiden-claiming starts, which were the first, and then the most recent, races of his career.
Win-Place-Show: 8
Exacta Box: 2-8-3
Churchill Downs - Race 4
3-yo and up $30,000 Maiden-Claiming
1 mile
10-NO MORE WORDS drops to cash for ruthless connections Steve Assmussen/Maggi Moss, leading trainer and leading owner, maybe not this year, but in years past, winning zillions more races than they typical owner or trainer. 8-GREAT BAM is trained by hottest man in universe, or at least Churchill, William Bret Calhoun. Another class dropper. 1-SILENT SCORE ‘found his best stride too late’ it says from his last start. Extra furlong helps.
Win-Place-Show: 10
Exacta Box: 10-8-1
Belmont Park - Race 5
3-yo and up, NY-bred Allowance NW1
6 furlongs
3-SCALE is trained by Linda Rice and makes his second start off a layoff with a much better post than the wide one he had in the Belmont sprint. 1-PAPA’S NICE CAT returns from a layoff, but was second by a neck in the Whirlaway Stakes when last seen under silks.
Win-Place-Show: 3
Exacta Box: 3-1
Belmont Park - Race 7
3-yo and up, NY-bred Allowance NW1
6 furlongs
8-OVER SERVED makes third start off layoff, with a surface change and a rider switch to John Velazquez. 4-SPELL CHECK makes second start off layoff and has good Big A back-form.
Exacta Box: 8-4
MIKE IN DA
HMW
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