poodoo
03-28-2006, 05:11 PM
I have just read yesterday's and today's CJ sports sections (as yesterday's just arrived in the mail today). Anyway, I just thought what I found was a little funny and wanted to share it, in case anyone else thinks the same. :)
When I read Monday's CJ, I read that Renaldo Balkman is expected to play against Louisville, after having missed Saturday practice because of a concussion and injured nose suffered against Cincinatti last Thursday. Reading further, I learned that USC only had seven scholarship players available for that practice. USC's center Anotine Tisby was suspended before the Florida State overtime victory, and his career is over. Too, USC's backup center Ousmane Konate will not even make the trip to New York because of an ankle injury. It sounds as if USC is not the same USC that made the SEC Tourney run to the finals.
Well, what was funny was when I read today's coverage of the game, written by the CJ's beat writer Eric Crawford. The coverage is a bit lacking, I would say. :ggrin:There is no mention whatsover of USC's unavailable centers or Balkman's injury in the last game. Instead, Crawford writes that the Gamecocks "hope for a big game by 6-foot-8 forward Renaldo Balkman inside." Crawfordalso says that Andre McGee is "doubtful because of back spasms." With his usual spin, Pitino says that South Carolina "is one of the hottest teams around."
Anyway, I just thought that was funny. After reading Crawford's article today, I immediately checked yesterday's paper to see if he had beenthe one who had written about USC's having only seven scholarship players at practice and the loss of their two centers and Balkman's missing practice. No, it was merely a Gannett News Service/AP item. I suppose neither Pitino nor Crawford knew about those extenuating circumstances involving South Carolina's "so hot" teams. Yeah, right! :ggrin:By the way,beat writers normally cover the "whole story" in their pregame articles, sharing what information they have aboutboth teams, FWIW.
In case any Louisville fan is reading, I will say that Louisville played really well against Missouri State. IF they play like that played that night, they are going to win the NIT. Regardless, ifLouisville beats South Carolina tonight, I don't thinkPitino canfairly say that they have beaten "one of the hottest teams around." ;)
When I read Monday's CJ, I read that Renaldo Balkman is expected to play against Louisville, after having missed Saturday practice because of a concussion and injured nose suffered against Cincinatti last Thursday. Reading further, I learned that USC only had seven scholarship players available for that practice. USC's center Anotine Tisby was suspended before the Florida State overtime victory, and his career is over. Too, USC's backup center Ousmane Konate will not even make the trip to New York because of an ankle injury. It sounds as if USC is not the same USC that made the SEC Tourney run to the finals.
Well, what was funny was when I read today's coverage of the game, written by the CJ's beat writer Eric Crawford. The coverage is a bit lacking, I would say. :ggrin:There is no mention whatsover of USC's unavailable centers or Balkman's injury in the last game. Instead, Crawford writes that the Gamecocks "hope for a big game by 6-foot-8 forward Renaldo Balkman inside." Crawfordalso says that Andre McGee is "doubtful because of back spasms." With his usual spin, Pitino says that South Carolina "is one of the hottest teams around."
Anyway, I just thought that was funny. After reading Crawford's article today, I immediately checked yesterday's paper to see if he had beenthe one who had written about USC's having only seven scholarship players at practice and the loss of their two centers and Balkman's missing practice. No, it was merely a Gannett News Service/AP item. I suppose neither Pitino nor Crawford knew about those extenuating circumstances involving South Carolina's "so hot" teams. Yeah, right! :ggrin:By the way,beat writers normally cover the "whole story" in their pregame articles, sharing what information they have aboutboth teams, FWIW.
In case any Louisville fan is reading, I will say that Louisville played really well against Missouri State. IF they play like that played that night, they are going to win the NIT. Regardless, ifLouisville beats South Carolina tonight, I don't thinkPitino canfairly say that they have beaten "one of the hottest teams around." ;)