Rowand44

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 14, 2007 -> 01:05 PM) You can also tune in to ESPN tonight and watch Stephen Curry light up UNC. Should be a fun game. Kind of reminds me of UNC playing Winthrop early last season.

QUOTE(greg775 @ Nov 14, 2007 -> 12:33 AM) I wouldn't worry about the knot in the shoulder. Our crack medical staff thought Big Hurt and Maggs were done also. Maggs was awesome last year and Big Hurt has been decent the past 2 years. Hurt obviously is so slow on the basepaths it's probably been a good thing he's gone, but Maggs still should be a member of the Sox. Keep garland. If we want to win the division we need his innings. Javy, Mark, Jose, and the two younguns won't cut it. I love Buerhle but he doesn't strike a lot of people out and is a question mark each and every year; Javy is Mr. 5 innings still; Jose is awful, simply awful; and the two younguns are too young to count on. I'd rather gamble on Mark, Jon and Javy having career years, getting rid of the old one, and picking up a Byrd type veteran to go with either Danks or Floyd. KEEP GARLAND This is one of the more ill informed posts in the history of this site. Yeesh.

Early signing period starts tomorrow, rivals rankings of the classes so far: http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=738588

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 04:27 PM) Now we're going off one good half of baseball, to be secure in the bullpen? I know we are desperate to find some reassurance in the bullpen, but that doesn't do it for me. There is no such thing as having a secure bullpen for the most part. There are only so many good middle relievers, bullpens are inconsisant from year to year(for the most part), you just never know.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 12, 2007 -> 10:20 PM) Yeah..... This just in, Koufos is good and Lighty apparently decided hes a star. Haha, I was waiting for someone to chime in. I thought that was the best chance for an upset, I was obviously wrong. Good win for tOSU.

Looks like IU is going to win comfortably after all. Greasy, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Mocs when you get back from the game.

IU better win this damn game. Not good for our schedule(and potential schedule) if IU and USC go down in their first game.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Nov 12, 2007 -> 05:57 PM) The NIT is screaming for a big-time upset. I just haven't decided wether it will be 'Cuse against Siena/SJU or OSU against W-GB/Delaware State. Maybe even Utah over Washington. I must say though that I actually like how the NIT challenges it's hosts to make it out of their regional unlike all other preseason tournaments. There ya go, buddy.

QUOTE(Brian @ Nov 12, 2007 -> 08:38 AM) So it is the same as the last two years? Way to make us alumni look by by showing off that SIU education. lol. Ya, ya, you know what I mean.

QUOTE(Brian @ Nov 11, 2007 -> 05:32 PM) Yup, giving up 51 is unacceptable to me! Heh, I'm being serious man. A few guys still need to catch up to the speed of college ball(mostly Cornelius here) but there are things defensively that need to be worked on. Lots of fouls today which needs to be cleaned up and hopefully it will be. You guys are going to be amazed watching the offense though, it's a complete 360 from the last two years. Anyways, most importantly, I completely overreacted about the whole Josh Bone situation. Turns out that the shoulder injury is much less severe than originally thought and he's probably going to play on Saturday. Just a little fun note too, Tyrone Green literally broke the rim today on a dunk of his.

We scored 97 points today, that's a new one. Defense needs some work though.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 05:52 PM) Only if Kansas squeaks by with a couple of fluky wins.... I think Oregon and LSU have consistently been the two best teams this year. If they take care of business, they'll be there. Or at least one of them will be there against a finally tested Kansas club. The worst scenario right now if for kansas to go undefeated in wholly unimpressive fashion. If they stomp OKySt and beat Mizzou, then take care of OU/TEX in the B12 championship, they deserve to be there. Ya, Kansas isn't going undefeated(sorry Jimbo). I agree that it would be Oregon and LSU but there is a possibility that 4-5ish teams finish with 1 loss. No matter what, you're still going to get a lot of argument somewhere, that's a lot of teams who could sort of make a case.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 04:57 PM) Mercer beats #18 USC Boo. Them and IU are the two ranked teams I would have liked to see win every game except one.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 05:32 PM) After all the times OSU has been a thorn in our side and stuck it to us, it's nice to have this big of a payback game. I am so proud of this team, everyone contributed and worked for a full 60 minutes. Did all the types of things you need to do to win this big of a game, and win on the road. Excellent stuff. My how far this program has come. I L L You seem happy.

The BCS is just f'd this year.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 12:09 PM) I don't see where people keep getting their confidence in MacD. He's had a few good years. I don't think it's necessarily that people have a ton of confidence in him, just moreso than other guys out on the free agent market. I'll take my chances with Mac's arm over a lot of middle relievers.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 11:09 AM) I still say we need at least 2 upgrades in there. Personally I won't be banking on BOTH Thornton and MacDougal to rebound. Mike has some mental issues he needs to get over, and Thornton needs to work on his breaking balls as Pratt alluded to. I'd target 1 via trade, and sign 1 out of Japan. What would majorly help though is if a pitcher such as Oneli Perez could step up in Spring Training, claim a role, and produce. Here's the problem with that, no matter who we sign they're going to be just as big of question marks as Mac and Matt. I'll take my chances with Matt and Mac because of their arms over most. That being said, signing a japanese reliever is ok with me as most of them seem to have success in their first year here.

QUOTE(knightni @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 11:01 AM) I believe that Logan's starting to grow past the LOOGy label. I'd look at the stats again, my friend.

QUOTE(JohnCangelosi @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 10:45 AM) Everyone is saying our first line of priority this offseason HAS to be upgrading the bullpen (poll on whitesox.com) and it seems to be the case here as well at SoxTalk.com... First of all, if you understand the strategy of "find out where everyone is going and go in the opposite direction" you understand it's usually the proper thing to do in many situations. I'll give an example just so I don't have to further explain that statement. Most people are dead broke. 5% of the people out there control 90%+ of the wealth. Point: Don't follow the herd mentality of getting a job, get taxed everyway till Sunday and then hoping you'll have enough at the end of the day. You won't. The herd tells you "get a job, work your way up, see what happens". Nonsense. Same thing goes for "consensus thinking" on many different subjects all across the board from the stock market to baseball. What if, instead of investing in 2-3 more bullpen arms we took the risk of thinking that Mac and Thornton are in for a good year next year? Perhaps we sign one of the Japanese bullpen prospects but just keep it there and spend our money elsewhere??? It seems to me that quite often bullpens can be great one year and suck the next (see 2005 for Cliff Politte, Neil Cotts and then 06) Last year was obviously a disaster in the pen and no question it was the worst in baseball for various reasons. I do think, however, when healthy (like Mac) these guys can be really tough. And I don't think we give up on them yet and completely retool this thing. Honestly, and I know am very much in the minority here, but I am OK with us just picking up one arm (perhaps from Japan) for our Pen and then addressing the other issues we need taken care of such as getting a second baseman and CF through FA and trades... OK, so there it is...let me have it... ;-) More people agree with you then you think, I know I do. I have no problem adding another arm or two but I really don't think this pen needs a huge overhaul. I have absolutely no problem going into the season with Jenks, Mac, Thornton, Wasserman and Boone as 5 members of the pen.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 10:10 AM) Sometimes early season injuries like that can help a team in the long run. They will now have to find other ways to score and other players to rely on, while building depth at the same time. Survive early and they will be stronger later in the year. I agree in theory. Here's the problem with that, in 2 weeks there is a possibility that we start a stretch against Miss State, USC and IU, it'd be nice to be at full strength.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) Don't mess with Steve Irwin ever again.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 01:21 AM) This probably should go in the sports forum, but... Sportscenter has become a sick joke, an absolute embarrassment. Tonight they didn't show highlights of half of the NBA games and showed all of one NHL game. You know, I don't even care if they want to do their bulls*** analysis segments and whatnot and put hockey as the last thing of the night, but not show it at all? Re-freaking-diculous. It's a shame how much that whole network has fallen in quality (outside of a select few). I remember the days of watching Sportscenter before I went to school, enjoying the highlights and guys like Olberman (sp) and Charlie Steiner and of course Kenny Mayne. Bah -- I'm getting old. Soon I'll be all like, "Back in my day, we had to walk up to the TV to change the channels. But now...!" (that statement isn't true, btw). Ha, it's funny cause last night I was actually talking to one of my buddies about the exact same thing. When I was younger I actually got up much earlier than I had to, to make sure I got a whole episode of sportscenter in before school. Now, I couldn't care less if I watch it at all for the most part. I can watch highlights and get scores on the internet, ESPN just does nothing for me at the moment(outside of PTI). I still do watch it when I can as it's still the best overall place for highlights but I certainly don't make a point to watch it like I used to.

QUOTE(knightni @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 03:47 AM) And, THAT'S why you're kept in the Dakotas. Where you can't hurt anyone else. Why is that in green?

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 10, 2007 -> 02:01 AM) OUCH that hurts, Bone was going to be your 6th man/instant offense player wasn't he? He's certainly the best shooter you guys have either way. Will you move Carlton Fay into the starting lineup and go away from the 3 guard lineup now, because other than Clemmons, Mullins, and Green, you have very little at guard if Bone is not available. He was going to be our 6th man(Lowery obviously loves D and he was going to start our 5 best defenders) but he's literally our most talented offensive player and I'm not exaggerating here. He can shoot, he's a really smart player(he had a whole 2 turnovers last season), he can drive to the hole and he's just a smooth ball handler, he really doesn't have a weakness offensively. As for Fay, he's still going to come off the bench(Mullins, Clemmons, Green, Shaw, Falker are starting) but you'll probably see a ton of Shaw, Fay and Falker all in together now. Trust me here but Fay has one of the nicest shots I've ever seen, the form on his shot is absolutely gorgeous and he's obviously strong as hell, he's a polished offensive player already. Once again though, he has a lot to work to do defensively(he positioned himself awfully the first exhibition game, he just looked lost on defense). Fay is going to make an impact this season but he has a lot of work to do and CLo isn't going to give him a ton of minutes until he learns what he needs to do defensively. Our other freshman who is going to have a huge role now is Brandon Wood, he's a better shoot than Bone but overall he's no where near the offensive player that Josh is. Once again though, as the case with Fay, he is not a very good defender right now. Problem is, now he's our only other pg on this team(Bone was most likely going to back up Bryan) and he's pretty much going to have to learn on the job. Brandon has a high skill set offensively, he's a scorer and a good one but it's just a hard thing to throw a frosh into the fire like this considering the style that this team plays. Unfortunately, he's going to have to produce right away now. The wild card is Christian Cornelius. He redshirted his frosh year and was injured all last year. I'm not going to pretend I know a lot about him cause he just hasn't played but he's supposedly a very talented tweener(he can play guard or down low, he's 6'7") but he looked very slow in the first game and how couldn't he? He hasn't played in two years. If he can get into shape, he'll be huge for this team but I just don't have a lot of faith as far as he's concerned, too much to overcome. Basically, after all that non sense I just said, we need Bone, it's that simple. He is such a talented offensive player and he was going to be a huge part of this team. The freshman need to step up huge now. I love Wood and Fay but it would have been nice to just ease them in, instead of having to rush them. Hopefully Josh can get healthy soon, cause we need this kid and badly.

Absolutely horrible news for Saluki fans. Josh Bone has seperated his shoulder and no one is really sure how long he is out for. He is our most talented guard and I've said before that I thought he'd be our leading scorer this year. This is bad, bad news for SIU fans.