By Gregory Crawford--- TV, Print and Radio Basketball Analyst---- on twitter @wchoops @crawssportsbiz @kcsportsmgmt
Crawford's NBA Power Rankings----It is Saturday, so time for another edition of Crawford's NBA power rankings and Greg Crawford On Basketball has the best power rankings for both college teams and the NBA in the world. Per usual we things in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.
9. Portland----Still one of the best teams in the NBA, but fading a little under what is tough schedule.
8. Washington---- One of the best surprises in the NBA this year.
7. Clippers--- Deserve to be here, but need to be more consistent.
6. Houston--- The Rockets in the last 20 years always seem to have good teams.
5. Cleveland---- 8 wins in row, funny how the talk of firing Dave Blatt has disappeared.
4. Toronto---- No one is paying attention to the Raptors, but you better, they will be tough out in playoffs
3. Golden State----Had a slight reality check this past week, but still really good.
2. Memphis----Been a consistent team and strong team all year long.
1. Atlanta----Crawford's power rankings would be a joke if it did not have a team that has won 18 in a row on top.
Small College Hoops---- Last night I saw my 114th college basketball game, start to finish, live. It was significant, as I can say after watching College of Idaho defeat a really good Concordia team on their home floor, the Yotes are the best small college basketball team I have seen this year.
College of Idaho is coached by Scott Garson, who prior to coming to College of Idaho served as an assistant for many years at UCLA under Ben Howland. Obviously if you work under Howland you are a good basketball coach and Garson is one of the best young coaches in the country. The big question, will C of I be able to keep him in Caldwell, where his team has a 29 game home court winning streak and plays before sellout crowds of 2,400 almost every game.
The Weekend---- As I say often, it is Saturday, so just get out and see a college basketball. On any level, there is nothing like seeing a game live. I strongly recommend you take in an NWAC Sports game, for schedule you can go to their website.
NBA Draft---- Starting tomorrow and every Sunday up to the NBA Draft we will give you plenty of information on players you might be seeing down the road in the NBA or playing professional basketball.
more of Gregory's blogs--- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz)
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 30th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford----editor of Greg Crawford On Basketball---- on twitter @wchoops @kcsportsmgmt @crawssportsbiz
Stuff--- The items below use to mean something in both college and professional basketball, now they do not mean as much, or very little or even nothing.
..... It use to be that 20 wins would get you at least to the bubble in the NCAA tournament, not anymore. If you are not an automatic qualifier, anymore to get to the Big Dance you better have at least 25 wins.
........ Averaging one steal per game in both the NBA and College games was pretty good. Nowadays, a 3rd grader could steal the ball or a pass from many players, the way the skill level has dropped in dribbling and passing.
......... Five year contracts. If you are an NBA general manager or an athletic director, you probably should not give anyone a five year contract, cause the patience level for not winning has risen dramatically just in the last five years and in most cases unfairly.
......... One or two assistant coaches, yes, remember those days. Jack Ramsay won the NBA Championship in 1977 with one assistant coach, Jack McKinney. In today's game on all levels, often times there will be more coaches on the bench than substitutes. It is over abundance in its finest.
......... 10 seconds means nothing in the college game. That is the allotted time it takes to get the ball across mid court by the offensive team. The rule is pathetic, a team can call timeout after spending 9 seconds in the backcourt and come back out and get a fresh 10 seconds. We all know the great solution, the offensive team should not be able to call timeout in the backcourt.
......... 1,000 wins means nothing. Well at least for Danny Miles at Oregon Tech. Once again, it is criminal that Miles is not the Basketball Hall of Fame. 1.000 wins in the college game should be an automatic qualifier.
.......... Students. So many college games, where there are very few students that show up, if any. Kind of sad, but if you want students, you better feed them and have your social media technology in order.
........Great Centers. Where has the center gone in basketball. No longer is the center an integral part of the game for the most part, let alone it is almost impossible to see a good 7-footer play the game anymore.
Please feel free to add what you think has disappeared from basketball.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz)
Stuff--- The items below use to mean something in both college and professional basketball, now they do not mean as much, or very little or even nothing.
..... It use to be that 20 wins would get you at least to the bubble in the NCAA tournament, not anymore. If you are not an automatic qualifier, anymore to get to the Big Dance you better have at least 25 wins.
........ Averaging one steal per game in both the NBA and College games was pretty good. Nowadays, a 3rd grader could steal the ball or a pass from many players, the way the skill level has dropped in dribbling and passing.
......... Five year contracts. If you are an NBA general manager or an athletic director, you probably should not give anyone a five year contract, cause the patience level for not winning has risen dramatically just in the last five years and in most cases unfairly.
......... One or two assistant coaches, yes, remember those days. Jack Ramsay won the NBA Championship in 1977 with one assistant coach, Jack McKinney. In today's game on all levels, often times there will be more coaches on the bench than substitutes. It is over abundance in its finest.
......... 10 seconds means nothing in the college game. That is the allotted time it takes to get the ball across mid court by the offensive team. The rule is pathetic, a team can call timeout after spending 9 seconds in the backcourt and come back out and get a fresh 10 seconds. We all know the great solution, the offensive team should not be able to call timeout in the backcourt.
......... 1,000 wins means nothing. Well at least for Danny Miles at Oregon Tech. Once again, it is criminal that Miles is not the Basketball Hall of Fame. 1.000 wins in the college game should be an automatic qualifier.
.......... Students. So many college games, where there are very few students that show up, if any. Kind of sad, but if you want students, you better feed them and have your social media technology in order.
........Great Centers. Where has the center gone in basketball. No longer is the center an integral part of the game for the most part, let alone it is almost impossible to see a good 7-footer play the game anymore.
Please feel free to add what you think has disappeared from basketball.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz)
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 29th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford--- TV, Print and Radio Basketball Analyst--- on twitter @wchoops @kcsportsmgmt @crawssportsbiz
Atlanta Hawks----What a season for the Atlanta, as last night they won there 17th straight game and 38th win of the season, which is only one win away from their entire victory total in 2013-14.
In another big move for the Hawks, in up to date attendance figures, they moved up one spot to rank 21st in the entire NBA in attendance, averaging just over 16,500 fans per game. In all of sports there more than likely has never been a team that has done so well overall on the field or court, had such a great win streak and still can't attract large crowds to their games.
So far this year, the Hawks at home have played to 88 percent capacity of their arena. Can anyone be serious about keeping this team in Atlanta?
Portland State/Montana----Tonight, at the Stott Center in Portland, Oregon, Montana will come to town for their annual visit to the Rose City. (Well I guess I should be careful using the word annual, since the Big Sky plays an unbalanced schedule and we might not see Montana here next year, as Portland State this year does not travel to the Montana schools.)
With all that said, Montana usually is a huge draw at the Stott Center, tonight's game has a very good chance of selling out. I also think it is safe to say, despite the fact many people think Eastern Washington is the big rival for Portland State, in men's basketball without question the biggest rival is Montana.
Since Portland State brought D-1 basketball back in 1996, the Grizzlies and Vikings have played some tremendous games against each other, but none greater than last year's terrific 3-overtime game won by Portland State.
Another words, get there early tonight.
Crawford's NWC/CCC Combo Power Rankings---- It is Thursday, so that means another edition of Crawford's combo power rankings for the Northwest Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference. Both these leagues play great basketball and both leagues have many long time coaches, who are terrific at what they do. Out of respect for the great game of golf, we always do things in 9s.
9. Puget Sound
8. Northwest Christian
7. Whitman
6. Warner Pacific
5. Southern Oregon
4. Lewis and Clark
3. Concordia
2. College of Idaho
1. Whitworth
Big time match up tomorrow night, as College of Idaho visits Concordia, 7:00 tip.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Atlanta Hawks----What a season for the Atlanta, as last night they won there 17th straight game and 38th win of the season, which is only one win away from their entire victory total in 2013-14.
In another big move for the Hawks, in up to date attendance figures, they moved up one spot to rank 21st in the entire NBA in attendance, averaging just over 16,500 fans per game. In all of sports there more than likely has never been a team that has done so well overall on the field or court, had such a great win streak and still can't attract large crowds to their games.
So far this year, the Hawks at home have played to 88 percent capacity of their arena. Can anyone be serious about keeping this team in Atlanta?
Portland State/Montana----Tonight, at the Stott Center in Portland, Oregon, Montana will come to town for their annual visit to the Rose City. (Well I guess I should be careful using the word annual, since the Big Sky plays an unbalanced schedule and we might not see Montana here next year, as Portland State this year does not travel to the Montana schools.)
With all that said, Montana usually is a huge draw at the Stott Center, tonight's game has a very good chance of selling out. I also think it is safe to say, despite the fact many people think Eastern Washington is the big rival for Portland State, in men's basketball without question the biggest rival is Montana.
Since Portland State brought D-1 basketball back in 1996, the Grizzlies and Vikings have played some tremendous games against each other, but none greater than last year's terrific 3-overtime game won by Portland State.
Another words, get there early tonight.
Crawford's NWC/CCC Combo Power Rankings---- It is Thursday, so that means another edition of Crawford's combo power rankings for the Northwest Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference. Both these leagues play great basketball and both leagues have many long time coaches, who are terrific at what they do. Out of respect for the great game of golf, we always do things in 9s.
9. Puget Sound
8. Northwest Christian
7. Whitman
6. Warner Pacific
5. Southern Oregon
4. Lewis and Clark
3. Concordia
2. College of Idaho
1. Whitworth
Big time match up tomorrow night, as College of Idaho visits Concordia, 7:00 tip.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 28th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford--- TV, Print and Radio Basketball Analyst--- on twitter @wchoops @kcsportsmgmt @crawssportsbiz
Pac-12---- Even though many of us would like for this to different, the Pac-12 for sure is not as strong as the past couple of years in men's basketball.
Yes, Arizona is pretty darn good, but when you think about it, they are also vulnerable to being beaten as they showed at Oregon State earlier this month.
The bottom half of the league is pretty anemic with the likes of USC and California, with the Bears showing lots of promise in December games, but certainly folding to 1-6 so far in January.
Then throw in the fact that Washington, Colorado and UCLA are just average so far, it really makes for a weak Pac-12.
With all the glitz and glamour, I have often thought Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott should figure out a way for the Pac-12 men's basketball teams to stand out nationally. Despite the fact the league will argue they do, they do not.
With TV perhaps now the biggest part of college basketball, my suggestion would for the Pac-12 to play one game each Monday night, 6:00 pm and work it out with some network, saying we own the world on that night.
Coaching--- It is really nice to see two great people who care much more than just coaching basketball, having great years coaching basketball. Tom Crean at Indiana and Mark Turgeon at Maryland both have teams have played great basketball in the Big Ten and good for them, you could not ask for nicer human beings.
Gregg Marshall---- I first saw Gregg Marshall coach a game live in Portland, Oregon when he brought his Winthrop team into play at U of Portland. I went on the radio the next day and said I saw a guy coach last night that I feel will be a major star someday in the coaching ranks.
Sometimes you get things right, sometimes wrong. On Marshall, I hit a home run. Marshall's present team, Wichita State is once again having a banner year at 18-2 and once again is a threat to go a long way in the NCAA tournament.
It is now obvious Gregg Marshall could coach the Washington Generals and win. I am really hoping Marshall will not succumb to the many offers he will get from the NBA. He is a college guy who has what it takes and always will be.
Yes, if I had one choice of a coach today to start a men's basketball program, it would be Coach Marshall.
Crawford's NWAC Men's Power Rankings-----It is Wednesday, so it is once again time for Crawford's NWAC men's basketball power rankings, out in afternoon before a nearly full slate of NWAC games on Wednesday night. Per usual, we do things in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.
9. Wenatchee Valley 14-6, -3-2--- Tough road losses this past week at Treasure Valley and Blue Mountain.
8. Everett 13-7, 4-1--- Tied for second in league, chance to move into first Saturday, when they host Bellevue.
7. Clark 13-5, 6-1---- 5 game win streak put to the test tonight at Highline.
6. Big Bend 16-5, 4-1--- Big game tonight at Wenatchee Valley.
5. Columbia Basin 11-8, 4-1----Two big road wins last week put Columbia Basin into a tie for 1st in East.
4. Highline 14-5, 6-1--- Host Clark tonight in battle for first in the West.
3. Chemeketa 14-6, 5-0--- 8 wins in a row for the Storm.
2. Edmonds 16-4, 4-1----Remain in 2nd spot in power rankings after overtime loss to Bellevue.
1. Bellevue 18-2, 5-0----Wins over Edmonds and Peninsula push their win streak to 9 games.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz)
Pac-12---- Even though many of us would like for this to different, the Pac-12 for sure is not as strong as the past couple of years in men's basketball.
Yes, Arizona is pretty darn good, but when you think about it, they are also vulnerable to being beaten as they showed at Oregon State earlier this month.
The bottom half of the league is pretty anemic with the likes of USC and California, with the Bears showing lots of promise in December games, but certainly folding to 1-6 so far in January.
Then throw in the fact that Washington, Colorado and UCLA are just average so far, it really makes for a weak Pac-12.
With all the glitz and glamour, I have often thought Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott should figure out a way for the Pac-12 men's basketball teams to stand out nationally. Despite the fact the league will argue they do, they do not.
With TV perhaps now the biggest part of college basketball, my suggestion would for the Pac-12 to play one game each Monday night, 6:00 pm and work it out with some network, saying we own the world on that night.
Coaching--- It is really nice to see two great people who care much more than just coaching basketball, having great years coaching basketball. Tom Crean at Indiana and Mark Turgeon at Maryland both have teams have played great basketball in the Big Ten and good for them, you could not ask for nicer human beings.
Gregg Marshall---- I first saw Gregg Marshall coach a game live in Portland, Oregon when he brought his Winthrop team into play at U of Portland. I went on the radio the next day and said I saw a guy coach last night that I feel will be a major star someday in the coaching ranks.
Sometimes you get things right, sometimes wrong. On Marshall, I hit a home run. Marshall's present team, Wichita State is once again having a banner year at 18-2 and once again is a threat to go a long way in the NCAA tournament.
It is now obvious Gregg Marshall could coach the Washington Generals and win. I am really hoping Marshall will not succumb to the many offers he will get from the NBA. He is a college guy who has what it takes and always will be.
Yes, if I had one choice of a coach today to start a men's basketball program, it would be Coach Marshall.
Crawford's NWAC Men's Power Rankings-----It is Wednesday, so it is once again time for Crawford's NWAC men's basketball power rankings, out in afternoon before a nearly full slate of NWAC games on Wednesday night. Per usual, we do things in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.
9. Wenatchee Valley 14-6, -3-2--- Tough road losses this past week at Treasure Valley and Blue Mountain.
8. Everett 13-7, 4-1--- Tied for second in league, chance to move into first Saturday, when they host Bellevue.
7. Clark 13-5, 6-1---- 5 game win streak put to the test tonight at Highline.
6. Big Bend 16-5, 4-1--- Big game tonight at Wenatchee Valley.
5. Columbia Basin 11-8, 4-1----Two big road wins last week put Columbia Basin into a tie for 1st in East.
4. Highline 14-5, 6-1--- Host Clark tonight in battle for first in the West.
3. Chemeketa 14-6, 5-0--- 8 wins in a row for the Storm.
2. Edmonds 16-4, 4-1----Remain in 2nd spot in power rankings after overtime loss to Bellevue.
1. Bellevue 18-2, 5-0----Wins over Edmonds and Peninsula push their win streak to 9 games.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 27th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford--- TV, Print and Radio Basketball Analyst--- on twitter @wchoops @kcsportsmgmt @crawssportsbiz
Robert Upshaw---- The case of Robert Upshaw being dismissed from the Washington Huskies basketball team, is just another example of an all so talented athlete not being able to take control of his life and perhaps his future.
It has been reported that Upshaw was dismissed from the Huskies for a violation of team rules, which has been reported as a failed drug test, of which Upshaw had the same issues and problems at Fresno State, before transferring to Washington.
If you have watched the 7-footer play, it is pretty easy to recognize he is one of the most talented players on the west coast and is true, old school shot blocker, averaging 4.4 blocks ppg. with his time up to his dismissal Monday from the Huskies.
A waste of true talent, but perhaps the future can be brighter for Upshaw, in life first, then basketball.
NBA----It truly has been an exciting year in the NBA as always, here is a little catching up from Greg Crawford On Basketball.
......... Is TNT really thinking about taking Charles Barkley out of the studio, or is he thinking of ending his TV stint himself. I have news for the world, people do not tune into the studio show for Shaq, Ernie or Kenny, they tune in for Chuck.
--------Speaking of announcing, it is becoming more and more apparent that Kevin Harlan, who usually does one of the TNT games on Thursday night, might be the best play by play announcer in sports. He is terrific on basketball and if you have not heard him calling NFL games on radio, you are missing a real treat. By the way, he will be calling the Super Bowl on Westwood One, this Sunday. He is as good as it gets.
......... It is kind of surprising that the richest franchise in the NBA, could not keep a great team on the court. The Lakers are horrible, they probably will be back, but it is going to take awhile. They failed to keep developing young players, while adding pieces to the puzzle that just did not fit.
........It seems as if every NBA city gets a new arena about every 25 years for the most part, or at least a renovation. Now, the common thinking seems to be shifting that each team needs to either renovate or get a new arena every 15 years or sooner. The reason, fans want an experience, not just a place to watch the game. You can obviously never leave your house to get more than enough college and NBA basketball. The college game is finding out, unless they make major changes, they will continue to see attendance decline at staggering levels. The NBA can't let it happen to them.
NWAC Sports Coach/Player Of Week---- Each Tuesday, in Greg Crawford On Basketball, we pick a player and coach of the week. It is always hard, but always fun. NWAC Sports women's and men's basketball is terrific, get out and see a game, I am sure you will go back often.
Coach Of Week----This week's choice is Chad Meadors, Lower Columbia women's basketball coach. His team at present is riding a 7 game winning streak, all league wins and leads the NWAC Sports West Division. Lower Columbia had a huge win last weekend, defeating previously unbeaten in league play Centralia.
Player of the week honor goes to Columbia Basin's James Lopez as he led his team to two victories, getting them into a time with Big Bend for the top spot in the East region. Lopez in the two victories had 62 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists.
Greg Crawford On Basketball says congrats to Chad Meadors and James Lopez.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Robert Upshaw---- The case of Robert Upshaw being dismissed from the Washington Huskies basketball team, is just another example of an all so talented athlete not being able to take control of his life and perhaps his future.
It has been reported that Upshaw was dismissed from the Huskies for a violation of team rules, which has been reported as a failed drug test, of which Upshaw had the same issues and problems at Fresno State, before transferring to Washington.
If you have watched the 7-footer play, it is pretty easy to recognize he is one of the most talented players on the west coast and is true, old school shot blocker, averaging 4.4 blocks ppg. with his time up to his dismissal Monday from the Huskies.
A waste of true talent, but perhaps the future can be brighter for Upshaw, in life first, then basketball.
NBA----It truly has been an exciting year in the NBA as always, here is a little catching up from Greg Crawford On Basketball.
......... Is TNT really thinking about taking Charles Barkley out of the studio, or is he thinking of ending his TV stint himself. I have news for the world, people do not tune into the studio show for Shaq, Ernie or Kenny, they tune in for Chuck.
--------Speaking of announcing, it is becoming more and more apparent that Kevin Harlan, who usually does one of the TNT games on Thursday night, might be the best play by play announcer in sports. He is terrific on basketball and if you have not heard him calling NFL games on radio, you are missing a real treat. By the way, he will be calling the Super Bowl on Westwood One, this Sunday. He is as good as it gets.
......... It is kind of surprising that the richest franchise in the NBA, could not keep a great team on the court. The Lakers are horrible, they probably will be back, but it is going to take awhile. They failed to keep developing young players, while adding pieces to the puzzle that just did not fit.
........It seems as if every NBA city gets a new arena about every 25 years for the most part, or at least a renovation. Now, the common thinking seems to be shifting that each team needs to either renovate or get a new arena every 15 years or sooner. The reason, fans want an experience, not just a place to watch the game. You can obviously never leave your house to get more than enough college and NBA basketball. The college game is finding out, unless they make major changes, they will continue to see attendance decline at staggering levels. The NBA can't let it happen to them.
NWAC Sports Coach/Player Of Week---- Each Tuesday, in Greg Crawford On Basketball, we pick a player and coach of the week. It is always hard, but always fun. NWAC Sports women's and men's basketball is terrific, get out and see a game, I am sure you will go back often.
Coach Of Week----This week's choice is Chad Meadors, Lower Columbia women's basketball coach. His team at present is riding a 7 game winning streak, all league wins and leads the NWAC Sports West Division. Lower Columbia had a huge win last weekend, defeating previously unbeaten in league play Centralia.
Player of the week honor goes to Columbia Basin's James Lopez as he led his team to two victories, getting them into a time with Big Bend for the top spot in the East region. Lopez in the two victories had 62 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists.
Greg Crawford On Basketball says congrats to Chad Meadors and James Lopez.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 25th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford---- TV, Radio and Print Basketball Analyst---- on twitter @wchoops @crawssportsbiz @kcsportsmgmt
Hall Of Fame---- Is this really fair. Today, Coach K will probably get his 1,000th win as a college basketball coach. Coach K entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. Herb Magee is the coach at D-2 Philadelphia University (formerly known as Philadelphia Textile) for 47 years as the head coach and 56 years at the school. Magee entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 and at present has 997 career wins.
Danny Miles has been the head men's basketball coach at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls, Oregon for 44 years. In February of 2014, Miles won his 1,000th game, up to date he has 1,016 career wins, all at Oregon Tech. Oh by the way, Danny Miles is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Bottom line, huge omission that Miles has been left in the dust.
Oregon State---- There is no question that the Oregon State Beavers' men's basketball team is having a magical season, led by their 1st year head coach Wayne Tinkle. Heading to the Desert this week to meet ASU and Arizona State, the Beavers are tied for 3rd in the Pac-12, with 14 total wins on the season.
The Beavers have not been to the NCAA tournament since 1990, so the talk is starting is this the year. As much as all of basketball would love to see it, it probably will not happen. Besides this week in the Desert on the road, the Beavers still must play the L.A. schools on the road as well as Stanford and Cal.
My handicapping the schedule has Oregon State finishing the regular season with a record of 18-12. Now, a great run in the Pac-12 tourney and me being wrong, could change things lots and make the Beavers a bubble team for the NCAA tournament.
Crawford's NWAC Sports Women's Power Rankings-----It is Sunday, so that means another edition of Crawford's NWAC Sports Women's Power Rankings. Hard to do, but lots of fun, so many good teams. Of course per usual, we do everything in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.
9. Clark
8. Walla Walla
7. Centralia
6. Lane
5. Skagit Valley
4. Bellevue
3. Columbia Basin
2. Lower Columbia
1. Umpqua
Unbalanced Is Out Of Balance---- There is a guarantee from Greg Crawford On Basketball. I will never stop complaining, arguing and adamant about leagues playing unbalanced schedules. Of course covering the West in college basketball, the two biggest villains for me are the Pac-12 and Big Sky.
This I can tell you, with TV every year playing a larger role in college basketball, do viewers really want to see some of those horrid non-league games, as compared to a great league contest.
Let's take my home state of Oregon as an example. This year, in the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks do not have to travel to Utah and Colorado, but do not get to meet Stanford and California at home.
Portland State of the Big Sky does not travel to meet the Montana schools and does not get to play Idaho State and Weber State at home.
An unbalanced schedule is just flat unfair and quite frankly their should be an asterisk put by the regular season champion of any league that plays an unbalanced schedule. As they would say in boxing, that team is a closet champion, not their fault, but certainly the fault of leagues that want this type of unbalanced schedule.
Crawford's Best Nine----It is Sunday still, so it is time for another edition of Crawford's world famous Best Nine. The best nine, from the six D-1 leagues out west. This is fluid each week, lots of changes, but a good indicator of who is playing well during the season and currently.
9. St. Mary's 8-1, 16-4----Crushed by Gonzaga, but still deserve to be in the picture of Crawford's Best Nine.
8. Utah 5-1, 15-3---- Best Utah men's basketball season in many years
7. Sacamento State 7-1, 13-6---- The surprise team of west coast basketball.
6. Stanford 5-2, 14-5---- Johnny Dawkins finally has the Cardinal where they need to be.
5. Oregon State 5-2, 14-5----Wayne Tinkle has to be in the talk for national coach of the year.
4. Colorado State 5-2, 18-2---- The Rams are really good and will be a tough out in NCAA tournament.
3. Wyoming 6-1, 17-3---- Best team in the country, no one is talking about.
2. Arizona 6-1, 18-2----Only Pac-12 loss, to Oregon State on the road
1. Gonzaga 9-0, 20-1---- 37 straight home wins, destroyed their closest WCC competition St. Mary's and my pick to be in the Final Four this year.
Cascade Collegiate Conference---- In my hometown of Portland, Oregon, there will be a big time match-up, this Friday in the best NAIA men's basketball conference in the country. College of Idaho visits Concordia, both teams nationally ranked and tied for the league lead.
Two outstanding coaches in Brad Barbarick and Scott Garson, it is a game if you are in the area, you should attend.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz, 360 days per year)
Hall Of Fame---- Is this really fair. Today, Coach K will probably get his 1,000th win as a college basketball coach. Coach K entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. Herb Magee is the coach at D-2 Philadelphia University (formerly known as Philadelphia Textile) for 47 years as the head coach and 56 years at the school. Magee entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 and at present has 997 career wins.
Danny Miles has been the head men's basketball coach at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls, Oregon for 44 years. In February of 2014, Miles won his 1,000th game, up to date he has 1,016 career wins, all at Oregon Tech. Oh by the way, Danny Miles is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Bottom line, huge omission that Miles has been left in the dust.
Oregon State---- There is no question that the Oregon State Beavers' men's basketball team is having a magical season, led by their 1st year head coach Wayne Tinkle. Heading to the Desert this week to meet ASU and Arizona State, the Beavers are tied for 3rd in the Pac-12, with 14 total wins on the season.
The Beavers have not been to the NCAA tournament since 1990, so the talk is starting is this the year. As much as all of basketball would love to see it, it probably will not happen. Besides this week in the Desert on the road, the Beavers still must play the L.A. schools on the road as well as Stanford and Cal.
My handicapping the schedule has Oregon State finishing the regular season with a record of 18-12. Now, a great run in the Pac-12 tourney and me being wrong, could change things lots and make the Beavers a bubble team for the NCAA tournament.
Crawford's NWAC Sports Women's Power Rankings-----It is Sunday, so that means another edition of Crawford's NWAC Sports Women's Power Rankings. Hard to do, but lots of fun, so many good teams. Of course per usual, we do everything in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.
9. Clark
8. Walla Walla
7. Centralia
6. Lane
5. Skagit Valley
4. Bellevue
3. Columbia Basin
2. Lower Columbia
1. Umpqua
Unbalanced Is Out Of Balance---- There is a guarantee from Greg Crawford On Basketball. I will never stop complaining, arguing and adamant about leagues playing unbalanced schedules. Of course covering the West in college basketball, the two biggest villains for me are the Pac-12 and Big Sky.
This I can tell you, with TV every year playing a larger role in college basketball, do viewers really want to see some of those horrid non-league games, as compared to a great league contest.
Let's take my home state of Oregon as an example. This year, in the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks do not have to travel to Utah and Colorado, but do not get to meet Stanford and California at home.
Portland State of the Big Sky does not travel to meet the Montana schools and does not get to play Idaho State and Weber State at home.
An unbalanced schedule is just flat unfair and quite frankly their should be an asterisk put by the regular season champion of any league that plays an unbalanced schedule. As they would say in boxing, that team is a closet champion, not their fault, but certainly the fault of leagues that want this type of unbalanced schedule.
Crawford's Best Nine----It is Sunday still, so it is time for another edition of Crawford's world famous Best Nine. The best nine, from the six D-1 leagues out west. This is fluid each week, lots of changes, but a good indicator of who is playing well during the season and currently.
9. St. Mary's 8-1, 16-4----Crushed by Gonzaga, but still deserve to be in the picture of Crawford's Best Nine.
8. Utah 5-1, 15-3---- Best Utah men's basketball season in many years
7. Sacamento State 7-1, 13-6---- The surprise team of west coast basketball.
6. Stanford 5-2, 14-5---- Johnny Dawkins finally has the Cardinal where they need to be.
5. Oregon State 5-2, 14-5----Wayne Tinkle has to be in the talk for national coach of the year.
4. Colorado State 5-2, 18-2---- The Rams are really good and will be a tough out in NCAA tournament.
3. Wyoming 6-1, 17-3---- Best team in the country, no one is talking about.
2. Arizona 6-1, 18-2----Only Pac-12 loss, to Oregon State on the road
1. Gonzaga 9-0, 20-1---- 37 straight home wins, destroyed their closest WCC competition St. Mary's and my pick to be in the Final Four this year.
Cascade Collegiate Conference---- In my hometown of Portland, Oregon, there will be a big time match-up, this Friday in the best NAIA men's basketball conference in the country. College of Idaho visits Concordia, both teams nationally ranked and tied for the league lead.
Two outstanding coaches in Brad Barbarick and Scott Garson, it is a game if you are in the area, you should attend.
more of Gregory's blogs---- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com (golf and sports biz, 360 days per year)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For January 24th, 2015
By Gregory Crawford---- TV, Radio and Print Basketball Analyst---- on twitter @wchoops @crawssportsbiz @kssportsmgmt
Coaches vs. cancer----- In most parts of the country, this is the annual weekend for college basketball coaches ditch their dress shoes and don sneakers, to bring attention to their support to fight cancer. A noble cause and as someone who works in the cancer unit of a major hospital, I applaud anyone who joins the battle against this dreaded disease.
Of course cancer hits the patient the hardest, both mentally and physically, but it also hammers patients' families, relatives and friends, who often become the caregiver in tough times. It is never easy.
So today, I not only salute everyone above, but I also want to send a messages to all college basketball coaches. Besides this weekend, I would hope you join a movement, I started. Never, ever again capitalize cancer, it does not deserve it, it is a chance for many people including coaches to send a strong message, as simple as it might be.
Crawford's NBA Power Rankings---- It is Saturday, so time for another edition of the ever popular Crawford's NBA power rankings. Very hard to do, but also so much fun and even more difficult since I always do things in 9s, out of the respect for the great game of golf.
9. Toronto
8. Dallas
7. Chicago
6. Houston
5. Washington
4. Memphis
3. Clippers
2. Golden State
1. Atlanta
Yes, the Hawks do not have the best record in the league, but I think they are the best team at present.
NBA Attendance Up To Date----- Even though they are number one in Crawford's NBA power rankings, the Atlanta Hawks still are floundering at the box office (well I guess maybe there is no box office now with technology, but I still like the term), as the Hawks rank 22nd in NBA average attendance rankings. Amazing they draw on average almost 2,000 more on the road than at home. 16,400 at home, 18,005 on the road.
No surprise, Chicago leads the league in average attendance of 21,505, selling out every game. Last in the league is the Timberwolves at 13,870. Memphis, which is having one great year like the Hawks ranks 18th with an average of 17,031.
Here is a list of teams that have a higher average of fans seeing their games on the road, than at home, sadly----- Milwaukee, Denver, New Orleans, Sacramento, Phoenix, Atlanta, Indiana, Orlando, Brooklyn, Washington, Boston, Charlotte and Memphis.
Cascade Collegiate Conference---- Last night, I saw my 104th college basketball game in the 2014-15, live, start finish and it was a great one. A battle for first place in the Northwest Conference, between inner city rivals, as Concordia visited Warner Pacific. For those of you reading around the world, the CCC is the best NAIA Division 2 Conference in the country.
Last night's game did not disappoint, as Concordia won a nail biter to move into a tie with College of Idaho for the top spot in the CCC. C of I, plays tonight at home against Oregon Tech, if they win, that will set-up a huge game next Friday night as C of I comes to Concordia.
There is still something special about last night, with not a seat to had in the gym 2 hours before tip-off and people standing 3-4 deep in every corner. Granted, Warner Pacific is a small gym, but seeing a game sold out, is always special. By the way, everyone got along as well, which always make a night at a basketball game even more special.
Tonight the CCC, along with the Northwest Conference and NWAC Sports leagues are all back in action. This is small college basketball at its best, so just get out and see a game.
more of Gregory's blogs--- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Coaches vs. cancer----- In most parts of the country, this is the annual weekend for college basketball coaches ditch their dress shoes and don sneakers, to bring attention to their support to fight cancer. A noble cause and as someone who works in the cancer unit of a major hospital, I applaud anyone who joins the battle against this dreaded disease.
Of course cancer hits the patient the hardest, both mentally and physically, but it also hammers patients' families, relatives and friends, who often become the caregiver in tough times. It is never easy.
So today, I not only salute everyone above, but I also want to send a messages to all college basketball coaches. Besides this weekend, I would hope you join a movement, I started. Never, ever again capitalize cancer, it does not deserve it, it is a chance for many people including coaches to send a strong message, as simple as it might be.
Crawford's NBA Power Rankings---- It is Saturday, so time for another edition of the ever popular Crawford's NBA power rankings. Very hard to do, but also so much fun and even more difficult since I always do things in 9s, out of the respect for the great game of golf.
9. Toronto
8. Dallas
7. Chicago
6. Houston
5. Washington
4. Memphis
3. Clippers
2. Golden State
1. Atlanta
Yes, the Hawks do not have the best record in the league, but I think they are the best team at present.
NBA Attendance Up To Date----- Even though they are number one in Crawford's NBA power rankings, the Atlanta Hawks still are floundering at the box office (well I guess maybe there is no box office now with technology, but I still like the term), as the Hawks rank 22nd in NBA average attendance rankings. Amazing they draw on average almost 2,000 more on the road than at home. 16,400 at home, 18,005 on the road.
No surprise, Chicago leads the league in average attendance of 21,505, selling out every game. Last in the league is the Timberwolves at 13,870. Memphis, which is having one great year like the Hawks ranks 18th with an average of 17,031.
Here is a list of teams that have a higher average of fans seeing their games on the road, than at home, sadly----- Milwaukee, Denver, New Orleans, Sacramento, Phoenix, Atlanta, Indiana, Orlando, Brooklyn, Washington, Boston, Charlotte and Memphis.
Cascade Collegiate Conference---- Last night, I saw my 104th college basketball game in the 2014-15, live, start finish and it was a great one. A battle for first place in the Northwest Conference, between inner city rivals, as Concordia visited Warner Pacific. For those of you reading around the world, the CCC is the best NAIA Division 2 Conference in the country.
Last night's game did not disappoint, as Concordia won a nail biter to move into a tie with College of Idaho for the top spot in the CCC. C of I, plays tonight at home against Oregon Tech, if they win, that will set-up a huge game next Friday night as C of I comes to Concordia.
There is still something special about last night, with not a seat to had in the gym 2 hours before tip-off and people standing 3-4 deep in every corner. Granted, Warner Pacific is a small gym, but seeing a game sold out, is always special. By the way, everyone got along as well, which always make a night at a basketball game even more special.
Tonight the CCC, along with the Northwest Conference and NWAC Sports leagues are all back in action. This is small college basketball at its best, so just get out and see a game.
more of Gregory's blogs--- http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
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