observations from day one day games
By Jeff
in a nutshell, Baylor really good; San Diego really bad; Washington State good; Mississippi State not very good.
Baylor could have won by 50. They are athletic, tall, have a couple of NBA prospects and deserve their top 15 ranking. San Diego, on the other hand, is close to a Division 2 team.
Washington State struggled with Miss State for the first half, then blew the game wide-open with deadly three point shooting. Miss State did play without suspended future NBA prospect Renardo Sidney. Sidney just became eligible after missing all of last year for serious recruiting violations elsewhere. Washington State could give Baylor a game, but I think the Bears will be too strong down the stretch.
Tonight, Butler should beat Utah fairly easily, and Hawaii will be no match for Florida State ( sorry).
Hoops Talk
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Appreciate your response to my post the other day Mr. Portnoy. I respectfully stand by my opinion that you basically come off as a Negative Nelly when it comes to UH basketball, based on the words, thoughts and ideas that I see printed by you on your blog.
Fact: "Tonight, Hawaii will be no match for Florida State."
Hmmm. Seems just a bit negative to me.
While perhaps that statement is true, what good does making that statement on your blog really do for all of us Hawaii fans? Are you trying to stick it to us? Do you think attendance will increase with these kinds of statements? You are in a position of influence and you are not really helping this program.
Dude anybody with a pea brain of basketball knowledge knows Florida State will be a tough match tonight and UH will probably lose.
Maybe,instead, you might ask the fans to show up tonight and help support the team and Gib. Because tonight, the team needs its fans, in victory, or defeat, because we are facing a powerhouse. With effort, their can be honor in defeat sir.
I know you are a good man and attorney Mr. Portnoy. But just as you did not understand that the purpose of a blog is to interactively respond to your readers, perhaps it is possible that you do not realize how you are coming across regarding our team.
Aloha and Happy Holidays.
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
MM, got to agree with you!
I'm sitting here at work listening to Bobby and MR. Portnoy calling the game! Mr. Portnoy, I get sick listening to all the McDonald's All-Americans vs. the no name home team, no respect for the team you're covering!!!! Are you trying to get onto ESPN or make it in the College Basketball main stream as an announcer? I'm not asking you to be a HOMER by any shot but pull for your team, the STATES team, THE HOME TEAM!!! YOU"RE covering the team from HAWAII! Not the nationally ranked teams!!!
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:45 am
Agree with Manoa, how about lifting up the Bows a little.
I think the Butler way takes it down
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 am
Hawaii, with only 8 players on the active roster, against the number 2 defensive team in the country was a match for FSU! We would've won that game if Thompson and Amis was playing. The perception that Hawaii is not a contender in the WAC or in your opinion, in general, is changing. I sat behind the team in one game, and Gib Arnold's intensity, passion, and competitiveness is making a believer out of me. I'm sure by next year, he will make you one too. Happy holidays!
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:17 am
I agree with Manoa Mist. To add to his comments how do you Mr. Portnoy continue to be a color man on radio for UH Rainbow Warrior Basketball with your negative words about our team? I don't think I ever heard Bobby Curren or Jim Leahey make statements like you have.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:26 am
wow, sorry to get you all riled up. Not sure you appreciate my role as an analyst. My role is to try to tell it as i see it, good or bad. I appreciate that not everyone will agree with me, but i try to be upfront with my opinions and comments. If you listened to the broadcast last night all the way through, you would have heard me say many times how well Hawaii played as a distinct underdog ( see my blog today). I was as proud of them last night as most fans, but my job is not to be a fan. Anyway, always good to hear from you. I dont intend to try to make friends on the blog or broadcast, just tell it the way i see it. Maybe one day you will agree with something i say.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:44 am
Jeff,
I really appreciate the fact that you "Tell it as you see it". This is really lacking in Hawaii. In fact, it is only you and Dave Reardon who have the guts to "Tell it as you see it." In contrast, Bobby Curran, Kekaula, and Leahy are the biggest UH HOMERS! They are too close to the UH athletic department, and they are so afraid to dish out even the slightest criticism to UH teams.
Nothing wrong with being a fan, but I think it really takes away from the quality of one's play-by-play when you're basically rooting for Hawaii while you are calling the game. Bobby Curran is THE WORSE! Talk about being a nut hugger!
December 24th, 2010 at 3:03 am
Mr. B -- It IS JUST Opinions -- AND Mr. B's got one -- BUT it's the SAME OLD "SMALL TOWN View" -- That it can't be WORLD CLASS Great if it's based in or on Hawai'i ... This is The SAME SMALL Minded thinking that almost got us a 4,000 seat arena -- and still got us ONLY a 10,000 seat arena (when 14,000 is the minimum to HOST NCAA) -- THAT EVEN Men's and Women's VOLLEYBALL CAN SELL OUT ...
I agree Jeff Tells it like he sees it -- "IT'S JUST NOT VERY Knowledgeable or respectful of basketball culture -- clearly his contributions to the program have been appreciated otherwise that level of ignorance could NOT be so prevalent on Radio -- my wife (ALL the Time) and i (most of the time) have the game play OFF; i've noticed even Bobby stopped trying to get Jeff up to basketball or sports etiquette;
i actually LIKE the Jeff and former coach Jackson show -- but i think the difference is that Jeff tones it down and shuts up long enough (More of the time so) that we can hear the basketball coaches' and player's INFORMED & insightful comments -- Much More informative and interesting -- GOOD Choice, Jeff!
On the HOMER Issue, it IS Clear that most of the announcers have their hearts with the team but this is true even if you listen to almost ANY dedicated school or even NFL radio broadcast (unlike the more neutral TV perspective that comes from covering all teams)... and the bias in tone & language is obvious and understandable for anyone that covers the team every day; Kekaula is one-sided but still informative and knowledgeable; Leahy, though he loves the team, clearly, may be over-compensating (for truly noble hopes, heart and dreams) by presenting an overly gloom-and-doom can't-you-see-the-glass could end up empty?" presentation -- but he is a funny & (also) knowledgeable (if not always accurate) speaker...
My Point is that in ALL The above cases the knowledgeable, technical, culture or skill background contributes to very listenable commentary ...
December 24th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Looks like Renardo Sidney has a really bad anger management issue.