NEVILL-PLAISTED-OR ?

 

Who is the best “big man” (C/F) in the Beehive state, Trent Plaisted, Luke Nevill, or ? ?   Most Zoobies will quickly defend Plaisted as the top big man by attacking Nevill’s sometimes lack luster effort on the hardwood, and Luke’s frequent visits to the bench due to foul trouble.  The Crimson Corner will fire back with a solemn reminder that Plaisted doesn’t seem to show up when it matters most, and his wife is addicted to prescription drugs!

So far this season the stat sheet looks thusly:

Nevill

14 Points–7 Rebounds–1.4 Assists–48.8% Field Goals Percentage

Plaisted

17.4 Points–9.8 Rebounds–2.3 Assists–59.1% Field Goal Percentage

?

Or what about ?  You may not have heard his name.  His statistics are among the tops in his Conference.  Perhaps his teams 2-10 start puts him off the local radar.  Or his obscurity may be due to the fact that he plays in a town noted for its Shakespearean Festival instead of its hoops program!  He averages 21.2 points per game, grabs 7.3 boards, and dishes out 1.2 assists per contest.  He ranks 21st nationally in scoring and 3rd in his conference.  While he hasn’t played the likes of Michigan State, North Carolina, Louisville, Washington, or California, anyone who can throw up such numbers in Division I basketball should be noted.  Is he the best C/F in the State of Utah?  You’ll have to decide for yourself.  Just know who he is.  He put up 28 on my Boise St. Broncos.  Meet Geoff Payne.

PATS & PERFECTION

The year was 1985 and the “Super-Bowl Shufflin” Chicago Bears were set to make history by becoming the only team other than the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go through an entire season without a lose.  The only team standing in the way of the Bears and history that evening  was none other than the Miami Dolphins.  As it turned out, the Bears would suffer a defeat that evening in front of a Nationally televised audience.  Since that evening some 22 years ago, no NFL team has flirted with PERFECTION like this years New England Patriots.  The Pats have had a few “close calls”, but for the most part they have crushed most opponents and have had some label them the best team in NFL history.  The New York Giants now play the role of the 1985 Dolphins, and time will tell which version of history will repeat itself; 1972 or 1985.

Is going undefeated through an entire NFL season the most difficult accomplishment that has been achieved by a team in team sports history?  It is the opinion of the B.B. that it is for the following reasons:

1-  The NFL season is much shorter than most professional and college seasons, therefore every game matters.

2-  Parity is most evident in the NFL.  For the past 4 seasons one of the teams that played in the Superbowl the previous year did not  make the playoffs the next.

3-  The undefeated season has not been repeated for 35 years.  College football teams do this every couple of years if not every season.

If you think there is a greater team accomplishment (that has been already been achieved)  than a perfect NFL season, let us know!

BRONCO’S BCS BLUNDER

As Cougar faithful look back on the last two seasons, only a few plays, penalties, and missed opportunities separate them from the BCS.  After watching teams like Utah, Boise State, and most recently Hawaii
bust the BCS, head coach Bronoco Mendenhall has made the correct assumption that in order to break into the BCS party, a team must be undefeated.  For two straight seasons, the Cougars have “run the table” in the Mtn. West, therefore the attention has turned to the non-conference schedule.  Mendenhall has insinuated that if “dumbing” down the schedule is what is necessary, then so be it.  Two thoughts for Bronco and the Cougar Nation:

  1-  Don’t get too comfortable or confident in your ability to go undefeated in your conference year in and year out.

2-  Is the BCS the Cougars ultimate goal?  I hear the Cougs using National Championship as the benchmark.   The objective should not be to “sneak” your way into the BCS with a weak schedule.  If the Cougs really desire to be considered a National Power, Miami, Florida St., Penn St., Notre Dame, Texas A&M, USC, and other schools that have appeared on the Cougars schedule in years past must appear every single non-conference game.  Purposefully scheduling “patty-cake” schools is the most blunder-some idea that Bronco could possible dream up.  To become a one of the elite schools the Cougars must intentionally schedule and beat the big boys. 

WELCOME TO THE “HIVE”

Does David Locke drive you nuts? Will the Jazz pull it together and make the playoffs? Are the Cougs legit BSC material? Will the Utes ever rise to the top of the Mtn. West again? Check in each week for a “fresh” perspective on sports in the Beehive state and commentary on major national stories. Got something to say, share your smack. Send this blog link to fellow sports fans and let the buzz begin!