The news is out by now… the 2014-2015 Syracuse basketball team will be without Jerami Grant, who has decided to take his potential to the NBA. The Confidential will take a deeeeeep breath and not analyze just how much this confirms everything that is wrong with the NBA right now. Needless to say, if the NBA is going to draft Jerami Grant in the 15-20 range, he is wise to go now and cash in on the NBA foolishness. But what does it do for Syracuse?
Ignition Tradition. This is a phrase even the most casual of FSU fan’s have probably heard of, or at least saw on twitter a time or two. Today is the day FSU plans to “ignite” their new tradition, officially unveiling the schools new and modernized logo. As with too many things in today’s age of constant information, there was a leak and the new logo has already circulated through the masses. Below is the old logo next to the new logo FSU will be using moving forward for comparison.
Basketball is over. Football is long over. In fact, we are closer to the next football season than the last one. So… what else is going on to keep us interested?
Well, there is always lacrosse. The ACC is stacked in lacrosse right now. All six of the ACC programs are in the top 10, with Duke leading the way at #2. The women are nearly as dominant, with the same six programs in the top 18. On the womens’ side, however, the ACC has the top three spots: UNC, Maryland, and Syracuse. Also, Louisville is #19.
And the ACC is doing typically well in baseball too. Florida State is #1, while Virginia is #2. Clemson and Miami area also ranked, while soon-to-be ACC member, Louisville, is #11 overall.
Softball is not faring as well for the ACC, with only FSU and Notre Dame in the top 25. Meanwhile, Union eliminated Boston College in the frozen four last night in mens hockey.
But if you cannot get away from the revenue sports, there is always something going on somewhere involving an ACC team. Consider the following articles on the Internet today:
So… there you go… some football and hoops news, even in the middle of April! Enjoy the day!
Before I begin, I’d like to start off with a quick thank you to the Confidential for providing me this opportunity to write about FSU and the ACC as a whole. This is something I’ve been tempted to do for quite some time and finally jumped at the chance. While I looked over the Confidential, I could not help but notice that this blog was missing a particular garnet and gold tint that I’ve become so accustomed to in my years as an FSU and ACC fan. I am hoping I can provide that for my fellow FSU fans and ACC friends alike.
My name is David Shrimpton, I am almost 26 years old and a proud Alumni of Florida State University. I graduated with both my Bachelors and Masters degrees from FSU in Sports Management. Most people told me it was great that I was going to get an advanced degree right away, but truthfully I just wanted (okay, maybe needed) one more football season. After all I couldn’t graduate before beating the Gators at least once as a student, it just wouldn’t be right.
I spent the previous 2 years as a sales associate for a professional sports team, which was a great and unique experience. However, I recently switched up career paths to a traveling job that provides me the opportunity to spend more time with both my girlfriend and family. I know that sounds like it doesn’t make sense, a traveling job while seeing a girlfriend and family more? Well…that’s what happens when you have a girlfriend in Michigan and family in Florida.
Ironically enough my 3 favorite schools growing up were FSU, Syracuse (Born in NY) and North Carolina (I mean, who didn’t love watching Vince Carter?). I guess I was destined to be a “Go ACC” guy from the get go. However there was always something pulling me closer and stronger toward the garnet and gold. I’ve never looked back since, even though I wouldn’t blame anyone after having gone through the Chris Rix and Drew Weatherford eras. Once I got to FSU in the fall of 2006 my passion grew deeper and I developed a love for the school that even my girlfriend grows concerned at times. Yeah… we’ve had a few “disputes” over my fanaticism, yup, I’m that guy.
My goal here is to spark some conversation on all things surrounding FSU and the ACC. With that said I wanted to give just a brief overview of the “big 3” sports at FSU and where they currently stand, how I feel on them. This should help give the casual fan of FSU some basic knowledge or maybe provide some insight for a friendly rival here in the ACC.
Basketball:
I figure I’d start with the one sport that no longer has an active team, and the sport as a whole won’t be after tonight’s championship game. FSU had their bubble burst this year, narrowly missing the tournament as one of the dreaded “last four out”. The team was able to make a decent run to the NIT Final Four, including dropping a cool 100+ on Georgetown (Georgetown still sucks, right Cuse fans?). However the run ended as they were ousted in overtime by the eventual champion Minnesota Gophers. Honestly though, it’s the NIT and who really gives a hoot about that? I care about the NIT as much as I do the PapaJohns.com Bowl in football. Anyway, the team has a lot to replace losing arguably their two most important players in Ian Miller and Okaro White. I plan to discuss the team more in-depth down the road, but look out for Aaron Thomas next year if you don’t already know the name. If you don’t, I promise you’ll know it next season. I still suspect FSU to fall in that “second tier” of teams of the ACC come next year, anywhere from the 5th-9th place.
Baseball:
I could start both this and football with the same sentence: #1. FSU is currently ranked first in 2 of the 4 polls, and not ranked lower than 3rd in any poll. The team is coming off a sweep of Notre Dame, helping keep that #1 ranking in tact. I recommend googling for the rain delay videos as the two teams jousted, yes jousted, during it among other games to entertain themselves. It is definitely worth it and a good laugh to say the least.
The offense is led by DJ Stewart and John Nogowski but the arms on this team are really where it’s at. Brandon Leibrant, Mike Compton & Luke Weaver are an awesome trio for any weekend match up. Not to mention in relief there is Gage “the stache” Smith and my personal man crush as my girlfriend says, Jameis Winston. I fully expect the Noles to make it to Omaha this year yet again, but will they finally win one for #11 Coach Mike Martin?
Football:
#1. The Seminoles are currently the reigning national champions and will be ranked #1 heading into next season. I’ve waited since 1999 to say that which feels like an eternity, so I’m going to say it every day I get a chance to. Admittedly this will probably be the team I cover the most, since I follow it the most passionately. The FSU Spring Game is actually happening this Saturday, and if you’re not in the Tallahassee I recommend kicking on ESPN3 to catch it.
The Noles have lost a lot to the draft once again this year, including some key departures who decided to forego their senior season. It will be interesting to see how FSU is able to replace these key players heading into 2014 and something I plan on covering. I will say though that I’m not going to doubt the man who replaced 11 NFL draftees last year and still led FSU to a perfect record and a championship. Then again, when you have a guy like Jameis Winston playing QB for you, it sure can make you look like you’re one hell of a coach. With that said I do love Coach Fisher and hope he’s at FSU for a long, long tenure. I love his approach to the game as a business and a process.
Well there you have it, sorry for the length but I wanted to at least provide a little bit of coverage on myself and those teams. For those looking to delve a little more in-depth with their FSU knowledge I highly recommend checking out Tomahawknation.com as it is free and jammed packed with information. If any of you are interested in having me write on a particular topic, have questions about FSU or myself in general don’t hesitate to ask! Also feel free to follow me on twitter @Shrimpton4 and reach me there. The more people engage, the better this is for me, especially since I’m new to this.
As always, Go Noles!
Well, another bracket contest comes to an end. Congrats to Andrew, whose HermanHarriedsHero entry won!
Thanks to all who entered!
|
1
|
41
|
114
|
27
|
141
|
||
|
2
|
43
|
116
|
22
|
138
|
||
|
3
|
42
|
113
|
22
|
135
|
||
|
4
|
40
|
108
|
26
|
134
|
||
|
5
|
42
|
115
|
18
|
133
|
||
|
6
|
39
|
106
|
26
|
132
|
||
|
7
|
39
|
99
|
26
|
125
|
||
|
8
|
38
|
102
|
22
|
124
|
||
|
9
|
38
|
104
|
18
|
122
|
||
|
10
|
36
|
98
|
23
|
121
|
||
|
11
|
39
|
106
|
14
|
120
|
||
|
12
|
38
|
101
|
18
|
119
|
||
|
13
|
40
|
108
|
10
|
118
|
||
|
14
|
39
|
102
|
14
|
116
|
||
|
15
|
37
|
94
|
20
|
114
|
As is often the case, the devil is in the details. As a lawyer, it is notable that most commentary on legal issues in public is done by persons without the legal savvy to fully understand it. Folks remember that woman who received the huge verdict from McDonald’s for burning herself with hot coffee. Few realize the true facts of the case make even this grizzled civil defense attorney think that the case had some merit worthy of an atypical judgment/settlement. The long and short of it is that people would be well advised to know the actual facts (to the extent possible) and read the actual rulings by judges with a legal eye before criticizing same. Such may be the case with the recent Northwestern-union issue, where the idea of student-athletes as employees seems far-fetched… until you analyze the facts, the legal standard for what an “employee” is, and the ruling itself.
Indeed, it was disappointing to read that the academically-successful Northwestern student-athletes may have been discouraged from taking the courses that they wanted to take. At the other extreme, however, are the discussions about how some student-athletes have academic skills that are so far below those of their college peers. The purported North Carolina essay that is making the rounds on the Internet is one example of that story. The Confidential believes that it may be appropriate to consider an alternative track for the at-risk student-athlete with subpar academic skills.
When news broke yesterday that junior forward James Michael McAdoo was forgoing his final season of eligibility and declaring for the NBA Draft, there was a lot of anger and confusion among North Carolina fans. Why now? Why not return for one more year? It seemed obvious on the surface. He’s not projected to be a first round pick in most mock drafts, so why leave when he could stay and improve his chances? It’s easy for fans to say that because they’re not in his shoes, but things are never that simple. Even though his decision could be viewed as impulsive and ill advised, that doesn’t mean that it actually is. Here are a few of the reasons why McAdoo might not be returning next season-
The ACC basketball coaching community is growing in talent with the addition of Buzz Williams. There are historical greats with national championships: Coach K, Boeheim, Pitino, and Roy Williams. There is the next tier of Bennett, Larranaga, Brey, Buzz Williams, Hamilton, Gottfried, and Dixon, all of whom are awaiting their first national championship as a coach. And all Mark Gottfried has done is go to three straight Big Dances at North Carolina State.
Georgia Tech’s Brian Gregory is from the Tom Izzo line, and had great success at Dayton, but has not done much yet for the Yellow Jackets. Brad Brownell is also doing good things at Clemson. Boston College and Wake Forest are set to announce new moves soon enough and, in the mean time, remain unknowns. Still, that is a very proven set of 11 coaches.
You could have an interesting debate ranking the historical greats, 1-2-3-4, based on their all-time cumulative performance. So let’s do a poll! Look, Coach K is going to be most people’s #1 all-time, so half of the options have him at #1. Try not to be a homer.
But here is another great question… you have an elimination game to win and get to pick one coach at his current level of performance–who would YOU take? Again, try not to be a homer. And let everyone know why you picked who you picked.
Comments encouraged!
The Atlantic Coast Conference did not drive the recent expansion like the Big 10, but it has been very very involved nonetheless. Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Louisville are full members. Maryland is exiting. Notre Dame has a quasi-membership for football and a full-membership otherwise. In a move that is somewhat shocking, but perhaps not VERY shocking, the reports are that Navy will be joining the ACC in a deal akin to Notre Dame’s, only with far less compensation. See link to article below.
Just three games left to decide it all. But YOUR big question is… who is winning the Confidential bracket contest?
Well, see below:
|
Rank
|
Owner
|
Bracket
|
Correct Picks
(winner)
|
Points
|
Bonus Pts
|
Total Pts
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
41 (Florida)
|
114
|
27
|
141
|
||
|
2
|
43 (Florida)
|
116
|
22
|
138
|
||
|
3
|
42 (
|
113
|
22
|
135
|
||
|
4
|
40 (
|
108
|
26
|
134
|
||
|
5
|
42 (Florida)
|
115
|
18
|
133
|
||
|
6
|
39 (Florida)
|
106
|
26
|
132
|
||
|
7
|
39 (
|
99
|
26
|
125
|
||
|
8
|
38 (
|
102
|
22
|
124
|
||
|
9
|
38 (
|
104
|
18
|
122
|
||
|
10
|
36 (Wisconsin)
|
98
|
23
|
121
|
||
|
11
|
39 (Florida)
|
106
|
14
|
120
|
||
|
12
|
38 (Florida)
|
101
|
18
|
119
|
||
|
13
|
40 (
|
108
|
10
|
118
|
||
|
14
|
39 (
|
102
|
14
|
116
|
||
|
15
|
37 (
|
94
|
20
|
114
|
||
|
16
|
35 (Florida)
|
98
|
14
|
112
|
||
|
17
|
36 (
|
91
|
20
|
111
|
||
|
18
|
35 (Florida)
|
92
|
18
|
110
|
||
|
19
|
38 (Michigan)
|
101
|
8
|
109
|
||
|
20
|
36 (Florida)
|
96
|
12
|
108
|
The Confidential 