In December, I wrote for ESPN.com about Nell Fortner at last really finding a home at Auburn after moving around a lot while coaching at the college, pro and international levels, plus doing broadcasting. There had been quite a few stops.
So many that I even forgot one until a reader [...]
Archive for April, 2009
Fortner’s future firm at Auburn
Posted in Women's basketball on April 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
A permanent way to remember Coach Yow
Posted in Women's basketball on April 23, 2009 | 4 Comments »
It was very difficult, that December day in 2001 when Ivy Gardner knew she needed to tell coach Kay Yow that she was stepping away from the N.C. State basketball program. But Yow, as was her way, didn’t make it more difficult.
Gardner was a junior guard, a defensive whiz who had battled through injuries [...]
“Finding” an athlete taken away far too soon
Posted in Women's basketball on April 20, 2009 | 5 Comments »
This was not a blog post I intended to write … it just happened. Sitting at my desk, preparing to write a post about Kay Yow, for some reason I pulled out a book from a pile on a nearby shelf.
I don’t know why. I wasn’t looking up anything. I not only had no reason [...]
How should we view N.C. State’s decision?
Posted in Women's basketball on April 16, 2009 | 17 Comments »
When writing about Kay Yow’s death in January, I used a passage from the uplifting Robert Frost poem, “The Tuft of Flowers.” To paraphrase, it was about how people can work together even when apart.
But there is another Frost poem that comes to mind when trying to sort through feelings about how N.C. State and [...]
These are taxing days …
Posted in Women's basketball on April 14, 2009 | 4 Comments »
yes, I’m really trying to get mine done on time this year, and do them myself. We’ll see if I succeed or surrender in the next two days.
At any rate, there is much to discuss _ such as the coaching carousel, the inevitable spring transfers, etc. _ and I’ll be getting to all of it. [...]
Confessions of a mock-draft dodger
Posted in Women's basketball on April 10, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I mentioned in a previous blog entry that I am not big on predicting things. I’m continually reminded I’m odd in this way.
For instance, I took one of my nephews to see the movie of his choice on Wednesday, also known as “The Day after the Season When I Don’t Really Know What To [...]
I’m feeling a draft …
Posted in Uncategorized on April 9, 2009 | 1 Comment »
coming on. I won’t be in Secaucus today, but will be watching, Twittering and will write for ESPN.com and blog about it later. The uncertainty about a lot of things in this draft makes it rather compelling to me.
I’ve been to Secaucus for the draft a couple of times, and attended it the last three [...]
The ball just goes in … a lot
Posted in Women's basketball on April 9, 2009 | 1 Comment »
It really is fascinating how well UConn’s women play basketball. Not just this year’s spectacular 39-0 national-championship team. But every UConn team. Even the ones that didn’t win a national championship.
I’ve heard a lot about UConn’s practices, and I’ve seen a few, so I recognize a lot of the success comes from the high [...]
Cardinals’ magic rubs off on UConn?
Posted in Uncategorized on April 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I will have a whole lot more to say about the Huskies’ triumph and their stupendous undefeated season a little later in the day. But I will quickly mention this note that made me smile, as a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma said the last time the Huskies played in the Final [...]
One day left … but then time to review
Posted in Women's basketball on April 7, 2009 | 6 Comments »
Sometimes I think women’s basketball is like the growing kid who just wants to go out to play. And those of us who follow it and care about it so much are like worrywart parents trying to decide if it’s too cold outside, or if the kid’s clothes are warm enough, or if the [...]