Life In The DPC!

Western Athletic Conference foes, Nevada and Louisiana Tech, were both listed by Rivals.com as being the hosts in match ups “where the visiting team has a lot to lose and not much – or anything – to gain.” The article is slap in the face to the Pack by portraying the WAC stalwarts as nothing more than victims to their more prominent brethren.

The Wolfpack are hosting the Texas Tech Raiders on September 6th. The Red Raiders averaged 40.9 points per game and will likely light up the scoreboard against Nevada’s defense that gave up 32.2. ppg, 95th in the NCAA, last season.

The LA Tech Bulldogs open up with the Mississippi State Bulldogs on August 30th. Per Rivals.com,”This is the first time an SEC team has deigned to travel to Ruston to play the Bulldogs.”

In all likelihood Nevada will get throttled by Texas Tech but scheduling the Red Raiders is an indication that Coach Ault and the Pack are making the proper scheduling strides.Hopefully the results will not be as one sided as last season’s fiasco against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Chicago Bulls won the NBA draft lottery and will likely bring K-States Michael Beasley to the United Center. The University of Nevada’s former big man, JaVale McGee, left after his sophomore season for the chance to be a lottery pick and per ESPN’s Chad Ford he will plucked by the Washington Wizards at the 18th pick in the first round.

McGee is another wildcard. Long, athletic and skilled, he has huge upside and can fly up and down the court. But his thin frame and lack of position mean he’s a few years away from contributing. - Chad Ford

Any speculation at this stage is a crapshoot, except maybe Beasley and Derrick Rose going within the first two picks. But I do feel the need to throw in my two cents about McGee and his draft prospects. There is little doubt that McGee is a physically gifted player. His combination of height, wingspan and athletic ability makes most talent evaluator foam at the mouth unfortunately he has shown more promise than results. This is to be expected since he is a 20-year old that played sparingly in his freshman season and then went on to average 14.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg in his sophomore campaign at Nevada. But for each highlight reel worthy dunk or shot block there were just as many instances where McGee disappeared in games or punted balls in the stand. Okay, there was one punting incident.

As a Nevada alum I have an extreme bias with regards towards McGee’s decision to go pro and this is based on my selfish desires as a fan and how he could have dominated Lawlor Events Center for two more seasons. But alas I will wish McGee all the best because you go to college to mature and develop human capital and McGee has definitely developed into an elite talent in his field.

In an ideal world he would get drafted by the Golden State Warriors and become the perfect big man for Nellie Ball. You gotta think that any coach that can turn Matt Barnes into a scoring threat can do wonders for McGee.

In a strange twist of fate I will spend the New Year’s holiday at the Rose Bowl. I have no vested interest in either USC or Illinois but by default I’ll cheer on the Fighting Illini. This is based on two factors: Illinois is Jeff George’s alma mater and I was born in the Land of Lincoln. Of course I hate their mascot and generally find it offensive so forthwith there will be no reference to the team’s mascot or nickname. Viva la University of Illinois at Champaign!

Reporter: “What’d you major in at Alabama, Joe…Basketweaving?”
Namath: “No…Journalism. It was easier.”

TUSCALOOSA –

When Joe Namath was a University of Alabama freshman, his football coach sat the entire class down for a lecture on academics.

“I want y’all to learn something,” Namath quoted Paul “Bear” Bryant as saying. “Go out and become smart men, because you can’t play this game forever. Now don’t go hang out with guys who aren’t as smart as you. Hang out with people smarter than you.”

Occasionally, Namath did. “And some of them are here today,” he said.

After five years of study - and 42 years after he left school to become a professional football player - Namath, 64, will graduate today with a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from the UA external studies program.

Standing on the stage in the media room of the Mal Moore Administration Building for a Friday news conference, Namath looked around at his advisers, deans and professors. He expounded on the virtues of teamwork and explained that without their help, he never would have accomplished what he did.

On Friday, Namath was his usual charming, self-effacing, storytelling self. Rather than take credit, he thanked others: Robert Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Carolyn Dahl, dean of the College of Continuing Studies; Ana Schuber, his academic adviser; and Robert Halli, his English professor for his 12-hour senior project.

Without a degree, Namath said, he had “a hole in my being.”

Today, he will fill it.

“This is an Alabama family,” he said. “I feel more part of it today than I ever have. But I didn’t do anything any other student wouldn’t do. It just took me a lot longer. This was a team effort, and I’m just lucky to be able to join up. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late.”

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