Memory often misfires, then melds and merges.

We think we remember something especially resonant. Then check the facts and discover being close but a little off from the timeline.

Such as it is today, when sharing my personal favorite U of L over Memphis State memory.

Which is why I’m going for a twofer, a double whammy on the loathed Tigers in close proximity. The reasons for which shall be revealed shortly.

There is little doubt that for most Cardinal diehards, the favorite double over Memphis State is ’86.

The Milt game to end the regular season. The win a week later in the league tourney final. All as a harbinger, a prelude to Nattty #2.

Which of course I love love love.

But, for personal reasons, which shall be shared, 2005 cuts closer to home. Continue reading My Favorite Memphis State Twofer →

Yes, kids it’s a journey in the Wayback Machine for what has to be the theme music for this year’s cutthroat college football season.

Bono stomping back and forth across the proscenium in the early days of both U2 and MTV, when it was actually, like, really, music television.

Sunday Bloody Sunday indeed.

Week after week after week after week.

One Hugh Freeze, late of Auburn University, is just the latest to join the Sabbath (Christian) crowd of the unemployed . . . and rich.

James Franklin, Billy Napier, Brian Kelly and Hugh Freeze walk into a bar and, oh my, do they have something in common to commiserate about.

I mean, there are so many openings, one of these institutions of Higher Learning might take a flyer on my man Anthony White, coach of the rampaging JM Atherton HS Rebels/ Ravens. Which 5A juggernaut finally gave up some points after one shutout after another, but still smoked North Hardin, 42-13.

You know what skill set is in demand these days? Continue reading Gridiron Gab: Sunday Bloody Sunday →

Having been reared on doo wop and still a obsessed devotee, I remain enchanted by multitudes of One Hit Wonders.

My favorite — I thought you’d never ask — has been and shall remain forever and always, “I Love You” by The Volumes.

(Resentment Alert. The tune didn’t even make on the initial four CD set, “The Doo Wop Box.” Tsk, tsk. Omission finally rectified in “Doo Wop Box II.”)

So, as a college pigskin junkie, I surely took notice that the terminology, One Hit Wonder, was invoked not once by twice over the weekend.

Cool breeze.

When the UCLA players got on board their cross-country flight to East Lansing to face Michigan State, there was a hand printed sheet of paper on each seat. Upon which interim head coach Tim Skipper inquired, “ARE WE A ONE HIT WONDER?”

Apparently not.

Admonition received.

Bruins 38, Sparty 13.

Many were lined up to interview breakout QB Fernando Mendoza, after he and fellow Hoosiers, cooking utensils in hand, waltzed into Autzen Stadium and broasted Oregon into Wor Sue Duck. (#219 on the Oriental House menu).

During one of those sound bites, Mendoza said, “We are not One Hit Wonders.”

So it is.

IU 30, Fried Quack 20.” Continue reading Gridiron Gab: Best in Focus????? →

Is it too early to talk hoops?

No, Bruce (my pal Bruce RIP, not the one mentioned below), my man, it is not.

Especially since September 22 is the new October 15. Because the season actually starts a month earlier than it used to.

I’m advised full on full team practice officially starts today. Like, you know, it used to on October 15. Not sure, frankly, what that means these days. Schools practice in one form or another almost all year round now.

Not aware of any Midnight Madness on the calendar. Which doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

Which mention of course reminds me of Louisville’s one ill-fated MM. I always loved how Denny just started practice. No folderol, etc. While other schools took the hype train hoopla. Started by, I believe but may be wrong, Lefty Driesell at Maryland. Adopted most famously down the road eastwardly a bit. Continue reading Seedy’s B-Ball Baubles: 9/22 →

U of L vs. UK hoops.

I’m on record as saying I’m not a fan of the game.

I hate it but accept that Kentucky has been the far more successful program during my lifetime. I’d just as soon not have to get all worked up annually, as I am inclined to do. Always grateful the day after, when it’s over win or lose.

Both schools have won nattys in a season when they lost to rival.

For me, the game is a nuisance. I realize I’m in the minority. And that it’s not going away. Though a tip on November 11 indicates some don’t consider it in the realm of Blue Devils/ Tar Heels or Hoosiers vs. Boilermakers.

Still I’ve been ruminating about the very strange timing of next year’s meeting between a couple of highly ranked squads on the uptick.

Early November. Middle of the week.

Most odd. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Monday Evening PG →

Gonna set this Dance alight/ Cause Saturday night’s the night I like/ Saturday night’s alright alright

During a full immersion into the hoops extravaganza that stands among the greatest since Sir Charles busted Naismith’s last peach basket, I thought of an eve in the iconic summer of ’70.

The Mailman and I were sitting on my back stoop, deciding to smoke one joint after another, in perpetuity or until we ran out, to see where it took us.

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.

At one point along the way I wondered aloud, “What if in the future, they discover this stuff’s really healthy for you?”

To which my less sanguine, less romantic, more practical partner in crime deadpanned, “I don’t believe that’s the discovery they’ll make.”

We did not OD. Although we might have visited an alternative reality. Or two.

Nor did I last night after the Houston comeback over Duke somehow bested the bloodbath of Gators chomping Tigers. But if the Blue Devils had somehow tied on that last possession, I’ve no doubt I would have had to check myself back into treatment this morning.

No mas, fully sated, I pleaded. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Saturday Night Alright Alright!!! →

Once again that unfathomable result from Big D Little a Double ll a S:

Louisville 98, Southern Methodist 73.

 * * * * *

Pro forma self indulgent intro:

Alright, where were we?

That’s right, I was falling into sleep deprivation mode, my already addled mind was checking out, me fingers was freezing.

So I cut GameCap short. Shut it down. Knowing if I dreamt at all, if I dreamt about SMU, it would be last night’s wünderbar smackaround, not that ’67 comeuppance.

Actually, I kinda dreamt about last night’s W. Sorta.

In dreams, I decided to go off honky tonkin’ into the night to celebrate the W. Like it was Back in the Day or something. At one place, the barkeep yelled out, “I was worried at the half, but we did OK.”

“Uh,” I corrected, “We were up 23 at the break.”

(Should have been 25, but Chucky Hepburn had his one and only brain fart of the night. Committed his 2d foul with seconds to play on a silly reach in, surrendering two FTs. Chucky, we need you to always be available. Be wise. Be insured.)

Still in slumber, I sauntered through a restaurant owned by a friend. She wondered, “Whatever are you smiling about, I can’t imagine.”

Grinning she threw up the L sign.

Then I awakened as I did way too often on the really frigid night.

 * * * * *

Now the grist, a few more takeaways on the game. Continue reading Seedy’s Second Helping: SMU →

Well strike another match/ Go start anew/ Cause it’s all over now, Baby Blue

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah.

Have ya heard the news about THE University of Louisville Basketball Team?

They’rrrrrrrrrre baaaaaaaaaaack!

Louisville 83, North Carolina 70.

How did this convincing win on the first day of the year come about?

The Cardinals closed. My oh my did they ever close.

Truth be told, they also started.

The Tar Heels led but once in the entire contest. By a digit in the opening half, at 15-14.

It lasted all of 16 seconds before J’Vonne Hadley hit an answering J.

The visitors knotted the tilt again with 8:37 to go at 61.

Forty seconds on the dot later, after a fallow possession by each school, Reyne Smith netted a a fast break triple. U of L never trailed again.

Here’s a descriptor I’ve used often about this resurgent, rejuvenating contingent: Steady. Continue reading CardFile: North Carolina →

Random observations from S1 E1 of the Pat Kelsey Era.

Cardinals 93, Eagles 45.

Warning: Plot spoilers below.

Though he’s talked about it, acknowledged it, expressed his gratitude for being part of it, U of L’s new coach again seemed truly floored while basking postbame in the glow of the Red & Black Nation’s intensity and adoration during a boffo Opening Night with rave reviews.

He said he “got goose bumps.”

(As I mentioned in Part I, so did I. We were not alone.)

 * * * * *

In that Q&A, he mentioned as he consistently has, how mature his put-together contingent is. He talked of their meticulous preparation and attention to the scouting report and its details.

It became apparent early on, the Cards knew exactly what Morehead State wanted to do on every play. The players were calling out the cuts and and swings.

Of course, MSU is a cut below talent wise, but still they were so discombobulated from the opening tip, they had more shots blocked in the opening stanza — 4 — than they made. Which is now famously 3/28 (1/11).

For the entire affair, the Cardinals forced MSU into 21 turnovers vs. just 12 made baskets in 52 attempts.

Louisville meanwhile, playing at a faster tempo than any previous Louisville team — Ever, including ’13 — gave it away just five times. Continue reading CardFile: Morehead State, Part II →