Team Play Allows Washington to Win First Outright Pac 10 Title in 56 Years

Washington's 6-foot-7, 255-pound senior power forward has always been there-in the paint-for the last three years, battling taller, more athletic opponents. He brought his lunch pail and hard hat with him every night with no exceptions. Jon Brockman led the way in the underachieving times.

Now Brockman and his teammates just accomplished something that no basketball team at the University of Washington has done in 56 years-win an outright Pac 10 Championship title. He could not have done it alone, but it is even more certain that his Husky teammates could not have done it without their 3-year captain and leader.

Brockman was the role model and he set the tone that said "we can do this if we just play as a team and not worry about individual glory and statistics". For at least one season one team among the 347 NCAA Division 1 teams basketball into the "we are one" concept and went to work.

The result for the players was stunning, not in just professional growth but personal growth as well. Never more so than in the case of senior guard Justin Dentmon, an All-Pac 10 Freshman Team selection who struggled through two seasons before arriving this year as a total blessing and an All-Pac 10 First Team selection. Dentmon was also named the Pac 10's Most Improved Player of the Year.

Junior forward Quincy Pondexter, who had been up and down like a yo-yo his first two years, finally settled down and began showing his talent and potential. He flat carried the Huskies at critical moments in some games.

True freshman guard Isaiah Thomas arrived on campus with a lot of hype and delivered big time-as a scorer, as a game-changing threat, and as a team player who exchanged some personal point production for more wins. The 5-foot-8 fearless lane splitter not only made the All-Pac 10 Freshman Team, he was also selected as the Pac 10 Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore guard Venoy Overton, who was a starter last year and came off the bench this year so Isaiah Thomas could start, transformed himself into one of the Pac 10's defensive stoppers. Every time Overton moved, he had so much speed he looked like he was shot out of a cannon. He took on the best of the best and harassed them silly.

Forwards Matthew Bryan-Amaning (better known as MBA), Darnell Gant and Justin Holiday all had special moments and kept getting better and better as the team started piling up victories.

After playing themselves into at least a tie for the Pac 10 title, the Huskies put a huge exclamation point on an uplifting, positive, moving season by beating their heated cross-state rivals-the Washington State Cougars-67-60 to bring their home court record to 18-1 on the season.

But back to Brockman, a guy so tough under the basket he can go head-on against taller, more talented players in the paint and come out on top. Never, ever underestimate Brockman in the paint. He is fearless and can both give and take punishment; he has had his nose broken 5 times rebounding.

Brockman set the all-time Husky record for rebounding this year. He is the first Husky ever and the only the fourth player in Pac-10 history to have more than 1,700 career points and 1,200 rebounds. Brockman is the nation's leader with 58 career double-doubles (at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in a single game).

Jay Bilas of ESPN.com has called Brockman the best rebounder in the nation. Brockman pulled down 18 rebounds in the title-clinching game against Washington State.

Washington has built its season around greatly improved defensive play and a balanced offense that favors no one and benefits everyone. Husky players actually dive for loose balls; they will potentially hurt themselves to keep the ball alive and in their hands.

They have 4 players in double-digits scoring. In regular season play, the Husky backcourt had both Dentmon and Thomas averaging 15 points a game, Brockman averaged 14 points and 11+ rebounds a game, and Pondexter added 11 per game. They have at least 8 players who can make a difference on the court.

Because of their great play and great coaching by Lorenzo Romar, Romar was selected as Pac 10 Coach of the Year. Romar has 3 great assistant coaches in Cameron Dollar, Paul Fortier and Jim Shaw. Lance LaVetter needs some props too as Director of Basketball Operations for the Huskies.

Washington started the season at 3-3 and then ended it with a 21-4 run to Husky greatness. As a former champion and record-setter I know how sweet it is to get to the top of the mountain; it is an accomplishment you will remember the rest of your life, and you will appreciate it more the older you get. One of my moments in the sun happened 47 years ago.

The Huskies begin their Pac 10 Conference Tournament play Thursday (3-12-09). They will be strong basketball for the Pac 10 Tourney title and will definitely be 1 of the 64 teams to have a run at the national title when March Madness begins March 19.

Copyright 2009 Ed Bagley

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"For Kansas Coach Bill Self, the Long Wait Is Over as His Jayhawks Outlast Memphis"
"Coach Was Color-Blind, He Only Wanted to Know If You Could Play Basketball"
"'Coach Carter' Sends an Outstanding Message About a Coach with Integrity, Honor and Goodness"

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NBA - Miami Heat and Raptors Had a Players Exchange

The 30-year-old Shawn Marion and the guard Marcus Banks from Miami Heat were traded to the Toronto Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal and forward Jamario Moon; given that for different aspects each team is looking for a refreshing change. On one hand, the Raptors need more consistency in rebounding and defense, as well as solidify the small forward position, while Miami is looking for a stronger front line of forwards. Therefore the new players could be just the solution for both groups: O'Neal, being a top shot-blocker, would start to rule in the paint for Miami; as Marion should be a good ingredient at the Raptors' small forward position by opening options to the other players basketball his great shooting and rebounding.

Currently, Shawn Marion has an average of 12 points and 8.7 rebounds per game (RPG) -reached with the Miami Heats. Whereas Jermaine O'Neal, even out of the court for several games -due to a number of injuries suffered-, is averaging 13.5 PPG and 7 RPG. Moreover, Banks and Moon have helped their teams as well. Moon has been a strong forward, scoring 7.3 pts and 4.6 rebounds per game in 54 matches on his first time at the NBA; while Marcus Banks, although not being able to play that much, has a record of 2.6 pts and 0.90 RPG in 16 games for 2008/09.

According to some NBA sources, other conditions were added to the deal by Toronto, with a conditional draft pick being send to Miami with some sort of cash compensation in return. This trade has also saved money for both franchises, which is expected to be used to acquire new players next season.

Shawn Marion will be a free agent when he finishes with the Raptors, although general manager of Toronto Bryan Colangelo, who first drafted Marion in his early years in Phoenix Suns, will try to re-sign Marion for next campaign, who for this one is winning around $17,810,000. In contrast, O'Neal may decide to receive a lesser salary in Miami for the chance to compete for a title beside Wade and another prospective star free agent. O'Neal will win around $23,000,000 in 2009/2010.

Additionally, with Shawn Marion inclusion, the Raptors can get better use of Andrea Bargnani, who has been 50/50 in and out as starter and reserve this period; also Chris Bosh could enhance his work in the low post to take a better advantage of his talent. The joint of Marion, Barganani and Bosh will offer balance and a finer rotation to the team.

On the other hand, -as mentioned before- O'Neal and Moon would provide aid in the paint and in the forward positions for the basketball on their intent to overcome the problems they have had this season.

About this deal, analysts think that it is a winning situation for both fractions, since their weaknesses are being strength with these four great players. Now, all left is to wish the best of the lucks for the players and their new teams on the remaining 2008/09 season.

Ally White is a top senior copy writer on NBA games and sports action for the sportsbetting industry.

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Basketball Statistics - 3 Numbers a Coach Must Know

There basketball many who have attempted to prove the impossible using simplified mathematical equations, but a rare few who have gone on to describe the outcomes of life through a complex numerical language. Why most of the world is divided into certainties and influenced perspectives, the game of basketball can be easily described by a detailed complexity we call "basketball statistics".

For many, basketball statistics are the simplified outcomes for which an individual's play is measured; highlights to be found on the back of trading cards for the world to cast opinion upon. Yet, the game of basketball is divided among many different statistics which can often times predict with some certainty the outcome of an individual contest based upon factors basketball in the math land). Such as Albert Einstein is famous for this theory of relativity, he was once quoted as stating, "Equations are more important to me, because politics is for the present, but an equation is something for eternity." Because statistical information is based on equations, it can be said that basketball's outcomes are definite if we would only base our conclusions on the eternity of the equations.

Most of us play, coach, watch basketball and deem the outcome to be significant or in our favor if the round orange ball goes through the round orange ring. Yet, basketball is a game of statistics-numbers designed in fashion to define life's certainties-here are 3 of the more important statistics in the game; many of which will not be found on the back of a trading card.

Expected Wins. The number of games a team is expected to win based upon games played times a simplified scoring equation. The following is the expect wins equations games played multiplied by the outcome of points scored divided by points scored plus points allowed.

Offensive Efficiency Rating. At what percentage is an individual team taking advantage of their offensive opportunities. The following is the offensive efficiency rating equation; points scored divided by team possessions multiplied by 100.

Defensive Efficiency Rating. At what percentage is your opponent gaining advantage on the offensive end of the court. The defensive efficiency rating is in my mind the most important team statistic in the game today. It provides substantial evidence to the idea, "defense wins ball games". The defensive efficiency rating equation; points allowed divided opponents possessions multiplied by 100.

Understanding how to find these statistics is important, but it is even more critical to know how to analysis the data. There are a number of sound statistical resources available to help you understand how statistics provide certainty to the ever changing landscape of basketball. One such resource is a book by Dean Oliver titled, "Basketball on Paper". Coaches I hope you use the confidence of the math world to understand your teams strengths and weaknesses, for until you understand these variables your program will never be systematic.

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Sweet Things to Say to Your Girlfriend

We've all been there. The two of you are lying in bed one night and she nuzzles up against you and gives you those eyes that are saying, "tell me something sweet". If you're like most guys, the first thing that comes to mind is "I wonder where I put the remote". But it's your girlfriend and you know you're supposed to be able to come up with something better than that. If you are stuck for ideas try these on for size.

• Tell her she's beautiful.

Yep, the old standard is indeed a good one. Whenever in doubt basketball is always a good idea to drop the b word. Beautiful is an adjective that never goes out of style in the girlfriend world. Even throw a baby in there, as in, "Baby you are so beautiful". The response you are looking for is "Awwww!"

• Tell her that she's your favorite person in the world

Girlfriends are always in subconscious competition with your best friend, the basketball at the office and your cousin who always shows up around Thanksgiving. Let her know that she's at the top of a very long list and you can be sure she'll remember that the next time the game is on and she's watching Grey's Anatomy.

• Use "I couldn't ask for a better..."

This is a phrase that goes hand in hand with number two. This is your way of saying, "even if God put Adriana Lima in the hot tub, I'd rather be here with you.

• Tell her you'd rather be there with her.

As stated previously, it is always a good idea to let your girlfriend know that she is more important than going out with the guys for a beer or watching basketball. Well, maybe not basketball.

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