Morning Java: Snow Day Edition
by Phyr on Feb.10, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Yesterday, I’m in the middle of teaching my 5th period class. The principal gets on the PA system and tells everyone that school is being preemptively canceled for tomorrow. At the time, I was teaching my lesson on D-Day using that first scene from Saving Private Ryan. Let’s just say that the kids were really pumped up.
Some updates on the SUNY audit. Sounds like we are getting the report in March or April.
- WICZ (Video): “Norris doesn’t know what to expect of the audit though. What he does know is that the review team has finished work on campus and the audit may be submitted as early as mid-March. I guess they’re in the phase right now of writing it up and getting ready to submit,” Norris said. Norris was appointed to the position this fall after long-time Athletic Director Joel Thirer resigned following the university’s suspension of six men’s basketball players. Former coach Kevin Broadus remains on paid leave. The university is in the process of finding a permanent Athletic Director. Norris says he’s focused on creating uniform standards and making sure each team complies with NCAA guidelines.”
- WBNG (Video): “Interim Athletic Director Jim Norris gave an update today during the Binghamton Rotary Club meeting at Terra Cotta. Between players being expelled from the men’s basketball team, Coach Kevin Broadus’s suspension and a program-wide audit, the college’s athletic department has had a rocky ride over the last several months. Norris says despite the drama, athletes have been keeping their morale up, thanks to community support. ‘It has spoke to our student athletes, and they feel that support. We played several games over the break with no students, and the events center was 3 quarters full. So our kids, they absolutely notice that,’ said Norris.”
Morning Java: Road Trip Edition
by Phyr on Feb.08, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Congrats to the Saints and how that everyone had a Super Sunday. My girlfriend’s parents came into the city to celebrate her mom’s birthday. We took a little trip to the Museum of the City of New York. It was small but had a couple really interesting exhibits including a multimedia exhibit on how New York has changed over time made by some of the folks that did the New York documentary for Ric Burns and PBS.
On the basketball front, Binghamton lost to Maine on Saturday to start a four game road trip. The game was a lot closer at the end than the score reflects, but you still have to give Maine a lot of props. There defense was nasty all game. They found a way to shut down Greer Wright at least for a half. They shot the ball better, out rebounded us, and got to the line more. You usually don’t win games where that happens. I wouldn’t want to play Maine in the tourney.
- Maine Campus: “The 12-point win would seem to indicate that McNally’s confidence produced an easy win for the Black Bears. What the final score does not show is the Binghamton Bearcats were within two points of the lead with possession of the ball 2:06 in the second half. On Binghamton’s possession, they got the ball to their leading scorer, Greer Wright, who got fouled on a lay-in attempt but failed to convert on both of his free throws. Junior forward Troy Barnies ripped down the big rebound and got the ball into the hands of point guard Junior Bernal. Bernal quickly got the ball up the court and found Gerald McLemore (nine points) wide open for a three in the corner. The sharp-shooting sophomore had made just seven of his last 29 from beyond the arc, but he found his groove at the right time at the end of the game. ‘It was a big shot. I wasn’t making them all, but I kept shooting,’ McLemore said. ‘I mean, what am I going to do, sit outside and not shoot it? If I’m open, I have to shoot it — and luckily it went in and it was a big boost to our team.’”
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “Binghamton trailed by 10 with 4 1/2 minutes of the second half elapsed but drew within 50-49 when Greer Wright made a steal near midcourt and charged in for a layup. However, the Black Bears scored the final 11 points of the afternoon, including 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Mahamoud Jabbi had 12 points and nine rebounds for Binghamton, which shot 18-for-53 from the field and was outrebounded, 39-35. ‘They played tough, they pounded the ball inside and they rebounded,” interim BU coach Mark Macon said. ‘When you look at the rebounds and the fouls, it doesn’t look like a disparity. But from a coaching standpoint, a foul under the basket is different from a foul in the middle of the court.’ Binghamton (11-4) is 6-4 in conference play, one game behind third-place Maine. The Bearcats play their next three away from home. Next comes a 7 p.m. game Thursday at New Hampshire.”
Morning Java: Binghamton Idol Edition
by Phyr on Feb.05, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Not much news on the Binghamton basketball front but some interesting quotes from the aftermath of the victory over Albany. Mark Macon sings during a press conference and Will Brown thinks Greer Wright should be POY!
On a side note, NYC Binghamton fans note that the Stony Brook-Binghamton game is on Saturday Feb. 13. You can take the LIRR to Stony Brook. The train station is within walking distance of both the reception and the game.
- Albany Times Union: “This was a first for me covering college basketball. After Binghamton beat UAlbany 78-73 on Wednesday night, Bearcats interim coach Mark Macon opened his news conference by breaking into a song at the podium. Nobody seemed to recognize the tune, so Macon explained. ‘You all know that song,” Macon said. ‘It’s about somebody asking somebody to dance who already has a partner. He’s not there with her. He just wants to borrow for a couple of minutes, for a couple of songs. Maybe her partner wouldn’t mind.’ Um, OK. All I can say about Macon as a singer is that he was a fine basketball player. And a pretty fair coach, too, since Binghamton is tied for third after being picked last in the preseason.” You HAVE to love Mark Macon.
- BU Pipe Dream: “‘I don’t think anyone knew where the heck Jabbi and [Umur] Peten came from,’ Brown said. “And they’re good players; I didn’t know who they were. Jabbi killed us [in Albany] and he killed us here.’ Brown had a lot of praise for the surprising Binghamton team that is tied for third place in the conference standings. ‘They got guys that can play one on one and get in the lane and make plays,’ Brown said. ‘They’re long and big and good and I think everybody needs to admit it. They’re gonna win a lot more games.’ Brown also praised Wright’s individual talents saying they are a key to the Bearcats’ success. ‘Greer Wright is a first team all-league player, he’s the leading scorer in the league,’ he said. ‘I think he might be the player in the league right now, though I’m sure Blakely will win it.’” That has to be the most praise I have ever seen Will Brown give Binghamton.
Morning Java: Special Edition
by Phyr on Feb.04, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Every victory has shown something special about our Bearcats. The victory last night against Albany was no different. The man of the night was Mahamoud Jabbi. The walk-on from NYC and SUNY Oswego had his third double-double in four games. His jump shot may look ugly but he has been making it the second half of the season. Macon during the postgame interview admitted that stop trying to change his technique. As long as it goes in that all that matters. Without Jabbi’s performance in the first half with Greer Wright in foul trouble (again), Bearcats probably lose this game.
Also felt really good to sweep Albany this year (even in a down year). Bearcats are down just one game out of first place in the loss column and are heading on a monster 4 game road trip to Maine,UNH, BU and Stony Brook. I will be heading out to Stony Brook for the game.
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “BU assured itself the win when Talley converted a free throw, Albany missed a 3-point try and subsequent follow-up attempt, and Wright extended the lead to 78-71 on a fast-break dunk with 15 seconds remaining. ‘They got to most of the loose balls, the 50-50 balls; that was the difference in the game,’ Brown said. ‘… We didn’t get stops when we needed them most, and they got to the 50-50 balls.’ Talley finished with 17 points, Jabbi 12 to go with a game-high 10 rebounds, and Umur Peten nine points for BU. Binghamton finished with 16 assists and five turnovers — a ratio Macon will gleefully accept any night against any opponent. ‘I saw that and I almost passed out, but I had enough water in my system not to,” he said. “It’s because they played zone. It slowed the game down and we got a chance to see things. When the game is played slow, you have less mistakes.’”
- Albany Times-Union: “‘Somehow, we always a find a way to give up a segment in the game where we get down nine, 10 (points), and that kills us,’ said UAlbany freshman guard Logan Aronhalt (16 points). The Bearcats began that run when freshman guard Dylan Talley sank a 24-foot 3-pointer from the top of the circle at the halftime buzzer to give Binghamton a 34-31 lead and rouse the crowd of 3,991 at the Events Center. Binghamton (11-13, 6-3) then scored the first two baskets of the second half on Moussa Camara’s layup and 3-pointer to build a 39-31 lead that UAlbany could never completely overcome. ‘First three or four minutes of the second half, there it was right there,’ coach Wil Brown said.’That’s where I thought we lost the game, or allowed them to get the momentum and get the crowd back in the game.’”
- WICZ (Video):”‘It was a tremendous game played by two up-and-coming teams,” interim head coach Mark Macon said. ‘It was a game of runs and we had the last one. I’m very proud of our guys. They stayed together and are growing up.’ The Bearcats had to manage with their top player, Wright, saddled with foul trouble throughout the game. Wright, who leads the conference in scoring (20.0 ppg. in AE play), was whistled for three fouls in the first half and played just 24 minutes in the game. He still managed to score a game-high 19 points. ‘We have a bunch of stars on our team and they all can shine,’ Macon said of his team’s perseverance without Wright in the game. ‘One star got taken away and the other guys stepped up and made plays.’”\
- AP:“Greer Wright scored 19 points and Dylan Talley added 17, including three free throws in the final 49 seconds, to lead Binghamton in a 78-73 win over Albany (N.Y.) on Wednesday night. Leading just 64-60 with 3:29 left, Talley finished a three-point play that sparked Binghamton’s 9-2 run. He then hit a pair of foul shots to put the Bearcats up 75-65 and, after Albany cut the lead with a pair of 3s, Talley knocked down a free throw with 27 seconds left to push the Binghamton lead to five.”
Morning Java: A New Semester Edition
by Phyr on Feb.01, 2010, under 2009-10
Regents grading went very well for me. A good chunk of my students passed with a 65 and most of them passed with a 55. However, its time to look on to the new semester. I got new students, new classes, and new things to prepare.
The new semester has also been a transitional period for the Bearcats. After their OT victory over UNH, Binghamton isn’t just looking for respect, they are looking to be a top team in the conference. A big reason they have emerged from a potential contender is because of the play of Greer Wright.
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “Greer Wright scored 29 points as Binghamton University went overtime for a 76-73 men’s basketball victory over New Hampshire on Saturday night at the Events Center.A three-point play by Pina Guillaume with 2:01 to play in the extra session put BU on top to stay, 71-68.Wright scored the final points on a pair of free throws with 9.4 seconds to play. Chretien Lukusa added 10 points and eight rebounds for BU.The attendance figure announced was 4,811.”
Morning Java: Is It Over Yet? Edition
by Phyr on Jan.29, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Today is the Global History Regents for the kids in my four remedial classes. The remedial classes are the most frustrating and challenging assignments a teacher can get. The kids don’t want to be there, they don’t care about the material, and they are the worst students in the school. Global is particularly hard because you have to cover everything from the Great Rift Valley to 9/11 and Iraq. Last year, I had three remedial classes. 17% passed. I am hoping for a much better passing rate this year. Every day in class, we made an index card on an important topic. I hoping that the cards helped them learn the material and so study skills as well. Just got to hope for the best (grade like crazy so I don’t have to come in on Saturday!)
- Pipe Dream:”Over the past few years, Binghamton University has been thrown into national news headlines for both the good and the bad, but more so the latter. As the University awaits the results of an ongoing review of the athletic department announced last semester, President Lois DeFleur is set to retire come July. David Henahan, spokesman for SUNY, stated that the review has not yet been completed. According to a press release, SUNY officials anticipate that ‘Judge [Judith] Kaye will provide the board of trustees with a report and recommendations that will enable us to address all issues related to the Binghamton athletic program and restore full public confidence in the University.’ Because the audit has not been completed, Henahan said, SUNY was unable to determine the repercussions of the audit’s results and any potential decisions following those results.” Well for $500+/hr, can’t we tell them to work faster?
- Pipe Dream: “Although the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (8-10, 3-4 America East) currently sit near the bottom of the America East standings in seventh place, this team should not be taken lightly. Of the Wildcats’ four losses in conference play, three of those were by six points or fewer. Their one double-digit loss was to the University of Maine Black Bears, who currently sit atop the AE standings. The Binghamton Bearcats (9-13, 4-3 AE) will host the Wildcats tomorrow at the Events Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. This will also be the first meeting between the Bearcats and the Wildcats since New Hampshire nearly knocked Binghamton out of contention for the AE title in last season’s conference tournament. If not for a last-second steal and dunk by then-junior swingman D.J. Rivera, the Bearcats would have likely fallen to the gritty Wildcats squad.”
- Pipe Dream: “‘When I was a freshman I … always noticed that the BU Zoo was loud and present,’ Broccoli said. ‘What I’m noticing over the past two years is that the BU Zoo as a group wasn’t there, even though the athletics department says that it does exist. As the leadership graduated no one took it over.’ Amit echoed Broccoli’s words. ‘A bunch of us are really trying to push the BU Zoo and get it back into the business,’ Amit said. ‘We really want it to be looked at as one concise group rather than just fans in the stand.’ Amit and the others are looking to other schools with large and successful cheer squads to see if their approach will go well with Binghamton’s basketball games. Along with this, they have created new chants and have plans to draw a large crowd to their cause. Their main goal is to reestablish the Zoo and encourage the student body to join in numbers.” I graduated in ‘07. That sounds like the source of the problem!
Morning Java: State of the Union Edition
by Phyr on Jan.28, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Obviously, I watched the State of the Union address last night. I’m not going to get into my politics, but I think the State of the Union is the one political speech that everyone should watch. The speech got a little spicy this year as Obama called out the Supreme Court that recently made a decision that could pave the way for corporation (including foreign-owned) to spend whatever they want on political campaigns.
While the State of the Union is a little shaky, the State of the Bearcats is actually pretty strong. With Dylan Talley back from injury and providing a legit second scoring option, Greer Wright has become a legit First-Team All-America East type of player. Last night, the Bearcats had a very convincing victory over UMBC 80-63. Just like the Vermont game, Bearcats were able to win because they were able to get to the free-throw line (and make them!)
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “‘We just want to win one game at a time, and not try to jump the gun,’ Macon said. ‘Our conference has a lot of parity, so I just want us to play at a high level, play to our strengths and just worry about what we can do.’ Among the pleasing things on the stat sheet for Macon was his team’s 21-for-25 performance from the free-throw line. BU entered Wednesday’s game eighth out of nine teams in the America East Conference in free-throw shooting percentage (.642). Believe me, I looked at that,’ Macon said of his team’s free-throw numbers. ‘I think that was great. We’ve been working very hard at that, and we finally hit free throws. They can ‘win or lose games for you.’ BU also enjoyed a 39-27 advantage on the boards. Jabbi’s 13 rebounds were a career-high and the junior transfer from SUNY-Oswego is averaging nine rebounds over his last seven games.”
- AP: “Dylan Talley scored 22 points to lead four Binghamton players in double figures as the Bearcats defeated Maryland-Baltimore County 80-63 on Wednesday night. Binghamton (9-13, 4-3 America East Conference), which entered the game averaging 59.0 points per game, had a season-high point total in winning its second straight game. The Bearcats also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Retrievers in Baltimore while sending UMBC (1-20, 0-8) to its 11th loss in a row.”
Morning Java: Don’t Steal Our TV, UMBC Edition
by Phyr on Jan.27, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Tonight, the Bearcats head below the Mason-Dixon line to take on UMBC. Binghamton’s success this year has definitely been a surprise to everyone. With a 3-3 record, the Bearcats are only 2 games out of first place in the loss column (Maine 5-1) and 1 game away from a smorgasbord of teams (Boston 6-2, Stony Brook 6-2, Vermont 5-2) . Every win counts right now for the Bearcats. Most of the teams above the ‘Cats in the standings have played and won more games.
All the metrics point towards a Binghamton victory. UMBC is in the cellar- the place that everyone thought that we would be at this point in the season. Just like how everyone looked passed us, we can’t look pass UMBC. A win is a win no matter who you play. Playing at home with the disrespect card, should make UMBC a dangerous opponent. An opponent that has nothing to lose.
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “When the Bearcats meet University of Maryland-Baltimore County in an America East Conference contest at 7 Wednesday at RAC Arena, a key concern will be avoiding taking the Retrievers lightly. BU (8-13, 3-3 America East) was picked to finish last in the conference’s preseason coaches poll, yet among its victories this season are home victories over Vermont and Stony Brook. Meanwhile, UMBC is in the midst of a dreadful 1-19 season, which includes an 0-7 mark in conference play that has the Retrievers in last place in the America East. ‘Of course we’ve talked about not overlooking UMBC; we’re not overlooking any team,’ BU interim coach Mark Macon said. ‘We’re just looking to play with a high level of intensity and just trying to come in not start off slow. I think UMBC is a good team; I truly do as a coach. We can’t underestimate anybody in our conference.’”
Morning Java: The Wright Stuff Edition
by Phyr on Jan.25, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
4000 people showed up on Sunday to see the Bearcats take on rival Vermont in Marques Blakely final college game at the Event Center. Everyone knows how good Marques Blakely is. The Bearcats showed this with double and triple-teams. However, it was the emergence of another star that have the Bearcats entrenched in the America East title race. His name is Greer Wright and he torn the Catamounts up for 30 points and led Binghamton to a 73-67 victory.
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “With Greer Wright scoring 30 points — including a 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining that gave BU the lead for good — the Bearcats held off the University of Vermont, 73-69, in an America East Conference men’s basketball game in front of 3,928 spectators at the Events Center. Mahomoud Jabbi and Moussa Camara added 14 points each for BU (8-13, 3-3 America East), which would have fallen into a sixth-place tie in the conference and three games out of first place with a loss but now remains firmly entrenched in a wide-open America East title chase. Unlike Thursday’s 64-63 loss at Hartford, in which BU squandered a 10-point lead in the last five minutes, the Bearcats finished strong Sunday. It started with Wright, who was magnificent on a day in which he also tallied 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.”
- Burlington Free Press: “The University of Vermont men’s basketball team relinquished first place with its second consecutive loss. Greer Wright racked up 30 points to guide Binghamton to a 73-67 victory over UVM Sunday afternoon at the Events Center, which yanked the Catamounts into fourth place in the America East Conference….Three days after missing a dozen free throws in a 65-60 loss to Stony Brook, Vermont went 20-for-31 from the foul line against Binghamton. ‘I don’t think we came out ready to play and turned it over a lot early and they jumped out to a good lead,’ Lonergan said. ‘Turnovers and missed free throws I felt cost us the game….’ ‘They took advantage of being at home and out-played us,’ Lonergan said about Binghamton. ‘I give them credit. They play hard, crashed the boards and are very talented offensively.’
- Pipe Dream: “With the Catamounts holding a 62-60 lead with just 2:01 left, Wright hit a 3-pointer to regain the lead. He followed with two free throws to give BU a three-point lead with 1:33 to go. Jabbi hit a pair from the line with 1:07 left and Wright grabbed a defensive rebound and hit two more free throws to put BU up 69-62 with 57 seconds left to seal it. ‘Today we closed our game out,’ Binghamton head coach Marc Macon said. ‘The guys wanted to perform for the students.’ Coming into the game, the Bearcats were the worst free-throw shooting team in the America East, but tonight they made 10 of 12 down the stretch to close the game. Wright opened the game with stellar shooting; he hit 10-15 from the field and 5-6 from 3-point range. He had BU’s first eight points and propelled his team to a 28-20 lead at the break. The Catamounts were plagued early by sloppy play, including two turnovers to start the game that led to early BU fast-break points.”
Morning Java: Ending Edition
by Phyr on Jan.22, 2010, under 2009-10, Morning Java
Today is a great day. This marks the end of the first semester at my school. This fall I have been teaching four sections of a remedial class of kids who failed the Global History and Geography Regents Exam. Interwove with the failures are a large section of support-services kids who really need help passing standardized tests that No Child Left Behind and the state have mandated. I think I did a good job, but I guess the data from the Regents exams with be the judge of that. Teaching for the review class is tough and tedious work. I’m just happy that it soon will be over.
While my semester is coming to an end, the Bearcats forgot to end the game yesterday as they blew a late big lead to Hartford and lost 64-63 on a Joe Zeglinski game-winner spoiling the return of freshman Dylan Talley. Probably karma for all of the Mike Gordon buzzer beaters. At least Joey Z is on my fantasy team.
- Press & Sun Bulletin: “Everything seemed to be working in Binghamton’s favor when Chretien Lukusa found a streaking Greer Wright for a dunk, and a 10-point lead, with 4:54 remaining in the game. Lukusa’s high-pitched scream, and his fingers pointed skyward, seemed to indicate so. But Hartford, the loser of 10 games by more than 10 points this season, capitalized on BU’s complacency and fought back, using a 3-pointer from Joe Zeglinski with 15.5 seconds remaining to defeat the Bearcats 64-63 in an America East men’s basketball game at Chase Arena. ‘The sad thing is that we kind of let up a bit at the end of the game,’ said Lukusa, who finished with six points and four assists for BU (7-13, 2-3 America East). ‘Coach [Mark Macon] always talks about us playing a full 40 minutes, but right there we played about 38.’”
- AP: “Joe Zeglinski scored 16 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer to lift Hartford to a 64-63 win over Binghamton on Thursday night. Trailing 61-51 with 4:52 left, the Hawks (5-15, 3-3 America East Conference) used a 10-point run, capped by a Zeglinski layup, to tie the game with 40 seconds to go. After Greer Wright’s layup put Binghamton up 63-61 with 23 seconds remaining, Zeglinski hit his 3 with 17 seconds left. Chretien Lukusa missed a potential game-winning layup with 3 seconds on the clock and Charles White rebounded for Hartford, which has won three of its last four games.”
- Hartford Courant: “Actually, it looked as if the Bearcats might have started celebrating earlier. When Greer Wright dunked with 4:51 to go, Binghamton led, 61-51. Hawks coach Dan Leibovitz called time and exhorted his team to play “one stop at a time.” Out of the huddle, freshman Charles White ignited Hartford. His crazy shot on a drive to the basket went in as he was fouled, and the free throw cut it to seven points. Then, with the 6-foot-1 White leading the way, Hartford made six stops in a row to close within two. Binghamton no longer could penetrate at will and the Hawks (5-14, 3-3 America East) got hot. They completed a 10-0 run to tie it on an uncontested layin by Zeglinski (16 points) with 40 seconds left. Binghamton (7-13, 2-3) ended its 4 1/2-minute drought with Wright’s jumper. But in transition, Zeglinski was left open. Binghamton’s offseason was engulfed in turmoil. Six players were dismissed from the defending conference champions and coach Kevin Broadus was suspended for a recruiting violation. Macon, the former Temple star who played six years in the NBA, is, like Leibovitz, a protege of coach John Chaney and he has settled things down, refocusing on the basics. ‘If we both learned one thing from him, it’s to be a teacher first,’ Leibovitz said. ‘There’s been a lot negative said about what’s gone on there, but there were a lot of positive things going on for them tonight. Mark’s doing an excellent job.’”
