J.J. Loscutoff

Forgot Dayton. doh!

There are some A-10 teams with football (mostly 1-AA or whatever it is called now, but Temple is a MAC member.) I think Richmond, Rhode Island, UMass, Fordham--seven blocks of granite and all that) So, I think Charlotte really wants to move up. Which conference to move to? Perhaps they will be a member of the Big East split (if it splits into football and non-football schools at some point). Didn't UConn start football again within the past 10 years or so, or at least step up from 1-AA?

BillikenTX and Iggy: I sure can see how you feel the way you do. Re Blowout. I sure do not understand them. I wonder whether any of our research-types on here have investigated whether the Bills are blown out more than other teams with similar records and SOS? It sure seems that they are, but maybe not.

3 of last 6 Dayton games have gone into overtime. (Of course, in one of the other three I think Dayton won something like 65-37). Internet says Flyers by 13. But, just perhaps the regression lately means the team is ready to break out win two in a row on the road. Jeez, I want them to win tonight--more than most nights. Well, what say you?

If they can rally, it will be three in a row on the road for WBB. Go Bills.

Neither do I. I thought the CUSA refs were consistently "not part of the game". What is the consensus on A-10 refs from what you have heard? Is the A-10 this badly reffed when, say, Dayton and X are playing, or Temple and St. Joe? Is it because we don't have any good A-10 refs "willing" to fly to St. Louis? Makes me wish we could hire Ed Hightower from time to time! (Or, get some Big 12 or Big 10 "fill-ins"--instead of that last minute fill-in we had the other night). Has any of our intrepid researchers gone through the other A-10 boards to see what the consensus is on other teams' boards about the officiating?

I agree--look at the turnovers and number of fouls. I thought the game was fiercely competitive--the referees certainly "let them play." I appeared to me that their scouting report was to double TL and KL whenever they could as far away from the basket as possible. Gaffney? (#24) was a handful, and Bonner is still (thankfully) recovering from his injury. In two years, WR and BT will be able to handle guys like that on a nightly basis. They'll have help from Conklin and the other bigs, too. I also thought that their guards hit some shots that were greatly contested. All wins are welcome--but, I think this was a good win. GW will be very hungry for a win after their six losses and recent turmoil. P.S.--Trust in the 618.

The Onions v. Copacabana answer made me laugh out loud.

I'm glad, too. SLU may very well be late, but the fact that Coach is still trolling means, to me at least, that there is some sort of interest by the recruit. I am glad that SLU is trying to recruit some "makers," (i.e., not just "shooters"--to quote Norm Stewart). Also, I think it's great that we seem to see the Bills being very active and willing to make offers that might not get taken. Here's to a joyous holiday season for all of BillikenNation.

Plus, as I recall, didn't we already give them a 2-1 when Quinny the Pooh was there? Also, given the way the Tigers draw in St. Louis, they would probably draw more of their "fans" here (at Scott) than they would in BoCoMo. Of course, MU is not the only team that will not play SLU 1-1. Coach (I have read) has offered to play Illinois, KU, etc. They all have declined. So, why not try to get the best Catholic schools here? Gonzaga, Notre Dame, Georgetown, BC, etc. would be great, too.

(A) With conference play still a couple weeks off, who are your top four A-10 teams? Here are mine: Xavier (obvious); Dayton; Temple; Rhode Island. (Probably harder to pick the bottom four.) ( SLU has seven conference games in January. How many wins in the first seven conference games? Because there are four road games, I say three (though I see SLU beating Fordham in Gotham on 1/31). (NB: I want the Bills to win the A-10 and go deep in March. Let's hope I am wrong in (A) and (.)

Was this the kid with the connection somehow to Dr. Chaifetz? Same HS as Chafetz' kids or something like that? Was hoping the Bills could land this guy. Is he considered a better shooter than Matt Roth? (I guess we need "makers" though, not "shooters"--in the spirit of Norm Stewart's line. Wasn't it: "We don't need 3-point shooters. We need 3-point makers!")

All, Using the schedule posted by the Dayton fan, some un A-10-like logic (i.e., teams we played there last year are coming here and vice versa), and the fact that only Richmond and us have 2 HH's on the Dayton fan schedule, I tried to Sudoku our schedule. This is what happens when you have too much time at work. Anyway: Home Only: Charlotte George Washington LaSalle U. Massachusetts St. Joe (and their "flappin' hawk) Away Only: Fordham Rhode Island St. Bonny Temple Xavier HH: Dayton Duquesne Richmond I guess we will see the truth, eventually.

Box, FWIW, IMHO no tan suits at weddings. If you want to go casual, wear grey slacks, a navy blue blazer, a light blue shirt, and a red tie to the wedding. After the wedding, take off the tie and blazer and you are G2GParTay. If you want to be a bit more formal, wear a dark blue suit in place of the grey slacks and blazer. You can never go wrong being the sharpest dressed man in the room. JJL

Gosh media dudes--maybe he's out recruiting the class of '09 and beyond, now that hoop season is over. Isn't that where we all would want him to be? [Or, maybe he's somewhere sampling BBQ sauce...he is a big BBQ sauce kind of guy (one of the best quotes ever by RM]

My guess is that the remaining top dollar seats will sell to corporate friends who do not have the priority to reserve them early in the selection process.

I agree Roy. But even shooting at the rims at the Fetz is an improvement to our "home court" at the Savvis/Scott. Not as good as getting one or two good practices on the court though (being guarded and shooting in the offense way different than not being guarded and just shooting). So, the team *HAS* to get some practice sessions on the court, even though the practice area is terrific. Might not put up the shades if the hallway is soundproof. Who knows? My guess is that keeping what is said at practice out of the public domain is the reason to close practice. I don't think we could "steal" the plays simply by watching without sound.

Clank. I meant RC.

Isn't it likely that after a certain JC student went to that SEC school, that the Bills have, in fact, switched to plan B? I am wondering this because it sure has been quiet, and it seems unlikely that the Bills could add an impact big this late (at least, one who is in the US already). IMHO, Plan B would be to take a long-term view and recruit 5 new players to go along with the entering freshman class--rebuilding the team in two years. I think the Bills have a chance to be tough to beat by the end of the year with the players that are here (assuming JC qualifies). It's not likely that TL and KL will get the chance to play in the NCAA, but, if they get a first round bye in the A-10, it's possible. Certainly, with an actual PG coming in and a banger forward, there's a good chance to improve. But, I do think it's a rebuilding year next year, but the Bills will have three good/great guards in a guards league. Practice players: Well, can they still use Alex J (as a coach and not a grad asst) and Peyton J (new grad assistant)? Anyway, I hope responders respond to this message and focus on looking foward. Thanks.

gives people the weekend to calm down about their draft position....

Kinda quiet on the Billiken front. BTW, when does the signing period end?

Are all the 3's safe, for example? Has the clock struck midnight for UGa? How about the 4's? the 5's? WKU over Drake? Can Temple handle MSU? How about the 6's? Seems as though you could build a case for each of the 11's. Anyway, something fun to horse around with while we wait for more recruiting news and waiting for next season (how do the Cubs' fans stand it....?)

Plus, I thought I heard RM say (at one point) that he was trying to take the team to Canada, where they can scrimmage/play/practice quite a bit.

It's amazing how little it really takes to be "Hysterical NEWS!" these days on TV. After listening to both videos: RM did not say he was for human embryonic stem cell research. He said he was for stem cell research. Also, "Pro-Choice" means many things to many people. Listen to what RM said there (pretty muddled). But, I did not get the impression he was pro-abortion. RM seems to be an old-time, yellow-dog Democrat (even though he is from the north). RM said he'd support the party's nominee, for instance. It didn't sound, to me, that RM shares the exact same views on these two issues with the Candidates. The Archbishop sounded as though he was told that RM was Catholic, but believed in (embyonic) stem cell research, and was "Pro-Choice." The Archbishop seemed, to me at least, to be focused on the teachings of the Church (which is what Archbishops tend to do). It does sound likely that there will be a "pastoral conversation" or two in the days ahead to "reason together." Anyway, RM did say good things about his team. Bottom Line: All I want is for SLU to beat LaSalle, then prepare for the rest of the schedule one game at a time. Then, add to the incoming recruiting class, and then get another strong class....Also, I hope Shimmy's team goes on a tear this year at the A-10 Tourney.

Yes, yes I did. I typed Weeks instead of Reed. My guess is that we will not have a surprise signing as much as an additional signing (or two) later in the year. That is, if such signing is possible under NCAA rules.