Brad Diamond

College Basketball Report (St. Joseph's)

As a kid the St. Joseph's Hawks stole my heart, coach Dr. Jack Ramsey, with 
guards Billy Hoy and Jimmy Lynam carried out effective fundamental basketball on 
Hawk Hill and at the Palestra (University Pennsylvania). That brand of 
basketball, at times, has been outstanding on 54th Street, especially recently 
with stellar coach Phil Martelli (received another contract extension)leading 
the charge. But, something has changed recently and it's starting to be 
illustrated on the court. In fact, it will have a direct impact on the future of 
this small Jesuit school, considering the economy and the cost of education.

One of the key elements for students looking at schools in the Philadelphia area 
is social activities. At SJU, the basketball team brings the kids and fans 
together binding the "Hawk will never die" mindset. In fact, I guarantee the 
success of the basketball program has had a direct impact on the school's 
admissions office. This factor maybe be starting to wrinkle, somewhat, as the 
recruiting process has not been so favorable for Martelli (26-152-1) on the floor. 
As we all know, recruiting is the most important element in big time college 
athletics. Just check the rosters of the football programs down in Oklahoma, 
Texas, Alabama, Florida, LSU and Southern California as that group brings four 
and five star recruits into their schools consistently. 

The St. Joe Hawks this season were ticketed by a number of local and national 
experts as a possible NCAA tourney qualifier and top three A-10 unit. Overall, 
the Hawks lost two quality starters from last season, but brought in a good 
recruiting class (for a small school), including Bryant Irwin, a forward, Mr. 
Basketball from West Virginia. No doubt the Hawks have effective lead guards to 
run the offense, but in the Maui Invitational (this past week), it was evident, 
long range shooting will be an issue. The transfer of Philly product D. J. 
Rivera did not help. In the Jameer Nelson years the Hawks killed you from the 
long stripe and NBA guard Delionte West was a major attacker from that angle. SJU has no answers, much like 
the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers, who lack the deep shooters to contend in games 
they start slowly, the Hawks will need to develop their offense for successes in 
conference.

If you're a Hawk fan, how can you complain? A winning SU mark of 22.4 games per 
annum over the last five campaigns is quite an accomplishment for such a small 
urban school, not in a BCS conference. Still when you have Mr. Basketball types 
from Connecticut and West Virginia, one might question the current record 2-3 
SU, and the direction Martelli is taking. But, before you bury this club, 
remember 2 of the last 3 opponents were highly rated Texas and Alabama. Oh, I 
should mention, for next season the Hawks have garnered three quality verbal 
commitments for the basketball squad. The "Hawk is not dead" just taking a 
little time to map out a new direction. 

In sports-betting, we know that patterns are a key element in any winning 
season, so one should be aware of programs that fly under the radar and look, not too friendly to the 
pocketbook in the early season. SJU should be a major force on Las Vegas 
Boulevard come A-10 play as some of the young depth will accure more playing 
time. SJU faces Creigthon on December 6th and 'Nova on December 11th, those 
encounters should tell us how much more about the Maui trip, and if it helped 
develop a new winning chemistry on Hawk Hill.

MLB LETS THE BASEBALL PUBLIC DOWN BIG TIME

Monday night was a major set back for the baseball world when the officials of MLB where sitting in the stands at Citizens Bank Park and did not cancel early on the contest between the Phillies and Rays. The abbreviated game did not do justice to the sport or to lefty Cole Hamels.  In a bunt situation, Hamels was hit on the hand (fingers of his throwing hand) and could have cost the Phillies the World Series in retrospect. This incident never happens if do diligence was used in fathering the sport. But, again money takes the grip of human consciousness and brings down western civilization, let alone the kindred spirit of the baseball faithful of Philadelphia. Tuesday night the guardianship will try and recreate the time, space and setting, but the only same base mindset will be the 2-2 score, since the weather is expected to be wet, windy and cold. Sounds like the expense reports for all those fat cats from major league baseball will be getting a little juice spending extra time in the City of the Brotherly Love.

Phillies face the Blue in a big series

Finally, the frustrated Dodgers get back into the life blood of major league baseball with a series win over the Chicago Cubs. It is the NLPS and that venue begins Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies lost out last season to the red hot Rockies faltering badly in sweep mode! Now the red and white garner a chance of redemption versus the Blue who have not been in this time space since 1988. The Dodgers came on late in the season behind fine pitching and the bat of "Big Time Manny" to surprise their NL brethren.  But, can they advance against a club, Philadelphia who has the better pen and starting lineup?

I'll start by issuing a warning to the Dodgers and their faithful.  I just went to the mail box, and has luck would have it, the Manny Machine is on the cover with that sparkling blue and white uniform sliding into the home plate area.  The Sports Illustrated jinx, you bet!  Just check who and what the cover of SI glorified last week and you'll catch the mindset.  Hey, believe me veteran RHP Lowe will be a challenge in game one, especially against lefty Hamels who has problems with pitches up, before his emotions settle down. This season, and too often, Hamels has allowed "left side" bats to take the youngster yard! He has a tendency when a little jacked up to go high and inside versus quality bats. Hamels does have a super 0.95 WHIP over his last three outings, so it will interesting following the kid on Thursday. Charlies Manual will drop the pitch count, because of the importance of the billing. Tough call, but can profit on Thursday, by checking my game #1 analysis on the Playbook. Good Luck!

The Phillies are loading up the bus again!

You can bet on it! Excuse, the jargon, but the Philadelphia team that plays baseball in the City of Brotherly Love is doing it again.  After falling three almost four games behind the Mets in the NL east, the strippers of Charlie Manuel are still breathing life. Like last year?  Nah, you see the venue is a little different, Philadelphia does not play the Mets in September, and I believe the New Yorkers will not fold the tent as they did last season.

The Phils are one game behind and tied with Milwaukee for the wild card.  Based on a quicksilver review the scheduling indicates Philadelphia looks strong for the wild card. Can they win the division again? Sure! But, my gut (enlarged), says the Mets will survive the first place struggle as we predicted before the season started in these same pages. Now, the only way Philly can blow the wheels off that bus which everyone is filling, is to flat out quit.  This club shows no signs of wearing, in fact, they are still building  "MO" on the back of Brett Myers (you know the guy who slapped around his wife in public, got help, went to the minors this season and now is reformed) and the bat of Ryan Howard who could end up being the NL MVP if the Phillies steal the flag again.

The one negative awaits the Phillies, if they have wild card success, they open with the Cubs. Not Good!! So, let's hope the sad tales of seasons past go adrift into the cheese steak corner of the Bank where they ask for extra wiz, pay-off debts (between innings, of course) and beg for a world champion of any elk.
Did someone say, "have some SOUL!?"

Phillies Fall to Nationals 4-3

After watching the Phillies give away another game at the Bank, while falling 2 1/2 games behind the Mets, certain questions must be asked.

Can Philadelphia take the East flag with Rollins hitting .261?

Can Philadelphia overcome the New York lead with Utley hurting?

Can the Phillies afford another late season slump by Ryan Howard?

Can the Phillies win the East without the locker room leadership of Aaron Rowand?

What we can answer is the Phillies are getting improved pitching this year from Jamie Moyer and now Brett Myers.  Cole Hamels is still hurling with a run drought for support.  Overall, the pen has been marvelous, but the pressure cooker is here and last night brought to mind my old observation about Ryan Madson. I never want Madson is a key spot as he will choke. That is the reason the Cubs subtracted the youngster from the club, because when he is tense, the pitches get up in the strike zone.  The Bank is not a ball yard where pitches need to be up, if you follow.  Otherwise, Brad Lidge, after some elbow issues, has been outstanding of late. So the key for this club over the next six weeks just might be their inconsistent lineup as they get very little from the catching position hitting wise or third base. Add in the aforementioned stars with problems and we could have a dark September in Philadelphia.  Just think, the Eagles have not taken the field in a regular season game either!

Are the Phillies running out of gas?

Hey, the fightins are reliving history in the midst of a west coast swing losing, of course, At this writing three straight to the Dodgers who had been insulated from winning this season until the Manny factor showed recently. Whereas, Philadelphia has tried numerous times control the National League east with their bats and pen only to falter once the artillery started to shoot blanks.

The Brett Myers saga showed the other night with a dugout discussion with Charlie that saw both men chewing lip to lip, almost. MVP Jimmy Rollins has yet to show his stuff off a classic year at the place and the field and it is showing in his attitude towards the game. Brad Lidge the pen stopper has maybe thrown too many innings and is getting some rest of late.

But, the key default of the organization has been the inability to acquire a quality starter during the last season.  Kentucky Joe Blanton (Oakland) is not the answer! Did someone say Kyle Lohse?  In addition, it has become quite evident the Phillies miss the professionalism of center fielder Aaron Rowan who is having a good year in San Francisco.  This critical again, since Shane Victorino is injured for the third time this season, not seriously. With four games left in this west coast swing, three in San Diego, it is  clear the Phillies must  respond  in positive  fashion  or they could be looking up at the Mets  in the division.

College Football Bowl Schedule 2008-2009

Bowl Game	Date/Time	Site	Matchup	Network
Congressional Bowl	Dec. 20/10 a.m.	Washington, D.C.	Army/Navy/At-Large vs. ACC	ESPN
New Mexico	Dec. 20/TBA	Albuquerque, N.M.	Mountain West vs. WAC	ESPN
St. Petersburg Bowl	Dec. 20/5:30 p.m.	St. Petersburg, Fla.	Big East vs. C-USA	ESPN2
Pioneer Las Vegas	Dec. 20/7 p.m.	Las Vegas, Nev.	Mountain West vs. Pac-10	ESPN
R&L Carriers New Orleans	Dec. 21/7 p.m.	New Orleans, La.	Sun Belt vs. C-USA	ESPN
San Diego Co. Credit Union Poinsettia	Dec. 23/7 p.m.	San Diego, Calif.	Mountain West vs. Pac-10	ESPN
Sheraton Hawaii	Dec. 24/7 p.m.	Honolulu, Hawaii	WAC vs. Pac-10	ESPN
Motor City	Dec. 26/6:30 p.m.	Detroit, Mich.	Big Ten vs. MAC	ESPN
Meineke Car Care	Dec. 27/Noon	Charlotte, N.C.	ACC vs. Big East	ESPN
Champs Sports	Dec. 27/3:30 p.m.	Orlando, Fla.	ACC vs. Big Ten	ESPN
Emerald	Dec. 27/7 p.m.	San Francisco, Calif.	ACC vs. Pac-10	ESPN
PetroSun Independence	Dec. 28/7 p.m.	Shreveport, La.	Big 12 vs. SEC	ESPN
Papajohn’s.com	Dec. 29/2 p.m.	Birmingham, Ala.	Big East vs. SEC	ESPN
Valero Alamo	Dec. 29/7 p.m.	San Antonio, Texas	Big Ten vs. Big 12	ESPN
Roady’s Humanitarian	Dec. 30/3:30 p.m.	Boise, Idaho	ACC vs. WAC	ESPN
Pacific Life Holiday	Dec. 30/7 p.m.	San Diego, Calif.	Big 12 vs. Pac-10	ESPN
Texas	Dec. 30/7 p.m.	Houston, Texas	Big 12 vs. C-USA	NFL
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces	Dec. 31/11 a.m.	Fort Worth, Texas	Mountain West vs. C-USA	ESPN
Brut Sun	Dec. 31/1 p.m.	El Paso, Texas	Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs. Pac-10	CBS
Gaylord Hotels Music City	Dec. 31/2:30 p.m.	Nashville, Tenn.	ACC vs. SEC	ESPN
Insight	Dec. 31/5 p.m.	Tempe, Ariz.	Big Ten vs. Big 12	NFL
Chick-fil-A	Dec. 31/6:30 p.m.	Atlanta, Ga.	ACC vs. SEC	ESPN
Outback	Jan. 1/10 a.m.	Tampa, Fla.	Big Ten vs. SEC	ESPN
Konica Minolta Gator	Jan. 1/Noon	Jacksonville, Fla.	ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame	CBS
Capital One	Jan. 1/Noon	Orlando, Fla.	Big Ten vs. SEC	ABC
Rose presented by Citi	Jan. 1/4 p.m.	Pasadena, Calif.	*BCS vs. BCS	ABC
FedEx Orange	Jan. 1/7 p.m.	Miami, Fla.	*BCS vs. BCS	FOX
AT&T Cotton	Jan. 2/1 p.m.	Dallas, Texas	Big 12 vs. SEC	FOX
AutoZone Liberty	Jan. 2/4 p.m.	Memphis, Tenn.	C-USA vs. SEC	ESPN
Allstate Sugar	Jan. 2/7 p.m.	New Orleans, La.	*BCS vs. BCS	FOX
International	Jan. 3/11 a.m.	Toronto, Canada	Big East vs. MAC	ESPN2
Tostitos Fiesta	Jan. 5/7 p.m.	Phoenix, Ariz.	*BCS vs. BCS	FOX
GMAC	Jan. 6/7 p.m.	Mobile, Ala.	C-USA vs. MAC/WAC	ESPN
FedEx BCS National Championship	Jan. 8/7 p.m.	Miami, Fla.	*BCS #1 vs. BCS #2	FOX

 

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES IN FIRST PLACE NLE

The local gathering of the Phillies faithful where in rare form last night at McFadden's under the Citizens Bank Park playing field. The talk was about going to the world series this season, while finally gaining national respect for a baseball team that had been struggling in April and May. Since the return of MVP Jimmy Rollins the Phillies have surged big time taking over first place after their three game set against the second place Marlins.  Ryan Howard, is at least, becoming a hitting figure (.206) after hitting rock bottom with a .160 average in very early May.

Before you crown the Phillies the winner of the east, however, you should check out the red and white schedule for the month of June. The 31 game set has etched 22 outings on the road with just 9 at home. In addition, the situation becomes more poignant when you consider there are 12 Inter-League dates. At home the Phillies face a six game set, three with the Red Sox and three with the Angels. If that does not check the enthusiasm of the fans, their road battles include three games in Texas and three at Oakland against the surprising A's.  Almost 70% of the Philly schedule is on the road, always a difficult challenge.

Overall, the club is in solid form now, but they must address a faltering pitching staff in the starters role. With Hamels and Kendrick the Phils are 17-7, without, they have a losing record. In addition, the success you see offensively might tale off in the future without playing in their homer friendly park. I have been following this club for over 50 years and I can tell you're seeing a mirage, so don't be to excited about laying money with Philadelphia as a chalk, especially on the road. Teams go through cycles and their should be a down turn shortly with the Philadelphia, considering the east division is more competitive in 2008 with the improvement of the Braves and Marlins. Only time will give us a more definitive calculation as to the post season possibilities of an exciting baseball team.

LEYLAND FEELING THE HEAT IN DETROIT

After a "trading" off-season that saw the Tigers bring in Willis and Cabrera from Florida, many experts thought the division winner rested in Detroit. But, low and behold after 11 games, the Tigers are 2-9 on the season and far out (4 1/2 GB) of any contention in a difficult division. Yes, injuries have played a huge role, including lead-off hitter Granderson going down. Granderson has the ability to put the chemistry back in this lineup, especially when you consider his first to third speed. But, we've heard the veteran issues with Sheffield's strain and young Cabrera not being a cold weather advocate.  Additionally, we find a pitching staff from hunger ranked #22 with a 5.42 ERA overall. Believe the Tigers are an obvious "go against" club until further notice. By the way, I was a huge backer of Leyland coming to Philadelphia and being the Phillies manager before the administration latched on to Charlie Manuel.  But, the veteran manager might be over his head in too many issues in the Motor City.

EARLY MLB 'TOTAL' ACTIVITY

There have been 22 games played thus far in 2008 with the UNDER carrying the load in April at 13-6-1. During the past March, including games on foreign soil the UNDER has it at 2-0. Overall, a solid 70% UNDER run to begin the new campaign.  Sounds like a trend, and it helps that teams like Houston are in San Diego, stay there. The Astros have scored just 1 run in two games giving no support to Oswalt and Bache, two fine hurlers.  Their lineup changes via the trade have yet to show a positive chemistry. In additional 'total' notes we find games that close at 7-7 1/2 are 2-0 UNDER. On April 1st alone, the UNDER carved out a solid 5-2-1 offering to the short backers. It should be noted that Tuesday charted no LHP starters. The point: Games that have started with at least one lefty have gone UNDER @ 5-2. Finally, the total gap of 8-8 1/2 has gone UNDER at a 6-3 clip. We'll keep you updated on more emerging team and pitcher specific trends as we go along. Good Luck this baseball season.