tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88274143855870892632024-02-22T00:21:49.445+10:00JR, On FireTownsville Crocodiles and NBL player John Rillie writes on the latest happenings of the NBL and basketball world.John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.comBlogger806125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-24461851576751564722010-04-07T01:00:00.002+10:002010-04-07T01:08:52.316+10:00I'm BackIt has been a while since I have updated but I've been a little busy coaching at the Queensland u/16 State Titles over the Easter break.Congrats to the Townsville teams that put in a great performance at the Classic.Currently I'm in Adelaide competing in the High Stakes Hoops tournament. Yes, our performance was below par, but hopefully tomorrow will bring a better performance.One of the first John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-27332043206933816392010-03-26T11:58:00.000+10:002010-03-26T11:58:00.276+10:00Ben Allen/Jorden Page with SamhanThe St Mary's Gaels are about to take on Baylor in the Sweet 16. Man of the moment Omar Samhan has his own blog happening but he has caught up with two of the Gaels Aussies.Checkout below interviews with Jorden Page and Ben Allen as the talk about the NCAA Tournament.John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-70252858800287953022010-03-25T23:33:00.004+10:002010-03-25T23:54:48.500+10:00Omar Samhan - A Non Aussie At St Mary'sSorry, I have not been able to update the blog recently but I've get been helping get a few things kick started around here.I have been keeping a close eye on all things basketball, especially the NCAA Tournament.If you happened to have watched the first weekend of action you would have noticed the Aussie heavy St Mary's Gaels have a "man" in the middle that is fast becoming America's John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-16082519544184971592010-03-17T15:19:00.001+10:002010-03-17T15:21:11.211+10:00Hinder Re-SignsCaptain of the Townsville Crocodiles Russell Hinder has been the first player to re-sign with the club for the upcoming 2010/11 NBL season.Here is footage from the press conference which was held this morning.John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-44109806886576915022010-03-15T22:09:00.003+10:002010-03-15T22:42:21.958+10:00March MadnessToday the field of 65 teams was announced as the NCAA Selection Committee have made their decision final.No UNC, UCLA, UConn and no Arizona for the first time in 25 years.Instead we will have a bunch of mid majors competing amongst themselves to make it through to the Sweet Sixteen in the second week.Click here to see a full bracket, but let's take a look at the Aussies involved in this great John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-7848243754241502682010-03-13T00:06:00.001+10:002010-03-15T21:57:48.022+10:00JR Smith 360 DunkJust in case you have not seen the best dunk this side of the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest (insert joke please), check out this amazing dunk by Denver Nugget JR Smith.#1 in Plays of the Day!John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-86533379148450801442010-03-11T23:53:00.004+10:002010-03-12T13:01:50.713+10:00Ranga Nation"Bevo" will be all smiles with this line up at his disposal! With less than 24 hours until the deciding game of the 2009/10 NBL Championship season tips off, I'm hearing rumours that Perth Wildcats Coach Rob Beveridge has asked for a last minute roster change.The league head office is considering the bizarre request as Beveridge has asked if he can exchange/trade his current players (besides oneJohn Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-44413002949617061322010-03-08T09:51:00.004+10:002010-03-08T10:24:43.452+10:00Devendorf Lovin It Down UnderEric Devendorf showed that offense is his best defense for the Waikato Pistons. This week saw another NCAA team rise to #1 in the rankings, only to be knocked off the perch in the same week.The Syracuse Orangemen (#1) traveled to Louisville to take on the Cardinals in what was to become an historic game at Freedom Hall.Where am I going with this story you may ask? Stick with it.The Orangemen whoJohn Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-56460755734332677152010-03-07T01:16:00.002+10:002010-03-07T01:23:21.472+10:00College Hoops Biff - Lady's StyleSorry I've been a little slack of late, but I've been parked on the coach watching all the hoops on television. Whether is has been college, NBA and European, I have not been able to drag myself away from the tube.It is getting to the best time of the year as March Madness is just around the corner, the NBA is getting serious as they head towards the playoffs and the European mid week John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-33625986786239442632010-03-03T23:51:00.003+10:002010-03-04T00:34:05.655+10:00NBL NewsBest photo I could find at time of publication, but I think this lovely female "digs" Kirk Penney. With only two more sleeps before the Wollongong Hawks and the Perth Wildcats begin to battle for the tittle of 2009/10 NBL champ, lets see what is making news in the region.- Hawks starting point guard Rhys Martin has dual Olympian CJ Bruton to thank for his move to the beachside town in New South John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-83671873081698879092010-03-02T09:17:00.002+10:002010-03-02T09:33:11.777+10:00MacGruber BasketballWollongong Hawk benchman Dave Gruber came out in Game 3 and provided the Hawks with the "X" factor that teams need at this time of the year.The former Northern Iowa University product has had this type of impact on a game throughout the season. I remember him coming of the bench against my New Zealand Breakers and scorching us for 17 in an efficient manner. He was the difference maker.Can "John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-5170867387215100192010-02-25T23:34:00.002+10:002010-02-26T01:04:42.988+10:00Game 3 Live On Fox SportsI'm not going to confuse you so I will just give the time that Game 3 between the Wollongong Hawks and the Townsville Crocodiles is at now.The series deciding game can now be seen live on Fox Sports 1 from 6.30pm (NSW time) which is a considerable upgrade from when we would have been watching it beforehand. (Thank you Fox Sports)Now for the people of Wollongong who are going to the game. Do not John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-41351287186212427372010-02-24T23:52:00.003+10:002010-02-25T00:59:24.970+10:00Six Degrees Of Seperation Julian Khazzouh gave Adam Ballinger a little something in Sydney, read below to find out where in the world these two guys ran into each other.Wow is all I can say to the Wollongong Hawks/Townsville Crocodiles series to date. The games have been so bad I do not wish to relive them or nor should you.I will say one thing on the back of a lot of Crocs fans asking me as I left, "Who will win Game 3?John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-13558862424940024352010-02-22T23:41:00.002+10:002010-02-23T00:13:03.279+10:00Crocs To Make Changes?Tonight on the local news up here in Townsville, Crocs Head Coach Trevor Gleeson has hinted at the idea that the Crocs will make changes to the starting line up after their lack luster performance against the Wollongong Hawks in Game 1 of their Semi Final series.The Crocs managed just one assist in the first half of last week's contest. Anyone that knows hoops knows that this stat indicates that John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-52530427532941091762010-02-21T23:20:00.005+10:002010-02-22T00:25:47.924+10:00Gaze Is No Imelda & Zac's Age Issue Andrew Gaze does not know his footwear like Imelda Marcos.It may seem I have been in the wilderness (I was in Cairns) for the past 48 hours but I have actually been away starting to build my coaching resume.I was away with a couple Townsville U/16 boys teams preparing for the State Championship in April. (Just in case you were wondering, I was an impressive 4-1.)I have just finished watching John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-75201315076488854682010-02-19T12:20:00.002+10:002010-02-19T12:41:36.967+10:00Brock Motum, WSU Dunk ContestI have been scavenging through You Tube today to see what I could dig up that I'm hoping not many have seen previously.I have come across this Washington State Dunk Contest that was held during Midnight Madness. Yes, that was a while ago but I'm sure you will be happy to take some time out of your Friday afternoon schedule to check it out.Aussie Brock Motum (6'9 leftie, wearing white #12) is one John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-55016547152198026922010-02-17T23:00:00.005+10:002010-02-18T00:33:57.859+10:00Aussies AboardTownsville Crocs fans, remember this guy? Read below to find out where DuJuan Wiley is now playing. I know that the NBL playoffs kick start tomorrow but there are plenty of people making comment about the two series that get underway so let me focus on bringing you up to speed on Aussies abroad.- A player I have never dedicated ink to is Trian Iliadis of Old Dominion. The Perth local is in his John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-60977674700095060892010-02-16T22:37:00.006+10:002010-02-16T23:30:59.711+10:002009/10 NBL ROYHas Tom Abercrombie become the forgotten one? It's getting to that time of the season where media and fans start discussing yearly award winners.One award that seems to be heating up a little is the Rookie of the Year award. There seems to be only two names on every one lips, but is there a dark horse people have forgotten.Perth Wildcat Jesse Wagstaff is the favourite. Wagstaff plays for the John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-73398335515731538712010-02-15T22:12:00.003+10:002010-02-15T23:26:15.465+10:00NBL Playoff Schedule & NewsThat is not hugging it out people. The Gold Coast Blaze and Perth Wildcats playoff series will be heated, just like the regular season clashes. Before reading this edition, please go and get your diary so you can make a note of the dates of the NBL semi final series.The Perth Wildcats/Gold Coast Blaze series kicks off proceedings on Thursday (18th) night in Perth. Game 2 will be the played on John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-2616728780712893942010-02-14T21:57:00.003+10:002010-02-14T22:16:29.632+10:00Old School Sunday - When Dunk Contests Were GoodLike many of you I sat through the 2010 NBA Dunk Contest in hope that eventually some energy would creep into the contest. I did not scoot to the edge of my couch one time in anticipation that something exciting would happen.No doubt New York Knick Nate Robinson was the best dunker today, but there are only so many times I can see the little man from Seattle lob the ball and dunk it.By the end ofJohn Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-88382865988089902592010-02-13T11:43:00.004+10:002010-02-13T12:23:44.711+10:00Bogut Should Be An All-Star?Andrew Bogut is currently enjoying what Vegas has to offer while most of the NBA fraternity is in Dallas for All-Star weekend. (Sorry Andrew I went to as many Internet cafes as possible to vote for you.)Bogut's Milwaukee Bucks teammate Brandon Jennings is there for the Rookie/Sophomore game but he also feels the Aussie centre should be representing the Bucks in the main game.John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-33986534417287849672010-02-12T20:29:00.004+10:002010-02-12T21:29:17.653+10:00Who Will Get The Final SayTwo former teammates have been using the media to try and gain the upper hand as both their teams try end the season as minor premiers.Corey "Homicide" Williams kick started the "trash talk" after Wednesday night's televised game against the Adelaide 36ers calling out Perth Wildcat Galen Young and his bullying tactics.Young responded today by calling Williams a "misdemeanour" more than a "John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-90759157525425213722010-02-10T22:48:00.002+10:002010-02-10T22:56:32.812+10:00Sapwell & Acid Wash JeansI have just returned from tonight's Townsville Crocodiles and Adelaide 36ers clash.With prime time seats on offer I was rather pumped to check out some NBL action from such a vantage point. Well, what a poor game this was from a spectators point of view. The Crocs were easy winners 102-87.Instead of dwelling on it too much I have found something that completely trumps this game's look.Former John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-72540517902031637382010-02-09T23:12:00.004+10:002010-02-10T22:47:45.920+10:00News, News & More NewsThe secret to this blog's success, International Roast!I have Googled and looked high and low for all things basketball in the Oceania area or involving an Aussie hooper. Here is what I come up with and I was only aided by a few cups of the good stuff, International Roast.- New Zealand Breaker Kirk Penney has picked up his second NBL Player of the Week award for season 2009/10.- Defending NZNBL John Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827414385587089263.post-9672509707090613842010-02-08T22:01:00.004+10:002010-02-09T22:17:42.607+10:00New McDonalds AdYears ago it was Larry Bird and Michael Jordan playing H-O-R-S-E for a Big Mac and fries for lunch.Now Gen Y has their go at re-creating the classic commercial. Take a look at the new Lebron James and Dwight Howard version of the McDonald's ad made legendary by the Hall of Famers.As usual, Larry Legend leaves the winner.THE OLDTHE NEWJohn Rilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420594851744511835noreply@blogger.com1