I'm Back

It 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 comments I heard today was NBL legend Daryl MacDonald ask "when can I get a mention on the blog?"

Since he is a pass first point guard I will oblique with the request but I will throw you the assist this time D-Mac.

Check out this footage of the New York native in action during his NBL days.

Ben Allen/Jorden Page with Samhan

The 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.

Omar Samhan - A Non Aussie At St Mary's

Sorry, 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 darling.

Check out Danville, California native Omar Sanham who is averaging 30pts and 9.5 rebs on one of the largest sporting stages in the world, the NCAA Tournament.

Hinder Re-Signs

Captain 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.

March Madness

Today 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 event.

Sydneysider AJ Ogilvy and his Vanderbilt Commodores (24-8) will take on the Racers of Murray St (30-4). The Commodores will start favourites but the Racers have a roster capable of causing and upset and making a deep run.

Lil Stralia or better known as St Mary's (26-5) in the USA plays the Richmond Spiders(26-8). If this was a shear match up of Aussie vs Aussie, the Gaels win 5-1. But New South Welshman Josh Duinker (Spiders) will have plenty of help from his American born teammates. This has overtime game written all over it.

Old Dominion Monarchs (26-8) plays the red hot Notre Dame Fighting Irish (23-11). The Monarchs is home to Perth native Trian Iliadis. Although ODU won the CAA, they might find their opponents from the Big East have come good at the right time of the year.

One Shining Moment 2009 - March Madness

JR Smith 360 Dunk

Just 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!

Ranga 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 one, more on this soon) for an All-Ranga look.

I have gone through the NBL archives and I think this is the best "red headed" roster that Beveridge could ask for.

PG: Little used Singapore Slinger via New Zealand Hayden Allen and West Sydney Razorback/Sydney King (development player) Tim Hudson will play rock, paper, scissors to see who starts against Martin & Martin. Newcastle local Marty McLean may get the call up if he still has his Breville maker in working order.

SG: No brainer here due to Mat Campbell suiting up for the opposition, the mad bomber himself Cameron Dickinson. "Dicko" was the third Australian born player to average 20 points in a NBL season. He will be given a sub by Adelaide championship winning guard and former NBL top dog Peter Ali.

SF: Sydney King turned king journo Tim Morrissey gets the nod here. If people think Galen Young gets under the nose of people, you need to watch some vintage Morrissey. His back up will be journeyman Craig 'Spider" Adams. Adams was more your four man but Beveridge needs an "X" factor and that is Adams' forte.

PF: We exchange one naturalised import for another. Out with captain Shawn Redhage and in with 36ers resident "ranga" Adam Ballinger. Backing up "Balls" will be Wollongong Hawks development player Gareth Dawson. Dawson has been released to play in his native Kiwiland comp but it has all been part of Bevridge's grand plan. (note: Import Young has tried to fit into the "Ranga" culture by wearing those bright red shoes, but in the end, they are just not cutting the mustard.)

C: Luke Schenscher has retained his spot on the roster, yes, because he is a natural red head. Giving Schenscher a breather will be a Western Australian legend and three time NBA champion, Luc Longley. (note: It will be strange not to see Longley sitting next to close friend and WA tough guy Andrew Vlahov and mega wealthy Wildcat owner Jack Bendat-like Beckham.)

I cannot wait for Game 3 to tip off. With this new look roster I'm sure "Bevo" will not sleep a wink tonight.