Wayne23

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    715

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

Posts posted by Wayne23

  1. Posted

    March 5
    No one goes pro.

    March 9
    All the favorites lost in the play in round except Utah. We’ll play #9 seed Cal, 10-18, 6-10. We beat them by 3 there and then by 16 here in our last regular season game.

    March 10
    68-55. It wasn’t that close. +10 RBs and strong performances all around.

    #5 seed Utah, 17-12, 9-7, upset UCLA so they’re next. We beat them by only 4 at their place.

    March 11
    84-65. 4 TOs. 19, 12, 3, 4 for Eli, 18, 3, 3 for Dan, 14 for Shag.

    It’s #15 Stanford, 24-5, 12-4, for the title. We won by 25 at home, lost by 9 there.

    March 12
    71-60. We led most of the way. +6 TOs, +8 RBs. 8 guys made major contributions.

    Now we’ll see how high we are seeded. We’re only #16, RPI #12 but I think winning the Pac 12 should get us a 2.

    #3 in the East. We’ll play #14 seed James Madison, 20-10. Tough bracket.

    March 16
    84-51. 25, 7, 3, 2 for Eli, 10 TOs.

    #6 seed UConn, 20-10, is next. They’re tough.

    March 18
    57-58.     A very frustrating way to end the season. We shot poorly, we had 18 TOs, our bench didn’t give us anything, no one stepped up at critical times. We had the last possession and turned it over.

    I had high hopes and high expectations for this senior laden team and it is very frustrating to go out this early.

    “We have managed to put a 968 pound payload into space.”

    “Wow! That’s progress.”

    “We are very encouraged. This is still considerably lighter than we will need for our launches but it is an enormous stride forward. We have clearly demonstrated that gravity lessening is feasible.”

    April 4
    #14 LSU beat #9 Wake Forest for the title.

    Awards: Eli was conf. POY, Def. POY, and 1st team. Chaz Tomm was Freshman OY and 2nd team along with Rich Kemp. I got the coaching award.

    April 23

    I asked for a budget increase. We got $11,600.

    Again, the post season was a disappointment. We certainly expected to go further than the 2nd round. We wound up 27-5, 14-2. Ranked #16.

    After 36 seasons I’m at 966-264, .785.     There is a very slim chance I could get win # 1000 this coming year but more likely it will be the following year.

    As the climate deteriorates FtH is having more and more difficulty keeping people fed. Food riots, and even more so, water riots have begun to take places in locations around the globe.

    “I think we must make our escape within two to at most four years. It will become far too dangerous to stay for longer than that.”

    Papa Joe knows. I may be coaching as a transferred person, inside a microchip, before many more seasons.

  2. Posted

    February 5
    73-55 at UCLA. The first half was theirs. They led by as many as 13. Then we came roaring back. 21., 5, 2 for Eli, 22 for Jed.

    Then 63-34 over #25 Arizona here. Never expected that margin. The D was amazing. We held them to 10 FGs. 13 and 13 for Eli who is having a great year. 10 TOs, 36 RBs.

    #20 in the polls, RPI #14.

    Our Pac 12 lead is back to 2 with 5 to play.

    This week we’re at 11-11, 4-7 Oregon. We beat them here by 25. Then we host 8-14, 3-8 Arizona ST. We won there by 17.

    February 12
    83-73 at Oregon. 22, 2, 4 for Eli, 19, 1, 6 for Dan. +6 TOs, +5 RBs.

    68-49 over Arizona ST. It was never close. Balanced scoring, good D. 10 TOs.

    We’re #17, RPI #14, up 2 over Stanford, 3 over UCLA, 4 or more over the rest, with 3 to play.

    At 2nd place, #15 Stanford, 20-4, 10-3. Then at 7-17, 4-9 Oregon ST.

    February 19
    69-78 at #15 Stanford. We let them shoot 13-26 from behind the arc and that was the difference. 16, 8, 2, 2 for Chaz, 12, 4 for Eli. The refs called way too many fouls but it was about even.

    Then we clinched first when Stanford lost while we were beating Oregon ST 87-78 there. All 5 starters in double figures, 11 TOs, +8 on the boards.

    We close regular season play at home vs. 9-17, 6-9 Cal. We won by only 2 there.

    February 26
    74-58 over Cal. Much easier than last time. 19, 10, 2 for Chaz, 19, 2, 1, 2 for Gid Diom from the bench, 10, 11 for Eli. 10 TOs, 37 RBs.

    We win the conf. by 2 over Stanford.

    “We now have all 625 of our people selected for the ship/city population.”

    “And is there a departure date?”

    “Not yet. The gravity lessening work is actually progressing. We made a breakthrough just recently. There is much testing to be done but we feel we may well have our answer.”

    “Good news then. The rockets will blast!”

    “Actually a better analogy would be one of floating upward until reaching orbit. We always felt that this would be a far more efficient approach. The approach of blasting one’s way into orbit has been the only one used by the nations that sent objects into space but it has always been and still remains very dangerous and very expensive. Our way, if we can perfect it, will be ridiculously inexpensive, and may be very close to perfectly safe. Again, we are not quite there yet.”

    We spoke for a while longer. Papa Joe says the “experimentation” by the children is slowing somewhat.

  3. Posted

    January 1, 2027
    77-52 over Oregon    . 6 in double figures. +10 RBs. It was over at halftime- not that I’d ever tell my players that.

    Rod Jazz hurt his hamstring. Out about 2 weeks. Shag Dann will get his minutes.

    This week we’re at 5-7 Arizona ST, and home with #9 ranked Stanford, 11-1.

    “You see, Alvin, our research is trying to lessen effect of gravity. If we can find a way to make even a very minor change it would have a tremendous impact upon the ease of launching a ship into orbit.”

    “Anti-gravity? Come on, Papa Joe, that’s science fiction.”

    “No, Alvin, not anti-gravity. Our researchers believe that anti-gravity is impossible. BUT, they equally believe that it is possible to find a way to lessen the effects of gravity in a given area.”

    “How?”

    “Ah. If we were able to answer that we would be in a lovely spot! We have made a bit of progress, or at least we believe we have, but as yet we have nothing that works except in very small scale. Still, there is reason for hope.”

    It gets more interesting all the time.

    January 8
    Another good week. 74-57 at Arizona ST. 20 and 13 for Chaz. +12 RBs. 15 TOS but that was +6.

    We crushed #9 Stanford 89-64 here. 6 players in double figures, 40 rebounds, 9 TOs. As well as we’ve played since I arrived in Boulder.

    We’re ranked #24.

    5-9, 2-1 Oregon ST here, and 4-10, 1-2 Cal there this week.

    January 15
    61-40 over Oregon ST. 17 and 10 for Eli, 16, 5, 3 for Shag Dann. 3 TOs- yes, for the team!

    A real battle, 67-65, at Cal. We mixed inside and outside scoring as well as we have in any game this year. +6 RBs. 19 TOs but that was only -1. We led by as many as 15 in the first half but our D got sloppy and we seemed a step slow at times. The 2 point margin was as close as it got late, but Cal had the ball and took the last shot. Fortunately it was off the front rim.

    We’re keeping Shag Dann in the rotation. He’s playing too well not to.

    We’re alone in first place, 1 up on UCLA and Utah. It’s early.

    5-11, 0-5 Washington ST comes to town and then we travel to 10-6, 3-2 Wash.

    January 22
    We are rolling along. 79-57 over Wash ST here. 20 and 7 for Eli, 15 each for Rich and Dan. 36 RBs, 8 TOs.

    71-50 at Wash. We thought this might be a challenge. It was for about 23 minutes. 23 and 15 for Eli, 16 for Chaz, 15 for Jed. 44 RBs.

    We have a 2 game lead over 4 teams. Everyone else is 4 or more behind.

    +14.5 PPG, +7.9 RBs, +3.9 TOs, 10.6 per game. #19, RPI #11.

    This week we’re at 11-7, 5-2 Utah and we host 5-13, 2-5 USC.

    January 29
    58-54 at Utah. We shot poorly but fortunately so did they. 14, 10, 2, 3, 3 for Eli, 19 for Jed. +11 TOs but -11 RBs. We got the win but we didn’t look good.

    Then we came home and were upset, shocked really, 63-66 vs. USC. For the 2nd straight night we shot poorly. Tonight we did a lot of other things poorly as well. We had the last shot, and we wanted Jed Reyk, our only effective three point shooter to take it. We got him an open look but the shot rolled out. We took 16 more shots and made one less, and we were 5-27 on threes.

    Oh well, work a little harder. We’re now only 1 up on UCLA and Stanford.

    We’re at 11-9, 7-2 UCLA. They were picked #2 nationally in the preseason but they’ve really struggled. They’ve been much better in conf. Then we host #25, Arizona, 16-6, 6-3. Not an easy week.

    As expected one of our committed recruits did not hit our SAT score. We’ve offered to an SF.

  4. Posted

    November 20

    71-51 at George Washington. The big guys did most of the scoring, 17, 9, 5 for Eli, 12, 5, 3 for Rich Kemp, 14, 3 for Rod Jazz. +13 on the boards. Our guards dished really well, only 6 TOs.

     

    Not so great at #25 UNLV, 69-73. Eli was in foul trouble all night and only played 14 minutes. We were competitive, and the stat sheet was close in all areas except threes (5-10), but we didn’t quite have the fight to get over the hump in this one. It’s early and we’ll work on it.

     

    This week We’re at home with Iowa ST, 0-1, and with 1-1 Brigham Young.

     

    November 27

    A good week. 68-45 over Iowa ST. 24, 15 for Eli, 6 TOs, and we led all the way.

     

    73-55 vs. Brigham Young. 16, 7, 4 for Eli. He has told me that he wants to make his senior year really special. He is certainly working toward that goal. 12 TOs, +12 RBs.

    2 on the road this week. First 2-1 Sid Bonney, then 0-3 Boise ST.

     

    December 4

    The road is tough. 1-1 this week. 56-75 at Sid Bonney. We blew a 14 point lead by shooting 7-36 in the 2nd half. Nothing would drop. Then we started forcing shots, making extra passes, doing all of the wrong things. I called all of my time outs but we couldn’t seem to turn it around. They sat in a 2-3 all night and really packed the middle. It worked; our big guys didn’t do much. We should know how to counter that but we sure didn’t tonight.

     

    Then we turned it around, 66-54 at Boise ST. 18, 12 for Eli, 12, 4, 2 for Rich, 9, 5 for Rod. We knew Boise ST would have seen our last game and would try the same strategy. They did, we were ready. 10 TOs, 37 RBs.

     

    2-4 Missouri here, 3-3 Illinois there this week.

     

    Two lineup changes. Jed Reyk is out performing Gid Diom, and he will start in his place. Same for Chaz Tomm over Rod Jazz. We’ll keep our eyes open and more changes are a definite possibility.

     

    December 11

    A two win week. 67-52 over Missouri. 16, 6, 2, 2 for Eli. New starter Jed Reyk had 10 and 5 and Chaz Tomm 9 and 7. 13, 4, 3 for Rich Kemp. 10 TOs, 32 RBs.

     

    60-45 over Illinois. Great D. 17, 10, 2 for Chaz, 14, 5, 2 for Jed, 10, 12, 2 for Eli. My two new starters are making me look like a genius. 9 TOs, 42 RBs.

     

    In state rival Colorado ST, 3-4 here, then at #14 LSU, 6-2.

     

    Papa Joe says there’s one difficulty his team is having a real challenge solving regarding getting the ship/city into space. I’m sort of surprised given everything else they’ve done, and given that they have really devoted a lot of resources to this.

     

    “We are using revolutionary new techniques. I am not surprised by this, Alvin. I hoped we would discover solutions more quickly but that has not been the case. I remain confident that solutions will be forthcoming but I will not risk lives. The technology must be as near to foolproof as we can make it. We have some time still.”

     

    Fresh water is becoming a very serious problem in several parts of the world. “Feed the Hungry” is helping but frankly, they are losing ground. We all know that this fight is not winnable, but we want to hold off the inevitable as long as possible.

     

    There is already a significant increase in things such as hurricanes, tornados, flooding, earthquakes- things of that nature. Many of the hurricanes have been far more powerful than what was the norm only a few years ago, and they are occurring in places where they rarely took place in the past. Although fracking was stopped worldwide several years ago the deleterious effects continue to be horrendous.

     

    December 18

    A very easy 75-49 win vs. Colorado ST. 8 guys played significant minutes and all played well. 7 TOs (+16).

     

    A great game for the fans at LSU, 86-84 in OT. We were down 13 with 12 minutes to play. We needed to do something desperate so we started doubling the ball. It didn’t get us a lot of TOS but it did make it difficult for LSU to get good shots and over the last 12 minutes we outscored them 29-16, tying it on a three by Jed with 1.8 to go. Then in OT we continued to double the ball. We took a 13-6 lead. They came back, but didn’t quite get there. 22, 6, 4 for Dan, 12, 14 for Eli who fouled out with 1: 22 to go in OT. Jed had 12 and 5. This was a big win for a lot of reasons but to me the biggest reason was that we simply never gave up.

     

    We’re 8-2, RPI #33.

     

    It’s a one game week. NC ST, 6-1, here.

     

    Jed and Jazz have been a real boost since they entered the starting lineup.

     

    December 25

    78-58 over NC ST at home in Boulder. It was close for about 25 minutes. At that point we went on a 12-3 run and we never looked back. Another game where lots of people contributed. 7 TOs, +4 RBs.

     

    We’re +11.6 PPG, +5.5 RBs, +3.6 TOs, averaging a fantastic 9.9 per game.

     

    We repeated last year’s holiday dinner with the entire family at the table in the chamber. It really was a wonderful time.

     

    We start Pac 12 play at home vs. 7-4 Oregon in another one game week.

  5. Posted

    June 6

    Preseason #11. I think we can compete for the national title this year. That may be overly optimistic but we’ll see.

     

    Nobody in the transfer pool. Unfortunately that means 6 scholarships to fill.

     

    June 20

    I don’t know, something just seemed weird in transfer land regarding Lou and Ling.

     

    “Lou, what’s going on?”

     

    “Huh?”

     

    “Something’s off- different- I don’t know how to say it.”

     

    “That kinda makes it tough to answer, dad.”

     

    “You and Ling don’t seem
 natural when we talk. It’s like you’re acting or maybe trying to hide something.”

     

    “
 No idea, dad.”

     

    I could see I was right but I could also see I wasn’t going to get anything out of Lou.

     

    


     

    “Alvin, after a person transfers the reality becomes completely different.”

     

    “I’m sure it does, Papa Joe.”

     

    “Perhaps you should keep that in mind regarding Lou and Ling.”

     

    “
 Really?”

     

    “Yes. I can assure you that everything is fine
 just not fine by your standards
 but very fine by ours.”

     

    Now what the heck was that supposed to me?

     

    June 26

    6 to fill. We need guards. Looking at 8 PGs, 1 SF, 5 PFs.

     

    July 19

    What are they keeping from me? Maybe a better question is what does it matter? At least that’s what Papa Joe has been telling me.

     

    “Let it go, Alvin.”

     

    “Let WHAT go!”

     

    “The need to know.”

     

    “I’m their father!”

     

    “Yes
 and no.”

     

    “What!”

     

    “Yes, you are their father. You will always be their father. But, as you have seen with Lili, who is now nearly 24 years old, that role changes.”

     

    “But Lou and Ling-”

     

    “Are now 22 and 15.”

     

    “No they’re-”

     

    “They are 22 and 15. Their appearance does not change. Unless the technology improves in unexpected ways their appearance may never change. But they are 22 and 15.”

     

    “15 is an age at which a child needs parents very much.”

     

    “In many cases, not in all.”

     

    “
 I am very frustrated.”

     

    “Your children mature early. They are, at every age, more adult than most of their peers.”

     

    “Yes but-”

     

    “They need parents. I do not deny that completely, but they do not need protecting. None of the things you worry about there in the virtual land of their existence are concerns here.”

     

    “Kids can still make bad decisions that will get them in trouble.”

     

    “Very, very few things can get them in trouble now, if any.”

     

    “You’re not helping.”

     

    “Step back. Gain some perspective. Take some time.”

     

    “Tell me what’s going on.”

     

    “No. I will not do that.”

     

    “Why not!”

     

    “Because you would over react, you would take the matter too seriously, you would not be reasonable-”

     

    “Papa Joe, I don’t know how you can say that. I have always dealt with things pretty damned reasonably.”

     

    “You have. It is true.”

     

    “Then-”

     

    “It is not my secret to tell. I will speak with them.”

     

    Then he was gone. I feel like I want to bite my own forehead.

     

    August 21

    We offer to 4 PGs, 2 bigs, but one of the bigs is a very long shot. He’s in state though and that sometimes helps.

     

    September 18

    Chasing recruits. I want a couple of bigs but there aren’t many good ones out there. Oh well, long way to go.

     

    No early season tourney this season. It was difficult to create as tough a schedule as I would have liked to have but it’s decent.

     

    September 25

    We got 2 PGs but lost a big.

     

    September 22

    Every time I visit with my transferred kids I continue to get the feeling that something is being kept from me. No idea when or if they’ll let me know or I’ll figure it out. In all of the many years I have known Papa Joe this is the first time I have been upset with him. He knows I am upset but that changes nothing.

     

    “Let go, Alvin.”

     

    Mai seems more relaxed with not knowing what’s going on.

     

    “If it were troubling or dangerous Papa Joe would be taking care of it, and I’m sure he would be letting us know more about it. I agree. Let it go, Blade.”

     

    You know, I’m neither the worrying type nor the stick my nose in type. No idea why this is getting to me.

     

    October 2

    I really liked what I saw at practice today.

     

    We’re picked 2nd in the Pac 12.

     

    November 6

    We have a lineup but changes are definitely expected. Mars, Diom and Reyk, all seniors, at guard. Roy and Jazz also seniors, up front. Kemp, a junior, at SF, and frosh Chaz Tomm and Shag Dann subbing in at 3, 4, and 5.

     

    We start at George Washington, then travel to #25 UNLV.

     

    It seems my kids are experimenting
 with all sorts of things.

     

    “Where is the harm? Nothing bad can happen to them in their virtual state. They cannot wind up with mental health issues, they cannot be involved in a traffic accident, they cannot have an unwanted pregnancy or an STD. When I feel they are going too far or taking up too much time with these
 ‘experiments’ I let them know and they reduce their involvement.”

     

    Papa Joe stunned me with this information.

     

    “Are they doing
 whatever they’re doing alone, with each other, with other virtual beings?”

     

    “Some of each. And some with virtual beings who only have existence in the equivalent of our chambers.”

     

    “I don’t understand.”

     

    “Yes, yes. In our chambers ‘beings’ exist that do not really exist- opponents in physical challenges- in your case, coaches to coach against, that sort of thing.”

     

    “Ah.” I need to process all of this. At first blush I don’t like it but as I ponder I must admit that yes, Papa Joe is probably right. He almost always is.

  6. Posted

    March 1984

    Iran-Iraq war

     

    March 5

    “No one goes pro.”

     

    March 10

    “#9 seed Washington beat #8 so we’ll play them. They’re 18-11, 9-7, and we beat them by 20 three weeks ago.”

    “88-70. It took awhile. We finally took charge about midway through the 2nd half. John’s 1st good game since his return but lots of guys played well. 11 TOs, +5 boards.”

     

    “#4 seed Va Tech, 21-9, 11-5 in the semis. They won by 14 at their place.

    March 11

    “The UML men were humiliated 46-72 in the semis. Coach didn’t have much too say beyond, ‘We were awful.’”

     

    “Now we’ll see how much this hurt us in seedings for the NCAA tourney.

     

    March 12

    “Va. Tech won the title.

     

    “UML is Ranked #8, RPI #4. A 2 seed?

     

    “Not in the East.

     

    “4 in the Midwest. Insultingly low. We play Washington, 16-12, again.

     

    March 16

    “61-51.  Coach said the guys played like they were bored. 13 TOs, 36 RBs.

     

    “#5 seed, #21 ranked UConn, 20-10, 10-6 in the round of 32.

     

    March 18

    “59-41. We never trailed, mostly due to excellent D. They shot 30.2%, 1-19 behind the arc. It was a terribly sloppy game, we had 21 TOS, they had 23. But we’re in the Sweet Sixteen.

     

    “#1 seed, #2 ranked, #3 RPI Kansas, 27-6. We will need to do just about everything right to beat this team.”

     

    March 23

    “47-68. We were overmatched but there is no excuse for 28 TOs. Coach says that next year he will actually have some natural PGs. He’s been playing with Shooting Guards at Pg for the past couple of years.”

     

    April 1984

    AIDS virus identified

     

    April 4

    “#5 Georgia Tech beat #1 Virginia, 75-73 for the national title.

     

    “Awards: Jed Henk got conf. D freshman of the year. Rudy Betts made 1st team, Jed made 2nd.

     

    April 23

    “Coach asked for a budget increase. Got $10,000. Coach got a raise. Finally making $100,000.

     

    “26-8, 12-4, got to the Sweet Sixteen, will go to conf. C next season. Team Prestige is up to 52. After 21 seasons Coach is at 534-163, .766.”

     

    “There were rumors regarding both coaching positions and University President positions for Grace Clark. Coach told us these things never get beyond the first call since neither he nor his wife is interested in moving. Great news for UML on both counts.

     

    “This is Betty Winns signing off. Since I’ll be graduating soon this is my last broadcast. Next year it will be sophomore Joe Butts at the mic.”

  7. Posted

    February 1984

    Nuthin’

     

    February 5

    “49-74 at Alabama. Worst ‘whuppin’’ of the season. We didn’t shoot well, didn’t defend well, didn’t do much of anything well. Coach says we were probably overdue for a game like this.

     

    “88-78 over Iowa ST. 5 guys in double figures including both Ayer and Stak from the bench. 5 TOs.

     

    “A very tough week coming up, two excellent teams on the road.  First 16-7, 7-3 VA Tech, then 10-11, 6-4 Penn. Coach says he plans to do his best to win both but I’m guessing he’d be happy with 1 and 1.

     

    “John Monk will have the cast off this week. He may be able to play the final two regular season games. Coach will have a pleasant dilemma as lots of guys have earned playing time.

     

    “UML is up 9.9 PPG on its opponents, +6.8 RBs, + 1.0 TOs despite a terrible 13.9.

     

    February 12

    “A very tough week. 50-64 at VA Tech. The poor shooting from last week got worse, 15-51, 2-16 on threes. That was really the story in this one.

     

    “66-81 at Penn. We shot well in this one but we forgot to defend- 55.8%. -9 on the boards didn’t help.

     

    “4 to play and they are all games we should win. We’re in a 3 way tie for the lead but given the schedule we’re in good position.

     

    “This week 14-10, 6-6 Washington here, then at 6-17, 2-10 UNC Greensboro. We beat them by 28 at our place.

     

    February 19

    “A much better week. 76-56 vs. Washington here. 9 TOs. 5 in double figures.

     

    “71-50 over UNC Greensboro there.  17, 9, 3, 3 for Rudy Betts, 15, 7 for Marq Stak. 12 TOs (+7), +12 RBs.

    “It’s still a 3 way tie at the top with VA Tech and West VA. Everyone else is at least 2 back.

     

    “16-9, 8-6 Georgetown here- we won by 14 there, and then the last regular season game is at 13-12, 6-8 FL ST. We won by 7 in OT at home so this could be a tough one.

     

    “John Monk will be back for both games. We’re going to spread the minutes out, at least for now.”

    February 26

    “64-55 with Georgetown here. John wasn’t ready, 11 minutes, 4 fouls. But the bench did fine. +8 TOs, but -7 RBs.

     

    “57-70 at FL ST. John was still not ready but on this night no one stepped up. Del Over, now starting at SF had 18, 4, 2 but no one else did much of anything. -11 RBs.”

     

    “Decision time for Coach. John needs to play himself into game shape. We have 11 or 12 days until our next game which should be more than enough time. Should Coach stick with him? I’m thinking he will.

     

    “We wound up in a 2 way tie for 1st with West VA, and we have the #1 seed. 23-6, 12-4, ranked #7, RPI #4. Considering we were supposed to finish 12th this is pretty good. Let’s see if we can rock the post season.”

  8. Posted

    January 1984

    AT & T is split up

     

    NCAA hoops tourney expanded to 64 teams.

     

    “Where’s the beef?”

     

    Man with no brain announces he will seek 2nd term

     

    January 1

    “UML closed out pre-conf. play with a 72-55 win over Cincinnati. Dan Mola had an off night but our other 5 were all in doubles, led by Rudy Betts with 18 and 12. We end up 11-2, ranked #21, RPI #1 for the pre-conf. season.

     

    “This week 4-7 UNC Greensboro here and then at 8-3 Georgetown.”

     

    January 8

    “Betty Winns on ‘Sportstalk.’ A good start to conf. D play. 83- 51 with UNC Greensboro. 6 in double figures, 8 TOs.

     

    “Then disaster struck in a 75-61 win at Georgetown. Starting C John Monk broke a toe early in the game. He’s out for 6 weeks, which means very likely for the rest of the regular season. Little used sub Dan Bry injured his back and is gone for about 2 weeks. When asked Coach Clark said that Del Over and Marq Stak will pick up lots of minutes. Here on tape is what Coach said:

     

    “Injuries are, unfortunately, part of the game. We’ll miss John but we’ll do the best we can with what we have.”

     

    “This week it’s 7-6 FL ST at home, then we travel to 7-6 Gonegaga. We’re 13-2 at the time of the injuries.”

     

    January 15

    “ Betty Winns here. It was a terrific week for the undermanned UML River Hawks. 74-67 in OT over FL ST here. Del Over, in his 1st start, led the team with 16, 10, 2, 2. Subs Marq Stak and Shay Ayer played well. 9 TOs. It was a hard fought game. We tied it very late in regulation and then defended successfully. In OT we took over.

     

    “69-64 over Gonegaga there. We came back from 13 down early in the 2nd half. Rudy Betts was terrific in the post, 19 and 9. Del Over played another good game. 16 TOs, but they had 18.

     

    “We’re 4-0, in a 3 way tie for 1st. Ranked #11, RPI #1.

     

    “This week 9-6, 2-2 Iowa is here. We travel to 8-7, 3-1 Texas Tech.”

     

    January 22

    “The UML men keep rolling along. 85-63 vs. Iowa here. 21, 10, 2 for Jed Henk, 17, 5, 2 for Rudy, 15, 3, 4 for Del. 7 TOs, 36 RBs.

     

    “65-54 over Texas Tech there. 24, 9 for Rudy. +16 RBs but 19 TOs.

     

    “We asked Coach Clark about missing John Monk. Here’s what he said:

     

    “Oh believe me we miss him. We’re winning, 4-0 since he went down, and I’m proud of my guys for working so hard. But we’re a better team with John in there.”

     

    “#12 ranked West Virginia, 16-4, 4-2 is here, as is UMass, 8-11, 0-6.

     

    “We’re a top 10 team, #8, RPI #1.”

     

    January 29

    “80-68 over #12 West VA. All 5 starters in double figures. Despite 20 TOs and only 24 RBs we won. We took 35 trips to the line they took 17, and that was the story.

     

    “62-52 against UMass. 17, 7 for Rudy but excellent D won this one.

     

    “We now hold a 2 game lead over VA Tech and Penn, 3 or more over the rest.

     

    “This week we’re at 12-7, 5-3 Alabama, and we host 7-13, 4-4 Iowa ST.

     

    “We lost a committed recruit to the SAT Score. Coach says he is offering to another PG.

     

    “We’re ranked #7, RPI still #1, and we’re 6-0 since starting Center John Monk went down. Over and Stak have stepped up wonderfully and Betts is doing great in the post.”

  9. Posted

    November 20

    “Betty Winns here. 70-57 over Delaware at home. 5 guys in double figures. +6 in both TOs and RBs.

     

    “80-68 at Drexel. We never trailed, and we led by as many as 25. Sub Shay Ayer was in double figures again, leading us with 21, 5, 4 but he had 9 TOs (of 14). Rudy Betts had 18 and 7.

    “This week we’re at #9 GA Tech, then off to the Alaskan Classic against #2 seed Penn.”

     

    November 27

    “61-69 at #9 GA Tech.

     

    “The River Hawks won their 1st game at the Alaskan Classic, 84-75 over Penn. 25 for Shay Ayer14, 4, 5, 2, 2 for Seb Frak, 15, 7, 4 for John Monk. +9 RBs. 16 TOs but they had 17.

     

    Then it was #3 seed, #22 ranked Washington in the semis. We won a real war, 71-69 when Jed Hank hit an 18 footer with less than a second to play. 16 and 12 for John, 5 guys in double figure. +9 RBs, 12 TOs.

     

    “It was the #7 vs. the #8 seed for the title and we beat Western KY 94-56. 5 in double figures, Jed had 9, Del Over had 7 and 7. 12 TOs for + 11.

     

    “We’re 5-1 to date.

     

    “This week we’re at #16 UNLV, 5-1, then we host 0-4 Charlotte.

     

    December 1983

    Nuthin’

     

    December 4

     

    “It was a great week for UML. Coach, 77-59 at #16 UNLV.”

     

    “Big win. 16, 14 for John, 20, 5, 2 for Rudy, 18, 4, 2 for Shay, very good D, +15 RBs.”

     

    “Then back home finally, 64-54 over Charlotte.”

     

    “They were pesky. We were +12 in RBs but we were awful with the ball, 20 TOs. We shot poorly and made some bad decisions, but rebounding, solid D, and +18 at the line took us home.”

     

    “Ranked for the first time, #18, RPI #11.”

     

    “When we beat UNLV I thought that might happen.”

     

    “A one game week, here with 4-1 Seton Hall.”

     

    December 11

    “Betty Winns here with the Sunday wrap up. 70-57 over Seton Hall here. 17, 11, 2, 3 for John Monk, 20, 5, 5 for Shay Ayer. We really owned the 2nd half.

     

    “This week it’s UMass, 6-2, here, then we’re at 5-2 Rhode Island.

     

    December 18

    “82-72 with UMass here. Rudy Betts had a great game, 31 and 7.

     

    “We were upset, 60-67 at URI. 18 TOs, poor outside D. 18, 10 for John, 13, 9, 2 for Rudy, but our guards were out played.

     

    “At #19 Oklahoma ST, 8-1, this week.

     

    December 25

    “A 53-49 battle at #19 OK ST. We were down 10 early in the 2nd half. We finally turned it into an inside game and that did it for us. 50 RBs (+22), 19, 10 for Rudy, 7, 12 for John, 12, 5 for Jed. 20 TOs kept it close. We are not handling the ball well yet again this season. We played great D.”

     

    “7-3 Cincinnati here to close out pre-conf. play.”

  10. Posted

    May 1983

    Nuthin’

     

    June 1983

    “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”

     

    Monster woman re-elected British PM

     

    SCOTUS strikes down state and local restrictions on abortion

     

    June 6

    “Betty Winns here on ‘Sportstalk.’ Coach Clark reports that the transfer pool doesn’t have anyone he is interested in.

     

    June 26

    “Coach Clark has four scholarships. He says he’s going for mostly guards. Right now 7 PGs, 1 SG, 1 SF, 2 PFs.”

     

    July 1983

    Nuthin’

     

    August 1983

    Nuthin’

     

    August 21

    “Coach Clark told ‘Sportstalk’ that he has offered to 3 PGs. He would like to offer to an inside player and will likely do so soon.”

     

    September 1983

    Still nuthin’.

     

    September 18

    “We get 2 PGs. We’re going to the Alaskan Classic. We have some challenges in the schedule.”

     

    October 1983

    Last U. S. hand cranked phones go out of service (Maine)

     

    1st cellular network

     

    MLK day established as national holiday

     

    October 2

    “Betty Winns here with the Coach on the phone. Coach, how’s recruiting going?”

     

    “We have 2 PGs committed and we’re looking at a couple of guards and a handful of inside players.”

     

    “How was the first day of practice?”

     

    “I like what I saw.”

     

    “UML is picked to finish 9th in conf. D.”

     

    “I think we’ll do considerably better than that.”

     

    “Thanks Coach.”

     

    November 1983

    Tandy 2000

     

    November 6

    “Coach, tell us about the lineup. Freshman Seb Frak and senior Dan Mola at guard, freshman Jed Henk playing some 2, some 3. Junior Rudy Betts, soph John Monk inside, and senior Shay Ayer playing some 4, some 5, maybe even some 3. We’re primarily going to try to go with 6 guys, all of whom will get about the same number of minutes. We’ll see how that goes.”

     

    “Recruiting?”

     

    “Still haven’t found that big guy but we have our 3 guards.”

     

    “And UML will start at home with Delaware, from O. Then it’s off to Drexel from E.”

  11. Posted

    March 5

    No one goes pro.

    March 10

    #10 seed USC, 10-19, 6-10, upset #7 so we play them in the quarters.

    66-41. Held them to 14 in the 1st half. 25, 6, 4 for Gid, 13 for Rod, 7 TOs.

     

    #6 seed Oregon, 20-10, 10-6, upset #3 Stanford so they’re up in the semis. They beat us by 7 then we beat them by 18.

     

    March 11

    71-78. The biggest difference on the stat sheet was -9 RBs. They took 11 more shots and they made enough of them to get the win. I’ve been happier. 21, 2, 6, 3 for Dan, 12 for Rod, 10 for Jed.

     

    March 12

    UCLA wins the conf. title.

     

    Not in the East.

     

    #8 in the Midwest. We play #9 seed Temple, 22-8. They have a very good back court. This will be a challenge.

     

    March 16

    64-65. Their backup PG hit a three with 7.4 left and we couldn’t convert on our last possession.

     

    After going 10-3 late, we closed 1-3 in our last 4, just crashed and burned.

     

    It’s frustrating to exit so early. We’re building here, but it takes time. We are losing no one this year and we have several really good looking guys coming in so we’re hopeful.

     

    March27

    Cal got hot and they’re going to the final four.

     

    Things are definitely becoming difficult on planet earth. Fresh water is a serious problem in many parts of the world. “Feed the Hungry” is stretched to its absolute limits, not because of food as much as water. Since money will soon become completely irrelevant- what use either aboard a ship/city, or in a virtual existence- Papa Joe is pouring resources into the fight to keep people from starving and/or freezing. All profits from his other enterprises are also going into this battle. He is keeping enough funds to assure that all of his other enterprises can continue with their vital work, of course, and “FtH” is still soliciting contributions.

    “It is a bit of a useless gesture given the number of people who will simply be unable to survive before many more years have passed, but I must do it. Tomorrow- well, tomorrow will come. We will leave behind all the help we can when we go.”

     

    April 4

    #2 UNC beat #23 Minnesota for the title. They haven’t lost an NCAA championship since I left.

     

    Awards: Eli Roy made Pac 12 1st team. Gid Diom made 2nd team.

     

    April 23

    Asked for a facilities upgrade. B- doesn’t impress kids we’re chasing and it’s not what our players should have.

     

    Got it. We’re B+ now. Team Prestige up a point to 48.

     

    We finished 21-11, 11-5, 2nd in conf., but we just fell apart in the post season. Again, I like the team we’ll have next year and the strong recruiting class we managed to attract. Look out, world!

     

    After 35 seasons I’m 939-259, .784. It will take three seasons for me to get to 1000 wins. I hope I can stay around that long before the “rock” goes into space, aboard the ship/city. That’s a flight I certainly cannot afford to miss!

     

    Everything related to the ship/city and the transfer/rock is going well. It’s a process and it will take time, but since time is limited and things may change quickly all possible resources are being directed toward these two efforts.

     

    The ship/city will be able to house about 625 people due to improvements in design and such. Papa Joe and his people are deciding who those people will be. The real leaders will, for the most part, be virtual. Some need to remain, what’s the word
 real? Live on board? Whatever, in charge, in the real world, in order to keep the ship/city functioning smoothly, and in order to resolve disputes, disagreements and such. The rest will all be breeders. If the point is to re-establish a human civilizations in space this is a necessity.

     

    About 10,000 people will transfer to a virtual existence, and will be housed in the “rock.” Here again, Papa Joe and his team are making the choices.

     

    “It is difficult and in many ways completely unfair. Who are we to decide who is given this gift? Who is anyone? Why not give everyone on earth this gift? Is it conceivable that it could be done? The answer to the latter is that it would require an enormous, almost unbelievable really, commitment of time and resources. Conceivable, yes. Actually able to be done? Probably not.

     

    “But still, why not do as many people as we can? The answer to that is that everyone who is let in upon this secret increases the chances that the secret will become known. We have been extremely fortunate regarding that. Rumors surface. We laugh them off as “Area 51” type nonsense. Some believe the rumors; some believe it is all a hoax. We are in no danger so far. When people transfer we announce a death, hold a funeral. There is, after all, a dead body. Transfers are not put in contact with anyone outside of our very small, very tight circle- not ever, not for any reason. So far so good. No one has ever declined to be transferred. We are exceedingly careful regarding who is invited. We want the absolute best minds in every field of endeavor. Those whose work will help us achieve our goals are already on board with us, and have already gone through the preliminary steps to transfer. The others will be brought in during the final day or two before the last few ships leave. Some of those will undoubtedly refuse to go when they discover that their families cannot accompany them. How many? It is impossible to predict such a thing.”

  12. Posted

    February 5

    65-54 with UCLA here. Gid had 21, Eli 9, 11, 2, 3, Jed 12, 3, 3 form the bench.

     

    Then a disappointing loss at Arizona, 59-67. We just can’t seem to get over the hump on the road. +16 RBs led to +12 shots but we shot 34.5%. -5 TOs didn’t help the cause. 20 and 4 for Gid, 12, 11, 2, 2 for Rich.

     

    We’re still 1 back in conf., alone in 4th. We need to go at least 4-1, 5-0 would be better in our last 5 regular season games.

     

    This week we host #22 Oregon, 16-7, 8-3,and then we’re at 10-12, 6-5 Arizona ST. Oregon beat us by 7 at their place, and we crushed Arizona ST.

     

    February 12

    A 2-0 week and we’re in a 4 way tie for the top. 60-42 over #22 Oregon. 18, 4, 2 for Gid, 11 each for Dan and Lars, 11 RBs for Eli, 11 TOs, 38 RBs. We dominated.

     

    66-55 at Arizona ST. They took an early lead but it didn’t last. 51 fouls called. Eli, Lars, and Dan all fouled out, and Rich had 4. It was almost as bad on the other bench. 13, 8 for Eli. Good bench play, especially form Rod and Jed. +10 on the boards, even in TOs.

     

    3 to play. We’d love to have them all. This week we host #10 Stanford, 20-6, 9-4. They won by only 3 there but they may be the best team in the conf.

     

    Then it’s 5-19, 1-12 Oregon ST here. They may be the worst team in conf.

     

    TOs are down to 13.5. That’s awful, but it’s way better than it was. We’re +1.2. We’re +6.8 in RBs, and +9.9 in PPG.

     

    February 19

    We are rolling! 72-54 in a BIG win over #10 Stanford. +14 on the boards, which was the key. +3 in TOs. Rod had 17 but 7 played and 7 did their part. They had 12 threes but it took 36 shots to get them. I’ll take that. We held them to 37.3% overall.

     

    63-42 over Oregon ST. This was not a challenge. Again, 7 players all did their job well. +10 on the boards, 11 TOs (+8).

     

    We are tied for first with UCLA with one to play. We have a tougher game than they do, at 17-9, 9-6 Cal., tied for 4th in conf. We destroyed them by 36 at our place but it won’t be easy there, they’re 13-2 at home.

     

    We broke into the rankings for the first time this season, #25.

     

    February 26

    60-73 at Cal. We blew a 10 point lead and were simply awful in the 2nd half, 24-46. They moved the ball really well and found the open man. I tried all sorts of things to turn it around but nothing worked.

     

    We wind up tied for 2nd, 1 back, with the #2 seed. Our time in the top 25 lasted all of one week.

     

    “A rock.”

     

    “A rock?”

     

    “Yes. Our people decided that we could not fit everything into a golf ball. A rock, approximately the size of a basketball but looking like an ordinary space rock, should have all the necessary room. Receptors and antennae, cleverly discussed would be on the mottled surface. The controls along the inside skin of the rock. Again, the system requires very little power. The receptors would pick up what was needed as the rock journeyed through space. The guidance system would avoid difficulties and would guide it away from obstacles, including things like supernovae, eventually. We are very nearly there regarding the design. Testing will probably begin before December.”

     

    The strange new reality is almost upon us.

  13. Posted

    January 1, 2026

    64-71 at Oregon. We started Gid Diom at guard over Jed Reyk, and will continue to do so, at least for now. Gid had 20, 3, 2 but he fouled out. 11, 14 for Eli. +13 RBs but 17 TOs.

     

    TOs are the problem. We’re averaging 14.1. This has been a problem for more than 2 years and we simply haven’t been able to stop it. Still working on it. We’re +7.2 on the boards.

     

    This week we host 4-8 Arizona ST and then it’s a tough one at #7 Stanford, 12-2.

     

    January 8

    64-40 over Arizona ST here. Eli led us with 18 and 13, Lars had 13, 6, 2, Dan 14, 3, 4, 2. Gid did not look good at PG. This experiment may not work out. We do want to give it a bit more time though. Only 10 TOS but Gid had 6 of them. +18 on the boards.

     

    A tough one at #7 Stanford, 76-79. We were down 24 at the half and spent the 2nd half chipping and chipping and chipping. We didn’t quite get there. We missed the tying three with less than a second to go. I loved our determination, we were simply up against a really good team.

     

    We’re 1-2 in conf. play but I am not particularly concerned. We’ve played probably the 2 top teams in conf., both on the road. We’ll be fine.

     

    This week it’s 4-10, 0-3 Oregon ST there, then 9-5, 1-2 Cal at our place.

     

    “No pain.”

     

    “None at all?”

     

    “I’m not sure pain is even possible- well, yes, it could be programmed in, I suppose. But why would anyone
 And no fatigue unless it’s programmed in as part of some sort of challenge. If you are climbing a mountain you want to overcome the obstacles, fatigue being one.”

     

    “But you need to ask for it. Under normal circumstances you don’t feel either pain or fatigue?”

     

    “That is correct.”

     

    “What about other physical sensations.”

     

    “The good ones are there. A massage here, even though it is not needed, feels wonderful. Food tastes exceptionally good.”

     

    “And then vanishes after you swallow it.”

     

    “Well, we are virtual, after all.”

     

    “No bathroom trips, no menstrual cycle for women. Wait! What about sex?”

     

    An enormous smile lit up Papa Joe’s face.

     

    “O-KAY! (laughs). And your appearance. You’ve chosen to look as you did when you transferred?”

     

    “No. I would choose to look as I do if the choice were mine, but at least for now the researchers are unable to do this. It is strange. Some of the changes that can be made seem far more complex. Who knows?”

     

    “Why would you choose to look as you do?”

     

    “I am an authority figure, as you know. I think looking “venerable” helps with that.”

     

    “Papa Joe, believe me, you don’t need any help.”

     

    “And despite anyone’s appearance, all who transfer have the strength, the stamina, the energy, the intelligence- everything they had at their peak?”

     

    “That is so.”

     

    “And your brother, whose emphysema was so bad he could barely breathe, barely move. And Lou who was all but dead from the auto accident when he transferred. And you, who were also almost dead. No effect.”

     

    “None. Perhaps for a person who had not gone through the preliminary stages it might be different but so far all who have transferred have either done so in excellent health or have gone through those stages.

     

    “You will excuse me, Alvin. I have a meeting.”

     

    When the time comes I certainly won’t be hesitant.

     

    January 15

    Good week and we’re above .500 in conf. 75-58 at Oregon ST. 20 for Rod Jazz from the bench. Rich and Lars both had foul trouble and Rod filled in really well. +11 TOs and we were in charge all the way.

     

    We crushed Cal here, 81-45. 24, 11, 2, 2 for Eli, 11 each for Rich and Lars. 11 TOs again.

     

    Only three teams ahead of us in conf.

     

    This week we’re at 9-7, 2-3 Wash ST, then it’s Wash, 7-9, 3-2 here.

     

    January 22

    A 1-1 week. 59-68 at Wash ST. We shot 33.3%, they shot 57.1%, which means we didn’t play D. Every time we tried we got whistled. 5 fouls for Lars, 4 for Rich, and a T for me. The other coach got one, too.

     

    82-72 over Wash at home. 5 in double figures. 17 TOs but they had 21. Refs were whistle happy again.

     

    We’re 4-3 in conf., in sole possession of 4th place, but 2 back of 2nd, 3 of third. We’re 5-5 on the road and we need to do better than that.

     

    This week 4-14, 1-6 Utah here, then 5-14, 2-5 USC there.

     

    January 29

    After a great week we’re in the race, 1 back of three teams tied for the lead. 63-43 over Utah. 20, 14,3  for Eli, 14, 13 for Lars, 14 for Rich, +9 on the boards. We completely controlled the inside and had only 12 TOs.

     

    Then 69-54 at USC. Excellent offensive contributions by 6 players including 13, 4 from Rod Jazz from the bench. 9 TOs.

     

    We host 11-10, 7-2 UCLA, tied for 1st, then go to 11-9, 4-5 Arizona.

     

    All of our committed recruits hit the SAT score.

  14. Posted

    November 20

    We did well at the Coaches Classic. We beat #10 ranked, #1 seed Kentucky 81-64. Dan Mars took up where he left in scoring last year, getting 29.Rich Kemp had a great game from the bench, 17 and 12. 15 TOs but 40 RBs.

     

    Then we beat #9 seed Duke, 76-40. 19 for Jed Reyk, and another big game for Rich Kemp, 14, 8, 3. 10, 8, 2 for Eli. 12 TOs, +6 RBs.

     

    #20 ranked, #5 seed Syracuse ended our run in the semis, 65-79. The refs called 43 fouls, which is ridiculous, but that’s not why we lost. On this night the other team was better. 16 for Dan, 12 each for Jed and Lars, but -12 on the boards.

     

    We’re making a much quicker than usual lineup change. Rich Kemp will start at SF.

     

    This week FL ST, 1-1, is here for our home opener. Then we’re at 1-1 Long Beach ST.

     

    November 27

    89-71 over FL ST. On top all the way. 23, 9, 3 for Eli, 27, 4, 2 for Gid Diom from the bench- both of our starting guards were in foul trouble all night. Gid really got it done.  13, 4, 4 for Rich Kemp in his first start. 5 TOs, +8 RBs.

     

    51-68 at Long Beach ST. First poor game we’ve played. We shot 30%, 5-22 on threes. We let them shoot 55.6%. Rod Jazz had 16, 5 from the bench. Only 11 TOs, but -8 on the boards.

     

    2-2 Ohio ST comes to us this week, then 4 of the next 5 are on the road. First is 1-2 Brigham Young.

     

    December 4

    A good week. 67-64 over Ohio ST. They led most of the way, by as many as 15. We kept chipping away until finally we tied it at 3:11. It went back and forth a couple of times, we got the lead to 6 very late, they knocked down a three at the buzzer. I was really pleased with our determination. 26, 5, 5, 2 for Dan. 12, 12, 2 for Eli and the same for Gid. 20 TOs was the reason it took us so long to get the lead. +6 on the boards.

     

    75-63 at Brigham Young. All 5 starters in double figures. 11, 13, 2, 4 for Eli. The biggest difference this year is that Dan Mars has consistent help with scoring. That has made a very big difference. +12 RBs but 18 TOs.

     

    AT 3-3 Nebraska, then home with 4-3 Penn this week.

     

    We’re 5-2 against good competition and I think we’re good and getting better.

     

    December 11

    80-72 at Nebraska. 22, 7, 2, 3 for Eli. +14 RBs.

     

    57-58 to Penn here. This one hurt. We literally threw it away. TOs on our last three possessions and a 5 point lead became a one point loss. 17, 10, 2, 2 for Eli. +14 boards again but the TOs are at 14.3 and it’s hurting us. We’re going to give Reyk and Diom more time at PG and Dan more at SG.

     

    On the road all week, first at 5-2 Colorado ST, then #19, 5-2 New Mexico.

     

    December 18

    72-51 at Colorado ST. The officials made a mockery of this game, 51 fouls called, 63 trips to the line. Gid Diom led us with 21, 4, 4, 3. We had 18 TOS but were +12 on the boards.

     

    51-69 to #19 New Mexico. We were never in it. 15, 19 and 4 blocks for Eli, +18 RBs, but 21 TOs, 33.3% shooting, and we didn’t play D.

     

    This week we’re home, first with 7-2 Purdue, and then 5-4 Georgetown.

     

    December 25

    A great week to end the pre-conf. season. 71-51 over Purdue. 6 players in double figures, 8 TOs, never trailed.

     

    Then 82-44 with Georgetown. 16, 5, 8 for Diom, 14, 4,5 for Mars, 5 TOs.

     

    9-4 at the end of pre-conf. play.

     

    We begin conf. play with what looks like it will be a tough game at #24 Oregon, 8-4.

     

    Greatest holiday dinner ever. The entire family gathered in a chamber. The people who had transferred had their food, we had ours. It was all of the same dishes but due to our different “natures” it had to be that way. But it felt like a big, happy family having dinner together. There was noise, laughter and joy. All of Papa Joe’s family attended- brother, nieces and nephews, his children, even his oldest son who rarely comes around, grandchildren- all of us. It was a day to remember.

  15. Posted

    May 1

    I’m not totally clear but here’s what I have. Papa Joe went to the lab where the transfers usually take place. Maybe he felt an attack coming on, maybe he just went there for whatever reason- business, social, who knows? He got there, two of the people were in the room. They looked up as he entered; he opened his mouth to speak and just dropped. They ran to him. They saw almost immediately that something enormously awful had happened. They took his pulse and it was fading fast. They didn’t ponder, they didn’t discuss; they just hooked him up to begin the final transfer. By now he was dying, and rapidly. They finished in time, barely.

     

    They went to the microchip where Lou and Ling live. Papa Joe was not there. He still has not been located.

     

    The techs, and the head of the department assure Sing and the rest of us that Papa Joe is somewhere. They are of no help regarding where that somewhere might be. But he is not “gone,” whatever that means. He will turn up. Let’s hope.

     

    May 17

    Still no sign of Papa Joe. We are still being told that he will turn up. Sing is frantic, unable to function, really. Lili has taken over a huge amount of what Papa Joe did, more than we like, more than she can handle, we think.

     

    “There’s no one else, Dad. Papa Joe has been grooming me for this, just in case, for a very long time. Don’t interfere, I’m on it.”

     

    June 6

    Basketball- oh yes, basketball. We are looking at transfers. We’re weaker inside than out.

     

    June 12

    No one worth pursuing.

     

    No change in Papa Joe’s status. He is still MIA.

     

    June 26

    Three to fill. Hoping for maybe 2 bigs and a guard.

     

    July 19

    One of the techs came rushing down to us at dinner time. We’ve been trying to have dinner together each evening, both families. It seems to help a little. Anyway, he said they thought they’d solved the problem. We all rushed to the lab.

     

    It seems when Papa Joe went down they had to slide the equipment over to him. Naturally everything was rushed. Evidently some wire or cable or something hidden way in the back may have come loose. Now, of course they’d checked all of that multiple times but this one was in a really obscure spot and they’d somehow overlooked it.

     

    “We’ve got it almost reconnected but we wanted all of you here when we made the final reconnection. Here goes.”

     

    And there on the monitor was Papa Joe! Sing screamed and burst into tears. The rest of us cheered wildly. Papa Joe smiled, looking confused.

     

    “I know I have transferred. I vaguely remember entering this room, I believe it was, but I remember nothing after that. I assume I had another attack and it was decided to make the transfer. But why the huge reactions?”

     

    “Papa Joe
 you’ve been
 missing- lost, for about 3 Âœ months. The people here just now solved the problem.”

     

    “Alvin, how can this be possible? First, this has never happened in thousands of transfers, and second, I feel like I have only been out of touch for seconds.”

     

    We explained. We reunited. We celebrated.

    Then the techs explained that due to a tech breakthrough it would now be possible to meet with a person or persons who had transferred, within a chamber- you remember the virtual reality chambers, right? It would not be the actual person, but nothing about the experience would seem less than 100% real to anyone involved- transferred or not.

     

    August 7

    No on one the Norton list. I thought Eli might be.

     

    August 21

    We offer to 2 PFs and a PG. One of the PFs is a very long shot but he’s in state.

     

    All of the reunions and celebrations have calmed down and life is getting back to whatever passes for normal around here. The chamber experience is absolutely wonderful. To be able to interact, to hug our loved ones- it is just very special.

     

    Papa Joe has returned to all of his duties. In short he’s pretty much running the world again.

     

    “Except now I am never exhausted, and I do not need to waste time on flights or even chauffeured trips.”

     

    “So more time to work.”

     

    “Actually, more time to relax, and more time to spend with Sing and the children. I work enough.”

     

    September 18

    We’re still chasing 2 bigs and a PG.

     

    We’re in the Coaches Classic but against KY in the 1st round. We’ve strengthened the schedule a bit, 4 ranked teams and some other really good teams.

     

    September 25

    We got the PG and the PF. Still chasing a big guy.

     

    October 2

    Got the Center- not the in state long shot though.

     

    1st day of practice. We’re picked to finish 5th. I like what I see. I think we can do better than that.

     

    Papa Joe is doing countless things, running everything, involved in planning everything. He loves the fact that in order to meet with anyone at all there is no longer a transportation component. He and they simply go to the chamber- again, it’s not that simple. He really cannot leave the microchip. But the effect is exactly as if he were in the chamber so it’s all academic. In any case, he is able to do lots more than he could before, and in less time. He is truly being mindful of spending considerably more time with the family.

     

    “I need to rest only very, very briefly. This is wonderful.”

     

    “And Sing?”

     

    “Now that she has what feels exactly like my physical presence, can interact with me physically as well as intellectually and emotionally, there is no problem. She is completely accepting.”

     

    I agree that this is great. I feel as if my two transferred kids are with me again, and that’s wonderful.

     

    Plans continue for migrating into space. I’m told that we’re not that far away. That’s good because the beginning of the end is upon us. Low lying cities are already in jeopardy. At this point “Feed the Hungry” is still managing to take care of just about everyone, but it cannot last much longer.

     

    November 6

    We have a lineup. Jr. Dan Mars will get lots of minutes at guard. The rest will be split about evenly between juniors Jed Reyk and Gid Diom, at least until one of them emerges. We feel we are very strong inside. Junior Eli Roy and soph Lars Shin will get all the minutes they can handle. The rest will be split evenly between soph Rich Kemp and junior transfer Rod Jazz, again, until someone shows he should have more minutes.

     

    We start at the Coaches Classic against #10 Kentucky, the #1 seed.

  16. Posted

    March 1983

    Man with no brain introduces “Star Wars” defense

     

    March 5

    No one going pro.

     

    March 10

    “We play #5 seed Penn, 18-10, 9-7 in the quarters. They won by 11 at their place. Big game. Win we move up to C, lose we stay here. Not sure which would be better.”

    


    “60-56 over Penn. Coach?”

     

    “We started slowly but once we took the lead we held it. It was in single digits all night and they got within 1 or 2 a bunch of times. 19, 7, 2, 5 for Dan.”

     

    “UCLA in the semis.”

     

    “They upset #1 seed, #6 ranked Auburn in a shocker. UCLA is the #9 seed and they’re 19-11, 8-8. We didn’t play them during the regular season. They lost 4 in a row before the tourney so it’s kind of interesting. Their starting C got a really bad ankle sprain in tonight’s game. I don’t think he’ll play. It would  be nice to get to the title game.”

     

    March 11

    “78-63 over UCLA. Coach?”

     

    “We were really on tonight. 16, 10 for Kim, 19, 5 for Dan, 11, 9 for John, 11 for Dan Bry from the bench, +11 on the boards.”

     

    “And the upsets continued. It’s #6 seed, 18-12, 8-8 Missouri for the title.”

     

    “We won by 7 at home. They were 1-3 in their last 4 before the tourney. They score outside but they aren’t great with the ball. If we can turn them over, and take care of it ourselves, we’ll do well.

     

    March 12

    “56-67. Not our night, Coach.”

     

    “We knew their 2 and 3 got the points and we didn’t stop them- didn’t even slow them down. We had 8 TOs. Again tonight we didn’t shoot well, and we didn’t stop the guys we needed to stop.”

     

    “Are you in the big dance?”

     

    “Definitely. I think we only needed to win one game in the tourney to get there.”

     

    “Okay, we’ll stay right here for the selection show.

     

    


    “Not in the East.

     

    “Not in the Midwest.

     

    “Not in the South.

     

    “The last team to show up on the board, #9 in the West. We’ll play #8 seed Syracuse, 17-13. Tough first round match.”

    “I’ll say! Conf. B, perpetual elite program. Man!”

     

    “The UML women won their tourney and are again #1 overall.”

     

    March 13

    “Betty Winns here after the 1st round women’s game between Idaho ST and UML. We won 77-58.”

     

    March 15

    “The UML women are in the Sweet Sixteen after a 69-54 win over CCSU.”

     

    March 17

    “80-79 over Syracuse in OT. What a game for the UML men!”

     

    “We really wanted this one. After going out in the first round last year we didn’t want that to happen again. It took an off balance, heavily guarded 14 footer by Kim Chan at the buzzer but we’re still alive.”

     

    “+10 RBs, +6 TOs.”

     

    “We definitely did the things we needed to do, but barely. We let them shoot 60.9% but it seemed like when we really needed a stop we got one. Kim had 22, but lots of guys contributed.”

     

    “#1 seed Wake Forest next.”

     

    “22-8, 11-5, #4 RPI, A conf. They’re very good but they can be beaten.

     

    March 19

    “42-60 vs Wake Forest. Coach?”

     

    “The last game was typical of the season. We couldn’t score. 23.5%. We didn’t take care of the ball- 21 TOs. +8 on the boards.”

     

    “It has to be said, Coach, your most losses, 2nd least wins, lowest pct.”

     

    “It was a long season, no doubt. We have a lot of new faces coming in. We can only hope that a few of them can score points.”

     

    “We’ll be with you on Awards night.”

     

    March 20

    “The UML women won 61-49 over Iowa. They’re in the Sweet Sixteen against Texas.”

     

    March 22

    “UML hoops is finished for the year. The UML women lost to a tough Texas team, 56-59. The three year reign as national champions is at an end.”

     

    April 1983

    Nolan Ryan becomes all time strikeout leader

     

    April 4

    “#1 Villanova beat #5 Kansas for the title.”

     

    “Awards. Center John Monk was Freshman of the Year in D, as well as 1st team. Seniors Dan Nunn and Kim Chan made 2nd team. Dan should have made 1st.”

     

    (Author’s Note: Email says Team Prestige increased. It actually went from 47-45.)

     

    April 23

    “Coach asked for  a budget increase. He got $10,000.

    “It was a tough season, 19-14, 10-6, 4th place, but the River Hawks managed to move up to Conf. C. This was coach’s worst record ever, and the team really did struggle all season long. Coach is now at 508-155, .766 lifetime.

     

    “Betty Winns here, and I’ll be back for my senior year next season.”

  17. Posted

    February 1983

    Final episode of M*A*S*H*

     

    February 5

    “54-65 at Penn. D was decent but the O, again, wasn’t there.

     

    “78-69 over Georgetown here. Plenty of O in this game. 19, 10, 2 for Dan, 20, 6, 2 for Shay, 12 TOs, +10 on the boards.

     

    “We’re still 1 back of 1st.

     

    “This week on the road all week. 1st it’s 13-8, 4-6 Xavier, then 11-10, 5-5 Alabama. 4 of our last 6 are away.

     

    February 12

    “A 1-1 week. Not all that bad for a 2 road game week. 85-74 in OT at Xavier. Back and forth all the way and then we exploded in OT. 23, 14 for John, 25 for Dan, +12 RBs.

     

    “73-79 at Alabama. Very simple explanation for this loss, we went to the line 18 times, they went 41. I was T’d up and this was the closest I’ve ever come to being kicked out of a game. This was an outrage. Worst I’ve ever been part of. Herb Hart had 26 from the bench for us. We were absolutely robbed.”

     

    “We’re in a 3 way tie for 3rd, one back of the lead.

     

    “This week we’re home for 2, first it’s 14-9, 7-5 Missouri, then 12-11, 5-7 Va. Tech, who we beat by 10 there.

     

    February 19

    “We needed a 2-0 week and we got it. 64-57 over MO. Coach?”

     

    26, 5, 3, 4 for Dan, and I really need to say that he has been a rock for us this year. He leads us in scoring and has been consistently great at getting points for us all season long. 16, 5 for Kim. A horrible 25 TOs but amazingly enough MO had 29. We played exceptional D holding them to 29.1%, 5-21 from long range.”

     

    “66-62 over Va. Tech.”

     

    “21, 11, 2 for Kim, 14, 3, 2 for Shay, 10, 6 for john. Dan turned an ankle early and didn’t play much. He’s okay though.

     

    “You’re now in a two way tie for third.”

     

    “Yes, 2 up on fifth place. We’re on the road for two. We need a 1-1 week, and a 2-0 week would be terrific. It won’t be easy.”

     

    “No it won’t, #13 ranked, 20-5, 11-3 Bright Yams first. They’re tied for 1st and beat us by 10 at our place. Then 9-16, 5-9 Nebraska who we blew out here. Good luck, Coach.

     

    “The lady River Hawks were upset this week. They’re 23-2, 13-1, have clinched the conf., and are still #1 nationally.”

     

    February 26

    “An awful week for the River Hawks. They were crushed at #13 Bright Yams, 44-67. They were never in it. The only bright spot was 41 RBs.

     

    “Then a heartbreaker at Nebraska, 63-64. It was close all night. We took a 63-61 lead with 1.3 to go. They threw up a half court prayer and it was answered.

     

    “We finish the regular season 16-12, 10-6, tied for 3rd, #4 seed.

  18. Posted

    January 1983

    Nuttin’

     

    January 1

    “Betty Winns on ‘Sportstalk.’ Another tough road loss, 50-70 at #15 GA Tech. UML ends the pre-conf. season 6-6. This is a team that has a lot of trouble scoring points. Herb Hart used his increased minutes to lead us with 13, Dan had 11. I asked Coach if Herb might start and he said, ‘One step at a time.’

     

    “This week we open conf. play at 7-4 Va. Tech then come home to pay 9-2 Bright Yams. Neither team is a pushover, that’s for sure!”

     

    January 8

    “Coach called this ‘an extremely frustrating week.’ Betty Winns here. The UML men beat Va. Tech, there 65-55. 16, 5, 3 for Dan, 13, 4 for John, 8, 8 for Marq, 11 RBs for Kim. 17 TOs (-1) but +9 on the boards.

     

    “Then they came home and lost 66-76 to Bright Yams. -5 TOs, -5 RBs, 3-18 on threes. The outside D was awful.

     

    “I asked Coach what he thought could be done. He said that there really wasn’t a lot to be done except to keep working and to hope that the team would eventually get it together. Since winning their first two of the season the team has not again won back to back games.

     

    “This week it’s 5-8, 1-1 Nebraska here, then 2-11 Princeton there, so it seems that there’s a chance to get those back top back wins. We’ll see what happens.”

     

    January 15

    “A 2-0 week- barely! Coach, a real blowout vs. Nebraska, 85-47.”

     

    “We needed one like that. 5 guys in double figures, only 7 TOs, +7 RBs.”

     

    “Then a war at Princeton, 54-52.”

     

    “Another of those games where we were way too sloppy and where we couldn’t hit shots. Somehow we did enough to get the win, thanks to a last second three by Shay. Considering we were 3-14 on threes that was a bad gamble, but it went in. 20 TOs but they had 21. We just ground it out. I praised the guys for their determination and effort. They were awful in lots of ways but their refusal to quit is exactly what I want to see. That will get us some wins we probably shouldn’t get and I told them I want to see it every night. Hey, we’re 3-1 in conf., and we’ve won 3 of 4. There IS a bright side!”

     

    “This week 3-12, 2-2 Gonegaga here, then we’re at 7-8, 3-1 UNLV. Let’s keep it going, Coach!

     

    “The lady River Hawks are 14-1, still #1.”

     

    January 22

    “64-52 over Gonegaga here. Caoch?”

     

    “11 TOs, +3 on the boards, solid D. We still didn’t score much but we haven’t all season, but I do need to say that I thought we played hard and played well, all in all.”

     

    “54-74 at UNLV.”

     

    “Tough team. Another game where we didn’t play all that badly, but couldn’t find the net- 34.7%, 5-20 behind the line. Our D, particularly outside, could have been better.. 22 for Dan, 12, 14, 3 for John.”

     

    “2 at home this week, 8-9, 3-3 Drexel, then 10-7, 3-3 UNC Greensboro.”

     

    “This is an opportunity. We want a 2 win week.”

     

    January 29

    “Coach is on a plane but it was a great week for the UML men. 68-56 over Drexel. 12 TOs, +3 RBs. 19, 5, 4 for Dan, 14, 5, 2, 4 for Kim, 10, 5, 3, 3 for John, 7, 8 for Marq.

     

    81-73 over UNC-Greensboro. 10 TOs, +3 RBs. 21, 7 for John, 21, 5 for Dan. We’re in a 2 way tie for 2nd, one back of Bright Yams.

     

    “This week we’re at 10-9, 2-6 Penn, then we host 12-9, 3-5 Georgetown. We’re 5-1 in our last 6.

     

    “One of our recruits failed to hit the SAT score so we’ve offered to another guard.”

  19. Posted

    November 20

    “Betty Winns with the Sunday night UML men’s and women’s hoops wrap up.

     

    “The UML men start with a 2-1 week. It was 65-51 at Cal-SB. Dan Nunn had 19 but fouled out. 11 TOs.

     

    “Then a 69-39 blowout over Houston in the 1st round of the Hawaiian Classic. 16 for Dan but 4 fouls, 14, 7, 2, 2 for John Monk at C, 13, 8 for Marq Stack at PF. +13 RBs but 16 TOs.

     

    “#1 seed, #21 ranked Ohio ST ended our run in Hawaii, 45-60. It was one of those nights when we couldn’t hit a shot, 32.8%, 4-22 long range.

     

    “Coach says the team is still coming together and they aren’t quite where he’d like them to be yet.

     

    “This week it’s #4 Villanova, 2-0, at home, then we’re at 1-1 Florida, #22. Both are in A conf.

    “The UML women won their first three in Dallas and play for the title tonight against Tennessee.”

     

    November 27

    “A 1-1 week for the UML men. We beat #4 Villanova, 67-58 at home. 19 for Dan Nunn, 12 and 8 for Marq Stak, 12, 7 for Kim Chan. We played good D and benefitted from having 13 fouls called on us, 26 on them. One of those was a T against their coach.

     

    “#22 FL beat us 66-45 there. As with our other loss we simply didn’t shoot well but this time we also gave up 15 threes and committed 18 TOs, -10. We were +10 on the boards. Our only consistent scorer has been guard Dan Nunn who had 17.

     

    This week #19 Kansas ST, 4-0 in B at home, and a rematch with 4-2, #12 Ohio ST there.

     

    “The UML women won the Big D classic but then were upset on the road by ODU ending their win streak at 88.”

     

    December 1982

    1st artificial heart transplant. Patient lives 112 days.

     

    “Thriller”

     

    Time’s “Man of the Year” is the computer

     

    “Bear” Bryant retires

     

    December 4

    “Betty Winns on ‘Sportstalk’ and Coach Clark is on the line. Coach, 66-53 over #19 KS ST here. 21, 7 for Dan Nunn but no assists and 5 TOs. 11, 9 for Kim, 9, 5, 7, 3 for John Monk at C. 12 TOs, and that’s been a problem area.”

     

    “Then you went to #12 Ohio ST. 56-84.”

     

    “Don’t remind me! 18 TOs, only 21 RBs, and we gave up 17 threes. 15 each fro Mopnk and Shay Ayer and John had 7 RBs to go with his 15.”

     

    “Coach, you haven’t played a close game yet. The 9 point win over Villanova is the only one with a margin less than 13.”

     

    “That’s strange now that you mention it. We leave no doubt when we lose, 15, 21, and 28.”

     

    “4-3, but you’ve played 4 ranked teams.”

     

    “We’re in D conf., we need to play good teams.”

     

    “Where do we need to get better?”

     

    “We need to have more than one consistent scorer. We need to take much better care of the ball. We need to get a lot more from our bench. We need to score more points. Pretty much everywhere. There’s some talent here but we have come close to being the kind of team we’re used to. We haven’t melded into a real team yet. Make no mistake that we’re working hard to get there.”

     

    “Home with 4-2 Butler and then 3-2 Creighton.”

     

    “Both good teams. Creighton plays in B.”

     

    “The UML women got back on track with 2 home wins this week.”

     

    December 11

    “And another 1-1 week for the UML men who are now 5-4. Betty Winns here. Coach, it’s been a struggle so far.”

     

    “Well, we’re 5-4 against pretty solid competition. 77-56 over Butler. 23, 6, 2 for Dan, 11, 10 for Kim, 15, 4, 2, 2 for Marq, 12, 6, 4, 2 for John. But 15 TOs and not much from the bench.

     

    “And we’re having a very hard time putting back to back good games together. 54-60 vs. Creighton. 40 RBs but 22 TOs, and the only guy to get more than 8 was Dan, 20.”

     

    “Any changes being considered?”

     

    “We’re reviewing our options.”

     

    “Only one game this week, at 3-4 UMass.”

     

    “4 road games in a row, 2 vs. ranked teams. They’re spread out though, 1 a week for the first three. So we’ll sleep in our own beds more often than not.”

     

    “The UML women are 7-1, #1 in the country.”

     

    December 18

    “A real battle vs. UMass, 59-56. Coach?”

     

    “Actually I thought we played really well. We just didn’t shoot well, 35.2%, 2-16 from behind the line. 18, 9, 2 for John, 9, 9, 2 for Kim, 12 TOs, 38 RBs.”

     

    “At #13 Michigan from A this week.”

     

    “They’re 7-2 and they can play.”

     

    “I understand you’re making a change.”

     

    “Just a slight one. Kim Chan is going to play more 4 and less three, and Marq Stak the opposite. Kim’s a better rebounder. We were worried about Marq’s ball handling but he’s been fine. Let’s see what happens.

     

    December 25

    “Michigan beat UML 50-69 there as once again, our guys simply did not shoot the ball well, 31.1%, 28% on threes. 20 for Dan, 13, 5, 2, 2 for Herb Hart from the bench. Coach says he is considering more minutes for Herb. Coach said that something needs to be done.

     

    “This week is our last pre-conf. game, at #15 Ga. Tech, 8-2 from A.

  20. Posted

    May 1982

    Falklands war continues

     

    June 1982

    “The Wrath of Khan”

     

    “E. T.”

     

    ERA fails

     

    June 5

    “Betty Winns back for my 2nd season on ‘Sportstalk.’ Coach Clark says he’s looking at a few transfers, especially bigs.”

     

    June 16

    “Coach Clark reports that two transfers signed, a PF and an SF.”

     

    June 26

    “UML has a handful of scholarships and Coach says they need both guards and inside players.”

     

    July 1982

    “Little Shop of Horrors”

     

    Billy Martin’s 1,000th win as a manager, and his 10,000th fight

     

    July 11

    “Betty WInns with a recruiting update. Coach Clark says he’s down from 21 to 10 recruits. It’s an add and subtract process and it’s early.”

     

    August 1982

    First CDs

     

    First Gay Games

     

    August 21

    “UML men’s coach Kip Clark says he is looking at 14 recruits at the moment. He has offered to a PF, who he considers a very long shot, but the guy is from MA, a PG who is a better chance, and a 2nd PG.”

     

    September 1982

    First issue of “USA Today.” Beginning of the end for U. S. journalism

     

    1st deaths from cyanide laden Tylenol (still unsolved)

     

    September 18

    “Coach says he lost the long shot but feels good about some other recruits.

     

    “UML will be at the Hawaiian Shootout. Several ranked teams including preseason #1 Villanova here.”

     

    September 25

    “Coach Clark reports that a PG and an SF have committed. The work continues. Betty Winns on ‘Sportstalk.’”

     

    October 1982

    “Cats” begins its 18 year Broadway run

     

    Man with no brain proclaims “War on Drugs” Billions of dollars later, and tens of thousands of prisoners later, it is still being lost

     

    October 2

    “Another PG has committed to UML.

     

    “Today is the 1st day of practice. Coach says he has 8 players who will help, hoping that others will develop over time.

    “UML is picked to finish 10th in conf. D. Perhaps we have finally gone as far as we can go. We’ll ask Coach about that when we have him on the show.”

     

    November 1982

    Howard Cosell calls his last fight

     

    November 6

    “Betty Winns with Coach Clark. Coach, you’re picked 10th in conf. D. Have you climbed as far as you can climb?”

     

    “Great question. I’ll let you know in March. Seriously, we’re in the 4th highest conference. I don’t know that I would have predicted that we’d be able to get this far. Now that we have I want to think we can go higher. We’re as small school with a very small hoops budget, and we can’t match the facilities or the publicity that kids can get at this level. Still, we’re prepared to give it our best shot.”

     

    “Do we have a lineup?”

     

    “We do. Guards are senior Dan Nunn, junior Shay Ayer, with senior Herb Hart backing up. My bigs are senior Kim Chan playing SF and PF, frosh Marq Stak playing PF and C, frosh John Monk at C, and junior Dan Mola and frosh Dan Bry backing up.”

     

    “And what do you think?”

     

    “I think it’s a strong lineup all the way through but especially inside. I like our chances to finish near the top, despite what the ‘experts’ say.”

     

    “We start at Cal-Santa Barbara from R, and then it’s off to the Hawaiian Shootout against Houston from H. Good luck Coach.

     

    “The UML women start at the Big D Classic. The top 16 women’s teams are there so it will be a good test.”

  21. Posted

    March 5

    No one going pro. Eli considered it. I think he needs another year, at least. I do think he will do well at that level in time.

     

    We’re #11, RPI #17.

     

    March 10

    The only play in game that produced an upset was USC’s win over Wash ST. We’ll play them in the quarter finals. They are 13-15, 7-9. Beat them by 18 at our place.

     

    69-48 over USC. Our starting guards combined for 44. +12 TOs. It was the back court’s night.

    We play another upset winner. #5 seed Oregon beat #4 UCLA. They are 19-10, 9-7. We’ve beaten them  twice, but only by 8 and 4. This is a very good team and we need to be on our game.

     

    March 11

    55-67 in the semis against Oregon. Crashed and burned. I guess this was overdue. 18 TOs, and we could have played better D. We were called for 6 more fouls but we were a step slow tonight. I can’t blame the refs. We simply had an off night. It will hurt us regarding NCAA seeding, I’m sure.

     

    March 12

    Cal beat Oregon for the title.

     

    Okay, selection time.

     

    We’re #15, RPI #20.

     

    Not in the East.

     

    #3 in the Midwest. We’ll play #14 Charleston Southern, 21-9.

     

    March 16

    61-52. They were pesky. We were never in any real danger of losing but they didn’t go away, either. 19, 8, 2 for Eli, 17 for Jed.

     

    #25 UCLA next. We’re not thrilled about playing a conf. rival in the 2nd round. They’re 20-12. We beat them by 26 there but it won’t be that easy this time.

     

    March 18

    69-80. We never led in this one. It was definitely not our night. Still, disappointing as the post season was, it was a terrific season all in all. No regrets.

     

    Papa Joe wants to transfer immediately.

     

    “It makes sense, Alvin. The chance is too great that one of these spells will kill me, either directly, or from a fall. I am having a difficult time convincing Sing, even though she knows that I am right.”

     

    “Perhaps you would speak with her?”

     

    “Of course.”

     

    What can I say to her that he hasn’t. I’m going to delegate this one. Mai agrees that it’s time for Papa Joe to transfer and a woman to woman talk will be more effective than anything I could say.

     

    April 1

    Final Four is #1 No. Carolina vs. #7 Memphis, and #2 UNLV vs. #4 Penn.

     

    April 3

    #1 UNC 76, #4 Penn 62 for the title. Still no regrets.

     

    April 4

    Awards: Eli Roy is Pac 12 POY, Defensive POY, 1st team. Interestingly enough he didn’t get national honors but another conf. player made 2nd team nationally. Hm. Dan Mars made 2nd team and I got COY.

     

    Sing has reluctantly allowed Papa Joe to transfer in May, on the day after his 76th birthday.

     

    April 20

    “I just do not feel well, Alvin.”

     

    “You don’t look well.”

     

    “My energy is low, I have these pulsing headaches.”

     

    “Take it easy until the transfer. Things can wait. It’s only a few weeks.”

     

    “Yes, I am doing very little.”

     

    April 23

    I ask for a facilities upgrade and d*mn well intend to get it this year. We sold out14 of our home games and were close in the others, so revenue is way up. Our poor facilities are hurting us with recruiting and our players deserve better.

     

    Yes! C- to B-.

     

    April 29

    We finished the season 27-6, 14-2, 1st in the conf. Way up from last season’s 14-15, bottom half of the conf. finish. Team Prestige is up from 40 to 47. I’m at 918-248, .787. Looking forward to a great season next year. No one is leaving, we have a good looking transfer PF who will be eligible, and we have some rookies who could add some depth, at the very least.

     

    April 30

    Papa Joe fainted again last night. He didn’t get up this time.

  22. Posted

    February 5

    Not in my wildest dreams- 2-0 this week. 76-50 over #7 UCLA, there! Reyk and Mars combined for 43. 17 RBs for Eli. We had an awful 20 TOs (-5), but were +9 on the boards. We played great D, holding them to 32.1% shooting, while we shot the lights out +50% overall and from behind the line.

     

    55-44 over #18 Arizona here! A completely different kind of game from the UCLA game. The first half was a war. 11 lead changes, 5 ties, and we were up 2 at intermission. We switched a couple of thing sup inside and went on a 22-7 run, and that was that. 15, 8 for Eli, 10 each for Jed, Gid, and Dan, 8 RBs for Lars. 40 RBS (+13).

     

    Only California is one back, but we have some tough games yet to play.

     

    20-4, 9-2, #13, RPI #16. We’re outscoring opponents by 13.7. RBs are back up, +3.8. TOs are +3.2, but up to 12.0 per game. I like them lower than that.

     

    At 15-7, 7-4 Oregon, and it’s a game they REALLY need to win so we’d better be sharp. And they’ll be looking to even the score since we won 87-79 at our place. Then home with 9-14, 2-9 Arizona ST. We won by 16 there.

     

    Papa Joe is doing fine. They ran every test imaginable and everything came out negative. They think it was low blood sugar combined with fatigue. It happened just before he started eating and he mentioned that he had not had time for lunch, so it makes sense. They want him to monitor his blood sugar for a few days but there’s no indication of Type II diabetes.

     

    “Getting old, Alvin. These things will happen. That’s why I want to transfer before it is too late. Sing is not happy but this has made her begin to see things differently. I do not wish to provide her with any more lessons!”

     

    February 12

    71-67 at Oregon. This was a battle. We went up 10, they caught us. They went up 10. We came back. At the end they had 2 out due to fouls and we finished the job. 22, 9, 3 for Eli, 13, 7, 4, 2 for Dan. +9 RBs.

     

    73-46 over Arizona ST. We needed one of these. 14, 15 for Eli, 19, 2, 4 for Jed. +12 boards.

     

    We’re 2 up with 3 to play. We close out with Cal at our place, and they’re the only team 2 back. But that’s next week.

     

    This week we’re on the road. First it’s 12-12, 6-7 Stanford. We won by 14 at home. Then 10-15, 3-10 Oregon ST. We beat them by 23.

     

    (Author’s note: This is too easy. I don’t have a player above 3.5 rating, and not that many of those. I expected to need a few years to build Colorado to this point. This is not to say that I expect a national title, but they should be middle of the pack in my 2nd season here.)

     

    February 19

    Regular season champs after a 2-0 week. 76-64 at Stanford. 25, 11 for Eli, 12, 9, 2 for Lars, 15, 6, 4 for Jed. We are rebounding really well lately.

     

    78-69 at Oregon ST in what was a tougher than expected game. They started very strong and stayed that way for about 30 minutes. In the end we had more talent and we wore them down. All 5 starters in double figures again. 16, 11 for Eli, with 3 blocks.

     

    24-4, 8 in a row, 19 of 21. #9, RPI #14. +13.6 PPG, +4.7 RBs, +2.5 TOs, but up to 12.4. Working on it.

     

    We close with second place Cal, 19-7, 11-4. They beat us by 9 there.

     

    February 26

    86-73. We wanted this win over Cal. It would not have been good to go to the post season with a loss against our chief conf. rival. They took an early lead but 5 minutes in we went on an 11-2 run and never trailed again. 5 players in double figures, 9 TOs.

     

    Papa Joe fainted again. He had just gotten out of the car to meet with a coalition partner. He has a chauffeur so no worries about it happening while he’s driving. As happened last time, it was at a time when he hadn’t eaten in several hours, and he bounced right back up again, perfectly coherent. He did get some nasty bumps, and he has soreness in several areas.

     

    Sing says she is not leaving his side and that she will keep track of his eating and drinking. She is a delicate flower most of the time but when caretaker mode kicks in she’s a tigress.

     

    Papa Joe just rolled his eyes and didn’t say anything. He knows better!

  23. Posted

    January 1, 2025

    87-79 over #16 Oregon. Big win! Biggest since coming here. We never trailed. 24, 7 for Eli, 19, 5, 3, 2 for Jed, 12 each for Gid and Dan. This is a great way to begin conf. play.

     

    This week we’re at 5-7 Arizona ST and we host 7-5 Stanford.

     

    January 8

    Another great week. 70-54 at Arizona ST. When they double Eli, which they did, we find other ways. 14, 5, 2 for Gid, 13, 1, 9 for Dan, 8 each for Jed and Lars, 9, 3, 2, 3 for Ray Neal, oh and Eli had 7, 6, 2, 2, 2 in spite of the double team. 8 TOs for +13.

     

    Then it was 75-61 vs. Stanford here. 20, 7, 4 for Gid who has truly been a game changer. 19, 4, 4, 2 for Jed, 15 for Eli. 9 TOs.

     

    Ranked! #20, RPI #25. 9 straight, 12 of 13.

     

    This week 7-8, 0-3 Oregon ST here, then at 9-5, 1-2 California.

     

    Interestingly, since the change at SF, our TOs have been getting better and better, but we’re losing a bit on the boards. +4.8 TOs, but only +1.5 on the boards. We know we’re thin up front so this is not a huge surprise. As long as Eli stays healthy we’ll be fine.

     

    “Blade, all of this is moving too quickly
 And it is getting gigantically out of hand. I’m concerned.”

     

    “Mai, the world is falling apart. If things don’t move quickly we’ll be trapped on a dying planet-”

     

    “Yes, I know all of that, but still. I want
 Do you realize all that has happened to us over the past few years? It is too much. We need to slow down for a bit.”

     

    “
 Unfortunately it isn’t up to us-”

     

    “Blade, I am not ready to give up everything to go into space, and I am certainly not ready to give up my life and become a piece of data on a microchip!”

     

    “
 I understand, Mai. I have no answers but we should both find the time to be with each other
 to discuss all of this, to just be together. We have always had a wonderful marriage. Let’s use that to get us through.”

     

    She nodded and gave me a hug.

     

    January 15

    One and one this week. 78-55 with Oregon ST. 25, 5 for Gid, 15, 11 for Eli, 16, 6, 2 for Jed, 10 TOs, +10 on the boards.

     

    We knew some tough games were coming and 53-62 at Cal. proved to be one of them. We’ve been handling the ball really, really well, but Cal. changed that- 19 TOs. They played very good D and held us to 34.6% shooting. Those were the two keys. Our D was adequate. Our starters all had between 8 and 12. We didn’t get much from the bench.

     

    6-10, 2-3 Wash ST here, then a very good Washington team, 12-5, 4-1, there.

     

    January 22

    82-56 over Wash ST. 23, 7, 4, 5 for Eli, 15, 10 for Lars, 9, 5, 5 for Gid, so our bigs really took over. 10 TOs, +7 on the boards.

     

    A really tough road loss, 81-83 in OT at Wash. 23 lead changes and 16 ties, most I ever remember seeing. Essentially, they got the last possession, and they scored. We were +5 on the boards, -1 TOs. The bench was the diff, 35 for theirs, 7 for ours.

     

    We’re 16-4, 5-2, in a 4 way tie for 1st, with 3 others one back. Ranked #21, RPI #31.

     

    This week we’re at 7-11, 2-5 Utah, and we host 9-9, 4-3 USC. 3-4 when traveling. We

    need a road win!

     

    January 29

    A 2 win week and we’re alone in 1st! 79-58 at Utah. 6 guys in double figures, all between 10 and 13. +10 RBs, +6 TOs.

     

    75-57 vs. USC here. 23, 3, 10 for Dan, 21, 9, 3 for Gid. +10 RBs.

     

    The toughest part of the schedule is right here, right now. Next week we’re at #7 UCLA, 16-7, 6-3, then we host #20 Arizona, 15-7, 5-4. After that we’re at Oregon, 14-6, 6-3. 2-1 would be wonderful, but 1-2 may be a challenge.

     

    As expected one of our recruits did not hit our SAT score. We’ve been pursuing a couple of other guys, and have offered to a very good looking PF.

     

    Papa Joe had a fainting spell today. We were at dinner, both of our families. He got up to get something and went right down. When he woke he was fine but we called 911. He is being checked out at the best hospital in Colorado.

  24. Posted

    November 20

    Great first week. 89-76 at Cornell. 25, 7, 3, 3 for Eli Roy. 18, 5, 8 for Dan Mars but 7 TOs. 11 each for backup guards Kemp and Fish. +7 RBs. 15 TOs.

     

    70-43 over Delaware here. 12, 10, 3, 4, 1 for Eli while totally shutting down his man on D. He looks like the real thing. 11, 5, 11, 2 for Dan and only 3 TOs. Cole Fish looks really good at backup guard. 8 TOs, +11 RBs.

     

    Neither opponent was world class but we played as a team; we showed some skill and some determination.

     

    This week we’re at #20 Texas Tech, then off to the Alaskan Classic against KS ST.

     

    November 27

    Still here in Alaska. Started the week 62-72 at Texas Tech. 21, 6 for Gid Diom from the bench. Ray Neal wasn’t getting it done so we gave Gid more minutes. 15, 9 for Eli, 16 for Dan, 8 and 8 for Lars Shin at PF. 17 TOs hurt as did the fact that both Neal and Jed Reyk were scoreless.

     

    Then we came to Alaska. 77-51 over KS ST. The best game we’ve played since I came to Colorado. 14, 8, 5, 4, 2 for Eli, 19 for Gid, 10, 9, 2 for Shea Chen, our backup big. 8 TOs, 39 RBs.

     

    75-55 over #1 seed Gonzaga in the semis. 9, 13, 2, 4, 4 for Eli, who is hard to stop, 20, 6, 4, 2 for Jed, 17 for Dan, 11 for Gid. +12 on the boards.

     

    Tonight we play #6 seed Va. Tech, 4-1 for the title. Then it’s off to 4-0 Texas A & M, and home vs. 0-4 Georgetown in the first of 6 straight at home.

     

    December 4

    Busy week, but a good one. 71-46 over Va. Tech for the Alaskan Classic title. 19, 9 for Eli, 13, 2, 2 for Gid who is making us think about starting him, good games from all of our guards and from Shea Chen inside. 9 TOs.

     

    62-66 vs. Texas A & M. I think fatigue beat us here. 4 games plus a trip from Alaska to Texas in 4 days. 15 for Gid, 13 for Shea. 20 TOs really hurt. Eli had his first poor game; he was in foul trouble all night, playing only 7 minutes. We can’t win without him in the lineup and at least so far the only place we can’t win is the state of Texas!

     

    Back home and 72-48 vs. Georgetown. Eli was back, 22 and 16. 15 for Dan, 11, 4 for Gid, 8 for Rich Kemp. Lots of different guys are contributing.

     

    4-2 OK ST and then 4-1 Kent ST, both here, this week.

     

    Gid Diom will start at SF over Ray Neal. If Shea Chin played any D at all he’d be in for Lars Shin, but Lars is a real stopper and Shea is a sieve. Shea is way better on O and on the boards so it will be situational as to who’s in at a given time.

     

    We’re 6-2. It is so much more fun to coach a team that has some talent and that is competitive in just about every game.

     

    Evidently the council or whatever it is that Papa Joe works with is having quite a debate over the “floating golf ball” idea.

     

    Seems that about half want to stay with the ship/city, feeling that only they can provide the leadership and direction necessary for there to be any chance of survival, especially if a planet that can be colonized is reached.

     

    The other half lean toward going it alone to increase the odds of their own survival. They feel that all sorts of safety devices can be put in place to keep the “golf ball” near enough to a sun, a solar wind, or some other source of energy to keep everything going, or at least to arrange for contact with same often enough. The “golf ball” will utilize a miniscule amount of energy but there is no perpetual motion, everything needs an outside energy source eventually so this is a consideration.

     

    The debate will go on for some time, Papa Joe predicts.

     

    December 11

     

    Another great week. 79-64 over OK ST. Gid Diom had 22 in his 1st start. 15, 8, 9, 2 for Dan, 16 for Jed, 9, 11, 3 for Eli, 11, 4 for Lars Shin, his 1st good game on O. 9 TOs.

     

    70-62 vs. Kent ST. 16, 2, 5 for Ray Neal from the bench. I guess he doesn’t want us to forget about him. Some real balance from the starters. Dan was in foul trouble all night, played 16 minutes, but the backup guards got it done. 9 TOs.

     

    We’re 8-2, +14.3 PPG, +5.7 on the boards, and maybe best of all +2.4 in TOs, only 11.2 per game. I always think that’s a vital stat and I’m happy with it right now.

     

    Instate rival Colorado ST, 1-7, then 4-3 Illinois, both here, this week.

     

    December 18

    Still rolling along, 5 straight, 8 of 9. 84-64 vs. Colorado ST. 20, 6, 4 for Gid who is really responding to getting the starting role. 20 for Eli, 12, 6 for Shea Chen. Our big guys dominated. 11, 5, 4 for Dan. 5 TOs- for the team.

     

    84-74 over Illinois. They stayed with us for 35-36 minutes. We mostly led but they kept it close. Their C shut Eli down by doubling him for most of the night but Gid, who is soaring like a rocket, had 31, 6, 2, 3, Lars had 21. The double freed the tow of them up and they took advantage. Both starting guards were in double figures.

     

    2-5 Clemson, here, and then a much needed rest. 10 days until the game after that one.

     

    We are finding ways to win. The insertion of Gid into the starting lineup has made a big difference but we’re playing well, and we seem to be getting better every week.

     

    People around here are asking about ranking but we’re only at #51 in RPI. If we play this well once we get into Pac 12 play, that will get us there. The competition is much stiffer though, 4 ranked teams in the conf. right now.

     

    December 25

    A scare, 57-54 in OT over Clemson. Again, we’re tired. The good news is that we got it done. Clemson played really well. They hit a three under pressure at the end of regulation, and scored the first 5 in OT. I called my last TO at that point and we made some changes, bore down, and took over. It was a war inside and the numbers were in their favor, 29-39 on the boards, 18-19 in points. Fortunately our guards hit big shots all night, 24 for Jed, 12, 6, 4, 3 for Dan, and a crucial +19 in TOs.

     

    We begin conf. play with #16 Oregon, 8-3, here, to close out the 6 game home stand. They’re tough.

     

    Papa Joe says the debate continues regarding whether to go with the ship/city or the “golf ball.” He also says it doesn’t matter since the decision can be made any time in the next million years or so. Yes, he has a sense of humor.

     

    Then he dropped a bomb. He gathered all of us, including his brother, Lou, and Ling, and announced that he would transfer in one year, one January 1, 2026.

  25. Posted

    June 6

    We need bigs. We REALLY need bigs. Let’s see what’s in the transfer pool.

     

    June 9

    Minnows. Well, one PF.

     

    June 12

    Got the PF.

     

    June 26

    4 scholarships. We want 4 bigs. Looking at 15, 9 PFs, 6 Cs.

     

    Things are sort of moving along regarding the ship/city, transfers, life extension- all of that. Nothing dramatic that I know of. Let me emphasize those last four words. Papa Joe is full of surprises!

     

    August 7

    No one on the Norton list.

     

    August 21

    We offer to 2 PFs and 2 Cs.

     

    September 21

     

    Got a PF.

     

    We’re invited to the Alaskan Classic. Schedule is a little beefier than last year.

     

    “What if we went about it altogether differently?”

     

    “Went about what altogether differently, Papa Joe.”

     

    “Alvin, we’ve been thinking in one direction- space.”

     

    “Um
 that seems to be the only available direction.”

     

    “In one sense, yes. In another, only peripherally.”

     

    “I’m not following you.”

     

    “We cannot save the planet. If we wish humanity to survive the only way is the space city.”

     

    “Yes, but that’s what we’ve said all along.”

     

    “Hear me out. Trying to save humanity is a worthwhile goal. But I do not see that it needs to be tied to preserving the lives of those of us who transfer.”

     

    “Okay
”

     

    “We could place 50,000 people, 50,000,000 in a space the size of a basketball- a golf ball, really.”

     

    “Yes
”

     

    “Perhaps this golf ball, properly shielded, and with the ability to avoid such things as flying into a sun, or colliding with an object in space, could be set free from the ship/city. In the long run, and remember we may be speaking of millions of years, this would increase the odds for its survival exponentially. A ship/city is exceedingly unlikely to find a suitable planet or moon for millennia, if ever. At some point disaster would be inevitable. Our golf ball would be a far better option.”

     

    I can’t even conceive of a mind like Papa Joe’s. Whew!

     

    October 2

    Two bigs have now committed. First day of practice. I don’t think we’ll be great but we’ll be better than last year. We are not deep though, especially not deep inside.

     

    We’re picked to finish 7th in our 12 team conf. I’d love to be 5th or even 4th.

     

    November 6

     

    We got 4 big guys in the recruit period. If 2 come through for us it’s a win.

     

    Lineup is set. Same two starting guards as last season, Dan Mars and Jed Reyk, both sophs. Eli Roy, a soph transfer from KY, looks terrific at C, and Lars Shin, a frosh will join him up front. Shea Chen is our inside backup. Ray Neal and Gid Diom will battle it out at SF. Ray is a senior, Gid a soph transfer from Marquette. Our outside subs are frosh Cole Fish and Rich Kemp.

     

    We’ll start at Cornell and then home with Delaware.