Seminoles Vs. Tulsa in Orange Bowl Classic

I realize that I have been posting on too many negative topics lately. I also realize that I haven't posted enough Seminoles items lately. Therefore, I decided to post about the FSU basketball matchup that was announced today.

For the 19th Annual MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic, the Noles will face Tulsa. The game will take place Dec.29, 2012 @ the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Fl. FSU will face Tulsa in the 1st game, while Florida and Air Force will play in the 2nd game of the double header. Game time to be announced on a different date. Despite their being 4 teams, each team will only play one game. This is FSU's 4th time participating in the Orange Bowl Classic. The last time FSU was in this event, they also played in the Orange Bowl. The classic was Dec.31, 2005 with the Orange Bowl a few days later.

FSU is 3-0 all-time against Tulsa. The Seminoles are also the defending ACC Champions and very capable of a fantastic showing in the classic.

-Noland

American Patriot: Bernard James Part 2

A while back, I did a 1st post on Bernard James labeled by this same name. Well other than the fact that it didn't have part 2. That post can be found here. Shortly thereafter, I did a post on why NBA teams should draft James. It can be found here.

I figured it was a fitting time to give an update on James' status because I didn't post on the draft and because it is the 4th of July. Today is about America's heroes and Bernard James is one of America's heroes.

James was picked with the 33rd pick in this years NBA Draft. That is the beginning of the 2nd round. He was picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but then traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

James obviously has not had the typical path to the NBA, which has been described here and in the USA Today. He is 27, but doesn't have the wear and tear on his body of some younger players. Also NBA teams wanted James. Apparently, Mark Cuban was at the top of that list. This guy will succeed in Dallas.

James is a class act, a hero, and will be a very good rookie in the NBA. 6 years in the Air Force and then he went to FSU. Could there be any more reason to root for this guy? Good luck in Dallas, Mr. James.

-Noland

Seminole Guard Now A Pro Basketball Player

FSU PG Luke Loucks is going to the professional leagues in Europe. Loucks signed with two time Latvian League champ Vef Riga. It was announced on the team's website. Be forewarned the article is not in English, it is the Vef Riga website. Congrats to Mr. Loucks, he was key on the ACC Championship team! Best of luck, Luke!

-Noland

Why NBA Teams Should Pick Bernard James

All FSU basketball fans love Bernard James. As I have previously reported, he should be loved by all Americans because he is a patriot. That post can be found here. Now CBS 9 News in Washington released an article about the positives of Bernard James. I'd love for the Wizards or Spurs to get James in the 2nd round because he is such a positive influence. He would definitely be a welcome addition in Washington where he could be reunited with Chris Singleton.

I will get back to why I want him in Washington later, but I wanted to get to the CBS article. The NBA Draft is in 11 days and the article points out that James will likely go in round 2, but then it goes deeper.

It talks about James' age and that he is 27. Mentioned is the fact that James got cut from his Freshman HS team, but it goes further than that. James dropped out of school and earned his GED. Quite the unusual path. Then James took an even more unusual path. As I mentioned in my previous post on James, he joined the Air Force a month after earning his GED. The article talked in detail about his service just like my last post on James, but then it talked about why the Wizards should add him and I agree. I will quote the end of the article right from the site and you can easily see why I want him in Washington.

"James walked away from the interview with a quote that should be stapled above most of the Wizards players lockers.
"I understand teamwork. I'm mature. I'm a professional and I know how to come to work everyday."
How could an NBA executive not salivate over James' real-life approach? On a Washington team that's almost too young for it's own good, adding the maturity of a player like Bernard James should be valued much higher than gambling on a second round pick and his "upside.""

That is exactly it. Bernard James is a leader, he works hard, and he gets it. On a team that has been lazy in the past and has had a problem with effort, James is a refreshing change of pace. On the Wizards frontline to go with Kevin Seraphin, don't we want guys like Bernard James. We have a great start with Nene and Booker, but James can only add to that. Adding James would give Wizards fans a front line that they can be proud of for the first time ever. This guy should be added to the team.

Maybe adding him would make my cousin Adam a big basketball fan again too, maybe.

-Noland

It's College Basketball Signing Day

The day is not officially over yet, but we do know a lot about where the top players are going next year. NC State had a great haul with a top ten class and 3 McDonalds All-Americans. It seems their Sweet 16 run has them set off to make an impact on the ACC.

Now what about the Seminoles who will lose 6 off their ACC Title Run? The Noles do not have a top 25 class. Hamilton to this point has been unable to capitalize on the ACC Championship. However, there is good news, it appears Michael Snaer is coming back, we are in the running for several more recruits and we signed some strong players. FSU received commitments from
3 Star Point Guard, Devon Bookert
4 Star Small Forward, Montay Brandon (13th ranked SF, 60 overall)
3 Star Power Forward, Robert Gilchrist
4 Star Shooting Guard, Aaron Thomas (13th ranked SG, 56 overall)
FSU is also still in the running for Tevin Glass, Sam Cassell, and Sheldon Jeter, all in the Rivals 150.
The Noles will lose Dulkys, Gibson, James, Kreft, Louks, and Peterson. Our team will look much smaller next year as we try to repeat next year. Michael Snaer and Okaro White must carry FSU basketball next year. At least UNC is losing 4 of 5 starters. Should be a tight race between UNC, NC State, Duke and the Noles next season.

Unfortunately, there is more bad news...
Kentucky is poised to have another top class. The Cats recruiting class includes top center and either the #1 or #2 player overall depending on which rankings you use, Nerlens Noel.

-Noland

Seminole Football Update

I probably will not go more than a day on most occasions without talking about my Alma Mater. I bleed garnet and gold and my team is pretty awesome in all sports. We even won the ACC in basketball this year. This update will focus on spring practice and a key Seminole opponent as well.

Yesterday, the team held their 2nd scrimmage. Jimbo Fisher was upset about the scrimmage thinking the first practice was better than the second practice. He said their was no consistency on offense and it was "a very poor scrimmage." Fisher did say that he wanted to watch the film though and that they did make some nice plays. To get a full practice report on the scrimmage yesterday, head here. It is not too far away. That opening game at this place is less than 5 months away!

In other related news our key rival suffered a humongous loss yesterday. Ronald Powell, the leader in sacks last year for the Florida Gators, tore his ACL in practice yesterday. You never want to win that way or see that happen to somebody, but what a huge loss for the Gators. Let's hope he is back by November so those turkeys have no excuses.

-Noland