Crumbs: Nothing’s free to UT at the FT line
Written by Matt Sussman | | news@toledofreepress.comIt’s time to sift through the futon and share what is found between the cushions, in a feature within a feature affectionately titled “Futon Report Crumbs.” This installment seems to come from a Mid-American Conference box of crackers consumed over the weekend.
On Monday’s episode of the NBA video podcast “The Basketball Jones,” one of the co-hosts lost a bet and therefore had to stay outside in 20-degree weather wearing shorts and a t-shirt until he could make five free throws in a row. (It didn’t take him too long, much to the dismay of viewers who enjoy watching other people’s pain.) Had one of the UT basketball players lost that bet, something tells me he’d still be out there right now.
In fact, the most free throws in a row UT could swish Tuesday night against Rhode Island was two. Even though URI beat them in most facets of the game, the Rockets lost by only nine points and missed 13 free throws (5-for-18). The most egregious bricklayer, Mohamed Lo, got a sarcastic cheer when he finally sank a free throw after missing his first six attempts. He finished 1-for-8 from the free throw line, which really soured his amazing 17-rebound performance in his first-ever collegiate start. This is just a guess, but that’s probably why they are 2-12.
But on a positive note, UT showed an ability to score everywhere except the free throw line. When the URI Rams scored almost at will, the Rockets were able to respond and the halftime score was 45-40. The 77 points UT finished with was the most against a Division I opponent this season. In fact, other than that win over non-D-I West Georgia, it was the first time a number higher than 65 flickered below their name in pretty iridescent lights.
WAY WRONG ABOUT ANYIJONG — For all of last year and until the final second of this year’s home opener, I thought UT forward Justin Anyijong would always be a timid, undersized forward who would get knocked around and play a diminutive role in the Rockets game plan. But once Anyijong’s tipped in the buzzer-beating layup to beat UMass, it was as if he flipped on a confidence light switch. (Or perhaps he applied a dose of Famous Jonathan Amos’s Miraculous Confidence Cream.) In the game against Dayton last week, Anyijong had an astounding 16 points. He made four 3-point shots, bringing his career total to six. Foul trouble limited his minutes against Rhode Island, but it looks like this kid is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
MAC GETS BOWL-IED AROUND — If you thought the Big Ten had a poor showing in bowl games, the Mid-American Conference would kill for that 1-6 record. With Ball State getting whupped in the GMAC Bowl Tuesday night, the MAC concluded a dismal showing in the bowl season for the conference. Northern Illinois and Central Michigan lost their games by a touchdown or less, but Western Michigan, Buffalo and Ball State were outscored 121-47 against Rice, Connecticut and Tulsa. If you were keeping track, that’s a total of zero wins and five losses. Every other conference had at least one bowl victory. Even the lowly Sun Belt, who sent a country-low two teams, got a win. Which one, you ask? Florida Atlantic in the Motor City Bowl against Central Michigan.
IS HOKE STUCK IN AZTEC TOMB? — Speaking of the Cardinals, Former Ball State football coach Brady Hoke’s decision to leave his alma mater for an even more obscure team, San Diego State, never made any sense to anyone except Hoke. If he is going to revive yet another program, he’s in an even bigger hole this time. There was a debate in the San Diego Union-Tribune about whether or not the SDSU Aztecs should get rid of their football program entirely and over half the readers who e-mailed in their opinion agreed the football program should no longer exist. Enjoy the California beaches, Mr. Hoke!
