Dull points

The blog host was a marginal student who worked three jobs in college and took five years to earn a degree. The points are: 1) If the blog host, who apparently writes in the third person, can earn a degree, anybody can earn one, and 2) The NCAA’s academic progress rate (APR)  system is misnamed.

The intent was to track eligibility and retention. In short, it was set up to make sure athletes go to class and don’t bolt or get booted from their teams. But the name gives the impression the system is about making sure students progress academically — becoming better students — when it is not. Like the blog host’s UH tenure, it is about attendance and not intellectual escalation.

The APR starts off with the premise that each team has a perfect score until somebody leaves or is ineligible. It deducts a point for people who depart and an additional point for those leaving in poor academic standing. It does not reward good GPAs or a school’s commitment. At UH, for instance, an incoming freshman can earn six credits before the start of the first semester by taking two classes in the bridge term during the summer. UH also provides a full ride — tuition, room and board, and a stipend  — to a scholarship athlete for one summer session each year. In addition, the school provides tutors, counselors and study halls. That commitment, which is not unique at Division I schools, should be commended.

Of course, with a large group, there are those who won’t stick around. Maybe it’s a lack of transferrable credits. Maybe the school or program is not a good fit. Maybe certain classes are just too hard. The thing is,the measurement should be in whether a school is providing the resources and opportunity for an athlete to succeed in the classroom. Almost every school does that.

* * * * *

It is interesting when the APR formula is applied to head coaches, with points deducted for not staying through their contracts. Of course, the problem is that would mean the only perfect score would go to a coach who retires in good standing after completing his contract. That would mean football’s winningest coach, Joe Paterno, would not receive a perfect score.

Of the past four UH head football coaches, here are the retention percentages:

Bob Wagner — 90 percent (18 of 20 contracted semesters)

Fred vonAppen — 75 percent (six of eight)

June Jones — 94.4 percent (17 of 18)

Greg McMackin — 80 percent (eight of 10)

Now factoring the penalties, their APR-like scores would be:

Bob Wagner — 800

Fred vonAppen — 500

June Jones — 940


Greg McMackin — 600

The scores don’t reflect their value. Each made significant contributions to the football program.

* * * * *

Mahalo to Anthony Pollard for sending us photos of Royce Pollard’s participation in the Jets’ minicamp last week.

Here’s Royce Pollard running a route against All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis:

po1

Here’s Pollard with a former Florida quarterback in the background:

po2

Pollard and defensive tackle Sione Pouha:

po3

Anthony Pollard and quarterback Mark Sanchez:

po4


* * * * *

Happy birthday to Midori7, a great neighbor and great person.

COMMENTS

  1. Rylen June 21, 2012 3:07 am

    1st?


  2. bleedgreen June 21, 2012 3:14 am

    Good morning


  3. rage777 June 21, 2012 3:15 am

    There should be a different weight to the score if you are kicked off the team (or fired) or if you leave on your own.


  4. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 3:20 am

    rage777:

    You’re right.


  5. wafan June 21, 2012 3:46 am

    Good morning and welcome to the first full day of summer and summer break!

    Yahooooooooooooo . . .


  6. wafan June 21, 2012 3:49 am

    Gosh, Spam-a-rama Spectacular!


  7. wafan June 21, 2012 3:52 am

    I think the APR, or whatever it should be renamed or reinvented, should follow the coaches. And, any penalties assessed by the clueless folks should move along with them, too.


  8. wafan June 21, 2012 3:54 am

    Heading up to Mt. St. Helen’s today. Should be cooler there than here (>80). And with the clear skies the views should be awesome.

    Nice day for a day trip.


  9. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 4:08 am

    Gotta weigh in on this 4 team playoff… This playoff is a joke that’s going to cause more debate then ever. Colin Cowherd did a piece on this the other day…Usually only one or two teams can gripe about not getting into BCS championship game. But if you make it top four teams, there’s a whole lot more teams that can claim that they deserve it. Take a look at the final AP rankings the past few years… (before Bowl games) Only last year was there a clear top 4… There’s going to be more debate on why teams were not included… Who is going to choose between the top four teams in 2010, 2009, 2008 and even 2007???

    2011

    1 LSU (60) 13-0 1500

    2 Alabama 11-1 1418

    3 Oklahoma State 11-1 1400

    4 Stanford 11-1 1283

    5 USC 10-2 1179

    6 Oregon 11-2 1170

    7 Arkansas 10-2 1148

    8 Boise State 11-1 1107

    9 Wisconsin 11-2 1038

    10 South Carolina 10-2

    2010

    1 Auburn (36) 13-0 1473

    2 Oregon (23) 12-0 1462

    3 TCU (1) 12-0 1379

    4 Wisconsin 11-1 1289

    5 Stanford 11-1 1283

    6 Ohio State 11-1 1179

    7 Michigan State 11-1 1101

    8 Arkansas 10-2 1085

    9 Oklahoma 11-2 976

    10 Boise State 11-1 932

    2009

    1 Alabama (58) 13-0 1498

    2 Texas (2) 13-0 1425

    3 TCU 12-0 1376

    4 Cincinnati 12-0 1302

    5 Florida 12-1 1253

    6 Boise State 13-0 1237

    7 Oregon 10-2 1128

    8 Ohio State 10-2 1080

    9 Georgia Tech 11-2 952

    10 Iowa 10-2 925

    2008

    1 Florida (50) 12-1 1602

    2 Oklahoma (9) 12-1 1540

    3 Texas (6) 11-1 1530

    4 Alabama 12-1 1410

    5 USC 11-1 1372

    6 Penn State 11-1 1259

    7 Utah 12-0 1225

    8 Texas Tech 11-1 1193

    9 Boise State 12-0 1101

    10 Ohio State 10-2 1069

    2007

    1 Ohio State (50) 11-1 1578

    2 LSU (11) 11-2 1519

    3 Oklahoma (1) 11-2 1423

    4 Georgia (1) 10-2 1421

    5 Virginia Tech (1) 11-2 1380

    6 USC 10-2 1346

    7 Missouri 11-2 1195

    8 Kansas 11-1 1164

    9 Florida 9-3 1071

    10 Hawaii (1) 12-0 1050


  10. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 4:13 am

    If there’s only a four-team playoff, let’s stop the expansion madness now.

    There would be no sense for Boise and San Diego State to get East.


  11. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 4:16 am

    Good to see the pics from Jets mini-camp… I was actually going to go last Wednesday but it was too far in Floral Park…


  12. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 4:35 am

    I don’t think they convene again until training camp in late July.

    But if you make it to Southern California, you could attend Sanchez’s Jet West. Tebow will be there, too.


  13. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 5:02 am

    Oh yeah that’s right. I think Santonio Holmes actually said he was going to be there too, right? Not sure if that’s accurate.


  14. d1shima June 21, 2012 5:25 am

    Great Morning All!

    Wafan,

    Enjoy your day trip


  15. Slugger June 21, 2012 5:30 am

    Good morning, gang!

    Thanks for the pictures, Anthony! Great to see what Royce is doing.

    Hi ho…


  16. Last Call June 21, 2012 5:33 am

    Go OK Tunda.


  17. mctruck June 21, 2012 5:38 am

    In 2009, the only reason Cincinatti was ranked #4 was mainly because of the BCS-AQ status; if I’m getting this right????…the AQ-status is headed toward the relic bone yard, which as I see it unless conferences like the bigeast/acc don’t produce a home run winner, and strenght of schedule….then???


  18. mctruck June 21, 2012 5:41 am

    Mark Sanchez looks like a LB, then again, so does Tibow.


  19. mctruck June 21, 2012 5:42 am

    Tebow.


  20. mctruck June 21, 2012 5:44 am

    I’m still wondering why the BW hasn’t made a decision on Boise?

    I say, NO!!, or…..NO WAY!!


  21. PowderPuff June 21, 2012 5:51 am

    Gooooood morning….Mark Sanchez. Whoa! 😉


  22. Last Call June 21, 2012 5:54 am

    No news could be good news mctruck. If no reply by June 30th BSU is up the creek.


  23. d1shima June 21, 2012 5:58 am

    Why is the State AG tryna make it difficult for Na Koa?


  24. tommui June 21, 2012 6:03 am

    GOOD MORNING HAWAII!

    Between the no-AQ and a Big West no, there is the rock and the hard place.


  25. tommui June 21, 2012 6:31 am

    #24 d1shima

    What’s up with that? More info please!


  26. PolyMom June 21, 2012 6:35 am

    Okay what’s the deal about Na Koa in today’s paper?

    Het Tom Mui!!!


  27. koakane June 21, 2012 6:35 am

    supa morning 808 sun burning brightly with slight trades.

    have a good day now


  28. PolyMom June 21, 2012 6:35 am

    Hey Tom Mui!!!


  29. tommui June 21, 2012 6:49 am

    #24 d1shima: Erase, erase, erase.

    Just opened the newpaper.

    If the moneys going to Na Koa goes to UHF (“Foundation”) and the paperwork is all done by UHF, there should not be a problem as UHF is a 503(c)(3) organization.

    If Na Koa is holding itself out directly as a charitable corp and that deductions are tax deductable, there is a problem. Note the word “directly”.


  30. tommui June 21, 2012 6:53 am

    Aloha PolyMom!

    I assume you are back in beautiful Southern Cal and you and Don are busy organizing the UH festivities for the UH-USC game.

    Went into the hospital for the back operation on the 7th and got out on the 11th and now sort of under house arrest for 30 or so days until the MDs say I can leave the premises.

    I was hoping AL or DPK would smuggle a hamburger to me, but no such luck. Lois did bring in some dimsum!


  31. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 6:56 am

    Good Morning Gangeez! 🙂

    Happy first day o’ summer wafan.


  32. Wes'side Warrior June 21, 2012 6:57 am

    Morning/afternoon everyone!

    Yep, that APR formula needs to be reinvented to place a greater emphasis on academic achievement; figuring that only a small percentage of these kids will go on to play professionally in their chosen sports. Does anyone know… how often are grades checked during the regular season of any sport, to determine a student-athlete’s academic eligibility? And please don’t tell me I’m opening a can of worms by asking. There has to be accountability within the system.

    Or, are the BCS Powers going to go straight to a paid, semi-pro league and have kids bypass college altogether? I mean, the money some conferences/schools are taking in just from football and basketball seems to be more than enough to start a league of some sort. Also seems like the NCAA is powerless to take charge of the whole thing right now anyways.


  33. Wes'side Warrior June 21, 2012 7:00 am

    And… Happy birthday to my oldest son, Drake!!! One more year of high school, and then…


  34. HawaiiMongoose June 21, 2012 7:06 am

    I think the four-team college football playoff is positive because it opens the door to an expanded playoff a few years in the future. It may only expand to eight teams but that would be enough for an undefeated MWC champion to get in.


  35. A-joe June 21, 2012 7:27 am

    ‘Gmorning Gang.

    Here’s some reading material on 501(c)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)_organization

    Feel free to review. It’ll help with the regurgitation of information later.


  36. BG June 21, 2012 7:32 am

    Beautiful morning thoughts to everyone!

    wafan…how many days till you set foot on the aina?

    Gotta go…bbl


  37. A-joe June 21, 2012 7:33 am

    In articles I keep seeing a general reference being made to, “BCS Commissioners.” Here they are:

    http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4809846


  38. A-joe June 21, 2012 7:39 am

    I like how the BCS Commissioners conveniently covered their butts by saying they reviewed all options to have an 8 or 16 team playoff. Their general reason was such a playoff,

    “…would diminish the regular season and harm the bowls. College football’s regular season is too important to diminish and we do not believe it’s in the best interest of student-athletes, fans, or alumni to harm the regular season.”

    http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=7859038


  39. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 7:47 am

    A-joe –

    A sixteen team playoff “would diminish the regular season and harm the bowls”. Ironic isn’t? In theory the season and the bowls should go towards crowning a true champion. But not in the eyes of the BSC bosses.


  40. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 7:48 am

    “Ironic isn’t it?” I meant to say.


  41. HawaiiMongoose June 21, 2012 8:02 am

    The fundamental problem with a four-team playoff is that, with 120 schools playing FBS football, there will usually be more than four very strong teams with a realistic shot of winning a championship if given a fair opportunity to compete for it on the field. I think the selection committee will struggle each year to justify why #4 was chosen over #5 and it will quickly become apparent that an eight-team field is much easier to select without generating a lot of controversy.


  42. tommui June 21, 2012 8:03 am

    Sorry – too many numbers – I meant a 501(c)(3) organization.


  43. d1shima June 21, 2012 8:04 am

    Be careful for what you wish.

    FCS has a 16-team playoff. That means 4 post-season games for the Finalists. FCS regular season is 11 games…sometimes 5 home games.

    DIII has a 32-team playoff. That means 5 post-season games for the Finalists. Most teams only play 9 regular season games….sometimes 4 home games.

    11 + 4 and 9 + 5 sounds like a pretty exciting run…IF you make the playoffs and make it to the finals. If not, you watching the NFL only for a long time.


  44. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 8:17 am

    BTW –

    Great pics from Jets field! Thanks Big Daddy and best of luck to Royce!


  45. al June 21, 2012 8:18 am

    tom mui…i would’ve smuggled a teddy’s however, i am no longer a good swimmer.

    but, perhaps tuesday i could run up the iolani tower.


  46. AlaWai June 21, 2012 8:22 am

    Allisen Corpuz advances in WAPL Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.

    http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScore.aspx?id=17179869344&year=2012&type=0211

    Now playing in the Rd. of 16.

    http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScore.aspx?id=17179869344&year=2012&type=036

    Hawaii’s 2 other Ladies in the Rpund of 32.


  47. HawaiiMongoose June 21, 2012 8:30 am

    d1shima, re #46, you make a great point and that’s why I’m not a fan of a 16-team playoff.


  48. mctruck June 21, 2012 8:40 am

    Last Call…….true dat.


  49. A-joe June 21, 2012 8:45 am

    If a D-1 basketball team can’t make the NCAA, there’s always the NIT (National Invitation Tournament), CIT (CollegeInsider.com Tournament), CBI (College Basketball Invitational).

    Same can be done for D-1 football. A second tier 16 tourney can be held as well. All games residing at school campus stadiums will ensure a better turnout. Revenues generated will be split within the conferences. Corporate can still sponsor games.


  50. koakane June 21, 2012 8:46 am

    email scam alert fyi, some group is advertising they are a sponsor of the Olympics in London. states you won some money prize. delete


  51. koakane June 21, 2012 8:49 am

    #45 our civic club is a 501 c 3


  52. d1shima June 21, 2012 8:51 am

    Playoff games for the sake of a NC is something that most every player will be “all in” with.

    A “second-tier” playoff in a collision sport is something many NFL draft hopefuls may be “advised” to shy away from.


  53. (Jesse) James June 21, 2012 8:56 am

    Good morning Tsaikos….Hope everyone is safe out there and has a great day today!!!

    Happy beginning of summer!!!

    That APR system needs revising so that it makes common sense…but, oh well, the NCAA doesn’t have a lot of that going on….

    Maybe the BCS Commissioners should actually read the book, “Death to the BCS”….LOL


  54. SteveM June 21, 2012 9:14 am

    Good morning everyone!

    ST — thanks for the APR illustration.

    Just finished breakfast but thinking of chicken katsu…

    …Cruiser’s Call today at noon. 🙂

    tommui — I thought of a Cruiser’s Call at your place, but it seemed inappropriate to ask since you are recovering… but if you’re hungry next month…


  55. LizKauai June 21, 2012 9:17 am

    http://www.staradvertiser.com/sportspremium/20120621_ags_office_questions_na_koas_status.html?id=159845345

    The state attorney general’s office has asked the Na Koa Football Club, the University of Hawaii’s official football booster club, to examine whether it should register as a charitable organization that solicits contributions.


  56. LizKauai June 21, 2012 9:18 am

    http://tinyurl.com/7cb87mr

    Vaughn is #67


  57. LizKauai June 21, 2012 9:20 am

    http://tinyurl.com/84yxub8

    More on Vaughn


  58. jm2375 June 21, 2012 9:21 am

    Good morning Tsaikos!

    APR was devised by NoClueAtAll, so waddya expect? Shouldn’t they look at grad rate?

    WW – I think the grade checks are done by the academic advisor or one of the asst coaches. So when you a player benched for a game or two during the season, …

    Don’t the high schools need to do grade checks before every game?


  59. Wes'side Warrior June 21, 2012 9:37 am

    That’s why I was asking, JM. In intermediate and high school, we had to be deemed academic-eligible before every game. Seems that at the college level, they just slide through the season until finals week. I don’t recall hearing of student-athletes at the college level benched for a game during the whole regular season. We usually hear of ineligibility during the week(s) leading up to Bowl Season.


  60. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 9:56 am

    Most student-athletes are adults and should take responsibility for their schoolwork. Plus, you think professors care about the students grades much less doing grade checks every week for the s-a? This is college, own up to your educational commitment. You flunk that’s on you.


  61. Dave June 21, 2012 10:11 am

    Mr. Tsai says: “The thing is, the measurement should be in whether a school is providing the resources and opportunity for an athlete to succeed in the classroom. Almost every school does that.”

    Comments: This is breathtakingly blind to the severe academic problems in many D-1 football programs, including UH. It also assumes that outcomes don’t matter. The comparison of student-athlete APRs to coaching contracts is also silly and inane. Good grief.

    Mr. Tsai: please open your eyes and turn on your brain.


  62. ai-eee-soos June 21, 2012 10:17 am

    ST: Turn off yesterday’s blog – filling up with mucho spam.


  63. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 10:31 am

    The word is out on Yelp. This blog is the place for a wide variety of spam. Average rating is 4 stars.

    I myself prefer Spam Lite. Gives you the option of adding additional spices and seasonings without going overboard with the sodium.


  64. Shoko June 21, 2012 10:34 am

    I eat low sodium Spam as a healhty alternative. However, I put choke salt or shoyu on top.

    Is that wrong?


  65. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 10:38 am

    @Shoko

    In your case at least there is less fat.


  66. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 10:40 am

    Wait, is there less fat in low sodium Spam vs. Spam Lite vs. original Spam?


  67. A-joe June 21, 2012 10:45 am

    ST-

    You mean to tell me you typed today’s headline with your “eyes closed” and without even “thinking” about it?

    Brah, you already had me with your whole “Primate Hands That Can Type” abilities. This latest feat takes the cake!

    Talent just exudes from you! I jealous you fricka!


  68. (Jesse) James June 21, 2012 10:47 am

    #78…A-Joe…Now if he would only bring back his mullet….Now that would take the cake….LMAO


  69. Shoko June 21, 2012 10:48 am

    Pretty sure that Lite Spam has less calories (fat) than low-sodium spam. Not sure tho…


  70. A-joe June 21, 2012 10:50 am

    79…(J)J.. Gorilla Grips, Mullet, roaming lower UH with his eyes closed- Chicks today dig that retro look!

    LMAO!!


  71. Shoko June 21, 2012 10:53 am

    Hmmm, todays topic makes me wonder if therewere any student-athletes that decalred double majors or double degrees.


  72. d1shima June 21, 2012 10:54 am

    I thought dat bugga no care what is on this blog? 😈


  73. d1shima June 21, 2012 10:54 am

    Shoko,

    …or any who scored Double Eagles?!?!? 😆


  74. Shoko June 21, 2012 11:06 am

    Only term I’m familiar with is the double or triple bogey. Had a quadruple bogey once. Decided to just drive the cart. That I can do.


  75. Shoko June 21, 2012 11:07 am

    Better stop screwing off before it affects my annual performance rating or APR. 😉


  76. Lowtone123 June 21, 2012 11:07 am

    “The scores don’t reflect their value. Each made significant contributions to the football program.”

    Wait, Fred von Appen made significant contributions to the football program. Where?


  77. Lowtone123 June 21, 2012 11:11 am

    No worry ST, when people see your diploma it doesn’t say how long it took for you to get it only that you earned it.


  78. Lowtone123 June 21, 2012 11:12 am

    The only spam I like is with rice and two eggs, over easy thank you.


  79. Don Weir (We-Ah) June 21, 2012 11:18 am

    Tom Mui,

    Reply is in your in box.

    Send me an e-mail with your address and I ride in to town tomorrow to deliver the burger.


  80. wait a minute June 21, 2012 11:39 am

    What are the “severe academic problems in many D-1 football programs, including UH”? Please tell us what you think these are.


  81. A-House June 21, 2012 11:40 am

    TO Tony Pollard:

    “Hey, Hawaii”. Yep, that’s the phrase that got me to meet Tony and Liz at the Orlando Intl Airport after the Florida game just before we boarded our flight to Denver.

    Hiya, Tony and our best to Liz and the rest of your family!


  82. AlaWai June 21, 2012 11:41 am

    Allisen Corpuz ousted in Round of 16 at WAPL. Great showing for the 9th grader.

    http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScore.aspx?id=17179869344&year=2012&type=036


  83. A-House June 21, 2012 11:45 am

    Why is the NCAA out when deciding who plays for the mythical national championship? Is not NoClueAtAll responsible for all US colletiate sports and events?

    Or, is it ceding it’s authority to the BCS conferences who will continue to “strangle hold” all the $$$ that come along with their scheme and to determine who goes and who stays.

    What a FARCE!!!!!!!


  84. A-House June 21, 2012 11:50 am

    Let’s see – Vegas is gving UH 35 points – if Warriors score 18 points, USC must score 53 points to win if one gives points. Can the D hold?

    hmmmmm. last time they played UH lost by 11 or 12 points.

    hmmmmmmm, what to do, what to do!


  85. d1shima June 21, 2012 11:56 am

    *Off Topic*

    Does anyone know when the HHSAA football championship will be this fall?

    I just heard the ILH regular season ends on October 19! If it’s scheduled for the end of November, that’s an awfully long break!


  86. d1shima June 21, 2012 11:58 am

    A-house,

    18 is a pretty odd number for a football score nowadays. You get birdies, or wat?!?!


  87. Mad Dog June 21, 2012 11:59 am

    I wonder how many bottles of Tums have been consumed by the Boise State athletic department in the past few weeks. With the fast approaching deadline to bolt from the MWC, the uncertainty of the projected income from the Big Least’s television agreement due to the new 4 team playoff system, and the Big West situation for their non-football programs, must be causing a lot of butt squirming on the Boise campus.

    Navigate Research, a Chicago-based sports market research firm, projects the Big East’s new media contract could bring football-only members a whopping 7.8 million per year. That amount, were it guaranteed, in and of itself would probably justify Boise State making the move.

    However, at a considerably less optimistic end of the spectrum, CBSSports.com has cited unnamed sources who claim the deal could yield as little as 4 million per year for the league’s all-sports members, meaning football-only partners such as Boise and SDSU could potentially wind up pocketing far less TV money than they were originally led to believe.

    http://www.examiner.com/article/could-clouds-of-uncertainty-prompt-boise-state-to-remain-mountain-west

    The BSU situation makes for interesting reading during this slow period of collegiate sports.


  88. A-joe June 21, 2012 12:05 pm

    89-Lowtone123: …Wait, Fred von Appen made significant contributions to the football program. Where?

    Fred recruited JJ’s first championship team. =)


  89. d1shima June 21, 2012 12:29 pm

    A-joe,

    😆


  90. Warrior Dave June 21, 2012 12:31 pm

    Hey Gigi,

    Let’s go HEAT!!!!


  91. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:06 pm

    Lowtone:

    I think FvA helped boost academics. I think. Hey, I wrote the thing at 2:30 in the morning. I was being polite at the end.

    Anyway, my only real point was I think the schools should be graded on the academic support they provide. Whether students take advantage of the resources, that’s up to them. Lead a horse to water, and all. But if I were on scholarship, I’d try to take every class possible and use tutors all of the time.


  92. Derek June 21, 2012 1:18 pm

    If the Heat doesn’t win tonight’s game, things will turn in a big way. The way I see it, this is Miami’s game 7. They have to close tonight. Period. The big question is can the Heat beat OKC 4 straight times? They can, but the law of averages say no, because every game has gone down to the wire. OKC knows this is it for them if they lose. They have a lot to play for, win and go back to friendly confines where the great fans there give them a big boost. Nothing different, it’s going to come down to the 4th quarter. Somebody from OKC will have to have a big 4th quarter whether it be Westbrook, Harden, Durant, maybe even a guy like Derek Fisher. For me, the guy who can make the big shot is Kevin Durant. The pressure is on Miami to win tonight. They have been getting good support from Battier, and Chalmers in particular. If they start to shoot a bad percentage, things can change in a hurry. Harden can’t play any worse, points wise. Ibaka can do much better too. It should be a great game. James has been great all along so far. Wade has been playing better than I thought after the Celtics. Bosh has been mostly quiet, but efficient. I don’t know about you, but I want to see some more interesting basketball. I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I watch the NBA finals. Stay thirsty, my friend. Go OKC. I’m a Western Conference guy.


  93. Hodad June 21, 2012 1:21 pm

    Von Appen had a locker room that was worse than that at a poor public high school renovated into one that would look like one at a very poor public high school ten years later.


  94. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:24 pm

    Hodad:

    Well, FvA did make the players pick up their mess, stay off the grass, etc. Basically, he implored good manners. And this is why preschools should be mandatory.


  95. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:27 pm

    Derek is correct that the format — 2-3-2 — does give an advantage to the home team for games 6 and 7. Even if OKC goes home down 2-3, it has a lot going for it. Officiating changes. Reserves get more energized.

    On the other hand, Miami could end it if James Harden keeps missing shots and turning the ball over. If the Heat win, Harden should get a ring.


  96. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:28 pm

    By the way, why is it that every playoff series is 2-2-1-1-1 until the 2-3-2 final?


  97. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:30 pm

    I think it would be hilarious if Spam sent out spam.


  98. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 1:34 pm

    Hopefully the Heat win so we can put the NBA season to rest.


  99. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 1:37 pm

    Not me. I love the NBA.


  100. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 1:38 pm

    In that case the Heat will win tonight. On to football and spam.


  101. jimmy the lock June 21, 2012 1:43 pm

    Kolten! Sidetrack to baseball.


  102. Kevin June 21, 2012 1:48 pm

    Newsflash.

    The football locker room on campus is not the worst locker room on campus.


  103. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:05 pm

    Hi, is it time to say sumting? I read ST’s post this morning and could not comprehend it. So I didn’t comment. No loss. I am not smart.

    But, hey, GO HEAT!!! Sumting I do understand. Lol.


  104. Stretch June 21, 2012 2:05 pm

    Happy Birthday Midori!


  105. kawika49 June 21, 2012 2:07 pm

    #99

    ST, have spam for breakfast and wait; till after dinner.


  106. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:10 pm

    nice pic of Mark Sanchez. Handsome dude.


  107. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:14 pm

    Midori, are you married yet?


  108. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:15 pm

    A-House: I don’t know anything about points in Vegas. So sorry I can’t help you. But if UH beats USC, that will be the upset of the century.


  109. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:19 pm

    How are LeBron’s legs? No more cramps, please! Hope to see a blow-out today.


  110. gigi-hawaii June 21, 2012 2:21 pm

    Gonna watch ABC now. Bye!


  111. HawaiiMongoose June 21, 2012 2:24 pm

    ST, re #98, I heard that the theory behind switching to 2-3-2 for the finals is that it reduces the travel burden on the players. In earlier rounds you have eastern teams playing eastern teams and western teams playing western teams, so a 2-2-1-1-1 format isn’t a big deal from a travel perspective. However in the finals you have an eastern division champ playing a western division champ and a 2-2-1-1-1 format could result in players enduring five hour coast-to-coast plane rides every other day between games.

    Of course now that every NBA team ferries players around on a luxurious private jet, maybe travel shouldn’t be a big concern. But even flying on a private jet doesn’t prevent jet lag.


  112. d1shima June 21, 2012 2:39 pm

    HMongoose gave a good explanation. It’s pretty much what I heard in the past.

    The only thing I would suggest is that “jet lag” should be a non-factor given that the games are all timed to start at primetime East Coast so no matter which time zone you’re in the game day routine should be the same. After all, it is an indoor sport.

    Tip Off…..


  113. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 2:40 pm

    HawaiiMongoose:

    The guys at the office said the NHL uses a 2-2-1-1-1 final.

    I only prefer the 2-2-1-1-1 format because of 1994 finals, when the Knicks had a 3-2 lead heading to Houston.

    Then again, I loved the 2-3-2 when the Mets headed back to New York down 3-2 to the Red Sox.


  114. d1shima June 21, 2012 2:40 pm

    Happy Birthday midori7!


  115. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 2:43 pm

    This was the first time I saw how the home team does the white-outs.

    Interesting.

    UH should do the same thing. Leave a T-shirt on everybody’s chair.


  116. jm2375 June 21, 2012 2:51 pm

    Happy Birthday midori7!


  117. d1shima June 21, 2012 3:42 pm

    UH should do the same thing?

    Not at THOSE prices!


  118. (Jesse) James June 21, 2012 4:03 pm

    Happy Birthday Midori!!!

    Gigi, she’s been married for about 3 years now!!!! LMAO J/k A-House…don’t faint.


  119. koakane June 21, 2012 4:03 pm

    happy birthday to one of the original tsaikettes ms midori daughter of guns and “sign my book” ahouse. truely good people


  120. koakane June 21, 2012 4:05 pm

    jj you did it now your okole in deep kim chee for spreading rumors bwhaaaaaa


  121. koakane June 21, 2012 4:08 pm

    oh btw ahouse take da points

    James turns on Heat


  122. Wes'side Warrior June 21, 2012 4:44 pm

    Happy birthday, Midori! Same birthday as my oldest son! Great day, indeed!


  123. Wes'side Warrior June 21, 2012 4:47 pm

    Got word earlier today that both Moniz and Torres will play in their game against Utah… and that Moniz will more than likely be the starting QB! Game can be viewed online. Tired and going to sleep… I’ll search for and post the link to the live stream tomorrow.

    G’night, everyone!


  124. Ipu Man June 21, 2012 4:52 pm

    G’night.


  125. SteveM June 21, 2012 5:11 pm

    Just woke up. Polynesian paralysis. Strange, I didn’t think I ate that much…must just be out of practice. Great 3 hour lunch and talk story with great globe trotting Tsai-kos.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIDORI7 !!!


  126. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 5:17 pm

    Glad to hear about Mo!, Will look forward for your post WW…

    Hey guys, I got tired of watching the darn Heat game. I found this pretty interesting… (Don’t mean to encourage betting just want to show how we are favored or not)… A couple games stand out to me are just like wth?!?! +28 vs BYU and +13.5 vs Fresno St. Here’s the full list…

    Hawaii at USC -38.5

    Lamar at Hawaii -27.5

    Nevada -6 at Hawaii

    Hawaii at Brigham Young -28

    Hawaii at San Diego State -11

    New Mexico at Hawaii -13

    Hawaii at Colorado State -4.5

    Hawaii at Fresno State -13.5

    Boise State -19.5 at Hawaii

    Hawaii at Air Force -12

    UNLV at Hawaii -12

    South Alabama at Hawaii -21

    http://beyondthebets.com/2012/06/06/never-too-early-college-football-point-spread-projections-for-all-798-regular-season-games/


  127. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 5:20 pm

    Happy Birthday to Midori7! Tell da Colonel and Mom to take you someplace nice fo’ kaukau and buy you nice presents! 🙂


  128. Da Punchbowl Kid June 21, 2012 5:22 pm

    Wes’side –

    Lookin’ forward to the livestream info. Thanks for thinking of us and keeping us up to date!


  129. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 5:25 pm

    I don’t root for LeBron but I respect a guy who said he looked in the mirror and told himself to get better. That’s a universal lesson.


  130. koakane June 21, 2012 5:26 pm

    miami is now known as tourches


  131. sean (aka pcwarrior) June 21, 2012 5:43 pm

    d1

    @120

    maybe the t-shirt vendors at the flea market should donate white shirts since there are only 6 home games this year. Maybe they can make up the cost with that extra weekend. haha


  132. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 5:47 pm

    About Lebron… I’m gonna put an “*” for shortened 2012 season…. hehe – I should copyright that; I know his haters are going to point to an asterisk like they did to Duncan for a long time…

    Nah Congrats Lebron, and his fans… To the Lebron haters, a wise man once said “Get mad, then get over it.” It’s about time to get over the hate for this guy… (coming from a guy that doesn’t like the guy)


  133. Slugger June 21, 2012 5:49 pm

    Happy birthday, Midori7!!


  134. WarriorNY June 21, 2012 6:01 pm

    Oh, and this is completely off topic… me in first row behind yankees dugout… literally best seats in the house…

    http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/556436_841303204829_1815046582_n.jpg

    Sorry for posting so much… Just got tired of the NBA celebrations… Anyways, i hope you all are well…


  135. d1shima June 21, 2012 8:11 pm

    sean,

    But why would UH want “official” NFL shirts? 😉 😆 😈


  136. jm2375 June 21, 2012 8:15 pm

  137. Kevin June 21, 2012 8:29 pm

    RE: Na Koa Football Club/UH Foundation

    In response to today’s piece by Ferd Lewis…

    The problem is the AG is fussing over semantics that could have been clarified. The Na Koa Football Club, like all other athletic booster clubs for UHM athletics are all under the UH Foundation which is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

    This article and the concerns of the AG irresponsibly suggests Na Koa is operating seperatly from the UH Foundation which is not the case when it comes to the books with donations received. If she can find concrete evidence that says the Na Koa Football Club clearly states they are a seperate entity from the UH Foundation then fine, but even in her own words, the AG only says ‘implicates” and as the AG that is quite sloppy. An implication? On her own part?

    The AG should do the homework next time and stop placing UHM booster clubs in the same light as other larger questionable “charities”.


  138. Derek June 21, 2012 8:52 pm

    The Thunder lost by a player who looks like he’s ready to join AARP, one Mike Miller. Harden played good, Westbrook played bad, and Durant was great as usual. No question LBJ is the MVP. He’s a beast. Now, Lebron and Durant can turn their sights on winning Olympic Gold. Congrats to the Heat.


  139. Kekoa June 21, 2012 8:53 pm

    One final shout out for today…HAPPY BIRTHDAY Midori7! 😎


  140. Kekoa June 21, 2012 8:56 pm

    WarriorNY ~

    For just a fleeting nano second I thought I heard and saw Bob Uecker talking about being in the FRONT ROW!


  141. papajoe2 June 21, 2012 8:56 pm

    Anybody know info about the Stevie Wonder concert or where I can find out information such as ticket prices and how to purchase tickets?


  142. papajoe2 June 21, 2012 8:58 pm

    Happy Birthday Midori and son of Westside Warrior!


  143. Kekoa June 21, 2012 9:01 pm

    Koakane, my DOE pahtna. Please enlighten me. I know what torches are…What are tourches? Same, but different?


  144. Kekoa June 21, 2012 9:33 pm

    PPJ2 ~ No Stevie Wonder here that I know of.

    Journey coming soon.


  145. papajoe2 June 21, 2012 9:50 pm

    Kekoa, I got it from fb on Aug. 18. as a benefit for UH. Tickets on sale Saturday. That’s all I heard. I like go but dodono if real.


  146. PowderPuff June 21, 2012 10:17 pm

    Happy Birthday, Midori7…usually it’s the first day of summer, but either way, hope you enjoyed your day. YAY!!!


  147. koakane June 21, 2012 11:17 pm

    EIS patnah, just getting rusty in my senior years. Not sure if have to increase or decrease the greenie intake bwhaaaaa

    May need to refresh by taking in some wessai smog to clean out the popo or catch more ono sweeet hawn music at the secret spot. Get one supa group on sat. Diana would love these guys and the fuud good. hint hint hint


  148. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 11:20 pm

    I’m going to to a spam sweep now.

    Time me.


  149. koakane June 21, 2012 11:21 pm

    add to dat the fingas still not working to good now that I no have to type out so many reports, letters to parents, chapter 19 detentions and so on and so on and so on

    turned over that duties to wafan and some pink side ladies…….

    for me DOE means done over and essssmeeeeeee


  150. koakane June 21, 2012 11:22 pm

    jeopardy theme song now running……..


  151. Stephen Tsai June 21, 2012 11:25 pm

    I think I got most of them.


  152. koakane June 21, 2012 11:29 pm

    good job


  153. koakane June 21, 2012 11:30 pm

    June 21st, 2012 at 11:29 pm


  154. koakane June 21, 2012 11:39 pm

    they’re back


  155. koakane June 21, 2012 11:41 pm

    nice touch on Big West conference page…check out the top right corner


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