So, for whatever reason, I woke up today with a lot on my mind. Not important stuff like the economy, our troops or even what to plan for my fiancée and my anniversary.
No, I had sports on the brain.
Being that I have this forum, I figured I’d share a few thoughts and questions I have.
1. Bradley Beal has led Chaminade College Prep (St. Louis) to a 16-0 start, and the future Gator guard quite often has been spectacular. In a 69-51 early-season victory at Creve Coeur DeSmet, Beal scored 37 points (going 4-of-7 on three-pointers and 13-of-16 at the foul line) to go along with seven rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists. Unfortunately, hazardous road conditions forced last week’s rematch to be called off. In the only game this year to see an opponent finish within 10 points of the Red Devils, Beal scored 33 points as Chaminade (also David Lee’s alma mater) defeated upstart St. Louis University, 69-64. Beal did his best work on drives to the hole (and on a one-handed alley-oop jam off an inbounds play) that game, as he was an unBradlike 1-for-8 behind the arc. For the season Beal is averaging 32.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.6 assists and 1.9 blocks. He makes an average of 2.56 three-pointers-a-game at a 44.6-percent clip. Beal has been successful on a ridiculous 144 of 194 two-point shots. That’s 74.2 percent, a number even higher than his free throw percentage (70-percent, making 105 of 150 attempts). And Gator fans, don’t worry about that foul shooting. He’ll be fine. Beal has too good a stroke to not end up very good from the line.
2. This may be the greatest stat I have ever heard, and it provides more evidence as to why this year’s Green Bay Packers could be the best No. 6 seed of all time: The Packers haven’t trailed by more than seven points in any game this season. Think about that.
3. Two seasons after former Gator defensive end Thaddeus Bullard participated in the WWE’s NXT show (as Titus O’Neil), another Florida alum is giving the ring a try. Bryan Kelly, a former producer and reporter for WRUF and WUFT, is competing this season on NXT as Byron Saxton (mentored by Smackdown roster member Dolph Ziggler). It probably would be fair to call Saxton this season’s favorite to win the show. However, the now-Internet show isn’t Kelly’s WWE debut. As Byron Saxton, he was an announcer on former WWE program ECW from October of 2009 until the show was cancelled (and replaced by NXT) in February of 2010. Kelly has been a part of the WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, since October of 2007. He has a great voice with a smooth delivery, as well as the “WWE look.” If he can make improvements in the ring (something he works on daily), he has a really good shot to make it.
4. If I were to hand out midseason college basketball awards, mine would look like this. Player of the Year- Kemba Walker (UConn guard); Freshman of the Year- Jared Sullinger (Ohio State forward, also player of the year runner-up); Coach of the Year- Jim Calhoun, UConn (12-2 team was picked to finish near bottom of Big East); All-American first team- Walker, Duke’s Nolan Smith & BYU’s Jimmer Fredette (guards), Sullinger & Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson (forwards). Second team- Washington State’s Klay Thompson & Texas’s Jordan Hamilton (guards), Duke’s Kyle Singler & Alabama’s JaMychal Green, Derrick Williams, Arizona (center).Third team- Kentucky’s Brandon Knight & Illinois’ Demetri McCarney (guards), Morehead State’s Kenneth Faried, San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard & Kentucky’s Terrence Jones (forwards). How would you go?
5. Look for a cornerback in the shadow of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to get a lot of attention next year. Gainesville High School’s Chris Bivins (5-11, 169 pounds) is a really talented kid who is generating a lot of early interest. He also potentially gets better every day in practice going head up with teammate Chris Thompson, expected to be one of the state’s top receiving prospects in the Class of 2013.