so much for that
Unverified Voracity Is Walk-On Carlton
Filed under:
Programming note. I am out of heeeere, en route to Las Vegas to hang out with my friend who runs around like one of those tiny dogs whose blood is 90% cocaine during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Tim is spending today enjoying Irish culture—I think this means he's going to a museum or eating some cabbage—so the recruitin' post will be Thursday. I have a hockey preview in the can. There might be some other sporadic content, but I'm looking at Thursday, Friday, and possibly Monday as vacation days. Our flight gets in at 5 AM. I will be super excited about that.
Q for people more experienced than me: I'm sure sportsbooks will have the BTN, but does anyone know how likely it is I can get a TV tuned to the Miami-Michigan game and hypothetical championship game? Please advise. Also if you have other advice, I am listening.
Surprise! Oh, actually not a surprise in any way at all. Grad assistant Alex Herron is being dumped overboard:
The graduate assistant accused of lying to NCAA investigators is no longer part of Michigan's football program.
Alex Herron, who was named in a Notice of Allegations the NCAA sent to Michigan last month, does not appear on Michigan's spring list of administrative personnel.
This is an obvious consequence of being personally named in a major violation because you lied to the NCAA.
Walk-ons for water. Michigan has its own version of Paki O'Meara, the Iowa walk-on tailback who was occasionally thrust onto the field because the only petty deity more wroth than Angry Michigan BLANK Hating God is Angry Iowa Tailback Hating God, in the form of freshman O'Neil Swanson. His name fascinates. Now he pitches Vitamin Water to you:
I'm not sure if he's really O'Neil Swanson III, which would make his name worthy to bask in the radiance of Barkevious Mingo, or if he's just screwing around for the Youtubes. Obviously, I hope it's the latter.
Oh, right, and here are five minutes of highlights thanks to poster steviebrownforheisman. What a country!
Okay then. After some initial futzing by Birkett on his twitter, AnnArbor.com posts an apology sort of thing for the crowbar comment. Fine, hatchet buried and all that.
Elsewhere, there are two reactions to that apology from people who are bad at having opinions. Site the first is College Football Talk: "for a website to force its writers to pretend that an athlete wasn't arrested multiple times for burglary is plain ridiculous." The Big Lead: "Even if Dorsey deserves a second chance, he in no way deserves a clean slate or media sheltering."
Yes, Demar Dorsey has been a sheltered little bunny in his little bunny cage. Drew Sharp feeds him a carrot cut into the shape of a heart every day. No one has heard ten thousand things about Michigan recruiting this character when kids with Dorsey's background enter schools across the country without so much as a peep.
Michigan fans have a right to expect a lack of unsolicited cheap shots. Birkett doesn't know anything about this kid except his high school record and what's been in the paper. He posted something that wouldn't be out of place on an Ohio State or Michigan State message board, and it's his job to interact with the kids on the team on a daily basis. That's totally unprofessional and Birkett deserves all the crap he gets for it. It's not about sticking your head in the sand, it's about having the tiniest modicum of respect for the program you're supposed to cover.
Meanwhile, a poster around these parts put together a diary in response that's longer and better written than the initial, pointless Big Lead post, and Duffy responds about the declining standards around here… in the user-generated area of the site. As someone who writes for the Big Lead. Quick, what are Kim Kardishan's boobs looking like today? Are they still enormous and airbrushed? Lawya, please.
Buzz after-effects. I went on a little torrent of hockey recruit googlestalking in the aftermath of the Michigan State series, partially because of general enthusiasm and partially because Michigan picked up its second commit of the 2012 class in Chicago defenseman Connor Carrick. The Wolverine's Bob Miller describes him as a bigger, quicker, better version of Langlais—yes please. I didn't find anything else on him other than a teaser from the perpetually sketchy "Scouting News" that suggested he blew up at a recent tourney and is now being mentioned at the very head of the upcoming OHL draft. In my experience those guys are used car salesmen; I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that.
While searching around I ran across some random guy's late January listing of the top 100 guys for the upcoming OHL draft and found some familiar names:
1. F Matia Marcantuoni (if he chooses college it will apparently be M, but that's a big if)
8. D Jacob Trouba (choosing between M and ND, OHL a possibility)
10. F Boo Nieves (commit)
17. D Connor Carrick (commit)
24. G Dalton Izyk (Nieves's teammate)
Who knows if this guy actually knows anything but when it comes to 15-year old hockey players there's not much else to go on. Not that there necessarily should be, or I should be looking for it.
Also from the potentially dubious depths of the Hockey's Future message boards is this report on Nieves:
I've seen Nieves play numerous times in different tournaments, and he's solidified himself as a top 10 talent, but is not likely to come to the OHL. He's a massive body, that has great acceleration, a pass first centre, and rarely if ever loses faceoffs. Would like to see him use the body more often, as he has a massive frame to grow into. He's a guy I'd keep an eye on, as he'll most likely get drafted in the later rounds, but is a real talent for the next level.
That is all sorts of things I like to hear.
The CHL has your education foremost in its mind. Lethbridge is losing its goalie this year after five years. Let's hear about the rigorous education he received:
"I guess real life is around the corner," [Linden] Rowat said with a smile. "I have to get a job and go to school. You kind of take it for granted playing in the Western League for five years, getting up at 11 o'clock, playing video games, going to practice. Now it's going to be a lifestyle change. A complete 180."
Woo!
Etc.: MVictors has its own version of everyone else's twelve minutes of spring practice. There is a second mgotourney bracket. This one will not have prizes, unfortunately. More on Sheridan and Wright moseying off.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:44 PM | 
My only Las Vegas advice...
My only Las Vegas advice...
March 17th, 2010 at 12:51 PM |
Of course, there is sex in
Of course, there is sex in
Of course, there is sex in the champagne room's bathroom, so don't let that rule stop you.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:49 PM |
As the original poster around
As the original poster around
As the original poster around these parts that prompted Ty Duffy to question the mgoblog standards, let me be the first to say that I'm honored to be considered even in the same breath as some of the writers at this site. But for the record, I posted a forum topic on the issue, it popped up the diaries, and apparently it found its way to his attention and prompted a response.
And for the record, perhaps "hatchet job" was a bad term - the original Duffy post just felt like a needlessly caustic and accusatory piece. I stand by my comments about it, but I my tone was probably a bit too strong.
/ soapbox
I love that CHL post, especially if read it back with a bit of a Canadian accent. I am actually surprised that the kids sleep until 11 am - I always thought hockey was one of those early-riser sports.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:32 PM |
1. Your tone was entirely
1. Your tone was entirely
1. Your tone was entirely appropriate.
2. Duffy is a sophomoric idiot.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:38 PM |
Phish Tour!
Phish Tour!
He is also wearing a SICK hemp necklace in his Twitter avatar photo. Look at that sucker!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:43 PM |
Duffy uses his pulpit at The
Duffy uses his pulpit at The
Duffy uses his pulpit at The Big Boob Pic to mercilessly attack the University of Michigan at any and all times. Honestly, if you can dig up any story relating to U of M by him it will be 100% negative. He is the second coming of Drew Sharp, no exaggeration. He is a sad, sad hemp wearing Hobbit.
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:02 AM |
I agree
I agree
I played in the CHL for 5 years (about 17 years ago) and it seems little has changed. I was in the Q (not the WHL) but the lifestyle was very similar. I had to essentially start HS all over again when I was 20 years old.
Like NCAA football, not all CHL players go on to make it in the NHL. At least in the NCAA you have to go to school and get decent grades (at UM anyway) in order to play football. There were no reprecussions for us whether we went to school or not. Add that to the fact that many of us were living away from home with people we never met before and it isn't hard to figure out why so many let school slide.
I ended up graduating from University when I was 35 because of the lack of rules in the CHL and my lack of discipline as a teenager. Oh to have known then what I know now.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:51 PM |
So Brian, what's your favorite?
So Brian, what's your favorite?
Blackjack? Poker? Roulette? Slots? Bingo? Hookers?
March 17th, 2010 at 12:58 PM |
Given the standard comment in
Given the standard comment in
Given the standard comment in the "Line" box for the hockey posts, I think it's safe to say it isn't betting on college hockey.
And for that reason, it will probably be more difficult to get them to put it on in a sportsbook. Especially with the NCAA tournament going on.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:11 PM |
please tell me the tour will
please tell me the tour will
please tell me the tour will be stopping in Columbus, State College and South Bend.
Harvard: The MICHIGAN of the East
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:52 PM |
Do you know how much money I would pay ...
Do you know how much money I would pay ...
I am out of heeeere, en route to Las Vegas to hang out with my friend who runs around like one of those tiny dogs whose blood is 90% cocaine during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.
... to be on this trip?
March 17th, 2010 at 1:02 PM |
Vegas Babby
Vegas Babby
I have a feeling your friend is going to make you bet every single mid-major team. what could go wrong?
As far as the hockey game, just walk up to the Sports Book counter, tell them you want to lay a big wager on the college hockey game on BTN, but only if you change one of the TVs to it. Then, when they do, drop a 1,000 mgopoint wager on the Wolverines (I mean, you can afford it, mgoleader) on the game. BOOM!
Seriously, they have plenty of TVs. I am sure they will put it on if you ask.....the one thing is they'll probably put it on one of their smaller TVs. But, they will put it on for you, for sure. Heck, if you're at the right Book, they might even have college hockey lines on the board.
As for advice on games, go with your instinct. You watch more than enough sports. You are not in over your head. If you like a game, then play it.
Personally, I am liking Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Florida and Marquette tomorrow. Dont hesitate to check in with the JCB throughout the weekend. there will be a few picks on the blog.
But, really, you guys know and watch enough hoops. you'll be fine. And have fun.
Help My Friend Allison Fight ALS
MSU/IU at the JCB
March 17th, 2010 at 2:10 PM |
Any help for me at all?
Any help for me at all?
We are doing an auction again where each person has a set amount of money to spend and it's straight up picks with every round being 1 point... So do you have any good ideas/sleepers that could be a great value that could get 2/3 wins??
Thanks
"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
March 17th, 2010 at 11:29 PM |
straight-up?
straight-up?
Wow. Ours has a ton of rules, all of which count only until the Final Four, after which the remaining pot is split something like 50/25/12.5/12.5:
An upset team pays the seed difference in dollars; the upsetting team collects half.
Losing by 15 or more costs you $3, 25 or more costs you an extra $2 on top of that.
Pay $1 per direction for losing to a team with directions in its name. (Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe used to cost you $2 each.)
Overtime games cost the loser $4 and pay the winner $2. Per overtime.
Win or lose, if your team shoots below 50% from the line, you pay $2.
There's more, but you're probably bored already.
Yeah, we're not quite right.
Anyway, you probably did all right if you got Missouri or Richmond. Marquette seems to be a good pick for a 6, although I don't know if they count as a sleeper or not. Kansas went for $59 in our auction. ($100 per person, 8 people in the pool ... don't worry, we don't actually pay $100 to play. Well, the entry fee is much less than that, but once or twice someone's been pretty close to $100 in the hole.)
March 18th, 2010 at 10:22 AM |
Yeah just a straight up auction
Yeah just a straight up auction
Every win counts for 1 point. Most points win. For 100 bucks I got:
Cuse for 33
Duke for 33
Marquette for 10
GT for a couple
Temple for 7
Richmond for 10
Florida for 10
"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
March 17th, 2010 at 3:32 PM |
I really don't think a book puts college hockey on
I really don't think a book puts college hockey on
I've been twice for opening weekend, everything is focused on the tournament during that weekend. You have to get to any of the big sportsbooks by 6 or 7am to even get a group of seats together, and even then, they'll be way back from the main screens. And bear in mind there aren't that many books with a million TVs, a lot of the big casinos' non-horseracing sportsbooks are actually pretty small (Wynn, Palms, Venetian is medium sized). Mandalay and Caesars are the biggest ones, but we stopped at a no-name place like Bally's and it was still standing room only, with TVs and chairs set up in a mall walkway to handle overflow.
Point of all of this is, everyone there is dying to watch, and 100% focused on, the tournament, and since a TV sight line is so valuable, I don't see any scenario where they would change it, unless you went off strip.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:04 PM |
Are we sure that
Are we sure that
it was the real tyduffy that responded here?
http://twitter.com/#!/JHScramble
March 17th, 2010 at 1:58 PM |
I think
I think
the more intriguing question is what kind of person would sign up for the sole purpose of impersonating tyduffy.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:17 PM |
BTN and Hockey game
BTN and Hockey game
When I travel during football season, I call the Alumni Association, and ask for contact for local chapter where I am traveling. They might be watching the game, or know where Meechigan fans go to watch events.
*Desmond Howard couldn't hold AC's jock strap!
Oh my gilly gosh, he looked like a runaway piano!
March 17th, 2010 at 1:21 PM |
Woooo vegas
Woooo vegas
I'll be out there Friday to Monday too... will drop a note to gmail if I find a good place to catch the hockey game(s). Know which part of the strip you'll likely be on?
March 17th, 2010 at 1:28 PM |
"Walk On Carlton" FTW!
"Walk On Carlton" FTW!
"Walk On Carlton" FTW!
"Come on, you Wolverines!"
March 17th, 2010 at 1:32 PM |
where to watch
where to watch
Two places to watch your game. Buffalo Wild Wings will put the game on. Also there is a great pizza place on Lake Mead Blvd. Detroit pizza. Whole place is Michigan sports. They have outstanding pizza and beer on tap.
Northside Nat's Detroit Pizza
7531 W Lake Mead Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89128
(702) 255-8822
March 17th, 2010 at 1:39 PM |
Okay, so going to college in
Okay, so going to college in
Okay, so going to college in LA, trips to Vegas were often spontaneous and always awesome. Think deciding to go with a bunch of friends at 2 AM on a Thursday night of drinking, getting a little sleep and then rolling out at noon Friday. And sportsbooks were our favorite place to go because of comfy seats, lots of sports, low stakes, and free drinks!
My favorite book is the one at the Bellagio. The seats are great. They have tons of screens. And the drinks just keep coming. Just tip the waitress 1 buck each time she comes around with a drink for you, and you're set. And they have good stuff too - I've gotten bottles of Newcastle, Jameson on the rocks, and their well liquor is high quality.
Now as far as getting them to change a screen, its easier if you're betting a lot of money. Because then the managers will be more willing to change it. Its hit or miss - because the screens are actually managed at the Mirage (all MGM-Mirage casinos have their screens and lines set at the Mirage). They can make a call and change one, but like I said, betting large sums of money often can lubricate that deal.
Just one thing: get there early and stake claim to your seats. Especially this weekend, the book will fill up fast. Get your seats, camp out, and enjoy the fun.
This is home...
March 17th, 2010 at 1:46 PM |
BTN is pretty popular in Vegas
BTN is pretty popular in Vegas
you shouldn't have much of a problem finding a place with it. I would either go big (Bally's, MGM sportsbook) or small (North Las Vegas resort casinos) to get a place that will show BTN. When I was at Green Valley Ranch last year, they basically had tables at in the Sportsbook area where you could select your own channel on a tabletop TV and BTN was on there.
"So I come out of Ohio Stadium after we beat the Buckeyes, and right there on the hood of my friend's car, some one took a dump, in the shape of an 'O'. no shit. Oh, sorry, bad pun."
March 17th, 2010 at 1:46 PM |
Hockey game chances
Hockey game chances
As a Las Vegas resident, I can tell you there is a 0.0 percent chance you will find a sportsbook willing to show either of the hockey games. (You might have a 0.5 percent chance at the LV Hilton as they're only casino to have college hockey lines.)
The suggestion about trying to find an M alumni group in town that will be watching the game is a sound one. There are several Michigan bars in the valley and at least one will likely be showing the games.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:48 PM |
Las Vegas alumni club is no more
Las Vegas alumni club is no more
just checked the umalumni site and they have no listing for even a spirit club in Vegas. Funny, when I was there in '02 I watched the UM v Washington game with their alumni club at a BW3's in Henderson. Must have had some officers that were older and didn't do a good job of getting young people to take officer positions.
"So I come out of Ohio Stadium after we beat the Buckeyes, and right there on the hood of my friend's car, some one took a dump, in the shape of an 'O'. no shit. Oh, sorry, bad pun."
March 17th, 2010 at 1:50 PM |
O'Neil Depreist Swanson III
O'Neil Depreist Swanson III
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/swanson_oneil00.html
If he was 21, I'd really feel like I should offer him a touch of scotch.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:55 PM |
I have obviously not been
I have obviously not been
I have obviously not been doing enough to lower the standards of the user-generated content around here.
I promise to increase my future efforts.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:31 PM |
There is kind of a Las Vegas
There is kind of a Las Vegas
There is kind of a Las Vegas club but its not an officail Alumni Club. We still watch some games at the BWW in Henderson but the suck level of the football team has put the attendance down to almost no one.
If it wasn't NCAA weekend you could get the hockey game on but it's going to be a madhouse. Finding your own TV will be tough because you will be lucky to find a seat anywhere. If you don't have your own TV they probably won't put it on one of the bigger screens and even if they say they will at the counter, it may not happen.
@vegasmaize - There aren't any BWWs on the strip that I know of (there's one a few miles south) but you are right, they would put it on. Northside Nat's is like a half hour from the strip and if they can go that far there are better options.
In such a cynical, sarcastic society, oftentimes looking for the negative on anybody or anything, if you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes or 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it. -Thom Brennaman
March 17th, 2010 at 2:33 PM |
Hockey game
Hockey game
The casinos will have BTN and if not, Slingbox!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:43 PM |
Major Juniors vs NCAA: FIGHT!
Major Juniors vs NCAA: FIGHT!
For those who didn't click on the link to the Edmonton Journal, here are a couple more of Linden Rowat's quotes to balance the one quote plucked for the purpose of slandering the CHL:
"I don't really know what I'm going to do pro-wise if I get an opportunity but I'm kind of setting up for going to the CIS and playing some (university) hockey and get a degree"
"I learned a lot about living the (hockey) lifestyle, being a good person, being a good community person," added Rowat. "Teammates, friends, living with different families, it builds your character"
Rowat now has four years of a full ride paid for in college - the CHL's educational system is in full effect here.
Also, here are some amazing WHL (and WHL prospect) names that should be read in a Canadian accent:
Dalton Sward
Mackenzie Skapski
Mason Wilgosh
Rigby Burgart
Brodie Melnychuk
March 17th, 2010 at 4:06 PM |
Demar Dorsey
Demar Dorsey
Can't wait until he gets up here in the fall and proves all these people wrong that have been talking about him before he's even joined the team.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:15 PM |
Good luck finding the hockey game....
Good luck finding the hockey game....
I'll echo what previous posters have said about finding the hockey game in Vegas. Virtually every place has Big Ten Network, but you'll face an uphill battle to get them to put it on with the tournament going on.
I think one of your better options on the Strip may be the ESPN Zone restaurant at NYNY. If you get there early enough, you can get a table with your own TV. I also know they have Big Ten Network. But even then you may still have to get them to change one of the TVs over.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:48 PM |
Not only is O'Neil Depriest
Not only is O'Neil Depriest
Not only is O'Neil Depriest Swanson III his real name, it is also a successful attempt at the rare Reverse Rico Tubbs. Whereas Philip Michael Thomas pulled off three first names, O'Neil Depriest Swanson has managed to land a triple last name...three times!
March 17th, 2010 at 5:30 PM |
Another fun fact, after
Another fun fact, after
Another fun fact, after obsessing over the new roster yesterday, I noticed that O'Neil Swanson is the lightest player on the team at 158. Roundtree and VSmith are tied for the lightest scholarship players at 169, unless you include Kelvin Grady who weighs 167.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:47 PM |
This post needs a
This post needs a
"Give money to bookieeeeeeeees" tag.
Sportscenter.com raves: Sgt. Wolverine, "Michigan's biggest fan"!
March 17th, 2010 at 6:03 PM |
Hockey Game
Hockey Game
A few years back I was in Vegas for the 2nd weekend of March Madness I want to say it was the Louisville-West Virginia Elite Eight game and the supervisor at the Bellagio book changed one of the small TV's that were right at the betting lines for me to the Michigan-Colorado College game so there is a chance it can be done but who knows if it's possible during the first weekend.
March 17th, 2010 at 7:55 PM |
Who the hell is
Who the hell is
Kim Kardishan? Is she cute?
March 17th, 2010 at 11:23 PM |
Definitely.
Definitely.
March 17th, 2010 at 8:32 PM |
We have engineers...
We have engineers...
Who can calculate recruiting rankings for whole conferences for ten years, come up with systems to rate EVERY single play of a football game, and calculate probaility and odds for turnovers and every other stat imaginable......yet we can't figure out a way to determine the high scores between TWO different online tournament pools?!?
Bah.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
March 17th, 2010 at 11:29 PM |
Concur
Concur
You are unlikely to get anything changed at a sports book. One other shot might be to find a seat at a race book that has it's own little TV. I've pulled this off at a couple of the bigger books on the 1st weekend. Usually you can't get a great view of the hoops screens, but you'll probably have your own mini TV which you can toon (hopefully to the BTN).
You will have to be "actively wagering" on the ponies - but for $2 every half hour or so, it's well worth it. Plus, that can mean free drinks if you slip the waitress a Zoltan for Space Emperor t-shirt.
jwendt
class of '97
March 18th, 2010 at 10:00 AM |
Vegas Sports Book
Vegas Sports Book
As someone who used to spend a LOT OF TIME in Vegas, and having been there for the Super Bowl and other big weekends, I can tell you that it's going to be extremely tough to get any sportsbook to change a screen for 1 person...However, I have seen sportsbooks change one screen to Soccer for a LARGE GROUP of euro fans that were drinking, betting and having a good time. If you are going to have any success, wear the colors, recruit some other fans and try to convince someone as a group...you might get lucky. But, I seriously doubt it. Another tip - the bigger the book (more screens) the better your chances. Mirage, Ceasar's used to be somewhat accomodating to such requests.
The MMQ
April 12th, 2010 at 2:44 PM |
lol
lol
what happened to your face ??
Remember, there is no sex in the champagne room.
--
Benjamin in Ann Arbor.
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