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11/8/06
I was fortunate
enough to once again work with the Greensboro Sports Commission for
their luncheon to bring in the new sports season. In August it was
football, this time...hoops.
Football was a
great show, but I have to be honest, I'm more of a college
basketball guy. And the opportunity to talk to all the local coaches
in this area, was a true honor.
 Guilford
head coach Tom Palombo a truly great guy. Very easy to talk to and
they are doing some good things at Guilford. Quakers made a nice run
last season and should improve on it this year.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH PALOMBO
 Jerry
Eaves, head coach for the Aggies of A & T has been on the program
before and each time he comes on, I become more and more a fan of
his. He took over an Aggie team that was pretty much rock bottom and
in his fourth year, as long as everyone stays healthy, you will see
why he was such a great hire. This should be the year the Aggies
break out in the MEAC.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH EAVES
 Greensboro
Pride head coach Bryan Galuski is awesome. From New York and in his
second season with the Pride, you can tell he just loves the
opportunity of being a head coach. Constantly smiling and telling
jokes, just a class guy. Third last season and they lost a big piece
in USA South player of the year Steve Berg...but some depth with the
Pride this year should make his second year a success.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH
GALUSKI
 Mike
Dement has everything going his way at UNC Greensboro. Returns two
superstars in Kyle Hines and Ricky Hickman, in all 90 percent of the
scoring from last year is back in Greensboro. Last year they made a
run in the SoCon tourney making it to the quarters...this year, a
berth in the NCAA Tournament is not out of the question. I like
Mike, the second time he has been on the show and one of the better
college basketball coaches in the state of North Carolina.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH DEMENT
 Ernie
Nestor at Elon is one of the nicest guys you will meet. He's been
coaching forever and the 2006 SoCon Coach of the Year has a lot to
look forward to this season. They are a little younger this year,
but if anyone can get this talent to perform...its Coach Nestor.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH NESTOR
 Finally
my man from High Point, head coach Bart Lundy. Coach Lundy I can't
say enough about. He deserves every bit of success he gets. A stand
up guy who if your friends with, consider yourself fortunate to have
someone like him in your corner. As for the basketball, this could
be the year High Point gets over that hump. The last two seasons
they've fallen in the semis of the Big South tournament...this year
with Arizona and the rest of the Panthers back...look for them to
possibly make it to the NCAA tournament.
INTERVIEW WITH COACH LUNDY
I was also
fortunate to have on the show the ACC Associate Commissioner of
Women's Basketball Bernie McGlade. She's played and coached in the
ACC and is an amazing woman. Joining her was director of the
Greensboro Coliseum Matt Brown as they gave us the latest on all the
happenings this year in Greensboro.
INTERVIEW WITH MR BROWN
AND MRS MCGLADE
All in all...in my
opinion a fantastic show. The coaches were all great to talk to as
we are gearing up for basketball season. I want to thank Demp
Bradford and Marc Bush from the Greensboro Sports Commission. I also
want to thank the SID's at each school who work with me in getting
these coaches on there and throughout the season. I appreciate all
of your hard work...Dave Walters at Guilford, Brian Holloway at A&T,
Bob Lowe at Greensboro, Michael Hirschman at UNCG, Megan Donald at
Elon and Brian Morgan at High Point. Thanks again everyone!
Next year we will
continue to do these shows and look to make them even bigger and
better than this year. Its hoops season...let the games begin!
10/24/06
Sunday was ACC
Operation Basketball...a chance for all of us media dorks to meet
with all 12 ACC coaches and a lot of the players at one time...ask
the same questions and you know, really get hoops season off on the
right foot.
More
importantly...our chance to show just how little we know when we
give you are preseason ACC predictions, come up with an ACC first
team and our guess on player and rookie of the year.
Since I'm not one
to shy away from my picks...here is what my ballot looked like on
Sunday compared to the final ballot with all 62 votes.
ACC MEDIA PREDICTION
North Carolina
(59)
Duke (2)
Boston College (1)
Georgia Tech
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Maryland
Virginia
Clemson
Wake Forest
Miami
NC State
BILL'S BALLOT
North Carolina
Duke
Georgia Tech
Boston College
Clemson
Virginia
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest
Maryland
Miami
NC State
First two and last
two are what the consensus thinks, other than that...its a total
crapshoot.
This is North
Carolina's conference to lose. They bring back a ton of talent and
oh yeah, the best recruiting class in the country. Duke is all
freshman and sophomores but they are all McDonalds All Americans.
I really like Paul
Hewitt's Georgia Tech team. They were close last year and the
addition of Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton put them over the
hump this year.
I also like
Virginia to really turn it on in year two under Dave Leitao. They
have the best backcourt in the conference with Sean Singletary and
JR Reynolds, a ton of guys returning and a new arena...watch out for
the Wahoo's!
On the flip
side...I'm not sold of Florida State this year although they were a
pleasant surprise last season. I'm also not as high on Maryland as
others are. They have a freshman point guard and were dead last in
defense. They have a huge mountain to climb.
As for State and
Wake...Sidney Lowe will have a difficult time winning with this Pack
team...they are just too young. Wake is also young and have a lot to
prove. I think they will improve on last season, its just a matter
of how much. One thing with both teams...they will run, run, run and
should be exciting to watch.
I cant believe it
but ACC basketball is upon us. Be sure to tune in to the Bill Kimm
Show Friday November 3rd for the first annual ACC Basketball
Preview. Interviews and analysis with all 12 coaches from Sunday's
Operation Basketball. It will be a great way to bring in the 06
season.
10/16/06
We saw what's good
and bad about the ACC all in one Saturday afternoon. What started
with a fantastic college football game between two longtime ACC
programs, ended with a Big East transfer embarrassing themselves and
the conference.
The Miami-Florida
International brawl dominated my show today, and for good reason. It
was a news story and there
are a lot of opinions on it. Miami embarrassed not only themselves,
but embarrassed everyone who plays college football, the ACC and me.
I'm an ACC fan,
have been since I moved here, and to see Miami do what they do
best...thug action, is making me sick. This is a Miami team who went
to the Peach Bowl and got into it with LSU, a Miami team that went
to Louisville and danced on the Cardinal before getting waxed by 30.
Now a Miami team that brawls with FIU, a team barely worthy of 1-A
status and then has the nerve to celebrate the brawl afterward. Keep
in mind, all this in their last seven games.
I hate the fact
this is the most important story in the ACC this weekend. Instead of
focusing on the crap Larry Coker's team spews out...why don't
we focus on what's good about the ACC.
Like Wake Forest,
off to their best start since 1979, sitting at 6-1 after knocking
off NC State 25-23. You don't see too many teams lose their starting
QB, starting RB and an offensive lineman and still win game after
game, yet that is
 exactly
what Wake Forest is doing. They are one bad quarter away from being
7-0...remember that.
NC State...beating
two top 25 programs to start the ACC season at 2-0 before losing a
tough one to the Deacs. This is a team a month ago everyone wrote
off, and now in the thick of the ACC Atlantic. Daniel Evans has been
a hero for the Pack and Carter Finley has never been louder.
Clemson...much
like Wake, just a few plays away from being undefeated. Tommy Bowden
has his boys dominating everyone and it looks like Clemson has
finally turned the table. James Davis, CJ Spiller dominant and the
defense is one of the best in the country.
Georgia
Tech...after seven win seasons the last few years, Chan Gailey has
this team primed for an ACC championship game. Calvin Johnson is the
biggest playmaker in the country and the Wramblin Wreck are for
real.
Boston
College...the conference's newest member wasn't supposed to do
anything in the ACC this year, but there they are, 5-1 and 2-1 in
conference and have a great shot playing in Jacksonville. Add to
that, you have a walk-on kicker,
Steve Aponavicius,
a fan last year
who is perfect in his first game.
See...we don't
need to focus on Miami. In fact...screw Miami!!! The ACC doesn't
need Miami or Larry Coker. The one game suspension is ridiculous.
Some of those kids need to be kicked out of school, others should be
suspended for two to three games not one.
But I don't want
to think about "The U", they aren't worth my time. I would rather
focus on teams that have been with the ACC since day one. Yes, teams
like Carolina, Duke and Virginia are struggling, but Wake, NC State,
Clemson are
having magical seasons that we should be paying attention to.
Georgia Tech I know isn't a charter member but they've been ACC
forever as well. That's what I love about this football season. The
original ACC teams are taking care of business.
Some say the ACC
is down this year. I don't see it that way. I see the heart of the
ACC playing some of their best football in history...it's the
transfers that came in to the league in the 90's and the last couple
years that are down. The ACC brought the FSU's, Miami's and Virginia
Tech's in to boost football. Well it also boosted DUI's, brawls,
cheap shots and an arrogance that doesn't belong in this conference.
Do you think Wake,
Carolina, Duke or State would have acted like Miami??? Didn't think
so.
9/21/06
What is up with
all the whining and excuses in college football?
I thought this was
a man's sport...some would even say better than the NFL. Yet, this
week three high profile programs have done more bitching and
complaining than my daughter when she hasn't received her bottle.
Start locally with
Chuck Amato...my favorite ACC coach
(you can hear the sarcasm I hope).
For the second
week, has used his press conference to distribute excuse after
excuse after excuse about how he isn't a bad coach and the media
isn't out to get him. Only problem with that is, he is a bad coach
and if he doesn't start winning, his fans will run him out just like
Herb.
If you ask Chuck
though, as he stated in his press conference, he is winning. He has
more bowl victories than John Bunting, Jim Grobe and Ted Roof
combined. That's right State fan, he is comparing your beloved
Wolfpack to Duke and Wake.
Coach Amato even
went so far to say, winning and going to a bowl game is the goal,
everything on top of that is gravy. And you wonder why your team
isn't challenging for an ACC title. Just getting to the Meineke Car
Care Bowl and beating a South Florida team is enough according to
Amato. Too bad his fan base doesn't feel the same.
Then we have Bob
Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners. Look, Oregon shouldn't have won
that game. The officials botched so many calls it was ridiculous,
but they are not the reason the Sooners lost the game. Could it be
the over 500 yards they gave up to Oregon? How about not being able
to stop the Ducks when they had to?
What about that blocked FG in overtime...officials fault there as
well?
Officials don't
cost teams games. Were they bad calls? Yes. But in every football,
basketball, baseball, hockey, every freaking sport, every freaking
day, there are bad calls. It happens. As long as humans are making
the decisions, bad decisions will be made. Its up to teams to
overcome the one or two bad calls, not use them as a crutch.
Which is why I'm
disgusted by the behavior of Bob Stoops and Oklahoma president David
Boren. They have acted like children. Asking for the game to be
removed from the books and threatening the University of Washington
they will withdraw their 08 game with them if the Pac-10 doesn't
change their officiating procedures. Are you serious? Like the
Sooners have NEVER benefited from a ref's missed call. If I'm a
Sooner, I'm embarrassed.
Finally you have
USC...getting all bent out of shape because Brent Musburger gave out
a signal QB John David Booty uses to tell his receivers he
recognizes one-on-one coverage.
Problem is...Booty
is the one who told Musburger what the signal was. Did USC honestly
think if it comes up in conversation over the air, Musburger isn't
going to mention it? He's a broadcaster, it's his job to tell the
public these kinds of things.
Now USC is saying,
next time they wont help ABC with their broadcasts...yeah that's
mature. That's the right way to handle it. How bout you just don't
give the broadcast team your signals...maybe that will work.
What's with all
the excuses and whining? This is college football, not my sons
Wallburg Green Snakes team. Buck up and deal with a hint of
adversity. If this is the future of college football, I see me
losing interest with each passing week.
9/7/06
That moment is
upon is...the moment sports fans cherish...
ARE YOU READY FOR
SOME FOOTBALL?!?!?!
Kicking off
tonight with the Dolphins and Steelers, the 2006 season officially
gets underway. No more of this preseason crap, no more "Is this the
Colts year?", none of it. We let the play of the field speak for
itself.
As we approach
kickoff, I felt this was a prime opportunity for you to get my
official NFL breakdown. Now you ask, "Bill, what the hell do you
know?" And that's a valid question...but this is my blog and I will
write what I want. Of course...my profession requires me to know
everything and as an assistant coach on one of the Wallburg
Elementary 1st-2nd Grade Flag Football teams...well, if that doesn't
show my expertise than nothing will.
Without further
ado...my 2006 NFL breakdown...
I'm going to spare
you a witty analysis on all 32 teams...I don't have the time and you
wont read it anyway. Instead...here are my division winners along
with the wild card teams and how I think it breaks down in the
postseason.
NFC SOUTH -
Panthers (12-4) Carolina is the real deal. Adding Keyshawn looks
like it was a great move and this defense is the best in the league.
Plus, Delhomme, Keyshawn and the defense are all on my fantasy team
so if this Panther team underperforms, I'm screwed! Go Cats!!!
NFC NORTH - Bears
(10-6) Horrible division so the Bears are my default winner. Great
defense, second behind Carolina, but their offense is
well...lacking. Rex Grossman at the helm, yeah nothing can go wrong
there
NFC EAST - Giants
(10-6) I love the NFC East and it wouldn't surprise me if all four
teams finished .500 and better. That being said, this is the year
Eli takes it to a whole new level and it starts when he beats his
bro in Week 1. Tough schedule could hurt this team though.
NFC WEST -
Seahawks (11-5) Screw the Madden curse, screw the Super Bowl curse.
I better be careful before something happens to me. Anyway...it all
goes away this year. Shaun Alexander is the best running back in the
game and they are in a god awful division, although the Rams will
surprise some folks. Bottom line...Seattle will be back this year
WILD CARD 1 -
Buccaneers (10-6) Call me crazy, but I love this Tampa Bay team. Won
the South last year and nothing has changed. Defense was #1 in the
NFL last year, Chris Simms is a year better and Cadillac is the real
deal
WILD CARD 2 -
Cowboys (9-7) As long as TO stays a good boy, Bill Parcells will
have this Cowboy team in the postseason
PLAYOFFS
Bears vs Cowboys -
Cowboys
Bucs vs Giants - Giants
Cowboys vs
Panthers - Panthers
Giants vs Seahawks - Seahawks
Panthers vs
Seahawks - Panthers
(WOW...same as last year...man I'm original)
AFC SOUTH - Colts
(12-4) Can you really pick anyone else in the south? Peyton is
Peyton and the loss of Edge will hurt, but Dominic Rhodes has proven
he can run, Colts will be fine.
AFC NORTH -
Bengals (12-4) This Bengals team could finally be back to its Super
Bowl squad of the 90's. Carson Palmer is healthy and a fantastic
quarterback. Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson, TJ
Houshmensomethingsomething...Bengals will score some points. Defense
aint too bad either.
AFC EAST -
Dolphins (11-5) Something tells me Nick Saban will prove just how
good a coach he is. The Fins finally have a QB in Culpepper. I'm a
big Ronnie Brown fan (again, fantasy team), and the defense is one
of the best in the league. Now that he has a quarterback...look for
Chris Chambers to explode this season
AFC WEST -
Chargers (9-7) Should have been there last year, this year it
happens. Philip Rivers will have his growing pains but will be fine.
LT is awesome and their defense can stop the run. Broncos will
battle, but I think the Chargers win in the end...that's if San
Diego PD stops shooting their players.
WILD CARD 1 -
Patriots (10-6) The Deion Branch thing is a bigger deal than the
Pats want to make it and not having Vinatieri definitely hurts...but
Tom Brady is a proven winner, they'll get back to the postseason
WILD CARD 2 -
Broncos (9-7) That's right sports fans...the Steelers don't make the
playoffs. Denver has just enough to get there, especially with the
addition of Javon Walker, although it wont take them very far.
PLAYOFFS
Broncos vs Dolphins - Dolphins
Chargers vs Patriots - Chargers
Chargers vs
Bengals - Bengals
Dolphins vs Colts - Colts
Colts vs Bengals - Bengals
(Did I really just do that?)
My Super Bowl in
Miami...Panthers taking on the Bengals. Panthers win the game and I
enjoy my first ever Super Bowl live and in person. And for the
record, me getting a trip to Miami if the Panthers make it has no
bearing on this prediction whatsoever.
ENJOY THE
SEASON!!!
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