Former college basketball coach Rick Majerus died over the weekend from heart complications. He was 64.
Majerus coached St. Louis University in his last stop. The heart condition forced him to walk away from the 2012-13 season. He also coached Utah, Ball State and Marquette, but his health always seemed to be a major factor.
But Majerus was a college basketball gift. He displayed humor, crustiness and frankness. Sportswriters and broadcasters loved the guy because he was very quotable. The guy knew basketball and he knew how to coach it.
Majerus didn’t seem to find peace in one particular coaching job. I don’t know if the press or Majerus himself would start rumors about his potential candidacy at another school. His name kept popping up for openings.
I will always remember Majerus for his competitive nature. I saw it first hand one night in Ames, Iowa when Majerus brought his Marquette team to play Iowa State in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The coach became agitated with a call or calls that went against Marquette. The official gave Majerus one technical, then two technicals and then three technicals in a span of about 30 seconds. Majerus was kicked out of the game, but refused to leave. Police then escorted him off the floor, but not before he wanted to charge the referee who gave him the three technicals. Majerus was restrained and Marquette went on to win the game without its coach.
Showing posts with label St. Louis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Louis. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2012
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ready for College Football?
Last week, I went to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals. Now that Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and the rest of the Redbirds are all but out of the race, it’s time to concentrate on college football.
We have an interesting matchup in the Iowa this week when Northern Iowa travels to Iowa State Saturday. Granted, this game won’t receive national press, but here in the corn state Northern Iowa might pull off an upset.
The Panthers are ranked No. 7 in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). They return nine defensive starters and eight offensive starters from the 2010 squad. Northern Iowa also returns 10 of its top 11 tacklers.
The Panthers return an electric quarterback in Tirrell Rennie. The senior can cause difficult with both his feet and arm.
Another plus for Northern Iowa is recent success against Iowa State. The Panthers have defeated the Cyclones three times since 1992 including the 2007 season. Northern Iowa will not come to Ames in fear.
Iowa State returns 11 starts off a team that finished one game shy of bowl eligibility last season. The buzz in fall camp centered on the quarterback position. Junior college player Steele Jantz beat out two others for the job.
The Cyclones faced arch rival Iowa in week No. 2, but they better become focused on the first game or the Missouri Valley Conference preseason pick may pick off Iowa State.
We have an interesting matchup in the Iowa this week when Northern Iowa travels to Iowa State Saturday. Granted, this game won’t receive national press, but here in the corn state Northern Iowa might pull off an upset.
The Panthers are ranked No. 7 in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). They return nine defensive starters and eight offensive starters from the 2010 squad. Northern Iowa also returns 10 of its top 11 tacklers.
The Panthers return an electric quarterback in Tirrell Rennie. The senior can cause difficult with both his feet and arm.
Another plus for Northern Iowa is recent success against Iowa State. The Panthers have defeated the Cyclones three times since 1992 including the 2007 season. Northern Iowa will not come to Ames in fear.
Iowa State returns 11 starts off a team that finished one game shy of bowl eligibility last season. The buzz in fall camp centered on the quarterback position. Junior college player Steele Jantz beat out two others for the job.
The Cyclones faced arch rival Iowa in week No. 2, but they better become focused on the first game or the Missouri Valley Conference preseason pick may pick off Iowa State.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Norfthern Iowa Returns 'Home'
Northern Iowa loves playing in St. Louis. And tonight's Sweet 16 match up against Michigan State just happens to be in the Gateway to the West city.
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
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