Celtics guard Ray Allen said he expects to play tonight. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBA/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen practiced today and said he expects to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat tonight. The Heat lead the series 1-0 after a 93-79 victory on Monday.
Boston coach Doc Rivers said he was considering sitting Allen down because he is dealing with injuries that is affecting his ability to shoot.
What happens when female sportswriters and Twitter thugs collide? The results are not pretty. Story by Scooby Axson
This episode: Old school pitiful Oklahoma teams
This little beauty features a 1996 between the Oklahoma Sooners and the San Diego State Aztecs under the “great” tutelage of Sooner coach John Blake. The Aztecs went on to a 51-31 rout and the Sooners finished the season 3-8. This team features a quarterback you have never heard of, a swiss cheese defense, and no one chance of having success.
Another little nugget: Check out the broadcasting team, especially who is in the analyst chair. It is none other than “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison. Harrison isn’t half bad at commentating and at least he didn’t say this is the most dramatic football game in history. Now, thinking of it, I am glad he went to the entertainment and left the football analyzing to the experts.
A new feature that will be coming to the Scoop every week is a blast from the past. Some of the most ridiculous and stunning moments in sports will be brought to you with the help of our friends at YouTube.
First up: All-America Teams.
What does the Associated Press All-America Team and Bob Hope have in common? Unfortunately, a lot.
Combined with corny jokes, mullets, and some future Pro Football Hall of Famers, Bob Hope hosted a Christmas Special which ran on NBC for decades. In this clip from 1988, Hope shoots the breeze with first team All-America picks Alabama linebacker Derrick Thomas, Miami (Fla.) quarterback Steve Walsh (who is nowhere close to being a Hall of Famer) and Heisman winner Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders, among others.
Check out some those reactions to the jokes..and some of the highlights: “Prime Time” Deion Sanders’ thinking his jheri curl from the Soul Glo days actually looks good and Texas Tech kick returner Tyrone Thurman (have you ever seen a smaller football player?)
Unless some major upsets happen, the BCS championship game looks like it is set in stone between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama. The Big East title is up for grabs as no one has seized control of that conference all season and the Pac-12 championship game might as well be practice for Oregon.
On to the picks….
#24 West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 Big East) at South Florida (5-6, 1-5 Big East)
Line: West Virginia by 1.5.
The scoop: The Big East is a mess like it always is and West Virginia can wrap up the title with a victory, based on having the conference’s highest BCS ranking. South Florida is fighting for its bowl playing lives and have lost five of six games overall.
West Virginia 33, South Florida 24.
Pacific 12 Conference Championship
UCLA (6-6, 5-4 Pac-12) vs. #8 Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac-12) Line: Oregon by 31.5.
The scoop: This week’s scrimmage….in a “championship” game…that is all.
Oregon 52, UCLA 17.
Mid-American Conference Championship
Ohio (9-3, 6-2 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (9-3, 7-1 MAC)
Line: Northern Illinois by 3.5.
The scoop: Both teams have strong running attacks and Northern Illinois will be making their second straight appearance in this game. The Huskies win with a little more defense and a little more balance than Ohio.
Northern Illinois 34, Ohio 25.
Conference USA Conference Championship
#24 Southern Mississippi (10-2, 6-2 C-USA) vs. #7 Houston (12-0, 8-0 C-USA)
Line: Houston by 14.
The scoop: Victory by the Cougars basically locks up a BCS berth. This game will be played in Houston, where the Cougars’ previous six opponents have gotten blown out by an average of 36 points a game. Southern Miss’ pass defense is decent but will have a long afternoon if they don’t get turnovers and get pressure on record-setting QB Case Keenum.
Houston 56, Southern Miss 31.
Iowa State (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) at #16 Kansas State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12)
Line: Kansas St. by 10.5.
The scoop: Raise your hands if you thought Kansas State would have a chance to win 10 games this year….Everyone’s hands should be down.
Kansas St. 34, Iowa St. 21.
UNLV (2-9, 1-5 MWC) at #18 TCU (9-2, 6-0 MWC) Line: TCU by 38.5.
The scoop: Only two teams in the nation are worse at throwing the ball than UNLV and those would be a couple of service academies (Army, Navy) that hardly attempt the forward pass. Game over when the Rebels step off the bus.
TCU 56, UNLV 10.
Texas (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) at #19 Baylor (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) Line: Baylor by 3.
The scoop: Baylor QB Robert Griffin has a chance to get to 10,000 career yards passing and possibly carve his name into the Heisman Trophy. Texas better not get behind because their offense is not equipped to come back from huge deficits.
Baylor 40, Texas 31.
Southeastern Conference Championship
#12 Georgia (10-2, 7-1 SEC) vs. #1 LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC) Line: LSU by 14.
The scoop: The best defense this side of Alabama, LSU likes making teams one-dimensional so Georgia must be balanced and not turn the ball over. Easier said than done, as LSU forces turnovers better than anyone.
LSU 42, Georgia 24.
New Mexico (1-10, 1-5 MWC) at #9 Boise State (10-1, 5-1 MWC) Line: Boise St. by 49.
The scoop: The 49-point spread says it all about this game. New Mexico allows their opponents to convert 58 percent of their 3rd down conversions, by far the worst in the nation. The Lobos also average a pitiful 13 points per game…once again, dead last in America.
Boise St. 60, New Mexico 13.
Atlantic Coast Conference Championship
#5 Virginia Tech (11-1, 7-1 ACC) vs. #21 Clemson (9-3, 6-2 ACC)
Line: Virginia Tech by 7.5.
The scoop: That 23-3 beatdown Clemson handed Virginia Tech two months ago means nothing now. Clemson has turned the ball over 12 times in the last four games and it’s no wonder they have lost three of those contests.
Virginia Tech 34, Clemson 30.
#13 Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) at #3 Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1 Big 12)
Line: Oklahoma St. by 3.5.
The scoop: The ability to take away the ball covers the Cowboys obvious weaknesses on defense. Oklahoma’s defense is nothing to write home about either. Whoever limits the mistakes and the big plays, will win. This has all the makings of a no-defense, 4-hour marathon.
Oklahoma St. 45, Oklahoma 37.
Big 10 Conference Championship
#15 Wisconsin (10-2, 6-2 Big 10) vs. #11 Michigan State (10-2, 7-1 Big 10)
Line: Wisconsin by 10.
The scoop: Both teams have won four games in a row and this is a rematch of the classic game Michigan State won with a Hail Mary. Badgers QB Russell Wilson was picked off twice in that contest and hasn’t thrown an interception since. He also has thrown a TD pass in 36 straight games.
Wisconsin 38, Michigan St. 27.
Last week: 14-2 (straight up), 9-6-1 (against the spread)
Overall: 206-49 (straight up); 112-120-4 (against the spread)
It’s rivalry week and it’s time to put up or shut up. For those who want to see total confusion, another weekend of upsets just might do it. Huge stakes are on the line in several games (Houston-Tulsa, Penn State-Wisconsin, Arkansas-LSU, Virginia Tech-Virginia). Enjoy the holiday football, everyone.
On to the picks….
Iowa (7-4, 4-3 Big 10) at #22 Nebraska (8-3, 4-3 Big 10) Line: Nebraska by 9.5.
The scoop: An early preseason favorite for the Big 10, Nebraska has been plagued by an inconsistent offense and a disappointing defense. Iowa has split its last four games and must depend heavily on workhouse RB Marcus Coker.
Nebraska 31, Iowa 20.
#8 Houston (11-0, 7-0 C-USA) at Tulsa (8-3, 7-0 C-USA) Line: Houston by 3.5.
The scoop: Another week…another NCAA record in reach for Houston QB Case Keenum. He needs one more 300-yard passing game to take over in that category. Tulsa is no slouch, either, having won seven in a row.
Tulsa 38, Houston 34.
#3 Arkansas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at #1 LSU (11-0, 7-0 SEC) Line: LSU by 12.
The scoop: LSU has won 16 in a row at home and is predicated on shutting teams down and creating turnovers, leading the nation in turnover margin. Arkansas boasts the conference’s top ranked offense.
LSU 28, Arkansas 14.
#13 Georgia (9-2) at #25 Georgia Tech (8-3) Line: Georgia by 6.
The scoop: Georgia Tech is going to have an issue running the ball as Georgia boasts the second-ranked rush defense in the country. Winners of nine in a row, the Bulldogs have already wrapped up the SEC East.
Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 28.
Iowa State (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) at #12 Oklahoma (8-2, 5-2 Big 12)
Line: Oklahoma by 28.5.
The scoop: Oklahoma has no business losing to teams like Iowa State (or Texas Tech and Baylor for that matter), but as well as the defense can get to the quarterback, their secondary continues to a huge problem. The Sooners are staring straight at the Alamo Bowl if this trend continues.
Oklahoma 49, Iowa St. 20.
#11 Michigan State (9-2, 6-1 Big 10) at Northwestern (6-5, 3-4 Big 10)
Line: Michigan St. by 7.
The scoop: It’s senior day for Northwestern and nothing would give them more pleasure than to destroy the Spartans BCS hopes. Even though they have six wins, Northwestern still could be sitting at home for the holidays if they don’t win this game.
Michigan St. 41, Northwestern 27.
Ohio State (6-5, 3-4 Big 10) at #17 Michigan (9-2, 5-2 Big 10) Line: Michigan by 7.5.
The scoop: This is supposed to be a rivalry and lately everything has gone in Ohio State’s way, having beaten the Wolverines seven straight times. Michigan can now play some defense, allowing an impressive 15 points a game.
Michigan 34, Ohio St. 21.
Wyoming (7-3, 4-1 MWC) at #7 Boise State (9-1, 4-1 MWC) Line: Boise St. by 32.5.
The scoop: Boise State is looking to creep back up into the BCS bowl conversation and needs to win impressively and have teams ahead of them lose, which is a good possibly in the last weeks of the season. Wyoming has had issues stopping the run all season so the game plan for Boise is pretty easy.
Boise St. 52, Wyoming 17.
#6 Virginia Tech (10-1, 6-1 ACC) at #24 Virginia (8-3, 5-2 ACC)
Line: Virginia Tech by 4.5.
The scoop: No one really knows what team Virginia Tech will bring to the field on any given week. They are not dominant in any one phase, yet is in a position to compete for a BCS bowl. Virginia is relevant again and will win the ACC’s Coastal Division with a victory.
Virginia 28, Virginia Tech 23.
#20 Penn State (9-2, 6-1 Big 10) at #15 Wisconsin (9-2, 5-2 Big 10)
Line: Wisconsin by 15.
The scoop: Penn State’s defense has given up 20 points to only two opponents all season and wraps up the Leaders Division with a victory. The Nittany Lions beat Wisconsin by 41 points in their last visit to Madison three seasons ago.
Wisconsin 37, Penn St. 13.
Oregon State (3-8, 3-5 Pac-12) at #9 Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) Line: Oregon by 28.
The scoop: This is the 115th meeting between the schools, and Oregon will host the Pac-12 championship game with a victory. Oregon has won the past three meetings.
Oregon 56, Oregon St. 21.
#2 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at Auburn (7-4, 4-3 SEC) Line: Alabama by 21.
The scoop: Auburn will be hard pressed to move the ball against the nation’s best defense and Alabama will be looking for revenge after blowing a 24-point lead in last season’s game. Alabama is the nation’s leader is every important defensive category.
Alabama 38, Auburn 14.
Texas Tech (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) at #21 Baylor (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) Line: Baylor by 13.
The scoop: Texas Tech is an absolute mess and after watching Baylor carve up Oklahoma’s defense last week, the Red Raiders know they are in for a long day. Their defense is one of the worst in the nation (as usual) and Baylor QB Robert Griffin’s Heisman campaign is officially in full swing.
Baylor 58, Texas Tech 40.
#18 Clemson (9-2) at #14 South Carolina (9-2) Line: South Carolina by 4.5.
The scoop: Clemson still boasts a powerful offense…when they don’t turn the ball over as evidence last week against North Carolina State. How South Carolina has won nine games with their offense is anyone’s guess, but this game is about bowl positioning.
South Carolina 30, Clemson 28.
#23 Notre Dame (8-3) at #4 Stanford (10-1) Line: Stanford by 7.
The scoop: Stanford QB Andrew Luck is one step closer to winning the Heisman and a huge performance here would mostly likely end the debate.
Stanford 35, Notre Dame 24.
UCLA (6-5, 5-3 Pac-12) at #10 USC (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12) Line: USC by 14.5.
The scoop: No one wants to play USC right now and with good reason. UCLA wins the South Division with a victory. USC QB Matt Barkley leads the conference with 33 TD’s.
USC 35, UCLA 14.
Off this week: #5 Oklahoma State, # 16 Kansas State, #19 TCU
Last week:
13-9 (straight up)
5-15 (against the spread)
Overall:
192-47 (straight up)
103-114-3 (against the spread)
The FIT volleyball team in action. Photo: courtesy of FIT athletic department.
People expect the Fashion Institute of Technology to produce the next hot thing in fashion, but probably no one expects FIT to field a dominant sports team–except Kerri-Ann McTiernan, FIT’s director of athletics and recreation. She has something to say to those who doubt the caliber of the school’s surprisingly competitive 13 sports programs. “I feel bad for whomever we play because they should know once we take the field that we are going to beat you, so they can laugh all they want,” she said. “People hate to lose to FIT. But that’s just too bad, because people are going to have to get used to it.”
McTiernan, 41, has invested 10 years of her life in building the sports program at a school better known for fashion trends than uniforms. She was the first woman to coach a men’s college basketball team when she took over the Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Community College team in 1995. At 25, she was already coaching the school’s women’s softball and basketball teams at Kingsborough – and when the basketball coach resigned suddenly, she applied for the job and got it a week later. The players’ surprised reaction when she showed up at the first practice? “I could have been an alien for all they knew,” McTiernan said.
She is not a physically imposing woman. With her length blond hair and athletic frame, which is a reminder of her past as a former high school and college basketball star, she runs FIT like a savvy point guard: smart enough to know when to defer to other people, but has the ability to take over the entire show when she needs to. She’s a big presence at the FIT awards ceremony for the sports programs, which included a dance to kick off the beginning of the homecoming festivities.
McTiernan can’t walk down the halls of FIT without stopping to talk to everyone she passes. Former athletes give her a hug, wanting to know the progress of those who have since transferred from FIT to another program where athletes could get more exposure.
She says the five years at Kingsborough coaching men prepared her for this job.
“You have to be tough to do a job like this, because it’s about wins and losses,” McTiernan says. “When I first took this job here, my friends were asking me if I was okay because they didn’t believe it. The job was a well-kept secret.”
McTiernan’s biggest hurdle is recruiting because of the creditability factor: Simply, most student athletes don’t consider FIT a destination. One reason is because under NCAA rules established nearly 40 years ago, only Division I and II schools can offer athletic scholarships.
FIT teams compete in Region XV of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which is made up of 17 junior and technological colleges in southern New York.
Also, the school enrollment ratio of women to men is nearly nine to one, so those who want to compete have to have a genuine interest in attending the school. “Most of these guys didn’t get offers from D-I schools but are obviously talented in other areas, so the balance has to be there,” she said.
“We have to manage our money very closely and do it the right way. The more successful we are, that’s just going to help our exposure,” McTiernan said. Her coaches agree with the sentiment, and think that McTiernan may make all the difference in the program’s future.
“She brings a winning mentality and she supports us unconditionally. That’s why we are good at what we do,” says head women’s volleyball coach Maxim Auguste, who has been at the school since 2005. “Kerri is really competitive, even though she might not admit it. Without that support we couldn’t be successful at all.” Auguste’s team recently won the NJCAA Region XV volleyball championship, and finished eighth at nationals.
“She is very easy to work with and gives us room to do our jobs,” said Joe Plutz, first-year track and field head coach. “The dedication, the full trust of the staff and administration is key. And her being competitive always helps.”
“I would agree with those statements,” McTiernan said with a laugh when asked about her competitiveness. “I try not to show it, but sometimes I can’t help it. I was an athlete who competed at a high level. I didn’t come here just to check the box. I came here to win.”
Her journey to FIT began when she starred on the St. Joseph’s Hill Academy high school team on Staten Island and went on to become an All-American at Johns Hopkins University. While she has enjoyed some level of success everywhere she has been, she has always been serious about her academics as well – and she expects the same of her coaches and athletes, even if some of them are not familiar with the sports tradition.
“We don’t do things halfway here. When a person enrolls here, they must understand that you are a student first, and an athlete second. Period. I expect my coaches to help in that process as well.”
Her office is full of proof of her achievements. Academic degrees, pictures of her athletes and her teams at Kingsborough fill the walls. Her desk is a mess, with her apologizing several times because of its look. She calls it “controlled chaos” with the air of someone who is firmly in control of her surroundings and job.
Tennis player Alyssa Bernstein, a sophomore from Voorhees, N.J. majoring in Fashion Merchandising Management said most people don’t realize the sacrifices students go through to compete. “It’s tough, with school and practice early in the morning. She’s our biggest fan, and I think she gets what the athletes have to do be successful.” Bernstein, who is the Women’s Region XV tennis player of the year and said she didn’t receive any scholarship offers from bigger programs, had six of her teammates garnered first-team all region honors.
McTiernan says she had to drop a cheerleading program because the costs were too high, but she bounced back by adding a women’s soccer program this year. “I really don’t want to have to do that to any sport, but that’s the reality.”
With the pressures of the job, McTiernan, who is single, doesn’t have much time for anything else, admitting she has had one day off since the school year began. She enjoys playing guitar and watching football and professional basketball, and admitted, “I am sick to my stomach that I can’t watch the Knicks because of the lockout.”
While a decade at any school seems like a lifetime, McTiernan says she doesn’t plan on going anywhere, at least not in the near future.
“I can’t tell you the next step for me personally. But I am going to continue to strengthen the program with the continued support of the administration,” she said. Her biggest thrill comes from seeing athletes who have left the school come back to tell her about their successes.
For those who want to know if the FIT athletes have a hand in making their own uniforms for competition: “Sadly, no.” McTiernan said. “But that never stopped us from looking good and kicking butt.”
