March 23, 2007
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BARCA BLOG – LIFE ON THE ROAD – NEW JERSEY 1
MEN’S BASKETBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT
WEDNESDAY (3/21) & THURSDAY (3/22)
Back on the road… four straight weeks and my heart is still ticking! I’ll admit.. I am starting to wear down. But I still have some fight left in me.
Here’s my game plan… I am going to take it one day at a time. I will give 110% percent each outing… and will leave it all on the floor.
Anyway, we left for the NYC/NJ Wednesday night and arrived to what felt like a blizzard in comparison to the 70 degree perfect days in Sacramento last week. Of course, I forgot my winter jacket, plus, someone told me you can check the weather in advance on this computer site thingy called weather.com (not computer savvy, okay). Today’s notes will be really short…. here are a couple of things that stood out in the last day or so.
Here’s a picture of our team flight. It was a tight fit, but we managed to get everyone on board. That’s what first class is all about.
Actually, here’s the plane. Our head photographer, Neil Brake, noticed the word “Champion” on the side of the charter… hope this is a good omen (fingers crossed).
I have never been to New York City. I appreciate the fan emails with tips for the Big Apple. I have traveled all over the States (my dad was in the Air Force for twenty years), but have never made it further east than DC. This image was my first view of the city. Not what I imagined at all.
Fun side note…. and I am mad at myself for not getting a picture. Team Strength Coach Mark Davis apparently said he would shave his head into a mohawk if the team made the Sweet Sixteen. If you were at practice Thursday, it was on full display. I am jealous. Who knows what will happen if we keep advancing? Stay tuned.
Coolest thing on Thursday at practice. Near the end of the day, Coach Stallings started shooting half court shots from behind his back to the delight of the fans in attendance. He just missed a couple of them (hit the glass). We need to book this on Letterman… he makes it look so effortless. Watch clips here
That’s Roy Hibbert… 7 foot 2 and 278 lbs … An inside terror. This is what Dan Cage said in Thursday’s press conference about his experience as a power forward in the SEC:
DC: Me being 6’10 and 275 pounds of pure athleticism.. I’ve been pretty successful.
Right on. Listen to the rest of press conference here
Here is who Vanderbilt fans are referring to as “Benedict Arnold” this week (or public enemy number one). Marty Bahar was a team manager for the Commodores during his undergrad (if you look back at the 2004 N.C. State game in Orlando, he’s the guy on our sidelines that shields the rest of the bench from spilling onto the court following every big bucket down the stretch) … he took a position as a graduate assistant for Georgetown Basketball last summer. All kidding aside, Marty’s a great guy and is well respected by our team, staff and players. Dan Cage said he might disown Marty as a friend, though, if he provided any secrets to help the Hoyas beat Vanderbilt. Dan wasn’t kidding (or was he?) Watch it here
Seen a lot of big timers in the industry so far in Continental Arena…. of course, Jim Nantz and Billy Packer are calling the action… Noticed some guy from the Washington Post who wasn’t Michael Wilbon, but also talks about stuff on ESPN in a show where people express their opinions on sports (how original) even though those opinions might not be shared by the parent company … John Feinstein was also in the house … and Skip Anderson said he noticed some guy that looked like Dick Vitale. So there you go… it’s prime time.
By the way, before I close this journal entry, you’ll be glad to know Rocky Balboa (or Rocky 6, or the makeup for Rocky 5) came out on DVD Tuesday. I camped out for it last week from Sacramento and am now the proud owner of the greatest movie of all time. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. Do it!
Actually, I haven’t seen one ounce of the NYC yet because I’ve watched this film like six times already. Friday morning will either consist of me waving my arms in the background of the taping of the Today Show, or a breakfast-in-bed viewing of Rocky Balboa. Haven’t decided yet. Tough call. Gonna have to take it one day at a time (and give 110 percent).
Brandon Barca is the online director for VUcommodores.com. Send him your thoughts at brandon.barca@vanderbilt.edu.
