UT, BG fans know when to show class

Idle thoughts from an idle mind … while remembering one of the most patriotic moments in American sports history, Whitney Houston's electrifying rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV against the backdrop of the Persian Gulf War. Has it ever been done better?

There was a sellout crowd at the Stroh Center for the men's game and more than 5,000 at Savage Arena for the women. Yes, the basketball rivalries between Bowling Green and Toledo are healthy and heated.

But the I-75 rivalry is as much about respect as animosity.

BG women's coach Curt Miller suffered a mild stroke last month and was sidelined for a short period.

He heard from colleagues from coast to coast, but … well, we will let him tell it:

"I heard from more individuals from [Toledo's] administration, from coaches I've never met from different sports that took the time to write me personal two-page, hand-written letters after my health scare," Miller said following BG's 52-50 loss to the Rockets Saturday. "In the country, I hadn't heard from more people than [from] the University of Toledo and it was really, really classy."

To Toledo coach Tricia Cullop, her colleagues setting the rivalry aside to show concern for Miller was a no-brainer for a couple reasons.

"At the end of the day, we're all doing the same thing," she said. "There's a lot of wear and tear, and a lot of pressure in this business. We all know what that is like. Plus, I think MAC coaches in every sport recognize that Curt Miller helped put this league on the map. There's a genuine appreciation."

Certainly, that should be the case this season. Despite his health issues, Miller and his staff have done one of their finest coaching jobs in 2011-12. The Falcons already have 20 victories and a double-digit MAC win total, both for a whopping ninth straight season.

Frankly, nobody really expected that after BG lost four starters from a year ago who had combined for nearly 5,500 points, 2,400 rebounds, and 1,000 assists during their careers.

This season's roster includes eight freshmen and sophomores and only junior Chrissy Steffen had ever started a college game.

Steffen posted a game-high 20 points against Toledo and is averaging 14.3 points. Alexis Rogers, a tremendous athlete in her first season after transferring from Duke, has spearheaded the inside game, averaging 12.2 points and 8.1 rebounds. Jessica Slagle, despite a chilly 2-for-14 shooting day at UT, is scoring at an 11.5-point clip.

BG has won the last two MAC tournament titles, not to mention five of the last seven, and I doubt there are many league teams, Toledo included, that would truly relish running into Miller and his defensive-minded Falcons next month.

More than 270 NHL players through the years have reached the 1,000-game mark for their careers, but few have done it while taking and dishing out a beating in front of the opposing net as has Tomas Holmstrom, the Red Wings' veteran forward.

Last Friday, the 39-year-old Holmstrom joined greats Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper, and teammate Nicklas Lidstrom as the only players to skate in 1,000 or more games wearing the winged wheel.

One thousand games and four Stanley Cup titles; not bad for the 257th overall selection in the 1994 NHL draft.

Today's final word goes to reader/emailer Larry, who pointed out after Toledo's loss to BG Saturday evening that the Rockets' football team and men's basketball team lost games during the same academic year by identical 63-60 scores. Hmm.

Contact Blade sports columnist Dave Hackenberg at: dhack@theblade.com or 419-724-6398

Hack talks sports with Norm Wamer on WLQR (106.5 FM, 1470 AM) Mondays at 3:15 p.m.