News and Notes

2/11/2008

We re already in the second half of the MAC season, it has gone fast. It s going to be interesting to see who emerges out of the East, that s something I think is going to be decided on that last day, March 9. As for the West, a few more wins and Western Michigan will have the division strongly in hand. UT has a chance to make a run, with five of its next six games at home. As has been well documented, the Rockets are a completely different team at home. But Western Michigan would have to take steps back and it seems like the Broncos are just coming into their own.

I wasn t at the UT-Bowling Green game Sunday because I was attending the Association for Women in Sports Media convention, so I can t speak too much on that. Interesting that two teams played seven players each (although UT basically played six) and the team with more size won.

Other items of note:

Right now the Rockets are looking at Dec. 6 as the opening night at the new Savage Hall. Subject to change of course. That means December will be a busy month at home for UT, with UMass, Dayton, Houston, Illinois-Chicago and Rhode Island all scheduled to come in.

UT is working on a contract to play Xavier in Cincinnati next season. Xavier is currently ranked 12th in the Associated Press poll.

Ohio, the Rockets next opponent, is just like UT in that it has lost at Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Akron. The Bobcats were able to get road wins at Miami, Buffalo and Northern Illinois. With this impending snowstorm expected Tuesday, I wonder if the Bobcats will be able to get here the night before the game or if they will be broken from their usual routine.

That book prominently featuring Ridley Johnson, The Assist, has gotten some great reviews across the country.