So I am sitting on the bus on the way back to Belmont.  We just lost to Mercer.  We could have just lost the regular season championship today.  We played hard and fairly well, just not well enough at the end.  Coach was pretty upset and thought Mercer played with more heart and 'want to.'  I finally had a decent shooting game, and so did Shane.  Dotson and Keaton couldn't buy one though, and Alex pitched in another great game.  But we seniors made some bad plays at the end that didn't help our comeback efforts.  I made a stupid foul 45 feet away from the basket trying to get a steal, and put them on the line.  Alex had done the same thing a couple of possessions earlier and one of Henry's passes got deflected and picked off a couple of plays later.  I though I played well offensively, but failed to do my job on the defensive end.  James Florence is a great offensive player, but I let him have his birthday on us.  I told myself coming into the game that if I out-played him, than we would win.  Well I didn't, and we lost.  But regardless of how today turned out, we still have two games left. 

            We are at home for our last two conference games and need two solid performances to give us some momentum going into the tournament.  I am really excited about this week and the opportunities that we have ahead of us.  I have been thinking lately about all the years that I have been playing basketball.  All the church league games I played on Saturday mornings in church gyms with carpet flooring, the Saturday morning city league games in elementary schools with linoleum tile flooring and dust about a quarter of an inch thick on top.  The hours I spent in the backyard schooling my brother and pops in horse... at least that one time.  Or the times when my parents would go out with their friends and my brother and I would do dribbling drills in the garage around our trash cans.  All the weeknights spent in high school gyms on the other side of town for AAU practice.  Not to mention the weekends sacrificed for the AAU tournaments.  Middle school practices and games, high school practices and games, and all the pick-up games can't be forgotten either.  My point is that all of the time I haven't spent in my life practice basketball really comes down to these last three or so weeks.  All the time that I told myself my hard work would pay off, now has a chance to.   But it's more than just me; it's just as much my parent's sacrifice as anyone's.  I greatly appreciate all they did for me, and probably won't truly appreciate it until I am doing it for my children one day.  Regardless, I am grateful enough to have the insight to understand the magnitude of time and effort that has been focused on basketball in my behalf.  I only have about three or four weeks of basketball left.  I have practiced all my life to be successful in these last three or four weeks.  After this season, my skills are useless except for my own enjoyment in the local YMCA leagues.  Thinking about it like that really gives me some confidence.  I have spent so much time at it, I shouldn't worry about whether or not I can or can't make shots or passes or play defense.  I know I can, I just have to go out there and do it.   So I am excited about the few games I have left to showcase all the hard work that has been accumulated.

             I have the privilege to speak at Ellis Middle School's athletic banquet on Thursday morning.  Ellis Middle School is where the boys and I posted the only undefeated season of my life and school history, a solid 15-0 in Sumner County play.  We beat Cory Brewer and the Portland Panthers in the semis and then beat Maurice Staten and the Rucker Stewart Rams in overtime in the championship.  All the kids would meet at the Burger King after the games.  Life didn't get much better than that.  But now I have a chance to go and hopefully give back to my alma mater with some advice and words of encouragement.  I have been thinking about what I am going to say, and there is a lot.  Those of you who know me, know that I don't have a problem saying what's on my mind or just talking in general.  But I think I am going to talk about the significance of team, character, and sportsmanship.  I took a sociology class at Belmont a couple of semesters ago, and my teacher told us that there are two things that every human yearns for.  The first is to be loved.  The second is to be apart of something bigger than one's self.  I believe the greatest thing we can learn from Jesus is to treat each other the way we would want to be treated.  Ultimately, this is loving others.  Sportsmanship and character both fall under this great advice given to us.  Being apart of something bigger than yourself is the definition of team to me.  It is making an individual sacrifice and with the help of others, to accomplish a greater goal.  It may not be that interesting, but I believe it is good for these young kids to hear.  I know this advice has helped me in my life.  Maybe I'll think of a good story to tell about when I was there to add a little spice to my talk.  Stay with us Bruin fans; we need you now more than ever.  Let's get things going this week with two good home wins and then take care of the Atlantic Sun Tournament for a fourth year in a row!      May God bless you and as always Go Bruins!

Good morning Bruin Nation. Just wanted to say a few short words about the last game (Campbell game) and tonight's game against LIpscomb.  (This isn't a special edition blog, i am sorry... i mean i can't just keep putting out special edition blogs every time you know?.. they are  called special edition for a reason). So anyways, we had a great win the other night in Buise Creek, N.C.  i wish you could have been there Coach Kirchman.  It was the first and last time i would ever play in their brand new facility.  it is really nice by the way and they should be proud to have a nice arena like that.  But when Coach Byrd got a technical right before the 4 minute media timeout, i thought we were in serious trouble. i hadn't lost hope, but just new the mountain was getting steeper.  So, Campbell comes out and misses both free-throws on the technical and  so after that we were in the 4 minute media timeout with about 3 1/2 minutes left in the game we were down 18. after that i don't really remember much.. haha. All i really remember was Jon House having some incredible tip-ins, Shane getting an unbelievable rebound, Henry scoring an and-1, Alex hitting lay-ups, and Dotson's three from the corner.  i only remember 5 or 6 plays in the last 3 1/2 minutes. it was wild.  we scored 30 points in that time.  i can't remember having that much fun in game.  we were so hyped in the locker room.  let's hope that fun and confidence carries over tonight in the Lipscomb game.  

Well I must start off today's blog addressing an incident that happened earlier today at practice. We had an early practice because we were flying out in the afternoon to play Campbell tomorrow night.  Because of the early practice, classes had to be missed.  The guys at practice were just the ones traveling.  With only about 15 min. left in practice, I was about to get into an aggressive defensive stance when I noticed coach Alexander (our head assistant) laughing about something behind me in the distance.  I looked back and saw Scott Saunders, whom you will hear about later, starring at our trainer, Paul Malloy. He was in his practice gear in the corner of gym fresh out of class, wearing no socks and holding his shoes in his hands.  He had this look on his face that screamed, 'Paul what's going on?  I have been in the training room for about 20 min lubing up my feet waiting on you to show up and tape my ankles.'  Needless to say, it was quite a funny nonverbal stare down between the feisty Pittsburgh native (Paul) and the towering 6'10" 250 lbs. redshirt (Scott).  I could tell that it wasn't going to be a good day for Scott if he was going to try and catch the last 20 min of practice.  Scott was ready just in time for us to work on our half court offense.  Because Scott is a redshirt, he plays a lot of scout defense, hence the title of the last blog.  After catching some flack about potentially taking German National's girl, Scott was about to make a bad decision.  I knew things were going to get ugly when I looked into my roommate's eyes and saw nothing but Larry Bird-esque determination.  Keaton caught the ball in the left corner, and proceeded to blow by a quick-footed Matthew Dotson on the baseline.  Just as I thought to go and deter his penetration, Scott beat me to it.  Keaton never thought twice about what he was about to do.  As Scott left the ground to the contest the jam, he soon saw nothing but armpit sweat.  Keeping both hands on the ball, the tall lanky Belcher kid from Pendleton County saw nothing but rim the whole time.  As the ball went through the net with great force, the hooting and hollering had already begun.  Practice ended two plays later.  I told Keaton that that was the best dunk I had ever seen him flush.  He disagreed and quickly reminded me of the slams he had in pick up earlier in the year.  I'm not sure if we will ever know.

 

We are now on the bus to the hotel here in Raleigh, North Carolina.  We play the Campbell Fighting Camels tomorrow night in the Atlantic Sun Game of the Week on CSS.  It should be fun.  They have a new arena this year and I hear it is really nice.  I am so glad too, because they used to play in a gym that was about the size of a high school auxiliary gym.  It was such a huge advantage to them.  They played so well in that gym.  I have only beaten them once there.  It was my freshman year and we managed to get the win in overtime.  They have been playing so well lately and I know they will want to keep their two game home win streak on us alive.  I am excited and think the team is ready to play hard though.  I can't wait!! Playing college basketball is awesome.  I know I am going to miss it the day it ends. 

 

I also want to say how honored I am on becoming a finalist in the Lowe's Senior Class Award.  It is such a great privilege.  I am very fortunate to have had great parents, a great brother, a wonderful fiancé Emily and her terrific parents, friends, coaches, and role models in my life that have all helped me become who I am.  They all have a part in this recognition.  If you have some time, check it out and vote for your favorite finalist (wink wink).  Thanks to all you who read this and support Belmont Basketball.  We appreciate you more than you know.

 

This blog is dedicated to a unique group of individuals.  It is a Special Edition Blog, featuring the one and only, Gold Nuggets.  This name is bestowed upon the group of guys who day in and day out, lay it all out there in practice to better the team.  They get no game minutes.  They get no recognition.  They get no glory, yet are just as important as anyone involved in this program.  The starting line up consists of:  Adam Barnes, David Stanley, Brandon Baker, and Scott Saunders.  Keaton Belcher will be assisting me on a comprehensive bio on each of these players.

 

Adam Barnes #24:  Guard 6'2" 175 lbs.  Clarksville, TN

Adam is a young vibrant outgoing soul with a smile that will light up a room.  He loves girls.  In fact the first day of school in the fall I saw Adam three different times throughout the day and each time he was talking to a different female.  Adam loves barbeque sauce, tenacious defense, Will Smith, Jason Statham, smiling, girls, and telling jokes.  He is deadly off the dribble and from trey land. 

 

David Stanley #11:  Guard 6'2" 175 lbs. Louisville, KY

David is actually related to me, kinda.  My first cousin, Jimmy Stanley, is also first cousins with David.  Neat fact.  David is a cool customer around campus.  He loves wearing his Ballard High School travel pants to class and acting like he didn't hear the coaches when he messes up a play.  He also loves Alabama football and Kentucky basketball.  With one of the purest strokes this side of the Mississippi, he is lethal from deep.  He has a wonderful girlfriend named Jill whom we all like very much.  Dave will be moving into my apt next year.  He has worked really hard in the weight room and is recipient of the 'Hard Body' Award for this season.  My hat is off to you Dave.

 

Brandon Baker #45:  Forward 6'7" 210 lbs.  Milford, OH

Baker and I took Mass Media and Society this past summer semester.  He wore basketball shoes to class everyday and forgot his homework often.  He loves Jack Johnson, the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, Mountain Dew, laughing, raining threes on the first team, ping pong, and NBA 2k9.  He once gambled away his roommate's microwave and believes that having weights in prisons creates 'super criminals.' With an uncanny ability to make plays on both sides of the ball, he has a promising future in a Bruin's uniform. 'Say my name.'

 

Scott Saunders  #23:  Center 6'10"  250 lbs.  New Orleans, LA 

Scott loves steak, dunking, sighing, disagreeing with whatever you say, the training room, large cookies, wearing thermal underwear under his jeans, playing guitar, driving his Magnum, and the Saints.  He is a lot smarter than most people think and is really good at sweating.  He is strong and wears a mouthpiece during practice.  He loves getting into discussions with our trainer, Paul, about what is better: taping your ankles or wearing ankle braces.  Scott is very fundamentally sound and has good hands for a big man.  He will add a lot to next year's team.  He spent his first year at Rice University and was a high recruit coming out of high school.  He spends at least 10 minutes after every practice and works on dunking and ridiculous shots, then heads to the training room for another 30 min of who knows what.

 

This concludes the Gold Nuggets.  I hope that you enjoyed this blog and may God bless you.  As always, Go Bruins!!