Tomorrow?

[Wayne23]

12/27: 64-83 at Iowa to start Big 10 play. They were quick, which allowed them to get a lot of open looks. They shot 51.7%, we shot 34.4%. +8 RBs, -6 TOs. 16, 7, 6 for Digs, 11, 9 for Cam.

As expected, this is going to be tougher than the pre-conf. games.

12/29: All 10 states voting on secession voted no. Word is that they were convinced by other conservative states to wait until the Constitution is completed, so that their votes would count, and might block the more liberal initiatives.

12/30: 78-66 over Minnesota here. We led all the way. 22, 3, 3 for 6th man Jon Wats, 20, 6, 2, 3 for Digs, 11 each for Cam and Wall, 10 RBs for Bays. +9 RBs, 12 TOs, only 12 fouls.

1/3/10: 56-74 at Michigan. They were simply better. We rebounded with them, TOs were about equal, but they outshot us 44.6% to 30.3%, and a lot of that was quickness on their part. They got open, and they stopped us from getting open.

1/4: Convention reconvenes with a full 100 delegates. Procedural stuff. The debate on the “Sacred Second” Amendment begins tomorrow.

Times have changed more regarding the issue of gun ownership than perhaps on any other. I’ve already mentioned that there are very few guns or rifles in the hands of citizens. Factories that manufacture those are kept at an amazingly high level of security with metal detectors and searches at all entrances and exits, 15 foot high fences topped with razor wire surrounding them…

The number of murders is at about 25% of what it was at its peak, about 10-12 years ago, and very few of those murders are done with guns.

Many people want to go back, but far more, according to every poll, want to keep things as they are. BUT, the states considering secession, and those on the fence, are the big gun owning states.

1/5: The Chair gives the usual week for debate before provisions are brought forward.

1/6: 70-63 over Indiana here. 26, 7 for Digs, 11, 5, 4, 4 for Bow, 12, 2, 5, 2 for Wall. +8 TOs, -8 RBs.

We’re going to need some road wins; we’re certainly going to lose a couple at home. The Big 10 is weaker than usual this year with only 2 ranked teams, but still.

1/10: 59-78 at Nebraska. This was one of those road games we thought we had a shot at winning. We let them shoot 55.1%, and we were -12 RBs. So much for that.

1/12: 3 provisions offered:

(1) Amendment II as written in the original.

(2) Absolute ban on private ownership of any form of guns and rifles.

(3) A. Hunting with rifles allowed with use of a guide, and with rifles kept in designated “Hunting Club” areas.

B. Target practice with rifles and handguns, with weapons kept at the range.

C. Handguns allowed with “closed carry” under the following conditions: a. background check and 30 day waiting period. b. Former convicts found guilty of any violent crime, people found to be mentally unstable, people deemed mentally handicapped, persons below the age of 18 are prohibited from owning or possessing weapons c. After passing background check and mental stability and acuity tests, a one day weapon safety course must be taken and passed. d. Any misuse of weapon, crime involving weapon, or violation of any law while in possession of weapon results in permanent ban for the person(s) involved.

1/13: 64-69 vs. #19 Maryland here. We stayed close all the way but we couldn’t quite get there. 18, 5 for Digs, 11, 9, 4 for Cam. Bay’s foul trouble hurt us since he was limited to 13 minutes, but overall fouls were about even. 19 TOs, a season high, but they had 19, too. Tough loss, but we played well against a very good team. Now we need that road win; probably not our next one though; it’s at #15 Michigan ST.

Provision #1, Amendment II as written in the original form was defeated 40-60.

Provision #2- absolute ban, was defeated 40-60.

Provision #3 will be further debated, beginning on 1/16.

1/16: First vote on provision #3: 55 in favor, 45 opposed.

1/17: 66-74 at #15 Michigan ST. We played well, all in all. Wall fouled out but he played 26 minutes. Cam twisted an ankle and missed most of the 2nd half. It’s not serious though. 18, 8 for Bow, 12, 6 for Bay, 10, 6 for Digs.

1/20: 73-58 over Iowa here. Big win over a tough team. We NEEDED this one. Jumped out to an early lead then extended it, then went on an 11-0 run to bring it to 28. They got it to 19 at the half but never got it to single digits. 22, 6, 2 for Bay, 22, 5, 2 for Digs, 12, 6, 4 for Wall. 38 RBs, 8 TOs.

1/23: No change at the Convention. Lots of discussion, mostly centered on the 30 day waiting period. Still 55-45 though.

1/24: 69-91 at 2nd place Minnesota. Most points we’ve allowed all season. Their guards were WAY better than ours, and as a result, ours spent the whole night in foul trouble. We had 5 guys in double figures but we were never in it.

1/27: 74-53 over Penn ST here. Much needed win! 16, 8 for Bow, 15, 5 for Digs, 14, 3, 6 for Wall, 10, 9 for Bin. +15 RBs.

1/29: 13-7, 4-6, RPI #42. Alone in 10th place; our goal is 7th. I don’t think it’s going to happen. +3.7 PPG, +3.0 RBs, +2.5 TOs.

[Wayne23]

1/31: 83-68 over Rutgers here. 19, 7, 4 for Digs, 19 for Bay, 18, 8, 3, 2 for Cam. We led all the way.

7 to play- 4 away, and one of the home games is against #24 Michigan. We’re 2 games away for a tie for 7th. Not sure we can do this. We’ll hit our other goals of playing .500 ball and making the NIT- right now we’d make the
NCAA. But 7th seems like a tough one.

2/3: 63-85 at 2nd place Illinois. 20 for Digs, 12, 5, 3, 2 for Cam. -11 RBs. We were never in it.

No movement on the 2nd Amendment. The Chair calls for a recess until 3/1.

2/7: 81-56 over Northwestern here. 25, 5 for Bay. All 5 starters in double figures. +9 RBs.

Tied for 9th , 1 back of 2 teams tied for 7th. 5 to play, 3 away, 1 of the 2 at home against a ranked team.

2/10: 62-75 at 4th place Purdue. They scored 13 threes. 17, 9 for Digs, 11, 7 for Bow.

2/12: 15-9, 6-8, RPI #47. 2 back of 7th.

2/14: 70-57 at Wisconsin. Much needed road win. 18, 8, 2, 3 for Digs, 17, 9 for Bay, 12, 12 for Cam. A season high 21 TOs (-7) but +18 RBs.

3 way tie for 8th, 1 back of 7th.

Our #4 guard, Roy Sole, hurt his knee. Out about a week.

2/17: 64-60 over Michigan here. Battled back from 18 down after they came back from 14 down. At the end we really worked for it. 16, 7, 4, 2, 2 for 6th man Jon Wats, 14, 4, 6 for Wall, 14, 3 for Bay, 10 RBs for Cam. We won it at the line- 21-28 to their 4-7.

Alone in 8th, 1 back of 7th place Michigan ST and Purdue. We play a tough Indiana team there and then Nebraska here.

2/21: 67-74 at Indiana, and the best we can finish is 8th, so we will miss that goal. 20, 4, 6 for Wall. Not our best game- -8 RBs, we shot 36.8%, they shot 49%.

2/24: 68-48 over Nebraska here. 20, 4 for Digs, 16, 4 for Wall, 13, 3, 4, 5 for Bay. 7 TOs (+16).

2/26: We end the regular season at 18-10, 9-9, RPI #42. +3.9 PPG, +2.4 RBs, +2.3 TOs. Alone in 8th place.

In a shocking move the 5 Florida delegates announced that they would vote for Provision 3 on the Second Amendment. That will get the yes votes to 60, which will ratify.

2/27: The states of South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota all left the Convention. The Governors of all of those states announced that they would secede from the union. Texas announced that it would become an independent nation. All of the others said they would unite to form a new nation.

The first thing officials spoke of was the fact that both the existing country and the new one would be divided. If all of this came to fruition without a war being declared the states of Georgia and Florida would be separated from the rest of the U.S., and the states of North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho would be separated from the new country.

2/28: Gen. Lynch said his government would immediately begin negotiations to bring the 14 states back into the union. If that effort fails the Constitutional Convention would decide whether to simply let the 14 states go, or wage a war to bring them back. Or, if the new U. S. government was formed, they would decide.

3/1: 83 delegates remain. They voted that 60%, or 54 delegates, would be need to pass a major resolution. Provision 3, then the entire revised Second Amendment was passed with 55 votes. Florida voted no, knowing that their 5 votes were not needed for passage.

A proposal was then made to revise the XIV Amendment to secure full equal rights for members of the LGBTQ community. It was passed 81-8.

A proposal was made to return to the calendar that was in place before The Leader changed it. The motion failed, getting only 31 votes.

The Chair adjourned for two weeks to allow delegates to consider other possible changes to the Constitution.

3/3: Three way negotiations are underway among the U. S., the Confederated Union- the name of the proposed new country, and Texas.

[Wayne23]

3/6: We will play #9 seed Wisconsin, 13-15, 8-10, in the play in game of the Big 10 tournament. We won by 13 there.

Texas walked out of the talks saying they were irrevocably committed to independence.

Gen. Lynch made it clear that all U. S. government property will remain with U. S., both in Texas and in the Confederated Union, if they secede. Steps are being taken to protect our assets. They will be transferred to locations within the U. S. This began the day that Texas and the Confederated Union states announced their intentions. Most of the property has been transferred. It will be returned should either or both groups remain in the

U. S. Citizens of Texas and of the Confederated Union will lose all U. S. benefits, but pensions will be paid.

3/7: 71-62. We led all the way but never by more than a dozen. 26, 9, 3, 3 for Digs, 16 for Wats. +8 TOs.

#1 seed, #11 ranked Maryland, 21-6, 15-3 in the round of 8. They beat us by only 5 there, but this is a very tough challenge.

3/8: 62-78. They never let us in. 16, 5, 4 for Wall, 12, 5, 3 for Cam. Tough team.

I think we’re in the NCAA tourney. Before this game we were #34 on the Bubble Watch.

3/12: 19-11, 9-9, RPI #45. We’ve got to be in.

#10 Midwest. We play #7 seed Iowa ST, 21-8, from the Big 12.

The Confederated Union walked. They said they intend to move forward to form their own country.

3/16: 78-75! We were down 14 fairly late. 19, 3, 3, 3 for Digs, 17 for Bay, 15, 2, 6 for Wats. +7 TOs.

#2 seed, #6 ranked California, 28-4, in the 2nd round. Very good team. Their starting PF is out with a broken toe.

The Convention returned to work. The first order of business was to put the new Constitution together.

3/18: 57-72. 20, 9 for Digs, 6, 14, 3 for Cam. We led at the half but they wore us down.

3/19: A few odds and ends were put in the constitution, including legalizing marijuana, a ban on nuclear power, and a return to the Fairness Doctrine. The Constitution will be ready to be ratified by the 36 remaining states at referendum. The original needed to pass in 75% of the states. This one needs to be ratified by vote of 2/3 of the people.

Oh, the final number of Senators and Representatives will be determined by whether the Confederated Union states return or leave permanently. There will be 100 Senators, either way, and 400 Representatives, but how they are divided is the issue.

3/25: The Constitution is in final form. It will be distributed, and discussion groups will be held throughout the country with a vote on 6/1.

The delegates now turn to the issue of the secessionists. They will call Gen. Lynch and other officials of the present government, as well as civilian “experts,” to testify as to the best course of action. Chairman Murtha expects a vote on April 14.

4/3: #1 Pitt wins it all.

Lots of testimony. Most of it leans toward letting them go. (Author’s Note: Duh! Looked at a bigger map and saw that North Carolina and Georgia connect, so there IS a passage.)

As to South Carolina, and the Western states of North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming not having a connection to the other 9 states, we are willing to negotiate a settlement provided there are no issues with us removing the rest of U. S. government property form those states. More speakers to hear from though.

4/4: Awards: Rob Digs made Big 10 1st team. Bin Bay made 2nd team. They’re both seniors.

4/6: The issue of handguns, rifles, high powered weapons in general, in the hands of many citizens of the Confederated Union was raised.

4/9: No interesting job offers.

4/14 The Convention voted 87-2 to let the 14 states go.

The last order of business is to reapportion Senate and House seats.

4/16: Our #1 assistant left to become a head coach. I promote #2 to #1, and need to hire a #2 and a #3.

4/19: The Congressional seat apportionment is resolved. The Chair adjourned. The Convention will only meet again if the Constitution is not ratified on 6/1.

(Author’s Note: Ohio ST is another of those schools where I just can’t hire a decent assistant. This would be at or near the top of my wish list for DDS:CB 2017.)

Crappy assistants again.

4/23: We ask for a budget increase. We get $12,000.

A better year than I had expected, 20-12, 9-9. Overall I am 202-90, .692, after 9 years.

We have lots of new people coming in. Hopefully they’ll make up for the big guns we’re losing, Digs, Bay, and Wats. Time will tell.

[Wayne23]

5/1: National gold, international basic.

People will have 2 years to move from the U. S. to the Confederated Union, and vice versa. Anyone wishing to move will be allowed to, at least to and from our side.

6/2: The vote on ratification took place yesterday. It passed, getting 71% of the vote.

6/5: No one of interest in the transfer pool.

6/26: We have 6 juniors, 1 soph, 6 frosh on the team so no scholarships available.

Our first elections will be held on the first Saturday in November, which is the new election day. We will elect 1/3 of our Senators for 2 years, 1/3 for 4, 1/3 for 6. House seats are now for 4 years.

Constitutional Convention Chairman Murtha is running for POTUS. Also running for the Progressive party are a former Senator from California, a former Governor of Oregon, and a political newcomer from Michigan.

7 are running for the American Party nomination. Conventions will be held in early August.

No issues with the Republic of Texas or the Confederated Union so far.

7/2: A minor incident along the border between the Carolinas.

7/18: Someone tried to smuggle a shipment of assault rifles in from Montana. Border security is already tight but it will now be tightened even further.

7/27: More gun smuggling being attempted from Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. Gen. Lynch has sent a strongly worded message to the Confederated Union capital in Lexington.

7/28: Gen. Lynch describes the apology from Lexington as “tepid.”

August 10: Senator Murtha is the Progressive Party nominee. The Oregon Gov., Annie Payle, is his running mate. They are advocating for taking every reasonable method to work toward peace with the CU.

August 17: Governor Milt Wagner, from Iowa, will lead the American Party with Rollie Bant, a political newcomer from Georgia, as his running mate. They are advocating for war with the CU, and for less government involvement in areas like health care, education...

Campaigning is publicly financed, which also made it into the Constitution, and candidates are limited to three hours per week of television time on a major network. They all have websites, and homes on all of the various social media outlets.

9/18: We’re in the Hawaiian Shootout vs. Vermont. Mostly road games again this year, which is frustrating.

It has been a peaceful summer. The economy is slowly but steadily getting back on track.

10/2: First day of practice.

10/4: Several more smuggling attempts have been stopped, which makes us wonder how many are not being stopped.

The campaign is heating up.

10/22: Shooting breaks out in a border skirmish on the Idaho/Nevada line. There are casualties on both sides.

10/23: Gen. Lynch assigns troops to patrol the borders with the four states in the northwest, and places armed troops at every border crossing. There are checkpoints along the roads near the borders.

Gov. Wagner calls for immediate war with the four states, and if the CU gets involved, with them as well.

Sen. Murtha supports Gen. Lynch’s efforts.

10/30: Several attempted smuggling incidents thwarted bot at the borders and inside the U. S., all involving high powered rifles.

All of this has become a major campaign issue. It is hard to say which candidate is being helped most.

11/5: Election day. Connecticut Sen. Murtha is elected with 56% of the vote. His party has 62 Senate seats (out of 100), and 231 House seats (out of 400).

“We have been given a mandate. We will devote all of our energies to seeing to it that every American lives comfortably, in a safe environment. We will work with Gen. Lynch until the Inauguration on January 2, and will pursue every avenue toward peace while standing firm and acting with all necessary strength against those who would endanger our peace and freedom. We will work for peace but be ready for anything that may come.”

11/6: We have nothing close to a lineup at this point. Giving 11 guys playing time and we’ll let them work it out.

President-elect Murtha was greeted with a rash of skirmishes in many spots along the borders with the 4 northwestern states.

“It seems that North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming are endeavoring to provoke us. I will be consulting with Gen. Lynch on this issue but he has my full support in whatever course of action he and his advisors may choose to take.”

11/9: As skirmishes and smuggling attempts continue Gen. Lynch warns the Confederated Union government in Lexington that direct action will be taken to target the sources of the attacks upon the U. S. if they do not cease at once.

11/10: No reply from Lexington, but no further attacks.

11/13: The largest number of skirmishes, attacks, smuggling attempts to date occurred within the past 24 hours.

11/14: Gen. Lynch announced, “We have bombed 22 military targets and munitions factories in various locations within North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. We believe these attacks will severely limit attempts to do us further damage, but if attacks continue the bombings will increase significantly in number and in severity.”

No reply from Lexington. Sources indicate that the belief is that the four states are “going rogue.”

There are unconfirmed rumors of private communication between Gen. Lynch and Lexington.

[Wayne23]

11/16: 76-73 at Kona. 16, 11 for PF Mel Dell, 20 for guard Mike Wims, 11, 10 for Center Earl Tarr. +6 RBs.

Off to the Hawaiian Shootout. We’re the #2 seed and we play #7 Virginia Tech.

11/18: 77-69. We led all the way. 15, 6, 7 for Wims, 12, 6 for Dell, 9, 10 for Tarr, 14, 4, 3 for sub guard Kip Boz. +16 RBs.

It’s #6 seed Arizona ST in the semis.

11/19: 64-65. Tough one to lose. They had the last possession. We defended it well, and they really didn’t get a good look, but their PG banked a three off the backboard. 14, 9 for Dell, 14 for Boz again.

Boz is going to start at SG. Cam will start at SF. A few other, minor adjustments.

Whatever diplomacy is happening behind the scenes seems to be working. All is quiet in the northwest.

11/22: 70-68 at IFPW. 9-2 run at the end to come from 61-66. Ben Cam had the winner off a double screen. 15, 4 for Tarr, 11, 5, 3, 2 for Cam, 12 for Wong. 18 TOs, but they had 19.

3 of our 4 games have been decided by a single possession.

11/25: 75-86 at Cal-Santa Barbara. 25, 8 for Boz, 16 for Wall. They beat us inside, and 24 TOs didn’t help. Ball handling is an issue, 16.8 TOs per game.

11/29: 101-86 in the home opener vs. Clemson. A shootout. It was close for 30 minutes. Then we started hitting absolutely everything we threw up. 58.8%, 53.8% on threes, but the % was way higher in the last 10 minutes. 21, 4, 6 for Tarr, 21, 7 for Dell, 17 each for Wims and Wall, 12 for Cam. +7 RBs. Crazy game!

12/1: Gen. Lynch announces a full scale invasion of Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

“We are in control on the ground in all four states. Essentially, all four of those states are now ours. There is no organized opposition.

“The manufacture and attempted export of weapons, particularly high power rifles and such was enormous in scope. It had to be stopped. We will now go house to house in order to reclaim all of these weapons. The factories making them are out of business- permanently.

“All these states had to do was to keep their activities out of our territory and we would have done nothing. But their refusal to cease and desist activities that we simply cannot tolerate brought this about.

“The Confederated Union and the Republic of Texas were fully aware of what we were doing it- the Union, in advance, and the Republic, as it was happening.

“While we were hesitant to take action, given that our new President takes office in five weeks, we simply could not wait any longer. President-elect Murtha was involved throughout the decision making process, and he supported our actions.”

Murtha spoke and confirmed the truth of what Gen. Lynch had said.

The Republic of Texas delivered a formal protest to the U. S. government regarding the “invasion of a sovereign foreign power,” but said that they would do nothing unless there was a repetition.

There were questions regarding the status of the four states: are they still part of the Union? Are they captured territory? Are they permanently back in the U.S.? No specific answers were given to these questions.

12/2: 85-74 at Charleston Southern. They’re an awful team. We had way more trouble than I thought we should have. 21, 5, 4, 2 for Cam, 20 for Wall, 13, 11 for Dell, 15, 8 for Tarr.

12/3: Everything is calm in the four captured states. Gen. Lynch holds a press conference every day and says basically nothing. The President-elect is called on and repeats it. Lexington and Austin are completely silent.

12/6: 70-81 at Grambling. 22 for Wall. 21 TOs and general sluggish play. Not a good night, but frankly, I’m not sure we’re much better than we were last year.

12/13: 68-60 at South Florida. 7 guys had between 7 and 12. A road win over a good team!

12/16: Gen. Lynch has announced that Pres.-elect Murtha and the Secretary of State are in direct negotiations with Lexington regarding the four states.

12/20: 78-56 Virginia Tech here. 21, 11, 3, 2 for Cam, 14, 9 for Dell, 14, 4, 6 for Boz, 13, 4, 3 for Wall. 47 RBs (+19).

12/25: We end the pre-conf. season at 7-3, RPI #74. +4.6 PPG, +7.2 RBs, - 1.1 TOs. The TOs need to get much better.

The Big 10 is a lot stronger this year. Our goal is still to finish in the top half, which means 7th or better. We didn’t manage that last year and it won’t be any easier this year.

The negotiations continue with the Confederated Union. No details are being released.

[Wayne23]

12/27: 51-73 at #6 Maryland. They held us to 29.8% shooting and turned us over 20 times. Opening conf. play with the best team in the Big 10- there, is not a great way to start.

12/30: 97-78 over Purdue here. 25, 4 for Cam, 24 for Wall, 15, 10 for Tarr, 13, 8 for Dell. +15 RBs, and a season best 8 TOs.

1/2: Inauguration day. During his acceptance speech President Murtha announces that the four states are returning to the Confederated Union. The Union has agreed to closely monitor the states to be certain there is no repetition of the events that brought about the military action.

The President calls this “A great step toward peace.”

The American Party calls it capitulation and warns that it will lead to trouble.

1/3: 70-84 at Michigan. They led 49-25 at the half. 18, 5 for Cam. -10 RBs. Last year we never did find a way to win Big 10 games on the road. We’re hopeful that we can do better this year.

1/6: 58-69 to Wisconsin here. It’s going to be a long year. -8 RBs. 13, 7 for Tarr.

The staff decides to go to more man to man. We were about 50-50. Let’s see if that does anything. There really are no personnel moves we can make. We feel we have our best player on the floor already.

1/8: 8-6, 1-3, RPI #52.

1/10: 66-65 at Nebraska. Close all the way. Sam Wall hit a three at the end. He had 20, 5 for the game. 15, 6 for Dell, 13, 3 for Cam. Worst team in the conf., 1 point win. We’ll take it.

1/13: 58-76 to #8 Maryland here. 14, 5 for Tarr, but he didn’t get much help. We shot 32.6%, -9 RBs, -8 TOs.

1/17: 69-64 at Penn ST. 16 for Wims. 50 fouls called. We had 7 more attempts, and made 7 more, and that was the difference.

We desperately needed this win. One of our goals is to win 15. We have 10 now, with 11 more regular season games. Road wins against the bottom teams are necessary to hit that goal.

The Murtha administration is going smoothly so far. Decrease in the jobless rate to 9.8% this week. The first time it’s been below 10% since The Leader was deposed. No issues with the Union or the Republic.

1/20: 71-72 to #12 Indiana here. We blew a 17 point lead, but we lost the game on a bad call. Sam Wall got a clean steal with 1.4 seconds left; the video made it absolutely clear. But the ref called a foul, the guy hit both free throws, and we lost by one. 20, 4 for Wall, 14, 12 for Dell, 17, 5 for Cam.

Beyond frustrating.

1/22: 10-8, 3-5, RPI #79.

Pres. Murtha’s administration signed a trade agreement with the European Union that appears to be a great thing for us. It has the potential to create thousands of new jobs for our workers.

1/24: 83-67 at Purdue. 20, 10 for Tarr, 15, 6 for Dell, 11 each for Cam and Wall. +11 RBs, only 11 TOs. Another win we really needed.

1/27: 74-83 Iowa here. 18 for Wall, 15, 4 for Dell. We just couldn’t stop them in the 2nd; they had 54. -10 RBs. Yet another home loss, but we’ve been playing some really good teams at home.

I met someone. For the first time since Holly died, a little over 4 years ago, I looked at a woman and felt an attraction.

I’m never ill but I developed a sore throat. Just went in looking to see what the pharmacist thought about cough medicine, cough drops- whatever. I’d never been to the campus pharmacy. I asked the clerk to speak with a pharmacist, and a tall, thin Asian woman came down.

“Hello Coach. How can I help you?”

“Do I know you?”

She laughed, said no, and said she was a big basketball fan; never missed a game.

We talked for a while about hoops. Eventually I got around to asking the question I came in to answer. She answered. I thanked her.

“Coach, we should have coffee some time. I’d love to hear about how a coach goes about his job.”

Wow! Never expected that. I said I thought it would be great, and set up a time to have coffee with Li- that’s her name.

1/29: 11-9, 4-6, RPI #63. +0.6 PPG, +3.3 RBs, -1.0 TOs. In a 3 way tie for 8th, 1 back of 7th.

Coffee with Li this morning. It was great. She came here from Thailand during the disastrous civil war there. She had just finished her last year as an undergrad at university at the time. Her father was a wealthy business man who saw what was coming, liquidated what assets he could, left the rest behind, and brought his wife and his two daughters- Li has a sister two years younger- here. He started a real estate business here in Columbus- that’s what he did in Bangkok, hired someone with the proper credentials as his office manager, and has done very, very well. He has 17 other offices around the state, and it’s only been 7 years.

Li enrolled in the pharmacy program here at OU, and has been working here on campus for four years now.

“We were in great danger at the end but my father wanted to wait until I graduate from school. On the day I graduate we fly out of there. The day after his main office is destroyed in a bombing, and our home, too."

We talked about basketball as well. We only very briefly touched upon my part in the battle against The Leader. I asked why her dad had come here when Europe and Asia were both safer at the time. She answered that her father felt we would work our way out of the mess with The Leader, and in the long run there was more potential here.

We’re having dinner on 2/5, when I get back from our two game road trip.

[Wayne23]

1/31: 76-83 at Illinois. 16, 6 for Tarr, 12, 9 for Del, two with 11 each.

We had really hoped to win one of these two road games. One chance left.

2/3: 56-68 at Michigan ST. We never led. Wall had 20 and 8 but no one else did much.

#4 guard Will Dock sprained a toe badly. Out about 10 days.

We’re now in 10th place.

2/5: Dinner with Li. She explained that Thais have VERY long names, several syllables for both first and last name, but they all have nicknames.

We talked about her family a little more. Her sister, Su, is 25. She has her own business. She plans travel for business people and vacationers. Sets everything up for them. If they’re vacationers she even recommends great spots to see, and great places to eat- both American style and native. Li says she does very well. Her mother was a biology professor in Bangkok. It took her a little time to get a job here but now she’s in the Bio department here at OU.

Li commiserated with me on the hoops season, and I explained a little about what my job entails. She wants to know as much as she can though, so I’m going to give her a tour through the Arena where we play, and where the athletic offices, including mine, are located. That will be on Weds., too busy to do it sooner.

Li and I are really off to a great start.


2/7: 78-63 over Northwestern here. 5 guys in double figures. +9 TOs, +6 RBs. They’re not a good team but we need wins, so this is good!

5 to play. 3 at home and 1 of the 2 road games is winnable. We have a shot at 15 wins. Not so sure about finishing 7th though. We’re in a 3 way tie for 9th, 2 back of 2 teams tied for 7th. Not good.

2/8: I gave Li the tour today. It was fun. Lots of people around the arena were surprised to see me with a woman who was obviously someone who meant something to me, and the reactions were varied but very positive. Li loved the our and had tons of questions.

I see her again on the 11th, after I get back from the road game we think we have a shot at- Rutgers.

2/10: 71-68 at Rutgers. HUGE win, #13! M18,7 for inside sub Jay Parr, his best game this season; Earl Tarr was in foul trouble and only played 20 min., but Parr stepped in very well. 3 others had 10 or more. 13, 9 for Cam, 10, 8 for Dell.

9th place, 1 back of 8th, 2 back of 7th. Long odds.

2/11: Li and I did the traditional dinner and a show thing- a live show. OU theater is very good. I go whenever I can. This one was one of their best.

We’re really growing together nicely. It’s still very early, and we’re not rushing it, but I’d spend every minute with her if I could.

2/14: 91-66 Minnesota here. We really had it going tonight. 25, 6, 3 for Wall, 18, 9 for Dell, 3 others in double figures. +17 RBs, +8 TOs- a season low 6 for the game.

Ben Cam hurt his knee but it’s not serious; day to day.

Still 1 back of 8th, 2 back of 2 teams tied for 6th and 7th. But we have 14 wins, so one more hits that goal. 3 to play, 2 of them here.

I sent Li flowers and a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, and we had dinner together after the game. As I’ve said she’s a big fan, and she never misses a home game.

2/17: 81-72 over Michigan here. 16, 8, 5, 2 for Cam, 15, 7 for Dell. +8 Rbs. We scored 50 in the 1st half.

We’ve reached one goal with 15 wins. The other probably won’t happen. Still 1 back of 8th, 2 back of 7th, with 2 to play. Another goal is to make the NCAA tourney. RPI is 88 right now, so that won’t happen unless we go far in the Big
10 tourney.

Sub Adam Wong sprained a toe and is out for the rest of the regular season. He’ll be back for the post season.

2/21: 66-80 at Wisconsin. They’re tied for 3rd in conf. so we knew this would be tough. 15, 10 for Dell, 12, 8 for Tarr. We shot 32.8%, they shot 45.8%.

1 to play, and the best we can finish is tied for 8th if we win and Purdue loses.

2/24: 80-58 over Nebraska here. 5 in double figures led by Tarr with 15, 10, 7, 3. I doubt he’ll be here next year. He’s been whining to me all year about how I don’t appreciate him. +13 TOs. He’s started every game and is #3 in minutes. Not sure what more I could be doing.

Purdue lost so we wind up tied for 8th with the #8 seed. That means we play the #1 seed in the tourney opener.

After the game Li and I went back to her place. We talked about the game a little but I really wanted to get my mind off hoops so we watched a movie on DVD.

2/26: 16-12, 9-9, RPI #92. Tied for 8th. +1.9 PPG, +3.6 RBs, -0.4 TOs.

[Wayne23]

3/6: We play #9 seed Purdue, 17-12, 9-9, in the play in round. We beat them by 19 and 16.

The tourney is in Bloomington this year.

3/7: 85-84. We were down 15 with 11:14 left and I saw the season slipping away. Then we gambled on our press full time, got a few steals, and started hitting shots. Our only 2nd half lead came with 1.1 seconds to go when Ben Cam hit an open three. He had 17, 9, 2, 3. 15 for Wall, 12, 6, 2, 2 for Tarr, 13 for Boz. +7 RBs.

We play #1 seed Iowa, 20-8, 14-4 in the quarter final round. They won by 9 there, but we really think we can do okay if we play our game.

Ben Cam has bronchitis, but he’ll play.

3/8: 74-61. Great win! We played smart, disciplined basketball all night long, and ended the game on a 12-1 run. 22, 7, 3, 2 for Tarr, 15 for Boz, 12, 7 for Wall. +10 RBs. We held them to 3-20 on threes, while getting 8 of our own. Woo!

#4 seed Wisconsin, 20-8, 13-5 in the semifinal round. Tough match up. They beat us by 11 and 14.

3/9: 56-59. Great D, awful O. 19 TOs, 19% on threes, 23 fouls. We held them to 30.4% shooting. You should win when you do that.

Not sure we did enough to get to the NCAAs.

When we got home Li and I had a long talk. We’ve only been together a few weeks but she is very important to me. She said she feels the same about me.

I told her that I’m not sure I can reach my goals if I stay here, and that if I get the right offer, this year or next, I really need to take it.

We both said that if it happens this year we want to continue our relationship long distance. If it happens next year, well, that’s a long time away but we’ll see.

#8 ranked Maryland won the tourney.

3/12: 18-13, RPI #93. I think we’ll get an invite somewhere, but it won’t be to the NCAAs.

NIT, #3 seed South, vs #6 Oregon ST, 14-14.

3/14: 77-65. We led all the way. 17, 7, 2 for Cam, 15, 8, 2, 2, 2 for Dell, 16, 2, 4, 2 for Wall, 11, 5 for Boz. 11 TOs (+7).

#2 seed Seton Hall is next.

3/16: 67-79. 17, 9 for Dell, 18, 4 for Wall, 13, 3, 5 for Boz.

We really took a step backward this season.

4/1: Maryland is in the Final Four.

They won, and play #12 ranked Georgetown in the title game.

4/3: Maryland won 74-56.

4/4: Awards: Shut out. First time that’s happened to one of my teams but I am not at all surprised.

Li and I see each other every day. She knows this is the time when job offers come out, and we discuss that a lot.

4/9: I’m staying. There were a couple of offers that I thought about, but none held enough interest for me to fly to the campus.

Li and I are very happy on a personal level.

4/16: Time to hire assistants again, which I dread. Crappy hires again.

4/23: We ask for a facilities upgrade. No.

Awful season, 19-14, tied for 8th, RPI #93. Overall I’m 221-104, .680, for 10 seasons.

Only one new guy coming in so I can only hope that my guys improve- a lot, during the offseason.

[Wayne23]

5/1: Same scouting reports.

6/5: I expected Tarr to transfer out, but he didn’t. 2 guards, who never play, did transfer out. So we’re looking for transfers.

6/9: We get an SF.

6/12: We get an SG.

Li and I are spending very free minute together. It’s been 4 ½ months.

6/26: 5 scholarships to fill. We need at least 3, maybe 4 bigs. Looking at 20, but too many guards.

Politically all is quiet. No foreign issues, and on the domestic front the economy is doing very well. A long overdue initiative to fix the infrastructure has resulted in lots of jobs, and a switch from fossil fuels to solar, water, and wind power has created even more.

The battle for the environment is a very long shot. SO much damage has been done, and the issue was ignored for more than a decade in this country, and in many places abroad.

7/27: I met Li six months ago. We had dinner to celebrate. After dinner we went back to her place and I proposed. I don’t think she expected it but the important thing is that she said yes.

In the horrible days, weeks, and months after I lost Holly I, of course, did a lot of thinking. At some point in all of that I concluded that if I ever met someone again, at the point when I knew for absolute certain that I loved the person I would propose. I’ve known for certain for some time with Li.

8/1: Li’s parents and sister are delighted with our engagement, even though they know that it will mean she will move away, sooner or later.

8/21: We offer to a PG and 4 bigs.

9/18: We get a PF, #80.

At the Coaches Classic vs. #6 Georgia Tech. Had a really vicious argument with my A. D. We’re not ready for this kind of a team. I know it’s all about revenue but this doesn’t help me to build my team.

This was a pretty ugly battle. Things will be uncomfortable for a while.

At least we have a few home games this season, for the first time. I am less than impressed with the A. D. here, and the longer I’m here, the less impressed I am.

7 games against Big 10 opponents who are ranked, 3 of them away. One of our goals is to finish 7th or better, again this year. I think we have a better team, maybe a much better team, but this is a tough conference. We also need to win 15+, and qualify for the NCAAs. Too soon to tell how much of a shot we have at those goals.

9/25: We get a PG, #65, a C, #92, a PF, #365. All of the ratings will change twice more, and #365 is very iffy for hitting our SAT score. We think he is VERY underrated.

We lost a big guy.

Li and I are talking about a wedding in late March or early April. Her dad wants it to be a big blowout, so we need to pick a date soon. Li and I would rather do something small and quiet but that’s not going to happen. Dad wants it to be something he can invite his high roller friends to. It’s fine. He truly and deeply loves his two daughters, but business interests are always a consideration. Actually, Su wants to invite some of her business acquaintances, too. We may need to rent the football stadium!

10/2: Still chasing a big guy.

First day of practice. We are definitely better this year. At least 8 good players.

Wedding will be April 4.

11/6: I feel like we may be about to turn a corner. This looks like the best team I’ve had here at OU. Here’s the lineup we’re starting out with:

3 guards getting about equal time: frosh Cob Mill starts at PG, soph Kip Boz at SG, and senior Sam Wall plays both spots.

Senior Art Feld starts at SF.

Senior Mel Dell and soph Earl Tarr, who is still whining, share time at C, and play lots of PF, too.

Soph Jay Parr fills in at SF and PF, and gets lots of minutes.

Good players like guard Mike Wims, and PFs Ben Cam, Adam Wong, and Jam Stew, are waiting for an opportunity.

Let’s see what happens.

We start at the Coaches Classic. We’re the last seed and we play #6 ranked Georgia Tech, the #1 seed.

[Wayne23]

11/13: 80-73! I’m shocked! We jumped out to an early lead. For the first 10 minutes of the game we couldn’t miss. It stretched to 31-12. GT started closing the gap at that point. It was down to 48-41 at the half. In the locker room I told my guys that they could beat this team. Just play smart on both ends. Our two starting guards both got into foul trouble quickly in the 2nd, but Sam Wall was terrific, and #4 guard Mike Wims played solid D and didn’t turn the ball over.

They got it to 4 twice late in the game, but both times Wall hit a three. 22, 4 for Wall, 12 each for Tarr and Parr, 10, 6, 3, 2 for Dell. +6 TOs. Great win!

#8 seed Utah in the 2nd round.

11/15: 84-93. They kind of did to us what we did to GT. They built a 17 point lead early on and we spent the rest of the game trying to catch up. Never quite did. 18 TOs to their 5 didn’t help. +8 RBs. Huge factor- they took 40 free throws, we took 13. 24, 3, 3 for Mill, 12, 7, 3 for Boz, 10, 11 for Dell.

We certainly seem to be able to score this season. Now to work on the D!

11/18: President Murtha announced today that the environment is the biggest issue we face in this country, and around the world. Several U. S. cities, especially Miami and New Orleans, are in imminent danger, and New York is close behind. Potable water is a major issue in many places. This administration is doing a great deal, but it may be too late on many fronts. Environmental scientists say the Arctic ice cap is gone for good, and Antarctica is in grave danger.

11/21: 80-57 Arkansas-Little Rock here. 22, 8, 3, 2 for Tarr, 12 each for Dell and Mill, 11 for Wall. +15 TOs.

As I said after our last game, we know how to score points!

Never knew how much planning goes into a wedding- and how early. Li says that’s true even for a normal wedding, but with one as fancy and gigantic as this one, it’s incredible.

11/24: 78-65 over #23 Penn here. 20, 7 for Dell, 14, 4, 5 for Tarr, 11, 4, 5 for Mill. +7 TOs.

2-0 vs. ranked teams. Again, we may just have turned a corner with this program. And we have an impressive recruiting class and 2 transfers coming in.

11/28: 70-63 at Drake. We worked for this one. 20, 4, 4 for Mill, Both Tarr and Dell had 13 and 7. Good bench play. Lowest points scored all season but we got a stop every time we needed one.

12/1: 80-72 at Monmouth. 29, 11 for Dell, the best game by anyone on the team all season. +8 RBs.

12/5: 80-71 over Niagara here. 24, 4, 2 for Mill, 15, 3, 4, 2 for Boz, 13, 6 for Dell. +6 RBs.

TOs are not great, 13.1, but that’s much better than last year.

Jay Parr hurt his foot. Out about a week.

12/8: 76-75 at Quinnipiac. We led exactly once in the 2nd half- at the end, when Sam Wall drained a three with a hand in his face as the clock expired. Wall had 25 and 4, with 7 threes. 15, 7 for Tarr, 10, 6 for Dell.

We’re finding ways to win. 7-1.

12/13: 92-64 over South Florida here. 21, 7, 6, 2 for Dell, 15, 2, 5 for Boz, 3 guys with 11. +14 TOs, +8 RBs. This one was easy.

One more pre-conf. game.

12/19: 85-76 over Akron here. Back and forth for at least 32 minutes. Then we broke it open. 28, 10 for Dell, 18 for Tarr, 17 for Mill. +11 RBs.

12/25: At the end of pre-conf. play we’re 9-1, RPI #21. +9.6 PPG, +3.6 RBs, +4.3 TOs (12.5). We look good. I think we’re finally going to hit that goal of finishing in the top half of a very tough conference.