April 07, 2010

LIVE SPRING GAME BLOG

Welcome to FIU Stadium on a splendid Wednesday afternoon with sunny skies and just a few small whiteHelmetlogo clouds.

If you're stuck in your cubicle or can't get out of that meeting that will decide if the office will go with blue or black pens, then just kick back and follow along here.

The FIU Blue/Gold Spring Game is about to kickoff shortly as the Panthers finish stretching and pre-game drills.

Check the previous post to follow along what we'll be looking for this afternoon. This will be the last time the Panthers will be on the field until early August. Let's go LIVE BLOGGING....

April 06, 2010

Blue/Gold Preview

Helmet FIU will kickoff the annual Blue/Gold Spring Game on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and while most of you will be at work -- unless you get George Peterson to call your boss for you or if your boss is Michael Scott -- don't worry the GPP has got you covered.

The GPP will channel its best Al Michaels and deliver you a play-by-play LIVE BLOG from FIU Stadium beginning with a 2-minute pre-blog show at 3:28 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

To get you ready for the spring game whether you are planning on attending or will follow through cyberspace, here's what to look for:

BATTLE LINES

Like last season, the continued development of the offensive and defensive lines will determine how successful FIU will be this coming season.

This spring it's pretty much been a draw when the two lines have gone at it. If anything the D-line might haveMattox a slight edge on the O-line right now. Of course, when looking at any position this spring you have to factor in the injured players not participating and the newly-signed Panthers that won't be on campus until July.

One key cog to the O-line that has missed this spring is Rupert Bryan recovering from a knee injury. He started non-contact drills late in the spring and is expected to be 100 percent come fall camp.

Tourek Williams and Andrew Mattox (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) have carried their strong freshmen seasons over into this spring. Keep an eye on No. 97 and No. 93 on Wednesday as well as James Jones, who has recovered nicely from his two surgeries.

If you're at FIU Stadium see who controls the line of scrimmage on Wednesday.

Outside of Brad Serini and Cedric Mack, there aren't any other seniors on the O-line. Same thing goes for the D-line outside of senior Thatcher Starling.

TIGHTENING THE OFFENSIVE STRENGTH

With Dudley LaPorte sidelined this spring with a foot injury, Colt Anderson and Jonathan Faucher have taken Ty advantage of the extra reps.

As we saw last season in limited duty (1-handed TD catch vs. ULM) before he broke his foot, DLP will be a big part of the O this season. However, the emergence this spring of CA and JF have given the Panthers another pair of offensive weapons.

CA, in particular, has had a terrific spring. The two tight ends appear ready to join what is FIU's strength -- receivers. And the receivers have gotten stronger. If you haven't been out to spring practice this season, take a look at the new muscles on Wayne Times and T.Y. Hilton (left, thanks AJH photo). Times stood out in the first scrimmage.

Another receiver who has had a good spring is Ariel Martinez. The walk-on from Coral Park started making some tough catches last fall.

YOUNG AND YOUNGER

Some of the heralded young defensive players that didn't see much playing time last season have been getting more playing time on D this spring and have shown some of their potential.Mars

Linebacker Pooh Bear Mars (right), defensive back Emmanuel Souarin and safety Terrance Taylor have had their moments this spring. Walk-on defensive back Jose Cheseborough has also made some plays.

Aaron Davis also continued his strong finish to last season and can be a pass rushing threat this coming season. FIU needs to get more pressure on the QB this season.

I think the Panthers have really taken to new DC Geoff Collins and you'll see a new energy with the FIU defenders this season.

One area where the Panthers need more of the younger players to emerge is along the D-line to go along with Tourek and Mattox.

Quarterback Wayne Younger might be the Panther that has shown the most improvement this spring. Besides looking like he's taken to the weight room, WY has more zip on his passes and as usual can move with the ball in his hands. WY might be making the starting QB decision a lot tougher on MC and offensive coordinator Scott Satterfield later this August.

Fiu PANTHER PAWSE

Apaw Pi Kappa Alpha and the FIU Football Team are organizing the Kendall Berry Memorial Flag Football Tournament.
 
The 7-on-7 tournament will be taking place at FIU Stadium at 9:00 AM on Sunday, April Kb 11. Teams will consist of 7- 10 players each. Registration costs are $10 a player, with 100% of the proceeds going to support the remembrance of Kendall Berry through a memorial and banner at FIU Stadium, and possibly an FIU scholarship.

For more information you can contact: Francis Aguilar (Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Philanthropy Chairman) at (305) 542-8343 or [email protected]

Q&A

Jsuarez88: Pete, can you help me undertstand why they wouldnt play this game on a fri-sun??? Why would they do it mid-week at 3pm??

PP: Because of the 30-day window each college team has to complete spring practice. Also about 28 players have classes or exams on Wednesday night so they had to move the game up to the afternoon.
 

April 05, 2010

Spring Game Time Change

Clock The FIU Blue/Gold Spring Game is still on this Wednesday, April 7, but now the game will be played at 3:30 p.m. at FIU Stadium.

The game has been moved up two and a half hours, because a lot of the players have class schedule conflicts.

Will have a LIVE BLOG of the spring game right here on Wednesday. Will be on-line at 3:28 p.m.

BASEBALL MID-SEASON

It was Opening Day in the major leagues today. FIU reached the mid-point of its 2010 season afterRaiko Sunday's 15-6 win over Louisiana in which Raiko Alfonso (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) homered from both sides of the plate and drove in 6 runs. RA likes Cajun cooking. He had 12 RBI in the 3-game series.

The Panthers stand at 18-10 heading into their home game against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Right-hander Daniel DeSimone is expected to start Tuesday despite pitching two scoreless innings of relief on Sunday. DD will be looking for his third straight quality start after having won the last two against Jacksonville and Southern Utah.

Will have a mid-season look at the Panthers later this week on the GPP.

DAZZLERS VARIETY SHOW

Got a text from the Dazzlers today and some of the pictures from the ladies appearances at FIU BaseballDazzlers games this past weekend.

I know you'll probably look straight at the pictures before reading this part so here goes: the Dazzlers will be holding their "Variety Show" on Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at U.S. Century Bank Arena. Waiting for the ladies to provide more Dazzling details on their "Variety Show". For now here are the Dazzlers at FIU Baseball this past weekend.


 

April 04, 2010

April 01, 2010

2nd Spring Scrimmage

The Panthers went through their second spring scrimmage on Thursday afternoon at FIU Stadium.

The scrimmage like all practices this week was closed to the public and media, but after speaking to someTw sources, here is some of what happened during the scrimmage.

The defense got after it with four sacks. Tourek Williams, (right) who continues to shine this spring, got a sack on one play and a tackle for loss on another. Was told TW really stood out on Thursday.

Little Canada, James Jones -- recovering nicely from off-season surgeries -- and Andrew Mattox had the other sacks.

Was told on his sack, Mattox chased the down the quarterback across the field showing off some of the quickness that earned him Volusia County Defensive Player of the Year two years ago. Mattox is turning into one of the better walk-on additions in the program's 8-year history.

Wayne Younger (left) got the majority of snaps on Thursday, because Wesley Carroll had to leave early for a class. WC threw just one pass and completed it for nearly 40 yards to Ariel Martinez.

Wy WY continued his strong spring going 15 of 23 for 168 yards and 2 TDs.

Among WY's top throws on Thursday, he connected with T.Y. Goodbye for a 38-yard TD. WY also found T.Y. for another good gain and Ty Frierson as well.

No shocker here, Goodbye led all receivers with 6 catches for 90 yards. Yeah, No. 4 is pretty good.

WY's other TD came on a short pass to emerging tight end Colt Anderson. That's CA's 2nd TD catch in as many scrimmages.

Although from what one source said, CA did not have to make his video game move to score this time, unlike the XBox move he made on his 38-yard TD in the first scrimmage.

Trenard Turner led the running game with the only rushing score from inside the 10-yard line.

From what another source tells me, after the offense did its work, the defense took over again to end theWf scrimmage.

Word is defensive back Emmanuel Souarin again made tackles for loss and played good pass coverage. Defensive back Antwoine Bell had a pass deflection.

Linebacker Winston Fraser, (right) healthy again, ended the scrimmage with an interception that he almost returned for a TD.

From what I was told, Fraser played very aggressive Thursday and looked as quick as ever. WF is one LB that can really be a difference maker on this defense in the upcoming season. You all saw what he did when he was on the field last season.

Logo PANTHER PAWSE

Aaapaw LIVE GAME BLOG is back tommorrow (Friday) and all through the 3-game series this weekend between FIU and Louisiana. Will be on-line at 6:54 p.m. tommorrow. First pitch is at 7 p.m.

While the Panthers will be playing baseball Friday. The Golden Dazzlers will be playing babeball as they make their baseball debut at Friday's game.....The photos -- such as the one on the right never get old.

Aaapaw No word yet on the spring game. But it could be sometime in the middle to latter part of next week.Dazz

Q&A

FIU observer: Is Jonathon Jackson still on the team?

PP: Yes he is and he's made some plays this spring.

c-UM: Dont sell us short now Pete, we have 16 wins, not 15

PP: Yes, FIU has 16 wins. My mistake.

SouthPaw: Pete, what's the status of Edgar Theliar and Derrick Clark? Are either expected to be back for Fall practice?

PP: No, neither will be at FIU.

You Got Gold: Hey Pete, Could you update us on the McVay and Leith injuries?

PP: Leith is still expected back at some point this season to give FIU another lefty out of the pen. McVay is not pitching this season as he recovers from elbow surgery.

Thanks to Alex J. Hernandez photo gallery for pictures

Time for a spring poll question:

March 31, 2010

Spring Practice Update

FIU returned to the football field Tuesday afternoon and practiced again Wednesday in shorts and shells.Helmet

The Panthers are back to practice on Thursday. The team might scrimmage Thursday, but all practices this week have been closed to the public and media. If the Panthers scrimmage Thursday, will try to get some info from the scrimmage on here for you on Thursday night.

After Thursday, FIU will have 2 spring practices left, including, if they play the spring game. A decision on the spring game is expected to be made at the end of the week. Of course, will post it on here when we know.

Fiu PANTHER PAWSE

Apaw Opportune time for FIU baseball to get on a winning streak. The Panthers (15-9) play 8 of their next 11 games at home beginning with a 3-game series against Louisiana on Friday.

Florida Gulf Coast visits FIU next Tuesday before the Panthers go to Tennessee for a 3-game set againstDazz an always dangerous Middle Tennessee. FIU then hosts Bethune-Cookman for 1 game and New Orleans for 3 games.

Apaw As if you needed a reminder.....the Golden Dazzlers make their 2010 baseball debut on Friday as they perform during the FIU/UL game. The Dazzlers are back Saturday and again on April 16 when New Orleans comes to town. Thanks to Alex J. Hernandez for Dazzling photo.

The LIVE GAME BLOGS return to the GPP beginning with this Friday's baseball game. Will be on-line at 6:54 p.m. on Friday. First pitch is at 7 p.m. Will have all 3 games of the series for you on here. Saturday's LIVE BLOG begins at 5:55 p.m. and Easter Sunday's LIVE BLOG starts at 12:56 p.m.

Q&A

roary: Pete, Will the team retire #19?

PP: No decision has been made, but I'm sure FIU will do something to honor KB this coming season.

March 25, 2010

On the Sun Belt Road

After a sweep of Jacksonville, FIU hits the Sun Belt road for a 3-game series against UALR in Little Rock starting on Friday night where the Panthers will play on a field that is half artificial turf/half grass.

Hogan Field has a fake grass infield and a real grass outfield which could make for a very high-scoringMm offensive weekend. I stopped by there when I was in Little Rock for the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament earlier this month and the ballpark is like a band box.

The Panthers took 2 of 3 from Troy in their first conference series of the season last weekend and now take on another Trojan team in the UALR Trojans. FIU has enjoyed success vs. UALR in the last 3 years winning 6 of 9 games. 

Last season, FIU won 2 of 3 and the series became Panthers cleanup hitter Mike Martinez's (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) personal showcase as the then-freshman went 8 for 13 with 3 HR and 10 RBI. Tim Jobe also had a good series going 4 for 12 with a HR, 3 RBI. Lefty Corey Polizzano has 2 wins vs. UALR and has struck out 24 batters in 21 1/3 innings vs. the Trojans.

UALR is 13-9 and 1-5 in the Sun Belt. The Trojans were swept by South Alabama and lost 2 of 3 games to the Hooters. Of course, FIU can't go into Little Rock thinking it will walk over UALR, because as we all know pitching is thin for the Panthers this season.

Since being swept by Rutgers, FIU has won 6 of its last 7 games and outside of that hiccup against Troy last Sunday, the pitching has been coming around.

LIVE BLOGGING AGAIN

Live Will be at Saturday's scrimmage and have a story for you in Sunday's paper as well as a blog recapping the Panthers 2nd spring scrimmage.

LIVE GAME BLOGS return next week. Will be LIVE BLOGGING from Wednesday's Blue/Gold Spring Game. The spring game starts at 7 p.m. You can log on here at 6:54 p.m.

Also, will have LIVE GAME BLOGS and game stories of all 3 FIU baseball games next weekend vs. Louisiana from FIU Baseball Stadium.

DAZZLING BABEBALL

Break out a permanent Sharpie marker and write down these dates: April 2, 3 and 16. Those are the first 3Dazz FIU babeball games where the Golden Dazzlers will be performing.

Will have play-by-play of the Dazzlers (right, thanks AJH photo) performance on the LIVE BLOG. In the April 16 game, FIU hosts New Orleans in the Privateers farewell season from the Sun Belt.

Will have an update for you from spring practice in Friday's blog. And You Got Gold, I will get to your question then as well.

March 24, 2010

As Promised...1st Spring Scrimmage

We're down to 5 spring practices before the Spring Game. FIU will hold its second spring scrimmage this Saturday at 12 noon at FIU Stadium. A 12 p.m. scrimmage?? Could it be to get a feel for opening the season Sept. 11 at high noon in 90-degree weather against the northern-based Rutgers?? Something to think about.

Harden So to get you ready for Saturday's scrimmage, here's what went on in the Panthers first spring scrimmage back on March 12.

A HARDEN DAY'S WORK

Two of the most important units on the Panthers team this fall will be the offensive and defensive lines, because both are relatively young and inexperienced. In the scrimmage, each line got the upper hand on the other during different times in the 100-play workout.

The O-line carved up some nice holes for the FIU RBs, but some of the FIU RBs made their own holes such as newcomer Jeremiah Harden.

In what might be a sign of things to come later this fall, Harden (left) had a punishing 22-yard touchdown run in where he broke three different tackles. On 2 of the tackles, JH powered through 2 pairs of defenders. JH doesn't look like a big, bruising back, but as former high school teammate and current FIU teammate Wesley Carroll put it: "Jeremiah will run into a pile of players and when you think he's stopped, Jeremiah will pop out of the pile and break one."

On this TD run, JH did not encounter a pile, but on 2 different occassions it appeared JH was going down. Instead he broke free. The run brought to mind when Darriet Perry carried three Hooters defenders on his back for 13 yards in the 2009 Don Shula Bowl at Dolphin Stadium. JH finished the scrimmage with 6 carries for 35 yards.

Speaking of DP, he had some tough running too. DP looks a lot lighter than last season and my 2 cents think that will help him more this season. DP also made a nifty 1-handed catch on a pass thrown behindTimes him.

THE TIMES IS NOW

Wayne Times (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) was the featured receiver in the scrimmage as T.Y. Goodbye sat out with bumps and bruises -- nothing serious. He is expected back for Saturday. Tight end Dudley LaPorte will miss the remainder of spring ball with a small fracture in his foot. DLP is wearing a boot and should be healed by the time camp rolls around in August.

Times showed some sticky hands and his new muscles helped him break some tackles that he probably does not break last season. WT led all receivers with 7 catches for 44 yards.

Although the O-line paved the way for 145 rushing yards on 27 carries (5.4 yards per carry), they had a couple of false start penalties that were bug-a-boos last year.

Future FIU O-lineman David Delsoin and future FIU QB Jake Medlock took in the scrimmage.

GAITOR, BEAR, and CHESE

Sound like maybe a Cajun dish? Nah, just some of the defensive standouts in the scrimmage. And that's how you spell chese for this particular post.

The defense got going once the offense entered the red zone.

Kasey Smith had a sack and defensive back Dez Johnson, who is back after getting a medical redshirt from last season, broke up a pass in the end zone that ended the possession on 4th down.

We won't really know how much the D has improved under new DC Geoff Collins until they start playing against an offense with a different color jersey and helmet, but one thing that has been prevalent through spring ball is that the D looks more physical than last season.

Gaitor DB Emmanuel Souarin, who is having a good spring, had a big hit to stop a short pass. Safety Jonathan Cyprien is not making it comfortable for receivers to go over the middle.

Anthony Gaitor (left, thanks AJH photo) is healthy and he's shown it on pass D. He knocked away two passes.

The Pooh Bear Mars you have been waiting for is starting to be unleashed working at middle linebacker. PBM broke through the O-line and got the tackle for loss on a screen pass. You could tell on the play that PBM has some quickness.

Walk-on DB Jose Cheseborough had a sack. Everytime I look over at No. 27, he seems to be making a play.

Linebacker Aaron Davis made 2 consecutive plays: making a tackle in the backfield for a loss and on the next play, AD broke up a short pass.

CAN'T CORRAL THE COLT

The quarterbacks played pretty even in the scrimmage. Wayne Younger was 14 of 28 for 100 yards. WC was 5 of 15 for 75 yards and a TD.

WC connected with Colt Anderson (right) for the only passing TD on a pass down the middle. CA made the playCa when he faked out 2 defenders on his run into the end zone. The move got the rest of the team hooting and hollering on the sidelines. The TD went for 38 yards.

Keep your eye on Anderson, because he can be a big part of this offense. He has the size, hands and athleticism to play tight end at the Division I level.

Yes, DLP is a huge part of this team's offense, but CA is developing as a solid tight end and you can't forget about Jonathan Faucher and Joey Harris, who have become 2 big bodies that can catch the football.

Toward the end of the scrimmage, Kendall Berry broke off a 23-yard run. KB led all RBs with 54 yards on 6 carries.

The scrimmage ended with the D stopping the O inside the 5-yard line. Cyprien had a pass breakup and redshirt freshman Terrance Taylor deflected the pass on 4th down to end the day.

After the D denied the O, DC Collins dove into his defense's celebration pile.

Logo PANTHER PAWSE

Aaapaw Thanks again to all you good people for the kind words. Let's get to your questions:

Q&A

alt7787: Since you're back I've got a question on top of my L.A. Fitness one, but answering that one is at your discretion. Haha. Josh Johnson has been somewhat weak this spring training, is it anything to be legitimately concerned about or will Josh be good to go opening day?

PP: The L.A. Fitness reference in the previous blog was about a husband and wife who yelled from theJj second floor of that gym asking me where have I been for the past week.

Josh Johnson (right) will be fine. Most every player has a bad outing during the spring. The Marlins have bigger concerns than JJ such as who will be their 3-4-5 starting pitchers and will Leo Nunez hold up as the closer. It could be a long season if the Marlins starting pitchers struggle early like they did last season and wear out the bullpen.

gpantera: In order to write informative FIU Blogs, will the Herald allow you to cover FIU in person by attending practices, games, travel with team, etc?

PP: I will be at games. We're still ironing out the schedule as far as how the beat will be covered between me and TBA or his cousin TBD. You'll keep getting the daily blogs on here that have won Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys and Espys and there will be times when I'll also be covering on the print side.

chrisfiu: On a side note, great to hear the Dazzlers will also be at the baseball games. Will the dates be given out in advance?

PP: I'm going to get more info for you on when the Dazzlers (left, thanks AJH photo) will be performing at baseball games. Maybe they will break out new baseball outfits. Just not the baggy throwbacks the baseball team wears for Sunday home games.

Dazz Gooch7: PETE: Since there is ONLY one week till the Spring Game will the Herald and FIU advertise the game so we can have a good turn out.

PP: I'll find out more for you about what FIU is planning for the Spring Game.

ThePerfectFan: OMG it is so good to have you back PP!! I want to ask a question about pitching for the FIU Baseball? Why do all the pitchers start such a wonderful season and all of a sudden they start falling like flies in such a short time? Are they been overworked, not given them enough confidence? Given them too many innings to pitch? What is it can someone please explain?

PP: The lack of depth on the FIU pitching staff is one reason. FIU has to manage the way it uses its pitchers carefully this season, because whether it was losing 2 of its top pitchers (Ebert, Mejia) to the major leagues or injured pitchers (Garcia, McVay, Leith) and another not being eligible (Dodds) the Panthers are playing without a full staff this season. That's the hand they were dealt and you try and make the best of it.

I don't think it's a case of pitchers not having confidence, but sometimes they pitch a little more this season, because of the lack of depth. And at times it has worked fine such as Daniel DeSimone (right, thanks AJH photo) pitching a complete game last week and giving FIU 7 innings in Tuesday's win vs. Jacksonville -- both outings helped the FIU bullpen get some much needed rest. At other times, the opponents catch up to FIU's lack of depthDd such as last weekend vs. Troy and hot-swinging Rutgers from 2 weeks ago. It's going to be interesting to see how FIU fares down the stretch against a tough-hitting Sun Belt where 14-12 games can be the norm as the weather gets hotter and as the season heads down the stretch.

*BTW, FIU is not changing its colors to green and white, what DD is wearing in the photo on the right is the green hats and socks the Panthers wore on March 18 vs. Southern Utah in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

josh: Pete anything new about the Norwegian bball player Torgrim Sommerfeldt? I know you mentioned a few weeks back about him possibly coming to play?

PP: Nothing new on Torgrim. However, there is another top player that might be popping up on FIU's radar. Need to double check what I'm hearing before posting on here. Let's just say if all of Isiah's commits and the players he is recruiting end up signing with FIU, then you might be watching the 2011-2012 All-Sun Belt First Team wearing FIU across their chests and playing at the Bank. Stay tuned.

March 22, 2010

Hello Again

Great to be back from an unexpected spring break. Thanks to all you good people for your support through your e-mails, letters, texts, yells across L.A. Fitness and yells across FIU Baseball Stadium. Good to see the enthusiasm and energy on this blog has not waned despite the 1-week absence. Hell, even CrazyCane sent me an encouragingRak e-mail and wrote to the editors, go figure?? I don't care what that dude writes on here, because I'll bet you he secretly wears blue and gold despite his rants.

Anyhow, there was a Herald personnel decision made regarding the FIU beat that really would be a waste of 5 minutes of your life and my life for me to explain to you good people. The end result is that I'm still here in your cyber world and we missed plenty from the FIU sporting world last week on this blog so let's get to it.

CHRISTMAS SEASON DRAWING NEAR AT FIU

Rakeem Christmas -- the No. 1 center in the nation -- visited FIU this past weekend and from talking to people close to the visit....Christmas (right) could come early in November for FIU basketball. There has been no verbal commit yet from RC, but from what I've been told it's looking pretty good for the Panthers to land the U.S.'s top center. FIU is competing with Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and Georgetown for RC. Also, it's not a bad sign at all that RC's aunt was at a couple of FIU basketball games this season cheering on the Panthers from the stands at the Bank.

CALLING ALL CLOSERS

Berko Big blow to the already pitching-thin Panthers with the loss of closer Bryam Garcia. BG has an elbow injury and is out for at least a month. He was wearing a big black brace on his right arm on Sunday just like Paul McCall wore last season when he hurt his elbow. BG was lights out when he took to the mound in theCardenas 9th inning this season.

Look for Eric Berkowitz -- who has been FIU's most consistent reliever this season -- and freshman Alberto Cardenas (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) to share the closing duties. Berko (left, thanks AJH photo) has done a solid, steady job in middle relief this season. AC has got closer's stuff -- a lively fastball and a nasty breaking ball that might just be the best on the team.

But FIU has to get more consistency in the middle innings from its relievers if the Panthers want to get to that elusive regional this season. As we have seen from the first 20 games, FIU can hit with anyone, but its bullpen and at times the starting pitching has to be better. Sunday's 14-12 loss to Troy when the Trojans went for 2 instead of the extra point was a typical Sunday Sun Belt Conference game where both teams ran out of pitching and it turned into a slo-pitch softball game. The Trojans just got a few more outs late than the Panthers and that was the difference.

FIU is back on the diamond on Tuesday for a 2-game series with Jacksonville at FIU Baseball Stadium. The Dolphins were a regional team from last season and are no mid-week patsies, bettys or alices for that matter. FirstBueller pitch Tuesday is at 6 p.m.

Wednesday's game is at 3 p.m. According to the Mayan calendar Wednesday's game falls on "National Get the Hell Early Out of Work Day". Here's an excuse you could use: my 89-year-old aunt is flying into town and she has a phobia of riding in taxis so I have to go pick her up at the airport. Or just tell the boss you're about to vomit and need to go home.

Unconfirmed rumor they will be handing out DVDs of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" at the Stadium on Wednesday.

Actually, the real reason for the 3 p.m. start is that JU has a 9-hour bus ride back home so they asked for an early start time. JU will return the favor when FIU visits April 27-28. The series finale for that one is a 3 p.m. start as well.

There WILL NOT be a LIVE GAME BLOG of Tuesday's game between FIU and JU. With the new Herald personnel decision, we're still trying to figure out when the LIVE GAME BLOGS will resume. As soon as I have an answer for you I will post it on here.

DAZZLING ON THE DIAMOND

If the FIU pen needs some help they could get it from the Golden Dazzlers distracting the opposing batters. Been told FIU's finest (left, in their black outfits for a halftime show, thanks AJH photo) will perform at select Panthers baseball games later this season. So now you get Dazzlers all through the FIU sports season.

Dazz BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Check the next post on Tuesday and I will have the details of the 1st FIU football spring scrimmage that occurred 2 weeks ago.

The Panthers are scheduled to hold their second scrimmage on Saturday morning. The FIU Spring Game is next Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at FIU Stadium.

March 07, 2010

Year 1 Done

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS -- The first FIU basketball season under Panthers coach Isiah Thomas is complete after FIU's 71-64 loss to Denver in the 1st round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in HotCapone Springs, Arkansas. Unlike Al Capone, FIU did not rule Hot Springs, Arkansas this week.

Stayed at Capone's hotel (the Arlington) in Hot Springs on Saturday night. Spending Sunday here in Little Rock, because there were no flights available to Fort Lauderdale one day before my scheduled departure on Monday.

Was expecting the FIU men and women's hoops teams to win their 1st round games and that's why the Monday flight was booked out of Arkansas.

But neither team escaped the 1st round. The FIU men's team pretty much had little shot of winning their 1st round game after leading scorer Marvin Roberts was suspended for violation of team rules. Of course, it didn't help either that starting power forward J.C. Otero was out with a torn knee.

It was a missed opportunity for FIU late Saturday night (10:50 p.m. tipoff), because in the coming years, Denver will not belong on the same court as FIU. The Pioneers have no size, no athleticism and very little defense, but FIU with its shorthanded roster had very little of those qualities as well on Saturday.

Gary Here's how bad it got for FIU on Saturday: 5-10 point guard Phil Gary was playing center at one point in the game. Still, Gary (left, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) scored a game-high 23 points. Shooting guards Tremayne Russell and Stephon Weaver were playing power forward.

Despite all the disadvantages, the Panthers hung with the Pioneers until late when Denver went on an 11-4 run to build a 9-point lead.

It should all get better for FIU next season with the No. 17-ranked signing class in the country taking to the court in October for preseason practice. The arrivals of forwards Dominique Ferguson and Eric Frederick, shooting guard Richaud Pack (the nation's leading high school scorer) and point guard Phil Taylor in addition to the returns of Phil Gary, Roberts, Russell, Weaver, Nikola Gacesa and others should see an improved FIU team.

Looking back on this season and looking forward to next season, IT had this to say in the postgame press conference on Saturday:

"I’m proud of the foundation this team has laid. They did a good job in establishing the type of identity we want to play with in the future. They never quit. I told them in the locker room: unfortunately sometimes the people that are responsible for building the house and laying the foundation they never get a chance to live in the house. But what they are able to do is drive the kids by the house and take their friends by the house and say hey we built this. This group of young men their job was to do the dirty work and they did the dirty work. They got a lot of mud on their shoes and a lot of blood under their fingernails. We appreciate the work that they did and how hard they played."

FIU BASEBALL WON'T GO 61-1

After their first loss of the season on Friday, we learned FIU baseball won't go 62-0. On Sunday night in Surprise, Arizona, the Panthers loss to Arizona State 4-1 in 7 innings.

The game was delayed after 7 innings, because of rain and once the tarp went on the field the TexasWalkerTexasRanger Rangers -- who play their spring training games at the Surprise stadium -- ordered that the tarp not be removed regardless if the rain stopped. So the umpires called the game after 7 innings, despite the rain stopping. I was never a fan of the show: Walker -- Texas Ranger, anyway.

FIU went 2-2 on their Arizona trip which is not too shabby considering the competition the Panthers faced in the Coca Cola Classic. FIU is now 9-2 on the season.

The Panthers return to Miami to open a 5-game homestand with 2 games against Boston College starting Tuesday and then a 3-game weekend series against Rutgers.

LIVE BASEBALL BLOG starts at 5:56 p.m. Tuesday.

THE CHILI IS SMOKIN'

The FIU media relations department filled in for me during this weekend's spring practices while yours trulyCollins was in Arkansas and from the reports new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has made an impact with his new defensive unit.

From the story from FIU media relations.....It all starts with Collins (right, thanks Roy Viera photo). When quarterback Wayne Younger aimed for the sideline to throw a pass away Friday, Collins knocked it down. After the ball hit the turf, linebackers Larvez Mars and Markeith Russell motioned for Collins to drop and give them 10 push-ups. That's exactly what Collins did.

``He's just as much into it as we are,'' linebacker Toronto Smith said. ``I think, in the game, if we catch an interception, that he'll run down the sideline with us. We might get a flag, but it's Jj worth it. I love the energy that he brings to the defense.''

Good to hear defensive end Jonathan Jackson (left, thanks AJH photo) got into the backfield to tackle running back Jeremiah Harden for a tackle for loss in Sunday morning's practice. It's been a while since JJ and his injured feet have been on the field.

Next practice is Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.



Logo PANTHER PAWSE

Aaapaw Will have a LIVE BASEBALL BLOG of Tuesday's FIU/Boston College game from FIU Baseball Stadium. First pitch is at 6 p.m. Will be on-line about 5:56 p.m. for you.

Aaapaw Attention: kendallplayafiu, canerallymonkey, Miguel Alfonso: you have been traced and are being monitored on this blog's tracking program.

You are more than welcome to post your anti-FIU rants on here, but pick one screen name. Your original screen name that you posted on this blog is Miguel Alfonso, which you say you are the former FIU pitcher that stopped playing when Turtle Thomas took over FIU.

You're more than welcome to keep posting under that screen name. If you post comments under any other screen name the comments will be deleted. Thank you and thanks for making the GPP one of the most read blogs on the Miami Herald website.

 

March 04, 2010

Spring Forward: Practice Opens

There was football weather at FIU Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as FIU began spring practice. A windy and chilly day, of course nothing like the high of 45 degrees that awaits a thin-blooded native Miamian in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Friday.

Lots to get to from Wednesday's first practice. Thanks to Roy Viera for all of the photos from Wednesday'sTy practice. Will try on Thursday to post larger photos than the ones currently on here. Having a little trouble with this blog's photo posting.

First thing I noticed on Wednesday was No. 1 playing defense. That's right, receiver Marquis Rolle has become safety Marquis Rolle. MC said the switch was made, because there are a ton of receivers on the team and the Panthers need help at safety this season. Rolle has never played safety before, but he's got the size and athleticism to play the position.

Speaking of safety, Ash Parker is back for one final season after tearing his knee in the last two season openers (2008 at Kansas and 2009 at Alabama). Ash will not participate in contact drills this spring -- only in non-contact stuff. Maybe playing the season opener at home is the charm for Ash.

Noticeably bigger from another off-season in the weight room: Wayne Times (not looking like a freshman anymore), T.Y. Hilton (above, right with a solid 175 pounds with muscles), Winston Fraser looking like a senior. Tourek Williams and Jonathan Jackson both up to 250.

New defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun was in FIU gear and coaching up the Panthers D-linemen. So was new linebackers coach Juan Navarro as he coached the LBs.

On the D-line, James Jones, who returned from knee and shoulder surgery, was full-go on Wednesday. He should definitely help the FIU pass rush this season, if his play at Kansas in 2008 was any indication. Jonathan Jackson is getting close to being 100%, but he will be limited in the spring as he prepares for fall camp in August.

Am Expected to miss the spring with injuries are: OL Rupert Bryan (leg stress fracture), RB Darian Mallary (shoulder surgery), WR Rockey Vann (knee) and DB Jarrell McGee (knee).

The newest Panthers made a connection. As he went through his reads and no one was open, QB Wesley Carroll scrambled out of the pocket and found Jeremiah Harden, who cut across the middle for 7 yards. You can read more about these two in Thursday's MH.

Catches of the Day: Times making a 1-handed catch with his body going the other way on a deep pass down the middle. Receiver Ariel Martinez (left, thanks RV photo) going up, up, and away for a pass over the middle. Somebody find some playing time for this guy, every time I turn around he's catching everything thrown his way. Junior Mertile doesn't look like he missed a beat returning from last year's knee injury. JM made a couple of nice catches.

If you didn't know the chili was hot on defense, you certainly learned Wednesday afternoon. New DC GeoffGc Collins (right, thanks RV photo) is a walking Cuban coffee colada. New OC Scott Satterfield was not heard from Fort Lauderdale like GC, but he got his points across constantly instructing the FIU QBs. Last time FIU had an OC/QBs coach that played QB was James Coley -- now Florida State's OC. SS played QB at Appalachian State.

Wayne Younger (left, thanks RV photo) looks bigger and he must be, because there was some extra mustard on his fastball today. You sure you don't need another pitcher, Turtle?

Younger Pooh Bear Mars and Aaron Davis came close to picking off passes. On both plays, each LB had a nifty pass break up.

New punter Josh Brisk sure gets some hang time on his punts and seems to have a strong leg. Is it Munera-like? Not sure yet have to see more punts.





Logo PANTHER PAWSE

Aaapaw Former FIU defensive back and Rudy Award Finalist - O'Darris D'Haiti is organizing a charity flag football tournament to benefit the relief effort in Haiti. The tournament is thisOd Saturday, March 6 at FIU's North Campus.

If you are interested it is $10 per person and you need at least 5 people on your team. Or if you just want to watch it's $5 general admission. The tournament will take place in the rec fields behind the North Campus library by the basketball courts.

For more info: contact O'Darris (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) at [email protected]

Aaapaw Will have a LIVE HOOPS BLOG of Saturday's opening game of the Sun Belt Conference tourney between FIU and Denver. Tip-off time is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. (Eastern). Game probably won't start until about 10 or 10:15 p.m., because there are other games being played on the same court before FIU's game. Regardless, expect the LIVE BLOG to begin at 9:43 p.m.

Q&A

NYCFIUFan: Hey Pete, since Fomenter has fallen off the face of the earth and I was in second place, can I get the opportunity to post?

PP: Go ahead. You are a double winner in the 3rd annual GPP Win A Blog. E-mail me your blog with whatever photos or art you want on it and I'll post it on here.

Gooch7: WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 MALES AND FEMALE ATHLETS IN FIU HISTORY? PETE: Maybe we can post up a survey to see what people truely know about FIU Athletic History!

PP: Go ahead and start posting. I have to do some research to get my list. We'll have a poll question on the top athlete later.

March 02, 2010

Spring Practice Preview

Fiu Spring is here. The best time of the year. Pitchers and catchers have already reported to their major league camps and the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues will open shortly. The college baseball season is underway and, oh yeah, how about the first look at the 2010 Panthers football team.

Although most of the highly-regarded 2010 FIU signing class will not participate in spring football (except running back Jeremiah Harden and punter Josh Brisk), the 15 practices FIU has lined up, including the Spring Game, will be the first of many opportunites for some Panthers to start winning jobs.

There is plenty to look for during the 15 spring practices (which as of now are open to you). We will get to all of it throughout the spring here. [With the exception of this Friday through Sunday practices, because yours truly will be in Arkansas for the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament]. 

But as you get ready for the first practice on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at FIU Stadium, here are 5 areas to look for this spring.

BETWEEN THE LINES

The FIU lines needed some beef last season and from everything I've been told, the Panthers offensive and defensive linemen have had another strong off-season in the weight room. T.Y. Hilton has made substantial gains where he's up to 175 pounds. 

Outside of Brad Serini and Cedric Mack, there are no other seniors on the offensive line. The O-line has aMira new boss in Alex Mirabal (right, thanks AJH photo), who coached the tight ends the past 3 seasons. Mirabal will bring a fire to coaching the linemen and besides the added muscle, maybe that's what this unit needs to perform better this season. Serini and Mack will have to help their fellow younger linemen if FIU plans on being an explosive offense this season. If the line can't block, the Panthers will have a tough time moving the ball this season. Dave Istanich and Rupert Bryan got some valuable playing time last season as freshmen. Both held their own against bigger opponents. Now it's time for some of the other young OL to get going before the big boys of the 2010 class arrive. Derrick Wimberly, Austin Tottle and Giancarlo Revilla among others will get a long look in the spring to see who will become regulars with Serini and Mack.

The D-Line will have just one senior in Thatcher Starling. So it will be imperative for the younger linemen on both sides to really emerge this season. Tourek Williams, Andrew Mattox, Josh Forney, Andre Pound, Kasey Smith need to take that next step. The expected returns to health of James Jones and Jonathan Jackson -- whether it's in spring or fall camp in August will also give the D-line a boost.

GET YOUR DEFENSE HOT

"Get Your Chili Hot"....FIU hopes translates into get your defense hot as well. New defensive coordinator Geoff Collins moves down the Turnpike from Orlando and arrives with an MC-like energy and enthusiasm to coach a defense that needs to improve.

Among the necessary ingredients to a better FIU D are: a suffocating run D, more consistent pressure on the QB and tighter coverage in the secondary. Everywhere GC has been the defenses have improved. Are the Panthers the next improved D on GC's resume? It all starts with the play of the D-line. Also some of FIU's young linebackers (Kenny Dillard, Pooh Bear Mars, Markeith Russell) should progress this season to fight for playing time alongside Aaron Davis and Little Canada. At safety, Terrance Taylor has all the tools to join Jonathan Cyprien as one of the best safety tandems in the conference.

Carrollwes BACKS OF THE FUTURE ARE NOW THE PRESENT

The year long wait of sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules is over for QB Wesley Carroll (left) and Harden, who were teammates at St. Thomas Aquinas High. WC is like a kid in a candy or toy store with the weapons he has. JH is expected to be a difference maker with the ground game. Again, a lot of both players 2010 seasons will depend on the O-line's progress. Although, WC is not Wayne Younger with his feet, WC can move, throws real well on the run and has good touch on his passes. Harden looked like a man among boys while running the ball on the scout team in practice last season. With some help from his teammates, he can do the same in 2010.

JUST GIVE THEM THE DAMN BALL

T.Y. Hilton, Junior Mertile, Greg Ellingson, Wayne Times, Dudley LaPorte (right), Willis Wright in the fall -- yes, I would say Wesley Carroll can be one happy quarterback with the type of targets he has to throw to. And if everyone is healthy, you can expect Goodbye to see some single coverage, which he will no doubt exploit. DLP returning from a foot injury could have a monster season. Will be interesting to see how quickly theLaportedudley FIU receivers and their new QB get used to each other.

NEW KICKS

FIU has new kickers for the 2010 season. Jack Griffin is the leading candidate for the placekicking duties, although don't be surprised if MC brings in some competition this spring or in fall camp. Brisk has some huge shoes to fill with Carlos Munera graduated. CM made an art of punting last season and really set up the FIU D well in field position. These two positions will definitely have all eyes on them, because they will be just as important as the lines, especially late in games.

Logo PANTHER PAWSE

Aaapaw FIU hoops got some bad news today as starting senior forward J.C. Otero (right, thanks AJH photo) has a torn knee and is out for the Sun Belt Tournament. J.C. tore the knee late against Western Kentucky last Saturday. The Panthers will miss J.C.'s passing and shooting abilities in Hot Springs.

Aaapaw Will have a LIVE HOOPS BLOG of Saturday's opening game of the SBC tourney between FIU andJc Denver. Tip-off time is expected to be at 9:45 p.m. (Eastern). Game probably won't start until about 10 or 10:15 p.m., because there are other games being played on the same court before FIU's game. Regardless, expect the LIVE BLOG to begin at 9:43 p.m.

Aaapaw Score an E on the GPP, I placed a photo of Pablo Bermudez in the last blog when I meant to get one of Lammar Guy on there. The caption of the photo I received said Lammar Guy and the only visible number on the jersey is a "2" so I thought it was 42 (Guy) and instead it was "12" Bermudez.

A photo of Guy has replaced the Bermudez photo on the previous blog.

And to the reader making the asinine racial comments -- those have been deleted.

Q&A

LonePanther: Hey Pete, still predicting a W for our opener against Rutgers this season?

PP: Can't tell you on March 2. Check back in late August for my season predictions. Was off last season, I had FIU at 6-6, but they went 3-9 so I'll have to put in some extra study time in the film session on the team before making the 2010 guesses.

And while the FIU 2010 schedule is a bear on paper, remember they don't play football on paper, unless Foot it's the paper football game you played in high school with the triangle football.

Yes, FIU could easily be 0-4 to start the season, but what's not to say they knock off Rutgers and/or Maryland and begin 2-2 or 1-3. The Panthers could be much improved or might still need more development -- we won't know for sure until the season is underway. Injuries happen here and there and maybe this is the year the football injury gods do not frown upon FIU, unlike last season.

As far as the Sun Belt schedule, that's the conference FIU is in and that's the level of competition FIU is currently at. With lesser FIU teams the past few years, FIU has hung around with many of the SBC teams. If the Panthers are improved, then they should be able to beat any SBC team.

c-UM: PETE, what is your outlook on the "concessions" at the games? Can PG not cough up minimal money to bring in a serious pan con bistec guy? He should atleast try to reach out to the Gazituas (ex-player; owners of Sergio's) and see if they could help out with that.

PP: Outside of the chicken sandwich at the baseball stadium, the concessions need an overhaul. Not sure what it would cost to revamp the food at the FIU stadiums and arena. But send an e-mail or a phone call to the FIU athletic department with your ideas. Click here for all the info you need: FIU Athletics  FIU reads this blog. Also have the Gazituas contact the FIU athletic department and see what happens.

Great ideas are floated around all the time, but if you good people don't take action -- like the FIU Alumni Association has with the Annual Panther Previews and tailgates -- then nothing will ever have the chance of being accomplished. Click on the link above to take action.

chrisfiu: Pete, what happened to the win-a-blog contest held in December? Was that blog ever posted? I don't recall reading it, maybe I missed it...

PP: Never heard back from Fomenter. So nothing was ever posted. I know 2nd place winner NYCFIUFan received the 2009 Sun Belt Football Yearbook via U.S. Mail.



 

March 01, 2010

6-0, Not Bad At All

Yes, I'll admit I was one of those that wanted to see how FIU would do against Oral Roberts after sweepingGuy Maryland.

Before the ORU series, I wasn't sure about the bullpen, although coaches and players have said all along that the pen would be the strength of the team this season.

Also outside of being down 3-0 in the early innings of the season opener, FIU wasn't really tested against the Terrapins and I wasn't sure how the Panthers would react when faced with some adversity.

Well, the Panthers responded to both of those concerns against the Golden Eagles this past weekend.

With the help of two Lammar Guy (right, thanks Alex J. Hernandez photo) game-winning RBI, FIU got another three-game sweep to start the season 6-0 -- FIU's best start since 2000.

In Friday's game, FIU kept swinging the bats and Scott Rembisz pitched a masterful game.

On Saturday and Sunday, we got to see the bullpen and FIU's reaction when the chips are down.

The Panthers rallied from down 6 runs in the 7th inning on Saturday and the bullpen did a solid job late with Daniel DeSimone, Eric Berkowitz and company giving the FIU bats a chance to rally by keeping the deficit at 6 runs.

Patton And what you had to like about Saturday and Sunday's rallies were that they were fueled by several different Panthers, whereas in years past FIU had to rely on the same 2 or 3 hitters to get something going.

Saturday's game had sophomore Raiko Alfonso (2-run double), freshman Rudy Flores (3-run bomb), junior Yoandy Barroso (2 steals), sophomore Jeremy Patton (double in the 9th, left, thanks AJH photo) and senior Lammar Guy (game-winning RBI single) that all contributed in the rally.

On Sunday, sophomore Aaron Arboleya had another quality start. Then down 5-4 in the 8th, reliever Bryam Garcia made his FIU debut and held ORU scoreless for 2 gritty innings to give FIU a chance to tie. Jorge Marban ran into some tough luck in the 10th, but did not panic and kept it a 1-run game for the bottom of the 10th.

By the way, Garcia (right, thanks AJH photo) has some nasty stuff. FIU may have found its closer in No. 44.

Guy (double) and Patton (single) drew FIU within 5-4 on Sunday. Garrett Wittels gave the 10th inning rallyBgarcia some life with a single after Tim Jobe was walked and then freshman Jabari Henry had a senior-like at-bat.

With the bases loaded in the 10th and FIU down 6-5, Henry displayed that patience that we saw in his first college at-bats last week against Maryland. Instead, of going up there swinging at whatever to try and be the hero, Henry didn't like anything that was thrown and drew the game-tying walk. Not sure how many freshman across college baseball are Company Jones interns like Henry. He's an intern, because he's a freshman.

Guy capped it all off with his second straight game-winning RBI on a sac fly.

The FIU bullpen's work was very encouraging this past weekend, but just as or maybe even more important was the attitude the Panthers took when struck with adversity. They didn't panic and like Wittels said after the game: "The biggest thing for our team is confidence. Like coach Thomas was preaching Saturday night, when you come to the park thinking and knowing you are going to win is the biggest thing."

ISIAH HELPS GANGS

FIU coach Isiah Thomas missed Saturday's game against Western Kentucky, because of the Sun Belt's 1-game suspension for getting ejected from a game. Where was Isiah on Sunday? In Chicago: Isiah Back Home

Torgrim FIU opens the Sun Belt tourney on Saturday night against Denver at 9:45 p.m. Eastern time (8:45 p.m. in Hot Springs, Arkansas). The Pioneers defeated the Panthers 59-53 in Denver back on Dec. 17.

Will have a late-night LIVE HOOPS BLOG of the FIU/Denver game from Hot Springs on Saturday night. Brew some Cuban coffee and stay up with the GPP.

Speaking of FIU hoops, 6-6 shooting guard Torgrim Sommerfeldt (left) attended FIU's game against Middle Tennessee. TS, who is from Norway, originally was headed to Wake Forest until injuring a knee and the Demon Deacons pulled his scholie. Nothing concrete on TS becoming a Panther yet.

SPRING FOOTBALL STARTS WEDNESDAY

In case, you missed the previous post that's where you can check out the 2010 FIU Football schedule.

FIU Spring football starts on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. at FIU Stadium. So far all practices are open to the public. Will have your spring football preview on here Tuesday. 

Vote on the 2010 FIU schedule below.
 

February 26, 2010

No. 1 Center in Nation To Visit FIU

Christmas is in March for FIU. We should know later this summer if the Panthers get to open the presentRakeem_christmas that is on coach Isiah Thomas's Christmas wish list.

The nation's No. 1 center for 2011 -- Rakeem Christmas -- will visit FIU in March, likely near the end of the month.

Christmas (right) has several perennial Top 25 teams also hoping he lands under their X-mas tree. Among them: Florida, Georgetown, Oklahoma, Texas.

ISIAH'S POST GAME THOUGHTS

Here's what IT had to say about the 32:09 he was a part of Thursday's game against Middle Tennessee, which saw the FIU coach ejected with 7:51 left in the game. A game which had one of the worst officiating crews seen in an FIU game in a long time.

IT's opening thoughts about the game:

"I will fight for my team. We play tough. We play scrappy. We play with a lot of heart, but I think the perception of our team right now is hurting us. In the last 6 games, we’ve lost by four points or less. If we win those 6 games, we’re 10-7 and that would put us tied for first, second or third in the conference. The last 6 games we’re averaging 70 points and opponents are averaging 73."

"I think what’s happening to us is the perception of our team I hope going into tournament play will be different than what it’s been in the first half of the season. I hope we can change that perception. I think our kids play hard. They are doing all the right things out on the floor and hopefully the perception of our team will change and I hope it can change quickly."

 

It What did you think happened on the non-call foul on Tremayne Russell that brought you off the bench?

 

"I thought when Tremayne went up he got hit on the arm. I could have been wrong, but that’s what I thought. It was more than just that. I just think that what I need to try to figure out is how do we change the perception of our team going into tournament play. Forget what the record may say, over the last 6 games if we get a call here or there you’re sitting at the top of your conference as opposed to being at the bottom of it."

 

Do you think it's just a matter of winning to change the perception of your team?

 

"I think winning changes perception. When you’re coming from the bottom and this is what I told our players. There are the haves and the have nots and right now we’re the have nots. The haves don’t want you to have it and the only way you’re going to get it is to take it. And that’s the only way you are going to change perception, you have to go and take it."

 

 

"I think going into tournament play we got to be a little bit more mentally tough and win a couple of basketball games. There are 4 games next week that we got to win."

 

(FIU wins 4 SBC tourney games and they go to the Big Dance)

 

Normally, you are not one to jump up and holller on the sidelines. Do you think you will be that way now?

 

"I’m not one to react and when I do react there is damn good reason for it and I thought tonight I had a good reason for reacting. Now did I go over the line? Yes. Is that my normal behavior? No. I felt that I needed to stand up and fight for my team. The perception of my team right now has got to change, because our kids are playing really good basketball over the last 7 to 8 games and you have to give them credit for that. If people haven’t noticed, then my job is to kind of make them notice it."

 

BAND IS BACK

 

FIU is bringing back the marching band. The university will make an announcement on Friday. We'll haveKelly to wait until then to get the details.

 

FROM DAZZLER TO DOLPHIN

 

Former Golden Dazzler Kelly (right) dropped by the baseball press box last weekend so that she could get her picture on the GPP. No, kidding. But Kelly did drop by and told yours truly she is now a Miami Dolphins cheerleader.

 

Si Been quite a fall for the Dazzlers. One Dazzler -- Vanessa (left) --- was Sports Illustrated's Cheerleader of the Week and a former Dazzler is now cheering for the local pro football team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE FIU BASKETBALL SEASON TICKET HOLDER?

 

JH: Hey, T.Y. these are some good seats here in the FIU student section.Jhty

 

T.Y.: Yeah, it's a Good-Buy and they're so easy to order that a caveman can do it.

 

JH: So let me get this straight: you guys have Isiah Thomas as coach, you have the No. 17 signing class in the nation playing here next year and the Golden Dazzlers cheer at every home game....Where do I get FIU Basketball season tickets?

 

 

 

Logo PANTHER PAWSE

 

Aaapaw Will have a LIVE HOOPS BLOG on Saturday night starting at 7:56 p.m. of the FIU/Western Kentucky game. It's the season finale for the Panthers before they head up to Arkansas for the Sun Belt Tournament beginning next Saturday. Tip-off Saturday is at 8 p.m.

 

Aaapaw Spring football practice begins next Wednesday, March 3 at 3:45 p.m. Going to have Jimmy Buffet drop by the GPP to help me preview the Panthers 2010 Spring Football.

 

** Thanks to Alex J. Hernandez for the IT and T.Y. photos.

 

February 09, 2009

Down The Lineup With Turtle

Turtle We're 10 days away from the FIU baseball season opener against Jacksonville on Feb. 20 -- a 3-game series at University Park Stadium.

Here's the third part of our 3-part preseason look at your Panthers with coach Turtle Thomas (left, Sam Lewis photo). Still plenty of time to make changes everywhere for TT, but this is what he's thinking thus far when it comes to the Opening Day lineup and other parts of FIU baseball as the 2009 season approaches...

PP: We're still some time away from the opener, but what's a rough sketch of your batting order right now?

TT: We have an idea about our top 5 or 6 guys in the lineup. Pablo Bermudez in center field should lead off. Ryan Mollica (right, Alex J. Hernandez photo), who hit second in the lineup last year, should be our second hole hitter. I would think that Tyler Townsend would be our third hole hitter. Steven Stropp will probably clean up for us or hit fifth. I think Tim Jobe may be in the fifth spot and then some other spots below that are still open for Moll competition.

PP: Stropp showed he can hit last season, but wasn't your prototypical cleanup hitter, what about Stropp makes him suited for the 4 hole?

TT: Stropp has a lot of power actually. He’s a big, strong guy. One game this fall we only used aluminum. It was one of only 2 times we used aluminum in the fall. In that game, he hit a grand slam, a three-run home run and a three-run double off the top of the center field wall. He knocked in 10 runs here in the intra-squad game. It was a pretty stellar day. There wasn’t anything wrong with the pitching he was facing that day. It was OK pitching he was facing.

PP: One guy that I thought made a pretty good impression in the fall was freshman shortstop Garrett Wittels (below, left). Could we see him in the starting lineup on Opening Day?

TT: Wittels probably has made more strength gains in the weight room than anybody that we’ve had so far. He’s taken to the weights and the bat weight stuff that we do. He’s done a nice job of getting stronger. He’s very strong from the elbows down where hitters need to be. He’s one of those guys who is Gw a self-made player that competes and doesn’t want to get beat. He finds a way to hit the ball and finds a way to field it. He’s going to play somewhere either shortstop or third base.

PP: Wittels also was a pretty good pitcher/closer at Krop High, will he pitch too?

TT: Being a left side infielder, you’re probably asking a little too much for a young guy to pitch and play the left side of the infield. You’re waiting for an arm injury or arm problem waiting to happen when you do that.

PP: Your defense was a little shaky last year during some games. How do you feel about your gloves this season?

TT: We were middle of the road in our conference in fielding percentage last year, but we were close to the top in the 30 conference games. In conference games, we really had only 1 or 2 sub-par defensive games. We went six games in a row and another time five games in a row without making any errors and that set the all-time school record. I was pretty pleased with our defense. Probably the range of our players just due to probably not having the fastest of guys, probably was the biggest detriment. But when they got to it and caught it they usually threw them out. We just have to find the right guys for the right slots that can give you a nice offensive and defensive production.

Wood PP: You guys came out a little slow offensively last year. Did you still go most of theAlum off-season using only wood bats.

TT We started picking up the aluminum on Jan. 26. We’ll be using the aluminum almost 4 weeks before we open up. Last year, it was one week before the opener and I thought it took our guys a little while to adjust to the aluminum so we are going to go with that a little bit earlier this year.

LogoPANTHER PAWSE

Apaw  Apparently there is some pretty good interest in FIU baseball, the Diamond Dinner drew 670 people -- an all-time FIU record for a Diamond Dinner.

Apaw

A nice comeback win for the FIU hoops team last Saturday after an awful 1st half in which they scored just 16 points. Down by 21 points with 14 minutes left in the game, the Panthers rallied and won it in OT. If this team can be as resilient as last Saturday, then there's no reason it cannot contend in the Sun Belt Tournament. Still need Freddy Asprilla back for a serious run, though.

 Apaw

 And you thought the Golden Dazzlers only just dance on the basketball court? Dazzler Lisa Dazzlers Sakowitz hit some 3-pointers in the 3-point contest at halftime of Saturday's game. Spoke with her afterward and LS says she stopped playing hoops at Sunset High to go into dancing.

Your questions:

blkpanther: Pete have you heard anything on James Jones. I know he blew his knee out at the end of the season and he is likely to miss most if not all of next season. But how is it going with him?

PP: It's looking like JJ might be taking a redshirt season in 2009. It was a pretty good tear.

FIUBlueandGold: Pete: do we have an update on the status of Ash Parker and his recovery?

Ash PP: Saw Ash (left, No. 11) before going to an FIU hoops game the other day and he says he's feeling a lot better and expects to be ready for fall practice in August.

Alonzo: Pete, how many seniors will we have next year and, how many starters for both offense and defense are returning?

PP: By my count FIU brings back 24 seniors for 2009. If we count Darriet Perry as a starter, which is what he is, then all 11 starters on offense return, but only 6 starters return on defense.

FIUFPL: Hey, Pete - I don't think you ever answered whether this is the best recruiting class or not.

PP: In the 7-year history of the FIU football program, yes, this is the best recruiting class ever at least on paper, now let's see them do it on the field starting Sept. 12 in Bama. I gave them 5 Paws on the last poll.

Ultimate FIU Fan: Question to Pete & the GPP Nation: Is there ANYONE faster in the SBC than TR!

PP: Not that I have seen from any other Sun Belt team this season. Tremayne Russell is a tremendous sparkplug off the bench for FIU.

Apaw

We had a worldy turnout on our last poll question about the rating for the 2009 FIU football signing class with readers from Lebanon, Spain, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, France, Ennis Montana and the rest of the good old USA chiming in. Thus far, 57.5% of you gave the 2009 class 5 Paws (the highest mark), 38.4% (4 Paws) and 4.1% (3 Paws).

We're 25 days away from spring practice, but let's keep the football polling going....




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