NJIT at Northern Arizona game

[JIMSOULS]

NJIT trailed by 10 early, but now lead 33-26 at the half in the CIT semifinals. The winner will play Evansville in the championship game on Thursday. The game tonight is the Highlanders' first road game since January 25, and they are playing well in a hostile environment.

I realize major-conference fans snicker at the CIT, but for a program like NJIT these wins are absolutely crucial. Every victory they get is another stepping stone, and they've had many of those since Jim Engles took over as coach in the midst of their 51-game losing streak seven years ago. The Highlanders (21-11) have now won three straight tournament games, in addition to their earlier wins over Michigan and Ivy League regular-season co-champ Yale.

Jim Engles, what can you say? He's been nominated for three different coach of the year awards, which I assume includes Metropolitan Area Coach of the Year. While St. John's and Manhattan went to the NCAA Tournament and Iona the NIT, no coach in the area has done a better job this year than Engles. Winning those games isn't easy when you're the nation's only independent program. When you don't 16 to 20 built-in league games, scheduling games must be difficult as well. Hopefully that changes once their $100 million on-campus arena (.3,500 seats) is built. They would be perfect for the MAAC, where Engles would coach circles around most of the league's coaches. By the way, Engles diagrams excellent out-of-bounds plays out of timeouts. He's the best DI coach in New Jersey by far.

Next year's recruiting class looks good as well, as Engles is bringing in another two (maybe three) two-star players. He already has a St. Anthony's player in sophomore Tim Coleman.

My wife and I are working on moving back up north. If that happens, I will probably purchase Highlanders season tickets. Since I used to attend their DIII games in the early '90s, I feel a special attachment to the program.

Go, Highlanders. Bring home the CIT title.

 

[JIMSOULS]

By the way, Dave Popkin is doing the game along with Dave Calloway. It is now 42-30, NJIT. It is a record crowd in Flagstaff, and the Highlanders have completely taken them out of it.

 

[JIMSOULS]

It is now 47-39 with 11;29 to go. NJIT has free throws after the TV timeout.

Lute Olson is at the game!

 

[JIMSOULS]

2:49 left. NJIT will go to the line after a timeout, trailing 60-59. Winner goes to Evansville to play for the title. Entertaining game. These two teams are playing hard for their respective coaches, and the crowd is going nuts.

 

[Flnj86]

Northern Arizona 66 NJIT 61 17 secs left. Does anyone really care about this tournament?

 

[Flnj86]

Northern Arizona 68 NJIT 61 Final.

 

[JIMSOULS]

Originally posted by Flnj86:
Northern Arizona 66 NJIT 61 17 secs left. Does anyone really care about this tournament?

Absolutely. For a school like NJIT that's building a program and looking for a league to belong to, this is important. There's much life beyond the major programs. Also, Jim Engles coaches and recruits his butt off (unlike a certain overpaid coach in South Orange). I can't wait to return to the northeast and go to NJIT games.

Seriously, this more my speed as college tournaments go. It beat that event that will be taking place this weekend in the homophobic state of Indiana.

 

[Flnj86]

You can get season tickets and post on the NJIT message board. Ha

 

[JIMSOULS]

Seton Hall fans should be interested, because Engles can coach circles around you-know-who. He just won three post-season games! I'd hire him if I were Pat Lyons.

 

[cernjSHU]

Engles is one hell of a coach. He will be offered a job a mid major after the job he did a fantastic job with that program. Finj make jokes about NJIT all you want. He is a better coach than the love of your love of your life, Coach WIllard.

 

[JIMSOULS]

Originally posted by cernjSHU:
Engles is one hell of a coach. He will be offered a job a mid major after the job he did a fantastic job with that program. Finj make jokes about NJIT all you want. He is a better coach than the love of your love of your life, Coach WIllard.

I agree. On one hand, I hope he stays at NJIT until the new arena is built (the shovel apparently hits the ground in November). On the other, he has to do what's best for himself. A nice story whichever way it goes. Imagine having to schedule a season's worth of games as the nation's only independent program?

 

[lloyde dobler]

There's something to be said about the coach who rose up through the lower levels and had to drive the van to get the team to the game. Other coaches were born in the right family and knew the right people. All things equal, which do you prefer?

 

[JIMSOULS]

Originally posted by lloyde dobler:
There's something to be said about the coach who rose up through the lower levels and had to drive the van to get the team to the game. Other coaches were born in the right family and knew the right people. All things equal, which do you prefer?


I'll take the van driver. With some coaches, I can't see them putting forth that kind of effort. You know what I mean?

Here's a Staten Island Advance story from a few days ago on Engles. I'm going to write letters to him and NJIT athletic director Lenny Kaplan to let them know they've got a fan down here in the boonies along the VA/TN mountains -- one who plans on attending their games in the not-so-distant future.

Looking at NJIT's website, I notice that Tim Camp is their sports information director. He held that position at St. Peter's during the Ted Fiore years. Back in '91, I was in Albany when the Peacocks won the MAAC tournament to earn their first-ever NCAA bid. On the morning of the championship game, I was having breakfast in a downtown eatery. Camp was at a table near me when two other St. Peter's employees came in an joined him. The two guys had just arrived in Albany on the St. Peter's fan bus, and Camp asked them if the bus was full. "About three-fourths," was the reply.

Major conferences have it pretty good. On the levels below them, t can be difficult to generate any kind of enthusiasm. That's especially true in a pro sports market like the New York Metro area, or, in St. Peter's case, a high school basketball town. I went to a lot of St, Peter's home games that year at their Yanitelli Gymnasium. It was a hard-working, efficient, defensive-minded team (Jasper Walker, Tony Walker, Marvin Andrews, etc.) that couldn't draw flies for fans. But when St. Anthony's would play a game there, it would be jam-packed. Sad,

Back to NJIT, I hope they find a conference soon. I suppose the NEC is a possibility, though I'd rather see them in the MAAC (a stagnant league that could use anything resembling "juice") or the America East. Just something to reward Engles and the school for their hard work and commitment to building a DI program.

Jim Engles

 

[Pirate64]

Give me the van driver any day of the week.

Tony Bozzella drove the van when he coached at St Mary's H.S. in Perth Amboy at 3 grand a season !

 

[sportsfantatic44]

The NEC seems most likely. NEC just seems like it dropped a notch ever since Rider and Monmouth left for the MAAC. MAAC would be ideal for NJIT since you would have Iona, Manhattan, and St. Peter's all within about a 20 mile radius of each other.

 

[Save Continental]

America East seems very appropriate for NJIT. The conference only has 9 teams so adding one would be a nice fit. They would have done well in that conference this year.

 

[Hall91]

would have to think it's just a matter of time before Engles gets some whiff from a MAAC level type of team. Pretty impressive what he's done with NJIT given the situation there. Not out of the question he might stick around with NJIT especially if they are able to get a conference affiliation. Not sure why they wouldn't be of interest to NEC or MAAC at this point.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:



Absolutely. For a school like NJIT that's building a program and looking for a league to belong to, this is important. There's much life beyond the major programs. Also, Jim Engles coaches and recruits his butt off (unlike a certain overpaid coach in South Orange). I can't wait to return to the northeast and go to NJIT games.

Seriously, this more my speed as college tournaments go. It beat that event that will be taking place this weekend in the homophobic state of Indiana.

At least your comments are consistently of-the-wall. Weren't you talking about NJ bleeding residents a few months back? Now you're all in on the property taxes and NJIT season tickets. LOL. Someone tell Sal he's missing out on the CIT, and should drive from Indy to Evansville (uh oh, also in Indiana), for the REAL tournament.
This post was edited on 4/1 9:32 AM by donnie_baseball

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

It beat that event that will be taking place this weekend in the homophobic state of Indiana.

Interesting. Both VA and TN have the same law.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Originally posted by SPK145:

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

It beat that event that will be taking place this weekend in the homophobic state of Indiana.

Interesting. Both VA and TN have the same law.

16 states, in all, have a similar (but not as far reaching) law. There is even a federal law on the books, signed by William Jefferson Clinton. When CNN and some celebrities get upset about an issue, you have to spout the talking points.

 

[Section112]

Originally posted by donnie_baseball:

Originally posted by SPK145:

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

It beat that event that will be taking place this weekend in the homophobic state of Indiana.

Interesting. Both VA and TN have the same law.

16 states, in all, have a similar (but not as far reaching) law. There is even a federal law on the books, signed by William Jefferson Clinton. When CNN and some celebrities get upset about an issue, you have to spout the talking points.

Hypocrisy rules the day! CEO's are protesting the law while at the same time using slave labor in third world countries to manufacture their products and having discriminatory hiring practices. Again hypocrisy and jumping on the train of public opinion rules in today's world where noone really reads anything or knows what they are talking about.

 

[SPK145]

Nothing more hypocritical or stupid than UCONN coach Kevin Ollie. Says he won't attend the Final Four in protest yet accepts a paycheck from the State of Connecticut who has an even more restrictive law than Indiana.

Idiot.

 

[Flnj86]

Not a big fan of KO.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by Flnj86:
Not a big fan of KO.

Who are you a big fan of? Oh never mind.........

 

[jcalz88]

Originally posted by SPK145:
Nothing more hypocritical or stupid than UCONN coach Kevin Ollie. Says he won't attend the Final Four in protest yet accepts a paycheck from the State of Connecticut who has an even more restrictive law than Indiana.

Idiot.

The Ct Governor put a ban he is just following it.

 

[JIMSOULS]

States like Connecticut, Virginia, and Tennessee do not have laws as onerous as the one in Indiana and now in Arkansas. Many people in areas like mine would like such a law, though, because bigotry is rampant here in the South. I regard to people wanting to discriminate against homosexuals, it's apparently rampant in the Northeast as well. And what a surprise that a Southern state like Arkansas would jump on the bigotry bandwagon.

As a Christian myself, I don't recall anywhere in The Bible that states folks should discriminate against people who are different than themselves. People who think this bill is about "religious freedom" are only trying to mask their own bigoted views. I can't for the life of me understand why people would want to treat other human beings in a mean-spirited fashion. Why would someone want others to feel bad for being who they are, or attempt to deny them their civil rights? It makes no sense. I see people on boards such as this say that homosexuality is a "lifestyle" and a "choice." That is flat-out stupid. Is heterosexuality a choice? Of course it isn't. And when do heterosexuals "choose" their sexuality? Answer: they don't. Yet people suggest that homosexuals "choose" a "lifestyle" in which they'll be ridiculed, discriminated against, and, in many cases, beaten.

As for the Final Four, kudos to UConn for firmly backing their state's ban. It would be even better if one, or all, of the participating Final Four teams would pull themselves out of this year's event. Since that won't happen, I hope the media the grills the coaches and players about this issue in the televised, post-game press conferences. The Final Four is about something more than just basketball this year. It's not about just winning games and burning couches. It's about civil rights, and can be a great civics lesson for the many college students who are attending and playing in the event. And yes, NJIT should not be traveling to Evansville.

Grow up, people. This is 2015. We are not in the dark ages. Everyone in our nation should have their civil rights, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation. This issue is not about politics. It is not about Democrat versus Republican, liberal versus conservative. It is about basic civil rights. f you're one of those people who think the Indiana law is a good thing, please seek counseling in an attempt to remove the hatred from your heart. Love other people, and treat them with respect. Jesus will thank you.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:


Everyone in our nation should have their civil rights, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation. This issue is not about politics. It is not about Democrat versus Republican, liberal versus conservative. It is about basic civil rights.

Hey I agree with you but if you are really about equal rights and freedom, why/how does one person's rights trump another person's rights? Private business/people have rights too. Let the free market and freedom and equality for all solve that for you.

 

[Seton75]

The free market didn't do much of a job with civil rights the first time around.

 

[JIMSOULS]

No one should have a "right" to discriminate against others. Again, The Bible doesn't endorse discriminating against others because they are different, as these religious freedom people are claiming.

How about this: Businesses that want to practice bigotry should register themselves as being bigoted. Sex offenders are required to register with the authorities. Why not bigots? Let them place a sign in their shop window that states "Gays Not Allowed." That should remind you of a wrong that was stamped out in the '60, because this is exactly the same thing. What's next, gay people not being allowed to sit in the front of the bus?

 

[donnie_baseball]

Originally posted by SPK145:

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:



Everyone in our nation should have their civil rights, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation. This issue is not about politics. It is not about Democrat versus Republican, liberal versus conservative. It is about basic civil rights.

Hey I agree with you but if you are really about equal rights and freedom, why/how does one person's rights trump another person's rights? Private business/people have rights too. Let the free market and freedom and equality for all solve that for you.

Exactly. If I walk into a bakery and ask for a phallus cake, the owner should have the right to refuse me service, because they find it offensive. The "civil rights" movement of LGBT comes down to forced acceptance and tolerance, regardless of your opinions or feelings, but especially, if you have a religious affiliation. That's what they really want to take down.

 

[JIMSOULS]

I am a Christian. Sometimes it embarrasses me, because I don't want folks to think I'm one of those people that wants to discriminate against those who aren't Christian. While I believe in God, I don't think gay marriage is wrong. We are not a Christian nation, and if gay people want to get married, that is their own concern, not mine.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

No one should have a "right" to discriminate against others. Again, The Bible doesn't endorse discriminating against others because they are different, as these religious freedom people are claiming.

I don't care about the bible and religion, I'm not religious.

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

How about this: Businesses that want to practice bigotry should register themselves as being bigoted. Sex offenders are required to register with the authorities. Why not bigots? Let them place a sign in their shop window that states "Gays Not Allowed." That should remind you of a wrong that was stamped out in the '60, because this is exactly the same thing. What's next, gay people not being allowed to sit in the front of the bus?

By that thinking, gays would also have to wear signs saying they were gay, what a horrible idea. It's no one's business. Just like you telling someone how to run their business is no business of yours. Maybe one bus line won't allow gays to ride in the front but that creates a vacuum for other bus companies to market to them and win their business. I'll start that bus company. Do gay people/black people, etc. not discriminate against others??

As for the civil rights issue of the 60's, it may have taken time but those barriers would have eventually been torn down as well.

Equality for all is just that.

 

[JIMSOULS]

SPK, The horrible idea is bigotry masked as religious freedom.

So with your bus example, you are suggesting that we move backwards in terms of civil rights. Do I have that correct? It took 100 years after slavery was abolished for the Civil Rights Act to be signed into law. In the meantime, generations of black people had to live their lives as second-class citizens. That is a national disgrace. Now you are suggesting that gay people should have to "eventually" wait for their walls to be torn down? Wait for what? We are so supposed to be an enlightened nation. Caving in to bigoted beliefs and practices is not a sign of enlightenment. It's a sign of meanness. What satisfaction does anyone get from being mean toward their fellow man? Christianity is supposed to be about love, not hate and meanness.

 

[donnie_baseball]

This has crossed over into off the ship territory, but I agree that the civil partnerships laws (or lack thereof) are certainly a civil rights issue, and needs to be righted, if it hasn't already, in some places. Outside of that, it is a huge stretch (and insulting, quite frankly) to compare what the African-Americans went through to the plight of same-sex couples. To call it "meanness" is just maudlin.

I don't know whether you're Christian or not, but being one certainly isn't about being complicit and indifferent to anyone's behavior -- the so-called moral relativism. So you, and those like you on the left complain about Christians not being "accepting, loving, and tolerant." It's not quite as simple as that.

Is it OK by you for faith-based hospitals, and practitioners, to be forced to perform procedures that they morally object to? Because it's a slippery slope.

Is it OK that the Catholic League was promised that a pro-life group could march in the NY St. Patrick's Day Parade, in return for it's agreement that an activist gay group marched, this year, and was double-crossed? Previously, BOTH groups had been banned -- and all groups with any political/social agenda. In a Catholic patron saint's parade.

I'm not suggesting you watch Fox News (I certainly don't), but you certainly need to do some more homework on why people might not agree with what you're saying, whether it be economical/common sense or moral/religious. It's not always just redneck, homophobe, midwesterners -- but it's easy to think so.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by JIMSOULS:

What satisfaction does anyone get from being mean toward their fellow man?

Exactly. But aren't you being mean by forcing your views on others?

I don't want to force anything on anybody. Do as you please, just don't hurt me or take my shit.

 

[JIMSOULS]

I don't watch Fox News ,or CNBC for that matter. I've never even seen CNBC, though I've seen Fox News in various waiting rooms down here. I can't name any of the newscasters on either network. I also don't consider myself to be on the left, as you suggest. Not everyone is either right or left, as Americans aren't required to belong to one group or the other. Every issue is different, and there's no reason to fall 100% in line with either side's way of thinking.

To me, this is a common sense issue. Black people didn't choose to be black, and gay people didn't choose to be gay. Why would anyone choose to be something where they would be ridiculed, or, in some cases, be threatened with or subjected to physical violence? It makes no sense to me. Yet black people and gay people have both experienced this (hence the civil rights comparison).

 

[donnie_baseball]

I get you Jim, and I respect your opinion. We had a discussion about the science (or lack thereof) behind homosexuality on Life Off the Ship a while back. Scientifically, there is a lot of debate there.

 

[cernjSHU]

Originally posted by SPK145:
Nothing more hypocritical or stupid than UCONN coach Kevin Ollie. Says he won't attend the Final Four in protest yet accepts a paycheck from the State of Connecticut who has an even more restrictive law than Indiana.

Idiot.

SPK, while Connecticut has a very similar to Indiana, it also has a law that was passed a couple of years earlier that states you can not discriminate based on sexual orientation. A different scenario when you have that protection.

 

[shu09]

Originally posted by SPK145:
Nothing more hypocritical or stupid than UCONN coach Kevin Ollie. Says he won't attend the Final Four in protest yet accepts a paycheck from the State of Connecticut who has an even more restrictive law than Indiana.

Idiot.

+1, although was in response to the governor of CT imposing a non-essential "travel ban" (LOL!!) to the state of Indiana. The UConn president then came out with a statement saying the basketball staff wouldn't be going to the Final Four.

All of these phony governors and these travel bans are so idiotic. Restrict travel because YOU don't like the law. LOL!! Almost as idiotic as Keith Olbermann calling for the Final Four to be moved from Indiana the week of the event!!!!!! There are plenty of laws I don't like, but I don't boycott visiting states because of them. There are laws in this state I don't like, but I don't move out of this state because of it.

On a related note, I think a lot of this noise about this law is people with an agenda trying to fan the flames of division (as are most "controversies" these days). I'm not a religious person, but people have a right to practice their religion and not have it impeded by the government. Discrimination should not be allowed, but I don't see how this Indiana law opens the door to it. If someone discriminates against a gay person, the "protections" of this law won't hold up in court as it would be hard to prove that it's legal to not offer a service to someone because your interpretation of religion doesn't agree with their lifestyle. I think there's a lot of BS and noise about this law floating around out there and as usual, people don't understand the facts.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by donnie_baseball:
I get you Jim, and I respect your opinion.

Just for the record, I really respect JIMSOUL's opinion here too, didn't want that to get lost in the shuffle.