Status Update_ I Feel Like....

Status Update for 1/28: "For some very strange reason, I sure feel like a cooked goose today."

For many reasons, personal and not-so-personal, this just hasn't been my week. But lots of folks seem to be in a seasonal late January funk these days. Somehow, I don't think going to the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, Va., to see "Rabbit Hole" with Nicole Kidman (she got an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film) which is reportedly a very depressing film, would help things. But, maybe I can see if there are reruns of "The Love Boat" at my local public library (on second thougt, no that would only make things worse too!).

SIDEBAR: I want to wish the Radford University men's basketball team bonne chance/good luck in their homecoming game with Coastal Carolina University who will be coming into Radford, Va., from the Myrtle Beach, SC area (Conway, SC, to be percise). My alma mater is lead by a Turkish player named Gorkem Sonmez. As a Turkish-American and an alum of RU, I'm very proud of him. Another Turkish player named Tolga Cerrah plays the Highlanders too.

Radford University Loses Heart-Breaker to Coastal Carolina

During a home game in Radford, Va., just prior to Valentine's Day on Saturday night, my alma mater The Radford University Highlanders dropped a heart-breaking game to visiting Coastal Carolina by a score of 52-51.

The game was decided by a last second free-throw from Coastal's freshman Danny Niemans from Concord, NC.

RU trailed by 16 at the half, but the Highlanders went on a 17-3 spurt to start the second half. According to the RU men's basketball web site, the home team trimmed the lead to 40-38 with 11:39 left in the game.

The win puts Coastal Carolina, a school in Conway, SC, (near Myrtle Beach) with a commanding two game lead in the Big South Conference.

For the visiting Chanticleers (which to me has always seemed like a very unusual school nickname), Mario Edwards lead the way with 13 points. Chad Gray added 12 points to the team's total.

There were some positive things for the Highlanders though, including the fact that guard Amir Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pa., broke the conference assist total with 568.

The Highlanders actually took the lead for the first time in the game at 50-49 with 1:46 remaining thanks to a dunk by standout center Art Parakhouski of Belarus (pictured here).

RU coach Brad Greenberg said he was pleased with the team's efforts in spite of the loss:

"I'm extremely proud of our team. We had an extraordinary second half, holding one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country to just three field goals."

Parakhouski lead RU in scoring with 16 points. Laz Trifunoivc of Serbia added 13 points for the Highlanders.

RU will next head to hostile Lynchburg, Va., for a game with conference arch rival Liberty University on Tuesday night in a game that will be televised regionally on MASN starting at 7 p.m.

The Highlanders also have a home game against UNC-Wilmington during ESPN's Bracket Busters on Sat., Feb. 20, which is also when the school will be hosting its rescheduled Homecoming Weekend.

Coastal Carolina next heads to Durham, NC, for a non-conference game with North Carolina Central. The team's next home game is against conference foe Charleston Southern in a game that will also be played on Feb. 20.

The Big South Tournament starts at various locations on March 2.

Big South College B-ball Games this Weekend

If it seems like I am posting a lot of entries about my alma mater Radford University in Radford, Va., it is because the school is celbrating its 100th anniversary this year. And, the Radford Highlanders's men's basketball team is getting a lot of media attention for a small school as they continue to post wins in Big South Conference play.

On Sat., the Highlanders travel to Charleston, SC, to face Charleston Southern University for a 7 p.m. game.

My cousin Mike happens to an alum of Big South rival Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. The Eagles are also in action this weekend.

Here is a list of games, some of which might be televised in their given region:

UNC-Asheville @ Liberty- 7 p.m.

Gardner-Webb@ VMI- 7 p.m.

Wintrop @ Presbyterian- 7 p.m.

Other games in our area outside the Big South and ACC include:

UNC-Greensboro @ App. St.- 3 p.m.

Howard @ North Carolina A & T- 4 p.m.

VCU @ Georgia St.- 6 p.m.

LaSalle @ Richmond- 4 p.m.

George Mason @ JMU- 2 p.m.

Elon @ W. Carolina- 7 p.m.