Tour de Tejas, Day 2
Dec
2006
GEORGETOWN, Texas — Got a bit of a late start to this post – they’re either having some network issues at Southwestern or my laptop just isn’t agreeing with the connection here. The athletic director (courtesy of Southwestern assistant coach Allison Wooley) got me a department machine that could connect to the secure campus network, however, so all’s well.
Drove here from Abilene this afternoon, down U.S. 183 almost the entire way. I’ve often pondered taking U.S. routes instead of interstates – imagine taking U.S. 1 from Virginia to Connecticut, for example, through the heart of every city in between. If only I had 12 hours to kill. I took U.S. 40 once to Washington & Jefferson instead of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Went through some pretty small towns – in fact, this area of Texas reminds me a lot of eastern Iowa, where we have relatives. Lots of rolling hills and farmland.
Of course, Iowa doesn’t have any cactus.
Listening to the radio was an adventure as well. Here’s what one trip through the dial sounded like: Rush Limbaugh, country music, Christmas music, country Christmas music (seriously), preaching, Spanish-language preaching.
December 1st, 2006 at 7:54 pm
I once drove from east-central Ohio to Los Angeles without ever getting on an interstate highway. For those with the time, I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to reconnect with America, and in the West, it’s the only way to get to lots of great places (like Alpine, f’rinstance!)
December 1st, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Thirteen players have hit the floor for the Southwestern women in the first half and the Pirates lead Millsaps 40-23.
December 1st, 2006 at 7:58 pm
D:
I can tell you’re bummed I’m not going to Alpine.
I don’t know if my life’s goal is to get to every Division III school (I’m young but I have a looooong way to go) but I do hope to hit as many as possible.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:49 pm
Twelve players logged from 11 to 24 minutes tonight for Southwestern in a 73-45 win. Beth Thomas and Kendal George came off the bench for 14 points apiece for the Pirates. Southwestern limited Millsaps to 28.3% shooting from the floor for the game, including just six second-half field goals. The Majors were led by Crystal Dickerson’s 20 points.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:10 pm
The men’s game just underway — expect it to be a lot more competitive. Live stats
December 1st, 2006 at 9:22 pm
The Flower Mound HS boys’ basketball team is here and they just got a treat when freshman guard Anthony Cox, their former teammate, came in the game about eight minutes into the first half and got an assist on Southwestern’s first possession. Loudest cheer of the night so far.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:24 pm
Cox — listed at 5-5 — just hit a layup. Crowd’s loving it.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:41 pm
And that was just the AM Radio! Texas roads are such that you can drive almost any road on the map, safely.
You may not get much radio reception, other than the above selections way off the interstates, but I guess that is why they advertise XM.
I am looking forward to your assessment of both men and women.
You don’t hear much Iceman or Eminem in Goldthwaite, Texas.;-)
December 1st, 2006 at 9:48 pm
We’re going to let Pam Ruder assess her team in our nightly podcast. The men’s game is much more competitive despite the 36-24 Southwestern lead here at the half.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Southwestern shot 60% from the floor in the first half. If that doesn’t continue, they may be able to survive with their defense, as Millsaps shot just 7-for-22.
Normally I would look at a box score that has five assists on seven baskets for one team and 11 assists on 15 baskets for the other and wonder if they were too generous on assists but I’m sitting next to the stat crew and it’s a reasonable assessment of the game.
December 1st, 2006 at 9:59 pm
And actually, Ralph, that was FM. AM has gotten so bad I only listen to sporting events, all-news stations and WFAN (when D3hoops.com founding broadcast guru Ray Martel is producing).
December 1st, 2006 at 10:11 pm
Pat, I’m bummed that I’M not going to Alpine! Every D3 fan should make the trek at least once, to see what life on the D3 frontier is like. But take your XM Radio, it’s a necessity (especially in baseball season.)
Actually, Alpine is neither beautiful nor quaint, and SRSU looks a little like the Soviets built it. But Alpine is the jumping-off point for both the Big Bend and the Davis Mtns, two places I’ve spent a lot of time lately and would like to spend more.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Millsaps 10-for-14 in the second half, Southwestern 6-for-16. 5:52 left, 57-55 Southwestern, Millsaps at the line to shoot one.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Millsaps wins 70-68 on a three-pointer from the top of the key with three seconds left. The Majors shot 7-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second half.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:49 pm
It was Millsaps’ only lead of the game.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:52 pm
You have a game now for the men!
Thanks for the Pam Ruder podcast! She has the potential to make big things happen. If she can tap into the Texas networks, (Southwestern is a great place to go to school), and bring an occasional player from Wisconsin to fill selective holes.
There is so much women’s talent in the state of Texas, there is no reason why we don’t have 6 teams getting votes, every year!
December 1st, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Wow, they pulled it out!
December 1st, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Yeah, Millsaps went zone in the second half and Southwestern was unable to get the ball inside. The Pirates were 4-for-5 inside the arc in the second half; 5-for-18 from outside.
December 1st, 2006 at 11:33 pm
The Ruder interview is posted: http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/06/tourdetejasruder.mp3
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:26 pm
By the way, Pat, your description of what you ended up with finding on the radio is exactly the reason why I bought into satellite radio. On trips from SA to Odessa and Lubbock there are spots where only the preaching and Spanish preaching are available.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I actually listened to the Spanish preaching for a while. Was good practice, trying to keep my language skills in shape.