Archive for March, 2008

All Basketball All The Time

Published on March 18, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down today on G&A…

* The Suns start their back-to-back roadie tonight in Portland against the dangerous Blazers. G&A know every game is still a MUST win with all the congestion in the Western Conference playoff race.

* The Rockets have won 22 straight. Gambo still doesn’t believe this team is for real. Ash thinks it’s time to take Houston seriously. Can T-Mac get out of the 1st-round?

* We continued our March Madness coaches coverage. We were joined by UT-Arlington’s Scott Cross, Cal-State Fullerton’s Bob Burton, and Temple head coach Fran Dunphy.

* Former UofA star and NBA champion Sean Elliott discussed the ‘Cats getting back to The Dance and what it’s going to take to get the Suns that elusive first title. Elliott said it’s quite simple. Defense.

* March Madness legend Christian Laettner checked in to discuss his famous fade-away jumper against Kentucky in the ’92 east regional final. Laettner says the replay never gets old. He also talked about why he chose Duke after an outstanding prep career in New York. Laettner also discussed playing with the Dream Team and what awesome collection of basketball assembled for the ’92 Olympics in Barcelona.

Tomorrow: We’re on remote!! We’ll be joined by ASU AD Lisa Love, Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall, and sports handicapper Brandon Lange.

ASU Got A Raw Deal

Published on March 17, 2008 in Show recap. 2 Comments

Here’s what went down Monday on G&A.

* All March Madness all the time.

* The NCAA pairings are set, but the Devils are not dancin’. G&A are outraged the committee would include two teams that finished below in the Devils in the Pac including one team (Arizona) they beat twice during the season. Gambo could see this coming after the Devils lost to USC last week in LA. Ash wonders why UofA would be rewarded for playing a tough schedule when they never beat any of the elite teams they played. Both agree the NIT is a tough pill to swallow for Herb Sendek’s crew.

* One team that is in the NCAA field is Boise State. The Broncos clinched the automatic bid out of the WAC after beating New Mexico State in a three-overtime thriller Saturday night in Las Cruces. Their head coach Greg Graham previewed BSU’s opening round game Friday night against Louisville.

* Our March Madness Insider Bill Frieder joined the guys IN-STUDIO to break down each bracket.

* We were also joined by ESPN college hoops analyst Jay Bilas. Bilas was shocked when ASU was left out of the field.


Tomorrow: March Madness legends Christian Laettner & Sean Elliott

 
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March Madness Coaches’ Tour

Published on March 14, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down Friday on G&A:

* The Suns get another big win - this time over the Warriors. G&A like the way Mike D’Antoni’s team put away Golden State in the 4th quarter. Ash has been impressed with STAT’s play at both ends of the floor since Shaq’s arrival. Both agree the club’s focus is back and liked the fire (4 technical fouls). Gambo thinks the Suns will have a seven-game win streak when they hit the road and head back east at the end of the month.

* Suns forward Grant Hill checked in to discuss Thursday night’s game. He said the team is now comfortable with Shaq on the floor and vice versa. Hill also said he hopes to end his career as a member of the Suns.

* G&A discussed the possible fate of ASU come Selection Sunday. The Devils still have a decent chance to dance depending on how the major conference tournaments around the country play out - both are doubtful Oregon and UA will be selected.

* We continued our March Madness coaches’ tour.

* Belmont’s Rick Byrd, USD’s Bill Grier and Mount St. Mary’s coach Milan Brown joined the show Friday afternoon.

* Fox Sports Net analyst and former UCLA star Don MacLean shared his thoughts on yesterday’s controversial ASU-USC ending and previewed tonight’s Pac-10 Conference Semi-Final matchups at Staples Center.

Monday: The return of Gambo & Ash to the 620 KTAR studios

Guests: March Madness Insider Bill Frieder & the great Sean Elliott

 
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ASU Victim Of Heartbreaking Late Call

Published on March 13, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A:

* Short show Thursday following the latest ASU heartbreaker in Los Angeles.

* The Sun Devils have still not won a Pac-10 Tournament game at Staples Center. Thursday’s loss to USC follows other close losses to Oregon and Washington in recent years.

* G&A hate the late-game foul called on Jeff Pendergraph that would have tied it up and possibly sent the game to overtime. When will the Pac-10 conference look at the endless inconsistencies with their basketball whistle-blowers? ASU will now play the wait-and-see game until Selection Sunday. G&A don’t like their chances - especially after fellow bubble team West Virginia upset UCONN in the Big East tourney.

* We were joined by Oral Roberts head coach Scott Sutton. ODU is back in The Dance after beating IUPUI. Sutton is a rising star in the coaching ranks…

* The Winthrop Eagles are in the Field of 65. G&A caught up with first-year head coach Randy Peele.

* Davidson head coach Bob McKillop completed the coaching tri-fecta. Davidson is on a 22-game win streak and will be a tough opening opponent next week.

* G&A tore into troubled golfer John Daly. Gambo thinks “Long John” is a complete waste of talent and wonders why he so popular on tour. Ash thinks it’s because the “average-everyday-golfer” can relate to Daly. Ash says he’s a good, but not great golfer - we took calls.

* BIG game Thursday night for the suddenly dare-we-say streaking Suns. How will Golden State react to Shaq and vice versa? Gambo thinks the Warriors can take Shaq out of the game by beating him down the floor for transition points. G&A know Thursday’s game could determine a late-season tie breaker with playoff implications on the line. Will Mike D’Antoni extend his rotation against the up-tempo Warriors?

Friday: We’re going to a broadcast away from the station and feature plenty of March Madness coaches

Should Pat Tillman Be In The Hall Of Fame?

Published on March 12, 2008 in Show recap. 1 Comment


Here’s what went down today on G&A…

*The late Pat Tillman is one of 19 players on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. G&A discussed if the heroic American figure is truly worthy of this judging solely on his 4-year career at ASU. Ash thinks Tilly deserves in because he was a standout linebacker and a Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Gambo is torn both ways. We took calls.

*ASU AD Lisa Love shared her thoughts on Tillman and on the Devils’ chances of getting to the Big Dance. It will be a HUGE game tomorrow against USC at Staples Center.

*The Suns pound the pathetic Grizzlies last night at USAC. Gambo was impressed with Gordan Giricek and hopes he can crack stingy Mike D’Antoni’s ever-shrinking rotation. Ash thinks this is a point in the schedule where the Suns can stack some much-needed wins heading towards the playoffs.

*Dbacks’ skipper Bob Melvin joined the show to talk about Randy Johnson’s Cactus League debut Monday against the Rockies.

*We continued our March Madness coverage.

*The Siena Saints are in the Big Dance. Siena head coach Fran McCaffery discussed their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title win over Rider.

*Western Kentucky head coach Darin Horn shared his thoughts on last night’s Sun Belt title win over Middle Tennessee State. Ash reminded coach that one of the Hilltoppers’ six losses this season was against the mighty Lumberjacks from Northern Arizona University.

*1st-year Drake head coach Keno Davis has the Bulldogs rolling. They crushed llinois State over the weekend to claim the Missouri Valley crown. Drake is an eye-popping 28-4.

*Gambo has a lunch bet with Burnsy over tonight’s NAU-Portland State Big Sky Final from the Rose City. Both agree Ash is too scared to possibly lose another lunch on his alum mater.

*Now that the Larry Fitzgerald deal is done, might Anquan Boldin be on the trade block if a news deal is not brokered? G&A discussed and took calls.

Tomorrow: We switch it up and do a remote following ASU hoops at noon

 
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Will The Devils Dance?

Published on March 11, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down today on G&A…

* G&A was live at Tucson Electric Park.

* ASU is teetering on the brink of Big Dance extinction following a couple conference tournament upsets last night including USD’s victory over Gonzaga. Gambo still thinks the Devils deserve a slot, especially since the Pac-10 is so strong top-to-bottom (sans Oregon State). Ash knows a win over USC Thursday will end all doubts.

* We were joined by ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi. If Selection Sunday was today, the Devils would be headed to the NIT. He has New Mexico making it even though the Lobos’ SOS is 75 slots lower than ASU’s. Lunardi doesn’t see the Pac getting seven bids.

* Austin Peay head coach Dave Loos checked in. The Govs are headed back in the tourney, beating Tennessee State to win the Ohio Valley Tournament Championship.

* Will Cinderella make another run? George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga hopes so. The Patriots made the Final Four just two years ago and will look to get back following last night’s win over William & Mary to clinch the Colonial Athletic Association title.

* Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder joined the guys. Snyder homered in today’s loss to the Royals.

* We were also joined by utility player Trot Nixon who is hoping to land a spot as a non-roster invitee this spring.

* Larry Fitzgerald has a new deal with Cards. G&A are happy this is done and behind them-although both wish this could have been hammered out a couple weeks ago when free-agency started. Ash is excited that the core returns. Gambo knows the schedule won’t be soft as it was last year.

Tomorrow: Another remote!

 
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The Suns: Consistently Inconsistent

Published on March 10, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

* The Gambo & Ash ’08 Spring Training Tour continues today from Hi Corbett Field in that place called Tucson.

* The Suns get a nice win over the Spurs thanks to tough defense down the stretch and the inspired play of Shaq Diesel. Gambo says Shaq is bringing more to the table than he expected when the trade was made and was impressed with the way the Suns closed out the Spurs. The guys are hesitant to say what exactly this win means because of the Suns inconsistent play against some of the worst teams in the NBA (see: Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow). G&A agree the Suns now match-up better with some teams (Spurs, Rockets, Mavs), but not others (Lakers, Warriors, Nuggets) after the trade.

* We were joined by Grizzlies’ rising star Rudy Gay. Gay scored 36 against the Suns last month in Memphis.

* Big news from Tucson. Lute Olson will return to the bench next season. Ash is reporting that current coach Kevin O’Neill will not return and AD Jim Livengood and assistant coach Miles Simon might not either. He is also hearing that Lute might be back for only one season and his good friend Mike Montgomery is waiting to take over. Gambo doesn’t like the idea of long-tenured coaches naming their predecessors. Ash likes the idea of Montgomery taking over, Gambo isn’t as sure. Both agree it is good for UofA and all of college basketball that Lute will return next season.

* Other big news from the ‘Ole Pueblo was Randy Johnson’s spring training debut this afternoon against Rockies at Hi Corbett Field. Unit lasted only 1 1/3 innings and gave up a 3-run shot to some guy named Chris Iannetta. G&A wonder how much Johnson will contribute this year, but know the D-backs have other options if he breaks down again.

* Johnny V. joined the guys to share what Randy said in his post-game presser and what the season might hold for the Big Unit.

* Is ASU on the tournament bubble? Gambo seems to think so.

Tomorrow: Soccer star Julie Fowdy, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, and Austin Peay head coach Dave Loos.

 
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Defense Wins Championships And The Suns Aren’t Playing Defense…

Published on March 6, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down today on G&A…

* The Suns’ daily soap opera continued last night in Denver with another blowout loss to a quality squad in the West. Mike D’Antoni’s team is playing ZERO defense and G&A are irritated about it. Gambo thinks Shaq hasn’t really hurt, but certainly hasn’t significantly helped as was expected when the trade was made. G&A think it’s time for D’Antoni for give DJ Strawberry some minutes. Both agree the Suns miss Shawn Marion’s defense. Big weekend ahead with home games against the Jazz and Spurs.

* New Sun Gordan Giricek joined the guys. G2 said he’s happy to be in Phoenix and thinks the Suns can get their act together before the playoffs.

* Cards’ quarterback Kurt Warner checked in to discuss his pending future with the Red Birds. Rod Graves is looking to re-structure his deal to give the club some salary cap flexibility. Warner says he wants to stay in Arizona and be the starting quarterback as long as the deal is fair. Stay tuned…

* Mel Kiper has the Cards drafting USC linebacker Keith Rivers with their first pick. Is linebacker that big a priority? G&A discussed and we took calls. The guys also debated about what might happen with Larry Fitzgerald before training camp starts.

* ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler checked in for his weekly segment. Legs thinks the Suns are in serious trouble because of their defensive shortcomings. He also shared his thoughts on LeBron James’ 50-point outburst last night at MSG against the hapless Knicks. ESPN projected that LBJ is on pace to break Kareem’s all-time scoring record by his mid-30’s.

* G&A are simply amazed at LeBron’s greatness and total dominance at such a young age. We took calls on who listeners think dominated their sports at a young age like LeBron has.

Tomorrow: Jazz lead assistant coach and former Sun Tyrone Corbin

 
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A Moment Of Silence For Dungeons and Dragons Fans

Published on March 5, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down today on G&A…

* G&A held a brief moment of silence in the opening segment for Doug Franz. Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax passed away yesterday at the age of 69. G&A know this is a tough day since Doug-leese is such a big D&D fan. Hang in there, our morning friend.

* The Suns got a nice win in Portland. G&A discussed. Gambo was impressed by Gordan Giricek and the defense he played in his limited minutes against the Blazers. Ash continues to wonder why D’Antoni doesn’t stretch out his bench like some of the best teams in the west (Spurs, Lakers, etc). Ash thinks Steve Kerr is keeping a close eye on the work of D’Antoni this season. Will coach Mike be back if the Suns exit the post-season early? Gambo thinks he will be, Ash isn’t so sure…

* ASU AD Lisa Love joined the show to discuss the Devils’ big weekend in the northwest starting tomorrow in Eugene against the Ducks.

* D-Backs’ GM Josh Byrnes joined the guys to talk some Cactus League baseball. D-backs have been impressed with the progress of Randy Johnson and Conor Jackson. Byrnes knows the NL West will be ultra-competitive this season.

* G&A discussed The Big Unit’s recent decision to fly to New York for an Eric Clapton concert. G&A wonder if this decision makes sense seeing all the back problems Unit’s had in the past. We took calls.

* We were also joined by Cornell head basketball coach Steve Donahue. The Big Red were the first team to qualify for March Madness from the Ivy League. They are perfect in league play and 20-5 overall.

* Speaking of the Ivy League, 1st year Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker is closing in on a top 25 recruiting class for next season. Other Ivy League schools wonder how it’s possible to get these blue chip prospects into Harvard. G&A agree. Is winning-at-all-costs the right thing for a prestigious institution like Harvard? We took calls.

* Former Cardinal, now New York Jet linebacker Calvin Pace joined the guys. Pace said he hoped to stay in Arizona and enjoyed becoming the player he is today under the Cards’ current coaching staff, but isn’t bitter towards the organization and feels the Jets’ system fits him well.

Tomorrow: Gordan Giricek & ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler

 
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The Cardinals Ponder Free Agency

Published on March 4, 2008 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A:

 

 

* Brett Favre is retiring. No, he really means it this time. If Favre truly is done, how does he rank all-time? G&A say Top 5, and most callers seemed to agree. Also like most, Gambo was baffled as to why Favre would call it career after the great year he and the Pack had last year. That’s if he’s really serious…

 

* The Cardinals are getting serious in free-agency: They’ve just signed Travis LaBoy!!!!! In all seriousness, G&A do like the signing and LaBoy joined the guys to talk about why he chose Arizona. And no, it’s wasn’t because they were the only ones who asked. (I think.) LaBoy also talked about his former teammate Pac Man Jones, whom he seemed to like. Ash liked the idea of Pac Man coming to the Cards for a small price, especially since the asking price for Larry Fitzgerald seems to be only Lito Sheppard and a 2nd Round pick. G&A wonder why Sheppard couldn’t be acquired in a separate deal, maybe for a 2nd round pick. Ash would like to see the Cards stay with their first round pick, so they could possibly draft a running back. Trading up could also be an option, since teams like Oakland may be looking to move away from paying top dollar for a somewhat substandard draft pool.

 

*Suns GM Steve Kerr joined the guys to talk about Gordon Giricek joining the team. Kerr says Giricek is the shooter they’ve been lacking all season, and doesn’t see why he shouldn’t play “15-20 minutes” a game. G&A think Coach Dantoni won’t have a problem getting Giricek some consistent minutes, unlike Jalen Rose and (as of late) DJ Strawberry and Brian Skinner. And the guys both see some potential fireworks between the 1st year GM and the Suns 4th year coach if the Shaq experiment continues to flounder.

 

 

 

Tomorrow:

Gordon Giricek

 

 
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