In lieu of the 2015 National Spelling Bee, if you think I spelled “block” incorrectly above you may need a geography lesson…
Jesus Shuttlesworth look at all those shoes!
In a tournament full of star power and prolific scorers, Jerome Dyson led them all. Dyson’s 54 combined tournament points led #4 Sassari to its second consecutive Italian Cup, including 27 in a championship win over #1 seed Milan. The Italian Cup is a professional basketball competition between the top 8 pro clubs from the Italian Basketball League. The winner of the Italian Cup then plays the league winner in a single game to determine the winner of the Italian Supercup. It is the NCAA equivalent to the winner of the conference tournament, facing off with the winner of conference play, to determine an ultimate champion.
In a highly entertaining game featuring multiple former Big East stars- Dyson, Edgar Sosa (Louisville), Rakim Sanders (BC/Fairfield) and eventual MVP David Logan (Indianapolis) got the best of the Euroleague team from Milan boasting MarShon Brooks (Providence), Samardo Samuels (Louisville) and Daniel Hackett (USC) behind 14 three-pointers. In a game of runs, Brooks (18 points) sparked a furious comeback in the final minutes, but it was not enough to unseat the defending champions. In typical Dyson fashion, Rome sliced and diced his way to the free throw line 16 times- more than the entire Milan team! It helps, of course, when you can make shots like this…
Also, check out this cool behind the scenes look at the championship game below.
The Italian Cup win gives Sassari a chance at their second Italian Supercup- the first coming earlier this season with Dyson earning MVP honors. I have always wondered what could have been in 2009 had UConn not lost Dyson to injury…this certainly doesn’t help.
It’s impossible to repay Kemba Walker for what he gave UConn fans in the Spring of 2011. However, voting him into his first All Star game (a NYC homecoming at that) is a great way to start. Walker is averaging 30+ points in the midst of a 5 game win streak, including 28 points in just 28 minutes during last night’s blowout of the New York Knicks. In addition, Cardiac Kemba ALREADY has three game-winning buzzer-beaters on the young season. Kemba Walker deserves to be an All Star, here are the many ways to vote him in:
Tweet “Kemba Walker” with the hashtag #NBABallot, or, simply RT my tweet below. Might as well RT for Andre Drummond too while you are at it…
Post “Kemba Walker” with the hashtag #NBABallot:
Post an original photo with “Kemba Walker” and the hashtag #NBABallot.
Create an account and vote online here.
Vote by texting “Walker” to 69622 (MYNBA). Message and data rates apply.
Fans can cast up to 10 votes per day on each voting medium, but only one per player. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts must include the player’s first/last name AND the hashtag #NBABallot. Voting ends January 19, 2015 so let’s get to it…