Gators In , Raptors Out

The NCAA 2005 basketball champions , University Of Florida Gators played 2 games against local Brock University Badgers and totally demolished the latter . In their 1st game played Sept.2 the Badgers scored 51 points against the Joaquim Noah led cagers' 107. Badgers coach Murray's goals were ' to hold the Gators below 100 pts. while averaging 75 pts. ' Tickets which were sold at Cdn. $ 20 at maximum 4 per person were gobbled by fans eager to see American style college ball . Gators coach Billy Donovan said ' that they don't talk about repeating as NCAA champs . All we can do is prepare ourselves '. I was able to watched this game and was totally impressed by Noah . He is very nimble and energetic like the Cavs' Varejao . In their blue and red shirt , JN looks like a thinner version of the Brazilian center/forward except for his ponytail. Had he come out for this year's draft , Noah would have been no.1 pick !
That's a welcome happening for Niagara based basketball fans including this writer. However , the news is that the Toronto Raptors opted to hold their pre season this year somewhere else instead of at Brock University like the last 2 years with GM Rob Babcock . Although the Raptors practices under Babcock were closed door ones, at least at the last day , they held intra team scrimmage open to the public . I guess the team Management want a change of venue to go with the team's overhaul. Not to mention their luck at the Niagara Casino !






Babcock : Unlucky in poker,
unlucky in basketball !