Before the mailman gets here ...

Up early trying to wrap up the mailbag -- man, you ladies and germs are prolific -- have a couple items to get out of the way.

In a shameless plug (where have I heard that before? What a catchy phrase) for old friend Mike Katz, I'd be remiss if I didn't pass on the big weekend schedule for his U of T Blues.

(Actually, he wrote and asked to mention it, so I am).

Katz's Kats, a surprising 8-2 in league play, get unbeaten Carleton (10-0) and Ottawa (9-1) on back-to-back nights at home starting tonight. So, if you've got nothing to do, and who does a Friday-Saturday in Toronto? -- I'd suggest stopping by the gym and checking them out.

We don't do enough for CIS basketball, this is a good way to start.

Besides, in the Carleton gig, you have the wildly interesting matchup for former (Katz) and current (Dave Smart) national team assistants.

Winner gets a "framed commemorative piece."

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And Petro must hate me. Dude asked me days ago for my five "Pet Peeves" about the Raptors. I believe his were Bargnani, Bargnani, Bargnani, Bargnani and the outlandish price of beer at the Air Canada Centre.

Here's the problem: Unlike all of fanatics out there, I'm not overly concerned about Bargnani defending or Moon not driving or whether Roko Ukic will average 25 and 15 next year or be a bust and average 17 and 8.

I'm just a worker bee, I don't live and die with wins and losses.

But here goes anyway:

1. Night games (deadline horror).

2. Close night games (deadline horror squared).

3. No Oak, no zany quotes.

4. That dreadful March trip coming up (travel horror).

5. They don't serve meat loaf and scalloped potatoes (we pay) in the press room often enough.

Guess that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

Okay, now back to your cards and letters.

Be back soon with the mail.

Comments

[Jacques LeBlanc]

Doug,

Any chance BC would consider hiring Oakley on a staffing role? I think with him around and working with Bargnani, that might help him get a little tougher. Also, I like Bargnani. I think Sam should let Bargnani play his type of game like he did last year. We know he can drive to the basket, lets get his confidence back by running plays for him behind the arce, that's his game.

Blogger's note: Can you imagine Oak and Sam on the same staff? A reporter's delight. But Oak's got his own life going on and isn't interested in being an assistant coach.

[voislav]

What no Sam Mitchell throat infection there? Although I'm not sure that would even slow him down

[Nik Wood]

I had a chance to watch two Carleton games this past weekend and cover them for the Carleton paper. I second your statement that not enough is done for CIS sports which is a shame. I would add that anyone who actually loves the sport of basketball would be giving themselves a treat by going and watching these excellent teams play. Go Ravens!