Fin

So there are folks like @rushthecourt and @ballinisahabit who have been covering college hoops proficiently and professionally. I have been honored to call them along with several others "blog mates" even though I'm not as technically knowledgeable and my modus operandi has always been to be as stupid silly as possible when talking about basketball. I remember during Bracket Busters week many years ago I was watching the Memphis/Louisville game. All Darius Washington had to do is make his foul shots and the Tigers would be in the Tournament. When Washington missed his final shot and broke down on the court I wanted to talk to someone, anyone about it. That got me started blogging. A few years later I approached some bloggers to do a weekly blogpoll. I only expected about 5 of them to participate but imagine my surprise when over 20 bloggers signed up. Then advertisers started e-mailing and began PAYING me for my blog. Then other bloggers began asking me questions and inviting me out to events. Then With Leather mentioned me, then Sports Illustrated came calling... Those were the heydays of my blogging experience and I thought (and wished) that it would never end.

Well, I guess all things good and bad do come to an end. So it is with some sadness I announce that I will not be continuing this endeavor going forward. There are a few reasons for this:

1) Work. For those who don't know I work in the Finance/Investment arena and the way the market has been and with my new responsibilities of managing even more money my work life has become all consuming.

2) 11 month old son. He's been kicking my ass. The time I do not spend at work is devoted to him. We can always sit down and watch college hoops but there is a big difference between watching and writing. As soon as my laptop is out he takes it and jumps on it. I don't know how other bloggers with kids can do it.

3) General malaise. I just don't have the same passion to write anymore, probably due to the first two issues.

So what I found out is that Twitter is more convenient for me to comment on basketball (or football or politics or cooking). That is where I will be found from now on. I may post here occasionally but don't expect it.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me throughout the years, like my West Coast posse! It's been real, it's been fun. And...

GO AZTECS

ESPN Releases College Basketball Schedule

Oh yes, we are getting closer and closer to the start of college hoops, citizens. Behold the power of the 2011-2012 TV schedule!

The one thing we immediately zoomed in on was this...

Baylor is returning some strong ballers (Scott Drew, Quincy Miller). And don't forget Perry Jones who easily compares to Kawhi Leonard. This will be a "show me" game for all the doubters who think the Aztecs will fall off this season.

We're one of them.

So in 30 days it'll be time to buckle up. Also, that is when we will start posting on a more regular basis. But in the meantime, who else is excited about the Alabama/LSU football game on November 5th?

Coach of the Year!

San Diego State's Steve Fisher has been named the 2011 Naismith Men's Basketball College Coach of the Year. Thank you for a wonderful season we will be telling our children about for years to come.

Go Aztecs!

Mmmmm, salty tears

Would you like a little sobbing with your lunch?

Central Missouri women's coach Dave Slifer requested that referees waive a technical foul in order for injured opposing player Cassie Hunt to score in her last game ever.

Five year old boy breaks down after realizing that he will never see Michigan State's seniors play in East Lansing again.

Seniors, man. We'll miss them. Especially in San Diego.

(HT: The Dagger)

Not so fast my friend

San Diego St. 87 - New Mexico 77

This was a dream come true. We played our mythical complete game when it mattered the most. We actually were fantastic in rebounds, free throws, field goals and especially lights out three point shooting! Kawhi Leonard kept us in the game until he fouled out with 2 minutes left in the second half. New Mexico fans were so angry they were screaming at Leonard to declare for the NBA Draft after this season. D.J. Gay turned into an arc roaming monster sinking 11 three point shots.

So, did we mention we were unstoppable from the three point line? We did? Oh. But did we show you? It was quite breathtaking...



Today we really looked like an elite team for the first time.

About last night, part two

SDSU 71 - Utah 62 (final)

Ok. Better. After our near heart attack earlier we got our mojo going with better free throw and three point shots. And only one turnover compared to 10 in the first half. We don't like the fact that we are a second half team. We need to be complete. But it is what it is and we'll take it. Kawhi Leonard had flashes of John Wall with that quick step he has to the inside. D.J. Gay hit a couple of critical 3 point shots late to salt the game. And we feasted off of rebounds, offensive and defensive. We are still a little nervous that Utah gave us this scare. Now comes UNLV.

Post game notes - SDSU/St. Mary's

After taking over San Diego State's basketball program in 1999, Steve Fisher would walk across campus giving away tickets. The days of freebies are long gone. From his office window, Fisher saw a steady line of fans at the box office all Wednesday afternoon.

"Now we're a hot ticket," Fisher said Wednesday night after the undefeated and 17th-ranked Aztecs beat Saint Mary's 69-55 night in front of a sellout crowd of 12,414 at Viejas Arena.

The Aztecs prepped for this game by watching film and talking about their worst loss of last season, 80-58 at Saint Mary's in the second game.

March to Madness has obtained an exclusive video of those sessions with the Aztec team (the method to Fisher's madness shown at the 53 second mark).

Well it looks like it worked! Keep up the good work, coach.

We do feel bad for the Gaels only because they had to play 21st ranked BYU and then turn right around and play 17th ranked SDSU. That's like a minor murderer's row but it will help them a little on the RPI front and experience wise. We think.

Phew!

So... We made it out alive. Four road games. Four wins. All in one week. Capped off by fans screaming at their team to "Get the ball inside once!"

Welcome home, gents.

We're halfway there...

Hit it, Natalie...

(San Diego State has) all five starters returning from a 25-9 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament as well as the addition of a well-regarded group of freshmen and transfers. Already, SDSU has been included in several preseason Top 25 rankings. The university’s media relations department is calling it "the most anticipated season in Aztec basketball history."
- Sign On San Diego

From mainstream pundits like Katz and Vitale to bloggers like Collegehoops, almost everyone has the Aztecs ranked as one of the top 25 teams in the country. Even stalwarts such as the Associated Press Content has SDSU ranked at least a tad bit outside the top 25.

With their first ever national network prime time TV game on February 26th, 2011 these are heady days for the Aztecs.

We here at M2M have a new lease on life and a new mantra; We will not take failure. Not this time. Fuck you, failure.

We will also have a new addition to the M2M family. That's right, baby M2M. He should be screaming his way from Mrs. M2M's insides around mid December. Just in time for... SDSU vs. Wichita State? Yikes. Sorry kid.

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A proper goodbye...

No, this blog is not going away. You wish.

But I did. It's Gabby, one part of the writing crew here at M2M. And no, I'm not going away from this blog either. I just left the place where I founded this blog.

Ok, see I have lived in Los Angeles for about 20 years. And because of job stuff I find myself here in Richmond, VA with Mrs. M2M. Not a huge shock for me because I was born in Hampton, VA which is about 80 miles from Richmond. So I know what to expect from the area. I was reading the awesome Snarkastic and she just moved from LA too and her post inspired me to do a similar post. Because I have no original thoughts of my own. So, here are the things I will miss the most being away from the city of angels...


1) Sunset Blvd.

This is where I first started partying at 18 years old. And this is where I had my last big night out with my friends 20 years later, eventually ending the night at Toi Thai. The restaurant that is so popular they need a doorman as well as a hostess. The choices between bars, restaurants and clubs still boggle my mind. But my fav was...

2) Red Rock

Don't tell Mrs. M2M but this was the place I probably met the most ladies at when I was single. I use to go here BY MYSELF before I knew anyone in the area. Oh, and the food is kind of good too.


3) The Arclight (formerly known as the Cinerama Dome)

Where else can you have a three star dinner, get liquored up, stumble a couple of feet and see a synapse-melting blockbuster movie on a two story high screen all in one building? That place.

4) Club Violaine. The Mayflower restaurant afterward. Locals hangout. Enough said.

5) 3.5 Hour drive to Las Vegas.

6) Elegance has a name and it is Takami. If the sashimi doesn't blow you away, the view will. I'm starting to weep a little.

It's been fun Los Angeles, but now it is time for me to settle down. Get in that good southern country living. Taking it slow.

Basketball in two months, people!

And we're out

Take a bow guys. Good job today to all the winners.



And to all the losers? You will burn in hell for your sins...

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And we're up and running

So besides doing this blog we are also doing the Reporters Notebook for SI.com. So catch us there Monday through Friday as well.

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Happy Friday.

You like us, you really really like us!

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Good night.