SB Nation User Blog: Mike Rutherford

T-Will being T-Will in Jersey

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:46:39 -0000

I miss him already.

Terrence Williams was introduced as the newest New Jersey Net during a press conference in East Rutherford this afternoon. He addressed the local media for the first time in a manner that should surprise no one reading this.

Nearly seven minutes into the Friday press conference at the Nets Practice Facility in East Rutherford, following statements from Team President Rod Thorn, General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe and Head Coach Lawrence Frank, who introduced Terrence Williams as the newest Net, his turn had finally come. Head angled sideways and slightly up, Williams listened to Nets vice president of public relations Gary Sussman as the executive prompted Williams to discuss his excitement.
Reorienting his focus to the microphone in front of him, Williams paused for a beat. Then another. He separated his folded hands, placing palms flat upon the table as he hunched slightly toward the mike.

"… Hello," Williams said, breaking into a wide smile as he leaned back. Laughs rolled through the room, and it became apparent that if the Louisville product’s timing is as good on-court as it can be in a quip, the Nets will have aced the 11th pick. Williams continued:

"I would like to say to the staff here, thanks for believing in me and the new direction that you’re trying to go in, and drafting me No. 11. A lot of people thought I was going to go somewhere else, but I felt when I first met them, when I went to lunch with them, I would like to be here because they’re straight shooters, like Coach (Rick) Pitino. This is a great situation for me, and so I’d like to really thank them for making that call to David Stern and saying, ‘This is who we want,’ and it happened to be me. I want to start off by saying I really appreciate that from you guys.

"To everybody else: I know there are things that I need to work on. With my hard work and dedication to playing basketball, I will work on those things. I’m not coming here trying to be something I’m not, I’m coming here to try and help win games and listen to the coaching staff. I’m excited to be a New Jersey Net."

With Raefer Alston recently being traded to the Nets, T-Will also stated that he is making the switch from his familiar No. 1 to No. 8.

He closed the PC with a semi-NBA T-Willism.

And Williams’ good humor and dynamic personality will likely help to keep the locker room loose. Always one to put pen to page as an outlet, when it came time to choose a major at Louisville, Williams almost opted for creative writing rather than communications.

"I can write about anything," Williams claimed. "I was going to do that in school, but their creative writing was more structured writing -- it wasn’t creative, so I didn’t want to do that. But I like to write short stories, poems. So if you ever get into an argument with your girlfriend, I can write a love poem for you."

And a single tear rolls down the author's face.

Woodny Turenne standing out in Chicago

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:43:17 -0000

Woodny Turenne standing out in Chicago

Good for him.

Woodny Turenne-- Another undrafted free agent making the most of his opportunities, Turenne has displayed some impressive athleticism and toughness. Although he's behind Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher and Zack Bowman, he's put some pressure on Trumaine McBride, D.J. Moore and Marcus Hamilton for the fourth cornerback slot. Even if he doesn't make the final 53-man roster, Turenne appears an ideal candidate for the practice squad, a nice honor for any undrafted rookie.

And from Scout:

CB Woodny Turenne

One of the few non-roster invitees at rookie minicamp to get noticed by the coaching staff, Turenne continues to command attention during the offseason program. The former Louisville Cardinal has been seeing some time with the second-team defense during OTAs, and he's made more plays than veterans like Trumaine McBride and Marcus Hamilton. He's no threat to make a jump to the 53-man roster right away, but he's built like a Cover-2 corner at 6-1 and 182 pounds and plays very hard.

If Charles Tillman needs to be moved to safety one day and Nathan Vasher can't recapture the magic he showed earlier in his career, Turenne may be a contributor down the road.

Louisville finishes year 32nd in Director's Cup standings

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:38:42 -0000

Louisville finishes year 32nd in Director's Cup standings

The University of Kentucky, if you happen to be interested, finished 34th. Thirty-second, if you happen to be interested, is better than 34th.

Stanford finished first for the 257th straight time.

Because we're rapidly approaching the point where we can't act like this isn't going to happen.

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:15:05 -0000

Because we're rapidly approaching the point where we can't act like this isn't going to happen.

Samardo Samuels spending the summer leading Team Jamaica in the CBC

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:42:49 -0000

The other four starters? You guessed it: Derice Bannock, Sanka Coffie, Junior Bevil and Yul Brenner.

Samardo Samuels scored a game-high 21 points to lead Team Jamaica to an impressive 107-56 win over a select NBL All-Stars team in the second game of their two-match practice series at the National Arena last Friday.

Andre Smith followed with 18 points and Kimani Friend with 11. Christopher Walker was the top-scorer for the NBL select team with 18 points.

The game drew the curtains in the team's one-week training camp in preparation for the June 30 to July 4 Caricom Basketball Championship (CBC) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Team Jamaica also defeated the NBL side, 96-57, in the first game at the same venue on Tuesday.

The team also boasts Big East standouts Weyinmi Efejuku (Providence) and Mike Coburn (Rutgers), a pair of talented young players whose Jamaicanicity was learned by Mike Rutherford just moments ago.

And you're not the only one to get excited about that, I think the fans here have an extreme case of Jamaican fever.

Al, so do I.

Oh no, no, no, no...so do WE.

Rent Cool Runnings and start reading the blog again.

Bengals waive Urrutia

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:05:47 -0000

Bengals waive Urrutia

This makes me sad.

Tight end Matt Sherry from Villanova, receiver Mario Urrutia from Louisville, quarterback Billy Farris from Colorado State and long snapper James Smith from Florida were waived.

Sherry was a sixth-round pick last year and spent the entire season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Urrutia was a seventh-round pick last year and spent the season on the practice squad. Farris and Smith were signed as free agents after the April draft.

Kragthorpe signs JuCo safety

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:57:57 -0000

Kragthorpe signs JuCo safety

Welcome aboard, Terence Simien.

The 6-3, 200 lbs. safety out of San Mateo (Calif.) Community College picked the Cards over Indiana.

Rick Pitino types stuff

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:57:32 -0000

In the midst of what has likely been the most peculiar offseason of his coaching career, Rick Pitino took to the Internet today to answer some pressing - basketball-related - questions.

Here's a teaser:

Starting five for next year?

Edgar Sosa at the point. He will have a banner senior year. It takes certain players longer to mature than others.

Jerry Smith - We need him in shape ready to play and lead. Mr. Consistent will also have a terrific senior year.

?? Your guess is as good as anyone.

Reggie Delk must develop a more dedicated work ethic. Great person. Has to make the gym and weight room his second home.

Jared Swopshire. MDP on the team (Most Dedicated Player). Has an unbelievable work ethic. Will battle for time at both three and four.

Samardo Samuels- People would be surprised at how good a face up shooter he is from seventeen feet. Trying out for Jamaican National team.

Terrence Jennings- The sky’s the limit to how good he can be. With a Swopshire work ethic -- look out. Let’s hope he develops that desire.

Peyton Siva - Will see plenty of action as a freshman.

Preston Knowles - Is the best sixth man in the country (Ed. Note: boner).

Mike Marra - Must get stronger and quicker, but his jumper and range are outstanding.

Rakeem Buckles - “Rock” – Reminds me of Otis George. Will need time to mature physically. But has the desire to become a good player.

Stephen Van Treese - Tough young man who will not back down from contact of the BIG EAST. We will work hard to develop his low post game.

Kyle Kuric - Great in the weight room. Just has to work on his ball handling and spend more time in the gym. But he has the potential to be a very effective player.

George Goode - Helped us last year. Terrific person who has a difficult time with his conditioning. We have to monitor his diet to get his body fat under eight.

Hmmm, "Rock Buckles." It's about a 50/50 split between porn name and action name. Either way, welcome to the club my man.

Jodie Meeks staying in the draft

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:11:16 -0000

Jodie Meeks staying in the draft

A likeable guy and a hell of a player...good riddance.

Ralph Willard coming to assist Pitino, not take over

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:11:31 -0000

Ralph Willard coming to assist Pitino, not take over

Comforting stuff from Bozich:

Willard was not fired by Holy Cross. He could have stayed forever. But Willard said the challenges of mid-major coaching had become more daunting. He has survived prostate cancer and open-heart surgery. Willard and Pitino have debated this move nearly every summer.

"We've always talked about doing something special," Willard said. "Now is the time to do it."