New Year, New Boilermakings

It has been awhile since I have done a Boilermakings here, but there is plenty of good news to share as we enter the New Year. As a related note, there will probably be a slight increase n content over the next few days. I am currently unemployed again, so I'll be here making updates in order to keep my sanity. Let's get it started.  

Kory Sheets makes NFL debut - It was only one carry for five yards, but Kory finally got in a game and got his hands on the ball for the Dolphins. Not bad for a season that started without even being drafted. Hopefully he stays in Miami's plans, as they are a run-heavy offense.

Bernard Pollard gets second NFL TD - I just saw this on the Football Night in America show, as Pollard recovered a fumble for a touchdown and had a critical interception. Houston now needs a Jets loss tonight to get in the playoffs, and Pollard would have a very large hand in that. He had a 70-yard pick six against Seattle a few weeks ago.

Women's basketball beats IU - This victory assures that all four trophies (The Bucket, Golden Boot, Golden Spike, and Barn Burner Trophy) in the IU-Purdue rivalry across all sports will reside in West Lafayette for a year. The Lady Boilers will host #3 Notre Dame Monday night on ESPN2 at 7pm.

Mackey Arena renovation seriously taking shape - Since Friday was the first game I got to really see everything this season, I can finally attest to this. It seems like the Mackey renovation has shifted into a new gear as everything around the arena seems to be under construction. I'm sure we'll really start to notice a difference next fall. As a suggestion, can we remove about one labeled seat from each row please? Friday was one of the tightest games I have ever been at in my seats. Just a little under two years to go.

Future Boilers get a chance to play at Mackey - Several of our commitments were on hand at Mackey yesterday to play in the Super Hoops New Year Classic. Donnie Hale had 14 but New Albany suffered their first loss of the season against a very good Zionsville squad 62-54. Terone Johnson had 13 points as North Central thrashed LaPorte 92-52. Target D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, just a sophomore, had 25 for the Panthers. Robbie Hummel's former team, Valparaiso, fell to Carmel 65-62 in the event.

Not to be forgotten - Here is a nice article from the Journal & Courier on Danville's Travis Carroll. I have got to see this kid sometime this year.

One more recruiting note - Anthony Johnson was recently ESPNChicago's Prep Athlete of the Week.

The media is starting to respect -Andy Katz has a nice article about the win over West Virginia. I really like Katz. He is one of the more knowledgeable writers out there. Ray Glier of the New York Times is starting to respect as well. Purdue Pete over at the Purdue Basketball blog has some more solid links. Credit to him as well for the NYT link.

The Only Colors provides a pre-conference All-Big Ten team - Hummel and JJ are second team selections. E'Twaun is an honorable mention selection. I have a hard time seeing Creek and Turner on the final list officially, but Turner has a shot if he returns and plays well.

Jeremy Eddington decommits - As per GBI, he has jumped back to Rice. That means we will see him during the 2011 season when we play them in Houston. I'm not too surprised by this. it sounds like he wanted to play offense and play immediately. That opportunity was not going to be there for him at Purdue.