"TD" MACHINE...IN BASKETBALL!! 

by Harry Cummins

     Oregon Ducks super-star Sabrina Ionescu registered her second "Triple-Double" of the young  basketball season Sunday as the Lady Ducks remained undefeated after 4 games of the 2018-19 campaign.  Ionescu, a 5'11" Junior, has now recorded an amazing NCAA career- record 12 Triple- Doubles and counting.  It is a feat on the hardwood that few players achieve even once in a career.

     With 5 players currently averaging in double figures in scoring, it's a good bet the high-flying Ducks are in a direct flight pattern leading to March Madness.  Oh, by the way, in case you haven't heard, Portland and the Moda Center, play host to the 2019 NCAA Division 1 Women's First and Second Round Regional this coming March 29-April 1. 

"What Are You Doing.... New Years Eve" 

by Harry Cummins

Northern Colorado's Big Sky basketball team is currently leading the NCAA in made 3-point baskets, hitting a robust 18 a game early this season.  Bears guard Trent Harris currently leads the nation, averaging 7.5 3's per contest. Trent and his teammates make an appearance at 2:05 pm on New Years Eve at the new Viking Pavilion in a Park Blocks showdown.  The early start time makes it an attractive event to circle on your holiday calendar.  

Craw's Corner will highlight this and many more coming sports attractions in the greater Portland area throughout the coming months.  Visit this site often.

Crawford’s Sports Biz 59 Seconds, 11/18/18

By Gregory Crawford @wchoops

Before you beat up on golf, ponder this. By the end of 2018, worldwide there will be over 150,000 golf tournaments played that give money to charity. These are both amateur and professional tournaments. Monies raised, over $3 billion. Hats off to all involved.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORES  by Harry Cummins

     Isaiah Woods is a 6'1" Junior Wide Receiver for the Portland State Vikings football team.  He played in just 3 games this past season.  He caught 5 balls all season, for a total of just 47 yards.  He never reached the end zone.   This is not a player one would expect to find featured as a cover subject in Sunday's edition of the New York Times Sports Section.

     If you happen to think, as we do at Craw's corner, that it's important to better humanize our athletes and the universal struggles they often grapple with in silence, go get a copy of this morning's Times, or find it on-line.  Right now!  

     This is both a journalistic and humanitarian touchdown, better than anything you will watch on this, an NFL Sunday.

     

    

     

PODIUM FINISH FOR PILOT MEN   by Harry Cummins

     The University of Portland Pilots placed 3rd today in the NCAA Division-1 Cross-Country National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin.

     Led by Frenchman  Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, who finished 21st overall in a time of 29:41, the Pilots placed 6 runners in the top 68. A field of 255 runners braved temperatures in the upper 20's during the 10K event.  Powerhouse programs Northern Arizona, and BYU, finished 1-2.

     Oregon's Jessica Hull finished 3rd in the 6K women's race in 19:50, just 8 seconds behind winner Dani Jones of Colorado, leading the Ducks to a 3rd place team finish as well.  Jones was the surprise winner of the women's 1500 meter race last May in Eugene at the Prefontaine Classic, running a lifetime best.

     Morgan McDonald of Wisconsin was the overall winner of the men's race, contested on his home turf in Madison.

     Congrats to coach Rob Conner and the Pilots on another great season of cross-country running on the Bluff!

 

 

Crawford’s Sports Biz 59 Seconds, 11/17/18

By Gregory Crawford @wchoops

Something to contemplate in world of sports business. On the college side to maximize revenue will we see more schools go independent in an attempt to leverage even a higher rate of return from broadcasting rights. The future will continue to be interesting.

Crawford’s Sports Biz 59 Seconds, 11/14/18

By Gregory Crawford @wchoops

Memphis, Portland, OKC and Sacramento are the four NBA cities never to host an NBA all-star game. The schocking part of the above is Portland. The 20-21 season will mark the Trail Blazers 50th anniversary in the league. For the record, Portland consistently is in the top 10 of seating capacity sold in the league and at one time held the record for North American sports teams for most consecutive sellouts.