Scott Burrell

Courtesy of Inner-City Newspaper

The Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s basketball team has a record of 19-8, led by head coach and ex-UConn assistant Tom Moore. One of his assistants is Scott Burrell, one of the greatest athletes in Connecticut history. The 43-year-old Hamden native (born in New Haven) was a dominant three-sport athlete when he attended Hamden High School. At the end of high school he was drafted 26^th overall in the 1989 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. In an interview last year on adimeback.com, Burrell admits that he was very close to playing for Seattle. He signed a deal, but Seattle did not want him to attend college. Burrell was adamantly opposed to this, but his almost did not attend UConn. He was fully prepared to play football and baseball at Miami (FL), but UConn assistant Howie Dickenman (current head coach at CCSU) worked restlessly to convince him to play basketball at UConn. He was drafted again by the MLB after his freshman year at UConn when the Blue Jays selected him in the fifth round. Despite playing minor league baseball for Toronto for a couple summers, he began to develop his basketball skills. He compiled 1562 career points, becoming the first to do so. He is known for throwing a 90-foot pass to Tate George, who hit the legendary buzzer beater against Clemson to go to their first Elite Eight in 1990.

In 1993, he was drafted 20^th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993 NBA Draft. This made him the only person to be drafted in the first round in two major sports, a title he still holds today. Though he only averaged 4.8 ppg as a rookie, he took a huge leap when he averaged 11.5 the next year. He finished third in Most Improved Player voting. He suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, and then he suffered a shoulder injury 20 games into his comeback. His role was severely diminished, and this would be the case the rest of his career. He ended up bouncing around the last four years of his career, including a championship with the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls and a return to Charlotte in 2000-01. He had various stops overseas before officially ending his playing career in 2006. Immediately after his retirement, he took his current job as assistant coach at Quinnipiac. Though this is not a storybook ending, Burrell is content with the job. He loves being back home, he likes the facilities, and he respects coach Moore for his experience. Burrell earned his Bachelors degree in General Studies from the UConn in May 2010. He may pursue greener pastures at some point, but he is happy at the moment.

Super Bowl XLVIII Prediction

Hello Internet. I am finally crawling out of my cave after seeing the Seahawks beat my 49ers in the NFC Championship game, but that's a story for a different day. Today is about Peyton Manning and the Seattle defense. That's pretty much it. Weather has been an annoyingly extensive topic of conversation, but thankfully snow is not on the radar. This clearly favors Manning, who throws so well that the Madden video game franchise should change its name to Manning. The league MVP threw for 5,477 yards, 55 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. With the forecast showing 40^o, I expect to see offense prevail. The plethora of offensive weapons the Broncos have is all-time great. Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas make plays all over the field, and Knowshon Moreno anchors a solid run game. 

Seattle’s defense has playmakers everywhere, but they have not faced an offense with this kind of firepower. The secondary, featuring Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, is one of the longest and most physical we have ever seen. The instincts Sherman showed on his deflection to end the Championship game were unbelievable, which is why it is a shame that he lacked class afterward. The great secondary tends to overshadow the bruising front seven, starring Bruce Irvin, Brandon Mebane, Bobby Wagner, and Red Bryant. 

Seattle has a very effective offense, but I do not think it is capable of carrying the defense if Peyton takes off. Clock control gives them the best chance to win, making Marshawn Lynch the most important player in the game. He has always been a very good running back going back to his Buffalo days, but he has found a home in Seattle. His rumbling style and endless motor makes him someone who willingly carries the load anytime. Russell Wilson is the best decision maker of all the young quarterbacks in the league, but he still has physical limitations. Though being short quarterback is not impossible, it can be a disadvantage when guys have to scramble around to see over the line every time. I see this happen with Wilson frequently, but he is quick and decisive enough to turn these plays into positive yards. He also does not have the strongest arm or the best weapons to throw to. He will not make mistakes, but a lot must go right for Seattle to win. 

Denver does not have a great defense, but it has seen a resurgence in the playoffs. CT native Terrance Knighton has stepped up at defensive tackle, and the secondary has vastly improved too. One of the most underrated stories of the game is Broncos CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was a reject in Philly after being traded there from Arizona for Kevin Kolb. Denver’s defense is still not top flight, but it does not have to be with their offense. 

Peyton will not have the best game by his standards, but the run game will be efficient enough to catch Seattle off guard. I would not be surprised if Manning throws an early interception or two, but he will buck tradition and play well at the end. Seattle’s defense does not like to disguise coverage, believing that it is unnecessary due to their talent. This is usually true, but I believe Manning will figure them out eventually. 

Seattle’s offense will play like they normally do, but it is up to their receivers to make plays in crunch time. Since I think they will run most of the game, Denver will stop the run better as the game progresses. Seattle’s receiving core is decent, but no one is a star. Golden Tate has been a far better NFL player than I expected, but he is no speed demon. Percy Harvin could have an impact, but I doubt it. If Denver can do a decent job of stopping the run, they will walk away with the trophy. Denver wins 34-24.

Photos from bleacherreport.com