Swept Away

Your Miami Hurricanes opened the 2012 season with a broom in hand as they swept the three-game series from Rutgers this weekend at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

Which led us to do some serious thinking about brooms.

So like any good journalist we did some research and here is what we found:

Bundles of sticks formed the earliest and most primitive types of brooms. Tree brush and branches were used in the United States for sweeping the ashes around cooking fires until Massachusetts farmer Levi Dickinson created the first corn broom in 1797. Dickinson's corn brooms were manufactured in 1810 using a foot-treadle broom making machine. After production of the corn broom, the whisk broom and the push brrom became other popular types of manufactured brooms and all three brooms are still used regularly, both commercially and residentially, today.

On Friday Eric "Easy E" Erickson was absolutely dominant in his return to the UM lineup as the Canes beat the Scarlet Knights (what kind of name is that?) by the score of 6-2 in the season opener.

We also found out that there are several kinds of brooms:

• Angled broom—designed to fit in most corners and nooks, the angled broom, with its synthetic bristles, is frequently chosen for the bulk of indoor work not covered by a vacuum cleaner.

• Corn broom—a simple corn broom cut straight across the bottom can handle rough surfaces, but is used by many all over the house.

• Whisk broom—made by wrapping the end of the bristles or adding a small handle, a whisk broom is usually a small, somewhat triangular corn broom with two rows of stitching across it, made to whisk dirt off of upholstery, carpets, and floors. Very small models made for transporting (in a car for example), may have a case that doubles as a dustpan.

• Push broom—if you have large areas to sweep indoors, you may want an indoor push broom, geared for the particular surface in that area.

On Saturday our very favorite pitcher for the Hurricanes (simply because we met his mother in Tallahassee and Gainesville last year) Eric "Bob Marley And The" Whaley took it to the Knights.

The Game would to extra innings before Rony "Not Seikaly" Rodriguez would blast a walk-off home run with two men on base to end the game in the 12th inning by the score of 4-1.

And we then realized that the fun was just beginning.  No seriously.

We learned that Seikaly was born in Beirut, Lebanon and at the age of 9, he moved from Beirut to Greece, where he spent the rest of his youth. Prior to playing basketball, he was a soccer player and accomplished track athlete. He was unable to attain Greek citizenship due to bureaucratic problems, but he later became a naturalized American citizen after attending college in the U.S. and playing in the NBA.

And like all of the players of his era, he also apparently wore uncomfortably short shorts while doing so.

And oh yeah, by the way, brooms by the way have a long history and even an evolutionary agenda:

A broom is a cleaning tool consisting of stiff fibers attached to, and roughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It is thus a variety of brush with a long handle. It is commonly used in combination with a dustpan. An old form of broom was the besom, which was made simply of twigs tied to a handle, and was relatively inefficient as a cleaning implement. Flat brooms, made of broom corn were invented by Shakers in the 19th century. Today, they are also commonly made with synthetic bristles. Another common type is the push broom, consisting of a wide brush with short bristles, to which a broomstick is attached at an angle.

On Sunday it was another slug fest as Miami 's starting pitcher, some guy who is commonly known as "B-Rad" around campus struggled but eventually kept the game close enough for the Canes to win 9-7 and send the Scarlet Knights home win-less and without their shields or swords (which we have no idea how they made it through the NSA security anyway).

But it was newcomer, BCC transfer and starting catcher Peter O'Brien that was the star of the day as he belted not one but two home runs and was just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

So what we now know is this:

• There are several types of brooms.
• Rony Seikaly was born in Beirut, lived in Greece and played for the Heat.
• Miami swept Rutgers this weekend.
• Peter O'Brien is good, really good.
• The Hurricanes are now 3-0 on the season.

Comments

[SOUP]

My girls picked going to the lady Canes hoops game over the Heat, so I got to see the ladies play firsthand today for the first time this season.

First, I've got to say this was quite the deal. The U offered a 1$ ticket for those purchased in advance, although a 3$ processing fee. However, getting 6 tix for 9$ is a steal to see the #6 team in the country, regardless of the fact that it was the ladies playing. Unfortunately, there were still quite a few empty seats. Those who showed were clearly diehards, and although with a bit of sloppy play the ladies showed some athleticism. The guards are clearly the class of the team, especially mixed in with Stroman being out for the season. FSU had two big girls who weren't too coordinated or quick, with one being really tall and thin and the other being really big all the way around. My main critique would be the tendency to pass it around the perimeter way too much without moving around inside and setting up more layups, etc., especially on a day like today when the refs were blowing the whistle if there was any hint of contact. Blowing a ten point lead from the 10 min. to the 5 min. mark of the second half wasn't impressive, but never letting FSU pull ahead after tying and showing good team speed with aggressive D from there never allowed FSU to do anything else the rest of the way.

For those who care, they play Duke (mild upset today by Maryland in Maryland) on 2/24. These three are the class of the ACC, with Miami having beaten Maryland twice already (last time barely and only in the last 2 min), Miami having only lost one time in the ACC (to UNC) and Duke at #5 (before today) having been undefeated in conference play (until today). At 5,6 and 7 rankings going into today, Duke likely to drop a notch and the U playing them in a few days, a win (on the road) would clinch top seed in the conference tnmt, and a win of the ACC tnmt. would likely clinch a #1 seed in the big dance, but this is getting way ahead. They really miss having more depth at forward with Stroman out. Also, I found it quite interesting that Miami beat Maryland a few weeks at Maryland, and Maryland moved up from 8 to 7 that week somehow. How does this happen?

Okay. I'm sure this was the longest post on women's hoops in the hx of the site, but since I attended and made a big deal of it to my two basketball playing girls, I figured I should update here.

Posted by: JCane | February 19, 2012 at 10:34 PM

AND A FIRST AT THAT!

[Q]

damn

[Q]

I have watched a couple of Mens BB games and the canes have vastly improved. The ACC in basketball is a major conference and to be 4th is something else. Even with a hobbling center in Reggie Johnson and gaurds actually playing in a system.

[Hassan]

Big Reg needs more surgery

[IraqiCane]

Great story Soup!

GO CANES!!!

[SOUP]

Big Reg needs more surgery

Posted by: Hassan | February 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM

Not a surprise. His knee was not right and swelling up all the time after games.

[SOUP]

Iraqi...it's the DEAD season so time to have some fun.

Old skool...U got something funny u wanna write about?

Hassan...how is your "assignment" coming along?

Who's got next?

[Felipe]

Sports writers rallying to a worthy cause for once, instead of circling their collective wagons to take down UM:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/17339967/edsalls-hypocrisy-showing-through-in-obrien-transfer-case

[j.w.]

Thanks, Soup, anohter good entertaining article.

[Texascane]

Golden must wake up every morning with a nightmare of that loss to Maryland...500 yards of offense for the Terps...4 turnovers for Miami- two for scores...Maryland punted one time in the game...

[raizecane]

Golden must wake up every morning with a nightmare of that loss to Maryland...500 yards of offense for the Terps...4 turnovers for Miami- two for scores...Maryland punted one time in the game...

Posted by: Texascane | February 20, 2012 at 10:59 AM

*******************************************

Remember, we were down many players for that game. Had we played Maryland towards the end of the season, we would have wiped the field with them.

[SOUP]

Greg Schiano’s lengthy search for a defensive coordinator finally ended with the Buccaneers hiring Bill Sheridan.

Sheridan spent the past two years as the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins and was hired by Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer in January to be a defensive assistant for the Buckeyes.

“Bill is a great teacher who brings a tremendous understanding of defensive football to the Buccaneers organization,” Schiano said in a release. “Over the last three decades, he has had the opportunity to work under some great head coaches like Bo Schembechler, Nick Saban, Lloyd Carr and Tom Coughlin. His experience and knowledge will be a great benefit to our defensive staff.

[CGNC]

LOL Ronny Seikaly - I haven't heard THAT name in ions!

[Texascane]

Raize...I understand, but the game was lost by the offense...they gave up 17 points without the defense being on the field...and the "O" was only down two players, Benjamin and Harris...10 penalties...

[herbieibis]

Yeah,
Just like we wiped the field with B.C. at the end of the year.

[Q]

Texas, but harris and benjamin until what a week or two were the prepared starters

[Ohio_Cane]

Lady Canes up to #5!!

[SOUP]

LINK TO LIVE CHAT TONIGHT AT 9 PM:

http://floridahsfootball.com/blog/?p=60

[SOUP]

Just like we wiped the field with B.C. at the end of the year.

Posted by: herbieibis | February 20, 2012 at 02:28 PM

U took the words right outta my mouth...

MEATLOAF

[JCane]

How 'bout them lady Canes. They have one home game left, next Sunday, vs. B.C. before the conference tnmt. It would be nice if they got a little fan support.

They are now at #5, with the same ACC teams being at 5,6 and 7, but in a different order (Mia, Maryland, and Duke now). However, they're still thought of as the next best group, which is why Duke stayed there, and none of this group of three being perceived up there with the top 4 (Baylor, Stanford, ND, and UConn). UM would have leapfrogged UConn, who lost last week and now has the same record, but UM is still not perceived to be in the same class as these top 4 schools, which could interfere with a #1 seed even if they win out, without one of these four getting upset along the way. Hard to argue with if one were to look up common opponents and see how they each fared vs. Georgetown.

I'd love to see more of how the men will do over the next few years when Coach L. gets some of his players in.

[Old Skool]

If you haven't seen it, here's one massively dumb FSU chick inviting Jerry Lin to her sorority ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QCYys449FA

[Hassan]

Been busy but will try to work on that story

[TheWhat]

" lost O'Brien and 23 other players with eligibility remaining. That's an entire recruiting class, gone. In one year."

That is an unbelievable amount of defections from players that had at least one more year left. I predict Stefon diggs transfers after one or two years.

[Six]

Old Skool - awesome video

I got caught up on the video of these 4 words though ...

Kate. Upton. Slow. Motion.

[elliott]

Remember, we were down many players for that game. Had we played Maryland towards the end of the season, we would have wiped the field with them.

Careful that team late in the season that you are referring to lost to Boston College. Truth is that team was no better than Maryland. Looking forward to see some transformations this off season. Players need to start holding more accountability and we need to find a QB before we can even think about winning games....

[canesteeler]

elliot you speak the Truth! Folks forgot about the stinker against BC! Soup entertaining article.

[j.w.]

Bad memories of tht BC game- hope I never see a Canes team play so disinterested in my lifetime.

[Old Skool]

Six
Yes, the Upton video is mesmerizing. There's a whole science project on the physics of force, mass and weight transfer waiting for the some ingenious high school student.

[Da U N Houston]

If you haven't seen it, here's one massively dumb FSU chick inviting Jerry Lin to her sorority ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QCYys449FA

Posted by: Old Skool | February 20, 2012 at 07:21 PM

I wonder how many brother's named Jeremy hit this chick back. Shoot my name ain't Jeremy but it can be....lol...lol.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste!

[SOUP]

Last year, UM vs FGCU in baseball:

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2011/04/war-of-the-birds-ibis-trumps-eagle-.html

[SOUP]

Skool...U talkin physics? Now U talking PHYSICS? PHYSICS!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Looking at the NFL Combine schedule, looks like QBs, WRs, and RBs work out on Sunday the 26th for those who want to see LM6 and Streeter and all those guys run the 40, run routes, etc.

[Old Skool]

Of course Soup

Kate Upton is quite a PHYSICal Specimen
She should be exhibit A for one of Newton's laws. That is one body in motion.

As for external forces ... I would gladly volunteer to act on it.

[SOUP]

1. That is one body in motion.

2. As for external forces ... I would gladly volunteer to act on it.

Posted by: Old Skool | February 21, 2012 at 10:27 AM

1. I got dizzy watching that video.

2. Take a number!

[SlingBlade]

That video was a gag against FSU. It was not a real FSU chick.

[Ohio_Cane]

Tim Reynolds - Interesting to see Donna Shalala is doing interviews with select outlets. Makes one wonder if NCAA/Shapiro news is coming

[Ohio_Cane]

*Off Topic*

For those who like demolition stuff, here's the local Fort Steuben bridge being demo'd this morning. 84 year old bridge.

It use to connect Steubenville, Ohio with Weirton, WV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jlFjwXXxUc&feature=player_embedded#!

[LB]

I remember that bridge.

[Ohio_Cane]

Great article on Shapiro investigation by New Times:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2012-02-23/news/nevin-shapiro-assistant-sean-allen-clears-canes-football/

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ From that article: "The NCAA has yet to rule on Shapiro's connections to the school, but without key testimony from Allen, little more than a bowl ban is likely. "There was truth in what Nevin told Yahoo," Allen says, "but it was blown way out of proportion."

[Ohio_Cane]

Dwayne Holiett recorded a 35" vertical jump today. 3" from the D-line record at UM.

Which begs the question, who was the D-lineman who jumped a UM record 38"?

[Hassan]

Allen Bailey

[Hassan]

Marcus Robinson too

[j.w.]

Tim Reynolds - Interesting to see Donna Shalala is doing interviews with select outlets. Makes one wonder if NCAA/Shapiro news is coming

Posted by: Ohio_Cane
I sZw speculation at another place that the NOA was coming soon- absolutely no idea if it is credible, but Tim Reynolds is generally on the ball with this info.

[j.w.]

saw^^^

[3G Cane]

If the NCAA was ready to wrap it up now, it could be they found very little actual factual evidence because I believe they started less than a year ago. I dont think UNC has heard yet and they started investigating them over a year and a half ago. Could be good news if they are ending soon. That rat's cheese had more holes than a wedge of swiss used for target practice.

[Ohio_Cane]

3G and JW, I agree.

Not to mention that article I posted from the New Times that came out today after Tim Reynolds said that.

[SOUP]

Dwayne Holiett recorded a 35" vertical jump today. 3" from the D-line record at UM.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 21, 2012 at 01:24 PM

That is no big deal.

That is only 30" more than what I just recorded in my back yard with no shoes on.

If I would have had shoes on then...

[SOUP]

I bet Olivier Vernon was up around a 35-38 inch vertical jump also?

[SOUP]

One thing I can tell U for a FACT about the UM investigation that made it go a LOT faster than the ones at OSU and UNC:

THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION BY UM.

That was NOT the case at UNC or OSU as U already know.