UMass Lowell senior Jeremy Dehner has cracked the top ten among the school's Division I defensemen in career scoring. With five points this season Dehner now has 63 career points, tying him for eighth on the career list with Scott Drevitch (1985-88). Next up for Dehner is Cleve Kinley (2003-07) with 64 points. Mike Nicholishen, who played for the River Hawks from 1994-98, is the top-scoring Division I defenseman with 99 points. The school's all-time leading scoring defenseman is Paul Lohnes, who amassed 167 points for the Division II ULowell Chiefs from 1978-82.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

UMass Lowell sophomore guard Kyle Caiola was named the Northeast-10 Conference's Player of the Week, while rookie Romeo Diaz earned Freshman of the Week honors on Monday.

Caiola tied a personal-best 26 points in Sunday's season-opener against Mercy, which the River Hawks won 110-72 at home. He had a double-double after dishing 11 assists on the afternoon, as well. Caiola went 10 for 11 from the floor, including a perfect 3 for 3 from behind the arc. He swiped four steals on the day, while committing zero turnovers. Caiola also grabbed three rebounds and went 3 for 4 from the free throw line in the game.

Diaz, making his collegiate debut, started the contest for the River Hawks and also tallied a double-double on the afternoon, with 21 points and 10 boards. He went 9 for 10 from the floor, had a pair of steals and assists.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Satisfying the need to vent while waiting for someone to explain the unexplainable:

-I bet that late Sunday night, the words "what the hell just happened" were texted more often than an American Idol contestant number in May.

The messages started flying back and forth on my cell phone the second Kevin Faulk was ruled down short of the first down marker and continued well beyond 1am, leading to a sleepless night and long day at work Monday.

I'm still waiting for one person to give a satisfactory reason why the decision to go for it on 4th and 2 from their own 28-yard line was a wise one. Oh, there've been a few Bill Belichick sycophants who've used convoluted statistics and percentages to justify the call, but anyone with a set of eyes and a shred common sense knows better. The risk simply wasn't worth it, as the final score would indicate.

The most telling thing: even the most loyal Belichick guys like Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi and Steve DeOssie very publicly blasted their former coach.

-The controversial ending overshadowed Tom Brady's phenomenal performance.

Tom Terrific looked the part Sunday night, finally answering the question "will the real Tom Brady ever come back?" Now if we could only figure out when those pesky aliens from another planet will return the real Bill Belichick.

I know he's a genius and all, but Belichick has made some truly baffling decisions at the worst possible times in the last two true big games he's coached. Besides Sunday night's brain freeze, the hooded one still hasn't provided a satisfactory answer as to why he went for it on 4th-and-16 instead of attempting a 48-yard field goal in the Giants Super Bowl.

-You want to know what I really think? I think the pendulum has swung completely to the other side.

It used to be Belichick and the Patriots were in Peyton Manning's head, forcing the Colts all-world QB into uncharacteristic bad decisions. Now it's the other way around, with the threat of Manning driving a team 70-yards to paydirt causing one of the greatest football minds of all-time to do something not even a coaching simpleton like Barry Switzer ever attempted.

-So where does this rank on the list of horrific Boston coaching decisions? I'd say somewhere near the top, right alongside:

1) Grady Little leaving Pedro in past 100-pitches in the 2003 ALCS
2) John McNamara not removing Buckner for defensive purposes in the '86 World Series
3) Don Zimmer starting petrified rookie Bobby Sprowl over Yankee killer Bill Lee in the fourth game of the infamous 1978 Boston Massacre
4) Darrell Johnson opting to use untested rookie Jim Burton in Game 7 of the '75 series against the Hall of Fame loaded roster of the Big Red Machine (Notice all the Red Sox related boneheaded moves on my list?)

I'd have to say Belichick's blunder might be worse, because he's better than that. The other four coaches were only living down to their expectations.

That's the view from here...how do you see things? What's your nominee for worst coaching decision in Boston history?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

For the first couple weeks of preseason, Romeo Diaz's performance didn't quite match the reputation he'd built up at Methuen High School. It begged the question: Wherefore art though Romeo?

Apparently, he was right there all along. He scored 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds in his first game in a UMass Lowell uniform.

"I didn't think it was going to be like this," Diaz said of his expectations for his first college game. "But it was just the flow of the game. Everyone was just working hard, and the game just came to me. I didn't do nothing special."

Well, the freshman made the most of his playing time as he replaced Max Kerman in the starting lineup for the River Hawks season opener. Kerman must sit out the first three games for disciplinary reasons.

"It's an opportunity," Diaz said. "He (coach Greg Herenda) said because Max is out (and) Ali is out its an opportunity for anyone to step up. I felt like it was my chance to step up."

Diaz didn't find out he'd be in the starting lineup until during the morning shoot around. He'd shown enough progress, particularly in the last three days to get the nod from Herenda.

"I'm not surprised that he played well," Herenda said. "The numbers that he got were fantastic. I hope we get them all the time. I'm not sure we're going to get 9-for-10 and 21 and 10, but he's got a chance to very good. He's a local young man that really plays hard, listens, and he deserves what he gets."

Diaz explained his recent surge as a matter of comfort, saying, "The first couple weeks of practice I hadn't been playing good. I just had to get comfortable. I started feeling comfortable in the past week and a half. I'm just letting my game come to me."

Defense still a work in progress: The River Hawks defense made not just strides but leaps and bounds from the first half to the second against Mercy.

Mavericks guard Hassan Powell repeatedly broke down defenders and was able to hit pull-up jump shots or get fouled and land on the free throw line (6-of-8). He scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half.

Mercy, a team which didn't shoot above 30 percent in two preseason games against Division 1 schools, shot 54 percent from the field in the first half. UML held opponents to 40.6 percent last season.

"I think for the opening game, the only thing I wasn't happy with was how they scored in the first half on individual one-on-one moves," UML head coach Greg Herenda said. "They beat us off the dribble and they made tough shots. But you have to give credit to Mercy. Mercy came in here and they were a much better team than they were last year."

The Mavericks were held to 32 percent shooting from the field in the second half.

Twin Towers look will wait: The River Hawks will have to wait to unveil their frontcourt combination of 6-foot-9 Ali Kanaan and 6-foot-7 Kingsley Onyechi. Kanaan sat out the opener after feeling a tweak in his shoulder during the week.

The senior center is expected to participate in practice soon, and he may be available for the Northeast-10 Conference opener against St. Michael's on Wednesday.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Thoughts to tide you over till the next installment in the NFL's version of Red Sox-Yankees:

-In this age of pro football parity, it's truly remarkable how many times the road to the Super Bowl has gone through New England and Indianapolis. In fact, you might as well add Pittsburgh and San Diego to the mix, because those four teams have dominated the AFC playoffs for the better part of a decade.

The two most dominant stars in this drama continue to be Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, the yin and yang of the NFL, if you will. While Ben Roethlisberger has interjected himself and his Steelers into the "quarterback/team of the decade" discussion, the sheer number of important games between the Patriots QB and his Colts counterpart has taken this rivalry a step above all others.

It seems every time Brady and Manning square off, the game either decides a Super Bowl berth or home field playoff advantage. This Sunday might be no exception.

-Is anyone else out there as sick and tired as I am of NFL receivers whining for pass interference calls after almost every incompletion? It's a wonder these guys don't suffer whiplash with the way they snap their neck around in the direction of the nearest ref as soon as the ball hits the turf, followed up by the flag tossing gesture with their hands.

Seriously guys...SHUT UP and let the officials do the officiating.

-There'll be a lot of talk this hot stove season about the Red Sox trading for either Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez or Mariners ace pitcher Felix Hernandez.

Don't get your hopes up. As former Sox GM Dan Duquette pointed out the other day, why would San Diego and Seattle trade already established stars who they still control financially for the foreseeable future?

-By the way, Duquette's son Dana is the starting QB for Acton-Boxboro's football squad. The senior has tossed 9-TD passes in 2009 in a Bill Maver offense that's generally very conservative.

Maver, by the way, will take his second crack at career victory #200 this Friday night when the Colonials host Newton South.

-Did you catch the video of New Mexico girls soccer player Elizabeth Lambert, video that made all the national morning news shows, never mind SportsCenter?

In a performance that would have made the Fabulous Moolah proud, Lambert tripped, kicked, elbowed and punched opposing players from Brigham Young University. She also violently yanked one poor girl to the ground by her pony tail.

A female hasn't left behind such a trail of destruction against a sports team since Toni Braxton went through the Jason Kidd-Jim Jackson-Jamal Mashburn Dallas Mavericks!

-Finally, a big shout out to Ms. Skrekas' 5th graders at the Stoklosa Middle School in Lowell for welcoming yours truly into the classroom last week. Good luck kids. And keep up the good work!

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

With the UMass Lowell men's basketball team set to take on UConn this Sunday, Northeast-10 Conference member Le Moyne went into the Carrier Dome and defeated Syracuse, 82-79, in an exhibition game on Tuesday night.

Reigning NE-10 Player of the Year Laurence Ekperigin scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Christopher Johnson made six 3-pointers and led the Dolphins with 22 points.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The Boston Celtics officially announced a multi-year contract extension for point guard Rajon Rondo tonight. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rondo, a 6'1" guard, is second in the NBA in assists per game (11.8) through four games this season. The former Kentucky Wildcat is also leading the NBA in steals (10). Rondo was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season.

Last spring, Rondo became the second Celtic to post three triple-doubles in a postseason joining Larry Bird when he posted three during the 1985-86 postseason. During the 2009 postseason, Rondo averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 41.2 minutes per game.

"I would like to thank the Celtics ownership, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, my teammates and the Celtics organization for all of their support over the years," Rondo said in a statement released by the team. "I would also like to thank my family, friends and fans. I'm ready to do everything I can to bring banner 18 to Boston."

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

In keeping with the spirit of Election Day, here are a few endorsements from the sports world (unlike Choice Voting, these aren't ranked in any particular order of preference or common sense):

1) The Boston Celtics could win this season in a landslide. They are good...scary good. Assuming relatively good health, the '95-'96 Chicago Bulls record of 72-wins in a season is in serious jeopardy.

2) Forget the traditional chant of "four more years." C's fans got an election eve bonus with Danny Ainge and Rajon Rondo voting to let the incredibly gifted point guard serve another five year term in Green.

Rather than sulk and pout over offseason criticism at his leadership skills and maturity, Rondo listened, learned and apparently did what was necessary to convince his bosses he was a keeper. While that might sound like a common sense way to act, it isn't always how things work out with spoiled young athletes these days.

3) Don't worry so much about the Bruins record this year. Early exit polling indicates they aren't going to win the Stanley Cup in 2009-10. They simply aren't built to do so yet, injuries or no injuries.

Pay closer attention instead to the won-lost ledger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently posses the NHL's worst record. Through the very shrewd Phil Kessel deal, the Black and Gold own the Leafs first pick in the next two drafts. The player or players to lead Boston back to the Promised Land could very well come from those two selections.

4) Even a critic like yours truly has to admit the honeymoon period of Brett Favre's term in Minnesota has gone better than expected. The last washed up athlete to be this adored in the Twin Cities was Jesse "The Governor" Ventura. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, that'll make the inevitable game-losing playoff interception that much harder to stomach.

5) As for another frequent target in this space, there's no backhanded compliment forthcoming for C.C. Sabbathia...just a legitimate admission that I was wrong. The hefty lefty not only does have the stuff to win in the playoffs, but he's done it on three days rest twice this playoff season. Not many starters are asked to that even once, never mind back to back times.

Sounds silly to say it, but New York's $161-million investment over seven years has already been worth every penny.

6) The MVC Large School runoff will be decided on a Friday the 13th...November 13th, to be exact, when Billerica travels to Lawrence to battle Central Catholic. The projection here: home field advantage gives head coach Chuck Adamopoulos and Central the edge. (Had the game been scheduled for "the 'Ric," Peter Flynn's Indians would be the choice)

7) The Small School votes won't be tallied till Turkey Day, when Dracut hosts Methuen in what would have been an intense matchup even without a playoff berth on the line. You have to hand it to Methuen head coach (and former Lowell High assistant) Pat Graham, who has his Rangers in serious contention despite returning only six starters. That said, Dracut's experience, plus the revenge factor from last Thanksgiving, will catapult the Jeff Moore's Middies back into the post-season.

That's the view from here...how do you see things?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

As one wise knucklehead warned in today's edition of The Sun, there was nothing to worry about in the Rajon Rondo situation.

Yahoo! Sports basketball writer Marc Spears reports this morning that the Boston Celtics and the point guard's agent have reached an agreement on a contract extension. Spears has the deal as a five-year extension which guarantees Rondo at least $55 million.

The deadline for reaching a contract extension is today. If an extension is not finalized before the end of the day, Rondo becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The UMass Lowell men's and women's basketball teams, in conjunction with Student Activities & Leadership and the Department of Athletics, will host the Second Annual River Hawk Hoop Fest in Costello Gym on Wednesday, Nov. 4 beginning at 7 p.m.

Fans can enjoy free pizza, t-shirts to the first 100 students and prizes throughout the evening. Special prizes will be awarded for best dressed school spirit costume, throw for dough contest, $10,000 shootout and a free textbook giveaway. Other prizes include cash, restaurant gift cards, Celtics tickets and gear.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis underwent successful surgery to reduce and fix a right thumb fracture.

The surgery was performed by Celtics Team Physician, Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Dr. Hervey Kimball and Dr. Drew Terrono at New England Baptist Hospital.

Davis is expected to miss the next six weeks.

"I would first like to apologize to my fans, teammates, coaches and the entire Celtics organization," Davis said in a statement released by the Celtics. "I am extremely disappointed that this incident occurred and that it will prevent me from starting the season with the rest of my teammates. My teammates and the entire Celtics organization are extremely important to me and I will do my best to expedite the healing process and be back on the court as soon as possible."

Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck was asked about Davis during an interview on 98.5 FM "The Sports Hub" this afternoon.

Grousbeck stressed that he had not spoken with Davis directly at the time of the interview.

The Boston Herald reported today that the injury took place as Davis defended himself in an altercation Sunday night with a former teammate who'd flown up from Louisiana.

"What I've heard second hand is that it was an altercation with somebody he knew and probably not the best of judgment on anybody's part is my guess," Grousbeck said.

He also said a suspension was "most likely" coming after take the time to sit with him and his agent.

"I think we're going to ask him to chip in," Grousbeck said. "He's going to miss a bunch of games, and we're going to ask him to help defray some of the costs, I think."

The Celtics signed Davis to a contract extension this off-season after Davis tested the free agent market as a restricted free agent. Grousbeck did seem disappointed with the results, regardless of how the injury happened.

"You're not supposed to do that stuff when you're a pro," Grousbeck said. "It's damaging the team unfortunately."

While conveying disappointment in Davis' actions, Grousbeck said the organization did not have questions about Davis' maturity prior to signing him to a contract extension this off-season.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The Boston Celtis begin the 2009-10 season tonight in Cleveland against the LeBron James and the new-look Cavaliers with Shaquille O'Neal as Cleveland's biggest off-season acquisition.

Here is a quick look at how the national news organizations predict things will shake out at the end of the season.

- The Sporting News: TSN has the Celtics losing in the Eastern Conference finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics age apparently is the deciding factor as "a younger, more athletic Cavs team figures to be too much for Boston."

- ESPN: ESPN.com's group of NBA experts average ranking int the Eastern Conference for the Celtics is 2.1 just behind Cleveland. The Cavaliers are the favorites with an average ranking of 1.7.

- Sports Illustrated: SI predicts banner number 18 for The Green. NBA Writer Ian Thomsen gives the Celtics the second seed in the East behind Cleveland, but he has the Celtics beating the Cavs in the East finals and then beating the Lakers for the title.

- FOX Sports: Foxsports.com doesn't pick a particular winner in the East, instead previewing the Lakers match-ups with the Cavaliers, Celtics and Magic.However, NBA columnist Charley Rosen gives the Lakers the edge in a Celtics-Lakers match-up largely because of the Ron Artest addition. It should be noted that Rosen is a very close friend of Lakers coach Phil Jackson. The two have coached together before, and they've co-authored the book "More Than A Game."

- USA Today: The paper's tag team of Chris Colston and Jeff Zillgitt were split on the decision. Colston picked the Celtics to win the East and the NBA title with Celtics head coach Doc Rivers taking Coach of the Year honors. Meanwhile, Zillgitt gives the East crown and the NBA Championship to the Cleveland Cavaliers.