Up from Despair!

Well, despite the Christmas holiday, so much as happened!

For once, the never-ending nadir that is Tulane athletics lightened a little. First, the basketball schedule read Richmond @ Tulane- and for once, it was truly accurate. No more home games in Texas or all points south- although all of our hosts were truly class acts reflecting great credit on our beloved I-A brethren- Tulane played in New Orleans where we belong! And oh boy!- did the Wave teach the Spiders a little lesson in defense and free-throw shooting- running Richmond right out of the gym by about a thousand points? The Spiders have a good program. They played close with ranked Louisville and Wake Forest- so this big win was encouraging. Does it mean anything past that? Probably not- see St. Edward’s for instance. I know, I know, they’re a quality program- that St. Edward’s. (photo credit)

Still, I will not be dour. There was some more good news too- and I am not talking about the vague rumors that Notre Dame will soon be on the football schedule. Tulane received a heartening commitment from Kevin Moore. I know nothing about him- other than he apparently is gigantic (6’5” 200 lbs.)- and he plays quarterback! However, stealing him away from our League’s top program (UTEP) is gratifying. Some of the services like him a lot also.

Yes, it is a long way before Moore is completing thirty balls against Southern Mississippi some bright Saturday- see the unfortunate Billy Don Malone & Nick Cannon. But he is the type of player Tulane clearly doesn’t normally get- at a position Tulane oh-so-desperately needs to play superior players. For all his faults, Scelfo has done quality work with this position- and when Tulane gets quality play from the quarterback position, well you know, they win some games. Our League is not too good- and if you win the quarterback battle, you can give up a lot at other places, and play with everyone most Saturdays while taking care of the dregs: SMU, Marshall, Rice, etc.

Last year, I wrote you cannot give kudos to any Tulane recruiting class without a quality passer in it- due to our overwhelming reliance on the spread offense. Tulane must feed this spot every year- grooming some and playing the best. The converse is true also- any class with a real live quarterback prospect with sniffs from places like Arizona and UTEP is a solid step in the right direction. One could be optimistic.