Here goes the blog for today’s men’s basketball game against Savannah State. Hopefully everyone will tune in for the broadcast at 3 p.m. today with me and Mike Ridaught.

The trip got off to a smooth start, although I forgot how much my back doesn’t like bus rides. It has been a few months. I’m getting old. I turn another year older tomorrow. Please send cash or Best Buy gift cards if you feel it necessary to hook me up with a gift.

We got a nice boxed lunch from Jason’s Deli. Don’t tell the rest of the guys, but I got to eat my cookie and chips, unlike the team members!

When we got here at 1 p.m., nice and early, half the campus was closed, we took a nice detour through Savannah to finally find Tiger Arena 20 minutes later. The guys were contemplating stretching on the bus (Writer’s note: remember to take everything I write with a grain of salt. I am probably the most sarcastic person you will ever meet).

Anyway, most of this will probably consist of random thoughts from me. You can always e-mail me at slafata@unf.edu if you have a question!

2:05: The guys are on the court doing their stretches. Cortez and Kyle are the only two not showing off their muscles. I just wonder if Cortez is growing his beard for charity. It’s getting pretty long. He might be able to braid that thing pretty soon. Maybe he can hire the same person who does Germaine’s hair … Some guy from Savannah State who smells like Ben Gay just ran by me. 

Today’s scratches will be Justin Cecil (hand), DeVon Jones (foot) and Matt Sauey (knee). We might try to dress Evans Davis and Jimmy Link today and keep Earnest Crumbley waiting in the wings in case one of them goes down. 

I think it's colder inside this Arena than it is outside. 

They have Blow Pops and Double Bubble on the media table here. I hope we play Savannah State more often! 

2:30: I almost had my second panic attack of the day when I thought I forgot to set my fantasy football lineup. Don’t worry it’s good to go. I am playing Adam Jonson this week. He is fired if he beats me. The first panic attack came when I thought I left my computer at home. Most people reading this are probably wishing I did. Mike Ridaught is being very diligent about preparing for the game. I am being very diligent about looking up football scores. Can we start this game? 

2:35: Here come the OSPREYS! They look good in their new warm-ups and new jerseys. Speaking of new jerseys, the new home jerseys are really cool. They team is going with grey this year. I like the look. Here come the Tigers as well. Their Nike gear is not as cool as ours. 

2:43: My earphones were kinda cold when I put them on, but now they are acting like big earmuffs. Today’s weather in the arena: Partly cloudy with freezing rain changing to snow by the second half.

2:55: Now I understand why the do the national anthem at the eight minute mark here. The Whitney Houston version of the national anthem from the Super Bowl in Tampa was great, don’t get me wrong, but way too long for college sporting events. I think a few people fell asleep … The Lady calling in the lineup to ESPN just called Germaine Sparkes, Germaine Sparkles. He is going to find out about that one! And apparently Cortez Riley is a post guard now, not a point guard. 

3:11: Januska is heating up, just hit a 3-pointer after a layup. He is looking good and into the game. Ospreys switched to a zone D. That is helping their cause. 

3:19: Two Ospreys in foul trouble. Sparkes and Riggins. Ospreys have four freshman and a sophomore on the court. The future is now. 

3:32: Cameron Lovelace hits the first 3-pointer of his career! Ospreys need more of those. The team has missed a couple of easy looks inside and Savannah State is getting loose inside on the offensive end.

4:00: Ospreys trail 34-22 at the half. All five starters have at least two fouls with Januska picking up three. Now the little kids are on the court for halftime entertainment. We might need them to stick around if our guys keep picking up fouls. Some kid just busted in his oversized Savannah State jersey and shoes. 

4:28: We had a nice little delay here thanks to the scoreboard going out. No music or kids to entertain us though during the delay. Savannah State will play without a working clock on their end.  

4:38: Ospreys on the move. Five points in one trip down the court! Lovelace hits a 3-pointer from the baseline and a foul underneath on Savannah State leads to a Zack Riggins basket. What a huge possession! 

5:20: Great rally by the Ospreys. Final score does not reflect the fight the Ospreys put up this afternoon. We had some postgame fistacuffs between a couple of the little kids on the court. They have been one the most entertaining part of the day!

Hope everyone enjoyed the blog today!