photo credit: wikimedia.org

There is something to be said for humble baseball players. Guys who do not run their mouths or act like they are the greatest man to ever walk on a diamond, but simply go out every day and play ball. I have always been a supporter of someone who lets his play do the talking, but once in a while a player comes along whose ego is justified. If a player is only 20 years old, batting third for a major league baseball team, coming off a Rookie of the Year season, and is batting .302 with 10 home runs and 21 RBIs, that is a pretty reasonable exception. Bryce Harper is that exception.

Now the general consensus I have gotten from people is that he is generally not well liked. They say he is a bit too arrogant for his own good and for his age. But despite all this I like Bryce Harper. Maybe he is arrogant but you cannot tell me that anyone in his position would not be. If he thinks he’s better than the others on his team, well its because at the moment he is. The Nationals would not be even as high as they are now if it was not for Harper. For a team that was picked to be the preseason favorite, they are not quite living up to expectations, except for number 34. Currently he is leading the team in home runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base-percentage, slugging percentage, and total bases. In essence, he is Washington’s offense.

Also how can people criticize a guy that has to take an IV before playing, throws up during the game, and still stays in? Usually arrogant baseball players are classified as “prima donnas” but you cannot say that about him either. The kid’s got some guts and is a true competitor. If he was not, then he would never have been playing varsity baseball his sophomore and freshman years of high school, or competing against top JUCO talent when he was sixteen, or been a top pick in the MLB Draft at eighteen, or won NL rookie of the Year. Need I say more?

To me Harper just has more of an edge than anything, but anyone in his position would have to. You are not going to succeed in the MLB without a little arrogance, especially if you are only twenty and going against the top players in the world. I do not condone arrogance, but it is not arrogant when someone can back it up.

Iowa opens the conference schedule at Purdue on Sept. 27, then has a bye week followed by a home game against Indiana. They then will travel to Maryland for their first game as conference opponents.

Down the stretch they have a bye after Maryland, then play five consecutive weeks. They’ll have Northwestern at home, play at Minnesota, at Illinois, and then their final two games will consist of Wisconsin and Nebraska at home.

They get their three toughest games at home (NU, UW and UNL), and then play a team that will be in their first year in the Big Ten as well as Purdue and Illinois, who lately have struggled. The game against Illinois is their first since 2008.

Iowa will play in two home trophy games to end the season for the Heartland Trophy against Wisconsin and the Heroes Trophy against Nebraska.

Iowa full schedule:

• Aug 30: Northern Iowa
• Sept 6: Ball State
• Sept 13: Iowa State
• Sept 20: at Pittsburgh
• Sept 27: at Purdue (Homecoming)
• Oct 11: Indiana
• Oct. 18: at Maryland
• Nov. 1: Northwestern
• Nov. 8: at Minnesota
• Nov. 15: at Illinois
• Nov. 22: Wisconsin
• Nov. 28: Nebraska

Pat Ingram will transfer from the University of Iowa to move closer to home. (Photo courtesy of hawkeyesports.com)

Freshman guard Pat Ingram has announced that he will transfer from the University of Iowa in a statement released by the Iowa Athletic Department on Tuesday.

“Patrick is a tremendous person who was an integral part of our program last season,” said McCaffery in the release. “Patrick indicated that he wants to be closer to home and we have granted his request. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

This doesn’t come as a surprise for a player that saw good minutes at the beginning of the year, but they slowly declined after the non-conference portion until he wasn’t playing until all starters were pulled.

Ingram showed some promise early, but ultimately McCaffery had a problem getting every guard minutes, even when fellow freshman Mike Gesell was hurt.

Ingram only averaged six minutes per game on the season.

Minutes will be even harder to come by next year, and as Ingram said he’d like to be closer to home. He’s more likely to find minutes at a mid-major program and potentially grow into a very well rounded point guard.

Being from Indianapolis he’s got plenty of choices ahead of him.

It doesn’t mean much for the Iowa team currently, but allows McCaffery to offer one additional scholarship in the next year in place of Ingram’s scholarship.

It adds great depth to Iowa’s non-conference schedule, as Notre Dame made the NCAA tournament and lost to Iowa State in the second round.

Now between Notre Dame, Iowa State, and the Battle 4 Atlantis field, Iowa will have the potential to get some resume building victories.

Notre Dame finished the 2012-2013 season with a 25-10 record.

In last years challenge Iowa lost to Virginia Tech 95-79, who turned out to be the last place ACC team. That put Iowa at 2-10 in the challenge since it’s inception.

This is Notre Dame’s first Big Ten-ACC Challenge as this is their first year as a member institution of the ACC.

Purdue was their only game in common; Iowa went 1-1 against Purdue, losing one of those games in OT.

Iowa’s overall record against Notre Dame is 5-8, this will be their first game since 1990.

Iowa will come into the year as No. 25 on ESPN.com’s preseason top 25 and are getting a lot of love from analysts. Iowa will return 92.2% of their scoring, with Devyn Marble showing at the end of the season he is capable of being one of the leading scorers in the nation.

Notre Dame is not listed in that poll, but was in and out of the AP top 25.

The home and away split looks very even. In the first tier of teams it is split with Syracuse and Duke from the ACC at home, with Michigan State and Ohio State at home.

All Games:

Tues. Dec. 3:

• Indiana at Syracuse
• Michigan at Duke
• Notre Dame at Iowa
• Florida State at Minnesota
• Penn State at Pittsburgh
• Illinois at Georgia Tech

Wed. Dec 4:

• North Carolina at Michigan State
• Maryland at Ohio State
• Miami at Nebraska
• Wisconsin at Virginia
• Boston College at Purdue
• Northwestern at NC State

Above: Comedian Bo Burnham cogitating comedically.

These words compose the simple goal of 22-year-old comedian Bo Burnham’s new comedy special “what.” The Boston native performed at the IMU Main Longue May 6 to promote his new tour, his MTV show (Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous), but mostly, to make people laugh. I talked to Bo about his musings on his multiple new comedic projects, his YouTube genesis, and how he hopes to make his content freely available.

E: What has changed for your show since you performed at The Englert Theatre last spring?

Bo: Last year at the Englert, it was a lot of half-baked concepts that I think are now finished in this new hour. It’s basically finishing up this new hour that hopefully feels bigger and a little more theatrical, a little more thematic.

E: Last year you played “NERDS.” Is that going to be part of the album or special?

Bo: I’ll tag that on the end of the album. It’s not gonna be part of the special. I have a bunch of songs that I did there, and I’m just going to release them on the album for free. That was just something I did in my spare time for fun.

E: A few days ago, you responded to a Critical YouTube Comment and reposted it on your Twitter. What made you decide to respond to this comment in particular?

Bo: I really just went on that video of me and Conan, and that was the top comment with 50 thumbs up or whatever, so a lot of people had thought that and I had to respond.

But it was so weird because I was like “I’m not gonna post that stuff on YouTube. I didn’t because I thought you guys don’t want me to flood you guys with advertising, and I don’t want to do that.” MTV was pressuring me to do that.

But, I think no matter what you do, a certain amount of people are going to call you a sellout, somehow, you know. If I ever start trying to make a living on it (laughs).

E: Do you want to keep your YouTube channel separate from what you’re doing now?

Bo: It was a part of my life that, you know, I don’t want to try to recreate for no reason. Like, me in my bedroom, singing songs to a camera was a special thing that was at that time in my life. But I’m just not that kid. I like the format of it, but I want to be able to release things for free.

My parents sold that house and I’m just not the same person I was back then. I felt like that kid at the time. I felt like a kid in his bedroom and the only way to talk to people was through that.

And that’s what YouTube’s become, it’s become like a lot of vloggers capitalizing on this sort of like “My fans, I love my fans, hey guys.” I’ve grown up and kind of been disgusted by that. I think it’s using people, I think it’s like encouraging something that’s unhealthy, telling people you love them. “I love you.” Oh really, you love your fans? You love the people that give you money and attention? Of course you do, that’s not selfless that you love your fans, that’s ridiculous.

E: What do you think about YouTube’s announcement that they’re going to offer paid subscriptions for channels?

Bo:  Yeah, unbelievable. The thing is, I was on YouTube like the golden era, I think. Before ads came in, it was really cool back then. 

I want to make a return to YouTube, I’m trying to self-fund this next special so I can post it online for free.

E: And what is the process for that?

Bo: Just figuring out how to shoot it cheaply so that I lose as little money as possible. I don’t want to Kickstart it, that’s annoying. I don’t want to beg people for money.

E: Have you drawn ideas from comedians like Louis C.K. who sell their specials on line for really frugal prices?

Bo: Yeah, but I just want to maybe go one step further and just give it away.

E: What TV shows, if any, did you take inspiration from for Zach Stone?

Bo: British Office, the American Office for sure. The Comeback, which is a Lisa Kudrow (“Phoebe” from Friends) show.

E: How was writing for TV different than writing for your stand-up act?

Bo: That what was the best part about it; it was such a learning experience. It was amazing.

And it’s completely me, I can’t ever say “MTV made me do this.” People are gonna think that MTV censored me, and they really didn’t. I really wanted to try to make a show that didn’t rely on offensive, edgy material because I think it was an exercise in trying to write without that. Because I see that as a crutch sometimes and I want to know that I can do something funny and worthwhile without that. And also make a show that my parents would like and that kids could watch with their parents.

People thought that [MTV] was like my third choice. MTV was absolutely my first choice. I thought, this is a show that makes fun of kids trying to be famous, it can only be on MTV. As opposed to Comedy Central. I didn’t wanna do a show on Comedy Central where it’s like “The Bo Show” and it’s like me being myself.

I literally thought…I find myself so annoying to look at. I find myself so punchable, so I thought, if I’m gonna play a kid on television, I’ll play one that’s just so annoying that the whole point of him is that he’s annoying.

When people are saying, like, “Zach’s so annoying” I’m like, yeah. That’s sort of the point of him.

E: You did an AMA on Reddit last week.

Bo: Reddit’s amazing. Such thoughtful questions, and like very polite people.

It’s like super funny. It’s one of the only places I really laugh nowadays, you know? I laugh a little at television and movies but Reddit is the place where I laugh the most.

E: You released “Nerds” through SoundCloud for free. Do you see yourself doing more things like this?

Bo: If I have enough money to support myself, I’ll just give stuff away. I just, I want people to see it and I want to be able to do this for a living, you know what I mean? So it’s just a balance. If I’m not doing well for five years, then I’m selling stuff, but if I’m doing well and I can afford to give stuff away, I’ll always do that.

E: You have a poetry book coming out. How did that come about?

Bo: Just for six months straight I just went to a coffee shop everyday and I just wrote poems because I just wanted to do this thing. A little bit of a problem is I like to try mix things up and do something different, so I hope it’s something people like. You know, it’s weird and it’s out there and it’s not just like “dirty poems” you know what I mean?

It’s just sort of been kind of finished and now we’re just tweaking it. It’ll be out in the fall I think.

E: What’s the best experience you’ve had in the past year?

Bo: If I’m being cheesy, when my mother said she loved me. If I’m being real, it’s like…X-rated (laughs) no. Fuck, I don’t know man. It’s very simple. It’s probably like, my sister’s wedding.

E: Worst experience?

Bo: My sister’s wedding (laughs). I don’t know, man. The release of the show has been stressful. I wouldn’t ever say “worse” or “bad” but I haven’t been this stressed in a while.

I’m trying to calm down and enjoy it. My mother says to enjoy it, and I’m trying to do that.

E: Dumb question, but how important is creative control?

Bo: Yeah, it’s everything. It’s everything to me. For sure.

•Eric David Moore is a freelance reporter in the Iowa City area

Like the interview? Check out the review by KRUI.fm Editor-In-Chief Alex Restrepo

For Eric’s interview with Bo from last year, click here.

Bo Burham “What.” Tour Poster

Disclaimer: This review contains content unsuitable for minors, work situations, and the well mannered. Read at the risk of being offended.

Bo Burnham is no stranger to Iowa City. In 2010 he had a show at The Englert Theatre, and in 2012 he had another show at Englert Theatre. Last night Bo returned once again to the IMU Main Lounge, with brand new material in his fourth comedic tour, the “what.” Tour.

For those unaware, Bo Burnham is a musical comedic sensation who gained a fan-base via YouTube in 2006. His popularity grew over the years, and in August 2008 he became the youngest comedian to record a Comedy Central comedy special, just four days shy of his 18th birthday. His first CD was released in 2009, and has since released a second, and in the process of recording his third, What. Recently he filmed the first season of his MTV show, ”Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous”, in which he stars, writes and produces. The first episode premiered last Thursday night, (watch the first full episode here), and 11 more episodes of season 1 are set to air Thursday nights at 9:30 central.

People, (mainly UI students), lined the street outside the IMU waiting to see Bo. Some people had been waiting for so long that they were working on homework while waiting for the 7pm doors. Loyal Bo Burnham fans.

Opening comedian Drew Lynch had me laughing through the entirety of his set. Not one of his jokes flopped and I was highly impressed with his bravery. Lynch has a verbal stutter due to a sports accident involving his vocal chords, yet still is an amazing comedian and stand-up performer. Check out his stand-up here.

After Lynch’s act, Bo Burnham hit the stage. He opened the show with a funny, but bizarre five-minute-long narrated introduction. It included dancing, singing, magic tricks, 40 seconds of “prolonged eye contact” with an audience member in front of him, and shouting “Fuck you!” to the front row.

The first song he played was called #Deep,  a new song from his upcoming album, and followed it with the most hilarious and vulgar “love poem” you’ve ever heard titled “I Fuck Sluts”.

One thing that must be said about Bo Burnham is that he is undoubtedly unique with both his verbal and physical comedy. A short list of the outrageous things Burnham did on stage would be throwing bouncy balls at the crowd (unexpectedly), simulating masturbation, pulling a cloud of rainbow glitter out of his pocket, and telling a joke in slow motion.

No one can argue that Bo Burnham is not talented in any aspect, and I was pleasantly surprised by his ability to play the keyboard. I also was surprised that some of his comedic songs and material had some serious underlying commentary on actual issues like religion, gay rights, and shallowness of the music industry.

Bo closed the show with a hilarious new song he recently wrote, which he described as “a song from the perspective of God.”

But after he exited the stage, Bo came back on stage and performed two of his classic and highly popular songs, “Love Is . . .” and “OH BO”. During “Love Is . . .” he changed the Anne Frank lyric to “. ..like Anne Frank wanted to be a Belieber.” Which the crowd went crazy for, and even earned a laugh from Bo himself as he delivered it. He also spent some time talking to the crowd, and thanking them for coming out on a Tuesday night. He exited the stage saying “If you liked what I did, my name’s Bo Burnham  If you didn’t like what I did, my name’s Kendrick Lamar.” To which the crowd responded with applause and a standing ovation.

After the show both Drew and Bo waited to meet and take pictures with every single fan that lined up, (which was a couple hundred roughly). When I met Bo I asked him, “What did you think of Iowa City and the crowd?” and he responded with, “Iowa City is amazing.  Been here three times in three years, always fun. They’re great. Very patient, they listen, they’re loud and excited. It’s great. So in conclusion, I hate it.” He kept his humorous answers going when I asked him about his plans to return to Iowa City, “Uh when I have new material  It might take me ten years but. . ” Lastly I asked him how I should end my article about his show, so here you go Bo. What ever you want.

To stay updated with Bo’s stand-up and his new show on MTV, follow him on Twitter.

To read reporter Eric Moore’s one-on-one interview with Bo after the show, click here.

I thought that it could not get any more awesome than that, but I was wrong. Since that day, I have announced Hawkeye Football and Basketball games, interviewed professional athletes, been on the air twice a week, and to top it off I spent a week in New York City announcing the NIT from the most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden. It was truly an experience of a lifetime that topped off an incredible year.

These experiences made it very easy to find an internship this summer as an announcer for a collegiate summer baseball team. As it turns out, announcing Big 10 Basketball and Football is a welcome sight for possible employers. I thank our Sports Director Jordan Kabialis as well as the rest of the sports staff for making this a great year. Luckily for me, I will be back for one more semester to announce some Hawkeye Football. To those who are thinking about joining KRUI Sports I say do it, you will not regret it.

Joakim Noah pulled down 11 rebounds in Game 1 of their series against the Miami Heat. (Photo: Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports))

In the offseason, facing a lost season, the Bulls were force to retool their bench and the unofficial goal became “just be competitive in the standings until Rose comes back”. Many analysts predicted a 7th or 8th place finish in the conference and to just squeak into the playoffs and that they were would change the playoffs dynamic when Rose came back. Well Rose never came back and the Bulls overachieved and finished 5th in the conference. #TheReturn was supposed to be the heart and the soul of this team but over the past 5 nights, the anticipated return has been forgotten and the Bulls have proven they have more heart that any team in recent history.

This team is not supposed to win, at least not in this NBA era of Big 3s and superstars clustering in just a few select markets. No team that is made up of a few good players and a mediocre supporting cast should be able to hang with teams stocked with perennial All-Stars and MVPs and yet here it stands. How unlikely was the Game 7 win in Brooklyn and the Game 1 win over the Heat? Considering the games were won with Rose still sitting on the bench not quite ready to come back,  Luol Deng (one of the Bull’s All-Star selections along with Joakim Noah) in the ER and having to get a spinal tap, and Kirk Heinrich sitting out with a bruised calf, the odds could not have been good. Factor in the fact that Taj Gibson was dealing with the flu and that Noah is still dealing with a lingering case of plantar fasciitis and it would seem well near impossible.

What is transpiring now with the Bulls is taking the concept of every game being a team effort to a level that may never have been seen before in the NBA. When one guy goes down, there is another that rises to pick up the slack. All credit needs to be given to coach Tom Thibodeau, who has proven that he can very successfully coach under less than ideal circumstances. Considering all that the Bulls have suffered through this season, it would be easy for any coach to cut their losses and admit it is just a lost season. Thibodeau has refused to do so, he continues to try and find new ways to motivate his team and get them to believe they can win. The rules for the award for Coach of the Year should be amended so that playoffs can count and the voters can recast their ballots because it would be impossible to deny Thibodeau the award now.

Throughout the playoffs there has been talk about if/when Rose would return. There was speculation, started by Derrick’s brother Reggie, that he could play in the second round. Well, he ruled himself out of game 1 but left the speculation to continue as he commented that his return was still up in the air. In all honesty, it would be a disservice to his teammates for him to comeback now. Granted, the return was mismanaged from all sides but it would only look petty for him to try and come back once the Bulls started winning.

Nate Robinson scored 27 points in Game 1 against the Miami Heat. (Photo: www.nba.com/bulls)

It was only a game 1 in Miami but this will be a playoffs that will stick with Bulls fans for many years. Barring some sort of miracle, it will not be remembered for a NBA title but rather the grit and determination that a bunch of thrown together players showed amongst injuries and continually being the underdog. This team deserves to be remembered for what they accomplished and not for Rose trying to come back and lead the team to a title once they showed life in the second round. They are emerging as a team that is more than just Rose, they have a chance to flip the script the season and not allow it to be just another lost season. That is how this teams deserves to be remembered by history.