The Casual Awards: #GivingTuesday and I Fried a Turkey

I've been asked by the powers that be at Georgetown who have recognized THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON's enormous reach to spread knowledge regarding what is being called #GivingTuesday at Georgetown, the University's annual effort to give back to the community.  Check out this link for everything you need to know about the effort and you know, if you're feeling up to it, give something.  It's cool and for a good cause.  Meanwhile, here's some hardware that we're handing out after Georgetown's blowout-that-seemed-much-closer-and-nearly-was-a-season-ending-disaster win over the Lipscomb Bison.  Away we go!

The Chris Wright Heart of a Champion Award:
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera.  DSR is racking up TCWHOAC Awards like nobody's business, dumping 17 points on 6-10 shooting and 4-7 from three point land.  Not an overly impressive performance by any stretch, but it's enough to earn the TCWHOAC Award against the vaunted Lipscomb Bison.

Why The Hell Are We Shooting So Many Damn 3s Award:
Look, I have no idea, but in the awe-inspiring words of former Maryland coach Gary Williams who was somehow allowed into the building to call the game for Fox Sports 1, "You have to keep shooting if you're open. That's important for shooters."  Thanks, Gary.  Despite a massive size advantage, the Hoyas embarked on a three point shooting procession in the 1^st half, hoisting shots from behind the arc with great gusto and making very few of them while Lipscomb battled its way back into the game.  The miss parade was led by Hoya "sharpshooters" Stephen Domingo and Reggie Cameron who combined to go 0-6 from three. Good things.

Quotable Award:
JT3 when asked what positives he took from Georgetown's performance in the 1^st half: "Nothing."

Tim Gunn Fashion Award:
JT3 looked like this when he said that.

I, for one, applaud that fashion statement.  I couldn't pull it off - it's a bit loud for my taste, but I am always pro-fashion forward thinking like that.

Paul Walker Memorial Award:
Seton Hall Pirates.  In case you missed it, the Pirates lost to Fairleigh Dickinson, which also happened to defeat Rutgers a few nights earlier.  When FDU is the pride of basketball in New Jersey, it's time to either blow up the state or blow up basketball.  Seton Hall blows.

He's a Good Kid and We Wish Him Well Award:
Greg Whittington.  Hate to see a kid with so much talent waste an opportunity like a 4-year free ride to play basketball at Georgetown, but unlike other schools that would have brushed Whittington's academic struggles and other issues under the rug, Georgetown prides itself as an "institution over the individual" program. Whether Greg winds up at a less challenging school to continue his college career or simply opts to play professionally overseas is unclear, but  he's a good kid and we wish him well.  I'm also relieved me can finally move on.

Document Your Lunch Award:
So this weekend I decided to fry a turkey and survived.  Today, we all win as a result:

The turkey prior to its adventure

The turkey was rubbed with a spice mixture and placed in a bag to sit in fridge overnight

The turkey was injected with a cajun butter mixture

The fryer was set up and 3 gallons of peanut oil were ready for action

The turkey was then lowered into the vat of upside

The turkey enjoying its bath

I am really enjoying the turkey's bath

The steaming cauldron of upside

After 45 minutes, the turkey was removed and was resplendent in golden brown

So moist and succulent

Fan of the Game Award:
This kid wins for obvious reasons.

Fan of the Game II Award:
Yup.

Lord Voldemort Award:
While watching the Hoyas dick around in the 1^st half in the wake of the Whittington news, I couldn't help but wonder if this is just going to be one of those seasons where Georgetown struggles to make the Dance and all of us hate ourselves.  Maybe it was just my mood at the time, and certainly the 2^nd half effort was nice to see, but I can't get excited about this team. Not yet, anyway.

Dude, What Are You Talking About Award:
Georgetown absolutely blitzed Lipscomb in the 2^nd half, outscoring the Bison 43-23 and I have no reason to think this team can't compete for the Big East title with Starks, Smith, DSR as major scoring options and the depth off the bench.

Big Man U Award:
Josh(ua) Smith fouled out in 17 minutes against a team that had no one taller than 6'5", Moses Ayegba didn't even play, but thank goodness for Mikael Hopkins who awoke in the 2^nd half and finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds to pick up the slack.

Why Didn't Moses Play Award:
My guess, purely based on speculation, is that he was Whittington's wingman in Puerto Rico when something happened that shouldn't have.

Salvage Your Dignity Award:
Everyone's favorite t-shirt gatling gun guy was dressed as a non-fried turkey.

Fox Sports 1 #FAIL Award:
Fox Sports 1.  Come on, man.

So...uh... this is annoying @CasualHoya pic.twitter.com/gwuKkLyYPR

— Krak (@Krak_Attak) November 30, 2013

Two Words to Describe Just How Bad the Washington Redskins Are This Season Award:
So bad.

Fantasy Football Playoffs Time Award:
It's time!  Hopefully your squad has endured the trials and tribulations of the season and is ready to reap you rewards and glory in the postseason.  If you're having any lineup issues or have a start/sit question, I want to hear about them!  I really do!  Almost as much as I want to have a tree fall on my neck!

The Jim Nantz Award for In-Game Commentary:

I hope there is a Smithquake at Verizon today....

The Kate Upton Doing Kate Upton Things Award:
Kate Upton.

The Georgetown Hoyas are not quite yet a nationally ranked powerhouse.

High Point is NeXt.