Posts
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Are Heat Ready to Win Title in 2011?
The Miami Heat have been all the talk this NBA off-season and now they have something to prove to fans across the United States. Can they win multiple NBA titles with Wade, Bosh and James on the same team?
The Heat free agent signings this summer have somewhat made people say "yes it is possible."
With the additions of Zydrunas Illgauskas, Juwan Howard and the re-signing of Jamaal Magloire, the Heat want veteran leadership in the locker room this season to help "the three kings" and the young rookies they drafted.
The signings of Mike Miller and James Jones will help Miami's three-point shooting, but they still need to sign players that can come off the bench and play well for 10 to 15 minutes a game.
The Heat still have some options to sign a good three-point shooter that is willing to come off the bench.
Eddie House, Roger Mason and Jason Williams are unrestricted free agents that can help Miami's bench.
Roger Mason and Eddie House have proven in their NBA careers that they can nail clutch shots and give a team a good 10 to 15 minutes off the bench.
House is a career 41 percent field goal shooter and a 39 percent three-point shooter, while Mason is a career 40 percent field goal shooter and a 38 percent three-point shooter.
Questions about the Heat's bench, three-point shooting ability and inside play still remains an issue for them, but the fans in Miami can expect a playoff caliber team and maybe a championship team in the 2010-2011 NBA season.
The Heat free agent signings this summer have somewhat made people say "yes it is possible."
With the additions of Zydrunas Illgauskas, Juwan Howard and the re-signing of Jamaal Magloire, the Heat want veteran leadership in the locker room this season to help "the three kings" and the young rookies they drafted.
The signings of Mike Miller and James Jones will help Miami's three-point shooting, but they still need to sign players that can come off the bench and play well for 10 to 15 minutes a game.
The Heat still have some options to sign a good three-point shooter that is willing to come off the bench.
Eddie House, Roger Mason and Jason Williams are unrestricted free agents that can help Miami's bench.
Roger Mason and Eddie House have proven in their NBA careers that they can nail clutch shots and give a team a good 10 to 15 minutes off the bench.
House is a career 41 percent field goal shooter and a 39 percent three-point shooter, while Mason is a career 40 percent field goal shooter and a 38 percent three-point shooter.
Questions about the Heat's bench, three-point shooting ability and inside play still remains an issue for them, but the fans in Miami can expect a playoff caliber team and maybe a championship team in the 2010-2011 NBA season.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Eaglets Even the Series with Cubs
On the morning of Saturday May 1st, 2010, it looked as if there would be no game because of a nasty thunderstorm.
As the day went on, the clouds passed and the St. Mary's Eaglets vs. U of D Jesuit Cubs double-header was played in the sunlight and clear skys.
The first game of the double-header was no contest for the Eaglets as they took over the game right from the beginning.
The Eaglets started with a bang in the first inning when Korey Hall, who went 2 for 4 in the game, smashed a lead-off homerun off the Cubs pitcher.
Blaise Salter and Matt Johnson each smashed a double into the gaps in the outfield, which brought in two more runs for the Eaglets in the 1st inning.
Once the Cubs fell behind in the first inning they could not catch the Eaglets as Theo Piccirilli shut down the Cubs offense with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 runs. 6 of the strikeouts caught the Cubs batters looking as Piccirilli pitched a complete game and the Eaglets won the first game 9-2.
The second game of the double-header was not so kind to the Eaglets as they got off to a very slow start.
The Cubs took advantage of the Eaglets by jumpng out to a 5 run lead in the first 3 innings.
St. Mary's pitching and hitting struggled in the beginning of the game, but finally found its groove in the middle of the game as the Eaglets battled back.
Devan Ahart and Blaise Salter were the ones who lead the way for the Eaglest offense. They went a combined 5 for 7 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 homerun, and 1 triple.
Jon Roberts started for the Eaglets, but did not last long. Roberts struck out 5 batters, gave up 1 walk and 5 runs in 3 innings.
Matt Johnson came in for middle relief, but gave up a few runs and only lasted 1inning for the Eaglets. In his 1 inning of relief Johnson struck out 1, walked 1 and gave up 3 runs.
Malik Jackson came in for the Eaglets after Johnson and pitched a strong inning of middle relief for the Eaglets. He struck out 1 and gave up no runs and walks. Jackson was done after 1 inning and James Edwards was brought in to pitch the last 2 innings.
Usually a starter for the Eaglets, Edwards came in for relief for St. Mary's.
Edwards shut down the Cubs in his 2 innings of relief. He recorded 3 strikeouts, one coming from a nasty curveball that started at the right-handed hitter and broke back into the strike zone. The hitter reacted to the pitch as if he was going to be hit by turning his back away from the nasty pitch.
Edwards received the win and the save as the Eaglets came back to beat the Cubs 9-8 in the second game of the double-header.
The Eaglets improved their record in the Catholic League to 8-6, while their overall record improved to 11-6.
As the day went on, the clouds passed and the St. Mary's Eaglets vs. U of D Jesuit Cubs double-header was played in the sunlight and clear skys.
The first game of the double-header was no contest for the Eaglets as they took over the game right from the beginning.
The Eaglets started with a bang in the first inning when Korey Hall, who went 2 for 4 in the game, smashed a lead-off homerun off the Cubs pitcher.
Blaise Salter and Matt Johnson each smashed a double into the gaps in the outfield, which brought in two more runs for the Eaglets in the 1st inning.
Once the Cubs fell behind in the first inning they could not catch the Eaglets as Theo Piccirilli shut down the Cubs offense with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 runs. 6 of the strikeouts caught the Cubs batters looking as Piccirilli pitched a complete game and the Eaglets won the first game 9-2.
The second game of the double-header was not so kind to the Eaglets as they got off to a very slow start.
The Cubs took advantage of the Eaglets by jumpng out to a 5 run lead in the first 3 innings.
St. Mary's pitching and hitting struggled in the beginning of the game, but finally found its groove in the middle of the game as the Eaglets battled back.
Devan Ahart and Blaise Salter were the ones who lead the way for the Eaglest offense. They went a combined 5 for 7 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 homerun, and 1 triple.
Jon Roberts started for the Eaglets, but did not last long. Roberts struck out 5 batters, gave up 1 walk and 5 runs in 3 innings.
Matt Johnson came in for middle relief, but gave up a few runs and only lasted 1inning for the Eaglets. In his 1 inning of relief Johnson struck out 1, walked 1 and gave up 3 runs.
Malik Jackson came in for the Eaglets after Johnson and pitched a strong inning of middle relief for the Eaglets. He struck out 1 and gave up no runs and walks. Jackson was done after 1 inning and James Edwards was brought in to pitch the last 2 innings.
Usually a starter for the Eaglets, Edwards came in for relief for St. Mary's.
Edwards shut down the Cubs in his 2 innings of relief. He recorded 3 strikeouts, one coming from a nasty curveball that started at the right-handed hitter and broke back into the strike zone. The hitter reacted to the pitch as if he was going to be hit by turning his back away from the nasty pitch.
Edwards received the win and the save as the Eaglets came back to beat the Cubs 9-8 in the second game of the double-header.
The Eaglets improved their record in the Catholic League to 8-6, while their overall record improved to 11-6.
Monday, April 26, 2010
AL Central, Twins Central
As the MLB season approaches the 20 game mark, the Twins have started off hot and no AL Central team wanted this to happen.
The Minnesota Twins are off to a 13 and 6 record in the AL Central, a 3 game lead over the second place Detroit Tigers and a 5.5 game lead over the last place Royals.
When Joe Nathan got injured in spring training, most baseball anaylsts believed that the Twins were going to struggle to be the top team in the AL Central this season. But as any baseball fan should know, never count out the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, had to decide between 3 different pitcher's in his bullpen on who would get the closer's role in the 2010 season.
Jon Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier were the 3 relief pitchers that were being looked at by Gardenhire.
The 3 pitchers battled in spring training and on the plane ride to Los Angeles for their MLB season opener, Gardenhire called Jon Rauch to the back of the plane and told him that he earned the closers role.
19 games into the MLB season, Jon Rauch has recorded 6 of 7 saves in save opportunities. But the Twins have needed Rauch because of their tremedous offense.
The Twins offense has generated 101 runs and the pitching and defense has only given up 70 runs in 19 games this season.
Very few teams in the AL Central are going to have a chance to catch the Twins if they continue to pitch and hit well.
The Twins also rarely lose back to back games during the season, which makes catching them even more difficult because teams have to go on long winning streaks to make up ground for the games they lost.
The Detroit Tigers have the best chance of catching the Twins because of their pitching anf hitting. The problem is that the Tigers rarely play consistently which hurts them.
The Twins should have an easy time winning the AL Central with their great offense, defense and pitching. Starting the season off 13 and 6 is just what they wanted and the other AL Central teams are wishing they had won a couple of those close games early in the season.
The Minnesota Twins are off to a 13 and 6 record in the AL Central, a 3 game lead over the second place Detroit Tigers and a 5.5 game lead over the last place Royals.
When Joe Nathan got injured in spring training, most baseball anaylsts believed that the Twins were going to struggle to be the top team in the AL Central this season. But as any baseball fan should know, never count out the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, had to decide between 3 different pitcher's in his bullpen on who would get the closer's role in the 2010 season.
Jon Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier were the 3 relief pitchers that were being looked at by Gardenhire.
The 3 pitchers battled in spring training and on the plane ride to Los Angeles for their MLB season opener, Gardenhire called Jon Rauch to the back of the plane and told him that he earned the closers role.
19 games into the MLB season, Jon Rauch has recorded 6 of 7 saves in save opportunities. But the Twins have needed Rauch because of their tremedous offense.
The Twins offense has generated 101 runs and the pitching and defense has only given up 70 runs in 19 games this season.
Very few teams in the AL Central are going to have a chance to catch the Twins if they continue to pitch and hit well.
The Twins also rarely lose back to back games during the season, which makes catching them even more difficult because teams have to go on long winning streaks to make up ground for the games they lost.
The Detroit Tigers have the best chance of catching the Twins because of their pitching anf hitting. The problem is that the Tigers rarely play consistently which hurts them.
The Twins should have an easy time winning the AL Central with their great offense, defense and pitching. Starting the season off 13 and 6 is just what they wanted and the other AL Central teams are wishing they had won a couple of those close games early in the season.
Jon Rauch Pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009
Monday, April 12, 2010
Do Celebrities or Words in Advertisements Sell the Product?
Are you a Nike, Adidas or Under Armour fan or are you a Derek Jeter, David Beckham or Michael Phelps fan?
In the same order, these companies sponsor those professional athletes and use their notoriety to help sell the products they advertise in the media. But when it comes to buying the products they sell, what really makes you want to buy the product?
The art of advertising uses professioanl athletes or celebrities and action words, phrases and logos to persuade customers into buying their products.
Using professional athletes or celebrities in an advertisement helps people associate that product with a name or face so they will be able to remember it. Studies have been done on this issue and one study was related to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
In this study, researchers surveyed 38 French university students, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 27 to find out if Zinedine Zidane, a retired professional soccer player who played for the French National Team in 2006, had any impact on Adidas products he sponsored. The results of the study indicated that Zidane's sponsorship with Adidas had an impact on how people purchased products that Adidas sold.
Advertisements may use pictures of professional athletes or celebrities, but the presentation of the product and the wording associated with the product can be an even stronger way to get people to buy your product.
Companies target people of all ages using verbs, phrases and logos to help customers remember their products. Nike uses the "swoosh", Under Armour uses their slogan "Protect this House" and Adidas uses their slogan "Impossible is Nothing" to help people remember who they are. A research study was done in England to see how effective brand logos are in advertising.
The research study selected 237 children from ages 7 to 10 from 5 different schools in England. The children were shown products and were required to draw collages of things associated with Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. The collages showed the Nike "swoosh", the Reebok symbol and the Adidas symbol.
Do the words and symbols in Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour advertisements make you want to buy the product or is it the professional athletes and celebrities affiliated with the advertisement that makes you want to buy the product?
Leave a comment and voice your opinion about what really sells products in advertisements. Do you believe their are more ways companies use advertisements to sell their products?
In the same order, these companies sponsor those professional athletes and use their notoriety to help sell the products they advertise in the media. But when it comes to buying the products they sell, what really makes you want to buy the product?
The art of advertising uses professioanl athletes or celebrities and action words, phrases and logos to persuade customers into buying their products.
Using professional athletes or celebrities in an advertisement helps people associate that product with a name or face so they will be able to remember it. Studies have been done on this issue and one study was related to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
In this study, researchers surveyed 38 French university students, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 27 to find out if Zinedine Zidane, a retired professional soccer player who played for the French National Team in 2006, had any impact on Adidas products he sponsored. The results of the study indicated that Zidane's sponsorship with Adidas had an impact on how people purchased products that Adidas sold.
Advertisements may use pictures of professional athletes or celebrities, but the presentation of the product and the wording associated with the product can be an even stronger way to get people to buy your product.
Companies target people of all ages using verbs, phrases and logos to help customers remember their products. Nike uses the "swoosh", Under Armour uses their slogan "Protect this House" and Adidas uses their slogan "Impossible is Nothing" to help people remember who they are. A research study was done in England to see how effective brand logos are in advertising.
The research study selected 237 children from ages 7 to 10 from 5 different schools in England. The children were shown products and were required to draw collages of things associated with Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. The collages showed the Nike "swoosh", the Reebok symbol and the Adidas symbol.
Do the words and symbols in Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour advertisements make you want to buy the product or is it the professional athletes and celebrities affiliated with the advertisement that makes you want to buy the product?
Leave a comment and voice your opinion about what really sells products in advertisements. Do you believe their are more ways companies use advertisements to sell their products?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Why Everyone Hates Duke's Success
The Duke Blue Devils get as much respect from fans throughout the U.S. as the New York Yankees get in Boston, Massachusetts.
Before the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship game was played on Monday night, the Duke basketball team knew that everyone throughout the U.S. wanted them to lose in Indianapolis against the Butler Bulldogs. The only fans Duke could count on for support where the students back in Durham, North Carolina, their alumni across the U.S. and the few people who don't buy into the stupid reasons of why others hate Duke.
The reasons for why people hate Duke span from ridiculous to pointless, but the common reasons are because of the academic success the players achieve, their success on the basketball court and the academics in general at Duke University.
The college student-athlete today is looked upon by others as a person who only fulfills the athlete part of the word student-athlete. Many people have accepted this view and because of that when student-athletes succeed in sports as well as in the classroom, many people frown upon it. The Duke basketball program has been successful with its player graduation rates. From 1999 to 2002, the NCAA did a research report on graduation rates for Division 1 college basketball players and Duke's graduation rate is 92 percent. 25 percent higher than the Federal graduation rate. Success in the classroom should be the most important factor in any student-athletes life, but what one thing gives up the other takes. At least that is what one wants to believe.
Duke's success on the basketball court has improved since Coach K became the head coach. Before then Duke was a nobody in college basketball. Since Coach K started coaching at Duke they have won 4 national championships, 11 ACC regular season and tournament championships, 760 total victories and 12 national coach of the year honors. Not many people enjoy seeing the success of one program because it gives them national media coverage and with national media coverage comes the spotlight, which everyone wants at one point in their lifetime. Jealousy and success should not cause people to hate a person or team, especially when the success is done in the right way. Along with the success of its basketball program as well as its other sports programs, Duke Universities academic success has caused many too dislike the university even more.
Duke University is a small private school in Durham, North Carolina. It is very difficult to get accepted into the University, but those who are accepted end up being successful in their career. Their Law school is one of the top schools in the nation along with their business and medical schools. Who wouldn't want to attend a university that has great notoriety in the business world along with a well-known basketball program.
In the end, don't hate a person or team because they are successful. Yes, the New York Yankees will always be disliked in Boston and the Duke Blue Devil's will be disliked by most people not affiliated with the university. As my high school principal always told us, "the key to happiness in life is the joy you get from other people's success in life." So stop looking at the negatives and respect what others accomplish.
Before the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship game was played on Monday night, the Duke basketball team knew that everyone throughout the U.S. wanted them to lose in Indianapolis against the Butler Bulldogs. The only fans Duke could count on for support where the students back in Durham, North Carolina, their alumni across the U.S. and the few people who don't buy into the stupid reasons of why others hate Duke.
The reasons for why people hate Duke span from ridiculous to pointless, but the common reasons are because of the academic success the players achieve, their success on the basketball court and the academics in general at Duke University.
The college student-athlete today is looked upon by others as a person who only fulfills the athlete part of the word student-athlete. Many people have accepted this view and because of that when student-athletes succeed in sports as well as in the classroom, many people frown upon it. The Duke basketball program has been successful with its player graduation rates. From 1999 to 2002, the NCAA did a research report on graduation rates for Division 1 college basketball players and Duke's graduation rate is 92 percent. 25 percent higher than the Federal graduation rate. Success in the classroom should be the most important factor in any student-athletes life, but what one thing gives up the other takes. At least that is what one wants to believe.
Duke's success on the basketball court has improved since Coach K became the head coach. Before then Duke was a nobody in college basketball. Since Coach K started coaching at Duke they have won 4 national championships, 11 ACC regular season and tournament championships, 760 total victories and 12 national coach of the year honors. Not many people enjoy seeing the success of one program because it gives them national media coverage and with national media coverage comes the spotlight, which everyone wants at one point in their lifetime. Jealousy and success should not cause people to hate a person or team, especially when the success is done in the right way. Along with the success of its basketball program as well as its other sports programs, Duke Universities academic success has caused many too dislike the university even more.
Duke University is a small private school in Durham, North Carolina. It is very difficult to get accepted into the University, but those who are accepted end up being successful in their career. Their Law school is one of the top schools in the nation along with their business and medical schools. Who wouldn't want to attend a university that has great notoriety in the business world along with a well-known basketball program.
In the end, don't hate a person or team because they are successful. Yes, the New York Yankees will always be disliked in Boston and the Duke Blue Devil's will be disliked by most people not affiliated with the university. As my high school principal always told us, "the key to happiness in life is the joy you get from other people's success in life." So stop looking at the negatives and respect what others accomplish.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Opening Night Greatness
What more could you want from Fenway Park on opening night of the MLB. A classic Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry game.
The game started off as a pitcher's duel, but that was soon lost by the second inning when the 6 through 9 hitters started to get to Red Sox starter, Josh Beckett. Beckett gave up back-to-back homeruns in the 2nd inning that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada hit a screamer down the first base line that hit the foul pole for a homerun and Curtis Granderson hit his first homerun of the season and as a Yankee.
CC Sabathia kept the Red Sox hitters off balance through his five and two-thrids innings of work. Boston only had two hits through 4 innings until Joe Girardi took out Sabathia late in the 5th inning.
With a 5-2 lead, it was up to the Yankees bullpen to give Sabathia the win. Unfortunately things went south for the Yankees as Boston tied the game up in the 6th inning.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the 7th inning, but failed to hold onto the lead as Red Sox second basemen, Dustin Pedroia, hit a game tying 2-run homerun. The Red Sox later tacked on 2 more runs in the 8th inning to secure their lead.
In the 9th inning, it was Jonathan Papelbon time. Papelbon earned his first save of the year. Giving up one hit as the Red Sox take the 1st of 18 games against the Yankees this season.
The game started off as a pitcher's duel, but that was soon lost by the second inning when the 6 through 9 hitters started to get to Red Sox starter, Josh Beckett. Beckett gave up back-to-back homeruns in the 2nd inning that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada hit a screamer down the first base line that hit the foul pole for a homerun and Curtis Granderson hit his first homerun of the season and as a Yankee.
CC Sabathia kept the Red Sox hitters off balance through his five and two-thrids innings of work. Boston only had two hits through 4 innings until Joe Girardi took out Sabathia late in the 5th inning.
With a 5-2 lead, it was up to the Yankees bullpen to give Sabathia the win. Unfortunately things went south for the Yankees as Boston tied the game up in the 6th inning.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the 7th inning, but failed to hold onto the lead as Red Sox second basemen, Dustin Pedroia, hit a game tying 2-run homerun. The Red Sox later tacked on 2 more runs in the 8th inning to secure their lead.
In the 9th inning, it was Jonathan Papelbon time. Papelbon earned his first save of the year. Giving up one hit as the Red Sox take the 1st of 18 games against the Yankees this season.
Monday, March 22, 2010
What a Mad March
What a March it has been for college basketball, as Dick Vitale would say, "It's awesome baby, with a capital "A." We have some diaper dandies in this tournament baby!!"
I couldn't disagree with the words of Dick Vitale any more than how much I disagree with my parents. Who would have thought that the University of Northern Iowa would knock off Kansas, the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, Cornell making it to the Sweet 16, St. Mary's beating Villanova and Washington is finally playing to their ability in the tournament.
But now that we are in the Sweet 16, are the games going to continue to be upsets or are they going to go back to the higher seeds beating the lower seeds?
It is a tough one for anyone to call. The only ones that can determine that are the 16 teams that are left in the tournament, but even then they can never be sure of that.
With Kansas gone now, most brackets are in for it. But with Kansas gone now, who is the favorite?
Some would say that Kentucky is, but others would argue that West Virginia, Syracuse, K-State and Ohio State have just as much of a shot at winning as Kentucky does.
But even all of these teams have been shak'y throughout the regular season as well as in the tournament.
The fact of the matter is that all of us can try to predict who will win the National Championship this year, but even our picks now still might not be as accurate or even come close to what we picked before. Don't sleep on some teams though.
For some reason, most people don't believe that the Duke Blue Devil's, Baylor Bears or the Michigan State Spartan's can make it to the Final Four or even to the National Championship game.
Kalin Lucas may be hurt for the Spartan's, but don't overlook them and their coach Tom Izzo, who has had a tremendous coaching career so far at Michigan State. Every player he has coached has made it to the Final Four at least once in their basketball career at Michigan State. With Lucas out, look for Draymond Green to step up and be the vocal leader out on the court and watch how Korie Lucious responds in the game against Northern Iowa after making the game winner against Maryland.
When watching Duke remember your three "S's", Singler, Scheyer and Smith. When these guys start making their shots they are very difficult team to catch. On top of their great shooting, they defend well and they also have the height to get them far in the tournament. For some reason, one player no one on the opposing team and people in the country seem to respect is Brian Zoubek. Zoubek has given the Blue Devil's big minutes in the tournament and had 14 points and 13 total rebounds in 23 minutes of playing time against the California Golden Bears. Another two players to watch for Duke are the Plumlee brothers who can post up and shoot from outside the paint.
Finally, the Baylor Bears are a very athletic team that have height. The Bears shoot 72.6 percent from the free throw line, shoot 48.9 percent from the field and shoot 38.6 percent from 3-point. They are lead by #24, LaceDarius Dunn. He is only a junior and he shoots 42 percent from 3-point and averages 19.4 points per game.
As March finishes up and we await to see who will be crowned the new NCAA Men's Basketball champion, don't forget to enjoy the "Awesome" games, as Dick Vitale would spell awesome, and watch out for your teams diaper dandies as teams finish out the post season.
I couldn't disagree with the words of Dick Vitale any more than how much I disagree with my parents. Who would have thought that the University of Northern Iowa would knock off Kansas, the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, Cornell making it to the Sweet 16, St. Mary's beating Villanova and Washington is finally playing to their ability in the tournament.
But now that we are in the Sweet 16, are the games going to continue to be upsets or are they going to go back to the higher seeds beating the lower seeds?
It is a tough one for anyone to call. The only ones that can determine that are the 16 teams that are left in the tournament, but even then they can never be sure of that.
With Kansas gone now, most brackets are in for it. But with Kansas gone now, who is the favorite?
Some would say that Kentucky is, but others would argue that West Virginia, Syracuse, K-State and Ohio State have just as much of a shot at winning as Kentucky does.
But even all of these teams have been shak'y throughout the regular season as well as in the tournament.
The fact of the matter is that all of us can try to predict who will win the National Championship this year, but even our picks now still might not be as accurate or even come close to what we picked before. Don't sleep on some teams though.
For some reason, most people don't believe that the Duke Blue Devil's, Baylor Bears or the Michigan State Spartan's can make it to the Final Four or even to the National Championship game.
Kalin Lucas may be hurt for the Spartan's, but don't overlook them and their coach Tom Izzo, who has had a tremendous coaching career so far at Michigan State. Every player he has coached has made it to the Final Four at least once in their basketball career at Michigan State. With Lucas out, look for Draymond Green to step up and be the vocal leader out on the court and watch how Korie Lucious responds in the game against Northern Iowa after making the game winner against Maryland.
When watching Duke remember your three "S's", Singler, Scheyer and Smith. When these guys start making their shots they are very difficult team to catch. On top of their great shooting, they defend well and they also have the height to get them far in the tournament. For some reason, one player no one on the opposing team and people in the country seem to respect is Brian Zoubek. Zoubek has given the Blue Devil's big minutes in the tournament and had 14 points and 13 total rebounds in 23 minutes of playing time against the California Golden Bears. Another two players to watch for Duke are the Plumlee brothers who can post up and shoot from outside the paint.
Finally, the Baylor Bears are a very athletic team that have height. The Bears shoot 72.6 percent from the free throw line, shoot 48.9 percent from the field and shoot 38.6 percent from 3-point. They are lead by #24, LaceDarius Dunn. He is only a junior and he shoots 42 percent from 3-point and averages 19.4 points per game.
As March finishes up and we await to see who will be crowned the new NCAA Men's Basketball champion, don't forget to enjoy the "Awesome" games, as Dick Vitale would spell awesome, and watch out for your teams diaper dandies as teams finish out the post season.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Becoming a Great Sports Journalist
If a sports journalist were to star in the movie The Karate Kid, he or she would play the role of Daniel La Russo.
Sports journalists, have to deal with celebrities, athletes, coaches and CEO’s that believe they are better than everyone. Not every celebrity or athlete is as hot headed, loud mouthed or arrogant as Johnny Lawrence was in The Karate Kid. Behind the articles, interviews and all the events they attend, lies a humorous and friendly individual with a passionate love of sports.
The biggest challenge sports journalists’ face is their schedule. The hours are long. The travel schedule is grueling. It is not unusual to visit four or five cities in one week. But despite their grueling schedule, true sports journalists, rarely grow tired of telling readers about the sports they love through the daily newspaper and online articles.
Fearlessness, the ability to draw out facts and the ability to use multiple writing styles are what make a great sports journalist.
Vince Ellis, a sports journalist for the Detroit Free Press, covers the Detroit Pistons. He says that, “fearlessness,” is important in becoming a great sports journalist. “You need to care, but you cannot let people intimidate you. You have to write what you see and not be afraid to ask the tough questions,” says Mr. Ellis.
Style is an important tool to have when writing articles, columns, features and profiles. Having more than one type of writing style is necessary when learning how to become a great sports journalist.
Laura Geist, who started as a sports journalist and is now a business journalist for Automotive News, says “Stretching your style is a good thing to do because you have to adapt your style to the story. You have to ask yourself, ‘are you getting too comfortable to the point where you are not developing your writing style as a journalist?’”
Finally, the ability to draw out facts makes or breaks a great sports journalist. “Great sports journalists paint a picture of the drama and get into the mind of an athlete to entertain their readers,” says Mrs. Geist.
Few people want to only read the facts and numbers about athletes and sports teams. Facts are great, but the real entertainment comes from writing the story with the athlete’s thoughts, not only the journalist’s.
Successful sports journalists never stop working on their journalistic skills. A sports journalist who writes for the New York Times website says, “If you want to attend a great graduate journalism school like the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, you need to build a good portfolio of articles because they want people with experience.”
Every sports journalist has their “Johnny Lawrence.” Sometimes the only way up the ladder is to take on your opponent and defeat them just as Daniel did to earn the title “Karate Kid” and to back up these words, “you’re the best around.”
Sports journalists, have to deal with celebrities, athletes, coaches and CEO’s that believe they are better than everyone. Not every celebrity or athlete is as hot headed, loud mouthed or arrogant as Johnny Lawrence was in The Karate Kid. Behind the articles, interviews and all the events they attend, lies a humorous and friendly individual with a passionate love of sports.
The biggest challenge sports journalists’ face is their schedule. The hours are long. The travel schedule is grueling. It is not unusual to visit four or five cities in one week. But despite their grueling schedule, true sports journalists, rarely grow tired of telling readers about the sports they love through the daily newspaper and online articles.
Fearlessness, the ability to draw out facts and the ability to use multiple writing styles are what make a great sports journalist.
Vince Ellis, a sports journalist for the Detroit Free Press, covers the Detroit Pistons. He says that, “fearlessness,” is important in becoming a great sports journalist. “You need to care, but you cannot let people intimidate you. You have to write what you see and not be afraid to ask the tough questions,” says Mr. Ellis.
Style is an important tool to have when writing articles, columns, features and profiles. Having more than one type of writing style is necessary when learning how to become a great sports journalist.
Laura Geist, who started as a sports journalist and is now a business journalist for Automotive News, says “Stretching your style is a good thing to do because you have to adapt your style to the story. You have to ask yourself, ‘are you getting too comfortable to the point where you are not developing your writing style as a journalist?’”
Finally, the ability to draw out facts makes or breaks a great sports journalist. “Great sports journalists paint a picture of the drama and get into the mind of an athlete to entertain their readers,” says Mrs. Geist.
Few people want to only read the facts and numbers about athletes and sports teams. Facts are great, but the real entertainment comes from writing the story with the athlete’s thoughts, not only the journalist’s.
Successful sports journalists never stop working on their journalistic skills. A sports journalist who writes for the New York Times website says, “If you want to attend a great graduate journalism school like the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, you need to build a good portfolio of articles because they want people with experience.”
Every sports journalist has their “Johnny Lawrence.” Sometimes the only way up the ladder is to take on your opponent and defeat them just as Daniel did to earn the title “Karate Kid” and to back up these words, “you’re the best around.”
Monday, March 15, 2010
It's Tournament Time Baby!!! Part 2 3/15/2010 2:30-3:15
What did you think of the show? Please leave any suggestions, comments, or topics you want to hear about. Thank you for your time.
Show 3/15/2010 12:00-12:45
How well did I do? Did I help lessen the confusion of picking NCAA tournament teams? Please leave a comment and advice for how I can make my show better. Thank you for listening.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Cavaliers Battle but Fall Short
The Virginia Cavaliers, a 9 seed in the ACC tournament, charged into the Blue Devil's, but ended up suffering a defeat at the end of the game.
The Cavaliers, entered today with a win over the 8th seeded Boston College Eagles yesterday. The Cavaliers came alive yesterday without their star player Sylven Landesberg who is on academic probabtion and out for the rest of the season. Sammy Zeglinski, stepped up for Virginia yesterday by scoring 21 points and going 5 for 10 from the 3-point line.
Unfortunately, Zeglinski's performance was horrendous today against Duke. He went 0 for 8 shooting the ball and had a few trunovers in the process.
Duke, the favorite to win the ACC tournament, started the game struggling to score a field goal. It took Duke 4 minutes into the first half to score their first points of the game. Virginia wasn't any better, it took them five minutes into the first half to score their first points of the game.
Both teams continued to play horrendously throughout the first half, which resulted in a tie of 27 points a piece at the end of the first half. Nolan Smith lead the Blue Devil's in scoring in the first half with 11 points.
The second half turned out to be a tad better than the first half, but both teams still had their problems shooting from the field.
When it was all said and done, Duke scored 57 points, while Virginia came up short with 46 points. Kyle Singler lead Duke in scoring with 18 points, 14 of the 18 points coming in the second half. Jeff Jones lead the Cavaliers in scoring with 15 points and Mike Scott scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the loss.
Virginia will be hanging up their jersey's for this season and the Blue Devil's will be marching on in the ACC tournament. Duke will play the winner of the Virginia Tech v. Miami (FL) game today and will be heading to the NCAA tournament as a possible #1 seed.
The Cavaliers, entered today with a win over the 8th seeded Boston College Eagles yesterday. The Cavaliers came alive yesterday without their star player Sylven Landesberg who is on academic probabtion and out for the rest of the season. Sammy Zeglinski, stepped up for Virginia yesterday by scoring 21 points and going 5 for 10 from the 3-point line.
Unfortunately, Zeglinski's performance was horrendous today against Duke. He went 0 for 8 shooting the ball and had a few trunovers in the process.
Duke, the favorite to win the ACC tournament, started the game struggling to score a field goal. It took Duke 4 minutes into the first half to score their first points of the game. Virginia wasn't any better, it took them five minutes into the first half to score their first points of the game.
Both teams continued to play horrendously throughout the first half, which resulted in a tie of 27 points a piece at the end of the first half. Nolan Smith lead the Blue Devil's in scoring in the first half with 11 points.
The second half turned out to be a tad better than the first half, but both teams still had their problems shooting from the field.
When it was all said and done, Duke scored 57 points, while Virginia came up short with 46 points. Kyle Singler lead Duke in scoring with 18 points, 14 of the 18 points coming in the second half. Jeff Jones lead the Cavaliers in scoring with 15 points and Mike Scott scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the loss.
Virginia will be hanging up their jersey's for this season and the Blue Devil's will be marching on in the ACC tournament. Duke will play the winner of the Virginia Tech v. Miami (FL) game today and will be heading to the NCAA tournament as a possible #1 seed.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Nathan injured, but don't count Twins out
Joe Nathan, relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow pitching against the Boston Red Sox last Saturday. Nathan had bone spurs removed before last season in his right elbow to protect from this injury. Nathan has not decided if he will have season-ending surgery or if he will rehab the right elbow.
Last season Nathan finished with 47 saves, which was second in the American League and in the MLB, Brian Fuentes of the Los Angeles led the MLB in saves with 48 in 2009.
Nathan's injury has Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, deciding on who will take Nathans place as the Twins closer. Jon Rauch has 26 saves in his MLB career so far and he would be the first candidate in the running for the closer role.
Never doubt the Twins minor league system though. Every year the Twins call-up a minor league player or two and they end up becoming key players for the ball club. The Twins are known for having a tremendous minor league system that successfully develops minor league players into hard-working day-to-day players in the MLB.
With Nathan possibly out for the season, does that mean that the Twins are not the favorite anymore to win the AL Central? Absolutely not in my mind.
The Twins have the offensive power to knock in runs left and right. With a line-up that will feature Denard Span, Orlando Hudson, J.J. Hardy, Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young and Nick Punto, the Twins have little to worry about.
The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox have a shot at winning the AL Central, but they will have to produce great offensive numbers and pitch well against the Twins in order to win the AL Central.
Last season Nathan finished with 47 saves, which was second in the American League and in the MLB, Brian Fuentes of the Los Angeles led the MLB in saves with 48 in 2009.
Nathan's injury has Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, deciding on who will take Nathans place as the Twins closer. Jon Rauch has 26 saves in his MLB career so far and he would be the first candidate in the running for the closer role.
Never doubt the Twins minor league system though. Every year the Twins call-up a minor league player or two and they end up becoming key players for the ball club. The Twins are known for having a tremendous minor league system that successfully develops minor league players into hard-working day-to-day players in the MLB.
With Nathan possibly out for the season, does that mean that the Twins are not the favorite anymore to win the AL Central? Absolutely not in my mind.
The Twins have the offensive power to knock in runs left and right. With a line-up that will feature Denard Span, Orlando Hudson, J.J. Hardy, Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young and Nick Punto, the Twins have little to worry about.
The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox have a shot at winning the AL Central, but they will have to produce great offensive numbers and pitch well against the Twins in order to win the AL Central.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Warm-Up
Did you like the radio show? Do you have any suggestions about what topics I should talk about? Leave your comments and let me know how you feel. Thank you.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Change
Throughout life, people go through many phases of change. As everyone grows older they develop new friendships, attitudes, personalities and lifestyles. Some of these changes can be good and some can lead a person down a new path. These new paths can affect the way we view other people, how we see life, and how we want to live our lives.
Be careful about what path you chose because your choices effect the people around you in your life. They can also effect you just as much as the people in your life because you can believe everything is going all right in your life until one issue starts to the affect the route to the hill while you are running to the top. You try to help yourself by taking another path, but then that leads to another issue and then another and another and by then you have tried so many routes to the top of the hill that you notice that each route gets you so far up the hill, but you have to put in the effort to make it to the top. A route will lead you to the top, but it is your persistence that will get you to the top.
There are times in life when we feel that one route is better ot easier to take because we know that in the end every route gets us to the top of the hill, which is where we want to be at some point in our lives. Some people may have reached that the top more than once in their lives, but no one stays at the top once they make it.
I tell you this because I, as well as many other people, have felt what it's like to believe that you have everything that you have ever wanted in your life until in one quick moment it can be taken away from you in a heart beat.
Everyone tells me that my time in college will be the best years of my life; however I strongly disagree because college is a time where you decide what you want to do for a job career. How can a eighteen or nineteen year old not be affraid of these four years that determine what you will do and who you will become? Everyday I get up and tell myself, "is this really happening?"
On top of that, it is not easy to date someone in college, no matter if you go to the same college or not. I tried having a long distance relationship with my girlfriend back home and it worked out in the beginning, , but eventually all good things have to come to an end. I had been dating this girl since my sophomore year of high school and we told each other that we would one day be married and have four kids together. We thought that things would always still be the same between us, but we were wrong. Being away from each other made us farther apart when I believed that it would have not effect on our relationship. She knew it would, but I was to stubborn to see the decision I made to go out-of-state for college would effect the relationship between us.
When I got to college, I thought that I would have a great roommate and that I would be heading to all the college football and basketball games. It turns out that my rommate was not the ideal person I wanted to have as a roommate, so I moved into another room by myself. I also never got into the football and basketball because I missed the college teams back home and I wasn't a big fan of the head basketball coach at the college. I enjoyed my classes that I took and I made the club soccer team, but I soon realized that I have my own life to worry about and to start. Mid-way through the first semester I decided that I wanted to transfer either back home or to a better college that has a better program that I want to major in. So I quit the club soccer team and started hitting the books, which I did only so often in high school.
At the end of the first semester I recieved two A's, two B's and a C. I was very proud of myself, but I knew that I needed to pick my grades up a little if I am going to get into the college with the better program I want to major in.
Now I am in the second semester of college and I am still trying to make it up to the top of the hill. I have lofty goals for myself and I intend to accomplish these goals so I can led myself into the direction of a successful life. I am taking the route that may led me farther away from the people and activities I love to do in life, but I know that in the end I will have accomplished my goal of getting to the top of the hill only waiting to be knocked back down the hill to restart the journey all over again. You can' stop change, you can only go with the flow and hope that it will led you to where you want to be in life.
Be careful about what path you chose because your choices effect the people around you in your life. They can also effect you just as much as the people in your life because you can believe everything is going all right in your life until one issue starts to the affect the route to the hill while you are running to the top. You try to help yourself by taking another path, but then that leads to another issue and then another and another and by then you have tried so many routes to the top of the hill that you notice that each route gets you so far up the hill, but you have to put in the effort to make it to the top. A route will lead you to the top, but it is your persistence that will get you to the top.
There are times in life when we feel that one route is better ot easier to take because we know that in the end every route gets us to the top of the hill, which is where we want to be at some point in our lives. Some people may have reached that the top more than once in their lives, but no one stays at the top once they make it.
I tell you this because I, as well as many other people, have felt what it's like to believe that you have everything that you have ever wanted in your life until in one quick moment it can be taken away from you in a heart beat.
Everyone tells me that my time in college will be the best years of my life; however I strongly disagree because college is a time where you decide what you want to do for a job career. How can a eighteen or nineteen year old not be affraid of these four years that determine what you will do and who you will become? Everyday I get up and tell myself, "is this really happening?"
On top of that, it is not easy to date someone in college, no matter if you go to the same college or not. I tried having a long distance relationship with my girlfriend back home and it worked out in the beginning, , but eventually all good things have to come to an end. I had been dating this girl since my sophomore year of high school and we told each other that we would one day be married and have four kids together. We thought that things would always still be the same between us, but we were wrong. Being away from each other made us farther apart when I believed that it would have not effect on our relationship. She knew it would, but I was to stubborn to see the decision I made to go out-of-state for college would effect the relationship between us.
When I got to college, I thought that I would have a great roommate and that I would be heading to all the college football and basketball games. It turns out that my rommate was not the ideal person I wanted to have as a roommate, so I moved into another room by myself. I also never got into the football and basketball because I missed the college teams back home and I wasn't a big fan of the head basketball coach at the college. I enjoyed my classes that I took and I made the club soccer team, but I soon realized that I have my own life to worry about and to start. Mid-way through the first semester I decided that I wanted to transfer either back home or to a better college that has a better program that I want to major in. So I quit the club soccer team and started hitting the books, which I did only so often in high school.
At the end of the first semester I recieved two A's, two B's and a C. I was very proud of myself, but I knew that I needed to pick my grades up a little if I am going to get into the college with the better program I want to major in.
Now I am in the second semester of college and I am still trying to make it up to the top of the hill. I have lofty goals for myself and I intend to accomplish these goals so I can led myself into the direction of a successful life. I am taking the route that may led me farther away from the people and activities I love to do in life, but I know that in the end I will have accomplished my goal of getting to the top of the hill only waiting to be knocked back down the hill to restart the journey all over again. You can' stop change, you can only go with the flow and hope that it will led you to where you want to be in life.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Spartans shield off Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lion's almost had spartan for dinner tonight. In East Lansing, Michigan, Penn State battled to the end, but fell up short against Michigan State.
Michigan State jumped out to a commanding lead in the first eight minutes of the first half, leading by as much as tweleve points. Penn State slowly battled back knocking down three after three. At th end of the first half, Michigan state led 32 to 25. That lead would not stand for long though. Penn State came out from the locker room continuing their shooting routine from behind the three-point line. As the game started to turn, Michigan State began to force passes and shoot unecessary shots from behind the three-point line. Once the pressure got to the Spartans, they started to pick their game up by making better shot selections and using their speed on offense to control the tempo of the game. In the end, the game came down to free throws for the Spartans. Raymar Morgan, senior for Michigan State, was 4 for 4 from the free throw line, making all four of his free throws in the last two minutes of the game. Morgan gave the Spartans a four point lead after hitting his fourth free throw, but Chris Babb from Penn State refuswed ot go down easily as he hit a three to make it a one point game with less than a minute left. Michigan State brought the ball up the court and ran the shot half way down before calling a timeout. After the timeout, Michigan State came back out onto the floor and ran the drawn up play by head coach Tom Izzo. As Durrell Summers from Michigan State recieved the ball, he forced a pass into two Penn State defenders. Penn State moved quickly down the court, but the ball was stolen from behind as Kalin Lucas knocked the ball out of Talor Battle's hand. Lucas was fouled and he knocked down one of two free throws, which gave Penn State one last try for the win, but was folied by the gret defense of Draymond Green.
Michigan State has to win on Sunday against their rivals from Ann Arbor to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title. Sunday will be Senior Night for the Spartans and I expect nothing less than a win against their rivals. Penn State drops to 3-14 in the Big Ten and are looking ahead to Saturday as the they will play Purdue at home for their Senior Night. A Purdue and Michigan State win along with an Ohio State loss will post a three-way for first place in the Big Ten, which means that three teams will share the Big Ten title. Ohio State would still get a number one seed in the Big Ten tournament and I would assume that Michigan State would get a two seed and that Purdue would get a three seed. We will have to see how it plays out this weekend.
Michigan State jumped out to a commanding lead in the first eight minutes of the first half, leading by as much as tweleve points. Penn State slowly battled back knocking down three after three. At th end of the first half, Michigan state led 32 to 25. That lead would not stand for long though. Penn State came out from the locker room continuing their shooting routine from behind the three-point line. As the game started to turn, Michigan State began to force passes and shoot unecessary shots from behind the three-point line. Once the pressure got to the Spartans, they started to pick their game up by making better shot selections and using their speed on offense to control the tempo of the game. In the end, the game came down to free throws for the Spartans. Raymar Morgan, senior for Michigan State, was 4 for 4 from the free throw line, making all four of his free throws in the last two minutes of the game. Morgan gave the Spartans a four point lead after hitting his fourth free throw, but Chris Babb from Penn State refuswed ot go down easily as he hit a three to make it a one point game with less than a minute left. Michigan State brought the ball up the court and ran the shot half way down before calling a timeout. After the timeout, Michigan State came back out onto the floor and ran the drawn up play by head coach Tom Izzo. As Durrell Summers from Michigan State recieved the ball, he forced a pass into two Penn State defenders. Penn State moved quickly down the court, but the ball was stolen from behind as Kalin Lucas knocked the ball out of Talor Battle's hand. Lucas was fouled and he knocked down one of two free throws, which gave Penn State one last try for the win, but was folied by the gret defense of Draymond Green.
Michigan State has to win on Sunday against their rivals from Ann Arbor to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title. Sunday will be Senior Night for the Spartans and I expect nothing less than a win against their rivals. Penn State drops to 3-14 in the Big Ten and are looking ahead to Saturday as the they will play Purdue at home for their Senior Night. A Purdue and Michigan State win along with an Ohio State loss will post a three-way for first place in the Big Ten, which means that three teams will share the Big Ten title. Ohio State would still get a number one seed in the Big Ten tournament and I would assume that Michigan State would get a two seed and that Purdue would get a three seed. We will have to see how it plays out this weekend.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Duke no match for Maryland on Senior Night
Greivis Vasquez and the Terps arn't ready to give up the ACC regular season title yet. This win over Duke mves the Terps into a first place tie with Duke.
Greivis Vasquez finished with only seven ponts at the end of the first half with his team laeading at half time. Once the second half started, Duke got hot and took the lead away from the Terps. Maryland never quit the entire game and their presistence on Senior night gave them the 79-72 victory over Duke. The fans quickly rushed the court as the buzzer sounded and the floor was covered in a sea of yellow and red. Watch out for Vasquez and these Terps not only in the ACC tournament, but also in the NCAA tournament.
Jon Scheyer for Duke finished with 19 points and shooting 4 for 6 from three point land. Kyle Singler, for Duke finished with 13 points and having no impact in the second half. On the plus side though, Duke continued their strong offensive rebounding with Brian Zunbek grabbing 6 of his 13 rebounds on the offensive boards. Junior guard Nolan Smith was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils with 20 points and 3 assists. If Duke wants to win their conference tournament and make a run in the NCAA tournament they need to keep up the offensive rebounding and knock down their three-point shots.
For Maryland, Vasquez lead the team in scoring. Freshman Jordan Williams really helped Vasquez and the other seniors get the win on Senior night also. Williams finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Eric Hayes, a senior guard, finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Greivis Vasquez finished with only seven ponts at the end of the first half with his team laeading at half time. Once the second half started, Duke got hot and took the lead away from the Terps. Maryland never quit the entire game and their presistence on Senior night gave them the 79-72 victory over Duke. The fans quickly rushed the court as the buzzer sounded and the floor was covered in a sea of yellow and red. Watch out for Vasquez and these Terps not only in the ACC tournament, but also in the NCAA tournament.
Jon Scheyer for Duke finished with 19 points and shooting 4 for 6 from three point land. Kyle Singler, for Duke finished with 13 points and having no impact in the second half. On the plus side though, Duke continued their strong offensive rebounding with Brian Zunbek grabbing 6 of his 13 rebounds on the offensive boards. Junior guard Nolan Smith was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils with 20 points and 3 assists. If Duke wants to win their conference tournament and make a run in the NCAA tournament they need to keep up the offensive rebounding and knock down their three-point shots.
For Maryland, Vasquez lead the team in scoring. Freshman Jordan Williams really helped Vasquez and the other seniors get the win on Senior night also. Williams finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Eric Hayes, a senior guard, finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds.
A #1 seed is on the line
Tonight at College Park we will find out who the real #1 is in the ACC. At 9 p.m. tonight on ESPN, #4 Duke will be squaring off against #23 Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Duke, who is on an eight game winning streak, looks to finish off there ACC regular season by trying to come out of Maryland with a win. If Duke wins tonight, they will clinch a number one seed in the ACC tournament and possibly a number one seed in the NCAA tournament.
Let's not get to far ahead of ourselves though. Maryland is on a five game winning streak of their own and they are looking for revenge against these Duke Blue Devils, but three weeks ago Maryland went into Cammeron Indoor Staduim and lost by twenty-one to the Blue Devils. How will Maryland respond to Duke tonight?
Greivis Vasquez, a senior at Maryland, is a player to watch tonight in this big game. Tonight is Senio Night for the senior and he is looking to come away with a win. On the flip side Jon Scheyer, a senior at Duke, is a player to also watch. Scheyer has lead this Duke team all season and he is not a player that wants to lose. Another player to watch is Kyle Singler, a junior at Duke. Can Singler hit the three tonight and help rebound on the offensive boards? When Singler hits his three-point shots, this Duke team is very difficult to stop.
All eyes are on the Maryland Terps to see if they can de-throne the Blue Devils from their first place ranking in the ACC standings. You don't want to miss this game, so get your work done and tune into to ESPN at 9 p.m.
Let's not get to far ahead of ourselves though. Maryland is on a five game winning streak of their own and they are looking for revenge against these Duke Blue Devils, but three weeks ago Maryland went into Cammeron Indoor Staduim and lost by twenty-one to the Blue Devils. How will Maryland respond to Duke tonight?
Greivis Vasquez, a senior at Maryland, is a player to watch tonight in this big game. Tonight is Senio Night for the senior and he is looking to come away with a win. On the flip side Jon Scheyer, a senior at Duke, is a player to also watch. Scheyer has lead this Duke team all season and he is not a player that wants to lose. Another player to watch is Kyle Singler, a junior at Duke. Can Singler hit the three tonight and help rebound on the offensive boards? When Singler hits his three-point shots, this Duke team is very difficult to stop.
All eyes are on the Maryland Terps to see if they can de-throne the Blue Devils from their first place ranking in the ACC standings. You don't want to miss this game, so get your work done and tune into to ESPN at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
#19 Vandy over comes a scare from Florida
Gainsville was no scare for vanderbilt. Even though the Commodores were had a three point lead at the half against Florida, that lead did not last very long. Vanderbilt came out scoring right away at the start of the second half, but again their inconsistency almost gave them another "L" in their loss column. The Gators made a nice run in the second half with the help of Vernon Macklin. Unfortunately, Macklin's 21 points and 8 rebounds was no match for the Commodores three-point shooting. John Jenkins, the freshman guard out of Gallatin, TN, stole the show with hitting a career high six three pointers. Forida was 17-0 when leading after 5:00 minutes left in the game this season, but Jenkins and the Commodores had a different story-book ending for Senior night in Gainsville. Jermaine Beal made two mportant free throws at the end of the game that sealed the deal for Vandy as they sent Dan Werner, a senior, and the Gators back to the locker room on Senior Night. Florida plays Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington as the Gators look to pull-off an upset. Kentucky better not sleep on these Gators because they will be sniping for a win so they can get off the bubble with the NCAA tournament committee come selection sunday.
#19 Vandy at Florida 1st Half
Vandy's inability to be consistent is there greatest downfall. After dominating the first ten minutes of the first half, Vanderbilt was out to a double digit lead against Florida. Winning on the road in college basketball sets you apart from other teams because if you can win on the road and at home, you will most likely be dancing far into March. Unfortunately, Vandy let their double digit lead slip completely as the Gators heated up in the last ten minutes of the half. The spark came from a number of Florida players, but Vernon Macklin was the highlight for Florida in the first half. Finishing the half with 12 points and 3 rebounds, Macklin made the Vandy defense look silly as he grabbed offensive rebounds and threw down two beautiful dunks. Macklin a red-shirt junior and a transfer from Georgertown University, is going to be a key player as the Gators look to take the game from Vandy as they battle back from being down by three at the half.
"http://www.blogtalkradio.com/brookslaimbeer"
"http://www.blogtalkradio.com/brookslaimbeer"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
