Tourney Challenge: Week 2

The Final Four is set and only one bracket was bold enough to predict a historic 4-for-4 by the 1-seeds. Three of the four were absolutely dominant in their Elite Eight matches, with Kansas barely slipping by an inspired Davidson team. (Speaking of which, did anyone notice how Stephon Curry's dismal performance in the second half went completely without comment? I mean, the guy has been stellar, no doubt about it, but 25 points after taking 25 shots? I counted a stretch where he missed seven in a row, mostly being ill-advised treys in which he shot 4-16. I honestly think the hype may have gone to his head and Davidson could have won this game if he had focused more on playmaking than scoring. Besides, the analysts forget that the reason he was so successful in the first couple rounds was because nobody really knew of him; once he actually garnered some attention he wasn't very effective. Ok ok, I'll lay off the guy now...)

With a chalkboard Final Four, most of us have been left in the dust. However, there are many scenarios that can still play out. Some stats after the second week of action:

-Gou Nu De's and Kassel 1 have no points possible remaining.
-Five brackets are tied with the most points possible remaining with 400.
-The Jaundice Eye was the only bracket aside from Top Seeds to get the Final Four.
-The top five brackets can all win under the right circumstances.

Here are the current standings:

1) Top Seeds, 980
2) The Jaundice Eye, 970
3) Deni's Domination, 920
4) Hands Off Raiders, 860
5) Trader Vic, 840
6) George Fox, 750
7) 40 oz In A Closet, 680
7) Beyer, 680
9) Gou Nu De's, 630
10) Ted Casady, 580*
11) Kassel 1, 530

*Theo didn't submit a bracket on ESPN.com in time but he did email it to me before the tournament started. He has 120 PPR with Kansas losing in the championship.

Opening Day!

Today is one of the greatest days of the year.

Today is Opening Day.*


*If you didn't know that, you're reading the wrong blog.

Iraqi Soccer Team Wins Important Match

Here's the closest thing to a sportsy post I can come up with:

There's a new ad featuring the Iraq National Soccer Team on the Arabic television news channels, where the club plays a match with rifle-wielding terrorists to determine the fate of the country (hint: the terrorists lose). It starts out with "On a dark day, the terrorists wanted to conquer Iraq" and ends with the goalie disposing of a live grenade with a lucky kick.

The ad, the newest and least graphic installment of a gruesome campaign denouncing terrorism, is aimed at reinforcing the concept in the Arab world that everyone plays a part in stamping out terrorism. But, like the USPS commercials (who sends more letters because they see television ads?), I think TV commercials are a silly medium to influence the deep-seated, complex loyalties of citizens towards either fledgling governments or jihadist operations. But, it's good to see some levity and humor in the discussion, the concept of a soccer team facing with armed terrorists is outrageous prima facie. I'm willing to bet it's our tax dollars at work!

If you just want a funny video about Arabs, check out New Iraqi Law Requires Waiting Period For Suicide Vest Purchases

Japan's National Pastime

It should be noted that it is rare that I would every tend to agree with Jay Mariotti, but for once the guy is right.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mariotti/861073,mariotti032608.article

I was eating out last night and watching sportscenter as it covered the Boston - Oakland game.  I have to be very honest, I did not know that it was opening day.  I'm ashamed as a baseball fan to admit that, but the bigger question is, why was it in Japan when most of America slept?  Why is the national pastime of this great nation being relegated to Japan to kick of the season?

Why?  The White Sox are still in camp in Arizona as are most of the teams.  I'm certain they're not gaining any advantage at this point by playing a few games early.  (By the way, they come back to the states to play a couple exhibition games before they resume their season)  But to ends does having opening day in Japan serve. 

This is not some xenophobic remark about Japanese people or their culture.  Rather, why is something so instilled in America culture and a tradition we can truly call unique to America, being transferred to Japan.  

It seems ridiculous to me and as Jay pointed out, is another blemish on the terrible record of Bud Selig.  A tie game in the All-Star game?  Steroids?  Luxury Tax?  What gives Bud?

Don't sell out our pastime.  Devoted fans and teams and players deserve better than this.  I hope this is a one time thing and we see a move back to state-side opening day.  

Maybe I'm just bitter because my bracket sucks...

Tourney Challenge: Week 1

After the first week of March Madness, the goddam 'Top Seeds' chalkboard bracket has taken the lead. All in all, the first round had plenty of exciting games. (I hated seeing Drake lose, but what a finish!) Oh, and beware of the twelve seeds...

Some noteworthy stats:

-The Jaundice Eye won the first round with 25/32.
-Deni's Domination and Trader Vic won the second round with 11/16.
-George Fox placed last in both rounds.
-Deni's Domination has the most points possible remaining (1000).
-Gou Nu De's and Kassel 1 have the least points possible remaining (760).
-The only brackets that picked one of the double-digit teams in the Sweet 16 are George Fox (Villanova) and 40 oz in a Closet (Western Kentucky).
-Every bracket had Duke in the Elite Eight.
-None of the brackets has UNC -- the #1 ranked team in both polls -- winning the tournament.
-Deni's Domination is the only bracket with 7/8 Elite Eight teams still remaining.
-Kassel 1 is the only bracket with two of its Final Four eliminated. (Both Beyer and Gou Nu De's have one eliminated.)

The standings:

1) Top Seeds, 460
2) The Jaundice Eye, 450
3) Deni's Domination, 440
3) Beyer, 440
5) Hands Off Raiders, 420
6) Trader Vic, 400
6) 40 oz in a Closet, 400
8) Gou Nu De's, 390
9) Kassel 1, 370
10) George Fox, 310

Woes in Chicago

This season the Chicago Bulls have been full of discontent and unaccomplished expectations. The "Also See" section of the Bulls' ESPN.com homepage -- a list of recent news reports concerning the team -- is comprised of the following articles:

• Nocioni apologizes to Boylan, team for outburst during loss to Pacers
• Bulls discipline Duhon over comments on benching
• Bulls' Thomas mum on reason for missing practice
• Bulls suspend Thomas for unexcused absence
• Bulls get angry: Noah has words with Wallace
• Bulls' Noah benched extra game by teammates

I miss the days when the only distraction was Dennis Rodman in a wedding dress. It's not easy being a Bulls fan these days...

Drake's Clock Strikes Midnight

For those that did not see the heartbreaking end to Drake's tremendous season, you missed out on a heck of a show.  Drake struggled mightily to contain the hot shooting Hill-toppers of Western Kentucky.  The simply shot lights out and scored at will against a Drake defense that seemed a bit slower and less athletic that Western Kentucky.  Surprisingly, the biggest advantage to the Hill-toppers was foul trouble.  With their best big man out, they had a smaller line-up on the floor and played a lot better with that.  But give credit to Drake.  They were down 16 at one point and you saw a little panic (Korver's three point shoots from way down town) but by a large they knew they could claw back, and they did.  Western Kentucky fouled a lot, and early in both halves putting Drake in the double bonus early on.  Bad choice because is money from the charity stripe.   Bottom line was the game was a fantastic show of basketball, in a truly pure form.  Viewers saw players major programs passed up and proved their worth.  Keno Davis should continue to make Drake a respectable program with more talent.  But what we watched this season with Drake was a lot of fun.  

The Streak Ends!

I don't know about everyone else, but I was extremely disappointed to see the Rockets streak come to an end. The NBA needs all the excitement it can get, and the streak was a great way to get people fired up and anxious for the playoffs. I am usually a bigger fan of the Eastern Conference, but since the Bulls can't string together more than two wins and the top two teams are way above the rest of the conference, the race in the Western Conference is far more exciting. I can't remember the last time all 8 playoff teams were only separated by 4.5 games this late in the season. It's crazy that winning 3 games can put you at the top of the conference and losing 3 can take you out of the playoffs completely! Every playoff match-up in the West should be full of action, so I hope I am left satisfied by season's end, especially if the Lakers drop out of the playoffs.

It's March MADness, baby!

Well, kids, it's that time of year again...

And it's about time. Even though I've been overseas, the few games I've caught have fired me up for the greatest event in the sporting universe. Did anyone catch the end of that Minnesota-Indiana Big Ten tourney game? If that doesn't get you ready for the Madness, I don't know what will.

Create an entry at espn.com and submit your official bracket to the group "ISU FH '08" (password: gulk). For last year's results, including Sport's second win in a row, click here. Who can dethrone him? Who can beat the chalkboard bracket? Will Seth and I again lose to 90+% of the brackets? Don't count on it -- I got yer winner right here...

My New Inspiration

Buster Martin is about to become the oldest person to run a marathon...at 101 years old. He still works a job, frequents a gym, smokes, drinks, his bones are 25% dust, and I bet he's still healthier than you. Two weeks ago he ran a 13-mile half marathon, claiming he could have done it faster if he hadn't stopped for a beer and cigarette. Evidently Buster's a stud off the beaten path as well, having fathered 17 kids. Quote of the day:

"Martin likes running, 'but not as much as I like my beer,' he added."

Gents, this is the man we should all strive to be...

Eliot Spitzer Contends for Biggest American Hypocrite

The Governor of New York has dramatically entered the pitched battle for biggest hypocrite in America with his admission of being a regular john for high-end prosties.

Clearly Eliot Spitzer represents the very worst of the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do nature of politics. While he was busy making up crimes to further his career, he was personally arranging meetings with $5000/hour call girls.

He invented new legal maneuvers to indict Wall Street bankers, greatly inflating the power of the state attorney general (the herd arguing Bush orchestrated has overstepped his powers wouldn’t have a vocabulary to describe the NY AG racket). He also used his office to wage personal battles against foes like Dick Grasso, chair of the NYSE, for too high a salary. As with many Spitzer cases, there was no evidence to support the charges and the motive was good PR, all criminal charges were dropped.

His conceit extended to other arenas. Like any Democrat official, he knew he was smarter than everyone else and therefore entitled to make decisions for everyone else. From an October 2004 interview with the Atlantic (linked by NRO):

By 2004, Spitzer was deep into his campaign to clean up Wall Street, and some critics on the right had accused him of going beyond law enforcement to a point where he was effectively creating new regulation through the threat of litigation. In a profile in The Atlantic, Spitzer dismissed these critics: “They reflexively evoke the words ‘free market’ without an understanding of what the term means. I believe in the market as much as anybody, but I believe I understand it better than they do. I understand that a market needs to have rules by which it lives.” Spitzer’s comment missed the point of much of the criticism — that as a state attorney general, he was not the person who should be making the rules.

I personally am all for legalized prostitution, legalized drugs, and legalized (insert victimless crime here). If most drugs were legal tomorrow, I’d wait in a decent-sized line to buy a few joints. (But they’re not legal, and that absurd fact has prevented me from taking any pleasure from THC. Sad but true.)

What I can’t accept is that hypocrisy in public officials. If it’s good for you, why are you special? Why did you, Mr. Spitzer, put other people in jail for what you enjoy, too? We all realize that one man can’t change laws by himself, but speaking out on these fucking ridiculous laws would be a good place to start. Not only has Gov. Spitzer taken an oath to uphold the laws as they stand, he has zealously prosecuted the statutes he was flouting. Ethically, he was opening himself to dangerous blackmail scenarios and, legally, he was breaking federal banking laws.

And worst, now this maggot (no offense to any shit-eating insects) is refusing to submit his resignation because to do so would ‘give up his biggest bargaining chip’; he will make a plea agreement where relinquishing his throne is the punishment for the federal charges he faces. What an absolute scumbag! I honestly hope the federal attorneys turn down any offer of using a tarnished elected position as leverage, the Assembly moves on with impeachment, and the man is sentenced after a very public trial. What a Democrat!

College Football Coaching Changes

I'll admit this post is a little tardy, but the dust certainly has settled by now in the world of college football head coaching.  (Unless Bobby Petrino found a better job...)

Nebraska

The hire that should have been is finally.  Bo Pelini represents an old school mentality in football.  He was a great defensive coordinator for LSU, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and the NFL (he was also a grad. assistant at Iowa) he will get a chance to show if he's head coaching material.  My guess, oh yeah.  Bo will find his calling in Nebraska where football is all they have.  Bill Callahan never embraced that as a head coach.  However, it will be a challenge for Nebraska to regain its swager.  Their defense was awful last year (see Ball State - 600 yards)  They continue to bring in talent, but what remains to be seen is if this talent will mature into playmakers.  I imagine this will take 2 years to get the program back to top of the Big 12 but I'm not convinced Nebraska can ever be a major player in the BCS anymore.  The talent disparity is much closer now with Missouri and Kansas both rising in ability, Colorado is poised for a break out year, and ISU isn't a pushover either.  I imagine though, people will be patient with Pelini for a few years, but if major improvements aren't in place in 3 years, expect another coup.

Grade: B+

Texas A&M

Mike Sherman brings his NFL know-how to College Station.  (No word how much it costs to subscribe to his newsletter)  I see this hire going well for a while and then falling flat.  I just don't know if NFL coaches are a good fit in college.  (I know for a fact college coaches should stay away from the NFL)  They tend to bring a different attitude to the game that just doesn't always fit.  College Station has an awesome stadium and the University has a ton of pride.  Who knows how long Sherman will stay.  How will the players respond?  Does his fit the A&M mold?  I just don't know and for that, don't really like this hire.  He seemed like the quick answer to keep the recruits for the fall, which is not always a good solution (see Wayne Morgan).  A&M should have spent sometime to find a better replacement who understand college football (see Will Muschamp - Texas Def. Coordinator).

Grade: D+

UCLA

Not only do the get a head coach with some great ability but they picked up a great offensive coordinator.  Norm Chow may be the best pick up as far as assistant coaches go, with Texas hiring Will Muschamp a close 2nd.  Chow is a tremendous off. coordinator.  Look what he did at USC and I think his work in the NFL should be commended considering Vince Young was about his only weapon.  They were not respectable and given more time (and talent) he would have been successful.  Rick Neuheisel should be a good head coach with his experience.  Trouble is that he doesn't like following NCAA rules some times.  Regardless the guy is a winner and UCLA will rise towards the top and be very competitive with USC.  Can it really be that hard to get talent to Southern California?  Honestly, the talent will come and look for UCLA to be excellent in the next 2-3 years.  

Grade: A- 

Arkansas

I would never in a million years hire Bobby Petrino to coach my team.  The man has one foot out the door most of the time.  He left a Louisville program poised to get better make a run at the national title in 2007 and left a suffering Atlanta gig with 3 games left.  If he's successful at AR, I don't expect him to stay long.  Can the guy coach, oh yeah, no doubt.   But for the long term success of the program, this was a bad hire.  AR could you some stability considering how Houston Nutt was treated but the fan base is not exactly very forgiving either.  I see this hire ending in an awful blood bath (hopefully figuratively)

Grade: D

Michigan

I loved what Rich Rodriguez did with the WVU program.  However, having actually been to Morgantown, I can't say I blame the guy for leaving.  The stadium in an moderate upgrade from Jack Trice and the town leaves something to be desired.  So now he gets a program committed to winning, with the tradition (and money) to make it happen.  However, this will not be a quick turnaround.  Pat White made Rich look very smart and right now no such QB is attending Michigan.  So it might be 3-4 years until his system really begins to blossom.  Can Michigan fans be that patient.  We'll see, but trust me, the man can coach and get the job done.

Grade: A

WVU

Feel good stories only last so long.  Cinderalla was wonderful but we don't care how many kids she had with Prince Charming.  George Mason was great 2 years ago, but how did they do last year?  Norm Stewart did wonders against Oklahoma (who by the way should try bowl games before the New Year sometime, just to see if it changes matters) However, one game should not decide a season or a head coach.  Such impulse hires only lead to trouble and disappointment.  Norm Stewart bought his time and shined when it mattered.  But I don't seem him recruiting well in the future, nor being able to take this program to a national championship.  AD's need to think long term and this decision was made on a whim and 2 martinis into the night.  WVU will regret this hire.

All the sudden Rutgers looks like the best Big East team.

Grade: F

SMU

June Jones has done more with less than any coach every in the history of the world.  Maybe a bit of a stretch, but he peaked at Hawaii this last year.  The ceiling was hit and unless the AD was willing to pump some more money into a pathetic program, he could only do so much.  So I don't blame the guy for leaving and taking a job with a ton of potential.  SMU used to be a powerhouse until they (like Neuheisel) couldn't follow rules very well.  But he's in Texas, and talent will no longer be a problem.  Will the be consistent BCS teams, unlikely.  But this team will improve greatly and June Jones can finally have a decent office.

Grade: B

One coach to watch for next year to make a jump to a better program

Brian Kelly (Cincinnati) - this guy just wins and made Cincy a good program in one year, look for this to continue and him to coaching a bigger school soon.

NFL Draft

One of my favorite times of year is the NFL draft.  Maybe because I find myself starved for football come April, and its about as close as I can get.  

 

So here are my thoughts on some of the players in the draft. 

 

Brian Brohm

 

Brohm is my  favorite player in the draft.  I love his throwing motion and this ability to manage a game.  He showed his ability last year to be a great QB and had he left, would be make some noise on an NFL roster.  As it was, he stayed and suffered.  Steve Kragthorpe could not get his team to stop anybody on defense.  Sadly his stock has fallen.  However, this may be the best scenario.  I hate seeing great players going to teams that are just awful and expect one player to fix a broken franchise.  I hope the Vikes take a chance on this young man, because T. Jackson is not proving to be very helpful.  Watch this young man, because he may end up in the second round and make some team very happy (see Ben Roethlisberger)

 

Glenn Dorsey

 

I am not convinced this guy will make it in the NFL.  He's been hurt a lot, and nerved really lived up to the hype his senior year.  His stock is falling right now because of his injuries.  He might be a decent player but I don't seem him making it farther than tops on his team.  I just don't see him being an all-star nor I imagine him being a center-piece on a defensive front.  He'll contribute, but not like the Williams boys (no relation) in Minnesota.

 

Darren McFadden

 

I worry this guy might disappoint too.  He seems to be labeled as a god among men.  He isn't though.  He's good, really good.  But remember the A. Peterson was not expected to produce much in the NFL (injury prone).  However, he made it and showed his worth.  Now I do believe he can make it this league, but I'm not convinced he can produce at the same level as Adrian Peterson.  

ISU Basketball

After watching a lot of ISU basketball this year, more than I did even as an ISU student, I learned something great today.  This team is ready to shine.

Iowa State took on a team with some great players (see M. Beasley and B. Walker) and stood tough.  The Clones may not have the depth and talent of most teams, or any team for that matter.  But Coach McDermott finds a way to his players into position and you can just see that the foundation is set for success.  I realize coming from a  guy who couldn't make a shot if his life depended on it.  However, I see a huge difference between this team and the Wayne Morgan team.  Watching those games left you wondering "what the heck is going on?"  When things got bad and their athletic ability (which was at a higher level under Morgan) couldn't carry them, things fell apart.  

Now I see a team that shouldn't keep with a KSU team loaded with talent, and there was no quit.  None, at all.  They fought back from 8 and 14 point deficits to keep the game close to the very end.  

So Cyclone fans, rejoice, the future is bright.  Basketball, (and football) is on the way up in Ames.  Jamie Pollard has a plan and the men in charge are poised to led the resurgence of ISU sports.  

The best news of the day, we're still not the Hawkeyes.

14 Arrests since April 2007 = Class Program

Countdown Til 1st Pitch...

...24 days, 13 hours, 56 minutes, 25 seconds and counting...