Showing posts with label college basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college basketball. Show all posts

Thursday, March 18, 2010

NCAA Tournament 2010 - Final 4

FINAL 4:
Underlined teams are those I picked to win.

1. Kansas
2. Kansas State

1. Kentucky
1. Duke

What You Need to Know:

Kansas State has seven losses this season. Three of those came at the hands of Kansas. Make it four after this one. Duke was good enough to win the Bracket of Duke, but Kentucky is clearly the better team.

FINALS:

1. Kansas
1. Kentucky

What You Need to Know:

Both teams have two loses, with one coming against Tennessee. Both teams had tough second half schedules, and managed to come out largely unscathed. Kansas looks like it might be the better overall team, but my gut says they won't be able to overcome John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. I'm going with my gut.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

NCAA Tournament 2010 - West

FIRST ROUND:
Underlined teams are those I picked to win.

1. Syracuse
16. Vermont

8. Gonzaga
9. Florida State

5. Butler
12. UTEP

4. Vanderbilt
13. Murray State

6. Xavier
11. Minnesota

3. Pittsburgh
14. Oakland

7. BYU
10. Florida

2. Kansas State
15. North Texas

What You Need to Know:

The only surprise here is that Syracuse is #1. They lost their last two games, and could have easily been dropped to #2 behind West Virginia. But they're a #1, and all the favorite roll in the opener.

SECOND ROUND:

1. Syracuse
8. Gonzaga

5. Butler
4. Vanderbilt

6. Xavier
3. Pittsburgh

7. BYU
2. Kansas State

What You Need to Know:

Aside from #1 and #2, any of these games could go either way. Butler/Vandy and Xavier/Pitt should both be good games, and I figure the underdogs should win both games.

SWEET 16:

1. Syracuse
5. Butler

6. Xavier
2. Kansas State

What You Need to Know:

Once again, the higher seeds win, setting up a #1 vs #2 regional final.

ELITE 8:

1. Syracuse
2. Kansas State

What You Need to Know:

Syracuse has looked like a solid team all season, but they shouldn't be a #1 seed. Kansas State has the luck of being the one to take them out, being the only #2 to make my Final 4.

NCAA Tournament 2010 - South

FIRST ROUND:
Underlined teams are those I picked to win.

1. Duke
16. Arkansas - Pine Bluff

8. Cal
9. Louisville

5. Texas A&M
12. Utah State

4. Purdue
13. Siena

6. Notre Dame
11. Old Dominion

3. Baylor
14. Sam Houston State

7. Richmond
10. St Mary's

2. Villanova
15. Robert Morris

What You Need to Know:

If the Midwest is the Bracket of Death, the South is clearly the Bracket of Duke. Below #1, the teams are so weak that Duke should cruise to the Final 4. Purdue is without Robbie Hummel, and will probably fall to a Siena team high off their conference championship. And every year we have at least one 5/12 upsets, and this years will be Utah State over Texas A&M.

SECOND ROUND:

1. Duke
9. Louisville

12. Utah State
13. Siena

6. Notre Dame
3. Baylor

7. Richmond
2. Villanova

What You Need to Know:

This mess of a region continues, as the top two stay, while Notre Dame finally makes it past the Second Round, and Siena keeps that championship high going.

SWEET 16:

1. Duke
13. Siena

6. Notre Dame
2. Villanova

What You Need to Know:

Duke make the Elite 8, no surprise there. On the other side, Notre Dame pulls off the huge upset, knocking off Villanova. The Irish have a gameplan that forces opponents to slow down, throwing off their rythm. It'll get them this far, but will it get them to the Final 4?

ELITE 8:

1. Duke
6. Notre Dame

What You Need to Know:

No. Duke has been doing this for far too long to be upset by ND. Really, Duke could lose at any point in this region, and if you bracket goes bust, I'd just blame the South and pray for a better 2011.

NCAA Tournament 2010 - East

FIRST ROUND:
Underlined teams are those I picked to win.

1. Kentucky
16. East Tennessee State

8. Texas
9. Wake Forest

5. Temple
12. Cornell

4. Wisconsin
13. Wofford

6. Marquette
11. Washington

3. New Mexico
14. Montana

7. Clemson
10. Missouri

2. West Virginia
15. Morgan State

What You Need to Know:

While everyone is talking about Cornell, Missouri and Washington could be the surprises of the first round. Why everyone thinks Cornell could win I don't understand, because everyone also agrees Temple is better than a #5 seed. Everything else goes according to plan.

SECOND ROUND:

1. Kentucky
8. Texas

5. Temple
4. Wisconsin

6. Washington
3. New Mexico

10. Missouri
2. West Virginia

What You Need to Know:

Kentucky, Temple, New Mexico, and West Virginia should clearly be the top four teams in the East. Though even if you flip Temple and Wisconsin at 4/5, the outcome would probably be the same.

SWEET 16:

1. Kentucky
5. Temple

3. New Mexico
2. West Virginia

What You Need to Know:

Temple may be better than a #5, but not better than a #1. Kentucky will probably make this look easy. On the other side, I just don't think West Virginia can live up to the hype. Not to mention all their complaining about being a #2 instead of a #1 could be fodder for a New Mexico rally.

ELITE 8:

1. Kentucky
3. New Mexico

What You Need to Know:

Kansas may be #1 overall, but in my opinion Kentucky is the best team in the nation.

NCAA Tournament 2010 - Midwest

FIRST ROUND:
Underlined teams are those I picked to win.

1. Kansas
16. Lehigh

8. UNLV
9. Northern Iowa

5. Michigan State
12. New Mexico State

4. Maryland
13. Houston

6. Tennessee
11. San Diego State

3. Georgetown
14. Ohio

7. Oklahoma State
10. Georgia Tech

2. Ohio State
15. UC - Santa Barbara

What You Need to Know:

Known as the Bracket of Death, the Midwest is pretty straight forward in the First Round. The 8/9 matchup can always go either way, and otherwise the favorites should come out on top.

SECOND ROUND:

1. Kansas
9. Northern Iowa

5. Michigan State
4. Maryland

6. Tennessee
3. Georgetown

7. Oklahoma State
2. Ohio State

What You Need to Know:

Kansas is the #1 overall team in the tournament for a reason, and they shouldn't have too much trouble with Northern Iowa. Georgetown should roll over Tennessee, too. Michigan St/Maryland could go either way, but thinking this isn't Maryland's year. At the bottom of the bracket, Ohio State may have a better record than Oklahoma State in an arguably better conference, but OK State is 13-3 out of conference, and could pull out an upset here.

SWEET 16:

1. Kansas
5. Michigan State

3. Georgetown
7. Oklahoma State

What You Need to Know:

Kansas and Oklahoma State make the Elite 8. Kansas goes for the obvious reason. OK State gets in not because they are the better team, but because Georgetown's grueling Big East schedule will catch up with them sooner, rather than later.

ELITE 8:

1. Kansas
7. Oklahoma State

What You Need to Know:

Oklahoma State could have a good run this year, but Kansas is just the better team all around.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Tuesday Morning News - 12/22/09

Jimmy Johnson has been named AP Male Athlete of the Year, and is the first NASCAR driver to recieve the award. [Examiner.com]

Former Seahawks and Packers head coach Mike Holmgren has agreed to become president of the Cleveland Browns. [Ohio.com]

Three members of the USC football team have been ruled academically ineligible for the Emerald Bowl against Boston College. [LA Times]

New Jersey Devils G Martin Brodeur recorded his 104th career shutout, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0, and breaking Terry Sawchuck's record. [Baltimore Sun]

The University of Kentucky became the first college basketball program to record 2,000 wins by beating Drexel, 88-44. [Bloomberg]

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Sunday Morning News - 12/6/09

Roy "Big Country" Nelson is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 10. Kimbo Slice also defeated Houston Alexander by unanimous decision in the fianle. [MMAFrenzy.com]

Portland Trailblazers C Greg Oden could miss the rest of the season with a fractured patella in his left knee. [The Blazers Beat]

Ohio State G Evan Turner is expected to miss 8 weeks after fracturing two vertebra in his spine when he fell on his back following a dunk. [Big Ten Network]

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Sunday News - 11/29/09

Week 13 college football upsets: Georgia 30 - No 7 Georgia Tech 24, West Virginia 19 - No 9 Pitt 16, Oklahoma 21 - No 12 Oklahoma State 0, South Carolina 34 - No 18 Clemson 17, NC State 28 - No 24 UNC 27, Mississippi State 41 - No 25 Ole Miss 27 [ESPN]

MLB commisioner Bud Selig plans on stepping down when his contract runs out after the 2012 season. [MLB.com]

Orlando Magic SF Matt Barnes has been fined $20,000 for tossing a ball into the stands after a game against the Miami Heat. Barnes will appeal. [Orlando Sentinel]

Buffalo Sabres F Patrick Kaleta has been suspended 2 games after a hit on Philadelphia Flyers Jared Ross. [USA Today]

Colorado Avalanche F David Jones will mis 4-6 months with a torn ACL. [Denver Post]

Louisville head football coach Steve Kragthorpe has been fired after going 15-21 in three seasons with the school. [Pittsburgh Tribune Review]

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo broke the schools record for wins by beating Massachusetts, 106-68. It was his 341st win with the program. [MLive.com]

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Saturday Morning News - 11/28/09

Tiger Woods was injured in a one-car accident early Friday morning. The latest update says his injuries were caused by his wife, not the accident itself. [TMZ]

Duke won the 2009 NIT Season Tip-off, beating UConn, 68-59. [NYDN]

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma won his 700th career game, beating Hofstra, 91-46. [Danbury News Times]

The Las Vegas Locomotives won the inaugural UFL Championship beating the Florida Tuskers in overtime. [Las Vegas Sun]

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Saturday Morning News - 11/21/09

NY Giants LB Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI revealed a bulging disk in his neck. [NJ.com]

Jacksonville Jaguars S Reggie Nelson has been fined $7,500 for an unnecessary blow to the head on Jets QB Mark Sanchez. [Pro Football Talk]

Dallas Stars F James Neal has been suspended 2 games for a major boarding penalty against Columbus Blue Jackets F Derek Dorsett. [National Post]

Syracuse wins the 2k Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, upsetting 6 Syracuse, 87-71. [Greensboro News-Record]

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday Morning News - 11/14/09

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has been fined $20,000 for abuse of an official during their loss to Arizona last week. [UPI]

Arkansas's Rotnei Clarke set an SEC record with 13 3-pointers in a 130-68 win over Alcorn State. He also broke the teams scoring record with 51 points. [Times Record Online]

Washington Capitals RW Mike Knuble is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after breaking a finger in a 3-1 win over New Jersey. [Washington Post]

Ron Hornaday has clinched the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title, his fourth. At 51 years old, he is the oldest driver to win a NASCAR series championship. [TSN]

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wednesday Morning News - 10/11/09

AL Gold Glove Winners: P Mark Buehrle(CWS), C Joe Mauer(MIN), 1B Mark Teixeira(NYY), 2B Placido Polanco(DET), 3B Evan Longoria(TB), SS Derek Jeter(NYY), OF Torii Hunter(LAA), OF Adam Jones(BAL), OF Ichiro Suzuki(SEA) [MLB.com]

Basbeball's general managers decided not to hold a vote on the expansion of instant replay. [Chicago Breaking Sports]

Memphis Grizzlies C Hasheem Thabeet broke his jaw in a collision with teammate Zach Randolph during last night's loss to Portland. [NBC Connecticut]

Illinois' Jeff Jordan, oldest son of Michael, has been suspended 2 games for playing in an unsanctioned event over the summer. [USA Today]

The University of Arkansas has handed out suspensions to five players. Glenn Bryant will miss 2 games, Marcus Britt will miss 6, Nick Mason will miss the entire fall semester, and Stefan Walsh and Courtney Fortson are out indefinitely, all for violating team rules. [Fayetteville Flyer]

German goalkeeper Robert Enke has died. His death is believed to have been a suicide. [Examiner]

Joe Cada is now the youngest person to win the World Series of Poker Main Event. [OnlinePoker.net]

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Tuesday Morning News - 11/10/09

Larry Johnson has been released by the Kansas City Chiefs following his two week suspension. [Bloomberg]

Oregon's LeGarrette Blount has been reinstated by the Pac-10, and will play this weekend against Arizona State. He had been originally suspended the full season for punching an opponent after Oregon's opening game loss to Boise State. [DuckSportsNews.com]

FSU's Chris Ponder will miss the rest of the season with a separated shoulder. [Augusta Free Press]

Minnesota Wild RW Petr Sykora will be out indefinitely after suffering a concussion against the Dallas Stars. [St Cloud Times]

Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim beat Albany to win his 800th game, all with the same school. [NYDN]

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Saturday Morning News - 10/31/09

South Florida upset 21 West Virginia, 30-19. [ESPN]

Detroit Red Wing Valtteri Filppula will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist. [Detroit News]

Kentucky G John Wall will be eligible to play, provided he sits out the teams next regular season and exhibition game, and repays $800 used on unofficial school visits while in high school. [Rivals.com]

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Thursday Morning News - 10/29/09

The Philadelphia Phillies have won World Series Game 1, beating the Yankees 6-1. Philly P Cliff Lee bacame the first pitcher to have 10 Ks, 0 walks, and 0 earned runs in a World Series game. [FOX Sports]

Larry Johnson has officially been suspended until November 9. He is expected to appeal. [Reuters]

The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked #1 in the preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. [ESPN]

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Morning News - 10/23/09

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable will not face charges in the alleged assault of assistant Randy Hanson. [SFGate]

The LA Angels have extended the ALCS to a sixth game by beating the Yankees, 7-6. [Bloomberg]

Florida State finally has an in-conference win, coming from behind to beat UNC 30-27. [Orlando Sentinel]

Kentucky's John Wall and Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney are being investigated by the SEC to determine their college eligibility. Sidney is being investigated based on a job his fether once held, and Wall played in AAU for a man who was a certified agent until 2008. [Commercial Appeal]

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wednesday Morning News - 10/14/09

The University of Kentucky and Billy Gillispie reached a settlement on the lawsuits related to his firing. Gillispie will reportedly get over $2.9million. [Louisville Courier-Journal]

US National Team forward Charlie Davies is in stable condition after an early-morning one-car accident left him with broken bones and a lacerated bladder, and killed another person in the car. [ESPN Soccernet]

Billy Wagner, who missed much of this season after having Tommy John surgery, is considering retiring. [NY Post]

Junior Seau is coming out of retirment again to play for the New England Patriots. [Washinton Post]

Super Bowl hero David Tyree has signed with the Baltimore Ravens. [Baltimore Sun]