I'm gonna go with Yankees over Tigers on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. I've been to many o' Opening Days, and don't remember the Yanks losing. Hey Tigers - you're annually bad, thanks for Granderson though, how's Phil Coke working out for you?
Butler vs Uconn is going to be the Final in my opionion, but no bets on the Final Four. With the way March Madness has been going this year, I wouldn't put money near those two games.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : %75 (6-2)
ThalerND : %71 (5-2)
Mathew : %67 (2-1)
Bill Beck : %63 (5-3)
Quaz Flawless : %62 (8-5)
Pat Downes : %33 (2-4)
Less Than 3 Locks
lpmt : 100% (1-0)
Dan : 0% (0-2)
Matt Summa : 0% (0-2)
Ian : 0% (0-2)
seanOC : 0% (0-1)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Freak-Monster
Remember lowering the hoop down in the back yard and doing crazy dunks imagining that you were in the middle of a tense NBA contest? So does Shannon Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Flawless Thoughts
If you're the guy who had VCU in your Final Four -Marty McFly called, he wants his magazine back.
How do you lose more $$$ than the Islanders, by being the Mets of course.
Notre Dame made it!!!!......to the Frozen Four.
When the Eagles' Jason Peters hangs out with Rick Ross, things happen.
How do you lose more $$$ than the Islanders, by being the Mets of course.
Notre Dame made it!!!!......to the Frozen Four.
When the Eagles' Jason Peters hangs out with Rick Ross, things happen.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tweet of the Week
ESPN_Colin Colin Cowherd
Jimmer finally unveiled as 90 % media story AND 10% basketball prodigy. Ball hog, who plays no defense and is turnover prone.Kemba, the man
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lock It Up
My lock of the week is Magic over Knicks tonight. The floundering Knicks will have no answer for Dwight Howard and his legion of 3-pt shooters, NY will be exhausted from defending in the post then running out to attempt blocking the open shooters. Besides don't the Bockers need to decide who's Mario and who's Luigi?
No bets on Nets vs Cavs, while the Cavs are eliminated from the playoffs (big surprise), the Nets still have a long shot chance to get there and the motivation from that possibility should get them past the "cursed" Cleveland team, though the Nets have been atrocious this year and I could see the Cavs somehow winning.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Quaz Flawless : 7-5
Lee Feinstein : 6-2
ThalerND : 5-2
Bill Beck : 5-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
Mathew : 2-1
lpmt : 1-0
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
No bets on Nets vs Cavs, while the Cavs are eliminated from the playoffs (big surprise), the Nets still have a long shot chance to get there and the motivation from that possibility should get them past the "cursed" Cleveland team, though the Nets have been atrocious this year and I could see the Cavs somehow winning.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Quaz Flawless : 7-5
Lee Feinstein : 6-2
ThalerND : 5-2
Bill Beck : 5-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
Mathew : 2-1
lpmt : 1-0
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Freak-Monster
Andrew Bynum is a Freak-Monster and in the NHL this would have led to a great American/Canadian past time called, "the hockey fight", but in the NBA the offending player gets a "flagrant two". I can just hear George Carlin now.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Things Learned This Weekend
"I thought it was flax-seed oil" is the new "I didn't inhale". It's trial time Bonds.
Now that the Knicks have lost a bunch of games, there better be HEAT on their superstars.
Feeling remorseful for stealing something from Pete Sampras? - Just drop it off at an LA hospital.
Hey NFL, I was watching 3 NCAA games at once via March Madness on-demand - ipad, laptop, tv, it was free and it was spectacular! #justsayin
Now that the Knicks have lost a bunch of games, there better be HEAT on their superstars.
Feeling remorseful for stealing something from Pete Sampras? - Just drop it off at an LA hospital.
Hey NFL, I was watching 3 NCAA games at once via March Madness on-demand - ipad, laptop, tv, it was free and it was spectacular! #justsayin
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tweet of the Week
Jim Tressel says he knew on Monday Wisconscin was going to beat Belmont but didn't know who to tell....
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Lock It Up
My lock of the week is Gonzaga over St Johns in NCAA tournament action tonight. With Gonzaga's nine game win streak on their way into the tourney, I think they'll have the hot hands.
No bets on Butler vs Old Dominion. Butler should have a chip on their shoulder after losing in the championship game, but Old Dominion is always exciting and stays involved late in games in the tourney. OK, maybe they're not always exciting, but they did have that one-point upset of ND last year.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 6-5
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 4-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
lpmt : 1-0
Mathew : 1-1
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
No bets on Butler vs Old Dominion. Butler should have a chip on their shoulder after losing in the championship game, but Old Dominion is always exciting and stays involved late in games in the tourney. OK, maybe they're not always exciting, but they did have that one-point upset of ND last year.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 6-5
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 4-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
lpmt : 1-0
Mathew : 1-1
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
Flawless Thoughts
Duke's gonna be fired up after the comments made by Jalen Rose in the Fab Five documentary on ESPN earlier in the week. But do they really need any extra motivation? It's common knowledge that Coach K is one of the best basketball coaches on the planet after his fourth NCAA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal. This man could motivate a mountain to move.
All season in the NHL the Flyers have looked like a lock to go to the Finals from the East, but now the Caps have been surging, ending a nine-game win streak this week. The Rangers are poised to take the 7 or 8 seed, while the Devils need to win the rest of their games and hope for some help. Of coarse the Islanders are the worst team ever. In the West anyone would say that the Canucks are the team to beat, considering they're the only team that has already punched a ticket to the playoffs.
When the Heat play poorly it's the biggest story in sports, but when they win, no one but Miami fans get it as front page news. Kinda like on news programs when way more time is spent on negative news than positive. This has become the norm in sports news, with huge amounts of time spent on negative stories, a player busted for DUI gets tons of coverage, but for every player that gets a DUI there are many more doing great things for their communities, it's too bad that we don't hear more about it from Jim Rome.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
How to Train Your Bracket
Selection Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. The day begins with the SEC and ACC Conference Title Games, continues with the Selection Show and concludes with printing out your bracket. Best of all, after Selection Sunday, ESPN returns Joe Lunardi to the bridge he lives under for the next 10 months.Once you have your bracket (and you can find a great free one here; winner gets an iPad 2!), it's time to figure out which teams are going to advance toward the middle of the page. Everybody has their own method. Some pick their favorite team to win it all and then just fill in around them, while others go round by round and examine each matchup before advancing a team. The most creative method I have ever seen is to consider which team’s mascot would win in a fight and advance that team to the next round. The only major flaw with this method is the metaphysical debate that arises from a matchup between the Syracuse Orange and the Indiana State Sycamores.
Now I would never tell anyone to toss the selection method they have always used, but if you would like some advice on filling out your bracket, please continue reading. Here are a couple of my recommendations:
Determine your champion first
It is tempting to go round by round, see which teams end up in the championship game and then pick a winner. The problem is that there's a lot we can learn about who is likely to win the title based on past champions. The first weekend of the NCAA Tournament is all about upsets. The excitement of a 13 seed knocking off a 4 seed may be what drives the first weekend, but once you get to the Final Four, upsets are rare and quality tends to win out.
In the last 22 NCAA Tournaments, a 1 seed has won the tournament 15 times. The other seven tourneys were won by three 2 seeds, three 3 seeds and a 4 seed. This means that you can limit your search for a champion to the top 10 or 12 teams in the country. Once you have narrowed the pool down to those 10-12 teams, here are a few other factors to consider:
Talent. Every NCAA Champion since 1979 (with the exception of Maryland in 2003) has had a McDonald’s All-American on its roster. This year’s contenders without a McDonald’s All-American include: Notre Dame, BYU, San Diego State and Purdue.
Defense. The old cliché is that defense wins championships. And in this case, it couldn't be more true. What is meant by defense may seem a bit vague though. Specifically, champions hold their opponents to a low field goal percentage. In the last 13 seasons, the NCAA Champion has had an average defensive field goal percentage of 39.5%. This year’s contenders with a defensive field goal percentage below 40% include Texas (38.4%), Syracuse (39.3%), Louisville (39.5%), San Diego State (39.6%), Kansas (39.7%) and Pittsburgh (39.8%).
Free Throw Shooting. The ability to hold a lead by making free throws down the stretch is a key attribute of a championship team. This was never more evident than in 2008 when Memphis had a 9 point lead with 2:12 remaining, but missed 4 out of 5 foul shots to give Kansas the opportunity to tie the game and then win it in overtime. Memphis only made 61.4% (329th in the country) of their free throws during the season and went 12/19 in the final game. Among this year’s contenders, Texas only makes 64.5% (301st) of its free throws and Syracuse makes 65.9% (274th).
First Weekend Upsets
Here is a dirty little secret that the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee doesn’t want you to know: They are not very good at their job. Now, to give them some credit, it is a really difficult job. Regardless, every year, the Selection Committee has a lot of trouble determining where to seed certain categories of teams such as teams from smaller conferences that have strong RPIs. A good example from last year is Old Dominion. They were 27-6 overall and 14-4 in the Colonial Athletic Conference. They were 27th in the RPI, but were given an 11 seed. Historically, 11 seeds only win 32% of the time. However, Notre Dame was only a 2-point favorite over Old Dominion, which would suggest that Old Dominion had around a 45% chance of winning rather than the historical 32%.
The members of the Selection Committee are college athletic directors and conference commissioners with full time jobs who take time out of their already busy schedules to seed the NCAA field. On the other hand, Vegas line makers and professional gamblers spend all of their time analyzing teams. Take a look at the Vegas line of each game before filling out your bracket. Look for games where the spread is much lower than is typical for those two seeds. This will show you which first round “upsets” were much closer than the seeding implied.
No one has a fool-proof method of filling out an NCAA tournament bracket, but looking at a few key pieces of information can give you a leg up on the competition. And if all else fails, remember that a Musketeer is always a huge favorite over an Aztec.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Classic Clips - Wearin' o' the Green
I ran across this 1976 Midwest Regional clip today looking for old Notre Dame tournament highlights and it made me long for an NCAA tournament more like those in the 1970s. It may be unrealistic, given the desire for corporate money and mega-arena crowds these days, but can you imagine if tourney games were still played in Allen Fieldhouse or at the Dean Dome or in many of the other legendary on-campus venues around the country.
Yes, I know the occasional first round pod is still slated for a campus arena, but I think the feel and buzz of March Madness would be even further amplified by a throwback to the days of these classic venues.
Maybe, for old time's sake, we'll at least see a wearin' o' the green on Friday as ND opens its 2011 tournament with Akron. But please, hold the knee-high, green-striped yellow socks.
And below, you can read an excerpt from the UPI account of ND's dramatic come-from-behind win.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (UPI)- Talk about the luck of the Irish. Notre Dame had it Saturday.
After struggling to keep alive in its opening game of the NCAA Midwest Regionals against 16th-ranked Cincinnati. Notre Dame received two big breaks in the final eight seconds and edged the Bearcats 79-78 on a last second tip by Toby Knight. Eleventh ranked Missouri beat No. 10 Washington 69-67 in the other half of the regional doubleheader for the Tigers' first post-season tournament win.
"We were just playing out of desperation at the end," said Digger Phelps, coach of the eighth-ranked Fighting Irish. "We were lucky to win it. I admit that but we didn't quit and that is what counts."
It would have been easy for Notre Dame to quit if it so desired. The Irish trailed by eight three different times in the second half and were down by three with 23 seconds to play. But Don Williams, who finished with 22 points, hit a jump shot with 12 seconds left to cut Cincinnati's lead to one. The Bearcats got the inbounds pass in but. it was knocked out of bounds with eight seconds left.
This time, Cincinnati's Hal Ward was unable to make the inbounds pass in the allotted five seconds and Notre Dame got the ball.
"In that particular situation we just told the players they had eight seconds to get the ball in bounds and get the shot off and once the shot was off I wanted all five on the offensive boards," said Phelps.
Knight was one of the five who crashed the board and he was in the right spot, tipping in a missed 18-foot jumper by Bill Paterno.
"I was right next to him and gave him the pass so when Bill shot all I had to do was follow the ball and tip it in," said Knight, who had 12 points.
"We were all in there and so if it had not come to me it would have gone to Bruce Flowers or Adrian Dantley."
And while that shot did not go to Dantley, plenty of them did as he led the Irish with 27 points and eight rebounds.
Brian Williams paced Cincinnati with 19 and Gary Yoder had 14 for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati had the largest lead of the first half when it took a 39-33 margin with 1:28 to play. But Notre Dame came back with baskets from Bernard Rencher on a 20-foot jump shot and Knight on a layup to cut the margin to two at the half.
Notre Dame had trouble getting started in the second half and with Dantley scoring 10 of the Irish's first 12 points, Cincinnati raced to a 55-49 lead which it built to eight points, 61- 53, with 8:42 to play before Dantley got help.
In the final 6:50 Don Williams began hitting from outside and scored 10 points, including six on long jump shots in the last 1:55 to bring Notre Dame back into the game and set up Knight's shot.
Cincinnati, holding a 78-77 lead with eight second left to play, lost the ball when Hal Ward was unable to throw the ball inbounds within five seconds.
Notre Dame took the ball out, passed it in to Paterno who fired his long jump shot which Knight tipped in just before the buzzer (video).
Ramsey and Lars Hansen paced the Huskies with 14 points apiece.
Yes, I know the occasional first round pod is still slated for a campus arena, but I think the feel and buzz of March Madness would be even further amplified by a throwback to the days of these classic venues.
Maybe, for old time's sake, we'll at least see a wearin' o' the green on Friday as ND opens its 2011 tournament with Akron. But please, hold the knee-high, green-striped yellow socks.
And below, you can read an excerpt from the UPI account of ND's dramatic come-from-behind win.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (UPI)- Talk about the luck of the Irish. Notre Dame had it Saturday.
After struggling to keep alive in its opening game of the NCAA Midwest Regionals against 16th-ranked Cincinnati. Notre Dame received two big breaks in the final eight seconds and edged the Bearcats 79-78 on a last second tip by Toby Knight. Eleventh ranked Missouri beat No. 10 Washington 69-67 in the other half of the regional doubleheader for the Tigers' first post-season tournament win.
"We were just playing out of desperation at the end," said Digger Phelps, coach of the eighth-ranked Fighting Irish. "We were lucky to win it. I admit that but we didn't quit and that is what counts."
It would have been easy for Notre Dame to quit if it so desired. The Irish trailed by eight three different times in the second half and were down by three with 23 seconds to play. But Don Williams, who finished with 22 points, hit a jump shot with 12 seconds left to cut Cincinnati's lead to one. The Bearcats got the inbounds pass in but. it was knocked out of bounds with eight seconds left.
This time, Cincinnati's Hal Ward was unable to make the inbounds pass in the allotted five seconds and Notre Dame got the ball.
"In that particular situation we just told the players they had eight seconds to get the ball in bounds and get the shot off and once the shot was off I wanted all five on the offensive boards," said Phelps.
Knight was one of the five who crashed the board and he was in the right spot, tipping in a missed 18-foot jumper by Bill Paterno.
"I was right next to him and gave him the pass so when Bill shot all I had to do was follow the ball and tip it in," said Knight, who had 12 points.
"We were all in there and so if it had not come to me it would have gone to Bruce Flowers or Adrian Dantley."
And while that shot did not go to Dantley, plenty of them did as he led the Irish with 27 points and eight rebounds.
Brian Williams paced Cincinnati with 19 and Gary Yoder had 14 for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati had the largest lead of the first half when it took a 39-33 margin with 1:28 to play. But Notre Dame came back with baskets from Bernard Rencher on a 20-foot jump shot and Knight on a layup to cut the margin to two at the half.
Notre Dame had trouble getting started in the second half and with Dantley scoring 10 of the Irish's first 12 points, Cincinnati raced to a 55-49 lead which it built to eight points, 61- 53, with 8:42 to play before Dantley got help.
In the final 6:50 Don Williams began hitting from outside and scored 10 points, including six on long jump shots in the last 1:55 to bring Notre Dame back into the game and set up Knight's shot.
Cincinnati, holding a 78-77 lead with eight second left to play, lost the ball when Hal Ward was unable to throw the ball inbounds within five seconds.
Notre Dame took the ball out, passed it in to Paterno who fired his long jump shot which Knight tipped in just before the buzzer (video).
Ramsey and Lars Hansen paced the Huskies with 14 points apiece.
Things Learned This Weekend
Don't bring up the NFL labor dispute at the dinner table.
With Crosby sidelined Ovie & Caps are sighting first place in the East with their 8 game win streak.
When Selection Sunday seems more exciting than the BCS Championship game, it's time to take a look at a playoff system for College Football.
I'm enjoying this season of NBA like no other, because after this one it will never be the same again as hard salary caps and franchise tags are coming soon to an arena near you.
With Crosby sidelined Ovie & Caps are sighting first place in the East with their 8 game win streak.
When Selection Sunday seems more exciting than the BCS Championship game, it's time to take a look at a playoff system for College Football.
I'm enjoying this season of NBA like no other, because after this one it will never be the same again as hard salary caps and franchise tags are coming soon to an arena near you.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Classic Clips - Tournament Edition
Even if you haven't followed the college basketball regular season, you've probably now heard of Kemba Walker. Last week at Madison Square Garden, the Bronx native and his fellow UConn Huskies set the Big East ablaze and etched numerous images into the already robust realm of Big East Tournament lore. Among them was this eye-popping, ankle-breaking buzzer beater to knock out 1-seed Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tweet of the Week
My 5 year-old son's little league coach refers to 2nd base as "2nd plate". I predict he'll be managing my Mets by the all star break.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Lock It Up
My lock of the week is Devils over Thrashers Friday night in Atlanta. With all the talk of the losing streaks in the NBA right now, major sports media outlets are overlooking, as usual, a tremendous run in the NHL. The Devils have gone 22-2 in their last twenty-four games! Pretty amazing! Contrary to Bud Selig's NHL playoff criticisms, the Devils may not make it to the post season even though they are hovering around the .500 mark. They do have a chance though, and this chance has ignited a fire in the players and the fans, enough heat to burn the Thrashers.
No bets on Magic vs Lakers which is bound to have big ratings as both teams are looking great and have a bunch of big stars. It should be an even matchup as these two coaches are top notch, which right now just means they have multiple big name players and don't oust them for crying in the locker room.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 5-5
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 4-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
lpmt : 1-0
Mathew : 1-0
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
No bets on Magic vs Lakers which is bound to have big ratings as both teams are looking great and have a bunch of big stars. It should be an even matchup as these two coaches are top notch, which right now just means they have multiple big name players and don't oust them for crying in the locker room.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 5-5
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 4-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
lpmt : 1-0
Mathew : 1-0
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Flawless Thoughts
Now that Tiki Barber has filed paperwork to return to the NFL I want Rachel Nichols camped out on his front lawn with around the clock news about his decision. Good luck to teams looking into signing him, as Cadillac Williams' knees may prove more stable than whichever locker room Tiki joins (beef with Coughlin, Strahan, and Eli).
If by "curse" Dan Gilbert meant a five game losing streak for the Heat that included a report of tears, he might have been right. Though I wouldn't want to be the Cavs, quietly breaking records that the worst teams in NBA history had a hard time setting. Then again, it's just a losing streak and it's strange to see fans so excited about the crying reports, when most of us would say that the College game is where all the passion and emotion is. It makes me think that more passion may be in the Pro game when I see the elbows that Dwight Howard has been dishing out lately.
Forty years ago today, one of the most talked about boxing matches of all time was held, and that really reminds me of how terrible heavyweight boxing has become. Say all you will about the NHL becoming irrelevant after a long period of success, but what has happened to heavyweight boxing is downright unfathomable. When I was growing up, if sports were being talked about, heavyweight boxing was bound to be involved, now all that remains is a show about Mike Tyson's pigeons and a great indoor grill.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Things Learned This Weekend
There's crying in basketball.
Jeter's swing is like a frog in science class.
Leverage has shifted in the NFL vs NFLPA battle.
San Jose could acquire another franchise to be disappointed with.
Jeter's swing is like a frog in science class.
Leverage has shifted in the NFL vs NFLPA battle.
San Jose could acquire another franchise to be disappointed with.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Classic Clips - Championship Week Edition, Volume 2
As most of you know, there is very little that gets my blood pumping more than Notre Dame victories. Whether it be football or hoops, soccer or lacrosse, men's or women's, I'm one of those sick puppies who takes tremendous personal pride in the athletic accomplishments of my fellow Domers.
But it doesn't take an Irish fan with my degree of obsessiveness to appreciate what the Notre Dame men's basketball team is doing this season. Yesterday, Mike Brey (a top candidate for both Big East and National Coach of the Year) and his veteran squad put the finishing touches on a 25-5 regular season with an impressive win at No. 16 Connecticut and, with Duke's loss at North Carolina last night, positioned themselves favorably for ND's first NCAA Tournament 1-seed since the field was expanded to 64 teams.
The 7th ranked Irish (who are sure to rise in the polls tomorrow due to results across the country this week) have been led this season, in both spirit and action, by 5th year senior Ben Hansbrough, now the leading candidate for Big East Player of the Year. Said Louisville coach Rick Pitino about the ballot he submitted for the Irish phenom on Friday, "From start to finish, he's been a dominating basketball player for Notre Dame. He hasn't had peaks and valleys [like everyone else]."
"What player do I not want to play against?" Pitino continued. "That's what I try to do in evaluating... I don't want to play against [Hansbrough] at all. I don't ever want to see him again."
Pitino was echoing earlier sentiments of Villanova head man, Jay Wright, whose Wildcats had just suffered a 21-point drubbing on Senior Night in South Bend led by Hansbrough's 30 points, 10 assists and 5 steals (a line recorded only one other time in the past 15 years of major conference play; and even then, in a 5-OT marathon).
"We've seen a lot of great players this year so far, Wright said. "After that performance, I'd say he's the best I've seen now. That kid just dominated the game. He defended, he controlled the tempo. He broke the press by himself, he made shots and got everyone else shots."
The icing on the cake came today when the Big East announced its first team, All-Conference selections, among which Notre Dame's Mr. Everything was the sole unanimous selection What's good enough for Pitino, Wright and the rest of the Big East coaches is good enough for us, so it is with great pleasure that I give you SmackJabber's first ever Big East Player of the Year, Ben Hansbrough.
But it doesn't take an Irish fan with my degree of obsessiveness to appreciate what the Notre Dame men's basketball team is doing this season. Yesterday, Mike Brey (a top candidate for both Big East and National Coach of the Year) and his veteran squad put the finishing touches on a 25-5 regular season with an impressive win at No. 16 Connecticut and, with Duke's loss at North Carolina last night, positioned themselves favorably for ND's first NCAA Tournament 1-seed since the field was expanded to 64 teams.
The 7th ranked Irish (who are sure to rise in the polls tomorrow due to results across the country this week) have been led this season, in both spirit and action, by 5th year senior Ben Hansbrough, now the leading candidate for Big East Player of the Year. Said Louisville coach Rick Pitino about the ballot he submitted for the Irish phenom on Friday, "From start to finish, he's been a dominating basketball player for Notre Dame. He hasn't had peaks and valleys [like everyone else]."
"What player do I not want to play against?" Pitino continued. "That's what I try to do in evaluating... I don't want to play against [Hansbrough] at all. I don't ever want to see him again."
Pitino was echoing earlier sentiments of Villanova head man, Jay Wright, whose Wildcats had just suffered a 21-point drubbing on Senior Night in South Bend led by Hansbrough's 30 points, 10 assists and 5 steals (a line recorded only one other time in the past 15 years of major conference play; and even then, in a 5-OT marathon).
"We've seen a lot of great players this year so far, Wright said. "After that performance, I'd say he's the best I've seen now. That kid just dominated the game. He defended, he controlled the tempo. He broke the press by himself, he made shots and got everyone else shots."
The icing on the cake came today when the Big East announced its first team, All-Conference selections, among which Notre Dame's Mr. Everything was the sole unanimous selection What's good enough for Pitino, Wright and the rest of the Big East coaches is good enough for us, so it is with great pleasure that I give you SmackJabber's first ever Big East Player of the Year, Ben Hansbrough.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Classic Clips - Championship Week Edition
The best part of the sports year (at least for this guy) is finally here.
The NCAA Tournament is less than two weeks away. Small and mid-major conference tournaments are under way. Power conference regular seasons are culminating this weekend. From now until next Sunday, there will be wall-to-wall hoops action, up to 12 hours a day, with colleges large and small from every corner of the country scratching and clawing for their shot at one shining moment on the big dance stage.
It's enough to make a grown man weep.
So here at Classic Clips, we see at as our duty to whet your appetite for the madness to come, and for yours truly, nothing says Championship Week like the Big East Tournament. It may not have been the first conference tournament, but it's always been the best and it stands today as college basketball's longest running league championship at any one venue.
Beginning Tuesday, Madison Square Garden once again will be buzzing with a collection of top teams that even the following week's national showcase may struggle to surpass. So we begin Championship Week with a look at one of the Big East's greatest stars strutting his stuff in March at the World's Most Famous Arena. The cocky, the controversial, the Answer: Allen Iverson.
The NCAA Tournament is less than two weeks away. Small and mid-major conference tournaments are under way. Power conference regular seasons are culminating this weekend. From now until next Sunday, there will be wall-to-wall hoops action, up to 12 hours a day, with colleges large and small from every corner of the country scratching and clawing for their shot at one shining moment on the big dance stage.
It's enough to make a grown man weep.
So here at Classic Clips, we see at as our duty to whet your appetite for the madness to come, and for yours truly, nothing says Championship Week like the Big East Tournament. It may not have been the first conference tournament, but it's always been the best and it stands today as college basketball's longest running league championship at any one venue.
Beginning Tuesday, Madison Square Garden once again will be buzzing with a collection of top teams that even the following week's national showcase may struggle to surpass. So we begin Championship Week with a look at one of the Big East's greatest stars strutting his stuff in March at the World's Most Famous Arena. The cocky, the controversial, the Answer: Allen Iverson.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Tweet of the Week
Rome's in the business of putting athletes down, sometimes he's right. He'd better be careful not to pull a Mariotti though. If he does, you'll be sure to hear me saying, "Jim Rome was arrested last nite for ALLEGEDLY [tongue planted firmly in cheek] doing whatever he did"
So much for Lebron being at war with his soldiers. He just emptied the clip in his foot. Again. And they're all waving the white flag.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Lock It Up
My lock of the week is Knicks over Cavs in their rematch on Friday night. Since the Knicks lost to Cleveland, they have beaten the Heat and played well against the Magic. The Knicks will be out for revenge, not quite the kind where #TigerBlood drips from their fangs, but enough motivation to get the job done against a "cursed" Cleveland team who just lost another star, not to free agency but to injury (Antwaan Jamison).
No bets on the Heat vs. Magic game Thursday. I get the feeling these teams will meet in the second round of the playoffs and they don't like each other. Both have some serious issues. Issues that Mike Bibby can't fix for the Heat. Issues that Van Gundy can't fix for the Magic. No, the players on these teams just need to play harder/better/faster/stronger.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 5-4
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 3-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
No bets on the Heat vs. Magic game Thursday. I get the feeling these teams will meet in the second round of the playoffs and they don't like each other. Both have some serious issues. Issues that Mike Bibby can't fix for the Heat. Issues that Van Gundy can't fix for the Magic. No, the players on these teams just need to play harder/better/faster/stronger.
Get in on the action and comment or tweet your Lock of the Week. Add #smackjabber #lockitup in your tweet with your pick/s @quazflawless. The Lock It Up "week" includes games played Wednesday through Tuesday night.
Lock It Up 2011 Standings
Lee Feinstein : 6-1
Quaz Flawless : 5-4
ThalerND : 4-2
Bill Beck : 3-2
Pat Downes : 2-4
Dan : 0-2
Matt Summa : 0-2
Ian : 0-2
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Flawless Thoughts
When the NFL and the NFLPA reach an agreement this offseason, we will all be saying the name.... David Doty. Actually U.S. District Judge David Doty, who has overruled the previous ruling that would have allowed the NFL to access $4 billion in TV Network deals, even if there is no football played. According to him, "The record shows that the NFL undertook contract renegotiations to advance its own interests and harm the interests of the players,". Finally, can some of the fans' "overpaid player" anger be directed towards the owners?
According to Carson Palmer, he will, "never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again." The first thing that comes to my mind is T.O., though I doubt it was his fault. If ever there was a team in the NFL in need of a coaching change, it would have to be the Cincinnati Bengals. It's strange to think that after they had a great 2009, steam rolling their division, but then losing to the Jets two weeks in a row in the playoffs (both games were 'win or go home' for the Jets). They don't seem to have any kind of continuity or stability, even though they've had the same QB/Coach/Receiver crew for years. Carson's right, time to get out.
I'm not a Mets hating Yankees fan, but this is ridiculous. How, in this day and age, can a franchise in one of the biggest markets for sports in the world, be so irresponsible from the training facility all the way to the owner's box? If it's not a scout punching people, it's a pitcher punching people, when it's not a General Manager mismanaging funds, it's an owner doing so.
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