NBA Finals Prediction: Bulls vs. Thunder

With the NBA season coming to a close I figure it is about time to spitball some playoff predictions.

In the Eastern conference finals I have the Bulls beating the Heat in 6 games. A healthier Derrick Rose and the rest of the squad will outplay the Heat overall as a team. Bulls make it to their first finals since the Jordan era.

In the Western conference I have the OKC Thunder beating the Lakers in 7 games. The young and talented Thunder will be too much to handle in the end for Kobe’s Lakers. Thunder make it to their first finals ever.

That brings us to a showdown of the teams with the two best records in the league. The Chicago Bulls vs. The Oklahoma City Thunder. Two talented squads that are shaping up to be dominant for a long time. When and if this match-up happens, I feel it will be one for the ages. This series will go down to the wire with the Bulls taking game 7 in the United Center. Derrick Rose wins finals MVP, and Chicago is back at the top.

 

 

Castro Responds to Ozzie Guillen

After Ozzie Guillen’s comments about how he respects Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Castro responded from the grave. “Ozzie Guillen is the best baseball manager of all time, no question” He also added, “It is about time the Americans showed me respect for my great leadership and survival skills”

Ozzie repeated his statement, ““I will apologize if I hurt somebody’s feelings, or I hurt somebody’s thought,” Guillen told the writers. “I want them to know I’m against everything 100% — I repeat it again — the way this man [has been] treating people for the last 60 years.”

The Marlins said that they knew their manager was insane, so this could be expected. Sometime next week Ozzie plans on honoring Fidel Castro by having his players wear the Castro name on the back of their jerseys, along with the number 666. 

Castro responded to the comments by stating that his nephew Ozzie and him have been very close for a long time and that he shows nothing but gratitude towards Ozzie’s comments. The MLB may take action on Mr. Guillen’s comments. When commissioner Bud Selig was asked about the comments he stated, “Castro had a good thing going”

Ozzie and Castro have now planned to partner up and help people that they have been falsely criticized for their wrong doings. When asked about R&B singer R. Kelly’s mishaps Ozzie stated, “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”

We’ll tune in next week when Ozzie makes his state of the Union address as the new candidate for Cuban  ruler.

Big Ten Teams Fall in the Sweet 16

It was an unfortunate weekend for Big Ten tournament teams as three of the four remaining conference teams fell in the round of 16. The loss that was most surprising of all of them was Michigan State’s loss to Louisville. It seemed like State had the tools to make a run at a championship this year, but surging hot Louisville put the Spartans to a halt in strong fashion.

The most talked about sweet sixteen games featured a rematch of one of, if not the best college basketball games of the year. The Indiana Hoosiers vs. the Kentucky Wildcats. The game certainly did not disappoint as it was a run and gun style game from the tip off. The teams combined for 192 points total in regulation, which is almost unheard of in a college basketball game. In the end Kentucky’s talent was just too much to handle as the Hoosiers battled, but never really pulled ahead.

One of the best games of all was the match up of Syracuse and Wisconsin. A game that was close the entire time and went right down to the wire. Wisconsin had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but their last second efforts fell short as the Badgers lost by one point.

The only Big Ten team to advance made their way to the Final Four, The Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes beat the Bearcats of Cincinnati to reach the elite 8, where they eventually defeated Syracuse. The Buckeyes look tough, but they still have to beat a couple of very talented teams if they want to bring home a banner.

The Big Ten Tournament: Everybody Can Beat Everybody

With the best time of the year for college basketball just around the corner why not preview the conference tournament in the NCAA, the Big Ten. The top four seeds of the tourney are locked with Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, and Wisconsin grabbing the top four spots. The entire tournament takes place in Indianapolis, which we all know is just fresh off of their Super Bowl hosting appearance.

The Big Ten had one of its most competitive seasons in history with teams literally beating up on each other throughout the conference. The dedication of the players, fans, and coaches is just unmatched. As I sit here outside of Assembly Hall since 7:00 am, it reminds me of just that. There is no better conference for basketball.

Michigan State is the favorite going into the tournament, but just one game could eliminate their hopes. The Big Ten will most likely get at least 7 teams into the tournament this year, which is an astonishing number. March Madness is upon us, and we cannot wait to watch it unfold.

Baseball’s Back: Into the Swing of Spring Training

Spring training is back, which can only mean one thing: baseball is on its way. The crack of the bat, the pounding of the leather, and that beautiful spring weather just makes baseball exhilarating. The beautiful thing about it all is that it takes place in some beautiful atmospheres. The teams are split up into two leagues, the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League. Grapefruit League venues are located in 14 different locations ranging throughout the state of Florida. The Cactus League has venues located in 10 different locations throughout Arizona.

Most teams have had their pitchers and catchers report for business, with their position players soon to follow. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play. Spring training has always attracted fan attention, drawing crowds who travel to the warmer climates to enjoy the weather and watch their favorite teams play. A benefit of spring training scheduling is that it usually coincides with with spring break for high school and college students.

Sox vs. Cubs in Arizona

Plenty of sunshine, happy people, and ice cold beer makes spring training a desirable attraction for locals and tourists around the area. Each league has continued to set fan attendence records, which is a good sign for baseball as a whole.

There is really nothing that compares in any other league to baseball’s spring training. The NFL and NBA preseason games are pretty much as dull and boring as it gets. It’s just the atmosphere that a baseball game has that makes its preseason more desireable than any other major sport. It seems that everyone is ready for the new season to get underway, including me.

Player Bio: #1 Ping Pong Player in the World, Ma Long

After quite a thrilling year of table tennis in 2011, China’s Ma Long comes into 2012 as the #1 player in the world; and this is obviously no surprise to anyone. Ma Long’s style is classified as a fast-offensive style, and at only 23 years old his ruthless aggression is unmatched. Nicknamed Fei Long, or the Flying Dragon, Ma Long is a superior forced to be reckoned with on the table.

He was born a star. In February 2007, in the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open, the 18-year old Ma Long overcame world number 1, Ma Lin, to win his first Men’s singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour. Earlier, in 2004, Ma Long got his first major singles title when he won the World Junior Championships in Wellington, New Zealand. In the same year, he also triumphed in the Asian Youth Championships.

Ma Long has become a Chinese icon, gracing the covers of magazines, endorsing his own brand of ping pong paddles, and capturing the hearts of young female table tennis fans. How this guy isn’t a worldwide household name yet is beyond me. Mark my words that in the future Ma Long is going to be mentioned with some of the best athletes of all time.

Climbing the Ladder #IUBB

Cody Zeller. Watford for the win. The intensity of Tom Crean. Oladipo explodes to the hoop. Hulls for three. 

It’s all starting to come together for the Indiana Hoosiers Basketball team, who are having their best season since Eric Gordon was around. Tom Crean is also coaching his best hoosier basketball team since he has been here. Currently sporting a 20-6 record, IU is looking to finish up the season strong and head into the BIG 10 tourney with a head of steam.

While the Hoosiers have flashed signs of greatness during the year, they have also struggled in times where they shouldn’t have. A road loss to Nebraska, a home loss to Minnesota, and some games we didn’t even compete in against Ohio State and Michigan State.

If the Hoosiers plan to make it anywhere in the NCAA tournament they are going to have to learn how to be more consistent and successful away from home. The talent is there, the team chemistry is there, but now is the time to put it all together and complete #THEMOVEMENT.

 

5 Reasons Eli beat Brady

With Super Bowl XLVI coming to a close, it’s time we recap the battle between the two prolific quarterbacks. Brady was the favorite going in, but Eli came out victorious. I’m going to give you five reasons that Eli Manning and the Giants defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots, in no particular order.

5.  Ball Control

The New York Giants controlled the ball all game and dominated in the time of possession. The Giants had the ball for 37:05, compared to the Patriots 22:55. There are always key battles that can help predict the out come of a game, and time of possession is definitely one of them. When the Giants needed to control it most at the end of the game, they did.

4. No Turnovers

Though this wasn’t the key factor of the game, it still made a difference. Once again, the team that wins the turnover battle normally wins the game. Tom Brady threw one interception on a risky throw. If that interception turns into a touchdown drive, the game has a different outcome.

3. More of Everything

Looking at the overall statistics of the game the Giants just beat the Patriots in most statistical categories. Total yards, rushing yards, first downs, completion %, and less penalties. Can’t argue with that.

2. Support

People seem to dislike the Patriots more than pretty much any other team in football. More crowd support for the Giants makes the will to win for them that much stronger.

1. Eli Did It

All year he had shown that fourth quarter magic. On the biggest stage of them all he didn’t disappoint. Adding another fourth quarter comeback to his list, along with another Super Bowl ring, ensures Eli’s ranks among the elite. Like him or not, he gets it done.

Year of the Quarterback

Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Stafford. These four quarterbacks led the NFL to its most prolific passing year of all time. As we already know, Drew Brees led the way breaking the single-season passing record held by Dan Marino that stood for more than two decades. Brees, Brady, and Stafford threw for more than 5,000 yards; the first time that has ever been done.

So why now? Why are more and more teams going to the spread passing offense? One reason. It works. You draft a quarterback who is a good passer, and efficient player. While Aaron Rodgers did not throw for as many yards, or have as many completions as the other quarterbacks I mentioned, he still managed to throw for 45 touchdowns, only one behind Drew Brees. The spread passing attack has given opposing defenses fits. With so many different styles and so many different options, when it is executed right it is nearly impossible to stop. Looking at the statistics, the teams that have these prolific passers are the ones that are most successful during the season. Just look at whose playing in the Super Bowl next week. Tom Brady and Eli Manning.Some numbers for thought, Brady: 5,235 yards passing, 39 TD, 12 INT. Manning: 4,933 yards passing, 29 TD, 16 INT. This is the first time in super bowl history there will be a match up where the quarterbacks combined for more than 10,000 yards.

With the results of the passing attack, it will not be a surprise when other teams start adopting this strategy. Hey, even rookie Cam Newton threw for over 4,000 yards.There is no doubt in my mind 2011 was the Year of the Quarterback. And it may only be the beginning.