Sunday, March 23, 2008

Tournament Predictions and Sunday Stories

Thoughts on today's games:
12:10 - Villanova -5.5 vs. Siena - one week ago today, Nova was sweating about making the tournament....now they are one win away from the Sweet 16...they win by 7...

2:15 - Texas - 7.5 vs. Miami (Fla) - the way yesterday's games went, all indications show that the U will give Texas a battle...I could see this game being similar to the A&M-UCLA game...Texas wins, but does not cover...

2:30 - Tennessee -4.5 vs. Butler - the Vols better get their shit together starting today...they have been sloppy since their landmark win over Memphis a few weeks back...Vols win, but do not cover...

2:50 - Western Kentucky -5.5 vs. San Diego - San Diego played beautifully against UConn...they played with confidence and a swagger...I'm going with them again today to dump WKU and Elmo's red cousin...

2:50 - Georgetown -5.5 vs. Davidson - if this game was played two months ago, the Hoyas would be a double digit favorite...this is a tough one...I love both teams...Hoyas win, but Stephen Curry is a force once again...

4:45 - Memphis -9 vs. Mississippi State - people probably do not know that Tyler Hansbrough's brother plays for Miss State...Memphis wins by 12 or more...

5:00 - Louisville -7 vs. Oklahoma - I love Rick Pitino and the Ville...but that is too many points to give OU...the Ville wins, but close...

5:15 - North Carolina -11 vs. Arkansas - Carolins wins, but 11 is too many points to give the Hogs...

Sunday Sports Stories
New York Times sports columnist William Rhoden writes about West Virginia's tough-guy coach and player... "The Mountaineers were a finesse team under John Beilein, who coached them for the previous five seasons. Under Huggins, West Virginia has become more physical, what Mazzulla calls “a more beat-you-up team.”" ...
  • William Rhoden


  • New York Times sports columnist Murray Chass writes that David Wells is approaching 45-years-old, but is not willing to hang 'em up yet... "The end has to come at some point, but Wells isn’t ready to recognize this as the end. He did not respond to an interview request, but Clifton said Wells was working out as if it’s not the end, “hoping to get a phone call.”" ...
  • Murray Chass


  • Washington Post sports reporter Sally Jenkins writes how Bruce Pearl has the Tennessee fans rooting for men's basketball too... "The Vols lack a single McDonald's high school all-American on their roster, yet their pressuring, sprint-to-the rim style has racked up 76 victories in three seasons, kept them among the nation's top five all winter and earned them a No. 2 seed in the East Region." ...
  • Sally Jenkins


  • Los Angeles Times NBA beat writer Mark Heisler writes how this year's NBA Draft could be filled with college freshmen... "In a salute to the NCAA tournament, here's our annual mock draft. OK, it's just mine, but thanks to the six NBA people who helped me, along with local gurus Don MacLean and Frank Burlison." ...
  • Mark Heisler


  • Tampa Tribune sports reporter Joey Johnston writes that Cinderella is currently residing in Tampa... "Early Saturday morning, after an emotionally exhausting day-night of NCAA Tournament basketball, Villanova coach Jay Wright was still talking about the unprecedented Cinderella quadruple-header. Four games, four big upsets." ...
  • Joey Johnston


  • Tampa Tribune sports columnist Joe Henderson introduces us to the new Boss of the Yankees... "His father, the famous Boss, has gone into the background for the most part. All Hank will say is, "He's doing good. He's doing all right. He is pretty much retired. Obviously, who better to seek advice from if you need it, but he leaves it up to us now. It's a matter of seeking his opinion out, if we want it." ...
  • Joe Henderson


  • This story ran in Friday's New York Times...Times sports reporter Katie Thomas writes about a tradition at New York Rangers games when Dancin Larry, aka Homo Larry, gets the crowd fired up...the chants of Homo Larry now have gay people upset... "As Goodman’s routine is broadcast on the giant monitors above the ice, a familiar chant picks up momentum. “Ho-mo Lar-ry!” the crowd shouts. “Ho-mo Lar-ry!”" ...
  • Katie Thomas
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