Really Memphis?

Over the last few years I have taken a lot of pride in my bracket. So as I watched my bracket go up in smoke last night when Memphis (who I picked to go to the national title game) was pimp-slapped by Missouri, I found myself regretting my faith in the Conference USA champs.

The reason I picked Memphis to go so far this year is because all season they've played amazing defense with arguably the most athletic team in the nation. But last night, Memphis showed neither quality for three quarters.

Missouri simply beat Memphis at their own game by coming out of the gates fast and punching John Calipari's team in the mouth. Mizzou's defense kept the other Tigers down long enough to take a 39-33 lead into the last media timeout of the half. At this point, I was still feeling pretty good about my pick because Memphis has usually closed at halves pretty well-not this time.

Mizzou won the game in the last four minutes of the first half. They finished the half on a 27-7 run including an incredible 65 footer from freshman Marcus Denmen as time expired. As the second half began ,they pulled away increasing their lead to 64-40 with 16 minutes left in the game. Even when Memphis cut the lead to 89-83 with two minutes, a comeback never really seemed viable. That's when you know you been completely dominated.

All I can say is congrats Missouri on destroying Memphis... and my bracket.

Back Where They Belong

March is finally here and the madness has begun. Underdogs, upsets and buzzer beaters just come with the territory of participating in the best two weeks of the sports year. Unfortunately, this post is not going to breakdown every team and how far they will go in the tournament. But here is a mini-breakdown:

1) Pitt is overrated. 2) Blake Griffin is the best player in the country but he won't get past the Elite Eight. 3) Memphis should be in the finals with that defense .4) UNC will win it all... easily.

BUT this post is about the return of the Michigan Wolverines to the NCAA Tournament. Michigan has been to three Final Four's in 20 years including a national title in 1989. But the Wolverines have taken 12 seasons off between 1996 and today making this berth a sign that things may be getting back to normal in Ann Arbor.

Manny Harris was the key to Michigan's first victory 11 years yesterday. Harris scored 23 points en route to a 62-59 victory over the Tigers. This game not only showed that the Wolverines are getting back to where they used to be, but they could make some noise this year. Whatever happens against OU on Saturday,Michigan has proven that they will not take any more 11 year vacations from the big dance.

Survival of the Fittest

My brother Chandler and I are in Florida for the week visiting our grandparents. So, after a day at the beach, we came back to watch some basketball to get ourselves prepared for March Madness next week.

But as we sat down in my grandparents condo with a 24" inch color television in front of us, we had no idea that we would be watching two amazing games.

The first featured the Chicago Bulls versus the Miami Heat. Now I'm not really into watching meaningless NBA games before April(which would be every game) but Chan and I picked this one up in the 4th quarter and it intrigued us. Both of these teams showcase a array of young talent including the top two picks in last June's NBA Draft; Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. The rookies combined for 41 points but they were not the story line of this contest.

This game was dominated and I mean dominated by Dwayne Wade. Wade finished the double overtime thriller with 48 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Wade missed an easy lay up at the end of the first OT, but he more than made up for it at the end of the following overtime.

With three seconds left, he made a break for the ball and stole it from John Salmons for his fourth steal of the night. After stealing it, he took a few dribbles and launched a desperation 3- pointer from 45 feet. From the moment it left his hand, I knew it was in. I started yelling, "he got it, he got it!" As time expired, the ball swished through the net.

"You never know until it goes in," Wade said," but I was 99% sure that one was cash."

Now, I know that everyone is talking about Lebron vs. Kobe for the MVP. What

about Dwayne Wade???

This guy is on one of the worst teams in the NBA but on this night, he was definitely the best player in the league.

The next game started at the same time as the Heat/Bulls game, but ended nearly two hours after Wade made his buzzer beater.

This matchup featured the UConn Huskies and the Syracuse Orangemen in the Big East quarter-final. The game started at 8:37 p.m and ended at 1:22 a.m making it the longest Big East game of all time and the second longest in Division I history.

This game really began as time expired at the end of regulation when Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf hit a miracle 3 pointer. My brother and I went crazy as did the entire Syracuse team by mobbing their teammate at halfcourt. But hold the phone... the refs huddled and concluded that the ball had not left Devendorf's hand in time to count. Wow...

So, how do you come back to win this one over heavily favored UConn if you're Syracuse? I didn't think they had much of a shot but I was wrong.

Just as Dwayne Wade showed why he is the best player in the NBA last night, Orangemen Sophomore Johnny Flynn made a case that he is the most conditioned player in college basketball. Not only did Flynn play 67 minutes and score 34 point with 11 assists, he willed his team to an instant classic win.

"I can't even feel my legs right now," Flynn said. "It was a tough game, we battled it out, but we have to turn it around -- today -- and face a tough team in West Virginia."

Every overtime had had a chance to be ended,but neither team could break through which made this such an intriguing game. The game took 3 hours, 46 minutes with a combined 244 points, 102 of which came after the regulation buzzer, Eight players fouled out and six registered double-doubles.

The craziest part of the game was that the Orangemen never led until guard Andy Rautins hit a three to put Syracuse ahead 120-117.

This was amazing and it's what made this game so incredible because every time UConn got up by five or six points ,you knew Syracuse would find a way to force another period.

"I just wanted to get the game over with," he said. "I was thinking, 'Lord, just get this game over with. Whoever wins the game, let's just get it over with.'"

March Madness has begun.... what a game.

Spring Training=Blind Optimism

The Texas Rangers are my team. I enjoy rooting for other teams in other sports such as the Cowboys and Mavericks, but I live and die with the Rangers.

Ever since I can remember the Rangers have had world- class hitters. But the one concept that evidently wins championships has evaded us for almost 10 seasons now... pitching and defense.
But 2009 could be different. Why? It's simple. President Nolan Ryan and Pitching Coach Mike Maddox.
These two guys could take this club from the worst to first very quickly.









These two believe in conditioning pitchers in a way that disregards E.R.A. and focuses on pitchers going deep into games. The problem is that our pitching is still very suspect. So, along with the solid pitching I have come up with five question marks.























No.5 The Bullpen

First of all, if C.J. Wilson is a key part of this bullpen, then we're in trouble. Even though the guy has an above average fastball and a few other pitches that work from time to time; he's a head-case.
The Rangers need consistency. C.J. Wilson does not bring that. In 2008, the Rangers were last in bullpen E.R.A(5.97), pitches per game(22) and were second to last in blown saves(29.) Obviously this needs to change but that means more of long relievers like Eddie Guardado and less of C.J.




No.4 Josh Hamilton

Talk about the face of a franchise. Not only does this guy hit the cover off the ball better than anyone in the game but he has an incredible and compelling comeback story to go with it. Hamilton brings star power to a team that has not really had any kind of marketable figure since AROD.
Even though Hamilton shot out of the gates last year hitting 25 homeruns before the all-star break, he faded later in the season. Can his body withstand an entire 162 game season? There is no question that he is a five tool player and if the Rangers plan to fight for the A.L. West title they'll need him healthy.








No.3 Pitching Prospects
The Rangers have slowly developed what Baseball America calls the "best young farm system in baseball." The two prospects that could make a difference in 2009 are Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz. Holland could make his major league debut sooner than later depending on the state of the Rangers' bullpen. Feliz, who was part of the Mark Teixeira trade in July of 2007 could be the Rangers' ace in a few years. He features a fastball that has been clocked at 99 mph consistently. If either one of these guys can come up and make a difference in 2009, the Rangers could be the Rays of this year.




No.2 Elvis Andrus
I did not agree with the move of my boy Michael Young from short stop to third base in order to make room for the 20 year old Andrus when it happened, but now I'm starting to think Ron Washington knew what he was doing. This guy was also apart of the Teixeira trade in 2007, and could be the third player from that trade to contribute significantly to this team already. Andrus has incredible range at his position and could make this infield the best in the A.L.

With his speed, if he can hit anywhere above .220 it will be a huge lift for the bottom of the Rangers' powerful lineup.


No.1 Starting Pitching
Duh, right? We all know that good pitching beats good hitting but I guess the Rangers have not figured that out yet. But with the addition of pitching coach Mike Maddux and the tough mentality of President Nolan Ryan guiding this rotation, the staff could be very good. The starting rotation of Kevin Milwood, Vincente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, Matt Harrison and maybe Scott Feldman could be a staff that provides this team with a combination of veterans and young arms to compete for the division.


My Prediction: 90-72, A.L. West Champions. It's bold I know, but I believe it can happen.

Just Like Old Times

How many championships would they have won? Were they the greatest duo ever? Two questions that NBA fans will be asking for a long time about Shaq and Kobe. Since the two split up in 2002, both have been to the NBA Finals. Shaq once and Kobe twice. The difference? Shaq added a fourth championship ring while Kobe is still left with three. Shaq won once again on Sunday when they put on yet another show for NBA fans to look back on.

Shaq dominated from start to finish scoring a 33 points. As I watched the broadcast, I thought for a second that ABC was replaying highlights from the mid-90's because this was great stuff. Shaq showed why there has never and will never be anyone like him in NBA ever again. With every shot, he creates a such force on the defender that it puts tremendous pressure on the refs to make a quick call which usually falls in the center's favor.

Kobe shined as well, scoring a game high 49 points, but as he has had to learn the hard way ever since Shaq left L.A., it take all five players to win a game in the NBA.

With the 33 points, Shaq added to an amazing weekend in which he scored 45 points against the Raptors and became the fourth player in NBA history to score at least 33 points in consecutive games after reaching the age of 35. Pretty impressive.

After the game he said, "It's what I do...I've been doing it since 1992. If you don't believe it, Google me."

Not only does Shaq still score with power and strength, he is one of the league's greatest showmen of all time. Whether it was getting the crowd into it with monster dunk or coming over to the announcer's table to give media row a set of high fives, Shaq made this game worth watching.