Wednesday Feb 17th Daily Thoughts and Picks.....

Hey there guys,
Well yesterday was a pretty good day for me as I went 1-0 in SEC Men's Basketball as Kentucky defeated Mississippi State in a close one on the Road, I really don't want to go in to State's behavior but in short they called and text Kent F DeMarcus Cousins in the coming days and he said many were "racial", good job State way to set Mississippi Back 50 years, and than in the final seconds of the game when it became clear that Kentucky was going to win the Bulldog fans began to throw FULL water bottles at Kentucky players and coaches. Classless. Anyway in the NBA I went 9-1 as Derrick Rose dropped 29 points in the Bulls home win over New York, without Kobe for the 4th straight game the Lakers won by 10 thanks to Shannon Browns game leading 27 points, and Jason Richardson had 27 as the Phoenix Suns won at Memphis. Today I am going to talk a little more about the Olympics and Big East basketball, and I am also going to talk about why I think the Heat need to slow down their aggressive approach in going after Amare Stoudemire, and why Philly fans are ridiculous if they want McNabb gone. Today has also got some pretty good games as Georgia goes on the road to face division rival Tennessee and South Carolina takes on Arkansas in the Ozarks. The NBA has got some good games as well with Chicago, who just played New York in Chicago last night, turns around and heads to New York for round 2, the Jazz travel to Bourbon street and take on the Hornets, the red hot Suns (haha) go to Dallas to face the Mavericks, and in a game I actually want to see the Kings head out to play Golden State. It should be fun. I hope you enjoy.



Daily Thoughts.....

-Olympics
Well yesterday was a great day for the Olympics. I mean look at THE EVENT that started yesterday. MEN'S HOCKEY. At least for me these are THE EVENTS of of the Winter Olympics. But I saw someone put Hockey in the same breath as Men's Figure Skating and Women's Snowboard Cross.. What? Men's Figure Skating? Really? This is nothing against the Figure Skaters that go out there and compete for their country but seriously? Hockey should feel insulted. Hockey is a true sport, to win you need to be athletic, have great stamina, be smart and execute, and be a great decision maker. Figure Skating falls short of one, there is very little to no decision making out on the ice. Any kind of predetermined dance does not fall under the "sport" category. Snowboarding is pretty awesome I'm not going to lie, but what is the story behind the Women's Snowboard Cross? If we are talking about an exciting event in the Olympics to Americans well Hockey is to the Winter Olympics what Basketball is to the Summer Olympics. It is what Americans watch. I guess it depends on your interest but to go out and claim that Women's Snowboard Cross is going to be as hyped as anticipated as the Hockey games? I don't see it. Quick name for me the Americans competing in the Women's Snowboard Cross? I bet most of you can name several players, at least 2, playing Hockey. So let's just face it Hockey is definitely the sport to watch over the next few days. So let's focus on the games played yesterday, with #6 United States vs. #7 Switzerland and #1 Canada vs. #12 Norway. The United States got up early in a game that was SUPPOSED to be a really tight and close game but we as the Americans got up by 3 but coasted to a 3-1 win. I have stated several times on this blog and to other people that if the US is going to compete for a Medal Goalie Ryan Miller is going to have to be exceptional. He allowed 1 goal, in the 3rd, on 15 attempts. That doesn't sound bad but this was the #7 ranked team. If he plays that way against Canada? Russia? Sweden? Gulp. It wasn't a BAD game per say but against an average team I would like to see Miller dominate. I'll chalk this one up to "warming up." The United States gets another "warm up" as their next game is against #12 Norway on Thursday. Speaking of #12 Norway that wasn't much of a performance against #1 Canada. 8-0. And Canada coasted at the end. I know Canada is the favorite and all eyes up in Vancouver are placed firmly on the Canadian Hockey team but the fact they were really hyping up that game? Oh well. We'll see if the United States can gain some more confidence on Thursday against Norway before they take on the favored Canadians.

You know what else started yesterday? Curling. Now I always end up watching curling but seriously what a goofy sport/game/whatever that is. I am not quite sure of the rules but it resembles some kind of ice shuffleboard. And lets be honest shuffleboard is no sport. But does Curling qualify? I feel like this game can be mastered by almost anyone. I mean what about letting loose a goofy looking ball thing, or sweeping in a fast motion, is really athletic? Is it a mixture of bowling and house cleaning on ice? It's like I said I watch it every Winter Olympics but I feel like I need someone to explain this game to me. Wikipedia describes curling as "a team sport with similarities to lawn bowling and shuffleboard played on a sheet of carefully prepared ice." Lawn bowling? sigh... I've been watching this Olympic event every 4 winters and I still don't have much of a clue about it.

-Olympic Hockey, World Cup Soccer
Sticking with the American Theme I want to propose a question I was asked yesterday...What would be a bigger Pre-Tournament win, defeating Canada in Hockey during the Winter Olympics? or defeating England in the World Cup? And my answer to this is who cares? While both would be great confidence boosters heading in to the real tournament I would rather see us beat both of them in the actual tournament. If I had to choose one I would choose defeating Canada in the Olympics because A) it is on their home turf..ice.. whatever and because B) the US Hockey team is composed of young thought talented players and given a boost of confidence like that might be able to make a push at landing on the Podium. I know very little about Soccer but I know that this American team has made some upsets and can be dangerous in the actual World Cup tournament. This Hockey team will need a giant boost of confidence, along with some aforementioned goalie play, if they are going to be able to bring home a Medal. But defeating the Canada Hockey team may also be the more difficult task. For some reason or another they are comparing this Canada team to the Brazil Team in the World Cup. I don't see it. Yes they are both favorites but the pressure on each team is entirely different. Brazil has no other sports going on around it. Canadians have made it known that if they do not win Gold in Hockey than THE ENTIRE WINTER OLYMPICS WILL BE A FAILURE. Talk about letting down your country. I mean the amount of pressure on this team is unreal. They are playing at home, with an All-Star NHL Cast that includes Sidney Crosby. This not taking anything away from the pressure that I'm sure is mounting on the Brazil team but they have one sport riding on their success. The entire Canadian Olympic team's fate is riding on the sticks and loose teeth of Crosby and Canada Hockey.

-NCAA Basketball, Big East
Yesterday I talked a little about Louisville and the Big East and I'm going to stay with that again today. Last night the terribly disappointing Connecticut Huskies knocked off #3 Villanova and that immediately brings to attention a couple of other games that have happened recently including Rutgers upset of #8 Georgetown and Louisville's road upset of then #3 Syracuse. You can just take one small glance at the standings and it is easy to see that Rutgers upset of then #8 Georgetown. I mean just take a glance at the box score of that game. Georgetown out shot Rutgers 29 Field Goals Made (50%) to 26 Field Goals Made (45%). Georgetown out rebounded Rutgers 30-28. I mean if you didn't know the final score of before hand you are already thinking Hoya win. Wrong. Why did Rutgers win? Defense. 8 steals, 6 blocks, and they forced 14 turnovers. Those were all huge reasons as to they the Scarlet Knights were able to pull off the upset. But the biggest was the LACK of defense by Georgetown. Lack of effort on the court turns into sloppy play which turns in to pointless fouls. 15 to be exact. Those 15 fouls lead to 16 free throws, of which Rutgers made 12. In a 3 point game. Ouch. But it just goes to show you that anyone can lose at anytime. And while that game may have been the most surprising the one that may have the largest effect on the future was Louisville's win at Syracuse. Louisville is right on the verge of being an NCAA Tournament team and while I have said for awhile now that they are going to be in the field of 65 this win did a lot to help them get there. There biggest struggles were on the Road (check) and some even say against top teams (check). If they can keep up the pace after that win they should finish the season with 4-6 wins in their last 6 games. This win, a second half comeback, was just what they needed to help solidify that they need to be in the Tournament. As for the other upset? UCONN was in desperate need of a good win. At 15-11 they are barely holding on to being a BUBBLE team. And I am serious when I say that Connecticut deserves to still be considered. I think if they can get win 4 of their last 5 games, which would give them a 9-9 Big East record, and maybe a win or two in their conference tournament, and they should get in. Everyone that I hear bash this team seems to forget that they play in the best Basketball conference in the Nation and they were without their coach for a few weeks. I feel as if teams that finish above .500 in a conference like this deserve to be there as much as a Mid Major that wins there Regular Season conference title. It falls under the same theory that I use under football. I don't think Boise State would ever go undefeated if they played in a real conference. But that is a debate for another time.

-NBA, Amare Stoudemire
Amare Stoudemire. His name has been out on the trade block for the last two years now hasn't it? Well it seems as if there are now only 2 teams left in the hunt for Mr. Stoudemire, Cleveland and Miami. And to be honest I think he would help Miami more than he would help Cleveland. Cleveland has the best record in the NBA. They have Lebron James, who is surrounded by some underrated players in a defense first system. Dwayne Wade has who around him? Beasley is a solid player but he is playing hurt and Jermaine O'Neal is already in his thirties and you can see his play starting to decline. Getting a force down low might be able to help Miami make a postseason push. Dwayne Wade is having a magnificent year, if he were to have a healthy Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, and than have Amare Stoudemire and Jermaine O'Neal playing down low? That team right there could make a legitimate run. Not to the finals but maybe to the conference championships. Cleveland would love to have and him and he would help the team but as far as which team Stoudemire could help out the most it is definitely the Heat. But as far as the heat are concerned I really think they should back off right now. If they can get a deal for Stoudemire it would be great but they are really coming after him. Me personally I would wait till the off season and go after someone like say, I don't know, Chris Bosh? Dwayne Wade is by no means an older guy but he has injuries that are going to slow him down earlier than expected and signing a PF Like Bosh would give them that young player that would sell tickets along with Dwayne Wade and he would also be a perfect fit for that team. His presence along with Beasley and O'Neal would turn the Heat in to contenders.

-NFL, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles fans are beginning to get on my nerves almost as much as Arkansas fans. I mean seriously. You want McNabb gone? Some people are pushing for Kevin Kolb to be the Quarterback next season? Are you crazy? My personal favorites are the ones pushing to keep Michael Vick as the Quarterback. You complain about lack of Success in big games and you want the guy whose career playoff record is 2-2. Excuse me while I finish laughing in your face. The smart move here is to keep McNabb and trade Vick. If they can stay healthy you are going to have two good RBs next season in Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, two young talented play making receivers in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and an underrated but very good TE in Brent Celek. Add some to the O-Line and help out your defense a little and you will be a playoff team. Philadelphia Fans are ridiculous. I really don't even feel like addressing this. Speaking of upgrading your defense, how about the acquisition of Julius Peppers? That would certainly help. Philadelphia already has a stout pass rush but now you become one of the most feared teams in the NFL on passing downs with Asante Samuel at CB and Julius Peppers bringing the heat from DE. Just saying that would be a solid pick up. And for the people out there that are comparing Julius Peppers at 30 years old to Reggie White around that age. Just stop. You are beginning to sound ridiculous. Peppers is good. White was dominant. Have a nice day.

My Picks.....

SEC Men's Basketball

Georgia 11-12 (3-7) @ #18/#20 Tennessee 19-6 (6-4)
7:00pm
ESPN 360
Line: Tenn -11.5

Players to Watch: UGA F Trey Thompkins, 17.2ppg 7.7rpg 1.0bpg, Tenn G J.P. Prince 8.2ppg 3.3apg 1.5spg

Preview: Georgia has been a tough team all year long. At home. And while I would love to see the Bulldogs pull off the season sweep of the Volunteers I just don't think they are going to be able to pull it off. Chism has been playing really well for the Tennessee lately and with every game I watch I continue to see just how good of a coach Bruce Pearl is. The Vols are going to be looking for payback tonight.

Tennessee by 23

South Carolina 14-10 (5-5) @ Arkansas 13-12 (6-4)
8:00pm
ESPN 360
Line: Ark -3.5

Players to Watch: SC G Devan Downey 22.8ppg 3.4apg 2.9spg, Ark G Rotnei Clarke 16.1ppg 1.3apg 1.1spg

Preview: If you glance at this once over you get the feeling that it might be a good game but that Arkansas should definitely come out on top in the end. Well. recently the SEC West leading Razorbacks have been struggling. Throw out a big win over the last place LSU Tigers and they are on a cold streak, which includes last weekends loss at Alabama, South Carolina however has SEC Player of the Year Candidate Devan Downey who goes crazy no matter where he is at. Arkansas nudges the 'Cocks to barely hold on to the West.

Arkansas by 1

NBA

SPURS by 13 @ pacers (LND)

pistons @ MAGIC (-12) by 25

*good game*
timberwolves @ WIZARDS (-4) by 9

grizzlies @ RAPTORS (-7) by 19

HEAT (-6.5) by 21 @ nets

*good game*
BULLS by 6 @ knicks (LND)

*good game*
JAZZ (-3.5) by 8 @ hornets

rockets @ BUCKS (-5) by 11

*NBA Game of the Day*
*upset*
SUNS by 1 @ mavericks (-5)

*good game*
kings @ WARRIORS by 1 (LND)

HAWKS (-5.5) by 14 @ clippers

Alright guys as always I would love to hear what you have to say. If you have any topics you want me to discuss, games you want me to go in more detail about, or just general questions just let me know.