Saturday March 6th Daily Thoughts and Picks.....

Hey there guys,
Yesterday was a good/bad day for me as I went 10-1 NBA as Cleveland pulled out a close victory over the Detroit Pistons behind Lebron's 40 points and 13 rebounds, My Orland Magic pulled out a win over the Nets (yawn) as Dwight Howard pulled down 16 rebounds, and in what may have been the best game of the night, the Warriors, lead by Stephen Curry's 31 points and 11 assists, gave the Hawks a scare as Atlanta Won by 5 behind Josh Smith's 29 points and 9 boards. PS My heart goes out to TWO NBA players that were taken to the Hospital yesterday, Detroit Piston Rodney Stuckey, and Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. In the NHL I went 1-4 as Edmonton upset Minnesota 2-1 in overtime riding the solid play of Goalie Jeff Deslauriers and his 28 saves, the Red Wings took out the Predators 5-2 behind C Darren Helm's 2 goals (10 for the season), and Tim Connoly's 2 points (1 goal 1 assist) helped the Sabres take out the Flyers in overtime. Well today I want to talk about some interesting drama, some great basketball this weekend, and of course, I'm going to touch on the NFL Free Agency moves from Day One. We can only hope Day Two is as interesting. As far as the games go SEC Basketball has some interesting games as Auburn and Alabama face off in a last game rivalry, Devan Downey tries to keep up his ridiculous numbers at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Arkansas battle for the final bye in the SEC Tournament, Georgia and LSU in Baton Rouge, and Tennessee and Mississippi State face off in an important game for each team's postseason, in the NBA we have some pretty good games as Atlanta travels to Miami for a battle of division rivals, Dallas heads north to Chicago to take on the Bulls in what should be a fun game to watch, San Antonio heads to Memphis as the Grizzlies continue to fight for their playoff lives, and Cleveland tries to avoid getting upset in Milwaukee, and in the NHL there are also some pretty good games as Toronto heads over to Ottawa in a Canadian battle, the Rangers head to DC to take on Ovechkin and the Capitals, and Montreal heads to LA in what should be a pretty interesting game. Hope you guys enjoy.

My Thoughts.....

-Random Thoughts, Griner's Right Hook & Zito vs. Fielder
For those of you that haven't seen it yet Baylor's Women's Basketball Team played Texas Tech in a close 69-60 game the other day, yet the close game wasn't the big story. Baylor's freshman C Britney Griner's Wild Right Hook to Texas Tech F Jordan Barncastles nose was what made the story. Granted when watching the play Barncastle gave a hard foul to Griner, even swinging her around, in what had been for most of the game a very physical match up between the two. Problem though is that I don't agree that this was a sudden reaction, yes it still qualifies as spur of the moment but Griner takes a couple of steps before throwing a the punch. And here is the best part. SHE IS ONLY GOING TO BE SUSPENDED FOR 2 GAMES. She received a 1 game suspension from Baylor University and an additional one game suspension from the NCAA. Are you serious? Since when is deliberately going after someone like that only a 2 game suspension? That is ridiculous. If it were up to me she should've been lucky to only get suspended for her conference tournament. LeGarrette Blount had to sit out HALF A SEASON, for something similar in a sport, THAT IS ALL ABOUT BEING PHYSICAL. How in the hell does Britney Griner get only 2 games TOTAL for that? This makes absolutely no sense. I mean 2 games? After Baylor has already wrapped up an NCAA tournament bid? In a case like this where she throws a right hook you need to send a message. If not for the entire NCAA Tournament than make it for 2-3 games. Make those 2 games be in the NCAA Tournament when it matter. This is ridiculous. Griner will now get to play in the NCAA tournament laying into another girls face. What a joke.

Speaking of ridiculous, why are so many people OK with Barry Zito plunking Prince Fielder in the back during their exhibition meeting on Thursday? For those of you that haven't heard/don't remember, last season, in a game that was pretty important to the Brewer's postseason chances, Prince Fielder hit a walk off homer against the Giants, and after he rounded the bases, had an interesting celebration with his teammates when he got to home plate. So 6 month's later Barry Zito, "trying to work him inside", nails Fielder in the back for payback. First off why is everyone always trying to say that it HAS to be some kind of payback, or it HAS to be some kind of message. Does it ever occur to anyone that he may have just lost control? In fact if you see the video of fielder getting plunked, you notice that Zito doesn't have anything to say to him, no San Francisco Giant says anything to Fielder. If you are going to pay somebody back is that all you are going to do? WEAK. If you have held a grudge for 6 months there is no way it is ending at just a mid 80s fastball to the back and then that's it. If someone really gave a damn enough to want to do that they are going to have something to say about it. Yet you hear nothing from the Giants other than we were just trying to work him inside. Not to mention WHY WOULD THE GIANTS BE UPSET? It isn't like Fielder was pointing at any of the Giants players and laughing at them, it's not like he pointed at Zito as he rounded the bases, and hell its not like he did this at San Francisco, hell no they were in MILWAUKEE, he was having fun with his teammates putting on a show for the fans to enjoy. Why in the hell then are there reports coming out of people backing Barry Zito? That is just plain ridiculous. If you are going to hold a grudge because a team celebrated after winning an amazing game, that saw a triple play be the second best defensive play of the game, than you are a joke. I don't care if that was choreographed you are a joke of person if it upsets you because the other team "celebrated after a 12th inning homer." Got an issue? Grab a damn tissue and don't let them beat you next time.

-NCAA Basketball, GREAT FINAL WEEKEND
I know I talked about the Great Games that were happening during the week but what better a way to end the regular season then with the games that are going on this weekend? How about #1 Syracuse looking for payback on the road against Louisville, a bubble team that upset the orange earlier this season in New York, or #25 Texas @ #22 Baylor? The Big XII is going to have a lot of teams in the NCAA Tournament, and former #1 Texas needs a big win like this one if they want to prove that they can still bring it, North Carolina and #4 Duke is always going to be a great game, but to me the best of all is going to be #8 West Virginia @ #9 Villanova, a game I talked about earlier during the week, and this game just excites me. The Big East is the best conference in college basketball this season and these are two teams that could make a big run in the tournament. Should be a fun one to watch. Some other ones that intrigue me are #2 Kansas @ Missouri, two teams from the Big XII that should be dancing in a couple of weeks, #13 Tennessee @ Mississippi State, they need this win plus a deep run/win the conference tourney, if they want to make it now, Cincinnati @ #20 Georgetown, Cincinnati is still fighting for their playoff life but which Georgetown will they face? UAB @ #21 UTEP, should be a great battle between two C-USA teams fighting for invites, Notre Dame @ Marquette, the Irish still have some work left to do and after beating UCONN this week another win here would do wonders for their tournament hopes, UCONN @ South Florida, USF has been an upset happy team all season and UCONN is still working on getting to the dance, and finally Ole Miss @ Arkansas, the Rebels can't afford any more losses if they want to get in, a win here secures a bye in the SEC tournament. This weekend is filled with a ridiculous amount of games that could go along way in finding out which teams should be seeded where come tournament time. I can't wait to watch.
-NFL, Free Agency Day One
What a first day huh? I mean look at the moves that were made. I am going to start off with the busiest team on Day One: the Chicago Bears. They addressed two needs by signing Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers yesterday. The bears have a solid running back situation with young Matt Forte and Kahlil Bell and adding veteran Chester Taylor was HUGE. In his lone year as a starter with the Minnesota Vikings he rushed for 1,200 + yards, but then Adrian Peterson fell into the Vikings hands and since Taylor has been an afterthought. He is at the stage where running backs begin to taper off, 30 years old. But he can still provide some solid carries and I expect him to split time with Matt Forte. Julius Peppers, who granted has been known to take some plays/games off, was another HUGE signing for the Bears. I have heard some people say that it was a terrible move because, with more money, Peppers is likely to take more plays off. But I think he has heard enough of that, and I think you will see a more productive year out of him this season. He is in a new City under a New Coach and if he still wants to play I don't think he will take AS MANY (<--- Key Word) plays off. Not to mention he fills a huge need after the unfortunate passing of DE Gaines Adams this offseason. Another team that made some moves was the Detroit Lions. In fact they made 3 pretty good moves in my opinion. First off the Trade for Corey Williams was a great move. At 6'4 and 320lbs this monster has averaged 6 + sacks a season over the last 4 seasons FROM HIS DT SPOT. Consider this, the Lions leader in sacks this past season, had only 5.5 (Cliff Avril.) And Williams has averaged 0ver 6 in the last 4 seasons. Boom. Another boost to the defensive line was the signing of DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. While Vanden Bosch had a rough season this past year recording only 3 sacks, he is usually at his best when their is another focus along the defensive line, and who were we just talking about? That's right. Corey Williams. I expect Vanden Bosch to have a better, not great, but good for the Lions, type of season. Which with a team that is building in the right direction, is a good move. Not to mention the Lions can pick up a young DE in the next couple of seasons and Vanden Bosch can be a solid veteran there to help ease the transition. The other new player they brought in is Nate Burleson. Burleson is always at his worst when he is in a new contract receiving lots of money. I think that changes in Detroit. Matthew Stafford isn't going to stand for it. If he doesn't play hard he isn't going to receive a single pass. And then he'll get cut. I think that opposite of Calvin Johnson there are going to be plenty of opportunites for Burleson to be a very solid producer for the Lions as they make their move, albeit rather slowly, for a playoff push. With a solid draft the Lions could be ready by next season. Some other good moves as far as signing free agents are concerned would be Karlos Dansby to Miami. Monster move, as Dansby is one of the best linebackers in the game today, Dunta Robinson to Atlanta, while this is a great move for the Falcons, I wonder if Robinson can last for an entire season without getting hurt, and Antrell Rolle to the Giants. I think Rolle definately improves the Giants secondary but should he really be the highest ever paid Safety? No. And lastly I want to touch on the other trades that happened. Anquan Boldin to the Ravens. You know what I don't care what the Ravens had to give up. This was HUGE. Joe Flacco has not had an elite receiver yet, not matter what level he has played at, and Boldin will no longer have to worry about being the #1 target on his team. He wins by default in Baltimore. Happy Birthday Joe Flacco. The other move, which has received some negative attention that I absolutely just love, is Cromartie to the Jets for a 3rd round pick. I think was a steal for the Jets. Yes Cromartie has some tackling and effort issues. But Rex Ryan won't put up with that. Seriously. He will play someone else over Cromartie and then have him cut at the end of the season. If Cromartie figures that out and plays like he can, OH MY GOD, can you imagine trying to throw the ball against the Jets? If Cromartie isn't a screw up then I think the Jets may have just boosted their chances of going to the Super Bowl ten fold. This is a great move. PS as I write this Texans WR Kevin Walters has resigned with the Texans. He's a solid #2 for Matt Schaub and a decent compliment to Andre Johnson.

My Picks.....

SEC Men's Basketball

Auburn 15-15 (6-9) @ Alabama 15-14 (5-10)
12:47 PM
ESPN 360
Line: Bama -5.5

Players to Watch: Aub G DeWayne Reed 16.1ppg 4.4apg 1.4spg, Aub G Tay Waller 15.7ppg 1.1apg 1.3spg, Aub F Lucas Hargrove 13.2ppg 7.0rpg 0.4bpg, Bama G Mikhail Torrance 15.5ppg 5.2apg 0.8spg, Bama F JaMychal Green 14.8ppg 7.2rpg 1.7bpg

Preview: This should be a fun one to watch. Neither team is going to be playing post season basketball, unless they go on a ridiculous run in the SEC Tournament, and Alabama is going to be looking for revenge from a 1 point loss earlier this season. I like Bama to do just that as they found some offensive play against South Carolina last week, this week they face another poor defense.
Alabama by 6

South Carolina 14-15 (5-10) @ #13/#19 Vanderbilt 23-6 (12-3)
1:00 PM
ESPN2
Line: Vandy -10.5
Players to Watch: SC G Devan Downey 22.5ppg 3.6apg 2.8spg

Preview: Vanderbilt is just one of those teams that is really just playing for seeding now. They are already a lock to play in the NCAA Tournament, and South Carolina is a lock to not make it. You know that Devan Downey is going to want to end his season on the same note he began it by shocking the nation, but I just don't see it happening. Downey has looked tired, probably from having to carry his entire team all season long, and I just don't think he has the gas to give it one more run. I like the Commodores to win big today.
Vanderbilt by 21

Ole Miss 20-9 (8-7) @ Arkansas 14-16 (7-8)
3:00 PM
ESPN 360
Line: Miss -1.5

Players to Watch: Miss G Chris Warren 16.8ppg 3.5apg 1.1spg, Eniel Polynice 10.0ppg 4.2apg 1.3spg, Miss F Murphy Holloway 10.1ppg 7.5rpg 0.5bpg, Ark G Rotnei Clarke 15.6ppg 1.2apg 1.2spg

Preview: This is one of the few games today in the SEC that has some real meaning left as the winner of this game will be the #2 Seed out of the Western Division, therefore receiving a bye in the SEC Tournament. Arkansas has begun to look awful over the last few weeks, losing 4 in a row, and Ole Miss is barely hanging on to their NCAA Tournament life. I like Ole Miss to play at another level, keep their hopes alive, and earn the bye.

Ole Miss by 6

Georgia 13-15 (5-10) @ LSU 10-19 (1-14)
4:00 PM
ESPN 360
Line: LSU -1

Players to Watch: UGA G Dustin Ware 8.4ppg 3.5apg 1.0spg, UGA F Trey Thompkins 17.6ppg 8.0rpg 1.0bpg, LSU F Tasmin Mitchell 16.9ppg 9.6rpg 0.6bpg, LSU F Storm Warren 11.8ppg 7.2rpg 1.3bpg

Preview: No your eyes are not deceiving you, LSU is favored to win this game. For the first time during this conference season LSU is favored to win a basketball game. And you know what? I don't think they'll win it. I think that Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins > Tasmin Mitchell and Storm Warren. Most of all I think the coaching at Georgia is better than at LSU. Sorry Bengals
Georgia by 4 <----- UPSET

#16/#13 Tennessee 22-7 (10-5) @ Mississippi State 21-9 (9-6)
5:00 PM
ESPN
Line: MSU -3.5
Players to Watch: Tenn G Bobby Maze 9.5ppg 3.2apg 0.7spg, MSU G Dee Bost 12.9ppg 5.3apg 1.2spg, MSU F Jarvis Varnado 13.5ppg 10.8rpg 4.9bpg

Preview: This should be a great game as Tennessee is looking to improve their tournament seeding and Mississippi State is in a must win situation if they want to get to the NCAA Tournament. I have really been waiting all year to watch this game as I have wanted to see Wayne Chism, a guy who I have really like watching play in the post, go up against a dominant defensive player like Varnado. This should be fun. I think they Hump will be rocking for another ESPN game and I think that Varnado throws a block party and MSU keeps their Dance hopes alive.
Mississippi State by 3

NBA

*Game of the Day*
CAVALIERS (-2.5) by 4 @ bucks

The Rest:
warriors @ BOBCATS (-10) by 9
HAWKS by 3 @ heat (-1.5) <----- UPSET

nets @ KNICKS (-8.5) by 8

MAVERICKS (-1) by 5 @ bulls

ROCKETS (-4) by 8 @ timberwolves

SPURS (-1) by 2 @ grizzlies

pacers @ SUNS (-12.5) by 15

clippers @ JAZZ (-14) by 15

NHL

stars @ PENGUINS

BRUINS @ islanders

maple leafs @ SENATORS

rangers @ CAPITALS
HURRICANES @ panthers <----- UPSET

HAWKS @ lightning <----- UPSET

ducks @ COYOTES

blues @ AVALANCHE

canadians @ KINGS

blue jackets @ SHARKS

Alright guys, if you have any questions or comments just let me know.