Former Memphis coach John Calipari has reportedly moved on to coach at the University of Kentucky.
This move suprises me a little because he has all the convenience in the world at Memphis. He can call the shots, he can bring in all the best recruits, etcetra, etcetra. Now all that is gone, he is going to a program that is demands much more than a Conference USA title every year. Just ask Billy Gillispie about that.
At Kentucky, you have to win a National Championship every third year or your as good as gone.
What does this mean for Memphis? I think it means they are going to lose their highly touted recruits and become a little bit worse but still should have no problem taking care of the rest of Conference USA. As long as Tyreke Evans stays aboard they can be real good.
What does this mean for Kentucky? I think this means that they are serious about getting back to being a title contender by "bringing the G-squad to Lexington" as Mike Fant puts it. Calipari has no problem reeling those guys in. But in all honesty, I think that Calipari should be what UK needs to get back to the top.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Final Four This Weekend
The Final Four is finally among us. I'm excited.
How does your bracket look?
I can honestly say that I had Michigan State in the Final Four. The only team I am missing is Villanova, I had Pitt. Needless to say, Pitt's showing was less than stellar in the tournament this year.
As you know, I have UConn winning it all and I'm terrified right now. They have to play the home team in Michigan State. One thing I need to pay attention to when filling out my bracket is the location of games. I need UConn to take MSU out and win the National Championship, because I am currently in first in our pool and the money is looking pretty good right now.
I think UConn can and will win it all ultimately. Good balance, great rebounding, and guys that can shoot the 3. Everybody pray for UConn.
Hoffman Goes On Shelf
The Brewers newly acquired closer Trevor Hoffman will begin the '09 campaign on the DL. This isn't good news for the Crew.
Hoffman tweaked his side while pitching an inning back on March 13, and hasn't pitched a whole lot over the past three weeks.
It'll be interesting to see who will get the nod as the closer to start the year, I've heard Carlos Villanueva might get a look. Personally, I think that McClung has the stuff to be a closer.
Let's hope that this isn't a season-long lingering injury, so we can have a shot at another postseason run.
Hoffman tweaked his side while pitching an inning back on March 13, and hasn't pitched a whole lot over the past three weeks.
It'll be interesting to see who will get the nod as the closer to start the year, I've heard Carlos Villanueva might get a look. Personally, I think that McClung has the stuff to be a closer.
Let's hope that this isn't a season-long lingering injury, so we can have a shot at another postseason run.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sweet 16 Picks
Here's my "expert" opinion on what will happen in tonight's and tomorrow night's games:
UConn v. Purdue
First, we have UConn taking on Purdue. I have to ride UConn. I picked them to win it all, and I did so before the season so I can't go against that now. Connecticut has the height advantage is this one, as they do in most games. Having said that, I think Purdue is a heck of a team. I think they have some great players like Hummel and JaJuan Johnson. Hasheem Thabeet and the boys should get in done out in Glendale.
Pitt v. Xavier
Next is Pitt against Xavier at 6:27 pm Central Time, to be exact. I actually had Pitt taking on FSU in this one but, unfortunately, Wisconsin shattered that dream early. As long as DeJuan Blair stays healthy and out of foul trouble, I can see them rolling into the Elite Eight.
Missouri v. Memphis
Approxiamately 30 minutes after the end of the UConn and Purdue game, there's more madness in Glendale. Missou will take their crack at "Calipari's Convicts." There's a lot to like about Missouri, they're deep. They had 10 guys that played 1o minutes a game over the course of the season. That bodes well for them against Memphis. DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons are very good players. In the end, I think Memphis' overall experience will be the key in them advancing. Tyreke Evans is a developing into a good point guard.
Villanova v. Duke
Oops, I had VCU v. Texas in this one on my bracket. Please forgive me for the VCU pick, I will never forgive myself for it. Texas should have beaten Duke and that's a fact. Anyway, I have to pick 'Nova in this one. I told myself when during the selection show that Duke won't make it past the Sweet 16. Sorry Sethy, Duke exits now. 'Nova in the Elite Eight. Donte Cunningham and Scottie Reynolds are studs. Duke relies too much on the three pointer.
UConn v. Purdue
First, we have UConn taking on Purdue. I have to ride UConn. I picked them to win it all, and I did so before the season so I can't go against that now. Connecticut has the height advantage is this one, as they do in most games. Having said that, I think Purdue is a heck of a team. I think they have some great players like Hummel and JaJuan Johnson. Hasheem Thabeet and the boys should get in done out in Glendale.
Pitt v. Xavier
Next is Pitt against Xavier at 6:27 pm Central Time, to be exact. I actually had Pitt taking on FSU in this one but, unfortunately, Wisconsin shattered that dream early. As long as DeJuan Blair stays healthy and out of foul trouble, I can see them rolling into the Elite Eight.
Missouri v. Memphis
Approxiamately 30 minutes after the end of the UConn and Purdue game, there's more madness in Glendale. Missou will take their crack at "Calipari's Convicts." There's a lot to like about Missouri, they're deep. They had 10 guys that played 1o minutes a game over the course of the season. That bodes well for them against Memphis. DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons are very good players. In the end, I think Memphis' overall experience will be the key in them advancing. Tyreke Evans is a developing into a good point guard.
Villanova v. Duke
Oops, I had VCU v. Texas in this one on my bracket. Please forgive me for the VCU pick, I will never forgive myself for it. Texas should have beaten Duke and that's a fact. Anyway, I have to pick 'Nova in this one. I told myself when during the selection show that Duke won't make it past the Sweet 16. Sorry Sethy, Duke exits now. 'Nova in the Elite Eight. Donte Cunningham and Scottie Reynolds are studs. Duke relies too much on the three pointer.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Video Blog #2
Well, I've been lacking a bit in writing blogs so I decided to do another video blog. Excuse the part in the middle where I put on the music. It's critical to the blog.
http://www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong
http://www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
2009 Big Dance: Most Intriguing Matchups
Well kids, the greatest time of year is upon us. It's tourney time.
I just wanna touch on the matchups that intrigue me most about this year's installment. Not necessarily in just the first round, but that's where I'll start:
Midwest - (8) Ohio State v. (9) Siena- Siena has Cinderella written all over them. They have a pretty solid program and they're always in the tourney. They return all five starters from last year's team that upset Villanova in the first round. Ohio State has the #1 from this year in B.J. Mullens and Evan Turner is a nice lookin' player. I have Siena pulling this one out.
West - (4) Washington v. (13) Mississippi St.- Washington is the best team coming out of the Pac-10. They have on heck of a post-presence in Jon Brockman, and some real good guard play. Mississippi St. has the best shot blocker in the nation in Jarvis Varnado. I think UW has the experience over Mississippi St. and better guards. I took Washington here.
East - (5) Florida State v. (12) Wisconsin - FSU has had a magical year, they took out UNC in the semi-finals of the ACC tourney and they were ranked in the Top 25 all year. They have the ACC defensive player of the year in Toney Douglas and he's a floor general. Wisconsin can lull teams to sleep with their style of offense but they are a decent team. Jon Leuer had a good season. I have to say sorry to my fellow 'Sconnies, I have FSU going to the Sweet 16.
South - (6) Arizona State v. (11) Temple - This is a matchup of individual stars. ASU's James Harden and Temple's Dionte Christmas. Temple won the A-10 tournament, but ASU couldn't hold off USC in the Pac-10 championship, but they get in for the first time since 2003. I have Temple winning it though, Dionte Christmas is a stud.
Possible future matchups:
(1)Louisville v. (4) Wake Forest - Truthfully, I was shocked that Wake got a 4. I thought they were deserving of a 3, but I'm not on the committee. Louisville plays good defense and Wake is great offensively. Al-Farouq Aminu is a diaper dandy and he could be up against another diaper dandy in Samardo Samuels.
(1) North Carolina v. (2) Oklahoma - Do I need to say more than Tyler Hansbrough v. Blake Griffin? You have the goofiest, yet most hard-working player in Hansbrough and you have the most talented player in Blake Griffin. It would be fun to watch.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Dutch Shock The World
The team from the Netherlands in this year's WBC wasn't expected to make any noise.
Well they now have done the impossible.
They upset the heavily favored and much better team from the Dominican Republic. The DR is loaded with perennial all-stars and the Dutch's ace was Sidney Ponson, and their only notable hitter is Randall Simon. They upset them twice in the last week.
The DR just wasn't able to figure out the Bert Blyleven coached pitching staff of the Netherlands. They only managed to muster 3 runs total in their two matchups.
Gene Kingsale was the man of the night. He drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 11th, and scored the game-winning run on the Willy Aybar error at first base. Kingsale went 2 for 4 for the game.
The Dutch were celebrating like they won a World Series.
However, the Dominicans, led by Felipe Alou, were visibly shaken. They were expected to win and that's what they came to do. An All-Star laden lineup that included Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Marmol, David Ortiz, and an injured Alex Rodriguez. Just couldn't crack the Dutch pitching and get anything done offensively, even with the names mentioned above.
Up next for the Dutch are the Puerto Ricans who are 2-0 in WBC play, and are also loaded with big-time big league talent. That is obviously no obstacle for the Dutch.
Well they now have done the impossible.
They upset the heavily favored and much better team from the Dominican Republic. The DR is loaded with perennial all-stars and the Dutch's ace was Sidney Ponson, and their only notable hitter is Randall Simon. They upset them twice in the last week.
The DR just wasn't able to figure out the Bert Blyleven coached pitching staff of the Netherlands. They only managed to muster 3 runs total in their two matchups.
Gene Kingsale was the man of the night. He drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 11th, and scored the game-winning run on the Willy Aybar error at first base. Kingsale went 2 for 4 for the game.
The Dutch were celebrating like they won a World Series.
However, the Dominicans, led by Felipe Alou, were visibly shaken. They were expected to win and that's what they came to do. An All-Star laden lineup that included Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Marmol, David Ortiz, and an injured Alex Rodriguez. Just couldn't crack the Dutch pitching and get anything done offensively, even with the names mentioned above.
Up next for the Dutch are the Puerto Ricans who are 2-0 in WBC play, and are also loaded with big-time big league talent. That is obviously no obstacle for the Dutch.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Another Raiders Offseason Update
- Javon Walker took a pay cut that freed up 8 million. This was just about his only choice. It was pay cut or be cut. Javon hasn't done a whole lot since he left Green Bay. Let's see if he can turn it around next year.
-In the wake of the Dallas Cowgirls' release of headcase WR Terrell Owens (causing a media frenzy), team exec./badass John Herrera, when asked of where Oakland stands as far as picking him up, "We're as happy as can be right now." Whatever that means. I'll be in a coma for many weeks if Al doops that low.
-There are rumors that the team is close to a deal with free agents OT Khalif Barnes from Jacksonville. I would be pumped if they got him. He's had four years of starting experience and he's only 26 years old. Please Al, don't let him go back home without a deal.
- Former C Jake Grove has dashed for Miami. Here's my take... good. Don't let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out Jake. This leave us some space to take a diaper dandy of a center with our second round pick (*Max Unger*).
-Speaking of the offensive line, the Raiders resigned RG Cooper Carlisle to a five-year deal. He was probably the most consistent on the line (beside Robert Gallery) last year, which isn't saying too much. Still speaking of the offensive line, LG/badass Robert Gallery restructured his contract and extended it. Gallery has been a force since he was moved to LG.
-RB Justin Fargas restructured his contract as well. This is good but he shouldn't expect to be the #1 RB come Week 1. It's time for Bush and McFadden to take the reigns. Louis Rankin could get a shot as the 3rd back.
-Last but most certainly not least, the Raiders are mourning the loss of a teammate. LB Marquis Cooper, as you all know, was part of the boat that was lost at sea in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The search was called off on Tuesday at dusk. They only managed to find the one guy. He allegedly had a body temp. of 89 degrees, but he is expected to be fine. Let's hold out hope that Marquis and the others return. Unfortunately, at this point it looks really bleek.
-In the wake of the Dallas Cowgirls' release of headcase WR Terrell Owens (causing a media frenzy), team exec./badass John Herrera, when asked of where Oakland stands as far as picking him up, "We're as happy as can be right now." Whatever that means. I'll be in a coma for many weeks if Al doops that low.
-There are rumors that the team is close to a deal with free agents OT Khalif Barnes from Jacksonville. I would be pumped if they got him. He's had four years of starting experience and he's only 26 years old. Please Al, don't let him go back home without a deal.
- Former C Jake Grove has dashed for Miami. Here's my take... good. Don't let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out Jake. This leave us some space to take a diaper dandy of a center with our second round pick (*Max Unger*).
-Speaking of the offensive line, the Raiders resigned RG Cooper Carlisle to a five-year deal. He was probably the most consistent on the line (beside Robert Gallery) last year, which isn't saying too much. Still speaking of the offensive line, LG/badass Robert Gallery restructured his contract and extended it. Gallery has been a force since he was moved to LG.
-RB Justin Fargas restructured his contract as well. This is good but he shouldn't expect to be the #1 RB come Week 1. It's time for Bush and McFadden to take the reigns. Louis Rankin could get a shot as the 3rd back.
-Last but most certainly not least, the Raiders are mourning the loss of a teammate. LB Marquis Cooper, as you all know, was part of the boat that was lost at sea in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The search was called off on Tuesday at dusk. They only managed to find the one guy. He allegedly had a body temp. of 89 degrees, but he is expected to be fine. Let's hold out hope that Marquis and the others return. Unfortunately, at this point it looks really bleek.
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