The Laettner Shot: The First Time Sports Made Me Cry

The Christian Laettner shot.

It has been 21 years since it happened, so I think I can finally talk about it.

I have yet to go a month of March without seeing the replay over and over again.

What did I do to deserve this cruel and unusual punishment?

I know I’m not the only person that feels this way. Kentucky basketball has a big following. I doubt Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley or Laettner could step foot in the state of Kentucky without having personal security by their side.

I describe the days before and after the tournament that changed my view of sports. Continue reading →

UFC: Nick Diaz Claims Georges St-Pierre Takes Steroids

Nick Diaz just made UFC 158 a lot more interesting.

Diaz (26-8) faces Georges St. Pierre (23-2) for the welterweight title this weekend. On a radio show after the press conference Diaz made some startling allegations. He claimed GSP takes “plenty of steroids.”

This comes after GSP called Diaz the most disrespectful fighter in the UFC.

Is UFC 158 all hype or will Diaz/GSP be a fight of the year candidate? Continue reading →

NFL: Dolphins’ Brian Hartline Works at Convenience Store

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline doesn’t fit the mold of an NFL player.

The former Ohio State standout came into the NFL as a fourth-round pick with marginal expectations. He has parlayed his success into a new contract worth $31 million over five seasons. You would think he’s set for life, right?

Hartline doesn’t believe so.

He appeared on Dan LeBatard’s radio show and admitted he was quite busy that day…working at a drive-thru convenience store. Really?!

We explain why he has a second job. Continue reading →

NHL Talk: Edward Pasquale, Nordiques Bet & WNBA Fights

Two hockey guys talking hockey.

Joe Pasquali and Eddie Theisen are two die-hard NHL fans. They both watch every hockey game, every night (almost).

The guys talk about the Joe’s long-lost cousin, Edward Pasquale’s NHL debut, cutting in line at fast food places, their new bet involving Nordiques & North Stars gear, and WNBA cat fights.

Whoever loses their hockey bet, one of the guys will get hipster hockey cred by sporting extinct NHL team gear.

This is their email conversation the following morning. Continue reading →

Review: “The Power of Negative Thinking” by Bobby Knight

If you asked a group of 100 college basketball fans to write down their top-five college basketball coaches of all-time, Bobby Knight will appear on every fan’s list.

Knight is memorable for accomplishing great things (three national championships and eleven Big Ten titles) and some of the most controversial moments in college basketball history.

The Power of Negative Thinking bundles all the negativity you sense in Coach Knight and explains how you can push yourself into achieving great things in life. It’s an odd method, but Knight’s “realist” common sense approach is refreshing in a book in this genre.

Knight shares anecdotes about his time coaching against Michael Jordan in college, what he learned during his time at Texas Tech and memories of Keith Smart’s shot that won Indiana a National championship in 1987. Continue reading →

NHL Talk: Conference Realignment, Whalers Gear & Popcorn

Two hockey guys talking hockey.

Joe Pasquali and Eddie Theisen are two die-hard NHL fans. They both watch every hockey game, every night (almost).

The guys talk about the recently announced NHL conference realignment planned for next season, Washington’s recent hot streak, the Blackhawks looking mortal once again and awesome popcorn flavors.

I’m glad the Blue Jackets will be in the East starting next season. Eliminating all the West Coast travel could help them make a few playoff appearances.

This is their email conversation the following morning. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Seattle Mariners

Seattle made a few headlines this offseason. They paid Felix Hernandez the most paid to a pitcher in Major League history and made two different trades to acquire much-needed power.

The three best teams in the AL West got much better, so Seattle had to make a decision. Do they stand pat and slowly build their team back up or make some big moves in hopes stealing a Wild Card spot? They went with the second option.

Did Seattle make a smart move by acquiring talent to win right now?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Seattle Mariners. Continue reading →

NFL: Colts Focus On Depth Early In Free Agency

The Indianapolis Colts didn’t waste any time to add depth to their team.

The free agency period started yesterday and within the first few hours, the Colts announced five signings.

The most important of those signings is former first-round pick Gosdar Cherilus. He is slated to replaced Winston Justice at right tackle.

The Colts know they have to protect quarterback Andrew Luck if they plan on having success.

Who else did the Colts sign? We fill you in after the jump… Continue reading →

2013 March Madness: Bubble Teams

The NCAA Tournament is right around the corner and teams pushing to win their conference tournaments and assure a spot in this season’s ‘Big Dance’.

There were a few smaller conference upsets that limited the number of at-large bids the larger conferences usually dominate.

Many of the teams on the “bubble” are perennial favorites, like Kentucky who want to defend their title. A few newcomers are also on the bubble, like La Salle who haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1992.

Which current bubble teams are safe to receive at-large bids and which teams still have work to do? Continue reading →

Youtube Gold: Puscifer – “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Maynard James Keenan has an ability to turn a side-project into a great band that can stand alone. Keenan is best known for Tool, but he’s also a part of A Perfect Circle and Puscifer.

Everyone on the site loves a great cover song. Last year, we even had a full month of daily cover songs. Many bands have attempted to cover Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but Puscifer nailed it.

If you’re a fan of corny music videos, you will enjoy this one.

2013 MLB Team Preview: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants did the improbably in today’s game. They won two World Series in the last three seasons. They did this one after overcoming Melky Cabrera’s PED scandal and without ace closer Brian Wilson.

Buster Posey had a breakout season in returning from a scary injury that happened during a collision at the plate.

Can the Giants win three out of four?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants. Continue reading →

Review: “Closer” by Kevin Neary

In baseball, the closer position is still the newest position in baseball. The term didn’t come into the baseball lexicon until the 1970s.

In today’s game, having a good closer has been part of the equation for success. Even though a closer’s role has changed greatly since its inception. Today’s closer only pitch one inning at most. Closers like Bruce Sutter and Goose Gossage (both in the Baseball Hall of Fame) often pitched multiple innings.

Closer by Kevin Neary and Leigh A. Tobin chronicles the careers of various closers over the years. They break down closer in three different eras (“The Early Years”, The Transition Years” & “The Modern Day Closer”).

We review Closer and let you know why this book is a must-have for every baseball historian. Continue reading →