2013 March Madness: #8 Colorado State vs #9 Missouri

Alex Oriakhi, Tony CriswellMany of the most entertaining first-round games in the NCAA Tournament have been when the #8 seed faces the #9 seed.

#8 Colorado State (25-8) vs. #9 Missouri (23-10) will be a good one.

Both teams were locks to make the tourney after having winning records in their respective conferences.

This game will be debated back and forth, but I explain why this game won’t be as close as many believe.

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket. Continue reading

2013 March Madness: #1 Louisville vs. #16 Play-In Winner

Mad+Rick+Pitino+White+Suit+LouisvilleThe lead game in the Midwest bracket has #1 seed Louisville (29-5) playing the winner of the play-in game between North Carolina A&T and Liberty to determine the #16 seed..

No matter who wins the play-in game, they face an uphill battle. Louisville’s roster is one of the best Rick Pitino’s has recruited while at the school.

My pick will not surprise anyone.

Who do you think will win? We help you out. Continue reading

2013 March Madness: Middle Tennessee vs. St. Mary’s

St Marys+College+Basketball+TournamentThe #11 play-in game has Middle Tennessee (28-5) playing St. Mary’s (27-6).

The winner of this game plays #6 Memphis Tigers.

This play-in game is the most interesting in this year’s tournament. The winner of the game could be in line to upset Memphis. Middle Tennessee and St. Mary’s are the two teams not in the power six conferences that basketball analysts argued back and forth whether or not they should be in tournament field. This game will be interesting.

Who do you think will win? We help you out. Continue reading

2013 March Madness: Boise State vs. La Salle

La Salle+Explorers+BasketballThe #13 play-in game has Boise State (21-10) playing La Salle (21-9).

The winner of this game plays #4 Kansas State Wildcats.

The winner of this game will be an interesting upset pick. Both Boise State and La Salle faced stiff conference competition and will come ready to play.

Who do you think will win? We help you out. Continue reading

2013 March Madness: LIU Brooklyn vs. James Madison

LIU BrooklynThe #16 play-in game has LIU Brooklyn(20-13) facing James Madison (20-14).

The winner of this game faces #1 Indiana Hoosiers.

The winner of this play-in game will not defeat the Hoosiers, but you will need to pick a winner on your bracket. We will break down this game and pick the winner.

Who do you think will win? We help you out. Continue reading

2013 March Madness: North Carolina A&T vs. Liberty

Liberty+Flames+NCAA+TournamentThe #16 play-in game has North Carolina A&T (19-16) facing Liberty (15-20).

The winner of this game faces #1 Louisville Cardinals.

I doubt the winner of this game will defeat the Cardinals in the state of Kentucky, but you will need to pick the winner in your bracket. We will break down this game and pick the winner.

Who do you think will win? We help you out. Continue reading

March Madness: Which Bubble Teams Didn’t Get In?

Sad+John+CapilariThere are 340 Division-I teams in college basketball eligible for the postseason NCAA Tournament. Obviously, not every team can get an invite.

These teams were all on the bubble, but failed to make it into the field of 68.

There were some big upsets (Middle Tennessee State) and a few teams that deserved a nod, were passed over.

Here is a list of bubble teams that had their bubble burst.

Hint: John Calipari is sad. Continue reading

The Laettner Shot: The First Time Sports Made Me Cry

LAETTNERThe 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 DiazNick 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

Brian-Hartline-Funny+Miami+Dolphins+NFLMiami 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

Clark+Griswold+Vacation+Blackhawks+JerseyTwo 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

Bobby+Knight+The+Power+Of+Negative+Thinking+BookIf 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