Since it looks like golf is out here this weekend, here are five things to fill up a sports weekend:
1. The Last Football Game
You may have heard about this -- the Colts versus the Saints Sunday night in South Florida. After the Super Bowl, football goes on hiatus until mid-summer when training camps start. There is the NFL draft to look forward to if you're really into it and your team has a first-round pick.
The Colts are five-point favorites but the Saints are the sentimental choice. It's a safe bet there will be plenty of points scored. Here's hoping you have the right squares in the Super Bowl pool.
2. Welcome Home
After nearly two weeks on the road, the Charlotte Bobcats are back home Saturday night to face the New Orleans Hornets, who used to call Charlotte home.
It would be nice if Chris Paul were playing, since the Hornets only visit once a season, but with him coming off ankle surgery, that's one serious problem the Bobcats won't have to deal with.
3. The ACC Schedule -- Maybe
With heavy snow forecast for Virginia and Washington, D.C., a handful of games could be in jeopardy. The Wake Forest-Virginia game in Charlottesville has been shifted to a 4 p.m. start (from noon) and will be shown on a tape-delayed basis at 6:30 p.m. so if you really care about that one, stay away from the computer tomorrow afternoon.
Clemson is scheduled to play at Virginia Tech Saturday and North Carolina will try to get to Maryland for a Sunday afternoon game that could put a final nail in its NCAA tournament chances.
4. Going North
The Charlotte 49ers are on the road this weekend to play at Fordham, taking their six-game winning streak with them. It may not be the most attractive game on their schedule but every win counts.
5. It's Daytona, Baby
They're racing Saturday night in Daytona, running the annual limited-field Shootout which is like a Cheez-Whiz appetizer before the big meal next week. Danica Patrick is not in the field for the Shootout but she will be still be the most talked-about driver down there.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Five Reasons Not To Expand The NCAA Tournament
With growing discussion about the possibility of the men's NCAA basketball championship tournament being expanded to perhaps more than 90 teams, here are five reasons why it's the worst idea since the abolition of jump balls:
1. There's Nothing Wrong With The Tournament Now
You've probably heard this before -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2. Northwestern Might Get In
The Wildcats have never qualified for the tournament in the 70 years it has been played and, while it probably makes the Chicago winter feel even colder, there's something to be said for putting a value on playing your way in. Don't lower the bar.
3. What About Football?
They can't find a way to create a football playoff but can add another set of games to the men's basketball tournament? What about all the class time that will be missed (wink, wink)? What about the fans (as if that has ever mattered?).
Until there is a real football playoff, the men's basketball tournament should be off limits to tinkering.
4. Forget Cinderella
Proponents of the expanded tournament like to talk about the potential for smaller programs to steal the nation's heart with their run through March. It's not going to happen. Cinderellas in the tournament are two things -- rare and overrated.
5. Office Pools
It's already enough trouble filling out the bracket the way it is. Adding games just adds to the process. Do we really want to look up Fordham or Sam Houston State when we're making our picks? Spare us.
1. There's Nothing Wrong With The Tournament Now
You've probably heard this before -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2. Northwestern Might Get In
The Wildcats have never qualified for the tournament in the 70 years it has been played and, while it probably makes the Chicago winter feel even colder, there's something to be said for putting a value on playing your way in. Don't lower the bar.
3. What About Football?
They can't find a way to create a football playoff but can add another set of games to the men's basketball tournament? What about all the class time that will be missed (wink, wink)? What about the fans (as if that has ever mattered?).
Until there is a real football playoff, the men's basketball tournament should be off limits to tinkering.
4. Forget Cinderella
Proponents of the expanded tournament like to talk about the potential for smaller programs to steal the nation's heart with their run through March. It's not going to happen. Cinderellas in the tournament are two things -- rare and overrated.
5. Office Pools
It's already enough trouble filling out the bracket the way it is. Adding games just adds to the process. Do we really want to look up Fordham or Sam Houston State when we're making our picks? Spare us.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Five Things You Won't Hear On Signing Day
This being national signing day for college football programs, here are five things we're not likely to hear amid all the optimistic talk at programs across the country:
1. "We only signed him because his daddy's given us millions and coach likes to use his private jet for recruiting trips and weekend getaways to Cabo."
2. "I don't know where the experts have rated this class but it's too high. Heck, Prairie View has a better class than we do."
3. "Dartmouth is the new Boise State."
4. "That Nick Saban is a funny guy. If he ever quits coaching, he has a future in comedy."
5. "The ACC is poised to dominate college football."
1. "We only signed him because his daddy's given us millions and coach likes to use his private jet for recruiting trips and weekend getaways to Cabo."
2. "I don't know where the experts have rated this class but it's too high. Heck, Prairie View has a better class than we do."
3. "Dartmouth is the new Boise State."
4. "That Nick Saban is a funny guy. If he ever quits coaching, he has a future in comedy."
5. "The ACC is poised to dominate college football."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Five Questions For Super Bowl Media Day
With today being media day at the Super Bowl -- in truth every day is media day at the Super Bowl -- here are five questions that may be asked of either the New Orleans Saints, the Indianapolis Colts or someone in south Florida:
1. Hey, Are You Going To Sign Julius Peppers?
It's clear he's going to land someplace other than with the Carolina Panthers. The Saints are doing fine without him but what if Pep signs with another NFC South team and spends the rest of his career playing like he's worth $20 million a season?
2. Is That David Caruso?
Can't be. He's not wearing sunglasses.
3. Are All The Beautiful People At South Beach This Week?
No, not all. Just most of them.
4. How Many Times Will TV Show Us Kim Kardasian On Sunday?
According to Vegas odds (there will actually be some people who bet on this), the over-under on shots of Reggie Bush's photogenic girlfriend is set at 2.5. And you thought people just watched the game for the commericials.
5. Has It Really Been Six Years Since The Panthers Were In The Super Bowl?
Yes. It just seems longer.
1. Hey, Are You Going To Sign Julius Peppers?
It's clear he's going to land someplace other than with the Carolina Panthers. The Saints are doing fine without him but what if Pep signs with another NFC South team and spends the rest of his career playing like he's worth $20 million a season?
2. Is That David Caruso?
Can't be. He's not wearing sunglasses.
3. Are All The Beautiful People At South Beach This Week?
No, not all. Just most of them.
4. How Many Times Will TV Show Us Kim Kardasian On Sunday?
According to Vegas odds (there will actually be some people who bet on this), the over-under on shots of Reggie Bush's photogenic girlfriend is set at 2.5. And you thought people just watched the game for the commericials.
5. Has It Really Been Six Years Since The Panthers Were In The Super Bowl?
Yes. It just seems longer.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Observations from a good, not great, weekend
Five slightly iced over observations from a sports weekend that was good but not necessarily great:
1. How Good Are The Bobcats?
They’re 3-1 so far on what was seen a potentially season-defining West Coast road trip. One night it’s Stephen Jackson, the next night it’s Gerald Wallace.
With games left at Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bobcats may not be done winning on this road trip.
2. The Hottest College Team In The State
That has to be the Charlotte 49ers, who are plowing through the Atlantic-10 these days.
They keep finding a way to answer whatever question comes their way. That’s what good teams do.
3. Is North Carolina NIT-Bound?
If you laughed off that notion before, don’t laugh now. As Virginia showed Sunday night, the Tar Heels have serious issues that aren’t going to be solved overnight. And if you haven’t looked, the Tar Heels are just getting into the tough part of their schedule.
4. It’s That Time Again
The Daytona 500 is still nearly two weeks away but the NASCAR season gets going later this week with the Daytona Shootout Saturday night. Does that get your motor running?
5. It’s February
That means Valentine’s Day is two weeks away. It comes right after the Super Bowl, so don't forget.
1. How Good Are The Bobcats?
They’re 3-1 so far on what was seen a potentially season-defining West Coast road trip. One night it’s Stephen Jackson, the next night it’s Gerald Wallace.
With games left at Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bobcats may not be done winning on this road trip.
2. The Hottest College Team In The State
That has to be the Charlotte 49ers, who are plowing through the Atlantic-10 these days.
They keep finding a way to answer whatever question comes their way. That’s what good teams do.
3. Is North Carolina NIT-Bound?
If you laughed off that notion before, don’t laugh now. As Virginia showed Sunday night, the Tar Heels have serious issues that aren’t going to be solved overnight. And if you haven’t looked, the Tar Heels are just getting into the tough part of their schedule.
4. It’s That Time Again
The Daytona 500 is still nearly two weeks away but the NASCAR season gets going later this week with the Daytona Shootout Saturday night. Does that get your motor running?
5. It’s February
That means Valentine’s Day is two weeks away. It comes right after the Super Bowl, so don't forget.
Friday, January 29, 2010
A Five-Part Weekend Sports Planner
A five-part planner for your sports weekend while waiting for winter to say hello:
1. A Dash of Curry
The Charlotte Bobcats are at Golden State tonight where they'll square off against the Warriors and rookie Stephen Curry, who's made himself right at home in the NBA. It won't have the same feeling as when Curry and his teammates visit Charlotte later this season but considering how little the local audience has seen of Curry since he's been in the NBA, tonight's a chance to get a good look at him and the Bobcats.
2. Almost Football
The NFL, which does so many things well, insists on playing the Pro Bowl despite the fact no one cares, especially the players. It happens Sunday night in Miami and while it's a nice honor for players who earn their spots, the game is unnecessary.
The league is hoping that by playing it a week before the Super Bowl it will create more interest. Instead, the Colts and Saints players who qualified can't play and a lot of other big names such as Tom Brady and Brett Favre have politely declined to play, citing various injuries.
For Panthers Julius Peppers, DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Kalil, it's a well-deserved recognition of their good seasons.
3. The Dangerous Part
After taking down No. 15 Temple on Wednesday night and earning a bit of national attention, the Charlotte 49ers play at Massachusetts on Saturday in what can be considered a trap game.
The Niners are on a nice roll and the trip to UMass is one of those games Charlotte is expected to win. But coming off an emotional win and playing on the road against a team looking for a big win is a dangerous combination.
4. A March Preview
In the middle of conference play, Duke steps outside Saturday to play at Georgetown in a game that should give us a taste of things to come in March. It's the kind of game we see often early in the season but happens infrequently once teams get into league play.
On Sunday night, North Carolina hosts Virginia in a game that coudl tell us a lot about both teams. There was reason for optimism around Chapel Hill after the win over N.C. State but no one's getting carried away just yet. As for Virginia, the Cavaliers are still around the top of the ACC standings but that may be a function of their early schedule as much as anything. Sunday night will answer more questions.
5. Enjoy The Weather
Okay, so maybe it's a lousy weekend for golf or tennis but if we get the predicted mess of winter stuff, just let it happen -- as if you can do anything about it anyway.
But enough with the jokes about running to the grocery store for bread and milk. Those are so tired.
You may want to stock up on beer and chips, though.
1. A Dash of Curry
The Charlotte Bobcats are at Golden State tonight where they'll square off against the Warriors and rookie Stephen Curry, who's made himself right at home in the NBA. It won't have the same feeling as when Curry and his teammates visit Charlotte later this season but considering how little the local audience has seen of Curry since he's been in the NBA, tonight's a chance to get a good look at him and the Bobcats.
2. Almost Football
The NFL, which does so many things well, insists on playing the Pro Bowl despite the fact no one cares, especially the players. It happens Sunday night in Miami and while it's a nice honor for players who earn their spots, the game is unnecessary.
The league is hoping that by playing it a week before the Super Bowl it will create more interest. Instead, the Colts and Saints players who qualified can't play and a lot of other big names such as Tom Brady and Brett Favre have politely declined to play, citing various injuries.
For Panthers Julius Peppers, DeAngelo Williams and Ryan Kalil, it's a well-deserved recognition of their good seasons.
3. The Dangerous Part
After taking down No. 15 Temple on Wednesday night and earning a bit of national attention, the Charlotte 49ers play at Massachusetts on Saturday in what can be considered a trap game.
The Niners are on a nice roll and the trip to UMass is one of those games Charlotte is expected to win. But coming off an emotional win and playing on the road against a team looking for a big win is a dangerous combination.
4. A March Preview
In the middle of conference play, Duke steps outside Saturday to play at Georgetown in a game that should give us a taste of things to come in March. It's the kind of game we see often early in the season but happens infrequently once teams get into league play.
On Sunday night, North Carolina hosts Virginia in a game that coudl tell us a lot about both teams. There was reason for optimism around Chapel Hill after the win over N.C. State but no one's getting carried away just yet. As for Virginia, the Cavaliers are still around the top of the ACC standings but that may be a function of their early schedule as much as anything. Sunday night will answer more questions.
5. Enjoy The Weather
Okay, so maybe it's a lousy weekend for golf or tennis but if we get the predicted mess of winter stuff, just let it happen -- as if you can do anything about it anyway.
But enough with the jokes about running to the grocery store for bread and milk. Those are so tired.
You may want to stock up on beer and chips, though.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
NIners take Temple by storm
Five things to consider while wishing you were on the golf course on this 60-degree day:
1. The Niners
Their victory over Temple Wednesday night put them in a tie for first place in the Atlantic-10 standings and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrated they're capable of winning big games. It's always more fun around here during basketball season when the Niners are winning.
But storming the court Wednesday night? Really?
2. The Ish Man
It's an important night for Wake Forest which visits No. 22 Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. in Atlanta. The Deacons are one of a handful of ACC teams that look like they could stay in the regular-season race for a while.
But they need to win games like the one tonight. Atlanta is where the Deacons began to tumble last year. The way point guard Ish Smith has been playing, Wake Forest is dangerous.
3. Tebow Talk
If Tim Tebow is available when the Panthers finally get a draft pick in April, would you take him?
The NFL combine is all about measuring muscles and speed and jumping ability. It has a harder time judging guys who know how to win.
Whichever team takes Tebow will be glad it did.
4. Roger, Down Under
Keeping up with the Australian Open is tricky because of the time difference but the storyline is familiar -- Roger Federer is about to win another big one.
This stat speaks to how great he's been -- this is the 23rd straight Grand Slam event in which Federer has reached the semifinals. That's almost six years worth of Grand Slam events.
5. The Super Bowl Countdown
The big game is still more than a week away so we're in that in between time when it's too early to think about where you're going to watch the game and what you're going to eat.
Two things haven't changed since last Sunday -- the Colts are stil favored over the Saints and Brett Favre still hasn't decided if he's going to play next season or not.
1. The Niners
Their victory over Temple Wednesday night put them in a tie for first place in the Atlantic-10 standings and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrated they're capable of winning big games. It's always more fun around here during basketball season when the Niners are winning.
But storming the court Wednesday night? Really?
2. The Ish Man
It's an important night for Wake Forest which visits No. 22 Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. in Atlanta. The Deacons are one of a handful of ACC teams that look like they could stay in the regular-season race for a while.
But they need to win games like the one tonight. Atlanta is where the Deacons began to tumble last year. The way point guard Ish Smith has been playing, Wake Forest is dangerous.
3. Tebow Talk
If Tim Tebow is available when the Panthers finally get a draft pick in April, would you take him?
The NFL combine is all about measuring muscles and speed and jumping ability. It has a harder time judging guys who know how to win.
Whichever team takes Tebow will be glad it did.
4. Roger, Down Under
Keeping up with the Australian Open is tricky because of the time difference but the storyline is familiar -- Roger Federer is about to win another big one.
This stat speaks to how great he's been -- this is the 23rd straight Grand Slam event in which Federer has reached the semifinals. That's almost six years worth of Grand Slam events.
5. The Super Bowl Countdown
The big game is still more than a week away so we're in that in between time when it's too early to think about where you're going to watch the game and what you're going to eat.
Two things haven't changed since last Sunday -- the Colts are stil favored over the Saints and Brett Favre still hasn't decided if he's going to play next season or not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
