After the first round of games the tallies are as follows:
Danny 5 wins
Rook 5 wins
Mosk 5 wins
Tuck 5 wins
JR 4 wins
Livoy 3 wins
Skip 3 wins
Yank 2 wins
The major upsets of the week include:San Diego, WKU, Siena, Nova,
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
NCAA Block Pool
The Block Pool I am running is still not complete, but here will be the site to give updated rankings of then tournament.
Yank
JR
Skip(BUZZY)
Moskowitz
Rooney
Danny Jenkins
...
...
Yank
JR
Skip(BUZZY)
Moskowitz
Rooney
Danny Jenkins
...
...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Dancing on into March
Boy was I wrong with my predictions from over the weekend.
With Selection Sunday come and gone the Big 5 has 3 teams in the NCAA Tournament. So dancing their way into the tounrey are half the city teams: Temple, St. Joe's, and Villanova.
Temple (21-12) took a wild ride over the weekend in A.C. going on to clitch the automatic bid out of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Even with a loss to Temple in the conference title game St. Joe's (21-12) goes on to pick up an at-large bid, mostly due to defeating Xavier 2 times in the past 2 weeks to earn the bid.
And yes the 'cats from Villanova (20-12) are still alive after losing to Georgetown by 19 in the Big East Quarterfinals. They also received an at-large bid.
First Round NCAA Games are slated for Thursday and Friday.
5 seed Michigan St. (25-8) vs 12 seed Temple 3/20 12:30pm
6 seed Oklahoma (22-11) vs 11 seed St. Joe's 3/21 7:10pm
5 seed Clemson (24-9) vs 12 seed Villanova 3/21 9:50pm
With Selection Sunday come and gone the Big 5 has 3 teams in the NCAA Tournament. So dancing their way into the tounrey are half the city teams: Temple, St. Joe's, and Villanova.
Temple (21-12) took a wild ride over the weekend in A.C. going on to clitch the automatic bid out of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Even with a loss to Temple in the conference title game St. Joe's (21-12) goes on to pick up an at-large bid, mostly due to defeating Xavier 2 times in the past 2 weeks to earn the bid.
And yes the 'cats from Villanova (20-12) are still alive after losing to Georgetown by 19 in the Big East Quarterfinals. They also received an at-large bid.
First Round NCAA Games are slated for Thursday and Friday.
5 seed Michigan St. (25-8) vs 12 seed Temple 3/20 12:30pm
6 seed Oklahoma (22-11) vs 11 seed St. Joe's 3/21 7:10pm
5 seed Clemson (24-9) vs 12 seed Villanova 3/21 9:50pm
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Bubble is Bursting for the Big 5
The Villanova Wildcats have to sit and wait until selection Sunday to see if they earned and at-large bid. The 'Cats helped themselves with a big win over the 'Cuse in the first round of the Big East Championship. They went on to face the one seed Georgetown and lost by 20points. This practically ends the season for Villanova. Of their 12 losses 9 have been by double figures. Their resume does not look all that promising of an at-large team.
LaSalle has been eliminated from tournament contention with last night's loss to Temple.
Temple still has a chance if it wins out in the A-10 tourney.
St. Joe's is alive controlling its own destiny with a win over Xavier and Temple/Charlotte winner the Hawks will have an automatic bid. However they do have a chance at an at-large with previous big wins over Xavier and Villanova.
The Ivy League has a new champion and it is not Pennsylvania. Penn did not clinch the Ivy League regular season title, and there is not conference tournament. So there bubble burst when the Ivy League was clinched by Cornell.
LaSalle has been eliminated from tournament contention with last night's loss to Temple.
Temple still has a chance if it wins out in the A-10 tourney.
St. Joe's is alive controlling its own destiny with a win over Xavier and Temple/Charlotte winner the Hawks will have an automatic bid. However they do have a chance at an at-large with previous big wins over Xavier and Villanova.
The Ivy League has a new champion and it is not Pennsylvania. Penn did not clinch the Ivy League regular season title, and there is not conference tournament. So there bubble burst when the Ivy League was clinched by Cornell.
A Day in A.C.
If anyone wants to see some high quality college hoops The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is the place to be. A.C. is hosting this year's Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. The semi-finals begin today at 630PM.
The match-ups include two Big 5 teams. The first game pits the fifth seeded Hawks from St. Joe's vs. the one seeded Xavier Mustketeers. The night cap pits the 2nd seeded Temple Owls, coming off of a thrilling victory over local rival LaSalle Explorers, vs. the sixth seeded Charlotte 49ers.
The winners of these games will face on Saturday 6pm at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall. It could be a classic Big 5 title game for the A-10 title with the winner gaining rights to the National Tournament automatic bid. The loser goes home.
The match-ups include two Big 5 teams. The first game pits the fifth seeded Hawks from St. Joe's vs. the one seeded Xavier Mustketeers. The night cap pits the 2nd seeded Temple Owls, coming off of a thrilling victory over local rival LaSalle Explorers, vs. the sixth seeded Charlotte 49ers.
The winners of these games will face on Saturday 6pm at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall. It could be a classic Big 5 title game for the A-10 title with the winner gaining rights to the National Tournament automatic bid. The loser goes home.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Bubble Might Burst
Today 12pm Madison Square Garden, Syracuse Orange vs. Villanova Wildcats. In the opening round of the Big East Conference Tournament the 8-9 game features to bubble teams for the 2008 NCAA National Tournment. Both teams come into the game defeating each other on their home floors. Those are big road wins when you play a tough Big East schedule.
However, both teams have hit some rough spots with some bad losses.
The 'Cats will ride the talent of soph. guard Scottie Reynolds, who is a joy to watch on the basketball floor. At any point in time Scottie can take over a game.
Both teams are on the bubble and quite possibly need 2 wins to reach March Madness. The winner of the game will go on to face conference champ Georgetown. If one of these teams pull off the upset of the 1seeded Hoyas they are surely guaranteed a postseason berth. The other will probably be NIT bound.
Good Luck 'Cats! Jay Wright wear a flashy suit
However, both teams have hit some rough spots with some bad losses.
The 'Cats will ride the talent of soph. guard Scottie Reynolds, who is a joy to watch on the basketball floor. At any point in time Scottie can take over a game.
Both teams are on the bubble and quite possibly need 2 wins to reach March Madness. The winner of the game will go on to face conference champ Georgetown. If one of these teams pull off the upset of the 1seeded Hoyas they are surely guaranteed a postseason berth. The other will probably be NIT bound.
Good Luck 'Cats! Jay Wright wear a flashy suit
The 2008 Eagles
Over Spring Break I heard some great news for Philadelphia sports. The Eagles made a big signing in the first week of free agency. They signed former Patroit shut down corner Asante Samuel. They signed him to a muti million dollar, multi year deal. This is a perfect fit for Jim Johnson's blitzing defense. The Eagles were in need of a shut down corner, like they once had in Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent.
Now, they still have a problem. They currently have three corners: Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Lito Sheppard. Rumor has it the Birds are looking to deal Sheppard who has been a liability over the last few seasons with knee injuries. Brown has been a pro-bowl type player who can really put a lick on opposing recievers/running backs.
Another rumor is that Samuel and Sheppard will be the corners next season, and Brown will move to one of the safety spots.
Now, they still have a problem. They currently have three corners: Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Lito Sheppard. Rumor has it the Birds are looking to deal Sheppard who has been a liability over the last few seasons with knee injuries. Brown has been a pro-bowl type player who can really put a lick on opposing recievers/running backs.
Another rumor is that Samuel and Sheppard will be the corners next season, and Brown will move to one of the safety spots.
Opening Day Around the Corner
With Opening Day quickly approaching there are some question marks the Phillies need to start answering. Just like the entire off season pitching has been the biggest question mark for a repeat of the 2007 season.
Ace Cole Hamels has never pitched a full complete season without being sidelined for some time. The true test will be if he has the endurance to pitch the entire season and rack up over 200 innings.
Next on the list is Brett Myers. He is comming off a season in which he was asked to change roles from opening day starter to closer. He did this with much success last season, but now he is asked again to return to the rotation as the number 2 starter on the ballclub. Is Myers able to handle the new bulk load of innings as well he was injured at some point during last season with an ailing shoulder problem.
The three spot currently belongs to Kyle Kendrick, but if you see his spring training numbers he is not looking like he did in his rookie campaign. He needs to make a complete turn around in the next few weeks before the regular season.
The four spot in the rotation is owned by the ageless wonder 45 year-old Jamie Moyer. He will always be out there that fifth day creating havoc for opposing hitters. I give him 14-15 wins this season.
The final spot on the rotation is still up in the air; J.D. Durbin pitched well when I saw him pitch vs. the Tigers only surrendering home runs to Gullien (2) and Ordonez in 5 innings, but however the former first round pick Kris Benson could be the fifth starter by late May early June after coming back from injury. Chad Durbin is also in the mix along with Adam Eaton whos back has been bothering him.
The bullpen is a small question mark as well. Can Ryan Madson come back from injury and be the right handed set-up man like he once was? Or take over the long relief role vacated by Geoff Geary who was traded in the off season. The next question can J.C. Romero put on a repeat performance this year like he did when the Phillies acquired him last season being a dominate left handed set- up man.
Brad Lidge was suppose to come in to Philadelphia and shut the door on opponents, but now the door is shut on him. Lidge had to get his knee scoped after hurting it pitching BP. He was slated to be out 3-6 weeks which means he could miss opening day, and the Phillies will have to turn to former Phillies closer and now set-up man Tom "Flash" Gordon to take on the closer role once again until Lidge is ready to go.
So one can see the Phillies have a lot of things to worry about when the season rolls around. Considering the Mets acquired Johann Santana to the rest of their pitching staff. Pedro is health this year, so he will be a force. They also have a boat load of young talent on their ballclub.
The sleeper team in the NL East might as well be the young Atlanta Braves. They have a great veteran pitching staff this year including; John Smoltz, Tom Glavine (back after a few years with the Mets), Tim Hudson, and Mike Hampton (back from injury)??? and they too have a good core of young talent. Watch out!
Ace Cole Hamels has never pitched a full complete season without being sidelined for some time. The true test will be if he has the endurance to pitch the entire season and rack up over 200 innings.
Next on the list is Brett Myers. He is comming off a season in which he was asked to change roles from opening day starter to closer. He did this with much success last season, but now he is asked again to return to the rotation as the number 2 starter on the ballclub. Is Myers able to handle the new bulk load of innings as well he was injured at some point during last season with an ailing shoulder problem.
The three spot currently belongs to Kyle Kendrick, but if you see his spring training numbers he is not looking like he did in his rookie campaign. He needs to make a complete turn around in the next few weeks before the regular season.
The four spot in the rotation is owned by the ageless wonder 45 year-old Jamie Moyer. He will always be out there that fifth day creating havoc for opposing hitters. I give him 14-15 wins this season.
The final spot on the rotation is still up in the air; J.D. Durbin pitched well when I saw him pitch vs. the Tigers only surrendering home runs to Gullien (2) and Ordonez in 5 innings, but however the former first round pick Kris Benson could be the fifth starter by late May early June after coming back from injury. Chad Durbin is also in the mix along with Adam Eaton whos back has been bothering him.
The bullpen is a small question mark as well. Can Ryan Madson come back from injury and be the right handed set-up man like he once was? Or take over the long relief role vacated by Geoff Geary who was traded in the off season. The next question can J.C. Romero put on a repeat performance this year like he did when the Phillies acquired him last season being a dominate left handed set- up man.
Brad Lidge was suppose to come in to Philadelphia and shut the door on opponents, but now the door is shut on him. Lidge had to get his knee scoped after hurting it pitching BP. He was slated to be out 3-6 weeks which means he could miss opening day, and the Phillies will have to turn to former Phillies closer and now set-up man Tom "Flash" Gordon to take on the closer role once again until Lidge is ready to go.
So one can see the Phillies have a lot of things to worry about when the season rolls around. Considering the Mets acquired Johann Santana to the rest of their pitching staff. Pedro is health this year, so he will be a force. They also have a boat load of young talent on their ballclub.
The sleeper team in the NL East might as well be the young Atlanta Braves. They have a great veteran pitching staff this year including; John Smoltz, Tom Glavine (back after a few years with the Mets), Tim Hudson, and Mike Hampton (back from injury)??? and they too have a good core of young talent. Watch out!
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