You can all exhale a little now. The deadline to reach a new CBA between the NFL and the players has been extended for a week. The mediating between the two sides in an attempt to avoid a lockout will continue on Monday. The four major issues the league and the players are deliberating over are:
1. The proposed 18 game season
2. Retirement benefits
3. Rookie wage scale
4. The division of revenue
If a new CBA has not been reached by next week, the idea of another extension has not been ruled out.
Friday, March 4, 2011
UConn Men's Basketball Senior Day
This Saturday is senior day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team and a new honoree has been added to the short list to be recognized. Junior, Kemba Walker is going to be honored in addition to seniors, Donell Beverly and Charles Okwandu. Walker is going to finish his sociology degree in the summer, but will be participating in graduation ceremonies in May. It could be an indication that Walker will not come back for a fourth year, but he says he will wait until after this season to make a decision on his return next year. He's currently a candidate for national player of the year and projected to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.
UConn Slides Against West Virginia
On Wednesday the UConn Huskies went to Morgantown to face off against the Mountaineers and came up short. It was a weak showing from the team overall. Collectively, the Huskies only made 37.3% of their shots, as well as several key turnovers throughout the course of the game.
Alex Oriakhi was for the most part a non-factor in Wednesday's game, playing 36 minutes, scoring 4 points, only 1 offensive rebound of his 9, zero blocks, and missing each of his free throws. The freshmen of the team were relatively unproductive except for Shabazz Napier who scored 18, had 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel appears to have come back down to earth after a 3 game span of stellar play. Kemba may have scored 22 points, but he took a lot of shots to get there, only making 8 of his 23 shots.
As a result of the loss the Huskies are now in 9th place in the Big East with a conference record of (9-8) and no longer have a first round bye in the upcoming Big East Tournament, which makes this Saturday's game against Notre Dame even more important. The Huskies will need some help in order to get back that 1st round bye. If they don't get it I don't think they'll be able to win the 5 straight games necessary to take home the Big East Championship, especially when looking at their Big East play and that the tournament is in Madison Square Garden. Look for St. John's to play well because they're at home.
Alex Oriakhi was for the most part a non-factor in Wednesday's game, playing 36 minutes, scoring 4 points, only 1 offensive rebound of his 9, zero blocks, and missing each of his free throws. The freshmen of the team were relatively unproductive except for Shabazz Napier who scored 18, had 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel appears to have come back down to earth after a 3 game span of stellar play. Kemba may have scored 22 points, but he took a lot of shots to get there, only making 8 of his 23 shots.
As a result of the loss the Huskies are now in 9th place in the Big East with a conference record of (9-8) and no longer have a first round bye in the upcoming Big East Tournament, which makes this Saturday's game against Notre Dame even more important. The Huskies will need some help in order to get back that 1st round bye. If they don't get it I don't think they'll be able to win the 5 straight games necessary to take home the Big East Championship, especially when looking at their Big East play and that the tournament is in Madison Square Garden. Look for St. John's to play well because they're at home.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Yankees Want Liriano?
According to a "baseball official with knowledge of the conversations between the two teams"*, the Yankees asked the Twins during the offseason if pitcher, Francisco Liriano was available for a trade in an attempt to help solve the big question mark that is the Yankees starting rotation.
Well, the Twins obviously weren't interested and had no desire to trade Liriano, who is considered the team's ace. However, while he adds veteran experience, I'm not quite convinced that this would have been the right move for the Yankees had they made a move for Liriano. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's also been shown to struggle and has spent a considerable amount of his career on the disabled list.
Liriano had a phenomenal breakout rookie season as a starter in 2006 going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA after a brief stint in the bullpen in 2005 into the 2006 season, but was sidelined with injury in August in which he missed about a month and finished the season, but later required Tommy John surgery in November and missed the 2007 season. In 2008 it was an up and down year for him as he bounced back and forth between the Twins' Triple-A minor league club and the majors. He started his major league season 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA in just a few weeks between April 13th and the 25th, when he was sent back down to the minors. After 10-0 in 11 starts with an ERA of 2.67 in the minors he was called back up to the Twins on August 1, 2008 and finished the year strong showing some of that brilliance and finishing the year with a record of 6-4 and an ERA of 3.91. His 2009 pitching was mediocre with a record of 5-13 and an ERA of 5.80. 2010 was a bounce back year where he went 14-10 with an ERA of 3.62 while posting good numbers in home runs allowed, walks, and strikeouts.
In order to consider a pitcher an ace of the staff I think you need more consistency than Liriano has shown thus far, which is also why I don't think the Yankees wouldn't have benefited too greatly if they acquired him. It's still early in his career and he's got plenty of time to prove me wrong and I wouldn't be surprised if he does, but right now nothing is a sure thing with him.
*Phrase quoted from http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6169516
Well, the Twins obviously weren't interested and had no desire to trade Liriano, who is considered the team's ace. However, while he adds veteran experience, I'm not quite convinced that this would have been the right move for the Yankees had they made a move for Liriano. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's also been shown to struggle and has spent a considerable amount of his career on the disabled list.
Liriano had a phenomenal breakout rookie season as a starter in 2006 going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA after a brief stint in the bullpen in 2005 into the 2006 season, but was sidelined with injury in August in which he missed about a month and finished the season, but later required Tommy John surgery in November and missed the 2007 season. In 2008 it was an up and down year for him as he bounced back and forth between the Twins' Triple-A minor league club and the majors. He started his major league season 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA in just a few weeks between April 13th and the 25th, when he was sent back down to the minors. After 10-0 in 11 starts with an ERA of 2.67 in the minors he was called back up to the Twins on August 1, 2008 and finished the year strong showing some of that brilliance and finishing the year with a record of 6-4 and an ERA of 3.91. His 2009 pitching was mediocre with a record of 5-13 and an ERA of 5.80. 2010 was a bounce back year where he went 14-10 with an ERA of 3.62 while posting good numbers in home runs allowed, walks, and strikeouts.
In order to consider a pitcher an ace of the staff I think you need more consistency than Liriano has shown thus far, which is also why I don't think the Yankees wouldn't have benefited too greatly if they acquired him. It's still early in his career and he's got plenty of time to prove me wrong and I wouldn't be surprised if he does, but right now nothing is a sure thing with him.
*Phrase quoted from http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6169516
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Cardinals' Chris Carpenter Injured
I feel terrible for the Cardinals right now. First losing one of their star pitchers in Adam Wainwright to Tommy John surgery and now another in star pitcher, Chris Carpenter. At least this one is much more temporary.
The Cardinals that got off to a rough start to spring training have just gotten a bit worse. Today, Chris Carpenter injured his hamstring in his spring training debut after pitching 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and zero runs.
Chris Carpenter doesn't believe the injury to be very serious and he's not concerned, but could it turn into a nagging injury over the course of the season? I think there's at least the possibility. It also seems like a hamstring injury can also take players out for a good portion of time. It may be early on, but for the Cardinals sake they better hope this injury doesn't cost Carpenter too much time needed to prepare for the upcoming season.
The Cardinals that got off to a rough start to spring training have just gotten a bit worse. Today, Chris Carpenter injured his hamstring in his spring training debut after pitching 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and zero runs.
Chris Carpenter doesn't believe the injury to be very serious and he's not concerned, but could it turn into a nagging injury over the course of the season? I think there's at least the possibility. It also seems like a hamstring injury can also take players out for a good portion of time. It may be early on, but for the Cardinals sake they better hope this injury doesn't cost Carpenter too much time needed to prepare for the upcoming season.
NFL Labor Issue
As I'm sure you're aware, there's the possibility of a lockout occurring in the NFL next season. That would also make it true that you know time is running short on the current collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires March 4 and there is still mediation going on between the league's owners and the NFL Players Association, but will they get it done? I'm pessimistic over the idea, but I'm still hopeful that there won't be any missed games next season and that this gets done sometime over the off season. I can and can't see how it could take that much time to settle the new CBA. Hopefully the two sides can settle their differences and get this done before the deadline so we don't have to worry over this, as well as the idea of no NBA season next year as well. Imagine a year without two of the country's major sports? That would be the ultimate sports depression. I don't think it could get much worse than that.
Monday, February 28, 2011
BYU a No. 1 Seed?
Who would have thought that BYU would be in contention for a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? Who would have thought that they would currently be ranked no. 3 in the country right now? I think it's absurd. Look at their conference, the MAC.
Who have they beaten that is actually good? Don't tell me San Diego State because they're overrated too. SDSU is in the same situation, except they lost to the best team in the MAC, which is BYU.
Next to UNLV and SDSU, BYU is the only team in the MAC with a winning conference record. Plus, when BYU has lost, look who it was to. They've lost convincingly to UCLA and the University of New Mexico, both of which are unranked.
Here's a list of the out of conference teams BYU has defeated, as well as their current record and ranking if applicable: Fresno State (13-15, 5-9 WAC), #21 Utah State (26-3, 13-1 WAC), Chicago State (6-23, Independent), Mississippi Valley State (11-18, 10-6 SWAC), South Florida (9-20, 3-13 Big East), Saint Mary's (23-7, 11-3 WCC), Creighton (18-13, 10-8 MVC), Hawaii (17-10, 7-7 WAC), Vermont (22-7, 13-3 Am. East), #18 Arizona (23-6, 12-4 Pac-10), UCLA (21-8, 12-4 Pac-10), Weber State (17-10, 11-4 Big Sky), UTEP (21-8, 9-5 C-USA), Buffalo (16-11, 7-7 MAC), and last but not least Fresno Pacific. Who? Exactly. ESPN doesn't even have a picture as to who their mascot is, like it does for I would assume every other team. Apparently they only played a schedule of 2 games in which they lost both, but are still listed at (0-0). They're not even listed in a conference. Check it out for yourself:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2235/fresno-pacific-sunbirds
But back to my main point. Who has BYU beaten? Their conference hasn't provided enough challenge for them, nor have the rest of their opponents. Wins over now ranked Utah State and Arizona are hardly worthy of a no. 1 seed in the tournament, let alone being ranked 3rd in the country. And I've already addressed how I feel about San Diego State.
Just to be clear I'm not knocking any players on BYU, especially the spectacular Jimmer Fredette. BYU is a good team, but I don't think they're a legitimate contender for a national championship and won't make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament that would be expected of a no. 1 seed. We'll have to wait and see.
Who have they beaten that is actually good? Don't tell me San Diego State because they're overrated too. SDSU is in the same situation, except they lost to the best team in the MAC, which is BYU.
Next to UNLV and SDSU, BYU is the only team in the MAC with a winning conference record. Plus, when BYU has lost, look who it was to. They've lost convincingly to UCLA and the University of New Mexico, both of which are unranked.
Here's a list of the out of conference teams BYU has defeated, as well as their current record and ranking if applicable: Fresno State (13-15, 5-9 WAC), #21 Utah State (26-3, 13-1 WAC), Chicago State (6-23, Independent), Mississippi Valley State (11-18, 10-6 SWAC), South Florida (9-20, 3-13 Big East), Saint Mary's (23-7, 11-3 WCC), Creighton (18-13, 10-8 MVC), Hawaii (17-10, 7-7 WAC), Vermont (22-7, 13-3 Am. East), #18 Arizona (23-6, 12-4 Pac-10), UCLA (21-8, 12-4 Pac-10), Weber State (17-10, 11-4 Big Sky), UTEP (21-8, 9-5 C-USA), Buffalo (16-11, 7-7 MAC), and last but not least Fresno Pacific. Who? Exactly. ESPN doesn't even have a picture as to who their mascot is, like it does for I would assume every other team. Apparently they only played a schedule of 2 games in which they lost both, but are still listed at (0-0). They're not even listed in a conference. Check it out for yourself:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2235/fresno-pacific-sunbirds
But back to my main point. Who has BYU beaten? Their conference hasn't provided enough challenge for them, nor have the rest of their opponents. Wins over now ranked Utah State and Arizona are hardly worthy of a no. 1 seed in the tournament, let alone being ranked 3rd in the country. And I've already addressed how I feel about San Diego State.
Just to be clear I'm not knocking any players on BYU, especially the spectacular Jimmer Fredette. BYU is a good team, but I don't think they're a legitimate contender for a national championship and won't make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament that would be expected of a no. 1 seed. We'll have to wait and see.
Yankees Pitching Not Doomed?
One of the biggest concerns for the Yankees coming into this season was the pitching staff, specifically the starting rotation after missing out on Cliff Lee and Andy Petite opting to retire.
However, early on through spring training the pitching staff has chosen to shine. Hope has been instilled when all was thought to be lost with the Yankees signing a bunch of pitchers seemingly past their prime, Joba's weight issues, and the question of how Ivan Nova will pitch after getting some major league experience under his belt.
It's really really really early, but so far these pitchers have already raised the bar of expectation. Bartolo Colon had a good outing, especially considering he missed all of last season. Joba Chamberlain's spring debut was a perfect inning, throwing only 11 pitches and one strikeout, all in under five minutes. Let's just hope he stays in the bullpen. Lastly, Ivan Nova, who has been slated as the number 4 starter dominated in his spring debut by throwing 2 perfect innings and throwing only 21 pitches.
I'm looking forward to see how the rest of the staff debuts this spring, but right now I'm not as worried as I was pre-spring training. This has given me some confidence that at least they're capable, but like I said, this is only early on. It's a long season and we're only in the 2nd game of spring training for the Yankees. Anything can happen; we have plenty of time for mishaps and struggles later on.
However, early on through spring training the pitching staff has chosen to shine. Hope has been instilled when all was thought to be lost with the Yankees signing a bunch of pitchers seemingly past their prime, Joba's weight issues, and the question of how Ivan Nova will pitch after getting some major league experience under his belt.
It's really really really early, but so far these pitchers have already raised the bar of expectation. Bartolo Colon had a good outing, especially considering he missed all of last season. Joba Chamberlain's spring debut was a perfect inning, throwing only 11 pitches and one strikeout, all in under five minutes. Let's just hope he stays in the bullpen. Lastly, Ivan Nova, who has been slated as the number 4 starter dominated in his spring debut by throwing 2 perfect innings and throwing only 21 pitches.
I'm looking forward to see how the rest of the staff debuts this spring, but right now I'm not as worried as I was pre-spring training. This has given me some confidence that at least they're capable, but like I said, this is only early on. It's a long season and we're only in the 2nd game of spring training for the Yankees. Anything can happen; we have plenty of time for mishaps and struggles later on.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
UConn Men's Basketball at Cincy
At noon today is a very important game for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team. Today at noon, the UConn men will be playing at Cincinnati. It is a must win if the Huskies want any chance of a first round bye in the upcoming Big East Tournament. Currently the Huskies are sitting in 9th place of the Big East. Cincinnati has had a very good season so far going 22-6, 9-6 in the Big East. The Bearcats have shown the ability to compete with some of the top teams of the Big East with wins over Georgetown and Louisville. This game also marks the return of UConn's coach, Jim Calhoun after missing his team lose to Marquette last Thursday due to a death in his family. Will Calhoun's return help halt the Huskies' two game skid?
UConn Football 2011 Schedule
I'm sure some of you are aware by now that the Big East has released its football schedule for the 2011 season here: http://www.bigeast.org/News/tabid/435/Article/221247/BIG-EAST-Announces-2011-Football-Schedule.aspx
I just wanted to go over my thoughts and expectations of UConn's schedule for next season. The first thing that stands out to me is the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 1. It seems odd to me that the season opener is not only on a Thursday, but it's against Fordham, an FCS school. Not exactly my idea of a marquee game for a Thursday that'll fill up Rentschler, although I'm sure there will be many fans curious to see how Paul Pasqualoni's team is going to look like. Other than that, UConn's out of conference schedule is seemingly a walk in the park for a team that won the Big East last season and made its first BCS appearance in university history. Yes, the Big East had an off season, but it would appear UConn should go undefeated in its out of conference games.
The Huskies will be playing Fordham at home, at Vanderbilt, Iowa State at home, at Buffalo, and then Western Michigan at home. The best record of these teams belonging to Western Michigan at 6-6. Fordham went 5-6 in the FCS, Iowa State went 5-7, and Buffalo and Vanderbilt each went 2-10. Buffalo and Vanderbilt also played UConn last season in which they both lost 45-21 and 40-21 respectively.
My prediction for next season is that UConn will definitely become bowl eligible, earning 5 wins against their non-conference opponents mentioned above. I don't see why UConn shouldn't be able to get to at least 7 wins next season. At home the Huskies need to watch out for USF and Louisville. On the road two decisive games that could help determine UConn's standing in the conference is at West Virginia on Oct. 8 and at Pitt. on Oct. 26.
I just wanted to go over my thoughts and expectations of UConn's schedule for next season. The first thing that stands out to me is the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 1. It seems odd to me that the season opener is not only on a Thursday, but it's against Fordham, an FCS school. Not exactly my idea of a marquee game for a Thursday that'll fill up Rentschler, although I'm sure there will be many fans curious to see how Paul Pasqualoni's team is going to look like. Other than that, UConn's out of conference schedule is seemingly a walk in the park for a team that won the Big East last season and made its first BCS appearance in university history. Yes, the Big East had an off season, but it would appear UConn should go undefeated in its out of conference games.
The Huskies will be playing Fordham at home, at Vanderbilt, Iowa State at home, at Buffalo, and then Western Michigan at home. The best record of these teams belonging to Western Michigan at 6-6. Fordham went 5-6 in the FCS, Iowa State went 5-7, and Buffalo and Vanderbilt each went 2-10. Buffalo and Vanderbilt also played UConn last season in which they both lost 45-21 and 40-21 respectively.
My prediction for next season is that UConn will definitely become bowl eligible, earning 5 wins against their non-conference opponents mentioned above. I don't see why UConn shouldn't be able to get to at least 7 wins next season. At home the Huskies need to watch out for USF and Louisville. On the road two decisive games that could help determine UConn's standing in the conference is at West Virginia on Oct. 8 and at Pitt. on Oct. 26.
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