Sweet 16: Xavier-Kansas State Preview and Prediction

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My good friends, you know me. I wear my emotions and my allegiances unabashedly on my sleeve.

If you follow MSF or if you follow me on Twitter, you know that I live and die (figuratively speaking…for the most part) by the success and failure of my Indiana Hoosiers. I grew up in an around Assembly Hall, I went to IU, I spoke passionately on the steps of the Hall to thousands of my peers the day Coach Knight got fired, and I will have cream and crimson running through my veins until the day I die.

So forgive me if I do not find it all that enjoyable to watch the Xavier Musketeers enjoy an NCAA Tournament run (next stop: Thursday night against Kansas State) while my Hoosiers wallow in the depths of 16 wins over two seasons.

Xavier’s backcourt of Terrell Holloway and Jordan Crawford, you might remember, should be showcasing their hardwood talents in Bloomington, not Cincinnati. At least, that was the plan under the Lying Snake Who Shall Not Be Named.

Then there were phone calls…and then there were rumors of marijuana use among many players…and then were F’s (and lots of them)…and then there were defections…and then there were releases granted from Letters of Intent…and then there was…

Oh to hell with it. F— you K.S. Yes, it’s two years later and I’m still bitter. F— you.

Let’s get on with the damn preview of two Sweet 16 teams not named Indiana.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Sweet 16: Cornell-Kentucky Preview and Prediction

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If you are looking for the most intriguing Sweet 16 game, this very well could be it.

Let’s get one thing out of the way right now: if Kentucky is clicking on all cylinders, if they are making shots, protecting the ball, and playing high energy pressure defense, they have the physical talent and ability to run Cornell out of the gym if the Big Red have an off night shooting.

But, as with the Butler and Syracuse game, do not automatically dismiss Cornell’s chances just because they are an unheralded #12 seed facing a #1 seed from Lexington. Jay Bilas was one of many college basketball observers singing the praises of Cornell before the tournament began, and they have all been proven right. Cornell, like Butler, was probably underseeded.

Can the Big Red author another chapter in what would be one of the greatest Cinderella stories in recent memory? Let’s analyze the matchup and find out.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Sweet 16: Butler-Syracuse Preview and Prediction

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Full disclosure right off the top: I did not expect the mighty Butler Bulldogs to make it this far and Syracuse was my Final Four choice out of the West Region. However, now that Butler is in the Sweet 16, and my bracket has been rendered unrecoverable, I am throwing my full rooting support behind Brad Stevens and the Bulldogs.

Remember last year when Michigan State made their unexpected run to the Final Four, which was held in Detroit? I know that Indianapolis is not facing the same economic dire straits that Detroit is, but how wonderful of a story would it be if Butler made the Final Four in their own backyard?

The parallels would be far from exact, but in some ways it would be like college basketball’s version of the movie Hoosiers.

Before there can be any talk of a Butler appearance in the Final Four though, the Bulldogs must overcome a Syracuse team that has looked as impressive as any in the tournament thus far. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Sweet 16: Ohio State-Tennessee Preview and Prediction

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Admit it: when you first saw Ohio State vs Tennessee you gut reaction was to think football. It’s okay, it was mine too.

But this year’s basketball Buckeyes and hard court Volunteers are proving that there is far more than football on their respective pigskin-obsessed campuses.

Thad Matta’s Buckeye crew is led by the nation’s best overall player, Evan Turner, and a short but stout bench that goes only 6-7 deep. Bruce Pearl’s Vols, on the other hand, are deeper but do not have a singular star on Turner’s level.

Let’s preview Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup in the Midwest Region between Ohio State and Tennessee.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Porter signs with Cards

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UPDATE: According to ESPN.com linebacker Joey Porter has signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals. A $17.5 million dollar deal.

FANTASY IMPACT: Porter has tallied 92 sacks and 12 interceptions in his career.  He has a resume of greatness and is a clear cut competitor and winner. His only downfall is his age, and durability.  The Dolphins cut Porter due to his declining abilities, he is no longer the beast that he was in Pittsburgh.  This is a good move though for Arizona who has been losing big name players left and right this offseason, Porter will be a great locker room guy for a Cardinals team that is trying to keep the ball rolling from their 2009 Super Bowl appearance.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Redskins eyeing Tebow

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Update: Chris Harry of AOL Fanhouse reports that three Redskins officials will be in Gainesville for an extended visit on Saturday to meet with Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow. Redskins are looking for a QB in the draft and Tebow may be the backup plan to Sam Bradford. A three-man evaluation team of coach Mike Shanahan, general manager Bruce Allen and director of player personnel Scott Campbell are scheduled to put the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion through a private workout on the UF campus. The Redskins have the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft, however, Tebow is projected as a second-to-third round pick. Tebow also has individual workouts scheduled with Buffalo, Cleveland, New England and Seattle.

Fantasy Impact: Everything Tebow does will be in the news but this spells bad news for current Redskins QB Jason Campbell as this may be a sign that his days are numbered. More on Campbell’s fantasy value will be known after the draft.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

March Madness: 2010 NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Bracket Breakdown

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Thanks to San Antonio Plumber B. Rivas for sponsorship of this post.

This post and all of our March Madness coverage this year is sponsored by Armorex Exterior Coating, the company that helps keep you inside watching sports went you want to be…not outside re-painting your house. Do it right the first time, for a lifetime.

———-

Update 3/28: This post was originally published on March 14th, 2010. Now that the Final Four is set, I’ve added the Final Four table below.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Sweet 16: Purdue-Duke Preview and Prediction

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Wow…well how ’bout them Boilermakers, who just may be the first #4 seed that has surprised most observers by doing…what they should do (based on their seed): make the Sweet 16.

With Robbie Hummel injured, many experts predicted Purdue to lose in round one to Siena. Once the Boilermakers got past that game, most expected them to succumb to a Texas A&M team that has been playing very well. (For the record, I picked Purdue to make it this far.)

However, led by ferocious, Hummel-esque productivity from Chris Kramer, plus terrific and timely interior defense by JaJuan Johnson, the Boilermakers won in overtime to set up a Sweet 16 battle with the Duke Blue Devils in Houston.

Let’s take a look at will undoubtedly be a tough, physical, probably ugly game between two very good teams.

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Despite Some Dismal Performances, Blackhawks Still in 1st Place

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It’s been a rough post-Olympic experience for the Blackhawks, and a 5-4 shootout loss to Phoenix, currently the hottest team in the NHL, winning eight games in a row, only adds to the woes. But because of the recent struggles of San Jose, the Blackhawks find themselves on top of the Western Conference.

But blowing leads is becoming a scary trend for the Blackhawks. This time it was against Phoenix. The Hawks lead 2-0 early and 4-0 late, but failed to hold off the Coyotes. After a 3-0 shutout of the LA Kings, it seemed like the defensive troubles could’ve been solved. It wasn’t.

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Kalin Lucas Injury Update: Torn Achilles Feared

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Michigan State beat Maryland on a last second three earlier this afternoon to advance to the Sweet 16 where they will face Northern Iowa.

However, they very well may have to do it without the services of point guard Kalin Lucas, who left the game in the first half and may have torn his Achilles’.

Here is the latest injury update on Kalin Lucas, posted on ESPN.com shortly after the Spartans’ game against Maryland ended:

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Sweet 16: Michigan State-Northern Iowa Preview and Prediction

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If you had this as a Sweet 16 matchup in your bracket, my hat is off to you. I had Kansas playing Maryland…but such is the story of my bracket, and pretty much everyone else’s bracket, during one of the most unpredictable tournaments in NCAA history.

Northern Iowa, which has been one of the most underrated teams in America all season because it plays in the under-appreciated Missouri Valley Conference, gets a chance to slay another Goliath from a big conference when the Panthers take on Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16.

We’ll get you all the information you need to know, plus offer a prediction for what is sure to be a unpredictable game.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Jason Elam retirement plans

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Update: The Denver Post is reporting that Jason Elam will reportedly retire after a 17 year NFL career.

Fantasy Impact: Elam has not officially announced anything so stay tuned for more on this.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Haynesworth shows then doesn’t

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Update: After showing up for the first day of the Redskins’ offseason workout program last Monday, Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was a no-show the rest of the week, according to CSN Washington. One of the suggested reasons is that Haynesworth is angry that the team will be moving to a 3-4 defense.

Fantasy Impact: With the Skins revamping the coaching staff, it will be interesting to see how long they put up with Hanyesworth’s antics before they fine him or start talking about trading the overpaid DT.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

No word on Brady’s plans

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Update: According to the Boston Globe, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady plans to be in Foxborough at some point during the offseason conditioning program, but has not made an appearance as of yet.  Brady is a veteran leader and should make his way to Foxborough at some point to show his face.

Fantasy Impact: Brady isn’t a guy to worry about.  He will get his work in, and will remain one of the topic quarterbacks in the league.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Porter signs with Cardinals

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Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Arizona Cardinals have signed LB Joey Porter to a three-year contract. The deal is for $17.5 million with a maximum value of $24.5 million, a league source told ESPN. Porter, a four-time Pro Bowler chosen in January to the NFL’s All-Decade team, was released in February but reverted to the Miami roster because of a salary cap technicality. He was released again in early March.

Fantasy Impact: Porter is a pass-rushing specialist and helps the gaping hole that Karlos Dansby left after he left the Cardinals this offseason. The Cardinals defense next season looks to be a little worse than last year but the real issues are going to come from the offense.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.