…Big Ben (a.k.a. The Bathroom Intruder) has arrived!
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comCitizens of the DFW Metroplex: Hide Yo’ Kids, Hide Yo’ Wife…
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Whether Parity or Mediocrity, Dominance in College Hoops Could be Gone Forever
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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The #1 team in the land, undefeated Ohio State, went 2-0 this past week, but escaped Saturday by the skin of their teeth when Jared Sullinger hit a free throw with 3.5 seconds remaining to win by 1. Most of the top 25 was not so lucky.
#2 Pitt lost at home to Notre Dame and almost lost again at Rutgers. #3 Duke got shellacked by St. John’s in Madison Square Garden. #4 San Diego State lost at BYU. And #5 UConn lost at home to Louisville.
Overall, only seven, that’s right, seven, of the AP Top 25 went unblemished for the week (and two of those teams played but a single game). The Top 25, as a whole, compiled a record of just 22-20 for the week. That’s right, the best 25 teams in America, at least according to the voters, won, on average less than a single game last week, and barely beat the .500 mark. This was a week of which only Mario Mendoza could be proud (and maybe Bob Uecker!)
I will leave it to the folks at ESPN and their vast supply of interns to determine if this has ever happened before, but this epidemic of mediocrity has to be historic. The bottom line is that we are seeing parity in college basketball as we have never seen it before. There are certainly no great teams this season, and maybe not that many really good ones either.
This phenomenon begs two questions: Why do we have so much parity? And what will it all mean come March?
Who Will Win the Super Bowl: the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers? [Poll]
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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It’s a simple question, and after the week of hype that is about to ensue, it’s going to be the only question you care about come Sunday night.
Because once we get past ludicrous storylines like “The Redemption of Big Ben” and non-story storylines like “PackersTeamPictureGate” and annoying storylines like “What Will It Take For Labor Peace?” all that really matters come Super Bowl Sunday is whether the Packers are hoisting their fourth Lombardi Trophy or whether the Steelers are hoisting their 7th.
So what do you think? Who will win Super Bowl XLV: the Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comSuper Bowl XLV Preview: GraphJam Edition
January 31, 2011 By 5 Comments
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Those of you who have been around the Internet block a few times know that a popular meme is creating graphs to humorously, cleverly, or ironically represent ideas or occurrences. You don’t typically see them too often in the sports space, but you can click here and browse them until your heart is content.
I decided that with Super Bowl XLV now less than a week away, we needed something fun, irreverent, and (hopefully) interactive to kick off our Super Bowl Week coverage here at MSF. So I created 10 Super Bowl XLV-related graphs for your entertainment.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comSteelers C Pouncey likely out
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Update: According to NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, Steelers starting center Maurkice Pouncey is highly doubtful to suit up and play in Super Bowl XLV.
Fantasy Impact: Pouncey has a high sprain, and a fracture in this left ankle and spent the week on crutches with a cast on his left leg. Second year player Doug Legursky will get the starting role. He replaced Pouncey in the first quarter of the AFC Championship game against the Jets, and made one mistake of a bad snap that led to a safety. The Steelers are confident in the NFL sophomore, saying "We got a lot of trust in Doug Legursky. We know he's going to step in and do a great job."
Pitt DE doubtful for Super Bowl
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Update: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith will most likely be watching the big game from the sidelines this Sunday.
Fantasy Impact: Aaron Smith has been sidelined since suffering torn triceps since October 24th, and has been limited in practice for the past three weeks. Smith told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,"I'm holding out hope, but that's a reality I've had to deal with (for) months. I've tried optimism, I've tried pessimism. I've tried being happy. I'm just day to day. If I get an opportunity to (play,) it will be a blessing."
Pitt DE doubtful for Super Bowl
January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Update: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith will most likely be watching the big game from the sidelines this Sunday.
Fantasy Impact: Aaron Smith has been sidelined since suffering torn triceps since October 24th, and has been limited in practice for the past three weeks. Smith told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,"I'm holding out hope, but that's a reality I've had to deal with (for) months. I've tried optimism, I've tried pessimism. I've tried being happy. I'm just day to day. If I get an opportunity to (play,) it will be a blessing."
Links Sofia Vergara Would Love: The Celtics Win in L.A., Durant Calls Out Bosh, and A Good Read on Raftery
January 31, 2011 By 2 Comments
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It’s morning. While you get out your favorite coffee mug, pour a glass of orange juice, and make sure you have enough milk for your bowl of cereal, get yourself back up to date with the happenings in, or at least somewhat near, the sporting universe.
The following are links that we’re certain Sofia Vergara would love.
Fantasy Baseball: The Offseason Effect on Adam Dunn, Zack Greinke, Victor Martinez and more
January 31, 2011 By
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This offseason, many big names moved around the major leagues. Obviously many of them will play critical roles for their new teams, and their movement will impact the fantasy baseball landscape as well.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the biggest names who will be playing in new AL & NL Central cities and assess their outlook for 2011. Then you can hop over to MSF Fantasy Sports for a more complete look at the fantasy impact of this year’s offseason movement.
NCAA Hoops Crash Course: The Big 12
January 31, 2011 By 1 Comment
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For a league that boasts two of the nation’s top teams in Kansas and Texas, the drop-off after the top third of the Big 12 is pronounced. In fact, outside of the top four teams in the league, I count possibly just four quality wins: Colorado over Missouri, Kansas State at Washington State, Nebraska over Texas A&M, and potentially Oklahoma State over Missouri State. So yeah, things are pretty ugly.
Given the current state of the bubble and the apparent reality that no one actually wants to make the tournament, another team or two may well sneak into the field of 68.
As I’ve done previously with the Big Ten and ACC, here’s what you may have missed so far in the Big 12 this season.
Hall MVP of Pro Bowl
January 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Update: D'Angelo Hall was named the MVP of the Pro Bowl on Sunday night as the NFC beat the AFC.
Fantasy Impact: Hall wasn't even supposed to be on the NFC team as he was a late addition, but he had one hell of a game. The NFC jumped out to a huge lead early, but let the AFC back into the game in the second half.
Packers won’t lose Trgovac
January 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Update: Green Bay Packers defensive line coach Mike Trgovac indicated that he will not leave the team for the opportunity for a coordinator job. "I will do that again," Trgovac said of running his own defense. "It's just not the right time."
Fantasy Impact: This means both the Eagles and Cardinals can begin looking elsewhere. The Eagles are already thought to be targeting Packers safeties coach Darren Perry.
Ward won’t retire after Super Bowl
January 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Update: Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward has let it be known this past week that he has no plans to retire after the Super Bowl.
Fantasy Impact: Ward is an aging veteran and will be 35 next year. The team will keep him around, but he will begin to see his time reduced as the team begins to move towards younger talent in guys like Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.
Ward won’t retire after Super Bowl
January 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Update: Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward has let it be known this past week that he has no plans to retire after the Super Bowl.
Fantasy Impact: Ward is an aging veteran and will be 35 next year. The team will keep him around, but he will begin to see his time reduced as the team begins to move towards younger talent in guys like Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.
Johnson wants to remain with Lions
January 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Update: DetroitLions.com is reporting that star wideout Calvin Johnson stated Sunday that he's "grateful" to be with the Lions and assured that he wants to remain in Detroit. "This year was totally different from the past years," said Johnson. "The amount of talent we have on the team –- the size, speed -– it's just been a total difference from year one to year four."
Fantasy Impact: Johnson had been unhappy with the team constantly losing, but he is saying all the right things here. The Lions have to get some other playmakers in the mix to help shoulder some of the load Johnson carries week after week.
