Here are the detailed player rankings for the second basemen. Growing in depth over the past few years, second base is now much more talent-laden than third or shortstop. [Read more...]
The Recipe for an NCAA Tournament Upset and How You Can Pick Them in the Future
March 22, 2011 By 1 Comment
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The 2011 NCAA Tournament has not been one to disappoint if you are a fan of upsets and Cinderella Stories. This year has been one of the craziest years in terms of upsets, and you have to look no further than the Southwest Region where the 10, 11, and 12 seeds all made the Sweet 16.
Many may wonder how are these high seeds winning so many games. The answer to this question has two parts: defense and, most importantly, the three-point shot.
[Read more...]
Sweet 16 Preview: Duke v Arizona Analysis and Prediction
March 22, 2011 By 3 Comments
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Duke is the defending champion that most expected to be playing on the second weekend of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Arizona, on the other hand, is the rebuilding former juggernaut that had to knock off favored Texas to advance past the Tournament’s first weekend.
In this post, The Sports Muse analyzes the journey these two teams took to get to the 2011 Sweet 16, how they stack up statistically this season, and how Thursday night’s game will most likely play out.
Chicago Blackhawks: Impact of Patrick Sharp Injury and Addition of Marcus Kruger
March 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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While the Chicago Blackhawks’ win over Phoenix was definitely huge, it might have come at a serious price.
Leading goal-scorer Patrick Sharp injured his left knee after a collision with Rostislav Klesa late in the first period. Sharp left the game and never returned.
The Blackhawks are getting banged up at precisely the wrong time, as a playoff berth is still not a guarantee in this crazy Western Conference race.
Jordan Hendry is out for the season with a torn ACL, while Dave Bolland’s upper body injury has kept him out since the 19th with no sign of return. Brain Campbell was shaken up last week as well and missed the game Sunday but is out skating in practice as I write this, but he remains unsure about his chances of playing tomorrow.
Needing someone to fill some gaps opened by all the injuries, the ‘Hawks decided to import some talent all the way from Sweden.
Incredible NCAA Tourney photo of Jimmer Fredette proves classic basketball adage about white dudes erroneous
March 22, 2011 By 5 Comments
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If you are a sports fan, you have undoubtedly heard the saying “white men can’t jump.” It’s far more than just a classic basketball movie starring Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes; it’s a sports adage seemingly as old and accepted as “defense wins championships.”
But as he has proven himself wont to do, Jimmer Fredette is one white boy who can get up in the air…while doing what it is that white boys are supposed to do: shoot.
Or at least it sure as heck looks like it in this spectacular photo from this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comMLB 2011 Predictions: NL East – Phillies look to live up to the hype while potential contenders in Atlanta and Florida line up behind them
March 21, 2011 By 3 Comments
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Kevin Luljak will be going through all six MLB divisions and offering his outlook and prediction for each team as we prepare for Opening 2011. Today: the NL East.
The Philadelphia Phillies won the division last year with a league best 97 games, one better than the Tampa Bay Rays, and then made it to the NL Championship Series, losing to eventual World Series winner San Francisco.
This year the Phillies will look to make another run deep into the playoffs, and hope to go further, winning it all this time.
Sweet 16 Preview: Ohio State v Kentucky – 3 Things the ‘Cats Must Do To Knock Off the Buckeyes
March 21, 2011 By 18 Comments
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The Wisconsin-Butler matchup on Thursday night is going to be outstanding. I cannot wait to watch that game. I am also greatly intrigued by UCONN-San Diego State, Florida-BYU, and really all of the other matchups on Thursday and Friday night because, well, this is the Sweet 16 after all.
But no matchup has me more intrigued than the matchup between the #1 seed and the #4 seed in the East Region – Ohio State versus Kentucky.
That’s why I am kicking off my part of our Sweet 16 previews off with this matchup. No sense saving the best for last. The most compelling matchup comes first for me.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comMarch Madness 2011: Sweet 16 Preview and Picks
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Maybe it’s about time we all start paying attention to the season-long observations of Ari Kaufman…
To wit – BYU and San Diego State can indeed pair off with anyone in the country and the mistake is still being made involving sleeping on the Butler Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, North Carolina and Duke both survived their second round games by the skin of their teeth, partly because the NCAA always mandates that one of the tourney sites during the first two weekends be somewhere in the state of North Carolina.
If Washington v. Tar Heels were played instead in say Cleveland or Tulsa, does Carolina still survive the round of 32??
And the Big East surpassed all expectations of a possible thud; throw out UConn and Marquette (who beat other Big East members over the weekend) and the conference was essentially shut out. Charles Barkley may be outspoken, but before Selection Sunday I was one of those that suggested that the Big East be capped at eight teams, even if it would have left out the school whose campus I drive through every day and that now gets their long-awaited tourney rematch with North Carolina in the Sweet 16.
When the smoke finally cleared last night, the chalk survived with ten of the 16 top seeds. As we decompress after four days of wall-to-wall hoops, a synopsis on the four Regionals, and some of the teams that went by the wayside.
Jalen Rose’s plan to pay student-athletes won’t work; here’s an alternative
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Last week Jalen Rose took a break from promoting and defending his Fab Five documentary to write a piece for the Huffington Post arguing that NCAA student athletes should receive a $2000-per-semester stipend to cover living expenses.
Rose makes a compelling case:
Neither Texas Loss to Arizona, Nor Pittsburgh Loss to Butler Should Have Been Surprising
March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Everyone whose bracket was not busted by the Pittsburgh-Butler game on Saturday night probably saw saw their brackets die a slow death after another early exit for Texas and the surprising wins by VCU and Florida State today. The Sweet 16 of many people is now in shambles.
In this post, I’ll explain why the Pitt and Texas losses should not have come as a surprise to anyone.
Sweet 16 TV Schedule, Matchups, and Announcers
March 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
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This weekend we whittled 64 teams down to 16. Next weekend, we’ll whittle these 16 teams down to four with what should be 12 terrific basketball games.
In this post, we quickly break down the Sweet 16 TV schedule and announcer assignments.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comMarch Madness 2011: Sunday TV Schedule, Announcer Assignments, and Viewing Gameplan
March 19, 2011 By 1 Comment
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After a rather lackluster slate of games on Friday, Saturday’s Round of 32 action more than made up for it.
San Diego State outlasted Temple in a horribly ugly double OT contest. Kentucky and Florida played great in the second halves of their games to get Ws. And, of course, Butler pulled off yet another thrilling win as an underdawg.
Let’s hope Sunday has more madness in store. Here is the TV schedule, announcer assignments, and a few quick comments by me about which games you should plan your day around.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comVideo: Jubilant Butler Bulldogs celebrate in locker room after thrilling win over Pittsburgh
March 19, 2011 By 4 Comments
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I’ll be damned…Butler is doing it again.
With a thrilling 71-70 victory over #1 seed Pittsburgh, Brad Stevens and the #8 seed Bulldogs are moving on to the Sweet 16.
In the locker room after the game, a jubilant bunch of ‘Dawgs and their terrific coach celebrated what has become commonplace for them: a down-to-the-wire victory over a higher profile, favored foe.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comMarch Madness 2011: TV Schedule, Announcers, and Viewing Gameplan for Saturday Third Round Games
March 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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In this post, we break down the TV schedule for the first Saturday of action in March Madness 2011. Get the start times for each contest, which network it is one, and which announcers will be calling the game.
And then I’ll let you know what I’m most looking forward to on Saturday.
Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.comThe Blackhawks’ Recent Loss Is Nothing Too Big, and Here’s Why
March 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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The 0-5 loss the Blackhawks endured Thursday night was tough to watch. The ‘Hawks played very flatly, both offensively and defensively – especially defensively. The loss came as a shock to fans, the players, and even the ‘Hawk coaches.
Once a team plays their worst and losses a game like this, people want explanations. The most common I have seen is the ‘Hawks were playing, for the first time all season, without their regular 20 skaters. This forced a change in the lines, affecting the natural chemistry the lines had been exhibiting the past few weeks.
While the I can’t deny the horrors of Thursday’s game, I can’t believe that this loss spells doom for them.
