Friday, April 16
Thursday, March 25
College Basketball's Hoosiers
The college basketball season began in November with 347 potential national champions, but following the conclusion of March Madness only one team will be left standing.
That team might just be the Butler Bulldogs.
The No. 12 Bulldogs are winners of 19 straight, the longest active winning streak in the nation.
The Bulldogs have a recent history of success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2003 and 2007 Butler advanced to the Sweet 16, knocking off the likes of Mississippi State, Maryland and Louisville.
Butler is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having appeared in the tournament five times in the last nine years. It will be making its fourth consecutive appearance this year.
Butler has become an elite program. In the last 10 years Butler has had eight seasons with at least 20 wins, has been ranked every year since the 2006-07 season and has been nearly unbeatable at Hinkle Fieldhouse posting a 71-6 record in its last 77 games.
No other team in the nation has been as consistent and successful as Butler in the last four years. The Bulldogs have gone 112-21 during that period.
Winning is the only thing current Butler players know how to do.
Butler does not play in a power conference, but it can no longer be considered a ‘Cinderella’ nor a mid-major.
This season the Bulldogs have quality wins over Ohio State and Xavier. Butler was also the only team in the nation to go unbeaten in conference play.
Sophomore forward Gordon Hayward leads Butler in three statistical categories; points per game with 15, average rebounds per game at eight and in blocks at 0.8 a game.
He is 6’9” and 207 pounds but he handles the ball like a point guard, has the range of a shooting guard and understands the fundamentals of basketball.
Hayward defies the laws of physics on the basketball court; rarely do you come across a player like him.
Experts are recognizing the talent that the Horizon League Player of the Year possesses.
Former Coach Bob Knight, the record holder for career wins, mentions in his TV broadcasts, that Hayward utilizes the pump fake to shoot over defenders, a move that few players use.
Purdue and Indiana both passed on the young prospect, a move both Big Ten powers undoubtedly regret.
Another Bulldog, sophomore guard Shelvin Mack, joined Hayward last summer on the USA Men’s U19 World Championship team.
Mack is second on the team in points, steals and assists.
These two players have the chemistry, leadership and experience to lead Butler to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Many ESPN analysts in the preseason said Butler was a legit Final Four candidate, which goes to show how talented this team is and how high the bar has been set for the program.
It will be considered a disappointment for Butler if it doesn’t at least advance to the Sweet 16.
The small school with an enrollment of 4,200 located in Indianapolis, the site of the national championship, has the potential to hoist the trophy at the end of another long college basketball season.
That team might just be the Butler Bulldogs.
The No. 12 Bulldogs are winners of 19 straight, the longest active winning streak in the nation.
The Bulldogs have a recent history of success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2003 and 2007 Butler advanced to the Sweet 16, knocking off the likes of Mississippi State, Maryland and Louisville.
Butler is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having appeared in the tournament five times in the last nine years. It will be making its fourth consecutive appearance this year.
Butler has become an elite program. In the last 10 years Butler has had eight seasons with at least 20 wins, has been ranked every year since the 2006-07 season and has been nearly unbeatable at Hinkle Fieldhouse posting a 71-6 record in its last 77 games.
No other team in the nation has been as consistent and successful as Butler in the last four years. The Bulldogs have gone 112-21 during that period.
Winning is the only thing current Butler players know how to do.
Butler does not play in a power conference, but it can no longer be considered a ‘Cinderella’ nor a mid-major.
This season the Bulldogs have quality wins over Ohio State and Xavier. Butler was also the only team in the nation to go unbeaten in conference play.
Sophomore forward Gordon Hayward leads Butler in three statistical categories; points per game with 15, average rebounds per game at eight and in blocks at 0.8 a game.
He is 6’9” and 207 pounds but he handles the ball like a point guard, has the range of a shooting guard and understands the fundamentals of basketball.
Hayward defies the laws of physics on the basketball court; rarely do you come across a player like him.
Experts are recognizing the talent that the Horizon League Player of the Year possesses.
Former Coach Bob Knight, the record holder for career wins, mentions in his TV broadcasts, that Hayward utilizes the pump fake to shoot over defenders, a move that few players use.
Purdue and Indiana both passed on the young prospect, a move both Big Ten powers undoubtedly regret.
Another Bulldog, sophomore guard Shelvin Mack, joined Hayward last summer on the USA Men’s U19 World Championship team.
Mack is second on the team in points, steals and assists.
These two players have the chemistry, leadership and experience to lead Butler to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Many ESPN analysts in the preseason said Butler was a legit Final Four candidate, which goes to show how talented this team is and how high the bar has been set for the program.
It will be considered a disappointment for Butler if it doesn’t at least advance to the Sweet 16.
The small school with an enrollment of 4,200 located in Indianapolis, the site of the national championship, has the potential to hoist the trophy at the end of another long college basketball season.
Monday, March 15
March Madness
http://issuu.com/newsrecord/docs/tnr_-_3.15.10/7
My take on the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament.
My take on the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament.
Saturday, February 27
Thursday, February 25
Saturday, February 13
Cats Claw Out Huskies Heart
Valentines Day weekend represents the turning point in an up and down season for the Cincinnati Bearcats. While you may have been spent the holiday enjoying company with a special someone and an expensive dinner, I was taking in the single life and watching as my Bearcats captured a signature road win versus Connecticut.
All the pre-game hype was about Hall of Fame Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun, who was making his return from a three-week leave of absence due to health problems. The Huskies were under the microscope because of a mid-season slump, having dropped four out of their last five. This traditional powerhouse has not lived up to its billing with three future NBA draft picks currently on the team; Kemba Walker, Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson. Experts were discussing UConn’s likelihood of missing out on the tournament throughout the week.
But what about the Bearcats? The Huskies are America’s team but is there really that little interest in UC? Cincinnati is in the home stretch of their quest to make their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2005. Senior guard Deonta Vaughn has shouldered the burden of UC’s rebuilding process for four years; how can you not root for him to make his first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Let me bring you up to speed on Cincinnati’s current tournament resume. The Bearcats have two quality wins against Maryland and Vanderbilt, both locks to make the field. They also beat bubble teams Notre Dame, South Florida and swept Connecticut.
Cincinnati (15-9, 6-6 Big East) is No. 52 in CollegeRPI.com and currently sits in the middle of a crowded, bubble heavy Big East. To this point in the season, UC has played average. It doesn’t have any terrible losses, just a couple bad ones against Seton Hall and St. John’s on the road. The main problem is they don’t have any signature wins versus top-25 opponents and are currently 2-6 on the road.
Saturday’s win is convincing to the selection committee because they swept a fellow bubble team and they did it on the road. A lot of Cincinnati students had written them off prior to the game. They had dropped three of their last four games, but the Bearcats are not that far out of the field. The loss against Syracuse officially put the Bearcats on the outside looking in. There are still plenty of opportunities to play our way in, which the reason why the Bearcats made the move to the Big East.
The Bearcats have a huge match up on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at South Florida where they hope to knock them off for a second time. They have a chance to create some separation from the bubble teams in the conference. It is no longer a must win game because of the win at UConn . They then face Marquette at home, which is another bubble team, and UC has to protect their home court. The biggest game left on UC’s schedule is home game on Mar. 2 against Villanova. The Bearcats can officially quiet all critics who say they are not worthy of being in the field of 65 with a win versus No. 4 Villanova. Look for UC to split its remaining six games and be dancing come March.
Sunday, January 17
Donovan can lead US to World Cup run
Tickel Yer' Fancy
By Hunter Tickel | The News Record
Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Landon Donovan, the greatest American-born soccer player, set foot on an English pitch at Emirates Stadium Saturday, Jan. 9, in his Premier League debut.
The 27 year old is playing at the highest level of his career. Against Arsenal on Saturday, Donovan didn’t resemble the same player that had failed to impress fans in his three previous stints in Europe.
Donovan finally caught a break with Everton, as he was given a chance to start his first game in arguably the world’s best league.
Donovan played inspiring soccer against Arsenal, a world powerhouse. He assisted on Everton’s first goal in the 12th minute with a perfect delivery off a corner kick.
He played with pace, helped his teammates on defense and, most importantly, he played with the same confidence and swagger he showed when playing in America.
His efforts contributed toward Everton earning its first tie against Arsenal since 1996.
But Donovan isn’t the only American on Everton making his presence felt.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was recently named by the team as one of the top-12 Everton players of the decade, and he continues to prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers in soccer.
Howard could start for any team in the world, but U.S. fans will be fortunate enough to have him starting for their team come June.
We’re just five months away from this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Not every player’s spot on the U.S team is secured, and several players currently playing abroad are still looking to earn their place on the national team.
Clint Dempsey shouldn’t have too much to worry about.
The Fulham midfielder is currently tied for the top scorer on the team with six goals, one shy of the 10th leading scorer in the league. He was the only goal scorer for the U.S. at the last World Cup, and even more will be expected from him this summer.
Jozy Altidore, a forward for Hull City, has cemented his place in the starting lineup with his club as expected, but it may not be enough for him to get significant minutes in the World Cup. He has yet to score in 15 league games.
Midfielder Stuart Holden has a crucial decision to make after finishing up his contract with Houston, making him a free transfer for European teams. There are rumors circulating that Rangers in Scotland is interested, but if he cannot get playing time immediately, he would be better served to stay in the United States for the time being.
Many players in Europe are making a late push to make the cut for the U.S. team. The determining factor will be whether or not these players can get a regular playing team with their clubs leading up to the World Cup.
An American duo, midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu is currently playing for Rangers.
Beasley saw a huge drop off in form with Rangers last year and has not made an appearance for the U.S. national team since last summer, but as of late he has
re-emerged with two goals and four assists in his last five games with Rangers.
I’m guaranteeing right now that Beasley will make the U.S. national team and start at least one game in the World Cup.
Edu made his return to soccer in December after a knee injury sidelined him for seven months. If he plays at the level he was performing at before the injury, not only will he make the team, he will be starting for the United States.
If there is one American whose bubble is close to bursting, however, it’s the talented - yet disappointing - midfielder Freddy Adu.
Adu was once dubbed the most talented young player in the world and the savior of
U.S. soccer, but he has failed to be consistent.
Adu is on his third loan in as many years, this time with Aris, of Greece. If he is unable to break into the first team, Adu may be out of options. A to return to the states may be in order if this loan fails.
American players are sprinkled all over Europe and, playing time or not, it has to be a positive sign for U.S. soccer moving forward. With some of America’s best players making their presence felt across Europe, I like our chances against Europe’s and the rest of the world’s national teams this summer in South Africa.
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