Planning the Best Super Bowl Party in 2012

“Professional football is a special game, a unique game, played no where else on Earth. It is a rare game, the men who play it make it so. Pro football is a mirror of early America, reflecting toughness, courage and self-denial.” ~ John Facenda of NFL Films

How many people at your Super Bowl party think of football like this?

Most likely it’s not a high percentage. With the NFL becoming so mainstream and exposure at an all-time high, the casual fan has never been as prominent in this newest era of the league. While there are many of us who have cherished this sport for so many years, there are the newcomers who just want to be part of the group coming to the big game.

That is where the traditional “Super Bowl Party” can be a blessing and a burden. You have the hard-core fans who have been watching since the 2011 NFL Draft and others who have finally found out who is playing this Sunday, having never paid any attention to a single score all year.

This is exactly where your planning of the Super Bowl party has to be strategized as well as a white-collar ponzi scheme.

If you want to actually watch the game, you’ll have to be very picky when it comes to invitations. We have all been to the party where you have viewers who don’t know or care about the game itself. They basically just want to be part of the event. These are the invites you have to weed out as quickly as possible.

I actually had a person wanting to play euchre during a Super Bowl party!

Sometimes you don’t really have an option, and certain persons are coming over Sunday afternoon.

You know your best bud loves the game, but his lady could care less about it. Trying to be polite and having them both over is being a nice guy, but nice guys finish last, especially when it comes to enjoying something you have invested months into. In the past, I was much more tolerant about my party invites but with maturity comes experience.

Even the food and beverage situation should be planned out so it doesn’t interfere with the game.

Some party planners always wonder about where and when to serve their guests. The best strategy would be to have food in a separate room—preferably with a TV. This keeps all the partiers in a room while the football fanatics can watch with no distractions.

Make sure your guests get their fill before kickoff so people are not running back and forth the whole game. This is where a TV in the kitchen can keep you ahead of the game.

Keep your alcohol options simple. Serve beer, wine and a couple styles of liquor. You don’t want to be sitting in the kitchen listening to a blender or shimmying a shaker while all your friends are catching every play and commercial.

Also have some water ready.

We all have a guest who started drinking to help you prep early in the morning. While he might pass out by halftime, he did help you make your party rock.

The bottom line is to keep it simple. Have real football fans over, have a designated food area and drivers, and remember a chance to have a great Super Bowl party only happens once a year.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1048118-planning-the-best-super-bowl-party-in-2012

Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers

Today Show?s Amy Robach: Photos and Quick Biography

NBC Today show correspondent Amy Robach is 38 years old and cougarlicious. Or you could say cougartastic. Robach was a 4th runner up in the Miss Georgia pageant in 1994. She graduated from the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) with high honors in Broadcast Journalism After divorcing her first husband, with which she pushed out [...]

Source: http://www.thesportsbank.net/sidelineprincesses/today-shows-amy-robach-photos-and-quick-biography/

Rajon Rondo Glen Davis Nate Robinson Paul Fiercer Rasheed Wallace LeBron James

2012 Minnesota Vikings: 5 Reasons Why the Vikings Will Win the NFC North in 2012

The 2011 season for the Minnesota Vikings was a worst-case scenario situation. The Vikings proved "Murphy's Law" last year because whatever bad could have happened, did happen.

The 2012 season will be much different for the Vikings. The Vikings have a lot to look forward to in the coming months in the offseason. 

Here are the five reasons why the Vikings will win the NFC North in 2012. 

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1047657-2012-minnesota-vikings-5-reasons-why-the-vikings-will-win-the-nfc-north-in-2012

Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Dodgers Minnesota Twins New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Seattle Mariners

NBA Game of the Night: Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Tonight's big game doesn't exactly have the punch that most nights have, but somehow the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies have turned a game between two teams who should be struggling into the current No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and a team just a game-and-a-half out of the playoffs as of now.

So now it's time to take a look at what each of these two teams need to do to bring home a win tonight.

 

Denver Nuggets

Somehow the Nuggets are better without Carmelo Anthony; if they can keep that up they have a good chance of winning.

Their game plan of scoring more points than any other team in the NBA should continue to be implemented. If somebody let the Nuggets know that there was a defensive part of basketball they could be really good; maybe someone should do that.

Despite a really good offense, not having a star to hog the ball means that they sometimes pass the ball too many times and don't shoot within the allotted 24 seconds. Not having a star to hog the ball also means that they aren't bound by NBA rules to have one person always take a last-second shot to win the game while being covered by three defenders. I'm still not sure if that helps or hurts the Nuggets.

 

Memphis Grizzlies

The strategy of being completely average in every aspect of the game of basketball is generally a hindrance against good teams.

The Grizzlies need to take everything they have done over the last four games and do the exact opposite; remember what you did for the seven games before that? Well, go back to that.

After Rudy Gay went 0-of-7 against the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis should let him take some easy shots and get some greatly needed confidence.

Although Marc Gasol has been doing his best, he still hasn't gotten comfortable with having to rebound without Zach Randolph grabbing every loose ball he sees.

 

I'm Joe W.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046382-nba-game-of-the-night-denver-nuggets-vs-memphis-grizzlies

Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Clippers

Texas among bubble teams hoping to dance

For more than seven years, Texas, Pittsburgh and Villanova have been staples in the NCAA tournament. However, as of now, none is in Joe Lunardi’s bracket. Texas, Pittsburgh and Villanova each have at least eight losses and RPIs of 59, 75 and 90, respectively. Currently, the Longhorns are the fifth team out as they hope to extend their 13-year streak of making the tournament. As for Pittsburgh and Villanova, both schools likely will not be so lucky.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46707/texas-among-bubble-teams-hoping-to-dance

Rasheed Wallace LeBron James Ben Gordon Josh Howard Jason Terry Jason Kidd

First Cup: Tuesday

Michael Lee of The Washington Post: John Wall squared up against the player whose career he would most like to duplicate and did his best to trade him acrobatic layup for head-scratching layup. And for a half, Wall held his own against Derrick Rose, the reigning league’s most valuable player, unwilling to get upstaged on his home turf. But as the game dragged on, and the Washington Wizards continued to miss shots and Rose continued to share the ball with his more-than-capable teammates, the gap between the two players and their respective teams became more magnified.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/36316/first-cup-tuesday-192

Reegie Corona Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson

Ohio State's youngsters growing as leaders

Unlike last season’s squad, Ohio State encountered a few unexpected hurdles once Big Ten play commenced late last month. The Buckeyes lost to both Illinois and Indiana on the road in the first few weeks of the Big Ten slate. Those losses prompted questions about Ohio State’s anticipated dominance in the deep league. The Buckeyes have proven some doubters wrong, however, during their current four-game winning streak. Thad Matta wasn’t surprised by his team’s early struggles.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46660/ohio-states-youngsters-growing-as-leaders

LeBron James Ben Gordon Josh Howard Jason Terry Jason Kidd Dirk Nowitzki

NHL Trade Rumors: Could Rick Nash Be on the Toronto Maple Leafs' Radar?

The media is at it again.

As soon as the All-Star break concludes, the rumor mill starts churning.

After reports over the weekend linking Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke to Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, a Jan. 30th tweet from Toronto radio personality Bill Watters has Leafs Nation buzzing about whether the Leafs could be pursuing Columbus left winger Rick Nash.

With Columbus' wretched start to the season, many in Leafland had posited the Leafs could be going after one of either Jeff Carter or Rick Nash, but this is the first fairly reliable insider that has mentioned Nash and Toronto in the same breath (or tweet).

The way Watters tells it, the deal would include Rick Nash and perennially injured winger Kristian Huselius coming to Toronto, with Mikhail Grabovski, Nazem Kadri, Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek going the other way.

Could this deal actually be in the works? If so, would it be beneficial for Toronto?

To answer the first question, not likely.

As much as Rick Nash would help spread Toronto's attack across two lines, he has indicated previously that he isn't keen on coming to Toronto because of all the pressure. The fact that he has a no movement clause in his contract may present some difficulty in getting this deal done.

However, if the Leafs could prove that they are legitimate contenders to make the postseason without him, Nash may be tempted to accept a move to Toronto where he would be able to play playoff hockey, something he hasn't done much of since being drafted by Columbus.

 

As for whether or not it would help the Maple Leafs, of course it would.

Not only would you be bringing in an All-Star, Olympic gold medalist-caliber player, but there are other advantages to this deal.

For instance, take a look at the salary cap ramifications:

Salary cap hit coming to Toronto: $12.55 million ($7.8 million for Nash, $4.75 million Huselius).

Salary cap hit going to Columbus: $12.72 million ($4.5 million for Komisarek, $3.6 million for Luke Schenn, $2.9 million for Mikhail Grabovski and $1.72 million for Nazem Kadri).

This means that the Leafs could pull this deal off and still be under the salary cap.

An additional benefit of this proposed deal would be that Kristian Huselius' $4.75 million salary would come off the books at the end of the season.

That money, along with other salary coming off the books, could then be spent to find a true No. 1 center (whether it be on the free agent market or via trade), or to re-sign free-agent-to-be Joffrey Lupul.

Moving Komisarek's contract could also assist the Toronto Maple Leafs as it would make room on the blue line for younger defensemen Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson to continue their development, while ridding Toronto of one of its more robust contracts.

As for Columbus, they'd be bringing in two defensive-minded blue liners (something this season has shown us that they're in desperate need of), while also receiving a phenomenal talent in Nazem Kadri. If Mikhail Grabovski would re-sign with Columbus (which is by no means a given), it would also give them a solid 60-point center. All that coupled with a potential first overall selection of Russian sensation Nail Yakupov could really jump start Columbus' rebuild.

Let me know what you think Leafs Nation. Leave a comment in the comments section below telling me whether you think this trade is realistic and whether or not you would pull the trigger on this deal if you were Brian Burke.

Follow @LeafsWriterBR

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046795-nhl-trade-rumors-could-rick-nash-be-on-the-toronto-maple-leafs-radar

Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez

Saddle Up: Missouri's best offense

Saddle Up is our semi-daily preview of the night's best basketball action. No. 4 Missouri at Texas, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN: The 2011-12 Missouri Tigers are not known for their defense. That's not because the Tigers' defense is particularly bad; it's more like average, or slightly above. But beyond that, the main reason the Tigers aren't known for their defense is their offense. We think about Missouri as an offensive team not only because the Tigers were an offensive, fast-break style team throughout former coach Mike Anderson's tenure, but because this current group of Missouri Tigers happens to be really, really awesome at scoring the ball.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46656/saddle-up-missouris-best-offense

Milwaukee Bucks Minnesota Timberwolves New Jersey Nets New Orleans Hornets New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder

Super Bowl XLVI Patriots vs. Giants: Trivia, Facts, Numbers, Records

Super Bowl XLVI is the first Super Bowl in which both starting quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl MVP award. Giants quarterback ELI MANNING passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns ? including the game-winning 13-yarder to PLAXICO BURRESS with 35 seconds remaining ? in Super Bowl XLII and was named the game?s MVP. Patriots [...]

Source: http://www.thesportsbank.net/nfl/super-bowl-xlvi-patriots-vs-giants-trivia-facts-numbers-records/

New Orleans Hornets New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns

Bill Belichick and the 6 Greatest Postseason Coaches of All Time

Bill Belichick has been known as a clutch playoff coach, leading the New England Patriots to three Super Bowl victories in four tries. Since 2000, no coach has been able to come close to the success that he has enjoyed with Tom Brady and company. 

But what about of all time? Where does Belichick rank? Can he compare to the likes of Vince Lombardi, Joe Gibbs or Bill Walsh?

This is not a list of the best coaches in the NFL, but a list of the greatest playoff coaches.

I looked at their playoff records and how many Super Bowls or League Championships they have won as well as how far they made it in each playoff appearance. 

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044367-bill-belichick-and-the-6-greatest-postseason-coaches-of-all-time

Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets

Boston Celtics Daily Links 1/30

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/1/30/2758098/boston-celtics-daily-links-1-30

Dwayne Wade Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill Pat Burrell

Super Bowl MVP Odds: Brady, Manning, Cruz and Gronk Among Favorites

Amidst the championship celebration, the Super Bowl MVP award will be handed out.

The most likely player to win the Super Bowl MVP is Tom Brady with 7:5 odds, followed by Eli Manning at 9:4, according to bovada.lv.

The least likely players to win MVP? 

All four 75:1 payouts are defensive players: Antrel Rolle, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Vince Wilfork.

What about the 100:1 shot-in-the-dark players? There are seven of them, including both kickers and Chad Ochocinco.

Below is the full list of payouts.

Tom Brady pays 7:5 

Eli Manning pays 9:4    

Victor Cruz pays 8:1    

Rob Gronkowski pays 10:1    

Hakeem Nicks pays 12:1

Wes Welker pays 15:1

Aaron Hernandez pays 16:1    

Ahmad Bradshaw pays 20:1    

BenJarvus Green-Ellis pays 25:1    

Jason Pierre-Paul pays 25:1    

Mario Manningham pays 35:1   

Brandon Jacobs pays 40:1    

Deion Branch pays 40:1    

Danny Woodhead pays 50:1    

Antrel Rolle pays 75:1    

Justin Tuck pays 75:1    

Osi Umenyiora pays 75:1   

Vince Wilfork pays 75:1    

Chad Ochocinco pays 100:1    

Devin McCourty pays 100:1    

Jake Ballard pays 100:1    

Jerod Mayo pays 100:1    

Kyle Arrington pays 100:1    

Lawrence Tynes pays 100:1    

Stephen Gostkowski pays 100:1    

Field pays 22:1

If the Giants win the Super Bowl, Cruz will be the MVP. He has the potential to break away from defenders and make spectacular plays. He will be crucial to New York if they win.

If the Patriots win, Brady will pick up his third Super Bowl MVP trophy. He has been the backbone of the offense this season, and with Gronkowski not at full strength, Brady will have to work that much harder.

For other interesting Super Bowl wagers, visit here.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046180-super-bowl-mvp-odds-brady-manning-cruz-and-gronk-among-favorites

Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw

Odds Peyton Manning Starts for These 9 Interested Teams in 2012

Peyton Manning talks, people listen.

Jim Irsay talks, people listen.

The combined comments of the both star player and owner of the Indianapolis Colts proves things aren't always peachy in the NFL 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

And even in the joint statement making peace with each other and stating they are "on the same page" with the future of this franchise is anything but level headed.

The Colts paid their franchise player $26 million this past season to sit on the bench and look like a figurehead. But the odds on the team paying Manning $28 million to possibly do the same thing next season as the Colts bring in Andrew Luck may be too much of a burden on the team.

There are teams who have expressed interest in Manning, with Miami, Arizona and the New York Jets being the most vocal in their desire to find a better solution to their passing offenses.

But there could be others, the type that needs a change at the top and those who may surprise you.

But if you ask yourself: Would you want Peyton Manning at 75 percent of his former self or would you want your current quarterback? Maybe then the choice becomes a little clearer.

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1042224-odds-peyton-manning-starts-for-these-9-interested-teams-in-2012

Jordan Farmar Derek Fisher Pau Gasol Lamar Odom Baron Davis Blake Griffin

Heat dunk-and-run to win

The New York Knicks tried to win with 3-point shooting. The Miami Heat took a simpler route-- dunking. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for all 10 of the Heat's dunks in Friday’s win. Each had five for the game. The 10 dunks were the most that the two have combined for since becoming teammates and James’ total was his most as a member of the Heat. Heat Transition OffenseThis Season Miami's 10 dunks are the second most the team has had in the last two seasons.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/36219/heat-dunk-and-run-to-win

Rasheed Wallace LeBron James Ben Gordon Josh Howard Jason Terry Jason Kidd

Saddle Up: Missouri's best offense

Saddle Up is our semi-daily preview of the night's best basketball action. No. 4 Missouri at Texas, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN: The 2011-12 Missouri Tigers are not known for their defense. That's not because the Tigers' defense is particularly bad; it's more like average, or slightly above. But beyond that, the main reason the Tigers aren't known for their defense is their offense. We think about Missouri as an offensive team not only because the Tigers were an offensive, fast-break style team throughout former coach Mike Anderson's tenure, but because this current group of Missouri Tigers happens to be really, really awesome at scoring the ball.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46656/saddle-up-missouris-best-offense

Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte Mariano Rivera Kerry Wood Francisco Cervelli

Purdue Boilermakers Tournament Resume: Strengths and Weaknesses

In our latest NCAA Tournament projection we have the Purdue Boilermakers as an #11 seed in the West Regional, out in Albuquerque. In other words, just a line or two above bubble status. And since February is pretty much here- time to think about who needs to shore up the old resume for selection time [...]

Source: http://www.thesportsbank.net/college-bball/purdue-boilermakers-tournament-resume-strengths-and-weaknesses/

Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Colorado Rockies Florida Marlins

Rockets G Lee uninjured in car accident (AP)

Houston Rockets guard Courtney Lee says he wasn't injured when his car was struck by another vehicle after Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks. Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Sunday that Lee contacted a team security guard to tell him he was OK. Lee tweeted about the incident, saying he was thanking God and "thanking Cadillac for air bags!!

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=121q6403p/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-lee-accident

Washington Wizards Kevin Garnett Ray allen kendrick Perkins Rajon Rondo Glen Davis

Western Carolina Heads to Wofford for a Crucial North-South SoCon Clash Tonight

Western Carolina (9-13, 3-6 SoCon) at Wofford (14-8, 7-3 SoCon), 7 p.m.

GAME PREVIEW:

Wofford will look to keep things moving in a positive direction on Monday night, hosting Western Carolina at the Benjamin-Johnson Arena. Wofford enters Monday night's contest having won seven of its last nine games. They have won five straight to soar to second place in the Southern Conference South Division standings, while Western Carolina enters the contest having lost seven of its last nine games, including its last three outings.

Wofford was in action on Saturday afternoon, and the Terriers were able to complete the Charleston sweep by getting a 68-59 road win over the Cougars. Meanwhile, Western Carolina dropped a heartbreaker to UNC Greensboro, with an 89-86 overtime setback at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's meeting will mark the second of the season between the Terriers and Catamounts, with Western Carolina picking up a 67-57 win in Cullowhee back on Jan 7th. The meeting between the Terriers and Catamounts will mark the two teams' 41st meeting on the hardwood, with Western Carolina holding a 23-18 series edge. The 10-point win by WCU in early January helped snap a three-game losing streak to the Terriers, including two losses which came in the Southern Conference semifinal game each of the past two seasons. 

Wofford has gotten it done on the defensive end so far this season, continuing to lead the league in scoring defense, 61.6 PPG, entering Monday night's contest. Point guard Brad Loesing (14.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG) has really had to increase his role as a scorer in this, his senior season for the Old Gold and Black.

He enters the matchup continuing to rank third in the Southern Conference in assists, averaging 5.3 helpers per game. Loesing  was an integral part of the foundation in the previous two teams that claimed Southern Conference crowns each of the past two seasons, and looks maintain this role with his team that sits just six wins from a third-straight 20-win season. In the first meeting between the Terriers and Catamounts this season, Loesing tied for team-high honors with 20 points in the 10-point setback to WCU.

 

Loesing was joined by Kevin Giltner (16.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG) in his leadership role. Giltner currently leads the team in scoring and ranks fourth overall in the SoCon. Giltner is one of the deadliest shooters from the perimeter in the SoCon, and he enters the contest ranking third in the league in three-pointers made, having made 56 this season. Giltner failed to reach double figures the first time these two met, scoring just eight points. Giltner is coming a 15-point effort in the win over CofC, as he connected on 4-of-13 shots from the field, but was just 1-for-7 from three-point range in the contest.

Joining Loesing in the starting five in the backcourt Monday might will be talented freshman Karl Cochran (11.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG), who's making a strong case for Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Cochran led the Terriers in scoring against the College of Charleston on Saturday afternoon at TD Arena, as he posted 18 points in the nine-point win.

Cochran has become known as the "College of Charleston killer," having posted team-leading performances in both meetings with the Cougars this season. He also posted a career-high 21 points in the first meeting with CofC. In Cochran's first-career encounter with the Catamounts this season, he was equally impressive, tying for team-high honors with 20 points in the 10-point loss. Cochran also shoots the ball well from the perimeter, as he enters the game having connected on 45 triples this season, which ranks second on the team.

Joining Giltner underneath the basket in head coach Mike Young's starting five on Monday night will be the reliable Drew Crowell (9.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG) and the powerful Aerris Smith (4.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG).Crowell came into the season with some huge shoes to fill, having the replace two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year Noah Dahlman on the interior last season. Crowell is coming off a 12-point, seven-rebound performance in the win at College of Charleston on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Charleston native scored double figures in both of his games in his return to his hometown, as he also posted 12 points in Wofford's 62-55 win over The Citadel on Thursday night.

In the first meeting between the Catamounts and Terriers this season, Crowell posted just four points. Crowell continues to lead the league in field goal percentage, entering the contest with a 61.8% clip for the season.   

Smith, a sophomore forward, rounds out the starting five for the Terriers, and he has basically taken on the role of what Tim Johnson gave the Terriers last season. He's not looked to as a scorer, but is good on the boards and is a hard worker underneath the basket. Smith is also a solid post defender, and posted two points in the previous meeting with the Catamounts this season.

The main players coming off the bench for the Terriers are Lee Skinner (4.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and JarrellByrd (2.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG), as both have been impressive this season, giving Wofford depth in the front court. Skinner's 5.9 RPG leads the club. 

The Catamounts will enter this evening's matchup looking for their first conference victory since beating the Terriers, 67-57, back on Jan. 7th. In fact, since that meeting, the Catamounts have gone just 1-5 against competition since, and also since the first meeting with the Terriers, WCU is 0-5 against Division I foes. The lone win since that Jan. 7 meeting was a 141-39 victory over Toccoa Falls. 

Western Carolina enters the contest continuing to be led by one of the best backcourts in the SoCon, led by two players averaging in double figures, in leading scorer Harouna Mutombo (13.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and point guard Trey Sumler (12.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG). The Catamounts have gotten some big outings of late from Sumler, as he has led the Catamounts in scoring in each of the past five games, leading the Purple and Gold with 22 points in the 89-86 overtime loss to UNCG on Saturday.

 

Sumler was one of four players in double figures the first time these two teams met, as he posted 12 points in the 67-57 win earlier this season. Sumler has struggled shooting the ball from long range this season, connecting on just 24-of-73 from three-point range this season, which is a 32.9% clip for the season. 

Mutombo is a player that does the little things that enables to the Catamounts to be in position to win in nearly every game they play. Mutombo is a good one-on-one defender and he rebounds the basketball better than any other player in Catamount in the lineup. The first time these two played, Mutombo was also one of those four Catamounts in double figures, as he finished the contest with 11 points in the 10-point victory. The last time out against the Spartans, Mutombo came off the bench for the Catamounts, and he posted 14 points in that role the last time out.

One of the players that drew a rare start as a result of Mutombo coming off the bench the last time out was James Sinclair (2.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG). Sinclair, a 6-2 freshman guard from Savannah, GA., is an excellent defensive presence for the Purple and Gold. He scored just three points in the contest against the Spartans, but he gives the Catamounts great energy and work ethic in the backcourt. 

Another player that has spent most of his time coming off the bench this season has been point guard Keaton Cole (11.3 PPG, 1.6 RPG). Cole is one of the team's most-prolific scoring threats for theCatamounts, and he leads the league in three-pointers made this season, as he has connected on 64 triples on the season. He is coming off a strong performance in Saturday's loss at UNC Greensboro, as he posted a team-leading 22 points, and was 4-for-6 from three-point range in the heartbreaking setback. Cole led the Catamounts with 22 points the first time the Catamounts and Terriers got together on the basketball hardwood, tying a career-record with six triples in the contest.  

 

The front court will be comprised by Brandon Boggs (10.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG), who plays more like a combo guard, and Tawaski King (6.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG), who's coming off one of his most solid performances for the Catamounts, as he posted a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards the last time out. Boggs is one of the team's top athletes and defensive performers. He was solid in the first meeting with the Terriers this season, and finished on the cusp of double figures, as he finished the contest with nine points. King is big and physical and has been able to stay out of foul trouble early in games lately, and has really stepped up and played well as of late, especially on the backboards. 

A couple of players whom have really helped the Catamounts' cause off the bench this season have been Ishmael Hollis (3.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG) and Preston Ross (4.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG). Hollis a good perimeter shooter coming off the bench and Ross is a player that is a hard worker and good athlete. He has started 13 of the 22 games this season for the Catamounts. 

Quite simply, this game is much more critical to Western Carolina's cause than that of Wofford. TheCatamounts must win this game tonight to stay in contention in the North Division. A loss tonight would put the two-time defending North Division champs a solid three games out of first place in the SoConNorth. Wofford has played extremely well on its home floor this season, entering Monday night's encounter with an 8-1 mark on the home hardwood, with the only loss on the home floor coming at the hands of Davidson (72-69) back in early December. Terriers should be able to defend the home floor tonight, but it won't be as easy as some might think.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: WOFFORD 68, WESTERN CAROLINA 64

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1045385-western-carolina-heads-to-wofford-for-a-crucial-north-south-socon-clash-tonight

Milwaukee Bucks Minnesota Timberwolves New Jersey Nets New Orleans Hornets New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder

Philadelphia Eagles: Juan Castillo's Return Made Official, Reid Set to Speak

Twenty-nine days after the Philadelphia Eagles' season officially ended, they finally put an end to any defensive coordinator speculation once and for all.  The city had it out for Castillo before midseason, and the pundits had him all but gone before 10 games had been played.

But now, less than a week away from the Super Bowl, the Eagles' coaching staff is set to be set, with the hiring of Todd Bowles as secondary coach.  Bowles held the same job in Miami last year, until he became the interim head coach.

With that, all rumors and speculation are set to revolve around DeSean Jackson, along with free agent linebackers and draft possibilities. 

Many fans will be underwhelmed, but Bowles was thought to be headed for a coordinator position himself and was even considered for two head coaching vacancies.  This hiring has to be looked at as a solid move that should help improve the back end of the defense.

With at least two top-teir corners set to be on the team next year and two second-round draft picks at safety, they need a coach to get the most out of that group.  Bowles could be the man to do it.

Perhaps more than his coaching of the secondary, could Bowles be viewed as a sort of mentor or guide for Castillo? 

Castillo's tenure as offensive line coach and his lack of defensive coaching experience has been well documented.  Does Bowles' hiring put Castillo in an even tougher position? 

Castillo will now have two well-respected coaches with strong backgrounds over his shoulder, in Bowles and defensive line coach Jim Washburn.

Castillo appeared last year like he could use all the help he could get, but now he may have his future replacement working under him.  Honestly though, it is way, way too early to speculate on all this.  For now, the Eagles have a set coaching staff, and one man has improved the outlook on the defensive staff.

The decision is set to be announced either today or tomorrow, and Andy Reid is said to be ready to talk to the waiting media at last.  There hasn't been much of a shake-up, and anyone hoping for informative answers to their questions should probably lower their hopes. 

For all the clamoring for Reid to address 2011, he will not reveal anything more than he wants to, which is generally nothing.  Some things change and others stay the same. 

With the Eagles, 2012 looks to be more of the same.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1045100-philadelphia-eagles-juan-castillos-return-made-official-reid-set-to-speak

Tayshon Prince Tracy McGrady Yao Ming Luis Scola Jonathan Albaladejo Andrew Brackman

Milwaukee Bucks: On Andrew Bogut and Apples

Sir Isaac Newton got the idea of the law of gravity from a falling apple. It is through a simple natural event that came out very special.

Andrew Bogut might have learned a lot from falling—no matter how high you got up, there’s always the possibility of going down. He had been in and out of the injured list since 2006. There were a lot of promises and talent.

However, somehow everything falls short of what was expected. In his sophomore year when he was averaging close to a double-double performance, he sprained his left foot and missed the final 15 games of the season.

He also missed the end of the 2009-10 season when he dislocated his right elbow and broke his right hand in a fall. He was also sidelined for 43 games with an injured back in the 2008-09 season.

It seems like a never-ending list of injuries throughout his career. It was inevitable for a seven-foot, 260-pound giant to get injured—the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Bogut knew the risk of going after loose balls or grabbing a rebound on top of everybody. He knows that his physical play will surely take its toll eventually. But this is all about playing your best. And Bogut knew what he had to do to contribute to the team.

This is all about self-worth and no one puts more pressure on him than himself.

Bogut was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, and his position (center) has required full attention—center of the offense and center of hope on a struggling franchise that had constantly failed on a championship run.

In their January 25 game against the Houston Rockets, Bogut was more motivated than ever. This was the team that has continuously dominated them since 1999. And while a driving Kyle Lowry went straight to the basket, Bogut was prepared to get up and block the shot.

For a moment, he was successful, however, when he came down his foot landed awkwardly on Carl Landry’s foot. Bogut will miss eight-to-12 weeks with a fractured left ankle in a compressed season. Bogut now has another setback and another pile of frustrations on his promising career.

For 12 games, he was leading his team in blocks and was averaging 11.3 points with eight rebounds, and now he will spend again more time on the bench and in rehabilitation.

Bogut is hoping something good will come out of his injury. If Newton came up with gravity on falling apples, why not on a falling Bogut?

Lesson learned: There are failures more triumphant than victories.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044844-milwaukee-bucks-on-andrew-bogut-and-apples

Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets

Heat hold off Bulls as Rose misses late (AP)

The odds had to overwhelmingly be in Chicago's favor. Down by a point with 22.7 seconds left, with Derrick Rose heading to the line to shoot a pair of free throws. The reigning NBA MVP. He was a perfect 29 for 29 from the foul line in the fourth quarter this season. As if this moment needed extra significance, it was coming against the Miami Heat, the team that downed Rose and the Bulls in last...

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11kof74pb/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012012914

Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks Minnesota Timberwolves New Jersey Nets

Washington Redskins: Why Mike Shanahan Can't Sign Peyton Manning

As the previously unthinkable departure of Peyton Manning from the Indianapolis Colts begins to look increasingly likely, rumors about the Redskins bringing in no.18 persist. But signing Manning would be a betrayal of the promises made by head coach Mike Shanahan and the kind of team the Redskins say they are building.

Shanahan has done an excellent job of moving the goal posts amidst his struggles in D.C. Shortly before the Redskins concluded a 5-11 campaign to mark his second year in charge, Shanahan declared that he wasn't looking for a quick fix.

The former Broncos Super Bowl winner stated that the Redskins are in the formative stages a of long rebuilding process. This is a process designed to ensure the long-term stability and success of a Redskins franchise too often guilty of building only for today, with little or no thought for tomorrow.

If this is indeed the case, then signing the 35-year old Manning would contradict this grand design. Shanahan and Bruce Allen have both received credit for moving the Redskins away from their reliance on aging veterans and constructing a younger roster.

To add Manning to the mix would be a not-so-subtle way of saying the team must win now. They will have abandoned the idea of developing a structure that means they can still be competitive in three or four years time.

But more than that, Manning's presence would inevitably stunt the development of the young crop of talent Shanahan and Allen have been praised for bringing in. With Manning calling the offense, promising runners Roy Helu and Evan Royster can expect less carries. Jim Haslett's defense, commonly regarded as the strength of the team, would have to modify its attacking mentality to adopt a cautious approach, more suited to complementing Manning.

Those in favour of a move would point to the obvious parallels between Manning and John Elway and how Shanahan was able to modify the game of a veteran gunslinger. But the critical difference is that Elway had never won a Super Bowl before Shanahan arrived.

Elway was desperate for success and more willing to adapt his game to a more run-oriented system. Manning has been to two Super Bowls, was victorious in one and has been used to winning seasons for the vast majority of his career.

He may not be so keen to adjust the dynamics of his game and take a backseat to the running of Helu and Royster, which is the Redskins' strength. If that is the case, then the team could find themselves in the middle of another battle of wills between Shanahan and an uncooperative veteran. After the dramas involving Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth, Redskins players and fans don't need more of the same.

Recently both Rex Grossman and Mike Shanahan argued that the Redskins are a better team than their record suggests. A prevailing notion is that the Redskins have the pieces in place but just need more playmaking ability at the quarterback position.

If we accept that the defense is as strong as advertised and the weapons are in place on offense, then the Redskins can risk having a rookie under center in 2012. Both Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan entered losing teams with similar frameworks, and both were able to achieve instant and sustained success.

If Mike Shanahan is truly committed to changing the culture in Washington and not simply seeking a quick fix to rescue his struggling tenure, then he simply cannot sign Peyton Manning. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1043610-washington-redskins-why-mike-shanahan-cant-sign-peyton-manning

Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants St. Louis Cardinals Washington Nationals

Highlights: Ohio State 64, Michigan 49

Jared Sullinger scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds in Ohio State's 64-49 win over Michigan.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46531/highlights-ohio-state-64-michigan-49

Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Dodgers Minnesota Twins New York Yankees

Dallas Cowboys: 4 Players to Stay Away from in the NFL Draft

Watching the New York Giants make it to Indianapolis has to sting the Dallas Cowboys and should further motivate the organization to draft an excellent class of rookies.

The Cowboys were just a Miles Austin catch away from being the NFC East representative in the playoffs instead of New York, but the 'Boys will need to retool this offseason if they want to play past 16 games next year.

While this list isn't necessarily made up of players I hate, it's more about what makes the most sense for the organization given the needs this team has.

Here are four players Dallas would be wise to steer clear of come NFL draft day.

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044490-dallas-cowboys-4-players-to-stay-away-from-in-the-nfl-draft

A.J. Burnett Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte Mariano Rivera Kerry Wood

Rockets G Lee uninjured in car accident (AP)

Houston Rockets guard Courtney Lee says he wasn't injured when his car was struck by another vehicle after Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks. Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Sunday that Lee contacted a team security guard to tell him he was OK. Lee tweeted about the incident, saying he was thanking God and "thanking Cadillac for air bags!!

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=121q6403p/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-lee-accident

Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Colorado Rockies Florida Marlins Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights: Ohio State 64, Michigan 49

Jared Sullinger scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds in Ohio State's 64-49 win over Michigan.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46531/highlights-ohio-state-64-michigan-49

Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez

UFC on FOX 2 Results: 5 Things Demian Maia Needs to Improve on

Last night, former UFC title challenger Demian Maia looked to be half the fighter he once was.

At UFC on FOX 2, Maia took on budding contender Chris Weidman, who on just 11 days notice, managed to eek out a decision over the tested veteran, who had an ample amount of time to prepare for such a momentous occasion. 

This Brazilian jiu-jitsu whiz first stormed through the Octagon with a 5-0 streak, all victories coming by way of submission. 

Now, Maia has gone 3-3 in his last six outings and has failed to finish a fight in nearly three years.

Maia needs to turn a corner here—and soon—otherwise, his career will be in jeopardy. 

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044027-ufc-on-fox-2-results-5-things-demian-maia-needs-to-improve-on

Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants St. Louis Cardinals Washington Nationals

Chicago Cubs: Breaking Down the Top 5 Prospects in the Cubs' Farm System

A new regime has brought new hope to the Chicago Cubs. 

Of course, optimism is sanity for Cubs' fans after 103 years of watching other teams celebrating a World Series title. But Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are taking drastic steps to get this franchise away from the "lovable losers" we have seen. 

The first order of business is shedding albatross contracts and older players, and infusing the farm system with the kind of high-upside talent that has been missing for years.

The system is in slightly better shape today than it was five years ago, but there is still a lot of work that has to be done in order to get this team back into contention, even in the weak National League Central. 

Here are the top 5 players in the Cubs' system who hope to be a part of the future turnaround. 

 

1. Javier Baez, 3B, 19

Baez, who was the ninth pick in the 2011 draft, is exactly the kind of player the Cubs should be going after every year. He is a potential star with his tools, particularly his ability to hit, and has the kind of upside that scouts drool over and fans can get excited about. 

Strengths: Baez has as much bat speed as anyone in the minors, and that was before he stepped on the field. He gets his hands through the zone so quickly that he could develop into a 25-30 home run player. He played shortstop in high school, but will likely end up at third as his body fills out. He has the instincts and arm strength to be at least average defensively. 

Weaknesses: He has a great swing, but he can be too aggressive at the plate. He will have to develop patience in the minors, or else he will end up like Josh Vitters, another Cubs farmhand who has a great swing but doesn't know how to take a walk. He has had some attitude issues in the past, which should go away as he matures mentally. 

Report: Baez is going to be a power hitting third baseman regularly hitting for a high average, getting on base, and his defense at the hot corner should be average. He doesn't have great athleticism, but the skills he has are more than enough to satisfy the critics. 

ETA: 2015

 

2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, 22

It should not have been a surprise when the Cubs acquired Rizzo from the San Diego Padres for Andrew Cashner. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer drafted him when they were in Boston back in 2007. He had clearly fallen out of favor with the Padres, and the Cubs were happy to find their first baseman of the future.

Strengths: Rizzo is a very good all-around first baseman. He is one of the better defensive players at a position that doesn't demand great defense, and could win his share of gold gloves. He should hit for 25-30 home runs in Wrigley Field. His patient approach and eye at the plate should help his average and on-base percentage in the majors. 

Weaknesses: Despite his good hitting tools, Rizzo has always had a platoon split, struggling against left-handed pitching. He likely won't be a .300 hitter due to his problems against lefties, but as long as he is adequate against them he should be fine. 

Report: Rizzo is one of the best first basemen in the minors, and doesn't have a lot of development left, so it will be interesting to see how the Cubs handle him in spring training. His ceiling is 25-30 homers on average, with a solid average and good on-base percentage. His defense is top-notch at first base. 

ETA: 2012

 

3. Brett Jackson, OF, 23

Jackson has some of the best tools in the system, which is why I have him ranked third overall. That said, I am not as high on him as some scouts, because he has had problems making consistent contact and strikeouts throughout his career. 

Strengths: He has solid physical skills across the board, with the potential to hit for power and play good defense in center field. He has good speed and arm strength for the position, but he could move to a corner if need be.

Weaknesses: Despite solid overall performance in the minors, Jackson's inability to make consistent contact has caused his numbers to drop as he has moved up. He strikes out too often, which will likely be what holds him back. 

Report: As long as Jackson's strikeout totals continue to go up, his stock will go down. He has great tools, but it is not hard to envision a scenario in which he winds up as a bench player or a AAAA player. 

ETA: Mid-2012

 

4. Dillon Maples, RHP, 19

Maples was another high-upside high school player the Cubs drafted in 2011. He fell to the 14th round and signed at the deadline last August for $2.5 million. He would have gone much earlier, but he was one of those players who was supposed to be "unsignable." 

Strengths: At just 19 years old, Maples already has two dominant pitches, a fastball and curveball. Most high schoolers just use a fastball with a show-me pitch to get by, so he is already ahead of the curve in that regard. 

Weaknesses: Maples has a delivery that could be problematic in the future. He short arms his pitches, which puts extra strain and torque on his shoulder. His upside depends on him being able to clean up his mechanics in the minors. 

Report: If you are just looking at raw stuff, it is easy to see why the Cubs gave Maples the signing bonus that they did. He has the potential to be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the future, but it all depends on how his arm holds up. Worst-case scenario he becomes a late-inning reliever. 

ETA: 2015

 

5. Matt Szczur, OF, 22

Szczur had an interesting journey to baseball. He was a two-sport athlete in college when the Cubs drafted him. He wanted to keep playing football, so he signed a contract that allowed him to keep doing both in 2010. Then, he signed a new deal last January to become a baseball-only player. 

Strengths: Szczur's best tool is his speed, which he uses to make the rest of his game look better than it is. He earns high marks for his character, and made headlines last year when he donated bone marrow to a 15-month-old child.  (I doubt he was doing it for the publicity, though.)

Weaknesses: He is not as polished as most college players would be, due to his commitment to football. He also doesn't have another average or better tool aside from his legs. He is a great athlete, but has to show marked improvement in all aspects of the game this season. 

Report: Szczur has been one of the most hyped prospects in the Cubs system, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of justification for it. He has upside, which is why he is on the list, but he is not going to be the impact player some expect him to be. 

ETA: 2014

Follow @adamwells1985

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044149-chicago-cubs-breaking-down-the-top-5-prospects-in-the-cubs-farm-system

Jorge Posada Lance Berkman Reegie Corona Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo

What we learned from the evening games

Editor's Note: For Myron's recap of Saturday's afternoon action, click here. More Saturday games. More drama. A weekend slate that wasn’t supposed to offer much ultimately produced an impressive collection of games. Saturday night only added to the excitement. Washington 69, Arizona 67 This game might have been a preview of the vibe we’ll see in the Pac-12 tournament. Not one team in this league can feel secure about its NCAA tournament hopes, but the conference's collective downfall does make for plenty of must-win drama.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/46478/what-we-learned-from-the-evening-games

Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Ron Artest Shannon Brown

Jazz spoil Fredette's return to Utah (AP)

The stage was all set Saturday night for Jimmer Fredette, in a state where "Jimmermania" had taken hold. Instead of draining what could have been a game-winning 3-pointer for Sacramento with 4.2 seconds left, the former Brigham Young star launched an air ball. The Utah Jazz hung on for a 96-93 win over the Kings to snap a two-game losing streak.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11knpuf2j/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012012826

Brad Davis Logan Morrison Mike Stanton Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox

McGee powers Wizards by Bobcats (AP)

The Washington Wizards may have found the recipe for winning this season: playing the Charlotte Bobcats. Well, that and a balanced offensive attack. The Wizards (4-16) defeated the Bobcats for the second time in four nights Saturday 102-99 as six players scored in double digits, including JaVale McGee, who led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11kbifq78/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012012830

Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers Milwaukee Brewers New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates

BYU Football Recruiting: National Signing Day Commitments, Targets & Needs

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/1/29/2756195/byu-football-recruiting-national-signing-day-commitments-targets-needs

Toronto Blue Jays Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Charlotte Bobcats Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers

Luc Richard on the Nuggets

On his blog, the Bucks' stopper Luc Richard Mbah a Moute -- who says his knee is getting better, slowly -- writes about some of the teams he has his eye on. He seems to have a special place in his heart for Denver, where he signed an offer sheet that Milwaukee later matched: I'm happy for my good friend Arron Afflalo who got one from Denver. We spent a lot of time together this summer working out in LA. We were both restricted free agents and we have the same agent, so when I got an offer sheet from Denver, I thought we might get to play together again.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/36155/luc-richard-on-the-nuggets

Logan Morrison Mike Stanton Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians

Celtics right wrongs down low in win over Pacers

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/1/28/2754998/celtics-right-wrongs-down-low-in-win-over-pacers

John Baker Brad Davis Logan Morrison Mike Stanton Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox

Iguodala's triple-double lifts 76ers (AP)

Andre Iguodala celebrated his 28th birthday with the eighth triple-double of his career. He also continued to show that he's worthy of his first All-Star berth in eight NBA seasons. Iguodala had 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the league's fourth triple-double this season and the Philadelphia 76ers won their second straight game with a 95-74 victory over the struggling Detroit...

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11kgnekf3/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012012820

Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings Arizona Diamondbacks

Iguodala's triple-double lifts 76ers (AP)

Andre Iguodala celebrated his 28th birthday with the eighth triple-double of his career. He also continued to show that he's worthy of his first All-Star berth in eight NBA seasons. Iguodala had 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the league's fourth triple-double this season and the Philadelphia 76ers won their second straight game with a 95-74 victory over the struggling Detroit...

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11kgnekf3/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012012820

Dirk Nowitzki Jerry Stackhouse J.R Smith Kenyon Martin Chauncey Billups Carmelo Anthony

Patriots vs. Giants: Brutally Honest Super Bowl 46 Preview

A Super Bowl XLVI preview 8 days ahead of the game? You better believe it. Yes, I’m getting this to you BEFORE media day because once we get rolling it’s going to get annoying: rematch, ’08 rematch, spygate, Bill Belichick versus his former employer, high octane passing game versus strong pass rush, Eli Manning winning [...]

Source: http://www.thesportsbank.net/nfl/patriots-vs-giants-brutally-honest-super-bowl-46-preview/

Rajon Rondo Glen Davis Nate Robinson Paul Fiercer Rasheed Wallace LeBron James

Heat dunk-and-run to win

The New York Knicks tried to win with 3-point shooting. The Miami Heat took a simpler route-- dunking. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for all 10 of the Heat's dunks in Friday’s win. Each had five for the game. The 10 dunks were the most that the two have combined for since becoming teammates and James’ total was his most as a member of the Heat. Heat Transition OffenseThis Season Miami's 10 dunks are the second most the team has had in the last two seasons.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/36219/heat-dunk-and-run-to-win

Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Dodgers Minnesota Twins New York Yankees

UFC on FOX 2 Results: What We Learned from Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson

It took Lavar Johnson 20 professional fights to make it into the UFC and he did not waste the opportunity, making short work of the durable Joey Beltran.

Beltran lost considerable weight in preparation for this fight, slimming down to 228 lbs.

Johnson weighed in much heavier at 252 lbs.

Fighting a losing battle on the feet, Beltran tried on multiple occasions to bring the fight to the ground, but was unable to bring the bigger man down.

Johnson was able to land almost at will throughout the whole fight and eventually put Beltran away near the end of the first round.

 

What we'll remember about this fight:

The finish.

Johnson cornered Beltran against the cage, landed a huge right hand, and followed it up with several monstrous uppercuts.

It was a highlight-reel worthy finish and a sure contender for Knockout of the Night.

 

What we learned about Lavar Johnson:

He has what it takes to compete in the big leagues.

This was Johnson's first UFC fight, and he seemed very relaxed and performed well.

It's far too soon to tell if he has what it takes to be a legitimate force in the UFC's heavyweight division, but as of now, he is looking like a solid low-level gatekeeper.

 

What we learned about Joey Beltran:

He needs to drop down to the light heavyweight division.

Beltran is at a crossroads in his career and needs to make a big change.

Based on tonight's performance, it seems unlikely that he has what it takes to remain competitive with the giants of the heavyweight division.

 

What's next for Lavar Johnson:

Johnson needs to take it slow and climb the ranks. The winner of Mike Russow and John-Olav Einemo would make sense.

 

What's next for Joey Beltran:

Beltran is 3-4 in the UFC, so there is  good chance we will not see him back again.

If he does come back, he should drop to 205 lbs. and take on a low level opponent. Cyrille Diabate and Kyle Kingsbury are possibilities.

Andrew Barr is a Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. For updates on what's happening in the world of MMA, follow him on Twitter @AndrewBarr8.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1043281-ufc-on-fox-2-results-what-we-learned-from-joey-beltran-vs-lavar-johnson

Jason Kidd Dirk Nowitzki Jerry Stackhouse J.R Smith Kenyon Martin Chauncey Billups