A Wonderful Night of Basketball/Friday's Picks

Well I was going to give you picks for tonight and tomorrow's games but didn't make it in time. I came down with some strange cold leading to me completely forgetting about doing it right before class. Anyways, I would have been wrong on two of this evening's game both out west so lets go there.  

West
Butler stuns Syracuse- A game that I believed wouldn't have been close because I felt even without Arinze Onuaku, the inside game of Syracuse would propel them. But they lost their heads, just a complete lack of focus. Here's looking at you Andy Rautins, Scoop Jardine (biggest offender), and Brandon Triche. The Big East continues their poor performance and the worst lost of them all (I will get to this in the next blog post). Hopefully, West Virigina can save face and lead to them to the Final Four.   

Kansas State survives Xavier- Is their tougher team that Kansas State?  I thought it would be a down to the wire game and a bad coaching mistake would cost one team. No coach screwed it up and honestly, the Wildcats had a little bit left in the tank for that overtime especially Jacob Pullen. I think Pullen could have played five overtimes with that three he hit in the second OT, I mean that thing was pure and looked like a first half shot.   Big ups to Jordan Crawford, a guy I rode off because I saw him shoot 2/18 against Marquette in November and saw him as a selfish player.  Totally wrong, didn't play well for most of the game yet stepped it up when it mattered the most.  He hit big shot after big shot in regulation, overtime, and then you could tell ran out of gas in second overtime. He is a hell of a player and will be an NBA player.

Midwest
9. Northern Iowa vs. 5. Michigan State- The game I would argue everyone is talking about right now... the Panthers who are riding high with the cover of Sports Illustrated and all the media attention they could possibly ask for.  The Spartans are figuring out how they deal without Kalin Lucas, but that game-winner could give Korie Lucious the confidence he needed to be a great player for the Spartans the rest of the way. The Panthers outsize the Spartans and that works to their advantage in terms of rebounding.  I know people are high as Cheech on UNI but I cannot bet against Tom Izzo in these types of situations.  MSU 65-62

6. Tennessee vs. 2. Ohio State- Two coaches that are familiar with being in the Sweet 16 and the Vols have been giant killers this year knocking off Kansas/Kentucky without four of their players including their best player, Tyler Smith.  Guys like J.P. Prince and Wayne Chism have been able to shoulder the load of the team and I personally feel the Vols believe they are can beat anybody.  On the other hand, Ohio State keeps motoring along with one of the best starting fives in the NCAA and Evan Turner will need one of the supporting guys (Buford/Diebler/Lighty) to win this game. I can't see Turner doing it alone, this comes down to what team stays out of foul trouble, both have depth issues big time. I will take Fightin' Titus in a classic. OSU 73-71 

South
1.Duke vs. 5. Purdue- Interesting matchup of a two styles that are quite similar and the "Ewing Theorists" have begun with saying the Boilermakers are fine without Robbie Hummel.  I think people are forgetting the eggs that Purdue has laid without Hummel this season and usually it's against teams who have more than one threat.  The arsenal that the Blue Devils will shell out is pretty deep and I have no idea with their lack of depth how Purdue keeps up with the all the sudden double-double man Brian Zoubek inside.  DUKE 73-60

3. Baylor vs. 10. St. Mary's- A couple of basic unknowns in this deep in the NCAA Tournament and to be honest, I think this game will come down to whoever has the last shot.  The Gaels have a strong outside shooting force that can keep them in any game plus Omar Samhan has been the star of the tournament.   Baylor can out run pretty much anyone in the tournament right now, but have they really been challenged yet? I like the athletic style of Baylor too much to think that the Gaels will have enough firepower to keep up with them the entire game.  BAY 79-71 

-Charlie.

Sunday Observations: Love Lucious, Hate for Kramer, and a Perfect Final Four

Welcome back to the observations, I could not do it yesterday because I went on a complete Badger tangent that people decided was worthwhile enough to comment on.  Thanks for the criticism, I love it and use it, but comment on other things that are less controversal!  Call me out on my BS again if you would like, I would try to defend it!

I watched the finish of the Maryland-Michigan State game with B-Squared and honestly, we both were pulling hard for the Maryland Terps.  First, I wanted to help save my bracket and second,  to not give Eric the joy of seeing Tom Izzo in another Sweet 16.  Grevis Vasquez, I realize most of you hate him but seriously, you have to give the guy credit for leading this amazing comeback in the last two minutes.  Then Korie Lucious, pride and joy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin took the final shot and I wanted him so bad to make the final shot. It's pretty cool seeing a guy who played the same year that you graduate and knew all about his ballyhooed career starting in his freshman year of high school. I thought it was a great moment and hope that Lucious can lead his team far without Kalin Lucus. 

I know Badger fans that we disagree on many things, but can we agree that Chris Kramer of Purdue is the biggest tool this side of the Mississippi?  There are so many reasons why I hate this guy... first of all, he doesn't look like a basketball player rather a country-club kid who found a basketball court. Second of all, the way he carries himself bothers me probably the most, which I agree is somewhat weird since I usually love the cocky pricks on the court yet he seems to be worst than most.  Third, he gels his hair, there should be a rule that no player non-foreign should ever gel their hair on the basketball court, it's not needed.  Finally, the reason for the rant is he nailed the game-winner against Texas A&M knocking out another Sweet 16 team.

Finally I am close to last in both of my brackets BUT I have the entire Final Four correct so far and all of them looked damn good on Sunday. Syracuse (my champion) is showing why their 2-3 zone may break the balls of every team they play and if they rain threes like Sunday... rut roh.  Ohio State just doing work in two games, nothing more nothing less.  West Virginia is excelling from the play of Da'Sean Bulter who had 30 on Sunday keep winning too.  The last team is the team no one is talking about... Duke. Brian Zoubek is a beast inside now and the Big 3 is hard to contain.

-Charlie.

Midwest Bracket Picks...

So here we go, I will give the picks for the first weekend for the Midwest, West, East, and South.  At the end of the South picks, I will give you my final four without really any explanation.  So here we gooooo....

Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)
1. Kansas vs. 16. Lehigh- This deserves a big Child Please.   This game will not even be close.  KU 91-57

8. UNLV vs. 9. Northern Iowa- Usually the 8-9 games tend to be the best we will see on the weekend and this one will be a battle of contrasting styles.  I saw UNI play last year versus Marquette and the Golden Eagles exposed their slow down style of basketball pretty easily.  Tre'Von Mills will be the difference in this one for the Runnin' Rebels.   UNLV 72-64 

1. Kansas vs. 8. UNLV- The Runnin' Rebs have been known to pull off the upset in the second round (Badgers fans all drive their heads through the wall) but there is little chance that they give the Jayhawks a run for their money, Sheron Collins and Cole Aldrich too tough.  KU 78-63

Spokane (Friday/Sunday)

5. Michigan State vs. 12 New Mexico St.- The Spartans haven't been playing well as of late but I think they overseeded an Aggie team who really only beat Utah State in the final game, feels like Murray State belonged here instead, Sparty should roll.  MSU 84-65

4. Maryland vs. 13. Houston- I think this game is very interesting and no one seems to be talking about it. The Cougars have an experienced coach and the nation's leading scorer Aubrey Coleman. I think they give the Terps a run for thier money but Greivis Vasquez and company is too much to handle. MARY 78-71

4. Maryland vs. 5. Michigan State- Tough game to pick, two very good teams, and experienced coaching staffs. It's hard to pick against Sparty in the postseason but their late season swoon worries me. Maryland has won the last 9 of 11 and Vasquez can take over a game at any moment.  MARY 69-66

Providence (Thursday/Saturday)
6. Tennessee vs. 11. San Diego State- A tough game with many people liking the Aztecs in an upset. The Vols always seem to be a threat to make run with Bruce Pearl at the helm, but their depth worries me.  Aztecs did win the Mountain West Conference Tournament and have had a great last two months. I think their size will wear down the Vols.  SDSU 69-62

3. Georgetown vs. 14. Ohio- The Bobcats got in after being a hot run in the MAC and the Hoyas seeding improvement from a hot run as well. I don't trust the Hoyas that much, some days they look like world beaters and other days they look like a bottom-feeder. Still doesn't mean they won't win. GTOWN 73-61

3. Georgetown vs. 11. San Diego State- The Hoya Paranoia will be back in the Sweet 16, the Aztecs I don't think have enough to keep up with the speed and size of Georgetown.  GTOWN 71-62 

Milwaukee
7. Oklahoma State vs. 10. Georgia Tech- This game has the opportunity to be interesting but I feel it will be somewhat of a dud. The reason? The Yellow Jacket guard play is woeful and they turn the ball over more than a lower level City Conference team.  Also the Cowboys have a great guard in James Anderson. OSU 75-62

2. Ohio State vs. 15. UC Santa Barbara- The Villian first game in the tournament, it shouldn't be too difficult. Ted is going to try to shake Titus' hand... we can only hope that happens. 

2. Ohio State vs. 7. Oklahoma State- I am taking the Buckeyes to the Final Four but this game worries me so much. Anderson could carry the Cowboys deep in the tournament but I think the starting five of the Buckeyes will power them through it.  OSU 72-68 

on to the West...

Pryor Peers Into the Future

I know that many people including myself wants to see playoff in college football but sometimes bowl games can be a look into what the next season has to offer. That happened on New Years Day when Terrelle Pryor looked like the superstar player we had all thought he was going to be.

I was in the camp like others I know that Pryor shouldn't have went to Ohio State and he should have went to Michigan, Oregon, or Penn State where he could run the full spread becoming a great quarterback that we all believed coming out of college he could be.  In addition, we also believed that Jim Tressel really screwed others around him by reworking his whole offense to make sure that Pryor could dominate.

Now middle of the season after the Buckeyes laid an absolute egg against Purdue, it seemed like everyone's point was being made about Pryor and Tressel.  I think I remember a couple guys on ESPN who were suggesting that Pryor next year needed to move to wide receiver and he would never be a NFL quarterback.

People including myself forgot that Pryor is only a sophomore... a sophomore.  In no way is this guy a junior or senior who is finishing on a sour note.  He is peaking at the right time and with all the guys coming back for Ohio State, you have to wonder if they will be a top 3 team next year with people buzzing about Pryor's upcoming season.  Many people who felt negative about Pryor have done a complete 180 because he met the Vince Young comparison that everyone made when Pryor first came out of high school. 

The big final test I have for Pryor if he meets the Young comparison, can he finish a game?  Last year against Texas, it was more their defense that couldn't stop Colt McCoy and the same thing with USC this year.  Pryor hasn't had that signature drive that has defined him as a quarterback and I think you cannot call him clutch yet, but he sure as hell lived up to the big moment in the Rose Bowl.

-Charlie.

Your College Football Preview

I wish I could give you a full rundown of each conference but thanks to my drinking habits I have not had time for it. This will have three key players, big games, and where they will end up. Also I will just the AP Top 25 just like last year until the BCS comes out. I will say this if I do not make my picks in time that the Fighting Mitch Pratts (Oregon Ducks) will beat Bosie State on the Smurf Turf Thursday Night. HERE WE GO!!!

1. Florida Gators: KEY PLAYERS: QB Tim Tebow (AKA God), ILB Brandon Spikes, S Major Wright KEY GAMES: vs. Tennessee (9/19), at #11 LSU (10/10), vs. Georgia (10/31), vs. #18 Florida State (11/28). OUTLOOK: Say hello to another National Championship for the Gators who face a pretty favorable SEC schedule avoiding Alabma and Ole Miss. They must get by Death Valley in Week Five. 12-0 Nat'l Champs.


2. Texas Longhorns: KEY PLAYERS: QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, WLB Roddrick Muckelroy. KEY GAMES: vs. Texas Tech (9/19), vs. 3. Oklahoma (10/17), at 9. Oklahoma State (10/31), at Texas A&M (11/26). OUTLOOK: I have a BCS bid for the Longhorns but I really do believe that OU will get it done in the Red River Shootout if not, a big game at Stillwater looms as well.


3. Oklahoma Sooners: KEY PLAYERS: QB Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Greshman (hurt), RB DeMarco Murray. KEY GAMES: vs. #20 BYU (9/5), vs. 2. Texas (10/17), at 24. Nebraska (11/07), vs. #9. Oklahoma St. (11/28) OUTLOOK: I also have a BCS bid for the Sooners, it might be one of those years where a one loss team gets in. I have a tough time seeing Boomer Sooner going untouch in the Big 12.

4. USC Trojans: KEY PLAYERS: S Taylor Mays, RB Joe McKnight, WR Daimen Williams. KEY GAMES: at Ohio State (9/12), at #12 California (10/3), at #23 Notre Dame (10/17), at #16 Oregon (10/31) OUTLOOK: I trust that Pete Carroll knows what he is doing with quarterbacks but for the Trojans having four tough road games in a row... eh. I dont know if they can escaped that. They will lose one if not two this year .


5. Alabama Crimson Tide: KEY PLAYERS: DT Terrence Cody, WR Julio Jones, RB Mark Ingram. KEY GAMES: vs. #7 Virgina Tech (9/5), at #8 Mississippi (10/10), vs. #11 LSU (11/07) OUTLOOK: The Tide have a pretty favorable schedule and they could find themselves in a rematch with Florida in the SEC Championship game. Also Cody is a no doubt about it the best run stopper in the NCAA.


6. Ohio State Buckeyes: KEY PLAYERS: QB Terrelle Pryor, DE Thaddeus Gibson, CB Kurt Coleman KEY GAMES: vs. #4 USC (9/12), at #9 Penn State (11/07), vs. #22 Iowa (11/14), at Michigan (11/21). OUTLOOK: I honestly was ready to put the Buckeyes in the Nat'l Championship game but honestly their defense will need some time to get it together. Also the Nittany Lions/Hawkeyes back-to-back is tough.


7. Virginia Tech Hokies: KEY PLAYERS: QB Tyrod Tyler, RB Darren Evans, CB Stephan Virgil. KEY GAMES: vs. #5 Alabama (9/5), vs. #24 Nebraska (9/19), at 15. Georgia Tech (10/17), vs. #21 North Carolina (10/29). OUTLOOK: Easily the toughest non-conference schedule in the Top 25 and if they could power through that they could be in the top five. The ACC is one of the lesser divisions in the BCS too.


8. Mississippi Rebels: KEY PLAYERS: QB Jevan Snead, RB Dexter McCluster, DL Ted Laurent KEY GAMES: vs. #5 Alabama (10/10), vs. #11 LSU. OUTLOOK: They have a couple other road blocks that aren't top twenty-five but who knows they could get past these two teams both in Oxford setting a rematch with the Gators.


9. Penn State Nittany Lions: KEY PLAYERS: QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, LB Sean Lee. KEY GAMES: vs. #22 Iowa (9/26), vs. #6 Ohio State (11/07) OUTLOOK: I like the Nittany Lions schedule, they have a couple games that could result in an upset like last year but if they keep their head straight, they should head back to the BCS.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys: KEY PLAYERS: QB Zac Robinson, WR Dez Bryant, RB Kendall Hunter KEY GAMES: vs. Georgia (9/5), vs. #2 Texas (10/31), at #3 Oklahoma (11/28) OUTLOOK: This year's Texas Tech? I think so, I will be watching intently to see how they do against Georgia tomorrow which will be the tell-tale sign of if the Cowboys are for real.

11. LSU Tigers: KEY PLAYERS: RB Charles Scott, WR Brandon LaFell, S Chad Jones: KEY GAMES: at #13 Georgia (10/03), vs. #1 Florida (10/10), at #5 Alabama (11/07), at #8 Mississippi (11/21) OUTLOOK: Pretty challenging schedule for the Tigers who really don't have a quarterback and I wouldn't be surprised if they are barely in the Top 25 by the end of the year.

12. California Golden Bears: KEY PLAYERS: RB Jahvid Best, DE Tyson Alualu, DE Cameron Jordan KEY GAMES: at #16 Oregon (9/26) vs. #4. USC (10/03) OUTLOOK: They could have a successful year with Best being the top running back in the nation and they have great D-Line as well. I see second in the Pac-10.

13. Georgia Bulldogs: KEY PLAYERS: WR A.J. Green, S Reshard Jones, LB Rennie Curren KEY GAMES: at #9 Oklahoma State (9/5) vs. #11 LSU (10/03) vs. #1 Florida (10/31) at #15 Georgia Tech (11/28) OUTLOOK: Who knows what in store for this team, Joe Cox has done some nice things when Stafford went down in years past and they have a some solid defense. Should be an interesting year.

14. Boise State Broncos: I wont give them the full run down because I think we saw last night that they are a very good team that should run the table in the WAC with a possible BCS birth at the end of the year. You never know which Bronco team you are going to get with Head Coach Chris Peterson's trickery.

15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: KEY PLAYERS: RB Jonathan Dwyer, QB Josh Nesbit, S Morgan Burnett KEY GAMES: at #18 Florida State (10/10) vs. #7 Virgina Tech (10/17) vs #13 Georgia (11/28) OUTLOOK: Despite their old school offense, they could have a huge year but I am concerned about the back-to-back against FSU/VT though.

16. Oregon Ducks: Once again, no need to give them the full treatment because I think they might not be the team we expected. Also with their returning 1000 yd. rusher LaGarrete Blout may get kick off the team, not good news at all for the Fightin' Mitch Pratts.

17. TCU Horned Frogs: KEY PLAYERS: QB Andy Dalton, DE Jerry Hughes, WR Jimmy Young KEY GAMES:at #20 BYU (10/24) vs. #19 Utah (11/14) OUTLOOK: They have a couple tough games and a pretty young team, I doubt that TCU has the same success as last year.

18. Florida State Seminoles: KEY PLAYERS: QB Christian Ponder, LB Dekoda Watson, CB Patrick Robinson KEY GAMES: vs. Miami (9/7) at #20 BYU (9/19) vs #15 Georgia Tech (10/10) at #21 North Carolina (10/22) at #1 Florida (11/28) OUTLOOK: The Noles have a tough schedule with a lot of road games but if they could blow out the Cougars in two weeks that would be a big sign.

19. Utah Utes: Once again, they played on Thursday and now have a fifteen game winning streak. That will likely come to the end when dealing with Ducks, Colorado, TCU, and BYU all on the road this year doesnt look good for the Utes.

20. Brigham Young Cougars: KEY PLAYERS: QB Max Hall, TE Dennis Pitta, DE Jan Jorgenson KEY GAMES: at #3 Oklahoma (09/05), vs. #18 Florida State (09/19), vs.#17 TCU (10/24), vs. #19 Utah (11/28) OUTLOOK: Hall is a beast but the true question is can they win one of their two non-conference games? If that happens, the Cougars may be the real deal.

21. North Carolina Tar Heels: KEY PLAYERS: QB T.J. Yates, CB Kendric Burney, RB Shaun Draughan KEY GAMES: at #15 Georgia Tech (9/26) vs. #18 Florida State (10/22) at #7 Viriginia Tech (10/29) OUTLOOK: Butch Davis knows how to flat out win and Yates is the real deal. The Tar Heels could possibly win the ACC this year.

22. Iowa Hawkeyes: KEY PLAYERS: QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Derell Johnson-Koulianos, LB Pat Angerer KEY GAMES: at #9 Penn State (9/26), at #6 Ohio State (11/14) OUTLOOK: I would love to say for my buddy JS that they will be in the BCS but I just cant see them winning in Happy Valley and the Horseshoe. They will finish third in the Big Ten though.

23. Notre Dame Fightin' Irish: KEY PLAYERS: QB Jimmy Clausen, WR Golden Tate, RB Armando Allen KEY GAMES: vs. #4 USC (10/17) vs. Boston College (10/24) OUTLOOK: Probably the easiest schedule the Golden Domers have had in years and if they dont get to a New Years Day bowl then its bye bye to Charlie Weis.

24. Nebraska Cornhuskers: KEY PLAYERS: RB Roy Helu Jr. TE Mark McNeill, DT Ndamukong Sun KEY GAMES: at #7 Viriginia Tech (9/19), vs. #3 Oklahoma, at #25 Kansas (11/14) OUTLOOK: I think we will find out where the Cornhuskers stand after the Virigina Tech game and the Sooner game should be a big-time showdown.

25. Kansas Jayhawks: KEY PLAYERS: QB Todd Reesing, WR Dezmon Briscoe, S Darrell Stuckey KEY GAMES: vs #3. Oklahoma (10/24) vs. 24 Nebraska (11/14), at #2 Texas (11/21) OUTLOOK: I was amazed to see Reesing still playing and Briscoe is a hell of player too. Although they have too many tough games to be a contender in the Big 12 North.

Other teams to watch: Oregon State, Michigan State, Illinois, Texas Tech, and West Virigina

If I got something wrong here well its been a long week and now you get picks.

-Charlie.

You Want Some.... Come Get Some

I basically see the USC football team saying that to whoever decides that they want to miss with the Trojans after their throttling of the Ohio State University who once again made the Big 10 look like shit on the national stage.

The reason for the USC superpower? Their monster defense with players that seem like they have been around for seven years already. Their linebacking crew is the strongest in the nation by far with Brian Cushing, Kaluka Maiavia, Rey Maualuga whose is the leader of the group and will be a high NFL draft pick. Clay Matthews and Everson Griffen at Defensive ends also make a ton of noise in the backfield.

The offense which you would figure doesnt need to score that much but it does. Led by junior Matt Sanchez who will probably gain some Heisman votes if he keeps the pace that he is on. Also they have a 6-headed running attack with guys who all could be starters at all D-1 Schools. It is nicknamed the Stable led by C.J. Gable, Joe McKnight (Reggie Bush Jr.). In addition, they have playmaking wideouts Patrick Turner standing tall at 6'5 and Damien Williams an import from Arkansas (thanks Mitch Mustian).

This team as you can see is loaded with NFL-ready talent and these guys have all the makings of being like the really good USC teams a couple years ago and I really do not see one game on the road that would be challenging for the Trojans. They should roll in the Pac-10.

-Charlie.