Well, the NCAA Tournament is through its opening weekend. The "2nd and 3rd Rounds" were completed. They really just need to stop calling them that, it just confuses everybody. Only eight teams play before the so-called second round. Just call them the Round of 64 and Round of 32 if you don't want to offend the first eight teams (not the "First Four" as there are eight teams, unlike the Final Four, which only has four teams).
All these errors aside, it was an exciting weekend of basketball. I still think Kentucky is the favorite, although I'm hoping that somehow, someway they can be beat. North Carolina would have been my front-runner until Kendall Marshall got injured Sunday against Creighton. So, my thought is that Ohio State and Michigan State probably have the best chance at it of the teams remaining. Florida has also played very impressively so far, but I'm not sure if they can keep it up. We'll see, stayed tuned this weekend as the Sweet Sixteen gets trimmed down to the Final Four.
Showing posts with label Ohio State Buckeyes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio State Buckeyes. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Giants were World Champs for a reason
The San Francisco Giants (80-70) beat the Colorado Rockies (70-79) 8-5 tonight to capture their fifth win in a row. Pablo Sandoval had the big night, hitting for the cycle. Sandoval has had a great, comeback season after having a subpar year last season. I realize the Giants are a longshot for this season, but I want to talk about last year.
Now, people have been ragging about the Giants lately. But what particularly has stood out is when people have said the Giants weren't the best team last year or "just got hot at the right time." But, it's really not worth a lot of words since the Giants won the World Series. As I have blogged about before, in baseball you have to have a darn good season to make the playoffs, if you make it you have been consistent all year and deserve to be there.
If the Giants weren't the best team, how come nobody beat them in the playoffs? If they just got hot at the right time, how come teams didn't keep them from the playoffs? For example, they split the season series with the Phillies, who were widely regarded as the "best" National League team. There is a quote from long-time Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes that I often like to use in these situations: "The best team always wins: everything else is excuses." The Giants have the rings and the trophy and that means they were the best team last year. Case closed.
Now, people have been ragging about the Giants lately. But what particularly has stood out is when people have said the Giants weren't the best team last year or "just got hot at the right time." But, it's really not worth a lot of words since the Giants won the World Series. As I have blogged about before, in baseball you have to have a darn good season to make the playoffs, if you make it you have been consistent all year and deserve to be there.
If the Giants weren't the best team, how come nobody beat them in the playoffs? If they just got hot at the right time, how come teams didn't keep them from the playoffs? For example, they split the season series with the Phillies, who were widely regarded as the "best" National League team. There is a quote from long-time Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes that I often like to use in these situations: "The best team always wins: everything else is excuses." The Giants have the rings and the trophy and that means they were the best team last year. Case closed.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
NFL shouldn't suspend Pryor
The NFL has allowed former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor to enter the NFL via its supplemental draft, but has decreed that Pryor will be suspended for the first five games of the season. Pryor was forced to leave Ohio State before this season due to NCAA rules violations. The NCAA had suspended Pryor for the first five games of the season before his departure. Pryor had somehow been allowed to participate in last season's Sugar Bowl despite having been found being worthy of suspension by the NCAA.
However, this blog post is about the NFL. Pryor is no longer in the NCAA. And as far as I can tell, he hasn't violated any NFL rules, particularly since he declared himself eligible. So, in my view, the NFL has no business suspending him. Look, the guy messed up. Big time. But the NFL's job isn't too enforce NCAA rules. Pryor isn't eligible for the NCAA, I get it. But the NFL doesn't have to and shouldn't concern itself with cleaning up the NCAA's business. I get the NFL doesn't want to set an example that is a great escape from the NCAA.
But ask yourself this: wouldn't Pryor be better off if he was still in college? He undoubtedly would be. He would be able to showcase his skills on the national stage; plus he would be able to repair his damaged public image. As it is, NFL teams are going to be wary of drafting Pryor in the supplemental draft, and would be even if he wasn't suspended. Just being in the supplemental draft is plenty enough of a red flag for teams; it's not as if he declared for the original 2011 NFL Draft under his own free will. The punishment should be from his actions and that punishment is already significant. The NFL doesn't need to add on to something that wasn't a violation of its rules.
However, this blog post is about the NFL. Pryor is no longer in the NCAA. And as far as I can tell, he hasn't violated any NFL rules, particularly since he declared himself eligible. So, in my view, the NFL has no business suspending him. Look, the guy messed up. Big time. But the NFL's job isn't too enforce NCAA rules. Pryor isn't eligible for the NCAA, I get it. But the NFL doesn't have to and shouldn't concern itself with cleaning up the NCAA's business. I get the NFL doesn't want to set an example that is a great escape from the NCAA.
But ask yourself this: wouldn't Pryor be better off if he was still in college? He undoubtedly would be. He would be able to showcase his skills on the national stage; plus he would be able to repair his damaged public image. As it is, NFL teams are going to be wary of drafting Pryor in the supplemental draft, and would be even if he wasn't suspended. Just being in the supplemental draft is plenty enough of a red flag for teams; it's not as if he declared for the original 2011 NFL Draft under his own free will. The punishment should be from his actions and that punishment is already significant. The NFL doesn't need to add on to something that wasn't a violation of its rules.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Opening weekend of Madness
What a weekend of madness it was. I enjoyed it and I guess I enjoyed it so much that I didn't have much time for blogging. Here are some quick hits from the weekend that was in college hoops:
- BYU looked very impressive Saturday and will be tough to beat if they keep shooting like that.
- Butler is at it again, pulling another improbable upset and looking like they could do some more damage. The finish to that game has to be one of the most bizarre I have ever seen; I feel really bad for Pittsburgh, but I'm still happy Butler won.
- Kansas State senior Jacob Pullen was unconscious in the Wildcats' loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, pouring in 38 points and shooting an outstanding percentage. It truly was difficult to see him get very emotional as the game wound down and again during the post-game press conference. I'm a big fan of Pullen's and love watching him play. Him showing so much emotion just says to me that he has a big heart and really does care. I liked that he said he didn't care that he got the K-State scoring record but just wishes they had won. He has nothing to hang his head about and had a great career.
- Ohio State looked very impressive in their blow out of George Mason yesterday. The Buckeyes look to me like the most complete team in the country and if they play like that, I don't think anybody will be able to beat them.
-VCU has looked dominant in their three wins so far and is going to be a tough out. I couldn't believe how easily they handled Purdue yesterday and how many points they were able to put up.
- San Diego State has its first two Tournament wins under its belt and is on to its first Sweet Sixteen. They topped Temple in double overtime on Saturday; I thought the Owls did a really good job of controlling the pace of the game and nearly pulled the upset. The Aztecs should be be playing in front of supportive crowds as their next two games would potentially be in Anaheim.
- Arizona's Derrick Williams is having a huge Tournament so far, getting a game-saving block in the first round against Memphis and following that with a three-point play in the closing seconds against Texas to give the Wildcats a one-point win. Williams is displaying on a national stage that he is one of the best players in the country -- an athletic big man with great low-post moves who is also a tremendous shot-blocker on the defensive end.
- BYU looked very impressive Saturday and will be tough to beat if they keep shooting like that.
- Butler is at it again, pulling another improbable upset and looking like they could do some more damage. The finish to that game has to be one of the most bizarre I have ever seen; I feel really bad for Pittsburgh, but I'm still happy Butler won.
- Kansas State senior Jacob Pullen was unconscious in the Wildcats' loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, pouring in 38 points and shooting an outstanding percentage. It truly was difficult to see him get very emotional as the game wound down and again during the post-game press conference. I'm a big fan of Pullen's and love watching him play. Him showing so much emotion just says to me that he has a big heart and really does care. I liked that he said he didn't care that he got the K-State scoring record but just wishes they had won. He has nothing to hang his head about and had a great career.
- Ohio State looked very impressive in their blow out of George Mason yesterday. The Buckeyes look to me like the most complete team in the country and if they play like that, I don't think anybody will be able to beat them.
-VCU has looked dominant in their three wins so far and is going to be a tough out. I couldn't believe how easily they handled Purdue yesterday and how many points they were able to put up.
- San Diego State has its first two Tournament wins under its belt and is on to its first Sweet Sixteen. They topped Temple in double overtime on Saturday; I thought the Owls did a really good job of controlling the pace of the game and nearly pulled the upset. The Aztecs should be be playing in front of supportive crowds as their next two games would potentially be in Anaheim.
- Arizona's Derrick Williams is having a huge Tournament so far, getting a game-saving block in the first round against Memphis and following that with a three-point play in the closing seconds against Texas to give the Wildcats a one-point win. Williams is displaying on a national stage that he is one of the best players in the country -- an athletic big man with great low-post moves who is also a tremendous shot-blocker on the defensive end.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Arkansas punts away Sugar Bowl
#6 Ohio State (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) defeated #8 Arkansas (10-3, 6-2 SEC) tonight in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans by a score of 31-26. The Buckeyes led 28-7 late in the first half, but the Razorbacks were able to chip away at the deficit and make a game of it. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a solid game for Ohio State and was effective in passing and running the ball. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett also played well despite his costly interception at the end of the game.
It's hard to blame Mallett too much for the loss as he was victimized by several key drops by his receivers of very catchable passes that often hit them right in between the numbers. It was frustrating to watch. The biggest mistake, though, came when Arkansas blocked an Ohio State punt with about a minute to go in the game. Rather than scooping up the ball and scoring, the Razorbacks fell on the ball around the 15 yard line. There was nothing but open space between the players and the end zone. The argument that they should have been sure to recover the ball does not have merit as even if Ohio State had somehow managed to recover it, it still would have been Arkansas ball in great field position.
That being said, the Hogs still had a great chance to score. The interception came after another dropped pass by one of Mallett's receivers. And since we're on the topic of mistakes, let's not forget that Arkansas whiffed on recovering a fumble deep in their own territory that they absolutely should have had, but allowed it to bounce into the end zone and be recovered for a Buckeyes touchdown. One of the things that really grills me the most is all the dropped passes by Arkansas receivers. It's not like those were balls that were difficult to catch. The balls were right there. This is the big leagues, big time college football and a BCS Bowl game. Those plays have to be made. Then again, maybe this shows that the SEC isn't as invincible, perfect and impenetrable as though commentators on CBS always make it sound. Mallett looks like he is ready for the NFL to me and maybe he'd like throwing to guys who can actually catch the ball for a change.
It was ridiculous that Pryor and the other Ohio State players who were found to be in violation of NCAA rules were allowed to play in this game. To recap, the players were found to have received tattoos in exchange for autographs which constitutes a violation of rules. The NCAA ruled that they will be suspended for the first five games of next season. However, the players were allowed to play in tonight's game. This is utterly absurd. Breaking the rules is breaking the rules and the punishments should be put in place immediately. The NCAA diminished its own credibility by allowing this to happen. There is no way that Ohio State would have won this game without the suspended players, who among other things contributed the winning interception.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel should have suspended the players even if the NCAA didn't. The subject will now undoubtedly be used in negative recruiting by rival schools and the perception nationally is that the rules are secondary to winning at Ohio State. Of course that's been my perception of a lot of big-time college athletics for some time now, but it is still painful to see such flagrant disregard for upholding integrity and doing the right thing when the correct choice is so simple. I liked that Tressel made his players commit to returning next year before allowing them to play in the bowl game, but that just wasn't enough. I think he wanted to send a message but his top priority was still to win the Sugar Bowl, which he knew he couldn't do without the suspended players. And now that the game is over, what's to stop the players from "changing their minds" and deciding that they are now going to declare for the NFL Draft?
It's hard to blame Mallett too much for the loss as he was victimized by several key drops by his receivers of very catchable passes that often hit them right in between the numbers. It was frustrating to watch. The biggest mistake, though, came when Arkansas blocked an Ohio State punt with about a minute to go in the game. Rather than scooping up the ball and scoring, the Razorbacks fell on the ball around the 15 yard line. There was nothing but open space between the players and the end zone. The argument that they should have been sure to recover the ball does not have merit as even if Ohio State had somehow managed to recover it, it still would have been Arkansas ball in great field position.
That being said, the Hogs still had a great chance to score. The interception came after another dropped pass by one of Mallett's receivers. And since we're on the topic of mistakes, let's not forget that Arkansas whiffed on recovering a fumble deep in their own territory that they absolutely should have had, but allowed it to bounce into the end zone and be recovered for a Buckeyes touchdown. One of the things that really grills me the most is all the dropped passes by Arkansas receivers. It's not like those were balls that were difficult to catch. The balls were right there. This is the big leagues, big time college football and a BCS Bowl game. Those plays have to be made. Then again, maybe this shows that the SEC isn't as invincible, perfect and impenetrable as though commentators on CBS always make it sound. Mallett looks like he is ready for the NFL to me and maybe he'd like throwing to guys who can actually catch the ball for a change.
It was ridiculous that Pryor and the other Ohio State players who were found to be in violation of NCAA rules were allowed to play in this game. To recap, the players were found to have received tattoos in exchange for autographs which constitutes a violation of rules. The NCAA ruled that they will be suspended for the first five games of next season. However, the players were allowed to play in tonight's game. This is utterly absurd. Breaking the rules is breaking the rules and the punishments should be put in place immediately. The NCAA diminished its own credibility by allowing this to happen. There is no way that Ohio State would have won this game without the suspended players, who among other things contributed the winning interception.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel should have suspended the players even if the NCAA didn't. The subject will now undoubtedly be used in negative recruiting by rival schools and the perception nationally is that the rules are secondary to winning at Ohio State. Of course that's been my perception of a lot of big-time college athletics for some time now, but it is still painful to see such flagrant disregard for upholding integrity and doing the right thing when the correct choice is so simple. I liked that Tressel made his players commit to returning next year before allowing them to play in the bowl game, but that just wasn't enough. I think he wanted to send a message but his top priority was still to win the Sugar Bowl, which he knew he couldn't do without the suspended players. And now that the game is over, what's to stop the players from "changing their minds" and deciding that they are now going to declare for the NFL Draft?
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