Thursday, January 29, 2009

UNC threads the needle, wins on last-second heroics by Lawson

What a scramble the Tarheels experienced in hostile territory last night against Florida State. Saving the game at first was Danny Green, who made a great move to come up with a steal and convert on a 3-point play. This forced a 77-77 tie with around a minute or less to play in the second half. With the Seminoles leading most of the game, it was an uphill battle for UNC. Ty Lawson, with full momentum dribbled the ball upcourt with a couple seconds to spare and drilled a buzzer-beater to end the game, 80-77! The odd part was he was supposed to call a TO yet didn't didn't take the option with the time restraint.

The comeback was big for the Tarheels, who actually shot a mere 38% from the field compared to Florida State's 47%. The dispersement in rebounds favored UNC though as they grabbed pulled down 10 more than the Seminoles (39-29). Tyler Hansbrough didn't have one of his best games, being held to 8 points. This is why having his teammates made valuable contributes paid off in the end. Danny Green busted out with 20 points (4-of-7 3P), 7 rebounds, and 6 steals. I'd have to get the nod to Ty Lawson for player of the game. His 21 points on near flawless shooting and ability to find teammates was a major boost to vamp the Heels' comeback.

The slick, quick point guard didn't appear to feel the pressure as he sunk a running 3-pointer just before the game clock expired. He compiled only 4 assists yet sprung up so much energy for North Carolina in the second half. Combating the efforts from FSU's Toney Douglas who scored 32 points, Lawson made the difference. This contest gave the no. 5 team a scare. UNC will have to learn to cut down on turnovers as they prepare to face the rest of the ACC contenders remaining on their schedule. I know those 21 turnovers last night were a rare occurrence. The Tarheels will have to bring their game face as usual leading up to the tournament and be on the ball!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Clemson shell shocks Georgia Tech with 73-59

In another scrappy ACC encounter the Clemson Tigers continues to prove why they're one of the top contenders in the conference. Without much flash from the scoring department the squad clamped down on defense, pressuring their opponent to take risky, low percentage shots from the outside. From the field Georgia Tech actually shot better at 40% compared to Clemson's 37.5%. The high scorer for the Tigers, Terrence Oglesby finished the game with 18 points. He nailed 5 three-pointers yet experienced an off-game due to a dreadful cold. The stifling defense was enough to give Clemson the edge.

Going through a rough spell now the Yellow Jackets have fell to 9-10 without much support at times from their bench. They were no match for Clemson's high-octane outside shooting and relentless measures in the back court. Trevor Booker is a big part of their success around the post. He grabbed 11 rebounds in Sunday's win. So far things are looking good for the Tigers as they own a 17-2 record. No team looks forward to facing them on their home turf and will pose a major challenge in the ACC tournament. If the Tigers can get K.C. Rivers and Raymond Sykes more involved they'll boost their overall performances I think. In the coming weeks this sparkling team will meet up with Duke, VT, and Florida State.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Lebron vs. Kobe duel

I have to admit it was an impressive display by both Kobe Byrant and Lebron James the other night in L.A. With an injured-laden squad the Cavs were making the most out of a bad situation. Without two key pieces to their lineup, Cleveland hung with the Lakers for most of the game. Unfortunately, the 105-88 outcome went in the Lakers' favor. The contest got away in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter as Byrant nailed a couple high-degree difficulty shots which couldn't be defended as better. Lebron James had his own as usual putting together a 24 point performance. He also collected 9 rebounds with 4 assists.

Having the upper hand in this particular matchup, Kobe showed why he's one of the top players in the NBA and just how potent the Lakers are at home. He delivered 20 points and 12 assists in the victory. With the win they escalated their record to 32-8. Only losing 3 games at home L.A. is the team to beat in the West. Paul Gasol and Lamar Odom are co-existing well and give the team so much depth and versatility. Plus they have a few good jump-shooters who can get hot and take pressure off Kobe at times. I'd like to see the Cavs and Lakers have a few epic battles later in the year. Lebron must be saving up one of the best performances for such an occasion.

By the numbers Kobe and Lebron are near identical as far as scoring is concerned: both averaging about 27 ppg. They have a keen sense too for knowing where teammates are on the court and getting them involved. Seeing those clutch shots by Kobe kind of gives him a slight edge in hitting those shots during crunch time. Yet that's where experience goes into play. Trust me King James will be right there as well as he gets more games under his belt. Fans can't expect him to waver in closing moments during big games. Plus taking into consideration the hard shots and bruises he takes makes him a strong player with great will power. Another duel in store may unveil Lebron and Kobe shooting lights out in a overtime thriller!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Overtime thriller shows Terps overtaked 76-73 in Florida

What a tough break for the Maryland Terrapins Sunday in Tallahassee. Springing up and down the court it was hard-nosed battle. Florida State pulled out the overtime win, however outplaying Maryland in the waning minutes. The 76-73 final pushed up the confidence level for the Seminoles as they progressed to a 15-3 record overall. Most of their scoring came from guard Toney Douglas who drilled home 25 points along with 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Only one other player for Florida State hit double figures in scoring.

Junior Landon Milbourne was the leading scorer for the Terps with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. With low field goal shooting percentages on both sides this was a duel mainly determined by defense. Maryland out rebounded their opponent on the road 38-35 yet in OT failed to stop Douglas who had 7 points in the extended frame. Usually Maryland is good at shutting off the inside. Since this game was in Florida the Terps found themselves at a disadvantage of course. They drop to 12-5 overall and 1-2 in the ACC. Their next games will come against UVA, Duke, and Boston College. At the rate they're going it's a good possibility they'll hang near the top of the conference and bid for a tournament call this year.

Friday, January 16, 2009

UNC tramples over UVA in 83-61 victory

The Tarheels geared up for another ACC match-up last night after starting off 0-2 in the conference. With another strong effort from Tyler Hansbrough the Heels didn't have any trouble in Charlottesville. His teammates went the extra mile as well enlisting their contributions on both sides of the court. Running the show, Ty Lawson notched 19 points and had 9 assists. With UNC leading by as many as 27 points in the game there still to be no answer to cut off their inside/outside arsenal. UVA tried with earnest efforts to stop the streaky shooting, but to no avail. Hansbrough lead the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

With the absence to point guard Sean Singletary UVA doesn't have real experienced player to run the offense. Despite that the Cavs possess a 7-7 record and are 1-2 in the ACC. The up tempo, hard-driving style by North Carolina was too much for them to handle Thursday night. No one actually expected UNC to fall 2 straight games against conference rivals. Without their top defensive specialist in Marcus Ginyard the Heels are still flying high with 15-2 mark. A healthy starting five is important to their basketball program yet their talented bench will pick up the pieces at times.

Tyler Hansbrough is on his way to have another record-breaking season. His double-doubles are among leaders in Tarheel history. He's giving tremendous strength to the team while increasing his trips to the free-throw line at times as a senior. With the sharp-shooting Wayne Ellington on cue and an all-around gem in Danny Green the Heels will definitely have their share of epic battles late in the season. Their upcoming encounters will be against Miami, Clemson, and Florida State. The Tarheels will jockey for position to get ahead in the ACC.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Lebron wills triple-double in Cavs 102-87 victory

Yesterday was all show and no tell for the Cleveland Cavs' Lebron James. He stuffed down 30 points while collecting 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over the Grizzles. To make an empathetic statement for a somewhat stifled bench due to absences Lebron put on a show as usual. As a whole the Cavaliers shot 53% from the field in the game. With Big Z and Ben Wallace out of action it took a good team effort even against the struggling Memphis Grizzles. Delonte West aided the scoring caused by dropping 19 points while dishing out 4 assists. With momentum in their favor Cleveland jumps to 30-6 on the season.

The bench contributed 28 points for the Cavs. No one will be a bigger threat when they're hot in my view within the Eastern conference this year than those determined Cavaliers. With a long schedule still remaining they will have upcoming encounters with the Hornets, Kings, Raptors, and Lakers. There is no question about what King James brings to the table on any given night because his heart, will to win, and fierce competitiveness make him a strong candidate once again for MVP honors. That will come later in the year. The focus now for the Cavaliers is staying healthy and grinding it out for the rest of the way. Good luck to the Cavs in their pursuit for a top spot in the Eastern conference.

Monday, January 12, 2009

UCLA cranks out tight win against USC

Sunday it was a battle between several top ranked teams in college basketball. UCLA went toe-to-toe with the USC Trojans in a tenacious exchange. The final score was 64-60 in favor the Bruins. These two California rivals probably had a strong feeling it was going to be an intense battle on the court. This game came down to defensive stops. Obviously, there wasn't a breakout individual scoring performance as the top scorer for UCLA, Darren Collison finished with 18 points. His crafty 6-of-9 shooting from the field enabled a flurry of offensive support when needed while also contributing with 5 free-throws.

The major difference which enabled the Bruins to prevail was at the free-throw line. UCLA shot 70% to to USC's lackluster 60% from the charity stride. No one off the bench for the Bruins managed to contribute much, but in the end that proved to be irrelevant as the no. 7 team knocked off another powerhouse in the West. Scrappy, pressure defense got the job done for UCLA. Don't think for a minute that those Trojans will take the defeat lying down and not come out to fight another day. With the victory, UCLA improves to 13-2 on the season. I look for more impressive positives to generate from this team in the near future.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Off-season trades and signings: what's right from wrong

With the winter season settling in, baseball is far from most sports' fans mind these days. Ready to make transactions in the off-season both the Braves and Cubs have swung deals to make changes within their rosters. Atlanta vying for a run in 2009 let John Smoltz depart to the Boston Red Sox where he was a staple for that franchise. Not only did the Red Sox get lucky, but also reeled in other players such as Brad Penny, Rocco Baldelli, and A.J. Burnett. Pitching is what Boston has their mind on right now. They've made wise acquisitions before Spring Training starts.

Unfortunately, as f---ing usual the Chicago Cubs have made the wrong decision in signing on outfielder, former Texas Ranger Milton Bradley. I'm very unsatisfied with this out-of-the-blue type of settlement. Bradley had a good season in 2008, but isn't worthy in my view to receive a contract for 3 years for $30 million. Then to have him sport no. 21 on his jersey doesn't seem to fit right at all with the Chicago fans. Instead of scouting the markets for a top tier player who can have an impact the franchise as usual took the easy road. Rather the Cubs should have found the right talent who will have great chemistry with the rest of the team.

In comparison the Red Sox, who served as contenders in the past couple years have made wise investments while to my dismay at this time the Cubs have used their intellectual club resources the wrong way. This means Bradley may not be the best fit to play in the outfield. Why does it have to be this way every year for the Chicago Cubs? One of the smartest things this franchise can do is learn from their mistakes in the past and refrain from their old ways of thinking. A new age is on the horizon and if older, less modernized strategies aren't used than it's going to be another disappointing season in the NL Central. That's a what is seen as a forewarning by this loyal, unhappy Cubs fan.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Oklahoma whips up on Maryland Eastern Shore in 100-64 wallop

Yesterday the fighting force within the Oklahoma Sooners came out in collective strength in easy victory over the Maryland Eastern Shore. In a 100-64 ass-whooping the Sooners made light work of a less developed team, but displayed a commendable team effort. Their spirit was apparent on the court yet it was just another win to add to their rising season with more good things to come in the near future. In just 22 minutes on the hardwood Blake Griffin lead a head of steam for Oklahoma finishing the game with 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field. He was a beast on the court snatching up 16 rebounds! Fueling the way also with a nice secondary effort was Tony Crocker who contributed with 15 points and 2 assists.

Why has college hoops at times neglected giving credit to surprising contenders such as Oklahoma who have seemily come out of no where with a 14-1 record. Way to go Sooners! You team spirit is shining through with true colors. As a college basketball fan I know this up and coming elite team will be on a roll for the season and have their work cut out for them later in the NCAA tournament come March Madness. Thinking ahead they will have to prepare for challengers such as Texas, Kansas State, and Nebraska. For the month the Sooners have to hang around with the top runners up in the Big 12 because at the moment this gutsy team from the Mid-South will have their share of memories and take on all obstacles in their path.

Luckily Kansas is playing a little coy this season, but will look to make a run in late season. That I feel will be their toughest opponent in the Big 12. This motivated group of college athletes on this squad will toward better days. They must remember laying their morals by the book and remain from any type of distraction will be in their best interest for a great season. Dealing with issues on the court and away from the game will enhance their play while keeping their chin up. Working their butts off in practice will make all the difference when it comes to crunch time later this season. Good luck the rest of the way for the Oklahoma Sooners!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Jamison drops 30 points as Wiz win 93-89

The Wizards took back a little of their stride last night against the Rockets in an 89-87 victory. Everyone in the NBA expects the Wizards to drift away for the rest of the season despite a low octane lineup. The man of the night was Antawn Jamison who scored 30 points while snatching up 12 rebounds. Having a 6-23 record wasn't what Washington had in mind for the year. The supporting cast for the Wizards tallied 69 points as bite contributions helped a little to put away Houston.

It's a shame this once vibrant, exciting has lost it's flair due to injuries, discrepancies between players at times off the court, and poor management by the GM. This doesn't mean the franchise has yet to experience it's share of success over the years. Without prime-time scorer Gilbert Arenas in the mix the Wizards have less than viable means to even finish with a decent record. Nonetheless, Washington is striving for a better future after their passionate coach was fired earlier this year and fans will have to renew interest in this potentially contending team. Next year will be their chance at redemption. With Caron Butler and Jamison the Wiz can at least salvage the season.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Favorism in college sports is ruining classic, valued traditions

Once ago the game of basketball held it's sacred traditions with fiery passions and commitment to excellence. This means money and perks wasn't involved at the college level because educational organizations cared about people. Family values don't exist like they used to in the real world. Colleges such as UNC at Chapel Hill are accustomed to the richer side when it comes to succeeding in sports as well as academics. Small town, simple folks have it tough as they have to compromise everything they nearly believe in because no one in these types of environment who are suppose to leaders don't make the right decisions always. Okay, basically what that means is Roy Williams doesn't want me at UNC because he thinks I'm a hot-blooded smart-ass ass clown.

To spiritually believe in anything a college student coping with academic situations with intense pressure and hectic schedules are lead to believe they can accomplish anything they put their mind to because everyone is a winner in life if they work their ass off. Being made an example of in life sometimes shows where colleges' priorities are at times. When it comes to attendance and assistance with scholarships and financial assistance it doesn't matter if those who are over management spills the beans. These are the same individuals who most likely to praise a student or teacher one day and admonish them the next. For example, a student can ask a teacher for help after class for a specific academic or emotional need such as a family matter. As a result a teacher may not be available and misconstrue information to guide a student.

Returning to core values in universities will help to instill confidence and faith in people again. Everyone in these organizations need to learn to work together and show respect. Otherwise structured systems for advancement will continue to shatter and fall by the wayside. I believe that's why showing favorism in all aspects of college sports as well as academic life is utterly wrong. With the right amount of discipline and belief in God all things can be made equal.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Miami Heat making new strides behind Dwayne Wade

With a new surge in the Eastern conference the Miami Heat are looking to regain their strong suit in the Southwest division. Winners of their last 4 games, the Heat have shown the improvement from last year. Having Michael Beasley and his scoring contribution complement Dwayne Wade. In their last game against the Bobcats Wade notched 41 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field as the Heat won 100-96. With a new direction the restructured Miami team are 12-9. With a full, healthy lineup the Heat have enough talent to stay within reach of the top contenders.

As a unit Miami is shooting around 45% per game with Shawn Marion a reliable veteran who will look to make solid contributions in mid-to-late season. They've got much young talent which is being developed yet a few smart trades will put the Heat in a better position to make the playoffs. In the early going, Dwayne Wade has carried the majority of the scoring load while it's expected for the bench to boost their efforts. Miami will also have to cramp down on defense while increasing their offensive momentum. While Michael Beasley aims to please as one of the top rookies in the league the Heat will encounter match-ups with the Knicks, Kings, and Bobcats.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Trail Blazers pull off stunner, strive to impress

As usual the Portland Blazers are at odds end in the Western conference. Nothing will stand in their way, regardless of the circumstances. In a thrilling ending Portland's Steve Nash drained a 3-pointer with a couple seconds to go. This resulted in a 98-97 final over the Toronto Raptors. Fueling the scoring for the Trail Blazers was LaMarcus Aldridge who netted 20 points while second year star Greg Oden who finished the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. With the Raptors and Blazers in a scrappy exchange for 48 minutes it was Blake who sealed the deal. The battle between the two competitors resulted in a few bumps took by Chris Bosh, who got banged up in the low post.

It looks as if the Trail Blazers have found the pick-me-up needed with Oden healthy. Brandon Roy is no doubt the leader on the squad who continues to shine and develop with the best in the league. He threw out 7 assists in the win Sunday. The Blazers have earned a 15-7 mark while garnering first place in the Northwest division. With a yearning for the postseason last year Portland can't be stopped and vie for a new chapter in franchise history. That will not be an easy task in the Western conference with so many elite contenders in the mix.

Looking towards next week Portland will be ready for action against the Spurs, Lakers, and Suns. They have their hands full approaching the holidays and will have to strive to stay ahead in the West. Being healthy as a team will make all the difference and having a record that is more than more sub par. As the going to gets tough Portland will have to hang in there. With season rolling along it's vital to keep everyone on cue and ready to bring their uptempo style of play every night.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Chris Paul's team leadership paving way for Hornets

For most NBA teams there is at least one player who defines their identity. The mold which keeps them together. Chris Paul is the keystone to the New Orleans Hornets. Off to another solid start in the West the star point guard has enabled the Hornets to capture a 10-6 record. Thanks in part to a talented supporting cast they will be a contender again in a tenacious league. Averaging 21 ppg and 12 assists Paul is holding his own against the best players at his position while continually getting his teammates active. No one seems to be quicker off the dribble with such excellent court vision as the 4th year point guard. He's right up there will players such as Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant.

The Hornets' last victory came against the Suns, 104-91 as Chris Paul dished out 15 assists while netting 24 points. Through early December New Orleans have maintained the advantage both on the road and at home, obtaining 5-3 marks respectively. The next task at hand comes against the Grizzles, which won't be much of a challenge. With the team surpassing a .500 winning percentage they can establish ground in the Southwest standings. New Orleans is only a half game behind the Rockets and look to soon take over first place. With a couple days off next week the team should be able to rest and rejuvenate before traveling to Charlotte to face the Bobcats. Having Chris Paul run the show this vibrant, spirit-driven Hornets team will work to stay on top.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

NBA gamblers off the court: Barkley vs. Jordan

The NBA has it's history of phenomenal athletes with several prominent superstars who are known for their distinctive excurricular activities. When it comes to making a public exploit of himself Dennis Rodman's name normally surfaces. Rather dealing with unwanted attention due to gambling the two most notable NBA Legends are Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. It's difficult to determine who is the most outrageous gambler since both are known for rising the stakes quite high and letting it all ride. Between the two I'm sure they've scored big at the casino tables yet both have hit rock bottom at times as well.

Why so much controversy surround what these basketball superstars do outside the game is beyond me. Now if a player is laundering money or committing wire fraud then sure it's going to receive it's share of media attention. Nobody can blame NBA players for wanting to have fun, but when they gamble thousands of dollars away such activities make fans wonder what the heck is their problem. Since it's clear athletes are multi-millionaires, typically living lavish lifestyles it definitely creates a feeling of envy with disapproval. I believe Jordan lost his managerial job with Bobcats partly because of his old gambling habits which took precedence of his chief duties with the team. I think MJ is still the best player of all-time. However, it took too many risks with his personal endeavors leading to his dismissal.

Charles Barkley, the now color commentary partner on TNT seems to have no reservations about gambling at all. He even tells the public how much he dishes out. Being the outspoken, brash guy he is such an admission is more than revealing about his own gambling experiences. I'm pretty sure he manages okay financially still with probably a few endorsements here and there with certain business investments too. Trusting him with money would definitely be a mistake. The average person in his shoes at a casino would go flat broke or empty a savings account within 10 minutes. Who I think is the most impulsive gambler between the two NBA Greats is Charles Barkley because he doesn't make a big fuss after dropping like $500,000 in Atlantic City then losing more a few weeks later when he returns to the casinos.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Georgetown blows out Maryland with relative ease

The Maryland Terrapins received a detrimental learning experience from Georgetown Sunday. The 75-48 loss they suffered revealed their weaknesses. Their inability to shut off entry in the paint on defense proved to be costly. The Hoyas made quick work at the basket, powering home points. Their opponents were cold from the field shooting 31% for the game. Grevis Vasquez, the normally high-scoring guard scored only 2 points while his teammates struggled to find their rhythm. Just 2 Terrapins managed to hit double-digits.

With the win Georgetown bumps his mark to 4-1. They got the best of the competition in the Old Spice Classic. In last night's game their top player was Austin Freeman, who notched 18 points and ripped 6 rebounds. The rest of the scoring was spread among the lineup and bench with a good team effort all around. At current the Hoyas are ranked 21 in the AP and 16 in the Coaches poll. Losing two key players, Patrick Ewing Jr. and Roy Hibbert from last year they are still in tune to rumble this year in the Big East. Coming soon on the schedule they'll have a big obstacle to overcome in preparing to face Memphis.

In the next few weeks Georgetown is set to play American University and Savannah State. They won't face their more difficult match-ups until heading into January against their Big East rivals. With a tremendous low post game and tenacious defense the Hoyas are again going to be a relentless contender to beat. Expect them to move up in the nation's ranking by the end of the month. Another run in the tournaments this year isn't out of the question. Georgetown toughest challenge late down the stretch may be Louisville. They'll always give a spirited, empathic effort against all opponents.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Marbury wants to leave New York, attitude will go with him

The New York Knicks always have a thorn in their side. Now that they're actually becoming a competitive group with one distraction away another one surfaces. Stephon Marbury failed to suit up for action on the court yesterday and faces a petty fine. What else is new in the league? Egotistical players such as Marbury always get off easy. The Knicks slapped him also with a one game suspension. Well, that sure is lame. What good will that do? I don't know why the franchise is waiting so long to get rid of him.

With the controversy and attitude problem surrounding the point guard there most likely will be few takers in the market. Since coming into the league in 1996 as a proven scorer, Marbury's career has tatered off with his best years experienced in Minnesota and New Jersey. Losing trust and respect with his Knicks' teammates is one of his biggest pitfalls. I know he's unhappy with his current situation. It's time for him to move on and finish out his career with another team. Leaving behind a legacy doesn't look to be in the works for Marbury. The Knicks and him need to finalize an agreement and finally say adios.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Reaction to Lebron potentially becoming a Knick

Since becoming a more functional team the New York Knicks have their focus set on future goals. In recent weeks they pulled off a 4-player trade. Sending Mardy Collins and Zach Randolph to Los Angeles in exchange the Knicks received Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. This move was done after careful deliberation yet I don't feel was smart. Nevertheless, the Knicks are finding ways to win behind new coach D'Antoni. Now they have their eyes set on one of the biggest stars in the NBA. With the contract a lingering question for Lebron James in Cleveland all of a sudden now a team wants to stake claim to him. Hold on a minute, the superstar has made no commitments to leave any time soon.

For Lebron to be apart of the Knicks organization for some reason doesn't seem right. I know New York is making strives to reaching a new level of success, but they are no where near a championship caliber team. That's who King James wants to represent so for him to already be a near definite for the Knicks is preposterous. Last night in a classic bout in MSG which the Cavs came out on top Lebron dropped 26 points like it was nothing. Much jubilation was in the air in the Big Apple with all the rumors about Lebron James becoming a free agent on July 1, 2010 with him being ripe for the picking. Spike Lee was present as usual for the game which resulted 119-101 Knicks loss. He displayed his approval for the potential acquisition by wearing a pair of Lebron's new basketball shoes.

Being such a long time off from free agency I don't know why the Knicks are concentrating so much on the potential deal rather than making the playoffs their no. 1 priority. They have got off to a fairly good start with a 7-7 record. Still the franchise has much work to be done before earning the title of a contender again. Adding a few more bigs can help give the team a big lift, enough to clinch the playoffs. At the moment they sure aren't worthy enough to fit Lebron into their lineup. Restructure and leadership is what New York needs. Having a proven new coach definitely provides a fresh beginning. In two years, no matter what is offered his way Lebron James should remain a Cavalier.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Davidson's Curry hot ticket in NCAA, best surprise

In his second year at Davidson point guard Stephen Curry is fast becoming one of the top players in NCAA basketball. He's already pumped out a 40 plus shooting display while leading the Wildcats to a 4-1 start. Last night Curry scored 39 points on 13-of-21 shooting as Davidson blew by Florida Atlantic 76-60. Going on a 15-1 run in the second half Davidson pulled away, maintaining a good lead. Through 5 games Stephen Curry is averaging 32 points. His transition over to point guard has paid dividends. His scoring mentality and ball control make him a threat on any given night.

With the win over Florida Atlantic it's on to the second round tonight in the NIT consolation tournament for the Wildcats. They will match up against Loyola. The All-American point guard will be ready to ignite Davidson's offense. The team's only loss this season has come against Oklahoma in which Curry netted 44 points. In next few weeks the Wildcats will lock up with N.C. State, West Virginia, and Purdue. Ranked no. 24 in the nation Davidson is sure to make waves and move up the list.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Texas Tech achieves stunning record, move to 3-0

Bobby Knight is known for whipping his players into shape. After resigning and handing the team over to his son Pat, Texas Tech has got off to a great start this season. In fact they have made NCAA history by scoring 167 points against East Central in a total thrashing Thursday night
in the Legends Classics tournament game. The only other college basketball team to come close to such a lofty mark was LMU. With the final score, 167-117 it's obvious there wasn't any effective defense in this blowout by either team. 10 players for Texas Tech scored in double figures, taking quick shots and having their way on offense. I'm sure the Legendary elder Knight is proud, but would still find flaws in their game making it known by shouting obscenities from the coach's box.

The Red Raiders are cruising in the early going with a 3-0 start. Pat Knight has got them in tune for playing high energy basketball and the results can only get better as the season progresses. In last night's masterpiece performance two Red Raiders', Nick Okorie and Trevor Cook scored 20 points each as the team tallied 77 at halftime. I have never heard about or seen such a feat in college basketball ever. It's too bad I missed this one because it sure was a classic. With Knight's new speed-style of play the Red Raiders will be no slouch in the Big 10 this year. They're ready for all challengers regardless of size. Up next on the schedule Texas Tech will battle Eastern Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, and Pittsburgh. The Red Raiders will push to keep up the hot streak!