This and That
Each week I'll give my thoughts on the world of sports:
•I am so excited since the college basketball season starts tonight. Duke is in action in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer event. It is going to be an exciting road to March Madness, culminating at Ford Field in Detroit at the Final Four. My friends, there are a lot of talented players and teams out there, and it should be a great season. I can't wait to call my first game, Kentucky at North Carolina. That's right, the two programs with the most wins in history, schools with such amazing tradition. And I get paid to sit courtside!
•Things continue to go well in Red Raider country. After a win over Texas, Texas Tech didn't suffer any celebration hangover when it faced an explosive Oklahoma State squad. The fans in Lubbock had to be thrilled with Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree as it turned out to be blowout city. Next on the docket is a tough trip. Texas Tech has to travel to Norman, Oklahoma to meet up with Bob Stoops' Sooners. It seems crazy that one of the Big 12 powers will be left out of a BCS bowl due to the rules; only two teams per conference can be in a BCS bowl. Time to revisit that one; how can one of the best of the best be excluded?
•Watch out for the Florida Gators as Urban Meyer's team is on a roll. Tim Tebow and company are on fire. Look for the Gators to play for the national championship...sorry Crimson Tide. Alabama did have the big win over LSU. The Tide showed a lot of guts pulling out a big win in Baton Rouge. Nick Saban had to be thrilled with that one, especially after the Tide had a last-second winning field goal blocked at the end of regulation. The Alabama defense has been outstanding all season long and an interception in overtime was another key play. The Florida-Alabama SEC championship game should be thrilling.
•With the Big 12 beating each other up, USC could still sneak into the BCS championship picture. Imagine if the Trojans and Gators hooked up for the title? Wow, that would be a special game featuring Pete Carroll against Meyer.
•Penn State's hopes for a national title fell at Iowa when the Hawkeyes rallied in the fourth quarter. A late field goal gave Kirk Ferentz's team the stunning victory. Joe Paterno had to be disappointed with the loss, but his team will re-focus knowing it can still go to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten champions.
•Congratulations to Jerry Sloan on winning his 1000th game as an NBA head coach. He has done it all with the Jazz, and in this day and age where so many guys get the ziggy, Sloan has made it through the transition of the Karl Malone-John Stockton days to a new era in Utah basketball. Remember, he took over from Frank Layden during the 1988-89 season; that is a long time ago, my friends.
•It was great to see the legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri honored at the Ritz-Carlton here in Florida. He has a heart of gold and has meant so much to the tennis world. His academy has been the breeding ground for so many champions. Nick is a big-time winner in sports and in the game of life.
•The Milwaukee Brewers made a great move by hiring Willie Randolph as a bench coach. He handled that role with the Yankees under Joe Torre before moving on to manage the Mets. He will be a great asset to new manager Ken Macha.
•Will CC Sabathia be lured to the Bronx? Will the free agent go to the pinstripes or will he end up out west? Either way, he will hear the cash register go ding-a-ling-ling! Stay tuned as this soap opera plays out. Hank the Bank Steinbrenner, as Mike Lupica calls him, will get his share of players. Some guys make decisions based solely on the dollars because of their ego.
•Speaking about another guy getting another chance, what about new Redskin DeAngelo Hall. Washington pounced on him when he was let go by the Raiders. That's right, Oakland let him go despite signing him to a seven-year contract. He was supposed to be a superstar but instead he was waived bye-bye by Al Davis. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with the 'Skins.
•Brady Quinn did a good job in his debut as a starter for the Browns. The former Notre Dame All-America was effective as the Browns put up 30 points, but the defense fell short against Jay Cutler and the Broncos last Thursday. Quinn posted impressive numbers, completing 23-of-35, 239 yards, two touchdowns and a big zero in the interception column.
