For the loyal readers of this blog, I have set up a Yahoo Pick 'Em group for the big dance. It's free to play, and is only for the readers of this blog. You must have a Yahoo account to play (which you can sign up for one if you don't have one, that, too, is free).
The info you need is this:
Group Number 122617
Password news14 (type it like you see it)
No promises for a News 14 kinda prize, but I may be able to scare something up. I have 3 weeks to figure it out. Just make sure we can get in touch with you when you win it. Oh, and if I end up taking it down (as I anticipate HAHA!), runner-up would get whatever goods I can scrounge. Again, no promises.
Again, it's a contest for the readers of the blog--I thank you guys and gals for checking it out, and hope you'll tell others about it!
Mike Solarte
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Congrats to Duke
Duke claimed the ACC Tourney title with a 79-69 win over Florida State. Quick thoughts before Selection Sunday commences.
- Duke, UNC, Wake, FSU are locked into the tourney, and I think Maryland, BC, and Clemson should get in as well. Will make for an interesting evaluation of the ACC in the field of 64.
- UNC going out in the semi-finals is not as bad as people think. The Heels played without Ty Lawson, and his absence is huge. Rest, treatment and the crossing of fingers will be taking place in Chapel Hill as Carolina gets ready for the dance. Carolina can not win the NCAA Title without Lawson.
- Swing and a miss on Wake Forest from my prediction standpoint. I knew Maryland was playing well, but wow, they had a nice tournament. Props to Gary Williams and his team. In my eyes, they have earned an at-large bid.
- Don't think Davidson is going to catch the eyes of the selection committee, and that's too bad. Steph Curry belongs on the big stage, and maybe them missing out this year will spur him to come back for his senior season. I'm sure the Davidson faithful would love to see that.
On Monday, the women's field will be announced, and Charlotte will learn their destination. Congrats to Karen Aston and company for winning the A-10 title. What seed with they earn? Guessing a 5 at the high end. Guess it all depends on how much respect the selection committee gives the A-10 as a conference.
Charlotte Bobcats are on a 3 game bender, right on the heels of a 6 game winning streak. Wrong time to go south, but this week, the Cats face Toronto twice, and Sacramento, with two of those games at home. Anything less than 3-0 will be a disappointment, and could seriously cripple their playoff hopes. Losing to Minnesota on Saturday? Yikes. The guys have to turn that boat around in a hurry.
More on Monday!
Mike Solarte
Thursday, March 12, 2009
It's begun!!!
I'm already 0-2. That doesn't bode well for my NCAA brackets.
In my last post, I had Clemson beating Georgia Tech, and Miami beating Virginia Tech.
Nope.
We'll see how the rest of my picks shake out, but if my start is any indication, NC State fans should be jumping for joy (since I picked against the Pack against Maryland).
A reader posted a question in the last post, about UNC being a #1 seed in the NCAA's. I think if they hold serve in the tourney, they lock up the #1 overall seed as well. However, a slip against someone (like my predicted Wake Forest), could move the Deacs into one of the top 4 seeds. It could, but I don't know that it would happen. Remember, the selection committee has never been guilty of sound decision making.
That's the beauty of the tournaments. It's the one-and-done scenario, and for many teams, this is their season--their shot at finding a way into the big tourney.
Other sports notes:
The Panthers cut CB Ken Lucas on Wednesday, saving themselves about $2.3 million dollars in salary cap space. Lucas had been viewed (fairly or unfairly, you decide) as a weak spot in the Panther secondary. Incidentally, the first pass interference call against a member of the Panther DB's came in the NY Giants game (read week 16), and it was Lucas guilty of the violation. Ponder that for a second--1st PI flag against the secondary came that late in the season.
Anyway, Carolina still sits with the franchise tag on Julius Peppers--that's expensive. Guess there are no takers for a guy with so much potential, and such a resume. Either that, or the asking price (draft picks) is too high. Can't be a fun time around that whole camp right now. Summer is going to be fun, and my guess is, we won't see Julius anywhere near the Panthers (if he remains with the team) until he has to report to training camp in July. Forget OTA's, forget mini-camps.
It'll be known as the "Summer of Discontent."
Or something like that.
In my last post, I had Clemson beating Georgia Tech, and Miami beating Virginia Tech.
Nope.
We'll see how the rest of my picks shake out, but if my start is any indication, NC State fans should be jumping for joy (since I picked against the Pack against Maryland).
A reader posted a question in the last post, about UNC being a #1 seed in the NCAA's. I think if they hold serve in the tourney, they lock up the #1 overall seed as well. However, a slip against someone (like my predicted Wake Forest), could move the Deacs into one of the top 4 seeds. It could, but I don't know that it would happen. Remember, the selection committee has never been guilty of sound decision making.
UNC point guard Ty Lawson may not play on Friday (that coming from the school), after he did some work on a stationary bike Thursday. The team will make a decision on Lawson in the morning, and that could play a big role in how the Heels fare against the Hokies.
That's the beauty of the tournaments. It's the one-and-done scenario, and for many teams, this is their season--their shot at finding a way into the big tourney.
Other sports notes:
The Panthers cut CB Ken Lucas on Wednesday, saving themselves about $2.3 million dollars in salary cap space. Lucas had been viewed (fairly or unfairly, you decide) as a weak spot in the Panther secondary. Incidentally, the first pass interference call against a member of the Panther DB's came in the NY Giants game (read week 16), and it was Lucas guilty of the violation. Ponder that for a second--1st PI flag against the secondary came that late in the season.
Anyway, Carolina still sits with the franchise tag on Julius Peppers--that's expensive. Guess there are no takers for a guy with so much potential, and such a resume. Either that, or the asking price (draft picks) is too high. Can't be a fun time around that whole camp right now. Summer is going to be fun, and my guess is, we won't see Julius anywhere near the Panthers (if he remains with the team) until he has to report to training camp in July. Forget OTA's, forget mini-camps.
It'll be known as the "Summer of Discontent."
Or something like that.
The most wonderful time of the year!!
Is it Christmas??? No, sure the gifts,famliy and church services are great.
Is it Thanksgiving??? Not even close; however, I do eat like a horse for two days.
Instead it's the first two weeks during the month of March. It's 3 in the afternoon and I'm watching three basketball games from the Big East, ACC and the Big Ten.
It's during these precious four days I'm able to watch, study and pick sleepers for my NCAA bracket.
As much as I consider myself a sports JUNKIE, I just don't watch nearly enough college basketball during the regular season.
Is it Thanksgiving??? Not even close; however, I do eat like a horse for two days.
Instead it's the first two weeks during the month of March. It's 3 in the afternoon and I'm watching three basketball games from the Big East, ACC and the Big Ten.
It's during these precious four days I'm able to watch, study and pick sleepers for my NCAA bracket.
As much as I consider myself a sports JUNKIE, I just don't watch nearly enough college basketball during the regular season.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
ACC Tourney Breakdown
The long and the short of it: The ACC Tournament champion will be a team from North Carolina. Yeah, I know, a quarter of the field already calls North Carolina home. Gives me a 1 in 4 shot of being right. Sorry, but that's just how this thing is going to go.
THURSDAY:
NOON-(8) Virginia Tech v. (9) Miami: I like Miami in the mild upset. These 8-9 games are usually toss ups, and I give Miami the slight edge. Loads of athleticism, and Jack McClinton should be enough to get them into quarterfinal action.
2:30 p.m.-(5) Clemson v. (12) Georgia Tech: There's a reason the Yellow Jackets won just twice in conference play. That reason was blind luck. Clemson moves on.
7:00 p.m.-(7) Maryland v. (10) NC State: Maryland has played well of late, and NC State's spurt near the end of the season was nice to introduce some new hope, but if Greivis Vazquez makes the Georgia Dome his personal playground, the Wolfpack will find themselves on I-85 North (or on a plane) in a hurry. Terps move on.
9:30 p.m.-(6) B.C. v. (11) Virginia: Should be a light workout for BC, as the Eagles have enjoyed a nice year, after being a pre-season pick to finish 11th. BC moves on to the quarters.
FRIDAY:
NOON-(1) UNC v. Miami: Heels too strong, and now too focused to let the Hurricanes stop them. Miami will make a game of it, but look for Carolina to move to the semi's
2:30 p.m.-(4) Florida State v. Clemson: FSU Has had a great season, but this will not be a reward for it. A tough draw for the Seminoles in their tourney opener. They went 10-6 in the regular season league slate, Clemson 9-7. I'll nod to FSU here, but it won't be easy.
7:00 p.m.-(2) Wake Forest v. Maryland: Deacs are playing some tough basketball right now, a nice bounce back from a bit of a lull when they weren't at their best. Dino Gaudio is to be commended, as he has really taken this program from tragedy and turned it into bonafide elite. Deacs win and move on.
9:30 p.m.-(4) Duke v. Boston College: Tough draw for Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils. I expect the Eagles to give Duke some trouble, maybe even lead late. I can't pick against Duke, however, because watching them play UNC on the final day of the season, I saw a team that, if healthy, could have beaten Carolina. I think the Devils will advance, but, as always, it won't be easy.
SATURDAY:
UNC-FSU. Will likely be the better of the 2 semi-final games, and I give UNC the win here. Carolina just has too many weapons, and they know how to use them.
Wake-Duke. Duke's ACC tourney stops in the 2nd game. Wake just too much of a roll right now, and being this close to the conference title game will be enough of a carrot to get the Deacs into the finals.
SUNDAY:
UNC v. Wake Forest. I know this won't be popular in Chapel Hill, but I like Wake in this game, and I like them in overtime. Not because they are the better team, but because this team has something special about it. It's one of those things you can't quantify, you just know it's there. I think Wake will have to hit a shot to force the OT, and likely have to take control of the win in the closing minute of the extra frame. I called it earlier, that Wake could be the team to beat, and now I am making them the team to beat.
What do you think? Leave a comment!
Mike Solarte
THURSDAY:
NOON-(8) Virginia Tech v. (9) Miami: I like Miami in the mild upset. These 8-9 games are usually toss ups, and I give Miami the slight edge. Loads of athleticism, and Jack McClinton should be enough to get them into quarterfinal action.
2:30 p.m.-(5) Clemson v. (12) Georgia Tech: There's a reason the Yellow Jackets won just twice in conference play. That reason was blind luck. Clemson moves on.
7:00 p.m.-(7) Maryland v. (10) NC State: Maryland has played well of late, and NC State's spurt near the end of the season was nice to introduce some new hope, but if Greivis Vazquez makes the Georgia Dome his personal playground, the Wolfpack will find themselves on I-85 North (or on a plane) in a hurry. Terps move on.
9:30 p.m.-(6) B.C. v. (11) Virginia: Should be a light workout for BC, as the Eagles have enjoyed a nice year, after being a pre-season pick to finish 11th. BC moves on to the quarters.
FRIDAY:
NOON-(1) UNC v. Miami: Heels too strong, and now too focused to let the Hurricanes stop them. Miami will make a game of it, but look for Carolina to move to the semi's
2:30 p.m.-(4) Florida State v. Clemson: FSU Has had a great season, but this will not be a reward for it. A tough draw for the Seminoles in their tourney opener. They went 10-6 in the regular season league slate, Clemson 9-7. I'll nod to FSU here, but it won't be easy.
7:00 p.m.-(2) Wake Forest v. Maryland: Deacs are playing some tough basketball right now, a nice bounce back from a bit of a lull when they weren't at their best. Dino Gaudio is to be commended, as he has really taken this program from tragedy and turned it into bonafide elite. Deacs win and move on.
9:30 p.m.-(4) Duke v. Boston College: Tough draw for Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils. I expect the Eagles to give Duke some trouble, maybe even lead late. I can't pick against Duke, however, because watching them play UNC on the final day of the season, I saw a team that, if healthy, could have beaten Carolina. I think the Devils will advance, but, as always, it won't be easy.
SATURDAY:
UNC-FSU. Will likely be the better of the 2 semi-final games, and I give UNC the win here. Carolina just has too many weapons, and they know how to use them.
Wake-Duke. Duke's ACC tourney stops in the 2nd game. Wake just too much of a roll right now, and being this close to the conference title game will be enough of a carrot to get the Deacs into the finals.
SUNDAY:
UNC v. Wake Forest. I know this won't be popular in Chapel Hill, but I like Wake in this game, and I like them in overtime. Not because they are the better team, but because this team has something special about it. It's one of those things you can't quantify, you just know it's there. I think Wake will have to hit a shot to force the OT, and likely have to take control of the win in the closing minute of the extra frame. I called it earlier, that Wake could be the team to beat, and now I am making them the team to beat.
What do you think? Leave a comment!
Mike Solarte
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thursday things
* Conference basketball tournament play starts this week (and has started in some cases). Will be fun to watch as teams earn their spots in the NCAA tournament. Of course, we'll keep our eyes on everything for you on Sports Night at 10.
The ACC Seeding will get straightened out over the weekend, and then it's on the Atlanta. Looking at the conference right now, there are, in my opinion, any one of 5 teams that could end up winning the tournament. Of course, the favorite is Carolina, but you have to give a nod to these teams (in no particular order): Wake Forest, Duke, Florida State, and......
Maryland.
The Terps are playing some good ball over the past few weeks, and if they get hot, and stay that way...well, you just can't count them out. If I had to make a pick for the ACC Tourney winner, I would lean UNC, but if they meet Wake in the final, all bets are off.
* Props to the folks at the Quail Hollow Championship for taking an aggressive approach at getting the tournament re-branded, and trying to maintain what has been one of the premier events on the PGA Tour. I don't anticipate this year's tournament being any less than what it has been in the previous 6 years, in spite of the name change. The same tournament staff remains in place, and the best players on the planet are lining up to take on Quail Hollow Club. they unveiled the logo on Thursday. Not flashy. Not boring. Simple. Understated. Clean. Gonna look good on shirts and hats, and the tournament trophy as well. I love covering that tournament, and look forward to another great week.
* OK, now something fun. I was flipping through the channels at my desk, looking for a hockey game. Went to Versus, and found they were showing the movie "Wildcats." Goldie Hawn as the high school football coach in the roughest school in Chicago. Comedy. Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, Nipsey Russell and a very young Mykelti Williamson ("Bubba" from Forrest Gump) make up the signifcant players in the cast. Not the greatest sports related movie ever made, but fun nonetheless.
Made me wonder, what your favorite sports movie ever made is. So, what is it? Go ahead and drop me a comment here at the blog. I'll give you mine in a later installment.
Thanks for dropping by!
Mike Solarte
The ACC Seeding will get straightened out over the weekend, and then it's on the Atlanta. Looking at the conference right now, there are, in my opinion, any one of 5 teams that could end up winning the tournament. Of course, the favorite is Carolina, but you have to give a nod to these teams (in no particular order): Wake Forest, Duke, Florida State, and......
Maryland.
The Terps are playing some good ball over the past few weeks, and if they get hot, and stay that way...well, you just can't count them out. If I had to make a pick for the ACC Tourney winner, I would lean UNC, but if they meet Wake in the final, all bets are off.
* Props to the folks at the Quail Hollow Championship for taking an aggressive approach at getting the tournament re-branded, and trying to maintain what has been one of the premier events on the PGA Tour. I don't anticipate this year's tournament being any less than what it has been in the previous 6 years, in spite of the name change. The same tournament staff remains in place, and the best players on the planet are lining up to take on Quail Hollow Club. they unveiled the logo on Thursday. Not flashy. Not boring. Simple. Understated. Clean. Gonna look good on shirts and hats, and the tournament trophy as well. I love covering that tournament, and look forward to another great week.
* OK, now something fun. I was flipping through the channels at my desk, looking for a hockey game. Went to Versus, and found they were showing the movie "Wildcats." Goldie Hawn as the high school football coach in the roughest school in Chicago. Comedy. Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, Nipsey Russell and a very young Mykelti Williamson ("Bubba" from Forrest Gump) make up the signifcant players in the cast. Not the greatest sports related movie ever made, but fun nonetheless.
Made me wonder, what your favorite sports movie ever made is. So, what is it? Go ahead and drop me a comment here at the blog. I'll give you mine in a later installment.
Thanks for dropping by!
Mike Solarte
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday Musings
The Carolina Panthers continue to be quiet, and now they will hit on the dusty (or snowy depending on where you are) trail to check out prospective draft picks prior to the April draft.
Other thoughts on this Snowmageddon Monday:
Other thoughts on this Snowmageddon Monday:
- Memo to Fox TV--enough with the groundhog "Digger" during race coverage. If you are appealing to the 5-12 demographic, then cool. Last I checked, the race fan of today is in the 18-35 range. If I want cartoons, I will watch "Family Guy." Just give me the race.
- Thinking college hoops, I like what Davidson has done, in spite of losing 3 straight home games. They saw life after Steph Curry, and perhaps it scared them into playing harder. I don't know. I expect the Wildcats to take care of business at the Southern Conference tournament this weekend, and earn their NCAA berth. After that, another exciting run in the big dance is possible, but other parts of the roster will need to contribute--it can't be all Curry. Good teams will keep a handle on him, and by that, I mean only let him score 20, and not 30.
- In the Atlantic 10, the Charlotte 49ers are in a win-and-get-in situation on Tuesday night when they host Richmond. Win that one, earn a spot in the A-10 tourney (which not all conference teams make). Charlotte is a program that should not be in a situation like this, but they were smoked by injuries early in the season, plus the off-season departure of guard Mike Gerrity. Bobby Lutz has done a nice job with this team, as they have lost some tough games all season long. They could be a tough out in the A-10 tourney, should they get in. Still, they will have a hard time in that conference event.
- OK, ACC time. NC State-needs loads of help. they play hard, but they just aren't up to snuff. Maybe a win in the ACC Tourney, but nothing more. Wake Forest-I like Dino Gaudio's team. So much so that I think they can find their way into the championship game. If the standings remain where they are tonight (Monday, March 2), Wake would get the 3 seed, and face the winner of Boston College-Virginia. Win that game, they would get either Duke/Maryland/NC State in the semi-finals. Win that one, and a likely showdown with UNC for all the marbles. I like Wake's chances (again, assuming things remain unchanged).
- Keep an eye on the Charlotte Bobcats. They aren't in the playoff picture yet, but they aren't that far away. A March hot streak would get them in--they wouldn't be a serious threat to reach the NBA Finals, but they could make an interesting first round series, anyway.
More in the days to come. Who knows, maybe the Panthers will have something to say, but personally, I'm not holding my breath.
Mike Solarte
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