If I used the scenario generator properly, the SNBBC will come down to 2 players. "cadenjosie" and "parisher" (again, if I did this properly), have the best shots at winning the challenge, and one needs UNC (cadenjosie), while the other needs the somewhat home team, Michigan State.
I admit, the scenario generator is a handy little tool, but it's before 9 a.m., and frankly, I don't function at 100% this early. Put it this way, the blog's spell-check feature gets a workout. regardless, we'll keep you posted as to who takes this thing down.
Spraying to all fields:
Tiger Woods win on Sunday was pretty impressive. Knee problems? All gone. He proved (as if he needed to), that the golf course is his world, and we're all just sorta watching him live in it. 5 down to start the final round? No problem. Tough deal for Sean O'Hair, but he's not the first guy to sleep ion a 3 round lead, with Tiger lurking, and watch it slip away. He won't be the last. How O'Hair learns from the experience will be key. He's a nice young man, and obviously talented.
Jimmie Johnson won at Martinsville Sunday, and the gripers are out there. "Why didn't he get flagged for ramming Denny Hamlin?" Stop it. Seriously. Neither driver was in the wrong. Hamlin had the lead, left a sliver of light for Johnson to go after, the 48 made the move, the 11 tried to close the door. Contact, 48 in the lead. That's just racing, people. Again, the double standard is funny to see. Fans want drivers to be like they used to be, "back in the day," when they would bang fenders, and trade paint, racing for the win. So when they actually DO that, some complain.
9 games left for the Charlotte Bobcats, 4 tough ones this week, beginning tonight at home with the LA Lakers. It will be Adam Morrison's first visit to TWC Arena as a visitor, having been dealt to the Lakers with Shannon Brown for Vladimir Radmanovic. Bobcats coach Larry Brown was rather open on Monday, saying that Morrison was unhappy in Charlotte, and Brown was glad he could facilitate a trade to give Morrison a fresh start.
I liked Morrison when he was here, but there was no question he had the radar ears. He could hear any comment made about him, even when he was on the floor. He was the 3rd pick in the draft a couple years ago, but never lived up to the demands in Charlotte (he did have flashes). Now, he's not seeing the floor much in LA, but he doesn't really need to. Hopefully, in time, his game will develop into what the Bobcats thought he could be. Too bad it didn't happen with the Cats, as he would have been fun to watch blossom.
More on the blog in the days ahead as we track the Final Four.
Mike Solarte
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Bracket Busted
Louisville, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh have left my bracket, in a word, dead.
Dead on arrival.
I am mathematically eliminated from the SNBBC, and will update the winner on Tuesday of next week. Was a good tournament for me early, but the round of 8 is where everything tanked on me. The Cards being shown the door by Tom Izzo and Michigan State, Pitt be ousted by Villanova, and Carolina handling Oklahoma with relative ease.
The Sooners were abysmal from 3 point range (2-19)-if they hit 40% of their 3's, it's a whole new game, but they didn't. Carolina didn't have to play rough and tumble with the Sooners, because Ty Lawson was electric. An amazing performance. Does he have 2 more games like that in him? How is the toe? Time will tell, but he has been beyond impressive so far in the tournament.
More tournament chatter through the week, as we will have crews in Detroit to document all of it.
Mike Solarte
Dead on arrival.
I am mathematically eliminated from the SNBBC, and will update the winner on Tuesday of next week. Was a good tournament for me early, but the round of 8 is where everything tanked on me. The Cards being shown the door by Tom Izzo and Michigan State, Pitt be ousted by Villanova, and Carolina handling Oklahoma with relative ease.
The Sooners were abysmal from 3 point range (2-19)-if they hit 40% of their 3's, it's a whole new game, but they didn't. Carolina didn't have to play rough and tumble with the Sooners, because Ty Lawson was electric. An amazing performance. Does he have 2 more games like that in him? How is the toe? Time will tell, but he has been beyond impressive so far in the tournament.
More tournament chatter through the week, as we will have crews in Detroit to document all of it.
Mike Solarte
Friday, March 27, 2009
Only the Heels remain
Many fans of the baby blue will tell you, "that's the way it should be," but North Carolina is the last ACC team standing in the big dance. There's no guarantee that statement holds true as they face Gonzaga before sunrise in Memphis.
Duke was shown the door by a very good Villanova team. Very athletic, high energy, and very well coached. Duke shot the ball poorly, but you have to credit the Wildcats for some of that. Duke went 16 of 60 from the floor (27%), certainly a combination of missing open looks and Villanova making it uncomfortable for the Devils to release shots. The Blue Devils finish the season 30-7, with the ACC Tournament title under their belts, and they look to be fairly decent next season as well.
As for Carolina and Gonzaga, the biggest question mark is Ty Lawson and his injured toe. Head Coach Roy Williams seemed a bit concerned during Thursday's media availability in Memphis, and coupled with Lawson's virtual non-participation in the open practice, one has to wonder. Carolina ran a "real" practice off site (at a gym other than the Fed Ex Forum), and then went through the motions for the cameras at the site. There was no word on what Lawson did at the "real" practice, but Williams told reporters that Lawson rated his toe a "6" on Wednesday, when it was an "8" before the LSU game last weekend in Greensboro. He also said that Lawson has not received any kind of injections on the toe since before the Duke game at the end of the regular season.
For the record, I have UNC beating Gonzaga tonight, but Oklahoma eliminating Carolina in the ruond of 8 in my brackets.
Speaking of brackets, Memphis' exit cost me my first Final Four team. I haven't looked at them yet, so I am not sure how that affects my shot at winning the SNBBC. I have to think, though, I am still in the mix.
Enjoy your Friday, and be sure to check out Sports Night at 10, and then live post-game coverage from Memphis of the Heels press conference, roughly 10 minutes after the game ends. WATCH AND SWITCH, PEOPLE!
Mike Solarte
Duke was shown the door by a very good Villanova team. Very athletic, high energy, and very well coached. Duke shot the ball poorly, but you have to credit the Wildcats for some of that. Duke went 16 of 60 from the floor (27%), certainly a combination of missing open looks and Villanova making it uncomfortable for the Devils to release shots. The Blue Devils finish the season 30-7, with the ACC Tournament title under their belts, and they look to be fairly decent next season as well.
As for Carolina and Gonzaga, the biggest question mark is Ty Lawson and his injured toe. Head Coach Roy Williams seemed a bit concerned during Thursday's media availability in Memphis, and coupled with Lawson's virtual non-participation in the open practice, one has to wonder. Carolina ran a "real" practice off site (at a gym other than the Fed Ex Forum), and then went through the motions for the cameras at the site. There was no word on what Lawson did at the "real" practice, but Williams told reporters that Lawson rated his toe a "6" on Wednesday, when it was an "8" before the LSU game last weekend in Greensboro. He also said that Lawson has not received any kind of injections on the toe since before the Duke game at the end of the regular season.
For the record, I have UNC beating Gonzaga tonight, but Oklahoma eliminating Carolina in the ruond of 8 in my brackets.
Speaking of brackets, Memphis' exit cost me my first Final Four team. I haven't looked at them yet, so I am not sure how that affects my shot at winning the SNBBC. I have to think, though, I am still in the mix.
Enjoy your Friday, and be sure to check out Sports Night at 10, and then live post-game coverage from Memphis of the Heels press conference, roughly 10 minutes after the game ends. WATCH AND SWITCH, PEOPLE!
Mike Solarte
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sweet 16 (finally) Begins
I'm done prepping for the Sweet 16. This is when the tournament slows down to a crawl, and drags out for me. The opening weekend is great with all the games, but now it's night games (or in the case of UNC and Duke, nearly early morning). I'll watch, don't get me wrong, but man, you wait forever for the Sweet 16 to start. Let's get on with it!
OK, Panthers Head Coach John Fox spoke to reporters in California on Wednesday, offering up his thoughts on Julius Peppers, and Jake Delhomme. According to quotes I've read, Fox wants Peppers back, which is the company line, but knows that is beyond his control. He was quoted as saying "let the system play out." To me, that sounds like a guy that knows something is afoot (sign and trade, whatever), but can not say anything publicly. That's fine, as ya gotta play the game.
On the subject of Jake Delhomme, Fox says the team and QB are talking about a restructuring of his contract for a couple reasons: 1-salary cap relief, and 2-keeping him around longer. Sorry Jake Haters, the team is committed to #17 for at least a few more years--provided a deal can be reached. I won't go into it again (about his performance against Arizona in the playoffs), but his complete body of work outweighs one horrible night. THAT'S why the team wants him. They will certainly be on the lookout for his eventual successor, but the 2009 team is Jake's team.
Carolina Hurricanes have won 5 straight, and 9 in a row on their home ice, and currently sit in the 5th overall spot in the Eastern Conference. Getting hot at the right time is something that many Stanley Cup champions have done in the past--not saying the Hurricanes are Cup contenders, but you just never know once the playoffs begin.
Speaking of playoffs (cue the Jim Mora meltdown), the Charlotte Bobcats are doing what they can to end their season on time. Blowing a 20 point lead on the road against the Was
hington Wizards (a team that is simply dreadful), is not the stuff playoff pushes are made of. The defeat dropped the Bobcats to 2.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the 8th and final playoff spot. What was especially painful about the loss was how well the Bobcats played in the first half, then how they seemed to disappear in the 2nd. I would hope Head Coach Larry Brown owns stock in an aspirin company--no doubt he's needed to hit that remedy more than once this season.
hington Wizards (a team that is simply dreadful), is not the stuff playoff pushes are made of. The defeat dropped the Bobcats to 2.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the 8th and final playoff spot. What was especially painful about the loss was how well the Bobcats played in the first half, then how they seemed to disappear in the 2nd. I would hope Head Coach Larry Brown owns stock in an aspirin company--no doubt he's needed to hit that remedy more than once this season.Make sure you check out News 14 Carolina for live post-game coverage of Duke's press conference after the game tonight (tomorrow morning), and we'll have our preview of Carolina-Gonzaga on Sports Night at 10.
Mike Solarte
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Women's Tourney Not Ready?
Maybe I just don't get it (which is entirely possible), but how is it that we still have teams playing on their home floors in the NCAA Women's Tournament? I was under the impression that those days were over, but in fact, they are alive and well. The home floor thing didn't come into play in UNC's loss to Purdue on Monday, but it was certainly a factor in Duke's Tuesday loss to Michigan State.
Duke and MSU were tied at 47 with under 4 minutes to play. MSU scored back to back hoops, their crowd (their REAL crowd, since they were playing in the home gym) got wild and loud, the Spartans close the game on a 16-2 run, and the top seed Devils are knocked out. It's a double-edged sword, I know. Women's hoops doesn't fill up stadiums like the men's game does. I get it. Still, in the interest of a level playing field, neutral sites for the hoop tourneys is vital. In the lower divisions of college football, home playoff games are earned, based on records and the like. MSU was the lower seed, and playing on their home floor. Still scratching my head over that.
Neat thing I found out about on Tuesday, the Charlotte Bobcats will take a train from Washington DC to Philadelphia, as their mode of transportation on Wednesday night, rather than fly. According to Charlotte Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell, this is the norm for many teams. Makes sense, as there is no airport security, the train is chartered, so only team personnel is on it, costs have to be less (don't know this, but only assuming it), and since it's a short trip by train, it's not too taxing on the players. I haven't been on an AMTRAK train since I was in 4th grade, but I would think there is a bit more room for the players to walk comfortably in a car than a plane cabin.
This is neat, though, because I am a hockey guy, and love the history of the game. In the days of the Original 6 (when the NHL had just 6 teams, based in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago and Detroit), train travel was the way to go. It was a quaint nuance of the league, and it's kinda cool to see it revived, if only in certain areas, in the NHL, and perhaps other leagues. I haven't heard if any others do this, but it's neat knowing there are some that do.
Busy Wednesday show for you on Sports Night, as we'll check in with Ryan Welch in Boston, the Bobcats travel to Washington to meet the Wizards, Carolina Hurricanes home with the Ottawa Senators, NASCAR chatter....busy, busy, busy. See you at 10!
Mike Solarte
Duke and MSU were tied at 47 with under 4 minutes to play. MSU scored back to back hoops, their crowd (their REAL crowd, since they were playing in the home gym) got wild and loud, the Spartans close the game on a 16-2 run, and the top seed Devils are knocked out. It's a double-edged sword, I know. Women's hoops doesn't fill up stadiums like the men's game does. I get it. Still, in the interest of a level playing field, neutral sites for the hoop tourneys is vital. In the lower divisions of college football, home playoff games are earned, based on records and the like. MSU was the lower seed, and playing on their home floor. Still scratching my head over that.
Neat thing I found out about on Tuesday, the Charlotte Bobcats will take a train from Washington DC to Philadelphia, as their mode of transportation on Wednesday night, rather than fly. According to Charlotte Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell, this is the norm for many teams. Makes sense, as there is no airport security, the train is chartered, so only team personnel is on it, costs have to be less (don't know this, but only assuming it), and since it's a short trip by train, it's not too taxing on the players. I haven't been on an AMTRAK train since I was in 4th grade, but I would think there is a bit more room for the players to walk comfortably in a car than a plane cabin.
This is neat, though, because I am a hockey guy, and love the history of the game. In the days of the Original 6 (when the NHL had just 6 teams, based in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago and Detroit), train travel was the way to go. It was a quaint nuance of the league, and it's kinda cool to see it revived, if only in certain areas, in the NHL, and perhaps other leagues. I haven't heard if any others do this, but it's neat knowing there are some that do.
Busy Wednesday show for you on Sports Night, as we'll check in with Ryan Welch in Boston, the Bobcats travel to Washington to meet the Wizards, Carolina Hurricanes home with the Ottawa Senators, NASCAR chatter....busy, busy, busy. See you at 10!
Mike Solarte
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
To the Sweet 16
So far, not so bad (and not so good either), for me in the Sports Night Blog Bracket Challenge (SNBBC). 7th place heading to the Sweet 16, and have a chance at a high finish (but likely not a win), if my brackets hold up. Any lower seed beating a higher seed, from here on out, is not really an upset, as the chalk held firm throughout much of the opening 2 rounds. Only neglected, and unloved Arizona remains in the "Cinderella" classification, their 12 seed in tow.
The ACC flamed out in the opening 2 rounds, with Wake Forest, Boston College and Florida State losing their openers. Maryland won a game (as I thought they would), but then ran into Memphis. Only Duke and UNC continue on, Duke meeting Villanova in Boston, and Carolina taking on Gonzaga in Memphis. I like Carolina's chances against Gonzaga, but I'm not sure about Duke and 'Nova. We'll see as the week goes on.
Davidson's NIT run came to an end this morning-seriously, this morning. St. Mary's (CA) knocked out Davidson 80-68, ending the Wildcats hopes of making it to New York for the NIT semi-finals. Stephen Curry scored 26 in the season finale, and now the watch will begin to see if Curry will return to the Wildcats for one more season. I hope he does--for selfish reasons. I like the kid. He's vibrant, and exciting to watch. If he decides to go the NBA, I wish him loads of luck. He's got the opportunity to be a solid pro. Not a star (and he doesn't have to be), but a guy that can contribute for a very long time.
Brandon Costner is leaving NC State to enter the NBA draft pool. This is a guy that averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds for his career in the ACC. The stuff of legend? No, but the stuff that can be coached into a role player in the league. I don't pretend to know what Costner is capable of in the future, but under Sidney Lowe, Costner showed he can be versatile enough that at the next level, he's an off the bench guy. Problem is, off the bench guys aren't necessarily drafted, especially in the first round. Costner will have a tough road ahead of him as a pro, but he wouldn't be the first undrafted player to land a job with a pro team. I wish him the best.
Busy week ahead with Jim Connors en route to Memphis, and Ryan Welch heading north to Boston. We'll have you covered every step of the way as the Drive to Detroit continues!
Mike Solarte
The ACC flamed out in the opening 2 rounds, with Wake Forest, Boston College and Florida State losing their openers. Maryland won a game (as I thought they would), but then ran into Memphis. Only Duke and UNC continue on, Duke meeting Villanova in Boston, and Carolina taking on Gonzaga in Memphis. I like Carolina's chances against Gonzaga, but I'm not sure about Duke and 'Nova. We'll see as the week goes on.
Davidson's NIT run came to an end this morning-seriously, this morning. St. Mary's (CA) knocked out Davidson 80-68, ending the Wildcats hopes of making it to New York for the NIT semi-finals. Stephen Curry scored 26 in the season finale, and now the watch will begin to see if Curry will return to the Wildcats for one more season. I hope he does--for selfish reasons. I like the kid. He's vibrant, and exciting to watch. If he decides to go the NBA, I wish him loads of luck. He's got the opportunity to be a solid pro. Not a star (and he doesn't have to be), but a guy that can contribute for a very long time.
Brandon Costner is leaving NC State to enter the NBA draft pool. This is a guy that averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds for his career in the ACC. The stuff of legend? No, but the stuff that can be coached into a role player in the league. I don't pretend to know what Costner is capable of in the future, but under Sidney Lowe, Costner showed he can be versatile enough that at the next level, he's an off the bench guy. Problem is, off the bench guys aren't necessarily drafted, especially in the first round. Costner will have a tough road ahead of him as a pro, but he wouldn't be the first undrafted player to land a job with a pro team. I wish him the best.
Busy week ahead with Jim Connors en route to Memphis, and Ryan Welch heading north to Boston. We'll have you covered every step of the way as the Drive to Detroit continues!
Mike Solarte
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wild and weird round 1 finish
If you are like me, then you were wiping the sleep from your eyes a little later this Saturday morning after some great finishes on Friday night. Wisconsin needing OT to beat Florida State, Siena doing the same to Ohio State (in 2 overtimes), and then there was Cleveland State.
Yep, Cleveland State sent Wake Forest home with a dominant 84-69 defeat. The Deacs never led, never got closer than 7 with 11 minutes to play in the 2nd half, and simply had no answers. It's a shame, because this was a good Wake team, but the Vikings were so good, it was a bit scary.
In the Sports Night Blog Brackets, "ipitytheblue" leads the way with 27 winners (out of the first 32 games), followed by "ptsimers" with 26, and then "bstar", "mmcfaddin" and our own Kira Mathis have 25. I am tied for 6th with 24 winners. Had I gone with the chalk, I would be higher up, but then again, the first round is all about finding the upsets, and I was close on several--VCU loses by 2 to UCLA (I had the Rams), Marquette escaped with a 1 point win over Utah State (Had Utah St.), and I had Butler beating LSU (Tigers won that 8-9 match-up). I did have the likes of Siena and Western Kentucky advancing, though.
Saturday and Sunday promise more fun and excitement. The tv will be a good companion today and tomorrow.
Have to get this off my chest, though, about the tournament as a whole. Why in the world are games starting just before 10 p.m. in the first round? In the Eastern time zone? The 10 p.m. start time is something that is reserved for adult league hockey games (trust me, I know, having played late night hockey for many years). It's not the start time for the NCAA's showcase basketball tournament. The latest a game should start is 8:30 local time. That's an hour and a half earlier than Wake-Cle. St. and Wisconsin-FSU got started on Friday. Yeah, I know, TV determines those things, but the NCAA is the one running this show. They need to make the call and allow these players, coaches and fans a chance to start at a time that they are somewhat used to. I don't recall an east coast start time later than 9 p.m. during the season, so a 10 p.m. start is just ridiculous. A 10pm eastern start is fine, if the teams are playing in the Mountain and/or Pacific time zones. East coast fans will stay up and watch those games. I know I would. Let's exercise some commons sense going forward, huh?
Enjoy the games, and root for my brackets!!! Ok, just enjoy the games!
Mike Solarte
Yep, Cleveland State sent Wake Forest home with a dominant 84-69 defeat. The Deacs never led, never got closer than 7 with 11 minutes to play in the 2nd half, and simply had no answers. It's a shame, because this was a good Wake team, but the Vikings were so good, it was a bit scary.
In the Sports Night Blog Brackets, "ipitytheblue" leads the way with 27 winners (out of the first 32 games), followed by "ptsimers" with 26, and then "bstar", "mmcfaddin" and our own Kira Mathis have 25. I am tied for 6th with 24 winners. Had I gone with the chalk, I would be higher up, but then again, the first round is all about finding the upsets, and I was close on several--VCU loses by 2 to UCLA (I had the Rams), Marquette escaped with a 1 point win over Utah State (Had Utah St.), and I had Butler beating LSU (Tigers won that 8-9 match-up). I did have the likes of Siena and Western Kentucky advancing, though.
Saturday and Sunday promise more fun and excitement. The tv will be a good companion today and tomorrow.
Have to get this off my chest, though, about the tournament as a whole. Why in the world are games starting just before 10 p.m. in the first round? In the Eastern time zone? The 10 p.m. start time is something that is reserved for adult league hockey games (trust me, I know, having played late night hockey for many years). It's not the start time for the NCAA's showcase basketball tournament. The latest a game should start is 8:30 local time. That's an hour and a half earlier than Wake-Cle. St. and Wisconsin-FSU got started on Friday. Yeah, I know, TV determines those things, but the NCAA is the one running this show. They need to make the call and allow these players, coaches and fans a chance to start at a time that they are somewhat used to. I don't recall an east coast start time later than 9 p.m. during the season, so a 10 p.m. start is just ridiculous. A 10pm eastern start is fine, if the teams are playing in the Mountain and/or Pacific time zones. East coast fans will stay up and watch those games. I know I would. Let's exercise some commons sense going forward, huh?
Enjoy the games, and root for my brackets!!! Ok, just enjoy the games!
Mike Solarte
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