Your Just Not That Good

Big East basketball is so over rated, but no one realizes it because 70 percent of the people on the east coast grew up loving the Big East. Take out USC from Pac 10 football, and the conference is whack. Take out Connecticut in Big East basketball and the conference is weaker than a crippled kid in a wheel chair.

You say: How the heck are you going to say that Jamie?

Well take 20 years for instance. The Big East has had six teams in the Final Four in two decades. Think about it. If you are 35 years old right now, you were 15 two decades ago. Now you have two kids, a mortgage, and you hate your wife. That is a long time ok. Six teams in the Final Four that is it. Can’t count Louisville in 2005 because they were in Conference USA. Can’t count Marquette in 2003. Can’t count the 1992 Cincinnati team. The Big East is essentially the most over hyped conference since Pac 10 football.

I find the Final Four a good barometer to go by. The ACC is on a completely different level then the Big East as far as I am concerned. The Big East gets one final four team in every four years. The ACC has had 20 in the last 20 years. Just in case you cannot count, that is one team every year the ACC is taking to the Final Four. Even the harassed Big 10 conference is better than the Big East. They have had 15 teams in the past 20 years in the Final Four.

From 1988-1995, the Big East got just one team in the Final Four. During the ten-year stretch (1988-1998) they only got two teams in the Final Four and they never won. What an embarrassment. Not only does the ACC and the Big 10 crush the Big East as a conference, but how about the SEC. The south does not even care about basketball yet the three out of five teams that have gotten to the Final Four have won and that is the SEC.

Six teams in 20 years, that is not enough to get as much attention on every sports channel like the Big East does night in and night out. Especially this year when its top heavy and teams like Notre Dame, who was in the top 10 and who has four seniors that play significant minutes, and Georgetown who are “flippy floppy” teams.

When the Big 10 conference has a better past, then you know your conference is just not that good. Take out UCCON and maybe Syracuse; the rest of the conference has been mediocre at best. Minnesota, who is 7th in the Big 10, beat the Big East Champion Louisville. “Get some facts and come back and see me.” The “Big Least” is a complete bust. The ACC and the Big 10 boat ride the Big East- it is a joke. The ACC has more Championships, more Final Fours, and a better winning percentage in the tournament.

All you east coast bias, sit down, shut up, and get some perspective.

Tuesday Tantrum - - Vol. 2

I am sorry that the "Tuesday Tantrum" is getting posted so late but remember . . . I now write for numonefan.com so just check the website out and join if you want (add me as a teammate also). 

NHL Rules

So the NHL actually found some “hype” to talk about this weekend. Congratulations to the league. At the General Manager’s Meeting on Monday in Naples, Florida, small committees were divided up to discuss if fighting should be taken out of the game. Is this an issue we should even debate about? Seriously… get real… once again the NHL equals gullible. What an obtuse piece of information to discuss. I’m not saying that the discussion is irrelevant, but for a league that is built on violence, how are you going to take fighting out? (That includes if the league just takes out headshots). So what, keep your kids away from watching it until age appropriate. You keep them away from Pg-13 movies and rated R movies, why can you not keep them away from a sport, especially a sport that it is at the bottom of the totem poll to the majority. (There is a reason why Barry Melrose is only on ESPN every other night with a 3-5 minute segment.) So I don’t want to hear it hockey fans… your sport is almost worthless if you take out the second best thing there is in hockey (malicious kane) next to scoring goals.

March Madness Changes?

Of course, it is that time of year again – everyone wants to discuss how we can make the bracket better by giving more teams a chance. Some say (Bob Knight says) expand it to 128 teams and you only have one extra game which would be the only way I would be oppose of changing it if I absolutely had to vote (but that is besides the fact). Others (Jay Bilas and Doug Gotlieb - - who I respect a ton) say that we should still do the 31 automatic bids but the automatic bid should go to the regular season champion in the conference and NOT the tournament champion. On top of that they want a computer system for the other 34 “at large” bids. Come on, what is literally the highest rated sporting event, next to the Super Bowl… hmm do not worry you’ll probably get the question right (it is a level 200 question on Jeopardy). Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo BOOP boo doo doo doo . . . ok time is up. “What is,” the NCAA Tournament! No need to change anything. The event is one of the most prolific sporting fans get in their goody bag of events throughout the year. March Madness is too good. Never chang anything that already works!

Squash Anyone?

As I am reading Forbes magazine online, I come across one of their most famous aspects to the magazine- a survey. According to Forbes magazine, Squash is the healthiest sport. The sport squash got an overall rating of a 22.5 out of 25. It is estimated that you burn over 500 calories playing a half hour of Squash. Cardio respiratory endurance was rated a 4.5 out of 5 and muscular endurance was measured a 5 out of 5. I’m not throwing a tantrum here, but who would of thought that a sport where one WHACKS a hollow ball into a wall at high impact would be classified as the most healthiest sport….hmm.

T.O. To Buffalo 
I save the best for last. We all heard about the “BIG” signing in the NFL over the weekend. Yes, Terrell Owens is a Buffalo Bill or as his football fans are calling it, “retirement.” Seriously, does anyone think he will survive? I am a major T.O. supporter when critics bash him “most” of the “time.” However, not backing T.O. on this situation. You think T.O. drops balls in Dallas where it is 80 plus degrees everyday, wait until he goes to “O-H C-A-N-A-D-A” where it is – 10 below in week 3. Someone buying a Lamborghini in Montana is what this signing reminded me of…it just does not fit. T.O. does not have a quarterback that has proven himself but on the good side, he only has one year to work with. You would have to think that “Getcha Popcorn Ready Guy” would have to be on his best behavior… right? I think so.

South Bend Survives

Post-game

Notre Dame (18-13, 8-10) lives to play another day in the Big East Tournament as they were the victor beating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-21, 2-16) 61-50.  

It was the Fighting Irish's defense that stepped up and won the game on Tuesday night. Rutgers finished 21-63 (33 percent) from the field. The poor shooting was caused by the Irish's defense not allowing Rutgers to get to the basket.  

Notre Dame's Kyle McAlarney had 11 points for the 10th seed Irish but the main story was Tory Jackson. Jackson scored all 12 points of his points in the second half to lift the Irish to the win.  

Luke Harangody of the Irish had an off night with just 7 points and 11 rebounds. Harangody was averaging 23 and 12 coming into the game.  

Rutgers (11-21) were led by Hamady N'Diayne and the freshman (leading scorer), Mike Rosario. Both combined for a total of 26 points.  

Notre Dame (18-13) will play the 7th seed West Virginia Mountaineers (21-10, 10-8) tonight at 7 p.m..

A First Round Big East Matchup

Pre-Game

A tournament that gives all 16 teams in the conference an opportunity to play. A tournament for the right to earn an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. A tournament that has a first round matchup of two teams that are looking to stay at least one more night in "The Big Apple."  

The Notre Dame FIghting Irish (17-13, 8-10) will play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-20, 2-16) tomorrow night at 7 pm in the world's most famous arena (Madison Square Garden).  

If you would have said Notre Dame would have been the 10th seed in the Big East Tournament at the beginning of the year, you might have been called all kinds of foul language names. The Irish are led by an All-Big East player and pre season All-American, Luke Harangody, Harangody is averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds a game.  

After starting the year 12-4 and a ranking in the top 10 in the month of January, the Irish dropped 7 in a row. The team finished a mere 5-3. The question now is... how many games do the Irish need to win to get in the NCAA Tournament, 2,3,4? Or do they have to win the tournament to guarantee themselves a spot?  

Meanwhile the Scarlet Knights are looking to gain experience with an extraordinary young team. Rutgers is led by a freshman, Mike Rosario, who is the only player averaging double figures on the team (16.3 ppg). Rutgers won just two Big East games this season but do not think that they cannot beat a Notre Dame team that had an exhausting losing season.  

Both programs are not only trying to do the improbable (win the Big East TOurnament and get the automatic bid), but the two are looking to gain valuable experience for next year.  

Whoever wins this first round matchup, will play the likes of West Virginia (21-10, 10-8) on Wednesday. The Mountaineers beat both teams during the regular season (74-56 over Rutgers and 79-68 over Notre Dame).

Gameday Is Here

(Sorry I never got this copied and pasted from the website). Here is the pre-game column. 

ESPN's College Gameday heads into Morgantown, W.Va. as the No. 6 Louisville Cardinals (24-5, 15-2) take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (21-9, 10-7).

After the Mountaineer's bitter rival (No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers) defeated the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies for the second straight time this season earlier today, Louisville will decide the final outcome of the Big East Tournament seeding. If Louisville wins, they lock up the number one seed in the conference tournament. On the other side, if the Mountaineers win, Pittsburgh will be the "numero uno" seed.

West Virginia lost a month ago to the Cardinals 69-63 in Freedom Hall. WVU's Da'Sean Butler had 23 points and 8 rebounds, while scoring 19 of those points in the second half. Meanwhile, the Cardinals Jerry Smith had 20 points.

The Cardinals will not only be targeting the top seed in the Big East Tournament, but they will be trying to impress the NCAA Tournament committee for a number one seed in the bracket of 64.

There is no question that Louisville is one of, if not, the deepest team in America. Louisville coach Rick PItino will go 11 deep if needed. If the Mountaineers want to be victorious they will have to shoot better from the field overall as a team. In the first meeting, Louisville shot 55 percent as a team from the field while West Virginia shot a poor 35 percent. The Mountaineers will not only need to shoot the ball better, but not turn the ball over. Louisville is one of the longest teams in the nation. The Mountaineers will need to handle the full-court pressure. The Cards also have one of the better defensive efficiency ratings in the nation and the team averages 8 steals per game.

Louisville has proven to be one of the elite teams in the Big East. The Cardinals should win this game and here is why: (1) Defense, (2) size advantage, and (3) they are much more experienced. WVU plays three freshman (Devin Eebanks, Daryll "Truck" Bryant, and Kevin Jones) who average 20 plus minutes a game. Including two (Eebanks and Bryant) who play over 25 plus minutes.

The Big East, College Gameday, showdown should be an intense matchup between two teams who are fighting for Big East seeding, bragging rights, and most of all, end the season with a win.

Weeding Out The Problem Children

You know that feeling you get when you  throw out all  of the old Dorito bags that have been expired or all the old can food you give to the Salvation Army from your kitchen pantry. Well, the Dallas Cowboys have to be feeling good about themselves after cleaning their pantry of players out, especially after last night. 

Late last night the Cowboys discarded their diva receiver Terrell Owens. Owens was just one of four players to get the scissors. Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, and Adam "Pacman" Jones are also among the men not on the piece of paper that says "ROSTER." Many say that all of these guys were distractions in the locker room to some degree.  

Owens caught 34 touchdowns  the last 3 years with "Americas Team."  However, in his tenure at Dallas, T.O. was second among the league in dropped passes in his term as a Cowboy.

T.O. can be a headache outside of football, but on "gameday," he shows up. He rarely uses profanity, he's rarely ever been called a liar, and he rarely is ever in some king of "non-football related," crime. 

Win football games Dallas. You just got rid of a future Hall of Fame wide receiver. At age 35, Terrell Owens may be in his declining years but he is the only receiver Dallas that has had at least 10 touchdowns every season. The question is not where will T.O. end up now? The real question is can Roy Williams produce as a wide receiver in Dallas? Lets not forget that Tony Romo went 13-3 just two seasons ago. Romo can play, but will his core of "non-proven" receivers show up? Jason Witten, who T.O. supposedly alleged in a brawl with,  is one of the best, if not the best tight end in football, but Romo cannot work with just a tight end to win football games. 

T.O. was not helping the team win and he was  a cancer if nothing else. But Jerry Jones took a $9 million salary hit today- not good. T.O. might have been a toxic "Ken Doll," but this is not one of Jerry's proud days as an owner. Look at the situation this way Jerry, chemistry does matter. 

Take the Philadelphia Eagles for example. The Eagles are led by the most under rated quarterback of all-time in Donovan McNabb. McNabb is a great team player and he gets his team to the NFC Championship virtually every year with average talent at best. Perfect opposite of T.O. and a "primetime" example why McNabb and T.O. never lasted. Dallas has a plethora of talented athletes and they cannot win. Weeding out the problem children is nice, but now you have to win. That is the next ingredient on the instructions of a Super Bowl ring. 

So where does T.O. end up? You would certainly have to put Carolina, Tennessee, and San Diego in the equation. And throw out teams like, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Miami, Minnesota, and Arizona for obvious reasons. Carolina and Tennessee both had tremendous regular seasons and faulted in the playoffs. Both could use another experienced player and both head coaches (John Fox and Jeff Fisher) would not take any garbage. San Diego would also be a nice fit because they have the cap space, plus with Phillip Rivers under center, "aint" nothing or no one telling him what to do PERIOD. T.O. will be discussed like rapid fire in the media. Hey at least the story gives us something different to talk about besides A-Rod.

For now, Dallas has had a -A off season. Now they have to get rid of their marshmallow with a headset on coach, Wade Philips, and they would be in good shape. Get your popcorn ready because "America's Team" will be interesting. A new team in a new stadium. 

Tuesday Tantrum - - Vol. 1

After all kinds of ludacris garbage media that has happened over the past 48 hours, I have decided to start a blog on Tuesdays. The post will consist of my "rants" of the weekend into the following Monday . . . and here "we" . . .  go >>>

Jay Cutler:

Oh boy, where do I start with you Mr. Cutler (DENVER BRONCO QUARTERBACK)? First you go and act like a lunatic by saying that you should never be traded. Then you say your not going to talk to the team ... "right now." Seriously dude? You are 17-20 as a starter in Denver and that record my friend is in a weak division. Your average quarterback rating is 88.8. For someone who is interception-prone in a weak division... you should not be talking. Of course your going to be "trade bait" when you go 17-20 in a diluted division. Think about it people, Josh McDaniels, new head coach in Denver dealt with two humble and coachable quarterbacks in New England. Cutler is good. Very strong arm, got a swagger to him, but if he is going to act like a little kid that cannot get a Drumstick at the Go-Mart and whine and cry about just getting a slim jim, then get rid of him. Not suggesting it, but Cutler please GROW UP and quit being a cowherd.

Who got the better trade NE or KC?

How about NO ONE got the better end of the stick with the marshmallow. If you are going to ask who got the "probable," most reasonable deal it would be New England. Think about it. Bill "GENIUS (best coach alive)" Belichick got a second round draft pick for what would be a BACKUP quarterback (Matt Cassel) in their system and a linebacker that is a walking skeleton about to collapse (Mike Vrabel). Look at what New England and coach Belichick did with a 6th round pick (Tom Brady) and a 7th round pick (Matt Cassel). A second rounder is basically stealing candy away from a baby at this point for the franchise under Belichick. 

Well you say why not go for the Chiefs third overall pick Mr. McCracken? Um... because it does not make any sense. Why would the Patriots do that when they are trying and just in fact DID clear cap space of $ 18 million. They would have to pay that third overall pick three times that amount just in bonuses. It is all about space not alimony. Just another BRILLIANT move by Coach Belichick. 

Sidney Crosby:

Ok so I found this story just absurd. One of my favorite website "theonion," reported that National Hockey League phenomena "Sid the Kid" Crosby used and has been using his 15 percent employee discount card often. Crosby is set t use it multiple times for Penguins merchandise that includes: team-licensed garments, knits, caps, pencil cups ect. He says that the discount card has saved him hundreds of dollars on gifts for family and friends. Glad to see you are spending that $43.5 million wisely. At least he is doing the economy a favor but come on you tight "a$$." When you have the money, one should not be too conservative. I mean this story sounds like one you tell your grandma about some old lady in the grocery store using food stamps, yet using her debit card to buy a case of beer. Please Mr. Crosby, do us a favor and do not let something like this come out into the media. The story is a "look good," "feel good," "kind of embarrassing" story.