Dream Game comes back to prominence

By: Raashaan Myers

(Image courtesy of wdrb.com)

With the final horn sounding in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on Sunday afternoon it became official. The University of Louisville and University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball programs will be back on a stage that it has not seen in 29 years. That is at the center of the college basketball universe with even more at stake as the two bitter rival programs will meet on the game’s greatest stage in the Final Four. And I for one am not sure that the City of New Orleans has gotten themselves into.

For the Louisville Cardinals this unbelievable tournament run which began in the Big East tournament has given much needed relief to what has seen like a never ending rash of injuries, tough losses, and frustrating results.  Since being the #1 overall seed of the 2009 NCAA tournament and a very tough loss to Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans the Cards have been looking to gain their balance ever since. After back to back first round exits Louisville finally found a spark that has been missing the last couple of seasons and now they are back on an unbelievable roll.

Starting with winning the 2012 Big East tournament Louisville looked determined to not let an injury plagued regular season determine its fate for the post season. With outstanding leadership and improved play from junior point guard Peyton Siva the Cards have been galvanized during the last three week stretch. From taking better care of the ball to running a much smoother cohesive offense Louisville is hitting on all cylinders and have knocked off several top teams during this stretch including the aforementioned Michigan State Spartans.

And after it was done and Louisville completed a furious comeback to claim the West Region title the citizens of Louisville once again proved why they are the best college sports town in America. With the whole Main Events Sports crew on hand to watch joy and jubilation this city put on an impromptu block party and everyone was invited. A fun loving, smiling, and emotional Louisville fan base was out in full force on every street and neighborhood block downtown throwing up L’s and shouting. And every age from very young to very old were all joined together to celebrate what seemed like a long time coming. This state has always been about basketball and today was again proof that we know how to treat and celebrate greatness on the hardwood.

For the Kentucky Wildcats this seemed like a foregone conclusion and more of a formality in its road to the Final Four. Coming into the tournament as the #1 team in the country and playing as such beating all of their opponents in convincing fashion and make no mistake this team in the real deal. With a roster that includes no less than 3 lottery picks and a couple of other NBA caliber talents this team is playing with a focus and intensity that has yet to be matched during the NCAA tournament. Anchored by the ultra-talented forwards Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist the Cats will be heavy favorites to cut the nets down next week.

The mention of a David vs. Goliath will be an angle that will be mentioned more than once this week and it appropriate assessment for this matchup of Bluegrass powers. Louisville is the team no one believed in taking on Kentucky the team that is the champion awaiting coronation. You can’t make a movie that has a better plot than the one that is playing out in front of our eyes, but one thing is for sure and that is the eyes of the nation will be on the state of Kentucky this week and we are again back where we should be as the center of the basketball universe. So all the fans of basketball in this great state should enjoy this great season and celebrate two great teams and their success this year.

2012 NCAA Tournament: Great Start for the Local Teams

2012 NCAA Tournament: Great start for local teams

By: Raashaan Myers

The University of Louisville – The Cards 2012 tournament started out with an excellent showing vs. the Davidson Wildcats in a 69-62 win. Louisville PG Peyton Siva continued to build on his Big East tournament MVP showing last week in New York with an equally impressive 2nd round performance on Thursday afternoon. Though hampered with foul trouble in the second half Siva would total 17 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in the victory. Louisville also got strong performances from its frontcourt tandem of Chane Behanan (14 pts and 11 rebs) and Gorgui  Dieng (9 pts and 7 rebs).  Next up for the Cardinals will be a tough New Mexico Lobos squad led by UCLA transfer forward Drew Gordon (13 ppg, 10 rpg). Former Indiana University all American Steve Alford coaches the Lobos and reflect the gritty Big Ten style he played under Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight. For the Cards to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 they will have to continue their efficient work on the offensive end of the court against the stingy Lobo defense and Peyton Siva will have to continue his hot play. The Card tip off tonight at 9:40 on TBS.

The University of Kentucky – As expected the Cats had a rather easy time of it against the feisty Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. Clearly overmatched WKU tried their best to keep pace with the #1 Wildcats but it was for not as UK would roll to an 81-66 win to open the tournament. Kentucky big man Anthony Davis was as good as advertised totaling 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks to lead the strong effort with Terrence Jones (22 pts, 10 rebs) and Doron Lamb (16 pts, 4 rebs) also helping the cause. While the much anticipated matchup with UConn did not come to pass UK will have an equally stern test from the upstart Iowa State Cyclones and all-Big 12 forward Royce White (13 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg) and an arsenal of talented 3 points shooters. The Wildcats will need to get their always excellent defensive effort out of Davis and they will have to make sure to put a lock down on the perimeter if they want to make their way to Atlanta and the Sweet 16. Terrence Jones will also have to be a factor as well as he has seen his play step up late in the season offensively. The Cats will tip off at 7:45 on CBS.

Indiana University – The Hoosiers got a warm welcome back to the NCAA tournament with an impressive 79-66 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies. Head Coach Tom Crean has done a magnificent job getting IU back to prominence in college basketball but even more important making them a factor in March. Indiana used a balanced offensive attack to take down the Aggies with PG Jordan Hulls going for 22 points and 3 assists for the Hoosiers.  Center Cody Zeller and forward Christian Watford both chipped in with 14 points apiece in the win as well. Next for Indiana will be a showdown with last year’s darling of the tournament VCU and their energetic head coach Shaka Smart.  And while this year’s incarnation of the Rams does not feature two of the stars of the Final Four team they are still tough and smart on the court. IU will need to continue to feed Zeller in the paint as VCU does not have the size to compete down low and when the opportunity is there continue to knock down the 3 point shot with consistency. The Hoosiers begin play tonight at 7:15 on TBS.

Murray State University – The Racers have been talked about as the dark horse pick to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament and they got things rolling early with a dominant 58-41 win against the Colorado State Rams. Isaiah Canaan the do everything point guard for the Racers again led his team to victory with a 15 point, 7 rebound, and 2 assist performance and 2-guard Donte Poole also added 13 points in the win as well. Next up for the Racers will be Big East power Marquette in a game that may be the most entertaining of all the games this Saturday. Canaan will once again be front and center for the Racers and he will have to take his game to the next level to get the win over the #2 team in the Big East this season. Also big man Ivan Aska had an off night against CSU and he will have to have a much bigger impact on the game if Murray will want to make their way to Phoenix and the Sweet 16. The Racers and Golden Eagles will get things going at 5:15 on CBS.

Is the Saints bounty scandal, a real scandal?

The big news in the NFL for the past couple of days has been about the Saint's bounty scandal. In case you haven't heard, the NFL on Friday, March 2, said that 22 to 27 defensive players ran a bounty program from 2009-2011with the intent to injure players on other teams. The NFL investigation found the payments of the "program" were administered by then defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Saints head coach Sean Payton had knowledge of the program, but did not stop it.

The NFL has rules against "bounties" and current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has shown that he takes players safety very seriously. I expect him to act quickly and hand out some pretty stiff punishments. I wouldn't be surprised to see multiple game suspensions and heavy fines for both the players and the coaches.  The Saints will also lose a draft pick or picks as well.

I can understand some of the outrage about the bounty program. Especially the parts about taking out other players and for the big hits. With that said this has been going on in the NFL for decades. Most teams have performance based kittys or bounties. You can win a little extra money for interceptions, numer of tackles, etc. I'm sue every team in the NFL does that. That's no big deal. It's the taking out of other players and the pay out for big hits that's the big deal. But you know what. That has also been going on in the NFL for decades. That aspect of the bounty never leaves the confines of the locker room, but it does go on. I'm sure Dick Butkis and Deacon Jones had several of these bounties for taking out players. But this is a different and time and era.

I tend be cynical when it comes to things like this, but I understand and will most likely agree with what ever punishment the NFL decides on. I believe its ok to have the performance "kitty", but not taking out other players. Especially in light of what we know about concussions, and the short life spans of pro football players.