NHL, NBA, etc...

So we got two crucial game 7's tonight in the NHL playoffs, with the Rangers at the Caps and the Hurricanes at the Devils...Ovechkin has gotten hot and the rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov looks great!  I predict the Capitals take their momentum into the 2nd round and finish off Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers...Now for the game 7 in the back-and-forth series between the Devils and the Hurricanes...tough decision based on how the series has been going, comment and let me know who ya got.  Some good NBA playoff action tonight-be sure to watch the Bulls-Celts and the Sixers-Magic, as both series are tied at two games...any other thoughts or comments? Become a follower of our blog or post any comments or thoughts you have...

Later.

Post-Draft, NBA

Top Drafts:

Bengals, A

Andre Smith, the oft-criticized OL from Alabama, went to the Bengals in the first round, at #6. I was a bit unsure at first, but hey, it's the BENGALS. They have Tank Johnson. And Chris Henry. And Chad Johnson. And Cedric Benson. And - OK, fine. The end. Also, falling to them (luck) was Rey Maualuga. What a great pick, as the Bengals improve in big ways after the draft.

Jets, A-

Depending on how Mark Sanchez does, the Jets' draft will be good or bad. A crafty trade, then another one at the beginning of day2, for Shonn Greene, is huge.

Worst Drafts:

Oakland, F-

Darrius Heyward-Bey isn't so much a terrible pick. He's a blazer, but raw. HOWEVER. This Michael Mitchell dude from Ohio was supposed to be a late round pick, if he got picked. So, he goes to the Raiders... IN THE SECOND ROUND. Niiiiiccccceeeee.

hahahahah.

NBA Playoffs.

Magic 84 76ers 81 - The Magic avoided another collapse as Turkoglu hit his only 3 of the game with 0.9 seconds left, as the Magic beat the host Sixers.

The Rockets beat the Blazers.

The Chicago Bulls took a thriller away from the Celtics, 121-118 I believe. The game was tied as Derrick Rose drove to the lane, and miiiiised. Then OT came upon us, when the Celtics were up the WHOLE time seemingly until Ben Gordon hit a clutch 3, and a crotch grab. No, this v isn't the crotch grab, this is just B-Gords.

Draft, Baseball, Hockey, Notes

The top pick, Matt Stafford, was a given. Then Smith, from Baylor. It continued with Curry, and Heyward-Bey at 7, and...

wait. WHAT?

Now, Darrius Heyward-Bey was a very fast, talented, yet raw receiver projected mid to late first round. But Al Davis struck again. The draft continued. Another surprise was the Jets trading up to get Mark Sanchez. It went on with Maclin to the Eagles, Oher to the Ravens, and Rey Maualuga falling to the second round. Today, day 2, led off with Shonn Greene from Iowa to the Jets.

On the baseball front, things seem to be strange. The Marlins look human again, losing 5 straight. However, the NL West still has 2 teams over .500! The Mariners are 12-6! The Pirates are 10-7! The Blue Jays are LEADING THE DIVISION!? Help me please...

Hockey shcokers. 2 heavily favored teams are on the brink today, with the Washington Capitals down 3-2 to the Rangers. In this series, the Capitals have won two games 4-0, and lost three close ones. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist for NY has been unstoppable ... sort of. With Simeon Varlamov, rookie keeper for Washington, the Caps have rallied and gained momentum. Meanwhile, same with the San Jose Sharks. The best record team of the NHL is at the edge. Game 6 is tomorrow.

Mel Kiper > Todd McShay ... Red Sox > Yankees ... Everyone > Al Davis

New Blog, apologies, baseball thoughts

AWESOME.

don't worry, this isn't my blog. a friend's blog, actually.

i apologize for not posting, i was devastated about state, and didn't post a recap. over easter break, i was in baltimore. then, school started. but, i'm back.

So far the Marlins are the best team in baseball, at 11-1. Now, this won't keep up (probably) but it is a nice story. They have such a solid lineup and rotation. The Cubs are middling, but are still a popular pick for the pennant. The Yankees are not living up to the hype, and their stadium gives up a million HR's. The Angels just got swept by the Twins, the AL central is still a mess, and the Rays are hanging around .500

The orioles, by the way, have AWFUL pitching and a great lineup.

Tonight

Is the night.

Per-dic-shunz

MSU - UConn.

As told, I am an MSU fan. But.... I'll try not to be biased.

Michigan States' success does not ride on one single player, Raymar Morgan does not need to have a good game for them to win, and they don't have to shoot over 45% from behind the arc.

For them, it's boards, boards, boards, and some good guard play.

They play tremendous defense with Walton, Suton, Ibok (could be used to stop Thabeet), Roe, and Korie Lucious, and Kalin Lucas is not afraid to ...

go at THABEET.

To me this is the key to the game. For UConn, Kemba Walker has been pushing the tempo. If they can push the tempo, (MSU likes to run but isn't as good as UConn and UNC are at it) then they may have the game right there.

Keys to the matchup

MSU

-Halfcourt Style

-Go at Thabeet, he can't block everything

-Put a "Suton" Thabeet

-Pound the boards

UConn

-Block everything

-Push the tempo

-Get a big game from Price

my prediction -- Michigan State 70 UConn 63

To me, these teams are so evenly matched that the one X-Factor MSU has that UConn doesn't, is playing in Ford Field. If the game is close as I expect it to be, then this ramped up crowd, which may have the full Izzone, should push MSU through the game.

UNC - Nova

I don't expect this game to be a blowout. Until the end...

I think Villanova is good. I just think Villanova will lose. UNC now has a healthy Lawson. If. IF they hit their threes, then they will win. If they don't, then they might lose. See, against Gonzaga, Gonzaga tried to run with UNC. Don't do that. Villanova needs to run when they can, but PLAY GOOD DEFENSE. If Villanova hits three's and plays defense, they will win.

UNC 82 - Villanova 68

Basketball and other sports news...

Teddy is feelin a bit sick so its Matt...lets get to it.

The Final Four games tip-off tomorrow night around 6, as the Spartans of Michigan State will take on the Connecticut Huskies.  This is a dream come true for Travis Walton of the Spartans, as this is his last year with Tom Izzo.  "Sparty" will certainly have the crowd on their side at Ford Field, but they will take on a tough uconn team.  I expect this game to be a dogfight 'till the end, with some great matchups between guards Kalin Lucas and A.J Price, and Hasheem Thabeet and Goron Suton!  Suton can shoot the ball, which can bring the 7'3'' Thabeet out from the paint, forcing him to guard Suton...In the second matchup of the night, we have the Villanova Wildcats taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels.  Roy Williams and his gang certainly seem to have the edge in this one, but 'nova is playing their best basketball!  However, I think Carolina is just more athletic and more talented overall, and will overwhelm the Wildcats...they're just so quick and effective in transition!  With Ty Lawson at point, I wouldn't be suprised if North Carolina takes the title!

For the Pennsylvania sports fans, how about them Nittany Lions last night!?!?!  I know it was the NIT (Not Invited Tournament), but this is a feel-good story for psu basketball fans, as Ed Dechillis is trying to get this program back on track...In other news, Cutler is traded to the bears for Kyle Orton and two first-round draft picks, John Callipari leaves Memphis to become the new coach of Kentucky basketball, and the New York "Football" Giants release Plaxico Burress today...that's all for now!