Tuesday, June 29, 2010

College Football Preview: 8. Florida Gators



Florida Gators Number Eight, Key Loss: QB Tim Tebow
Few can replace Tim Tebow at quarterback. We watched number 15 lead the Gators to SEC greatness challenging Alabama two straight years for the SEC championship. Now we meet John Brantley, Tebow's replacement. Brantley wouldn't have to throw the ball that often though, fortunately the Gators have a solid backfield led by Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. Guard Mike Pouncey(brother of draft pick Maurkice Pouncey) will lead the way for Demps. On defense, the Gators are trying to regroup after losing Joe Haden and Brandon Spikes. Threy still have guys like safeties Will Hill and Ahmad Black. Tackles Omar Hunter and Terron Sanders return an will constantly pressure QB's.

Heisman Hopeful: Jeff Demps
Other Notable Players: Mike Pouncey
Key Games: October 2 vs. Alabama Quick Pick: Could be the SEC championship as John Brantley tries to prove he can replace Tebow. Alabama wins.
September 18 vs. Tennessee Quick Pick: The Vols are declining but are still a challenge to the also declining Gators. Florida escapes.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

College Football Preview: 7.TCU Horned Frogs



TCU Horned Frogs Number Seven, Key Loss:DE-LB Jerry Hughes
TCU was oen of two major teams to crash the BCS party last year along with Boise State. This year it looks like much of the same. Andy Dalton returns to the TCU roster and gives the Horned Frogs probably the best quarterback in the Mountain West. He'll have options to through to in guys like Jimmy Young and Jeremy Kerley, both seniors. The defense lost some power when lethal threats Jerry Hughes and Daryll Washington left to the NFL. It is still pretty talented though on the defensive line with Cory Grant and Wayne Daniels. The cornerbacks are a cause for concern but free safety Tejay Johnson keeps the secondary in check.

Heisman Hopeful: Andy Dalton
Other Notable Players: Tejay Johnson
Key Games: September 4 vs. Oregon State Quick Pick: The TCU defense has to find a way to stop talented Jacquizz Rodgers in the backfield but Andy Dalton should do just fine. TCU wins.
November 6 vs. Utah Quick Pick: A big rivalry game TCU gets one of the final chances to face Utah before their move to the Pac 10. Utah wins.
Photo: Andy Dalton(left) and Tejay Johnson (right)

Friday, June 25, 2010

College Football Preview: 6.Nebraska Cornhuskers



Nebraska Cornhuskers Number Six, Key Loss: DT Ndamukong Suh
Losing probably the best all around defensive player on the planet isn't exactly fun but Nebraska will still be a power in the Big 12. The offense didn't lose much keeping quarterback Zac Lee and running back Roy Helu. Lee isn't the best quarterback in the Big 12 but he'll be good enough for the 'Huskers. On defense cornerback Prince Amukamara leads the secondary well Jared Crick is a strong player on the D-line. The 'Huskers could well go later but with Helu leading the team Nebraska challenges Texas for thr top of the Big 12.

Heisman Hopeful: Roy Helu
Other Notable Players: Prince Amukamara
Key Games: October 16 vs. Texas Quick Pick: The Texas offense will likely get it going by this game but the 'Huskers will still give them a challenge. Nebraska wins.
October 23 vs. Oklahoma State Quick Pick: The Cowboys lost their key players so the Cornhuskers will look dominant. Nebraska wins.
Photo: Roy Helu (10) and Prince Amukamara (21)

The NBA Draft Is Over




It was a pretty predictable night in the NBA draft last night. The top 14 picks looked like this:
1. John Wall, Guard, Kentucky to the Wizards Grade: A
2. Evan Turner, Guard, Ohio State to the Sixers Grade: A
3. Derrick Favors, Forward, Georgia Tech to the Nets Grade: A-
4. Wesley Johnson, Forward, Syracuse to the the Timberwolves Grade: A-
5. DeMarcus Cousins, Forward-Center, Kentucky to the Kings Grade: A
6. Ekpe Udoh, Forward, Baylor to the Warriors Grade: B+
7. Greg Monroe, Forward, Georgetown to the Pistons Grade: A-
8. Al Farouq-Aminu, Forward, Wake Forest to the Clippers Grade: A
9. Gordon Hawyard, Guard-Forward, Butler to the Jazz Grade: B
10. Paul George, Forward, Fresno State to the Pacers Grade: C-
11. Cole Aldrich, Center, Kansas to the Hornets Grade: B+
12. Xavier Henry, Guard-Forward, Kansas to the Grizzlies Grade: B
13. Ed Davis, Forward, North Carolina to the Raptors Grade: B+
14. Patrick Patterson, Forward to the Rockets Grade: A-
Awards
Best Pick: John Wall to Wizards, Number 1 Overall
Best Steal: Patrick Patterson to Rockets, Number 14 Overall
Biggest Bust: Paul George to Pacers, Number 10 Overall

Monday, June 21, 2010

NBA Mock Draft: Second Round, Picks 47-60


47. Bucks- Dwayne Collins, PF The Bucks could use a young inside threat to go along wtih Andrew Bogut.
48. Heat- Derrick Caracter, PF The power forward from UTEP means yet another forward for the Heat as they could stock up.
49. Spurs- Art Parakhouski, C An unknown from Radford Parakhouski gives the Spurs an option when Tim Duncan retires which will be very soon.
50. Mavericks- Luke Harangody, SF-PF One of the best players ever to wear a Notre Dame uniform Harangody is an option if Dirk Nowitzki leaves to the market this offseason.
51. Thunder- Sherron Collins, PG The former Jayhawk is experienced but will have to wait a few years until he plays depending on Russell Westbrook.
52. Celtics- Jon Scheyer, PG-SG If Scheyer moves to shooting guard all time he could easily be picked up by the Celts to replace Ray Allen when he retires.
53. Hawks- Darington Hobson, SF(right) After a surprise season in the Mountain West with New Mexico Hobson will give the Hawks another option at small forward.
54. Clippers- Mac Koshwal, PF The Clippers already have some inside threats but they could always move Koshwal to small forward if they decide to draft him.
55. Jazz- Charles Garcia, SF-PF All the way from Seattle Garcia helps at small forward to the injury prone Andrei Kirilenko.
56. Timberwolves- Manny Harris, SG Going into the '09-'10 season Harris and his Michigan Wolverines were expected to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten. They had a disappointing which explains Harris dropping all the way to 56.
57. Pacers- Denis Clemente, PG Clemente is yet another strong Big 12 guard who gives the Pacers various options.
58. Lakers- Alexey Shved, PG-SG The international star from Russia gives the Lakers an explosive new guard.
59. Magic- Dexter Pittman, C Pittman can back up Dwight Howard but the Magic will find some way to play the big cenetr.
60. Suns- Latavious Williams, PF A nice power forward from the USA international team Williams gives the Suns another post presece with Robin Lopez and Channing Fyre.

Friday, June 18, 2010

NBA Mock Draft: Second Round, Picks 39-46


39. Knicks- Jerome Jordan, C With an aging roster inside except for David Lee the Knicks could use the strong C-USA center.
40. Pacers- Nemanja Bjelica, SF The Brandon Rush pick hasn't quite worked out yet so the Pacers could try a new approach with the star from Serbia.
41. Heat- Greivis Vasquez, PG-SG If Dwayne Wade leaves Vasquez could become a starter right away as the Heat could use the sharpshooter.
42. Heat- Samardo Samuels, PF If the Heat grab an earlier big man like many predict including me (Hassan Whiteside) they could use Samuels as another young inside threat.
43. Lakers- Matt Bouldin, PG-SG The West Coast star stays in the West Coast as the Lakers pick him up to backup aging Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant.
44. Blazers- Jarvis Varnado, PF The great shot blocker will help the Blazers inside if LaMarcus Aldrige or Greg Oden aren't fully healthy.
45. Timberwolves- Tiny Gallon, PF An interesting name for a big man, Gallon gives the T-Wolves yet another big man.
46. Suns- Mikhael Torrence, PG-SG Steve Nash isn't getting any younger so the guard from Alabama could help the Suns in the future.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Speacial Edition: Group B Report: Argentina Dominates, Greece Comes Back


After a decent first game against Nigeria in which Argentina won 1-0, Argentina exploded against South Korea. After being up 2-0 looking to shutout South Korea for the half Argentina made a vital mistake and Lee Chung Yong for Korea made it 2-1. But Gonzalo Hiquain had netted three goals giving him a hat trick and Argentina a 4-1victory marking them on top of Group B with six points. South Korea has 3.

Also in Group B winless teams Greece and Nigeria faced each other. Nigeria's Kalu Uche scored in the sixteenth minute looking like they could be the team that many expected them to be: a team that could advance. But later just before the half Greece's Dimitrios Salpingis scored tying up the game. Late in the game Greece's Vasilis Torosidis scored a huge goal and Greece won 2-1. Greece now has 3 points tied with South Korea, who they lost to in game one. Nigeria looks like they are done with no points.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

NBA Mock Draft: Second Round, Picks 31-38


31. Nets- Craig Brackins, PF Even though the Nets already have Brook Lopez, the Nets could make a great young post duo.
32. Thunder- Trevor Booker, PF Another post man gives the Thunder more and more depth inside.
33. Kings- Lance Stephenson, SG Sacremento grabbed a great guard last year in Tyreke Evans. They will get another one in sharp shooter.
34. Warriors- Stanley Robinson, SF The big man Robinson gives the Warriors another forward to help Al Farouq Aminu if they do pick up the pair.
35. Wizards- Damion James, SF James is more of a power forward figure than small forward so the Wizards can move him around.
36. Pistons- Jordon Crawford, SG The former Indiana Hoosier, who was a star for Xavier last year returns to the Midwest as the Pistons need a shooting guard.
37. Bucks- Willie Warren, PG-SG(right) The star from Oklahoma could the team's savior by helping with Brandon Jennings.
38. Knicks- Lazar Hayward, SF When Wesley Matthews and Dominic James left for the NBA Hayward was the only Golden Eagles star that had stayed. Last year helped him show he was a leader and can score.

Monday, June 14, 2010

NBA Mock Draft: Picks 24-30


24. Hawks- Eric Bledsoe, PG-SG Bledsoe is a young and explosive guard who gives the Hawks an option a few years from now when Mike Bibby is gone.
25. Grizzlies- Devin Ebanks, SF Ebanks could well go higher but if the Timberwolves on him Memphis will snatch him up.
26. Thunder- Gani Lawal, PF Picking up Daniel Orton earlier in the draft will help but Lawal gives them more depth in the post.
27. Nets- Elliot Williams, SG(right) With no number one pick in which they could have grabbed either John Wall or Evan Turner, both guards the Nets could use one later in the first round with the C-USA star.
28. Grizzlies- Kevin Seraphin, PF-C The foreign Seraphin will help an already strong inside game and learn from Zach Randolph.
29. Magic- Quincy Pondexter, SF Pondexter can replace Rashard Lewis in a year or two and will be a valuable option off the bench before that.
30. Wizards- Dominique Jones, SG The explosive guard out of the Big East will team up with John Wall too make the best(and youngest) guard combo in 2 or so years.

Speacial Edition: Round of 16 Preview

Even though the 2010 FIFA World Cup has started I have yet to post my round of 16 preview. So here it is:
1A France loses to 2B Nigeria 1-0.
1C England beats 2D Serbia 2-0.
1E Netherlands beats 2F Slovakia 2-0.
1G Brazil beats 2H Switzerland 2-0.

1D Germany beats 2C USA 1-0.
1B Argentina beats 2A Mexico 2-1.
1F Italy beats 2E Cameroon 1-0.
1H Spain beats 2G Portugal 1-0.

1C England beats 2B Nigeria 2-0.
1E Netherlands loses to 1G Brazil 1-0.

1D Germany loses to 1B Argentina 2-1.
1F Italy loses to 1H Spain 1-0.

1C England loses to 1G Brazil 1-0.
1B Argentina loses to Spain 1-0.

Championship 1G Brazil beats 1H Spain 1-0.
Champion: Brazil

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Speacial Edition: World Cup Preview: Group E and F


Group E
With no true all star team this group could be the most competitive group. Netherlands looks like the favorite after being the first team from Europe to qualify for 2010. We know they can score goals with talented striker Robin van Persie, who has scored 73 goals in six seasons for Arsenal. Along with Arjen Robben(top) Netherlands would easily advance to round two. In this FIFA World Cup their are countless African teams that have enough talent to advance but not enough to go far. I've got another one in Cameroon. They have one o the strongest strikers in the game in Samuel Eto'o and a reliable goalie in Carlos Kameni. But to surpass Netherlands they need youngsters Alex Song and Stephane Mbia to step up. Denmark could be considered just another European team. No star but a lot of chemistry means an up and down roller coaster ride. They do have a rising talent in Arsenal's Nicklas Bendter and have experience with Jon Dahl Thompson. They will provide goal after goal. Just another fact: To get to South Africa Denmark took down Portugal and Sweeden, and Sweeden twice. Japan needs a little more pop to get to the next round. Weak qualifying play has many people written them off. Captain Yuji Nakazawa leads the defense but it still will not be enough. Advancing: Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F
Italy hopes to repeat last World Cup in '06 in which they won it all. They aren't exactly young led by experienced players like Fabio Cannavaro who is 36 and Mauro Camoransei who is 33. It means this might be Italy's last chance at the World Cup for a while. With an infield star in Marek Hamsik Slovakia is ready to advance to the second round. Hamsik isn't the only notable player for Slovakia they also have two talented players in Miroslav Stoch and Vladimir Weiss Jr. Paraguay will not let Slovakia advance easily. In a crucial game on June 20 vs. Slovakia, Paraguay will lean heavily on Roque Santa Cruz, especially with no Salvador Cabanas who is lucky to be alive after being shot in the head. It will all depend if the Paraguay shows up that nearly finished first in South American qualifying shows up or the other Paraguay. . . New Zealand hopes that this World Cup they will surprise everyone and get to round number two. Unfortunately, there is slim chance of that happening. Ryan Nelsen is one of the team's lone stars and the only that plays regularly in a top league for the Blackburn Rovers. Other than that New Zealand's roster is very, very bare.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Speacial Edition: World Cup Preview: Group C and D

Group C
Despite losing one of the best team players in Rio Ferdinand England still looks like the team to beat in the group. Wayne Rooney(10) will get some help from Steven Gerrard which is much needed. The big matchup comes early against the USA. USA keeps getting better but needs Jozy Altidore to be fully healthy to work with Landon Donovan. To advance to the second round the U.S. needs underrated Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to play their full potential. After beating powerhouse Russia to get to South Africa, Slovenia might need some luck to get to the second round.Coach Matjaz Kek needs players like Robert Koren and Valter Birsa to score goals. But other teams will not score alot with Samir Handanovic in goal. Algeria is ready to win Group C. But the fact is, they really don't have a chance. Rabah Saadane's squad needs Nadir Belhadj to be highly effective, knowing he will miss the team's opener against Slovenia. Also missing games: goalie Faouzi Chaouchi and Mourad Meghni who will in fact miss the whole torunament. Advancing: England, United States
Group D
Germany has one of the greatest legacies in soccer. That should continue once more even with many injuries. They lost keepers Robert Enke and Rene Adler and hope 24 year old Manuel Neuer can replace both of them. Also gone is Michael Ballack. Germany will advance but beyond that is unknown. If you want a dark horse, try Ghana. Even with the loss of Michael Essien Ghana has AC Milan striker Dominic Adiyiah who is just 20 but will help them. With a weakened group Ghana could definitely advance. Serbia is also a dark horse. They have vital players healthy including Nemanja Vidic and 19 year old Nikola Zigic too lead them. With many holes filled Serbia's true problem will be getting Vladimir Stojkovic to play for his true potential. Problems are sprouting up for Australia. True, they have the group's best goalie in Mark Schwarzer. But, if you can't score you can't win. And the offense is struggling. Not any true star Australia needs Vince Grella to score more goals and become an offensive midfielder. Also to consider, Australia has a veteran defender in Lucas Neill that will help take some pressure from Schwarzer. Advancing: Germany, Ghana

SE: World Cup Preview: Group A and B



Group A
In 2006 France flew past other teams on their way to finishing second behind Italy in the World Cup. They still have star Thierry Henry playing what may well be his final World Cup and two underrated midfielders in Franck Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff. They will advance unless Uruguay or Mexico stops them. Mexico is a young team that will prove themsleves with a June 17th game against France. Javier Hernandez(14) is the key to Mexico's success. The 22 year old just signed with Manchester United after a strong stint with Guadalajara. He has some help in 21 year old Carlos Vela. Uruguay has a rich history of winning World Cup after World Cup but this season they need 31 year old Diego Forlan to play like he did when he won Europe's '08-'09 Golden Boot. Coach Oscar Tabarez has some other options in guys like target man Sebastian Abreu. Group A is just a little too powerful for Uruguay to advance. South Africa is right at home but that doesn't mean they have a chance in the group. They have some playmakers including Steven Pienaar. Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira has his hands full hoping they will not become the first host nation not to get to the second round. Advancing: France, Mexico
Group B
Lionel Messi(9) is just one the stars playing on this year's Argentina team. The reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, Messi will get some help from Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito. Argentina is pretty much a lock for the second round.
Africa at least has one team that has a legit chance of going on in Nigeria. John Obi Mikel, a defensive midfielder at Chelsea needs to become a playmaker to get some goals for Nigeria. Nigeria doesn't need to much scoring because they have Vincent Enyeama in goal. Europe hopes to add another team to the second round equation in Greece. But, Otto Rehhagel needs some players to become a second round team. Don't expect a performance close to Rehhagel leading the Greeks to the European Championship in 2004. 2002 host SouthKorea hopes that they can recreate that 2002 in which they upsetted Spain and Italy along the way to the World Cup semis. For that to happen they need untested Lee Chung-Yong and Park Chu-Young to rise to the occasion. Advancing: Argentina, Nigeria.