College Ballin. 12-21-10

HI-YO!

UCONN
The Huskies are playing solid ball behind, no surprise, Kemba Walker. Now the #2 scorer in the country (Northern Illinois' Xavier Silas is #1; 28.1), Walker is averaging 27.2 points per. Walker is yet to score under 20 points since the first game of the season. He is a tough 2-guard, and just has a knack to score. However, get the 6'1 junior in foul trouble...then what? Sophomore big-man Alex Oriakhi will contribute at a double-double minimum, however, he only averages just over eleven points per contest. The next scorer? Shabazz Napier (8.6). Until they get a real test vs. #6 PITT on December 27th (who lost to the mid-major foe Tennesse), UCONN (8-0) will stay in the top 5 for a little while longer.

HI-NO!

TENNESSEE

Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl

Go back to the Volunteers. Not only did they lose to Oakland (who nearly beat then-#17 Illinois at Assembly Hall and #8 Michigan State by a point), UT suffered defeat at the hands of a 5-6 Charlotte team, who belongs to the Atlantic 10 conference. Seems like a typical season for Tennessee, actually. Just a year ago they beat top-ranked Kansas, then just a few weeks later, lost back-to-back games at Georgia, then at home vs. Vanderbilt. Flashback to 2010. To make matters worse, the Volunteers lost to an underachieving USC team tonight (65-64), who is ranked nearly dead-last in the conference. The last time Tennessee dropped 3 in a row: nearly four years ago; losses to Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Auburn.

THIS KID IS GOOOOD...

Anatoly Bose - 6'6 senior / From: Sydney, Australia / Attends: Nicholls State University

Bose put up 30 points, including a career-high 7 three-pointers, in a 94-52 rout of Dillard. This is his second time cracking 30 points this season, 5 times he has put up 30+. Bose is the #3 leading scorer in the country, averaging 25 per contest.

Hopkins Gets Hosed, Majority Draws Pascal

The electricity in Quebec City, Canada was outstanding. The buzz was greater than anticipated. Finally, a name that could potentially put Quebec on the map of the boxing world.

Jean Pascal (R) & Bernard Hopkins

Jean Pascal may just be that guy.

However, Philadelphia native Bernard Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) stole the show tonight. Well, almost.

The 45 year old Hopkins came out in his usual intimidating attire, wearing black with silver on his trunks and robe, hood up over his head, executioner's mask on, hiding everything but his eyes. He slowly moved into the ring, with his longtime cornerman Naazim Richardson right on his left hip. Bernard entered the ring to a furry of boo's but feeling confident as always. He exited feeling robbed.

Jean Pascal (26-1, 16 KOs) waited for "All I do is Win" to hit the sound system and started bobbing, getting in his pre-fight groove. Pascal's attire consisted of a black robe and beige, hood up as well, looking focused as ever. He came in the WBC light heavyweight champion, and left still wearing the prestigious green belt. Was he feeling like a champion by time's end? Not really.

Hopkins, +17 in the age category, appeared sluggish early, getting caught with two punches by the French-Canadian star. While Hopkins came out as the one who would pursue, throwing combinations and attacking Pascal's body, Pascal popped Bernard's head with a hard right hand. Hopkins pleaded to the referee he received a punch behind the head, but nothing could change the early deficit.

"The first knockdown was to the back of the head. I don't think that it was legitimate. But I'm not crying about it. I'm a warrior...I wasn't even hurt..."

The second round was easily won by Pascal as well, countering Bernard every time the 45-year old attempted to get inside. Pascal, who is known for possessing heavy hands, dropped Bernard with a hard left hook. Bernard would escape the round, and have to adjust his gameplan.

Maybe the bell finally rung in "The Executioner's" Hopkins in the beginning of round four.

Hopkins, who came in as the underdog, got in the groove we saw him get in when facing Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlick, and Felix "Tito" Trinidad. The crafty veteran got in and got out, dodged the countering Pascal, and took his opponent completely out of the fight mentally. Hard charging right hands and working off the jab showed age is just a number. Hopkins landed at will in the middle to late rounds, and landed more shots than the champion; 171-105.

At one point we saw the Hopkins of old, cocky and showboating to his opponent, but executing punches and taking the opposing corner completely out of the fight. Jean Pascal did not even throw punches for a period of time, taking blow after blow from B-Hop.

In the 12th round, Hopkins was feeling the victory in his grasps, raising his arms and exhibiting the smile of a twelve year old boy.

The final bell had rung. Prior to the scorecards being read, Hopkins leaned against the south end ropes, yelling out "45 years old baby! 45 years old!"

The scores were in...

Judges Steve Morrow 114-112 for Bernard Hopkins.

Jean Claude Paquette 113-113.

Daniel Van de Wiele 114-114.

Hopkins felt embarrassed by the results, and why should he not be? Only one fighter out there looked 45 years old, and it was not the American.

"I ain't got no reaction" Hopkins said. "The world has seen it...Come on, man, I had the guy beat up and he was holding and I'm the older guy?" He continued to say, "I won every round."

As for a rematch Jean Pascal?

"If he wants a rematch, any time."

Martinez Knocks Williams Out...Literally

Say what you want about Paul Williams. Great puncher, throws from all angles, averages over 100 punch per round, fearless, most avoided fighter in all of boxing.

Well the "Punisher" may have met his match.

Williams (39-2), who came in with just 1 defeat, suffered the most devastating knockout of 2010 in the second round to Argentine Sergio Martinez (46-2-2). The blow was heard from the Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey all the way to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After one round, the fight appeared to be at the pace Williams dreams of; quick, using his 2-inch advantage in reach and 3 inches in height. Williams won the first round, and commentator's praised him.

Martinez, a fellow southpaw along with Williams, took some good headshots but never appeared to be fazed in the 4 minute, 50 second bout.

Then it happened.

Williams, moving forward and pressuring his opponent as he casually does in his fights, was putting some nice combinations on Martinez. Then, at 1:10 of the second round, Williams, moving forward, threw a few jabs in the middle of the ring. He put all he had into a hard left hook. Only problem was Martinez got there first, landing a pure and vicious left hook of his own, right on the chin of Williams. Paul's arms immediately went down, smacking the center of the ring. Williams layed there, eyes staring straight into what could only be stated as "out cold." The "Punisher" had been finished.

Ringside doctors immediately flocked the ring as the referee's count got to 10. Step-by-step, Williams slowly got up.

Martinez meanwhile, amped up from what he just did, circled around the ring and wore the crown. A ferocious knockout, the best of his career, came against an opponent that everyone in boxing refused to fight.

Now Martinez is the man he once faced.

Pacquiao Dominates Margarito, Notches 8th Belt

Manny Pacquiao destroyed Antonio Margarito

Manny Pacquiao has it all. Speed, ring generalship, power, everything. Every tool he had, he used to success in defeating Antonio Margarito, who outweighed the Filipino sensation by 17 pounds and had a distinct advantage in reach (5 inches), along with height (5 inches).

In the early rounds these two warriors got to know each other. Margarito jabbed away while Pacquiao moved clockwise around the ring, throwing with both hands.

Through four rounds, it was clear who the dominant fighter was. Antonio's right eye started swelling early, and would only get worse with the routine punishment he took from the Filipino star.

In round 11, after using Margarito's face as a punching bag, Pacquiao gave a look to referee Laurence Cole, as if to say, "how many more times do you want me to hit him until you stop the fight?"

A few times during the fight, Cole, an experienced referee, would pause the action, hold up fingers from both hands, and ask Margarito how many he was holding up. Antonio passed the test, but lost the war. The final scores were 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 all for Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao admitted he was hurt in the post-fight interview, but did not expose it one bit. Margarito continued to creep towards Manny, and only landed significant punches when pinning Pacquiao on the ropes. This was where Antonio's signature uppercut came into play. Pacquiao, who always matches fire with fire, got hit but countered beautifully with combinations and punched his way off the ropes and away from danger.

The storyline that was downplayed was an 8th belt for Manny Pacquiao in a record 8th division, breaking the former record of 7 belts in 7 divisions, set by Manny Pacquiao.

When asked about a potential fight with Floyd Mayweather, Manny stated "I'm not afraid of anybody."

Hopefully the promoters and Floyd aren't either.

Blackhawks host Kings tonight at the UC

Ladies and gentleman, I apologize for going M.I.A. Back to the stuff you want to hear...

The Los Angeles Kings, who have won 5 of their last 6, invade the UC for what should be a great contest with a playoff "feel." The Kings are coming off a shootout win in Minnesota where goalie Jonathan Quick, who possesses a 92.6 save percentage and allows 1.95 goals per contest, both ranking 8th overall in the NHL, overcame an early 2-0 hole. Anze Kopitar, the team leader in points (8), kicked off the scoring in the shootout. 4 rounds later, center Michael Handzus put in what would be the game winner and Quick saved Antti Miettinen's 7-foot wrister to seal the deal.

On the opposing bench in red sweaters sit Chicago, who have feared the teams in blue as they dropped their last pair of games to St. Louis and Columbus. On top of that, the Hawks have allowed 5 goals in the 3rd period. How about a positive? The power play has been of great success as they rank 3rd in the NHL, converting 26.5% of their man advantages.

The big news however, comes with head coach Joel Quenneville's recent conclusion on the Hawks' woes. Patrick Kane, who was speculated to have a 100-point season going into 2010-2011, has just two goals (both coming on the power play) and a minus-7 rating. Though it may not be treated as a demotion, Kane will be skating on the third line with Dave Bolland at center and Viktor Stalberg on the opposing wing. "I should be playing better, I know that" Kane said.

Other Notables: Jack Skille will be on the first line with captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. Tomas Kopecky, who missed Saturday's 3-2 loss to Columbus with an upper-body injury, will be taking the face-offs on the second line alongside Troy Brouwer and Marian Hossa. Lastly, Bryan Bickell, Jake Dowell and Fernando Pisani will be on the fourth.

Who to watch: Anze Kopitar (LA) - 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points in his last 7 games, +2 rating.

Jarret Stoll (LA) - 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points and 3 goals in his last 6 games, +2 rating.

1st Week Picks; NFL, PART 2

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Great quarterback matchup here with two top-5 gunslingers; Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub. Manning is 8-2 in season openers since his first career start in 2000. Schaub led the league in passing yards last season with 4,770. Manning has Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Schaub has a questionable Owen Daniels for Sunday, and that guy, Andre Johnson. The Colts safeties will have to aid their fellow cornerbacks in blanketing Johnson.

Colts win in a shootout.

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Two similarities between two very different teams; both are starting new quarterbacks from the beginning of 2009. For Tennessee it is the former University of Texas standout and the always mobile Vince Young. Young replaces veteran Kerry Collins. On the other side it's Jason Campbell, replacing JaMarcus Russell who, in this past offseason after being cut, admitted to using codeine-syrup. The Raiders have boosted their defense, including first round draftee Rolando McClain from Alabama, but the silver and black have too many holes, and Tennessee looks fierce. Oh yeah, and that have Chris Johnson on their team, a guy who ran for over 2,000 yards last season. This game comes down to Vince Young. Will he succeed in the season opener and set the tone for a tough division, or will he crumble?
I say he succeeds in a sloppy game.

 OVER 

(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

It is hard to dislike Aaron Rodgers considering the transition he made from holding the clipboard for ol' number 4 to filling his shoes and raising eyebrows. Throw out the fact that his offensive line stinks, allowing 50 sacks last year. Rodgers has shown poise and determination in finding his star receivers in Brandon Jennings and Donald Driver, both of whom tallied 1,000+ yards in '09 along with a complementing, Wes Welker-type slot receiver in Jordy Nelson. Add in arguably the two of the most underrated players in tight end Jermichael Finley who caught 55 passes and Ryan Grant who finds the holes, the Packers offense is not to be reckoned with.
Philadelphia has a transition of their own at the quarterback position. Longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb was traded to division-rival Washington  for a pair of future draft picks. McNabb guided Philly to four consecutive NFC East division championships, five NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl appearance. Kolb has much to prove, wouldn't you say?
Packers win at Lincoln Financial Field.

 OVER  

(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Pete Carroll makes his return to the NFL sidelines Sunday against the 49ers led by well-respected coach Mike Singletary. Carroll coached the New York Jets for one year in 1994, was a defensive coordinator San Francisco the following year, then coached the Patriots for two years before heading to USC. In total Carroll is 33-31 as a head coach in the professional ranks, making the playoffs twice. There is something about a new coach giving players more motivation to get that first win. Why not at home in the loudest stadium for their new coach?
What does San Francisco bring to the table? Try the best middle linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis, a hard-nosed tailback in Frank Gore, a top three tight end in Vernon Davis, and an under-the-radar quarterback in Alex Smith.
In the end, the Seahawks prevail at loud Qwest Field.

 OVER 

(4:15 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

With Matt Leinart gone and Derek Anderson arriving in the offseason, the veteran Anderson will run the show on offense. No Anquan Boldin means more double teams for star receiver Larry Fitzgerald. A solid running game should only improve from last season with Chris "Beanie" Wells and Tim Hightower to punch it in inside the five yard line. Darnell Dockett and newcomer Joey Porter will be huge in the opener.
The Rams are coming off a season in which they won a single game. WIth the number one overall pick St. Louis chose Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams are banking on him, literally, after a whopping contract of $78 million over six years, $50 million of which is guaranteed.
Derek Anderson and company will take care of business with ease.

 OVER 

(8:20 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Division rivals collide Sunday night at  FedEx Field where the Redskins host the Cowboys. Each offense has playmaking personnel and will display great duels. Tony Romo vs. Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Marion Barber and Felix Jones vs. Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson at running back. Roy Williams and Miles Austin vs. Santana Moss and Joey Galloway at wide receiver.  Jason Witten vs. Chris Cooley at tight end.
So what will separate the two?
Firstly, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has much to prove. He is certainly on the hot seat with a shaky postseason resume. Tony Romo did not look great in the preseason, nor did his offensive line, letting their starter feel the pressure and get sacked five times in limited action.
The $100 million man Albert Haynesworth is still a question mark for Sunday. After a bizarre offseason and preseason with new coach Mike Shanahan and Haynesworth butting heads, Donovan McNabb came over via trade and the Skins let Jason Campbell go. McNabb, a proven leader in Philadelphia, has said they need Haynesworth. It is still uncertain if Albert will be in the game on Sunday.
Bank on the Cowboys to win Sunday.

 OVER 

(7:00 Eastern Time, MONDAY)

THE SKINNY:

Two revamped teams square off at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The New York Jets, who now seem like a soap opera than a football team with cameras rolling on HBO's "Hard Knocks," had an offseason that featured their best defensive player, shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis, holding out for over a month awaiting a new contract. Factor in Thomas Jones exiting and LaDainian Tomlinson entering as the number two running back behind second-year player Shonn Greene, and a team incredibly upset and displaying its displeasure with the release of well-respected veteran fullback Tony Richardson. The team has been full of drama to say the least.
The Jets would later re-sign Richardson.
Baltimore is a sure bet for the postseason with a solid quarterback in Joe Flacco and newcomer Anquan Boldin. Boldin represents something the Ravens have never had; a true number one receiver. Boldin brings speed, athletic ability and great route running to the table and will complement Derrick Mason. The Ravens also added T.J. Houshmandzadeh. This offense should be fun to watch.
Jets escape with a win.

 OVER 

(10:15 Eastern Time, MONDAY)

THE SKINNY:

San Diego may not have franchise favorite LT, but they do have little Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews to receive the handoffs. The always energetic Philip Rivers is looking for his seventh straight win against Kansas City and a win to start the season off right. Even with receiver Vincent Jackson out for the first three games violating the substance abuse policy, the Chargers added veteran Patrick Crayton as a number three receiver.
Kansas City on the other hand are coming off an abysmal 4-win season. The two big offseason moves were not on the field, but on the sidelines. Romeo Crennel, a disapointment leading the Browns, was hired to revamp the Chiefs defense. Charlie Weis, an even bigger disappointment at Notre Dame, was hired to improve the offense. Jamaal Charles represents a solid running back on a poor team. Charles will carry the load this season for Kansas City.

Chargers roll big on Monday night.

1st Week Picks; NFL, PART 1

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

The New York football Giants come into 2010 with a new stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and a hunger for postseason play. The G-Men failed to get in the playoffs last season since 2004 and finished .500 for the first time since 2006. 

On the other sideline is Carolina, a club that has penciled in Matt Moore, a 26-year old undrafted quarterback out of Oregon State, to start. Moore has played in fifteen games since he came into the NFL in 2006. 

Giants win this one big and start the season off right in their home opener.

OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Chad Henne and the Dolphins may have disappointed last season, but with a fresh face and impact player in Brandon Marshall at receiver, along with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the team from Miami has potential to turn some heads. 

Buffalo's big newcomer is C.J. Spiller, a first round draft pick out of Clemson, recorded three Touchdowns in three games, including a sweet 31-yard TD run. But how much can the Bills depend on the running game with a shaky core of quarterbacks in Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Dolphins win this one and the Chad Henne-Brandon Marshall marriage begins. 

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
The Falcons travel to Pittsburgh following a 9-7 season. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White are the big 3 on offense for Atlanta and creates a nice mix of the run and the pass.
With no Ben Roethlisberger and Dennis Dixon taking snaps for Pittsburgh, don't expect much for the first four games.
Atlanta takes care of business at Heinz Field.

 OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
A first game for the Bears that many would circle in as a 'W," but can you be so sure? The offensive line is still shaky, the defense has shown lapses and has suffered this preseason with run defense, and Matt Forte is coming off a horrendous sophomore year. New coordinator Mike Martz, who is credited with "The Greatest Show on Turf," came into Halas Hall in the offseason to try and turn around the Bears' 23rd ranked offense from just a year ago.
The Lions are looking for solid play from their second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford, the number-one overall pick in 2009. Rookies Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best will look to make a splash this season in Detroit.
Bears win by a slim margin.

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:
Tom Brady is not only the wealthiest player in the NFL, but well deserving. A top 5, dependable quarterback and the franchise of the Patriots, Brady is valuable on every level, and will prove it Sunday.
The Bengals may have two hotheads on each end of the field on offense, however, all feelings aside, T.O. was a great sign for the Bengals. Less double teams on Chad Johnson means more open room to burn his defenders.
The Pats edge the Bengals in a shootout.

 OVER 

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

Josh Freeman looks to rebound frosh a so-so rookie season at quarterback for the Bucs. Kellen Winslow put up his second most receiving yards last season with 884 and tailback Cadillac Williams had a nice 2009, just getting beat out by Tom Brady for AP Player of the Year.
The Browns face ex-teammate Winslow and have had a busy offseason. Star nose tackle Shaun Rogers was found carrying a loaded gun into an airport. Moved two quarterbacks in Derek Anderson and first round draft pick Brady Quinn; Quinn being dealt to Denver for running back Peyton Hillis, a sixth round pick. The Browns brought in former coach and football guru Mike Holmgren as president of the club, along with adding veteran Jake Delhomme.
Bucs just get past the Browns.

OVER

(1:00 Eastern Time, Sunday)

THE SKINNY:

The Broncos' quarterback position may belong to Kyle Orton, but the position is certainly not set in stone. Orton has pressure to perform well with former first rounder Brady Quinn and Heisman Trophy winner and Southeastern Conference record breaker Tim Tebow. The loss of Brandon Marshall hurts and it showed in preseason play as Denver went 1-3. Running back Knowshon Moreno is still a question mark for the opener, and, to add to injury, star D-lineman Elvis Dumervil is out for the season with a torn chest muscle. Dumervil led the league with 17 sacks in 2009. Too many question marks for the team from Mile High.

According to the Associated Press, Jacksonville suffered from 20 blackouts last season. 20. The team is apparently in limbo and has a lack of lack support at Everbank Field. Maurice Jones-Drew is still a top 3 back in the league, and as long as the Jaguars have him, the team always has a chance. 

David Garrard should run-and-gun all over Denver's poor defense.

Pat White to Try Baseball

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback and West Virginia Mountaineers star Pat White has signed with the Kansas City Royals. White was recently cut by the Dolphins after being selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

White, 24, will play outfield for the Royals in their minor league farm system.

At 6'0, 190 pounds, White was labeled too small to play in the NFL. The athletic lefty quarterback could not transfer his stand-out collegiate career in Morgantown to the professional level. He failed to complete any of his five pass attempts last season and was used sparingly in games, mainly in the Wildcat formation. The Dolphins elected to keep Chad Henne, Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen over White at quarterback.

White is familiar to America's past time, being selected in the fourth round in 2004 by the Los Angeles Angels of Anahem. White nixed the draft pick, but was selected yet again by the Reds four years later and the Yankees the following year.

White played outfield at Daphne high school in Alabama.

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Sox Squeak past O's, 3.5 Games Behind Twins

The starting pitching was excellent. The offense was there. The White Sox were in cruise control for eight innings until the last three outs were the hardest to earn in the ballgame.

Gavin Floyd bounced back from two consecutive losses of allowing 13 earned runs and pitched seven strong innings in front of 26,273 at The Cell. Floyd, who notched his ninth win of the season Tuesday, surrendered two earned runs, all coming in the fourth, and one off the bat of Orioles DH Luke Scott.

Meanwhile the Sox's bats started heating up after the O's put up a 2-spot in the fourth.

After consecutive runs in the fourth and fifth innings, the South Siders exploded for four runs in the seventh. Gordon Beckham got everyone out of their seats with a long three-run homer to center. Beckham said after the game "We needed a spark, needed some runs, needed to get a hit...it was nice to come thru." Beckham is hitting .333 since the All-Star break. Paul Konerko and Juan Pierre added RBI's as well in the seventh and eighth innings to further the margin.

With a 7-2 lead in the ninth, Ozzie Guillen went to Sergio Santos to mop up the win. If only it was as clean as it should have been.

Santos, who came in with a 1.78 ERA, failed to record an out. After walking the leadoff man and a single by Josh Bell, Brian Roberts singled to left center to make it 7-3. Santos' wild pitch moved the runners in scoring position and Nick Markakis followed suit with a single of his own to score another run. 7-4.

Restlessness came upon the crowd and Santos was pulled.

Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen would say, "It's always important late in the game to have a bullpen that can go in there and shutdown. Unfortunately we hit a bump and that road has a lot of bumps so far."

JJ Putz left the mound as quickly as he got on. After three straight balls to Ty Wiggington, Putz motioned to the Sox bench and was relieved because of right knee inflammation. Putz, along with reliver Matt Thornton, will be headed to the disabled list. In the meantime, the man to seal the deal was Bobby Jenks.

"The last guy I wanted to use out of the bullpen was Bobby" Guillen said.

Jenks, who tossed three innings of 1-hit ball against the Royals, his longest outing of the season, would inherit two men on base with nobody out. Jenks induced a 1-6-3 doubple play to clear the bases. Luke Scott would fly out to center and the Sox held on for the win.

Gordon Beckham would say, "Bobby, hands down, came in and saved the game for us. It was huge."

With Minnesota losing to Texas 4-3 on Tuesday, the Twins' lead is now down to 3.5 games.

Ozzie Disappointed. Sox Host O's, Start 6 Game Homestand

The White Sox have their hands on the "panic" button. Let's fold over the little glass case and hold off for 6 games before going into that mode. 

After the Sox's 2-4 road trip and coming off a 10-inning loss to the 53-72 Kansas City Royals, Ozzie Guillen displayed his frustration the way he knows best. 

"A very horse(explicit) road trip. Disappointing, my (explicit) ass. Disappointing for (explicit) managers that have patience. Very bad road trip.

"The way it ended was the way we started — very bad. No excuse. I don't give a (explicit) the way we lose, I don't care the way we win, we didn't get it done. This road trip was very important for us, and we played like (explicit)."

Adding to injury, literally, is Sox reliever Matt Thornton. The 6'6 southpaw has not pitched since last Tuesday because of discomfort in his left forearm. General Manager Ken Williams said tests revealed "no structural damage" and he "should be fine in a couple days." 

Without Thornton the club will depend heavily on solid starting pitching to go into the late innings. Scott Linkebrink and Bobby Jenks have tremendous opportunities to silence the nay-sayers and toss shutout baseball when called upon.

Meanwhile, the Sox host Balitmore for a trio of games starting Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. The Orioles should be less considered a 44-81 ball club after the Sox, who had sole possession of first place in the AL Central, dropped three of four at the Camden Yards August 6th-9th. The Sox would fall off the tracks, dropping 11 of the following 16 games. 

Tuesday's Probables: Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 3.97 ERA) vs. Gavin Floyd (8-10, 3.97 ERA)

Wednesday's Probables: Brian Matusz (5-12, 4.97 ERA) vs. Mark Buehrle (12-9, 3.87 ERA)

Thursday's Probables: Jake Arrieta (4-5, 4.90 ERA) vs. Edwin Jackson (7-10, 4.67 ERA)

4.5 games separate Minnesota and the South Siders. 35 games remain for the Sox.

Brandon Marshall in the NBA?

With a possible NFL lockout looming, Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall believes he can be a two-sport athlete.

According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, Marshall, who played shooting guard at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida, said he would try-out for the Denver Nuggets, his first choice, and the Miami Heat as his second.

Brandon Marshall

"I'm going to be on an NBA team. Seriously." Marshall said. 

Optimism has continued to grow that no football will be played in 2011. In an ESPN.com report published in February, executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith said that, "on a scale of 1 to 10...it's a 14" that a lockout will occur next season. 

Marshall, who lettered in basketball and track in high school, followed suit. 

"There's not going to be any football. If there's a lockout, I have to find a job. I figure the Nuggets will be a better choice because of the welcome home cheer I'll get -- a couple of boos at first. I'm gonna get with a basketball coach and get to work, prepare for the lockout."

The 6-4, 230 pound receiver, nicknamed "The Freak," inked a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension following a trade from the Broncos to the Dolphins this offseason.

Sox Lose 12-6, Twins Lead Division

Freddy Garcia surrendered 6 earned runs in 2.1 innings Tuesday.

On a warm night in Chicago, White Sox starter Freddy Garcia was cold and the Twins took advantage of not just the Sox’s pitching, but sole possession of first place in the AL Central.

"It was a very, very bad game from the beginning," Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen said.

Joe Mauer went 3 for 5
with 3 RBI's Tuesday.

Garcia could not get through the third inning surrendering six earned runs on eight hits. Joe Mauer’s hot bat was as sizzling as the Chicago humidity, recording three RBI’s in the first two innings. Jim Thome and JJ Hardy went yard along with Mauer as the Twins built a 5-0 lead and sent Garcia to the showers.

Tony Pena came in but could not put the Twins’ bats at bay. Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer doubled to deep right scoring a pair and also sent one into the bleachers in the 6^th after Carlos Quentin countered an inning before with a three-run homer, his twenty-third of the year. Twins led 10-3 halfway through the sixth.

Guillen was not pleased and understands these Twins are no pushovers. "It was so boring, I was checking the scoreboard for no reason, and I see the Twins are 14 games over .500 against the Central (30-16)…That's the reason they're in first place right now."

Sox manager Ozzie Guillen in a 12-6 loss.

Sox catcher Ramon Castro took a more proactive approach to tonight’s beating, "(It) was one of those days where nothing worked for us. They were hitting everything. Tomorrow is another day."

Whenever the Sox got close, the Twins added insurance and made the game that much more out of reach. When the Sox put up three runs in the second, the Twins progressively answered with five runs over the next four innings. When the Sox scrapped two runs together in the sixth, the Twins responded with a Jason Kubel homer in the eighth. 

With eight games remaining against a tough ball club in Minnesota, it is no time to get down. Paul Konerko, who had two hits and an RBI, said afterwards "You keep battling. There's a lot of battling left. You want to win a series and we can still do that."

John Danks (11-8) will try to get the Sox back to their winning ways tomorrow against the Twins’ Glenn Perkins. Perkins has not pitched since August 8^th of last year.

Kravitz Lights Up Midwestern Suburban League

With ex-minor leaguers and high school greats around him, Adam Kravitz has put a whole new feel to the MSL.


Kravitz, a University of Kansas alum and an employee at Benefit Express, has always had a love for baseball. Ever since his T-Ball days, he has always played the game with heart and toughness.

But he is always his biggest critic. "I should be doing a lot better" he says.

Kravitz had played throughout high school and made the varsity team his junior year at Stevenson High School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Unfortunately, his talents were only seen in one area and Kravitz was used as a base stealer more than an every-day player. Although he always felt he played at a high level, Kravitz stayed out of the spotlight of stirring up drama and always put the letters on the front of the jersey before the one's on the back. When asked if he addressed his coaches about the matter, he simply said, "Nope. Any opportunity I got I took full advantage of." Like a true team player would.


When asked if it was frustrating, he said, "Imagine being told your senior year that your services would be better put to use running track when all your life you play baseball." So Kravitz did what coach told him to do; pinch-run for the pitcher and catcher his junior year, and give up on his longtime sport to run track his senior year.


The 6'0, 190 pound outfielder considers base stealing an art, however. "(It's) the thrill of taking what most can't. You have to beat two people in order to get it; the pitcher and the catcher. And it becomes an intimidation factor and you start getting in the pitcher's head...Its a good laugh when you know you've gotten into a pitcher's and catcher's head."

Kravitz is currently hitting .388 with a slugging percentage of .592. He leads the National League in stolen bases with 24, ten more than the next behind him. He has cracked the top ten in doubles, triples, and walks as well.


So how could all the benching and being put into games in such a minor role have such a little impact on a young high school athlete? Didn't it motivate you at all? "No" he said.


Then what is your motivation? He answered, "I hate losing. And I love playing the game."

The Running of the Bulls in 2010

In an off season where LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade were all free agents, the Chicago Bulls saw the summer of 2010 as a major opportunity to rebuild and ressurect the golden years of Jordan, Pippen and Jackson. With the signing of James and another maximum salary contract player, the sorrow of players such as Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Jay Williams and Marcus Fizer would be long forgotten.

To the people of Chicago, it inspired hope in a city that is thirsting for their Bulls to strive for an NBA championship.

Speculation grew day after day that the Bulls were front runners to land the most coveted free agent in NBA history. The majority of analyst’s from media outlets such as ESPN and NBA-TV, along with newspapers delivered to doorsteps and columnists at the click of a mouse, pitched their argument for why the Bulls had the most ready core of players to win a championship.

When the dominoes of Wade and Bosh fell, LeBron made his selection. In front of a national audience, “The King” announced his “Decision” to form a monstrous trio in South Beach. Video from New York, New Jersey, Cleveland, and Chicago displayed faces of disappointment. In Miami however, there were signs of the best party on Earth.

Maybe it was the jumping-for-joy that Heat fans possessed. Maybe it was the meetings Bulls management had with the three superstars that went south. Whatever the case may be, the Bulls did not sleep and let the hangover of James’ decision affect their plan. General Manager Gar Forman and Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson wiped money off their books to go all-in this summer. If they could not finish number one, was number two that far out of sight?

First things first, upgrade the frontcourt. Forman and Paxson tried to lure LeBron James by signing former Cavalier teammate and Utah Jazz big man Carlos Boozer, a 6’9, 266 pound workhorse that has averaged a double-double in five of eight seasons in the pros. Most notably, Boozer put up 32 points and 20 boards on January 20^th of the 2003-2004 season with Cleveland. Unfortunately, just one day after signing Boozer to 5 years/$80 million, James signed with Miami.

What Boozer Brings: Picture a better mans Drew Gooden. He can hit the deep jumpers Gooden took with more consistency. Boozer possesses a will to go hard in the paint and has developed a nice soft jumper that extends beyond the free throw line. Look for big numbers.

Maximum salary players such as Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, and David Lee all fell into place with other teams. Time was not running out for Chicago, nor was the money. With a need for shooting guards and a small forward to take some of the burden off of an injury-plagued and underachieving Luol Deng, Chicago made another splash in free agency.

Tuesday, July 13^th. Chicago inks sharpshooter and three-point wiz Kyle Korver for 3 years/$15 million. It seemed like a no-brainer teaming up with former Jazz teammate Carlos Boozer and staying near his family, who reside in Pella, Iowa. Korver, 29, is coming off a career year shooting 53% from long range during the regular season and 47.8% in the postseason.

What Korver Brings: The signing of Korver can only better the team if he lives up to his 3-point hype. Boozer has said, “When he is on, he’s on.” This could only do better for a team that struggled from 3 at times in regular and postseason playoff. If Korver can provide consistency from downtown, defenses will have to adjust on the double-teaming of Derrick Rose. Another plus, Korver fits new Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau’s offensive scheme of drive-and-kick basketball that is his main emphasis.

To provide more depth, Bulls management recognized another opportunity to improve their field goal percentage (45%; 23^rd overall) and perimeter shooting (33%; 28^th overall) by adding JJ Redick. The offer: 3 years/$19 million. Because Redick was a restricted free agent, the Bulls could only make an offer to the 6’4 two-guard. His former club, the Orlando Magic, had seven days to either match the offer and retain Redick or let the Bulls sign him to their respective offer. Orlando decided to retain the former College Player of the Year and leave the Bulls to fish around for other shooting guards.

Enter Ronnie Brewer. At 25, he is not considered the most talented player in the NBA. He does not possess the best touch with the basketball, nor the best dribbling. So what does he possess? How about putting the team first instead of a me-first mentality that many of these highly touted free agents maintain.

“I feel I can elevate my game to whatever coach (Tom) Thibodeau needs…If he wants me to rebound and push the ball, I’m comfortable in that role. I can initiate offense as I did in Arkansas and a little in Utah…I let the game come to me. I don’t try to force things.”

What Brewer Brings: Brewer provides length at 6’7 and has guarded some of the toughest players to take the court. He is bigger than the franchise’s best defender the past seven years in Kirk Hinrich (6’3) and hustles. He is a player that is very coachable and will dive for loose balls. Not a flashy player, but certainly loves to throw it down on the fast break.

Basketball is a game conducted by five generals on the wooden floor playing as one sound, cohesive unit. The patience of a long season and the trials and tribulations of every game supply a team with chemistry to get not only their bodies through eighty-two competitions, but their minds as well. The goal is to win a championship for the city of Chicago. The bus is in motion towards the right direction.