Must See Sports - First Weekend of February, 2011

Due to some unavoidable obstacles, The Daily Hat Trick could not publish Must See Sports on its usual Thursday spot. Have no fear! The Daily Hat Trick is back in the saddle!


Thursday, February, 3, 2011

Miami Heat at Orlando Magic

Obviously, I am a tad late on this one, but it was all it was cracked up to be. This game is becoming a fierce rivalry and LeBron is pulling his weight in these battles. The Eastern Conference is back, folks.

Heat 104
Magic 100
FINAL

LeBron James: 51 points

Superman and The King: brining the relevance back to the East 1

Friday, February 4, 2011

Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics

The Mavs and Celtics battle in this nationally televised match. While not probable, it is a possible preview of the NBA Finals. The Mavericks appear to be back on track after experiencing a slump last month in the absence of forward Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki recently surpassed the 20,000 career points plateau and there is no reason to think he will slow down by tonight.

That said; the Celtics are healthy. They are hot. They are very tough to beat at home. While not a game breaking player, forward Peja Stojakovic is not traveling with the team and is not expected to make his debut with the Mavericks until Monday, at the earliest. When at a disadvantage, a catch and shoot guy on the perimeter could make a difference. Barring poor execution, I do not see Dallas ripping this game away in Bean Town.

Advantage: Celtics


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets

Yes, I am getting my homer on. I am getting my Hornets on, too, tomorrow night. Yours truly stops at nothing to bring you close to the action and the Hat Trick will be on location for this Western Conference showdown. Alright...I bought tickets and I may as well take some notes and pictures. I fessed up. Happy?

This is a game that both teams need as both teams, strong contenders in the West, have dropped games in the past week that they had within their grasps. The Lakers lost a game to the league-best San Antonio Spurs on an Antonio McDyess put back with 0.3 seconds remaining as time expired. The Hornets dropped games to a then conference-worst Sacramento Kings.

Kobe appears frustrated to a point bordering on anger and the Hornets are banged up, with point guard Chris Paul playing on a tweaked ankle and center Emeka Okafor out with a strained oblique muscle. The Black Mamba always seems to, for whatever reason, step his game up and bite the Bees at The Hive, no matter how well or poorly the other nine players are performing on the court.

Advantage: Lakers

I love watching Kobe play in person but I hate how he impacts the final score when I see him in New Orleans. 2

NCAA Men's College Basketball
Kentucky Wildcats (11) at Florida Gators (23)

The Florida Gators are in first place in the SEC East and, at this point in the season, it would be unfair of me to call Florida's standing "smoke and mirrors". But as I look at the record, the schedule, the statistical rankings, and the results, I cannot help but think Florida's bubble is going to burst. They hook up with the division rival Kentucky Wildcats in a late, 9:00 EST start on ESPN.

The Gators earned a quality win at Vanderbilt earlier this week. However, Florida only has one win over an opponent with a winning SEC record (the Bruce Pearl-less Tennessee Volunteers). The Gators are ranked lower than 100 in the NCAA in points, assists, and field goal percentage. Their second leading scorer, guard Kenny Boynton, is shooting 36% from the field.

In contrast, Kentucky is a game and a half back of Florida in the East. The Wildcats have had some questionable losses, dropping games to Ole Miss and Georgia, but it also has had impressive out of conference wins against Washington, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Louisville. "Diaper Dandy" freshman guards Terrance Jones and Brandon Knight are ready for the NBA now and as the calendar inches closer to March, Kentucky coach John Calipari's teams get increasingly focused. I think the Gator's bubble bursts and the Cats get on track.

Advantage: Kentucky

Dear Gators: Good luck keeping up with Jones. Regards, Reality
Dear NBA: Thanks for the 19 year old age requirement. Regards, Kentucky Coach John Calipari 3

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Sunday offers the following host of must-see sporting events:

National Hockey League
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals

PGA Golf
Final Round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open

Rugby (Scrum)
Rugby Union - Anglo-Welsh Cup

Dragons vs Scarlets at Newport

Rugby between the Dragons and Scarlets is "must see" for Sunday? C'MON, MAN! 4

YEAH RIGHT, BABY!!!

Super Bowl XLV - Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers

5

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers: to quote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, "THAT is FOOTBALL!"

Neither of these teams had had the glamorous level of media exposure enjoyed by the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, or Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. Regardless, I think the football gods got this one right. I think, all factors considered proportionately, the Steelers are the best of the AFC and the Packers are the best of the NFC. That is not always the case with the Super Bowl.

The Daily Hat Trick will go into greater depth of the game itself over the weekend. What I find most intriguing about this Super Bowl is the apparent lack of intrigue. I have heard more about Steelers rookie Pro Bowl center Maurkice Puncey'sRoethlisberger scandal questions do not count), the coaches, the fans, the journey of the teams, or any human interest stories.

The 21st century, 24 hour media knows how to sell. This pattern of coverage tells me that people really are not as interested in the two teams involved as they typically are for a Super Bowl. The Steelers are not sexy. But if you are a true football fan, they are very relevant, whether you like them or not. The Packers are not sexy. But their QB is going to bring the "sexy back" to Titletown that left with Brett Favre. Then again, perhaps it was just "sexual harassment" that left Green Bay with the Ol' Gunslinger?

Yes, I'm reaching, here. But the sands of Favre's time on this blog are slipping as I think he is really retiring this time around. No Favre...no Jenn. Men, you want more Jenn; admit it. Ladies: thank you for tolerating Jenn this season. You can count on your hands the number of times you'll see this young woman again. Okay, maybe your fingers.... Maybe a toe or two.... 6

Las Vegas likes Green Bay, but I think the QB battle is what will tip the nearly even scales. Roethlisberger has been there and done that. A-Rodg is JUST beginning to emerge from the shadow of #4, who we are still discussing even though he and his team have long since been out of this year's Super Bowl picture.

Advantage: Steelers

Say what you want about Big Ben (middle), but THIS hottie can NOT accuse him of doing anything unsolicited! 7 

Other noteworthy events:
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics

These teams hook up in a nationally televised game on ABC before the Super Bowl. If you tire of the day long pre-game Super Bowl coverage and need actual sports to get you through the day, this may get you by.

Boston is at home. They are almost impossible to beat there. Orlando appears to be a half step behind the elite of the Eastern Conference, in light of its recent home loss and surrender of 51 points to LeBron James and the Heat. Superman will need to be super to walk out of the TD Garden with a win.

Advantage: Celtics

NCAA Men's College Basketball
Ohio State Buckeyes (1) at Minnesota Golden Gophers

This is a big matchup in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes try to remain unbeaten in the house of a talented, but struggling Minnesota team, badly in need of a conference win. Good luck slowing down freshman forward Jared Sullinger (18 PPG 10 RPG) on his way to the Big Ten title (and the NBA). The game is nationally televised on ESPN at 2pm EST.

Advantage: Ohio State


Monday, February 7, 2011

NCAA Men's College Basketball
Missouri Tigers (15) vs Kansas Jayhawks (2)

Big battle in the Big XII. Kansas (2nd in Big XII) brings the "Morris Brothers" show, Marcus Morris (17 PPG 7 RPG) and Markieff Morris (13 PPG 9 RPG) back home to Lawrence to take on a Missouri team whose standing in the Big XII (7th place) is slipping quickly. Missouri is a good team in a tough conference and, prior to Wednesday, could rebut, to its critics, that it has several quality wins, in and out of conference, only losses were against tough competition. However, a loss to Oklahoma State (2-5 in the conference prior to Wednesday's game) not only put Missouri further back in the Big XII race, but, paired with a loss to Kansas on Monday, may jeopardize its Top 25 ranking and possible seeding in the Big Dance next month.

Advantage: Kansas

1) Image from theglobeandmail.com
2) Image from nationalgeographic.com
3) Image from sec.floridatoday.com
4) Image from rugbymeansdiamond.blogspot.com
5) Image from sportsosphere.com
6) Image from maximonline.com
7) Image from drunkathlete.com