Must See Sports 2012 record: 41-28
This week, someone will cut down the nets in New Orleans to "One Shining Moment" and MLB is back!
Thursday, March 29
NBA
Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat
This rematch of the 2011 NBA Finals means more for the Mavericks than for the Heat, but expect it to be a contentious affair tonight. The Mavs are 2.5 games back of 3rd place in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for Dallas, the Heat have only lost twice at home all year and LeBron James (27 PPG, 8 RPG, 7 APG), who dislocated his finger on Monday, is going to play tonight, according to Associated Press reports. Miami is simply too good, especially at home.
Advantage: Heat
Saturday, March 31
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Final Four – National Semifinals
(4) Louisville Cardinals vs (1) Kentucky Wildcats
It has been like a civil war in Kentucky. Big brother Kentucky versus little brother Louisville. Former Kentucky Wildcats coach Rick Pitino versus longtime rival coach John Calipari. Louisville as David…Kentucky as Goliath. The winner plays for the National Championship.
I had the rare honor of being able to interview Coach Pitino in person back in January. In his own words, he said he didn’t think anyone could beat Kentucky, except possibly Syracuse. A part of me is rooting for him, but I am going to hold Coach Pitino to his word. And I agree with him. Kentucky looks bulletproof.
Advantage: Kentucky
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| Calipari, left, and Pitino, right, will "take it to the mattresses" on Saturday. Kentucky vs Louisville is all out war! 1 |
(2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (2) Kansas Jayhawks
This is a true clash of the titans. Ohio State has looked, at times, to have potential similar to that of Kentucky. However, they have been tripped up by some unexpected underdog opponents at unexpected times, suffering rare home losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin and an inexplicable loss to Illinois. They have already lost at Kansas once earlier this season.
The head to head matchup of two of college basketball’s best players, Ohio State’s Jared Sulinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) of Kansas, should offer viewers a one-on-one battle between two for the game’s most powerful inside players. Kansas has not lost a regular season game since February 4th. I think they have just a little more than the Buckeyes have.
Advantage: Kansas
| Thomas Robinson of Kansas, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Peyton Siva of Louisville, and AP Player of the Year Anthony Davis of Kentucky 2 |
Sunday, April 1
NBA
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder
The team with the best record in the East travels to play the best in the West. This could be a preview of the NBA Finals in June. This one is not a though one for me to pick. MVP candidate Kevin Durant (28 PPG, 8 RPG) has scored 25 or more points in four consecutive games while Derrick Rose (23 PPG, 8 APG) of the Bulls has missed eight straight games with a groin injury. The Bulls have played well in Rose’s absence, but they have not played the Thunder.
Advantage: Thunder
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| Derrick Rose, right, was quoted as saying Kevin Durant, left, is the front runner for the 2012 NBA MVP award. 3 |
Monday, April 2
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Final Four – National Championship Game
This game will be previewed after Saturday’s National Semifinal games.
Wednesday, April 4
MLB
St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins
The Great American Pastime is back! The defending World Series champion St. Louis and Miami will debut the MLB season on American soil. Starting pitchers have not been officially announced yet. However I would be stunned if Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright (20-11, 2.42 ERA, 213 K in 2010), who missed all of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery, did not face off against Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.64 ERA, 56 K, 60.1 IP in 2011) of Miami, whose red hot start to last season was interrupted with a shoulder injury in May. The Marlins went down in flames after a good start and quickly fell out of the pennant race following Johnson’s injury.
Miami made a host of additions during the offseason, coinciding with their name change from the “Florida” Marlins, uniform change, and new stadium. The Fish added former Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA in 2011), 2011 National League batting champion Jose Reyes (.337, 7 HR, 44 RBI in 2011) from the New York Mets, and lights-out closer Heath Bell (3-4, 2.44 ERA, 43 SV in 2011) from the San Diego Padres in the offseason. By the way, they acquired former World Series champion manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox.
Miami is loaded. They are pumped. And they are at home to start the season.
Advantages – Game: Marlins, Series: Marlins
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1) Image from http://www.sbnation.com/
2) Image from http://www.247sports.com/
3) Image from http://www.bleacherreport.com/
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