Must See Sports – Fourth Weekend of November 2013

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record, excluding series: 4-3

2013 Advantage/Disadvantage Record, excluding series: 86-71

2013 Advantage/Disadvantage FINAL Record (series only): 22-13-4

Friday, November 22

NBA

San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are seeking a measure of retribution after being swept by the Spurs in the 2013 Western Conference Finals. The Spurs, to the surprise of nobody, are off to a blazing hot, 10-1, start, including their last eight in a row.

Also, to nobody’s surprise, Spurs point guard Tony Parker (19 PPG, 6 APG) is off to a fast start to the season. Also, to no surprise, the Grizzlies, under the veteran leadership of forward Zach Randolph (17 PPG, 9 RPG) are off to a good start by playing a physical brand of basketball, punishing opponents under the boards.

Memphis is not going to beat San Antonio in a one-game series (barring lineup scratches or injuries), let alone a four game series, until their shooters collectively develop a deeper shooting range. Guard Mike Conley’s improved scoring contribution (19 PPG, 6 APG) has been a welcome addition to the Memphis arsenal and the Grizzlies are at home. But it won’t be enough to thwart the defending conference champions on national television.

Advantage: Spurs

Duncan gets older; the Spurs get better. 1

Saturday, November 23

NCAA Football

#12 Texas A&M Aggies at #22 LSU Tigers

This SEC West rivalry will decide third place in the division. It’s a far cry from the lofty expectations of both programs coming into this season. Still, A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (3,313 yds., 31 TD, 11 INT, 73% comp.) had some trouble solving LSU’s defense last year at home. Now he has to come to Death Valley.

LSU’s last stand was against Alabama two weeks ago. Johnny Football is competing for a second consecutive Heisman Trophy award. In addition, the Tigers’ defense has had trouble with one or more critical facets of its game at the worst times in all three of their losses. If the Aggies get off to a fast start, expect the crown to mellow out and the Tigers to check out.

Advantage: Texas A&M

#4 Baylor Bears at #10 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Baylor made a statement by spanking Oklahoma, 41-12, proving it can run up the score against a good defense and smother a team with a strong running game. While they surrendered 34 points to pass-happy Texas Tech, they still won by 29 points. Their trio of quarterback Bryce Petty (2,992 yds., 24 TD, 1 INT, 65% comp.), running back Lache Seastrunk (888 yds., 11 TD, 8.7 avg.), and wide receiver Antwan Goodley (48 rec., 1,075 yds., 11 TD) is beginning to look unstoppable.

Oklahoma State has quietly ripped off six consecutive wins and a spot in the top ten. Their recipe? Defense, defense, defense! In the defense-optional Big 12, the Cowboys have only given up 30 or more points in two games this season and held opponents to less than 14 points five times. Cowboys cornerback Justin Gilbert (6 INT) and linebacker Caleb Lavey (2.5 sacks, 4 INT) have been been dismantling opposing offenses and creating short fields for their offense to put points on the board.

All of that said, Baylor has too much octane in its fuel to be corralled by the Cowboys. And Oklahoma State lacks the explosiveness to keep up in a shootout with Baylor.

Advantage: Baylor

#8 Missouri Tigers at #24 Ole Miss Rebels

Missouri quarterback James Franklin (1,577 yds., 14 TD, 3 INT, 68% comp.) returns to the lineup after missing the last four games with a shoulder injury. He’s replacing backup Maty Mauk, who was very efficient in relief. Franklin’s mobility out of the pocket is a welcome tool returned to the Tigers’ offense. I’m not sure if swapping signal callers in the midst of a hot streak is good for the chemistry of the offense, but time will tell.

Ole Miss’ QB Bo Wallace (2,664 yds., 17 TD, 5 INT) has guided the Rebels to four straight wins after a 3-3 start. Senior running back Jeff Scott (488 yds., 2 TD, 7.6 avg.) is also back in the lineup after missing three games due to injury. Ole Miss is at home. I like the Rebels in a minor upset.

Advantage: Ole Miss

Johnny Football is a scoring machine. 2

Sunday, November 24

Indianapolis Colts (7-3) at Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

Arizona is hot while Indy is not. The Colts’ offense does not look the same following the loss of wide receiver Reggie Wayne for the season with a knee injury. The Colts can’t stop the run and are going to have trouble running against a Cardinals team with a ferocious front seven on a defense that has not allowed more than 24 points in any game this season.

Veteran Cardinals linebacker John Abraham (7 sacks, 3 FF, 3 TFL) has been the catalyst on a defense that gets to the quarterback quickly and gives up nothing on the ground. Finally, Carson Palmer (419 yds., 2 TD, 0 INT, 71% comp. last week) appears to be in a comfort zone in the Cards’ offense. The game is in Arizona.   

Advantage: Cardinals

Denver Broncos (9-1) at New England Patriots (7-3)

It’s Manning vs Brady Part 14…! In spite of the Broncos coming off of a huge win over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs and the Patriots coming off of a stunning loss at Carolina, Peyton Manning (3,572 yds., 34 TD, 6 INT, 65% comp.) is visibly dealing with a nagging ankle injury.

The Patriots’ Tom Brady (2,552 yds., 14 TD, 7 INT, 59 % comp.) is likely seeing red after the questionable ending to the Carolina game and will likely be as focused as ever for a regular season game. Pats RB Shane Vereen (108 yds., 7.2 avg.) returned to the lineup last week and will help against a potent Broncos run defense. Finally, this Sunday Night Football Game is being played at Foxboro.

Advantage: Patriots

The rivalry continues. 3

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls! 

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Colonel Reb is Laughing

The Daily Hat Trick discusses the world of sports, but I'm a Louisiana guy and a Louisiana fan. I could not remain completely silent on the stunning upset of the then-sixth ranked LSU Tigers at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels this past Saturday on the gridiron.

 

There is plenty for which to criticize LSU in this game. Playcalling was poor, particularly on offense in the first half. However, I'm cautious about criticizing game plans as the next game I coach at any level will be my first.

 

However, clock management isn't a matter of game-planning; it's math. LSU stopped Ole Miss short of the first down marker on a third down running play by the Rebels. Why LSU Head Coach Les Miles did not call his final timeout with 25 seconds left in the game to give the offense a chance to get into field goal range on the ensuing possession is a mystery.  Instead the clock ran down to three seconds. Ole Miss kicker Andrew Ritter split the uprights with a 41 yard field goal. The game was over and Ole Miss won.

 

I'm as staunch a Les Miles defender as there is; I think he's over-criticized by LSU fans. To some fans, he could cure cancer and AIDS and "(Miles' predecessor) Nick Saban was still better". But this is not the first clock blunder for which Miles has been responsible. This goes beyond The Mad Hatter quirks; this is negligence. Miles, an experienced major-conference coach who has won a national championship and been a BCS national runner up, has no excuse for these types of mistakes. 

 

How hard can this problem be to fix? Couldn't he appoint a position coach (or a grad assistant) to be in charge of advising on clock management in close games?. Dudes sitting around buzzed while playing Madden 25 would not make that type of mistake.

For most of us, this would be a souvenir. Most Les Miles, this is a gag gift. 

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Must See Sports – First Weekend of February 2013

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 0-2
2013 Advantage/Disadvantage Record: 3-3 

It’s Super Bowl Weekend and there is a super week of sports ahead!

Thursday, January 31

NBA

Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder

As I expected, the Grizzlies cooled off since their blazing hot start to the season. Still, they are in fourth place in the Western Conference and have the best record among all non-division leaders. Memphis continues to excel on defense, but with the trade of leading scorer Rudy Gay (17 PPG, 6 RPG) to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for three role players (Teyshaun Prince – 12 PPG, 5 RPG – being the headliner of the three), one has to question if the Grizzlies will have enough offense to make a run in the postseason.

The Thunder have kept on rolling all year long. While having lost three of their last five, they still have the best offense in the league. They’re at home and facing a big opponent. I expect Kevin Durant (30 PPG, 7 RPG)and company to be ready.

Advantage: Thunder

With the departure of Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph is, without dispute, the man in Memphis. 1

Friday, February 1

NBA

Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers

Behind the play of center Roy Hibbert (10 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 BlkPG), the Indiana Pacers have the best defense in the Eastern Conference. They are very physical and extremely hard to beat at home. This is why I think that, in spite of having the best record in the East, the Miami Heat, whose Achilles heel in physical play in the paint, may struggle. Chris Bosh (17 PPG, 7 RPG) is their only significant physical presence under the glass and in the post area and he is just coming off of a toe injury. This game is ripe for a minor upset.

Advantage: Pacers

The last time I picked against LeBron, I had to eat my words. I suppose I am a glutton for punishment. 2

Saturday, February 2

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#1 Michigan Wolverines at #3 Indiana Hosiers

Four words: game of the year (so far)! Michigan is the #1 team du jour and will visit their Big 10 rival, the preseason #1 Indiana Hosiers. I criticized Indiana for not having a signature win last week, and they showed me with a big win over Michigan State. Indiana junior guard Victor Oladipo (14 PPG, 6 RPG) stepped his game up against the Spartans with 21 points. To beat Michigan, the Hosiers will need a similar performance from him.

Indiana beats opponents by scoring and scoring and scoring some more. The problem is that when they cross a team like Michigan, with guys like Tim Hardaway, Jr. (16 PPG, 5 RPG) who can score from anywhere on the court and a point guard like Trey Burke (18 PPG, 7 APG) who can find an open man from anywhere, the Hosiers will have little room for error. Indiana is a very good defensive team, but I am not sold on how well they can hold the best of the best.

Advantage: Michigan

The Hosiers could use another big performance from Oladipo if they expect to possibly wrestle the #1 spot back from Michigan. 3

#16 Ole Miss Rebels at #4 Florida Gators

Big matchup in the SEC…. Ole Miss is one of the hottest teams in the country, winners of nine straight before dropping a game against Kentucky earlier this week. Senior forward Murphy Holloway (15 PPG, 10 RPG) has emerged at the on-court leader of this high scoring, fast shooting, bang-under-the-boards team.

Florida, like every year, is very good. But they can never reach the summit. They have had the most acute case of Bridesmaid Syndrome of any program I have followed the last three years. This is senior guard Kenny Boynton’s last dance (14 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG) and it shows in his play. His rebounds and assist to turnover ratio are as good as they have ever been in his college career. I expect the hustle to continue at home on Saturday.

Advantage: Florida

Boynton knows that his window to win an NCAA title is closing quickly. 4

Sunday, February 3

NFL

Super Bowl XLVII

Baltimore Ravens (13-6) vs San Francisco 49ers (13-4-1)

On paper the 49ers appear to have the advantage in this game. They are the total package: elite running game, elite defense, arguably the best linebacker in the league in Patrick Willis (120 tak., 2 INT), and a passing game that has been suddenly elevated with the emergence of second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick (1,840 yds., 10 TD, 3 INT, 62% comp.). This team has no glaring weaknesses.

The Ravens have no glaring weaknesses either, but there are some aspects of their team that could make you go, “Hmm….” Their defense is solid and smart, but they are not the impenetrable force that they have been for more than a decade. Their defensive leaders are aging. Linebackers Terrell Suggs (8 GP, 22 tak., 2 sacks) and Ray Lewis (6 GP, 57 tak., 1 sack) have missed games and battled injuries all season long. Safety Ed Reed (58 tak., 4 INT, 1 TD) continues to play at a high level, but without the bulletproof linebacking play available all season, he has had to shoulder more of the load than in years past. How this affects the 34 year old, playing in his 20^th game of the season, is cause for some concern.

I think Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (3,817 yds., 22 TD, 10 INT, 64%) is the X factor in this game. If he can get comfortable early against a fierce 49ers front seven and the Ravens offensive line can contain Niners all-everything defensive lineman Justin Smith (66 tak., 3 sacks, 8 tak. for loss), this game could be decided on the final possession. As is, I think the Niners have a bit more firepower coming into the game.

Advantage: 49ers 

Opposing defenses haven't solved Kaepernick yet. 5

Wednesday, February 6

#23 Minnesota Golden Gophers at #13 Michigan State Spartans

This game is pivotal for both teams. After being ranked as high as #8 just three weeks ago, the Gophers have retreated to their burrow holes, dropping four consecutive Big Ten games before snapping the streak with a win against Nebraska on Tuesday. Part of the problem was the disappearance of senior forward Rodney Williams (12 PPG, 6 RPG), who shot abysmally and scored below his season average during the four game losing streak.

Michigan State has to go “back to the old drawing board”. Presented with a second realistic opportunity to break into the top 10, the Spartans fell short at Indiana. Junior point guard Keith Appling, the team’s best player, completely vanished in that game, scoring only three points with four turnovers and no assists last Saturday. MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo limited Appling to less than 20 minutes of play because he was so ineffective.

Something has to give and both teams need the win. But Michigan State is at home and the Gophers appear to have awakened from a prolonged coma. I like the Spartans.

Advantage: Michigan State

Keith Appling needs to step his game up from last Saturday. 6

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Today we have a guest submission. Carol Brown of OnlineCollege.Org was kind enough to share a fitting article for this time of year. With March Madness underway, the ubiquitous, and sometimes humorous, college mascots will be present on every sideline at every game this year. I thought a piece on funny college mascots would be fitting. You can find the original article at the Online College site. Enjoy!

15 Funny College Mascots of Yesteryear

College mascots are meant to represent their school, often putting off a much-feared and intimidating appearance. But some mascots fall on the other end of the spectrum and tend to attract more ridicule than fear. Others are so amazingly offensive that we can't help but chuckle about their mere existence. Whatever the case, these mascots have all been retired, for better or for worse.

Sherman College Unicorn

The Sherman College Unicorn was chosen early in the college's history, and was meant to represent "purity, strength, and fierceness against evil." Unfortunately for Sherman College, most people just imagine unicorns in the Lisa Frank sense, animals that no one thinks are "fierce" except maybe Tyra Banks. Students grew indifferent to the unicorn, and "found it difficult to use as a mascot for the increasing number of Sherman community athletic teams." We think that's pres-release speak for "the soccer team was embarrassed." In 2007, the college set out to find a new mascot to replace the unicorn, eventually settling on an incredibly generic lion, which is not at all exciting, but is at least innocuous enough not to attract taunting from other teams. Other top choices were "Whistle Pig," "Raptor," "Bear," and "Wolfpack." Personally, we would have liked to see the Raptors, but at least now Sherman has the opportunity to bring a live mascot to games, considering lions actually do exist.

Elon College Fighting Christian

Back in 1889, Elon College was founded by the Christian Church (now a part of the United Church of Christ), and was at the time a training ground for young ministers, where college trustees were elected by the church and professors were church members. This church school was apparently quite vicious in athletics, and the Fighting Christian mascot was adopted in the 1930s, coined by a sportswriter. But it's not at all hard to understand why Elon chose to lose the "Fighting Christian" when it became Elon University in 2000, as the college had grown out of its restrictive church bounds and included many students from religious minorities. The university community questioned the "appropriateness of having such a religious school mascot," particularly Jewish students involved in athletics. So in the transition to becoming Elon University, the school adopted the phoenix mascot, meant to be a nod to the school "rising from the ashes" after a devastating 1923 fire, and transforming the school's image to one that "really welcomes people from all over." Not everyone has been happy with the change, and some critics have called out Elon officials for "caving to political correctness" and depriving students of "seeing a pugnacious parson with a pilgrim beard squaring off with [opponents]."

Bomberman

Ithaca College has had its fair share of strange and funny mascots over the years, including a two-person unicorn, Snoopy, and even a rooster. But its most famous (and hilariously inappropriate) mascot has been Bomberman, an explosive-toting mascot with a cape and fighter pilot goggles. In 2011, Ithaca set out to replace the mascot that has grown to be offensive in the post-9/11 world, and came up with several options, none of which were "war-related proposals." They included a phoenix, flying squirrel, and lake beast, but the school community could not reach a consensus, and in the end, decided not to have a mascot at all.

Colonel Reb

Ithaca College is not alone: the University of Mississippi also had a mascot from the So Bad, It's Actually Hilarious department. Colonel Reb is the former mascot for the university, a Confederate soldier who looks like a cross between Mark Twain and Colonel Sanders. Students and fans love him, but after years of hearing complaints about the racial insensitivity of having a Confederate soldier for a mascot, the school abandoned the dearly beloved Colonel in 2003. But fans held on, keeping the Colonel alive through 2011, when Ole Miss finally banned the sale of any items with his image. Colonel Reb was replaced by Rebel Black Bear in 2010, beating out Rebel Land Shark and Hotty Toddy. Admiral Ackbar was also briefly proposed as a candidate. The decision to change from Reb to Black Bear has been controversial, however, and many are still fighting the change.

University of Southern Mississippi's General Nat

For many years, the University of Southern Mississippi was represented as the "Southerners," with General Nat as their mascot. But like Colonel Reb, General Nat turned out to be oh-so-comically wrong, as he represented a real life Confederate general who also happened to be the founder of the Ku Klux Klan, General Nathaniel Bedford Forrest. In 1972, the school came together to choose a new name, and the university is now represented as the Golden Eagles with a mascot named Seymour.

Slippery Rock University Rocks

1. Slippery Rock University still identifies itself as The Rock, but its mascot has gone through a few different iterations. Before adopting Rocky the Lion as the new mascot, the school had what has been described as a "rock looking thing" that students hated because it looked like a "wet gym sock." The sock/rock was kidnapped, and it seems that no one went looking for it.

Chief Illiniwek

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign used Chief Illiniwek as its mascot and official symbol of the university from 1926 to 2007, when the character was retired due to extreme controversy. The Chief was originally introduced to the university to pay homage to the Illiniwek people of Illinois, but it seems that it was pretty insulting: many Illiniwek were actually forced from their homes as non-Indians claimed the territory. So once again, this mascot's story is pretty funny, but only if you have a sick sense of humor like we do. They are, of course, not the only school to have a Native American mascot, but unlike Florida State, whose Seminole nickname and mascot is actually costumed and approved by Seminole Nation, the Native Americans formerly of Illinois do not particularly like Chief Illiniwek. The University of Illinois finally quit using this incredibly offensive mascot when other teams refused to allow the school to bring Chief Illiniwek to games, and the NCAA banned them from hosting postseason games as long as he was still in use.

Bradford College Fighting Squirrels

Bradford College closed its doors in 2000 after 197 years of existence, changing from the original Bradford Academy to Bradford Junior College, and finally resting on Bradford College. But throughout all of its name changes, the school kept one thing the same: its mascot. Amazingly, the "Fighting Squirrels" mascot was still representing the school all the way until the end. And even though the college has closed its doors, the mascot has lived on as a cult following. Apparel outlets have caught on to this following, and fans of the "Fighting Squirrels" can still order team hats, shirts, and more online.

Cedar Crest College Classics

Until 2001, Cedar Crest College students in Allentown, Pa.,went as the "Classics," but changed it because, really who knows what a "classic" actually is? They have since changed their mascot to the "Falcons" and are much more easily identified.

 

University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Before 2000, all of Hawaii's sports teams were represented as the "Rainbow Warriors," featuring, predictably, a rainbow. But some of the athletes expressed that they didn't enjoy being represented by a nickname that is most commonly associated with the gay community. It was a controversial decision, the school revamped its representation, changing the names of its teams to include the "Warriors," "Rainbows," and some teams who still go by the "Rainbow Warriors." The "Warriors" are now represented by a self-appointed mascot, Vili, who dresses as a fierce polynesian warrior, but steers clear of the rainbow, instead donning black, green, and white.

St. Bonaventure University Squaws

Before 1979, St. Bonaventure men's teams went as the amazingly offensive Brown Indians, but the mascot that really cracks us up is the "Brown Squaws" mascot used to represent the university's female teams. A former female athlete explains that the school stopped using the Squaw name when a Seneca chief came to the university to explain that the name actually meant "vagina." The teams are now known as the "Bonnies."

Wright State Raiders

From 1986 to 1997, Wright State's sports teams were represented by the Rowdy Raider, a red-bearded Viking mascot adorned by a horned helmet. The mascot was quite odd looking, with wooly faux-fur boots, and a face made up nearly entirely of fur, save for two comically large eyes popping out and a misshapen nose. We would not be surprised to find out that the Rowdy Raider had been mistaken for a deranged Muppet. The school has now adopted a more friendly and easy-to-identify wolf as its Raider mascot.

Florida Technological University Citronauts

Before the University of Central Florida became the Knights, they were the Florida Technological University Citronauts. What exactly is a Citronaut? It turns out that it's a mix of an orange and an astronaut, but photos of the mascot make it look like a small green spaceman with an orange for a body, a strange creature for sure.

Kent State Silver Foxes

Kent State used to be known as the Silver Foxes, a name that was probably quite fitting at the time, but now calls to mind images of Anderson Cooper and other attractive older men. But fortunately for Kent State, they changed their mascot before it became known as the male version of a cougar. In 1923, Kent State held a contest, offering a $25 prize for the winner with a new nickname. It was at this time that KSU became the Golden Flashes, a name that has been portrayed with mascots including a golden retriever and a live eagle.

Bugeaters

Before the University of Nebraska became the Cornhuskers, they had quite interesting mascots and nicknames, including Mankilling Mastadons and the Mighty Bugeaters. The Bugeater mascot stemmed from Nebraska's reputation as the "Bug-eating State," referencing the state's bull bats that eat insects, and are thus called "bug-eaters." Nebraska only adopted the Cornhusker name when sportswriter Charles Sherman gave them the suggestion, apparently beating out old names of "Tree Planters" "Rattlesnake Boys," and even "Antelopes."

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.