Must See Sports - Third Weekend of February 2011

Thursday, February 17


San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls

The team with the NBA’s best record, the San Antonio Spurs, takes on the Central division leading Chicago Bulls. Is this a potential matchup of the Finals? It is not out of the question.

The Chicago Bulls appear to be getting better, with forward Carlos Boozer living up to the potential that the Bulls expected when signing Boozer in free agency from the Utah Jazz this past summer, averaging a double-double per night (19 PPG, 10 RPG). The Bulls have won 9 of their last 11 games. They are going to be SCARY when center Joakim Noah returns from a thumb injury (probably in the next week) to provide the Bulls a fierce 1-2 punch in the front court with Boozer. The Bulls defense is as clutching and squeezing as any team in the NBA without Boozer and Noah having played many games together. When Noah is back…IT’S ON!

While the Spurs will likely not surpass the 1996 Chicago Bulls record 72 win season, they are COMFORTABLY in first place in the Western Conference, leading the division rival Dallas Mavericks by 7.5 games as of Wednesday afternoon. In spite of an inexplicable loss to the Philadelphia 76ers last week, the Spurs have been beating their opponents consistently and convincingly. However, I think that Chicago is really coming together as a team. They are red hot and at home. Don’t bet the farm on this game, though.

Advantage: Bulls

The Boozer signing is beginning to pay big dividends for the Bulls. 1

Friday, February 18

NCAA Men’s Basketball
Connecticut Huskies (12) at Louisville Cardinals (16)

When you are the number 12 team in the country, but only seventh in your conference, you are in a hyper-competitive conference. The Big East has 4 games separating first place from eighth place. A single win by Connecticut over Louisville could catapult the Huskies from seventh to fourth place in the conference in just one evening.

UConn Junior guard Kemba Walker (23 PPG, 5 APG, 5 RPG) is the key to this pivotal big East game on a team that has not shot the ball well this season. The Cardinals have lost two of their last four, but against tough in conference opponents Notre Dame (in overtime) and Georgetown. The Cardinals beat Connecticut in the Huskies' building in a double overtime thriller in late January. Coming off of a win against Syracuse this past Saturday, Louisville Coach Rick Pitino appears to have his team prepared and as confident as they have been all season.

Louisville is at home. Barring any distractions from women in restaurants, I expect Pitino’s club to have juuust a little extra tomorrow night. Then again, how long IS 15 seconds out of the life of a busy man?

Advantage: Louisville

UConn Coach Jim Calhoun: "A 'Daily WHO' picked Louisville? What the hell is that? My best advice to him? SHUT UP! 2

Sunday, February 20

NASCAR Sprint Cup – Daytona 500

I am not a big fan of racing, but I am a big fan of sports and the theater that sports can create for us. For those of you not familiar with NASCAR, the Daytona 500 is the Super Bowl of stock car races. The added drama is that tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of the death of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. at the 2001 Daytona 500. In addition, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. claimed the pole position at this year’s Daytona.

Dale, Sr. was killed during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. There will be a few heavy hearts on Sunday. 3

I am not going to sell you, the reader, a bill of goods and tell you that I plan to watch every second of action around the track and provide you with an in depth analysis leading up to, during, and after the race. What I will tell you is that, because of the magnitude of this event and the backdrop stories behind it, it may be worth tuning in if you have nothing else to do. Minimally, I would suggest trying to see the final half hour of the race, which is often full of professional wrestling-like high drama, except the competition and danger are real.


2011 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA will showcase its biggest stars in its biggest single day event, the All-Star Game, from Los Angeles. While I, personally, look more forward to the Slam Dunk Contest, I nonetheless expect an entertaining show from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Stars. You will see a lot of points. You will see a lot of tricks and elaborate dunks. You will not see any defense. Enjoy!

East (left to right): Amare Stoudamire, Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Dwyane Wade
West (left to right): Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Yao Ming 4

NBA 2K11


Monday, February 21

NCAA Men’s College Basketball
Syracuse Orange (20) at Villanova Wildcats (14)

These are two teams that have been consistently inconsistent, of late. Syracuse has been all over the map, with head scratching, decisive losses to Louisville and Georgetown after beating Connecticut in its own building and obliterating South Florida. The Orange recovered, on Monday, by beating West Virginia in the Carrier Dome, ending an inexplicable streak of three straight home losses.

Villanova continues to suffer from the absence of guard Corey Stokes, due to a turf toe injury (how in the world does that happen on the hardwood???). In the past month, Nova has suffered losses to Pittsburgh and Georgetown, which are understandable, in addition to losses Providence and Rutgers, which are inexcusable. To give perspective, Providence was annihilated by West Virginia in January, 93-63, and is one of the worst shooting teams in Division I basketball.

Villanova freshman James Bell, replacing Stokes, stepped up in Tuesday’s game against Seton Hall, scoring 21 points. This is an unpredictable matchup because of all of the wild card variables affecting both teams, of late. This game is on Nova’s home court at The Pavilion and the Wildcats have been a tad less inconsistent than the Orange. Don’t call your bookie for this one, folks.

Advantage: Villanova

Any Jersey Shore fans notice the resemblance between the Syracuse Orange and Snookie? 5

Wednesday, February 23

Temple Owls (25) at Duke Blue Devils (5)

This just in: Duke is pretty good. My fanhood has hated Duke for more than 20 years, but I am not a hater. Duke only scored 56 points at Virginia last night and the game was never close. They have held seven opponents to less than 60 points, four to under 50. And, oh by the way, forward Kyle Singler (17 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG), guard Nolan Smith (21-5-4), and Kyrie Irving (17-4-5) are playing as well as they ever have. Stop and reflect on that. Duke has three players averaging 15 and 4 per night or better. I think the ACC is in the bag.

Duke faces a Temple team, winners of six straight, which is quietly climbing the ranks. While in the mid-major Atlantic 10 Conference, the Owls have rubbed out major conference opponents Georgia, (ranked) Georgetown, and Maryland, while losing narrowly to (currently ranked) Texas A&M and #7 Villanova. Temple forward Scootie Randall has been particularly hot of late, scoring in double figures in seven straight games.

Temple is a team that has won primarily with solid defense. Standout All-A10 forward Lavar Allen is dealing with an ankle sprain that kept him out of action last Saturday against Dayton, but it appears he will likely play tonight against the rival Richmond Spiders. So he should be starting against Duke. As disciplined and impressive as Temple has been, however, Duke’s D has been equally impressive against ACC competition and their star scorers have been difficult to solve. This has the appearance of a trap game, but look for Duke to keep trucking at Cameron Indoor.

Advantage: Duke


Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

Is this a preview of the Western Conference Finals? It could be. The Northwest division leading Thunder travel down to the Alamo to face the team with the NBA’s best record, the Spurs. The Thunder have suffered recent, head scratching losses to the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, while sneaking past the Sacramento Kings last week. The Spurs also suffered a baffler at Philadelphia last Friday, losing by six. Still, the Spurs are at the top, at home, and have been there and done that. The Thunder are still climbing. In addition, Kevin Durant, while he has not missed any games, is dealing with an ankle injury. When in doubt, go with who you know.

Advantage: Spurs

Tim Duncan and Kevin Durant battling for the ball. This should be good! 6

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1) Image from jockandstilettojill.com
2) Image from espn.com
3) Image from loqu.com
4) Image from kicksaholic.com
5) Image from cheezburger.com
6) Image from daylife.com