Death by Choking

Dr. Henry Heimlich devised an abdominal thrust technique to relieve victims of choking during the mid-1970s. Today, it is a nearly universally known first-aid practice for such an emergency. It appears, however, that the memo did not make it to the high seeds in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

PREMATURE DEATH

Early round upsets are a staple of the NCAA Tournament. The single-elimination format of the tournament and the five-on-five nature of basketball, which enable one or two standout players to dictate the outcome of a game, facilitate an atmosphere in which lesser known, smaller basketball programs pull off unexpected surprise upsets each year. The “12-5” upset (in which a 12 seed upsets a 5 seed in a Region) is not a surprise anymore; it’s expected.

Still, upsets are called “upsets” because they are unexpected, an exception to the rule. In the second and third rounds of this year’s tournament, however, they became the trend. Only one 5^th seeded team, the Saint Louis Billikens, advanced to the third round of the dance, meaning three 12 seeds won in the round of 64.

Dayton was just getting started. 1

THE USUAL UPSETS

Once is a coincidence. Twice is a pattern. Three times is a trend. The second and third rounds (rounds of 64 and 32) of the Big Dance saw 13 lower seeded teams defeating higher seeds among the 48 games played. Some of the pairings were close in seeding, such as 9^th seeded Pittsburgh eliminating 8^th seeded Colorado. Many of the lower seeded advancers could have never been foreseen by anyone outside of communities and fan bases of those schools.

So called “12-5” victors North Dakota State, Stephen F. Austin, and Harvard, while not shocking, did buck the odds.  However, nobody could have envisioned a scenario in which traditional powerhouse and 3^rd seeded Duke, led by Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, would have ever lost to little known, Mercer (let alone lose by seven points). The second round delivered its annual quota of upsets.

OVERCONFIDENT, UNDERPREPARED, MISSEEDED

The third round, however, delivered an upset overload. By the end of the weekend, a #1 seed, two #2 seeds, and a three #3 seeds had been eliminated. This defies any precedent or conventional wisdom regarding the NCAA Tournament.

What happened? Duke had no excuse for its loss. Mercer had no place on the same court with Duke. The Blue Devils failed to execute and Coach K, uncharacteristically, failed to prepare his team. The name on the players’ chests went to their heads and they paid a price.  This was illustrated by the thrashing delivered to Mercer in the third round by (11^th seeded) Tennessee.

The 3^rd seeded Syracuse Orange were unceremoniously bounced from the tournament by the 11^th seeded Dayton Flyers, fresh off of an upset of 6^th seeded Ohio State. Syracuse got off to a 25-0 start this season. Whether an injury to a key role player upset the apple cart, other teams found a way to bust their 2-3 zone defense, or (more likely) the team spent too much time reading its own press clippings, the Orange rapidly tailed off after suffering its first regular season loss and never appeared to recover.

Finally, the Wichita State Shockers, 35-0 entering yesterday’s third round matchup with 8^th seeded Kentucky, was the first #1 seed to be eliminated. The Shockers lost by two to the Wildcats in arguably the best college basketball game played all season. What cannot be ignored, however, is that Kentucky, ranked in the top 25 for most of the season and having reached the championship round of the SEC Tournament, was seeded 8^th in the Midwest Region.

In fact, the Midwest Region appeared to be more madness than method. The Louisville Cardinals finished the regular season ranked #5 in the country. Yet they were seeded #4 in a 17-team region in a 68-team tournament. In contrast, lower ranked Villanova, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Michigan were all #2 seeds. Nova and Kansas have been eliminated from the tournament.

The impact of the questionable seeds in the Midwest extends beyond bruised egos from perceived slights. They result in unfairly difficult matchups for all teams involved. A #1 seed is supposed to be a smooth path to the regional semifinals (Sweet 16) barring shoddy play. The Shockers play was outstanding, but against a Kentucky team that would not stun any observers by reaching the Final Four. Likewise, Kentucky had to face an undefeated team in its second tournament game.

3

CHOKE CITY

Notwithstanding the over-concentration of talent in the Midwest Region, the teams that experienced unexpectedly early exits have only themselves to blame. The Big Dance gives each team one chance to advance. Teams with better records and more celebrated talent unable to crush low-seeded peasant revolts need not be considered to cut down the nets on the first Monday in April.

  

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1) Image from http://cleveland.cbslocal.com  
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3) Image from www.gamedayr.com

Four to Watch

Selection Sunday is just two days away. The annual ritual of 68 teams getting a chance to dance for the NCAA Men’s Basketball championship is upon us, once again. Many will try, most won’t come close.

Rather than waiting for the brackets to be released, the Daily Hat Trick is going to point out its four strongest contenders to win it all on the first Monday in April. Without knowing which teams will be in which brackets, it is probable that these teams will not all be in the Final Four. They are the teams, having watched them all season, that I think have the best chance to make it through to the end of the dance.

#7 DUKE BLUE DEVILS

Only one team has been perfect, so far, this season, but Duke appears to be the best. They are the most consistent team in the field. They have one of the best coach, some argue the best, in the country in Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzweski. Super Freshmen forwards Jabari Parker (19 PPG, 9 RPG) and Rodney Hood (17 PPG, 4 RPG), alone, are a difficult force for most of the top teams to overcome. This is not taking into account its seasoned senior leadership. Duke has the most right of any team (and fans) to have a “championship or bust” mentality entering the tournament. I expect Duke to have a #1 seed.

Rondey Hood can put it in the basket and take one for the team. One moment C.J. Fair's (Syracuse) sack is in his face and the next moment Duke puts the game away because of the called charge on Fair. 1

#11 SYRACUSE ORANGE

I expect people to disagree with me and I understand why. Syracuse went into a late season tailspin, losing 4 out of 5 after starting off 25-0. However, under the coaching of Jim Boeheim, the sharp execution of their vaunted 2-3 zone defense, and the overflow of talent on this team, it could be good that Syracuse look its lumps during the season as opposed to during the tournament. It is better for a team to know its most exploitable weaknesses now, when a team can still live to fight another day following a loss.

Boeheim will not go down quietly. 2

#1 FLORIDA GATORS

This team is #1 for a reason: they are that good. It is awfully hard to be beaten if an opponent can’t score. That is how the Gators, winners of 24 consecutive games, have dominated this season, including a perfect, 18-0, record in SEC competition. Head Coach Billy Donovan continues to show each year that he can put the right pieces in places with any roster he recruits and become an impenetrable source of frustration for opposing offenses. Scoring is not this team’s dominating characteristic, but they have proven, against quality opponents, that they are capable of scoring points in bunches when the need arrives to turn up the heat.      

Everything seems more fun in Florida. 3

#5 LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

The defending national champions are not bulletproof. However, they are experienced. They know how to win. Most important: they have Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Pitino. This team demonstrated, last season, that it can win in the postseason in spite of unexpected hurdles like injuries and upstart opponents. Point guard Russ Smith (18 PPG, 5 APG) has been up-and-down like a carousel horse. He is the senior leader. He absolutely must be dialed in during the later rounds for the Cardinals to have chance to repeat as champions.

Rick Pitino, left, knows he has to help keep Russ Smith, right, focused.

OTHER CONTENDERS

The elephant in the room is the #2 Wichita State Shockers. A Final Four team from a year ago, the Shockers have gone 34-0 under Head Coach Gregg Marshall. They will be the first team since the 1991 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to enter the Big Dance with a perfect record. However, their Missouri Valley schedule is child’s play compared to the teams they will face in the Sweet Sixteen round and later. Senior forward Cleanthony Early has proven to be versatile and battle tested. However, the 2014 Shockers are not. None of their games have been against teams that were ranked when they played, though the did beat Saint Louis, Alabama, and Tennessee earlier this year.

The #3 Villanova Wildcats, #4 Arizona Wildcats, and #6 Virginia Cavaliers have all shown flashes of championship potential. However, Villanova’s only quality win was over Kansas earlier this season. Arizona is without their big, scoring forward Brandon Ashley (12 PPG, 6 RPG), who broke his foot in a February loss at California. And Virginia, with the nation’s #1 defense, has no consistent offensive scoring threats in the post – none! N..O..N..E!

Finally there are the #10 Kansas Jayhawks. A week ago, I would have had this team in that aforementioned Four to Watch. But the back injury to forward (and possible first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft) Joel Embiid (11 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 BlkPG) is a gamebreaker for the Jayhawks in an already competitive field.

Cleanthony Early wants a second shot at the Final Four. 5

BRACKET TIME!

This is not the year to “go chalk” with your tournament brackets. You may have noticed the absence of #8 Michigan (last year’s runner up), #8 San Diego State (tied with Michigan in this week’s AP Poll), or #12 Wisconsin, which has shown flashes of championship ability under Coach Bo Ryan. That’s because my eye test tells me that they don’t have a chance to win the whole tournament in spite of having tournament-level talent and regular season success. You may disagree with my assessments, but trust your own. The margin between winning and losing at the top will be thin. This is the year to erase your chalk!

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.


1, 4) Images from www.nydailynews.com
2) Image from http://espn.go.com
3) Image from www.fanpop.com
5) Image from http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com

Must See Sports - Second Weekend of March 2014

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record, excluding series: 3-3
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record, excluding series: 14-15
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record (series only): 0-0

March Madness is right around the corner. The NBA is heating up. And America's pastime returns at the end of the month. March is roaring in like a lion!

Friday, March 7

NBA

Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets

It is not far-fetched to say that this could be a preview of the NBA Finals. The Pacers, with the best record in the NBA, became the first team to officially clinch a playoff berth. The Rockets are just three games back of the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division and four games back of the Oklahoma city Thunder for first place in the Western Conference.

Both teams have key players with a stiff back: center Dwight Howard (19 PG, 13 RPG, 2 BlkPG) of the Rockets and forward Paul George (22 PPG, 7 RPG) of the Pacers. George, however, appears to really be off of his game, going 0-9 from the field against the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. He may not play tonight. Howard scored 19 points against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Injury to a key player in a road game tips the scale in favor of the red hot Rockets, who are also perfect at home this season against Eastern Conference teams.

Advantage: Rockets

The Houston Rockets are hot. So are their Power Dancers. 1

Saturday, March 8

NCAA Men's Basketball

#25 Kentucky Wildcats at #1 Florida Gators

I drank the Kentucky Kool Aid when they hosted Florida last month. My eyes have been open. I won't make that mistake twice. Since then, Kentucky looks overrated (properly rated at #25) and Florida looks bulletproof.

Advantage: Florida


#14 North Carolina Tar Heels at #4 Duke Blue Devils

Last month ago, I did not think that UNC vs Duke would be appointment television for anyone out side of the state of North Carolina. Big props to Carolina's one-two punch of point guard Marcus Paige (17 PPG, 5 APG) and forward James Michael McAdoo (14 PPG, 7 RPG) for stepping up and rallying the Tar Heels.

UNC took the first matchup at Chapel Hill last month. However, I expect Duke's front court combo of Jabari Parker (19 PPG, 9 RPG) and Rodney Hood (16 PPG, 4 RPG) to be extra-focused in the return match, especially after being sucker punched by Wake Forest on Wednesday night.

Advantage: Duke


 #19 Connecticut Huskies at #11 Louisville Cardinals

UConn deserves some credit for scratching and clawing their way into the top 25. Their win over Cincinnati last Saturday didn't hurt that effort. The Huskies go as senior point guard Shabazz Napier (18 PPG, 6 RPG, 5 APG) goes. Senior point guard Russ Smith (18 PPG, 5 APG) of the Cardinals will have his hands full with Napier.

Both teams are excellent on defense. However, Connecticut makes its living, so to speak, by attacking the ball. Louisville is great at both moving and protecting the ball. I'll take Coach Rick Pitino and Louisville in this contest.

Advantage: Louisville

Hey, Mr. Parker! 2

Sunday, March 9

NBA

Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls

Even the Miami Heat can ill-afford to sleep on the Bulls, with or without Derrick Rose. The Bulls are the best coached team in the NBA with the most hustle. Still, coaching and hustle yields to a wide talent gap. LeBron James (27 PPG, 7 RPG, 6 APG) appears to be so focused right now that I doubt he, Dwyane Wade (19 PPG, 5 APG, 5 RPG), Chris Bosh (17 PPG, 7 RPG) or any member of the Heat will be anything less than at the top of their games on national television.

Advantage: Heat

LeBron James had cold, freezing, ice-chilled blood in his veins when he dropped 61 on Charlotte on Monday. 3

Wednesday, March 12

NBA

Portland Trailblazers at San Antonio Spurs

Some have argued that Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge (24 PPG, 11 RPG) is the best power forward in the NBA. While I would argue for Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans or Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers first, it is a sounds argument.

The problem is that against the Spurs, especially in San Antonio, defense is a must if there is a change at neutralizing Spurs point guard Tony Parker (18 PPG, 6 APG) and his seasoned crew, especially in San Antonio. Beyond Aldridge, I just don't see the D needed to stop Parker and forward Tim Duncan (15 PPG, 10 RPG, 2 BlkPG) and sixth man Manu Ginobli (12 PPG, 5 APG).

Advantage: Spurs

Damian Lilliard (21 PPG, 6 APG) is among a bevy of rising stars in Portland.

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.


1) Image from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
2) Image from www.newsobserver.com
3) Image from www.usatoday.com
4) Image from http://nba.si.com

Must See Sports - Fourth Weekend of February 2014

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record, excluding series: 5-5
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record, excluding series: 11-12
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record (series only): 0-0

Slim pickings at the end of this month. Next month, Spring is in the air. So are the basketballs! And the baseballs! Hopefully...my advantage/disadvantage record.

Saturday, February 22

NCAA Men's Basketball

#1 Syracuse Orange at #5 Duke Blue Devils

Syracuse let one slip against Boston College this week. I suspect they were looking ahead to Duke on the schedule. The Orange suffered a few near misses before the BC game.

Duke was on fire before dropping one to arch-rival North Carolina last night. They are also likely still reeling after a close overtime loss to the Orange at the Carrier Dome earlier this month. The game could tip either way, but I am going to go with home court, super freshman Jabari Parker (19 PPG, 9 RPG) and Coach Krzyzewski.


Advantage: Duke



#11 Louisville Cardinals at #7 Cincinnati Bearcats

Louisville's only loss in the last month-and-a-half was a tight game at the hands of the Bearcats on their own court. Both teams make their livings with strong defense: Cincinnati by smothering their opponents and Louisville with aggressive rebounding.

Still, the Cardinals, in big games (like their first game against Cincy) miss the big-body post presence of dismissed forward Chane Behanan (8 PPG, 6 RPG)  on both ends of the floor. This feeds right into the strength of Cincinnati everyman senior forward Justin Jackson (11 PPG, 7 RPG). Ultimately this game will be decided by the winner of the matchup of the standout senior guards Russ Smith (18 PPG, 3 RPG, 5 APG) of Louisville and Sean Kilpatrick (20 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG) of Cincinnati. Both are hot, playing great basketball right now.

I give the slightest nod to the home team.

Advantage: Cincinnati


#16 Wisconsin Badgers at #15 Iowa Hawkeyes

The Big Ten suffers from bipolar disorder. I'm convinced. Every team in the conference appears to have more ups and downs than a roller coaster. If lengthy forward Frank Kaminsky (13 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 BlkPG) can create havoc in the paint defensively and Sam Dekker (14 PPG, 6 RPG) plays up instead of down (which is unpredictable of late), Wisconsin can probably get the points they need to win.

If Roy Devyn Marble (16 PPG, 4 RPG) of Iowa finds his zone and gets his points, I think the Hawkeyes win. Being at home feeds into Marble's favor. With two teams playing inconsistently, that could be the difference.

Advantage: Iowa

The red hot Blue Devils will be all smiles if they can serve a cold dish of revenge to Syracuse. 1

Sunday, February 23

NBA

Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder

In spite of Blake Griffin's (25 PPG, 10 RPG) evolving skill set and the recent return of Chris Paul (19 PPG, 11 APG, 5 RPG) to the Clippers' lineup, the Thunder have been as hot as lightning of late. Kevin Durant (31 PPG, 6 APG, 8 RPG) and the Thunder are also likely to be just a bit more focused after suffering a 103-81 beatdown in front of their fans at the hands of two-time MVP LeBron James and the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat.

Advantage: Thunder


Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau should be Coach of the Year in my opinion. He just rolls with the punches in spite of injuries to key players and a near-two-year absence of former MVP Derrick Rose. The Bulls have won five of last six and are in second place in the Central Division.

Still, if you can't score, you can't win. LeBron James (27 PPG, 7 RPG, 7 APG, 2 StlPG) appears to have flipped a switch that may not only vault the Heat past the Pacers for first place in the Eastern Conference, but snatch the 2014 MVP award away from front-runner Kevin Durant. The King is riding a string of six consecutive games scoring 30 or more points. The Heat have won 10 of their last 12 and are on national television.

Advantage: Heat


Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey was criticized for paying (then backup) guard James Harden (24 PPG, 5 APG, 5 RPG) a king's ransom to come to Houston and start. He was warned that bringing Dwight Howard (19 PPG, 13 RPG, 2 BlkPG) to the Space City may not be worth the price.

The Rockets are in second place in the Southwest Division and within striking distance on first place in the Western Conference. Last season, they sneaked into the playoffs for the first time in four years. Where are those critics now?

The Suns had, what on paper, looked like the worst roster in the West. BOOM! Guard Goran Dragic (20 PPG, 6 APG) is having a breakout year. BOOM! Newly acquired guard Eric Bledson gets off to a blazing hot start (18 PPG, 6 APG, 4 RPG, 2 StlPG). BOOM! The Suns are in second place in the Pacific Division.

Without Eric Bledsoe (out with a knee injury) in the lineup, Phoenix doesn't have the firepower to take down the upper tier teams in the West on a consistent basis. The Rockets have won eight of their last nine and have not lost a game in regulation in nearly a month.

Advantage: Rockets

Morey (left): having the last laugh. 2

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1) Image from http://collegecheerheaven.blogspot.com
2) Image from www.zimbio.com

Retweet of the Day - November 13, 2013

It was a blockbuster prime-time debut for the college basketball season. University of Kentucky forward Julius Randle (24 PPG, 14 RPG), Kansas University guard Andrew Wiggins (19 PPG, 6 RPG), and Duke University forward Jabari Parker (25 PPG, 8 RPG) - all freshmen - are expected to be the top three picks in the 2014 NBA Draft (not necessarily in that order). They all made prime-time appearances on ESPN last night and put on a show for the audience.

Randle and the Wildcats fell to a veteran Michigan State Spartans team, led by senior guard Keith Appling (17 PPG, 7 RPG, 6 APG). Parker and Wiggins engaged in the Battle of the Future (as in the NBA's future) with Kansas topping Duke. College basketball has had gradually fewer headliners over the last 20 years in large part due to the best players going to the NBA after a year or less of college basketball experience. The NCAA got it right by putting the prime merchandise on display at the start of the year so that the customers (us) can get hooked in as early as possible and for as long as possible. Nice move....

Of course, ESPN's college basketball programming would not be complete without Dick Vitale. The iconic color commentator and former University of Detroit basketball coach can bring energy to the intake room at a funeral home. He didn't need a lot of help getting fired up last night. In fact, as he often does, he gets a little carried away, already putting Wiggins in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Today's retweet, by Gustavo Fring (‏@tonedibiase) is vintage Dick:

"Did Dick V say no doubt about it Wiggins will go to the HOF?!? GTFOH" 

Maybe Dickie V. was using Mr. Fring's product (for you Breaking Bad fans). Like Wiggins, Vitale seemed a little high!

Image from http://news.yahoo.com

Must See Sports – First Weekend of March 2013

Saturday, March 2

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#5 Miami Hurricanes at #3 Duke Blue Devils

Six words: regular season game of the year!

Miami has been battling all year to show that they are the real deal. They have had the #1 ranking within their grasp, only to fall short of the top spot after being hammered by Wake Forest earlier this week. After losing some early season games against teams that, on paper, did not belong on the same court with the Canes (Florida Gulf Coast and Indiana State), the Canes became the hottest team in the country, ripping off 14 straight wins, including a dethroning of then #1 Duke in January.

Miami's strategy is to out-physical and rough up the opponent under the board and in the paint. However, the key cogs in their machine are the two studs in their backcourt, sophomore Shane Larkin (13 PPG, 4 APG, 4 RPG) and senior Durand Scott (13 PPG, 4 RPG). They are the straws that stir the Hurricane, so to speak.

Duke's success will depend on their seniors, shooting guard Seth Curry (17 PPG) and power forward Mason Plumlee (17 PPG, 11 RPG). Coming off of a court-storming loss at Virginia and returning home, I fully expect the Blue Devils to be "up" for this game. Expect the Hurricanes to leave Cameron Indoor as a tropical depression.

Advantage: Duke


#10 Louisville Cardinals at #12 Syracuse Orange

Both of these soon-to-be former Big East powerhouses have fallen out of the top ten since their meeting in January. That doesn't mean that either is without well justified championship aspirations. Nonetheless, Georgetown wrestled away the top dog's spot in the conference with their win over Syracuse last week and everyone else is looking up at the Hoyas.

Louisville is a very well balanced team that can beat an opponent in a variety of way. All five starters are solid, future-NBA aspiring players. But senior point guard Peyton Siva (10 PPG, 6 APG) has to continue to play with a fire in his belly to go out on top. How much will the Cardinals be up for this road game in a place where the host is coming off of a recently snapped 38 game home winning streak to the aforementioned Hoyas and the guest has a losing record against ranked opponents (with no wins on the road against ranked opponents)?

Syracuse is at home in the Carrier Dome with something to prove and I don't expect lighting to strike twice in one week.

Advantage: Syracuse

Due to time constraints, the remaining Must See matchups will not contain a preview..

Sunday, March 3

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#9 Michigan State at #4 Michigan

Advantage: Michigan

NBA

Miami Heat at New York Knicks

Advantage: Heat

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

Advantage: Thunder

Tuesday, March 5

NCAA Men’s College Basketball

#16 Ohio State Buckeyes at #1 Indiana Hosiers

Advantage: Indiana

Wednesday, March 6

NBA

Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs

Advantage: Bulls



Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

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A regular contributor to the Hat Trick, Jasmine Hall of Online Colleges sent me the following for your perusal. With March Madness right around the corner, we can expect to see all varieties of collegiate traditions. The following discusses funny college traditions, some of which you may see later this month. Special thanks to Jasmine. The original article can be found at the news section at http://www.onlinecolleges.net/.

25 Funniest College Sports Traditions

It was Mark Twain who said, “The less there is to justify a tradition, the harder it is to get rid of.” Although some college traditions grew out of perfectly sensible circumstances, some exist simply because they have always existed. And some are simply the natural result of combining 18-year-olds with beer, competition, and school spirit. Of all the hallowed college sports traditions, we picked out 25 that are not so much steeped in heritage as they are hilarity.

1. The Stanford Tree
   After the school’s team was dubbed Cardinal (like the color) in 1981, the Stanford band thought the name was lame and decided to create its own mascot. The result is the ridiculous Stanford Tree, a guy in a 40-pound Christmas tree costume, complete with giant goofy grin and top hat.
   
2. UCLA Frisbee Cheer
   In 1978, a UCLA student nicknamed “Frisbee” borrowed a cheer from Pepperdine and started busting it out at Bruins basketball games with his friends. One student calls out questions and the crowd answers him: “Is this a basketball? Is that the court? Is that the llllooooosing team? Is that the winning team?”
   
3. Michigan hockey taunts
   At Michigan hockey games, the home crowd has a tradition of taunting the opposing goalie, like so: “You’re not a goalie, you’re a sieve! You’re not a sieve, you’re a funnel! You’re not a funnel, you’re a vacuum! You’re not a vacuum, you’re a black hole! You’re not a black hole, you just suck!”
   
4. Duke’s Cameron Crazies’ taunts
   Duke is the school everyone loves to hate, and the Cameron Crazies give them plenty of reason to. This student group is credited with originating the “air ball” chant, but their funniest stab is “You let the whole team down,” what the entire crowd chants when an opposing player makes a costly error.
   
5. Wisconsin “Jump Around”
   On October 10, 1998, a Wisconsin football tradition was born when this House of Pain song blasted through the stadium speakers and 80,000 people shook the place by jumping up and down to the song. After an uproar over an administration attempt to nix the song, the chancellor reversed the decision and it continues still.
   
6. Arkansas “woo pig sooie”
   Did you know there is a proper way to call a hog? Razorback students have been perfecting the hog call at sporting events for years. Raise your arms over your head and say “woo” for eight seconds, swing them down with clenched fists for the “pig,” and shoot the right arm up and yell “sooie!”
   
7. Alabama Rammer Jammer
   This cheer was originally performed by the Alabama crowd before football games. Today the chant is done towards the end of regulation when victory is certain, and students scream (for example), “Hey Florida! Hey Florida! Hey Florida! We just beat the hell out of you! Rammer Jammer, Yellowhammer, gave ‘em hell, Alabama!”
   
8. Cornell hockey taunts
   Cornell is serious about their tradition of taunting. For example, when the other team is announced, fans yell “Boring!” and shake newspapers, which they then crumple and throw on the ice. Fans are also fond of shouting “safety school!” during games as a way of belittling opposing teams’ alma maters.
   
9. Taylor University Silent Night
   At one basketball game each year, no Taylor fans speak until the 10th point the team scores, when they erupt. Students try to outdo each other’s crazy costumes, and at the end of the game everyone sings “Silent Night.”
   
10. Wisconsin Homecoming Cane Toss
    Believed to have been tradition for nearly 100 years, third-year law students at the University of Wisconsin run onto the field before the homecoming game wearing bowler hats and throw a cane through the goalposts. Legend has it if they catch the cane on the other side, they’ll win their first case.
    
11. Clemson’s Howard’s Rock
    When a Clemson alum gave the football coach a rock from Death Valley in the early ’60s, the coach first used it as a doorstop. But in 1966, after the coach order the rock “thrown in a ditch,” it was instead mounted atop a hill over the end zone and players have been rubbing it for luck before games ever since.
    
12. UNH fish tossing
    Traditions of throwing things on hockey rinks during games abound, but only at the U of New Hampshire do fans throw a fish every single game. A massive fish is chucked after UNH’s first goal, occasionally landing where it shouldn’t.
    
13. Penn toast throwing
    At the close of the third quarter, Penn football fans sing “Drink a Highball,” that ends with the line, “Here’s a toast to dear old Penn.” At that point, students fling thousands of pieces of toast onto the field.
    
14. Boise State’s blue turf
    Boise State’s Bronco Stadium has been adding a dash of color to ESPN highlight reels since 1986 when it installed the world’s only blue Astro Turf. That’s really all there is to this tradition: a funky blue football field.
    
15. Wyoming beer song
    Trombone players in this school’s band make their way around the stadium during the third quarter of football games, leading the crowd in choruses of the song “In Heaven There Is No Beer.” However, tradition dictates that students have to call out requests for the song before it is played.
    
16. Texas A&M yells
    Texas A&M yells are famous at the school but somewhat comical to outsiders. Before every yell, the yell leaders instruct everyone to “hump it,” and everyone bends over. Members of the Corps of Cadets take it one step further though, squeezing their testicles during important plays.
    
17. Rolling Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner
    TP-ing is a time-honored teenage tradition, and Auburn has been honoring it since 1963. Once reserved for away football game wins, today the intersection of College and Magnolia Avenue is rolled after every Tiger football win and big wins in other sports.
    
18. Rolling the Quad at Wake Forest
    TP-ing goes back even farther at Wake Forest, to 1961. After a campus move robbed students of a bell to ring in celebration, TP-ing Hearn Plaza became the victory dance of choice for everything from football wins to presidential elections.
    
19. Rolling the court at John Brown University
    John Brown University is probably the only place they start throwing the toilet paper before the game ends. At the basketball season opener, when the team makes its first bucket, everyone hurls TP onto the court. It’s a funny, technical foul tradition.
    
20. USC wrapping Tommy Trojan
    Tampering with another school’s campus landmark is a common practice, but wrapping your own statue? In the week leading up to the football matchup with UCLA, USC students now wrap their Tommy Trojan statue in duct tape and stand guard to protect it from being painted by Bruins.
    
21. Ohio State Mirror Lake Jump
    In 1990, 100 OSU students jumped in the lake at the end of a march around campus two nights before the Ohio State-Michigan game. Today thousands of students jump into the freezing waters of Mirror Lake in November, an activity roundly discouraged by school administrators.
    
22. Stanford Bearial
    Before the rivalry game against UC-Berkeley, Stanford holds a mock-somber “bearial” of UC’s mascot Oski the Bear. At the end of the procession, an effigy of the bear is impaled on top of White Memorial Fountain, or Claw Fountain as it is more appropriately called.
    
23. Berkeley’s Tightwad Hill
    In 1924, broke college kids at Berkeley found a way to watch Cal football games without paying for tickets. By climbing the hills next to the stadium they got a clear, free view of the field. Some students still forgo the stadium for the open air of Tightwad Hill.
    
24. UCSC’s banana slug mascot
    Students at University of California-Santa Cruz went the other way with their mascot selection. Since 1986, they have been known as the UCSC Banana Slugs. Sammy the Slug has been delighting students on campus ever since and inspiring slogans like “Banana Slugs: No Known Predators.”
    
25. Washington basketball game singing
    While waiting for basketball games to tip off, Washington fans are known to spontaneously break out into rousing renditions of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” or Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
    

Must See Sports - First Week of March 2012

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 1-6

Must See Sports 2012 record: 30-22

Nostradamus I am NOT! Whatever roll I was on went up in smoke last week. Time to pick myself up and try again!

Saturday, March 3

NCAA Men’s Basketball

North Carolina Tar Heels at Duke Blue Devils

Duke beat North Carolina on an Austin Rivers three point shot at the buzzer. North Carolina had a hearty lead in the final three minutes of the game. They haven’t forgotten and they are coming to Cameron Indoor to take one.

Both teams are on fire. Both teams only had one loss in the month of February (VERIFY). This game, most likely, will decide the ACC regular season champion.

On paper, North Carolina is the stronger team – better ball handlers and movers…much tougher under the glass (though Duke is good), with the second highest scoring offense in the country at 83 points per game. Still, Duke, by all measures, is in the same league as UNC, statistically. Duke is at home and they have simply gotten the better of the Tar Heels over the last four years.

Advantage: Duke

If you are a fan of either team, this image of Austin Rivers says enough. 5

(12) Georgetown Hoyas at (7) Marquette Goolden Eagles

This game could decide the runner up in the Big East. That will be significant because of seeding in the Big East Tournament. Big East Tournament seeding will be significant because the performance of every team, without a mascot called the “Orange”, will probably have its tournament seeding (or tournament invitation) influenced by Big East Tournament performance.

The winner of this game will lock up the second seed in the Big East. Marquette could have lockup up 2nd place, themselves, by extending their five game winning streak with a win over Cincinnati last night. But the Golden Eagles fell behind early and never recovered. Marquette will need a big effort from Jae Crowder (17 PPG, 8 RPG) to put the lid on Georgetown.

The Hoyas are waiting for Hollis Thompson (13 PPG, 6 RPG) to snap out of his sleepwalk. Thompson has not scored more than 13 points in a game since February 1. However, the Hoyas' Jason Clark (15 PPG, 4 RPG) has helped cover ground when Thompson has been so-so. Clark has scored in double figures in each Georgetown victory since late December.

In spite of Marquette's hiccup against Cincy, they will be at home and they have been more consistent over the course of the Big East schedule. If I had to place a wager, it would be on the Golden Eagles.

Advantage: Marquette 

Sunday, March 4

NBA

Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers

This is as star studded a game as one will see all weekend. The Heatles vs. The Lake Show…Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Metta World Peace against The King, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. L.A….Staples Center…stars sitting courtside…oh yeah, it’s ON!

Scroll to 1:23. You have to see it to believe it. 7

The Lakers have been nipping at the heels of the Pacific Division leading Los Angeles Clippers for the last month. They’re going to probably continue nipping after this game. The Lakers are very physical with a solid defense. Their offense, in the clutch, is often not so solid.

The Lakers have not been able to get a firm handle on ball movement all year. Bryant can help move the ball, leading the team in assists. He can put up a lot of points. He cannot do both. LeBron James can do both. So can Dwyane Wade. And the Heat are on fire right now, pun intended.

Advantage: Heat

D. Wade should prepare for payback from..."The Black Mamba-aaaaaaa-ah!". 6

Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers

Chicago is on fire. They have been all year. After withstanding late challenges from the San Antonio Spurs last night, and, of all teams, the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night, the Bulls have a championship contender-esque quality about themselves, just a half game back of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers, on the other hand, are a resurgent group of no names. They might be the first professional team in many years for whom the casual fan could name the head coach (Doug Collins) before any of the players, like Andre Iguodala (12 PPG, 6 RPG, 5 APG) and "Sweet" Lou Williams (16 PPG, 4 APG). Regardless, the Sixers are for real, in first place in the Atlantic Division.

What is also real is Philly's latest slump. The Sixers, after blowing a comfortable, late lead last night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, owners of the NBA's best record, have lost six of their last seven games. Most of those losses were against teams that we can expect to see playing in May. Still, the Sixers are in a bit of a fragile state and the Bulls are poised to take advantage.

Advantage: Bulls

Reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Bulls may bend, but won't break. 4

NCAA Men’s Basketball

Kentucky Wildcats at Florida Gators

If you have read my opinions on Florida Gator basketball over the last two years, you need not read further because you know what I am about to say. If you aren’t familiar with my take on Gator hoops, you’re probably in the vast majority. Kentucky is going to win this game.

Besides the fact that Kentucky looks invincible, their team, whose starters may all be in the NBA one day (three next year, for certain), is gelling. Kentucky fell behind the 8-ball earlier in the year at Indiana and lost. Since then, they trailed Tennessee on the road by eight in the second half and Mississippi State by double digits at halftime. They rallied to win both games.

Florida is still Florida. They are very hard to beat unless their opponent is ranked higher than they are. I expect no difference in this regular season finale.

Advantage: Kentucky

Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 66%, 5 BlkPG) 3

(11) Ohio State Buckeyes at (5) Michigan State Spartans

SHOWDOWN. Michigan State snapped Ohio State’s 39 game home winning streak last month. The Spartans continued to ride a big winning streak of their own following that win. The winner of this game will have the top Big Ten regular season record.

I think Michigan State is a more balanced team and playing better team defense right now. They are also at home. I like the Spartans for this game and the Big Ten regular season championship.

Advantage: Michigan State

Michigan State's Draymond Green (16 PPG, 10 RPG, 4 APG), left, and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger (17 PPG, 9 RPG), right. 2

Monday, March 5

NBA

Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder


The incumbent at the front-runner.... OKC has the best record in the league, and has for much of the year. The Mavericks are in sixth place in the Western Conference, but in large part because they stumbled out of the gates early in the season. They've also stumbled of late, losing three in a row. The Thunder have won six straight and are at home. By the way, Dirk Nowitzki (20 PPG, 7 APG) had to leave last night's game after just 10 minutes played with back problems. 


Advantage: Thunder

Looks like Dirk (left) and his back took a real pounding from Marc Gasol (right) and the Grizzlies. 1

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Must See Sports - Fourth Week of February 2012

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

Must See Sports 2012 record: 29-16


Thursday, February 23

NBA

New York Knicks at Miami Heat

It is the last night before the All-Star break and Linsanity takes it show on the road to face the Heatles. This should be good. Unfortunately for Jeremy Lin (15 PPG, 6 APG) and the Knicks, the Heat are healthy and almost impossible to beat at home. I don't see the Knicks being the fly in the ointment.

The Heat have wrestled first place in the East away from the Bulls. The Knicks improved, overnight, with the rise of Lin. Even Carmelo Anthony (22 PPG, 6 RPG) back in the lineup (on a limited basis thus far) I think the King (28 PPG, 8 RPG, 7 APG) will keep his Eastern Conference crown through the weekend.

Advantage: Heat

Yeah right! Maybe the Micheal Jordan who just turned 49 is posing as Jeremy Lin (which would probably still be pretty damn good)! The "Linning" is in jeopardy tonight at the Heatles World Tour. 1 

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#4 Duke Blue Devils at #16 Florida State Seminoles

Big ACC matchup. The winner pulls into a tie with #7 North Carolina for first place in the conference. The loser is behind the eight ball in the ACC race.

Duke is the superior team on paper, except for one caveat: Florida State beat Duke earlier this year. In addition, the Seminoles are on fire, winners of 10 of their last 11. FSU limped into conference play and since then has been a force to be reckoned with. the Noles have been winning with defense, defense, defense. Bernard James (10 PPG, 8 RPG), the 27 year old senior forward has brought his maturity and leadership to the forefront, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three or more shots in his last three games.

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski has his machine rolling. Duke has won seven of eight and its one-two punch of Austin Rivers (15 PPG, 3 RPG), who made the game winning shot at North Carolina, and Seth Curry (14 PPG, 3 RPG) has made the Blue Devils very difficult to keep up with. Still, Florida State had the Blue Devils' number in on-the-floor matchups last month. They're hot and they're at home. I like them in an upset.

Advantage: Florida State  

Duke hero of the first North Carolina game, Austin Rivers (son of Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers). 2

Saturday, February 25

NCAA Basketball

#3 Missouri Tigers at #5 Kansas Jayhawks

BIG rematch in the Big XII. Kansas let a late lead slip at Missouri, powered by the demonically focused shooting of Mizzou senior Marcus Denmon (17 PPG, 5 RPG). The Jayhawks can ill-afford a relapse. The winner takes over sole possession of first place in the conference and is in the driver's seat to win the regular season Big XII title.

Were it not for teams from the state of Kansas, the Tigers would be only have one loss this season, but not because of the Jayhawks. Kansas State and coach Frank Martin have swept Missouri, beating them, for the second time in this season, last night. Perhaps some of that mojo will travel cross-state from Manhattan to Lawrence. Kansas is riding a five game winning streak. Junior forward Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) has been a major factor in the hot streak. In fact, Robinson, with one more rebound against Kansas State and two more boards against Texas Tech, would be riding a streak of seven consecutive games with a double-double.

Kansas lost a heartbreaker last time. They are at home. However they are not Kansas State and I can't wrap my mind around Missouri losing back-to-back games. It hasn't happened all year.

Advantage: Missouri

Can recent history repeat itself? 3

Sunday, February 26

NBA

2012 NBA All-Star Game

Western Conference All-Stars at Eastern Conference All-Stars from Orlando, Florida


I enjoy the NBA All Star game. I love watching the best in the game partake in pure, unadulterated offense. Alley oops, trick dunks...everything a basketball fan could want to see and long as that fan does not want to see defense. Whatever the over/under is, bet the "over"!

4

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#15 Wisconsin Badgers at #9 Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State was as hot as any team could be and, two weeks ago, appeared to be a lock for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. A loss to Michigan State and a loss to Michigan later, and a sense over urgency has cast its shadow over Columbus, Ohio.

The Badgers have been a model of consistency against any team without a ranking in front of its name, 18-1 against unranked opponents. Their 2-6 record against ranked opponents, including Ohio State, does not bode well. In addition, their team leader and top scorer, Jordan Taylor (14 PPG, 4 RPG, 4 APG) continues to struggle with shooting. Taylor's field goal percentage is under 40%  on the season, including an abysmal, combined 7 for 25 from the field in his last two games.

Wisconsin could propel itself back into the Big Ten regular season race with a win. However, the Buckeyes are at home, where a loss is extremely rare. Unless Taylor has a breakthrough and snaps out of his season long shooting slump, I think the Buckeyes get back on track in this conference matchup.

Advantage: Ohio State


Monday, February 27


NCAA Men’s Basketball

#18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #8 Georgetown Hoyas

The Big East isn’t the concentrated powerhouse it was last year. That doesn’t mean they aren’t really good. Nobody is likely to catch Syracuse, but seedings in the Big Dance and Big East tournament are still at stake. An Irish win will keep them in second place with Marquette, holding the regular season tiebreaker. Georgetown, currently 2 games back of Notre Dame and Marquette, can vault itself back into the race for Big East runner up with a win.

The secret to Notre Dame’s success has been good ball movement and taking care of the basketball. Multi-faceted players like sophomore guard Jerian Grant (13 PPG, 5 APG) patiently set up scoring opportunities and don’t turn the ball over very much. The Irish are currently riding a nine game winning streak. During that streak, beginning with the stunning upset over then-#1 Syracuse, Grant has scored in double figures in all of those games, with five or more dimes in seven of those games.

Georgetown is somewhat living off of their name. The Hoyas got off to a red hot start, but appear to have cooled in conference play. They’ve lost two of their last four. The loss in overtime to #2 Syracuse was understandable. The drubbing they took at Seton Hall is not. Want to figure out how the Hoyas’ night will go? Watch Hollis Thompson (13 PPG, 6 RPG). When the junior forward scored 15 or more points, the Hoyas are 8-1. Four of their five losses on the season have come when Thompson does not break that threshold. A big game from the big man will go a long way in helping his team win.

Bottom line? The Irish are hot. The Hoyas are not. Thompson has not exceed that 15 point threshold since February 1st.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Notre Dame's Jerian Grant, left and Pat Connaughton (7 PPG, 5 RPG), right. 5

Tuesday, February 28

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#6 Michigan State Spartans at #24 Indiana Hosiers

Michigan State is playing its best basketball of the season when it counts the most, late in the season. After a head-scratching, low scoring loss to Big Ten bottom feeder Illinois at the hands (almost single handedly) of Illini guard Brandon Paul (15 PPG, 5 RPG), the Spartans have ripped off six straight wins and not looked back.

The streak includes wins over archrival #22 ranked Michigan, a shocker at #3 Ohio State, and #17 Wisconsin. Illinois has not won since upsetting MSU. Michigan senior forward Draymond Green (16 PPG, 10 RPG) has stepped his game up in February, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds during Michigan State’s undefeated month.

Indiana is an enigma. They are as streak a ranked team and one can find. They have won four of their last five after having lost five of the prior seven, which came on the heels of a 15-1 start to the season. That fast start included wins over (rankings at the time) #1 Kentucky, #2 Ohio State, and #13 Michigan, with the lone loss coming against #17 Michigan State. Since then, the Hosiers have dropped games to unranked Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Its last win over a ranked opponent was January 5th.

Expect a solid performance from the consistent freshman forward, Cody Zeller (16 PPG, 7 RPG). Expect Michigan State to keep on rolling.

Advantage: Michigan State


Wednesday, February 29

NBA

Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs

Happy Leap Year...Day...I suppose!

The young versus the old…. Vitality versus experience…. It’s Chicago at San Antonio.

The Spurs are doing the same old thing with the same old starters and the same old coach. There’s a good reason. They usually experience the same result: winning!

The second evening back from the All-Star break brings us the blockbuster matchup of the teams with the second best records in their respective conferences. The Spurs had their 11 game winning streak snapped by the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday. Did I say “snapped”? I meant “vaporized” in a 40 point blasting at The Rose Garden. However, Tim Duncan (14 PPG, 9 RPG, 33 MPG) and Tony Parker (20 PPG, 8 APG) did not play; they rested. They’ll be getting even more rest this weekend. Bulls fans need not get too excited.

While the Spurs, whose starters average age is 29, have to make adjustments for lengthening of the tooth, the Bulls have a stockpile of young guns. Reigning MVP Derrick Rose (22 PPG, 8 APG, age 23) is back from his back injury and appears to be close to his old, dominant form. In spite of Rose’s extended absence, Chicago has still won nine of its last 11 games. On paper, I think the Bulls are a slightly better team, on any given night. However, since the Spurs are at home and will be very well rested, I like San Antonio in this contest.

Advantage: Spurs

San Antonio: WINNING! 6

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