Opening Day is an American institution. As always, I put forth my thoughts on the upcoming season.
AL East:
The Boston Red Sox signed Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. No one else added players of that calibur. I think Gonzalez will put up MVP numbers with the short fence in right field at Fenway.
AL Central:
I'm taking the Minnesota Twins. Justin Morneau is back in the starting lineup Friday. Joe Mauer is always in the running for the batting title, and they have a strong bullpen.
AL West:
The Texas Rangers were the surprise team last season. They won't surprise anyone now, but they are in a weak division. So that should ease the pain of losing Cliff Lee.
Wild Card:
The New York Yankees have several gaps, including aging stars and few reliable starters. I'm still not going to pick against them, though.
NL East:
The Phillies have put together the best starting rotation in the history of baseball. They do need Chase Utley back, and that might not happen before the All Star break.
NL Central:
The Reds put together a strong season last year. The Brewers and Cubs have improved, while the Cardinals lost their best pitcher to an elbow injury. It doesn't hurt that my favorite player, Scott Rolen, is the starting third baseman.
NL West:
The Giants won the Series last fall. But they barely made the playoffs. I think the Colorado Rockies are going to take over the division, with Troy Tulowitzki named MVP.
Wild Card:
The Atlanta Braves will certainly challenge for the NL East. I think a Wild Card spot is much more likely because the Phillies' rotation is too strong.
World Series Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies over the Boston Red Sox.
Who do you think will win?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Elite Eight: Saturday
(8) Butler vs. (2) Florida
Butler forward Matt Howard and injured center Andrew Smith will have to play huge against the front line of the Gators. It would be dumb to say Butler has no chance, but they are once again out-matched.
(5) Arizona vs. (3) Connecticut
UConn has no one to stop Derrick Williams. But they key match-up is Arizona guard MoMo Jones versus Kemba Walker. Walker has been stellar in the last month of the season, and that's why he is a national player of the year finalist. But who is going to step up to supplement his play?
Butler forward Matt Howard and injured center Andrew Smith will have to play huge against the front line of the Gators. It would be dumb to say Butler has no chance, but they are once again out-matched.
(5) Arizona vs. (3) Connecticut
UConn has no one to stop Derrick Williams. But they key match-up is Arizona guard MoMo Jones versus Kemba Walker. Walker has been stellar in the last month of the season, and that's why he is a national player of the year finalist. But who is going to step up to supplement his play?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tonight's Sweet Sixteen Preview
I was 3-1 yesterday, with Duke being my only loss. And since it was a blowout and they were my national champion pick, I'll consider it two losses.
(11) Marquette vs. (2) North Carolina
The Tar Heels have been one of the best few teams in the last couple months. They have the size and athleticism to beat anyone. Marquette has to shoot well from the outside to contend.
(12) Richmond vs. (1) Kansas
Kansas is way better.
(4) Kentucky vs. (1) Ohio State
As a Kentucky fan, I would love to see this "upset" here. But I've said Ohio State is the best team in the country for months. Kentucky needs a huge game from Josh Harrelson and Eloy Vargas against Jared Sullinger in the post.
(11) Virginia Commonwealth vs. (10) Florida State
This game is a toss-up. VCU is the better story as one of the last four teams selected. But Florida State is the best defensive team in the nation. They'll prove it again tonight.
(11) Marquette vs. (2) North Carolina
The Tar Heels have been one of the best few teams in the last couple months. They have the size and athleticism to beat anyone. Marquette has to shoot well from the outside to contend.
(12) Richmond vs. (1) Kansas
Kansas is way better.
(4) Kentucky vs. (1) Ohio State
As a Kentucky fan, I would love to see this "upset" here. But I've said Ohio State is the best team in the country for months. Kentucky needs a huge game from Josh Harrelson and Eloy Vargas against Jared Sullinger in the post.
(11) Virginia Commonwealth vs. (10) Florida State
This game is a toss-up. VCU is the better story as one of the last four teams selected. But Florida State is the best defensive team in the nation. They'll prove it again tonight.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sweet Sixteen Preview
(3) Connecticut vs. (2) San Diego State
San Diego State should not have beaten an average Temple squad. Kemba Walker is one of the best players in the nation and led the Huskies to the Big East tournament title. I'm taking UConn.
(3) Brigham Young vs. (2) Florida
BYU has no one to match up with Florida's size with Macklin, Tyus and Young. No one. The only chance the Cougars have is to hit 60% from three-point range. With Jimmer, that's always a possibility. Gators advance.
(5) Arizona vs. (1) Duke
Duke is 10-0 with Kyrie Irving on the floor, but that's not the reason Duke is going to win. That would be Nolan Smith. Smith led the ACC in points and was second in assists after switching positions to point guard. He's still the most underrated player in the nation.
(8) Butler vs. (4) Wisconsin
I will not pick against Butler. Especially against Wisconsin. The Badgers are the better team. They're a great free-throw and three-point shooting team and play great defense. They're the smarter pick. But I'm taking Butler.
San Diego State should not have beaten an average Temple squad. Kemba Walker is one of the best players in the nation and led the Huskies to the Big East tournament title. I'm taking UConn.
(3) Brigham Young vs. (2) Florida
BYU has no one to match up with Florida's size with Macklin, Tyus and Young. No one. The only chance the Cougars have is to hit 60% from three-point range. With Jimmer, that's always a possibility. Gators advance.
(5) Arizona vs. (1) Duke
Duke is 10-0 with Kyrie Irving on the floor, but that's not the reason Duke is going to win. That would be Nolan Smith. Smith led the ACC in points and was second in assists after switching positions to point guard. He's still the most underrated player in the nation.
(8) Butler vs. (4) Wisconsin
I will not pick against Butler. Especially against Wisconsin. The Badgers are the better team. They're a great free-throw and three-point shooting team and play great defense. They're the smarter pick. But I'm taking Butler.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton Should Be Fired
Bruce Pearl is out at UT, ending the most successful six-year span the men's basketball program has ever experienced. Pearl led the Vols to a 145-61 (65-31 SEC) record including an Elite Eight and two Sweet Sixteen appearances.
But with impending NCAA violations, Pearl is playing the part of the scapegoat. The person at fault is actually Mike Hamilton.
Hamilton has done little to police the athletic program and was responsible for the hiring of Lane Kiffin. We all saw how that worked out.
Pearl made mistakes, for which he is now paying, but he single-handedly made UT men's basketball relevant.
And now he's gone. And Hamilton should be following.
I know most agree with me.
But with impending NCAA violations, Pearl is playing the part of the scapegoat. The person at fault is actually Mike Hamilton.
Hamilton has done little to police the athletic program and was responsible for the hiring of Lane Kiffin. We all saw how that worked out.
Pearl made mistakes, for which he is now paying, but he single-handedly made UT men's basketball relevant.
And now he's gone. And Hamilton should be following.
I know most agree with me.
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