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Big East Cinderella: Cincinnati Bearcats Scalping for a Ticket, Others Punched

March 11th, 2010

The second round of the Big East tournament on Wednesday was very bubbly.

All four games included either teams on the right side of the bubble who needed one more win to punch their tickets (Marquette and Notre Dame), teams that were right on the cusp of getting in the field who needed a win (Seton Hall), or teams who were originally off the board and who are now in the process of getting a ticket to the dance (Cincinnati). 

Here is how each game went down:

 

The Ticket That Ended Up Being Void

 

No. 9 seed USF vs. No. 8 seed Georgetown

USF needed this win badly, and if they got it they would have probably been on the cusp or a "last four in" team.

However, they lost and are now officially out of the bubble discussion. Dominic Jones, along with the rest of the Bulls, shot poorly from the field and Georgetown was in control for the entire game, winning by a score of 69-49.


The Tickets That Got Punched

 

No. 7 seed Notre Dame vs. No. 10 seed Seton Hall

Both of these teams were in desperate need of a win, Seton Hall probably more.

The Pirates did not capitalize on the offensive end and got owned in the paint by Luke Harangody and his return to proper form. Jeremy Hazell was off from the field, shooting 5-16 from the field, including 1-9 from 3-pt.

The Irish came away with the 68-56 win and now have punched their ticket to the dance while Seton Hall can only wait and pray. 

 

No. 5 seed Marquette vs. No. 13 seed St. John's

In what was probably the most exciting game of the second round, St. John's gave Marquette everything they had to offer. Playing tough defense and taking advantage of Marquette's week interior defense, St. John's took a crushing 57-55 defeat to the Golden Eagles.

St. John's was winning by four points with two minutes left but couldn't seal the deal. Marquette relied heavily on their three-point shooting, particularly from forward Lazar Hayward, who shot 4-6 from the three-point line to finish with 20 points.

The win for Marquette punches their ticket to the dance. 

 

The Team That's Going Scalping for a Ticket (The Ticket May or May Not Be Real)

 

No. 11 seed Cincinnati vs. No. 6 seed Louisville

In a game that Cincinnati clearly wanted more, the Bearcats edged out Louisville by a score of 69-66. Cincinnati used a combination of scoring in the paint, tough perimeter defense, and good transition scoring to slip past Louisville.

The win means Cincinnati's almost impossible at-large chances have now gained some life. Another win vs. Pittsburgh in the quarterfinal could have the box office finding another ticket to sell them.

 

Friday's Preview

 

Can the No. 11 Seed Cinderella Cincinnati Bearcats Win in the Quarterfinals?

They play No. 3 seed West Virginia, which should be a very physical game. Both teams are exceptional at offensive rebounding and focus on scoring down low. 

Prediction: West Virginia 66, Cincinnati 61

 

No. 7 Seed Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Seed Pittsburgh

Both teams play slow sets that focus on executing on taking good shots. They are both teams that play good defense and can hit the three-ball. 

Prediction: Pitt 64, Notre Dame 58

 

No. 8 seed Georgetown vs. No. 1 seed Syracuse

Syracuse has won both times they've played Georgetown this season. It seems that Georgetown still hasn't figured out how to beat them, even though they came back from down 14 to within one last time they played.

Syracuse hasn't played since Saturday and will be ready for the task.

Prediction: Syracuse 77, Georgetown 70

 

No. 4 seed Villanova vs. No. 5 seed Marquette

Both these teams are guard heavy and like to play in transition. They are also very bad defensively, so look for the game to be high scoring.

Overall, Villanova is the better team and just slipped by Marquette 72-69 the first time they played. 

Prediction: Villanova 83, Marquette 79

 

Note: Seton Hall will be rooting for Cincinnati in order to add another top 50 win to their resume. Cincinnati will probably need to get to at least the finals in order to get a bid. 

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Posted in Big East Basketball, College Basketball, Game Recap, NCAA

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Was Signing Antonio Bryant a Good Deal for the Bengals?

March 11th, 2010
Point: Yes, Antonio Bryant adds the big play potential the Bengals have lacked.
Counterpoint: No, Bryant will be no more productive than Laveranues Coles.
P: I don't see it that way. He is a better deep threat than Coles. He is obviously taller than Coles.
CP: Bryant has an injured knee. He does not command heavy coverage from the defense.
P: Be fair. Last year he was injured, and the quarterback throwing to him was Josh Freeman, who tends to throw to the wrong team.
CP: Freeman had a tough year.
P: Yes, rookie quarterbacks do that.
CP: I recall Bengal fans were saying Coles was going to solve their wide receiver problems last year.
P: I don't think anyone confused Coles with a big play threat.
CP: Why didn't they just make a deal for Brandon Marshall? He would cost the same.
P: Are you crazy? Marshall would probably get six years and $55 million. That is quite a bit more than the four years and $28 million Bryant received. They also would have to give up their first round pick.
CP: He will be one and done just like Coles. Bryant won't see $28 million.
P: He may. Bryant is in his prime.
CP: Anquan Boldin got a four year, $28 million deal from the Ravens. Why didn't the Bengals just get him? Boldin is certainly better than Bryant.
P: I don't know about that. I think you'll find that they have similar numbers. Boldin has had the luxury of a great quarterback.
CP: True, Kurt Warner is better than Freeman.
P: Boldin also played with Larry Fitzgerald. I think it is safe to say it is easier to be productive with talent like that around you. Also, the Ravens had to give up draft picks. The Bengals don't like to do that.
CP: We are talking about a guy who has been no better than average for five of his seven years in the league.
P: It is hard to excel on bad teams. That doesn't help.
CP: He will be average at best. He did not catch more than five catches in any game last year.
P: Yes, but remember that his quarterback was not Carson Palmer.
CP: Palmer is better than Freeman. I'll give you that.
P: He also averaged over 15 yards per catch.
CP: He only caught 39 balls all year.
P: He was injured. He missed three games.
CP: That seems like a lot of money for 39 catches and 600 yards.
P: I think the Bengals are paying for what he did in 2008. Did you check that season out?
CP: I realize he had a big year.
P: Yes, he did. He had 83 receptions for 1,248 yards.
CP: I favored Terrell Owens. It looks like they won't be signing him now.
P: Bryant is younger and better than Owens anyway.
CP: Yeah, Owens is very unlikely now. The Bengals now have Chad Ochocinco, Matt Jones, Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby, and Jerome Simpson. They don't need to stock pile receivers unless they plan on cutting people.
P: Agreed on that. Owens has his injuries also.
CP: Bryant carries a lot of baggage with him. He missed the entire 2007 season due to drugs. He was suspended another time for four games with a DUI.
P: Owens, Boldin, and Marshall all have baggage.
CP: Bryant is now with his fifth team. That doesn't concern you?
P: Guys like Bryant are nothing new to the Bengals.
CP: There is a reason he has jumped around the league.
P: This frees the Bengals up to draft a defensive play maker. Defense in round one is the wise choice. If the Bengals picked up a pass rusher or a cover safety, their defense would be very good again. 
CP: I don't know about that. The team still lacks a young play maker at wide receiver.
P: They do, but without signing Bryant, the Bengals likely would draft a wide receiver in the first round. Now, they have the option of looking elsewhere.
CP: They will probably draft a tight end.
P: I don't see that. Wide receiver was a possibility, and it is a tough position to draft and develop. Signing a veteran receiver like Bryant is the safer bet. I think they will address the defense in the draft.
CP: It is possible they stay where they are at wide receiver. They prefer to give Simpson a bigger role.
P: They would like to get something out of that high pick.
CP: So, in summary, you like this deal?
P: Yes, Bryant can go deep. Marvin Lewis will get the most out of him. He will be grateful for this opportunity. Also, this move will allow Caldwell to develop in the slot. With Bryant’s speed and size on the outside, the Bengals just might have a passing game that resembles the 2005 Bengals.
CP: I think you are dreaming.
Please go here  for more.

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Posted in Antonio Bryant, Cincinnati Bengals, Football, NFL, Opinion

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Was Signing Antonio Bryant a Good Deal for the Bengals?

March 11th, 2010
Point: Yes, Antonio Bryant adds the big play potential the Bengals have lacked.
Counterpoint: No, Bryant will be no more productive than Laveranues Coles.
P: I don't see it that way. He is a better deep threat than Coles. He is obviously taller than Coles.
CP: Bryant has an injured knee. He does not command heavy coverage from the defense.
P: Be fair. Last year he was injured, and the quarterback throwing to him was Josh Freeman, who tends to throw to the wrong team.
CP: Freeman had a tough year.
P: Yes, rookie quarterbacks do that.
CP: I recall Bengal fans were saying Coles was going to solve their wide receiver problems last year.
P: I don't think anyone confused Coles with a big play threat.
CP: Why didn't they just make a deal for Brandon Marshall? He would cost the same.
P: Are you crazy? Marshall would probably get six years and $55 million. That is quite a bit more than the four years and $28 million Bryant received. They also would have to give up their first round pick.
CP: He will be one and done just like Coles. Bryant won't see $28 million.
P: He may. Bryant is in his prime.
CP: Anquan Boldin got a four year, $28 million deal from the Ravens. Why didn't the Bengals just get him? Boldin is certainly better than Bryant.
P: I don't know about that. I think you'll find that they have similar numbers. Boldin has had the luxury of a great quarterback.
CP: True, Kurt Warner is better than Freeman.
P: Boldin also played with Larry Fitzgerald. I think it is safe to say it is easier to be productive with talent like that around you. Also, the Ravens had to give up draft picks. The Bengals don't like to do that.
CP: We are talking about a guy who has been no better than average for five of his seven years in the league.
P: It is hard to excel on bad teams. That doesn't help.
CP: He will be average at best. He did not catch more than five catches in any game last year.
P: Yes, but remember that his quarterback was not Carson Palmer.
CP: Palmer is better than Freeman. I'll give you that.
P: He also averaged over 15 yards per catch.
CP: He only caught 39 balls all year.
P: He was injured. He missed three games.
CP: That seems like a lot of money for 39 catches and 600 yards.
P: I think the Bengals are paying for what he did in 2008. Did you check that season out?
CP: I realize he had a big year.
P: Yes, he did. He had 83 receptions for 1,248 yards.
CP: I favored Terrell Owens. It looks like they won't be signing him now.
P: Bryant is younger and better than Owens anyway.
CP: Yeah, Owens is very unlikely now. The Bengals now have Chad Ochocinco, Matt Jones, Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby, and Jerome Simpson. They don't need to stock pile receivers unless they plan on cutting people.
P: Agreed on that. Owens has his injuries also.
CP: Bryant carries a lot of baggage with him. He missed the entire 2007 season due to drugs. He was suspended another time for four games with a DUI.
P: Owens, Boldin, and Marshall all have baggage.
CP: Bryant is now with his fifth team. That doesn't concern you?
P: Guys like Bryant are nothing new to the Bengals.
CP: There is a reason he has jumped around the league.
P: This frees the Bengals up to draft a defensive play maker. Defense in round one is the wise choice. If the Bengals picked up a pass rusher or a cover safety, their defense would be very good again. 
CP: I don't know about that. The team still lacks a young play maker at wide receiver.
P: They do, but without signing Bryant, the Bengals likely would draft a wide receiver in the first round. Now, they have the option of looking elsewhere.
CP: They will probably draft a tight end.
P: I don't see that. Wide receiver was a possibility, and it is a tough position to draft and develop. Signing a veteran receiver like Bryant is the safer bet. I think they will address the defense in the draft.
CP: It is possible they stay where they are at wide receiver. They prefer to give Simpson a bigger role.
P: They would like to get something out of that high pick.
CP: So, in summary, you like this deal?
P: Yes, Bryant can go deep. Marvin Lewis will get the most out of him. He will be grateful for this opportunity. Also, this move will allow Caldwell to develop in the slot. With Bryant’s speed and size on the outside, the Bengals just might have a passing game that resembles the 2005 Bengals.
CP: I think you are dreaming.
Please go here  for more.

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Posted in Antonio Bryant, Cincinnati Bengals, Football, NFL, Opinion

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The Boston Celtics Must Look In The Mirror To Find Redemption

March 11th, 2010

The look on Rasheed Wallace's face says it all.  The Celtics cannot find their way out of this vacuum of ineptitude. 

The Memphis Grizzlies held the Celtics to a 12-point first quarter and dominated the game. 

Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and to some extent Michael Conley, simply got whatever shot they wanted.  Paul Pierce and Ray Allen continue their offensive funk and the Grizzlies took advantage of their lack of athleticism.

The Celtics look like a team that is emotionally drained, a dangerous position to be in. They have two choices: they can either collapse or find the added resolve that is needed to get through this. 

To their credit they are not pointing fingers, but something is amiss on Causeway Street.

The March Hare would be proud of this schizophrenic group because opposing teams continually knife through Boston's porous defense. The players have to take ownership and do more than go through the motion of playing defense. 

For a team that has championship aspirations, Boston cannot grasp the level of play that is necessary to get there.  March is supposed to bring the magic of being green to the forefront.

The boys in green should be flashing their green power and vanquishing foes with their defensive intensity, but it has yet to happen.

There is a mindset that has to come over this team, the kind of mindset that requires them to look at themselves through the looking glass.

It will reveal their true nature, be it champions or just plain chumps.

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Posted in Basketball, Boston Celtics, NBA, Opinion

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2010 NFL Mock Draft: Day One (Round 1)

March 11th, 2010
This year's draft is full of talent, and in my version of this seasons draft, defense and offensive line tops the charts. This year, the draft will be divided into 3 days, and I will have a mock for each round, with full explanations on the pick. Surprisingly, only four skill-position players made it into the first round. Here are my selections, take them how you will. Leave comments regarding any hits, misses, or speculations you may have! All comments are appreciated, and will be responded to. This is my first ever mock, and wil have more to come! Enjoy!

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Posted in Football, NFL, NFL History, Preview/Prediction, buffalo bills, mock drafts

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