Versus = WTF!!!

Someone PLEASE help me out with this one... Okay for the second time in as many games, the NHL has scheduled two playoff games on the same night one half hour apart. I can understand that, of course, as all teams involved are east coast teams. Sure no one wants a game to start at 9:30... I do get that. For cyrin’ out loud, show the frickin’ games though.

I live in the DC metro area, so naturally, I’m going to see the Caps regardless. Versus has the NHL contract, so I understand they have the rights to the NHL playoff games. For the local games here in DC though, the local sports channel shows the game...okay, fully understandable, they want in on the cash cow that is NHL broadcasting. What I absolutely do not get is that when the local sports channel shows the Capitals game, Versus blocks out the channel; completely blocks it out!

I know for an absolute fact, with today’s television technology, they have the ability to show one game in one area and another in a different viewing area. In fact, now that the Caps game has just ended, VS will now show the remaining half hour of the Boston v Carolina game...WTF is that!?

Please tell me why they cannot give up the right to the local game to the local sports station and show the remaining game. You can explain to me about money and rights, bla bla bla. You cannot, however, convince me it’s better for the league to one, schedule two out of two playoff games at the same time, and two, not show both of those games.

Someone gets an F for that one!

NHL Logos – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In honor of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I’ve compiled my top five seeds of NHL logos. And what would a top five list be without a bottom five to hit if off? For the sake of argument, I’ve added five mediocre logos as well.

The Good – Maybe the history, maybe the color, maybe just bad-ass!

5. The Original Six – although I’m not a fan of any of these six teams, I cannot argue the fact that these logos are time tested and still impress.

4. Montreal Wanderers – while most of the defunct teams of the early teens, Montreal at least had the wherewithal to roll with a W o

n a shield. Right on!

3. Colorado Rockies – thought by many to be ugly...I, on the other hand, see

70s classic! It’s got a blue mountain, a red C, and a little orange circle in the mix...how can you go wrong?

2. Kansas City Scouts – Not really PC, but this isn’t a politeness list, it’s a list of cool! A Sioux warrior scouting out the ice, planning for his next attack...yeah buddy!

1. Buffalo Sabres (Old School) – Not a surprise here, the Sabres logo is and

will always be the best logo of any sports team, of all time! Yes I said it... ALL TIME!

The Bad – Not necessarily ugly, but head scratchers nonetheless.

5. Dallas Stars – I’ve added the ole Stars because, well, I don’t like them first of all, s

ome should know why... and two because it just doesn’t make sense. You take a team from “hockey country”, Minnesota, rightly named the NorthStars, move them to Dallas, and drop the North. Senseless move, senseless name.

4. Quebec Nordiques – Intriguing at first,then again, not really sure what its supposed to be. Is it an elephant with a stick...a red hump with a stick? It’s just something else from the French we don’t understand?

3. California/Oakland Golden/Seals – Yeah... much like Al Davis’ Raiders, for cryin’ out loud, pick a name already! And, kind of cool, kind of weird, cute littl

e seal face on a bird-like shaped body thing going on... enough said.

2. Minnesota Wild –

This one would be on the Ugliest

but its creative if nothing else. A picture in a picture...ugly, yet cool, I guess.

1. Buffalo Sabres (2nd generation) – For reasons unknown, the Sabres

took the greatest jerseys/logos of all time, changed the colors to red and black, and decided to roll out with a big buffalo head... potential yes, execution no. Fail.

The Ugly – Not only ugly, but f-ugly!!!

5. Tampa Bay Lightening – I get it, Tampa, storms, lightening...but the logo sucks, plain and simple.

4. San Jose Sharks – triangle + stick-eating shark + horrible colors = recipe for a sucky logo.

3. Vancouver Canucks – Maybe one of the just plain ugliest of all

time...on par with the 70s/early 80s Houston Astros. They get the ultimate WTF!

2. Buffalo Sabres (current) – The most painful on the list...the Buffa-slug, snot-rocket,

Donald Trump’s hair. It has many names indeed, none of which are called awesome.

1. Anaheim Mighty Ducks – Worst franchise in history, meet worst logo in history! A team that never should have been. Yes they’ve had success, but they’ve got to go!

The Caps UNLEASH THE FUUUURY in game 7!

Seriously, I am at best a second rate Caps fan. Only be default of course as the Sabres missed out this postseason. That said, there are few things better than a game 7 after a 3-1 comeback. This is the point of rankings; this is the point of wins, losses, and the point system; to get to this point where your home ice advantage is reality.

It was a shaky start for the Caps, who didn’t have a quality shot until near the end of the first period. After that, the D buckled down and only allowed 15 shots for the entire game. The Caps had 24 shots in about two and one third periods. Not a bombardment in the least, but enough to get two by.

The biggest stat of the game for the Caps is the 46 hits they laid down on the Rangers to their 30. With Brashear out for six games, one of the worries was the uncertainty of who would fill that enforcer roll. It turns out everyone did. 90% of the 46 hits were quality checks.

There were a few good hits on the Rangers’ circus clown Sean Avery too, who not shockingly, came up with losers limp in the last minute.

After watching this game, I’ve come to one conclusion: as an NHL team, you are much better off the more Russians you have. The Caps are stacked! Simeon Varlomov is the real deal folks…at least for this series he was.

An Early Look to the Future...Irish Basketball 2009/10

At first glance, if you’re a casual observer, you may be concerned about the 2009-2010 basketball season for the Fighting Irish. You also may not believe that I’m pretty excited about next season, even with the sure losses and the potential huge loss to the team.

It has been recently reported that Luke Harangody has declared for the draft one year early, although he will not hire an agent. This leaves the door open to return in case he doesn’t get a warm fuzzy about his pull in the draft. Let me say this: I hope for Luke to have a long successful career in the NBA. I’ve seen enough to make the call that there’s no reason he shouldn’t. Here’s the catch…as a fan, I just hope it’s after next year.

First thing’s first… what do they lose. The Irish will also lose one of the best outside shooters I’ve ever seen. While I could run a laundry list of shooters the NCAA has seen in recent years, Kyle McAlarney is one of the best, and his range is maybe unparalleled in the college game. While that threat will surely be missed, Notre Dame has lost 3 point killers before, namely Colin Falls a couple years ago, and just filled the gap with McAlarney. Who’s next up remains to be seen. With the departure of Kurz a year ago, Zeller stepped up to fill the big man’s spot this past season. Now Zeller is gone and that gap probably concerns me more than any other so far. Ryan Ayers emerged this year as a serious offensive threat and Hillesland has been a solid starter and defender the entire season.

That said, I’m counting on watching an Irish team sans Harangody next season as well. But like I said, there’s still room for much optimism. Even though they have been to the dance 29 times, tied for ninth amongst all others, Notre Dame has never truly been seen as that powerhouse basketball school. I’m not talking about putting together successful seasons, but more about bringing in talent with little or no effort for the basketball pedigree, ala Kentucky, UNC, Duke, Kansas, UCLA. So one could argue that Mike Brey is asked to do more with less than say, John Calipari at Kentucky who has 5 star recruits waiting at the doorstep year in year out. That’s not a complaint, or a knock on the players in any way, it’s just a fact that Notre Dame, with all the factors, does not rake in 5 stars too often, if ever.

The four recruits coming in next season are as follows:
Center Thomas Knight from Maine – 6’8” 260 – He was Mr. Basketball in Maine, one of the best players to come out the state, who knew… He’s left-handed shooter, which can pose problems for defenses if they’re unprepared for it. With his size he should Harangody-esque type player. He’s a big boy and should be able to help fill that slot immediately.

SF Joey Brooks from Texas– 6’5” 205 – He’s a good defender, solid range shooter, smart player with good size and strength. From what I’ve read, he’s an intense player who should help with the boards and getting to the basket.

PF Mike Broghammer from Minnesota – 6’8” 215 – He is another tough inside player, should be like Harangody yet again with a little less size, solid outside shooting. If he puts on a few lbs, think Harangody meets Brockman = sickness!

PF Jack Cooley from Illinios – 6’8” 210 – He looks to be a very solid defender and great post player, which should also assist with the defensive losses this season. He has shown some areas needing work but should improve in most other aspects and has potential to be a long-term great asset.

With the four rooks, the much anticipated transfers will play as well next year. Ben Hansbrough and Scott Martin. Hansbrough of course, the little brother trade off with Tyler Zeller at UNC has tons of natural talent and should fill some of the leadership roles as well. I’m really excited to see Scott Martin play next season. He’s a transfer from Purdue after his freshman season in West Lafayette. I can remember watching a few games he played for Purdue noted his skills even then. He had a very solid freshman season and should be a pillar of the Irish team next season as a junior. He has good size and a good basketball IQ.

I won’t go into depth about the returning players, but look out for Tyrone Nash to continue his development, Peoples and Jackson to take the lead, and should see some quality time from Carlton Scott and other solid role players such as Tim Andree and Tim Abromaitis.

My last nugget is that I believe the Big East will not be as brutal as it was this season; how could it possibly be? Syracuse should be gutted from their departures; UConn will take a hit with Thabeet, Adrien, Austrie, and Price leaving, thank god; and Louisville loses Williams and McGee. Sure when all these guys leave, another 5-star falls in place, but we can only hope, they all won’t be as good as their predecessors.

While I will never jinx the Irish into predicting where they’ll go in the Tourney, I do expect another solid winning season out of the boys next year, hopefully with Harangody, and without a seven game skid… Cannot wait for October!

Don't Disrespect the NIT... Irish Updates

Even if they didn’t make the big dance this year, accepting a bid as a 2 seed in the lowly NIT, I’ll call this a successful season yet again for Mike Brey and the boys. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say getting down to the NIT semis is their most successful post season since making it to the Sweet Sixteen in 02-03 where they were then bounced by 3 loss Arizona. Two years ago, the upset by Winthrop in the first round was a huge disappointment, and even last year where they did beat George Mason in Rd 1, they got their ass handed to them by Washington State in Rd 2. With the seasons they had in those two years, I call those finales disappointing.

This year however, where they’ve had a few tough breaks in the toughest Big East in a long time, they’re one of the last four teams alive in a NIT filled with some damned good basketball programs.

The NIT truly gets a bad wrap. With teams like Georgetown, Kansas St., Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Florida, who, hello, is two years removed from their NC! These are no scrubbini programs here. Whomever comes out on top will have accomplished no small feat.

So back to the Irish… They bounced UAB, squeaked by New Mexico on the last second drive by Tory Jackson, then pretty much handed Kentucky a beatdown in the Joyce Center last night, with the exception of a late UK run. Harangody has been his normal self scoring 78 points in those three games. But last night, I think proved to be the better win of the three. While I don’t believe Kentucky is that good, they do have talent; they are still Kentucky after all.

The biggest story of the night though I think is this was the last home game for four seniors. Kyle McAlarney, Ryan Ayers, Zach Hillesland, and Luke Zeller. With Harangody testing the NBA waters this off-season, this could shape up to be a huge blow to next years squad. As a fan, I can only hope Luke decides to stick it out one more year. I think with additions of the transfers and some developing talent, they could actually have a better than solid group next year. More on that later…

But for now, Pennsylvania State University awaits in the Big Apple.
Good luck to the boys… GO IRISH!

Buffalo's 2-0 Baby....This Week at Least

I guess it’s true what they say; 4.5 M per for a couple years provides a little kick in the ass. In the case of Tim Connolly, amidst rumors of a possible trade, and many fans calling for the trade, a new contract has proved just that.

While only two games after the trade deadline, and dangerously close to must win territory, they’re 2-0. In those two games, the Sabres have notched 10 goals giving up only 2. Lalime as not only started and won both games, due to Miller’s injury, but has stopped 67 shots. That doesn’t bode well for Buffalo’s D, but I’ll take 2 goals on 67 shots any day!

Connolly meanwhile has two goals and three assists in the same time. Not too shabby for a guy who was unsure of his future only a few days ago.

With seven teams within five points of each other in the playoff race, every win is crucial as it seems the competition not letting off.

NHL Network, NHL Not-work?

There are some things I don’t understand when it comes to the folks running the NHL...well, a lot of things. We’ve seen a lot of fans talking of contraction, shifting teams, bringing back old teams, etc. All good ideas if you ask me.

One of the major issues I have is their selling the game. Better yet, how they’re not selling the game. I actually like the NHL games on VS. I think they do a fine job; I’ve become accustomed to the corny-ness of the set, etc. It’s better than a few years ago on FOX with the dumbass robots, which everyone knows and loves.

The reason for my post today is that the NHL has its own channel yet only shows games every few days. Why is it that on a night that 12 games are going to be played, zero of them will be shown on the NHL network? There’s NHL Live and about four hours of NHL on the fly. While I like NHL on the fly, where they’ll hit on every game, I believe it would benefit more to show actual games. There’s no excuse to not show a live game every single night one is played.

I’m a huge college basketball fan, so I don’t mind that any given night Jan-Mar, I have the choice of anywhere from two to four games on various channels. In a dream world, I would have a hockey game on every night too! I won’t go so far as to wish for a choice...yet.

NHL Network...get with the program!

NCAA Superstar Treatment...Does it Exist?

A recent post by a faithful Duke fan has prompted me to give my unsolicited two cents on the subject of preferential treatment to a handful of NCAA teams, the “basketball” schools if you will.

I always find it funny when people refuse to recognize the real truth usually only when you’re team is one of discussion.

In my previous article, I point out the NCAAs fault in allowing a so called "hurt" player who happens to be a superstar player, who happens to be a 60% free throw shooter get subbed out for an 80% shooter at the time of a critical foul in the last minute of a two point game. Preferential treatment? I don’t know, maybe just a loophole in the system. But would they have allowed Kyle McAlarney to shoot for Tory Jackson in the same situation AGAINST UConn? YES, since there’s no rule against it, but the difference is, it would have been pasted all over the front pages, ESPN and other outlets would have publicized the outrage on how the lowly Irish scammed the system to sure up a win against the poor #2 Huskies. In this case, I think my crappy blog is the only written word of the incident.

I digress…

If you think preferential treatment does not exist whether consciously or not, you are living in a dream world folks. There are a handful special teams in the league, one of which IS Duke, that get these calls. I don't go so far to say "all the calls" that's ridiculous. I do however believe that when it comes down to a call being made in the split second to make it, the call will always go to those teams. "Tyler Hansbrough under the rim could never put up a poop shot, he must have been fouled there...whistle..." (These are the thoughts going through the mind of a ref in a fraction of a second"

It's not a conscious decision, it's a reaction to the outcome of a moment on the court, not actually processing whether or not a foul or NO foul has taken place. For the sake of explanation I call this a tie, to use the baseball analogy, and the tie always goes to the aforementioned special teams. Just to name a few: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Connecticut, Georgetown, and Syracuse, Louisville... (not to mention any team playing Notre Dame ;-)

On top of those teams is the "superstar" treatment some receive. Names such as Hansbrough, Griffin, Thabeet, Meeks, Texas players in Big 12 play, etc, (even my boy Harangody sometimes...not really). Those guys and like players will always get the benefit of the doubt. It's just natural... but very unfortunate. But to say it doesn't exist is just a little naive.

To Flop, or Not to Flop...Irish Lose Close One

In my previous post, I thought there is nothing worse for an Irish fan than considering their road ahead. I was wrong. There is something much worse. That is watching a University of Connecticut home game. There is not much more detestable a place in the league. I’m not talking about the facilities; I’ve never been. Nor have I been to Storrs, CT. I’m talking about the all out ridiculousness UConn gets away with.

I know what the thoughts will be, “Of course, Irish lose and you scream ‘bad officiating’.” That’s probably a valid point in most cases. For the sake of argument though, I’ll try to pry the homer goggles off for a second and break down a couple of points.

First, are the calls and non-calls. When viewing a game, it’s natural to believe your team is getting the shaft, I know I always do. But I’ll just look at the statistics first. UConn had 13 blocked shots...13! Okay, I get it, they have a 7 footer, who’s a blocker. But my problem is 13 blocked shots with 7 personal fouls. Seven personal fouls, in 40 minutes, that’s unheard of in most games. The commentators stated they don’t have to commit fouls because they know they can block shots. What a bunch of bollocks! The fact is, I’d say 50% of those, were legit blocked shots, heck, I’ll give them 60%, which would put them right around their average. But I will not accept the fact they have they have the second best blocks per game average and near, if not at, the top of the list for least penalized. I throw the BS flag on that.

My second beef is with Thabeet. His antics in the last minute were the most revolting thing I’ve seen all season. While it may be legal, it’s dirty. The NCAA should take a hard look at the rule, or lack there of. To flop, sit out, and let an 80% free throw shooter take the shots... Calhoun and your 800 wins, shove it! I have zero respect for you and that call. In a moment where those free throws basically locked up your victory. To call it unsportsmanlike is an insult to unsportsmanlike! Calhoun and Thabeet, shame on you both.

And that’s all I have to say about that.
GO IRISH!

Irish Basketball...the Remaining Few

I don’t know that there’s anything worse, as an Irish fan, to look at the remaining schedule and see @ (2) UConn, (10) Villanova and St. Johns at home. St. Johns of course dealt Notre Dame a blow near the start of Big East play. I also don’t know that there’s anything the Irish need less than three must wins at the ass end of the season. Unfortunately for all of us, that’s what they’ve got. The ugly fact is every single team in the Big East was dealt a turd sandwich this season, so Notre Dame’s final three is truly not much worse than any given Big East team.

Another unfortunate fact is that the few teams with more favorable remaining schedules are the few teams ahead of the Irish. Cincy finishes up with Syracuse, USF, and Seton Hall. West Virginia has USF, DePaul, and Louisville. Syracuse’s remaining three possibly favors that slim chance of assisting the Irish with Cincy, Rutgers, and Marquette, but it is ‘Cuse, and we all know how that goes. Providence ends up with Rutgers and Villanova. Yet another problem is that Cincy, West Virginia, and Syracuse all beat Notre Dame earlier so that renders a tie worthless.

The good news, though, is that those conference records are 9-7, (3x) 8-7, and Notre Dame at 7-8. There’s not much room for error, but that proves to be the similar fate of all the aforementioned teams.

The formula is rather easy. WIN. There’s not much else they can do. I will never make a prediction, but I will say a W tomorrow would rank among the NCAA’s upsets of the year. There’s no better time to stroke a little ‘Irish Luck’ than tomorrow afternoon!

Layin' A Buck O' Three - The Hard Way...

Just a few hours before I watched Michael Finley and Roger Mason drain 10 of the Spurs’ 13 three pointers from 6 rows up, Ryan Ayers and Kyle McAlarney drained 11 of the Irish’s 13 tres in Providence today. The two combined for 53 as the Irish put up a bill for only the second time this season, the other being back in early December against powerhouse South Dakota. I think its safe to say if the boys play as they did today and even more so how they did against Louisville a few games ago, they should have a good chance at a low bid in March. The schedule is favorable playing Rutgers at home, at UConn, then finish up with Villanova and rematch with St. Johns at home. Of course anything is possible in the Big East.

Just What the Digger Ordered...

Of course any chance at a lame play on words including the great Digger Phelps, I’ve got to take it. Last night the Irish had the chance to loose eight straight for the first time since Digger was boss. They failed to capitalize. With the exception of beating up Texas earlier, this was by far the most satisfying beat-down this season. There are two points of emphasis, which I believe warrant improvement. One, they were unable to lay a bill on the Cards, and two, beating Pitino by 40 would be much sweeter than by 33. Mike Brey and the fellas should remember this for next season, or better yet, the Big East Tournament shall they meet again.

Major football announcment today, Chucklebuck Weis will also consume the role of Offensive Coordinator in 2009. This is an interesting move...not at all! This seems to be consistent with the long list of gimmicky moves Weis seems to invent. In the past, I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second believing the genius-ness was far too complicated for my feeble mind to understand, because of course, as everyone knows, we’re talking about the offensive guru Coach Weis. Over the mind numbing attempts to contemplate these decisions over the past couple seasons, it’s become evident I’m either just too dumb to understand them, or these war plans are maybe more like connect the dots with missing numbers rather than detailed schematics of brilliance in the form of offensive innovation. Me thinks they just no worky. Please prove me wrong for once, but I gotta believe we may be at the last ditch effort for changing up the titles and coaching lineups here. I also read there may be another inbound NFL-er to fill the defensive line coach position. My opinion on that another time... but hey... Te’o is still Irish right? Hell yes he is!

When Name Alone is Not Enough...

Then what? What happens in a world where the words Notre Dame football flirt with irrelevancy? Are we living in that unfortunate reality now? How long does a National Championship coach retain his job? 5 years... 10 years... lifetime membership in the ‘Jolly of the Month’ club? Ask Lloyd Carr, or Phillip Fulmer rather. The pattern shows that Bob Stoops is next! What about for a program? How long without a championship can a college football program consider itself among the elite? Assuming of course championships are not only desired, but expected. The real question is, when a coach has neither a recently minted ring and a case displaying trophies etched with dates older than the recruit, what then does he sell to the kid? What can the coach hang is hat on? The Willingham school of ‘Notre Dame 5 stars will come to me’ was a proven failure and certainly would not work now. That idea may very well have worked in the days of Devine and Parseghian. They had the checks that Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy wrote in the decades before. The parents of those recruits lived the glory years, so yeah, Notre Dame football sold itself. What does Weis have to sell? What makes a Manti Te’o, or Jelani Jenkins, or Byron Moore choose Notre Dame over Southern California, Texas, Oklahoma, or Florida? While I love the snow and sub freezing temperatures, I can understand it’s not much of a selling point compared to the hotspots of the south. While I like attractive, smart, and maybe little nerdy type of a woman, I can appreciate the differences between the women of South Bend, Indiana and coastal California. And while given the choice now between being pushed passed my comfort level to achieve my maximum potential, and maybe getting to half that point with little or no effort, at 18, I certainly would have chosen the path of least resistance. (Not to mention maybe my pops get a new house close to my school...unofficially of course) So is the promise of a supreme education, strict enforcement of rules, and crummy weather enough to sway the decision of young Te’o; time has yet to tell? Or is the lure of Rockne’s ghost yet significant enough to still sign top recruits year after year with a championship-less coach and no NC in the past 20 years?

February 4th could not come fast enough...