Wednesday, February 25, 2009

UConn

Jim Calhoun got his 800th career win tonight against a fired up Marquette team. Congratulations coach, but I'm sorry to inform you Notre Dame has different plans for you getting your 801th career win come Saturday. Notre Dame is in a must win situation when they travel to the XL Center in Hartford.

The Irish know how to win when it comes down to the line. The answer? 2007 and 2008 Big East Coach of the Year Mike Brey knows exactly what he has to do to get his team fired up. If you want proof, just look at the highlights of the game against Rutgers from this evening. Notre Dame got off to an ugly start and started to make a comeback right before halftime yet still down by 8. Before you start thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about since Rutgers is a below average team, let me tell you that Rutgers did not play better than the Irish in the first half. Notre Dame's shots were just not falling through the hoop unlike Rutgers' shots. First half stats read Rutgers Total FG%: 53.6% and Notre Dame lowered at 39.3%.

Now back to Mike Brey. When the Irish came back in the second half, they came out fired up and ready to play some basketball. As Notre Dame went on a 10-2 run to open up the second half, Coach Brey was on his feet the entire time pumping his arms to the crowd, and yelling at his players to get even more jacked. At one point I thought Coach Brey was Bob Knight standing on the sideline screaming at his players, although Coach Brey was doing it to fire his team and the crowd up, not negativly supporting and bringing down his team.

After all the dust settled, it was the team from South Bend who came out on top in a game that was a must win if the Irish still want to get into the Big Dance. Next up comes a game bigger than any game yet this year. Notre Dame will travel for a party with UConn. If the Irish can pull out a huge upset over their conference rivals on the road, that would make the selection committee really consider giving Notre Dame that golden ticket. The only way that could happen is if Coach Brey tells his team exactly what he told them at halftime of the Rutgers game because it obvisously worked. Also a little prayer from everybody to the university's patron, Virgin Mary, wouldn't hurt either.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Blackhawks 3, Predators 5

What can I say, this was one of the most disappointing games I have seen the Blackhawks play all year. Losing to a team that isn't on the same level as you is unacceptable. This becomes even more unacceptable when you have a two goal lead going into the final period. The Predators have only won three games when trailing going into the third period. Shortly after these statistics were displayed on the screen the blackhawks took three consecutive penalties as if they saw what was on TV. After that the game got ugly. First, Nashville made it 3 to 2 on an even strength goal due to a bouncing puck. Next, the Preds' tie it less than 5 seconds into the powerplay with JP Dumont's slapshot from the top of the right circle. Then, the lead changing goal came with five minutes left in the third from a tip in while Huet was clueless as to where the puck was. Finally, the dagger to the heart came two minutes later on a POWERPLAY GOAL. If the Hawks would of only taken one penalty in the third period they could have kept the lead and won the game. Obviously, that was an obstacle they couldn't aviod. Giving up 2 powerplay goals out of 6 chances and going 0 for 2 on their powerplay proved that the Hawks need to work on their special teams (a common problem of late). Anyways lets get to the possitives of tonight's game.
  • Burish had 3 minutes more playing time than he averages (great news for me)
  • Kane is scoring again with a goal that was similar to Andrew's goals on NHL 09
  • The Hawks are still in 4th in the division with a huge homestretch on the way

Spring Training Opening Day

Baseball is finally here. After several months of offseason trading and movements, the Chicago White Sox are set to start their 2009 Spring Training opening day on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anehiem. The White Sox have said their farewells to many fan favorites including clutch hitter Joe Crede, all-star Ken Griffey Jr., pitching ace Javier Vasquez, team motivator Nick Swisher, and leadoff Orlando Cabrerra. Also veteran and team captain Paul Konerko said this past week that he would accept a trade if it would benefit and help out his loved Sox.

On the brighter side of things Kenny Williams has added new faces to the White Sox organization. One being pitcher Bartolo Colon. Bartolo was in a White Sox uniform during the 2003 season managing to make the starting rotation and being an almost guranteed win. The big name that has come to Camelback Ranch is top prospect 20 year old Dayan Viciedo. Dayan has been recruited from the same country as top performer Alexi Rameriz, Cuba. Viciedo plays amazing at the hot corner, while having a massive power stick at the plate.

The 2009 Chicago White Sox are looking to repeat their 2008 AL Central Division Championship. This includes getting many different looks from different players as I have mentioned. I will not be like rival Carlos Zambrano who gurantees a world championship, but I will say that you better watch the Sox to be a hot team this season. Look foward to Shooby as he will give the Cubs outlook at a later date.

Luck of the Irish

Notre Dame is going to need all the help they can get to get a bid into the NCAA Tournament. They have done better since being on a 7 game losing streak, as they have now won 3 of their last 4 starting with the big upset over Louisville. Notre Dame is becoming a bubble team that needs to be watched. With the upcoming schedule of Rutgers, UConn, Villinova, and St. John and three of those games at home, Notre Dame might be able to afford to lose the game at UConn and still get a bid into the tournament. Also with help from other conference teams in the Big East, they could move up in the conference standings and have a better chance. All in all, Luke and the team wants to get invited to the Big Dance, but they are looking for a deduction in ticket price for the dance.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Welcome To All

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