I was eight going on nine years old when Earvin "Magic" Johnson's Michigan State Spartans beat Larry Bird's Indiana State Sycamores in 1979.  I was wowed by the game and became totally hooked within that 12 months as Louisville beat UCLA.

I was thrilled to meet Magic in 1991 in Los Angeles and we recently caught up in Midtown Manhattan.

Michigan State returns to the Final Four in its backyard only 90 miles away in Detroit.  Detroit is in a "depression like" state according to Bloomberg Radio.  GM CEO Rick Wagoner was pushed out by President Obama over the weekend.  Mr. Wagoner is also the honorary chairman of the Final Four.  GM is not using its luxury suites at Ford Field and renting them to the highest bidder.  Since they received taxpayer money and Steve and The Tank are taxpayers, shouldn't we and our readers be there? 

Anyway, to the games themselves.  UConn will have a difficult match up because Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo makes great adjustments.

UNC is the favorite in the other national semifinal against Villanova.  Lawson's big toe kept him out of the early part of the Tournament which is why I didn't pick them to win it all.

UNC will probably beat Nova.  I am hoping Nova's channel the spirit of 1985 Coach Rollie Massimino whose team 78.4 percent and upset Georgetown.

There is something I like about all teams, e.g. Big East (Villanova and UConn except Coach Calhoun's attitude), UNC (Roy Williams), and Michigan State (Tom Izzo).

Detroit and Michigan needs a shot in the arm so I am pulling for Michigan State.  Maybe they can find a little Magic.  Go Spartans!

Posted by The Tank in March Madness.  (I'll be traveling to the North Pole on Saturday and running it on Monday night, knock wood.)

#2 ranked Michigan State defeated #1 seed (and the Tank’s pick for a final four slot) Louisville yesterday 64-52, advancing Michigan State to the final four. Goran Suton had 19 points and 10 rebounds, leading the way for the Spartans. They face UCONN next.

Top seeded North Carolina faced #2 ranked Oklahoma for the fist time in 19 years and UNC (Steve’s pick) cursed to victory. UNC is now in an NCAA record 18th final four. They face Villanova next.

So the matchups:

Michigan v UCONN Steve’s pick: Michigan, they have more heart and the scandal has to catch up with UCONN

UNC v Villanova  Steve’s pick: UNC, while I want the Big East to represent, I picked UNC before we started and am sticking to that.

Winner: UNC. Apparently I am in good company, the President as well as David Wright also think so.

Posted by Steve in New York

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I go to the first ever game at CitiField, an exhibition game between St. John’s University (the visitor?) and the Georgetown Hoyas. As I walked down the 7 train, even the NYC Subway was realizing how great of an event this was and lined the platform with festive balloons.

 

My first view does not disappoint. It is the Jackie Robison rotunda. Some Mets fans was saying “Oh, why dedicate half the stadium to a guy who never played on the team.” They just don’t get it. Jackie Robison was historic and played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Mets are the Dodgers legacy hence the Blue in the Orange (Giants) and Blue (Dodgers.)

 

 

 

After walking around the rotunda and looking at photos of great Mets moments, I stroll out to catch the first glimpse of the field. It reminds me of SafeCo field in downtown Seattle. But one big difference, where is the retractable roof?? It is only fitting that the first game had rain.

 

I did a complete 360 walk around and checked everything out, including the Blue Smoke and Shake Shack as well as the bathrooms (which had some issues, but were still an improvement from Shea.) I then go up to my seats, literally in the last row. (What do you want for $5.)

Oh yea, there was a game going on. I catch the first pitch (a ball) on film:

 

After a few cold innings, vendor Steve calls me and say “come visit me in section 105!” I go on down and learn that the vendors ran out of hot dog buns in the 4th inning! He takes me down to the vendor room where I can see how they do it in CitiField.

 

I get some snacks including my first ever CitiField hot dog and watch the game from the field level and walk around some more. After the game is a regulation game the sun started to come out but I head home around the 7th inning.

 

As I walk to the 7 train, I see Shea Stadium. :(

 

 

Posted by Steve From CitiField.

Player of the Year Candidate Blake Griffin led Oklahoma to a 84-71 victory over Syracuse last night.  Syracuse was down by 13 at 39-26 at halftime.  Blake Griffin literally steamrolled Jonny Flynn as Griffin was going to the basket.  Griffin looked part linebacker and part trucker shifting his 18 wheeler into overdrive.  What’s worse, Flynn was called for the charge.  To literally add insult to injury, Flynn’s back was hurt.  He bravely limped through the pain the rest of the game.

 

Oklahoma put down the hammer after halftime and led by as much as 26 early in the second half.  Syracuse fought back but couldn’t get it under double figures.  Griffin hit a sick tip in that would have won H-O-R-S-E.  Syracuse shots weren’t dropping. 

 

Tank’s Bottom Line: I was really proud of how Syracuse fought this year, especially the six overtime victory against UConn at the Big East Tournament.  I think Syracuse will be a top rated team next season if Flynn, Rautins, and Devendorf return.  Kristof Ongenaet is the only graduating senior of the players that play on a regular basis.  But, Syracuse can’t believe the hype and needs to work hard.  They have the outside game but need to address the physicality of Griffin and others like him.  Until then, Let’s Go Orange!

 

Posted by The Tank trying to Keep the Faith in March Madness.

Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim goes for his 800th victory tonight in the Big Dance.  The Orange face a tough opponent, Oklahoma, led by Blake Griffin.  The key to the game is not letting the other guys get their points.  The second key is that Rautins, Devendorf, etc. have to hit their outside shots to stretch the defense and allow Jonny Flynn to penetrate. 

 

Prediction: Syracuse 80 – Oklahoma 77.

 

We’ll see what happens.  Let’s Go Orange!

 

Posted by a hopeful Tank at the Sweet 16 wanting to go to the Elite 8.

I heard Wednesday morning that UConn was involved in NCAA recruiting violations according to ESPN who cited a Yahoo Sports report.

Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack confirmed it titled “UConn violated NCAA rules in recruitment of former player.”

UConn committed a number of NCAA violations in the recruitment of Nate Miles, a 6-foot-7 player whom coach Jim Calhoun expected to be his next perimeter star, according to a story by Yahoo! Sports.

The report alleges that the UConn coaching staff, including Calhoun, made numerous improper phone calls to Miles as well as his inner circle.
According to Yahoo, before Miles came to Storrs, Josh Nochimson, a former UConn team manager turned sports agent, provided lodging, transportation, restaurant meals and representation to Miles during UConn's recruitment of the player.

Yahoo writes: "The UConn basketball staff was in constant contact with Nochimson during a nearly two-year period up to and after Miles' recruitment. Five different UConn coaches traded at least 1,565 phone and text communications with Nochimson, including 16 from head coach Jim Calhoun."

After being expelled from UConn in 2008 for violating a restraining order, Miles transferred to the College of Southern Idaho.
Nochimson had earlier filed papers with the NBA Players Association to decertify himself as an agent in 2008 after former UConn star Richard Hamilton accused him of stealing more than $1 million.

UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway and Calhoun declined comment through a university spokesman late Tuesday.
The Huskies face Purdue in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday night.

-------

Where Do We Go From Here: I don't know what the NCAA will do.  Will they slap UConn on the wrist OR give them the "death penalty" as Kentucky got over a decade ago.  (Rick Pitino rebuilt that program and unfortunately beat my beloved Orange in 1996.  BTW, Pitino may leave Louisville and go to Arizona.  It's sure easier than recruiting in the Big East.)

Back to UConn.  I'm not sure about the NCAA.  They treat some schools one way and others in another.  Brian Bozworth didn't wear a t-shirt with National Communists Against Athletes (NCAA) in the 1980s for nothing.

I'm certain Florida State Football Coach Bobby Bowden is thinking along Bozworth's line.  Not only are they losing scholarships, Coach Bowden may have earlier victories taken away from him.  That will put him way behind Coach Paterno for the all time coaching victories lead.  Mega thanks to Jack's girlfriend Michelle for the Florida State reminder.  Aren't Jack and Michelle the most knowledgeable sports couple around?

The Tank's Bottom Line: We'll have to see what the NCAA does.  There is too much publicity and too big of a mess for a slap on the wrist.  I don't expect the "death penalty" either.  They'll probably go for a suspension of a year or two depending upon UConn's cooperation.
One thing is for certain.  Expect UConn to be angry. I wouldn't be surprised if they win everything.  What a mess!  Let's Go Orange!

Posted by The Tank in the middle of the March Chaos.

 

P.S. The UConn Women’s Team is 35-0 and will probably finish a perfect 39-0, especially since Tennessee is out.  Watch out for the #7 Rutgers Lady Scarlet Nights as a possible upset. 

Syracuse star point guard Jonny Flynn has declared that he is returning for his junior year.

Was he influenced by former teammate Donte Greene who left after his freshman year and now plays sparingly by Sacramento?  Did it overweigh fears of getting injured?

The Tank's Bottom Line: This is pretty gutsy, especially before the Sweet 16.  He should have waited for after the Dance to say it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled he is coming back.  But, I think it takes away from Syracuse's urgency to win now.  Syracuse doesn't get to the Sweet 16 every year and you have to pour everything into the here and now.  Don't take for granted that you'll get back next year.

2003 was a magical journey that erased my 1987 nightmares.  I hope Syracuse wins every year but I have to be realistic.  "When you see your chance, take it" to quote a great Steve Winwood song.

Do the right thing Jonny.  Win now!

Keep the Faith!  Let's Go Orange!

Posted by a hopeful Tank in March Madness.

The Jay Cutler Soap Opera has taken another turn as the Broncos have declared him their quarterback but are open to options. 

 

Translation: The Broncos are trying to trade him.

 

What the Jets Need to Do: Kellen Clemens isn’t enough to trade straight up.  If the Jets are going to get this done, they will need the help of former Coach Eric Mangini to do a three way trade with Cleveland including Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn.  Quinn is a problem as he is the home town hero.  Anderson has more experience and would probably get up to speed quicker in Denver.  It also deals with a succession issue as Quinn could take over the team.  He should have never held out in training camp.

 

The Jets will probably have to give up first rounders this year and/or next year.  SATT Jets Expert Adam will do almost anything to get Cutler. 

 

What Will Probably Happen: Expect the Bucs, Vikings, and other teams to get in the action.  The odds are against the Jets.  They will have to get creative and will have to step up.  Watch this space.

 

Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten the Giants.  They declined a trade for Braylon Edwards for Steven Smith.  I think it was a mistake.  Yes, Edwards is a SATT friend as well a better receiver than Smith.  He brings lots of talent and energy without Plaxico Burress’ baggage. 

 

Posted by The Tank in NY.   

After a rollercoaster of lots of close games on March Madness weekend, I thankfully correctly picked 14 out of the Sweet 16 teams. 

#12 Arizona and #3 Kansas were the exceptions.  Arizona is the biggest surprise because it was a bubble team that many thought was unworthy to make the tournament.  What a difference a week makes!

#3 Kansas was less of a surprise as it beat #11 Dayton who upset #6 West Virginia.

#1 Louisville was given a scare by #9 Siena. 

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: The Big East’s dominance is displayed with five (5) of the Sweet 16 teams.  Let’s hope it continues for another week, especially Syracuse who had a brief scare as Arizona State closed within four late in the game.  Let’s Go Orange!

Posted by The Tank in the middle of March Madness.

The WBC has had some good baseball but the injuries continue to mount for MLB teams, especially the Yankees and Mets.  David Wright was playing with an injured toe.  Cano went back to Tampa. 

 

The Red Sox are also hit with the injury bug.  This article references Youkilis’ injury but doesn’t even mention reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia’s injury.  Chipper Jones and Matt Lindstrom were also injured.

 

Japanese star Shuichi Murata’s hamstring injury put him in a wheelchair and a flight back home.

 

Before injuries cost a team the season, it’s time for MLB to reschedule the WBC till after the season ends.  This is one thing all baseball fans should agree on.

 

Posted by an upset Tank in NY.