St. John’s hired former UCLA Coach Steve Lavin yesterday.  Lavin coached UCLA to the NCAA Tournament.  He is still a young man at 45.  He seems older but has been around a long time.  He was an assistant to former Purdue Coach Gene Keady.  Coach Keady will be an advisor to Lavin.  Lavin is smart as he also sought counsel from legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden. 

 

The question for Lavin is to get assistants with NYC links.  He has to get a high school or AAU Coach.  The AAU coaches are critical as they get the best players to come to their summer camps and competitions.  Players will also recognize Lavin for his TV work with ESPN and ABC. 

 

Seton Hall hired even younger Kevin Willard who is 34.  I don’t know Willard as well but do know he is a former assistant of Rick “Baby Killer” Pitino.  Willard has reached out to former Seton Hall players to fill out his staff.  They will help him with local recruiting.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: St. John’s will make the NCAA Big Dance in 2011.  Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun already predicted St. John’s to be a top five or six team in the Big East next year.  These will be with Norm Roberts’ recruits.  Seton Hall won 19 games this season.  The test for Lavin and Willard is to keep the top local players home.  If they can, they will do resurrect both programs.

 

Posted by The Tank.

This post is dedicated to Prashanth and Jason Nocco who are members of the SATT’s Council of MMA Experts. 

 

I happened to be in Midtown last Wednesday, March 24, for a work conference.  I went for lunch when I saw a big line near Radio City Music Hall.  I walked up and asked what was going on.  A young lady replied it was the UFC 111 news conference.  I stopped by for a bit, signed a petition to legalize UFC coming to NYC, and then had to go back to work after lunch. 

 

I returned to Radio City after my work conference ended.  The regular part of the news conference was over.  Fans had a chance to ask for questions and autographs.  I got too late to ask a question but was able to get these photos afterwards.

 

UFC President Dana White.

 

UFC Defending Welterweight Champion George Rush St. Pierre better known as GSP.

 

 

 

Frank Mir’s wife.

 

 

GSP and challenger Dan Hardy posed for a pre-fight photo.

 

 

I returned to Radio City on Saturday night to watch UFC 111.  It was a great time.  There was a 70 foot screen.  I spoke with a couple of guys who went to the Philly show a while back.  They said if you aren’t in the front row, it’s better to watch it at home or at a place like Radio City as you can’t see well or hear the commentary from Joe Rogan. 

 

GSP defended his title in a five round match against Dan Hardy.  I swore he was about to break Hardy’s arm a few times.  But, to Hardy’s credit, he didn’t submit and GSP said as much in his post match comments.

 

Posted by a grateful Tank reporting live from Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan.

Like most, I had taken my share of lumps during the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.  #1 Kansas, #2 Villanova, and #3 Georgetown were my main casualties.  My bracket was bent but not broken going into Thursday night's game as my National Finalists Kentucky and Syracuse were still alive.

#5 Butler ended my dream and prediction of #1 Syracuse winning the National Championship on Thursday night.  Syracuse turned the ball over 18+ times and was out of sync most of the evening.  The Orange made a run to take a 54-50 lead with about five minutes left.  But, Butler came back to win it 63-59. 

#2 Kansas State won a two overtime thriller in Thursday’s late game.  Their fatigue showed as Butler won on Saturday.  Butler will literally host the Final Four as their campus is about six miles from the Hoosier Dome.  Who would have thought it?  In a state of basketball powers like Indiana and Purdue, that Butler would be in the Final Four about 6.1 miles from its campus.

I wanted Baylor to beat #1 Duke especially after the 2003 tragic player murder and cover-up.  They played valiantly but lost to #1 Duke seed 76-71.  Duke is the only #1 seed to make the Final Four. 

#1 seed Kentucky lost on Saturday night to #2 seed West Virginia at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.  Kentucky seemed out of sync and couldn't hit a three point shot to save their lives.  They were 1 for 22 from three point land. 

The Fourth Final Four participant is Michigan State.  Tom Izzo may not have the best teams but he gets the most out of his teams.  According to ESPN Radio, every player who has played for Tom Izzo has made a Final Four.  Wow!  Don't get me wrong, Michigan State has great players but I didn't know how they would adjust to life without Lucas.  Michigan State had to get through Tennessee who beat Ohio State 76-73 in a great game on Friday night.  What a game!

Michigan State returned the favor with a 71-70 nail biter on Sunday.  Awesome game!  I don't know how much I'll watch on Holy Saturday but wish Butler the best.  If Syracuse is going to lose, let them lose to the eventual National Champion.  Let's see if Butler's Cinderella strikes midnight this weekend.  I hope not.

Posted by a saddened Tank in March Madness.

Steve coming out of retirement to report on the Hong Kong Rugby 7s weekend.

The party is already started on the metro and streets in route to the stadium

We get to beautiful Hong Kong Stadium early in the afternoon and have “free seating” so we decide to stand by the north goal. Found some crazy New Zealanders and we watched the All Blacks beat France 36-0. Apparently it is a huge tradition to just boo France as loud as you can. I’m on board with that.

England beat Japan and Italy beat Russia in a cool come from behind victory at the final second.

The Rugby was great on Saturday’s round robin, however, the day was most memorable since we met some fellow Rugby fans and got to people watch some wild and crazy fans. People dress up and we saw priests, matadors, cops, avatars, and a gazillion more.

Standing in the same section as us were a bunch of great guys from the UK, all university rugby mates. They were on the “CCC” tour. Kathleen asked them what CCC meant and they said “Charlie Couldn’t Come.” Charlie was their mate (and best Rugby player) and his wife would not let him come with the boys from the UK to Hong Kong to watch the 7s. His buddies decided to mock him and make up jerseys. I told them to make cardboard cutouts of Charlie next time. When I asked where Charlie was they said “doing chores. Probably mowing the lawn.” We phoned him once or twice, but he did not pick up. Bastard. :)

 

Here I am pretending to be Charlie.

 

The rest of the day had some great Rugby with Hong Kong winning its match and the US losing to Fiji (last year’s winner.)

We come on Sunday and decide to sit in the stands and watch from a different vantage point. We arrive in time to see Hong Kong face off against Italy and HK wins it match, advancing to the “Shield” finals. (There are four brackets, and the top seeds win the “cup”.)

 

Canada eliminates Portugal in a great match, Australia eliminates the USA in a decently played match by the US (US lost 26-19), Samoa eliminates England in the best of the knockout round matches, Wales eliminates Scotland, and the final four matches are set.

Shield finals: Hong Kong defeats Russia to win its bracket and the crowd goes nuts. Canada wins the “bowl” with a blowout over Wales. Australia defeats South Africa for the “Plate” championship setting up the cup finals between Samoa and New Zealand. Both teams line up to play the national anthem.

 

New Zealand come out very aggressive in the first half (which for the finals are now 10 minutes.) Taking a 14-12 lead at halftime. Somoa comes out strong in the second half and wins the cup 24-21. The stadium is one big party, the cup is presented and the Sevens are over! Until next year!!!

 

 

Posted by Steve in Hong Kong

Fate can be cruel.  I happened to be in the Bronx on Thursday, March 25, 2010, as construction crews were taking down the final part of the Old Yankee Stadium Upper Deck.  It was a sad sight to see and I think pictures will tell the story better than I can.  It was a funeral that I didn’t want to go to but had to go to bid farewell to an old friend.

 

The final part of the upper field right deck is in view from the #4 train downtown side.

 

 

To minimize dust, construction crews sprayed down areas around the upper deck.

 

 

Ropes were attached from a crane to the pull the upper deck down.  You will then hear noise of the pull down and eventual fall of the upper deck.  The video is here.

 

The remains of the field are behind me in the background.

 

 

This is a gap hole in my sports heart.

 

 

Posted by a saddened Tank reporting live from the platform of the downtown 4 Train at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees announced Phil Hughes as their fifth starter on Thursday.  I loved Hughes coming out of the bull pen last season. 

I have consistently advocated Joba in the bull pen as a setup man and eventual successor to Mariano.  However, since the Yankees insisted on the "Joba Rules", I would have done the following:

(1) Start Joba for a quarter or third of the season.  Give him a chance to start a full season without any "Joba Rules".  That will resolve the question once and for all.  It will be closure for me and the Yankees.

(2) Hughes will have time Hughes time to build up his arm in the bull pen and/or minors.  Hughes won't need as much time as Joba did as Hughes already pitched in the minors and majors before.

The Tank's Bottom Line: Joba hasn't been the same since he injured his shoulder in 2008.  I think this is the real reason he hasn't been the same and hasn't pitched well this spring training.  Of course, I won't be able to confirm this hunch for decades as the Yankees medical staff keeps secrets better than the CIA.

Posted by The Tank.

Syracuse star Arinze Onuaku will NOT play for Orange tonight in their game against Butler.  AO injured his right leg against Georgetown two weeks ago in the Big East Tournament.  If Syracuse wins tonight, Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim did NOT say if he will play in the Elite Eight.  I have a feeling that he will try.  A trip to the Final Four is on the line. 

 

Anyway, first thing first, beat Butler tonight.

 

Posted by a nervous Tank trying to Keep the Faith for the Orange. 

Wow!  Two weeks went fast.  I didn't think that Jose would be back that quickly.  Better two weeks instead of eight.  Jose worked for about 90 minutes today.  From all reports, all went well, knock wood.

I am concerned that Jose will rush back too quickly and reinjure his hamstring and/or elevate his thyroid levels.

Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank.

St. John’s fired Men’s Head Coach Norm Roberts this past Friday.  Though not a St. John’s fan, I have always had respect for the program.  Good guys like Mark Jackson and Chris Mullin played for the program.  Lou Carnesecca is a gentleman and Hall of Fame Coach.  (He is also a distant cousin of Linda’s.)

 

I am also biased as I happen to know Norm’s brother and sister-in-law from a past job.  I sent this note on Friday morning.

 

“Please pass my best wishes of luck and success to Norm via Kenny.  I remember how proud Kenny was when Norm got the St. John's job.  Norm restored integrity and pride to St. John's.  He deserved better than today's result especially because of the juniors that are becoming seniors next season.  Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun predicted St. John's as a top five or six team in the Big East next season.

 

“St. John's administration needs to decide what it wants.  If they want integrity, stay with Norm.  If they want to repeat past mistakes, go with someone else.”

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: St. John’s continues to wander without a soul in the basketball desert.  They are not alone.  Seton Hall fired former Syracuse star Louis Orr not long ago.  Orr was a true gentleman like Norm Roberts.  Seton Hall made the wrong choice and ended up with Bobby Gonzalez.  Look where that got them.  Possible jail time for off court incidents. 

 

I am not surprised that Florida Coach Billy Donovan turned down $3 million from St. John’s.  First, it is less than he makes in Florida.  Second, he doesn’t have to pay state tax in Florida.  Third, the weather is better in Florida.  Fourth, Donovan only has to compete against Kentucky and Tennessee.  OK, Vandy had a nice run this year.  The rest are football schools.  But, Donovan would have to go against Big East heavyweights like Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, West Virginia, Villanova, etc. 

 

Who should St.John’s hire?  They can’t hire Rick “Baby Killer” Pitino.  Mark Jackson should be considered.  But, he has no coaching experience and has a great TV job.  St. John’s will probably end up with a less known coach.  Father Harrington needs to do some basketball soul searching.

 

Posted by The Tank.   

Kal texted me the above quote on Saturday night. 

 

Most men’s college basketball fans had their brackets bent or broken over the weekend.  #3 Georgetown was only the beginning.  #2 Villanova lost on Saturday afternoon to St. Mary’s of California and #1 seed Kansas lost to Northern Iowa on Saturday night.  #4 Wisconsin lost to #12 Cinderella Cornell.

 

I took some hits as Kansas and Villanova were two of my Final Four Teams.   National Finalists Syracuse and Kentucky remain.

 

Posted by The Tank still dancing in March Madness.