Week 1
Texas A&M @ South Carolina: A great way to start of the SEC season, this is South Carolina's game to lose.
Clemson @ Georgia: Whoever loses this game will be in a hole for the rest of the season, while the winner will have a step above the rest.
Wisconsin vs. LSU: A game that can have a large impact in both the SEC and Big Ten.
Week 2
Michigan State @ Oregon: This game could have major backlash in both the PAC-12 and Big Ten. If Michigan State loses, the Big Ten becomes wide open. If Oregon loses, they cannot lose again if they want to make the playoff.
Week 3
Georgia @ South Carolina: The two best teams in the SEC East play very early in the season. That means the loser will have time to recuperate and get better.
Week 4
Auburn @ Kansas State: An Auburn loss may ruin their chances of making the playoff while a Kansas State win may propel them to the top of the Big 12.
Clemson @ Florida State: Probably the biggest game on the ACC slate. Clemson is most likely the only ACC team to put up a big challenge to the Seminoles.
Week 5
UCLA @ Arizona State: Arizona State are an under the radar squad in the PAC-12. If they pull of the early season upset, it may springboard them to a PAC-12 Championships.
Stanford @ Washington: Two of the top three teams in PAC-12 North face off in a key match-up that will be very important.
Week 6
LSU @ Auburn: A big game in the SEC West with the loser having a lot of ground to make.
Week 7
Oregon @ UCLA: Two of the best quarterbacks in the country face off in the biggest game on the PAC-12 calendar. Both teams have the best chance of any PAC-12 team of making the playoff. The loser will have to climb back up and stay perfect the rest of the way.
Oklahoma vs. Texas: After Texas' annihilation of the Sooners last year, Oklahoma has a chip on their shoulder. Bob Stoops' squad will leave it all on the field.
Week 8
Washington @ Oregon: After the big game the week before, Oregon has to bounce back and face a very good Washington squad. Oregon may be vulnerable after their big game against UCLA, while Washington will be ready to fight.
Week 9
Ole Miss @ LSU: Ole Miss have an extremely talented squad but because they are in the SEC West, the Rebels are never given much publicity. But if Ole Miss pulls off the upset, they will become Playoff contenders.
Week 10
Stanford @ Oregon: A battle between old fashion smash mouth football and the new uptempo, speed offense will have major significance in the PAC-12. The winner will be the new favorite in the PAC-12 North.
Florida @ Georgia: When rivals face off, even the big underdog (in this case Florida) can pull off the biggest upsets (for example: Oklahoma-Texas last year).
Week 11
Alabama @ LSU: Always one of the biggest match-ups of the year, LSU-Alabama will be great agin this year. If LSU's Leonard Fourentte has a big game, LSU will pull off the upset.
Ohio State @ Michigan State: If Ohio State can stay successful without Braxton Miller, this game will be very important in the weak Big Ten. The winner will have a much easier time the rest of the season.
Baylor @ Oklahoma: The two best teams in the Big 12 face off for supremacy. The winner will most likely be the champion of the conference, or will finish second.
Week 12
Nebraska @ Wisconsin: If Ohio State and Michigan State falter, this match-up may become very important in the outlook of the Big Ten.
Week 13
North Carolina @ Duke: A big match-up in the Coastal Division of the ACC, these two rivals have this game circled. The winner will most likely be the ACC Coastal Division champion.
Week 14
Stanford @ UCLA: This game may play a big part in who plays in the following week's PAC-12 Championship. The loser may find themselves out of the Championship Game and out of Playoff contention.
Auburn @ Alabama: The Iron Bowl will be an exciting game. If both Alabama and Auburn are undefeated to this point, this game will be extremely important.
Week 15
PAC-12 Championship: Maybe the best game of the whole year if it is a rematch of UCLA and Oregon.
ACC Championship: Florida State will make it to this game and will win it.
SEC Championship: Always a great match-up of some of the best teams in the country. This year it will be LSU vs. Georgia.
Week 16
Navy vs. Army: Army-Navy is always a big game. It is always a fun game to watch and this year will be no different.
Four Playoff Teams
1. Florida State
2. UCLA
3. LSU
4. Oregon
Semi-Finals
LSU over UCLA
Oregon over Florida State
Finals
Oregon over LSU
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup Preview
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| 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup logo http://www.interbasket.net/news/wp-content/ uploads/FIBA-World-Cup-2014.jpg |
1. United States (Group C) - The USA may not have global icons in LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant but they still have the most talented squad in the whole tournament. They have shooters, headlined by Golden State Warrior teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and, for the first time in a while, have a surplus of big man, led by Anthony Davis, one of the team's two players (the other is SG James Harden) who was on the 2012 Olympic Team. They are the favorites to win their second consecutive World Championship.
2. Spain (Group A) - No country has been hurt by the USA's dominance in recent tournaments than Spain. They have finished in second place in the last two Olympic Games to the United States. This tournament's team has a great combination of youth and experience. They will again be led by the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc. But they are not the only stars. Serge Ibaka is a three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon are quality NBA point guards, and Sergio Rodriguez was the 2014 Euroleague MVP. This may be the most talented team Spain has ever sent to a world event. They should be favorites to make it to the championship game.
3. France (Group A) - Even without current NBA Champion Tony Parker, France is as strong as ever. The winners of the 2013 EuroBasket are led by current NBA Champion F Boris Diaw and underrated swingman Nicolas Batum. With other quality NBA players on the squad, along with very good international players, France has the potential to make a run into the championship game.
4. Lithuania (Group D) - Lithuania always puts together a very good team. Toronto Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas will be a key player for Lithuania as their main prescience in the post. He should put up big numbers. PF/C Dontas Montiejunas and PG Mantas Kalnietis are also going to have to play well for Lithuania to reach their potential.
5. Brazil (Group A) - Brazil is looking to improve upon their round of 16 exit at the 2010 World Championships and gain momentum heading into the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. While Spain's big man trio of the Gasol brothers and Ibaka make the headlines as the best big men, Brazil's trio of interior players are frightening as well. Nene, Tiago Splitter, and Anderson Varajao are all players who can put up big numbers when given the chance. Combine them with a good group of guards, Brazil has a team that can go far.
6. Argentina (Group B) - Argentina are led by a bunch of veterans. New York Knicks PG Pablo Priginoni (37 years old) will run the offense while Indiana Pacer F Luis Scola (34) will be the offensive focal point. Former NBA Players Walter Hermann (35) and Andres Nocioni (34) are also on the roster. However, Argentina has a lot of young, up-and-coming players that will get time to prove themselves. For Argentina to succeed, they will need their young players to shine.
Non-NBA Players To Watch
Dario Saric, F, Croatia - Saric was drafted 12th overall by the Orlando Magic in this year's NBA Draft and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers later in the draft. Saric will not be heading over to the NBA this season. This is an event where he can prove himself against very high competition. He should be a focal point of the Croatian squad, getting a good amount of shots and plays designed for him. This is a good stepping stone to get him NBA ready.
Joffrey Lauvergne, PF/C, France - Lauvergne, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft. was the leading rebounder in the 2013-14 Euroleague season, averaging 8.6 rebounds along with 11.1 points per game. He is a very good rebounder who still has a lot of room to improve on. He did not get much playing time at 2013 EuroBasket, but he will get playing time in Spain. He will play a very good tournament and become a key cog for France.
Eduardo Mingas, PF, Angola - Mingas is not an up-and-coming youngster (he is 35), but he is going to be extremely important to the Angolan squad. Angola lost their best player, Carlos Morias, to injury and Mingas is going to have to pick up the slack. During 2012 Olympic qualifying, he averaged 20.8 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds per game. He does not have to replicated those numbers, but he has to come close for Angola to have a good chance of advancing.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuck, SG, Ukraine - Mykhailiuck is the youngest player in this year's tournament at 17. He played with the U18 team this year at the 2014 U18 European Championship, B Division and was the tournament's MVP, averaging 16 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. At the 2013 U16 European Championship, Division A, he averaged 25.2 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. Mykhailiuck may not get a lot of playing time, but he should make some impact. He is going to play at the University of Kansas in this upcoming year.
Group Play Predictions
Group A
1. Spain
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Serbia
5. Iran
6. Egypt
Group B
1. Argentina
2. Greece
3. Croatia
4. Puerto Rico
5. Senegal
6. Philippines
Group C
1. USA
2. Turkey
3. Dominican Republic
4. Finland
5. New Zealand
6. Ukraine
Group D
1. Lithuania
2. Slovenia
3. Australia
4. Angola
5. Mexico
6. South Korea
Monday, August 18, 2014
Notes on MLB, MiLB, and Cape Cod Baseball
Jackie Bradley Jr Demoted
Jackie Bradley Jr's first season in the majors has been impressive yet disappointing at the same time. His slash line of .216/.288/.290 is the sign of someone who is not ready for major league baseball. But, his 13 assists, eight double plays, 1.000 fielding percentage, and 16.8 UZR indicate Bradley is very deserving of a Gold Glove. He is in the bottom of the league in hitting and the top of the league in defense. What do you do with a guy like that? The Red Sox have decided enough is enough on the hitting side and have sent him down to Triple-A. Considering the expansion of rosters to 40 players is less than two weeks away, this is an interesting time to move Bradley down. They should have moved him down earlier. On the flip side, it is smart to move him down so he can get at-bats and boost his confidence.
Joey Gallo Hits 40th HR in Minors for 2nd Straight Season
Joey Gallo of the Frisco RoughRiders hit home run number 40 yesterday against the Tulsa Drillers. Gallo, the number one prospect in the Rangers organization, is the first player since Ron Kittle in 1981-82 to hit 40 homers in back-to-back minor league seasons. Gallo is on track for an even better year then last. He is hitting for a higher average and getting on base at a higher clip. However, he strikes out way too much and is questionable fielding even though he has a great arm. Gallo will need another season under his belt before he starts making his impact felt in Arlington.
Rusney Castillo's Decision
Rusney Castillo is rumored to make his decision on which team to sign for in the near future. Castillo defected from Cuba in December 2013. He is a center fielder with very good speed. When he showed up to his workout last month, he added twenty pounds, which impressed scouts. The added mussel means he has more power now. His defense has been rated as questionable. 28 teams went to his workout and the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, and Phillies are known to be interested. Castillo has potential to become a very good major league center fielder. The big question is when will he be ready. I think he can make an immediate impact, albeit small, in October. He is not going to be of the quality of a Yasiel Puig or Yoenis Cespedes, but he has a good chance of becoming a nice, everyday player.
Y-D Wins Cape League Championship
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox won the Cape Cod Baseball League championship on Saturday by defeating the Falmouth Commodores 10-4. The Red Sox had defeated the Commodores 5-0 in the first game of the best-of-three championship series on Friday. The Red Sox had previously defeated the Orleans Firebirds and the Harwich Mariners in round one and two of the playoffs. Y-D's Walter Buehler and Marcus Mastrobuoni were the Co-Postseason Most Valuable Players. Buehler, a pitcher, went 2-0 in the playoffs, including an eight inning gem in Game One of the championship. Mastrobuoni, a catcher, went five for six with two walks, five ribbies, three runs scored, a double, and a homer during the championship series. This is the fourth title for the Red Sox under Scott Pickler and their first since 2007.
Chris Carter
Astros' DH Chris Carter is an interesting case of a player with tremendous power but has trouble making contact. Carter has 29 home runs, a .516 slugging percentage, and a .283 isolated power average. He leads the MLB in fly ball percentage at 53.5%. Those are numbers of a true slugger. However, he makes contact only 65.6% of the time and 78.7% of the time when the ball is in the strike zone, which is worst and third worst in the majors respectively and has 129 strikeouts and strikeout 30.4% of the time. Carter is comparable to Adam Dunn, but without the plate discipline and walks. In Dunn's age 27 season, he had 40 homers, 101 walks, 165 strikeouts, 26.1 K%, 46.5 Fly Ball %, and a 23.8 HR/Fly Ball %. Carter, through 109 games, currently has 29 home runs, 34 walks, 129 strikeouts, 30.4 K%, 53.5 Fly Ball %, and a 21.2 HR/Fly Ball %. Carter will have to make changes to his approach to reach the value of Ådam Dunn, but he is currently showing why he may have a part in the Astros' future.
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| Jackie Bradley Jr. http://www.metro.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sptb_jackie_bradley.jpg |
Joey Gallo Hits 40th HR in Minors for 2nd Straight Season
Joey Gallo of the Frisco RoughRiders hit home run number 40 yesterday against the Tulsa Drillers. Gallo, the number one prospect in the Rangers organization, is the first player since Ron Kittle in 1981-82 to hit 40 homers in back-to-back minor league seasons. Gallo is on track for an even better year then last. He is hitting for a higher average and getting on base at a higher clip. However, he strikes out way too much and is questionable fielding even though he has a great arm. Gallo will need another season under his belt before he starts making his impact felt in Arlington.
Rusney Castillo's Decision
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| Rusney Castillo http://www.dodgersod.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1294.jpg |
Y-D Wins Cape League Championship
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox won the Cape Cod Baseball League championship on Saturday by defeating the Falmouth Commodores 10-4. The Red Sox had defeated the Commodores 5-0 in the first game of the best-of-three championship series on Friday. The Red Sox had previously defeated the Orleans Firebirds and the Harwich Mariners in round one and two of the playoffs. Y-D's Walter Buehler and Marcus Mastrobuoni were the Co-Postseason Most Valuable Players. Buehler, a pitcher, went 2-0 in the playoffs, including an eight inning gem in Game One of the championship. Mastrobuoni, a catcher, went five for six with two walks, five ribbies, three runs scored, a double, and a homer during the championship series. This is the fourth title for the Red Sox under Scott Pickler and their first since 2007.
Chris Carter
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| Chris Carter http://jeffcity.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2014/05/28/Astros_ Royals_Basebal_Brow1_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d |
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