Five Thoughts On College Basketball Heading Into Conference Play

Wisconsin's Other Star

Nigel Hayes
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Heading into the season, Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky was the big name in college basketball and a Wooden Award favorite. While Kaminsky has been great, his teammate Nigel Hayes has also been fantastic. Hayes, a sophomore and 2013-14 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, has taken advantage of his inclusion into the starting lineup to become a double-double threat along with Kaminsky. Hayes averages 12.2 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. Hayes is the key to the team's success. In the Badgers' one loss against Duke, Hayes struggled from the field and was in foul trouble. Hayes is a great player who works very well with Kaminsky. The two of them, along with Sam Dekker and Treavon Jackson, will look to bring Wisconsin back to Final Four.

Missouri Valley Conference

The Missouri Valley Conference currently has two team ranked in the AP Poll and Coaches Poll (Wichita State Shockers and Northern Iowa Panthers) along with two other ten win teams (Evansville Purple Aces and Loyola Ramblers). These four teams all have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament, along with a possible dark horse team who may win the conference tournament. While Wichita State is the more well known team, Northern Iowa has been the better team so far. The Panthers only loss was a double overtime loss against VCU. However, they will have a major challenge forthcoming, as the Panthers first two conference games are against Evansville and Loyola.

Syracuse

Jim Boeheim and Rakeem Christmas
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Jim Boeheim's Orange are currently at 8-4 (with one more game before conference play). Those four losses are the most for the Orange to start a season this century. This is the first season in a while in which Syracuse is not a guarantee for the NCAA Tournament. That does not mean that it would be shocking if the Orange missed the Tournament. They have missed the tournament three times this century (2001-02, 2006-07, and 2007-08). This team does have the potential to make it the Tournament. Senior Rakeem Christmas has taken his game to a whole new level this year. Christmas's point average has increased by about 11 points from this year to last (5.8 to 16.5). His major offensive improvement, along with his ability to rebound (8.7 per game) and defensive presence (2.3 blocks per game). Christmas and Chris McCollough (11.5 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game) form a very good big man partnership. The Orange have talent, but they will need to win games to be successful. 

Kentucky 

The hype is real for this year's Kentucky team. They are loaded with talent and have looked unbeatable. Not only have the won all 13 of their games by more than eight points, but they have defeated three teams who were ranked within the Top 6 in the AP Poll at the time they faced them. Even with the loss of junior Alex Poythress, the Wildcats have a great players. They have big men, point guards, and wing players. There is a strong possibility that Kentucky will go undefeated throughout the SEC and possibly the rest of the season. With all of their talent, they can win while three, maybe four or five, of their best players have an off day. If a team defeats the Wildcats, it will be a shocking upset.

Deleware and Central Arkansas 

Kyle Anderson
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The Delaware Blue Hens and Central Arkansas Bears are the only two Division I teams left with losing records. Both programs currently sit at 0-10. Delaware has had more chances to get rid of the zero in the win column. In Delaware's most recent game against Robert Morris, the Blue Hens had a come back at the end, but still lost 84-81. Central Arkansas, on the other hand, has had only one of it's loss margins within ten points (74-68 loss against Southeast Mississippi State). This season has to be a disappointment for Delaware more-so than Central Arkansas. The Bears have never had a winning season since becoming a Division I program. Delaware not only had a winning record last season, they made the NCAA Tournament. With that being said, Delaware did lose it's top four scorers from last year (three graduated, one kicked out of program) and it's fifth leading scorer (and only senior this year) Kyle Anderson was injured for the first seven games of the year. While I do not expect either of these teams to remain winless, I do not expect them to be close to breaking .500 either. 

The 2016, Not 2015, Chicago Cubs Will Be Great

Jon Lester
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Much of the hype this winter around the hot stove has been about the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs signed up ace Jon Lester, traded for quality catcher Miguel Montero, and hired well-liked and respected manager Joe Madden. With these moves, their World Series odds rose from 50-1 to 12-1. While those three moves are major for the ball club, calling the Cubs World Series contenders in 2015 is very optimistic. The Cubs are still a year away from being contenders.

When a team signs a clutch playoff performer like Jon Lester, they are immediately put into the spotlight and become bandwagon favorites. However, it has been the little moves they have made that will set them up for success. They signed Jason Hammel, who they traded in July, but had pitched very well for the Cubs in his time at Wrigley. Ryan Lawarnway, a former top 100 prospect, was claimed off of waivers and could find his way into a important bench role. And, in an extremely underrated move, the Cubs signed Jason Motte for one year and four and a half million dollars. Motte saved 42 games in 2012 before undergoing Tommy John in 2013 and struggling in 2014 for St. Louis. If Motte proves to be successful, he could be a major cog in the Cubs bullpen in future (or they can trade him at the 2015 deadline for prospects). All of these players can have major impacts on the Cubs next year.

Kris Bryant
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However, even with these big moves, the Cubs have to be prepping for the 2016 season. By 2016, 2014 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Kris Bryant and 2014 Oakland A's Pre-Season Top Prospect Addison Russell will be in the majors, solidifying what will be the best infield in baseball (with Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez). Baez, who struck out at an astronomical rate last year, will have a full season under his belt where he can learn to be more selective. Arismendy Alcantara and Jorge Soler will also have the benefit of being in the majors for a full season. Also, most of the players on the Cubs roster have never been in a playoff race, and the experience they will gain on being on a competitive team in 2015 will help them in 2016.

Here is the Cubs' possible starting lineup in 2016

LF - Arismendy Alcantara - S/R - 24 - 2014 #100 Prospect according to Baseball America
2B - Javier Baez - R/R - 23 -  2014 #5 Prospect according to Baseball America
3B - Kris Bryant - R/R - 24 -  2014 #8 Prospect according to Baseball America
1B - Anthony Rizzo - L/L - 26 - 2014 MLB All-Star
RF - Jorge Soler - R/R - 24 - 2014 #41 Prospect according to Baseball America
SS - Addison Russell - R/R - 22 - 2014 #14 Prospect according to Baseball America
C - Miguel Montero - L/R - 32 - 2014 MLB All-Star
CF - Albert Almora - R/R - 22 - 2014 #36 Prospect according to Baseball America

That is one stacked line-up, top to bottom. And that does not include 24-year-old three-time All-Star Starlin Castro, who the Cubs have locked up until 2020, or 2014 1st Round Pick Kyle Schwarber. Castro is major trade bait, but if Theo Epstein can not get the players he wants in a trade for Castro, he can move Castro, a mediocre-at-best defensive shortstop, to third base or the outfield (much like what Boston is doing with Hanley Ramirez). That lineup will not be as developed in 2015 as it will be in 2016, with players like Chris Coghlan (rWAR in 2014: 0.2) or Junior Lake (rWAR:-1.5 /fWAR: -1.0) filling in until all the top prospects reach the big show.

CJ Edwards
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The 2016 rotation also looks very good, headlined by Lester, Hammel, and Jake Arriata. I have confidence that the Cubs rotation in 2016 will be above average. Pitching coach Chris Bosio is one of the best in the game right now. He has taken below average pitchers that last few years and made them above average, even potential stars. With Bosio on the staff, the Cubs can trust that they will get the best out of their starters. Their bullpen will also have some good pitchers, headlined by Hector Rondon (29 saves and 2.42 ERA in 2014). In 2016, the Cubs will also most likely have top pitching prospects CJ Edwards and Pierce Johnson in the MLB as important contributors.

While it is early to be making predictions, withstanding any more major developments, here is my prediction for the Cubs in 2015. They will start off slow, as players like Baez and Soler, are still getting themselves adjusted. By mid-May, the Cubs bandwagon is a lot lighter than it is now. However, they show improvement and by July 1st, Baez is fully adjusted and Bryant is up in the bigs. The Cubs play very well, albeit under the radar, for the last few months of the season. The North Siders finish the season with a record around 80-82. 

2016: They are my early, way, way-too early, World Series favorites.

Was the 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series successful?

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A Major League Baseball All-Star Team traveled and played an All-Star Series against the Japanese National Team, called Samurai Japan over a ten day stretch that ended last week. The MLB All-Star Team played seven games, six against Samurai Japan (five competitive and one exhibition game) and one against a combined Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants team. Samurai Japan also played an exhibition against a combined Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters team. In the competitive games, the MLB All-Star Team lost the series three games to two. The games, played in six different stadiums, drew great crowds. The question is, was the MLB Japan All-Star Series successful

For the Japanese National Team and Japan, it was the equivalent of a no doubt homer. The National Team got in six games against great competition that will no doubt help them when the World Baseball Classic rolls around in 2017, which was their hope. Also, they won the series, beating the MLB All-Stars in three series games and a final exhibition. Any time a tema can beat a team of MLB players, the winning team's confidence grows.

Not only did they win the series, they also no-hit the All-Stars in the Game 3 of the series. Pitchers Takahiro Norimoto, Yuki Nishi, Kazuhisa Makita, and Yuji Nashino combined to throw nine innings of no-hit ball with 13 strikeouts and only three walks. That game was the highlight of the Series for Japan.

The attendance at the games was good, with the Game 2, 3, and 4 of the Series having the best crowds; all four games were at the Tokyo Dome, the country's most famous baseball stadium. The crowds of the some of the games could have been better, but it did not help that Japan won the series in three games. The Japanese baseball fans are some of the best in the world and deserved to get to see MLB players live. And they showed up in large numbers.

Now, on the Major Leaguers side, where the answer is not so black-and-white. Losing to Samauri Japan does not help the case for the trip being successful. MLB had made ten trips to Japan before this year and lost only one of those series.

Evan Longoria and Carlos Santana
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However, very few of MLB's best players went to Japan. Of the 62 players at this year's All-Star Game, only four made the trip: Jose Altuve, Robinson Cano, Salvador Perez, and Yasiel Puig. While there were some former All-Stars, rising stars, and very good players who went to Japan (f.e. Chris Carter, Hisashi Iwakuma Evan Longoria, Carlos Santana, and Matt Shoemaker), only a few of the game's best attended. If a few more of the greats in the MLB made the trip, I think they would have won the Series. 

The one huge problem with losing the series is that it ruins MLB's brand. You cannot claim to be the best baseball league in the world when your All-Star team loses to other leagues (even if few All-Stars attended). While few Americans will remember the Series by next July, the Series will be remembered in Japan and it will affect Major League Baseball's brand there.

In conclusion, the MLB All-Star Series was a major success for Japan, while it was a borderline success for the MLB. While all signs point to the trip being a failure for the MLB, the players did get some good work in and represented the league very well. Also, it is tough being the team to travel across the world. If there is a next time, however, the MLB All-Star team will need a series win to call the trip a success.

Notes on College Football Through Week 12

Nick Chubb
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Georgia's Late Push for the College Football Playoff

Georgia had an extremely impressive win over Auburn last night. They won 34-7, Auburn only scored on the first drive of the game. Todd Gurley returned for the Bulldogs and the duo of Gurley and Nick Chubb was unstoppable. Gurley had 29 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Chubb had 19 carriers for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Both running backs tore up a very good Auburn defense. The only negative to come out of the game was that Gurley went down with a torn ACL in the fourth quarter and is out for the rest of the season. Georgia's two losses have not been good (38-35 loss to 5-5 South Carolina and a 38-20 loss to 5-4 Florida) and that will hold them back in the polls. However, if Georgia wins out, Missouri loses at least one more game, and Georgia beats the SEC West champ in the SEC Championship game, do they make the College Football Playoff? Yes, they have two losses, but, the quality of the Georgia team last night is championship worthy.

TCU's Devastating Win

TCU won on Saturday, 34-30. They came back from ten points down in the third quarter to win the game. While on the surface the win would be expected to help them in the polls, it is going to hurt them badly. This is because TCU beat Kansas.

Kansas has been the worst team in the Big 12 this decade. The have won only four conference games in the last six years. Even if TCU had won by ten points, it may have hurt them more then help in the polls. TCU will drop out of the top four and may even drop behind fellow conference mate, Baylor. There will not be a win this year that will hurt a team more than TCU's win over Kansas will hurt the Horned Frogs.

Melvin Gordon and Wisconsin's Chances

Melvin Gordon
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Yesterday's Nebraska vs. Wisconsin game was billed as the battle of the running backs. Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon were two of the three running backs in the country heading into yesterday's game. After the game, there was a clear number one back in the country.

Melvin Gordon ran for an NCAA record 408 yards on only 25 carries with four touchdowns in the Badger's 59-24 rout of the Cornhuskers. Gordon broke the previous record of 406 rushing yards, held by LaDanion Tomlinson, in only three quarters of action. If given the opportunity, Gordon would have rushed for 500 yards easily. The performance was legendary. Gordon is now the leading rusher in the country with 1909 rushing yards, 231 more yards than current runner-up Tevin Coleman of Indiana. He has vaulted himself into the top two of the Heisman race with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.

Wisconsin is now 8-2 on the year and is number one in the Big Ten West. They will need a lot of help to even have a chance of getting into the College Football Playoff. However, a strong finish can get them into a high-profile New Year's Day Bowl Game.

Thundering Under the Radar


The Marshall Thundering Herd are 10-0. They have won by an average margin of about 31 points. The closest margin of victory in a single game was 15 points. Quarterback Rakeem Cato is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the game. Running back Devon Johnson is top five in Division I in rushing yards and has only rushed for under 100 yards once (not including game vs. Southern Miss that he did not play in). The defense is stout and has been playing very well. Marshall is not going to get into the Playoff, which is expected, but they should get some recognition if they go undefeated. Going undefeated in mid-level conference is extremely difficult and they should be acknowledged for their accomplishments. 

Coastal Carolina and Harvard

Coastal Carolina QB Alex Ross
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Florida State and Marshall are the only undefeated teams left in the FBS. However, there are two other Division I teams that are undefeated: Coastal Carolina and Harvard, both FCS teams. Coastal Carolina is 11-0 with an average win margin of 21.4 points. The only game that threatened the Chanticleers perfect schedule was a 37-31 2OT win over Furman. Coastal Carolina has clinched the conference title and have one more game before the playoffs start. Harvard is 9-0 on the season. The Crimson have the best defense in the FCS, giving up only 11.0 points per game and only 12 touchdowns the whole season. Their offense is also good, averaging over 230 rushing yards and 230 passing yards per game. The Crimson have one more game, vs. Yale and it will decide the Ivy League championship. The game is getting national attention, as ESPN's College GameDay will be hosting from Cambridge on Saturday. 

Gerold Holliman

Holliman has the most interceptions in a season in this century with 13 and has three more games to play. The most interceptions in a season for an FBS player is 14 (Al Worley, 1968, Washington) and the most by any player across NCAA's three divisions is 15 (Ben Matthews, 2000, Bethel University (MN), DIII and Mark Dorner, 1987, Juniata College (PA), DIII). Both record are in damage of being broken. He has been a ball hawk at safety for the Louisville Cardinals. In this weekend's game at Boston College, Holliman had three interceptions. That was his fourth multi-interception game of the season. Holliman, a sophomore, is making a name for himself and becoming a legitimate top prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft. 

Division II and Division III Playoff Brackets Set

Stagg Bowl XLII Logo
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The Division II and Division III brackets were released today. The DII bracket has 24 teams in four regionals, with the top two seeds getting byes. There are five undefeated teams in the bracket: Concord University (WV), Ferris State University (MI), Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC), University of Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State University-Mankato, and Quachita Baptist University (AK). Defending champions Northwestern Missouri State are the fifth seed in super regional three and will play Minnesota-Duluth in the first round.

In the DIII bracket, the bracket is lined up for a final between rivals University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (DIII Champs: 2007, 2009-2011, 2013) and Mount Union (OH) (DIII Champs: 1993, 1996-1998, 2000-20022005-2006, 2008, 2012). Both teams are undefeated, but will the road to the Stagg Bowl will not be easy. Other defeated teams include: Centre College (KY), Hobart College (NY), Johns Hopkins, The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX), MIT, The College of St. Scholastica (MN), Wartberg College (IA), and Wheaton College (IL), Widener University (PA).

College Football Playoff Top Four and First Four Out Through 12 Weeks

1. Florida State (10-0)
2. Oregon (9-1)
3. Alabama (9-1)
4. Mississippi State (9-1)

5. Baylor (8-1)
6. TCU (9-1)
7. Ohio State (9-1)
8. Georgia (8-2)

The Greatness of Madison Bumgarner

With more than 24 hours since Game 7 of the World Series, we move farther past arguably the greatest Game 7 performance in World Series. Madison Bumgarner, who threw 117 pitches in a Game 5 complete game shutout on Sunday, came back for Game 7 on Wednesday to pitch five innings with 68 pitches to close the game and Series for the Giants. 

It was incredible, marvelous, inconceivable.

Coming into the game, it was known that Bumgarner was available to pitch. Many pundits were saying if he pitched, which many believed was likely, he would go two innings, three at best. I myself thought he would go two shutout innings. 

It his side day to throw a bullpen session so when Bumgarner was seen warming up in the bullpen in the top of the fifth, few were surprised. The Giants were up by one run and pitcher Jeremy Affelt (who replaced starter Tim Hudson in the second inning) had reached his max. I was thinking Bumgarner would go two or three and then handing the ball over to set-up man Sergio Romo in the eight and after that, closer Santiago Casilla. 

Bumgarner did not look like himself when he first came in. Omar Infante, the first batter he faced, lined a base-hit to right field. He then got an easy out when Alcides Escobar bunted over Infante. Many considered that at-bat the game changing play. Escobar was swinging a hot bat and analysts thought he should have been allowed to hit. However, the next at-bat, not Escobar's bunt was the play of the game.

Nori Aoki came up with one out and Infante on second. Bumgarner threw him two straight balls (he also threw Escobar two bad balls, which was as common this playoffs as a Halley's comet sighting). After throwing a strike, Bumgarner threw Aoki a two-one slider. Aoki got good wood on the pitch and sent the ball the opposite way. It was slicing down the line and normally would have dropped for a double with Infante scoring easily. However, left fielder Juan Perez, who got the start over Travis Ishikawa due to his defensive skills and experience, got a prefect jump on the ball and make the catch. If Perez is not in the game and have perfect positioning before the pitch, that ball is dropping and the game is a whole new ball game. Royals can complain about the bunt and leaving in Guthrie in too long, but the Perez's catch was the game-changer.

The next batter, Lorenzo Cain, stuck out.

After that, Madison Bumgarner was pitching like he was pitching on five days rest against a bunch of amateurs. His curveball and slider were on point, his fastball was constantly reaching 93 miles per hour, and his location was pinpoint. Batters had no chance of getting good hits on his pitches. When Bumgarner he struck out Infante in the seventh, it started to hit me what was happening. History was happening.

He retired the side in the sixth, the seventh, and the eighth.

At this point Bumgarner had thrown four innings and 52 pitches. Manager Bruce Boche had said that Bumgarner was given a 45-50 pitch limit. Yet, no one was warming up in the pen: Bumgarner was going to finish the game.

And he was going to have to get out the middle of the Royals order. Cleanup hitter Eric Hosmer was first up in the bottom of the ninth with the game still tied at two. Bumgarner got behind Hosmer, but struck him out on a fastball. 

One down, two till the title.

Next up was Billy Butler, the designated hitter, and he popped out to Brandon Belt.

Two down, one more out till the title.

Alex Gordan, the Royals star left fielder, was the Royals final hope. On a 1-0 pitch, he hit the ball to center field and... it dropped in front of Blanco for a single and then the ball got by him.

In the most shocking moment of the World Series, Gordon's regular single dropped in front of Blanco and inexplicably got passed him. The ball went all the way to the wall.  Perez picked the ball up and... fumbled it. By the time Crawford received the ball as the cutoff man, Gordon was... on third.

The question will always be asked: Should Alex Gordon have gone home? The answer is simple: no. He would have been out. It all comes down to when he was running out of the box, he was not running like it was a double. He was running like it was a normal single, aka not at full speed. If Gordon knew the ball was going to get passed Blanco or the ball was more in the gap, he would have been running faster because he would have had to and only then would he have went for home and score. You cannot blame Gordon for not scoring. It would have been tough for even Terrance Gore to score on that ball if he was running out of the box like a normal.

So, Bumgarner is on the mound with the game-tying runner on third and Royals best hitter this series, Salvador Perez, at the plate. Perez had the game-winning hit in the AL Wild Card game vs. Oakland this year. Bumgarner and catcher Buster Posey had a plan. They were going to pound Perez, who has been a free-swinger this postseason, with fastballs. The first pitch was above the hands and Perez swung for strike one. He followed that pitch with another high four-seamer, which Perez took for a ball. Bumgarner threw another high fastball for strike two and then another one that Perez took for a ball. Perez fouled the off pitch five. Pitch six, he popped up into foul territory on the third base side. Pablo Sandoval made the catch.

Game over. World Series over. The Giants are champs.

At the end of the game, Bumgarner had four strikeouts and threw 50 strikes for a 73.52 strike percentage. He was originally given the win, but was later in the night it was changed to a save. This was the third five-inning save of the last twenty-five years, regular or postseason. 

What makes this game legendary is the greatness of Bumgarner. From the NL Wild Card Game to Game 7 of the World Series, Bumgarner has been extraordinary. His final World Series stats are: 21 innings, 0.43 ERA, 2-0, 0.476 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts to 1 walk. He was great in Game 1, going seven and giving up only one run. He was even better in the aforementioned Game 5 and was at his finest in Game 7.

Bumgarner's performance represents the best baseball has to offer. Pitchers do not go as deep into games as they used to, and that mean pitchers will not be as dominant and imposing as they can be if batters knew they would have to face them all game. Bumgarner has made that different. He has elevated himself into a select few of pitchers: the Elite of the Postseason. In this exclusive club is Christy Mathewson, whose performance in the World Series, especially the 1905 World Series, made him the first ever clutch pitcher and two-time World Series MVP Sandy Koufax, and Curt Schilling, whose clutch performances in the 2001 and 2004 World Series have made him a legend.

His Game 7 performance is indescribable, and while I have tried to describe, I still feel like I still have not expressed how well Bumgarner performed.

This performance was incredible, marvelous, inconceivable.

Madison Bumgarner is now a legend, but his greatest moments are not myths, they are based on the stats from the 2014 World Series.

Jarryd Hayne's Switch From Rugby League to American Football

Jarryd Hayne
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Jarryd Hayne was one of the best rugby league players in the world on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he was not.

Hayne announced on Wednesday that he would be quitting the sport of rugby league in order to pursue a career in the NFL.

The Australian is 26 years old, was a member of the Parramatta Eels of Australia's National Rugby League, the Australian rugby league national team, and the New South Wales rugby league team. Hayne had just won his second Daily M Medal this year for being the best player in the NRL and also won the award for best fullback.

The decision shocked Australia. While Hayne said at his announcement that he was thinking about doing this for almost two years, it came as a surprise. The NRL could have used a clause to keep him in the league, but both the league and Eels gave Hayne their best wishes and told him to go fulfill his dream. 

Hayne is not the only prominent rugby league player to leave the sport this year. Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams also left the sport at the end of the 2014 season. Both switched to rugby union.

The comparison being made to Hayne's decision is to when Michael Jordan switched from basketball at the height of his career to baseball. While, the comparison can be made, it is not close to being the same. Jordan left basketball to play baseball, a sport that is popular in the USA. Hayne is leaving to play in american football, a sport that is not popular in Australia, and is also being played on the other side of the Earth. You also have to remember that Hayne is not the only rugby league star leaving the sport. There has never been anything like this before.

Jarryd Hayne
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If Hayne makes it to the NFL, he would most likely be a running back who may also return kicks and punts. Hayne could be a tenacious runner out of the backfield, especially in goal-line and short distance situations. He has the intangibles to be a complete running back, both with his speed, his power, and his hands. If kicking returns does not work, he could also be a great special teamer. 

It is being reported that Hayne is being looked at by at least six NFL teams, one of those teams being the Detroit Lions. Hayne may be signed before the season ends, but the chance he plays in a NFL game this year is pretty much impossible. 

Hayne can make it to the NFL. He has the physical attributes and the work ethic to play in the NFL by next season. His success playing american football could be very high, and it could also be low. The key to Hayne's success how quickly he will understand a playbook and how much knowledge of the game he will have. I look forward to seeing Hayne on a football field on Sundays next Fall.

5 Players That Are Key to the Royals Winning and Why They Are Fun To Watch This Postseason

Mike Moustakas
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On May 22nd, 3B Mike Moustakas was sent down to the Omaha Storm Chasers. The former top ten prospect and Joe Bauman Home Run Award winner had hit rock bottom in the majors. He was hitting .152, had a .223 on-base percentage, and a .320 slugging percentage in 40 games. However, Ned Yost expressed faith in him, saying, "He's a guy that is going to help us win a championship." Five months later, he has been one of the Royals best players so far in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the ALDS vs. the Angles, he hit a go-ahead homer run in the eleventh. Then, in Game 1 of the ALCS against Baltimore, he hit a two run homer in the tenth that gave the Royals, who were up one at that point, two much needed insurance runs. Finally, in last night's game, he not only hit a homer that put the Royals up 4-3 in the fourth, but laid down a sacrifice bunt in the ninth to advance the runner, Terrance Gore, who scored when the next hitter Alcides Escobar hit a double. Moustakas has turned his career around at the best possible moment. 

Brandon Finnegan
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When Moustakas was sent down to the minors, Brandon Finnegan was a junior and the ace for the TCU Horned Frogs. He went 9-3 with 2.04 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 11.41 Strikeouts per 9. In his last college game against Virginia, Finnigan went eight innings, giving up only one earned runs. TCU lost game 3-2 in fifteen innings. Finnigan was drafted 17th overall by Kansas City in the 2014 Draft. He reported to Wilmington in July, where he was unhittable. In 15 innings, he had an 0.60 ERA and a 0.467 WHIP. He was not as good in Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but was good when he was called up to Kansas City. He pitched seven innings in the regular season, giving up only one runs and struck out ten batters. In the Wild Card Game, Finnigan pitched two and a third innings in relief, getting three strikeouts, but allowed an earned run (the runner scored when Jason Frasior was pitching). He got the win in Game 2 of the ALDS. However, he has struggled in both of the ALCS games so far. He has made a large impact out of the pen so far and will continue to. 

Lorenzo Cain
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Lorenzo Cain was a fringe outfielder for the last few years in Kansas City. That is, until he had a breakout year this year. He led the team in hitting (.301), was second in slugging (.751), OPS+ (108), rWAR (5.0), and fWAR (4.9). He also is having a fantastic year defensively, especially in the playoffs. Every game seems to have multiple fantastic plays by Cain. It does not matter if he is in center or in right field, Cain is making every play, no matter the difficulty. Cain, batting in the three hole, has also been hitting extremely well. He had two hits, two runs, and two ribbies in the Wild Card game. In Game 1 vs. Baltimore, Cain went two-for-three with two walks and two runs scored. He was even better in Game 2, going four-for-five with two runs scored and an RBI in the ninth that put the Royals up two. Cain has been a pleasant surprise and has been at his best this October.

Wade Davis
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The best set-up man, maybe even the best relief pitcher, in baseball this season is Wade Davis. His regular season numbers are off the charts. He made 71 appearances, all out of the pen, was 9-2, with 1.00 ERA, 0.847 WHIP, 3.9 Wins Probability Added, and an astonishing 399 ERA+. For comparison, Clayton Kershaw's ERA+ this year was 197, Mariano Rivera's highest ERA+ was 316, and Eric Gagne's Cy Young season's ERA+ was 337. Davis has appeared in every postseason game for the Royals so far. He has given up only one run so far, in the Royals 8-3 win over the Angels. In Game 1 of the ALCS, Davis went two innings, struck out four batters, and got the win. Davis has continued his successful regular season. For the Royals bullpen to be as effective as it has been so far, they need Davis to be the man. 

Terrance Gore
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Terrance Gore is the most unlikely member of the playoff roster of any player in the postseason. Gore spent most of the season in Adavcned-A Wilmington, until he was called up to Triple-A Omaha in August and was a September call up when major league rosters expanded. He hit .218 with a .284 on-base and a .258 slugging in Advanced-A, but he did have 36 steals and was only caught four times.Gore did a little better in Omaha, but that was in an extremely smaller sample size. In his one month in the majors, he had two plate appearances (he grounded out and was hit-by-pitch) and stole five bases. Yet, thanks to his incredible speed, he was put onto the postseason roster. He has played in four games, has had no at-bats, but does have three steals and scored the go-ahead run in yesterday's Game 2 win. It has been 40 years since Herb Washington was the pinch runner in Oakland and it has taken 40 years for another incarnation of pinch runner to come along.

Major Change In Bobsled

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One of the biggest changes in the history of the sport of bobsleigh occurred on Thursday. 

The FIBT announced that women are now allowed to compete in four-man bobsled events. Before this change, women only competed in the two-women bobsled races, while men competed in both two-man and four-man competitions. 

For the upcoming season, it looks like their will be only women drivers, with the pushers going to be only men.

2010 and 2014 Women's Two-Man Bobsled Gold Medalist Kaillie Humphries has expressed interesting in the past in piloting a four-man sled in the past and wants to be able to race one in the upcoming season.

In a world of growing gender equality, the fact that women are allowed to start racing in four-man competition now may seem late, but not surprising considering the sports past. Four-man bobsled has been at every Winter Olympics while the two-man was first held at the Olympics in 1932. Two-women bobsled was first held only twelve years ago in Salt Lake City.

Hopefully, this is the start of one-day having a four-man bobsled team of four women. There are many quality women bobsledders in the world who will seize this opportunity and soon be in the elite of the four-man. This announcement has been way overdue. I expect there to be teams of predominately women competing in the World Cup within the next three years. 

The next question is whether or not women will be able to compete for the four-man at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The FIBT President Ivo Ferriani said it was "too soon" to speculate. It would be great to see a team with women competing for medal in Pyeongchang, but considering the lack of spots (Canada had onlythree teams make the 2014 Olympics) it would be surprising to see many women competing  However, a couple experienced pilots, like Humphries, could qualify in the four-man. 

Three Weeks Into NFL Season: RGIII, Sanu, and More

Robert Griffin III vs. Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins
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Even though the Washington Redskins lost 37-34 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Redskins QB Kirk Cousins had a career game. Even with a rough 4th quarter, Cousins passed for 437 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, a passer rating of 103.4, a QBR of 75.8, and a interception. On top of that performance, Cousins threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns along with a QBR of 93.4 and passer rating of 109.4 in three plus quarters of action against the Jaguars after Griffin went down in the first quarter. Cousins has the starting job for the near future with the timetable for Griffin's ankle unset. However, it is time for the reins of the team to be handed over to Cousins. Cousins, like Griffin, is in his third professional season, but unlike Griffin, has not had two surgeries on his ACL and currently has a dislocated ankle. The appeal to RGIII in the 2012 NFL Draft was his passing and running ability. Now that his legs are fragile and will have to run less, his effectiveness will go down. Cousins is a pocket passer who knows the system and shinned in when replacing Griffin both this year and in 2012 (He was not good during the 2013 season). It's time for the Redskins to move on from RGIII. Cousins does and will given them the best chance to win.

The Bad Bucs

The Tampa Bay Bucanners are 0-3 and coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history. Atlanta smashed them 56-14 and the Bucs did not score a point until the fourth quarter. QB Josh McCown, who the Tampa Bay signed after a career year in Chicago last season, has been disappointing and has a sprained thumb. Doug Martin is hurt, as well as Vincent Jackson and Gerald McCoy. This is turning out to be another year of sorrow in Tampa Bay, as it is going to be all but impossible to make the playoffs with an 0-3 record in the tough NFC South. What Bucs fans should be hoping for now is the number one pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Mohamed Sanu: Passing Wide Receiver

Mohamed Sanu and Andy Dalton
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In the Cincinnati Bengals' game vs. Tennessee, Andy Dalton pitched the ball back to Mohamed Sanu who, after running horizontally for a few yards, threw the ball back to Dalton. Dalton caught the ball and ran the ball into the end zone for the score. That pass was the fourth ever pass thrown by Sanu. Of those four passes, all four have been completed. The first ever pass Sanu threw was in 2012, his rookie season. It was the week three game against Washington. It was the first play from scrimmage and Sanu was lined up as the QB in a shot gun formation. He took the snap and lofted a deep ball for AJ Green, who caught it and ran it into the end zone for a 73 yard touchdown. In 2013, Sanu threw a 25 yard pass to Giovani Bernard. Sanu also threw a pass in Week 2 against the Falcons. He ran an end around and after Dalton faked the handoff to the running back, he pitched the ball to Sanu. Sanu received the ball and threw a beautiful ball to Golden Tate, who had one defender draped on him and one coming to help. Sanu's career passing stats are: 4/4, 2 TD, 166 yards, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

Cleveland Browns Trickery

Speaking of unusual plays, the Browns pulled off a very unique play, but had to be called off. After Johnny Manziel handed the ball off to Isiaih Crowell, he ran over to the sideline, except Johnny Football stayed on the field. He was a facing away from the field, looking at the sideline. When the ball was snapped, Manziel started running and Brian Hoyer threw Manziel the ball, who caught it and picked up 39 yards on the play. The only problem was that the Browns were penalized because running back Terrence West was not set when the play started. However, according to the rules, that was not the only problem on the play. The Browns should have also been assessed a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty because Manziel lined up within five yards of the sideline. While the rule is that the play is illegal, it was still a smart idea and worked perfectly.

49ers Struggles

Frank Gore
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The San Francisco 49ers are currently 1-2 and at a crisis point in their season. After beating the Cowboys handedly in Week 1, the 49ers gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter and lost to the Bears in Week 2 and then were beaten by the Cardinals in Week 3. The 49ers have a big match-up against the 3-0 Eagles on Sunday. A loss to Philadelphia would put the 49ers in full blown panic mode. The Seahawks and Cardinals are both currently on path for great seasons and a 1-3 start for the 49ers would be a season ruiner. They need the offensive to pick up in the second half of games. In three games, they have scored only three points in the second half. For the offense to be successful in the second half and in general, they are going to end better production from Frank Gore. Gore rushed for 10 yards on six carries against Arizona. While the 49ers went with a more passing attack vs. the Cardinals, Gore did nothing with his touches. They need Gore to play for the 49ers to be successful and get their season around.

2014 College Football Preview: Games of the Week and Playoff Predictions

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

2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup Preview

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Top Teams

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

Notes on MLB, MiLB, and Cape Cod Baseball

Jackie Bradley Jr Demoted

Jackie Bradley Jr.
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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
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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

Chris Carter
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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.