This week saw some major changes to college sports as both Nebraska and Colorado jumped conferences in anticipation that the Big-12 would take a topple that would have left them behind. That’s the short of it, anyway. The major draws are Texas and Colorado who at this point seem to be inevitably moving to the Pac-10, though no decision has been announced as of yet. These moves – along with the other Texas teams that would likely come along – would devastate the Big-12 to the point where the rest of the conference would undoubtedly have to disband.
This is the reality of the state of college football right now that may actually be better off with fewer conferences that have more exposure via TV coverage. But a similar reality is developing in the NBA free agency war where LeBron James commands all the attention leading up to the July open season, yet it’s other free agents who are making headlines right now. There’s news that Dwyane Wade has spent time recently with both Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson, surely speaking about their futures in the face of LeBron signing a big deal somewhere and immediately propelling that team to the top of their conference rankings. They’re likewise planning their future: Read more
The sports world is still abuzz this afternoon over Kansas’ early exit from the NCAA tournament. Everyone who had the Jayhawks going to deep into their brackets – if not all the way – is left wondering what happened and why their plans got derailed. Kansas was the clear favorite to contend for the national title, and even President Obama had them winning it all. There are a few theories floating around about what went wrong for the Jayhawks yesterday: Read more
The Big 12’s Kansas may be atop the rankings week in and week out, and the SEC’s Kentucky may not be far behind. The Big East may continue beating each other up – Syracuse over ‘Nova, UConn over WVU, and Pitt over ‘Nova (again) – and the ACC teams have been in and out of the top 25 all season long. But none of these conferences have my eye with the NCAA Tourny just weeks away. No matter how little attention they may be getting, the Big 10 simply continues to show it’s a force to be reckoned with. If I were a betting man, I’d push my chips in that we’ll see a Big 10 team in the title game. And it may not be the one you expect. Read more
The NBA announced the teams for the rookie-sophomore exhibition game that takes place during All-Star Weekend. Unsurprisingly, Brandon Jennings will lead the rookie squad against the second-year players. The announcement was not the only time Jennings made sports news this week. Jennings hit the game winner with 22 seconds left in a game against the 76ers on Wednesday. Days earlier, he hit a three pointer with18 seconds left to beat the Warriors. These stories are mere movements in what has been an absolute symphony of a rookie campaign, a campaign credited by Jennings’ decision to skip college and play professionally in Europe after high school. Still, while conventional copy-cat wisdom indicates that more NBA-hopefuls will travel overseas in preparation for the big stage, the story of Jeremy Tyler warns that the road isn’t without serious up-hills and cries of prudence that the European way is not necessarily the best way. Read more
Artsiom Parakhouski doesn’t have a wikipedia page. In two years from now, we’ll find that hard to believe. Parakhouski plays ball for no-name Radford University. He’s 6-11 (or 7-1 – depending on who you ask), Belorussian, and didn’t know English – or how to dribble a basketball – 5 years ago. Despite this, Parakhouski is the most exciting college ball player you never heard of this year. Only he and Saint Mary’s Omar Samham are averaging 20+/10+ this season. The difference between Samham and Parakhouski? Artsiom is doing it playing a non-conference schedule that would inspire even the most timid Highlander. Read more
Jimbo Fisher may be an excellent choice to replace Bobby Bowden as Florida State University’s football team’s head coach. Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly has certainly earned the credibility to fill the Notre Dame vacancy. If Kelly leaves, the Bearcats, of course, will open up a job search as well. Kansas and Louisville already have openings and the college football off-season isn’t over yet. In fact, it hasn’t even begun. Read more
The college basketball season has begun! Games between top-25 teams are less than a week way. We’re talking fundamental ball, raw talent, and no fantasy leagues to distract. Pure athleticism meets strategic coaching, and to the winner goes the spoils. Considering we’re still collectively not fully focused on this 2009-2010 season, I implore you to listen to the CBS theme music. As you continue reading this post, click on this link and listen as you read. I dare you to click and NOT get pumped. It simply cannot be done. Read more
Several of college football’s finest coaches including Lou Holtz, Tommy Tuberville, Phillip Fullmer and Nick Saban make cameo appearances in the upcoming movie The Blind Side. See the trailer featuring them below:
Although films are new to the repetoire, college coaches have a long history of acting for television spots. Take a look back at the best from over the years: Read more
