By: David K.
Last weekend, ESPN featured their “Bracket Buster” day in which some of the best mid-major teams went head-to-head as to make a statement to the committee come Selection Sunday. This got me thinking (which is always dangerous when it involves college basketball.) What if there was a true Bracket Buster day featuring the major conferences? This would give the committee a true look at which of the real bubble teams deserve to be dancing.
Here is how it would play out:
First, I would try to get all six of the BCS conferences to be eligible (Big East, Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big 12, and Pac-10), as well as the Atlantic 10, Conference USA, and Mountain West which always seem to have a couple teams on the bubble.
Of course, it would be quite the task to get those nine conferences to agree before the season on setting a day in which of all of their teams were off to possibly be included in the Bracket Buster (BB) game. So you would have to agree on a day and then a few weeks beforehand, pick the teams that appear to be bubble teams come tourney time to participate in the BB. That time span would be needed to arrange travel and allow your fans a chance to get tickets so they could see the game.
Making this idea even more difficult is my belief that any home court advantage should be eliminated because the [More …]
By Peter Christian and David K.
All NBA and college basketball nerds must listen to this podcast. The two Mock draft creators and basketball experts do a NBA Draft lottery re-do, deciding what would happen if GMs knew last year what they know now. Check it out!
Possibly Related Posts:
By Paul M. Banks
When second place Illinois hosts first place Michigan State on Sunday, the battle for the Big Ten title will be yet another chapter in a decade familiar story. For the past ten years or so, the Illini and Spartans have met each other at the apex of the conference. In 1998 and 2001, they finished conference co-champions. In the latter season, they both earned #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. In 2005, both programs reached the Final Four. In ’99 and ’00, they met in the conference tournament title game, in ’06 they squared off in the semifinals. Last season, both reached the Big Ten tourney semis. At 3pm Sunday, CBS will nationally televise the #20 Illini (23-6, 11-5) hosting the #9 Spartans (22-5, 12-3).
A rivalry reminiscent of Chicago Bulls-Detroit Pistons is emerging. Once again a prairie state team finds a squad from the mighty mitten across the lake in their way. But you can’t compare this Big Ten rivalry to the conference’s most bitter blood-feud yet. The football acrimony between Ohio St. and Michigan, whose oligarchy over the rest of the conference during the ‘60s and ‘70s, made critics often refer to the Big 10 as “Big 2, little 8.” By contrast, the Illini and Spartans have had company at the top. During the “oughts” (the proper name for this decade) Wisconsin had the two best seasons in school history, and both Ohio St. and Indiana played for the National title.
However, [More …]
By Peter Christian
1. Detroit Lions Matt Stafford QB Georgia 
Stafford held his own at the NFL Scouting Combine by showing off his skills, strength and poise. He isn’t the best player overall in this draft but he does have a bright future at the QB position.
2. St. Louis Rams Jason Smith OT Baylor
At 6’5″, 305 lbs. Smith has great size but he will wow people with his athletic ability. The converted tight end is extremely agile and quick and will defend against speed rushers very well. Smith’s showing at the combine has likely helped him up draft boards around the league and is now getting consideration as the best Offensive Tackle available in some scout’s rankings.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest
Curry is being called the safest pick in this year’s draft. His size, speed and strength all translate very well to the NFL game and will make an immediate impact on which ever team’s lap Curry falls into.
4. Seattle Seahawks Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
The stress fracture and subsequent surgery has many scouts, coaches and GM’s, well, stressing about his value. However, the last two years of game film will likely ease some of that stress. The injury shouldn’t affect his value but it may cause team’s to proceed cautiously.
5. Cleveland Browns Brian Orakpo DE Texas [More …]
By Paul M. Banks, David K, & Peter Christian
1. Michigan State
-Momentum is on the Spartans side right now
-Izzo finally beat Bo
-If you can beat this team on the boards, you’ll likely go far come March
2.Purdue
-Getting healthy and regaining their chemistry at the perfect time
- 10-1 with Hummel in the line-up in conference play, 0-3 without him
-Cuonzo Martin must love this team
3. Illinois
-33 point games aside, they are playing well beyond expectations
- Gutsy performance in win at The Ohio State University
-3rd ranked scoring defense compensates for those nights when the motion offense stands still
4. Wisconsin
-Finally coming together to end the season.
- Trevon Hughes is terrible. I’m surprised Bo hasn’t strangled him yet.
-Sort of traded places with Michigan since January
5. Penn State
-Big Ten’s leading scorer and nearly 20 wins has to count for something, right?
- Hanging on the bubble by a thread
-Tailor Battle may have a porn star name, but he can ball
6. Minnesota
-Inconsistency is the new constant for Tubby’s team
- Only chance is when their defense is unstoppable
-41 points at Illinois, no bubbly in Champaign
7. Ohio State
-Nice win over Penn State almost helps forget the three consecutive losses by a combined 10 points
- Snapped 3-game skid in a crucial [More …]
By Peter Christian
About a week ago I had a revelation. A true vision that was so perfect it nearly made me cry in my car while driving into work. I have no idea why the thought penetrated the gray matter that is my brain, but the fact remains, it did.
For at least the last fifteen years there has been rumblings and whispers about the Big Ten athletic conference wanting to add a 12th team. The school that was always mentioned as a possibility was Notre Dame because of its natural and historic rivalries with Indiana, Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State, but financially it never made sense for the football program (they had their own TV contract, set their own schedule and had their own clause written into the Bowl Alliance and BCS agreements) and the basketball team was already a card carrying member of the Big East. Not to mention the fact that Notre Dame in the Big Ten would have just felt wrong. They are an elitist bunch of assholes that make the pretentious fans at Michigan and Ohio State look and sound ho-hum.
However, that still left the Big Ten a team short. Why does the conference need to add another team, you ask?
Twelve teams were needed for symmetry. Twelve teams were needed to divide the conference into divisions so that the conference could create a Big Ten Championship for football. Twelve teams would also help the conference in basketball to match up [More …]
“The Ball’s in Our Court”
By Paul M. Banks
-You know what they say, “lead with strength.” My interview of Soxman breaking down White Sox Spring Training was one of the most viewed and THE most commented article on the NBC Chicago homepage this past week. I don’t know if it’s the most commented ever, but I bet it’s close. You might recall us breaking the record for NBC 5 Street Team single post comments last summer with my recap of what happens when you shadow him for a game at the Cell.
-NBC Commenters of the week. Of the 65, here are some of the best that I saw
Cubs Fan
“As much as I love the Cubs I have to admit this guy is very entertaining and knows the game. Until we get an upgrade from Ronnie Woo Woo us Cubs fans just have to accept sox fans have us beat in this area. Congrats Sox fans.”
Tom
“I think the Soxman is one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. Great stuff by both. To the author for getting the Soxman interview to the Soxman for sharing the wisdom.”
Blue Boy
“Soxman Crede to the Twins. Is the world coming to an end? Thank god we know you would never leave us. Good job Mr. Banks.”
-Soxman should have his own “random thoughts” column here, like a baseball version of David K.’s “College Hoops 101.” So while we’re at let’s break [More …]
By: Quentin and David K.
TSB.net’s Quentin and David K. share their thoughts as they watch Marquette’s biggest game of the season, and a true test to see just how competitive MU can be come March Madness.
(Q) One minute in and we just heard that Buzz and Tom Crean “played phone tag all day.” Sounds about right for Indiana.
(DK) I think I just vomited a little bit in my mouth. Do you think Buzz sends Crean fire extinguishers once a week just in case he decides to light himself on fire?
(Q) Just wondering: where does UCONN get their offense from?
(DK) We can’t let A.J. Price go off. UConn is at their best when he is feeling it.
(Q) Isn’t the Marquette-gets-87%-of-its-offense-from-its-starters a bit overdone? How many teams have 4 guys who can put up 25+ on a given night?
(DK) What? We don’t have a bench? Really?
(Q) 30 seconds after we were told Stanley Robinson can’t shoot, Jimmy Butler fouls him on a jump shot pump-fake from beyond the free-throw line. Fantastic.
(DK) I am going to try and avoid making any jokes about Jim Calhoun’s press conference meltdown this past weekend.
(Q) 17:00 (left) – Marquette seems to be playing kind of dumb so far. Burke took a 12-footer which missed badly, the aforementioned Butler foul, giving up an easy alley-oop. I think it’s safe to say we’re a little too fired up right now.
(DK) Dwight Burke [More …]
By Paul M. Banks
Check it out! I’ll be guest hosting the Morning Break sports talk radio show on Friday, February 27th from 10am-noon AM 1240. Listen online, at work, or in your car and maybe call-in too 773 792 1240 http://www.morningbreak1240.com/.
We’ll be discussing Chicago sports, the beginning of baseball, the coming of March Madness, thesportsbank.net, maybe the Soxman and much more. Part of the reason we sports fans love watching our teams play is because we have plenty of people out there to discuss and debate the players and games that we find so compelling. So NBC and Sports Bank commenters, be sure to come on out and partake in the discussion on Friday!
Possibly Related Posts:
By Paul M. Banks
If there’s anything children of this age have had plenty of experience with, it’s cheating. When today’s youth seek role models, the National Pastime is certainly one place not to look. And our leaders in government aren’t much better.
With the recent admission of steroid guilt by Major League baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez, we now have an unholy trinity of the game’s best overall position player joining the era’s best hitter (Barry Bonds) and best pitcher (Roger Clemens), all being disgraced.
In terms of governance, here’s the special group I had ruling over me in 2008. On the Federal level: George W. Bush, state: Rod Blagojevich, congressional district: Rahm Emanuel (the dirt and grime on his record will be unveiled someday when they dissect the amazing rate of return he acquired on his investments), and the Chicago politics of the Daley machine on the city level.
The “Steroid Era” really took off in 1998 with the summer of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, but 2001 was probably the most unbelievably awful year possible as Bush, our worst ever president, took office, and Bonds ushered in a new low with his 73* homeruns.
George W. Bush=Barry Bonds
Gotta start at the top with the biggest most powerful players in each game, both of these trust fund babies were born with a lot of the blue chips they held during the heights of their careers. And the chip each one has on his shoulder is partially because [More …]
Peter Christian
thecallouts@gmail.com
By now, most loyal readers of TSB.net know what the Call-outs are and what they are about. However, I want to make it unmistakably clear that, although I do call people out in a callous and crass manner, that persona is not necessarily me (obviously it can be me, but most likely it depends on my impression of you). Because of the negative connotation associated with being Called Out I wanted to also include a new feature in the column that let people know what I enjoyed about this past week.
This week I enjoyed: Dekalb High School Basketball, Phoenix Suns, Lost, Esmailyn Gonzalez, Heroes, Andy Roddick, Ken Griffey Jr., Bill Smith, 81st Annual Academy Awards, NFL Scouting Combine
New York Rangers
I know the Rangers have history in the NHL (Original Six, elite franchise, blah blah blah) but who do they think they are? Why on earth would they show Tom Renney the door when he has turned the team from the laughing stock of the league into a perennial playoff team? Sure the Rangers started out hot and were thought to be a front runner for a division title and a recent sour streak has them stuck in a logjam among teams fighting for to even make the play-offs but is a 12 game slump a good reason to fire a coach who had led the team to a very solid record of 161-121-42 since he took over? The answer [More …]
By Paul M. Banks and Rikki Greenberg
Welcome to a new feature here at TSB where I’ll give you the highlights of the many Bruce Weber press conferences that I attend over the course of the season. As we get closer to March Madness, I’ll be publishing for you the most meaningful statements I’ve heard Weber make. Before we begin, I’ll let my apprentice Rikki set the scene and tell you more about the man.
It’s not every day that you meet someone with as much juice as Weber who just won his 150th game at Illinois on Sunday. The cuddly leader of the Fighting Illini (22-6, 10-5 Big Ten) is a man of many signature characteristics and achievements.
Perhaps the trademark of Coach Weber isn’t his long list of credentials or extensive collection of orange apparel, but the solid defense integrated into every team he’s been in charge of. This year’s squad ranks third nationally in scoring defense. Illinois ranked 19th in scoring defense last season and 11th the season before.
The quality guidance and hefty basketball knowledge is tripled in potency by Weber’s happy-go-lucky personality, intense love of the game and the carroty blazer he sometimes sports at some Illini games. However, the distinctive raspy voice (due to the removal of polyps on his vocal cords when Weber was a child) booming from a microphone is a great way to identify the coach.
Coach Weber’s vocal oddity, and the way he often needlessly yells into a [More …]
Our Site’s first podcast!!! Peter Christian hosts with David K. Listen here as the two hard-core sports geeks (and creators of The Sports Bank NBA and NFL Mock Drafts) discuss a multitude of topics including the NBA trade deadline, previewing March Madness, a whole host of college basketball topics, NBA and NFL mock drafts and much much more
Click the icon below to hear the inaugural edition of “The Deposit,” the first ever Sports Bank podcast
Possibly Related Posts:
By Melissa S. Wollering
It’s time to redeem yourself, GagMe. A gag rule forbids discussion of a particular topic. I instituted the gag rule when Eric Gagne ruined my life, namely when he used a plunger to push $10M down the drain while compiling a 5.44 ERA in 50 appearances.
Now he has a minor-league offer with big-league camp invite attached. If he makes the team, he gets $1.5M, possibly $3M in incentives. If that’s not enough to make you choke, here’s the arrogant son-of-a-jackal’s response:
“You look at your paycheck every two weeks and it’s like, ‘Man, that’s crazy what I get paid for,’ and you put pressure on yourself,” Gagne said. “I knew [Doug Melvin] took a chance on me last year…and it didn’t work out with me.”
You think? You pitch 6.98 for two months, go on the DL for your shoulder, then give up two homers and four runs against the Reds on July 12th and you’re shocked at fans’ boos? You’re the first EIGHT FIGURE reliever in the club’s history and still in utter befuddlement as to why we screamed like you murdered our mother?
There are only two open bullpen slots, so go duke it out with Jorge Julio, Todd Coffey, Eddie Morlan, Mark DiFelice and Tim Dillard. See if I care whether they tear you up. Gagne says he’s looking forward to playing with Trevor Hoffman. Funny, bet Hoffman’s not looking forward to playing with you. When Gagne retires, I’m throwing [More …]
By David K.
Welcome to a weekly article at thesportsbank.net where I will give you the 101 on what has happened in the week of college basketball and what is to come in the days ahead.
Rewind
-It’s becoming obvious that Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin will undoubtedly win Player of the Year honors. But the Sooners could actually complete the trifecta. Jeff Capel has to be one of the top names for Coach of the Year and after what Willie Warren did Saturday night against Texas, he has to be a top contender for Freshman of the Year. With Griffin out due to a concussion, Warren carried the Sooners on his back scoring 27 points in a five-point loss. If the tournament started today, I would probably pick Oklahoma to win it all.
-A 22 point, 23 rebound performance against Hasheem Thabeet has thurst DeJuan Blair into the National Player of the Year discussion. Blair absolutely owned the 7’3 Husky, as Thabeet fouled out in 23 minutes, finishing with just five points, four boards, and two blocks.
-ESPN’s Mike Patrick was off his game when calling Saturday’s Marquette-Georgetown game. He constantly misidentified players, gave credit to guys who weren’t even on the floor, and kept calling MU “the Warriors.” Seriously ESPN, hire me. I am sane and actually watch college basketball. (Yes, that shot could also be directed at Verne Lundquist and Brent Musburger, who I am convinced, takes naps during stretches of games that he is calling.)
By Peter Christian
1. Detroit Lions Matt Stafford QB Georgia
The first post-Millen draft is going to be important for the Lions. The team has plenty of holes to fill, but getting a stud QB will give the franchise a face to build around. The Lions are definitely thinking of taking an offensive tackle here and hoping to grab Sanchez with the 20th overall pick.
2. St. Louis Rams Andre Smith OT Alabama
Andre Smith is very large (6’4″, 330 lbs.) and is going to be a great run blocker in the NFL. There is question as to whether he is quick enough to handle the speed rushers off the edge at the pro level, which likely means he will be moved to right tackle.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest
There is little doubt that this pick will be a front seven defensive player. Between Curry and Brian Orakpo (DE – Texas) the Chiefs will likely decide based on their combine performances, however as of now Curry’s upside is higher.
4. Seattle Seahawks Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
It seems like the Seahawks haven’t had a reliable receiver since Steve Largent. Crabtree can be that reliable down field threat to help open up the rest of the offense.
5. Cleveland Browns Brian Orakpo DE Texas
Orakpo has the tools to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Some scouts and NFL junkies have said that he could be converted to an outside [More …]
By David K.
It is very rewarding to witness a team’s full potential be reached. To this point, an amazing season for Marquette has garnered them not only national attention, but national respect. At 22-4, they are ranked tenth nationally and are tied with Pitt, a half-game behind first place UConn in the Big East.
Since the season started, the final five games of the season have been dubbed as the true determining factor as to just how deep a run the Golden Eagles can make in the NCAA Tournament- time to face the gauntlet.
Plenty is at stake in these final five regular season games; most notably, a two-game bye directly into the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. This will be the first time that the conference has expanded their post-season tourney from 12 teams to all 16 Big East teams. The top four finishers won’t have to play until the quarterfinals while the 5th-8th place teams will get an opening round bye. As it sits right now, Marquette would get that much needed bye into the quarterfinals and more importantly, an extra day of rest for a team that usually only goes seven deep.
Thanks to recent struggles by Georgetown at Syracuse, and an injury to a key UConn starter, this stretch is not as daunting as it appeared it was going to be a month ago when all five up-coming opponents were ranked in the top 12. Still, the Golden Eagles face their toughest task [More …]
By David K. and Paul M. Banks
1. Purdue -Looking kind of like the Glenn Robinson/Cuonzo Martin years
-A healthy Robbie Hummel makes the difference in a convincing win against State
2. Michigan St. -Not deserving of a top ten national ranking, but dominating team on the glass
-Raymar Morgan is back, but still not 100%
3. Minnesota -It’s sad that I’m putting them this high
-cause somebody has to be here
4. Illinois -nation’s third ranked scoring defense will have to carry the load with schizophrenic offense
5. Wisconsin -They have “Bomentum” now
6. tie Penn State -shouldn’t put on dancing shoes just yet, but can slip on the dancing socks at least for now, – They continue to make their case of being Tourney worthy
Ohio St. -Who is Jon Diebler…the white Glen Rice?
-Evan Turner is the most talented player in the conference. Sorry Manny Harris.
8. Tie Northwestern – Back to reality after flirting with being a bubble team.
-Imagine what they could do if they add any decent big men, semblance of rebounding?
Michigan -Will need to run table in Indy to end decade long tourney drought
-5-1 odds they win the NIT
10. Iowa - Think Jess Settles can get an 8th year of college eligibility?
-Can they have a game with the score in the 60s, for once..please!
11. Indiana -basketball version of the Texas St. Armadillos in 1992 film “necessary roughness”
Lost [More …]
By David Palmer
Much has happened over the last month, the Steelers won the Super Bowl, A-Rod is a steroid junkie, Brett Favre retired again and Marquette basketball is setting up David K. for the inevitable, heart-breaking early first round exit come March. Let’s try to focus on some things you may have missed while practicing your pumpkin seed spitting for spring training.
-During this whole A-Rod crap-fest, there is one man who comes out smelling like roses- Roger Cossack. He is ESPN’s resident legal analyst. He gets a call anytime something controversial with legal ramifications comes up, and he is getting some serious face-time right now. I wish I had a lawyer on speed dial that I could call and ask hypothetical legal questions such as: Does Deron Williams need a restraining order against Paul M. Banks? Or if poppy seeds make you test positive for opiates, why didn’t Darryl Strawberry just eat poppy seed bagels all the time and blame any positive test results on that?
-Lingo is one TV show that has sucked me in for the last few weeks, I can’t get enough of it. It is on the Game Show Network pretty much whenever Millionaire isn’t. The best part is openly rooting for each team to fail miserably. It is high comedy watching these idiots try to figure out five letter words. The entertainment value is also directly proportionate to the bra size of the assistant that host Chuck Woolery is clearly sleeping [More …]
By Melissa & Jason Wollering
As teams everywhere tighten their purse strings, it appeared owner Mark Attanasio and GM Doug Melvin would halt spending and let go of any desires to sign another free-agent starter. That was a loopy assumption.
This week the Crew signed Braden Looper to what sounds like a one-year, approximately $4.75M deal with a mutual second-year option. That may restrict the team’s flexibility mid-season, but the ROI now might give the Brewers a guy who will soon lead the team in IP.
Looper threw 199 innings last season for the Cards, going 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA in 33 starts. In comparison, D. Bush was tops with 185 in ‘08. Brew Crew Ball says, stat-for-stat, Looper is slightly worse than Dave Bush. That makes a guy feel better. At any rate, Looper’s entrance likely signals McClung’s spot in the bullpen at long relief. Financially, this puts the Crew’s payroll near the $90M mark. Here’s the breakdown:
Estimated 2008 Opening Day Payroll: $85,912,499
Projected 25-Man (26 until we axe 1) Active Roster (2009):
Under Contract:
SP Braden Looper: $4.75M
SP Dave Bush: $4 M
SP Seth McClung: $1.66M
SP Jeff Suppan: $12.5 M
C Jason Kendall: $4.6 M
1B Prince Fielder: $6.5 M
2B Craig Counsell: $1 M
2B Rickie Weeks: $2.45 M
3B Bill Hall: $6.8 M
3B Mike Lamb: $.4 M
SS J.J. Hardy: $4.65 M
OF Ryan Braun: $.745 M
