By Paul M. Banks 1. Michigan St. 19-4, 9-2 -Izzo’s squads usually get better as the season goes along, and can be very dangerous in March. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. 2. Illinois 19-5, 7-4 -Given what an awful road team they are, hard to place them here, but no one else has protected their home court like the I-L-L. And they just clobber people at … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings
Archives for February 2009
Great Hawks Players You haven’t heard of
By Paul M. Banks Now that being a Chicago Blackhawks fan is as trendy now as it was in the 60s during the franchise’s glory days, the team’s marquee players: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and (to a lesser extent) Brian Campbell are all essentially local celebrities. But this team has some other All-Star level talent that you’ve never heard of. They’re currently fourth in the … [Read more...] about Great Hawks Players You haven’t heard of
A-Rod or A-Roid: a fraud?
By Soxman Baseball’s best should officially earmark history Is it just me or are you beginning to feel like there may not be a Santa Claus or that professional wrestling might be fake? For this baseball fan, Alex Rodriguez’s admission to using performance enhancing drugs put every truth in doubt. I remember that when Barry Bonds’ HR records were officially tarnished, … [Read more...] about A-Rod or A-Roid: a fraud?
The Quenneville Effect
By Paul M. Banks When Denis Savard was fired from his position as Head Coach of the Chicago Blackhawks coach just four games into this season, many people criticized the decision. Most were ubercritical about the timing. Savard was a sentimental fan favorite despite a 1-2-1 record on the young season. Today however, the decision to insert Joel Quenneville in place of “Savvy” … [Read more...] about The Quenneville Effect
Q & A with Coach Q.
Paul M. Banks interviews Joel Quenneville Quenneville talked about the team's recent skid, following the franchise record winning streak that preceeded it... “I think the whole process is going to be good for us, during that stretch pucks were going in for us left and right, but lately they’re all low scoring affairs and we have to be ready to play that game because … [Read more...] about Q & A with Coach Q.
Bears should corner market on Asomugha
By Rikki Greenberg The Bears have problems. So many that it's depressing to go into, but TSB informs no matter how disheartening the story may be. One of the problems the Bears face is a depleted and weak secondary. Every opponent the Bears defense faced this season knew they had a decent chance of putting up big numbers because the secondary failed to stop many of the … [Read more...] about Bears should corner market on Asomugha
2009 NFL Mock Draft
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. 2. St. Louis Rams Eugene Monroe OT Virginia Many people thought that the Rams missed out last season by not taking an … [Read more...] about 2009 NFL Mock Draft
Illini Need a Closer!
By Paul M. Banks Remember the Bulls glory years, when Michael Jordan was the finest late game finisher? When somebody had to be the team’s go-to guy and knock down the big shot, MJ was the Bulls’ assassin. The 21st ranked Illini lack this quality- a true ‘balla” to close games out, a star carrying this team on their back when necessary. I asked Head Coach Bruce Weber if … [Read more...] about Illini Need a Closer!
Big Ten power Rankings
By the TSB staff. Welcome to a new weekly feature here at The Sports Bank. Every site out there gives you professional team power rankings, and in college sports you have the national polls, but what about Big Ten power rankings? We fill that gap- especially in a year of extreme competitive balance. The number following the respective records indicates the points obtained … [Read more...] about Big Ten power Rankings
National Signing Dayapalooza
By Paul M. Banks National Signing Day, college football’s version of the NFL draft, continues to grow in popularity each year. The everyday causal football fan has now joined the hardcore college football nerd in following the day’s events. There are even parties thrown at sports bars and restaurants in honor of the event. Yes indeed, there are that many people interested … [Read more...] about National Signing Dayapalooza