By Zach Mentz
It’s that time of year again. The NCAA basketball tournament is well underway and the entire nation is completely captivated. Brackets are being shredded, money being lost, and tears are being shed (in severe cases).
The madness began this year on Sunday, March 14th. College basketball teams and their fans all over the nation waited anxiously for their tournament fate to be decided on what is now known as “Selection Sunday.” Some bubbles were burst and some prayers were answered. Traditional powerhouses such as Connecticut and North Carolina were left out of the tournament while in the meantime lesser known teams such as Murray State and St. Marys made the field of sixty five with automatic bids by winning their respective conferences.
Yes that’s right. In case you did not know, the NCAA tournament fields sixty five teams each year to compete for the national championship. That is a boatload of basketball to be played and makes for even more opportunities for players to become heroes and history to be written.
If sixty five teams are not enough, how many teams deserve to get in? 96? 128? Or how about we let every team in and have a huge free for all for the national championship?
My response: Leave the tournament alone! There are those who argue that the NCAA tournament is not big enough and that it needs to be expanded. Excuse me, but how is sixty five teams not enough? Of the 65 spots in your bracket, 31 are automatically assigned to conference champions, leaving 34 spots for "at large" teams to be selected based on their performance throughout the course of the season.
Now there are 347 teams in D1 college basketball, so some argue that only 65 of those 347 teams making the tournament (just under 20%) is not nearly enough. The MLB lets 27% of teams in postseason and they are constantly criticized for needing to add teams to postseason play. So to some people, less than 20% of teams getting in to the NCAA basketball tournament just doesn’t sound right. To me though, it sounds just right.
The month of March in the world of sports is already dedicated to the NCAA tournament, thus the term “March Madness.” I have absolutely no problem with the way the tournament is currently set up and I have never thought anything needed to be changed. I don’t ever remember sitting in front of the television thinking to myself “This tournament needs an overhaul.” Sixty five teams are plenty to let compete for a national championship. If you can’t prove over the course of the regular season that you are one of the most deserving sixty five teams in the nation, then realistically you probably don’t have a chance at winning the national championship anyways. And that is the goal after all, isn’t it?
. The NCAA tournament may not be perfect, but it definitely is not broken either. The goal of the tournament is to make sure that the best team wins the national championship year in and year out, and I think it is fair to say that that has consistently happened time and time again. Too often in America we try to fix things that don’t need fixing. Until the NCAA tournament loses popularity and no one decides to watch it (which will not happen anytime soon), lets hold off on shaking things up. Bottom line: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
USA Hockey sets new precedent
By Zach Mentz
For one Sunday here in the United States, America was a hockey nation. Hockey, which has always been the ugly brother to football, baseball, and basketball in America, compelled a nation and brought us together as a country, if even for only one day.
While the USA did not win the gold medal in the 2010 winter Olympics at Vancouver, they did win the silver medal. Team USA also had the entire country of Canada on their heels when USA’s Zach Parise forced overtime with a goal with less than thirty seconds to play against Canada in the gold medal game.
America has never been known as a “hockey country”, and in all honesty never will be. America has only won two gold medals in hockey, the first time in 1960 and the most recent gold medal came in 1980, the year of the “Miracle on Ice.” Since the first gold medal winning in 1960, America only has a total of five medals won in ice hockey in the winter Olympics.
The USA finished in eight place four years ago at the winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Expectations have never been high for the USA in ice hockey at the Olympics due to past results and our inability to compete in international play. My point is, finishing with a silver medal and a five and one record, including a 5-3 romping over Canada in the preliminaries, is much more than anyone expected before the games began.
At the beginning of the tournament, team USA was not considered by many, if anyone, to be considered a favorite to medal in the Olympics. With that being said, it is bedazzling to think that team USA could take Canada, a country that is known across the globe as a hockey country, into overtime in the gold medal game and narrowly lose by only a score of 3-2.
Of course the USA players are going to be disappointed in themselves with the loss. They wanted the goal medal, not the silver medal. The loss to team Canada in the gold medal game was their only loss of the Olympics and couldn’t have come at a worse time. It is a loss that will stick with these players for the rest of their lives. A gold medal would have been unbelievable achievement, but finishing second to team Canada in a nail biter is nothing to be ashamed of. It seems as if the silver medal has become last place and the bronze medal now feels like second place. A silver medal in any competition is an impressive accomplishment, but when you come as close to gold as the USA hockey team did, silver doesn’t quite cut it. But for a country that keeps hockey on the backburner when it comes to sports, does the success team USA had this winter at the 2010 winter Olympics set the table for future US teams?
Perhaps the United States will now be considered a legitimate contender when it comes to international competition. Maybe the USA can begin to creep in to the conversation when talking about legitimate contenders in international play. Compared to other traditional powerhouse such as Canada, Russia, and Sweden, the USA has always been considered inferior. Maybe though this 2010 Olympic USA hockey team has changed all of that. Only time will tell whether or not future USA squads can feed off of this years impressive run.
For one Sunday here in the United States, America was a hockey nation. Hockey, which has always been the ugly brother to football, baseball, and basketball in America, compelled a nation and brought us together as a country, if even for only one day.
While the USA did not win the gold medal in the 2010 winter Olympics at Vancouver, they did win the silver medal. Team USA also had the entire country of Canada on their heels when USA’s Zach Parise forced overtime with a goal with less than thirty seconds to play against Canada in the gold medal game.
America has never been known as a “hockey country”, and in all honesty never will be. America has only won two gold medals in hockey, the first time in 1960 and the most recent gold medal came in 1980, the year of the “Miracle on Ice.” Since the first gold medal winning in 1960, America only has a total of five medals won in ice hockey in the winter Olympics.
The USA finished in eight place four years ago at the winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Expectations have never been high for the USA in ice hockey at the Olympics due to past results and our inability to compete in international play. My point is, finishing with a silver medal and a five and one record, including a 5-3 romping over Canada in the preliminaries, is much more than anyone expected before the games began.
At the beginning of the tournament, team USA was not considered by many, if anyone, to be considered a favorite to medal in the Olympics. With that being said, it is bedazzling to think that team USA could take Canada, a country that is known across the globe as a hockey country, into overtime in the gold medal game and narrowly lose by only a score of 3-2.
Of course the USA players are going to be disappointed in themselves with the loss. They wanted the goal medal, not the silver medal. The loss to team Canada in the gold medal game was their only loss of the Olympics and couldn’t have come at a worse time. It is a loss that will stick with these players for the rest of their lives. A gold medal would have been unbelievable achievement, but finishing second to team Canada in a nail biter is nothing to be ashamed of. It seems as if the silver medal has become last place and the bronze medal now feels like second place. A silver medal in any competition is an impressive accomplishment, but when you come as close to gold as the USA hockey team did, silver doesn’t quite cut it. But for a country that keeps hockey on the backburner when it comes to sports, does the success team USA had this winter at the 2010 winter Olympics set the table for future US teams?
Perhaps the United States will now be considered a legitimate contender when it comes to international competition. Maybe the USA can begin to creep in to the conversation when talking about legitimate contenders in international play. Compared to other traditional powerhouse such as Canada, Russia, and Sweden, the USA has always been considered inferior. Maybe though this 2010 Olympic USA hockey team has changed all of that. Only time will tell whether or not future USA squads can feed off of this years impressive run.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Kobe Bryant: Greatest Laker Ever?
He was seventeen years old when his career began. The first guard to ever be drafted straight out of high school, Kobe Bryant, is considered among the greatest players of his generation. Bryant, also known as the “Black Mamba”, has officially passed NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West as the all time leading scorer in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history. With such an impressive achievement, this only raises the question that sports shows and journalists will be debating until the end of time; is Kobe Bryant the greatest Laker of all time?
The top ten scorers in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history are (in order) Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Gail Goodrich, Byron Scott, and Jamaal Wilkes. That list includes not only some of the greatest players in Lakers franchise history, but also some of the greatest players in history of the National Basketball Association. The irony about Bryant recently passing NBA logo-man Jerry West on the list is that West was the one responsible for bringing Bryant to Los Angeles. Bryant was drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets. Shortly after, then Lakers general manager West traded his then starting center Vlade Divac to the Hornets for Bryant. Since Bryant was only seventeen years old upon entering the league, his parents had to co-sign on the contract with Los Angeles. The rest, they say, is history.
Throughout Bryants career, he has drawn comparisons to former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan. Both are 6’6 shooting guards who are known for being electric scorers and clutch playmakers. Both have won more than their fair of championships titles (Bryant with four and Jordan with six) and both have been coached by perhaps the best coach in the history of basketball, Phil Jackson. Jordan is widely considered the best player in the history of the sport, and Bryant is considered by many the best player of the last decade. So once again this poses the question; if Bryant is talented enough to be compared to the greatest player of all-time, is it fair to say that Bryant has taken the spot as the best in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers?
My answer: Not yet. Magic Johnson is the best player in Lakers history, for now. Yes, Bryant is the all time leading scorer in Lakers history. Yes, Bryant has won four titles while with the Lakers and appeared in twelve NBA All-Star games. He has also won the Most Valuable Player trophy as well as an NBA Finals MVP trophy as well. The list of accolades to his name goes on and on for days, but he isn’t the best in Lakers history, yet. I say “yet” because I believe when Kobe decides to hang it up, he will be considered the best player in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, and perhaps the entire NBA.
Let’s not forget though, Bryant is still in his prime. He is only thirty-one years old and is arguably the best player in the league. Kobe still has another five to seven years left to play. He could easily win another title or two (at least) during that time, not to mention any other awards he may rack up over the span of another five to seven years. He is still adding to his legacy. Magic Johnson has already completed his legacy.
Magic was a 6’9 point guard who could play any position on the floor, and play it well. Magic won five titles with the Lakers and was named the Finals MVP three different times. His first Finals MVP aware came during his rookie year in 1980 when Johnson scored 42 points, grabbed fifteen rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the Lakers to a game six win over the Julius Erving led Philadelphia 76ers to clinch the series.
Johnson is also a three time regular season MVP and a twelve time All-Star. You might ask: How can Magic be the best player in Lakers history when he was fifth on the Lakers all time scoring list and Bryant was first? Well the answer is simple, really. Magic didn’t just score, he did it all. He was one of the most complete players in NBA history. Over the duration of his career, Johnson played in 905 games; all for the Lakers. Over that span, Johnson averaged over nineteen points per game, over seven rebounds per game, and over eleven assists per game. For anyone to average close to a triple-double over the course of a season is impressive. To continue that level of play for an entire career is astonishing. For a point guard to do it is something we may never see again.
Like Bryant, the list of accomplishments goes on and on for Magic. You could definitely argue that Bryant is the best Los Angeles Laker of all time. However, I don’t think we can give that title to someone who is still in their prime, especially considering the other candidates.
Lets wait and see how Bryant finishes his career before we get ahead of ourselves. As I said, I do believe Bryant will ultimately be the better player when it is all said and done. For now though, Bryant is the second best player in Lakers franchise history behind Magic Johnson.
The top ten scorers in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history are (in order) Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Gail Goodrich, Byron Scott, and Jamaal Wilkes. That list includes not only some of the greatest players in Lakers franchise history, but also some of the greatest players in history of the National Basketball Association. The irony about Bryant recently passing NBA logo-man Jerry West on the list is that West was the one responsible for bringing Bryant to Los Angeles. Bryant was drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets. Shortly after, then Lakers general manager West traded his then starting center Vlade Divac to the Hornets for Bryant. Since Bryant was only seventeen years old upon entering the league, his parents had to co-sign on the contract with Los Angeles. The rest, they say, is history.
Throughout Bryants career, he has drawn comparisons to former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan. Both are 6’6 shooting guards who are known for being electric scorers and clutch playmakers. Both have won more than their fair of championships titles (Bryant with four and Jordan with six) and both have been coached by perhaps the best coach in the history of basketball, Phil Jackson. Jordan is widely considered the best player in the history of the sport, and Bryant is considered by many the best player of the last decade. So once again this poses the question; if Bryant is talented enough to be compared to the greatest player of all-time, is it fair to say that Bryant has taken the spot as the best in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers?
My answer: Not yet. Magic Johnson is the best player in Lakers history, for now. Yes, Bryant is the all time leading scorer in Lakers history. Yes, Bryant has won four titles while with the Lakers and appeared in twelve NBA All-Star games. He has also won the Most Valuable Player trophy as well as an NBA Finals MVP trophy as well. The list of accolades to his name goes on and on for days, but he isn’t the best in Lakers history, yet. I say “yet” because I believe when Kobe decides to hang it up, he will be considered the best player in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, and perhaps the entire NBA.
Let’s not forget though, Bryant is still in his prime. He is only thirty-one years old and is arguably the best player in the league. Kobe still has another five to seven years left to play. He could easily win another title or two (at least) during that time, not to mention any other awards he may rack up over the span of another five to seven years. He is still adding to his legacy. Magic Johnson has already completed his legacy.
Magic was a 6’9 point guard who could play any position on the floor, and play it well. Magic won five titles with the Lakers and was named the Finals MVP three different times. His first Finals MVP aware came during his rookie year in 1980 when Johnson scored 42 points, grabbed fifteen rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the Lakers to a game six win over the Julius Erving led Philadelphia 76ers to clinch the series.
Johnson is also a three time regular season MVP and a twelve time All-Star. You might ask: How can Magic be the best player in Lakers history when he was fifth on the Lakers all time scoring list and Bryant was first? Well the answer is simple, really. Magic didn’t just score, he did it all. He was one of the most complete players in NBA history. Over the duration of his career, Johnson played in 905 games; all for the Lakers. Over that span, Johnson averaged over nineteen points per game, over seven rebounds per game, and over eleven assists per game. For anyone to average close to a triple-double over the course of a season is impressive. To continue that level of play for an entire career is astonishing. For a point guard to do it is something we may never see again.
Like Bryant, the list of accomplishments goes on and on for Magic. You could definitely argue that Bryant is the best Los Angeles Laker of all time. However, I don’t think we can give that title to someone who is still in their prime, especially considering the other candidates.
Lets wait and see how Bryant finishes his career before we get ahead of ourselves. As I said, I do believe Bryant will ultimately be the better player when it is all said and done. For now though, Bryant is the second best player in Lakers franchise history behind Magic Johnson.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
And here it is, the grand daddy of them all - Superbowl 44!
I remember when I first started watching football. I was eleven years old. It was 2002. The Oakland Raiders were one of footballs best teams and for some odd reason, I fell in love with a team on the complete opposite side of the country. Why? Well, Oakland was good. Plain and simple. And what do you know? My new found favorite team had defeated the Titans in the AFC championship game and were now playing in the Superbowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The ultimate match-up of offense vs. defense. Little did I know, defense wins championships. Long story short, Tampa Bay ran a train on Oakland and intercepted my all time favorite player Rich Gannon five times, taking three picks back to the house. I still have a deep hatred for Tampa Bay. And Jon Gruden, damn you. You had our playbook in your back pocket and sent my team in to a complete downward spiral. All in all, my first Superbowl was very forgettable.
Seven years later and look where we are. Saints vs. Colts. Manning vs. Brees. The consistently dominant Colts vs. Americas sweetheart Saints.
I, like many people, would like to see New Orleans win. For a team that was at absolute rock bottom less than five years ago, it is amazing to think that a franchise that is used to being found at the bottom of the standings can now be found in Miami, Florida, as the Saints are less than twenty four hours away from arguably the biggest game in the history of their franchise.
The Colts on the other hand, are a completely different story. Perhaps the "team of the decade", the Colts are known for doing one thing consistently: winning. Peyton Manning has been the face of that franchise ever since he was drafted in 1998. He hasn't even retired yet and he is considered by some to be the greatest quarterback of all time. From my viewpoint, a second Superbowl win (his first in 2007 over the Chicago Bears) would almost solidify his spot as the best quarterback in the history of the NFL, and maybe the best player in the history of the NFL. Anyways, before I get ahead of myself, why don't I just start talking about the actual game itself.
Indianapolis comes in to the game as the favorites. My heart says New Orleans, but my head says Indianapolis. My heart also led me to like Oakland. Besides that though, a wise man once said "Never pick against Peyton Manning". Who said that? Probably plenty of wise men.
Never underestimate a team that has as much to play for as the Saints do. I'm not saying the Colts have nothing to play for, but lets be honest, I think its obvious how badly the Saints want to bring a Superbowl trophy back to New Orleans.
Dwight Freeney, even if he plays, will not be that effective. Reggie Wayne banging his knee up even more does not help either. But look at who would replace each (assuming neither can play, which is very unlikely). Raheem Brock will get more snaps at defensive end in absence of Freeney. Brock is a proven NFL veteran who can be an X factor with his play in this game. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have transformed from rookies who have potential to legitimate threats on the outside. You definitely have to keep an eye on these guys throughout the game. Did I mention a guy named Dallas Clark? Yeah, he's pretty good too.
New Orleans is known for doing two things: scoring points and forcing turnovers. Drew Brees and this offense can score points in a hurry, so you better be ready to respond. Reggie Bush can change the game in one play, whether it be a punt return, a screen on the outside, or anything else. Darren Sharper is an absolute game changer on the defensive side of the ball for New Orleans. Don't be surprised if he gets the best of Peyton for at least one play and picks off a Manning throw. Sharper is just that good.
All in all, this is what was the deciding factor for me. The Colts, this season, have tried to win fifteen games. They have won just that, fifteen games. I have to go with my head here and I'm taking the Colts, but they won't cover the spread which is 5.5
Colts 34, Saints 30
That's it for me tonight folks. Be sure to follow me on Twitter! For now I'm off to go relax. Doesn't sound like much but hey, I rarely find time to just sit down and chill. Taking advantage of it while I can!
Aloha, World.
Seven years later and look where we are. Saints vs. Colts. Manning vs. Brees. The consistently dominant Colts vs. Americas sweetheart Saints.
I, like many people, would like to see New Orleans win. For a team that was at absolute rock bottom less than five years ago, it is amazing to think that a franchise that is used to being found at the bottom of the standings can now be found in Miami, Florida, as the Saints are less than twenty four hours away from arguably the biggest game in the history of their franchise.
The Colts on the other hand, are a completely different story. Perhaps the "team of the decade", the Colts are known for doing one thing consistently: winning. Peyton Manning has been the face of that franchise ever since he was drafted in 1998. He hasn't even retired yet and he is considered by some to be the greatest quarterback of all time. From my viewpoint, a second Superbowl win (his first in 2007 over the Chicago Bears) would almost solidify his spot as the best quarterback in the history of the NFL, and maybe the best player in the history of the NFL. Anyways, before I get ahead of myself, why don't I just start talking about the actual game itself.
Indianapolis comes in to the game as the favorites. My heart says New Orleans, but my head says Indianapolis. My heart also led me to like Oakland. Besides that though, a wise man once said "Never pick against Peyton Manning". Who said that? Probably plenty of wise men.
Never underestimate a team that has as much to play for as the Saints do. I'm not saying the Colts have nothing to play for, but lets be honest, I think its obvious how badly the Saints want to bring a Superbowl trophy back to New Orleans.
Dwight Freeney, even if he plays, will not be that effective. Reggie Wayne banging his knee up even more does not help either. But look at who would replace each (assuming neither can play, which is very unlikely). Raheem Brock will get more snaps at defensive end in absence of Freeney. Brock is a proven NFL veteran who can be an X factor with his play in this game. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have transformed from rookies who have potential to legitimate threats on the outside. You definitely have to keep an eye on these guys throughout the game. Did I mention a guy named Dallas Clark? Yeah, he's pretty good too.
New Orleans is known for doing two things: scoring points and forcing turnovers. Drew Brees and this offense can score points in a hurry, so you better be ready to respond. Reggie Bush can change the game in one play, whether it be a punt return, a screen on the outside, or anything else. Darren Sharper is an absolute game changer on the defensive side of the ball for New Orleans. Don't be surprised if he gets the best of Peyton for at least one play and picks off a Manning throw. Sharper is just that good.
All in all, this is what was the deciding factor for me. The Colts, this season, have tried to win fifteen games. They have won just that, fifteen games. I have to go with my head here and I'm taking the Colts, but they won't cover the spread which is 5.5
Colts 34, Saints 30
That's it for me tonight folks. Be sure to follow me on Twitter! For now I'm off to go relax. Doesn't sound like much but hey, I rarely find time to just sit down and chill. Taking advantage of it while I can!
Aloha, World.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)