Speaking from experience the injury to Kevin Ware during the Louisville-Duke game was one of the most gruesome injuries that I have seen or witnessed.
Now I had the exact same injury that Ware had minus the fact that Ware's bone was sticking through the skin.
If you haven't seen the video its online on the Yahoo home page but be warned its really graphic.
When I broke the same bones during my senior year of high school they had to place a rod and screws down the bone to set it. I've heard reports that say he could be back in 3 months if all goes perfect but speaking from experience it is more like a 5-7 month recovery process; and that is just to get back to some mussel in the calf and thing.
To get back to the level of play it will take most likely 8-10 months to get back to were he was at.
No matter how devastating the injury one thing comes to mind when you see the video and that is if the game was not played on an elevated court would the injury have happen or been as severe.
If you watch the video you see that Ware realizes if he keeps running like a normal basketball play and not try to stop mid air he would have landed in the bench a few feet below the court. The second thing you could see was Ware tried to spot his landing and that is when he lands awkwardly. Elevated courts have been all the rage because of the possibility that the NCAA tournament could be played in bigger venues, but the elevated floors now present possible unforeseen problems.
I'm not saying the floor cause the injury, but it could have contributed.
All the best to Ware in his recovery because it is going to be a long and painful road.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Elite Eight part 1
The first half of the elite eight is set with Marquette, Ohio State, Syracuse and Wichita State all moving on from the sweet 16.
How we got there:
VS 
Marquette dominated from start to finish and the Hurricanes where never really in the ball game. The loss of backup center Reggie Johnson cost the U dearly as they where outrebounded, but the most important stat was the fact that the Golden Eagles defense held Miami to 16 first half points for a 13 point half time lead.
The second half was much closer, with the Hurricanes actually outscoring the Eagles by three but the first half defense was to much to overcome.
VS
4 Syracuse 61 vs. 1 Indiana 50:
The Men of Orange once again showed what kind of havoc the 2-3 zone can do to teams. The Hoosiers' Victor Oladipo 5-of-6 from the field did a great job of scoring and creating his own shot but the rest of the team went a combined 11-of-41 from the field and never got into a rhythm. On the opposite side Micheal Carter-Williams tore apart Indiana's defense for the tune of 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting, getting into the lane at will.
VS 
9 Wichita State 72 VS 13 La Salle 58:
Despite its best efforts La Salle couldn't match the inside presence of Wichita State and the Shockers dominated the glass 47 to 29 and cruised to the win. The magical run for the Shockers continues while the Explores did their best to duplicate VCU's performance from 2010 but fell two games short.
VS 
2 Ohio State 73 VS 6 Arizona 70:
The most exciting and closest game of the day came between the Wildcats and the Buckeyes. Almost a week after Aaron Craft drained a 3 with .5 seconds left to lead Ohio State to the win against Iowa State, LaQuinton Ross drained a 3 with two seconds to go to send the Wildcats home in defeat. Despite leading for most of the game 'Zona could not hang on down the stretch.
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Sweet 16!
Well the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament is in the books and if you had a 12, 13 and 15 seeds in the Sweet 16 then you have most likely secured the bracket challenge for your office pool.
This has been by far the most exciting NCAA tournament that I can remember and trust me I have been watching this tournament since the day I was born. One of my first memories is sitting in a high chair with a UNLV tee-shirt on and chanting Runnin' Rebels, if you don't believe me ask my Mom because I guess its on video or something.
So never in my 22 years of life have I seen an underdog team like the Atlantic Sun Champion Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Eagles are playing with the confidence and swagger of a Number 1 seed, not some low level division 1 team that no one gave a shot to advance past round 2.
FGCU has not only become the first 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16 ever they have done it, by blowing out the two teams they have played thus far.
In their first two games the Eagles have used runs of 21-2 and 17-0 in the second halves to turn close games into blowouts. With runs like that FGCU has been playing like the favorite and blown out an inferior opponent not the underdog that had to win the Atlantic Sun just to make the tournament and its not like they have just been on fire from beyond the 3-point line they have down it with reckless abandonment.
Brent Comer is turning into the tournament darling with his passing ability and his court vision. The sophomore sees passes that the normal basketball player would never see, let alone attempt to throw a over the shoulder, falling out of bounds alley-opp, clinging to a late lead against Georgetown. That was just the first pass he made. Against San Diego State he set up Eric McKnight for a vicious throw down in the first half that nearly blew the top off the Wells Fargo Center.
The most impressive pass to me, however, came in the second half on a fast break where a driving Comer, threw precision bounce pass to a player behind him for an easy layup. Take that in for a minute he threw a prefect bounce pass, in traffic, to a player he couldn't even see.
Sherwood Brown is hitting 3's, dunks and turn-around jumpers in the post and after every score runs down the court with his tongue out, celebrating like its the first basket of the game.
Bernard Thompson is averaging 23 points in the tournament and Chase Fieler is throwing down dunks over players like its nothing.
Now, while all the talk has been on the offensive end of the floor the really story is on the defensive end. The Eagles have forced 34 turnovers in the two games. 34 turnovers against Georgetown and San Diego State two teams that hadn't really turned the ball over that much this season. The defense has allowed the Eagles to run and play their high flying style of play. Without their defense, they don't get out on the break and throw down the dunks that have highlighted the tournament thus far.
This magical run shouldn't come as a surprise, however, this team beat a Miami team that won the ACC over powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, but they also have two losses to lowly Lipscomb.
Next up is big brother Florida. The Gators already have losses to non-tournament teams Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, thus proving vulnerable to an upset. If the Eagles play like they have been this game is going to be close and FGCU may make some more history.
This has been by far the most exciting NCAA tournament that I can remember and trust me I have been watching this tournament since the day I was born. One of my first memories is sitting in a high chair with a UNLV tee-shirt on and chanting Runnin' Rebels, if you don't believe me ask my Mom because I guess its on video or something.
So never in my 22 years of life have I seen an underdog team like the Atlantic Sun Champion Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Eagles are playing with the confidence and swagger of a Number 1 seed, not some low level division 1 team that no one gave a shot to advance past round 2.
FGCU has not only become the first 15 seed to advance to the Sweet 16 ever they have done it, by blowing out the two teams they have played thus far.
In their first two games the Eagles have used runs of 21-2 and 17-0 in the second halves to turn close games into blowouts. With runs like that FGCU has been playing like the favorite and blown out an inferior opponent not the underdog that had to win the Atlantic Sun just to make the tournament and its not like they have just been on fire from beyond the 3-point line they have down it with reckless abandonment.
Brent Comer is turning into the tournament darling with his passing ability and his court vision. The sophomore sees passes that the normal basketball player would never see, let alone attempt to throw a over the shoulder, falling out of bounds alley-opp, clinging to a late lead against Georgetown. That was just the first pass he made. Against San Diego State he set up Eric McKnight for a vicious throw down in the first half that nearly blew the top off the Wells Fargo Center.
The most impressive pass to me, however, came in the second half on a fast break where a driving Comer, threw precision bounce pass to a player behind him for an easy layup. Take that in for a minute he threw a prefect bounce pass, in traffic, to a player he couldn't even see.
Sherwood Brown is hitting 3's, dunks and turn-around jumpers in the post and after every score runs down the court with his tongue out, celebrating like its the first basket of the game.
Bernard Thompson is averaging 23 points in the tournament and Chase Fieler is throwing down dunks over players like its nothing.
Now, while all the talk has been on the offensive end of the floor the really story is on the defensive end. The Eagles have forced 34 turnovers in the two games. 34 turnovers against Georgetown and San Diego State two teams that hadn't really turned the ball over that much this season. The defense has allowed the Eagles to run and play their high flying style of play. Without their defense, they don't get out on the break and throw down the dunks that have highlighted the tournament thus far.
This magical run shouldn't come as a surprise, however, this team beat a Miami team that won the ACC over powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, but they also have two losses to lowly Lipscomb.
Next up is big brother Florida. The Gators already have losses to non-tournament teams Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, thus proving vulnerable to an upset. If the Eagles play like they have been this game is going to be close and FGCU may make some more history.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Cinderella: Why I love/hate March Madness
Ok, so a few days ago, I gave you guys my bracket and picks for the NCAA tournament. If you read my blog you now I had New Mexico going all the way to the Final Four before lossing to Louisville. I thought that was a good pick the Lobos had the number 2 Strength of Schedule and a top 5 RPI, however, I should have know that they were just a flash in the pan because of an early season loss to Nate Waltors and South Dakota State.
I thought they had over come that and would finally meet expectations, but Harvard had other plans. The men from the IVY league who lost their top two players well before the season began because of a cheating schandel, led for nearly the entire game and gave UM fits all night. New Mexico had their chances to win the game, especially late in the second half when Harvard went on an eight minute drought without hitting a field goal, but the Lobos looked sluggish and couldn't get over the hump.
I'm not the only one who had the Lobos going far either, upwards of 95% of Americans that participated in the Bracket Challenge on ESPN and Yahoo had New Mexico winning against Harvard.
With almost everyone's bracket busted I hope Harvard goes far and gives people a Cinderella team that makes a run to the sweet 16. Now they have to beat a Arizona team that looked down right ridiculous in their game against Belmont so its a tough task but hey they did it once why can't they do it again.
The Harvard/New Mexico game also epitomizes why I love/hate March Madness. I'm in an office bracket pool and my competitive edge wants to win the bragging rights but man do I love upsets in the tournament. When New Mexico went down I was pissed up excited at the same time because a high seed had finally lost in the tournament. We came close early in the day with Davidson blowing the lead to Marquette late and then watching it slip away on a last second lay-up but until Harvard no big upsets had occurred.
Granted you had two 12 seeds, Oregon and California, beat two five seeds Oklahoma State and UNLV, but both of those games had an expectation that they 12's could win. Oregon won the PAC-12 and was highly underseeded and Cal played UNLV to a one point game earlier this season so while upsets its wasn't as unexpected as Harvard's win.
With my bracket busted I hope a Cinderella such as Harvard or someone lower seed playing today makes the sweet 16 or even Elite Eight cause that what the tournament is all about and with the parody in this years field anything is possible.
As the late great Jimmy Valvano said "Survive and Advance" because in March that is all you can do.
I thought they had over come that and would finally meet expectations, but Harvard had other plans. The men from the IVY league who lost their top two players well before the season began because of a cheating schandel, led for nearly the entire game and gave UM fits all night. New Mexico had their chances to win the game, especially late in the second half when Harvard went on an eight minute drought without hitting a field goal, but the Lobos looked sluggish and couldn't get over the hump.
I'm not the only one who had the Lobos going far either, upwards of 95% of Americans that participated in the Bracket Challenge on ESPN and Yahoo had New Mexico winning against Harvard.
With almost everyone's bracket busted I hope Harvard goes far and gives people a Cinderella team that makes a run to the sweet 16. Now they have to beat a Arizona team that looked down right ridiculous in their game against Belmont so its a tough task but hey they did it once why can't they do it again.
The Harvard/New Mexico game also epitomizes why I love/hate March Madness. I'm in an office bracket pool and my competitive edge wants to win the bragging rights but man do I love upsets in the tournament. When New Mexico went down I was pissed up excited at the same time because a high seed had finally lost in the tournament. We came close early in the day with Davidson blowing the lead to Marquette late and then watching it slip away on a last second lay-up but until Harvard no big upsets had occurred.
Granted you had two 12 seeds, Oregon and California, beat two five seeds Oklahoma State and UNLV, but both of those games had an expectation that they 12's could win. Oregon won the PAC-12 and was highly underseeded and Cal played UNLV to a one point game earlier this season so while upsets its wasn't as unexpected as Harvard's win.
With my bracket busted I hope a Cinderella such as Harvard or someone lower seed playing today makes the sweet 16 or even Elite Eight cause that what the tournament is all about and with the parody in this years field anything is possible.
As the late great Jimmy Valvano said "Survive and Advance" because in March that is all you can do.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
March Madness
Ok here is my Bracket for the 2013 NCAA tournament.
I picked Louisville to defeat VCU in the Championship game April 8th but for the longest time I wanted to pick New Mexico to win but just couldn't do it for what ever reason.
First Four:
16 North Carolina A&T over Liberty
11 Saint Mary's over 11 Middle Tennessee State
11 La Salle over 11 Boise State
16 LIU-Brooklyn over 16 James Madison
East Region
Round of 64:
1 Indiana over 16 LIU-Brooklyn
9 Temple over 8 NC State
5 UNLV over 12 California
4 Syracuse over 13 Montana: I picked Syracuse but Montana has legit shot to beat them.
6 Butler over 11 Bucknell
3 Marquette over 14 Davidson
10 Colorado over 7 Illinois
2 Miami over 15 Pacific
Round of 32:
1 Indiana over 9 Temple
4 Syracuse over 5 UNLV
6 Butler over 3 Marquette
2 Miami over 10 Colorado
Sweet 16:
1 Indiana over 4 Syracuse
2 Miami over 6 Butler
Elite Eight:
2 Miami over 1 Indiana
South Region
Round of 64:
1 Kansas over 16 Western Kentucky
8 North Carolina over 9 Villanova
5 Virginia Commonwealth over 12 Akron
13 South Dakota State over 4 Michigan: Nate Wolters vs Trey Burke is the matchup to watch but if Jordan Dykstra is hitting shots for SDSU the Jacks will take this game.
11 Minnesota over 6 UCLA
3 Florida over 14 Northwestern State
7 San Diego State over 10 Oklahoma
2 Georgetown over 15 Florida Gulf Coast: If a 15 beats a 2 this year then its this game FGCU already owns a win against number 2 Miami this season.
Round of 32:
8 UNC over 1 Kansas
5 VCU over 13 South Dakota State
3 Florida over 11 Minnesota: The Gophers have a shot at making a sweet 16 run but are just to inconsistent.
2 Georgetown over 7 San Diego State
Sweet 16:
3 Florida over 2 Georgetown
5 VCU over 8 UNC
Elite Eight:
5 VCU over 3 Florida
Midwest Region
Round of 64:
1 Louisville over North Carolina A&T
8 Colorado State over 9 Missouri
5 Oklahoma State over 12 Oregon: If a 12 beats a 5 this year, which has happened the last 10 years or so this is the most likely spot.
4 Saint Louis over 13 New Mexico State
11 Saint Mary's over 6 Memphis
3 Michigan State over 13 Valparaiso
7 Creighton over 10 Cincinnati
2 Duke over 15 Albany
Round of 32:
1 Louisville over 8 Colorado State
4 Saint Louis over 5 Oklahoma State
3 Michigan State over 11 Saint Mary's
7 Creighton over 2 Duke
Sweet 16:
1 Louisville over 4 Saint Louis: If the Cardinals go down it will be in this Matchup against the Bilickens
7 Creighton over 3 Michigan State
Elite Eight:
1 Louisville over 7 Creighton
West Region
Round of 64:
1 Gonzaga over 16 Southern University
9 Wichita State over 8 Pittsburgh
5 Wisconsin over 12 Ole Miss
4 Kansas State over 13 La Salle
11 Belmont over 6 Arizona
3 New Mexico over 14 Harvard
10 Iowa State over 7 Notre Dame
2 Ohio State over 15 Iona
Round of 32:
1 Gonzaga over 9 Wichita State
5 Wisconsin over 4 Kansas State
3 New Mexico over 11 Belmont
2 Ohio State over 10 Iowa State
Sweet 16:
5 Wisconsin over 1 Gonzaga
3 New Mexico over 2 Ohio State
Elite Eight:
3 New Mexico over 5 Wisconsin
Final Four:
1 Louisville over 3 New Mexico: Like is said before I wanted to go with the Lobos but unfortunately I just can't pick against a Cardinal team that has been on a roll as of late.
5 VCU over 2 Miami: For the second time in 3 years the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth make a run to the Final Four but this time they defeat Miami and make the title game. Shaka Smart's team plays one of the best defensive styles I have every seen and while Miami has the guard play to beat the press, they have had let downs in the past against mid-majors (Florida Gulf Coast) so I don't see them playing their best game.
Championship Game:
1 Louisville over 5 VCU:
Like I said the Rams play great defense but the Cardinals are on a mission and Peyton Siva and Russ Smith are playing outta their mind right now, especially Smith after the death of his high school coach and mentor just before the Big East Tournament.
I picked Louisville to defeat VCU in the Championship game April 8th but for the longest time I wanted to pick New Mexico to win but just couldn't do it for what ever reason.
First Four:
16 North Carolina A&T over Liberty
11 Saint Mary's over 11 Middle Tennessee State
11 La Salle over 11 Boise State
16 LIU-Brooklyn over 16 James Madison
East Region
Round of 64:
1 Indiana over 16 LIU-Brooklyn
9 Temple over 8 NC State
5 UNLV over 12 California
4 Syracuse over 13 Montana: I picked Syracuse but Montana has legit shot to beat them.
6 Butler over 11 Bucknell
3 Marquette over 14 Davidson
10 Colorado over 7 Illinois
2 Miami over 15 Pacific
Round of 32:
1 Indiana over 9 Temple
4 Syracuse over 5 UNLV
6 Butler over 3 Marquette
2 Miami over 10 Colorado
Sweet 16:
1 Indiana over 4 Syracuse
2 Miami over 6 Butler
Elite Eight:
2 Miami over 1 Indiana
South Region
Round of 64:
1 Kansas over 16 Western Kentucky
8 North Carolina over 9 Villanova
5 Virginia Commonwealth over 12 Akron
13 South Dakota State over 4 Michigan: Nate Wolters vs Trey Burke is the matchup to watch but if Jordan Dykstra is hitting shots for SDSU the Jacks will take this game.
11 Minnesota over 6 UCLA
3 Florida over 14 Northwestern State
7 San Diego State over 10 Oklahoma
2 Georgetown over 15 Florida Gulf Coast: If a 15 beats a 2 this year then its this game FGCU already owns a win against number 2 Miami this season.
Round of 32:
8 UNC over 1 Kansas
5 VCU over 13 South Dakota State
3 Florida over 11 Minnesota: The Gophers have a shot at making a sweet 16 run but are just to inconsistent.
2 Georgetown over 7 San Diego State
Sweet 16:
3 Florida over 2 Georgetown
5 VCU over 8 UNC
Elite Eight:
5 VCU over 3 Florida
Midwest Region
Round of 64:
1 Louisville over North Carolina A&T
8 Colorado State over 9 Missouri
5 Oklahoma State over 12 Oregon: If a 12 beats a 5 this year, which has happened the last 10 years or so this is the most likely spot.
4 Saint Louis over 13 New Mexico State
11 Saint Mary's over 6 Memphis
3 Michigan State over 13 Valparaiso
7 Creighton over 10 Cincinnati
2 Duke over 15 Albany
Round of 32:
1 Louisville over 8 Colorado State
4 Saint Louis over 5 Oklahoma State
3 Michigan State over 11 Saint Mary's
7 Creighton over 2 Duke
Sweet 16:
1 Louisville over 4 Saint Louis: If the Cardinals go down it will be in this Matchup against the Bilickens
7 Creighton over 3 Michigan State
Elite Eight:
1 Louisville over 7 Creighton
West Region
Round of 64:
1 Gonzaga over 16 Southern University
9 Wichita State over 8 Pittsburgh
5 Wisconsin over 12 Ole Miss
4 Kansas State over 13 La Salle
11 Belmont over 6 Arizona
3 New Mexico over 14 Harvard
10 Iowa State over 7 Notre Dame
2 Ohio State over 15 Iona
Round of 32:
1 Gonzaga over 9 Wichita State
5 Wisconsin over 4 Kansas State
3 New Mexico over 11 Belmont
2 Ohio State over 10 Iowa State
Sweet 16:
5 Wisconsin over 1 Gonzaga
3 New Mexico over 2 Ohio State
Elite Eight:
3 New Mexico over 5 Wisconsin
Final Four:
1 Louisville over 3 New Mexico: Like is said before I wanted to go with the Lobos but unfortunately I just can't pick against a Cardinal team that has been on a roll as of late.
5 VCU over 2 Miami: For the second time in 3 years the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth make a run to the Final Four but this time they defeat Miami and make the title game. Shaka Smart's team plays one of the best defensive styles I have every seen and while Miami has the guard play to beat the press, they have had let downs in the past against mid-majors (Florida Gulf Coast) so I don't see them playing their best game.
Championship Game:
1 Louisville over 5 VCU:
Like I said the Rams play great defense but the Cardinals are on a mission and Peyton Siva and Russ Smith are playing outta their mind right now, especially Smith after the death of his high school coach and mentor just before the Big East Tournament.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
NFL Draft: Chiefs
NFL Draft: the line up
Pick number one the Kansas City Chiefs: The talented but underachieving.
The Chiefs solved their biggest problem of the off season when they traded for former 49ers starting Quarterback Alex Smith, While they did give up a high second round pick this year and a middle round pick next year to get Smith he makes them better and opens up a plethora of options at the top of the draft.
The team also locked up Dawayne Bowe with a multi-year deal which allowed them to franchise tag starting left tackle Brandon Albert which gives them even more options with the number one pick.
Right now the best player available is offensive tackle Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M which which doesn't fit the teams needs at this point because of two top 15 tackles in Albert and right tackle Eric Winston.
The best option for the Chiefs would be to trade down with someone else to re-cope the pick/picks they traded for Smith because their biggest need is on the defensive line and this draft is loaded with talent.
The team has gone defensive line the last 3-4 drafts and while each player has yet to pan out they need an impact player at this position.
If the can't trade down then I think the go with either Barkevious Mingo out of LSU, Star Lotulelei out of Utah pending his medical reviews, or Sheriff Flyod out of Florida.
The team needs pass rush help and while all three can provided that the Mingo is an Athletic Freak who reminds me of a young Demarcas Ware if he puts it all together which is why he is a risk at number one but to me he is well worth it.
Best Options for the pick:
1. Trade down with someone else in the top 5/top 10, preferably someone who wants Joeckel (Jacksonville, Detroit, or Oakland)
2. Take Mingo an hope his athleticism pays off.
3. Take Floyd and help both the pass rush and run defense.
Pick number one the Kansas City Chiefs: The talented but underachieving.
 |
| The Chiefs have talent and new coach Andy Reid should be able to put the pieces together depending on the draft. |
The Chiefs solved their biggest problem of the off season when they traded for former 49ers starting Quarterback Alex Smith, While they did give up a high second round pick this year and a middle round pick next year to get Smith he makes them better and opens up a plethora of options at the top of the draft.
The team also locked up Dawayne Bowe with a multi-year deal which allowed them to franchise tag starting left tackle Brandon Albert which gives them even more options with the number one pick.
Right now the best player available is offensive tackle Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M which which doesn't fit the teams needs at this point because of two top 15 tackles in Albert and right tackle Eric Winston.
The best option for the Chiefs would be to trade down with someone else to re-cope the pick/picks they traded for Smith because their biggest need is on the defensive line and this draft is loaded with talent.
The team has gone defensive line the last 3-4 drafts and while each player has yet to pan out they need an impact player at this position.
If the can't trade down then I think the go with either Barkevious Mingo out of LSU, Star Lotulelei out of Utah pending his medical reviews, or Sheriff Flyod out of Florida.
The team needs pass rush help and while all three can provided that the Mingo is an Athletic Freak who reminds me of a young Demarcas Ware if he puts it all together which is why he is a risk at number one but to me he is well worth it.
 |
| Mingo is a beast as evidence by this hit on Arron Murray earlier this year |
Best Options for the pick:
1. Trade down with someone else in the top 5/top 10, preferably someone who wants Joeckel (Jacksonville, Detroit, or Oakland)
2. Take Mingo an hope his athleticism pays off.
3. Take Floyd and help both the pass rush and run defense.
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