Monday, March 29, 2010

Final four is set

MSU has won games by 7, 3, 2 and 1.. but winning is the only thing that matters this time of year, so MSU finds themselves in the final four for the second year in a row. They have had some great games, that have been really fun to watch. Now they get Butler who will be playing 6 miles away from their campus. People will talk about what a great story it is, and of course it is, but really the truth is, Butler is very good, and people thought they would be, they were in the top ten in both polls at the start of the year. People shouldn't be shocked that Butler is in the final four, surprised sure, but not shocked. On the other side the two teams that I actually picked to make it at the beginning of this 3 week basketball orgy have. Duke and WVU. I think that will be a very good game, with two very good coaches going head to head. I did pick Duke to win the game at the start, so I will stick with them. The MSU-Butler game I could see Butler winning, but you got to like Izzo at this time of year, the man will not sleep till next Monday night, and even without Lucas, they still have lots of talent. If Allen and Summers are making their shots, and Roe/Morgan/Green are doing some work high/low, they will be fine. I will be cheering for MSU in the game, and I will pick them to win it, But I would not be surprised if Butler won, and I really wouldn't be upset at all, in fact, I would be happy.

I am very lucky to say that two of the final four coaches, Coach K and Coach Izzo, I have gotten to meet and talk to, it was a great honor for me. Izzo I have seen many times over the last fews years, while Coach K I meet just the one time, but will always be grateful for how nice he was to me, and that he signed my book. I would love a Duke-MSU final, and I would cheer for MSU, but I do think Duke would win it. It has been a great tournament and it makes me sad there is only two more college basketball games left this year.. lucky for me, my first AAU practice is Wednesday, and we get started April 16-18 for our first tournament.

The wings are really starting to play well, and the rest of the league should be worried.

The happiest guy in Michigan right now may be Joe D, why, because with MSU in the final four again, and how well the wings are playing people are forgetting about the laughing stock that has become the Pistons. They lost to the Nets the other day, and are officially out of playoff contention. I knew we couldn't keep having conference finals appearances every year, buy I didn't think we would fall this far, this fast. I am a big Pistons fan, and I will remain one, but I would like to see them do a lot this off season. First, they should have a top 3-5 pick, which will help, second, they need to trade RIP and Ta too, if they can, the problem is I really think they missed their window on them, they have been hurt too much this year, and are getting older, and still have too many years on their contracts for too much money. As soon as Gordon was signed RIP needed to be traded. Stuck, Gordon, a 100% Ta Ta, CV and Ben Wallace should have started from day one this year. Now you might as well go stuck, gordon, daye, jonos and CV, play summers, Max and Will B, and that's it. It's been a very very tough year, but luckily I can still remember all those good times during that run, getting to the finals, and winning in 2004. I will keep watching the rest of their games this year and try to look for any positives moving forward. I don't really think I will watch much, if any of the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers and Cavs will meet in the finals, and the Lakers will win in 6. I'm right, you're wrong.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Spring is here

(This is the first of who knows how many article type post that I write about my fantasy baseball teams that I will write that it is real life and it is really important, most will be about this league, but keeper league with some of my old CMU friends... cause if you can't be good in fantasy sports, what can you be good in?)



The snow melted and some golf courses opened up in mid Michigan, as the temperature got above 50, and then even 60 for the first time in months 10 brave men also got together via their computers for their annual baseball draft. I was able to catch up with most of the managers of these ten teams for a complete preview of the league. I will start with the defending champ Fishsticks managed by Matt Bremenour. After the draft I spoke to Mr Bremenour and he was happy with his teams chances to repeat.

"I feel like my team will once again compete, and have a chance to defend our championship." Matt added "we are stacked with SP and have some great guys that hit for average, with some power." While his entire team is stong, he did not need to think long about what the best part is.
"my keepers!" Bremenour continued "players like Albert Puhols, Kung Fu Panda (pablo sandaval), Ryan Braun and Brian Roberts really make for a great offensive season." While his team is strong, there is still some questions going in to the year. "Biggest question mark I have is if my pitchers can perform to their potential. We lack in RP, but we have good SP, so as long as we perform as we are projected to, we will have an excellent season." While Fishsticks are confident they know there are many other good teams in the league this year.
"Id have to say the team that scares me the most is Off In the Woods, Managed by the one and only Toph. He has a good combination of power and batting average." But Matt, still confident added. "If his team clicks on all cylinders this year. no one can stop him.. except for me of course"

The next team I was able to catch up with was Ball Bashers managed by Chaz Millard. Chaz wasn't confident with his team at first, but is starting to like what his team brings to the table.

"Well at first I wasn't sure, but upon further review I like it. Decent power, but what I am pumped about is a high BA and high OBP. RBIs and SB are decent too so my team doesn't look bad on offense. Plus if the young guys I picked up produce then I'm going to do really well." There is no question what the best part of his team is.

"It's easy to be confident with Lincecum and Cain on your staff. I like the rest of my starters and relievers. Very excited about my staff" Chaz does have some question marks this year, as he has drafted some young prospects.

"Will the youngsters step up and produce. If they do, my team could be scary." Chaz was quick to say that the defending champs look to be the best team

"Hard to pick against an offense with Pujols at the helm"

The Legends managed by Greg Morris was the next team I talked to. They were also happy with the new auction format of the draft and thought it played out well.

"I am very happy. I thought the draft played out the way I wanted. I conserved money to get certain players, and with my keepers it allowed for some flexibility. By keeping Wainwright and Hamels, I have two solidified starters, and with Ichiro and Morneau, I have solid hitting before I even drafted. My hope is that I compete with a shortened bench until Strasburg comes into play late in the season to give me a boost. If he doesn't, my team is still good enough to contend, but I wanted him for keeper purposes. Also, Martin Prado adds a, should I say, jenasaqua to my team. That's French for "Were going to lay the smack down on your sorry team."" While he liked his entire team, the pitching staff was his favorite part.

"My top three pitchers. Wainwright is going to fight for the Cy Young. Hamels will be great again after adding a cutter, and Tommy Hanson is awesome. And of course Ichiro....NUMBER 1! Martin Prado also agrees. I asked him." Greg isn't concerned about pitching, but hitting worries him a bit.

"Do I have enough power on the team? Four guys with 30+ hrs from last year, and one with 20, but the rest are in the teens. Some have power potential, but I am more of a run scoring base stealing type machine. Martin Prado has all those attributes, so beware of Martin Prado." Greg's love affair with Martin Prado was clear during the entire interview. Greg also thought that Off in the words was the best team besides his own.

"His lineup is pretty sweet with Fielder, Youk, and Victorino, plus, he has Roy Halladay anchoring his staff, and that makes for a solid squad. He doesn't have Martin Prado, but his team is still solid."

The next team I was able to talk with is the newest member of the league. Team Noddle Swingers lead by the great Sean T Johnston.

would be my pleasure to talk to you about the Swingers, our leagues newest expansion team.

"The Noodle Swingers roster reflects my personal philosophy of balance and diversification. I think they're a fantastic mix of power, speed and performance and have a legitimate chance to win any category any week." Sean was able to find the best and worst parts of his team however.

"Depth and Balance. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to field a complete team every day. On top of that, I have some excellent players in difficult statistical positions like Catcher (Victor Martinez) and Shortstop (Ben Zobrist), as for my biggest question mark, pitching. Aside from Verlander and Lee, my pitching rotation doesn't have a lot of punch to it. I paid too much for closers in Marmol and Broxton and didn't have enough salary to attract any solid second-tier starters to round out my pitching staff. Either way, like my offense, I think we'll be able to compete in just about every category." Sean didn't want to make anyone mad as he very politically answered the best team question.

"I think everyone has a pretty solid lineup. But I think 'Maggs Is Innocent' looks pretty stacked. Aside from the lack of multi-positional players, if that lineup stays healthy and active, it could make anyone poop their pants. Their pitching is a little thin though. Might be the Achilles heel on that beast."

I then caught up with Dominic D'Aguanno to talk about his team Aplha kappa gangster

"My team is very, very fast this year and I expect to have a lot of Stolen Bases. I also feel that I have a very good hitting team. It might not be the most powerful lineup, but I have 9 players that hit better than .285 last year." Dom feels his team will be able to get out and run very well this year.

"I think the best part of my team is definitely the speed. I don't expect to lose many match-ups this year in Stolen Bases, with a combined 239 SBs last year. I also have pretty prominent rookie by the name of Austin Jackson who should probably steal between 20-30 this year." Dom is feeling good about his team, but he still has questions about them going in to the year.

"The biggest question mark of my team will be my bullpen. I have Chad Qualls who saved 24 and Brad Lidge who saved 31 ball games last year respectively, however, Lidge is coming off a couple of surgeries and I'm not sure if the Diamondbacks are going to contend in enough games for Qualls to put up the same numbers." Dom feels the comishs' team will be very tough to beat this year.

"The team that I think will give me a run for my money this year is Inge's Good Knee. He has a lot of pitching and if he is able to win all of those categories and snag one of the hitting categories he will give a lot of teams trouble"

I then talked to Steve Schwanda who is the manage of Pumpmeup. Steve was happy about the draft.

"I like my team, I was worried about the auction format but I did some mock drafts, and I think they really helped me. I overpaid on a few guys, but I am happy with my team." Schwanda's team has a clear cut strong point.

"My offense, for sure, anytime you have Howard, Phillips, Hanley and Josh David Wright in your infield you are doing something good." Schwanda is worried though. " I am not crazy about my outfielders and I think my pitching staff, especially the relief pitchers are not strong. With Zach and Becket I have two stud pitchers, but depth to my staff is a concern." Schwanda also sees a lot of good teams in this league.

" I think a lot of teams are very strong, and you could tell certain managers wanted certain things. I really think it will come down to which team wins the areas they are not suppose to win. I like fishsticks to be there all year, they are very good."





I finally had the pleasure of talking to the commish, Rob Potter, to talk about his team, Inge's good knee and the rest of the league.

" I have a rather young team in regards to a fantasy team. Which could definitely benefit me in the long run. I was able to lock up both Adam Jones and Jon Lester before the draft for a lot less than they would have went for in auction. That allowed me to go after some of the larger names on my team (Adrian Gonzalez and Jimmy Rollins) who should have very good years." Potter likes the speed of his team the best.

"I think the best part of my team offensively is my speed, with my big 3 (Crawford, Rollins, Jones) i should easily rack up 100-120 SB's this season." Rob also likes his pitching staff however.

"Pitching wise, i think the ability for my SP to strike out people is going to be crucial. As a Tiger fan I already know what to expect from Porcello and Scherzer, you throw in Lester and the young Baltimore Pitcher Brian Matusz, but I dont see a week in which I lose the 'K' battle." The Commish still sees some things that worry him however.

"My biggest question mark is expectations. As I stated earlier I chose to keep some young guys and I also drafted some young guys. Whether they be a rookie, like Jason Heyward (who is starting the season in AAA)* Note Heyward was named the starting right fielder for the Braves today* or a sophomore like Porcello, I already have expectations of what they should be able to do." The Comish also has been working the free agents market since the draft.

"After the draft I picked up Brandon Webb and Carlos Beltran as free agents. Both are injured at the time and more than likely will start the season on the DL. But if they are able to return and produce they are both top #20 guys in the league." Potter is also worried about Magglio Ordonez having a bounce back season.

"I drafted him late in the draft because I knew Heyward was going to be starting in AAA and i needed a 3rd outfielder.(again, now not true) Magg's has been hitting the ball well this spring and hopefully will lead to a much better season than last year." The commish was quick to point out a few teams who he thought would have good season.

"Fishsticks is going to be tough, any team with Braun and Pujols is going to be hard to beat. He also was able to draft Jay Bruce as well as a pretty decent pitching staff. I also see Noodle Swingers coming out and surprising some people with how they do. He has a solid pitching staff." Potter added one more team.

"But I also think team Pumpmeup is going to have a good season. Potential for a good offensive and two stud pitchers (grinke and beckett) its gonna be tough to beat them, I am looking forward to a great season."

Maggs is innocent and clinky clinky both did not respond to my interview questions. But do not have bad teams either.


Schwanda Sports picks:

1) fishsticks
2) off in the woods
3) Inge's good knee
4) Pumpmeup
5) Ball Bashers
6) Noodle Swingers
7) Legends
8) Aphla Kappy Gangster
9) Maggs is innocent
10) clinky clinky


Playoffs:

fishsticks over pumpmeup
inge's good knee over off in the woods

fishsticks over inge's good knee
pumpmeup over off in the woods.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

sweet 16 picks, take two

With the sweet 16 starting tonight, and many of my teams out already, I will be re picking the games:


Ken-Cornell- I will be cheering for the big red big time, but I don't see them beating Ken, I just don't see it, but I hope I am wrong. I didn't see Kansas loosing either

Cuse-Butler- I once again will be cheering for Butler big time, but I think Cuse will win, even though they are not 100%. Again I hope I am wrong, go bulldogs.

Duke-Purdue-Purdue had the run I thought they would, at least I was right about one thing, but it needs in the sweet 16, Duke wins by 15+

OSU-Ten- This could be a very good game, both teams have talent, and both teams don't play a lot of guys, and both have had a week to rest. OSU has the best player in this game, and in the nation IMO, in Evan Turner and that will get them the win

WVU-Wash-Washington has talent and is finally playing like they should have all year. But I did pick WVU to make the final four, and they still could, so I will stick with it, WVU wins

K-State vs X- Both teams have some guards who can score. I like the way KSU is playing right now, I will give them this game

Baylor vs St Mary's- St Mary's is not a bad team, and I will be cheering for them. I haven't given Baylor credit all year, so why start now, I will pick St Mary's run to continue

MSU-Norther Iowa- Who had this 5-9 game. I had MSU but find me someone who had Norther Iowa beating Kansas, I am still shocked. Lucas is out for MSU, but if Allen and Roe can give them anything, and with the way Morgan and Summers are playing, plus with Kori's L's confidence, after making that big shot, I think MSU will win this game, plus they have Izzo and that is enough a lot of the times this time of year.

My new final four is OSU, WVU, Duke and Ken, with Duke winning the national title now. I'm right, you're wrong.

Monday, March 22, 2010

what a weekend

By now everyone has seen the games and heard and read what all the "experts" have to say, but I love college basketball way too much not to talk about that first weekend.


Wow, that is really all that should be said, but I will go on......

It took one game, one, all the basketball I watch, between 2-6 games a night, coaching basketball at the middle school, high school and AAU levels, and still one game was all it took for me to ruin my prefect bracket, as ODU beat ND by one. The funny thing is, I should have known. You can look back at my blog a week or two ago and I wrote about how the big east was overrated, and wasn't that good, besides Cuse, Nova, Pitt, and WVU. And already Nova and Pitt are out. The Pitt lost hurt the most, since I had them in the final four, and my wife had X beating them, so when that happened, I lost my bracket challenged to my wife. I have two final four teams left, but they are the same two that she has, and I am down 4 points, so I can not win. My wife is much much smarter then me about everything, except sports, she doesn't like sports, you could even say she hates it, yet, she is going to beat me in a college basketball bracket. Basketball is my life, I feel so ashamed. The worst part, I even wrote about the big east being overrated and then what do I do. Pick ND, Marquette, G-town, Nova, Pitt, and WVU all to make the sweet 16. WVU was the only one who did. Cuse killed Gonzaga to ruin that for me, but I want to let the record show it did start out how I thought the game would go. The Zags did give them trouble inside and got them in foul trouble, the problem, the Zags couldn't make a 3 pointer to save themselves, and Cuse couldn't miss.

I must say I was way wrong about the Big 12, Baylor and A&M are both better then I thought they were. I am shocked, just shocked Kansas lost. I like Northern Iowa, and they are good, but I can't believe Kansas lost, I must say, I didn't see that coming at all. I thought MSU, if they were 100% could beat them, because of Izzo's record vs Self, and this is his time of year, but not for a second did I see Norther Iowa beating them.

MSU vs Maryland was just sick, what a game, I am so happy MSU won, but feel bad for Maryland.

Big ups to Washington playing well, they have talent and they are finally playing like it

Murry State, No Iowa, of course, Cornell, St Mary's, are holding it down, great work by them.

I don't know if it was the best first weekend ever, but it was the best I have ever seen. So many good games, close games, a few buzzer beaters and some really good upsets... how can you not love college basketball?

I still think Ken will lose at some point in this tournament, they have the most talent left, but I don't see them ready to make the run they need.

With my bracket done I will just be rooting for all the upsets, and MSU. It will be very tough without Lucas, but if they can get Allen and Roe back a little healthier, I think they can still beat Northern Iowa, and then Izzo knows enough about OSU, to find a way to beat them, but I don't know if they can do it. I will do my new picks, later this week.

Enjoy the rest of your week. I'm right, you're wrong.... remember, you can always email any questions to me at schwa1sa@cmich.edu, to be put in my mail bags.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Lets dance.. final four..plus a quick mail bag

My final four picks...


1) Kansas vs 3) Pitt- Kansas is the best team in the nation, they are not loosing

2) WVU vs 1) Duke- I like the match up here, but Duke has the leadership to get the job done.


1) Kansas vs 1) Duke- Kansas is the best team in the nation... haven't you been paying attention. Duke has a easy road to the finals but Kansas is the better team and will win 78-70.


It's time, lets dance..


I would like to have more questions, but there are 3 that I will answer now.... remember you can email me at any time, any question that you want and I will answer it. schwa1sa@cmich.edu


Why don't basketball players wear short shorts like they use to

Stephanie from Michigan



Well honey, that is a good question, I am sure some ladies want to know. I would say it mostly has to do with the fab 5 at Michigan in the early 1990's. They brought the hip hop style to college basketball with baggy shorts, black socks and shaved heads. It was all part of the attitude. Sorry the shorts are so long now, that you can't enjoy the game more.



Is there any player in this year's tournament like a Wade or Melo who can lead his team to a big run

Adam from Ohio


Well not even sucking up but yeah Evan Turner is the best player in the Nation and can lead his team to the final four. I think they will lose in the elite 8, but not because of him, because OSU plays 6 guys, 7 tops, and that will wear on them

Where do you see Wisconsin in the tournament and their chances of making a
run at the Final Four? Also... How many licks does it take to get to the
center of a tootsie pop?

John from Wisconsin


Again, not sucking up, but I like Wisconsin in the tournament because of style of play, that is hard to get ready for, they do well in the big ten and those teams see them twice a year, has so much film on them and still can't stop them. I have them slowly down the game and beating Kentucky. I do have them loosing to WVU in the elite 8, because I think WVU 1-3-1 zone will give them some problems. And as for the second question.. it usually took me about 9 or 10, but it would depend.


Keep sending in those questions..schwa1sa@cmich.edu.. thanks..I'm right, you're wrong

Lets dance.... South

Last region... the South

1) Duke vs 16) APB- Nice win Tuesday APB... good bye

8) Cal vs 9) Louisville- I will take a big east school over a pac 10 school that shouldn't be in

5) Texas A&M vs 12) Utah State-You know I got to pick one 12 over 5.. here it is.

4) Purdue vs 13) Siena- I know, everyone has told you, Siena is good, and they are, and Purdue lost their best player, they did, and they just got killed in the big ten tournament, they did... but guess what, they are still a good team, and everyone is about to find that out. Purdue wins

6 ND vs 11) ODU- ODU is another team who could make a little run, but I like the way ND is playing right now, even though a 6 seed is way to high, they have a great draw IMO

3) Baylor vs 14) SH St- Baylor can win this game

7) Richmound vs 10) St Mary's- Rich what.. Richmound...losses to a good St Mary's team

2) Nova vs 15) Bobby Morris- One guy can't beat Nova

1) Duke vs 9) Louisville- Duke rolls

12) Utah St vs 4) Purdue- Purdue finds a way to win

6) ND vs 3) Baylor- I am not sold on Baylor at all, ND is too physical for them and they win

10) St Mary's vs 2) Nova- Nova beats one guy in the first round, and then one St. in the second

1) Duke vs 4) Purdue- Purdue's luck and run ends, as Duke continues their easy road to the elite 8

6) ND vs 2) Nova- In another big east match up, Nova wins

1) Duke vs 2) Nova- Duke finally plays a decent team, but they will find a way at this point to make the final four. Duke wins

I'm right, you're wrong.

Lets dance....East

Moving on to the East


1) Ken vs 16) ETSU- Even all freshmen will win this game, easy,

8) Texas vs 9) Wake- To think back when Texas was number one in the country that they would be a 8 seed. If good Texas shows up they could make a big run... it will be at least one win

5)Temple vs 12) Cornell- OK I brought in, I got Cornell

4) Wis vs 13) Wofford- Wis will win, the way they play is tough to get ready for on short notice, plus they are a good team

6) Marquette vs 11) Washington- Washington earned their spot by winning the conference tournament, Marquette earned it by playing in a much harder conference, Marquette wins

3) New Mexico vs 14) Montana- I want to take Montana I really do, but I can't

7) Clemson vs 10) Mizzu- Should be a really fun game, both teams like to press and push tempo. I will go with the Tigers..... of Clemson

2) WVU vs 15) Morgan State- WVU wins easy

1) Ken vs 8) Texas- Texas could win this game, but I like Ken to get to the sweet 16

12) Cornell vs 4) Wis- First team to 40 wins... Wis will be that team

6) Marquette vs 3) New Mexico- Marquette will win this game, I am not sold on New Mexico.

7) Clemson vs 2) WVU- WVU controls tempo and uses the 1-3-1 to get the win

1) Ken vs 4) Wis- Wis slows the game down, Ken young kids can't deal with it, Wis wins

6) Marquette vs 3) WVU- WVU wins in a battle of big east schools

4) Wis vs 2) WVU- WVU wins this game to make it to the final four.

I'm right, you're wrong

Lets dance....West

Moving on to the west, here we go.

1) cuse vs 16) Vermont- Cuse rolls

8) Gonzaga vs 9) Free Shoe- yeah, I like Gonzaga a lot, more on that in a second, but they will win this game

5) Butler vs 12) UTEP- UTEP is good, so they could win, but I like Butler, they have won a lot of games this year for a reason, they are good.

4) Vandy vs 13) Murry State- Don't be shocked if Murry State wins, but I think Vandy can get one win

6) X vs 11) Minn- Minn is playing very well right now and has some good size down low, they get the win

3) pitt vs 14) Oakland- congrats to Oakland on a great season, but it is over in this game.

7) BYU vs 10 FL- Fl shouldn't be in the big dance, and they are a 10 seed, BYU wins

2) K-State vs 15) North Texas- K-State rolls

1) Cuse vs 8) Gonzgaga- Zags win, they have good size to give the 2-3 zone trouble, going high/low, Cuse is not 100%, and 3, I love Gonzaga and don't like Cuse, plus to win a bracket, you got to take some risks.. not that anyone would gamble on this or anything.

5) Butler vs 4) Vandy- Butler win, again, they have won a lot of games for a reason this year, they are good.

11) Minn vs 3) Pitt- Minn is on a great run, it ends here

7) BYU vs 2) K-State- K-State is good enough to get in to the sweet 16

8) Gonzaga vs 5) Butler- If they is the match up my bracket will be in great shape. I like the Zags to win this game.

3) Pitt vs 2) K-State- If this game was at K-State, I would pick them to win, it isn't, Pitt wins

8) Gonzgaga vs 3) Pitt- Zags run ends here, Pitt wins

The West region is a big one for me... most of my reaches are in this bracket.. should be fun.. I', right, you're wrong.

Lets Dance... Midwest

With about 1hr and a half away from tip off of the first game, it is time to get this done... I fill out my brackets right away, but just hadn't gotten to this yet, so better do it now.

1) Kansas vs 16) Lehigh- I got love for Lehigh, my uncle graduated from their, and a player that I know from CMU camps Holden G plays for them, but they have no chance (cue vinnie mac's wwe music) no chance in hell

8) UNLV vs 9) No Iowa- I have NO Iowa winning, I think they are a good basketball team and is good for one win

5) MSU vs 12) NM State- MSU will win this game, and not fall trap to the 12-5 upset. IZZO will have them ready

4) Maryland vs 13) Houston- Houston can score some points, but Maryland will find a way to win a close game

6) Tenn vs 11) SD State-Tenn has been so up and down this year, but they will be up enough to win this game

3) G-town vs 14) Ohio- As much as I would love to go with Ohio because of my MAC love, there is no way it is happening. Ohio is a really hot team right now, and they can score, but they will have trouble with G-town size and how tough they are.

7) Ok State vs 10) UGA Tech- OK State has a great player in James Anderson, and UGA Tech has two or three 1st round picks, so a lot of talent in this game. I like UGA Tech to win a close one. Their bigs are playing well.

2) OSU vs 15) UC SB- OSU will win.. easy

1) Kansas vs 9) No Iowa- Kansas will win.. next

5) MSU vs 4) Maryland- Call me a homer, but I think MSU still has the talent to make the sweet 16, and will.

6) Tenn vs 3) G-town- If Tenn shows up they could win this game, but I like G-town to out physical them

10) UGA Tech vs 2) OSU- OSU will win, they have the best player in the nation

1) Kansa vs 5) MSU- As much as I want to go with MSU, Kansas is the best team in the nation, and even though IZZO has a great record vs Self, they beat them last year, and he would have a week to get ready, and that is what he is the best at, getting his teams to play well in March, Kansas is too good this year not to win this game.

3) G-town vs 2) OSU- Again OSU has the best player in the nation, they win

1) Kansas vs 2) OSU-The best team beats the best player.. OSU lack of depth is the difference in this game, Kansas wins

I'm right, you're wrong

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Time to dance

Such a great time of the year, and there is so much to get to. With the brackets set I would like to go through game by game and pick the winner, and let you know why I picked what I picked. I also would like to do another mail bag, I have a few questions in right now, but I want a few more. Email me at schwa1sa@cmich.edu, any question that you send will be answered, no matter what it is. It can be about basketball, or any other sport, or non sports related as well. So get those questions in.

Tiger announced he is coming back for the Masters. This shouldn't surprise anyone because, one, he wants to win it, and two, if there is one place where his comeback can't be a media circus it is the Masters, with their high standards and tradition. It isn't some local tournament where any idiot can get in, get a few in them and say what they want about him. I think he will play very well, and that is all that matters to me. He doesn't own me anything, he didn't do anything to me. It's a family issue. Just play golf, and as Kobe taught us, if you win, people will forget about it and it will not be brought up again.

I will do my NCAA picks tomorrow, but I will say the fact that Kansas got the number one overall seed but has the toughest road IMO and Duke has the easiest is a little odd to me... Just saying... Again, please if you read this, send me a question to be put in the mail bag. schwa1sa@cmich.edu.. thanks.. I'm right, you're wrong.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Conference tournaments

I love them. They are great, I have heard some people talk about expanding the big dance to 96 teams and then getting ride of conference tournaments, I don't want that to happen. That can't happen, and I don't think it will, because of money. Even if the tournament does expand, they need to keep the conference tournaments. It gives everyone a chance, and it is great to see games even in the bcs conferences where teams that know they are in have to fight through playing a team that knows they have to win the conference tournament to get in. Just yesterday you see a bunch of good games because of it. In the big ten alone, you had OSU, a damn good team, need a 38-40 footer from ET at the buzzer to beat Michigan by one, ILL beats Wisconsin, putting them in for sure imo, and Minn beating MSU. I think if Minn beats Purdue today, they are in as well. Conference tournaments are what is great about college sports. You don't have to beat a team that is more talented then you, or have more wins then you 4 out of 7 times, you only need to beat them once. That is what makes it so fun. I could talk about this a lot more, but there are way too many games on today and I need to get back to them.


Quick congrats to my Mt P boys that I help coach who won their 5th district title in a row. We will have a hard game against Flint Northwestern on Monday, but I believe in my guys. I'm right, you're wrong.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Really UCONN

Uconn knowing they are on the "bubble" and need to at least win one game in the big east tournament to get in and what do they do, they get blown out by St John's, by St John's. Loosing by 20 to St John's wasn't a bad thing in the mid 80's, but guess what, it's 2010. I really am getting tired how hearing how great the big east is. Cuse, WVU, Nova, Pitt, and maybe G-town are good, that's it. The rest of the teams are average to not good at best. They may win a big game, and look good sometimes and then look bad others... just like every other team in the nation. Michigan destorys Minn and beats Uconn, then Uconn gets a big win, Lousiville beats Cuse twice, but has lots of bad losses too. I still feel Kansas is the best team, and the number one seeds will be Kansas, Ken, Cuse, and Duke, unless Duke losses thier first acc tournament game and OSU wins the big ten tournament, if not, OSU, WVU, K-State and maybe Nova will be the 2 seeds, that can still change though. But I really think there are a lot of good teams, but only two great teams, Kansas and Ken, and Ken has a lot of freshmen. I have stand by the fact that I am not sold on Cuse. I know they are longer and more athletic then last year so that 2-3 looks better, and I like Wes Johnson, and they go high/low very well, but I still don't see them being a final four team. But I will wait until the brackets come out since match ups have a lot to do with who goes far.

Congrats to Oakland, North Texas and Butler for clinching their NCAA tournament bids last night. Butler of course would have been in any way, but it is also good to play good basketball going in to the big dance. I can only hope that CMU can make a run so 3 teams from the state of Michigan can make the big dance, since right now it is just two, with MSU joining Oakland of course.


I am waiting to hear more on Big Ben's stuff before I talk about it, I want to know what happended, and if chargers are brought before I say anything. It's basketball time of year anyway, so I am not really focusing on anything else.. though baseball is coming soon, so that means I do need to start working on my fantasy baseball preview. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A few more in

Last night St Mary's, a team that I think is could and should have gotten in anyway, beat Gonzaga most likely sending one less big east team to the big dance, which is fine with me since UCONN, ND, Cinci and Seton hall should not make the tournament. Teams should be at least 500 in their conference, I don't care how good or bad people think their conference is. Even in the big east where cuse, nova, WVU are very good, and pitt and g-town is good, you have terrible teams like depaul, rutgers, st john's, providence, and even south fl, seaton hall, uconn, nd, cinci, marquette, and Louisville are not great teams. Take a team Seton hall who is 18-11 and 9-9 in conference, the best team they beat this year was Pitt, that's one good win, they also beat Cornell and UMass but lost to Temple and VA Tech, they are not a tournament team. This week is the best week since teams who have done all they could all year to be in this position, they have over 20 wins, they have dominated their conference, yet they know they need to win their conference tournament in order to get to the NCAA tournament. They are great games, played with a lot of passion, I love watching them. Congrats to Wofford for making the tournament for the first time ever last night. Siena also got it's ticket to the big dance punched last night as well as ODU.

CMU will play in the MAC quarter finals Thursday starting at noon vs Western, our biggest rival, who we just beat by 8 last week at home. It will be a hard game, but I hope we get find a way to win, and then move on to play most likely Akron.

The Big ten tournament also starts Thursday and that should be interesting because they have 4 locks, and then Ill Minn and Northwestern with small chances if they can make a good run, and then all other teams need to win it to be in.

Speaking of the big ten I was lucky enough to be at the MSU-Michigan game on Sunday. Michigan just couldn't make a shot in the first half, and they got punched in the mouth and didn't respond well at all. MSU played well, it was nice to see Morgan play well on Sr day, and let me tell you, it is loud in their, especially down low, which I was again lucky enough to be 5 rows behind the bench, two rows behind Mateen, C bell and Suton.

The Big east tournament is under way as South Fl is beating Depaul right now, since Depaul is bad. But conference tournaments are great.


I just got news that Chris Allen is suspended indefinitely from the MSU basketball team. He didn't score at all in the game on Sunday, not that they needed him then, but he is a good shooter, that to make a run past the sweet 16 they are going to need him. It will be interesting to find out what happened, if we ever do.

My high school team had a ugly win last night but that is better then loosing this time of year, just win and move on, that is all that matters. Hopefully we can play better tomorrow. I'm right, you're wrong.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Now it gets fun

Cornell is already in and today a few more tickets will be punched to the big dance, plus the final regular season game for some power conferences, before tournaments starts. This is such a great time of year. Duke-UNC tonight,which even though UNC is having a tough year, you have to watch that game if you even like college basketball a little. Plus a few conference title games, I believe their is 3 today, if I remember right.

If that isn't enough you have football free agents signing left and right, making this a very busy time in sports. Spring training for baseball is underway, so you have to also get ready for your fantasy baseball drafts.

The move I like the best so far in the NFL has to do with my favorite team the Giants getting Antrel Rolle. They did give him a heck of a lot of money, but I feel he is what we needed, well one of the things, along with a LB who can run and cover, and he will help a lot. Plus we now have two Safeties from da U, and that's a good thing. I am very happy about that.

The Lions are actually trying to get better, you have to like that, the Bears also are doing a lot of work, getting the main free agent mr Peppers. he is a flat out beast so it will be fun to watch those NFC North games now.

Also How in the world can you get a player like Anquan Boldin and a 5th round pick for a 3rd and a 4th. I mean the Ravens got a great deal here. Now for the Cards, you look at it like we were not going to resign him so we would have him for this year and then he would walk and we get nothing, so at least this way we get some picks, but a 3rd and a 4th... really. I love NFL trades sometimes. So many of them have to do with money and picks, I never think it is smart to trade a guy who is good, for a pick who may be good.

Speaking of money moves, that may be why the Seahawks might sign B Marshall even though if they do they would have to give up their 1st round pick, which is 6th overall. The funny thing is, that would make sense, because you would have to pay the 6th overall pick more money, and there is no way you would get someone the talent of Marshall who could help you right away. I think it is clear he will not be back in Denver, just will he be signed by Seattle, or another team, or traded.

Very scary moment in the Cavs-Pistons game last night when Stuck basically just passed out on the bench during a timeout, and was taking to the hospital. From the reports now, it seems like he is doing well, which is great, that was very scary. On the court the Pistons were up 21 at one point only to see the Cavs come all the way back. When Stuck went down they were still up 5 or 6, but behind 40 from Lebron, and some clutch 4th quarter scoring from Jaminson, and a lot of calls that went for the Cavs they were able to win. The Pistons have been in a lot of games, they just can't fine a way to win many of them.

Luckily for the state of Michigan the Wings did win last night 5-2... so we do have that.

MSU-Michigan tomorrow at MSU, should be a 10-15 point win for MSU at least.


I will try to keep up with everything that is happening the best I can. Also remember, please email me any questions for my next mail bag. schwa1sa@cmich.edu. I will be doing it soon. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Lot to get to

I haven't posted in awhile and I am sorry to the 5 or 6 people who read this, at least I hope there is at least that many. I will be posting more now that the home season for CMU is over, and thus sadly so is my marketing job. I really loved it, and was happy to see more people coming to the games this year, and I can only wish I had at least a little to do with it.

Anyway, USA did all they could but Canada did win the goal in what was a great game. I just wish anyone else besides Sid the diving kid scored the winning goal. I would have rather lost 8-0 then let him score the game winner. Because the worst part is, all the hype is actually legit. He is 22 and has a gold medal and a ring. It just makes me sick. Very good game though and a good tournament. The truth is, Canada should have won because they just care more, you can talk about it all you want, how much it would mean to the USA if we would have won the gold, but really, we would have celebrated for a few days, and then moved on to college basketball, and spring training and listening to Mel and Todd break down tape of 20 to 23 year olds and forgot all about it. Admit it, you would. Canada would have been upset about it for years, and kept thinking back to it. The bottom line is they are better at it then us, because they care more, period. We played well, and our team did a great job, but still the best athletes from our country are not growing up wishing they could win gold in hockey.. sorry they just are not. I like hockey, and I was glad the Wings beat the avs last night, but lets not try to make this what it isn't.

As for everything else in those games, I really just followed hockey, sorry, curling didn't do it for me, I know I am alone on this, but I don't see it.

MSU got a nice win at Purdue, it's too bad RH got hurt. Purdue is still a good team, but they are not a final four team without him, they very well could have got their with him.

Even with them both loosing, and Cuse being number one, I still think Kansas is the best team in the nation and Kentucky is second. I personally don't like Cuse, I love Walter Johnson, but I don't think they have what it takes, and I don't like any team that all they play is a 2-3 zone.. just wait for a second round match up against a hot shooting team, and they are down... but no real picks until I see the brackets.

This is just a great time of year, my high school team has their sr night tonight, as we go for our 15th win in a row, then districts start Monday, college conference tournaments are right around the corner, and I really think the week of college tournaments to the end of the 1st weekend of March Madness is the best two weeks in sports. You have so much passion and so many teams giving all they have because they know they need to win their conference tournament to get in, that is why I love the non bcs tournaments better then the "big boys" well besides this year, where the PAC-10 tournament is a win and your in only tournament too... god that conference sucks this year.

I am just really looking forward to the next few weeks, and then after the season AAU starts, and I really really love coaching AAU as well. I'm right, you're wrong.