Participants
Indiana, LIU Brooklyn, James Madison, North Carolina State, Temple, UNLV, California, Syracuse, Montana, Butler, Bucknell, Marquette, Davidson, Illinois, Colorado, Miami (FL), Pacific
I'm going to be doing this region a bit differently, and you'll see why with my bold prediction, which is what I'll start with. After that, the rest will be Illini related, with the end offering some filling out your bracket advice.
Bold Prediction: There Will Be Zero Upsets
That includes the 8-9 game. That includes the Round of 32, Sweet 16, and Elite Eight matchups. The only two I can realistically see happening is Bucknell over Butler, Butler over Marquette in the Round of 32, and, hate to say it, but Colorado over the Illini. Thankfully, I don't think that will happen. Looking at all the second round matchups, I like all the top seeds. I actually think number eight North Carolina State is the most dangerous low seed in the second round, but they get a matchup with Indiana. They'll push the Hoosiers, but won't topple them. Syracuse's 2-3 zone will disrupt UNLV, but won't be able to handle the inside zone breaker of Cody Zeller, dishing the ball out to the likes of Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls. Miami's well rounded team will take them past the Illini and Golden Eagles to face off against Indiana. Victor Oladipo will prove to everyone why he's so highly touted in this game, as the Hoosiers will go on to the Final Four.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 5
This is, in my opinion, the weakest region as a whole. As I've mentioned before, the two seed in this region, Miami, has already lost to a 15 seed in the field, Florida Gulf Coast. As the bold prediction tells you, I don't think highly of the lower seeds in this region. I think if NC State got a better draw, they could make a run, but going up against the top seed in the second round kills those dreams. Indiana certainly raises the difficulty level of this region, but apart from them, I really don't see any serious contenders.
My Case For The Illini
Alright, Illinois people. As hard as it is, I'm going to try and make a case for the Illini to make a run. The good, and frustrating, part about this team is that if they play like they can play, the Illini can knock off anyone, yes anyone, in the nation. Other teams can claim the same thing, but they would need their opponent to play down to their level. In the Illini's two biggest wins this year, at Gonzaga and against Indiana, I would argue that neither of those teams played poorly that game. We were tied with the Zags at halftime at 41. That's only 10 less points than we scored all game in our Big 10 tournament win over Minnesota. See, that's called playing down to your opponent. The Zag win was powered by 35 points from Brandon Paul. Is he going to do that every game? No, and very few college players could claim they can. But 16 points, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers (his line against Indiana in the Big 10 tourney) won't cut it.
In the Illini's first matchup with the Hoosiers, Indiana was clobbering us, leading 41-29 at half. I turned it off midway through the second half because I thought our goose was cooked (a timely text from a friend helped me to see the last 15 seconds). Indiana was by no means playing down to us. Illinois just turned it on in the second half, like they should be able to do every game, for the full game. They pulled that game out of the fire, and might be able to do so in the tournament. We don't have to be better than the best teams, we just have to be better than our opponent on that day.
Colorado in the first round is by no means easy. They actually have a better overall and conference record than we do. When comparing the schedule and conferences, it makes sense that we are ranked higher. They have some quality wins on their resume, including two wins over Pac-12 Champion Oregon and a win over Arizona (though it should have been 2). Still, I like our best against their best, and if the Illini's three point shooting heats up, and that's a big if, we should be able to handle the Buffs. Getting even greedier, let's take a look at the Miami matchup.
I'll admit it will take a LOT of luck for us to beat the Canes, but at least we didn't lose to Florida Gulf Coast. I think this will come down to Illinois' three point shooting vs Miami's presence inside. Although Shane Larkin is the star of that Miami team, they would be wise to exploit a relatively weak inside game from the Illini. This matchup actually seems to play into the Illini's hand. The three pointer is the Illini's thing and when they're dropping, we're putting up Ws. Coincidentally, in Miami's losses, their opponents have shot the three quite well. Wake Forest shot 58.3%, Duke shot 47.8%, and Georgia Tech shot 44.4%. I'd say the Illini are better than two out of three of those teams. If Illinois heats up from three, again, a big if, we could see a huge seven seed over two upset. "Could" being the key word.
Filling Out Your Bracket
1. Only use one bracket. I'm sick and tired of people entering five different brackets in five different pools. They'll have Indiana winning in one, Louisville in one, Georgetown in one, Gonzaga in one, and James Madison in one. Forget that. Be confident in your picks. South Dakota State to the Sweet 16? You better believe it. Wisconsin, Final Four? Absolutely. Don't try and diversify your bonds. This isn't Wu Tang Financial. Enter the same bracket for all your pools. Win or go home baby.
2. There's a first time for everything. So many analysts will post stats about a certain seed knocking off another seed X amount of times in the past 10 years. My response, who cares? This is 2013. Not 2010, not 2003. The teams and circumstances are different. Now that it is well known that 12 seeds often beat five seeds, people will simply pick the 12 for no rhyme or reason. They'll say, "Hey man, those 12 seeds always do well." Yes, they have done well. Past tense. Perhaps this year, zero 12 seeds win. Maybe all the 13 seeds win. If there is a legit reason to pick that upset, then by all means do so, but don't do it based on past statistics.
3. Tinker with your bracket. I used to be opposed to this, but after last year, my opinion has changed. Many people adopt a strategy of simply filling out their bracket, going with their gut, then not changing anything despite what the experts say. I did that last year, until the last day, and it won me my pool. My original champion was Missouri. Now before you go all crazy and wonder why I had Mizzou, recall how good they looked last year. They finished the year ranked #3 in the AP poll and had the best overall record in the Big 12 (Kansas had the better conference record so they won the Big 12 regular season title). They went on to win the Big 12 tournament and had wins in the regular season over Kansas, Baylor (beat them three times), and Texas. They were steamrolling into the tournament and were a trendy pick to reach the Final Four.
But then, after hearing so much about Kentucky, I finally bought into the hype. What happened? Well, Mizzou unceremoniously lost in the first round to Norfolk State, a 15 seed, while UK went on to win the title, and me some money. I would say tinker away. A lot of your picks will feel good, but there will always be four or five matchups you just don't feel good about. Even when I switched my pick to UK, I saw that potential Indiana or Duke matchup and was nervous. Thankfully they disposed of the Hoosiers and never even saw Duke. Change, change, change.
4. Expect anything. This sort of ties in with my first point about being confident in your picks. I bet the two people in the world who picked Norfolk State to beat Mizzou last year were ridiculed mercilessly...until after the game. As ridiculous as your picks might sound, the tournament itself will probably be even more ridiculous. I've already been scoffed at for my South Dakota State in the Sweet 16 pick. But is it any more ridiculous than two number 15 seeds winning in the first round? Is it any more ridiculous than a team that played a First Four game (VCU) making it all the way to the Final Four? I think not.
Well, that's it folks. Good luck in your pools and with your picks. Could this be the year a 16 beats a one? Possibly. Will the Big 10 perform phenomenally in this tourney? Yes. Were these breakdowns helpful? We'll see. Will this be the year I don't win my pool? No, probably not. Confidence people!
Matty O
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
2013 Regional Breakdown: South
Participants
Kansas, Western Kentucky, North Carolina, Villanova, Virgina Commonwealth, Akron, Michigan, South Dakota State, UCLA, Minnesota, Florida, Northwestern State, San Diego State, Oklahoma, Georgetown, Florida Gulf Coast
Team That Will Overachieve: South Dakota State
Nate Wolters. Know him, watch him, love him if you love upsets. This SDSU team goes as he goes, but when he's on, this is one of the more dangerous lower seeded teams in the tournament. Wolters is a sure fire NBA draft pick in the upcoming draft. He averages 22.7 points per game and 5.8 assists per game while leading his team to a Summit League title. This team has shown how bad they can be without Wolters, when they lost by 24 to Minnesota earlier in the year. Just two weeks later, however, SDSU beat a now three seeded New Mexico team on the road, with Wolters dropping 28 points to go along with seven assists. This team reminds me a bit of the Davidson team in 2008. One star, NBA bound player (Stephen Curry in '08), on a low seeded team, going against the odds. Michigan and a VCU or Akron team stand in their way, but if I had to put my money on a 13 seed making the Sweet 16, this would be it.
Team That Will Underachieve: Kansas
I think that apart from a potential Indiana-North Carolina State second round matchup, Kansas will have the toughest test in the second round. Assuming UNC wins the 8-9 matchup, Kansas will have to deal with two young, but highly skilled players in PJ Hairston and James Michael McAdoo (possibly the best name in the tournament). They've had some growing pains this year, but when they're on their game, they can give anyone trouble. Their only bad losses were to Texas and Virginia this year, while Kansas' were to TCU and Baylor. Kansas' ceiling is obviously higher, but if they play down to the Tar Heels like they did to the TCU and Baylor, they could be gone in the round of 32. The Roy Williams factor will also add some intrigue to this game.
Villanova is going to be hit or miss. They've had some terrible losses against Providence and Seton Hall, yet they've beaten Louisville, Georgetown, Marquette, and Syracuse, a one, two, three, and four seed, respectively. Unlike UNC, Kansas doesn't even have to play down to Nova's level, as they've proven that they can compete with the top teams in the country. If Nova has an off day, then it would be mighty helpful if the Jayhawks do as well. Don't be surprised if either of these teams springs the upset.
Bold Prediction: South Dakota State Makes The Sweet 16
I vaguely hinted at it in the above Overachieve section, but I'll make it official here. Two games is all it takes to get there. Two games, on one weekend, with a NBA pro on your team. Sometimes all you need is a player to get hot and Wolters can be that guy. I actually think their potential second round matchup against VCU will trouble them more than the Wolverines, but that's as far as they'll go as Kansas is too deep and will kill them inside with Jeff Withey, if it gets to that point. They're slowly becoming a "trendy" upset pick and for good reason. Those that take it a step further and place them in the Sweet 16 could get a nice payout for their bracket pool.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 10
I believe this is the most difficult and deepest region. I've already discussed the 13 seeded Jackrabbits, as well as the Tar Heels and Nova, but even the 15 seeded Florida Gulf Coast team has already beaten a number two seed this year, Miami. That Georgetown game will be much closer than people think. Even though I have Kansas and Michigan on upset alert, they're still phenomenal basketball teams. Michigan has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the back court with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. Kansas won the Big 12 title, led by Withey and Ben McLemore. Georgetown, Florida, and VCU have all proven their worth throughout the season. I could see any of those five teams coming out of this region.
Team Ranked 7th or Lower That Could Make A Run: South Dakota State
Winner Of Region: Georgetown
The Hoyas get my vote mainly because of the road they have to take to get to the Final Four. Florida Gulf Coast will test them, but I think they will prevail. Awaiting is either a 20-11 Oklahoma team or a 22-10 San Diego State team with a loss to Wyoming. I think they match up well against a potential Florida encounter and wouldn't have to face the top seeded Jayhawks until the Elite Eight. By then, as mentioned previously, Kansas might not even be there. I think the Final Four spot from the South is theirs to lose in a highly skilled and dangerous region.
Upcoming Regional Breakdowns
Wednesday - East
Matty O
Kansas, Western Kentucky, North Carolina, Villanova, Virgina Commonwealth, Akron, Michigan, South Dakota State, UCLA, Minnesota, Florida, Northwestern State, San Diego State, Oklahoma, Georgetown, Florida Gulf Coast
Team That Will Overachieve: South Dakota State
Nate Wolters. Know him, watch him, love him if you love upsets. This SDSU team goes as he goes, but when he's on, this is one of the more dangerous lower seeded teams in the tournament. Wolters is a sure fire NBA draft pick in the upcoming draft. He averages 22.7 points per game and 5.8 assists per game while leading his team to a Summit League title. This team has shown how bad they can be without Wolters, when they lost by 24 to Minnesota earlier in the year. Just two weeks later, however, SDSU beat a now three seeded New Mexico team on the road, with Wolters dropping 28 points to go along with seven assists. This team reminds me a bit of the Davidson team in 2008. One star, NBA bound player (Stephen Curry in '08), on a low seeded team, going against the odds. Michigan and a VCU or Akron team stand in their way, but if I had to put my money on a 13 seed making the Sweet 16, this would be it.
Team That Will Underachieve: Kansas
I think that apart from a potential Indiana-North Carolina State second round matchup, Kansas will have the toughest test in the second round. Assuming UNC wins the 8-9 matchup, Kansas will have to deal with two young, but highly skilled players in PJ Hairston and James Michael McAdoo (possibly the best name in the tournament). They've had some growing pains this year, but when they're on their game, they can give anyone trouble. Their only bad losses were to Texas and Virginia this year, while Kansas' were to TCU and Baylor. Kansas' ceiling is obviously higher, but if they play down to the Tar Heels like they did to the TCU and Baylor, they could be gone in the round of 32. The Roy Williams factor will also add some intrigue to this game.
Villanova is going to be hit or miss. They've had some terrible losses against Providence and Seton Hall, yet they've beaten Louisville, Georgetown, Marquette, and Syracuse, a one, two, three, and four seed, respectively. Unlike UNC, Kansas doesn't even have to play down to Nova's level, as they've proven that they can compete with the top teams in the country. If Nova has an off day, then it would be mighty helpful if the Jayhawks do as well. Don't be surprised if either of these teams springs the upset.
Bold Prediction: South Dakota State Makes The Sweet 16
I vaguely hinted at it in the above Overachieve section, but I'll make it official here. Two games is all it takes to get there. Two games, on one weekend, with a NBA pro on your team. Sometimes all you need is a player to get hot and Wolters can be that guy. I actually think their potential second round matchup against VCU will trouble them more than the Wolverines, but that's as far as they'll go as Kansas is too deep and will kill them inside with Jeff Withey, if it gets to that point. They're slowly becoming a "trendy" upset pick and for good reason. Those that take it a step further and place them in the Sweet 16 could get a nice payout for their bracket pool.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 10
I believe this is the most difficult and deepest region. I've already discussed the 13 seeded Jackrabbits, as well as the Tar Heels and Nova, but even the 15 seeded Florida Gulf Coast team has already beaten a number two seed this year, Miami. That Georgetown game will be much closer than people think. Even though I have Kansas and Michigan on upset alert, they're still phenomenal basketball teams. Michigan has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the back court with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. Kansas won the Big 12 title, led by Withey and Ben McLemore. Georgetown, Florida, and VCU have all proven their worth throughout the season. I could see any of those five teams coming out of this region.
Team Ranked 7th or Lower That Could Make A Run: South Dakota State
Winner Of Region: Georgetown
The Hoyas get my vote mainly because of the road they have to take to get to the Final Four. Florida Gulf Coast will test them, but I think they will prevail. Awaiting is either a 20-11 Oklahoma team or a 22-10 San Diego State team with a loss to Wyoming. I think they match up well against a potential Florida encounter and wouldn't have to face the top seeded Jayhawks until the Elite Eight. By then, as mentioned previously, Kansas might not even be there. I think the Final Four spot from the South is theirs to lose in a highly skilled and dangerous region.
Upcoming Regional Breakdowns
Wednesday - East
Matty O
Monday, March 18, 2013
2013 Regional Breakdown: West
Participants
Gonzaga, Southern, Pitt, Wichita State, Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Kansas State, Boise State/La Salle, Arizona, Belmont, New Mexico, Harvard, Notre Dame, Iowa State, Ohio State, Iona
Team That Will Overachieve: Arizona
Zona gets a bad rap and a lower seed due to their finish to the season. Despite a 14-0 start, they fell apart down the stretch and finished 25-7 and didn't even make the Pac-12 title game. That's the bad. The good news is all of their losses came in conference. The only time they would even see another Pac-12 team would be in the Final Four. Prior to conference play? This is a team that beat Florida, Miami, and San Diego State. They have future NBA draft pick Solomon Hill who can carry this team when his teammates have an off day. Their first round matchup is a bit scary with a decent Belmont team there, but if they get past that, they could make a run. Maybe I'm influenced too much by the history and prestige of Arizona basketball, but I believe this team could surprise some people.
Team That Will Underachieve: Kansas State
This is, in my opinion, the weakest team out of the top four seeds in each region. Sure they knocked off Florida earlier in the year, but they lost all their other significant games in a relatively weak Big 12. Michigan and Gonzaga blew them out earlier in the year. They lost all three of their matchups with Kansas, with the last two not even being that close. They split their season series with Oklahoma State, but lost when they visited Ames to Iowa State. They get a break by playing against a play in team in the first round, but Wisconsin or Ole Miss should dispatch of them in the second. If anything, Wisconsin should be the higher seed playing in a tougher conference and having actually won their big games (Ohio State, at Indiana, Michigan). I think Bruce Weber's team will make an early exit.
Bold Prediction: Wisconsin Will Win This Region
Yeah, you read that right. Going off of the above section, Wisconsin will probably not be tested until the Gonzaga matchup in the Sweet 16. Personally, I don't think the Zags are as dangerous as some believe and, as I mentioned in the Midwest breakdown, I think playing in the competitive Big 10 will help teams rather than hurt them. Gonzaga's West Coast Conference is a joke compared to the Big 10. If they can get by the Zags, who have already lost to a Big 10 team (Illinois), then they will most likely see familiar Big 10 foe Ohio State in the Elite Eight. Despite the three seed difference, Wisconsin has already blown them out once this year, and played them well the other two times, most recently in the Big 10 title game where OSU won 50-43. I actually think OSU has the harder road with potential matchups against a competitive Iowa State team and a matchup with my overachiever, Arizona. I believe Wisconsin will make it this far. OSU might get knocked off. That would make Wisconsin's Elite Eight game, and journey to the Final Four, even easier.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 6
I gave this region a 6 because, although there are a few teams that could make a run, I don't really see a dominant team. The 6 is also due to the fact that I don't believe the Zags are all that anyways. It is an interesting region for me because I don't like the one seeded Zags or three seed New Mexico's chances, but I think teams like number six Arizona or number five Wisconsin could get the ball rolling and make a deep run in this region. I think this is the weakest region but could wind up being the most exciting.
Team Ranked 7th or Lower That Could Make A Run: Iowa State
Someone asked this question on Mike and Mike, so I thought I'd include it for these breakdowns. Realize these picks will be a stretch, but hey, it's March Madness.
The Cyclones are a tough team that have beaten Kansas State and Oklahoma State, as well as taken Kansas to OT twice this year. Their draw is what really hurts them as they face battle tested Notre Dame in the first round, only to potentially see Big 10 Champion Ohio State in the second. Still, if you're looking for that VCU or George Mason, this team could be it. They have six seniors on their team, which always seems to be the recipe for upsetting higher seeds in the tournament. A few lucky bounces here and there, and this team could make a Sweet 16 run.
Winner Of Region: Wisconsin
Yeah, maybe I do have a bit of a Big Ten bias (picked Michigan State to come out of the Midwest region), but you almost have to if you watched that conference's basketball this year. Why should I think that a Gonzaga team who has played no one can beat a control the pace Wisconsin team? A Big 10 vs Big 10 Elite Eight in this region, just means one more opportunity for the Badgers to even the score against the Buckeyes.
Upcoming Regional Breakdowns
Tuesday - South
Wednesday - East
Spoiler Alert: Wisconsin and Michigan State aren't the only Big 10 teams making the Final Four
Matty O
Gonzaga, Southern, Pitt, Wichita State, Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Kansas State, Boise State/La Salle, Arizona, Belmont, New Mexico, Harvard, Notre Dame, Iowa State, Ohio State, Iona
Team That Will Overachieve: Arizona
Zona gets a bad rap and a lower seed due to their finish to the season. Despite a 14-0 start, they fell apart down the stretch and finished 25-7 and didn't even make the Pac-12 title game. That's the bad. The good news is all of their losses came in conference. The only time they would even see another Pac-12 team would be in the Final Four. Prior to conference play? This is a team that beat Florida, Miami, and San Diego State. They have future NBA draft pick Solomon Hill who can carry this team when his teammates have an off day. Their first round matchup is a bit scary with a decent Belmont team there, but if they get past that, they could make a run. Maybe I'm influenced too much by the history and prestige of Arizona basketball, but I believe this team could surprise some people.
Team That Will Underachieve: Kansas State
This is, in my opinion, the weakest team out of the top four seeds in each region. Sure they knocked off Florida earlier in the year, but they lost all their other significant games in a relatively weak Big 12. Michigan and Gonzaga blew them out earlier in the year. They lost all three of their matchups with Kansas, with the last two not even being that close. They split their season series with Oklahoma State, but lost when they visited Ames to Iowa State. They get a break by playing against a play in team in the first round, but Wisconsin or Ole Miss should dispatch of them in the second. If anything, Wisconsin should be the higher seed playing in a tougher conference and having actually won their big games (Ohio State, at Indiana, Michigan). I think Bruce Weber's team will make an early exit.
Bold Prediction: Wisconsin Will Win This Region
Yeah, you read that right. Going off of the above section, Wisconsin will probably not be tested until the Gonzaga matchup in the Sweet 16. Personally, I don't think the Zags are as dangerous as some believe and, as I mentioned in the Midwest breakdown, I think playing in the competitive Big 10 will help teams rather than hurt them. Gonzaga's West Coast Conference is a joke compared to the Big 10. If they can get by the Zags, who have already lost to a Big 10 team (Illinois), then they will most likely see familiar Big 10 foe Ohio State in the Elite Eight. Despite the three seed difference, Wisconsin has already blown them out once this year, and played them well the other two times, most recently in the Big 10 title game where OSU won 50-43. I actually think OSU has the harder road with potential matchups against a competitive Iowa State team and a matchup with my overachiever, Arizona. I believe Wisconsin will make it this far. OSU might get knocked off. That would make Wisconsin's Elite Eight game, and journey to the Final Four, even easier.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 6
I gave this region a 6 because, although there are a few teams that could make a run, I don't really see a dominant team. The 6 is also due to the fact that I don't believe the Zags are all that anyways. It is an interesting region for me because I don't like the one seeded Zags or three seed New Mexico's chances, but I think teams like number six Arizona or number five Wisconsin could get the ball rolling and make a deep run in this region. I think this is the weakest region but could wind up being the most exciting.
Team Ranked 7th or Lower That Could Make A Run: Iowa State
Someone asked this question on Mike and Mike, so I thought I'd include it for these breakdowns. Realize these picks will be a stretch, but hey, it's March Madness.
The Cyclones are a tough team that have beaten Kansas State and Oklahoma State, as well as taken Kansas to OT twice this year. Their draw is what really hurts them as they face battle tested Notre Dame in the first round, only to potentially see Big 10 Champion Ohio State in the second. Still, if you're looking for that VCU or George Mason, this team could be it. They have six seniors on their team, which always seems to be the recipe for upsetting higher seeds in the tournament. A few lucky bounces here and there, and this team could make a Sweet 16 run.
Winner Of Region: Wisconsin
Yeah, maybe I do have a bit of a Big Ten bias (picked Michigan State to come out of the Midwest region), but you almost have to if you watched that conference's basketball this year. Why should I think that a Gonzaga team who has played no one can beat a control the pace Wisconsin team? A Big 10 vs Big 10 Elite Eight in this region, just means one more opportunity for the Badgers to even the score against the Buckeyes.
Upcoming Regional Breakdowns
Tuesday - South
Wednesday - East
Spoiler Alert: Wisconsin and Michigan State aren't the only Big 10 teams making the Final Four
Matty O
Sunday, March 17, 2013
2013 Regional Breakdown: Midwest
Participants
Louisville, North Carolina A&T/Liberty, Colorado State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oregon, St. Louis, New Mexico State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee/St. Mary's, Michigan State, Valparaiso, Creighton, Cincinnati, Duke, Albany
Team That Will Overachieve: Michigan State
State + Izzo seems to be the formula for a Final Four year in and year out. He has taken the Spartans to the Final Four six times, most recently in 2010 when they were a five seed. Now they are a three seed with a matchup against the winner of Memphis and one of the play in games awaiting in the second round (I don't consider the play-in games the first round). I believe that their conference schedule in the Big Ten will help them, and all the Big Ten teams, because they have been battle tested and are prepared for this tournament. They've beaten Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, and Kansas. They can definitely hang with the big boys and, in a beatable region, I think they could reach the Final Four again; possibly even the title game.
Team That Will Underachieve: Duke
This one could come back to bite me in the butt, but I'm not a believer in a deep Duke run this year. Brian Kelly certainly makes them much better as they have only lost once with him in the lineup. Another positive is Maryland is nowhere to be found, as the Terps beat them twice this year. Still, something about this team just doesn't seem title worthy. Down the stretch, they were average as they lost three of their last eight games, including an early exit in the ACC Tournament. They could possibly see a talented Creighton squad in the second round, or Sparty in the Sweet 16. Add in the debacle of last year that is still in their mind, and there's a recipe for a quick exit. Now that we know the 15/2 upset is possible in this day and age, don't think that they'll ease through the first round either against America East Conference Champion Albany.
Bold Prediction: Saint Louis Will Reach The Elite Eight
SLU won a competitive Atlantic 10 conference tournament by beating VCU. They have also picked up wins over Butler and New Mexico. Despite being from a "mid-major," SLU has been able to climb to #16 in the most recent rankings. They have been rolling down the stretch, winning 15 of their last 16 games. I think they'll take that momentum into the tournament and easily dispatch their first and second round opponents. Louisville will most likely be awaiting them in the Sweet 16, and I think with a little luck on their side, they can knock off the Cardinals. SLU doesn't beat themselves, plays sound defense, and focuses on the little things. A date with State will end their run, but a trip to the Elite Eight by a four seed from a mid major is nothing to sneeze at.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 7
While this region has some powerhouses, it doesn't have a lot of depth. Even my bold prediction with SLU isn't really that bold, but I can't really justify any of the lower seeds in this region making a run. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top four seeds (Duke, Louisville, SLU, or MSU) make it out of this region. I expect this region to go pretty much chalk. The only first round upsets I see looming are (11) St. Mary's over (6) Memphis (if St. Mary's wins their play in game) and (12) Oregon over (5) Oklahoma State. Other than that, I don't see much early drama in this region. With this top heavy region, making your selections should be fairly easy.
Winner Of Region: Michigan State
See above. State + Izzo = Final Four should be taught as a legitimate math equation in all Michigan schools.
Upcoming regional breakdowns
Monday - West
Tuesday - South
Wednesday - East
Matty O
Louisville, North Carolina A&T/Liberty, Colorado State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oregon, St. Louis, New Mexico State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee/St. Mary's, Michigan State, Valparaiso, Creighton, Cincinnati, Duke, Albany
Team That Will Overachieve: Michigan State
State + Izzo seems to be the formula for a Final Four year in and year out. He has taken the Spartans to the Final Four six times, most recently in 2010 when they were a five seed. Now they are a three seed with a matchup against the winner of Memphis and one of the play in games awaiting in the second round (I don't consider the play-in games the first round). I believe that their conference schedule in the Big Ten will help them, and all the Big Ten teams, because they have been battle tested and are prepared for this tournament. They've beaten Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, and Kansas. They can definitely hang with the big boys and, in a beatable region, I think they could reach the Final Four again; possibly even the title game.
Team That Will Underachieve: Duke
This one could come back to bite me in the butt, but I'm not a believer in a deep Duke run this year. Brian Kelly certainly makes them much better as they have only lost once with him in the lineup. Another positive is Maryland is nowhere to be found, as the Terps beat them twice this year. Still, something about this team just doesn't seem title worthy. Down the stretch, they were average as they lost three of their last eight games, including an early exit in the ACC Tournament. They could possibly see a talented Creighton squad in the second round, or Sparty in the Sweet 16. Add in the debacle of last year that is still in their mind, and there's a recipe for a quick exit. Now that we know the 15/2 upset is possible in this day and age, don't think that they'll ease through the first round either against America East Conference Champion Albany.
Bold Prediction: Saint Louis Will Reach The Elite Eight
SLU won a competitive Atlantic 10 conference tournament by beating VCU. They have also picked up wins over Butler and New Mexico. Despite being from a "mid-major," SLU has been able to climb to #16 in the most recent rankings. They have been rolling down the stretch, winning 15 of their last 16 games. I think they'll take that momentum into the tournament and easily dispatch their first and second round opponents. Louisville will most likely be awaiting them in the Sweet 16, and I think with a little luck on their side, they can knock off the Cardinals. SLU doesn't beat themselves, plays sound defense, and focuses on the little things. A date with State will end their run, but a trip to the Elite Eight by a four seed from a mid major is nothing to sneeze at.
Difficulty of Region (1-10): 7
While this region has some powerhouses, it doesn't have a lot of depth. Even my bold prediction with SLU isn't really that bold, but I can't really justify any of the lower seeds in this region making a run. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top four seeds (Duke, Louisville, SLU, or MSU) make it out of this region. I expect this region to go pretty much chalk. The only first round upsets I see looming are (11) St. Mary's over (6) Memphis (if St. Mary's wins their play in game) and (12) Oregon over (5) Oklahoma State. Other than that, I don't see much early drama in this region. With this top heavy region, making your selections should be fairly easy.
Winner Of Region: Michigan State
See above. State + Izzo = Final Four should be taught as a legitimate math equation in all Michigan schools.
Upcoming regional breakdowns
Monday - West
Tuesday - South
Wednesday - East
Matty O
MMA/UFC Overlooked
Every so often, an athlete will come along that dominates their sport. Lawrence Taylor during the 80s, Michael Jordan during the 90s. They do things in their sport that no one had ever seen before. They became unstoppable forces of nature that players, coaches, and fans could only hope to defeat. In the 2000s, there have been many candidates for dominant player in their respective sport. Tom Brady in football, LeBron James and/or Kobe Bryant in basketball, and Tiger Woods in golf. One sport that seems to get overlooked in this argument is mixed martial arts (MMA).
I believe the UFC offers two athletes that should be in the running, if not leading, any conversation about the best in their sport. I would be talking about Georges St-Pierre (GSP) and Anderson Silva. GSP has an overall record of 24-2, with Silva boasting a 33-4 record. They have three UFC title wins between them and 18 title defenses. Unfortunately, neither gets the credit I think they deserve in the world of sports and it's about time their dominance is brought to your attention, if it hasn't already.
GSP
St-Pierre, a Canadian welterweight, is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, pound for pound fighter in the world. With his win over Nick Diaz Saturday night, he became tied for the most UFC wins of all time (18). He hasn't lost a fight since 2007; a fluky fight against Matt Serra in which he lost the title. Serra is a decent fighter in his own right, but not a true welterweight champion, which GSP reminded him of the following year by beating him for the title. Since he has been the champ for so long, the only opponents he faces are the best of the best. No Charlotte Bobcats or Jacksonville Jaguars to be found here.
From Nick Diaz to BJ Penn to Matt Hughes, many have tried and failed to take GSP's welterweight title. Imagine that every game you play is the Super Bowl and that's the magnitude faced by champions in the UFC. These fights happen on the biggest stages such as Las Vegas and Montreal (GSP's hometown) against the best in the world. A win means a continued title run, a loss could mean one or two fights just for a shot at the title. Not only is he winning these fights, but he is doing it in convincing fashion. The Diaz fight last night was a unanimous 50-45 decision, in other words, a blowout. It was amazing watching the fight because Diaz knew what he needed to do (stay on his feet and make it a boxing match) but GSP just didn't allow it. It's the same feeling defenders get when Lebron is running a fast break. You know what's coming, but there's no way to stop it.
Having proven his worth against a long list of talented fighters, the fans worldwide have been clamoring for a super fight between GSP and Silva. The problem so far has been scheduling and figuring out weight classes. GSP is in a lower weight class than Silva so either GSP would have to move up in class or Silva move down (Silva has gone up in weight class before). What will probably end up happening, if the fight happens, is a catch weight. This is an agreed upon weight limit that doesn't fall into the traditional classes. If this fight happens, it would certainly be the biggest fight in UFC history and would be more relevant, exciting, and electric than the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight people have been demanding.
Anderson Silva
Speaking of the super fight, here is what Silva brings to the table. While he doesn't have as many UFC wins as GSP, he has more overall MMA wins with 33. The Brazilian middleweight/light heavyweight has a black belt in four disciplines (Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Taekwondo), the record for most consecutive title defenses with 10, as well as the most consecutive wins with 16; both streaks that are active. Seven of his 10 title defenses haven't even made it to the Championship Rounds (rounds 4 and 5, non-title fight is 3 rounds). He's faced Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin in Franklin's hometown, Forrest Griffin, Yushin Okami (who defeated Silva earlier in his career), and Chael Sonnen twice.
Silva's long limbs allow him to be dangerous standing up or on the ground. If anyone's actual fighting style could ever be compared to Muhammad Ali, it would be Silva. Not nearly as outspoken as Ali outside the ring, Silva would do his fair share of taunting inside the octagon. He will frequently drop his hands, daring his opponent to hit him. He'll dance around and tell you to get up if he wishes to keep the fight standing up. He'll duck, bob, and move his head every which way, knowing that you aren't fast enough to catch up. Then, without warning, a sudden flurry or front kick to the face, and the fight is done. He's the only fighter I've ever heard of that has been criticized for not ending fights.
During a couple of his title defenses, Silva would refuse to engage his opponent since most of his damage comes on the counterattack. This, as you might expect, produced a lot of running around the ring, staring each other down, with little action going on. Silva still won the fights, but the boos from the crowd were loud and it made President Dana White furious. He knew Silva had the skill to absolutely destroy his opponent, but was more than a bit frustrated when Silva refused to. When he turns it on though, it is a ballet of destruction. Every punch and kick lands exactly where he intends it to. If an opponent is rocked, you'll see him get position over him, but calculate his shots. Some fighters will go crazy and throw 20 punches to end the fight when their opponent is down. Anderson could throw three good ones and have the same effect.
Even though I am a fan of both, I would probably put Silva over GSP as the best fighter in the world, if not ever. I know that ever is a long time, but Silva's dominance is insane, and can really only be appreciated if you watch the fights. Watch one of his fights, particularly either of his ones against Rich Franklin and especially his Vitor Belfort one if you want a good knockout. Observe how relaxed and confident he is and how frighteningly accurate his strikes are. Ridiculous.
So why aren't these two generally in the greatest athlete conversation? There are quite a few reasons, but I'll highlight three right here.
Misunderstanding Of The Sport
This is probably the most significant thing that turns viewers away. Everyone is all for the first round knockout and the swing for the fences punches, but to win in MMA, it's more than likely you'll have to grapple and use some wrestling. This is when people lose interest. All they see are two sweaty dudes grabbing each other, with no visible harm seen unless a submission hold is attempted. My brother has this same view and he's a black belt in karate. He enjoys fighting, but can't relate to the smaller, technical stuff. While it's true that I would much rather see the fists flying, you have to appreciate the grappling for what it is. A perfect example of this would be in basketball during the last minute in a close game.
With all the fouls and timeouts, it can take 20 minutes just to get through one minute of game action. Is it boring? You bet it is. I'm sure everyone would like to see up and down the court action with final scores looking like 180-172. But guess what? A team is trying to win. That's why a coach will foul. That's why he'll call a time out after every dead ball. That's why he'll sub players constantly. While it's not flashy or entertaining, it goes a long way in securing a win. Grappling is the same way. Will a knee or punch to the ribs in the clinch win the fight? Probably not. But doing that over time will help to wear their opponent down and could open up their defense.
When watching MMA, people need to understand that there will be lulls in the action. I've seen street and bar fights where two dudes will swing wildly and be gassed after 30, 40 seconds. These fights can go for up to 25 minutes. Unless you were born with four lungs and two hearts, it would be wise to not go for broke in the first round. Viewers need to understand that all the holds, grapples, and dirty boxing are simply building up and are stepping stones to their ultimate goal, a win.
Exposure
While watching college basketball today, I saw commercials with Shaq, Peyton Manning, and Joe Mauer. I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial with a UFC star, especially not GSP or Silva. Chuck Lidell, Randy Couture, and Rampage Jackson are the three names that come to mind when it comes to any kind of media exposure for the UFC. Unfortunately, all three are out of the UFC and may be remembered more by future generations for their movies (The Expendables, A-Team) than their fighting skills. The UFC has its fair share of promos on all the major networks, but it is not enough to match seeing a sport star in a car or food commercial.
The media in general seems to not be aboard the UFC train either. ESPN, the most significant sport network in the US, barely covers the UFC. I understand that they can't show nearly as many highlights due to the UFC's contract with FOX and the main fights being on Pay-Per-View, but they could still cover it more. I don't care that the Broncos fax machine isn't working. I care much more about what the consequences would be if Diaz were to upset GSP. I'm not saying they have to devote a whole hour to it, but given the power they have over sports fans, it seems to reason they could increase interest by giving the UFC more coverage.
Violence
In order for a sport to be extremely popular, it needs to be accepted by a wide range of people. Due to the violent nature of the sport, I feel like it deters a good number of them. I think that perception is key here, however, as a reasonable argument could be made that the UFC is sometimes safer than popular sports such as football. Even though football players aren't throwing punches or kicking (rivalry games may contain such elements), they're still colliding with other full grown men at high speeds. The damage caused by a helmet to helmet hit can be the same, if not greater, than a knockout punch thrown by Shane Carwin. Because of this perception, however, football is widely accepted and welcomed into living rooms.
People see Brian Urlacher and think great player, smart, good role model. The same might not be said for Silva after he just left a guy on the mat a bloody mess. It doesn't change the fact that he can be viewed in a good light and is probably the most respectful fighter out there. He bows to his opponent and never hesitates to give them credit after a match. He hasn't had any personal life messes that have been made public or gotten into trouble with the law. Silva makes one heck of a role model, but doesn't get credit because of the sport he is associated with.
Next time you and your buddies are debating the most dominant athlete, don't forget these two guys. Although their sport is not as prominent in our culture as football or basketball, it doesn't change the fact that their accomplishments are historic. Watching these two at their best is a sight to behold. They compete against the best until they lose or retire. So check out their next fight, whether it's on Fox or Pay Per View. Similar to the Jordan's of the world, once they're gone, it'll be a long time until someone surpasses them.
Matty O
I believe the UFC offers two athletes that should be in the running, if not leading, any conversation about the best in their sport. I would be talking about Georges St-Pierre (GSP) and Anderson Silva. GSP has an overall record of 24-2, with Silva boasting a 33-4 record. They have three UFC title wins between them and 18 title defenses. Unfortunately, neither gets the credit I think they deserve in the world of sports and it's about time their dominance is brought to your attention, if it hasn't already.
GSP
St-Pierre, a Canadian welterweight, is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, pound for pound fighter in the world. With his win over Nick Diaz Saturday night, he became tied for the most UFC wins of all time (18). He hasn't lost a fight since 2007; a fluky fight against Matt Serra in which he lost the title. Serra is a decent fighter in his own right, but not a true welterweight champion, which GSP reminded him of the following year by beating him for the title. Since he has been the champ for so long, the only opponents he faces are the best of the best. No Charlotte Bobcats or Jacksonville Jaguars to be found here.
From Nick Diaz to BJ Penn to Matt Hughes, many have tried and failed to take GSP's welterweight title. Imagine that every game you play is the Super Bowl and that's the magnitude faced by champions in the UFC. These fights happen on the biggest stages such as Las Vegas and Montreal (GSP's hometown) against the best in the world. A win means a continued title run, a loss could mean one or two fights just for a shot at the title. Not only is he winning these fights, but he is doing it in convincing fashion. The Diaz fight last night was a unanimous 50-45 decision, in other words, a blowout. It was amazing watching the fight because Diaz knew what he needed to do (stay on his feet and make it a boxing match) but GSP just didn't allow it. It's the same feeling defenders get when Lebron is running a fast break. You know what's coming, but there's no way to stop it.
Having proven his worth against a long list of talented fighters, the fans worldwide have been clamoring for a super fight between GSP and Silva. The problem so far has been scheduling and figuring out weight classes. GSP is in a lower weight class than Silva so either GSP would have to move up in class or Silva move down (Silva has gone up in weight class before). What will probably end up happening, if the fight happens, is a catch weight. This is an agreed upon weight limit that doesn't fall into the traditional classes. If this fight happens, it would certainly be the biggest fight in UFC history and would be more relevant, exciting, and electric than the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight people have been demanding.
Anderson Silva
Speaking of the super fight, here is what Silva brings to the table. While he doesn't have as many UFC wins as GSP, he has more overall MMA wins with 33. The Brazilian middleweight/light heavyweight has a black belt in four disciplines (Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Taekwondo), the record for most consecutive title defenses with 10, as well as the most consecutive wins with 16; both streaks that are active. Seven of his 10 title defenses haven't even made it to the Championship Rounds (rounds 4 and 5, non-title fight is 3 rounds). He's faced Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin in Franklin's hometown, Forrest Griffin, Yushin Okami (who defeated Silva earlier in his career), and Chael Sonnen twice.
Silva's long limbs allow him to be dangerous standing up or on the ground. If anyone's actual fighting style could ever be compared to Muhammad Ali, it would be Silva. Not nearly as outspoken as Ali outside the ring, Silva would do his fair share of taunting inside the octagon. He will frequently drop his hands, daring his opponent to hit him. He'll dance around and tell you to get up if he wishes to keep the fight standing up. He'll duck, bob, and move his head every which way, knowing that you aren't fast enough to catch up. Then, without warning, a sudden flurry or front kick to the face, and the fight is done. He's the only fighter I've ever heard of that has been criticized for not ending fights.
During a couple of his title defenses, Silva would refuse to engage his opponent since most of his damage comes on the counterattack. This, as you might expect, produced a lot of running around the ring, staring each other down, with little action going on. Silva still won the fights, but the boos from the crowd were loud and it made President Dana White furious. He knew Silva had the skill to absolutely destroy his opponent, but was more than a bit frustrated when Silva refused to. When he turns it on though, it is a ballet of destruction. Every punch and kick lands exactly where he intends it to. If an opponent is rocked, you'll see him get position over him, but calculate his shots. Some fighters will go crazy and throw 20 punches to end the fight when their opponent is down. Anderson could throw three good ones and have the same effect.
Even though I am a fan of both, I would probably put Silva over GSP as the best fighter in the world, if not ever. I know that ever is a long time, but Silva's dominance is insane, and can really only be appreciated if you watch the fights. Watch one of his fights, particularly either of his ones against Rich Franklin and especially his Vitor Belfort one if you want a good knockout. Observe how relaxed and confident he is and how frighteningly accurate his strikes are. Ridiculous.
So why aren't these two generally in the greatest athlete conversation? There are quite a few reasons, but I'll highlight three right here.
Misunderstanding Of The Sport
This is probably the most significant thing that turns viewers away. Everyone is all for the first round knockout and the swing for the fences punches, but to win in MMA, it's more than likely you'll have to grapple and use some wrestling. This is when people lose interest. All they see are two sweaty dudes grabbing each other, with no visible harm seen unless a submission hold is attempted. My brother has this same view and he's a black belt in karate. He enjoys fighting, but can't relate to the smaller, technical stuff. While it's true that I would much rather see the fists flying, you have to appreciate the grappling for what it is. A perfect example of this would be in basketball during the last minute in a close game.
With all the fouls and timeouts, it can take 20 minutes just to get through one minute of game action. Is it boring? You bet it is. I'm sure everyone would like to see up and down the court action with final scores looking like 180-172. But guess what? A team is trying to win. That's why a coach will foul. That's why he'll call a time out after every dead ball. That's why he'll sub players constantly. While it's not flashy or entertaining, it goes a long way in securing a win. Grappling is the same way. Will a knee or punch to the ribs in the clinch win the fight? Probably not. But doing that over time will help to wear their opponent down and could open up their defense.
When watching MMA, people need to understand that there will be lulls in the action. I've seen street and bar fights where two dudes will swing wildly and be gassed after 30, 40 seconds. These fights can go for up to 25 minutes. Unless you were born with four lungs and two hearts, it would be wise to not go for broke in the first round. Viewers need to understand that all the holds, grapples, and dirty boxing are simply building up and are stepping stones to their ultimate goal, a win.
Exposure
While watching college basketball today, I saw commercials with Shaq, Peyton Manning, and Joe Mauer. I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial with a UFC star, especially not GSP or Silva. Chuck Lidell, Randy Couture, and Rampage Jackson are the three names that come to mind when it comes to any kind of media exposure for the UFC. Unfortunately, all three are out of the UFC and may be remembered more by future generations for their movies (The Expendables, A-Team) than their fighting skills. The UFC has its fair share of promos on all the major networks, but it is not enough to match seeing a sport star in a car or food commercial.
The media in general seems to not be aboard the UFC train either. ESPN, the most significant sport network in the US, barely covers the UFC. I understand that they can't show nearly as many highlights due to the UFC's contract with FOX and the main fights being on Pay-Per-View, but they could still cover it more. I don't care that the Broncos fax machine isn't working. I care much more about what the consequences would be if Diaz were to upset GSP. I'm not saying they have to devote a whole hour to it, but given the power they have over sports fans, it seems to reason they could increase interest by giving the UFC more coverage.
Violence
In order for a sport to be extremely popular, it needs to be accepted by a wide range of people. Due to the violent nature of the sport, I feel like it deters a good number of them. I think that perception is key here, however, as a reasonable argument could be made that the UFC is sometimes safer than popular sports such as football. Even though football players aren't throwing punches or kicking (rivalry games may contain such elements), they're still colliding with other full grown men at high speeds. The damage caused by a helmet to helmet hit can be the same, if not greater, than a knockout punch thrown by Shane Carwin. Because of this perception, however, football is widely accepted and welcomed into living rooms.
People see Brian Urlacher and think great player, smart, good role model. The same might not be said for Silva after he just left a guy on the mat a bloody mess. It doesn't change the fact that he can be viewed in a good light and is probably the most respectful fighter out there. He bows to his opponent and never hesitates to give them credit after a match. He hasn't had any personal life messes that have been made public or gotten into trouble with the law. Silva makes one heck of a role model, but doesn't get credit because of the sport he is associated with.
Next time you and your buddies are debating the most dominant athlete, don't forget these two guys. Although their sport is not as prominent in our culture as football or basketball, it doesn't change the fact that their accomplishments are historic. Watching these two at their best is a sight to behold. They compete against the best until they lose or retire. So check out their next fight, whether it's on Fox or Pay Per View. Similar to the Jordan's of the world, once they're gone, it'll be a long time until someone surpasses them.
Matty O
Saturday, March 9, 2013
To Play Or Not To Play? That Shouldn't Be In Question
April 28th, 2012.
That was the day the Bulls' postseason chances ended, and when the 2012-13 season was put in question. Derrick Rose, with about 90 seconds left in Game 1 of the first round, got injured driving in the lane and was not able to return for the series. The Bulls would go on to lose to the eighth seeded 76ers in six games and later found out that Rose's injury was to his ACL, forcing him to miss significant time. A few initial reports projected him to return in January of 2013. Obviously, that was not the case as he got cleared to play by doctors just this week, but says he is not personally ready to return yet. I would like to see him return before the playoffs start to shake off any rust he has, but in the end, it's up to him.
The problem I have is with comments his brother and agent, Reggie Rose, made regarding the Bulls team. He suggests that due to the lack of star power and action by the Bulls front office to make trades, that Derrick may be less inclined to join the team. This claim is ridiculous, and I believe that if Rose were to return, the Bulls would be a legitimate threat to come out of the East. One of the more significant problems I have with Reggie's claim is the way that injured players are treated nowadays.
Let 'Em Play
My personal opinion on injuries is to let them play as soon as they're ready. Probably the most notable case in recent memory of trying to regulate an injury was in baseball with Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was a phenomenal pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the Nationals decided to limit the number of innings that he pitched that year, which meant he would miss the postseason. To me, there were so many things wrong with this. First off, I just found it silly he was on an innings limit and not a pitch limit. In baseball, you could throw as few as three pitches an inning, and up to as many as it takes to get three outs. If they were really concerned about the strain on his injury, they should have monitored pitch count rather than innings.
Second, if I'm a Nationals fan, I would have been extremely upset with that organization. The Nationals, perennial cellar dwellers, finally had the makings of a great team in 2012. They finished with the best record in baseball. They had quality pitching (Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman) and the ability to score runs with the likes of Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Adam LaRoche. They had it all and got to face the fifth seeded St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. While there's no guarantee that they would have beaten the Cards, Giants, or Tigers, having a player like Strasburg would have been key. Maybe the situation would be different for a consistent powerhouse like the Yankees, but this was really the first time the Nationals were relevant and they had a great shot of winning it all. He had been resting towards the end of the season. He seriously couldn't pitch at all in the postseason? C'mon.
Last but not least, no one can predict injuries. Yes, there are things you can do to prevent or avoid them, but Derrick could be walking down the street right now, trip, and sprain his ankle. The best doctor in the world couldn't predict that. It is for this reason that I don't think there is a such thing as rushing back from an injury. If you feel you can play, then by all means, do so. You might get hurt during the game, but you could also get hurt in practice, or in the post game press conference for all we know. As long as you are not a detriment to your team, I believe you should be out there regardless of the type of injury you have. If Phillip Rivers can play an AFC title game with a torn ACL, then Derrick, you can certainly play a playoff series after months of recovery.
The Bulls Aren't Bad
My opinion on this matter would probably be different if the Bulls were in the cellar. If Rose was on the Bobcats, I'd say, "Yea, save him for next year and the long term." But that's not the case. Similar to the Nationals last year, the Bulls have solid pieces in place and will probably make the playoffs. They currently sit fifth with 11 1/2 games separating them from missing the playoffs. They have three capable big men in Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, and Joakim Noah; they have an All-Star in Luol Deng; and they have great minor players like Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich who live by the philosophy that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Can they beat the Heat without Rose? No, probably not. That's why we need him back!
I do have faith that if he comes back, and is Derrick Rose circa 2011, that the Bulls can come out of the East and beat Miami if it comes to that. They have the big men inside, which is one of the Heat's weaknesses, and Rose certainly has the advantage at the point guard position. If they can develop an emphasis on stopping the fast break (easier said than done) and forcing Miami into a half court game, I believe the Bulls can beat them, or at least stretch it to seven games. As a Bulls fan, I would actually prefer for us to face the Heat sooner rather than later, depending on when Derrick can come back. It is much easier to catch top teams in the first or second round before they get locked in to that killer playoff mentality. If Derrick comes back a couple or a few weeks before the season ends, I would love to face the Heat as an eight seed, first round, and just get it over with. If the Heat go out in the first round, you'd have to give the Bulls a significant chance to go to the finals with Rose.
Who To Trade?
Reggie Rose accuses the Bulls of a lack of action to trade players to make the team better. If that's your claim, then who do you want to trade and how does it make them better? Save for Kyle Korver who is now in Atlanta, this team had great success with players that are on the roster now (Deng, Boozer, Noah, Rose, Gibson). The only one out of those five that would even make sense to trade would be Boozer. Taj and Noah are 27 and 28, respectively, with both signed to contracts through the 2015-16 season. I still don't think we've seen the best from either player yet, especially Taj. Deng, another 27 year old, is a two time All-Star and has spent his entire career with the Bulls, having played with Rose for his entire career as well.
Boozer, meanwhile, is 31 and has not reached an All-Star game since coming to the Windy City. Since the Bulls acquired him, he has not been able to put up the same kind of numbers he did in Utah with Deron Williams. The problem is that other GMs are looking at those same figures and are seeing a decline. The return on Boozer wouldn't be what the Bulls want unless we were to package some players and/or picks with it. As much as I am not a fan of Boozer's play style, he seems to work well with Noah and Rose, and enjoys being in Chicago. As long as the wins keep on coming in, I can't complain.
What Reggie needs to understand is how distorted his demands are. Rose is the man in Chicago. If it was Noah that was injured and Rose was healthy, then it might make sense to trade for a dominant big man if they were outside the playoff hunt. The fact of the matter is that this is a team with no bona fide superstar that is sitting in fifth place in the East. It would be wise to ride out the storm for now, and turn on the gas once Rose is back. He's led the Bulls to the Western Conference Finals before and I have zero doubts he can do it again.
In the end, I think Rose will come back sooner rather than later. Thankfully Reggie said he was speaking for himself and not Derrick, because it seems like Derrick genuinely cares about the integrity of the game and this Bulls organization. Since he is from Chicago, I think he wants nothing more than to win a title with the Bulls than any other team. If they don't face the Heat early, all of Chicago needs to be praying that an upset happens in the first couple rounds. Even though I think the Bulls can beat them, I would prefer to avoid them altogether. If Rose can come back from this injury and lead the Bulls to a deep run and possibly a title, it will be one more building block for his legacy and one step closer to bringing another title back to Chicago.
Matty O
That was the day the Bulls' postseason chances ended, and when the 2012-13 season was put in question. Derrick Rose, with about 90 seconds left in Game 1 of the first round, got injured driving in the lane and was not able to return for the series. The Bulls would go on to lose to the eighth seeded 76ers in six games and later found out that Rose's injury was to his ACL, forcing him to miss significant time. A few initial reports projected him to return in January of 2013. Obviously, that was not the case as he got cleared to play by doctors just this week, but says he is not personally ready to return yet. I would like to see him return before the playoffs start to shake off any rust he has, but in the end, it's up to him.
The problem I have is with comments his brother and agent, Reggie Rose, made regarding the Bulls team. He suggests that due to the lack of star power and action by the Bulls front office to make trades, that Derrick may be less inclined to join the team. This claim is ridiculous, and I believe that if Rose were to return, the Bulls would be a legitimate threat to come out of the East. One of the more significant problems I have with Reggie's claim is the way that injured players are treated nowadays.
Let 'Em Play
My personal opinion on injuries is to let them play as soon as they're ready. Probably the most notable case in recent memory of trying to regulate an injury was in baseball with Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was a phenomenal pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the Nationals decided to limit the number of innings that he pitched that year, which meant he would miss the postseason. To me, there were so many things wrong with this. First off, I just found it silly he was on an innings limit and not a pitch limit. In baseball, you could throw as few as three pitches an inning, and up to as many as it takes to get three outs. If they were really concerned about the strain on his injury, they should have monitored pitch count rather than innings.
Second, if I'm a Nationals fan, I would have been extremely upset with that organization. The Nationals, perennial cellar dwellers, finally had the makings of a great team in 2012. They finished with the best record in baseball. They had quality pitching (Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman) and the ability to score runs with the likes of Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Adam LaRoche. They had it all and got to face the fifth seeded St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. While there's no guarantee that they would have beaten the Cards, Giants, or Tigers, having a player like Strasburg would have been key. Maybe the situation would be different for a consistent powerhouse like the Yankees, but this was really the first time the Nationals were relevant and they had a great shot of winning it all. He had been resting towards the end of the season. He seriously couldn't pitch at all in the postseason? C'mon.
Last but not least, no one can predict injuries. Yes, there are things you can do to prevent or avoid them, but Derrick could be walking down the street right now, trip, and sprain his ankle. The best doctor in the world couldn't predict that. It is for this reason that I don't think there is a such thing as rushing back from an injury. If you feel you can play, then by all means, do so. You might get hurt during the game, but you could also get hurt in practice, or in the post game press conference for all we know. As long as you are not a detriment to your team, I believe you should be out there regardless of the type of injury you have. If Phillip Rivers can play an AFC title game with a torn ACL, then Derrick, you can certainly play a playoff series after months of recovery.
The Bulls Aren't Bad
My opinion on this matter would probably be different if the Bulls were in the cellar. If Rose was on the Bobcats, I'd say, "Yea, save him for next year and the long term." But that's not the case. Similar to the Nationals last year, the Bulls have solid pieces in place and will probably make the playoffs. They currently sit fifth with 11 1/2 games separating them from missing the playoffs. They have three capable big men in Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, and Joakim Noah; they have an All-Star in Luol Deng; and they have great minor players like Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich who live by the philosophy that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Can they beat the Heat without Rose? No, probably not. That's why we need him back!
I do have faith that if he comes back, and is Derrick Rose circa 2011, that the Bulls can come out of the East and beat Miami if it comes to that. They have the big men inside, which is one of the Heat's weaknesses, and Rose certainly has the advantage at the point guard position. If they can develop an emphasis on stopping the fast break (easier said than done) and forcing Miami into a half court game, I believe the Bulls can beat them, or at least stretch it to seven games. As a Bulls fan, I would actually prefer for us to face the Heat sooner rather than later, depending on when Derrick can come back. It is much easier to catch top teams in the first or second round before they get locked in to that killer playoff mentality. If Derrick comes back a couple or a few weeks before the season ends, I would love to face the Heat as an eight seed, first round, and just get it over with. If the Heat go out in the first round, you'd have to give the Bulls a significant chance to go to the finals with Rose.
Who To Trade?
Reggie Rose accuses the Bulls of a lack of action to trade players to make the team better. If that's your claim, then who do you want to trade and how does it make them better? Save for Kyle Korver who is now in Atlanta, this team had great success with players that are on the roster now (Deng, Boozer, Noah, Rose, Gibson). The only one out of those five that would even make sense to trade would be Boozer. Taj and Noah are 27 and 28, respectively, with both signed to contracts through the 2015-16 season. I still don't think we've seen the best from either player yet, especially Taj. Deng, another 27 year old, is a two time All-Star and has spent his entire career with the Bulls, having played with Rose for his entire career as well.
Boozer, meanwhile, is 31 and has not reached an All-Star game since coming to the Windy City. Since the Bulls acquired him, he has not been able to put up the same kind of numbers he did in Utah with Deron Williams. The problem is that other GMs are looking at those same figures and are seeing a decline. The return on Boozer wouldn't be what the Bulls want unless we were to package some players and/or picks with it. As much as I am not a fan of Boozer's play style, he seems to work well with Noah and Rose, and enjoys being in Chicago. As long as the wins keep on coming in, I can't complain.
What Reggie needs to understand is how distorted his demands are. Rose is the man in Chicago. If it was Noah that was injured and Rose was healthy, then it might make sense to trade for a dominant big man if they were outside the playoff hunt. The fact of the matter is that this is a team with no bona fide superstar that is sitting in fifth place in the East. It would be wise to ride out the storm for now, and turn on the gas once Rose is back. He's led the Bulls to the Western Conference Finals before and I have zero doubts he can do it again.
In the end, I think Rose will come back sooner rather than later. Thankfully Reggie said he was speaking for himself and not Derrick, because it seems like Derrick genuinely cares about the integrity of the game and this Bulls organization. Since he is from Chicago, I think he wants nothing more than to win a title with the Bulls than any other team. If they don't face the Heat early, all of Chicago needs to be praying that an upset happens in the first couple rounds. Even though I think the Bulls can beat them, I would prefer to avoid them altogether. If Rose can come back from this injury and lead the Bulls to a deep run and possibly a title, it will be one more building block for his legacy and one step closer to bringing another title back to Chicago.
Matty O
Blackhawks, Concerns?
Well, the streak finally ended. The Hawks lost in regulation Friday night to the Avalanche in Denver. During this phenomenal run, the Hawks have established themselves as the best team in the NHL and the popular pick to win the Stanley Cup. This blog post is simply meant to temper expectations and remind people that this team is not perfect. All it takes is four losses in May and the season is over. It's certainly easy to go after a team right after this loss, but I think this streak of theirs has masked problems along the way, some of which have carried over from last season, and is something that Hawks fans should consider before handing them the Stanley Cup.
Goaltending
I think Hawks fans forgot how much they hated Corey Crawford following last year's playoffs. Wasn't that an off-season area of interest? Hockey is the ultimate team game, but Crawford was clearly to blame for some relatively soft goals he gave up during last year's first round exit to Phoenix. This year, however, he's been outstanding (at least when he's not injured). When Crawford needs a rest or when he got injured, Ray Emery of all people stepped in and played extremely well in Crawford's absence. In fact, all four of the Hawks losses have come with Crawford in net. The Hawks currently rank fourth in goals against in the NHL, having only given up 52. But for anyone watching the Colorado game Friday night, it seemed like Crawford went back to his old self and gave up some goals that a top tier goalie just doesn't let in.
Just looking at the Western Conference playoff teams, I don't believe Crawford is in the top 5 goalies. Since joining the Hawks, he has yet to get them out of the first round as they lost to Vancouver in 2011 and to the Coyotes last year. Emery, although playing well as of now, is a journeyman type player and has bounced around all over the place. Since 2004, he has been on eight different teams, including the Blackhawks. For hockey fans that knew who Emery was before he came to the Hawks, probably knew him better for his fighting skills than his goal tending skills. I really think they need to find a more stable backup either in free agency or a trade before the playoffs. The Avs showed what happens when you have bad goaltending. Add in the fact that playoffs have not been Crawford's strong suit, and you have the recipe for another first round exit.
Shootouts
This is a bit of a minor point, but still a factor nonetheless. The Hawks have had six games go to a shootout, winning three and losing three. Those six shootout appearances are more than anyone in the Eastern Conference and only less than the Ducks, Canucks, and Sharks in the Western Conference. Why is this a concern? Well, playoff hockey does not involve a shootout unless there is a penalty on a breakaway. I would also point out that shootouts give the Hawks a great advantage. I'm actually surprised their ratio in shootouts isn't better than .500. Anytime you can roll out a three man shootout lineup of Toews, Kane, and Hossa/Sharp, I'd say that puts you ahead of 90% of teams in the league. Who knows what happens if those games keep going? Maybe those losses turn into wins and maybe those wins turn into losses. All I know is that in the playoffs, a definite advantage will be taken away from the Hawks. Anyone can score 5 on 5, but because of the Hawks' skill players, it makes their shootout lineup deadly.
Does Speed Cover For Skill?
Barry Melrose, a hockey analyst on ESPN, pretty much called this game like it happened. He said the streak would end in Denver because the Avs could skate with the Hawks and they should have beat them a few days earlier, but couldn't pull through in the end. "Could skate with the Hawks" is the key phrase there. Anyone that watches the Hawks knows they are scary fast. I've lost count of how many times this year I've seen an opposing player come up the ice, and Hossa uses his speed to catch up, back check, and steal or disrupt the puck. That's great, when you're playing the right team. Can Toews and Kane snap off some scary shots? Yes. Do they have great stick work and handles? Yes. But I think Melrose was correct in his analysis; if there is a fast enough team out there, then this Hawks team can be beat and exposed.
In my opinion, I don't think there are many teams in the West that can accomplish this. Obviously the Avs are one of those teams. Their record against the Hawks? A 6-2 blow out win and a 3-2 loss in Chicago. Another team that I think fits this billing, which may come as a surprise, are the Columbus Blue Jackets. They leave a lot to be desired skill wise (although they are much better now that Jack Johnson is healthy), but they have some speed. They currently sit in last place. Yet, their record against the Hawks? A 3-2 loss at home, a 1-0 loss and a 4-3 overtime loss in Chicago. Not exactly the kind of scores you want against a team that you're ahead of by 25 points in the standings. I think teams that try to be physical with the Hawks won't be able to because of the speed. Look at a team like the San Jose Sharks. They have physical players in spades yet have losses of 5-3, 4-1, and 2-1 against the Hawks this year. I'm not saying they should stop using their speed, because it's clearly a strength, but if they encounter a team of similar skating skill, they could be in trouble.
Am I Lucky or Clutch?
21-1-3 is the Hawks record. Of those 21 wins, 16 have come by one goal or about 76%. By comparison, the Montreal Canadiens, who are first in the Eastern Conference, have seen 6 out of their 15 wins come by one goal, or 40%. Winning by one goal is exciting for the fans and probably for the players, but doesn't really do much to assert your dominance. Some of these games have been decided in the third with clutch goals and fantastic goaltending, so there is certainly some clutch gene and skill involved. At some point though, it would make me more comfortable to see a truly dominant game turned in. If you are considered the best in the NHL and have a historic streak going on, I don't think it's too much to ask for to have a game against a quality opponent that truly wows you. Against the other top four teams in the Western Conference (home ice for playoffs), the Hawks are 3-2 with all of those games being decided by...you guessed it, one goal. This is good for regular season points, but not so good for confidence heading into the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
Hopefully my readers are aware that the Hawks have not, and will not play anyone in the Eastern Conference this year due to the condensed schedule. Unfortunately for the Hawks, to win the Cup, they will eventually have to play a seven game series against one of those teams. Even more bad news? The last place team in the East (New York Rangers) would be tied for fifth in the Western Conference if the playoffs started today. My point? There are some real quality teams in the East that haven't gotten a shot to stop the streak the Hawks are on. There's a good chance one of them would have too.
I would say the top four teams in the East (Montreal, Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Boston), as well as the Rangers if they ever figure it out, could challenge and/or beat the Hawks in a seven game series. All five teams have better goalies than the Hawks, hands down with Carey Price, Marc Andre-Fleury, Cam Ward (when healthy), Tuukka Rask, and Henrik Lundqvist. Chicago has their big three of Kane, Toews, and Hossa, but Pittsburgh counters with perhaps an even greater big three of Malkin, Crosby, and Neal. Depth wise, I might take Boston over any of these teams as their second line is a legitimate starting line on any other team. The Canadiens have struck gold this year with two young standouts in Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher. With P.K. Subban back into the swing of things after his holdout, the Canadiens are looking like a very dangerous team come April/May.
I have my doubts about the Rangers and Canes being true threats to the Hawks and/or Stanley Cup, but on paper, their teams are ridiculous. The Canes boast both Eric and Jordan Staal as well as former Capitals star Alexander Semin who is on pace for a point per game this season. The Rangers, meanwhile, have arguably the best one-two punch in the NHL with Rick Nash and Marion Gaborik, although they rarely play on the same line together. Nash and Gaborik and two of the best scorers in the league, mainly because they came from teams where they were the guy and had to carry everyone else (Nash with Columbus, Gaborik with Minnesota). As good as Keith and Seabrook are, I guarantee they'd have their hands full with the likes of those players. Big, fast, and high hockey IQ. If the Hawks want to raise that Cup, they'll have to slay one of these beasts from the East.
Even with that loss on Friday night, all is still well in Blackhawk land. They're still in first place by eight points in the Western Conference. I don't think they will reach another streak like this anytime soon, not because of their opponents, but because of Sharp's injury which will keep him out 3-4 weeks. They'll have him back in time for the playoffs, but I think that was a significant loss that might get overlooked since he's on the second line and not named Kane, Hossa, or Toews. Regardless, they'll probably still get the number one seed and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs, including the Stanley Cup, if they make it that far. Just be aware of the above concerns. Next time you watch their games, see how lucky or clutch they truly are. Observe how much they rely on speed. Watch an Eastern Conference game and tell me honestly if the Hawks are that much better than any of them. So what will the Hawks 2013 season be remembered for? Best record? Probably. Memorable streak? Check. Stanley Cup? Not so fast.
Matty O
Goaltending
I think Hawks fans forgot how much they hated Corey Crawford following last year's playoffs. Wasn't that an off-season area of interest? Hockey is the ultimate team game, but Crawford was clearly to blame for some relatively soft goals he gave up during last year's first round exit to Phoenix. This year, however, he's been outstanding (at least when he's not injured). When Crawford needs a rest or when he got injured, Ray Emery of all people stepped in and played extremely well in Crawford's absence. In fact, all four of the Hawks losses have come with Crawford in net. The Hawks currently rank fourth in goals against in the NHL, having only given up 52. But for anyone watching the Colorado game Friday night, it seemed like Crawford went back to his old self and gave up some goals that a top tier goalie just doesn't let in.
Just looking at the Western Conference playoff teams, I don't believe Crawford is in the top 5 goalies. Since joining the Hawks, he has yet to get them out of the first round as they lost to Vancouver in 2011 and to the Coyotes last year. Emery, although playing well as of now, is a journeyman type player and has bounced around all over the place. Since 2004, he has been on eight different teams, including the Blackhawks. For hockey fans that knew who Emery was before he came to the Hawks, probably knew him better for his fighting skills than his goal tending skills. I really think they need to find a more stable backup either in free agency or a trade before the playoffs. The Avs showed what happens when you have bad goaltending. Add in the fact that playoffs have not been Crawford's strong suit, and you have the recipe for another first round exit.
Shootouts
This is a bit of a minor point, but still a factor nonetheless. The Hawks have had six games go to a shootout, winning three and losing three. Those six shootout appearances are more than anyone in the Eastern Conference and only less than the Ducks, Canucks, and Sharks in the Western Conference. Why is this a concern? Well, playoff hockey does not involve a shootout unless there is a penalty on a breakaway. I would also point out that shootouts give the Hawks a great advantage. I'm actually surprised their ratio in shootouts isn't better than .500. Anytime you can roll out a three man shootout lineup of Toews, Kane, and Hossa/Sharp, I'd say that puts you ahead of 90% of teams in the league. Who knows what happens if those games keep going? Maybe those losses turn into wins and maybe those wins turn into losses. All I know is that in the playoffs, a definite advantage will be taken away from the Hawks. Anyone can score 5 on 5, but because of the Hawks' skill players, it makes their shootout lineup deadly.
Does Speed Cover For Skill?
Barry Melrose, a hockey analyst on ESPN, pretty much called this game like it happened. He said the streak would end in Denver because the Avs could skate with the Hawks and they should have beat them a few days earlier, but couldn't pull through in the end. "Could skate with the Hawks" is the key phrase there. Anyone that watches the Hawks knows they are scary fast. I've lost count of how many times this year I've seen an opposing player come up the ice, and Hossa uses his speed to catch up, back check, and steal or disrupt the puck. That's great, when you're playing the right team. Can Toews and Kane snap off some scary shots? Yes. Do they have great stick work and handles? Yes. But I think Melrose was correct in his analysis; if there is a fast enough team out there, then this Hawks team can be beat and exposed.
In my opinion, I don't think there are many teams in the West that can accomplish this. Obviously the Avs are one of those teams. Their record against the Hawks? A 6-2 blow out win and a 3-2 loss in Chicago. Another team that I think fits this billing, which may come as a surprise, are the Columbus Blue Jackets. They leave a lot to be desired skill wise (although they are much better now that Jack Johnson is healthy), but they have some speed. They currently sit in last place. Yet, their record against the Hawks? A 3-2 loss at home, a 1-0 loss and a 4-3 overtime loss in Chicago. Not exactly the kind of scores you want against a team that you're ahead of by 25 points in the standings. I think teams that try to be physical with the Hawks won't be able to because of the speed. Look at a team like the San Jose Sharks. They have physical players in spades yet have losses of 5-3, 4-1, and 2-1 against the Hawks this year. I'm not saying they should stop using their speed, because it's clearly a strength, but if they encounter a team of similar skating skill, they could be in trouble.
Am I Lucky or Clutch?
21-1-3 is the Hawks record. Of those 21 wins, 16 have come by one goal or about 76%. By comparison, the Montreal Canadiens, who are first in the Eastern Conference, have seen 6 out of their 15 wins come by one goal, or 40%. Winning by one goal is exciting for the fans and probably for the players, but doesn't really do much to assert your dominance. Some of these games have been decided in the third with clutch goals and fantastic goaltending, so there is certainly some clutch gene and skill involved. At some point though, it would make me more comfortable to see a truly dominant game turned in. If you are considered the best in the NHL and have a historic streak going on, I don't think it's too much to ask for to have a game against a quality opponent that truly wows you. Against the other top four teams in the Western Conference (home ice for playoffs), the Hawks are 3-2 with all of those games being decided by...you guessed it, one goal. This is good for regular season points, but not so good for confidence heading into the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
Hopefully my readers are aware that the Hawks have not, and will not play anyone in the Eastern Conference this year due to the condensed schedule. Unfortunately for the Hawks, to win the Cup, they will eventually have to play a seven game series against one of those teams. Even more bad news? The last place team in the East (New York Rangers) would be tied for fifth in the Western Conference if the playoffs started today. My point? There are some real quality teams in the East that haven't gotten a shot to stop the streak the Hawks are on. There's a good chance one of them would have too.
I would say the top four teams in the East (Montreal, Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Boston), as well as the Rangers if they ever figure it out, could challenge and/or beat the Hawks in a seven game series. All five teams have better goalies than the Hawks, hands down with Carey Price, Marc Andre-Fleury, Cam Ward (when healthy), Tuukka Rask, and Henrik Lundqvist. Chicago has their big three of Kane, Toews, and Hossa, but Pittsburgh counters with perhaps an even greater big three of Malkin, Crosby, and Neal. Depth wise, I might take Boston over any of these teams as their second line is a legitimate starting line on any other team. The Canadiens have struck gold this year with two young standouts in Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher. With P.K. Subban back into the swing of things after his holdout, the Canadiens are looking like a very dangerous team come April/May.
I have my doubts about the Rangers and Canes being true threats to the Hawks and/or Stanley Cup, but on paper, their teams are ridiculous. The Canes boast both Eric and Jordan Staal as well as former Capitals star Alexander Semin who is on pace for a point per game this season. The Rangers, meanwhile, have arguably the best one-two punch in the NHL with Rick Nash and Marion Gaborik, although they rarely play on the same line together. Nash and Gaborik and two of the best scorers in the league, mainly because they came from teams where they were the guy and had to carry everyone else (Nash with Columbus, Gaborik with Minnesota). As good as Keith and Seabrook are, I guarantee they'd have their hands full with the likes of those players. Big, fast, and high hockey IQ. If the Hawks want to raise that Cup, they'll have to slay one of these beasts from the East.
Even with that loss on Friday night, all is still well in Blackhawk land. They're still in first place by eight points in the Western Conference. I don't think they will reach another streak like this anytime soon, not because of their opponents, but because of Sharp's injury which will keep him out 3-4 weeks. They'll have him back in time for the playoffs, but I think that was a significant loss that might get overlooked since he's on the second line and not named Kane, Hossa, or Toews. Regardless, they'll probably still get the number one seed and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs, including the Stanley Cup, if they make it that far. Just be aware of the above concerns. Next time you watch their games, see how lucky or clutch they truly are. Observe how much they rely on speed. Watch an Eastern Conference game and tell me honestly if the Hawks are that much better than any of them. So what will the Hawks 2013 season be remembered for? Best record? Probably. Memorable streak? Check. Stanley Cup? Not so fast.
Matty O
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