Saturday, March 31, 2007

Sorry Florida: UCLA Isn't Gator Bait

So here we are primed for college basketball's premier sporting event: the Final Four. The elite game features defending champion Florida against UCLA. Last year, these two teams met in final, but tonight they hook up in the semi finals. For the Bruins, 2006 saw them walk off the court shell shocked by Gator guard, Lee Humphrey's, proficient three point shooting and center, Joakim Noah's, tenacious shot blocking. The Bruins were already hanging their 12Th NCAA championship banner when the roof caved in. For some reason, UCLA uncharacteristically decided to donate a National Championship banner to Florida. Meanwhile, they lost by 25-points. Because of the Bruins' great history also tradition, they never took the Florida Gators for anything more than a football school. This time, the UCLANS are ready to re-establish their great folklore by proving that the most competitive amateur basketball is played on the West Coast. Not only will UCLA beat Florida, the Bruins will blow them out with a winning margin of more than 12-points. This game will not even be close. Goodbye Florida, the Bruins bid you a fond farewell. We hope you stick with football...something you're good at.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Oh Devil Rays, Knock, Kock?

Knock, Knock, anyone home? When it comes to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, nobody answers: meaning no one's held accountable. Now we learn slugger, Josh Hamilton, is batting .440 for the Cincinnati Reds, moreover he'll probably make the opening day roster. The same Josh Hamilton who was a first round pick also projected starter for Tampa. Hamilton suffered numerous drug relapses before finally turning his life around and playing in the Rays farm system. He was well on his way to a comeback before a knee injury side tracked him. Last year, the Rays placed the North Carolina native on waivers. The Reds took a chance, and Hamilton is paying off in huge dividends. The silly thing about this transaction is the Rays kept Hamilton despite his relapses. Why on earth would they put him on waivers when the club had already endured through so much turmoil? It makes about as much sense as two people getting a divorced after fifty years of marraige. Hello, is anyone home? A club filled with restless young players still lacks veteran leadership, furthermore in the American League East, the Rays know the season is over before it starts. The manager, John Madden, refuses to challenge the club because he recognizes no one cares about winning here; so why should he. Major league baseball should consider doing what some minor league affiliations do. If a triple A club does not remain competitive, it is reclassified as a double A team. Perhaps, that's the only way to send the Rays back to the minors...knock, knock!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Lightning on Thin Ice

In the National Hockey League, the Tampa Bay Lightning are inching towards a playoff berth; however despite having the two of the top scoring threats, Vinny Lecavalier also Marty St. Louis, the Bolts are struggling in goal. This could handicapped the club's playoff hopes. Neither Holquist nor Marc Dennis have been consistent in goal. Both players, moreover, have been taking turns letting in soft goals. Tampa Bay is playing with the same consistent hustle and voracious fore checking that defined 2003 Stanley Cup champions. Yet, the hockey equivalent to basketball rebounding is stalwart goal tending, and the Lightning aren't getting it consistently. Currently, the New Islanders are receiving great net minding from Rick Depietro. Against the Rangers, he played brilliantly by stopping 56 goals. That's what turns also rans into serious playoff contenders. Tampa Bay may not be in the playoffs long without better goaltending.