Rulon Gardner is truly Superman. You can't freeze him to death, you can't run him over and you can't crash him into a lake. This guy has escaped death more than I've eaten at a buffet.
"Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" debuted last night. This is the best name they could come up with for a game show? I guess it gives Jeff Foxworthy fodder for a second career as a game show host/comedian.
Speaking of game shows, what's up with all the "guest stars" on Deal or No Deal. Do greedy idiot contestants really need help from a celebrity there to push their next movie?
There was a story on camera phones in USAToday that got me thinking...I wonder how long it will be before there is a lawsuit filed for an employment decision based on Google-ing someone.
My take on the NBA All-Star Game: The thuggish crowd that came to town is different than what Las Vegas is used to. This is the same crowd that used to be here for the big-time heavyweight fights and since the demise of the heavyweight division, it has not been to Vegas for ten, fifteen years. The crowd that came is a result of the natural evolution of the posse, the hangers on and the entourage that the big time hip hop ethnically diverse people who have not had a "business" reason to come to Vegas. Don't fret, general population, if the NBA ever did come to town, it will have a hard enough time filling a 20,000 seat arena.
Gotta go, watch something besides American Idol tonight, eh?
later
cvz
Rebels by 10
Wednesday, February 28
Tuesday, February 27
My Own Version of the Oscars (Mountain West Conference Edition)
With the Academy Awards show on Sunday and conference play wrapping up this weekend, I figure now would be a good time to give out my awards for the best in the Mountain West this season. I may even make a prediction or two.
MWC Player of the Year: There are probably five to six players who have a legitimate shot at this award this year. Keena Young (BYU) has played a role in the Cougars rise to first place. The two guards from Wyoming, Brad Jones and Brandon Ewing, are the toughest players to defend and if both of them get hot in Vegas, watch out. Luke Nevill and Jason Smith are big men that have been consistent but unable to lift their games and their teams from the middle of the pack. Air Force and UNLV both are better than the sum of their parts, as the Academy had all five starters averaging ten points or more for the better part of the year, and UNLV has three players averaging 13 points or more a game. Due to their true team spirit, however neither team has a candidate for player of the year. My choice goes to Brandon Heath (SDSU). He is a prolific scorer and able to get a shot against anyone in the conference. I don't know if the NBA is in his future, but he has made his mark in the Mountain West and deserves this accolade.
MWC Defensive Player of the Year: While Air Force far and away plays the best team defense in the league, they probably don't have a stand-alone candidate for defensive player of the year. UNLV's Joel Anthony has made a large charge for the honor and if he puts up some big numbers against UNM and C-State in his final two games, he may have a chance. Stuart Creason (CSU) and Alvardo Parker (TCU) both have the numbers to be considered as well. This race is pretty wide open, but I'll bet Joel can finish strong to pull away late.
Freshman of the Year: This award usually oscillates between freshman of the year or newcomer of the year, depending on how strong the field is any given year. There is no obvious choice for a new player that made a big impact like Trent Plaisted made last year for BYU. The top freshmen that deserve notice are Jerome Habel (SDSU) Steven Weigh (Utah) and Jonathan Tavernari (BYU). The preseason favorite for newcomer was J.R. Giddens (UNM) and his injury marred season would not merit consideration. Statistically the most prolific would be Kevin Kruger (UNLV) the senior transfer from Arizona State. My choice for freshman is Tavernari; if they decide to do a newcomer award, my pick is Kruger.
MWC Coach of the Year: Like Best Picture, this field is the strongest and most up for grabs. If UNLV finishes out its year with two wins, Lon Kruger is definitely a solid choice. Air Force's late season fade softens Jeff Bzdelik's chances, besides he did more with less last year and didn't win. San Diego State's Steve Fisher has quietly lead the school to its best start ever, but was probably expected to not struggle as much as they did in the middle portion of the season. In my opinion, BYU's Dave Rose makes it a two horse race between him and Kruger. BYU has a talented roster and is built to win in March. While they lack a marquee non-conference win, Rose has turned this team into the one that nobody wants to play in the tournament. My pick: Lon Kruger, UNLV.
First team all conference:
Keena Young, BYU, Jason Smith, CSU, Brandon Heath, SDSU, Wendell White, UNLV, Brandon Ewing, Wyoming.
Second team all conference:
Nick Welch, Air Force, Dan Nwaelele, Air Force, Mohammed Abukar, SDSU, Kevin Kruger, UNLV, Brad Jones, Wyoming
Third team all conference:
Matt McCraw Air Force, Trent Plaisted, BYU, Jo'Van Adams, UNLV, J.R. Giddens, UNM, Luke Nevill, Utah
Jason Smith on the first team I don't feel great about. He and Luke Nevill are good centers on bad, or unlucky teams. How Colorado State can't win more games with Smith and Creason inside boggles my mind. Utah, similarly can not play consistently enough to win with a big man in the middle. Keena Young (BYU) has worked his way through conference season as the most dangerous player on their roster. Brandon Heath (SDSU) is the most dominant offensive player since Andrew Bogut left town. He probably will be succeeded by Brandon Ewing (Wyoming) next year as (this is scary) he is finishing his sophomore year. Wendell White (UNLV) is the go to player on a team that sometimes can be streaky offensively. He gets them big buckets when they need them.
No huge award upsets that I predict this year. I think this has been the most competitve the conference has been since its first year when UNLV and Utah tied for first and UNLV won the conference tournament. Since then, the league has had its strong teams and great players and it is always tough to win on the road in this conference. Top to bottom, however this is the best the league has been and hopefully it can get three, maybe four teams in the NCAA Tournament this year and make some noise!
Stay tuned for my Conference Tournament preview and predictions next week!
Also, please don't watch "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" on Fox tonight...America does not need Jeff Foxworthy to have a second career as Regis Philbin.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
MWC Player of the Year: There are probably five to six players who have a legitimate shot at this award this year. Keena Young (BYU) has played a role in the Cougars rise to first place. The two guards from Wyoming, Brad Jones and Brandon Ewing, are the toughest players to defend and if both of them get hot in Vegas, watch out. Luke Nevill and Jason Smith are big men that have been consistent but unable to lift their games and their teams from the middle of the pack. Air Force and UNLV both are better than the sum of their parts, as the Academy had all five starters averaging ten points or more for the better part of the year, and UNLV has three players averaging 13 points or more a game. Due to their true team spirit, however neither team has a candidate for player of the year. My choice goes to Brandon Heath (SDSU). He is a prolific scorer and able to get a shot against anyone in the conference. I don't know if the NBA is in his future, but he has made his mark in the Mountain West and deserves this accolade.
MWC Defensive Player of the Year: While Air Force far and away plays the best team defense in the league, they probably don't have a stand-alone candidate for defensive player of the year. UNLV's Joel Anthony has made a large charge for the honor and if he puts up some big numbers against UNM and C-State in his final two games, he may have a chance. Stuart Creason (CSU) and Alvardo Parker (TCU) both have the numbers to be considered as well. This race is pretty wide open, but I'll bet Joel can finish strong to pull away late.
Freshman of the Year: This award usually oscillates between freshman of the year or newcomer of the year, depending on how strong the field is any given year. There is no obvious choice for a new player that made a big impact like Trent Plaisted made last year for BYU. The top freshmen that deserve notice are Jerome Habel (SDSU) Steven Weigh (Utah) and Jonathan Tavernari (BYU). The preseason favorite for newcomer was J.R. Giddens (UNM) and his injury marred season would not merit consideration. Statistically the most prolific would be Kevin Kruger (UNLV) the senior transfer from Arizona State. My choice for freshman is Tavernari; if they decide to do a newcomer award, my pick is Kruger.
MWC Coach of the Year: Like Best Picture, this field is the strongest and most up for grabs. If UNLV finishes out its year with two wins, Lon Kruger is definitely a solid choice. Air Force's late season fade softens Jeff Bzdelik's chances, besides he did more with less last year and didn't win. San Diego State's Steve Fisher has quietly lead the school to its best start ever, but was probably expected to not struggle as much as they did in the middle portion of the season. In my opinion, BYU's Dave Rose makes it a two horse race between him and Kruger. BYU has a talented roster and is built to win in March. While they lack a marquee non-conference win, Rose has turned this team into the one that nobody wants to play in the tournament. My pick: Lon Kruger, UNLV.
First team all conference:
Keena Young, BYU, Jason Smith, CSU, Brandon Heath, SDSU, Wendell White, UNLV, Brandon Ewing, Wyoming.
Second team all conference:
Nick Welch, Air Force, Dan Nwaelele, Air Force, Mohammed Abukar, SDSU, Kevin Kruger, UNLV, Brad Jones, Wyoming
Third team all conference:
Matt McCraw Air Force, Trent Plaisted, BYU, Jo'Van Adams, UNLV, J.R. Giddens, UNM, Luke Nevill, Utah
Jason Smith on the first team I don't feel great about. He and Luke Nevill are good centers on bad, or unlucky teams. How Colorado State can't win more games with Smith and Creason inside boggles my mind. Utah, similarly can not play consistently enough to win with a big man in the middle. Keena Young (BYU) has worked his way through conference season as the most dangerous player on their roster. Brandon Heath (SDSU) is the most dominant offensive player since Andrew Bogut left town. He probably will be succeeded by Brandon Ewing (Wyoming) next year as (this is scary) he is finishing his sophomore year. Wendell White (UNLV) is the go to player on a team that sometimes can be streaky offensively. He gets them big buckets when they need them.
No huge award upsets that I predict this year. I think this has been the most competitve the conference has been since its first year when UNLV and Utah tied for first and UNLV won the conference tournament. Since then, the league has had its strong teams and great players and it is always tough to win on the road in this conference. Top to bottom, however this is the best the league has been and hopefully it can get three, maybe four teams in the NCAA Tournament this year and make some noise!
Stay tuned for my Conference Tournament preview and predictions next week!
Also, please don't watch "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" on Fox tonight...America does not need Jeff Foxworthy to have a second career as Regis Philbin.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Monday, February 12
Welcome back to the Sports Itch
I’m back and in some ways better than ever. Of course, looking at my post last summer regarding the Mavericks, that may not be much of a statement. The way Dallas dominated the first two games of that series, I was not the only one who though they could run away with the series in a sweep.
What actually happened was, Dallas just ran away.
I have revamped my blog again, trying to make it more interesting to me to keep this updated. I have lots to write about, but little time.
Let’s get started.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Update:
I will not put the “Dallas” curse on this basketball team, but this is probably the best the team has played since Tark left. This includes some pretty talented teams that Bill Bayno had, however, Billy couldn’t bring his groups together as well as Lon Kruger has this year. This year’s team is truly larger than the sum of its parts and each win is dotted with some role player stepping up huge in large spots. The Rebels should be a lock for the dance if they keep playing the way they have. If they get better, they could make some serious noise this year. That is all I will say at this point. Looking at the rest of their schedule you have a tough, tough game at San Diego State and if they shoot well to begin with they have a shot. Then another road game at Utah that they have a good chance of winning, regardless of the double OT game at the Mack earlier this year. Another showdown at home against Air Force will be huge, because they have eight days before their next game at New Mexico. Who knows which Lobo team will show up, but I think they have a good chance to win there as well. Season finale vs. C-State should wrap up what (hopefully) will be an undefeated home conference season. Go Rebels!!!
What actually happened was, Dallas just ran away.
I have revamped my blog again, trying to make it more interesting to me to keep this updated. I have lots to write about, but little time.
Let’s get started.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Update:
I will not put the “Dallas” curse on this basketball team, but this is probably the best the team has played since Tark left. This includes some pretty talented teams that Bill Bayno had, however, Billy couldn’t bring his groups together as well as Lon Kruger has this year. This year’s team is truly larger than the sum of its parts and each win is dotted with some role player stepping up huge in large spots. The Rebels should be a lock for the dance if they keep playing the way they have. If they get better, they could make some serious noise this year. That is all I will say at this point. Looking at the rest of their schedule you have a tough, tough game at San Diego State and if they shoot well to begin with they have a shot. Then another road game at Utah that they have a good chance of winning, regardless of the double OT game at the Mack earlier this year. Another showdown at home against Air Force will be huge, because they have eight days before their next game at New Mexico. Who knows which Lobo team will show up, but I think they have a good chance to win there as well. Season finale vs. C-State should wrap up what (hopefully) will be an undefeated home conference season. Go Rebels!!!
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