|
Posted 03/03/2007 at 11:32 AM
If you've bought my college basketball packages in the past few years, you know I'm a huge fan of Saturdays. I mean really, who doesn't love the Saturday card with 100+ games on the board to choose from. To me, it's like taking candy from a baby.
It's actually somewhat of a slow Saturday for me today in college hoops. I could only find 15 games to lay into. Normally on a Saturday, I can dig into about 20 which made me feel that I'm being a bit cautious as teams get ready for tournament season. Either way, I've got action to keep me busy from noon till 2am.
Coming off a 4-0 night gives me a sense of confidence as I get ready for my favorite time of year, March Madness. Last year, I buried "the man" and everyone who was in on my side for the tournament came out ahead in a big way. Take this fact for what it is, a shameless blog plug to buy my tournament packages now, I've got a good feeling.
OK....on to the news.
I saw something in sports the other night that you rarely see these days. It got me all warm and fuzzy inside and although its a happening in an NHL city, I feel the need to share it with you. Ryan Smith who has spent 12 years as an Edmonton Oiler was traded to the New York Islanders. In his post game press conference, Smith came to tears as he talked about bringing a Stanley Cup to Edmonton and how his heart would always be with the city and his fans.
Now I know that trades are a part of sport but Smith being dealt away from Edmonton could be compared to the Packers shipping Brett Farve to Miami. It just shouldn't happen. You have to assume that it was a money issue since Ryan Smith's contract is up shortly but I'm pretty sure he would have rather worked it out then move his family 2500 miles.
What really gets me is that Smith played for the same team for 12 years. How many guys in professional sports today can say that? It amazes me how easy some of these teams find it to let a guy leave who has been a major of an organization and in the local community. Take Shaq for an example. Or more recently, David Beckham. Are players really moving around so they can make 2.4 a year instead of 2.1? Heck, it'll cost them more than that on broker fees when they sell their house! Or is it the owners who try and play hardball and offer less to the players because they know how embedded they've become only to have their bluff called and the player leave?
To close up this issue let me just say this. Shame on you Edmonton. Shame on you for letting the heart of your team leave.
Enough about Smith, lets try and figure out what happened to the North Carolina Tar Heels. Or maybe they're just following in the footsteps of Wisconsin who followed Florida. Any way you look at it, the cream of the crop is melting as we approach tournament season and there doesn't seem to be a good explanation. Ohio State travels to Michigan today and all I'm going to say is that Wolverine fans should bring their sneakers because there's a good chance they'll be on the court when its over.
How bad must coach George Karl be to have Alan Iverson and Carmello Anthony on your roster and not be able to win more games than you lose. Their double digit loss at home last night to Houston was absolutely pathetic.
Big news out of spring training this week; There are games now. Did anyone see one?
Quick blog pick: Kansas 74, Texas 68
|
