Wonderdogs
- Really quick: Opening Day for the Omaha Royals is Thursday. $1 Beer night! Come out! Last season at the ‘Blatt.
- Fresh off watching the Duke- Butler National Title game, I must say how great of a Championship game that was. Can you imagine if Gordon Hayward would have hit that half-court buzzer beater to win the National Title? In any case, it was the most competitive, physical championship game in years. You have to tip your hat to Butler and coach Brad Stevens. What a Cinderella story they were/are. They werent supposed to get past upstart UTEP in the first round. Then Murray St. gave them everything they could handle in round 2, only winning in the last 10 seconds. Then they beat 1 seed Syracuse in the Sweet 16 when their Defense outshone the ‘Cuse trademark 2-3 zone. In the Elite 8 they played K-State to the wire an won a close battle against the weary Wildcats. The stars aligned for them to play the Final 4 six miles from their campus in Indianapolis. But then, Final 4 tested Michigan State with legendary coach Tom Izzo was supposed to be the clock that struck midnight for Cinderella Butler. Nope. With gritty determination and a couple lucky rebounds, Butler knocked off Sparty to play in the Title game against mighty Duke. They were the first team since 1972 UCLA to play the championship game in their hometown. It was a classic scene for sports fans: the giant vs. the underdog, except these underdogs were Bulldogs. They play defense and play physical on the boards. They didnt look in awe of Duke on Monday night, they looked like they belonged there. And they did. Coach Brad Stevens summed it best, “we came up one possession short in a game of 145 possessions.”
- A very tough congratulations to Coach K and Duke for their 4th National Championship, first since 2001. As a Tar Heel fan it is tough to watch Duke hoist the title, admittedly, but I do respect how Coach K approaches basketball. From what I have seen, he builds his players to be men, much like Tom Osborne, Bob Knight, and John Wooden did. His team played a great tournament, and won the title with defense and timely shots. North Carolina- Duke next year will be a great one to watch.
- Now that the tournament is over, I must say again that it was amazing to watch. Parody abound, big shots made, classic storylines, new cinderellas, and emerging powers are how I would classify March Madness this year. Cant wait to see what next year has in store. I wouldnt be shocked to see Butler back in the mix though, they return 4/5 starters and will be hungry.
- Soccer update: Chelsea won the match of the year in the EPL over Manchester United, 2-1 Saturday at Old Trafford. My Blues are now 2 points clear at the top of the league and are in control of their own destiny to hoist some silverware at the end of the year. Florent Malouda is playing out of his mind right now, and may be the Chelsea Player of the Year with his creativity, scoring, and passing. Safe to say that Chelsea is hitting on all cyliders right now, and they will have to be against the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to end the year. Happy to say that Chelsea is 3-0 vs United this year.
- In the Champions League, Lionel Messi scored 4 goals against Arsenal today. On track to be the best ever. Still has to beat Ashley Cole to do that though 
- Inspirational video on US forward Charlie Davies, who is trying to make the World Cup after nearly dying in an October car accident. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQQUO9ou_AU&feature=player_embedded
- Im still searching for an MLS team, so if you have any input, let me know.
- Opening Day in baseball was Sunday night as the Red Sox hosted the Yankees. If that game was a sign of how this season will play out, then get ready for a wild ride. As a Braves fan I havent been this excited and optimistic about my Bravos in about 5 years. They are the real deal this year. They have top 3 starting pitching, good defense, and by the looks of the first game, an offense that is capable of mauling teams. Jayson Heyward will be a league MVP some day for sure. The Braves also introduced Bobby Cox as their manager on Opening Day for the last time Monday. One of the best to ever manage the game. Win it for Bobby, Bravos!
- My way too early predictions for the 2010 Playoffs:
- Phillies win the NL East
- Cardinals win the NL Central —– Phillies beat the Cardinals
- Giants win the NL West ——- Braves win NL
- Braves win NL Wildcard —– Braves beat the Giants
——— Braves win WS
- Red Sox win the AL East
- Twins win the AL Central ——– Red Sox beat the Twins
- Mariners win the AL West ——– Rays win AL
- Rays win the AL Wildcard ——– Rays beat the Mariners
- Yes, I left the Yankees out of the Playoffs. Yes, I think the Braves will win this year for Bobby Cox. Yes, I still picked the Twins in the Central without a closer. Yes, these are all just guesses. What do you think?
- I legitimately watched the UCONN- Baylor womens Final 4 game on Sunday. UCONN is so damn impressive its not even fair. They made Brittney Griner look like she never played post before. The smoothness in which they operate as a unit is pretty remarkable as well. For womens basketball’s sake, I hope Stanford can give them a close title game, but this UCONN has another gear that no other womens basketball team I have ever seen has. Plus it doesnt hurt to have a coach that is going for his 7th National Title either.
- The Masters start Thursday. Tiger Woods answered questions from the press for about 35 minutes today about everything from the affairs, rehab, family life, what he has changed ect. The most shocking news out of the press conference was that he played all last year with a torn Achilles and bum knee, and WON TOURNAMENTS. The rest of the PGA couldnt catch him when he could barely walk, how will they catch him with a healthy body, mind, and weight off his shoulders? They wont. He will win the Masters, and add to the enigma that is Tiger Woods. Go get em Eldrick.
- Shout out to my favorite celebrity, Chad OchoCinco for doing much better on DWTS on Monday Night. Also for being such an approachable and real person. On Sunday he tweeted that he bought out an entire showing of the new Tyler Perry movie and the first 150 fans that showed up would get free food and a movie. Say what you want about him, but he is a good guy.
- I hate 24 hour news networks. Most who read this blog know this. More and more they provide propaganda or what people are saying on facebook, rather than the actual news. This link is the FUNNIEST THING I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME AND EXPLOITS THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U4Ha9HQvMo
- This article explains how unpaid internships may be violating labor laws:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html?src=me&ref=general
- This is an awesome spoof on Health Insurance companies by Hollywood actors:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/041b5acaf5/protect-insurance-companies-psa
-Check out this youtube video of the Warren Academy (whom I do media and marketing for). If you know of any kids looking to improve in football- send them to the mini camps April 20-21st.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db5G-Rk17UM&feature=email
- I am going to see my favorite rapper, Lupe Fiasco on April 18th in KC. Ill be dropping an entire blog on him after the concert.
“Said my future was dark, see me now, look around, Im beamin’.” – Lupe
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