IN THE BOX with Joey D.

I'M BAAAAACK!!!!

2009-07-18T13:44:00.003-05:00

It has been WAY too long since i have been on here. One of these days i will be like justin and update it on a more regular basis. ESPECIALLY with FOOTBALL coming up! I'll be posting a LOT more often with my picks and analysis.

So how about some WEEKEND PERDICTIONS!!!

1. Lets start off with the GOLF...the Tom Watson story is tremendous. And you KNOW that the PGA is smiling REALLY big... because with no Tiger on the prowl, if watson wasnt doing what he is doing, the ratings would be in the pooper for sundays coverage. I think they owe Tommy a big check! Now the question is...can he STAY atop the leaderboard? As much as i want to say yeah, i gotta say nope. In what i've watched so far, i like this ROSS FISHER kid. So, thats who i'm going with to take the big jug on sunday.

2. First weekend back from the break for BASEBALL...and i STILL can NOT believe that the brewers got shut out on friday night...for a lot of reasons...first of all look who they're playing! They absolutely lit up bronson arroyo earlier this year, and got NOTHIN this time...plus, look at the facility they're playing in! Great American Ballpark is...well, lets call it a "hitter friendly" ballpark...not too many shutouts in the short history of that place...but anyway...on to the perdiction...my mighty REDS will come back and take THREE STRAIGHT! (ok thats a little too bold and cocky...i'll give ya a split)

3. What to do this weekend without a CUP RACE!?! well watch the OTHER series, of course. In fact the other TWO Nascar series are running tonight. Lets start with the truck race. It's at kentucky, a track that is similar to the tracks that RICK CRAWFORD has done pretty good at, so lets go with my man in the 14 truck to win it! As far as the NATIONWIDE series goes... they're at gateway international raceway just outside of st louis. I've been past it many times. Neat little flat track. Its REALLY hard to go against CARL EDWARDS or KYLE BUSCH with this one...but lets do it anyway...i like the 29 car of STEPHEN LEIGHT to win it. He had a few good practices and i think he may surprise people.

I think that'll do it for the time being. Check back in about another month for my next posting.
Just kiddin!!
Two months.

FIRST ONES OF JUNE

2009-06-05T16:37:00.006-05:00

Well...it's supposed to be pretty crappy on Saturday, so we should have plenty of opportunities to watch some of the many sports going on.

And it's again time to get my views in the weekly installment of...WEEKEND PERDICTIONS!

#1...Let's start with the horsies...the BELMONT STAKES finally takes place. Horse racing takes a page out of the NBA playoffs book by putting a LOT of time in between events...but we DO have a triple crown on the line! ...but not for a HORSE. Calvin Borel is trying to make history by winning the three on two different ponies! But, just like in the first two events, I just can't go with the favorite. My pick at 15 to 1 currently...go with the 3 horse, MR. HOT STUFF. I've read a lot of good things about how he is a good closer at this length. We'll see.

#2...how about some NASCAR racing! As always, if I get ONE of these right, then i consider this a check mark for a perdiction. For the first time this year, the three major series are in three different locations. It starts tonight with the TRUCK series at Texas...and looking at the info that i do, i am going to go with the #88 truck of MATT CRAFTON to take the checkers. Then on saturday night at Nashville, its the NATIONWIDE series. I know i have said that i hate going with favorites, but in this case i'll do it...I havent seen the odds yet, but I know that CARL EDWARDS will be up front all night long. How about 7 top 5s in 8 races there. I'll take that. And then on Sunday, its the CUP series race at Pocono Speedway. It's a really unique track. It's a triangle! And with practice/qualifying rained out today, who knows what we'll see. I think i'll go with a man that has a decent history here but has never won. That'll change for MARK MARTIN on sunday.

#3...its the third straight week for the INDYCAR series. They're under the lights at Texas. I nailed this perdiction last week in the race that i was at in Milwaukee. Lets go for two in a row by going with the man who had a couple of really good practice sessions. He has four top 10s in the five events so far...how about the 4 car of DAN WHELDON to go to victory lane.

#4...NBA playoffs...for some reason, they take a couple of days off in between games. I could more understand it if they were going to have to fly across country...but to have game one on thursday and game two on sunday is absolutely ridiculous. But anyway...i just dont think that the dominance can keep up on a consistent basis with this lakers team. We saw it a few times in the first couple of rounds where they would smash the opponent one game and then the next look way different. I think thats the case here and i like the ORLANDO MAGIC to steal home court advantage this weekend.

#5...how about some BASEBALL...some how, some way the brewers are hanging on to first place in the division. Probably because everybody else has been hitting par recently. Thats illustrated in the standings as five of the six teams in the division are 5 and 5 in their last ten games! I dont see things turning around this weekend for the crew. They're limping in after losing three of four to the Fins...the manager has a lot of people questioning him...they've got two of the highest ERA starters in the league going this weekend...i think they may get tonight with gallardo going, but i like the BRAVES to take the series.

I won't be in on Monday as i'll be gone "on assignment" again. (a.k.a. the TRatts have a day game and i'll be there). But tune in TUESDAY at noon and i'll recap these!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

2009-05-29T10:24:00.008-05:00

GREETINGS...and once again its time for the infamous WEEKEND PERDICTIONS!

(and the crowd goes wild)

Well as i usually try to do, I'll go with five different things coming up this weekend, the last one in May already. WOW...sure doesnt FEEL like June is here. Butt, anyway...in no particular order, here we go:

#1...ok, so i said in no particular order...but this is DEFINITELY my top pick...its a three game set between the BREWERS and the REDS. Now, for those who may not know, i am a noted Reds fan, so I say this in a cocky...I MEAN - confident...way. I think we (the Reds) will take at least two out of three this weekend at miller park. (he pauses for the BOO-ing from the crowd) OK HUSH! Look at several things here - A) how has each team been playing lately? The crew has managed a whopping TWO RUNS A GAME in the last six...the Reds have won five out of six, averaging nearly 5 runs a game in that span. B) the recent history of this series. Miller Park is one of the only places the reds had a winning record on the road last year, and this year they've taken 3 of the first 5 games they've played overall. C) the pitching matchups - Cueto, Harang, Owings vs. Looper, Busch, Gallardo...I'm not saying we'll get the brooms out, but I see a third straight series loss for the Crew - sorry fans! (kind of).

#2...its a triple header NASCAR weekend at DOVER...its a track that i absolutely SUCK at on the playstation game...and so far this season, i've been sucking at FANTASY racing...so i suggest that you DONT choose the following. But anyway....i'll go ahead and pick a winner for all three of the races, and if i get ONE of them right, then I get a checkmark for this perdiction...

So, lets start with the TRUCK series...i think i'll go with my favorite driver...RICK CRAWFORD...he had a solid top 10 if i recall last season here, so i like him.

NATIONWIDE series...i dont think i'm going out on too much of a limb here, but i think it will be a Cup guy that takes it. And its a cup guy that i really dont care for and havent ever since he first burst on to the scene, not just recently...but i gotta go with KYLE BUSCH. He WILL take at least ONE of these three races.

CUP series...i am going to go with a guy who is going to get a win really soon because of the way he and that whole team is performing...RYAN NEWMAN. 'The Rocket' always has started and finished well here, so lets go with him.

#3...some OTHER racing...INDYCAR style...I will actually be in attendance at the historic Milwaukee Mile for the ABC/AJ FOYT 225 on sunday afternoon. I havent been to an indycar race in a LONG time. I used to go to the Indy 500 on a regular basis, but this'll be my first ever away from the brickyard. Now, I dont get as much in to the open wheel style as i do NASCAR. But i do watch it from time to time. I interviewed the radio voice of the series today, and he says watch out for the one and only (and lovely) DANICA PATRICK! ...but, i cant see it happening. I think I'll pick the guy that led more than half the race here last year but had some troubles late ... SCOTT DIXON to win it.

#4...NBA PLAYOFFS...I dont know if this is very much of a gamble, but lets do it anyway... i think that both of these series go to seven games. It all depends on which Cavs team shows up - the one that Lebron showed that he can actually close a game, or the one that lets Dwight Howard be the beast that he is...and in the other series it depends on which Nuggets team shows up - the one that doesnt let Kobe kill them down the stretch, or the one that spanks them right from the get go. Both will be fun to watch. Come sunday night, who's still alive? Lets go with MAGIC/LAKERS for your finals matchup.

#5...ICE ICE BABY! ... Lord Stanleys Cup is up for grabs as the NHL starts up the finals this weekend. They decided to start it earlier than planned, which means there will be back to back games, which is rare in ANY level of the playoffs...let alone the FINALS. But Gary Bettman (a.k.a. The Count) has decided to do it. I think it'll be an interesting series. Of course, neither team had an EASY go of things on their road here...both teams played in a series sweep and both teams played in a 7 gamer...but it looks as though the Pens had a little tougher road and they're a little bit more rested...and to be honest i dont really care for either of these teams...but i'll go ahead and pick SID THE KID and his PENGUINS to take the series...and I think they'll steal home ice this weekend and get the job done at home in 6 games.

**NOTE** I return to the airwaves with some big NEWS on monday...literally...news...as in SPORTING NEWS RADIO...yep, we are switching from being a FOX sports affiliate to SNR for internal reasons...and they're moving my show from 11 - 1...TO NOON - 2 PM.... so, adjust your schedules appropriately.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND FOLKS!

how about some WEEKEND PERDICTIONS

2009-05-15T15:33:00.006-05:00

It's that time again...and i know i failed to do it last week...but lets do some weekend perdictions and see how i do. I ask that you please look upon this as 'for entertainment purposes only'. If you don't wanna make money, thats fine with me. lol

#1...we have the ponies running on saturday! It's Preakness 134. I had a caller on my radio show earlier today that really started to get me in to this. (thanks Wiggy) He was breaking it down left and right, and i was listening attentively the entire time because he nailed the longshot in the Derby! yep. He said take the 1-2-3 trifecta. As for me, i dont like taking the faves and i dont like taking the really long shots...so one of the middle odds and right in the middle of the pack is one that i've read good things about...lets go with NUMBER 8...GENERAL QUARTERS to win at 20 to 1 odds. (I wont do a trifecta)(owner and horse pictured)

#2...we have other racing...its NASCAR style...it starts tonight with the truck series. (yes...i do pay attention to it) I have checked out the practices and qualifying and such, but the website I get my odds on doesn't have them posted yet...but we'll go with the #33 truck RON HORNADAY, JR.

#3...more NASCAR...its the ALL STAR EVENT! and before i give my perdiction on this, i have to brag about "my guy"...Jeff Burton...his pit crew won the pit crew challenge last night! Hopefully thats the start of good things for him this weekend. Now, that being said...I just cant bring myself to pick him. He'll be right up there like he has during practice. But because of the format of this thing which changes every year for some reason...ya gotta go with a name that may not be expected...last year it was kahne...this year, i'll go with RYAN NEWMAN...he's going to win at some point, and i think this is it.

#4...lets get to BASEBALL...its a HUGE first place showdown under the arch in st. louis with the brewers and redbirds. And being a Reds fan, I'm hoping that both teams lose, but of course that cant happen...i dont think it'll be a sweep for either side...so looking at the pitching matchups, even though the cards have a really good home record, I'm going to side with the Crew on this one and say they win yet another series 2 to 1.

#5...the game SEVENS in the NBA playoffs...both the basketball and hockey have been tremendous this post season. Here we have a couple of elimination games and i'm really tossed up in what to do...call it how i WANT it to happen...(houston and orlando) or how it is expected to go with the home teams winning. I think i'll split it in half...i think the rockets will finally realize they dont have their two best players and end up tripping. In the other one, orlando should have this series won already. they're in a dangerous spot going into the house of the defending champs. and if they had KG, i'd have no doubt they'd win. but they DONT. so i WONT go with them. so we will have a NEW champion in the NBA...Dwight Howard is a beast and he's headed to the conf championship. so...i'll take THE LAKERS AND THE MAGIC to win the game 7s.

I'll be gone "on assignment" on monday...Sparks will be fillin in...but tune in tuesday and i'll be talking about how i did on these!

THE WEEKEND AHEAD....

2009-05-01T16:09:00.007-05:00

MAN...i STILL cant believe that basketball game last night! THREE OVERTIMES...are you kiddin me! I REALLY wish i was actually watching it as it happened. But i was at the baseball stadium until about 10:00 and then i was involved in a karaoke contest. Thank God for SportsCenter, eh?

Another thing i cant believe...ITS FRIKKEN MAY already! What happened to the first 1/3 of 2009???

Well with it brings part of my weekend perdictions...(and i think i'm going to start making this a weekly thing on fridays)...the KENTUCKY DERBY! So my first weekend perdiction...i usually take the number 9 horse when it comes to this sport because thats what most people do is take a number because...c'mon...like ANYone REALLY knows ANYthing about these beauties...HOWEVER, the 9 horse is one of the longest odds...and i like to pick one with middle odds...so lets go with the NUMBER FIVE HORSE...HOLD ME BACK (#1 in this picture) to win the run fer the roses! According to the website i get my odds from, he's 26 to 1. Book it!

Perdiction #2...NASCAR...tonight its the Nationwide series race...i'm watching qualifying as i type this...matt kenseth has the pole as of right now...but i think i'll go with the series' most successful driver...MARK MARTIN in the 5 car tonight to take it.

Perdiction #3...NASCAR...tomorrow night in the Cup race...they are going to qualify here in a few minutes for it...but looking at the practice speeds and at the history of this guy at this track recently...lets go with KEVIN HARVICK in the 29 car to go to victory lane...with his new crew chief!

Perdiction #4...Game seven of bulls/celtics will go to overtime again! GOSH i hope so. I'm not a fan of either team...but i love basketball...and i love how physical its been and all the drama that has gone in to this series...however, one thing i dont like is that face that KEVIN GARNETT keeps making...someone tell him he looks like a dang dork!

Perdiction #5...the Brewers will split the four game series with the D'Backs. I just dont think the pitching is going to hold up like it has been recently...and with the bats being relatively silent recently, i think the winning streak will come to an end this weekend.

I think that'll do it for right now. These'll all probably be wrong, but it's fun anyway.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND ALL!

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD

2009-04-25T17:07:00.002-05:00

WE HAVE A TRADE!

and it involves the PACKERS!

Everyone here at Buffalo Wild Wings went crazy!!!

And with it, the packers moved UP in the draft....hey how bout that.

they chose clay matthews from USC. talk about a pretty good value pick. however, they did give up quite a bit to get him. they're done picking today now.

and i gotta give props to my frint LEO KIPER JUNIOR....on his first mock draft back in february, he actually said the first two picks for the packers would be....RAJI AND MATTHEWS! big ups.

NOW we're cookin!

2009-04-25T16:36:00.002-05:00

All of a sudden, this thing is flying right along. And i have no problem with that. I still remember being at the Javvits Center a few years ago for the 2005 draft...the aaron rodgers one...and it was the longest first round EVER. So, this is cool to see it going faster.

One thing that minorly irks me...they show who the next pick is going to be before its announced! I guess i dont REALLY care, and i understand why they do it...but for what we're doing here at buffalo wild wings, it makes it too easy! we dont draw until the pick is ANNOUNCED...so, i guess thats good for everyone here....but it doesnt mean they actually guessed who it was going to be.

oh well

THE PACK HAS SPOKEN

2009-04-25T15:49:00.002-05:00

and with the ninth pick, the green bay packers select...B.J. RAJI from boston college!

not exactly a real shocker...but there were a lot of rumblings from the crowd here that they might go with crabtree. now, there is NO WAY he slips any further. he is GOING to go here at number ten.

as far as raji goes...the rumors that he had tested positive for marijuana at the combine turned out to be false...and i'm sure that helped his stock. how he will fit in with the new scheme will be seen. i think along with everyone else on that defense, it's going to have some growing pains. but, he showed in college that he can be a beast and i have no doubt he'll be fine.

THE FIRST TRADE

2009-04-25T15:30:00.002-05:00

Well THAT didnt take long!

Among mixed emotions from the green people in the crowd, the JETS traded up to get their man Sanchez.

They just posted what it was for...a first rounder, a second rounder, and three players! That is quite a price tag...but i LIKE it. I know he doesn't have a whole lot of experience, but that system that he comes from has pumped out some pretty good players. He has had pro coaching for the last few years, unlike a lot of other players...so i think he's ready. There was a time that i thought he'd be the pick for my chiefs at number three...but then the patriots were kind enough to give us matt cassell...and we thank them for that!

by the way...theres still PLENTY of time to get down here to buffalo wild wings.

had to throw in another plug.

PICK THREE

2009-04-25T15:18:00.002-05:00

and it is....TYSON JACKSON????

ok...i know his stock was on the rise all week long, but thats a wee bit too high for him in my opinion. Like a lot of teams, we're switching to the 3-4, and i've heard that he may have some trouble adjusting to it.

but again...i have put my trust scott pioli.

whoever gets aaron curry is going to get a STEAL.

THE CHEFS ARE UP

2009-04-25T15:10:00.002-05:00

The commish has spoken...my team is on the clock!

I am REALLY hoping that they take Aaron Curry. Everything I read and saw about that kid was phoenominal. A lot of people think if there is a sure fire pick in this years draft, he's it. He was named the best linebacker in the country. We could use someone like that! duh.

Of course, theres always the possibility of a trade. I cant WAIT to see what the new G.M. has in store. Whatever it is...we cant be worse than the last two years can we?

..oh wait...i almost fergot about the lions.

DRAFT DAY!

2009-04-25T14:42:00.002-05:00

As is usually the case, i have to apologize to anyone who may have been on here on a regular basis. And as is usually the case, i will promise to get on here more often.

Well...todays the day! We (Leo Kiper Jr.) are at Buffalo Wild Wings on Calumet street here in appleton for the big draft bash. We have a LOT of prizes that we'll be giving away. So, if you're reading this and it's early in the draft, get your butt here!!!!

well, we're about five minutes away from the first pick...so my prediction is....mark sanchez

JUST kidding.

the lions have already signed sealed and delivered matthew stafford...which in my opinion isnt a BAD pick...but what they GAVE him WAS. But then again...it is the lions. so you knew we'd be questioning them in some way, shape or form.

I'll be back on periodically throughout the draft...ENJOY!

APRIL SHOWERS

2009-04-03T15:47:00.002-05:00

I STILL can't believe its frikken APRIL already! What in the WORLD happened to the first quarter of 2009?

oh well..that means WARM WEATHER is about here (hopefully)...and so is BASEBALL!!!!

but before we get to that, lets have a few last thoughts on the college basketball season as we head in to the finale quatro this weekend in detroit. i am going to stick with the team that i SHOULD'VE stuck with in the first place...MICHIGAN STATE. i know that they're underdogs right out of the gate against a VERY good UConn team...but they just seem to me like a team of destiny. From being the head of the class in the big ten all season...to the final tourney being held right there in their backyard...i have a good feeling about them.

in the other game...i REALLY hope that villanova finds a way to knock off the giant that is...north carolina. why? well...i know that most people out there have the heels to win it all, and if they lose, they'll finally feel what i felt when my brackets were first shot in the first round! so...GO NOVA! (oh yeah...and i think nova would be an easier opponent for State than N.C.)

ok...now to BASEBALL...i will try and get on here before things kick in to gear...but know this - i am smiling ear to ear knowing that there are a lot of people out there that think that my cincinnati reds COULD be THIS years tampa rays! ( in other words...be good)

before i go...my NASCAR pick for this sunday...it depends on if you want one against the posted odds...or straight up? ok screw it.........lets do both...i'm going to go homer and go with my man JEFF BURTON in the #31 car... he's won at this track before...he'll get some good experience in the race on saturday...that team has slowly but surely gotten better in each race...and they're 10 to 1 odds according to one particular website...so, thats my pick (for now). it may change between now and race time, and if it does then i'll post it.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

ONE WORD.....

2009-03-26T16:34:00.003-05:00

EMBARRASSING!!!!!!

OH my goodness! What in the WORLD happened to my national champion pick? (ahem...wake forest).

I can honestly say...it takes a LOT to embarrass me. But sitting there last friday night and watching the team that...after ALL the researching and preparation i did...picked to win it ALL... just absolutely FLOP...it was REALLY sad. I mean...they were NEVER even IN the game from the very get go! ...and against CLEVELAND STATE of all teams! (no offense to any fans) (which means there was some offense taken probably. lol)

My bracket actually doesn't look extremely bad in the grand scheme of things. I still do have 7 of my elite eight still alive. I still have 3 of my final 4 alive. And I still have 1 of my final 2 alive. And in just about ANY other year, that would mean I have somewhat of a shot at winning in the contests I entered.

Problem is...it ISN'T any other year. And EVERYBODY ELSE has the teams i have left. So, I'm going to stay as far behind as I am, no matter what happens really.

So...as we head into the Sweet 16 (which is by FAR the SWEETEST 16 in the HISTORY of the world!)...here goes my predictions.

MIDWEST...ya know what...as much as i REALLY want Arizona to keep going because hey... who doesn't like Cinderella, eh? ... i just dont think it happens. Rick Pitino's record in the first and third game of the tourney is off the charts good! ... so its LOUISVILLE moving on... and meeting up with...the lean mean green machine! I like Michigan State a LOT, now that Wake is out. I had them here in the first place...and I'll keep them here and moving on to the Final Four as they'll beat Louisville and cut down the nets in Indy.

WEST...this one is an absolute NO BRAINER...first of all, i really do have a deeply rooted HATRED for Purdue. Add that to the fact that the huskies are a really good team...that is now probably playing with a little extra oomph for their coach after everything that he's gone through this year...i like UCONN. ... to take on: MISSOURI... this game with memphis could very well be the most entertaining one of the whole month. it promises to be high scoring and filled with excitement...with the tiggers squeaking out the W...and i also like them to beat UConn to get to the Final four!

EAST...this one is a pretty easy pick for me too...considering i didnt even have Xavier to get out of the first round!! and...oh yeah...Pittsburgh is a DANG good team. However...i DONT think that Pitt is good enough to get by DUKE... i think they'll get a challenge from Villanova and Jay Wrights hair...but certainly Duke is Duke...and they've been playing well for the last six weeks or so and they're going back to the finale quatro.

SOUTH...this is where the road ends (again) for Gonzaga. As good as they are in the regular season year after year and in the first round or two year after year...they can never seem to get up over the hump and in to the elite eight...and i dont see it happening this year...because this tar heels team has been VERY impressive. As far as who they'll take on...as much as i like the last name Griffin (yes...i am a FAMILY GUY FREAK TOO!), i see the big orange giving them fits and getting past. But...their run ends with big Roy and big Tyler and Lawson's big TOE.

FINAL FOUR:

MICHIGAN STATE against MIZZOU... again...i like the inside outside combo of the green team...they'll take it.

DUKE against NORTH CAROLINA... are you kiddin me??? Someone keep a close eye on Dick Vitale and make sure he doesn't have a heart attack! ... i'll stick with my original prediction of a Duke victory. I LOVE this game though.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.... i'll stick with the region i had winning...MICHIGAN STATE will do the honors in D-town!!! Believe it or not, i DID pick them to win it all BEFORE the brackets actually came out. But then i saw they were in Wakes region and i changed my mind in the elite eight...so, since they're still in it...GO BIG GREEN!

I'll check back in later on and say how bad i STUNK again i'm sure.

LET IT BEGIN!!

2009-03-19T11:50:00.005-05:00

FINALLY...its here.

As i sit here watching on TV and listening to the radio of the first half of the first round games, i thought i would jump on here and post my thoughts as the tourney begins.

alright... my final four predictions. For some wierdo reason, i just CANT pick all four number one seeds to do it again. Last year was the first time EVER, so i like my chances of it NOT happening this year. In the end, i went with a 1, a 2, a 3, and a 4 to make it to detroit. Lets go in order as you look at your bracket:

MIDWEST... here is where my 4 seed is... i REALLY like wake forest this year. And i mean REALLY...as you'll see in a bit when i say who's going to win it all. They've got a good combination of everything...from experience to size to a good bench to good coaching...and they played in a VERY tough ACC and held their own. So...its wake over michigan state.

WEST...here is my 3 seed...Missouri. This bracket in my opinion is the toughest of the four. I mean really...a 30 win team is an 11 seed!!! i know its utah state...but still, it illustrates how tough this bracket is. As i look at my picks, one that really stands out is...i actually DID pick PURDUE to win a game. YUK! it may be the first (and ONLY) time EVER for me doing that. But anyway...back to Mizzou...i like their style! I only saw them a handful of times on TV, but they love to push the ball and stuff it in your face. I think they'll wear out the likes of marquette, memphis and uconn on the way. So...its mizzou over uconn.

EAST...here is my 2 seed...Duke. Yes, coach K will have the dukeys right back in the finale quatro after closing out the season on a high note. Like many teams, they did flub up a little at one point in the season, but ended up running their way through the conference tourney. And all this with the toughest strength of schedule in the country. So...its duke over pitt.

SOUTH...here is my 1 seed...North Carolina. And they're my ONLY number one seed. And a big reason why is their road they get to take...by FAR the EASIEST of the four regions. In fact, i have the most first round upsets in this one...with butler, western ky, and temple. i also have clemson beating oklahoma in the second round! OK...back to the heels... They get to play their first two right in their backyard in greensboro...they've got a VERY experienced team and a VERY experienced coach. I know they're a little beat up...but even a little short handed, they should be able to punch their ticket again. So...its north carolina over syracuse.

Now...drum roll please...i have WAKE beating Mizzou...and DUKE over North Carolina. (how about THAT for a final four matchup!!!)

And your champion will beeeeee.....WAKE FOREST! for all the reasons stated above...and oh yeah...i almost forgot THIS point...remember, they were the number one team in the nation at one point this year.

So there ya go! i havent heard or read too many prognosticators take Wake...so, put it this way... if they DO win it all, i WILL win EVERY bracket competition i entered!

I'll try and hop on here on a regular basis throughout the tourney.

ENJOY the most WONDERFUL time of the year!!

HITTING THE TRIFECTA

2009-03-05T08:44:00.007-06:00

Ya know...USUALLY hitting that trifecta is a GOOD thing, like in horse racing or something. But THIS trifecta was NOT a good thing for Wisconsin sports fans.

I guess we'll start with the Badgers, since that's the one I'll have the most fun with this coming weekend. I know they weren't expected to win the game as a two point dog with the Vegas smarties, but when you're in the situation TO win and you DON'T, that is HIGHLY disappointing. ESPECIALLY when you know that you are a "bubble team" in the month of March. There were times that they looked like a determined team that was finally getting Marcus Landry to do what was expected of him all season long. But then there were times in which they looked like a team that was playing together for the first time ever! Bo Ryan even admitted as much at half time when he said the team was searching for chemistry. Say WHAT?? The second to last game of the regular season is NOT the time of year to be trying to gel as a team! And then to let ONE GUY score the last TEN POINTS of the game...what's up with THAT! Next up...the dangerous INDIANA HOOSIERS! (more on that...including details on a little friendly wager with a co-host...tomorrow)

Then there's the Marquette (not so) Golden Eagles. I know that the game of basketball is a TEAM game, and the loss of one player isn't really supposed to make THAT big a difference. That is...unless that one player is Dominic James. I keep trying to come up with a good analogy...other than the old "taking the air out of the tires". But that's pretty much what happened when he went down a couple of games ago. The team seems like they're riding a bike with flat tires. You know...sometimes you'll build some speed and get your hopes up that you'll make it through and get to that destination... but you just KNOW that at SOME point its going to come to a screeching halt. (ok, not the greatest analogy...but you get my point) They've got to hop back on that bike again Saturday in the season finale against the 'Cuse, and I say if they lose that game... and then bow out early in the conference tourney, they may wind up dancing as a double digit seed.

Last, for some definitely least, the Milwaukee Bucks. First of all, i give them kudos for not folding when the duo of Redd and Bogut went down. They have managed to keep afloat in that wacky Eastern Conference. (the middle of the standings remind me of the Big Ten standings) But last night they ran into the machine known as LEBRON. I know that Kobe is leading his team to the best record in the league right now...and D-Wade is D-Man... but D-MVP is #23 in a Cavs uniform. They said it so well on the broadcast...he's hitting deep outside shots like they're layups! I mean...last night, the Bucks did EXACTLY what they were supposed to do...they played really good half court defense...they forced the shot clock all the way down...they forced a trapped shot deep in the corner...Luc Richard MMM Bop MMM Mootay contested it as well as ANYBODY could have...so you're thinking they got the stop, right? Not when L.J. is the one being contested. Yep...he hit it. Yet ANOTHER addition to his highlight reel. Now...there IS STILL TIME...theres a LOT of hoops to be played in the long NBA season...but with games against the likes of the Hornets, Celtics, and Magic (3 times) still on the schedule, I hate to say it, but I am starting to hear sound of the ping pong ball machine again.

REPORTING BACK FOR DUTY

2009-02-17T20:42:00.004-06:00

i'm BAAAAAACK!

first of all, i need to apologize for the long delay in getting back on here. Fer those who don't know, i was just on a week vacation to florida...and the disney resort hotel room i was staying in was having multiple issues with the internet cable thingy, and so i had internet access for all of about 15 minutes or so the entire time! i was hoping to post at least once a day, but it didnt happen. argh!

so anyway...the trip was AWESOME...but of course...WAY too SHORT! it flew by in NO time. but me and the fam had a lot of fun. we had enough time to do all the disney parks, and also sea world...where we WANTED to have Shamu get us wet...we sat in the "splash zone"...but we were a row too high! but it was still a HECKUVA show.

as was the Great American Race...the 09 edition of the DAYTONA 500!!! i could NOT believe that i was actually there. it was one of those moments in your life where you literally...stop...take a deep breath...look around...get tingles down your spine...have a big smile come across your face...and you mumble to yourself the words of the great Quagmire from Family Guy..."OOOH RRRIGHT!!!" I had some dude take a picture of me in front of the car of my favorite driver, Jeff Burton, as it was about to go in to inspection. (SEE ABOVE)

the atmosphere was tremendous, and so were the people! the moment i stepped out of my car in the infield parking area, i had people to my left and people to my right offering food and drinks. then later i was honored to be one of the limited amount of people to be in the media center before the race for a pre-race press conference with Kieth Urban. He not only took a few questions, but he actually sang two songs! it was pretty cool. (SEE SIDE PICTURE). Unfortunately fer me, i did NOT get the opportunity to get a glimpse of his good lookin wifey, Nicole Kidman, who was there with him...somewhere. (i still say she has a pair of the BEST legs of ANYone) oddly enough, guess who ELSE was there? none other than tom cruise! i saw him for a brief moment, but the glare coming from his humongous sun glasses blinded me so i looked away.

the race itself had LOTS of good racing and was highly entertaining. with a couple of exceptions. number one...it was rain shortened. but EVERYbody there KNEW that it was eventually GOING to be, so it wasnt a HUGE disappointment.

the other thing that was disturbing...the man driving the #88 car, dale earnhardt junior. WHAT a PUNK!!! i have said it for quite a while - i know he's the "most popular driver", but i am NOT a fan. and i'm not talking about just the brian vickers incident. i'm talking more importantly about one that happened involving "my guy", jeff burton. it was late in the race...and like i said, EVERYone knew that rain was coming within a matter of MINUTES...and the 31 car is running solidly in 3rd...the 88 is pushing him from behind, but he's a LAP DOWN...and what's he decide to do? try and make it THREE WIDE...something we saw MAYBE two or three times all race! so, it sent the 31 car WAY back in the pack because he was stuck in the middle lane. i had my scanner set on his frequency, and he was cussin' up quite a storm...as was i. you DONT do that in the closing moments of a race when you have NO shot at a win. if he was on the lead lap and that close to the lead then i would have no problem with it. but he WASNT. sorry junior fans... he's a PUNK!

well...its wierd to think that roughly 24 hours ago i was sitting poolside under a few palm trees in 82 degree weather getting some last minute rays...and now here i sit with a news report about a winter weather advisory in effect until late tomorrow night with anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of blowing snow expected. YIKES!

but it was sure a BLAST while it lasted. and that is thee definition... of a vacation.

HOW DOES IT FEEEEEEL?

2009-02-06T09:08:00.004-06:00

To quote the late great Harry man...HHHHOLY COW! The Badgers FINALLY end up on the winning side of things. The losing streak stops at a six pack. And I can attest to exactly how it feels to have a losing streak finally end. ( ahem...hoosiers)

The thing is...i dont think they did too many things different in this game against illinois than they did all during the streak. But they did step it up a little more defensively, and they forced the illini to rush some shots, and when the orange dug themselves a hole they couldnt climb out.

Now the question is...is this the start of a good run of things, or was this just a desperation game? We'll find out in a few days wont we.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend! I'll be doing color commentary for the high school game tonight with Neenah playing at Kimberly. Then tomorrow night I'll be heading down to Milwaukee to see the post-Redd/Bogut Bucks take on the Pistons. Should be fun!

2009-01-29T15:15:00.005-06:00

HOWDY!

We are BACK...and BETTER than ever!

I have been waiting for the new design for the website to pop up before I started blogging again. And...well...here it is!

Hopefully you like the new layout. Feel free to leave any comments, positive or negative.

I will do my best to stay more current with my postings. One of these days...when i grow up and be a big boy blogger...i hope to be as good and current as Justin. That's my goal!

As for whats going on in the sports world...well, today we spent a lot of time on the show discussing the Bucks/Pacers game. I am NOT a fan of Richard Jefferson. Especially lately when he has been HORRIBLE. He looks like he doesnt even want to be out on the court and a part of this team. So i say get rid of him!

I watched my Hoosiers take one on the chin last night...AGAIN. But, yet AGAIN...it was FUN to watch! I know...sounds dumb...they LOST...how can that be FUN? Well watching Tom Crean do his stuff on the sidelines...that in ITSELF is a fun thing to watch. They WILL pull one off before the season ends. And i am keeping the faith...i can not WAIT until the Big Ten Tournament!!! We're gonna shock the world!!!

Anyone for a sip from my glass that's half full?

So before i go today...the Super Bowl is coming up this weekend. And so is one of my fantasy football parties!! So, i'll include today a cartoon i just saw with that subject in mind.