Posted by Jack Daniels on March 31, 2009
Ever wanted to write for a sports blog but didn’t want to manage it yourself? Well, here at the pub we’re seeking interested writers to join us. Experience does not matter. We just want people that are interested in posting their take on the world of sports.
If you’re interested in joining the Pub click here.
!!!This is non-paid gig!!!
Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jack Daniels on March 31, 2009
Mark Schlabach of espn.com is reporting that Georgia has slapped a bullseye on Mizzou’s current head coach, Mike Anderson. It’s really no surprise that teams are targeting Anderson. Applying the same philosophies of his mentor Nolan Richardson, he’s turned around Mizzou basketball. According to Schlabach Georgia is prepared to make a multi-year offer worth about $2mil per year. Why go to Georgia? That’s the question. If I were a coach I’d be very hesitant about going there. However it appears that Georgia officials believe $2mil a season will be enough to lure Anderson back to the SEC.
Missouri is expected offer a milti-year extension to Anderson. Schlabach reported the extenstion is expected to be in the $1.3mil range. All I’ve got say is, Mizzou up your offer to the $2mil range and get this guy re-signed before Memphis, Arizona or another school swoops in and offers this guy more money than you’ll ever pay.
I really doubt Anderson will be stay at Mizzou much longer but I really hope he does. If he does turn down the Georgia offer he just might go to Memphis. He’s already coached in Conf-USA and it’s not the Big12 but Memphis, thanks to the support of Fed-Ex, will be able to offer him some big time money. Plus he wouldn’t be too far ways from his old stomping grounds in Arkansas. If Anderson does leave, I say bring Billy Gillespie back the Big12 Mizzou.
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Arizona, Billy Gillespie, Georgia, Memphis, Mike Anderson, Missouri, Mizzou | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jack Daniels on March 30, 2009
Reportedly, Junior forward DaJuan Summers will enter the NBA and hire an agent. 
If he does sign with an agent he will not be able to return next year. He averaged 13.6 ppg for the Hoyas last year and definitely has NBA type talent. However I think he’s going to need play very well in the pre-draft camps to have any hope of going in the 1st round and getting that guaranteed money. I don’t know the kid’s situation but if I were advising him I’d tell him not to hire an agent. One more year of college ball could do nothing but help his chances of going in the 1st round. He may need money now but if somehow he could tough it out for another year I really think he’d end up with a quite a bit more money in the end.
Down in Tallahassee, it’s been reported that Sophomore Nick Calathes will test the waters.
Calathes averaged 17.2ppg, 6.4apg, 5.3rpg, 1.9spg in 08-09
He will not hire an agent so he will have the option of returning for his Junior season. Calathes is a tremendous talent and will end up in the league at some point but he likely will not be a 1st round pick. If I were a Gators fan I wouldn’t be too worried about not having him next year. Like Summers he will need to play some outstanding pre-draft ball before he’ll have a shot at going in the 1st round. If Calathes returns and has a great Junior season he’ll without a doubt be a mid-late 1st round pick in the 2010 draft.
Testing the waters like this can only benefit a player. If I were an NBA prospect I’d declare every year even if I didn’t plan on going pro that season. Why not? You get to play against top notch talent, show the scouts what you can do and get feedback from the NBA guys on what you need to work on.
Posted in NBA, NCAA Basketball | Tagged: DaJuan Summers, Florida, Georgetown, NBA Draft, Nick Calathes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jack Daniels on March 30, 2009
The baseball season officially gets under way Sunday. So that means that its time for the Pub’s MLB preview’s. So in the 1st of a 2 part series I give you the:
Pub’s American League Preview
The AL doesn’t play real baseball. The DH I mean c’mon what kind of BS is that? Yankees-Sox? I wouldn’t hate these teams that much if ESPN didn’t constantly shove Yanks-Sox news down the rest of the country’s throat 24/7. Do we really need to be updated every time A-Rod says something or be reminded that Derek Jeter is a god in New York? Does the rest of the country really care that Yanks and Sox fans don’t like each other? Well that’s enough ranting about evil ESPN for now. Time for my half predictions.
AL East: As much as I hate the Yanks and Sox I’ll admit that at least one of them will make the playoffs. And that one team will be the Red Sox. The Yanks big spending will backfire again as they miss the playoffs for the 2nd yr in a row. I think the Orioles are a much improved team but they still will not be able to contend. The Rays will once again steal a spot from Yankees.
AL Central: They competitiveness and parity in the AL Central has made this division seem like a game of Musical Chairs. The White Sox won it last year but I like the Minnesota Twins this year. However it’ll be a close race with just a few games separating 1st from 3rd.
AL West: I don’t for see much excitement in this division. The Angels will take it for the 3rd consecutive season. If the Angels slip the top contenders to knock them off their thrown is the A’s.
AL Awards & Playoffs
MVP: Miguel Cabrera: I think he’s going to have a great year and if the Tigers squeak into the playoffs he’ll be MVP
Cy Young: Roy Halladay: Halladay is the one thing Jays fans get to look forward to. As long as he doesn’t end up getting traded to the NL I like Halladay’s chances of earning his 2nd Cy Young.
ROY: Travis Snider:Everyone is going with David Price or Matt Wieters here but I’m gonna go with Snider because he should be in the Jays lineup from day one and I just want to be different.
Wildcard Team: Tampa Rays: The wildcard will come out of the East and I picked the Rays to finish second so I like their chances.
Who’s Takin Home the Pennant: Not the Yankees. Predicting this is such a crap-shoot. It’s going to be whatever team get’s hot and I think that team will be the Minnesota Twins. Not the best team on paper but I’m predicting that they’ll finally get over the hump in ‘09.
In Summary: I really don’t care for AL baseball that much. If my picks are accurate cool. If not oh well. The NL is where the real baseball is played and that’s what I follow.
Posted in MLB | Tagged: David Price, LA Angels, Matt Wieters, Miguel Cabrera, Rays, Red Sox, Roy Halladay, Royals, Travis Snider, Twins, White Sox, Yankees | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jack Daniels on March 30, 2009
Well it’s been a while but we’re back. Or at least I am. Dan has been busy with work and family so unfortunately his Conference reviews will not be finished. I would like to thank him for the great job he did with conferences he did manage to review.After 2 weeks without posting I’m to get back into the flow of things with this preview. Then later in the week I’ll post the Pub’s Final NCAA Awards as well as MLB previews. Enough small talk let’s get talking about the Final Four.
Game 1: (2)Michigan St. 30-6 VS (1)UConn 31-4
The Huskies have looked good so far. The tree inside Hasheem Thabeet has been the anchor for this team. I’ve got to admit that since the injury to Dyson I didn’t expect UConn to make it this far. Even without Dyson the Huskies look like they have what it takes to cut down the nets in Detroit.
On the other hand the Spartans have used great defense and all around toughness to make it to Detroit. I expected Louisville to win big but the Spartans just outplayed them. Kalin Lucas is playing beyond his years and Goran Suton has been playing great.
Prediction: Michigan St. pulls another upset 65-61: I think UConn is a better team but I expect the Spartans pick up the W playing in their home state. At any rate a Tom Izzo vs. Jim Calhoun match-up is sure to be exciting.
Game 2: (1)North Carolina 32-4 vs (3) Villanova 30-7
Villanova pulled off the big victory over Pittsburgh Saturday. They’ve got great guard play and a solid post player in Dante Cunningham. The guy with the fancy suits, Jay Wright, has got to be feeling good about the Wildcats chances.
UNC has been UNC. They’ve cruised to victories with ease. Ty Lawson has been the best player in the tournament so far and everyone is contributing for the Heels. Plus that iffy defense everyone has been worried about has looked great so far. Depth+Defense+Tremendous 3pt shooting makes the Heels the favorites.
Prediction: UNC 92-80: The Heels just have too many weapons. They’re the only team in the Final 4 that can say they’re undefeated when playing at Ford Field and I expect the Heels depth will get the best of the Wildcats in this one.
Championship Prediction: UNC 85, Mich St. 74: The Heels rolled over the Suton-less Spartans in during their early season match-up in the Ford Field. Mich St. fans say hey we weren’t healthy but UNC also wasn’t 100% either. Having said that, when teams meet in April you can just forget about whatever happened in November or December. These are two completely different squads now. In my opinion the Heels have just too much firepower for the Spartans. Michigan St. will need a flawless performance to have a shot in this one. I expect Lawson to do his thing in this one but I think Hansbrough will finish his legendary collegiate career with a huge performance.
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Jay Wright, Jim Calhoun, Kalin Lucas, Michigan St., North Carolina, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, UConn, UNC, Villanova | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Dan on March 14, 2009
Final Standings
1. Siena (16-2) 26-7
2. Niagara (14-4) 26-8
3. Rider (12-6) 19-12
4. Fairfield (9-9) 17-15
4. Manhattan (9-9) 16-14
6. Saint Peter’s (8-10) 11-19
7. Iona (7-11) 12-19
7. Loyola (MD) (7-11) 12-20
9. Canisius (4-14) 11-20
9. Marist (4-14) 10-23
Who’s Dancing: Siena: They beat Niagara 77-70 to win the MAAC tourney for the 2nd year in a row
On the Bubble:Niagara,26-8. rpi:49: The Purple Eagles are probably on the outside looking in after losing the conf. tourney.
MVP: Ryan Thompson, Jr., G, Rider: 18.4ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.2apg, 1.7spg: Thompson led the MAAC and scoring and put up huge numbers in the conf tourney as he tried to get his team into the Big Dance.
Most Outstanding Defender: Tyrone Lewis, Jr., G, Niagara: 16.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6spg, 2.0apg, .8bpg: Lewis lead the conf in steals and was without question one of the top defenders in the MAAC
Most Outstanding Freshman: Scott Machado, Fr., G, Iona: 932ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg
Pub All-MAAC Team
Top Coach
Fran McCaffery, Siena: What can you say? McCaffery has done a great job with this program. They had a good season last year and they followed it up with a great one this year.
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Fran McCaffery, Jamal Barney, MAAC, Niagara, Ryan Rossiter, Ryan Schneider, Ryan Thompson, Scott Machado, Siena, Tyrone Lewis | Comments Off
Posted by Dan on March 14, 2009
Final Standings
1. Gonzaga (14-0) 26-5
2. Saint Mary’s (10-4) 26-6
3. Portland (9-5) 19-12
4. Santa Clara (7-7) 16-17
5. San Diego (6-8) 16-16
6. Pepperdine (5-9) 9-23
7. San Francisco (7-11) 11-19
8. Loyola Marymount(2-12) 3-28
Who’s Dancing: Gonzaga: No surprise here. Gonzaga once again dominated the league. Perfect regular season and they won the conf tourney
On the Bubble
Saint Mary’s, 26-6, 47rpi: Had Patty Mills not been injured during the Gaels first meeting with the Zags there’d be no question about whether or not Saint Mary’s should be in the tourney. I think the committee should give them the benefit of the doubt but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
MVP: Patrick “Patty” Mills, So., G, Saint Mary’s: 17.8ppg, 3.7apg, 2.6rpg, 2.3spg: With this Aussie in the lineup the Gaels were a completely different team. I don’t care that he missed 9.5 games. If anything that showed just how valuable he was to this team
Most Outstanding Defender: John Bryant, Sr., C, Santa Clara: 18.1ppg, 14.2rpg, 2.5bpg, 1.1apg: Bryant was probably the conf MOP but we only give out MVP for the WCC. However after leading the conf in rebounds and blocks there’s no question that Bryant deserved this award
Most Outstanding Freshman: Kevin Foster, Fr., G, Santa Clara: 14.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3spg, 2.4apg
Pub All-WCC Team
Top Coach
Eric Reveno, Portland: The Pilots finished much better than expected this season. In the preseason poll Portland was picked to finish just 6th in the conf. But Reveno coached this team into a 3rd place finish. The Pilots improved to 19-12 after finishing just 9-22 last season. And that is very impressive
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Patty Mills, Patrick Mills, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, John Bryant, Dior Lowhorn, WCC, Diamon Simpson, Kevin Foster, Santa Clara, Portland | Comments Off
Posted by Dan on March 14, 2009
Yesterday I came across two very interesting articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The first one, written by Karen Crouse of the New York Times, talks about Mark McGwire’s return to the game of baseball. 
No he’s not in spring training attempting to make a roster. Rather he’s now working as a hitting instructor. According to Crouse, “McGwire spent the winter on call, volunteering his time and expertise to four players from his former teams, the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals”.
It’s great to hear something positive about the guy. Tony LaRussa has always had confidence in McGwire’s coaching abilities and has always said Big Mac is welcome to join his coaching staff. McGwire unlike many of the other juicers actually does seem like a good person. I’m glad he’s back doing a positive thing for baseball. For more info I recommend reading that article.
The 2nd article I came across, written by Dan O’Neil was about Jamar Smith.
DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press
Smith in case you forgot was once a highly touted prep player from Peoria. Smith went on to sign with the Fighting Illini. On court Smith showed flashes of brilliance but off the court issues led to eventual dismissal from the team. Smith then transferred to D-II Southern Indiana and resumed his playing career this season. Smith had a great season scoring 18.5ppg and was named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team. Not impressed? He did this with a bulky alcohol monitor strapped to his lower leg all season. I’m glad to see that the kid has got his act together. You should definitely check that article out as well.
Posted in MLB, NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Illinois, Jamar Smith, Mark McGwire, Southern Indiana, Tony LaRussa | Comments Off
Posted by Dan on March 11, 2009
Final Standings
1. Butler (15-3) 26-5
2. Green Bay (13-5) 22-10
3. Cleveland St. (12-6) 25-10
3. Wright St. (12-6) 20-13
5. Milwaukee (11-7) 17-14
6. Illinois-Chicago (7-11) 16-15
6. Youngstown St. (7-11) 11-19
8. Loyola (IL) (6-12) 14-18
9. Valparaiso (5-13) 9-22
10. Detroit (2-16) 7-23
Who’s Dancing: Cleveland St.: Cedrick Jackson led the Vikings to a big upset over Butler in the Conf. Championship. The Vikings victory gave power conference bubble teams another reason to be nervous on Selection Sunday.
Butler: The Bulldogs may have been upset but they are still NCAA worthy. There should be absolutely no question about whether or not they’re in.
MVP: Matt Howard, So., F, Butler: 14.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.5bpg, 0.8spg: Howard was among the conference leaders in Points, Rebounds & Blocks. Howard’s presence inside really opens things up for Butler’s strong outside shooting.
Most Outstanding Defender: Cedrick Jackson, Sr., G, Cleveland St.: 10.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.0spg, 5.4apg: Jackson is a guard that does it all. He lead the conference in steals and was among the conference leaders in rebounds as well
Most Outstanding Freshman: Gordon Hayward, Fr., G/F, Butler: 13.2ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5spg, 1.9apg, 0.9bpg
Pub All-Horizon Team
Top Coach
Brad Stevens, Butler: Coaches may change but Butler just keeps winning. Todd Lickliter turned his alma mater into a Horizon League power before leaving for Iowa after the 2006-07 season. The remnants of his team were enough for Butler to continue their domination in 07-08. But this year was supposed to be the year that Butler’s reign ended. In the preseason polls Butler was picked to finish 5th. Apparently Brad Stevens is no slouch. His has continued what Lickliter started by restocking the talent pool and Butler won the Horizon League regular season once again.
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Brad Stevens, Butler, Cedrick Jackson, Cleveland St., Gordon Hayward, Green Bay, Horizon League, J'Nathan Bullock, Josh Mayo, Matt Howard, Ryan Tillema, Todd Lickliter | Comments Off
Posted by Dan on March 11, 2009
Final Standings
1. North Dakota St. (16-2) 26-6
2. Oral Roberts (14-4) 16-15
3. Oakland (13-5) 22-12
4. IUPUI (9-9) 16-14
5. IPFW (8-10) 13-17
5. Southen Utah (8-10) 11-20
7. South Dakota St. (7-11) 13-20
8. Western Illinois (6-12) 9-20
9. Centenary (6-12) 8-23
10. UMKC (3-15) 7-24
Who’s Dancing: North Dakota St.: Ben Woodside hit the game winning shot to lead the Bison to a 66-64 win over Oakland in the conference championship.
MVP: Ben Woodside, Sr., G, ND St.: 22.8ppg, 6.3apg, 3.3rpg, 1.4spg: Most of the country had never heard of Woodside prior to his 60point outburst against Stephen F. Austin back in December. Woodside played a crucial role in ND State’s success. And his game winning shot in the conf. championship proved just how important he is to his team.
Most Outstanding Defender: Chase Adams, Jr., G,Centenary: 14.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.7spg: Adams proved to be quite defender as led the Conf in steals.
Most Outstanding Freshman: Dominique Morrison, Fr., F, Oral Roberts: 9.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.3apg, .6spg
Pub All-Summit Team
Top Coach
Saul Phillips, North Dakota St.: The Bison made the jump from D-II to D-I back in 2004. So this was ND State’s 1st year of being eligible to make the NCAA. And in just Phillips 2nd season as head coach he improved this team and they became just the 2nd team ever to qualify for the NCAA tourney in their first eligible year.
Posted in NCAA Basketball | Tagged: Ben Woodside, Brett Winkelman, Chase Adams, David Dubois, Dominique Morrison, Erik Kangas, Keith Benson, North Dakota St., Oakland Golden Grizzlies, Oral Roberts, Saul Phillips, Western Illinois | Comments Off
