Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Nash's play not enough in Jackets loss
It takes more than one player to win a game. The Columbus Blue Jackets found this out the hard way in a 4-1 loss against the Detroit Red Wings at home Saturday night. The loss was their second in a row to Detroit.
The lone Blue Jackets mark on the scoreboard came just one minute into the period when forward captain Rick Nash skated without offensive help into the Detroit zone and fired on past Detroit goalkeeper Dominik Hasek. The goal at the time cut the Detroit lead in half and gave Columbus a real shot at winning.
But shots were a problem in this game for Columbus. The team only registered 12 shots on goal. Detroit had a 2-0 lead from a 5-3 power play goal by Nikolas Lidstrom and a power play goal from Henrik Zetterberg before Columbus could even register their first shot of the game. That came from Blue Jacket forward Jiri Novotny.
Columbus played hard for most of the third period, but when Johan Franzen gave Detroit a 3-1 lead with seven minutes left, that seemed to take what little energy Columbus had away. This was exemplified when Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk scored on a shorthanded breakaway just a few minutes later.
“Their special teams are better than ours, they got a couple power play goals and a shorthanded goal and we were the other way,” Nash said. “Be got to get that power play clicking to win games. I don’t think we’re getting it set up, we are not hungry enough at the other end retrieving pucks, and when we don’t retrieve pucks and get set up it is tough to score.”
But one bright spot for Columbus was Nash’s play. He had 1/3 of his team’s shot count with four, as well as leading the team in checks at five. Hitchcock was quick to point to Nash’s play in the game.
“Our captain tried to carry us on his back and we just didn’t have enough people going with him,” Hitchcock said. “He tried to win the game by himself and tried to drag as many people into the fight as he could. We didn’t have enough people dragged in.”
To beat Detroit, your defense has to be on top of its game. Datsyuk is fourth and Zetterberg is seventh in the league points. Datsyuk added to his total with two assists and a goal along with Zetterberg’s goal.
“If we keep those guys off the (score) sheet, we really have a good chance of winning the game,” Blue Jacket defenseman Rostislav Klesla said. “They’re just one of the best in the league. They great skilled, good speed, they read off each other… they play really well together and find each other well on the ice.”
With just seven games left in the season, Columbus is seven points behind Colorado for the final playoff spot in the west. Hitchcock said that for the team to have a chance at getting in, they have to finish the season undefeated. Next challenge is a road game against Nashville Tuesday followed by a home game Wednesday against Chicago.
The lone Blue Jackets mark on the scoreboard came just one minute into the period when forward captain Rick Nash skated without offensive help into the Detroit zone and fired on past Detroit goalkeeper Dominik Hasek. The goal at the time cut the Detroit lead in half and gave Columbus a real shot at winning.
But shots were a problem in this game for Columbus. The team only registered 12 shots on goal. Detroit had a 2-0 lead from a 5-3 power play goal by Nikolas Lidstrom and a power play goal from Henrik Zetterberg before Columbus could even register their first shot of the game. That came from Blue Jacket forward Jiri Novotny.
Columbus played hard for most of the third period, but when Johan Franzen gave Detroit a 3-1 lead with seven minutes left, that seemed to take what little energy Columbus had away. This was exemplified when Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk scored on a shorthanded breakaway just a few minutes later.
“Their special teams are better than ours, they got a couple power play goals and a shorthanded goal and we were the other way,” Nash said. “Be got to get that power play clicking to win games. I don’t think we’re getting it set up, we are not hungry enough at the other end retrieving pucks, and when we don’t retrieve pucks and get set up it is tough to score.”
But one bright spot for Columbus was Nash’s play. He had 1/3 of his team’s shot count with four, as well as leading the team in checks at five. Hitchcock was quick to point to Nash’s play in the game.
“Our captain tried to carry us on his back and we just didn’t have enough people going with him,” Hitchcock said. “He tried to win the game by himself and tried to drag as many people into the fight as he could. We didn’t have enough people dragged in.”
To beat Detroit, your defense has to be on top of its game. Datsyuk is fourth and Zetterberg is seventh in the league points. Datsyuk added to his total with two assists and a goal along with Zetterberg’s goal.
“If we keep those guys off the (score) sheet, we really have a good chance of winning the game,” Blue Jacket defenseman Rostislav Klesla said. “They’re just one of the best in the league. They great skilled, good speed, they read off each other… they play really well together and find each other well on the ice.”
With just seven games left in the season, Columbus is seven points behind Colorado for the final playoff spot in the west. Hitchcock said that for the team to have a chance at getting in, they have to finish the season undefeated. Next challenge is a road game against Nashville Tuesday followed by a home game Wednesday against Chicago.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Norrena outlasts Hasek; Detroit
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Fredrik Norrena said he found out seven and a half minutes before Sunday’s match with the Detroit Red Wings that he was getting the nod due to an injury sustained by Pascal Leclaire during pregame skate. Coincidentally that is about how much time it took for Columbus to knockout Detroit.
Maybe Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock should start letting his goaltenders know when they’re starting on short notice after Norrena stopped 43 of Detroit’s 46 shots on goal. Norrena still however would like a bit more notice than the one he received Sunday.
“I would prefer to know the day before, but those are the things you have to get used to if you're a backup goalie,” Norrena said. “I did my preparation like a normal game day so that helped me a little bit. But of course, most of all, the guys in front of me helped out tonight."
The eight minutes Columbus needed to knockout Detroit was in the second period. Columbus went into the second with a 1-0 lead thanks to a Manny Malhotra goal just three minutes into the game. The goal came on a cross crease pass from Jackets forward Rick Nash with Fredrik Modin screening the Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek. The Jackets went on to outscore Detroit 3-1 in the middle of the second.
Columbus took a 2-0 lead with 16 minutes left in the second when forward Jason Chimera’s shot took a long rebound of Hasek to defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen whose shot beat Hasek. Malhotra scored his second of the match just three minutes later when Nash dug out the puck from the midwall and found Malhotra in the high slot. Malhotra’s first attempt was blocked by Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, but that shot hopped right back to Malhotra who batted in the puck from stomach high.
“Tennis background,” Malhotra said. “The whole play started with Rick (Nash) making a great play, he sprung me on a half-breakaway and then I was pretty pissed when my shot got deflected and then I saw it in the air, there was a gaping net so I wanted to get something on it.”
Detroit got on the board when Tollefsen and Malhotra ran into each other causing both to hit the ice while Detroit’s Tomas Kopecky beat Norrena. Columbus got their game winning goal with eight minutes left in the second when Malhotra fed forward Nikolai Zherdev at point blank range. The goal chased Hasek from the game and Chris Osgood finished as Detroit’s goaltender.
Detroit rallied when Johan Franzen notched a goal late in the second, followed by a power play goal with two minutes remaining in the game. Columbus had to weather a flurry of scoring opportunities late in the third. Norrena made 19 saves out of 20 shots in the third to hang onto the victory. Malhotra had a chance for a hat trick late when Nash skated on his left and found Malhotra when Lidstrom deflected the puck into the glove of Osgood.
“Rick made a great pass and Osgood made a terrific save,” Malhotra said. It was one of those bang-bang plays and it would have been nice to get that goal and put a seal on the game, but he made a great save.”
But no question that Detroit had the most amount of chances throughout the game. Hitchcock said Norrena’s performance was good, but Detroit’s assault was to be expected as they lead the Western Conference in scoring.
“That is Detroit’s forecheck, their forecheck is shots on goal,” Hitchcock said. “They put the puck on the net all the time, that is their strategy. They do a great job with it that is how they play so you know as a goaltender; you’re going to see a lot of rubber.”
As Detroit has reached the 100 point plateau and has their 17th consecutive playoff berth on the way, Columbus reached their franchise record with 75 points Sunday. The team is still seven points from Vancouver for the final spot out of the west. When Hitchcock was asked about his thoughts on the team reaching an all-time high in points in a season, he replied: “Oh really? Whoopee.”
Maybe Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock should start letting his goaltenders know when they’re starting on short notice after Norrena stopped 43 of Detroit’s 46 shots on goal. Norrena still however would like a bit more notice than the one he received Sunday.
“I would prefer to know the day before, but those are the things you have to get used to if you're a backup goalie,” Norrena said. “I did my preparation like a normal game day so that helped me a little bit. But of course, most of all, the guys in front of me helped out tonight."
The eight minutes Columbus needed to knockout Detroit was in the second period. Columbus went into the second with a 1-0 lead thanks to a Manny Malhotra goal just three minutes into the game. The goal came on a cross crease pass from Jackets forward Rick Nash with Fredrik Modin screening the Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek. The Jackets went on to outscore Detroit 3-1 in the middle of the second.
Columbus took a 2-0 lead with 16 minutes left in the second when forward Jason Chimera’s shot took a long rebound of Hasek to defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen whose shot beat Hasek. Malhotra scored his second of the match just three minutes later when Nash dug out the puck from the midwall and found Malhotra in the high slot. Malhotra’s first attempt was blocked by Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, but that shot hopped right back to Malhotra who batted in the puck from stomach high.
“Tennis background,” Malhotra said. “The whole play started with Rick (Nash) making a great play, he sprung me on a half-breakaway and then I was pretty pissed when my shot got deflected and then I saw it in the air, there was a gaping net so I wanted to get something on it.”
Detroit got on the board when Tollefsen and Malhotra ran into each other causing both to hit the ice while Detroit’s Tomas Kopecky beat Norrena. Columbus got their game winning goal with eight minutes left in the second when Malhotra fed forward Nikolai Zherdev at point blank range. The goal chased Hasek from the game and Chris Osgood finished as Detroit’s goaltender.
Detroit rallied when Johan Franzen notched a goal late in the second, followed by a power play goal with two minutes remaining in the game. Columbus had to weather a flurry of scoring opportunities late in the third. Norrena made 19 saves out of 20 shots in the third to hang onto the victory. Malhotra had a chance for a hat trick late when Nash skated on his left and found Malhotra when Lidstrom deflected the puck into the glove of Osgood.
“Rick made a great pass and Osgood made a terrific save,” Malhotra said. It was one of those bang-bang plays and it would have been nice to get that goal and put a seal on the game, but he made a great save.”
But no question that Detroit had the most amount of chances throughout the game. Hitchcock said Norrena’s performance was good, but Detroit’s assault was to be expected as they lead the Western Conference in scoring.
“That is Detroit’s forecheck, their forecheck is shots on goal,” Hitchcock said. “They put the puck on the net all the time, that is their strategy. They do a great job with it that is how they play so you know as a goaltender; you’re going to see a lot of rubber.”
As Detroit has reached the 100 point plateau and has their 17th consecutive playoff berth on the way, Columbus reached their franchise record with 75 points Sunday. The team is still seven points from Vancouver for the final spot out of the west. When Hitchcock was asked about his thoughts on the team reaching an all-time high in points in a season, he replied: “Oh really? Whoopee.”
My Bracket
So I only spent several hours last night and this morning doing research, but I have come up with a list of teams for each seed. I did this looking at schedules, RPI's, Power Rankings, and I gave weight to teams that finished well and did not look to compare to other experts' guesses.
One Seeds:
Memphis, UCLA, UNC, Tennessee
Two Seeds:
Duke, Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin
Three Seeds:
Stanford, Xavier, Arkansas, Pittsburgh
Four Seeds:
Drake, Louisville, Washington State, Georgetown
Five Seeds:
Vandy, UCONN, Clemson, Texas A&M
Six Seeds:
Butler, UNLV, Marquette, MSU
Seven Seeds:
Notre Dame, WVU, Gonzaga, USC
Eight Seeds:
Kent State, Purdue, Indiana, BYU
Nine Seeds:
Miami, St. Mary’s, Oklahoma, South Alabama
Ten Seeds:
Davidson, Kansas State, Illinois State, Miss St
Eleven Seeds:
Dayton, Western Kentucky, Oregon, Arizona
Twelve Seeds:
Kentucky, Baylor, Ohio State, Temple
Thirteen Seeds:
George Mason, Oral Roberts, Boise State, Siena
Fourteen Seeds:
MDBC, Cornell, Belmont , San Diego
Fifteen Seeds:
Austin Peay, Cal State Fullerton, Winthrop, Portland State
Sixteen Seeds (5):
Coppin State, Miss Valley State, (Southland Champ), Mt. St. Marys, American
So first off I do have Ohio State in the dance. The late season wins really helped I think, but they're the last team in by my count, and if Illinois or Georgia wins today, they're toast. Also down there for the final spots, I gave heavy consideration to St Joes. But I already had three other Atlantic 10 teams in, and I do not feel this conference a four bid conference. There are good teams in the conference, but also some very bad teams.
I looked up Joe Lunardi's bracket and turns out we agree on a lot. We have only one at-large disagreement. He has Dayton being the seventh team out of the tournament and I have them in (he has St. Joe's instead). I like Dayton simply because they defeated St. Joe's just two weeks ago. I don't think the 9-9 conference record should be held against them because they played a very in the non-conference schedule and won four of their last five. Wins against Pitt and Louisville also help the cause for them.
Also I was surprised how high Lunardi had Indiana. He has them listed as a five seed. They're good, however they have seemed to fallen apart since Sampsongate. They barely got past Northwestern who are simple awful, came a shot away from losing to OSU at home, and have since lost to Penn State and Minnesota. We shall see how close I am tonight.
If you're wondering what my first teams not in are, it is Villanova, St. Joe's, and UAB. I gave UAB a strong amount of consideration considering their record and them coming from an underrated conference with only one team in the field.
One Seeds:
Memphis, UCLA, UNC, Tennessee
Two Seeds:
Duke, Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin
Three Seeds:
Stanford, Xavier, Arkansas, Pittsburgh
Four Seeds:
Drake, Louisville, Washington State, Georgetown
Five Seeds:
Vandy, UCONN, Clemson, Texas A&M
Six Seeds:
Butler, UNLV, Marquette, MSU
Seven Seeds:
Notre Dame, WVU, Gonzaga, USC
Eight Seeds:
Kent State, Purdue, Indiana, BYU
Nine Seeds:
Miami, St. Mary’s, Oklahoma, South Alabama
Ten Seeds:
Davidson, Kansas State, Illinois State, Miss St
Eleven Seeds:
Dayton, Western Kentucky, Oregon, Arizona
Twelve Seeds:
Kentucky, Baylor, Ohio State, Temple
Thirteen Seeds:
George Mason, Oral Roberts, Boise State, Siena
Fourteen Seeds:
MDBC, Cornell, Belmont , San Diego
Fifteen Seeds:
Austin Peay, Cal State Fullerton, Winthrop, Portland State
Sixteen Seeds (5):
Coppin State, Miss Valley State, (Southland Champ), Mt. St. Marys, American
So first off I do have Ohio State in the dance. The late season wins really helped I think, but they're the last team in by my count, and if Illinois or Georgia wins today, they're toast. Also down there for the final spots, I gave heavy consideration to St Joes. But I already had three other Atlantic 10 teams in, and I do not feel this conference a four bid conference. There are good teams in the conference, but also some very bad teams.
I looked up Joe Lunardi's bracket and turns out we agree on a lot. We have only one at-large disagreement. He has Dayton being the seventh team out of the tournament and I have them in (he has St. Joe's instead). I like Dayton simply because they defeated St. Joe's just two weeks ago. I don't think the 9-9 conference record should be held against them because they played a very in the non-conference schedule and won four of their last five. Wins against Pitt and Louisville also help the cause for them.
Also I was surprised how high Lunardi had Indiana. He has them listed as a five seed. They're good, however they have seemed to fallen apart since Sampsongate. They barely got past Northwestern who are simple awful, came a shot away from losing to OSU at home, and have since lost to Penn State and Minnesota. We shall see how close I am tonight.
If you're wondering what my first teams not in are, it is Villanova, St. Joe's, and UAB. I gave UAB a strong amount of consideration considering their record and them coming from an underrated conference with only one team in the field.
Destroyers bested against Gladiators
The Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League lost a showdown with the Cleveland Gladiators Saturday night 59-57 in front of 15,964 inside Nationwide Arena.
The match featured a tight contest throughout the entire game. Neither team could manage to take more than an eight point lead in the game. As with many arena league games, lots of touchdowns and offense took place in this first ever ‘Battle of the Buckeye State’.
With two points being the difference, many tiny plays could have made the difference.
First one coming just five minutes into the game when quarterback Matt Nagy appeared to connect to Columbus wide reciever Derek Lee for an eight yard touchdown pass, however that touchdown was voided on an offensive pass interference and Columbus had to settle for a field goal.
Columbus would briefly lose the lead when Cleveland’s Marlion Jackson scored on a 10 yard run midway through the first. The Destroyers would come back on offense with a 43 yard strike by Nagy to reciver Calvin Russell to put the team within the six yard line. Lee would avenge his called back touchdown with a reception from six yards out to take the lead in the final minutes of the first. Columbus would hold the lead until the third quarter before the teams would trade blows. Columbus held a 31-23 halftime lead.
In the mean time, Columbus was struggling with field position as Cleveland outgained Columbus on kick returns 229-103. The turning point came in the third quarter with Columbus up 31-29, Cleveland stuffed Columbus on four consecutive plays and the Destroyers had a turnover-on-downs. Cleveland would add a touchdown to take their first second half lead.
“(Cleveland’s) special teams kept setting them up with good field position,” Destroyers defensive lineman Michael Landry said. “It obviously put the defense’s back against the wall and we had to make the plays just didn’t get it.”
Reciever Rasheed Marshall had a reception to give Columbus the lead once again. Cleveland answered with a touchdown of their own to take a 42-38 lead right before the end of the third. Columbus regained the lead early in the fourth when Nagy connected with runningback Harold Wells for his third touchdown of the game. However Destroyers kicker Mark Lewis missed his point after attempt to make the game 44-42 in favor of Columbus.
The two teams would trade touchdowns midway through the fourth to make the game 51-49. Cleveland added a field goal with 6:54 left in the game to give them the one point lead. Columbus would try to rally with a drive down the field. Nagy from the Cleveland 14 yard line passed to reciever Matt Thomas for a reception but he fumbled the ball inside of the 10 and was recovered by Cleveland’s Brando Hefflin.
Cleveland responded with a three minute touchdown drive. As many Columbus fans were giving up on the game and heading towards the parking lots, Nagy tried to rally his offense one last time. His 33 yard touchdown pass to Lee got the score within two with 22 seconds left.
Lee’s third touchdown of the game led to a dramatic two point conversion attempt which would send the game to overtime. After each team called a timeout, Columbus broke the huddle and attempted to confuse Cleveland by changing their formation. Nagy passed to his right but overthrew receivers Lee and Marshall as the ball landed in the front rows of the arena.
“We were actually going to try to hit a shovel pass, but our wing guy got caught up with the defensive end,” Nagy said. “It looked like it was a bunch of nothing but we had a decent play set up but they just played good defense.”
Even though Columbus was only a play or two from changing the result of Saturday’s game, Destroyers head coach Doug Kay said he felt his team did not deserve to win.
“I have never sat in the locker room after a loss and felt I deserved to win,” Kay said. “If we lost, there is a reason we lost.”
Columbus has now fallen 0-3 whereas Cleveland is undefeated at 0-3. Certainly a bad start for the defending National Conference champions.
“We have to play with more energy, we have to play more aggressively – I am talking mentally aggressively too so we can go out on the field and make plays,” Kay. “Right now, I don’t see enough excitement in our eyes that says ‘I am going to go out and make a play.’"
The match featured a tight contest throughout the entire game. Neither team could manage to take more than an eight point lead in the game. As with many arena league games, lots of touchdowns and offense took place in this first ever ‘Battle of the Buckeye State’.
With two points being the difference, many tiny plays could have made the difference.
First one coming just five minutes into the game when quarterback Matt Nagy appeared to connect to Columbus wide reciever Derek Lee for an eight yard touchdown pass, however that touchdown was voided on an offensive pass interference and Columbus had to settle for a field goal.
Columbus would briefly lose the lead when Cleveland’s Marlion Jackson scored on a 10 yard run midway through the first. The Destroyers would come back on offense with a 43 yard strike by Nagy to reciver Calvin Russell to put the team within the six yard line. Lee would avenge his called back touchdown with a reception from six yards out to take the lead in the final minutes of the first. Columbus would hold the lead until the third quarter before the teams would trade blows. Columbus held a 31-23 halftime lead.
In the mean time, Columbus was struggling with field position as Cleveland outgained Columbus on kick returns 229-103. The turning point came in the third quarter with Columbus up 31-29, Cleveland stuffed Columbus on four consecutive plays and the Destroyers had a turnover-on-downs. Cleveland would add a touchdown to take their first second half lead.
“(Cleveland’s) special teams kept setting them up with good field position,” Destroyers defensive lineman Michael Landry said. “It obviously put the defense’s back against the wall and we had to make the plays just didn’t get it.”
Reciever Rasheed Marshall had a reception to give Columbus the lead once again. Cleveland answered with a touchdown of their own to take a 42-38 lead right before the end of the third. Columbus regained the lead early in the fourth when Nagy connected with runningback Harold Wells for his third touchdown of the game. However Destroyers kicker Mark Lewis missed his point after attempt to make the game 44-42 in favor of Columbus.
The two teams would trade touchdowns midway through the fourth to make the game 51-49. Cleveland added a field goal with 6:54 left in the game to give them the one point lead. Columbus would try to rally with a drive down the field. Nagy from the Cleveland 14 yard line passed to reciever Matt Thomas for a reception but he fumbled the ball inside of the 10 and was recovered by Cleveland’s Brando Hefflin.
Cleveland responded with a three minute touchdown drive. As many Columbus fans were giving up on the game and heading towards the parking lots, Nagy tried to rally his offense one last time. His 33 yard touchdown pass to Lee got the score within two with 22 seconds left.
Lee’s third touchdown of the game led to a dramatic two point conversion attempt which would send the game to overtime. After each team called a timeout, Columbus broke the huddle and attempted to confuse Cleveland by changing their formation. Nagy passed to his right but overthrew receivers Lee and Marshall as the ball landed in the front rows of the arena.
“We were actually going to try to hit a shovel pass, but our wing guy got caught up with the defensive end,” Nagy said. “It looked like it was a bunch of nothing but we had a decent play set up but they just played good defense.”
Even though Columbus was only a play or two from changing the result of Saturday’s game, Destroyers head coach Doug Kay said he felt his team did not deserve to win.
“I have never sat in the locker room after a loss and felt I deserved to win,” Kay said. “If we lost, there is a reason we lost.”
Columbus has now fallen 0-3 whereas Cleveland is undefeated at 0-3. Certainly a bad start for the defending National Conference champions.
“We have to play with more energy, we have to play more aggressively – I am talking mentally aggressively too so we can go out on the field and make plays,” Kay. “Right now, I don’t see enough excitement in our eyes that says ‘I am going to go out and make a play.’"
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Nationwide Arena rocking on a non-hockey night
I am in the press box of Natoinwide Arena about to watch tonight's Columbus Destroyers game. What a cool atmosphere! One thing that was interesting was that the back-up Quarterback just got a much louder obvation than the starter (who the heck is Matt Nagy?). Remember that guy who backed up Troy Smith -- Justin Zwick? Yeah! He is with this team.
Anyway thought you might wanna know where I am tonight and what you can expect to read about later tonight (or in the morning).
Anyway thought you might wanna know where I am tonight and what you can expect to read about later tonight (or in the morning).
Friday, March 14, 2008
Loss to MSU could be a positive
The Buckeyes lost this afternoon in Indianapolis 67-60 to the Michigan State Spartans. A win would have likely propelled the Buckeyes to an NCAA Tournament bid on Sunday. Now they're sitting perfectly on the bubble and if they do make it in, it will likely be as a 12 seed.
As a 12 seed, they would play some really good top 20 talent in the first round, and do the same throughout the rest of the tournament. We all know the Buckeyes' struggle against top 20 teams. So a trip to the NCAA Tournament this year will be very likely to not be a repeat of last year's run to the NCAA Championship Game.
So why play in something you have no chance of winning or getting far in? Well if the NIT didn't exist, of course there would be plenty of reasons. However the NIT offers many things the NCAAs don't in the Buckeyes' case.
1) Chance to play good, major conference programs at home with a young team. This team is just starting to gel. Obviously some parts of this team will be subtracted with Othello Hunter and Jamar Butler leaving. But for guys like Kosta Koufos and Jon Diebler, a chance to play good talent on your own court is a chance to become a better player without the pressures that come with playing in the Big Dance.
2) The chance to go deep. If you look at how the Buckeyes have played against competition ranked in the RPI's 50-100, it is very good. They're 4-0 against the likes of Syracuse and Florida. The same type of teams they could face in the NIT (even though both teams are also sitting on the bubble too). A young team could benefit from playing in a tournament three or four games deep rather than losing in the first round.
3) Winning it! So there is no glamour in winning the NIT. Some might say you're just competing for the 66th best team in the country. But this would be the first National Championship for the Buckeyes since 1986 and only their second ever. Go figure.
So when the Buckeyes get "overlooked" Sunday evening, do not fret -- the NIT's provide positive results the NCAAs can't... and you can go see you're Ohio State Buckeyes play on their home court more than likely.
As a 12 seed, they would play some really good top 20 talent in the first round, and do the same throughout the rest of the tournament. We all know the Buckeyes' struggle against top 20 teams. So a trip to the NCAA Tournament this year will be very likely to not be a repeat of last year's run to the NCAA Championship Game.
So why play in something you have no chance of winning or getting far in? Well if the NIT didn't exist, of course there would be plenty of reasons. However the NIT offers many things the NCAAs don't in the Buckeyes' case.
1) Chance to play good, major conference programs at home with a young team. This team is just starting to gel. Obviously some parts of this team will be subtracted with Othello Hunter and Jamar Butler leaving. But for guys like Kosta Koufos and Jon Diebler, a chance to play good talent on your own court is a chance to become a better player without the pressures that come with playing in the Big Dance.
2) The chance to go deep. If you look at how the Buckeyes have played against competition ranked in the RPI's 50-100, it is very good. They're 4-0 against the likes of Syracuse and Florida. The same type of teams they could face in the NIT (even though both teams are also sitting on the bubble too). A young team could benefit from playing in a tournament three or four games deep rather than losing in the first round.
3) Winning it! So there is no glamour in winning the NIT. Some might say you're just competing for the 66th best team in the country. But this would be the first National Championship for the Buckeyes since 1986 and only their second ever. Go figure.
So when the Buckeyes get "overlooked" Sunday evening, do not fret -- the NIT's provide positive results the NCAAs can't... and you can go see you're Ohio State Buckeyes play on their home court more than likely.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Cougar News Sports... 3-12-2008
Jackets playoff hopes on life support
The NHL is now in their final month of the regular season, and it shapes to be an exciting final month of the season for many teams fighting for position. The big question in Central Ohio how much of a fight does the Columbus Blue Jackets have.
The Blue Jackets returned home last Friday night after playing eight of nine games on the road. The team went 4-4-1 in that stretch, and found themselves in the same spot as when they left Detroit nearly four weeks ago; they’re a few wins away from that last spot. But they are starting to run out of time.
Friday night, Columbus faced off with Edmonton. Columbus went 59 minutes and 59 seconds without scoring a goal. With goaltender Pascal Leclaire pulled for an extra attacker, the Blue Jackets collapsed the net and was able to score a goal with less than one second left on the clock. The goal was credited to Dan Fritsche. But just a few minutes later, Edmonton’s Andrew Cogliano scored the game winner in sudden death to send the Blue Jackets onto their seventh straight home loss.
Two days later, Columbus played a game against Tampa Bay who has the second-worst record the NHL. The Jackets got the answer they were looking for. First of all, they got on the board early. 11:29 into the first, Columbus drew first blood as Rich Nash found David Vyborny at the near right point as he beat Lightning goalie Mike Smith. Tampa would tie the game later on in the first.
Columbus got the next two goals thanks to Fritsche challenging Smith who mishandled the puck behind his own net. Fritsche tried to dunk it into the empty net but he and fellow Columbus forward Gilbert Brule whiffed, but Derek Mackenzie was right behind to dunk it in.
“That was a big opportunity, between the three of us; me Dan (Fritsche) and Bru (Brule)
have been working really good on the forecheck and they did a great job tonight getting in and causing a turnover and I was sort of the recipient of a gift-wrapped little goal in the crease,” Mackenzie said.
Michael Peca would give the Jackets a two goal lead when Nikolai Zherdev skating down the right side of the ice found Peca in the high slot who clanged one past Smith’s high glove side. Tampa Bay answered back with a goal by Martin St. Louis. 1:02 later on a Columbus line change, Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier got on a breakaway and was tripped from behind by a Jackets defender. That prompted the refs to call a penalty shot. Lecavalier finished the job as he scored past Leclaire to tie the game.
In the third, the game became tighter, being played more in the neutral zone with either team not taking many shots. Zherdev gave the Jackets the game winning goal on the power-play when he scored from the left wing with Peca and Jason Chimera screening Smith. Jiri Novotny added in with a goal late to give the Jackets a 5-3 victory.
“When we score three or more goals, with our goaltending our record has been pretty incredible,” Peca said. “We are a team to score at times, but hopefully tonight is a turn in another direction.”
“It was like three different hockey games out there,” Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock said. “First period, they were over us pretty good, then we got that second goal, played great in the second period. Then all of a sudden, two minute span, bang bang, tied up. Then track meet on in the third.”
After the win, the team finished the week tied for 10th place at 31-28-11 and five points behind eighth place Vancouver with 12 to play. Colorado is next in at seventh place with 80 points. 92 points appears right now to be the magic number to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference. For Columbus to do reach 92 points, they would finish the season no worse than 9-2-1 or 10-2.
“Teams are going up the ladder, and teams are going down the ladder,” Hitchcock said.
Mott ends Cougars’ season
The season came to a close Thursday afternoon for the Columbus State Cougars women’s basketball team as they lost to the Mott Bears in the quarterfinals of the District H NJCAA Tournament 73-60 in Oakland, MI.
Though the Cougars came into the game as the higher seed, they were missing OCCAC First Team point guard Nyesha Watson. Watson was unable to make the trip. She averages 17 points a game and also led the OCCAC in steals and assists.
Kassie Glispie and Tiffany Powell led the Cougars’ backcourt however their shooting was limited to 3-26 combined from the field. Columbus State’s front court kept the team in the game. Center Kerri Imwalle and forward Brenda Carter scored in double-digits and Imwalle also added in with 11 rebounds.
Columbus State got off to a rough start down 17-4 less than seven minutes into the game. The Cougars came back with a 7-0 run and would make it a one point game at halftime.
The Cougars got a lead early in second half when Molly Dinneen scored on a lay-up with
19:07 to play. The Cougars lost the lead but with 14:40 left, Carter blocked a Bears’ shot attempt and made a three pointer of her own to tie the game at 38. 30 seconds later, Carter assisted Imwalle on a layup to give the Cougars a 40-38 lead. This was the last time Columbus State held a lead this season. Over the course of 3:35, Mott went on a 15-0 run to provide the knockout of the Cougars. Columbus State never cut the Bears’ lead below nine.
“My kids played really hard, I was really proud of them,” Columbus State head coach Randy Crites said. “We just ran out of gas and shorthanded.”
Watson has provided a spark for this team all year. She finished second in OCCAC Player of the Year voting. In her most recent game, she scored 30 in an 89-81 victory against Cincinnati Sate who is ranked in the top 20. Crites said the team couldn’t adjust to not having their point guard on the court.
“I think it took us a while to adjust to the fact she wasn’t there because we leaned on her for everything and I think it took the other kids a while to adjust to that – and they did… We were making adjustments we just were shorthanded and couldn’t get things done,” Crites said.
Along with Watson making the conference’s first team, Imwalle was on the conference’s second team and Carter had an honorable mention. Crites felt Watson was a bit more deserving of the Player of the Year award which was handed to Ashley Huddleston of Cincinnati State.
Glispie did not want to comment afterwards on the game; however she was happy with the season.
“We had a great season, and we all had a lot of fun,” she said. I think Ny (Watson) and Kerri (Imwalle) both deserved the selections in the conference! I will miss the girls, and coaches.”
Mott went on to defeat highly ranked Schoolcraft in the semifinals and then followed with a win against the Owens Express in the tile game. The trio of wins gives Mott their second consecutive District title.
“Mott is a pretty deceptive ballclub, they can do a lot of different things,” Crites said. “They had a girl (Mott forward Suzie Jerisk) with 17 at halftime; we didn’t even know who she was. We knew those guards on the outside could shoot.”
Cougars snowed out in Cleveland
Columbus State men's basketball team was scheduled to begin their post-season in the NJCAA District 7 Tournament Saturday, however that was pushed back to Monday. Columbus State won their opening match against six seeded Clark State Monday. They now wait to face the winner of the Sinclair/Cuyahoga game. The winner of the championship game will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Davnille, IL.
The NHL is now in their final month of the regular season, and it shapes to be an exciting final month of the season for many teams fighting for position. The big question in Central Ohio how much of a fight does the Columbus Blue Jackets have.
The Blue Jackets returned home last Friday night after playing eight of nine games on the road. The team went 4-4-1 in that stretch, and found themselves in the same spot as when they left Detroit nearly four weeks ago; they’re a few wins away from that last spot. But they are starting to run out of time.
Friday night, Columbus faced off with Edmonton. Columbus went 59 minutes and 59 seconds without scoring a goal. With goaltender Pascal Leclaire pulled for an extra attacker, the Blue Jackets collapsed the net and was able to score a goal with less than one second left on the clock. The goal was credited to Dan Fritsche. But just a few minutes later, Edmonton’s Andrew Cogliano scored the game winner in sudden death to send the Blue Jackets onto their seventh straight home loss.
Two days later, Columbus played a game against Tampa Bay who has the second-worst record the NHL. The Jackets got the answer they were looking for. First of all, they got on the board early. 11:29 into the first, Columbus drew first blood as Rich Nash found David Vyborny at the near right point as he beat Lightning goalie Mike Smith. Tampa would tie the game later on in the first.
Columbus got the next two goals thanks to Fritsche challenging Smith who mishandled the puck behind his own net. Fritsche tried to dunk it into the empty net but he and fellow Columbus forward Gilbert Brule whiffed, but Derek Mackenzie was right behind to dunk it in.
“That was a big opportunity, between the three of us; me Dan (Fritsche) and Bru (Brule)
have been working really good on the forecheck and they did a great job tonight getting in and causing a turnover and I was sort of the recipient of a gift-wrapped little goal in the crease,” Mackenzie said.
Michael Peca would give the Jackets a two goal lead when Nikolai Zherdev skating down the right side of the ice found Peca in the high slot who clanged one past Smith’s high glove side. Tampa Bay answered back with a goal by Martin St. Louis. 1:02 later on a Columbus line change, Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier got on a breakaway and was tripped from behind by a Jackets defender. That prompted the refs to call a penalty shot. Lecavalier finished the job as he scored past Leclaire to tie the game.
In the third, the game became tighter, being played more in the neutral zone with either team not taking many shots. Zherdev gave the Jackets the game winning goal on the power-play when he scored from the left wing with Peca and Jason Chimera screening Smith. Jiri Novotny added in with a goal late to give the Jackets a 5-3 victory.
“When we score three or more goals, with our goaltending our record has been pretty incredible,” Peca said. “We are a team to score at times, but hopefully tonight is a turn in another direction.”
“It was like three different hockey games out there,” Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock said. “First period, they were over us pretty good, then we got that second goal, played great in the second period. Then all of a sudden, two minute span, bang bang, tied up. Then track meet on in the third.”
After the win, the team finished the week tied for 10th place at 31-28-11 and five points behind eighth place Vancouver with 12 to play. Colorado is next in at seventh place with 80 points. 92 points appears right now to be the magic number to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference. For Columbus to do reach 92 points, they would finish the season no worse than 9-2-1 or 10-2.
“Teams are going up the ladder, and teams are going down the ladder,” Hitchcock said.
Mott ends Cougars’ season
The season came to a close Thursday afternoon for the Columbus State Cougars women’s basketball team as they lost to the Mott Bears in the quarterfinals of the District H NJCAA Tournament 73-60 in Oakland, MI.
Though the Cougars came into the game as the higher seed, they were missing OCCAC First Team point guard Nyesha Watson. Watson was unable to make the trip. She averages 17 points a game and also led the OCCAC in steals and assists.
Kassie Glispie and Tiffany Powell led the Cougars’ backcourt however their shooting was limited to 3-26 combined from the field. Columbus State’s front court kept the team in the game. Center Kerri Imwalle and forward Brenda Carter scored in double-digits and Imwalle also added in with 11 rebounds.
Columbus State got off to a rough start down 17-4 less than seven minutes into the game. The Cougars came back with a 7-0 run and would make it a one point game at halftime.
The Cougars got a lead early in second half when Molly Dinneen scored on a lay-up with
19:07 to play. The Cougars lost the lead but with 14:40 left, Carter blocked a Bears’ shot attempt and made a three pointer of her own to tie the game at 38. 30 seconds later, Carter assisted Imwalle on a layup to give the Cougars a 40-38 lead. This was the last time Columbus State held a lead this season. Over the course of 3:35, Mott went on a 15-0 run to provide the knockout of the Cougars. Columbus State never cut the Bears’ lead below nine.
“My kids played really hard, I was really proud of them,” Columbus State head coach Randy Crites said. “We just ran out of gas and shorthanded.”
Watson has provided a spark for this team all year. She finished second in OCCAC Player of the Year voting. In her most recent game, she scored 30 in an 89-81 victory against Cincinnati Sate who is ranked in the top 20. Crites said the team couldn’t adjust to not having their point guard on the court.
“I think it took us a while to adjust to the fact she wasn’t there because we leaned on her for everything and I think it took the other kids a while to adjust to that – and they did… We were making adjustments we just were shorthanded and couldn’t get things done,” Crites said.
Along with Watson making the conference’s first team, Imwalle was on the conference’s second team and Carter had an honorable mention. Crites felt Watson was a bit more deserving of the Player of the Year award which was handed to Ashley Huddleston of Cincinnati State.
Glispie did not want to comment afterwards on the game; however she was happy with the season.
“We had a great season, and we all had a lot of fun,” she said. I think Ny (Watson) and Kerri (Imwalle) both deserved the selections in the conference! I will miss the girls, and coaches.”
Mott went on to defeat highly ranked Schoolcraft in the semifinals and then followed with a win against the Owens Express in the tile game. The trio of wins gives Mott their second consecutive District title.
“Mott is a pretty deceptive ballclub, they can do a lot of different things,” Crites said. “They had a girl (Mott forward Suzie Jerisk) with 17 at halftime; we didn’t even know who she was. We knew those guards on the outside could shoot.”
Cougars snowed out in Cleveland
Columbus State men's basketball team was scheduled to begin their post-season in the NJCAA District 7 Tournament Saturday, however that was pushed back to Monday. Columbus State won their opening match against six seeded Clark State Monday. They now wait to face the winner of the Sinclair/Cuyahoga game. The winner of the championship game will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Davnille, IL.
Tournament bound Buckeyes?
Let me first start out saying how fun it was Sunday to brave 20 inches of snow (much of which was still on the interstates) to arena hop. First it was the OSU men's basketball game which started at noon, then it was of to Nationwide to see the Jackets take on the Lightning. Both teams won!
Sunday's win against the Michigan State Spartans was no doubt a huge boost for the Bucks. And you could tell there was a certain level of enthusiasm. The biggest monkey was off their back: a win against a top 20 team. So with two wins in a row against top 20 teams, you would have to feel pretty good... not so fast my friend (sorry Lee Corso). First I want you to resort to one of my previous blogs referring to the team needing 20, possibly 21 wins to reach the tournament. It still holds true. Here is why:
First off, if for some odd reason conference tournaments were not played, then there is a good chance this team could get in with the 19 wins they have now. However, unexpected things happen. For instance, who watched last night's Gonzaga/San Diego game? Believe it or not, you should have cheered for Gonzaga like you did when Oklahoma played Missouri in football? And I am pretty sure almost all of Buckeye Nation became Sooners for a day. San Diego won that game thus receiving an automatic birth to the NCAA Tournament. Would have San Diego gotten in without winning the WCC? No. Did the Zags have to win to go to the tournament? No. What if Ohio State was the last team in the tournament as of yesterday? Yup, bye bye NCAA's and hello NIT.
Ok, so that is one for instance. But this is just the start of that crazy tournament week. What if Butler loses tonight to Cleveland State? You know the Bulldogs are complete locks for the tournament? But are the Vikings? No, they need the win to get in. Another at-large bid gone if that game doesn't go in the Buckeyes favor. Another example is Southern Alabama losing last night. Most people still have S-Bama reaching the tournament, but now either Western Kentucky or Middle Tennessee State will get the auto bid.
So essentially the Buckeyes need to steal away an at-large bid from a major conference team. It wouldn't hurt if some teams right around of us like Oregon, Kentucky, or even UMass (assuming Xavier wins their conference) lose. So Friday is just like this past Sunday -- it is still a must win. Here are the odds of OSU reaching the tourney based on my observations:
OSU loses: 30%
OSU wins Friday: 55%
OSU wins Saturday: 85%
OSU wins Sunday: 99.9 (still a possibility the whole entire team doesn't make the grades, it has happened before)
So cheer on them Bucks, but also remember to cheer on Butler, Xavier, and Kent State this weekend.
Sunday's win against the Michigan State Spartans was no doubt a huge boost for the Bucks. And you could tell there was a certain level of enthusiasm. The biggest monkey was off their back: a win against a top 20 team. So with two wins in a row against top 20 teams, you would have to feel pretty good... not so fast my friend (sorry Lee Corso). First I want you to resort to one of my previous blogs referring to the team needing 20, possibly 21 wins to reach the tournament. It still holds true. Here is why:
First off, if for some odd reason conference tournaments were not played, then there is a good chance this team could get in with the 19 wins they have now. However, unexpected things happen. For instance, who watched last night's Gonzaga/San Diego game? Believe it or not, you should have cheered for Gonzaga like you did when Oklahoma played Missouri in football? And I am pretty sure almost all of Buckeye Nation became Sooners for a day. San Diego won that game thus receiving an automatic birth to the NCAA Tournament. Would have San Diego gotten in without winning the WCC? No. Did the Zags have to win to go to the tournament? No. What if Ohio State was the last team in the tournament as of yesterday? Yup, bye bye NCAA's and hello NIT.
Ok, so that is one for instance. But this is just the start of that crazy tournament week. What if Butler loses tonight to Cleveland State? You know the Bulldogs are complete locks for the tournament? But are the Vikings? No, they need the win to get in. Another at-large bid gone if that game doesn't go in the Buckeyes favor. Another example is Southern Alabama losing last night. Most people still have S-Bama reaching the tournament, but now either Western Kentucky or Middle Tennessee State will get the auto bid.
So essentially the Buckeyes need to steal away an at-large bid from a major conference team. It wouldn't hurt if some teams right around of us like Oregon, Kentucky, or even UMass (assuming Xavier wins their conference) lose. So Friday is just like this past Sunday -- it is still a must win. Here are the odds of OSU reaching the tourney based on my observations:
OSU loses: 30%
OSU wins Friday: 55%
OSU wins Saturday: 85%
OSU wins Sunday: 99.9 (still a possibility the whole entire team doesn't make the grades, it has happened before)
So cheer on them Bucks, but also remember to cheer on Butler, Xavier, and Kent State this weekend.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Welcome your Columb... oh whose listening anyway
For those of you not in Central Ohio, we're getting hit with a blizzard. For those who are, we're getting hit with a blizzard. The museum I work for closed an hour early today, and it is BAD! We already have four inches of snow, but another 10 to come. Plus the winds are around 40 MPH. The traffic reporter said, "everywhere you go is backed up, back to you."
Which brings me to the Blue Jackets. Look at the picture that leads their web page. You know what they're thinking: "We're sorry you county is under a level three and you would be attested if you come, so STOP calling us." Actually this would be a bad time to cancel a game. Look at the upcoming schedule, when could these two teams tilt again? The Blue Jackets need every game; every win before the end of the season.
Maybe playing in front of a sizeably smaller crowd tonight will allow the Blue Jackets to actually win one at home. The team has lost six in a row, and Edmonton is a soft target... as long as you keep them out of overtime. Edmonton is the best shootout team in the league. This team could use a confidence boost in the worst way. Right now, we're pretty far out of that eighth playoff spot, but a couple wins in a row and boom - we're right back in it.
For those of us who rarely miss a game, it is on FSN Ohio. I will not be in attendance because it was an adventure enough to take one trip on these roads, but another round trip is out of my league with a small VW Jetta!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Cougars preparing for tournaments this weekend
Both Columbus State Cougars basketball teams are preparing for the start of the postseason this weekend in the NJCAA Regionals. While the women’s basketball team is in the midst of a two week layoff, the men’s team took the break from conference action to play a pair of non-conference games.
The men Cougars defeat the Wright Patterson Air Force Base team 105-77 Friday night, and they followed up with an astonishing 143-84 win against Lorain Community College Saturday. The Cougars finished the regular season 24-6 overall and 10-4 in the OCCAC. The Cougars benefited from forfeits this week from Owens and Cincinnati State. Cincinnati State went from being ranked in the top five nationally to being disqualified from the NJCAA Regional Tournament. Also Owens had to forfeit most of their games this season and Columbus State also picked up a win there.
The “kids played well, had fun and we got to play games without having a two week layoff,” head coach Patrick Carlisle said about the wins.
The Cougars will likely end up being the two seed at the weekend tournament hosted by Cuyahoga Community College. The winner will need to win three games to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament later in the month.
The women Cougars on the other hand have been spending time practicing for the NJCAA Regionals in Michigan. The bracket for that tournament was just released. Columbus State will play the Mott Bears Thursday afternoon. Mott participated in the NJCAA National Tournament last season. Mott is 16-12 this season, while Columbus State goes into the game 20-6. If Columbus State wins, they will likely have to face Schoolcraft who is ranked sixth in the country.
Columbus State is a loss away from their season ending. There are eight second year players for the Cougars this season. This class has back to back 20 win seasons.
“There certainly is hunger as most of our team is composed of sophomores and as this may be our final few games left of our b-ball career, we really want to make it to nationals,” Cougar center Kerri Imwalle said. “This is a once in a life time chance opportunity and I know with this year’s team we can achieve that goal of reaching to nationals.”
The majority of the teams who are competing in this regional tournament are from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Many of the teams from Ohio’s junior college conference are participating in a tournament at Edison Community College. One of those is conference champion Sinclair.
“Coach (Randy) Crites’ team this year was one of the best shooting teams we faced all year,” Sinclair head coach Jeff Price said. “They had a lot of weapons. Defensively they were very tough to stop. If you focused on one person another would step up and hit some shots on you so it was extremely tough. I feel they have a great chance to against anyone they play against. Michigan teams, Ohio teams whoever. I love (Nyesha) Watson as a player she's a tough kid who knows the game very well, and plays hard every possession.”
Watson is among league leaders in points, steals, and assists.
The men Cougars defeat the Wright Patterson Air Force Base team 105-77 Friday night, and they followed up with an astonishing 143-84 win against Lorain Community College Saturday. The Cougars finished the regular season 24-6 overall and 10-4 in the OCCAC. The Cougars benefited from forfeits this week from Owens and Cincinnati State. Cincinnati State went from being ranked in the top five nationally to being disqualified from the NJCAA Regional Tournament. Also Owens had to forfeit most of their games this season and Columbus State also picked up a win there.
The “kids played well, had fun and we got to play games without having a two week layoff,” head coach Patrick Carlisle said about the wins.
The Cougars will likely end up being the two seed at the weekend tournament hosted by Cuyahoga Community College. The winner will need to win three games to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament later in the month.
The women Cougars on the other hand have been spending time practicing for the NJCAA Regionals in Michigan. The bracket for that tournament was just released. Columbus State will play the Mott Bears Thursday afternoon. Mott participated in the NJCAA National Tournament last season. Mott is 16-12 this season, while Columbus State goes into the game 20-6. If Columbus State wins, they will likely have to face Schoolcraft who is ranked sixth in the country.
Columbus State is a loss away from their season ending. There are eight second year players for the Cougars this season. This class has back to back 20 win seasons.
“There certainly is hunger as most of our team is composed of sophomores and as this may be our final few games left of our b-ball career, we really want to make it to nationals,” Cougar center Kerri Imwalle said. “This is a once in a life time chance opportunity and I know with this year’s team we can achieve that goal of reaching to nationals.”
The majority of the teams who are competing in this regional tournament are from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Many of the teams from Ohio’s junior college conference are participating in a tournament at Edison Community College. One of those is conference champion Sinclair.
“Coach (Randy) Crites’ team this year was one of the best shooting teams we faced all year,” Sinclair head coach Jeff Price said. “They had a lot of weapons. Defensively they were very tough to stop. If you focused on one person another would step up and hit some shots on you so it was extremely tough. I feel they have a great chance to against anyone they play against. Michigan teams, Ohio teams whoever. I love (Nyesha) Watson as a player she's a tough kid who knows the game very well, and plays hard every possession.”
Watson is among league leaders in points, steals, and assists.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Semifinals to be exciting
Columbus, OHIO - The United State Presidential election is having its semifinal round Tuesday when Barack Obama faces Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Finals. John McCain is on the verge of winning his best of 51 series against Mike Hucakbee in the other semifinal.
The showdown in Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Texas between the bitter rivals is nearly a tie thus far in this round. This best of seven series right now has Obama up 2-1 and Clinton is looking to square this match. Apparently this is the only game in town for the Capital of Ohio.
The Ohio State Buckeye men's basketball team has still not sold out their game against Purdue as Ohio State is now playing for Big Ten Tournament seeding and momentum heading into the post season. The Buckeyes lost their fourth in a row when the lost Saturday afternoon in Minnesota.
The Columbus Blue Jackets decided to take the anti-American route traveling to Calgary with a roster of two Yankees on the team. Too bad their playoff chances left the country too as Adam Foote and Sergie Fedorov went to new teams. Only problem is the Jackets still don't know where there playoff chances are?
So it appears, sports fans the most excitement we will find tomorrow will be on MSNBC and CNN. Just if Barack Obama wins tomorrow, don't treat it like winning game 7 of the Stanley Cup as Hillary could pull of a Boston Red Sox vs Yankees type move and still win the semi's and then go on to sweep in the finals.
The showdown in Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Texas between the bitter rivals is nearly a tie thus far in this round. This best of seven series right now has Obama up 2-1 and Clinton is looking to square this match. Apparently this is the only game in town for the Capital of Ohio.
The Ohio State Buckeye men's basketball team has still not sold out their game against Purdue as Ohio State is now playing for Big Ten Tournament seeding and momentum heading into the post season. The Buckeyes lost their fourth in a row when the lost Saturday afternoon in Minnesota.
The Columbus Blue Jackets decided to take the anti-American route traveling to Calgary with a roster of two Yankees on the team. Too bad their playoff chances left the country too as Adam Foote and Sergie Fedorov went to new teams. Only problem is the Jackets still don't know where there playoff chances are?
So it appears, sports fans the most excitement we will find tomorrow will be on MSNBC and CNN. Just if Barack Obama wins tomorrow, don't treat it like winning game 7 of the Stanley Cup as Hillary could pull of a Boston Red Sox vs Yankees type move and still win the semi's and then go on to sweep in the finals.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March Madness time, and I am not excited
So March is here, and I have plenty of reason to get giddy. I get to cover an NHL playoff race, the defending National Conference champion Columbus Destroyers start to season, and plus I have a good feeling one of the basketball teams I am covering at the JUCO level will make nationals. This doesn't include what is happening with major college basketball. However I am not that excited.
Maybe it is because the Jackets playoff hopes were slashed by budget cuts last week? Maybe it is because I still consider the Arena Football League a minor league sport? Maybe it is because my horse isn't in the race for the NCAA basketball tournament? It is rough but true.
I know most people who read this blog know what to look for. I sometimes wonder though if the readers of Cougar News don't really care to read about NHL, AFL, and JUCO action? I know I am a complete sports nerd. I don't hide that fact. I am really curious though if I am completely the only person who is interested in the complete spectrum of local sports? I wanna hear from you, and ask why you read. I see I get lots of hits, yet few comments. Let me know.
Maybe it is because the Jackets playoff hopes were slashed by budget cuts last week? Maybe it is because I still consider the Arena Football League a minor league sport? Maybe it is because my horse isn't in the race for the NCAA basketball tournament? It is rough but true.
I know most people who read this blog know what to look for. I sometimes wonder though if the readers of Cougar News don't really care to read about NHL, AFL, and JUCO action? I know I am a complete sports nerd. I don't hide that fact. I am really curious though if I am completely the only person who is interested in the complete spectrum of local sports? I wanna hear from you, and ask why you read. I see I get lots of hits, yet few comments. Let me know.
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