Unsung Heroes During A 'Practice' Year

It's been a strange year for UConn basketball, to say the least. As I'm sure most of you know, due to an academic NCAA violation, one that has absolutely nothing to do with anyone currently on the roster, the Huskies are banned from the post season this year. That includes both the NCAA Tournament as well as the Big East Conference Tournament. The latter is particularly sad since this is the last year that the Big East, as we know it, will be in existence. UConn, as one of the founding members of the conference, has been intertwined in so many of the most memorable moments at the Garden; most recently the Kemba walker 'Pitt-fall' buzzer beater. They have also been involved in some pretty wild NCAA Tourney moments, including the Tate George and Rip Hamilton game winners. For those of you who have never seen those clips, or, like me, simply can't watch them enough, I'll throw the videos on the bottom of this post.

But enough about the past. We can't just sit here and feel sorry for ourselves all year. I assume most UConn fans have not been paying as close attention to the team as they usually do this year, so allow me to give you some bullet points as well as my take away from this 'practice' year:

• First of all, I am hesitant to use the term 'practice' year, as that implies that there is nothing to play for. With the passing of the torch from Jim Calhoun to Kevin Ollie, the team was presented with a unique challenge. Since Ollie was only signed to a 1 season contract, the teams performance served as an extended interview of sorts. After getting off to a pretty hot start, the team came together to earn a large contract extension for the first year head coach.

• Kevin Ollie's performance review was not simply based upon stats and record. It was a priority of University President Susan Herbst, and A.D. Ward Manuel to make sure that Coach Ollie had a firm grasp on his team's classroom performance as well. In fact, it wasn't until the 1st semester grades were released that UConn decided to extend Ollie's contract. Leading the pack were Shabazz Napier, Niels Giffey, Leon Tolksdorf, and R.J. Evans who all posted a 3.0 or above this fall. The four were honored for their accomplishment before their game against USF.

• Napier has been a leader on the court as well. Last year, problems arose as there seemed to be some question as to who the true leader of the team was; an emotionally checked-out Alex Oriakhi or a trigger happy Napier with an underdeveloped voice of leadership. Well, there is no question who runs the show this year. Through end of game heroics, an unshakable confidence, and top tier performances both on the court and in the classroom, Napier has developed into a budding star. With another year to go in his collegiate career and what is shaping up to be the same team with a few freshman additions, all the pieces are in place for Napier to take this team on a long tournament run in the 2013-2014 season.  

With a tough schedule ahead of them, UConn will attempt to finish strong against some very talented opponents. The remaining schedule is as follows:

• Feb 10 - UConn at Seton Hall
• Feb 13 - UConn vs. Syracuse
• Feb 16 - UConn vs. Villanova
• Feb 21 - UConn vs. Cincinnati
• Feb 23 - UConn at DePaul
• Feb 27 - UConn vs. Georgetown
• Mar 02 - UConn at Cincinnati
• Mar 06 - UConn at USF
• Mar 09 - UConn vs. Providence

With 5 wins to go before passing the 20 win mark, this team has already over-performed based on a less than talented team compared to past years. At the very least, you have to admire the heart. Before I wrap this post up, it's worth acknowledging the efforts of Enosch Wolf who was called upon to replace the void at Center and has done so with flying colors. When he's not blocking shots, his 7'1" presence is at the very least forcing opponents to question coming inside. A much appreciated accomplishment from an unsung hero.

(Kemba Walker vs. Pittsburgh)

(Richard Hamilton vs. Washington)

(Tate George vs. Clemson)

The Ultimate Fighter

The 17th season of the ultimate fighter premieres January 22nd on FX. I was a big fan of the show back in season one but haven't watched it regularly since. However, you can bet I'll be glued to the TV every Tuesday night this year for one reason above all else; Chael Sonnen. Whether you love the guy or can't stand him, Chael is the embodiment of entertainment. At the most basic level, he's a shit talker who taunts and jeers  his opponents into making mistakes both inside and outside the ring. Taking a closer look, it becomes clear that Sonnen doubles as a revenue generating machine who can back up all his prodding with mental and physical toughness in addition to a steadfast determination and work ethic. As the name behind some of the best sound bites of all time, Sonnen has created quite the character. It is worth noting, however, that this has not always been the case. He was always a good fighter, but the personality didn't come until later. Thank god it did.

Despite your personal feelings about Chael, he brings attention to the sport and is a big reason why it's growing so rapidly. People see his YouTube videos, watch him in various interviews, and see his remarks on twitter and think to themselves, "I've got to check this guy out." And anyone who loves the UFC should understand and appreciate what Chael is doing for the sport. Far too often, the guy who talks the most trash is the weakest, however, Sonnen truly backs up every statement with his performance in the ring. His last big fight was a rematch against undefeated Anderson Silva for what many considered to be the most anticipated fight in UFC history. The two grew to hate each other, and in the months leading up to the fight, verbal lashings were exchanged until it all came together in the Octagon. In addition to being a fight for the UFC Middleweight Championship, the match also held the promise of clearing up the controversy from the first Silva vs. Sonnen bout. Sonnen dominated the fight for 4 and a half rounds, entering the 5th round with the judges' scorecards reading 40-34, 40-35, and 40-36. Despite the lopsided fight, Silva managed to catch Sonnen in a triangle armbar, forcing Chael to submit and leaving fans everywhere in doubt of who really deserved to win the fight.

Silva vs. Sonnen II was not so close. Although round one bore a striking resemblance to the first fight, a swing and a miss on a spinning backfist led to Silva jumping on the mistake to win by TKO. The feeling of defeat did not last long in Chael's psyche, however. Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon "Bones" Jones had an opponent drop out at the last minute and Chael jumped at the opportunity. He said he would gladly fight Jones, one of the best fighters in UFC history, despite being a lower weight class, but Jones declined the offer, stating that he had not prepared for Sonnen and that Sonnen hadn't earned a shot at the Light Heavyweight Title. BUT, that was then and this is now. The best part about Sonnen and Jones being named this year's The Ultimate Fighter coaches, is that at the end of the season, they will square off in what is sure to be an all out brawl. The fight is set for April 27th, 2013 and I suggest you all tune in! Oh... and the show itself should be pretty dope too.

(Chael Sonnen - American Gangster)

Another Chance To Prove Themselves

Back on October 15th, I blogged about how disappointing the Dallas Cowboys had been this season. From committing untimely turn overs, to sitting atop the NFL as the most penalized team in the league, the Cowboys have had a knack for driving their fans to the brink of insanity. Since then, Dallas have found a way to cut down on mistakes, get their act together, and start winning in heroic fashion. All this has culminated into another week 17 shot at the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Let's start with the changes. September and October yielded the result of a whopping 13 interceptions with only 9 touchdowns for Tony Romo. Since then, he has thrown for 17 touchdowns while limiting his interceptions to just 3; two of those three interceptions coming in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys have managed to win 5 of their last 7 games putting them in a position to win the NFC East and wrap up a spot in the playoffs. Who stands in their way? Who other than those Washington Redskins and red hot rookie Robert Griffen III. The cowboys have been here before. Last year, a week 17 matchup between the Cowboys and the Giants determined which of the two teams would make it to the playoffs. We all know how that story ended as the Giants went on to win the Superbowl. However, there are a  number of notable difference between the two Dallas teams.

For one, winning a multitude of close games this year has created a distinct mental toughness in the locker room. Romo even went as far as saying "I believe when I step on the field in the fourth quarter, if we're within 10 to 14 points, we're going to find a way to win the ballgame." I'm sure when making such a bold statement, he did not expect to have to prove it so quickly, but as fate would have it, the Cowboys were down 14 points going into the forth quarter last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the announcers poking some fun at his statement, Romo managed to bring his team back to tie the game up and send it to overtime. The Cowboys went on to lose in OT, but the message was loud and clear. There truly is a mental toughness that has been lacking in year's past.

But will it be enough to carry the team into the playoffs? There are certainly a lot of doubters out there along with even more skeptics. I fall into the latter category, but am hopeful none-the-less. With a defense finally forcing timely turnovers, and a multidimensional offense due to the return of powerhouse RB Demarco Murray, I think Dallas has what it takes to win. It all comes down to putting the pieces together and playing smart football. Big game Sunday night with a lot of implications so make sure you don't miss it and have a Happy New Year!

P.S. If the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose to the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers respectively this Sunday, which could very well occur, then the NFC East is still a three way affair. Assuming the Giants are capable of knocking off an abysmal Philadelphia Eagles squad, all other scenarios will be decided going into the Sunday night game. Granted there are a lot of ifs involved, but if things play out like this, then Giants fans will have a lot of interest in the outcome of the Dallas/Washington game as a Washington win will earn New York a spot in the playoffs. Just something interesting to watch for. Enjoy.

UnCertainty at UConn

As a life-long UConn basketball fan, I am saddened by the current circumstance of the program. Uncertainty has become a word that is strongly associated with the Huskies of late. The effect of such uncertainty is still undetermined, but one would naturally assume that negative consequences are sure to follow. Between the conference realignments, a coaching change, and NCAA violations, it is safe to say that UConn has seen better days. Perhaps there is a silver lining. With all the turmoil and chaos, UConn is left with a team of 'loyalists' for lack of a better word, and through the cancellation of the post season a new goal has risen from the ashes of a fallen team.

The conference realignments over the past couple of years have been nothing short of pitiful. The illusion that college sports are about pride, sportsmanship and teamwork has been wiped away as this endless paper chase has torn rivalries apart and left fan bases with a combination of whiplash and PTSD. In my opinion, the Big East has been the most dominating conference in the history of NCAA athletics. By the same token, UConn embodies all that the Big East represents. Coming from humble beginnings and rising to become a national powerhouse, UConn, one of the founding members of the conference, has used the Big East as a tool for recruiting and exposure alike. It seems, however, that those days are behind us. The Big East has been completely decimated by other conferences, especially the ACC, who have seemingly picked off teams at will. The only real option for UConn is to jump ship; a fact recognized by President Susan Herbst who has called the most recent passing over by the ACC "a difficult day." The unfortunate truth of it all, is that basketball simply doesn't dictate conference change. The much more powerful football programs are responsible for bringing in the big bucks and, therefore, are the ones who dictate realignment. With the loss of Notre Dame, Syracuse, Pittsburgh  West Virginia, Louisville, etc. the Big East is a sinking ship and if they don't do something quick, UConn is doomed to go down with it.

The dismantling of the Big East is only part of UConn's problems this year. NCAA violations relating to academic matters have led to the Huskies being banned from the post season. This means no Big East tournament, which is disappointing since this will, in fact, be the last tournament with all the perennial powerhouses still in-conference. This also means no NCAA tournament. I will not dive into my feelings about the NCAA as that will take far too long and I simply don't have the time tonight. It is important to note that not a single player on this team is responsible for the academic problems leading to this year's penalty. It is also important to note that due to this fact, the NCAA has allowed an exception to the normal sit-a-year-out rule that applies to all transfers. Since no one on the current roster is responsible for the program's problems, the NCAA allowed players to transfer and immediately play at another school the same year. This allowance claimed Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith as well as leading to a possible-early goodbye for Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond who declared for the NBA after the 2011-2012 season.

Perhaps all is not bad in Connecticut this year. Due to the departure of so much of the original team, the players who chose to stick it out as well as the recruits who chose not to attend other schools have proven themselves loyal to the program. Last year's season was plagued with lack of heart and lack of leadership. Perhaps a gutting of the team is exactly what UConn needed to get it together. A talented back court coupled with a plethora of solid small forwards, this year's roster certainly has talent. The only real gaping hole is lack of height and, as a result, lack of a presence down low; a sort of signature for UConn in past years. Another silver lining for the Huskies comes with their new coach. A transition from the hall of famer, Jim Calhoun is no doubt going to be difficult, but Kevin Ollie may be the perfect fit for such a situation. A former UConn player who went on to have a long NBA career, Ollie provides a perfect example of the target goal for a player's career path. All of a sudden, in a year without a post-season, the players have something to play for. Ollie's contract is only good for this season; not even a full year. The players and fans have gotten behind the former UConn alum, and now have a new cause to root for: a contract extension for Kevin Ollie. The passion is as strong as ever. Perseverance has been a word representative of UConn during the Calhoun years. Can Ollie carry on the tradition? He certainly has a lot working against him in his first season as head coach. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

(Before)

(After)

Top Five Super Bowl Contenders

With the NFL season a little more than half over, the playoff picture is becoming more and more clear. This week's Real Sports will feature a list of the top five super bowl contenders for the '12-'13 season. Without further adieu, here are my picks. Disagree? Add your own list in the comments section.

5. New England Patriots

The Patriots finally look to be clicking as they've won five out of their last six games. Four out of their next seven games should be easy wins, which would give the Patriots a 10-6 record worst case scenario. As far as making it to the super bowl, the Patriots have a nose for the big game, and quite frankly, Brady and Belichick are winners, and it's only a matter of time before they win again.

4. New Orleans Saints

What would a list be without a sleeper? The saints got off to a rough start this year losing their first four games, but have since gone 4-1 including a victory over the former undefeated Falcons. With a pending rematch with Atlanta lurching in the future, along with two NFC East opponents and the 49ers, the Saints, no doubt, have a tough road ahead, however Drew Brees is too good to let this momentum die without a fight. Look for them to make a deep run in the playoffs and possibly make it to Super Bowl, which, by the way, is set to take place in the Super Dome this year.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were my preseason pick to win it all this year. Joe Flacco has spent his career as a much more reliable Tony Romo; full of talent but never quite getting the respect he deserves. With an explosive defense and the little engine that could, Ray Rice, this team is still super bowl bound in my eyes.

2.  Atlanta Falcons

The number 1 and 2 spots aren't exactly going to be mind blowing predictions. The two 8-1 teams simply have to be considered in the discussion for super bowl contenders. For me, the deciding factor between who was placed in which spot came down to their history. Any 8-1 start is impressive, but the Falcons was less so. The toughest team they have beaten so far is the Broncos, a truth shared by both of the top teams, followed by the Dallas Cowboys who have been less than dominate this year.

1. Houston Texans

No surprise here. The Texans are, in my opinion, the number 1 pick for the Super Bowl this year. Sharing an 8-1 record with the Falcons, Houston has been dominate all season. Losing only to the Packers, their resume speaks for itself with wins over Chicago, Baltimore, and Denver with teams totaling two, two, and three losses respectively. Home to one of the best defenses in the league, 3rd in opponents passing and rushing yards allowed, hardly anyone can figure out how to beat these guys. Oh and did I mention Arian Foster? Texans for the franchise's first super bowl appearance. 

A N.on B.iased A.pproach to the NBA

The NBA season has just begun and I still can't decide if I care. It seems like half the people I know are NBA fanatics and the other half couldn't care less. It's hard to deny the fact that the NFL is the superior product this time of year. Then again, it is far from a fair fight. Comparing a 16 game season to an 82 game season is like comparing a slice of pizza to a hot dog eating contest. Sure, pizza and hot dogs are delicious but after the 3rd hot dog, it becomes a bit of a chore. I'll half heartedly watch the playoffs and catch a couple big matchups here and there and part of my lackluster enthusiasm for the NBA certainly stems off the fact that my favorite team, the Sacramento Kings, haven't had a good year since the Chris Webber era and, therefore, hardly receive any television coverage here on the east coast. There is something inherently unexciting about waiting for your computer screen to refresh with a score update. Admittedly, I am a much bigger fan of college basketball, which leads me to my next point.

The age old question of NBA versus NCAA has remained answerless since it was first asked. Which is better? Obviously, as expected, this is not a simple question and therefore requires a complex answer. There are a few key compliments and complaints concerning both leagues. Starting with college basketball, the main complaint is the talent level. This is clearly unavoidable. On one hand, the players are still kids. This fact carries with it a lack of talent, discipline, and overall maturity. On the other hand, in comparison to the NBA which takes only the best of the college pool of players, the talent level can not and will not ever be on par with its professional counterpart. Any given game will be sure to contain far fewer fast breaks, alley oops, and made baskets. This lack of individual talent leads to a more team oriented style of play. One of the main knocks on professional basketball is that it lacks this aspect.

Granted, the NBA game is more fast paced and exciting, but the emphasis on individualism leads to an overall lack of flow. The other complaint about the NBA revolves around the business of it all. While the NCAA is a business as well, with power hungry coaches and administrators as well as countless licensing and marketing ventures, the players themselves are largely unaffected by the money. In the NBA, however, the players are at their jobs every time the step on the court. This rubs off on the passion they have for their team as well as their teammates, because when it comes down to it, every individual is competing for their own best interests. Unlike football, for example, where most players are judged as a unit, i.e. the offensive line, basketball players are mostly judged comparatively to other players at their same position or the other players on their team. Plus, as we've seen time and time again, one or two superstars can completely change a bad team to a great one. This is not the case with most other sports.

This also has its upside, as a team who is down in the pits, will likely not remain there for long. College, on the other hand, has its prestigious teams that more or less keep that title year after year as good recruiting leads to winning which leads to good recruiting and so on. The most interesting question hidden among this whole mess is how can someone be a fan of both? They are opposites in so many ways and yet so many people love both professional and college basketball. I guess the truth is hidden among the many wonders of the sport. James Naismith created one of the most exciting, suspenseful, and spectacular games in existence today. Professional, college, who cares? Let's just enjoy the fantastic show that is basketball.

(Let me just clarify that all of the generalizations that I made for the sake of argument in this post are, by the very definition of the word, general assumptions and do not apply to every player or team in the league. There are plenty of passionate NBA players just as there are plenty of underdog stories and superstars in the NCAA. As the title implies, I tried to look at the differences in as non biased of a light as possible. If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, I encourage you to comment on this post and voice it. This is intended to be a discussion, not a lecture.)

The Death of Traditional Football Fandom

Fantasy Football, a game that has been around since the 1960s, has taken America by storm. It grew slowly until 1997, when its budding romance with the internet finally began. Alas, fantasy football was made available to the common man. Before this time, the draft, league rules, and all of the stats would have to be calculated by hand for every player involved in the league. This limited the game's popularity to only the most dedicated of football stat junkies, leaving the average football fans to simply root on their favorite teams. Now that the wonderful world wide web does all the hard work for you, Americans have rushed to their computers to join this fast growing sensation, totaling over 19 million users, ultimately culminating in an FX series and countless football analysis shows dedicated simply to fantasy advice.

What has yet to be decided, however, is how the online game will affect the game on the field. Fans often find themselves torn between rooting for their favorite team and rooting for their fantasy players. With this sort of pull challenging the dedication of the fan one way or the other, it seems only natural that eventually there will be a split, but which side will win out? Or perhaps a happy medium will be reached and the two worlds can coexist. Either way, the question remains. Is fantasy good for football, or will it ultimately lead to the death of traditional football fandom as we know it. Let's weigh the pros and the cons.

First the pros:

1. Makes otherwise boring games exciting:
• Fantasy gives fans a reason to watch every single game as it is rare for a matchup to not have at least one player from your own or your opponent's team on the field. 
2. Creates a social experience missed out on in traditional fandom:
• Under 'normal' circumstances, the only true bond experienced between yourself and fellow fans occurs either when you both have the same favorite team or when your favorite team is playing against their favorite team.
• In a fantasy league, however, every participant is linked together throughout the entire season. From the draft to the playoffs and through year after year, fantasy leagues facilitate an unrivaled bond between football fans.

Now for the cons:

1. Internal conflicts galore:
• Everybody in a fantasy league has experienced some sort of internal conflict during the course of a season. Whether it is being forced to root for one of your least favorite players because he was the best running back available during your turn in the draft, or being torn between hoping your fantasy defense can put up good numbers while still losing to your favorite team, it's always tough
2. Emphasis on individual performances:
• Peewee coaches everywhere would be furious to see such an emphasis put on individual stats, as the appreciation of a solid team effort has been depleted drastically.

The one fact that can not be disputed is that this game within a game is revolutionizing the way fans view football. All of sudden, a touchdown is no longer simply a touchdown. Was it a pass or a rush? Did the quarterback toss it to a tight end or a quick slant to a receiver? Fantasy implications create unique situations that the players and coaches are completely unaware of as they play. So although the difference between a one yard sack and getting tackled at the line of scrimmage means little to the actual result of the game, it could have a heavy influence on the outcome of your fantasy matchup. It is fair to say that fantasy football isn't going anywhere any time soon. So join a league, outsmart your friends or some strangers, and bring home some trophies and cash right now. But a little word of advice... make sure your team loyalties are strong or you could find yourself a few fantasy seasons away from having no affiliation at all. Join at your own risk.