The Curious Case of the Indiana Hoosiers

I was almost 100% sure the moment that Dan Dakich took over the Indiana Hoosiers that they would be a team to be reckoned with come the start of the NCAA Tournament. Now...? Not so sure.

I like Dan as a coach, I think he has a certain style of "tough love" that you don't see out of many coaches anymore. I witnessed it up close for 4 years at Bowling Green. He is a throw back to the coaches of yesterday. He just does things right. However, he's not the reason I thought this team had a least a run to the Sweet 16 in them.

I honestly thought DJ White would rally his teammates together to prove everyone wrong. Basically, to give a big "F-U" to the world after "the media" ousted their coach. They would do this for Coach Sampson, and then tell the world so in countless interviews afterword-virtually assuring their coach would get another shot a a head coaching job again.

But, instead of coming together...this team has fallen apart. Close victories over OSU and Northwestern, and blow out loss to Michigan State paved the way for a shocking loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament. No offense Tubby, but Mr. Hoffarber should have never had a shot to pull off that miracle shot. The pure talent of Indiana should have lead them to an easy win.

So, here we are on selection Sunday and Indiana may be the most intriguing team to watch in the entire field. They have the great scorer in Eric Gordon, a big man- DJ White, and a nice supporting cast to put around them. That's pretty much all you need to make a run at a Final Four.

The question then for Hoosier players is, will you come together, or will you fall apart? I want to believe in you, the state of Indiana wants to believe in you, college basketball fans across the country want to believe in you. It will be a great story-the greatest of the tournament.

Hoosier players-will you answer the call?

(No pun intended)

-picture courtesy of boilersports.com-

Signing Off

Last post of the night for my first night of blogging any sort of political event. I look back at my first post and can't believe how smart I am (subtle sarcasm...). Mike Huckabee was the man of the night. He is now a force to be reckoned with. I disagree with those who don't believe he can't do well in some of the remaining states. He won Iowa, a midwest state, period. On top of that, don't underestimate momentum. Do I think he'll win the nomination? Absolutely not. However, as I stated before, he will make the race interesting, make some issues he represents very relevant, and take the race to the convention because McCain will not get the needed amount by the time they reach Minneapolis St. Paul.

By the way...when will John McCain win big in a state? Hasn't happened yet in my opinion.

Mitt Romney...stay tuned to California. He vowed his campaign will move on. But, if he at least just about splits CA he still has an outside shot at this thing.

As for the Dems....I'm very impressed by Obama's showing. Yes, the delegates will be just about even after tonight like I thought they would be. But, Obama really made a statement by the number of states he has won.

Next week comes the beltway primary (DC/Virginia/Maryland). Then in a month the big Texas/Ohio showdown.

Looking forward to that day...

PS As I speak, they just projected Hillary and McCain winning Cali. Romney is in big trouble now.

"Holding Serve..."

Waiting for the final numbers or a projection from states like Missouri that are still up in the air. But, right now I think everyone is waiting on California. That state will make or break the night for Romney, McCain, Clinton, and Obama.

Mike Huckabee will come out the major winner tonight as things stand right now. No clue if he'll suddenly become a viable challenger or equal to McCain...but he'll have the momentum to become that. If the man could just do a bit more fundraising, it would be amazing to see what he would do with some money.

Clinton and McCain will have the delegate lead, but it isn't even close to be over.

I Love Exit Polls

So I learned to check into this little thing called exit polls in every state. While not perfect, they give a great idea of what to expect. For example, check out Alabama. Huckabee is winning 45% to 34% amongst all female voters over McCain. He is also winning male voters 41%-31%. Unless they are allowing animals to vote as well, I think its pretty clear Huckabee will win Alabama even though the current polls show he and John McCain are tied.

I'm in the process of looking at all exit polls to see what is likely to transpire tonight. However, so far no surprises to me.

Early Results in Georgia

Obama already projected to win, no shock there.

But, my Huckabee prediction is looking pretty good. He and McCain are neck and neck. After looking at the CNN exit polls, to me it looks like Huckabee win win it or finish an extremely close second if those polls hold true.

About 1 minute until 9 more polls close...now it gets real interesting

What I expect tonight...briefly

1. McCain will still lead in the Republican field, however...
2. Mitt Romney will survive, and make a race of it. "True Conservatives" want nothing more than to see him overtake McCain. It will take time but the movement has started. But another twist to the story may be...
3. Mike Huckabee, who will also do very well tonight. He will surprise some people. People will continue to talk about the "Huckabee factor." He may very well be the reason this thing goes to the convention.
4. Democrats Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton will just about split the vote tonight. Personally, I see the Republican races as more interesting since they are almost do or die for their candidates.
5. For the Dems, tonight will prove nothing except that we are one day closer to the convention where the nomination will be decided.
5. People who support Hillary will continue to do so, and ditto for Obama. Unfortunately, its about 50/50 so there will be no clear cut favorite for a long time...

Keep watching-I know I will!

My Presidential Philosophy

I may have a different view compared to others when it comes to picking a President of the United States. First off, I consider myself a moderate who leans closer toward being a conservative. Thats just based upon some of my major beliefs: right to life, national security, lower taxes, smaller government. But, even I sometimes wonder how one political party could be against abortion but for the death penalty. Or, less taxes and smaller government but spend billions of dollars in unnecessary ways. Personally, I admire all Democrats' energy and love for the environment. All of these things lead me to being the moderate I am.

However, while issues are often the center of deciding who voters give their support to, I look more at another issue which could be very subjective:

C-H-A-R-A-C-T-E-R

Why decide on who I will vote for based upon such a vague issue? Well, let me use an analogy. I look at the President like a head coach of a football team. The coach doesn't so much write the playbook and call every play, but he picks the guys who do that. He picks his coaching staff who then directly coach influence the players. The coach doesn't have enough time to go and personally give his input to every player so he divides it up and lets his assistants do that. Occasionally then he will do come make a big decision or overrule his assistants. But, for the most part, he is in charge of setting the tone of the team.

The President therefore sets the tone for the country. He puts the people in place who make a lot of the big decisions that directly affect our lives. The senate and supreme court most likely will have more direct influence on the creation and interpretation of laws. However, the President will ultimate make the big decision when one needs to be made (ie go to war) or push for that one key issue that will have a huge impact upon the country (No Child left behind or the economic stimulus package).

Therefore, when I go to pick a President, I want someone who I can trust, someone who can be the face of the country, who foreign leaders abroad respect, and who can make the big decision when need be.

I couldn't possibly agree with any candidate on every issue. But, I want to have the faith in someone that even when I disagree, they are doing something that is in the best interest of The United States of America.

Stay tuned, I'll be blogging Super Tuesday all night!

The "Perfect-Ending"-Plax was right!

The most appropriate thing I have to this is this: Boston, all fans of New England-It couldn't happen to a more deserving group of fans. (Note: I also look forward to seeing Lebron and the Cavs end the Celtics season in about 4 months)

SO I GUESS PLAXICO WAS RIGHT! 14 POINTS WAS DEAD ON...HOW YA LIKE DEM' APPLES MR. BRADY!?

Bill Belichick effectively ended the Patriot Reign of the NFL this evening. Not by losing this game-but by walking off the field before event the last play was run. Nice message to all potential free agents who would have joined your team, not to mention the media. Not as if they already didn't have enough to dig into you about with the uncovering of more cheating ( http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3227245 ).

The Patriots were cocky, and it showed. They could talk up all they want about how they respected the G-Men, but lets be honest-they never did. This was never about the Patriots verses the Giants, it was about the Patriots verses the World. The Giants were the ultimate team, kind of like that first Patriots SuperBowl team.

The first Pats championship team was full of guys like David Patton, Joe Andruzzi, and Antoine Smith. Role players who-knew their role. This was a team of "superstars" like Moss, Adelius Thomas, Donte Stallworth, and a bunch of other free agents. Even guys who were around for the first championship as unsung heros are now hearlded as "star players" (See Vrabel, Michael).

Not that these guys are bad players, they just didn't gel for the right reasons. Again, Us verses The World Doesn't work when you clearly have the best talent. That sentiment is reserved for underdogs like-The Giants.

So, what next for the Pats? Bill will be back and meaner than ever. But what is his motivation now? We still didn't finish strong? How long until his players tune him out? I don't buy that Tom Brady is some great leader who will keep his team in line. Guys like that don't go out and impregnate one woman and then move on to the next (you hear that Matt Leinhart? Go back to your baby mama ASAP).

The Patriots as we know it are over. It was over when Asante Samuel held out all of training camp. It was over when guys like Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison, and Donte Stallworth signed big deals to come. Some guys don't win championships for a reason.

IT WAS ESPECIALLY OVER WHEN RANDY MOSS CAME ON BOARD

So Boston, choke down some "chowdah", go watch "Fever Pitch" about 20 times, and remind yourselves its not the end of the world.

Mr. Belichick, Bill Buckner is calling on line one......

Bobby Petrino-Meet Nick Saban

Welcome back and thanks for reading (apparently we're on the 1 post a month cycle).

I've never been more appauled at an athletic department than I am at the Arkansas Razorbacks. You call a press conference at 11:30pm at night to announce your new coach. Your media members hoot and hollar at the new coaches every word. And you cap it off by bringing up your cheerleaders to lead the new coach and the media members in a "Pig Suey" call.

Welcome to Fayetteville, Arkansas-home of the pompous Razerback fans, boosters, athletic department, and now coach.

Did anyone really think Bobby Petrino would work out in Atlanta? Does anyone believe any college coach will ever work out again?

But, back to Mr. Petrino. Here is a guy who coaches his team on national television one night, and then jets off to be the head coach of a college team the next. Apparently, Arthur Blank had no idea his coach was leaving after endorsing him on Monday Night Football. Classy Bobby, really classy.

This is the man that his players publicly stated they disliked. He said Byron Leftwich was his QB even after Joey Harrington won two straight games. He cut DT Grady Jackson with no explaination. And he attempted to bully his players into his philsophy. And, as of last night he was still trying to get his team to buy into his philsophy...as he was already booking his flight out of town.

But, I guess DeAngelo Hall summed it up best when he stated in an interview on ESPN after watching his coach accept another job, "Its obvious he was using us as a stepping stone to another job. But thats okay, they already have a bunch of problems. They ain't even that good"

So, when is that Alabama/Arkansas game next year?

We're Back...With Breaking News

(Yea...I still hate Boston...but we're back)

"LLLoyd" Carr Is out as coach of the Michigan Wolverines, so says MGoBlog. According to their sources, Carr will announce his retirement sometime after the conclusion of this weekend's game. I checked out a few random Michigan fan forums and the consensus there seems to be that this was decided before the year ever even started. What a way to go out LLLoyd.

Now speculation will start about who will be the next Wolverine coach. Early candidates: LSU's Les Miles (a UM alum), Navy's Paul Johnson, and even Bill Cowher. Our bet, Miles is smart enough to turn down the gig and Michigan ends up staying in house by hiring defensive coordinator Ron English.

Somewhere in suburban Columbus Jim Tressel is shedding a tear...now he might actually have to outsmart a coach in the last game of the year.

http://mgoblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/carr-retiring-announcement-coming-next.html

Screw You Boston

We're taking a hiatus for a while to recover. See you when we see you.

Note to Boston fans, congrats to the biggest bunch of whiny aholes I've ever met. You are terrible fans and your team is full of guys who are even worse than you.

Don't celebrate too hard, your payroll is about tripple the size of the Indians, you should win every year dumbasses.

Josh Beckett is "Classy"

Josh Beckett may be the best post season pitcher ever. But, he's arrogant, cocky, and overall just not a very good person. The man needs put a filter on himself. F bombs in the middle of a presser isn't the way to go.

BTW, his ex singing the National Anthem....classic

Wedge Blew This Game-Kind Of

Top of the 7th innings, your ace has given you a workmen's like effort. Six innings pitched, 2 runs, stranding a ton of base runners. He's had over 100 pitchers, so you pull him right? Not Wedgie. And that my friends was the end of the game.

So how could it have been different? Well, CC is done after 6. Raffy righty pitches your 7th and 8th innings-giving up most likely zero runs. Then, you still have a 2-1 deficit. Its a different mindset with a one run deficit as opposed to a five or 6 run deficit. Who knows if they could have pushed one across. But, its a chance I would have taken.

Granted, I understand Wedgie's reasoning. He didn't want to push Raffy too much again with possibly 2 big back to back games coming up. I still don't like seeing Sabathia left in there though. Go to Mastny or someone like that then if you must. But CC was gassed. Oh, and as for Raffy Perez...why did they bring him in the 8th? Easy, it was a 3 run BoSox lead and Perez needed to get some work/confidence back. I get that. He was a dumb mistake (on his part) away from getting out of that inning.

Don't get me wrong. Wedge has been great this year and in the playoffs. You can't be mad at the guy, everyone makes mistakes. Its easy for me, the fan, to sit here and say why didn't you do (blank). I just saw CC staying in as a rather huge, evident mistake that could have been avoided, and could have changed the face of that ballgame.

One to Go with an Ace in the Hole

Thursday night all eyes will be on this man as he looks to pitch the Indians to their first World Series in 10 long years. Odds are good that he can get it done. What are the chances that CC would pitch 3 straight bad games? You're talking about a guy who was good for 7 solid innings every night during the year. The man's going to be the Indians first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry! CC should get the job done. If the Indians bats get enough done off of Beckett and co, it could be a night to remember(remember he was pulled from game 1 with a tight back).

Somewhere above Casey Coleman is looking down and smiling on all of us....

LeBron Shows His True Colors

How about that? Courtesy of the AP, this photo of LeBron James in a Tribe hat. True to his word, he said that if the Yankees were out of it, he would root for the Indians.

Smart Move Kid

Brief AFL Cleveland Update

Tomorrow it will be official. There will be a 1pm press conference at The Q to announce our new arena league team. However, I recently haven't heard anything about the team being called the Bulldawgs. Could this be a marketing opportunity? I.E. hey fans you vote on the team name...which would probably be the bulldawgs anyway.

Offically (bank on it) here is the front office for our new Cleveland AFL Franchise:

Jim Ferraro: Owner
-Nothing surprising here. Its been his team and will continue to be. Lawyer with ties to Cleveland and The U-where he met...

Bernie Kosar: Team President
-Will oversee the operations of the team. Also, most likely the public face of the team.

Mike Wilpot: Head Coach
-Was announced previously as the new head coach. He stated he was looking forward to going back out west....oops. Well, he's staying and he has a good resume. Was an interm coach one year for the Indiana Firebirds and almost lead them to a championship. Also, recently was a defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Avengers.

Tom Goodhines: Exec. VP and General Manager
-Former GM of the Utah Blaze, also has been involved in communications. Broadcasted and wrote about the AFL for many years before moving up. Will make the football decisions along with Bernie.

Half Way to the Fall Classic

Momentum has shifted, and the Tribe is on the war path. This team just has that look, its just their year. A friend of mine predicted that Jake Westbrook would pitch the game of his life. Well guess what? 6 2/3 innings and 2 runs given up. The fantastic bullpen did their job too. And lets not forget about The Mayor of Cleveland Kenny Lofton.

Is it too much to ask to see them clinch it in Cleveland in game 5? Maybe, but we're one bad outting by a guy with a bad back (Wakefield) or one good outing by a guy who lives for these moments (Byrd) away from getting a chance to talk about it.

As for Boston, it was revealed that Ortiz almost had to sit out the remainder of the series due to his bad knee. He suddenly doesn't look like Big Papi. He looks the David Oritz, the old first basemen from the Twins. Manny is starting to be Manny again. That being, the emotional player who can turn it on and off whenever he feels like. He doesn't look to motivated. In general, somehow the BoSox just aren't hitting. Byrd throws strikes, that eliminates walks and more guys on base. I like the Indians chances.

Two more wins and the Indians get a chance to do something no Cleveland team has done since 64'. It feels like its finally...next year.

Is This Heaven?

...No its Iowa...I mean Cleveland Ohio. Forgive me if I'm a bit new to this whole "winning thing" around here, but damn it feels good! We haven't won a championship (yet), but lets just reset exactly what Cleveland fans have experienced in the last 12+ months:

1. Ohio State (our adopted college football team) went to the BCS Championship Game and is back atop the BCS standings again this year poised to revenge last year's loss.

2. Cleveland native Troy Smith wins the Heisman Trophy.

3. Ohio State basketball is lead by a group of freshman to the NCAA tournament final.

4. The Cleveland Cavaliers win the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history.

5. The Browns are 3-3 headed in to the bye week. For most cities this wouldn't be much, but in a town starving for a winning football team it means the world.

6. The Tribe is in the ALCS in a series deadlocked at 1-1 and looking like a team to be reckoned with after a record setting 7 runs in extra innings to knock the BoSox back to earth.

I feel like a kid in a candy store right now. And, we all know that sports is the candy store of life.

Do I want a championship? Absolutely. But isn't being a fan all about the ride? The experience of consistently winning? Slapping high fives with complete strangers and downing a beer with your grandfather as he tells you stories of Jim Brown and Bob Feller...thats the essence of being a sports fan. And right now, in Cleveland Ohio, it doesn't get any better.

The Indians look like a team of destiny after last night. Its about time the arrogant Bostonians learn that baseball universe doesn't revolve around them. They will after 3 more Indian victories. Then, think about this....we may get a shot to win a championship against the Rockies, who come from Denver. How appropriate would that be? We could put to rest years of misery caused by that city and break our curse. Its all within our grasp.

The Browns were down and out. Jerry Jones was already contemplating how much he would have to pay Darren McFadden after he drafted him with our number one pick. Well, don't look now, but the Browns look like a, dare I say it, playoff caliber football team. Derek Anderson is third in the league in TD passes! We have an offensive line and running game! Braylon and Kellen look like Pro Bowlers! Romeo remembered how to coach! !Hallelujah!

The Cavs are admittedly the 3rd wheel in this town. But, they may have its biggest star. Maybe the biggest star in sports in King James. When was the last time Cleveland could say that? Not since we had Jim Brown. This town has rallied around what was once the ugly step child of franchises in this city. Almost every game is sold out. The Q has become one of the best atmospheres in the NBA. The team is set up to win championships for years with San Antonio disciples Danny Ferry and Mike Brown leading the way.

Cleveland, this may be the beginning of the golden era of sports in this town.

Lets just all enjoy the ride.

Every Dirt Dog Has His Day

What in the name of Bill Buckner was that? Karma is a b*tch isn't it Theo? Trot Nixon, former hometown hero and originator of the Dirt Dogs gets the key hit that began the record 7 run rally in the 11th. Some guys by the name of Peralta, Hafner, Martinez, and Sizmore helped a little too. So did the bullpen starring...Tom Mastny? Yup Tribe fans, you won't forget this one for a looong time...I know I won't.

Now lets show them what a real home field advantage is!

Back to Baseball...

T-Minus 3 hours until first pitch of the ALCS. Cleveland is stoked and ready for their first American League Pennant since 97' (channeling Tony Fernandez...). Boston...not so much.

Out of curiosity, I tuned into Boston sports station WEEI this morning. I was listening to a show hosted by ESPN castoff, Michael Holley (note to self, never pin my career on Max Kellerman or anything called "I, Max"). It literally took about 1/2 hour before there was any substantial talk about the baseball game. What was the dominant topic? The Cowboys/Patriots game. So its apparent to me Boston is no longer a baseball town, its Patriots Nation. Most of what I heard was dominated by the football game and the callers taking offense to Wade Phillips saying their 3 Superbowl victories were tainted because they cheated. Of course, they were caught cheating, so naturally they are tainted. So basically...Boston fans are not very bright and don't deserve another chance to win a World Series. Therefore, its our job as Clevelanders to do everything we can to make sure that happens.

Note to self, if at a game at Jacobs Field, scream math equations at Manny Ramirez while at the plate, that should confuse him. 2+2=4 is a good place to start.

BOSTON, ITS OUR YEAR GET OVER IT! WE HAVE THE BUGS AND THE BASEBALL GODS ON OUR SIDE!