Spring Weekend A Right for Kids At UConn

Don’t throw out the couch change with the burnt couch. In other words, don’t let the actions of a few individuals ruin Spring Weekend for the rest of the students at UConn. The tradition of partying and flooding the Storrs campus has been going on for 50 years, and it is my belief that every college student deserves a chance to be at a party like that.

It’s not just about getting drunk and going crazy, although yes, much of it is about that. It’s also about seeing all of your classmates, in one place, at one time. It’s about making friends and having stories to tell for years to come. It’s about the feeling that, for once in your life, you were part of something special, that only you and your classmates in college could really understand.

 

Yes, it needs to be safe and there need to be limits. But there is security all over the campus, and DUI checkpoints on almost every road around Storrs. No matter what, there are going to be parties and idiots who take things too far. But things have calmed down in recent years as the number of police at the event has increased. Let these kids have their moment in the sun—before they go off to the real world and sit at their desks reading “news stories” about the festivities and reminiscing about the good old days.  

Sonics Fans Not Thunder Struck

It still makes me sick, and I'm not even from Seattle. The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing like a team that can knock off the defending champion Lakers, and it's not fair. 

It's not fair that Seattle had the team for 41 years, supported them like crazy, and almost tore the roof off of the Key Arena when Gary Payton led the team to the 1996 NBA Finals. Only to lose the team because NBA commissioner David Stern and scumbag owner Clay Bennett decided their arena wasn't big enough.

Even though it was just renovated in 1995. 

Even though taxpayers paid for that renovation.

Now, Seattle, which watched its own team get upset as a 1-seed in the 1994 NBA Playoffs, has to watch as budding superstar Kevin Durant and the Thunder have a chance to do the same to the juggernaut Lakers. 

Life isn't fair. And neither is David Stern. 

How to watch the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs

It's arguably the best postseason in professional sports. Yeah, you read that right. 

Every year, the NHL playoffs deliver the goods. Overtime games, long series, upsets, seasons turning on a fraction of an inch. 

It's great theatre, but you probably miss it every year because hockey can be brutal to watch on TV. The puck is small, most of the players have last names like Bryazyzyzgolov, and the games can be painfully low scoring. 

As a decent hockey fan, I feel your pain, but also am experienced enough to know how you can enjoy the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs beyond just watching the highlights on SportsCenter. 

1. Invite a few friends over, and get drunk. You could say that about just about anything, but hockey games are great to watch when you're drunk with a few friends. You don't have to pay attention too much, except for the 3-4 moments each period that grab your attention like Bar Refaeli. That leaves plenty of time to order pizza, talk about other times you got hammered, and argue about the nationality of Tuuka Rask. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

2. Work out while watching. This also helps your enjoyment of the game. Sitting in front of the T.V. and staring at guys in skates going up and down the ice over and over can make you question your life just a little bit, but a sport like hockey is perfect for working out because...again, you don't have to pay attention as much. 

Run on the treadmill or do some push-ups as you watch Canucks-Kings at 10:30. You'll feel even better when Daniel Sedin scores the game-winning goal because you'll have endorphins pumping through your body. In other news, I've been doing this all month and I still have no muscles.

3. Listen to music and do other stuff while watching. You get the idea.

4. Celebrate goals like a soccer player. This means mandatory taking off of your shirt, running around in circles, and acting like you just cured cancer. 

                                         This guy knows how to watch hockey.

NFL Draft Review

2010 NFL DRAFT REVIEW 

Oversized dudes in dreadlocks!! Mel Kiper Jr. and his abiogenetically generated hair!!  Chris Berman screaming angrily at someone on live national television when he thinks he's off the air!!... It's the NFL Draft...on  E--S--P--N!!!!

Let's get right to the action... here are the Top 5 things I came away with after watching some of the 345,789 hours of coverage on ESPN.

1. Sam Bradford is going to fail as an NFL quarterback.  It's nothing against Bradford...it's just that he hasn't played in almost a year, he played in a stat-enhancing spread offense at Oklahoma, and he's got an offensive line that couldn't protect Ben Roethlisberger from a sorority girl. (Wait...bad example.) 

2. Tim Tebow is going to be better than people think...but he's still not a franchise QB.  Josh McDaniels took the risk of his career by selecting Tebow with the 25th overall pick in the draft. Tebow is a good football player who can come off the bench as a running and passing threat, and be dominant in the Wildcat offense. I'm just not sure if he can make the throws a franchise QB has to make.

3. The Lions had the best draft of any team. Not only did Detroit land the best player in the draft, DT Ndamukong Suh, with the 2nd pick, they also stole RB Jahvid Best from California, an outstanding playmaker that the Lions desperately needed. They also got a starter in CB Amari Spievey from Iowa, and a solid athlete in DE Willie Young from N.C. State. 

4. The NFL is arrogant about its position in the sports world. Yes, the NFL is king. And there's no shortage of reasons why this is so. But turning the draft into a three-day "event" is going a little overboard. Don't get me wrong, I loved the celebrity pick announcers-- it was absolutely great when Texas head coach Mack Brown announced that the Cleveland Browns had just taken his former player, Colt McCoy. And I even liked the prime-time first round. But forcing three days of Todd McShay on us is a burden no one should have to live with.

5. Chris Berman still has it. And by it, I mean he can still not realize that he's on the air and look ridiculous yelling at someone behind the scenes while Mel Kiper Jr. and Jon Gruden glance away awkwardly. The NFL Draft...now in Prime Time!!!!  As good as ever.

MLB Preview: NL West

BITE-SIZE BREAKDOWN:

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. San Francisco Giants

2. Colorado Rockies

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

5. San Diego Padres

Division Player of the Year: Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Upton is perhaps the best player in baseball nobody talks about. The younger brother of B.J., who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays, Upton is a five-tool threat. He hit a clean .300 with 26 HR and 20 steals last season in the toughest division in which to hit in the majors. Consider Upton a perennial All-Star candidate and centerpiece of the Diamondbacks for a long time.

Division Pitcher of the Year: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

Difference Maker: Matt Cain, SP, San Francisco Giants

Biggest Surprise: Kyle Blanks, IF, San Diego Padres

Blanks is a big boy. The Padres are hoping he puts up big production. In just 54 games last season, the man who looks like a real-life Phat Albert hit 10 home runs and drove in 22 RBI. He earned a spot on the Padres' everyday roster with a torrid spring training, and should put up solid numbers for San Diego this year.

Biggest Letdown: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching

BOTTOM LINE: It's one of the oldest addages in baseball. Pitching wins games. The Giants have more pitching than anyone in the division, and that's why they'll win more games than anyone else. Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is arguably the best pitcher in the National League, and Matt Cain is an outstanding No. 2 man. If the Giants can get more production out of their lineup, they have the pieces to make a run to the NLCS. But that's a big if.

MLB Preview: NL Central

BITE-SIZE BREAKDOWN:

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Cincinnati Reds

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Chicago Cubs

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

6. Houston Astros

Division Player of the Year: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals. Duh.

Division Pitcher of the Year:  Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals.

Difference Maker:  Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds. 

Phillips is the key to the Reds' lineup and playoff chances this year. If Phillips can give Cincinnati a repeat of his 2008 All-Star season, the Reds will have the offense and the pitching to have a chance to compete for a Wild Card spot in the National League. 

Biggest Surprise:  Cincinnati Reds pitching.

For the first time in years, the Reds have the horses to reach the playoffs. They don't have a true ace, but young guns Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez have the stuff to deliver like one. Volquez has to prove he is healthy after missing most of the season last year due to elbow problems. Cincinnati also signed Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who should be with the big club sooner rather than later. Chapman throws upwards of 99 mph and should be a welcome addition to a talented young staff. 

Biggest Letdown:  Houston Astros

BOTTOM LINE: The Cardinals have the Central's best player, best pitcher, and best lineup protector in Matt Holliday. If St. Louis doesn't run away with the Central, it will be a shock. 

MLB Preview: NL East

BITE SIZE BREAKDOWN:

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. Philadelphia Phillies

2. Florida Marlins

3. Atlanta Braves

4. Washington Nationals

5. New York Mets

Division Player of the Year:  Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies.

Division Pitcher of the Year:  Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies.

Difference Maker: Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies.

Biggest Surprise:  Washington Nationals not finishing last.

How's this for going out on a limb: The Nats won't finish last in the N.L. East in 2010. Washington has made itself better with the additions of Jason Marquis and Ivan Rodriguez, and the Nats have recieved a much-needed boost with the drafting of P Stephen Strasburg. Combine that with the fact that the Mets are in the midst of a face-first divebomb, and Washington has enough to climb out of the cellar.

Biggest Letdown: New York Mets pitching. 

The Mets have Johan Santana, but the rest of their staff is below average. John Maine and Mike Pelfrey are inconsistent, often terrible, and not worthy of sniffing Santana' jock strap. The Oliver Perez signing might be the most egregious of a long line of mistakes made by GM Omar Minaya.

BOTTOM LINE: This division is all about the Phillies. Unless the entire team comes down with polio, Philadelphia is going to win the N.L. East and challenge for a National League title for the fourth straight year. 

Blumenthal For Connecticut Senator

Richard Blumenthal is the man to replace Chris Dodd as Connecticut senator. If there is one candidate that can move beyond the political jargon and say that he has actually done remotely as much for the state of Connecticut as Dodd has, it is Blumenthal. 

As attorney general, Blumenthal attacked a cornucopia of issues facing the state, from antitrust issues to animal rights concerns to even whether or not the ACC violated NCAA rules in stealing teams from the Big East. 

Blumenthal cares about the issues facing the people of Connecticut, and unlike the other four candidates, he has experience righting wrongs. 

If there's anyone who can go to Washington and fight for the people of Connecticut, it's not Peter Schiff. It's not Rob Simmons and it's certainly not Linda McMahon. It's Richard Blumenthal.  

MLB Preview: AL West

BITE SIZE BREAKDOWN:

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. Texas Rangers

2. Seattle Mariners

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California America Earth

4. Oakland Athletics

Division Player of the Year: Chone Figgins, 3B, Seattle Mariners.

Figgins is such a unique player and has had such an impact on the A.L. West that his departure from the Angels immediately helps swing the balance of power in the division. Figgins is the prototypical leadoff hitter, getting on base, tearing up the basepaths, and scoring a ton of runs. If the Mariners are going to compete for a playoff spot, Figgins will have to have a monster season. Here's betting he will.

Division Pitcher of the Year: Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners.

Difference Maker: Nolan Ryan, President, Texas Rangers.

Ryan has made a bigger impact on the entire pitching staff of the Rangers as team president than he did when he was pitching. And that's saying something. Ryan is old-school, and is heading a revolution of sorts with his pitching staff. Instead of being more careful with his talented young arms (and the Rangers have some in Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz,) Ryan wants them to work hard, throw a lot, and develop more arm strength. If his old-school approach works, Ryan may be responsible for stealing some clients from the notorious Dr. James Andrews.

Biggest Surprise: Texas Rangers Pitching.

Biggest Letdown: Seattle Mariners Power Bats.

BOTTOM LINE: If the Rangers young pitching comes around, Texas will be the team to beat in a depleted A.L. West. The Angels are facing the departures of SP John Lackey, 3B Chone Figgins, and DH Vladimir Guerrero, and the Mariners just don't have enough power in the lineup to compete. Texas will win a watered-down version of the A.L. West this year.

MLB Preview: AL Central

BITE SIZE BREAKDOWN:

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Minnesota Twins

3. Chicago White Sox

4. Kansas City Royals

5. Cleveland Indians

Division Player of the Year: Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins.

Division Pitcher of the Year:  Jake Peavy,

 Chicago White Sox.

Apologies to Zack Greinke, but he can't possibly be as good as he was last year. If he is, we may have a modern-day Sandy Koufax on our hands. Peavy holds the key to the ChiSox season, and gives manager Ozzie Guillen a legit No.1 starter for the first time since Jose Contreras died. (Oh wait, he's still alive??? Wow.)

Difference Maker: Johnny Damon, Detroit Tigers.

Biggest Surprise: Detroit Tigers Starting Pitching.   

The Tigers will win the division this year because of pitching. Sure, nobody is going to be surprised when Justin Verlander wins 20 games, but it may startle some fans to see just how good young guns Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer are. The Tigers have the chance to turn back the clock to 2006-- and reach the playoffs because of their talented young staff.

Biggest Letdown: Chicago White Sox Offense.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite being the third-most talented team in the Central, the Tigers will wind up winning this division. Things probably would have been different if not for the injury to Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan, who has the second-best closer in baseball behind the great Mariano Rivera over the past five years. The Twins still have what it takes to win 90-plus games and reach the playoffs, but they will need to add depth to the bullpen to do so. 

MLB Preview: AL East

BITE SIZE BREAKDOWN

A.L. East

HOW THEY'LL FINISH:

1. New York Yankees

2. Tampa Bay Rays

3. Boston Red Sox

4. Baltimore Orioles 

5. Toronto Blue Jays

Division Player of the Year:  Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees. 

Teixeira isn't your everyday big-time free agent signing in New York. Tex lived up to the hype, handled the ridiculous pressure, and won a championship in his first year in the Bronx. Now, Yankee fans will love him forever. Or at least until he goes 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Division Pitcher of the Year:  C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees.

Difference Maker:  Carl Crawford, OF, Tampa Bay Rays.

Crawford is in a contract year and, due to baseball's unfair economic system, probably won't be back in a Rays uniform. That means the greatest player in franchise history will be traded before the July 31 deadline if Tampa Bay isn't in the race. That's why Crawford, who has always been a loyal and hard-working player, is going to will the Rays to the playoffs.

Biggest Surprise: SP Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays.

Biggest Letdown: SP Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox.

BOTTOM LINE: The Yankees simply have too much money and too many players not to win this division. If Tampa Bay can get 2008-type production out of its young pitchers, the Rays have a chance to upend Boston and improbably reach the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Still Heartbroken after Butler Loss

The ball was on its way. Gordon Hayward, hometown kid from Brownsburg, Indiana, had just released it into the tension-filled Indianapolis air, which none of the 71,000-plus people in the building could breathe at that moment. 

I was sitting in a leather chair in Thomaston, Conn., praying that, before it hit the ground, it would somehow pass through that net that seemed a million miles away, and punctuate the greatest basketball story in the history of the sport with the greatest championship-winning play in the history of sports. 

It almost did. 

They were almost immortal.

Gordon Hayward's desperation heave almost went in. 

Photo: Sam Riche/Indianapolis Star

If you were going to write "Hoosiers II", and make it a cinematic success, you wouldn't have needed much imagination beyond what nearly took place in Indianapolis that Monday night. Butler, a small school five miles away from Lucas Oil Stadium, took out blueblood after blueblood on their march to the National Championship game. 

They had people who aren't even basketball fans sitting on the edge of their seats, rooting like their son was the starting point guard. (Shelvin Mack, by the way.)

My mom was even rooting like I played on the team. 

Now, I'm going to admit this right now: I'm a basketball junkie. I love the sport more than anything else in the world. I love playing it. I love watching it.  I even love the smell of a well-used ball. (Wait, that might have come out wrong. But you get my drift.)

If you put me on a deserted island and told me I could only take three things, they'd be a ball, a hoop, and a private jet to get the hell off of the island so I can watch March Madness. (Unless they go to 96 teams in which case I might replace the jet with NCAA president James Isch, and show him what it feels like to get punched repeatedly in the jujunum.)

So, to me, this Butler run was more than just a cool story to keep me occupied for a few weeks in March. It was a mission. It was a crusade. It was an impossible dream. 

 

If Gordon Hayward's shot had found its way through the basket, life would have been different. Just for a brief, fleeting moment, everything would have been right in the world. 

If only moments like this came around more often.

If only, for once, we never had to wake up from the dream.

If only that shot went in.