by Nick Brower | Feb 20, 2018 | SPORTS
The NCAA announced that Louisville’s appeal to the sanctions levied has been denied. This means that Louisville’s 2013 National Championship will be vacated along with its Final Four appearance in 2012. This marks the first time a program will have to vacate a National Championship in the Final Four era. These sanctions come in the wake of an investigation that found former staff members paid for and arranged strip teases and sex acts for recruits at parties on campus during recruitment visits. Also considered in this case were allegations of further recruitment tampering including payments made to families of recruits for commitments. The penalties extend to a total of 123 victories being vacated, a four year probation period that includes scholarship and recruitment restrictions, and around $15 million in fines and forfeiture of revenue. Louisville appealed on the grounds that these penalties “went beyond what we consider to be fair and reasonable.” I am personally happy to see such harsh punishment. The state of collegiate athletics and the NCAA is full of corruption and dirty stories like this one. The NCAA needs to start cleaning up its act and this punishment will serve as a stern warning to other programs around the country. The beauty of college athletics stems from the passion and purity of its competitors and its time that the colleges and universities stop clouding this with greed and corruption.
by Nick Brower | Feb 20, 2018 | SPORTS
NBA players enjoyed some down time this weekend during the All Star break. 48 of those players took some time to participate in an ESPN poll, asking some questions regarding the future of the league. A few of the questions revolved around Lebron and his upcoming decision. 59% of the players polled think he will stay in Cleveland, with the Lakers being the second most popular choice with 22%. When asked where he should sign, Cleveland jumped up to 66% with the rest of the players scattered all over the league. The players want to see Lebron teamed up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul and Dwanye Wade, each getting 12% of votes. They were also asked for the best coaching match for Lebron. Popovich received 46% of votes while Tyron Lue only received 18%. A handful of players submitted an answer along the lines of “Lebron is his own coach”. In non-Lebron news, 80% of the players believe Boogie Cousins will start next season in New Orleans. Players were also asked about OKC’s opening night lineup. 45% think that only Russ and Melo will be around next year, 24% think the big three will stay in tact and 22% believe it will Westbrook by himself again. The players were split 51% and 49% on the issue of max contracts. 51% were in favor of a max contract. One player put the argument very nicely, “LeBron, Steph and KD, all those guys bring a lot more than what they’re getting paid. … But being a lower-tier salary guy myself, if you pay those guys even more, the lower guys on the totem pole don’t really get anything”. The final question of interest was, “Which team have you heard makes the best free-agent pitch?” Boston received the highest percentage with 27%. While some of this seems silly, it’s cool to get a peek into some players’ mindsets.
by Nick Brower | Feb 20, 2018 | SPORTS
In the wake of the new pace of play rules to be implemented this season in the MLB there are a few questions left to be asked. I was hoping to get some more information out of Commissioner Rob Manfred’s press conference from Arizona’s spring training media day but he seemed to skate around the direct questions posed to him. The biggest question for me is what is the penalty for going over the six mound visits that are allowed. Right now there does not seem to be a clear answer to that. Manfred only said today that the umpire will be responsible to “stop” that mound visit from happening. What does that mean? A stern, “Hey, you can’t do that!”? Or physically getting in between a position player and his pitcher? Without a clear penalty I’m not sure the players will obey the rule. One idea is that every mound visit after the sixth will force a pitching change, regardless of intent. This is harsh but will surely deter players from going over the allotted number of visits.
by Nick Brower | Feb 15, 2018 | SPORTS
The NBA wraps up the first half of its season with two games tonight before the kickoff of All Star Weekend. You know what that means, time to predict the future. The first half has seen many interesting storylines, and what time better than now to tell you who’s going to be holding that trophy in June.
The East has been relatively predictable so far and is clearly a three team race. Toronto will head into the break as the one seed for the first time in their franchise’s history thanks to a seven game win streak and the Celtics playing like crap as of late. Boston still holds the two seed, but they need to figure out what’s going on quick and get back to dominating teams. The Cavs are starting to look better again after a serious roster reset at the deadline and a refreshing version of Lebron. Let’s be honest, the rest of the East is competing to lose to one of these top teams come playoff time. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what young teams like Philly, Milwaukee and Detroit are made of. Right now they don’t stand a chance, but a good ass kicking in the first round will still be a well-needed experience for some of the most exciting young talent in the league and will set them up for a more competitive year next season.
Prediction: Lebron and Kyrie will give the fans just the fight we’re looking for in the conference finals, and Lebron will prove once again why he’s the best damn ball player on this planet. Cavs in 6 over Boston.
Now to the West. Much more competitive. I count five legit threats to represent the West in the finals this year. Golden State is of course the favorite with their team of Monstars. But Houston is playing incredible ball right now behind the beard and CP3 and heads into the break a half game ahead of the Warriors. Never count out a Spurs team led by Kawhi and Coach Pop, they’ll be playing their best ball when it counts. The new big three in OKC is still working out some kinks but that kind of fire power can’t be underestimated. My sleeper team in the West? Portland. They’re sitting in sixth right now but they can score with the best of them and Dame Lillard has proven over and over again that he’s one of the best clutch players in the game. Dont be shocked if they pull off an upset or two come April.
Prediction: Houston and Golden State will shoot it out for the West in a crazy offensive clinic of a series. Golden State’s defensive ability will allow them to slow down the Rockets just enough, and they’ll be back in the Finals again. Warriors in 7.
That’s right, Warriors v. Cavs once again. I know its a boring pick but its the truth. Golden State’s roster is way too stacked and as long as Lebron is in the East no one else is touching him. But I don’t think Lebron’s greatness will be enough to topple the Warriors all around dominance. They are a rare blend of offensive fire power and defensive prowess and it will shine once again. Golden State will bring another chip home to the Bay when it’s all said and done. Warriors in 6.
