Saturday, March 31, 2012

OSG Prem: Man City Wastes Opportunity, Relegation Tightens

((HT: Premier League/ESPN))

Sunderland gave Manchester City fits at the Etihad Saturday, so much so that for 80 minutes manager Roberto Mancini was driven crazy by a team asleep at the switch.

It took two goals in less than two minutes to get the 3-3 draw, but the whole day seems to be symbolized by enigma Mario Balotelli and his hissy fit during a free kick...


And for his postgame interview, Mancini let everyone have it...
As well he should have for a team that everyone chalked up a win for against a middle-of-the-table team...
((HT: Premier League/MCFC/youtube))


The teams at the bottom of the table continue to impress and play with urgency. Bolton took care of Wolves to solidify the latter's fate for relegation. QPR and Wigan also won against Arsenal and Stoke.

Wolves are six points behind Wigan, QPR, and Blackburn. Rovers have a game in hand until their match with ManU Monday. Bolton have 29 points.

But does Aston Villa realize that they're only five points north of being demoted...??? That's the question...

Cowgirls Win WNIT Over James Madison

((HT: Newsok.com))

With everything Oklahoma State's women's hoops program has been through this season, there were a lot of people ((HQ included)) that weren't necessarily rooting against James Madison in their game against OSU, but were rooting for the Cowgirls to win their last game of the year.

And in a game where OSU led by as many as 17, they got their title with the win over the Dukes. The widow of head coach Kurt Budke, Shelley, was given the honor of cutting down the last part of the net in their 75-68 win.

Damon Fontenot was at Gallagher-Iba...


Gina Mizell's must-read piece gave some insights from coach Jim Littell about how players went back to ideas that gave the players comfort in a time of great mourning and the team felt the presence of coach Budke and coach Miranda Serna.

Congrats to every one in Stillwater...

Bruce Weber to K-State: Yeah, thought so

((kcstar.com))
Bruce Weber

Well, you can say this about the athletic administrators at Kansas State, they didn't waste a lot of time replacing fired head coach Frank Martin. In fact they are going to announce the new guy late Saturday afternoon.

It appears the new hoops coach in Manhattan, Kansas is going to be deposed Illinois coach Bruce Weber. If you are surprised to hear that, you can add your name to a rather lengthy list.

Weber takes over the Wildcat program after his Illinois team lost 11 of their last 13 games this season after a 6-1 start and multiple reports that he had "Lost" his team.

More on the hire from the KCStar RIGHT HERE

Yeah, we're scratching our heads too. Perhaps K-State didn't think they could do better. And they may have been right. The question is more...how hard did they look.

This isn't a total slam on Weber who had modest success in Champaign, but even the K-State players are apparently miffed at the move. They heard the stories of Weber's shortcomings. They, along with many others are wondering why they didn't try an up-and-comer from a small school or a top-flight assistant. But they didn't.

And for that, we wish them all the luck in the world.


Two Guilty In Assassination Plot On Celtic's Lennon

((HT: RTE One/youtube))

The HQ knows how mental fans get when it comes to their teams and local sports here in the States. But there's a different level of silliness overseas...

Add to that the whole Catholic-Protestant thing, and it goes sideways very quickly.

Neil McKenzie and Trevor Muirhead were convicted of conspiracy to assault after bags containing bottles of potentially explosive liquid, a timer and dozens of nails were sent through the mail. The nail bombs that were being made with all of those materials were being sent to the manager of Celtic, Neil Lennon, a member of Parliament, a key attorney, and a group that wants a unified Ireland

Surprise... McKenzie and Muirhead are fans of Celtic's main rival- Rangers.

Sentencing is set for April 27.

Here's some behind the scenes stuff on Lennon from an interview he did on Irish network RTE...

Friday, March 30, 2012

Yo Quiero Taco Erving...???

Apparently, Gators point guard Erving Walker really wanted that $3 taco from a Gainesville, Florida street vendor.

Early this morning in Gainesville, he ran away with one and ended up being pursued by a few GPD cop cars and other police officers who chased Walker by foot.

Walker was charged with retail petit theft and resisting an officer without violence, and is scheduled to appear in front of a judge on the 19th.

According to Michael DiRocco's report from GatorNation, Walker admitted to stealing the taco but said he was "just playing around."

In talking with FOSG who follow the Gator basketball program, they're actually glad that Walker is no longer associated with the on-court product at the O-Dome. The prevailing opinion is that Walker is too small to play at the next level here in the states and has too many issues being a point guard- including launching too many unnecessary shots at inopportune times and not being a guard that has sound judgment with the ball...

There's the phrase having to do with a door on your way out...
But the new incident reminds the HQ of what's below...
((HT: Yum!Brands/youtube))

Maradona Wants None Of You To Heckle Girlfriends...

((HT: TotalSportsInfo))

Diego Maradona is coaching over in the UAE these days, but just because he's coaching doesn't mean he still knows what's happening behind him in the stands...

As his Al Wasl squad was playing Al Shabab, the Shabab fans were heckling his players and then the girlfriends of the team...

Maradona left his seat...


After the match, Maradona called the rival fans "cowards"

"Some people are cowards. They only attack women and have no courage to confront men," Maradona said according to The Gulf News. "This is the first time I am upset with the fans. If they are angry with me they should know that I did it (climbed the stands) for my (girlfriend) because someone was calling her names. They shouldn't be angry with me. They should be angry with the people who did this. They are cowards, not real fans."

Oh, Al Wasl lost 2-0 and Maradona has threatened to walk if the owners don't invest in the franchise...

Report: LA Football stadium losing steam

((ht: yahoo.com))
Proposed stadium complex

Well...it was a nice thought, albeit somewhat pie-in-the-sky.

According to a report produced by Yahoo Sports reporter Jason Cole, the chances of an NFL stadium being built in downtown Los Angeles are shrinking by the day.

Cole reports that the sticking point in negotiations are primarily AEG's Phil Anschutz's requirement that he be allowed to purchase a minority stake in any team that would relocate to LA. Oh, that stake would come at a pre-set discount too. Anschutz also wants a rental agreement on the stadium.

The NFL...well, they aren't so enamored with that idea, but Anschutz is sticking to that plan.

The full report from Yahoo.com RIGHT HERE

While we see Anschutz's point in asking for something in return for fronting $1 billion for the stadium, we still think the whole idea is a bad one. Sure, we understand the NFL desperately wants to return to LA, but we just don't see that happening.

For those of you who say "Plenty of teams will relocate", we say Bull*%#!. Every team that is thinking about it will use Los Angeles as a negotiating tactic to get what they want. It already will be getting the Vikings a new stadium. The Jaguars, while they "Could" leave, we don't believe the new ownership will do that any time in the near future. Sure, we know they have attendance issues, but knowing the Jacksonville market as we do, its a statement on the economy and the incredibly bizarre and poor personnel decisions by management.

Oh...we might add this story from today's LA Times:

There are rumblings in LA LA land that the Magic Johnson consortium that just bought the Dodgers have contemplated putting a football stadium next to Dodger stadium. And while that might be a more plausible idea than the AEG plan, we wonder if they have the capital after dishing out $2 billion for the baseball team.

Read the LA Times story RIGHT HERE

We really, REALLY, think the NFL is trying to force a square peg in a round hole here. Sure, a team in LA will give them potentially a ton more eyeballs and better access to the nations 2nd largest city. But really, is hurting them by not being there?

Its not like the NFL isn't the most popular Sports league in all the land. And it isn't like they are hurting for revenue or are being held back in their TV deal by not being in the City of Angels.

No, we say forcing a team to move to LA would alienate a good part of their audience. And we don't think they are quite ready to jump into the expansion game....yet.

This is only fitting:

Illinois Finds Their Man, Hires John Groce As New Hoops Coach

Every year a surprising run by a mid-major in the NCAA Tournament turns that program's head coach into a hot commodity.

This year Ohio made a run to the regional semifinals and took North Carolina into overtime. That helped Bobcat head coach John Groce who caught the attention of the University of Illinois who happened to have an opening.

Thursday Groce was introduced as the new head coach of the Illini and the Danville, Indiana native who was born and bred on Big 10 basketball was thrilled.

"For me, when I mean once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, that's exactly what I meant." Groce said and a press conference Thursday. "I looked at it and said I'm a little different than everybody else. This is the first and only job that I interviewed for since I've been at Ohio."

Here's a one-on-one interview with the new Fighting Illini leader. (WAND-TV Springfield, IL)



One very important aspect of being the head coach at Illinois is recruiting the city of Chicago successfully. It was the secret to Lou Henson's great success during the "Flying Illini" days of the 1980's. Chicago talent was the cornerstone of Henson's 1989 Final Four team.

Groce won't be a stranger in Chicago.

"I understand how important that area is." Groce said. "We have previously established relationships that are going to be important."

Baylor's Mulkey Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy

((HT: KWTX-TV Waco))

The assembled media was at Baylor University thinking they were just going to get an update before the Lady Bears were to make their way to Denver for the women's hoops finals. But the media were given a different, and more sobering, story.

Head women's coach Kim Mulkey has been given a Bell's Palsy diagnosis...

From the Baylor Bears website:

"I noticed while we were in Des Moines last week that my tongue felt strange. Yesterday I noticed when I smiled, only the left side of my mouth was working. Also, my right eye was drooping and I couldn't hear properly out of my right ear. Our trainer, Alex Olson, examined me before practice and it was decided I needed immediate medical care. Instead of going to practice, I went to the doctor," said Mulkey.

Bell's Palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that results in the inability to control facial muscles of the affected side. The condition usually has a rapid onset of partial or complete paralysis that often occurs overnight.

The facial nerve passes through a small canal in the skull beneath the ear. It is thought that an inflammatory condition causes the facial nerve to swell which leads to compression of the nerve as it passes through the canal. While the exact cause of the swelling is unknown, many physicians believe the cause may be due to a virus.

"Coach Mulkey is being treated with an anti-viral medication along with oral steroids to reduce the inflammation of the facial nerve," Olson said.


Here's the story from our friends at KWTX-TV

Thursday, March 29, 2012

One Rangers Bid Gone, More To Follow...??? (UPDATED With Deadline)

((HT: SkySports/O'Rourke))

Administrators Duff and Phelps were looking to have new owners for Glasgow Rangers in place by the end of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) season, but by the looks of things one prospective owner is out the door.

And it may mean more follow...

According to Pete O'Rourke over at Sky, Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy's bid was shelved last week and is now gone since he wanted D&P to speed up the process.

That leaves four, but it now appears that former Rangers director Paul Murphy's bid might go away since his bid is contingent on current director Craig Whyte being bought out by the winner in the process. Whyte wants no such action done.

Whyte and Murphy have been at odds since Whyte removed Murphy from the Rangers Board when Whyte took over almost a year ago... or, "only" a year ago...

Murphy has made his feelings known about the Whyte share to Duff and Phelps, but won't move forward until the issue is resolved.

Here's what Rangers are having to go up against in Celtic...
Even after adminstration and the likelihood Celtic clinches the SPL title this year...
((HT: SkySports))


FRIDAY UPDATE: Duff and Phelps is asking three bidders for the best offers by Wednesday, but they're the first to admit that they don't have a front-runner...

David Whitehouse, joint administrator from D&P, said on the club's official website:

"The direction from Lord Hodge in the Court of Session in Edinburgh last Friday clarified important issues relating to the status of the arrangement between Ticketus and Rangers Football Club and our powers as administrators in relation to contractual rights.

"This has allowed the bidding process for the Club to move away from the previous uncertainty the issue caused. The direction has also enabled us to have intensive and constructive discussions throughout this week to confirm the levels of interest and the structure of any offers.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the merits of individual bids but, in general, several parties have pursued their declared interest in the Club and five bids submitted have been subject to greater scrutiny.

"We fully understand the desire of supporters to see the bidding process concluded as soon as possible and have asked three bidders to submit best and final offers by Wednesday April 4. It is likely that a successful bidder will require a period of exclusivity to commit to final due diligence thereafter.

"Bids have inevitably been the subject of widespread comment and speculation but at this stage it would be unwise to perceive any particular party to be a preferred bidder, and the bidding process remains open for all parties until April 4."


So, then, the next step is next week...

More when we know more...

Yet another sign of the Apocalypse: Bearded Brian Wilson plane debuts

The Jet
((ht: sfgate.com))

Because in San Francisco apparently there can't be enough things that Giants reliever Brian Wilson is attached to.

Apparently, as part of a marketing agreement between the Giants and Virgin America Airways, a Giants themed, AirBus 320A will be a "Giants" themed plane complete with a "Brian Wilson" beard painted on the nose.

The original story from SFGate.com RIGHT HERE

It is kind of funny in a certain way, though Wilson's gimmick has worn out its welcome with many. Sure, he's a wacky guy who does some really, really strange things for attention. And we aren't 100% sure that this would be the type of thing he'd want to be known for.

But then again, we aren't exactly San Francisco Giants fans either, so who knows how they feel out west.

Is it wrong that this is what we thought of while posting this story?

Montana fires coach and AD at the same time

University of Montna football stadium
((ht: bozemandailychronicle.com))

Well, it certainly wasn't a good day to be a top administrator in the University of Montana's athletic department.

School president Royce Engstrom announced Thursday morning that Athletic Director Jim O'Day and head football coach Robin Pflugrad were fired. Engstrom didn't give a reason for the firings, but the school and the athletic department in particular have been under heavy scrutiny after a string of sexual assualt allegations over the past few years and major heat for the way they've been handled.

Oh...the team is in the midst of spring practice too.

The whole story from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle RIGHT HERE

While the school didn't specify why O'Day and Pflugrad were fired, you can bet they found something wrong when investigating the goings on with the team. No, since we don't follow Montana football closely, we don't have specifics. But we've been in and around business long enough to know that when heads start rolling like this, with this kind of timing, somebody is in a whole heap of trouble.

The only question: How bad will it be?

Here's Pflugrad after his dismissal...
((HT: KXLH-TV Helena))

Tar Heel Trio Leaving For The NBA

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams has some rebuilding to do.

Carolina already lost starting center Tyler Zeller since he was a senior. Now Jon Henson, Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall will enter the NBA draft.

Henson won back to back ACC defensive player of the year awards in 2011 and 2012.

Barnes was a pre-season first team all-american before he suited up in North Carolina's baby blues. He may not have lit up college basketball as was unrealistically expected but Barnes did have a great Carolina career.

Marshall turned out to live up to the hype at point guard. This season Marshall set an ACC single season record in assists with 351, fourth most in NCAA history. That earned Marshall the Bob Cousy award as the nations top point guard.

Your Blake Griffin highlight of the night

((ht: nba.com))

We just kind of enjoy posting highlights of LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin. He's one of the few NBA players we like watching play.

The guy just likes to dunk the basketball. And not just the two hand, barely over the rim type.

No.

He seems to posterize someone just about once a week.

Here's this weeks poster:

Two more UGA players suspended: Team making up for clean 2011

((ht: dawgpost.com/onlineathens.com))
The Fulmer Cup

You knew it was too good to be true. The University of Georgia, a perennial contender on EDSBS's (Everyday Should Be Saturday) "Fulmer Cup" competition stayed clear of it in 2011.

Not so much in 2012. Add 2 more names to the ever growing list of Bulldog defensive players suspended for the beginning of the season.

Starting safety Baccari Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree reportedly will miss at least the first 2 games of the 2012 season for what the DawgPost.com website says is a "Violation of Team Rules".

Georgia has neither confirmed or denied the report, though Mark Schlabach of ESPN says he has confirmed it with an "Unnamed Source" inside the program.

((**ed note--Our UGA friends have been quick to point only arrests count as points. We are aware of this.**))

The Bulldogs were already facing life without starting cornerback Sanders Commings and cornerback Branden Smith to start the year. Commings will miss 2 games after being charged with domestic violence and Smith, who hasn't been suspended yet, was charged with marijuana possession while on Spring Break.

For those unfamiliar with EDSBS's "Fulmer Cup" it was named by the editor of the website, Orson Swindle,  for former Tennessee coach Philip Fulmer who had a history of bringing in players who were always in trouble during the offseason. And yes, though we like and have many friends at the University of Georgia, they almost always seem to have multiple problems with player behavior between the months of January and May.

And while Georgia went through the 2011 offseason with almost no problems, they seem to be eager to return as perennial contenders for 2012's title.

We can think of nothing more fitting for our Georgia friends than this:



ESPN's Radi Nabulsi has word from Rambo's high school head coach, Alan Ingram, and he tells Nabulsi that Rambo was a victim in all of this...

"Bacarri went down to Panama City Beach with some friends," Ingram said. "One of the nights he went to bed before they did. He got up the next morning, was hungry and found some brownies on the table. He had some with some milk and told me, 'I got high.' The other guys got up and told him that the brownies were not for him. Apparently they were laced with marijuana.

"I think that is the story. I think that is exactly what happened. Not many times would I say that, but he has never lied to me before."


Rambo told Ingram that he could have faced a four-game if he turned himself in, so he chose not to do that and see how things fell out...

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Just When It Couldn't Get Any Weirder For Port Vale

The HQ has covered the travails of League 2 Port Vale as part of our coverage of all of the administration issues this season...

They've been docked ten points because of their financials, and now they've had to have a late-season match abandoned with possible-promotion candidate Shrewsbury Town because of what happened below...
((HT: STFCJOEL))


From The Guardian newspaper:

Shrewsbury striker Terry Gornell told BBC Radio Shropshire: "The initial reaction when the lights went out was that you see it all the time and that they'd soon be back on. You're in the game and you're not worrying about what's happening off the field.

"But, as soon as they started evacuating the stand, you knew there was slim chance of it carrying on.

"The main thing is nobody was hurt and it all went smoothly but we're in shock. We can't believe this has happened. It was one of our best performances of the season and we were playing some great football."

Report: Danny Manning to coach Tulsa a "Done Deal"

((ht: cbssports.com))

Intrepid CBSSports.com college hoops reporter Gary Parrish reports former NBA star, former Kansas grad and current Kansas assistant Danny Manning is going to be the new head coach at Tulsa. Manning will replace Doug Wojick who was fired.

Believe it or not, Manning has been an assistant at his alma mater since 2007 and his stature in the field has grown incrementally.

The original report from Mr. Parrish is RIGHT HERE

Manning still has a little piece of business to take care of as his Jayhawks arrive in New Orleans for this weekends Final Four. Based on Mr. Parrish's report and the weekends activity, we are guessing the "Official" presser won't be held until early next week.

And yes, he's going to be one of the tallest head coaches in the NCAA (just wanted to throw that in there).

 Here's some video of Manning in his heyday, leading Kansas to the 1988 NCAA Championship. (**--note--** look how young Larry Brown looks here)




Your Daily British Soccer Brawl

A little 11-on-11 to brighten your day...

This comes from League2 with Crawley Town and Bradford City after the match was over...

From the Football League website itself:

"Regarding the unfortunate events which took place at yesterday's (Tuesday) game with Bradford City after the final whistle was blown, Crawley Town cannot make any further comment until the club has had an opportunity to view the video footage in detail," a club statement read.

"Following a full internal investigation, the club will decide whether there is the need for further disciplinary action in addition to that already taken by the Football Association, or to appeal against the suspensions handed out."

Manager Steve Evans has already promised that 'people [who] have acted out of turn need to be dealt with,' and he will no doubt play a major part in the investigation.


Here's the BBC's report on all the fun...
5 players were given cards after all the shenanigans settled down...

Three Bradford players - Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin - and Crawley's Kyle McFadzean and Claude Davis were shown red cards.

Crawley moved back into the third of four promotion spots with the win and Bradford is now four points above relegation...

Bradford City's boss, Phil Parkinson, has said that he will fine players heavily if they're found to be guilty for throwing punches.

Haven't We Been Here Before With Fox...???

((HT: Bloomberg/Fixmer, Sherman))

Since Fox Networks is going to have to grab a lot of revenue in the near-and-future future, it appears that Sports Chairman David Hill wants to start up a national network that would compete with the four-letter...

It was tried once before with limited (if not critical) success and financial and ratings failure...

Remember this...???
((HT: FoxSports/youtube))


And this...???


So those "anonymous sources" types are saying that, probably by the end of the year, Hill wants a roll-out if they can pull it off with all of their assembled properties headed in one direction. It looks like FuelTV may be the victim in all of this.

The HQ is all for competition in the 24-hour marketplace, and it would be interesting to see if Fox will stick with it the second time around...

More when we know more...

Wisconsin Loves ACC Quarterbacks, Danny O'Brien Is Off To Madison

First Ruseell Wilson, now Danny O'Brien.

For the second year in a row the Wisconsin Badgers will have a former ACC quarterback on the roster. 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O'Brien is taking his talents to Madison to play quarterback for the Badgers.

Landing an ACC quarterback transfer has worked out for Wisconsin. Last year Russell Wilson came from North Carolina State and led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl.

Now it's O'Brien who makes the move and like Wilson will be eligible immediately. O'Brien will graduate from Maryland and enroll as a graduate student at Wisconsin.

As a freshman Danny O'Brien threw for 2,438 yards and 22 touchdown passes while only throwing eight interceptions. As the Terrapin starter in 2010 O'Brien was 7-3.

Following the 2010 season Ralph Friedgen was fired as Maryland head coach replaced the Randy Edsall. Edsall brought in Gary Crowton as offensive coordinator and his spread offense and that wasn't a good fit for O'Brien and he left the program.

Gary Crowton is no longer Maryland's O-C.

There was speculation that O'Brien would land at Vanderbilt where his first offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt James Franklin is head coach but he choose Wisconsin.

Here's some highlights of Danny O'Brien's freshman year. (Thanks MarylandAthletics)

Dodgers Sold For 2-Point-1 Extra Large

To Guggenheim, Magic, and Stan Kasten...

Who FOSG Mark Harmon admits has more lives than a cat...

And Frank McCourt got out of this alive with an interest in the parking lots...
Absolutely typical...

Here's FOSG Liz Habib...
((HT: MyFoxLA))

Dodgers Sold To Magic Johnson, $2.1 Billion! : MyFoxLA.com


Guggenheim came to the table with $1.6-Billion in cash equity and paid another $500M for the team. According to Mark Cuban, that wasn't worth half of what the group paid for it...

The Mets are loving life right now since the value of their hemorrhaging franchise just went up- and everyone's value just went up... talk about living in the right neighborhood...

McCourt paid $430 million in 2004 for the Dodgers, the Stadium and the parking lots from Fox. The team had about $50 million in cash at the time, but by the time McCourt filed for bankruptcy, the team had a $579 million debt.

Well done, dude...

Here's the KABC-TV version with Christina Salvo...

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

OSG High: SoCal HS Suspends Boys Hoops Program After Death Threats

((HT: KABC-TV))

Newport-Harbor High's boys basketball program is currently suspended since their 15-year veteran coach and his wife received threats over an undisclosed topic.

There is a police investigation going on as, apparently, Post-Its were placed on the car of Coach Larry Hirst and his wife- they both work at the school.

The HQ knows that there are times that we can say "Has it come to this...?" and answer the question before we ask and answer the whole deal...

Eileen Frere is at Newport-Harbor...


The HQ is of the opinion that those who chased the coach off should come forward, but they will continue their cowardice and immaturity until further notice.

Beware of the Basketball Cat

((ht: deadspin.com))

This was too funny not to share, and no, we aren't talking about the narration.

A couple of days ago during a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game, a cat got loose...and onto the court. The Maccabi mascot made a valiant attempt to corral a cagey cat, but to no avail.

Take a look at the video and let the hilarity begin.

Minneapolis City Council Likes New Stadium Deal... For Now...

((HT: KARE-TV))

There was a lot of concern that the new dome deal for the Minnesota Vikings and the city would just, kinda, die in committee and not make its way out of capitol discussions and/or committees...

For now, there was an interesting twist to all of that talk...

Mayor R.T. Rybak says he has the votes in teh affirmative to make it happen from his end...

Go figure...

Here's their reaction... until it changes...


The current numbers have the bottom line at US$975 million. Minneapolis would contribute $150 million to help build the new facility and another $200 million to help operate it.

But the whole thing may come to a vote since the value, technically, exceeds $10-million. Just depends if you pay attention to Mayor Rybak or opposing council members.

Here's KSTP-TV's version...


And the version from our friends at MyFoxTwinCities...

Vikings Stadium Gets Crucial Support of 7 on Minneapolis City Council: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Monday, March 26, 2012

Baylor Knocks Off Lady Vols... Griner Ejected, Summitt Done...???

Coupla different things here...

Baylor was in control of their regional final against Tennessee, but the end got out of control...

Evidence below...
((HT: ESPN/NCAA/youtube))


The larger question discussed by the officials was the fate of the three Baylor players who left the bench- even if it was in the role of peace-maker. The end decision was ejections instead of suspensions.

Think about it... do you think those referees would want anything to do with taking one of the game's premier players out of a Final Four game...???

The HQ will admit that the situation was a bit more than intriguing...

The HQ also consulted the NCAA rule book which says in its Fight Reporting Procedres: head coach should withhold the offender(s) from the next
scheduled game even if the conference or athletics director has not
contacted him or her


Um... okay...

The larger issue is that the referee's decision stands regardless: The NCAA could correct an error, but not reverse an on-court decision...

But, the second issue is: Was this the last game that Pat Summitt coached for the program...??? Holly Warlick was doing a lot of the screaming on the sidelines this season, and we'll all monitor what's going on in Knoxville.

More when we know more...

TUESDAY UPDATE: Kris Budden caught up with Holly Warlick after the game...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))

DEVELOPING: Frank Martin To South Carolina...(UPDATED and UPDATED AGAIN)

((HT: KCStar/Robinett))

Looks like Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin is heading to Columbia, SC to be South Carolina’s next head coach- according to "sources close to the coach" a day after he denied interest in the job during CBS coverage of the regional finals.

That same "source" says Martin will be introduced tomorrow.

According to Robinett:

The State also reported that a trustees meeting had been called to discuss “a contractual matter.”

Earlier Monday, Martin’s agent, Richard Katz, said “we have had conversations” with South Carolina, but would not say a deal was done.


Darrin Horn went 10-21 last year for South Carolina...

Here's what Columbia may be getting for sound bites...
((HT: youtube))


1615 UPDATE: Martin has texted Andy Katz and is reportedly "weighing" the offer from South Carolina...

2015 UPDATE: Katz says it's a done deal...
He discusses...
((HT: ESPN))

The Word Of The Day: "Excited"

((HT: MyFoxNY))

And that was the word that Brad Smith Tim Tebow used a lot at his press conference where he was introduced as the starting back-up quarterback for the New York Jets...

The HQ appreciates John Mara's sense of humor on all of this where we wait for the David Carr press conference in conjunction with the one in Long Island.

30 television cameras were present. There were double security check-points and a lot of people wondering what would actually be said...

Well, here's some of your answer...

N.Y. Jets introduce Tim Tebow: MyFoxNY.com


Tebow admits that he's a "football player" first, and not a "quarterback" but the HQ thinks that the first time The Sanchise throws a few picks, the crowd will be chanting for 15...

Bet on it...

Sunday, March 25, 2012

BREAKING: Quebec City Getting New Arena

((HT: CBCNewsNetwork/youtube/Sportsnet))

It's official...

Mayor Regis Labeaume of Quebec City says the $400-million arena project they've been discussing is going forward with a completion date of September 2015 and should seat 18,000 or so.

The folks at Quebecor met a deadline of March 31st to get the naming rights of the arena that doesn't exist and get to manage it when it's built. Labeaume was asking for matching federal funds (as you see below), but in the interim it's on Quebecor, the province, and Quebec City to fund it...

Somehow...

Here's an interview CBCNN's Heather Hiscox had discussing the idea a few months back...


And here's Sportsnet's experts discussing the matter as well...


Marcel Aubut is quite a confident man... isn't he...???

But there is some fine print... if a franchise shows up, Quebecor pays (about) twice what they would if one never shows.

OSG Old Firm: 5 Goals, 3 Red Cards, and No Clinch

Admittedly, this was the first time that the HQ watched the Old Firm Game between Rangers and Celtic...

With all of the political, religious, and athletic subtext attached to this game, the 398th renewal had a mind all of its own...
((HT: SkySports/SPL/youtube))


And your post-game from SkySports and QuickFireEPL as well...


It's not every day that you see a manager sent off with two of his players, and the HQ figures that Celtic will have to clinch somewhere else other than Ibrox...

Definitely, Bucket List material...

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Griner Does It Again...

This time it was against Georgia Tech in a Sweet 16 match-up and it looked nothing like one of those Blake Griffin throwdowns that people call "dunks."

Evidence Below...
((HT: ESPN/NCAA/BaylorVisionMedia))


So, the HQ will now add "one" to every number posted in the previous Griner-Dunk story from earlier in the tournament...

Rays Pitcher Held On $1M Bail After DUI Wreck

((HT: WBBH-TV Ft Myers))

The HQ is under the impression that Tampa Rays pitcher Matt Bush is in deep doo-doo after, allegedly, driving under the influence and running into a 72-year-old Floridian, Tony Tufano, as he was driving a motorcycle on the streets of Port Charlotte, Florida.

Bush is being held on multiple charges: some DUI-related and some for leaving the scene of an accident. Bush apparently, did this while he was driving on a suspended license as well...

The Florida Highway Patrol says Bush kept driving after hitting Tufano. Bush remembers "hitting a tree" before the accident involving Trufano, but doesn't recall anything about the accident.

Bush's attorney, Russell Kirshy, said Bush would probably enter rehab once he makes bond. Kirshy said, "We hope and pray the victim is OK and we hope and pray we can get Matt back on track."

Here's the latest...


The Tufano family spoke to the folks at WINK-TV in Ft Myers as well...

Bush's arraignment is set for late May...

MLS Clark Apologizes For Gay Slur (UPDATED)

((HT: MLS/youtube))

Houston Dynamo midfielder Colin Clark has apologized for using a gay slur toward a ball boy during the team's loss in Seattle last night.

Here's the incident that Clark has apologized for in the game's 7th minute...


As you see, the whole thing really was based around Clark's response since he wasn't issued a new ball on a throw-in...

Yes, the HQ is aware how mature Clark was in this case...

He then issued a three-chapter Twitter apology...

"I'd like to offer a sincere apology to everyone who watched the game, especially the ball boy for whom I used awful language towards."

"I didn't mean to disrespect anyone and am sorry for letting my emotions get the best of me. It's not who I am and it won't happen again."

"@gay4soccer I'm very sorry for my actions tonight and I would love for you to consider me a #soccerally moving forward."

The folks at @gay4soccer have offered an outlet for discussion with Clark. It will be interesting to see if:

A) He takes it and,
B) How the MLS and the Dynamo respond with discipline...

TUESDAY UPDATE: Clark got three games suspension "for using offensive language..."

From the MLS their own selves...

(MLS) Commissioner Don Garber also mandated that Clark attend diversity and sensitivity training. This is in addition to the training that all MLS clubs attend at the beginning of each season.

“Major League Soccer will not tolerate this type of behavior from its players or staff at any time, under any circumstances,” Garber said in a statement. “Colin Clark has expressed sincere remorse for his actions and I believe that he will learn from this incident.”

Friday, March 23, 2012

Bobby Jenks has a bad night: Facing DUI charges

Bobby Jenks
Getting pulled over for a DUI charge is never a good thing. It's worse if you are a professional athlete.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Bobby Jenks is facing multiple DUI related charges after the car he was driving early Friday morning after driving too fast and careening off the road and onto the sidewalk.

Jenks said it was because he was under the influence of "Too many Muscle Relaxers" which may...or may not be true. Either way, he should not have been behind the wheel of his Mercedes and will now pay the price for his decision.

Read a story from the Boston Herald about the incident RIGHT HERE

It might be noted that Jenks also admitted he was on the way home after leaving a nightclub called "Babes" and admitted to hitting a car in the club's parking lot.

The Red Sox, for their part haven't had much to say. They may consider nominating Jenks for a Darwin award because whether he was drinking or not, he did a whole host of really, really stupid things.

Heat make a statement on Trayvon Martin incident

Miami Heat photo/Courtesy: @kingjames
And it has garnered attention all over the globe.

For those of you who are sports junkies and don't really follow the news, the shooting of central Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has caught the attention of most of the U.S and arguably the world. Martin was shot...and killed, by a Sanford, Florida Neighborhood Watch captain who thought Martin was something he wasn't because he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and was black.

Martin was carrying a soda and a bag of Skittles at the time.

Thus far, the incident has drawn national attention, mostly for what hasn't happened. The shooter, George Zimmerman, hasn't been charged with anything, despite there appearing to be overwhelming evidence that he should. The Sanford Police department has taken tons of heat and been the target of rally's because the appearance of nothing being done.

This afternoon, LeBron James and his Miami Heat teammates posed for a picture wearing their hoodies. The reason was simple: A show of solidarity for the Martin's.

The gesture we are guessing will be replicated by many, and it should. You can consider this our way of repeating the statement.

Friday Rangers Update: BREAKING- Ticketus Deal Stands

And that may knock three of the four current bidders out of their interest in picking up Glasgow Rangers...

The Court of Session in Edinburgh decided that they wouldn't intercede and give any legal advice in the £24.4million season ticket deal with Ticketus.

Judge Lord Hodge said he wasn't "given sufficient legal information" to do anything, and Hodge also decided not to give Ticketus preferential treatment as a creditor.

Administrators Duff and Phelps went to court to try and get the Court to give advice and tear up the club's agreement with Ticketus. D&P claim that having the deal with Ticketus is preventing any serious bidders from taking over ownership.

The investment firm's eight-figure cash injection (60-percent of ticket sales over the next three seasons) allowed embattled owner-on the way out-Craig Whyte to pay off Rangers bank debt and complete his takeover in May.

The HQ knows this ain't over and it could get a whole lot messier before it gets any better... and all that is coming is the game against Celtic this weekend
Here's your flashback...
((HT: BBCNewsScotland/youtube))

In case you missed it: Late NCAA results, 2 more in the "Elite 8"

They weren't a high seed and didn't "Wow" anyone during the regular season, but the Florida Gators now find themselves playing for a berth in this years Final Four.

They got there with a late Thursday night 68-58 win over Marquette.

The reason they won?

Freshman Bradley Beal.

Beal had 21 points, Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton chipped in 11 each for the 26-10 Gators who move on to face Louisville this weekend.

That matchup features Louisville coach Rick Pitino and his protoge', Florida coach Billy Donovan. You can bet, that will be all they talk about in the pre-game hype.

Your highlights from SI.com:



And the other game, the "Battle of Ohio". Ohio State and Cincinnati, two schools a couple of hours apart who haven't played since the 1960's when Oscar Robertson ruled the college basketball world.

This time, the game went to the guys in Columbus.

Jared Sullinger led the Buckeyes on a 17-1 run in the 2nd half and Ohio State cruised to an 81-66 win over the University of Cincinnati and a shot at the "Elite 8".

The Bearcats played tough for part of the game, they were up 4 with just over 11 minutes to play, but that is when Mr. Sullinger and company stepped on the throttle and took care of business.

Ohio State will square off with Syracuse on Saturday evening, the winner will get a berth in the Final Four.

Highlights from SI.com:

Jason Smith with the Hip Check of Blake Griffin (UPDATED)

Whomever said basketball isn't a contact sport is absolutely insane.

Heck, every once in a while, you see hits...or fouls that would make hockey players blush.

This is one of those. Last night, New Orleans Hornet forward Jason Smith was bound and determined to not let Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers do what he does best on the fastbreak...dunk the ball.

The result is...well...shall we say less than popular and probably would...and should cost Smith some money.



1615 UPDATE: Smith has been given a 2-game suspension for his hip check...and most of the Internet and TV Universe is aghast....

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Congress interested in investigating NFL Bounties

Sen. Richard Durbin (D) Illinois
Really?

The government body that can barely agree on the time of day or if water is wet wants to investigate a problem in a professional sport?

Sorry, we generally don't like interjecting our political thoughts when it comes to sports, however, that appears to not be the case of Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

We say that there at least 1 or 2 more important things for the "Esteemed" body to spend their time with.

Durbin would like to convene the Senate's judiciary committee to find out more about the "Bounty" system the New Orleans Saints used to employ and got in a whole lot of trouble with. He wants to know if the other major sports do anything similar.

The short answer to that should be: "None of your damn business".

And that answer is not to belittle what the Saints did. It was wrong, they knew it was wrong and are now suffering because of it. We also aren't naive enough to think it might be something no other teams do.

That is why the leagues have discipline.

Once again, the Senate, Congress or any other political branch should keep their collective noses out of it. It quite honestly is not any of their business.

And even if it were, whichever side of the aisle (Durbin is a Democrat), is for it...the other would be completely against it, whether it was right or wrong. So anything they could potentially do, would never actually happen anyway. Heck, they can't agree on a budget, why would they agree on something like this?

And that folks, in a nutshell (or sentence), is why the country is stuck in first gear and why big businesses, such as the NFL can do whatever they see fit.

Sandusky Attorney Asks For Dismissal

((HT: WHP-TV Harrisburg))

Jerry Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, has asked for a dismissal of the trial against his client...

In a 95-page omnibus pre-trial motion, Amendola goes trough a lot of the procedural content , but on Page 7, we get this...

Amendola feels that since the Commonwealth has not given him specifics in the "Criminal Informations" that he cannot adequately prepare a defense for Sandusky. Amendola also feels that the Commnwealth cannot submit appropriate evidence to support their case.

But a recent development has arisen from the initial 1998 case may have some impact (or not- depending who you talk to)

BREAKING: Chipper To Retire

From multiple sources, future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is going to retire from baseball after this season.

He is in the last year of a contract, and had made intimations that this would be his final year in a recent interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's baseball beat writer, Dave O'Brien.

Chipper later claimed he was joking, but apparently, he isn't after all...

Not that the HQ took his mea culpa all that seriously in the first place...

Here's some of his presser from this morning...
((HT: 11Alive.com Atlanta))


For those of you who never knew the reason he was called "Chipper," here's your answer...
((HT: FoxSports/MLB))

Muamba Effectively Dead For Over An Hour

((HT: ESPNUK/youtube))

The team physician for Bolton Wanderers has come forward and admitted that the reviving of Fabrice Muamba was for almost 50 minutes before getting to hospital and another 30 while there...

Jonanthan Tobin admits that Muamba was "effectively dead in that time..."

Here's the early part of the incident as it aired...


Muamba received 15 electric shocks at the stadium and another 12 before his body responded with a heart rhythm.

Here was report after referee Howard Webb abandoned the match...


At the London Chest Hospital, Muamba claims to feel fine and is responding to limited conversation. But he is, obviously far from a solid recovery timetable.

Your Tebow Headlines in New York

The New York Post/Ctsy: Newseum.org
Yeah, we can't resist. We feel compelled to do this...or something like that. It's kind of..a little like watching a train wreck or whatever it is that draws people to watch some of the incredibly bizarre reality TV shows that now exist in our universe.

We find it utterly fascinating that The Tebow is now in The Big Apple. Land of tabloid newspapers. Place of maniacal football fans who nitpick over every detail of their team.

Kind of like SEC Football fans.

Yeah, we know, the rank and file Florida fanatics are mystified as to why the hometown Jacksonville Jaguars didn't try harder to get him.

NY Daily News/Courtesy: Newseum.org
And yeah, it would have been a great novelty thing for a year or two, but unless he developed with the lack of talent around him into something he currently isn't, the Jaguars would be assured of never getting any better than they are.

The flip side is Blaine Gabbert isn't making anybody think he is a savior either. And Tebow probably would be an improvement.

You may be right.

The thing that we think of here, and we know the Florida/Jacksonville faithful are loathe to admit it is that the guy isn't everything you think he is. In fact, we'll probably be called haters or worse for saying this...but The Tebow is in this for him.

Think about it.

The marketing opportunities on a national basis in New York as opposed to Jacksonville. They are probably 10,000 times more...at least. But we aren't disparaging the River City because he would have been the face of the franchise, but when push comes to shove, it is still Jacksonville, market 49 in the world of TV. We love Jacksonville, heck, we lived there for several years and have a lot of friends there, but there is no comparison.

But it ain't New York.

No, we feel, strongly, that this was a marketing based decision on The Tebow and his handlers part. We don't begrudge either party for it. They are doing what they feel is in their best interest. And heck, Mark Sanchez, despite his contract extension isn't reminding anyone of Joe Namath either.

Tebow will be a role player in New York. And if they can tailor what they do to his skill set, he can be very successful at it. And if he can be successful at it, he will be a HUGE marketing commodity. And again, Florida folks who look at him as this god-like figure: He isn't that different than other pro athletes, they are all in this for the money and fame.

And ultimately, like it or not, that is what it is all about.




Old Dominion player arrested right before tipoff

Talk about a crappy way to finish your college basketball career.

Old Dominion University's best basketball player, Kent Bazemore was arrested Wednesday night just before tipoff of his teams NIT game vs. Mercer.

According to WAVY-TV in Norfolk, Virginia, Bazemore was arrested for not completing the terms of his sentence for a DUI charge in 2011. It just so happened that the arrest took place in Virginia Beach.

After it was found Bazemore didn't attend the classes he was required to attend, an arrest warrant was issued and right after warmups Wednesday night, Mr. Bazemore was escorted from the court, directly to jail, where he was later released.

Uh...lesson here.

And it is a pretty simple one, so we won't preach so much. If you are arrested and sentenced to something, it doesn't matter who you are...especially if you participate in something public like...oh...say...a college or professional sport, eventually you'll pay the price. If you are sentenced to do something, chances are it is because you did something wrong...and just because you are a college or professional athlete doesn't excuse you from serving out that sentence.

Unless you are rich and have a really good lawyer.

WVEC-TV in Norfolk has your TV story:


                                   


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tebow-Mania To Broadway...(UPDATED With A Question Mark...)

For a couple of picks- a four and a six, while the Jets turn a seventh rounder back to Denver...

So, now we have Sanchez, McElroy, and Tebow...

Who, by the way, is no Brad Smith...

Who is going to keep Rex Ryan's mouth in check this year if "Hard Knocks" heads back to Long Island...???
HMMMMMMMMMMMMM..........????????

Jus' axin'
((HT: HBO Sports/youtube))


1600 UPDATE: Or not... apparently there is a snag now...

According to Adam Schefter, anyway...

In Tebow's contract is a $6.2 million salary advance- $1.2 million has been paid by the Broncos. $5 million is supposed to be advanced during the tenure of the deal, and that would shift to the Jets in a trade. The Jets, according to Schefter and his sources, believe the Broncos should owe Tebow the $5-million.

The teams agreed to the trade before the Broncos asked the Jets to pay the US$5-million... and the Jets are squawking...

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: A Bounty On The Bounty In New Orleans

The NFL is suspending former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator (and now-almost current St Louis Rams DC) Gregg Williams indefinitely and Saints head coach Sean Payton for one year because of the team's bounty program.

And the league wasn't done...

The NFL is also suspending Saints GM Mickey Loomis for the first eight games in 2012, and Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt for the first six games.

And the league still isn't done...

The Saints will also be fined $500,000 and forfeit their second-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.

Oh, crap...

Here's early returns from the four-letter...
((HT: ESPN))


And when Mike Hoss interviewed former Saints exec Jim Miller over the weekend, Miller knew something was up...
((HT: WWL-TV New Orleans))


Si.com's Maggie Gray catches up with Jim Trotter

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Brittney Griner Dunks... Again...

((HT: ESPN/youtube))

Couldn't happen to a better bunch of Gators...
And it wasn't even as an "Oh, by the way"
It was early in the second half...


It was the 6th in her career- one behind the record held by Candace Parker. It was the second in the history of the NCAA tourney...

Graham James Sentenced To 2 Years

((HT: Rogers Sportsnet/Winnipeg Free Press))

Disgraced former junior hockey coach Graham James has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually abusing two of his former players- Theo Fleury and Todd Holt.

From the Free Press:

Provincial Court judge Catherine Carlson said no sentence she imposed could give back to Holt and Fleury what was taken by James.

She added the courage shown by Fleury and Holt should be given "tremendous respect."

"What happened to Mr. Fleury and Mr. Holt is every child's worst nightmare," Carlson said.


If you are outraged by this verdict and I see you are. Never let this conversation die," Fleury tweeted to his more than 46,000 followers in response to the sentence. "Keep elevating till change is made."

The Crown was seeking a six-year prison sentence. The defence had asked for a conditional sentence with no jail time. Defence lawyer Evan Roitenberg said James has become the most "hated man in hockey" and has been punished enough.

The maximum sentence is 10 years for each offence.


Here's reaction from Sheldon Kennedy and Greg Gilhooly on the sentencing...


More when we know more...

NIU LB Indicted In Band Incident

((HT: ESPN/MAC/youtube))

The lesson here, the HQ guesses, is not to plow the horns section...

Northern Illinois LB Jamaal Bass has been indicted in Ohio on a felonious assault charge doing what he did below as he took the field when the teams played back in November.

Here's the incident, focus on Number 6 in white...
Decide for yourself...


Bass could face up to eight years in prison if convicted on the felonious assault charge, but he was also booked on a misdemeanor assault charge as well.

He was suspended after the 63-60 victory at Toledo and his coach, Dave Doeren, apologized to the band and to Toledo University in general...

"As the legal proceedings in Toledo involving NIU football player Jamaal Bass are ongoing, we will reserve any comment until that process is complete," Northern Illinois said in a statement. "Jamaal is currently enrolled at Northern Illinois and his status with the football program has not changed."

Until it does...although the HQ thinks it's a bit much...

Monday, March 19, 2012

Old Time Hockey: Torts Don't Take No Crap

((HT: Hockey-fights.com))

The HQ knows that the Rangers and the Devils do not like each other...
Green eggs and ham... Sam I am...

The game took a rather large twist at the opening puck drop...
((HT: NBCSN/NHL))


When was the last time that three pairs do-se-do'd...???
And there were some heavyweights involved with Prust, Boulton, Janssen, and Bickel...

Oh, the Rangers won 4-2

Texas' Goestenkors to resign as women's basketball coach

Coach G shows her "Hook 'Em Horns" (courtesy Twitter)
AUSTIN, TX -- Coach G has decided to call it quits in Austin.

Gail Goestenkors, former Duke head women's basketball coach, resigned from her job at the University of Texas on Monday, saying she was "tired" and "needed a break."

Goestenkors, who developed the 'Coach G' moniker after coaching alongside Mike Krzyzewski in Durham, was in the midst of a seven year contract when she decided to take the long walk into the sunset. After five years as the head of the Longhorns' program, G had a win-loss record of 102-64 and was 498-163 overall after 20 coaching seasons.

"After a lot of soul searching...I am tired and it's not fair to this program," Goestenkors said, in a news conference to make her decision. "It's not fair to the kids to have a coach that's just tired."

"I'm not leaving Texas, I'm leaving basketball," Goestenkors continued. "I followed my heart to Texas. My heart is telling me to take a break."

Texas women's athletic director Chris Plonsky insists that Coach G was not ran out of Austin after a less-than-stellar 18-14 season this year, and a first round NCAA loss to West Virginia.

Texas hasn't advanced past the first round since 2008, Goestenkors' first season.

"We regret (Goestenkors' tenure) isn't continuing and that the results weren't better. Those are the only two things we regret," Plonsky told the Houston Chronicle. "We will find a leader for our players. [Texas] is not for the faint of heart."

Below is some video, courtesy of KXAN (NBC Austin):