La Salle hoops is extreme to the extreme. Their top five players rank with the top five at any program in the country. Think about that: any other college hoops team nationally. But when those five weren’t around, La Salle teams were barely above mid-major quality.
The best of La Salle’s three national players of the year—only Duke has more—was the incomparable Tom Gola. No player at any other Philadelphia school has stamped his name on a program like Gola. He played on four of the six best teams in school history—and coached another one of the top six—and led the Explorers to an NCAA title, an NIT title, and a second NCAA championship game.
The first team:
1. Tom Gola (1951-55)
A three-time consensus All-American and the ’54 college player of the year, Gola led La Salle to the NIT title in 1952, the ’54 NCAA championship, and a repeat NCAA title game appearance in 1955, a loss to Bill Russell’s San Francisco team. Gola (2,462 points) is the NCAA’s all-time leading rebounder (2,201), but, amazingly, went on to play guard in the NBA, where the 6-6 Hall of Famer was a five-time NBA All Star.
2. Lionel Simmons (1986-90)
Simmons is the third all-time leading scorer in NCAA history (3,217, behind only Pete Maravich and Freeman Williams) and was the ’90 NCAA player of the year. A 6-6 forward, Simmons averaged 24.6 ppg. for his career and led the Explorers to the most wins in school history, a 30-2 record in 1990. Only one player in NCAA history has more points and rebounds combined than Simmons (4,646)—Gola with 4,663.
3. Ken Durrett (1968-71)
In just three seasons, Durrett finished his career as the school’s second all-time leading scorer (behind Gola, with 1,679 points). The 6-7 forward averaged 23.7 ppg. in his career and 27.0 ppg as a senior, when he was a second-team All-American. He was the fourth overall pick in the 1971 NBA draft.
4. Michael Brooks (1976-80)
The second leading scorer in La Salle history (2,628) and 21st all-time in NCAA history, Brooks was the 1980 college player of the year when he averaged 24.1 points, 11.5 rebounds. For his career, the 6-7 forward averaged 23.1 ppg. and 12.8 rpg. and was the ninth overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft.
5. Larry Foust (1946-50)
Foust helped start a 10-year run of success at La Salle as the 6-9 center guided the Explorers to four straight 20-win seasons. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,464 points) and went on to become the fifth overall pick in the 1950 NBA draft and an eight-time NBA All Star.
The second team:
Larry Cannon (1966-69)
Joe Bryant (1973-75)
Jack George (1950-53)
Ralph Lewis (1981-85)
Alonzo Lewis (1954-57)
The best team: 1953-54
The NCAA champs were led by Gola, the only player to be named NCAA and NIT MVP in his career, according to Mike Douchant’s Encyclopedia of College Basketball (Gola shared the ’52 NIT MVP with Norm Grekin). Gola averaged 23.0 ppg., 21.7 rpg. (third nationally) during the 26-4 championship season. Other top players included Charlie Singley, Frank Blatcher, Frank O’Hara, Fran O’Malley, Bob Maples, and Charles Greenberg.
Other top teams:
1954-55: The Explorers went 26-5 and reached the NCAA title game during Gola’s senior season. They lost, 77-63, to San Francisco, led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones.
1951-52: The Explorers won the ’52 NIT title behind freshman Gola, and juniors Grekin, and Fred Iehle. The team went 25-7.
1989-90: Lionel Simmons’ senior year team went 30-2 and featured Doug Overton, Randy Woods, Jack Hurd, and sixth man Bobby Johnson.
1968-69: Larry Cannon’s 23-1 team, coached by Gola, was ineligible for the NCAA tourney, but still ripped through its regular-season schedule, losing only to John Roche’s South Carolina.
1952-53: The Explorers went 25-3 when Grekin and Iehle were seniors and Gola was a sophomore.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
And The Winner Is ....?
There’s only one thing worth talking about this week, of course: The English Premier League!
Oh, maybe it’s that other passion of Phil’s. Go Steelers! Send your picks along. — John
Wake beat Duke!!!! (Had to get that out of the way before I exploded.)
We all remember back to October when Liverpool broke Chelsea’s non-loss streak at Stamford Bridge. This week it’s the Blues chance for revenge. Will they get it? Chelsea’s riding their longest win streak of the season, but I don’t expect it to continue at Liverpool. I’m looking for a draw.
And now on to American Football ... too nervous to elaborate ... Steelers get their sixth! — Phil
Will the Steelers be able to get their running game going again? Will the Steelers corners be able to contain Fitzgerald and Boldin? Clearly, the Cardinals have shown an ability to stop the run and get the ball to their playmakers, so there are some interesting match-ups.
But, I think the big intangible—experience—will begin to come into play in the 2nd half. After a close 1st half, the Steelers take control in the 3rd and 4th quarters and win by 10.
But what do I know … I expected Pitt to beat ‘Nova last night by at least 15. — Kurt
Super Bowl time!!! Five-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers face off with the 0-time Super Bowl Champion Arizona Cardinals. Anyone else feel like they are playing on the roulette wheel? Steelers = black, Cardinals = red, and I guess a tied game = green. We can ask Donovan McNabb what happens if the Super Bowl is tied at the end of overtime—I’m sure he has had quite an education since the week of the Cincinnati/Philadelphia tie.
In a mid-football-season discussion at a regular monthly meeting I had with a group of friends, I expressed my opinion that I thought the Steelers were a really good team—certainly one of two that would contend for the AFC representation in the Super Bowl (the other being the Colts—a little off on that one). The Steelers are sporting their traditional lockdown, hard-hitting defense, and as you know, defense wins playoff games.
And the Cardinals—playing very well in the playoffs, and appear to have a defense that has the ability to play well. Add in Fitzgerald, Warner, Boldin and James, and you have some offensive opportunity. Let’s not forget the ex-Steeler coaching staff that has elevated the lowly Cardinals game.
Should be interesting to see if this coaching familiarity will have any effect on the outcome of the game. They are the underdogs, and deservedly so, as they finished the season at a paltry 9-7. There is no doubt this team needs to come out firing on all cylinders to even compete with the Steelers this week.
I’m going to make two predictions. First, I’ve spun the roulette wheel and the ball has fallen on red. It’s a tough pick, but the methodology is sound—I’m going with the Cardinals to win their first Super Bowl. My second prediction: With the exception of the commercials and the halftime show, this will be the least viewed Super Bowl in history. — Troy V. of Yardley
Um, excuse me—don’t you people have work to do? And how the heck did I end up on these long, boring e-mails?
You all clearly have spent a long time thinking about this stuff, reading about this stuff, and watching it on TV—and then additional time pouring all of that into beautiful essays worthy of a six-page spread in a sports magazine. Who knew you were all so eloquent???
MY PREDICTION FOR THE WEEK IS THIS: When you get home tonight, your wives will ask you how your day was and attempt to engage you in an actual conversation, and you will barely grunt as you walk to the TV to do more studying for next week’s predictions. Because, sadly for the wives, even when the Super Bowl is over, there will be MORE sporting match-ups on which to pontificate.
My other prediction: I will never be included in these prediction emails again. :) — Gray
I believe Gray is 1-0 (or 7-0 if she gets a point for each individual) in predictions. — Troy V. of Yardley
Yesterday was great news when I learned that St. Joe’s won its 7th straight game and that Wake beat Duke. However, the night ended on a down note as I attended the Nova-Pitt game in the last college hoops game ever played at the Spectrum.
I was one of the few in attendance cheering for Pitt and my dislike for Nova is as strong as ever. The wine-and-cheese crowd that makes up the Nova Nation makes my stomach churn. With them constantly arguing every call (Pitt got whistled for 23 fouls, Nova 13), I found myself arguing with just about everyone in my section.
One idiot wanted Pitt called for 3 seconds until I informed him that the Pitt player was standing in the NBA lane not the college lane. Anyway, years after I attended the greatest college hoops game ever played at the Spectrum (Duke 104 Kentucky 103), I had to sit through last night.
Super Bowl prediction: Pittsburgh 38, Arizona 17. Sunday noon basketball tip-off: St. Joe’s beats 18-2 Dayton at Dayton to make it 8 in a row. Sunday noon basketball tip-off: Cincinnati upsets Nova at Nova. I HOPE. — Dave
Who let Darlene in the “Our Gang” clubhouse? I think it was Alfalfa (Phil).
I'm tempted not to pick Pittsburgh to spite Alfalfa, and to be different from Buckwheat (Dave Mink, based on his Vanilla-nova rant). But you can’t go against the obvious.
Phil’s teams just keep on winning as the Steelers win in a rout. Their d-backs lock down Arizona’s receivers and Pittsburgh’s backs run wild. Another world championship for the state of Pennsylvania! — John
Thanks for the inside scoop on the Pitt vs. VU game and cheering for the good guys, Dave. So the fix was in, eh? — Kurt
Oh, maybe it’s that other passion of Phil’s. Go Steelers! Send your picks along. — John
Wake beat Duke!!!! (Had to get that out of the way before I exploded.)
We all remember back to October when Liverpool broke Chelsea’s non-loss streak at Stamford Bridge. This week it’s the Blues chance for revenge. Will they get it? Chelsea’s riding their longest win streak of the season, but I don’t expect it to continue at Liverpool. I’m looking for a draw.
And now on to American Football ... too nervous to elaborate ... Steelers get their sixth! — Phil
Will the Steelers be able to get their running game going again? Will the Steelers corners be able to contain Fitzgerald and Boldin? Clearly, the Cardinals have shown an ability to stop the run and get the ball to their playmakers, so there are some interesting match-ups.
But, I think the big intangible—experience—will begin to come into play in the 2nd half. After a close 1st half, the Steelers take control in the 3rd and 4th quarters and win by 10.
But what do I know … I expected Pitt to beat ‘Nova last night by at least 15. — Kurt
Super Bowl time!!! Five-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers face off with the 0-time Super Bowl Champion Arizona Cardinals. Anyone else feel like they are playing on the roulette wheel? Steelers = black, Cardinals = red, and I guess a tied game = green. We can ask Donovan McNabb what happens if the Super Bowl is tied at the end of overtime—I’m sure he has had quite an education since the week of the Cincinnati/Philadelphia tie.
In a mid-football-season discussion at a regular monthly meeting I had with a group of friends, I expressed my opinion that I thought the Steelers were a really good team—certainly one of two that would contend for the AFC representation in the Super Bowl (the other being the Colts—a little off on that one). The Steelers are sporting their traditional lockdown, hard-hitting defense, and as you know, defense wins playoff games.
And the Cardinals—playing very well in the playoffs, and appear to have a defense that has the ability to play well. Add in Fitzgerald, Warner, Boldin and James, and you have some offensive opportunity. Let’s not forget the ex-Steeler coaching staff that has elevated the lowly Cardinals game.
Should be interesting to see if this coaching familiarity will have any effect on the outcome of the game. They are the underdogs, and deservedly so, as they finished the season at a paltry 9-7. There is no doubt this team needs to come out firing on all cylinders to even compete with the Steelers this week.
I’m going to make two predictions. First, I’ve spun the roulette wheel and the ball has fallen on red. It’s a tough pick, but the methodology is sound—I’m going with the Cardinals to win their first Super Bowl. My second prediction: With the exception of the commercials and the halftime show, this will be the least viewed Super Bowl in history. — Troy V. of Yardley
Um, excuse me—don’t you people have work to do? And how the heck did I end up on these long, boring e-mails?
You all clearly have spent a long time thinking about this stuff, reading about this stuff, and watching it on TV—and then additional time pouring all of that into beautiful essays worthy of a six-page spread in a sports magazine. Who knew you were all so eloquent???
MY PREDICTION FOR THE WEEK IS THIS: When you get home tonight, your wives will ask you how your day was and attempt to engage you in an actual conversation, and you will barely grunt as you walk to the TV to do more studying for next week’s predictions. Because, sadly for the wives, even when the Super Bowl is over, there will be MORE sporting match-ups on which to pontificate.
My other prediction: I will never be included in these prediction emails again. :) — Gray
I believe Gray is 1-0 (or 7-0 if she gets a point for each individual) in predictions. — Troy V. of Yardley
Yesterday was great news when I learned that St. Joe’s won its 7th straight game and that Wake beat Duke. However, the night ended on a down note as I attended the Nova-Pitt game in the last college hoops game ever played at the Spectrum.
I was one of the few in attendance cheering for Pitt and my dislike for Nova is as strong as ever. The wine-and-cheese crowd that makes up the Nova Nation makes my stomach churn. With them constantly arguing every call (Pitt got whistled for 23 fouls, Nova 13), I found myself arguing with just about everyone in my section.
One idiot wanted Pitt called for 3 seconds until I informed him that the Pitt player was standing in the NBA lane not the college lane. Anyway, years after I attended the greatest college hoops game ever played at the Spectrum (Duke 104 Kentucky 103), I had to sit through last night.
Super Bowl prediction: Pittsburgh 38, Arizona 17. Sunday noon basketball tip-off: St. Joe’s beats 18-2 Dayton at Dayton to make it 8 in a row. Sunday noon basketball tip-off: Cincinnati upsets Nova at Nova. I HOPE. — Dave
Who let Darlene in the “Our Gang” clubhouse? I think it was Alfalfa (Phil).
I'm tempted not to pick Pittsburgh to spite Alfalfa, and to be different from Buckwheat (Dave Mink, based on his Vanilla-nova rant). But you can’t go against the obvious.
Phil’s teams just keep on winning as the Steelers win in a rout. Their d-backs lock down Arizona’s receivers and Pittsburgh’s backs run wild. Another world championship for the state of Pennsylvania! — John
Thanks for the inside scoop on the Pitt vs. VU game and cheering for the good guys, Dave. So the fix was in, eh? — Kurt
Monday, January 26, 2009
College Basketball's Most Underrated Player
We on the East Coast are missing one of the best—and by far most underrated—players in college basketball this season. St. Mary's guard Patty Mills could be this year's Stephen Curry come tourney time.
He has led No. 18 St. Mary's to an 18-1 record—with 15 straight wins following a 76 Classic 75-62 loss to UTEP. Mills is averaging 18.7 points a game, along with 4 assists and 2.4 steals. The Gaels have a big game Thursday on ESPN2 against Gonzaga at 11 p.m., which again will be too late for most East Coast fans.
Here's a story I wrote about Mills for ESPN prior to the start of this season:
Patty Mills enjoyed a summer job like no other college hoops star. While other 20-year-olds took landscaping or retail-store jobs, Mills took on the world—as the point guard for Australia’s national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Mills, a sophomore at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, is the only college basketball player in America to compete in Beijing. The youngest player in the history of Australian Olympic basketball, Mills led the team in scoring as a reserve (14.2 ppg.). And if the Australians got more than they expected from Mills, they’re not alone.
“I’m glad my Duke team doesn’t play St. Mary’s,” U.S. Olympic team coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Mercury News. “He’ll be an NBA guard.”
Mills lit up the Americans for 20 points, three assists, two steals, and no turnovers in 28 minutes in a 116-85 loss to the gold medalists that was close throughout much of the game. He also scored 22 against an Argentinian team that featured five NBA players.
Mills admitted catching himself looking at the NBA All Stars during warm-ups in a pre-Olympic contest and thinking, “‘What am I doing here?’ It’s crazy,” he told FIBA.com. “But you have to be here to compete and do your best.”
That Mills led Australia is not as surprising as his appearance at St. Mary’s. In Australia, Mills had been one of the country’s top prospects for years. The 6-foot, 175-pound point guard’s game compares to NBA star Chris Paul, who faced Mills in the Olympics—and was beaten by him off the drive.
“He’s quick, he can move,” Paul told the Mercury News after the U.S. quarterfinal Olympic meeting. “I read something that said he’s faster than me. They’re probably right.”
Mills competed for Australia’s World Junior Select Team in the U.S. at the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit game, collecting eight points and six assists in the high school all-star showcase game. So how did off-the-radar St. Mary’s snag a potential NBA star?
“I told my assistants this is the most under-recruited player in the world,” said St. Mary’s coach Randy Bennett. “It wasn’t like nobody saw him at the Hoop Summit game…. He’s not that big— but I can’t tell you why other people didn’t recruit him. His size, maybe, and he wasn’t a great shooter at that time, and I guess coaches figured they could get a point guard in America.
“It was a no-brainer for us. We knew he was good when we played against him on a tour a few years ago,” said Bennett. “Saying that, I didn’t think he’d be this good.”
While other schools were in the mix, including Utah, Wake Forest, Alabama, and Nebraska, Mills felt most comfortable at St. Mary’s with Bennett, who’d previously landed four other Australians since taking over in 2001.
Déjà Vu?
The West Coast Conference has seen this kind of thing before. Twice, actually. An undersized, under-recruited ballhandling whiz of a point guard with all-around talent appears at a WCC school, has a breakout career, and goes on to greatness.
Can Mills follow in the footsteps of Gonzaga’s John Stockton and Santa Clara’s Steve Nash, both of whom were two-time league MVPs and first-round NBA draft picks? Some NBA scouts project Mills as a mid-first rounder thanks to his Olympic showing.
Dick Davey, now an assistant coach at Stanford, has a unique perspective on the three WCC point guards. The longtime Santa Clara coach recruited and coached Nash, was an assistant at the school when Stockton dominated at Gonzaga, and has seen Mills play. “They all have some unique qualities that make them special,” Davey said.
“They all see the floor real well. That’s a trademark of Stockton and Nash,” he said. “For Mills, that’ll continue as he plays more, but he’s good now, too. He’s so new, but I think he has a chance to be a heck of a pro. But getting to the next level and being a consummate pro is so hard.”
Those closest to Mills, such as St. Mary’s coach Bennett, see a one-of-a-kind talent. “Whatever it is, he’s got it,” Bennett said. “A belief, a confidence that he can play with anybody, that he can accomplish anything. It’s not cockiness—he’s very humble. He defers all the attention he gets. But he has a great confidence.”
Fellow Australian Carlin Hughes, who has known Mills for years and is now a teammate at St. Mary’s, hasn’t seen the accolades change his friend. “Not off the court—he’s still one of the boys,” Hughes says. “But on the court, his leadership has definitely stepped up this year—coming off the Olympics, that really made a difference for him. And we’ll definitely feed off that.”
St. Mary’s started last season 7-0 and won the 2007 Rainbow Classic, where Mills was named the tourney MVP. The Gaels finished the year 25-7, reaching the NCAA Tournament—a 78-64 first-round loss to seventh-seeded Miami—behind Mills, who led the team in scoring (14.8 ppg.), assists (3.4 apg.), and steals (1.7 spg) as a first-team all-league selection.
The team’s success last year has captured TV programmers’ attention this season. Four of St. Mary’s first six games will be nationally televised—including the 76 Classic, which begins on Thanksgiving with a game against UTEP. Not on the schedule, to the U.S. Olympic coach’s relief: Duke and Krzyzewski.
“Tell Mike he doesn’t have to worry about it,” laughed Bennett. “We’re not trying to get on his schedule either.”
Not now, but Mills has already taken on the world, so why not?
He has led No. 18 St. Mary's to an 18-1 record—with 15 straight wins following a 76 Classic 75-62 loss to UTEP. Mills is averaging 18.7 points a game, along with 4 assists and 2.4 steals. The Gaels have a big game Thursday on ESPN2 against Gonzaga at 11 p.m., which again will be too late for most East Coast fans.
Here's a story I wrote about Mills for ESPN prior to the start of this season:
Patty Mills enjoyed a summer job like no other college hoops star. While other 20-year-olds took landscaping or retail-store jobs, Mills took on the world—as the point guard for Australia’s national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Mills, a sophomore at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, is the only college basketball player in America to compete in Beijing. The youngest player in the history of Australian Olympic basketball, Mills led the team in scoring as a reserve (14.2 ppg.). And if the Australians got more than they expected from Mills, they’re not alone.
“I’m glad my Duke team doesn’t play St. Mary’s,” U.S. Olympic team coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Mercury News. “He’ll be an NBA guard.”
Mills lit up the Americans for 20 points, three assists, two steals, and no turnovers in 28 minutes in a 116-85 loss to the gold medalists that was close throughout much of the game. He also scored 22 against an Argentinian team that featured five NBA players.
Mills admitted catching himself looking at the NBA All Stars during warm-ups in a pre-Olympic contest and thinking, “‘What am I doing here?’ It’s crazy,” he told FIBA.com. “But you have to be here to compete and do your best.”
That Mills led Australia is not as surprising as his appearance at St. Mary’s. In Australia, Mills had been one of the country’s top prospects for years. The 6-foot, 175-pound point guard’s game compares to NBA star Chris Paul, who faced Mills in the Olympics—and was beaten by him off the drive.
“He’s quick, he can move,” Paul told the Mercury News after the U.S. quarterfinal Olympic meeting. “I read something that said he’s faster than me. They’re probably right.”
Mills competed for Australia’s World Junior Select Team in the U.S. at the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit game, collecting eight points and six assists in the high school all-star showcase game. So how did off-the-radar St. Mary’s snag a potential NBA star?
“I told my assistants this is the most under-recruited player in the world,” said St. Mary’s coach Randy Bennett. “It wasn’t like nobody saw him at the Hoop Summit game…. He’s not that big— but I can’t tell you why other people didn’t recruit him. His size, maybe, and he wasn’t a great shooter at that time, and I guess coaches figured they could get a point guard in America.
“It was a no-brainer for us. We knew he was good when we played against him on a tour a few years ago,” said Bennett. “Saying that, I didn’t think he’d be this good.”
While other schools were in the mix, including Utah, Wake Forest, Alabama, and Nebraska, Mills felt most comfortable at St. Mary’s with Bennett, who’d previously landed four other Australians since taking over in 2001.
Déjà Vu?
The West Coast Conference has seen this kind of thing before. Twice, actually. An undersized, under-recruited ballhandling whiz of a point guard with all-around talent appears at a WCC school, has a breakout career, and goes on to greatness.
Can Mills follow in the footsteps of Gonzaga’s John Stockton and Santa Clara’s Steve Nash, both of whom were two-time league MVPs and first-round NBA draft picks? Some NBA scouts project Mills as a mid-first rounder thanks to his Olympic showing.
Dick Davey, now an assistant coach at Stanford, has a unique perspective on the three WCC point guards. The longtime Santa Clara coach recruited and coached Nash, was an assistant at the school when Stockton dominated at Gonzaga, and has seen Mills play. “They all have some unique qualities that make them special,” Davey said.
“They all see the floor real well. That’s a trademark of Stockton and Nash,” he said. “For Mills, that’ll continue as he plays more, but he’s good now, too. He’s so new, but I think he has a chance to be a heck of a pro. But getting to the next level and being a consummate pro is so hard.”
Those closest to Mills, such as St. Mary’s coach Bennett, see a one-of-a-kind talent. “Whatever it is, he’s got it,” Bennett said. “A belief, a confidence that he can play with anybody, that he can accomplish anything. It’s not cockiness—he’s very humble. He defers all the attention he gets. But he has a great confidence.”
Fellow Australian Carlin Hughes, who has known Mills for years and is now a teammate at St. Mary’s, hasn’t seen the accolades change his friend. “Not off the court—he’s still one of the boys,” Hughes says. “But on the court, his leadership has definitely stepped up this year—coming off the Olympics, that really made a difference for him. And we’ll definitely feed off that.”
St. Mary’s started last season 7-0 and won the 2007 Rainbow Classic, where Mills was named the tourney MVP. The Gaels finished the year 25-7, reaching the NCAA Tournament—a 78-64 first-round loss to seventh-seeded Miami—behind Mills, who led the team in scoring (14.8 ppg.), assists (3.4 apg.), and steals (1.7 spg) as a first-team all-league selection.
The team’s success last year has captured TV programmers’ attention this season. Four of St. Mary’s first six games will be nationally televised—including the 76 Classic, which begins on Thanksgiving with a game against UTEP. Not on the schedule, to the U.S. Olympic coach’s relief: Duke and Krzyzewski.
“Tell Mike he doesn’t have to worry about it,” laughed Bennett. “We’re not trying to get on his schedule either.”
Not now, but Mills has already taken on the world, so why not?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Anyone for this week’s picks? — John
First of all, I apologize to John and Phil; when you go to small schools like Albright (as I did) you have to write about other schools.
St. Joe’s-Penn on Saturday night at the Palestra. SJU is playing all its games at the Palestra this year as their Field House gets refurbished. SJU has started 4-0 in conference and is currently in second place. They now jump out of conference to face Big 5 rival Penn. Apparently you have to be smart to go to Penn but not be a very good basketball player. They stink this year. Their coach will be fired at the end of the year. St. Joe’s has reeled off 5 consecutive victories and will make it 6 on Saturday night. SJU 78 - Penn 51.
Wake Forest-Duke next Wednesday evening. Although Wake lost last night at home to a mediocre Virginia Tech team it is clear to me that they were looking ahead to the Duke game. They now have a week off to think about the loss and take on Duke. Duke will get the calls but Wake will get the win. Let’s go 78-65.
Lastly, Pennsbury High School made it 53 consecutive league wins last night in High School Basketball. To put that in persepective the last time they lost a league game was the night before the Eagles played New England in the Super Bowl. — Dave
Humility stopped by Winston-Salem last night and paid a visit to the previously undefeated Demon Deacons. Hopefully, his lesson will stick with the squad for a while (at least until Duke comes to town). But I'll hold off on my pick for that match-up until next week, when I'll also discuss my thoughts on the outcome of a certain American football game to be played on 2/1 in Tampa.
So in the meantime, I'll go back to picking Chelsea matches.
The Blues narrowly pulled out a win in the final moments at home against lowly Stoke City last Saturday, it is then with nothing but blind optimism that I say they'll handle Ipswich Town in an FA Cup match. — Phil
I’ll weigh in on two college hoops games: 1) Upset alert: On Saturday, resurgent Baylor moseys into Norman and hands fellow Big 12 foe Oklahoma their 1st league loss, and 2nd loss overall for the season. Bears win, 79-71.
2) The resurgent Highlanders of the New Jersey Institute of Technology try to capitalize on their 1-game win streak (which followed a 51-game losing streak) by toppling the Lancers of Longwood University. They don’t, and lose 81–61, and begin another losing streak. — Kurt
The NHL All-Star game is this Sunday. The bad news: Jeff Carter is the only Philadelphia Flyer on the roster. The good news: I've been looking forward to this game all season, because it marks the point at which I can start watching the Flyers. Long seasons have driven me to wait out the first half and see where the chips fall. Now the positioning begins. I expect good things from the Flyers this year. But I digress, on to the All-Star break.
Brace yourself for the fastest game on ice. First, some amazing competitive events on Saturday such as the Fastest Skater, Breakaway Challenge, the NHL Youngstar game, Accuracy Shooting, Hardest Shot, and Elimination Shootout. I can't even begin to pick a winner for these events, so you will just have to wait and see. However, for Sunday's main event, I will have to go with the East. Why? I just told you I don't watch hockey until after the All-Star break—I don't have a reason. — Troy V. of Yardley
I’ve been experiencing a slight sleep-disfunction stage the last week or so, and I think it’s making me a little crazy. I thought I sent my pick and some as-always amusing wisecracks, but I can’t find them in my “Sent” folder or in my In-box. Did I dream that I sent them? If I’m dreaming about anything to do with you guys, that REALLY frightens me.
I picked (at least in my dreams) a Maryland upset of Duke Saturday, since maybe the Dookies will suffer Wake-itis and look past the Terps. Also, I’m going to “Mink” up my record by picking a gimme: St. Joe’s over Penn Saturday night. — John
First of all, I apologize to John and Phil; when you go to small schools like Albright (as I did) you have to write about other schools.
St. Joe’s-Penn on Saturday night at the Palestra. SJU is playing all its games at the Palestra this year as their Field House gets refurbished. SJU has started 4-0 in conference and is currently in second place. They now jump out of conference to face Big 5 rival Penn. Apparently you have to be smart to go to Penn but not be a very good basketball player. They stink this year. Their coach will be fired at the end of the year. St. Joe’s has reeled off 5 consecutive victories and will make it 6 on Saturday night. SJU 78 - Penn 51.
Wake Forest-Duke next Wednesday evening. Although Wake lost last night at home to a mediocre Virginia Tech team it is clear to me that they were looking ahead to the Duke game. They now have a week off to think about the loss and take on Duke. Duke will get the calls but Wake will get the win. Let’s go 78-65.
Lastly, Pennsbury High School made it 53 consecutive league wins last night in High School Basketball. To put that in persepective the last time they lost a league game was the night before the Eagles played New England in the Super Bowl. — Dave
Humility stopped by Winston-Salem last night and paid a visit to the previously undefeated Demon Deacons. Hopefully, his lesson will stick with the squad for a while (at least until Duke comes to town). But I'll hold off on my pick for that match-up until next week, when I'll also discuss my thoughts on the outcome of a certain American football game to be played on 2/1 in Tampa.
So in the meantime, I'll go back to picking Chelsea matches.
The Blues narrowly pulled out a win in the final moments at home against lowly Stoke City last Saturday, it is then with nothing but blind optimism that I say they'll handle Ipswich Town in an FA Cup match. — Phil
I’ll weigh in on two college hoops games: 1) Upset alert: On Saturday, resurgent Baylor moseys into Norman and hands fellow Big 12 foe Oklahoma their 1st league loss, and 2nd loss overall for the season. Bears win, 79-71.
2) The resurgent Highlanders of the New Jersey Institute of Technology try to capitalize on their 1-game win streak (which followed a 51-game losing streak) by toppling the Lancers of Longwood University. They don’t, and lose 81–61, and begin another losing streak. — Kurt
The NHL All-Star game is this Sunday. The bad news: Jeff Carter is the only Philadelphia Flyer on the roster. The good news: I've been looking forward to this game all season, because it marks the point at which I can start watching the Flyers. Long seasons have driven me to wait out the first half and see where the chips fall. Now the positioning begins. I expect good things from the Flyers this year. But I digress, on to the All-Star break.
Brace yourself for the fastest game on ice. First, some amazing competitive events on Saturday such as the Fastest Skater, Breakaway Challenge, the NHL Youngstar game, Accuracy Shooting, Hardest Shot, and Elimination Shootout. I can't even begin to pick a winner for these events, so you will just have to wait and see. However, for Sunday's main event, I will have to go with the East. Why? I just told you I don't watch hockey until after the All-Star break—I don't have a reason. — Troy V. of Yardley
I’ve been experiencing a slight sleep-disfunction stage the last week or so, and I think it’s making me a little crazy. I thought I sent my pick and some as-always amusing wisecracks, but I can’t find them in my “Sent” folder or in my In-box. Did I dream that I sent them? If I’m dreaming about anything to do with you guys, that REALLY frightens me.
I picked (at least in my dreams) a Maryland upset of Duke Saturday, since maybe the Dookies will suffer Wake-itis and look past the Terps. Also, I’m going to “Mink” up my record by picking a gimme: St. Joe’s over Penn Saturday night. — John
Friday, January 23, 2009
No. 1 Overall Draft PIcks in Philly History
I wanted to add a quick follow-up to the entry about Philadelphia’s No. 1 picks who went on to play for title teams, just to add a few more trivia stumpers for your Super Bowl party.
I wrote that nine players in the history of Philadelphia sports had been top-five draft picks and then went on to win a title in Philly, and that just Pat Burrell and Chuck Bednarik were No. 1 overall picks to win titles.
That got me wondering: how many No. 1 overall picks have Philly sports teams ever had? The answer: seven, and the last five each helped their team reach their sport’s championship game, which means Philly has done alright with the top pick.
By the way, if you haven’t already paused to try to guess the seven yourself, you may want to give it a shot, at least at the five most recent. Burrell and Bednarik, obviously are two; of the other three, the hockey player will be the stumper.
Now, for the answers, starting with the Eagles, who haven’t had a top overall pick since Bednarik in 1949. (Two meaningless late-season wins in 1968 cost the Eagles the No. 1 pick in 1969—O.J. Simpson.) The other two Eagles were Nebraska’s Sam Francis in 1937, who played four seasons, and the University of Chicago’s Jay Berwanger, who is the ultimate trivia answer.
Berwanger was the first Heisman Trophy winner, the first overall pick in the first-ever NFL draft—and one of just three overall No. 1s never to play pro football. (1938’s Corbett Davis, and the late Ernie Davis, 1962, were the others). Berwanger went to med school instead.
The 76ers had two overall No. 1 picks: Georgetown’s Allen Iverson in 1996 and Illinois State’s Doug Collins in 1973. Iverson took the Sixers to the finals in 2001 (a loss to the Lakers) and Collins led the 1977 Sixers to a finals loss to the Trail Blazers. Collins was on the 1980 team that lost to the Lakers but injuries kept him from the playoffs.
The Phillies had only Burrell. And the Flyers’ choice? Not Eric Lindros. He was taken first overall by Quebec and eventually traded to the Flyers, so that doesn’t count.
The Flyers’ No. 1 overall choice was Mel Bridgman in 1975, who played on the 1976 and 1980 teams that reached the Stanley Cup finals. The team lost to Montreal in ’76 and the Rangers in ’80.
I wrote that nine players in the history of Philadelphia sports had been top-five draft picks and then went on to win a title in Philly, and that just Pat Burrell and Chuck Bednarik were No. 1 overall picks to win titles.
That got me wondering: how many No. 1 overall picks have Philly sports teams ever had? The answer: seven, and the last five each helped their team reach their sport’s championship game, which means Philly has done alright with the top pick.
By the way, if you haven’t already paused to try to guess the seven yourself, you may want to give it a shot, at least at the five most recent. Burrell and Bednarik, obviously are two; of the other three, the hockey player will be the stumper.
Now, for the answers, starting with the Eagles, who haven’t had a top overall pick since Bednarik in 1949. (Two meaningless late-season wins in 1968 cost the Eagles the No. 1 pick in 1969—O.J. Simpson.) The other two Eagles were Nebraska’s Sam Francis in 1937, who played four seasons, and the University of Chicago’s Jay Berwanger, who is the ultimate trivia answer.
Berwanger was the first Heisman Trophy winner, the first overall pick in the first-ever NFL draft—and one of just three overall No. 1s never to play pro football. (1938’s Corbett Davis, and the late Ernie Davis, 1962, were the others). Berwanger went to med school instead.
The 76ers had two overall No. 1 picks: Georgetown’s Allen Iverson in 1996 and Illinois State’s Doug Collins in 1973. Iverson took the Sixers to the finals in 2001 (a loss to the Lakers) and Collins led the 1977 Sixers to a finals loss to the Trail Blazers. Collins was on the 1980 team that lost to the Lakers but injuries kept him from the playoffs.
The Phillies had only Burrell. And the Flyers’ choice? Not Eric Lindros. He was taken first overall by Quebec and eventually traded to the Flyers, so that doesn’t count.
The Flyers’ No. 1 overall choice was Mel Bridgman in 1975, who played on the 1976 and 1980 teams that reached the Stanley Cup finals. The team lost to Montreal in ’76 and the Rangers in ’80.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Philly Firsts
Donovan McNabb’s 1-4 NFC championship game record is common knowledge. But his failure to advance to this year’s Super Bowl kept McNabb from perhaps joining an exclusive club of Philadelphia athletes.
In the entire history of Philadelphia sports, just nine athletes were chosen in the top five of their sport’s draft by a Philly team that then went on to win their sport’s title. If McNabb (second overall in 1999) had taken the Eagles to a Super Bowl win this year, he would have been the tenth member of the club.
The group includes four Eagles, three Phillies, two 76ers, and, surprisingly, no Flyers.
The most recent addition to the club, of course, is Pat Burrell, taken first overall in the 1998 draft, who started the Game 5-winning rally that led to the 2008 World Series title. The other Phillies: Lonnie Smith (third in 1974) and Larry Christenson (third in 1972), both of whom played for the 1980 champs.
The Eagles among the group are all-time greats Chuck Bednarik (first in 1949; titles in ’49 and ’60) and Steve Van Buren (fifth in ’44; titles in ’48 and ’49), as well as Joe Muha (second in ’43; titles in ’48, ’49), and Bob Pellegrini (fourth in ’56, ’60 title).
And rounding out the nine are 76ers Luke Jackson (fourth in ’64) and Billy Cunningham (fifth in ’65), both of whom played on the 1967 world champs. The only Flyer close to the top five to play for either the ’74 or ’75 Stanley Cup champions was Bill Barber, taken seventh overall in 1972.
With the 2008 title, Burrell joined Bednarik as the only first overall picks by Philly to win a title for a Philadelphia team.
The number of first-round Philly draft picks—not just top five—to play on a Philly world champion is slightly larger: 21. Four Phillies joined the group as a result of the 2008 title: Burrell, Brett Myers, Chase Utley, and Cole Hamels.
Here’s the entire list of Philly No. 1 draft picks who played on a Philly champion:
Philies:
Pat Burrell
Cole Hamels
Brett Myers
Chase Utley
Larry Christenson
Greg Luzinski
Lonnie Smith
Eagles:
Chuck Bednarik
Clarence Peaks
Bob Pellegrini
Neil Armstrong
Joe Muha
Clyde Scott
Steve Van Buren
76ers:
Franklin Edwards
Mark McNamara
Andrew Toney
Billy Cunningham
Matt Goukas
Luke Jackson
Flyers
Bill Barber
In the entire history of Philadelphia sports, just nine athletes were chosen in the top five of their sport’s draft by a Philly team that then went on to win their sport’s title. If McNabb (second overall in 1999) had taken the Eagles to a Super Bowl win this year, he would have been the tenth member of the club.
The group includes four Eagles, three Phillies, two 76ers, and, surprisingly, no Flyers.
The most recent addition to the club, of course, is Pat Burrell, taken first overall in the 1998 draft, who started the Game 5-winning rally that led to the 2008 World Series title. The other Phillies: Lonnie Smith (third in 1974) and Larry Christenson (third in 1972), both of whom played for the 1980 champs.
The Eagles among the group are all-time greats Chuck Bednarik (first in 1949; titles in ’49 and ’60) and Steve Van Buren (fifth in ’44; titles in ’48 and ’49), as well as Joe Muha (second in ’43; titles in ’48, ’49), and Bob Pellegrini (fourth in ’56, ’60 title).
And rounding out the nine are 76ers Luke Jackson (fourth in ’64) and Billy Cunningham (fifth in ’65), both of whom played on the 1967 world champs. The only Flyer close to the top five to play for either the ’74 or ’75 Stanley Cup champions was Bill Barber, taken seventh overall in 1972.
With the 2008 title, Burrell joined Bednarik as the only first overall picks by Philly to win a title for a Philadelphia team.
The number of first-round Philly draft picks—not just top five—to play on a Philly world champion is slightly larger: 21. Four Phillies joined the group as a result of the 2008 title: Burrell, Brett Myers, Chase Utley, and Cole Hamels.
Here’s the entire list of Philly No. 1 draft picks who played on a Philly champion:
Philies:
Pat Burrell
Cole Hamels
Brett Myers
Chase Utley
Larry Christenson
Greg Luzinski
Lonnie Smith
Eagles:
Chuck Bednarik
Clarence Peaks
Bob Pellegrini
Neil Armstrong
Joe Muha
Clyde Scott
Steve Van Buren
76ers:
Franklin Edwards
Mark McNamara
Andrew Toney
Billy Cunningham
Matt Goukas
Luke Jackson
Flyers
Bill Barber
Friday, January 16, 2009
Who Are The Super Men?
Congrats to all—everyone at .500 or better for the season with their picks! Anyone up for two more this weekend? — John
Eagles v. Cardinals (The “What the?!?! Bowl”)
Which team is hotter right now? Tough to say, which makes me think this game is a toss-up. I’m going to have to go with the home team with their outstanding wide receiver from THE University of Pittsburgh (the same university with the nation’s top ranked men’s basketball team, by the way.) Cardinals 28 – Eagles 24.
Ravens v. Steelers (part III)
Much like the first two parts, it’ll be a tight game. The Steelers, with a healthy Willie Parker, will be able to get the running game going, and be able to fluster Flacco a bit. Steelers 20 – Ravens 13. — Kurt
Kurt, I think your inner writer geek was sooooo excited to be able to write "fluster Flacco." Let your writer geek banner wave proudly!!!! — John
This has got to be the strangest, and therefore toughest, weekend of football coming up this weekend. I'm referring to the NFC — what happened to football that we've had so many playoff upsets? The 9-7 Arizona Cardinals host the 9-6-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Playoff football at its finest.
I can't help but think that I wasted my football viewing life in 2008 to have the NFC represented by teams that are barely above .500. Exciting that "any team can make the Super Bowl?" Yes. Depressing that the season meant absolutely nothing? You got it.
So, now on to picking from two just-above-average teams for the NFC Championship. Both have picked up their game for the playoffs. This one is hard to choose. Both teams can play strong on defense — a must for playoff football. I can pick strengths and weaknesses for each, and yet I am left with one difference: the game is in Arizona. I am going to have to go with the home team Arizona Cardinals to win in a close game.
Conversely, the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens — records that are deserving of an AFC Championship appearance. Both teams are playing tough playoff football. They faced off twice this year in close games, both of which the Steelers won.
Again, I am going with the home team on this one, as the weather, and the worst field in the NFL, will be a factor. I don't see the Ravens’ rookie quarterback being able to complement the Raven defense enough to win this one. — Troy V. of Yardley
How could you not be excited that the NFC's Super Bowl representative will be either:
— a team that tied the lowly Bengals, or
— a team that lost by 40 to non-playoff New England.
Ahhh, the wacky NFC! — John
Thank you for understanding... — Troy V. of Yardley
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: This will be the better of the two games. Two bitter rivals with strong defenses battling in the cold. Unless this Flacco kid is pulling off a "Tom Brady" before our eyes, the Steelers should control the game. Steelers 17, Ravens 13
Philadelphia at Arizona: Buddy Ryan never made the playoffs as head coach of the Cards. Eagles 28, Cardinals 20
By the way, the Birds have ALWAYS made it to the Super Bowl (OK one time) when BOTH McNabb and Westbrook were healthy in January (look it up)!
The question is: how is Westbrook's knee? — Carnac the Magnificent
First, let's get the Bruiser Bowl out of the way. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will pound on each other like wildebeests in a stampede. I can't see any way a rookie QB like Flacco goes 3-0 in the playoffs and from being a Blue Hen to the Super Bowl in one year, so I'm going with the Steelers. If the NFC winner rubs its lucky rabbit's foot, these two teams will rough each other up so much they'll be as soft as lamb's wool come Super Sunday. Steelers 3, Ravens 2.
As for the Battle of the Birds, the Cardinals have scored 30 points in each of their playoff wins. I don't see them reaching 20 against the Eagles; but I'm not sure the Eagles get to 20, either. I'm feeling as frisky as a cat and going with my gut: the Eagles score either a defensive or special teams TD, and that makes all the difference. Eagles 17, Cardinals 10.
This prediction brought to you by Animal Planet. I also predict one very happy Ed Rendell on Sunday as the Eagles and Steelers set up a Pennsylvania Super Bowl. — John
Let's consider the games in order.
First (Wake is undefeated!), is the NFC Championship which begs the question (were they SERIOUS when they predicted UNC would go undefeated?!?) if two mediocre teams play in the desert, will anyone care?
The answer of course is (Jeff Teague!), no. No one other than most of Philadelphia and friends/family in Phoenix will care. But the TV cameras will be there and John asked. So here is my prediction: The overlooked (Demon Deacons) Cardinals will advance to the (Final Four) Super Bowl.
Second is the AFC Championship. Let's not kid ourselves (Clemson is overrated). 2009 is the year for teams wearing (Old Gold & Black) Black and Gold. Having the strongest (frontcourt & bench) defense in the nation and steadily improving (point guard and freshmen) running game translates to (the best start in Wake's history) a third Steelers victory over the Ravens. — Phil
Brilliant (delusional)! — John
Eagles at the Cards: This is a much better Cardinals team than the Eagles destroyed on Thanksgiving night. Healthier and more aggressive on defense, healthier and running the ball more on offense. Eagles have had 2 very physical games and now have to travel West, which isn't easy. I believe this game boils down to the Eagles’ defense against the Cardinals’ offense. They must put pressure on Warner. A late field goal from Akers wins it, 24-23.
Ravens at Steelers: BLOW OUT CITY. I was wrong on the Steelers last week and I’m jumping on the bandwagon. They looked awesome against the Chargers, they are at home, going against a rookie QB and the Ravens’ defense is banged up. Steelers 23 - Ravens 3.
All PA Super Bowl.
I agree with Phil. Wake Forest is going to make up for losing the National Championship in soccer with a National Championship in basketball. They are the best team I have seen. — Dave
"I agree with Phil. Wake Forest is going to make up for losing the National Championship in soccer with a National Championship in basketball. They are the best team I have seen."
Tears in my eyes. Honest to goodness tears in my eyes!! — Phil
Eagles v. Cardinals (The “What the?!?! Bowl”)
Which team is hotter right now? Tough to say, which makes me think this game is a toss-up. I’m going to have to go with the home team with their outstanding wide receiver from THE University of Pittsburgh (the same university with the nation’s top ranked men’s basketball team, by the way.) Cardinals 28 – Eagles 24.
Ravens v. Steelers (part III)
Much like the first two parts, it’ll be a tight game. The Steelers, with a healthy Willie Parker, will be able to get the running game going, and be able to fluster Flacco a bit. Steelers 20 – Ravens 13. — Kurt
Kurt, I think your inner writer geek was sooooo excited to be able to write "fluster Flacco." Let your writer geek banner wave proudly!!!! — John
This has got to be the strangest, and therefore toughest, weekend of football coming up this weekend. I'm referring to the NFC — what happened to football that we've had so many playoff upsets? The 9-7 Arizona Cardinals host the 9-6-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Playoff football at its finest.
I can't help but think that I wasted my football viewing life in 2008 to have the NFC represented by teams that are barely above .500. Exciting that "any team can make the Super Bowl?" Yes. Depressing that the season meant absolutely nothing? You got it.
So, now on to picking from two just-above-average teams for the NFC Championship. Both have picked up their game for the playoffs. This one is hard to choose. Both teams can play strong on defense — a must for playoff football. I can pick strengths and weaknesses for each, and yet I am left with one difference: the game is in Arizona. I am going to have to go with the home team Arizona Cardinals to win in a close game.
Conversely, the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens — records that are deserving of an AFC Championship appearance. Both teams are playing tough playoff football. They faced off twice this year in close games, both of which the Steelers won.
Again, I am going with the home team on this one, as the weather, and the worst field in the NFL, will be a factor. I don't see the Ravens’ rookie quarterback being able to complement the Raven defense enough to win this one. — Troy V. of Yardley
How could you not be excited that the NFC's Super Bowl representative will be either:
— a team that tied the lowly Bengals, or
— a team that lost by 40 to non-playoff New England.
Ahhh, the wacky NFC! — John
Thank you for understanding... — Troy V. of Yardley
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: This will be the better of the two games. Two bitter rivals with strong defenses battling in the cold. Unless this Flacco kid is pulling off a "Tom Brady" before our eyes, the Steelers should control the game. Steelers 17, Ravens 13
Philadelphia at Arizona: Buddy Ryan never made the playoffs as head coach of the Cards. Eagles 28, Cardinals 20
By the way, the Birds have ALWAYS made it to the Super Bowl (OK one time) when BOTH McNabb and Westbrook were healthy in January (look it up)!
The question is: how is Westbrook's knee? — Carnac the Magnificent
First, let's get the Bruiser Bowl out of the way. Pittsburgh and Baltimore will pound on each other like wildebeests in a stampede. I can't see any way a rookie QB like Flacco goes 3-0 in the playoffs and from being a Blue Hen to the Super Bowl in one year, so I'm going with the Steelers. If the NFC winner rubs its lucky rabbit's foot, these two teams will rough each other up so much they'll be as soft as lamb's wool come Super Sunday. Steelers 3, Ravens 2.
As for the Battle of the Birds, the Cardinals have scored 30 points in each of their playoff wins. I don't see them reaching 20 against the Eagles; but I'm not sure the Eagles get to 20, either. I'm feeling as frisky as a cat and going with my gut: the Eagles score either a defensive or special teams TD, and that makes all the difference. Eagles 17, Cardinals 10.
This prediction brought to you by Animal Planet. I also predict one very happy Ed Rendell on Sunday as the Eagles and Steelers set up a Pennsylvania Super Bowl. — John
Let's consider the games in order.
First (Wake is undefeated!), is the NFC Championship which begs the question (were they SERIOUS when they predicted UNC would go undefeated?!?) if two mediocre teams play in the desert, will anyone care?
The answer of course is (Jeff Teague!), no. No one other than most of Philadelphia and friends/family in Phoenix will care. But the TV cameras will be there and John asked. So here is my prediction: The overlooked (Demon Deacons) Cardinals will advance to the (Final Four) Super Bowl.
Second is the AFC Championship. Let's not kid ourselves (Clemson is overrated). 2009 is the year for teams wearing (Old Gold & Black) Black and Gold. Having the strongest (frontcourt & bench) defense in the nation and steadily improving (point guard and freshmen) running game translates to (the best start in Wake's history) a third Steelers victory over the Ravens. — Phil
Brilliant (delusional)! — John
Eagles at the Cards: This is a much better Cardinals team than the Eagles destroyed on Thanksgiving night. Healthier and more aggressive on defense, healthier and running the ball more on offense. Eagles have had 2 very physical games and now have to travel West, which isn't easy. I believe this game boils down to the Eagles’ defense against the Cardinals’ offense. They must put pressure on Warner. A late field goal from Akers wins it, 24-23.
Ravens at Steelers: BLOW OUT CITY. I was wrong on the Steelers last week and I’m jumping on the bandwagon. They looked awesome against the Chargers, they are at home, going against a rookie QB and the Ravens’ defense is banged up. Steelers 23 - Ravens 3.
All PA Super Bowl.
I agree with Phil. Wake Forest is going to make up for losing the National Championship in soccer with a National Championship in basketball. They are the best team I have seen. — Dave
"I agree with Phil. Wake Forest is going to make up for losing the National Championship in soccer with a National Championship in basketball. They are the best team I have seen."
Tears in my eyes. Honest to goodness tears in my eyes!! — Phil
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