No NBA so far this year, and if they continue progressing at the rate, there won't be. So all the action on the hardwood is going to take place in the college world, and the season is starting with a big one! The Michigan State Spartans taking on the #1 North Carolina Tarheels on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson in honor of Veterans Day.
The Tarheels are looking to begin their quest for a National Championship in a rematch of the 2009 title game. North Carolina is an experienced team with 5 seniors and 4 juniors, and they hope this veteran leadership, will guide the squad through a tough regular season schedule. Possibly the toughest road game will be Saturday, December 3 at the #2 Kentucky Wildcats. Then they'll have their ACC schedule, with a pair of games against arch rival #6 Duke. But beyond that, North Carolina is focused on making another deep NCAA Tournament run, and hopefully another opportunity to play for the National Championship.
The Spartans are looking to rebound after what many fans consider to be an off year, last year. Michigan State went 19-14 (9-9) last season and barely squeaked into the tournament, only to get knocked out 78-76 by UCLA in the first round. Prior to that, the Spartans had a Sweet 16 showing in 2008, played in the 2009 National Championship game, and followed that with a 2010 Final Four appearance. They hope to return to being a premiere team in basketball, but returning 4 seniors and 1 junior, they are a very young team and have a lot to learn.
This game is going to feature two of college basketball's all time greatest coaches (Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Roy Williams of North Carolina) with two very contrasting teams. However, both teams are playing for one goal. To honor the US Service men and women in attendance. While yes this is a big game for both teams, it's important to remember that it's Veteran's Day and this game is in their honor.
If any troops read this, thank you for everything you give and have given. Thank you and God Bless! Now let's play some basketball!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Saban Bowl
So here it is. Number one against number two, going head to head, with everything on the line. Except, it's not the national championship game. And these will not be the top two teams after the lights are turned out in Tuscaloosa Saturday night.
The LSU-Alabama rivalry dates back to 1895. The Crimson Tide leads the series 45-24-5 and they also own the longest win streak in the series at 11 which ranged from 1971-1981. In recent history, the game has been nicknamed the "Saban Bowl" because of current Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
Saban coached at LSU from 2000-2004 after leaving Michigan State before their 1999 bowl game. At LSU, Saban would win 2 SEC Championships, the first coming in 2001 and the second came in 2003. Saban and the Tigers would go on to add a National Championship in 2003 with a 21-14 victory over #1 Oklahoma. At the end of the 2004 season, Saban would depart Louisiana for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. In his time at LSU, the Tigers were 4-1 against Alabama.
Then in 2007, Nick Saban returned to college football, this time donned in crimson. So far, with Saban at the helm, the Crimson Tide have a 43-11 record with Conference and National Championships in 2009. In his time at Alabama so far, the Tide are 2-2.
This season, however, there's more pressure on both teams than ever before. Both come into tonight's game with National Championship expectations, and rightly so. Alabama and LSU are the two top rated defenses, and the two top teams in the nation. There's almost no doubt that the winner of this game is going to be the favorite to beat (fill in whoever you THINK is going to be number two in January) at the end of the year.
So here's my prediction: Alabama's offense squeaks ahead of LSU midway through the third quarter, and the Crimson Tide wins 27-17. I think LSU's QB, Jarrett Lee, struggles against the stout Alabama D and the Tigers never get comfortable running the ball. Alabama's offense is also going to be more than the Tigers are used to seeing both on the ground and through the air.
This is a #1-#2 matchup that promises offensive football. Well most fans then are not going to turn it off in favor of the #14 K-State at #3 OK State game. Because as the old saying goes, "offense sells seats, defense wins championships." And the winner of this game, gets their shot at a championship.
The LSU-Alabama rivalry dates back to 1895. The Crimson Tide leads the series 45-24-5 and they also own the longest win streak in the series at 11 which ranged from 1971-1981. In recent history, the game has been nicknamed the "Saban Bowl" because of current Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
Saban coached at LSU from 2000-2004 after leaving Michigan State before their 1999 bowl game. At LSU, Saban would win 2 SEC Championships, the first coming in 2001 and the second came in 2003. Saban and the Tigers would go on to add a National Championship in 2003 with a 21-14 victory over #1 Oklahoma. At the end of the 2004 season, Saban would depart Louisiana for the NFL's Miami Dolphins. In his time at LSU, the Tigers were 4-1 against Alabama.
Then in 2007, Nick Saban returned to college football, this time donned in crimson. So far, with Saban at the helm, the Crimson Tide have a 43-11 record with Conference and National Championships in 2009. In his time at Alabama so far, the Tide are 2-2.
This season, however, there's more pressure on both teams than ever before. Both come into tonight's game with National Championship expectations, and rightly so. Alabama and LSU are the two top rated defenses, and the two top teams in the nation. There's almost no doubt that the winner of this game is going to be the favorite to beat (fill in whoever you THINK is going to be number two in January) at the end of the year.
So here's my prediction: Alabama's offense squeaks ahead of LSU midway through the third quarter, and the Crimson Tide wins 27-17. I think LSU's QB, Jarrett Lee, struggles against the stout Alabama D and the Tigers never get comfortable running the ball. Alabama's offense is also going to be more than the Tigers are used to seeing both on the ground and through the air.
This is a #1-#2 matchup that promises offensive football. Well most fans then are not going to turn it off in favor of the #14 K-State at #3 OK State game. Because as the old saying goes, "offense sells seats, defense wins championships." And the winner of this game, gets their shot at a championship.
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