NCAA: An Apology to Wisconsin's Alando Tucker

By Dustin Hockensmith

Dearest Alando,

Congratulations on your win over second-ranked Pittsburgh. We, the national media, were watching and, quite frankly, felt a little guilty. We have been gallivanting around town with Tyler Hansbrough, Greg Oden and others and did not notice that you too wanted to be considered for national Player of the Year. We still don't truly believe that you can win it, but your 32 points in a nationally televised win over No. 2 Pitt have definitely caught our attention.

The game even appeared on ESPN, the network handcrafted by angels to broadcast divine inspiration and unadulterated joy. Dick Vitale yelled about Tucker on more than a handful of occasions, so that had to mean something, too.

First, you showed your post game, which we all knew that you had. You're only 6-6, but you had the presence of mind and footwork to be good down low. But where did you get that jump shot? You looked to be nearly impossible to guard because you punished bigger, smaller, slower and faster defenders in different ways.

You scored 20 points in the first half, which played a big part in igniting that capacity crowd. Brian Butch started hitting everything, so your scoring dipped in the start of the second, but you found it in time to deliver the final blows to a Pitt team that admirably hung around.

If you can keep shooting the 3 like that AND scoring points inside, you and the Badgers won't be easy to beat. Hey, we might even see you guys in the Final Four this year. If you dominate your home court and Ohio State slips up, you could win the Big Ten and be one of the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Good luck the rest of the season. We'll be watching, and judging, you.

Sincerely,

National Media

SPORTS: Weekend Recap, Michigan Robbed

NCAA Football
The BCS selection of Ohio State vs. Florida defined the weekend’s sports landscape. The wrong one-loss team was selected. Both Florida are Michigan great teams, but everyone I know wanted to see Michigan avenge their 42-39 loss to Ohio State.

The shame in this situation is everyone—AGAIN—is talking about a broken system rather than (1) USC blowing its BCS hopes vs. UCLA (complete with free furniture), (2) Arkansas hanging tough against Florida or (3) Rutgers losing out on the Big East title--and the Orange bowl--by losing in 3OT to West Virginia.

When the championship game is set right, the outcome is last year’s Texas vs. USC game, which was an all-time great game.

NFL
Rex Grossman killed my fantasy match up against Kenny Bloggins and seems destined to do the same to the Bears in the playoffs. Assuming the Bears win after their first-round bye, I’m predicting Grossman tosses three interceptions in the NFC Championship game.

More novice QB eras were unfolding this weekend too. Vince Young looks like a winner, despite what ESPN analysts said. Jay Cutler debuted Sunday night, while Mike Shannahan waited for the toughest possible game to introduce his young QB to the league. I like David Garrard and Jack Del Rio made the right albeit difficult decision by benching their “franchise player” Byron Leftwich (if he avoided taking monster hits, he’s a franchise player. Unfortunately, that won’t happen). Jason Campbell threw interceptions and his footwork is poor, but he has a strong arm.

Tony Romo started this novice QB trend, and had an effective game against the diminutive Giants. There’s a reason Romo went undrafted; he’s, at best, average in the pocket. Having said that, there’s a reason Bill Parcells is a genius; I’ve never seen a more accurate passer on the run than Romo, a rare talent indeed. He did this all day against the Giants, and Romo knocked the Giants down from Super Bowl contender to playoff pretender.

NCAA Basketball

FSU’s AL Thornton continues to be a stud against college basketball’s elite. His 28 points and 9 rebounds led the Seminoles to a stunning upset over the fourth ranked Florida Gators.

NHL
Viktor Kozlov’s four goal outburst put the Islanders atop the Atlantic Division after beating the Rangers 7-4.

NBA
Kevin Garnett said he’s angered by the trade rumors and he’s happy in Minnesota. Well, Kevin, I’m calling your bluff you liar.

The storyline for this NBA season is: if KG or Allen Iverson get traded, which uniforms will they don?

NCAA: Carolina and Ohio State, Thanks for the Show

By Dustin Hockensmith

So maybe I'm not going out on a limb when I say that Wednesday night's North Carolina-Ohio State game was a potential national championship game preview. But how about two such games (Florida vs. Kansas, Friday night) in the last six days? A case can be made for all four teams, as well as a UCLA team that I greatly underestimated, as being the best in the country. We saw a high-tempo affair between the Tar Heels and Greg Oden-less Buckeyes, one that UNC won, 98-89, with an impressive second half.

Tyler Hansbrough turned in a 21 point, 14 rebound double-double, but we also saw Carolina's talented freshmen play as well as they have all season. Speedy point guard Ty Lawson had five assists and no turnovers, Wayne Ellington scored 19 points on his 19th birthday and the lengthy Brandan Wright scored most of his 11 points in the second half. UNC's depth ultimately won the day, as it should all season, and they scored points in every way imaginable. I might not have gone out on a limb earlier, but maybe I am when I say that Carolina is the best team in the country.

I know, OSU fans, with Oden in the lineup, this is a different team and Wednesday is a different game. There is no matching up with the 7-footer on the offensive or defensive end, and his presence would have negated some of Hansbrough's strengths and maybe actually given the Buckeyes even more open looks from the outside. Ohio State has every reason to be optimistic with the team's red-hot 3-point shooting (13-of-26) and 30 dazzling points from Ron Lewis. Oh, and that Daequan Cook kid had a good night, too.