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      UConn’s tournament resume is looking better

      February 23, 2010 /

      The Huskies still have a lot of work to do, but last night’s big win over #7 West Virginia (73-62) puts UConn at 17-11 and 7-8 in the Big East. When Jim Calhoun rejoined the team after his three-week medical leave, they were 14-10 and 4-7 in the conference. After a 12-point loss to Cincinnati in his first game back, they’ve run off three straight, including wins over #3 Villanova and #7 West Virginia.

      With Monday night’s win, Joe Lunardi bumped the Huskies up to his “last four in” list. However, the NCAA committee doesn’t often take teams that are sub-.500 in conference, so UConn needs to win at least two of its last three games — vs. LOU, @ ND, @ USF — to finish at least 9-9, and none of those teams are pushovers.


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      College Basketball

      Lions actively shopping the No. 2 pick?

      February 23, 2010 /

      According to NFL network’s Jason La Confora, the Lions are actively shopping the No. 2 overall pick and have already been in contact with several teams.

      I sound like a broken record every year, but it’s a must that I write this: Trading out of the top of the draft isn’t easy. Unless there’s a can’t miss prospect in the top 3, then teams selecting that high have a difficult time finding a trade partner. The Browns were able to do it last year at No. 5, but the Jets desperately wanted Mark Sanchez so it was a perfect match.

      There might be a team that wants to move up in order to nab Ndamukong Suh or one of the quarterbacks (Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen), but even when teams are motivated to move up it’s still hard to put a trade package together. It was easy for the Browns and Jets to work out a deal involving draft picks and players because Eric Mangini was already familiar with New York’s roster and knew which players he wanted.

      We’ll see. I’m certainly not suggesting that the Lions won’t have success trading the pick, but again, the odds are against them. But teams usually have success when they trade down, so Detroit fans have to at least appreciate the fact that their team is trying to maximize its selections on draft day.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

      Is LeFevour making the right decision by not throwing at the scouting combine?

      February 23, 2010 /

      Depending on whom you ask, Central Michigan quarterback prospect Dan LeFevour is anywhere from a third round pick to a late round selection. And due to scouts’ concern about his lack of arm strength, the latter is probably more realistic.

      After a lackluster week of practice leading up to the game, LeFevour threw for 97 yards and a touchdown on ten attempts in last month’s Senior Bowl. In effort to ride that success, he has decided not to throw at the NFL scouting combine, which kicks off Wednesday, February 24 and runs through March 2.

      After racking up 12,905 passing yards, 2,948 rushing yards, 149 total touchdowns and a completion percentage of 66.4, his collegiate numbers speak for themselves. But is he taking a major risk by not throwing at the combine? Does he need to prove to scouts that he can make all the throws?

      To gain a better perspective on the topic from someone who watched LeFevour play in college, I asked Central Michigan beat writer Drew Ellis of the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun about the benefits and risks of LeFevour not throwing at the combine.

      “The strategy behind not throwing at the combine could simply be to try and give LeFevour the best chance to impress scouts when he finally does throw in front of them,” said Ellis. “LeFevour has chemistry with Bryan Anderson and Antonio Brown and if threw at the combine, he could be throwing to some guy he has never met or worked with.”

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      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

      Panthers won’t use franchise tag on Peppers

      February 23, 2010 /

      The Panthers have conceded the inevitable: Julius Peppers will become a free agent this offseason.

      According to ESPN.com, Carolina won’t use its franchise tag on Peppers unlike it did last offseason.

      If the Panthers had opted to tag Peppers, it would have cost them $21.4 million — about $1.3 million per game — which the team deemed too pricey. Peppers will be one of the highest-profile free agents since Reggie White.

      Teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to use their franchise tags.

      Let the bidding war begin. Any number of teams ranging from the Patriots to the Eagles to the Saints could make a play for Peppers, who will be the biggest name on the free agent market this offseason. Perhaps the most interesting decision Peppers faces is whether or not he wants to stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 like he suggested last year, or if he wants to stay at his traditional 4-3 end position.

      We’ll find out soon.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Canada to start Luongo in goal against Germany

      February 22, 2010 /

      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      After Martin Brodeur gave up four goals to the United States last night, Canada’s hockey team has decided to replace him with Roberto Luongo for Tuesday’s matchup against Germany.

      From The Vancouver Sun:

      Vancouver’s Luongo will take over in goal for Martin Brodeur when Canada faces Germany on Tuesday for the next matchup in Olympic men’s hockey.

      “I’m pumped,” Luongo before the announcement today. “The adrenaline is really going. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

      Canadian coach Mike Babcock made the announcement today at a post-practice press conference.

      Luongo will remain the starter as long as Canada is in what is now a single-elimination tournament, Babcock vowed.

      Luongo shut out Norway 8-0 in Canada’s Olympic opener, before giving way to national-team incumbent starter Brodeur. But the veteran, who started at the last two Olympics, looked poor on two of the four goals that beat him during Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the United States.

      It seems like Team Canada is reeling after their unexpected loss on Sunday, first facing the disappointment of its country and now the bruised confidence of its veteran goalie. Nevertheless, Luongo is a solid second option who should give the Germans a tough time in their elimination game. Unfortunately, it simply looks like Canada is fighting an uphill battle. Assuming the team wins, it will enter the quarterfinals and have the misfortune of playing Russia.

      News, The Olympics

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