TCU-Utah Preview

It's that time of year again. Teams from large conferences, regardless of whether they are undefeated or not are in the discussion to play in the national championship game while teams from outside the "Big Six" are struggling to gain respect. Despite the fact that these small-conference teams can play with any team in the country, most teams are afraid to play them, forcing these teams to have weak non-conference schedule. Although it is a conference matchup, the game between TCU and Utah tomorrow will thrust each team into the national spotlight, but one of these teams will lose and end their hopes of playing for a national title. This game is effectively surrounded with a "go or go home" mentality. With a win, you keep your hopes alive of playing for the BCS National Championship. However, the team that loses will likely find themselves in a bowl game against a three or four loss "Big Six" team who they will likely beat.
Both TCU and Utah feature strong offenses, with both teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in points per game. TCU also features the top defensive unit in the country. TCU was able to steamroll UNLV last week 48-6, while Utah survived against Air Force to remain unbeaten, 28-23. Utah should have added motivation for this contest, as TCU won easily over the Utes, 55-28.

The Horned Frogs are led by senior quarterback Andy Dalton who has thrown for 16 touchdowns this season against just five interceptions. Jordan Wynn will be under center for the Utes, and the sophomore quarterback has shown remarkable consistency during his brief career. Both teams feature two-back systems with TCU using sophomore running backs Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker, while Utah relies on seniors Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata to carry the load.

The matchup between the Horned Frogs and the Utes will be the first in Salt Lake City, since a 2008 13-10 Utah victory that led them to an eventual win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
The highly anticipated matchup tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. will play a large role in determining which non-automatic qualifying teams will receive BCS bids. Expect a game with plenty of offensive firepower throughout.
Prediction: TCU 38-31

Sources used: espn.com, gofrogs.cstv.com, utahutes.cstv.com

Randy Moss cut by the Vikings

Randy Moss was released today, days after the Vikings traded a third-round pick to acquire him. Although there is much more to the story, on the surface this is definitely an odd move to make. The motive by the Vikings for the move is unclear but it is likely related to a postgame rant in which Moss spoke exclusively of his love for the Patriots organization and which could have been a sign of disrespect to the Vikings. The third-round pick that the Vikings needed to spend to acquire the talented, yet widely outspoken receiver could have been spent on a quality receiver in next April's draft. Moss still has gas left in his tank and if he can keep his mind set on the field and not elsewhere as he has been prone to do during his career, he could help a struggling team immensely. That is, if a team is willing to deal with the headaches that come attached to Moss. There is a fairly good chance that Moss will latch on to a team with a need at receiver. The question now is which owner around the league will take the risk? The Buffalo Bills will have the first chance to claim Moss as they currently hold the worst record in the NFL. The Bills could be a potential landing spot for Moss, as by a look at their depth chart, they seem to lack a veteran presence in the receiving core. The Cowboys could also attempt to land Moss and place him on the left side out wide and in three-receiver sets. Another potential suitor was mentioned for Moss' services is the Oakland Raiders with whom Moss previously spent two largely uneventful years. It will be interesting to see where Randy Moss lands and how long it will take for his persona to irritate the team that takes the gamble on him.
Sources: espn.com, espn.com/nfl/

NHL Top Five Rookies for 2010-11: Number One

Today, the countdown of the top five impact rookies for the upcoming NHL season culminates with Number One. A very skilled defenseman, this player was a force in the playoffs last season for the Montreal Canadiens. playing an instrumental role in their upset of Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His postseason heroics were after a season in which he posted fifty-three points in seventy-seven games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.

Number One: P.K. Subban Defenseman Montreal Canadiens
Subban has entered this season with plenty of hype but unlike certain prospects in other sports, he has the stats and track record to back up the considerable hype that is being placed on him. Subban posted a +46 plus-minus rating last year in the AHL, proving that he can create scoring opportunities for his forwards. Subban also had eight points in fourteen playoff games with the Canadiens last season. P.K. Subban will be a serious threat for the Calder Trophy this season and without a doubt has the talent to win the trophy.

NHL Top Rookies for 2010-11: Number Two

The countdown of the top five impact rookies for this NHL season continues with number two. The number two player on the list has been a very consistent scorer at the junior hockey level and continued his success during time in the AHL last season, scoring over a point per game. This Edmonton Oilers forward was one of the final cuts from the team last season, and will provide a steady scoring threat along with first overall pick Taylor Hall.

#2 Jordan Eberle Center/Wing Edmonton Oilers
After four steady seasons in the WHL and AHL, Eberle is ready to be a contributor at the NHL level. Eberle has scored over a point per game on average at every level he has been at during his career. He is drawing comparisons to Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene which could mean 55-60 points for Eberle. The duo of Eberle and Hall will provide scoring and excitement in Edmonton this season.

Look for Number One in the countdown of the top five impact rookies for the 2010-11 NHL season tomorrow.

NHL Top Rookies for 2010-11: Number 3

The countdown of the top 5 impact rookies for the 2010-11 season continues with Number 3. This goalie made his debut in 2007 and has been dominating the AHL since. He was recently handed the backup job and has a possibility of gaining the starting job very soon. Number 3 Jonathan Bernier, Goalie, Los Angeles Kings After a short callup three years ago, Bernier waited in the AHL and in junior hockey dominating teams along the way. Bernier went 3-0-0 when he was called up to the Kings last season and he is ready to be a starting goalie in the NHL. If Jonathan Quick has a slow start to the season, the Kings may be eager to turn to Bernier and give him an opportunity. If Bernier gets his opportunity, positive results will surely follow.

NHL Top 2010-11 Rookies: Number 4

The five-part countdown of the top five rookies who will have the greatest impact this season continues with number four. This defenseman scored points at a consistent pace in a late-season callup with the Carolina Hurricanes. Number Four: Jamie McBain, defenseman Carolina Hurricanes McBain played very well throughout last season. both at the AHL and NHL levels. He was able to rack up forty points in the AHL with a plus-minus rating of +11 in sixty-eight games. Once he reached the NHL level, he scored ten points in fourteen games. There are rumors that McBain may be on the one of the first two defensive lines for the Hurricanes. If that happens, McBain could be a force at both ends of the ice. While McBain's statistical pace will fall somewhere between his AHL and NHL paces from last season, he could still easily post fourty points in a full season. Look for Number Three in the countdown of the top NHL rookies for 2010-11 tomorrow.

NHL Top Five Rookies for 2010-11

For the next five days, I will countdown the five players who have rookie status in the 2010-11 that will have the greatest impact this season. This countdown is not a projection of career performance, but is just who, in my opinion will have the best statistics and influence on team performance this season. The countdown begins with a forward for the Buffalo Sabres, who had very little trouble in the AHL last season for nearly a point per game. 5. Tyler Ennis Center/Wing Buffalo Sabres Ennis was an offensive force last season with 74 points in 79 regular season games between the AHL and NHL. Ennis also added four points in the playoffs, showing that he is ready for the NHL.He played over fifteen minutes per game in the NHL last year, and his playing time is bound to improve. Ennis is lock to be on one of the top three lines this season for the Sabres, and will contribute with solid numbers regardless of which line he is placed on. However, if Ennis earns a spot on the same line as Thomas Vanek, he could be a serious threat for the Calder Trophy. Look for Number 4 in the countdown of the top NHL rookies for the 2010-11 season tomorrow.

Crusader Week Two Article

After a loss last weekend to Moravian described as “tough to swallow” by Coach Steve Briggs, the Susquehanna Crusaders needed to rebound against Juniata. Briggs said, “We felt as though we left many points on the board against Moravian”. In front of the home crowd, SU needed to have a strong showing with both teams entering the game at 0-1, after Susquehanna’s 12-6 loss to Moravian and Juniata’s 3-0 loss to McDaniel. The Crusaders did much more than simply rebound in a 45-3 thrashing of the Juniata Eagles. From the first quarter onward, it was clear that SU was in control of the game on both sides of the ball. Susquehanna and Juniata play every year for The Goal Post Trophy, which currently resides in Selinsgrove. Coach Steve Briggs stated that playing for a trophy and the prestige attached with winning such an honor adds motivation to his team. It is likely that the thrill of playing in a rivalry game added to the success of the Crusaders on Saturday. For a large majority of the first quarter, both offenses were struggling to mount an attack. However, a ten-play, fifty-five yard drive late in the first quarter jumpstarted the Crusader offense. Junior quarterback Rich Palazzi found his favorite target, junior wide receiver Mike Ritter for a 19-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead. The touchdown at the end of the first quarter was simply the opening act of a rout at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium. Early in the second quarter, Palazzi and Ritter connected on a 59-yard pass to add to the lead and make the score 14-0 in favor of SU. After a Juniata field goal that would be their only points of the game, the offensive juggernaut continued for Susquehanna. Junior running back Greg Tellish collected 52 of his 187 rushing yards following a long return by sophomore defensive back Jalon Scott. Palazzi then connected with junior linebacker Justin Stover, who was in the play as a receiver, for a two-yard touchdown to make the score 21-3 Crusaders. Following a fumble recovery by Scott which was returned to the Juniata five-yard line, Palazzi found junior tight end Matt Knouse in the end zone for his fourth passing touchdown of the day. After a blocked punt by Jalon Scott, senior kicker Bobby Eppleman converted on a 35-yard field goal to end the first half with Susquehanna leading 31-3. The domination that Susquehanna showed in the first half continued into the second half as the defense began to make plays sapping any hope from Juniata. After a touchdown from Greg Tellish to give Susquehanna a 38-3 lead, the defense continued to make key stops to prevent Juniata from moving the ball down the field. A fine defensive performance was capped in the fourth quarter when freshman running back Tyler Grosser broke through the offensive line and blocked a Juniata punt attempt for the second blocked punt of the game for SU. Almost immediately, sophomore defensive back Teighler Doak recovered the loose ball and returned it for the final touchdown of the game, making the score 45-3. When asked about his emotions and thoughts upon recovering the blocked punt, Doak said, “I felt like I should have let (Tyler) Grosser pick it up, but I felt lucky that Coach Briggs put me in the right spot and it worked out”. Seven minutes and fourteen seconds later, Susquehanna had sealed a victory over the Juniata Eagles 45-3, and retained The Goal Post Trophy. Succeeding can breed confidence very quickly, and with a 42-point victory, the Crusaders will carry full confidence into their next game against Muhlenberg. The Crusaders have rebounded and will be a very difficult team to beat in the weeks to come.

Crusader Week One Article

Each week I will post the weekly article that I write for The Crusader on here. Last year, the Susquehanna football team finished atop the Liberty League standings, following an 8-2 campaign. Two years removed from a 2-8 season, Susquehanna had captured a league title that was described as "tremendous and unforgettable" by Head Coach Steve Briggs. However, changes are plentiful both on and off the gridiron. This year, the team has moved to the Centennial Conference and the interest in Susquehanna football has increased greatly due to the success of last year's team. Additionally, a familiar face is missing from the Crusader backfield this season. Dave Paveletz '10, the all-time leading rusher in Susquehanna football history is gone to graduation. On the loss of Paveletz, Briggs said, "It is difficult to replace someone like that. He is the best we have ever had at running back". Despite a changing of the guard at running back, expect the Crusaders to run the football consistently. "We will still run the ball," Briggs said. "We will use three players instead of one to run the ball". While a significant change is occurring behind the quarterback, many offensive contributors from last season's championship team return, including junior quarterback Rich Palazzi and junior wide receiver Mike Ritter. Both Palazzi and Ritter experienced a breakout season their sophomore year, with Palazzi throwing for twenty touchdowns, seven of which were caught by Ritter. On the touchdown combination, Briggs said, "It played a large part in our success, Rich was the unsung hero of our team last year". Briggs also said to expect Ritter to play an even larger role in the offense this season. While the continued success of Palazzi to Ritter will play a large part in the overall success of the team, there will be other factors as well. Certain critics may point out that a strong offense is the key to winning games, however, special teams also plays a crucial role in a team's success. The Crusaders clearly have an edge in the kicking game with senior Bobby Eppleman. Eppleman, a three-time All-Liberty League selection as a punter, is considered an invaluable part of the Crusader team. Briggs said, "The kicking game controls our offense and defense. (Eppleman) is an incredible weapon." Having a player who can control the opponent's starting field position easily, while also kicking field goals in excess of 40 yards, will be as important to the success of Susquehanna football this season as a star on the offensive side of the ball will be. While there are many prominent players returning to the team, there are also a few key transfers into the program to keep an eye on. The main transfers are on the defensive side of the ball. "We are pleased with Billy Mancini, who will be starting on defense, and also Aaron Inch at linebacker," Briggs said. Inch comes to Susquehanna from Delaware Valley College, and Mancini arrives from St. Joseph's Prep. Both of these players will see significant playing time and will contribute greatly to the team as a whole. While the Susquehanna football teamwinnig tea suffered a large loss with the graduation of Dave Paveletz, many of the key contributors from last year's championship winning team are back. The added year of experience along with the knowledge of the attitude and dedication necessary to win a championship will lead to another exciting year of Susquehanna Crusaders football.

Marathon Match Suspended at 59-all in 5th set

After playing through four grueling sets yesterday, the last thing that John Isner and Nicolas Mahut wanted to endure was a long fifth set. The fifth set began the same of the other four, with few break points and many power serves. It quickly became known that neither player was going to lose any time soon. The previous record for a set in the history of The Championships: Wimbledon, was a 20-18 fifth set won by Mark Philippoussis and Sjeng Schalken in 2000. The longest singles match in Wimbledon history before this epic battle between Mahut and Isner was a five-hour, twenty-eight minute slugfest between Greg Holmes and Todd Witsken. By the time that the fifth set reached 30-all, it was apparent that both players were beginning to feel fatigue setting in. Unfortunately, they had no idea that they would be on court for nearly sixty more games. Normally Court 18 is left in obscurity as the best players and best matches are typically found on the show courts. However, the longer that these two warriors battled, Court 18 became much like another Center Court as large contingents of people gathered outside of the fence. In the one-hundreth game of the fifth set, Isner faced his first break points of the fifth set. Down 53-54 and 0-30, Mahut served three consecutive aces to take control of the game and tie the set at 54-54. At 58-all, both players exited for a bathroom break, before playing two more games. At 59-all, Mahut explained to the referee that visuability was an issue and the match was halted. Isner had ripped 98 aces, while Mahut had fired 95 aces. Both of these men shattered the previous aces record of 78, set by Ivo Karlovic against Novak Djokovic. After six hours in the fifth set and exactly ten hours overall, the match was postponed and will resume on Thursday. The winner of this incredible affair will face Thiemo de Bakker, who himself played a 16-14 fifth set in order to advance. This match has set records for the longest set and longest match in Wimbledon, Grand Slam, and also in the history of tennis. After leaving Court 18, Isner remarked, "Nothing like this will after happen again. Ever." After watching this epic encounter, it is likely that nothing of this caliber will ever happen again. Sources Used: espn.com, wimbledon.org

U.S. Soccer Advances on Donovan Goal

Entering the Algeria-United States match, the United States needed a win to ensure that they would move on to the Round of 16. England had scored early against Slovenia, meaning the U.S. had to win against Algeria in order to advance. In the first half, the U.S. had many opportunities to score, including a questionable offsides call on a Clint Dempsey goal in the twenty-second minute. The United States continued to advance offensively, but were unable to put a ball into the back of the net. In the second half, the United States continued to attack, while Algeria seemed content to draw with the Americans. After a shot that nearly went in for an own goal, the momentum started to change in favor of the U.S. After ninety minutes of play without a goal, four minutes of stoppage time were added to the clock. This was the last hope for the Americans to advance. One minute into stoppage time, the prayers of the United States faithful were answered. Landon Donovan advanced the ball into an attacking position before passing to Jozy Altidore. Altidore then passed to Clint Dempsey. After a shot from Dempsey deflected off of the keeper, Donovan, who is considered the greatest player in recent history for the U.S., found the back of the net with his shot giving the United States a 1-0 lead. The goal was the latest that the United States has scored in a match. Following a massive celebration by the United States team, the Americans held on after a last-ditch attack by Algeria. With the dramatic win, the United States wins Group C and will face the runner-up in Group D in the Round of 16. If the United States can continue to attack like they have been able to in group play, they will be a very difficult team to beat. Sources Used: espn.com

Switzerland shocks Spain 1-0

With a 1-0 victory over Spain, Switzerland has stunned the soccer world. Throughout the first half, Spain dominated the possession of the ball, as well as the number of shots, but could not find the back of the net with any of their shots. Switzerland waited in the first half, stopping every offensive opportunity that the Spanish team had. Early in the second half, however, the Swiss made their move. In the fifty-second minute, Gelson Fernandes took advantage of the Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas reacting slowly to a collision near the net and placed the ball in the back of the net to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead. The Spanish had a few decent opportunities in the second half to tie the score, yet could not capitalize. Spain had a great opportunity to score nearly halfway through the second half as a shot by Xabi Alonso hit the crossbar. Despite Fernando Torres entering the game for Spain in the sixty-first minute, they were unable to mount an offensive attack to comeback. Spain was heavily favored at the onset of this match as they came in as the European champions. Spain is currently second in the FIFA World Rankings, trailing only Brazil, while Switzerland is twenty-fourth. The surprise of the Spanish loss is similar to their loss to the United States in last summer's Confederations Cup, although today's loss in the FIFA World Cup is of a greater magnitude. With the shocking win, Switzerland is now tied with Chile atop the Group H standings, while Spain is tied for third in a difficult position to advance. Spain plays Honduras and Chile in this group and will likely need to win both to advance out of Group H. Switzerland plays Chile and Honduras and with a win in one of the games, they should advance to the knockout stage. Spain was picked as a favorite to win the tournament, but after this loss, their ability to win this tournament is definitely in doubt. The popular slogan used for this tournament is "One Game Changes Everything", and one game can truly change everything, at least for Spain. Sources Used: espn.com, fifa.com/worldcup

World Cup Group Stage Preview

With the competition this is arguably the greatest sporting event in the world right around the corner, I wanted to preview the group stage for each of the eight groups and give my insight as to which teams will advance. Some of the notable groups are Group C; Group G; and Group H. Group C features the United States and England, which will be a much-anticipated battle on June 12. Group G is named the "Group of Death", as it features soccer powers Brazil and Portugal, as well as Ivory Coast as a dark horse. Group H features a very strong Spain squad that is always a favorite in international competition. As the tournament is held in South Africa, I will begin with Group A, featuring the host country South Africa. Group A: The first group in the 2010 FIFA World Cup features traditional soccer powers that have fallen out of title contention, and a host country that is potentially underestimated. France played for the championship in the last World Cup, in 2006, but since then have fallen due to age and inexperience. Longtime star Thierry Henry struggled this past season, and may have trouble producing in South Africa. Mexico seems to be the best team in the group which kicks off the tournament tomorrow. The team that Mexico is bringing to South Africa is being called one of the best that they have ever assembled. For South Africa, they have the home-field advantage, but as a team, they are simply not on the same level as Mexico. They may score a few goals, and steal a few points but they will not have enough to advance to the knockout stage. Finally, Uruguay is a tough team that uses their physicality as well as their goal scoring to win games. For fans that love contact and penalties, Uruguay is the team to watch in Group A. I believe Uruguay will have just enough to advance. Teams Advancing: Mexico, Uruguay Group B: This group is one of the weakest groups in the field, but features one of the greatest players in the world, in Argentina's Lionel Messi. Argentina is head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in this group and will have no trouble moving on as the talent at Diego Maradona's disposal is incredible. Messi, along with Carlos Tevez, and Diego Milito will provide plenty of offensive firepower. Nigeria does not have the ability that Argentina has but they feature solid play from their starters, which should end in their advancement to the knockout round. South Korea and Greece are both teams with experience issues, whose greatest moments seem to be ahead of them. Expect Argentina to steamroll through this group, with Nigeria rounding out the top two. Teams Advancing: Argentina, Nigeria Group C: Much of the suspense surrounding this group centers on one game: the June 12 contest between England and the United States. The game features the two best teams in the group facing off in a match sure to captivate American soccer fans like no other game from the opening whistle. While England is a surefire lock to make its way through this group, the United States does not seem to be as much of a certainty. The Americans game against Slovenia on June 18 could decide who will advance as the second game out of Group C. Personally, I believe the U.S. will be able to defeat Slovenia, although if they do not play well, the U.S. could be heading home early. Algeria seems to be clearly outmatched in this group, and while they may end the group stage with a few points, it will not be enough to advance. Teams Advancing: England, U.S.A. Group D: Before Michael Essien was lost to injury, it was likely that Germany and Ghana would advance from Group D. However, after Essien went down, Serbia appears likely to take the second spot. Germany is the favorite to win this group, while the offense of Serbia will keep them in any game.Australia will also fall short due to their lack of a goal-scoring threat. Expect Germany to advance with little trouble, with Serbia edging out Ghana for second place. Teams Advancing: Germany, Serbia Group E: All of the teams in Group E are teams that would be capable of advancing out of almost any other group, other than Group G. The Netherlands are the strongest team on paper, however a hamstring injury to star Arjen Robben leaves the Dutch possibly without one of their best players. However, with Robin van Persie still healthy, the Dutch should be able to advance. The most exciting match will be between Cameroon and Denmark on June 19. The Danish team is a squad that makes up for a lack of power with impeccable strategy. Cameroon is one of the fastest teams in the tournament, and along with their home-field advantage should be able to beat Denmark. Netherlands will win the group, while Cameroon will edge Denmark for second. Teams Advancing: Netherlands, Cameroon Group F: In perhaps the weakest group in the field, Italy, and Slovakia seem to be the strongest teams. Italy features Gianluigi Buffon, the bonafide best goaltender in soccer, and Danielle De Rossi but little else. In a stronger group, it is likely that none of the teams in Group F would advance. The Slovakian team plays superb offensive soccer, allowing to beat teams they otherwise would have little hope against. This offensive power should lead them to a second-place finish in Group F. Paraguay has suffered injury after injury, that will likely leave them just short of advancing. They should still provide exciting moments, however. New Zealand is perhaps the weakest team participating in the FIFA World Cup and will have little to no chance in this group. Italy's experience will win them the group, while Slovakia will finish in second. Teams Advancing: Italy, Slovakia Group G: The appropriately-named "Group of Death", features two of the top five teams in the FIFA world rankings, in Brazil and Portugal, while also featuring Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast was considered a very strong dark horse just a week ago. Since then, the star of the Ivorians, Didier Drogba fractured his arm in a friendly against Japan. The possibility that Drogba could miss time, leaves Ivory Coast without its most dangerous offensive weapon. Brazil and Portugal should be able to take advantage of Ivory Coast's slight misfortune and run away with the two available spots in the knockout round. However, another dark horse in Group G is North Korea. They should provide a challenge to Brazil and Portugal, but I believe that Brazil and Portugal will be up to the challenge in defeating North Korea and advancing to the knockout round. Teams Advancing: Brazil, Portugal Group H: This group has received attention both for its soccer potential, and the fact that the native countries of the top two male tennis players in the world are represented, with Spain (Rafael Nadal), and Switzerland (Roger Federer). However, the soccer potential will be on everyone's mind once this group commences. Spain is the major giant in this group and should have little trouble advancing. If Chile can defeat Honduras, they will join Spain in the second round. Chile is without a doubt capable of beating a small, yet poweful Honduras squad, and I believe that they get the job done. Switzerland will receive moral support from Roger Federer, but they are not a very strong team and will find difficulty scoring in this group. Expect Spain to win the group by a point or two, with Chile edging Honduras for second place. Teams Advancing: Spain, Chile The World Cup will be a exciting month of soccer for all of the nations competing, and is a truly global event. There will be many tense and exciting moments throughout group play, as each team fights for each crucial point. The energy and determination that the players will exhibit will create drama in the greatest sporting event on Earth. Win, lose, or draw, the World Cup will capture and captivate of everyone involved. Players, coaches, and fans alike will join as one in support of their nation's quest for the cup. Sources Used: sportsillustrated.cnn.com, espn.com

Nadal wins 5th French Open

Hours ago, with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Robin Soderling, Rafael Nadal won his fifth French Open singles title. The finals matchup was a rematch of the epic encounter in the fourth round of the French Open last year, where Soderling defeated Nadal and shocked the tennis world. However, today was a much different story. Soderling's forehand and serve that he relied on to beat Nadal failed him today. His serve was landing in at a high percentage, however he lacked the firepower with it that he usually possesses. His forehand was also very erratic, allowing Nadal to take full advantage and move on the offensive. Nadal used his trademark heavy topspin strokes to perfection in forcing errors and difficult returns. The first set was close, but once Nadal gained the lead, he never looked back in his quest to regain the French Open crown. After saving four break points when down 0-1 in the second set, Nadal was in full command the rest of the match. With the title, Nadal has won his seventh Grand Slam singles title, tying him with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander. Nadal has also won five out of the last six French Opens, and trails only Bjorn Borg in French Open titles. Nadal is also an unfathomable 38-1 when playing on the red clay of Roland Garros. It is very difficult to think of a player that has been as dominant on a surface as Rafael Nadal has been on clay. Nadal was 22-0 on clay this season as he once again asserts himself as the best clay-court player in the world. Nadal will also recapture the number one world ranking with his win at Roland Garros. This is the second time that Rafael Nadal will hold the number one ranking. He previously was on top of the tennis world after winning the French Open and Wimbledon in 2008. Now that he has the French Open title once again, one wonders if he can win Wimbledon again. Regardless of whether he can win at the All England Club in a few weeks, Rafael Nadal still has many more trophies to collect. Sources Used: tennis.com, espn.com

French Open Women's Final Preview

After a stunning thirteen days in Paris, two women are left in the tournament vying to be crowned the queen of clay. At the onset of the tournament, all the buzz surrounded Justine Henin and the return to the major was she has enjoyed the most success. However, one finalist, Samantha Stosur ended the hope of Henin to become a five-time champion at Roland Garros with a quarterfinal win over Justine. Stosur went on to knock off Serena Williams in the semifinals. Francesca Schiavone defeated an injured Caroline Wozniacki still feeling the effects of an ankle injury in the quarterfinals, before advancing to the finals after Elena Dementieva retired in the semifinals. For both of these players, the final of a major, at least in singles play is unchartered territory. Schiavone has reached the final of the French Open in doubles, while Stosur has won two Grand Slam titles, including the French Open in doubles. Stosur features arguably the second most powerful game on the WTA tour after Serena Williams. Schiavone has a strong forehand, and an above-average backhand and serve. Stosur can generate great pace on all of her shots, making returns difficult. If Schiavone can neutralize Stosur's power by effectively using her slice backhand followed by a swift approach to the net for a volley, she could win the French Open and become the first Italian female to win a Grand Slam title. If she cannot force Stosur to change her game and control the pace of points, it could be a quick defeat for Schiavone. In the end, I believe that Schiavone will need to be at her absolute best to defeat Sam Stosur, with the way that Stosur is playing right now. If Schiavone can force Stosur far from her comfort zone with deep slice after deep slice combined with putaway volleys, she can win. However, I believe that the form that Stosur has exhibited over the past two weeks will carry over into the final and result in victory for her. Sam will also be benefitted from her previous Grand Slam experience in doubles. I predict a quick victory for Stosur with few troubles along the way. Verdict: Samantha Stosur wins her first singles Grand Slam title in straight sets. Sources Used: espn.com, tennis.com

2010 NBA Finals Preview

In the 1980's, the Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers was the premier matchup in professional basketball. The Celtics had star forward Larry Bird leading the way, while the Lakers had Earvin "Magic" Johnson. When these two teams would meet, all eyes would be the matchup. During the Bird-Magic era, the Celtics and Lakers met three times in the NBA Finals, with the Lakers winning two out of the three. The rivalry between Boston and L.A. has always been important, and although the players have changed, the matchup is just as fierce as it was in previous years. The Lakers and Celtics have met a total of eleven times for a championship, with the Celtics winning nine times. These two teams met two years ago in the NBA Finals, with the Celtics winning in six games. Many of the same players that competed two years ago will play in this series. Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers into battle, while the big 4 of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo do so for Boston. In order to determine a champion, I will analyze the Celtics and Lakers by position in their starting fives, and also in their bench play. Point Guard: Derek Fisher is the seasoned veteran who has been known to hit the big shot when needed. Rajon Rondo is the young, electric point guard who can score, rebound, and assist with ease. Rondo is quickly becoming one of the premier point guards in the NBA, while Fisher is starting to decline in his numbers, but it still a great three-point shooter. Rondo has much greater assist numbers than Fisher, which is important as the role of a true point guard is to pass first and shoot second. Along with his knack for finding the open man, Rondo is eleven years younger than Fisher. Fisher may hit a few three-pointers, but Rondo will be much more consistent. Advantage: Boston Shooting Guard: At shooting guard, there is a matchup of two of the best shooting guards of the last fifteen years. For the Celtics, Ray Allen mans the position, whereas the best player in the NBA not named Lebron James, plays the position for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant is a scoring machine who is routinely mentioned in MVP conversation. Ray Allen is still a formidable scorer, however he has started to decline. Bryant's superior scoring ability and his ability to make the players around him better, gives the Lakers the advantage. Advantage: Los Angeles Small Forward: Paul Pierce has been a consistent scorer throughout his career, while Ron Artest has mainly been more of a liability than an asset to teams during his career. Artest has shown glimpses of good play, but Pierce has been a consistent offensive force throughout his career. in order to be successful, a player needs to be consistent and Paul Pierce has that. The consistency of Pierce will prove key in this matchup, amd will offset any good moments that Artest may have. This gives an advantage at small forward to Boston. Advantage: Boston Power Forward: The matchup at power forward features two of the best at the position in the NBA. Both players are forces on offensive, while also being proficient rebounders and defenders. However, Pau Gasol's offensive numbers are slightly more impressive than Kevin Garnett's, and Gasol is also younger than Garnett. Gasol has averaged a double-double over the course of the season. The strength and offensive ability of Gasol gives the Lakers the edge at power forward. Advantage: Los Angeles Center: Both teams feature a good, young center with Andrew Bynum for the Lakers, and Kendrick Perkins for the Celtics. Bynum has dealt with injuries throughout the season, while Perkins has been mostly healthy. Perkins has amassed six technical fouls, meaning one more technical will result in a one-game suspension. It is unclear how Bynum will perform in the NBA Finals, after being injured much of the season. A suspension is the only way that the Celtics would not have an advantage at this position. Advantage: Boston Bench: With Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis, the Celtics have a much deeper bench than the Lakers. The Lakers have Lamar Odom and a number of marginal players on the rest of their bench. The Celtics have an ability to replace nearly their entire starting five with players that can control the offense well. Advantage: Boston After analyzing the Celtics and the Lakers by position, I have found that the Celtics possess superior players at three of the five positions, plus a deeper bench than the Lakers. These positional advantages will ultimately lead the Celtics to another victory over the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Verdict: Boston in six games Sources Used: espn.com, nba.com

Stosur takes down Serena

Yesterday, the number one seed in the French Open women's draw was defeated. Serena Williams fell to the seven seed Samantha Stosur in three sets by a score of 2-6, 7-6, 6-8. Stosur has perhaps the second most powerful game on the women's side after Serena. Normally, players will not succeed when they hit to Serena's backhand, however Stosur used her kick serve to perfection in neutralizing Serena's biggest weapon. The win for Stosur was her second in five tries against the top player in the world. Her previous win came in Stanford one year ago. Usually Serena is unbeatable in majors as she has twelve titles, but Stosur was able to counter every offensive opportunity that Serena had. Stosur has been a top doubles player in the past, as she ascended to the number one ranking in 2006. With the win, Stosur advances to the semifinals and will play Jelena Jankovic. With top three seeds now out of the tournament, Stosur has become the favorite to win the French Open. Stosur reached the semifinals of the French Open last year, where she lost to eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. Stosur should have little trouble in being victorious on the red clay of Roland Garros and holding the trophy on Saturday. With two more wins, Stosur will capture her first singles Grand Slam title, after winning the French Open and U.S. Open in doubles competition. Stosur controlled the match from start to finish, eventually taking down the best player in majors in three sets.

Ken Griffey Jr. announces retirement

Today, Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement from professional baseball. Griffey was hitting just .184 this season as age and injuries had continued to take their toll on the one-time feared hitter. Griffey also had zero home runs this season. Over the past few years, Griffey has struggled as the numerous injuries he has suffered throughout his career began to catch up with him. Griffey was drafted first overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1987, and made his major league debut two years later. During his time in Seattle, he was one of baseball's greatest hitters while also showing magnificent defensive prowess. Throughout the 1990's, Griffey was awarded a Gold Glove after each season. After 1999, Griffey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Griffey would spend eight full seasons with the Reds, most of which would be injury-plauged. Griffey would hit thirty-five home runs in 2005, but would never regain those power numbers again. 2007 would be Griffey's last productive season in which he would show glimpses of his previous ability, with thirty home runs. After struggling for the past three seasons, Griffey has retired. Griffey ends his career with 630 home runs, which ranks fifth on the all-time list. While it may have been time for Griffey to retire, he will be forever known as a player who was the best player of his generation. There is much debate over the number of home runs Griffey would have hit had he not dealt with injury problems. In my mind, Griffey would be the all-time leading home run hitter in MLB history, had he not had numerous injury issues. Sources Used: espn.com

Swedish Giant Slayer

Today on the red clay of Roland Garros, Robin Soderling accomplished the unthinkable yet again. Although the victim this time around was not a four-time French Open champion, he did take down arguably the greatest player ever to step onto a tennis court, in Roger Federer Throughout the match, Soderling pounded forehand after forehand at Federer, along with serves clocked at one hundred forty miles per hour. The defeat for Federer marked the end of his streak of twenty-three straight Grand Slam semifinal appearances. Federer's streak was more than twice that of the previous high of ten shared by Ivan Lendl and Rod Laver. The win for Soderling marks the second consecutive year in which he has beaten the French Open defending champion. In similar fashion to his monumental upset of Rafael Nadal last year, Soderling was able to push Federer throughout the match and stay within striking distance. After Federer and Soderling split the first two sets, Soderling was able to take the third set 7-5 after a lengthy rain delay. The third set featured an incredible save on match point in which Solderling hit a backhand overhead volley for a winner. After the third set, Soderling closed the match with a 6-4 victory in the fourth set. After twelve losses, Soderling was able to conquer Federer on one of the grandest stages in tennis. The final score of the match was 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. 6-4. Soderling seems determined to match his performance from last year of reaching the finals in Paris. With Rafael Nadal on the opposite side of the draw, Soderling has a strong chance to repeat as a finalist. Robin will face Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. Berdych dispatched Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets to reach the semifinals. The loss by Federer also means that Rafael Nadal will regain the number one world ranking if he can win the French Open, which he is definitely capable of doing. It will be an interesting Sunday in Paris if Soderling and Nadal can advance to the final. Sources Used: espn.com, tennis.com

Perfection

Last night, Roy Halladay became a member of an exclusive club of pitchers that have thrown a perfect game. In a 1-0 Phillies win, Halladay stymied the Florida Marlins to become just the twentyieth pitcher to not allow a baserunner over nine innings of work. In completing this monumental feat, Halladay became just the second Phillies pitcher to do so, after Jim Bunning in 1964 against the New York Mets. Halladay is also the third pitcher this season to throw a no-hit, no-run performance after Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter on April 17th against the Braves, and Dallas Braden's perfect game on May 9th against the Rays. Halladay's perfect game, coupled with Braden's means 2010 is the first season since 1880 to have two pitchers throw perfect games. Halladay has always possessed the repertoire and ability necessary to throw a no-hitter or a perfect game, however he had everything but a touch of luck in previous experiences. In Halladay's first career win with the Blue Jays in 1998, he would have had a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning before Bobby Higginson hit a solo home run. Last night, Halladay had pinpoint command of all of his pitches as he threw one hundred fifteen pitches, seventy-two of which went for strikes. Halladay also recorded eleven strikeouts. The performance will be remembered as an utterly dominant performance by arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Sources Used: espn.com, phillies.com, baseball-almanac.com

2010 Stanley Cup Finals Preview

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers Although their achievements are not of the same caliber as the United States' hockey triumph in Lake Placid in 1980, the accomplishments of the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers are nothing short of magnificent. The Flyers rallied to reach the Eastern Conference playoffs as the seven seed, with an overtime win over the New York Rangers on the final day of the regular season, evoking a collective sigh of relief in Philadelphia. Once in the playoffs, the Flyers dispatched the New Jersey Devils in five games, before falling behind 3-0 to the Boston Bruins in the semifinals. The Flyers would quickly recover to win four straight games to stun the Bruins and take the series. Their comeback would include erasing a 3-0 deficit in Game Seven. The Flyers then took care of business against the Montreal Canadiens in five games to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, had a much easier road to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blackhawks downed both the Predators and Canucks 4-2, before sweeping the Sharks. Now that the Stanley Cup is only a few days away, it is time to write a preview. The Flyers will enter the Stanley Cup having played more games and dealt with more injuries than the Blackhawks have. The Flyers have had seven different goalies on their roster at some point during the season. The Blackhawks begin the series virtually injury-free this season. Fatigue could potentially be a factor in this series if it goes seven games. In order to adequately assess the strengths and weaknesses of each team, I will compare them by position. Forwards: The Flyers have a trio of good forwards that are on the cusp of being star players, but mostly lack the health aspect to become a star player. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards have been solid when they are on the ice, and Danny Briere has proven to be a decent goal scorer and point producer. However, with Carter recently returning from a foot injury, it is unclear what his impact will be in the Stanley Cup Finals. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have a plethora of young talent while also having a balance of seasoned veterans. They have Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp at center, while Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane take the wing positions. The experience and goal scoring threat that Hossa brings to the table, along with the talent of Toews and Kane gives the Blackhwks the edge at the forward positions. Advantage: Blackhawks Defensemen: In order to win games, any great team also needs to possess great defense. The Blackhawks have arguably the best offensive defenseman in hockey, in Brian Campbell. They also have Duncan Keith, who is another offensive minded defenseman. However, the Flyers have two strong lines of defense that can put points on the board, while also playing exceptional defense. Their first line is composed of veterans Chris Pronger, and Kimmo Timonen. The second line is made of Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle. The Flyers have the ability to put two full lines of defensemen on the ice that can score points when needed, while also preventing their opposition from scoring. Advantage: Flyers Goaltending: Any team that aspires to hoist the cup at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs, must have a solid goaltending unit that will keep the puck free from the net. For the Flyers, the player in charge of keeping the opposition at bay is Michael Leighton. For the Blackhawks, Antti Niemi is between the pipes. Due to many injuries, Leighton has been pressed into service, while Niemi has gained the goaltending job due to great play and the ineffectiveness of starter Cristobal Huet. Both goalies have been playing great recently, however, Leighton has not allowed the opposition to light the lamp in four out of the last seven games. The fact that teams are having trouble scoring on Leighton gives the Flyers a distinct goaltending advantage in this series. Advantage: Flyers Each team has been analyzed by position and the Flyers have gained an advantage in two of the three positional categories. Based on the analysis, the Stanley Cup Finals will be a relatively low-scoring, defensive battle. Expect this series to go to a Game Seven before a winner is decided. Verdict: Flyers in seven games