Is there anything better than the fall transitioning into the winter? Basketball is getting in the swing of things, while bowl games begin to populate our TV viewings. Baseball winter meetings are going on, with the excitement of teams adding new players in preparation for next season.
I may not agree with all the bowl matchups, but I still love to watch them. If you're more strongly opposed than I am, then college basketball seems to ALWAYS have a game on, no matter what time it is. I'm saddened that the NHL is missing from this equation and hope they settle their disputes once and for all (for the sake of the sport). But break glass in case of emergency, you can watch an NBA game if a college matchup doesn't quite intrigue you.
So we at Zone Defenders hope you have a wonderful holiday season and take some time for yourself to sit back, relax, and enjoy some sports!
WingMan Out!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
The Best Teams Should Play
This is not going to be my 2012 BCS Bowl game predictions, but how I think they should go. These are the teams that deserve to play in the top games at the end of the season, simply because they are the top teams at the end of the season. A two-loss Louisville/ Rutgers shouldn’t get a pass into a game because they play in the Big East, when a two-loss LSU, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Georgia/ Alabama missing out on a big bowl game. These are who I think should play in the games, barring any upsets this weekend in the final games.
So here we go,
This one is pretty straightforward, given the Crimson Tide take care of business in Atlanta on Saturday. Notre Dame has proven they deserve a shot at the national title and who better to take on than the team everyone thought was the most superior all season. It will be a great title game with the big named schools and I think it will be closer than most are expecting.
As much as I hate eating crow, I’ve got a five-course meal of it after the Aggies season. I said all along that they couldn’t come in with a spread offense and a freshman quarterback and win in the SEC. I was wrong, Johnny Manziel (Heisman) has shown the world what he can do this year (move the ball). Oregon isn’t too bad on the offensive side either though, and if you tune in to this Fiesta Bowl, then you best buckle up. There could be close to 200 plays run in this matchup. Texas A&M has a knack for finding ways to win and comes up with another big one here by a touchdown.
I know, I know, they played two weeks ago. But you don’t think there is any bad blood on that Seminole team? Florida State has flown under the radar in my mind and with a win over Georgia Tech would have 11 on the year. Florida beat their in-state rival after they woke up from a shaky first half. The Gators one hiccup this year, came against Georgia and they have quality wins over South Carolina, LSU and Texas A&M. Florida State will show up as they did last game, but I think that Florida’s running attack gives them the edge again in this one. Caleb Sturgis kicks a game winner while Miami sits in their homes watching the elite teams from the state play.
This all depends if the Wildcats can win against Texas to keep Oklahoma out of this game. A rematch of the 2003 National Championship though would be pretty fun to watch. But Kansas State gets the nod in if they take care of business. LSU is running alongside Texas A&M as the two teams who DESERVE a BCS game. LSU has lost two games, Alabama and Florida. The Fighting Tigers have beaten Washington, Texas A&M and South Carolina. LSU is too good of a team to not play in a BCS game. Also who doesn’t love to see when LSU fans take over New Orleans?
You may realize that each game has an SEC team in there, but when you have six teams in the BCS top ten, what do you expect? The SEC is the best conference in the nation, and if outlying teams would like to prove they’re not, then show up to play. South Carolina should get into a BCS game, but somebody has to get left out. I sure wouldn’t want to be the team that has to play them in a regular bowl game.
However since the rule is in place, these matchups could serve as ridiculous games to show the BCS how ridiculous it really is.
Played in Shreveport, Louisiana, but I’m not quite sure if the venue could hold the Tiger fans, or allow any Bulldog fans to watch. LSU has one of the nation’s top defenses, while LA Tech boasts the top offense. This is a battle for state superiority, which LSU has always won. I'm looking at you Tulane!
If Oklahoma or Kansas State gets robbed of a BCS game and they play LSU in the Cotton Bowl, this could slap the BCS in the face. This is a rivalry that should be played every year and I feel something missing since they didn’t play this year. Also would give me an excuse to root for the Aggies and Johnny Heisman.
Let Coach Spurrier and South Carolina show Southern California who the real USC is. Or at least let Spurrier give press conferences on it. I would love to hear what he says about ballgate, Lane Kiffin or even having a father-son coaching combination.
Georgia is the No. 3 team in the country right now and its next loss would be to No. 2 Alabama. The Bulldogs should play in a BCS game and if they don’t then it will be an absolute shame.
I do know this though, I wouldn’t want any part of those four teams missing out on BCS games.
Wing Man Out!
So here we go,
BCS National Championship Game: Notre Dame vs. Alabama
This one is pretty straightforward, given the Crimson Tide take care of business in Atlanta on Saturday. Notre Dame has proven they deserve a shot at the national title and who better to take on than the team everyone thought was the most superior all season. It will be a great title game with the big named schools and I think it will be closer than most are expecting.
Rose Bowl: Georgia vs. Stanford
Stanford should beat UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship and with their big wins on the season (USC and Oregon) they deserve a shot at the Dawgs. Georgia was thrown away after getting manhandled by South Carolina earlier this year, but bounced back (as all good teams do) by winning out and beating Florida. It’s a long way for Georgia fans to travel, but I have a feeling that they can make the trip. It will be a knockout of a game and maybe an SEC tryout for Stanford Coach, David Shaw. Georgia wins by a touchdown with Aaron Murray declaring he’ll be back for his senior season.Fiesta Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oregon
As much as I hate eating crow, I’ve got a five-course meal of it after the Aggies season. I said all along that they couldn’t come in with a spread offense and a freshman quarterback and win in the SEC. I was wrong, Johnny Manziel (Heisman) has shown the world what he can do this year (move the ball). Oregon isn’t too bad on the offensive side either though, and if you tune in to this Fiesta Bowl, then you best buckle up. There could be close to 200 plays run in this matchup. Texas A&M has a knack for finding ways to win and comes up with another big one here by a touchdown.
Orange Bowl: Florida vs. Florida State
I know, I know, they played two weeks ago. But you don’t think there is any bad blood on that Seminole team? Florida State has flown under the radar in my mind and with a win over Georgia Tech would have 11 on the year. Florida beat their in-state rival after they woke up from a shaky first half. The Gators one hiccup this year, came against Georgia and they have quality wins over South Carolina, LSU and Texas A&M. Florida State will show up as they did last game, but I think that Florida’s running attack gives them the edge again in this one. Caleb Sturgis kicks a game winner while Miami sits in their homes watching the elite teams from the state play.
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Kansas State
This all depends if the Wildcats can win against Texas to keep Oklahoma out of this game. A rematch of the 2003 National Championship though would be pretty fun to watch. But Kansas State gets the nod in if they take care of business. LSU is running alongside Texas A&M as the two teams who DESERVE a BCS game. LSU has lost two games, Alabama and Florida. The Fighting Tigers have beaten Washington, Texas A&M and South Carolina. LSU is too good of a team to not play in a BCS game. Also who doesn’t love to see when LSU fans take over New Orleans?
You may realize that each game has an SEC team in there, but when you have six teams in the BCS top ten, what do you expect? The SEC is the best conference in the nation, and if outlying teams would like to prove they’re not, then show up to play. South Carolina should get into a BCS game, but somebody has to get left out. I sure wouldn’t want to be the team that has to play them in a regular bowl game.
However since the rule is in place, these matchups could serve as ridiculous games to show the BCS how ridiculous it really is.
LSU vs LA Tech in the Independence Bowl
Played in Shreveport, Louisiana, but I’m not quite sure if the venue could hold the Tiger fans, or allow any Bulldog fans to watch. LSU has one of the nation’s top defenses, while LA Tech boasts the top offense. This is a battle for state superiority, which LSU has always won. I'm looking at you Tulane!
Texas A&M vs. Texas in the Alamo Bowl
If Oklahoma or Kansas State gets robbed of a BCS game and they play LSU in the Cotton Bowl, this could slap the BCS in the face. This is a rivalry that should be played every year and I feel something missing since they didn’t play this year. Also would give me an excuse to root for the Aggies and Johnny Heisman.
South Carolina vs. Southern California
Let Coach Spurrier and South Carolina show Southern California who the real USC is. Or at least let Spurrier give press conferences on it. I would love to hear what he says about ballgate, Lane Kiffin or even having a father-son coaching combination.
Georgia vs. Does it really matter
Georgia is the No. 3 team in the country right now and its next loss would be to No. 2 Alabama. The Bulldogs should play in a BCS game and if they don’t then it will be an absolute shame.
I do know this though, I wouldn’t want any part of those four teams missing out on BCS games.
Wing Man Out!
Baseball in November
I decided to mix it up a little today and give some info that is going on in the baseball world these last few days especially since I am an Atlanta Braves fan. The Braves have made the first big move of the off season by first signing B.J. Upton to a 5 year contract. Then today they made another big move that I was glad they did by trading away right handed pitcher Tommy Hanson to the Angels for reliever Jordan Walden. By making this move the Braves have now cleared up $4 million so that they now can go after another outfielder to play alongside Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton. The Braves were allowed to move Hanson because of all their young and talented arms like Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado
The first person that has been coming up in the outfielder talks is the brother of B.J., Justin Upton. I have also heard of them trying to get someone who could bat lead off like a Shane Victorino. I hope that they can figure something out to get Justin Upton because I believe that B.J. Upton can handle the lead off duties or even Martin Prado. If all goes right their lineup could look like (Upton, Prado, Upton, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Simmons, the pitcher). If it happens to be something like that you can not pitch around anyone because they can all hit. With the pitching rotation and bullpen they have, the Braves should be considered a title contender next year for sure.
Stay tuned to see what happens in the next few days.
Tomahawk Chop!
Uncle Drew out!
The first person that has been coming up in the outfielder talks is the brother of B.J., Justin Upton. I have also heard of them trying to get someone who could bat lead off like a Shane Victorino. I hope that they can figure something out to get Justin Upton because I believe that B.J. Upton can handle the lead off duties or even Martin Prado. If all goes right their lineup could look like (Upton, Prado, Upton, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Simmons, the pitcher). If it happens to be something like that you can not pitch around anyone because they can all hit. With the pitching rotation and bullpen they have, the Braves should be considered a title contender next year for sure.
Stay tuned to see what happens in the next few days.
Tomahawk Chop!
Uncle Drew out!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Beard Returns
Exactly one month ago James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets after he failed to agree to a long term deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now he is back, playing but with a different team. Since being traded Harden has risen to be one of the best playmakers in the league. Now that he is the main guy in Houston he can showcase all of his talents since he is no longer playing in the shadows of the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. In his very first game of the season he had 37 points 12 assists 6 rebounds and 4 steals. He has also had 3 games of over 30 points this season while he only totaled 3 games of over 30 points in his first 3 years combined. While Houston is at 7-7 the Thunder have one of the best records in the league at 11-4.
With the way Harden went out by him talking about sacrificing for the team and then turning around to take more money I believe the Thunder have circled this game since the start of the season. The Thunder are also coming off their best game of the year after beating the Bobcats by 45 points on Monday. If they play like that tonight they should have no trouble with beating the Rockets.
Will the Thunder Fear the Beard tonight? Tune into Fox Sports Oklahoma or NBA TV at 7 to find out
Uncle Drew out!
Thunder Up!
With the way Harden went out by him talking about sacrificing for the team and then turning around to take more money I believe the Thunder have circled this game since the start of the season. The Thunder are also coming off their best game of the year after beating the Bobcats by 45 points on Monday. If they play like that tonight they should have no trouble with beating the Rockets.
Will the Thunder Fear the Beard tonight? Tune into Fox Sports Oklahoma or NBA TV at 7 to find out
Uncle Drew out!
Thunder Up!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
ACC/Big 10 Challenge
Now that it is Tuesday, basketball heads back into the national spotlight. Tonight starts the 14th year of the ACC/Big 10 Challenge. The ACC leads the overall series 10-3 with Duke leading all teams with the best overall record at 11-2. The ACC won the first ten years of this challenge with all of their powerhouse programs but the Big 10 has battled back to win the last three years and right now they have three teams ranked in the top five in the nation compared to only three teams ranked in the top 25 for the ACC.
Tonight has the best overall matchups in this year's series with #1 Indiana taking on #14 North Carolina. This will be the battle of the post players with James Michael McAdoo going against the preseason player of the year Cody Zeller. In the game just before this one #3 Michigan takes on #18 North Carolina State. This game will be the total opposite as these teams have two of the best point guards in the nation with Trey Burke and Lorenzo Brown. The third and final matchup of the powerhouse teams from these conferences will be tom night when #2 Duke takes on #4 Ohio State.
Who will when this year's ACC/Big 10 Challenge? Tune into ESPN or ESPN2 to find out!
Uncle Drew out!
Tonight has the best overall matchups in this year's series with #1 Indiana taking on #14 North Carolina. This will be the battle of the post players with James Michael McAdoo going against the preseason player of the year Cody Zeller. In the game just before this one #3 Michigan takes on #18 North Carolina State. This game will be the total opposite as these teams have two of the best point guards in the nation with Trey Burke and Lorenzo Brown. The third and final matchup of the powerhouse teams from these conferences will be tom night when #2 Duke takes on #4 Ohio State.
Who will when this year's ACC/Big 10 Challenge? Tune into ESPN or ESPN2 to find out!
Uncle Drew out!
A new rivalry
The Brooklyn Nets vs. the New York Knicks.
It just sounds so beautiful to me. I watched most of the first half the other night and was thoroughly entertained. I’m really hoping that this cross-town rivalry can kick start an area of the NBA that needs success. The Knicks haven’t won since 1973, while the Nets closest shot came in the finals in back-to-back years in 2002-03.
The game was full of excitement and the two teams matchup against each other very well. Brooklyn has Deron Williams running the point and Gerald Wallace to shut down the hot Knicks scorer (usually Melo). New York has Tyson Chandler to defend inside and pure scorers, J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony.
Brooklyn won the first installment of this rivalry, but wait for Stoudemire to get healthy to add some pizazz to
this matchup.
I’ll be tuned in regardless.
WingMan Out!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Ea Sports Maui Invitational
With Thanksgiving just around the corner it is that time again for one of the most exciting NCAA Basketball tournaments of the year. That's right it is the famous Ea Sports Maui Invitational. This year the teams include Butler, Marquette, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Texas, Chaminade, USC, Illinios. Now this year the tournament is not loaded with the powerhouse teams like it has had in the past but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been some exciting basketball being played.
In the top half of the bracket Butler came through in the clutch again when Rotnei Clarke hit a game winning 3 pointer. This Rotnei Clarke kid may be the best shooter in the country and I have been lucky enough to see him play in high school as he played at Verdigris High School. After a great 4 year career there he ended up being the Oklahoma's all-time leading scorer in the history of high school basketball with over 4,000 points in his career. With that being said that was not even the most exciting thing that happened. In the bottom half of the bracket the host team D-II Chaminade Silverswords didn't just beat Texas they blew them out with the game never being close. This has been the first time since 2003 that the fighting Silverswords have been in the winners bracket. Can they keep this magic up in the next round against Illinois? I guess we will have to watch tonight and see.
Have a great holiday!
Uncle Drew is out!
In the top half of the bracket Butler came through in the clutch again when Rotnei Clarke hit a game winning 3 pointer. This Rotnei Clarke kid may be the best shooter in the country and I have been lucky enough to see him play in high school as he played at Verdigris High School. After a great 4 year career there he ended up being the Oklahoma's all-time leading scorer in the history of high school basketball with over 4,000 points in his career. With that being said that was not even the most exciting thing that happened. In the bottom half of the bracket the host team D-II Chaminade Silverswords didn't just beat Texas they blew them out with the game never being close. This has been the first time since 2003 that the fighting Silverswords have been in the winners bracket. Can they keep this magic up in the next round against Illinois? I guess we will have to watch tonight and see.
Have a great holiday!
Uncle Drew is out!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Feast Week!
Here we are sports fans!
Feast week is upon us and there are plenty of sporting events lined up. College football renews some bitter rivalries while college basketball kicks off tournaments.
Along with your NFL and Naba games, it makes for a spectacular viewing week! If you can stay awake after eating all that food!
Have a great holiday!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
A good read
If you're looking for some insight to the madness of this weekend's college football games, here's a link to my rankings and how they got there and what it will take to stay that way.
www.askthewingexpert.blogspot.com
Also calling out the other "writers". Hopefully they start actually writing and helping me out here! #comeonman
WingMan Out!
www.askthewingexpert.blogspot.com
Also calling out the other "writers". Hopefully they start actually writing and helping me out here! #comeonman
WingMan Out!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Who we be....
We are the Zone Defenders.
We are that collection of athletes that you just do not want to face. You do not want to see my boy Papa Bear in the middle of the paint when you're trying to lay one in. BLOCK!
You do not want another member of the crew, another Bear of a defender, let's call him C2daJ for now. He will no-look you right out of your socks, jock, and even your shooting sleeve (if you're brave enough to wear one). He can also lock down anyone, I mean anyone (I know you can hear me LeBron).
The final member of this four-man zone chaos is a blast from the past, more ol' school than Uncle Drew, the little land mogul himself, Kyle. He may live on the plains but that does not dictate his style of play. SWISH!
I round out this crew of misfits and we are here to bring you some tenacious traps in the corner and some witty humor regarding the sports going on around us. Keep in mind that our zone defense is very broad and in no means limited to one sport. If you are a man-to-man kind of person, then you had better pick your points of attack or we WILL roll right over you. This is going to be a knock out brawl on sports and we hope that you enjoy the insight, at least the humor.
D-FENCE!
We are that collection of athletes that you just do not want to face. You do not want to see my boy Papa Bear in the middle of the paint when you're trying to lay one in. BLOCK!
You do not want another member of the crew, another Bear of a defender, let's call him C2daJ for now. He will no-look you right out of your socks, jock, and even your shooting sleeve (if you're brave enough to wear one). He can also lock down anyone, I mean anyone (I know you can hear me LeBron).
The final member of this four-man zone chaos is a blast from the past, more ol' school than Uncle Drew, the little land mogul himself, Kyle. He may live on the plains but that does not dictate his style of play. SWISH!
I round out this crew of misfits and we are here to bring you some tenacious traps in the corner and some witty humor regarding the sports going on around us. Keep in mind that our zone defense is very broad and in no means limited to one sport. If you are a man-to-man kind of person, then you had better pick your points of attack or we WILL roll right over you. This is going to be a knock out brawl on sports and we hope that you enjoy the insight, at least the humor.
D-FENCE!
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