We’re number one! We’re number one!

Bam.

In the midst of finals, reading and papers craziness, I took five minutes of my time to catch the end of the Indiana-Kentucky game. I watched Kentucky make a free throw to go up by two points. And then, unranked Indiana came running down the court against the No. 1 Wildcats. A Hoosier drove inside and then kicked the ball out to his teammate for the 3. In, and it wins the game by one point. Swish. Hysteria. Yes, in it went. And that is how you win a basketball game. Probably one of the best ways to win one (besides a desperation heave). Props to Indiana for the win. And with that win, and Ohio State’s loss (UK and OSU are the “No 1.” and “No. 2″ teams in the nation to “No. 3″ Syracuse), SU moves in prime position to take over the top spot come Monday’s new rankings. Of course the ‘Cuse won today, to stay undefeated and snatch up our deserved No. 1 ranking. The stars align. Now rankings don’t matter til the end, but it’s a nice ego boost. This ranking won’t be as special as two years ago when Syracuse beat a top-10 Villanova team in front of a record crowd and the top two teams also lost as SU became No. 1 on March 1. But it’s pretty nice to say you go to the best damn basketball school in the country. Pundits aside: Syracuse is No.1. 

When in doubt, don’t

Now, I’m not looking to jinx Syracuse here. I’m just looking to set some things straight. First off, there have been many doubters (myself included) about Syracuse’s chances to go all the way. Granted, I still think it’s Kansas’ tourney to lose, but Syracuse is awfully close. People are saying Syracuse may not beat Gonzaga, or Pitt, or Kansas State, or whoever. Yes, Arinze Onuaku may be out for a little, and yes, the team did lose two straight to end the season, but this is a team that was ranked number one just a week and a half ago. They hardly lost at all before last week and dominated in all aspects of the game much of the time. They are a team that beat Georgetown twice, demolished Villanova, and beat West Virginia, one of the hottest teams right now. Syracuse did not lose to a team that was bad. They lost to Pitt, Louisville and G’town. Meanwhile, I can’t think of another team that lost to only solid teams. Not even Kansas, who is the favorite by many to win it all. So, am I a little worried about Syracuse’s future? Yes. But will I be after they crush Vermont this Friday and later whoever else comes in their way? No. Let the doubters remain. We’ll catch them by surprise. Then they’ll wish they never underestimated Syracuse basketball.

He'll be back.

Number one, number one

Quick notes before I get to the main point of this post: The Wizards beat the Nets. 89-85. Two in a row is too much for the Nets. We would rather help the Wiz. Also, bummed the U.S. lost to Canada. Someone needs to wipe that nasty smile off of Sidney Crosby.

What happens when #’s 1, 2, and 3 lose? Hopefully a number one ranking for the ‘Cuse. That better be a sign of things to come in March and April. Meanwhile, I didn’t get to fully talk about the ‘Cuse/’Nova game last night. It was the largest on campus crowd for a college basketball game. Ever. The most orange I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere was crazy. The game was insane. We whooped. As expected. Some of my favorite signage/cheers from the game: VillaNOva…..Wildcats? More like pussycats!….Scottie doesn’t know…Villahomo (the group in front of me)…..number one! (my favorite, and so true).

INSANITY

Who’s your college basketball team? Oh, that sucks. Mine’s Syracuse

I don’t want to be regretting this post after today’s game, but as long as Syracuse beats Cincinnati on Sunday, we deserve to be number one in the land. Not that rankings mater, but they do to me just to show everyone how wrong they are and how good ‘Cuse really is.

For everyone who thinks their team is the best…you’re wrong. No one tops Syracuse. Kansas? Please. Not when you can barely put away easy teams. Nova? You just lost to a team we killed. Georgetown? You lost to USF and Old Dominion! Kentucky? Come one. We all know this isn’t the SEC of football.

But if Kansas must be number one, we’ll take number two. You know how it goes. First is the worst, second is the best. Unless Syracuse is first. Then it reverses.

Ranking numba 5

I was just sitting down and thinking about how I had nothing to write about. But how could that be possible? I have not written for nearly one week. And this was not a quiet week in sports. Let’s start with today’s revelation. Mark McGwire took steroids. Can’t say I’m surprised. That was anything but a shocker. Next, the NFL Playoffs are going on. I really do not having an interest in watching teams other than the Giants play, but I do have a rooting interest: the Ravens, who beat the Patriots on Sunday. They are my home state team, and have always been my second favorite team behind the Giants. Come this weekend, I will not be rooting for a Manning, in this case Peyton. I will be rooting for the team that hails from the great state of Maryland.

In college basketball, the unbeatens are falling down. Purdue and Kansas lost a week after Syracuse and West Virginia fell. Kentucky and Texas better be next!

Also, I think I completely forgot to mention the Mets signing of Jason Bay. We needed more stability in the outfield with Carlos Beltran. The Mets have a talented team. They did last year too, but it was an injured talented team. If everyone is healthy, the Mets can be good. Maybe even good enough to keep place with the Phillies.

Speaking of Philadelphia, the Eagles lost. Woo hoo! I strongly dislike them.

Meanwhile, Syracuse basketball has regained their spot at number 5 in the rankings after a brief and unnecessary stay at number 7. A message to Texas, Kentucky, Kansas and Villanova: feel free to lose. Texas, you came out of nowhere. Kentucky, star freshies can only take you so far. Kansas, you are weak just like I knew all along. And lastly, Villanova. Scottie Reynolds: I have no more allegiance to you. Syracuse has more wins and a better loss than you. You guys lost to Temple. I guess you didn’t pray before the game.

Those are all my ramblings for today! Thanks for reading!

Only one team now

Before last year, I had a special rooting interest in several Big East teams, and Syracuse wasn’t one of them. In fact, I often rooted against them. Why? Because Georgetown was playing them. Now, I have a developed hatred towards G’town. But that wasn’t the case about a year ago when I was rooting for them to beat ‘Cuse. I also liked Villanova. I had seen Scottie Reynolds and Jay Wright in Sept. of ’08 and I felt we had a bond even though we had never spoken. Now I can’t stand Villanova. Now, every team that doesn’t start with “Syr” is an enemy. When Georgetown lost 2 days ago to Old Dominion, I was really happy. When ‘Nova lost to Temple a week or so ago, I jumped for joy. And when Syracuse faces those teams and every other team, Big East or not, all previous alliances will go out the door. I will be waiting for the opposing team to get crushed. And when they do, there will be no hurt feelings. Just content.

The tale of the September rest stop

“It’s Scottie Reynolds…I met him.”…”Who?”

Reynolds cuts down the net...

 

...and so does Wright.

Last September, I was on a road trip heading up to New Jersey. I stopped at a rest stop in the Northeast part of Maryland with my family. After we ate, we were heading out. That’s when I saw this small group gathered around a person. You know that feeling you get when you see someone famous? Well, that’s what happened to me when I saw Scottie Reynolds. Of course I immediately recognized him, along with few others in the rest stop. This was back in September. Why would an average Joe recognize him? But now you definitely would. He just led Villanova to the final four. (And to think AU almost beat a final four team). At the rest stop, he was in Villanova gear with his coach, Jay Wright, whom I also recognized (along with probably two other people). But now, in March, you probably know who  Scottie Reynolds is. He was still great in September, but people make a name for themselves in March, not September.

And no, I did not speak to Reynolds or Wright. I chickened out. Wright was standing in front of me at the door for about 4 minutes while Reynolds picked up the car in the pouring rain. I should have said something, but oh well. At least I can say I “met” him. Sort of.

And I knew Pitt wouldn’t make the final four, that’s why I didn’t pick ‘em!

The three M’s: Money, Motocrossed, and Memphis

Yesterday I read an article in Sports Illustrated regarding money and sports. Money obviously remains a huge issue in the world, especially now due to the economy. But these athletes were struggling before this year. Too many athletes do not manage their money effectively. A million here, a million there, it’s all just pennies to them. They need to start learning how money works- it’s time to grow up. And then maybe they wouldn’t have to sell their million dollar homes. Then again, why should some of them grow up? Aren’t 22 year olds still kids? Thats my two cents on athletes and money. Maybe some athletes will give you their “2 million” on how they plan to manage their salaries.

On another note, I was recently watching some Disney Channel Original Movies. No, not High School Musical and all of those dumb ones currently being played. I’m talking about ones from the late 90s and early 2000s. The ones I watched in elementary school, like Motocrossed, Phantom of the Megaplex, and Brink. There are soo many more good ones but I won’t get into them because I would probably lose half of my audience at that point. Basically, sometimes oldies are better than newbies.

On a last note, I am kind of glad that Memphis lost last night. They were not really proven, and they bothered me for no reason. I also can’t believe Duke lost. I mean, Duke is kind of whimpy so I was expecting it. I originally had them in my final four but I had them there on the basis that they would be playing UCLA. AU was supposed to beat Villanova (which they almost did. that is amazing now). UCLA was supposed to win and lose to Duke. Oh well. I’ve got UCONN, Louisville, and UNC left.