January 31, 2012 - Last Word On Sports

A Week of Upsets

Posted on January 31, 2012November 4, 2021 by taketheleap

The Iowa State Cyclones beating #5 Kansas were just one of the crazy upsets this past week.

Well now, that was an interesting week. Let’s just get right to it and our Points of Interest from the past week:

Connecticut (was #24) lost their third straight to unranked Notre Dame, Sunday afternoon, 50-48. The loss drops UConn to 14-6 and out of the Top 25.
Kansas State (was #22) dropped to unranked Oklahoma on Saturday, 63-60. The loss also drops them out of the Top 25.
Speaking of the great state of Oklahoma, their other major university, Oklahoma State knocked off the #2 Missouri Tigers, 79-72, Wednesday night.
The lead image says it all: #5 Kansas walked into Iowa State, home of the Cyclones and were simply outplayed, 72-64. “Not in Kansas anymore”, indeed.
San Diego State (formerly #13) fell to Colorado State, 77-60, Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Aztecs to #17.
Former #9 Georgetown loss to the roller-coaster Pittsburgh Panthers, 72-60, Saturday night.
Indiana (was #16) fell to #25 Wisconsin, in one of two ranked team losses this past week. Indiana falls to #20, Wisconsin moves up to #19.
The other ranked vs ranked loss came to Mississippi State, by way of the Florida Gators. The Bulldogs slip to #22 while Florida moves to #12.
The consensus “worst team in the country”, the Towson Tigers, got their first win this past Saturday over NC Wilmington, 66-61. The win snaps the Tigers 22-game losing streak, improving their record to 1-22.
The sole remaining undefeated team, Murray State, remains perfect at 21-0. They move up to #10 in the AP Poll.

This week promises some great matchups; here are your Games of Interest:

#20 Indiana goes to #23 Michigan; Wednesday, 6:30 EST.
#14 Georgetown welcome formerly ranked Connecticut, a game the Huskies will look to snap their three-game losing streak. Tip is Wednesday, 7PM EST.
#15 Marquette travels down to the still-hot Notre Dame Fighting Irish; with a win against Marquette, the Irish look to crack the Top 25. Tip is Saturday, 1PM EST.
#12 Florida hosts #25 Vanderbilt, Saturday, 1PM EST.
#16 Virginia travels to the surprising #21 Florida State; tip is Saturday, 1PM EST.
#4 Missouri hosts #8 Kansas, Saturday, 9PM EST.
#3 Ohio State at #19 Wisconsin, Saturday, 2PM EST.
#9 Michigan State hosts cross-state rivals #23 Michigan, Sunday, 1PM EST; this week could make or break the Big Blue’s season.

This is the point of the season where the contenders rise and the pretenders fall. With eight great games this coming week, five of them on Saturday, I am pretty sure my Saturday viewing schedule is planned out.

… and that’s the last word.

Mid-Week in the Serie A

Posted on January 31, 2012November 4, 2021 by Frank Giuliano

Week 20 Review of the Serie A

This past weekend, there was an incredible upset at the Stadio Via del Mare where US Lecce defeated Internazionale FC 1-0 to put an end to the Nerazurri’s winning streak at 7 games in Serie A. A very slow AC Milan cruised by Cagliari 3-0 at the San Siro. SS Lazio jumps ahead of Inter in the standings with a 3-0 win at Chievo Verona. Despite having a 3-0 lead, Genoa FC defeated SSC Napoli 3-2 at the Marassi Stadium. Last and absolutely not least, Juventus FC defeated Udinese Calcio at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. This was a heck of a game! Good flow, plenty of chances for both teams and incredible saves from both keepers. This is how soccer should be played!

Mid Week Action – Week 21 Preview

We start off in Parma where league leader and still unbeaten, Juventus FC visit Parma FC at the Stadio Tardini. Last meeting between these 2 sides, the Bianconeri pummelled the Gialloblu 4-1. However, the last time Juventus lost a Serie A match was against none other than Parma. Ex-Juventino player Sebastian Giovinco will be in the line up for Parma. The Ducali will be lucky to get out of this fixture with a tie (my pick – Juventus).

Internazionale FC v US Città di Palermo. The Nerazzurri’s winning streak came to an end against US Lecce and thus, will be looking forward to bounce back in the win column. The first encounter this season was a 7-goal thriller with the Rosanero coming edging Inter to victory, 4-3. This time, it is expected to be very different as the Nerazzurri are currently in fine form. Having fan support at the San Siro as well should prove to be too much for Palermo to handle (my pick – Inter).

Udinese Calcio v US Lecce. Udinese is coming off a hard fought loss to Juventus at the weekend. Lecce, on the other hand, is coming off a huge upset against Inter. Udinese boasts a strong home record as they have only lost 1 game so far this year at the Stadio Friuli where it’s proven to be difficult to score against the bianconeri of Udine. The giallorossi of Lecce will not be pushovers though and will be aiming to get a second upset this week (my pick – Udinese).

SS Lazio v AC Milan. The Biancocelesti will be looking for revenge against the Diavoli after their Coppa Italia elimination at the hands of the Rossoneri. Oddly enough, Lazio has one of the worst home records in Serie A. Milan has to deal with their own issues as well, as there are plenty of injuries in the midfield. The Milan players have looked rather slow and sluggish at times this season and will have to be alert if they plan to stop Hernanes and Klose. However, with the experience the Milanisti have, they should still be able to give Lazio a run for their money. I expect a tough game for both teams. Even though Lazio’s home record is not impressive, they always play hard against the Rossoneri, the motivation is there as well as the fan support at the Stadio Olimpico (my pick – tie).

That’s the last word!

Week 20		29 Jan 2012
Catania	1 – 1	Parma
Cesena	0 – 1	Atalanta
Chievo	0 – 3	Lazio
Fiorentina	2 – 1	Siena
Genoa	3 – 2	Napoli
Juventus	2 – 1	Udinese
Lecce	1 – 0	Inter
Milan	3 – 0	Cagliari
Palermo	2 – 0	Novara
Roma	1 – 1	Bologna

Week 21 01 Feb 2012 (19.45 UK)
Atalanta	–	Genoa
Bologna	–	Fiorentina
Cagliari	–	Roma
Inter	–	Palermo
Lazio	–	Milan
Napoli	–	Cesena
Novara	–	Chievo(Thu 19.45)
Parma	Preview	Juventus(Tue 19.45)
Siena	–	Catania
Udinese	–	Lecce

FIXTURES
Week 22 05 Feb 2012
Cesena	–	Catania
Chievo	–	Parma
Fiorentina	–	Udinese
Genoa	–	Lazio
Juventus	–	Siena
Lecce	–	Bologna
Milan	–	Napoli
Novara	–	Cagliari
Palermo	–	Atalanta
Roma	–	Inter

A Comprehensive Look at the NHL: Playoff-Bound (Part 2/5)

Posted on January 31, 2012November 4, 2021 by Grant Alexander

Welcome back! Yesterday we took a look at which teams are true contenders; that is, those teams I believe will not only finish the regular season strong, but will make considerable runs at the Stanley Cup. Let’s continue by taking a look at teams bound for the playoffs.

Playoff Bound

This category is for teams that shouldn’t have too much trouble making the playoffs, but might not be considered legitimate Stanley Cup threats at this time. Look for possible line tweaks as these teams prepare to take on the heavy hitters listed above.

New York Rangers

The Rangers are atop the Eastern Conference in points, and I’m sure your asking yourself why they were not included in the Contender category. Well to put it simply, I don’t think they’re good enough. I didn’t to start the season, and I don’t think so now despite their impressive record. King Henrik does have the ability to steal games, and has proven that throughout his career, but I don’t see big playoff goals coming from this roster. They have an excellent, young, blue-collar defense. That, combined with Ludqvist, combined with their team defense has them as the only team that’s allowed fewer than 100 goals to this point. It’s pretty impressive, but I think they are going to need a few more guys that can put the puck in the net if they are going to make a run at the cup. Maybe they can make a few additions down the stretch. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 8.5 to 1.

Washington

I don’t know what to make of this team. They are poised to win another divisional title, but are well off the pace with the other top teams in the conference. I know Backstrom is a huge loss, and so is Mike Green (although he should be back soon), but this team is still better than their record shows, and way better than their ‘’goals for” stat shows. Nobody’s putting the puck in the net! I know they have a goalie now, and are embracing team defense, but it’s their high-powered offense that has made them such a threat over the last few years. I know Ovi is not producing the way he should, but he’s not the only one. I don’t see the Caps going deep this year with no Backstrom and low production, but hopefully things come around for them. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 19 to 1.

Ottawa

Ottawa seemed to rebuild while nobody was looking. Many (including myself), thought that it would take a few years and that they wouldn’t be competitive until that time. They are definitely proving us wrong! The additions of young stars like, Karlsson, Greening, Condra, Cowen, Turris, Butler, and Smith, have bolstered their roster in record time. The youth movement has also helped the veterans on the team find their game. Michalek has emerged as a serious threat with the puck, and Spezza has returned to his All-Star form. The biggest surprise though has to be Alfredsson, who at 39 years old is playing like he’s in his 20’s. This team is still a few years away from being anything close to a cup threat, but good on them for staying competitive while they get there. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 34 to 1.

Detroit

Detroit seems to be beating the system right now as they lead the league in points with a team made up of players in their mid to late 30’s. Oh, and a captain in his 40’s! Don’t get me wrong these players are uber talented and they do have a strong tradition of winning. I just don’t think they will be able to go the distance at their collective age. But, I have been proven wrong before, and I’m sure I will be again. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 8 to 1.

St. Louis

Now here is an exciting team, and one that I have been waiting to emerge ever since they showed their young talent back in ’09 with a brief playoff appearance. Well that young team is finally starting to hit their prime with their core now in their mid 20’s. Couple that with the best goaltending tandem in the league and you have a recipe for success. I don’t think they quite have the talent to mount a cup run, but they do definitely have the grit to get there. I think some tweaking in the off-season could turn this team into a serious contender. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 14 to 1.

Nashville

When you think of Nashville, you think of defense. They have one of the best goaltenders in the league in Rinne, and arguable the best defensive pairing in the league in Weber and Suter. And their top two prospects on the team are also a goalie and defenseman (Lindback, and Ellis). So where’s the offense? Well, that’s the question. They did add a proven sniper in Mike Fisher, but it’s not enough. Defense does win championships, but not over teams that have both. Hopefully these guys can pick up the pieces they need down the stretch cause otherwise they may be looking at another early exit. Vegas odds of winning the Stanley Cup are 15 to 1.

Well, there you have it – the list of teams destined for the playoffs, but perhaps not to go very deep therein. Check back tomorrow where we take a look at teams “On the Bubble”.

…and that is the last word.

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: January 31, 2012

A Week of Upsets

Mid-Week in the Serie A

A Comprehensive Look at the NHL: Playoff-Bound (Part 2/5)