Same Butler, New Bulldogs

Butler launched onto the scene last year, become America's darling with a young coach and players who hustled and fought on every possession. This year's team may not have as many offensive threats with the loss of Gordon Hayward and Avery Jukes, but key roles players like Mack, Howard, and Nored have kept the Bulldog toughness intact. This years team focuses more on defense, especially helping on the weak side and switching on pick and roles. Coach Stevens has really elevated the communication on both sides of the floor, especially when it comes to defense. On the other side of the ball, Matt Howard is still a presence is the post, except he isn't usually found there alot. Now, with the development of a 3 point shot, Howard gives another long range shooter to go with Shelvin Mack and Zach Hahn. Sophomore Andrew Smith has shown significant improvement down low, which means Howard can play outside in the 4 -out offense. Smith and Howard will have their hands full with Florida's bigs, but the key to me is if Vanzant and Mack manage to slow the break of the Florida guards.

Pujols Possible Suitors

Well, the Lebron like sweeptakes for #5 begins this spring and will continue all the way to around early December for a total of 9 months. Here's a look at the suitors who could sign Albert next year, not named the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cubs- I think most people would be in agreement that the Cubs will be throwing the kitchen sink at this guy, especially to get him away from a division rival. Lots of contracts come off the books for the Cubbies and he would be the most anticipated athlete to come to Chicago since Cutler....o wait...lets go Jordan after his first retirement.

Nationals- The Nats got the dough, but can they convince Albert to come to a struggling franchise? A lot will depend on how they do this year, especially with the addition of Jayson Werth.

Mets- People are speculating already 30- plus million a year for Pujols. The Mets, i can see, can go closer to high 30's and possible 40.

Yanks- You can never really count these guys out. Even with Teixeira, they might find a taker for him or move him to DH.

My BCS Playoff System

There have been plenty of calls for a playoff system, so here is my idea.

• My idea is a 12 team playoff, with the top 4 teams receiving byes.
• The standings would be based off the 6 automatic conference winners and then the remaining teams would have their seed's determined by how high their BCS ranking is.
• For example, this year's top 4 teams with byes would be Auburn, Oregon, TCU, and Stanford. Wisconsin, Oklahoma, VT, and Uconn would be the next highest seeds and host 1st round games, with Arkansas, Boise St, Ohio St, and Michigan St rounding out the final 12. The only flaw is LSU getting snubbed, who is a mere .0003 behind Boise St. But that's a debate for another time.
• People worrying about the major bowls disappearing should stop. The semifinals can be the Orange and Sugar Bowls, with the Rose and Sugar Bowls picking 1st round losers to compete in their bowls.
• Note- If a playoff system were to be installed, it would likely be a 4 or 8 team playoff before more expansion is made.

MLB Offseason Activity

Here are 6 big time free agents and their possible landing spots, plus 3 trades that could happen.

1. Adam Dunn- Future team: White Sox- Other Suitors; Cubs, Nationals, and Tigers.

With Paul Konerko likely gone, Kenny Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf won't hesitate to pay the left handed power hitter( who they've always wanted) the big bucks.

2. Carl Crawford-Angels-Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers.

After LA missed the playoffs last year, they will definitely be looking to upgrade their team, especially with an explosive leadoff hitter. Crawford fits in perfectly.

3. Cliff Lee-Yankees- Nationals, Cubs, Rangers- Unless Lee falls in love with Arlington or another city, i don't see how he turns down Sabathia-type money.

4. Paul Konerko-Red Sox- White Sox, Tigers, Diamondback, and Angels.

As much as i don't want to see Pauly go, i think he bolts to the Red Sox if they offer him ridiculous money. The Angels could get involved too if they lose out to Crawford.

5. Victor Martinez-Red Sox- Tigers, Rangers, White Sox.

I think this is almost a lock, as the Red Sox love him and he loves Boston back. The Chi Sox could get involved too if they lose both AJ and Pauly.

6. Adrian Beltre- A's- Red Sox Tigers and Angels-Beltre will want too much from Boston, but the A's will be waving that 4 year deal right in front of him.

Trades that may be on teams' radars:

Adrian Gonzalez to Cubs-Even with a winning record last year, the Padres will shop Gonzalez from now till July 31. This would be a great move for the Cubs, but is the asking price too much?

Justin Upton to Boston- The D'backs are shopping him, as they look to clean out house. There is still plenty of potential in this kid.

Zach Greinke to Rangers- With the Rangers probably losing out on Cliff Lee, the Royals will listen to offers for Zach, but its a steep cost.

World Series 2010

After 7 grueling months, 2 teams are left standing, fighting for the ultimate prize. I break down some key components and a prediction for the Rangers-Giants series.

Big Question- Is Cliff Lee hittable?- In only 3 starts this postseason, Lee has 34 strikeouts and only one BB. He has proven to be the most dominant pitcher in this year's postseason. Even more bad news for the Giants: He might start 3 game this series.

Mystery player- Cody Ross and Juan Uribe provided the offense the Giants needed in the NLCS. The Giants will need one of their big hitters to step up in order for them to compete this series. Will it be stand out rookie Buster Posey? Veterans Aubrey Huff or Pat Burrell? One thing that is certain is that they can't rely on Ross and Uribe again.

Key match up- Giant's starting pitchers vs Ranger's lineup- The Rangers lineup has been surging this entire postseason, as their contribution is coming from top to bottom. The pitching for San Francisco has been good also, as Lincecum and Matt Cain need to make a statement to this lineup in the opening games at home.

Prediction- Even with home field advantage, i see the Giants falling to the Rangers in 7. I think Texas finally gets that long awaited championship for new owner Nolan Ryan, and veteran and well deserving Micheal Young steps up to win MVP.

MLB Postseason Picks

The long season has finally ended, but now a new season starts for 8 teams, all with dreams and hopes set for 11 wins. My picks:

Rangers vs Rays: Best match up of the Divisional Series. Ranger's high powered offense meets a solid 1-4 rotation in the Rays. Rays in 5

Twins vs Yankees: Twins have been the hottest team in baseball, but can their pitching handle the Yank's bats? Yanks in 3

Yankees vs Rays: AL Foes meet once again to decide who represents the AL. Home field will be big for the Rays, as they'll need the crowd on their side. With that, i still see the Yankees finding a way to get it done. Yankees in 7

Reds vs Phillies: Reds haven't been talked about a lot lately, but i think they will give the Phils a run for their money. Phillies in 5

Braves vs Giants: Everyone is liking the Giants with their pitching, but i still think there might be a fault in it, especially in their bullpen. The Braves will need to come out swinging to get it done. Braves in 4

Braves vs Phillies: Phillies have the best rotation in the majors, which gives them a major advantage. But i see emotion playing a big part for the Braves, with this being Bobby Cox last year, and they get the skipper one more shot at the big one. Braves in 7

Braves vs Yankees: Its not the AL East vs NL East showdown everyone expected, but still should be a good one. Braves will be riding high after shocking the Phils. Yankees pitching will be key, as their starting pitching will need to go deep and spare the bullpen some innings. Yankees in 6

MNF: Packers vs Bears

Some of my thoughts after the thrilling game at Soldier Field:

• The big play for the Bears D finally came, and it wasn't a second too late. All game we were waiting for that turnover the Bears needed, and it never came. But leave it to Briggs and Urlacher to set up the win for Da Bears
• The Packers were dominate on the field, but their own mistakes ultimately cost them the game. 17 yellow flags is ridiculous and undisciplined for a team that is predicted to make it to Dallas in February. 3 interceptions were overturned because of penalties, which led to second chances for the Bears to put points on the board.
• If you haven't notice by man, Jay Cutler is a man. He takes so many hits and then never gets into his line's face. Sure, he has his outbursts, but he knows how to control himself and get back into the huddle calmly.
• DEVIN HESTER. Is he back? He sure looked like he was. Check back in a couple of weeks to see if he is old Devin again.
• Aaron Rodgers is as valuable to the Pack, as Peyton is to the Colts. He knows how to perfectly place balls in coverage and how to change it up at the line. Plus his mobility, wow! The Bears looked like they had him multiple times, and he wasn't even sacked once!
• The most amusing part for me was during the most tense part, ironically. The squib kick at the end of the game, and the Packers committing forward lateral passes. By the third forward pass, the ref was out of flags and used his own hat to end the game.

2012 Olympics

Team USA win of the FIBA World Championships was pure dominance. This tournament however, was merely a tryout for some rising stars trying to make the 2012 Summer Olympic squad. Looking forward, here are the names i expect to compete in 2012:

James

Durant

Bryant

Paul

Bosh

Deron Williams

Anthony

Rose

Stoudemire

Howard

Wade

Griffin

Nyjer Morgan

If Cub's fans thought Milton Bradley was bad, think again. Nyjer Morgan topped off his eventful two weeks with a straight out brawl against Marlin's pitcher Chris Volstad. This is 4 incidents for the young National's CF in only a span of 12 games. He also recently threw a ball into the stands in Philly, which hit a fan( which is under investigation) and ran over Cardinal's and Marlin's catchers, with the latter sparking the brawl for the next night. Even Morgan's manager called him out, saying his actions with the catcher was unnecessary. Morgan is looking at a maximum suspension of possibly 15 games but the more reasonable is 7-10 games. Morgan was thrown at in his first plate appearance on Wednesday due to running into the catcher the day before. He said he expected that, but when he was thrown at again, he felt that was it and he went at Volstad. Morgan landed a punch, but before he knew it, Gabby Sanchez and the rest of the Marlins were on top of him in a pile. The Nats brought Morgan in to provide speed and versatility, but Nyjer has provided some not-needed late season drama.

Missing: #1 player in the world

News flash: Tiger is no longer Tiger. That's right. No one ever saw this coming, as Tiger Woods is starting to come down to earth and below. Tiger is struggling beyond belief, and rightfully so with the past year he has had to endured. There is a chance Tiger doesn't even qualify for the Ryder cup, which is embarrassing on his part. People keep debating if whether the real,dominant Tiger will ever emerge again and catch Jack and his 18 majors. That's up to Tiger. He has to remain focus and needs to practice more. Even Tiger has said he hasn't put much work ethic out on the practice course, which is understandable. The fact is, Tiger can reach his "Tiger status" again, but the effort and focus he puts into it while climbing that ladder will be the difference maker.

Team USA

There are 22 players in USA summer camp competing for 12 roster spots for the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this September. Here are my 12 players to make the team:

Guard-

Rondo

Rose

Billups

Evans

Westbrook

Foward-

Durant

Odom

Wallace

Gay

Bigs-

Love

Lopez

McGee

World Cup Recap

Before the World Cup, i was hardly a Soccer fan. I could care less who did what in the Europe League or how qualifying went. Now, this past month i have really gotten into the sport. Here are some of the moments that really stood out to me over this past month.

1. The U.S. Run: They actually won the group stage and the game against Algeria was pure storybook.
2. Switzerland over Spain: No one in a million years expected this. Im pretty sure Spain forgot about this already.
3. French Team: What a joke, they make the Minnesota T'Wolves look like a true team.

Best Player: Forlan, Uruguay- 5 goals and made an average team reach the semis.

Biggest Surprise: No African team went deep into the tournament except Ghana.

Biggest Disappointment: the 2006 finalist teams( Italy/France) failed to make it to the knockout stage.

Best Game: Ghana vs Uruguay-EPIC

Most annoying- vuvuzelas

Best Celebration dance- South African team after scoring first goal of the tournament.