Archive for June, 2013
CWS 2013: Power Ranking Top Championship Contenders
The 2013 College World Series began over the weekend, and a number of high-profile upsets and shocking results have already shifted the balance of power in Omaha. North Carolina, the nation’s No. 1 team and the tournament’s No. 1 seed, has already been stunned by NC State and has an uphill road to get into the championship series. Heading into Monday’s slate of games, let’s take a look at a few of the top competitors, ...
College World Series 2013: Game-Changers to Watch in Monday’s Matchups
Mississippi State and Indiana will compete in the 2013 College World Series to stay in the winner’s bracket after Louisville and Oregon State fight to stay alive. The Cardinals face off against the Beavers at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, June 17. At 8 p.m. that evening, the Bulldogs will take on the Hoosiers. Here are the greatest game-changers to watch in these showdowns. 3. LF Michael Conforto, Oregon StateThe Beavers nearly defeated Mississippi ...
USC Basketball: Looking at the Trojan Newcomers for the 2013 Season
When Galen Central reported Maryland point guard Pe’Shon Howard announced he was transferring to USC to be closer to family last week, the Trojans wrapped up a year of recruiting with seven incoming prospects. While there is a mix of freshmen and transfers in this recruiting class, each of them has the chance to make an impact for head coach Andy Enfield. Some will contribute immediately. Others may have to wait, whether it’s through player ...
One Question Each of College Basketball’s Top 20 Players Must Answer in 2014
The offseason is usually a time for optimism, but the biggest stars in college basketball know that it’s also a time for facing and addressing weaknesses. As much preparation as players can (and will) do in the summer, some questions can only be answered on the floor when the season tips off in November. One such unknown is the offensive ability of Ohio State defensive ace Aaron Craft. Will his senior year be the time ...
Michigan State Basketball: 5 Lessons Learned About Spartans This Offseason
The offseason is a time in which teams pose questions.The regular season is when they are answered. Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans are preparing for what promises to be a fruitful 2013-14 campaign. Other than the departure of Derrick Nix, Izzo's team should be similar this year as it was during this past season. Leadership is always a concern for Izzo, a coach whose methods of developing floor generals is tried and true. Michigan State is in ...
College World Series 2013: UCLA and the Most Overrated Squads
The 2013 College World Series is underway, and some of the pretenders are already being separated from the contenders.The herd has been trimmed down to eight, so it's hard to say that any of the teams in CWS are bad. You need to have everything in order to escape the regionals and super regionals.Still, there are plenty of teams that do not deserve the hype they're receiving. Here are three such teams. UCLA BruinsIf you're looking ...
Duke Basketball: 5 Lessons Learned About Blue Devils This Offseason
Basketball is constantly changing. In Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski’s 30-plus years as Duke’s head coach, he has made sure to adapt to the sport’s changing landscape. For fans who follow the Blue Devils closely, it’s imperative to take note of the offseason events that indicate Duke’s approach to the state of basketball. Successes and failures provide insight on the larger picture that the program is attempting to develop. From recruiting to player development, these are ...
College World Series 2013: Ranking the 5 Teams with Best Shot at Title
With just eight teams remaining, the College World Series is dangerously close to crowning its champion. With that being said, some teams have separated themselves and made this competition more lopsided than we'd previously presumed.So who are the teams with the best shot at the title?Certain squads may not have performed at an elite level during the regular season, but they've come to life at the College World Series. Other teams have been brilliant all ...
North Carolina Basketball: 5 Lessons Learned About Tar Heels This Offseason
It's been a pretty busy offseason behind the scenes at North Carolina. As negative as the news of P.J. Hairston's arrest was, there are plenty of positives we're beginning to see at UNC—especially with the younger Tar Heels.Through workout routines, pickup games and some eye-opening conversations with the media, we are beginning to see what these young players are made of. These are some classy guys with the work ethic it takes to reach their ...
The 10 Commandments for Incoming College Basketball Freshmen
The beginning of college is both an exciting and nerve-wracking time, whether you are a star basketball recruit or the chemistry department’s newest test tube expert. That being said, there are rules to follow. And chances are if you are on the basketball court in front of tens of thousands of people every game, your ability to follow (or not follow) those rules will be magnified a bit more than if you are the chemistry ...