VIRGINIA BASKETBALL DEFEATS THE DUCKS
The Cavaliers defeated Oregon last night at home handily, 63-48, without leading scorer and rebounder Mike Scott. I was in the office for the game and heard a whisper Scott was not playing because he had surgery. Sure enough, when looking at the gamecast on espn.com, he was not listed as a starter. I thought our chances to win took a significant hit because of that. They didn't. Although Virginia managed only 14 points in the paint, with big bodies Assane Sene, Will Regan, and Akil Mithcell managing only two combined points, the Cavaliers got contributions from other players to make up for the loss of Scott. The biggest of these was K.T. Harrell, who came alive for a career-high 20 points. I was watching the recording at home after work and there were different parts of the game where he was unconscious. You just knew his shot was falling. Most of his points came on mid-range jumpers, and he finished the game converting 8 of 12 field goals. Mustapha Farrakhan had another solid game, adding 17 points. I honestly didn't know he had that many. That's a great game for him but he was just overshadowed by Harrell. The Cavs also got 12 points--his first points of the year--from a rejuvenated Sammy Zeglinski, who played 22 minutes and also added four rebounds and four assists. Zeglinski had played some minutes in previous games after getting back from surgery, but hadn't really been a factor.
Virginia played stellar defense and a great team game. It will need to play this way until Scott gets back and hopefully then, we can get even better as he gets added back into the mix. Scott is out anywhere from two to four weeks, so he could possibly be back before ACC play really starts against UNC at home on Jan. 8. The Hoos have played well recently despite some injuries--Zeglinski, Will Sherrill and now, Scott. These injuries are pushing bench players into more action, so hopefully the injuries can help these other players develop. Next up, Virginia gets Norfolk State at home on Monday.
--------------------------------------------------------
BOWL GAMES
The bowl season officially kicks off today with three meaningless games--but which are still fun games to watch. There early games often seem to be the most unpredicatable and highest scoring.
2:00
New Mexico Bowl
BYU vs. UTEP
After starting 1-4, BYU finished 6-6. They are the hotter team right now and I like the Cougars to beat the Miners 37-27.
5:30
uDROVE Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Feels like a toss up to me after quickly glancing at the two teams' seasons. Fresno played a slightly tougher schedule and is in the tougher conference this year, so I'll take the Bulldogs over the Huskies, 31-28.
9:00
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy
In looking for an edge in this game, I saw that Ohio rushes the ball better. I'll take it. The MAC is also a stronger conference than the Sun Belt. I'll take the Bobcats over the Trojans, 34-27.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL PICKS
Record: Unknown, but will track it down.
1:00
Washington at Dallas
If the Cowboys can beatdown the Redskins, I can be at peace with this season. Losing twice to the bitter rival would not be good, and add to that the fact we are assured of a losing record, and it's a double whammy. So, although we have played better with Jason Garrett as coach, a win here would be big for the home fans. Dallas has only one home win this year--over Detroit, so it has not been a fun season in Jerry World. Anything Dallas does in this game will be overshadowed by the traveling Washington circus. This week, Mike Shanahan benched Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman. Is McNabb the only player ever to get a nice contract in mid-season then get benched later in the same season? I don't think Grossman will work out, he never has (he reached a Super Bowl, but lets get real, that was because of Chicago's defense). You never though know. Hard to tell what a half-week of preparation in practice could do for the guy. The emergency two-minute drill against the Lions earlier this season wasn't a good indicator of his abilities. Still, I like Dallas, 35-24.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
If the Jags win, they win the division and the Colts probably won't make the playoffs. I like Peyton Manning in a must-win situation at home. Colts 31-27.
New Orleans at Baltimore
The Saints have scored over 30 points in five consecutive games. Not good for a Ravens D struggling to stop offenses right now. I'll take the Saints, 27-24.
Philadelphia at New York Giants
Only one team has beaten the Eagles when they start and finish a game with Michael Vick--the Bears. The Giant defense has allowed just 10 points the past two weeks, but the games were against the Redskins and Vikings. I have this feeling about Philly right now so I'm going with my gut. Eagles win a huge NFC East contest 24-21.
4:15
New York Jets at Pittsburgh
The Jets have scored nine points over the past two weeks. They run the ball well, but Pitt stops the run better than anyone. I don't like a game to rest in Mark Sanchez's hands right now, even if it is against Pitt's shaky pass D. Steelers win 17-9.
The Cavaliers defeated Oregon last night at home handily, 63-48, without leading scorer and rebounder Mike Scott. I was in the office for the game and heard a whisper Scott was not playing because he had surgery. Sure enough, when looking at the gamecast on espn.com, he was not listed as a starter. I thought our chances to win took a significant hit because of that. They didn't. Although Virginia managed only 14 points in the paint, with big bodies Assane Sene, Will Regan, and Akil Mithcell managing only two combined points, the Cavaliers got contributions from other players to make up for the loss of Scott. The biggest of these was K.T. Harrell, who came alive for a career-high 20 points. I was watching the recording at home after work and there were different parts of the game where he was unconscious. You just knew his shot was falling. Most of his points came on mid-range jumpers, and he finished the game converting 8 of 12 field goals. Mustapha Farrakhan had another solid game, adding 17 points. I honestly didn't know he had that many. That's a great game for him but he was just overshadowed by Harrell. The Cavs also got 12 points--his first points of the year--from a rejuvenated Sammy Zeglinski, who played 22 minutes and also added four rebounds and four assists. Zeglinski had played some minutes in previous games after getting back from surgery, but hadn't really been a factor.
Virginia played stellar defense and a great team game. It will need to play this way until Scott gets back and hopefully then, we can get even better as he gets added back into the mix. Scott is out anywhere from two to four weeks, so he could possibly be back before ACC play really starts against UNC at home on Jan. 8. The Hoos have played well recently despite some injuries--Zeglinski, Will Sherrill and now, Scott. These injuries are pushing bench players into more action, so hopefully the injuries can help these other players develop. Next up, Virginia gets Norfolk State at home on Monday.
--------------------------------------------------------
BOWL GAMES
The bowl season officially kicks off today with three meaningless games--but which are still fun games to watch. There early games often seem to be the most unpredicatable and highest scoring.
2:00
New Mexico Bowl
BYU vs. UTEP
After starting 1-4, BYU finished 6-6. They are the hotter team right now and I like the Cougars to beat the Miners 37-27.
5:30
uDROVE Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Feels like a toss up to me after quickly glancing at the two teams' seasons. Fresno played a slightly tougher schedule and is in the tougher conference this year, so I'll take the Bulldogs over the Huskies, 31-28.
9:00
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy
In looking for an edge in this game, I saw that Ohio rushes the ball better. I'll take it. The MAC is also a stronger conference than the Sun Belt. I'll take the Bobcats over the Trojans, 34-27.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL PICKS
Record: Unknown, but will track it down.
1:00
Washington at Dallas
If the Cowboys can beatdown the Redskins, I can be at peace with this season. Losing twice to the bitter rival would not be good, and add to that the fact we are assured of a losing record, and it's a double whammy. So, although we have played better with Jason Garrett as coach, a win here would be big for the home fans. Dallas has only one home win this year--over Detroit, so it has not been a fun season in Jerry World. Anything Dallas does in this game will be overshadowed by the traveling Washington circus. This week, Mike Shanahan benched Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman. Is McNabb the only player ever to get a nice contract in mid-season then get benched later in the same season? I don't think Grossman will work out, he never has (he reached a Super Bowl, but lets get real, that was because of Chicago's defense). You never though know. Hard to tell what a half-week of preparation in practice could do for the guy. The emergency two-minute drill against the Lions earlier this season wasn't a good indicator of his abilities. Still, I like Dallas, 35-24.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
If the Jags win, they win the division and the Colts probably won't make the playoffs. I like Peyton Manning in a must-win situation at home. Colts 31-27.
New Orleans at Baltimore
The Saints have scored over 30 points in five consecutive games. Not good for a Ravens D struggling to stop offenses right now. I'll take the Saints, 27-24.
Philadelphia at New York Giants
Only one team has beaten the Eagles when they start and finish a game with Michael Vick--the Bears. The Giant defense has allowed just 10 points the past two weeks, but the games were against the Redskins and Vikings. I have this feeling about Philly right now so I'm going with my gut. Eagles win a huge NFC East contest 24-21.
4:15
New York Jets at Pittsburgh
The Jets have scored nine points over the past two weeks. They run the ball well, but Pitt stops the run better than anyone. I don't like a game to rest in Mark Sanchez's hands right now, even if it is against Pitt's shaky pass D. Steelers win 17-9.
Comments
Post a Comment