Dunk of the Week

It's been awhile since our last Dunk of the Week... but this should make up for it.  Blake Griffin goes soaring over Marcin Gortat for a monster jam, but gets called for the offensive foul.  (Questionable...)

More Madness: Arizona can beat Duke

Arizona's Derek Williams and the Wildcats are poised to continue their deep run in the NCAA Tourney 

Arizona is back.  After missing their first NCAA tournament in 25 years last season, the Wildcats, led by sophomore Derrick Williams, are poised to continue their deep run in the 2011 tourney.  After two close wins over Memphis and a talented Texas team, the PAC-10 regular season champs are set to face off with ACC Champion Duke in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.

Duke, the defending NCAA Champions, and #1 seed in the "West" bracket (they've played their previous games in Charlotte, North Carolina), are favored by 9 in Vegas.  A perennial powerhouse, the Blue Devils' combination of superb coaching and on-court talent are as good as gets.  Lead by Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, and with the return of freshman phenom Kyrie Irving, many have Duke penciled into the Final Four.   After closer inspection, however, it might be the Wildcats who paving their way to Houston.

Arizona's Williams is the most talented player on the court just about every night, and Thursday will be no exception.  Despite boasting the nations 6th best defense, Duke simply does not have a player who can match up with Williams.  Yes, they are physical, but that won't be enough to stop the sophomore. Williams has taken advantage of physical teams all season, and he leads the nation in free throw attempts.  Moreover, Duke's lack of depth at the forward position will only be magnified if (or when) one of them gets into foul trouble.  This is exactly what the Wildcats were able to do to a Texas team with far more talent at the forward position.   If Duke does fall in to foul trouble, they are likely to get dominated on the boards, as they rank 177th in the NCAA in defensive rebounding.  If Arizona can create second and third shot opportunities, and limit Dukes positions, they just may have a chance to reach their first Elite 8 since 2005.

It isn't just Arizona's post presence that will give them a shot at moving on, though.  Despite no true star-power, Arizona ranks 11th from behind the arc and they defend the deep ball just as well.  In fact, they shot a staggering 57% from three against the nations second best 3-point defense in Texas.  Duke, on the other hand, struggled shooting 3's against the talented, yet hardly prolific defense of Michigan.  Unfortunately for Blue Devil's fans, the Wildcats are second best in the nation at defending the three this season.  Duke lives and dies by the 3, and if they can't find a way to get open looks -- and sink them-- we may see yet another upset in this crazy NCAA tournament.

To be clear, I'm not saying Arizona WILL beat the Blue Devils... or not even that they SHOULD.  But if they go out and execute Thursday, anything can happen

MarQueis Gray on Success

There are a wide variety of teams in society; sports teams, work teams, debate teams, etc. There are many key qualities that are essential in the development of a successful team; including things like (but not limited to): teamwork, communication, sportsmanship, ethics, trust, inclusion, commitment, goals, responsibility, accountability, vision, etc.

Gophers star Marqueis Gray

Here is Marqueis Gray's response to a series of questions about success and leading a successful team.

 What do you think are the 5 most important qualities in creating a successful team.

MG – Discipline, Character, Trust, Hard work, and Pride

 How would you define those qualities in your own words?

MG – Discipline is being able to do things the right way, being in control of your own actions, bring respectful and responsible. Character is representing yourself in a proper manner as if you were interviewing for a job plus being a great teammate. Also being MATURE.  Trust - each guy on the field has to believe in the player next to them in order for things to go right. Off the field they have to look after and protect each other like brother’s. Hard work - a team that doesn’t work hard is not a team. Working hard is the key to building the confidence in the players and glue to holding the team together in the 4th quarter when they are tired and beat up. (both physically and mentally). Pride - is everyone with a uniform on playing together for the name on the “FRONT” of the jersey and not the “BACK”. Listening to each other, not cheating themselves, taking steps forward and not steps back.

Can you give a specific example of how you have exemplified each quality in a previous experience?

MG – These qualities are what showed up in those last two games of the season last year, and so far still remain with us in our conditioning workouts. I can say that there were more qualities but these are the ones that I feel mattered the most in “MY EYES”.

Fallout from the Chara Hit: Does the NHL Need Reform?

Pacioretty, just seconds after the collision (vancouversun.com)

On Tuesday evening, many NHL fans saw one of the most devastating collisions all season.  With just 15.8 seconds remaining in the second period, Bruins Defenseman Zdeno Chara slammed rival Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty into the boards, leaving Pacioretty motionless on the ice.  Chara was issued a 5 minute major and a game misconduct while Pacioretty was quickly rushed to the hospital.  Fortunately, Pacioretty seems to be in stable condition, diagnosed with a severe concussion and a small fracture in his fourth cervical vertebra. It is uncertain how long he will be in the hospital, although it is very likely he is out for the remainder of the 2011 season, or longer.  


Chara was not suspended or fined by the league for his hit, and surprisingly, that's the right decision.  The thing is, while Chara's hit was a big one (and the two do have a history), it wasn't a violent hit.  Chara isn't a dirty player (physical, yes but not dirty).  The two players were fighting to get position on the puck when Chara got one last shove in before Pacioretty met the plexiglass.  The interference call and even the game misconduct were the correct calls, but nothing more should, or will, come of it.  


The incident, however, is hardly the only one the league has seen lately.  On January 5th, a high hit to the head left one of the games biggest stars, Sidney Crosby, out indefinitely.  Last year, Florida's David Booth was hospitalized after a scary open-ice hit from Flyers center Mike Richards.  Similarly, Penguins Matt Cooke knocked Boston's Mark Savaard out.  These hits, among others, prompted the league to install "Rule 48", officially banning hits to the head.  Yet the surprising thing is, while hits to the head are down, concussions are actually up since Rule 48 was put in place.

SportsBank - Back in action

Hey everyone,

Sorry there haven't been any posts lately! I had midterm exams followed by a week on the Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean cruise (amazing).  But I'm back and ready to roll now, so hope you enjoy!

Tom