Link-O-Rama

EDIT: David Haugh makes the case for why shopping defensive end Alex Brown is insane. Jerry Angelo needs to read this. And since I know Jerry reads ACSS, and not the Tribune, linking it here is the obvious answer.

Andy Staples has the Best of Omar Samhan at CNNSI:

"Are those cameras on? [Looking directly into camera.] I love you, Taylor. You should call me.

"I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan. I listen to her before games. People think it's weird. But there is so much emotion and excitement before these games, it just kind of slows you down. And it keeps me mellow, because I'm just like a time bomb waiting to go off. So it keeps me mellow. Taylor, I feel like she's singing to me sometimes."

[EDIT: What's that, Omar? You want me to post a picture of Taylor Swift to comfort you after the Baylor game? Consider it done.]

[Michael Farber with a feature on the Hawks' Dustin Byfuglien.

Dan Patrick interview with Bill Raftery...

Top Five Chicago Bears Games of the Decade

Bill Simmons on using the tourney to evaluate draft status (of course, he would be thinking of the NBA during March Madness).

Another Weekend of Upsets Coming?

Think about this. Almost every single matchup in the Sweet Sixteen is primed for an upset today and tomorrow. Here's how I'd rank the probability of it actually happening:

1. (5) Butler over (1) Syracuse *game in progress

So far, Butler is managing to dictate the pace of the game. If they can keep forcing turnovers, which they've been great at all year, and maybe make a few threes, this is really Butler's game to lose against a Syracuse squad that may really start missing Arinze Onoaku in an hour or so.

2. (6) Xavier over (2) Kansas State

Jordan Crawford has been one of the best players in the tourney all year, and his teammates are playing great, too. Xavier was arguably underseeded as a six. However, K-State has looked tough and clutch, with quality guard play and guys willing to do the dirty work. Plus, Frank Martin is a psycho. Should be a great game.

3. (11) Washington over (2) West Virginia *game in progress

Washington is one of the hottest teams in the field, as Quincy Pontdexter is rock solid (18 points in each of first two) and the Huskies simply owned a quality New Mexico team to advance. However, Da'Sean Butler doesn't look like he's quite done yet. Still, the Mountaineers lost their starting point guard to injury and backup Joe Mazzulla has a tough assignment in UDub's Isiah Thomas.

4. (9) Northern Iowa over (5) Michigan State

Tom Izzo compared his Spartans to "a M.A.S.H. unit" this week. Kalin Lucas is gone. Chris Allen has been hurt. Delvon Roe, too. How much did the epic battle against Maryland take out of the surviving State players? On the other hand, the UNI fairy tale has to end sometime. Against a parade of major conference opponents, Faroukhmanesh and Co. have got to stumble somewhere, right?

5. (4) Purdue over (1) Duke

Given how much I dislike these two programs, it's hard to for me to evaluate this game fairly. I'll just say, for the first and last time in my life, Go Boilers!

6. (12) Cornell over (1) Kentucky

Like Butler, Cornell is a lower seed that has a shot if it can dictate the pace. Lots of veterans and good shooters mean the Big Red should be able to keep pace with the torrid Wildcats. If it comes down to a late game close one, Cornell has a good shot. If not, Kentucky could win by thirty. Again.

7. (6) Tennessee over (2) Ohio State

This ought to be a great matchup. I don't know that Tennessee has enough on the outside to guard all of Ohio State's gunners. But if the Bucks go cold, it could be a slugfest.

8. (10) St. Mary's over (3) Baylor

Baylor's wealth of bigs should provide an answer to the Gael's Omar Samhan. The only way St. Mary's wins is if they shoot lights out. Baylor is much better than Villanova was, and I just don't see this happening. Which, of course, means it probably will.

Tourny Look a Likes V: Badger Edition

Ok, so I have to get into this Nonsense.

Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan:





could fill in for Mascot Bucky the Badger if needed





Speaking of Wisconsin, I know he's not in the tournament, but Kammron Taylor




is Chris Rock and you can't tell me otherwise

Sudden Death?

Yesterday the NFL altered their overtime rule slightly. Now instead of a sudden death overtime, the team that loses the toss has a small chance.

If the team who wins the toss scores a field goal on their first possession, then the team that loses the toss gets a chance to win. If the team that wins the toss scores a touchdwon then it's sudden death and they win.

This rule applies only for the playoffs as of now but may be expanded to the regular season at the NFL's next meeting in May.

One interesting point is that one team that voted against the rule was the Minnesota Vikings. After losing to the Saints in OT on a field goal, the Vikings owner voted against the trade saying that there should be consistency between the regular and post season.

Overall, its not a terrible rule change, but I see it as a baby step. I think NFL overtime has needed an overhaul for awhile now and this is a step in the right direction. However, I think the NFL needs to adopt the college overtime policy. I have heard the arguments that the players would get too tired, however I think that if a college student who at most is getting a full ride (Cant be more than 1,000,000 total) can play a few OTs and keep up with academics and practices, then a man who gets paid multimillion dollars with only practice outside of the games should be able to pull it off.

NCAA Tourney Look Alikes: Part IV

We all love Oliver Purnell, unless for some reason we picked Clemson to beat Missouri in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

I'll leave this one up to you, beloved readers. Who's the look-alike?

Tourney Look Alikes: Part III

Did Omar Samhan look familiar to you while beating Richmond and Villanova?


Perhaps that is because he was once featured in a famous Disney film.


(And yes, that is Timothy Mouse from Dumbo - I rest my case.)

Tourney Look Alikes - Part 2 - Northern Iowa

While watching the Northern Iowa/Kansas game Saturday I couldn't help but notice a few more striking resemblances.

The picture above is of Jordan Eglseder (Back) and Lucas O'Rear (Front). Also known as...

Shrek:

And Fezzik from "The Princess Bride" (Andre the Giant):

However the Northern Iowa team wouldn't be where it is today without the help of hero Ali Farokhmanesh...

Any ideas for his look alike? So far all I got is Charlie from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"...but I think the beard throws it off. Also - the 90 year old coach on their bench looks like Yoda...