Sports Happenings

The Final Four is set: Michigan St. vs. UConn; Villanova vs. North Carolina

Michigan St and Villinova, definitely personify the team that gets hot during the tourney or is playing their basketball at that time. The Spartans should show people the strength of the Big 10 that they can take down the "better" conference schools. Villanova plays with grit and heart led by Scotty Reynolds who could take over a game when he wants to, but doesn't need to because Villanova is a good team. Also, with this being Michigan St.'s 5th Final Four and should cement Tom Izzo's place as one of the top 3 or 4 coaches in the nation (Coach K, Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun, etc.). UCONN and UNC have done it very methodical and have won by their strengths-UNC pushing the ball led by Ty Lawson and UCONN being tough inside with the athletes out on the wings.

"By winning Sunday, the Spartans clinched a trip to the Final Four for Walton. Had they lost, he would have been the first player since Izzo took over the program in 1995 to spend his entire career in East Lansing and miss the Final Four." ""Now he can say that to every person." Walton said, "(He can) look them in the eyes and not have to say, 'There was one player I did not get (there).' He can say, 'I got every player to a Final Four that gave his all. If you come and work hard for me, do what you're supposed to do, we're going to get you to a Final Four.'" Walton, who didn't always understand why Izzo made practices so tough, offered his gratitude Sunday. "He probably wants more for me than I want for myself," Walton said. "I love him. I'm pretty sure he loves me the same.""

Championship game: Michigan St. vs. UNC in a rematch from UNC's pounding of Michigan St. at Ford Field in December
Prediction: Much the same except a much closer game with UNC getting it's second national championship in 5 years and capping off Tyler Hansborough's great college career.

This is official: Tiger Woods' knee is healthy and watch out after coming from 5 strokes behind to win the Bay Hill Invitational on Sunday. Woods birdied the 18th hole for the comeback victory.

Opening Day in MLB is less than a week away!

Faith is Caught as Much as Taught!

Faith is Caught as Much as Taught!

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Go Illini!

Nice little article on Jeff Jordan in the Post-Dispatch this morning...

"The 6-foot-1 guard arrived at Illinois two years ago as the country's most celebrated walk-on. He was more a conversation piece than an expected contributor. He now has the potential to be a factor in his biggest game.

Jordan played significant minutes off the bench in place of Chester Frazier at the Big Ten tournament and despite nominal statistics was considered a bright spot. With Frazier out of tonight's game, that role will be magnified.

"He was very positive in both games and gave us a great energy boost and defensive lift,'' coach Bruce Weber said. "He pushed the ball against Michigan and was in the game for most of our key run.''"

I can't wait for the Illini to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. I have not seen one "college basketball expert" pick Illinois to win. I know this is that vaunted 5-12 seed pairing, but come on. I know WKentucky beat Louisvill, but that was EARLY in the season. Illinois pounded Missouri (early too I know), but Missouri is better than Western Kentucky and Illinois also beat Purdue TWICE, and won several Big 10 games on the road. I know they don't have Chester Frazier, who is the definition of a Fighting Illini, but give these guys some credit. Mike Davis was second team All Big 10 and one of the most improved players in the COUNTRY, Trent Meachem is a leader and a 3-point specialist. I think Coach Weber will have these Illini ready for tonight.

Prediction: Illinoi 68-Western Kentucky 56

"The Man in the Arena" Theodore Roosevelt

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Albert Pujols as the New Face of Baseball

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a nice article on Albert Pujols today and how he has been clean (or so he hopes) while putting up the ridiculous numbers that he has in his career. With all the mess that has gone on this winter with A-Rod the steroids issue burst open once again. Here's to those who have stayed clean and to Albert Pujols for keeping in line with his beliefs.

"Pujols smiles when asked if he's up to the task suddenly put on his broad and muscular shoulders. "I have had a responsibility since I stepped into the big leagues, even before I put up the big numbers," Pujols said. "First of all I have a responsibility to represent God, which is who I play for, and my family and millions of fans back in St. Louis, and that means on and off the field. So I didn't have to wait eight years as a professional to deal with that responsibility. And I'm a big believer that God won't give you anything you aren't capable of handling. So if I am going to be in this position, He knows I can handle it."

He knows that he has to be different. He has to be The One they can trust. He has to be the man who breaks the cycle of shame and the credibility gap that has left a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in the baseball record books.

When you ask him about that burden, he barely blinks.

"Look, I can fool you guys a lot, but I can't fool God. I've said this before and I mean it. I am a big believer that anything you do in the dark is going to come out in the light, and I fear (God) too much to do anything to disappoint Him. You just keep playing because no matter what you do, people are going to still blame you, point fingers at you and it's guilt by association. I understand that we are living in a dark cloud right now, and that's pretty sad because I grew up loving this game and I still do.""

The Illini continued their winning ways last night defeating Minnesota 52-41 in one of the most physical games I have ever seen. They better be prepared to rebound on Sunday as the Seniors close out their careers at the Assembly Hall against Michigan St. Good Luck CJ, Calvin, Chester, and Trent!

U2 "Get on Your Boots"

March 3rd, 2009 "New Line on the Horizon"

Can't put it any better than a 12 year old