On Friday night Division II conference rivals Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Dominguez Hills met in the final game of the regular season, with playoff seeding on the line.� As you can tell from the picture the final score was 60-58 in double OT for Cal Poly, but how the two teams ended up there is simply amazing.
Down 57-55, Cal State?s Robert Willhite dropped a three-pointer to put the Toros up by one with only 0.6 seconds left on the game clock.� But that?s all the time that the Broncos needed, as junior guard Mitchel Anderson heaved up a prayer from beyond halfcourt as the buzzer sounded that found nothing but net.�
Jubilation for the home team, who ends up with the second seed entering the conference tournament, and utter and total devastation and heartbreak for the CSU Dominguez Hills Toros, who were 0.6 seconds from victory, only to see it snatched away by an incredible buzzer beater in double OT.
Skip to the 2:25 mark for the final sequence of events?
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
2012 College Football Rule Changes: How Do These Affect the Big Ten?
Special teams plays will certainly look a lot different this autumn. Kickoffs are changing dramatically in the name of player safety.
The College Football Rules Committee meets every year to propose rules changes in college football. These rules are usually released a year in advance for response by NCAA officials and coaches and approved with a one-year grace period to allow coaches to teach players how to adjust to the new rules before they are implemented.
However, an exception exists for immediate implementation if the rule changes pertain to player safety. Considering that special teams plays appear to lead to some of the biggest collisions of any play, the rules committee is making immediate changes to kickoffs this season.
More particularly, teams will move forward five yards to the 35-yard line. The kicking team will line up no farther than the 30-yard line (five yards behind the ball) to limit the running start of possible tacklers on the kickoff. Finally, touchbacks on these free kicks will put the ball at the 25-yard line instead of the 20.
So how will these dramatic rule changes on kickoffs affect Big Ten teams in 2012 and beyond? Let's take a look into the crystal ball and see how these teams will react.
The legislative intent of these rules is obviously to limit player collisions and injuries by encouraging more touchbacks. Kicking teams without superstar speedy talent at the kick returner position will gladly take a consistent field position at the 25-yard line.
Last year, three Big Ten teams ranked in the top 15 nationally in yards per return: Purdue ranked first with 28.7, Nebraska ranked seventh with 25.5 and Ohio State ranked 13th with 24.6. On the flip side, three Big Ten teams ranked in the bottom 15 nationally in yards per return: Illinois ranked 120th with a miserable 15.7, Michigan ranked 117th with 18.4 and Indiana tied for 107th with 19.2.
With each of the young speed athletes back for Purdue (Raheem Mostert), Nebraska (Ameer Abdullah) and Ohio State (Jordan Hall, although he may be a starting running back and not on special teams much), the advantage these teams enjoyed in field position may be reduced in 2012.
Each of these teams also struggled at times to cover kickoffs, though, and so perhaps the field position disadvantage will be neutralized by not having to cover as many of their own kickoffs this season.
Teams with more talented kickers may change tactics though, and train those kickers to kick for more hang time and a landing within the 10-yard line rather than pounding the ball through the end zone every time.
This could expose the flaws of teams like Illinois, Indiana and Michigan more than ever before, as the coverage teams will have five more yards to make a tackle before losing yards compared to the touchback.
Thus, perhaps the most affected teams by this rule are those with specialist kickers who can take advantage of the rule against teams without elite kick returners.
The most accurate field goal kickers returning from last year are Drew Basil of Ohio State, Brett Maher of Nebraska and Anthony Fera of Penn State. Maher and Fera also excelled in kickoffs in 2011 according to cfbstats.com.
As a result, Nebraska and Penn State could benefit the most by adjusting kicks to force more returns in disadvantageous situations.
Another interesting aspect of the rule change is that onside kickoffs will now be much closer to midfield. The penalty for failing to recover an onside kick will be lessened significantly, so the wily coaches like Bret Bielema who like to surprise with an onside kick may be more encouraged than ever to try.
There will not be a sea of teams changing focus away from recruiting powerful kickers and speedy athletes, as these players have utility in the field goal kicking game and on offense and defense.
Plus, the percentage of touchbacks last year in the Big Ten was around 25 percent and will still barely move over 60 percent if at all, so the opportunities for an exciting return play will still be there.
Nevertheless, these rule changes on kickoffs should have a positive impact on Nebraska and Penn State as these teams try to improve on 2011 and reach the Big Ten Championship Game in 2012.
As for the other rules changes regarding jumping over blockers on punts and missing the next play for losing a helmet during a play, neither of these rules will have much of a substantive effect on Big Ten teams.
Big Ten team equipment managers will need to be at the ready to adjust chin straps and other portions of helmets to ensure that star players do not miss critical plays during the 2012 season.
As my colleague Eric Bowman wrote yesterday, these changes are good for player safety and good for college football. Hopefully the Big Ten coaches can adjust and continue to make kickoffs an exciting play in 2012 and beyond.
A look at the Yankees potential Opening Day roster
Yesterday was the first day that position players had to report to spring training, but the first day is really just them reporting to camp and taking physicals. So today is the real start of full blown spring training and we are just six days away from games.
On this first full day of spring training, let?s take a look at what the Yankees Opening Day roster is expected to look like. At first glace, it appears that there are 24 roster spots already locked down.
STARTING ROTATION: CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia/Phil Hughes.
BULLPEN: Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, Boone Logan, Cory Wade, Freddy Garcia/Phil Hughes.
STARTING LINEUP: Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez/Andruw Jones, Russell Martin, Brett Gardner.
BENCH: Eduardo Nunez, Francisco Cervelli, Raul Ibanez/Andruw Jones, Eric Chavez.
BULLPEN CANDIDATES FOR 25TH SPOT: Manny Delcarmen, LHP Cesar C...
On this first full day of spring training, let?s take a look at what the Yankees Opening Day roster is expected to look like. At first glace, it appears that there are 24 roster spots already locked down.
STARTING ROTATION: CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia/Phil Hughes.
BULLPEN: Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, Boone Logan, Cory Wade, Freddy Garcia/Phil Hughes.
STARTING LINEUP: Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez/Andruw Jones, Russell Martin, Brett Gardner.
BENCH: Eduardo Nunez, Francisco Cervelli, Raul Ibanez/Andruw Jones, Eric Chavez.
BULLPEN CANDIDATES FOR 25TH SPOT: Manny Delcarmen, LHP Cesar C...
Linsanity comes full circle with Rising Stars
ORLANDO, Fla. There was a moment during the firsthalf of Friday night's Rising Stars Challenge when Jeremy Lin's whirlwind Februarytruly came full circle.
His parents were featured on the Amway Center kiss cam.
A month ago, Lin, the Knicks phenom who has become the biggest story inbasketball seemingly overnight, had been demoted again to the D-League, andthe Harvard economics grad was giving serious thought to giving up onbasketball altogether and moving onto the next chapter of his life.His All-Star weekend plans were certainly the farthest thingfrom his mind.
But one golden opportunity, a tailor-made system, 12 games, 11 starts, ninewins and millions of new fans later, Lin had been added to the All-Star weekendlineup. An insatiable global thirst for his involvement wouldn't allow the NBAto keep him out of it. From the moment he landed in Orlando, there were throngsof fans and media hoping for a moment of his time.
At Friday afternoon's media session, reporters peppered the Eastern and WesternConference All-Stars with as many questions about Lin as they could fit intothe allotted time. Lin jerseys and shirts could be spotted all over ChurchStreet in downtown Orlando in the hours leading up to tipoff. There was anationally televised pregame interview and the palpable buzz that followed inthe arena as fans waited for the Rising Stars game to get going.
Then there they were, during a timeout with 7:24 left in the first half.Gie-Ming and Shirley Lin, staring at their cell phones on the league's largestvideo board while an overeager emcee urged them to smooch on screen apainfully awkward sign that Linsanity had truly reached a point of no return.
It's a story that not even Walt Disney could have dreamt up.
"I really didn't have a plan B, to be honest," Lin said of theuncertainty surrounding his future before he blossomed under Knicks head coachMike D'Antoni. "I wasn't sure. Obviously, I was thinking about three mainoptions: Overseas, D-League or to just take a break or give up basketball for awhile, and I just didn't know. I was just trying not to think about it.
"I just said, 'If I get cut by the Knicks, I'll take a look at all that,but until then, I want to make sure I try to stay focused and not think aboutnegativity.'"
But Lin doesn't need a plan B anymore, and it doesn't seem he'll ever need oneagain.The negativity? That's long gone. Since he checked into NewYork's Feb. 4 game against New Jersey and scored 25 points off the bench, Linhas averaged 22.6 points and 8.7 assists per game, leading New York to a 9-3record and solidifying his spot in the Knicks' starting lineup. Any past failureshad been absolved and long forgotten.
Lin played just nine minutes Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge, andwas held to two points and just a single assist, an alley-oop lob from the topof the key to a cutting Blake Griffin, which drew one of the loudest cheers ofthe night. From a practical standpoint, however, it was probably best that Linhardly played. He had just come off of back-to-back games on Wednesday andThursday and neither performance was particularly inspiring.
Thursday's showing, just eight points on 1-of-11 shooting in a 102-88 loss atMiami, showed that Lin is human, and suggested that maybe the rigors of agrueling NBA schedule were getting to the undrafted second-year player who hasalready played 222 more minutes this season than he did in his entire rookieyear.
But even as Lin sat cheering from the bench, it was clear that Friday nightwasn't really about the game if you even want to call it a game which TeamChuck won 146-133.
Friday night wasn't about Kyrie Irving's 34 points on 8-of-8 shooting from3-point range and 12-of-13 shooting overall or his team-high nine assists."It's never occurred in my career," said Irving,referring to his perfect 3-point performance. "It's kind of unfortunate ithappened in the All-Star Game."Friday night wasnt about Blake Griffin, who spent more timein the air than he did on the ground as he made amends for not participating inthe Dunk Contest. It wasnt about Minnesotas Ricky Rubio, who showed againstlittle to no defense why he's the best passer in the game.
It wasn't about the nine players on Team Shaq who finished in double figures. Despite being the only player on Team Shaq not to score indouble figures, Friday night was about Lin and the fact that he was even inOrlando in the first place. During the start of the All-Star Weekend, the NBA hadto hold Lins news conference in a separate room because the number of mediamembers wanting to ask Lin questions was too large.
"(It's surreal) just (to have) any press conference of my own, let aloneAll-Star Weekend," Lin beamed before the game. "Just to be here andto see the company and all the players that are here is just it's beenunbelievable, and I'm trying to take it all in and embrace it and enjoy itevery step of the way."
Lin wasn't the most talented player in Friday night's game. He wasn't even thebest point guard on his own roster. Other stars from the game will go on tofind greater on-court success down the line.
But none will do what Lin has done. None of them will unexpectedly breathe lifeinto a city and a game and rejuvenate a middling fanbase the way Lin has injust 12 games.
"What I'm most impressed with Jeremy is when he got his opportunity, hedidn't just grab it he choked it by the neck," Team Shaq assistant coachSteve Kerr said. "He basically just took over that whole franchise, whichis stunning because it's New York and it's 'Melo and Amar'e. You've got stars,you've got the media capital of the world, and he just seized it and grabbed itand he's not letting it go."
Lin needed a physical breather, and he received one Friday night, but he did itthe way only Lin knows how with rabid, unwanted fanfare and while unselfishlyputting his team first.
"I'm definitely surprised that people are still talking about Linsanity orwhatever," Lin said. "I think hopefully as the season progresses, itwill go from that to New York Knicks.Hopefully the Knicks can win basketball games, we can makea good push after the All-Star break and people will start talking about theKnicks and not necessarily me."
But even though he'd rather it wasn't, Linsanity will continue to be the story,even when Lin's play isn't. People are hungry for Lin, and they'll takewhatever they can get even if it's just the sight of his parents on the kisscam.
His parents were featured on the Amway Center kiss cam.
A month ago, Lin, the Knicks phenom who has become the biggest story inbasketball seemingly overnight, had been demoted again to the D-League, andthe Harvard economics grad was giving serious thought to giving up onbasketball altogether and moving onto the next chapter of his life.His All-Star weekend plans were certainly the farthest thingfrom his mind.
But one golden opportunity, a tailor-made system, 12 games, 11 starts, ninewins and millions of new fans later, Lin had been added to the All-Star weekendlineup. An insatiable global thirst for his involvement wouldn't allow the NBAto keep him out of it. From the moment he landed in Orlando, there were throngsof fans and media hoping for a moment of his time.
At Friday afternoon's media session, reporters peppered the Eastern and WesternConference All-Stars with as many questions about Lin as they could fit intothe allotted time. Lin jerseys and shirts could be spotted all over ChurchStreet in downtown Orlando in the hours leading up to tipoff. There was anationally televised pregame interview and the palpable buzz that followed inthe arena as fans waited for the Rising Stars game to get going.
Then there they were, during a timeout with 7:24 left in the first half.Gie-Ming and Shirley Lin, staring at their cell phones on the league's largestvideo board while an overeager emcee urged them to smooch on screen apainfully awkward sign that Linsanity had truly reached a point of no return.
It's a story that not even Walt Disney could have dreamt up.
"I really didn't have a plan B, to be honest," Lin said of theuncertainty surrounding his future before he blossomed under Knicks head coachMike D'Antoni. "I wasn't sure. Obviously, I was thinking about three mainoptions: Overseas, D-League or to just take a break or give up basketball for awhile, and I just didn't know. I was just trying not to think about it.
"I just said, 'If I get cut by the Knicks, I'll take a look at all that,but until then, I want to make sure I try to stay focused and not think aboutnegativity.'"
But Lin doesn't need a plan B anymore, and it doesn't seem he'll ever need oneagain.The negativity? That's long gone. Since he checked into NewYork's Feb. 4 game against New Jersey and scored 25 points off the bench, Linhas averaged 22.6 points and 8.7 assists per game, leading New York to a 9-3record and solidifying his spot in the Knicks' starting lineup. Any past failureshad been absolved and long forgotten.
Lin played just nine minutes Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge, andwas held to two points and just a single assist, an alley-oop lob from the topof the key to a cutting Blake Griffin, which drew one of the loudest cheers ofthe night. From a practical standpoint, however, it was probably best that Linhardly played. He had just come off of back-to-back games on Wednesday andThursday and neither performance was particularly inspiring.
Thursday's showing, just eight points on 1-of-11 shooting in a 102-88 loss atMiami, showed that Lin is human, and suggested that maybe the rigors of agrueling NBA schedule were getting to the undrafted second-year player who hasalready played 222 more minutes this season than he did in his entire rookieyear.
But even as Lin sat cheering from the bench, it was clear that Friday nightwasn't really about the game if you even want to call it a game which TeamChuck won 146-133.
Friday night wasn't about Kyrie Irving's 34 points on 8-of-8 shooting from3-point range and 12-of-13 shooting overall or his team-high nine assists."It's never occurred in my career," said Irving,referring to his perfect 3-point performance. "It's kind of unfortunate ithappened in the All-Star Game."Friday night wasnt about Blake Griffin, who spent more timein the air than he did on the ground as he made amends for not participating inthe Dunk Contest. It wasnt about Minnesotas Ricky Rubio, who showed againstlittle to no defense why he's the best passer in the game.
It wasn't about the nine players on Team Shaq who finished in double figures. Despite being the only player on Team Shaq not to score indouble figures, Friday night was about Lin and the fact that he was even inOrlando in the first place. During the start of the All-Star Weekend, the NBA hadto hold Lins news conference in a separate room because the number of mediamembers wanting to ask Lin questions was too large.
"(It's surreal) just (to have) any press conference of my own, let aloneAll-Star Weekend," Lin beamed before the game. "Just to be here andto see the company and all the players that are here is just it's beenunbelievable, and I'm trying to take it all in and embrace it and enjoy itevery step of the way."
Lin wasn't the most talented player in Friday night's game. He wasn't even thebest point guard on his own roster. Other stars from the game will go on tofind greater on-court success down the line.
But none will do what Lin has done. None of them will unexpectedly breathe lifeinto a city and a game and rejuvenate a middling fanbase the way Lin has injust 12 games.
"What I'm most impressed with Jeremy is when he got his opportunity, hedidn't just grab it he choked it by the neck," Team Shaq assistant coachSteve Kerr said. "He basically just took over that whole franchise, whichis stunning because it's New York and it's 'Melo and Amar'e. You've got stars,you've got the media capital of the world, and he just seized it and grabbed itand he's not letting it go."
Lin needed a physical breather, and he received one Friday night, but he did itthe way only Lin knows how with rabid, unwanted fanfare and while unselfishlyputting his team first.
"I'm definitely surprised that people are still talking about Linsanity orwhatever," Lin said. "I think hopefully as the season progresses, itwill go from that to New York Knicks.Hopefully the Knicks can win basketball games, we can makea good push after the All-Star break and people will start talking about theKnicks and not necessarily me."
But even though he'd rather it wasn't, Linsanity will continue to be the story,even when Lin's play isn't. People are hungry for Lin, and they'll takewhatever they can get even if it's just the sight of his parents on the kisscam.
NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2012: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades
Team Chuck beat Team Shaq, 140-122, in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night as NBA All-Star Weekend began in Orlando.
As expected, the game featured little defense, but some of basketball's brightest young stars did their part in giving the fans and those watching at home some amazing highlights.
The star of the game was Cleveland Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, who won the MVP award with a game-high 34 points.
Tweets of the Night
Rookie point guard Ricky Rubio was spectacular in the Rising Stars Challenge, and Dime Magazine made an interesting comparison.
Ricky Rubio is playing/passing like a 2000 Rookie Challenge version of Jason Williams out there
— Dime Magazine (@DimeMag) February 25, 2012
A fake Bill Walton account tweeted about Kenny Smith's "get buckets" phrase, which the TNT analyst did overuse a bit.
If Kenny Smith says "get buckets" one more time, I'm going to start praying he gets replaced...by Doris Burke.
— The Bill Walton Trip (@NotBillWalton) February 25, 2012
To no one's surprise, New York Knicks star point guard Jeremy Lin received the loudest ovation from the crowd in Orlando.
Jeremy Lin gets loudest ovation of anyone. Blake Griffin a close second
— Jason Lloyd (@JasonLloydABJ) February 25, 2012
I think many of us can agree with this tweet from Pro Basketball Talk's Kurt Helin.
There's better defense in my pickup games at the gym than there is in the Rising Stars game.
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) February 25, 2012
Must-See Highlight
Very few players in NBA history have had the athleticism to pull off a dunk like this, but Blake Griffin makes it look easy with his superhuman-like leaping ability.
Grades for Notable Team Chuck Players
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: A+
The former Duke star is the likely Rookie of the Year candidate, and he showed why with 34 points to lead all scorers in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Kyrie Irving dominated the game with some exquisite passing and flashy offensive moves. He shot an amazing 12-of-13 from the field and hit all eight of his three-point attempts.
Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers: B+
Sophomore forward Evan Turner from the 76ers played very well for Team Chuck in this game and showed the all-around talent that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Turner finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. With his tremendous athleticism, Turner put on a great show for the fans with some explosive dunks and exciting fast-break basketball.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers: A-
The Pacers' sophomore forward was one of Team Chuck's best players in the Rising Stars game, with 21 points in 23 minutes. Fans were treated to a preview of the athleticism that George will use in Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest. George shot 9-of-16 from the field and was certainly an MVP candidate.
Grades for Notable Team Shaq Players
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers: A-
The Los Angeles Clippers' superstar power forward did not have the best stats on his team, but he gave the fans some amazing highlights, including some highlight-reel dunks. Griffin finished with 10 points, but he made the price of admission well worth it for every fan in the building Friday night. In a game like this, it's all about excitement, and Griffin provided plenty.
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves: A
The Spanish point guard was phenomenal in the Rising Stars game and threw some perfect alley-oop passes to teammates such as Blake Griffin. Rubio also had some very impressive dribble moves and ball fakes that would have been effective in a real game against real defense. He finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks: B-
To be fair to Jeremy Lin, he only played about nine minutes in this game, but he wasn't too impressive in his time on the court. He did have a fantastic pass to Blake Griffin for an alley-oop, but wasn't that much of a factor. The Knicks have played quite a few games recently, so I'm sure Lin didn't mind getting some nice rest. Lin finished with two points.
Deciding Factor: Team Chuck's Three-point and Free-Throw Shooting
Team Chuck beat Team Shaq in the Rising Stars game primarily because of their success from the three-point line and dominance at the foul line. Team Chuck shot 55 percent from beyond the arc, compared to Team Shaq's 27 percent.
Team Chuck made more free throws (15) than Team Shaq even attempted (six).
Game MVP: Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP, and he's also my own pick for the award. He led all scorers with 34 points and added seven assists and two steals for Team Chuck in a 140-122 win. Irving was on fire from long range, hitting all eight three-point shot attempts. With his offensive outburst and impressive playmaking, there was no question that Irving would be the MVP.
What's Next?
NBA All-Star Weekend continues on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT with the Shooting Stars Competition, Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Shootout and Skills Challenge.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Video: Jeff Gordon's car flips in terrifying crash
Jeff Gordon is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers of all time. With 85 career wins, Gordon has had numerous races to remember during his distinguished career. Saturday's Budweiser Shootout was not one of them. Gordon was involved in a horrific crash at Daytona after colliding with Kurt Busch with two laps to go. After hitting Busch's car, Gordon found himself upside down, and he flipped several times in what was the worst crash of his career. Gordon was able to exit his car and walk away without any injury, but it was definitely one of the most terrifying...
Cruyff to join Chivas as advisor
Former Barcelona coach and Dutch star Johan Cruyff will be joining slumping Mexican club Guadalajara Chivas as an advisor.
Chivas said on its website that Cruyff would give a news conference on Saturday.
The club did not immediately say what role he would take, but he is certain to suggest changes on and off the pitch to arrest a sharp decline in results.
Guadalajara, Mexico's most successful team, is winless in 13 consecutive matches.
It was beaten 3-0 by Argentine club Velez Sarsfield in a Copa Libertadores match on Wednesday.
Chivas said on its website that Cruyff would give a news conference on Saturday.
The club did not immediately say what role he would take, but he is certain to suggest changes on and off the pitch to arrest a sharp decline in results.
Guadalajara, Mexico's most successful team, is winless in 13 consecutive matches.
It was beaten 3-0 by Argentine club Velez Sarsfield in a Copa Libertadores match on Wednesday.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/cruyff_to_join_chivas_as_advisor/10091107
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