My Top 10 Weirdest College and High School Mascots

After writing about nothing but Hawkeye basketball this past week, I thought I'd switch it up and do something fun. I have compiled my top 10 list of the weirdest college and high school mascots. If you find my list to not be comprehensive enough (I know it isn't, there are plenty more weird names out there) comment about any other strange team names you find. Enjoy!

10. University of California-Irvine Anteaters

*Their fans call themselves 'Eater Nation

9. Marvelwood Pterodactyls (Kent, Connecticut)

*Bonus points to cheerleaders who can actually spell their mascot's name

8. Poka Dots (Poka, Kentucky)

7. Watersmeet Nimrods (Watersmeet, Michigan)

*A Nimrod is actually a name for an expert hunter, who knew?

6. Dunn School Earwigs (Los Olivos, California)

5. University of California-Santa Cruz Banana Slugs

4. University of Arkansas-Monicello Boll Weevils

*A Boll Weevil is a beetle that eats cotton

3. Freeport Pretzels (Freeport, Illinois)

*What could be more intimidating than a giant salted pretzel

2. Tarpon Springs Spongers (Tarpon Springs, Florida)

*A sponger is simply a person who collects sponges


Drumroll Please....

#1. Hoopeston Cornjerkers

*People who pulled corn straight from the stalk before there was machinery to do it for them were called cornjerkers.

*Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta is a graduate of Hoopeston high school, proud to be a cornjerker.

Prospect Profile: Hawks offer scholarship to MJ's Son

Could there be a light at the end of the tunnel? A bright spot that could help the Hawk fans move forward and forget about these transfers?

How about the possibility of Michael Jordan in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

According to numerous sources, including rivals.com and The Des Moines Register, the Iowa basketball program has offered a scholarship to Michael Jordan's son Marcus.

Marcus Jordan, 6'2" shooting guard from Illinois, recently led Whitney Young Dolphins to the 4A State Championship, scoring 19 points in both the semi-final and state title games. Rivals.com rates him as a three-star recruit. Since winning the Illinois state championship, many schools have began to show interest in "Heir Jordan." Other Division I schools pursuing Jordan include Arizona State, Butler, Oklahoma, Miami, and Illinois, among others.

Here is Scouts Inc.'s evaluation: Jordan plays with maximum effort and intensity, ranking as a very good-glue guy, giving his team a boost in a number of categories on the court. He has very good athleticism, leaping ability, and quickness which allow him to excel in the open court, attacking the rim in transition. His hops helps him to finish in traffic when he gets to the rim and he has good body control and strength , which allows him to take contact at the rim, adjust in the air and still finish. Jordan, a lefty, can finish at the rim with just as easily with his right as he does with his left. He has a low release point on his jumper and would become a more consistent shooter from the perimeter if he releases the ball higher, an Achilles heel from Jordan at this point. His strength allows him to defend bigger players in the paint as well as battle for rebounds in traffic. Jordan also does a good job of playing passing lanes for steals. He passes the ball very well and sometimes plays as a point guard due to his ability to find open teammates. Jordan battles on every possession and does not take plays off.

Who knows, it could be a long shot. But at this point, any chance is a good chance, no matter how small.

My "Throw a Coach Under the Bus Award" goes to...Dan Bohall

Could things get any more disheartening with the Iowa basketball program? While reading the Des Moines Register online today, I came across an article by Sean Keeler in which former Hawkeye Dan Bohall decided it was time to put his two cents worth into the basketball situation.

Bohall played in 19 games last season, averaging 2.8 points per game before being suspended for public intoxication. Bohall left the team last April. Though Bohall left the team, he still attends Iowa and has remained friends with some of the players on the team.

In the article, Bohall blamed Lickliter's "mid-major" style of play and his inability to relate to players as the reason for the recent departures.

"The Big Ten is not the Horizon League," Bohall said. "It's not a mid-major school. You're playing against athletic (teams)."

Bohall also questioned Lickliter's ability to relate to his players. "He's impersonal with players," Bohall said. "He's not a real open person. Obviously, not everybody feels that way. I never had a sit-down conversation with him or never really talked with him until I got into trouble ... it was just — not a real comfortable place."

I'm all about honesty and trust, and I must admit, my trust in Coach Lickliter is thinning, but this a low blow by Bohall. Way to kick a Coach when he's down, real classy.

There could be a bright spot on the way, however, Hawk fans. According to Rivals.Com, Iowa offered a scholarship to a certain prospect from Illinois with legendary basketball roots. Read my post above to get the player profile.

More Hawks Fly from Nest: Peterson, Palmer join list of Hawkeye transfers

Iowa men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter held a press conference Friday afternoon, confirming the rumors that have been surrounding the basketball team this week.

Lickliter confirmed that Jermain Davis, Jake Kelly, Jeff Peterson, and David Palmer will be leaving the team and transferring to other schools.

Peterson played in 25 games this season before suffering hamstring injury. Peterson averaged 10.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Palmer played in 19 games this season, averaging 4.1 points and 2 rebounds per game.

According to Lickliter, three of the players (Peterson, Davis, and Palmer) wanted to transfer to a school where they would receive more playing time and play a more "prominent role." He expressed his full support to Jake Kelly, who appears to be transferring to Indiana State to be closer to his family. Kelly's mother was tragically killed in a plane crash last year.

Despite four players transferring, Lickliter was optimistic about the state of the program. "We’re on the right track," he said, "Sometimes it’s a little dark before the dawn. We’re going to get through. We’re going to move forward."

But it's hard for fans to be optimistic after two consecutive losing seasons (28-36 over the past two years) and dealing with five players transferring over the past two years. Only seven players will be returning the the team next season: Matt Gatens, Devan Bawinkel, Anthony Tucker, Andrew Brommer, Aaron Fuller, John Lickliter, and Jarryd Cole. Plus written committments from Eric May and Brennan Cougill, and a verbal from Devon Archie.

"I'm very excited about the future," Lickliter said. Iowa AD Gary Barta was also in attendance at the press conference, giving Coach Lickliter his vote of confidence.

By the Numbers: Here's what the Hawks are losing statistically...

Kelly: 11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists

Peterson: 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists

Davis: 4.5 points, 3 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Palmer: 4.1 points, 2 rebounds

*For those bad at math that's about 31 points, 10 rebounds, ad 9 assists per game. Not to mention the 7 points and 5.7 rebounds that Cyrus Tate provided.

Hawkeye's Downward Spiral Continues...

Things are going from bad to worse for Todd Lickliter and the Iowa basketball program as more Hawks appear to be flying away from the nest. It appears that the Hawkeye's best player is going to transfer.

All indications show that guard Jake Kelly is going to transfer to Indiana State. "It really means a lot to me that all the hawkeye fans are being understanding," Kelly wrote on his facebook page, "I won't forget how passionate the fans are here and I will always be proud to have worn the Iowa uniform." Kelly led the Hawks in scoring this season with 11.6 points per game.

According to KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, sources close to Jeff Peterson are saying that he is strongly considering transferring to Missouri State. And David Palmer is considering graduating early and leaving the team, as well.

Will They Stay or Will They Go? Rumors Swirling around Hawkeye Basketball Team

What is going on with the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team?

The message boards were going wild today as the rumors regarding Hawkeye players transferring began to heat up.

Junior guard Jermain Davis, who played in all but two games this season, has decided to transfer to Division II Minnesota State in Mankato. Davis, who averaged 4.5 points and 3 rebounds per game, expressed unhappiness with the Hawkeye program, complaining about not knowing his role on the team and about Iowa's slow-paced offense.

While this is the only player that has officially confirmed he is transferring, there are rumors of at least three other Hawkeyes who are considering changing schools.

Jake Kelly, who earlier this month denied rumors that he is considering transferring, appears to be reconsidering. "I'm here and this is where I'm gonna be," Kelly said back on March 9. However, in a phone interview with Hawkeyenation.com's Rob Howe, Kelly neither confirmed nor denied possibly transferring. "I'd really rather not talk about it right now," Kelly said in his interview with Howe. This would be a serious blow to the Hawkeyes, Kelly led the team in scoring with 11.6 points per game and really established himself as the team leader late in the season.

Other message board rumors included point guard Jeff Pederson and center David Palmer also considering a change of scenery.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the Hawks also lost one of their recruits today, Marshalltown forward Chanse Creekmur (class of 2010), who verbally committed to the Hawks last August, informed Coach Lickliter he has rescinded his commitment. Creekmur averaged 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this past season for Marshalltown.

I can handle it if just Davis is transferring, but if all of these transfers really do happen, I think some action needs to be taken. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes in Todd Lickliter's program, and if all these guys end up transferring, he has to be put on the hot seat. Its unacceptable to have this many guys considering to transfer.

I have been a supporter of Lickliter from the beginning, through thick and thin. But the Iowa basketball program is in a downward spiral, simple as that, it is in shambles. The fan base is weak enough as it is: attendance is down, and will be down even lower if Kelly and the others decide to transfer.

I have such a strong passion for sports, more that most people, but after hearing this news, I'm seriously considering not being a season-ticket holder next season.

Message for Coach Lickliter: DO SOMETHING...If you don't do something soon it might be time to start looking through the classified ads for another job.

Baseball during March Madness?! Cubs News: Marshall, Koskie, Koyie Hill watch

Yes, despite March Madness dominating the news in the sports world, Spring Training continues...

Just a couple of tidbits regarding the Cubs...

-Sean Marshall was officially named the #5 Starter. "Marshall came in here as the front-runner for the fifth spot," Piniella told Cubs.com, "and he's done nothing to lead me to believe he's going to lose that spot." Marshall is 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA in 14.1 innings this spring.

-Koyie Hill continues to excel this spring, hitting .394 with 1 home run and 6 RBI's. Cubs.com's Carrie Muskat recently wrote an article about Hill's freak accident and return to baseball. For more information about that, check out my past post about Hill and the following website.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jspymd=20090319&content_id=4029538&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

-Third baseman Corey Koskie left the game today against Seattle after feeling ill. Koskie has not played in the Majors since July 2007 after suffering a concussion while running down a fly ball with the Brewers. The Cubs offered him a minor league contract this spring, thinking that he could be the backup third baseman. Lou Piniella said they would be very careful about the health of Koskie. Cubs.com reported that Piniella said Koskie had some problems when he dove for one of the ground balls in the first inning, but wasn't specific.

-The Cubs spring roster is down to 43 players: 20 pitchers, 4 catchers, 10 infielders, and 9 outfielders.

NCAA Tourney Picks

Here they are...the winning picks in all of my NCAA tournament pools...As the tournament continues I will bold the games I have picked correctly.

Midwest Region
Louisville over Morehead St
Ohio St over Siena
Utah over Arizona
Wake Forest over Cleveland St
West Virginia over Dayton
Kansas over North Dakota St.
USC over Boston College
Michigan St. over Robert Morris

West Region
UConn over Chattanooga
Texas A&M over BYU
Purdue over Northern Iowa
Washington over Mississippi St
Utah St over Marquette
Mizzou over Cornell
Maryland over California
Memphis over Cal St. Northridge

East Region
Pittsburgh over East Tennessee St
Tennessee over Oklahoma St
Florida St over Wisconsin
Xavier over Portland St
UCLA over VCU
Villanova over American
Minnesota over Texas
Duke over Binghamton

South Region
North Carolina over Radford
Butler over LSU
Illinois over Western Kentucky
Gonzaga over Akron
Temple over Arizona St
Syracuse over Stephen F. Austin
Michigan over Clemson
Oklahoma over Morgan St.

SECOND ROUND
Louisville over Ohio St
Wake Forest over Utah
Kansas over West Virginia
USC over Michigan St

UConn over Texas A&M
Purdue over Washington
Mizzou over Utah St.
Memphis over Maryland

Pitt over Tennessee
Florida St over Xavier
Villanova over UCLA
Duke over Minnesota

North Carolina over Butler
Illinois over Gonzaga
Syracuse over Temple
Oklahoma over Michigan

SWEET SIXTEEN
Louisville over Wake Forest
Kansas over USC
UConn over Purdue
Memphis over Mizzou
Pitt over Florida St
Villanova over Duke
North Carolina over Illinois
Oklahoma over Syracuse

ELITE 8
Louisville over Kansas
UConn over Memphis
Villanova over Pitt
North Carolina over Oklahoma

FINAL FOUR
UConn over Louisville
North Carolina over Villanova

CHAMPIONSHIP
North Caronlia over UConn

Too Much March Madness???

On the eve of March Madness, I began to think about how much is too much. I was flipping through the channels tonight and came across Houston vs. Oregon State, a first-round game in the College Basketball Invitational.

For those who do not know, this is the second year of the College Basketball Invitational, another postseason tournament that is put on by the Gazelle Group.

Just when you thought the College Basketball Invitational was too much, a fourth postseason tournament was added this season, the CollegeInsider.com Postseason tournament.

Don't get me wrong, I love March Madness just as much as the next guy. But the NCAA tournament and the NIT is more than enough Madness for me. By adding 2 extra postseason tournaments, the NCAA is turning March Madness into March Mediocrity.

Of the 343 teams in Division I College Basketball, 129 now qualify for a postseason tournament. That is nearly 38% of Division I teams. Qualifying for a postseason tournament like the NCAA or the NIT is a reward for a great season, but adding these extra tournaments are a complete joke.

Here are the teams that are in the CBI and CollegeInsider.com tournaments.
-Teams in CBI...
Boise State, Buffalo, Charleston, Green Bay, Houston, Nevada, Northeastern, Oregon State, Richmond, St. Johns, Stanford, Troy, UTEP, Vermont, Wichita State, and Wyoming

-Teams in CollegeInsider.com
Austin Peay, Belmont, Bradley, The Citadel, Drake, Evansville, Idaho, James Madison, Kent State, Liberty, Mount Saint Marys, Oakland, Old Dominion, Pacific, Portland, and Rider

Oregon State finished the regular season with a 13-17 record, St. Johns was 16-17. Are you telling me that teams with losing records deserve to play in the postseason?! Give me a break.

I half expected to find the Iowa Hawkeyes in the field of the CBI or CollegeInsider tournament, that's just sad. But hey, who doesn't want to see The Citadel take on Old Dominion...

At this rate, anyone can start a postseason tournament. Be on the lookout for the IowaChicagoSports.Blogspot.com Postseason Invitational coming up in 2010.

Coralville Council Finds “Way” to Honor Hall-of-Fame Coach

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Tailgaters traveling along First Avenue in Coralville on the way to Kinnick Stadium next Fall will see a brand new sign honoring a Hawkeye legend.

The announcement was made at the Coralville City Council meeting Tuesday night, where Mayor Jim Fausett officially proclaimed First Avenue between Interstate 80 and Highway 6 in Coralville to be co-named “Hayden Fry Way.” The official proclamation was presented to University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta.

“Coach Fry traveled along this road to go to work for more than 20 years,” Fausett said, “It is also the most heavily traveled stretch of road in Johnson County.”

Many other cities have recognized legendary coaches in this way, and that was exactly how the idea came about to honor Coach Fry. The origin of the idea to co-name First Avenue came from council member Tom Gill. Gill has a daughter attending Kansas State University. While driving through Kansas, he noticed an entire highway named after Kansas State head football coach and former Fry assistant Bill Snyder.

“I thought to myself, if the state of Kansas can name a highway in honor of Bill Snyder,” Gill said, “The least we can do is name a street after Hayden Fry.”

Fry, 80, coached the Hawkeyes from 1979-1998, and is the winningest coach in Iowa football history. Fry compiled 143 wins during his tenure, including three Rose Bowl appearances and six Bowl victories. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. But he was more than just a football coach to the citizens of the Iowa City and Coralville communities.

“Coach Fry was always preaching and teaching,” said council member Henry Herwig, “He came here with a can-do attitude and had a very positive impact on the community.”

Mayor Fausett echoed Herwig’s praise. “Coach Fry made a great impact on the economic development of our community,” Fausett said, “He brought many tourists to the area which greatly helped many businesses, especially the hotel industry. He instilled a winning tradition and taught us that you can do anything if you want it bad enough.”

The name change will be officially unveiled at a ceremony next fall during Labor Day weekend, the same weekend in which the Hawkeye football team will kick off the 2009 season at Kinnick Stadium against Northern Iowa. The Hall-of-Fame coach will be in attendance to accept the honor.

“Coach Fry is very excited,” Gary Barta said to the Council after accepting the proclamation, “No one better represents this community than Hayden Fry.”

In conjunction with the ceremony, the City of Coralville will also be holding the first-annual “Fry Fest.” The festival will include a concert and pep rally at the Iowa River Landing, as well as a Hawkeye tradeshow at the Coralville Marriott Hotel for Hawkeye retailers, licensees, and other related groups.

“Fry Fest should definitely add some spice and pizazz to the opening game weekend,” said Herwig, “We’re very excited about it.”

Nearly a Losing Hand: Cubs Catcher Perseveres

Koyie Hill looks like any other Major League Baseball player. The veteran Catcher has spent parts of 5 seasons in the Big Leagues, the last two seasons with the Cubs. With the backup Catcher spot on the line this Spring, Hill is looking to earn a full-time spot on the Cubs roster. But Koyie Hill is just thankful that he can still grip a baseball after accidentally cutting off three of his fingers in 2007.

The accident occurred on October 16, 2007 at Hill's home in Kansas. He was making a window frame with a table saw and severed three fingers and his thumb on his throwing hand. Hill was rushed to the hospital, where Doctors re-attached all four digits. "They had me hold a ball in my left hand to see where my ring finger was placed, so when they sewed my finger back on, it was fixed in that position," Hill said in an interview last September, "I guess you could say [my hand] was built for baseball now." Despite being told that he probably would never play again by the Cubs team doctors, Hill was determined to get back on the field. "In the back of my mind, I always knew that if I got the opportunity to play...I just knew I was going to be able to do it," Hill said.

After going through extensive rehab, Hill was back on the field for the AAA Iowa Cubs in time for the 2008 season. "I've been lucky to be able to even play," said Hill, "I never had a doubt I'd play again, but I didn't know what limitations I'd have with my hand and what I'd be allowed to do."

Hill struggled through the cold months of April, saying that he felt like he had "frozen carrotts for fingers." But Hill found his stride as the season progressed, hitting .275 with 17 home runs and 64 RBI for AAA Iowa last season and earning a call up to the Big Leagues in September.

Hill, who turned 30 today, was invited to Cubs spring camp to compete for the backup catcher job with veteran Paul Bako. So far this Spring, Koyie is hitting .357 with two doubles and two RBI's.

Due to the constant pain in his right hand, Hill will more than likely have at least two of his fingers removed when his playing days are over. But he isn't ready to call it a career just yet.

"It's going to hurt sitting on the bench, it's going to hurt hitting," he said, "so I might as well play."

For More Info: http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080901&content_id=3401843&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Big Ten Tournament Bracket / Predictions

Now that the regular season is over, the Big Ten tourney bracket is set and ready for predictions....heres how I see the Big 10 Tourney shaping up

1st Round
#9 Northwestern over #8 Minnesota
#10 Iowa over #7 Michigan
#6 Penn St over #11 Indiana

2nd Round
#1 Michigan State over #9 Northwestern
#5 Ohio St over #4 Wisconsin
#2 Illinois over #10 Iowa
#3 Purdue over #6 Penn St

Semi-Finals
#5 Ohio St over #1 Michigan St
#3 Purdue over #2 Illinois

Finals
#5 Ohio St over #3 Purdue

That means that Michigan St, Ohio St, Illinois, Purdue, Penn St, Wisconsin, and I still think Michigan (despite a letdown to the Hawkeyes) will get into the Big Dance

Ramblings: WBC, Big Dance, Bill Carmody, Cubs

-Well my prediction of the Dominican Republic winning it all could be in jeopardy, seeing as they lost to Sidney Ponson and the Netherlands yesterday. The Netherlands...really?

-3 teams punched their tickets to the Big Dance yesterday: Radford, East Tennessee State, and Morehead State. The Missouri Valley Conference will crown their champion today, either Northern Iowa or Illinois State. Both will more than likely make the tourney

-Projecting how many Big Ten teams will make the tournament is a tough question. I see 7 teams making it out of the Big Ten, but some experts are projecting as many as 8.

Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois are definitely in. Michigan is probably in after beating the Goph's yesterday. Wisconsin is also probably because of their RPI and Strength of Schedule. Desite losing to the Hawkeyes yesterday, Penn St should have their ticket punched to the big dance as well.

The 7th team depends on a couple of things

-If Ohio State beats Northwestern today, Ohio State is IN
-If Ohio State loses to Northwestern, then it could be Northwestern or Minnesota that takes that 7th slot


*Making a Case for the Northwestern Wildcats*
Record: 17-11 (8-9 in Big Ten)

(RPI and SOS according to baselinestats.com)
RPI: 70
SOS: 53
Key Wins: Florida State, Minnesota, @ Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, @ Purdue
Key Losses: @ Stanford, @ Iowa
Quality Losses: 4 point loss @ Butler

I've been really impressed with Northwestern this year. They may be a very boring offense to watch with the old "Princeton Style" offense. But Bill Carmody gets my vote for Big Ten Coach of the Year. Bill Carmody's squad has won 4 of their last 5 and have 6 wins against the RPI Top 50. If the Wildcats win at Ohio State today, they have certainly put themselves in the discussion for the tournament. This would be a huge step for Northwestern since they have never made the tournament.

Why Not the Wildcats?


In baseball news...


-The Cubs have dropped 5 straight games and Alfonso Soriano has only 3 hits in 18 AB's. No need to worry yet, its still very early in the Spring.

Hawk tame Nittany Lions in 2 OT Thriller

The Hawks ended their regular season on a high note, knocking off the Nittany Lions of Penn State 75-67 in double overtime in front of a crowd of 14,094. Jake Kelly, one of three Hawkeyes with a double-double, led the Hawks with 22 points and 11 assists. Twin towers Jarryd Cole and Cyrus Tate dominated the post. Tate scored 15 points and grabbed 10 boards, with Cole adding 14 points and 11 boards. Matt Gatens and Devan Bawinkel added 12 and 9 points, respectively.

Iowa led 51-42 with 2 minutes to play in regulation, but Penn State guard Talor Battle scored 11 points in the final 2 minutes as the Lions rallied to send the game into overtime. Battle led the Lions with 26 points and 10 boards.

Strong shooting from downtown led the Hawks to victory in the overtime periods. The Hawkeyes shot 50% in the overtimes from the perimeter, with key 3-pointers from Devan Bawinkel and Jake Kelly.

With the win, the Hawks finished the regular season 15-16, 5-13 in Big Ten Conference play

The Hawks will be the #10 seed in the Big Ten tournament, taking on the #7 seed at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianpolist at 1:30 on Thursday March 12.

*My thoughts on todays game...

-I was really happy with the attendance. There was alot of energy in Carver-Hawkeye today. Being the last home game of the season, I hoped that a big crowd would show up, not quite a sell-out but still pretty good.

-Jake Kelly continues to impress. He is definately the leader on the hardwood and is showing everyone that this is his team.

-Post prescence was key today. Double-double's out of Cole and Tate were crucial

-One thing I did not understand was why the Hawks didn't go after Talor Battle right away in the 1st. The guy has 4 fouls and is doing everything for the Nittany Lions, go at him and try to draw a foul and get him out of the game.

-I was happy to see the team come over after the game and high five the students in the student section. This team has fought hard all season and they have alot of heart. This shows that they really appreciate they support that we give them

AH, the sweet sound of "In Heaven there is No Beer"

ON TO THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
ON IOWA, GO HAWKS!

Predictions, Predictions, More Predictions...Sizing up the National League

With the Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic in full swing and the MLB regular season only 30 days away, I figured it was time for some predictions. Heres how I think the divisions will shape up this year...

NL Central
1) Cubs
2) Cardinals
3) Reds
4) Pirates
5) Brewers

NL East
1) Phillies
2) Mets
3) Braves
4) Marlins
5) Nationals

NL West
1) Diamondbacks
2) Dodgers
3) Giants
4) Rockies
5) Padres


Wild Card: Dodgers
Cy Young: Cole Hamels
MVP: Hanley Ramirez (thats right MVP on a 4th place team)
Rookie of the year: Cameron Maybin, OF Marlins

What does anyone else think?



*In other random sports news...congrats to Cornell, first ticket punched to the Big Dance. Bring on March Madness*

World Baseball Classic Predictions

In conjunction with my poll, I was wondering who people think is going to win the World Baseball Classi. Personally, I see it coming down to three teams...Japan, USA, and the Dominican Republic.

My pick to win it all is the Dominican Republic, they're certainly going to put up runs, with Robinson Cano, Big Papi, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, Fernando Tatis, and Jose Guillen. The question could be their pitching staff, their rotation will probably look something like this...

1) Pedro Martinez
2) Edinson Volquez
3) Johnny Cueto
4) Ubaldo Jimenez
5) Odalis Perez

While this rotation could be a little shaky, I think they will have success at the WBC, look for Edison Volquez to throw the ball really well.

Plus they have a solid bullpen with Carlos Marmol, Damaso Marte, Julian Tavarez, and Jose Arredondo


Heres how I think the WBC will turn out

Semis
Japan defeats Cuba
Dominican Republic defeats USA

Championship
Dominican Republic defeats Japan

What does everyone else think?

Lack of support for Iowa Basketball

I said in my last post that I would discuss the lack of support at basketball games. The following is a story I had to write for my reporting and writing class a couple of weeks ago.

The Hawks have apparently flown away from the nest. Where are the loud and rowdy students that pack Kinnick Stadium on Saturdays in the Fall? How can Kinnick be filled to capacity every Saturday with 70,000+ people donning their black and gold, but Carver-Hawkeye constantly fails to sell out an arena of 15,000 people? I didn't realize Hawkeyes go into hibernation after football season. Attendance, especially student attendance, has always been an issue when it comes to basketball the last couple of years, and I have trouble trying to fathom why this is.

My friends and I have been season ticket holders for Iowa basketball the past two seasons and if I'm not mistaken, Carver-Hawkeye arena has been sold out 1 time in the past two years. The athletic department has done their best by lowering ticket prices and ever offering certains games for free to students, what more can they do? I know that Iowa basketball continues to struggle in their second season with Todd Lickliter at the helm, but this is a young team that is improving and badly needs our support.

Coach Lickliter, as well as many of his players, have expressed their gratitude for the fans that have shown up to cheer on their team, however, they have also been campaigning in the local newspapers for more support from the students.

This is a message to all the Iowa students and especially the Iowa sports fans (I know there are alot of you out there). Start taking alittle more pride in your school and in this team, get out and support the Hawks on the hardwood just like we support the Hawks on the gridiron. There are no excuses: the tickets are cheap, the atmosphere is great when there are actually people in the stands, and this is a young team that will continue to flourish under the tutelage of a great coach.

I hope to see alot more Hawkamaniacs in the stands next season

Hawkeye Basketball closes out reg. season tomorrow/ Reasons to look forward to next season...

The Iowa Hawkeyes will finish the regular season against Penn State tomorrow @ Carver-Hawkeye arena. Year two of the Lickliter era has been a difficult one, a 14-16 record and 4-13 in the Big Ten. There is no doubt that it has been a very disappointing season, however, there is definitely reason to look up. While the record does not reflect it, this team is much improved from last year. Here are the reasons to look forward to next year...


-The Hawks were in nearly every game they played this season. Of their 16 losses, 10 of them were by 8 points or less. As the Hawks get more experienced, they will be able to finish off those close games

-Jake Kelly has shown that he is the team leader. Kelly is averaging 20.1 points and 6.3 boards in his last 6 games.

-The Hawks are second in the Big Ten in 3 pointers made, and are shooting 37% from three point range as a team. Iowa has also significantly improved on their free throw shooting. An abysmal free throw shooting team in Lickliter's 1st year, the Hawks are 2nd in the Big Ten this season, shooting 74% as a team from the charity stripe.

-The Hawks are only losing Cyrus Tate and J.R. Angle (and possibly Anthony Tucker)

I'm expecting bigger and better things from the Hawks next season. Hopefully as the team continues to improve, more students will make the trek over to the Hawks Nest. But the question about support for the Hawkeyes basketball team, or lack thereof, is a blog for another day.

Good Luck to the Hawks against Penn St. and in the Big Ten tournament
ON IOWA, GO HAWKS

1st Post, 1st Blog...Cubs ramblings

I figured it was time to join the 21st century, so I created this blog to ramble about all things sports. Primarily Hawkeye sports and Chicago sports, but I'll talk about anything interesting in the world of sports.

I've had a chance to watch the Cubs on TV the past two days, and while they have been on the losing end of both games (a fact that anti-Cubs fans won't let me forget...I remind them there is no trophy for Catcus League Champion), I'm liking what I see and am expecting big things. I'm really excited with the hot start from The Riot and Fontenot.

Ryan Theriot has started off his spring hitting .563, with 9 hits in his first 16 AB's, counterpart Mike Fontenot is hitting .391, 9 hits in his first 23 AB's

One of the big competitions in camp this Spring is for the #5 Starter, in my opinion, Aaron Heilman is the #5 starter if the season started today, but heres the stats so far for the pitchers vying for the #5 spot...

Heilman: 2 games, 5 innings, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K's
Samardzija: 2 games, 5 innings, 8 hits, 5 ER's, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 3 K's
Marshall: 2 games, 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's