The bubble burst bigtime today with five teams losing with UNLV and Washington still to play tonight. Wake Forest, Clemson, Arizona State, UAB, and Memphis lost the chance to lock up a spot in the big dance and now they will all be the most tense couch potatoes in America.
The teams that did win today, San Diego State and Georgia Tech, had to comeback and win their games. Both teams need a win the next round over New Mexico and Maryland respectively to distance themselves from the losers from Thursday.
Friday boasts two games that were supposed to be elimination games but all four teams, Saint Louis vs. Rhode Island, Mississippi State vs. Florida, could get in no matter what the outcome is. And with a win over Tennessee in the SEC quarterfinals, Ole Miss could launch their name into the list of bubble contenders.
Three teams that benefitted the most from all the losers today are Illinois, Florida State, and Missouri. The Illini and Seminoles have yet to hit the court in their tournaments and are now in. Missouri is a lucky loser after going down to Nebraska yesterday they get in because of their resume.
Three more teams that benefitted from all the losing were Wednesday's losers South Florida and Seton Hall and Charlotte, who lost Tuesday. For the Bulls and Pirates, at least they won a game in a conference tournament and Charlotte is better than most of the teams that lost.
Teams That Are Now Locks: Illinois, Florida State, Missouri, Texas
Teams That Are In With A Win: Georgia Tech, Saint Louis, Rhode Island, Mississippi State, Florida
Teams Fighting For Remaining 6 Spots: UAB, Memphis, Clemson, Wake Forest, Arizona State, UNLV, San Diego State, Ole Miss, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, South Florida, Charlotte, Losers of Saint Louis/Rhode Island and Mississippi State/Florida games.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bubble Watch: March 10
Yesterday's second round of the Big East tournament could have seen South Florida and Seton Hall both advance and continue their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament but that did happen thanks to a twenty point win by Georgetown over South Florida and Notre Dame beating the Pirates 68-56 thanks to 20 points from Luke Harangody. This takes both teams off the bubble and out of the tournament and along with Charlotte in A-10, who lost to UMass in the 1st Round, have opened up some spots for other bubble teams to slide into the field of 65.
Teams Locked In:
ACC: Duke, Maryland, Virginia Tech
A-10: Temple, Xavier, Richmond
Big East: Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville, Pitt, Marquette
Big 10: Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Big 12: Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas
C-USA: UTEP, Memphis
Mountain West: BYU, New Mexico
Pac-10: Cal
SEC: Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
WCC: Gonzaga
Right now, these 32 teams will be in the NCAA Tournament, if all teams in these conferences, with the exception of Gonzaga who lost Monday to St. Mary's, win their respective tournaments eleven spots will be open to bubble teams.
Teams on the Bubble:
ACC: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest
First round play begins in the ACC today and Wake, Clemson, and Georgia Tech need to win their games. That would set up a quarterfinal elimination game between the Seminoles and Tigers, with the Demon Deacons needing to beat Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech to beat Maryland. If Maryland beats the Yellow Jackets, the winner of the potential FSU/Clemson game would be in with a win over the Terps, the same is the case if Wake knocks off Virginia Tech and then Duke in the semis.
A-10: Saint Louis, Rhode Island, Dayton
With Charlotte playing themselves out of the bubble with a loss at home to UMass in the A-10 first round, three teams remain on the bubble. Saint Louis and Rhode Island play Friday in the quarters in an elimination game. Dayton got back on the bubble with Charlotte's loss and with a win over Xavier in the quarters and a win over Richmond in the semis, the Flyers will be in a good position to get in.
Big East: Cincinnati
There is a very slight possibility that the Bearcats can make the big dance but that is why they call this month March Madness. By beating Louisville last night and with losses by South Florida and Seton Hall, the Bearcats are the only team that could make the Big East get nine teams in. To get in, a win over the Mountaineers is needed as well as a semifinal win against either Notre Dame or Pitt. Mick Cronin's team does have two big wins this year against Vandy and Maryland but lost to fellow bubble team UAB.
Big 10: Illinois
The formula is simple for the Illini: Beat Wisconsin in the Big 10 quarterfinals and they're in. Lose to Wisconsin and pray that other bubble teams lose.
Big 12: Missouri, Oklahoma State
Missouri's loss to Nebraska took them out of lock contention and put Texas in as a lock after the Longhorns beat Iowa State. The Cowboys beat interstate rival Oklahoma yesterday, and with a win over Kansas State and a win over either Baylor or Texas in the semis could put them in over Mizzou. Missouri just has to sit back and wait at this point. With wins over Illinois and Oklahoma State, if both of those teams lose their next game, the Tigers should be in, if not they have to play the waiting game.
C-USA: UAB
The Blazers open C-USA tourney play against Southern Miss today and need to win that game and beat Memphis in the semis to have a good chance of getting in. They do boast a win over Butler on their resume, but they were also swept by both UTEP and Memphis, the two top teams in C-USA.
Mountain West: UNLV, San Diego State
Both teams have to win their quarterfinal game and beat either New Mexico or BYU in their respective semifinal games to get in. UNLV is in better shape with two wins over the top two compared to the Aztecs' one and they beat Louisville earlier in the season.
Pac-10: Arizona State, Washington
Getting three teams into the big dance from the Pac-10 will not happen so the second bid will come down to the semifinal matchup between the Sun Devils and Huskies. For this to happen, Arizona State needs to get past Stanford and Washington has to beat Oregon State. The winner of the semifinal game will get the second bid if it is over the other bubble team.
SEC: Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss
The situation is simple for Florida and Mississippi State and that is to beat the other team in the SEC quarterfinals. Florida plays Auburn in the first round tommorrow and if they advance to play the Bulldogs, the winner will still be alive for a tournament bid but a win over Vandy in the semifinals would be a big help to a team's chances. Ole Miss needs hope Tennessee wins their first round game against LSU and then beat the Vols in quarters and Kentucky in the semis to be in the bubble conversation.
Bubble Teams That Should Be In:
Illinois, Missouri, UNLV, UAB, Arizona State, Saint Louis, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson, Mississippi State
Teams Locked In:
ACC: Duke, Maryland, Virginia Tech
A-10: Temple, Xavier, Richmond
Big East: Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville, Pitt, Marquette
Big 10: Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Big 12: Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas
C-USA: UTEP, Memphis
Mountain West: BYU, New Mexico
Pac-10: Cal
SEC: Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
WCC: Gonzaga
Right now, these 32 teams will be in the NCAA Tournament, if all teams in these conferences, with the exception of Gonzaga who lost Monday to St. Mary's, win their respective tournaments eleven spots will be open to bubble teams.
Teams on the Bubble:
ACC: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest
First round play begins in the ACC today and Wake, Clemson, and Georgia Tech need to win their games. That would set up a quarterfinal elimination game between the Seminoles and Tigers, with the Demon Deacons needing to beat Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech to beat Maryland. If Maryland beats the Yellow Jackets, the winner of the potential FSU/Clemson game would be in with a win over the Terps, the same is the case if Wake knocks off Virginia Tech and then Duke in the semis.
A-10: Saint Louis, Rhode Island, Dayton
With Charlotte playing themselves out of the bubble with a loss at home to UMass in the A-10 first round, three teams remain on the bubble. Saint Louis and Rhode Island play Friday in the quarters in an elimination game. Dayton got back on the bubble with Charlotte's loss and with a win over Xavier in the quarters and a win over Richmond in the semis, the Flyers will be in a good position to get in.
Big East: Cincinnati
There is a very slight possibility that the Bearcats can make the big dance but that is why they call this month March Madness. By beating Louisville last night and with losses by South Florida and Seton Hall, the Bearcats are the only team that could make the Big East get nine teams in. To get in, a win over the Mountaineers is needed as well as a semifinal win against either Notre Dame or Pitt. Mick Cronin's team does have two big wins this year against Vandy and Maryland but lost to fellow bubble team UAB.
Big 10: Illinois
The formula is simple for the Illini: Beat Wisconsin in the Big 10 quarterfinals and they're in. Lose to Wisconsin and pray that other bubble teams lose.
Big 12: Missouri, Oklahoma State
Missouri's loss to Nebraska took them out of lock contention and put Texas in as a lock after the Longhorns beat Iowa State. The Cowboys beat interstate rival Oklahoma yesterday, and with a win over Kansas State and a win over either Baylor or Texas in the semis could put them in over Mizzou. Missouri just has to sit back and wait at this point. With wins over Illinois and Oklahoma State, if both of those teams lose their next game, the Tigers should be in, if not they have to play the waiting game.
C-USA: UAB
The Blazers open C-USA tourney play against Southern Miss today and need to win that game and beat Memphis in the semis to have a good chance of getting in. They do boast a win over Butler on their resume, but they were also swept by both UTEP and Memphis, the two top teams in C-USA.
Mountain West: UNLV, San Diego State
Both teams have to win their quarterfinal game and beat either New Mexico or BYU in their respective semifinal games to get in. UNLV is in better shape with two wins over the top two compared to the Aztecs' one and they beat Louisville earlier in the season.
Pac-10: Arizona State, Washington
Getting three teams into the big dance from the Pac-10 will not happen so the second bid will come down to the semifinal matchup between the Sun Devils and Huskies. For this to happen, Arizona State needs to get past Stanford and Washington has to beat Oregon State. The winner of the semifinal game will get the second bid if it is over the other bubble team.
SEC: Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss
The situation is simple for Florida and Mississippi State and that is to beat the other team in the SEC quarterfinals. Florida plays Auburn in the first round tommorrow and if they advance to play the Bulldogs, the winner will still be alive for a tournament bid but a win over Vandy in the semifinals would be a big help to a team's chances. Ole Miss needs hope Tennessee wins their first round game against LSU and then beat the Vols in quarters and Kentucky in the semis to be in the bubble conversation.
Bubble Teams That Should Be In:
Illinois, Missouri, UNLV, UAB, Arizona State, Saint Louis, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson, Mississippi State
Monday, March 8, 2010
BCS Conferences Tournament Preview
Now it's time for the preview everyone has been waiting for: the BCS conferences tournament preview. Five of the six BCS conferences have had good seasons with the Pac-10 struggling to get more than one team. Also, bubble teams will be the focus of the first few rounds of each tournament.
ACC (Greensboro, NC)
Seeds: (1) Duke (2) Maryland (3) Florida State (4) Virginia Tech (5) Wake Forest (6) Clemson (7) Georgia Tech (8) Boston College (9) Virginia (10) UNC (11) NC State (12) Miami
2009 Tournament Champion: Duke (Lost in Sweet 16)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (5) Wake Forest vs. (12) Miami, (6) Clemson vs. (11) NC State, (7) Georgia Tech vs. (10) UNC, (8) Boston College vs. (9) Virginia
Friday: (1) Duke vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Maryland vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Florida State vs. 6/11 winner, (4) Virginia Tech vs. 5/12 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
The ACC has two locks in Duke and Maryland, after that the winners of the two other quarterfinals will be in the best position to make the tournament as an at-large if one of those four bubble teams, seeds 3 thru 6, does not win the tournament.
Big 10 (Indianapolis)
Seeds: (1) Ohio State (2) Purdue (3) Michigan State (4) Wisconsin (5) Illinois (6) Minnesota (7) Northwestern (8) Michigan (9) Iowa (10) Indiana (11) Penn State
2009 Tournament Champion: Purdue (Lost in Sweet 16)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (6) Minnesota vs. (11) Penn State, (7) Northwestern vs. (10) Indiana, (8)Michigan vs. (9) Iowa
Friday: (1) Ohio State vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Purdue vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Michigan State vs. 6/11 winner, (4) Wisconsin vs. (5) Illinois
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
The top four teams all locked in the tournament with Illinois needing a win over Wisconsin to get an at-large. The top three seeds are fighting for a chance to become a two seed if they win the Big 10 tournament, the others could see anywhere from a three to five seed.
Big East (New York City)
Seeds: (1) Syracuse (2) Pitt (3) West Virginia (4) Villanova (5) Marquette (6) Louisville (7) Notre Dame (8) Georgetown (9) South Florida (10) Seton Hall (11) Cincinnati (12) UConn (13) St. John's (14) Rutgers (15) Providence (16) DePaul
2009 Tournament Champion: Louisville (Lost in Elite 8)
Game Schedule:
Tuesday: (9) South Florida vs. (16) DePaul, (10) Seton Hall vs. (15) Providence, (11) Cincinnati vs. (14) Rutgers, (12) UConn vs. (13) St. John's
Wednesday: (5) Marquette vs. 12/13 winner, (6)Louisville vs. 11/14 winner, (7) Notre Dame vs. 10/15 winner, (8) Georgetown vs. 9/16 winner
Thursday: (1) Syracuse vs. winner of Georgetown game, (2) Pitt vs. winner of Notre Dame game, (3) West Virginia vs. winner of Louisville game, (4) Villanova vs. winner of Marquette game.
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
After Louisville's second win this season over Syracuse and Notre Dame's end of the year win streak, the Big East can count at least six locks with Marquette and Georgetown needing a win in their first game to lock in a bid. South Florida has a long shot of making it but with wins over Georgetown and Syracuse, an at-large berth will be waiting.
Big 12 (Kansas City, MO)
Seeds: (1) Kansas (2) Kansas State (3) Baylor (4) Texas A&M (5) Missouri (6) Texas (7) Oklahoma State (8) Colorado (9) Texas Tech (10) Oklahoma (11) Iowa State (12) Nebraska
2009 Tournament Champion: Missouri (Lost in Elite 8)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (5) Missouri vs. (12) Nebraska, (6) Texas vs. (11) Iowa State, (7) Oklahoma State vs. (10) Oklahoma, (8) Colorado vs. (9) Texas Tech
Thursday: (1) Kansas vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Kansas State vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Baylor vs 6/11 winner, (4) Texas A&M vs. 5/12 winner
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
The Big 12 could possibly have two number one seeds if Kansas State wins the tournament. On the bubble watch, Missouri and Texas need to advance to the quarterfinals and win their quarter to be a lock. The Longhorns are in better shape than the Tigers and should get in no matter what.
Pac-10 (Los Angeles)
Seeds: (1) Cal (2) Arizona State (3) Washington (4) Arizona (5) UCLA (6) Oregon State (7) Stanford (8) Oregon (9) Washington State
2009 Tournament Champion: USC (Lost in NCAA 2nd Round)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (8) Oregon vs. (9) Washington State
Thursday: (1) Cal vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Arizona State vs. (7) Stanford, (3) Washington vs. (6) Oregon State, (4) Arizona vs. (5) UCLA
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
This is by far one of the weakest, if not the weakest, conference in all of college basketball. One, maybe two, teams will get in. To get two teams in the tournament, Arizona State needs to beat Cal in a close championship game.
SEC (Nashville)
Seeds: East: (1) Kentucky (2) Vanderbilt (3) Tennessee (4) Florida (5) South Carolina (6) Georgia
West: (1) Mississippi State (2) Ole Miss (3) Arkansas (4) Alabama (5) Auburn (6) LSU
2009 Tournament Champion: Mississippi State (Lost in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (E3) Tennessee vs. (W6) LSU, (E4) Florida vs. (W5) Auburn, (W3) Arkansas vs. (E6) Georgia, (W4) Alabama vs. (E5) South Carolina
Friday: (E1) Kentucky vs. W4/E5 winner, (E2) Vanderbilt vs. W3/E6 winner, (W1) Mississippi State vs. E4/W5 winner, (W2) Ole Miss vs. E3/W6 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
Kentucky, Vandy and Tennessee are locks while both Mississippi teams and Florida are on the bubble. If Florida wins their opener, the game against Mississippi State will be an elimination game. Ole Miss has an outside chance to make it if they make the final.
ACC (Greensboro, NC)
Seeds: (1) Duke (2) Maryland (3) Florida State (4) Virginia Tech (5) Wake Forest (6) Clemson (7) Georgia Tech (8) Boston College (9) Virginia (10) UNC (11) NC State (12) Miami
2009 Tournament Champion: Duke (Lost in Sweet 16)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (5) Wake Forest vs. (12) Miami, (6) Clemson vs. (11) NC State, (7) Georgia Tech vs. (10) UNC, (8) Boston College vs. (9) Virginia
Friday: (1) Duke vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Maryland vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Florida State vs. 6/11 winner, (4) Virginia Tech vs. 5/12 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
The ACC has two locks in Duke and Maryland, after that the winners of the two other quarterfinals will be in the best position to make the tournament as an at-large if one of those four bubble teams, seeds 3 thru 6, does not win the tournament.
Big 10 (Indianapolis)
Seeds: (1) Ohio State (2) Purdue (3) Michigan State (4) Wisconsin (5) Illinois (6) Minnesota (7) Northwestern (8) Michigan (9) Iowa (10) Indiana (11) Penn State
2009 Tournament Champion: Purdue (Lost in Sweet 16)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (6) Minnesota vs. (11) Penn State, (7) Northwestern vs. (10) Indiana, (8)Michigan vs. (9) Iowa
Friday: (1) Ohio State vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Purdue vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Michigan State vs. 6/11 winner, (4) Wisconsin vs. (5) Illinois
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
The top four teams all locked in the tournament with Illinois needing a win over Wisconsin to get an at-large. The top three seeds are fighting for a chance to become a two seed if they win the Big 10 tournament, the others could see anywhere from a three to five seed.
Big East (New York City)
Seeds: (1) Syracuse (2) Pitt (3) West Virginia (4) Villanova (5) Marquette (6) Louisville (7) Notre Dame (8) Georgetown (9) South Florida (10) Seton Hall (11) Cincinnati (12) UConn (13) St. John's (14) Rutgers (15) Providence (16) DePaul
2009 Tournament Champion: Louisville (Lost in Elite 8)
Game Schedule:
Tuesday: (9) South Florida vs. (16) DePaul, (10) Seton Hall vs. (15) Providence, (11) Cincinnati vs. (14) Rutgers, (12) UConn vs. (13) St. John's
Wednesday: (5) Marquette vs. 12/13 winner, (6)Louisville vs. 11/14 winner, (7) Notre Dame vs. 10/15 winner, (8) Georgetown vs. 9/16 winner
Thursday: (1) Syracuse vs. winner of Georgetown game, (2) Pitt vs. winner of Notre Dame game, (3) West Virginia vs. winner of Louisville game, (4) Villanova vs. winner of Marquette game.
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
After Louisville's second win this season over Syracuse and Notre Dame's end of the year win streak, the Big East can count at least six locks with Marquette and Georgetown needing a win in their first game to lock in a bid. South Florida has a long shot of making it but with wins over Georgetown and Syracuse, an at-large berth will be waiting.
Big 12 (Kansas City, MO)
Seeds: (1) Kansas (2) Kansas State (3) Baylor (4) Texas A&M (5) Missouri (6) Texas (7) Oklahoma State (8) Colorado (9) Texas Tech (10) Oklahoma (11) Iowa State (12) Nebraska
2009 Tournament Champion: Missouri (Lost in Elite 8)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (5) Missouri vs. (12) Nebraska, (6) Texas vs. (11) Iowa State, (7) Oklahoma State vs. (10) Oklahoma, (8) Colorado vs. (9) Texas Tech
Thursday: (1) Kansas vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Kansas State vs. 7/10 winner, (3) Baylor vs 6/11 winner, (4) Texas A&M vs. 5/12 winner
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
The Big 12 could possibly have two number one seeds if Kansas State wins the tournament. On the bubble watch, Missouri and Texas need to advance to the quarterfinals and win their quarter to be a lock. The Longhorns are in better shape than the Tigers and should get in no matter what.
Pac-10 (Los Angeles)
Seeds: (1) Cal (2) Arizona State (3) Washington (4) Arizona (5) UCLA (6) Oregon State (7) Stanford (8) Oregon (9) Washington State
2009 Tournament Champion: USC (Lost in NCAA 2nd Round)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (8) Oregon vs. (9) Washington State
Thursday: (1) Cal vs. 8/9 winner, (2) Arizona State vs. (7) Stanford, (3) Washington vs. (6) Oregon State, (4) Arizona vs. (5) UCLA
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final
This is by far one of the weakest, if not the weakest, conference in all of college basketball. One, maybe two, teams will get in. To get two teams in the tournament, Arizona State needs to beat Cal in a close championship game.
SEC (Nashville)
Seeds: East: (1) Kentucky (2) Vanderbilt (3) Tennessee (4) Florida (5) South Carolina (6) Georgia
West: (1) Mississippi State (2) Ole Miss (3) Arkansas (4) Alabama (5) Auburn (6) LSU
2009 Tournament Champion: Mississippi State (Lost in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (E3) Tennessee vs. (W6) LSU, (E4) Florida vs. (W5) Auburn, (W3) Arkansas vs. (E6) Georgia, (W4) Alabama vs. (E5) South Carolina
Friday: (E1) Kentucky vs. W4/E5 winner, (E2) Vanderbilt vs. W3/E6 winner, (W1) Mississippi State vs. E4/W5 winner, (W2) Ole Miss vs. E3/W6 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final
Kentucky, Vandy and Tennessee are locks while both Mississippi teams and Florida are on the bubble. If Florida wins their opener, the game against Mississippi State will be an elimination game. Ole Miss has an outside chance to make it if they make the final.
College Hoopla- March 8
The madness officially has begun with five teams winning automatic berths into the big dance. Twenty-nine more bids will be given out this week before Selection Sunday. Here are this week's awards:
Player of the Week:
Kyle Kuric, G, Louisville
No one, even Louisville fans, knew who Kuric was before Saturday's Freedom Hall finale against #1 Syracuse. That all changed in the second half with Kuric scoring 22 points. Going 4 of 6 from beyond the arc and a few alley-oops, Kuric was the BMOC in Louisville Saturday night.
Team of the Week:
Louisville
After a crippling loss to Marquette, Rick Pitino's team rebounded with their second win of the season against Syracuse. In the final game at Freedom Hall, the Cardinals were strong all game and thanks to Kuric's heroics, locked down a tournament spot.
Upset of the Week:
Iowa State over Kansas State 85-80 (OT)
The Wildcats had a chance to make their case for a number one seed but lost that opportunity after losing to the Cyclones Saturday night. K-State recovered from a nine point halftime deficit to send the game to overtime but could not close the deal, losing by five in overtime.
Game of the Week:
West Virginia 68, Villanova 66 (OT)
In a battle of Big East powerhouses at the Wachovia Center, the referees took front stage, with both teams being called for 24 fouls each. The game was far from exciting in the first half with Nova going into the half with a 29-16 lead. The Wildcats' failure to close the game out and the clutch shooting of the Mountaineers combined for a great second half which led into a lackluster overtime period with saw Bob Huggins' team coming out on top.
Conference Tournaments To Watch:
ACC, Big 10, SEC, Mt. West, A-10, Pac 10
Who the Top Seeds Should Be:
1- Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke
2- Winner of Big 10 Tourney, Kansas State, West Virginia, New Mexico
Bubble Teams That Are in the Tournament:
Notre Dame, St. Mary's, Memphis, Virginia Tech
Bubble Teams That Should Not Make the Tournament
UConn, Illinois, Rhode Island, Wake Forest
Check back during the rest of the week for more College Hoopla.
Player of the Week:
Kyle Kuric, G, Louisville
No one, even Louisville fans, knew who Kuric was before Saturday's Freedom Hall finale against #1 Syracuse. That all changed in the second half with Kuric scoring 22 points. Going 4 of 6 from beyond the arc and a few alley-oops, Kuric was the BMOC in Louisville Saturday night.
Team of the Week:
Louisville
After a crippling loss to Marquette, Rick Pitino's team rebounded with their second win of the season against Syracuse. In the final game at Freedom Hall, the Cardinals were strong all game and thanks to Kuric's heroics, locked down a tournament spot.
Upset of the Week:
Iowa State over Kansas State 85-80 (OT)
The Wildcats had a chance to make their case for a number one seed but lost that opportunity after losing to the Cyclones Saturday night. K-State recovered from a nine point halftime deficit to send the game to overtime but could not close the deal, losing by five in overtime.
Game of the Week:
West Virginia 68, Villanova 66 (OT)
In a battle of Big East powerhouses at the Wachovia Center, the referees took front stage, with both teams being called for 24 fouls each. The game was far from exciting in the first half with Nova going into the half with a 29-16 lead. The Wildcats' failure to close the game out and the clutch shooting of the Mountaineers combined for a great second half which led into a lackluster overtime period with saw Bob Huggins' team coming out on top.
Conference Tournaments To Watch:
ACC, Big 10, SEC, Mt. West, A-10, Pac 10
Who the Top Seeds Should Be:
1- Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke
2- Winner of Big 10 Tourney, Kansas State, West Virginia, New Mexico
Bubble Teams That Are in the Tournament:
Notre Dame, St. Mary's, Memphis, Virginia Tech
Bubble Teams That Should Not Make the Tournament
UConn, Illinois, Rhode Island, Wake Forest
Check back during the rest of the week for more College Hoopla.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Duke-UNC Clash Means More Than Usual Tonight
Tonight marks the 229th time that the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils will be opponents on the basketball court. Both teams have had different paths this season, Carolina has struggled mightily after losing the core of their national championship team, while Duke has a strong group of seniors propelling them to a possible number one seed. Both teams are also looking to win the game for different reasons. If the Heels win, it will be the high spot in a disappointing season and for Duke it would be a win over the most-hated team in all the land.
For North Carolina, this game is the Super Bowl of the 2009-10 season. After starting the season 4-0, the non-conference schedule got tough and the young group of players were not able to contend with Syracuse, Texas, and Kentucky. Then, after a loss to Charleston at home right before ACC play, things went haywire. Roy Williams' team is 5-10 in the ACC and 16-14 overall and on the verge of not making the NIT. If there is any good news, they are on a two game win streak beating Wake Forest and Miami in those games. With only two players with double digit points per game, the Heels are struggling to find someone to step up and take the big shot.
The Blue Devils have had an excellent season under Coach K and going in to this week had a chance at a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament but that chance fell off the radar with a loss to Maryland on Wednesday. They will no doubt be motivated to win on Jon Scheyer's senior night against the Heels but they will face a challenge since it is a rivalry game.
Tonight's game has the feel of any rivalry game that features a struggling team and a very successful team. The most recent example is the Ohio St.-Michigan football games with Ohio St. being the winner and the more successful team in the regular season. Duke would love that outcome but this rivalry means way more to both teams than a Big 10 football game. If North Carolina wins, their season will have a better taste at the end and could give them momentum to make a good run at the ACC Tournament. Duke wants to win this game for Scheyer and fellow seniors Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek and to take the ACC regular season title from Maryland.
Key Players To Watch:
North Carolina: G Will Graves
Graves needs to step up his game from beyond the arc and also become a leader on the floor tonight. Graves is the best three point and free throw shooter on the team and will need to score way more than his average of 9.9 points per game to give his team a shot tonight.
Duke: G Jon Scheyer
Not only is it his senior night, Scheyer is playing in a rivalry game he has never won at home, he can possibly win ACC Player of the Year and win the ACC regular season title all in one night. The pressure will be on Scheyer to lead the Blue Devils on the perimeter and will have knock down his free throws tonight at Cameron Indoor.
Prediction: Duke 81, UNC 77
This game will be close because how much this game means to both teams' seasons. But Duke has too much experience and will want to win the game at Cameron Indoor for the first time in five years.
For North Carolina, this game is the Super Bowl of the 2009-10 season. After starting the season 4-0, the non-conference schedule got tough and the young group of players were not able to contend with Syracuse, Texas, and Kentucky. Then, after a loss to Charleston at home right before ACC play, things went haywire. Roy Williams' team is 5-10 in the ACC and 16-14 overall and on the verge of not making the NIT. If there is any good news, they are on a two game win streak beating Wake Forest and Miami in those games. With only two players with double digit points per game, the Heels are struggling to find someone to step up and take the big shot.
The Blue Devils have had an excellent season under Coach K and going in to this week had a chance at a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament but that chance fell off the radar with a loss to Maryland on Wednesday. They will no doubt be motivated to win on Jon Scheyer's senior night against the Heels but they will face a challenge since it is a rivalry game.
Tonight's game has the feel of any rivalry game that features a struggling team and a very successful team. The most recent example is the Ohio St.-Michigan football games with Ohio St. being the winner and the more successful team in the regular season. Duke would love that outcome but this rivalry means way more to both teams than a Big 10 football game. If North Carolina wins, their season will have a better taste at the end and could give them momentum to make a good run at the ACC Tournament. Duke wants to win this game for Scheyer and fellow seniors Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek and to take the ACC regular season title from Maryland.
Key Players To Watch:
North Carolina: G Will Graves
Graves needs to step up his game from beyond the arc and also become a leader on the floor tonight. Graves is the best three point and free throw shooter on the team and will need to score way more than his average of 9.9 points per game to give his team a shot tonight.
Duke: G Jon Scheyer
Not only is it his senior night, Scheyer is playing in a rivalry game he has never won at home, he can possibly win ACC Player of the Year and win the ACC regular season title all in one night. The pressure will be on Scheyer to lead the Blue Devils on the perimeter and will have knock down his free throws tonight at Cameron Indoor.
Prediction: Duke 81, UNC 77
This game will be close because how much this game means to both teams' seasons. But Duke has too much experience and will want to win the game at Cameron Indoor for the first time in five years.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
America East, NEC, CAA, MAAC, SoCon College Hoopla Tournament Preview
America East, NEC,CAA, MAAC, SoCon College Hoopla Tournament Preview
Conference Tournament Season is getting into full swing this weekend with a slew of conferences taking to the court. In these five conferences I am previewing today only a loss by Siena in the MAAC Tournament could have some implications on a possible at-large bid, after that everyone else is playing for an automatic berth to the big dance.
America East (QF and SF @ Hartford, Final @ Highest Seed)
Seeds: (1) Stony Brook (2) Vermont (3) Maine (4) Boston U. (5) Hartford (6) New Hampshire (7) UMBC (8) Albany
2009 Tournament Champion: Binghamton (Lost to Duke in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Saturday: (1) Stony Brook vs. (8) Albany, (2) Vermont vs. (7) UMBC, (3) Maine vs. (6) New Hampshire, (4) Boston U. vs. (5) Hartford
Sunday: Semifinals
Next Saturday: Final
The attention given to this year's version of Am. East tourney is negative with Binghamton deciding to pull out of the tournament. Bearcats' fans and students protested the administration's decision to take out the defending champion but it was to no avail. This gives UMBC and Albany a chance to play in the quarterfinals instead of facing each other in the play-in game.
NEC (All games @ Higher Seed)
Seeds: (1) Quinnipiac (2) Robert Morris (3) Mt. St. Mary's (4) LIU (5) FDU (6) St. Francis (PA) (7) Central Connecticut St. (8) Monmouth
2009 Tournament Champion: Robert Morris (Lost to Mich. St. in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (1) Quinnipiac vs. (8) Monmouth (2) Robert Morris vs. (7) Cent. CT St. (3)Mt. St. Mary's vs. (6) St. Francis (PA) (4) LIU vs. (5) FDU
Sunday: Semifinals
Wednesday: Final
The race for the automatic berth is between the top three with Robert Morris looking to repeat as champion.
Colonial Athletic Association (Richmond, VA)
Seeds: (1) Old Dominion (2) Northeastern (3) William & Mary (4) George Mason (5) VCU (6) Drexel (7) Hofstra (8) Towson (9) UNCW (10) Georgia St. (11) James Madison (12) Delaware
2009 Tournament Champion: VCU (Lost in NCAA 1st Round to UCLA)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (8) Towson vs. (9) UNCW, (5) VCU vs. (12) Delaware, (7) Hofstra vs. (10) Georgia State, (6) Drexel vs. (11) James Madison
Saturday: Quarterfinals
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final
Just like many mid-major conferences, the CAA will only have one team getting into the tournament but the conference has a history of pulling upsets in the big dance, most notably was George Mason making the Final Four as an 11 seed in 2006.
MAAC (Albany, NY)
Seeds: (1) Siena (2) Fairfield (3) Iona (4) St. Peter's (5) Rider (6) Niagara (7) Canisius (8) Loyola, MD (9) Manhattan (10) Marist
2009 Tournament Champion: Siena (Beat Ohio St. in NCAA 1st Round, Lost to Louisville in NCAA 2nd Round)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (7) Canisius vs. (10) Marist, (8) Loyola vs. (9) Manhattan
Saturday: Quarterfinals
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final, 7:00, ESPN2
Siena has been the top team all season and has an outside chance at an at-large bid if they get upset but will have to get alot of help from bubble teams in the BCS conferences to get in.
SoCon (Charlotte, NC)
Seeds: North Division: (1) Appalachain St. (2) Western Carolina (3) Chattanooga (4)NC-Greensboro (5) Samford (6)Elon
South Division: (1) Wofford (2) Charleston (3) Davidson (4) The Citadel (5) Furman (6) Georgia Southern
2009 Tournament Champion: Chattanooga (Lost to UConn in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (3N) Chattanooga vs. (6S) Georgia Southern, (3S) Davidson vs. (6N) Elon, (4N) NC-Greensboro vs. (5S) Furman, (4S) The Citadel vs. (5N) Samford
Saturday: (1N) Appalachain St. vs. 4S/5N winner, (1S) Wofford vs. 4N/5S winner, (2N) Western Carolina vs. 3S/6N winner, (2S) Charleston vs. 3N/6S winner
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final, 9:00, ESPN2
The Southern Conference is free from the shooting skill of Stephen Curry after he graduated last season from Davidson and is a wide open crapshoot with the four straight days of play. Last season, Chattanooga had a 18-16 regular season record and won the tournament.
College Hoopla Conference Tournament Preview Schedule:
Wednesday: Atlantic Sun, Big South, Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355918-college-hoopla-conference-tourney-preview-a-sun-big-south-ovc-mvc
Today: America East, NEC, Colonial, MAAC, SoCon
Tommorrow: West Coast, Horizon, Summit, Sun Belt, Patriot
Monday: Big Sky, SWAC, Southland, MEAC, C-USA, WAC
Conference Tournament Season is getting into full swing this weekend with a slew of conferences taking to the court. In these five conferences I am previewing today only a loss by Siena in the MAAC Tournament could have some implications on a possible at-large bid, after that everyone else is playing for an automatic berth to the big dance.
America East (QF and SF @ Hartford, Final @ Highest Seed)
Seeds: (1) Stony Brook (2) Vermont (3) Maine (4) Boston U. (5) Hartford (6) New Hampshire (7) UMBC (8) Albany
2009 Tournament Champion: Binghamton (Lost to Duke in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Saturday: (1) Stony Brook vs. (8) Albany, (2) Vermont vs. (7) UMBC, (3) Maine vs. (6) New Hampshire, (4) Boston U. vs. (5) Hartford
Sunday: Semifinals
Next Saturday: Final
The attention given to this year's version of Am. East tourney is negative with Binghamton deciding to pull out of the tournament. Bearcats' fans and students protested the administration's decision to take out the defending champion but it was to no avail. This gives UMBC and Albany a chance to play in the quarterfinals instead of facing each other in the play-in game.
NEC (All games @ Higher Seed)
Seeds: (1) Quinnipiac (2) Robert Morris (3) Mt. St. Mary's (4) LIU (5) FDU (6) St. Francis (PA) (7) Central Connecticut St. (8) Monmouth
2009 Tournament Champion: Robert Morris (Lost to Mich. St. in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (1) Quinnipiac vs. (8) Monmouth (2) Robert Morris vs. (7) Cent. CT St. (3)Mt. St. Mary's vs. (6) St. Francis (PA) (4) LIU vs. (5) FDU
Sunday: Semifinals
Wednesday: Final
The race for the automatic berth is between the top three with Robert Morris looking to repeat as champion.
Colonial Athletic Association (Richmond, VA)
Seeds: (1) Old Dominion (2) Northeastern (3) William & Mary (4) George Mason (5) VCU (6) Drexel (7) Hofstra (8) Towson (9) UNCW (10) Georgia St. (11) James Madison (12) Delaware
2009 Tournament Champion: VCU (Lost in NCAA 1st Round to UCLA)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (8) Towson vs. (9) UNCW, (5) VCU vs. (12) Delaware, (7) Hofstra vs. (10) Georgia State, (6) Drexel vs. (11) James Madison
Saturday: Quarterfinals
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final
Just like many mid-major conferences, the CAA will only have one team getting into the tournament but the conference has a history of pulling upsets in the big dance, most notably was George Mason making the Final Four as an 11 seed in 2006.
MAAC (Albany, NY)
Seeds: (1) Siena (2) Fairfield (3) Iona (4) St. Peter's (5) Rider (6) Niagara (7) Canisius (8) Loyola, MD (9) Manhattan (10) Marist
2009 Tournament Champion: Siena (Beat Ohio St. in NCAA 1st Round, Lost to Louisville in NCAA 2nd Round)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (7) Canisius vs. (10) Marist, (8) Loyola vs. (9) Manhattan
Saturday: Quarterfinals
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final, 7:00, ESPN2
Siena has been the top team all season and has an outside chance at an at-large bid if they get upset but will have to get alot of help from bubble teams in the BCS conferences to get in.
SoCon (Charlotte, NC)
Seeds: North Division: (1) Appalachain St. (2) Western Carolina (3) Chattanooga (4)NC-Greensboro (5) Samford (6)Elon
South Division: (1) Wofford (2) Charleston (3) Davidson (4) The Citadel (5) Furman (6) Georgia Southern
2009 Tournament Champion: Chattanooga (Lost to UConn in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Friday: (3N) Chattanooga vs. (6S) Georgia Southern, (3S) Davidson vs. (6N) Elon, (4N) NC-Greensboro vs. (5S) Furman, (4S) The Citadel vs. (5N) Samford
Saturday: (1N) Appalachain St. vs. 4S/5N winner, (1S) Wofford vs. 4N/5S winner, (2N) Western Carolina vs. 3S/6N winner, (2S) Charleston vs. 3N/6S winner
Sunday: Semifinals
Monday: Final, 9:00, ESPN2
The Southern Conference is free from the shooting skill of Stephen Curry after he graduated last season from Davidson and is a wide open crapshoot with the four straight days of play. Last season, Chattanooga had a 18-16 regular season record and won the tournament.
College Hoopla Conference Tournament Preview Schedule:
Wednesday: Atlantic Sun, Big South, Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355918-college-hoopla-conference-tourney-preview-a-sun-big-south-ovc-mvc
Today: America East, NEC, Colonial, MAAC, SoCon
Tommorrow: West Coast, Horizon, Summit, Sun Belt, Patriot
Monday: Big Sky, SWAC, Southland, MEAC, C-USA, WAC
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
College Hoopla: Conference Tourney Preview: A-Sun, Big South, OVC, MVC
This weekend the first four automatic berths for the 2010 NCAA Tournament will be given out. From Macon, Georgia to St. Louis, conference tournaments will be played. Here is the preview for all four conferences.
Atlantic Sun (Macon, GA)
Seeds: 1. Lipscomb 2. Jacksonville 3. Belmont 4. Campbell 5. East Tennessee St. 6. Mercer 7. North Florida 8. Kennesaw State
Start of Tournament: Wednesday March 3
2009 Tournament Champion: East Tennessee State (lost to Pitt in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (1) Lipscomb v. (8) Kennesaw State, (2) Jacksonville v. (7) UNF
Thursday: (3) Belmont v. (6) Mercer, (4) Campbell v. (5) ETSU
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final, 6, ESPN2
Lipscomb was on top at the end of the regular season but Mercer is playing at home and could pull a shock run to the automatic bid. The Atlantic Sun will only get one team into the NCAA Tournament, no team has the resume to make an at-large.
Big South (Conway, SC)
Seeds: 1. Coastal Carolina 2. Radford 3. Winthrop 4. NC-Asheville 5. High Point 6. Liberty 7. Charleston Southern 8. VMI
Start of Tournament: Tuesday March 2
2009 Tournament Champion: Radford (lost to UNC in NCAA 1st Round)
Results from Quarterfinals: (1) Coastal Carolina 82, (8) VMI 73, (2) Radford 64, (7) Charleston Southern 61, (3) Winthrop 80, (6) Liberty 72 (4) NC-Asheville 84, (5) High Point 73
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (1) Coastal Carolina vs. (4) NC-Asheville, (2) Radford vs. (3) Winthrop, both games on ESPNU
Saturday: Final, 4, ESPN2
Coastal Carolina has the home court advantage but will face strong competition from perennial contenders Radford and Winthrop. Just like the A-Sun, whoever wins will take the single bid to the NCAA Tournament for the conference.
Ohio Valley (Quarterfinals at Highest See, Semis and Finals in Nashville)
Seeds: (1) Murray State (2) Morehead State (3) Austin Peay (4) Eastern Illinois (5) Eastern Kentucky (6) Tennessee Tech (7) Jacksonville State (8) Tennessee St.
Start of Tournament: Tuesday March 2
2009 Tournament Champion: Morehead State (Won play-in game, lost to Louisville in NCAA 1st Round)
Results from Quarterfinals: (1) Murray St. 84, (8) Tennessee St. 51, (2) Morehead St. 87, (7) Jacksonville St. 54, (4) E. Illinois 68, (5) E. Kentucky 65 (6) Tennesee Tech 68, (3) Austin Peay 65
Game Schedule:
Friday: (1) Murray State vs. (4) Eastern Illinois, (2) Morehead State vs. (6) TN Tech, both on ESPNU
Saturday: 9:00, ESPN2
The only slight chance of having two teams from the OVC in the NCAA Tournament is if Murray State loses in the final and has alot of help from teams on the bubble from the BCS conferences losing early in their conference tournaments.
Missouri Valley (St. Louis)
Seeds: (1) Northern Iowa, (2) Wichita St. (3) Illinois St. (4) Creighton (5) Bradley (6) Indiana St. (7) Missouri St. (8) Drake (9) Southern Illinois (10) Evansville
2009 Tournament Champion: Northern Iowa (lost to Purdue in NCAA 1st round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (7) Missouri St. vs. (10) Evansville, (8) Drake vs. (9) Southern Illinois
Friday: (1) Northern Iowa vs. 8/9 Winner, (4) Creighton vs. (5) Bradley, (3) Illinois St. vs. (6) Indiana St., (2) Wichita St. vs. 7/10 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final, 2:00, CBS
Arch Madness as it is called is always one of the most exciting of the early conference tournaments because it has had teams on the bubble for the past decade with multiple bids going to the MVC numerous times. This season, Northern Iowa is the only team worthy of an at-large bid if they lose and that will be the only way to get more than one team but expect the Panthers with the return of Jordan Eglesder from suspension to make their best effort to lock up an automatic bid.
Coming Up Later This Week: Previews of the first 4 finals and conference tournament previews for the rest of the mid-major schools.
Atlantic Sun (Macon, GA)
Seeds: 1. Lipscomb 2. Jacksonville 3. Belmont 4. Campbell 5. East Tennessee St. 6. Mercer 7. North Florida 8. Kennesaw State
Start of Tournament: Wednesday March 3
2009 Tournament Champion: East Tennessee State (lost to Pitt in NCAA 1st Round)
Game Schedule:
Wednesday: (1) Lipscomb v. (8) Kennesaw State, (2) Jacksonville v. (7) UNF
Thursday: (3) Belmont v. (6) Mercer, (4) Campbell v. (5) ETSU
Friday: Semifinals
Saturday: Final, 6, ESPN2
Lipscomb was on top at the end of the regular season but Mercer is playing at home and could pull a shock run to the automatic bid. The Atlantic Sun will only get one team into the NCAA Tournament, no team has the resume to make an at-large.
Big South (Conway, SC)
Seeds: 1. Coastal Carolina 2. Radford 3. Winthrop 4. NC-Asheville 5. High Point 6. Liberty 7. Charleston Southern 8. VMI
Start of Tournament: Tuesday March 2
2009 Tournament Champion: Radford (lost to UNC in NCAA 1st Round)
Results from Quarterfinals: (1) Coastal Carolina 82, (8) VMI 73, (2) Radford 64, (7) Charleston Southern 61, (3) Winthrop 80, (6) Liberty 72 (4) NC-Asheville 84, (5) High Point 73
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (1) Coastal Carolina vs. (4) NC-Asheville, (2) Radford vs. (3) Winthrop, both games on ESPNU
Saturday: Final, 4, ESPN2
Coastal Carolina has the home court advantage but will face strong competition from perennial contenders Radford and Winthrop. Just like the A-Sun, whoever wins will take the single bid to the NCAA Tournament for the conference.
Ohio Valley (Quarterfinals at Highest See, Semis and Finals in Nashville)
Seeds: (1) Murray State (2) Morehead State (3) Austin Peay (4) Eastern Illinois (5) Eastern Kentucky (6) Tennessee Tech (7) Jacksonville State (8) Tennessee St.
Start of Tournament: Tuesday March 2
2009 Tournament Champion: Morehead State (Won play-in game, lost to Louisville in NCAA 1st Round)
Results from Quarterfinals: (1) Murray St. 84, (8) Tennessee St. 51, (2) Morehead St. 87, (7) Jacksonville St. 54, (4) E. Illinois 68, (5) E. Kentucky 65 (6) Tennesee Tech 68, (3) Austin Peay 65
Game Schedule:
Friday: (1) Murray State vs. (4) Eastern Illinois, (2) Morehead State vs. (6) TN Tech, both on ESPNU
Saturday: 9:00, ESPN2
The only slight chance of having two teams from the OVC in the NCAA Tournament is if Murray State loses in the final and has alot of help from teams on the bubble from the BCS conferences losing early in their conference tournaments.
Missouri Valley (St. Louis)
Seeds: (1) Northern Iowa, (2) Wichita St. (3) Illinois St. (4) Creighton (5) Bradley (6) Indiana St. (7) Missouri St. (8) Drake (9) Southern Illinois (10) Evansville
2009 Tournament Champion: Northern Iowa (lost to Purdue in NCAA 1st round)
Game Schedule:
Thursday: (7) Missouri St. vs. (10) Evansville, (8) Drake vs. (9) Southern Illinois
Friday: (1) Northern Iowa vs. 8/9 Winner, (4) Creighton vs. (5) Bradley, (3) Illinois St. vs. (6) Indiana St., (2) Wichita St. vs. 7/10 winner
Saturday: Semifinals
Sunday: Final, 2:00, CBS
Arch Madness as it is called is always one of the most exciting of the early conference tournaments because it has had teams on the bubble for the past decade with multiple bids going to the MVC numerous times. This season, Northern Iowa is the only team worthy of an at-large bid if they lose and that will be the only way to get more than one team but expect the Panthers with the return of Jordan Eglesder from suspension to make their best effort to lock up an automatic bid.
Coming Up Later This Week: Previews of the first 4 finals and conference tournament previews for the rest of the mid-major schools.
Z88.9 Sports Top 10 for March 2
TOP 10 INDIVIDUAL OLYMPIC PERFORMANCES
10. Simon Ammann (Ski Jumping- 2 Gold Medals)
9. Shaun White (Snowboarding- Gold Medal)
8. Julia Mancuso (Alpine Skiing- 2 Silver)
7. Apolo Anton Ohno (Short Track- 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
6. Bode Miller (Alpine Skiing- Silver, 2 Bronze)
5. Steve Holcomb (Bobsled- 4-Man Gold)
4. Johnny Spillane (Nordic Combined- 3 Silver)
3. Marit Bjoergen (Cross-Country- 5 Total Medals)
2. Ryan Miller (Hockey- Tournament MVP- Silver Medal)
1. Joannie Rochette (Figure Skating Bronze days after mother's death)
10. Simon Ammann (Ski Jumping- 2 Gold Medals)
9. Shaun White (Snowboarding- Gold Medal)
8. Julia Mancuso (Alpine Skiing- 2 Silver)
7. Apolo Anton Ohno (Short Track- 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
6. Bode Miller (Alpine Skiing- Silver, 2 Bronze)
5. Steve Holcomb (Bobsled- 4-Man Gold)
4. Johnny Spillane (Nordic Combined- 3 Silver)
3. Marit Bjoergen (Cross-Country- 5 Total Medals)
2. Ryan Miller (Hockey- Tournament MVP- Silver Medal)
1. Joannie Rochette (Figure Skating Bronze days after mother's death)
Monday, March 1, 2010
College Hoopla- March 1
This week started a normal week in college basketball and ended with the top three teams in the nation all losing. Kansas, Kentucky, and Purdue all lost to conference rivals. Kansas lost in Stillwater to Oklahoma State, the Wildcats went to Knoxville and lost to Tennessee and Purdue lost at home to Michigan State. With mid-major conference tournament starting this week, College Hoopla will be back with a preview later in the week but for now, there are the week's best.
Player of the Week:
Greivis Vazquez, G, Maryland
Vazquez is one of the most underrated players in the nation and proved why he should be noticed more on Saturday. Vazquez and the Terps went into Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech in a game that essentially decided the number two team in the ACC. The game went into double overtime and was won 104-100 by the Terps thanks a career-high 41 point from Vazquez, who was 10 of 10 at the free throw line. Vazquez leads Maryland into a crucial home game against Duke on Wednesday.
Team of the Week:
Notre Dame
Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are truly fighting their way back into tournament contention. After the loss of star senior Luke Harangody to injury, most experts had the Irish down and out, but two big wins over Pitt and Georgetown put them back on the bubble. After losing three straight games by less than three, the Irish came back from adversity and beat Pitt at home on Wednesday, four of five starters scored in double digits. On Saturday, on the road at Georgetown, Notre Dame pulled off an upset 78-64. Both of these wins strengthen their tournament resume and has seen the production of Ben Hansbrough, Tyler's brother, step up in absence of Harangody.
Game of the Week:
Maryland 104, Virginia Tech 100 (2OT)
As mentioned above, this game had seeding implications for the ACC tournament. The number two seed would be all but locked up for the Terps with a win, and they did just that. With a career performance from Vazquez, the Terps got a big conference win.
Upset of the Week:
Oklahoma State 85, (1) Kansas 77
The Jayhawks were not expecting a challenge from the Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena but they did and were out shot. Led by Keiton Page and James Anderson, who both made four three pointers, Travis Ford's Cowboys took over the game leading 45-29 at halftime and then matched the Jayhawks shot for shot from behind to arc to halt a comeback attempt from the Jayhawks.
Games to Watch This Week:
Monday: Georgetown @ West Virginia (7, ESPN)
Tuesday: Georgia Tech @ Clemson (8:00)
Wednesday: Kansas State @ Kansas (8:00)
Thursday: Seton Hall @ Rutgers (7, ESPN)
Friday: Bradley vs. Creighton (3:35)
Weekend 6-Pack to Watch:
West Virginia @ Villanova (Sat, 12:00, CBS)
Richmond @ Charlotte (Sat, 2:00)
Texas @ Baylor (Sat, 4:00, ESPN)
North Carolina @ Duke (Sat, 9:00, ESPN)
Wisconsin @ Illinois (Sun, 12:00)
Clemson @ Wake Forest (Sun, 2:00)
What the Top 10 Should Be:
(1) Syracuse
(2) Kansas
(3) Kentucky
(4) Duke
(5) Kansas State
(6) Ohio State
(7) Purdue
(8) Villanova
(9) West Virginia
(10) Butler
Check back later this week for the Hoopla mid-major conference tourney preview.
Player of the Week:
Greivis Vazquez, G, Maryland
Vazquez is one of the most underrated players in the nation and proved why he should be noticed more on Saturday. Vazquez and the Terps went into Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech in a game that essentially decided the number two team in the ACC. The game went into double overtime and was won 104-100 by the Terps thanks a career-high 41 point from Vazquez, who was 10 of 10 at the free throw line. Vazquez leads Maryland into a crucial home game against Duke on Wednesday.
Team of the Week:
Notre Dame
Mike Brey's Fighting Irish are truly fighting their way back into tournament contention. After the loss of star senior Luke Harangody to injury, most experts had the Irish down and out, but two big wins over Pitt and Georgetown put them back on the bubble. After losing three straight games by less than three, the Irish came back from adversity and beat Pitt at home on Wednesday, four of five starters scored in double digits. On Saturday, on the road at Georgetown, Notre Dame pulled off an upset 78-64. Both of these wins strengthen their tournament resume and has seen the production of Ben Hansbrough, Tyler's brother, step up in absence of Harangody.
Game of the Week:
Maryland 104, Virginia Tech 100 (2OT)
As mentioned above, this game had seeding implications for the ACC tournament. The number two seed would be all but locked up for the Terps with a win, and they did just that. With a career performance from Vazquez, the Terps got a big conference win.
Upset of the Week:
Oklahoma State 85, (1) Kansas 77
The Jayhawks were not expecting a challenge from the Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena but they did and were out shot. Led by Keiton Page and James Anderson, who both made four three pointers, Travis Ford's Cowboys took over the game leading 45-29 at halftime and then matched the Jayhawks shot for shot from behind to arc to halt a comeback attempt from the Jayhawks.
Games to Watch This Week:
Monday: Georgetown @ West Virginia (7, ESPN)
Tuesday: Georgia Tech @ Clemson (8:00)
Wednesday: Kansas State @ Kansas (8:00)
Thursday: Seton Hall @ Rutgers (7, ESPN)
Friday: Bradley vs. Creighton (3:35)
Weekend 6-Pack to Watch:
West Virginia @ Villanova (Sat, 12:00, CBS)
Richmond @ Charlotte (Sat, 2:00)
Texas @ Baylor (Sat, 4:00, ESPN)
North Carolina @ Duke (Sat, 9:00, ESPN)
Wisconsin @ Illinois (Sun, 12:00)
Clemson @ Wake Forest (Sun, 2:00)
What the Top 10 Should Be:
(1) Syracuse
(2) Kansas
(3) Kentucky
(4) Duke
(5) Kansas State
(6) Ohio State
(7) Purdue
(8) Villanova
(9) West Virginia
(10) Butler
Check back later this week for the Hoopla mid-major conference tourney preview.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Feb. 28 Olympics Preview
Today is all about what every final day of any Olympics is about: the marquee events. The Summer Olympics have the marathon, the winter version is the men's cross-country 50k mass start classic. But, no one in North America is looking forward to the cross-country race, today is all about the men's hockey gold medal game between the U.S. and Canada. With a win in hockey, Canada set the record for most gold medals at a Winter Olympics and regardless of the result of the hockey game, Team USA will have the record for most total medals at a single Winter Olympics with 37.
Cross-Country: Men's 50k Mass Start Classic
The marathon of the Winter Olympics takes place at Whistler today with Petter Northug of Norway looking to win the elusive individual gold he has yet to win in five races (Northug did win the gold in the team sprint). The same contenders from the first five cross-country events are the favorites to win today. The Swedish team would love to win this event over the Norwegians since the two are bitter rivals and Sweden has an impressive streak of golds in two Norwegian sports, cross-country and biathlon.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Giorgio Di Centa (Italy)
Top American Hopeful: Kris Freeman
Top Canadian Hopeful: Ivan Babikov
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Petter Northug (Norway)
Silver: Lukas Bauer (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Marcus Hellner (Sweden)
Men's Hockey Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada
The gold medal that Canada wants the most is within reach today at Canada Hockey Place but will face stiff competition from the young Americans. After a dominant six goal first period against Finland in the semis, Team USA took the foot off the gas winning 6-1. Canada faced a scare from Slovakia in the third period of their semi but won 3-2.
The key to today's matchup will be the same for both teams from last Sunday's prelim matchup which the USA won 5-3. The Americans need to use their speed and forecheck early and often. This was very successful against an experienced Finnish team. Speedsters like Phil Kessel need to cause pressure and open up space for the other forwards to score. The top line of Paul Stastny, captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise has been the best for the Americans all tournament and will need to get on the board early like the prelim game. Patrick Kane also needs to have the performance he had against Finland to help the other lines gain momentum. In goal, Ryan Miller has been stellar for the whole tournament ans expect nothing less today. Miller had 42 saves in the prelim game last Sunday against the Canadians and only let up three goals.
Team Canada has defied all odds after having to play an extra game in the playoff round after their loss to the Americans. They handled Germany easily and put a beatdown on Russia 7-3 in the quarterfinals and were able to stave off giantkillers Slovakia in the semifinals. Today means everything to the team and their fans, a silver medal will be seen as failure, especially if they lose to the Americans for the second time in a week. The scoring outburst like the one against Russia would be welcomed but that will most likely not be the case. Like their opponents, Canada needs to use their speed and forecheck to create chances for players like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Sidney Crosby. In goal, Roberto Luongo, playing in front of his hometown fans, will be counted on to not let up an early goal like Marty Brodeur did on Sunday. Luongo also needs to match and better Miller's performance in the American goal to win gold.
Prediction:
USA 3-2
Cross-Country: Men's 50k Mass Start Classic
The marathon of the Winter Olympics takes place at Whistler today with Petter Northug of Norway looking to win the elusive individual gold he has yet to win in five races (Northug did win the gold in the team sprint). The same contenders from the first five cross-country events are the favorites to win today. The Swedish team would love to win this event over the Norwegians since the two are bitter rivals and Sweden has an impressive streak of golds in two Norwegian sports, cross-country and biathlon.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Giorgio Di Centa (Italy)
Top American Hopeful: Kris Freeman
Top Canadian Hopeful: Ivan Babikov
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Petter Northug (Norway)
Silver: Lukas Bauer (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Marcus Hellner (Sweden)
Men's Hockey Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada
The gold medal that Canada wants the most is within reach today at Canada Hockey Place but will face stiff competition from the young Americans. After a dominant six goal first period against Finland in the semis, Team USA took the foot off the gas winning 6-1. Canada faced a scare from Slovakia in the third period of their semi but won 3-2.
The key to today's matchup will be the same for both teams from last Sunday's prelim matchup which the USA won 5-3. The Americans need to use their speed and forecheck early and often. This was very successful against an experienced Finnish team. Speedsters like Phil Kessel need to cause pressure and open up space for the other forwards to score. The top line of Paul Stastny, captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise has been the best for the Americans all tournament and will need to get on the board early like the prelim game. Patrick Kane also needs to have the performance he had against Finland to help the other lines gain momentum. In goal, Ryan Miller has been stellar for the whole tournament ans expect nothing less today. Miller had 42 saves in the prelim game last Sunday against the Canadians and only let up three goals.
Team Canada has defied all odds after having to play an extra game in the playoff round after their loss to the Americans. They handled Germany easily and put a beatdown on Russia 7-3 in the quarterfinals and were able to stave off giantkillers Slovakia in the semifinals. Today means everything to the team and their fans, a silver medal will be seen as failure, especially if they lose to the Americans for the second time in a week. The scoring outburst like the one against Russia would be welcomed but that will most likely not be the case. Like their opponents, Canada needs to use their speed and forecheck to create chances for players like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Sidney Crosby. In goal, Roberto Luongo, playing in front of his hometown fans, will be counted on to not let up an early goal like Marty Brodeur did on Sunday. Luongo also needs to match and better Miller's performance in the American goal to win gold.
Prediction:
USA 3-2
Olympics Day 16 Wrapup
The final Saturday of the Winter Olympics was a celebration of Canadian gold. Not one, not two, but three gold medals were won by the Canadians tying the all-time Olympic best with 13. Outside of the Canadian winners, other winners included a sprint finish won by Justyna Kowalcyzk in the cross-country 30k race, a surprise win by Guiliano Razzoli of Italy in the slalom and Steve Holcomb driving USA I to the four-man bobsled gold.
The women's cross-country sprint started the excitement of the day with a 30k classic race coming down to a sprint finish between Justyna Kowalcyzk and Marit Bjoergen. Kowalcyzk barely beat Bjoergen and by doing so gave Poland its first ever cross-country gold medal. For Bjoergen, she earned her fifth medal in five events becoming the most decorated Olympian in Vancouver. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland won the bronze medal.
The men's parallel giant slalom in snowboarding started the winning spree for Canada. Jasey Jay Anderson overcame a seven tenth deficit in the second run by a whole second to win the gold medal from Benjamin Karl of Austria, who unwilling took the silver. In the bronze medal race, Mathieu Bozzetto of France beat Russia's Stanislav Detkov.
At the Richmond Olympic Oval, two dramatic finishes were needed for the German women to take gold. In the semifinal race against Team USA, Anni Freisinger hit the wall and slid across the line right before the third American to send the Germans to the final, where they defeated Japan by two hundreths of a second. In the bronze medal race, the Americans ran out of gas and lost to Poland.
The men's team pursuit had the same fate for the American team like the women's bronze medal race, they just ran out of gas in the gold medal race. After a monumental upset of the favored Dutch team, Chad Hedrick and Team USA could not keep up with Team Canada. The Dutch did redeem themselves slightly by winning the bronze medal race.
The Italian ski team pulled a shock win at the men's slalom event when Giuliano Razzoli took the gold medal. Razzoli held off challenges from Croatia's Ivica Kostelic and second run best Andre Myhrer of Sweden.
Andre Lange had never lost an Olympic bobsled race until Saturday night when Steve Holcomb and USA I's sled named The Night Train beat Lange's Germany I. Holcomb's sled set two track records in four heats and gave the Americans their first bobsled gold since St. Moritz in 1948. Lange's sled did take the silver by beating Lyndon Rush's Canada I in the fourth and final heat. Rush was able to claim bronze for the host nation.
Canada's national sport had the most attention from the home fans Saturday night and for good reason, the men's curling team was fighting for a gold medal with Norway. With two points in the seventh end, going ahead 5-2, the medal was all but theirs and unlike the women's team, the men's team held on to win gold by a score of 6-3. Switzerland beat Sweden with two points in the tenth end to win 5-4.
In the bronze medal men's hockey game, Finland came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Slovakia. Sami Salo opened the scoring for the Finns in the first period. Then, in the second period Slovakia found the net three times thanks to Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitra. The third period was all Finland, starting with a power play goal from Niklas Hagman then the equalizer from Olli Jokinen making it 3-3. Jokinen scored the go ahead and game-winning goal on the power play with eight minutes left. Valtteri Filppula added an empty-net goal to make the final 5-3.
Today Gold Medalists:
Justyna Kowalcyzk (Cross-Country- Poland)
Jasey Jay Anderson (Snowboarding- Canada)
Giuliano Razzoli (Alpine Skiing- Italy)
Canada (Speed Skating)
Germany (Speed Skating)
USA I (Bobsled)
Canada (Curling)
Medal Count after Saturday:
USA- 36
Germany- 29
Canada- 25
Norway- 22
Austria- 16
Russia- 15
Korea- 14
China, France- 11
Sweden- 10
Switzerland- 9
Netherlands- 8
Czech Republic, Poland- 6
Italy, Japan, Finland- 5
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia- 3
Latvia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
The women's cross-country sprint started the excitement of the day with a 30k classic race coming down to a sprint finish between Justyna Kowalcyzk and Marit Bjoergen. Kowalcyzk barely beat Bjoergen and by doing so gave Poland its first ever cross-country gold medal. For Bjoergen, she earned her fifth medal in five events becoming the most decorated Olympian in Vancouver. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland won the bronze medal.
The men's parallel giant slalom in snowboarding started the winning spree for Canada. Jasey Jay Anderson overcame a seven tenth deficit in the second run by a whole second to win the gold medal from Benjamin Karl of Austria, who unwilling took the silver. In the bronze medal race, Mathieu Bozzetto of France beat Russia's Stanislav Detkov.
At the Richmond Olympic Oval, two dramatic finishes were needed for the German women to take gold. In the semifinal race against Team USA, Anni Freisinger hit the wall and slid across the line right before the third American to send the Germans to the final, where they defeated Japan by two hundreths of a second. In the bronze medal race, the Americans ran out of gas and lost to Poland.
The men's team pursuit had the same fate for the American team like the women's bronze medal race, they just ran out of gas in the gold medal race. After a monumental upset of the favored Dutch team, Chad Hedrick and Team USA could not keep up with Team Canada. The Dutch did redeem themselves slightly by winning the bronze medal race.
The Italian ski team pulled a shock win at the men's slalom event when Giuliano Razzoli took the gold medal. Razzoli held off challenges from Croatia's Ivica Kostelic and second run best Andre Myhrer of Sweden.
Andre Lange had never lost an Olympic bobsled race until Saturday night when Steve Holcomb and USA I's sled named The Night Train beat Lange's Germany I. Holcomb's sled set two track records in four heats and gave the Americans their first bobsled gold since St. Moritz in 1948. Lange's sled did take the silver by beating Lyndon Rush's Canada I in the fourth and final heat. Rush was able to claim bronze for the host nation.
Canada's national sport had the most attention from the home fans Saturday night and for good reason, the men's curling team was fighting for a gold medal with Norway. With two points in the seventh end, going ahead 5-2, the medal was all but theirs and unlike the women's team, the men's team held on to win gold by a score of 6-3. Switzerland beat Sweden with two points in the tenth end to win 5-4.
In the bronze medal men's hockey game, Finland came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Slovakia. Sami Salo opened the scoring for the Finns in the first period. Then, in the second period Slovakia found the net three times thanks to Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitra. The third period was all Finland, starting with a power play goal from Niklas Hagman then the equalizer from Olli Jokinen making it 3-3. Jokinen scored the go ahead and game-winning goal on the power play with eight minutes left. Valtteri Filppula added an empty-net goal to make the final 5-3.
Today Gold Medalists:
Justyna Kowalcyzk (Cross-Country- Poland)
Jasey Jay Anderson (Snowboarding- Canada)
Giuliano Razzoli (Alpine Skiing- Italy)
Canada (Speed Skating)
Germany (Speed Skating)
USA I (Bobsled)
Canada (Curling)
Medal Count after Saturday:
USA- 36
Germany- 29
Canada- 25
Norway- 22
Austria- 16
Russia- 15
Korea- 14
China, France- 11
Sweden- 10
Switzerland- 9
Netherlands- 8
Czech Republic, Poland- 6
Italy, Japan, Finland- 5
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia- 3
Latvia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Feb. 27 Olympic Preview
With two days left of the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a slew of medals are still needed to be given out. Events today include the women's cross-country 30k, men's and women's team pursuit in speed skating, men's slalom, curling and bobsled. The Americans have a great chance of reaching forty medals. Needing only six more to reach forty, three or four medalists are expected today.
Cross-Country: Women's 30k Mass Start
Marit Bjoergen of Norway will look to win her fourth gold and fifth overall medal today. Bjoergen will face competition from Justyna Kowalcyzk and Petra Majdic, who have both won a mass start event this season in the World Cup. Look for Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla of Sweden to also be a factor.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Katerina Neumannova (Russia)
Top American Hopeful: Kikkan Randall
Top Canadian Hopeful: Sara Renner
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Marit Bjoergen (Norway)
Silver: Justyna Kowalcyzk (Poland)
Bronze: Anna Haag (Sweden)
Speed Skating: Men's Team Pursuit
After shocking the team from the Netherlands in the semifinals yesterday, Team USA led by Chad Hedrick will face Team Canada in the final. For the Americans to have a chance at most gold medals in Vancouver, Hedrick and company will have to win this race. Norway races the Dutch in the bronze medal race.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Italy
USA vs. Canada in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: USA
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Netherlands
Speed Skating: Women's Team Pursuit
Four teams competing for three medals today in this event. The semifinals occur close to an hour before the final. The two semifinals feature Poland vs. Japan and Team USA vs. Germany. Germany is the clear favorite but Team USA will have something to say about that with a team that is desperate to medal.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany
USA in semifinals
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Germany
Silver: Japan
Bronze: USA
Snowboarding: Men's Parallel Giant Slalom
It is Canada vs. Austria in the men's PGS event today. The two countries boast the top four snowboarders in World Cup competition. In the women's competition yesterday, three of the four finalists were in the top five of the World Cup standings. Look for that trend to continue for Austria's Benjamin Karl and Andreas Prommegger and Canada's Jasey-Jay Anderson and Michael Lambert.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Philipp Schoch (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Chris Klug
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Anderson and Lambert
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Benjamin Karl (Austria)
Silver: Michael Lambert (Canada)
Bronze: Andreas Prommegger (Austria)
Men's Curling
The gold medal match at Vancouver Olympic Center will be between the host nation and the team with the most unique uniform of the curling tournament. Canada will face Norway tonight for the gold. After a disappointment in the women's gold medal match yesterday, Canada is expecting their team to win today. Sweden and Switzerland play for the bronze.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Canada
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Norway
Bronze: Sweden
Alpine Skiing: Men's Slalom
The Bode Miller Redemption Tour ended in a DNF in th first run but that does not mean you should not keep watching. Giuliano Razzoli of Italy has a commanding .50 second lead over Mitja Valencic of Slovenia with defending gold medalist Benjamin Raich of Austria and Ivica Kostelic of Croatia waiting in the wings. The second run of most of the alpine events have resulted in drastic change in the standings and look for that to happen today.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopeful: Michael Janyk (11th after 1st run)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Silver: Ivica Kostelic (Croatia)
Bronze: Giuliano Razzoli (Italy)
4-Man Bobsled
After setting the track record last night in the first heat, Steve Holcomb and USA I look to give Germany I's Andre Lange his first non-gold finish. Lange has won all five medals he has competed for in bobsled olympic competition.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany I (Andre Lange)
Top American Hopeful: USA I (Steve Holcomb)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Canada I (Lyndon Rush)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: USA I
Silver: Germany I
Bronze: Canada I
Men's Hockey Bronze Medal Game
Finland and Slovakia have taken two different paths to the brozne medal game. The Finns were embarrased in the first period against the USA and could not recover while the Slovakian team almost took Canada to overtime. The edge goes to Slovakia, who beat Russia and Sweden in the tournament, because Finland is coming in such an emotional low.
Projected Medalist:
Bronze: Slovakia
Cross-Country: Women's 30k Mass Start
Marit Bjoergen of Norway will look to win her fourth gold and fifth overall medal today. Bjoergen will face competition from Justyna Kowalcyzk and Petra Majdic, who have both won a mass start event this season in the World Cup. Look for Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla of Sweden to also be a factor.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Katerina Neumannova (Russia)
Top American Hopeful: Kikkan Randall
Top Canadian Hopeful: Sara Renner
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Marit Bjoergen (Norway)
Silver: Justyna Kowalcyzk (Poland)
Bronze: Anna Haag (Sweden)
Speed Skating: Men's Team Pursuit
After shocking the team from the Netherlands in the semifinals yesterday, Team USA led by Chad Hedrick will face Team Canada in the final. For the Americans to have a chance at most gold medals in Vancouver, Hedrick and company will have to win this race. Norway races the Dutch in the bronze medal race.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Italy
USA vs. Canada in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: USA
Silver: Canada
Bronze: Netherlands
Speed Skating: Women's Team Pursuit
Four teams competing for three medals today in this event. The semifinals occur close to an hour before the final. The two semifinals feature Poland vs. Japan and Team USA vs. Germany. Germany is the clear favorite but Team USA will have something to say about that with a team that is desperate to medal.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany
USA in semifinals
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Germany
Silver: Japan
Bronze: USA
Snowboarding: Men's Parallel Giant Slalom
It is Canada vs. Austria in the men's PGS event today. The two countries boast the top four snowboarders in World Cup competition. In the women's competition yesterday, three of the four finalists were in the top five of the World Cup standings. Look for that trend to continue for Austria's Benjamin Karl and Andreas Prommegger and Canada's Jasey-Jay Anderson and Michael Lambert.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Philipp Schoch (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Chris Klug
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Anderson and Lambert
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Benjamin Karl (Austria)
Silver: Michael Lambert (Canada)
Bronze: Andreas Prommegger (Austria)
Men's Curling
The gold medal match at Vancouver Olympic Center will be between the host nation and the team with the most unique uniform of the curling tournament. Canada will face Norway tonight for the gold. After a disappointment in the women's gold medal match yesterday, Canada is expecting their team to win today. Sweden and Switzerland play for the bronze.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Canada
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Norway
Bronze: Sweden
Alpine Skiing: Men's Slalom
The Bode Miller Redemption Tour ended in a DNF in th first run but that does not mean you should not keep watching. Giuliano Razzoli of Italy has a commanding .50 second lead over Mitja Valencic of Slovenia with defending gold medalist Benjamin Raich of Austria and Ivica Kostelic of Croatia waiting in the wings. The second run of most of the alpine events have resulted in drastic change in the standings and look for that to happen today.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopeful: Michael Janyk (11th after 1st run)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Silver: Ivica Kostelic (Croatia)
Bronze: Giuliano Razzoli (Italy)
4-Man Bobsled
After setting the track record last night in the first heat, Steve Holcomb and USA I look to give Germany I's Andre Lange his first non-gold finish. Lange has won all five medals he has competed for in bobsled olympic competition.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany I (Andre Lange)
Top American Hopeful: USA I (Steve Holcomb)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Canada I (Lyndon Rush)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: USA I
Silver: Germany I
Bronze: Canada I
Men's Hockey Bronze Medal Game
Finland and Slovakia have taken two different paths to the brozne medal game. The Finns were embarrased in the first period against the USA and could not recover while the Slovakian team almost took Canada to overtime. The edge goes to Slovakia, who beat Russia and Sweden in the tournament, because Finland is coming in such an emotional low.
Projected Medalist:
Bronze: Slovakia
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 15 Olympic Wrapup (cont.)
Today's Gold Medalists:
Norway (Biathlon)
Canada (Short Track)
Sweden (Curling)
Maria Riesch (Germany- Alpine Skiing)
Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands- Snowboarding)
Wang Meng (China- Short Track)
Charles Hamelin (Canada- Short Track)
Medal Count after Friday:
USA- 34
Germany- 27
Canada- 21
Norway- 20
Austria, Russia- 15
Korea- 14
China- 11
France- 10
Sweden- 9
Switzerland- 8
Netherlands- 7
Czech Republic- 6
Poland, Japan, Italy- 4
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland - 3
Latvia, Croatia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
Norway (Biathlon)
Canada (Short Track)
Sweden (Curling)
Maria Riesch (Germany- Alpine Skiing)
Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands- Snowboarding)
Wang Meng (China- Short Track)
Charles Hamelin (Canada- Short Track)
Medal Count after Friday:
USA- 34
Germany- 27
Canada- 21
Norway- 20
Austria, Russia- 15
Korea- 14
China- 11
France- 10
Sweden- 9
Switzerland- 8
Netherlands- 7
Czech Republic- 6
Poland, Japan, Italy- 4
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland - 3
Latvia, Croatia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
Olympics Day 15 Wrapup
The streets of Vancouver will be lined with partiers and the scene can be matched all over Canada after a magical night at Pacific Coliseum where the Canadian men took home two gold medals in short track. The Canadians are also celebrating a win by the men's hockey team that was a 3-2 nailbiter. There is nothing but joy throughout the Great White North tonight. Other headlines from Friday included Apolo Anton Ohno winning his 8th medal in Winter Olympic competition in the relay. Also, a controversial decision in the 500m race disqualified Ohno. The excitement at Pacific Coliseum for the Canadian men was matched by the Chinese women who with a gold from Wang Meng in 1000m swept all of the women's short track gold medals.
The day began up at Whistler with the Norwegian men finally getting a breakthrough in biathlon by winning the team relay gold. After a disappointing first four events, Ole Einar Bjoernadalen was able to win his sixth overall Winter Olympic gold. Along with teammates Tarjei Boe, Halvard Hanevold and Emil Hegle Svendsen, Bjoerndalen and company were able to win easily over the teams from Austria, who took silver, and Russia who took bronze.
The women's parallel giant slalom snowboard event was taken by World Cup leader Nicolien Sauerbreij of the Netherlands. Sauerbreij beat Russia's Ekaterina Ilyukhina by 23 seconds in the second run of the gold medal race to win. Marion Kreiner of Austria won the bronze medal race handily over Germany's Selina Joerg.
Lindsey Vonn was yet again celebrating at the finish line of a women's alpine skiing event but it was not for her personal acheivement. Vonn crashed in the first run of the slalom and was cheering on good friend Maria Riesch of Germany at the finish line. Riesch took the gold medal by 0.43 seconds of Marlies Schild of Austria, who had the best second run, and Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic by 1.01 seconds. Riesch was hoping to step on the podium with sister Susanne, who was fourth after the first run, but she crashed in the second run.
The day began up at Whistler with the Norwegian men finally getting a breakthrough in biathlon by winning the team relay gold. After a disappointing first four events, Ole Einar Bjoernadalen was able to win his sixth overall Winter Olympic gold. Along with teammates Tarjei Boe, Halvard Hanevold and Emil Hegle Svendsen, Bjoerndalen and company were able to win easily over the teams from Austria, who took silver, and Russia who took bronze.
The women's parallel giant slalom snowboard event was taken by World Cup leader Nicolien Sauerbreij of the Netherlands. Sauerbreij beat Russia's Ekaterina Ilyukhina by 23 seconds in the second run of the gold medal race to win. Marion Kreiner of Austria won the bronze medal race handily over Germany's Selina Joerg.
Lindsey Vonn was yet again celebrating at the finish line of a women's alpine skiing event but it was not for her personal acheivement. Vonn crashed in the first run of the slalom and was cheering on good friend Maria Riesch of Germany at the finish line. Riesch took the gold medal by 0.43 seconds of Marlies Schild of Austria, who had the best second run, and Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic by 1.01 seconds. Riesch was hoping to step on the podium with sister Susanne, who was fourth after the first run, but she crashed in the second run.
The crazy night for the Canadians was supposed to begin with a win in the women's curling gold medal match. But that was not to happen thanks to Sweden. Up 6-4 going into the the tenth and final end, Canada had all but locked up the gold but it was not to happen. With two points in the tenth end and then a dramatic one point in the extra eleventh end, the Swedish women pulled out an upset, winning 7-6. In the bronze medal match, China scored twelve points beating the Swiss women 12-6.
After the disappointing curling result, the Canadian fans rallied around the men's short track night in a typical, dramatic night at Pacific Coliseum. The 500m race was the first to give away medals and saw a controversial ending with Apolo Anton Ohno being disqualified for an illegal pass that cause Francois-Louis Tremblay of Canada to fall. Not disqualified was gold medalist Charles Hamelin of Canada, who on replay appeared to push Sung Si-Bak of Korea causing Sung to fall. With Ohno the only one disqualified, Hamelin won Canada's ninth overall gold in Vancouver with Tremblay getting the bronze by default for the host nation as well. Sung took the silver after the controversy calmed down.
The women's 1000m race saw another dominant race by the Chinese team. Wang Meng won her third gold in Vancouver and fourth gold in four women's short track events for China, the other gold went to Yang Zhou in the 1500m. Overshadowed by the Chinese gold was American Katherine Reutter who won America's first female short track medal since Lillehammer in 1994. Park Seung-Hi of Korea took bronze.
The marquee event of tonight in short track was also full of excitement for the host nation. About halfway through the 5000m men's relay, Hamelin broke out in front to set the pace and his team did not turn back. Along with his brother Francois, Olivier Jean and Tremblay, Charles Hamelin gave Canada its tenth gold in Vancouver. Korea's experienced team took silver and the young squad of Americans anchored by Ohno won the bronze.
In other non-medal events, Team USA and Team Canada did their part in setting up a rematch in the gold medal game in men's hockey. Team USA enjoyed a six goal first period against Finland to win 6-1. Team Canada survived a third period surge from Slovakia and won 3-2.
Feb. 26 Olympic Preview
No more figure skating!!!! Everyone that has been frustrated that figure skating has been the focus of NBC's coverage, it has, but it is now over and the last three days are all about some the most exciting events in the Winter Olympics. Apolo Ohno returns to the stage tonight and will look for medals number eight and nine. With three short track races at night, four more medals are being given away including women's curling where if Canada wins "O, Canada" will be sung by every fan in the building like last night's women's hockey gold medal ceremony.
Biathlon: Men's 4x7.5k Relay
What's a day at the Olympics without biathlon? The nineteen team relay will have all the focus on Team Norway. Disappointment can not even describe how bad the men's biathlon team for Norway has been compared to expectations. With only three medals in the Olympics and only one being a gold from Emil Hegle Svendsen in 20k individual start race. Biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjoerndalen would like to end his hard luck in Vancouver with a team gold for Norway.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Germany
American and Canadian Team Entered
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: France
Bronze: Sweden
Alpine Skiing: Women's Slalom
This is the last shot at Whistler Creekside for the women and it will be a showdown between the European skiers and Lindsey Vonn. Vonn has had two events end in crash and two end in medals, she is hoping to not crash and earn a medal today. Her competition comes from Maria and Susanne Riesch of Germany, Kathrin Zettel and Marlies Schlid of Austria along with a boatload more of top skiers looking to claim a medal in the final Olympic event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Anja Paerson (Sweden)
Top American Hopeful: Lindsey Vonn
Top Canadian Hopeful: Anna Goodman
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Maria Riesch (Germany)
Silver: Kathrin Zettel (Austria)
Bronze: Tina Maze (Slovenia)
Snowboarding: Women's Parallel Giant Slalom
The snowboarding event most people are not familiar with includes a head-to-head race in a type of slalom course. This disclipine is dominated more by Europeans than the Americans. The top contenders for a medal in this event are Nicolien Sauerbreij of Netherlands and Amelie Kober of Germany along with many other competitiors from the European Alpine countries.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Daniela Meuli (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Michelle Gorgone
Top Canadian Hopeful: Alexa Loo
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands)
Silver: Marion Kriener (Austria)
Bronze: Amelie Kober (Germany)
Women's Curling
The national sport of Canada will be supported in full force at the Vancouver Olympic Center tonight. Canada faces defending gold medalist Sweden in the gold medal game. The gold medal match will serve as an appetizer in Canada tonight for the men's hockey semi against Slovakia. No matter the circumstances, the Canadians know how to support their athletes and tonight will be a great example. China plays Switzerland for the bronze medal.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: China
Short Track: Men's 500 m
The rivalry between Apolo Anton Ohno and the Koreans is renewed tonight. Ohno has not won a gold in short track in Vancouver but has won silver and bronze and is the defending gold medalist in this event. The Korean team hates Ohno with a passion and have won both short track golds for the men so far. This is like the 100m in track and field, the short track 500m is a quick, intense race and this is a precursor to the relay final later in the night.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Ohno
Top Canadian Hopeful: Charles Hamelin
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA)
Silver: Sung Si-Bak (Korea)
Bronze: Lee Ho-Suk (Korea)
Short Track: Women's 1000m
The break in between the men's 500m and the men's relay is this event which will not have the plotline like the men's race but does have an American medal hopeful in Katherine Reutter, who is second in the World Cup standings. China's Wang Meng is the woman to beat tonight.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Sun Yu-Jin (Korea)
Top American Hopeful: Katherine Reutter
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kalyna Roberge
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Wang Meng (China)
Silver: Zhou Yang (China)
Bronze: Lee Eun-Byul (Korea)
Short Track: Men's 5000m Relay
This is tonight's marquee event. Depending on how intense the 500m race is will determine how intense the relay will be. The Ohno vs. Koreans plot will be in out in full force along with the chance for Canada to finally get a short track medal out of the Hamelin brothers. Also involved in the race will be China and France.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Korea
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Korea
Silver: USA
Bronze: Canada
The main focus of Canada will not be on short track, but on Canada Hockey Place as Team Canada takes on Slovakia in the men's hockey semifinals. Canadian fans are on a high right now after the women's hockey gold and a possible women's curling gold today. Slovakia has already beaten Russia and Sweden in the tournament so Canada will have been focused for all sixty minutes.
The other semifinal features the USA and Finland in what will be a hard fought battle between goalie Ryan Miller and the high-scoring Finnish forwards. After a scare against Switzerland, the Americans want to make the final and take on Canada for a second time.
Biathlon: Men's 4x7.5k Relay
What's a day at the Olympics without biathlon? The nineteen team relay will have all the focus on Team Norway. Disappointment can not even describe how bad the men's biathlon team for Norway has been compared to expectations. With only three medals in the Olympics and only one being a gold from Emil Hegle Svendsen in 20k individual start race. Biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjoerndalen would like to end his hard luck in Vancouver with a team gold for Norway.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Germany
American and Canadian Team Entered
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: France
Bronze: Sweden
Alpine Skiing: Women's Slalom
This is the last shot at Whistler Creekside for the women and it will be a showdown between the European skiers and Lindsey Vonn. Vonn has had two events end in crash and two end in medals, she is hoping to not crash and earn a medal today. Her competition comes from Maria and Susanne Riesch of Germany, Kathrin Zettel and Marlies Schlid of Austria along with a boatload more of top skiers looking to claim a medal in the final Olympic event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Anja Paerson (Sweden)
Top American Hopeful: Lindsey Vonn
Top Canadian Hopeful: Anna Goodman
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Maria Riesch (Germany)
Silver: Kathrin Zettel (Austria)
Bronze: Tina Maze (Slovenia)
Snowboarding: Women's Parallel Giant Slalom
The snowboarding event most people are not familiar with includes a head-to-head race in a type of slalom course. This disclipine is dominated more by Europeans than the Americans. The top contenders for a medal in this event are Nicolien Sauerbreij of Netherlands and Amelie Kober of Germany along with many other competitiors from the European Alpine countries.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Daniela Meuli (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Michelle Gorgone
Top Canadian Hopeful: Alexa Loo
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands)
Silver: Marion Kriener (Austria)
Bronze: Amelie Kober (Germany)
Women's Curling
The national sport of Canada will be supported in full force at the Vancouver Olympic Center tonight. Canada faces defending gold medalist Sweden in the gold medal game. The gold medal match will serve as an appetizer in Canada tonight for the men's hockey semi against Slovakia. No matter the circumstances, the Canadians know how to support their athletes and tonight will be a great example. China plays Switzerland for the bronze medal.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: China
Short Track: Men's 500 m
The rivalry between Apolo Anton Ohno and the Koreans is renewed tonight. Ohno has not won a gold in short track in Vancouver but has won silver and bronze and is the defending gold medalist in this event. The Korean team hates Ohno with a passion and have won both short track golds for the men so far. This is like the 100m in track and field, the short track 500m is a quick, intense race and this is a precursor to the relay final later in the night.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Ohno
Top Canadian Hopeful: Charles Hamelin
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA)
Silver: Sung Si-Bak (Korea)
Bronze: Lee Ho-Suk (Korea)
Short Track: Women's 1000m
The break in between the men's 500m and the men's relay is this event which will not have the plotline like the men's race but does have an American medal hopeful in Katherine Reutter, who is second in the World Cup standings. China's Wang Meng is the woman to beat tonight.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Sun Yu-Jin (Korea)
Top American Hopeful: Katherine Reutter
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kalyna Roberge
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Wang Meng (China)
Silver: Zhou Yang (China)
Bronze: Lee Eun-Byul (Korea)
Short Track: Men's 5000m Relay
This is tonight's marquee event. Depending on how intense the 500m race is will determine how intense the relay will be. The Ohno vs. Koreans plot will be in out in full force along with the chance for Canada to finally get a short track medal out of the Hamelin brothers. Also involved in the race will be China and France.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Korea
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Korea
Silver: USA
Bronze: Canada
The main focus of Canada will not be on short track, but on Canada Hockey Place as Team Canada takes on Slovakia in the men's hockey semifinals. Canadian fans are on a high right now after the women's hockey gold and a possible women's curling gold today. Slovakia has already beaten Russia and Sweden in the tournament so Canada will have been focused for all sixty minutes.
The other semifinal features the USA and Finland in what will be a hard fought battle between goalie Ryan Miller and the high-scoring Finnish forwards. After a scare against Switzerland, the Americans want to make the final and take on Canada for a second time.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Olympics Day 14 Wrapup
After two whole weeks of competition in Vancouver, we have watched many spectacular performances in every sport and it continued today. The Canadian women's hockey team won the medal that the home country means the second most behind the men's hockey gold. In the other medal events, Norway's Marit Bjoergen won her third gold and fourth overall medal in the cross-country relay today. The big story for the Americans was getting a their first ever gold in nordic combined from Bill DeMong. Today tied Day 2 with the most American medals in a day with four.
The women's cross-country relay went the way it was expected with Norway winning the gold medal. Led by Bjoergen, the Norwegians were able to edge out Germany and Finland.
The women's giant slalom finished today after being postponed because of weather conditions. The gold was taken by Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany who climbed up the standings from sixth after the first run to claim gold for the Germans. Slovenia's Tina Maze won her second silver medal of the Olympics moving up from seventh. Elisabeth Goergl, who was first after the first run dropped down to third and took the bronze after finishing fifteenth in the second run.
Depending on who you ask the nordic combined long hill event was a great competiton or an event ruined by weather. For the three medalists it was a great race, especially for the Americans. Bill DeMong won the first American gold in the sport and Johnny Spillane won his third silver of the Olympics. The weather was a factor during the ski jump portion of the event where many top contenders like France's Jason Lamy-Chappuis lost too much time to contend for a medal. Bernhard Gruber of Austria kept with the two Americans for all 10k of the cross-country and took bronze.
The women's hockey gold medal game was all about Canada. Canada won 2-0 over the USA behind two goals from Marie-Philip Poulin, who was referred to as the 18-year old female version of Sidney Crosby, and 28 saves from goalie Shannon Szabados. In one of the best moments of the games, the whole crowd at Canada Hockey Place singing "O, Canada" along with the team during the medal ceremony. In the bronze medal game, Finland took down Sweden in overtime, 3-2.
The men's aerials, just like the women's competition, did not see the predicted Chinese domination. Belarus' Alexei Grishin took home the gold medal topping Jeret "Speedy" Petersen of the USA. Petersen's trademark jump "the hurricane" was enough to win him the silver and add the growing American medal count. China's lone medalist was Liu Zhongqing who took bronze.
The women's free skate in figure skating would not determine much that had not been decided already in the short program. The podium places stayed the same as they were entering tonight. Kim Yu-Na was nothing but dominant. After leading by 5 points going into the free skate, Kim scored a 150.06, 19 points ahead of any other competitor. Her total score was more than 25 points ahead of silver medalist Mao Asada from Japan. Canada's Joannie Rochette won the bronze in another emotional skate less than a week after losing her mother.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Norway (Cross-Country)
Canada (Women's Hockey)
Viktoria Rebensburg (Alpine Skiing-Germany)
Bill DeMong (Nordic Combined- USA)
Alexei Grishin (Freestyle Skiing- Belarus)
Kim Yu-Na (Figure Skating-Korea)
Medal Count after Thursday:
USA- 32
Germany- 26
Norway- 19
Canada- 17
Russia- 13
Austria- 12
Korea- 11
France- 10
China- 9
Switzerland, Sweden- 8
Netherlands- 6
Czech Republic- 5
Poland, Japan, Italy- 4
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland- 3
Latvia, Croatia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
The women's cross-country relay went the way it was expected with Norway winning the gold medal. Led by Bjoergen, the Norwegians were able to edge out Germany and Finland.
The women's giant slalom finished today after being postponed because of weather conditions. The gold was taken by Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany who climbed up the standings from sixth after the first run to claim gold for the Germans. Slovenia's Tina Maze won her second silver medal of the Olympics moving up from seventh. Elisabeth Goergl, who was first after the first run dropped down to third and took the bronze after finishing fifteenth in the second run.
Depending on who you ask the nordic combined long hill event was a great competiton or an event ruined by weather. For the three medalists it was a great race, especially for the Americans. Bill DeMong won the first American gold in the sport and Johnny Spillane won his third silver of the Olympics. The weather was a factor during the ski jump portion of the event where many top contenders like France's Jason Lamy-Chappuis lost too much time to contend for a medal. Bernhard Gruber of Austria kept with the two Americans for all 10k of the cross-country and took bronze.
The women's hockey gold medal game was all about Canada. Canada won 2-0 over the USA behind two goals from Marie-Philip Poulin, who was referred to as the 18-year old female version of Sidney Crosby, and 28 saves from goalie Shannon Szabados. In one of the best moments of the games, the whole crowd at Canada Hockey Place singing "O, Canada" along with the team during the medal ceremony. In the bronze medal game, Finland took down Sweden in overtime, 3-2.
The men's aerials, just like the women's competition, did not see the predicted Chinese domination. Belarus' Alexei Grishin took home the gold medal topping Jeret "Speedy" Petersen of the USA. Petersen's trademark jump "the hurricane" was enough to win him the silver and add the growing American medal count. China's lone medalist was Liu Zhongqing who took bronze.
The women's free skate in figure skating would not determine much that had not been decided already in the short program. The podium places stayed the same as they were entering tonight. Kim Yu-Na was nothing but dominant. After leading by 5 points going into the free skate, Kim scored a 150.06, 19 points ahead of any other competitor. Her total score was more than 25 points ahead of silver medalist Mao Asada from Japan. Canada's Joannie Rochette won the bronze in another emotional skate less than a week after losing her mother.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Norway (Cross-Country)
Canada (Women's Hockey)
Viktoria Rebensburg (Alpine Skiing-Germany)
Bill DeMong (Nordic Combined- USA)
Alexei Grishin (Freestyle Skiing- Belarus)
Kim Yu-Na (Figure Skating-Korea)
Medal Count after Thursday:
USA- 32
Germany- 26
Norway- 19
Canada- 17
Russia- 13
Austria- 12
Korea- 11
France- 10
China- 9
Switzerland, Sweden- 8
Netherlands- 6
Czech Republic- 5
Poland, Japan, Italy- 4
Australia, Belarus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland- 3
Latvia, Croatia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Kazakhstan- 1
Feb. 25 Olympic Preview
Today is a big day in Canada with the women's hockey team going for gold against Team USA. The big focus for the Americans will be the nordic combined event. Already with two silvers in both events so far, the team from the USA has a chance to win the first ever American gold in the sport.
The day starts, as it has for most of the Olympics, with cross-country and ends with figure skating.
Cross-Country: Women's 4x5 Relay
After Norway failed to medal in the sprint relay, look for them to enlist Marit Bjoergen to win her fourth medal in Vancouver. Norway's cross-country party has been crashed by Sweden for the whole games and look for the Norwegians to face stiff competition from the Swedes yet again.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Russia
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: Russia
Nordic Combined: LH/10km
The combination of ski jumping and cross-country skiing starts with the long hill jump and a 10k cross-country race. The Americans are looking to win their first ever gold in the sport after a silver from Johnny Spillane and then a silver in the team relay. The main competition is Jason Lamy-Chappuis of France along with Felix Gottwald of Austria.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Georg Hettich (Germany)
Top American Hopefuls: Johnny Spillane, Bill DeMong, Todd Lodwick
Top Canadian Hopeful: None
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Johnny Spillane (USA)
Silver: Todd Lodwick (USA)
Bronze: Jason Lamy-Chappuis (France)
Freestyle Skiing: Men's Aerials
Just like the women's event, the men's aerials favorites come from China. The group of former gymnasts that came to the sport have been dominant in the World Cup season and will look to take the gold that eluded the women yesterday.Alexei Grishin and Timofei Slivets of Belarus will be looking to crash the Chinese party.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Xiaopeng Han (China)
Top American Hopefuls: Ryan St. Onge and Jeret "Speedy" Peterson
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kyle Nissen
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Jia Zongyang (China)
Silver: Ryan St. Onge (USA)
Bronze: Alexei Grishin (Belarus)
Figure Skating: Ladies' Free Skate
The premiere event of the figure skating competitions is coming to an end tonight with a group of skaters looking to take down Korea's Kim Yu-Na. That group includes Mao Asada of Japan, Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu of the USA and Canada's Joannie Rochette.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Shizuka Arakawa (Japan)
Top American Hopefuls: Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu
Top Canadian Hopeful: Joannie Rochette
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kim Yu-Na (Korea)
Silver: Joannie Rochette (Canada)
Bronze: Mao Asada (Japan)
Women's Hockey Medal Games
Continental rivalries are ready for their next editions in today's medal games. Sweden and Finland will fight for bronze and the USA-Canada game is for gold. Canada's team has not been disappointing like their men's team and will look to take gold yet again. Team USA is a clear underdog but has been scoring at will just like the Canadians. The gold medal game will come down to, like most expected shootouts, to defense and goaltending.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Canada
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Sweden
The day starts, as it has for most of the Olympics, with cross-country and ends with figure skating.
Cross-Country: Women's 4x5 Relay
After Norway failed to medal in the sprint relay, look for them to enlist Marit Bjoergen to win her fourth medal in Vancouver. Norway's cross-country party has been crashed by Sweden for the whole games and look for the Norwegians to face stiff competition from the Swedes yet again.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Russia
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: Russia
Nordic Combined: LH/10km
The combination of ski jumping and cross-country skiing starts with the long hill jump and a 10k cross-country race. The Americans are looking to win their first ever gold in the sport after a silver from Johnny Spillane and then a silver in the team relay. The main competition is Jason Lamy-Chappuis of France along with Felix Gottwald of Austria.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Georg Hettich (Germany)
Top American Hopefuls: Johnny Spillane, Bill DeMong, Todd Lodwick
Top Canadian Hopeful: None
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Johnny Spillane (USA)
Silver: Todd Lodwick (USA)
Bronze: Jason Lamy-Chappuis (France)
Freestyle Skiing: Men's Aerials
Just like the women's event, the men's aerials favorites come from China. The group of former gymnasts that came to the sport have been dominant in the World Cup season and will look to take the gold that eluded the women yesterday.Alexei Grishin and Timofei Slivets of Belarus will be looking to crash the Chinese party.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Xiaopeng Han (China)
Top American Hopefuls: Ryan St. Onge and Jeret "Speedy" Peterson
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kyle Nissen
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Jia Zongyang (China)
Silver: Ryan St. Onge (USA)
Bronze: Alexei Grishin (Belarus)
Figure Skating: Ladies' Free Skate
The premiere event of the figure skating competitions is coming to an end tonight with a group of skaters looking to take down Korea's Kim Yu-Na. That group includes Mao Asada of Japan, Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu of the USA and Canada's Joannie Rochette.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Shizuka Arakawa (Japan)
Top American Hopefuls: Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu
Top Canadian Hopeful: Joannie Rochette
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kim Yu-Na (Korea)
Silver: Joannie Rochette (Canada)
Bronze: Mao Asada (Japan)
Women's Hockey Medal Games
Continental rivalries are ready for their next editions in today's medal games. Sweden and Finland will fight for bronze and the USA-Canada game is for gold. Canada's team has not been disappointing like their men's team and will look to take gold yet again. Team USA is a clear underdog but has been scoring at will just like the Canadians. The gold medal game will come down to, like most expected shootouts, to defense and goaltending.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Canada
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada
Silver: USA
Bronze: Sweden
Olympics Day 13 Wrapup
Today's medal events were all about the ladies but men's hockey dominated the attention in Vancouver and all around the world on Wednesday. Some luck helped the USA gain a medal over Germany and gave them a four medal lead after an unexpected crash by Germany's top women's bobsled team in the final run and the failure of the men's cross- country team to win a medal. The women's giant slalom second run was postponed until Thursday to due weather conditions.
The men's cross-country relay was won by Sweden. The hatred towards Sweden from Norway hightened after the Swedish team won gold because this is Norway's sport, they invented it and have had a very disappointing Olympics. Led by medalists Johan Olsson and Marcus Hellner on the last two legs, the Swedes broke away from Norway and the Czech Republic. Norway took silver and the Czechs took bronze.
In the women's 5000m speed skating race, the Czech Republic took their second gold in their history in speed skating from Martina Sablikova. The other gold came from Sablikova in this year's 3000 meter race. The Canadian contingent that was hoping to win a few medals was only able to take bronze, which was won by Clara Hughes. Stephanie Beckert won silver for Germany, their only medal of the day.
The short track 3000m women's relay was supposed to have China and Korea fighting for gold but that was not the case. The Korean team was disqualified and they became the odd team out in the four team final. Canada and the USA benefitted by taking silver and bronze respectively.
The bobsled event gave Canada not one but two medals. The top German sled driven by Cathleen Martini crashed in the final heat and opened the door for the other competitors after the other German sled driven by defending gold medalist Sandra Kiriasis had a slow time and finished out of reach of the podium. USA II driven by Erin Pac was able to clinch a medal, winning bronze, behind Canada I, driven by Kaillie Humphries and Helen Upperton's Canada II sled. The gold tied Canada with the USA and Germany for most gold medals with seven.
The women's aerials competition just like so many events from the day saw a surprise winner in Lydia Lassila from Australia. The Chinese team was expected to sweep the medal podium but a crash by Xu Mengtao and a stellar performance by Lassila gave the Flying Kangaroo a gold and left the other two Chinese women, Li Nina and Guo Xinxin to get silver and bronze.
In the men's hockey quarterfinals Team USA survived a scare against Switzerland thanks to two third period goals from Zach Parise. The Americans will face Finland in the semis after they beat the Czech Republic by the same score.
The marquee matchup of the day was Canada-Russia, and it was far from a duel between two superpowers. The Russians came out flat and suffered a 7-3 defeat. After the game in an interview, Alex Ovechkin was disgusted and speechless at how poorly his team played. The host nation will play Slovakia who upset defending gold medalist Sweden 4-3 in the nightcap.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Sweden (Cross-Country Relay)
China (Short Track Relay)
Martina Sablikova (Speed Skating- Czech Republic)
Canada I, Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse (Bobsled)
Lydia Lassila (Freestyle Skiing- Australia)
Medal Count after Wednesday:
USA- 28
Germany- 24
Norway- 18
Canada- 15
Russia- 13
Korea, Austria, France- 10
Switzerland, China, Sweden- 8
Netherlands- 6
Czech Republic- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Australia, Slovakia, Japan- 3
Latvia, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
The men's cross-country relay was won by Sweden. The hatred towards Sweden from Norway hightened after the Swedish team won gold because this is Norway's sport, they invented it and have had a very disappointing Olympics. Led by medalists Johan Olsson and Marcus Hellner on the last two legs, the Swedes broke away from Norway and the Czech Republic. Norway took silver and the Czechs took bronze.
In the women's 5000m speed skating race, the Czech Republic took their second gold in their history in speed skating from Martina Sablikova. The other gold came from Sablikova in this year's 3000 meter race. The Canadian contingent that was hoping to win a few medals was only able to take bronze, which was won by Clara Hughes. Stephanie Beckert won silver for Germany, their only medal of the day.
The short track 3000m women's relay was supposed to have China and Korea fighting for gold but that was not the case. The Korean team was disqualified and they became the odd team out in the four team final. Canada and the USA benefitted by taking silver and bronze respectively.
The bobsled event gave Canada not one but two medals. The top German sled driven by Cathleen Martini crashed in the final heat and opened the door for the other competitors after the other German sled driven by defending gold medalist Sandra Kiriasis had a slow time and finished out of reach of the podium. USA II driven by Erin Pac was able to clinch a medal, winning bronze, behind Canada I, driven by Kaillie Humphries and Helen Upperton's Canada II sled. The gold tied Canada with the USA and Germany for most gold medals with seven.
The women's aerials competition just like so many events from the day saw a surprise winner in Lydia Lassila from Australia. The Chinese team was expected to sweep the medal podium but a crash by Xu Mengtao and a stellar performance by Lassila gave the Flying Kangaroo a gold and left the other two Chinese women, Li Nina and Guo Xinxin to get silver and bronze.
In the men's hockey quarterfinals Team USA survived a scare against Switzerland thanks to two third period goals from Zach Parise. The Americans will face Finland in the semis after they beat the Czech Republic by the same score.
The marquee matchup of the day was Canada-Russia, and it was far from a duel between two superpowers. The Russians came out flat and suffered a 7-3 defeat. After the game in an interview, Alex Ovechkin was disgusted and speechless at how poorly his team played. The host nation will play Slovakia who upset defending gold medalist Sweden 4-3 in the nightcap.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Sweden (Cross-Country Relay)
China (Short Track Relay)
Martina Sablikova (Speed Skating- Czech Republic)
Canada I, Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse (Bobsled)
Lydia Lassila (Freestyle Skiing- Australia)
Medal Count after Wednesday:
USA- 28
Germany- 24
Norway- 18
Canada- 15
Russia- 13
Korea, Austria, France- 10
Switzerland, China, Sweden- 8
Netherlands- 6
Czech Republic- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Australia, Slovakia, Japan- 3
Latvia, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Feb. 24 Olympic Preview
Today is all about the ladies in medal events. With the big focus again turning to Canada Hockey Place with the USA-Switzerland and Canada-Russia games, six medals will be given out today. Only one men's medal will be given out in cross-country, the other five are going to women. In the medal race, the USA will have to win a medal in the giant slalom and get a surprise medal in bobsled to hold on to the lead with Germany only three back now.
Alpine Skiing: Women's Giant Slalom
Things are not looking good for the American team after the first run of the giant slalom. Lindsey Vonn crashed and Julia Mancuso, the defending gold medalist is in 18th. Three Austrians, Elisabeth Goergl, Kathrin Zettel, and Eva-Maria Brem are in the top four. But, just like every other skiing event, it only takes one small turn to slip up and a good run to get back in contention.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Julia Mancuso (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Julia Mancuso (18th after 1st run)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Shona Rubens (22nd after 1st run)
Leader after 1st Run: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Tina Maze (Slovenia- 5th after 1st run)
Silver: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria- leader after 1st run)
Bronze: Taina Bairoz (France- 2nd after 1st run)
Cross-Country: Men's 4x10 Relay
Norway finally got their first gold in cross-country with a win in the sprint relay, now it is time for the relay with a mix of both classic and free skiing styles. Germany won the silver in the sprint relay and they could pull within two medals of the USA with a medal in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
No American or Canadian Hopefuls
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: France
Speed Skating: Women's 5000 meters
Martina Sablikova, the 3000 meter gold and 1500 meter bronze medalist, is the favorite to win this event. Canada's strong contingent is led by 1500 silver medalist Kristina Groves, who barely missed the gold in the 1500, and defending gold medalist Clara Hughes and would like to give Canada something to cheer about before the big hockey game.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Clara Hughes (Canada)
Top American Hopeful: Catherine Raney
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kristina Groves (Canada)
Silver: Martina Sablikova (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Clara Hughes (Canada)
Women's Bobsled
The usually dominant German sleds are in third and fifth behind Canada I and USA II after the first two heats. So far, all the sliding events have had the same three sledders on the medal podium. If that result stays, the American team will get an unexpected medal to match the medal that Germany would get.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany I(driver Sandra Kiriasis)
Top American Hopeful: USA II (driver Erin Pac, 2nd after two heats)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Canada I (driver Kaillie Humphries, 1st after two runs)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada I
Silver: USA II
Bronze: Germany II
Short Track: Women's 3000m Relay
This event has been won by the South Koreans for the last four Olympics but have been second to China in all but one World Cup event this season. The final consists of both Asian countries as well as Canada and the USA, who will most likely be fighting for a bronze.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: South Korea
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Korea
Silver: China
Bronze: Canada
Freestyle Skiing: Women's Aerials
In the highest flying event in the Olympics starts giving away medals tonight, China can possibly pull a medal sweep. There are twelve skiers remaining after qualification earlier in the week. The top four of five World Cup skiers are from China.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Evelyne Leu (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Emily Cook, Lacy Schnoor
No Canadian Qualified for Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Li Nina (China)
Silver: Alla Tsuper (Belarus)
Bronze: Guo Xinxin (China)
Alpine Skiing: Women's Giant Slalom
Things are not looking good for the American team after the first run of the giant slalom. Lindsey Vonn crashed and Julia Mancuso, the defending gold medalist is in 18th. Three Austrians, Elisabeth Goergl, Kathrin Zettel, and Eva-Maria Brem are in the top four. But, just like every other skiing event, it only takes one small turn to slip up and a good run to get back in contention.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Julia Mancuso (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Julia Mancuso (18th after 1st run)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Shona Rubens (22nd after 1st run)
Leader after 1st Run: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Tina Maze (Slovenia- 5th after 1st run)
Silver: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria- leader after 1st run)
Bronze: Taina Bairoz (France- 2nd after 1st run)
Cross-Country: Men's 4x10 Relay
Norway finally got their first gold in cross-country with a win in the sprint relay, now it is time for the relay with a mix of both classic and free skiing styles. Germany won the silver in the sprint relay and they could pull within two medals of the USA with a medal in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
No American or Canadian Hopefuls
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: France
Speed Skating: Women's 5000 meters
Martina Sablikova, the 3000 meter gold and 1500 meter bronze medalist, is the favorite to win this event. Canada's strong contingent is led by 1500 silver medalist Kristina Groves, who barely missed the gold in the 1500, and defending gold medalist Clara Hughes and would like to give Canada something to cheer about before the big hockey game.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Clara Hughes (Canada)
Top American Hopeful: Catherine Raney
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kristina Groves (Canada)
Silver: Martina Sablikova (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Clara Hughes (Canada)
Women's Bobsled
The usually dominant German sleds are in third and fifth behind Canada I and USA II after the first two heats. So far, all the sliding events have had the same three sledders on the medal podium. If that result stays, the American team will get an unexpected medal to match the medal that Germany would get.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany I(driver Sandra Kiriasis)
Top American Hopeful: USA II (driver Erin Pac, 2nd after two heats)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Canada I (driver Kaillie Humphries, 1st after two runs)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada I
Silver: USA II
Bronze: Germany II
Short Track: Women's 3000m Relay
This event has been won by the South Koreans for the last four Olympics but have been second to China in all but one World Cup event this season. The final consists of both Asian countries as well as Canada and the USA, who will most likely be fighting for a bronze.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: South Korea
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Korea
Silver: China
Bronze: Canada
Freestyle Skiing: Women's Aerials
In the highest flying event in the Olympics starts giving away medals tonight, China can possibly pull a medal sweep. There are twelve skiers remaining after qualification earlier in the week. The top four of five World Cup skiers are from China.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Evelyne Leu (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Emily Cook, Lacy Schnoor
No Canadian Qualified for Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Li Nina (China)
Silver: Alla Tsuper (Belarus)
Bronze: Guo Xinxin (China)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feb. 23 Olympics Preview
The Germans got right back into the medal race after medaling in three of the four team events yesterday and could get even close to the Americans today. The marathon of speed skating, the men's 10,000 meters is today along with the women's relay in biathlon, men's giant slalom, a nordic combined relay, and the women's edition of the newest olympic event, ski cross.
Speed Skating- Men's 10,000 meters
The Orange section of the Richmond Olympic Oval should be celebrating double than they usually have because they boast not one, but two top contenders in this race in 5000 meter gold medalist Sven Kramer and defending gold medalist Bob De Jong. Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick should be a factor in this race for the Americans but there are no top German contenders either so the medal race will be effected in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Top American Hopeful: Chad Hedrick
Top Canadian Hopeful: Lucas Makowsky
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Silver: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Bronze: Havard Bokko (Norway)
Biathlon: Women's 4x6 Relay
After the cross-country events had their relays yesterday, the biathlon gets its one of its relay events in the spotlight. There are four countries essentially battling for three medal spots in Germany, Sweden, Russia and France. France has been the surprise of the Olympics in this event and it is quite possible that their good fortune will continue.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Russia
No American or Canadian Medal Hopeful
2009-10 World Cup Leaders: Russia
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Russia
Silver: France
Bronze: Sweden
Men's Giant Slalom
The fourth stop of the Bode Miller Redemption Tour might take a backseat to another American in Ted Ligety in today's event. Ligety is the World Cup leader in this event and it is his best shot at gold. Ligety will face stiff competition from skiers from Austria, Switzerland, and Italy as always.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: Ted Ligety
Top Canadian Hopeful: Jean-Philippe Roy
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ted Ligety (USA)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Ted Ligety (USA)
Silver: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Bronze: Massimilano Blardone (Italy)
Nordic Combined: Team 4x5 Relay
The event with four athletes per team combines one jump off the long hill in ski jumping and a 5k cross-country lap for each of the four competitors. After winning the first American medal in nordic combined last weekend, Johnny Spillane and the strong American team will look to win a medal. Traditional powers like Germany, Austria, and France will look to take away that opportunity from the Americans.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Austria
American Team has medal shot, not so for Canadian team
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Austria
Silver: USA
Bronze: Germany
Women's Ski Cross
The main storyline in this event is the battle between Ophelie David of France and the strong Canadian team. Canada has a great shot to win the gold in the first ever women's ski cross event in the Olympics. Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor and Julia Murray sit 2-3-4 behind David in the World Cup rankings.
Not an event in Torino
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor, Julia Murray
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ophelie David (France)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kelsey Serwa (Canada)
Silver: Ophelie David (France)
Bronze: Ashleigh McIvor (Canada)
As much as a gold medal in ski cross would please the Canadian fans, all the focus will be on Canada Hockey Place as Team Canada has to play a play-in game against Germany, with a win pitting them against Russia in the quarterfinals. Other play-in games include Slovakia vs. Norway, Czech Republic vs. Latvia and Switzerland vs. Belarus.
Speed Skating- Men's 10,000 meters
The Orange section of the Richmond Olympic Oval should be celebrating double than they usually have because they boast not one, but two top contenders in this race in 5000 meter gold medalist Sven Kramer and defending gold medalist Bob De Jong. Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick should be a factor in this race for the Americans but there are no top German contenders either so the medal race will be effected in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Top American Hopeful: Chad Hedrick
Top Canadian Hopeful: Lucas Makowsky
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Silver: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Bronze: Havard Bokko (Norway)
Biathlon: Women's 4x6 Relay
After the cross-country events had their relays yesterday, the biathlon gets its one of its relay events in the spotlight. There are four countries essentially battling for three medal spots in Germany, Sweden, Russia and France. France has been the surprise of the Olympics in this event and it is quite possible that their good fortune will continue.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Russia
No American or Canadian Medal Hopeful
2009-10 World Cup Leaders: Russia
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Russia
Silver: France
Bronze: Sweden
Men's Giant Slalom
The fourth stop of the Bode Miller Redemption Tour might take a backseat to another American in Ted Ligety in today's event. Ligety is the World Cup leader in this event and it is his best shot at gold. Ligety will face stiff competition from skiers from Austria, Switzerland, and Italy as always.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: Ted Ligety
Top Canadian Hopeful: Jean-Philippe Roy
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ted Ligety (USA)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Ted Ligety (USA)
Silver: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Bronze: Massimilano Blardone (Italy)
Nordic Combined: Team 4x5 Relay
The event with four athletes per team combines one jump off the long hill in ski jumping and a 5k cross-country lap for each of the four competitors. After winning the first American medal in nordic combined last weekend, Johnny Spillane and the strong American team will look to win a medal. Traditional powers like Germany, Austria, and France will look to take away that opportunity from the Americans.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Austria
American Team has medal shot, not so for Canadian team
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Austria
Silver: USA
Bronze: Germany
Women's Ski Cross
The main storyline in this event is the battle between Ophelie David of France and the strong Canadian team. Canada has a great shot to win the gold in the first ever women's ski cross event in the Olympics. Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor and Julia Murray sit 2-3-4 behind David in the World Cup rankings.
Not an event in Torino
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor, Julia Murray
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ophelie David (France)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kelsey Serwa (Canada)
Silver: Ophelie David (France)
Bronze: Ashleigh McIvor (Canada)
As much as a gold medal in ski cross would please the Canadian fans, all the focus will be on Canada Hockey Place as Team Canada has to play a play-in game against Germany, with a win pitting them against Russia in the quarterfinals. Other play-in games include Slovakia vs. Norway, Czech Republic vs. Latvia and Switzerland vs. Belarus.
Olympics Day 11 Wrapup
The is no I in team and that was what today's medal events were all about. All four events, ski jumping, men's and women's sprint relays in cross country and ice dance required more than one person to win the medal.
As expected on the ski jumping long hill up at Whistler, the Austrian team dominated and the gold medal they needed to come home with. Back home in Austria, ski jumping means to them what hockey does to Canada and coming home without a gold would have been a major disappointment for Andreas Kofler, Wolfgang Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern and Gregor Schlierenzauer. Finishing second was Germany and Norway took the bronze.
The women's sprint relay had some of its luster taken away when the Norwegian decided not to have three-time Vancouver medalist Marit Bjoergen race. This ended up being a crucial mistake as the Norwegian duo in the race finished fifth. Taking gold and adding to a very successful day for Germany were Claudia Nystad and Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle. The Swedes, who have medaled in two of the three events, took silver adding to the medal count for both Charlotte Kalla and Anna Haag, who now both have two medals. The Russian team of Irina Khazova and Natalia Korosteleva took the bronze.
The men's cross country team sprint ended with Norway winning their first gold medal in four events. Led by World Cup leader Petter Northug along with countryman, Oeystein Pettersen beat the Germans and Russians in a sprint that seperated the three teams by 1.5 seconds. Axel Teichmann and Tim Tscharnke took the silver for Germany while the Russian duo of Nikolay Morilov and Alexey Petukhov won bronze.
The marquee event of team day in Vancouver was the final part of the ice dancing competition: the free dance. The home crowd had alot to cheer for tonight with Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue taking first place with two pairs to go with a score of 111.15 in the free dance. No other pair came close to that score and the Canadians took the gold becoming the first North American pair to medal in ice dancing. Doubling that feat was Charlie White and Meryl Davis of the USA, who gave the Americans a medal on a day of sports dominanted by European countries. Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin won bronze for Russia.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Team Austria(Gregor Schlierenzauer, Wolfgang Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern, Andreas Kofler) (Ski Jumping)
Team Germany (Claudia Nystad and Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle) (Cross-Country)
Team Norway (Petter Northug and Oeystein Pettersen) (Cross-Country)
Scott Moir/Tessa Virtue (Ice Dance- Canada)
Medal Count after Monday:
USA- 25
Germany- 21
Norway- 14
Russia- 11
Canada- 10
Korea, Austria- 9
France- 8
Switzerland, Sweden- 7
China, Netherlands- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Japan- 3
Australia, Latvia, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
As expected on the ski jumping long hill up at Whistler, the Austrian team dominated and the gold medal they needed to come home with. Back home in Austria, ski jumping means to them what hockey does to Canada and coming home without a gold would have been a major disappointment for Andreas Kofler, Wolfgang Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern and Gregor Schlierenzauer. Finishing second was Germany and Norway took the bronze.
The women's sprint relay had some of its luster taken away when the Norwegian decided not to have three-time Vancouver medalist Marit Bjoergen race. This ended up being a crucial mistake as the Norwegian duo in the race finished fifth. Taking gold and adding to a very successful day for Germany were Claudia Nystad and Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle. The Swedes, who have medaled in two of the three events, took silver adding to the medal count for both Charlotte Kalla and Anna Haag, who now both have two medals. The Russian team of Irina Khazova and Natalia Korosteleva took the bronze.
The men's cross country team sprint ended with Norway winning their first gold medal in four events. Led by World Cup leader Petter Northug along with countryman, Oeystein Pettersen beat the Germans and Russians in a sprint that seperated the three teams by 1.5 seconds. Axel Teichmann and Tim Tscharnke took the silver for Germany while the Russian duo of Nikolay Morilov and Alexey Petukhov won bronze.
The marquee event of team day in Vancouver was the final part of the ice dancing competition: the free dance. The home crowd had alot to cheer for tonight with Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue taking first place with two pairs to go with a score of 111.15 in the free dance. No other pair came close to that score and the Canadians took the gold becoming the first North American pair to medal in ice dancing. Doubling that feat was Charlie White and Meryl Davis of the USA, who gave the Americans a medal on a day of sports dominanted by European countries. Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin won bronze for Russia.
Today's Gold Medalists:
Team Austria(Gregor Schlierenzauer, Wolfgang Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern, Andreas Kofler) (Ski Jumping)
Team Germany (Claudia Nystad and Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle) (Cross-Country)
Team Norway (Petter Northug and Oeystein Pettersen) (Cross-Country)
Scott Moir/Tessa Virtue (Ice Dance- Canada)
Medal Count after Monday:
USA- 25
Germany- 21
Norway- 14
Russia- 11
Canada- 10
Korea, Austria- 9
France- 8
Switzerland, Sweden- 7
China, Netherlands- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Japan- 3
Australia, Latvia, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
College Hoopla- Feb. 22
With the Olympics still overshadowing the final weeks of the college basketball season, there is one more week of the spectacle in Vancouver, just in time for the best part of the college season. As usual, the bubble watch is on for teams like UConn and Maryland. With mid-major conference tourneys starting in the next week and a half, it is almost time to start filling out your bracket. Here are this week's awards:
Player of the Week:
Ali Farokhmanesh, G, Northern Iowa
After fellow senior leader Jordan Eglseder was suspended for three games, Farokhmanesh had to step up and he did. Going 5-10 from 3 point range in a win against MVC rival Creighton on Tuesday and then showing the country what the Panthers are capable in the BracketBuster game against Old Dominion, going 5-9 from beyond the arc and scoring 23 points.
Team of the Week:
Purdue
The Boilermakers are yet again showing that they are the class of the Big 10. With wins over Ohio State and Illinois this week, Matt Painter's team remains in the top five in the nation and can possibly steal a number one seed if they beat Michigan State on Sunday and win the Big 10 tournament.
Game of the Week:
Maryland 76, Georgia Tech 74 (Saturday)
Both the Terps and Yellow Jackets needed this game to improve their tournament resumes and they played like it. Most games like this come down to the last possession and it did. Down one with 1.5 seconds left, Maryland guard Cliff Tucker led a three point shot go and it landed in the net giving bringing the Terps to 9-3 in the ACC and putting them in second behind Duke.
Upset of the Week:
Loyola Marymount over Gonzaga 74-66 (Thursday)
In the Lions' biggest win since the 1990 NCAA Tournament, they upset the Zags in impressive fashion. Down three at the half, the Lions went on a second half run to put them ahead eight at the end of the game. Led by Ashley Hamilton with 17 points and Drew Viney, who played the whole game, with 16 points and 10 boards. The loss puts Gonzaga only one game ahead of St. Mary's in the WCC and with another loss could lose the regular season title.
Injury that Hurts the Most:
Dogus Balbay, G, Texas, Torn ACL
The Longhorns' point guard and best defender got hurt on Saturday in the first half in Lubbock against Texas Tech. Balbay had been one of the most underrated players in college basketball this season and will force Texas to find someone to play point consistently quick.
Games to Watch this Week:
Monday: West Virginia @ UConn (7, ESPN)
Tuesday: Kansas State @ Texas Tech (8:00)
Wednesday: Xavier @ Saint Louis (8:00)
Thursday: Georgia @ Vanderbilt (7, ESPNU)
Friday: Princeton @ Cornell (7:00)
Weekend 6-Pack to Watch:
Kentucky @ Tennessee (Sat, 12:00, CBS)
Texas @ Texas A&M (Sat, 2:00, ESPN)
New Mexico @ BYU (Sat, 4:00)
Villanova @ Syracuse (Sat, 9:00, ESPN)
Richmond @ Xavier (Sun, 1:00, ESPN)
Michigan State @ Purdue (Sun, 4:00)
What the Top 10 Should Be:
(1) Kansas
(2) Kentucky
(3) Purdue
(4) Syracuse
(5) Duke
(6) Villanova
(7) Kansas State
(8) Ohio State
(9) West Virginia
(10) New Mexico
Check back every week up until the championship game for more College Hoopla.
Player of the Week:
Ali Farokhmanesh, G, Northern Iowa
After fellow senior leader Jordan Eglseder was suspended for three games, Farokhmanesh had to step up and he did. Going 5-10 from 3 point range in a win against MVC rival Creighton on Tuesday and then showing the country what the Panthers are capable in the BracketBuster game against Old Dominion, going 5-9 from beyond the arc and scoring 23 points.
Team of the Week:
Purdue
The Boilermakers are yet again showing that they are the class of the Big 10. With wins over Ohio State and Illinois this week, Matt Painter's team remains in the top five in the nation and can possibly steal a number one seed if they beat Michigan State on Sunday and win the Big 10 tournament.
Game of the Week:
Maryland 76, Georgia Tech 74 (Saturday)
Both the Terps and Yellow Jackets needed this game to improve their tournament resumes and they played like it. Most games like this come down to the last possession and it did. Down one with 1.5 seconds left, Maryland guard Cliff Tucker led a three point shot go and it landed in the net giving bringing the Terps to 9-3 in the ACC and putting them in second behind Duke.
Upset of the Week:
Loyola Marymount over Gonzaga 74-66 (Thursday)
In the Lions' biggest win since the 1990 NCAA Tournament, they upset the Zags in impressive fashion. Down three at the half, the Lions went on a second half run to put them ahead eight at the end of the game. Led by Ashley Hamilton with 17 points and Drew Viney, who played the whole game, with 16 points and 10 boards. The loss puts Gonzaga only one game ahead of St. Mary's in the WCC and with another loss could lose the regular season title.
Injury that Hurts the Most:
Dogus Balbay, G, Texas, Torn ACL
The Longhorns' point guard and best defender got hurt on Saturday in the first half in Lubbock against Texas Tech. Balbay had been one of the most underrated players in college basketball this season and will force Texas to find someone to play point consistently quick.
Games to Watch this Week:
Monday: West Virginia @ UConn (7, ESPN)
Tuesday: Kansas State @ Texas Tech (8:00)
Wednesday: Xavier @ Saint Louis (8:00)
Thursday: Georgia @ Vanderbilt (7, ESPNU)
Friday: Princeton @ Cornell (7:00)
Weekend 6-Pack to Watch:
Kentucky @ Tennessee (Sat, 12:00, CBS)
Texas @ Texas A&M (Sat, 2:00, ESPN)
New Mexico @ BYU (Sat, 4:00)
Villanova @ Syracuse (Sat, 9:00, ESPN)
Richmond @ Xavier (Sun, 1:00, ESPN)
Michigan State @ Purdue (Sun, 4:00)
What the Top 10 Should Be:
(1) Kansas
(2) Kentucky
(3) Purdue
(4) Syracuse
(5) Duke
(6) Villanova
(7) Kansas State
(8) Ohio State
(9) West Virginia
(10) New Mexico
Check back every week up until the championship game for more College Hoopla.
Feb. 22 Olympics Preview
After an exciting day of hockey in Vancouver yesterday, today is also all about the team. With no individual medals being given away today with four team medals being awarded.
Ski Jumping: Team Event
With no Simon Ammann in this event because there are no other big Swiss ski jumpers, the Austrians finally have a chance at gold after settling for bronze with Gregor Schlierenzauer doing that twice in the normal hill and long hill events. Austria's big four of Schlierezauer, Wolfgana Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern and Andreas Kofler are the team to beat.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Austria
No American or Canadian Team
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Austria
Silver: Germany
Bronze: Norway
Cross Country: Men's Team Sprint
With nine different medalists in the three medal events so far, this is a wide open field. Norway, Sweden, and Czech Republic boast the strongest teams with Norway trying desperately to win the gold behind World Cup leader Petter Northug, who has been disappointing in Vancouver.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
American and Canadian Teams Entered
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: Czech Republic
Cross Country: Women's Team Sprint
The women's events so far have been all about Marit Bjoergen of Norway, who has won three medals, two gold and a silver. The rest of the Norwegian team will need to step up to help Bjoergen win her fourth medal. Like the men's event, Sweden is the defending gold medalist and has a chance to win gold again.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
American and Canadian Teams Qualified for Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Sweden
Silver: Norway
Bronze: Germany
Ice Dance- Free Dance
The final of three disclipines of Olympic ice dancing is tonight with the free dance. Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto moved into second place overall last night in the original dance. Belbin and Agosto are behind Maxim Shabalin and Oksana Domnina of Russia by three points.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Tatyana Navka/Roman Kostomarov (Russia)
Top American Hopefuls: Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Tessa Virtue/Scott Muir
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Maxim Shabalin/Oksana Domnina (Russia)
Silver: Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA)
Bronze: Charlie White/Meryl Davis (USA)
Ski Jumping: Team Event
With no Simon Ammann in this event because there are no other big Swiss ski jumpers, the Austrians finally have a chance at gold after settling for bronze with Gregor Schlierenzauer doing that twice in the normal hill and long hill events. Austria's big four of Schlierezauer, Wolfgana Loitzl, Thomas Morgenstern and Andreas Kofler are the team to beat.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Austria
No American or Canadian Team
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Austria
Silver: Germany
Bronze: Norway
Cross Country: Men's Team Sprint
With nine different medalists in the three medal events so far, this is a wide open field. Norway, Sweden, and Czech Republic boast the strongest teams with Norway trying desperately to win the gold behind World Cup leader Petter Northug, who has been disappointing in Vancouver.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
American and Canadian Teams Entered
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: Czech Republic
Cross Country: Women's Team Sprint
The women's events so far have been all about Marit Bjoergen of Norway, who has won three medals, two gold and a silver. The rest of the Norwegian team will need to step up to help Bjoergen win her fourth medal. Like the men's event, Sweden is the defending gold medalist and has a chance to win gold again.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
American and Canadian Teams Qualified for Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Sweden
Silver: Norway
Bronze: Germany
Ice Dance- Free Dance
The final of three disclipines of Olympic ice dancing is tonight with the free dance. Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto moved into second place overall last night in the original dance. Belbin and Agosto are behind Maxim Shabalin and Oksana Domnina of Russia by three points.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Tatyana Navka/Roman Kostomarov (Russia)
Top American Hopefuls: Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Tessa Virtue/Scott Muir
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Maxim Shabalin/Oksana Domnina (Russia)
Silver: Tanith Belbin/Ben Agosto (USA)
Bronze: Charlie White/Meryl Davis (USA)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Olympics Day 10 Wrapup
Sunday in Vancouver was highlighted by Super Sunday in men's hockey. The concentration of everyone except for NBC was on the USA-Canada game at night. For those who watched NBC instead of the hockey game, you saw the newest Olympic event, bobsled, and the Bode Miller Redemption Tour.
The medal events started off today as they usually do, up at Whistler with either a cross-country or biathlon doubleheader. Today it was biathlon, where Norway yet again failed to medal in both events. The men's 15k mass start was first and it went down to the final lap. With most of the favorites missing at least one shot at the range, Russia's Evgeny Ustyugov took advantage after shooting clean for the fourth time, he took the lead. Hot on everyone's heels was France's Martin Fourcade, who sprinted up from fifth after the last shooting round to the silver medal in an Olympics that has been good to France in biathlon. Slovenia's Pavol Hurajt had a chance to win his country's first gold in biathlon but Ustyugov and Fourcade both passed him in the final lap, leaving Hurajy with bronze.
In the women's 12.5k version of the mass start, Germany's Magdelena Neuner became Germany's best athlete at Vancouver with her second gold and third overall medal. In a race that was down to three, Neuner passed Olga Zaitseva of Russia after the last shooting round on the final lap. Germany's Simone Hauswald took the bronze behind Neuner and Zaitseva.
The men's super combined featured stop number three of the Bode Miller Redemption Tour. This stop of the tour was the most successful for the American. After finishing seventh in the downhill portion, Miller finished third in the slalom which was enough to take the top spot. Croatia's Ivica Kostelic won the silver, Kostelic's sister, Janica won six alpine skiing medals in her career, giving the family a seventh medal with Ivica's silver. Swiss skier Silvan Zurbriggen surprised some people and took the bronze. Zurbriggen is hidded behind the rest of the Swiss team and is usually not mentioned in discussions of medal contenders, but now he will.
The newest event of the Winter Olympics took place today. Men's ski cross was a huge disappointment for Americans Daron Rahlves and Casey Puckett who did not make the quarterfinal round. World Cup leader Michael Schmid of Switzerland did qualify for the quarterfinals and ended winning the final. Andreas Matt took silver and Norway's Audun Groenvold benefitted from a fall from Chris Del Bosco of Canada to take bronze.
The Canadian women were heavily favored in the 1500 meter race but like American Shani Davis yesterday in the same distance, the heavy favorite won silver instead of gold. Kristina Groves needed to beat Ireen Wust's time of 1:56:89 to take first but finished 0.25 behind Wust and gave Canada a silver instead of the gold they wanted. Wust gave the orange section of Richmond Olympic Oval something to cheer about giving the Dutch their third gold medal in speed skating. 3000 meter winner Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic took the bronze.
As expected in the two-man bobsled, Germany dominated. Bringing the Germans within six medals of the USA were their top two sleds. Driver of Germany I Andre Lange defended his gold medal from Torino, this time with brakeman Kevin Kuske. Germany II driven by Thomas Florshuetz took the silver with brakeman Richard Adjei. Russia duo of driver Alexsandr Zubkov and brakeman Alexey Voevoda took the bronze.
Today's Gold Medal Winners:
Evgeny Ustyugov (Biathlon- Russia)
Magdalena Neuner (Biathlon- Germany)
Bode Miller (Alpine Skiing- USA)
Michael Schmid (Freestyle Skiing- Switzerland)
Ireen Wust (Speed Skating- Netherlands)
Germany I, Andre Lange/Kevin Kuske (Bobsled- Germany)
Medal Count after Sunday:
USA- 24
Germany- 18
Norway- 12
Canada, Korea- 9
Austria, Russia, France- 8
Switzerland- 7
Sweden- 6
China, Netherlands- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Japan- 3
Australia, Belarus, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
The medal events started off today as they usually do, up at Whistler with either a cross-country or biathlon doubleheader. Today it was biathlon, where Norway yet again failed to medal in both events. The men's 15k mass start was first and it went down to the final lap. With most of the favorites missing at least one shot at the range, Russia's Evgeny Ustyugov took advantage after shooting clean for the fourth time, he took the lead. Hot on everyone's heels was France's Martin Fourcade, who sprinted up from fifth after the last shooting round to the silver medal in an Olympics that has been good to France in biathlon. Slovenia's Pavol Hurajt had a chance to win his country's first gold in biathlon but Ustyugov and Fourcade both passed him in the final lap, leaving Hurajy with bronze.
In the women's 12.5k version of the mass start, Germany's Magdelena Neuner became Germany's best athlete at Vancouver with her second gold and third overall medal. In a race that was down to three, Neuner passed Olga Zaitseva of Russia after the last shooting round on the final lap. Germany's Simone Hauswald took the bronze behind Neuner and Zaitseva.
The men's super combined featured stop number three of the Bode Miller Redemption Tour. This stop of the tour was the most successful for the American. After finishing seventh in the downhill portion, Miller finished third in the slalom which was enough to take the top spot. Croatia's Ivica Kostelic won the silver, Kostelic's sister, Janica won six alpine skiing medals in her career, giving the family a seventh medal with Ivica's silver. Swiss skier Silvan Zurbriggen surprised some people and took the bronze. Zurbriggen is hidded behind the rest of the Swiss team and is usually not mentioned in discussions of medal contenders, but now he will.
The newest event of the Winter Olympics took place today. Men's ski cross was a huge disappointment for Americans Daron Rahlves and Casey Puckett who did not make the quarterfinal round. World Cup leader Michael Schmid of Switzerland did qualify for the quarterfinals and ended winning the final. Andreas Matt took silver and Norway's Audun Groenvold benefitted from a fall from Chris Del Bosco of Canada to take bronze.
The Canadian women were heavily favored in the 1500 meter race but like American Shani Davis yesterday in the same distance, the heavy favorite won silver instead of gold. Kristina Groves needed to beat Ireen Wust's time of 1:56:89 to take first but finished 0.25 behind Wust and gave Canada a silver instead of the gold they wanted. Wust gave the orange section of Richmond Olympic Oval something to cheer about giving the Dutch their third gold medal in speed skating. 3000 meter winner Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic took the bronze.
As expected in the two-man bobsled, Germany dominated. Bringing the Germans within six medals of the USA were their top two sleds. Driver of Germany I Andre Lange defended his gold medal from Torino, this time with brakeman Kevin Kuske. Germany II driven by Thomas Florshuetz took the silver with brakeman Richard Adjei. Russia duo of driver Alexsandr Zubkov and brakeman Alexey Voevoda took the bronze.
Today's Gold Medal Winners:
Evgeny Ustyugov (Biathlon- Russia)
Magdalena Neuner (Biathlon- Germany)
Bode Miller (Alpine Skiing- USA)
Michael Schmid (Freestyle Skiing- Switzerland)
Ireen Wust (Speed Skating- Netherlands)
Germany I, Andre Lange/Kevin Kuske (Bobsled- Germany)
Medal Count after Sunday:
USA- 24
Germany- 18
Norway- 12
Canada, Korea- 9
Austria, Russia, France- 8
Switzerland- 7
Sweden- 6
China, Netherlands- 5
Poland, Italy- 4
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Japan- 3
Australia, Belarus, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia- 2
Great Britain, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan- 1
Americans Show Heart in Heart of Hockey Country
The preliminary round game between the United States and Canada Sunday night had a ton of hype around the matchup between the two North American nations and it lived up to hype without a doubt. The focus of the nation is on Canada because they are playing at home and after their shootout win over Switzerland in their last game, they needed a start to propel them throughout the rest of the game and that is the complete opposite of what happened.
With forty seconds passed in the first period, Brian Rafalski unloaded a slapshot that deflected off of Scott Niedermayer's stick and to the left of Marty Brodeur into the net to make it 1-0 USA. Before most fans had even taken their seats at Canada Hockey Place, the place was quiet.
Quiet until Eric Staal leveled the game eight minutes after Rafalski's goal. But, twenty two seconds later, Rafalski scored again giving the lead back to the USA and silencing the crowd once again.
In the second period, halfway thru the third minute, Dany Heatley tied the game for Canada and gave them momentum that lasted for most of the period, but they could not score again in the second because of Ryan Miller in the American goal. After stopping 18 shots in the first period, the Buffalo Sabres' goalie stopped 11 of the 12 Canadian shots in the second period. Late in the period, veteran Chris Drury scored to make it 3-2 and that is how it would stand going into the second intermission.
The third period was nothing less of thrilling starting with a slew of Canadian penalties, the last of three led to the power play on which Rafalski almost got his third goal but it deflected off of Jamie Langenbrunner who was credited with the goal. The last five minutes were full of physical play, just like the whole game, and then a penalty on American defensemen Eric Johnson for tripping with 5:04 left gave Canada the advantage they wanted. After failing to score on a power play two minutes before, the Canadians finally capitaziled with a goal from Sidney Crosby. After the Crosby goal, you could feel the tension in the building through the television with play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick shouting every thirty seconds because of a shot by Canada being stopped by Miller. The pressure kept coming and coming until an American clearance turned into a hustle goal into the empty net by Ryan Kesler which clinched the game for the team from south of the border. The final forty five seconds after Kesler's goal were filled with desperation for the Canadian players and shock from the fans that just witnessed the biggest American hockey win since the Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid in 1980.
3 Stars
3. Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner
Both wingers were on the best line of the night center by Paul Stastny and with Brian Rafalski and Ryan Suter at defense. From the beginning, the two New Jersey Devils fought hard and set the tone early setting up Rafalski's first goal.
2. Brian Rafalski
Rafalski set the tone with his first goal and then silenced the crowd with his second goal. He almsot had a third had his shot not been deflected off of Langenbrunner.
1. Ryan Miller
It was defintely Miller Time in Vancouver tonight. The Canadians kept shooting and shooting and with the exception of three goals, Miller kept saving and blocking shots in net. Miller ended up with 42 saves, more than his first two games combined.
Up Next: Team USA will either be first or second depending on if the Sweden-Finland goes to overtime tonight.
Canada will have to play a play-in game to get to the quarterfinals, they will be either the 6 or 7 seed.
With forty seconds passed in the first period, Brian Rafalski unloaded a slapshot that deflected off of Scott Niedermayer's stick and to the left of Marty Brodeur into the net to make it 1-0 USA. Before most fans had even taken their seats at Canada Hockey Place, the place was quiet.
Quiet until Eric Staal leveled the game eight minutes after Rafalski's goal. But, twenty two seconds later, Rafalski scored again giving the lead back to the USA and silencing the crowd once again.
In the second period, halfway thru the third minute, Dany Heatley tied the game for Canada and gave them momentum that lasted for most of the period, but they could not score again in the second because of Ryan Miller in the American goal. After stopping 18 shots in the first period, the Buffalo Sabres' goalie stopped 11 of the 12 Canadian shots in the second period. Late in the period, veteran Chris Drury scored to make it 3-2 and that is how it would stand going into the second intermission.
The third period was nothing less of thrilling starting with a slew of Canadian penalties, the last of three led to the power play on which Rafalski almost got his third goal but it deflected off of Jamie Langenbrunner who was credited with the goal. The last five minutes were full of physical play, just like the whole game, and then a penalty on American defensemen Eric Johnson for tripping with 5:04 left gave Canada the advantage they wanted. After failing to score on a power play two minutes before, the Canadians finally capitaziled with a goal from Sidney Crosby. After the Crosby goal, you could feel the tension in the building through the television with play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick shouting every thirty seconds because of a shot by Canada being stopped by Miller. The pressure kept coming and coming until an American clearance turned into a hustle goal into the empty net by Ryan Kesler which clinched the game for the team from south of the border. The final forty five seconds after Kesler's goal were filled with desperation for the Canadian players and shock from the fans that just witnessed the biggest American hockey win since the Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid in 1980.
3 Stars
3. Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner
Both wingers were on the best line of the night center by Paul Stastny and with Brian Rafalski and Ryan Suter at defense. From the beginning, the two New Jersey Devils fought hard and set the tone early setting up Rafalski's first goal.
2. Brian Rafalski
Rafalski set the tone with his first goal and then silenced the crowd with his second goal. He almsot had a third had his shot not been deflected off of Langenbrunner.
1. Ryan Miller
It was defintely Miller Time in Vancouver tonight. The Canadians kept shooting and shooting and with the exception of three goals, Miller kept saving and blocking shots in net. Miller ended up with 42 saves, more than his first two games combined.
Up Next: Team USA will either be first or second depending on if the Sweden-Finland goes to overtime tonight.
Canada will have to play a play-in game to get to the quarterfinals, they will be either the 6 or 7 seed.
Biggest Game Since Miracle on Ice
Almost thirty years to the day of the biggest moment in American hockey and Olympic history, the Miracle on Ice, another group of young, generally unknown, American players take the ice against a superpower of hockey in Canada at home. This game means alot and its just a round robin matchup. With a win, the Americans get a bye in the medal rounds and with alot of luck, they could possibly be the number one seed. If the Czechs lose to Russia and Sweden and Finland go to overtime, Team USA needs a regulation win to clinch the top spot. The Canadian team, projected to be the gold medal winner by many, slipped up against Switzerland and had to go to a shootout to win. If they lose today, Canada could end up as far down as seventh in seeding. On this day of rivalry in Olympic history, the USA-Canada matchup could set up a chance for the USA to join the Miracle on Ice team.
The Americans looked on form by easily taking care of Norway in their last game after a 3-1 win over the Swiss in the opener. Ryan Miller has been stellar in net with 24 saves and 2 goals against in two games. Most of the U.S. defensemen have a plus-minus over 2 and will need the control the Canadian attacking. Up front, Jamie Langenbruner will paired with teammate Zach Parise and center Paul Stastny to create a familarity for Parise, who has been one of the most consistent players for the USA in both games. The line of Ryan Kesler, Patrick Kane, and Phil Kessel will have to set a tone early as all three have the potential to score goals. The main key for the Americans will be to not get behind early and to keep it close throughout to win in the third period and get a medal round bye and possibly the #1 seed.
The Canadian team has tons of motivation to prove to their nation that they are a team worthy of winning a medal. The disappointing shootout win over Switzerland put the host nation into shock and thinking that their curling team might do better than the men's hockey team. Canada will have to get a strong performance in goal from either Roberto Luongo or Marty Brodeur. The star-studded roster will not want to have to play a play-in game as the sixth or seventh seed if they lose and if they win, they will get a bye and could avoid further humiliation to the host country.
Keys to the Game:
USA: Do not get behind early, Keep the game close
Canada: No letdown allowed, Big performance in goal
In the two other rivalry games today, Russia plays the Czech Republic and Sweden plays Finland. Russia has already lost to one of the former Soviet republics by losing in a shootout to Slovakia and could finish third in their group with a loss. The Czech team has taken care of Slovakia and Latvia in their first two games thanks to Tomas Vokoun in net and their scoring power led by Patrik Elias and Jaromir Jagr. They will need to score at least four or five goals to defeat Russia, who like Canada will be looking to avenge a bad game.
Going into today's game, the Russian team is in the same situation as Canada needing to prove to their country that they can win the big game after their shock loss to Slovakia in a shootout. The worst part of that game was that they only scored one goal in regulation and then followed it up by being stonewalled by Slovakian keeper Jaroslav Halak in the shootout. Russia needs this game more than Canada needs their game. Pride is what Russia has and if they lose today they would finish behind not one, but two former Soviet republics.
Keys to the Game:
Czech Republic: Good game for Vokoun, Contain the Ovechkin line.
Russia: Big game from Ovechkin line, Score more than one goal.
After all the fun happens with the North American border battle, Sweden and Finland win face off in the Scandinavian version. Finland has been scoring at will with five goals in both wins over Belarus and Germany, while Sweden has not looked as dominant in wins over the same teams.
The Finnish team has been getting contributions from every position. Defensemen Kimmo Timonen had two goals against Germany, Temmu Selanne became the player with the most points in Olympic hockey history with two assists, putting him at 37 points overall in Olympic play. The Ruutu brothers, Jarkko and Tuomo, have been playing well and will the whole team will need to play well today to clinch the #1 seed with a win.
The Swedes have seen some sketchy goaltending in the tournament but Henrik Lundqvist, who was not in goal for the Germany game, will most likely start tonight and will need to stop the high scoring Finns from making him turn around and pick the puck of the net. Sweden's biggest contribution on offense has been from Daniel Alfredsson and the Sedin twins. The defensemen will need to help set up the breakaways and goals in the offensive zone to keep the focus off the top forwards like Alfredsson, both Sedins, Johan Franzen and Nicklas Backstrom.
Keys to the Game:
Finland: Keep the game high-paced, Score, Score, Score
Sweden: Score more goals, Shut down Finns' goal scorers
No matter what the outcome of today's big games, one thing is certain, fans all over the world will be in for an entertaining day of Olympic hockey.
The Americans looked on form by easily taking care of Norway in their last game after a 3-1 win over the Swiss in the opener. Ryan Miller has been stellar in net with 24 saves and 2 goals against in two games. Most of the U.S. defensemen have a plus-minus over 2 and will need the control the Canadian attacking. Up front, Jamie Langenbruner will paired with teammate Zach Parise and center Paul Stastny to create a familarity for Parise, who has been one of the most consistent players for the USA in both games. The line of Ryan Kesler, Patrick Kane, and Phil Kessel will have to set a tone early as all three have the potential to score goals. The main key for the Americans will be to not get behind early and to keep it close throughout to win in the third period and get a medal round bye and possibly the #1 seed.
The Canadian team has tons of motivation to prove to their nation that they are a team worthy of winning a medal. The disappointing shootout win over Switzerland put the host nation into shock and thinking that their curling team might do better than the men's hockey team. Canada will have to get a strong performance in goal from either Roberto Luongo or Marty Brodeur. The star-studded roster will not want to have to play a play-in game as the sixth or seventh seed if they lose and if they win, they will get a bye and could avoid further humiliation to the host country.
Keys to the Game:
USA: Do not get behind early, Keep the game close
Canada: No letdown allowed, Big performance in goal
In the two other rivalry games today, Russia plays the Czech Republic and Sweden plays Finland. Russia has already lost to one of the former Soviet republics by losing in a shootout to Slovakia and could finish third in their group with a loss. The Czech team has taken care of Slovakia and Latvia in their first two games thanks to Tomas Vokoun in net and their scoring power led by Patrik Elias and Jaromir Jagr. They will need to score at least four or five goals to defeat Russia, who like Canada will be looking to avenge a bad game.
Going into today's game, the Russian team is in the same situation as Canada needing to prove to their country that they can win the big game after their shock loss to Slovakia in a shootout. The worst part of that game was that they only scored one goal in regulation and then followed it up by being stonewalled by Slovakian keeper Jaroslav Halak in the shootout. Russia needs this game more than Canada needs their game. Pride is what Russia has and if they lose today they would finish behind not one, but two former Soviet republics.
Keys to the Game:
Czech Republic: Good game for Vokoun, Contain the Ovechkin line.
Russia: Big game from Ovechkin line, Score more than one goal.
After all the fun happens with the North American border battle, Sweden and Finland win face off in the Scandinavian version. Finland has been scoring at will with five goals in both wins over Belarus and Germany, while Sweden has not looked as dominant in wins over the same teams.
The Finnish team has been getting contributions from every position. Defensemen Kimmo Timonen had two goals against Germany, Temmu Selanne became the player with the most points in Olympic hockey history with two assists, putting him at 37 points overall in Olympic play. The Ruutu brothers, Jarkko and Tuomo, have been playing well and will the whole team will need to play well today to clinch the #1 seed with a win.
The Swedes have seen some sketchy goaltending in the tournament but Henrik Lundqvist, who was not in goal for the Germany game, will most likely start tonight and will need to stop the high scoring Finns from making him turn around and pick the puck of the net. Sweden's biggest contribution on offense has been from Daniel Alfredsson and the Sedin twins. The defensemen will need to help set up the breakaways and goals in the offensive zone to keep the focus off the top forwards like Alfredsson, both Sedins, Johan Franzen and Nicklas Backstrom.
Keys to the Game:
Finland: Keep the game high-paced, Score, Score, Score
Sweden: Score more goals, Shut down Finns' goal scorers
No matter what the outcome of today's big games, one thing is certain, fans all over the world will be in for an entertaining day of Olympic hockey.
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