Arizona on the Charts

Week 13 in college basketball has turned out to be one to remember for UofA- we're now in the top 25! According to the AP, Arizona is currently ranked 21st in the league with an 18-4 record (tied for best in the Pac-10). This is the best my Wildcats have been in a long time. It's exciting to see the post Lute Olson team find success, it's much deserved.

This will also make my March Madness brackets way better if Arizona keeps playing well (as long as there is no repeat of the 2001 finals against Duke- don't know if I could handle that again).

Arizona has had a history for breeding great players, taking a look back at all the UofA players who are currently in the NBA... and doing well. Luke Walton (LA Lakers), Gilbert Arenas (Orlando Magic), Channing Frye (Phoenix Suns) and Richard Jefferson (San Antonio Spurs) to name a  few. So what if Gilbert pretended to be hurt to let his rookie buddy get more playing time.

Bear Down, Arizona!

The Tiger and The Puma

Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines is complete. There are a lot of guys close to the lead, Tiger is only 5 off the leader shooting a 3 under 69 yesterday on the North Course. Today, he'll tee off the South Course at 10am alongside AK and Rocco, who he beat in 2008 on this same course in a playoff.  Tiger looks strong, he's losing strokes on the par 5s, but hopefully the Santa Anna winds won't impact his play too much today and he'll gain a few strokes on the leader. I'm still pulling for him to win! Shocker I know.

If you're wondering who the Puma is... you have obviously not seen a golf tournament in the last year. Rickie Fowler is one of the best up and coming golfers. He is young, strong, and very capable of being a dominate presence on the tour- and this isn't buzz like when Sergio Garcia was suppose to be the next hot thing- Rickie can actually do it. He has been pegged as the guy to beat this weekend and is proving that with a 7 under on his first day, one shot off the leader. 

Can't wait to see how these two do today.

And if you're still confused about Puma, here is Rickie Fowler... often seen wearing head-to-toe bright colored Puma gear as his main sponsor.

Return to Torrey Pines

Tomorrow is the first day of the 2011 season that Tiger Woods will be competing on the PGA Tour, and he's once again chosen Torrey Pines as the backdrop. It's crazy how much has happened in the last few years with Tiger, recovering from injury, that whole cheating thing, and making a rough return to golf in 2010 with a lot of skepticism. I know it is not a popular opinion, but I don't think his personal life should have been scrutinized as much as it was.  There are many other athletes who actually break the law (looking at you Michael Vick) who have an easier return to their game than Tiger did.

Would be great to see Tiger dominate this weekend and win one more time at Torrey Pines, and start working his way back to #1.

More to come....get excited!!

Chad Who?

Chad Johnson Ochocinco is now changing his name again back to his birth name, Chad Johnson. Wow, this is definitely (not) news. This is an attention play, and not a good one. I think at this point, no one cares what his name is, especially Cincinnati. If he stays with the team he has to pay the cost for all the unsold Ochocinco jerseys. Wonder if that means they're trying to get rid of him in the off season, guess we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy the new/old name Mr. Johnson.

Ode to Kelly Slater

It's about time the mainstream media loved Kelly Slater as much as I do (and have since I was about 12). He is currently on the cover of Outside Magazine and GQ, an issue featuring the Top 25 Coolest Athletes of All Time. Kelly is one of the few who got a solo cover, along with Arnold Palmer (I mean, the man has a drink named after him- pretty cool), Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady (despite his attitude, playing style, haircut and overall personality... not to mention Kelly dated his wife) to name a few.

Kelly not only was the youngest World Champion surfer when he won in 1992, but is also the oldest to win a World Championship- number 10 finding its way to his trophy shelf this year at the age of 38. In addition to being a surfer and musician, he's also an amazing golfer with a 2 handicap.

With all these accomplishments, I wonder why Sports Illustrated and ESPN Magazine have not put him on the cover... ever. He just received his second Guinness Book of World Record for most career wins in his sport, he's dominated for multiple decades and is rated by most to be the #1 best athlete of all time (over his colleagues on the other GQ covers). Maybe it's because ESPN and SI don't consider surfing a sport? On Espn.com surfing barely even falls under "More Sports",  you can find it by hunting through the action sports tab.

Next on my to-do list is to figure out a way to get him on the cover. I'll have to see what PR tactics I can utilize to make this happen.

Tiger is Back

Looks like Tiger will officially start his PGA season at Torrey Pines next weekend, not a surprise to anyone who has followed his career- Tiger has won the last 5 times he has played here, including the 2008 US Open. As you might remember, this went into a playoff against Rocco Mediate. Tiger had a broken knee at the time and still won. If I had a broken knee, I don't know that I'd even go watch golf, let alone play. Then again, when I play I don't make millions of dollars.

Can't wait to see how Tiger plays, my guess is with his new swing coach he'll find his groove again and dominate 2011.

Aloha PGA- Enjoy the Rain

Yesterday was suppose to mark the opening day for the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Waialae, Hawaii. But mother nature decided it was not time to golf yet and threw a rain storm that direction.  With a two day washout, players will play 36 holes on Sunday to make-up for the lost time.  Some fun facts while we wait for the players to start... the Sony Open is the first full field tournament of the season, with 143 top golfers hanging ten in the tropical state. Noticeably missing is Dustin Johnson, who pulled out of the tournament days before it started, shortly after news that he is dating LPGA player Natalie Gulbis surfaced. hhmmm.

Can't wait to see Adam Scott win this one. The Aussie has been playing great and I am calling it now that this will be his year to shine (along with Tiger)

WAR EAGLE!

Sometimes it takes 53 years to win.  Monday night's victory over the Oregon Ducks was a "hold your breath" game, right up until the final seconds when Auburn won with a field goal.  Coming to work Tuesday, in a city that is very Pac-10 focused, proved to be difficult. There were a lot of people saying Auburn didn't deserve the call in favor of Dyer in the final minutes of the game, that in fact his hand was down. I know this is just frustration showing as it was obvious Dyer was not down on the play.

For a team who has been widely criticized for being a one-man team with Cam Newton, they sure proved everyone wrong in the BCS Championship game. Nick Fairley was dominant on defense stopping multiple plays on the goal line. Then you have true freshman Michael Dyer (who wears #5 in honor of his father who passed away when he was 5 years old), who finished with 143 yards and was chosen Offensive Player of the Game ahead of Cam.

Not to diminish Cam's play at all, he played amazing while suffering through back pain, and managed to take home the victory anyway.  Winning the Heisman Trophy and the BCS Championship game in the same year, Cam Newton is now only the 3rd player to do this, joining the ranks with Matt Leinart (USC, 2004) and Mark Ingram (Alabama, 2009).

With an amazing college football season behind us, it is time to look ahead to the next college sport to focus on, Men's Basketball and the Arizona Wildcats! Bear Down!

Game Day

It's here, it's finally the BCS Championship game day, Auburn Tigers vs Oregon Ducks! It's a battle of offenses. There has been a lot of speculation and discussion over who is the more deserving team... obviously it's the Auburn Tigers.

Can't wait to see how tonight plays out, and see Oregon fans' hopes and dreams diminishing across the West Coast.

WAR EAGLE!

Feeling Lucky?

Andrew Luck, Quarterback for Stanford and Heisman Trophy Nominee, has announced he will not be entering the NFL draft. Some think this is a good call, most think this is a bad idea. His reasoning is he wants to graduate from Stanford with his Architecture degree. Really? Ask Tiger what he thinks about leaving Stanford to pursue an athletic career, then tell everyone its for your education and see who believes you. He's a sophomore, so when he enters the draft after next season, people will continue to question his reasoning. Other speculative ideas, a. he doesn't want to play for Carolina who has said they would draft him with their first round draft pick should he be eligible. b.  He wanted to play another year with Harbaugh- that plan failed since Harbaugh just signed a 5 year contract with the Niners. c. he is playing another year to wait until the NFL strike is over. d. He is playing another year so he can win the Heisman.

Don't know what his real reasons are for not entering the draft, but I hope he is feeling Lucky.

Heisman Class 2005 Five Year Reunion- Where are They Now?

Historically, Heisman Trophy winners go on to have successful careers, not always, but mostly. I'd imagine if you looked back at the records, each Heisman class had a few gems in it. Then you look at the class of 2005, a group of young men who have seen their fair share of hardships in the NFL, not as easy as college was it boys?

Here are some of the athletes of the Heisman Class of 2005, let's see where they are today shall we?

1. Reggie Bush- USC, Running Back- Heisman Award Winner
Reggie has been wildly successful with the New Orleans Saints, has one Super Bowl ring on his finger and has 2100 career rushing yards. He also has been injured for the majority of 2010 season and had to return his Heisman Trophy for reasons that had nothing to do with his athletic ability.

2. Vince Young- Texas, Quarterback
He has struggled over the years with his personal and professional life but sadly it has been announced that Vince Young is being released from the Tennessee Titans after this season. It's always sad to see a QB with potential get released. So, where will he go next? Probably get picked up as second string to a team that has an older, seasoned QB.

3. Matt Leinart- USC, Quarterback
Drafted to Arizona Cardinals after impregnating a young blond co-ed. He started with the Cardinals for pre-season and was quickly replaced by Kurt Warner who took AZ to the Super Bowl in 2008. After Kurt retired to be on Dancing with the Stars, Matt got his starting position back. After pre-season he was demoted again to second string and then quickly traded to Houston as their third string QB. Without the insane offensive line he had at USC, I don't think Matt will ever be successful in the NFL. Magic 8 Ball says: actual career is a long shot.

4. Brady Quinn- Notre Dame, Quarterback
Brady had so much more potential to be a cover model but turned his good looks into a sports career instead. Now as the second string QB for Denver, he is behind an actual Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow. Brady also has Kyle Orton breathing down his neck for the starting position so it will be interesting next year to see how these three QBs get along. Think they get beers together after the game? Doubtful.

There you have it folks.

Tigers Eat Ducks

The teams have arrived in Arizona, practices have started, and I have a ticket to Phoenix. Too bad it's not for the big football game. I've been starting to hear some trash talking from my friends who went to Oregon and think they have a chance against the Auburn Tigers. Cam Newton has done an amazing job distancing himself from the drama that has been created around his dad and rule violations, so the hype of the BCS Championship will be a cake walk when it comes to his concentration and dedication to win.

I'll have a lot more on this topic but for now... it's time to start getting scared Oregon fans!

Tigers are taking over the desert