Each Wednesday I share links to good articles/columns from recent happenings – with added insights and musings – from around the sporting world. If you come across good articles, videos, etc. – please pass them along, I’d love to take a look.

College Football:

Senior nickel Hunter White is ready to step up for the Boise State defense.  Bronco fans better hope White or incoming JC transfer Dextrell Simmons can fill in for the departed Winston Venable.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach is in Gainsville for Spring Football and wrote a piece about quarterback John Brantley fitting into Charlie Weis’ offense.

If  you’ve been under a rock for the last week, Jim Tressel knowingly played ineligible players and then fought to make sure they were eligible for the 2011 Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. Dr. Saturday provides more detail on the worst thing about Jim Tressel.

Photo via today.msnbc.msn.com

George Schroeder of the The Register-Guard says the NCAA must get its act together on investigations, too as college athletic programs across the country are spiraling out of control.

SportsbyBrooks – who is always digging for scandalous stories if you didn’t know – says UO players, coach paint Willie Lyles as an Oregon booster. Lyles if you don’t remember is the middle man who may have steered highly regarded running back Lache Seastrunk to Eugene for a meager $25,000.

For some perspective on the $25,000 payment from Oregon, LSU paid $6,000 for Lyles’ scouting services. I’m not sure thing are going to end well in Duck Country.

Fox Sports’ Thayer Evans wrote a four part series about the mess that is college football recruiting. I haven’t read the pieces yet but here they are if you’re interested. Part 1: Is Lyles the most powerful street agent? Part 2: Texas to Oregon: Divinely inspired journey? Part 3: 7-on7: Recruiting’s new battleground. Part 4: Barnett took winding road to Michigan. This was highly recommended by several national writers I follow on Twitter.

Georgia committed a recruiting violation during the recruitment of prized tailback Isaiah Crowell. As a result, Coach Richt isn’t allowed to call recruits next month..

Dr. Saturday unveiled his detailed playoff plan for college football.

College Basketball:

UConn made a historic run in the Big East Tournament winning five consecutive games. Player of the Year candidate Kemba Walker was outstanding for the Huskies throughout the tournament but the highlight of the tournament may have been his buzzer-beater against Pittsburgh in quarterfinals:

Here’s your Viewer’s guide to March Madness compliments of SI’s Richard Deitsch. All the details of who will be calling games, what channels to watch, and more.

The NY Times wrote a great piece on everyone’s favorite announcer Gus Johnson – For Voice of March, Authenticity Comes With Sizzle.  There’s even a link to the Gus Johnson Soundboard – Enjoy.

Believe it or not but Jimmermania has reached the New York prison system.

If you haven’t already filled out your bracket, here’s a statistical breakdown of the NCAA Tournament from the NY Times.

National Football League:

Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris wrote an eye-opening post titled: I Play Safety In the NFL. Am I Suicidal? in response to an article about the price safeties pay for playing in the NFL.

National Basketball Association:

A Miami bar owner says the Heat have cost him over $85,000.  Sounds like next time he better get some insurance or not offer such a ridiculous promotion.

For any MJ fans out there (who isn’t?) here’s an amazing collection of Jordan photos (HT Ryan Craven).

Surfing:

NY Times Magazine wrote a short piece on 10 time World Champion Kelly Slater.  It’s definitely worth checking out.

Speaking of  Slater, he won his 46th World Tour victory and his third Quiksilver Pro title at Snapper last Wednesday, defeating Taj Burrow in the final.  If you have the time or are interested here’s the Quicksilver Pro Snack Pack (27 minutes of highlights recapping the event):

Video of Zoltan Torkos successfully completing a kickflip on a surfboard went viral last week so chances are that you’ve already see this but if you haven’t check it out:

Surfing Magazine posted new wallpapers for anyone looking to change up the scenery on their computer.

National Hockey League:

Last Humpday I posted video of Zdeno Chara’s vicious hit on Max Pacioretty.  The league decided not to suspend Chara which upset many throughout the hockey community. SI’s Stu Hackel says the NHL is out of touch on the Pacioretty-Chara decision and I would have to agree.

Photo via ottawa.ctv.ca

Penguins fans can slowly start stepping away from the cliff – Sidney Crosby skated Monday for the first time since missing 29 games with a concussion. Crosby’s return to game action is still undetermined but at least he’s skating again.

Soccer:

If you’re an ESPN Insider – check out ESPN’s piece on Stuart Holden epitomizing the new style of American soccer.

Richard Williams of the Guardian wrote an interesting piece on Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger.

Two and a half weeks ago Arsenal had a chance to win four trophies this season. After the Carling Cup disaster, they played terrible in the 2nd leg of the Champions League clash with Barcelona, and last weekend they fell short to Man United in the FA Cup.  Obviously I wasn’t the only one wondering if Arsenal’s season is collapsing, again.

SI’s Grant Wahl interviewed MLS Commissioner Don Garber as the league is set to begin their 16th season (has it really been around that long!?)

Here are the Top 11 Goal Misses of 2010 – some of these are absolutely unbelievable  (HT Shawn Carmen):

Any good stories or articles I missed? Happy Humpday Everyone!