Each Wednesday I share links to good articles/columns from recent happenings 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 Lacrosse:
Photo via laxallstars.com
Lacrosse All Stars posted some awesome photos from the Syracuse vs Duke Big City Classic game this weekend. Both teams were sporting some sick threads on Saturday.
College Football:
BCS conducts shallow probe as party rages on – a member of the BCS “task force” investigating the Fiesta Bowl accepted a free Caribbean cruise from the Orange Bowl just last summer. Let’s hope the NCAA probes the finances for all bowl games – could be entertaining and destroy the bowl system!
A Texas fan broke down some tape from the Boise State – Nevada game based on some things that got him excited since former Bronco offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin is now in Austin. Boise State, Texas, and college football fans will enjoy this.
Texas coach Mack Brown hired young coordinators Bryan Harsin and Manny Diaz to spark the mediocre Longhorns.
Will Lyles and Patrick Peterson: Another drop in the NCAA’s pool of depravity – a look at the latest possible cheating scandal in an offseason full of controversy.
Speaking of the offseason full of controversy, The Solid Verbal was at it again with a CFB Offseason One Shining Moment video. Enjoy:
University of Iowa defensive back Willie Lowe has requested his release to transfer. Lowe is one of the 13 players hospitalized in January and is still experiencing symptoms.
The always controversial SportsbyBrooks looks at the risks Oregon is taking with Seastrunk saga.
Mr. College Football (Tony Barnhart) has five recommendations to improve the sport in lieu of all the offseason controversy.
Behind the numbers: College Football business grows exponentially.
Eagle High quarterback Tanner Mangum verbally committed to play football at BYU. Mangum had other offers from Boise State, Utah and Arkansas. Tanner was interviewed on Idaho Sports Talk with Caves and Prater yesterday – FF to the 6:10 mark if you want to listen.
College Basketball:
Shaka Smart signed an eight year contract to stay at VCU after leading the Rams’ surprising run to the Final Four. Smart’s base salary will be $1.2 million per year. It’s always nice to see good coaches stay at “smaller” programs.
Even though Butler lost to UConn on Monday night, coach Brad Stevens revealed the “best part of the story” as the Bulldogs went down their own way. This is a great column from Dan Wetzel – you’ll probably want to read it if you haven’t.
Apparently members of the North Carolina men’s basketball team including Harrison Barnes and John Henson play pickup basketball with the other students around campus. I have to say that it’s pretty cool of them to take the time to interact with “normal” students. Here’s some video from Monday:
Soccer:
SI’s Grant Wahl was running for FIFA President in hopes of challenging incumbent Sepp Blatter (President since ’98). Wahl never got the nomination he needed but he provided a look into what happened when he ran for FIFA president.
There’s some concern about overloading Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere with too much international duty over the next few years. Arsene Wenger says it is up to England not to burn out Jack.
David Hirshey says Wayne Rooney embodies everything Arsenal isn’t — heart, fury and a knack for scoring big goals which is why Manchester United will be EPL champions and Arsenal will have nothing.
Rumors are circulating that Didier Drogba could be headed to MLS when his contract expires with Chelsea in 2012. It’s no secret that he is unhappy being stuck behind Fernando Torres and that his game has slipped a little bit this season. I’m sure MLS would love to have Drogba follow Beckham, Henry, and Marquez, among others across the pond to the growing league.
The video quality isn’t the best but check out Dejan Stankovic’s amazing goal from yesterday’s Champions League match between Schalke and Inter Milan:
National Basketball Association:
Isiah Thomas living life in exile shunned by the NBA – Isiah has some interesting things to say about Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan in there.
Shaq suffered a calf injury five minutes into his return after missing the last two months with a heel injury. The latest injury leaves the Perkins trade hanging over him and the Celtics.
Now that college basketball is over the focus shifts to the NBA Draft but with a lockout looming there’s uncertainty over declaring for the draft this year.
National Football League:
Five compelling prospects who took unconventional routes to the NFL Draft including Boise State quarterback Mike Coughlin and Concordia College’s Fred Rouse (former Florida State Seminole).
National Hockey League:
The Colorado Avalanche will be without Paul Stastny for the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture in his leg. Since the Avs are already eliminated from the playoff,s Stastny’s injury should only help their draft position.
Surfing:
Here are the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Nominees – these guys are nuts – with the winner getting $50,000 plus a year lease on a 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Danilo Couto at Jaws, Maui is my favorite:
If the XXL Nominees weren’t enough to feed your surfing appetite check out Bruce Irons and cousin J.D. Irons discovering new waves and doing step-offs at Pipe on Episode 8 of the Annihilator Series:
Outdoors:
Boise’s River Rec Park is coming in 2012 thanks to the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation contributing another $950,000 for the construction of the park. Construction is expected to start in October when the water levels are low.
Baseball:
I don’t typically write about or link to baseball but I think you’ll understand the inclusion today - Has baseball’s moment passed? “From 2000 to 2009, the number of kids aged 7 to 17 playing baseball fell 24%.” That’s great news for the rest of the sporting world!
Any good articles or videos I missed? Happy Humpday Everyone!
