NHL Second Round Predictions

After a first round that lived up to many picks but also brought a few surprises, eight teams move on the getting one step closer to the coveted Stanley Cup. The biggest upset came out of the Western Conference where once again San Jose failed to meet expectations and fell the to 8th seeded Anaheim Ducks. While the Ducks underachieved throughout the whole season, they were finally able to put all the pieces together, including starting Jonas Hiller at goalie, to dismantle the Sharks. Even though they had a new coach, the Sharks were not able to receive the needed production from former MVP Joe Thornton, Captain Patrick Marleau, and other stars. Instead of continuing on to what seemed like a guaranteed long playoff run, the Sharks are once again out before May rolled around. The Eastern Conference also did not fail to disappoint in terms of surprises. While no series ended with a shocking winner, as many predicted the Hurricanes to upset the Devils, the Rangers and Capitals' series lasted longer than many expected. Behind the Henrik Lundqvist's great goaltending, the Rangers jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, a lead they have never lost before in their playoff history. Unfortunately for them, there's a first for everything. After game 4, Lundqvist became human again, Alexander Ovechkin found the back of the net, and the Capitals claimed the next three games. The next round should prove to contain just as much drama and excitement as the intensity increases.

Western Conference 

2) Red Wings vs. 8) Anaheim Ducks

In what may be one of the most intriguing 2 vs 8 matchup in NHL history, the Ducks look to develop a string of upsets and take out the defending Stanley Cup Champions. This series is a battle between the last two Champions and maybe the two best all-around teams in the league. The Red Wings, who became the first defending champion to win a first round series since the Avalanche in 2002, have some of the best two-way players in the NHL, specifically MVP candidate Pavel Datsyuk and Conn Smythe (MVP in playoffs) winner Henrik Zetterberg. Their defense may be the most experiences in the league, with 46-year old Chris Chelios and 6-time winner of the Norris Trophy (best defenseman) Nicklas Lidstrom. The only weakness may be at goaltending, but Chris Osgood has proven to be a winner as long as he has a team that can help him. The Ducks also have great players at all positions and carry over a very similar team that won it all two years ago. This will be a hard fought series, but home-ice advantage may prove to be the difference. 

Red Wings in 7

3) Vancouver Canucks vs. 4) Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are finally back in the second round for the first time since 2002, led by great play from young players and the veteran defenseman Brian Campbell and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. This is a young team that relies on speed, energy, and desire for motivation. Besides Campbell and Khabibulin, there is little to no playoff experience, but the blend has proven successful. The Canucks on the other hand are an older team with more experience and desperation. There are many old players who have yet to get their hands on Lord Stanley's Cup, including Mats Sundin, Pavol Demitra, and Sami Salo. However, this is not to say that they do not also have their share of young scrappers. Ryan Kesler, at only 24, has been nominated for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward. However, this is a team that relies on its goaltending first, as they are backed up by Roberto Luongo, arguably the best goalie in the world. This series will come down to who can carry their team farther, Luongo or Khabibulin.

Canucks in 6

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Bruins vs. 6) Carolina Hurricanes

Coming off a complete dismantling of their primary rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, the Bruins are feeling confident and ready to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972. Led by likely Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie) winner Tim Thomas, the Bruins feature both the best offense and defense in the Eastern Conference. Great setup man Marc Savard leads a young offense that features some of the best scorers in the league. The offense does not only rely on one line either, which makes it almost impossible to stop. The Bruins' defensive players are nothing to scoff at either. Two-time Norris Trophy finalist and captain Zdeno Chara is a stalwart at the defensive end and a threat at the offensive end, possessing the hardest shot in the league and one of the hardest in NHL history. However, if the Bruins think they can roll in and sweep the Hurricanes like they did the Canadiens, they will be behind and fast. The Hurricanes enter the second round with enormous momentum after winning game 7 against the New Jersey Devils with only 31.7 seconds left to play. Eric Staal's series winning goal came only 48 seconds after Jussi Jokinen scored a goal to tie the game. The Hurricanes are 1:20 away from heading to the golf course before they snatched away a victory from the formidable Devils. This series will be decided by what wins out, the Bruin's skills or the Hurricane's momentum.

Bruins in 6

2) Washington Capitals vs. 4) Pittsburgh Penguins

This series is the series that NHL executives have been waiting for ever since Sidney Crosby was drafted in 2005. It will feature the best young players in the NHL, with Ovechkin, Crosby, Pen's Evengi Malkin, Cap's Alexander Semin, and more. The Penguins enter the series after taking care of their inter-state rivals Philadelphia Flyers in 6. The series win only continued to prove that this is a different Penguins team that looked like it wouldn't even qualify for the playoffs earlier in the season. It also marked the first time a losing conference finals winner made the second round since the Dallas Stars made the second round in 2001. The Penguins hope they can find a little more success against a team that has quickly developed into a primary rival. There is much bad blood between these two teams, as both Crosby and Ovechkin have traded words. Malkin and Ovechkin also have a history, going back to agents in Russia. Not to feel left out, Semin also threw his hat in the ring with some critiques of Crosby. This four way battle between four of the best young guns in the league will provide enough drama to keep anyone watching. However, the series will be determined by not young forwards but young goaltenders. The Penguins are backed by 24-year old and former number one overall pick Marc-Andre Fleury while the Capitals are backed up 20-year old rookie Simeon Varlamov, who took over Jose Theodore after game 1 of the Rangers' series. While Varlamov looked good in round one, he will face a much tougher test, as the Rangers were the worst offensive team in the league and the Penguins are one of the best. These are both unpredictable goalies, so which ever one decided to step up will be the one to take his team to the conference finals.

Penguins in 6

-A.S.

NHL Playoff Predictions: West

While the East stars some of the best young, offensive teams in the league, the West primarily relies on tough defensive play, so one might expect very physical series from the other coast.

Western Conference

1) San Jose Sharks vs. 8) Anaheim Ducks

Despite winning the Stanley Cup only two years ago, the Ducks find themselves in a vulnerable position facing what has been far and away the best team in the league this season. The Sharks have been contenders for the past few years but the firing of Head Coach Ron Wilson over the summer and the acquisition of Dan Boyle seems to have put them in a better position than ever before. The Sharks have the best defense in the Western Conference and the best record at home in the league. Meanwhile the Ducks, while talented and dangerous, always find themselves a man short, which might define the series considering the Sharks have the 3rd best power-play in the league and the Ducks have the 8th worst penalty kill. Don't be surprised if the Ducks win a few games but the Sharks did not play this well in the regular season to lose in the first round, especially to a division and in-state rival.

Sharks in 6

2) Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The only similarity these two teams may have is that they both play in the Central Division. After that fact, these two teams may have the most different histories in any series this year. The Red Wings are 11-time Stanley Cup Champions (including last year), have made the playoffs for 19 straight years, and have finished in the top two spots in their division for 17. The Blue Jackets historical records look like this: 9 years of existence, 1 playoff appearance. The Blue Jackets are the last time in the NHL to make the playoffs but they've finally done it lead by amazing goaltending from rookie Steve Mason and strong offensive play from the 2004 NHL leading goal scorer and captain Rick Nash. Unfortunately, this may be the first and only series for the Blue Jackets this year. The Red Wings only got better from last year, benefitting from strong goalie play from Chris Osgood and Ty Conklin and career seasons from many role players. The only way the Blue Jackets pull out the victory is if Mason plays better than he already has the whole season. Expect very dominating games on the Red Wings part but closer scores than the games indicate.

Red Wings in 5

3) Vancouver Canucks vs. 6) St Louis Blues

The percentage of hockey experts who predicted the Blues to be in playoffs as the 6th seed might be lower than the seed itself. The Blues seemingly came out of nowhere to nab a playoff spot after missing the big dance for the last three years. Many thought they would be playing for a good draft position and they were until the second half of the season when something clicked. It may have been the organization's refusal to participate in the yearly fire sale at the trade deadline, but whatever it was, it has worked the Blues get to play past mid-April again. Unfortunately, they must get past the also red hot Canucks in the first round. After starting the season well, the Canucks seemed to have lost their magic after signing former Leafs captain Mats Sundin half way through the season. They lost a franchise record 10 straight at home and seemed to be in free fall. However, as quickly as they fell they seemed to get right back up, going on a strong run the finish the season as the Northwest Division Champions, an achievement that seemed impossible two months ago. The Blues have a good young team but will probably not have enough for the fired up Canucks.

Canucks in 5

4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5) Calgary Flames

The once great Blackhawks are finally back in the playoffs and in serious contention to make some noise. In what has been a three year process, the Blackhawks regained their lost fanbase, drafted young skilled players, and played their way into the playoffs for the first time since 2002. This year has been a great story for Chicago and they hope they can continue against the sinking Flames. The Flames main problem has been inconsistency, lack of chemistry, and injuries. After making a splash at the trade deadline that seemed to cement them as NW Champions and Stanley Cup contenders, they lost their division lead and their seemingly invincibility. Even stalwart goalie Miikka Kiprusoff seems to have lost his touch. If the Flames want to win this series, they will have to find their pre-March magic and step up to a determined Blackhawks team.

Blackhawks in 7

-A.S.

NHL Playoff Predictions: East

Its that time of the year again, when the snow starts to melt and the ice rinks get hot with playoff fire. After a grueling regular season, 16 teams have made it into one of sport's hardest tournaments to find the best of them all. Beginning Wednesday, teams will finally have a chance to play for the most honored and prized trophy in all of sports, Lord's Stanley Cup. However, before they lift this prize, they must make it past the first round, which has proven difficult for any seed, whether it be the 8th or 1st. 

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Bruins vs. 8) Montreal Canadiens

This may seem like a train wreck waiting to happen, featuring one of the best and most consistent teams in the league versus a spiraling team in the midst of turmoil, but it could turn out better than expected. While the Canadiens started off hot, they struggled terribly after the All-Star game and only made it into the playoffs due to a tie breaker with the Florida Panthers, as each finished the season with 93 points. Firing Head Coach Guy Carbonneau was supposed to set a fire under these uninspired Canadiens but only resulted in more losing as players fought and young all-star goalie Carey Price lost all confidence and flash he has previously shown. Meanwhile, the Bruins are coming off the second best season this year, finishing with 116 points and leading the Eastern Conference in both goals scored and fewest goals allowed. However, the X-factor in this series is the historical rivalry between these two teams. The Bruins and the Canadiens have met in the playoffs more times than any other two teams in history and just about every series is a good one. Still, the Bruins are too good and the series will be over quick.

Bruins in 5

2) Washington Capitals vs. 7) New York Rangers

This series will be decided by how many of Washington's Conference leading shots can Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist stop. The Rangers have one of the worst offenses in the league and unfortunately, their defense isn't that much better. They will have to completely rely on their young Swedish goalie just as they have the whole season. The Caps are a different story. Their offense is amazing, lead by reigning MVP Alexander Ovechkin, their defense is solid, featuring the dangerous Mike Green, but their goalie is mediocre. If Lundqvist can hold the Capitals to one or two goals a game, the Rangers may be able to force a few lucky goals to take the series. However, that is much to optimistic, and while the Rangers can claim some games, four may be too many to ask.

Capitals in 6

3) New Jersey Devils vs. 6) Carolina Hurricanes

While the seeds may favor the Devils in this one, momentum clearly goes the other way. For much of the season, the Devils seemed like an unstoppable force, even threatening to grab the number one seed only a month ago. However, a miserable second half of March, which saw them lose seven of eight games, has put a damper on the parade planning. Still, they were able to save some face in April, including a season ending victory over Carolina, and they still have Martin Brodeur, a winner of three Stanley Cups. The Hurricanes came out of the All-Star game out of the playoffs and like a team with no direction. However, bringing back ex-Head Coach Paul Maurice seemed to have struck a chord with the players and they lost only three games in March, two of which were overtime losses. These two teams have a little bit of a history, so expect some sparks and a good series.

Devils in 7

4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

This rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals features some of the best young players engaged in a hot Pennsylvania rivalry. While the Flyers have been in the playoff picture basically all year, due to great play from captain Mike Richards and league's second leading goal scorer Jeff Carter, the Penguins have arisen from what seemed like a lost season. After suffering through what seemed like never ending injuries to the defensive corps and ineffective coaching from Michel Therrien, the Penguins found themselves unable to crack the playoff bubble and get into fighting position. However, standing five points out of the 8th spot, the Penguins finally fired Therrien and have never looked back. New Coach Dan Blysma led the team to an 18-3-4 record to secure the 4th seed and home ice advantage in the first round. The Flyers hope they can stop the Penguins' strong surge with good defensive play and the league's most dangerous penalty kill. 

Penguins in 6

-A.S.

Alexander Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby

Recently, Washington Capitals' superstar Ovechkin has become the main man for the NHL. Starting this year, ESPN has been discussing his goals and highlights more than any other player, even the ever popular Sidney Crosby. There are many reasons Ovechkin has reached this status of popularity. Ovechkin is the most prolific scorer in the NHL, has a great comedic personality, and makes sure his presence his known with his flamboyant celebrations. He also happens to have won the Hart Trophy for most valuable player for the NHL. Causal fans tend to fall in love with goal scoring stars who flaunt their achievements like Ovechkin does. However, is he really the best player in the NHL? Sidney Crosby would like to disagree. Crosby and Ovechkin were previously media formulated rivals, but in recent months have gotten in confrontations and traded words. These two are forming a real rivalry; one like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson but with animosity. Although both are only in their third seasons, Crosby and Ovechkin's resumes are already ones other players would envy. However, despite what ESPN and popular outlets may try to convey, Crosby's resume is better. 

Ovechkin's resume runs great. He beat Crosby for the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in his first season and won the Art Ross (most points), Lester B. Pearson (Most outstanding player as voted by peers), and the Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals) with the MVP last season. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, he has yet to win one playoff round. While one can argue that depends on his team, one expects the MVP and best player to lift his team to the next level comes playoff time. That is what makes Crosby better than Ovechkin. Crosby, who also happens to be two years younger, has also won the Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson, and Hart Trophy; he happens to be the youngest in NHL history to win the first two. Crosby is not as good a goal scorer as Ovechkin but he is a great passer with excellent hockey knowledge and vision. Those are the skills he used to carry his Penguins to the playoffs two years in a row and the finals last year. He is also a good leader, becoming the youngest player to captain a team for a whole season. Crosby has put up more points per game, has a better playoff record, and is a better leader than Ovechkin.

While Ovechkin is a great player and may be one of the best scorers in NHL history, the recent claims that he is the best player in the NHL remain unjustified until he proves himself in the upcoming playoffs. 

Montreal Canadians: Playoffs?

The Montreal Canadiens. The most successful team in NHL history with 24 Stanley Cups. A team celebrating its 100th Anniversary, which included hosting the all-star game and changing their logo for the season to commemorate the milestone. A team that has won a Stanley Cup every decade of its existence. A team that has been in a playoff position since October and held the number one seed for a few weeks. Now in 8th spot and realistic danger of missing the playoffs. The Canadiens have been in free fall since the All-Star break in early February, dropping down the rankings to the now dangerous 8th and final spot with 83 points and nine games remaining. The Florida Panthers (81 pts, 8 Games Remaining) are the main pursuers of this spot, but they have not been too hot either. 

If the Canadiens were to miss the playoffs, the results would be catastrophic in the hockey obsessed city of Montreal, where the citizens live and die with their only professional team. To make a better guess as to whether the Canadiens will be in the big dance, one needs to compare theirs and the Panther's remaining games. 

Montreal: Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, at NY Islanders, at Toronto, Ottawa, at NY Rangers, at Boston, Pittsburgh

Out of these nine teams, five are worse than the Canadiens in terms of points. Unfortunately, Montreal plays two of the four teams that are above them on the road where they are only 15-19-3. Judging by the schedule, one can expect somewhere between 8-12 out of 16 available points. That would put them between 91-95 points. Now let's look at Florida's chances.

Florida: at Philadelphia, at Dallas, Ottawa, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, at Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington

Half of the games Florida plays are against teams above them in the standings, but fortunately, only three game are on the road, and two are against the Flyers, who they would lose to anyways. The Panthers are solid at home and should be able to defeat most of the remaining visitors. The Capitals and Penguins are the only ones that should pose a challenge, and Washington may not have incentives by that point anyways. The Panthers should come out with between 6-10 points. If they perform as they have lately, they will only get six, but if they are finally inspired to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, they may make some noise. 

Unfortunately, for the Panthers, their destiny does not lie in their own hands, and all odds point to the Canadiens clinching the number eight spot and a chance to continue their streak of winning every decade. However, despite the belief that anything can happen once you reach the playoffs, the Canadiens will not beat the Boston Bruins. In fact, even if the New Jersey Devils or the Washington Capitals manage to pull out the number one seed, the Canadiens are finished. Expect them to be playing into mid April, but not beyond that. 

-A.S

Thoughts on the NFL Offseason

 

AP Photo

This year's NFL offseason kicked off to an interesting start Friday with huge contract deals, trades, and hurt feelings. Already some key players have switched teams while others remain on the market looking for their next big paycheck.

Overpaid

Albert Haynesworth DT -- Washington Redskins -- 7-yr $100m

The hot-tempered Haynesworth leaves Tennessee for the first time since high school after playing for the University of Tennessee and the Titans. Considered the most dominant defensive tackle in the game today, Haynesworth got paid like it, but the Redskins forgot a few facts besides his play. Haynesworth hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2002 and injuries have not been the only problem. In the new and stricter NFL, Haynesworth's anger is a liability. He has already been suspended five games for stomping on another player's face and was fined $5000 just this past season for unnecessary roughness. While his dominance and value on the field cannot be denied, his injury woes and anger problem are worrisome, especially for a seven year deal.

DeAngelo Hall CB -- Washington Redskins -- 6-yr $55m

Hall is coming off a so-so second half of the season for the Redskins after being released from the Raiders half way through. Hall is a tremendous athlete who is considered a Pro Bowl players when he's on his game. However, in the last two years, his drama has exceeded his skills, which got him run out of Atlanta and Oakland in the last two years. The Redskins on the other hand see young talent that can be molded into one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Unfortunately, they're paying him like he's already one of the best.

Dan Orlovsky QB -- Houston Texans -- 3-yr $9.15m

This deal is not as bad as it looks until one realizes how much better the other options on the market are. Still available are above average QBs such as J.P. Losman, Byron Leftwich, or Chris Simms. All three of those quarterbacks are proven starters who have actually won games for the their teams. Leftwich and Simms have even taken their teams to the playoffs. Despite these facts, the Texans decided upon the undrafted, four year veteran Orlovsky. To remind people, his claim to fame is running out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a two point loss for the winless Detroit Lions. He blew the Lion's best option to avoid an 0-16 season. This man almost single-handily created history. Orlovsky lost every game he started last season and never recorded a passer rating over 100. I guess a deal worth over three million per year is in order.

Chris Canty DE/DT -- New York Giants -- 6-yr $42m

Canty comes over from the Dallas, a team the Giants have play twice a season, so they know the player they are getting. Canty is a good player who can really help the Giants' defense, but the fact the he is now the highest defensive end on the New York Giants sets off a few bells. Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Mathias Kiwanuka cannot be very happy about the fact that someone with all of three sacks last year is now getting paid more than they are but I guess that's a situation they'll have to deal with

Underpaid

Bart Scott -- LB -- New York Jets -- 6-yr $48m

New Head Coach and former Ravens' Defensive Coordinator started the offseason strong, reeling in one of the best linebackers in the game today. Scott was amazingly effective in the Ravens' defensive scheme and should continue to be in New York. Still in his prime at only 28, Scott should prove to be a game changer for the Jets and will provide some stability for Ryan as he tries to institute a new philosophy in New York.

Brian Dawkins -- S -- Denver Broncos -- 5-yr $17m

While the length of the deal may be a little strange, considering Dawkins is already 35 years old, his strength and skills are undeniable. Dawkins was the defensive player of the month in December, showing that his hard hitting style of play has not worn out yet. The Broncos did not make the postseason last year purely because of their defense, so anything can help. Getting one of the best leaders and defensive players of the last ten years will prove to be smart on the Broncos' part.

Michael Boley -- LB -- New York Giants -- 5-yr $25m

The Giants nabbed an athletic and fast linebacker that will be sure to fit well in their high pressure, blitzing style of play. Boley had an average season last year in Atlanta, but has proven himself in previous years as a solid linebacker who can make tackles and force turnovers. He is only 26, so he is almost at his prime and can help the Giants in future years.

Other Thoughts

The more information that comes out about the Matt Cassel trade to the Kansas City Chiefs, the stranger the story becomes. First the Patriots get completely ripped off, giving the Chiefs a potential franchise QB and Mike Vrabel, a leader who has been a vital member of the New England organization, for a second round draft pick. Then it comes out that the Broncos were willing to part with their 12th overall pick for Cassel and would have traded Jay Cutler to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Did NE Head Coach Bill Belichick pass up on a much better deal just to spite a former assistant in Josh McDaniels, the new Broncos coach? Or did he do a friend a favor by giving former Patriots executive Scott Pioli a present in a QB? The story is fishy and everyone except the Chiefs seems to come out worse than they were. 

Speaking of the Broncos and Jay Cutler, Denver may have cost themselves the best young QB in the game today. Cutler is a pro bowler in just his third season and has proven himself to be a good QB with even better potential. McDaniel's willingness to trade Cutler in favor of the less proven Cassel hurt Cutler's feelings and confidence in the Broncos and now he apparently wants out. If McDaniels does not shut down the growing anger in Cutler, his debut season may be over before it started.

Will Kurt Warner just admit its all about the money? The ultra religious, 37-yr QB who just led his team to a Super Bowl loss has yet to agree on a contract with the Arizona Cardinals even though both parties seem to very much want the other. The Cardinals have supposedly offered $10-12m but that doesn't seem to be enough for Warner who is demanding payment for both the future and the past. While every player wants money, and there is no harm in that, Warner needs to stop pretending to be all about the game and just come out with the truth. 

-A.S.

Dodgers Should Call Manny’s Bluff

The latest rejection by Manny Ramirez and his agent Scott Boras is just another example of why Ramirez is not worth even the current offer. The Dodgers have already offered Ramirez four contracts this offseason, the latest one worth $45 million over two years with a player-only option for the second year. In 2009, Ramirez would earn $25 million making him the second highest paid player only to A-Rod, and in 2010, Ramirez could make $20 million or re-test the free agent market. If Ramirez has a sub-par year this year or suffers an injury, he would still be guaranteed $20 million next year. Ramirez and Boras have said that their only objection to the contract is that the money will be paid over five years with no added interest. Ramirez would receive $10 million this year and next year (assuming he picks up the option) and the remaining $25 million would be paid out over the following three years. Both Ramirez and Boras, however, fail to realize that they are not in the position to be bargaining for added demands.

This offseason, the only other team to show even the slightest interest in Ramirez has been the San Francisco Giants (though they haven’t put anything on the table). The Dodgers have continued to negotiate against themselves, something Dodgers owner Frank McCourt vowed not to do. The Dodgers have already increased their offer from one to two years but haven’t come close to reaching the 4-year $100 million Ramirez desired mid-November. Ramirez needs to realize that this is the best offer he is going to get in this economy. No matter how much Ramirez wants to believe that the economic downturn will not and should not affect him, we have seen many changes result from the recession already. The vast majority of teams in the MLB have cut payroll from the beginning of last year, and most of the teams that have higher payrolls are the lowest payroll teams such as the Marlins who need to spend a little to stay somewhat competitive. The free agent market has never been as slow as the one this year forcing some stars such as Orlando Hudson (1-year $3.38 million), Adam Dunn (2-year $20 million), Bobby Abreu (1-year $5 million), and Francisco Rodriguez (3-year $37 million) to accept much shorter and cheaper deals than those they envisioned at the start of the offseason. It seems like the only players who have gotten normal market price are the ones who have signed with the Yankees including CC Sabathia (7-year $161 million), AJ Burnett (5-year $82.5 million), and Mark Teixeira (8-year $180 million). Since the Yankees have not pursued Ramirez, Manny must accept the fact that he is not going to get a long-term, high-paying contract in 2009.

Although spring training has started and the start of the regular season is only a month away, the Dodgers should sit on this current offer. Besides the fact that no other team has pursued Ramirez, the Dodgers don’t need Manny as much as Manny needs the Dodgers. Ramirez has publicly stated his long-term goals including getting his 3000^th hit and 700^th home-run. If Ramirez isn’t playing though, especially in his prime years, those numbers will be unattainable. The Dodgers are capable of winning the tremendously weak NL West without Manny anyway. The division, which had its best team finish only six games above .500 last year only got weaker this offseason. The Rockies lost Matt Holliday (to the Athletics) and Brian Fuentes (to the Angels) while gaining only Huston Street. The Diamondbacks lost Adam Dunn (to the Nationals) and Orlando Hudson (to the Dodgers). The Giants only added overpaid shortstop Edgar Renteria, and the Padres lost Khalil Greene (to the Cardnials) while gaining David Eckstein.

The Dodgers can sit and wait for at least the next couple of months before renegotiating with Manny. If it turns out the Dodgers need Ramirez like they did last year to propel them to the playoffs, Los Angeles can offer Ramirez a similar contract to get him to play. As long as no other team approaches Ramirez (which is unlikely this far into spring training since most teams don’t put away $25-30 million for this type of circumstance), Manny will realize that his best option is to return to the Dodgers and agree to the “cheap” $45 million deal. With all of Manny’s off-field antics and average defense at best, it seems as if Manny, rather than the Dodgers, is the one getting the bargain. -J.S.

Game of the Night (2/25)

Duke Blue Devils 78 – Maryland Terrapins 67

In one of the most physical ACC games you’ll see, Duke was able to pull away from Maryland in the final minutes to spoil another Terrapin upset bid. Maryland, which defeated No. 3 North Carolina last Saturday night, would have guaranteed itself a spot in the NCAA Tournament with a win over No. 7 Duke last night. Maryland fed off the energy from the home crowd early on and led most of the first half even though Duke kept it close. Maryland’s Greivis Vasquez, who finished with a triple double against UNC and the leading scorer for Maryland, was virtually a non-factor against Duke, playing only 22 minutes due to foul trouble. Vasquez picked up his fourth foul just two minutes into the second half and sat on the bench for ten minutes before fouling out with four minutes to go in the game. Even without Vazquez, Maryland kept it close in the second half by being physical (just ask Duke’s Nolan Smith who had to leave the game with concussion-like symptoms after a hard-screen by Dave Neal) and attacking Duke inside the paint. Without an inside presence defensively, Duke had trouble stopping Maryland’s Landon Milbourne and Adrian Bowie who combined for 33 points, scoring most of them inside or at the foul line. Luckily for Duke, however, Gerald Henderson played one his most complete games of the year, tallying 19 points, 8 boards, 4 blocks, and 3 assists. Henderson’s electrifying blocks in the second half and one spectacular dunk silenced the crowd and shifted the momentum to the Blue Devils for good. Duke finally pulled away with five minutes to go and escaped the Comcast Center with a much needed victory. Elliot Williams also had his best game of the year adding 15 points on 6-8 shooting. Williams, a freshman McDonald’s All-American guard, has started the last three games after limited playing time the rest of the year. Although juggling the lineup this late in the season could disrupt the team’s rhythm, give Coach K credit for taking this necessary risk. Before inserting Williams into the lineup against St. John’s, Duke was showing signs of another late-season collapse, losing 4 of their last 6 in ACC play. Since making Williams a starter, however, Duke is 3-0, defeating St. John’s, No. 8 Wake Forest, and now Maryland. Williams is a solid defender who will not only contribute points and rebounds but will provide a spark to the rest of the team. This unorthodox move will payoff for Duke and give them a chance to compete for the ACC title in a couple of weeks.

Although Maryland’s win last week against North Carolina greatly improved its resume for March, the Terrapins still have work to do. Maryland is eighth in the conference and 6-7 in the ACC (17-10 overall). Maryland has a solid RPI and strength of schedule and two wins over top 10 opponents (UNC and Michigan State), but Maryland will need at least two more ACC wins to guarantee itself a spot in March Madness. Maryland’s only bad loss was to Morgan State in early January, but the beat-down it suffered at home to Georgetown is looking worse and worse as the Hoyas continue to fade in the Big East. Maryland plays at NC State, Wake Forest, and at Virginia to close out the regular season before heading to the ACC Tournament.

With this win, Duke improves to 9-4 in the ACC (23-5 overall) and is alone in second place after a Clemson loss last night. Duke finishes at Virginia Tech, and at home against No. 25 Florida State and No. 5 North Carolina. If Duke runs the table and reaches at least the final in the ACC Tournament, it has an outside chance at nabbing a number one seed in March, especially if Pittsburgh and Oklahoma continue to struggle. -J.S.

Honorable Mention: (2) Connecticut 93 --(10) Marquette 82 (Jim Calhoun earns 800th victory)

Game of the Night (2/24)

Pittsburgh Panthers 73 – Providence Friars 81

After rising to the number one spot Sunday and a week after beating then-number one ranked Connecticut, Pittsburgh fell rather easily to Providence. The Friars’ balanced attack (five players scored in double figures) overwhelmed Pittsburgh, who was in foul trouble the entire night. DeJuan Blair, the reigning Big East player of the week (after dominating Uconn’s Hasheem Thabeet), picked up his fourth foul midway through the second half, greatly diminishing his presence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Fellow Pitt stars, Sam Young and Levance Fields struggled from the field, shooting a combined 9-25. The Friars led by 18 at halftime after going on a 15-1 run to close out the first half. Pittsburgh, which never led in the game, cut the lead to five points in the final minute but never came closer than that. This was the first time in 33 years that Providence defeated a number-one ranked team and the second time overall. This win will boost the Friars’ resume and improve their Big East record to 9-7 (17-11 overall). Although Providence has a strong record in conference, its only other signature win was against Syracuse back in January. The Friars have gone 2-7 against ranked Big East opponents, racking up most of their wins against the bottom part of the conference. This win should be enough to vault Providence over Cincinnati (17-10, 7-7) and Notre Dame (15-11, 6-8) both of whom have played tougher schedules. Providence can further improve its resume for March when it plays at No. 12 Villanova March 5, four days after playing Rutgers. On the other side, Pittsburgh (25-3, 12-3) may be in jeopardy of losing its all-but-guaranteed number one seed for March Madness. This was the second time in two months that Pittsburgh rose to the top spot before quickly falling (losing at No. 20 Louisville in January after two weeks at number one). The door is open for Connecticut, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Memphis, and Louisville to gain a number one seed for March. Pittsburgh will have to quickly regroup against Seton Hall before it hosts No. 10 Marquette and No. 2 Connecticut in its final two games before the Big East Tournament. -J.S.

Honorable Mention: Texas A&M 57 -- Nebraska 55

Game of the Night (2/16)

Pittsburgh 76 - Connecticut 68

In a rough game, one play pretty much summed up the game. Early in the first half, Pitt's sophomore DeJuan Blair threw UConn's junior Hasheem Thabeet over his back, sending a message to the Huskies that Thabeet would not control this game as he has so many others. Thabeet was coming off a career game against Seton Hall in which he put up career highs 25 points and 20 rebounds. He also rejected nine shots, putting his average at 4.4 a game. However, Thabeet, who may be the best defensive player in college basketball, could not stop Blair, who put 22 points and brought down an amazing 23 rebounds. He was a big part of the reason UConn was out rebounded for the first time this season. Blair dominated Thabeet and by doing so, kept his team ahead for much of the game. However, the game was tied at 61 until Pitt's senior guard Levance Fields scored his first six points of the game on two threes. Pitt never gave up the lead again and they took away a great win. This victory marked the first time Pitt beat a number one team and the top spot is up for grabs once again.  -A.S.

NBA All-Star Saturday: Predictions

Sprite Slam Dunk Contest

Contestants: Dwight Howard (ORL), Nate Robinson (NYK), Rudy Fernandez (POR), J.R. Smith (DEN).

The most exciting and well-known competition in the all-star weekend has slowly lost its allure of the years. However, Dwight Howard's winning Superman performance has brought back some interest and he hopes to become the first consecutive winner since Jason Richardson in '02 and '03. However, he's going to feel some pressure from former winner Robinson, rookie Fernandez, and the athletic Smith. Smith and Robinson probably won't do too much. Smith is coming in as a replacement while Robinson has worn out his short dunking style. He's been in two all-star games already and his act his getting old. The finals should be between Howard and Fernandez. Coincidentally Fernandez posterized Howards over the summer in the Gold Medal game and the 2008 Olympics. I think Fernandez will surprise the league with a great performance and some surprising dunks.

Predicted Winner: Rudy Fernandez (POR)

Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout

Contestants: Mike Bibby (ATL), Daequan Cook (MIA), Danny Granger (IND), Jason Kapono (TOR), Rashard Lewis (ORL), Roger Mason (SAS).

Jason Kapono comes into the competition as the two time defending champion, once with Miami and last year with Toronto. However, there are some great 3-point shooters this year. Lewis and Granger come in as the two leading 3-point shooters in the league while Bibby, Cook, and Mason are all up there as well. Kapono has not been having his best season but that may be due to the Raptors' terrible year and inconsistent line-up. Kapono can never be counted out, as he comes in with not just experience, but winning experience as well. 

Predicted Winner: Roger Mason (SAS)

Playstation Skills Challenge

Contestants: Devin Harris (NJN), Mo Williams (CLE), Tony Parker (SAS), Derrick Rose (CHI)

Interestingly, no previous winners of this competition have entered this year so the competition is completely up for grabs with no real favorite. This challenge seems to always attract the younger players and this year is no different. Parker and Williams are the oldest players at 26, Harris is 25, and Rose is a 20-year old rookie. Harris, Rose, and Parker are probably the favorites. Harris and Rose are good all-around players but Parker has great speed and this is a time competition.

Predicted Winner: Tony Parker (SAS)

G-E-I-C-O (Horse)

Contestants: Kevin Durant (OKL), O.J. Mayo (MEM), Joe Johnson (ATL)

The new addition to the all-star weekend should prove to generate some excitement. Featured are sophomore Durant, rookie Mayo, and veteran Johnson. They're all good shooters who definitely have some creativity in them. However, Johnson is probably the best shooter and will probably be the safest as well. You have to make the shot to win the competition so all the crazy attempts may cause interest, but the craziest shooter will not be the winner.

Predicted Winner: Joe Johnson (ATL)

-A.S

Game of the Night (2/11)

UNC 101 - Duke 87

In a game that marked the 40th time these two ACC rivals met where each have been in the top 5 in standing, UNC was able to use a strong second half to seal the victory. Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green joined a small group of players that won four straight games against the Blue Devils in Durham in the Mike Krzyzewski era; the other two players are Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) and Rusty LaRue (Wake Forest). However, the big star of the game was guard Ty Lawson who put up 25 points, 21 of which was in the second half. The Tar Heels used this strong performance coupled with Hansbrough's intensity and determination to overcome the loud Duke crowd. The Tar Heels now claim the number one spot in the very tough ACC, a spot which they hope to hold for the rest of the season. This match up was a game of two halves. The first half ended with Duke ahead by eight and all the momentum. The team was playing strong defense and great offense. However, UNC coach Roy Williams fired his team up during half time and they came out firing. After a technical foul on Duke's Kyle Singler and a Hansbrough block, the energy had moved to UNC's favor. With only seven minutes to go and up by seven, UNC went on a 10-0 run to basically put the game away. The end result was a fifth game for UNC over 100 points and another win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. -A.S.

Game of the Night (2/10)

Florida Gators 65 – Kentucky Wildcats 68

This Tuesday night matchup between two of the top teams in the SEC East was a back-and-forth battle that was decided in the game’s final seconds (actually the game’s final tenths of a second). Florida, coming into the night with a 6-2 conference record, tried to strengthen its hold on the SEC East and continue to build momentum after coming off a big win against South Carolina. Kentucky, on the other hand, needed to get back on track after losing three in a row and protect its home court before playing three of their next four away. Tonight’s game featured seventeen ties or lead changes, and the largest lead of the night by either team was eight. Florida jumped out to a quick lead, led by PG Nick Calathes, who scored a game-high 33 points. Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks helped the Wildcats stay close, scoring 23 on 7-19 shooting. After Florida F Dan Werner missed a free throw with 40 seconds to go that would have given Florida a 66-65 lead, Kentucky called two timeouts before finally putting the ball in Meeks’ hands. With 4.7 seconds to go, Meeks sunk an off-balance three giving Kentucky a three point lead. The Wildcats and their fans were deafening after the basket but were quickly silenced with .6 of a second remaining when Calathes was inexplicably fouled from three-point range by Kevin Galloway. Calathes, who had been 11-12 from the line only needed to make three foul shots to send the game into overtime…but he missed all three, allowing Kentucky to escape with a much-needed victory. The two will meet again in Gainesville on March 7 to close out the regular season. -J.S.

Game of the Night (2/8)

L.A. Lakers 101 -- Cleveland Cavaliers 91

In what was supposed to be a matchup between the two best players in the NBA, forgotten man Lamar Odom made sure he would not be in the shadows again. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the first and third leading scorers in the league respectively, finally met after wreaking havoc on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers came in riding a five game winning streak, including a thrilling OT win against Boston, while the Cavaliers sought to extend their 23 game winning streak at home. James and Bryant guarded each other the whole night and it showed. Each played solid defensively and they only combined for 35 points (Kobe was sick with the flu). However, where James and Bryant failed offensively, Odom did not. Odom put up game and season highs with 28 points and 17 rebounds. Odom, who was recently thrust into the starting lineup due to Andrew Bynum's injury, seized his opportunity while leading the Lakers to an impressive victory. L.A.'s significantly better shooting proved to be the deciding factor, outshooting Cleveland 49% to 39%. Odom energized his team in the third quarter to pull away after a relatively close first half. The Lakers outscored the Cavs by 15 in the third in what turned out the be the crucial quarter. Odom hit 5/6 shots while James missed all four of his, including two threes. In a game between the two best teams and the two best players, Lamar Odom showed L.A's depth is the best in the NBA and should not be underestimated come playoff time. -A.S.