Conference realignment has potential to ruin mid-major hoops

Photo courtesy of thevictoryformation.com. Our very own Nick Craddock gives his thoughts on NCAA Conference Realignment.

By Nick Craddock

There are college football dudes and college basketball guys. I’m more of a college basketball guy. I suppose it’s part of my genetic makeup, like it was in my Canadian forefather, Dr. James Naismith. But now, conference realignment is becoming downright cumbersome as it seems to be forcing me to cater to college football at the cost of quality collegiate hoops from top to bottom of Division I.

I’m not naïve enough to think that the NCAA is not (at least in part) driven by making money and although I was unhappy with the first wave of conference realignment in the fall (i.e. the one where Boise State became a member of the Big East among other moves where the major conference poached teams from one another), the desire for BCS schools to ensure their BCS Conference auto-bid status, lock up lucrative bowl tie-ins, and find the best television markets and contracts was rational.

Rivalries were shattered, athletic departments’ future travel budgets soared, and conference monikers became incredibly stupid (of course, everyone knows 12 teams play in the Big Ten, but 10 teams play in the Big 12, that’s just good logic). But money was to be made so fans were supposed to embrace the change and start booking off work now for those cross-country drives to see the heated Rutgers-Boise State series in person.

South Bend Jinx?

Photo courtesy of bleacherreport.com. If recent history in South Bend is any indication, Brian Kelly (pictured above) may get red in the face early and often this year.

By Josh Kramer

When people think of College Football, Notre Dame instantly comes to mind.  Despite not winning a national title since 1988, Notre Dame is still one of the blue bloods of College Football.  Every one of their games are nationally televised by NBC putting them in the public spotlight each and every Saturday.

The Fighting Irish are set to enter the third year of the Brian Kelly era.  Kelly was supposed to be the man to bring Notre Dame football back to the glory days.  He was the guy that was supposed to bring number 12 to South Bend (National Championship).  Luckily for the Irish faithful, Kelly has a history of getting the job done in year number three.  At Grand Valley State he went a very respectable 6-2-2.  Then at Central Michigan, he took home a MAC Championship.  And finally at Cincinnati, he led the Bearcats to their first Big East Football Championship and an appearance in the Orange Bowl.  With a past like that, it is safe to say that Brian Kelly knows a little something about winning.  Many have proclaimed the guy a miracle worker.   I like to think of him as one of the best offensive minds in football. But it appears recent history will be against the Fighting Irish Head Coach as he prepares his troops for the annual Blue-Gold Game on Saturday.  Could their be a year three jinx in South Bend?  The three Fighting Irish coaches that preceded Brian Kelly may have something to say in regards to the potential South Bend curse in year number three.

Weekly Nickel 4-9-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Cody Zeller (pictured above) is projected as a sure-fire lottery pick. Yet, he is on the fence about whether he should stay in Bloomington or take his talents to the NBA. He has 20 days to make up his mind.

By Josh Kramer

Sunday was truly a “fun” day in the sporting world. Masters insanity.  Carmelo put on a Broadway-esque performance in the Big Apple.  And John Isner led the US Davis Cup team into the semifinals.  It was a wild Sunday to say the least.  Last week was fun.  But this week is poised to be every bit as entertaining.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Should I stay or should I go?  Many college basketball players across the country are pondering this question as they heavily weigh their options on if they should spend more time at the collegiate ranks, or try to take their talents to the professional level.  Every year there are guys that declare, that really have no business departing. Also though, there are always guys that could have left, that decide to stay for another year and continue to refine their skills 20 days remain for the non-seniors to make up their minds.  Remember, only 60 players will get drafted come June 28th.

Super Early College Football Top Five

Photo courtesy of Louisianasportstalk.com. Les Miles (pictured above) did not prepare his team the way he should have for the National Championship Game. Expect his LSU Tigers to walk away with the National Championship in January of 2013.

By Josh Kramer

The late-great basketball coach Skip Prosser once told me, “If you can’t be on time, be early.”  Well in this case, I am going to be super early.  The big game, which unfortunately did not end up being ”big” by any means, concluded the College Football season on Monday night.  And despite a very disappointing finish to what had been a magical season in Baton Rouge, good things are ahead for the Tigers.  Who really cares if the season just ended, Spring Ball is right around the corner as die-hard fans across the country pray their team will be “the” team in 2012 and early 2013.  Here is an early look ahead.

Top Five:

1.  LSU Tigers:  Do not let Monday’s game take away from what this team accomplished this past season.  Eight wins against ranked foes.  Five of those on the road.  Plus this team returns the majority of it’s vaunted defense, including the Honey Badger and Eric Reid.  In addition, find me a better stable of running backs.   LSU was the nation’s best team in 2011.  They just didn’t finish the job.  Also, next year, their schedule is much more favorable.  The Tide have to come to Baton Rouge and the non-conference slate is not exactly mind-boggling (N. Texas, Idaho, Washington, Towson).

Weekly Nickel 12-26-2011

Photo courtesy of iamnba.com. Carmelo Anthony (pictured above) put on a show at Madison Square Garden yesterday. Can he lead the Knicks to a deep playoff run for the first time in over a decade?

By Josh Kramer

The NBA is finally back.  NFL action heads to the final week.  MLB off-season moves continue to occur left and right. And bowl season is finally ready to heat up. The New Year is always an exciting time in general, but it is also a great time in sports too.  Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  As is the norm during this time of the year, the NHL has gotten lost in the shuffle.  Now with the return of the NBA and the recent onslaught of concussions, expect the NHL to fall even further back on the agenda than normal.  Despite the lack of attention, there is still some great hockey to be played.  This week’s matchup to watch takes place down south.

New York Rangers at Florida Panthers:  It is a good thing that style points do not mean much in professional sports.  Because if they did, Florida may no longer be in first place.  The last time the Panthers took the ice, they took an 8 to 0 beating from the defending champion Boston Bruins.  Plus they are now losers of three straight games.  The Rangers on the other hand, are coming off of a big win against rival Philadelphia and have now won four straight games as they get ready for their “Battle of New York” with the Islanders tonight.  The Rangers live on one of the elite defensive units in the League and a very respectable group on offense led by Marian Gaborik.  Florida is not really too strong in any particular facet of the game.  They are typically good at defending their home ice.  The Rangers are not only hot right now, but they also thrive on the road.  Let the good times roll for New York.

Weekly Nickel 12-19-2011

Photo courtesy of otrsportsonline.com. We now know that the Green Bay Packers will not go undefeated. How will Jermichael Finley (pictured above) and the Packers respond to their first loss since December 19, 2010?

By Josh Kramer

The bowl game matchups were not flattering this weekend by any means.  Fortunately, two of the three games went down to the wire.  In addition, there was another jam-packed schedule of college hoops in which Xavier, in their first appearance since the ”Crosstown Brawl,” got slaughtered at home by Oral Roberts.  There is so much going on in sports as we prep for the New Year.   Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  Concussions continue to plague the NHL worse than any other professional sports league.  Sid “the Kid” headlines a very long list of NHL star players currently sidelined by concussion related injuries.  Players such as Kris Letang, Claude Giroux, Jeff Skinner, and of course Chris Pronger.  Despite the unfortunate injuries, the beat goes on in the NHL.  The marquee matchup of the week takes place tonight in Canada.

College Football Bowl Picks Week 1

Photo courtesy of temple-news.com. Temple looks to open up the bowl season with a victory over Wyoming. In order to win, the Owls will need a big performance from their star running back Bernard Pierce (pictured above).

By Josh Kramer

Bowl season is finally upon us.  Sadly, there is no way to sugarcoat it though. The first week of bowl games are anything but flattering.  This is probably the worst week we have had all year in terms of matchups.  35 bowl games are far too many.  As a result, we end up with weeks like this.

Saturday:

Temple vs Wyoming (Gildan New Mexico Bowl)

-Owls by 3

Headline:  Owls old-school smash mouth style proves too much for the Cowboys.

Weekly Nickel 11-21-2011

Photo courtesy of sacbee.com. Thanksgiving will be a family reunion of sorts for the Harbaugh family as Jim Harbaugh (left) leads his 49ers into Baltimore to take on John Harbaugh's (right) Ravens.

By Josh Kramer

It is safe to say that last week was absolutely a wild one in the wide world of sports.  The College Football world was turned upside down, while the NFL was highly entertaining as always.  College Basketball is back in full force, while the MLB off-season awards were doled out.  Plus the NASCAR Sprint for the Cup came to a wild conclusion.

Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

Weekly Nickel 11-7-2011

Photo courtesy of mysanantonio.com. David Stern (pictured above) was not well regarded before the recent labor issues. Pretty soon, he may be one of the most hated figured in sports.

By Josh Kramer

The “Game of the Century” has come and gone.  Another great week of NFL football defined by nail biters is nearly in the books.  And the NBA does not appear to be any closer to starting the long-awaited 2011/2012 regular season.  The sporting world was wild last week, but this week is sure to be top-notch as well.

Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  The NASCAR Spring Cup Chase for the Cup has come down to the final two races.  It is hard to believe, but in a year full of uncertainty and surprise in the sport, it seems it will all be decided between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart.  Does anybody else miss Jimmie Johnson at the top of the sport already? Who are you taking as they head to Phoenix this weekend?

4.  Finally an ultimatum has been made in the NBA negotiations.

Weekly Nickel 10-31-2011

Photo courtesy of coacheshotseat.com. Can Les Miles (pictured above) pull a rabbit out of his hat and lead his Tigers over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night?

By Josh Kramer

Halloween is always a wild time for obvious reasons.  It is the one time of year where you can dress however you want and go unnoticed.  This weekend though, was highly noticeable in terms of the wide world of sports.  Saturday night was arguably the best night of College Football we have had all year.  Sunday was full of thrills and surprises.  And the Fall Classic had its first Game 7 since 2002.

Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  So a month of games are gone.  That is a shame for sure, but at least some progress was temporarily made.  The insanity and chaos that I witnessed at the end of last week into this weekend demonstrated to me that we have a very good shot of at least having a partial season.  Both sides want to make this deal happen.  It is just a matter of getting over the 2% conflict.  If I had to guess, I would say we will be seeing the game’s biggest stars by January.  This is a bummer in that the Christmas lineup was set to be epic.