Weekly Nickel 3-19-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Marian Gaborik (pictured above) has led the Rangers to the top record in the Eastern Conference.

By Josh Kramer

Contrary to popular belief, College Basketball is not the only thing going on in the world these days.  Though it may seem that way at times, plenty of other things are going on in the sporting world as well.  The “Peyton Manning Sweepstakes” continue to heat up.  NBA basketball treks on with the “Trade Deadline” in the rearview and Dwight Howard’s version of “Gossip Girl” on hold for at least another year.  Last week was totally awesome baby with a capital A, but this week is sure to be great in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Sid “the kid” Crosby is back in the flesh.  New York, Boston, and Pittsburgh are running the show in the Eastern Conference, while the West has turned into St. Louis and Vancouver’s playground.  We are nearing the end of the regular season, with right around 10 games to play.  It is hard to believe, but I know all of you remember how exciting the NHL playoffs were last year when Game 7’s became almost a given.  This week my attention is focused on a matchup at Madison Square Garden tonight.

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers:  Who can remember the last time these two bitter rivals were relevant?  We may have to reach back to the prime of Patrick Ewing’s career.  We are living in the now though.  And though New Jersey is not a top-tier team, they still are capable of making noise in the postseason.  The Rangers on the other hand are looking to bring back some Mark Messier type of memories.  Perhaps Marian Gaborik can help make this a reality?  Both of these rivals are coming off of a loss.  Something that has been a rarity for the Rangers this year.  Don’t get used to it though.  Not only are the Rangers one of the NHL’s best teams, they also are one of the best at home.  Tonight, they will defend their home ice.

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Weekly Nickel 2-27-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tennis season is getting ready to heat up. Is it time for Andy Murray (pictured above) to break through?

By Josh Kramer

So the dunk contest was a joke.  Ryan Braun somehow defeated the system.  RGIII once again proved that he is fast.  And College Hoops did not disappoint (I mean when does it at this time of year).  Last week was jam-packed.  But the week ahead should be pretty good in its own right.

5. One of the best tournaments in tennis (outside of the 4 Grand Slams) is just one week away.  I am of course referring to the BNP Paribas Open at lovely Indian Wells.  But before the tour makes the anxiously awaited stop in California, the players have to take advantage of the two tune-ups provided this week. Djokovic, Federer, and Murray will all showcase their abilities at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, while the ATP Abierto Mexicano Telcel will also be taking place in Acapulco, Mexico.  Though most will not hold their breath in regards to these two tournaments this week,  they should.  Just like in any sport, the hottest players are the ones that take home the big-time tournaments.  Winning a tune-up typically signifies a “Hot-Streak.”  Who will get hot this week?

Weekly Nickel 2-20-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. The New York Rangers currently possess the best record in the Eastern Conference. Much of the team's success is due in large part to goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (pictured above).

By Josh Kramer

The Garden was simply “Linsane” yesterday as Jeremy Lin led the Knicks to a huge home victory over the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.  Michigan finally exacted some revenge on their bitter rival, Ohio State, handling Sullinger and Co. in Ann Arbor for the first time in a long time (previously had lost 7 straight to the Buckeyes).  And pitchers and catchers began reporting to warm and beautiful cities across the country.  This past week was absolutely wild, but the current week should be some fun too.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Is it 1994 all over again?  For the first time in a long time, both the Rangers and Knicks are contenders at the same time (granted the Knicks are only 500, but winners of 8 of 9).  The Rangers currently possess the best record in the East, while the Red Wings have been simply unbeatable as of late, winning six straight games, and 23 straight at home.  This week my attention is focused on a marquee matchup in Pittsburgh tomorrow night.

Weekly Nickel 1-30-2012

Photo courtesy of theoldprincetonlanding.com. All eyes will be focused on Indianapolis this week as America gears up for the biggest sporting event of the year.

By Josh Kramer

Yes, this past weekend, no “real” football games (college or professional) were played for the first time since the beginning of September (and no the Pro Bowl is not a real game).  Tennis jumped to the forefront of the sporting stratosphere and rightfully so.  The Djokovic/Nadal 5 hour and 53 minute thriller was a match for the ages, that anybody who had a chance to bear witness will not soon forget.  In addition, the Men’s Australian Open final made up for a Women’s final that was perhaps the worst Grand Slam final of all time.  Last week was great, but you better believe this week will be pretty amazing in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

Weekly Nickel 1-23-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Can Petra Kvitova (picturd above) rise to the top of Women's tennis by winning the Australian Open?

By Josh Kramer

After a “Monster Saturday” in College Hoops, NFL Championship Weekend, and the death of a legend, we head into what should be another great week in sports with heavy hearts.  Also, do not forget about a pretty big time tennis tournament occurring in Australia that is still going on despite the absence of any American men in the draw.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  The biggest game in American sports is set.  A rematch of Super Bowl XLII (42), pitting two of the biggest sports markets in the country (Boston and New York) against one another.  And you all know what that means.  Let the media blitz begin.  Though many get sick and tired of all of the hoopla and overly done analysis regarding the ultimate game in football, at least it is still fresh and new today.  All eyes will be on Indianapolis over the next two weeks.  And no, people will not be watching Peyton Manning. We will be watching Eli in the house that Peyton built..

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.

Weekly Nickel 12-5-2011

Photo courtesy of Cleveland.com. Can Aaron Craft (pictured above) lead the Buckeyes to a win in their first road test?

By Josh Kramer

At least this past week was not as marred with controversy as the past couple.  Sure developments continue to come out about the recent debauchery, but at least no brand new scandals came to fruition.  That was a victory in itself.  Most of the attention was focused on the gridiron and on the court.  And that is the way it should be.

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

5.  So the NHL has already lost some of it’s “brand new car” type of luster.  The NBA is right around the corner, Sid “The Kid” has made his almighty return, and now we are a quarter of the way into the season.  This is typically the time of year where the NHL takes a major backseat to football and basketball.  But I want to make sure you are aware, there is still some great hockey to be played this week.  The marquee matchup of the week will take place in Pittsburgh.

Weekly Nickel 11-28-2011

Photo courtesy of raleighdurham.about.com. Can North Carolina Head Coach Roy Williams (pictured above) rally his team to a huge victory over Kentucky in Lexington Saturday?

By Josh Kramer

What a past week in sports.  Wild NFL action.  Rivalry weekend for College Football.  Big time College Basketball upsets.  A shocking out of thin air NBA Labor agreement.  And a return of the NHL’s biggest star.  It will definitely be tough for this upcoming week to top last week.

Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  The Return of the Mack.  Hockey’s biggest star has returned to the ice, and appears ready to pick up right where he left off.  The hockey world got a momentous gift, when Sid “the Kid” Crosby took the ice for the first time in over 11 months.  With Ovechkin’s stardom waning, the NHL has been thirsting a star for the better part of six months.  That void appears to have been filled with the “Return of the Crosby.”  Talk about the strong getting stronger.  Pittsburgh already possessed the best record in hockey.  Now they just added the best player a quarter of the way into the season.

Food for Thought 11-22-2011

Photo courtesy of sports.yahoo.com. Vince Young (pictured above) did his best Tim Tebow impression on Sunday night, leading the Eagles to a huge victory over the rival New York Giants.

By Josh Kramer

We are nearing turkey day which can only mean one thing.  Football is out in full force.  The games on Thanksgiving Day are sure to impress, with a family reunion set to take place in Baltimore and a goliath showdown between two of the NFC’s elite in the Motor City.  And let’s not forget about the wild weekend that turned the BCS upside down in terms of College Football.  There is so much to talk about and so much going on.  Here is what has my attention.

Vince Tebow?

-I am still astonished by what Tim Tebow has been able to accomplish.  But on Sunday night, I had the chance to watch another once very highly touted quarterback do his best Tebow impression at MetLife Stadium.  Vince Young, the man who coined the infamous “Dream Team,” backed up the talk with a big time victory against the division leading Giants.

But the real question is, how did he do it?

Weekly Nickel 10-17-2011

Photo courtesy of insidecorner.dmagazine.com. Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz (pictured above) has played a major role in helping the Rangers return to the World Series for a second consecutive year.

By Josh Kramer

Last week was another great one in the wide world of sports.  We were treated to some outstanding football at both the professional and collegiate ranks, big time playoff baseball, and of course some good old NHL action.  Not to mention the conference realignment that continues to shake up the world in college athletics treks on, while the David Stern/Derek Fisher hissy fit continues.

Here is what you should keep an eye on this week in regards to the sporting world.

5.  The realignment earthquake is in full force at this time and is currently ravaging/altering college athletics as we know it.  Does anyone know what is going to happen next?  No.  Are these changes a good thing?  That remains to be seen.  But I do know that this week will surely provide some more gossip in regards to conference realignment and the future of college athletics.