Knicks Struggles, Buck Showalter, and the Sweet 16

The Knicks are 7-10 since trading for Carmelo Anthony, to say that's a disappointing result is an extreme understatement. Theirs no cohesion, no trust, no passion or effort. Everyone seems to be standing around waiting for one another to make a play. It's no secret that Mike D'antoni is an offensive minded coach, that's no excuse however to play ZERO defense on a nightly basis! We've heard Carmelo hasn't bought into Mike's system yet and that may very well be the case as the Knicks have no ball movement what so ever and remain stagnant due to his preference of playing a 1-1 style of basketball. Meanwhile halfway across the country the Nuggets are soaring. If they don't get it together by the playoffs Mike D'antoni will be feeling all the pressure in the world to produce come next year.

In other news, Orioles Manager Buck Showalter is already generating some noise out of Baltimore camp. The former Yankee manager took shots at both perennial favorites of the AL East, the Yankees and Red Sox. Buck slammed Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein about trading for Carl Crawford this offseason, echoing the voices of many around the MLB with the old "Just because you pay more for a guy doesn't make you smarter" line. It's really gotten to be a tired and played out argument, just because your owner prefers to put the money in his pocket rather than his baseball team doesn't give you the right to start whining. Buck didn't stop their as he brought up Derek Jeter's innate habit of backing off the plate when a ball comes inside, referring to the Yankees getting more calls than they should. Dear Buck, please stick to managing your cellar dwelling baseball team.


The Sweet 16 is finally here! I didn't do so well in my round of the 32 predictions ( 7 out of 16). 44% Correct. Entire tournament (28 out of 48) 58% Correct

East Region

1. Ohio State vs 4. Kentucky - Ohio State has dominated so far in it's first two games but that's expected of a number one seed. Kentucky on the other hand has narrowly defeated Princeton and West Virginia and easily could have went home in both games. In the end Ohio State is more talented and John Calipari has never been a good postseason coach. Prediction - Ohio State

11. Marquette vs 2. North Carolina - Marquette did a tremendous job in knocking off number 3 Syracuse, mostly because they controlled the pace of the game. The problem is they play the Tar Heels, an absolute scoring machine. North Carolina scores way too many points for the Golden Eagles who will be undoubtedly outgunned. Prediction - North Carolina

West Region

1.Duke vs 5. Arizona -  The Wildcats have snuck by a by a combined 3 points in their first two games, I'll take my chances with Coach K, the defending champions, and Kyrie Irving who will see some serious minutes according to Coach K. The Blue Devils will march onward. Prediction - Duke

2. San Diego State vs 3. Connecticut - The Aztecs are absolutely a feel good story, but overall their inexperience the tournament will be their downfall. Kemba Walker will take over as usual and promote the Huskies to the Elite 8. Prediction - Uconn

Southwest Region

1.Kansas vs 12. Richmond - Ultimately the Richmond Spiders upset an overated Vanderbilt team and beat the 13th seeded Morehead State. Kansas may be the best team in the country so I can't see them falling to a small time school like Richmond. Prediction - Kansas

11. Vcu vs 10. Florida State - Florida State has been dominating defensive team all tournament long, this game is surely going to be a test of wills and im looking to for the hungrier team to win. Virgina Commenwealth certainly fits the bill of that description and I expect them to edge the Seminoles. Prediction - Vcu

Southeast Region

8. Butler vs 4 Wisconsin - Butler is reclaiming the very same magic that propelled them to the finals last year. For some reason it's extrememly difficult for me to go against Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard in the month of March. I'll take the Bulldogs. Prediction - Butler

2. Florida vs 3. Byu - Probably the hardest game for me to pick in the round. Jimmer seems scores 35 a nightly basis making it hard to pick against BYU, Florida is a more complete team though and should be able to squeek out a revenge win after losing to them year. Prediction - Florida