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(09/19/16 10:14pm)
In this week’s Special Edition of Around the Dorm it’s a battle of the editors as our editor-in-chief, Sydney Shaw, takes on two former Signal editors — Bobby Olivier and James Queally. Signal sports editors ask: Would you sign Ray Rice? Should Cincinnati teams embrace Harambe-themed promotions? Did Fancy Bear do the sport world a service or disservice?
1. Ray Rice is eyeing an NFL return. If you were a team owner, would you sign Rice?
Sydney Shaw: Signal Editor Sydney says no. When Rice assaulted his then-fiancée Janay Palmer in 2014, I was mad, but when the NFL gave him a slap on the wrist with a two-game suspension, I was enraged enough to write an opinion piece about it for The Signal. Rice’s actions were terrible, but the NFL’s were worse. Following that logic, if I were NFL Team Owner Sydney, I’d probably be terrible, too. So why not sign Rice? The move would be a headline-grabber at worst, and at best, a team-saver. Rice has admittedly seen better days as a running back and is approaching his 30th birthday, but he still knows his way around the football field and might be in better health than other players later in the season. A good owner puts her team on her back. That means caring about my millions of fans, not about one girl who got punched in the face. She married him, anyway, so how bad could it have been?
Bobby Olivier: The easy answer, in week two when most running backs still enjoy two functional knees, is no, who needs the headache? But give it a few weeks, and a team that’s banged up and already slipping from relevancy will likely go after him for some sort of Tebow-esque, “Hey, this guy’s back!” headline grab. And for a real owner, or for hypothetical me, his return should be based solely on whether or not he can actually play in the NFL. What he did to his girlfriend was horrible, and it ruined his career — a running back’s prime is about 35 minutes long and he spent most of it apologizing. If you need the roster spot filled, and he looks anything like the guy who ignited Rutgers University 10 years ago, let him pick up the pieces.
James Queally: This question is about football as much as it is about NFL owners doing something to shake the league’s miserable reputation when it comes to players who commit acts of domestic violence. But either way, the answer is absolutely not. Rice’s career was effectively ended by that elevator video, and it’s really the only permanent consequence suffered by a superstar in a league that has continued to employ Ben Roethlisberger and Greg Hardy in the wake of their own issues involving sexual or domestic violence. From a football standpoint, Rice’s yards-per-carry had been slipping for years, bottoming out at 3.7 in 2013, and that pedestrian number was buoyed by two blockbuster games against bad defenses (What up Bears, Lions?). Awful behavior aside, he’s a 29-year-old back heading for the age cliff, his elusiveness is fading and he probably can’t function as a bell cow back anymore. He’s not worth it from a moral or football standpoint.
Bobby gets 1 point for assuming Rice can still play well. James gets 3 for deciding on morals, age and skill decline. Sydney gets 2 points for doing what’s best for business.
2. Should Cincinnati sports teams embrace Harambe-themed promotions?
Sydney: They should at least give it a shot — after all, Harambe took one for all of us. What’s the worst that could happen? A heroic gorilla might lose his life because a mother couldn’t keep an eye on her kid? OH WAIT, that already happened, so Cincinnati owes it to him to honor his memory. In all seriousness, Harambe’s death sparked a nearly unprecedented internet reaction. If the Bengals decided to embrace Harambe-themed promotions — say, by having a person in a gorilla costume walk arm-in-arm with the team’s mascot — it would probably go over pretty well, at least with millennial fans. It even rhymes: Who Dey? Harambe!
Bobby: The obvious answer is no. But that’s no fun — I’m back in college, baby! So, hell YES they should embrace promotions tethered to the faux-forged legacy of a dead gorilla! I’m thinking banana smoothies at Reds games, Rainforest Night at the Cincinnati Cyclones minor league hockey games — the first 500 patrons get a real poison dart frog! — and of course, a WATCH YOUR FUCKING CHILD, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO KILL ANYMORE GORILLAS BUT CAN ABSOLUTELY STAND TO LOSE A SMALL HUMAN Day at the Cincinnati Zoo. Maybe the College can hop aboard this crazy train, too. Why not revive the shrimp and banana pizza (I think it was Cuban Night in Eickhoff Hall) that sent me to nutritional therapy for six months back in 2009? Long live Harambe, long live the College and God help you poor, debt-doomed liberal arts majors.
James: I mean, how else are they going to sell Reds tickets? I don’t get how this is really controversial. Then again, I’m old and barely understand how the internet turned this poor gorilla into one of those, what do the young ones call it? (puts on reading glasses, lights cob pipe) “Dank memes,” is it? While the whole Harambe obsession seems to have faded from outrage to conspiracy-theory humor, embracing the viral sensation in the city where the shooting happened could be a thorny issue. The Cincinnati Zoo’s staff has expressed dismay with Harambe becoming a bizarre cultural icon. I think the Bengals and Reds would be best served by staying out of this. People are going to come out in Harambe-themed gear and there’s no reason to try and stop it, like NFLShop.com did briefly this week, but the hometown sports teams don’t need to lean into it, either. If Cincinnati sports fans want to honor a rare and majestic beast without offending anyone, all they have to do is wear an A.J. Green jersey.
Sydney gets 1 point for trying to be serious. Bobby gets 3 points because he made me WANT to go to a Reds game. James gets 2 for trying his best to be hip.
3. Did Fancy Bear do the sport world a service or a disservice by leaking data from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)?
Sydney: Considering I wasted my time googling “Fancy Bear” only to find out that “none of the documents published by the group showed wrongdoing,” according to ABC News, yeah, I’d say it was a disservice. I could have spent my time coming up with a better answer for that Rice question before. It’s a disservice to the athletes who have to deal with the stress of people thinking they’re doping up when they’re really just taking approved medication so they can function on a daily basis. And less importantly, it’s a disservice to the folks in Fancy Bear who are partaking in the risky business of hacking into WADA databases for seemingly no reason. Get a real job, Fancy Bears.
Bobby: Those damn Fancy Bears, with their white teeth and their iPhone 7s and their… their… where am I? I haven’t moved the needle one way or the other in terms of ground-shaking reveals. The fact that Simone Biles takes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication raises neither of my eyebrows, nor do the Williams sisters’ therapeutic use exemptions (TUE), for which it appears they had the approved paperwork. Though it does re-illuminate the idea that some world athletes could have exploited the TUE system. But no major names have been released to ensnare public attention, and until then (hopefully after press time), the jury’s out as far as service or disservice. And speaking of bears, James Queally loves Minus the Bear, a grossly overrated band.
James: Disservice. Unless I missed something, WADA has never been known to give passes for actual performance-enhancing drugs and is a pretty reliable watchdog agency for Olympic sports. Did I really need to know that Biles takes medicine for ADHD, or that other American athletes have asthma inhalers? No. These are legitimate exemptions, and they’re fairly irrelevant to Biles’s ability to stick the landing or Venus Williams’s bonkers serving power. There are so many natural and unregulated substances you can put in your body to gain some sort of advantage. Green tea opens up your airwaves, should that be banned for track and field athletes? Unless we’re talking about a positive test for an actual anabolic steroid or a substance used to mask their use, I don’t need to know about someone’s prescription history. This might sound contradictory as a journalist, but some things should stay private.
Sydney and Bobby get 2 points for forgetting about the hard-working, Nexus-using fancy bears of the forest. James gets 3 points for the neato green tea factoid.
(09/14/16 4:47pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, we welcome newcomer Marc Trotochaud and veterans Sean Reis and George Tatoris as they try to answer “Ref” Otto Gomez’s three questions: Who is the best two-sport athlete in the last 25 years? Which college football team has been the most surprisingly good (or bad)? Does Tiger Woods deserve to be on my Mount Rushmore of American athletes?
1. Tim Tebow is the next player to play multiple professional sports. Who is the best two-sport athlete in the last 25 years?
Marc Trotochaud: Michael Jordan. During the mid-’90s, after winning three straight championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan shocked the sports world with his brief transition into professional baseball. Although his stint in MLB was uninspiring at best (barely cracking .200 with just over 50 RBIs), he more than made up for it with his performance as an NBA player. When I look at his two-sport career, I average out the best NBA career of all time with a forgettable career in the minor leagues, putting him right in the middle of a hypothetical two-sport overall ranking. In my opinion that score puts him ahead of any other multi-sport athlete the sports world has had in the last 25 years.
Sean Reis: He’s probably the wrong answer, but I have to say Jordan. Although Jordan did not play baseball on superstar levels, he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, meanwhile, he left his game during his prime to go and give his other passion, baseball, a try. To leave your sport, while you are the best player on the planet, and go attempt a career at another sport you love — that takes heart! LeBron James could never do that.
George Tatoris: Speed can get you a lot of places. For James Jett, speed got him to the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 and the NFL in 1993. Jett was a member of America’s gold-earning 4x100 relay team in Barcelona, Spain. That’s right. An NFL player with Olympic Gold. One year later he was drafted to the Los Angeles Raiders as a wide receiver. His rookie season he led the NFL with over 23 yards per reception. He kept with the team through the move to Oakland, Calif. and during the late ’90s Raiders renaissance. He ended his career with Super Bowl XXXVII and with 256 receptions for 4,417 yards and 30 touchdowns, putting him in the top-10 list of best receivers in Raiders history. A lot of two-sport athletes only find success in one of their sports, but Jett managed to do so in both. In addition, his name is almost as good of a sprinter name as Usain Bolt.
Marc gets 2 points because a .200 in AA is still hard to get. Sean gets 0 points for the unnecessary shot at LeBron. George gets 0 points because Jett didn’t run in the 4x100 final.
2. After the first few weeks of college football, which team has been the most surprisingly good (or bad)?
Marc: It’s Sunday night and I waited to watch week two before I answered this question. Surprisingly, my answered stayed the same. Louisiana State University (LSU) has been the most surprisingly bad team this season. Their first loss to University of Wisconsin, when they had a top-five national ranking, shocked not just me, but the entire sports world. I wasn’t looking for a big bounce back this week because the strength of their opponent gave them way more room for error. Yet as I watched the highlights of their expected blowout victory, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that LSU star running back (RB) Leonard Fournette was not on the field. Fournette could sit out the rest of the season and still be the first RB taken off the board, making me nervous and disappointed that an exciting LSU team will probably fall flat.
Sean: I don’t know about the most surprising team, but I’ll tell you the least — the Lions lost 51 to 3 last week — “c’mon, man!” OK, I kid, I kid. Seriously, the most surprisingly bad team thus far has to be my Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish put up 47 points the first week, but did they even play defense because University of Texas dropped 50 on them? Those are unacceptable defensive numbers. I don’t care if you beat University of Nevada this past week. Notre Dame, get your shit together.
George: The most surprisingly good performance so far is Texas A&M. After starting the season unranked, it seemed they were destined to fall to No. 16 UCLA in the opening week. The Aggies faltered defensive-wise a few times causing the game to drag into overtime, but ultimately reigned over the Bruins, 31-24. At the end of it all, Texas A&M had 203 rushing yards and forced three turnovers from Heisman candidate Josh Rosen. The win catapulted the Aggies to No. 20 in the AP Poll and 24 in the Coaches’ Poll. Meanwhile, UCLA fell off the board. After week two, the Aggies sit at No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coaches’ Poll.
Marc gets 1 point for Fournette, who sat out. Sean gets 2 points for mentioning the Irish and Texas game. George gets 3 points for mentioning the Aggies early success.
3. Personally, Woods is on my Mount Rushmore of American athletes of my lifetime. Does he deserve to be there?
Marc: It would not be outlandish to argue that Woods is the best American athlete we have seen in our lifetime. I credit this argument for two different reasons: One, his dominance in the sport, and two, the amount of media coverage he attracted. All Woods did was win, and he won for over a decade. His dominance in golf hadn’t been seen for years, and the media attention that he garnered put him in the public spotlight. He was riding in the high media spotlight for years, and when he crashed the entire nation were witnesses. These reasons move Woods into my Mount Rushmore of American athletes from our lifetime.
Sean: The Mount Rushmore of Golf? Yes. However, the Mount Rushmore of American athletes during our generation? I don’t know about that top four. The first three were easy for me — Derek Jeter, James and Peyton Manning — but that fourth athlete, that’s tough. Personally, I think Woods is too easy of an argument. He has 14 major titles and the speed at which he won those was unreal, but he’s slowed down... a lot, and he’ll never pass Jack Nicklaus, so I don’t think I can place him on my generation’s Mount Rushmore.
George: The only four guys to go on any Mount Rushmore are Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, who were all competent athletes anyway. Lincoln was an accomplished wrestler who once threw a man and then asked if anyone else wanted to “whet” their “horns.” Teddy played football and literally helped create the NCAA. Washington had an arm like an MLB pitcher and rode horses like Tobey Maguire in “Seabiscuit,” according to his soldiers. Even Jefferson, the turbo-nerd of the founding fathers, shot foxes in the head. Sure, they didn’t play professionally, but these guys pretty much did more than anyone else ever did for American sportdom by inventing America — a very necessary component to American sports. Putting Woods next to those guys is unpatriotic and downright communist.
Marc gets 3 points for explaining Woods’s dominance. Sean gets 2 points because you still kept Woods out. George 2 points because Roosevelt helped create the NCAA.
(09/08/16 12:04am)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Matthew Ajaj, asks our panel of three experts — Miguel Gonzalez, Connor Smith and Otto Gomez — three questions: What kind of impact will Teddy Bridgewater’s injury have on the Vikings 2016 season and the rest of his own career? Do the Yankees have a chance at the playoffs? Has ESPN become too political for its own good, or is the network’s recent focus on politics appropriate?
1. What kind of impact will Teddy Bridgewater’s injury have on the Vikings 2016 season and the rest of his own career?
Miguel Gonzalez: Despite Bridgewater’s torn ACL injury, the Minnesota Vikings are still capable of defending their title against formidable opponents. Running back Adrian Peterson has been gaining more than 1,000 yards per season. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson looks to become productive again after being absent last season. No need to acquire Michael Vick because that is like putting too much salt on your fries at Eickhoff Hall. Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer would not want Vick to make the locker room salty. Quarterbacks are another story. Shaun Hill is at the twilight of his career and Joel Stave did not show much potential during the Viking’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Nevertheless, Bridgewater is 23 years old and has plenty of promising years ahead of him. I just learned that the Vikings traded of their first and fourth round picks for Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford. Ugh.
Connor Smith: In the wake of Bridgewater’s season-ending injury, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman told reporters, “People are asking for some crazy things.” I guess they got what they asked for. Conventional wisdom says Sam Bradford — who the Eagles already failed to sell before the draft — isn’t worth a first round pick. The Vikings are a different case, however. An aging Adrian Peterson and a relatively open division gives this gamble some credibility. The Vikings think they’re on the verge of winning it all, and I respect that. They’ve built up picks in the 2017 draft, and they likely won’t sacrifice a top 10 pick for Bradford. If Bradford succeeds, it could have disastrous effects on Bridgewater’s legacy. More likely, though, is that Bradford joins Bridgewater on the injured reserve list.
Otto Gomez: The biggest injury storyline going into week one of the NFL season has quickly become Bridgewater’s torn ACL. Fortunately for the Vikings, they were able to secure an average to above average starter in former overall pick Bradford. While I know that referee Ajaj personally dislikes Bradford, the former Eagles quarterback was able to set a franchise record for completion percentage, while his team led the league in drops. Any way you look at it, that’s an incredible statistic. The Vikings are in win-now mode, and Bradford helps the team. For Bridgewater, time will tell what he will be like coming back. A lot of quarterbacks suffer immensely from that type of injury. Hopefully Teddy’s youth will allow for a shorter recovery period and a better career post-injury.
Connor gets 2 points for Bradford’s susceptibility to injury. Otto gets 2 points for that profound statistic. Miguel gets 1 point for thinking Patterson was ever good.
2. Do the New York Yankees have a chance at the playoffs with how they’re playing now?
MG: During the trade deadline, the Yankees looked like Britney Spears at the Video Music Awards with aging players like Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran. Afterwards, the team resurged with a young trio from Trenton, N.J.: Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin. In August, the Yankees showed promise by beating the Red Sox, Orioles and Royals — all playoff contenders. However, the Yankees playoff dreams will be quite a challenge. The Red Sox have an explosive offense with Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mookie Betts. Meanwhile, the Orioles have a strong infield consisting of Chris Davis, Jonathan Schoop and Manny Machado. If Yogi Berra was still here today, he would have been wearing his signature “It ain’t over till it’s over” hat.
CS: The new-look Yankees are a playoff team. If they began the season with this roster, the Yankees could be in contention for the American League (AL) East. That said, the wild card race is flooded with contenders, and the Yankees were in a hole from the start. Four and a half games are manageable, but there are five teams in between the Yanks and the second wild card. They have a winning pedigree, so I would never count the Yankees out. That said, I’d feel safer siding with the field on this one.
OG: The Yankees have been surprising this summer for a lot of different reasons. Very few expected them to be above .500 with a squad of has-beens and certainly no one expected them to be competitive in the AL wild card race after being strong sellers at the trade deadline and bringing up touted prospects. However, they stand 3.5 games back in the race, needing to overcome two division rivals in the Orioles and Red Sox, and two Central League foes in the Tigers and Astros. This deficit will prove to be insurmountable, mainly because of the lack of consistency coming from New York. The club doesn’t know who will provide offense on a day-to-day basis, especially now that former Trenton Thunder great Gary Sanchez has cooled down. The teams ahead of the Bombers have shown to play well against them and have played better all season. The future remains extremely bright for the New York Yankees, though.
Otto gets 3 points for recognizing the Yankees flaws. Connor and Miguel each get 2 points for acknowledging New York’s tough road ahead.
3. Has ESPN become too political for its own good, or is the network’s recent focus on politics appropriate?
MG: For a network that claims to be about sports, ESPN has certainly been focusing on race and violence. ESPN is overemphasizing the actions of Colin Kaepernick and Caitlyn Jenner. Did these athletes commit domestic abuse like Hope Solo? Or accused of murder like Ray Lewis? Or lie to authority like Ryan Lochte? Athletes such as Kaepernick show how players can be aware of the social-economic and political issues occurring in urban neighborhoods. I have no concern with ESPN showcasing these situations as long as they continue to celebrate the accomplishments of teams like Maine-Endwell winning the U.S.’s first Little League championship or groundbreaking athletes, such as swimmer Simone Manuel. ESPN and ABC News should discuss which issues are appropriate for each other’s news outlets.
CS: The world is too political in general. ESPN is a product of a media that spends hours forcing political beliefs down its viewers’ throats. It amazes me that sports — a form of entertainment that writes itself — is put on the back-burner so we can watch Stephen A. Smith bark his political agenda for hours on end. I could watch “Baseball Tonight” or “30 for 30” documentaries for just as much time, but instead we’re stuck with non-stop coverage of a man’s refusal to stand up. There is a time and a place for politics, but not during game time.
OG: I think that there’s a thin line between sports and politics for a couple different reasons. Sports is so important to our culture that it intertwines with every other aspect of what we see and hear every day. Additionally, sports fans have idolized athletes to the extent that we expect them to think like us fans, when what we really care about is not the person, but their talent on the field. Since they’re more gifted than us, we try to bring them down to our level, making it incredibly easy to criticize them. ESPN does not need to report what the players say as much as they need to report what the players did on the field.
Connor gets 3 points for saying politics is separate. Otto gets 3 points for the fine line. Miguel gets 1 point for not explaining why only certain issues deserve coverage.
(08/31/16 3:19am)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” George Tatoris, asks our panel of three experts — Matthew Ajaj, Sean Reis and Michael Battista — three questions: What was the most underrated performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro? What NFL team looks the strongest as we head into the 2016 season? What is next for A-Rod now that he has left the Yankees?
1. What was the most underrated performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio?
Matthew: The most underrated performance at the Summer Olympics goes to every participant who completed the 10-kilometer swim marathon. How is that even possible? For those who don’t speak metric system, 10 kilometers translates to over six miles. Swimming. In open water. The winners of the men’s and women’s event, Ferry Weertman and Sharon Van Rouwendaal, both managed to finish the race in just under two hours. It is tiring just to stand for two hours, let alone swim. Watching athletes swim their hearts out over a six-mile stretch is enough to make any viewer seated at home on their couch downing potato chips by the handful feel downright ashamed of themselves. But that is what makes the 10-kilometer swim such an under-appreciated and must-watch event: it makes people feel so ashamed of themselves that they will be inspired to get out of the house and exercise.
Sean: Ma Long from China brought home two gold medals for table tennis this Olympics, yet I did not see any coverage for his winnings. I understand that the United States may not be the best at table tennis, which would explain the lack of coverage, but what these athletes did was unreal. I have never seen anyone play ping pong like these guys, and, personally, I consider myself to be an above-average player (on a scale where these athletes don’t exist). Long dominated the table to win not only one, but two gold medals, and there were only two events — take that, Michael Phelps! Long, the Chinese table tennis players and the sport itself were the most underrated performance from this year’s Summer Olympic Games.
Michael: Sweden’s women’s national soccer team was very underrated during the games. They accomplished a feat by beating the United States women’s national soccer team on penalty kicks and keeping them from winning any Olympic medal for the first time ever, and their performance was overshadowed by goalkeeper Hope Solo being a sore loser. The U.S. dominated that game, taking 27 shots — 6 on goal — compared to Sweden’s 6 shots — 2 on goal. Yet Sweden got that ball in the net, knew they couldn’t beat the U.S. normally, and adapted by being conservative. The U.S. is a powerful team, so keeping them from having the ball at all was the best choice! Plus, they were a third place team and still beat the U.S. and Brazil, Sweden’s adaptive nature and technique earned them that silver medal. But, hey, Solo can call them cowards all she wants as she stalls for time, fixing her gloves before that last penalty kick.
Mike gets 3 points for sore-loser Solo. Matt gets 2 points because swimming for 10 kilometers sounds like death. Sean gets 1 point for dissing Phelps.
2. What NFL team looks the strongest as we head into the 2016 season?
Matthew: The popular choice is the Carolina Panthers, what with reigning MVP Cam Newton heading the charge on offense a great defense. One problem: the secondary. With cornerback (CB) Josh Norman’s shocking departure this offseason, the Panthers are left with CBs James Bradberry (who?) and Daryl Worley (huh?). You know who’s got a great secondary? The Arizona Cardinals. With Patrick Peterson (ooh!) and Tyrann Mathieu (aah!) manning the defensive backfield, not to mention Calais Campbell and the newly-acquired Chandler Jones up front, opposing offenses will be left desperate for answers. On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals look even better — they have a great quarterback in Carson Palmer, an elite tailback in David Johnson, and three studly wide outs: John Brown, Michael Floyd and future Hall-of-Famer, Larry Fitzgerald. Right now, the Cardinals are the top dog and best birds of the bunch.
Sean: It’s always tough to tell who will be the “strongest.” The National Football Conference (NFC) will likely see the Cardinals or the Seattle Seahawks make the deepest playoff runs, maybe even win the Super Bowl, while the American Football Conference (AFC) will likely have the New England Patriots at the top, as usual with the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Kansas City Chiefs close behind. To give you a bolder prediction, though, I would not be surprised to see the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts make a splash this season. Other than that, I think the only teams that can be safe to predict have to be the New York teams, both of which honestly have been shaping up to be terrible.
Michael: I can’t say the Patriots for once, so I’ll go with the Cardinals. Quarterback Palmer has talent, and football fans see that every year, but he also has some of the worst luck. He slipped up last year in the NFC Championship game against the Panthers, turning over the ball six times in total with four of those being interceptions. The team is usually one of the best in the NFC West, but can never finish strong. The team has made a fair amount of changes this year, cutting a lot of the extra fat off the team and bringing in players like Jones and rookie Robert Nkemdiche to improve their pass-rush game, which was desperately needed. So long as Palmer plays like we know he can, the team may be able to go 11-3.
Matt gets 3 points for oohs and aahs. Mike gets 2 points for Palmer’s bad luck. Sean gets 1 point for booze, jazz and general destitution (a.k.a New Orleans).
3. What is next for A-Rod now that he has left the Yankees?
Matthew: Alex Rodriguez will be a special adviser for the New York Yankees organization come 2017 — this much we know. He has not yet officially retired from baseball. However, anyone who watched his final game in pinstripes knows that his ending was simply too perfect and that going out any other just would not feel right. A-Rod has gone through a massive transformation — from an 18-year-old slugger to a steroid-using scandal magnet to now a 41-year-old mature man. A-Rod has played baseball for his entire adult life — the time has come for him to leave the diamond and move onto the next stage. He is clearly very dedicated to the lives of his two daughters, and with no more 162-game seasons on his schedule, it looks like A-Rod is just going to be A-Dad from now on — and that is awesome.
Sean: Oh A-Rod... I am sorry and I really rooted for you even during the darkest parts of your career, but what lies for you in the future? Nothing. You may or may not make the Hall of Fame one day with all of the scandalous shenanigans. However, your career will be honored somehow, no matter what. You will likely find yourself working an office position at a clubhouse for some team — whether that’s the Yankees or another team, I do not know.
Michael: Apparently, the Miami Marlins have been looking to pick up A-Rod since he quit the Yankees. His best years are behind him, but I think A-Rod can still be a good designated hitter and help teach younger players the basics. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman even credited him for helping the team make the wildcard game last season. He’s four home runs away from 700, so if he wanted to play another year to reach that milestone, I can’t blame him for wanting to join that illustrious club. Another year or two with a smaller paycheck won’t hurt anyone... except Miami, since I can’t understand why a National League team would want him.
Matt gets 3 points for presenting a forgotten side of A-Rod. Sean gets 2 points for “scandalous shenanigans.” Mike gets 2 points for actually talking about baseball.
(05/03/16 9:23pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Sean Reis, asks our panel of experts three questions as they vie for the coveted title of Around the Dorm Champion: What can the New York Yankees do to come back from their slow start? Will the Golden State Warriors continue their dominant play without Steph Curry and which Super Bowl halftime show can compare to Prince’s performance?
1. What can the Yankees do to come back from their slow start in the AL East?
Chelsea: Growing up, I was always told I was a Yankees fan. Did my family follow baseball? No. We just said that because we were closest to New York. Now I’m starting to second guess my pretend support for that team as they only won eight games and lost 14, which is pretty embarrassing. Honestly, I’m not too sure that there is anything this team can do to come back from all of the losing. Although I’m not a pro, I used to play softball back in the day. I know that this sport is a mental game and if you keep losing, especially so quickly in each game, then you’re thrown off for the rest of the game or even the season. It’s hard to shake a losing streak and the team is really going to have to try to get out of this rut and start winning.
Sydney: The Yankees can still come back, but not unless the team starts to work on its offense. Coming into Sunday, May 1, the Yankees ranked dead last in the MLB with 74 runs scored. Even the Braves, arguably the worst team in the league, scored 75 runs. Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury hasn’t hit well since coming back from a knee injury last July. Ellsbury isn’t too much of a loss on his own, but first baseman Mark Teixeira has not provided his usual power this season, and neither have infielder/designated hitter Alex Rodriguez nor outfielder Carlos Beltran. Those three veterans usually anchor New York’s lineup, but none are stepping up to the plate in the same way they have in the past. If the Yankees can start hitting better, they’ll be back in the game.
George: With their biggest stars now entering their late 30s and early 40s, those with good sense are retiring and the rest are starting to show their age in their stats. Additions like infielder Starlin Castro and pitcher Aroldis Chapman are going to be of little help fixing that. They’ll need a Fountain of Youth to do that, but that’s not to say the Yankees aren’t down for the count, yet. Right now, the 8-14 Yankees are about where they were at the beginning of May in 2005, when they were 10-14. Back then, they managed to turn things around and got into the playoffs. But it’s going to take a lot of work to recreate that season, primarily from the offense. With Alex Rodriguez hitting .185 and the team having only 74 runs in all of April — placing them dead last in the entire league — the Yankees are going to need to step up their offense. In 2005, they had 123 runs despite having a similar record of 10-14.
George gets 3 points for A-Rod and age, Sydney gets 2 points for poor offense, Chelsea gets 1 point because you’re a fake fan.
2. Can the Warriors continue their dominant play with Steph Curry injured?
Chelsea: According to espn.com, Curry is not coming back until Monday, May 9, which might hurt the Warriors’s chances a little, but not completely. Their 73 wins cannot only be attributed to one teammate. Sure, it’s a big loss, but this team has won so many times that it can handle Curry’s absence for a little longer. I have faith in the other teammates, like Shaun Livingston, who filled in for Curry when he was hurt and aided in the team’s win against the Rockets. The Warriors outscored the other team by 29 points during Livingston’s 28 minutes on the court. Based on that alone, I think the Warriors will survive. However, there are some other notable players that will definitely make up for the loss, such as Draymond Green, who had his best game yet against the Rockets and will continue to do well under pressure.
Sydney: Not only will the Warriors continue their dominant play in Curry’s absence, but in the process, the team will prove itself as something more than just Curry. The team still has Klay Thompson, the less lauded “Splash Brother,” whose skills often get overshadowed by Curry’s. Thompson isn’t the only player on the team who stands in Curry’s shadow: Draymond Green is one of the most unappreciated Warriors. While his gameplay doesn’t fit the conventional norms of superstardom, Green excels at creating opportunities for other players by moving the ball quickly before the defense gets set. With these two on the front lines, the Warriors will be fine fighting without Curry.
George: If gym class, schmaltzy, sentimental sports movies and Barney the Purple Dinosaur have taught me anything, it’s that teamwork and heart trump everything. The opponent could be steroid-abusing mammoths trained from birth in Siberia by retired Soviets who themselves played on the Gulag’s prison basketball intramurals team at the height of Stalin’s reign, but if they don’t believe in the heart of the sport — whatever the hell that means; only a select few will ever have the privilege to know — they might as well give up. So really, all the Warriors have to do is believe. Believe in both themselves and their teammates. And basketball. And something else, I guess. I’m just filling up space at this point.
George gets 3 points because I literally lol’d, Sydney and Chelsea both get 2 points for discussing the Warriors’s other talent.
3. Which Super Bowl halftime show can compare to the late Prince’s performance?
Chelsea: While Prince’s Super Bowl performance was truly amazing, it was not the only legendary performance to grace the Super Bowl. Another iconic performer stands out above the rest — the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, who performed in 1993. I wasn’t born yet, but that performance still goes down as one of the best. Several clones of the icon popped up all over the stage, and when the real Jackson showed up, the crowd cheered for a solid minute. Prince had a cooler stage and pyrotechnics, but Jackson’s performance featured hits like “Billie Jean” and his signature gliding and moonwalking across the stage. Prince and Jackson had a falling out, but they did have one thing in common — they were both talented musicians that left us too early.
Sydney: From a visual and shock-value standpoint, no performance can compare to Beyoncé’s 2013 halftime show. After her silhouette was lit on fire, Beyoncé emerged from a cloud of smoke and launched into a set that featured many of her biggest hits. All the while, animated duplicate Beyoncés danced behind her. The Destiny’s Child’s long-rumored reunion commenced when Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams rose from beneath the stage to join Bey for “Bootylicious,” “Independent Women” and “Single Ladies.” During Queen Bey’s reign on the halftime stage, she was backed by dozens of female dancers and band members. Ultimately, the night was a powerful display of feminism, vocals and multimedia flair.
George: My vote goes to the 2001 halftime show because it threw ‘N SYNC and Aerosmith, two contrasting ingredients, into the same pot. Prince performed in 2007, long after his purple reign ended, but in 2001, ‘N SYNC was on top. With Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears and Nelly added, you get an early-2000s-music jambalaya. You first taste the pop of ‘N SYNC, then notes of well-aged Aerosmith. The two trade off the spotlight a few times before the grand finale — every flavor coming together for “Walk This Way”. At one point, Justin Timberlake even shoots ten-foot fireworks out of the palms of his hands (not knowing that four years later, something else would be in one of those palms…).
George gets 3 points for Janet Jackson’s boob, Sydney gets 1 point because I prefer iced tea, Chelsea gets 3 points because MJ was the king, and Prince his prince.
George wins Around the Dorm 9-6-5.
"I have peered into the abyss."
— George
(04/26/16 7:42pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” George Tatoris, asks our panel of experts three questions as they play for a championship spot in our Wednesday, May 4, issue: Is the NFL Draft order going to be affected by the Eagles trading up? Can the Washington Capitals keep up their playoff momentum and how should World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar Chyna be remembered?
1. Now that the Eagles have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, do you believe the top draft prospects may be altered?
Otto: The only reason any team ever trades up for the No. 1 overall pick is to get a quarterback (QB), and the same can be said for the second overall pick. Keeping that in mind, I do have to adjust my mock draft predictions because I am absolutely sure that QBs Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will be the first players chosen, but not in that order. My prediction is that Goff goes first, as he has had a lot more college experience than Wentz and is more NFL-ready for a team that desperately needs a QB. Wentz will be chosen by the Eagles and be placed in a backup role for his team in hopes that he will mature and learn by watching QB Sam Bradford play ahead of him. At No. 3, the Chargers have to go with tackle Laremy Tunsil. He’s too good of a prospect to miss and they desperately need to protect QB Philip Rivers.
Kevin: After the Rams traded up to No. 1, I figured QBs would be the top two picks in the draft. It was just a matter of time before someone traded up to two to take that second QB. Therefore, I have the two QBs going off the board at one and two — probably Goff at one and Wentz at two. Then I think San Diego will try to trade out of three, but if they can’t, they’ll take Tunsil to anchor their line. Dallas will round out the top four by taking who will potentially be the impact player in this draft: cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Sean: While the two top draft picks being traded could certainly be considered rare — an occurrence that would normally affect the draft dramatically — I do not believe these trades have altered the top draft prospects this year. Previously, I had Tunsil go first overall, but now, I predict he will be selected only two picks later by the San Diego Chargers, unless they decide to stay defensive with defensive end Joey Bosa. I also predicted with the second pick that the Cleveland Browns would select Goff or Wentz, the top two QB prospects. Now, following the traded picks, I would not be surprised to see both of these QBs selected first and second overall, however, who will be picked before the other I do not know. My gut is telling me it’ll be Goff before Wentz. Furthermore, anything could happen and these trades may lead to much more excitement, but I doubt it.
Sean gets 3 points for mentioning someone other than Goff and Wentz. Otto gets 2 for saying Rivers needs protection and Kevin gets 1 for Ramsey.
2. Given their spotty record in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, can the No. 1-seeded Capitals maintain their momentum going forward?
Otto: I don’t think the Capitals can maintain their momentum in the playoffs, mainly because of the opponents they will be facing. Assuming they get past the Philadelphia Flyers, they will face either the Penguins or the Rangers in the next round, both opponents they struggled with during the year, going 2-3 against Pittsburgh and 3-2 against New York. More importantly, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin did not score against the Penguins, finishing with a plus/minus of -1. Ovechkin was able to score five goals in five games against the Rangers but still finished with an even rating. It’s also important to note that he did not record an assist in the 10 games against those teams, meaning he did not have a big impact. If Ovechkin continues to be shut down by the opposing defenses, it’s going to be a long series for the Capitals.
Kevin: I think the Capitals can have a strong postseason run this year, despite past failures, because they just seem like such a well-rounded team this year. They were second in the NHL in both goals scored and in fewest goals allowed. Their defense is anchored by Vezina Trophy front-runner Braden Holtby, and their offense is led by three 70-point scorers in Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. I think this is the Capitals team that can make some noise this postseason.
Sean: The Capitals were my pick to win the Stanley Cup at the start of the playoffs, and I stand by that decision. Yes, the team has been spotty, but the Flyers were a much better team than they were credited, and the Capitals played very well during the entire series. There may have been moments of poor play, but at the end of the series, on Sunday, April 24, the Capitals kept their composure for one final, well-fought victory. The Penguins will make for quite the matchup next round, but the Capitals will maintain momentum. Ovechkin will continue to lead by example, and the team will gain even more momentum that will lead them to their first Stanley Cup win.
Sean gets 3 points for giving the Flyers some credit. Otto gets 2 for New York and Pittsburgh and Kevin gets 1 for listing leading Capitals players.
3. How should the tragic life of WWE Superstar Chyna be remembered in the organization’s history after her recent death?
Otto: Chyna was the best female wrestler of all time. It is important for the WWE to recognize that and pay some sort of respect to her in the upcoming weeks. I understand all the bad stuff — or at least the stuff that the WWE doesn’t want to associate itself with: the porn films and the tumultuous relationships. But the impact that Chyna had on thousands of young women cannot be overstated. She did things that no woman had ever done before and hasn’t done since, and that means a lot. She paved the way for all women in wrestling and showed all her young fans that they are just as strong as men. She made tall, muscular women feel proud of the way they look, and her impact rivaled her actual wrestling rivals. It’s easy to remember the recent issues that we might not want to think about, but Chyna, in her prime, was a national superstar who needs to be acknowledged for her contribution to a lot of people in my generation.
Kevin: Chyna will be remembered for being a major pioneer in the world of women’s wrestling. After all, she was the first real female wrestler. You can see the profound impact she had on the sport by some of the supportive tweets being sent by past and present female wrestlers. She brought an attitude, a dominance and a new flavor to the sport. The ninth wonder of the world will be sorely missed.
Sean: The new year has not been kind to celebrities. From Alan Rickman to David Bowie to Prince, many talented individuals left us way too soon. Before each passed away, though, they made lasting impressions on the lives of many, as well as their respective industries. Unfortunately, Chyna recently reached the same fate, though she will be remembered in the history of the organization similar to these other celebrities I have mentioned. Known as “The Ninth Wonder of the World,” Chyna was certainly a wonder for many to watch. Although many criticize the WWE for being fake, as a form of entertainment and also as a sport, WWE is a lifestyle for fans. Starting at a very young age, WWE fans never forget their passion for the game, nor will they ever forget Chyna, for she will go down in history.
Otto gets 3 points for putting things in perspective. Kevin gets 2 points for Chyna’s nickname and Sean gets 2 points the most important thing about any sport: the fans.
Sean wins Around the Dorm 8-7-4.
(04/19/16 9:28pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Chelsea LoCascio, asks our panel of experts three questions as they play for a championship spot in our Wednesday, May 4, issue: Is Kobe Bryant a first ballot hall of famer? Who will win the U.S. ProMiniGolf Association’s (USPMGA) U.S. Open and can an American to win the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA) in 2017?
1. With his last game finished, do you believe Kobe Bryant is a first ballot hall of famer?
Matthew: Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time. Do I really need to spell it out for you? Eighteen All-Star game appearances, 11-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, an NBA MVP and five championships — what hasn’t The Black Mamba done? Let’s not forget that this is the NBA we’re talking about, not MLB — earning a first ballot hall of fame selection isn’t just for the best of the best. Yao Ming played eight injury-riddled seasons and never made it past the second round of the playoffs, yet he earned a first ballot selection this year. Bryant left it all out on the floor — all that’s left for him to do is get his face on a plaque.
George: While most people will assume Bryant is an automatic first ballot, history has shown us that if anything, he is a second ballot. For his entire career, he has been second-best — second-best player on the Los Angeles Lakers behind Shaquille O’Neal and then he was second to LeBron James in the league. According to his value over replacement player (VORP), which compares a player to the average of every stat, Bryant has never been No. 1. In fact, he never made it past fourth-highest VORP in 2002-03. He might have more points than Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, but he has also missed the most shots out of any player in history. The only reason he has so many points is because he’s never passed the damn ball, which is usually the first thing you learn. Bryant is a pauper in prince’s clothing. He’s probably going to get the first ballot, but he doesn’t deserve it.
Miguel: When you write a bad draft of your Signal article, there’s only one thing to do to it — smash it up into a ball, throw it to the nearest recycle bin and scream “KOBE!” There is no doubt Bryant will be a first ballot hall of famer. Twenty seasons dedicated to one team and third on the list of the NBA’s All-Time Career Points Leader list, only behind legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. Whether it be at The Forum or The Staples Center, Bryant had an unprecedented impact in the city of Los Angeles. He endured numerous mishaps during his illustrious career, including his feud with Shaq, his sexual assault case in 2003 and nearly leaving the Lakers in 2007. Regardless, Bryant capped off his incredible career in a gusty 60-point performance with an uncharacteristic assist to point guard Jordan Clarkson. Once he is enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with teammate Shaq, he will not be remembered for being like Jordan, Magic Johnson, Jerry West or Abdul-Jabbar — he will be remembered for being Kobe.
Miguel gets 3 points for an accurate depiction of me throwing out drafts. George gets 2 point for coming to terms with reality and Matthew gets 1 point for excessive sass.
2. Who do you think will be crowned the winner of the USPMGA U.S. Open in May?
Matthew: I’m a basketball, football and baseball guy, so mini golf isn’t exactly on my agenda. As far as I know, this U.S. Open knockoff is for a niche bunch of nobodies who don’t know an iron from an iPod. But I guess if it can be played by nerds, it can be won by nerds, right? I should enter this for myself. Back in the day, I was quite the menace on the mini golf greens. They didn’t call me “Two-Putt Charlie” for nothing. Then again, my name’s Matt... I might be misremembering just a bit.
George: In a sport dominated by middle-aged American men, very few stand out. However, 21-year-old Olivia “The Blank Czech*” Prokopova, from the Czech Republic does. She already won the Open in 2011 and 2013 and was absent from the competition last year, so it’ll be interesting to see how far she’ll go. Plus, she’s got something no other competitor has — youth. She is by far one of the youngest in the Open and that gives her an advantage over the old guard — Brad “King of Lebonon**” Lebo, the 2015 champion, and Matt “Blarney Castle***” McCaslin, the 2014 champion, might be entering their twilight years this Open. (*Nickname has to do with the blank stare she gets before every putt.) (**Lebo probably isn’t Lebanese.) (***All nicknames are made up).
Miguel: Known as the Putting Penn-Man in the Pro Miniature Golf world, Dr. Brad Lebo-Shippensburg will repeat as the USPMGA Open Champion. Being a local Pennsylvania resident, Lebo-Shippensburg will have home field advantage at Center Valley, Pa. According to the Daily Pennsylvanian, Lebo-Shippensburg has won 89 USPMGA tournaments while amassing $125,000 in rewards. Not bad for someone who plays mini-golf for a hobby. Lebo-Shippensburg is able to dominate the competition while working in a clinic as a full-time dentist. However, Lebo-Shippensburg does have hard competition, such as Kevin King from Illinois and Josephine Rainville from Canada. Hey, I can be Lebo-Shippensburg’s opponent by paying the $25 membership fee and registering for the USPMGA Open. Even though I’ve never played mini-golf before, I can definitely be on par with Lebo-Shippensburg and give him a run for his money.
George gets 3 points for the nicknames. Miguel gets 2 points for confidence and Matthew gets 1 point because they are somebodies.
3. The champions of the WSSA 2016 World Sport Stacking Championship in Germany were crowned in early April. Is it possible for an American to win the 2017 championship in Taiwan?
Matthew: Questioning Byrant’s first ballot hall of fame status? Mini golf? Cup stacking? I thought the April Fools edition of The Signal was weeks ago. Oh well. So, cup stacking, huh? I always thought of it more as a foreign thing. Let them stack their cups while we Americans stack, uh, I dunno, porcupines? Now that’d be a sport! It would be interesting to start seeing gardening gloves in the sporting apparel section.
George: We absolutely have a chance at winning. In fact, the current fastest stacker in the world, William Orrell, is from the United States — a North Carolina native. Stacking is part of our history. The forts that won the Revolutionary War were made by stacking pieces of wood on top of each other. Abraham Lincoln was born in a stack of wood that some say he built himself while in the womb. That led to the creation of Lincoln Logs, which Americans have been stacking since 1916. Enter any Wal-Mart, a shining example of American capitalism, and you will see goods stacked as high as the ceiling by young, hard-working Americans. Stacking is not just in our blood — it’s a part of who we are as a nation.
Miguel: It is a steep challenge for an American to win or even place in the top 10 performances. Formidable Asian stackers, such as Chan Keng Ian and Min Jae Jeong, are capable of stacking their cups in less than 10 seconds. Meanwhile, the majority of the American stackers, such as Josh Hainsel and Kellan Mitchell, can stack in 11 seconds. The Americans can further develop their speed stacking skills during the upcoming WSSA tournaments in the U.S., such as the Bayou City Championships and the St. Louis Open Summer Fun StackFest. Additionally, next year’s WSSA World Sport Stacking Championship will give home field advantage to Taiwanese stackers such as Shao-Yo Fu and Chia-Ying Chang. The U.S. can put forth more talented stackers, by popularizing speed stacking at elementary, middle and high schools. The sport is very accessible to children since the only equipment needed is a table and a Speed Stacking set that normally costs $25 to $30.
George gets 3 points because, 'Murica! Miguel gets 2 points for wanting to train them young and Matthew gets 1 point for questioning the judge.
George wins Around the Dorm 8-7-3.
(04/12/16 7:58pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Sean Reis, asks our panel of experts three questions as they play for a championship spot in our Wednesday, May 4, issue: Which NHL team will win the Stanley Cup? Is Ian Poulter passed his prime after his poor Masters performance and what are your predictions for Summer Split in the “League of Legends” (“LoL”) season?
1. What NHL teams will come out of each conference and which team will win it all?
Tom: It’s that time of the year again. Flowers are blooming, the thought of summer is entering everybody’s minds and both Americans and Canadians alike are preparing for the NHL Playoffs. Unfortunately for our neighbors to the north, this year the playoffs this year will be composed of American teams, perhaps the way Donald Trump would like it. In the Eastern Conference, I think that the Washington Capitals are going to clinch the title, though the Florida Panthers could upset the favorite. For the Western Conference, I see the Dallas Stars soaring and the Los Angeles Kings marching not far behind. As for who will win the Stanley Cup, the Capitals’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, April 7, seemed like nothing but pure luck, as Sidney Crosby was able to squeak one in for a goal. Despite the loss, the Capitals seem to be unstoppable, having one of their best seasons in history. I don’t see anything stopping them from hoisting the Cup over their heads.
Chelsea: I believe the Capitals will come out of the Eastern Conference and the Stars out of the Western Conference. The downpour of goals the Stars made against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, April 7, made their opposition crumble. Even rookie forward Jason Dickinson scored a goal during his NHL debut. Despite this, I don’t think they will win in the playoffs. The team to win it all will be the Capitals. They’re 55-17 and have 118 points overall in the season, which is far more impressive than the Stars’s 49-23 record and 107 points. With right wing Tom Wilson’s recent inpatient actions leading him to commit a five-minute major and forward Evgeny Kuznetsov only scoring two goals in 20 games, I’m concerned Washington might fall apart. But for now, I have faith that the Capitals can win their first-ever Stanley Cup.
Colleen: I’m tempted to say the Capitals will finally have their shot at the Cup because of their strong play thus far, but in the end, the Penguins will be the team from the east to make it out of the conference and onto the Cup. Their competition from the west will be the Stars, but the Penguins’s strong defense and equally as strong offense will prevent the Stars from earning the Cup. They’re second-best in the league this season in puck possession (the Stars are fourth and they’re competition in the east, the Capitals, are 10th). Even with the loss of two key players — forward Evgeni Malkin and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury — the team has still been at the top of its game, making it to the playoffs for the 10th time in a row. They’ve shown that they’re a consistently powerful team and that will prove true again this year.
Tom gets 3 points because #Trump2016. Chelsea gets 3 points because the Capitals were the “right” answer and Colleen gets 1 point because Crosby is a little bitch.
2. Was Poulter too hard on himself after his Masters performance or, at 40 years old, has he past his prime?
Tom: Honestly, miniature golf was always hard for me — the windmill was never my friend — so it’s hard to criticize Poulter’s abilities to play actual golf. If he continues to think he can play, then let him. At the same time, I think he needs to chill out and practice. Poulter seems to be developing a bit of a history of hitting the dreaded shank shot, as seen at this year’s Masters and last year’s Honda Classic. While this would totally be a putter-downer for any golfer, the English 40 year old needs to stop being a dramatic crybaby on the course after he messes up and just practice. Without this, these hosel rockets — slang for shank shot — will inevitably lead to the explosion of Poulter’s career. But cheer up, Poulter — perhaps the windmill will be nicer to you.
Chelsea: With his plaid golfer’s pants, signature clenched teeth and his half-spiked, half side-swept hair, Poulter doesn’t look a day over 30 years old. This man has style, grace and a look only Guy Fieri could love. As of Friday, April 8, Poulter isn’t doing too shabby, as he’s been around or in the top 10 for most of the first two days of the Masters. He’s too hard on himself. After completely botching the 14th hole on April 8, he threw his club. It was actually quite graceful. I’m not sure how his plans to improve are going since he does not seem to be doing all that bad, except for the occasional blunder. We all have our off moments — once you have the skill, the outcome of the shot depends mostly on your state of mind. Besides, this is an old man sport, so you’re reaching your prime, Poulter!
Colleen: Olympic swimmer Dara Torres was 40 when she won two silver medals at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. As she shows, hitting 40 doesn’t automatically mean that athletes lose their abilities. While athletes’ primes vary depending on the person, if Poulter truly believes that he has more in him than he has been showing lately, then who’s to say he’s past his prime? Heck, Bernhard Langer is 58 and currently sits in third in the Masters’s standings. He might not have had the best showing at the Masters, but that’s one of the toughest courses to play and rarely does anyone play as well as they would have hoped. These challenging greens of Augusta, Ga., shouldn’t stand as the nail in the coffin for the fashionista, Poulter. He thinks he has more in him. Let’s believe in his abilities, too.
Chelsea gets 3 points because I aspire to have Poulter’s style. Colleen gets 2 points for good examples of “old” athletes and Tom gets 1 point because he never got a hole-in-one.
3. The North American League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS) Spring Split will come to a close next weekend, but what are your predictions for the Summer Split?
Tom: It’s always hard to tell what the world of “LoL” will look like, but I think this Spring Split has definitely shown the world who the best-of-the-best are. Even though they are a brand new team, the five members of Immortals have shown that they have what it takes to dominate. When they went against Cloud9 earlier in the year, the newbies overthrew the two-time winning NA LCS champs. While this Spring Split has certainly shown that the Immortals have a few things to work on in order to live up to their name, they still had the biggest gold lead on average at 15 minutes through a game than any other team in NA LCS. I think they are going to go on and win the Summer Split and until then, all the other teams will just have to L2P, or learn to play.
Chelsea: Based off their regular spring season rank of 17-1, I think Immortals are going to decimate the competition, even into the Summer Split. A likely contender is Counter Logic Gaming, as they have the second best rank at 13-5. Regardless of their performances during the end of the Spring Split, these teams are the teams to beat. They have been consistent throughout the season and will definitely bring their game. Immortals have players like the aggressive and risky Jason “WildTurtle” Tran as well as Seung-hoon “Huni” Heo, who brought his prior team, Fnatic, into the halls of the immortals with an 18-0 score during the 2015 Summer Split. But, I mean, with team members like George “HotshotGG” Georgallidis and top champion Darshan Upadhyaya, how can Counter Logic Gaming lose, either? My money’s on both teams going far.
Colleen: After a 17-1 showing in spring, Immortals will again be at the top come summer. Immortals will continue to have tunnel vision throughout the competition, getting ahead, staying solid and never fleeing from their top spot. While their haters might feel like Immortals are better off dead, the top team is quite alive and will continue to get bread — thanks, G-Eazy for the inspiration. CEO Noah Whinston will be proud of the performances his players give and others can continue to look to the team for tips on how to improve their play.
Colleen gets 3 points because G-Eazy is amazing. Tom gets 2 points for an allusion to mythology and Chelsea gets 1 point because “HotshotGG” no longer plays for CLG.
Chelsea wins Around the Dorm 7-6-6.
(04/05/16 5:37pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Otto Gomez, asks our panel of experts three questions: Where does Steph Curry stand historically after this season? Who will be the top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft and what team will step up in MLB during the 2016 season?
1. How does Steph Curry’s season and career stack up historically after another record-breaking year?
George: Curry has basically cemented himself in basketball history. Right now, he’s got the most three-pointers in a single season in the history of the NBA. And the second most three-pointers in a season in 2014-2015. And the third most in 2012-2013. The only player who can beat Curry is, well, Curry. In 10 years, there will probably be a “Space Jam” reboot starring Curry. Twenty years from now, collectors will be on the lookout for Steph Curry basketball cards. Ten years later, with earth’s resources minimal, President Curry will face a roided Emperor Putin II in a one-on-one shootout to prevent WWIII. The Game to End All Games. Curry will win, of course, but it won’t be enough. The nukes are launched. In 2000 years, a scavenger finds buried beneath the ash, a play-by-play of the game. Worshippers flock to what will be known as the Holy Bible of Curry. Curryists practice the Sacrament of the Holy Three-pointer: “Peace for all, Love for all, Basketball for all.”
Sean: While it may not be fair to compare Curry to players of the past, it is necessary because today’s players will still go down in history with the greats. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Curry — these are talented players who should not be forgotten. Especially Curry with the shot because “Chef Curry with the pot” has cooked up quite the career. As of Sunday, April 3, Curry has made 369 three-pointers this season and for the greatest shooter of all time to surpass 400 is not off the table yet. Yes, you read that right, I called Curry the greatest shooter of all time. A bold statement, but Curry has not only set the record (for the third time) — but this time, Curry shattered the record like Shaq and a backboard. Before Curry first broke the record, Ray Allen and Dennis Scott were the top two with 269 and 267 three-pointers made, respectively. With 100 more three-pointers made and still counting, I no longer doubt that Curry’s career will stack up historically as the greatest shooter of all time.
Sydney: I’m rooting for Curry all the way, and I think he’s already measuring up with the LeBrons and Kobes of the NBA. He put forth an excellent performance this season and throughout his career and is widely considered one of the best shooters in basketball history. Curry is the first player in NBA history with 300 threes in a season. Now, with a championship under his belt, Curry’s is on the path to becoming one of basketball’s all-time greats. Next season’s showing should speak volumes about his future career, but I think it’s already safe to say that we can continue to expect great things from the Warrior.
Sydney gets 3 points for future growth. Sean gets 2 point because Curry is a whole lot more than just a shooter and George gets 1 point because Ball is Life, always.
2. Who are your projected top three picks in the upcoming NFL Draft?
George: Tennessee is going to go for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Titans need someone to keep Marcus Mariota safe in the pocket and Tunsil would do an excellent job. He would also pair well with left tackle Taylor Lewan. No. 2 overall will be quarterback Carson Wentz. After sacking Johnny Manziel, the Browns are going to need another young quarterback (QB) to fill the void, and Wentz is the best choice. The guy’s arm is NFL-level strong, which is something a pro QB needs. Jalen Ramsey will go next, assuming the Titans don’t get him first. He’s certainly got the skill — in three years he was a three-time All-American, broke up 23 passes and intercepted three more, forced three fumbles and recorded five sacks.
Sean: “With the first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will read. “Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, University of Mississippi.” Tennessee needs a top tier tackle to protect their franchise quarterback, Mariota, because that kid got beat week after week last season. “With the second pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Jared Goff, quarterback, University of California, Berkeley.” Definitely a toss up between Goff and Wentz, the other top QB in the draft. For whatever reason, my gut here is telling me Goff, though, but whoever Cleveland drafts will do well. These two kids are smart, literally the opposite of “Johnny Football” and I like both. “And with the third pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Joey Bosa, defensive end, The Ohio State University.” Lastly, San Diego will likely be the first team to pick defensively for the draft and it is obvious because Bosa is a BEAST!
Sydney: It might seem like I’m jumping on the bandwagon by picking Ole Miss’s Tunsil as the top pick, but he’s No. 1 in the polls for a reason. Tunsil has ideal height and bulk for the left tackle position and he is explosive in the passing game. For the No. 2 pick, I’m going with Florida State’s Ramsey. He has the perfect combination of aggression and ball-handling skills to really make his mark during games. He’s also proven to keep his cool in high-pressure situations. His versatility suits him for the safety position and I’m excited to see his performance. Finally, I’m rooting for Ohio State’s running back Ezekiel Elliott. Once he finds his momentum, there’s no stopping this 6-foot, 225-pound machine.
George gets 3 points for noting the current favorites, as much as I don’t like them. Sean gets 3 points for including Joey Bosa and Sydney gets 1 point because the Browns need a QB.
3. With the baseball season getting underway, what is your bold prediction for the season?
George: I want the Chicago Cubs to win a World Series. Here’s a list of things that have happened since they last won in 1907. Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii joined the Union. The Arizona Diamondbacks were created and won a World Series. The U.S. won two world wars and a Cold War. Leninist communism was conceived, tested and then fell apart. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire were destroyed. It’s not like they’re talentless. They got to the National League (NL) Championship last year. If Chicago doesn’t win a World Series in the next 22 years, their losing streak will have lasted for half of America’s existence. But hopefully that won’t happen.
Sean: I am going to keep this short and sweet like that Skoal Xtra Rich Blend chewing tobacco that the players can’t even pack inside the New York stadiums anymore! My bold prediction for the 2016 season is that the Cubs will win the World Series. Chicago looked great last season until the New York Mets dominated them in the NL Championship and to be quite honest, I have to predict that the Cubs will land back on their paws this season. Chicago’s best lineup in decades is looking even better and more experienced this year: Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, alongside one of the best outfields in the league with Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward and Jorge Soler, plus an improved bullpen. That lineup is about to finally lift the city’s curse.
Sydney: The Cubs are going to win it all. It’s certainly a bold prediction to root for the longtime losers to go all the way. The team hasn’t won a World Series in the last 107 years or even appeared in one in the last 71. Last season, though, the Cubs showed a new side. With one of the MLB’s youngest squads, the team won 97 games before falling in the league championship round of the postseason. The Atlantic wrote that a Cub’s World Series win in 2016 would “further solidify the sport’s new doctrine, one that values flexibility over outdated brawn,” and I couldn’t agree more. With the addition of players such as Heyward, who arguably plays the best right field in baseball, and Zobrist, World Series, the Cubs are my pick.
George, Sean and Sydney all get 2 points for picking the odds-on favorite on the season and not a bold pick.
Sean wins Around the Dorm 7-6-6.
(04/05/16 5:28pm)
ESPN BRACKET STANDINGS
(As of Monday, April 4)
1: EJ Paras (LTV)
Points: 860
Percent Correct: 82%
2: Sean Reis (The Signal)
Points: 850
Percent Correct: 80.8%
3: Otto Gomez (LTV)
Points: 580
Percent Correct: 30%
4: Michael Battista (The Signal)
Points: 480
Percent Correct: 12.3%
And now, a word from our champion, the Media and Public Relations Director of LTV, EJ Paras:
“Always trust the Tar Heels! I’ve been a Tar Heels fan since I was a little kid – Vince Carter was a huge reason for that. For nostalgic reasons, I usually pick them to win it all when it comes to making brackets, and this year was no exception! I wish Oklahoma wasn’t humbled as much as they were in the Final Four against Villanova, but they still really had an impressive run in the tournament. It was a valiant fight, Mike and Sean, but as Otto knows already, #LTVisFun and #LTVWins!
@LionsTelevision and @EJ_Paras on Twitter and Instagram!”
“A great man once said, ‘The Signal’s cool and all, but LTV’s where it’s at” – Shia LaBeouf
(In the April 6 print edition of the Signal, the date for which the brackets were updated incorrectly read "Sunday, April 3." This was a typo and all points were updated as of Monday, April 4.)
(03/29/16 5:19pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Kevin Luo, asks our panel of experts three questions: Who was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend? Who is the best pro prospect for the NBA Draft and who should the Broncos look to take up the quarterback (QB) position?
1. Who was the MVP of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament?
Matthew: The opening weekend certainly gave credence to the March Madness name and one of the most unlikely sources of said madness came from Stephen F. Austin State University’s (SFA) Thomas Walkup. The No. 14 Lumberjacks were matched up against the formidable No. 3 West Virginia Mountaineers and it was up to SFA’s senior leader, Walkup, to take the reins. He did just that, sinking 19 -of -20 free throws and going for a total of 33 points to register the mega-upset win against one of the best defenses in the nation. Two days later, SFA was felled by a heartbreaking last-second tip-in at the hands of Notre Dame, but not before Walkup totaled 54 points on 13-of-28 shooting over the course of the weekend. The auburn-bearded wonder has immediately gone from an unknown to an underdog icon over the course of three days — that is the true beauty of March Madness.
Otto: It has to be University of Oregon shooting guard Buddy Hield. The leading candidate in the John Wooden Award race, presented annually to the outstanding collegiate basketball Player of the Year, continued his excellent play into the Elite Eight as he finished with 37 points. Oklahoma is a team that heavily relies on its starters, especially Hield. No other team depends on its star more, making him not only the best player in the tournament, but also the most valuable.
Miguel: For a player who allegedly looks like Republican candidate Ted Cruz and behaves like former Blue Devil Christian Laettner, sophomore guard Grayson Allen is one-of-a-kind. He propelled the team’s victory against UNC Wilmington with an astounding 15-for-17 free throw performance and 23 points. He’s in the crowd, the sidelines and even in the broadcasting booth with sportscaster Dick Vitale. Grayson then proceeded to outwit the Yale Bulldogs in the Round of 32. Allen blazed on the wood floor in the first half, as he scored 22 points with 8-for-11 shooting along with four three-pointers. Also, Allen provided sturdy defense… especially after tripping sophomore point guard Makai Mason. Allen had the gritty defense to withhold opponents to less than 70 points. Aside from his stellar performance, he does falter by conceding turnovers. Even though Duke eventually lost to Oregon on Thursday, March 24, Allen definitely made his presence in the spotlight.
Otto gets 3 points for Buddy’s amazing play. Miguel gets 2 points for the Grayson Allen-Ted Cruz joke and Matthew gets 1 point because SFA didn’t make it through the weekend.
2. Who is the third best prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft? (Assuming Simmons and Ingram are 1-2)
Matthew: Why not Oklahoma Sooners senior Hield? Sportingnews.com’s college player of the year is pumping out over 25 points per game and continues to lead the way for one of the nation’s best teams. Hield has made refinements to his game with each passing season, but his senior year leap was his most profound, improving his free throw percentage by 6 percent and his three-point percentage by a whopping 10 percent. Any team would be ecstatic to draft a complete guard with leader-like qualities and the desire to get better.
Otto: The general consensus on the third overall prospect right now seems to be Dragan Bender, a 7’1” stud athlete from Croatia. Not only does he have the best name in the draft, but he has the best physical attributes, as he weighs in at 220 pounds with a 7’2” wingspan. If you think that he’s a carbon copy of former Serbian basketball player Darko Mili?i?, I understand. But I think Bender is more athletic and a lot more fluid in his motion, as well as just overall stronger and a better athlete. Regardless, no one in the draft has his size mixed with such an incredible offensive and defensive upside. He may be former Latvian basketball player Kristaps Porzingis or he may be Mili?i?. We don’t really know because we see almost nothing of Bender, which is exactly the reason he’s so high on so many boards.
Miguel: Mr. Luo, you definitely are good with picking future draft busts if you believe Ben Simmons is a top NBA prospect. They usually perform well in the NCAA Tournament and achieve higher than 2.0 GPAs to qualify for the John Wooden Award. Senior guard Hield is the best NBA prospect — not the third. He is a leader on and off the court. Instead of being a typical one-and-done player, Hield has stayed loyal to the Sooners and developed his scoring consistency. He is more seasoned than rare-cooked beef served with red cherry wine on a romantic night in Paris. Hield averaged 25.1 points this season and ignited the tourney. He can drop over 30 point performances against caliber teams such as Virginia Commonwealth University and Oregon. Also, he spreads the love we all need to grind through the day on Twitter. He is fresh to death and more than prepared to handle the rigor of NBA competition. Maybe he will suppress Blake Griffin’s legacy as the all-time Oklahoma great.
Otto gets 3 points for talking about Bender. Matthew gets 2 points for talking about the successes of Buddy and Miguel gets 1 point for trying to question my basketball knowledge.
3. What should the Denver Broncos do with the QB position, and who will be their Week 1 starter?
Matthew: The near-downfall of the Broncos last season was the team’s QB play. For a defense as dominant as Denver’s, all the QB has to do is be a game manager and not turn the ball over. There is one man on the market that would guarantee success — Ryan Fitzpatrick. With the New York Jets doing their very best to low-ball their successful 2015 starting quarterback, it would not be shocking to see Fitzpatrick grow sick of Gang Green’s petty games and sign on with Denver. After winning Super Bowl 50, Broncos owner John Elway is fully aware of the small window he has left to grab another ring. Fitzpatrick would make Denver the Super Bowl favorite and that type of offer is something that no one could refuse.
Otto: Without a doubt, the Broncos are in one of the most difficult positions in NFL history. While some think that they will do fine without a decent QB due to their elite defense, those people are wrong. A team needs a strong QB for the entire regular season, but the playoffs are different. Losing quarterback Brock Osweiler was a big blow to the organization and it’s one that is going to be hard to come back from. While I wish they could get a big name like QB Colin Kaepernick, I don’t they will be able to. They signed Mark Sanchez and I predict him to be the Week 1 starter. He’ll be average, hopefully even above average, but remember, I think someone as explosive as Kaepernick with a great defense motivating him would do wonders in Denver.
Miguel: The Broncos will train Sanchez to adapt to head coach Gary Kubiak’s stretch run play system. The team does not have many options. Peyton Manning, Osweiler and Tim Tebow are out. Many NFL teams are pursuing their lifelong high school crush, Kaepernick. The question is not whether or not Sanchez will be sacked constantly, but rather whether or not Sanchez will work with the Broncos’s offense of wide receivers Demaryuis Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The Broncos cannot win the game if Sanchez cannot throw it down the end zone. If Sanchez fails, then the Broncos should invest in developing a QB and tanking should be the last option. Broncos fans will need to be patient during this transition.
Matthew gets 3 points for suggesting Fitzpatrick. Otto gets 2 points for Kaepernick and Miguel gets 1 point for even bringing up the idea of the Broncos tanking.
Otto wins Around the Dorm 8-6-4.
(03/29/16 5:15pm)
ESPN BRACKET STANDINGS
(As of Monday, March 28)
1: EJ Paras (LTV)
Points: 700
Projected Points Remaining: 640
Percent Correct: 69.2%
2: Sean Reis (The Signal)
Points: 690
Projected Points Remaining: 480
Percent Correct: 66.2%
3: Otto Gomez (LTV)
Points: 580
Projected Points Remaining: 160
Percent Correct: 33.2%
4: Michael Battista (The Signal)
Points: 480
Projected Points Remaining: 0
Percent Correct: 12.8%
(03/22/16 8:08pm)
This week, the staff of Lions Television (LTV) and The Signal face off to see who can predict the madness that is the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
By EJ Paras
LTV Director of Media and PR
Watching this season as a casual fan, it really caught me by surprise to see how tumultuous the rankings have been. Powerhouse teams like Kentucky and Duke falling out of favor in the rankings at times? That’s amazing. The heroics of Buddy Hield, the lack of Louisiana State University in any tournament with Ben Simmons — lots of great stories this year. My final four is pretty conservative in terms of rank, but how these teams get there in my brackets are pretty interesting: I have the University of North Carolina (UNC) vs. Michigan State, and Kansas vs. Oklahoma in my Final Four. I then have UNC beating Oklahoma at the national championship by a score of 68-62. I really don’t have too many bold picks, but a few of my choices stand out. I have last year’s runner-up, Wisconsin, going out in the Round of 64 against Pittsburg and Northern Iowa beating Texas in the Round of 64. As far as how I treated the No. 1 ranked teams, Virginia is the only one in my bracket that does not make it into the Elite Eight, while I have Oregon losing in the Sweet Sixteen, Kansas going down in the Final Four and UNC ultimately winning the whole shebang (call it my bias, but whatever — filling out these brackets is really hard!). Best of luck everyone!
By Michael Battista
Sports Editor
The selection committee may be coming under fire by some for some egregious snubs, but this year’s tournament looks to be (and has been) one of the best in recent memory. My Final Four consists of No. 1 Kansas, No. 4 Kentucky, No. 4 Duke and No. 2 Michigan State. Call me crazy for having two No. 4 seeds in there, but Kentucky always seems to go all out when they need to most and Duke’s regular season impressed a lot of people. Kansas will redeem themselves from 2012 and beat Kentucky, 67-59. There is a plethora of upsets that I see coming this year, starting off with the No. 12 seed, Ivy League Yale Bulldogs knocking off the No. 5 seed Baylor. Yale’s first appearance in the big dance after a 54 years drought comes during an impressive 23-6 season. The Ivy League has been impressive the past few years, with Harvard getting to the second round in 2015, and I think the trend continues this year. Another upset I predict is No. 13 seed Hawaii taking down No. 4 California. While I know Hawaii is a good team, Cali isn’t a major threat. The losses during the season against Colorado and Arizona just show me they can get sloppy in their game. The off nights are big and if that happens again, the luau will be massive.
By Sean Reis
Production Manager
“LET’S GO TAR HEELS!” — never have I ever uttered such an appalling phrase before. However, this year, Roy Williams and the University of North Carolina is my pick to win NCAA’s March Madness. Joining the Tar Heels in the Final Four, I have Kansas, Texas A&M and Michigan State, but come Monday, April 4, the Tar Heels will sadly have to end Texas A&M’s Cinderella Story to become the NCAA National Champions. Before the championship, I picked many upsets because season after season, there have seemed to be more and more. Starting in the South region, No. 11 Wichita State upsetting No. 6 seed Arizona, as well as No. 7 Iowa also losing to No. 10 Temple, who will “keep calm and cherry on” to later upset the second seeded Villanova in the Round of 32. Back to the Round of 64 though, I also have No. 12 Yale over No. 5 Baylor and No. 10 Virginia Commonwealth over No. 7 Oregon State in the West. Next, for the Round of 32, I picked another upset with the East’s two seeded Xavier University losing to the No. 7 University of Wisconsin. Nonetheless, until the end of the tournament this Duke Blue Devils fan will be yelling… Go Tar Heels?
By Otto Gomez
LTV Sports Producer
March Madness, for the most part, comes down to star players and head coaches on each team. I think this year will be no exception, as I have No. 2 Michigan State coming out triumphant in my bracket. Their head coach, Tom Izzo, has led the Spartans to a national championship and seven Final Fours during his tenure, while making the Tournament 19 years in a row and only missing it his first two seasons with the team. To go along with that, Denzel Valentine has proved himself a candidate for the John R. Wooden all year along with his excellent play. Together, I believe they will go far this year. To round out the Final Four, I have No. 2 Oklahoma, led by fellow Wooden candidate Buddy Hield, No. 3 Miami, a well-coached under-the-radar team, and No. 9 Providence, led by star point guard Kris Dunn. While I don’t have a lot of huge upsets other than Providence, and No. 12 Yale over No. 4 Duke, I think crazy things can, and will happen, as they do every year in the tournament. Further, to prove how wrong I will be about my picks, I have made a second bracket with all opposite upsets and a different Final Four entirely. Let’s hope I submitted the right one in this group.
ESPN BRACKET STANDINGS
(As of March 21)
1: Sean Reis
Points: 450
Projected Points Remaining: 1120
Percent Correct: 92.1%
2: EJ Paras
Points: 420
Projected Points Remaining: 1080
Percent Correct: 73.9%
3: Otto Gomez
Points: 380
Projected Points Remaining: 480
Percent Correct: 36.5%
4: Michael Battista
Points: 360
Projected Points Remaining: 800
Percent Correct: 22.6%
If you'd like to follow the standings live, visit our ESPN Bracket group.
(03/22/16 8:08pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Colleen Murphy, asks our panel of experts three questions: How did the NCAA selection committee do this year? Was Adam LaRoche right for quitting baseball because of his son and who is to blame for the 100 athletes suspended for using a newly-banned substance?
1. How good of a job do you think the selection committee did with choosing this year’s March Madness teams?
Kevin: The selection committee did a horrible job picking the field for March Madness this year. Syracuse University, Michigan State University and University of Tulsa shouldn’t have been in the field of 64 and teams like Valparaiso University, Saint Mary’s College and Monmouth University all deserved to get in over these three. The committee needs more basketball people on it (former coaches, media members) and a better-defined criteria for who gets a bid and who doesn’t. Right now, the committee is a mess and I don’t know if it’ll get any better the way it is right now.
Michael: I want to say the committee did a bad job, but honestly, I like what they did. There were some incredible snubs this year, especially Monmouth, whose bench would be amazing to watch in the tournament. However, there isn’t a clear-cut winner this year and I honestly love that. A majority of the time, we have this bracket where we say, “This team is going to go to the Final Four and win.” This year alone, many brackets have been busted thanks to the losses by Michigan State, University of Kentucky and West Virginia University. This year, a record 10 double-digit seeds made it to the Round of 32, and honestly, they all have a chance to keep playing on. While there were — and always will be — snubs, this bracket has been very entertaining.
Jennifer: The selection committee team repeats the same procedure every year when it comes to deciding the 68 teams that make it into the tournament. Every year, there are surprises in the choices the committee picks and this year they didn’t disappoint. My grandpa, Walter, an avid college basketball fan, felt that Seton Hall University should be seeded higher than sixth, considering they won the Big East Championship recently. However, he retracted that statement the following day because on St. Patrick’s Day, Seton Hall had no luck against Duquesne University, losing, 97-76. As for the women, the University of Connecticut has dominated the past three years, and this year, predictions are in their favor. The most well-known teams that have dominated in previous years seem to have a better chance at seeding higher. The more reliable the team, the better the seed!
Kevin gets 3 points for giving a solution. Michael gets 2 points for saying the selections made the games entertaining and Jennifer gets 1 point for mentioning the women’s bracket.
2. Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche retired after the team told him to stop bringing his 14-year-old son to the clubhouse so often. Which side do you think is in the right and why?
Kevin: Personally, I have no issue with LaRoche bringing his child into the clubhouse. However, I side with the White Sox in this case because they have the right to say that he can’t bring the son in there. The baseball clubhouse is still a workplace and there needs to be some semblance of professional standards. At any other job in America, if workers brought their children into the office every day, it would be a disaster.
Michael: The White Sox were in the right, but part of me respects LaRoche in a weird way. The team has the final say on what happens in the dugout — who comes in and what goes on in there. I doubt the kid would be a nuisance, but maybe management thought he could be a distraction that may hurt the team later on. Then again, with the recent story about St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Tyler Dunnington quitting baseball because of the homosexual death threats his teammates openly talked about, when at the time he kept the fact that he was gay a secret, maybe having a kid away from a clubhouse isn’t a bad thing. Even if it wasn’t happening in Chicago, I’m sure there are some things said in a clubhouse that a kid shouldn’t hear. In the end, though, I can’t dislike a father who put his son first.
Jennifer: There is nothing like father-son bonding time, however, the time a player spends in the team clubhouse to train and work on improving his skills is important, too. Ken Williams, the team president who told LaRoche to “dial down” the amount of time his son spends in the clubhouse, said to Fox News, “You tell me, where in this country can you bring your child to work every day?” The White Soxs have encouraged players to bring their children to work with them, but the constant presence of Drake LaRoche, the 14-year-old son, might have been a distraction to his father, who struggled in 2015, batting just .207 with 12 homers. LaRoche turned down his $13 million contract in order to spend time with his son because #familyfirst.
Jennifer gets 3 points for suggesting the son could be a distraction. Kevin gets 2 points for putting the workplace first and Michael gets 1 point because bad things are everywhere.
3. About 100 athletes have been suspended for using the newly banned substance meldonium. Where do you think the blame for this high number of suspensions lies most?
Kevin: The sports officials of the countries and the athletes are at fault. Athletes need to know exactly what’s going into their bodies, as the rules for doping around the world for sports is often strict and confusing. However, there are clearly some issues with the specific national federations, since there are large numbers of athletes, specifically in Russia, that are testing positive for this drug. There are question marks on whether this drug is actually a performance-enhancer, but if it’s illegal in the sport, everyone involved needs to be aware.
Michael: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and sports officials should be clear what drugs are going to be banned and give some time frame. I am not defending athletes who are actually trying to get an edge in their respected game, taking steroid B since its legal, unlike steroid A. I’m defending the athletes who have actual medical conditions or being nursed back to health, only to find out the substances they were taking are now banned. The groups looking to keep the games clean should tell athletes ahead of time, “This substance may become banned in a future rule.” Now, while you can say this may give cheaters an advantage, it would mean treatments could be altered.
Jennifer: The WADA has suspended athletes for this drug pretty often in the past three months… maybe because this meldonium has just been officially banned as of 2016. Basically, meldonium is a drug that’s prescribed to treat heart disease and to increase a blood flow to organs. It cannot be sold in the U.S. and can only be found in Latvia. This drug can enhance one’s performance and can boost one’s oxygen uptake. Sharapova had been taking this Latvian drug for the past ten years and was unaware that Mildronate was the same thing as meldonium. The WADA sends emails to all athletes when new restrictions have been added and Sharapova, in particular, did not click on the link to check. The blame for the high number of suspensions probably lies most heavily on the negligence of athletes who don’t double check to see if a new drug was added to the list of banned substances.
Kevin gets 3 points for putting the blame in the right place. Michael gets 2 points for showing empathy and Jennifer gets 1 point for pointing out athlete carelessness.
Kevin wins Around the Dorm 8-5-5.
(03/08/16 6:24pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Chelsea LoCascio, asks our panel of experts three questions: Can the United States take home a medal for racewalking during the Olympics this summer? Who will qualify for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest and how far will Dale Earnhardt Jr. go during the Sprint Cup Series this year?
1. Do you think the U.S. will take home a medal in racewalking during the Summer Olympics in Rio?
Ellie: The U.S. can’t not take home a medal in a sport where the title implies a competition. Although the U.S. has not placed in racewalking since 1972, there’s no time like the present. Don’t believe me? Just reference America’s favorite coffee supplier, Dunkin Donuts. “America runs on Dunkin” is not only a trivial slogan, but a motto by which to live. We Americans love to push forward and overcome adversity. Forty-four years since last winning is just unacceptable. Most definitely, placing in a race where one foot must appear to stay on the ground at any given time will be no easy feat, but our top walkers will be up for the challenge come this summer. So as average citizens, lets sit back, sip our coffee and watch our athletes walk to the finish.
Colleen: First of all, if you’ve never seen a racewalking competition, go to Youtube right now and look it up. It is incredibly funny and the participants look as though they are in dire need of the toilet. Or you could say they look like New York City commuters trying to catch the last bus out of the city. With that being said, I definitely think the U.S. will take home a medal in racewalking this summer because many of us have to do it as part of our routine, everyday life already — walking fast is in our blood. Tell us we’ll get a medal for walking quickly and we’ll put even more pep in our step. Whether we Americans want to be in the front of the line at the buffet, be the first ones to get our hands on the best Black Friday deals or navigate our way through a crowded city, we often walk with determination, and this societal instinct will translate easily to the racewalking course. Plus, America dominates at every Olympics, so it’s just natural that we win a medal in this event, too.
Jessica: What a fantastic question! I really think the U.S. does have a shot at taking home a medal because, let’s face it, we racewalk in our daily lives as Americans. Have to go to the bathroom really badly? Racewalk to the bathroom. Late to journalism Professor Emilie Lounsberry’s class? Racewalk to class. Basically, the racewalkers have many ways to help them get a medal. The key will be to imagine themselves really needing to go to the bathroom or something along those lines and then they’ll race walk past the finish line, fists held high with pride like Rocky Balboa. The U.S., though, is not really known for their racewalking abilities in the Olympics, but who is to say we can’t start now? I think if the walkers put their mind to it, they can take home the coveted racewalking medal for the U.S.
Colleen gets 3 points for pointing out their poopy posture. Ellie gets 2 points because America “racewalks” on coffee and Jessica gets 2 points for applying it to everyday life.
2. Who do you think will qualify for the 2016 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest?
Ellie: A lot can happen in 100 years, but nothing says “America” quite like food. Mix hot dogs and an eating contest together and “BOOM!” — instant American tradition. As Nathan’s approaches a monstrous anniversary celebrating a century of disgustingly fast eaten food, hopefuls are beginning to test their stomachs. Champ Joey Chestnut will make another appearance, having won eight consecutive titles and marking a world record before falling to Matt Stonie in 2015. As for the ladies, current record holder Sonya Thomas should make a strong run this year, having lost the last two competitions to current reigning champ Miki Sudo. Perhaps someone from the College will make a surprise appearance.
Colleen: Ah, the true spirit of America — gorging our faces with meaty goodness (get your minds out of the gutter). No one is better than doing that than Stonie and Chestnut. The two dominated last year’s competition, downing 62 and 60 hot dogs, respectively, with the third place finisher eating just 35.5. Frankly, the two will definitely make the cut for this year’s competition. No. 1 ranked competitive eater Stonie has had a strong showing for Major League Eating this year, breaking the world record for most tacos eaten in eight minutes. (It was 103. Who’s living más now, Taco Bell?) On the women’s side, Sudo, who won the Nathan’s competition in 2014 and 2015, will have a great shot at returning to this year’s competition, which is sure to be a stiff one (get your minds out of the gutter).
Jessica: Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will definitely be one of the qualifiers for the 2016 Nathan’s Hot Dog-Eating Contest. First off, his nickname is “Jaws,” so if that doesn’t scream “I win eating contests,” then I don’t know what would. Last year, Chestnut came in second place, behind new champion Stonie, but I think this will be Chestnut’s year. According to the Major League Eating Website, Chestnut is the “greatest eater in history.” You can’t just get that title and not have a winning chance. Chestnut has a long list of eating competitions under his belt, so he has the experience and is a veteran when it comes to the “sport.” Chestnut had an eight-year run at the top of the Nathan’s Hot Dog World. So keep your eyes on him because he’ll be holding the beautiful championship belt.
Colleen gets 3 points for hot dog puns. Jessica gets 2 points for talking about Chestnut’s nickname and Ellie gets 1 point because it’s not disgusting, it’s beautiful.
3. How far will Dale Earnhardt Jr. get in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series this year?
Ellie: Though Earnhardt Jr. has never won the Cup Series, he’s bound to make a strong run. Currently sitting 16th in the standings, the season has just begun with plenty of room for anyone to come out on top. The fact that his late father, Dale Earnhardt, won the Cup seven times is bound to be on his mind and a motivation to keep driving. Earnhardt Jr. has 26 season victories, placing him 28th all-time. It’s hard to say if he’ll win with reigning champ Kyle Busch — ranked 21st all-time in wins — competing. Perhaps the experience from competing for over 15 years and coming from a bloodline of racers will pay off for Earnhardt Jr. and 2016 will be his crowning year.
Colleen: “Boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go racing, boys (and girls)!” Earnhardt Jr. is currently ranked 16th in the Sprint Cup Series, having placed 36th at Daytona and recording a much better second-place showing at the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. This weekend, Earnhardt competed in the Las Vegas Sprint Cup race and placed seventh. Many experts say he doesn’t have the best shot at winning and I’d have to agree with them. But I do think that his name will continue to be closer to the top of the leaderboard for a bit longer. Right now, he is 16th in the Round of 16 in the Sprint Cup Chase Grid. I do think he has a chance to make it to the Round of 12 because of the upswing he seems to be starting, but by the time the Dover race comes around in May, I’m going to say that he will not have enough points to make it to the Round of Eight.
Jessica: In the beginning of the racing season, Earnhardt Jr. was a little shaky. He suffered a crash in his first race, the Sprint Unlimited, and placed 15th. He crashed in the Daytona 500 after a strong start with 30 laps to go, taking 36th place. The next week, he finished second in Atlanta. If Earnhardt wants to make it far, he has to work on his consistency… oh, and not crash into things. Last season, Earnhardt had a similar season last year, so he hasn’t really gotten off to an impressive season. He will most likely get far because he has in previous seasons. Also, Managing Editor Sydney Shaw’s grandmother loves Earnhardt. He has love and support, so he will most likely go far.
Colleen gets 3 points for Darrell Waltrip’s catchphrase. Ellie gets 2 points for optimism and Jessica gets 1 point for a contradicting answers.
Colleen wins Around the Dorm 9-5-5.
(03/01/16 10:04pm)
1. Will the top-ranked Villanova Wildcats season end again in the first weekend of the NCAA tournament?
Chelsea: If the team did get past its first weekend, then it would be “March Madness.” Since the Wildcats have yet to accomplish that feat since 2009, I say they have a slim chance. I like to root for the underdog, but I can’t support the Wildcats — the team doesn’t win when it matters most. The team has an impressive knack for winning streaks, but also one for choking under pressure. While the team may be first now, it doesn’t have enough of a substantial lead over the Kansas Jayhawks to prove it is worthy of winning. The Wildcats have to get their heads in the game (yes, that was a “High School Musical” reference) if they want to get past the first weekend. Villanova’s only chance of advancing is some fancy footwork and spontaneous singing solos that might just distract the opponents long enough for the team to shoot the winning basket.
Matt: Villanova is not a championship team. However, the team is good enough to end its streak and make it past the first few rounds. Villanova plays well against bad teams, but also plays badly against good teams. All of the team’s losses have come against ranked opponents, with three of those losses coming against top-10 teams, while the other 21 wins have come against unranked teams. With this year’s tournament shaping up to be the tightest in years, it would not shock me to see Nova make a deep run. What sets this year’s team apart from the past disappointments is the emergence of junior guard Josh Hart. For once, Nova, which typically plays a team-oriented style of play, has one true player that can put the team on his back when needed. For that reason, Hart can lead the Wildcats to at least a couple of tourney wins.
Connor: Currently No. 1 overall in the Associated Press Division I rankings, Villanova is on pace for another Final Four run. Assuming Villanova steamrolls its final two unranked opponents, only a Big East Championship rematch with No. 5 Xavier will stand in the team’s way of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Historically, a No. 1 seed has never lost in the first round of March Madness. Coach Jay Wright is experienced enough to keep his players hungry, rather than complacent. It also helps when your coach’s spouse is actually named Patricia Reilly (Try getting the image of Pat Reilly with a wig out of your head now). The Wildcats are at the front of a hyper-competitive pack. I trust the team will be ready for anything a low-seed throws at them.
Chelsea gets 3 points for a HSM reference (and for being realistic). Matt gets 2 points for noting Hart’s contributions and Connor gets 2 points for his glowing optimism.
2. With the NFL scouting combine kicking off, which rookie stands out among the rest?
Chelsea: Florida State University’s Jalen Ramsey doesn’t just stand out — he leaps above the rest. As a long jump champion and track star at Florida, he is sure to be a frontrunner during the combine. Those skills will definitely aid him as a defensive back, as he will hurdle over his opponents. Each of the NFL’s mock drafts include Ramsey in their top-five picks and the team’s first choice for cornerback. Ramsey is a good player for several reasons, including the fact that he’s quick on his feet and able to cross the field faster than Forrest Gump. You would definitely be intimidated if Ramsey, with his athletic build and confidence, was coming at you. Although he still needs to work on his reaction time and put on some more muscle mass to up his intimidation factor, he is a solid pick.
Matt: With no clear-cut top player or quarterback in this year’s draft, the players to watch at this year’s combine are two that are not participating. University of California-Los Angeles’s Myles Jack and University of Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, both linebackers, suffered season-ending injuries in 2015 and are looking to prove their health. Both have incredible talent and teams will use the combine‘s medical testing to determine the health of both players in order to weigh the risk in taking a player so high in the draft with a serious injury. If either has shown positive signs of recovery at the combine, some team will surely use an early first-round pick on them.
Connor: Experts are writing off Derrick Henry due to his body type. It seems absurd that a running back that shredded through the top defenses in college football isn’t even ranked No. 1 at his position. His combine performance has cemented the fact that Henry is immensely talented. At 247 pounds, Henry outpaced all running backs with a 4.54 second 40-yard dash. Power running backs can see long-term success in the NFL. Marshawn Lynch proved that in his final years with the Seattle Seahawks. He is beginning to show parallels to Tim Tebow — they both won a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship before being cast aside. The difference is Henry has few mechanical flaws — he’s immensely talented and might even get lucky if he falls towards the higher-performing teams.
Connor gets 3 points because Henry is a tank. Chelsea gets 2 points for track puns and a Forrest Gump nod (and noting speed) and Matt gets 1 point for picking two injured players.
3. Which Canadian NHL team has the best chances of making it to the playoffs?
Chelsea: Like Robin Scherbatsky from “How I Met your Mother,” I would have liked to see the Vancouver Canucks at the playoffs this year. Since that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, I have to go with the Ottawa Senators, eh. With a 29-26 record and currently the most points overall for the Canadian teams, I feel that the Senators have the best chance. In a close second is the Montréal Canadiens — and these two teams are neck and neck. Though both teams have a slight shot at the playoffs, both are struggling hard to surpass the Americans. Oh Canada, good luck trying to keep up with the Washington Capitals or the Dallas Stars. Whatever happens, I will be on the edge of my seat (and eating a Tim Horton’s Maple Dip doughnut) anxiously waiting to see which Canadian team comes “oot” on top.
Matt: Realistically, no Canadian teams will, for the first time since 1979, make the playoffs, eh. Montreal looked like a sure-fire playoff team until Carey Price, arguably the best goalie in the NHL, was injured early in the year, eh. After getting off to the hottest start in the league, the team is five points out of a wildcard spot and can’t seriously be thinking a-boot the postseason. They’ll be drinking Molson’s and mainlining maple syrup into their veins at home this spring. Sorry, eh.
Connor: The Senators have 66 points compared to Vancouver’s mere 60. Montreal is also in the playoff hunt with 65 points. Despite that clearly representative information on all three teams, I’m picking Vancouver as the best bet to make the playoffs. Conferences favor the Canucks, a team with only two others between it and a playoff berth. According to Sport Club Stats, which uses thousands of simulations based on strength of schedule, Vancouver has an 8.1 percent chance versus Ottawa’s 5.6 percent. Vancouver will have a better chance at the playoffs because it has more opportunities and less competition. The Eastern Conference Canadian teams must beat out five equally-competitive teams, meaning a lot more must happen for one of them to make the playoffs. It’s usually not wise to bet on the worst performing team, but I’m confident in Vancouver’s chances versus its counterparts.
Chelsea gets 3 points for being realistic again. Matt gets 2 points for including too many “ehs” (and counting out Montreal) and Connor gets 2 points for not including an “eh.”
Chelsea wins Around the Dorm 8-7-5.
(02/23/16 10:03pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Matthew Ajaj, asks our panel of experts three questions: Which MLB team will make the biggest impact this season? Did Aaron Gordon get robbed at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and what is next for Johnny Manziel?
1. With spring training now starting up, which MLB teams do you expect to make some noise this season?
Tom: The Toronto Blue Jays are going to soar high this season! After a strong finish last year, snatching the American League (AL) East division title and making their way to the playoff series for the first time since 1991, the Blue Jays are back and even stronger than before. With a batting order comprised of players such as AL MVP Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnación and Jose Bautista, the Blue Jays’s offense is as solid as it was last season when they topped the MLB in runs, hits and home runs. Pitcher Marcus Stroman, who came back from a nearly season-long hiatus last season after his knee injury, went 4-0 in September starts after his recovery. At only 24, he seems like a pretty stable player for the Blue Jays with enough talent and skills to mess up any offense unfortunate enough to face him.
Sydney: I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the New York Yankees, but I’m afraid Greg Bird’s shoulder surgery might count the team out this season, so I’ll go with the Chicago Cubs I don’t mean to hop on the bandwagon, but this is the Cubs’s most anticipated spring training in years for a reason. There were no guarantees that the Cubs would even make the post-season last year, but they advanced to the National League Championship Series. This year, my money is on the Cubs to make it all the way to the World Series, and perhaps even win their first title since 1908. With powerhouses like Jason Heyward and Joe Maddon at their disposal, I have no doubt the team can pull it off.
Sean: Due to the season’s length, the MLB tends to be one of the harder leagues to predict. The off-season is always eventful, and it is fair to say certain teams will likely make some noise, four of which come to mind: Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals. All four of these teams made big, smart acquisitions and signings during the off-season. Arizona and Boston acquired the two top free agent pitchers, Zack Greinke (Arizona) and David Price (Boston). Chicago traded for the Cincinnati Reds’s Todd Frazier and Washington filled two major roles with Ben Revere and former-rival Daniel Murphy. I think the Washington Nationals will make the most noise this season, though. Not only will these two players have an impact, but their pitching rotation will finally be at 100 percent and be ready to compete with the New York Mets — is that enough noise for you, New York?
Sean gets 3 points for noting the teams’ offseason moves. Tom and Sydney each get 2 points for playing it safe with the Jays and Cubs, respectively.
2. Did Zach LaVine deserve to win the dunk contest, or did Aaron Gordon get robbed?
Tom: Aaron Gordon didn’t get robbed. He got held-up at gunpoint on live television. LaVine and Gordon both had a phenomenal night, but Gordon’s moves had more pizzazz while I felt like I was watching the same LaVine on replay every time. Gordon’s third dunk — picking the ball out of the hands of the Orlando Magic’s mascot while rotating around on a hoverboard — was as comical as it was astonishing. But it was his fourth dunk under the legs and over the mascot that was pure legen — wait for it — dary. LaVine still did pretty well, but his dunks were just dunks, and lacked the creative excitement and flare that Gordon brought to the game. LaVine may have won the contest but Gordon had the best dunk, and that’s all that matters.
Sydney: Gordon was totally robbed. He completely revolutionized the dunk contest right from the get-go with his insane under-the-leg move. LaVine’s moves paled in comparison. And using a mascot on a hoverboard for a perfect 50 points? It was unreal. All of Gordon’s second round dunks were better than LaVine’s and his behind-the-head dunks were quicker and cleaner. Even the announcers sounded more excited to talk about Gordon’s dunks than LaVine’s. I should have been out there to judge and maybe Gordon would have received the credit he deserved.
Sean: LaVine did not deserve to win the dunk contest and Gordon was absolutely robbed. Did I actually watch the dunk contest? Not live, but I did watch social media react to the contest. LaVine triggered quite the response but Gordon made Twitter go INSANE! Gordon’s utilization of the Orlando Magic mascot, not only once, but three times, was phenomenal to say the least, while LaVine lacked creativity and although his dunks took skill, were simple to execute as an NBA player. I mean this with no disrespect to LaVine, but he did not deserve to go “Back to Back” and the only reason he won was LaVine had the crowd on his side from the start, exploiting Drake in Toronto. LaVine knew what he was doing and he played the “Back to Back” card from the start. LaVine walked out to the hit diss track, talked to Drake and he was already the winner. It would not matter what dunks Gordon would put on display because LaVine robbed him from the start.
Tom, Sydney and Sean gave slam dunk takes on this one — Gordon deserved to win that contest. Each gets 3 points.
3. After all of his offseason troubles, what is next for Johnny Manziel?
Tom: The couch. Johnny Manziel seems to be poison for whomever he associated with nowadays. There’s a pretty good chance that Manziel will be let go from his contract come March, and after that, the future seems unclear for 2014’s second overall draft pick. In January of last year, Manziel spent a long time in rehab and last month, with the whole concussion debacle, he also faced with allocations that he struck his ex-girlfriend while threatening to kill both of them. Manziel has a cargo-train worth of luggage, and even a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Texas A&M isn’t worth the bad personal relations that Manziel carries around with him.
Sydney: Jail, if not death. That sounds harsh, but take a moment to compare the cocky football star’s life to what it was just a few years ago. Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2013 and stepped onto the National Football League stage with the Cleveland Browns. It seemed like a promising career and life, but Manziel flopped in his first season, spent some time in rehab for an alcohol abuse problem and now, it appears he has graduated to domestic assault. His inner circle is dwindling. Manziel is done. Even his father said in a statement to Dallas Morning News that he’s not sure Manziel will make it to his 24th birthday. If Manziel doesn’t agree to enter rehab or take some responsibility for the assault charges he is facing, there is no hope left for him.
Sean: If Manziel was not an NFL player, the next place for he would be jail. However, this is the NFL, where domestic violence does not matter. Sure, commercials are run and the league pretends as though they care, but they clearly do not when players like Greg Hardy still have the privilege to play. According to ESPN, the Dallas Police Department now has video of Manziel’s domestic violence complaint. Manziel should receive a Class A misdemeanor assault charge. NFL players do not go to jail, especially the star players. I have not seen any proper discipline. I have only seen encouragement by keeping Manziel in the constant spotlight. Jail should be next for him, but the money will continue to come.
Sydney gets 3 points for noting the danger. Tom checks in with 2 points for examining Johnny’s luggage and Sean gets just 1 point for not considering the Browns’s efforts.
Sydney wins Around the Dorm 8-7-7.
(02/16/16 9:05pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” George Tatoris, asks our panel of experts three questions: What was the best play in Super Bowl 50? Which NBA team outside the top 10 can make the playoffs this season and which golfer has the best chance to win the FedEx Cup?
1. What was the most impressive play of the Super Bowl?
Colleen: Without a doubt the best play of the game was Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton that forced a fumble. The fumble was recovered for a touchdown and was really the first (and one of the few) impact play of the game. Miller went on to win MVP and his team the Super Bowl, and this clutch play early on in the game definitely had some influence on both of those things. It also set the defensive tone of the game. However, I think the best play of the Super Bowl in general would have to be the infant’s quick moves out of the womb in the Doritos commercial. That baby had, arguably, more speed than Miller when he got around the Panthers’s offensive line to make the sack. The newborn undoubtedly deserves the crown for best play of the game (If you got that crown/birthing reference, thank you).
Michael: The most impressive play of the Super Bowl was ColdPLAY. The band rocked that stadium with its set and the addition of Beyoncé and Bruno Mars was awesome. All right, all right! In all seriousness, Miller breaking Carolina’s defense and making Newton fumble not once, but twice, was very impressive. Miller, along with the rest of his MVP caliber defensive unit, sacked Newton seven times throughout the game and made him go 18 for 41 in passing attempts (just under 50 percent efficiency). But it all started and ended with Miller’s pressure on the quarterback as he helped the Broncos reach “Paradise.”
Matthew: In a game dominated by defense, there were plenty of interceptions and sacks across the board, including a strip-sack fumble by Miller that would lead to a touchdown. It was a game-changer that stuck out in the minds of many as the defining play of the game. However, the Super Bowl’s most impressive play occurred after the game clock struck zero. Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, a five-time MVP relegated to a game manager in 2015 because of the pains of old age, refrained from making the game about himself by refusing to announce his retirement at the end of the game, despite the media’s multiple pleas. Manning is sure to formally declare his departure sometime in the coming months, but in denying a concrete answer for the retirement question, he was able to keep himself out of the spotlight and instead let the dominant Denver defense deservedly have its day.
Colleen gets 3 points for birth-punning. Michael gets 2 points for Coldplaying and Matthew gets 1 point for Peyton Manninging.
2. Now that the NBA season is half over, which teams outside of the top ten have a chance at making the playoffs?
Colleen: With the recent firing of head coach Derek Fisher, the New York Knicks can be that team that has enough new fire to make its way into the playoffs. If the transition to their interim coach is a smooth and fruitful one, you can expect to see the Knickerbockers start their ascent to the playoffs. Staying healthy and making some important trades will also be a key factor in the Knicks making it to the playoffs. And rookie Kristaps Porzingis can only become more dominant as the season moves forward. With increased play time comes better ability and Porzingis can definitely be a huge part in the Knicks moving on.
Michael: You’re asking me to scrape the bottom of a pretty empty barrel. If I had to pick a team, I would go with the Denver Nuggets. While they play in the bloodbath that is the Western Conference, they might be able to squeak in enough wins to get an eighth seed instead of Utah Jazz or Portland Trail Blazers. Players like Danilo Gallinari, who is leading the team in points per game at 19.7, and Kenneth Faried, who is leading the team in rebounding at 8.9, can make this team compete with the lower standing Western teams and at least half of the Eastern Conference. As for how they’d do in the playoffs, going up against the Golden State Warriors... yeah, no.
Matthew: Outside of the top 10 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences, there really isn’t much to be excited about. Most of these lowly NBA teams have little present ambitions, instead choosing to tank and stack young talent for future success. In the East, the only team outside the top 10 with a playoff chance are the New York Knicks, who have a somewhat formidable starting lineup headlined by All-Star Carmelo Anthony and Latvian rookie sensation Porzingis. The only thing keeping the Knicks from being competitive is a solid point guard, and if they can make a move for Jeff Teague before the trade deadline (as has been rumored), then they may have some hope. In the ultra-competitive West, no 11th or worse placed team has a ghost of a chance. Keep tanking, Timberwolves.
Matthew gets 3 points for Knickin’ it in da bud. Colleen gets 2 points for Porzingis and Michael gets 1 point for not believing in underdogs
3. Who has the best chance of winning the FedEx Cup?
Colleen: Jordan Spieth. The guy had a commanding season last year, placing either first or second in all of his majors. With a year of big boy play under his belt, Spieth has even more experience than last year, so we can expect even bigger things from him in the FedEx Cup. Jason Day is a frontrunner along with Spieth, but don’t sleep on Rickie Fowler who is up to No. 4 on the Official Golf World Rankings. While these other golfers will give Spieth a run for his money, it will still be Spieth all the way.
Michael: I’m not the biggest golf fan in the world, I’ll admit that right away. But I have to say the odds on favorite is Spieth. The guy had an amazing 2015, winning five times, four second place finishes and earning the title of FedEx Cup champ last year. That isn’t to say the rest of the field is any laughing matter. Day, who had a better second half last year, finishing 12th or better in his last nine tournament starts, and Rory Mcllroy, who won the European Tour Final in Dubai, both have opportunities to catch up to Spieth after his breakout year. While it will be hard to redo that success, I think his younger age means he can keep up his success going forward without father time affecting him too much. Let’s just hope that Dustin Johnson’s son doesn’t swipe Spieth’s putter again.
Matthew: Golf is a game of experience, so I’m going to go with a guy who has been there before and say Spieth has the best chance at winning the FedEx Cup. At just 22 years old, Spieth won last year’s FedEx Cup, along with the 2015 Masters and U.S. Open. That’s quite a résumé for a kid who had his first legal drink less than two years ago. The sport needs a young superstar to grab viewers’ attention, so perhaps the golf gods will be generous and let Spieth win this one as he continues his ascent to becoming water cooler talking material. As for a dark horse candidate, I like Smylie Kaufman. A guy with a name like that is going places.
Matthew gets 3 points for Spieth’s accolades. Michael gets 2 points for honesty and Colleen gets 1 point for Spieth.
Matthew wins Around the Dorm 7-6-5.
(02/09/16 8:49pm)
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Miguel Gonzalez, asks our panel of experts three questions: Can a No. 16 seed beat a No. 1 seed during March Madness? Which NBA rookie will win Rookie of the Year and should the International (IOC) postpone or relocate the Summer Games in Brazil?
1. Given the numerous upsets that have occurred during this year’s college basketball season, is it possible that a No. 16 seed will defeat a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA March Madness Tournament?
Connor: It’s a common cliché in sports that anything is possible. However, a No. 16 seed has never won an NCAA tournament game in the competition’s 76-year history. The fact that Coastal Carolina managed to come within 14 points last season is considered over-performing. Although the rise of one-and-done players has made the competition less predictable, a No. 1 seed has all the coaching, scouting, recruitment and facilities to plow through a lowly No. 16 seed. Upsets happen every year, but a No. 1 seed would have battled through tremendous obstacles that a No. 16 seed has no chance of matching.
George: A No. 16 seed has never, in the history of the NCAA tournament, beaten a No. 1 seed and that statistic alone makes me skeptical that March Madness 2016 will see an underdog rise to the top. However, this year has the best chances for that to happen. Anything can happen. Two teams that had a good chance of making it were banned from the playoffs — 19-2 Southern Methodist University and 19-4 University of Louisville — giving other teams a shot. In addition, the usually dominant teams in the Southeastern Conference — the University of Florida Gators and the University of Kentucky Wildcats — are faltering this year, along with the rest of last year’s top four. Without standout teams, no single team comes out on top.
Otto: There’s no chance. It’s never happened so far and it won’t happen this year, as the top teams are so much better than any possible team squad the NCAA could throw out there as the 16th seed. These teams are going to be tired from the play-in game and they are going to be facing one of the top four teams in the country. There’s just no chance and there’s a reason no 16th seed has ever won. Upsets during the regular season happen every year, but the top teams will figure it out as they always do. The only difference this year is that there is no clear-cut top dog team, but there’s still a third of a season left to figure it out.
George gets 3 points for stating the absence of powerhouse teams. Connor gets 2 points for mentioning Carolina’s loss and Otto gets 1 point for arguing there isn’t a dominant No. 1 team.
2. Which current NBA rookie is making the strongest case to win the Rookie of the Year award?
Connor: Karl-Anthony Towns has proven a vital asset to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kristaps Porzingis has given Knicks fans a glimmer of hope, but Towns has eclipsed the young Latvian in nearly every major offensive category. Towns’s defensive prowess also sets him apart from the foul-prone Porzingis and the offensively-slanted Jahlil Okafor. All three players have the potential to carry their teams to new heights down the line, but Towns has established himself as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year by playing both sides of the ball at a more experienced level than his rookie counterparts.
George: Towns will win rookie of the year. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Even other rookies have given up hope. D’Angelo Russell recently told the press that Towns deserved the Rookie of the Year. Towns is already averaging about the same points per game as teammate Andrew Wiggins was averaging last year when he won Rookie of the Year. He’s in a position to get an entire town named after him, just like 1986 Rookie of the Year Patrick Ewing. I don’t know about anybody else, but I’d totally live in Towns Town. (Edit: My sources have informed me that Ewing, N.J., is NOT named after Patrick Ewing. I still stand by Towns Town, though.)
Otto: Towns has been the best rookie this year and it’s not close by a mile. While I love my hometown guy Kristaps Porzingis, Towns (KAT) is the future of the NBA. He’s a rim-protecting seven footer who can switch onto guards on defense and shoot the three on offense. That prototype doesn’t exist yet and Towns is the model. I think a fair comparison for his potential is a prime Arvydas Sabonis because of his incredible passing, and that’s really saying something of KAT. No other rookies have come close to these guys because they are the future for a league that’s quickly changing. Fortunately for Towns, being surrounded by young guys like Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and a top five pick from this upcoming draft means that they’re going to be on the right side of the ever-changing league.
George gets 3 points for comparing Towns to Ewing. Otto gets 2 points for creating an innovative nickname and Connor gets 1 point for comparing multiple players.
3. With ongoing reports of contaminated waterways and the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, should the IOC consider relocating this year’s Summer Olympics?
Connor: International political turmoil has been the only precedent for canceling a planned Olympic event, but the IOC has a responsibility to its athletes to ensure a safe and healthy competitive environment. The potential for disease in Brazil could be compared reasonably to the dangers of war. Athletes have considered boycotting the games, creating a financial motivator for the IOC to postpone or relocate. If there are reasonable measures the IOC can take to keep athletes shielded from the virus, then it’s a different story. Considering the current dangers facing the games, the IOC should carry out arrangements for rescheduling the games to a more suitable host country.
George: This sounds like a recipe for disaster, or a disaster movie. There’s a virus in Brazil that poses a threat to the global community and we’re sending the world’s best athletes over there for an extended stay. Adding to the problem, Olympic villages are notorious sexual playgrounds for athletes, and one of the ways the virus is believed to be transmitted is through sexual activity. I’ve read so many behind-the-scenes stories about lascivious romps and would-be scandals that I am positive something bad is going to happen after the Olympics. It’ll be “Contagion,” except sexier and more athletic. I’m already writing the screenplay in my head. I think the IOC should let this happen, if only because the resulting movie would be pretty phenomenal.
Otto: While these reports show the terrible things that are happening in Brazil, I still believe that the Olympics should be held in Rio this year. The country has spent a lot of time and resources creating a great environment for both fans and the participants. The concerns are real, but so far there haven’t been a lot of reports stating that the athletes don’t want to be in Rio. Once the athletes or countries start protesting, then it is time to change the location. However, it might be too late. We are already in February, so the Games are only a couple months away. We might not be able to see a change, anyway.
George gets 3 points for his great movie idea. Connor gets 2 points for mentioning the war-like conditions and Otto gets 1 point for arguing that it is too late to relocate.
George wins Around the Dorm 9-5-4.
(02/02/16 9:39pm)
In this week’s pre-Super Bowl 50 issue, we’ve asked members of The Signal staff who they think will come out of the game holding the famous Lombardi Trophy.
By Otto Gomez
Staff Writer
Five years ago, the first two overall picks in the NFL draft were Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller. Well done. Next week, these two forces of nature are going to face off in the biggest sporting event on the planet and I think Carolina will come out victorious. Newton will all but surely collect the MVP trophy in a couple weeks and has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, alongside a very strong defense. While Denver’s D has been even better all year, I don’t think the historically-great Peyton Manning will be enough, and it pains me to say that we won’t be able to see him ride into the sunset — as much as we all want him to.
By Sydney Shaw
Managing Editor
Greg Olsen will win Super Bowl 50 and the rest of the Carolina Panthers will bask in his glory. Olsen is a force to be reckoned with on all fronts and shutting him down should be a main priority for the Broncos if they want a shot at taking home a ring (but ultimately, I don’t think they’ll be able to stop the 6’5,” 255-pound machine). Olsen has emerged as Cam Newton’s number-one target in the passing game, boasting more than 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive year and about as many catches as the Panthers’ second- and third-leading receivers (Ted Ginn and Jerricho Cotchery) combined. With an asset like Olsen, the Panthers can’t lose.
By Matthew Bowker
Staff Writer
We have been spoiled with great Super Bowls lately. Well, except for the last time Peyton played in one. And this time around, things will be more or less the same result for Manning. The Panthers are an all-around superior team compared to the Broncos. Both teams have comparable, opportunistic defenses that make a living on forcing turnovers. Lucky for the Panthers, Manning has a wet noodle for an arm, so Josh Norman and the Panther’s linebackers will be able to force a few interceptions. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Broncos pose almost no threat in the run game and are going up against arguably the best front seven in football. With the Panthers’s huge advantage on offense and Cam Newton being Cam Newton, I’m going with the Panthers in a blowout, 44-17.
By Michael Battista
Sports Editor
Looking at Super Bowl 50, the game is going to be between a team that has been hot almost all season and a team thats flame has cooled with time. The Panthers were the only team this season to stay undefeated until the near the very end (with a loss that I called in Around The Dorm, thank you very much). The Broncos started strong and faltered a bit with some injuries while still losing only four games. The absolute destruction the Panthers have caused in the playoffs shows they are not cooling off yet, while Peyton’s boys won close or ugly games in 2016. Their defense is good, but the Broncos can’t stop Cam Newton’s offense.
By Matthew Ajaj
Staff Writer
Coming off an impressive NFC Championship Game performance, Cam Newton looks poised to put a cherry on top of his MVP-caliber season with a Super Bowl win. Helping him to the big game were young phenoms Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman, who headline the outstanding Carolina defense. But believe it or not, the Broncos defensive unit is even better. It will be a low-scoring affair that has no chance of hitting the over on the 45.5-point spread. For this nasty, hard-nosed showdown, the edge goes to the old man with a legacy on the line. Peyton Manning is an all-time great, and the football gods will be on his side as he takes the reins one more time for what is sure to be his final game.
By Sean Reis
Production Manager
The Super Bowl is always one of the hardest games to predict in professional sports because the underdog frequently comes out on top. In Super Bowl 50, however, I do not foresee Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy late Sunday evening. Instead, I picture the league’s MVP (to-be) Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers defeating Denver in an extremely close game. Denver’s defense will be strong all game, scoring at least one defensive touchdown, but Manning will fail to produce on offense. In the fourth quarter, Carolina will trail by one field goal, but Newton will march the team downfield for victory and score the game-winning touchdown with his legs for the final score, 24-20.