Badgers Make Back To Back Final Fours

Chester native Bo Ryan has led the Wisconsin Badgers to back to back Final Four appearances for the first time in school history. The number one seeded Badgers knocked down clutch 2nd half threes to close out Arizona in the Elite Eight for the second straight season. They will face Kentucky the team they lost to last year in one National Semifinal. Can the Badgers knock of Kentucky to give the Wildcats their first defeat of the season ? The Big Ten regular season champions are the second team in the conference to head to Indianapolis this upcoming weekend. Now Badgers will look to win Saturday night with a chance at a championship on Monday night.

H To The Izzo Leads Spartans To Another Final Four

Saturday night, the Michigan Spartans will be in Big Ten territory. When the seventh seed and East Regional champions take on the Duke Blue Devils. Indianapolis, IN will be the site and every other year it's the city which host the Big Ten tournament. Coach Izzo and his group of kids made a great run in their conference tournament. They had a chance to win the championship vs. Wisconsin however came up short at the end. Many believe they were under seeded as a seven seed. Personally had them in Elite 8 prior to NCAA's starting once and Villanova lost in round of 32 (once again) to N.C State, Michigan St. took care of two seed Virginia, I felt the Spartans were Final Four bound. Sunday afternoon they were able to gut out an overtime victory vs. Louisville in Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. They will take on the Duke Blue Devils to tip off the Final Four on Saturday.

Kentucky Headed To Indianapolis For History Lesson

38-0 Kentucky will head to Indianapolis looking for that perfect 40-0 season. If that mission is accomplished Kentucky will become the first NCAA team in which to do so. Saturday night in Cleveland vs. Notre Dame, the Wildcats barely escaped with a win they were close to being 37-1. However down the stretch Big Blue Nation came away with a two point victory vs. the Fighting Irish. Coach Calipari is leading Kentucky to consecutive Final Fours and looking to win their first National Championship since 2012. Last year Kentucky lost the National Title game to the UConn Huskies at AT&T Stadium. Saturday night they will tip 30 minutes after Duke/Michigan State concludes. Wisconsin will be the opponent their same opponent from the National Semifinal a year ago. The Wildcats will need to do what they do best to eventually cut down the nets by defending and executing in the post. At this point only Saturday and Monday nights respectively stand in the way of history when it comes to 40-0. Last team to enter the Final Four undefeated were the 1990-91 UNLV Running Rebels.

Coach K Headed To 12th NCAA Final Four

Duke is headed to Indianapolis for next weeks Final Four. The Blue Devils defeated Gonzaga in Houston during the South Regional Final on Sunday. It was the number one seeded Blue Devils vs. the number two seeded Bulldogs. Duke didn't win the ACC regular season title (Virgina) or the ACC tournament title (Notre Dame), however they will be playing into the final weekend of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Yes guys like Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winston, Tyus Jones and Quin Cook get all the buzz. However on Sunday Matt Jones was the unsung hero knocking down multiple three point jump shots. All season long Philadelphia native Amile Jefferson has been a glue guy. Now he will have a chance to play on the biggest stage of college basketball. For the record : Coach K tied John Wooden for the most NCAA Final Four appearances with 12. Next up for Duke will be a matchup with Michigan State. They'll tip from Lucas Oil Stadium at 6:09 pm Saturday night. With a chance of playing for everything on Monday night.

Concrete Charlie Passes Away

On March 21, 2015 the Philadelphia Eagles and NFL community were notified Chuck Bednarik passed away at the age of 89. He is most known for knocking New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford out at Yankee Stadium late in the 1960 NFL season. The hit caused a fumble which the Eagles recovered and wrapped up the victory for Philadelphia. Bednarik was from Bethleham, PA and was a scholar where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to 1948 and 1960 NFL Championships. At age 35 in 1960 due to injuries Concrete Charlie also played offense as a center and of course linebacker on defense. He was truly the last of 60 minute men in the NFL. Chuck Bednarik also participated in World War II. I guess he was would you call a renaissance man. His number 60 retired jersey hangs high atop Lincoln Finacial Field. He is considered one of the greatest Philadelphia Eagles ever, if not the greatest of all time. 54 years and counting since the franchise won a championship. As Bednarik would make the final tackle at Franklin Field to secure the 1960 title vs. Green Bay. May Chuck Bednarik rest in peace.

Could Phillies Cliff Lee Career Be Over Despite 60 Day DL ?

This is Cliff Lee 2nd life with the Phillies. In 2009 Cleveland traded Lee to Philadelphia.
Lee helped Philadelphia win their 2nd consecutive National League Pennant. Lee picked up the Phillies only 2 wins during their 4-2 2009 World Series defeat to the New York Yankees. The Phillies that fall fell short in trying to become the first National League team since the Big Red Machine of Cincinnati won back to back World Series titles. The Phillies would trade Cliff Lee to Texas in 2010. As he would help the Rangers win the American League Pennant however they would lose to San Francisco in the World Series. The Phillies bring Cliff Lee back in 2011 via a trade with Seattle. Philadelphia was the World Series favorite winning over 100 games in the regular season. They would lose in the Divisional Round 3-2 after dropping Game 5 at home vs. St. Louis 1-0. The Cardinals would go on to win it all. Cliff Lee with the Phillies up in the series 1-0, took to the mound in Game 2. Philadelphia gave him a 4-0 lead that he would give back and St. Louis evened the series. Seemed like the Phillies were never able to recover from the moment 1-1 series tied instead on 2-0 heading back to the Midwest. The aging Lee has dealt with arm issues the past 2 seasons. In his elbow area, which wouldn't allow Philadelphia to trade him to a contender last season, eventually he had to shut it down. In Clearwater, FL he has been shut down during spring training. He has more pain in that elbow area. He mentioned if he has to have another surgery he would retire. Lee will start the 2015 season on the 60 day DL. If about 6-7 months of recovery time couldn't solve the arm issues what will 2-3 do in order to help ? Could it really be over for Lee ? The Phillies saw Roy Halladay career in a New York minute with arm issues.

#1 Villanova Couldn't Wright It's Wrong In The Round Of 32 Again Wolf Pack Advance

Last year Buffalo, NY was the site 2nd seed Villanova would lose to UConn the eventual National Champion in the Round of 32. Saturday night Pittsburgh, PA was the site where Villanova would lose to NC State 71-68 in the round of 32. Becoming the first 1 seed to be eliminated from the 2015 NCAA Tournament. That defeat only adds to the scars of not advancing to the 2nd weekend of the NCAA's, since the Wildcats made it to the 2009 Final Four. Give NC State all the credit the 8th seed in the East out played Nova all night. They represented the ACC well against the Big East best in terms of regular season and conference tournament play. Villanova season will end at 33-3 & 16-2 in conference play. Meanwhile the 22-13 Wolf Pack and their 10-8 conference record will move on to Syracuse, NY. The Sweet 16 awaits the team from Raleigh. Meanwhile the Wildcats will head back to the Main Line as seniors Darrun Hillard II and JayVaughn Pinkston saw their careers end. Huge double double games for NC State front court players Lennard Freeman and Abdul-Malik Abu. Meanwhile on the perimeter the likes of Cat Barber and Trevor Lacey held their own. You live and die with the jump shot and the 3 point attempts and that's what happened to Nova Nation on Saturday. Also their interior weakness in terms of lack of depth was exposed. This is the beauty of March for some and agony of defeat for others.

The Bulls Are Physically Breaking Down Can They Recover ?

We already know the past history of Derrick Rose and his unfortunate series of knee injuries. About 2 weeks ago Rose suffered another knee injury another Mencius tear. Rose had a procedure done. D. Rose and the Bulls believe he'll be back for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Now fellow All Star Jimmy Butler who's having a career year will miss some time due to injury. Team leader Joakim Noah is playing through pain as well. Meanwhile the front office and head coach Tom Thibodeau aren't seeing eye to eye. The team acquire All Star Pau Gasol this off season and this Bulls team was thought to have it's best offensive team around Rose to seriously contend for a NBA title. However this team is struggling to stay on the floor together and more importantly healthy. Currently the Bulls are a top 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, it will be interesting to see if these group of Bulls can return to full health. To give themselves a chance to actually get out of the East and advance to the NBA Finals. Instead of injuries derailing that opportunity.

MCW Traded Blessing In Disguise To Link Up With J. Kidd

The reigning NBA Rookie Of The Year was traded from Philadelphia to Milwaukee. It was one of the final trades made before the NBA trade deadline. The second year point guard Michael Carter Williams now will link up with future Hall Of Fame ex point guard now Bucks head coach Jason Kidd. At 6'4 Kidd was a walking triple double and at 6'6 MCW now has the ability to be a walking triple double. Carter Williams was used to winning at Syracuse helping lead the Orange to a 2012 Final Four berth. Now Philadelphia plan is to purposely lose aka 'tank' to acquire draft picks and assets. Michael was now longer part of the plans in Philadelphia. However their are several young pieces in Milwaukee that will grow with MCW. He'll also have a chance to experience the post season this spring. Win lose or draw it'll be a learning experience for the Bucks. The best is yet to come for this young point guard and these young Bucks as well.

Chip Kelly Allowed To Remove Jackson Now McCoy From Philadelphia During Last 2 Off Seasons

Andy Reid was given his pink slip on December 31, 2012. Shortly after Chip Kelly was hired to coach the Philadelphia Eagles leaving his job with the Oregon Ducks. Prior to the 2012 season GM Howie Roseman gave LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson both contract extensions. During Chip Kelly first season Shady McCoy lead the NFL in rushing with over 1,600 yards. Meanwhile DeSean Jackson had a career high in receiving yards with over 1,300. Following the playoff loss at home to New Orleans, Jackson wasn't even traded he was released by Kelly. Was in money, was it behavior ? According to media sources allegedly it was ties related to gang affiliation. Washington didn't care and quickly signed DeSean. He would smoke the Eagles in both games in 2014 and basically in their season with a field stretching type performance late in the season, down in DC. Now McCoy has been traded to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonzo. Alonzo played for Kelly in Oregon, however he has issues off the field in Eugene as well. Also the middle linebacker is coming off a torn ACL last year his 2nd in the NFL. Many wondered would the Eagles ask McCoy to restructure is deal, the team never did. Now we see why. Sources also say McCoy and Kelly didn't see eye to eye especially about Shady running style. Kelly is in full control since Howie Roseman was demoted shortly after the Eagles season ended. A season that saw the team start 9-3 then go 1-3 in December to miss the NFC playoffs despite a 10-6 campaign. It's like 'As The World Turns' or 'Day's Of Our Lives' in Philadelphia this off season, stayed tuned.

Curry Harden Westbrook Down The Stretch They Come MVP Race

Stephen Curry has help lead the Golden State Warriors to the top record in the Western Conference. Curry along with Splash Brother teammate Klay Thompson have the Warriors playing an exciting brand of basketball in the Bay Area, for rookie head coach Steve Kerr. James Harden is leading the Houston Rockets to a possible top 4 seed in the Western Conference. Harden is scoring the basketball at will, getting to the free throw line whenever he desires and finding open teammates for good looks. Meanwhile he's leading the Rockets to win after win holding the fort down while Dwight Howard tries to work his way back from knee and back injuries respectively. Meanwhile in Oklahoma City Russell Westbrook his carry the Thunder to a playoff berth especially with Kevin Durant missing several games this season due to various injuries. Lately R. Westbrook has been a triple double machine. We already know historically he's able to get buckets now he's stepping up in other categories. There is about a month and a half left to go in the 2014-15 NBA regular season Curry is currently the favorite to win the MVP however Harden and now Westbrook are both right on his heels, it'll be an interesting race to the finish line.

Currently R. Westbrook Is Hot Hot Hot...Playing Lights Out

Russell Westbrook briefly missed some time after suffering a facial injury late in Friday night loss at Portland. Westbrook took an accidental knee to the temple area of the left side of his face. He recorded a triple double against the Trailblazers which was is third in a row. Oklahoma City were able to win in Los Angeles against the Lakers without him. Russell Westbrook returned to action Wednesday night at home against Philadelphia. The rebuilding 76ers took the Thunder to overtime. Westbrook scored a career high 49 points to go along with 16 rebounds and 10 assist. He led Oklahoma to a 123-118 victory. Even prior to the 4 game triple double streak, Westbrook entered the MVP talk with Stephen Curry and James Harden. Kevin Durant has missed several games this season and Oklahoma with R. Westbrook holding the fort down has helped OKC overtake New Orleans for the 8th and final Western Conference playoff spot. There's obviously work still to be done for the Thunder to secure a playoff berth. However where would this team be without Westbrook ? If Durant can return healthy obviously Oklahoma City would be a dangerous 8th or 7th seed in the Western Conference come playoff time. The Thunder have been trying get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. No better time than the present, stay tuned.