When Will Sidney Crosby Return To The Penguins

The 2011 NHL Playoff run for the Pittsburgh Penguins will begin without Stanley Cup Champion and team captain Sidney Crosby. The Penguins will begin their series versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Crosby hasn't played since January. Pittsburgh managed to finished second in the Atlantic Division behind Philadelphia and fourth overall in the Eastern Conference. There is no telling if Crosby could return during the first round or if Pittsburgh does advance, returning some point after that. However Pittsburgh and Crosby could be playing this situation safe. Clearly he's one of the faces of the league and his long term feature is more important. I'm sure most hockey people wouldn't be surprised if they didn't see Crosby until next season.

Francona Red Sox Begin Season On A Slide

Terry Francona and the Boston Red Sox, need better starting pitching performances and better clutch hitting especially with runners in scoring position. Boston are many experts selection to win the AL East and represent the American League in the World Series. However that's why 162 games are played on the field opposed to on paper. Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford were new off season additions. 2-7 is the current record after taking two of three games at home versus the Yankees. Prior to arriving at Fenway Park, the Red Sox were swept by the Cleveland Indians and AL Champion Texas Rangers respectively. The entire lineup struggled offensively and Boston had to go to it's bullpen repeatedly in the early going. Boston has last place Tampa Bay coming into town as they'll try to begin a winning streak beyond one game. The heat will be on all season in Boston as expectations are sky high.

UConn Huskies Capture National Championship

The 2010-11 UConn Huskies finished the season perfect in three tournaments. Connecticut won the Maui Invitation to begin the season, followed by winning the Big East Tournament with 5 wins in 5 days and then winning the National Championship. Jim Calhoun now has won a third title and his second in the state of Texas. UConn defeated Duke in 1999 in St. Petersburg, defeated Georgia Tech in 2004 in San Antonio and in 2011 defeated Butler in Houston. Led by junior guard Kemba Walker and freshman forward Jeremy Lamb. The Huskies only allowed an amazing 96 points at the Final Four versus VCU & Butler respectively. 11 Big East Tournament teams made the field of 68, may where gone early. Many critics said the league was overrated. UConn finished 9-9 in conference play, cut down the nets. The game wasn't beautiful, nevertheless a win is a win, a title is a title.

Final Four They're Back To Back Butler Headed To Houston

Southeast Regional Champions are the Butler Bulldogs. Some experts didn't believe in Butler's 2010 National Championship Game appearance, well this year Butler has made it to the Final Four again. #1 seed Pittsburgh was sent home followed by Wisconsin and Florida. Coach Stevens and his team from Indianapolis, has put the Horizon League on the map. Houston, we have a problem as the Bulldogs are heading to Texas. Butler punched their ticket versus Florida by winning in overtime after coming back from a double digit deficit. Cinderella is the title that will be given to them again, however it doesn't bother Butler. All these guys do is survive and advance.

Arizona Destroys Duke Then Williams Fall To Walker UConn Advance To Final Four

University of Arizona knocked out #1 seed and defending NCAA champion Duke Bluedevils. During Thursday Sweet 16 game, the Wildcats All American Derrick Williams hit 5 three's, several post scores and a few dunks in route to 25 halftime points. Eventually Williams Arizona teammates stepped up in the 2nd half to send the champs home. Saturday Kemba Walker and the Huskies took on Williams and the Wildcats. The game was close, back and fourth runs, then back and fourth lead changes. Eventually UConn was able to outlast Arizona 65-63 and advance to Houston, Texas. Awaiting the Hukies at Reliant Stadium will be the 2011 Final Four, their second appearance in three seasons. UConn will represent the Big East as the final team remaining from an eleven bid league. Jim Calhoun has guided his team to their 4th Final Four since 1999, he'll be looking for his 3rd title, his first since 2004.

Butler Out To Prove Final Four Was No Fluke As They Keep Dancing

Butler University Head Coach Brad Stevens lost a player off his 2010 NCAA Final Four team. Gordon Hayward left the program and became a 1st round draft pick of the Utah Jazz. Hayward was a buzzer beater away from a story book ending in the National Championship Game vs. Duke. Butler nearly won a title in the same city as their campus of Indianapolis,IN. Well after defeating Old Dominion on a buzzer beater and knocking out #1 seed Pittsburgh, the Bulldogs are out to prove it's all real, no fluke. Stevens and his Bulldogs will invade New Orleans for the 2011 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 round vs. Wisconsin of the Big 10. It's amazing how Butler is only two games away from returning to the Final Four, the winner of their game will take on the winner of Florida vs. BYU. Houston the site of this year Final Four could be welcoming Butler to the party. However Wisconsin and possibly BYU or Flordia will have something to say about that.

SDSU Led By Fisher Advance To Sweet 16

San Diego State University, led by Steve Fisher were ranked in the top five most of the season. The Aztecs were rewarded with a #2 seed in the West Region. SDSU were taken to the limit last Saturday by #7 Temple, however the Aztecs survived and advanced in double overtime. This weekend in Anaheim, California which will be a short drive from campus, the Aztecs will take on UConn in the Sweet 16. Many remember Steve Fisher from the University of Michigan. Fisher hleped guide the Fab Five to back to back NCAA Final Fours and Championship Game appearances. Fisher also won the 1989 NCAA Tournament after taking over the Wolverines on the eve of the tourney. Now he's help put SDSU basketball on the map, these Aztecs have lost only twice this season and that's only to one team : BYU.