NCAA Final Four

It is here! The Final Four is upon us, and after a long season only four teams remain to vie for the championship match. The two games are…

West Virginia vs. Duke

West Virginia is really strong now. Duke will stay strong, but fade down the stretch. West Virginia will use their consistent shooting and great defensive skills to win a tough match up.

Butler vs. Michigan State

This one is tougher. Butler is strong. Michigan State is really only here because of Tom Izzo’s leadership. Butler knows how to play the game well, and they will meet West Virginia in the finals.

Final Four tonight!

NCAA Elite 8

Welcome back! 360SportsJam picked 6 of the 8 games on Thursday and Friday for a percentage of 75%. Now we are here in the Elite 8, and the tension is rising. So here are the picks, with a little more detail.

Michigan State vs. Tennessee

An intense game here, pitting two very strong teams against each other. Michigan State showed they can win without Kalin Lucas running the show. They’ll do it again versus Tennessee, as the Spartans have shot well all season, and will do so again.

Butler vs. Kansas State

Kansas State has what it takes to make it to the Final 4 over Butler.  They’re shooting fine and will beat Butler easily.

Kentucky vs. West Virginia

This will be a close game. two very good teams, but I have a feeling that West Virginia will be over looked. That will send Kentucky to its grave.

Duke vs. Baylor

This might be an upset pick, but I’ll go with it. Baylor should win here. They are very intense and seem like they know what they’re doing even though they haven’t been to the tournament in 60 years. They are very well-balanced and will use this to take the win.

Tonight begins the Elite 8! Let’s see who makes it to the Final 4!

NCAA Sweet 16

Here are 8 picks for the Sweet 16:

Northern Iowa vs. Michigan State

Let’s go with Michigan State here. They seem to know what they’re doing, and will win again for an Elite 8 appearance.

Tennessee vs. Ohio State

Ohio State has been a consistent team throughout the year. They will easily beat Tennessee.

Syracuse vs. Butler

The Orange will have a tough game here, but will come out on top. Butler is a legitimate opponent.

Xavier vs. Kansas State

Kansas State will have an easy win. Xavier will contend at the beginning, but will fall behind late.

Kentucky vs. Cornell

Everyone’s rooting Cornell, I know.  But realistically, Kentucky will win this game. They are simply too good.

West Virginia vs. Washington

Washington did well last week. But West Virginia will bowl over them.

Here are 8 picks for the Sweet 16:

Duke vs. Purdue

Hmmm. This one is actually  tough. But Duke will win in a close match up.

Baylor vs. St. Mary’s (Ca.)

I like Baylor’s chances. They are a pretty well-rounded team and will compete for a Final Four Spot.

Done! Now to watch the games and hope I do well.

NCAA 2nd Round

A little late here. Sorry about that, I didn’t even get a chance to do my first round picks.

A Few Thoughts On the First Round:

1. I actually wasn’t surprised when Georgetown lost to Ohio. Ohio is a very strong team, and Georgetown seemed a little too weak to me.

2. Robert Morris vs. Villanova was a little too close for my taste. If the committee thinks Villanova is a 2 seed, Villanova should play like a 2 seed. This game should not have gone to double overtime.

3.

4. Those 1 vs. 16 games were horrendous. Someone get a medical van quickly!

I can tell you that I got 63% of those first rounders correct, which isn’t that good, even if this is my first time around the block. But anyway, here are some picks for the 2nd Round. No game previews, only because there are so many games and I am not as well versed in college basketball as I am in football, baseball, or soccer.

Midwest:

Kansas vs. Northern Iowa: Kansas

Michigan State vs. Maryland: Maryland

Tennessee vs. Ohio: Tennessee

Georgia Tech vs. Ohio State: Ohio State

West:

Syracuse vs. Gonzaga: Syracuse

Butler vs. Murray State: A close game, but I will have to pick Butler

Xavier vs. Pittsburgh: Upset pick! Xavier

Brigham Young vs. Kansas State: Kansas State

East:

Kentucky vs. Wake Forest: Kentucky

Cornell vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin

Washington vs. New Mexico: New Mexico

Missouri vs. West Virginia: West Virginia

South:

Duke vs. California: Duke

Texas A&M vs. Purdue: Texas A&M

Old Dominion vs. Baylor: Baylor

Saint Mary’s vs. Villanova: Villanova Hopefully they will play better this time!

Okay then, there are today’s and tomorrow’s 16 games laid out for you. This format will be followed (hopefully) the whole way through the tournament.

NFL 2009-2010 Review

Now it is time to take a look back at the season, hand out some awards, and see how I did in my predictions.

AFC East:

I picked the Patriots. Actual Winner: Patriots

I am not surprised here. The Jets contended and made a wild card, but the Patriots were solid the whole way through.

AFC North:

I picked the Steelers. Actual Winner: Bengals

This was a real surprise. I did not expect the Bengals to win it this year. I did pick the Ravens for a wild card which was right.

AFC South:

I picked the Titans. Actual Winner: Colts

I did say whoever lost the division would make it in on wild card, but that did not happen. I should have picked the Colts.

AFC West:

I picked the Chargers. Actual Winner: Chargers

This was right. I did say the Broncos might have a shot at wild card, which they did, but they blew it.

Wild Cards:

I picked Colts and Ravens. Actual Wild Cards: Ravens and Jets.

I did not do that bad in this conference. Counting the Colts division win a half point because they did make it to the playoffs (and the Super Bowl!), I got 3.5 out of 6 possible. I could do better though.

NFC East:

I picked the Giants. Actual Winner: Cowboys

Hmm. I picked the Cowboys as contenders, but I didn’t see the Giants collapsing like they did. Eagles did come out as wild card winners.

NFC North:

I picked the Packers. Actual Winner: Vikings

Well, it was the inverse, actually. The Packer got wild card and the Vikings got division. Not bad though.

NFC South:

I picked the Falcons. Actual Winner(and eventual Super Bowl champ!): Saints

That was really dumb. But of course, how could I know that they were going to win?

NFC West:

I picked the Cardinals. Actual Winner: Cardinals

Hooray! Something right for once.

Wild Cards:

I picked Eagles and Vikings. Actual Wild Cards: Packers and Eagles.

The divisions were killers here. I got the wild cards pretty right and most of the playoffs.

I got 1.5 out of 6 in the conference and overall 5 out of 12.

Well, the season is over. I feel I know a lot more about football now, and I will probably make better picks next year!

Super Bowl XLIV

It is now official. The Saints are the 44th champion of the National Football League.

Writing off of my Doritos cheese  and Utz salt covered notepad, here are the major highlights and the recap of last night’s Big Game.

1st Quarter:

There was a surprising start to the game, as the Saints did not score on their first possession of the game, something that doesn’t happen very often. This did not bode well for the Saints. After a punt, Peyton Manning took over and led the Colts deep into Saints territory, but when they couldn’t convert on a third down. They settled for a field goal. Colts 3-0

Courtney Robey fumbled the kickoff, but it was recovered by a Saints player. The Saints started out well and drove all the way to the 50, then collapsed and had to punt again. Ater a series of big plays by Joseph Addai, Manning flipped the ball to Pierre Garcon in the endzone to put the Colts up. Colts 10-0

2nd Quarter:

Little to no offense as the Saints make a field goal  (Colts 10-3), and then another to end the half with a very defensive game on the viewers’ hands. Colts 10-6

3rd Quarter:

This third quarter started off with something simply amazing. The Saints used on onside kick and recovered it after a fierce fight to start around their own 40. This gave them plenty of momentum and they drove down for a quick touchdown pass to Pierre Thomas for their first lead of the game. Saints 13-10

The Colts came back though and Joseph Addai ran for another touchdown which made it Colts 17-13.

The Saints came back and Garrett Hartley set a record with 3 40+ yard field goals in the Super Bowl. Colts 17-16.

4th Quarter:

The Saints scored again with a pass to Jeremy Shockey for another touchdown. the Saints then converted for two points even though the play was at first called an incomplete pass. Saints 24-17

The it came down to Peyton Manning. He started great and it looked like the game might go into over time. But then on a crucial throw Tracy Porter stepped in front of Reggie Wayne and took it 74 yards all the way to the end zone.

Tracy Porter intercepts the football.

Touchdown! Tracy Porter celebrates the game-clinching interception.

And with that, the Saints became the 44th champions of the National Football League.

Saints 31, Colts 17

Super Bowl Preview

Alright, here we go everyone. This is it. Super Bowl XLIV is less than 3 hours away, and here is 360 Sports Jam coming through once again with a preview of the big game.

Saints

When the Saints pass:

Neither team has a good defense, as both are more the offensive type. Brees can run over the Colts defense. Edge: Saints

When the Saints run:

Again, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas can easily find the holes in this defense of the Colts. Edge: Saints

Colts

When the Colts pass:

Manning and his host of receivers can easily defeat this Saints’ secondary, just like Brees can with the  Colts’ secondary. Edge: Colts

When the Colts run:

The Saints come away victors here. The Colts are a pass-first team and don’t focus on the run as much. Expect the Saints to shut down Addai. Edge: Saints

Special Teams:

Garrett Hartley proved he could kick under pressure, and this game might come down to that. Matt Stover is the veteran though, and I think here it is a tie. Edge: Tie

Coaching:

I think Sean Peyton of the Saints has the better mind and is more creative, where Jim Caldwell lets Peyton Manning do what he wants. Peyton will lead his team to victory. Edge: Saints

Conclusion:

I believe that the Saints have the better team all around, as well as the better defense. The secondary should be able to figure out Manning and his bag of tricks, shut him down, and keep the game score from going too high. Brees and Bush will do the rest.

Pick:

Saints 27-21

Alright, let us see what happens.

NFL Pro Bowl

Not many surprises along both ends of the Pro Bowl spectrum, but there are a few.

Mistake

David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars)– Garrard was the only bad pick this year. I think someone like Joe Flacco should have made it. However, remember that Manning, Rivers, and Brady were the top 3, but none are playing, either because of injury or Super Bowl participation, so Garrard was a lucky injury replacement.

Good Pick

Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)– Rice really deserved it this year. He carried this team, and not to mention my fantasy team, to victory and the playoffs. Yes, they didn’t get far, but he was a big factor in the Ravens’ game plans all year.

Darrelle Revis (New York Jets)– Revis was the top cornerback all year, shutting down big names from all around the league. He really deserved to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Pro Bowl Preview

The NFC has the better QBs and has won the last two Pro Bowl. In the last ten matches, the two conferences are tied 5-5. I look for the NFC to win again in a high scoring duel. Pick: NFC 31-24

NFL Conference Championship Preview

This week pits four teams locked in a battle to decide who will go to the Super Bowl. The Jets visit the Colts in a rematch, while the Saints and Vikings meet for the first time all year.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts rested many of their starters for their last game versus the Jets, but this is the playoffs, and Peyton Manning really makes this team click. With him back in the driver’s seat, we can expect the Colts to be alive after another wave of elimination hits. Pick: Colts 24-17

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

This is the more interesting match up of the weekend. Personally, I think that the Vikings will win this match up.  Containment is crucial for them to win this battle though. They must keep Reggie Bush and his big play ability stuffed, and then they can focus on Brees and his cohorts. But I believe they will be able to pull it off. Pick: Vikings 20-17

Next week will be the Pro Bowl and the week after that the Super Bowl! Check back here the day before both games for previews and analyses!

NFL Playoff Preview

Here is my NFL Week 1 Playoff Preview:

Saturday:

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

The Jets defeated the Bengals last week, but the question is, will they do so again with Cedric Benson being back  for the Bengals? I believe they will, because Darrelle Revis shut down Chad Ochocinco, and he should do so again. The jets have a very powerful run defense, and they should use that to their advantage to move on to the next round. Pick: Jets

Time(ET): 4:30 PM TV: NBC

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

As is always in the playoffs, the games are generally tough to call.  The Cowboys did fairly well last week, and they look like they are ready to go far this season. Probably not Super Bowl material, but very close. They will provide another smashing victory over the Eagles. Pick: Cowboys

Time(ET): 8:00 PM TV: NBC

Sunday:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

The Ravens came close to victory last time they faced New England, but have worsened since then, while Brady has shaken all the rust off his arm. If New England’s defense can hold up and not collapse like last week versus Houston, the Patriots should have an easy win. Pick: Patriots

Time(ET): 1:00 PM TV: CBS

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

I will have to say that the Packers have the better offensive and defensive unit in this match-up as was exhibited last week. Even though their coach doesn’t have the playoff experience Ken Whisenhunt has, their players will still be enough to move on to the next round. Pick: Packers

Time(ET): 1:00 PM TV: FOX