Well, it seems that my Buddies in Burnt Orange and my Hogs are NOT on the same page. If Texas wins, Arkansas doesn't...if Arkansas wins, Texas doesn't. Will this season ever afford me the opportunity to see both of my teams win on the same night? So far, not so much!
Texas played well and had a big lead, then let it go, but pulled it out at the end. I'm glad they won this game, but they just aren't playing like the Longhorns should be playing. So much was expected from them and they have continually disappointed. The Hogs on the other hand, no one expected much out of them after the start of the season and their non-conference record. An online poll on a website I frequent asked people how many games the Razorbacks might win and the overwhelming majority said 9-14. Hardly anyone said 15-19 and even fewer said 20 or more. Fortson coming back to the team has been the major lift that the team needed. I have to admit, I was among the doubters. I thought this season was a loss. I thought last year's SEC record of 2-14 would be a good target when looking at this team at the beginning of the year. I, as many others, have been pleasantly surprised. I am happy to see their SEC record at 7-5. While they have started playing better and they seem to be gelling at the right time, I still don't think they have any chance of getting into the NCAA tourney UNLESS they win the SEC tourney and get the automatic bid. They would need to go 3-1 in the final four games too. Two of their final four opponents are Tennessee and Vanderbilt, two VERY tough teams so my hopes are not set too high. Don't get me wrong, I'm optimistic, but I'm also very realistic. I think they'll split the final 4 games and win a game, maybe two, in the SEC tourney and get an invite to the NIT. That wouldn't be too bad considering how the year started off.
I know the Winter Olympics are ongoing right now, and I know the USA is way ahead in the medal count, but I just can't bring myself to get too involved in it. I don't know why. Maybe I have a mental aversion to snow skiing after my experience in Crested Butte, CO in the 11th grade when I tore my knee completely apart skiing. I don't hate skiing, I just think it's dangerous. For Sonny Bono and I it was dangerous at least.
So, dag nab it...my teams can't win on the same day. Maybe the final games of the season will prove that last statement incorrect.
Whoo Pig Sooie...Hook 'em!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Eyes of Texas are upon....what?
Well, it's been a few days since I've posted anything. We fell victim to the Great Blizzard of 2010...LOL. But, all kidding aside, there was TONS of sports news. Where to start...
The Saints are Aints NO MORE! I picked the New Orleans Saints. I have to admit that I did NOT think they would actually win, but it was almost like fate, for lack of a better phrase. Is there any better story out there? A town that's built below sea-level is almost completely obliterated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Saints are displaced, people talk about the Superdome being razed, then the team comes back and they start playing like a real big-boy football team. Amazing!! Drew Brees comes from San Diego and no one knows how well he'll be able to play after his injury and he ends up being MVP of Superbowl LXIV. Is there any cuter picture ever captured than that of Brees and his young son with the confetti falling down after the win? It was great. The game was good and entertaining to the very end, especially the Pick 6 that put the Saints up 31-17. I like Manning, don't get me wrong, and it would have been just fine if the Colts had won, but I jumped on the wagon with other Saints fans. Plus, Manning grew up a Saint...being the son of Archie. Let New Orleans enjoy the celebration of a month/year long Mardi Gras and Superbowl victory.
Now, on to other breaking news...the Razorbacks have won 5 straight SEC games. Nope, you didn't misread that...the Hogs have won 5 straight SEC games. Those 5 wins DO include a couple of road victories. Where did this team come from? Is Fortson really the big difference? I don't know the answer to that, but whatever the difference, I LIKE IT. Keep it going. Pelphrey for Heisman. Wait, wrong sport. Ha Ha! I love my Hogs and I love the fact that they are winning. i love them even if they are losing, and they've had plenty of losing seasons lately, but it's soooo much easier to be a fan when your team is winning. Come to think of it, since I moved to Arkansas in 1994, the Hogs have had more losing seasons than they have winning seasons I think. Is it my fault? If so, I sincerely apologize! (But it won't be cause me to move away.) So, Go Hogs, keep on doing what you're doing because it's working!
Now, after talking about my Hogs and their winning streak, I'll breech the topic of my Buddies in Burnt Orange and their losing streak. What the heck is going on down in Austin on the hardwood? Rick Barnes's blood pressure must be through the roof right about now. I have a theory on what's wrong, but I'm no professional so I could be totally wrong. But, that won't keep me from voicing my opinion on what I think. I think Texas has too many GOOD players and not any GREAT players. There's no one or two players who play 35+ minutes on a regular basis. Barnes substitutes players and I think this causes disruption of the team dynamic and does not allow the team to get in a rhythm on the court. I would be glad to share this little nugget with Rick but he seems to have lost my phone number. If he ever gives me a call and asks what to do I'll be more than happy to offer my coaching services for a night. Who knows...maybe I'd be good at it!?!
I said before that I wasn't good at making picks. I was wrong because the picks I made were all right. But, I'm not going to quit my day job just yet! I will make one more pick...The Hogs will win at least 10 SEC games this season (I know, crazy!) and the Longhorns will win at least 10 Big 12 games this season (I know, crazy!). We'll see if I really am good at this stuff.
Whoo Pig Sooie
Hook 'em Horns
The Saints are Aints NO MORE! I picked the New Orleans Saints. I have to admit that I did NOT think they would actually win, but it was almost like fate, for lack of a better phrase. Is there any better story out there? A town that's built below sea-level is almost completely obliterated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Saints are displaced, people talk about the Superdome being razed, then the team comes back and they start playing like a real big-boy football team. Amazing!! Drew Brees comes from San Diego and no one knows how well he'll be able to play after his injury and he ends up being MVP of Superbowl LXIV. Is there any cuter picture ever captured than that of Brees and his young son with the confetti falling down after the win? It was great. The game was good and entertaining to the very end, especially the Pick 6 that put the Saints up 31-17. I like Manning, don't get me wrong, and it would have been just fine if the Colts had won, but I jumped on the wagon with other Saints fans. Plus, Manning grew up a Saint...being the son of Archie. Let New Orleans enjoy the celebration of a month/year long Mardi Gras and Superbowl victory.
Now, on to other breaking news...the Razorbacks have won 5 straight SEC games. Nope, you didn't misread that...the Hogs have won 5 straight SEC games. Those 5 wins DO include a couple of road victories. Where did this team come from? Is Fortson really the big difference? I don't know the answer to that, but whatever the difference, I LIKE IT. Keep it going. Pelphrey for Heisman. Wait, wrong sport. Ha Ha! I love my Hogs and I love the fact that they are winning. i love them even if they are losing, and they've had plenty of losing seasons lately, but it's soooo much easier to be a fan when your team is winning. Come to think of it, since I moved to Arkansas in 1994, the Hogs have had more losing seasons than they have winning seasons I think. Is it my fault? If so, I sincerely apologize! (But it won't be cause me to move away.) So, Go Hogs, keep on doing what you're doing because it's working!
Now, after talking about my Hogs and their winning streak, I'll breech the topic of my Buddies in Burnt Orange and their losing streak. What the heck is going on down in Austin on the hardwood? Rick Barnes's blood pressure must be through the roof right about now. I have a theory on what's wrong, but I'm no professional so I could be totally wrong. But, that won't keep me from voicing my opinion on what I think. I think Texas has too many GOOD players and not any GREAT players. There's no one or two players who play 35+ minutes on a regular basis. Barnes substitutes players and I think this causes disruption of the team dynamic and does not allow the team to get in a rhythm on the court. I would be glad to share this little nugget with Rick but he seems to have lost my phone number. If he ever gives me a call and asks what to do I'll be more than happy to offer my coaching services for a night. Who knows...maybe I'd be good at it!?!
I said before that I wasn't good at making picks. I was wrong because the picks I made were all right. But, I'm not going to quit my day job just yet! I will make one more pick...The Hogs will win at least 10 SEC games this season (I know, crazy!) and the Longhorns will win at least 10 Big 12 games this season (I know, crazy!). We'll see if I really am good at this stuff.
Whoo Pig Sooie
Hook 'em Horns
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