2012-13 College Basketball Preview #11 Missouri Tigers

by telnme

#11 Missouri Tigers

RECAP

The Tigers finished the season 30-5(14-4} with a loss to Norfolk St. in 2nd round.

KEY LOSSES

Marcus Denmon 17.7pts 5reb 2.1ast
Kim English 14.5pts 4.2reb 1.6ast

KEY RETURNERS

Mike Dixon 13.5pts 1.8reb 3.3ast
Phil Pressey 10.3pts 6.4ast 2.1ast
Laurence Bowers (10-11) 11.6pts 6.1reb 1.4ast

NEWCOMERS

Keion Bell (Peperdine 10-11) 18.9pts 4.1reb 2.4ast
Alex Oriakhi (UCONN) 6.7pts 4.8reb 1.3blk
Jabari Brown SG/SF 6’5″ 205lbs

OVERALL

The Tigers lose their top two scores from a team that had one of Missouri best seasons in a while and they might be better this season. The Tigers return probably the nations best 6th man in Dixon, the nations best pg that nobody knows about in Pressey,and an inside presence in Bowers that missed all of the 2011-12 season. They add three talented transfers to help with their losses. Bell was arguably Pepperdines best player. He’s a senior who should make an immediate impact. They add another senior in Oriakhi who was the starting center for a Connecticut National Championship team in 2011. The last addition is a transfer from (Brown)Oregon who was a High School All American in 2011 and transferred after only two games. He should be eligible to play come December and is known as a big time scorer. Next season the Tigers make a change to the SEC and should compete for a conference title in their first season. If all the new pieces come together than they could be a Final Four team.

#12 Kansas Jayhawks

Conspiracy Theory: Starring NBA Commissioner David Stern

by Ronnie Hamp

Like most commissioners in professional sports they are normally in the midst of facing controversial issues. NBA Commissioner David Stern is no stranger to controversy. From his controversial stance in the NBA lockout to the almost trade with Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers.

David Stern strikes again!! In the NBA Draft Lottery the Hornets were awarded the top pick in the 2012 Draft. Winning the draft lottery is based of percentages, but in this case it seems a little fishy. I say this because, Stern who is the commissioner of the NBA was once in control of the New Orleans Hornets due to them not having an owner. Now that Stern is not control he is still in the middle of controversy.

I don’t know if Stern had on his lucky “Blue Suede Shoes”, but the outcome of this fiasco will ignite some type of controversy. Lakers fans were pissed at Stern for not letting them acquire Chris Paul and this will only add to his list of haters.

Many suspected that the Charlotte Bobcats would win the lottery, but they are now expected to pick No.2. NBA experts are suspecting that former Kentucky Wildcat Anthony Davis will be the top selection in the 2012 Draft. Davis is not Tim Duncan, but he will help improve a franchise in many areas.

The Hornets are not a large market team so they could use some buzz. Drafting Anthony will be the perfect recipe.

Stern has been praised as professional sports best commissioner, but with these last few blemishes he may be looked at in different fashion. Whenever Stern is asked about the draft lottery he will obviously dismiss any conspiracies dealing with the lottery process. No matter what comes out of his mouth we all know that actions speak louder than words. With Stern’s last few actions we see that it is in his best interest to take care of the team in the Bayou!

Front Office weekly rundown 6/1/12

by JT

We are back for other week of the rundown. A few things took place it’s been a busy week in baseball. Check out what been going on in the world of sports.

MLB

Former Detroit Tiger and Chicago White Sox DH/OF Magglio Ordonez retired.

The Texas Rangers signed P Roy Oswalt for a 1 year minor league deal, if Oswalt is pitching for the big league club by July 1st he will be scheduled to make 4 million dollars with a chance to get incentives.

Cleveland Indians DH Travis Hafner is out 4-6 weeks after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Philadelphia Phillies P Roy Halladay was placed on the 15 day DL with sore right shoulder.

Los Angeles Dodgers OF Matt Kemp reinjured his left hamstring on Wednesday. It may be hurt worst than the previous injury. Dodger fans are holding their breath right now because hamstring injuries can linger all year.

Milwaukee Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy broke his hand when his wife dropped luggage on it while he was searching under a bed for a sock. Lucroy will be out at least 6 weeks. He was having an All Star year for the Brewers.

On Tuesday Cincinnati Reds 3B Todd Frazier saved a person in a Pittsburgh restaurant from choking on a piece of steak with a Heimlich maneuver. After doing that he raked a double and a triple for 2 rbi’s versus the Pirates.

NFL

The Miami Dolphins will be showcased on the HBO’s Hard Knocks series. I don’t think many people are interested in seeing the fins unless you’re a fins fan or females in their crush over Reggie Bush.

Nick Fairley received a DUI in his hometown, his second arrest during this off-season. Ironfist Goddell will be handing Mr. Fairley a suspension soon.

Terrell Owens who was a player/owner(30%) of the IFL team the Allen Wranglers was released. There is some disputes that Owens didn’t meet all the stipulations of the contract. We all know how this will end.

Brian Banks who was recently cleared of a false rape charge will be trying out for a few NFL teams. Good luck to Mr. Banks, I hope he sticks on to somebodies team. Ms. Gibson should pay for falsely accusing a Mr. Banks, that accusation cost him 6 years of his life he can’t get back. I’ll stop because this is a sensitive subject for me, so I’ll close the ramble with this I’ll pray for both of them.

The NFL will keep the Pro Bowl for the 2013 season.

Boxing

Over the Memorial Day weekend Paul Williams was paralyzed after getting into a motorcycle accident. Williams was heading over his brother’s house to get ready for his other brother’s wedding. Williams is paralyzed from the waist down. He was a very entertaining boxer in one of my current favorites. We at The Front Office send up prayers from Mr. Williams, keep fighting champ.

NBA

The New Orleans Hornets won the NBA Lottery on Wednesday night. What they will receive with that first pick will be Kentucky Wildcats C Anthony Davis. Stern better be on the lookout for MJ that’s all I’m going to say.

NCAA

Connecticut Huskies Forward Roscoe Smith is transferring to UNLV.

Alcorn St. hired Jay Hopson who will be the first non-African American head coach of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Hopson was the defensive Coordinator for Memphis.

This weeks addition of the weekly rundown is over. Feel free to tell us who you feel about this weeks news. Until next week, PEACE!

Previous: 5/25/12

Is Ty Lawson ready to take that next step?

by JT

Playing the Lakers during a playoff series is almost like a Point Guard coming out party. It’s like saying look at me america I can ball too. Last year Chris Paul let everybody know his knee was still cool against LA and this year it was 3rd year PG Ty Lawson that said NBA y’all need to take notice.

Tywon “Ty” Lawson has always played at a high level on all levels, in H.S. he was a McDonald’s All American, at North Carolina he led them to a National Championship and in the NBA is he on the brink of being All Star caliber Point Guard?

During his first 3 years he has improved PPG, APG, SPG and FT%. Playing in Denver he doesn’t get much love from the media because they rather talk about Jeremy Lin but during the playoffs he was a key reason the Nuggets pushed the Lakers to a 7 game series. Even with a couple of so so games early on in the series during the 7 games Lawson averaged 19 ppg, 6 apg and shot 51% from the field. The kid was like a one man fast break when he pushed the rock after a make or miss, if he wasn’t creating for himself he was getting his teammates easy shots. Lawson showed off his jumpshot, a knack to get to the hole in take contact, in ability to get his teammates involved on offensive end and the energy to be disruptive on the defensive end by ball pressure or jumping the passing lanes.

The Lakers always let Point Guards get off on them but if the law of averages are right Lawson will come back better next year. If that happens Ty might deserve some All Star votes and might be standing on the best PG’s porches asking can he come into a few houses.

2012-13 College Basketball Preview #12 Kansas Jayhawks

by telnme

#12 Kansas Jayhawks

RECAP

The Jayhawks finished the season at 32-7(16-2) and loss to Kentucky in the National Championship.

KEY LOSSES

Thomas Robinson 17.7pts 11.9reb 1.8ast
Tyshawn Taylor 16.6pts 2.3reb 4.8ast

KEY RETURNERS

Elijah Johnson 10.2pts 3.2reb 3.5ast
Travis Releford 8.5pts 4.2reb 1.8ast
Jeff Withey 9pts 6.3reb 3.6blk

NEWCOMERS

Perry Ellis PF 6’8″ 220
Ben McLemore SF 6’5″ 185lbs

OVERALL

The Jayhawks were expected to have a down season last season and they made it to the finals. I was reluctant to put ‘em at 12 because they lost so much by losing Robinson and Taylor that it’s hard to put them any higher. I expect Johnson to have a break out season and lead the Jayhawks. Withey will continue his defensive domination of the tournament but has to improve his low post game if the Jayhawks want to win another Big 12 championship. Ellis looks to replace Robinson at the four but it will be impossible for the freshman to duplicate the season Robinson had. McLemore had some problems last year and had to miss the whole season but he is ready to make an immediate impact and will be the major difference in the Jayhawks coming close to last season.

#13 The Ohio State Buckeyes

2012-13 College Basketball Preview #13 The Ohio State Buckeyes

by telnme

#13 The Ohio State Buckeyes

RECAP

The Buckeyes finished the season at 31-8(13-5) with a loss to Kansas in The Final Four.

KEY LOSSES
Jared Sullinger 17.5pts 9.2reb 1.2ast
William Buford 14.5pts 5reb 2.7ast

KEY RETURNERS

DeShaun Thomas 15.9pts 5.4reb .9ast
Aaron Craft 8.8pts 3.2reb 4.6ast
Amir Williams 1.7pts 2.1reb .8blk

NEWCOMERS

Amedeo Della Valle SG 6’4″ 180

OVERALL

The Buckeyes take a big hit with the loss of Sullinger and Buford but Thomas will do everything to pick up the scoring slack. Thomas has never seen a shot that he didn’t like and I wouldn’t be surprised if he lead the Big Ten in scoring. Craft is one of the best defenders in the country but will have to do more on offense for the Buckeyes to be successful. With all that being said the ultimate measure of their success will lie in the hands of seldom used sophomore Williams. Williams came in as a McDonald’s All American and his growth in his 2nd year could be what Buckeyes need to return the to the Final Four.

#14 Syracuse Orange