Hoops

**My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Declan Sullivan in the wake of his tragic death yesterday. Declan was a student manager for the football program at Notre Dame and died in a tragic video tower accident. This hits home as I spent my college career as a student manager and now have 8 student managers of my own. Once a manager always a manager.**

We laid the smack down to Eastern Michigan last weekend. But that was expected. Losing to that program would've resulted in me quitting my job. Our first half was a little bit embarrassing considering we were only up 17-14. But then we got loose in the second half. We scored on a kick off return and a fake punt. The defense still can't set the edge resulting in teams being able to run all over us. People can go up the middle, they can sweep right, and they can sweep left. People better start plugging up the middle and setting the edge because The U comes to town this weekend and I really don't want to see them have their way with us. The game is set to kick at noon on Saturday on ESPN. It's The U. They lead the country in tackles for loss. Jacory Harris is a pretty good QB, especially if no one pressures him and he doesn't turn it over. Keys to the win will be a strong effort by the O-Line (Big Morgan Moses is really starting to play well), flustering Jacory Harris, and stopping the run. EVen more importantly some of my top guys are coming in this weekend: Gallagher, Mazza, and @yodavethewave. Should make for a big time weekend.

The Buckeyes got back on track Saturday with a 49-0 shut out of Purdon't. They play Minnesota in a prime time game this weekend. That should be a cake walk (no offense Brent). Pryor should put up big numbers in the first half and then the back ups will get their reps. The current debate going on these days is, who is the best one loss team in college football right now? Lou Holtz claims it's the Buckeyes and they will not lose a game the rest of the season. I personally think that Alabama is flying extremely below the radar right now. They are the defending champs and were incredibly hot before they lost a tough game at South Carolina. To me, they are my top 1 loss team. They'll prove that when they smash Auburn. The big time matchup of the week is Oregon at USC. This is a big time test for Oregon and a big time opportunity for USC. First of all, no one is talking about USC but they are actually playing really good. Matt Barkley gets no love but he's played unreal this year. I really think USC is going to give Oregon all they got but that potent offense of the Ducks is going to come out on top.

The Browns took down the defending world champs this past weekend. The game was awesome. The defense turned Drew Brees over and had two pick sixes. They also had a big time fake punt that almost scored and a sweet halfback pass to Colt McCoy on third down that resulted in a first down. To be honest, I've been incredibly impressed with the play of McCoy. While he's only simply had to manage the offense, it's not like he's played terrible doing so. The Browns didn't even plan on playing the guy this year and all he's done is give his best effort against the best D in the league and then beat the New Orleans Saints on the road. You can't really ask much more out of the guy. Honestly, the Browns usually embarrass me but this year, despite being 2-5 they have played really well. I wish they did not blow those first three games in which they lead in the 4th quarter but still they have done alright. I still don't like Mangini. But I like the Browns effort this year.

Xavier basketball had about as good as weekend as you can have when it comes to recruiting. They landed a HUGE committment from D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. A big time pg out of the 2012 class. They then added big boy Michael Chandler a top 100 guy out of Indianapolis to the 2011 class. That propels the 2011 class into the top 10 for next year. Absolutely incredible. Unfortunately the big time success oversahdowed the bad breaks the program took. Brad Redford is out for the season with a torn ACL. Certainly a blow to the team as he was expected to be a big part of this year's success. His lethal long range attack with be missed and losing him makes us pretty thin in the back court. The bright side of the situation is that he will be able to redshirt and still have two years of eligibility. Justin Martin has been ruled a partial qualifier by the NCAA and will only be permitted to practice this year. Another big blow. The kid has a ton of potential and probably given the team some solid minutes this year. However, again this gives him a year to practice within a top notch D1 program, get in the weight room, and refine his game. So you put him into the 2011 class along with Travis Taylor, Dezmine Wells, Michael Chandler, Darwin Davis, and Jalen Reynolds and you have just pure danger in the waiting. I will say that as far as Xavier success goes it may be a down year for X. By down year, I mean don't expect to see 25 wins this year. I think they'll struggle at times, especially since Mack only has 10 scholarship players available but they will continue to do what they do and that's lock down D and run and gun offense. They should once again dominate the A-10 and hopefully get #5 in a row and then compete in March.

The World Series got started last night. Unfortunately, my team The Rangers got smashed by the Giants. I'm pulling for the Rangers simply because of The Claw. This world series should prove to be very entertaining and exciting. Especially if local marijuana shops in San Fran will be offering free tree to everyone inside a shop each time a Giant goes yard. Get sticky Giants.

Blake Griffin looked unreal last night in his NBA debut. Greg Oden is the biggest bust of all time. The Heat are garbage. Kevin Durant is nasty. Mamba raises the trophy again this year.

Killer crossover, with the blow of a kiss...



Killer track...



-'Killa