Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Rivalry You Don't Know, Gonzaga - Washington

It may not be Duke/North Carolina, or even Pitt/Syracuse, but on Wednesday morning two bitter in-state rivals will renew hostilities in a setting that was unrealistic back when the rivalry went into a dormant phase nearly a decade ago.
The rivalry that’s built up a chatter recently is one that takes place in the upper northwest section of the United States–the Washington-Gonzaga rivalry. In most years, these two teams are the two best in the state of Washington. This year should be no exception. Unfortunately, it comes to no surprise that people east of the Rockies are probably unaware that these two teams are such bitter rivals.
The two teams will resume the in-state rivalry in the Bahamas as apart as the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament that is held every year in Nassau. A surprise setting for the game despite only being separated by 282 miles. No one knows for sure why the two stopped playing. One will project because one coach wanted to play home and homes and the other wanted to play at a neutral site game. More importantly, what makes this a special rivalry is the programs. Washington, a 44,ooo student public school with a rich tradition of football. In contrast, Gonzaga is a 7,000 student catholic school with no football at all.
Even with all of these differences, there is quite a lot of similarities between the two schools. Before Gonzaga Head Mark Few became the head coach in 1999. Gonzaga basketball wasn’t what it was today. In comparison, before Lorenzo Romar was inaugurated Washington Head Coach, the Huskies were an afterthought. Both coaches have elevated their respective programs to new heights with the time that they have had. Gonzaga has an unprecedented 15 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, while Washington has been to three Sweet 16’s in the past 13 years however they haven’t reached one in the past five years.
There is not much respect between the two head coaches. Gonzaga has been a thorn in Washington’s side for the last decade and a half, as Romar possesses a 1-4 record as the Washington coach against Gonzaga. This makes the rivalry somewhat unique as in most rivalries the big brother dominates the little brother, however this has not been the case in recent years.
Gonzaga has been a WCC powerhouse for the decades and the only thing that has prevented them from changing conferences is the fact that no conference will take them because of the absence of a football team on campus. In other words, Gonzaga has grown to be such a force on the basketball court that they are playing in competition that is too weak for them in the WCC.
Mark Few advanced to his first Elite Eight last year and was able to do something Romar has not yet been able to accomplish. For Romar, its his turn to answer his critics. His young, but talented team has shown some promise in the early season as they are in a stretch of playing their first four games in three different countries. So far its been good for the young Dawgs. A date with the star-studded Gonzaga Bulldogs could give the Huskies the first bit of adversity of the young year.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Ibrahimović is Special, Sweden has been Spoiled

Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of a kind. On Tuesday night in Copenhagen he proved exactly why he is such a special soccer player as Sweden was involved with a Playoff matchup against Denmark. He may be controversial off the pitch, but when a player can perform as well as Ibrahimović does, it is hard argue with any of his amateurish antics off the field.
On Tuesday night Ibrahimović added his 61st and 62nd goals in the traditional yellow shirt, blue shorts Swedish jersey. By far the most of any other player on the Sweden roster right now. It wasn't that he scored though, it was the way he scored. In the first half it was off a corner kick, Ibrahimović received the small space he needed and exploited to give the gentlest of touches to find the bottom corner to give Sweden the 1-0 lead on the night, and the 3-1 aggregate lead.
His second goal was even more breathtaking. A free kick from a bit of a distance, he brilliantly kicked a shot that bent just enough to squeeze into the Danish net. This gave Sweden the 2-0 lead and at the same time sent a dagger through the hearts of Sweden's bitter Scandinavian rival.
Ibrahimović is special. We know that. We have known that for a while now. At the age of 34, the native of Malmo, Sweden is nearing the end of his outstanding career.
As Sweden hung on for a 2-2 tie and advanced 4-3 on aggregate. Sweden punched their ticket for this summer's marquee event. This will be a very special occasion for Ibrahimović, where the PSG striker will return to his second home this summer as European's best will gather in France as the host country of the last European Championship.
Ibrahimović fully intends to be apart of the roster that head coach Erik Hamrén names in late May. If you're a faithful Swedish supporter, you should as well. It won't go as far as to say Sweden is a one man team. Let's be honest, there are a few other good players too but Ibrahimović is the main piece to the puzzle. In Euro Qualifying, Ibrahimović scored an eye-popping 11 goals. The rest of the team chipped in with eight.
He is a once in a generational player, because he is playing for a country of 9 million makes the story even more extraordinary. Sweden has simply been spoiled with Ibrahimović putting on the Sweden colors for the 15th year now. The cocky things he says sometimes are likely not called for. However when you back it up on the pitch like he does, it really should give an athlete permission to say whatever he wants within reason.
Euro 2016 will likely be his swan song. France will be the perfect place to host it. Ibrahimović returns home later this week with his club team as PSG takes on Malmo FF in a UEFA Champions League Group Stage game. In June he will do the opposite returning to his second home with the national team. It will be must see TV with an event that France will be hosting patriotically given the events that happened last week.
Ibrahimović's days on the field are surely limited. He is an extremely gifted player. Let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Sports Guide Nov. 20th, 2015

Must See Games
George Mason vs Ok. State 1 PM ET
Hofstra vs Florida State 3:30 PM ET
VCU vs Duke              Aprox. 7:30 PM ET
Bulls vs Warriors 10: PM ET




Good action in the NBA tonight as the Grizzlies host the Rockets and the Warriors will try to remain unbeaten as they welcome the Bulls into town.

76ers
4:00 PM
Hornets
Nets
4:30 PM
Celtics
Rockets
5:00 PM
Grizzlies
Knicks
5:00 PM
Thunder
Spurs
5:00 PM
Pelicans
Pistons
5:00 PM
Timberwolves
Jazz
5:30 PM
Mavericks
Suns
6:00 PM
Nuggets
Clippers
7:00 PM
Trail Blazers
Bulls
7:30 PM
Warriors
Raptors
7:30 PM




In the NHL, the Kings will go into hockeytown to take on the Red Wings while later in the night the Stanley Cup Champions continue their western road swing as they look to put out the Flames in Alberta.

Maple Leafs
4:00 PM
Hurricanes
Predators
4:00 PM
Blue Jackets
Kings
4:30 PM
Red Wings
Canadiens
4:30 PM
Islanders
Devils
6:00 PM
Oilers
Blackhawks
6:00 PM
Flames






More hoops through out the day tomorrow as Feast Week continues on ESPN. At 1 PM ET George Mason will play Oklahoma State. In the evening the 2K Sports Classic begins with George Town and Wisconsin at 5 PM ET followed by VCU and Duke 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game at MSG. In the late games out west ECU will challenge Cal at 11 PM ET.
Friday, November 20
MATCHUPTIME  (PT)NAT TVLOCATIONTICKETS
Minnesota
Missouri State
7:30 AMESPNU
WatchESPN
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoBuy on StubHub
Eastern Michigan
8:00 AMESPN3
WatchESPN
Convocation Center , Ypsilanti, MichiganBuy on StubHub
Ohio
Tulsa
10:00 AMSports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, Virgin IslandsBuy on StubHub
Oral Roberts
Tennessee-Martin
10:00 AMJMU Convocation Center, Harrisonburg, VirginiaBuy on StubHub
George Mason
Oklahoma State
10:00 AMESPNU
WatchESPN
TD Arena, Charleston, South CarolinaBuy on StubHub
Temple
#22 Butler
10:00 AMESPN2
WatchESPN
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoBuy on StubHub
CSU Bakersfield
12:00 PMIcardo Center, Bakersfield, CaliforniaBuy on StubHub
Hofstra
Florida State
12:30 PMCBSSNSports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, Virgin IslandsBuy on StubHub
Florida Intl
James Madison
12:30 PMJMU Convocation Center, Harrisonburg, VirginiaBuy on StubHub
Ole Miss
Towson
12:30 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
TD Arena, Charleston, South CarolinaBuy on StubHub
Siena
Radford
1:00 PMChace Athletic Center, Smithfield, Rhode IslandBuy on StubHub
Wisconsin
Georgetown
2:00 PMESPN2
WatchESPN
Madison Square Garden, New York, New YorkBuy on StubHub
Northeastern
Florida Atlantic
2:00 PMMillett Hall, Oxford, OhioBuy on StubHub
Mississippi State
Texas Tech
2:00 PMESPNU
WatchESPN
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoBuy on StubHub
DePaul
South Carolina
3:00 PMCBSSNSports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, Virgin IslandsBuy on StubHub
Ball State
Eastern Kentucky
3:00 PMMcBrayer Arena, Richmond, KentuckyBuy on StubHub
Howard
3:00 PMBurr Gymnasium, Washington, District of ColumbiaBuy on StubHub
UT-Arlington
Ohio State
4:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio283 tickets available from $9
Penn State
Duquesne
4:00 PMCONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaBuy on StubHub
Rider
#3 Maryland
4:00 PMBTNXFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland935 tickets available from $9
Prairie View A&M
Bryant
4:00 PMChace Athletic Center, Smithfield, Rhode IslandBuy on StubHub
East Tennessee State
#11 Villanova
4:00 PMThe Pavilion , Villanova, Pennsylvania27 tickets available from $41
Lipscomb
Miami (OH)
4:00 PMMillett Hall, Oxford, OhioBuy on StubHub
Murray State
Georgia
4:00 PMSECN+
WatchESPN
Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Georgia40 tickets available from $10
Stetson
West Virginia
4:00 PMWVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia150 tickets available from $9
Delaware
Iona
4:00 PMHynes Athletics Center, New Rochelle, New YorkBuy on StubHub
Appalachian State
Hampton
4:00 PMConvocation Center , Norfolk, VirginiaBuy on StubHub
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
#13 Michigan State
4:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Breslin Center, East Lansing, Michigan923 tickets available from $9
Jacksonville
4:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial, Jacksonville, FloridaBuy on StubHub
Jacksonville State
Winthrop
4:00 PMWinthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill, South CarolinaBuy on StubHub
Miami (FL)
#16 Utah
4:00 PMESPNU
WatchESPN
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoBuy on StubHub
Seton Hall
Bradley
4:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
TD Arena, Charleston, South CarolinaBuy on StubHub
#5 Duke
VCU
4:30 PMESPN2
WatchESPN
Madison Square Garden, New York, New YorkBuy on StubHub
South Dakota
Kansas State
5:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KansasBuy on StubHub
Wright State
#2 Kentucky
5:00 PMSECN
WatchESPN
Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky97 tickets available from $42
McNeese State
#8 Oklahoma
5:00 PMLloyd Noble Center, Norman, Oklahoma479 tickets available from $9
Columbia
Northwestern
5:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, Illinois367 tickets available from $9
Charleston Southern
Arkansas
5:00 PMSECN+
WatchESPN
Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Arkansas230 tickets available from $9
Louisiana Lafayette
Alabama
5:00 PMSECN+
WatchESPN
Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Alabama69 tickets available from $9
Jackson State
#20 Baylor
5:00 PMFerrell Center, Waco, Texas183 tickets available from $9
Detroit
Pittsburgh
5:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania265 tickets available from $9
Milwaukee
5:00 PMESPN3
WatchESPN
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Milwaukee, WisconsinBuy on StubHub
UT-Rio Grande Valley
5:00 PMUTRGV Fieldhouse, Edinburg, TexasBuy on StubHub
Indiana State
Norfolk State
5:30 PMSports and Fitness Center, St. Thomas, Virgin IslandsBuy on StubHub
South Carolina State
Longwood
5:30 PMMcBrayer Arena, Richmond, KentuckyBuy on StubHub
Xavier
#24 Michigan
6:00 PMBTNCrisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan411 tickets available from $16
Utah State
6:00 PMDee Glen Smith Spectrum, Logan, UtahBuy on StubHub
BYU
6:00 PMMarriott Center, Provo, UtahBuy on StubHub
Portland
Colorado
6:00 PMPAC12Coors Events Center, Boulder, Colorado361 tickets available from $9
Utah Valley
6:00 PMUCCU Center, Orem, UtahBuy on StubHub
Northern Arizona
6:00 PMJ. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff, ArizonaBuy on StubHub
Georgia Southern
Auburn
6:30 PMSECN+
WatchESPN
Auburn Arena, Auburn, Alabama143 tickets available from $14
Long Beach State
#6 Virginia
6:30 PMESPNU
WatchESPN
TD Arena, Charleston, South CarolinaBuy on StubHub
Sacramento State
7:05 PMThe Nest, Sacramento, CaliforniaBuy on StubHub
San José State
Montana State
7:05 PMBrick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, MontanaBuy on StubHub
Savannah State
#25 Oregon
8:00 PMPAC12Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OregonBuy on StubHub
Idaho State
Washington State
8:00 PMPAC12Friel Court, Pullman, Washington107 tickets available from $9
East Carolina
#15 California
8:00 PMPAC12Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California