TicketsGoing into last night's Stanley Cup Finals, I was rooting for Vancouver because they care more and the country hasn't won a Cup since 1993. Plus, Boston fans are much more entertaining angry rather than happy. A happy Boston fan is like a cooked fish still with eyes, scales and gills showing up on my dinner plate, I just don't know what to do with it. It's not what you come to expect.
Turns out, Vancouver has more pent up anger than any of us imagined. Scary stuff. Those were some of the most frightening riots in recent history. Over a hockey game. What a black eye for the city.
Although, it did turn out this incredible picture, that I assume is a screenshot of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock from Speed 3: When the Rubber Meets the Ice.
Then there's the cover of the Vancouver newspaper, all I can say is wow.
Let's eat...
--- Football news yesterday!!!!
Yes, something actually happened. It was announced that UC's game at Miami on October 1 will be a 1 p.m. kickoff at Yager Stadium on ESPN3.
We now have kickoff times for every non-conference game except for the Akron home game on Sept. 17.
Both home games will be at night and both road games during the day. Here's the schedule.
--- OK, now back to manufacturing the news. The Orlando Sentinel ranked UC No. 62 in its countdown of every FBS team in college football. The link is nothing but a rehash of last season and where the program is at, but here it is anyway.
That's probably a fair spot considering the team's record from last year, though, I would think returning a senior, First Team Big East QB would hold more weight.
--- Late on this, but saw where Penn State and Pitt are renewing their rivalry later this decade. What rivalry would you like to see UC renew or startup?
Obviously, Ohio State, Purdue and Virginia Tech are already on the schedule in the coming years, so they don't count.
My top five list:
1. Notre Dame: This would hardly be considered renewing a rivalry, since they've only played once. That occurred pre-cars. The year was 1900 and ND won 57-0. But Clifton has been steaming ever since.
Oh, and there is some coach there who might spark interest from the fan base.
2. Kentucky: The two schools last played in 1996 and Kentucky owns the series record, going 21-9-3 against the Bearcats. But with the recent ascension of UC, rise of the SEC where Kentucky has experienced limited success, competition in recruiting and geographic lines, this one makes the most sense.
3. Memphis: Only because of the history between the two schools do I include this. They've played 30 times since 1966 and waged some fun battles in the C-USA days. Memphis' program has turned for the worst in recent years, but college football can flip fast. If the Tigers regroup, it would be fun to revisit.
4. Ohio: This was never really a rivalry, but I want UC to play a game in Athens so I can return to my alma mater. The End.
5. Xavier: Oh, sorry, they don't have a football team. Just wanted to bring that up again.
--- Back to Collaros, Andrea Adelson looked at the possible Heisman contenders from the Big East. In a perfect world, if that team put together a stellar season, she saw three candidates in the conference. Collaros, Geno Smith and Ray Graham.
Last year was the first season since 2005 the Big East didn't have a player in the Top 10 of the Heisman voting. Mardy Gilyard finished 9th in 2009.
Should Collaros throw for 3,000 yards, run for 800 and hold a 4:1 TD-interception ratio while UC wins the Big East, yeah, I'd say he would receive some Heisman votes.
Is that likely? Maybe not. But I don't think anybody would be shocked considering the immense talent Collaros possesses and the skill players around him.
--- When butt dialing becomes an NCAA violation. Key lock those phones, coaches!
--- If you were wondering why there were hundreds of high school football players on campus this week, here you go. The camp season is in full swing for Butch Jones.
--- Jeff Goodman, now of CBS, ranked college hoops coaches by age bracket. Mick didn't show up in the up-and-comers leaderboard, but he's certainly knocking on the door. Goodman was much more results based with his analysis, placing Shaka Smart Top 5 for his one run to the Final Four.
If you're judging overall talent, I'd take five years of the rebuild Cronin accomplished instead of three special weeks in March. Also, Cronin has been a top assistant under No. 2 and No. 5 in the 50-60 list. But, clearly, I'm biased.
--- Shawn Sell caught up with former UC pitcher Dan Osterbrock, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He was last seen in Double-A for the Twins, hopes to return by August and eyes a season of winter ball. The story includes a full update on all the UC players in independent, minor and major league baseball.
--- From last night, Kevin Youkilis contributed the only runs in a 3-0 Boston win against Tampa, with a three-run bomb for the Sox. That's 10 on the year for Youk.
Tony Campana was 0 for 1 in a pinch-hit role and Josh Harrison did not play.
--- I've often said no bigger dichotomy between how a franchise should exist in a city compared to how it shouldn't lives in the gap here in Cincinnati. Giving back to the community, catering to fans, caring about the product on the field, treating employees well, etc. The ESPN worst franchises in pro sports survey only further drives home the point.
--- Some randomness...
--- This guy does an impeccable Axl Rose impersonation? Does he not show up for gigs, too?
--- The funniest women on television got together for a roundtable conversation. This is how a lot of my dreams begin.
--- LeBron's entourage thinks it can take care of all this negative publicity.
--- People are starting to snatch up Paul McCartney tickets. The guy is supremely talented. There would be a catalog of songs I'd be excited to hear, but this will always be at the top no matter how popular.
Turns out, Vancouver has more pent up anger than any of us imagined. Scary stuff. Those were some of the most frightening riots in recent history. Over a hockey game. What a black eye for the city.
Although, it did turn out this incredible picture, that I assume is a screenshot of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock from Speed 3: When the Rubber Meets the Ice.
Then there's the cover of the Vancouver newspaper, all I can say is wow.
Let's eat...
--- Football news yesterday!!!!
Yes, something actually happened. It was announced that UC's game at Miami on October 1 will be a 1 p.m. kickoff at Yager Stadium on ESPN3.
We now have kickoff times for every non-conference game except for the Akron home game on Sept. 17.
Both home games will be at night and both road games during the day. Here's the schedule.
--- OK, now back to manufacturing the news. The Orlando Sentinel ranked UC No. 62 in its countdown of every FBS team in college football. The link is nothing but a rehash of last season and where the program is at, but here it is anyway.
That's probably a fair spot considering the team's record from last year, though, I would think returning a senior, First Team Big East QB would hold more weight.
--- Late on this, but saw where Penn State and Pitt are renewing their rivalry later this decade. What rivalry would you like to see UC renew or startup?
Obviously, Ohio State, Purdue and Virginia Tech are already on the schedule in the coming years, so they don't count.
My top five list:
1. Notre Dame: This would hardly be considered renewing a rivalry, since they've only played once. That occurred pre-cars. The year was 1900 and ND won 57-0. But Clifton has been steaming ever since.
Oh, and there is some coach there who might spark interest from the fan base.
2. Kentucky: The two schools last played in 1996 and Kentucky owns the series record, going 21-9-3 against the Bearcats. But with the recent ascension of UC, rise of the SEC where Kentucky has experienced limited success, competition in recruiting and geographic lines, this one makes the most sense.
3. Memphis: Only because of the history between the two schools do I include this. They've played 30 times since 1966 and waged some fun battles in the C-USA days. Memphis' program has turned for the worst in recent years, but college football can flip fast. If the Tigers regroup, it would be fun to revisit.
4. Ohio: This was never really a rivalry, but I want UC to play a game in Athens so I can return to my alma mater. The End.
5. Xavier: Oh, sorry, they don't have a football team. Just wanted to bring that up again.
--- Back to Collaros, Andrea Adelson looked at the possible Heisman contenders from the Big East. In a perfect world, if that team put together a stellar season, she saw three candidates in the conference. Collaros, Geno Smith and Ray Graham.
Last year was the first season since 2005 the Big East didn't have a player in the Top 10 of the Heisman voting. Mardy Gilyard finished 9th in 2009.
Should Collaros throw for 3,000 yards, run for 800 and hold a 4:1 TD-interception ratio while UC wins the Big East, yeah, I'd say he would receive some Heisman votes.
Is that likely? Maybe not. But I don't think anybody would be shocked considering the immense talent Collaros possesses and the skill players around him.
--- When butt dialing becomes an NCAA violation. Key lock those phones, coaches!
--- If you were wondering why there were hundreds of high school football players on campus this week, here you go. The camp season is in full swing for Butch Jones.
--- Jeff Goodman, now of CBS, ranked college hoops coaches by age bracket. Mick didn't show up in the up-and-comers leaderboard, but he's certainly knocking on the door. Goodman was much more results based with his analysis, placing Shaka Smart Top 5 for his one run to the Final Four.
If you're judging overall talent, I'd take five years of the rebuild Cronin accomplished instead of three special weeks in March. Also, Cronin has been a top assistant under No. 2 and No. 5 in the 50-60 list. But, clearly, I'm biased.
--- Shawn Sell caught up with former UC pitcher Dan Osterbrock, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He was last seen in Double-A for the Twins, hopes to return by August and eyes a season of winter ball. The story includes a full update on all the UC players in independent, minor and major league baseball.
--- From last night, Kevin Youkilis contributed the only runs in a 3-0 Boston win against Tampa, with a three-run bomb for the Sox. That's 10 on the year for Youk.
Tony Campana was 0 for 1 in a pinch-hit role and Josh Harrison did not play.
--- I've often said no bigger dichotomy between how a franchise should exist in a city compared to how it shouldn't lives in the gap here in Cincinnati. Giving back to the community, catering to fans, caring about the product on the field, treating employees well, etc. The ESPN worst franchises in pro sports survey only further drives home the point.
--- Some randomness...
--- This guy does an impeccable Axl Rose impersonation? Does he not show up for gigs, too?
--- The funniest women on television got together for a roundtable conversation. This is how a lot of my dreams begin.
--- LeBron's entourage thinks it can take care of all this negative publicity.
--- People are starting to snatch up Paul McCartney tickets. The guy is supremely talented. There would be a catalog of songs I'd be excited to hear, but this will always be at the top no matter how popular.