Weekend Encore

This weekend was exhilarating. On Friday night, the Cavaliers beat the Knicks at home. Saturday was a day of thrills. Georgetown lost their second straight to Syracuse on Senior Day. St. John's continued to play well even with all the hype. BYU and San Diego State battled in San Diego. Jimmer led his team to victory on the road given SDSU their second loss of the season [first loss came to BYU earlier this season]. On Saturday night, the Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the #1 team in the nation, Duke. You can't deny them now NCAA committee! Sunday was just as thrilling as Saturday. The Lakers and the Thunder squared off in Oklahoma City. The Lakers showed the world that they are still a team to be reckoned with. The Heat and Knicks fought in Miami. Spike Lee missed the Oscars for it. Let me just tell you that this game was just as exciting. The Knicks got the win by denying LeBron in crunch time. To wrap up the weekend, Ohio State regained the #1 spot in college basketball.

Bubblicious

College basketball is really starting to heat up. Teams on the bubble have to make their move. Frank Martin's team will get a big win over #21 Missouri to improve their resume. Jacob Pullen will lead the Wildcats. Georgetown will get back on track at home versus Syracuse to sweep the season series. The more important thing is that Chris Wright will not be playing after he broke his wrist on Wednesday. Villanova and St. John's will face-off in Philadelphia. With all the hype that St. John's is getting I like Nova to show the world that they are still elite. At 2:00, Kawhi Leonard and San Diego State will get revenge on BYU. On primetime, Virginia Tech and Duke will square off. Virginia Tech will get the upset that will most likely secure them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With Selection Sunday only 3 weeks away, which teams will rise and which teams will fall?
M Dog's Picks
Last Week: 3-1
Overall Record: 16-10

Deadline Day

Today is the trade deadline. There were a couple big moves in the basketball world. The largest one contained the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics. Kendrick Perkins was sent to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Many analysts think this is a bad deal. Of course the trade favors the Thunder, but you already have a lot of experience on the Celtics roster. They need a young player with potential. In other news, Mo Williams and Jamario Moon are heading to the Clipperes for Baron Davis. I do not get this trade at all. The Clippers were finally had some talent and they just gave it away. So all the trade talking is done. What player will make the most impact on their teams?

Breaking News

There is some breaking news in the basketball world. Sources say that Deron Williams will be heading to the Nets. The deal is done. The trade includes Derrick Favors and Devin Harris who will head to Utah along with a couple draft picks. If you ask me, the Jazz are the winners in this deal. You get a lot of young talent who have potential. I just don't think Deron Williams can carry a team deep in the playoffs. There are still a lot of questions to be answered.

Carmelo's Kingdom

Carmelo has a new home. Earlier this morning, he got traded along with Chauncey Billups to the Knicks. The Nuggets get Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Raymond Felton in exchange. Does it make the Knicks better? Of course. You have to remember that Billups is at the end of his career, though. Another thing is that it will take a couple games for them to get used to playing with each other. Those games will be critical if they want to hold the #6 spot in the East. Anthony will debut tomorrow at the Garden when the Knciks take on the Bucks. It looks like Carmelo is where he wanted to be all along.

February Madness

I am sorry for not being able to pick all the 12 and 1 o'clock games. Luckily, I am back in business. In a big PAC-10 battle, I like Washington to climb their way back to the top versus #13 Arizona. #24 Utah State will get a quality road win versus #23 Saint Mary's. On primetime, Michigan State and Illinois will go at it in the Breslin Center. MSU will get a much needed win. Tomorrow, Ohio State has to travel on the road to Mackey Arena. Purdue will give the Buckeyes their second loss of the season. We are getting closer to March Madness. Now, every game counts.

M Dog's Picks

Last Week: 2-2

Overall Record: 13-9

All-Star Lineup

Tomorrow night is the beginning of the 2011 All-Star Weekend. To kick it off, they have the BBVA Celebrity Basketball Game. There are stars from Justin Bieber to Scottie Pippen. It will be televised on ESPN at 7:00 PM/ET. On Saturday, you have the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shooting Contest, Shooting Stars, Rookie-sophomore Challenge, and the most anticipated event of the weekend, the Slam Dunk Contest featuring Blake Griffin. Watch out for Demar Derozan. His preview had a guy in a chicken costume, a trampoline, and a drum. To cap it all off, the East and the West face-off in the All-Star game.

Unstoppable Force

Earlier today, Jadeveon Clowney announced where he is playing football next fall. It was down to Clemson, Alabama, and South Carolina. After he delayed his pick to his birthday [today], he chose South Carolina. With South Carolina's new addition, I predict them to win the SEC. They will be unstoppable with Alshon Jeffery at WR, Marcus Lattimore at RB, and Stephen Garcia running the show at Quarterback. South Carolina fans can look forward to next year.

Somebody Has To Win

At 6:00, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Washington Wizards. The Cavs, fresh off a 26 game losing streak, will look to make it two in a row at the Quicken Loans Arena. The Wizards, on the other hand, have not won a game on the road this whole season. Mo Williams will be a big key for the struggling Cavaliers. He had to sit on the sidelines watching the Cavs blow game after game during that 26 game losing streak, but his first game back he lead his team to victory. In the end, the Cavs will get their second win in a row. This, to me, is the best game of the season, it should be nationally televised. Look at it this way, somebody has to win.

Saturday Showcase

Today there are a couple matchups that catch my eye. At noon, Louisville and Syracuse will battle. Syracuse will get a much needed win. At 2:00, Ohio State and Wisconsin will take the floor. Wisconsin is great at home. Jon Leuer will lead the Badgers to a victory. Texas will fall to Baylor as the Bears are climbing their way back into the picture. On primetime, Pittsburgh and Villanova will end off Rivalry Week at the Pavilion. Pittsburgh will get a huge win. Gary McGhee will be an unstoppable presence down low.
M Dog's Picks
Last Week:3-1
Overall Record:11-7

Titletown Towels

Last night, the Green Bay Packers got their 4th Super Bowl. Aaron Rogers won the MVP with 3TDS and 304 yards. Greg Jennings recorded 2TDS, 4 catches, and 64 yards. James Starks was held to 52 yards. Roethlisberger had 2TDS but 2INT, one that was returned for a touchdown by Nick Collins. At the end of the night, the Packers bought the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown. Looks like the Packers will be heading to see President Obama.

Lord of the Rings

Today is the day that everybody has had marked on their calendars for months. Two of the most historical franchises in the NFL go at it in Arlington. The Packers with the cheese heads and the Steelers with their terrible towels. The Steel City has six Super Bowls. Green Bay has three. Only one will be holding the Lombardi Trophy in their hands tonight though. A big key for the Packers is that Aaron Rogers plays well in domes. BJ Raji will make a big play with Maurkice Pouncey out. The Steelers secondary will need to step up in order to take home the Lombardi. The Packers linebacker core will have to watch Heath Miller. At the end of the day, the Packers will take home the trophy with their former coach's name on it. The whole world will be watching tonight when the NFL's best go at it in Arlington.

Saturday Madness

Today's matchups are not as intriguing as last week's but a top 25 team will have to watch their backs. At noon, Georgetown will be looking for their 6th straight win versus Providence. Providence will give the hoyas a scare but in the end, John Thompson's team will get the win. Texas A&M and Baylor go at it for the #2 spot in Texas. Baylor's experience will show up in the end for the Bears as they get a much needed win. Nebraska will get revenge on Kansas in Lincoln. At primetime, Florida will get a huge win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
M Dog's Picks
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 8-6