Hottest Sports Stories for Thursday, Dec. 22

Gabe ZaldivarDec 22, 2011

TCU earns their big-boy pants, the Lakers might be in trouble without that Kobe Bryant guy and Floyd Mayweather will be chillaxing in jail if you need him.

Welcome to the Daily Radar, the one place that knows exactly how to brighten your holiday spirits. Leave your comments in the place marked comments.

Let's dish.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report9h

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In this edition:

Nice Guy, But Not That Bright
Matt Barkley Has A Decision To Make
Dayne Crist Wants To Be Mediocre In Kansas
Poinsettia Bowl Magic
Preseason Pugilists
Money May Incarcerated
Tar Heels Walk Over Texas
Daily Fun With Moving Pictures
Bits of Tid
Daily Dessert

MATT BARKLEY STAYS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE HE IS DUMB

The world waited to hear what Matt Barkley had to say Thursday afternoon. Well, those that weren't stuck in a shopping mall. By the end of The Decision Light, Barkley decided to stay at USC.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Was this the right decision?

Our Take: First off, I commend the kid for wanting more knowledge and staying in school. That answer is boring so I will say what's in my heart. This kid is a top-10 pick tomorrow, and he now the god's of fate and things that are silly will surely strike him down with poor play or a bad injury. Get your millions while you can.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 RG3s

The market for sleeper Heisman winners just jumped a bit. If I were Robert Griffin III, I would be sending Barkley a gift basket right about now.

Deeper Dive:

Matt Barkley Stays a Trojan (LA Times)

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MATT BARKLEY WILL BREAK SOMEONE'S HEART TODAY

It must be nice to be in a position to decide whether you want to stay in college to play football in Los Angeles or go to the NFL and make a lot of money. USC quarterback Matt Barkley is going to announce his intentions Thursday afternoon.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Barkley stay or go?

Our Take: Barkley seems like the kind of player that really loves the college game and atmosphere. Plus, the opportunity to play for a Pac-12 and BCS title next year has to be a big factor in his decision.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 InDecision 2011 Bumper Stickers

Barkley would probably be the second quarterback taken if he decided to come out, and would add more depth to what could be a strong group coming out. But he has to do what is in his best interest. And no one wants to go from playing in Los Angeles to Cleveland.

Deeper Dive

Matt Barkley To Announce Plans (ESPN)

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DAYNE CRIST WANTS TO VISIT THE HOUSE FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ

Trading in his Notre Dame jersey for a Kansas jersey couldn't have been easy, but at least Dayne Crist will get a chance to play without fear of losing his job to a better quarterback.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Crist going to succeed in the Big 12?

Our Take: Kansas is a mess right now, not that they were anything special to begin with. They had one great year in 2007, and another bowl appearance in 2008, but that has been it.

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 QBs With An Over-Inflated Sense Of Self-Worth

Crist strikes me as the kind of quarterback that thinks he is a lot better than he actually is. Playing for Charlie Weis in Kansas might help him reach his potential, but until I see it I won't believe it.

Epic Dayne Crist Decisions Announced On Twitter

Deeper Dive

Dayne Crist Transfers To Kansas (USA Today)

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TCU FLUSHES LA TECH DOWN POINSETTIA BOWL

In their final game before moving to the Big 12, TCU showed that they have the mettle to finish what they started in defeating a tough Louisiana Tech team. Aw, look at these big boys.

Question on Everybody's Mind: How will TCU fare in Big 12?

Our Take: It's all about the Big 12 now, and TCU got off on the right foot by skirting what could have been a minor embarrassment in losing to Louisiana Tech. The Horned Frogs have proved they have what it takes to be a significant program going forward.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 I'm a Big Boy Nows

I'm just glad that one more small conference squad has moved on. Now we have one less team whining about computers and needing more BCS hugs.

Deeper Dive:

TCU Scores Comeback Win at Poinsettia Bowl (USA Today)

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LAKERS AND CLIPPERS ENGAGE IN CIVIL WAR

A meaningless preseason game between the Lakers and Clippers was actually entertaining to watch, thanks to a near ejection from Matt Barnes and last second play that rivaled the playoffs.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Who owns LA?

Our Take: Lakers have and always will. However, it was quite evident that Kobe Bryant will be sorely missed if his wrist keeps him out for longer than this game though. As for the budding rivalry, it is far too nuanced to fit here, let's just say the Clippers are not sharing their fancy sauce. Oh, and dunks don't win championships.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 I Want Some Fancy Sauces

After seeing these two teams go for the jugular in a silly game that means nothing, I can't wait to see what happens this season. It is on like Donkey Kong.

Most Appropriate Tweet Award:

Deeper Dive:

Kobe Bryant Injury: 4 Reasons Why Time Is Now for Los Angeles Lakers to Rebuild (B/R)

Clippers Take Advantage of Lakers (LA Times)

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MONEY MAY HIT HARD

For those late to the party, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is going to start the New Year off in jail. Perhaps some of you that party too hard can get an autograph.

Question on Everybody's Mind: What does this do to Mayweather's legacy?

Our Take: That's cute of you, but clearly you haven't been following along. The man that burns $100 bills in the middle of a recession isn't exactly Tim Tebow in fan's eyes. So this domestic violence rap just makes boxing fans shake their heads a little more vigorously.

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Soap on a Ropes

This essentially kills any hope for Pacquiao's next fight to be against Money May. In fact, this may have killed that fight altogether. America, say hello to the boxing Grinch, Floyd Mayweather.

Deeper Dive:

Champ's Career Won't Be Derailed by Incarceration (B/R)

Floyd Mayweather Gets 90 Days in Jail (LA Times)

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TAR HEELS TROUNCE LONGHORNS

North Carolina really only needed Harrison Barnes to finish off Texas in a 82-63 rout.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Barnes back?

Our Take: After a couple games mired in doodoo, Barnes dropped 26 points for No. 6 North Carolina. Don't look now, but he might be on his way to a string of silly games where he flourishes. That only means Roy Williams would have to find his replacement next season though.

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Game, Blouses

You can now go back to ignoring college basketball until brackets are due in March. I promise not to bother you too much with this in the meantime.

Deeper Dive:

Barnes and UNC Dominate Texas (News Observer)

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DAILY FUN WITH MOVING PICTURES

Because what else are you going to watch at work?

JOSE CANSECO CAN STILL HIT

The human pincushion that stuck himself with millions of steroid needles defended himself from a heckler. All's fare in love and war. And if you are going to lob insults, you have to take them too.

Deeper Dive: Watch Former Slugger Shout Insults at Heckling Fan (B/R)

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FAN GETS TO PLAY SOCCER, SORTA

A fan comes onto the field and gets a butt kicking from a goalie. Fun for us, though.

Deeper Dive: Watch Moronic Fan Bring Match to Stunning End (B/R)

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ROWDY STILL HAS PIPES

Roddy Piper reenacts both a Christmas classic as well as the good ol' days in an epic video.

Deeper Dive: Watch WWE Legend's Rendition of X-Mas Classic (B/R)

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EPL LOOKS GREAT AT 20,000

Yesterday, we showed a great infographic of the 20,000th goal in the Premiership. Here is that goal.