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5 Best Contenders Named to 2013 Rimington Trophy Watch List

Randy Chambers — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:20:01 -0400

The watch list for the 2013 Rimington Trophy has been released, and it includes 44 players in all. The award will be handed out to the most outstanding center in college football at the end of the season.

Center is often a position that is overlooked in today's game. With most focused solely on the skill position players, a lot of the stars wouldn't be as well-known if it wasn't for a productive and aggressive offensive line. The award was first introduced in 2000, and it's good to see this position receive some credit for the job these guys do.

The SEC leads the list with nine candidates, while the Pac-12 and MWC is second with five nominees.

Here are the five best contenders for the Rimington Trophy.

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Ronaldinho: Why His World Cup 2014 Dream with Brazil May Be over

Alex Richards — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:11:13 -0400

Heading towards the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, there remains the romantic Brazilian football fan who believes history from 12 years ago, the Selecao's fifth and last triumph, will repeat itself.

With Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm once more and a certain swaggering No. 10 back in irresistible club form, the romantic hopes that Brazil will claim a sixth world crown next summer, led by the two old favourites.

However, the pragmatic Scolari has never been one for romance. The man who rejected Romario in the face of much public outcry in 2002, has offered proof of this once again by overlooking a man who played a major role in that success 11 years ago for next month's Confederations Cup: Ronaldinho.

Whilst the likes of Kaka and Alexandre Pato have also been overlooked, both exclusions are much more understandable. Neither are guaranteed a starting place with their respective clubs and are struggling to make an impact when they do get playing time.

Ronaldinho on the other hand has had no such problems.

Now 33, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year has been in fine form for Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, leading them not only to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, but also to the Campeonato Mineiro title at the expense of rivals Cruzeiro.

The explosive bursts of his Barcelona days may have gone and the physique may have altered, but the mind remains as sharp as ever, as do the extravagant array of flicks and tricks.

Positioned in the centre of manager Cuca's 4-2-3-1 formation for Galo, directing on-field traffic with his intelligence and range of passing Ronaldinho has been outstanding over the course of the last 10 months. Performances of such majesty were prevalent in his winning the 2012 Bola de Ouro (Brazilian Golden Ball) and it is no wonder that in tandem with Diego Tardelli, the brilliant youngster Bernard and the Manchester City reject Jo, Atletico are favourites to claim the Libertadores crown.

Additionally he has recently returned to the national team with three appearances already in 2013, most recently in a 2-2 draw between Brazil's home-based players and Chile. Despite a performance in that contest which could hardly been described as vintage, and amidst reports that he turned up late for the squad get together, the general consensus was that Scolari would call upon Brazil's most recognisable face this summer, as he looks to settle his squad moving towards next year.

That he hasn't, in the face of such irresistible club form, doesn't bode well for Ronaldinho's 2014 chances.

Over the course of the next month Brazil are guaranteed to play five matches; two friendlies against England (June 2) and France (June 9) and three Confederations Cup group games: Japan (June 15), Mexico (June 19) and Italy (June 22). It is a competition in which Scolari's side will be expected to make a statement of intent ahead of next year's competition. In the eyes of many Brazilian supporters, the only way to do that is by winning.

That Ronaldinho doesn't make the grade can only make one wonder whether Felipao has determined he can no longer get the job done against such exalted company.

Yet the make-up of Scolari's first 11, especially in an attacking sense, remains somewhat up in the air. Whilst the prodigious Neymar is a guaranteed starter—his exact role (wide left, false-nine) is still very much open to debate—the other forward/attacking midfield roles are very much up for grabs. Yet whilst Lucas Moura, Chelsea's Oscar, Sao Paulo's Jadson, Lazio's Hernanes and the diminutive Bernard have all been offered the chance to stake their claim, Ronaldinho has been, for want of a better word, ditched.

The player himself has intimated that he certainly won't give up. His dream remains to play for his country when they host next year's tournament:

"I wanted to be in the list and I was hopeful, but it didn't happen the way I wanted," said Ronaldinho, according to Supersport.com.

"But this motivates me even more to try to play better and be recalled in the future. There's still a long way to go until the World Cup and my goal remains the same."

Nonetheless, all things considered and taking into account the players age—he will be 34 come next summer—you have to query that time may well have been called on his international career.

NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Heading into Draft Lottery

Mike Chiari — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:58:52 -0400

With the NBA draft lottery forthcoming, there is plenty of buzz regarding what teams may or may not do with their first-round selections. Even though the draft order has yet to be determined, that hasn't stopped teams from inquiring about potential moves and getting prepared ahead of time.

There is usually a flurry of trades around draft time in the NBA, so it's interesting to note that teams are already posturing. Whether or not rumors come to fruition is anyone's guess as there is a lot that goes into making a trade, but it's certainly fun to speculate.

Here are the latest rumors and happenings surrounding the draft as Tuesday night's lottery draws near.

No. 1 Overall Pick Possibly on the Move?

The Orlando Magic have the best odds when it comes to securing the No. 1 overall pick at 25 percent, according to SI.com, but it is far from a guarantee. The Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets round out the top five. All of those teams have different needs and mindsets, but it's certainly possible that any of them could trade out of the top spot if they get it.

According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, with so much uncertainty surrounding the top of the draft this year, it wouldn't be surprising to see the No. 1 pick get traded.

While trading the pick obviously depends upon who wins the lottery, Amico's assessment makes a lot of sense. There is usually a surefire top selection, but things aren't quite so black and white this year. Most figured that Kentucky center Nerlens Noel would go first, but he could be out until Christmas due to his ACL injury. Kansas guard Ben McLemore is the other option, but he just doesn't seem like No. 1 pick material due to the amount of holes in his game.

There is usually very little drama when it comes to the top pick, so a trade or at least talk of a trade is welcomed. Every team has different opinions when it comes to a guy like Noel, so while the team that gets the top selection may not want him, there's another team that might be willing to give up a king's ransom in order to draft him. Whatever the case, this promises to be one of the most intriguing drafts in recent memory.

Blazers Potentially Looking to Trade Lottery Pick

Things didn't go according to plan for the Portland Trail Blazers this season as they missed the playoffs and are slated to pick No. 10 if the lottery is chalk, but they are actually in a pretty advantageous position.

They already have a legitimate star in power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard figures to be a big-time point guard for many years to come. With plenty of youth and talent already on the roster, Portland has options when it comes to the draft.

According to Joe Kotoch of ProBasketballDraft.com, the Blazers are looking for center depth and may be willing to part with their lottery pick if the right deal comes along.

Portland already has a starting five fitting of a playoff team with Aldridge, Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson, but depth is definitely a problem and the main reason why the Blazers only went 33-49. Hickson had a great year as he averaged nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game, but he isn't a traditional center at just 6'9".

The Blazers do have 2012 first-round pick Meyers Leonard behind him, but they are taking their time when it comes to developing the talented seven-footer. Bringing in another center could a smart move for Portland, especially since it's unlikely an immediate-impact player can be found around the No. 10 pick. It is unclear which centers the Blazers might be targeting, but it is certainly worth monitoring.

Jazz Interested in Moving Up?

Perhaps no team is more firmly entrenched in no man's land than the Utah Jazz. Utah narrowly missed the postseason and has the lowest odds of any lottery team when it comes to landing the No. 1 pick. They also own the Golden State Warriors' No. 21 selection, so they certainly have some options.

In order for Utah to truly become a player in the Western Conference, it needs to make a big splash on draft night.

According to Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey is weighing all options, including potentially moving up in order to nab a desired player.

The Jazz already have a ton of depth in their front court with players like Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors and Marvin Williams. Utah's guard play suffered this season, though, so it could certainly use a bona-fide point guard or a shooting guard who can take over games. It's unclear if those types of players exist in this class, but the Jazz probably won't find them at No. 14 or No. 21.

If Utah can potentially get inside the top 10, then perhaps Michigan's Trey Burke or Indiana's Victor Oladipo become options. The Jazz need a player who can step in and contribute immediately at guard, and trading up is probably the best way to make that happen.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Wayne Rooney: Where Would Manchester United Striker Fit in at Chelsea?

Sam Tighe — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:51:08 -0400

Transfer sagas traditionally dominate summers bereft of international action, and the coming months will be no different.

Gareth Bale and Christian Benteke signing new contracts with their respective clubs will disappoint the nation's media, but the Wayne Rooney discussion is certain to keep the papers ticking over.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Manchester United had rejected a transfer request from Rooney following his non-appearance against Swansea, and now The Mirror believe Chelsea are going all in for him.

Chelsea want to make sure that if Wayne leaves United, there is only one place he will go.

They are prepared to spend, big, big money on Rooney and they have told United that.

Mourinho would love to manage Rooney. He thinks he can get him back to his best and use him in a similar way to how Didier Drogba operated for Chelsea.

It seems all but set for the Manchester United stalwart to leave the club this summer, and with it being his second transfer request, the club would be wise to move him on.

They're facing a difficult summer following the departure of SAF, and incoming David Moyes successfully sued Rooney for more than £500,000 worth of damages for libel following comments in the player's autobiography back in 2008.

Right from the off the relationship is frictious, and moving the player on would make for a much easier first summer in charge at the biggest club in the world.

Chelsea are one of a select group of clubs that could compete with and match the £250,000-per-week Rooney pulls in and have the profile and squad to appease his standards.

Rooney's future at Manchester United seemed more and more likely to be in central midfield as the season wore on, and judging by numerous player comments, he wasn't exactly delighted about that.

No doubt, his No. 1 priority when negotiating with other clubs will be the prerequisite of him playing as a striker, and Chelsea just so happen to have a question mark in that position.

The Mirror's aforementioned source suggests Rooney could be Chelsea's next Didier Drogba, and that expected manager Jose Mourinho would love to coax the best out of the England international.

The Blues' legendary striker would often put the team on his back and carry them up the field, and while they have a very (physically) similar player to him in Romelu Lukaku on the books, it's clear Mourinho isn't willing to hang his hat on him.

Further reports of Mourinho's interest in taking Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani to Chelsea have abounded (via The Guardian), and these constant links spell bad news for Lukaku and Fernando Torres.

A tough-tackling defensive midfielder has emerged as a need for Chelsea, but a dynamic, attacking one has not given the transformation of David Luiz and extended contract of Frank Lampard.

If Rooney joins Chelsea it will be on his own terms, and those terms will be mega wages combined with an assured position of striker.

Would Chelsea fans like to see Rooney lead the line, or see Lukaku given the chance to become the next Drogba instead?

Follow @stighefootball

Sergio Aguero: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Akerman — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:50:25 -0400

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is amongst the many names being touted for a move in the summer transfer window. Here's a breakdown of the Argentinian's difficult 2012-13 season at the Etihad, along with a few hints as to where he could be playing next year.

AGE: 24

CONTRACT SITUATION: Aguero's five-year deal at Manchester City will expire in July 2016.

CAREER STOPS: Independiente (2003-2006), Atletico Madrid (2006-11), Manchester City (2011-current)

CURRENT CAMPAIGN: Premier League—30 games, 12 goals, 2 assists; Champions League—5 games, 2 goals

VIDEO SHOWREEL:

SCOUTING GUIDE: One of the deadliest natural finishers on the planet, Aguero is often unplayable when fully fit. His speed, dribbling skill and ability to score goals from in and around the box makes him extremely difficult to contain for 90 minutes. The Argentinian's knack of scoring match-winning goals often sees his club succeed in difficult situations.

WHERE NEXT? Aguero's season has been difficult on and off the field. With numerous injuries and the break up of his marriage to Giannina Maradona, the 24-year-old is no longer tied to Manchester by his family.

Aguero's ex-wife and son have moved to homes in Madrid and Buenos Aires; an occurrence that has seen the striker once again pop onto Real Madrid's radar according to The Telegraph.

Recent events at Manchester City—namely the sacking of Roberto Mancini and dressing room upset—saw The Guardian report that Aguero wants to leave the club.The Daily Express indicates Barcelona are set to lure Aguero away from the Etihad as a replacement for David Villa.

Amidst the continued interest, Metro suggests Manchester City is ready to offer the prolific forward a bumper new deal to secure his future.

Follow @Nakerman

USMNT: Don't Sweat the Jurgen Klinsmann to Everton Rumors, At Least Not Yet

Michael Cummings — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:49:44 -0400

The American soccer blogosphere blew up Monday afternoon over a rumor concerning United States national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Granted, it was a shocking rumor that, if true, would produce significant upheaval in the United States national team. But for now, it's only a rumor—and a longshot at that.

And for now, fans of the U.S. national team really shouldn't sweat it.

It all began with a tweet.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power tweeted a late-breaking development in Everton's search to replace departing manager David Moyes, who is set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, according to BBC Sport. Klinsmann, it seems, had quickly become a trendy pick among bettors.

JUR THE MANN: We're seeing cash on Jurgen Klinsmann for the next Everton manager. 16/1 into 7/2 second fav behind Martinez #efc #breaking
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 20, 2013

Then, the freak-out.

NBC's Pro Soccer Talk picked up the story, pointing out that Klinsmann's odds for the job had shrunk quickly and reporting that Klinsmann recently followed Everton on Twitter.

MLS blog The Sideline reeled off what-if scenarios like an auctioneer on Red Bull:

Would we be better off without Klinsmann now? Could we recover from such upheavel (sic) a year out from a World Cup? Would Donovan's dream of ever moving to Everton permanently be dead in the water? Was Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard one of the players speaking out against Klinsmann before the qualifiers in March, thus his time at Everton comes to an end?

Wait a second, everyone. Breathe in. Breathe out. Visualize your happy place. Now, let's think about this.

As of Tuesday, Klinsmann's odds had fallen to as short as 4-to-1, according to the Daily Star. But a more significant number is $2.5 million. That is Klinsmann's annual base salary with the U.S. national team (per Washington Post).

That might not be a large salary for a manager in elite European club football (for a comparison, see the Daily Mail's speculation over what Jose Mourinho might earn if he returns to Chelsea). But it represents a significant investment for U.S. Soccer, which paid Klinsmann's predecessor Bob Bradley less than a quarter of that, according to the Post.

As far back as 2006, Klinsmann was described as U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati's "dream candidate" (ESPN FC). After paying a premium to hire his dream coach, it seems almost unthinkable that Gulati would let Klinsmann go 13 months before a World Cup.

Besides, it was only a tweet, and it only meant one bookmaker was taking increased action on Klinsmann from bettors. Remember, a bookmaker's goal is not necessarily to predict what will happen; its goal is to make money.

The British media seem to have settled on Wigan's Roberto Martinez as the favorite to succeed Moyes at Everton, and unless something suddenly changes, U.S. soccer fans shouldn't worry about—or maybe daydream over—Klinsmann's departure.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Isco: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Akerman — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:48:19 -0400

Malaga attacking midfielder Isco is one of many names tipped for a move in the summer transfer window. Here's a scouting guide documenting the Spaniard's recent numbers, along with some suggestions as to where he will be plying his trade next year.

Age: 21

Contract Situation: Isco's three-and-a-half year deal at Malaga will expire in 2018, according to Metro. He recently signed a new deal to add a €35 million buy-out clause without extending his stay at the Rosaleda Stadium.

Career Stops: Valencia (2009-2011), Malaga (2011-current)

Current Campaign: La Liga—35 games, 8 goals, 1 assist; Champions League—8 games, 3 goals, 3 assists

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Isco is one of Spanish football's hottest young properties and has risen to prominence throughout the 2012-13 campaign with a number of delightful performances in La Liga and the Champions League.

His dribbling skills, ability to retain possession and creative passing make him a versatile forward who can play anywhere across the attacking line and midfield. His excellent season was rewarded with a debut for the senior Spanish side on February 6, 2013.

Where Next? Malaga sporting director Mario Husillos confirmed contact from other clubs when Isco signed his new contract in January 2013 according to Sky Sports. The Spanish club understands their prized asset will attract the attention of Europe's best, hence the aforementioned buy-out clause.

Numerous reports suggest Manchester City are leading the chase for Isco's signature according to Metro. The Daily Mail indicated that current Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini will be installed as the Etihad club's new manger and will bring the 21-year-old to England with him.

As expected, the mega-rich Premier League team is not alone in its pursuit of the starlet. According to The Daily Mirror, City are set to do battle against Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona for his transfer.

Goal.com reported that PSG also sent scouts to watch Isco. Their interest is matched by Monaco, whose 2011 takeover by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev makes them a serious consider to land any international name according to BBC.

Follow @Nakerman

6 Factors That Will Determine Moyes' Success at Manchester United

Mark Tidey — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:46:37 -0400

Much has been written about the changing of the guard at Old Trafford.

David Moyes arrives with great expectations but with the heavy burden of expectancy that would have accompanied any successor to the great Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes has proved himself a worthy leader at Everton but, with no disrespect to their Merseyside rivals, the bar has been raised considerably with his move to Manchester, where these days, anything less than one major trophy per season is considered a failure.

He will need all his Scottish nous and experience to hit the ground running in August, and I have taken the time to list five factors that could prove vital in the early stages of his stewardship of the Reds.

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Braves: Julio Teheran Transforming from Top Prospect to Top Starter

Grant McAuley — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:43:23 -0400

Julio Teheran spent years as a highly regarded pitching prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization. His masterful performance on May 20 against the Minnesota Twins may have served notice that the future is now.

The 22-year-old righty carried a shut-out into the ninth inning on Monday before Josh Willingham's solo-homer finally put the Twins on the board.

Teheran finished his night allowing just that lone run on five hits in 8.1 IP. Not only was it the deepest into a game he has pitched in his brief time in the major leagues, but he also fired a career-high 123 pitches in the process.

Spinning a three-hit shut-out through eight innings, manager Fredi Gonzalez had no reservations about sending his young righty back out for a chance to finish the gem.

"I think it was good for him to experience that in the ninth inning," said Gonzalez. "He had an extra day [of rest] coming into the start and he'll get an extra day going out of the start. We took that into consideration, and it was good for him to dig deep down in the gas tank and see if he could do it. By God, he gave it a good shot."

Though he was unable to close it out, Teheran has been steadily finding his comfort zone after some rocky results in the early going. His ERA stood at 7.31 after his first three starting assignments, but Teheran has turned a corner since.

Over his last five starts, Teheran is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA in 33.2 IP. His seasonal ERA now stands at 3.99, while his only loss came in a game in which the Braves were shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 14.

Perhaps more encouraging, the young righty has shown a penchant for attacking the strike zone. Teheran has issued just two walks in his last five outings while fanning 18 batters.

In this recent stretch he has looked much more like the pitcher who blazed his way through spring training with a National League-best 1.09 ERA.

Gonzalez saw an opportunity to continue Teheran’s development by pairing him with veteran catcher Gerald Laird, who was signed by Atlanta in the offseason.

Laird had spent the prior three seasons catching for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, teams that boasted righty pitchers the likes of Justin Verlander, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter.

The battery worked together throughout Grapefruit League play as Teheran began to incorporate a brand new two-seam fastball into his repertoire. Scaling back on velocity in order to add some sinking action, the pitch has truly become a difference maker for Teheran.

"He's getting more and more confidence in that sinker, and that's the pitch that's taken him to the next level," said Laird. "He's just hitting his location and trusting his pitches and that's all that matters. He's throwing strikes and doing a good job."

Not only has that sinker been instrumental to his success, but his ability to consistently attack hitters and execute his game plan has drawn the attention of his teammates.

"He's really done a great job of working both sides of the plate I think," said second baseman Dan Uggla. "He's mixing in his off-speed pitches when necessary, [but] when you're working both sides of the plate like that, you're going to be effective."

Because his name has appeared on countless top prospect sheets for the better part of three years, it would be easy for one to assume that Teheran had grown a little long in the tooth after two full seasons in Triple-A Gwinnett.

That is simply not the case.

"He's a mature 22, and you forget that he's only 22. I'm impressed with him," said Uggla. "He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows that he's got to keep learning and keep improving."

The spring was a fine indicator that Teheran's 2012 struggles in the International League may have simply been an aberration.

"Last year I was trying to compete physically, not mentally like I [am] this year." Teheran said after his fifth spring training start. "[I'm] trying to compete with my mind, trying to pitch more than throw."

With his potential now translating into success at the big league level, Teheran appears poised to be a big part of Atlanta's future plans.

Grant McAuley covers the Braves for Atlanta Sports Radio 92.9 The Game. You can follow him on Twitter.

Pros and Cons of Wednesday Night UFC Events on Fox Sports

Nathan McCarter — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:35:31 -0400

Fox Sports 1 will debut on August 17, and the UFC will be a big part of its kickoff.

After the Saturday launch, UFC on Fox Sports 1 events will move to Wednesday. Two events have already been announced for August 28 and September 4 in Indianapolis and Brasila, Brazil, respectively.

This won't be the first time the UFC has put on midweek events, but it will be a departure from what we have grown accustomed to in recent times. It appears that the UFC will play a significant role in the early programming of the network.

Fox Sports 1 will replace the Speed channel.

As with any change, it will have both its pros and cons, and here they are.

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UFC 160 Preview: Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Sean Smith — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:27 -0400

Junior dos Santos has not competed since losing the heavyweight crown to Cain Velasquez, but he could earn himself a chance to reclaim the belt with a win over the surging Mark Hunt at UFC 160.

After losing six straight fights, Hunt has resurrected his career with four consecutive wins and is now a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division. With a victory over a former champion like Dos Santos, Hunt would be more than deserving of his first UFC title shot.

Aside from the title shot implications this fight carries, a matchup between Dos Santos and Hunt promises an entertaining stand-up battle and high potential for a knockout finish.

Before these highly ranked heavyweights step into the Octagon, let's take a look at which fighter is more likely to walk away with the win.

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Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim Rips Carmelo Anthony's NY Knicks Teammates

Dan Favale — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:28:37 -0400

Carmelo Anthony isn't to blame for the New York Knicks' postseason failures. Everyone else is.

Or so says Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim.

'Melo's former mentor wasn't happy with the way New York's playoff run ended. More specifically, he was irate at the general populous for putting the onus Anthony when really, it wasn't his fault.

“Not on that team," Boeheim responded when asked if 'Melo could lead the Knicks to a title via Marc Berman of the New York Post. "He did what he can do. He played very well the final game."

To Boeheim's credit, Anthony had an outstanding Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers. He went for 39 points on 15-of-29 shooting and single-handedly kept the Knicks within striking distance for most of the game.

It was his three crucial fourth-quarter turnovers that we were left harping on, though. Two of which came off errant pass attempts to Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin. Those apparently weren't 'Melo's fault, though.

"[Tyson] was wide open,’’ Boeheim ranted. “He should have been looking for the ball right here. Kenyon Martin should have been looking for the ball. They both went like this [Boeheim dodged again]. Carmelo gets turnovers and the announcers aren’t smart enough to even think, ‘Well, the guy should try to catch the ball.'"

Boeheim wasn't done reprimanding Chandler.

“Tyson Chandler claims he never gets the ball,’’ he added. "He doesn’t try to get the ball. He had two points and Hibbert had [21].’’

It wasn't just New York's big men Boeheim was disgusted with either. Raymond Felton also incurred some of his verbal wrath.

“What was the difference in the series?,’’ he said. “Raymond Felton was 0-for-7. Lance Stephenson had [25] points."

Boeheim then said that Felton and J.R. Smith "weren’t great players where they were and now they’re asking them to be second and third options." He also ripped Pablo Prigioni a new one for not shooting enough, while reinforcing his previous notion that the Knicks have no chance to win anything.

Most of what Boeheim raves about is built upon a foundation of truth. 'Melo did do all he could and most of his teammates didn't do enough. Anthony is also being held accountable for more of what went wrong than he deserves to be.

But that's just New York. Superstars are blamed for a team's transgressions. That's how it works. And Boeheim would do well to remember 'Melo struggled for most of the series, too. He'd do even better to remember Prigioni is off limits, because he's a full-court pressing God.

Everyone in the Knicks' locker room must answer for the letdown against Indiana, 'Melo included. The entire team needed to play better against the Pacers. They didn't, and so they lost.

"I told him when he went to New York, ‘They’re going to blame it on you,'" Boeheim admitted.

Fear not though, Carmelo. All of New York may hold you responsible for what goes wrong, but your pal Boeheim never will.

Follow @danfavale

Ohio State Football Recruiting: Multiple OSU Targets in Updated Rivals100

David Regimbal — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:25:11 -0400

College football fans, and by extension fans of recruiting, eagerly await moments like this to break up the long and grueling offseason.

Rivals.com released its updated "Rivals100" Monday afternoon, a compilation of the top football recruits in the country, and four high school prospects earned their fifth stars in the latest ranking.

Three of those four new 5-star recruits are being heavily recruited by the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, offensive tackle Damian Prince and running back Joe Mixon joined the group that now includes 18 recruits who are rated 5-star prospects by Rivals.

McMillan, who has nearly 30 offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas and many others, lists Ohio State as his leader at the moment. The 6'2", 240-pound linebacker out of Hinesville, Ga. piled up an incredible 152 tackles during his junior season, 22 of which were made behind the line of scrimmage.

Ohio State's biggest recruiting need in the 2014 cycle is offensive line, and there are few better prospects in the country than Prince. The 6'6", 300-pound offensive tackle has tremendous speed and footwork for his size, which is exactly what Urban Meyer looks for in his offensive linemen.

Mixon is one of the most sought-after running backs in the country, holding over 40 offers from some of the top programs in the nation. The Buckeyes will have an uphill battle pulling this California prospect to the East Coast, though, as he currently favors USC, Cal, Oklahoma and Texas.

Watch analysis on the three targets listed above here.

Only one of Ohio State's eight current commits appears in the updated Rivals100 (4-star cornerback Damon Webb at No. 35). Three of Ohio State's eight commits are 4-star prospects (Webb, Kyle Trout and Kyle Berger), while the other five (Marcelys Jones, Parris Campbell, Sam Hubbard, Lonnie Johnson and Dylan Thompson) have been rated 3-star recruits by Rivals.

It's still very early, though, and Ohio State is heavily in the mix for a number of prospects who made Rivals' cut, including:

Defensive end Lorenzo Carter (No. 5)
Cornerback Tony Brown (No. 14)
Offensive tackle Braden Smith (No. 22)
Quarterback Kyle Allen (No. 27)
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore (No. 45)
Defensive end Jalyn Holmes (No. 48)
Linebacker Clifton Garrett (No. 55)
Wide receiver Demarre Kitt (No. 68)
Wide receiver Mark Andrews (No. 71)
Offensive guard Demetrius Knox (No. 87)
Offensive tackle Jamarco Jones (No. 97)

Ohio State won't land all of these prospects, of course, but considering where the Buckeyes stand for many of the recruits listed above, it should be another fantastic recruiting haul for Meyer in 2014.

David Regimbal is the lead Ohio State football writer for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.

The University of Minnesota Somehow Lost Money Selling Booze to College Students

Dan Carson — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:24:10 -0400

Finite Math supplement books are now selling better than booze at the University of Minnesota.

Yes, somehow, some way, an institute of higher education managed to come up in the red after an entire football season of selling beer to young adults who truly want nothing else in the world on a fall Saturday afternoon or night (via Deadspin).

After signing a deal with national concessionaire Aramark, the university began selling beer at Golden Gophers home games in TCF Bank Stadium, and the end result was a $16,000 net loss for the school.

"I think it was a surprise we lost money,” said David Benedict, the school’s executive associate athletic director. "We were not happy when we realized the fact that we had not shown a net profit."

How does that happen? I’m no thermodynamics expert, but I know we have rules in this world, and this is one of them:

(Drunk college students) plus (alcohol vendors) equals (student loan money thrown at you)

This isn’t going to code. There’s a glitch in the matrix here and it’s probably the fact that buying stadium beer is a lot like getting a divorce. Both deal with a hefty sum of money changing hands that neither party believes the other deserves, and it generally only occurs after all other possibilities have been exhausted.

There’s also the crying. Don’t forget about the crying.

So yes, the likely problem here is the cost of the beer, which Minnesota was selling at $7.25 a pop. It’s not a $12 cup of Wrigley Field regret, but it’s a heady price for any college kids looking to staunch their cash hemorrhaging and spending their indebted money wisely.

Who’s to blame in this scenario? The university, obviously, for multiple reasons.

First off, there’s something to be said about an institution that charges college students money for an education and then double-pumps them for tickets and beer at games. That’s a winning racket.

With that being said, the real problem here is the university’s overestimation of its stadium security. If you went to college, you’ll know this—college kids possess a wily, low cunning that’s almost impossible to hinder. They have a will to drink cheaply and they’ll find a way to pilfer their own goods into the stadium.

Alas, beer will continue to be sold at TCF Bank Stadium, as Minnesota has renegotiated a deal with Aramark that reimburses the university $37,000 for its own failure to sell beer.

The beer price is too damn high.

Follow @Dr__Carson

WWE Must Address Big E. Langston's Ring Gear

Ryan Dilbert — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:23:25 -0400

As intimidating and powerful as he is, it's hard to take WWE's Big E. Langston seriously with his current ring gear.

Fans are focusing and remarking on the excessive tightness of Langston's tights rather than his ring work, making it a distraction that needs to be addressed. Billing him as a force of destruction is a difficult task when the audience is busy snickering.

With as visual a product as WWE is, with as long as fans stare at the Superstars, selecting the right ring gear is not a trivial thing. WWE is doing Langston a disservice by letting him walk out to the ring in that skintight singlet night after night.

Langston's ring gear features bold colors and an eye-catching design. As he explained in this tweet, his singlet bears the Rastafarian symbol of the Lion of Judah.

All of that is great in terms of both tying into who he is and visual pop. The issue is that the outfit is too tight. It grips his buttocks like Fritz Von Erich once gripped foes with the claw hold and too often slides up to reveal more of his body than most folks want to see.

Instead of oohing and aahing at Langston's impressive power, fans are busy making jokes at his expense.

Twitter and social media in general will always be home to snarky comments, but the amount of fans talking about what Langston is wearing compared to anything else about him has to be troubling to WWE. Tweets like this one from fan Arya Stark are far too common.

It's an easy fix. It's not as if fans are muttering about a quality that Langston can't change. Get him some gear that fits better and eventually the jokes will fade away, eventually his matches and mic work will take center stage and we can see how the audience reacts to those elements instead.

The gear he wore when competing for NXT fit him much better, so why the switch? This tighter, shorter version of his attire is the opposite of intimidating. It turns him into a punchline.

When fans make as many jokes about the gear's appropriateness on Twitter and elsewhere, it's an indication that the problem needs to be tackled.

Loosen up what Langston is wearing so we can key on his strengths, his potential and the upward trajectory of his career. Being the victim of running jokes is certainly not elevating his career.

Some fans do want to see more of Langston, but more of him in ring action, not more of his body.

Are Early-Season Offensive WAR Leaders Breakout Stars or Just Lucky?

Jason Catania — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:21:30 -0400

Last week, the case was made for WAR as baseball's best statistic. Now it's time to dig a little deeper to find out if some of the early-season leaders in Wins Above Replacement are for real.

Take a look at the WAR leaders, per FanGraphs, and amid proven studs like Miguel Cabrera, Evan Longoria and Joey Votto, you'll notice a bunch of hitters who seem like potential new entries for breakout stars.

But given that we're only a month-and-a-half into the 2013 season, it's possible that some of these stars-in-the-making actually are closer to stars-in-the-faking, inflated by luck or unsustainable underlying numbers.

Let's examine a batch of these players to uncover whether each of the following is a Breakout Star, a Legitimate Starter...or Just Lucky.

Before we go sticking these labels on players, though, let's define what they mean:

A Breakout Star is a player who will soon be a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate
A Legitimate Starter is an above-average player who is capable of being a first-division starter
Just Lucky is an average player whose performance is being trumped up by good fortune

Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers

2.6 WAR (No. 3 among hitters)

Seems the Johan Santana trade actually might have worked out for the Twins—if only they'd hung onto Gomez instead of trading him away for J.J. Hardy.

While it's taken quite a while for the 27-year-old center fielder to figure things out at the plate in the majors, it appears he's done just that, as he's hitting .336 with 20 extra-base hits, including six homers, nine steals and 23 runs.

There's been more than a little good luck here, though, as Gomez's .413 BABIP is third-highest in baseball. Obviously a speedy, in-his-prime player is a prime candidate to sport an above-average BABIP, but his current one is more than 100 points higher than his .311 career number—and insanely unsustainable.

Coupled with Gomez's 4.9 percent walk rate—not to mention, that 22.7 percent strikeout figure—and Gomez could be in for a major regression in the batting average department.

The speed? We've known that's for real for years, and it helps him both on the bases and in center field, so there's less worry over Gomez's ability in those regards. That should help prop up his WAR even if his bat slows.

Speaking of his stick, what about the power? As his batted ball data indicates, Gomez has become much less of a ground-ball hitter and shifted toward lofting more fly balls since 2011. That obviously helps him put more over the wall, and his 13.6 HR/FB rate is actually right in line with what he managed the past two seasons, too.

In other words, the gains in power Gomez showed by smacking 19 homers in 2012—in only 452 plate appearances—are real, and we could be in for a season of 20 to 25 home runs, along with 30-plus steals and stellar defense (you watched the video, right?) at a premium up-the-middle position.

Verdict: To become a true Breakout Star, Gomez will have to show some improvements in plate discipline and prove he can keep his average up when his BABIP inevitably falls. Until then, he is certainly at least a Legitimate Starter.

Projected 2013 WAR: 4.5-5.0

Jean Segura, SS, Brewers

2.4 WAR (No. 5)

After just 41 games at the outset of this season, Segura already looks like the next great shortstop.

The 23-year-old is leading the NL with a .364 batting average, to go along with seven homers, 20 RBI, 25 runs and 14 steals.

The non-surface stats, though, paint the picture of a youngster playing somewhat above his head. You see, Segura owns a .394 BABIP (sixth-highest) and 20.0 HR/FB rate.

The former is very high and will regress, but for such a quick player, it's not unreasonable to expect he'll post above-average BABIPs for years, especially if he continues to hit the ball on the ground 53.3 percent of the time and use his wheels to leg out hits.

The latter, however, is a rate that belongs with only the true sluggers. To wit, this year Pedro Alvarez (25.8), Wilin Rosario (20.5) and Prince Fielder (20.0) all have similar rates, and well, one of these things is not like the other.

In case you were wondering, at 5'10", 200 lbs. and with a career high of 10 homers, the ground-balling middle infielder is that one, even if he does have some opposite field pop, as the video shows.

The early returns on the defensive front are promising, and Segura should be able to stick at shortstop, which will always give him a nice bump in positional value in WAR's eyes.

Verdict: While the surface stats say Breakout Star, Segura is more in the mold of a Legitimate Starter who will be above-average at his position, thanks to his ability to handle the defensive responsibilities, make lots of contact and run enough to add value on the bases.

Projected 2013 WAR: 4.0-4.5

Manny Machado, 3B, Orioles

2.3 WAR (No. 6)

As highly thought of as Machado was as a prospect after being the third overall pick in 2010, it's unlikely anyone expected him to be this good, this quickly.

Although the 20-year-old more than held his own in his first taste of the majors last summer, hitting .262 with seven homers, 24 runs and 26 RBI in 51 games—all while playing a new position, no less—Machado appears to have taken at least two or three steps forward to begin 2013.

At the moment, the righty-hitting Machado has five home runs, 26 RBI and 32 runs through 43 games, numbers that aren't too different from his 2012 performance in about the same amount of time. And yet, Machado is batting .328 with an MLB-high 18 doubles. Speaking of which...

What do we make of this? A quick peek at BABIP shows a .368 rate, which is among the highest, but it's not a crazy number given the routinely hard contact Machado is making on both line drives (21.2 percent) and grounders (49.0 percent).

The plate discipline numbers are intriguing, too, as Machado is walking in only 5.0 percent of his plate appearances, but also whiffing just 14.6 percent of the time. In other words, Machado is putting bat on ball—a lot—and when he does, he's stinging it.

The former shortstop has also made himself into one of the best defensive third basemen around in very short order, which helps pump up his WAR even more.

Verdict: The fact that Machado is striking out so infrequently at such a young age and with such little experience is extremely promising. This shows he's focusing now on making solid contact, with the goal of eventually tapping more into his power to turn into the Breakout Star that his pedigree suggests—and that he's quickly becoming.

Projected 2013 WAR: 5.5-6.0

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Athletics

2.1 WAR (No. 9)

Admit it: Some of you just went, "Uh, who?"

Right, well, Donaldson is a very interesting case for a guy you've either never heard of or never given a second thought to, because it's not often that a 27-year-old with little prior big league experience—let alone success—suddenly morphs into a big-time player.

Hitting .317 with six homers, 27 RBI and 23 runs scored through 44 games has gotten Donaldson noticed, as Dave Cameron wrote for ESPN Insider (subscription required), and may even be enough to make some wonder why they haven't heard of him before now.

In addition to the above numbers, Donaldson also has 15 doubles, as well as a 10.4 walk percentage and a 15.4 strikeout percentage, both of which are above league average.

Try as you might to find a weak link in Donaldson's underlying stats, and nothing jumps out. His HF/FB is fine at 14.3 percent; his .349 BABIP is high but only slightly; and the righty-hitter is even hitting right-handers, as his .287/.354/.443 line reads.

While Donaldson had shown flashes and signs of being a productive hitter in the minors along the way, perhaps the biggest change is that the former catcher has turned into what looks to be a solid third baseman with the glove (check the video), at least in a limited sample to this point. That may be most important for Donaldson going forward.

Verdict: While something in the gut still feels like Donaldson is closer to Just Lucky than Legitimate Starter, it's wrong to ignore the facts as laid out above. If he proves to be a quality defender with this type of offensive profile, Donaldson finally may have solved the A's longstanding third base problem.

Projected 2013 WAR: 3.5-4.0

Gerardo Parra, OF, Diamondbacks

2.0 WAR (No. 12)

When Arizona lost preseason Rookie of the Year candidate Adam Eaton to an elbow sprain at the end of spring training, the D-backs were in the rare position to be able to at least cover themselves at both the leadoff spot and in center field.

Parra, a veteran of four seasons spent primarily as a fourth outfielder with a great glove and usable skills on offense, has not only held down the fort while Eaton recovers, the 26-year-old has thrived at times while playing every day.

Through 43 games, the lefty-hitting Parra is batting .320 with 14 doubles and 28 runs as the club's primary leadoff hitter. The other numbers don't knock your socks off, but Parra doesn't have any real weaknesses either.

He doesn't strike out much (15.5 percent), walks some (9.3 percent) and his .367 BABIP, while high, isn't much north of his .337 career rate.

The biggest knock on Parra is that he struggles to hit for almost any power against southpaws with a so-so .730 OPS in 2013 and a less-good .654 mark for his career.

Of course, Parra's bread and butter is really his D, including his arm (video evidence to the right), and that's unchanged this year. Plus, he's getting to work more often in center than his usual left field, which makes his contributions that much more valuable.

All of this raises the question of how the D-backs will fit in Eaton, once he's ready to return, which could be by the end of May or early June.

Verdict: Within the Legitimate Starter realm, Parra is more of a fringe fit, as he's the type who could be exposed over an extended period. He is, however, in his prime and proving he can handle a prominent position on the field and in the lineup. There's not much more ceiling but still a safe floor.

Projected 2013 WAR: 3.0-3.5

Matt Carpenter, 2B/3B, Cardinals

1.9 WAR (No. 16)

While Donaldson may have fixed the recent broken history of hot cornermen in Oakland, Carpenter is on track to do the same at the keystone in St. Louis.

The surprise here, though, isn't that the 27-year-old has been a plus with the bat—he's slashing .290/.375/.432 with 14 doubles, 14 RBI and 33 runs—but that he's been a positive with the glove so far.

Carpenter, who transitioned from a utility role to second base over the winter, has posted a 13.9 UZR/150 despite the fact that he'd never even sniffed the position prior to a few experimental outings there last season. While it's unwise to read too much into defensive statistics at such an early stage, it's at least a promising development.

As for Carpenter's offense, well, that's been similar to what he showed in 2012: a high-average, good-contact batter from the left side with a strong walk rate who also raps plenty of doubles because of a line-drive stroke (24.3 percent liners).

Carpenter is never going to be a star—he lacks the power to be more than a 12- to 18-homer guy—but he does almost all of the little things extremely well. His offensive approach and plate discipline, combined with what seems to be a legitimate ability to capably play wherever he's put on the diamond make him something like the NL's version of Ben Zobrist.

Verdict: There's a lot to like here, so Carpenter shouldn't have any trouble being a Legitimate Starter for a handful of seasons. Of course, he may instead be used as more of a Swiss Army knife type who can fill in across the board, but that wouldn't take away from his value. If anything, it might add to it.

Projected 2013 WAR: 4.0-4.5

Starling Marte, OF, Pirates

1.9 WAR (No. 18)

To say Marte has been impressive this year would be understating things just a bit.

The 24-year-old is hitting .305 with five homers, 17 RBI, 10 steals and 33 runs scored in what is his first full season in the majors.

There are a few warning signs, though, that Marte may not maintain quite this level of success. Like his .386 BABIP, which is rather high, even for a speedster who hits the ball on the ground a ton (55.5 percent grounders). Or his 4.6 percent walk rate, especially when he's striking out almost 23 percent of the time.

Plate discipline was the big concern with Marte in the minors, so the fact that there hasn't been any real improvement or adjustment yet means there's a good chance the best pitchers on the planet will eventually be able to exploit his aggressiveness from the right side.

Marte, who came up through the ranks as a good center fielder, also draws a lot of his WAR value from the fact that he's currently playing left field while Andrew McCutchen mans center. This may wind up being similar to when Brett Gardner, a natural center fielder, became arguably the best left fielder going for a few years in New York while handling a less demanding position.

Verdict: Look, Marte is a Legitimate Starter in that he's a good, young player with offensive upside and strong defensive ability. But unless he starts addressing some of the flaws in his approach, Marte won't be quite as great as he appears to be right now.

Projected 2013 WAR: 3.0-3.5

Statistics come from FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.

Ermon Lane Highlights: Watch the 5-Star WR Dominate the Secondary

Full Ride — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:19:36 -0400

Five-star wide receiver Ermon Lane has receiver coaches on their toes for his potential commit.

The 6'3", 193 lb. Sunshine State native is uncommitted and has offers from Alabama, Florida and Miami. Lane's great route running and speed make him a solid target at the collegiate level

Watch this video to see Ermon Lane bully defenders in the open field.

Highlights courtesy of Prepforce.com.

Breaking Down Geno Smith's Chances of Being the Week 1 Starter in New York

Adam Waksman — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:17:09 -0400

Geno Smith, the New York Jets' second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, is a potential star and optimistically the future franchise quarterback of the team.

Jets fans would no doubt love to see Smith be ready to go for Week 1 and be the starting quarterback right away. But what are the chances of that really happening?

The quarterback competition this summer has become simpler than it was with the retirement of David Garrard. Garrard would have been the most veteran and arguably the most reliable presence on the team. Instead, it is now a two-way competition between Smith and the incumbent Mark Sanchez.

There are several scenarios that remain possible. I'll break down the likelihood of each case to determine what the probable future is for the Jets heading into the 2013 season.

Case 1: Smith Starts Week 1

The first possibility is that Smith will start in Week 1. This is in a sense the best case because it would mean that Smith has demonstrated he is ready to play and has learned offense coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's new offense.

Like Russell Wilson last year for the Seattle Seahawks, Smith is a young quarterback from outside of the first round trying to defeat an established but not star-level veteran. It is becoming more common for rookies to achieve this type of speedy progress, so this is a real possibility.

Ultimately, it will come down to both Smith and Sanchez because if Sanchez can show improvement in a West Coast offense, he could have a leg up in the competition.

Case 2: Smith Starts Week 2

While it might seem odd to start a rookie quarterback in Week 2, I view this as a real possibility. In the first week of the season the Jets will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have retooled their defensive secondary with the acquisition of Darrelle Revis.

There are two reasons starting Smith off against the Buccaneers could be a bad idea.

The first is that starting off a quarterback against such tough competition could be bad for his development. The second reason is that Sanchez has spent literally his entire career facing off against Revis on the practice field. He knows Revis perhaps better than any other quarterback does.

Considering how effective Revis is at capitalizing on the mistakes of young quarterbacks, it might make a lot of sense to use Sanchez in Week 1 and then Smith in Week 2.

In the second week of the season, the Jets face the New England Patriots, a team with a much more porous secondary. Even if Smith proves that he is ready to go this summer, there is a strong chance that he could start in Week 2 rather than Week 1.

Case 3: Smith Starts Midseason

A few years ago, the most likely option would have been for a quarterback like Smith to start in the midseason. It used to be rare for rookie quarterbacks to start right away, and allowing Smith to watch Sanchez for half a year could potentially be very beneficial for him.

This is still a possibility if it turns out that Smith does not seem ready over the summer and needs time to watch Sanchez play. However, with all the positive reports coming out of Jets camp, I view this as an increasingly unlikely possibility. If Smith learns the offense and does not struggle, I do not think the Jets will wait overly long to play him.

Case 4: Unexpected Events

There are a few unexpected events that could occur. Geno Smith could be injured; Mark Sanchez could have a breakout year or one of the other quarterbacks on the team could surprise everyone in the preseason.

Greg McElroy and Matt Simms remain, for better or worse, in the competition.

I do not expect the unexpected. I anticipate that Smith or Sanchez will be the starter in Week 1, and it will boil down to whether or not Smith seems ready to handle the Buccaneers defense.

Adding It Up

Based on what we know now, I'm inclined to think that the first two cases are the likely ones. While it does not seem that there is urgency to start Smith right away, there appears to be a sense that sooner would be better than later.

The early-season schedule is certainly relevant, and Revis can be a nightmare for quarterbacks. Therefore, while I would put Smith's chances of starting in Week 1 at only around 50 percent, I would give him a substantial chance of starting in Week 2.

Adam Waksman is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report who writes primarily about the New York Jets and the NFL. Be sure to follow Adam on Twitter to receive updates right away.

Follow @AdamWaksman

NCAA Lacrosse: Each Team's Player to Watch in the Final 4

Dave Giancola — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:14 -0400

In a season marked by parity from top to bottom in Division I lacrosse, four teams familiar with Championship Weekend will take the field in Philadelphia this weekend in the semifinal round.

Last weekend, four games gave lacrosse fans all the suspense they could handle, with down-to-the-wire finishes and a ton of scoring. The quarterfinals were tremendous, but the Final Four will provide a flurry of action on Memorial Day Weekend.

This Saturday, Cornell will face Duke while Denver takes on Syracuse to decide who will play for a national championship. The championship game will take place Monday, May 27, and will be televised nationally on ESPN and WatchESPN.

As we more closer to the Final Four, let us take a look at each remaining team's player to watch this weekend.

Jamie Faus, Goalie, Denver

Faus replaced Ryan LaPlante in Denver's dramatic come-from-behind victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the quarterfinal round. He provided a spark off the bench after Denver trailed by six early in the game.

Faus finished the game with 11 saves on his way to an astounding 68 percent save rate. In the fourth quarter, he was able to stymie a lethal UNC attack unit and prevented them from extending their lead late in the game.

If Denver is to take down Syracuse, it will need excellent play in goal. Although LaPlante was the go-to guy for most of the season, Faus' recent success will earn him the start in Philadelphia.

Denver has a great chance of beating the No. 1 seed, Syracuse, but a good game from Faus could make the feat much easier for the Pioneers as they look to hoist their first national championship trophy this weekend.

David Lawson, Midfield, Duke

Lawson was superb in Duke's win over Notre Dame last Sunday. He recorded four goals and took the pressure off of the rest of the Blue Devil offense.

As opposing defenses prepare to face Duke, they first concentrate on Jordan Wolfe and Josh Dione. By providing a strong third scoring option, Lawson can also demand attention and take the pressure off of his team's two top offensive stars.

Lawson may not be a household name, but his ability to provide depth of scoring will be crucial as Duke looks to beat a Cornell team that looks unstoppable.

Duke is fast, skilled and tough, but must be able to outscore Cornell if they want a chance to play on Monday. Look for Lawson to have increased playing time as he continues his hot play in the tournament.

Steve Mock, Attack, Cornell

There are plenty of players to watch on Cornell, but Steve Mock tops the list this week. He scored seven goals in Cornell's big win over Ohio State, proving that he is one of the best inside finishers that the game has ever seen.

Mock and linemate Rob Pannell are a dynamic duo on attack. Both can score, but Pannell's vision allows him to find the streaking Mock in the crease for easy goals in big spots.

Duke will obviously focus on Mock, but stopping him is easier said than done. He scores from low angles, and his ability to catch tough passes in traffic causes fits for opposing defenses.

If Mock and Pannell can combine for 10 points or more, there is no way that Duke wins the game.

Dominic Lamolinara, Goalie, Syracuse

Syracuse needed all four quarters to take down a gritty Yale team in the quarterfinal round. The game was a defensive battle that the Orange eventually won by a score of 7-6.

Syracuse will have to score double their quarterfinal total to take down Denver, but the Orange defense must also step up to the plate.

Lamolinara made eight saves in the victory over the Bulldogs, but will surely see more shots against a fast-paced Denver offense. Denver scored 19 goals in the first round against Albany, followed by 12 against UNC.

Denver will look to push the pace in this game, especially after watching the 'Cuse defense struggle against Yale's Brandon Mangan. Lamolinara will provide the last line of defense and must make saves to keep his team in the game.

If Lamolinara can achieve a 60 percent save rate, Syracuse will have a chance. If he does not, it may be a long day for head coach John Desko and the Syracuse Orange.

Manchester United: Realistic Expectations for David Moyes' First Season

Darren Richman — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:02 -0400

Under Sir Alex Ferguson's stewardship, Manchester United fans lived the impossible dream. Under David Moyes, will they wake up with a start?

Ferguson used his farewell speech at Old Trafford wisely and implored the supporters to give the new man time, just as he himself was all those years ago. He famously went four years without a trophy before landing the FA Cup in 1990. After that, the floodgates burst open and success was near-continuous.

David Moyes is unlikely to be afforded so many lean years. In 1986, when Ferguson took over, the club was a sleeping giant struggling to recapture the glory days of Sir Matt Busby. Nowadays, United is one of the biggest clubs in the world with a valuation somewhere in the region of £2 billion. Never mind the impossible dream—in following Ferguson, Moyes might well have walked into the impossible job.

After 26 years of a genius, the first season under a new manager is bound to feel strange. As good a job as he has done at Everton, Moyes has limited experience in Europe and absolutely no knowledge of the intricacies of a title race.

He'll have to learn fast because United fans will expect a decent bid for both trophies. Ferguson staying on as director can only aid Moyes and he'd be wise to seek out his mentor for advice from time to time.

For all Ferguson's insistence that his successor should be given time, the rumblings of discontent should United be, say, outside the top four come Christmas, would be almost impossible to ignore. The fans have become accustomed to ending the season in one of the top two places in the table so the very least that will be expected is some kind of title charge.

Moyes would be wise to invest in a central midfielder as soon as possible. It is an area of the pitch Ferguson stubbornly refused to invest in during his latter years at the club and it would send out a signal that the new man has his own ideas.

A marquee signing in the vein of Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo would also reassure supporters that money is there to spend and the club has lost none of its lustre without the man integral to its modern-day success at the helm.

From an aesthetic point of view, it is crucial the team play the United way next season, attacking football with a focus on excitement and youth. Moyes' predecessor was the ultimate pragmatist and most United fans were happy to see the occasional negative performance if it meant silverware would follow suit but the new man would be better-advised to play positively and win the fans over that way.

Trophies are wonderful, but they are not the be-all and end-all. If the team plays stylish football that is great to watch, then Moyes is bound to be given time. It really is that simple. He was certainly not employing any tika-taka tactics at Everton, but this is a very different group of players and let's hope he responds accordingly.

Ferguson was a genius because, every time April rolled around, his team was still competing for trophies. Moyes will be hoping he can emulate that kind of consistency from the off.

Follow @darrenrichman

Belmont Stakes 2013: Underdogs That Will Surprise Event's Top Contenders

Dan Talintyre — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:02 -0400

The 2013 Belmont Stakes marks the third and final leg of racing's Triple Crown and is shaping up as a thrilling race indeed for some of the top horses in the nation.

With Orb and Oxbow splitting the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes respectively, there won't be any Triple Crown winners this year. However, that doesn't mean that the Belmont Stakes will be any less exciting or enthralling, with all contenders looking to finish off the Triple Crown on a winning note.

The Derby champion, Orb, will likely go into the event as the favorite—although that could well change depending on what post position he is drawn in to. And if the Preakness Stakes was anything to go by, then it could well be some of the less-fancied runners who surprise on the day and emerge triumphant from Belmont Park on Saturday.

Some of the "dark-horse" contenders, if you like.

Read on to see which underdogs will surprise the top contenders at the Belmont Stakes this year and could walk away with the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

2013 Belmont Stakes: Early Field and Odds (per AllHorseRacing.ag)

* Note: The field listed below is simply preliminary and has not been confirmed. Odds are subject to change; correct as of Tuesday, May 21 at 1:30 a.m. ET.

Horse	Trainer	Odds
Code West	Bob Baffert	12-1
Dreaming of Julia	Todd Pletcher	8-1
Freedom Child	Thomas Albertrani	15-1
Golden Soul	Dallas Stewart	12-1
Normandy Invasion	Chad Brown	6-1
Orb	Claude "Shug" McGaughey	3-1
Overanalyze	Todd Pletcher	9-1
Oxbow	D. Wayne Lukas	3-1
Palace Malice	Todd Pletcher	10-1
Power Broker	Bob Baffert	10-1
Unlimited Budget	Todd Pletcher	8-1

Underdogs Who Will Surprise Top Contenders

Dreaming of Julia, currently 8-1

Dreaming of Julia might have had a disappointing run at the Kentucky Oaks, but will seemingly be very tough to beat at Belmont.

She's sired by Horse of the Year A.P. Indy—who lost just three times in his 11-year career and went on to produce many prominent fillies including Rags to Riches. Rags to Riches won both the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes, which should bode well for Dreaming of Julia as she attempts to win this one.

The Todd Pletcher-trained horse has been in superb form all year, and with John Velazquez (Hall of Fame jockey) on board, should be set for a strong showing here.

Having not run in the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness, Dreaming of Julia will fly under the radar a little heading into the big race, which, if you're after something that has some decent odds around it, might make Dreaming of Julia a great option here.

A good post position, and she could be very tough to beat.

Palace Malice, currently 10-1

Palace Malice comes from a great pedigree that suggests he'll be very strong over the longer distance at Belmont Park, and after a strong learning curve in the Kentucky Derby earlier in the year, is primed for a strong showing at Belmont on June 8th.

The star colt set a blistering pace at Churchill Downs earlier in the month as he attempted to blow the field away. That didn't quite work, however, and Palace Malice was left to deteriorate down the home stretch whilst many horses—including the eventual winner Orb—flew past him to the finishing post.

However, don't be put off by that performance.

Palace Malice is the first crop of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who was a former star at Belmont Park and produced many strong long-distance runners.

He is also by Royal Anthem, who was very strong over longer tracks.

He'll no doubt look to sit back in the field here and try to circle them late, and having seen his speed in the Derby, could be more than capable of finishing over the top of many horses here. He didn't run in the Preakness Stakes, so he'll be very fresh and could definitely be worth a look this weekend.

Revolutionary, currently not listed

Revolutionary isn't currently listed on the odds market for the Belmont Stakes because there's no official word yet from connections on whether he'll compete. However, according to reports from The New York Times, that's simply a matter for formality, with Todd Pletcher planning to enter him.

He showed in his strong run home at Churchill Downs earlier in the year that he's very tough to beat over longer distances and has more than enough speed and residual stamina to be a big player here, thanks to his direct pedigree from Runup the Colors.

If Calvin Borel takes the ride again in this one, look for Revolutionary to be a key player here—especially if he ends up with an inside post position.

Borel is extremely good at using the rail and working his horse through the field and will definitely have Revolutionary coming home strong on the day.

If the pace is at all quick in front—which it may well be after Oxbow dawdled his way to a wire-to-wire Preakness victory—then Revolutionary could strike here.

A huge danger to watch on the day.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

NBA Mock Draft 2013: Forecasting Every First-Round Pick After Combine

Ryan Rudnansky — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

The 2013 NBA combine has officially concluded as we look ahead to the draft lottery on Tuesday night.

Some prospects improved their stock in Chicago, while others were overshadowed by the more athletic and explosive.

It's worth noting that being extremely athletic doesn't automatically preface success in the pros, as we've seen countless times. You generally need a combination of skills to live up to the lofty expectations of the NBA.

That's not to say being athletic can't help your stock, though. We've also seen the athletically-challenged fall flat in the jump to the NBA.

Here's my latest 2013 NBA mock draft, taking all of this into account.

*All measurements and combine information via Chad Ford of ESPN.com

1. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Despite being nearly 7'0" in shoes, Nerlens Noel weighed in at a staggering 206 pounds at the combine. That is razor-thin. Noel also tore his ACL in February. But Noel's wingspan measured in at about 7'4" and his standing reach measured in at 9'2" at the combine. Plus, his shot-blocking ability and rebounding prowess while at Kentucky is hard to ignore.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

Ben McLemore showed bouts of inconsistency at Kansas and he measured in at under 6'5" in shoes, but he's still young at 20 years of age. His reach measured in at about 6'8", as well. Also, you can't ignore the athleticism, fluidity and shooting touch he showed while at Kansas. He's a project, but his skills translate very nicely to the NBA.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

Otto Porter may be the surest thing in the entire draft class. He's shown a well-rounded game, he has legit size for the NBA and he improved his shooting range dramatically last season at Georgetown.

4. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Victor Oladipo may have measured in at about 6'4" in shoes at the combine, but he does have the wingspan (6'9") to make up for it. He also has the heart and determination. Oladipo was an excellent defender at Indiana and he improved his jump shot dramatically last season.

5. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, G, Michigan

I originally had Shabazz Muhammad here based on his potential, but the red flags are too hard to ignore. Greivis Vasquez is coming off a tremendous season, but Trey Burke has more potential as a complete point guard. Plus, he can be a legit sixth man in his rookie season for the Pelicans.

6. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV

Anthony Bennett just had rotator cuff surgery, but he is a versatile, powerful, athletic prospect who just may be a top-five pick in this year's draft. He has the athleticism to play small forward for the Kings and the strength to bang down low in the post.

7. Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The Pistons are in desperate need of a shooter on the wing. Enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope is not only a terrific shooter with deep range, his athleticism translates to the pros. This kid has been soaring up draft boards, and the combine only helped his cause.

8. Washington Wizards: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Len is just coming off ankle surgery and he missed the combine while other big men impressed, but I still think he's the pick for the Wizards. At just 19 years of age, he's already shown the athleticism, versatility, rebounding, shot-blocking ability and passing skills to be a good one in a couple of years.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh

It would be a surprise if the Timberwolves passed up C.J. McCollum here if Caldwell-Pope was off the board. McCollum shot 51 percent from three-point range last season at Lehigh.

He's also been known to step up on the big stage (see: March 2012). Add the fact that he has classic size for a shooting guard (6'6") and you have a potential top-10 pick.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

I'm not the biggest fan of Cody Zeller (it's hard to teach a mean streak), but there is no question the offensive skill set is there. I like him better as a power forward than a center. The Trail Blazers could use some depth in the frontcourt.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

The more I look at Mason Plumlee, the more I don't understand the lack of enthusiasm directed his way. He's athletic, can run the floor, has NBA size, has a nice midrange game and can crash the glass.

The one concern, I suppose, is that he's 23 years old already, but his breakout senior campaign at Duke makes me look the other way in that regard.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Raptors): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

The Thunder aren't in position to wait around for a prospect to develop. They've been gunning for a title for a while now and the crushing loss of Russell Westbrook in the playoffs due to injury was hard to stomach. Kelly Olynyk has the athleticism, shooting touch and ability to put the ball on the floor to be a good fit with Oklahoma City.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

This may be where Shabazz Muhammad's slide ends. There are questions about his character, he shot poorly in drills during the combine and he measured in at 6'6" (shorter for a small forward), but his wingspan (6'11") helps matters and he attacks the rim with authority. The Mavericks could use some help on the wing.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (Fla.)

Some may say Michael Carter-Williams is a better point guard prospect than Shane Larkin (I'm not even sure that's the case), but there's no debating Larkin is a better fit for the Jazz than Carter-Williams. The Jazz need someone who can shoot at point guard and Larkin can certainly do that.

He's also incredibly athletic (registering the second-best vertical leap in combine history), he sees the floor well and he's a pesky defender. Yes, he's under 6'0", but I don't care at this point. He has the tools to defy the odds in the NBA.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State

The Bucks have a plethora of swing players headed for free agency this summer, including Monta Ellis. Jamaal Franklin does all the little things right, he can finish and he improved his jump shot at San Diego State. It's a logical pick for the Bucks.

16. Boston Celtics: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

Even if Rajon Rondo stays (I expect him to, by the way), the Celtics need a backup. Michael Carter-Williams is not only a disruptive defender (something Doc Rivers will love), he's a quick point guard who can get into the lane and set up things for his teammates. He also has great size (about 6'6") to go along with his athleticism at point guard.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece

I haven't swayed from my picks for the Hawks. With Josh Smith likely headed out of Atlanta, Giannis Antetokounmpo makes sense, as far as ability and where the Hawks stand now. Antetokounmpo is 19 years old and raw, but he's already drawing comparisons to Scottie Pippen given his fluidity, vision, passing skills and finishing ability. I think he's worth the gamble.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Rudy Gobert, PF, France

Rudy Gobert measured in at 7'2" in shoes at the combine. He has a wingspan measuring in at about 7'9". And he has a 9'7" standing reach. Those are ridiculous measurements that have scarcely ever been seen at the combine. He's long, athletic and crashes the glass.

The question is, can the 20-year-old translate from the French League to the NBA? I'll you what: His measurables certainly stack up.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

Steven Adams may not be here at No. 19 overall, but if he is, the Cavaliers have to jump on him. He has great size and athleticism for the position, attacks the glass and shocked at the combine with his shooting touch. He could be a steal in a couple of years.

20. Chicago Bulls: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia

The Bulls, as always, need outside shooting. Sergey Karasev shot 49 percent from downtown for the Triumph in the Eurocup in 2012-13, via EuroBasket.com. Coach Tom Thibodeau also figures to love his basketball IQ.

21. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

With both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap headed for free agency this summer, the Jazz need to think about adding some depth (and competition) behind Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. I'm a fan of Gorgui Dieng, and I think he could go earlier than this, but if he drops here, he's a strong pick for Utah. His shot-blocking skills, rebounding ability and improved offensive game could make him a solid pro.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Tony Snell, SG, New Mexico

With a sharpshooter like Karasev off the board, I could see the Nets going with Tony Snell. Snell has rocketed up draft boards, based on his measurables and shooting touch.

He ranked second among all participants in shooting drills at the combine, he has good size at shooting guard (6'7") and he has a wingspan of nearly 7'0".

23. Indiana Pacers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

As a backup to George Hill, Dennis Schroeder is a good fit in Indiana. He's extremely quick, gets into the lane at will and can find his teammates. He also has a wingspan of nearly 6'8", so there's that.

24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

With the Knicks aging in the frontcourt, Jeff Withey makes sense. His excellent shot-blocking ability and rebounding skills make him a potential successor to Tyson Chandler in New York.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor

With Eric Bledsoe potentially leaving this summer, the Clippers could find a capable backup to Chris Paul in Pierre Jackson. He has drawn comparisons to veteran Nate Robinson based on his outstanding hops and explosiveness.

Jackson also has solid shooting range to complement his slashing ability. He's another kid whose lack of size (5'10") doesn't bother me all that much.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia

Dario Saric's ability to play point-forward at 6'10" has raised eyebrows, but I'm still not sold on his athleticism (or lack thereof), jump shot, handles or defense. He's a skilled, crafty, versatile player, but I don't know if he should be drafted as early as some suggest.

27. Denver Nuggets: Allen Crabbe, SG, Cal

Allen Crabbe shot 38 percent from downtown during his career at Cal, but that doesn't even begin to explain his range.

Denver's lack of outside shooting was exposed by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs this season. Crabbe—who ranked fifth among all participants in shooting drills at the combine—makes a ton of sense.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Glen Rice Jr., SG, Georgia Tech

Glen Rice Jr. has not only expanded his game in the D-League (he averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in the playoffs for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers), he's also a solid on-the-ball defender. Gregg Popovich figures to be interested in such a player with NBA bloodlines.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricardo Ledo, PG, Providence

Ricardo Ledo was widely considered to be one of the nation's top high school scorers in 2011-12 before being ruled academically ineligible for the 2012-13 campaign. But the fact remains, he has good size for the position (6'6"), he has a good understanding of the game and he impressed at the combine.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Alex Abrines, SG, Spain

Alex Abrines was able to find minutes on one of the best teams in Europe this season, despite being just 20 years of age. He's quick, athletic and a big-time shooter. Sounds like someone who could help the Suns in due time.

10 Pitchers the Boston Red Sox Should Target in the 2013 Draft

Brian Roach — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:57:20 -0400

The Boston Red Sox farm system is full of young talent, but the organization needs to stock up on pitching because a team can never have too many pitchers in their system.

The Sox have the seventh overall pick and another pick in the second round, and there are multiple pitchers who have solid stats through their college and high school careers that are viable options to thrust into professional baseball.

All stats via throughthefencebaseball.com.

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Top Storylines Heading into the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

Fred Altvater — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:57:18 -0400

A stature of Ben Hogan adorns the grounds at the Colonial Country Club where Hogan won the Crowne Plaza Invitational five times and resided in the Fort Worth area.

Colonial Country Club is a tree-lined, 7,200-yard, par-70 golf course that requires players to work their tee shots both left and right around daunting dog-leg fairways.

The last three winners—Steve Stricker, David Toms and Zach Johnson—are all excellent ball-strikers and can control their golf ball on tight golf courses.

Here are the major storylines heading into the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, which begins on Thursday, May 23.

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ACC Baseball Tournament 2013 Schedule: Dates, Times, Locations, TV Info and More

Tim Daniels — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:50:47 -0400

The 2013 ACC Baseball Tournament should include no shortage of drama. A difference of just four games separated the top five teams in the conference play. The parity should make for one of the most thrilling conference tournaments in the nation.

North Carolina enters as the top overall seed and will lead Pool A. Atlantic Division winner Florida State is the top team in Pool B. Defending champion Georgia Tech, which won the event as the No. 8 seed last year, is the No. 7 seed in 2013.

The tournament will consist of two groups of four teams that will complete three games of round-robin play. The winners of each pool will play in the championship game on Sunday. The low number of games leaves the door open for surprising runs like Georgia Tech's last year.

Let's take a look at all the key information for the tournament followed by a full schedule, preview and prediction for which team will take home the title.

Where: Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C.

When: Wednesday, May 22 – Sunday, May 26

Watch: Regional Sports Networks (RSN) and ESPN2 (Title Game)

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Pools

Pool A

No. 1 North Carolina

No. 4 North Carolina State

No. 5 Clemson

No. 8 Miami

Pool B

No. 2 Florida State

No. 3 Virginia

No. 6 Virginia Tech

No. 7 Georgia Tech

Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Game	Team	Team	Date	Time	TV
1	Georgia Tech	Florida State	May 22	11 a.m.	RSN
2	Virginia Tech	Virginia	May 22	3 p.m.	RSN
3	Clemson	NC State	May 22	7 p.m.	RSN
4	Virginia	Georgia Tech	May 23	11 a.m.	RSN
5	Miami	North Carolina	May 23	3 p.m.	RSN
6	Florida State	Virginia Tech	May 23	7 p.m.	RSN
7	NC State	Miami	May 24	11 a.m.	RSN
8	Georgia Tech	Virginia Tech	May 24	3 p.m.	RSN
9	North Carolina	Clemson	May 24	7 p.m.	RSN
10	Virginia	Florida State	May 25	11 a.m.	RSN
11	Miami	Clemson	May 25	3 p.m.	RSN
12	NC State	North Carolina	May 25	7 p.m.	RSN
Title	Pool A Winner	Pool B Winner	May 26	1 p.m.	ESPN2

Schedule information courtesy TheACC.com.

Preview

North Carolina is undoubtedly the most balanced team in the tournament. The Tar Heels ranked first in the ACC in ERA, second in team batting average and third in home runs during the regular season.

The Heels' offensive attack is led by Colin Moran, who hit 13 home runs and racked up 83 RBI in 56 games. The bats are supported by a strong pitch staff. The dynamic starting duo of Hobbs Johnson and Kent Emanuel can match up with anybody in the conference.

Georgia Tech is capable of making another run despite a second straight lackluster regular season. The Yellow Jackets led the conference with 54 home runs. They hope to power their way to another title on the backs of Daniel Palka and Zane Evans, who combined for 31 homers.

Another team with the tools to make some noise in Durham is Virginia. The Cavaliers led the conference in batting average with a terrific .317 mark as a team and also ranked fourth in ERA. Mike Papi is the star to watch after hitting .408 to lead the ACC.

Rounding out the group of top contenders is Florida State. Starters Scott Sitz and Luke Weaver should ensure the Seminoles have enough pitching to make a title run. Getting timely hits from a mid-pack offense, whether it be DJ Stewart, Marcus Davis or an unsung hero, will be the key.

While those four teams have the best chance to win the ACC championship, Georgia Tech showed last season that it all comes down to momentum. The short event gives all eight teams a reasonable chance to emerge with the coveted title.

Prediction

North Carolina has too many weapons to pick against. On offense, the Tar Heels can win by playing small ball, getting on base and using their speed, or simply out-slugging their opponents. And they have a terrific pitching staff to back it up.

The X-factor will be Trent Thornton. The pitcher has filled several different roles throughout the season and handled them all extremely well. He's 9-1 with a 1.43 ERA. His ability to lock down opposing offenses coming out of the pen will help North Carolina capture the ACC crown.

Champion: North Carolina

10 Potential Superstars Who Could Emerge During OTAs

Nick Kostos — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:46:32 -0400

With the vast majority of the league currently undergoing organized team activities (OTAs) and the rest soon to follow, it's time to examine the players who are set to emerge as potential superstars for the 2013 season.

When I put this list together, I set forth a specific criteria:

The player must be 27 or younger, the player must never have been selected for either an All-Pro team or for the Pro Bowl, the player must not be entering his rookie season and the player must be capable of making a huge impact in 2013.

The one final piece of criteria? There must be common sense instituted in the rankings. That means players like Dez Bryant, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Decker (to name a few) are disqualified from the list, as the argument can easily be made that they're already superstars, despite having fulfilled the qualifications listed above.

Remember, this list is all about "potential" superstars emerging. That means no "current" superstar can be chosen.

So, without further adieu, here are the 10 potential superstars who could (and will) emerge during OTAs:

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5 Pitchers with the Most Intimidating Attitudes on the Mound

Ely Sussman — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

Matchups between MLB pitchers and opposing batters will always be influenced by intimidation. More specifically, there are veterans like Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera who demoralize others with their distinct attitudes.

These masters of mental games were included and ranked with their off-the-field reputations and unique pitching tactics taken into consideration. Quality of stuff wasn't a direct factor—hence no Aroldis Chapman or Matt Harvey—though the following mound intimidators all possess great talent. Otherwise, they would not go about their business with such an edge.

As past victims and baseball writers can confirm, stepping to the plate against them is a most uncomfortable experience.

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The Program: Which 3 SEC Teams Are Underrated Exiting Spring?

The Program — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:44:20 -0400

Every year there seems to be a few teams that come out of nowhere and either contend for the division title or become competitive when nobody thought they would.

In 2012, we saw Texas A&M shed the label of a soft team in favor of a more appropriate one—"SEC contender." The Ole Miss Rebels went from doormat to competitive in Year 1 under head coach Hugh Freeze, finishing 7-6 with close losses to Texas A&M, LSU and Vanderbilt.

Which teams flew under the radar this spring and are set to make a splash in 2013?

SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee examines in this edition of "The Program."

Kobe Bryant Tweets About Lakers Offseason, Wants Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol in LA

Dan Favale — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:43:00 -0400

Kobe Bryant has a plan.

With the Los Angeles Lakers approaching their most pivotal offseason in years, the Black Mamba has every intention of ensuring that his will be done. And that will includes convincing Dwight Howard to remain in Hollywood and persuading the Buss family to hold on to Pau Gasol as well.

What, you didn't think Coach Kobe was going to sit this summer out, did you?

The Lakers have a lot riding on this offseason; Kobe has a lot riding on this offseason. Though he's previously said he's not ready to retire, his ruptured Achilles serves as a reminder that time is running out.

If Kobe wants to get that sixth championship ring of his (and he does), he has to make a play for it now, not later. He might not be around for "later."

Naturally, he'll then want a say in how the roster is assembled. Knowing how financially strapped the Lakers are, he understands that they'll have to make the biggest splash by swimming in their own pool.

Los Angeles cannot go out and offer stacks of cash to free agents of its choosing. That's why retaining Howard is so important. If the Lakers cannot sell him on staying, they don't get to take that money and give it to someone else. They'll simply be down one superstar.

But not if Kobe can help it.

Although the two have admitted they're not "best friends," they've reached a mutual understanding. Or at least Kobe has. For him to win now, he knows he needs Dwight. And Pau, too.

Gasol is coming off the worst season of his NBA career and will likely never be the four-time All-Star he once was, but Bryant sees the value in his presence.

The two are incredibly close. Emotions, then, stand to cloud Bryant's judgment. At the same time, Gasol is worth more to the Lakers than whatever they would net in any trade for him. Kobe gets this as well.

These Lakers are headed for an inevitable overhaul—a rebuilding project that Kobe will do everything he can to delay at least one more year.

Follow @danfavale

Ahmed Johnson Gives Controversial Interview That Is Sure to Cause a Stir

Kris EazAy — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:41:07 -0400

I recently had the opportunity to sit in on an interview on PerfectPlex Radio with the artist formerly known as Ahmed Johnson, Tony Norris, that was conducted by Mike Knoxxx, Chris “Spotface” McClain and Chad Rivera. To say that Norris let it all hang out would be the understatement of the century.

Norris, who rarely does interviews, spoke candidly on a plethora of topics, including his thought's on Shawn Michaels, Vince McMahon, HHH, why he never became world champ and the alleged racism he encountered while he worked in WWE.

Norris contends that Vince McMahon is a racist “from the word go” and also states, “But I had no idea of what he was. You know, I always say The best trick the devil ever pulled off was hiding in plain sight. If you read the bible, everything the devil ever did he didn't hide. He did it in plain sight. That's Vince McMahon.”

While Norris appreciates the fact that he is the first Black Intercontinental Champion, he says that he still dealt with racism and that someone keyed a racial slur into his car while he was champ and even put a toy monkey with a noose around its neck in his locker room.

Norris claims that Shawn Michaels forced him to stop doing his more athletic wrestling moves in favor of power moves. “Shawn Michaels called me to his office after a while and said, Ahmed, we need you to stop doing the high flying moves. Here you are doing these one half-gainer moonsaults, stuff that we can't even do but then when we get out there at 180 pounds it makes us look bad because you've already done it at 380 pounds... If you want to continue wrestling with the company you have to stop doing these things.” He says that Shawn wanted him to do more bear hugs and slams and less high flying moves. He also says that when he was working in the WWE, Michaels had his own office at Titan Towers.

Norris recounts a story of how the late Ernie Ladd said to him, “You are about to enter the most racist organization you can get into.” Surprised at what Ladd told him, Norris states, “I was freaked out because I was expecting this dude to say 'ay, you've got a good opportunity here, they are gonna take care of you and I love Vince'.”

Norris wasn't all negative as he stated that Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) offered him a great deal of feedback during his matches and helped him out more than any other guy on the roster while he was with WWE. When asked about The Rock, Norris states that, “The Rock is the best in history on the mic. You will never find another guy like him on the mic.” However, in perhaps, the most jaw dropping portion of the interview, Norris recounts a time backstage where The Rock tells members of D-Generation X that his mother had an affair with a white guy and conceived him. Norris states that, “He (The Rock) was denying his black heritage all the way around.” He says The Rock maintained that he was kidding with those guys, however, Norris believes that the Rock was being serious in denying his black heritage.

In addition to all of this Norris gives his thoughts on John Cena, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, the late Hawk of the Road Warriors, his brief run in World Championship Wrestling and more. Tony Norris gives a new meaning to “not giving a damn!” This is, without a doubt, the most candid interview we have ever conducted on the BDSIR network. The interview can be found here and starts around the 35:00 mark.