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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings Game 4: Live Score, Updates & Analysis

Isaac Smith — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:49:00 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Game time is 8 p.m. ET.

The Red Wings took control of Game 3 by scoring two goals in a 31-second span in the second period, winning 3-1 to take a 2-1 series lead heading into tonight's Game 4 in Detroit.

The Blackhawks, a team that really hasn't faced a must-win game all season, now needs a win in Game 4 to avoid going back to Chicago for Game 5 with their backs against the elimination wall.

Keep it tuned here for live scoring updates and in-game analysis of Game 4.

Jim Harbaugh and 49ers Players Respond to Michael Crabtree's Injury

Bleacher Report Productions — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:40:21 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to return to the Super Bowl following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. With the majority of their roster returning for the 2013 season, and Colin Kaepernick having some playoff experience under his belt, it seemed a likely possibility for the 49ers to be playing at MetLife Stadium next February. At least that was the case before their journey to the Super Bowl was met with an unexpected obstacle.

Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles at OTA's during 7-on-7 drills. A simple cut that Crabtree has made countless times before, brought the 49ers' best receiver to the ground in agonizing pain. Crabtree appeared to be Colin Kaepernick's favorite target toward the end of last season and combining his injury with the ongoing recovery of Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams from torn ACLs, the 49ers receiving core seems to be reeling.

The burden of pass catching and downfield blocking now falls to veterans Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin, but if the 49ers want to play their way into Super Bowl XLVIII, they will need some of their younger receivers to step up in a big way. Guys like third-year pro Ricardo Lockette, who has two career catches, and second-year wideout A.J. Jenkins will have an opportunity to have an impact early in the upcoming season. The 49ers will also need rookie wide receiver Quinton Patton to be NFL-ready sooner than they had originally hoped.

Check out the video above to hear what head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michael Crabtree's teammates have to say about losing their No. 1 receiver to a devastating injury, and don't forget to tell us how you think the loss of Crabtree will affect the 49ers moving forward.

5 Bold Predictions for the 2013 Champions League Final

Ryan Bailey — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:35:09 -0400

One year ago, Bayern Munich fans had their hearts broken.

In their own stadium, they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as Chelsea pulled off a surprise heist in the Champions League final. To rub it in, they did it on penalties: a German speciality.

(Make sure to check back for all of B/R's Champions League Coverage throughout the weekend.)

Now, Die Roten are back in the final — for the third time in four years — and they face fierce Bundesliga title rivals Borussia Dortmund at the home of English football, Wembley Stadium.

Will they have their hearts broken again, or will they send manager Jupp Heynckes into retirement with an unprecedented German treble?

B/R is in London and we have five very bold predictions for the final. Check them out in the video above, and leave your comments below.

Follow Ryan Bailey on Twitter here.

Jacare Souza Faces Yushin Okami Next in the UFC, No Date for the Fight Yet

Damon Martin — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:32:21 -0400

It didn't take long for former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza to make his impact felt in the Octagon when he submitted Chris Camozzi in the first round of their bout at UFC on FX 8 in Brazil.

Now the Brazilian submission machine will take a sizeable step up in competition when faces perennial UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami later this year.

UFC President Dana White stated on Thursday during the UFC 160 media day that plans are in place for Jacare vs. Okami to take place later this year, although no date or card have been determined for the middleweight showdown.

"That fight will happen," White said about Okami vs. Jacare. "That's the fight we're going to make."

Following a long and fruitful career fighting in promotions in Japan and then eventually Strikeforce, Jacare finally made his UFC debut less than a week ago and it didn't take long for the rest of his division to take notice.

Jacare literally put Camozzi to sleep with an arm triangle choke just minutes into their fight, but now he will face one of the middleweight division's toughest challengers.

Throughout his UFC career, Yushin Okami has been a top contender although he's only fought for the belt one time in a losing effort to Anderson Silva at UFC 134 in 2011.

A wrestling-first powerhouse, Okami has stifled and suffocated opponents as he's continued to climb up the middleweight ladder time and time again. Following the loss to Silva, Okami actually dropped his next fight to Tim Boetsch by knockout, but then reeled off three wins in a row.

Among those victories was a dominating performance over Alan Belcher, and a win over former Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard.

Okami can potentially add yet another big-name win to his resume if he can get past Jacare later this year.

White did not hint around at a timeline for when they could announce the fight with Okami and Jacare, but the promotion is currently still filling up cards through August. One of those cards happens to be UFC 163, which takes place in Jacare's home country of Brazil.

It could be the perfect landing spot for the top ten middleweight tilt, but only time will tell what the UFC ultimately decides to do with the newly created fight.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Jim Harbaugh Will Drive the Pace Car in the Indy 500 Pace Car

Bleacher Report Productions — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:31:53 -0400

The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 is approaching. Jim Harbaugh has been given the distinct honor of driving the pace car in this year's Indy 500.

The 49ers head coach is eagerly awaiting his "coaching" on how to drive the classic red Corvette that leads the competitors around the track. Hopefully he can keep his fiery attitude under control and his speed at the desired pace.

Check out the video to hear what Jim Harbaugh has to say about this exciting moment.

Will Harbaugh exceed the speed limits? Let us know in the comments below.

Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Move on After Stevan Jovetic Decision

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:31:25 -0400

Arsenal is set to make some big moves this offseason, but the squad will have to look beyond its first option.

The club has made Stevan Jovetic its top priority this summer after watching him on several occasions this year. The Gunners could seriously use someone who scored 13 goals with five assists this year for Fiorentina. The fact that he is only 23 years old means that there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Of course, the Serie A club was well aware of his skill, and put a price tag of £30 million for the transfer, according to John Cross of Mirror Football. While this is a steep cost, it was still a possibility for Arsenal to spend the money.

Unfortunately, this appears to be a lost cause. According to Metro Sports:

The Gunners are believed to have made Jovetic their top transfer target, and reports this week claimed that negotiations were already underway over a £24.5million deal.

However, speaking after Fiorentina denied talks with Arsenal had taken place, agent Fali Ramadani says his client is not interested in moving to the Emirates.

‘Stevan prefers to stay in Italy rather than move away,’ said Ramadani.

It appears that Jovetic is more likely to go to a club like Juventus than move to the English Premier League. As a result, Arsenal needs to look for help in other places.

The best option on the table right now is Gonzalo Higuain. The Real Madrid star has more experience than Jovetic and has shown an ability to score at a high rate for a very good team.

Last season, he finished with 14 goals in La Liga, which ranked second on his club behind Cristiano Ronaldo. At 25 years old, he still has plenty of time left in his prime to succeed as well.

Cross reports that Real is asking for £22 million, but the club only values him at about £18 million. Still, his ability makes him worth the asking price.

Beyond that, there are few potential targets that will truly improve the front line. Fans have been clamoring for Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, but Arsene Wenger has denied any interest in the veteran, according to Fox Sports:

Arsenal has some talented offensive players, but it can always use more goal-scorers on the roster. While the club had a solid season earning a trip to next year's Champions League, it still has a long way to go to reach the top of the EPL.

Jovetic appears to be a lost cause, so the Gunners need to move on to acquire more talented players. Higuain is a great option for the club, and this transfer needs to be completed at all cost.

Roy Hibbert on Game 1 Knee-to-Groin: 'Battier Knew What He Was Doing'

Grant Hughes — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:29:30 -0400

In the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers has taken to Twitter to call out Shane Battier for what Hibbert believed was an intentional low blow.

Even after having a chance to sleep on it, Hibbert was apparently still angry enough to fire a shot at the Miami Heat veteran. But hey, at least this one was above the belt. Watch—if you dare—the play in question:

It's hard to argue with Hibbert on this one. Battier came barreling into the lane on what had to be one of the half-dozen or so drives he'd even attempted this season. The savvy vet may not find himself in the lane often, but he's got a reputation as one of the NBA's most cerebral players. So he had to know that challenging Hibbert was going to end badly for him.

So instead of rising up and attempting to convert an improbable shot over the hulking big man, Battier took a page out of Karl Malone's book and thrust out a knee at Hibbert's vulnerable bathing-suit area.

It was a pretty vicious shot—one that left both Hibbert and the viewing public grimacing.

We know Battier is famous for his pregame preparation. Moneyball author Michael Lewis illuminated the Duke product's intense study habits in a famous New York Times piece in 2009. Battier earned the nickname "The No-Stats All-Star" for his tireless effort to understand the unappreciated nuances of team defense.

He pores over scouting reports and is one of the few players who actually requests the advanced stats printouts from his team's analytics department. So maybe he knew something about how to attack Hibbert after all.

I guess sometimes the most effective ideas are the simplest.

Anyway, Battier rightfully earned an offensive foul for his airborne attack. But perhaps he's setting himself up for a second career in another sport.

Unfortunately for the Pacers, the direct hits to the jewels didn't stop with Battier's knee on Hibbert. Later in the game, Norris Cole got into the act by connecting on an uppercut to David West's man parts.

Unlike Hibbert, West hasn't responded in any social media format to Cole's shot. But that's probably because he's too busy thinking of ways to flatten the Miami guard the next time they come into contact. Cole is going to have to be extra careful over the balance of the series, as West is one of the last guys you'd want to hold a grudge against you.

To be fair to Cole, there's at least a far-fetched argument that his play wasn't intentional. Obviously, Battier's doesn't share that distinction.

Game 1 was a hotly contested affair, and now we know that tempers are still a little raw. Expect the rest of this series to feature more than its fair share of hard fouls, menacing staredowns, and apparently, disgruntled tweets.

Aaron Rodgers Believes Packers Should Retire Brett Favre's Number

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:21:30 -0400

The Green Bay Packers' relationship with Brett Favre has been on rocky terms since the legendary quarterback left the franchise before the 2008 season, but an unlikely source seems to be spearheading a reconciliation.

That source? Favre's replacement in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers.

Appearing on The Jim Rome Show Wednesday, Rodgers said that he hopes that Favre can have his number retired by the Packers before he's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I look forward to him being back in the fold, as Mark Murphy has said," Rodgers said, per ESPN. "I think it's time for our fans, this organization and Brett to heal through this and to move forward together before he gets the greatest honor of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Favre, who retired following the 2010-11 season, is eligible to make the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Rodgers and Favre themselves have quite the history. The Packers drafted Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft as the heir apparent to Favre, who had been flirting with retirement. Favre wound up returning to Green Bay and playing the next three seasons with Rodgers waiting in the wings.

When Favre finally retired, then un-retired before the 2008 season, the Packers did the unthinkable at the time: They chose the younger Rodgers. Green Bay then jettisoned Favre to the New York Jets, fraying what had been one of the most special relationships in the entire league.

The relationship devolved even further—especially among fans—once Favre joined the rival Minnesota Vikings in 2009. Favre spent two seasons with the Vikings, leading them to the NFC Championship his first year in Minneapolis.

By the time Favre retired, he was almost as reviled in Wisconsin as he once was beloved. Rodgers, charismatic and an NFL great in his own right, had made most Packers fans move on from the Favre era and a chill went over the relationship.

The Packers, Favre and Rodgers have worked to thaw out that chilled relationship in the year-plus since No. 4's retirement. Favre and Rodgers made a surprise appearance together at the NFL Honors awards show to present Peyton Manning with his Comeback Player of the Year award in February.

Following the dual appearance, the first public proclamations of a reconciliation between the Packers and Favre became clear. Rodgers said on his radio show in February that he hoped to "heal things up and [to] move forward."

Packers CEO Mark Murphy spoke earlier this month with Fox Sports Wisconsin and made it clear that the former face-of-the-franchise would be welcomed back—seemingly whenever he's ready.

"We want to have (Favre) back in the family," Murphy said.

As for whether Favre wants to come back and have his jersey retired, that's unclear. There are some members of the organization still around—namely Ted Thompson—from his ouster and there could be a little resentment still inside.

However, Favre's quote on NFL Network in February seemed to indicate he's more than open to coming back to Lambeau.

"I'm not so sure about that. I think some probably want to see it go away,” said Favre (h/t the Journal Sentinel's Bob Wolfley). “As far as coming back to Green Bay? We'll do it one day."

With Rodgers and the team welcoming Favre with open arms, it seems like "one day" might come sooner than anyone would have thought.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter:

UFC 160: Silva Will Avenge Loss To Velasquez in Spectacular Fashion

Jesse Reed — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:10:16 -0400

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva is out for revenge against Cain Velasquez in the main event of UFC 160, and he'll get it by knocking out the current heavyweight champ in glorious fashion.

The big rematch between these two MMA behemoths headlines a loaded card for Saturday night's pay-per-view extravaganza at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Velasquez crushed Silva in the most brutal way possible the first time these two fighters took to the mat back in May of 2012. He had him reeling from the moment the ref said "go," and completely dominated the action until the bout was finally, and compassionately, stopped at the 3:36-mark in Round 1.

Fans shouldn't expect a similar result, however, unless it's Velasquez on the receiving end of Silva's salvoes. Since that fateful night a year ago, Silva has emerged as one of the hottest heavyweight fighters in the UFC.

He has impressively defeated both fighters he faced—Travis Browne and legendary Strikeforce and Pride fighter Alistair Overeem—by way of knockout and TKO. He beat up on both of them, landing vicious strike after vicious strike with his heavy hands.

Velasquez, on the other hand, has only fought once since he beat Silva. He and Junior Dos Santos—the man who took his belt by way of a first-round knockout back in November of 2011—took the fight the full five rounds, and Velasquez was awarded the belt after the judges decided in his favor.

Silva won't be caught off guard this time around when he steps onto the mat against Velasquez. He never stood a chance the first time, but he won't make the same mistake twice.

Furthermore, his stand-up game has vastly improved since that fight, and his heavy hands are as dangerous as anyone's in the UFC right now.

Silva will be the aggressor this time around, and he'll continue his improvement by taking the heavyweight belt from Velasquez in spectacular fashion this Saturday night.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Chelsea Transfer News: Highlighting Blues' Most Coveted Targets This Summer

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:03:56 -0400

Following a third-place finish in the English Premier League and earning a berth in the UEFA Champions League next season, Chelsea is set to enter the summer with plenty to build on.

The Rafa Benitez era at Stamford Bridge is over, but with the strong possibility of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho returning to England for another coaching stint, Chelsea is seemingly just a few moves away from returning to championship form.

Below we'll highlight Chelsea's most coveted targets this offseason.

Radamel Falcao

If Chelsea, and potential new manager Jose Mourinho could only land one player this summer, the Blues would love it to be Radamel Falcao, according to the Mirror's John Cross: "Mourinho, who will be free to join Chelsea on June 2, wants three defenders, two midfielders and a striker with Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao at the very top of his hit-list."

A 27-year-old striker from Colombia, there are few football fans around the world who aren't familiar with the Atletico Madrid forward.

Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals in the Spanish Primera Division last season than Falcao, who netted 28 in 33 league appearances in 2012-13.

Falcao's nose for goal has no doubt made him a coveted piece this summer for Chelsea, but it remains to be seen how his game would translate to the English Premier League game.

Isco

Chelsea would also love to bolster its midfield this summer, showing interest in Malaga's Francisco Alarcon Suarez, better known as Isco. Per Cross, "They also fancy Malaga's in-demand midfielder Isco who is set to leave this summer with Manchester City also keen."

A 21-year-old attacking midfielder, Isco led Malaga with eight goals in La Liga last season. He finished the season with 11 in 45 appearances in all competitions.

Prior to joining Malaga in 2011, Isco played for Valencia, where he blossomed into one of the continent's most effective young midfielders.

With many years of elite football still ahead of him, Isco's future looks bright, regardless of where his game takes him.

Thibaut Courtois

While Petr Cech is still the man for Chelsea between the posts, the Blues may have their eye on a potential replacement down the road. Once again, according to Cross, "Mourinho has also recommended that Chelsea recall Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid."

Courtois is one of the most promising young goalkeeping prospects in Europe at the moment.

The 6'6" Belgian was strong in Atletico's 2-1 win over rival Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final this May, and he recorded 77 saves while conceding just 28 goals in 35 appearances for Los Rojiblancos in La Liga this past season.

If Chelsea could acquire Isco and Courtois this summer, the Blues would be off to a great start in terms of building a young, talented core to keep them in contention for years to come.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Game 4: Live Score, Updates and Analysis

Franklin Steele — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:59 -0400

Game 4 between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers is tonight and the B's have a chance to close out the Blueshirts on the road at Madison Square Garden. Only three teams have ever returned from a 3-0 deficit and the Rangers will be looking to take a step in that direction with a victory.

Win or lose, New York will be doing so without a scratched Brad Richards, as reported by Katie Strang of ESPN New York earlier today.

The benching of Richards is a desperate move by a desperate team, and the Bruins know there is blood in the water. If their defense plays as well in Game 4 as it did in Game 3, this series could be all over.

After firing 11 shots in the first period, the Rangers only managed 13 shots total the following two periods, making like easy for Tuukka Rask.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on CNBC in the United States.

MWFL Builds Momentum Heading into Its Tenth Season

Mark Staffieri — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:51:08 -0400

As the Maritime Women’s Football League heads into its tenth anniversary season, it celebrates the growth of women’s sports. Currently the longest running women’s sports league in Eastern Canada, the MWFL is creating more than just elite athletes, it is forging strong women and shaping them into role models.

While the women of the MWFL (like the competitors in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League) are pioneers in the sport, they are also providing talent for the Canadian National Team. The squad will attempt to help Canada claim its first ever gold medal at the 2013 Women’s Tackle Football Championships.

The defending SupHer Bowl Champions (the championship in the MWFL) Moncton Vipers have three players named to Team Canada, including Justine Barter, Marie-Noelle Beaulieu and Tara Keohan. The Saint John Storm will be sending two players (while two others were named to the roster). Sending a league-best four players will be the Capital Area Lady Gladiators.

A great sign that the league is experiencing growth in this breakthrough season is signified by the sponsors. Papa John’s Pizza, a sponsor of the National Football League, is on board as the title sponsor to SupHer Bowl X on July 20. Moosehead Breweries will also be supplying prize packages for a Fan of the Game event to be run during every MWFL regular season and playoff contest.

During the last two seasons, the Lady Gladiators finished as the runner-up in the SupHer Bowl. In 2011, they were bested by the Saint John Storm, while the Moncton Vipers claimed their second title in 2012 in a high scoring 49-42 showdown. Should the Lady Gladiators qualify once again this season, they are aiming to have third-time luck.

In her role as quarterback for the Capital Area Lady Gladiators, Alex Black is the league’s premier star. A seven time All-Star selection (2006-12), she was also the circuit’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and its Most Outstanding Player in 2008, respectively. In terms of consistency and leadership, Black could easily be considered the Peyton Manning or the Tom Brady of the MWFL.

Her skills as a leader are testament to what makes the women of the MWFL not just remarkable athletes, but remarkable people. “I strongly believe in demonstrating a positive character that is committed to training and dedicated to my team and I hope that philosophy extends to my teammates.”

As the MWFL Rookie of the Year in 2007, Tara Keohan is very passionate about the game. “Football is more than a sport. It is a lifestyle, an inspiration and a goal.”

Always putting the team first, Keohan’s positive attitude is a key reason why she is one of the elite talents in the MWFL. “I am more inclined to praise the quarterback’s pass and my teammates blocking than to say I had a great touchdown.”

Trina Graves, a three-time MWFL All-Star (twice on defense–2009, 2011, once on offense–2012) is entering her sixth full season in the MWFL. In addition to her great presence on the field, Graves is a strong leader off it. In assisting the MWFL executive as a Treasurer, Graves is eager for the 2013 season to be the best ever in MWFL history.

“With this season being our (MWFL's) 10th Anniversary, even more "man" hours are being put in to make sure it's the best season yet. I can say without a doubt that the finals in Saint John on July 20th, hosted by the Saint John Storm, should be the best show the league has seen in some time!”

Their tenth milestone season kicks off on May 25 with the Saint John Storm visiting the defending champion Moncton Vipers. In the late game, the Capital Area Lady Gladiators will visit the Halifax Xplosion. Having never won a SupHer Bowl, the Xplosion will be looking to start with a win as they attempt to claim the elusive championship dream.

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Mason Ryan Making Major Strides, Earning Praise in WWE NXT

Ryan Dilbert — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:50:30 -0400

Out of the glare of the bright lights of WWE proper, Mason Ryan has been growing, improving and developing as a performer at NXT.

The last most fans saw of the powerhouse was either his sporadic matches on WWE Superstars or when Cody Rhodes eliminated him during Survivor Series 2011. The best thing he had going was his physique and power. Beyond that, he had little to offer and was often awkward in the ring.

Rather than letting him continue to wilt and sputter on the main roster, WWE made the right move and sent him down to developmental.

Since that move, Ryan has let his hair grow out and adopted a Torture Rack into a neckbreaker as his finisher. Beyond those cosmetic changes, it appears that Ryan is learning the in-ring craft. In his January NXT match against Sakamoto, Ryan showed glimpses of being able to control and harness his staggering power.

It's a bit difficult to see here as it was shot with a fan cam, but this NXT match showcases Ryan being a convincing and intimidating force.

He is still not as fluid as you'd like to see, but he is getting better.

Jim Ross has noticed Ryan's recent improvement and had this to say on his blog: "Mason Ryan has made some significant improvement since being back in NXT and I look for him to be able to contribute on the next level if he continues to push himself and receive his coaching as he has been."

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com had even bigger accolades to hand out.

After seeing Ryan's recent performance against Enzo Amore on NXT TV, Johnson wrote that Ryan "looked like an explosive monster and far more confident in the ring as a performer" and also that he "looked like an old school beast in the ring."

While this fan doesn't have the renown of Johnson or Ross, his tweet is right on.

Seeing Ryan grow like this is a testament to the fact that NXT is doing its job. Less pressure, veterans in one's ears and practice on top of practice is supposed to have these prospects sharpen their skills. It's apparently working if Ryan is making strides.

It won't be an easy path back to the main roster, though. With a multitude of talented prospects in developmental alongside him, from Kassius Ohno to Corey Graves, Ryan has a surplus of competition.

Should WWE remain patient and should Ryan continue his improvement, the company could have a serviceable powerhouse to bring up to the main roster. His size and build are going to leave the door open for him; it will just be a matter of what he can do once he steps through it.

Kentucky Basketball: SEC Teams Wildcats Should Be Most Worried About

Bobby Reagan — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:49:02 -0400

Kentucky basketball reached uncharted territory last year, in the wrong way. After a first-round exit in the NIT, John Calipari and the Wildcats more than reloaded for the 2013-14 season by bringing in arguably the best recruiting class in school history.

The Wildcats aren't the only team with a great recruiting class though. Four other SEC teams join Kentucky in the top 20 recruiting classes in 2013 per ESPN. Florida and LSU are in the top 10, while Arkansas and Missouri are 18 and 19, respectively.

Names like Patric Young, Jarnell Stokes and Scottie Wilbekin are returning for another year of college basketball, making the SEC a competitive conference after a mediocre year from top to bottom.

Let's take a look at the three teams that will challenge Kentucky the most for the top of the conference standings.

Begin Slideshow

Cain Velasquez Won't Suffer Letdown vs. Antonio Silva in UFC 160 Title Fight

Ryan Rudnansky — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:42:21 -0400

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been down this road before.

To make a fight interesting, people start saying stuff like, "He's due for a letdown." "He can't keep this up forever." "All it takes is one punch."

Etc., etc.

But while it's true that Velasquez can't do this forever, don't expect him to suffer a letdown in a rematch against Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva on Saturday in UFC 160.

The last time the 30-year-old from San Jose faced Silva, he demolished him, scoring a TKO on punches in the first round.

Since then, Velasquez has gone on to capture the UFC heavyweight championship, against Junior Dos Santos, no less. The victory via unanimous decision was a bit of payback for Dos Santos handing him the sole loss of his career in November 2011.

Silva is expecting to do the same against Velasquez as Velasquez did against Dos Santos, but he's simply not in the same class as Velasquez. Few are.

We all know what Velasquez can do inside the Octagon. His combination of speed and power standing up is virtually unrivaled. Of his 11 victories, nine have come via knockout. He won't submit you on the ground, but he doesn't need to. All he needs to do is get position and let his hands go.

Silva's best bet is land first. It's as simple as that. He has the power to knock out Velasquez, with 13 knockouts in 18 career fights.

But landing against Velasquez, especially when you could be one punch away from hitting the canvass yourself, is easier said than done. Silva isn't the kind of fighter who will out-box you, so that figures to be a problem against his more talented opponent.

Silva's best chance is to catch Velasquez sleeping or unprepared. But, given Velasquez's professionalism and work ethic throughout the years, that's highly doubtful. In fact, he's said as much headed into the fight.

Velasquez said, via ESPN UK:

In the first fight, I didn't overlook him, and I'm not going to overlook him now. He's very dangerous. I'm not following in the footsteps of others who've made that mistake. I'm taking this fight very seriously.

Whenever Velasquez takes a fight seriously (which is all the time), opponents tend to hit the deck. With respect to Silva, I don't see that changing on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Finish Dead Last in the NFC East in 2013

Brad Gagnon — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:42:16 -0400

The NFC East is expected to be as tight as can be once again in 2013. Bovada in Las Vegas predicts that all four teams in the division will win between seven and nine games.

So it's not surprising that you can make perfectly solid arguments in favor of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins finishing first or last in a division that has come down to the wire four years in a row.

Here are the arguments for why Philadelphia will remain in the basement in 2013.

ON THE OTHER HAND: WHY THE EAGLES WILL WIN THE NFC EAST IN 2013

Too Much Change All at Once

It wouldn't be fair to use what happened in 2012 to conclude that the Eagles will once again finish last in the NFC East, but things have changed so much this offseason that it's fair to wonder if Philly might need a little extra time.

That transition from a 4-3 defense featuring the Wide 9 to a 3-4 scheme won't be easy on anyone, especially top pass-rushers Trent Cole and Brandon Graham.

And on offense, it might not be easy for the personnel left over from the Andy Reid's West Coast system to grab a hold of Chip Kelly's up-tempo approach—especially if the read-option is heavily involved.

Still Lacking a Franchise Quarterback

Michael Vick has been a disaster for two years running and there's no reason to believe things will be any different as he enters his 11th season at the age of 33. Kelly will do his best to teach an old dog new tricks, but it's hard to argue that Vick isn't the most careless starting quarterback in the division.

The jury's still out on Nick Foles, Matt Barkley needs time and Dennis Dixon's resume would seem to indicate he isn't qualified for such a job.

You can't win a division like this without a steady and consistent leader under center and Philly doesn't seem to have that.

Cowboys and Redskins Bound to Get Even Better

Those two division rivals already had large advantages over the Eagles last season, so while it's encouraging that Philly is shaking things up, it'll be hard to catch up this quickly.

Dallas and Washington were hit much harder by injuries than Philadelphia was last year, according to data mined by Football Outsiders, and yet they still managed to finish .500 or better.

This year, they've survived cap sanctions to keep the core of their rosters in place and—unless the football gods are really holding a grudge—should be healthier. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles.

Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win the NFC East in 2013

Brad Gagnon — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:41:33 -0400

The NFC East is expected to be incredibly tight once again this year. Bovada Online Gaming in Las Vegas predicts that all four teams in the division will win between seven and nine games. With that in mind, you can make perfectly valid arguments in favor of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins finishing first, or last, in the league's most popular division.

Let's do exactly that for the Eagles, starting with the glass-half-full perspective...

ON THE OTHER HAND: WHY THE EAGLES WILL FINISH DEAD LAST IN THE NFC EAST IN 2013

There's a new mentality in Philly

New head coach Chip Kelly means business. Once staples in the team's cafeteria during the Andy Reid Era, "Taco Tuesday" and "Fast Food Friday" are gone. Practices have become more fast-paced and efficient. Players have personalized smoothies, for crying out loud. The energy Kelly has brought to the NovaCare Complex could be enough to take an underachieving, talented roster from worst to first. The right pieces are in place, especially if Kelly and his smoothies can get the most out of each and every one of them.

On paper, they got a hell of a lot better this offseason

The Eagles were always better than 4-12 anyway, but then Kelly and Howie Roseman went out in the offseason and did some serious work revamping and upgrading the offense and defense. While the cap-strapped Giants, Cowboys and Redskins sat relatively idle, Philly added at least half a dozen new starters in free agency and some serious playmakers in the draft. Bradley Fletcher, Cary Williams, Earl Wolff and Jordan Poyer have the ability to breathe new life into the secondary, while Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson and James Casey could be immediate difference-makers on offense.

The offensive line might be fixed

Johnson was selected fourth overall so that he could step in right away and start at right tackle, enabling the Eagles to move Todd Herremans inside to guard. That means the ineffective Danny Watkins gets benched and the line as a whole improves dramatically. Remember, this line was missing left tackle Jason Peters as well as center Jason Kelce and Herremans at right tackle for a huge portion of the 2012 season. Hard to do anything when your offensive line is that depleted, but all of those guys are healthy now.

Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson are also back

Philly's most lethal offensive weapons spent large parts of 2012 sidelined due to injury, In fact, between the line and the skill positions, the Eagles lost more adjusted games due to injury than any other offense in the NFL last season, according to Football Outsiders. If Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Peters, Kelce and Herremans can stay healthy, the Eagles will have one of the most talented offensive units in the NFL.

Kane Challenges Tennessee State Official to Debate over Internet Sales Tax

Bill Atkinson — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:34:48 -0400

Kane may not be running for political office in Tennessee—yet—but he is making his presence known in that state’s political circles.

Kane, whose real name is Glenn Jacobs, tells Knoxville TV station WATE that he is challenging Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey to a debate over the proposal to place a sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases. Jacobs opposes the tax, while Ramsey supports it.

Jacobs appears in an interview on the TV station in a coat and tie, not showing any inkling of anger-management issues his wrestling alter ego does. His once-bald head now sports some slicked-back hair, and his eyes are the same color, not different like Kane’s.

In the video, which is on the ABC affiliate’s website, he is very engaging with the reporter, speaking intelligently about the issue and—gasp!—smiling frequently.

Jacobs tells the reporter that, should the Internet sales tax go through, that means a Tennessee resident who makes a $100 purchase online would wind up paying $10 more. The sales tax in Tennessee is 9.44 percent, he points out.

Ramsey and other tax supporters claim that the money generated by the Internet sales tax would allow the state to cut other consumer taxes. They also claim it is not a new tax because customers are supposed to—but do not often—file a sales tax on online purchases.

But Jacobs, who has supported Libertarian causes in the past, tells WATE that he does not buy that argument.

“The bottom line is whether technically or legally if you want to say this is not a new tax, if it's not being enforced, then the economic impact is that it is a new tax,” Jacobs tells the station.

Jacobs has been making the mainstream media news lately amid rumors that he may run against incumbent U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in next year’s GOP primary. Earlier this week, he announced he would not seek that political office—a point he reiterates during the WATE interview.

So far, according to WATE, the lieutenant governor has not accepted Jacobs’ invitation. But Jacobs tells the station that the politician will have nothing to fear.

“No there will be no physicality in the debate. It'll be purely intellectual,” Jacobs says in the interview.

Follow Bill Atkinson on Twitter at @BAtkinson1963.

Food in the Center of Golf Balls?

Daily Cold Hard Facts — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:27:59 -0400

Fact: Honey is used as the center for golf balls.

Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the interesting and engaging Cold Hard Fact of the day, presented by Coors Light.

Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Latest News Surrounding the Dodgers

Geoff Ratliff — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:22:53 -0400

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be last in the National League West standings, but they are certainly first in the news. The team with the highest payroll in baseball has gotten off to a miserable 19-26 start, leading to speculation about the futures of several key figures within the organization.

Needless to say, this is not what Magic Johnson and the other members of Guggenheim Baseball Management expected when they paid more than $2 billion for the Dodgers last spring.

General manager Ned Colletti was given license to overhaul the team by any means necessary. So far, however, the expensive contract extensions, blockbuster trades and glamorous free-agent signings have not resulted in many victories on the field.

Injuries have unquestionably played a significant role in the Dodgers’ disappointing start. But most of the latest rumors making the rounds in Los Angeles are focused on the team’s failure, regardless of the reason.

At this time last season, the Dodgers were 30-14 and had the best record in baseball. Now, the team is a significant winning streak away from just getting back to .500—thanks largely to an offense that is second to last in all of MLB in runs scored.

As the organization scrambles to salvage a season that began with enormous expectations, here are a few of the biggest stories and rumors surrounding the Dodgers.

Begin Slideshow

Roland Garros 2013: Most Likely Challengers to Threaten Big Four in French Open

Justin Onslow — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:55 -0400

On the clay courts of Roland Garros, it’s Rafael Nadal and the rest of the field.

The “King of Clay” has taken seven of the last eight French Open titles, failing only in 2009 when he made a fourth-round exit at the hands of Robin Soderling. Since that appearance, it’s been smooth sailing for the world's No. 4-ranked player. This year may be no different.

But Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic can’t be counted out. One half of tennis’ Big Four, the duo continues to dominate the sport. Both have experienced their share of disappointment of late, but it would be foolish to expect that neither is up to the task of winning another Grand Slam event.

But while they’ll be looking ahead to meeting Nadal later in the tournament, they should also be looking over their collective shoulder.

At 31, Federer is entering the twilight of his career. Djokovic is coming off two consecutive losses that came short of the semifinals, and both are already heavy underdogs to upend Rafa at Roland Garros.

But according to Christopher Clarey of The New York Times, Andy Murray has already withdrawn from the event, meaning things could get a lot more interesting with the draw yet to be determined.

If Federer and Djokovic are to cut through the field at Roland Garros, they will have to play much better than they have in recent events. Otherwise, the following three challengers could see to it that neither of them make a deep run at the French Open.

3. Stanislas Wawrinka (ATP No. 11)

Stanislas Wawrinka has never made it past the fourth round at the French Open, but the 28-year-old has a chance to change that this year.

Wawrinka is 15-4 on clay this year, including a win at the Portugal Open and a runner-up finish at the Madrid Open earlier in May. He may not be a popular pick to make a deep run at Roland Garros, but Wawrinka’s recent play is a good sign that he may break through that barrier in 2013.

The Swiss challenger’s success could depend heavily on the draw, however.

With Murray out and Nadal potentially securing the No. 3 seed, Federer may be the only top player standing in Wawrinka’s way in his pursuit of a finals appearance in the bottom half of the draw. FedEx looks fresher now than he did prior to his two-month layoff, but he certainly looks beatable.

If the 28-year-old Wawrinka finds himself opposite Nadal and Djokovic in the draw, his French Open title hopes could end in short order.

2. Tomas Berdych (ATP No. 6)

Like Wawrinka, the No. 6 player in the world has experienced his share of struggles at Roland Garros.

But Berdych also has the talent to turn his recent history at the French Open into a successful campaign this year. He made a semifinals appearance in each of his last two clay court events (Madrid Open and Rome Masters) and is playing much better than his 8-4 clay-court record would indicate.

With a dominating forehand and tremendous power, Berdych is a matchup nightmare for many of the top players in the field. He may not be able to complete with Nadal on Roland Garros’ clay courts, but Djokovic and Federer should be on the lookout for the Czech challenger.

Berdych bested both top-ranked players at Wimbledon in 2010, and he’ll be looking to do the same at this year's French Open. Apart from the usual list of potential upset candidates, Berdych is one of the biggest threats to taking down Federer and Djokovic this year.

1. David Ferrer (ATP No. 5)

The “Big Four” may not be the most suitable moniker. David Ferrer’s impressive play—especially against Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic—put him in the conversation to join that elite group of players.

Ten of Ferrer’s 20 singles titles have come on clay, and he’s poised for another big clay-court showing at Roland Garros this year. If he can build on his semifinals appearance at the 2012 French Open, this year’s title won’t be out of reach.

The 31-year-old already has a victory and two runner-up finishes on clay this year, and he’s showing no signs of slowing. Potentially the No. 4 seed with Murray having withdrawn, Ferrer will have a much more favorable draw to traverse as well.

Nadal bested Ferrer at the Madrid Open, but outside of Federer and Djokovic, there isn’t another player in the field with a better chance of taking down the King of Clay at Roland Garros.

Why Ohio State's Carlos Hyde Will Be the Best Big Ten RB in 2013

Ian Berg — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:13:12 -0400

The competition to become the best running back in the Big Ten will soon be underway. The conference is loaded with able bodies, but only one player will be considered the top back in 2013.

Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska has his argument, as does Venric Mark at Northwestern, but Carlos Hyde will be the best the Big Ten has to offer in 2013.

Mark is the hot name for Northwestern after a big 2012 and Abdullah took over for an injured Rex Burkhead last season and gained a bit of the national spotlight. Still, the best back in the Big Ten plays for Ohio State and his knack for finding the end zone is one of the key reasons why.

Hyde began the 2012 season as the Buckeyes' starter but fell to an injury early in the year. He sat out the Cal and UAB games, returning at the end of September against Michigan State.

He still managed 970 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last fall. He averaged 5.2 yards a carry. Hyde was able to rush for at least one score in each of the last seven games of 2012.

In just the final seven games, he accumulated 14 of his 16 scores.

When the Buckeyes get to the red zone, it is game over with Hyde in the backfield. At 240 pounds, he is a bruiser that plows through defenses. The Buckeyes will often use Hyde close to the goal line, increasing his numbers heading into his senior year.

One of the factors that will help Hyde push for extra yards will be the talented Buckeyes offensive line.

Having a veteran offensive line is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important factors for a team’s success.

This fall, the Buckeyes return four of five starters along the line, giving Hyde a strong and experienced group to lead block for him this fall. It will consistently produce huge holes for him to push through.

As talented a back as Hyde is, without a solid group producing blocks, he would be rendered useless.

The final piece that will help Hyde take the Big Ten over will be the balance in the offense. There are a number of playmakers that will share the load this fall, helping take the focus off the talented back.

With the spotlight shining elsewhere, Hyde will be able to push for a lot of tough yards. Managing 18-20 carries a game is very achievable and historically, when Hyde gets his carries, the Buckeyes win big.

The Ohio State offense will be one of the premier attacks in the Big Ten this fall and it will rely heavily on the balanced approach that made Urban Meyer a legend at Florida.

Braxton Miller will join Hyde in creating an elite backfield heading into 2013.

With Hyde carrying the load, the Buckeyes will march into the BCS.

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy

LeBron James Disagrees with Michael Jordan's Scouting Report on Him

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:43 -0400

When LeBron James stopped on a dime, spun over his right shoulder and blew past Paul George for a game-winning layup on Wednesday night, he wasn't just giving the Miami Heat a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

He was also proving Michael Jordan wrong—again.

When James received the inbound pass, George's momentary imbalance allowed James to drive to his left for the score. However, if Jordan's assessment of James' game had been correct, LeBron would have pulled up for a jumper rather than finishing at the rim.

Speaking with ESPN's Wright Thompson for a fantastic profile that ran earlier this year in celebration of MJ's 50th birthday, Jordan spoke at length about LeBron and how he would guard the four-time MVP if he were still playing.

"So if I have to guard him," Jordan said, "I'm gonna push him left so nine times out of 10, he's gonna shoot a jump shot. If he goes right, he's going to the hole and I can't stop him. So I ain't letting him go right."

It seems His Airness' scouting report got back to James, and he made a point of addressing it in his meeting with the media on Thursday.

"That theory is wrong, I guess," James said (per ESPN's Brian Windhorst).

This isn't the first time James has responded to Jordan-related criticisms or comparisons. LeBron sent out a cryptic tweet in February to his eight-plus-million followers that made it clear he was looking to pave his own NBA legacy:

As noted by Windhorst, the stats are on James' side. According to Synergy Sports, which tracks each possession of every game for the NBA, James is quite adept at finishing when going to the left. He shot 56.3 percent in isolation situations when driving to the left, compared to a 48.5 percent success rate when going right.

James also tends to go left more than he does right. He made an astounding 76 percent of his shots in the restricted area during the regular season, the most among any player with at least 150 attempts, per NBA.com.

Though going left was a weak point earlier in his career, James expanded on his initial quote by saying that playing ambidextrously has been an emphasis dating back to his youth:

Frank Walker, my first basketball coach, taught me how to make a left-handed layup. He wouldn't let me dribble the ball until I got the steps down to make a left-handed layup consistently. We used to do it before practice every day. He always told me I'd be a much better player if I could make shots with both hands.

We all knew James was good and could finish with both hands. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this entire endeavor is that James heard Jordan's quotes in the first place and seems to have taken them to heart.

Throughout his career, Jordan was known for taking small slights and turning them into internal motivational ploys. His "Shrug Game" ended the Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler debate by itself, and his MVP losses to Charles Barkley and Karl Malone ended catastrophically for the two big men in the playoffs.

Maybe Jordan's jab at LeBron's left-handed drive game is working similarly for James. Either way, the Pacers learned the hard way not to cheat too far right on the planet's best player in Game 1.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter:

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Does Pinson Commitment Signal a Title Run Brewing?

C.J. Moore — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:24 -0400

Roy Williams is putting together the banner recruiting class that usually leads to Final Fours and net-cutting.

It's a bit early to predict future greatness for the Tar Heels, and Williams could still sign another star or two, but UNC fans have to be excited about the latest commitment from Theo Pinson. The local product became the third player ranked in the top 21 of the 2014 class (according to Rivals.com's rankings) to commit to Williams. No other program has had more than one player ranked in the top 30 commit.

This is the kind of class that usually re-energizes ol' Roy. He usually recruits in cycles and every few years—even back to when he was at Kansas—he'll land a star-studded class or back-to-back great classes that give him the players necessary to win a title.

Take a quick stroll through Williams' past.

In 1993, he signed Scott Pollard and Jacque Vaughn. The next year he landed Raef LaFrentz, followed by Paul Pierce the following season. In Vaughn's senior season with that core of future pros, the Jayhawks had one of the best teams ever to not win a national title.

In 1999, Williams signed Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich and Drew Gooden. That trio led KU to the Final Four in 2002. Collison and Hinrich then took KU to the title game in 2003.

Williams' first championship was led by Sean May, Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton. He can thank Matt Doherty for that one.

The 2009 title team was led by two seniors—Tyler Hanbrough and Danny Green—and three juniors—Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Deon Thompson. Brandan Wright, the star of that junior class left early, but Williams had recruited enough depth to compensate for his loss.

Now take a look at what the 2014-15 Heels could look like.

In the post, Williams will have 2013 signees Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks along with Brice Johnson and Joel James as juniors. Desmond Hubert and Jackson Simmons will provide depth as seniors. It's not likely, but there's a possibility that James Michael McAdoo could be around for his senior year.

On the wing, Pinson will be joined by fellow five-star recruit Justin Jackson. Both could potentially start as freshmen if P.J. Hairston leaves after next season. Off the bench, J.P. Tokoto should be a solid option as a junior.

At point guard, Williams will have Marcus Paige in his third year as a starter. 2014 signee Joel Berry could create a situation similar to Kendall Marshall's freshman season, where he eventually displaced Larry Drew II as the starter.

Paige also has enough height and a good enough jumper to slide over to the 2 spot. Incoming 2013 point guard Nate Britt should also provide depth at the point.

Here's a realistic starting lineup for the 2014-15 team with the Rivals' ranking of each player coming out of high school in parentheses.

PG: Marcus Paige (34)
SG: Theo Pinson (15)
SF: Justin Jackson (14)
PF: Isaiah Hicks (16)
C: Brice Johnson (49)

That's an average ranking of 25.6. It would drop to 17 if you replace Pinson with Hairston (13) and Johnson with McAdoo (8), or it could be as low as 14.4 if you also replace Paige with Berry (21).

Here's how those lineups compare with UNC's last seven starting lineups, ranked as prospects:

2006-07: 20.4
2007-08: 26.0
2008-09: 26.0
2009-10: 60.2
2010-11: 21.2
2011-12: 16.4
2012-13: 19.8

These are all hypothetical scenarios. Last season proved that these projections don't always pan out, especially when you lack experience. But Williams has to love the versatility he'll have in 2014-15 and going forward. There's enough depth in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 classes that the Heels will be able to survive if anyone bolts for the NBA.

And Williams might not be finished yet with this class.

According to CBSSports.com's Jeff Borzello, North Carolina is being considered by 2014's consensus top-ranked recruit Jahlil Okafor. UNC was also a leader for star shooting guard Rashad Vaughn several weeks ago.

The fact that the current class is missing a top 10 stud might not be the worst thing. Williams has thrived when he's been able to get his best players to stick around for a few years and get used to his system.

In the one-and-done era, Williams might just be putting together his ideal roster.

If for some reason anyone was questioning whether Williams still had it as a recruiter when the Heels were struggling this past season or when they didn't land Andrew Wiggins, go ahead and stop.

Williams is building again and he's still one of the best architects in the game.

Comparing AJ McCarron to Other Alabama QBs of the BCS Era

Randy Chambers — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:02:22 -0400

Since Alabama has few weaknesses and is the favorite to win a third straight national title, much of the focus is on quarterback A.J. McCarron. Is he really as good as his numbers indicate, or is he just another game-manager who is benefiting from the system?

Yeah, when your team wins back-to-back national championships, you can waste time debating whether or not a quarterback that threw 30 touchdowns last year is as good as the numbers indicate.

There's plenty of time to argue whether or not McCarron has the goods to be a productive NFL player. As of right now, that remains a mystery.

A more logical question at this point is where McCarron ranks among other Alabama BCS quarterbacks. Once you break things down, you'll soon notice that the Crimson Tide have not had a quarterback this effective in a long time, possibly ever.

Alabama actually hasn't had that much quarterback success during the BCS era. Besides John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy, all of the other 'Bama quarterbacks were mainly forgettable.

Spencer Pennington split time with Brodie Croyle in 2004. The coaching staff had little trust in Tyler Watts who, while leading the Tide to a 7-5 record in 2001, also split time with Croyle the following season. There was also a four-year starter in Andrew Zow, who was an interception machine and didn't amount to much.

Croyle had a couple of seasons where he was reliable, but he wasn't much of a difference maker the way the other guys were.

So there's McCarron, Wilson and McElroy.

Wilson once held the school record for career touchdowns passes at 47, a mark that McCarron (currently at 49 touchdowns) will have shattered as long as he remains healthy.

But the interesting part is that Wilson needed 1,176 pass attempts to set that record (one TD pass for every 25 passes attempted), while McCarron has thrown the ball only 690 times, which comes to one TD for every 14 passes.

This screams of McCarron's efficiency—as does his interception total: While Wilson finished his career with 30, McCarron has thrown only nine picks. Wilson had more interceptions in two of his three years as a starter than McCarron has had in his whole career to this point.

Parker does hold the Alabama career passing yards record at 7,924, but that is another record that a healthy McCarron will soon call his own. McCarron already has 5,956 passing yards. Even counting the 2010 season in which he didn't play much, McCarron has averaged 1,985 yards per season in his time with Alabama. He should pass the career yardage record with his eyes closed.

McElroy was known for his completion percentage, as he threw high percentage passes and always put the ball where it needed to be placed. He is the Alabama career leader for completion percentage, connecting on 66.3 percent of his passes.

But not so fast. If McCarron was to walk away right now, he would hold this record as well with a completion percentage of 66.6 percent.

Hopefully he remains healthy because those numbers are kind of scary. With McCarron completing 66.8 and 67.2 percent his throws the last two seasons, it would take an unusual season for that record not to fall.

McCarron will soon hold every Alabama passing record that matters. He also has two national championship rings. If he's lucky, there is a third one waiting for him this season. McElroy is the only other Alabama quarterback to win one during the BCS era.

Expect much of the talk this upcoming season to dwell on McCarron's future as a pro. Whether or not he excels at the NFL level, he is easily the best Alabama quarterback of the BCS era and possibly of all time.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Patrick Roy Agrees in Principle to Become Colorado Avalanche Head Coach

Ethan Grant — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:20 -0400

Patrick Roy completed a long and successful NHL playing career by retiring from the sport of hockey as a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 2003.

On Thursday afternoon, he struck a deal with Colorado management to return to the franchise as both the head coach of the team and the Vice President of Hockey Operations. The team's Twitter account had the news of the hiring:

NHL.com's Dan Rosen also confirmed that the Avs and Roy had agreed in principle to the move:

Roy completed a 19-year NHL career with the Avs following the 2002-03 season. He led the NHL in save percentage four times, made the All-Star team 11 times, was a three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy and also had four Stanley Cup triumphs—two with the Montreal Canadiens and two with Colorado.

Both the Canadiens and the Avalanche have retired Roy's No. 33 jersey.

Colorado's Instagram account also posted a pic of Roy and what he might look like on the bench with the Avs next season:

The deal to sign Roy comes over three weeks after the Avalanche fired former head coach Joe Sacco after finishing with just 39 points and missing the 2013 NHL playoffs. He takes over a team desperate for a fresh start, as it has missed the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons.

During an interview as Roy was announced as the team's new head coach, he expressed excitement in earning the job and optimism for helping Colorado get back to the success it had when he was in the net, according to Brian Stubits of CBS Sports:

This is an unbelievable day for me...It's a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me. Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am.

Roy comes on board after coaching the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL. He was also the general manager of that team, and he'll continue to help the front office and former teammate Joe Sakic—the new President of Hockey Operations—on player personnel decisions.

As Dave Krieger posted on Twitter, Sakic is also happy to have Roy back on board with the franchise in two significant capacities. According to this tweet, he was always the top candidate during the search for a new head coach:

Team president Josh Kroenke also noted how important this day could turn out to be after Roy's tenure is all said and done (via Krieger):

Only the Florida Panthers finished with fewer points (36) than Colorado did during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. A front office and coaching staff turnover was imminent at the conclusion of the regular season, and the next domino has dropped in the form of a new head coach.

It just so happens to be man who is beloved both by the franchise he once played for and the city to which he brought two championships.

Roger Federer's Biggest Strengths Will Be Neutralized at 2013 French Open

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:07 -0400

Roger Federer has always been a strong player on clay, but his limited success at the French Open compared to his record at the other three Grand Slams is telling.

While much of the blame for Fed's shortcomings at Roland Garros falls squarely on the shoulders of Rafael Nadal, the impact that the slower-playing surface has on the 17-time Slam champion's game cannot be ignored.

More so than any of the other three Slam events, the French Open neutralizes Federer's biggest strengths out on the court.

Sure, Fed has always been an above-average mover on the tennis court, but he's never been the sort of relentless scrambler that Nadal has been over the past decade. Not only can players like Nadal and Novak Djokovic stop, plant and change direction quickly on the clay, they can turn defense into offense.

Meanwhile, Federer's dominance on grass—specifically at Wimbledon—has been well-documented over the years.Unlike the clay in Paris, the London grass plays super-fast, with winners coming much more easily.

Therefore, Fed's precise shot-making sets him apart from the rest of the men's field at the All-England Club.

In addition to his playing style, the Swiss legend's one-handed backhand has no doubt hurt him a bit against the likes of Rafael Nadal at the French Open in the past.

With younger players like Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray all utilizing two-handed backhand shots in order to put their opponents under pressure, Fed is trailing the other members of the Big Four in the power game.

While Fed has unlimited slice and spin he can put on his single-handed backhand, he'll continue to struggle to get his backhands past excellent scramblers like Nadal and Djokovic.

Then there's the issue of Federer's serve. Despite possessing one of the greatest serves in the history of the game, the clay makes Fed slightly less effective in this area. He's unable to pick up easy aces quite as often and the result is fewer cheap points.

And nearing age 32, Federer needs as many quick points as he can get over the course of a best-of-five-set Slam tournament.

The beauty of Fed's game is that he is more than capable of overcoming all of these issues. As arguably the greatest champion men's tennis has ever seen, no moment will be too big for him at a tournament of this magnitude.

Plus, his vast arsenal of shots makes him one of the most versatile players in the draw year in and year out.

Given all that Roger Federer has accomplished over the past decade and the simple fact that he still ranks among the top four players on the planet, you have to love his chances of making yet another deep run at the French Open this summer.

But if he's going to win his 18th major title this June, he'll have to do it without his most effective game.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

New York Giants' Fate Lies in Contract Situations of Nicks and Cruz

Chris Trapasso — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:53:44 -0400

Eli Manning has led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, but what type of quarterback would he be today without Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz?

Well, Nicks has 255 receptions for 3,726 yards and 27 touchdowns on 436 targets in 55 games played since 2009.

Cruz has 168 receptions for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns on 274 targets in 32 games since 2011.

Cruz has 949 yards after the catch since his debut season with the G-Men and over the same time frame Nicks has amassed 567 yards after the catch.

Over the last two seasons, the duo has accounted for 50.8 percent of Manning's passing yardage, 43.6 percent of his completions and 35.1 percent of his touchdown tosses.

Safe to say, Nicks and Cruz are integral to the New York Giants offense and Manning's annual production.

While some believe an elite quarterback doesn't necessarily depend on his pass-catching talent, the two established receiving stars are needed to make Manning's life much easier.

But now, Cruz is in the midst of a contract dispute, and Nicks is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Like Cruz, Nicks has missed the first two OTA sessions, but unlike Cruz, Nicks' absences were not due to any contract disagreements with the team according to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.

However, the Giants will have to make some important decisions this year regarding their top two wideouts.

With Cruz holding out and Nicks' contract expiring at season's end, which receiver should be the Giants' top priority, and can they keep them both?

As the Cruz vs. Nicks debate rages on, here's a comparison of the two on a per-game basis since 2011:

Name	Catches Per Game Since 2011	TDs Per Game Since 2011	Catches Per Target Since 2011
Victor Cruz	5.25	.59	.61
Hakeem Nicks	4.60	.38	.55

Some of Cruz's numbers may be inflated due to the fact that Nicks missed four games over the last two seasons, but the undrafted free-agent has clearly been a more efficient figure in the Giants offense.

Also there's a notion that Nicks' presence goes beyond the quantifiable. He does play bigger than his 6'1'', 210-pound suggests, and he excels on the perimeter in a traditional No. 1 receiver role.

Many believe outside wideouts who can outmuscle cornerbacks, win jump balls and consistently beat press coverage at the line are harder to find and more valuable, which thereby leads to the idea that Nicks should be New York's primary contractual concern.

However, Cruz isn't an easy slot receiver to replace.

Here's how he compares to the league's best slot guys over the last two years:

Name	Yards Gained Per Route Run (from slot)	Catches on Targets 20+ Yards Downfield	Yards Per Catch
Percy Harvin	2.08	5	11.0
Randall Cobb	2.43	10	12.7
Wes Welker	2.44	12	12.2
Victor Cruz	2.82	21	15.6

The Giants realized Cruz was as fast down the field as he was laterally quick, and they have used him as a threatening vertical threat, especially as a rookie.

Basically, it can be argued that it's just as difficult, if not harder, to find a receiver of Cruz's physical abilities who's capable of beating the defense underneath and over the top.

In other words, he can make a strong argument at the negotiating table that he's not simply another slot receiver and therefore shouldn't be paid like one.

Cruz and Nicks will likely ask for between $8-10 million per season, and, frankly, the Giants should pay them both to keep Manning's favorite targets around as the quarterback enters his 10th professional season.

However, it's not inconceivable that New York is preparing itself and is willing to replace Nicks' production in the future with Rueben Randle and the recently re-signed Ramses Barden.

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ACC Baseball Tournament Schedule 2013: Highlighting Pivotal Round-Robin Games

Richard Langford — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:30 -0400

The tightly packed and talented ACC is up for grabs as the conference's top eight teams do battle in the ACC tournament.

For this tournament, the top eight teams are split up into four pools. The teams will then commence in three games apiece of round-robin play, before the winners of the two pools meet for the championship game on May 26 at 1 p.m. ET.

This tournament is up for grabs, and that became apparent on the first day of play on Wednesday when defending champion—but No. 7 seed—Georgia Tech, took down No. 2 seed Florida State, 4-3.

The Seminoles can still rebound and advance to the championship game, but the point remains: no team is a lock and no team is out of it. This tournament is anyone's to win.

Check out the schedule and then I'll highlight the three biggest remaining games of round-robin play.

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
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 and previous results can be found on TheACC.com.

Florida State vs. Virginia Tech on May 23 at 7 p.m. ET

Florida State's tournament run got off to a terrible and heartbreaking start in their 4-3 loss to Georgia Tech, when the Yellow Jackets hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth to pull off a come-from-behind victory.

Now, the Seminoles, Pool B's highest seed, is in need of winning out.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech got off to a fantastic start.

The Hokies demolished No. 3 seed Virginia 10-1. The Hokies have a powerful lineup that can produce runs in a hurry, but they are lacking in the pitching department.

This sets up an interesting matchup with the pitching-rich Seminoles, who cannot afford another loss.

Virginia vs. Florida State on May 25 at 11 a.m. ET

No. 3 Virginia is seeded right behind Florida State, and while their tournament opening lacked the heartbreak of the Seminoles', it did have the terrible.

As we just mentioned, the Cavaliers were trounced by the punishing lineup of the Hokies. This was a shocking result for the No. 5 team in the latest Baseball America poll.

However, they quickly bounced back and in the first game on Thursday, when they easily handled Georgia Tech 8-2.

Assuming Florida State can handle the Hokies, this game will be for tie of the winner of Pool B with the winner of the Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech game.

North Carolina State vs. North Carolina on May 25 at 7 p.m. ET

Onto Pool A. There is only one Pool A game in the books. That came when No. 4 seed N.C. State, the second highest in Pool A, took down Clemson 6-3 on Wednesday.

That result was no surprise. The balanced Wolfpack are peaking at the right time. They have now won 27 of their last 31, and appear to be the only team in this pool capable of handling the Tar Heels.

The Wolfpack don't feature a lot of power, but this is a lineup that knows how to get on base and make things happen when they do. They also have a solid pitching staff.

Meanwhile, the Tar Heels have an amazing lineup with good bats up and down, and four players hitting over .350. They also have quality starting pitching.

This will be the final game of pool play, and my money says it is to determine who will advance to the championship.

Why This Is No Ordinary Era of Dominating Young Arms

Zachary D. Rymer — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:22 -0400

"Youth! Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!"

Oscar Wilde wrote that in The Picture of Dorian Gray. It was either meant as a satirical lamentation of some sort, or as a prophetic appraisal of the pitching landscape in today's MLB.

It just might have been, for it seems that every time one happens to look up, a guy like Matt Harvey, Shelby Miller, Matt Moore or Patrick Corbin is doing something awesome. In the realm of pitching, youth is ruling.

Granted, we've seen pitching youth movements before... But this one is different. Perhaps not the best, but certainly extraordinary in its own way.

Per FanGraphs, there are 15 qualified starting pitchers age 26 or younger with ERAs under 3.00. Harvey, Miller, Moore and Corbin are in the mix, and they're joined by the following: Clayton Kershaw, Stephen Strasburg, Travis Wood, Chris Sale, Zach McAllister, Alex Cobb, Jeff Locke, Mike Minor, Trevor Cahill, Yu Darvish and Madison Bumgarner.

Some of these guys appear to be out of place, but the list does read as a "who's who" of the great young pitchers doing work in 2013, and the sheer size of the group brings history to mind.

Per Baseball-Reference.com, there hasn't been a season in which more than 10 26-or-younger pitchers finished with ERAs under 3.00 since 1992. That class included Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling and John Smoltz, all five of whom could be in Cooperstown before long.

Another year that stands out is the year 1971, in which 19 26-or-younger pitchers finished with sub-3.00 ERAs. That class included Bert Blyleven, Catfish Hunter, Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton. All five of them are in Cooperstown.

How good are 2013's young studs compared to the young studs of 1971 and 1992?

Oh boy... It only being six weeks into the 2013 season, we really shouldn't go there...

But what the heck. Let's do it anyway.

The Game Score statistic, developed by Bill James to quantify how good a given start was, can help us out here. If we take a look at the average Game Score averages (try not to say that five times really fast) for our three key classes, we get the following:

It's early yet, and you can count on some of the eyebrow-raising youngsters to fall off the pace as the season goes along, but, well, there you go. Collectively, our primary 15 youngsters are stringing together some truly awesome starts.

There has to be a key, right? Today's top young pitchers have to be doing something that the top young pitchers from 1971 and 1992 weren't doing, right?

You bet, and it starts with an S and rhymes with "mikeouts."

Strikeouts are all the rage in today's MLB. A decade ago in 2003, the league strikeout percentage (K%) was 16.4, according to FanGraphs league data. It got up to 19.8 percent last year and is at an even 20 percent this year. Starters are doing their part with a K% of 19.0.

That number looks pedestrian next to what the league's top young guns are doing. Kershaw, Harvey, Miller and Darvish all boast a K% over 25.0. Corbin, Cobb, Minor, Strasburg, Moore, Bumgarner and Sale are between 21.0 and 25.0.

Collectively, the 15 young starters on our radar boast a K% of 22.99, practically four whole points above the league average for starters.

By comparison, the Class of 1971 had a 16.03 collective K%. The Class of 1992 had a 17.59 collective K%. Puny mortals compared to the young punchout merchants of 2013.

As for why today's young pitchers are so good at racking up strikeouts, that's where it gets next to impossible to compare eras. We have mountains of data for pitchers who have come along in the last decade or so, but much of this data simply doesn't exist for pitchers of yesteryear.

However, we do have testimonials that we can put to the, um, test.

Earlier this year, Lyle Spencer of MLB.com spoke to San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, and he chalked up the abundance of great young pitching to things like larger body types, velocity and deep repertoires.

The first two check out. Whereas only seven of the 19 pitchers from the Class of 1971 went as tall as 6'3", 12 of the 15 guys from the Class of 2013 stand at least 6'3". And according to Baseball Info Solutions by way of FanGraphs, 10 of the 15 are throwing at least as hard as the league-average velocity for starters of 90.8 miles per hour.

But this is a "Bah, big deal!" situation. There were tall young pitchers before 2013, and goodness knows there were hard-throwing youngsters before 2013.

Deep repertoires, on the other hand...that there's a point.

A deep repertoire is a must in the age of the strikeout, as ESPN's Jayson Stark noted last summer that starting pitchers are shying more and more away from their fastballs to keep hitters guessing. One look at the league pitch type data over the last decade confirms this to be true, as the percentage of fastballs thrown by starters has fallen rather far.

For the most part, the 15 young pitchers on our radar fall in line with this trend. Using Baseball Info Solutions data, here's a look at their pitch types as compared to the league averages for starters:

Green means higher than the league average, and yellow basically means "Meh, close enough."

The only guys who stand out as being two-pitch pitchers are Shelby Miller, Zach McAllister and Patrick Corbin, and the label fits more on Miller and McAllister than it does on Corbin. Per BrooksBaseball.net, Corbin throws two different fastballs and he's not at all shy about busting out his changeup against right-handed batters.

So the big picture is that the top young starters on the 2013 landscape aren't one- or two-trick ponies. And it's not just the percentages that look sexy. Generally, these deep repertoires are serving our youngsters well.

Here's where we turn to Pitch Type Linear Weights, specifically the standardized variety. The following table shows us how many runs above average our pitchers are saving with each of their pitches on a "per 100 pitch" basis, once again as compared to the league averages for starters:

Once again, there's a lot of green to be found here, and not just in the fastball department. Every pitcher has at least one non-fastball pitch that's working for him—though it should be noted that Zach McAllister's cutter isn't a primary weapon.

And yes, it's downright unfair that Matt Harvey, whose fastball is electric, has had all four of his pitches working for him. He's also a perfect example of how downright different today's young studs are when compared to young studs from yesteryear.

Though he's not a member of either the Class of 1971 or the Class of 1992, consider 23-year-old Roger Clemens in 1986. Though extremely talented, all he really had was a fastball and a curveball. The degree to which he relied on his heat really shows up when you go back and watch his first 20-strikeout performance:

If you counted the strikeouts that came on fastballs, the number you should have is 17.

Now consider Harvey, who's only been 24 for a couple months, and his near-perfecto against the Chicago White Sox:

Here you see Harvey hitting all the notes, getting strikeouts on fastballs, sliders, curveballs and a couple changeups. Whereas Clemens dominated the Seattle Mariners with heat and not much else, Harvey dominated the White Sox with everything but the kitchen sink (unless they left that out of the highlights).

It helps that Harvey knew the right situations for when to dig into his repertoire, and that he was able to throw those pitches where he wanted to. That speaks to another thing young pitchers have going for them: They can really pitch.

That was the view New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi had on young pitchers when asked at the 2010 All-Star Game.

“These aren’t just guys with stuff," said Girardi, via Hardball Talk. "These are guys who know how to pitch at a young age.”

Girardi was referring to the likes of David Price, Tim Lincecum, Jon Lester, Ubaldo Jimenez and Josh Johnson, who are all older now. But the sentiment applies to the new crop of youngsters, and it's another area where numbers can help us out.

"How to pitch" is a book-length subject, but at a base level it boils down to: get ahead in the count, pound the zone and get the hitter to chase when possible. From looking at the league averages, starting pitchers have gotten better at throwing first-pitch strikes in recent years, and this year they've found a happy medium between pounding the zone and expanding it.

There's the line our young pitchers need to fall into. And if we take a look at the Baseball Info Solutions plate discipline data for our 15 guys as compared to the league averages for starters, well, it looks like this:

Once again, you see an awful lot of green here.

The majority of our 15 youngsters are throwing first-pitch strikes at an impressive rate, and most of the ones who are also happen to be pounding the zone at an impressive rate. It's no surprise that they're getting hitters to swing at pitches outside the strike zone, which helps explain their high swinging-strike rates.

The only guy who looks out of place is Jeff Locke, who, let's face it, is downright lucky to be a part of this discussion at all. He only made the cut because he's 25 and has a BABIP-aided 2.73 ERA.

Locke isn't going to last long in the fraternity of young aces, and I'd bet good money on Zach McAllister, Travis Wood and Trevor Cahill not lasting either.

But even if they don't, we're still dealing with the prospect of having a large wave of 26-or-younger pitchers finish the season with ERAs under 3.00, which would be as telling a sign as any that 2013 will have been a special year for young pitchers.

And indeed, there are guys who are off the radar now who could step in and join the fun, such as Mat Latos, Lance Lynn, Derek Holland, Hyun-Jin Ryu or Jose Fernandez. Our focus has been on the talented young pitchers leading the way in ERA, but they're by no means the only talented young pitchers out there.

There are plenty to go around, and no feat should be put past them. For if we've learned anything about today's young pitching studs in today's little exercise, it's that they've got the repertoires and the pitching know-how to make it in a landscape where such things are not optional.

This is a special time for pitching. It's only natural that it should have a special new breed of pitchers.

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