Bleacher Report - Articles by Mark Torosian

The 10 Most Hated Sports Movie Characters

Mark Torosian — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:27:32 -0400

Today, I will be looking at a collection of movies most hated characters, though some of these characters are suppose to be playing for the good team, I find these players just annoying and overrated. Though he doesn't make the top 10, pictured above is Cubs rookie phenom Henry Roengardner. In one of baseball's more comical attempts to draw fans, the Cubs are a cellar team looking for any sort of help so they bring in some kid who hasn't even hit puberty yet. You see Henry the great striking out all of the big league players, even one by the name of Barry Bonds, its kind of humorous because this was Pre Barroid and he weighs all of 128 pounds, anywho enjoy the top 10 most hated sports characters of all time, and if you disagree it is what it is, there are many so let the debate begin

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Big Ten Tournament Preview

Mark Torosian — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:54:51 -0400

With Tournament week already underway, one tournament that really sticks out to me is Big Ten Conference play. The Big Ten is perhaps one of the only conferences this weekend that could be up for grabs.

Sure, Sparty is the consensus favorite, but it is going to take a lot of consistency to make a three-day run to become champion. Do they have it in them?

Here is a game-by-game look at who I think will represent the Big Ten come next Sunday.

Thursday, Mar. 12

Minnesota (8) vs. Northwestern (9)

In an intriguing matchup of the 8-9s on Thursday, there isn't too much chatter of a tournament implication game. While some believe Minnesota needs to get two wins here, it is highly unlikely that they will do so with a matchup against No. 1 seeded MSU on Friday.

Minnesota's weak track record on the road this year shows me that they cannot get it done, even if it is a neutral setting on Thursday. With a loss at Columbus on Sunday, it looks like The Purple Cats are dead at sea, but I honestly like Northwestern, led by junior forward Kevin Coble, here to grind this one out and advance to Friday.

Michigan (7) vs. Iowa (10)

This middleweight bout could win or lose a shot at the tournament for the boys from Ann Arbor. While experts like Joe Lunardi are confident that the blue and maize will be dancing, it is truly possible that a victory from the Hawkeyes Thursday would cost the Wolverines a shot at the tournament.

With a high RPI and a 9-8 record in conference play, I really like Michigan's chances, if the selection show was tonight, but if Iowa can overcome the adversity and beat Michigan twice in two weeks, then kiss it goodbye, Michigan. I see Michigan stepping up to the challenge and handling Iowa with the three-ball throughout the game and securing their spot in the tournament.

Penn State (6) vs. Indiana (11)

As a Central Michigan student, I really feel for alumnus Tom Crean and the Hoosiers of Bloomington. In a near worst case scenario, Crean can only look for the future with his squad taking the court Thursday.

If the Hoosiers could pull off a near miracle, then Penn State will be NIT bound. Unfortunately, Jose Canseco has a better shot of winning a Pulitzer Prize than the Hoosiers do escaping the fieldhouse with a W. Penn State wins in a landside and heads to the tournament.

Friday's Matchups

Michigan State (1) vs. Northwestern (9)

If this game actually does happen, consider it over. Northwestern, who likes to grind out their victories, will have a long shot chance of beating Sparty twice in the same season.

With each team exchanging wins on the road, State should be able to rest their starters come the second half and prepare for Saturday's contest. If NW can get another W, then they will have two more games standing between them and the tournament. MSU wins big on Friday.

Wisconsin (4) vs. Ohio State (5)

This personally will be one of my key games to watch on Friday. Why, you ask? Both teams are trying to make a run into the late weekend to improve their seedings come Sunday.

With such a tremendous success in past Big Ten tourneys, Wisconsin is deemed the favorite, but not so fast my friend. If OSU can spread the floor and shoot the long ball, then I like OSU in a nail biter.

But hey, as Bon Jovi said, I am living on a prayer. I'll take experience over rhythm any day of the week, give me Bo Ryan's Badgers to advance.

Illinois (2) vs. Michigan (7)

Both teams dominated the home court advantage, when these two met in conference play. Michigan, led by Zach Novak's 20 plus, gave U of M a win in early January, while Illinois zone dominated Michigan's offensive rhythm in Champagne.

I think if Michigan can play with Illinois' bigs, then the Wolverines should prevail and head on to Saturday's semi-final.

Purdue (3) vs. Penn State (6)

This game will feature Penn State's terrific guard Talor Battle against Purdue's forward star Robbie Hummel. Whoever can get an offensive push early should come out with a win.

Personally, I can't see Penn State slowing down Purdue's offensive balance, and I really find Purdue deadly come March. Purdue wins and heads on to meet Michigan Saturday.

Saturday's Final Four

Michigan (7) vs. Purdue (3)

In a rematch of last week's game from Ann Arbor, Purdue can already taste Wolverine blood in a rubber match. If this fantasy matchup does take place, Purdue wins because of the lack of size Michigan possesses. Boiler on up to the championship.

MSU (1) vs. Wisconsin (4)

The Spartans haven't looked this strong since the '99 championship team and will look for almost a sure W on Saturday. Sure, I may be wrong on several picks, but the one team that I feel like will be there on Sunday is MSU. Forget last year's loss to Wisconsin, Lucas and Co. expose Wisconsin's lack of veterans.

Sunday's Championship

State (1) vs. Purdue (3)

I think State has a great shot of winning this thing, but with them already riding the regular season high, Purdue catches Sparty off balance and surprises the country with a W, ending State's shot at a No. 1 seed.

Of course, this is just a what if scenario. I don't expect half of these picks to stand pat, but these are the games that I would enjoy watching. Good luck to all schools and good luck come tourney time!

Ball State-Central Michigan: The Super Bowl of the Mid-American Conference

Mark Torosian — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:20:07 -0500

Could anyone have drawn up a better scenario when the season started than what we will see next Wednesday Night?

The two-time defending MAC champion Central Michigan Chippewas, 8-2 (5-0), will host No. 14 Ball State, 10-0 (6-0), next Wednesday night on ESPN2. For some of you, this game will be another Wednesday night yawn, but those who love Mid-Major power, this has all the ingredients to be a barnburner.

The game features one of the most versatile quarterbacks...pardon me, two of the most versatile quarterbacks college football has to offer.

Nate Davis is anything but overrated. The 6'2" junior has all the tools to be playing on Sundays and has given the people of Muncie, Indiana something to boast about besides famous alumni Dave Letterman.

He has led the Cardinals to a 10-0 start and a number 14 ranking in the AP polls (subject to change), and he has all the writers in the country thinking of the mighty Cardinals as a BCS sleeper. He has amassed over 2,500 yards in the air and thrown for 20 scores.

Did I mention that, when given the opportunity, Davis can be very effective running as well?

On the other side of the ball, we are looking at the back-to-back defending MAC champs, the Central Michigan Chippewas.

What an odd year this one has turned out to be in Mt. Pleasant. They have had key injuries that would leave any other team in the dumpster. 2006 Freshman of the Year and 2007 Offensive Player of the Year Dan LeFevour has been battling injured ankles for the past three weeks.

They are off to their best start in over 10 years, even if they don’t make it look pretty. Central, who took a 23-3 lead to the locker room at halftime last night, came out and looked like a team of disarray in the second half. The Huskies of NIU compiled three touchdowns in eight minutes in the in the third and fourth quarters and nearly stunned the Chippewas.

Led by great quarterback play via Dan LeFevour, Central showed no signs of collapse in the last minutes of the game. With 30 seconds to go, Coach Jones elected to kneel the ball and gamble with his defense in overtime. There is a reason he has only lost one MAC game in his career, folks—the guy knows how to win.

After an interception by Josh Gordy, Andrew Aguila hit a 44-yard field goal for the win.

Throughout this game, commentator Shaun King kept stressing the importance of next week’s battle in Mt. Pleasant.

For those not familiar with Dan "The Man" LeFevour, here is an interesting stat for you.

LeFevour is the only player besides Vince Young in NCAA I-A History to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in a season.

He threw for 27 touchdowns in the air and added another 19 on the ground last season. (Can someone say Heisman numbers?)

As we go back to Muncie one last time, when CMU fans hear Ball State, they think Nate Davis. Not so fast my friends—there is another stud on campus that could possibly leave the Chippewa fans in awe come next Wednesday night.

Who is he? MiQuale Lewis.

Standing at a giant five-foot-six and weighing in at a buck eighty-five, Lewis' game is anything but small. In 10 games this year, Lewis has hit the century mark eight times (almost nine, seeing how he ran for 95 yards against Northeastern).

He has seen the end zone 17 times this year, scoring in every game besides one. If you’re looking for an impact player, I would take this guy seriously!

So who has the upper hand in this game come next week? Well, I will leave those predictions to you the sport fan, and those genius beat writers who work for the almighty ESPN Network.

I personally like Central Michigan at home, as close as it can get, 28-27—but time will tell.

This Will Be One Hell Of A Game!

Will the Real Central Michigan Please Stand Up?

Mark Torosian — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:52:11 -0400

Dan LeFevour for Heisman? "You have to be kidding me," my friend says to me. As we walk our drunk asses through the crowd of 5,000 people at the first home tailgate of the year, I think to myself, is this the Colt 45 talking, or am I really witnessing more then 1,000 people with T-shirts reading "LeFevour for Heisman"?

As I make my way over to the line of the bathrooms, I listen in to a group of students talking about how "Dan the man" is a walking icon, and how he is the second player in Division I history to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in the same season. One kid yells out, "If Dan was in Gainesville he would be better then Tebow!"

One thing is for certain: Central Michigan does not educate us well!!

Let's get a few things straight: Dan LeFevour is a very good quarterback. Hell, he is one of the top five QBs in NCAA 09—take that Mark Sanchez! But when it comes to performing on a big stage, this ball club turns into a whole different team.

Yes, Georgia wasn't probably the best idea this school has ever had, but hell, they made $700,000 to get whipped in Athens.

The reason why I am writing this article is because conference play starts this week in the MAC, and I am pondering what kind of identity Central will hold this year.

Let's face it: Bowling Green, Ball State, and even Ohio have looked pretty impressive this year. This isn't your grandpa's Mid-American Conference any more. These teams within the conference will give most teams in the country a run for their money any day of the week.

Take Miami of Ohio for a second, and observe what they did in Ann Arbor last weekend. Sure, Michigan is in a down year, but Michigan did not win that game last weekend. Miami lost that game with arrogant play calls, bad penalties, and no discipline from the sidelines.

Bowling Green walks into Pitt and steals a W from number 24, and Ball State had no problem disposing of Navy. Western kept it within 20 in Lincoln, Temple almost pulled an upset against UConn, and Buffalo...well Buffalo is Buffalo, so we won't go there!

Hopefully I am wrong, and Central will walk into Athens (no not Georgia, but Ohio) and steal a win from a very hard-working program. But who knows? Central's defense is infamous for giving up the big play day in and day out.

The motto here in Mt. Pleasant is to score, score, score, and hopefully LeFevour has enough in the tank to get them back to the conference championship.

Central Michigan still has to go into Lafayette to play Purdue, travel to Indiana, play Ball State and Western at home, and finish the year in Ypsi against an Eastern Michigan squad that possesses the best running back in the conference.

Trouble could be brewing for the preseason Mid-American darlings!

Detroit Tigers Hope to End Drought at Four

Mark Torosian — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:25:28 -0400

With the 2008 campaign right around the corner, GM Dave Dombrowski was feeling very confident about the team he had assembled for the 2008 season.

Think: When was the last time the Detroit Tigers were getting this type of media hype from ESPN? They made the blockbuster move in the off season (Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis) and were now a near lock to win the American League.

But not so fast my friend, Detroit has came out of the gate dropping their first four, and it doesn't look very promising with a three game set against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. The Tigers’ main problem has been their bullpen, and they will continue to struggle until they can find some relief pitching. Instead of paying Cabrera $150 million, maybe they should have taken some of that money and invested it into a decent bullpen.

And if you, the fan, are feeling the pressure, I have no idea how the players are feeling. This is the first time, in a long time, that I can remember the Tigers playing two nationally televised games on opening weekend.

It is still too early to panic, but the Tigers need to pick up a win or two before heading to Boston.