Bleacher Report - Articles by Nicholas Pardini

Pardiniosophy Sports Edition: NBA Playoffs Preview

Nicholas Pardini — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:30:45 -0400

Pardiniosophy is a podcast where Nick Pardini talks about politics, society, and sports.

In this special sports edition, Nick talks with Common Sense Magazine analyst Roman Mathys about the early results of the MLB season and previews the NBA playoffs. After reviewing the top news stories, Nick and Roman will discuss the early surprises of the Major League baseball season and discuss the legitimacy of the unexpected division leaders.

Then they will break down every first round matchup in the NBA playoffs and make their NBA Finals picks and who will be the next NBA champion.

Listen to the show, or search Pardiniosophy on iTunes.

Nick's NBA Notes 11/1/2008

Nicholas Pardini — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:51:36 -0400

1. Lakers look dominant.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers have only played two games this season, they seem to be proving preseason prognosticators to be correct by playing dominant basketball.

On back-to-back nights, the Lakers have blown out the Clippers and the Trailblazers by an average of twenty-nine points per game. The Lakers have also been excellent with sharing the basketball, being in the top of league in the assists category and having even balanced scoring (Kobe leading scorer at only 19.5 PPG).

Andrew Bynum has been force in the low post forcing shutting down oppositions points in the paint and averaging three blocks per game. As a result their defense seems to have improved and so far have not allowed over 79 points in a single game.

The question now is can Bynum stay healthy and can the Lakers keep up the relentless defense with their prolific offense.

2. Can Greg Oden become a bust?

With just thirteen minutes of play in his NBA career, Greg Oden is again out with an injury.

A foot injury will keep him out for two to four weeks. After hurting his hand at Ohio State and missing all of last season with a knee injury, Greg Oden has been more known for his fragility than his game.

He has not even scored a point in regular season play and looked intimidated playing at game pace and against Andrew Bynum who is comparable in size. Fear of another injury seems to make Oden hesitant.

Even though, Greg Oden is only twenty-one years old, he looks like his fifty and the right side of his body is breaking down like that is the case. His brittleness as a big man and as a young player may derail his career which may draw comparison to previous Blazer drafted big men such as Bill Walton or even Sam Bowie.

3. Stephon Marbury and Eddie Curry DNP’d in Knicks opener.

Coach Mike D’Antoni has quickly changed the culture of the Knicks since arriving in New York. In their opening win against the Miami Heat, D’Antoni benched Knick mainstays Eddie Curry and Stephon Marbury for the entire game.

Marbury and Curry have both been underachievers since arriving in New York, but they still have the ability to score and are above average players.

However, they don’t seem to fit into the Knick’s new run and gun system and might have to get used to riding the pine until they get traded to other teams.

College Football Weekly Roundup Week Six: Here Comes Alabama

Nicholas Pardini — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:36:03 -0400

With a tumultuous week filled with upsets and nine ranked teams losing. Who now leads the national title race and who gets the BCS shovel?

1. Missouri Tigers

Due to the losses of USC and Florida, Missouri moves up to number one in my poll after a bye week. Chase Daniel is the best quarterback in the nation and great quarterback play is essential for national title.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide Football

Nick Saban has proven his worth by turning the Crimson Tide into a national title contender in only his second season. Alabama has had the most impressive set of wins of any team in the nation. First they blowout Clemson 34-10, and have a dominant 41-30 win over Georgia that includes a 31-0 halftime lead. Alabama is loaded with young talent and they will continue to get better as the season goes.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma passed his first major test with flying colors. Lead by 411 passing yards from Sam Bradford, the Sooners dominated a ranked TCU team and look like a potential BCS title team.

4. BYU Cougars

This may seem a little high for a Mountain West team, but BYU has been dominating its competition since escaping from Washington. Quarterback Max Hall has been putting up the best numbers in the nation and the Cougars defense has been able to keep up with their high power offense.

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

With Wisconsin losing to Michigan, Penn State looks like the best team in the Big Ten. They also won their first tough game against Illinois.

6. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Despite their great offense, Texas Tech still has an unproven defense. That side of the ball will determine whether the Red Raiders win anywhere between 8-12 games.

7. South Florida Bulls

Due to the Big East’s weakness, South Florida has a great shot to go undefeated and sneak into the title game. The Jayhawks’ success ultimately may determine how South Florida appears in the BCS title game.

8. LSU Tigers

Despite quarterback problems, LSU still has continued to win with top talent at every other position. Their upcoming trip to the swamp will determine whether this year’s Tigers can defend their title.

9. USC Trojans

USC shocking loss at Oregon State spells trouble for the Trojans, but they are not out of the national title hunt. With the nation’s best defense and their only road challenge being at Arizona, USC can easily run the table. Pete Carrol, however, needs to be able to keep his players motivated against inferior teams.

10. Texas Longhorns

Texas may be one of the most over ranked teams in the nation. They are unbeaten, but they have not played anyone of any merit either. The Big XII season will expose Texas’s suspect secondary and an interception prone Colt McCoy.

11. Georgia Bulldogs

Unlike the Trojans, Georgia and Florida are pretty much eliminated from national title contention. First they must play each other and a two loss team will most likely not make a title game. Also Georgia must play at Auburn and LSU and will probably lose at least one of those games.

12. Florida Gators

A loss at home one of the worst teams in the SEC (Ole Miss) has killed the Gator’s title hopes. However, they are still a top team with elite talent and that is why they hang on in the top 15.

13. Boise State Broncos

Can two non-BCS schools crash the BCS party. With the strength of the Mountain West and Boise finaly beating a BCS school on the road with their victor against Oregon, the Broncos schedule sets up for another Fiesta Bowl appearance. The Broncos only remaining challenge is a home game against Fresno State which has not won on the blue turf this millennium.

14. Utah Utes

The Holy War looks like a playoff for a BCS bowl (or even national title) berth. However, USC killing Oregon State is coming to Utah on Saturday which may be a challenge for the Utes.

15. Ohio State Buckeyes

Beanie Wells came back on Saturday to aid Ohio State’s victory against Minnesota. Terrel Pryor’s composure ultimately will determine Ohio State’s standing in the Big Ten.

16. Auburn Tigers

Auburn continues to look unimpressive after three lackluster games (3-2 over MSU, losing to LSU, and scraping by a 1-3 Tennessee team), while continuing to struggle on offense. Auburn is on its way to its first Iron Bowl loss since 2001.

17. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks are down to their third string quarterback but have still persevered to a 4-1 record this season. Watch out for the Ducks when Justin Roper returns from injury.

18. Wisconsin Badgers

A disappointing loss to a down Michigan team has cost Wisconsin a national title chance.

19. Fresno State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs tie Utah with the most BCS wins for a non-BCS team since 2000 with a win at UCLA. The Bulldogs should cruise through the WAC until a big game against Boise State at the blue turf.

20. Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas has performed as expected so far this season. The Big XII season will prove Kansas’ viability.

21. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt also started 4-0 in 2005, but ended up finishing 5-6 and that season. However, this year’s Commodores seem to be more likely to make a bowl game due to having much better wins at this point (South Carolina, @ Ole Miss).

22. UConn Huskies

Uconn has not had any impressive wins, but similarly to last season’s Huskies, they find ways to win. With a soft Big East schedule, UConn can amass a win total that is much greater than their talent level.

23. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Saturday’s loss at home to Navy has exposed Wake’s struggles with their running game with only 43 yards that game. Wake Forest is going to need to improve its running game for the rest of ACC play if they want to be an Orange Bowl contenders.

24. Virginia Tech Hokies

A win over Nebraska at Lincoln puts Virginia Tech back in the rankings. However, their loss against East Carolina continues to look worse

25. Ball State Cardinals

Since no other team outside the rankings deserves to be ranked, Ball State will cap out the top 25 due its impressive 5-0 start that includes wins over Navy and Indiana.

Mountain West a BCS Conference? Only If It Absorbs WAC's Top Teams

Nicholas Pardini — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:42:56 -0400

College football, unlike any other major sport, lacks a playoff. In the current BCS system, due to polls and automatic BCS berths, only schools from the Pac-10, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Big East, and the ACC can compete for national titles.

However, in recent years, the top teams in the WAC and Mountain West conference have been competitive nationally and have appeared in three of the past four BCS bowl games (2-1 in these games). Yet the overall strength of these conferences will prevent them from BCS consideration and revenues.

How can the top teams in the Mountain West and the WAC compete with BCS conferences for national titles instead of an occasional Fiesta Bowl berth? The solution is to realign the Mountain West (similar to what the ACC did in 2004) to include the top teams in the WAC while cutting out the bottom feeders of the conference.

There are multiple ways that the Mountain West can realign. The first way is to invite Fresno State, Boise State, and Hawaii into the Mountain West while kicking out San Diego State and Wyoming to create the Mountain Ten. This adds three quality football programs to a conference that has non-BCS powers TCU, BYU, and Utah.

By adding Fresno State, the Mountain West does not lose a presence in California from the expulsion of San Diego State. Since these teams were part of the old WAC, old rivalries will rekindle and make the Mountain West more compelling.

By eliminating Wyoming and San Diego State, the conference eliminates two perennial losing programs. San Diego State has not been relevant since Marshall Faulk graduated in 1993 and has not been in a bowl game this decade. Wyoming's crowning achievement is a Las Vegas Bowl win against UCLA.

The WAC would gladly take these schools to replace their losses. As a result the WAC will have much more parity, but its quality of play will resemble the MAC or Sun Belt conferences.

This arrangement also benefits the departing WAC schools. They will be in a better conference and therefore have more TV exposure and recruiting success.

With the additions of Fresno State, Boise State, and Hawaii, the Mountain West would have a strong chance of gaining an automatic BCS berth, as its talent level would exceed the ACC and maybe equal the Big Ten by having five football powers in the conference that are consistently nationally ranked (BYU, Utah, Fresno State, Boise State, and TCU).

It will also mean more revenues from BCS bowl money, which in turn strengthen the athletic departments of the school. By no longer having bad teams such as Idaho, Utah State, San Jose State, and New Mexico State on the schedule, these team would have legitimate shots at winning a national title due to an increased strength schedule.

If the Mountain West cannot expel their bottom tier teams, they can keep them and have a 12-team Mountain West conference with a conference championship game. It is not as good of a setup, but it will still add much depth to the conference and allow for BCS possibilities.

Overall, the Mountain West and top schools of the WAC should strongly consider realignment as a way to bring credibility to the league, gain access to BCS money, and allow teams to have a strong chance at a national championship.

College Football Weekly Roundup 1: UnACCeptable

Nicholas Pardini — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:37:07 -0400

What happened to the ACC on week one? The ACC had possibly the worst opening week ever for a BCS conference since the start of the BCS. With the ACC going only 2-4 against bowl division opponents (Division-1A) the conference's two preseason favorites losing to lower ranked teams, the ACC has lost all of its remaining credibility. Clemson, who was known for its Thunder and Lightning running game and strong defense was clobbered by Alabama 34-10 and failed to gain a single rushing yard in the game. East Carolina outplayed Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech on special teams to win 27-22 while South Carolina shut out NC State 34-0. They all seemed to struggle on offense and could not handle the more physical play of the SEC. Along with a 1-9 record in BCS bowl games, this week continues to cement it status as the worst BCS conference in college football.

Surprise: UCLA Going into their game against Tennessee, UCLA was decimated with injuries and started third string quarterback Kevin Craft. Tennessee on the other hand has the best secondary in the nation and looked like they would power through the Bruins. After a disastrous first half where UCLA lost three key seniors while Craft threw four interceptions, UCLA turns it around in the second half to beat a heavily favored Tennessee team in overtime.

Disappointment: (Outside of the ACC) Louisville With losses of star skill players such as Brian Brohm, the Cardinals were expected to have a down year. However, there was no excuse for their performance against a Kentucky team at home that is expected to finish towards the bottom of the SEC east on Sunday. Louisville lost the game 27-2, with an intentional grounding penalty 5 by Kentucky preventing a shutout. Hunter Cantwell, a potential NFL prospect, only completed 46% of his passes and threw three interceptions and zero touchdown passes. What looked like a bowl team at the preseason, Louisville based on this performance will have a long season this year.

What to watch for next week:

This upcoming weekend has a weak slate of games, but nevertheless here are some the most intriguing match-ups of the week.

Oregon State vs. Penn State- Joe Paterno actually has somewhat of a challenge this season in the non-conference and is a good litmus test for how good this team is. After losing Stanford, can Oregon State avoid another annual slow start and get a big win in Happy Valley.

West Virginia at East Carolina- East Carolina After beating Virginia Tech, can the Pirates pull off another big home win against Big East favorite West Virginia. Pat White will be much tougher to defend than a shaky Sean Glennon.

Stanford at Arizona State- After winning their first conference opener since 2001, can Jim Harbaugh lead Stanford to another upset win over ASU? How well Arizona State plays against Stanford may determine whether they can handle Georgia when they visit the desert.

Common Sense Top 25 Week 1:

1) USC

2) Missouri

3) Florida

4) Ohio State

5) West Virginia

6) Oklahoma

7) Arizona State

8) Texas Tech

9) Auburn

10) Wisconsin

11) South Florida

12) Wake Forest

13) Georgia

14) Oregon

15) BYU

16) LSU

17) Alabama

18) Fresno State

19) Texas

20) Penn State

21) Boise State

22) UCLA

23) Tennessee

24) Virginia Tech

25) Utah

New Entrants: Alabama, UCLA, Utah

Who's out of the poll: #18 Clemson, #24 Rutgers, #22 Oregon State

Common Sense College Football Preview Part VIII: Top 25 and Non-Conference Games

Nicholas Pardini — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:35:00 -0400

The college football season has kicked off. The 12-game season has opened up BCS schools to challenge themselves in the non-conference. Also, due to more games on the schedule, mid-major schools are raising the bidding price to take blowout losses from BCS powers.

Because of these two factors, top-ranked schools have cut back on the cupcakes to bring fans some incredible non-conference matchups. Also, after bringing a conference-by-conference preview, I pick BCS bowl games and present my preseason top 25 poll.

KEY NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUPS:

USC vs. Ohio State

This game will determine a berth in the national title game and is probably the biggest game in all of college football this season. Ohio State can bring credibility back to its program and the Big Ten conference with a win at the Coliseum.

Georgia vs. Arizona State

This is the first time Georgia has played west of the Mississippi River since 1967 in a rare Pac-10 vs. SEC matchup. This is a must-win for ASU to appear in the Rose Bowl, and if Georgia wants to win a national championship.

Auburn vs. West Virginia

Is this game an Orange Bowl preview? In a battle of each conference's best spread offense, Pat White's big-game experience may make the difference.

Missouri vs. Illinois

The first roadblock for the Tigers is a rivalry game against a resurgent Illinois team. It is a great quarterback matchup with Juice Williams versus Heisman candidate Chase Daniel. Can Williams lead Illinois to an upset over Missouri and spoil its national title run on the opening weekend?

Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

The reason Fresno State is a potential BCS buster is because its tough schedule can provide big wins. Bulldog Stadium has one of the toughest home-field advantages in college football, so this will be an incredible challenge for Wisconsin.

Kansas vs. South Florida

Two of last season's biggest surprises face off against each other. A win can prove either team's staying power.

Boise State vs. Oregon

Boise State has struggled on the road against BCS schools. In order for a BCS bowl run, a win against Oregon is necessary.

COMMON SENSE PRESEASON TOP 25:

1) USC

2) Missouri

3) Florida

4) Ohio State

5) West Virginia

6) Oklahoma

7) Arizona State

8) Texas Tech

9) Auburn

10) Wisconsin

11) South Florida

12) Wake Forest

13) Georgia

14) Virginia Tech

15) BYU

16) Oregon

17) Tennessee

18) Clemson

19) LSU

20) Fresno State

21) Penn State

22) Oregon State

23) Texas

24) Rutgers

25) Boise State

BCS BOWL GAME PICKS:

Sugar Bowl

Florida defeats Texas Tech

Orange Bowl

West Virginia defeats Wake Forest

Fiesta Bowl

Oklahoma defeats Auburn

Rose Bowl

Ohio State defeats Arizona State

BCS Title Game

USC defeats Missouri: Chase Daniel will carry the Tigers to the Orange Bowl through utilizing Missouri's schedule and his Heisman-caliber quarterback play. However, USC's top defense in the nation will shut down Missouri and expose the Tigers' suspect rushing offense to win the national title.

www.commonsensemag.com

To see detailed previews conference by conference, check out the other parts of the series...

Part 1: SEC (http://commonsensemag.com/2008/08/common-sense-mag-college-football-preview-part-i-florida-takes-sec/)

Part 2: Pac-10 (http://commonsensemag.com/2008/08/common-sense-college-football-part-ii-pac-10-preview/)

Part 3: Big Ten (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/50460-common-sense-college-football-preview-part-iii-a-critique-of-big-ten-football)

Part 4: Big East (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/50406-common-sense-college-football-preview-part-iv-big-east-preview)

Part 5: ACC (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/50679-common-sense-college-football-preview-part-v-acc)

Part 6: Big 12 (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/50876-common-sense-college-football-part-vi-big-time-quarterbacking-in-the-big-xii)

Part 7: BCS Busters (http://commonsensemag.com/2008/08/common-sense-college-football-preview-part-vii-analyzing-the-non-bcs-contenders/)

Common Sense College Football Preview Part VII: Non-BCS Contenders

Nicholas Pardini — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:30:39 -0400

With the opening of a fifth BCS bowl game and the recent trend of non-BCS schools making BCS bowl games in three of the past four seasons (2-1 in those games), which team from outside a BCS conference has the most likely chance to make a BCS bowl game this season? Here is a list of the major contenders.

1) Fresno State

Arguably, Fresno State is the most talented team of any school outside the BCS and the best team Pat Hill has ever coached. However, Fresno State's biggest obstacle is as usual, its tough schedule.

The Bulldogs bring back seventeen starters to a team that was 9-4 a year ago, including their top skill players. They lose last year's WAC Defensive Player of the Year, but they return a top defense that will shut down WAC opponents.

The key to Fresno State's success is getting through their non-conference schedule and whether or not they can win at Boise State for the first time since this series became a regular part of the conference schedule in 2001.

Toughest Games: @ Rutgers, vs. Wisconsin, @ Boise State

2) BYU

BYU returns nine starters from one of last years most explosive offenses in all of college football.

Returnees include junior quarterback Max Hall who threw for over 3,800 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, their entire offensive line, and stud sophomore running back Harvey Unga, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman.

However, BYU loses nine starters on defense and it will take for them to gel. All of BYU's toughest games are also on the road. Similar to Hawaii last year, the amount of shootouts BYU can win, will determine whether they can make a BCS bowl game.

Toughest Games: @ Utah, @ TCU, @ Washington

3) Boise State

In recent years, the Broncos have proven they can do anything except beat BCS schools on the road. This includes last season's loss at Washington and 2005 losses at Georgia and Oregon State.

In order to make it to a BCS Bowl game Boise needs to win at Oregon which will be their toughest game of the season. They return Fiesta bowl hero and star running back Ian Johnson and seven starters on defense, but they have an entirely new offensive line and a red-shirt freshman playing at quarterback.

Toughest Games: @ Oregon, vs. Fresno State

4) Utah

Utah returns its top senior skill players in quarterback Brian Johnson and Darrel Mack. Utah keeps most of its offensive line, but only six starters on defense.

Utah's schedule is favorable. Their two toughest games against Oregon State and BYU are at home while they travel to the Big House when Michigan will most likely have a down year. Their chances of taking the Mountain West title will be determined by their Holy War match up against BYU.

Toughest Games: vs. Oregon State, vs. BYU, @ Michigan

Dark Horse: Tulsa

Outside of their quarterback, Tulsa returns one of college football's top offenses and a top front four on defense.

They might have a suspect secondary and lack the talent of the top Mountain West and WAC schools, but Tulsa, as a member of Conference USA, has a much easier schedule.

They do not play a single ranked team all season and their toughest opponent, Arkansas, lost their top skill players which makes that a winnable game for the Golden Hurricane.

Toughest Games: vs. UCF, @ Arkansas

Common Sense College Football Preview Part V: ACC

Nicholas Pardini — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:55:12 -0400

Despite bowl struggles, the ACC will still have a competitive race to reach the Orange Bowl. With Florida State and Miami facing down years, the ACC has its most wide-open race in years. Can Clemson finally live up to its hype? With its talent and ability to win big games, Clemson should win the ACC and have an undefeated season. However, Tommy Bowden and his Tigers have struggled against teams they are favored to win, so they will be victim to a few upsets over the course of the season.

Winner: Wake Forest defeats Virginia Tech

Quietly Jim Grobe has turned around Wake Forest from Duke-like futility to a perennial ACC title contender. Wake returns nine starters on defense, along with leading rusher Josh Adams. Junior quarterback Riley Skinner, who started Wake's run as a freshman, also returns to a team that went 9-4 last season. The Demon Deacons should improve this season to win their second ACC title in three seasons.

Surprise: Boston College

With the loss of Matt Ryan, Boston College has been under the radar this season. The Eagles return the ACC's second-best defense along with senior linebacker Brian Toal. The success of the new starting quarterback Chris Crane and BC's tailbacks will determine whether the Eagles can make a run in the ACC.

Disappointment: Florida State and Miami

Part of the reason the ACC has a reputation as a weak conference is because of the downfall of its historically strongest programs in the ACC—Florida State and Miami. Neither team has any proven talent at quarterback and will severely struggle on offense.

Miami loses eight starters off a team that already had the ACC's worst passing offense. Due to suspensions, Florida State loses six starters for half the season to add to Bobby Bowden's problems. Overall, the ACC's teams in the state of Florida will struggle this season. This will be the first year since 1978 that both the Seminoles and the Hurricanes will miss bowl games.

Key Matchups

Clemson vs. Wake Forest—This game will determine the Atlantic Division title and a spot in the conference championship game.

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia—The Coastal division title is on the line in this intrastate rivalry. Can Virginia's spotty front four stop Va. Techs running game?

Clemson vs. Boston College—This game is a litmus test to see if Clemson can become a BCS bowl-caliber team. Also, an upset over Clemson can carry Boston College on ACC title run.

Projected ACC standings

Atlantic Division

1) Wake Forest 10-2 (6-2) Orange Bowl

2) Clemson 10-2 (6-2)

3) Boston College 8-4 (4-4)

4) Maryland 8-4 (4-4)

5) Florida State 5-7 (3-5)

6) NC State 4-8 (2-6)

Coastal Division

1) Virginia Tech 10-2 (7-1)

2) Virginia 9-3 (6-2)

3) UNC 6-6 (4-4)

4) Georgia Tech 5-7 (3-5)

5) Miami 4-8 (2-6)

6) Duke 2-10 (0-8)

www.commonsensemag.com

Common Sense College Football Preview Part III: A Critique of Big Ten Football

Nicholas Pardini — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:36:34 -0400

The Big Ten used to set the standard of a college football conference. Due its recent futility, the Big Ten is now a joke among college football fans across America.

Ohio State, the class of the Big Ten, rode an easy conference schedule to get back-to-back blowout losses in the national championship game. In BCS bowl games, the Big Ten's losing record (8-9) includes four straight Rose Bowl losses.

When excluding Ohio State, that record drops to 4-7. Their overall bowl performance is just as bad, as the conference has 3-5 and 2-5 bowl record the past two seasons. The newly formed Big East has even outperformed the Big Ten in recent seasons.

The Big Ten (except for Ohio State) also has lost recruiting battles to schools in more warm weather climates. A more enjoyable college experience to attend school in a warmer climate, the ability to practice year round (for NFL draft), and recent success of the Pac-10, Big 12 South and SEC team have drawn recruits south.

As a result, the Big Ten has lost a step and their teams lack the team speed of schools from other conferences. Programs such as Iowa, Penn State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Michigan have also fallen in standing to create a sea of mediocrity under Ohio State and Wisconsin. Overall, the Big Ten has lost its national standing and now competes with the ACC as the worst BCS conference in the nation.

What can the Big Ten do to restore its credibility as a top BCS conference? First they can start by having tougher non-conference schedules. Ohio State has taken some initiative by playing USC in a home-and-home series, but other teams in this conference just load up on home against mid-major cream puffs or Notre Dame (see Michigan, Indiana, and Penn State).

By inflating their records, mediocre to bad teams make bowl games. Scheduling is not enough; the Big Ten also needs to win these games and do better in bowl games in order to gain respectability.

Within the Big Ten itself, schools in the conference need to acquire more speed players, and rival schools need to do a better job recruiting against Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin so the Big Ten is one again competitive.

Winner: Ohio State and not even close

Ohio State is the class of the Big Ten and returns their quarterback, star running back Beanie Wells, wide receivers, and offensive line. The Buckeyes also return nine starters on defense led by Heisman candidate James Laurinaitis. They should improve by returning a team that appeared in last year's title game.

With the rest of the conference weakening as a whole, Ohio State should dominate the Big Ten with an undefeated record, but playing USC will ultimately cost an appearance in the BCS title game.

Surprise/Disappointment: (None)

The Big Ten is a pretty predictable and mediocre league outside of Ohio State and Wisconsin. Penn State and Illinois are slightly above the rest of the league, but other than that, no team seems to have potential to climb out of mediocrity this season.

Michigan State has a chance to breakout, but they historically fizzle out after October. No one can unexpectedly drop in the league, because none of the teams were high enough to begin with (Michigan is expected to have a down year due a severe loss in talent). It is a year of mediocrity in the Big Ten. Expect to see several 7-5/6-6 teams do battle in the standings.

Key Matchups

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: This game will determine the Big Ten championship. Also, this is the only game in the Big Ten where two top-tier programs face each other.

Ohio State vs. Penn State

Michigan State vs. Michigan: This game is a litmus test for the Spartans. Michigan State has not beaten the Wolverines since 2001, and a win can catapult MSU to a surprise run in the Big Ten. For Michigan, losing this game can cost them a bowl berth.

Projected Big Ten Standings:

1) Ohio State 11-1 (8-0) Rose Bowl

2) Wisconsin 10-2 (7-1)

tied 3) Penn State 9-3 (5-3)

tied 3) Illinois 8-4 (5-3)

tied 5) Purdue 7-5 (4-4)

tied 5) Michigan 7-5 (4-4)

tied 5) Michigan State 7-5 (4-4)

tied 5) Iowa 6-6 (4-4)

9) Minnesota 4-8 (2-6)

10) Indiana 5-7 (1-7)

11) Northwestern 2-9 (0-8)

www.commonsensemag.com

Common Sense College Football Preview Part IV: Big East Preview

Nicholas Pardini — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:14:25 -0400

In recent years, the Big East has improved from being a joke of a BCS conference (now the Big Ten) to the fourth best conference in college football. Other than Syracuse, every team in this league has a shot at the Big East title.

Winner: West Virginia

Despite losing coach Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia still has loads of talent. Most importantly, they have a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Pat White. His ability as a runner and a thrower can carry a team to a BCS bowl game. Noel Devine will also more than make up for the loss of Steve Slaton.

Surprise: Cincinnati

Cincinnati won ten games last year, yet they are not even close to the top of most projected Big East Standings. The Bearcats return one of the Big East's top defenses while keeping their offense mostly intact except for loss of fifth-year senior quarterback Ben Mauk.

Disappointment: Pittsburgh

I don't see the hype behind Pitt. They will improve their win total this year due to an easy non-conference schedule, but they will not improve in the Big East standings. This team only won five games last year and struggled until an upset against West Virgina. The talent level for this season (freshman usually do not play, so their top recruiting class will not help immediately) has not increased and Dave Wannstedt has been a perennial underachiever in his coaching career.

Key Games

Winning their second straight Backyard Brawl can bring Pitt back to Big East and national prominence, while West Virginia needs to win this to hold off South Florida for an Orange Bowl trip. Similar to last year, Dave Wannstedt may need to win this game to save his job.

South Florida vs. West Virginia will decide the Big East championship for either team. Can USF get a big win on the road after winning last year in Tampa?

Rutgers vs. South Florida will be for a BCS at-large bid, South Florida needs to win this game. After a relatively disappointing season last year, Rutgers can make some national noise by winning this game.

Projected Big East Standings

1) West Virginia 11-1 (6-1) Orange Bowl

2) South Florida 10-2 (5-2) Fiesta Bowl

tied 3) Rutgers 8-4 (4-3)

tied 3) Cincinnati 9-4 (4-3)

tied 5) Pitt 8-4 (3-4)

tied 5) UConn 7-5 (3-4)

7) Louisville 6-6 (2-5)

8) Syracuse 2-10 (0-7)

www.commonsensemag.com

Common Sense College Football Preview Part II: Pac-10 Preview

Nicholas Pardini — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:35:17 -0400

The Pac-10 is not as deep as last season, but the league is top heavy with a national championship favorite in USC and three BCS bowl contenders in Arizona State, Oregon, and Oregon State.

However, the middle and the bottom of the Pac-10 is woefully weak. Due to UCLA and Cal being down this season, as few as four teams could make bowl games this year.

Winner: USC

USC has two top-tier quarterbacks in Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain, who are both a significant improvement over John David Booty. Pete Carroll's team is also stacked at running back, with three returning backs with over six yards per carry.

USC has unproven but NFL-potential receivers and an offensive line. On defense, USC is loaded with talent and returns stars to improve an already formidable defense.

With two All-American-caliber players in Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing at linebacker and a tough front four, USC has the speed on defense to catch up to the spread.

USC also is the deepest team in the nation. Its second string could beat any other team in the Pac-10.

Surprise Team: Oregon

Due to the losses of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart, the Ducks have been underlooked coming into this season.

Quarterback Nate Costa is a similar dual threat on both the run and the pass to Dixon and six all Pac-10 players on defense.

The Ducks will continue to build momentum off of last year blowout bowl win over South Florida. Also, Mike Belotti is a nationally underrated coach and has brought in his highest ranked recruiting class this season.

The Ducks will be fighting for the top of the Pac-10 and a BCS bowl bid.

Disappointment: UCLA

Similar to the plight of LSU, UCLA has quarterback trouble this season again after losing both Ben Olsen and Patrick Cowan to knee injuries. However, UCLA lacks the overall talent of LSU and has a very suspect offensive line.

Those factors will make it a long season in Westwood. UCLA also has the toughest non-conference schedule in college football, facing three nationally ranked teams (Fresno State, Tennessee, and BYU).

Rick Neuheisel is known for quick turnarounds, but this roster lacks the talent to rise up in a top heavy Pac-10.

Key Match-ups

USC vs. Arizona State: This game will determine a trip to the national title game for both teams with the loser fighting Oregon for the Rose Bowl. Can the USC linebackers expose ASU's suspect offensive line?

Oregon vs. Oregon State: The Civil War is more heated now that both teams are Pac-10 contenders.

Arizona State vs. Oregon: A high scoring thriller that will probably determine second place in the Pac-10 and a possible Rose Bowl appearance.

USC vs. UCLA: UCLA spoiled the Trojans' championship hopes in 2006. Can Neuheisel revive college football's intercity rivalry and send the Trojans out of the title once again?

Projected Pac-10 Standings (do not count bowl games)

1) USC 12-0 (9-0) BCS Title Game

2) Arizona State 11-1 (8-1) Rose Bowl

3) Oregon 10-2 (7-2)

4) Oregon State 8-4 (6-3)

5) Cal 6-6 (4-5)

6) UCLA 4-8 (4-5)

7 tied) Washington 4-8 (3-6)

7 tied) Stanford 4-8 (3-6)

9) Arizona 4-8 (2-7)

10) Washington State 4-9 (1-8)

www.commonsensemag.com

Common Sense Mag College Football Preview Part I: Florida Retakes SEC

Nicholas Pardini — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:37:46 -0400

This article is the beginning of an eight-part series that will predict outcome of the 2008 college football season. There will be one article for each BCS conference, one for top non-BCS schools, and an article of my top 25 rankings along with analyzing key non- conference match-ups.

The SEC once again is the deepest and toughest conference in college football. It has the most coaching talent in the league with 11 of the 12 coaches in the league being proven winners and five coaches with national titles (Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier, Phil Fullmer, Nick Saban, and Les Miles).

As a result, the SEC will beat each other up and will not have a team appear in the title game. The team that is hurt most by this is the preseason No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.

They have national championship talent, but tough road games at Auburn, Arizona State (first time going west of the Mississippi since 1960's), and Florida in Jacksonville will cost them a national title.

Winner: Florida defeats Auburn in championship game

Florida returns Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and their top wide receivers. USC transfer Emmanuel Moody fills a hole at running back and will lower Florida's fumbles. They also return eight starters on an improving defense.

However, outside of a road trip to Knoxville, all of Florida's tough games are in the state of Florida, and that will pull the Gators ahead of the Georgia for the SEC East and title.

Surprise Team: Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban, with his top-ranked recruiting class, will surprise some people in the SEC. With the power of the SEC shifting to the East, Alabama has a relatively easy schedule (by SEC standards) and will eight or nine games this season.

Disappointment: LSU Tigers

A key to winning in college football is having top-tier skill players. Having a top quarterback can turn a program with mediocre talent into a national title contender (Missouri 2007, Utah 2004, Auburn 2004).

However, talented programs with quarterback problems often underachieve. The loss of Ryan Perilloux will hurt LSU more than anticipated, as they do not a clear successor to Matt Flynn.

Inconsistent play by the inexperienced quarterbacks fighting for a starting job will give the Tigers an off year before returning to national prominence.

Also they have a tough schedule by traveling to Florida and Auburn while playing Georgia at home.

Key Match-ups:

Georgia vs. Florida: This may be the most important game in the history of the World's Largest Cocktail Party. The winner of this game will most likely win the SEC East and the conference championship, while the loser plays in the Capital One Bowl. This is also a matchup between two Heisman trophy contenders, Tim Tebow and Knowshon Moreno.

Florida vs. Tennessee: Phil Fullmer may need to win this game to save his job. Florida needs to win this to appear in the national title, as they escaped with a win in 2006.

Georgia vs. Auburn: Another tough road test for Georgia. If Auburn wins this game, count them in the SEC championship game.

Alabama vs. Auburn: Can Alabama turn around its recent futility in the Iron Bowl? Winning this game can return Alabama with national credibility and a SEC West title.

SEC Projected Standings

East

1) Florida 11-1 (7-1) Sugar Bowl

2) Georgia 9-3 (6-2)

3) Tennessee 9-3 (5-3)

tied 4) South Carolina 6-6 (3-5)

tied 4) Kentucky 6-6 (3-5)

6) Vanderbilt 3-9 (1-7)

West

1) Auburn 10-2 (7-1)

tied 2) Alabama 8-4 (5-3)

tied 2) LSU 9-3 (5-3)

4) Mississippi State 7-5 (4-4)

5) Arkansas 5-7 (3-5)

6) Ole Miss 2-10 (0-8)

www.commonsensemag.com

Going Greek: How Josh Childress Leaving the Hawks Impacts the NBA and NCAA

Nicholas Pardini — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:47:22 -0400

For years the Euro leagues have been nothing but an afterthought to NBA fans. Undrafted rookies or washed up veterans who failed to make the twelve man roster often go to Europe to languish in obscurity as the NBA's version of the CFL.

However, with departures of NBA prospects such as Brandon Jennings and players such as Loren Woods, Juan Carlos Navarro, Tiago Splitter, and Bostjan Nachbar have left the NBA for Europe this season.

The departure of Josh Childress carries more significance. He is the first American player in line to make big money as a key part of a good team who has decided to ditch the NBA for a Euro league record setting contract.

What does this mean for the NBA and basketball? The signings of Brandon Jennings and Josh Childress show the emergence of the Euro league as a competitor of the NBA and NCAA for players. This, in turn, threatens the NBA and NCAA's strength and current structures.

Economically, several factors has enabled the Euro league to sign mid-level players. First, the value of the Euro has increased from $1.10 in 2003 to $1.59 today. The strength of the Euro has allowed the Euro leagues to pay higher salaries. Also with the current economic climate in America along with the help of the Federal Reserve printing dollars like monopoly money, being paid in Euros also hedges against the continuous decline of the US dollar.

In the case of Josh Childress, Olympiakos has agreed to pay all of the taxes on his three year $20 million deal worth $33.3 million dollars in pre-tax income. There are no salary caps or max contracts in the Euro-league, so clubs have no limits to how much they can spend on players.

Mid-level players and restricted free agents benefit most from the Eurolegue as the NBA clubs have no ability to match a restricted free agent's contract from Europe.

The rise of the Euro league hurts the depth of the NBA. Mid-level and role players can opt for Europe for higher contracts and therefore hurt the depth of the NBA. This would further dilute the limited talent pool of NBA level players and make the NBA a lower quality product. Middle/lower level players will get overpaid and NBA franchises would have further difficulties in keeping championship teams together.

However, international basketball is a greater threat to college basketball than the NBA. Brandon Jennings decision to not enroll at the University of Arizona and play professionally in Europe seems to be the start of a trend that can ultimately lead to a decline of college basketball to the relevancy of college baseball.

Over the past decade, the top American basketball players have had no legitimate interest in attending college. They have either gone straight from high school to the NBA, or (with the recent one and done rule) attended school for only one season to fulfill the one year requirement to enter the draft. As a result, the talent and quality of college basketball has significantly declined.

If Europe helps Brandon Jennings' draft stock, many top players will also opt out of college in favor of actually getting paid while working on their games. Neither raising nor lowering the NBA age limit will help keep top players in school. They will either go straight to the pros or find Europe more appealing due to the money and not having to go to class. Unlike the NBA, the top players in the world do not want to attend college, so there are no definite solutions for the NCAA.

Despite recent trends, the NBA still has the edge as the world's best basketball league and with a few reforms; the league can eliminate the Euro league as a threat and improve professional basketball in the process. The NBA can expand into Europe and take the European markets.

Another solution would be to negotiate with the Euro leagues to add requirements of a posting fee to an NBA player's contract (similar to Japanese baseball players coming stateside) that a European club is required to pay if they want to sign a restricted free agent.

Or the NBA can take a route similar to soccer, and have a basketball version of the Champions League tournament where the best professional basketball teams across the globe compete for a single world title.

Overall, the Euro league’s growing success is having an influence on the state of American basketball while showing the globalization of the world's second most popular sport.

http://www.commonsensemag.com

(For more info see my article on globalization in basketball http://bleacherreport.com/articles/26257-globalization-and-sports-part-ii-how-the-nba-should-expand-into-europe)

With the Seattle Supersonics Gone, Who’s Next on the Move?

Nicholas Pardini — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:42:59 -0400

In American professional sports, franchise relocation is inevitable. The Seattle Supersonics’ move to Oklahoma city is just the most recent.

Due to financial problems, poor stadium deals, lack of fan support, and more opportunities for success in bigger markets, there are several current major sports teams that are primed to move. The following teams have the highest chance of moving (the Nets' move Brooklyn does not count because it is in same metropolitan area):

1) Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

The Grizzlies have struggled with fan support since they moved from Vancouver. It is hard to blame the fans for not caring, because other than three first-round sweeps from 2004-2006, this team has been dwelling in the depths of the lottery and irrelevance.

Being in the NBA’s smallest market limits growth of a fan base, and team owner Michael Heisley has taken losses financially from the team. With the Sonics' move to Oklahoma City, the Seattle market is now up for grabs.

2) Nashville Predators (NHL)

Hockey is irrelevant in the Sunbelt region, and the Predators are struggling financially as a result. Despite sporting a competitive team, the team lacks fan and corporate support. The owner may be arrested for financial shenanigans, and this team is constantly rumored to be bought by Canadian investors and moved to Hamilton, Ontario.

3) Buffalo Bills (NFL)

The Bills have agreed to a $78 million deal to play at least one home game in Toronto for the next five seasons. That revenue annually is twice as much money as they will make from the rest of their home games.

Buffalo (the third-smallest market in the NFL) is a declining city both economically and in terms of population, while Toronto is the largest market in Canada and the eleventh-largest market in North America. In order to sell out the stadium, the Bills have the lowest ticket prices in the NFL and could charge significantly more in Toronto.

Ralph Wilson is the only factor keeping the team in Buffalo and after his passing, a move to Toronto seems most likely.

4) Florida Panthers (NHL)

South Florida fans are known to be flaky to begin with, and average less than ten thousand per game. Combining that with an unpopular sport (hockey) and a team that has not been relevant since the turn of the millennium equals apathy towards the team and likeliness of relocation.

Like the Nashville Predators, the Florida Panthers show the failure of Gary Bettman’s strategy to market hockey in the South. Financial losses and potential fan support in places such as Kansas City, Hartford, or hockey-crazed Canada will ultimately lead to a relocation (unless Bettman remains stubborn about his southern strategy).

5) New Orleans Hornets (NBA)

The Hornets' recent success, the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, and the star power of Chris Paul may just keep the Hornets in New Orleans. Nevertheless, Hurricane Katrina has decimated the population of New Orleans to only a fraction of what the city used to be.

As a result, New Orleans' media market is the third-smallest in the NBA, and is an economically poor city and a high poverty rate. New Orleans is struggling to financially support both the Hornets and the Saints.

6) Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)

The Jaguars despite their recent success compared to Tampa Bay and Miami, will always be third or fourth fiddle (if you include Florida Gators college football) in the state of Florida. They struggle to sell out Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, and are scrambling to gain corporate support and sponsorship due to small size and lack of major businesses in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars were ranked 28th out of 32 teams in NFL revenue last season and do not even have a naming rights deal for their stadium. For any struggling team, the lure of Los Angeles is always there—and for the Jaguars who struggle despite having a winning team, a move to L.A. could solve these problems.

7) Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)

Despite their recent rise from worst to first, people still do not really care about the Rays. They have the fourth-lowest home attendance in baseball and average only 50 percent capacity, while having the second-lowest road attendance of any team in baseball.

Tropicana Stadium is the worst ballpark in the major leagues and a recent $450 million waterfront stadium plan has been canceled by the team.

8) Sacramento Kings (NBA)

Arco Arena is the oldest stadium in the NBA, and the Kings have struggled to negotiate a new stadium deal with the city of Sacramento. Las Vegas is an attractive destination, as the Maloofs can market the Kings with their Vegas assets such as the Palms Hotel. Las Vegas also is a large market with no other professional sports teams, and the Kings will have plenty of support from both local fans and tourists.

The NBA already has experimented with Vegas’s viability with the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. However, the state of Nevada will have to outlaw betting on NBA games, which seems very unlikely in the near future. Las Vegas also lacks an NBA-caliber arena.

However, if the city accommodates the NBA’s requirements, count on the Kings being there. Imagine it—the Las Vegas Kings of Spades.

9) Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

The Coyotes' story is similar to both the Panthers and the Predators, as the Coyotes struggle to sell hockey to its desert clientele. The lack of playoff appearances does not help their cause. However, a fairly new stadium in Glendale gives them a stronger chance to stay in Phoenix.

10) San Diego Chargers (NFL)

The Chargers are trying to replace Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, and ownership has no interest in moving to the team to a suburb such as the proposed site in Chula Vista.

Also, a new $800 million stadium is being privately constructed in the City of Industry (Greater Los Angeles), and the Chargers owners have connections with Ed Roski, its builder. The temptation to occupy America’s second-largest media market may be too much to keep the Chargers in San Diego, and cause a move back to where they played their inaugural season.

Other Potential Teams: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Vikings, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, L.A. Clippers, OK City Team (long run), New Orleans Saints, Oakland A’s.

http://www.commonsensemag.com

Hollywood Heist: Celtics Steal One As Lakers Choke in Game 4

Nicholas Pardini — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:35:00 -0400

With the score 35-14, the Los Angeles Lakers took a twenty-one point first quarter lead—the largest in NBA Finals history. At the end of the second quarter, Jordan Farmar banked in a three-pointer to maintain an 18-point lead at halftime.

However, when Los Angeles led by 20 with 6:04 left in the third quarter, the collapse of the Lakers began. By outscoring the Lakers, 31-15, in the third quarter, the Celtics cut the lead to two entering the fourth quarter.

By then, the Lakers had lost their composure, and the resilient Celtics finished the comeback on an Eddie House jumper with 4:03 left to take their first lead in the game. Upon taking the lead, the Celtics sucked the energy out the Staples Center and rode their momentum to a Game Four win, 97-91.

So how did the Celtics come back to complete the one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history?

They won this game by locking down the Lakers on defense, getting Ray Allen and role players step up, and riding a clutch second half by Paul Pierce. The ultimate collapse of the Lakers was due to a lack defensive intensity, poor shot selection, and even worse ball movement.

The Celtics defense shut down the Lakers for the entire second half. They outscored L.A., 57-33, after giving up 58 points in the first half.

Paul Pierce limited Kobe Bryant to a pedestrian 17 points, while the Celtics held down the Lakers' role players to 6-for-26 shooting, effectively making them a collective non-factor in the second half.

The Celtics stunted the triangle offense by taking Lamar Odom out of the game. Kevin Garnett cramped down on Pau Gasol in the second half and eliminated the Lakers post-up game. As they had done throughout the regular season and the rest of the playoffs, the Celtics used their NBA-leading defense to shut down the Lakers.

Offensively, the Celtics propelled their scoring with the rise of some unusual factors. James Posey proved to be hot behind the arc and stepped up with 18 critical points off the bench. Eddie House made some critical shots, including the one that gave the Celtics the lead, to pitch in 11 points.

Ray Allen continued his consistency throughout the Finals, playing all 48 minutes and willing his team throughout the game with big shot after big shot. He iced the Celtics victory by shredding the Laker defense with an easy lay-up past Sasha Vujacic with under a minute to play. Overall, the Celtics stepped up their game and made every big play in the second half to steal the game.

On the other side, the Lakers completed the biggest choke in NBA Finals history. Up by 18 at halftime, the Lakers continued to be as complacent as they were after taking a 24-point lead in the second quarter.

They passed the ball like a hot potato, and their poor ball movement led to sloppy turnovers and rushed shots at the end of the shot clock. The Lakers also had poor shot selection and deferred from driving to the basket to settle for three-pointers and fade-away jump shots.

Lamar Odom disappeared from the game, scoring only six points after the first quarter. The supposedly more talented Lakers bench was badly outplayed by the Celtics and struggled to hit a shot in the second half.

Ultimately, it was the porous defense of the Lakers in the fourth quarter that did them in. Poor moves such as fouling Paul Pierce behind the three-point line and allowing wide-open layups and three-pointers to Boston's role players proved to be disastrous. Allen's final drive to the basket past Vujacic summarized the Lakers' poor defensive effort in one play.

In an attempt to inspire his team, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said at his press conference that this is just another game, and he telling his players that the series is not over. The reality is the Lakers squandered their chance in this series. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in NBA Finals history. It's not going to be any easier with the final two games of the series, if they're even necessary, set to be played in Boston.

Judging by the way the Lakers have played in this series, they will not break this streak, and most likely not be able to win in Boston (if they even get there). These type of games scar the psyche of a team, and the Lakers seem to lack the resiliency and ability to beat the more talented and mentally tougher Boston Celtics.

On the bright side for Lakers fans, there is always next year for this rising young team which has improved from a first-round after thought to a championship contender.

Globalization and Sports, Part V: Will Soccer Ever Be Relevant in America?

Nicholas Pardini — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:16:44 -0400

In recent years American sports leagues have been attempting to export the popularity of baseball, basketball, hockey and football abroad.

However, will the world's favorite game—soccer—ever establish a foothold as a major sport in the United States?

Some signs pointing to soccer's potential include the improvement of the United States national team, the establishment and growth of the MLS, and the emergence of AYSO as the most popular youth sports league in America since the 1994 World Cup.

Nevertheless, soccer in the foreseeable future will never become relevant in the United States because the MLS is a minor league, the lack of American soccer talent, and a cultural preference of other sports.

The first issue that American soccer has is in terms of relevancy (by relevancy, I mean popularity of a sport being greater than or equal to the NHL which borderlines relevancy) is the fact that the MLS is a minor league with inferior talent.

The world's best quality soccer is played in England, Spain and Italy—not in the United States. People who are willing to pay to attend a game or spend the time watching it on television want to watch the best of the sport and quality of play.

That is something the four major sports in America provide and soccer does not. This is the same reason why NFL Europe failed miserably while last year's NFL regular season game in London was a smashing success.

Soccer fans point to the signing of David Beckham as a turning point for American soccer. In reality, he will make only a marginal difference in terms of the MLS's popularity because one player cannot carry an entire league.

In the late 1970's Pele, the greatest soccer player in world history, along with several other European stars played for a talented New York Cosmos team in the NASL.

The Cosmos were incredibly popular and filled up Giants Stadium for soccer games. However, the New York Cosmos could not carry the league by itself and the overall quality of play remained low. Ultimately the NASL folded only a few years after Pele's retirement.

The MLS may be a little more financially stable than the NASL, but they still struggle with having the top quality players balanced across the league. The MLS must find a way to be up to par with the Premier League or La Liga in order to succeed in the states.

Unlike several foreign countries, soccer has to compete with the world's top leagues in other sports, and will continue to lose that competition unless the MLS rises up to be the world's best soccer league.

Due to the intense popularity and practical sporting monopoly of soccer in Europe, that most likely will not happen.

Another problem the MLS is struggling with is the lack of top-tier soccer talent in the United States. Many young kids play AYSO soccer, but usually quit at around age ten to move onto other sports.

Young athletes in American dream about playing in the NFL, NBA, or Major League Baseball—not playing soccer in Europe or the MLS.

Unlike third world countries where the only affordable sport to play is soccer, American kids (including those in poverty) have more options. As a result, the majority of America's top athletes move on to play basketball and football.

This leaves the kids who stay with soccer as the ones who could not succeed in football, baseball, or basketball or play it along with another sport and quit after high school. The lack of strong competition of soccer at the youth level also stunts player development for American soccer players.

The new 6+5 FIFA ruling that requires club teams to fill a six-player quota of teams born in the club's home nation will further dilute the talent of the MLS whose majority of top players (and players the MLS needs to attract) come from foreign countries.

Other than the xenophobic nature of this ruling, this law will derail the MLS in gaining top talent on a world stage.

Americans also have not been brought up on soccer, but on other sports that make up the big four major sports leagues. The American fan likes to see scoring and action: something that soccer provides sparingly in short bursts.

Other factors such as stoppage time, tie games, an upward clock, and players faking injuries all the time make the game inaccessible and/or annoying to American plans. Some rule changes, such as a shootout after every overtime can help like it has done in the post lockout NHL.

Overall, the MLS's relatively low quality of play, the lack of American soccer talent, and the American public's taste for other sports will continue to marginalize soccer in America.

It may take something unlikely and radical such as Premier League expansion of New York, major rule changes, or the US winning a World Cup to propel soccer into relevancy. Until then, soccer is and will continue to be irrelevant in the United States.

Check out my online magazine:

Common Sense Magazine (online magazine about politics, sports, and occasionally finance)

www.commonsensemag.com

and my podcast Rational Rants with Nick Pardini Podcast by using the following feed or searching "Rational Rants with Nick Pardini" on iTunes

http://commonsensemag.com/feed/podcast

For more specifically on soccer in America, listen to Episode 12: Globalization and Small Time Soccer

Globalization and Sports Part IV: NFL, Nationalistic Football League

Nicholas Pardini — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:41:08 -0400

The NFL, by a large margin, earns the most revenue and has the most popularity of any professional sports league in the United States, and holds the title as the world’s most commercially successful sports league.

However, in an increasingly global society and economy, the NFL languishes in popularity outside of North America. International players are a rarity in the league, and there has been no history of even a Canadian-based NFL franchise.

Historically, football has rarely been played internationally. High costs of equipment and football-caliber stadiums have limited its growth in the third world, and the only first-world countries that have even marginally embraced football are Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Football abroad has often been perceived as a sign of American nationalism and a barbaric culture. Critics of football often portray the game as a modern-day gladiator fight with a ball, and that it only appeals to the lowest common denominator of people and aggressive Americans.

This interpretation may be unfair, but the results of these stereotypes against football have marginalized the sport to a degree worse than American soccer.

The NFL did a series of preseason games from 1986 to 2005, known as the American bowl, across the world to showcase football globally. In 1991, NFL Europa was established as a minor league and training ground to raise Europeans on football.

Only Germany embraced football, as all of the leagues teams (except the Amsterdam Admirals) either folded or moved to Germany. Even with the German support, NFL Europe drastically failed financially—the league was primarily filled with American NFL rejects and failed to develop any homegrown players.

As a result, the NFL shutdown the league in 2007, and they continued to struggle in gaining support for the sport outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nevertheless, the NFL has recently been raising its efforts in making American football more popular abroad.

Roger Goodell has made globalization of football one of his top priorities outside of suspending trouble-making players. On October 2, 2005, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers in front of 103,467 fans (NFL regular-season record) in the first regular season game ever played abroad (Mexico City).

Last season, the Miami Dolphins played the New York Giants in London to kickoff an annual international series that places at least one regular-season NFL game overseas per season. This tradition will continue when the NFL returns to London for next year’s Chargers-Saints game.

The Buffalo Bills also are starting to play one preseason and one regular season game each year in Toronto. Many sources around the Buffalo Bills are speculating that they may actually move to Toronto after the 89-year-old owner Ralph Wilson passes away.

The NFL also has outreached to its Mexican fan base by creating a Spanish version of nfl.com, and expanded the league's TV coverage south of the border.

Despite its previous failures, the NFL has the smoothest transition for globalization than any American sport, and has the best opportunities of doing this with full compliance from the players.

With the termination of the recent collective bargaining agreement, Roger Goodell has flirted with the possibility of adding a seventeenth game to the regular season, and alternating the home fields between AFC and NFC every other year.

However, instead of adding another home game in an unbalanced way, the NFL could instead move this game to a neutral field in a certain city abroad. Set up sixteen cities in Europe, China, Japan, Australia, and Mexico to receive an annual sporting event to build up a consistent fan base for the NFL.

Due to having at least six days between games, the travel and time zone factors are not relevant for the NFL. If these games turn out to be successful, the league could expand into the more successful cities on this circuit.

Overall, the NFL has struggled to popularize American football internationally, and the current conditions of the NFL have allowed the league the perfect opportunity to change this.

Globalization and Sports, Part III: Mixed Resuts for MLB

Nicholas Pardini — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:56:09 -0400

Ever since baseball was first played in the 1830s, the game has regarded as America’s national pastime.

However, baseball actually has more popularity in several foreign countries such as Japan, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, and Panama. As a result, baseball has had a tradition for over a century of being an international sport.

Out of all of America’s major sports leagues, Major League Baseball has the most racial and cultural diversity among its players. Star players such as Vladimir Guerrero, Ichiro Suzuki, Ryan Howard, Alex Rodriguez, and Chipper Jones show a cultural balance in star power that is not apparent in the NBA or NFL.

Baseball spread quickly internationally after the game was invented. American expatriates and foreign students spread baseball into Mexico, Cuba, and Canada in the mid-nineteenth century. Following the end the shogun reign of Japan, American traders spread baseball to Japan, where it quickly became the country’s national pastime.

When Japan became an imperial power, it spread baseball along with its influence to Pacific Rim nations such as South Korea and Taiwan, while Cubans introduced the sport to the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean nations. Since the early twentieth century, professional sports league have been established and prosper in baseball-playing nations, with sizable numbers of players from these countries playing in the American Major Leagues.

Consistent international baseball competition began with the Caribbean Baseball World Series in 1949, a showdown of Latin American club teams. The IOC in 1992 introduced baseball as medal sport in the Summer Olympics. In 2006, the first World Baseball Classic was played across the baseball world with incredible fanfare.

In terms of Major League Baseball, several major leagues established their farm teams in Canadian cities in the 1940s and 1950s. In fact, from 1954-1960, there was triple-A team in Cuba known as the Havana Sugar Kings. If it was not for Fidel Castro plunging the island into communism, Cuba would probably have a Major League team by now (all other International League cities at that time have/had a major league franchise since).

It was not until the inception of the Montreal Expos in 1969 that Major League baseball expanded outside of the Untied States. The Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian franchise in the American League in 1977—as well as the first foreign baseball team to win a World Series, in 1992.

Nevertheless, baseball has struggled to gain a footing in countries that lack a tradition of baseball in their past. In Europe, baseball has gained little traction and has been marginalized to the degree that cricket and lacrosse have been in the United States.

Due to intense poverty, there is little to no presence of baseball in the Africa or the Middle East as a result of the relatively high cost of equipment.

The only South American country that has embraced baseball is Venezuela, and Oceania lacks a baseball following. China is the only country that has adopted baseball in recent years. Baseball is also losing popularity to American football and basketball in the United States and Canada due to a steroids scandal, Bud Selig’s poor management, and an aging fan base.

What can Major League Baseball do to make baseball popular across the globe and remain relevant on the world stage? Intercontinental expansion is impossible, due to games being played every day and the long travel times across oceans.

The MLB can try adding teams in Latin America, but they would probably fail due to the lack of economic development and wealth in these countries.

What baseball needs to do is continue its outreach into Asia, while also aggressively marketing the game in Europe. Baseball also needs to extend its appeal to the under-40 crowd and revive its current young fan base. Overall, baseball has an international presence, but has a long and difficult road to globalization.

To see more work by Nick Pardini go to www.commonsensemag.com

Globalization and Sports Part II: How The NBA Should Expand Into Europe

Nicholas Pardini — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:34 -0400

Globalization has taken the hold of America's major sport, but no league has had more success or a more involved future with the international market than the NBA.

Seventy-six of the NBA's 360 active roster players are international players from thirty-eight different countries. Yao Ming regularly breaks the record for the most votes to the All-Star team, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki (both born outside of the US) won three of the last four MVP awards, and the San Antonio Spurs have won three championships in the past five years with a primarily foreign core of star players.

With this increased prominence of international NBA stars inspired from the first Dream Teams, the NBA has made basketball only second to soccer as the world's most popular sport.

Financially, globalization skyrocketed the revenues of the NBA. International customers now consist of nearly 50 percent of jersey and merchandise sales. The internet has helped spread the popularity of the NBA.

Fifty-three percent of NBA.com traffic is now coming from outside the U.S., up a third from five years ago. And 20 percent is from China alone. The NBA also has TV deals with over 100 countries and the playoffs along with several regular season games broadcast live across the globe.

When the Milwaukee Bucks played the Houston Rockets on Nov. 9, 2007, an audience of 200 million people viewed the game (That is more than the Super Bowl). Overall, globalization had paid incredible dividends financially to the NBA.

What does the future of the new globalized NBA? First, international players will continue to make up a higher percentage of the players in the league. The international market will quickly exceed the US market by 2010. However, the biggest change to the NBA that will happen is European expansion.

Half of international players are of European descent, NBA style arenas have been built in London, Spain, Germany, and France, and an established fan base of Euroleague fans are ready to embrace big-time NBA basketball.

The best way for the NBA to expand into Europe is to add a six team European Division to the Eastern Conference. Location of these franchises would be determined by the largest basketball markets and cities with NBA ready stadiums.

The best candidates for NBA expansion are London, Paris, Madrid/Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, and Athens. Instead of the normal suggestion of five teams, adding six teams will balance the NBA with thirty-six teams while keeping the six division format. Each division would now include six teams instead of five.

As a result, the rest of the NBA would have to realign to adjust to the compensate for the new Euro-division. The Central Division would move to the Western Conference and add the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Washington Wizards would move to the Atlantic Division, while the New Orleans Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies would switch conferences and move to the Southeast Division.

The Northwest Division would discontinue and the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and Seattle Supersonics (if they move to Oklahoma City) would join the Southwest Division. The Portland Trailblazers would join the Pacific Division to complete realignment.

If the Sonics manage to stay in Seattle, then they would go to the Pacific Division and the Phoenix Suns would go to the Southwest Division.

In terms of scheduling, each team would play divisional opponents four times (20 games total) and every other team twice (60 games total) for an 80-game season. The subtraction of games in the season makes for increased travel times and rest for transatlantic flights.

Each division winner will have a playoff spot plus the top the remaining top five teams in each conference. Once the construction of NBA stadiums are complete, their seems to be no problems in implementing this schedule and with declining value of the US dollar allows greater profit opportunities for European teams.

Prime time television in major European markets will also skyrocket the revenues and the popularity of the NBA as it will become the first major intercontinental professional sports league.

However, there are still some problems with European expansion that will have to be dealt with in the process. The language and cultural barrier between Europe and the American basketball player poses challenges, and players may not want to live and play in a foreign country (Toronto is in Canada, but the cultural divide is not nearly as evident).

Second, both American and European fans will have a hard time watching their teams' road games on the other continent due to time zone differences. Despite these challenges, European expansion is the future of the further globalization of the NBA and its quest to challenge soccer as the world's sport.

Globalization and Sports: An Overview (Part I)

Nicholas Pardini — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:24:59 -0400

Throughout the twenty-first century, globalization has spread across economy, political relations, people, and popular culture all over the planet.

The world of sports has also been radically globalized during this same period of time.

NBA and MLB are filled with players that reside from countries outside of the United States. The arrival of Yao Ming added thirty million Houston Rockets fans to a team that only has one million viewers in the US currently.

With the rise of the US Soccer team, the World Cup has truly become a global competition. Regular season football and hockey games are now played abroad, while foreign soccer teams tour on American soil.

How will the globalization of sports change the games we know and love today?

Will these changes improve sports for the fans or only line the pockets of owners and corporations?

To what extent will the relevancy and hierarchy of the established leagues be transformed by the pressures of global markets?

In a six-part series, these and many other questions will be addressed and also explained how each of the major sports can best transition into this global society while maintaining its quality of play.

The history of international sports, up to this point, has been sporadic.

In 1896, the revival of the summer Olympics was the first truly global competition, but it was restricted to amateurs.

The World Soccer Cup emerged in 1930 as the first global competition that allowed professional athletes. Soccer championships (such as the European Champion Clubs' Cup, which later evolved into the Champions League) would also arise throughout the world in the mid-twentieth century.

Outside of soccer, globalization has been limited. American sports leagues have added Canadian franchises in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal while the NHL expanded hockey to the United States.

However, since the 1990’s, globalization has excelled with the advancements of technology and the acceptance of professional athletes in the Olympic Games.

The domination of the 1992 USA Dream Team basketball squad has inspired foreign youth to play American sports while the 1994 World Soccer Cup led to the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) to supersede Little League.

Today, players from across the world fill American sports leagues and European soccer clubs and these games, broadcasted on national television and the Internet, began the globalization of sports.

What changes does globalization provide for professional sports leagues?

The future of sports lies in the change from continental markets to global markets. Americans in the past five years have been seen regularly wearing Manchester United jerseys and Lakers fans can be found in China.

Eventually, leagues will have multi-continental franchises and road trips will tire players even more. Franchises and the surrounding sports league will see greater profit as the global market provides limitless expansions of revenue.

The percentage of international players will continue to grow along with the popularity of global competitions, such as the World Baseball Classic and the UEFA Champions League.

It is not even unlikely that ESPN International will appear in some countries.

These trends seem general, but different industries have different reactions to the global economy. For how each of the major sports is dealing with globalization and how it affects them, please read the rest of this series.

The next edition will be released tomorrow, when I will discuss how NBA has made basketball the world’s most popular sport and what challenges does the League face with its international fan base.