Bleacher Report - Articles by michael clark

xavier-georgia post game wrap up

michael clark — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:06:27 -0400

Georgia showed up to play this afternoon, but soon learned just why Xavier was a No. 3 seed. The Musketeers ended the game with 73 points, Bulldogs ended with 61.

Georgia led most of the first half and had at an 11-point lead at one point, but Xavier's well-rounded duo of Josh Duncan and Drew Lavender were too much for the Bulldogs.

Duncan led all scorers with 18 points, but more importantly he cleaned up on the glass with 10 rebounds. Georgia was led by Sundiata Gaines, who had 13 points and six rebounds. Georgia also got key three-point baskets from Terrance Woodburry, but it just wasn't enough.

Early in the second half with Georgia up 10, Xavier guard Drew Lavender took over and Georgia couldn't find an answer.

Xavier will now rest up tomorrow before returning to action Saturday when they will play either Purdue or Baylor.

March Madness: Georgia-Xavier

michael clark — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:15:47 -0400

Xavier is led by 5'7" point guard Drew Lavender (10.7 ppg., 4.3 apg) who is best when he is creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. When Lavender went down earlier this season with an ankle injury the Xavier offense became stagnate.

Shooting guard Stanley Burrell was the A-10 defensive player of the year so look for him to be matched up with Georgia's playmaker, Sundiata Gaines. Georgia shooting guard Billy Humphrey is going to have to shoot better from the field than he did in the SEC tourney. He has only made five of his last 27 shots.

Xavier and Georgia should matchup well in the frontcourt as Xavier goes with the duo of C.J. Anderson and Derrick Brown while Georgia pairs Dave Bliss and Terrance Woodburry.

Xavier's leading scorer is a versatile forward coming off the bench. It is going to be very interesting to see who Georgia matches up with leading scorer Josh Duncan. A player who is averaging (11.7) points per game.

In the coaching ranks Xavier is coached by Sean Miller, who is no stranger to the tourney as he played in three tourneys as a player for Pittsburgh. Miller also participated in four as an assistant coach and four as a head coach.

Georgia's Dennis Felton will be making his third trip to the Big Dance, but his first with Georgia.

DeAngelo Hall to Oakland Almost a Done Deal

michael clark — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:46:04 -0400

DeAngelo Hall may have his wish after all well kinda.

Last month during the NFL combine Deangelo hall made it very clear that he wanted nothing to do with the falcons and all but demanded a trade. But the funny thing is that he said he wanted to play for a winner and wanted to be on a team that wanted his services.

Well I must say that DeAngelo is going to a team fit for misfit players and coaches. Terms of the deal have not been made public yet since both sides have not reached a new contract yet. The hold up in the deal being complete is that the Raiders would like to make sure they lock DeAngelo up before they pull the trigger on this trade because DeAngelo hall is entering his final year of his contract.

DeAngelo is looking for a five year deal around the $57 million dollar mark. Once the deal is complete the falcons will get the radiers second round pick (34th) overalland there sixth round pick as well.That means that the falcons would hold three second round picks two picks via trades number 34 from the radiers,37 and 48 from houston.

March Madness First Round Picks

michael clark — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:30:04 -0400

This year’s March Madness should show early in the first round. The first round games have plenty of story lines, such as Georgia's unlikely run from worst to first in a matter of three days.

That's what March Madness is all about. They say you can’t script October; well, you cannot script March and the madness that follows each game.

Don't look for many upsets in the first round as all the higher seeds should win except for a few games.

My winners are, North Carolina, Indiana, Notre Dame, Washington state, Oklahoma, Louisville, South Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Kent State, Villanova, Siena, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Davidson, Georgetown, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Stanford, St. Mary’s, Texas, UCLA, Texas A&M, Drake, Connecticut, Purdue, West Virginia, Duke, and my upset special in tribute to what Georgia did this past weekend.

You gotta believe I’m takin’ Georgia over Xavier.

So these are just my picks but you can bet that this bracket will get thrown out in the first two hours of the tourney if this year is like any other.