> Diego proves himself legit

I don't care what anyone else says, including the judges in tonight's split decision...Diego Sanchez is legit.

I don't mean he was just legit tonight in his mostly one sided slugfest with Clay Guida.
I don't mean he is just legit at his semi-new home of the 155 weight class.
I mean he is legit as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.

On tonight's Ultimate Finale Live, Diego opened up running through Guida like a machine. He swung and swung and swung until he busted Clay up and probably broke his nose. Then Diego delivered a vicious head kick that put Guida on his ass and forced commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg to proclaim what a "great chin" Guida had for taking that kick. Great chins are nice and all, but the only way you ever find out who has one is if they are taking shots.

Me personally, I don't know what kind of a chin Diego Sanchez had tonight. Because even when he was not controlling the fight, only in the second round, he was landing cutting elbows from the bottom that made Guida bleed like a stuck pig.

Now, Diego is likely on to challange the winner of this Fall's BJ Penn/Kenny Florian title fight and both of those guys should be worried for the Lightweight division's real top dog. Penn is solid, but aging. Florian is GREATLY improved from the guy Sanchez toppled for the original Ultimate Fighter crown. But neither is as explosive, hungry, deep and relentless as Diego Sanchez. Right now, I may only rank Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva as people who I know could beat Diego (taking into consideration they are close in weight class and/or Diego's non-fighting weight...I know he wouldn't fare well against heavyweights but only because they are so much bigger).

In the latest edition of Fight! Magazine, they have a new reader poll for the Top 10 Pound-for-Pound fighters. Next month, Diego should be on it. I question the additions to this list of Frank Mir (9) and even Fedor Emelianenko (2), the second of which doesn't even face the stiffest competition in his weight class seeing as how Affliction is weak.

He has won four straight, is 10-2 in the octogon and is now coming off two straight Fight of the Night performances. The man is legit and I feel bad for whoever has to stand in his way next.

>Would you Like Fries with that?

Last week, Jeremy Tyler, a 17-year old high school junior in San Diego decided that he was just going to go ahead and drop out of high school. Not for any reason that a person with moderate intelligence would find reasonable, but rather to go and play professional basketball overseas.

This is far from a reasonable decision for many reasons, both on and off a basketball court.

The fact is that these days, players who enter the NBA Draft after foreign careers (though usually foreign in birth) are considered project players (one who will take a lot of work) even when a NBA team does take a risk on them. Meaning that come 2011, chances are that not only will Tyler be expected to adjust to the American professional game from the finesse he will then be accustomed to from Europe, but he will also have to do so without the basic fundamentals that basketball players learn on a college level. And that’s a big factor, even as the only one on the court.

Here is an important thought that Tyler, his apparently crackpot father and “strategic advisor” should take into consideration: what is the answer going to be from a future potential employer if Tyler blows out his knee next season in Europe? If all Tyler can boast credential wise is that “I dropped out of high school, thought it would be a good idea to go play professional sports overseas, blew out me knee, came back and got my GED.” Oh, I know the answer– ‘would you like fries with that?’

In years previous to the implementation of the NBA’s age limit, players were taking a calculated gamble on passing on a college education that they could fall back on if the NBA did not work for any multitude of reasons. But the fact remained that at the very least; they would have a high school diploma in hand and the ability to attend a university even if they could no longer participate in athletics on that level. Tyler won’t even have that,.He won’t have anything.

All of these things considered, this does not seem like a very well calculated gamble to me.

But the Tylers didn’t take time to calculate here because it is all about the money and you can’t convince me otherwise. I thought this long before I even heard about Sonny Vaccaro, that aforementioned strategic advisor. What in the world is that all about? Tyler’s family is not well off, but really at this point, who is? This is about the all mighty dollar and the fact that more and more human beings are getting into the sports business, which itself is all about money. Where do we as a society or even those parents draw the line?

Kids are getting recruited to college and professional sports younger and younger. College coaches are in middle school gyms, pro coaches are at summertime AAU functions for kids age 14 and up. It is ridiculous and it needs to stop. The problem is that it won’t stop with Jeremy Tyler. All he is doing is fanning the fire and making society and sport that much worse off.

> Paulus? Again? Damnit.

After a 60-hour post NCAA title game sports strike (to avoid seeing Tyler Hansbrough's crubby hands on the sacred trophy), I am now officially disgusted again.

That is because Greg Paulus won't go the hell away. Duke's ex-point guard is now serious about pursuing football. While I'm not sure how I feel about a 4-year basketball player getting a fifth school year of eligibility for a different sport, I'm shocked that there is even any interest in him.

And of all things, he may end up at Michigan?! Rich Rodriguez is stretching here, isn't he?

Even moreso, there are apparently up to six NFL teams interested in Paulus, including the Packers, who worked him out last week. I realise that Paulus was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school quarterback in 2004, but he must have been God-like to have that as the only thing on his resume and potentially turning pro...or even quarterbacking a Big Ten team.

Today os ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Bob Ryan questioned why, if he is so good, that Duke wouldn't want him as anything other than a potential wide receiver with no guarantees. Why would Duke football want him? One, they should already be sick of losers with that program. And two, the Duke basketball team didn't even want him. He went from potential savior to flop to bench boy.

The only reason I was happy to see Duke's basketball season end was because I didn't think I'd ever have to look at him again

I have been sick of Greg Paulus for years and that will never change. I only want to see him at Michigan or in the NFL for one reason: so I can see him get hit.

Other than that, go away Greg Paulus...I'm done with you.

> Book on Lloy Ball gives unrivaled insight

Sports biographies are not a rare thing these days, but to find one of relevance on a local level is.

Published in late November by AuthorHouse, “The Biggest Mistake I Never Made” tells a unique and interesting tale of former IPFW volleyball sensation Lloy Ball, in his own words, as told to News Sentinel sports writer Blake Sebring.

The tagline on the front cover of the book really does no justice in summing up this tale: “How an Indiana boy gave up basketball to become a world-class volleyball player.”

I really enjoy that Ball and Sebring did not rush along the story, taking plenty of time throughout the 188 pages to transition from event to event. Even the tale of Lloy choosing between playing Division I basketball at Indiana University and coming here to IPFW to play volleyball for his father is not rushed and starts mainly in chapter six.

Chapter one discusses the Ball family and then the tale goes forward into some Team USA stories before delving back into Lloy’s life and moving forward chronologically.

One of my favorite parts of the entire book however comes in that afformentioned chapter six where Ball talks about the first time he told his father, legendary IPFW coach Arnie, that he was coming to IPFW.

In Lloy’s words, after he told his father he was going to play at IPFW, just before the press conference where he would announce the same to the rest of his community, Ball says this of his father’s reaction:

“It was awkward but he didn’t say anything. He just nodded his head.”

This is one of my favorite lines, in part from knowing Arnie and that general Arnie Ball reaction.

Reading Lloy’s insights on his entire storied volleyball career is great. From the first practice of his IPFW career to the gold medal ceremony of the 2008Olympic Games, the whole story is beautifully illustrated by a guy who has been through so much.

The book is available in local bookstores for $17.50 and also online. If you are a fan of local sports, Lloy or Arnie Ball, it is a must have for your collection.

>Big East is tough, but ACC is due

The year has been up and down for everyone in college basketball. Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, UConn, Pittsburgh...it seems like everyone got a shot to be #1 in the nation for a while. But none of that means anything now.

Because it's tournament time!

Out in the Midwest, Louisville is the top overall seed and for good reason. They are a solid team that has been underrated, won the regular season and tournament in ONE of the toughest conferences in the nation (the top spot still belongs to the ACC) and they have the best defense in this country. However, I disagree with anyone who says that they have the easiest bracket heading to the Final Four. Wake Forest, Boston College and West Virginia could all be possible spoilers along the way, though I am still picking the Cardinals to slither out of the Midwest to the Final Four.

The region carries few potential upsets, though my pick for a 'Cinderella' story does reside here with North Dakota State. I have seen Ben Woodside and the Summit League champion Bison grow, seeing them play once in person each of those years. This team is dangerous and not only do I think they will beat defending champion Kansas in the opener, I have them upsetting West Virginia and heading to the Sweet Sixteen. Other than that, it's pretty standard with the exception of my pick of Boston College over Michigan State that will propel them to the Elite Eight. BC guard Tyrese Rice is as dangerous as any single player in the entire tournament.

In the West, UConn is the most debatable top seed, but I also think they have the easiest road through as long as someone knocks off Memphis, which I see Marquette doing in the Sweet Sixteen. That however should allow UConn to coast to the Final Four even though they are THAT good of a team. This bracket should follow seeded-suit with Marquette (6-seed) being the only one to step out of line. This team has a lot of heart and I think they will play well specifically in-spite of not having Dominic James. The Golden Eagles will be the team that falls to UConn in the Elite Eight.

The East is the most intriguing region to me with the deadly Pitt at the top at Duke down as the 2-seed. I think that Florida State is highly underrated, even as a 5-seed and their inside game could catch any team off guard on any given day, which could be interesting for Pitt in the Sweet Sixteen. I also love the match of Duke and Texas in the second round. And as much as they have both been choke artists in past tournaments, I see Pitt and Duke as the only 1/2 combo to make the Elite Eight in their region. And even though Pitt and the Big East have been tough, I don't think they can get the job done in the clutch and I have to take Duke (being a Blue Devil fan or not).

It will however be nice to see Olek Czyz and Steve Johnson get some PT for Duke in the opening round against Binghamton.

In the South, I hope North Carolina loses to Radford. Sadly I know better, but the Overtime kids in Orange will keep people from seeing the Tyler Hansbrough/Blake Griffin meeting in the Elite Eight. Well, Syracuse will be the other team at least...in reality, I think it's Michigan that derails the overrated Oklahoma train. I also like Western Kentucky in one of those 12/5 upsets against Illinois. In the end, the Orange are just too impressive right now, Johnny Flynn is amazing and I have them over Carolina, keeping the Heels from a third meeting with Duke.

In the Final Four, Louisville gets Hasheem Thabeet in foul trouble and coast against UConn, while Duke out energizes Syracuse in a game of will. The finals will be close, final score 76-70. And while Louisville's defense is godly, if Duke gets this far, I see them being to hot from 3-point range to faulter. Give K his fourth ring, probably say goodbye to Gerald Henderson and hate them or love them, Duke claims a title.

Check out my full 2009 NCAA Bracket here:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/thefranchise484/danvance2009.jpg

>Summit League result dissapoints but may offer best opportunity

Let me first say that I am not happy with the outcome of the Summit League tournament title game. I have never been a fan of North Dakota State and never even pretended to like conference Player of the Year Ben Woodside.

On the other end of the spectrum, you could call me somewhat of an Oakland fan (I know Dane, you don’t have to say anything.)

I think Oakland was the perfect team when it comes to the conference. They have a terrific, experienced coach in Greg Kampe, a stellar quick point man in Jonathan Jones, a lights out shooter in Eric Kangas, a high energy post in Keith Benson and the intangible guy in Will Hudson. Around ALL of that, they also have stellar freshman Drew Maynard and a defensive juggernaut in frosh Blake Cushingberry. Not to mention senior Dan Waterstradt, who was out of this world in the opening round against IPFW.

That to me is the perfect prototype for a Mid-Major and I, as a fan of basketball, would have been proud to have that team represent the Summit League in this year’s field of 65. But I also know the conference’s best chance at winning a tournament game comes in the form of NDSU.

This Bison team is everything that Cinderella could hope to be. They are from a smaller conference, in their first full year of NCAA Division I eligibility. But at the same, with a record of 26-5, they are not exactly too far off the radar. After winning the conference tournament, NDSU had a chance to win a game in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

That is something that neither Oakland or even defending league champion Oral Roberts would do.

So I feel bad for Oakland, but know that sans-Kangas and Waterstradt, they will all be back to power through the conference next year. Not to mention, their best player Derrick Nelson didn’t even play this year.

And for NDSU, they may not be the team I wanted to see advance, but they are the Summit’s best chance. Even before the field of 65 was announced this past Sunday, people all around college basketball were calling on the Bison to be the potential upset special this post-season. That seemed to die down some when they drew defending National Champions Kansas.
But I don’t see why.

Kansas as an opponent does not change all of the good things that NDSU brings to the table and to me, they will still be the ‘Cinderella’ team when all is said and done. More importantly, even a single win by them will given instant credibility to the league.

Hope the Bison don’t let down.

>NIT lucks out with NCAA snubs

The NCAA's stupidity is the NIT's gain. And honestly, compared to previous years, the NCAA was not as stupid their tournament selections as in past years.

But this year, a wide array of strong but not strong enough teams makes the NIT just as interesting and competitive as parts of the 'Big Dance.'

In one bracket, St. Mary's (THE NCAA SNUB) gets a two-seed! That shows you the NIT is more stacked than usual. In that bracket of eight, the first round should be boring, but second round matches of San Diego State (the top seed) and Illinois State and Davidson/St. Mary's are going to be outstanding. SDSU is gonna sneak by Osiris Eldridge and the crafy Illinois State team but even with Patrick (I refuse to call him Patty) Mills, I don't think St. Mary's can get by a Stephen Curry-driven Davidson team that has a huge chip on it's shoulder.

In the next eight, Virginia Tech should roll over Duquense, Baylor and Auburn to get to the NIT's final four teams. This bracket is pretty weak with Auburn as the top-seed and also featuring not-so-powerhouse teams like Northwestern.

On the other side of the overall bracket, Creighton has a pretty clear path but honestly teams should look out for UAB, who underachieved with Robert Vaden leading the way this year. The eight-team bracket below that features alot of parody but 5-seed Providence has a lot of talent and I have them in the finals of the bracket topping Penn State.

The final four teams will pit, in my demented mind, Creighton will cruise fairly easily over Providence with their hot shooting. And, as much as I really do like the gritty nature of Virginia Tech, Davidson is just not going to take this NIT lightly and that also spells bad news for Creighton in the finals. The good news: a NIT Title is not what Stephen Curry is in this for so after Davidson WINS the NIT this year, expect for the older Curry brother to return for one more run in 2009-2010.