Hump Day Headlines

In this April Fool's Edition of Hump Day Headlines, no fooling anyone in the AP All American Picks, the Broncos have finally decided to trade Jay Cutler, coaches not named John Calipari get new deals, and how far did the Notre Dame basketball program fall in just one year...

• The AP First Team All-American team was announced yesterday, and all five picks seem obvious to me. Oklahoma's Blake Griffin was a unanimous pick (shocker!), while North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, Davidson's Stephen Curry, Pittburgh's DeJuan Blair, and Arizona State's James Harden rounded out the rest of the first team. All five players are obviously deserving, and they show that while the college game has lost some great players to the NBA, there are still some fantastic players at the top in college basketball. How good these guys will be at the next level? It's hard to say. Blake Griffin will probably be the top pick in the draft, and figures to be an impact player right away. Scott was clearly not impressed with James Harden. Tyler Hansbrough's draft status is unclear, Steph Curry may or may not go pro this year (and if he does, is he the next J.J. Redick?) and DeJuan Blair might be too short to be an impact player as a back to the basket 6'7" forward. Whether they're good or not though at the professional level, let's enjoy the fact we got to watch these guys be great college hoopsters. As an avid college hoops fan, I enjoyed watching all of them.
• The Denver Broncos soap opera released its latest episode today: the news that they will in fact deal their star quarterback somewhere. Jay Cutler will be on the move, and it appears that there are at least six teams that will be involved in some capacity to try and acquire the Pro Bowler's services. The Jets, Buccaneers, Bears, Lions, 49ers and Browns are all apparently interested, and the Jaguars "may" be interested. (You know who I'm rooting for in that sweepstakes.) There are also reports circulating that the Redskins might be interested even though they have Jason Campbell. Before you start complaining that this story is getting annoying, let me remind you one simple fact: at least we're not talking about T.O. or the Cowboys.
• Missouri Head Coach Mike Anderson was awarded with a new seven year contract worth between 1.3 and 1.5 million dollars per year. This comes after he impressively took the Tigers to the Elite Eight this season. The former UAB head man has shown why he always had the Blazers competing down there and now at a bigger school his coaching efforts have realized their potential. Good for him. Another coach rewarded for his success was former Washington State head coach Tony Bennett, who has moved on to the ACC and the University of Virginia. Bennett will be paid $1.7 million annually after he lead Wazzu to a 68-30 record in three seasons out west. People need to start getting used to the fact that the football and basketball coaches are now the highest paid people at many Division I Universities.
• Finally, remember when Notre Dame was a top ten team at the beginning of this college basketball season? This must seem like eons ago, because the Fighting Irish finished off a highly disappointing season by losing in the NIT Semifinals to Penn State. Notre Dame finished just 21-15, and Mike Brey must be searching for answers after he had second team all-American Luke Harangody (overrated, but still) Kyle McAlarney, Ryan Ayers and Tory Jackson on that team. Far too much talent to finish the way they did. Maybe Mr. Mock-Turtle himself should be considered for the hot seat? What a horrific year for Notre Dame sports teams. First more mediocrity from Chuck Weis, now this.

Hump Day Headlines

In this week's Hump Day Headlines, we discuss Tiger's return to the links, the Panthers Pitt-fall, Starbury's potential move to Boston, and Harrison's run in Indy comes to an end...

• The world's best golfer is back.  Today Tiger Woods returns to golf after eight months off recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and the birth of his son to play in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.  This marks his first tournament since his memorable win on one leg in the U.S. Open last June, and Woods enters this tournament tomorrow the defending champ.  He'll face Australian Brendan Jones in his first match.  Tiger says his short game "has gotten a little bit better" and hit every green in regulation yesterday in the practice round.  This likely means doom for the competition.  Anything can happen in match play and often the favorites don't win.  Either way, all eyes will be on Tiger as he revives the interest in Golf worldwide by stepping foot on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club course this afternoon in Tucson.  I know I'll be watching.
• Yet another team ranked #1 in the country has fallen just days, or in this case, a day after being put into the top spot in the polls.  #1 Pittsburgh won't have that ranking in front of its name after Providence handed them an 81-73 loss in Rhode Island Tuesday night.  What this loss showed is what we already knew:  if DeJuan Blair gets into foul trouble, the Panthers are a very vulnerable team.  Blair had 17 points and 8 rebounds in the loss, but fouled out of last night's contest.  Pitt's loss is the sixth loss this season for a top ranked team.  And by the way, the Friars definitely helped their tournament chances with that win.  Providence is 17-11 on the year but now boasts a 9-7 record in the Big East.  It's their second win against a ranked team.  Their last came against then #15 Syracuse January 28th.
• Stephon Marbury's career with the Knicks is mercifully over.  The two sides finally reached a buyout of Marbury's albatross contract Tuesday afternoon.  Starbury is eligible to play in the post season should he sign with a team headed there because the deal was made before the league deadline Sunday.  Assuming Marbury clears waivers, he could become a member of the Celtics as soon as this Friday.  If so, he could be in the lineup for his first action of the season Friday night in Beantown against Indiana.  Unfortunately there are no more match-ups between Boston and New York this season, because that would certainly have some added flare.  But New Yorkers that want to pay to boo Marbury will have opportunity to do so, as the Celtics visit New Jersey March 4th.  At least this story can finally come to an end.  Marbury is expected to sign for a pro-rated veteran minimum contract.
• His thirteen year run as the Colts star wideout is over.  Marvin Harrison wanted his release and got it yesterday after meeting with Indy boss Jim Irsay.  He was due to earn $13.4 million in 2009, but Indianapolis wanted to restructure his contract.  Harrison decided instead of coming back he'd rather have his release to play elsewhere.  After all, the 36-year-old would have been the third option this season had he returned to Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez.  Harrison will likely go down as one of the top receivers to ever play in the NFL, as he ranks in the top five all-time in receptions (1,102), yards (14,580) and touchdowns (128).  The first round pick from Syracuse in 1996 has been to eight pro-bowls and won Super Bowl XLI as the Colts beat the Bears.  As to where he'll land?  Some speculate a move to Philadelphia since the Eagles need another receiver and Harrison is a Philly native.  ESPN's John Clayton also suggested possible destinations for #88 could be San Francisco or Chicago. 

Big Statement

Apparently I was the kiss of death.

After declaring just yesterday that Hasheem Thabeet was the number one pick in next year's draft, and after declaring my affection for his game, he and his UConn Huskies blew their number one ranking by losing to fourth-ranked Pittsburgh 76-68.

Oh, and Thabeet got injured early, and finished the game with 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. He had just one field goal. And Panthers Forward/Center DeJuan Blair dominated him on offense and defense.

That said, I still believe what I said a day ago about Thabeet. But tonight's lack of performance against a physical big man will bring all the doubters against him. Now that a physical, bruising big man, who is eight inches shorter than him, pushed him around and finished with 22 points, 23 rebounds, and a huge block on Thabeet during the Panthers run towards the finish line, there will be many questions whether he'll get dominated like that in the pros.

I'd like to think it was just a bad game. But his performance tonight is making me look dumb. He'll have to gain some weight and some muscle to avoid performances like this in the future. Thanks a lot, Hasheem. Serves me right for praising a guy on UConn.