Sonstiges » its all about keeping it smoot

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Michigan State, Michigan, Syracuse and Florida were supposed to have down years. But this down? Meanwhile, defending champion Connecticut, SMU, Nebraska and UCLA have also started slowly after being ranked in the preseason polls. Only two of the eight teams listed above made my initial NCAA Tournament projection bracket (listed below), but the start of conference play will allow these squads to play themselves back into the tournament discussion. And why cant they? Seven of these teams sport upper-tier head coaches, with several of them Hall- of-Famers or future Hall-of-Famers. Nebraskas Tim Miles is the lone omission. Theres still plenty of time to fix the kinks. And if any of these teams play their way into the tournament dont be surprised if any of them makes a run. Since the tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011, five double-digit power conference teams have reached the Sweet 16 -- Stanford (10 - 2014), Tennessee (11 - 2014), Oregon (12 - 2013), North Carolina State (11 - 2012) and Marquette (11 - 2011). Double-digit power conference teams are also 13-13 in the second round. Although the Big Ten is down, if Michigan State, Nebraska and Michigan can finish around the 9-9, 10-8 range in conference, that should get them in, although the Spartans are in a better position than the Wolverines and Huskers. The same could be said for ACCs Syracuse, SECs Florida and Pac-12s UCLA. Connecticut and SMU may have a tougher task. Theyll most likely have to sport better in-conference records because the league theyre in arent as deep as the Big Ten, ACC, SEC or Pac-12. Connecticut and SMU might have to get to 12-6 or 13-5 to receive an at-large bid. The Mustangs went 12-6 in the AAC last season and werent selected into the tourney field. Michigan might be the most erratic team of the bunch. John Beilein had to replace four major components and the top two scorers from last years Elite Eight team, but the Wolverines still have versatile scorer Caris LeVert and the 3-point shooting ability of Zak Irvin. They were a top-20 team in the preseason polls, but a mid-December swoon has Michigan scrambling for answers. The Wolverines had a fine showing at the Legends Classic in late November at Barclays Center, narrowly falling to Villanova in the title game. But they dropped four straight coming off a home win against Syracuse on Dec. 2. Michigan suffered a head-scratching home loss to NJIT (RPI 190) before following with another clunker in Ann Arbor to Eastern Michigan. Michigan was routed at Arizona and fell to SMU on Dec. 20 at Crisler Center. The Wolverines opened Big Ten play with a home overtime win against Illinois, but followed that up with a road loss at Purdue. The Spartans are without three starters and the top two scorers from their Elite Eight squad a year ago. Coach Tom Izzo said before the season that his team has upside, but theyve yet to play up to it. That was evident in a 71-64 overtime loss to Texas Southern (RPI 124) on Dec. 20. The Spartans began their league slate with a double-overtime loss to Maryland in what couldve been a solid win to put on their resume. Jacob Kurtzs accidental last-second tip-in of Devon Bookerts miss in a loss to in-state rival Florida State on Wednesday has exemplified Floridas season. Also Wednesday, Daniel Hamiltons trio of free throw misfires in the waning seconds of UConns loss to Temple in overtime was a perfect description of the Huskies year. They just havent been able to close. UConn had Texas beat until Jonathan Holmes knocked down a left corner 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to lift the Longhorns on Nov. 30. The same result happened in its next game when Jack Montagues late triple lifted Yale past the Huskies. The Gators and Huskies clashed Saturday in Gainesville, with the Huskies picking up a much-needed victory. The quartet of Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Will Yeguette and Patric Young set a school record with 120 career wins, 13 NCAA Tournament victories and four straight Elite Eight appearances -- 2013 Final Four visit. But those are four stalwarts Florida no longer has. The Gators have looked a lot better since a 3-4 start, rattling off four double-digit victories in a row prior to the FSU and UConn defeats. They dropped a 69-67 decision to in-state rival Miami-Florida in their second game of the season and lost a pair in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament -- Georgetown and North Carolina. UF also held a 39-24 halftime advantage against Kansas, but was outscored 47-26 over the final 20 minutes en route to a 71-65 defeat. Florida has a trio of talented guards in Kasey Hill, Eli Carter and Michael Frazier to go along with Dorian-Finney Smith. Its the development of former McDonalds All-American Chris Walker, though, that might propel UF into the Big Dance. Hes yet to show the potential, but its time for him to make his mark. He was suspended for three games earlier this year for a violation of team rules after having to wait until the conclusion of the first semester to see court time last season. A year removed from a postseason ban due to poor APR scores, Connecticut quickly made up for lost time by hoisting its fourth NCAA Title since 1999 last season. But gone is Shabazz Napier. The Huskies still have Napiers running mate from a year ago, Ryan Boatright, and the shot-swatting presence of Amidah Brimah. NC State transfer Rodney Purvis is also a key cog. Due to being in a poor league, UConn scheduled a tough non-conference slate that included Duke, Texas, Florida and Stanford. The Huskies have to beat Stanford later this month to get some resume credibility with a lack of opportunities in the AAC. Two years ago Michael-Carter Williams led Syracuse to the Final Four and Tyler Ennis helped the Orange to a 28-6 mark a year ago. Thats a pair of NBA first- round talents. This season at point guard? Well, another freshman, but Kaleb Joseph still has a lot to learn. Joseph had his best game of the season Dec. 20 in an overtime loss to Villanova. He recorded 10 points and 10 assists, but that was after an eight-turnover performance against Louisiana Tech. The Orange dont own any bad losses like Michigan or Michigan State and a victory over Iowa may turn into something by seasons end. In potential games to boost their resume, Syracuse fell to California in the semifinals of the 2K Classic, at Michigan, at home to St. Johns and at Villanova. The expectations for the Mustangs in June were a lot higher than they were in early November. That was before Emmanuel Mudiay, arguably the No. 1 point guard in the country and a top-five pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, decided to take his talents to China. In September, it was found that Texas Tech transfer Jordan Tolbert would lack the necessary hours to graduate from SMU in one year. He will not play for the school this season. SMUs starting big man Markus Kennedy was then ruled ineligible for the first semester in mid-November, but was cleared to return on Dec. 19. The talent is still there to make the tournament. Nic Moore, Sterling Brown and Keith Frazier make up a formidable backcourt. Like Syracuse, SMU doesnt have any bad losses. The Mustangs began 2-3 with losses at Gonzaga, at Indiana and home against Arkansas, but it ripped off eight consecutive victories prior to losing at Cincinnati -- a critical chance in conference to put a top-50 win on the resume. For the last two seasons Kyle Anderson was a 6-foot-9, do-everything guard/forward for UCLA, leading the team in rebounds (8.8 rpg) and assists (6.5 apg) to go along with 14.6 points per game. Zach LaVine and Jordan Adams were also NBA first-round picks that the Bruins had to replace. UCLA, which advanced to the Sweet 16 in coach Steve Alfords first season, is led by his son Bryce. The Bruins are also guided by senior Norman Powell and talented freshman Kevon Looney. UCLA has yet to post a signature win and lost the first two games of its Battle 4 Atlantis tournament to Oklahoma and North Carolina. The Bruins have also recently lost to Gonzaga at home, Kentucky in Chicago, at Alabama and suffered a 71-39 blowout loss to Utah in the early stages of Pac-12 play. Nebraska was predicted to finish last in the Big Ten last season but instead ended fourth in the standings. With loftier expectations this season, its been a different story. The Huskers dropped a home game to Incarnate Word on Dec. 10 and fell to Hawaii in the Diamond Head Classic. Nebraska also has losses at Rhode Island and home to Creighton. Its lone key win was a double- overtime thriller against Cincinnati on Dec. 13. Nebraska has the talent to make a move in the Big Ten, Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields make up a solid duo, but this is uncharted territory for the program. Ultimately, five of the eight teams listed could make the tournament. Just too much talent and coaching experience for these squads to not make the Big Dance. I also think the bubble could be rather weak this season. Nebraska, UCLA, Connecticut and SMU could be in trouble. Nebraska isnt used to being in this position, while the Bruins, Huskies and Mustangs may have problems because the conference theyre in. But UConn is likely the best team in the AAC and should get in by winning its conference tournament. Notes: RPI rankings are as of Jan. 4. Projected bracket features predicted conference champions. MIDWEST 1. Kentucky 16. New Mexico State/Coastal Carolina winner 8. UNLV 9. Ohio State 4. Seton Hall 13. Georgia Tech/SMU winner 5. Oklahoma 12. Wofford 6. George Washington 11. BYU 3. Utah 14. Northeastern 7. North Carolina 10. Old Dominion 2. Kansas 15. Murray State SOUTH 1. Virginia 16. Florida Gulf Coast 8. Dayton 9. Georgetown 4. Iowa State 13. Stony Brook 5. Stanford 12. Harvard 6. Arkansas 11. Oklahoma State 3. Maryland 14. Syracuse/California winner 7. Colorado State 10. Temple 2. Villanova 15. St. Francis (PA) EAST 1. Duke 16. UCSB/Alabama State winner 8. LSU 9. Northern Iowa 4. Texas 13. Buffalo 5. VCU 12. Stephen F. Austin 6. Butler 11. Green Bay 3. Wichita State 14. NC Central 7. Baylor 10. Iowa 2. Arizona 15. Iona WEST 1. Wisconsin 16. Florida Gulf Coast 8. San Diego State 9. Cincinnati 4. West Virginia 13. Georgia State 5. Notre Dame 12. Providence 6. Washington 11. Penn State 3. Louisville 14. Northeastern 7. St. Johns 10. Georgia 2. Gonzaga 15. American Discount Shirts China . -- Center Max Unger and tight end Zach Miller are both probable for the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday against the New York Giants and Percy Harvins recovery continues to be slow. Shirts China Outlet . -- League scoring leader Anthony Mantha had two goals and two assists to lead the Val-dOr Foreurs over the Blainville-Boisbriand Phoenix 6-3 on Wednesay in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play on Wednesday. http://www.cheapshirtschina.com/. The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Cheap Shirts From China ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Clearance Shirts China . With his father watching from the stands, Harrison homered, doubled, single and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pirates to a 8-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. NICE, France -- At the Tour de France, it really isnt a cliche to say that every second counts. As a former winner, Cadel Evans knows that better than most. The 2011 champion was one of the losers Tuesday in the team time trial. Even riding bikes that cost as much as a good second-hand family saloon car, with sharp edges to slice through the air and fancy electric gears, Evans and his teammates still couldnt keep up with two of his main rivals -- Chris Froome and Alberto Contador. Evans surrendered 23 seconds to Froome and 17 to Contador. So early in the Tour -- the team race against the clock was only the fourth of 21 stages -- such small losses are by no means fatal to Evans hopes of finishing on the podium in Paris on July 21. Riders who have bad days in the Pyrenees, in the second week, or on Mont Ventoux and in the Alps, in the third week, could lose far more than that on just one steep climb. Still, Evans was the first to acknowledge that handing this early edge to the big favourites for the overall victory was far from ideal. Somewhere, somehow, Evans now has to make up that lost time if he can. Depending on how the race unfolds, the deficit could force the Australian to try to attack Froome and Contador in the mountains. That will be risky because both are better climbers than Evans. Contador, 30, and Froome, 28, are also a good bit younger than the 36-year-old Australian. "You look to gain every second at this point in the Tour and losing a lot of seconds certainly isnt what I hoped for today and it isnt what I expected," he said. "Weve been put on the back foot and well have to see what opportunities come our way. "The simple analysis is we werent fast enough." That wasnt true of Orica-GreenEdge. The team of six Australians, a Swiss rider, a South African and time-trial specialist Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., made itself at home on the Promenade des Anglais -- "the promenade of the English" -- with the quickest ever team time trial on the 15.5-mile route that went out and back along the famous beachside avenue in the Mediterranean city of Nice. Racing past the palm trees Orica beat Omega Pharma-Quick Step by less than 1 second and Froomes Team Sky by 3 seconds. Oricas average speed of 35.9 mph was the fastest ever for a team time trial at the 110-year-old Tour. According to the race organizers history guide, the previous fastest team time trial was by Discovery Channel, with Lance Armstrong. It averaged 35.6 mph on a course nearly three times as long in 2005. This 100th Tour is the first since Armstrong was last year stripped of his wins from 1999-2005 for serial doping. Setting aside that tainted result, Garmin-Cervelo rode an average speed of 34.5 mph on a 14.3-mile course in 2011. The team event is as much about rhythm and the nine riders working smoothly together as it is about raw speed. In their aerodynamic tear-drop shaped helmets that wouldnt look out of place in Star Trek, the teams set off one after another at four-minute intervals. The riders take turns at the front, pedalling as hard as they can, while their teammates follow in a line, catching their breath in the slipstream before theey go back to the front again.dddddddddddd Mastering the choreography is an art. The strongest riders must make sure not to leave teammates behind. "It was just smooth. When youre going really high speed, its all about keeping it smooth. You know, no champion efforts, no big individual efforts, it is about riding to the strength of the team," Orica rider Stuart OGrady said. Another Orica rider, Simon Gerrans, took over the race lead and the yellow jersey that goes with it. Orica has so far been the standout team at this Tour -- mostly for good reasons but also for bad. Its bus got stuck at the finish line of Stage 1, causing momentary mayhem and making the team the butt of jokes. But it wiped the smile off rivals faces with Gerrans winning Stage 3 and now in yellow thanks to the time trial victory that gave him and two teammates the top three spots in the overall standings. Gerrans took up cycling to help rehabilitate knee injuries he got racing motorbikes. He was introduced to the sport and coached by Phil Anderson, the first Australian to wear the yellow jersey, back in 1981. One of Oricas directors is Matt White -- a former teammate of Armstrong. White last year admitted to involvement in doping when he rode with Armstrongs U.S. Postal Service team. White was banned for six months. The punishment was reduced from two years because White is helping the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigate cycling. White wouldnt get into detail on this Tuesday. "I think everythings been said," he said. "So obviously with ongoing investigations theres nothing more to say about that." After four stages, the Tour has now had three different proud bearers of the yellow jersey. Marcel Kittel and Jan Bakelants wore it before Gerrans. In 2012, the Tour had just two leaders -- Fabian Cancellara and then eventual winner Bradley Wiggins, who took the jersey on Stage 7 and never gave it back. Victorias Ryder Hesjedal was the top Canadian in the overall classification after four stages in 16th place, 17 seconds behind Gerrans. Quebec Citys David Veilleux, riding with Team Europcar, was in 117th place, 15:20 off the pace. Tuft was in 152nd, 26 minutes back. Froome, Wiggins lieutenant last year on Team Sky but now its leader, was buoyant after the time trial. He is starting to sound more comfortable with the mantle of race favourite. "Im feeling like Im really coming into some good form now ahead of the mountains," the Briton said. His aim, of course, is to get the yellow jersey eventually, but not quite yet. The Tour swings westward through Provence to Marseille and then Montpellier on Wednesday and Thursday. Those predominantly flat stages are for sprinters or riders who will be allowed to breakaway because they arent a threat for overall victory. Froome, Contador, Evans and other main contenders will probably be happy to sit safely in the pack before they do battle in the more decisive mountain climbs and two individual time trials later in the race. "It gives us a few more days to be in the peloton and wait until the mountains come, where I feel the team will really excel," Froome said. ' ' '