SEC Media Day...

I love SEC Media Day, the coaches, the reporters, the cheating! Oh wait, I wasn't supposed to mention that part. Only the boosters, alumni, fans, and local sports radio talk show hosts can talk about that. Paying players, purchasing cars for players, lining up jobs for players, no class still play policies, the lowest academic standards possible...these are just a few of the everyday activities that take place in the SEC. Check that not the SEC as a whole, only those programs not named Vanderbilt.

The dominance of the SEC on the National Scene can't be questioned, the proof is in the winning percentage. But does anybody believe the playing field is really level? I mean OSU Coach Jim Tressel did some very creative things during his tenure to try and compete with the SEC during Bowl season and yet the Buckeyes were usually destroyed with the exception of the choke job Arkansas pulled last year.

All I heard today was academic support and resources, ladies and gentleman that's code for we have figured out how to cheat and make it look legit. Having said all of that, I don't blame them for what they do. It's a very lucrative business this college football, why wouldn't you have boosters and staff find every loophole that the NCAA hasn't closed to get an edge. I'm never going to stop watching because of any of the items I've mentioned...but maybe it's time we removed the term "student-athlete" at certain institutions.

Wait a minute...did the ole' ball coach just say he would pay his players out of his pocket and other coaches agreed??? That's honest and upfront, I like it, it makes sense and that's precisely why it won't happen, the same as in most lucrative venues, the only logic is money and profit, not common sense!

Good effort in Omaha Hoos!!

I am disappointed with the University of Virginia's baseball team not winning the National Championship this year but I couldn't be more proud to be their fan. The young men played their asses off and battled the defending National Champions for 13 innings before meeting defeat.

The post-game emotion poured out; tears of dreams now lost forever. During the press briefing afterward, one reporter who drinks at the throne of the cow college in Blacksburg asked the losing pitcher how he would ever cope with this loss. The young man gave a very polite and honest answer as he fought back the tears.

Watching him stand tall in this unenviable spot, watching as this jack-ass tried to hit him with questions to sell his rag copy to fans of an institution that will never sniff the College World Series, let alone an ACC Championship, I couldn't help but be proud of how he handled himself and represented the team on his jersey.

He could have pulled a Vick, said a few obscenities, and stuck up his middle finger, or maybe stomped on the reporters foot...but instead he gave him a well-thought out and articulate answer. Yes, Virginia, there is life after football for Cavaliers...not so much for castrated turkeys.

Hoos are OMAHA Bound!!!

How about those Cardiac Cavs!!! Two outs, two strikes, bases loaded, down one run, and things were looking bleak...until the Cardiac Cavs rip a base-hit up the middle that scores 2 and sends the Hoos back to Omaha for the College World Series!! Coach O'Connor is outstanding, poised, and has such belief in his team!

On Sunday the Cavs closer was roughed up a bit and hung his head after the game. With everything on the line on Monday, Coach O'Connor put the ball right back in the closer's hand and told him he had FAITH in his ability to get it done. This act of loyalty and confidence is exactly why these kids play so hard for this coaching staff. They BELIEVE!!

It was almost as if the Cavs heard my now famous expression, "in lieu of gifts, send gifts!" and boy, did they give me a gift I'll never forget. I was able to share this moment with baby boy Sydney and we both clapped and jumped and celebrated the dramatic win...I'm hoping a National Championship is the encore!!

Rafa wins...Again...What's wrong with LeBron?...

Rafa won the French Open for the sixth time in seven years on Sunday and his victim was once again Roger Federer. I am a very strong advocate for Roger Federer; he is classy and extremely pleasant to his fans. His game is effortless and his artistry unmatched! It's truly a shame that he just doesn't match up well with Nadal. Nadal is all effort and hustle, which I do appreciate, but it isn't the type of style that I enjoy watching on the tennis court. And now it seems he is getting a bit cocky, which works just fine if you have a rival who will engage in this behavior. McEnroe vs. Connors anyone??

LeBron James had a woeful game 4 in the NBA Finals. He didn't shoot well, had several turnovers, and seemed to shy away from the ball at crunch time. I personally like LeBron James, but in order to erase all the doubt about how good he actually is he must STEP UP!! He had a few moments in the Eastern Conference Finals but so far in THE FINALS he has been little better than a role player.

As I saw in a recent movie trailer, the debate about Kobe vs. LeBron is heating up at water coolers everywhere. But right now, the argument is, in fact, one-sided...Kobe has 5 Championships...LeBron has a nice endorsement deal and a the moniker "King James"...better shun the shrinking violet routine, LeBron, lest the haters bury you!

Jim Tressell...The University of Michigan's favorite head coach!

The man wore a sweater vest...A SWEATER VEST...he had to to be guilty of something! He promised to beat the Wolverines and he delivered 9 of 10 times. He promised to win a National Championship, which he did once. He promised that Ohio State fans would be proud of their team and it's effort, and for the most part they were. He won National Championships at Youngstown State, he was the classic intellectual head coach. But look deeper...

Fast forward to the present...Mr. Sweater Vest is on the front page of Sports Illustrated, looking oh so professorial! There is only one problem, the sweater vest was as filthy as an SEC recruiter or booster!! This man suckered in the Ohio State fan base, delivered on his promises, but only under the most false pretenses!

Players selling rings, gear, tickets, whatever they could sell! Accepting cars, accepting cash, accepting who knows what else...and ole Sweater Vest turned a blind eye to everything!! As this investigation goes deeper and deeper it will reveal that the same behavior was taking place at Youngstown State, it just wasn't being investigated by Sports Illustrated and Michigan's irritated fan base!!

The NCAA needs to SMU the Ohio State Football program for the good of all College Athletics! The message needs to be sent clear and hard, this garbage and win-at-all-costs attitude needs to be checked immediately...but will they have the guts to do what needs to be done??

The End of the World...Wait...Oh...the end of the Bulls!!

Hello, World! I'm so excited that the World didn't end on Saturday! It turns out the gentleman who made this prediction had counted so many dollar bills donated to him by poor souls desperate for a messiah that he got his days mixed up. I guess after you count to 72 million all the other numbers kinda jumble together and it really messes up your spin on how you interpret the good book.

How does this relate to sports, you may ask? Well, it doesn't, but I couldn't let this go without pointing towards the greed involved with this little prediction. I understand how desperate times lead folks to look for hope anywhere they can; it's a shame they chose this gentleman and sent him their hard earned money. Wait a minute...this guy could run for the Republican Presidential Nomination...and Sarah Palin could be his Vice President...no...Donald Trump??

On a happier note, the Chicago Bulls are just two games away from finishing a respectable second place in the Eastern Conference. They have had a wonderful season but it's Lebron's time! He is the King, just ask the media...He can do no wrong...he made a prediction that...OH WAIT...the world is going to end...when Lebron wins the NBA Championship! Unfortunately, I don't have a date and time!

The NFL Draft.......Russell Wilson.....and the NBA Playoffs

Cam Newton was the first pick of this year's NFL Draft. Or should I say, Scam Newton. Usually the most important position on the field is the one spot where character truly counts....apparently not to the Carolina Panthers. The off the field issues with Scam Newton are well documented and I have no idea why the Panthers management has chosen to disregard them. By the way, Mr. Clausen, you're best bet is the waiver wire!

It appears as though Russell Wilson, formerly the starting quarterback of NC State, has been given a full release from his athletic scholarship. Rumors are beginning to swirl that he may end up at the University of Virginia playing for head coach Mike London. Wilson is a product of the Commonwealth and he would be welcomed with open arms......I'll keep you posted Wahoo Nation!!

Thankfully the first round of the NBA playoffs is almost over. The first round is truly boring....thankfully the second round starts this weekend. It would be nice for the refs to find their whistles in this round.....may make for some much more watchable games!!