Back to Work...

Many of us will head out to work and to school for the first time in a while today. However, there are things that remain the same to keep us in the groove and that is this daily posting here on this site. Yes, I will admit that it is tough getting into a groove today already. It may take a couple of days but I think I like many of you will get it done.

Prep Report
- With the start of a new school week, we are back to having basketball games.
- Just released this morning on the IHSA website, the seeds for girls basketball regionals will be released January 22 and the pairings will be released the following day.
- It is good to see that Cairo and Murphysboro will play once again in boys basketball tomorrow night. This was a pretty good rivalry game in the late 60s and 70s.
- There is a hand full of games plus on the girls basketball side tonight.

College Sports
- Disappointed...shocking...stunned...that is my description from the UK side of things after a 30ft. shot by Louisville beat the Wildcats yesterday. I am still shaking my head after that one.
- For anyone who thinks a team can go undefeated in college basketball the entire season, I just don't see it happening anymore.
- Speaking of that, UNC went down in defeat at home to Boston College last night. The Heels were #1 and undefeated at the time.
- I am totally impressed with the job that John Beilein has done for the Michigan mens' basketball program in his short time there. They had a big win over Illinois at home yesterday.
- SIU lost again at home to Drake. They last time they started 0-3 the Dawgs went 10-5 in conference under Bruce Weber. However, I am not seeing that right now especially after 2 home losses already.
- The Fiesta Bowl is tonight between Texas and Ohio State. These 2 played a couple of great regular season games a couple of years ago. However, if the trend holds in the bowls for the Big 10, then look for the 'Horns to win.
- Word on the street is that if Boston College head football coach Jeff Jagodzinski interviews with the Jets then BC will fire him. That seems just a tad harsh.

Pro Sports
- The Ravens and Eagles advanced to the Divisional playoffs yesterday with wins.
- Ed Reed and Asante Samuels are as fun to watch in the secondary as anyone...except when they are playing my team.
- Even after the loss, Bill Parcells will stay with the Dolphins in his management position.
- Tony Dungy will wait a week and then let the Colts know if he is returning to be their head coach.
- Brady still hurt...question on when he will be back...so the Patriots have used their franchise tag on Matt Cassel to protect him for 2009.

Wow...the body is working to adjust to the new, "old" schedule also known as getting back to work. I'm out.

DC

Kicking It Around...

The inspiration today comes from San Diego punter Mike Scifres. He punted around the ball last night in a way to dominate an NFL like no other punter in recent memory. So for all those punters and kickers, I am also going to kick things around at all levels of the sports world today.

Prep Report
- Marion continues to win games at home this year after beating Althoff last night. It is amazing at how many teams in the S7 will have a say in who will will that conference.
- Slow night for games but Nashville remained undefeated after beating Chester, Du Quoin beat Herrin, and Pinckneyville beat Sparta in the only other games on the docket.
- Breese Mater Dei defeated Hillsboro in girls basketball action yesterday 79-30. Why am I putting that in here? BMD went on a 45-0 run during the game...WOW!!!
- This week and next week you will see pairings for the upcoming mid-winter tournaments around the area.

College Sports
- Anyone else feel a little lost without college football today? It will pick up on Monday with a game a night until the National Championship on Thursday.
- Tis the season for college football coaches to deny they are in the running for NFL jobs.
- Today is a big day for me on the college basketball scene. The "Dream Game" will take place as Kentucky travels to Louisville for an afternoon game. It happens once a year but all of it is special.
- BYU had their 53 game home winning streak snapped last night by Wake Forest. The Deacons played the game of the Cougars by getting up and down the floor winning 94-87.
- SIU will try to get a MVC win today as the Salukis host Drake.
- Northern State's Don Meyer tied Bobby Knight for the most wins in NCAA men's basketball history at 902. They defeated Upper Iowa 63-58.

Pro Sports
- The NFL had to be happy with 2 great games yesterday and one ending in overtime.
- I still have mixed feelings on whether or not the NFL should change their overtime rule. I need more time to think about it.
- Key to the Chargers win last night was their punter Mike Scifres. He was amazing at pinning the Colts deep in their own territory.
- 2 more games today as the Ravens are at the Dolphins and the Eagles are at the Vikings.
- As I said a week ago, we will have another year on "What will Favre do?" to go through once again. I was tired from last year's saga already.
- The Cowboys haven't fired Wade Phillips but the rumor is they are already looking at Mike Shanahan.
- Still no movement on some big name MLB free agents. It is hard to believe that we are already into January and there are still some big named guys left to get. It is definitely a much tighter market this year.

I have just realized that we have NFL action in just under an hour. So it is time to move into a more comfortable position to work the remote. I'm out.

DC

Winter Blahs...

Today is a winter blah kind of day. It is cloudy, cool, and rainy which translates into getting comfortable couch time with the remote in hand. It is an interesting day with college basketball, football, and then of course the NFL Playoffs beginning. All of that coming to you today.

Prep Report
- An oddity last night with it being Friday and no games last night which rarely happens between November to March.
- There are some games in the area tonight: Du Quoin/Herrin, Sparta/Pinckneyville, Althoff/Marion, and Nashville/Chester.
- As mentioned, with the 2009 part of schedule here it is time to start figuring out favorites to win regionals.
- With posteason, I am still awaiting the pairings of the regionals for the sectionals.

College Sports
- The need for a playoff has happened again as Utah beat Alabama to go undfeated for the season. 'Bama was ranked #1 most of the season and was handled pretty easily.
- In fact, this is the second time that Utah has run the table and won a BCS game.
- It was a bittersweet day yesterday as the Cotton Bowl hosted the final Cotton Bowl game. That stadium has seen some dandy games and players over the years. The event will move the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX starting next year.
- Tennessee at Kansas is a highlight game for today on the men's basketball scene.
- SIU has lost two players, Torres Roundtree and Christian Cornelius. Cornelius has suffered through injuries and that is the main reason for leaving. Roundtree was a headlining recruit from McCluer North in St. Louis. This means they have only 9 scholarship players on their roster.

Pro Sports
- We have 2 NFL Playoff games today. Atlanta is at Arizona and no word on if the game is sold out or not. The Colts are at San Diego to see if 3 time NFL MVP Peyton Manning can keep his good play going.
- Tony Dungy, Colts head coach, hasn't decided if he is going to retire but will wait a week after the season ends to decide.
- Jason Garrett is supposed to be the heir apparent to Wade Phillips in Dallas. However, he is interviewing for head coaching jobs like he doesn't have a guarantee. I think it would be interesting to see if Garrett is hired somewhere else if Dallas gets rid of Wade Phillips and hires a new head coach.
- In the NBA...Stephon Marbury had problems with Kevin Garnett when the two were in Minnesota. Now he says he would have no problem. Yeah...sure...playing on a winning team will do that.
- The Dodgers are looking to trade underproductive and overpriced CF Andruw Jones somewhere. To think how high the expectations started for him and where they are at currently is not where I thought he would be.
- Speaking of baseball, the MLB channel made its debut on Thursday and it is another welcomed addition to my TV channel viewing.

We are heading towards to lunch which means I need something to eat as well as get in position on the couch for the viewing of many things today. I'm out.

DC

The Party is Over...

The holidays and all of the parties are officially over as we have cruised thru Christmas and New Year's into 2009. We turn the page and now we are in this new year but the sports continue to be the same. With it being after the holidays and school still on Christmas break, there aren't many events going on the next two days. College football is in full steam ahead mode with several games and conference basketball going on as well. The pro sports world though keeps on churning.


Prep Report
- Here are the boys teams that won holiday tournament in the area and around the state.
Conrad Allen - (Cisne)
Eldorado - (Massac County)
Duster Thomas Hoops Classic - (Teutopolis)
Carbondale - (McCluer North)
Mater Dei - (Nashville)
Sesser-Valier - (Woodlawn)
Marion - (Lake County, TN)
Centralia - (Chicago Hyde Park)
Freeburg-Columbia (Columbia)
Charleston - (Edwardsville)
Vandalia - (South Central)
- To my knowledge, there are no games in the area tonight but there may be some rescheduled games today or tomorrow.


College Sports
- Do you think that each time USC plays in the Rose Bowl against a Big 10 team they are even worried to play them? The Trojans have won 3 straight games in the Rose Bowl becoming the first team ever to do that while dominating three different Big 10 teams (Michigan, Illinois, and Penn State.)
- Best game of the day was the Gator Bowl as Nebraska defeated Clemson in a tight game.
- Iowa won 8 games this year, but looked like a different team as they crushed South Carolina.
- Georgia dominated Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl thus pointing out again the weakness of the Big 10 in football this season.
- 3 more games on the docket today which include the Cotton Bowl, Liberty Bowl, and Sugar Bowl.


Pro Sports
- You are the Boston Celtics. You won an NBA title last year, had a long winning streak this season, and things are going well. Do you really want to bring in Stephon Marbury? This is the being reported.
- Peyton Manning is the MVP of the NFL. This is a solid choice as he carried this team to a long winning streak at the end of the season and into the playoffs.
- One day away from the start of the NFL Playoffs.
- Oh yeah...the Jets are starting to throw some daggers the way of Brett Favre. It makes you wonder if he wants to return to a place where some teammates didn't like him very well.
- Seriously, your NFL team is in the playoffs and you can't sell out. The NFL has extended the deadline again so Arizona can sell out and keep the game on local TV.

With all of the basketball I watched this week, it took time away from things I need to get done here, there, and everywhere. I'm out.

DC

Happy New Year!!!

2009 has arrived on the calendar. It is amazing because with all of the basketball in the past week it seems the last week of the year was a blur for me. However, even though it is a holiday, there is still plenty of things going on and things to talk about today.

Prep Report
- The holiday tournaments have wrapped up, and now it is time for the weekly state rankings to mean something since teams have several games in.
- After this past week, has anyone changed their favorites to win regionals?
- After this week, have regionals become a little stronger or a little weaker?
- Here are some winners of girls holiday basketball tournaments this past week. Hosts are listed first and then the champion in parentheses:
Benton - (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
Herrin - (Herrin)
Mascoutah - (Althoff)
Lebanon - (Trenton-Wesclin)
Riverton - (Petersburg Porta)
Carlinville - (Carlinville)
State Farm Holiday Classic - (Bloomington Central Catholic)
Charleston - (Edwardsville)
Lutheran South - (Troy Triad)
- I will be listing the winners of boys tournaments tomorrow.

College Sports
- Firmly planted on the couch and recliner, I have been taking in the annual bowl games of the day.
- Is Cincinnati really in the Orange Bowl game tonight?
- Thank goodness for Iowa, or the Big 10 wouldn't have a win yet in bowl games.
- I am interested in seeing if Penn State can hang with USC. The Trojans are good and angry about not playing for a National Championship again.
- Coming out of the gate 0-2 in the MVC is not what the Salukis had in mind.

Pro Sports
- The NHL gets high marks from me for having outdoor hockey. Having watched between commercials of college football, Wrigley Field is a great host site and the Red Wings and Blackhawks don't like each other adding to the fire.
- The baseball Giants are supposedly highly interested in Manny Ramirez.
- Speaking of former Giants, Barry Bonds had some hip surgery in hopes of returning to play again. Is it just me or do I not forsee this happening.
- With all of these NFL jobs open, every name currently in and out of the business is being considered for coaching positions.
- I am still amazed that the Dolphins are in the playoffs after winning just 1 game last year. Yes Lions fans there is hope.
- As a Cubs fan, I am still waiting to see who they are planning to get after making those trades yesterday.

Well, posting time is over and it is back to the TV for some college football. I'm out.

DC

Holiday Tournament - Day 6

The final day of holiday tournament basketball has either wrapped up or is wrapping up this evening. It has been a very long but fun week to see several teams in all the different tournaments. With the long hours I have put in, it is time for the post today.

Prep Report
- The 66th Annual Centralia Holiday Tournament title will be decided tonight as the host Orphans play Chicago Hyde Park. The Thunderbirds are dandy and will be a heavy favorite in the game.
- I have said this before, but make sure that if you haven't been to the new gym at Centralia you need to get there. It is a first class facility.
- As mentioned yesterday, I will try to wrap up things from the holiday tournaments both boys and girls tomorrow and the next day to wrap up the 2nd tournament season of the basketball schedule.
- It is hard to believe that midwinter tournament will happen over the next three weeks already.

College Sports
- I didn't realize until tonight it has been 9 years since the Big 10 had a team won the Rose Bowl. That was Wisconsin. Now, with the BCS system in place, we haven't always had a Big 10 team in the game the past few years.
- Joe Paterno will coach from the Press Box tomorrow in the Rose Bowl.
- It is a grand day tomorrow with football on from 10AM until late tomorrow night. Seveeral of the big bowls will take place tomorrow.
- Conference basketball play has started and SIU is currently hosting Northern Iowa right now at the SIU Arena. It is a homecoming for former Nashville standout Lucas O' Rear as he plays for the Panthers.
- The Big 10 already had an upset as Michigan State defeated Minnesota.

Pro Sports
- The Cubs made some major moves today. First, they signed former Cardinal Aaron Miles to a contract and then traded Mark DeRosa to the Indians for 3 minor leaguers.
- With the trades by the Cubs, it tells me that they are readying up for other acquisitions to help their team in 2009.
- The Angels have signed reliever/closer Brian Fuentes from the Rockies. He was rumored to be going to the Cardinals.
- John Daly has been suspended by the PGA for 6 months for for the unwelcomed publicity that has followed him around in 2008. If you can recall the stories from this year it does make sense.
- Chad Pennington was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the 2nd time today. He helped lead the Dolphins to the playoffs.
- TV has given the Vikings and Cardinals extra time to sell tickets to avoid local TV blackouts. I can't believe an NFL playoff game isn't sold out.

2008 is over in about 3 hours. If you are getting ready to head out to celebrate, be careful. If you are already out there, be careful. I am catching up on some TV sports and hopefully finding sleep after seeing all of these games. I'm out

DC

Holiday Tournaments - Day 5

The 5th day of holiday tournament action has come to an end with one more day to go. Let's get right to what has taken place in the world of sports.

Prep Report
- Woodlawn won their first ever Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament Championship tonight beating #7 seeded New Athens 51-47. The Yellow Jackets are a team to be reckoned with in Class 1A posteason.
- New Athens, a 7 seed, defeated #2 Waltonville and #3 SV to get to the SV Final.
- Waltonville and SV came away with 3 wins in the tournament but definitely not finishing where they wanted to be.
- Nashville remains undefeated and won the Mater Dei Tournament tonight. They are playing some very good basketball.
- I will have updates of girls basketball tournaments either tomorrow or the next day as well from Herrin, Mascoutah, and Benton.
- The Centralia Tournament will enter day 3 with an Orphan/Rams rivalry game in a semi-final. Mt. Vernon vs. Centralia will be the highlight game of the day.

College Sports
- They Holiday Bowl is one of my favorite bowl games every year. It is no different tonight.
- Illinois mens BB got a big road win at Purdue in OT tonight to start the Big 10 season.
- #4 Oklahoma was beaten tonight in Men's basketball and then #11 Purdue also lost as mentioned.
- Is anyone else preparing for a big day of college football on Thursday like me?

Pro Sports
- The Broncos have fired longtime head coach Mike Shanahan. The final 3 game losses of the season and missing the playoffs sealed his fate. This is the first time since 1995 there has been a new change.
- Bill Cowher is out of the running for the Jets job but is rumored to be available for every other opening.
- The Bills will keep Dick Jauron around as their head coach for another.
- The 49ers fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
- The ice is ready to go for the New Year's Day NHL game at Wrigley Field.
- The Cubs have possibly traded Jason Marquis to the Rockies. This is just a rumor right now. If that happens, then another move to follow could come from the North Siders.

One more day to go and Centralia is the place to be. It is late. I'm out.

DC
-