Ramblings for the Weekend

With really nothing of note for me to write from last night; here is a spattering of what did happen and what's going on this weekend:

First an update on Rashad Anderson; he is out for Sunday's game in Storrs against UNC.

UMW came back at Loyola Chicago last night and won the game. They have a real chance of winning their first NCAA Tournament game in school history this season. Guard Ed McCants was not shooting well for most of the game, but hit some huge threes to lead the Panthers on their comeback.

With pitchers and catchers reporting next Wednesday and opening day being just 51 days away; is it too early to start getting excited about baseball? One reason I am so ready for it again is because baseball means Spring. Forget the groundhog and whether or not he saw his shadow, when pitchers and catchers report, Spring is right around the corner.

Be sure to scroll down and read Garcia's column on which teams had the best offseason this year to make sure you're ready for the first pitch.

The Washington Huskies played at an inspired Oregon Dcks team last night, winning in overtime 95-88. I was impressed by the way the Huskies went on a 9-0 run during the overtime to seal the victory, especially when it was in a tough place to play, The Pit. Road wins are big; and even though this was a hard-fought victory, I don't see Washington getting farther than the Sweet 16.

I also checked in with the Gonzaga/Pepperdine game because it is one of those great rivalries. The 'Zags were playing at The Wave (by the way, isn't The Wave a great nickname for a coastal school, it's like Longhorns, or Cornhuskers, just great nicknames) and played typical Gonzaga basketball coming out victorious 82-75. They always seem to get great guard and forward play. This season, look for Erroll Knight to control the offense, Ronny Turiaf to bang inside for rebounds and points in the paint, and Adam Morrison to fill the hoop. For all of the teams of Gonzaga's past which had a chance to reach the Final Four, this one has been flying under the radar and will surprise people during the tournament, like I was last night.

I have decided not to care anymore about what anyone says about other people using steroids until we find out exactly what has been going on (which probably won't happen). If Canseco wants to talk, let him talk. There's no way to prove what happened ten years ago; but we can start finding out what players today are doing to themselves by testing. How can we believe or not believe anything anyone says about steroid use anymore? We can't. All of the talking heads who are ripping Canseco for making accusations should just shut up. Who's to say he isn't telling the truth? Sure, he probably wants as much publicity for his book as possible, but don't discount the fact no one wanted to believe Pete Rose bet on games in the clubhouse right away either. We want to believe McGuire didn't take steroids because he "saved baseball", we hope Bonds took them because he is a self-contained-seen-as jerk in the sport and we want to bring him down, and we don't want Giambi to be sick but can't stand the fact he lied to us. I even heard David Justice saying something to the effect of he doesn't believe McGuire did this because he's such a good guy and doesn't think it will harm his reputation at all. But David, what if McGuire did take steroids, what if the man who saved baseball is tarnished, what if baseball was saved by steroids, what then?

After that soapbox, here's what's going on this weekend:

The PBA makes its stop in Fairlawn, Ohio this week. We could see a final pitting two of the top 5 players in the world rankings, as Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Chris Barnes are both in the round of 16 and winning at thiis point. The semi-finals and finals are Sunday on ESPN.

Of course the annual Pro Bowl is in Hawaii this Sunday night on ESPN at 5:00. We'll see if this year's game can match the excitement and... uh... drama of last season's 55-52 "classic".

In NCAA basketball, tonight's highlight game is Savannah State at Bethune Cookman. What is this such a big game? Well at 0-26 the Tigers have only two more chances to avoid becoming the first team sine Prairie View A&M went winless in 1991-1992. Savannah State plays tonight against Bethune Cookman and Monday at home versus Florida A&M in its bid to win one game. Good luck for the Tigers may come in the form of The Cosby Show rerun on WGN today at 4:00, as Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable was wearing a Savannah State sweatshirt. Prediction: Tigers win for the good doctor.

On Saturday, Wisconsin tries to pay back Illinois for ending the 38 game home winning streak in January (noon CBS), Cincinatti tries to capitalize on last night's victory by traveling to DePaul and playing a tough Blue Deamon team (2:30 ABC), and finally Duke tries to avenge its first loss of the season and keep the momentum from beating the Tar Heels when traveling to always "up-for-Duke" Maryland (8:00 ESPN).

Sunday's marquee game is UNC at UCONN. Without Rashad Anderson, UNC should win this game and regain some swagger after the loss at Duke (noon CBS).

The best NBA games of the weekend (without comment) are Houston at Indiana, San Antonio at New Jersey, Denver at Cleveland, Seattle at Phoenix, and Dallas at Sacramento tonight; San Antonio at Miami, Lakers at Cleveland, and Dallas at Seattle on Sunday.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, enjoy it.

-Until next time...