The Road to New Orleans 2013: Regional Semifinals

Some great stories out of this year's 'March Madness' for women.

For the first time in the history of their program, the University of Delaware finally made the 'Sweet 16.' Their opponent is Kentucky, who is also in the 'Sweet 16' as well. A big boost for both programs.

Also LSU is back in the 'Sweet 16' as well. The Lady Tigers started with ten players at the start of the season, but through injuries, only seven healthy players heading into their match with Cal. Both LSU-Cal and Delaware-Kentucky are on Saturday.

And unlike the men's tournament, all four number one seeds-Baylor, Stanford, Connecticut and Notre Dame are still alive.

With that in mind, the matchups...

BRIDGEPORT, CT region
(1) Connecticut v (4) Maryland
(2) Kentucky v (6) Delaware

NORFOLK region
(1) Notre Dame v (12) Kentucky
(2) Duke v (6) Nebraska

OKLAHOMA CITY region
(1) Baylor v (5) Louisville
(2) Tennessee v (6) Oklahoma

SPOKANE region
(1) Stanford v (4) Georgia
(2) California v (6) LSU
All the games on either ESPN or ESPN2 beginning Saturday.

Friday Jukebox: 3.30.13

Since Roger Shah (Sunlounger) is on Armada, which is one of Armin van Buuren's labels, and Armin is currently on tour with his 'A State of Trance 600: The Expedition,' which the next live show will be in New York City on Saturday, I decided to share this brilliant Armada masterpiece.

From Sunlounger's 2010 album, this is "Found." Great trance masterpiece.

Happy Easter.

The Road to Pittsburgh 2013: Regional Semifinals

While there's a 'Sweet 16' in Division I men's and women's basketball this weekend, there is the men's Division I 'Sweet 16' in ice hockey.

Quinnipiac was not a surprise regarding the number 1 seed in the tournament. Power play and penalty kill top notch for them this year. Minnesota,  Massachusetts-Lowell and Notre Dame get the four top seeds.

Five conference tournament champions, including Wisconsin, who won the last WCHA tournament, and Notre Dame, which won the last CCHA tournament, along with 11 at large bids. WCHA and CCHA will dissolve, resulting in a new B1G conference for ice hockey as well as the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Notre Dame, which was in CCHA the last few years, will move to Hockey East next year.

With that in mind, here are the seedings!

EAST (Providence) region
Semifinals
(1) Quinnipiac v Canisius
Union (NY) v Boston College

NORTHEAST (Manchester NH) region
Semifinals
(3) Massachusetts Lowell v Wisconsin
Denver v New Hampshire

MIDWEST (Toledo) region
Semifinals
Miami (OH) v Minnesota State Mankato
(4) Notre Dame v St. Cloud State

WEST (Grand Rapids) region
Semifinals
North Dakota v Niagara
(2) Minnesota v Yale

Regional semifinals and finals on ESPNU and online.

The Road to Atlanta 2013: Regional Semifinals & Finals

Quite possibly one of the biggest stories of the NCAA Division I championship season is that of the Florida Gulf Coast men's basketball. Only their second (or third?) year in Division I, won their conference's tournament, and thrashed Georgetown in the first round and San Diego State in the second round.

FGCU, at the number 15 seed in the South (Arlington) region is the lowest seed team to make it to the 'Sweet 16' in tournament history. The southwestern Florida institution is trying to make a statement, but has to get through their brethren from the northern part of the state on Friday.

LaSalle, at the 13th seed in the West (Los Angeles) region is another great story. They won a national title in 1955, and it has been long since they reached this point into the tournament. With an Elite 8 spot on the line, the school just recently celebrated its 150th anniversary of their charter. They have to get by Wichita State on Thursday to do so.

With that in mind, here's the matchups...

EAST
Semifinals (at Verizon Center)
(1) Indiana v (4) Syracuse
(2) Miami FL v (3) Marquette

SOUTH
Semifinals (at Cowboys Stadium)
(1) Kansas v (4) Michigan
(3) Florida v (15) Florida Gulf Coast

MIDWEST
Semifinals (at Lucas Oil Stadium?)
(1) Louisville v (12) Oregon
(2) Duke v (3) Michigan State

WEST
Semifinals (at Staples Center)
(9) Wichita State v (13) LaSalle
(2) Ohio State v (6) Arizona

Regional semifinals are on CBS and tbs Thursday and Friday, regional finals exclusive to CBS Saturday and Sunday.

BELLATOR MMA 94: Lightweight and Light Heavyweight Tournament Finals

The next to last event in the season 8 series for BELLATOR MMA will bring two tournaments to an end.

In the lightweight tournament final, Saad Awad will take on David Rickels as the winner will have a title shot with Michael Chandler at a later date. In the light heavyweight tournament final, it will be Mikhail Zayats taking on Emanuel Newton, with a title shot against Attila Vegh at a later date.

Also Ronnie Mann and Jessica Aguilar will be in action as well.

CARD

Lightweight tournament

Final

(155 lb/69.75 kg)

Saad Awad v David Rickels

 

Light heavyweight tournament

Final
(205 lb/92.25 kg)

Mikhail Zayats v Emanuel Newton

 

 

LIVE on SPIKE after IMPACT Wrestling Thursday night! 

EUROVISION LVIII Update: The Field is Set!

39 faces representing 39 countries in May in Malmo.

With Azerbaijan and Moldova the last ones to conclude selection, this was the end of the national selection season for EUROVISION LVIII.

With that in mind, here are the 39 heading to Malmo:

Adrian Lulgjuraj, Bledar Sejko "Identiet" (ALB)
Gor Sujyan "Lonely Planet" (ARM)
Farid Mammadov "Hold Me" (AZE)
Natalia Kelly "Shine" (AUT)
Roberto Bellarosa "Love Kills" (BEL)
Alena Lanskaya "Solayoh" (BLR)
Stoyan Yankulov, Elitsa Stodorova "Samo Shampioni" (BUL)
Klapa s Mora "Mizerja" (CRO)
Despina Olympiou "An Me Thymasai" (CYP)
Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops" (DEN)
Birgit Oigemeel "Et Uus Saaks Alguse" (EST)
Krista Siegfrieds "Marry Me!" (FIN)
Amadine Bourgeois "L'Enfer Et  Moi" (FRA)
Nodi Tatishvili, Sophie Gelovani "Waterfall" (GEO)
Cascada "Glorious" (GER)
Bonnie Tyler "Believe in Me" (GBR)
Koza Mostra, Agathonas Iakovidis "Alcohol Is Free" (GRE)
ByeAlex "Kedvesem" (HUN)
Eypor Ingi Gunnlaugsson "Eg a Lif" (ISL)
Ryan Dolan "Only Love Survives" (IRL)
Moran Mazor "Rak Bishvilo" (ISR)
Marco Mengoni "L'Esenziale"(ITA)
PeR "Here We Go" (LAT)
Andrius Pojavis "Something" (LTU)
Vlatko Lozanoski, Esma Redzepova "Pred da se Radzeni" (MKD)
Gianluca Bezzina "Tomorrow" (MLT)
Alena Moon "A Million" (MDA)
Who See Klapa, Nina Zizic "Igranka" (MNE)
Anouk "Birds" (NED)
Margaret Berger "I Feed You My Love" (NOR)
Cezar "It's My Life" (ROU)
Dina Garipova "What if?" (RUS)
Valentina Monetta "Crisalide" (SMR)
El Sueno de Morfeo "Contigo Hasta el Final" (ESP)
Moje 3 "Ljubav je Svuda" (SRB)
Hannah "Straight Into Love" (SLO)
Heilsarmee "You and Me" (SUI) (will use 'Takasa' in this event)
Robin Stjernberg "You" (SWE)
Zlata Ognevich "Gravity" (UKR)

Once again Slovakia, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey withdrew. Semifinals May 14 and 16, and Grand Final on the 18th of May, the same day as the UEFA Champions League Final (at least the Champions League final will be televised here in the States on Fox)!

MMA World Series of Fighting 2 This Saturday!

It's back! MMA World Series of Fighting, with their second annual event!

Two main card fights to look at on this card. The main event will pit Andrei Arlovski, a veteran who fought at Strikeforce and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, against Anthony Johnson, while Shooto and King of the Cage veteran Tyson Nam will take on Marlon Moraes.

The main card will be live on NBC Sports Network Saturday night, around 8:30pm NACDT, after the Hockey East final concludes.

Friday Jukebox 3.22.13

Bobby Smith, frontman of the band The (Detroit) Spinners, passed away a few days ago at age 76 due to cancer. The band has had its share of hits, including "Working My Way Back to You" from 1979.

AFL Premiership 2013 Begins Friday!

The long road to September begins for 18 clubs in the Australian Football League.

This weekend is the AFL Premiership 2013 by Toyota season opener. The defending premiers Swans will open their 2013 campaign against Greater Western Sydney.

The first match of the 2013 season will pit the Crows against the Bombers at Football Park on Friday night, live on 7.

In the US, AFL telecasts from 7 and Foxtel are on Fox Soccer Plus, beginning with the Western Derby on early Saturday (go Eagles)!

New faces in new places, gonna be an interesting season.

NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2013 This Weekend!

History could be made this weekend for Cornell senior Kyle Dake in the 165-pound (74.25 kg) class. In his first three years, he wrestled his way to three national titles in that class. No one in NCAA history has ever done such a defeat, as he begins on Thursday morning with the number 1 seed.

Des Moines will be the host city for the Division I wrestling championships this weekend, which will be live on the ESPN family of networks.

Did you know there is also a bracket? Link.

BELLATOR MMA 93: Lightweight Tournament Final

After an off week, it's the first of three final weeks of this, the season 8 of BELLATOR MMA-Championship Tournaments.

The main event will pit Dave Jansen against Marcin Held as the winner is the #1 contender for a title shot against current lightweight champion Michael Chandler in the near future.

Also Travis 'Diesel' Wiuff and Waachiim Spiritwolf will also be in action.

 

CARD

Lightweight tournament

Final

(155 lb/69.75 kg)

Dave Jansen v Marcin Held

 

 

LIVE on SPIKE Thursday night after IMPACT Wrestling, if you want an alternative to the NCAA men's basketball tournament action.

 





2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament: The Road to New Orleans

We all know Baylor is fully stacked to defend their national title, but will someone else break through, like Notre Dame? Or will a super-power like Connecticut or Stanford, rich in tradition in their programs, dethrow the Lady Bears?

Some great matchups in the first round, in this 2013 edition of the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament!

Bridgeport, CT regional
(1) Connecticut v (16) Idaho
(8) Vanderbilt v (9) St. Josephs
(5) Michigan State v (12) Marist
(4) Maryland v (13) Quinnipiac
(6) Delaware v (11) West Virginia
(3) North Carolina v (14) Albany
(7) Dayton v (10) St. John's
(2) Kentucky v (15) Navy

Norfolk, VA regional
(1) Notre Dame v (16) Tennessee Martin
(8) Miami (FL) v (9) Iowa
(5) Colorado v (12) Kansas
(4) South Carolina v (13) South Dakota State
(6) Nebraska v (11) Tennessee Chattanooga
(3) Texas A&M v (14) Wichita State
(7) Oklahoma State v (10) DePaul
(2) Duke v (15) Hampton

Oklahoma City regional
(1) Baylor v (16) Prairie View A&M
(8) Florida State v (9) Princeton
(5) Louisville v (12) Middle Tennessee
(4) Purdue v (13) Liberty
(6) Oklahoma v (11) Central Michigan
(3) UCLA v (14) Stetson
(7) Syracuse v (10) Creighton
(3) Tennessee v (14) Oral Roberts

Spokane regional
(1) Stanford v (16) Tulsa
(8) Michigan v (9) Villanova
(5) Iowa State v (12) Gonzaga
(4) Georgia v (13) Montana
(6) LSU v (11) Wisconsin Green Bay
(3) Penn State v (14) Cal Poly
(7) Texas Tech v (10) South Florida
(2) California v (15) Fresno State

64 teams, 64 stories. Every game is on the ESPN family of networks, with the Final Four (at New Orleans Arena) on ESPN mothership.

68 Teams. One Road to Atlanta. NCAA Men's D-I Basketball Tournament 2013.

It's a huge end of the the collegiate winter sports season, and what better way to begin than with the best tournaments of the year.

It starts with 68. Four play in games, then the rest is history. The road to the Georgia Dome is a dream for all 68, including North Carolina State, who was the 8th seed in the East. Remember they were a eighth seed in 1983 when they won it all. Who knows?

So many surprises, so many stories and possible upsets. It's March Madness for nothing.

EAST (regional semis at Verizon Center)
(1) Indiana v (16) James Madison/Long Island-Brooklyn
(8) North Carolina State v (9) Temple
(5) Nevada Las Vegas v (12) California
(4) Syracuse v (13) Montana
(6) Butler v (11) Bucknell
(3) Marquette v (14) Davidson
(7) Illinois v (10) Colorado
(2) Miami (FL) v (15) University of the Pacific

SOUTH (regional semis at Cowboys Stadium)
(1) Kansas v (16) Western Kentucky
(8) North Carolina v (9) Villanova
(5) Virginia Commonwealth v (12) Akron
(4) Michigan v (13) South Dakota State
(6) UCLA v (11) Minnesota
(3) Florida v (14) Northwestern State
(7) San Diego State v (10) Oklahoma
(2) Georgetown v (15) Florida Gulf Coast

MIDWEST (regional semis at Lucas Oil Stadium)
(1) Louisville v (16) Liberty/North Carolina A&T
(8) Colorado State v (9) Missouri
(5) Oklahoma State v (12) Oregon
(4) St. Louis v (13) New Mexico State
(6) Memphis v (11) St. Mary's/Middle Tennessee State
(3) Michigan State v (14) Valparaiso
(7) Creighton v (10) Cincinnati
(2) Duke v (15) Albany

WEST (regional semis at Staples Center)
(1) Gonzaga v (16) Southern
(8) Pittsburgh v (9) Wichita State
(5) Wisconsin v (12) Ole Miss
(4) Kansas State v (13) LaSalle/Boise State
(6) Arizona v (11) Belmont
(3) New Mexico v (14) Harvard
(7) Notre Dame v (10) Iowa State
(2) Ohio State v (15) Iona

It begins Tuesday on truTV, and continues throughout the next three weeks on CBS, TNT and tbs. Have you got your brackets ready?

Never an Awkward Moment!

 

From Thursday's Knicks/Blazers game, this John Kerry lookalike (ewww) picking his nose behind Chris and Kevin! 

 

Turrible.

After 40 Seasons, Jack Parker to Retire.

Link.

Amid the current culture of the program, I don't blame him. Great guy and a legend of college ice hockey.

Indiana Plane Crash Claims Life of OU Quarterback.

Link.

Barry Switzer, the coach he played under at Norman, confirmed this on his twitter.

Friday Jukebox 3.15.13: A Short Tribute to 'Stompin' Tom' Connors.

"Stompin' Tom" Connors, a popular Canadian country music star, passed away last week at age 77. He had one of the most popular anthems in sport with "The Hockey Anthem" which was released in the 1960s. Last weekend, CBC used his song in the intros for the early evening NHL telecasts.

12 Hours of Sebring 2013 Saturday!

Audi returns to Sebring with a vengeance as one of their LMP1's start on provisional pole on Saturday in the American LeMans Series season opener at Sebring in the 12 hour race.

With the announcement of the new name (more later) of the new sports car series next season, this is the final American LeMans event at Sebring. Speed will carry it live beginning at 10:30am NAEDT local time.

Follow it live at alms.com!

Friday Jukebox 3.8.13

If you haven't heard the news, Bonnie Tyler is still alive. That's not the news I'm talking about, but rather the fact that Bonnie Tyler will represent Great Britain at EUROVISION LVIII in Malmo in May. Her song is chosen, and also there's a video for it. More soon.

So until then, enjoy some classic Bonnie Tyler, "Holding Out for a Hero" (1985).

Paul Bearer, Rest in Peace.

Link.

BELLATOR 92: Featherweight and Middleweight Tournament Semifinals

It's semifinal night at BELLATOR MMA #92 on Thursday night, with both featherweight and middleweight semifinals.

In the featherweight semifinals, Frodo Khasbulaev will take on Marlon Sandro while Alexandre Bezerra will take on Mike Richman. In the middleweight semifinals, Doug Marshall will take on Sultan Aliev and Brett Cooper will take on Dan Cramer. Someone will be one step to the tournament finals.

 

CARD

Featherweight tournament

Semifinals
(145 lb/65.25 kg)

Alexandre Bezerra v Mike Richman

Marlon Sandro v Frodo Khasbulaev

 

Middleweight tournament

Semifinals
(185 lb/83.25 kg)

Doug Marshall v Sultan Aliev

Dan Cramer v Brett Cooper



LIVE on SPIKE Thursday night after IMPACT Wrestling.

Hugo Chavez Dead at 58.

Link.

Some pros and cons with this man:

PROS: The CITGO program gave free petrol for heating in half of the United States.

CONS: His anti-US speech at the UN which pissed the majority of Americans back in 2003, hence the boycott of CITGO fuel across the country.

Wonder where his ashes will go?

Friday Jukebox 3.1.13: A Short Tribute to Van Cliburn.

 

A little on the soft side this week.

Legendary pianist Van Cliburn, born in Shreveport but raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 78. Cliburn performed prior to various events in the Metroplex, including at the inaugural Winston (Sprint) Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway in 1997 (such a wreckfest that day).

However, it is during the US/USSR Cold War, where he got an invite from the Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev and performed in front of him and others, accompanied by an orchestra.

From a trip of his in the USSR, here is Piano Concerto, Number 1, Movement III.