Wow, did you think I was done with Just Fink About It? Well it has been a long time. I don't know if it was the disappointment I endured with San Francisco losing the Superbowl or being bogged down with coaching my own team but nonetheless the blog is being revived. March certainly brings the juice out in me!
College basketball is on the mind and let's get into the hot topics right away. First of all, how about Gonzaga being the #1 ranked team in America?? Quite an accomplishment I'd say. Got to be honest, I'm sick of people saying anything negative about Mark Few. The guy has taken Gonzaga to an elite level. That is something people! But let's put the focus of this paragraph on the Zags chances this year of finally making the Final Four. There's two perspectives to take really. One has to be the thought that with the parity of college basketball increasing by the minute a Bulldog fan has to be concerned with Gonzaga being the first #1 seed upset by a 16. On the other hand there have been numerous letdowns from top 5 teams in college basketball this season. Does that finally open the Final Four door for the Zags? So I present a question to you my friends...Which is more likely, Gonzaga loses to a 16 seed in heartbreak city or finally makes the Final Four????
Next in college basketball has to be my negativity coming out. I just hate to see Syracuse-Georgetown ending. Or for that matter UConn with either of those teams as well. And Kansas-Missouri while I'm complaining. To top it off I'm excessively ticked that college football is what is destroying great college basketball matchups! Even more of a reason to disdain what could be the great sport of college football. It just won't be the same with Syracuse in the ACC or Mizzou in the SEC. Makes no sense to me people but it is good to see the Catholic 7 reform the Big East. Gives me a ray of hope in a dark situation. Hopefully some of the knuckleheads come to their senses and rejoin the Big East in a few years.
Lastly, I just want to give you my thoughts on the upcoming NCAA tournament. I've had the privilege to watch an awful lot of games this year thanks to my DVR and I've got my opinions on who will win it all. First, I like four teams out of the Big Ten. My favorite is Indiana despite their 5 losses. I believe anytime you have two player of the year candidates on your team and a great coach you've got an excellent chance to win it all. But don't sleep on Michigan with the best PG in America. Trey Burke is absolutely a beast at the point. Ohio State has their own point guard giving the opposition fits and a dynamite scorer in DeShaun Thomas. Their win at Indiana last week could be what they need to know they can beat anyone in America at any location. And finally, with Tom Izzo all things are possible in March. The guy just flat knows how to coach in the tourney and I love their freshman shooting guard Gary Harris. Of course Duke is turning heads at the moment too with recent success and if they play like they did Saturday night at UNC it will be awfully difficult to defeat them. Plus, did you realize Mason Plumlee is 23 years old? Playing against 19 year olds I believe that's to his advantage. Louisville, my favorite college basketball team, is peaking at the right time as well, but I am always weary of a team that made the Final Four a year earlier in unexpected fashion. Plus a person is always a little nervous about their favorite team right?
What are your thoughts on the upcoming tourney???
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Championship Preview
Can't wait for the final four in NFL action later today. So pumped to
see the results of these two intriguing games. All four teams have
great storylines surrounding them and anyone of them is capable of
winning a well deserved Superbowl. With New England you've got a team
that's been excellent the past couple seasons but did not finish the
deal in the playoffs. There's an awful lot of young talent there that
now has playoff experience and of course Tom Brady one of the greatest
QBs of all time leading the way. New England was my pick to win the
Superbowl prior to the season because of all these factors. If the Pats
have a downside though they aren't at full strength without Gronk. The
guy adds a different dimension to their team and without him they just
aren't the same. Baltimore comes in with some momentum and their own
great storylines. Before the Ray Lewis news came out Baltimore was
already a special team. Since Harbaugh and Flacco have been there the
Ravens have won a playoff game every year. Impressive! But, like the
Pats they have not been able to close the deal. Then you add the Ray
Lewis retirement factor, the fact they knocked off a very good and hot
Bronco team last week, and what we have here is a dangerous Ravens
team. What an AFC matchup fellas!!! The NFC will not disappoint though
either my friends. Atlanta is very similar to Baltimore in the fact
that since Mike Smith and Matt Ryan showed up all Atlanta has done is
produce winning seasons. However, the playoffs haven't been kind and
even last week looked very scary there for awhile. They have their own
retirement player in Tony Gonzalez and plenty of motivation being the #1
seed on their home turf and being the underdog! Are you kidding me??
Bulletin board material for sure. No respect while the California prima
donnas from SF get all the SI coverage this past week. The dirty birds
will be difficult to beat today. And then there is San Francisco. Can
you imagine a team winning the Superbowl after switching QBs mid
season? Well it's difficult for me but then I considered some of the
following names...Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler, Kurt Warner, Trent
Dilfer, and yes Tom Brady. Wow, I guess it is possible. Maybe it's
because I will be rooting for the Niners that I'm so realistic and
somewhat pessimistic but who actually believes Kaepernick will look like
he did last week? That's ludicrous. So SF will have to win a much
closer, defensive struggle if they are to advance.
Who do I like? Well just before I chose Detroit and New England prior to the opening kickoff of this 2012 NFL season I had Atlanta as my NFC representative. Then I talked myself out of it since they have two new coordinators this season. So I should go Pats/ Falcons right? Pick against SF? Pick against destiny in Baltimore? Too tough to call people. So I'm going with my heart. San Francisco and Baltimore advance.
Kieth
Who do I like? Well just before I chose Detroit and New England prior to the opening kickoff of this 2012 NFL season I had Atlanta as my NFC representative. Then I talked myself out of it since they have two new coordinators this season. So I should go Pats/ Falcons right? Pick against SF? Pick against destiny in Baltimore? Too tough to call people. So I'm going with my heart. San Francisco and Baltimore advance.
Kieth
Monday, January 14, 2013
NFL Playoff Picks Round 2
Ken- Ravens, Niners, Hawks, Pats
Kurt- Broncos, Niners, Hawks, Pats
Fred- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Josh- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Zach- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Brandon- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Brycen- Broncos, Packers, Falcons, Pats
Tyler- Broncos, Packers, Falcons, Pats
Michael- Ravens, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Kieth- Broncos, Niners, Hawks, Pats
Pick Analysis: The Broncos let most of us down except for my bro Ken whose wife is from Baltimore. Won't surprise me if he continues to pick them. And Michael also is feeling the special Ravens ju-ju right now but it will be interesting to see if he sticks with them. The Pack let quite of few of us down as I'm sure the thinking was A-Rodg vs Kaepernick. The latter statistically dominated the prior even though we all know who is in fact better. And finally the Seahawks pick looked silly for most of the game, then brilliant, and then just heartwrenching. Especially for the Hawks fans.
Updated Standings:
Michael Brandt 6 of 8
Ken Finkbeiner 6 of 8
Brycen Greenwood 6 of 8
Tyler Greenwood 6 of 8
Zach Gormley 5 of 8
Josh White 5 of 8
Kieth Finkbeiner 5 of 8
Brandon Evenson 4 of 8
Fred Slonaker 4 of 8
Kurt Slonaker 4 of 8
Kurt- Broncos, Niners, Hawks, Pats
Fred- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Josh- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Zach- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Brandon- Broncos, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Brycen- Broncos, Packers, Falcons, Pats
Tyler- Broncos, Packers, Falcons, Pats
Michael- Ravens, Packers, Hawks, Pats
Kieth- Broncos, Niners, Hawks, Pats
Pick Analysis: The Broncos let most of us down except for my bro Ken whose wife is from Baltimore. Won't surprise me if he continues to pick them. And Michael also is feeling the special Ravens ju-ju right now but it will be interesting to see if he sticks with them. The Pack let quite of few of us down as I'm sure the thinking was A-Rodg vs Kaepernick. The latter statistically dominated the prior even though we all know who is in fact better. And finally the Seahawks pick looked silly for most of the game, then brilliant, and then just heartwrenching. Especially for the Hawks fans.
Updated Standings:
Michael Brandt 6 of 8
Ken Finkbeiner 6 of 8
Brycen Greenwood 6 of 8
Tyler Greenwood 6 of 8
Zach Gormley 5 of 8
Josh White 5 of 8
Kieth Finkbeiner 5 of 8
Brandon Evenson 4 of 8
Fred Slonaker 4 of 8
Kurt Slonaker 4 of 8
Friday, January 11, 2013
NFL Playoff Previews Divisional Round
My Keys to the 49ers/Packers game Saturday...
1. Will the Pack protect Aaron Rodgers? SF has the rush to get there and GB has lacked a firm pocket most of the year. If they can then we all know what Rodgers will do.
2. Can either team make a FG? I hear Cundiff is kicking rather than Akers. Personally I'd just stick with Akers if it was between the two but Crosby's been miserable as well.
3. Kaepernick making plays...if he can extend drives via the air or ground SF wins. Minnesota would've made it interesting the other day if Webb could have converted 3rd downs.
My Keys to the Seahawks/Falcons game Sunday...
1. A Seahawk pass rush without Chris Clemons...Matt Ryan needs to be pressured or else that will help him in his mission to breakdown Seattle's elite secondary. Can rookie Bruce Irvin, much maligned on draft day but has produced, make up the difference without Clemons?
2. Atlanta's rush D...fantasy wise I always wanted my backs playing Atlanta because unlike most defenses they are stronger vs the pass. A couple years ago they were destroyed by the Packers pass game so I'm guessing that's why Atlanta has bolstered their pass D, but vs Seattle if they can't stop Lynch the game should be decided.
3. A fast Seattle start...unlike a couple days ago I don't believe Seattle can come from behind at Atlanta. The dome will be louder than at Washington, the Falcons pass D is better than Washington's, and putting yourself in a whole two straight weeks isn't smart in the NFL.
1. Will the Pack protect Aaron Rodgers? SF has the rush to get there and GB has lacked a firm pocket most of the year. If they can then we all know what Rodgers will do.
2. Can either team make a FG? I hear Cundiff is kicking rather than Akers. Personally I'd just stick with Akers if it was between the two but Crosby's been miserable as well.
3. Kaepernick making plays...if he can extend drives via the air or ground SF wins. Minnesota would've made it interesting the other day if Webb could have converted 3rd downs.
My Keys to the Seahawks/Falcons game Sunday...
1. A Seahawk pass rush without Chris Clemons...Matt Ryan needs to be pressured or else that will help him in his mission to breakdown Seattle's elite secondary. Can rookie Bruce Irvin, much maligned on draft day but has produced, make up the difference without Clemons?
2. Atlanta's rush D...fantasy wise I always wanted my backs playing Atlanta because unlike most defenses they are stronger vs the pass. A couple years ago they were destroyed by the Packers pass game so I'm guessing that's why Atlanta has bolstered their pass D, but vs Seattle if they can't stop Lynch the game should be decided.
3. A fast Seattle start...unlike a couple days ago I don't believe Seattle can come from behind at Atlanta. The dome will be louder than at Washington, the Falcons pass D is better than Washington's, and putting yourself in a whole two straight weeks isn't smart in the NFL.
My Keys to the Texans/Patriots game Sunday...
1. Arian Foster needs to double the rush yards for Stevan Ridley. In New England's blowout win vs Houston Ridley won the rush matchup 72-46 vs Foster. Obviously that can't happen. In fact I believe Foster needs to double up Ridley's numbers.
2. New England can't turn the ball over. Basic here I know, but in the Patriots last loss to SF they had 4 turnovers. Impossible to win with that statistic. Let's face it too, it's difficult to figure out how New England is going to lose here.
3. Matt Schaub doesn't need big numbers just efficiency. The last time New England lost a home playoff game was 2010 vs the Jets. Mark Sanchez, yes you're reading correctly, was 16 of 25 for 194 yards with 3 TDs. Not monster numbers but efficient. In SF's victory of NE this season here were Kaepernick's stats: 14 of 25 for 225 yards and 4 TDs. Not monster but efficient especially in terms of TDs. Schaub needs efficiency but not a ton of attempts or yards.
1. Arian Foster needs to double the rush yards for Stevan Ridley. In New England's blowout win vs Houston Ridley won the rush matchup 72-46 vs Foster. Obviously that can't happen. In fact I believe Foster needs to double up Ridley's numbers.
2. New England can't turn the ball over. Basic here I know, but in the Patriots last loss to SF they had 4 turnovers. Impossible to win with that statistic. Let's face it too, it's difficult to figure out how New England is going to lose here.
3. Matt Schaub doesn't need big numbers just efficiency. The last time New England lost a home playoff game was 2010 vs the Jets. Mark Sanchez, yes you're reading correctly, was 16 of 25 for 194 yards with 3 TDs. Not monster numbers but efficient. In SF's victory of NE this season here were Kaepernick's stats: 14 of 25 for 225 yards and 4 TDs. Not monster but efficient especially in terms of TDs. Schaub needs efficiency but not a ton of attempts or yards.
Peyton's Playoff
Before you read the meat of this post know a few things. I recognize Peyton Manning is one of the greatest QBs of all time (statistically will be the best). I also know my good friend Tyler Greenwood is a Peyton Manning fan and has often blamed the Colts defense for the lack of Super Bowls. I'm simply presenting a case here that shows it wasn't all the Colts D. Here are a few stats to chew on...
1. Over Manning's career the Colts lost 10 playoff games.
2. The Colts offense averaged 14.2 points per game.
3. Their highest output in a loss was 24 points in 2007.
4. Their lowest was 0 in 2002.
5. In the 10 games Manning threw 9 TDs and 10 Ints total.
6. The Colts gave up 24.7 points per game in these 10 losses (not all the defense).
7. Most points given up was 41 in 2002.
8. Four of those 10 losses were at home.
Again, I'm aware of how dominant the guy is but clearly he hasn't performed up to his own standard in those 10 games. I think he deserves some of the blame for the lack of Colts Super Bowls during his time there.
Will I bet against the Broncos this weekend vs Joe Flacco and the Ravens? Probably not, but I am unwilling to say Denver will just breeze through the game as well.
1. Over Manning's career the Colts lost 10 playoff games.
2. The Colts offense averaged 14.2 points per game.
3. Their highest output in a loss was 24 points in 2007.
4. Their lowest was 0 in 2002.
5. In the 10 games Manning threw 9 TDs and 10 Ints total.
6. The Colts gave up 24.7 points per game in these 10 losses (not all the defense).
7. Most points given up was 41 in 2002.
8. Four of those 10 losses were at home.
Again, I'm aware of how dominant the guy is but clearly he hasn't performed up to his own standard in those 10 games. I think he deserves some of the blame for the lack of Colts Super Bowls during his time there.
Will I bet against the Broncos this weekend vs Joe Flacco and the Ravens? Probably not, but I am unwilling to say Denver will just breeze through the game as well.
Mock College Football Championship
Down to 2 in my mythical college football playoff: Notre Dame vs Stanford. With reality in our minds thanks to the BCS title game Monday night, it really is difficult to imagine Notre Dame in my mythical championship. But, here are the teams they defeated: Clemson, Florida, and N. Illinois. I'd say that's fairly realistic. Of course N. Illinois did upset Oregon in my playoff and that doesn't seem conceivable. But, some of what's happened over time during March Madness wasn't supposed to occur either. If you'd like individual references I'll compile a list. The overall point of my playoff is this though. College football needs to have a playoff to determine their national champion. This year all Alabama did to win the BCS was defeat a weak non-conference schedule, win most of their SEC games, and defeat Notre Dame. A national champion should be crowned after a national tournament. That's common sense people!!!
Anyway, after Notre Dame's debacle Monday I couldn't help but decrease their odds of defeating Stanford in my mythical championship (5:16). So being a heavy underdog the Irish were looking for one last close victory. Stanford, on the other hand, was looking to cap their season off with a 10th straight victory. In my playoff they defeated South Carolina at home, Alabama in Houston, and Texas A&M in St. Louis. Yes, 3 SEC schools. Just another reason to increase their odds vs Notre Dame I suppose. Here's how the Mythical Championship #2 turned out...
The game went back and forth to start as both teams drove down in opposition territory only to settle for field goals. End of first quarter 6-3 Stanford. In the 2nd stanza turnovers reared their ugly head as both freshman QBs gave the ball away but Notre Dame's was costly setting up Stanford with a first and goal at the Irish 9 yard line. That's when Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan made up for his earlier blunder hooking up with RB Stefan Taylor out of the backfield for a 9 yard passing TD. Stanford 13-3 at half. After holding ND to a 3 and out to begin the 2nd half Stanford's flood gates opened wide as Taylor, the MOP of this playoff, rushed for a 73 yard TD run putting him over 2,000 yards in this extended playoff season. Stanford never looked back as they defeated Notre Dame 30-10.
Anyway, after Notre Dame's debacle Monday I couldn't help but decrease their odds of defeating Stanford in my mythical championship (5:16). So being a heavy underdog the Irish were looking for one last close victory. Stanford, on the other hand, was looking to cap their season off with a 10th straight victory. In my playoff they defeated South Carolina at home, Alabama in Houston, and Texas A&M in St. Louis. Yes, 3 SEC schools. Just another reason to increase their odds vs Notre Dame I suppose. Here's how the Mythical Championship #2 turned out...
The game went back and forth to start as both teams drove down in opposition territory only to settle for field goals. End of first quarter 6-3 Stanford. In the 2nd stanza turnovers reared their ugly head as both freshman QBs gave the ball away but Notre Dame's was costly setting up Stanford with a first and goal at the Irish 9 yard line. That's when Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan made up for his earlier blunder hooking up with RB Stefan Taylor out of the backfield for a 9 yard passing TD. Stanford 13-3 at half. After holding ND to a 3 and out to begin the 2nd half Stanford's flood gates opened wide as Taylor, the MOP of this playoff, rushed for a 73 yard TD run putting him over 2,000 yards in this extended playoff season. Stanford never looked back as they defeated Notre Dame 30-10.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
NFL Playoffs (picks included)
What a weekend of NFL playoffs. On a personal note I survived the fact that Dish network and Northwest broadcasting can't agree on a price thus blocking my viewing of the Seahawks game Sunday. Thanks to a fellow teacher at KMS, Jeff Stuart, I watched the game in my classroom in standard definition on a nice 30" tv. Not too bad compared to 20 years ago. So I'll take it. Also I really enjoyed some wonderful facebook conversations with Tyler Greenwood and Michael Brandt on the games.
The games themselves were great even though offense was far and few between at times. But defense wins championships people. At least sometimes. I thought the Bengals/Texans game was very predictable considering the offenses and defenses. Yes, I was disappointed in Dalton's lack of production but other than that the game went as I thought it would. The Packers gave up plenty of rushing yards but not the big play to All Day Adrian Peterson and fortunately played an extremely weak QB-WR offense. The Ravens offense may have had the best offensive output of any running and passing successfully when needed and fighting off a feisty Colts ball club. Luck definitely looks like he'll be around awhile at a high level. And finally, the Seahawks look poised to make a deep run in the postseason. After a slow start the D dominated like much of this season and the offense continued to make plays in both the run/pass game. I can't wait for this next weekend. Hopefully Dish gets their crapola together by Saturday night but if not I'll figure out someway to watch as much of the Niners/Packers game as possible.
Thank you for picking games at a somewhat short notice. Half were perfect as you can see below. Be sure to send me next weekend's picks at some point this week before Saturday. I like competition. Happy NFL playoff month!
Michael Brandt- 4 of 4
Zach Gormley- 4 of 4
Brycen Greenwood- 4 of 4
Tyler Greenwood- 4 of 4
Josh White- 4 of 4
Brandon Evenson- 3 of 4
Ken Finkbeiner- 3 of 4
Kieth Finkbeiner- 3 of 4
Fred Slonaker- 3 of 4
Kurt Slonaker- 2 of 4
The games themselves were great even though offense was far and few between at times. But defense wins championships people. At least sometimes. I thought the Bengals/Texans game was very predictable considering the offenses and defenses. Yes, I was disappointed in Dalton's lack of production but other than that the game went as I thought it would. The Packers gave up plenty of rushing yards but not the big play to All Day Adrian Peterson and fortunately played an extremely weak QB-WR offense. The Ravens offense may have had the best offensive output of any running and passing successfully when needed and fighting off a feisty Colts ball club. Luck definitely looks like he'll be around awhile at a high level. And finally, the Seahawks look poised to make a deep run in the postseason. After a slow start the D dominated like much of this season and the offense continued to make plays in both the run/pass game. I can't wait for this next weekend. Hopefully Dish gets their crapola together by Saturday night but if not I'll figure out someway to watch as much of the Niners/Packers game as possible.
Thank you for picking games at a somewhat short notice. Half were perfect as you can see below. Be sure to send me next weekend's picks at some point this week before Saturday. I like competition. Happy NFL playoff month!
Michael Brandt- 4 of 4
Zach Gormley- 4 of 4
Brycen Greenwood- 4 of 4
Tyler Greenwood- 4 of 4
Josh White- 4 of 4
Brandon Evenson- 3 of 4
Ken Finkbeiner- 3 of 4
Kieth Finkbeiner- 3 of 4
Fred Slonaker- 3 of 4
Kurt Slonaker- 2 of 4
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