The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates got a fast start out of the gate last season and actually stayed in the Central Division race past the All-Star break, but the end result was a 72-90 record and another losing season.
It is the dawn of a new era in Chicago with the arrival of new team president Theo Epstein, who was brought in to do for the Cubs what he did for Boston; win a World Series.
UNC (25-4) is on track to play for the ACC title and possible snag a #1 seed in the Big Dance in Saturday’s HUGE match up with Duke, but the Tar Heels cannot overlook a Maryland (16-12) team that has won 2 of their last 4 games.
The Spurs (24-10) are a NBA best 13-1 at home this season and even though they have been dealing some injuries they simply keep winning.
The PGA TOUR moves to Florida this week after a thrilling Match Play tournament in the desert. The PGA National’s Champion Course hosts a very impressive field this week – the top players in the world including Tiger Woods will tee it up on Thursday in hopes of dethroning Rory Sabbatini as champion.
Big East Player of the Year candidate Jae Crowder will lead his No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles into battle against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday in Ohio.
They may not have the better overall record but the South Florida Bulls are ahead of Louisville in the Big East standings this season. They are finally standing up for themselves in the conference and this game has a lot at stake, especially as their seems to be something brewing basketball wise in the state of Florida.
Both UNLV and Colorado State have some pretty drastic home/away splits this year. The Runnin’ Rebels are 16-0 at home and 5-6 on the road.
Duke (25-4) has won 6 straight and they are getting closer to snagging a #1 seed in the Big Dance.
The Big Ten’s top dog Michigan State will look to continue their conference dominance on Tuesday, by notching its seventh straight victory with a win over the resurgent Indiana Hoosiers who have slide back into the top 25 by winning five of their last six.
The Florida Gators are looking to finish strong but it wont be easy. To finish their SEC regular season they will be visiting Vanderbilt and following that with a visit from Kentucky to the Swamp.
Kansas State picked up a massive win on the road last week, then they followed it up with a disappointing loss at home to Iowa State.
Even though both teams lost in some upsets last week each has a chance to get a double-bye in the Big East tournament. The Irish have won 3 straight against the Hoyas, but they are underdogs in this game and overall this season they are 5-4 facing ranked teams.
If Kansas (24-5) can win this away game facing Oklahoma State (14-15) they will win the Big 12 title and inch closer to a #1 seed in the Big Dance.
Orlando will be the host for this year’s NBA All-Star Game. Dwight Howard has been rumored in many trades, but the Magic have kept him around long enough to have him be the main attraction at this game.
Kentucky (27-1) is heading for a #1 seed in the Big Dance, but snagging a top seed will not be easy, as they host a hot Vanderbilt (20-8) team that has won 3 straight as well as facing 11th ranked Florida on the road in their season finale.
