The 15th-seeded American University Eagles are slated to face the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers Thursday afternoon, and while it wouldn’t be advised to choose the Eagles as your Cinderella team this season, there are reasons to believe they could cover the spread in their second-round matchup.
The Tigers finished the season right about where we expected, near the top of the new AAC. This is a team that can be dangerous at times but still too often seems to not live up to the assumed talent level.
Well the Cavs have done it. They have used their blue collar approach to climb to the top of the ACC mountain, besting perennial contenders like Duke and North Carolina as well as newcomers like Syracuse.
The Huskies did not win the AAC tournament but they have to be pleased with the fact that they were not embarrassed by Louisville again.
If you are looking for a good team that is thriving heading into the tournament look no further than Michigan State. The Spartans have been struggling with injuries for months but now fully healthy they look as good as any team in the East bracket.
The Bearcats have had a great season but I think it is fair to say they peaked a little too early.
The Los Angeles Kings are right where they want to be – at home hosting Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks in a building that they have won all three games in their semi-finals series and have won 13 straight games overall dating back to the regular season. The Kings were also 7-0 last year in the playoffs during their Stanley Cup run.
The Chicago Blackhawks already passed a huge test in their second round series with the Detroit Red Wings – they survived their first elimination game Saturday night. Another huge test looms Monday night – another elimination game – this time in what is sure to be an amped up Joe Louis Arena.
It is hard to believe that it was just over a week ago that the New York Rangers were celebrating a convincing Game 7 win against Washington and the optimism was palpable in the Big Apple.
A couple of weeks ago it seemed unimaginable that the Chicago Blackhawks could be outworked, outhustled and yes, even outclassed by any team in the NHL. But that’s precisely what is happening as the Detroit Red Wings prepare to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series with the Chicago Blackhawks.
For the Pittsburgh Penguins Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-final was “the one they let slip away” but for the Ottawa Senators it was a reward for all of the good work that they did in the first two games against the heavily favored Penguins.
The San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings get back at it Tuesday night after a thrilling Game 3 at the Shark Tank saw the home team win yet again in the series. The home teams have won all three games so far this series and both teams are undefeated at home in the postseason this year.
For the second straight postseason series, the New York Rangers return home in a, 0-2 hole needing to win just to keep their heads above water. Their second round opponent the Boston Bruins have been clicking on all cylinders ahead of Game 3 – the Rangers are in tough against a team that boasts depth up front, a ton of talent on defense and wealth of playoff experience on the roster.
Wings Hope to Ride Wave Of Confidence to Game 3 Victory
To a man the Detroit Red Wings said they would be better in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi final after losing Game 1, 4-1 and they backed up their claim in a big way for Detroit’s first win against Chicago in nine tries – the Red Wings’ first in regulation since April 2011.
Will this series be the first NBA post-season battle to be decided not on the court but by the league’s new concussion policy?
There is no greater sports rivalry than the only between New York and Boston but in hockey, playoff matchups between the two cities have been few and far between. In fact, the last time the Rangers and the Bruins met in the playoffs was way back in 1973 – the Rangers won that series.
