Ohio State Buckeyes Football Spring game

It's rare when the crowd in the stands cast a shadow on the action of a spring game on the field, but when 95,722 people show up to watch scrimmage, I'd say it's a pretty big deal. Ohio State set a record for spring game attendance Saturday April 25, as gorgeous weather and the chance to watch Terrelle Pryor practice brought fans to Ohio Stadium. As for the game itself. The Gray squad beat the Scarlet team 23-3. Buckeye Nation had to be thrilled with what it saw from Pryor, who eased some concerns about his passing ability by completing 13 of 18 pass attempts for 191 yards and touchdown strikes of 44 and 42 yards. The sophomore didn't even need to play in the final quarter, as originally planned, after engineering three scoring drives, including one just before halftime.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton

First Oscar De La Hoya, now Ricky Hatton. The way Manny Pacquiao is handing out beatings, maybe Floyd Mayweather Jr. should have stayed retired. Pacquiao cemented his claim to being the best pound-for-pound boxer Saturday night with a spectacular performance that ended with Hatton sprawled helplessly on the canvas after a devastating left hand to the head late in the second round. Coming off a dominating win over De La Hoya, Pacquiao was even better against Hatton, knocking him down two times in the first round before finally stopping him with a vicious left hand that dropped Hatton for good in the 140-pound title bout. Referee Kenny Bayless took one look at Hatton and declared the fight over at 2:59 of the second round.

Kobe vs. LeBron

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have a lot alike. Both are obviously phenomenal basketball players with all the talent and athletic ability in the world. Both can play any position from point guard all the way to small forward and maybe even power forward if it were necessary (and LeBron is so strong he might even be able to pull a Magic Johnson and play a game at center. And both stirred up enormous hype at an early age and then went on to completely justify it with their performances. But as of right now, which player is better? LeBron James is the younger of the two by far but he has done more at his young age than Kobe did, especially considering he doesn’t have Shaquille O’Neal at his side like Kobe did. LeBron basically single-handedly beat a Pistons team that has been on top of the east with monumental performance in game five of the 2007 playoffs. Kobe Bryant on the other hand has three championships. Well hopefully we will see who is a better athlete and has a better team if they meet in the championship of this years playoffs.

Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp, star quarterback and innovative public-policy thinker, died Saturday. The Associated Press AFL MVP of 1965 as quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, Kemp went on to serve 18 years in the House of Representatives, became Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the presidency of George H.W. Bush, then ran as the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate in 1996. Kemp was a leading factor in the rise of Ronald Reagan conservatism in American life, and remained active in public-policy debates until the final months before his death. His were two singular achievements: First, to accomplish more after leaving athletics than he had before; second, to join that small fraternity of sports stars who have gone on to significant careers in serious pursuits.

Rockets vs. Lakers

Kobe Bryant missed practice Sunday because of a sore throat, which raised few worries among the Los Angeles Lakers. If anything, it might just mean a little less trash talk between Bryant and Ron Artest when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night. The top-seeded Lakers were off a week after eliminating the Utah Jazz in five games and waiting for the fifth-seeded Rockets to finish off Portland in six games. Houston advanced to the second round for the first time since 1997. The most intriguing matchup, of course, will be Bryant, the reigning league MVP, against Artest and Shane Battier.

Boston vs. Orlando

The Celtics played a record seven overtime periods through six games of their first-round series against Chicago, and then beat the Bulls in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Magic. The defending champions had just one day off to rest up for Game 1 of the second round on Monday night at the new Boston Garden. Boston and Orlando split their four-game regular-season series, a record that is of little consolation for the Celtics because Kevin Garnett missed one and played 16 minutes in the other before aggravating the right knee injury that is expected to keep him out for the duration of the playoffs. He is expected to have surgery as soon as it's clear he won't be ready to help in the postseason.

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks

If not for Nene's breakout first half, Carmelo Anthony's fourth-quarter fireworks and Anthony Carter's defensive skill wouldn't have mattered much. Nene kept Denver in it until his teammates could turn it on and help him out, scoring 18 of his playoff career-high 24 points in the first half of the Nuggets' 109-95 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in the opener of their second-round series. Nene, who beat testicular cancer last year, played more minutes than ever this season and over the last month he really hit a wall. In the Nuggets' five-game battle of the New Orleans in the first round, he averaged 9.0 points and 7.8 rebounds. His fantastic first half saved the Nuggets, who poured it on the second half thanks to 20 Dallas turnovers, eight by Jason Kidd, who turned over the ball just three times in the first round.

Red Soxs vs. Yankees

The Yankees' 26 World Series titles are more than any team in baseball, and they are headquartered in the world capital of finance, fashion and media. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won two of the past five World Series and play in a city that is home to more than 100 colleges and universities, the Freedom Trail and the state capital of Massachusetts. But that's certainly nowhere near enough for everyone residing in New York and Boston. What New York and Boston baseball fans really want is for their city to be known as the capital of the baseball universe. And the only way either city can claim that mythical title is by wrestling it away from the other. As a result, when the Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry May 4-5 in the Bronx, it will once again feel like the world is hanging in the balance.

LeBron player of the month

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was named today as the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player for the month of April. In seven games during the month, James averaged 29.9 points on .531 shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. James has now won the award for the 11th time in his career: for the fourth time this season (November, January, March); two times during 2007-08, once in 2006-07, twice in 2005-06 and twice during the 2004-05 campaign. He became the second player in NBA history (Kevin Garnett) to win the award four times in one season. During April, James ranked first in free throws made (57), third in points (29.9), tied for third in field goals made (68), fourth in free throws attempted (65), tied for fifth in field goals attempted (128), sixth in three-pointers attempted (39), seventh in assists (6.6), tied for eighth in three-pointers made (39) and ninth in field goal percentage (53.1) among Eastern Conference players.

Sasha Pavlovic gets married during break of playoffs

With a substantial break after their first-round playoff sweep of the Detroit Pistons has given Cavaliers player’s plenty time to take care of the little chores and to-do list details that might have built up over time. You know, things like doing laundry, paying bills, and getting married. Cavaliers guard Sasha Pavlovic married longtime girlfriend Dunja Karisik on Monday April 27 in an intimate ceremony in Beachwood, OH. Pavlovic, a 25-year-old shooting guard, had been waiting for a break during the playoffs to squeeze in the civil ceremony. Pavlovic and Karisik plan to have a church wedding in Serbia, where both are from, within the next year. The couple expect their first child, a boy, in August.

Top selling NBA jersey

Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers jersey was the top seller this season at the NBA Store, the league announced Thursday April 30. Bryant reclaimed the No. 1 spot he held during the 2006-07 season. Cleveland's LeBron James moved back up to No. 2, where he ranked in 2005-06, and the Hornets' Chris Paul climbed to a career-best third. Kevin Garnett, who held the top spot last season, his first in a Celtics jersey, fell to No. 4 and Allen Iverson, who spent most of a disappointing season in Detroit, rounded out the top five. The Lakers topped the list of most popular team merchandise for the sixth time in seven years. The Celtics, who bumped them out last season, dropped to No. 2, followed by New York, Cleveland and Chicago.

NBA Playoffs

"Playoffs we talking about playoffs?" Yes it's that time again for the NBA. Time to see who will come home with the title this year. For the number 1 seeds on both sides of the NBA they had a very easy game 1. Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistions (102-84) with the help of the soon to be MVP LeBron James 38 points 8 rebounds and 7 assists. While theLos Angles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz (113-100) Kobe Bryant contributed 28 points 8 rebounds and 4 assists. While their were some very exciting games as well. The defending champs Boston Celtics ran into a little trouble called Derrick Rose. The rookie in his first ever playoff game decided to tie the record of most points ever by a rookie in his first playoff game with 36. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the other person who did that as well. Another game 1 that people did not see happen was the Dallas Mavericks beating the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio.

Cavs' Mike Brown named Coach of the Year

Today the Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown was named Coach of the Year. For me this seem to be the right choose. One, he led the cavs to the best record in the NBA with a 66-16 record and their second Central Division title while he has been the coach. Second, had the best home record of 39-2. The first loss was to the Los Angles Lakers who are the Western Conference defending champions and have the reigning MVP Kobe Bryant. However, for the second loss came at the last game of the season against the Philadelphia 76's. When Coach Brown benched the starters. But, the game was a very good one. It went into overtime and only lost by one (111-110.) So again congratulations coach Brown by winning the prestigious award.

Team Playko vs. Platypus

Some how there was confusion or someone messed up scheduling the games. Because for this weeks game we went up againt Platypus for the second time when we needed to play The Nasty Boyz instead. Team Playko would end up winning the game and putting us at (8-2) going into the last game of the season against The Untouchable who are the only undefeated team. But during this game I realized how much fun and enjoyment I had with my teammates that showed up for the game. Maybe it was that we did not have the teammate who played the whole game. Yes, that is my team was able to all play a large amount of time and we all played good and everyone scored. When you are surrounded by the group of people you enjoy being with and are having a fun time that is the best part of life.

Team Playko vs. Bring the Rain

The three pointer in basketball can make you or break you. If you are feeling it and the shot is going in and your team is a shooting team then you most likely will win. However, if the shot does not fall and you keep shooting and don't find another way to score you are bound to lose. For Bring the Rain the team consisted of guards and one forward. So when going up against a team with height like we have your game plan is to drive, pass out and shoot or just shoot nonstop. Unfortunetly for them the could not find the rythem and shoot to win against us. This brings me to my next point dealing with my team. If you have a team that consistes of ten players and have an average of seven to eight players showing up for the games. Don't you think it's right for everyone to play and sit out during some time in our game. Well for my team we have two guys who like to play nonstop and will not sub out for others.

Team Playko vs. The Naught's So Good

We all believe in the miracles in sports. Well for The Naught's So Good team at halftime in our game they were maybe thinking they would get there first win against one of the better teams in the league. The whole first half The Naught's So Good team were out playing, hustleing and shooting us. At halftime we were trailing by a hand full or more. So we decided that Shawn Finamore needed to take control of the second half. And so he did he scored the next ten plus points putting us ahead. From their we never looked back and eased are way to victory. With the win Team Playko is now (6-2).

Team Playko vs. Kwens

You know how I said that having veterans on your team it makes the team better. Well when you go up against another team who have veterans on there team it is a little more difficult then the other games you have played. We had to find a different way to stop these more talented basketball players. They could shoot the outside shoot, handle the ball and even rebound the ball better than us. It is really ungly when you got a guy who stands 5' 5" and is rebounding over guys that are 6' or even taller. I give all my respect to this guy he played with all his heart and gave it his all. Thats what I like to see my players have one day when I hopefully become a coach. We even had more players on our team. They only had four guys so they had to have been tired sometime in the game. But they did not show it and played there all until the last wistle. With us lossing this game it put Team Playko at (5-2).

All Star Game

LeBron James landed another starting position for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. This is going to be LeBrons fifth year at the All-Star game and third consecutive starting. Last year he came home with the MVP title with 27 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals as the Eastern Conference All-Stars defeated their Western counterparts, 134–128. All LeBron can do is improve his stats but LeBron is a player that makes his teammates better by contributing the ball more, and giving them the chances to make big shots. There was one starter for the East that I did not think deserved to start and that is Allen Iverson. I love Allen, he has always been one of my favorite athletes to watch ever since his time at Georgetown. However, Jamer Nelson has played and put up better numbers and led his team to a better record.

LeBron and Mo

LeBron has been producing numbers to help him earn the title of the MVP for this season. In addition, the team is not just relying on him to do everything like the first couple of seasons being a cavalier. Now that Mo Williams has stepped in the starting lineup and contributed some good number for the team all is next is finally raising that big trophy. Mo is averaging 16 points and and 4 assist per game as the starting point guard. All LeBron has to do now is continue working on his free throws. But that is ridiculous to only be shooting 77% for the number of times he goes to the charity strip.

Team Playko vs. Team Kool Aid

Referees job during a basketball game is to call fouls, violations, and keeping the game under control from not breaking out into a fight. In addition, they also can control how the game is played. They may call all touchy fouls making the game less interesting to the players and fans. Then they can let the players show what skills they have in basketball and calling fouls that are fouls and not the tacky fouls. For our game against Team Kool Aid the referee's were not calling the fouls equally both ways and would not call any fouls underneath the bucket. This gets frustrating after awhile for the post players, since that is where they are played for the game. I know this is intramural basketball ball but at least have the decency to call some fouls and not let the game get out of control. Team Playko went on to win against Team Kool Aid putting us at (5-1).

Team Playko vs. The Great Geracis

It sucks when you get your first lost of the season. But specially sucks when the other team has a player who cheery picks the whole game. So that means we have to put a player down on the defense the whole game, so they don't get an easy bucket every time. However, that shouldn't be the only reason why we lost. First, The Great Geracis only had four players on their team so they didn't have as many fresh legs on our team. Second, we were missing three guys from our team, so we didn't have as much height and size to crash the boards and play good defense. Last, we were not hitting any of our shots we took. But our team is made up of shooters so when you have shooters you just got to keep shooting and sooner or later they will fall. With the lost it puts us at (4-1).

Team Playko vs. Bring the Rain

I'm not going to go into much detail about the game because during that game something hit me and would like to share it. First, I would let you know that we won making our record (4-0). However, during that game I was thinking how much I love the game of basketball and much fun and enjoyable it is. Some how I think intramural basketball is just like playing in the on a college basketball team or even the pros. The competition is so competitive everyone is out their trying their best to have fun but more so WIN. Team Playko has a special vibe on the team that we all play well together when were out on the court. Just like how LeBron makes his teammates better when he is out on the court that is just like us. We make the extra pass that is needed, don't take contested shots and rarely turn the ball over. Even though I may be the youngest and shortest player on the team they treat me just the same or even better as I treat them.

Team Playko vs. Platypus's

Never underestimate a girls intramural basketball team. Girls are just as good or some what better then guys when it comes to basketball. For Team Playko they found the hard in the half of their game against team Platypus's. For Team Playko we thought it would be a nice walk in the park win but when the other team brings their "A" game it's not as easy. When the first half ended team Platypus's were winning by few points. During half time we had a team talk and Kiley Oberlander said to me "you need to keep driving and kicking the ball out to the wide open person for the shot." So second half I took control of the ball and did what Kiley said and drove and passed to the open teammate. We also had the girls on our team shoot more since a two pointer is worth three points and a three is four points. So that helped us get the lead back and their was no looking back after that. We won by the score of 84-58 putting us at 3-0.

Team Playko vs. NBA Jam

Sorry I havent posted in awhile I have been busy with other school work, had two snow days two weeks ago and busy with other stuff. So our next game was against NBA Jam which consited of all PT (physical therapy) students. Don't underestimate them cause their full of brains they can ball. They played with us through most of the game. Their were acouple of good athletes on that team that we had trouble stopping. However, it came down to the more experience and talented team that won, which was Team Playko. So with that win it put us at 2-o.

Team Playko

So the four on four intramural basketball league has now officially started here at The College of Mount Saint Joseph. There's a total of twelve teams playing this year so theirs going to be some good talent out there "Team Playko" and some that are not so lucky. Team Playko had a walk in the park win tonight winning by twenty plus. It was tough one Tons of Bruns played their hearts out but it came down to who had the fresh legs at the end. And with Team Playko have a total of ten players and nine of them showing up, we were the ones who go up and down the court longer. In addition, to the number of people we have we do have veteran player four of which have played basketball for the Mount and almost all playing ball in high school. Also, we have three guys over six foot tall so we play inside or out and definitely going to be crashing the boards.