Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Hello Free Keon Fans,

As I write this, play is already underway at The Masters, and Tiger’s tee time is not far off. But in the meantime, check out Slammin’ Sam’s Links.

Speaking of the world’s most famous golfer, you knew Nike would unveil a Tiger ad sometime soon. The question was when. Here’s the answer that debuted last night. After you watch the ad, read Richard Sandomir’s column.

While the world calls on Tiger for accountability, Stephen A. Smith (as only he can) charges the Eagles brass with responsibility. No longer can fans point the finger at Donovan McNabb.

Nor can blame be leveled Evan Turner for his actions.

Last, a week remains in the NBA regular season. The Mavs are jockeying for playoff position, and Tyreke Evans eyes the Rookie of the Year award.

As always, thanks for spending part of your day at Free Keon!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

The Final Slammin' Sam Final Four Post

Judging by America’s sports sections, fans aren’t quite ready to switch from college hoops to baseball. We understand. Only three college basketball games remain. Beginning Sunday, there will be beaucoup baseball. Our advice at Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media and Free Keon is to enjoy the Final Four while it lasts. With that in mind, here we go!

First, Indy Star writer Matthew Tully gives readers perspective about Butler’s drive to the Final Four.

Butler’s opponent, Michigan State, features a coach who somehow gets it done again and again, writes Drew Sharp.

While Butler plays for its city, and Izzo represents his home state of Michigan, Duke is in it for each other.

Bob Huggins and West Virginia? They can’t stop thinking about the great party they are going to have after work.

How can you think about March Madness without thinking about Billy Packer? Whether you like him or not, he’s still got plenty to say off the main stage.

Thanks for visiting Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links and Free Keon today!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin Sam's Sweet 16 Links

It’s Thursday, and of course we’re talking Tourney here at Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media and Free Keon. Let’s get right into it with reports from each of the four regions.

Bernie Miklasz extends his best hospitality and good luck to Midwest Regional teams. They’re going to need it.

Gotta plug my friend Kurt Kragthorpe’s story about the Xavier-K-State rematch in Salt Lake City. This game figures to be a gritty battle just like Jazz coach Jerry Sloan appreciates.

In Syracuse we have what is setting up to be a battle of foils – good vs. evil, smart vs. dumb, David vs. Goliath – at least that’s what the hype is about. Dan Shaughnessy represents Cornell and is already caught in crossfire. John Clay speaks for Kentucky.

Baylor needs no welcome in Houston. These Bears are the first Baylor team to score a tournament victory in almost 60 years.

Thanks for reading, and remember, don’t let your bracket get in the way of good basketball.

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Why, hello Everyone!

I flipped a coin today, and it turns out I’m going with links in this Tuesday Edition of Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media. Get ready, cause here comes a blitz of mostly football stories.

First, an update on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. File this under the “not again” file. Take note, Big Ben hired the same legal council Ray Lewis used for his murder trial.

Talk about an impact! Let’s turn from a half-empty glass to an overflowing one. Read this interesting story about an altruistic young man picked to detonate the old home of the Dallas Cowboys.

While a new stadium excited Dallas fans, new digs have Anquan Boldin happy.

We’ve covered the rising stories for today. Unfortunately that leaves the falling column.

Nowadays, Manny Ramirez might not want to be Manny, T.J. Simers writes in the LA Times.

Like Manny feels about himself, Illini fans do not like where the basketball team’s sitting right now. Instead of finding itself among select company, Bruce Weber’s bunch lies with plenty of not-so hopeful college basketball programs, Loren Tate writes.

As always, thanks for spending part of your day with Slammin' Sam and Free Keon!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Turning up the Heat with CBB's Nolan Richardson

He’s back. Brand new on the shelf is Nolan Richardson’s biography, “Forty Minutes of Hell.” The title refers to Richardson’s coaching style with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

I remember watching Richardson and thinking that this was someone who really knew how to turn up the heat in front of a TV microphone, as well. Not that Richardson didn’t have every right - For years, he was relegated to the other extreme, forced to keep his anger in its place – Richardson had to keep his cool, even as he smoldered inside.

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Good afternoon, fellow winter perseverers, (Note, if you are in a warm climate, please refrain from gloating. Thank you)

A lot of people are tired of this wintry stuff and wish it would go away. No doubt Tar Heels coach Roy Williams wishes his postgame comments would vanish too. The Heels have had a miserable season, but upon further review, there might just be bigger problems out there. I linked to the Huffington Post blog post here in case the clip is removed. Play it and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Golfer Sergio Garcia, on the other hand, is hopeful that his troubles are behind him. Remember, Phil Mickelson isn’t the only golfer out there with loads of talent, sans Tiger.

Here’s an interesting look at the ongoing issue of football concussions.

One day before the Opening Ceremonies, Bill Plaschke examines the hot button, scratch that, lightening rod that is Lindsey Vonn. If the name doesn’t ring a bell immediately, the story will.

Last, Brian Gomez, shares the story of the Team USA flag bearer.

Thanks for making Free Keon and the Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media Links Edition part of your Thursday!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Things are getting dicey here at Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media today!

First, forget being weary. Teams ranked No. 1 in college basketball are not looking so hot atop the hoops’ landscape. Villanova, watch out. Opportunity is at the door, thanks to your fine play. If the Wildcats sit in the prime position next, they better be wary.

Meanwhile, Lexington’s paper on the scene examines the regrouping process for the other Cats and the nation’s prior No. 1 team.

Now that the golf scene starring Tiger Woods is on hold, Phil Mickelson is the sport’s brightest star. What will Lefty do under the beams?

Speaking of golf, blogging hub Technorati bestowed a Top 100 golf badge on Free Keon. Many thanks to FK’s Steve in particular for his faithful posts on this beat. By the way, if you want to see more golf coverage or anything else on the site, let us know.

I digress. Carrying on with golf, LA Times columnist Bill Dwyre wrote a links piece on whom else, but John Wooden? Reading about the “Wizard of Westwood” never gets old.

Finally, our Olympics link update puts IOC President Jacques Rogge on the spot. Wouldn’t want to be in his spot, either.

Thanks for spending part of your Thursday at Free Keon!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Back to School with Bill Russell and K.C. Jones

It’s amazing what you can find at the library. You know, that place that most college students would only darken the night before an exam? Well, I did some exploring and came up with a real humdinger – “The Dandy Dons” by James W. Johnson.

Calhoun Has Passion to Lead: Who's with Him?

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team is struggling. After the Huskies opened the season with a No. 12 ranking, Coach Jim Calhoun’s squad twice rose as high as No. 10 in the country. Jan. 2 marked the last contest that the team ascended that high. Less than three weeks later now seems like three months ago.

The perennial power has lost three straight contests and must be thankful for a home date Wednesday against St. John’s. What does all this have to do with sports books, sports media and so on? Well, I came across Calhoun’s book, “A Passion to Lead,” and I said to myself, “I wonder how well his team and how the audience in general is following his ‘Seven Leadership Secrets for Success in Business, Sports and Life’?”

"Bounce Back" with John Calipari

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media

Since we’re talking about basketball and not baseball, I’ll tell you right off the tip I’m not sure if I am convinced by John Calipari’s new book, “Bounce Back.” He’s always struck me as slick. Then again, he has been successful, (Note the two-time college coach of the year distinction among others on his resume) and I don’t know him personally. I just judge the book on its own merits. After all, I was curious to get inside the man’s head a little bit.

Preseason Poll Madness

The first Coaches Poll of the 2009-2010 NCAA basketball season was just released and as usual, it serves as further evidence of why we shouldn't have preseason polls.

You can't trust the system

In ESPN's recently published "College Basketball Encyclopedia," a Sagarin ranking lists Illinois as the 6th best program of all time. That's right, with no championships and only four Final Four appearances, they're ranked No. 6. Just below a top 5 of Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, North Carolina and Indiana. And just above Duke.

Jeff Sagarin, of course, is the guy who developed the mathematical equation that factors in a team's wins and losses along with margin of victory, strength of schedule and where the game is played, among other things he won't divulge. His ratings have been a mainstay since 1985 in USA Today. (I challenge you to name one person who reads this newspaper. Outside of a hotel guest.) They are the "computer rankings" that inform, to some extent, both the BCS standings and NCAA Tournament selections. Apparently they fail to factor in big wins (e.g. championships) or apply common sense.

The encyclopedia's rankings also give top 40 lists for each decade from the 1940s on. Here's how Illinois finishes:

1940s - No. 3

1950s - No. 2

1960s - No. 12

1970s - N/A

1980s - No. 4

1990s - No. 29

2000s - No. 6

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Overall - No. 6

I've heard great things about the Whiz Kids, so maybe the 40s ranking is justified. (Who else is for a Gene Vance statue outside the Assembly Hall?) I can't speak for the '50s and '60s, except that I know no national titles were won. In the '70s the program dropped off the map. They never reached the NCAA Tournament that decade.

Lou Henson was hired in 1975 and it took him five years to bring them back to the postseason (the NIT in 1979-80). By the '80s the Illini were legit again, reaching the NCAAs in all but two years (1979-80, 1981-82). But still, the team only earned one Big Ten title that decade (1983-84) and made it to one Final Four (1988-89). Again, no national title.

The '90s were a step back (I choose to blame Bruce Pearl). Lon Kruger and a senior-led team won the Big Ten in 1998. The Illini never made it past the 2nd round in six trips to the tourney.

The first half of the 2000s were kind to us, as you all remember. Four Big Ten championships, two Sweet Sixteen exits, an Elite Eight trip and a national championship run. Self elevated the program and Weber built up a ridiculous 89-16 record in his first three years. That's a .848 winning percentage for those of you keeping count. Of course, in the last few years, the TV people haven't been dropping that stat so much.

As much as I'd like to think Illinois is the sixth best program in the history of the sport, I cannot. I suppose its been consistently pretty good, considering, but it seems too much weight is given to an era before a legitimate national tournament was put in place. And then there's the matter of national championships. Michigan State, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Syracuse -- even though they're comparatively late to the national scene, they all have that claim. Until we win a title, we're simply not an elite program.