2011 NBA Draft

                                                   2011 NBA Draft : Round 1

#1- Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving/ PG/ Duke Blue Devils
#2- Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Williams/ PF-SF/ Arizona Wildcats
#3- Utah Jazz- Enes Kanter/ C/ Turkey
#4- Cleveland Cavaliers- Tristan Thompson/ SF/ Texas Longhorns
#5-Toronto Raptors- Jonas Valanciunas/ C/ Lithuania
#6- Washington Wizards- Jan Vesely/ PF-C/ Czech Republic
#7- Sacramento Kings-( Traded rights To Charlotte Bobcats)- Bismack Biyombo/ PF-C/ Republic of Congo
#8-Detroit Pistons-  Brandon Knight/ PG- SG/ Kentucky Wildcats
#9- Charlotte Bobcats- Kemba Walker/ PG/ Connecticut Huskies
#10-Milwaukee Bucks (Rights traded to Sacramento Kings)- Jimmer Fredette/ PG/ BYU Cougars
#11- Golden State Warriors- Klay Thompson /SG-SF/  Washington State Cougars
#12-Utah Jazz- Alec Burks/ SG/ Colorado Buffaloes
#13- Phoenix Suns- Markeiff Morris/ PF/ Kansas Jayhawks
#14- Houston Rockets- Marcus Morris/ PF-SF/ Kansas Jayhawks
#15- Indiana Pacers- Kawhi Leonard/ SG-SF/ San Diego State Aztecs 
( Traded to San Antonio for Guard George Hill)
#16- Philadelphia 76ers- Nikola Vucevic/ PF/ USC Trojans
#17- New York Knicks- Iman Shumpert/ SG/ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#18- Washington Wizards- Chris Singleton/  PF/ Florida State Seminoles
#19- Charlotte Bobcats- ( Rights Traded to Milwaukee Bucks) - Tobias Harris/ F/ Tennessee Volunteers
#20- Minnesota Timberwolves- Donatas Motiejunas/ F/ Lithuania
#21- Portland Trailblazers-  Nolan Smith/ SG/ Duke Blue Devils
#22- Denver Nuggets- Kenneth Faried/ PF/ Morehead State
#23- Houston Rockets- Nikola Mirotic/ F/ Montenegro 
( Traded to Minnesota for Johnny Flynn with Rockets/ C/ Brad Miller to Minnesota Timberwolves)
#24- Oklahoma City Thunder- Reggie Jackson/ SG/ Boston College Eagles
#25- Boston Celtics- MarShon Brooks/ G/ Providence Friars
( rights traded to New Jersey Nets for #27 overall pick JaJuan Johnson)
#26- Dallas Mavericks- Jordan Hamilton/ F/ Texas Longhorns 
( Rights traded to Portland Trailblazers for Guard  Rudy Fernandez and Portland Trades PG Andre Miller to Denver for PG Raymond Felton)
#27- New Jersey Nets- JuJuan Johnson/ F/ Purdue Boilermakers,
( rights traded to Boston Celtics for #25 overall pick MarShon Brooks)
#28- Chicago Bulls- Norris Cole/PG/ Cleveland State Vikings
( Rights traded to Minnesota Timberwolves then Timberwolves trade rights to Miami Heat for #31 overall pick)
#29- San Antonio Spurs- Cory Joseph/ PG/ Texas Longhorns
#30- Chicago Bulls- Jimmy Butler/ F/ Marquette Eagles


*END OF 1ST ROUND*

                                                 2011 NBA Draft: Round 2

#31-Miami Heat- Bojan Bogdanovic/ G/ Croatia

( Rights traded to Minnesota Timberwolves for#28 Pick Norris Cole)

#32- Cleveland Cavaliers- Justin Harper / SF/ Richmond Spiders
#33- Detroit Pistons- Kyle Singler/ F/ Duke Blue Devils
#34- Washington Wizards- Shelvin Mack/ G/ Butler Bulldogs
#35- Sacramento Kings- Tyler Honeycutt/ F/ UCLA Bruins
#36 - New Jersey Nets- Jordan Williams/ F/ Maryland Terrapins
#37- Los Angeles Clippers- Trey Thompkins/ F/ Georgia Bulldogs
#38- Houston Rockets- Chandler Parsons/ F/ Florida Gators
#39- Charlotte Bobcats- Jeremy Tyler/ C/ San Diego, Ca/ went pro in Japan
( rights traded to Golden State Warriors)
#40-  Milwaukee Bucks- Jon Leuer/ F/ Wisconsin Badgers
#41-  Los Angeles Lakers- Darius Morris/ G/ Michigan Wolverines
#42-  Indiana Pacers- Davis Bertans/ F/ Latvia ( Rights traded to San Antonio)
#43- Chicago Bulls- Malcolm Lee/ G/ UCLA
#44- Golden State Warriors- Charles Jenkins/ SG/ Hofstra
#45- New Orleans Hornets- Josh Harrellson/ C/ Kentucky Wildcats (rights traded to New York Knicks)
#46- Los Angeles Lakers- Andrew Goudelock/ G/ Charleston
#47- Los Angeles Clippers- Travis Leslie/ G/ Georgia
#48- Atlanta Hawks- Keith Benson/ C/ Oakland College (MI)
#49- Memphis Grizzlies- Josh Selby/G/ Kansas Jayhawks
#50- Philadelphia 76ers-  Lavoy Allen/ F/ Temple Owls
#51- Portland Trailblazers- Jon Diebler/ SG-SF/ The Ohio State Buckeyes
#52- Detroit Pistons- Vernon Macklin/ PF/ Florida Gators
#53- Orlando Magic- DeAndre Liggins/ SG-SF/ Kentucky Wildcats
#54- Cleveland Cavaliers- Milan Macvan/PF/ Serbia
#55- Boston Celtics- E'Twaun Moore/ SG/ Purdue Boilermakers
#56- Los Angeles Lakers-  Chukwudiebere Maduabum/ F/ N/A

#57- Dallas Mavericks- Tanguy Ngombo/ F/ Republic of Congo (rights traded to Minnesota)
#58- Los Angeles Lakers- Ater Majok/ F/  N/A
#59- San Antonio Spurs-  Adam Hanga/ G/ Hungary

#60- Sacramento Kings- Isaiah Thomas/ PG/ Washington Huskies

*END OF DRAFT *

Top 60 Players By Conference - Big 12

                            2011 Top 60 players: Big 12 Conference 
True freshman not included( I will have my own list of the top 50 freshman players per conference in a seperate article).

#1-Justin Blackmon/ WR/ Oklahoma State Cowboys/ Jr./ 6'1 210 lbs.

#2- Ryan Broyles/ WR/ Oklahoma Sooners/ Sr./ 5'11 190 lbs. 

#3- Landry Jones/QB/ Oklahoma Sooners/ Jr./ 6'4 230 lbs. 

#4- Robert Griffin/ QB/ Baylor Bears/ Jr./ 6'2 220 lbs.

#5- Brandon Weeden/ QB/ Oklahoma State Cowboys/ Sr./ 6'4 215 lbs.

#6-Keenan Robinson/ LB/ Texas Longhorns/ Sr./ 6'3 235 lbs.

#7- Tony Jefferson/ S/ Oklahoma Sooners/ So./ 5'10 200 lbs.

#8- JaMarkus McFarland/ DT/ Oklahoma Sooners/ Jr./ 6'1 295 lbs.

#9- Blake Gideon /FS/  Texas Longhorns/ Sr./ 6'1 205 lbs.

#10- Mike Davis/ WR/ Texas Longhorns/ So./ 6'2 185 lbs.

#11-Zavier Gooden/ LB/Missouri Tigers/ Jr./ 6'2 225 lbs.

#12- Travis Lewis /LB/Oklahoma Sooners/ Sr./ 6'2 235 lbs.

#13- Cyrus Gray /RB/Texas A&M Aggies/ Sr./ 5'10 199 lbs.

#14- Bryce Brown / RB/ Kansas State Wildcats/ So./ 6'0 220 lbs.

#15- Kenny Stills/ WR/ Oklahoma Sooners/ So./ 6'0 180 lbs.

#16- Alex Okafor/ DE/ Texas Longhorns/ Jr./ 6'5 260 lbs.

#17- Jackson Jeffcoat / DE/ Texas Longhorns/ So./ 6'5 255 lbs.

#18- Alexander Torres/ WR/ Texas Tech Red Raiders/ Jr./ 6'1 200 lbs.

#19- Michael Egnew / TE/ Missouri Tigers/ Sr./ 6'6 240 lbs.

#20- Emmanuel Acho/ LB/ Texas Longhorns/ Sr./ 6'2 240 lbs.

#21- Arthur Brown / LB/ Kansas State Wildcats/ Jr./ 6'1 225 lbs.

#22- Jeff Fuller / WR/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Sr./ 6'4 215 lbs.

#23- David Garrett / CB/ Kansas State Wildcats/ Sr./ 5'8 175 lbs.

#24- Eric Stephens/ RB/ Texas Tech Red Raiders/  Jr./ 5'8 190 lbs.

#25- Ronnell Lewis/ DE/ Oklahoma Sooners/ Jr./ 6'2  235 lbs.

#26- Jordan Hicks / LB/ Texas Longhorns/ So./ 6'2 230 lbs.

#27- Ryan Tannehill/ QB-WR/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Sr./ 6'4 220 lbs.

#28- Tim Biere/ TE/ Kansas Jayhawks/ Sr./ 6'4 260 lbs.

#29- Kelechi Osemele/ LT/ Iowas State Cyclones/ Sr./ 6'6 355 lbs.

#30- Chris Harper / WR/ Kansas State Wildcats/ Jr./ 6'0 225 lbs.

#31- Gabe Ikard/ LG/ Oklahoma Sooners/ So./ 6'2 290 lbs.

#32- Ty Zimmerman / SS/ Kansas State Wildcats/ So./ 6'1 205 lbs.

#33- Damontre Moore /LB/ Texas A&M Aggies/ So./ 6'4 250 lbs.

#34- Connor Wood / QB/ Texas Longhorns/ RS Fr./ 6'4 220 lbs.

#35- Demontre Hurst/ CB/ Oklahoma Sooners/ Jr./ 5'9 170 lbs.

#36- James Sims/ RB/ Kansas Jayhawks/ So./ 6'0 205 lbs.

#37- Josh Gordon/ WR/ Baylor Bears/ Jr./ 6'4 220 lbs.

#38- Garrett Gilbert/ QB/ Texas Longhorns/ Jr./ 6'4 215 lbs.

#39- Uzoma Nwachukwu/ WR/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Jr./ 6'0 195 lbs.

#40- James Franklin / QB/ Missouri Tigers/ So./ 6'2 225 lbs.

#41- Levy Adcock/ RT/ Oklahoma State Cowboys/ Sr./ 6'6 320 lbs.

#42- Luke Joeckel/ LT/ Texas A&M Aggies/ So./ 6'6 300 lbs.

#43-Kendall Wright/ WR/ Baylor Bears/ Jr./ 5'10 190 lbs.

#44- Wes Kemp/ WR/ Missouri Tigers/  Sr./ 6'4 220 lbs.

#45-Christine Michael /RB/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Jr./ 5'11 215 lbs.

#46- Seth Doege / QB/ Texas Tech Raiders/ Jr./ 6'1 200 lbs.

#47- T.J Moe/ WR/ Missouri Tigers/ Jr./ 6'0 200 lbs.

#48- Tramaine Swindall / WR/ Texas Tech Red Raiders/Sr./ 6'3 185 lbs.

#49- Phillip Blake/ C/ Baylor Bears / Sr./ 6'2 315 lbs.

#50- Broderick Smith/ WR/ Kansas State Wildcats/ Jr./ 6'1 210 lbs.

#51- Ashton Dorsey /DT/ Texas Longhorns/ So./ 6'2 295 lbs.

#52- Ahmad Dixon/ CB/ Baylor Bears/ So./ 6'0 200 lbs.

#53- AJ Klein/ LB/ Iowa State Cyclones/ Jr./ 6'1 245 lbs.

#54- Carrington Byndom / CB/ Texas Longhorns/ So./ 6'0 175 lbs.

#55- Shontrelle Johnson/ RB/ Iowas State Cyclones/ So./ 5'9 180 lbs.

#56- Jake Knott/  LB/ Iowa State Cyclones/ Jr./ 6'2 240 lbs.

#57- Toben Opurum / DE-RB/ Kansas Jayhawks/ Jr./ 6'1 240 lbs.

#58- Robert T Griffin / RG/ Baylor Bears/ Sr./ 6'6 335 lbs.

#59- Tony Jerod-Eddie/ DE/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Sr./ 6'5 300 lbs.

#60- Sean Porter/ LB/ Texas A&M Aggies/ Jr./ 6'2 220 lbs.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: Justin Blackmon/ Junior Wide Receiver/ Oklahoma State University/ Courtesy of proprospects.wordpress.com

Top 60 Players By Conference - Pac 12

                                 2011 Top 60 players in Pac 12 (Freshman Not included) 

#1 - LaMichael James/ RB/ Oregon Ducks

#2- Andrew Luck/ QB/ Stanford Cardinal

#3- Matt Barkley/ QB/ USC Trojans

#4- Darron Thomas / QB/ Oregon Ducks

#5-Vontaze Burfict/ LB/ Arizona State Sun Devils

#6- Nick Foles/ QB/ Arizona Wildcats 

#7- Shane Skov/ LB/ Stanford Cardinal 

#8- Chris Gallippo/ LB/ USC Trojans 

#9- Juron Criner/ WR/ Arizona Wildcats 

#10-Cliff Harris/ CB/ Oregon Ducks

#11- Chris Owusu/ WR/ Stanford Cardinal

#12-James Rodgers/ WR/ Oregon State Beavers 

#13-Jermaine Kearse/ WR/ Washington Huskies 

#14- T.J McDonald/ SS/ USC Trojans 

#15- Marvin Jones/ WR/ California Golden Bears 

#16- Chris Polk/ RB/ Washington Huskies 

#17- Marquise Flowers/ SS/ Arizona Wildcats 

#18- Devon Kennard/ LB/ USC Trojans

#19- Paul Richardson/ WR/ Colorado Buffaloes

#20- Jordan Wynn/ QB/ Utah Utes

#21- Datone Jones/ DE/ UCLA Bruins 

#22- Chase Thomas/ LB/ Stanford Cardinal 

#23- Stepfan Taylor/ RB/ Stanford Cardinal 

#24- Kenjon Barner/ RB/ Oregon Ducks 

#25- Taylor Embree/ WR/ UCLA Bruins 

#26- Robert Golden/ CB/ Arizona Wildcats 

#27- T.J Bryant/ CB/ USC Trojans 

#28- Desmond Trufant/ CB/ Washington Huskies 

#29- Jon Boyett/ SS/ Oregon Ducks

#30- Robert Woods/ WR/ USC Trojans

#31- Marquess Wilson/ WR/ Washington State Cougars

#32- Sheldon Price/ CB/ UCLA Bruins

#33- David Paulson/ TE/ Oregon Ducks

#34- Adam Hall/ S/ Arizona Wildcats

#35- Anthony Miller/ TE/ California Golden Bears

#36- Keenan Allen/ WR/ California Golden Bears

#37- DeVonte Christopher/ WR/ Utah Utes 

#38- Rodney Stewart/ RB/ Colorado Buffaloes 

#39- Josh Huff/ WR/ Oregon Ducks

#40- Kyle Prater/ WR/ USC Trojans 

#41- Junior Onyeali/ DE/ Arizona State Sun Devils

#42- Travis Long/ DE/ Washington State Cougars

#43- Ryan Miller/ LT/ Colorado Buffaloes

#44- Cameron Collins/ LB/ Oregon State Beavers

#45- Kevin Frahm/ DE/ Oregon State Beavers 

#46- Jeff Tuel/ QB/ Washington State Cougars

#47- Eddie Pleasant/ Rover/ S/ Oregon Ducks 

#48- Jon Major/ LB/ Colorado Buffaloes

#49-John Cullen/ LT/ Utah Utes

#50- Markus Wheaton/ WR/ Oregon State Beavers  

#51- Cameron Marshall/ RB/ Arizona State

#52- Jonathan Franklin/ RB/ UCLA Bruins 

#53- Mychal Kendricks/ LB/ California Golden Bears

#54-Brandon Magee/ LB/ Arizona State Sun Devils 

#55- Mark Asper/ OT/ Oregon Ducks

#56- DJ Holt/ LB/ California Golden Bears

#57- Tony Dye- SS/ UCLA Bruins 

#58- Ryan Deehan/ TE/ Colorado Buffaloes 

#59- Quinton Richardson/ CB/ Washington Huskies 

#60- Sean Westgate/ LB/ UCLA Bruins


By: Ronald Hill
Photo: Lamichael James, Courtesy of go.ducks.com

2011 College World Series

                             2011 College World Series , Omaha Nebraska, TD Ameritrade Stadium, Begins Saturday, June 18

 Bracket 1
Texas Longhorns VS Florida Gators 

North Carolina Tarheels VS Vanderbilt Commodores

Bracket 2

California Golden Bears VS Virginia Cavaliers

South Carolina Gamecocks VS Texas A&M Aggies

NCAA Men's Baseball Tournament : Super Regionals

              2011  NCAA Baseball Tournament: Road to Omaha- Super Regional Sites and match-ups.                                     
Super Regional winners advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. No longer at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, the torch has been moved on TD Ameritrade Stadium. This year is year one at TD Ameritrade Stadium- All series are best of 3 match-ups with the host playing game 1 as a home team and visiting team playing as home team in game 2 of series. If the series goes to 3 games, a coin flip will decide who is home and visitor. All games are held within the respective teams regional sites.

Nashville, Tennessee  Super Regional- Host team: Vanderbilt Commodores-

Game 1- Vanderbilt Commodores (50-10) VS Oregon State Beavers (41-17) - Friday, June 10---Vanderbilt wins 11-1
Game 2- Vanderbilt Commodores AT Oregon State Beavers - Saturday, June 11---Vanderbilt wins 9-3-- Vanderbilt Advances to College World Series
Game 3- Vanderbilt Commodores VS Oregon State Beavers  * IF necessary*, Sunday- June 12

Charlottesville Virginia  Super Regional: Host Team- Virginia Cavaliers

Game 1- UC Irvine Anteaters ( 42-16)  AT Virginia Cavaliers (52-9)--- Virginia wins 6-0
Game 2-Virginia Cavaliers AT UC- Irvine Anteaters---UC- Irvine wins 6-4
Game 3- UC- Irvine Anteaters VS Virginia Cavaliers  * If Necessary*--- Virginia wins 3-2-- Virginia advances to College World Series

Chapel Hill, North Carolina Super Regional - Host Team: North Carolina Tarheels

Game 1- North Carolina Tarheels (48-14) VS Stanford Cardinal (35-20)---North Carolina wins 5-2
Game 2-North Carolina Tarheels At Stanford Cardinal--- North Carolina wins 7-5, North Carolina Advances to College World Series
Game 3-North Carolina VS Stanford Cardinal  *if necessary*

Columbia, South Carolina Super Regional : Host team- South Carolina Gamecocks

Game 1- Connecticut Huskies (45-18) AT South Carolina Gamecocks (48-14)--- South Carolina wins 5-1
Game 2- South Carolina Gamecocks AT Connecticut Huskies---South Carolina wins 8-2, South Carolina advances to College World Series
Game 3-  Connecticut Huskies VS South Carolina Gamecocks *If necessary *

Gainesville, Florida Super Regional: Host team- Florida Gators 
Game 1- Florida Gators (48-16) VS Mississippi State Bulldogs (37-23)---Florida wins 11-1
Game 2   Florida Gators AT Mississippi State Bulldogs--- Mississippi State wins 4-3
Game 3- Florida Gators VS Mississippi State Bulldogs *If necessary*-- Florida wins 8-6,  Florida advances to College World Series

Tallahassee, Florida Super Regional: Host team- Florida State Seminoles

Game 1- Texas A&M Aggies (45-19) VS Florida State Seminoles (45-17)--- Texas A&M wins 6-2
Game 2- Florida State Seminoles AT Texas A&M Aggies---Florida State wins 23-9
Game 3- Texas A&M Aggies VS Florida State Seminoles * If necessary*--- Texas A&M wins 11-2, Texas A&M advances to College World Series

Austin, Texas Super Regional: Host team- Texas Longhorns 

Game 1- Texas Longhorns (47-16) VS Arizona State Sun Devils (42-16)---- Arizona State wins 3-1
Game 2 - Texas Longhorns AT Arizona State Sun Devils---- Texas wins 5-1
Game 3- Texas Longhorns VS Arizona State Sun Devils * If necessary*--- Texas wins 4-2, Texas advances to College World Series

Santa Clara California Super Regional: Host team- California Golden Bears
Game 1- California Golden Bears (35-21) VS Dallas Baptist Highlanders (43-17)--- Cal wins 7-0
Game 2- California Golden Bears AT Dallas Baptist Highlanders---- Cal wins 6-2, Cal advances to College World Series
Game 3- California Golden Bears VS Dallas Baptist Highlanders *if necessary*

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #1

#1- E.J Manuel/ Quarterback/ Florida State Seminoles/ Junior 

Like I said, FSU has many dangerous players and Manuel was a blue chip recruit who waited his turn behind Christian Ponder at quarterback for two years. Out of all of my top 25 under the radar players to watch, I see EJ Manuel as this year's Cameron Newton. Manuel is a harmful threat in the pocket with a cannon for an arm, but he also is as big of a threat on his feet, running the ball. If the Offense rolls up yards, clock, and points, E.J could even be a Heisman trophy contender.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: courtesy of naplesnews.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #2

 #2 - Christian Jones/ Linebacker/ Florida State/ Sophomore

Watch out for FSU in 2011, they are one of my top 10 surprise teams. The defense has lots of young beasts, but none may be more primed and ready to lay licks than linebacker Christian Jones. Jones was the 2009 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year his senior season in high school.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: Courtesy of bleacherreport.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #3

 

 #3 Ronald Powell/ Defensive End/ Florida Gators/ Sophomore



List: Ronald Hill
Photo: Courtesy of ca.sports.yahoo.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #4

 

#4- Logan Thomas/ Quarterback/ Virginia Tech/ sophomore

Replacing Tyrod Taylor will be hard, but sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas has all the tools to be as good as any Virginia Tech quarterback outside of Michael Vick. Sorry folks, I am not jumping the gun and giving up on Vick just yet, especially because he still is one of the most electrifying players to ever put on cleats. Head coach Frank Beamer knows how to recruit, and he has always gone after very efficient, dual threat quarterbacks who might not be the highest rated, but they fit and run the Hokies system to perfection. For Virginia Tech to compete with Miami(FL) this year, Thomas will have to step up and take over as the leader of the team and take away the question mark that some say is at the quarterback position in Blacksburg.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: courtesy of espn.go.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #5

#5 - Jake Heaps/ Quarterback/ BYU Cougars/ Sophomore

With the recent success of quarterbacks, John Beck and Max Hall, Brigham Young University head coach Bronco Mendenhall has made future NFL Draft picks when he has the luxury of a great quarterback. Many fans and critics believe, if current BYU quarterback Jake Heaps doesn't decide to go on a mission for the church and other religious purposes, the second year quarterback could not only be the best quarterback at BYU in recent years, he could end up as the best passer in BYU history, which is saying a hell of alot. Ty Detmer, Steve Young, Steve Sarkisian, Jim McMahon played there!!  Huge expectations for Heaps puts the young sophomore under the spotlight. that will grow for BYU this season as they enter their first year of being an independent football team and have left the Mountain West Conference. Other than differences in rivalry games, BYU will be playing a comparable schedule to Notre Dame, who is also an independent in football. I am looking for BYU to be a BCS contender, led by Heaps and a big match up between BYU and Texas at Texas stadium in Dallas could put heaps into Heisman contender talk.

Article : Ronald Hill
Photo : Courtesy of heraldextra.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #6

                                                                   
#6- Dillon Baxter/ Running Back/ USC Trojans/ Sophomore  

Baxter is an amazing, gifted athlete and nothing short of 1,500 yards will be a major disappointment in 2011. Baxter needs to set the tone for the super talented wide receivers  (Robert Woods, Kyle Prater, Brice Butler, Victor Blackwell, George Farmer) and junior quarterback Matt Barkley to get the USC offense back to standards set by Pete Caroll led Trojans teams.  Baxter is capable of being the next great USC running back, and this year should be his breakout season

Article : Ronald Hill 
Photo: Courtesy of usctrojans.com

2011 NCAA Men's Baseball Championship

                           2011 NCAA Men's Baseball Championship 
                     ROAD TO OMAHA- Double Elimination - Regional sites and match-ups. Regional winners advance to Super Regional.

         Gainesville, Florida Regional -  Host: Florida Gators
Game 1- Miami Hurricanes (36-21) VS Jacksonville Dolphins (36-22)  / Miami, FL wins 7-2

- Game 1- Winner meets game 2 winner, loser plays game 1 loser.

Game 2-Florida Gators (45-16) V  Manhattan Friars (34-17)/ Florida wins 17-3

Game 2- Winner meets game 1 winner, loser meets game 1 loser

Game 3- Jacksonville Dolphins (36-23) VS Manhattan Friars (34-18)--- Jacksonville wins 5-4, Manhattan Eliminated

Game 4- Miami, (FL)Hurricanes ( 37-21) VS Florida Gators (46-16) --Florida wins 5-4 

(Advances to regional championship )

Game 5- Jacksonville Dolphins  (37-23) VS Miami, (FL) Hurricanes( 37-22) --- Miami (FL) wins 6-3, Jacksonville eliminated

(Miami Hurricanes Advance to regional championship)

Gainesville, Florida Regional Championship

Game 6- Florida Gators (47-16) VS Miami (FL) Hurricanes (38-22)--- Florida wins 11-4, Miami Eliminated

Florida Gators ( 48-16)  wins 2011 Gainesville regional and advances to the Super Regional.

             

                     

Columbia, South Carolina Regional -- Host: South Carolina Gamecocks  

Game 1- North Carolina State Wolfpack (34-25) VS Stetson University (41-18)  ---Stetson Wins 8-7

Game 2- Georgia Southern (36-24) VS South Carolina Gamecocks(45-14) -----South Carolina wins 2-1

Game 3- North Carolina State Wolfpack (34-26) VS Georgia Southern (36-25) ---  NC State wins 5-2, Georgia Southern eliminated

Game 4- Stetson University (42-18) VS South Carolina Gamecocks (46-14) --- South Carolina wins 11-5, advances to regional championship

Game 5-North Carolina State Wolfpack (35-26)  VS Stetson ( 42-19) ---- Stetson wins 5-3, NC State eliminated

Game 6 Regional Championship- Stetson (43-19)  VS South Carolina Gamecocks (47-14)--- South Carolina wins 8-2, Stetson Eliminated 

South Carolina (48-14) wins 2011 Columbia, South Carolina regional - Advances to Super regional.                            

                                   

                            
Tallahassee, Florida Regional ----- Host: Florida State Seminoles

Game 1- Alabama Crimson Tide ( 33-26) VS Central Florida Knights (38-21) / Alabama wins 5-3

Game 2-Bethune-Cookman (36-23) VS Florida State Seminoles (42-17)---Florida State wins 6-5

Game 3- Central Florida (38-22) VS Bethune-Cookman (36-24)--- UCF wins 16-5,

Game 4-Alabama Crimson Tide (34-26) VS Florida State Seminoles (43-17)-- Florida State wins 9-5, advances to regional championship.

Game 5-  Alabama Crimson Tide (34-27) VS Central Florida Knights (39-22)--- Bama wins 12-5, advances to regional championship, UCF Eliminated

Game 6: Regional Championship- Alabama Crimson Tide (35-27) VS Florida State (44-17)--- Florida State Seminoles wins 11-1.

Florida State ( 45-17) wins 2011 Tallahassee Regional- Advances to Super Regional 

Los Angeles, California Regional---- Host: UCLA BRUINS 

Game 1- UC Irvine Anteaters ( 39-16) VS Fresno State Bulldogs (40-14) ---UC Irvine wins 12-6

Game 2- San Francisco Dons (31-23) VS UCLA Bruins ( 33-22)  ----San Francisco wins 3-0

Game 3- UCLA Bruins (33-23) VS Fresno State Bulldogs (40-15)--- UCLA wins 3-1, Fresno Eliminated

Game 4- UC Irvine Anteaters (40-16) VS  --- San Francisco Dons (32-23)--- UC Irvine wins 4-3 

Game 5- UCLA Bruins (34-23) VS San Francisco Dons (32-24)--- UCLA wins 4-1, Advances to Regional Championship, San Francisco Eliminated

Game 6- UC-Irvine Anteaters (41-16) VS UCLA Bruins (35-23) --- UC Irvine wins 4-3, UCLA Eliminated

UC Irvine (42-16) wins 2011 Los Angeles, California Regional, advances to super regional.

Fullerton, California Regional ----Host: Cal State Fullerton Titans 

Game 1- Kansas State Wildcats (36-23) VS Stanford Cardinal ( 36-20) --- Stanford Wins 10-3

Game 2- Illinois Fighting Illini ( 28-25) VS Cal State Fullerton ( 40-15)  --   Cal State Fullerton Wins 10-4

Game 3- Kansas State Wildcats  (36-24) VS Illinois Fighting Illini (28-26)--- Illinois wins 5-3, Kansas State eliminated

Game 4- CS-Fullerton Titans (41-15) VS Stanford Cardinal (37-20)--- Stanford wins 1-0--- advances to regional championship

Game 5- Illinois Fighting Illini (29-26) VS CS-Fullerton Titans (41-16) , Illinois wins 7-5, advances to regional championship, 

CS Fullerton eliminated

Game 6 Regional Championship- Illinois Fighting Illini (30-26) VS Stanford Cardinal (38-20)--- Stanford wins 14-2, Illinois eliminated

Stanford Cardinal (39-20) wins 2011 Fullerton, California Regional, advances to Super Regional

Tempe, Arizona Regional-----  Host : Arizona State Sun Devils 

Game 1- Charlotte 49ers (42-14) VS Arkansas Razorbacks (38-20)  ---  Charlotte wins 3-2

Game 2- New Mexico Lobos (20-39) VS Arizona State Sun Devils (39-16) --- Arizona State wins 4-2

Game 3- Arkansas Razorbacks (38-21) VS New Mexico Lobos (20-40) --- Arkansas wins 3-0, New Mexico eliminated

Game 4- Charlotte 49ers (43-14)  VS Arizona State Sun Devils (40-16)  -- Arizona State wins 16-1

Game 5- Arkansas Razorbacks (39-21) VS Charlotte 49ers( 43-15)--- Arkansas wins 11-3, advances to regional championship. Charlotte Eliminated 

Game 6 Regional championship- Arizona State Sun Devils (41-16)VS Arkansas Razorbacks (40-21)

Arizona State wins 13-4, Arkansas Eliminated.

Arizona State (42-16) wins the 2011 Tempe, Arizona regional, advances to Super Regional

Charlottesville, Virginia Regional----- 
Host: Virgina Cavaliers 

Game 1- Navy Midshipmen (33-23-1) VS Virginia Cavaliers (49-9) --- Virginia wins 6-0

Game 2- St. John's Red Storm (35-20) VS East Carolina Pirates (39-19)---St.John's wins 2-0

Game 4-Virginia Cavaliers (50-9) VS  St. John's Red Storm  (36-20) --- Virginia wins 10-2

Game 5 -East Carolina Pirates (40-20) VS St. John's Red Storm--(36-21)--- ECU wins 6-4, Advances to regional championship, St. John's Eliminated 

Game 6: Regional Championship - Virgina Cavaliers (51-9) VS East Carolina Pirates (41-20) --- Virginia wins 13-1, ECU eliminated 

Virginia Cavaliers (52-9)  win 2011 Charlottesville, Virginia Regional , advances to Super Regional

Chapel Hill, North Carolina Regional ---- Host: North Carolina Tar Heels   

Game 1 -James Madison Bulldogs(40-17) VS Florida International Panthers (40-18) --- James Madison wins 11-7

Game 2 - Maine Black Bears (32-22) VS North Carolina Tar Heels (45-14) --- North Carolina wins 4-0

Game 3- Florida International Panthers (40-19) VS Maine Black Bears (32-23) --- Maine wins 4-1, FIU eliminated

Game 4- James Madison Bulldogs (41-17) VS North Carolina Tarheels (46-14) --- North Carolina wins 14-0 .Advances to regional championship.

Game 5- Maine Black Bears ( 33-23) VS James Madison Bulldogs (41-18) --James Madison wins 5-2, advances to regional championship , Maine Eliminated

Game 6: Regional Championship- North Carolina Tarheels (47-14) VS James Madison Bulldogs (42-18) --- North Carolina wins 9-3, James Madison eliminated

North Carolina Tar Heels (48-14) win 2011 Chapel Hill, North Carolina Regional ,advance to Super Regional

Clemson, South Carolina Regional

Game 1 -Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (41-18) VS Connecticut Huskies (41-17) --- Coastal Carolina wins 13-1

Game 2 -Sacred Heart ( 34-21) VS Clemson Tigers (41-18) --- Clemson wins 11-1

Game 3 -Connecticut Huskies (41-18) VS Sacred Heart (34-22) --- Uconn wins 13-3, Sacred Heart eliminated

Game 4 -Clemson Tigers (42-18) VS Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (42-18)--- Clemson wins 12-7 (Advances to regional championship)

Game 5 - Connecticut Huskies (42-18) VS Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (42-19)--- UConn wins 12-6, Coastal eliminated

Game 6- Clemson Tigers (43-18) VS Connecticut Huskies (43-18)--- UConn Wins 7-6, forcing deciding game 7

Game 7- Clemson Tigers(43-19) VS Connecticut Huskies (44-18)--- UConn Wins 14-1, Clemson Eliminated

Connecticut Huskies( 45-18) win 2011 Clemson, South Carolina Regional , advances to Super Regional

Atlanta, Georgia Regional 

Game 1- Mississippi State Bulldogs(34-23) VS Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (39-17)--- Mississippi State wins 3-0

Game 2- Austin Peay Governors (33-22) VS Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (40-19) ---Austin Peay wins 2-1

Game 3-Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (39-18) VS Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (40-20) --- Georgia Tech wins 6-2, Southern Miss eliminated

Game 4- Austin Peay Governors (34-22) VS Mississippi State Bulldogs (35-23) --- Mississippi State wins 8-3( Advances to regional championship)

Game 5- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (41-20) VS Austin Peay Governors  (34-23)--- Georgia Tech wins 12-2, Austin Peay Eliminated

Game 6: 

Regional Championship- Mississippi State Bulldogs (36-23) VS Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (42-20)--- Mississippi State wins 7-3, Georgia Tech Eliminated 

Mississippi State (37-23) wins 2011 Atlanta,Georgia regional, advances to Super Regional

Nashville, Tennessee Regional 

Game 1-Troy Trojans(42-17) VS Oklahoma State Cowboys (35-23)--- Troy wins 9-2

Game 2- Belmont Bruins (36-24) VS Vanderbilt Commodores (47-10) ---- Vanderbilt wins 10-0

Game 3-Oklahoma State Cowboys (35-24) VS Belmont Bruins (36-25) --- Belmont wins 3-2

Game 4-Troy Trojans (43-17) VS Vanderbilt Commodores(48-10)--- Vanderbilt wins 10-2 (Advances to regional championship)

Game 5 -Troy Trojans (44-17)VS Belmont Bruins (37-25)---Belmont wins 5-2, Advances to regional championship,

Troy Eliminated

Game 6- Vanderbilt Commodores (49-10)  VS Belmont Bruins (38-25) --- Vanderbilt wins 6-1, Belmont Eliminated  

Vanderbilt Commodores (50-10) win 2011 Nashville, Tennessee Regional, advances to Super Regional

Houston, Texas Regional      Host: Rice Owls

Game 1- California Golden Bears (31-20) VS Baylor Bears (29-26) --- Baylor wins

Game 2- Alcorn State Braves (27-28) VS Rice Owls (41-19)  --- Rice wins 14-2

Game 3 California Golden Bears (31-21) VS Alcorn State Braves (27-29) --- Cal wins 10-6, Alcorn State Eliminated

Game 4 - Baylor Bears( 30-26)  VS Rice Owls (42-19) --- Baylor wins 3-2  (Advances to regional championship)

Game 5-Rice Owls (42-20) VS California Golden Bears (32-21)

Cal wins 6-3 advances to regional championship

 Rice Eliminated.

Game 6: Regional Championship - Baylor Bears (31-26)  VS California Golden Bears (33-22)

Cal wins 9-8, forcing Game7

Game 7: Regional Championship-  Baylor Bears (31-27) VS California Golden Bears (34-22)--- Cal wins 8-0, Baylor eliminated.

California Golden Bears (35-22)  wins 2011 Houston, Texas Regional , advances to Super Regional

College Station, Texas Regional 

Game 1- Seton Hall Pirates (33-23) VS Arizona Wildcats (36-19) --- Seton Hall wins

Game 2 - Wright State University (36-17) VS Texas A&M Aggies (42-18) --- Texas A&M wins 11-0

Game 3 - Wright State (36-18)VS Arizona Wildcats(36-20) --- Arizona wins 13-0 , Wright State eliminated

Game 4 - Seton Hall Pirates (34-23) VS Texas A&M Aggies (43-18)---  Texas A&M wins 6-3 (Advances to regional championship)

Game 5 - Seton Hall Pirates (34-24) VS Arizona Wildcats (37-20)--- Arizona wins 6-0, Seton Hall eliminated

Game 6: Regional Championship: Texas A&M Aggies (44-18) VS Arizona Wildcats (38-20)---Arizona wins 7-4, forcing a game

Game 7: Regional Championship: Texas A&M Aggies (44-19) VS Arizona Wildcats (39-20)---Texas A&M wins 3-0, 

Arizona Eliminated 

Texas A&M Aggies (45-19) win 2011 College, Station regional, advance to Super Regional

Austin, Texas Regional

Game 1 -Kent State Golden Flashes (43-15) VS Texas State University (40-21) --- Kent State wins 4-2

Game 2 - Princeton Tigers (23-22) VS Texas Longhorns (43-15) --- Texas wins 5-1

Game 3 -Princeton Tigers (23-23) VS Texas State (40-22) --- Texas State wins 3-1, Princeton eliminated

Game 4 - Kent State Golden Flashes ( 44-15)  VS Texas Longhorns (44-15)--- Kent State wins 7-5, Advances to regional championship

Game 5 -Texas State (41-22) VS Texas Longhorns (44-16)--- Texas wins 4-3, advances to regional championship

Texas State Eliminated

Game 6 - Kent State Golden Flashes (45-15)  VS  Texas Longhorns (45-16) --- Texas Wins 5-0, forcing game 7

Game 7- Kent State Golden Flashes (45-16) VS Texas Longhorns (46-16) --- Texas wins 9-3, Kent State Eliminated

Texas Longhorns win 2011 Austin Texas Regional, advance to Super Regional 

Corvallis, Oregon Regional    Host: Oregon State Beavers
Game 1- Georgia Bulldogs ( 31-30) VS Creighton Blue Jays (44-14)---- Creighton wins 2-1
Game 2- Oregon State Beavers ( 38-17) VS Arkansas Little-Rock ( 24-32) --- Oregon State wins 7-4
Game 3- Georgia Bulldogs (31-31) VS Arkansas Little-Rock (24-33)
Georgia wins 7-3, UALR Eliminated
Game 4- Oregon State Beavers (39-17) VS Creighton Blue Jays (45-14)--- Oregon State wins 6-1, advances to regional championship
Game 5- Georgia Bulldogs (32-31) VS Creighton Blue Jays ( 45-15)
Georgia wins 5-4 and advances to regional championship, Creighton eliminated.

Game 6: Regional Championship-- Oregon State Beavers (40-17) VS Georgia Bulldogs(33-31)--- Oregon State wins 6-4, Georgia eliminated

Oregon State (41-17) wins 2011 Corvallis, Oregon Regional, advances to Super Regional 

Fort Worth, Texas Regional

Game 1 -Dallas Baptist Highlanders (39-17) VS Oklahoma Sooners (41-17) --- Dallas Baptist wins 3-2

Game 2 -Oral Roberts University (36-20) VS TCU Horned Frogs (42-17) --- TCU wins 10-2

Game 3 - Oklahoma Sooners (41-18) VS Oral Roberts (36-21)

Oral Roberts wins 7-0, Oklahoma eliminated

Game 4 - Dallas Baptist Highlanders (40-17) VS TCU Horned Frogs (43-17) --- Dallas Baptist wins 3-2 , Advances to regional championship

Game 5- Oral Roberts (37-21) VS TCU Horned Frogs (43-18)--- Oral Roberts wins 8-4, Advances to regional championship---TCU Eliminated

Game 6: Regional Championship -Dallas Baptist Highlanders (41-17) VS Oral Roberts (38-21)--- Oral Roberts wins 7-2, forcing game 7

Game 7: Regional Championship- Dallas Baptist Highlanders (41-18) VS Oral Roberts (39-21) --- Dallas Baptist wins 11-9, Oral Roberts Eliminated .

Dallas Baptist Highlanders (42-18)  wins 2011 Fort Worth, Texas Regional, advances to Super Regional

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #7

#7 - Zach Maynard/ Quarterback/ California Golden Bears/ Junior 

Coming into the 2011 season, Cal has a stacked roster, built on blue chip recruits and a quarterback who came to Berkeley by way of Transfer.Dual threat lefty quarterback Zach Maynard started his career that lasted 2 seasons at the University of Buffalo under former head coach Turner Gill from 2008-2009, coming out of high school in Greensboro, North Carolina. The cal coaching staff has built a  nice pipeline to the Greensboro area and have locked down the city pretty well in recruiting. Three blue chip recruits from Greensboro( Keenan Allen, Gabe King, and Chris McCain) also signed with Cal in 2010 .
Maynard started as a sophomore at Buffalo in '09, throwing for 2,694 yards and had a touchdown to interception ratio of 18/15. The 6'3 195 lbs. redshirt junior also did some damage with his legs his sophomore year, gaining 455 yards on 87 carries with a touchdown on the ground. After the 2009 season, Maynard transferred to California where his dual threat ability to run and throw brings a new quarterback element that Cal has never had under head coach Jeff Tedford. The 10th year head coach and his offensive coordinator since 2009, Andy Ludwig, have had great success at grooming young throwers into riflemen with poise and professional mechanics who end up in the NFL. Trent Dilfer and David Carr at Fresno State, Joey Harrington, A.J Feely and Akili Smith at Oregon, and most recent, Brian Johnson at Utah ( Ludwig) and Aaron Rodgers (Tedford) at Cal, were all great college quarterbacks and all but Johnson have started in the NFL where both Dilfer and Rodgers each won super bowl rings. Maynard comes in with a grasp of the college game already at this level, and has two years as a starter to learn and thrive under the tutelage of Tedford and Ludwig.  The junior lefty also has some star receivers to throw to help his cause this season. Senior Marvin Jones caught 43 balls for 651 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2009, and added 765 yards on 50 receptions with 4 touchdowns last season as a junior. Jones has had good career statistics with 1,424 yards on 94 receptions with 10 touchdowns in three years. Sophomore blue chipper( who I have as my #21 under the radar player to watch in 2011) Keenan Allen is back in the mix at receiver with beastly senior tight end Anthony Miller. The 6'4 265 lbs possession receiving tight end is another main target for Maynard to throw to, giving the junior quarterback a arsenal of weapons to this season. Tevin Carter is another target at receiver to watch for in the Golden Bear offense in 2011.
Cal has struggled with consistency in the past 4 seasons, but this season, adding a quarterback who can bring multi-dimensions to the position can help the bears overcome their lack of consistency at QB since Rodgers left campus in 2006. And even the super bowl winning Rodgers didn't play college football with the most nimble feet in the universe; the guy was rather slow. I am interested to see what Maynard can bring to this Golden Bear team and if the first year starter in the PAC 12 will live past the fact that most first year starters in the PAC 12 , don't fare too well historically. ( Darron Thomas, Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Jake Locker are the recent exceptions). I expect big things from a very talented California team in 2011, but the difference between a 9-3 and 7-6 record all rests on the pressured left shoulder of Maynard.

Author: Ronald Hill
Photo: Courtesy of buffalonews.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #8

#8- Eric Page/ Wide Receiver/ Toledo Rockets/ Junior   

Being stuck in the MAC can be a good thing at times, but most of the time, you have to be a player like Eric Page to get to the next level and strive. Since arriving on campus in Toledo, Ohio, Page has made a huge impact and statistical output felt not only by MAC opponents, but the junior wide receiver is garnering much deserved national attention as well. Page doesn't have Julio Jones or A.J Green's physique or size,( Page is 5'10 180 lbs.) but his ability to be a possession receiver and gain yardage is basically unmatched by most non BCS qualifying school wide receivers. Page is as productive as any receiver in the country for that matter. Coming into his junior year in 2011 , Page has 2,264 career receiving yards with 15 touchdowns in his 2 year career so far at Toledo. As a true freshman in 2009, Page led the nation and set a Toledo school record in reception yardage, 1,159 yards, and receptions with 82 balls caught. In 2009, both Page and head coach Tim Beckman arrived together and since then, getting the ball to Page has been Beckman's only offensive game plan. It has worked as the incoming junior has 181 career receptions for 2,264 yards and has at least one year left in his career at Toledo to add to the great career he has already had. Page is on pace to break the school's all time receiving yardage record during the 2011 season and I look at the Rockets as an improved team that should beat last year's record of 5-7 and gain bowl eligibility, making Toledo at least a .500 football team.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: courtesy of docsports.com

2011 NCAA FBS College Football Preview: 25 Players To Watch For - #9

#9- James Franklin/ Quarterback/ Missouri Tigers/ Sophomore

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel runs a fast, up-tempo, high scoring offense that has one common element in each of his teams successful years in the Big 12; a dual threat quarterback who is capable and owns the ability to run the system to perfection. Starting with Brad Smith in 2002-2005, Smith threw for 8,799 and rushed for 4,289 yards in his career. From 2005-2008, Chase Daniel threw an outstanding career mark of 12,515 yards with 141 touchdowns and rushed for 975 yards and 10 scores on his feet. Jacksonville Jaguars first round draft pick in 2010 Blaine Gabbert took over for Daniel from 2008-2010, and threw for 6,822 with a 40/18 touchdown to interception ratio in his two years as a starter .Missouri has had tremendous quarterback production under Pinkel, and I don't see that trend coming to end anytime soon. Coming into this season, Gabbert's younger brother Tyler, and sophomore James Franklin were battling for the starting job, with Franklin coming out as number one on the depth chart. Tyler Gabbert lost the battle to start at quarterback then decided to transfer in the spring, leaving the position clearly to Franklin. The 6'2 230 lbs sophomore saw action in 9 games as a true freshman last fall, throwing 11 for 14 with 106 passing yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Franklin's success came in limited action last year, and entering the 2011 season, the dual threat starting quarterback looks poised to be the next great multidimensional gun slinger on campus in Columbia, Missouri.
Franklin, a sophomore from Corinth, Texas, has 4 legitimate targets to throw to this fall, and could see his numbers and stock as a big time NCAA quarterback rise to the heavens. Returning all but one offensive lineman and senior wide receiver's Wes Kemp and Jerrell Jackson, Junior T.J Moe, and senior Tight End Michael Egnew should go a long way for the success of Jonathan Franklin and Missouri Tigers in 2011.

Article: Ronald Hill
Photo: courtesy of columbiamissourian.com