Arizona Cardinals: The Cards surprised everybody with a 24-30 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs. Then they went on to blow out the number two seeded Carolina Panthers, 33-13.
In a crazy playoff season, these Cardinals are to me the most surprising. I thought they would lose two weeks ago. And when they didn?t, I thought the Panthers would destroy them for sure. But now, the Cards will host the NFC divisional playoff championship. And if I didn?t know any better, I would say the Eagles would win in a blowout. But now, I know better than to rule Arizona out.
It?s actually quite satisfying to see them win. They are proving that the NFC West is not a complete failure. And their top receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, is in my opinion the top wideout in the NFL. His speed, size, hands and athleticism make him among the most exciting wide receivers in the game. Grade: A
UW Men?s basketball team: Washington began the week well, with an 84?83 victory over Stanford. The game came down to the wire, with the Huskies getting a put-back from Jon Brockman to win the game in the final seconds. UW got another win over a quality opponent, and extended their winning streak to nine. They looked to get off to a hot Pac-10 start, and the chances at an NCAA tourney run were looking very promising.
These odds continued to look good through the majority of the Huskies? next game against Cal. The Huskies led by as many as nine in the fourth quarter, but could not put it away. Jon Brockman, the hero of the Stanford game, could not lead the Dawgs to victory over California, missing two free throws that could have won the game.
But Brockman was not alone in missing chances to seal the deal. Other mistakes included dumb fouls by Justin Holiday and Isaiah Thomas (who played fantastic). In the end, it was a well-fought battle, and I still the think the Huskies can go far. But last game was a missed opportunity to prove themselves to be a legitimate threat. Grade: C
Quincy Pondexter: Here is, in my opinion, the largest key to the success of the Huskies basketball team. I know we?ve said it before: when he plays well, the Huskies play well. But its true. And he?s had his good games. But the problem is not his potential: its his consistency. He can score 16 points and have 8 rebounds in three straight games and have 4 points and 2 rebounds in the next two. He will be the largest factor in the Huskies? success.
Don?t believe me? Look at the numbers. The Huskies are 7-0, undefeated, in games where Pondexter has scored 10 or more points. But in games where he?s scored less then ten, the Dawgs are a measly .500, 4-4. Sure, the performance of the players surrounding Pondexter is very important too. But if there is one player to watch this season, it?s number 24, Quincy Pondexter. And for the Huskies to do well, he needs to find a rhythm. Grade: D
Photo Source: Seattle Times
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/01/...
In a crazy playoff season, these Cardinals are to me the most surprising. I thought they would lose two weeks ago. And when they didn?t, I thought the Panthers would destroy them for sure. But now, the Cards will host the NFC divisional playoff championship. And if I didn?t know any better, I would say the Eagles would win in a blowout. But now, I know better than to rule Arizona out.
It?s actually quite satisfying to see them win. They are proving that the NFC West is not a complete failure. And their top receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, is in my opinion the top wideout in the NFL. His speed, size, hands and athleticism make him among the most exciting wide receivers in the game. Grade: A
UW Men?s basketball team: Washington began the week well, with an 84?83 victory over Stanford. The game came down to the wire, with the Huskies getting a put-back from Jon Brockman to win the game in the final seconds. UW got another win over a quality opponent, and extended their winning streak to nine. They looked to get off to a hot Pac-10 start, and the chances at an NCAA tourney run were looking very promising.
These odds continued to look good through the majority of the Huskies? next game against Cal. The Huskies led by as many as nine in the fourth quarter, but could not put it away. Jon Brockman, the hero of the Stanford game, could not lead the Dawgs to victory over California, missing two free throws that could have won the game.
But Brockman was not alone in missing chances to seal the deal. Other mistakes included dumb fouls by Justin Holiday and Isaiah Thomas (who played fantastic). In the end, it was a well-fought battle, and I still the think the Huskies can go far. But last game was a missed opportunity to prove themselves to be a legitimate threat. Grade: C
Quincy Pondexter: Here is, in my opinion, the largest key to the success of the Huskies basketball team. I know we?ve said it before: when he plays well, the Huskies play well. But its true. And he?s had his good games. But the problem is not his potential: its his consistency. He can score 16 points and have 8 rebounds in three straight games and have 4 points and 2 rebounds in the next two. He will be the largest factor in the Huskies? success.
Don?t believe me? Look at the numbers. The Huskies are 7-0, undefeated, in games where Pondexter has scored 10 or more points. But in games where he?s scored less then ten, the Dawgs are a measly .500, 4-4. Sure, the performance of the players surrounding Pondexter is very important too. But if there is one player to watch this season, it?s number 24, Quincy Pondexter. And for the Huskies to do well, he needs to find a rhythm. Grade: D
Photo Source: Seattle Times
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/01/...
