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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

The 30 most memorable Lollapalooza performances

Lolla has endured a rocky history of controversies, cancellations, poor ticket sales, venue and format changes, international appearances, and even an extended hiatus. Yet, there are performances that we continue to discuss for better or worse. Here are 30 of the more notable performances listed in chronological order.

The best characters from Gen-X films

Generation X, in many ways, is known for individualism. Latch-key kids striking out on their own or doing something less conventional. What made a great Gen-X movie was usually the characters. Here is a ranking of the best characters from the Gen-X film genre.

Drum solos, fills, breaks and intros all music lovers should know

Great drummers are usually known for notable solos. But there are also those precise fills, thundering breaks, and catchy introductions. We have ranked 25 of the best drum solos, fills, breaks, and introductions of all time.

25 films that defined the Gen-X experience

Movies from the 1980s, '90s and even 2000s have encompassed the lifestyle of a Gen-Xer. Here are 25 of the better movies that defined the Gen X movement, or at least do an above-average job of explaining it.

The 25 most memorable neighbors from TV sitcoms

Whether quirky or overbearing, kind or mean, TV sitcoms have cornered the market on memorable fictional neighbors. Below, the 25 best are ranked.

The 25 most memorable NCAA men's national championship games

It's always a special moment when the NCAA Tournament championship game lives up to the hype. The ones that leave lasting memories and keep fans talking years after the final buzzer sounded.  Here's our ranking of the 25 best national championship game moments.

The 25 best Final Four moments

The NCAA Tournament Final Four has offered plenty of lasting memories. Some more prominent than others. While we know there are more to be made, it's always fun to look back.

The 25 most memorable fictional companies, firms or stores

Nailing down a good job is something everybody strives for. In the fictional world of television and film, some positions are more coveted than others. Here are some of the more notable fictional places of employment.

30 albums turning 30 in 2021 that you should listen to

Here's our ranking of the best albums released from 1991, including one highlighted underrated track from each release.

The 25 best Elite Eight moments

That one step before reaching the Final Four can often be one of the hardest to take. However, the Elite Eight has provided some lasting memories over the decades -- for both the winners and losers.

The 25 best Sweet 16 moments from the NCAA men's tournament

The deeper into the men's NCAA Tournament we go, the more memorable the moments become. Whether buzzer-beating shots, prime-time individual performances, or historic accomplishments, the Sweet 16, in particular, has given college basketball fans some lasting memories.

The 25 best NCAA women's tournament champs of all time

It's not easy to put together a list of the greatest women's NCAA Tournament champions. Each brought something special to the table and was worthy of its greatness. And, we're not just talking Tennessee and Connecticut.

The most disappointing NCAA men's tournament No. 1 seeds of all time

Whether overrated and underachieving, here's a look at some of the worst performances by No. 1 seeds in the history of the NCAA Tournament. Listed in chronological order.

X-Factors for the 2021 NCAA women's tournament

Some players are undisputed stars, while others are valuable to their respective teams in ways not always seen on the scoresheet. Here are 20 such players to keep an eye on.

The best men's college players from the state of Indiana

Here's our look at some of the state's best homegrown (whether born, raised, or both) college players through the years.

Which players will be X-factors in the 2021 NCAA men's tournament?

Some are household names to college fans, while others might be just under-the-radar. Regardless, their value to each team is immeasurable in some cases.

The 20 best covers of Rolling Stones songs

Covering a Rolling Stones song is never an easy challenge. Some rock, while others fall short. We're here to celebrate the former. Here are 20 of the better covers of Stones' songs throughout the years in chronological order.

The ultimate Rush playlist

Rush established itself as arguably the best progressive rock band of all time for four decades. Its fan base is loyal, and there aren't many rock fans who will say a bad word about the band. Here is our essential Rush playlist.

20 great covers of the works of Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's catalog is so extensive that it's almost intimidating to sift through. Trying to cover any of Dylan's songs is even more daunting. Here are some of the best covers of Bob Dylan's tracks.

The 25 greatest covers of Beatles songs

Trying to cover a Beatles song and do it justice is not easy, regardless of who attempts it. Still, there have been some memorable covers of classic Beatles tunes. In chronological order, here are some of our favorites.

The 25 most memorable movie cameos by famous musicians

Sure, a lot of successful musicians want to try their hand at acting. Some have even succeeded quite well (Madonna, Jack Black). Others, maybe not so much.

25 popular songs with memorable acoustic versions

Sometimes bands or solo artists like to change things up. That often means toning down an amped-up track with an acoustic take. Here, we feature some popular artists who turned some of their biggest hits into memorable acoustic efforts.

2021 Olympic storylines to keep an eye on

As we wait to see what actually will happen, there's never a wrong time to look ahead at some of the talking points, drama, and storylines surrounding what should be one of the most Olympics ever -- no matter when they're held.