smh810

I guarantee you that was a broken play and Brown took matters into his own hands. Give Washington credit though they played GREAT defense in the last few Illinois possessions.

I wouldnt sweat Kent St. too much, the MAC is not what it was a few years ago and I think they will pretty much have their way with them. Kansas is very talented but very green and I think Pitt would frustrate them into a lot of stupid mistakes and turnovers.

I actually have Cal beating Texas in the 2nd round. Its weird, I've heard a lot about how good Texas is and yet every time I watch them I'm not that impressed (aside from PJ Tucker). I think Kansas exposed them bigtime today and theyre vulnerable against athletic teams that will go right after them.

A couple of points about BC: Yes tourney success has eluded them in the past but this is the most talented team they've had there in quite some time. Also, keep in mind that in those years where they got eliminated early they peaked in Jan-Feb. this team is peaking right now and I dont see Pacific or Nevada giving this crew much trouble at all. Last year BC was fading fast come tourney time and there was no way they would give a team like Duke the scare that they gave them today. The bottom line is that they are the total package that is getting hot at the right time.

GW got royally screwed by the committee and I dont think they make it out of the 1st round UNC-Wilmington is very good. The only one I have is Seton Hall. I actually dont think Nova would have much of a problem with them, LSU is big but slow and is very vulnerable to being knocked out early (I have them losing in the 1st round)

Especially when the team you worked for went 1-15 in the Big East

Well we'll see if my one year as a college basketball student manager improves my ability to predict games, here are some quick picks: Sweet 16: Duke, Syracuse, Iowa, California Memphis, Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, UCLA UConn, Illinois, Michigan State, Seton Hall Villanova, Boston College, Florida, Ohio St. Duke will beat Pittsburgh UConn will beat Boston College UConn will beat Duke

I'm still here you fucking Quebecer, my job doesnt allow me to post much anymore.

Wrong. It's geek pop-culture humor the "chronic" is simply wordplay.

If anyone has a torrent of last night's SNL please let me know...thanks.

What the hell are you people complaining about? I mean, seriously. First of all, Randal was absolutely 100% right in the position that he took. Having two Apprentices diminishes the prestige of the show. In the season that restored the higher standards of The Apprentice (as opposed to other reality shows) having a double hiring would've been a step back. Secondly, the notion of poor Rebecca is absolute bullshit. She wins either way and I'm sure is gonna land a very good job. Third, I thought Randal answered the question from Trump about as tastefully as he could have and hell he didnt deny Rebecca a job in the Trump organization he said "Not tonight." Some of you guys really need to take the stick out of your ass, it wasnt nearly as bad you make it out to be.

Jimmy Fallon did not laugh in that sketch...

Dude, first off you HAVE to know that Barron is one of the first guys on this board to make tasteless jokes like that. Secondly, for someone who has a reputation for saying outreagous things you got your panties in a wad over something really lame. Its such a ridiculously obvious joke so please get over yourself.

Pratt and Cory Sarich are VERY underrated defensemen. Remember Pratt filled in admirably when Jassen Cullimore got hurt in the 03-04 postseason and the Lightning really didnt miss a beat.

The Lightning sucked ass last night losing to the Bruins 4-2. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up that they actually have to show-up to play every night. I'm not too concerned but they needed a game like this to get them to play hard against a surprising Buffalo team on Thursday

John Grahame outduels Roberto Luongo tonight as the Lightning win 2-1. What was most impressive was Grahame doing his best Hasek (at his peak) imprssion at the end of the game when the Panthers had a 5 on 3. STL gets on the board with his first goal (the game winner)

Bolts lose a goalie duel to the Panthers tonight. The team was sloppy as hell although the Panthers do look improved and have better coaching now. Again John Grahame looks very strong which makes me feel good about the Lightning long term. Sean Burke plays his first game probably tomorrow.

My god, I actually agree with Max about something. Players need to realize that any form of obstruction WILL be called and that the NHL is not gonna slack off this time because it is trying to rebuild its image and create a higher scoring product. By the same token, yes you can play physical. The Lightning-Canes game had only 9 penalties throught the game but with plenty of hitting and good flow. So yes there is a balance that can be met.

John Grahame is the No.1 right now to start the season, Burke isnt injured right now he's just the back-up.

Lightning looked like a machine (especially in the 1st period) tonight. Granted this was against a better but still weak Carolina team and it'll be interesting to see how they do against Luongo on Friday (and Saturday?) but I cant be unhappy with the Lightning's performance. Grahame also looked very solid and made some tough saves. I know its only one game but I had to laugh at Khabibulin stinking the joint up for Chicago while Grahame looked very competent.

Last week's show confirmed two theories in my mind: a) Nothing brings down an episode like a Felecity Huffman storyline. b) Nothing saves an episode like Marcia Cross being an evil bitch. Her changing her dead husband's tie in the coffin was one of the most tasteless yet awesome things ever. There is no way Huffman should've won the Emmy for this show. She has the worst, most painful to watch storylines on the show and while acted well brings nothing to the table. Marcia on the other hand is a goddess among women and will usually have one blowaway moment per show.

Its a shame NBC hired Madden already...Sterling would be a great fit on the NBC Sunday Night games next year.

I've actually seen a good chunk of those games where Pittsburgh lost and the oddity is that its usually not the playcalling (no matter who the coordinator is) but a special teams failure of some kind. Cowher's not as conservative as you think. If the Steelers win next week count me in as a believer and a big one. However, they've dominated two very subpar teams so I cant be sold on them yet. No question. There are teams that are much better than what their start would indicate. However a case like the Panthers last year is the exception not the rule.

Thoughts of the day: 1. My Baltimore Ravens best team in the AFC prediction looks horrible right now. Yes I know its only Week 2 but there is NO excuse for losing handily to the Tennessee Titans...none. I still think they'll rally to be respectable but when I'm wrong I'm wrong and this is no SB contender. 2. The Buc defense is back. Sure statstically they really never left but now they're dominating teams and finishing in the way they did from 97-02. These guys could be better than even I have hoped for. Especially when the offense starts clicking on all cylinders. 3. I'm not sold on the Steelers. Yes they have looked VERY strong in the first but these are against what appear to be bad football teams. I fully expect New England to bounce back and win next week. With that said, Tyler please cut it out with the Turtle Zone crap. You do know that its proper football to run out the clock with a 27 point lead against an inferior opponent... right? 4. How about that QB class of 02? Its time to call those two quarterbacks for what they are busts... especially in Joey Harrington's case. I was recluctant in indicting his career for a while because of what happened with Drew Brees last year. However, his 5 pick performance today ends all debate. Carr's case is a little more complated his stats today were respectable albeit padded in garbage time and he is constantly running for his life. However he should still be further along at this point in his career and even around a good team he isnt a special player. More thoughts on 4:00- Sunday night games tonight or tomorrow.

Fuck. Now we gotta face the No.1 Lightning killer of all time 8 times a year.