Upset Friday...

Many people thought the first day of the NCAA tournament was disappointing due to the lack of upsets and close games.  Friday's action more than made up for it.  For the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, two #15 seeded teams won on the same day. Also, a 13 seeded team pulled off an upset.  Let's start off with the more impressive upset, Norfolk State over Missouri.  Missouri was a team many picked for the final four, including me.  Norfolk looked legit though, Kyle O'Quinn dominated the paint for Norfolk and they also had the shooters to drain some big 3 pointers down the stretch.  Norfolk also dominated the boards in this game as well.  Missouri was doing their best, but Norfolk St. kept on coming back.  I was very impressed with their play.  Now onto Lehigh.  Not many people were high on Duke, including me.  Lehigh took advantage of the way Duke plays, as Duke struggled to make their jumpers.  I'm more high on Norfolk to win another game than Lehigh.  The final big upset yesterday was MAC Tournament winner Ohio defeating Michigan.  I thought Michigan was seeded a little bit high, should of been a 5 or 6, but Ohio played great.  UB fans everywhere are probably not too surprised to see this win.  Good for the MAC.  With South Florida upsetting Temple, Ohio gets to play 12th seeded South Florida.  Chances look pretty good that the MAC will have a team reach the Sweet Sixteen. 

All in all, a great first two days of the tournament.  Games should only get more exciting. 

Around the Tourney...

• The least impressive team in the first two days of the tournament that is moving onto the next round has to be Syracuse.  This team looked terrible, almost losing to #16 seeded UNC-Asheville.  If not for a couple controversial calls that went Syracuse's way at the end, this game could have turned into the first time ever a #16 seed defeated a #1 seed.  I think Syracuse loses today against Kansas St. 
• I still can't get over the Bona/FSU game.  Bona played great for about 35 minutes, leading for most of the game.  They missed a couple open three pointers in the final minutes that hurt them, including one from their stud Andrew Nicholson.  However, they had their chance at the end.  Da'Quan Cook lost track of time and tried to get off a couple 2 point baskets in the final 5 seconds despite the fact that they were down by 3 points.  How does Andrew Nicholson not touch the ball in the final possession at all?  Too bad Bona didn't have a timeout to call to set things up.  It was a great game though.  Bona fans should be proud.  They represented the school well.  Reports were that more than 1,000 made the trip from the Buffalo/Olean area.  Too bad they have to come home after one game.  I can't wait to see Andrew Nicholson play in the NBA next year.
• My only complaint about the Bona/FSU game was the fact that there were several FSU fans at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Niagara Falls, NY for the Bona/FSU game.  Seriously, how does anybody in WNY like the FSU basketball team?  Every fan, in every bar throughout all of WNY should of been rooting for Bona.  Judging by the physical appearance of the FSU fans, I can guarantee you that they did not play basketball at FSU.  Also, if they went to school at FSU, then why did they come back to Niagara Falls?  Why didn't you stay in Florida?  I was very disappointed in this.  I have FSU winning a couple games in my bracket, but I was rooting hard for Bona.  There are sometimes "bracket guy" has to stop worrying about his $10 bet and root for a good story such as Bona. 
• The most impressive team in my opinion from the opening round games had to be Gonzaga.  This team looked dominant in their victory over West Virginia 77-54.  They next take on Ohio State, which should be a great game.  Gonzaga is balanced, and Robert Sacre reminds me of Tyson Chandler every time I see him play.  Ohio State better bring their A game.

On the NBA hardwood...

• The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and the biggest headline was a trade that was not made.  Dwight Howard has agreed to stay in Orlando for another season.  This is great news for Orlando.  If there is one position that Miami and Chicago both lack at, its the Center position.  Orlando has the most dominant Center in the game.  They just need to improve the pieces around him to have a legit shot at coming out of the East.  Hedo, Jason Richardson, and Jameer Nelson are not a good enough supporting cast to win the East. 
• The Lakers got their point guard in Ramon Sessions.  I thought they would do more at the deadline, but they couldnt trade for Michael Beasley and they didn't trade away either Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol.  I don't see this team coming out of the West, but they did improve on deadline day by improving the point guard position. 
• What is wrong with the Knicks?  Remember Linsanity?  I think Carmelo might be the most toxic player in all of professional sports.  No team will ever win a championship with this guy on the team with the way he currently plays.  He doesn't play defense, takes bad shots offensively, and complains when he doesn't get the ball. This team no longer looks like a "team" when he is on the court.  Firing D'Antoni has worked out in the first two games, however I don't think the Knicks have any chance to make any noise in the playoffs.

On the Diamond....

• Yankee fans everywhere rejoice.  Andy Pettitte is coming back! When I first saw the report, I thought it was a joke.  A year removed from baseball, who knows what kind of shape he is in or when he might be able to make a start.  Either way, this deepens an already deep starting rotation.  CC, Kuroda, Pineida, Nova, Hughes, Garcia, and now Pettitte has Girardi scratching his head over what to do with the starting rotation.  Who goes to the bullpen?
• Shame on me for not covering this earlier but Jaime Moyer is a great story.  The guy is 49 years old, and making a legit run at making the Colorado Rockies opening day roster as the #5 starter.  He has posted a 1.80 ERA in five innings pitched this spring training, walking zero and striking out three. Unfortunately he is going to miss a couple days due to a left leg injury suffered this past week.  Hopefully this doesn't hurt his chances at making the roster.  Great story.
• Another great story is the return of Johan Santana to the Mets starting rotation.  Santana, who was out of the majors last year while recovering from shoulder surgery, had not allowed a run in his first two exhibition starts. However yesterday was not a good day. The two-time Cy Young Award winner gave up five runs -- four earned -- on four hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings. He didn't have any strikeouts. The Mets are counting on this guy to be the opening day starter.  For their sake, let's hope he returns to his old form. 

On the Gridiron...

• What a great week for Bills fans.  Mario Williams is officially a Buffalo Bill, signing a 6 year contract, worth more than $96 million.  This is a game changer for the Bills organization.  Who knows where else the Bills might look to in free agency to improve the team, but the signing of Mario has already provided a boost in season tickets, as more than 1,000 season tickets have reportedly been sold since his signing.  Next up for Bills should be the signing of Mario Manningham.  Bring him in here Buffalo.  The Bills need another receiver and he would be a great addition.
• If the 49ers sign Peyton Manning, you might as well pencil the 49ers in the Super Bowl if they stay healthy.  I was waiting for them to finally become fully invested in Peyton, and reports yesterday were that they are making a final push.  About time!

On the Ice....

• The push for the playoffs for the Sabres is entering its final stages.  The Sabres have 11 games left, and are 3 points out of 8th.  Currently in 10th place, the Sabres can only afford to lose probably 2 more games in regulation to still have a shot at playoffs.  Big game tonight against Florida.  Need wins!
• If the Sabres do happen to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, and somehow defeat the Rangers in the first round, then currently, it will not be the Bruins as the next team to play.  The Ottawa Senators are the division leaders now, and are currently the #2 seed in the East.  Boston currently ranks #7.  Even the top seeded Rangers are trying to hold off the red hot Pittsburgh Penguins who have won 10 in a row and now have the best player in the game back in Sidney Crosby.  It's going to be an exciting finish to the end!

On the Homefront...

• Yesterday's NCAA games hurt my chances at winning any type of bets this year.  I might even lose my bet with my wife and have to buy her dinner this year, as she has only lost 2 teams in the Sweet Sixteen and no teams beyond that. 
• Great weather weekend in WNY this week.  Sunny skies and temps in the mid-60's.  I hope everyone can get out and do something. 
• Round 4 of Youngsters vs. Vets tomorrow.  Can't wait.
• Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Enjoy tonight and have fun at Buffalo parade tomorrow,  Weather should be great for it.

That's all I have today.  Until next time...