October 29th, 2011
Michigan State Spartans won on the last play of the game with a Hail Mary to beat Wisconsin Badgers, 37-31. That win put 16th ranked Michigan State’s record at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten. The 6th ranked Wisconsin on the other hand went to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
It was in the cards for Michigan State to win and the way the game played out. The game was not looking good for the Spartans in the first quarter but in the second quarter the game changed dramatically. It all started with a safety when Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson got a call for intentional grounding when the end zone. Then on their very next drive, Michigan State scored a touchdown on 72 yards in 4 plays. When Michigan State stopped Wisconsin on their next drive, the Spartans blocked the Badgers field goal attempt. Michigan State took the ball and marched down the field for a touchdown. Then to put the finishing touches to this quarter, Spartans blocked Wisconsin punt in the end zone for a touchdown. When Michigan State went for the Hail Mary to win the game with 4 seconds left in the game, you had the feeling the Spartans would pull it off.
Wisconsin looked like they were going to roll all over Michigan State in the first quarter. The Badgers scored two touchdowns mixing the run with the pass. Wisconsin had to come from behind and score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Wisconsin’s coaches were thinking and getting ready for overtime with 4 seconds to go in game, and the Spartans had to go 44 yards to win.
The loss really hurt Wisconsin’s hopes of playing for the National Championship. Wisconsin plays Ohio State next which could be a good game if the Buckeyes can find a consistent offense. Michigan State will be moving up in the rankings. The Spartans will be playing 13th ranked Nebraska next which has the making for a real battle.
Tags: glass beer mugs, Michigan State, sports mug, U of Wisconsin
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May 11th, 2011
Memphis Grizzlies won easily in game one against #4 Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 114 to 101 in the second round. In the first round of the Western Conference, # 8 Memphis beat # 1 San Antonio Spurs in 6 games. The Grizzlies played well against the Spurs.
Memphis is doing this amazing run without their star player Rudy Gay who is out for the season. The Grizzlies have gone to more inside game with power forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph started the game out with some hot shooting helping Memphis jump out to 10 point lead at the half in game one. Oklahoma City was able to cut the lead to four points halfway through the third quarter because of the play of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrock. The Grizzlies turned up the defensive pressure and started building their commanding lead to finish with the win.
Oklahoma City picked up Kendrick Perkins during a mid season trade to play with Serge Ibaka, the league shot blocker, are there to sure up middle on defense. The Thunder could not stop Randolph who had 34 points with 10 rebounds and Marc Gasol who had 20 points with 13 rebounds as they were showcasing their high low game.
It is nice to see a team like Memphis have a strong inside offense in a league dominated by perimeter players. Memphis’ point guard Mike Conley who had 15 points with 7 assist and 0 turnovers was a big help to the team. If Conley continue to play this way, it will be a huge plus to the team. The Grizzlies need to keep playing strong defense and controlling the ball on the inside and they may have a real chance to advance through the tournament.
Tags: glass beer mugs, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, sports mug
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May 2nd, 2011
The Boston Celtics swept the New York Knicks in 4 straight games in a playoff series with the last game score being 101 to 89. The New York Knicks looked like they had a good chance in this series with their star players, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups, leading the way but the Celtics proved them wrong with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo.
In game one, the score was close when Knicks’ Chauncey Billups left the game due a strained left knee with 51 seconds to go in the game. With 12 seconds left on the clock, Celtics’ Ray Allen made a 3-point shot that ended up being the winning basket. The Celtics won game one, 87-85.
In the second game, the Knicks lost in a close one even though Carmelo Anthony scored 42 points. Boston’s Rajon Rondo drove to the basket at will and scored 30 points with Knicks’ Chauncey Billups out for the series and Amare Stoudemire sitting out the second half with back spasms. The final score was Boston 96 and Knicks 93.
The New York Knicks started out game 3 struggling to make baskets while Boston was hitting them easily. Boston’s Paul Pierce scored 38 points and Ray Allen made 32 points lighting up the score board on their way to a 113 to 96 win. Knicks’ Stoudemire was limited in his play because of back spasms.
The Celtics looked like they were going to run away with the final game but in the third quarter, New York started making a comeback with Boston leading 70 – 48. The Knicks cut Boston’s lead to four at 84 – 80 with 7 minutes 34 seconds to go in the game. Boston got their game together and put the game away with Kevin Garnett scoring 20 of his 26 points in second half. The final score was 101 – 89.
Boston was able to turn on the switch in this series and win easily in the last two games. Can Boston keep this up in the next series? They play the winner of the Miami /Philadelphia series.
Tags: Boston Celtics, glass beer mugs, New York Knicks, sports mug
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April 19th, 2011
Manny, what were you thinking? Manny Ramirez tested positive for a banned substance for a second time and was suspended for a 100 games while playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. At the age of 38, he chose to retire from baseball instead of taking the 100 game suspension.
In 2003, he failed a survey test on a possible banned substance. The performance-enhancing drug policy went into effect in 2005. Manny failed a drug test in 2009 while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and sat out 50 games. This is the second time, he has failed a performance- enhancing drug test under the new policy. It makes you wonder how long and how many times Manny did this before the policy went into effect.
Manny was drafted in 1991 by the Cleveland Indians and made his debut in 1993 in the Major League playing for Cleveland. He signed as a free agent in 2000 with the Boston Red Sox and helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and 2007. During the 2008 season, Manny wore out his welcome and was traded to the Dodgers. He helped the Dodgers make the playoffs. In August 2010, Manny put on waivers by the Dodgers and claimed by the Chicago White Sox. In January 2011, Tampa Bay signed Manny as a free agent to a one year 2 million dollar deal.
Manny Ramirez was known for his great hitting, lackadaisical nature, and being a goofball to fans’ delight. He ended his career with a 0.312 batting average, 555 home runs, 2574 hits and 1831 runs batted in. There are many stories of Manny being a goofball. His most renown stunt was when he was playing for the Boston Red Sox as a left fielder. One time during a mid-inning, he went through the Green Monster to relieve himself and came out waving to the crowd. That was the way Manny was. Manny being Manny.
Tags: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, glass beer mugs, Los Angeles Dodgers, sports mug, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
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April 10th, 2011
Connecticut wins the NCAA championship game against Butler, 53 – 41. It all started when the Huskies won all of their non-conference games and winning the Maui Invitational tournament by beating Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky. Connecticut went 9 – 9 in the Big East Conference losing 4 out of their last 5 regular season games. In the Big East tournament, UConn caught on fire by beating DePaul, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Louisville in five straight days. Ranked #3 in the West Region, the Huskies had to beat #14 Bucknell, #6 Cincinnati, #2 San Diego State and #5 Arizona to get into the Final Four. In the semifinal game, Connecticut barely got by Kentucky, 56 – 55.
The championship game was a defensive battle which looked boring and ugly to many fans. Connecticut’s defensive strategy was to have Butler shoot 3-pointers and not let them score close to the basket. The Huskies had 10 blocked shots in the game with Roscoe Smith and Alex Oriakhi having 4 a piece. With that type of intimidation, you can see why Butler was only able to score 6 points inside the 3-point line for the game. The Huskies guards could only make 1 for 11 from the 3-point range in this game.
Connecticut was not expected to do much this year with a bunch of freshman players. Junior guard Kemba Walker was more than a big part of their offense because he became UConn’s inspirational leader and cook. The Connecticut players would hang out at Walker’s place on the weekends to play video games and discuss whatever was on their minds. Over the course of the weekend, Walker would also cook for them. The Huskies came together as a unit and with their hard work on defense which help carry them to the title. Connecticut ended the season 32 – 9 and the NCAA champion. Let’s raise our glass beer mugs, sports mugs and glasses to the Huskies for a great year.
Tags: glass beer mugs, Michigan State, sports mug, U of Kentucky
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April 4th, 2011
Kentucky could not come from behind in this game as they lose in a close one against Connecticut. The Wildcats were able to pull off close games at the end against Princeton and Ohio State in the tournament. Kentucky had wins against West Virginia and North Carolina in the tournament as well.
In the first half, Kentucky looked a little nervous and tight. It also did not help when Kentucky forward Josh Harrellson sat many minutes on the bench with early fouls in the first half. The Wildcats were able to contain Connecticut’s star guard Kemba Walker by making someone else do the scoring. Kentucky was able to stay in the game from the 3-point range, 9 – 27, while the Huskies were 1 -12. The down fall for the Wildcats was at the foul line, 4 – 12 while Connecticut was 9 – 11. With 16 seconds to go in the game, Kentucky’s Brandon Knight looked like he wanted to do his dribble penetration down the right side of the key but Connecticut forced him to pass the ball to DeAndre Liggins. Liggins tried to make a 3-point shot but missed it. Connecticut’s Shabazz Napier rebounded and was fouled. Napier connected on both foul shots to put the Huskies ahead by 4 points and then Kentucky’s Knight made a 3-point shot at the endof the game .
There were a lot of people who did not think the Wildcats would not be this good. Kentucky lost 5 players from last year team to the NBA draft. Relying on freshman and last year seldom used forward Josh Harrellson, the Wildcats were able to find the right winning combination. Kentucky finished the season 29 – 9 overall and 10 – 6 in the SEC with a trip to the Final Four in NCAA Tournament.
Tags: glass beer mugs, North Carolina, Ohio State, sports mug, U of Kentucky, West Virginia
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March 29th, 2011
The Ohio State Buckeyes, the number one seed team in the NCAA tournament, went down to Kentucky, 62 – 60. The Buckeyes looked like they would steamroll through the tournament with impressive wins against UTSA, 75 – 46, and George Mason, 98 – 66.
Kentucky has a suffocating defense against the Buckeyes as they only shot 32.8% from the field. Ohio State William Buford had a bad shooting game as he was 2 – 16 from the field. Buckeyes freshman Jared Sullinger seemed to be forcing his shot at times. Kentucky was having problems against Ohio State’s defense at time during the game. The Buckeyes gave Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight problems when they put Aaron Craft on him. Knight was 3 -10 from the field and had 6 turnovers, but he got the best of Aaron Craft with this drive to the right of the lane with a fifteen foot shot to win the game.
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a great season which included winning the regular season title and their conference tournament. Ohio State was ranked #1 in the polls for most of the season and finished with a 34 – 3 record. Graduates, Dallas Lauderdale, David Lighty and Jon Diebler, will be missed by Buckeyes fans everywhere because these three players showed fans that hard work and teamwork can be joyful for all.
Tags: basketball, glass beer mugs, Ohio State, sports mug, U of Kentucky
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March 23rd, 2011
The Michigan Wolverines, the 8th seed in the West Region, had high hopes against the #1 Duke Blue Devils. Duke beat Michigan, 73 – 71, in a close game after the Wolverines routed #9 Tennessee, 75 – 45, in their first game of the tournament.
Duke had a 14 point lead with 11 minutes 40 seconds left which was the biggest lead in the game. The Wolverines kept chipping away at the Duke’s lead with every shot. Michigan junior Tim Hardaway made a 3-point shot at 1 minute 30 seconds left in the game which put the Wolverines down one point. Duke’s Kyrie Irving made a jump shot to put the score at 72 – 69. Michigan’s Darius Morris scores on a layup to put them within one point of Duke with 10 seconds left. Blue Devils’ Nolan Smith made 1 out of 2 foul shots with 9 seconds left in the game. Wolverines’ Darius Morris missed the last shot of the game.
The end of the game has been the story of Michigan basketball this season and they have lost their share of close games. Close games include losses to Syracuse, Purdue, Kansas, Wisconsin, Duke and 3 times to Ohio State. Michigan will have their whole team back next year while the top teams in the Big Ten will be losing key players to graduation. Many people predict that Michigan could win the Big Ten title and has a chance to be nationally ranked next year. The Wolverines finished the season at 21 – 14.
Tags: basketball, Duke, glass beer mugs, sports mug, U of Michigan
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