UMFan83

Who said he ever had a problem hitting in Japan? Try hitting a granny against the San Francisco Giants and we'll talk :)

Wouldn't it be more exciting at Miller Park? ;) Nah, I'm into the whole neutral site thing after last years games.

Did anyone get an email from the Brewers for their marquee games package? A couple of my friends did (rejection letters) but I haven't gotten anything. If anyone gets one and doesn't plan on using it, let me know, I'd love to buy tickets to that April Cubs series at MMP.

Yeah but the playoffs in any sport, especially hockey, are a whole different animal. The last time I pointed to regular season success against one team translating to a playoff series against them, the Cubs got swept by the Dodgers. The time before, the Bulls got handled easily by the Pistons. In the Cubs case, they didn't play great against the Dodgers in winning the season series, but the Bulls looked like they really matched up well vs. Detroit in the 06-07 regular season and then got dominated in the first 3 games of their playoff series.

Do you really think so? I am not sure if I believe that. The team is young and talented, and quite a few of their key pieces are locked up. My thinking goes back to the Penguins two seasons ago. They broke through and made the playoffs as a 5 seed in 06-07, but lost to the 4 seed Ottawa 4-1 in the first round. The next year, the finished 3rd (or 2nd?) and made it to the Stanley Cup finals. I think it really depends on how they take to the playoffs. If they press and get a case of Cub-itis, I can see them losing in the first round quickly. But if they come in with a fearless, nothing-to-lose mentality, they could become giant killers and advance a few rounds.

So I was thinking a lot about the Hawks playoff chances this year. I am a semi-serious Hawks fan, I watch at least a chunk of 90% of the games, follow the team in the media, etc, but when it comes to the NHL in general I am more of a novice. So I wonder, what are the Hawks odds of making a run in the playoffs? There are times this year where the Hawks have looked unbeatable. In fact, there are a lot of times. Losses like yesterday make people so angry because they aren't expected. But there have also been times this year where the Hawks haven't looked as sharp (pun not intended). Their offense can be streaky, their defense has lapses here and there, there are depth issues here and there but nothing major. I am assuming most people's expectations would at least be to beat Vancouver in the first round. The Hawks have outplayed them a majority of their 3 games. But what about rounds 2 and 3 against most likely San Jose and Detroit. Are you hockey experts basically conceding there is no chance, or do you think if the Hawks can get over the psychological playoff experience hump by beating Vancouver, a group of young talented players with nothing to lose and their whole careers ahead of them can play with the big boys? Again, there have been times when the Hawks have looked just as good as SJ and Detroit, but when push comes to shove, they both have clearly distanced themselves from Chicago in the standings. So my questions are: 1) Assuming the Hawks are the 4 seed and draw Vancouver in the first round with SJ and Detroit 1-2, what are your reasonable expectations for the playoffs. (for example, mine would be win round 1, lose to SJ 4-2 is what I'd expect) 2) How likely is it that the Blackhawks can make a competitive series/win against SJ and/or Detroit? Or do you expect a veteran team like SJ or Detroit to roll over the Hawks 3) How likely is it that the Hawks can come out of the West and enter the Stanley Cup finals? Just hypothetical questions to discuss on the off day... Also, assume no major trades are made.

This completes a miserable day in sports for me where all 3 of my teams that played (Bulls, Michigan, Hawks) all lost to inferior games that they had no business losing. Yay

It's like when a team's 5th starter holds the Cubs to 2 hits in 7 shutout innigs

44-24 shot discrepancy in favor of the Hawks

Frustrating, but oh well. We are pretty much coasting into the playoffs as it is. Not a great chance of catching Detroit or falling to the 5th seed.

AGHHH I thought that was in.

Ack, shot right in the goalie's chest.

Damn, this goalie is playing the game of his life. Somedays, the shots just don't go in. You gotta tip your cap to the other guy.

here you go, now you can say you have seen michigan in the ncaa's: http://umtailgate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/spt-acthm3.jpeg Thanks. Wasn't a Michigan fan back then. Started following them in 1998, which coincidentally was the last year they made the NCAAs. Terrible decision on my part to root for them.

I believe it's on WGN 720. No TV though

My first instinct is to think that they are hurt, but then rational thought takes over and suggests that maybe they are just being conservative with their top pitches due to the extra long spring training. Either way, its worth some discussion. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-23-cubs-bits-chicagofeb23,0,2082510.story

Kill the stupid Dodgers. We'll get our revenge in Spring Training.

Yup that's it for Michigan. Everytime they get on some sort of run, and I get my hopes up, they get crushed by a game like this. College basketball sucks, I'll never get to see Michigan in the NCAAs.

I am pissed because the Hawks have DOMINATED this game. And they get a BS goal for NO reason. Oh great, the refs only know how to call a high-stick... Yup, would have been no goal had they called it on the ice.

Cyno's gonna be pissed.

Wow what a turn of events. Shutout streak over

It's kinda crazy that the Blackhawks are going to likely have the 3rd most points in the conference after today after having played 33 road games and only 24 home games so far. So for the rest of the season we'll have 8 more road games and 17 more home games, and have 2 games in hand over Detroit to make up 10 points. Not saying it will happen but its possible. Make up 7 points between now and the last 2 games of the season and we have a shot. If we win this game, we'll have finished a stretch where we played 11 road games out of their last 12 games, and have gone 9-3 in that stretch. Amazing

Every Saturday game besides May 2 vs. Florida and August 15 vs. Pittsburgh is sold out.

Why not? he's not a jump shooter. he'll overwhelm you with physicality, but i don't think he has even as many game winning shots as ben gordon does. anybody else think he looked bad during the olympics? They did a study on it recently. LeBron leads the league in GW shots over the last 3 years. LeBron can beat you in so many ways, I can't see why you'd think you wouldn't want him taking that shot. He's a 49% shooter this year, and obviously a lot of that is because he goes to the basket a lot, but that's still an impressive shooting % for a guard

I think you're underestimating how good Derrick Rose is going to be. Just out of curiosity, would you think this team can compete in the East? Dwayne Wade Ben Gordon Luol Deng Tyrus Thomas Chris Bosh You probably would. And realize that in a few years, Rose might be as good as (or possible better than) Wade. Here are their per-36-minute stats from their rookie years: Wade (age 22): 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, .465 FG% Rose (age 20): 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, .474 FG% So, comparing the two player's first years in the NBA, Rose scores at almost the same rate, but more efficiently. He also distributes better. And he's two years younger than Wade. I don't think he'll ever average 28 a game because he'll be playing the point, but I think it's very possible they'll have similar value. I don't think you can *only* compare 2 players based on statistics. Wade is a very good scorer and does it in many ways, from jump shots, to slashing in the lane, plus an amazing ability to draw contact in the lane. Wade seems to have a bigger reach as well, allowing him to get shots up over taller defenders (their height isn't a big difference, Rose is 6-3 and only 20, while Wade is 6-4) I'm not dogging on Rose, I think he is going to be a terrific player and can rival Wades impact. But to just compare them on their rookie numbers isn't telling the whole story. Wade's ability to score is unique and Rose might not be able to score in the same ways. Wades way of scoring might give him a higher ceiling that Rose's abilities might. There's no doubt that Rose is only going to get better though. His jumper is already better than Wade's is right now, and he has the ability to get to the lane easily. His first step is unrivaled in the NBA. I think he'll be a 25ppg scorer when all is said and done, if he doesn't focus more on distribution.