Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

HBO To Air Preview Of `Road To The NHL Winter Classic` Nov. 20

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – HBO Sports will present “Preview to 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road To The NHL Winter Classic,” a 12-minute

preview of the upcoming NHL reality series featuring the spirited rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, which is set to air exclusively on HBO.

Debuting Saturday, Nov. 20 at 12:15 a.m. ET/9:15 p.m. PT (or immediately following the conclusion of the live World Championship Boxing telecast from Atlantic City), the special will serve as a primer to the acclaimed series for new viewers as well an introduction of the players and coaches from the Penguins and Capitals, who will appear on the all-access series.

The Capitals are guided by Bruce Boudreau, while the Penguins’ head coach is Dan Bylsma. The two Eastern Conference rivals led by superstars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby will meet in the NHL’s Bridgestone Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

“Preview to 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic” will air a total of 14 times on the main service plus five times on HBO2. The preview will also be available 24 hours a day at HBO ON DEMAND,

starting Nov. 29.

HBO replay schedule:

Sat. Nov. 20 at 5:40 a.m.

Sun. Nov. 21 at 12:45 p.m.

Wed. Nov. 24 at 9:45 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 26 at 12 midnight

Sat. Nov. 27 at 1:15 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 6 at 3:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

Tue. Dec. 7 at 11:15 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 10 at 7:45 p.m.

Sat. Dec. 11 at 7:45 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT

Sun. Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Mon. Dec. 13 at 6:15 p.m.

Tue. Dec 14 at 8:45 p.m.

HBO2 replay schedule:

Tue. Nov. 23 at 2:30 a.m.

Thur. Dec. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and 5:45 a.m.

Sat. Dec. 4 at 1:45 a.m.

Sun. Dec 12 at 9:45 p.m.

All times are ET/PT except where noted.

The Emmy-Award-winning “24/7″ reality franchise premieres its first-ever pro hockey series when “24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic” debuts Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

The program will air for four consecutive Wednesdays with multiple replay dates and times, including an immediate encore replay each Wednesday at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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Kentucky Basketball Experienced In Dealing With Youth

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

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John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Lexington, KY, United States (AHN) – Kentucky coach John Calipari saw five of his players get drafted in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft and usually an exodus of such talent would mean a long season ahead.

Well, it appears that Kentucky is anything but usual.

Calipari’s Wildcats enter the upcoming season ranked 10th in the country despite losing top overall John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins whe went fifth.

Patrick Patterson (14th), Eric Bledsoe (18th) and Daniel Ortoin (29th) were also selected in the first round leaving the cupboard relatively bare in Lexington. No problem though, Calipari was more than able to restock the shelves.

Freshman point guard Brandon Knight will take over for Wall and he will be joined by a pair of fellow five-star recruits in forward Terrence Jones and shooting guard Doron Lamb. Cousins’ absence could be filled by power forward Enes Kanter, who is still awaiting word from the NCAA regarding his eligibility.

The bumper crop of freshmen Calipari has put together will be mixed with returnees Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins. After experiencing success last season, the Wildcats were 35-3, Miller and Liggins should be able to show the new Wildcats the ropes.

And there will be some learning to do, regardless of how talented Knight and company are. That much was evident Monday in a 97-66 exhibition win over Pikeville.

Kentucky has talent, but the sooner the freshmen learn that it doesn’t mean they will be handed wins the better for Calipari. Every team will give them their best shot simply because of what is says across the front of their jerseys … Kentucky.

“We really had no real fight or viciousness to our game,” Calipari said. ‘The thing with a game like this, I think Pikeville came out, which every team we play does, with a high energy level, aggressiveness. They were pretty big kids. They were seniors. They banged our freshmen around.”

The freshmen did eventually bang back as Knight scored 22 points. Miller added 21 points for Kentucky, but the Wildcats has their hands full for most of the game.

Pikeville, an NAIA school, led brieflyin the first half and trailed by only 11 early in the second before the Wildcats were able to pull away.

Vance Cooksey led Pikeville with 15 points, but the Bears shot just 32 percent from the field.

“If we learn from this, this was a great game to play. If we don’t learn from this, we got to do it some other way,” Calipari said. “I got to get them to understand. That means probably got to get meaner, which I don’t like to do. Just learn. You know what just happened. Let’s get better.”

The Wildcats host Dillard in another exhibition on Friday then open the season on Nov. 12 against East Tennessee State.

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Two-Time Pro Bowl Guard Logan Mankins Reports To Patriots

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Foxborough, MA, United States (AHN) – Already asserting themselves as one of the top teams in the AFC, the New England Patriots got even better Tuesday.

The Patriots announced Tuesday that guard Logan Mankins has reported to the team.

The two-time Pro Bowler rejoined the Pats after refusing to sign a tender offer as an unrestricted free agent.

He missed the minicamp in June, all of training camp and the first seven games of the season in which the Patriots went 6-1.

“It’s good to have him back with the team. He’s part of the team now,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. . “You just can’t have too many guys like that on your football team. We’re glad he’s back.”

Originally drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2005 draft out of Fresno State, Mankins has started 80 regular-season games and nine playoff games in his five seasons in New England.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009.

Belichick said the team would treat the Mankins on a “day-to-day” basis and did not want to talk about whether or not he had been in touch with Mankins during his holdout.

“I don’t want to get into any of that. it doesn’t matter right now,” Belichick said. “We have a big game on Sunday. That’s where our focus is. I don’t want to rehash anything that’s happened in the past. That’s all behind us.”

Mankins’ return for the duration of the season will enable him to earn the necessary service time to qualify for unrestricted free agency following this season.

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Going Far With Lamar: Odom Vital To Lakers` Success

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom is enjoying his best start in a purple-and-gold uniform after posting double-doubles in his first three assignments.

Odom, 30, is a revelation for the Lakers in the young season, averaging 16.0 points, 13.7 boards, 3.3 dishes, and 1.3 steals in 34 minutes per game.

Often criticized for his inconsistency, Odom is developing into a more mature player after serving as one of the trusted leaders for the young Team USA squad, which won the gold at the World Championship last summer.

Odom, who stepped up into the starting power forward slot to fill up the void of injured center Andrew Bynum, looks leaner and more at ease with his role as the Lakers third-option scorer.

In the Lakers season debut last week, Odom was noticeably active on both ends of the floor and posted a decent 14 points and 10 boards production in a 112-110 win over the Houston Rockets.

Odom followed up his season-opening output with another double-double performance against the Phoenix Suns (18 points and 17 boards) and Golden State Warriors (16 points and 14 boards).

The versatile 6-foot-10 power forward will have another opportunity to come up with solid stats Tuesday, as he bangs up against the inexperienced frontline of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Though he has not achieved the superstar status his teammates Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol attained, Odom is a vital cog for the Lakers ‘three-peat’ campaign this season.

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Washington Huskies Quarterback Jake Locker Out; Broken Rib

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) – The University of Washington Huskies will be facing a tough test Saturday against rival and current No. 1, Oregon and will be without star quarterback Jake Locker, who is dealing with a rib injury.

According to Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, the ailment developed from a cartilage injury, initially suffered during an Oct. 16 contest against Oregon State, and has grown into a full fracture following the punishing blows taken by the Huskies quarterback in recent weeks.

After sustaining bruised ribs against Oregon State, the 6-foot-3, 226-pound Locker was cleared to play against the Cardinal.

Aggravated by additional hits, the injury developed to a hairline fracture heading into the Stanford game due to a crack in the ribs.

It is uncertain which blow in Saturday’s 41-0 drubbing courtesy of Stanford worsened the 22-year-old senior’s injury.

The latest injury adds another stain in the disappointing senior season for Locker, who was projected as a top pick in the NFL draft prior to his decision to return to school.

Locker, currently ranked second in Washington history in pass completions, attempts and yards, was considered a Heisman contender when he announced his return to the Huskies.

As a result, redshirt freshman Keith Price will get make his first collegiate start with Locker sidelined. Price went 2-for-3 for 24 yards in relief against Stanford.

Locker’s absence is expected to provide a preview of a post Jake Locker era in Washington. The Huskies are currently struggling with a 3-5, 2-3 record.

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World Series TV Ratings Enjoy Monday Night Recovery

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – The World Series recovered from Sunday night’s TV ratings dip, registering a 10.6 overnight rating to topple ESPN’s Monday Night Football matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans.

FOX Spokesman Dan Bell reported Tuesday the World Series finale between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers received a rating 23 percent higher than the Colts’ 30-17 demolition over the Texans Monday night.

The Giants-Rangers World Series matchup failed to draw significant TV followers over the weekend, bowing to Sunday night’s football showdown between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers by 13 percent in 56 markets.

Nevertheless, the Giants’ 3-1 World Series-clinching victory over the Rangers was a TV hit Monday night, as it posted a 10.6 overnight rating against the 8.6 household rating received by the NFL.

The World Series, and generally, the MLB postseason had disappointing TV ratings due to lack of star power and absence of big baseball markets such as the St. Louis and Boston.

In fact, Game 5 of the World Series had 17 percent lower rating than last year’s Yankees-Philadelphia Phillies game 5 in 2009 and 5 percent below the Game 5 of Phillies-Tampa Bay Rays series in 2008.

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Darnel Powers Turkey To 2nd Round Of World Volleyball Championships

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – Turkey is assured of a spot in the next round after prolific spiker Neslihan Darnel unloaded a game-high 25 points to rally his squad past Canada 19-25, 20-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-8 at the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championship Tuesday in Japan.

Darnel, the tournament’s leading scorer, came up with another productive outing Tuesday afternoon, as she helped Turkey overcome a two-set hole and win a critical Pool D match with Canada.

Eda Erdem also tallied 19 makers for the Turkish side to foil Sarah Pavan’s 17-point effort for Canada.

Turkey coach Mehmet Bedestenlioğlu praised his players for the comeback win, although he would have wished it came in a much easier way.

Looking for its first win in the tournament, Canada jumped into a 16-13 lead and held off Turkey’s mini-rally to take the opening set 25-19.

The Canadians sustained their great plays in the second canto to take a 2-0 set advantage.

However, Darnel started to pick up her spot in the third set and grilled the Canadians with succession of powerful spikes.

Darnel went uncontested in the last three sets, as she burned Canada’s Word Championship hopes to ashes.

Turkey, already secured of a spot in the second round, will play South Korea in a match that will determine the second placer in Pool D Wednesday.

China (2-2), Poland (2-2), Germany (3-1), and the Netherlands (2-2) also booked their place in the next round after each posted impressive victories Tuesday.

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Ron Roenicke Tabbed For Brewers Managing Post

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Milwaukee, WI, United States (AHN) – Ron Roenicke, the former bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels, has reportedly been named as the Milwaukee Brewers’ new manager Tuesday.

According to multiple reports, Roenicke, who has been a member of the Angels’ coaching staff for the past 11 seasons, including five as bench coach, will become the 18th manager in Brewers history

A report in the Journal Sentinel indicated that Roenicke, one of the four finalists for the Brewers’ managerial job, has already been selected but the team is not able to announce the hiring yet.

Roenicke, a dark horse candidate in the Brewers’ search to replace Ken Macha, had three separate meetings with Brewers’ management, including a final meeting Monday night when the deal was reportedly made, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Though Roenicke has never managed in the major leagues he has managed for seven seasons in the L.A. Dodgers’ farm system, so he is familiar with National League rules.

He also managed under NL rules for San Francisco’s Triple-A team in Fresno in 1999.

As a player, Roenicke played for six clubs during a 12-year pro career as an outfielder/first baseman. He played for the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres, Giants, Phillies and Reds in eight major league seasons.

Roenicke was also part of San Diego’s 1984 NL championship team.

Other finalists for the job reportedly included former Mets manager and current ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine, former Diamondbacks and Mariners manager Bob Melvin and Chicago White Sox bench coach Joey Cora.

Last season, the Brewers finished 77-85, placing third in the NL Central. It marked the second straight 3rd-place NL Central finish for the Brewers under Macha, who was dismissed after his second season in Milwaukee.

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Asbestos Concern At MSG Postpones Knicks-Magic Game

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The scheduled clash between the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic Tuesday at the famed Madison Square Garden was postponed after asbestos-related material fell into the arena during maintenance work Monday night.

Garden officials indicated that the game was being postponed “out of an abundance of caution” and MSG will not reopen until it was assured the arena was safe.

Overnight maintenance work was done in the attic above the ceiling following the New York Rangers’ contest.

It prevented the laying down of the hardwood floor. As of Tuesday afternoon, the ice surface was still down.

“We will be working with the city and independent experts, ATC Associates and GCI Environmental Advisory, to evaluate and determine the most appropriate course of action,” Garden officials said in the statement.

No makeup date has been announced and nothing has been decided on coming home games.

The Knicks, looking to bounce back from their second straight loss in their home opener against Portland Saturday, are slated to host Washington Friday after visiting Chicago Thursday.

Orlando, looking to get back on track after suffering its first loss of the season Friday against the new-look Miami Heat, will play Wednesday when the Magic welcome Minnesota.

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Giants Reliever Brian Wilson Pitches In On Thursday`s `Tonight Show`

Posted: 03 Nov 2010 04:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Newly crowned world champion San Francisco Giants reliever Brian ‘The Beard’ Wilson, — known for his menacing black beard and unique personality as well as his prowess on the mound visits NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ on Thursday, November 4.

On Monday, November 1, Wilson closed out Game 5 of the World Series, beating the Texas Rangers for the Giants’ sixth world championship and first since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

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