Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Overrated North Carolina Slumps in Puerto Rico

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

San Juan, Puerto Rico (AHN) – North Carolina is off to a slow start after a pair of losses at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Ranked No. 8 in the country, it appears that pollsters thought a little too much of the Tar Heels, especially coming off a 17-loss season.

North Carolina (2-2) has dropped two straight and is off to its worst start since the 2001-02 season. The latest setback was a 72-65 defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt on Sunday.

For the Commodores (3-1), it was their first victory over a top-10 team since they picked off No. 1 Tennessee on Feb. 26, 2008.

North Carolina also lost to Minnesota, which went on to defeat West Virginia for the title.

And where North Carolina appears vastly overrated, Minnesota looks like it may be a factor under Tubby Smith this season in the Big Ten.

Despite the setbacks, North Carolina coach Roy Williams certainly wasn’t ready to throw in the towel on the season.

“I don’t like being here in the scenario, to say the least, after losing two nights in a row, but it’s what it is,” Williams said. “I loved our emotion, our passion that we finally showed as a team when we were trying to make our comeback.

“The problem is we couldn’t get any defensive rebounds in the second half. Every time we get them to miss a shot, they’d get another shot and put it back in.”

Williams is working with a young team that includes three new freshmen and no returning scholarship seniors. Freshman Harrison Barnes was voted a preseason All-American, but he seems to typify the Tar Heels, a bit overrated.

Barnes scored 19 points in the first half against Hofstra but was 0-of-15 from the field against the golden Gophers. He scored 11 points against Vanderbilt.

As with any young team, Williams is dealing with a squad prone to some mental lapses and mistakes.

“They made us play defense, for sometimes 35 seconds and we would have a breakdown. We’ve got to get guys that won’t have breakdowns…To me the two keys were they made us play defense for a long time and took advantage of our breakdowns. And the second this is, during crunch time, I thought they got too many second-shot opportunities.”

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Saints Running Back Bush Looks To Return On Thanksgiving Thursday

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

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AHN Sports Staff

New Orleans, LA, United States (AHN) – After sitting out for nine weeks, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush is set to make his return against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium.

Several sources indicated Bush looks near top form after being sidelined for nine weeks due to fractured right fibula.

Bush was originally scheduled to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, but Saints coach Sean Payton moved it to Thursday as a precautionary measure.

Bush, who reportedly performed well in a pre-game workout Sunday, was said to be disappointed about not being able to play right away.

Nevertheless, the running back also understands his coach’s cautiousness with regards to his injury.

“I was pretty disappointed, “Bush told Nola.com Sunday, “But I understand that it’s not 100 percent. I’m close to 100 percent, but a few more days of rest obviously is going to do nothing but help me out.”

Bush also believed he needs to collect more reps in practice to convince Payton he’s finally ready to start.

After guiding the Saints to a 34-19 rout over the Seahawks for their seventh win this season, Payton will once again try to shuffle his rotation, especially if they would further miss tailback Pierre Thomas (ankle), safety Darren Sharper (hamstring), tight end Jeremy Shockey (ribs) and safety Malcolm Jenkins (stinger).

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Vikings Fire Childress After Blowout Loss To Packers

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Eden Prairie, MN, United States (AHN) – The Minnesota Vikings are one of if not the biggest disappointments in the NFL this season.

That’s a fact and it’s the reason Brad Childress is out of a job.

The Vikings announced Monday they have fired Childress.

The team stated that assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“The Minnesota Vikings have relieved Brad Childress of his head coaching duties. Leslie Frazier has been named Interim Head Coach and will serve in that capacity for the remainder of the season,” the team said in a statement.

“Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf and Leslie Frazier will address the media at 3 p.m. CT today in the Winter Park fieldhouse.”

The Vikings fell to 3-7 this year after a 31-3 home loss to NFC Central rival Green Bay on Sunday.

The defeat to the Packers was the biggest home loss in Childress’ four plus seasons as coach and it served as the last straw in his stint with the Vikings.

Childress was 40-37 with the Vikings including 1-2 in the playoffs.

Last season ended with a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game. Coming off that loss, the Vikings were favored to represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl, especially with Brett Favre coming back for another season.

Instead the season has been a disaster.

From Favre not showing up for camp until mid-August, to wide receiver Sydney Rice missing the first half of the season with an hip injury to Percy Harvin and his migraines, Childress has had issue after issue to deal with.

Some have been of his own making.

The coach had a heated argument with Harvin that was well documented, and cut Randy Moss without telling ownership of his plans first and he never giving the team or fans the full story.

Throw in the seemingly tense relationship he had with Favre, and it all proved to be too much.

“This has got me at a loss for words,” Favre began his post-game news conference. “Disappointing would be an understatement.”

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Rosie Jones Takes LPGA Legends Event

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

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Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Palm Harbor, FL, United States (AHN) – Picking up an extra $50,000 isn’t bad at all for a weekend on the golf course.

That’s what 2011 Solheim Cup captain Rosie Jones did at the Innisbrook Resort Sunday.

Jones fired rounds of 67-68 on the resort’s Island Course, and her nine-under par 135 total gave her an easy win on the LPGA’s version of a senior tour.

Jones never had a serious challenger over the two days.

She beat Michelle Redman by five shots (140) and third-place finisher Barb Moxness by eight (143).

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Heat Misses Hustle Player, Haslem To Undergo Foot Surgery

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

AHN Sports Staff

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left foot, making him unavailable at least until the All-Star break a major media outlet reported Monday afternoon.

Haslem, who’s averaging 8.0 points and 8.2 boards in 26.5 minutes per game, could miss a large portion of the regular-season with torn ligaments in his left foot.

The 6-foot-8, 235-pound hustle player reportedly tweaked his foot while defending Grizzlies bigman Zach Randolph in Saturday’s 97-95 loss at Memphis.

NBC Sports reported Haslem was required to undergo surgical procedure after an MRI examination showed severe damage in his ligaments.

A specialist also had a closer look at the injury and suggested the same solution to repair his left foot.

With Haslem sidelined, the Heat will lose their primary inside presence, hustle player and bench contributor.

The Heat (8-5), currently having a mediocre season, are reportedly looking for another quality big man who can provide toughness and intensity on the floor.

Several sources indicated the Heat are eying free agent center Erick Dampier, who worked out for the team during the offseason.

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Joey Votto Gets NL MVP Vote: Reds First Baseman Honored

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Joey Votto received 31 out of a possible 32 first-place votes and 443 points by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to earn his first MVP honor Monday.

The Cincinnati Reds first baseman hit .324 with 37 homers and 113 RBI this past season.

Albert Pujols of the Cards received the other first place vote and a bulk of the second place votes with 21, finishing over 150 points behind Votto.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies was third, followed by Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres and Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies who finished fifth.

He is the 12th Reds player to garner the award and the first in well over a decade, since Barry Larkin captured the MVP in 1995.

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Police Investigate Toddler`s Death After Fall From Lakers` Luxury Box

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

AHN Sports Staff

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Lucas Anthony Tang, 2, plunged about 50 feet to his death from a third-level luxury box Sunday night after the Los Angeles Lakers game.

The youngster was reportedly being photographed with his family shortly before falling over the edge of the section.

“Our condolences and prayers go to the Tang family,” the Staples Center organization said in a statement released Monday. “We are working with Los Angeles Police Department on the investigation of this tragedy.”

Severe head trauma is believed to be the initial cause of death of the Garden Grove, CA. youngster, though an official cause of death has not been cited.

Lakers officials, including coach Phil Jackson, were distraught at the news of Tang’s death.

“The Lakers organization would like to express our shock and sadness at the death of Lucas Anthony Tang,” the team said in a statement. “To go from a moment of happiness and enjoyment, to the loss of this boy’s life, is tragic and heartbreaking. We would like to ask Lakers fans to join us in keeping Lucas and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

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Pacman To Hang Up Gloves In Three Years

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, fresh off his demolition of Antonio “Tijuana Tornado” Margarito, reportedly indicated Monday that he does not see himself boxing beyond the age of 35.

The Filipino boxing icon, who turns 32 on Dec. 17, said in a news conference Monday that he will likely retire in three years, and could even fight again Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, who lost in their rematch in March 2008.

His last bout with Marquez, fought at the super featherweight class, earned Pacquiao not only the WBC Super Featherweight crown, but also made him the first Filipino and Asian to become a four-division world champion, winning each title in four different weight class.

In his latest lopsided victory Nov. 13, Pacquiao dominated Margarito, who had a 17-pound weight advantage, a 4-inch height advantage, and a six-inch reach advantage, en route to the WBC super welterweight title.

With the victory, Pacquiao, widely considered as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, became an eight-division world champion. He is the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles in eight different weight divisions.

It is the seventh organizational weight class title for Pacquiao, who is currently serving as the representative of his hometown province of Sarangani in the House of Representatives in the Philippine Congress.

Pacquiao, previously been crowned at 112, 122, 130, 135 and 140 pounds, is also the incumbent WBO champion at 147.

On Monday, Pacquiao received the nation’s highest medal, a congressional medal, from his countrymen for the second time in the Philippine House of Representatives.

Pacman indicated in multiple reports that he would be willing to face Marquez for the third time even though it would not be interesting to boxing fans, as the Filipino star even admitted.

There was no mention of a possible showdown with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. over the next three years.

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Midway Through Second Stanza, Habs Blanking Flyers Again

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

Ed Condran – AHN Sports Correspondent

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The Montreal Canadians have picked up right where they left off when they last played the Flyers. The Canadians, who are up 2-0 midway though the second period, blanked the Flyers 3-0 last week in Montreal.

The difference for the Canadians has been Maxim Lapierre, who has scored both goals.

Lapierre blasted a puck from the blue line past Flyers goalie Brian Boucher. The Flyers backup, starting back-to-back games for the first time this season, was screened during Lapierre’s second goal.

The Flyers, who are outshooting the Canadians 25-17, have had a number of quality chances.

Canadians goalie Carey Price, who is 6-1 lifetime with a 1.64 goals against average against the Flyers, has made a number of exceptional saves.

The tension between two of the three top teams, separated by a point in the Eastern Conference, is palpable.

Canadians center Lars Eller pulled the stick from Flyers center Danny Briere and threw it up the ice after an aborted faceoff. Flyers enforcer Jody Shelley has been looking for a brawl.

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Terrence Jones Sizzles As Kentucky Tops Oklahoma In Maui Opener

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:18 PM PST

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Maui, HI, United States (AHN) – Terrence Jones, one of Kentucky’s emerging freshman, poured in a game-best 29 points on a 12-of-17 shooting, leading the Wildcats to a 76-64 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2010 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center Monday night.

Jones also and hauled in 13 boards blocked four shots and had two steals for the Wildcats (3-0), who will next play the winner of the Virginia-Washington clash in the semifinals Tuesday.

Highly-touted freshman point guard Brandon Knight had 13 points, while DeAndre Liggins and Doron Lambs each tallied 12 points for the victors, who have dominated the Sooners in all their three encounters.

Kentucky won its previous clashes with the Sooners in 1947 and 1987.

Despite losing five first-round NBA draft picks, John Calipari’s 2010-11 Wildcats lit the scoreboards with a 56 percent shooting clip in the first half (18-of-32) to post a 42-28 lead at the break.

Kentucky shot an overall 50 percent, including 7-of-20 from behind the arc (35 percent).

The ‘Cats also outrebounded the Sooners, 37-29.

The Sooners (3-1), coming off an 82-52 trouncing of Texas Southern Thursday, were paced by Cade Davis, who logged 23 points and six boards in the loss.

Oklahoma has never won the Maui Invitational.

On Tuesday, the Sooners square off against the loser of the Cavaliers-Huskies bout.

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