NCAA Tournament : Elite Eight South Region Final: 5 Houston vs 2 Villanova

By: Mike Rifkin

The fifth seeded Cougars have gone through UAB, Illinois and top seeded Arizona to get to the Elite Eight and with a victory over Villanova the Cougars would get back to the Final Four where they lost to Baylor in 2021. In all three of their games the Cougars have had double digit offensive rebounds and assists. In their victory over Arizona guards Jamal Shead and Kyler Edwards combined for 40 points. 

The second seeded Wildcats have beaten Delaware, Ohio State and Michigan to get to this point. The Wildcats are looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2018 where they defeated Michigan to win the National Championship. In their three prior games Villanova has made eight or more threes. Senior Jermaine Samuels had 22 points and seven rebounds in the victory over Michigan and has had a really good tournament. 

These two teams are in the top 25 in scoring defense. Houston is third giving up 59.0 points per game and Villanova is 23rd in giving up 62.7 points per game. Villanova averages 9.9 turnovers per game which ranks twelfth in the country while the Cougars average 11.2 which ranks 50th. Free throw wise Villanova makes 82.3 percent while Houston is 66.9 percent. 

Prediction : These are two teams with a lot of experience, but in the end I like Villanova in a very tight competitive game. 

West Region Sweet 16 Recap

Not so Sweet for the Zags

By Mark Halpern

The Razorbacks did something that has happened to the Bulldogs many times before. The #4 Razorbacks took down the mighty favorites Zaga Bulldogs in a stunning victory 74-68. The Bulldogs once again came out and underperformed in the first half. They never regained a lead from then on out. What a game for J.D. Notae as he led Arkansas with 21pts 6reb and 6ast. Jaylin Willams and Trey wade also had big point nights, with each racking up 15. Arkansas seemed more prepared than Gonzaga here. Not to take away from the excellent play of Drew Timme, who had another stellar game with 25pts and 7reb and Chet Holmgren (possible 1st pick overall) also had 11pts and 14 rebounds. Another year in which the Zags were favored to be let down again. The Razorbacks Have their hands full with the Blue Devils seeming unstoppable.

Even though I didn’t pick them to win it all, I am so happy to see the magnificent coach K is still dancing with his team, beating a formidable opponent in the Red Raiders. This game was a great back and forth battle for the entire game. Paulo Banchero has had a fantastic tournament and yesterday put up an amazing stat line of 22pts 4reb 4ast; Mark Williams also came up big with 16pts and 8reb. All of the Duke starting lineup had a hand in keeping their coach’s hopes alive to cut down that final net. Now the Red Raiders were picked to win this game by most of us here at SIN, but many analysts felt the same. Bryson Williams played hard from the moment the tipoff happened and had a good night 21pts and 5reb; Kevin Obanor had a fantastic night producing a double double with 10pts and 10reb. I don’t think the red Raiders were outmatched or even outplayed. I can say they were outcoached, and Duke had only one thing on their mind: to move on. Duke faces a Razorback team that just took down the #1 Bulldogs. I am sure coach K and coach Mussleman are burning the midnight oil.

March Madness Sweet 16 East Bracket Preview

By Lawrence Lang

15 Saint Peters vs 3 Purdue 

  • The Peacocks are just the second team to make the Sweet 16, first being Florida Gulf Coast back in 2013. Also if the Peacocks can win they will become the first 15 seed to make the Elite 8. 
  • Purdue if they can purdce another win can joining the 25.7% of 3 seeds they have made the Elite 8 
  • Peacocks Daryl Banks 33 points in two game 27 against Kentucky and 6 against Murray State
  • Peacocks KC Ndefo 24 points in 2 games 7 against Kentucky and 17 points against Murray State 
  • Purdue last sweet 16 appearance came in 2019 and with a win it would also be their first appearance in the Elite 8 since 2019 as well 
  • Jaden Ivey 40 points in two games 22 against yale and 18 points against Texas 

8 North Carolina vs 4 UCLA 

  • NC 188 points in its first 2 games 95 against Marquette 93 against Baylor 
  • Brady Manke 28 points vs Marquette
  • Caleb Love 23 Points vs Marquette 
  • RJ davis 30 Points vs Baylor
  • Brady Manke 26 points vs Baylor 
  • Last Sweet 16 appearance was 2019 with a win it will be their first Elite 8 appearance since 2017 
  • UCLA Last Sweet 26 appearance was 2021 
  • Tyger Campbell back to back 16 points games against Akron and Saint Mary’s 
  • Jamie Jaquez jr back to back 15 points game against Akron and Saint Mary’s as well 

Scott Hall Tribute

By Jeff Knapp, Lawrence Lang and Mike Rifkin

Last week the wrestling world lost a tremendous prefromer. Scott Hall passed away at the age of 63. Scott Hall was the first ever four time WWE Intercontinental champion. In WCW Scott Hall was a former seven time tag team champion, television champion and United States champion. Scott Hall was the first WWE wrestler to jump ship to WCW and along with Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash formed the NWO, one of the greatest factions of all time. 

Scott started out in the mid-1980s wrestling in Championship Wrestling from Florida, the CWF which was a NWA territory at the time. He was trained by Dusty Rhodes, Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham. From 1984 to 1985 he traveled around Florida with CWF, the Carolinas in Mid-Atlantic and the Kansas area with Central States Wrestling.

His 1st break came in 1985 when Scott joined the AWA where he wrestled as “Magnum” Scott Hall due to his likeness to Magnum PI and then later as “Big” Scott Hall. During his time in the AWA he traveled to Japan and wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

While in the AWA, Scott was able to form a tag team with Curt Hennig and in 1986 defeated Jimmy Garvin and Steven Regal for the AWA World Tag Team Championship. After the two men broke up, Scott would get his shot at the AWA World title Stan Hansen and Rick Martel, coming up short.

Eventually Scott left the AWA in 1989 and joined the NWA. At this time is was NWA’s World Championship Wrestling. He was one of the younger talents that the NWA were trying to bring into the company, along with Brian Pillman and Sid Vicious. 

In 1990, Hall took a break from the NWA and toured Japan and the Caribbean, where he won his 1st major singles title by capturing the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship in March of 1991. In April, he lost the title and returned to NWA/WCW and changed his gimmick to the Diamond Studd and was paired with Diamond Dallas Page as his manager, who also gave him the toothpick gimmick. Scott, who formed tag teams with the likes Kevin Nash and Raven, who were wrestling as Vinnie Vegas and Oz and Scotty Flamingo, stayed in NWA/WCW until his departure in April 1992 when he headed to the WWF.

In May of 1992 Scott debuted in the WWF as Razor Ramon, an amazing homage to Al Pacino in the movie Scarface. This is where Scott had some of the greatest matches of his career. He had memorable matches and feuds with Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Diesel, Goldust and Vader. During his time there he will be mostly remembered for his Wrestlemania 10 ladder match against Shawn Michaels for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, which has become the gold standard for one on one ladder matches to this day. 

On May 27, 1996 Scott Hall made his WCW debut interrupting a match and telling the world “You know who I am, but you don’t know why I’m here” This debut would set up the arrival of Kevin Nash a very short time later which could change the course of wrestling history forever. Hall and Nash would form the Outsiders tag team and go on to the 1996 Bash At The Beach PPV, where the course of wrestling history would change forever. Nash and Hall kept claiming there would be a 3rd man for their 6 man tag against Macho Man, Sting and Lex Luger. That man was Hulk Hogan. That night they formed the NWO, The New World Order and became the most powerful faction in pro wrestling. 

During his run in WCW as part of the NOW (and NOW Wolf pack) he became a 7x WCW World Tag Team Champion (6x with Nash and 1x with Paul Wight aka The Giant aka The Big Show) Their 1st title win was in defeating Harlem Heat at Halloween Havoc in 1996.

Scott also became a 2x WCW United States Champion and a WCW Television Champion. 

After the sale of WCW to Vince McMahon, Scott was inactive for a while before making a few appearances for ECW in their final year. He teamed with Jerry Lynn and defeated Justin Credible and Rhino and then in Poughkeepsie, NY, in which I was there for this show, he defeated Credible again and then losing to Big Sal E. Graciano.

In 2002, Hall, along with Nash and Hogan returned as the NWO to the WWE. While there he had his biggest match since the late 90s by facing Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 18. In may of 2002 Hall was released.

After taking some time off, Hall then returned to wrestling as a member of the TNA roster between 2002 and January of 2005 and then returning in November 2007 and leaving for good in 2008. 

For some it’s difficult to not talk about Scott Hall and not talk about his out of the ring issues, but that’s not what I wanted to do. I want to remember his contributions to the world of pro wrestling and all the memories this 2x WWE Hall Of Famer would give us. 

Before I close this out, I’d like to give you 5 of Scott’s top matches (in no particular order)

  1. Wrestlemania 10 – IC Championship Ladder Match vs Shawn Michaels
  2. King Of The Ring 1993 vs Bret Hart
  3. SummerSlam 1995 vs Shawn Michaels
  4. Survivor Series 1992 w/ Ric Flair vs Randy Savage and Mr. Perfect
  5. RAW 1993 vs Rick Martel for the IC Championship

This is something hard to write about because it’s still surreal to know that the “Bad Guy” is gone growing up. I don’t have many memories of watching Hall wrestle but hey that’s what the internet is for and I was able to grow appreciation for hall for his in ring work and what he did for the business of professional wrestling/ sports entertainment. He definitely was the original “Bad Guy” and he was definitely cool at being it.  With being Razor Ramon he should you only need a toothpick to be a bad guy and to this day if you are fan of pro wrestling fan when you see a tooth pick the first thing you think of is Razor Ramon, you grab one and use it but at the end instead of just throwing it away like a normal person you flick it like Razor did because you wanted to be cool just like him. Also who can forget “Hey Yo” , a simple way to grab the audience’s attention. Another thing if you are a wrestling fan you greet your other wrestling fans with that saying. Hall was definitely a contribution to the business and he will be missed dearly by the pro wrestling world and fans. One my favorite moments in hall comes in the form of his sell of the Stone Cold Stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin and Wrestlemania 18 when he took the finisher and threw himself up in the air like a rocket it definitely was an over sell but when you take the stunner from Austin it’s you taking the move that makes the fisher work. So for Hall to do a bit of an over-sell made it perfect cause it fit the Wrestlemania mood and also when you’re in the NWO anything you do will look great.   And when your NWO you are NWO 4 life

RIP to the “Bad Guy” WE love you and you will always be missed.

NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET 16 WEST PREVIEW

By: Mike Rifkin

4 Arkansas vs 1 Gonzaga : The Razorbacks have gotten here by defeating Vermont and New Mexico State in close games. Arkansas has been to the free throw line 25 times in both games. Forward Jaylin Williams has had a double double in both games, if the Razorbacks want to upset the Bulldogs he has to keep Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren in check. If you watch Gonzaga’s second half against Memphis it was the Drew Timme show, he was sensational leading the Bulldogs back from 10 points down to defeat the Tigers. Arkansas has been really good from the free throw line, Gonzaga has struggled from the line. One guy the Zags would like to get going is Julian Strawther who has nine points on 4-16 from the field and 0-9 from three. In the regular season Strawther had a 50.4 field goal percentage and was 37.1 percent from three if he gets going that changes who Gonzaga is. 

Prediction: Gonzaga has too much size and survives Arkansas.

2 Duke v 3 Texas Tech : Is tonight the night that coach K’s legendary career comes to an end ? Duke is coming off an exciting come from behind win over Michigan State. Duke has been pounding the offensive glass with 10 offensive rebounds in both of their wins. Paolo Banchero through two games has 36 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Blue Devils. In their two wins Texas Tech held both Montana State and Notre Dame to under 40.0 percent shooting. The Red Raiders have forced 27 turnovers through two games, while Duke has turned it over 23. Texas Tech is also plus 15 rebounding the basketball. Kevin Obanor has posted a double double in each of the first two games. 

Prediction: Texas Tech’s experience and defense helps them end the career of Coach K.

March Madness East Weekend Recap

By Lawrence Lang

3 Purdue vs 14 Yale 

  • Purdue purdces a win 78-56 
  • Purdue Jaden Ivey 22 points 
  • Yale Azar Swain 18 points

11 Virginia Tech vs 6 Texas 

  • Horns up for Texas 81-73 win 
  • Texas Andrew Jones 21 Points 
  • VT Sean Pedulla 19 Points 

Saturday First Day of Round of 2 East 

5 Saint Mary’s vs 4 UCLA 

  • UCLA gets the unclear late advantage wins 72-56 
  • UCLA Tyler Campbell 16 points 
  • Saint Mary’s Logan Johnson 18 points 

15 Saint Peters vs 7 Murray State 

  • The Peacocks magical run continues with a 70- 60 win 
  • Peacocks KC Ndefo 17 points
  • Murray State Justice Hill 19 points 

8 North Carolina vs 1 Baylor 

  • NC gets it done in over time to take a #1 with the 93-86 OT win 
  • NC Hunter Dickinson 27 Points 
  • NC This is what March Madness is about because you never know what madness will ensure and with most people probably thinking this would be an easy victory for #1 Baylor. NC took a play out of an old Alumni player ( You Know Who and if you don’t SHAME) and they took that personally. When you take out a #1 early in the tournament all eyes go to you. 
  • Baylor Adam Flagler 27 Points 
  • For Baylor this is a punch to the face like Buster Douglas Knocking out Mike Tyson in the tenth round to win the championship( In this case you just lose the chance of going back to back) if anything is will add fuel to the fire for Baylor to try come back next year if they are able to make the tournament ( You Never Know ) and come back and win the whole dang thing. 

Sunday Second Day of Round 2 East 

6 Texas vs 3 Purdue 

  • Purdue purdces again 81- 71 
  • Purdue Trevion Williams 22 points 
  • Marcus Carr 23 points 

Pressure On Tua

By: Mike Rifkin

In 2020 the Miami Dolphins selected Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall. In two seasons as the starter Tagovailoa has a 66.2 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Tua has been scrutinized because Justin Herbert, who was selected sixth overall, has been great for the Chargers. During last season there was speculation that the Dolphins were exploring a trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Head coach Brian Flores was the one wanting that deal, and after the 2021 season Flores was fired. 

General Manager Chris Grier said at the combine that Tua was their guy and this offseason they have given him all the tools to succeed. The Dolphins hired 49ers offensive coordinator to be the head coach. Mcdaniel comes from the Shannahan coaching tree and if you watched the 49ers offense was about speed and playmakers. 

One area specifically Mcdaniel will help is with the running game. The Dolphins last season averaged 92.2 yards per game rushing which ranked 30th in the NFL. The 49ers 127.4 yards per game rushing which was seventh in the NFL. TTo improve the running game the Dolphins needed to upgrade the offensive line, something that has been said for a long time. And boy did they upgrade the offensive line they brought in Connor Williams from the Cowboys. They also added the top free agent on the market, signing Terron Armstead from the Saints to a big five year contract. Miami knew they had to upgrade the running back position and they brought  in Chase Edmonds from the Cardinals. Edmonds in 2021 averaged 5.1 yards per carry and in his career has averaged 4.7 yard per carry. Edmonds was not the only running back brought in. Mcdaniel brought in Raheem Mostert, a guy he is very familiar with. Mostert tore his ACL during the season opener last year. Mostert in his career has averaged 5.7 yards per carry.   The team designated tight end Mike Gesicki with the franchise tag and Gesicki has signed the tender which means Gesicki and the Dolphins have until July 15th to come to a long term deal. Gesicki had 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns last season, and has been vocal in his support of Tagovailoa. The team also signed  receiver Cedrick Wilson from the Cowboys. Wilson had a breakout 2021 with 45 catches for 602 yards and six touchdowns. And then today the Dolphins traded for Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins traded this year’s first and second round picks (29 and 50), a fourth round draft pick also this year and a fourth and sixth round picks next year. In his career Hill has 479 catches for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns. Hill is arguably the fastest player in the NFL and I imagine Mcdaniel may use him similar to how he used Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. And don’t forget the Dolphins drafted Jaylen Waddle sixth overall last year and all he did was break the rookie record for receptions with 104. He had 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. 

If you take a look around the NFL to help young quarterbacks they get solid receivers to help them develop. Josh Allen got Stefon Diggs, Kyler Murray got Deandre Hopkins, etc… Now Tua has to take that next step and progress as a quarterback because now there are no more excuses. The Front office and coaches have given him everything he can imagine now he has to go out and play well because if he doesn’t Miami is looking for another quarterback next year.

NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET 16 Preview South/Midwest Region

By: Mike Rifkin

South: 

11 Michigan vs 2 Villanova : Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson through two games in the tournament has 48 points and 16 rebounds. As a team the Wolverines are +14 rebounding the basketball. Michigan has shot 28.6 percent and 37.5 percent from three in the two games respectively. The Wolverines have also turned the ball over 15 times in both games. Through two games Villanova has forced 22 turnovers, so ball security for Michigan is a major key in this game. In their two games thus far the Wildcats have had double digit offensive rebounds, giving them second chance points. In both their games combined Villanova has given up 10 threes. Jermaine Samuels has 32 points and 17 rebounds in both games for the Wildcats.

 Prediction:  Villanova ends Michigan’s season and advances.

1 Arizona vs 5 Houston : The Wildcats survived a scare from TCU in the second round but survived in overtime. Christian Koloko has had double doubles in both games in the tournament. The Wildcats have turned the ball over 35 times in two games. Houston has forced 29 turnovers in their two games including 17 vs Illinois. 

Prediction: Houston made life difficult for Kofi Cockburn in the second round  and I think they do the same to Koloko and advance. 

Midwest 

4 Providence vs 1 Kansas : Providence has won the first two games of the tournament with their defense. They held South Dakota St, the second highest scoring team in the Nation, to shoot 38.6 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from three. They held Richmond 39.6 percent from the field and 1-22 from three (4.5 percent). Providence is +20 rebounding the basketball through two games. Noah Horchler has 29 points and 23 rebounds in two games. I don’t think Kansas has played their best basketball yet in this tournament. Creighton gave them all they could handle. Kansas needs Ochai Agbaji who has shot 5-14 in both games in the tournament and made one three in each game to step up. Against Creighton Remy Martin stepped up in a big way, but now it’s time for the Kansas superstar to step up. To me the difference in this game might come down to which center plays better between Nate Watson of Providence and David McCormack of Kansas. Both have not played great this tournament but either one can be the difference in this game.

Prediction : Agbaji has a big game and the Jayhawks survive.

11 Iowa St. vs 10 Miami : I don’t think many had this one in their bracket. The Cyclones beat LSU and Wisconsin to get here. Iowa State won both games by five points. The Cyclones defense has forced 36 turnovers through two games. Iowa St has shot the ball 35.7 percent and 34.5 percent from the field in two games. Miami has beaten USC and Auburn to get here. Miami has seven turnovers in two games, while forcing 31 turnovers. Guards Isaiah Wong and Charlie Moore have led the way for the Hurricanes. Head coach Jim Larranaga has done this before he led George Mason to the Final Four in 2005-06 and hopes to do the same with the Hurricanes. 

Prediction: The Hurricanes defense and great guard play from Moore and Wong lead them to victory.

Cameron Smith wins the Players Championship

By Ross Mazin

Cameron Smith is you’re 2022 Players Championship winner. What a come-from-behind win. He was way down in the final rounds as he was two strokes behind heading into the final round. His way of playing is unchallenged because he is cool, calm, and collected on the course.

The Players Championship is a test of mental toughness and golf aptitude. This is high-caliber golf at its finest, and Cameron Smith never showed signs of fatigue. Not everyone can say they’ve won one of the most challenging courses in the country. He has slowly become one of my favorite golfers to watch on the tour because he is humble, and his style of play is unlike any other player on the tour.

 The Championship was held at TPC Sawgrass, which opened fall of 1982. It was designed explicitly for the Player’s Championship to challenge a golfer’s mental and physical fitness. The par 3, 137 yard 17th hole, also known as the Island Green. This hole is its most recognizable hole. This is my opinion, the most famous golf hole. It would be best if you were accurate as this green plays fast. If you are four yards over the pin, you are in the water on this round. Accuracy counts on this hole as it has eaten the balls of many talented golfers.

This year’s tour field has been nothing short of spectacular, and I love every minute of it. Every player has earned their place. My three favorites are Sam Burns, Justin Thomas, and Cameron Smith.

Sam Burns is a more meticulous golfer when on the course. He tries to play it safe more than taking risks. Justin Thomas is just flat-out excellent on the course. His long drives and hunger for competition have made him one of the most feared golfers playing today. Cameron Smith is a fantastic golfer, in my opinion. As I said above, he is very humble and takes it how it lies. He has proven he a force to be reckoned with, and expect to see more of this play soon.

This course has had its fair share of jaw-dropping moments in its history. Here are some of the ones I feel are the best.

1. Calvin Pete birdieing the first two holes and the last four and winning by three shots against the great Jack Nickalus in 1985.

2. A fan taking a swim on the 17th hole while Jeff Sluman was on the second playoff hole. Sluman had the chance to putt but ultimately bogeyed the 18th hole and lost. The fan was ultimately gathered from the water and fined for his actions.

3. Nick Price and the most incredible shot of his life on the 17th hole and making a birdie in the 1993 Players.

All around, congratulations to Cameron Smith. I think Justin Rose will end up winning the next tournament which is the World Golf Championship- Dell Technologies Cup. The field will be extensive like this tournament and fun to watch.

Come check out the Live debut of The 19th hole on April 7th, 2022, at 8 pm live on YouTube.

Falcons Blunder

By : Mike Rifkin

The NFL’S quarterback carousel kept going on Monday as the Atlanta Falcons traded franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2022 third round pick. Ryan, the third overall pick in 2008 is the Falcons all time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. 

The Falcons in 2016 went to the Super Bowl and blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots. The following season the Falcons made the playoffs, but haven’t been since. If you listen to the Wishbone Shotgun Podcast (cheap plug) I have been adamant for the last few years that the Falcons should trade Ryan. Because Matt Ryan is too good for that team to not be competitive. In 2019-20 the Falcons went 4-12 and were drafting fourth overall. The Falcons could have had Justin Fields or Mac Jones, instead opted for tight end Kyle Pitts. Last offseason the Falcons traded Julio Jones to the Titans and to me that should have been the signal to rebuild the franchise.  The Falcons in 2021 went 7-10, but what would their record be if Matt Ryan wasn’t there? By trading Ryan now the Falcons have a 40.525 million dollar dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history. Had the Falcons done this trade a few years ago the dead cap could have been less plus they could have gotten more value than a third round pick for the best player in their franchise’s history.