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Sunday, March 30, 2008

Davidson vs. Goliath

How many times will the Davidson team replay those last 15 seconds against Kansas? The best player in the college basketball is sophmore Stephen (STEFF-in) Curry of Davidson. He proved it today when he showed his quickness to get free when he didn't have the ball. Kansas, which this writer feels is the best team in college basketball, couldn't find anybody to stay with. He did get cold in the second half but he is FUN to watch.

Now back to the final 15 seconds. Why did Curry bring the call up the court? Where were the screens? With three players on Curry at one time during those last seconds wasn't somebody wide open? You suppose they will sleep tonight? Too bad, they had a great run and a great chance to be in the Final Four. They should be commended and Curry has a bright future ahead of him.

The Nebraska baseball team got humbled today by getting beat 12-3 at Texas. Not to say they had a big head because they aren't that kind of team and they don't have that type of coach. They had a great run going and they are for real. Hopefully the wide margined loss today won't have a negative effect on the team psyche. Pitching has been the difference this year. It has been phenomenal. With the depth they have, hopefully we won't go into a slump this year in the pitching department. Hitting has been consistently good. They won't hit three or four homeruns per game but they can score runs. 14 against Texas Friday night!!

The Nebraska team feels different. Seems to be a buyin with the new coaches. They seem to be hungry for success. There doesn't seem to be talk of any players leaving which is a good sign. Usually you see a few players transfer right away and this doesn't seem to be the case. We are in the honeymoon stage but it just feels different.

The players are reported to be quicker and part of that is due to weight loss from many of the players. Philip Dillard, Barry Turner, Zach Potter, Quentin Castille and many others are lighter and therefor will be quicker. Latravis Washington, who is a cousin to Oakland Raider and former Husker Fabian Washington, has come out of no where to establish himself the starting outside linebacker as of now. Interesting to see what he has done to show the new coaches he is a starter. He will be a sophmore this fall.

The Harlan County Lake is above 1943 in elevation which is only three feet from normal pool level. There is a nice stream of water running in the Republican River. Who knows, it is possible to get that extra three feet before June when the lake seems to peak.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Sports Today




Husker Men's Season Comes to an End
The husker men's basketball team couldn't pull out the victory over Ole Miss last night. The huskers managed to put the game into overtime but were unable to win. Read below for a complete game summary and box score. http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=rivals-209271&prov=rivals&type=lgns Aleks Maric (left) scored 18 points in his final Nebraska game.Nebraska women play tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.


Impressive!
On ESPN.com you could fill out a March Madness bracket. They had over 3 Million entries and suprisingly, 2 people have all the sweet 16 teams right! That is impressive to me.



Baseball is Back
Baseball season has officially started and it started off with a bang. The Boston Red Sox played the Oakland A's in Japan this morning. Boston won in extra innings 6-5 with Manny Ramirez (left) being the hero. See msn site below for complete game summary. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7948294/Sox-hold-off-A

Wood is the Closer
You know I couldn't go a whole article without mentioning something about the cubs, right? Kerry Wood was named the Cubs closer Monday, over contenders Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry. With how good all three of these guys are, I can't see the Cubs losing my games when leading after the 6th inning. Marmol and Howry were unbelievable last season. The closer role opened up when last years closer, Ryan Dempster moved to compete for a starting position.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

NIT attendance for the first round

The attendance figures for the first round of the NIT was surprisingly low at some of the games. Nebraska had the third highest attendance figure. These figures were taken from the Yahoo Sports box score.

Robert Morris at Syracuse.............................10,536
Morgan State at Virginia Tech........................9,628
Charlotte at Nebraska......................................9,427
Rhode Island at Creighton...............................7,948
NC Asheville at Ohio State..............................7,117
Cleveland St. at Dayton...................................7,012
Utah State at Illinois St...................................6,397
Oklahoma St. at Southern Illinois..................5,353
San Diego St. at Florida...................................5,188
Alabama St at Arizona St................................4,358
Santa Barbara at Mississippi..........................4,089
Maryland at Minnesota...................................3,882
Akron at Florida St..........................................2,830
Stephen F Austin at Massachusetts..............2,112
New Mexico at California................................1,906
UAB at VCU......................................................No report

In second round games, the results and attendance has been as follows:
Akron 63 at Massachusetts 68......................3,118
Creighton 54 at Florida 82.............................7,595
Southern Illinois 51 at Arizona St 65...........4,961
Maryland 72 at Syracuse 88.........................14,768

Nebraska (20-12) plays at Mississippi on Monday night at 8:05. The game is on ESPNU. If Nebraska wins, they play the winner of the Virginia Tech/UAB game held at Virginia Tech. Assuming NU wins, Nebraska would play at Virginia Tech if they win. If UAB wins, they would play at Nebraska, it appears, on Tuesday night. The NIT final four begins then on April 1st at Madison Square Garden. Nebraska would play the winner coming out of the Ohio State, Illinois St., Dayton, and California games. NU could be there. They were in the top four of the big twelve at the end of the season!!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Nebraska Men's basketball will play in the NIT!

Nebraska ended the regular season with a bang. They are probably in the top four of the Big 12 right now. Early season losses to Western Kentucky (NCAA), Baylor, Iowa State, and Colorado did them in. But right now they are as good as any team in the Big 12 except Texas and Kansas. This writer feels Kansas is the top team in the nation and they led them Friday by five at halftime. Phooey to an RPI rating of 95. They are MUCH better than that.

Doc Sadler has taken this team to a new level. He is getting the most out of his talent. He is a genuine guy who Nebraskans can relate to. You got to love him!!

There are a lot of great teams left for the NIT. Nebraska will be the top team from the Big 12. Ohio State, Illinois State, Virginia Tech, and Arizona State all looked to be in the NCAA tournament a week ago. Nebraska should get a home game next Tuesday so that they don't compete for the NCAA tournament on the weekend in Omaha. It will be fun!! The NIT selection show is on ESPN2 at 8 tonight!!

JUST IN!

Huskers home for NIT

Nebraska, the No. 3 seed, will play No. 6 seed Charlotte on Wednesday in Lincoln.

Tip-off is 8 p.m. Television: ESPN Classic. Just another game I won't be able to watch!!!!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Harlan County Lake Elevation


The Harlan County Lake is rising. Elevation today was 1942.66. Normal pool level is 1946. A year ago the lake's elevation was 1930.73, which is a rise of app. 12 feet. On 1/2/07, the lake's elevation was 1926.44. Since that time the lake has risen over 16 feet.

Catfish don't seem to be biting south of Orleans yet. Not a lot of signs that there are many fish in the river that far west yet.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Better Know a MLB Team, Part 6

Professional baseball in Cleveland began June 2, 1869 when the Cleveland Forest Citys met the Cincinnati Red Stockings. Cleveland was represented in baseball's first p r o f e s s i o n a l league, the National Association of 1871. In 1890, Cleveland had two m a j o r l e a g u e t e a m s , one in the N.L. and one in the new Players' League. Cleveland enjoyed ultimate success and failure in the N.L. from 1891 through 1899. Led by Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young (left), the Cleveland Spiders began play at a new ballpark, League Park. Cleveland had the honor of playing in the first A.L. game in its major league history, April 24, 1901 at Chicago. All the other games scheduled for that date were rained out. Cleveland's biggest baseball star in the early days of its new franchise was Napoleon Lajoie. Cleveland's nickname became Naps, in honor of Lajoie, in 1903. The Naps lost a then franchise record 102 games in 1914 and attendance sank to disastrous lows as the Lajoie era in Cleveland came to a close. On January 17, two Cleveland newspapers (The Leader and The Plain Dealer) reported that Indians had been chosen to replace Naps.

In 1920, Ray Chapman, was fatally beaned by pitcher Carl Mays of the Yankees at the Polo Grounds in New York. Later that year, Cleveland won the best-of-nine games World Series against Brooklyn that was punctuated by Elmer Smith's grand slam (the first in World Series history), Jim Bagby's home run (first by a pitcher in World Series history), and Bill Wambsganss' unassisted triple play (the only unassisted triple play in World Series history. These were all in the fifth game of the 1920 World Series at League Park.

April 8, 1975 marks a great stride for not only baseball, but America. Frank Robinson becomes the first African-American manager in MLB history, and he enters the ranks in grand style, hitting a homer in his first at bat. On May 30, 1977, Dennis Eckersley hurls a 1-0 no-hitter. Lenny Barker retires 27 consecutive batters on May 15, 1981, to become the first Cleveland player to do so since Addie Joss. A new era in Indians History begins on April 4, 1994 when the Tribe plays its first regular season game at Jacobs Field - a 4-3 win in 11 innings vs. Seattle before 41,459 fans. A drought of 41 years ends on September 8, 1995 at Jacobs Field when the Tribe's 3-2 victory vs. Baltimore clinches the AL Central Division. A season of memorable comebacks along with hefty poundings sees the Indians go 100-44, winning the Division by 30 games, the largest margin ever. The sellout streak that began on June 12, 1995 ended on April 4, 2001. The 455 sellouts is a Major League record.

National Champs-LSU having discipline problems!

Coach Les Miles is having trouble with his prized QB Ryan Perrilloux. Read more.

  • fanblogs
  • Sunday, March 09, 2008

    Unlikely that NU will play Creighton in the NIT!

    There is a lot of speculation that NU could play Creighton in the first round of the NIT tournament. This is unlikely because the NCAA has bought out the NIT. They now rank the teams and bracket them accordingly. NU could be in any of the four sections, East, West, South, or Midwest.

    What are the chances NU will be in the NIT? They were ranked 97th in the RPI rankings before the game today. They should move up a few places with a decisive win today against Colorado. NU was ahead as much as 30 points today. Alex Maric is a great draw and winning against two ranked Big 12 teams late in the season will help. NU will need to beat Missouri in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. After that they would play Kansas, which may be the best team in the nation.

    This writer predicts a NIT selection for NU with NU going to the West division to possibly play Oregon at Oregon in a rematch. Who knows.......................

    If not, NU will play in the 16 team CBI tournament.

    Wednesday, March 05, 2008

    Better Know a MLB team, Part 5

    Well it’s almost been nine months since my last entry on this topic. Spring is in the air though and makes me think of baseball. I wanted to continue with my series on each MLB team. Today we finish the AL east with the team who finished last in their division last year, the Tampa Bay Rays.

    On October 15th, 1997 MLB approved a resolution creating a 16 team National League and a 14 League American League for the 1998 season. The Devil Rays were placed in the American League East with the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Blue Jays. On November 7th, the Devil Rays named Florida Marlins pitching coach Larry Rothschild as the club’s first manager. Rothschild is now the pitching coach for the Cubs. On December 6th, individual tickets for the 1998 season went on sale and opening day sold out in 17 minutes.

    March 13th, 1998, the Devil Rays played their first game but lost to the Detroit Tigers 11-6. On April 1st, The Devil Rays defeated the Tigers 11-8 for their first ever victory. Rolando Arrojo earns his first MLB win. On April 18th, 2001, Larry Rothschild was fired after a 205-294 record. He was replaced by bench coach Hal McRae ho agreed to a 4 year contract. In 2002, the Devil Rays finished the season in last place in the AL east for the fifth straight season. On September 31st, Tampa Bay moves Hal McRae into the front office to be a special assistant. About a month later, the Devil Rays signed Lou Piniella to a 4 year, $13 million contract.

    The Devil Rays finished the 2007 season in last, again. This year the Devil Rays shortened their name to the Tampa Bay Rays.


    Visit the Rays website http://www.rays.com/

    Monday, March 03, 2008

    When Holdrege had a professional minor league club!


    In 1956, Holdrege started a professional minor league baseball team. They were called the Holdrege White Sox. Several went on to play major league ball. Read more.

  • Holdrege White Sox
  • Fishing Outlook

    With fshing around the corner, her is some good bait and luers to use.

    In the Republican:
    Catfish is the best thing to be fishing for in the Republican. Like I said in the last post, I like plastic worms and Bowker's stink bait. If you are putting out set lines, I suggest shad gizzards.

    In Harlan:
    Bass is what I suggest to be fshing for in Harlan. A few luers I suggest are as follows.



    Spinnerbaits: Strike King (above), Mepps Comet Minnow #4 or the pricy Terminator Titanium.


    Topwater: Heddon "Zara Spook" (right) or Rapala Skitter Poper.


    Buzzbait: War Eagle.


    Most of these luers can be found at Cabela's. http://www.cabelas.com/

    As far as the outlook, It should be the best fishig in years. Populations should be on the rise.
    People are questioning, who is "Mr. Catfish?" Well the one and only Mr. Catfish has been spotted south of Orleans on the river. Wheither Mr. Catfish is a myth or a fact, is yet to be proven.

    Sunday, March 02, 2008

    Spring Has Sprung


    With the 70 degree weather yesterday, I am convinced that spring has sprung. It was colder again today and will have some more cold days before summer but spring is in the air. With that in mind, Turkey and fishing season are just around the corner. I hope the fishing in the Harlan Co. Lake and all other fishing spots in Nebraska are very productive for everyone. My personal favorite for fishing spot is the Republican river south of Orleans. It is where I learned to fish. I love going catfishing with my pole, a plastic worm and bottle of Bowker's (right). I have attached Michael Boehler's "Crockpot Catfish" recipe.


    Ingredients: 2 Whole Catfish

    1 C. Water

    2 Tbs. Seasoning Salt


    Put entire catfish into crockpot and add water and Seasoning. Cook on high until meat falls off bone, whiskers fall off face, head falls off body and skin disintegrates (usually 6-8 hours). Serve with hushpuppies and Busch Light.