My Blog!: November 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

DeMarcus Cousins Kicked Out of Kings Practice After Arguing With Coach

Filed under: Kings, NBA Rumors, FanHouse Exclusive, NBA Coaches

When the Kings debated drafting DeMarcus Cousins fifth overall out of Kentucky in the June draft, they were well aware that the decision was a classic risk-vs.-reward quandary.

Four-plus months after taking the risk and hoping for the reward, the former is far outweighing the latter.

After two incidents in mid-October led to a $5,000 team fine and the revelation that Cousins had been living up to his reputation for unpredictability, he was kicked out of practice on Monday, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Kings coach Paul Westphal disclosed his decision to the newspaper but didn't disclose his reasoning. Yet three sources with knowledge of the situation told FanHouse that Cousins was booted for having numerous arguments with Westphal during practice.

The situation, according to one team source, is hardly anything new in what has been a frustrating start for the 20-year-old and his 4-11 team.

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/29/demarcus-cousins-kicked-out-of-kings-practice/

Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio

Marian Hossa Out for Blackhawks Again

Filed under: Blackhawks, NHL Injuries

Marian Hossa was ruled out of action for two to three weeks on Tuesday, a day after the Blackhawks forward collided with teammate Nick Boynton in practice.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters after Tuesday's skate that the lower-body injury was not related to one that forced him out of five games between Oct. 28-Nov. 7.

"Since he came back from when he was injured (earlier), he was progressing -- he was coming off a great game in Los Angeles, played a lot of minutes, played him on a couple lines," Quenneville said. "He's useful in so many different areas -- power play, penalty kill. Obviously, there's a void there."

Hossa has eight goals and 10 assists in 21 games. Hossa missed nearly the first two months of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Hossa left the ice Monday favoring his right leg.

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/30/marian-hossa-out-for-blackhawks-again/

Maria Menounos Maria Sharapova

Colorado Rapids Claim First MLS Cup Title With Overtime Defeat of FC Dallas

Filed under: MLS, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas

TORONTO -- A hard-fought, disjointed, rough-and-tumble MLS Cup final was decided in overtime in the most appropriate fashion -- by a fortunate bounce.

Colorado Rapids forward Macoumba Kandji, who was acquired midseason from the New York Red Bulls and entered Sunday's game eight minutes into overtime, had a spring in his step that FC Dallas' defense was lacking as a physical game neared its conclusion.

In possession of the ball deep on the right wing in the 107th minute, Kandji paused and froze FCD center back Jair Benitez before dribbling through his legs. A quick, rising ball sent goalkeeper Kevin Hartman moving toward the far post, while defender George John stepped forward to make the play. He did -- the ball bounced off John's upper body and into the net, for perhaps the ugliest championship winner you'll ever see.

It was scored as an own goal, and it lifted Colorado to a 2-1 victory and its first major trophy after 15 years of a mostly mediocre, almost irrelevant existence. The Rapids were the only MLS team that competed every year from 2000 through 2010 without appearing in either the MLS Cup or U.S. Open Cup final. Now they are the champions of American soccer.

The own goal was also a fitting way to end the Rapids' run through the postseason. After finishing seventh overall with a 12-8-10 record, Colorado was shifted over to the much easier Eastern Conference bracket thanks to the league's convoluted playoff format -- one that the MLS promised will change in 2011.

But the Rapids hardly made easy work of the lighter half of the draw. They needed penalty kicks to get past the Columbus Crew in the first round, then used a seeing-eye, long-range bouncer from defender Kosuke Kimura to oust San Jose in the semifinal, 1-0. On Sunday night in Toronto, an own goal was the difference between agony and history.

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/11/21/colorado-rapids-claim-first-mls-cup-title-with-overtime-defeat-o/

Tila Tequila Tina Fey Tricia Helfer Tricia Vessey Trista Rehn

Thank you from Jaime Moreno

Fans,

What more can I say: you truly are the best. My number 1 fan and long time friend Oscar Zambrana and the Barra Brava, The Screaming Eagles, La Norte, District Ultra's and everyone here that has been supportive of myself and D.C. United over the years. I don't have enough words to thank you...

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/13926

Kate Beckinsale Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson Kate Mara

TNT's NBA Analysts Will Join March Madness Coverage

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Media Watch, NCAA Tournament, Sports Business and Media

Charles Barkley covering the Big Dance?

The combination won't seem so foreign by this time next year.

When CBS joins forces with Turner television to cover the men's NCAA tournament this coming spring, a new wave of analysts will be introduced to audience. That is, unless the audience regularly watches TNT's NBA coverage.

The Associated Press is reporting names normally associated with NBA broadcasts like Barkley, Marv Albert and Kenny Smith, among many others, will be involved in coverage by TBS, TNT and TruTV. CBS and Turner will reportedly combine their respective rosters to fill in all game coverage and studio analysis.

In April, the two companies signed a 14-year, $10.8 billion deal to jointly cover the now-expanded NCAA tournament. Home viewers with cable will now be able to view up to four games in any time slot with the new deal.

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Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/16/tnts-nba-analysts-will-join-march-madness-coverage/

Tyra Banks Uma Thurman Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo

Athletics to Meet With Lance Berkman

Filed under: Athletics, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The Oakland A's will meet with free agent Lance Berkman on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, as they search for ways to improve an offense that ranked 11th in the American League in runs scored last season.

Berkman his .248 with 14 homers and 58 RBI between Houston and New York in 2010, a significant drop-off from his star-caliber production during the middle of the decade, but Oakland is desperate for the thump even a diminished Berkman could provide. It ranked 13th in homers and 12th in slugging in the league last year.

One potential stumbling block could be Berkman's desire to play in the field. He describes himself as a first baseman and outfielder, not as a designated hitter, even though he hit .286 in 25 games there last season with the Yankees.

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/30/as-to-meet-with-free-agent-lance-berkman/

Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay

BCS Rankings: Auburn Passes Oregon, TCU Still Third, Stanford Now Fourth

Filed under: Auburn, Boise State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, Wisconsin

Auburn and Oregon swapped spots atop the BCS rankings released Sunday, but the most important thing for the Tigers and Ducks is to remain first or second when the final rankings are released on Dec. 5.

Auburn (12-0) had been second to Oregon (11-0) the past four weeks, but barely slipped past the Ducks as the No. 1 BCS-ranked team after the Tigers' win at Alabama Friday. The Ducks also were impressive, defeating Arizona, but still slipped to No. 2.

The top two teams in next week's final BCS rankings advance to the BCS title game Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz.

TCU (12-0) remained No. 3 but since Boise State (10-1), which was No. 4 last week, was upset at Nevada and plummeted in the latest rankings, the Horned Frogs are guaranteed their first BCS bowl berth as the highest ranked non-automatic qualifying BCS team.

LSU (10-2), ranked No. 5 last week, also lost on Friday, allowing Stanford (11-1) to climb two spots to No. 4 this week.

That is significant for the Cardinal because the top four ranked teams in next week's final BCS rankings are guaranteed a BCS bowl berth. Since TCU, Stanford and Wisconsin, which is fifth this week, have completed their regular season schedules, it is highly unlikely Stanford would fall lower than fourth in next week's rankings, guaranteeing the Cardinal a BCS bowl berth.

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/bcs-rankings-auburn-passes-oregon-tcu-still-third-stanford-no/

Malin Akerman Mandy Moore Maria Bello Maria Menounos Maria Sharapova

BCS Rankings: Auburn Passes Oregon, TCU Still Third, Stanford Now Fourth

Filed under: Auburn, Boise State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, Wisconsin

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/bcs-rankings-auburn-passes-oregon-tcu-still-third-stanford-no/

Karen Carreno Karolína Kurková Kasey Chambers Kat Von D Kate Beckinsale

Ales Kotalik Nears Return to Flames

Filed under: Flames

CALGARY -- It's no secret the Calgary Flames are in dire need of some offensive impetus, having scored just six goals in their past four games.

By the end of the week, they're hoping that the meek attack will be bolstered by a guy who has yet to see action this season: Ales Kotalik.

The Czech right winger made a real mish-mash of his knee during the latter part of training camp, damaging not one but two ligaments. But as the Flames prepared to meet Minnesota Wild on Monday night, Kotalik was on the Scotiabank Saddledome ice, testing out the knee and looking ahead to either Wednesday' game vs. Vancouver or Friday's game in Minnesota.

"It feels great," Kotalik acknowledged. "It's been a while. It's the most severe injury I've had in my career. It's not an easy thing to come back from. I've worked extremely hard in rehab and I'm committed to putting the work in and come back as strong as I have been.

"The doctors said it was pretty unusual. If it was one ligament only, I might be playing already. But I'm a heavy guy, I play with power on the ice, and it makes it harder for the ligaments to heal. I have to fight it and look for that comfort level."

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/29/ales-kotalik-nears-return-to-flames/

Padma Lakshmi Paige Butcher

DC's Boskovic frustrated by maiden MLS campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Branko Boskovic had seen enough. Last Saturday, his D.C. United side had just lost its 20th league match of the season ? its 12th defeat overall since his midsummer arrival and by virtue of their fourth blown lead during the same period. While most of the attention,...

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/14019

Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Works: The Orlando Magic's Balancing Act

Filed under: Bulls, Heat, Kings, Magic, Nets, Nuggets, NBA Rumors, The Works

In The Works today: when picks are illusions and Derrick Rose dismembers Tyreke Evans. But first, the peculiar position of the Orlando Magic with regard to the future.

Is Orlando Flexible or Flawed?

The Mavericks beat the Heat over the weekend; there was an element of "I told you so" to this win, as Dallas didn't even get the chance to make a pitch to LeBron James over the summer.

As Art Garcia writes, Mark Cuban's pitch to Maverick Carter (in hopes of making a pitch) included this now-prophetic line: "No team had ever blown up a team of all their core, then added a couple of free agents and won." Well, at least that's how Cuban tells it today.

Then today, the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic wouldn't be averse to trading well, anyone but Dwight Howard, despite being one of the best teams in the league:

The Magic still are open to making a deal for either Carmelo Anthony or Chris Paul ... Even Gilbert Arenas would be in the discussion if he wasn't owed gadzillions. Maybe Monta Ellis.

The Magic are no fools: They want to win a title and they know they need either a big-time scorer or playmaker to get past the Celtics or Heat, and then the Lakers. They would even be willing to take a step back this season to restock if it meant they could land either Anthony or Paul.

The blockquote is long, but the gist important: Mark Cuban predicted that no team built out of free agency -- a core-less entity -- would never wrap its hands around that great treasure over the horizon. At the same time, somehow, the Magic are (supposedly) looking not only to add another major piece, but to part with anyone on their payroll to do so. In effect, they're acknowledging that to make it over that hump, their core needs a serious upgrade. To such a degree that this core itself is called into question.

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/29/the-works-11-29/

Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio

MLS without Moreno

The MLS playoffs begin this week, and for the first time ever, Jaime Moreno will not be in the League when they do. In light of the League?s first playoff matches without Moreno, we spoke with some key figures around MLS about Moreno?s abilities as a player and his impact on the league.

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/13492

Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen

Jets, Patriots Playing for High Stakes in Latest Edition of Bitter Rivalry

Filed under: Jets, Patriots, AFC East

It doesn't take much for the New York Jets and New England Patriots to get fired up for each other whenever they play, but next Monday night in Foxborough, Mass., at Gillette Stadium the two teams will be in the middle of a playoff atmosphere.

Tied atop the AFC East with identical 9-2 records, this game for all intents and purposed will determine which one will be the division champion as third-place Miami is three games back at 6-5 and has lost to both of them. Tony Massarotti of The Boston Globe broke down the intricacies of this game and how it ranks as one of the most important yet in the rivalry.

Here's the meat and potatoes of the column as it pertains to the Patriots and why they need to extend their regular-season home winning streak to 26:

"Home field advantage and byes are critical advantages for any team in any postseason, but they are especially valuable to these Patriots at this particular time. As a result, this game means far more to the Patriots than it does to the Jets. New York can lose this game and still end up with home field advantage and a bye in the playoffs because the Jets currently own tiebreakers over, among others, New England. The Ravens and Steelers go head-to-head this week. The Jets and Steelers still have to face one another. Even with a loss, New York's fate would still very much be in its own hands.

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/29/jets-patriots-playing-for-high-stakes-in-latest-edition-of-bitt/

Michelle Branch Michelle Malkin Michelle Obama Michelle Rodriguez Michelle Trachtenberg

TCU to Big East, as MWC Not 'Same Home' Without Utah, BYU

Filed under: TCU, Big East

TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte didn't mince words when he announced the reason why TCU was leaving the Mountain West for the Big East.

"It was a wonderful conference, but it's not the same conference we joined," he said about the Mountain West during a press conference Monday. "Losing BYU and Utah was a significant blow to the conference. It's not the same home we bought. It's not the same home we were invited into."

The Horned Frogs will be an official Big East member in all sports on July 1, 2012.

Del Conte said talks about moving to the Big East started with Pittsburgh men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon, a TCU alum who was in Fort Worth when the Frogs played Baylor on Sept. 18. He and Del Conte started talking about what it would be like for TCU to be in the Big East and things were set in motion.

Rumors had been rampant that TCU had been extended an invitation, but the final decision didn't come down until Monday morning when the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to make the move in all sports.

"Having BCS automatic-qualifying status was a priority for our football program and a great reward for the success we've had the last decade under Gary Patterson," Del Conte said. "Keeping all our sports together was also critical. We are very excited to accomplish both these goals and look forward to our new home in the Big East Conference."

The move will greatly increase TCU's overall revenue. The 2010-11 BCS revenue estimates have each automatic qualifying team receiving about $21.2 million per year while the non-AQ conferences have to split a similar amount. Television revenue, depending on the Big East's new TV contract, could generate 10 times what TCU was earning in the Mountain West.

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/29/tcu-to-big-east-as-mwc-not-same-home-without-utah-byu/

Lokelani McMichael Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu Luján Fernández

MLS without Moreno

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/13492

Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello

Ravens, Bucs Butt Heads, Then Set Sights on Critical Week 13 Matchups

Filed under: Buccaneers, Ravens, NFL Analysis

BALTIMORE -- Sunday's slugfest at M&T Bank Stadium featured a heavyweight, the Baltimore Ravens, against an up-and-coming bunch, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who aspire to NFL elitism.

The Ravens won 17-10, but left the game knowing they'd been in a physical and chippy affair that served as a suitable warm-up for a much bigger bash next week.

"Just another Sunday in the National Football League," Baltimore wideout Derrick Mason said.

Not exactly.

Stop reading if you've heard anything like this before:

More: Quick Hits | Box Score | Recap

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/ravens-bucs-butt-heads-then-set-sights-on-critical-week-13-mat/

Michelle Trachtenberg Mila Kunis

Maine Red Claws Waive Magnum Rolle Due to Knee Injury

Filed under: NBA D-League, Maine Red Claws

The NBA Development League's Maine Red Claws announced today that they have waived NBA call-up candidate Magnum Rolle due to a knee injury which will sideline the 6-foot-11 big man "indefinitely."

Rolle, the 51st pick in this year's NBA Draft, was acquired by the Red Claws with the third pick in this month's D-League Draft after performing very well for the Indiana Pacers during the Orlando Pro Summer League. In five games, Rolle averaged 13.4 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while shooting 57 percent from the field in five starts as a rookie out of Louisiana Tech.

The Bahamian's performance in Orlando earned him a spot with the Pacers this preseason, but unfortunately became a victim of circumstance as Indiana decided that it simply couldn't eat Solomon Jones guaranteed contract and therefore had no decision but to waive Rolle's non-guaranteed deal.

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/26/maine-red-claws-waive-magnum-rolle-due-to-knee-injury/

Lisa Snowdon Liz Phair Lokelani McMichael Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley

Fantasy Football Tailgate: Week 12

Filed under: Fantasy Football Tailgate, Expert Chats

With three games on Thursday this week, it's likely either you or your opponent have some points already on the board. In fact, both of you may have had players starting on Thanksgiving. With a better idea than usual of how your matchup is shaping up, lineup decisions seem even more critical than usual. Oh, and there's that bit about the upcoming fantasy playoffs too.

Come share your questions and thoughts about Week 12 in our weekly Tailgate chat, starting two hours before Sunday's first kickoffs at 11 a.m. ET. We'll do our best to set your lineups up for success as we tackle any and all fantasy football related questions up until kickoff.

Please remember a key component of the chat: the number of question-askers greatly exceeds the number of question-answerers, and as a result it may take a little while for your question to be answered. We tackle the questions in the order they're submitted, so if yours hasn't been answered it means we're still taking care of previous questions. Do not repeatedly submit the same question. It slows down the process and doesn't get your question answered any quicker. Thanks, and we'll see you inside!

Injuries | Week 12 Rankings | Pregame Planner | Over/Under | Latest Player News

Source: http://fantasyfootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/fantasy-football-tailgate-week-12/

Raquel Alessi Rebecca Mader Rebecca Romijn Reese Witherspoon Rhona Mitra

Kyle Busch Wins Nationwide Race, Danica Patrick Leads Lap, Finishes 19th

Filed under: Nationwide Series, NASCAR

As Kyle Busch motored to a comfortable victory in the Nationwide season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway Saturday, Danica Patrick led her first lap in NASCAR racing before settling for a 19th-place finish, nonetheless her best ever in the series.

Busch dominated the event before winning by about a second over Kevin Harvick. Series champion Brad Keselowski was third, followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne.

It was Busch's record-settiing 13th victory in the Nationwide series this year, and it clinched the owner's championship for Joe Gibbs Racing, even though Keselowski won the driver's title. Busch did not run in every race this year and thus did not compete for the driver's title.

"That says it all right there, boys!" Busch shouted on his radio as he took the checkered flag. "You guys are the stuff. I can't do it without you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

"This is fun," he added while still circling the track. "This is what it is all about. I wish I had something for tomorrow, but we'll play with teammates tomorrow and try to get them one."

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/20/kyle-busch-wins-nationwide-race-danica-patrick-leads-lap-finis/

Victoria Silvstedt Vinessa Shaw Virginie Ledoyen Vitamin C Vogue

Fantasy Football Tailgate: Week 12

Filed under: Fantasy Football Tailgate, Expert Chats

Injuries | Week 12 Rankings | Pregame Planner | Over/Under | Latest Player News

Source: http://fantasyfootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/fantasy-football-tailgate-week-12/

Julia Stiles Julianne Hough Julie Benz Julie Berry K. D. Aubert

Torrey Smith Explodes for 14 Receptions as Maryland Upsets N.C. State

Filed under: Maryland, NC State, ACC

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien, in his inimitable calm manner, held his hands inches apart Saturday night just after a crushing, marathon-length 38-31 loss to Maryland.

The Wolfpack dropped passes. They committed turnovers. They dropped passes. They were scorched by Maryland's pitch-and-catch duo of Danny O'Brien and Torrey Smith. They dropped even more passes.

And yet the chance to escape Byrd Stadium with an Atlantic Division title slipped away only in the final minute when Maryland narrowly made a first down and spoiled N.C. State's conference title hopes.

"We're so close. I remember coach (George) Welsh said if you're that close, you might as well be that close," Tom O'Brien said as he spread his arms out and invoked the name of his old boss at Navy and Virginia. "It doesn't matter. We have to make up a lot of ground, which we're going to do here."

As O'Brien spoke, the disembodied voice of Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen echoed throughout the stadium as he fulfilled his postgame radio obligations. Moments later, he would describe the window one of quarterback Danny O'Brien's touchdown passes needed to travel through to be caught rather than intercepted.

Friedgen nearly cupped his hands together, spread out far enough to hold a football. Yep, that close.

More Week 13: Full Scoreboard | Live Tweet | Latest Stories
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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/torrey-smith-explodes-for-14-receptions-as-maryland-upsets-n-c/

Selita Ebanks Shakara Ledard Shakira Shana Hiatt Shania Twain

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Vladimir Guerrero Named Outstanding DH

Filed under: Rangers, MLB Awards

Vladimir Guerrero was named baseball's outstanding designated hitter for 2010, the commissioner's office announced Wednesday.

Guerrero is a first-time winner of the Edgar Martinez Award, which is named after the longtime Mariners DH.

Guerrero hit .306 with 25 homers and 106 RBI in in his 129 games at DH this season, helping lead the Rangers to their first World Series appearance.

He beat out five-time winner David Ortiz of the Red Sox for the award, which has been given out annually since 1973 and was renamed for Martinez (also a five-time winner) in 2004.

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/24/vladimir-guerrero-named-outstanding-dh/

Rachel Weisz Radha Mitchell Raquel Alessi Rebecca Mader Rebecca Romijn

Olsen to be named D.C. United head coach

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/xV8KFS5s3zU/olsen-to-be-named-dc-united-head-coach.html

Roselyn Sanchez Rozonda Thomas

Georgia Outlasts Rival Georgia Tech, Becomes Bowl Eligible

Filed under: Georgia, Georgia Tech, ACC, SEC

ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgians refer to the rivalry between the state's two football powers as "clean, old-fashioned hate."

Only the "hate" part applied Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

Miscues dirtied up the 105th meeting and defensive apathy made it anything but old-fashioned. In the end, the team to make all its extra points won.

Georgia escaped 42-34 in a game largely decided by a missed point after touchdown from Georgia Tech's Scott Blair. The senior pushed the would-be game-tying kick wide left with 4 minutes, 57 seconds to go and his team down 35-34.

The Yellow Jackets, out of timeouts with less than two minutes remaining, let Georgia score a touchdown in order to get the ball back for a chance to tie. But Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington threw a game-ending interception in the closing seconds.

"What a heartbreaker," Tech coach Paul Johnson said. "That's a game we could have won."

Georgia needed the victory more, however. The win evens the Bulldogs record at 6-6 and makes them bowl-eligible. They now have the right to play in a pizza bowl, or at least a bowl formerly known as a pizza bowl. Georgia is likely headed to the Little Caesar's Bowl in Detroit or the old PapaJohns.com bowl in Birmingham, now known as the BBVA Compass Bowl.

More Week 13: Full Scoreboard | Live Tweet | Latest Stories
Buy College Football Gear

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/georgia-outlasts-rival-georgia-tech-becomes-bowl-eligible/

Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy

Mark Cuban Says He Recruited LeBron to Mavericks

Filed under: Heat, Mavericks, NBA Rumors, Sports Business and Media, NBA Free Agents

When LeBron James announced he would be taking his talents to South Beach in front of the whole world, Dan Gilbert wasn't the only owner left feeling sick.

Mark Cuban, the boisterous and often controversial owner of the Dallas Mavericks, says he vehemently courted 'The King' and his business manager, Maverick Carter, during LeBron's free agent bonanza last summer. He did so through a barrage of text messages after the July 1 start of free agency with the main message that James' best shot at a title was with Dallas, and not Miami.

He envisioned James teaming up with All-Star point guard Jason Kidd along with superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki and that he in turn would provide him with a quality set of ancillary parts.

"Before he made his decision, what I told [James] ... and what I told Maverick was no team had ever blown up their team to ground zero -- well, I shouldn't use those words -- blown their team up of all of their core, and then added a couple of free agents and won a championship," Cuban told ESPN's Michael Wallace before the Heat played the Mavericks on Saturday at American Airlines Center. "It's always taken someone to come into a good team, make it better, and put it over the top. That's what I told him, and that's what I told Maverick."

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/mark-cuban-says-he-recruited-lebron-to-mavericks/

LeAnn Rimes Leeann Tweeden Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri

Repaved Daytona Will Have Goodyear Tire Test Dec. 15-16

Filed under: Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Tracks, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Goodyear Tire Company will conduct a tire test on the freshly repaved 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on Dec. 15-16, the speedway announced Saturday.

The NASCAR drivers who will participate in the test will be announced at a later date, the speedway said.

"This test is going to be important for Goodyear as they construct a tire for Speedweeks 2011 and the 53rd annual Daytona 500," said speedway President Joie Chitwood III.

The Goodyear tire test will open to the public with free access to the Oldfield Grandstands through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/11/20/repaved-daytona-will-have-goodyear-tire-test-dec-15-16/

Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson Kate Mara Kate Moss

Tiger Woods Shoots 69 in Australian Masters' Opening Round

Filed under: Golf Odds and Ends

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Tiger Woods hit the ball as well as he has all year, except on the greens.

In his final title defense of a forgettable year, Woods opened the Australian Masters with a 2-under 69 and was four shots behind the early leaders Thursday at Victoria Golf Club.

Woods missed only two greens in regulation, both times saving par from a bunker. But he took 19 putts on his outward nine, and had to hole a 7-foot par putt on the final hole to avoid his second three-putt bogey.

Alistair Presnell and Adam Bland each at a 6-under 65, one shot clear of a group that included PGA Tour winner Andre Stolz. Geoff Ogilvy, who was a member at Victoria as a teenager, opened with a 72.

"That was probably the highest score I could have shot," Woods said. "I gave myself a lot of looks early. I just didn't kept leaving them short. The only bogey I had was a three-putt."

Woods hit driver only on the par 5s, opting to play for position with a 2-iron and occasional 3-wood as he did a year ago at Kingston Heath when he won for the first time Down Under. Woods captured his 82nd title worldwide last year, and finished off another strong season with seven wins.

Twelve days later, he was in a car accident outside his Florida home that led to revelations of infidelity.

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/11/10/tiger-woods-shoots-69-in-australian-masters-opening-round/

Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan

Saints' Will Smith Arrested, Charged With Domestic Abuse

Filed under: Saints, NFL Police Blotter

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was arrested early Saturday morning after police officers allegedly saw Smith assault his wife as the two were leaving a nightclub in Lafayette, La.

Fox 8 News in New Orleans reports that officers patrolling in Lafayette noticed a heated argument between Smith and his wife outside a nightclub at about 2 a.m. Saturday. Police allegedly saw Smith grab his wife's hair and pull her down the street. Police intervened, arrested the Saint, and charged him with domestic abuse and simple battery.

Smith was released on a $1,000 bond and will make a court appearance Monday. The Saints won their Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys 30-27. New Orleans next plays at Cincinnati on Dec. 5.

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/saints-will-smith-arrested-charged-with-domestic-abuse/

Marisa Coughlan Marisa Miller Marisa Tomei Marla Sokoloff Marley Shelton

Tiger's Rebound Will Be Sterling

Filed under: PGA

We usually wait until the New Year for predictions. But according to the Tiger calendar, this one will arrive Friday at 2:33 a.m. when the ball drops at Isleworth.

It will be out with the old year featuring zero wins, one divorce, two porn flicks, three weeks in sexual rehab, nine threatened paternity suits from Devon James, 16 say-nothing interviews, an undisclosed number of visits from a Canadian witch doctor, $22 million in lost endorsements and at least four suicides by Nike executives.

It will be in with the new, which will feature four or five wins on the PGA Tour and one major championship.

The Year of the Dog will be over. Speaking for all of humanity let me say it didn't end one mistress too soon.

It's not that we didn't enjoy the greatest sports scandal since Pat Nixon caught Dick texting G. Gordon Liddy at the Watergate. But about the 67th Gloria Allred press conference, Tiger Fatigue set in.

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/11/23/tigers-rebound-will-be-sterling/

Brittany Murphy Brittany Snow Brittny Gastineau Brody Dalle Brooke Burke

Auburn-Alabama Game Most-Viewed College Football Game of Season

Filed under: Alabama, Auburn, SEC

Apparently, not everyone was tied up in shopping malls for Black Friday. Or all the folks who bought big-screen televisions in the morning got them home and hooked up in time in the afternoon to watch football.

How else to explain CBS' gleeful reporting that Friday's SEC showdown between Auburn and Alabama was the most-watched college football game of the season?

The network said the game drew a 7.5 rating and a 17 share of the audience in the nation's largest markets. That's a 56 percent rise from last year, when the same teams met on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. CBS reported that the game peaked with a 10.6 rating and 21 share in the final quarter-hour from 6:15-6:30 p.m

The rating is the percentage of total households watching a particular program at a given time, while the share is the percentage of homes with television sets on at a given time.

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/auburn-alabama-game-most-viewed-college-football-game-of-season/

Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger

Troubled Canuck Takes Leave of Absence

Filed under: Canucks, NHL Fights, NHL Discipline

The Vancouver Canucks granted troubled centre Rick Rypien an indefinite leave of absence Thursday.

The Canucks announced that the leave was "for personal matters" but declined to divulge details.

"(Rypien) is a valued member of the organization and the club will continue to support Rick in every way possible," said a team news release. "No further comment will be made by the club on this matter."

The leave comes after Rypien, 26, returned from a six-game suspension Nov. 6 for tussling with a fan in Minnesota.

"It's a real eye-opener for me, so I think I'm going to come back real strong and better than ever," said Rypien a few days after the suspension was handed down. "I think I'm going to be more focused and more determined to play the game that I love the most."

Following his return, he played sparingly in six consecutive games, recording one assist for his lone point of the season. He was scratched from Vancouver's past two contests.

He has played nine games this season while racking up 31 minutes in penalties and sporting a minus-five mark. The most ice time he received in a game was 7:58 on Oct. 15 against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Coleman, Alta., native is known for fighting bigger and heavier opponents - and often winning. The leave continues a difficult stretch in which he has battled injuries and personal matters the past two seasons. He was limited to 69 games in 2009-10 and just 12 in 2008-09.

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/25/troubled-canuck-takes-leave-of-absence/

Kelly Hu Kelly Monaco Kelly Ripa Kelly Rowland Kerry Suseck

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Mark Cuban Says He Recruited LeBron to Mavericks

by Jordan Schultz

Filed under: Heat, Mavericks, NBA Rumors, Sports Business and Media, NBA Free Agents

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/mark-cuban-says-he-recruited-lebron-to-mavericks/

Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings Elena Lyons Elisabeth Röhm Elisha Cuthbert

Oklahoma State Seeks to Erase Ghosts of Past Bedlams

Filed under: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Don't look now but here comes another chance for Oklahoma State. Another big-game situation for the Cowboys to erase 100-plus years of botched opportunities and a chance to free the tortured souls of Jerry Cramer, Chris Rockins and Brent Parker.

Saturday night at Boone Pickens Stadium, the 10th-ranked Cowboys (10-1) host No. 14-ranked Oklahoma (9-2) in the latest edition of the Bedlam series.

Bedlam is the one-word description for any competition between OU and OSU. In the football series, though, it's been anything but a competition. This will be the 105th game between the schools located about 90 miles apart. In the previous 104 contests, Oklahoma State has lost 81, won 16 and tied seven.

The first OU-OSU game was played in 1904 - three years before Oklahoma became a state - and Oklahoma won 75-0. That season, OSU also was swept by Chilocco Indian College and lost to Tonkawa Prepatory, so maybe it was just a down year for the Pokes? Maybe it's just been a down century?

In the first seven meetings, OSU never scored against OU, losing by a combined margin of 240-0. OSU lost the first 10 games before finally defeating the Sooners in 1917.

It has gotten only slightly better for Oklahoma State since. But Saturday night has a chance for something different. It just feels different. The Cowboys have the nation's top offense, led by quarterback Brandon Weeden, wide receiver Justin Blackmon and running back Kendall Hunter, while Oklahoma has struggled away from Norman.

A victory over the Sooners would accomplish two major goals for OSU: (a) beat the Sooners and (b) win the program's first outright Big 12 title, albeit it only the Big 12 South title.

Since 1960, OSU has been a member of the Big Eight/Big 12. In those 50 years, the Cowboys have captured exactly one co-league championship.

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/27/will-oklahoma-state-finally-erase-the-ghosts-of-past-bedlams/

Chyler Leigh Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura