WBN Weekend Watch List: The Wildcats open SEC play
Thursday, 1/5/12
#13 Michigan at #12 Indiana (College Basketball): 9:00 PM on ESPN 2
Indiana has a lot in common with Louisville when it comes to traveling on the road. IU has yet another home game (they are 1-1 on the road) against the thirteenth ranked Wolverines. The Hoosiers have already knocked off #1 Kentucky and #2 Ohio State, there is nothing that tells me they can’t knock of Michigan in Assembly Hall among the psycho rednecks. And of course these two:
UK gets Jay Z and IU gets Mellencamp and Meg Ryan. I think we know who has the premier college basketball destination.
Heat at Hawks (NBA Basketball): 8:00 PM on TNT
So far the Heat are 5-1 and their only loss came from these same Atlanta Hawks. Miami struggled with the zone that the long and athletic Hawks threw at them. Atlanta looks like a contender in the East with a 5-2 mark. Can LeBron and the Heat get revenge? My money is on yes.
Friday, 1/6/12
The Devil Inside (Horror Movie): Your Local Theater
I’m a fan of horror movies but they rarely scare. The idea of some guy in a hockey mask that doesn’t die for no earthly reason really doesn’t give me the jitters. If there is one kind of movie that does scary me, it’s a movie on demon possession. The newest one is called The Devil Inside and it looks absolutely terrifying. I haven’t been to the movies in a long time, but I might have to make it for this one.
You cannot tell me you aren’t terrified by that clip. If you can say that then you are lying.
Saturday 1/7/12
South Carolina at #2 Kentucky (College Basketball): 4:00 PM on ESPN 3
Kentucky is back in Rupp after two disjointed games in a row. It’s true that they won both, but I wouldn’t call them impressive. We saw sloppy play and poor shooting in both contests in which the Wildcats won based on pure athletic talent. They are not running a stable, consistent offensive set and it is time for Marquis Teague to step up and run the show. John Calipari keeps telling us that Teague is light years away from where he needs to be; well now is the time for him to become the point guard we were told that he is. League play is going to be very difficult. Last year’s Final Four team lost multiple SEC games on the road last year. Now, I don’t think we will see that happen with this team (maybe one or two), but they need to set the tone against the Gamecocks in Rupp. We need to see a good, solid performance on the offensive end of the court.
#20 Marquette at #1 Syracuse (College Basketball): 4:00 PM on ESPN 3
The Golden Eagles were a trendy team for a few weeks until they lost to two SEC teams. LSU beat them in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers are mediocre at best, and then lost to a decent but not great Vanderbilt team at home by 17 points. The Orange have played a cupcake schedule all season besides Florida, a team that they played at home and beat by only four points. I don’t think Syracuse is the #1 team in the country, but I also don’t think Marquette is the team that is going to finally beat them.
Notre Dame at #10 Louisville (College Basketball): 4:00 PM on ESPNU
Louisville answered back from losing two straight to ranked teams by soundly beating a young and out-manned St. John’s team on the road. Notre Dame is 9-5 on the year and has logged one decent win by beating a seemingly overrated Pitt team 72-59. Louisville has trouble guarding the three-point shot and that is one thing that the Irish can do well. It is possible that Louisville will be 1-2 in the Big East by the end of Saturday, but not likely.
Bengals at Texans (NFL Wildcard Game): 4:30 PM on NBC
Both of these teams are long shots to win the Super Bowl. It’s a sad case for the Texans, as they were playing quite well until starting quarterback Matt Schaub went down with a season ending injury. They still managed to win a really bad AFC South. The Bengals managed to beat all the bad teams but they were unable to beat a team with a winning record all season long. Despite their injuries, the Texans should win this game at home.
Lions at Saints (NFL Wildcard Game): 8:00 PM on NBC
The Lions are making their first playoff since the late 90’s; too bad they have to travel to New Orleans for it. Detroit may have a great offense, but their defense just allowed back up Green Bay QB Matt Flynn to throw for over 400 yards. Imagine what Drew Brees and the juggernaut Saints offense will do to the Kitties.
Sunday 1/8/12
Falcons at Giants (NFL Wildcard Game): 1:00 PM on Fox
The Giants ended the dreams of the Dallas Cowboys and won the NFC last week on Sunday night football. The Atlanta Falcons haven’t been the team that they were touted to be with lackluster performances all season long. I don’t expect ATL to beat NYC at home in NYJ.
Steelers at Broncos (NFL Wildcard Game): 4:30 PM on CBS
Can you fathom that the Broncos are AFC West champs and are hosting a playoff game? I sure can’t. Tim Tebow provided some early excitement but has stalled in three straight games. Teams have figured out that A). He can’t throw and B). He isn’t very fast on his legs. The Steeler defense should make it a long, rough day for Mr. Tebow.
That’s a lot to watch this weekend. Enjoy this sports filled extravaganza!