College basketball top ranked teams had a rough day on Tuesday. As #1 Villanova , #2 Kansas, and #4 Kentucky all lost on the road. This is the first time in five years that 3 of 4 top ranked teams lost on the same day. Two of the squads lost to unranked opponents. If you think the college season couldn't get any more interesting you was wrong. The top ten will look very different when the new polls after Tuesday.
Marquette def. #1 Villanova 74-72
Villanova had control of the game in the first half leading the way 39-24. All signs were pointing toward another blowout for Villanova. But Marquette won the second half by 17 to stun the #1 team in the nation. Marquette was led by guard Katin Reinhardt who scored 19 points and dished out seven assist. Marquette shot efficiently as a team, shooting 50% from the field and 47% from three point. Villanova struggled shooting three ball only hitting 17% from downtown. Senior forward Kris Jenkins did not hit a field goal the entire game only scoring two points. Villanova will no longer be the #1 team but will probably earn a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
#18 West Virginia def. #2 Kansas 85-69
West Virginia impress the world again after beating another top ranked team for the second time this year. West Virginia beat Oregon earlier in the season when they was ranked #1 at the time. Esa Ahmad had himself a night scoring 27 points after saying his main focus improving his defense. Superstar guard Frank Mason III only scored 15 points shooting 6-16 from the field and grabbing four rebounds for Kansas. Kansas bench was another problem only producing seven points for the game. Kansas must address their struggles as they are now second in the Big 12 and will play #4 Kentucky in the SEC/Big 12 challenge.
Tennessee def. #4 Kentucky 82-80
Tennessee added Kentucky to the list of stunning upsets. Tennessee's Robert Hobbs III scored 25 to help stopped Kentucky 7 game win streak. Kentucky also streak of 7 straight games shooting 50% or better comes to a stop. Kentucky star Malik Monk scored 25 with four assist and shot 8-10 from the free throw line. But it wasn't enough to beat Tennessee as Tennessee last minute defense helped sealed the victory. Kentucky is now 7-1 conference play and will look forward to the SEC/Big 12 challenge as they face #1 Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
Falcons and Patriots Move on to Super Bowl
The NFL conference championship weekend had different perspective to what many people had expected. I honestly did not believe that either game would have been lopsided as they were this past Sunday, Both the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots showed their dominance on their way to Super Bowl LI. Both teams won by 19 points or more and scoring more than 35 as well. The most shocking surprise of the weekend is that the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers were both no shows.
The NFC Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons had so much anticipation going into Sunday. But the game was all but exciting. The Falcons routed the Packers 44-21! As the Packers dug themselves a big hole allowing the Falcons to go up 31-0 by the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Aaron Rodgers didn't even throw a touchdown pass in the first half. As he only threw for 147 yards and INT in the first half. But Rodgers finished strong throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. By the time the Packers found rhythm it was a little to late as the Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns. The Falcons accounted for almost 500 yards of total offense. Julio Jones had a monster game grabbing nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons defense held Rodgers and the Packers offense in check for most of the game. Falcons defense has proven to get better as each week goes by and will need to continue their high level of play if they want a chance at a Super Bowl title.
The AFC championship game showed us why Patriots were Super Bowl favorites from the beginning of the season. The New England Patriots dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to move on to Super Bowl LI. Patriots crushed Steelers in all phases of the game. The Patriots Tallied up 467 yards and forced two turnovers. Tom Brady was playing great as always throwing for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Hogan had himself an amazing game as well catching nine passes for 180 yards and two scores. Steelers did not have the best of nights as Big Ben couldn't get much going only throwing one touchdown. Le'veon Bell also didn't see much action due to injury in the first quarter as he only carried the ball six times for 20 yards. Superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown didn't find a score either only having seven receptions for 77 yards. Steelers defense didn't have an answer for Tom Brady which ultimately led them to a defeat and short of chance at appearance of a Super Bowl.
The NFC Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons had so much anticipation going into Sunday. But the game was all but exciting. The Falcons routed the Packers 44-21! As the Packers dug themselves a big hole allowing the Falcons to go up 31-0 by the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Aaron Rodgers didn't even throw a touchdown pass in the first half. As he only threw for 147 yards and INT in the first half. But Rodgers finished strong throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. By the time the Packers found rhythm it was a little to late as the Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns. The Falcons accounted for almost 500 yards of total offense. Julio Jones had a monster game grabbing nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons defense held Rodgers and the Packers offense in check for most of the game. Falcons defense has proven to get better as each week goes by and will need to continue their high level of play if they want a chance at a Super Bowl title.
The AFC championship game showed us why Patriots were Super Bowl favorites from the beginning of the season. The New England Patriots dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to move on to Super Bowl LI. Patriots crushed Steelers in all phases of the game. The Patriots Tallied up 467 yards and forced two turnovers. Tom Brady was playing great as always throwing for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Hogan had himself an amazing game as well catching nine passes for 180 yards and two scores. Steelers did not have the best of nights as Big Ben couldn't get much going only throwing one touchdown. Le'veon Bell also didn't see much action due to injury in the first quarter as he only carried the ball six times for 20 yards. Superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown didn't find a score either only having seven receptions for 77 yards. Steelers defense didn't have an answer for Tom Brady which ultimately led them to a defeat and short of chance at appearance of a Super Bowl.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Russell Westbrook Snubbed
The NBA season is in full swing and were at the midway point of the season. Which means the NBA All-Star game is near. All-Star game will be held on February 19th in New Orleans. The Starters were announced Thursday on TNT and there was a big surprise to the starting roster.
EAST
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)
WEST
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Now with the numbers these guys are putting up you would think that the starting lineups are good. But if you call yourself a basketball fan at all then you will agree with me that Russel Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder should be starting in this year All-Star game.
The numbers Westbrook is putting up speak for themselves. He is averaging 30.6 PPG (Points per game), 10.6 RPG (Rebounds per game), and 10.4 APG (Assist per game). He is getting a triple double on a nightly basis and is on pace to average a triple double through an entire season. The last basketball player to record such numbers through an entire season was hall of famer Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals back in 1962. Robertson averaged 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 11.4 APG in his historic season. This is mind blowing because how can someone who is having an historic season like this and had more than 200,000 fan votes than Curry not be a starter? The fan voting and stats are not even the worst of it. Would you believe me if I told that Westbrook has been top 2 in the MVP voting all season long? I'm not sure but I guarantee you that this will be first time that this happens. Now some will argue that Stephen Curry is having great season as well. Which he is i'm not taking that away from him but to sit here and think he is having a better season than Westbrook is disrespectful in my opinion. Westbrook will go down as the biggest All-star snub of all-time. Yes he is going to play in the game but to not start him is basically snubbing his greatness this season. League made the same mistake last season with Deandre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers who later made the All-NBA first Team. League continues to make the same mistakes during the All-Star selection process. The League honestly needs to address it with the NBA regular season being called "boring" due to the dominance of the Golden state Warriors. Fans look forward to All-Star game and yet they some how ruin it with starting selections like this. NBA will look foolish if Westbrook pulls off the triple double season.
EAST
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)
WEST
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Now with the numbers these guys are putting up you would think that the starting lineups are good. But if you call yourself a basketball fan at all then you will agree with me that Russel Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder should be starting in this year All-Star game.
The numbers Westbrook is putting up speak for themselves. He is averaging 30.6 PPG (Points per game), 10.6 RPG (Rebounds per game), and 10.4 APG (Assist per game). He is getting a triple double on a nightly basis and is on pace to average a triple double through an entire season. The last basketball player to record such numbers through an entire season was hall of famer Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals back in 1962. Robertson averaged 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 11.4 APG in his historic season. This is mind blowing because how can someone who is having an historic season like this and had more than 200,000 fan votes than Curry not be a starter? The fan voting and stats are not even the worst of it. Would you believe me if I told that Westbrook has been top 2 in the MVP voting all season long? I'm not sure but I guarantee you that this will be first time that this happens. Now some will argue that Stephen Curry is having great season as well. Which he is i'm not taking that away from him but to sit here and think he is having a better season than Westbrook is disrespectful in my opinion. Westbrook will go down as the biggest All-star snub of all-time. Yes he is going to play in the game but to not start him is basically snubbing his greatness this season. League made the same mistake last season with Deandre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers who later made the All-NBA first Team. League continues to make the same mistakes during the All-Star selection process. The League honestly needs to address it with the NBA regular season being called "boring" due to the dominance of the Golden state Warriors. Fans look forward to All-Star game and yet they some how ruin it with starting selections like this. NBA will look foolish if Westbrook pulls off the triple double season.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Introduction and Dallas Success or Bust
Welcome to the Sports Kingpin Blog!! My name is Luis Nieves, currently a junior at Virginia Union University. I major in Mass Communications concentrated in Broadcast Journalism. I also run Track & Field and Cross Country for the university as well. I am writing on this blog to discuss some of the important sports topics that go on. I will try to post daily and hope that we can have really fun conversations. I will also do a weekly Track Tuesdays topic starting next week where i will discuss some Track topics such as type of training athletes do, news , and many more about the sport.
Today we will be discussing whether or not the Dallas Cowboys season was a success or not. The Dallas Cowboys "Americas Team" Had an Amazing 13-3 season behind rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot after a disappointing 4-12 season in 2015-2016 season. Both rookies had MVP Type seasons as Prescott threw for 3667 yards along with 23 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. The other rookie Elliot dominated the league rushing for 1631 yards (Leads NFL) and 15 rushing touchdowns. The dynamic duo led the Cowboys to a top 5 ranked offense and was protected by #1 offensive line in the league. The team not only finished 1st in the division but also finished with #1 seed in the playoffs.
The Dallas Cowboys season seems successful but then they run into the Green Bay Packers led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The two clashed in an epic playoff bout finishing with Green Bay on top 34-31. Mason Crosby was the hero that game, kicking the game winning field goal with only 1 sec left. Crushing the Dallas Cowboys amazing season. Now lets keep in mind the Green Bay was up 21-3 midway through the second quarter. Dallas had to climb back into the game to make it a close game. Elliot finished the game with 105 rushing yards which not bad but he only carried the ball 22 times. If Elliot would of found the ball in his hands more they might had a chance to keep Rodgers off the field more. So now is Jason Garret (Head coach of the Dallas Cowboys) the blame for the lost because of bad play-calling? Or should we put blame on a defense who had no answer for Rodgers and Packers offense. This disappointing end hurts Cowboys nation but should they keep their heads up for a great regular season or dread the fact that they only won 1 playoff game in 21 years? We can all say that the future is bright with a great young offense but their are still many questions on defensive side of the ball that need to be addressed in off-season. So what do you think Success or Bust?
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