When reports came out last week that Coach Mike Kryzewski was possibly considering leaving Duke to take over Lakers if Phil Jackson retires, few could really take it seriously. It was serious enough that Coach K addressed it at his summer press conference last week though, but I doubt anyone thought the Duke of Duke would abdicate his NCAA throne for one in the NBA.

But you can't blame bloggers and media types for trying. I am sure Coach K's name came up as a possible candidate in some brief conversation but the fact that it has been reported is more a product of the time of year rather than the actually likelihood that it would happen.

In the sports world, we are in the certified doldrums of the year. The NBA Finals are done, baseball is only halfway through its marathon season and NFL training camps are still about a month away. What is a sports writer/blogger to do? Of course the Laker story and Phil Jackson have made some entertaining reading so far. Jackson floats a coaching only at home scenario (maybe Jackson could coach via Twitter while sitting at home in his recliner watching the game on a big screen tv). The signing of Ron Artest has added new drama with his love for Kobe. Why not throw Coach K in there?

Continue reading "Summer Malaise Probably Led To Coach K Rumors"

As if losing starters Terrance Williams, Earl Clark and Andre McGee weren't enough, the Louisville Cardinals will have a tough schedule heading into the 2009-2010 season. An Associated Press article on July 2 has the Cardinals facing UConn and Syracuse along with St. Johns twice next season.

While those games are daunting enough, the single game schedule is no less appealing to Cardinal fans. While Louisville will welcome the likes of Georgetown, Notre Dame and Villanova to Freedom Hall, the Cardinals will have to travel to Pittsburgh, Marquette, Providence and West Virginia.

The Big East is the toughest conference in college basketball but to see those opponents lined up in a row must be a little nerve racking to any coach. But if anyone can handle the challenge of defending the conference crown in the toughest league in the country, it is Rick Pitino.

Continue reading "Louisville Will Have a Tough Road This Season"

The last couple of season, the Milwaukee Brewers have not fared well in their last two series before the All-Star break. Milwaukee went 1-5 in 2007 and last year finished the first half on a 3-4 skid. In 2008, a win by C.C. Sabathia over the Cincinnati Reds saved Milwaukee from being swept by their division rivals on the last day before the All-Star break.

This year there is no Sabathia and a little more is at stake then a series against the Reds. Milwaukee will finish the first half with a three-game set against Cardinals starting tonight and then close out with three contests against the Dodgers. Milwaukee and St. Louis are battling for the top spot in the central, while LA looks like they will run away with the NL West.

So these six games can mean a lot to a Brewers team that is looking to take the next step. Winning both series not only give them momentum into the second half but would send a message to two teams that Milwaukee could possibly see in the playoffs if they make it there.

Continue reading "Brewers Need Strong Finish Before the All-Star Break"