Swag Award of the Week May 18-25

Congrats to the mighty Syracuse Orange who defeated Cornell 10-9 in overtime today to win their 11th national championship in school history. The Orange were on the verge of defeat, but scored three goals in four minutes, including the game-tying goal with 4.5 seconds left to send the game into overtime. With the win, Syracuse defended last years title and became the first school since Princeton in '97-98 to win back-to-back championships.

Highlights of the overtime thriller:

I've become a lacrosse fan since attending Syracuse. As a young, aspiring sports journalist it was imperative to not only become familiar with the schools rich football and basketball traditions, but lacrosse as well. While at Syracuse, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown who was also a standout for the lacrosse program. Brown is the only athlete to have been enshrined in the NFL, NCAA Football and NCAA Lacrosse Halls of Fame. His speed and power (he was an NFL fullback in case you forgot) revolutionized college lacrosse, and a rule was implemented after his departure to even the playing field.

Jim Brown during his LAX days

Congrats again to the Syracuse lacrosse program. With its 26 final four visits, 16 championship appearances and now 11 national titles, SU LAX continues to validate its reputation as one of the premiere programs in college lacrosse. 

Shaq takes broadcasting classes at Syracuse

NBA star Shaquille O'Neal is attending "Sportscaster U, " a two-day journalism course at Syracuse. Shaq is preparing himself for a career behind the camera once his playing days are over. Apparently, his first interview was with former Duke basketball star, Greg Paulus who is also taking graduate classes at the Cuse as he prepares to compete for time at quarterback this season for the Orange football team. 

Shaq's thoughts on polishing up his on camera appearance in the off-season:

Shaq always seems to find some extra-curricular activities to keep himself busy. Remember, there was a time when Shaq was an honorary Sheriff in Miami and was fired after a video surfaced of him making some less than desirable comments about Kobe Bryant...

And this is why we love March Madness

A few days back in my March Madness post, I wrote about a series of commercials I saw on selection Sunday by Nike that featured highlights of various great tournament performances from the last few years or so. 

The commercial that I have seen the most on air involves a police officer from Illinois who gives a speeding ticket to a driver from North Carolina for doing 36 in a 35 mph zone. The cop is still bitter over UNC's defeat of Illinois in the 2005 championship game...

There is one where a father in Washington State won't speak to his daughters new boyfriend because of what Richard Hamilton did against the Univ. of Washington in the 1998 NCAA Tournament. 

In my favorite spot, and the one that I saw first, a Texas fan is dejected on his daughters birthday because her birthday also marks the anniversary of Carmelo Anthony and the Syracuse Orange ousting Texas in the 2003 Final Four en route to a National Championship that year. 

The common thread here is that these games leave lasting impressions on sports fans. The upsets, the "cinderellas," all of it. Some critics have said that this year's Sweet 16 with the top 12 seeds advancing is anti-climactic, but I think it allows teams to end the debate and prove who really is the best team in the land. You have to beat the best to be the best right? Well, that certainly seems to be the case this season.

Say hello to the bad guy: Eric Devendorf revels in his role as college ball's most-hated

There are players that seem to get a bad rap, regardless of the circumstances. Players whom everyone loves to hate. The kind of players whose skill and competitive spirit make them ideal teammates and bona fide villains. On the court they come off as smug, cocky and full of trash talk. Teammates and close associates speak highly on those individuals behalves, begging the question; What is this guy/girl really like? 

Eric Devendorf is no different. The 5th year junior shooting guard for the Syracuse Orange has reached bona fide villain status, arguably from the day he set foot on campus. The fact that he hails from Michigan, and has an eerily similar demeanor to Eminem doesn't help. The fact that he has numerous tattoos painted on the canvas of his pale arms & neck don't help either. The fact that he is one of the best players on a perennial Big East powerhouse with long-standing rivalries doesn't help. The fact that his actions off the court have given the critics more content with which to judge his character doesn't help. The fact that he hits big shots, and lets his opponents know about I'm sure rubs some people the wrong way as well. 

Following Syracuse's 78-67 win over Arizona St. last night, ESPN.com did a piece on Devendorf. Last week, sports blog The Big Lead.com ranked the 5 most hated players in the NCAA tournament, and Mr. Devendorf beat out the competition for the dubious title. 

In recent weeks, Devendorf has had ample opportunity to showcase his talents in front of a national audience and garner more support for his 'most-hated' cause. Against Seton-Hall, Devendorf scored 19 second half points after a gentleman on the Seton Hall team put his hand in Eric's face (bad decision, watch the highlights).

The following night against UCONN, Devendorf hit what he thought was the game-winning three pointer at the end of regulation, which lead to this photo:

According to fans who were in the vicinity, Devendorf dropped a few F-bombs from his perch high atop the scorers table. Syracuse went on to win that game 6 overtimes later.

Fresh off the UCONN win, Devendorf nailed a half court shot heading into overtime the very next night:

Syracuse needed another overtime to win that game 74-69.

When asked what he thought about his perception, Devendorf told Pat Forde of ESPN "off the court I'm a whole different person. I'm a good dude man. I'm a down-to earth dude. They (people) spend a day with me, they'd have some fun." I concur with those sentiments. During my four years at the Cuse I had a chance to hang out with the guy nowhere close to a basketball court, and you know what? He is a good dude, and a better ballplayer. I'm just happy I don't have to root against him. 

During the Orange's post season run, Devendorf is averaging 19.2 points per game and has his team in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004. I'm sure if Syracuse can put together a few more wins and make it to the Final Four in Detroit, Eric Devendorf will have a few more haters on his bandwagon. I don't think he minds. 

President Obama picks the Cuse in an upset!!

That's right baby! The leader of the free world just chose my alma mater over the #2 seed Oklahoma Sooners in his bracket.

ESPN ran a segment on the noon Sportscenter called 'Barack-etology." Obama knows more than just fiscal & foreign policy.

 

Here's the President's entire bracket on paper.

The Syracuse pick comes with 2:16 remaining..

Swag Award of the Week March 9-March 15

LET'S GO ORANGE!!! Wow, talk about a thriller. The #20 Syracuse Orange defeated the #4 UCONN Huskies 127-117 in 6 overtime periods last night at Madison Square Garden in one of the most epic games I have ever seen.  

Now, I am a diehard Syracuse fan and am not afraid to let it be known, but that is not why my boys get this weeks Swag Award. The 'Cuse wins the Swag Award this week for that incredible effort on floor of the "world's most famous arena," against the once #1 ranked UCONN Huskies and their monster in middle, Hasheem Thabeet. UCONN handled Syracuse earlier this season in Connecticut, and held Cuse to its lowest point output of the season, but the Orange got the upper hand last night.

The Orange have been playing their best basketball of the season down the stretch winning 6 straight and 7 of their last 8. 

Syracuse turned up the heat in the Big East Tournament Wednesday Night, following a technical foul by Eugene Harvey of Seton Hall. Harvey put his hand in Eric Devendorf's face, and Devendorf went on to score 19 points in the second half as the Orange beat Seton Hall by 15. 

Syracuse is averaging 91 points during this six game winning streak. 

Back to last night though..a few numbers from the game.

244 points scored, 226 minutes, 6 overtimes, 2 days, 8 players fouled out, 93 free throws attempted, 58 three pointers attempted. Incredible.

Syracuse faces West Virginia tonight in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament. WVU is coming off an upset of the Pittsburgh Panthers. I don't know what kind of effort the Orange will be able to muster after last night, but it matters not because last night's game was incredible. Enjoy the highlights.

Ex-Syracuse star Demetris Nichols signs with Knicks

The New York Knicks signed Demetris Nichols to a 10-day contract Friday. Nichols, who was a star at Syracuse, has had a rocky experience thus far in the NBA.

Nichols was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers and immediately traded to New York. In NY, he played in 5 exhibition games and was cut.

After the Knicks let him go, he spent brief periods in Cleveland and Chicago averaging 1.1 points in 16 games. Not necessarily lighting it up like he did in the Carrier Dome.

Chicago sent him to the NBDL to sharpen his game, and there he averaged 20.3 points while playing for the Iowa Energy.

Let's hope this new stint will lead to some longevity in the league.

Has anyone heard from Gerry McNamara, btw??