EZ The Blog

The Saturday spreads for Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana

2010-01-09T08:11:00.003-05:00

Vegas has spoken and it's time to pick a side. What you got?

Kentucky is a 20.5-point favorite at home against Georgia. Give me the Bulldogs. First conference game for the young Cats, and Georgia riding high after the big win over No. 20 Georgia Tech.

The Cardinals are also in the friendly confines (but, that new arena is coming along nicely) as an 11.5-point favorite against St. John's. Rick Pitino's teams at Louisville, as we've seen again this year, always have a December full of headscratchers, and then one or two again in January. That inexplicable loss is coming soon Cards fans (mark it down). I don't know when, but I'm gonna say it will not be tomorrow. I say Louisville covers the 11.5.

The Hoosiers are a seven-point underdog at Assembly Hall (the one in Indiana) against Bruce Weber's Fighting Illini (I'm cool with Weber, but he is the most unlikable coach in the Big Ten, right?). I think this number is skewed because of the performance that Tom Crean's squad made in their last game at home, a New Year's Eve win over the meddling Michigan Wolverines. I'll seem like a Hoosier Hater when I say this, but I think IU caught lightning in a bottle that day. First game of the Big Ten season, at home, playing inspired basketball for their injured star Maurice Creek. The spread is lower than it should be because of this. That stuff is over. I don't know if they win more than three games the rest of the way, if that. And I think Illinois is a double-digit victor over the Hoosiers.

BCS Game Prediction: Alabama 25, Texas 22

2010-01-07T19:08:00.000-05:00

I hate playing "prediction radio," so let's play "prediction blogging."

I really do think this is going to be a close game, and everyone is hating on Texas based ~~solely~~ partly on Texas QB Colt McCoy's less-than-stellar performance against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game (and, yes, I know he was one second from possibly being the biggest goat in college football history).

I look at it this way. I say forget about the Big 12 game. There was SERIOUS pressure on Texas to win in that game. Now, they face as big a 4.5-point favorite as anyone has ever called a 4.5-point favorite (if you listen to all the pundits).

All I know is this: before the season (and really for most of the season as well), Texas was look at as Alabama's equal (at the very worst). Now, thanks in large part to their SEC Championship win over Florida, a lot of people look at the Tide as a sure winner.

I'm not letting Alabama's win over the Florida Fighting Urbans-and-Tebows skew what my thoughts would've been before that game. Remember, the pressure is squarely on Bama. In fact, the 'Horns now assume the role that the "Saban-ites" enjoyed during the defacto National Semifinal. So, at the very least, it's gonna be close.

Both teams have seen enough tape over the last month to know how to find a couple cracks in each other's defense, but I'm taking Saban. I'm leaning on him to be able to make adjustments in this game better than Mack Brown can.

Great game, quirky score: Crimson Tide 25, Longhorns 22.

UK-U of L (a nice quickee), 48 hours later

2010-01-04T20:52:00.008-05:00

Well, we're a little over 48 hours removed from the "Battle of the Bluegrass" and it certainly was a lot to take in. A couple thoughts in the little time I have right now.

In the first 45 seconds of the game, there were:
- six total fouls
- three technical fouls
- a coach telling an opposing player that he was going to get his ass kicked by Eric Bledsoe

Find me a more eventful first 45 seconds of a game, and I'll show you ~~a coach who wears a scarf to a postgame press conference~~ Jesus Christ.

The Wildcats are obviously one of the best teams in the country. John Wall, although he didn't play like the best player in the college basketball for 40 minutes on Saturday, is still the best player in college basketball. He finally decided to take over after Louisville got their (only) lead and was not stopped.

DeMarcus Cousins, while awesome, showed just how "street" he was on Saturday. Cousins obviously threw an intentional elbow to Jared Swopshire while going for a loose ball. There's not a doubt in the world about that. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just a diehard UK fan (and that's okay).

Louisville did a good job of getting themselves back in the game, and taking the lead. Kentucky got complacent for the first 10 minutes of that second half, and the Cards easily played the best defense they played all season in that same span.

But athletes are athletes, and Coach Cal's got a bunch of them. The better team won.

It was as sloppy a game that I can ever remember being that fascinating. It was must-watch television for much more than just the locals.

But I'll still never know why Rick Pitino thought it "cool" to wear a scarf indoors after the game.

Future of our sports radio show

2010-01-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

As many of you already know, Rick Bozich, my radio partner (off and on) for the last year and a half, landed a gig with FoxSports.com to write about college basketball with Jeff Goodman. A great move for Rick and a great move by Fox Sports.

However, with that, it was in his best interest to end his run on radio for now. He's got a lot on his plate. We all understand, and while I'll miss him as a partner, I couldn't be more sincerely happy for Dr. Bo.

As a result, since then, my company and I have been in talks about how to continue the show. There's been a lot to sift through, and we're still sifting (I like the word 'sift'). So, for this week (yes, I know, it's the most important week of the sports radio year locally), ESPN 1450 has decided to go with network programming during our regular 3-6 p.m. ET slot.

I've got my fingers crossed that we can get everything settled and back on the air as early as next week. Stay tuned on that front and I'll try to keep you posted here. If you are a fan of the show, my best suggestion would be to tell the powers-at-be how you feel by sending your thoughts to feedback[at]1450theticket.com (I wrote it out like that to avoid spamming). And hell, even if you don't like me, send a note anyway. The Louisville area needs and deserves more local sports talk. This may be the best way to get it at this point.

Anyway, a big thanks to all of you that have already sent in messages. We've realized that while the signal is a problem for those of you outside of the Louisville-metro, we're still making some sort of dent, because the e-mail box is filling up.

Hope to update you on this as soon as I got something.

Verizon + ESPN + GPS = NICE!

2009-12-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

Covering sports for a living is something I've known I've wanted to do since I was a child.

Back then, I was calling play-by-play of my own sports video games on the original Nintendo (sorry, I knew what Atari's were, but I "wasn't old enough" to have one... which means YOU are probably old).

Back in those days, I felt like I couldn't live without that Nintendo, or any of the consoles that follow it.

Those were the days.

These days, it's much more important things that I can't live without. I never leave the house without my keys, my wallet, and ESPN.

With Vierizon Wireless' ESPN MVP, I get the sports I crave whenever I need it. I confess, I'm a junkie. But the latest verizon phones also have the VZ Navigator, which helps me get to where I'm going, and so much more!

Here are some facts ESPN MVP that you might enjoy:

- ESPN MVP is an application exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers.
- ESPN MVP includes news, stats, scores and information on the sports, players and teams.
- ESPN MVP automatically refreshes current scores
- ESPN MVP offers fantasy team management that allows users to update players and teams, and make changes to their rosters on the go
- Users can customize ESPN MVP based on favorite teams, players and columnists.

Facts on the VZ Navigator:
- VZ Navigator is Verizon Wireless’ GPS navigation system.
- VZ Navigator gives turn-by-turn audible directions to locations when you type in the address, or you can find locations by name or category.
- Here is some of the information users can access on VZ Navigator 4.0:
- Gas stations and price per gallon unleaded, diesel fuels and E85.
- Movie theater listings and show times.
- Community events and venues, hotels, banks, ATMs and parking garages.
- Five-day weather forecast for home or other cities.
- Hospitals, emergency walk-in clinics and pharmacies.

Now, we all know you didn't get your holiday present TO YOURSELF. Here ya go! Get to Verizon Wireless soon, and tell them Big EZ sent ya!

Calipari continues the Knight controversy by killing it

2009-12-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Well, you know that John Calipari is pissed off at Bobby Knight, regardless of what he says about him in this next clip.

And I will answer to all the hyporisy that has ensued from this here tomorrow on the blog.

But for now, read Bobby Knight's quotes from his Thursday dinner at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and then watch John Calipari's Friday response below. Basically, he plays the media the way John Calipari has always played the media. This time, he directly responds with just one sentence, and moves on.

Another reason why I LOVE college basketball.

Video: Look no further than the Cards as reason against Big Dance expansion

2009-12-15T23:14:00.000-05:00

In lieu of typing up something, how bout just mumbling my way through it? It's a little quicker.

I keep on hearing about this possible expansion of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tourney. Wow, another day of March Madness would be pretty sweet, but wait...

Our producer is mad at the Cards without watching the Cards

2009-12-14T11:54:00.002-05:00

EZ and Bo Show producer Sweeney is in jeopardy of having his man card revoked after this he thinks. And, well, I may have mine revoked too.

Live Chat from Freedom Hall

2009-11-21T16:03:00.000-05:00

Freedom Hall Live Chat

Schnelly was a winner, but this is how I think of him

2009-11-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

I love Howard Schnellenberger. He's a risk-taker, took a lot of chances, and did a lot for a local college football program.

But don't we all think about him as the "aww shucks," pipe-smoking, lives-by-his-own-set-of-rules, old man? I know I do.

It seems as though the great college football blog Every Day Should Be Saturday thinks likewise, as they present to you Schnelly's Top 25!

I'm officially rooting for the Bearcats

2009-11-09T21:35:00.003-05:00

While Lady EZ steals my laptop to troll on Facebook, I will officially blog from my phone for the first time.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare myself a Cincinnati Bearcats football fan the rest of this season.

There are many reasons.

First off, no one wants to see a Big East team in the BCS National Championship game and, for me, anything that causes "BCS controversy" is AWESOME! Anything that could possibly change this wretched system is a win!

But also, it's because they're more than just a sick offensive team. They're good everywhere. ESPN.com's Brian Bennett does a good job of illustrating this in one of his recent blog posts.

And finally, I'm tired of all this ridiculous and undeserved love of the SEC. The conference is not as good as it's made out to be. Again, it's the tradition of college football getting in the way of a true national champion.

Go Bearcats.

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- Posted using BlogPress from iPhone

I wish all women's soccer games were played like this

2009-11-07T09:52:00.001-05:00

No need to set it up. Just click play, and enjoy.

The BCS and the reason I decided to take the radio route rather than writing

2009-11-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

Last week on The EZ and Bo Show on ESPN 1450 The Ticket (3-6pm ET weekdays, shameless plug), I talked about the BCS and what the best scenario would be for college football this year to create chaos in the BCS system, and hopefully find the key that fits in the "Override" keyhole (think "strategic missile launch" in the movie Crimson Tide) and turn that sucker until the key breaks off in the hole.

Our executive producer, Andy Sweeney, was certain that a plethora of undefeated teams at the end of the season would be the perfect recipe for this. I argued differently, instead giving the example of an undefeated Cincinnati getting bumped for at least one (if not, more) one-loss teams from other BCS conferences.

And if I had this column from Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times, I may have recited it verbatim to support my argument: numerous undefeated teams will not generate more evidence in favor of a playoff. Something different must happen.

Well-written, something I can't do (and I have a degree in Journalism). Which is why I chose radio (ironically, something else that I can't do).

Root for losses, college football fans. And start rooting for them NOW.

EZ and Bo Show from Paoli?

2009-10-30T14:14:00.001-04:00

Coming to you live, for the moment, from El Compadre restaurant in the town square of Paoli, Ind. Home, officially, of the worst chips and salsa of a so-called "authentic" Mexican restaurant this side of the Rio Grande.

I'm paying my check right now and heading over to the stadium early to do The EZ & Bo Show on ESPN 1450 The Ticket from 3-5 ET (Listen Live!). We'll have on our resident handicapper, "Ace" from Pregame.com. The man has been on fire. He picks five games a week for us, and through four weeks the man is 14-6! Again, FOURTEEN WINS AND SIX LOSSES! It shall not be understated. He'll be on at around 3:40p. Then Ferrell Elliott will join us from ChampChamp.com and the World Championship of Fantasy Football to take your fantasy football questions.

And then, of course, Bozich and I will fight about something.

Then, don't forget to check out our Indiana high school playoff broadcast between Providence and # 2 Paoli beginning at 6:30p. For some quick info on what should be a great game, click here (the list is in alphabetical order, so scroll down to the P's).

Happy Friday.

Jeff Goodman about Cards: "Whose gonna make everyone better?"

2009-10-28T17:47:00.000-04:00

Jeff Goodman has drawn a lot of ooooh's and ahhhh's from the Louisville basketball faithful this preseason for not putting the Cards in his preseason Top 25.

Well, we just had to ask.

Goodman, senior college basketball writer for FoxSports.com, spoke on our radio show (The EZ and Bo Show, weekdays from 3-6 ET on ESPN 1450 The Ticket in Louisville... shameless plug) about a number of topics as we reach the tipoff of another season.

About Louisville: "Whose gonna lead this team?" Goodman asked. "Two years ago, it was David Padgett. Last year it was T-Will. I just don't see that guy on this team."

His surprise of the 2010 season: "Texas will win the title."

Only Bob Griese can make an apology worse than the actual act

2009-10-27T10:25:00.001-04:00

Notice, and it seems on cue, that right after his apology, the band plays.

And doesn't it seem like everyone left the room and left him out on an island to clean this mess up?

Truly awkward sports television. Without further ado, Exhibit A:

One nugget Louisville hoops fans won't like

2009-10-21T10:51:00.003-04:00

I've finally started my reading for the college hoops season, and it gives me the "warm and fuzzies." Doesn't it do the same for you?

If not, move along.

Louisville hoops has been at the forefront of the college basketball world (for better or worse) for a good amount of time over the last two years. The overall number one-seed in the NCAA Tournament last year, along with two straight Elite Eight finishes is nothing to sneeze at.

Obviously, the 2009-2010 team is going to look a little different. No Earl Clark. No Terrence Williams (and let's not forget Andre McGee).

It's not often a team loses two NBA lottery picks in the same season. Yet, many Louisville fans are still optimistic that a Final Four is still within reach... THIS YEAR! If nothing else, a Sweet 16 is expected from Rick Pitino, his talented and experienced backcourt, and the rest of the Cardinals.

But history would prove otherwise.

Since 2005, six teams have seen two of its stars selected as lottery picks. Only half of those teams returned to the NCAA Tournament the following season. None of them made it past the first weekend. UCLA, Duke, UConn, Florida, Ohio State and North Carolina are all part of this list.

Credit Tim Hume from ESPN.com for that stat, who wrote a story on five college basketball teams that will be "down" (obviously relatively-speaking) for this season. Louisville was one of them.

To read the whole story, click here (I think you may have to be an ESPN Insider).

EZ's Meaningless Live Chat

2009-10-10T12:45:00.000-04:00

Starts at 1 pm ET.

EZ's College Football Saturday Live Chat

Former Louisville football lineman is anti-Limbaugh

2009-10-07T21:34:00.003-04:00

Don't you just hate those idiots that talk on the radio all the time and act like they know what they're talking about, but you really think they have no idea?

Yeah, me too (this would be a good time to plug The EZ and Bo Show on ESPN 1450 in Louisville, Ky. from 3-6pm).

Anyway, it appears that Roman Oben doesn't like some of those talking heads either, and he's blogging about it.

By now, you may have heard or read about Rush Limbaugh's interest in buying the NFL's St. Louis Rams, and the former University of Louisville offensive lineman... well... I don't think he's real interested in Rush being interested, if you know what I'm saying. From The Washington Post:

"Anyone who has made a living bashing political leaders and their policies by vicious and unethical personal attacks, accused actor Michael J Fox of "exaggerating the effects of Parkinson's disease," made racially-charged comments about Donovan McNabb's ability as a black quarterback and hypocritically called for harsher punishment for minorities charged with low level drug crimes while himself being criminally addicted to oxycontin for many years, does not represent the honor, integrity and dignity for which the NFL shield is supposed to represent."

I'd call that a long run-on sentence, but I don't want to mess with Roman Oben. Rush probably shouldn't either.

Kentucky-South Carolina line going down?

2009-10-06T22:56:00.002-04:00

The Gamecocks opened as a 13-point favorite against Kentucky in this Saturday's showdown in Columbia against the ol' ball coach (and his ridiculous visor).

The line immediately was bet down. The early money was on UK. After a couple of days, the Wildcats were just 11.5 pt dogs.

Now, add an injury to the only All-American on the Kentucky football roster, and what does that line do?

It's still miraculously going down.

South Carolina -10 in most places as of 11:00pm on Tuesday night.

Check out all of the college football lines here.

Myles Brand... off the record

2009-09-18T10:37:00.000-04:00

Terry Hutchens, the man on the pulse of Indiana University football and men's basketball for years at the Indianapolis Star, has a must-read blog post for all IU fans.

A former colleague of his, George Stuteville, sent Hutchens a comment on the blog about his once off-the-record conversation with then-IU president Myles Brand, who passed away this week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Stuteville had kept the converation off-the-record until Brand's passing. The conversation included Brand's thoughts about the firing of Bob Knight, the winningest Division I men's basketball coach of all time (for now).

Great read. Check it out here.

The Show (re-)begins today

2009-09-14T11:18:00.003-04:00

Rick Bozich has to write columns, blog, do TV shows and the like. Yet, he still has time, and actually WANTS to do a sports show with me. So, now, all of the people who thought he was crazy all of these years have now had their thoughts confirmed. The EZ & Bo Show starts today from 3-6pm ET on ESPN 1450 in Louisville. There is a "Listen Now" button on the ESPN 1450 website if you want to listen online. And also, you can be inundated with useless thoughts from Rick, myself, and the producers of the show via Twitter. Go to twitter.com/ezandbo and follow us. Plus, it's an easy way to connect with the show. The show will be terrible, and you won't be able to stand us... be forewarned!

Emmitt Smith REALLY bends your ear... and it's a painful bend

2009-09-11T11:17:00.004-04:00

We've all given Hall Of Fame runningback Emmitt Smith a lot of flack for not being that well-spoken on television (in the interest of full disclosure, I'm probably just as bad... on TV AND radio). But this may be the time where you ~~would want to smoke it up~~ ~~"serenate"~~ ~~play at "Gameday Stadium"~~ ~~answer a question about a new stadium with a message about pork~~ can't defend him at all. You've seen all of his "analyst" fluff before. Therefore, you need only watch the first minute of this fiasco!

Louisville Basketball schedule for 2009-10 released

2009-09-10T12:25:00.003-04:00

Here you go... from Kenny Klein: 2009-10 University of Louisville Men's Basketball Schedule October Wed. 28 GEORGETOWN (exhibition) November Wed. 4 BELLARMINE (exhibition) Tues. 17 Arkansas (ESPN2) (at St. Louis, Mo.) Sat. 21 EAST TENNESSEE STATE (HALL OF FAME SHOWCASE) Sun. 22 MORGAN STATE (HALL OF FAME SHOWCASE) Mon. 23 APPALACHIAN STATE (HALL OF FAME SHOWCASE) Sat. 28 at UNLV (VERSUS) December Wed. 2 STETSON Sat. 5 CHARLOTTE Sat. 12 WESTERN CAROLINA Wed. 16 ORAL ROBERTS Sat. 19 WESTERN KENTUCKY (ESPN2) (BILLY MINARDI CLASSIC) Wed. 23 LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE Sun. 27 RADFORD Wed. 30 USF January Sat. 2 at Kentucky (CBS) Wed. 6 at Providence Sat. 9 ST. JOHN'S Mon. 11 VILLANOVA (ESPN) Sat. 16 at Pittsburgh Thur. 21 at Seton Hall (ESPN/ESPN2) Sun. 24 CINCINNATI Sat. 30 at West Virginia (ESPN) February Mon. 1 CONNECTICUT (ESPN) Sat. 6 RUTGERS Thur. 11 at St. John's (ESPN/ESPN2) Sun. 14 at Syracuse (ESPN) Wed. 17 NOTRE DAME (ESPN2) Sat. 20 at DePaul Tues. 23 GEORGETOWN (ESPN2) Sun. 28 at Connecticut (CBS) March Tues. 2 at Marquette Sat. 6 SYRACUSE (ESPN) Tues.-Sat. 9-13 at BIG EAST Championship (New York, N.Y.)