Diaper Dandies

Nothing excites me more than finding out which freshman is going to be the next Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley or Greg Oden. As is the case every year, a number of diaper dandies should intrigue us and excite us. Here are a few in particular that I feel will have a huge impact on their team this year.

Avery Bradley- Ranked #1 in the ESPNU 100 rankings for the 2009 class, and is expected to be the leading scorer for the #3 ranked Longhorns this year. The 6-3 shooting guard is known as a harassing ball defender, and a great mid-range shooter. His wing span and heart will make up of for his lack of height on the defensive end. It will be interesting to see how Barnes plays him because of Texas' loaded backcourt. Bradley will be the key for a National Championship run because we all know March Madness comes down to guard play. A great game to watch will be when #1 Kansas visits #3 Texas, a square off between Sherron Collins and Avery Bradley.



John Wall- The best point guard in the 2009 class, and maybe the best overall athlete. Draws comparisons to Derrick Rose because of his ability to get from end- line to end-line in a matter of seconds. Originally committed to Memphis but then decided to follow Callipari to Kentucky over the summer. He is able to consistently finish above the rim, both in transition and in traffic. In Callipari's offense he will have the flexibility that Rose and Tyreke Evans had to create for themselves and others. Wall is still a very raw player but in a system where you are running up and down the whole time it shouldn't be an issue. Watch out for this extremely talented Kentucky squad...



Jack Cooley- The next Harangody? From a physical standpoint he definitely looks like it. At 6-9 and 245 lbs, Cooley will provide a strong defensive presence for Notre Dame off the bench. What makes him so special is his toughness and competitiveness on both ends of the floor. Never will you see him give up on a loose ball or not take the charge. Cooley shot over 70% from the line throughout his high school career and averaged over 4 blocks a game. Has the potential to develop into a dominant low-post scorer, but for now he will concentrate on the defensive side. His overall IQ of the game is far above any freshman which already gives him an advantage. Seems to get better each time he plays, so he should be a key contributor come tournament time in March. Draws comparisons to Kevin Love because of his work ethic and motor.

Swollen Members

This is a tribute to a band I found while searching through the Itunes store. They are from Canada and have been out of the scene for a couple of years because of drug addiction. ( A little weird ) They just came out with a new album called Armed To the Teeth. Check out my three favorite songs....





Put Me On



Warrior



Pornstar

Chicago Bulls Preview

After last year's performance against the Celtics in the playoffs, the Bulls will look to build off that and compete for the 4th seed in the East. Getting rid of Ben Gordon in the off season was the best thing they could of done for the future. Not only does that give them more cap room for the monstrous 2010 free agency but it also allows Derrick Rose to develop into an All-star. In order for the Bulls to compete in the East they are going to need John Salmons and Luol Deng to produce more on the offensive end.

Three players that I expect to have breakout years are Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Rose has worked on his shot all summer and has even added 15 lbs to his already muscular frame. Noah also hit the weights this off season and throughout preseason has looked like he developed a nice right hook. When the Bulls first drafted Gibson I was not impressed, but after watching him knock down shot after shot in the preseason it made me think of Horace Grant. He gives the Bulls more depth at the forward position and potentially a low post scorer that the Bulls have lacked since Elton Brand. The Bulls starting lineup consists of:

PG Derrick Rose (6-3)
SG John Salmons (6-6)
SF Luol Deng (6-9)
PF Tyrus Thomas ( 6-10)
C Joakim Noah ( 7-0)

This lineup will cause a lot of problems for teams that are small at the guard position. In addition to that, this is a much better defensive group than last year's starting lineup. Del Negro has even played with the idea of going even bigger by using this lineup:

PG Derrick Rose (6-3)
SG Luol Deng (6-9)
SF Tyrus Thomas (6-10)
PF Brad Miller (6-11)
C Joakim Noah (7-0)

Predictions: 50-32, 4th seed in the East. Derrick Rose will be in Dallas for the All-star game. Taj Gibson will be in contention for Rookie of the Year.

Worries: There are two ways in which the Bulls will not live up to their expectations. The obvious one is injuries and the other is Coach Vinny Del Negro. Del Negro may be the worst game coach in the history of the NBA. I have never seen a coach call worse plays at the end of the game. For example, Game 6, 5 seconds left in OT, he gives the ball to Brad Miller at half court. Not to mention that Miller blew the game before by missing two free throws at the end of the game. What does Doc Rivers do? He has his best shooter (Ray Allen) come off two screens at the top of the key to hit the game-winning three. Rarely will the Bulls get outplayed this year, but they will get out-coached many times this year that will lead to losses.

Heisman Update

1. Mark Ingram- Newcomer to the list, but a well-deserved one. The nation's fourth leading rusher exploded for 246 yards and a touchdown against a good South Carolina defense. If Alabama keeps winning then his stock will continue to rise. His true test will be when Alabama faces Florida for the SEC championship.

2. Jordan Shipley- Had his worst game of the season last week against Oklahoma, but still holds the #2 spot because of his previous performances. Although he did make a lot of nice catches against Oklahoma they happened to be all out of bounds. Will need big games against Mizzou and Oklahoma State if he wants the #1 spot back.

3. Jimmy Clausen- Another newcomer to list, has really come into the spotlight these last couple weeks. At first, I thought Clausen would never develop but he has really matured this year in to what could be the real deal. Last week against USC he showed composure and leadership while throwing for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns. Even after losing his best receiver, his numbers have stayed consistent. Without doubt the most consistent quarterback in college football and may be the best.

Players Knocked Off

Colt McCoy- Poor performance against the first real defense he has faced all year. I know he was suffering from the flu, but that didn't affect Jordan and neither should it affect McCoy.

Tim Tebow- Against Arkansas he had more rushing attempts than passing attempts. Think about that.....

Heisman Highlight of the Week

Heisman Update

1. Jordan Shipley- (Did not play) I'm going to project 10 catches for 120 yards and a punt return for a touchdown against Colorado this Saturday.

2. Tim Tebow- (Did not play) Luckily for him and Florida, he got a week off from that hit. This week's game against LSU could win or lose his chances at the Heisman.

3. Colt McCoy- (Did not play) Even though Colt has struggled at times during the season, he always finds ways to redeem himself. This Saturday against Colorado won't prove much, but in two weeks when they play Oklahoma it will be an opportunity to show the nation.

4. Jacory Harris- With wins over Oklahoma, Florida State and Georgia Tech, Harris has proved that he can win big games. If he can finish the season strong then he might have a chance at New York come Heisman time.

Jahvid Best- drops out of the race due to a poor performance against USC.

Heisman Update

1. Jordan Shipley- Welcome to the number one spot. Once again Shipley continues to impress me with 10 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. In addition to that he had a 52 yard punt return that was almost his second punt return touchdown for the year. Critics can go ahead and say that he hasn't faced competition, but I don't think it will matter. Hands down, the most underrated player in the nation.

2. Jahvid Best- Drops to #2 in the list due to his lackluster performance against a decent Oregon defense. He was held to 55 yards on 16 carries and never saw the end zone. Luckily for him he has USC next which will either win him the Heisman or lose it.
Good Luck

3. Colt McCoy- Coming off his best game of the season in which he had a completion percentage of 80%, threw for 286 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. I understand that he was going up against UTEP, but he still put up Heisman-like numbers. Texas has a week off before they will face Colorado at home, and it will be essential for Colt to stay consistent.

4. Tim Tebow- Being sick did not help the cause, but Tim Tebow was anything but impressive before he got knocked out of the game. He threw for 103 yards and a touchdown against a Kentucky defense that allowed 380 yards the week before against Louisville. Hopefully, Tebow will be able to rebound from this game and that hit.


Heisman Highlight of the Week

Heisman Update

1. Jahvid Best- Moves up in the rankings due to his 5 touchdown performance against Minnesota, and due to the recent struggles of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy. Thus far, Jahvid has been averaging 7.8 yards a carry, and is on pace for a 32 touchdown season. Cal will be playing Oregon next which will be a test for Mr. Best.

2. Jordan Shipley- A newcomer to list, but a well deserved one. Shipley has been off to a great start to the season even though Colt has underperformed. Not only is he a great wide receiver but he also has an impact on special teams as he showed against Texas Tech last week. Shipley is projected to have over 100 catches and 1,300 yards which would put him in contention for the Heisman. Luckily for him he has UTEP, and then Colorado coming up.

3. Tim Tebow- Drops in the rankings due to his inconsistency from game to game. Against Tennessee he threw for 115 yards on 14 completions with no touchdowns and an interception. The week before against Troy he threw for four touchdowns and 237 yards. The one positive thing about his season is his outrageous quarterback rating of 170.45. Florida will be playing at Kentucky next week, and Tebow better bring his A game.

4. Colt McCoy- After throwing only 8 interceptions for all of last season, McCoy already has 4 through his first three games. Like Tebow, McCoy has been anything but consistent. One thing that McCoy is not using as much as he used last year is his running ability. I am not sure if he feels becoming more of a pocket passer will hep him prepare for the NFL, but it is hurting his Heisman chances for sure. Last season McCoy averaged 4.1 yards per carry and this year his average has dropped to 1.9 yards per carry. All in all, McCoy needs to step up his game if he wants the Heisman and the National Championship. Starts with UTEP next week.


Heisman Highlight of the Week

The Champagne of Champaign's Top 10

Top 10 Best Mustaches

When you think of a solid sports mustache, you probably don't think of the present state of athletic style. Probably because mustaches have become about as unpopular in sports asMichael Jackson's doctor is in the world of superfans.

Nonetheless, a good mustache can't go unnoticed. Here are 10 that deserve some recognition.

10. Dennis Eckerseley

"Eck" was quite arguably one of the best closers to ever play baseball, and one of only two men to save 50 games as a closer in a season AND win 20 games as a starter in a season (the other John Smoltz, who also sports some solid facial hair). You gotta believe that at least some of that success came from the daunting piece of bush on his upper lip. Even if he did give up that Walk-Off home run to Kirk Gibson (pun intended).

9. Dale Earnhardt

First thing I must say, I don't find NASCAR to be a sport, I understand many of the people WITHIN the "game" are very athletic and have to be in order to withstand the heat and dehydration. Nonetheless, it is still sitting on your ass and going around in a circle 500 times. Still, if there were a "face" of NASCAR it would be a mustached one, as Earnhardt was one of the most feared drivers in the NASCAR circuit and still has a legacy unmatched to this day.

8. Randy Johnson

The "Big Unit" really did have a lot of hair on his head. Beyond the former classic haircut, Randy Johnson had a classic Mustache. Even when the Yankees made him get rid of the Mullet (thank the lord), and his dominance on the mound lessened, he still sported a great Mustache.

7. Mike Ditka

He knows how to cook, he knows a good cigar, he knows how to market himself into a great steakhouse, knows how to win a superbowl (in 1971 as a player), and oh yeah, he has coached a couple times and maybe won a super bowl 1985 with one of the better football teams to play the NFL (best dancing team to this date). Yet, all of these accomplishments don't quite match the swagger that classic mustache has produced.

6. Jason Giambi

Yeah, the steroids weren't quite the best thing for his image. But the mustache was. Plus, this mustache had a little more meaning since it somehow did launch his play at the plate into a new level (notice the batting average displayed). And the fans loved it too, they not only cheered for the facial hair, but they also had an actual"mustache day" for it.

5. Hulk Hogan

Let me once again clarify, this is not necessarily a SPORT in my opinion, even though the game is filled with athletes. Still, Hulk Hogan is a stud, I mean, he is pretty famous among the reality show circuits now, and he could kick 90% of America's ass. Plus, that blonde bastard he sports on his face was recently used as the official US Measurement for a 90˚ angle, because it was JUST that accurate.

4. Al Hrabosky

The "Mad Hungarian" knew how to play ball, and he knew how to intimidate. His mound antics were crazy, and the way he intimidated his opponents was pretty enjoyable to watch (years later for me of course). It's easy to say that the mustache complimented Hrabosky better than anyone else in terms of intimidation and overall image.

3. Carlos Valderrama

Called "El Pibe" by fans, Valderrama is often referred to as the best Colombian soccer to ever play the game. Besides representing his country in more soccer events than any other Colombian, and besides being the only Colombian soccer player inFIFA's 100 Top Living Footballers, El Pibe also sports quite possibly the best hair/facial hair combination in sports.

2. Mark Spitz

When Spitz won all those medals, he had some strut. Not only did he swim fast, but he was the Michael Phelps before Michael Phelps and all the LZR Suit Wearing, Drag Resistant Hair Shaving Craziness. And he knew how to wear facial hair without trying to look like a totaldouchebag/kevin federline unlike phelps.

1. Rollie Fingers

Originally started as a monetary incentive competition from Charles O. Finley, the mustache of Rollie Fingers will forever be timeless. It is that curl, that Snidely Whiplash. If you see that mustache on an everyday person, you probably would think they are weird, but when Rollie Fingers did it, it was just fitting. I mean, just look at his name, Rollie, and the roll of the mustache curl, it fits. And, yeah, I mean, he did win the AL MVP and the Cy Young award in the same 1981 season. Not to mention being relief man of the year for 4 years ('77-'78, '80-'81), World Series MVP in 1974, and currently in the Hall of Fame.

Introducing The Champagne of Champaign

As a blonde-haired, blue eyed, jew boy from Champaign, IL, I bring a little South of I-80 Charm to the already phenomenal TMIM blog. As an honored young apprentice to the great writers at TMIM I hope to provide new views in the world of Competitive Athletics and Games.

Survival Picks

Each week Nick and I will give our one pick of the week for the survival league that we are in. It will be a competition to see who can last the longest. Remember, you have to pick one team a week to win, but you can't use the same team twice throughout the season. Feel free to comment your pick.

Nick- Seahawks over the Rams

Jim- Saints over the Lions

2009 NFL Preview

*****Click on each ranking if not legible