I'm Back

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog. After more than 3 months, I am finally ready to update this thing on a regular basis for your reading pleasure. I've been quite busy with school and covering games for The Herald Bulletin which is why I haven't published in some time.

ODDS

NBA

Odds of the Trail Blazers making the playoffs.
I don't think it's very likely that they get in this year, but the management has to be pretty excited with the future of this young team. When Brandon Roy came into this league I don't think anybody predicted he would be as successful as he has been to this point. The guy is a true leader and, once it gets Greg Oden back, Portland is going to be a force to be reckoned with. What a solid job by Nate McMillan to put the team back on the map. 40%

Odds of Kobe Bryant staying in L.A.
What happened to the Lakers? All of a sudden they look like one of the NBA's top teams and all of this after the Kobe saga in the summer. Andrew Bynum has reacted to Bryant's criticism in a positive manner and is finally showing that upside we've heard so much about. I think the Lakers will make the playoffs and Kobe stays put, for good. 98%

Odds of Isiah Thomas keeping his job.
I don't know what's going on in New York, but whatever it is, it's not good. Thomas continues to bring in pricey players that could care less about winning, and it shows on the court. The Knicks might be crazy enough to keep Isiah, but I see his butt out the door at season's end. 20%

NFL

Odds of the Patriots winning the Super Bowl.
You'd have to keep this number pretty high just because of what they've accomplished, but I don't see it happening. I think Jacksonville can take them out if they get by Pittsburgh this week, and if not, then the Colts. New England had a great season, but not a perfect one. 55%

Odds of Giants upset this week.
Most of the country would agree that this doesn't seem like much of an upset (over Tampa Bay), but it will happen. After the Giants great performance last week, it seems almost inevitable for them to come out of the NFC. But then again, it did last year as well. 80%

NCAA

Odds of a Buckeye thumping in BCS Championship.
Ohio State had a great, dominant regular season, but the Big Ten just doesn't compare to the SEC. Don't give me the garbage that Michigan beat Florida and Wisconsin hung win Tennessee, because I'm not buying it. LSU is faster, stronger, and better than the Buckeyes, and the Tigers will take this one. Forget the fact that they had so many close games in the regular season. All that tells me is they know how to close out games. LSU 31, Ohio State 10 65%

Odds of West Virginia in the title game next season.
First of all, let me just say that what the Mountaineers did to Oklahoma was extremely impressive. They were without their coach, without their star running back, and without a championship game, but they came to win. With Pat White and Steve Slaton possibly back next year, this team will run through the Big East. There's a good chance you see them playing in the big one in 2009. 70%

Odds of Butler in the Elite Eight.
The Bulldogs return most of their key players from last year's "Sweet Sixteen" run, and should make it deep into the tournament again this year. Butler loves the underdog role, but they are no longer the underdog. Watch for first-year coach Brad Stevens to lead his club into the dance as a 3 seed and advance to the "Elite Eight". 81%

Odds of North Carolina running the table.
As good as the Tar heels are, there is no chance they end the season undefeated. Because of its youth, UNC has lapses at some points, and doesn't always play its hardest on defense. The ACC will prove to be difficult, especially with two match ups with Coach K's Duke Blue Devils. The Tar heels will finish with three losses overall, but will maintain their one seed. .0001%