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January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2015 - January 14, 2015
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AROUND THE AREA
January 8 - January 14, 2016 Volume 14, Issue 20 sportspagedfw.com established 2002
Five finalists chosen for Davey O'Brien
4 AROUND THE AREA 5 SMU REPORT 6 GOLF, ETC 8 ALABAMA VS CLEMSON PREVIEW FOOTBALL BOWL GAME 10 COLLEGE SCHEDULE 11 NFL - WILD CARD PREVIEW 12 NBA POWER RATING- WEEK 10 17 RESTAURANT REVIEW 18 THE TICKET WINDOW 19 AUTO REVIEW WITH DIC HUMPHREY
WITH TOM WARD
BY PETER FIUTAK
BY ELLIOT HARRISON
NBA.COM
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BY DAVID GOODSPEED
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LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST
The scholarship, underwritten by Higginbotham and Southwest Bank, is presented annually to an exceptional North Texas student-athlete FORT WORTH, Texas - The Davey O'Brien Foundation has announced it's five finalists for the 2015. The scholarship is presented each January to an exceptional senior student-athlete in North Texas. The finalists in alphabetical order are; William Caldwell St. Mark's School of Texas A four-year member of the basketball and baseball teams, William Caldwell also has three varsity letters in football and has served as each sport's team captain. He has been named the All-Southwest Preparatory Conference Outstanding Player in all three sports, earning the honor twice in football and twice in baseball. Caldwell owns a 3.85 grade-point average on a 4.00 scale and is a National Merit Commended Scholar. He received the school's Jefferson Book Award presented to the junior who best represents the Jeffersonian ideals of scholarship, leadership and citizenship. A member of the St. Mark's student council, he has been active in the Boy Scouts of America, Young Men's Service League and the Junior Symphony Ball. College Basketball - Top 25 (Week 9) AP Coaches Poll 1. Kansas 2. Oklahoma 3. Maryland 4. Virginia 5. Michigan State 6. North Carolina 7. Arizona 8. Providence 9. Kentucky 10. Xavier 11. Villanova 12. Miami 13. Iowa State 14. Duke 15. SMU 16. Louisville 17. West Virginia 18. Butler 19. Iowa 20. Purdue 21. Texas A&M 22. South Carolina 23. UConn 24. Pittsburgh 25. Dayton
1. Oklahoma 2. Kansas 3. Maryland 4. Virginia 5. Michigan State 6. Arizona 7. North Carolina 8. Kentucky 9. Providence 10. Duke 11. Miami 12. Xavier 13. Villanova 14. Iowa State 15. West Virginia 16. Louisville 17. Texas A&M 18. Purdue 19. Butler 20. South Carolina 21. Pittsburgh 22. Gonzaga 23. Iowa 24. UConn 25. Baylor
Sage McAdams Plano West High School Sage McAdams is a four-year varsity member of the track and cross country programs. She was appointed captain of both teams her junior and senior seasons. In the 3200 meters, McAdams has placed among the top three at both the district meet and the area meet each of the past two years. She also is a two-time regional qualifier in the 3200 meters in outdoor track as well as in cross country. McAdams owns a 4.479 grade-point average on a weighted 4.0 scale, ranking 23rd out of a class of more than 1,400 students. A National Merit Semifinalist and National Honor Society member, she has worked with Operation Kindness, Sunrise Senior Living and Habitat for Humanity. Savannah Norman Fort Worth Country Day School A four-year varsity letterwinner in track and field and cheerleading, Savannah Norman has also earned three letters in field hockey. She has qualified for the state track meet in the 400-meter dash, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay. In addition, Norman is a Southwest Preparatory Conference Honorable Mention Athlete in both field hockey and track. The school's executive council secretary owns a 98.31 GPA on a 100-point scale and is a member of the Cum Laude Society. Norman was honored with the Harvard Book Prize given to the school's junior with the best all-around scholarship, character and achievement. She is involved with the National Charity League, TEAM, and Cooking for a Cause, while also serving as a tutor at the Como Community Center.
Seth Reine Arlington Martin High School Seth Reine is a four-year member of the Arlington Martin football and track and field teams. In 2015, he was elected to the football team's leadership council and helped his squad to a 10-3 overall record and an appearance in the Class 6A regional semifinals. A member of the National Honor Society, Reine ranks first in his class of more than 750 students with a 4.85 GPA on a weighted 4.0 scale. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars as well as Key Club International. Reine also is a PSAT Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honors. He has worked and volunteered at Camp Thurman and also is active with Mission Arlington and the North Davis Church of Christ. Raymar Turangan The Colony High School Raymar Turangan is a three-year varsity letterman in swimming and has served as team captain as a senior. A district silver medalist in the 400-meter freestyle relay in 2014, he also has been a regional finalist in the 100-meter backstroke and 400m freestyle relay. Turangan ranks second in a class of nearly 500 with a 5.17 grade-point average on a weighted 4.0 scale. He is also a National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. The vice president of his senior class co-founded the school's Hispanic Mentorship Program and Peer Tutoring Group. An accomplished competitive pianist, Turangan is also an Eagle Scout. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award at Baylor Medical Center in Carrollton.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
JANUARY
JANUARY
JANUARY
JANUARY
JANUARY
JANUARY
JANUARY
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FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Mavericks vs Cavaliers 7:30 / FSSW
Mavericks at Thunder 7:00 / FSSW
Mavericks at Timberwolves 2:30 / FSSW
Mavericks at Bucks 7:00 / FSSW Stars vs Wild 7:00 / 1310
Allen vs Colorado 4:05
Allen vs Colorado 7:05 Sidekicks at Saltillo Rancho 8:05
Sidekicks at Brownsville 6:05
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
Sidekicks at Brownsville 6:05 SMU vs UCF 3:00 / ESPU
Sidekicks vs Tacoma 7:35 SMU SMU vs at Cincinnatti East Carolina 5:15 / ESPNews 6:00/ESPNews
SMU
WITH DIC HUMPHREY
Ponies rally late to beat Cincinnatti BY DIC HUMPHREY DIC.HUMPHREY@YAHOO.COM
Season Opening Win Streak Grows to 14 UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas - SMU, ranked number 15 in the Associated Press poll this week, ended a tumultuous week with a 59-57 win over Cincinnati on Thursday night in Moody Coliseum. Cincinnati led for more than 25 minutes and led by seven points with 3:40 to go, but the Mustangs rallied to overtake the Bearcats to keep their record perfect. The win extended SMU's season opening win streak to 14 games, the longest in the 100 year history of SMU basketball. The Mustangs also lead the American Athletic Conference with a 3-0 record. Cincinnati fell to 11-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play. “I couldn't believe what I just witnessed. I look back on all the things these kids have been through, it's pretty remarkable,” Mustang Head Coach Larry Brown proudly said after the game. The Mustangs played with essentially six scholarship players as Keith Frazier missed a second straight game to deal with “personal issues” and Sterling Brown was ejected early. “We made enough big plays. I told the kids I've been in a lot of locker rooms, but this group, this win. It's really kind of unbelievable.” Cincinnati is a big physical team that has had SMU's number since the American Athletic Conference was formed for the 2013-14 season. The Bearcats beat SMU in both tilts last season after the teams split a pair of games two seasons ago, with the home team winning each game. They came out with a hot shooting hand making four of nine three pointers in the first half, while SMU was just 1-7. They outrebounded the Mustangs 17-13 and forced nine turnovers to take a 32-30 halftime lead. SMU rallied in the second half to take a lead in the first three plus minutes, but Cincinnati came back to re-take the lead with 13:45 remaining. The Bearcats scored
at the 4:10 mark to take their largest lead of the game at seven points, and got the ball back still leading by seven with 3:40 remaining. “It's winning time,” Markus Kennedy said in response to what the players were thinking at that point. Win they did as Cincinnati amazingly never made another basket and the Mustangs finished the game with an 11-2 run, with both Bearcat points coming from the free throw line. Nic Moore tossed in a pair of three-pointers, Ben Moore and Jordan Tolbert scored two point baskets and Ben Moore knocked down a free throw to account for the 11 Mustang points. It was a dramatic win, as dramatic as any in Larry Brown's tenure as head coach at SMU. It was again a team effort, as four Mustangs scored in double digits, led by the Moores. Ben had 15 and Nic had 14 points. Jordan Tolbert and Shake Milton each scored 11. Tolbert led the Mustangs with seven rebounds, but SMU was outrebounded (33-32) for the second straight game. A big positive stat for SMU though was 11 blocked shots. The game closed out a week of adversity over junior guard Keith Frazier, one of the most highly touted recruits in SMU history. Frazier, a McDonald's High School All American from Kimball High school in Dallas, did not dress for last Saturday's game against South Florida. SMU officially announced that he was absent for “personal reasons”. After the game, Head Coach Larry Brown said that Frazier was dealing with personal issues and flatly responded with “I don't know” when asked if Frazier would return to the team. CBSsports and Channel 4 in Dallas among others reported on Tuesday that Frazier had left the program. Brown met with the media Wednesday afternoon, and basically repeated the same sentiments he expressed after last Saturday's game, with his comments scripted from a prepared statement. Frazier is dealing with some personal issues. The team and coaching staff support him as he works through these issues, and Brown wants the outcome to be whatever is best for Frazier. He indicated that Frazier would not participate in the Cincinnati game, but surprisingly left the door open for him to return. Brown essentially shut down any further questions about the Frazier situation at that point, though Mike Doocy of Channel 4 sports was able to get Brown to confirm that the door is open for Frazier to return. Bill Nichols in the Dallas Morning News reported that Frazier reached a boiling point as he feels he is blamed for SMU's NCAA probation that caused Brown to be suspended for the first nine
Keith Frazier was absent for “personal reasons”
games this year, and a post-season ban, citing Frazier's high school coach as the source. The NCAA violations stem from an on-line course taken for Frazier while he was still in high school by an administrative assistant in the SMU basketball office. More likely though, Frazier is upset over his lost playing time since getting injured in the Michigan game. He missed the following two games and more than 10 days of practice before returning to play three games off the bench prior to noshowing for the USF game. Frazier is a big part of the team and his loss, if he does not return, would be a huge blow to the Mustangs. He is averaging 28.8 minutes, 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. With Frazier out, Brown's team is down to seven scholarship players for the final 16 games. SMU added two practice players to the roster for the Cincinnati game - sophomore Jake Brudish and senior David Nelson. Jonathan Wilfong is also a walk-on on the roster. None of the three saw action in the Cincinnati game. If there are no injuries that result in
missed games, Brown's not too bothered about playing with a short bench as long as the team stays out of foul trouble. He sees the problem as practice. He needs more bodies to hold an effective practice. He noted that when he coached Kansas to a national championship in 1988, his roster got down to nine scholarship players, and he recruited a couple of players from the football team. “Yes,” he replied when asked if he had contacted the SMU football operations office to see if there might be some football players available. The adversity has surely taken its toll on SMU, as they had difficulty winning both games since Frazier departed. In the case of Cincinnati, the competition was good, the best opponent the Mustangs have faced this season. The Bearcats lost their opening conference game at home to Temple last week before routing Tulsa. The Temple loss knocked them out of the Top 25 for the first time since November 16. Cincinnati is a rugged defensive team that played a zone defense and pressed after made baskets to slow the pace of the game. The Mustang point total of 59 was the lowest offensive output of the year. SMU completes a three game home stand with a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Central Florida Knights at Moody Coliseum. UCF has an 8-5 overall record and is 2-0 in conference play. Game time is 3:00 PM (Central), and it will be televised on ESPNU. The win Thursday night was the best win over the best opponent the Mustangs have played this season. A crowd of 6,971 was treated to the best game of the season. When the season comes to an end in March, that may still be true. AND ALSO: o SEEN AT THE GAME: Former SMU and current NFL football players Cole Beasley (Dallas Cowboys) and Sterling Moore (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
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MISC
WITH TOM WARD
Holy 50th Anniversary Batman!
TOM WARD tompward@sbcglobal.net Holy 50th Anniversary Batman! In honor of the 50th anniversary of the “Batman” television series I thought the timing was perfect to speak about my experience hanging out with actor Adam West who played the caped crusader back in 1966. In February of 2003, I had the rare opportunity to spend the weekend with the actor who portrayed Batman from my youth. That year the Ft. Worth chapter of the American Heart Association was holding its annual gala and the theme that year was a Superhero Heart Ball. My friend Dr. Al Yurvati, a world-renowned heart surgeon, and his wife were the co-chairs of the event. They contacted me because they knew I might be able to help them with their worthwhile cause in securing a possible guest for the event. I told them for a Superhero themed fund-raiser they needed to get someone who was highly recognizable and there was no one better than Batman. They agreed and proceeded forward as I got in touch with actor Adam West and his agent and it worked out that West was willing to come to Ft. Worth. When the time arrived Dr. Yurvati and myself drove to DFW airport to meet West, who was coming in from Idaho via Chicago. After we picked him up we took him to a local restaurant on our way to his hotel near the Texas Motor speedway. As we walked into the eatery we saw a young twenty-something hostess asking how many were in our party. West immediately walked up to her and said, “Hello....we need a table for 3 please.” Suddenly, this young lady looking perplexed replied, “I recognize your voice. You’re Mayor West from ‘Family Guy!'” After she sat us, Dr. Yurvati and I couldn’t believe that this young woman knew him by his voice. West stated, “This younger generation doesn’t know me as Batman. They’re big fans of the cartoon show “Family Guy”. As we were finishing our lunch a middle age gentleman approached the table and wanted to know if it was okay to say “Hi” to Mr. West. West was very cordial and the man told him how much Batman meant to him as a kid and what a pleasure it was to meet him. As we were heading to
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the hotel I asked West if this was a regular occurrence wherever he went. West laughed saying, “You should have seen it in the 1960s when the show was on! I call it the 3 Bs. There was Bond, the Beatles and Batman.” West along with his trusty sidekick Robin (Burt Ward) came into our living rooms in vibrant living color twice a week on ABC TV beginning on January 12th, 1966. You talk about “must see TV” as Batman exploded in popularity overnight with the dynamic duo battling a colorful cast of characters each week like the Riddler (Frank Gorshin), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), Joker (Cesar Romero) and Catwoman (Julie Newmar). I happened to be the show’s perfect target audience as a 10-year-old kid who liked comics. The show was so big that even my parents would watch it with me and my sister. I remember countless times watching the show listening to my parents chuckling with laughter in the background. It would be a few years later re-watching the shows as I was older that I got the inside jokes. The show worked on a number of levels because it appealed to both kids and adults with action and outlandish plot lines sprinkled with subtle humor. I remember being mesmerized by the Batmobile and all of Batman’s magnificent gadgets. Plus, the costumes that not only Batman and Robin wore, but the villains as well. Of course, there was that catchy theme song that was a smash...it was played on the radio seemingly everywhere you went. Back in those days there were only the 3 main TV networks and to have a show on twice a week was quite rare. There were cliff-hanger endings each episode that had the dynamic duo in a dire situation that you had to watch the following evening to see how they would escape. At school the next day all the kids would alk about the show.....you were out of the loop if you missed the action because there were no DVRs back in those days. During West’s trip to North Texas, I vividly remember one conversation we had as I drove him back to his hotel to get ready for the big charity bash that evening. I asked Adam where he spent that evening back in 1966 before the premiere of his show? West recalled, “Those weeks building up to the premiere were a blur in my memory. However, that Wednesday evening of January 12th, 1966 is one I will never forget. We wrapped early that day by our producer Howie Horwitz, so we could all go home to watch the debut of our show. We’d seen it at a special screening at the studio, and we heard about an extravagant premiere party held in New York. Generally, the reviews by the critics were good. But what really mattered is what the viewers thought. I was in a hurry to get to
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
my beach apartment and watch the show alone trying to relax. I stopped at the Colony Market in Malibu and picked up a steak for dinner. As I was in line at the checkout counter I heard two people tell the clerks, ‘C’mon we gotta go Batman’s on tonight!’ Everyone there seemed to be very excited. I paid and hurried out and now I was feeling pretty good about our show and I knew it was going to work. Driving home on my motorcycle I had a sense that my anonymity would soon be gone.” We both laughed because things would never be the same that day forward for West. The show became a tremendous overnight success. Adam told me another interesting fact about what happened to him that Saturday morning a few days after the show debuted. West said,” I took my kids to Big Bear for some skiing. I had on a wool cap, ski clothes and goggles on. We got out at a tiny place called Fawnskin. I was walking into a general store and people were yelling at me saying ‘Batman, Hey Batman.” My face was covered so I figured they had known me from my walk which stunned me. From that moment on to this day I have experienced that kind of fan appreciation.” Since 1989, when Michael Keaton donned the cape and cowl for Batman in the first Tim Burton film, most fans recognize him along with Val Kilmer, George
Clooney (ouch) and Christian Bale as the dark knight. Ben Affleck will don the cape and cowl for Batman vs. Superman in March adding his name to a long list of actors playing the iconic character. Baby Boomers, like myself, know that the Batman of our generation was Adam West. As a kid growing up in the Midwest I never imagined having the opportunity to meet the man who played Batman during my childhood. In my travels as a golf pro I’ve been fortunate, and blessed, to have met, played golf, and given lessons to some of the most famous sports, entertainment and political personalities in the world. However, in my book, none of that compares to hanging out with the man who played Batman. Many times when you come face-to-face with someone you’ve admired growing up those people can be a big disappointment. I’m happy to say that West was the consummate professional handling the MC duties for the big event. Adam West surpassed my personal expectations, making my time spent with him memorable and something I’ll never forget. For that I will always be grateful to the man who will always be my Batman. Happy 50TH Anniversary Batman! Tom Ward can be contacted at www.teetimewithtom.com
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COLLEGES
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
National Championship Preview
#2 Alabama(12-1) vs. #1 Clemson (13-0) Monday, January 11, 7:30 pm ESPN Univ. of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ Line: Alabama -7 / 50.5 By Peter Fiutak Why You Need To Care It really is how the national championship for the 2015 season has to be. Last year, it was No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 Ohio State – it would’ve been an
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Alabama vs. Florida State national title in the BCS era. This time around, though, the college football season ends with the one matchup that needed to happen to tie it all up into a neat bow: Alabama vs. Clemson. Last year, TCU and Baylor each had an argument to make about not getting into the playoff. Stanford might have had some sort of a beef this year, and Ohio State was certainly talented enough to have gotten in, but there was no real argument about the final four teams. Considering Oklahoma lost to a Texas team that finished with a losing record, and Michigan State lost to a Nebraska that finished 6-7, there’s no debating whatsoever that the 14-0 Clemson Tigers and 13-1 Alabama Crimson Tide are the two top teams, and there’s not going to
be any question mark about who the real national champion is after it’s all over. Dog the Clemson schedule all you want – Tiger opponents went 2-5 this bowl season with the two wins coming from Appalachian State and a Louisville team that beat a quarterbackless Texas A&M – but if it was so easy to go undefeated, someone else would’ve done it. There were some struggles along the way - holding on for dear life to beat Notre Dame, and struggling in the ACC championship against a North Carolina squad that got walloped by Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl – but the Tigers kept on doing whatever it was they needed to on the way to the unbeaten season, highlighted by a dominant second half effort to beat
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. This has been a flawed team at times – who gives up 32 points to South Carolina? – but it’s also been a team in control of what it needs to do. There’s never any panic or sense of real urgency – this team has been able to hold up under the pressure and the scrutiny with nothing more than a yawn. It’s a confident team that’s been able to have the best of both worlds by being No.1 throughout the CFP ranking process, but also being able to play the disrespect card as motivation. Yes, it helps that 2015 Florida State isn’t the 2012, 2013 or 2014 version. Yes, it helps that the ACC was probably the weakest of all the Power 5 leagues. Yes, it helped that South Carolina was a disaster
and the Notre Dame and Florida State games were at home. But now the resume has become undeniably impressive considering Notre Dame was a made Stanford kick away from deserving a spot in the CFP four and there’s a win over the Big 12 champion to brag about. Even so, it’s been easy to assume Clemson was going to blow it along the way at some point because … it’s Clemson. The idea of Clemsoning is wrong – there really weren’t any true gags over the years to earn the term – but even so this has been the program that hasn’t been able to get over the hump again ever since winning the 1981 national title. The school operates in SEC country, and it recruits like an SEC team, but there’s always been one or two misfires that kept it from ever getting back in the national championship stratosphere. Lately, Florida State has had a lot to do with that, but now it’s Clemson’s time. Now it’s the chance for the ACC to have its second national championship in three years – and over an SEC West, too. But this Clemson team isn’t 2013 Florida State, and this Alabama team isn’t 2013 Auburn. Clemson might be No. 1 and 14-0, but if it can beat the Alabama team that steamrolled over Wisconsin, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn – all bowl winners, by the way – and could turn a veteran, savvy, talented Michigan State team into a quivering bowl of pudding, then it’s season takes on a whole new level of greatness. Not only would Clemson be the first 15-0 team, but it would get past the best team in college football to do it. Look, the Tigers might be ranked on top because they’re undefeated, but Alabama is the most talented team – the next two NFL drafts will show that – and the most impressive. The supposed weaknesses were the passing game and the secondary, and Alabama destroyed the Spartans in the Cotton Bowl with the passing game and shut it all down with the secondary. All three starters on the defensive front are going to be top draft picks, Reggie Ragland might be the best linebacker prospect going now that Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith is hurt, and CB Cyrus Jones is also destined for the next level – not to mention all the talented young prospects providing the depth. Seven starters on the offensive side – at least – are going to be drafted, and it could be more if someone wants to take a flier on QB Jake Coker and if some other parts develop. Clemson has a boatload of pro talent, but it doesn’t have Alabama’s skill set across the board, and it doesn’t have the pedigree. For all the greatness under Nick Saban, and for all the great coaching he and his staff have done, the success at the highest of high levels has basically come down to two key elements. Recruit as good or better than everyone else on an annual basis, and make each and every five-star recruit real-
ize just how unnecessary he really is. Saban’s biggest gift has been the ability to keep his uber-talented teams focused week after week. It might not be a barrel full of laughs, and there might not be pizza parties, but if you want to win championships, and your world will be a failure if you don’t, then you go play for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has become a professional factory under Saban in terms of the process, the preparation, and the mindset week after week – it’s supposed to be here, because that’s what Alabama is supposed to do. Ohio State might be the one other program with a similar realistically insane goals and expectations, and it doesn’t have to play in the SEC West. If Bama pulls this off, it’ll be Saban’s fifth national title, his fourth while in Tuscaloosa, and all of them will have come against juggernauts beating a 12-0 Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS championship, a 13-0 LSU in 2012 and a 13-0 Texas in 2009. Beating Clemson wouldn't be as impressive as taking down that 2008 Texas squad, but that doesn’t matter. A national title is a national title. You think Clemson is scared? Keep doubting this team. It seems to like that. Why Clemson Will Win The defensive front four has to keep the pressure on Jake Coker from the start. The Tigers have just enough size and just enough of a rotation to keep from wearing down against the Crimson Tide running game, but the key will be the speed and the athleticism from the outside. Against Oklahoma, Shaq Lawson made one massive play, and that was it with a knee injury – it didn’t matter. The rest of the line picked up the slack keeping Baker Mayfield in the pocket almost all game long, while pressuring him enough to keep him from making his second read. The OU offense is mostly a one-look passing game anyway, but even then Mayfield wasn’t able to get comfortable in the second half. Once Sooner backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon got hurt, that was it. Oklahoma had to try throwing, and it didn’t work. Against Michigan State, Coker was red hot hitting 25-of-30 passes partly because he had all day to throw. Michigan State came in worrying all about Derrick Henry, and it was Coker who got the job done. The Clemson secondary is far better and far more effective than the Spartan defensive backfield, but it’ll need the ends to do their jobs. More than anything else, the Clemson defense just has to get off the field. One of the biggest keys to the win over Oklahoma was the control the Tigers had offensively, helped by a defense that came up with the third down stops when needed. The Sooners helped the cause with their hurryup offense hurrying-up off the field when it didn’t work, but having the ball for almost
ten minutes more made a big difference for Clemson. For all the great things the Alabama offense does, it’s mediocre when it comes to hitting on third downs converting just 36% of the time. On the flip side, Clemson is a killer when it comes to key downs, ranking second in the nation allowing teams to convert just 26% of their chances. Clemson’s D has got to control the game, because … Why Alabama Will Win The running game that worked against Oklahoma isn’t going to happen against the Crimson Tide front seven. Alabama has figured out ways to manufacture motivation throughout the year, and now the ultra-focused and fired up talking point is the defense’s supposed inability to stop mobile quarterbacks and fast, spread running games. That was true a few years ago when Johnny Manziel was making magic, and Auburn’s Nick Marshall and Oklahoma’s Trevor Knight came up with big performances, too, but those Alabama defenses didn’t have this line, this pass rush, and this set of killers from the outside. Marshall was able to hit the Crimson Tide D by hitting the hole fast in the legendary win two years ago, while Tre Mason tore off 164 yards – that’s exactly what Clemson is going to try to do with Deshaun Watson and RB Wayne Gallman. The Clemson running game isn’t as fast or as deadly as the 2013 Auburn attack, but it’ll try to mix in a similar style trying to get the running stars loose after combining for almost 300 yards on the ground in the Orange Bowl. However, the last two games against Florida and Michigan State, Alabama allowed a net total of 44 yards on 47 carries. Not only is the Crimson Tide run defense the best in the country, it’s the best by 12 yards allowing 70.8 per game. Boston College is No. 2 giving up 82.8 yards per game and just six rushing scores – Clemson was held to a season-low 112 yards and one score against the Eagles. And as for that whole idea that Alabama can’t handle running quarterbacks, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott ran 26 times for 14 yards. Florida’s Treon Harris was second on the team in rushing – he ran 11 times for -4 yards. LSU needed something out of Brandon Harris, but he only gained 20 yards on five carries. Don’t expect Watson and Gallman to go off like they’ll need to. Player Who Matters Deshaun Watson has to become Vince Young. Artavis Scott is the go-to receiver, but he’s more of a possession target to go along with the rest of the corps that hits home runs. Most teams get caught trying to send everyone to stop the running game, and then Watson connects. Watson completes 68% of his passes, but he’s not a pure pocket passer and needs to be on the
move to make things happen down the field. That doesn’t work against a Crimson Tide defensive front that cranked up 50 sacks on the year and will keep him contained as much as possible. Of course, that’s what USC was trying to do to Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl, and Young made up for not getting the Heisman over Reggie Bush by completing 30-of-40 passes for 267 yards and running 19 times for 200 yards and three scores in his all-timer of a performance. Watson won’t do that, but he has to be equally effective and has to be equally dominant – he has to be the best player on the field. He has to be the guy Alabama doesn’t have an answer for. Slippery and deceptive, Watson is the type of runner who looks like he’s going in slow motion and then is 15 yards down the field three strides. Whether it was Leonard Fournette, Dak Prescott, or Connor Cook, when the Alabama defense decided it was going to stop one guy, it did that. It’s up to Watson to produce anyway. Again with the trumped up motivation, Alabama has a new thing to get jacked up about – Christian McCaffrey. Michigan State trained everyone on stopping Henry, wanting to force Jake Coker to win the game. Coker was brilliant, and Henry was held to 75 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, but he still made plays. Many in the national media chirped and crowed about how McCaffrey really was the best player in college football after his scintillating, record-setting performance against Iowa in the Rose Bowl. Not that Henry and his O line need any extra motivation in the national title game, but there might be a wee bit more of a chip on the shoulder of the Alabama running game than usual. Clemson’s run defense has been phenomenal, but Florida State’s Dalvin Cook was able to take off for 194 yards and a score on just 21 carries. Appalachian State’s terrific Marcus Cox ran for 103 yards on 25 carries. Expect Henry to get into a lather early on. What’s Going To Happen? Deshaun Watson isn’t Vince Young. Alabama’s defense is the wrong fit for anyone, but it’s really the wrong group to try rolling against when an offense has to get its two stars in the backfield going. As long as the Crimson Tide come out ultrafocused and with the same sense of purpose they had against LSU and Michigan State – when they were looking to make a statement – and they’re not just trying to get through the game as a means to an end – like the Auburn and Florida wins – there won’t be any problems. Clemson moved the ball well on Oklahoma early in the first half, but had too many trips without touchdowns. That didn’t matter in the Orange Bowl, but the offense will have the same problems this time around. Enjoy the coronation. Prediction: Alabama 37 Clemson 17
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FOOTBALL
2015 BOWL SCHEDULE
College Bowl Game Schedule / Results 2015-16 College Football Bowl Schedule Bowl
Location
Date/Time
New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque Dec 19, Result: Arizona 45 New Mexico 37 University Stadium Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl Las Vegas, NV Dec.19, Result: Utah 35 BYU 28 Sam Boyd Stadium Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Montgomery Dec.19, Result: Appalachian State 31 Ohio 29 Cramton Bowl Cure Bowl Orlando, FL Dec.19, Result: San Jose State 27 Georgia State 16 Orlando Citrus Bowl R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl New Orleans, LA Dec.19, Result: Louisiana Tech 47 Arkansas State 28 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Miami Beach Bowl Miami, FL Dec. 21, Result: Western Kentucky 45 South Florida 35 Marlins Park Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise, ID Dec. 22, Result: Akron 23 Utah State 21 Albertsons Stadium Marmot Boca Raton Bowl Boca Raton, FL Dec. 22, Result: Toledo 32 Temple 17 FAU Stadium San Diego County CU Poinsettia San Diego, CA Dec. 23, Result: Boise State 55 Northern Illinois 7 Qualcomm Stadium GoDaddy Bowl Mobile, Al Dec. 23, Result: Georgia Southern 58. Bowling Green 27 Ladd-Peebles Stadium Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl Nassau,Bahamas Dec. 24 Result: Western Michigan 45 Middle Tennessee 31 Robinson National Stadium Hawaii Bowl Honolulu, HI Dec. 24 Result: San Diego State 42 Cincinnatti 7 Aloha Stadium St. Petersburg Bowl St. Petersburg Dec. 26 Result: Connecticut 16 Marshall 10 Tropicana Field Hyundai Sun Bowl El Paso, TX Dec. 26 Result: Washington State 20 Miami 14 Sun Bowl Stadium Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl Dallas, TX Dec. 26 Result: Washington 44 vs. Southern Mississippi 31 Cotton Bowl Stadium New Era Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, NY Dec. 26 Result: Duke 44 Indiana 41 Yankee Stadium Camping World Independence Shreveport, LA Dec. 26 Result: Virginia Tech 55 Tulsa 52 Independence Stadium Foster Farms Bowl Santa Clara, CA Dec. 26 Result: Nebraska 37 UCLA 29 Levi's Stadium Military Bowl Annapolis, MD Dec. 28 Result: Navy 44 Pittsburgh 28 Navy-Marine Corps. Stadium Quick Lane Bowl Detroit, MI Dec. 28 Result: Minnesota 27 Central Michigan 14 Ford Field
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Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Fort Worth, TX Result: California 55 vs. Air Force 36 Amon G. Carter Stadium Russell Athletic Bowl Orlando, FL Result: Baylor 49 North Carolina 38 Florida Citrus Bowl Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl Tucson, AZ Result: Nevada 28 vs Colorado State 23 Arizona Stadium AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl Houston, TX Result: LSU 56 vs. Texas Tech 27 NRG Stadium Birmingham Bowl Birmingham, AL Result: Auburn 31 vs Memphis 10 Legion Field Belk Bowl Charlotte, NC Result: Mississippi State 51 NC State 20 Bank of America Stadium Franklin Amer. Mort. Music City Nashville, TN Result: Louisville 27 Texas A&M 21 LP Field Holiday Bowl San Diego, CA Result: Wisconsin 23 USC 21 Qualcomm Stadium Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Atlanta, GA Result: Houston 38 Florida State 24 Georgia Dome Capital One Orange Bowl Miami Gardens Result: (1) Clemson 37 (4) Oklahoma 17 Sun Life Stadium Goodyear Cotton Bowl Arlington, TX Result: (2) Alabama 38 Michigan State 0 AT&T Stadium Outback Bowl Tampa, FL Result: Tennessee 45 Northwestern 6 Raymond James Stadium Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Result: Michigan 41 Florida 7 Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl Glendale, AZ Result: Ohio State 44 Notre Dame 28 U. of Phoenix Stadium Rose Bowl Game Pasadena, CA Result: Stanford 45 Iowa 16 Rose Bowl Allstate Sugar Bowl New Orleans Result: Ole Miss 48 Oklahoma State 20 Mercedes-Benz Superdome TaxSlayer Bowl Jacksonville Result: Georgia 24 Penn State 17 EverBank Field AutoZone Liberty Bowl Memphis, TN Result: Arkansas 45 Kansas State 23 Liberty Bowl Valero Alamo Bowl San Antonio Result: TCU 47 Oregon 42 Alamodome Motel 6 Cactus Bowl Phoenix, AZ Result: West Virginia 43 Arizona State 42 Chase Field
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College Football Championship Glendale, AZ Semifinal Winner vs. Semifinal Winner Universit of Phoenix Stadium
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January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
ESPN
FOOTBALL
NFL GAME DAY
NFL Wild Card Playoffs By Elliott Harrison nfl.com
When I was a kid, Championship Sunday was my favorite. Yet, after watching enough blowouts in the '80s, this weekend morphed into the best. Yes, I like this more than the Divisional Round because a) it kicks off the playoff season; and b) it's a weekend in which a dozen teams are still in the championship hunt. The recently retired Tom Coughlin earned his first Super Bowl title with a wild-card team in 2007. Another two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, Tom Flores, earned his first Lombardi Trophy as a wild card with the 1980 Oakland Raiders -- although he didn't receive the love Coughlin has been showered with this week. Will any of the non-division winners take the Super Bowl 50 crown? Houston is the place where the fun gets started, so we begin there ... (Elliot Harrison went 8-8 on his predictions for Week 17, giving him a record of 151-105)
Kansas City (11-5) at Houston (9-7) Saturday, 3:35 ESPN Line: Chiefs -3.5 / 40 Kansas City continues its white-hot streak, taking down the Texans in front of their home crowd. Houston has fared well in these wild-card home games in the past, toppling the Bengals in the 2011 and 2012 postseasons. But Cincy committed significant turnovers in those contests, the likes of which I don't think we'll see from this Chiefs team. Kansas City, despite uncharacteristically turning the ball over twice vs. the Raiders last week, still has just 15 giveaways on the season (second-fewest in the NFL). Even if K.C. does cough up the ball, the rejuvenated defense -- with a healthier Justin Houston, resurgent Tamba Hali and improved Dee Ford -- should be able to hold the fort. There has been much banter regarding the Texans being the caboose, the weak link, the overused pun of the playoff field. Whatever. Let's celebrate the fact that Bill O'Brien has gotten to this point despite the fact that he got a grand total of 163 rushing yards this season from one of the best allaround backs in the game (Arian Foster, who logged just four games due to injuries). Once again, Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and Akeem Hunt (Who? An undrafted rookie from Purdue ...) will be relied upon to provide balance for Brian Hoyer. They gained 160 yards against the Jags' defense in Week 17. Uh, this ain't Jacksonville they're facing. The Chiefs have allowed a scant 13.5 points per game over the last 12. And since their Week 9 bye, the Texans have yielded ... 13.5 points per game. Can you say
"defensive slugfest"? Thinking Hoyer turns it over, spotting Kansas City six points. Pick: Chiefs by 7 / 24-17 Pittsburgh (10-6) at Cincinnatti (12-4) Saturday, 7:15 CBS Line: Steelers -3 / 45.5 Time to pop some Sudafed and giddy up -- or something like that. Ben Roethlisberger sent a message to Martavis Bryant this week, something to the effect of Two catches for six yards the last two weeks isn't stepping up. Pittsburgh has turned it on at this time in years past, though the Le'Veon Bell injury derailed their Sevenburgh aspirations last year. Roethlisberger played through several injuries as a second-year player, yet managed to lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl title that season.. a playoff run that began with a road win in Cinc during Wild Card Weekend. Meanwhile, the general consensus seems to be that the Bengals are weaker sans Andy Dalton (his status for Sunday doesn't look too promising), making Pittsburgh lock city to many folks. How people are so quick to dismiss McCarron is a bit weird. He has performed viably in his three starts, winning two. Sure, the two victories came against the 49ers and Ravens, but what's the guy supposed to do -- lobby the schedule makers to abruptly switch things up so he can play the Patriots and Seahawks and prove his worth? Come on. Sure, the two interceptions during the loss to Pittsburgh in Week 14 hurt. You try playing a division rival after you get, oh,
maybe five percent of the snaps in practice that week. For the record, I think a relatively healthy DeAngelo Williams would spell a win for Pittsburgh, but not because McCarron wets himself in a big game. If no Williams, it's Fitzgerald Toussaint's baby. And if that's the case, I'm less confident in the pick here. I mean, look, I have it as a one-point game as is ... Pick: Steelers by 1 / 23-22 Seattle (10-6) vs Minnesota (11-5) Saturday, 12:05 NBC Line: Seahawks -5 / 39.5 Seattle is looking like a real tough out right now. Tougher than Jay Buhner on a 30 count in the mid-'90s. (Buhner hit in the climate-controlled Kingdome, though. This sucker apparently is gonna be hovering around zero degrees.) Much of the fear factor has to do with Russell Wilson, who has been playing out of his freaking mind since mid-November. Over his last seven games, Wilson has thrown 24 touchdown passes against just one interception. And now he'll be getting Marshawn Lynch back. Now, Lynch is coming off a sports hernia -- that's a difficult injury. That said ... Beast Mode with fresh legs > almost every run D in the league. On that note, the Vikings must work to establish the run in the first half -even if it is not working. Stay committed to getting one-on-ones outside. I'd love to see Norv Turner dial up a play action to hit a nine route down the sideline. Why not go deep early and send the Seahawks a message that their top-ranked scoring defense will have to play the whole field? At some
point, Stefon Diggs or Mike Wallace must beat single coverage. If not, Kyle Rudolph had better be more involved than he was in Green Bay last week. The tight end had the same number of catches as the expected temperature Sunday. Pick: Seahawks by 4 / 20-16 Green Bay (10-6) vs Washington (9-7) Sunday, 3:40 FOX Line: Pick / 45 I don't like the Packers in this game. I do like Kirk Cousins. Why? How about time to throw, for starters. That is a commodity that Aaron Rodgers has enjoyed little of over the last several weeks. Green Bay's franchise quarterback has gone down 13 times in the past fortnight, while being chased out of the pocket on countless others. Add to that the startling stat that he has suffered multiple sacks almost every week of the season. The last time he went down only once was in Week 3. Moreover ... I just wanted to use moreover in a sentence. Meanwhile, Cousins has been lightsout at home. Since that dud performance in Week 1 versus Miami, the resilient signal caller has gone 6-1 at FedExField, with 15 tds and zero picks. His passer rating in those games? 123.7. And on the season, he led the NFL in completion percentage at 69.8. That boy good. Whichever team can run the football more effectively will have a tremendous advantage. Dear Alfred Morris, 100 yards at five yards per tote for the second straight week would be a surprising -- and wonderful -- development. Pick: Redskins by 7 / 27-17
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11
BASKETBALL
NBA
NBA Power Rankings - Week10
1. Golden State (31-2) Last Week: 1 No NBA team has ever managed to get through an entire season without a single two-game losing streak. But when the Warriors, though Steph-less, can rack up 35 assists in Houston on the second night of a back-to-back while missing four of their top nine players, you really start to think this team might be the first that ever pulls it off. 2. San Antonio (29-6) Last Week: 2 For all the focus on Tim Duncan's donut, or the fact Timmay has totaled just 70 points in the last 10 games he's played, don't lose sight of the big picture. The Spurs, while trying to be extra careful with Duncan's recent knee issues, just became the first Western Conference residents to start 20-0 at home since the Ralph Sampson-led Rockets in 1985-86. 3. Oklahoma City (24-10) Last Week: 3 The media's obsession with Golden State, as well as the tendency to focus on Cleveland and San Antonio on those rare occasions our eyes do stray, has surely been a welcome development for Billy Donovan, giving the rookie coach extra time to settle in out of the spotlight. Very quietly: OKC is 13-2 since Dec. 6 ... and a tidy 16-2 overall against the West. 4. Cleveland (22-9) Last Week: 4 LeBron James checked in for his 31st birthday last week at more than 5,000 points ahead of all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the same age. Yet for the purposes of his immediate goal -bringing that first crown to long-suffering Cleveland -- far more relevant is the way LeBron's Cavs have sneaked up to No. 3 in defensive efficiency.
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5. Chicago (20-12) Last Week: 13 The fuss over Jimmy Butler's recent exploits is completely understandable, given Chicago's surge to No. 2 in the East with Derrick Rose out of lineup. The transaction-minded among us, mind you, are surely wondering more about Bobby Portis' increased minutes lately ... and what that means trade-wise for Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, etc. 6. Toronto (21-14) Last Week: 5 Fair warning: Now that we've dribbled into 2016, brace yourself for repeated reminders about All-Star Weekend in one of The Committee's favorite cities on Earth. It's just 39 days away now ... and kudos to us for having mentioned the looming All-Star festivities in only the first two of this season's 11 Raptors rankings comments thus far. 7. Miami (20-13) Last Week: 8 What is it about the Heat and the holidays? Dwyane Wade sports a Christmas Day record of 10-1. And the franchise as a whole just moved to 6-0 all time on New Year's Day by routing their old friends from Dallas. But home wins over the
Pacers and Knicks this week would sure be handy now, with only one home game on the schedule between Jan. 8 and Jan. 29. 8. Indiana (19-14) Last Week: 9 Were we guilty of being seduced too much by Paul George's Eastern Conference Player of the Month effort in November when doling out our recent First Trimester Awards? Fair question. PG-13 endured a pretty pedestrian December (down to 21.4 PPG on .371 shooting) before welcoming himself to 2016 with that R-rated late detonation that doomed Detroit. 9. Atlanta (21-14) Last Week: 6 If you see win shares as a useful metric -- or if you're simply an #EvenTheHawks devotee eager to trumpet the solid play coming from Paul Millsap this season like our pal our pal Bob Rathbun -- consider that Millsap was tied for third in the East (4.8) as of Monday morning, behind only Toronto's Kyle Lowry (5.0) and Cleveland's LeBron James (4.9). 10. Los Angeles (22-13) Last Week: 17 At the time of his quad injury, Blake Griffin's Clips were outscoring the opposi-
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
tion by 5.0 points per 48 minutes with No. 32 on the floor, while being outscored by 6.3 points per 48 minutes when Griffinless. But they couldn't have responded much better to last week's mostly Blakerelated demotion, flourishing on the road before feasting on Philly. 11. Dallas (19-15) Last Week: 11 The joy derived from seeing Dirk Nowitzki climb to No. 6 on the all-time scoring charts, followed by Dallas' dismantling of the Warriors sans Steph Curry, perished over the weekend thanks to a backto-back that inflicted two types of suffering. The Mavs' position in the standings, though, continues to surprise as much as anything in this wacky West. 12. Boston (18-15) Last Week: 7 Remember that line about how the Celts were about to be favored in 28 of their next 32 games? They must have giddily consumed that comment and bought in too much, because they just followed up a disappointing loss in Kobe Bryant's Garden swan song with a home loss to Brooklyn that brought the Atlantic Division Cinderellas down to Earth. In a hurry.
13. Orlando (19-15) Last Week: 15 Not Cleveland. Not Chicago. Not any other East team you wish to nominate. Scott Skiles' Magic awoke Sunday having led in the fourth quarter for more minutes than any other team in the conference. And, yes, rest assured they'd be thrilled to snag that No. 8 seed, even if it means a series against LeBron's Cavs, who've now won the teams' last 13 meetings. 14. Memphis (18-17) Last Week: 16 The Griz are 5-6 in the 11 games Zach Randolph has played since Dave Joerger asked him to start coming off the bench, with Z-Bo averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game in that role. Far splashier than the recent lineup shuffling, obviously, was the manner in which the ever-candid Matt Barnes bid farewell to his rough 2015. 15. Houston (16-19) Last Week: 12 The degree of difficultly oppositionwise hasn't exactly been easy, but the Rockets have indeed squandered every ounce of momentum they hoped to bottle from that Christmas Day W over mighty San Antonio. Although that's the only loss the Spurs have suffered in their past 12 games, Houston is 0-4 since and right back in the bottom five in defensive efficiency. 16. Charlotte (17-16) Last Week: 10 Slippage at home, especially on D, is hardly the ideal prep for a four-game roadie out West. Charlotte is also suddenly worrying about Nicolas Batum's health (toe) on top of the ongoing debate about how much they really miss Al Jefferson (knee). Nagging at us, though, is this question we couldn't resist posing about Hornets owner Michael Jordan. 17. Detroit (18-16) Last Week: 14 Gotta give it up to Reggie Jackson. We were among those asking, in the wake of Jackson's $80 million contract, if he was indeed one of the game's top 15 PGs. The relevant question about Jackson now is whether both he and Andre Drummond are All-Star bound despite the fact a winning record doesn't even guarantee the Pistons a playoff spot as we speak. 18. Utah (15-17) Last Week: 22 He's received very little notice with Alec Burks and Derrick Favors joining Rudy Gobert on Utah's painfully long list of unavailable front-liners, but check out Gordon Hayward's December numbers. He bounced back from a so-so start to the season shooting-wise, in spite of all the injuries around him, by averaging 20 PPG and shooting .425 from deep.
19. New York (16-19) Last Week: 19 Quite a weekend roller coaster for the increasingly up-and-down Knicks. Friday night in Chicago, their eight-point close accounted for the meekest fourth quarter in team history in the shot-clock era. Two days later, Atlanta came to Madison Square Garden, held Carmelo Anthony to 11 points and got routed anyway thanks to the Arron Afflalo Show. 20. Washington (15-17) Last Week: 18 Shame on us for not anticipating Marcin Gortat's Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors by at least mentioning him in this space last Monday. Don't blame us, though, for eagerly awaiting Wednesday's Cavs-Wizards encounter after John Wall's recent lament about Kyrie Irving's All-Star vote total even after missing Cleveland's first 24 games. 21. Milwaukee (14-21) Last Week: 21 The folks from ESPN Stats & Info looked it up, so it's gotta be true: Milwaukee's 8:40 without a basket in the opening quarter of an eventual Saturday night win at Minnesota marked the longest such drought to start a game since New Orleans, then fielding Chris Paul and still known as the Hornets, went bucket-less for the first 9:18 on Dec. 20, 2006. (continued on page 14) Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2015 - January 14, 2015
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22. Portland (15-21 Last Week: 23 It's fair to start asking whether the Damian Lillard injury has unexpectedly enabled the Blazers to unearth another useful contributor for the future. Cavs slayer Allen Crabbe is averaging nearly 17 points per game in the seven outings Lillard has been forced to sit with foot issues ... after Crabbe averaged 2.8 points per game in his first two seasons. 23. New Orleans (11-22) Last Week: 20 Something tells me NBA fantasy owners aren't paying much attention to the standings, which still find New Orleans in the league's bottom five in terms of total wins despite the gradual returns to health of Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday. Something tells me they still harbor a deep fondness for Anthony Davis, whose six 30point, 10-rebound games lead the league. 24. Sacramento (13-20) Last Week: 24 Quite surreal for the Committee to be flying to Omri Casspi's homeland precisely when Casspi was having the duel of his life with Steph Curry ... resulting in a flurry of texts/messages/alerts that smothered us upon arrival. You should be zero percent surprised that we won't rest now until Casspi is booked as a 3-point contest participant in Toronto. 25. Brooklyn (10-23) Last Week: 28 For a 10-win team widely considered to be in the same tier as the Lakers and Sixers, Brooklyn sure has managed to spring some surprises, starting with that season sweep of Houston, but also including a near-win at Golden State, as well as, of more recent vintage, Saturday's surprising success in Boston to set up an interesting rematch Monday at home. 26. Minnesota (12-22) Last Week: 27 LeBron James will be in Minneapolis on Friday for an ESPN game, providing ample justification to keep our focus on
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Karl-Anthony Towns and his heady PER of 22.0. That's nearly four PER points better than Rookie LeBron and topped by only four rooks since 1966: David Robinson (26.3), Shaquil O'Neal (22.9), Tim Duncan (22.6) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22.5). 27. Denver (12-23) Last Week: 25 History bizarrely tells us Denver's furious comeback from 26 points down to force OT in Oakland isn't as shocking as it sounds. Golden State has now won 83 games in a row, including the playoffs, when leading by 15 or more at any point ... dating to an April 2014 home loss to the Nuggets. PS: Hearty get-well wishes to 2014 Team USA quote machine Kenneth Faried. 28. Los Angeles (8-27) Last Week: 29 Your latest flurry of Kobe Bryant headlines: Kobe awarded hunk of Garden parquet on final trip to Boston. Lakers win two in a row without Kobe to spark fears of blowing their chances at the No. 1 pick. Severity of Kobe's latest bout with shoulder trouble uncertain. Franchise deliberating whether to retire Kobe's No. 24 ... or his No. 8 ... or both. 29. Phoenix (12-25) Last Week: 26 You wouldn't want to be Jeff Hornacek right now. His bosses are clearly trying every measure they can conceive not to fire him, but the effort witnessed in the Eric Bledsoe-less Suns' road L's to the Kings and Lakers to open 2016 -- replete with lows defensively and offensively -- would suggest the coach is by no means safe yet. 30. Philadelphia (3-33) Last Week: 30 The Sixers have been semi-respectable since the acquisition of Ish Smith, going 23 in Smith's first five games, all of them on the road. But don't go overboard. They remain on a 7-75 pace while ranking as the league's only team, in the wake of the Lakers' unexpected win streak, to sport a negative nightly point differential in the double digits (-12.3).
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2015 - January 14, 2015
15
FOOD REVIEW
By RICHARD POLLAK
Osteria Panevino: A Dallas top ten in 2016 The high mound of fresh Romaine in the Caesar Salad was perfectly coated in a light dressing with melt in your mouth Polenta Croutons and aged Shaved Parmesan strips.
By Richard Pollak The Traveling Gourmet dallasentertain@aol.com Mark my words, by this time next year, Osteria PaneVino Wood Fired in Addison will be acknowledged as a Top Ten New Restaurant 2016 by the other big boy foodie scribes in DFW. This Italian Seafood dynamo is a creative genius because of the kitchen of executive Chef Javier Perez: who mastered his trade in the Italian kitchens of Sfuzzi and learn to prepare beautiful Seafood with Addison Chef / Legend Richard Chamberlain at Chamberlain's Fish Market Grill.
The warm and inviting bar area The Sea Scallops were the biggest in Texas
the Restaurant till the Open Kitchen.There are over 18 Rosso and Blanc selections by the glass according to Sommelier Noah Partidge along with 22 masterfully selected full bottles from Italy and California starting at $35 TO $90 .
The North Atlantic caramelized Sea Scallops were crowded on top of a Mushroom Risotto and tickled with a Citrus Beurre Blanc. The 3 Lobster Ravioli Pescatore was topped with a Shrimp, Sea Scallop and mound of Lump Crab crown. You just could not imagine not only the perfect texture of the jumbo Shrimp but how it played so well with the Lump Crab meat, Lemon Marscapone Risotto and a Lemon Berre Blanc.
The portions and presentation are big
The menu is very reasonably priced for an upscale Bistro
Don't tell anyone, yet, that the prices are too reasonable for the excellence in the product and the presentation, Until I've had another dozen opportunities to get a table for dinner. In the crowded Addison Restaurant community, Osteria PaneVino is going to skyrocket to the top of the list! Located at Addison Walk, right next door to my girl, Fabiola Espina, Big Al's Beef. The problem is going to be parking when the word on Osteria PaneVino really gets out! The restaurant is warm and inviting from the minute one of the experienced staff members opens the door and greets you like in Italy. The Red brick and simplicity in its decor makes you focus on the bustling open kitchen and a massive Stone Oven. The Bar runs two thirds the length of
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Every plate that comes out of Chef Perez open kitchen is a masterpiece. I was blown away by the portions and the craft in which Seafood, the major player in each dish is showcased by its supporting ingredients. For starters, I had the most exquisite Lobster Bisque imaginable. The texture was so smooth.
The Caesar, Lobster Bisque and Salmon Flatbread rocks
January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
All the desserts are made in house at Chef Perez insistance
All of the desserts are freshly prepared in house at the insistence of Chef Perez. The specially prepared Dessert Trio topped off a perfect evening. Osteria Panevino should definatly be considered as the number one restaurant destination for 2016.
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TICKET WINDOW
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January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw
AUTO REVIEW
BY DAVID GOODSPEED
V60 Cross Country fits all needs perfectly collision warning system, pedestrian, cycle detection with auto braking, distance alert, driver alert control, lane departure warning, road sign information, and active high beam. A climate package brought very useful heated front seats and heated windshield along with heated steering wheel to the V60 as temperatures dipped below the freezing mark during my time behind the wheel.
Not too long ago we introduced you to a few new midsize vehicles from the Volvo portfolio, namely the S60 Inscription and Cross Country sedans. Volvo also snuck in its new V60 Cross Country wagon midway through last model year, and recently we spent some more time in it. I have not been shy about saying I am a wagon fan. I know consumers vote with their pocketbooks and Americans have shown automakers they are no longer fond of the body style despite wagons holding their own in global markets. The new Volvo V60 Cross Country should be the exception to the rule as I feel it is one of the best looking wagons to enter the market in quite some time. And for those that just cannot bring themselves to drive a wagon, think of it more as a very slick-looking SUV. The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country wagon is very similar to its sport-ute sibling, the XC60, it just has a lower roofline .....nearly everything else is identical from powertrain to technology. It is definitely a vehicle that should be shopped by families and active lifestyle drivers looking to step away from the status quo. Designers have done wonders to give
this vehicle a wider appeal with very modern looks and a grand departure from those boxy Volvo wagons we used to see stacked on top of one another in commercials from a few decades ago. That (T5) powertrain I spoke of is one reason many consumers will like the new Volvo as it consists of a very responsive 250hp 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission with advanced quick shift. The Cross Country model features allwheel drive with instant traction, a driving technology that can actually be felt from behind the wheel. Point it, punch it, and go. Volvo offers up a very pleasant and spirited driving experience in the new 60series vehicles with this new V60 wagon being no exception. The V60 rides very stable and features as much ground clearance as some of the Volvo SUVs on and off the road today. I expect the V60 to be a big seller in snowbelt states but its popularity should not end there. A full host of safety technologies and modern amenities enhance driving pleasure and peace of mind for occupants including City Safety low speed collision avoidance system, rear park assist, inflatable curtains with head impact protection, side impact protection system, whiplash protection sys-
tem in head restraints, and BLIS package consisting of blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, front park assist and lane change merge aid. Our most recent V60 tester arrived in the Platinum package which means we enjoyed the upgrade to premium Harman / Kardon audio system, active dual Xenon headlights, accent lighting, keyless drive,
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Photos courtesy Volvo
By David Goodspeed Special Contributor autoworlddavid@yahoo.com
Pricing for the 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD begins at 41 grand with our loaded tester arriving with a window sticker of $49,775. OK, so wagons have gotten a bit pricey these days and may not be in the budget of many families, but for those shopping the premium wagon or crossover market the V60 should be given consideration. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Another feature that will be popular with families is the child booster seat function built into the outboard seats of the second row that are adjustable to grow with your kids. Being my second time in the V60 over the last few months I was looking for things that might not be up to par in the Volvo ...needless to say, there was nothing I didn’t like. The new V60 Cross Country continues a legacy that began nearly 20 years ago with the Volvo V70 Cross Country, a legacy that combines the traditional virtues of a Volvo wagon with sporty styling and increased ground clearance. A niche market segment for certain, but many will find the new V60 Cross Country fits their needs and lifestyle perfectly.
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January 8, 2016 - January 14, 2016 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 14 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw