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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2007 > January
January 2007
Tony Barnhart’s 65 daily picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s predictions from AJC columnist Tony Barnhart on who’ll make it to March Madness:
1: North Carolina
2: Florida
3: Wisconsin
4: UCLA
5: Pittsburgh
6: Ohio State
7: Texas A&M
8: Oregon
9: Duke
10: Kansas
11: Oklahoma State
12: Butler
13: Arizona
14: Nevada
15: Marquette
16: Air Force
17: Kentucky
18: Southern Illinois
19: Virginia Tech
20: Alabama
21: UNLV
22: Memphis
23: Clemson
24: Texas
25: Vanderbilt
26: Michigan State
27: Boston College
28: Texas Tech
29: Creighton
30: Tennessee
31: Florida State
32: Missouri State
33: Indiana
34: Washington State
35: Appalachian State
36: Arkansas
37: Stanford
38: BYU
39: Georgia
40: Maryland
41: Georgetown
42: Bradley
43: VCU
44: Louisville
45: Notre Dame
46: Xavier
47: Illinois
48: Villanova
49: Gonzaga
50: Drexel
51: West Virginia
52: Michigan
53: Missouri State
54: Syracuse
55: Providence
56: Purdue
57: Georgia Tech
58: Wichita State
59: Kansas State
60: Northern Iowa
61: LSU
62: Virginia
63: Davidson
64: Southern California
65: Winthrop
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: College sports
ACC Watch: Hokies not poking around
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Virginia Tech leads the ACC after defeating Georgia Tech on the road Sunday in one of the biggest surprise stories of the conference thus far.
Update: The Hokies’ streak crashed magnificently Wednesday with a surprsing 11-point loss to lowly N.C. State.
What else is catching your eye in the ACC this season? North Carolina’s dominance was to be expected. But what about Virginia, which shocked Clemson on Sunday?
On the other side of the ledger, which is a bigger disappointment: Maryland or Georgia Tech? They’re currently eighth and ninth in the ACC.
Which players are surprising you the most, either good or bad? And who’s your early pick for ACC coach of the year?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Final Four
SEC Watch: Vrooming with Vandy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five consecutive wins against ranked teams. A Top 25 ranking. And one of the leading candidates for SEC player of the year.
Which school might this describe? If you didn’t guess Vanderbilt, you’re probably not alone.
But the Commodores are causing a lot of buzz in the SEC for their play in the first part of the conference schedule. Vandy led Florida by 11 points Wednesday before the Gators came on strong in the second half, and now the ‘Dores have an even more crucial home game on tap against Georgia Saturday.
What’s your pick for best storyline of the season in the SEC? Biggest surprise? Biggest disappointment? Best player and coach?
With the standings so jumbled right now — Arkansas and Auburn lead the West with 3-4 records — how many SEC teams will get picked for the NCAA tourney?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Final Four
An invitation to crash the party
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday marks the debut of ajc.com’s daily coverage of the March to Atlanta, and this is the first installment of our Party Crashers segment.
This week we’re starting off our weekly roundup of potential NCAA tournament Party Crashers — those who may not look like the most obvious choices — who may drop in when Selection Sunday comes around.
Last year George Mason pulled off a shocker in reaching the Final Four out of the Colonial Athletic Association. The slumping Patriots may be supplanted by Hofstra, which has a record of 17-6 and an RPI in the 60s. The Pride fell to Delaware Monday but strengthened its case with a win over league-leading Virginia Commonwealth this week. Hofstra also has been chosen to play in ESPNU’s “BracketBusters” extravaganza against Holy Cross on Feb. 17.
Out in the Mountain West Conference, Brigham Young stunned nationally ranked Air Force Saturday to improve to 16-6. The Cougars, with an RPI in the 50s, have another big league game Saturday against streaking UNLV, which is led by ex-Atlanta Hawks and Illinois coach Lon Kruger.
Who are your Party Crashers? They don’t have to be from mid-major or small conferences. They can be from the bigger leagues as well. Which of these teams do you think will get NCAA invitations? And do you think there’s another George Mason brewing out there?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Final Four
Who are your top NCAA seeds?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Selection Sunday just more than a month away, plenty of bracket experts and college basketball fans are busy speculating on which teams will get the top seeds.
Have you begun filling out empty brackets with your picks? What do you think of Georgia and Georgia Tech’s chances of getting invited to the Dance? Which teams nationally do you think will earn the top seeds? Which region would you put them in? And what’s your best guess right now on who’s going to be at the Final Four in Atlanta?
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Final Four
Falcons have no plans to trade Vick
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons have said emphatically that they are not trading quarterback Michael Vick and a draft pick to the Oakland Raiders for Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and the first pick in the April draft. If you were the Falcons’ GM for a day, would you even consider trading Vick to the Raiders — or anyone else?
Permalink | Comments (123) | Categories: Falcons
Vick cleared of charges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now that Michael Vick won’t face any charges in the incident at the Miami airport last week, do you think he was treated unfairly by the media and the public as the matter was being investigated?
Permalink | Comments (175) | Categories: Falcons
Mora returns to state of Washington
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Falcons head coach Jim Mora has taken a job as the Seatte Seahawks’ assistant head coach/secondary coach.
While still coach of the Falcons and doing a radio interview, Mora got into hot water by expressing his desire to coach at his collegiate alma mater, the University of Washington. The negative backlash caused him to apologize and declare he was joking.
Are you happy for Mora that he has gotten another job? Or do you think the fact that he ended up in the state of Washington after all proves he wasn’t joking in the radio interview?
Permalink | Comments (69) | Categories: Falcons
How should Vick’s situation be handled?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How seriously do you think the Falcons’ organization will consider this latest off-field incident involving Michael Vick?
If you were Arthur Blank, how would you handle it? Would you wait until the police investigation is completed before talking to Vick?
And do you think Vick owes the public an explanation?
Commenting is now closed on this topic. Thanks for your postings.
Is Schaub getting a fair shake?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons beat writer Steve Wyche was told by the team’s GM Rich McKay on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Vick is “absolutely” projected as the starter next season.
Do you presume this means that backup QB Matt Schaub won’t even get a serious look as a right player to run new head coach Bobby Petrino’s offense?
What are your views on Schaub’s future with the Falcons? Should he seek a trade, or ride things out and wait his turn?
Permalink | Comments (35) | Categories: Falcons
Braves trade LaRoche
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A day after Adam LaRoche learned he would be getting a hefty pay raise via the arbitration process — an estimated 700 percent — the Braves traded the first baseman to the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday for relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez and possibly another undisclosed player.
LaRoche, who earned $420,000 last year, submitted an offer of $3.8 million for next season, and the Braves suggested $2.7 million. Apparently all of that was too much for the Braves, who had sought Gonzalez earlier in the off-season for LaRoche in a deal that fell through.
What do you think of this move? Is this a good trade for the Braves or not?
Permalink | Comments (586) | Categories: Braves
VanGorder hired by Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two years after leaving UGA as Mark Richt’s defensive coordinator — and two jobs later — Brian VanGorder has joined Bobby Petrino’s staff with the Atlanta Falcons as linebackers coach.
VanGorder spent just one season at Georgia Southern’s head coach — a season in which the Division I-AA powerhouse went an uncharacteristic 3-8 — and the season before that, was the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach.
Is this a good career move for VanGorder? How long do you think he will stay, given his recent job-hopping? Or is this just the nature of the coaching profession these days — jump at a good chance when one comes along?
If you’re a Georgia Southern fan, how do you feel about this move? Can your team get its bearings back? Which candidates do you think the school should pursue as VanGorder’s successor?
Permalink | Comments (212) | Categories: Falcons
Gailey interviewing with another NFL team
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech football coach Chan Gailey is interviewing with the Pittsburgh Steelers about their vacant head coach job. Gailey also remains a candidate for the Miami Dolphins job after interviewing for it last week.
Gailey was offensive coordinator for the Steelers in 1996 and 1997 and for the Dolphins in 2000 and 2001. He was wide receivers coach for the Steelers in 1994 and 1995.
Is Gailey just interviewing as a courtesy to the organizations he has close ties to? Or do you believe Gailey may actually leave the Jackets?
Should Tech fans be annoyed with Gailey for interviewing for pro jobs, especially at such a key time in the recruiting process?
Are Jackets fans worried that the school may lose Gailey?
Can Bonds be trusted?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Does today’s report that Giants slugger Barry Bonds tested positive for amphetamines during the ‘06 baseball season _ and blamed the failed test on supplements borrowed from a teammate _ lead you to believe he probably has taken other performance-enhancing drugs?
And how will revelations like this affect the public’s perception of Bonds as he attempts to break Hank Aaron’s home run record during the ‘07 season?
Falcons ticket prices going up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Owner Arthur Blank confirmed Wednesday what had been expected for several weeks — the Falcons will be raising ticket prices for 2007 home games.
He wouldn’t reveal any details, which may be released later in the week, but said the increases were to get closer to the NFL average.
What do you think? Are the Falcons, with a new coach and supposedly new way of doing business, worth the additional money? Are you prepared to pony up some extra cash to watch Petrino Ball?
Or does this team still have to show you that it’s worth what you’re paying to see it play before you’ll be convinced?
Permalink | Comments (425) | Categories: Falcons
Did Hall voters get it right?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, but Mark McGwire did not. Do you agree?
Do you think McGwire will eventually be elected?
Will Tech’s CJ go in the top 10?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech All-America wide receiver Calvin Johnson is bypassing his senior season for the NFL.
Do you think he’ll go in the top 10?
Permalink | Comments (253) | Categories: Georgia Tech
Your take on the Petrino hire
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the first time in their history, the Falcons have dipped into the college ranks to hire a head coach. What do you think of the decision to hire Bobby Petrino?
Dolphins to talk to Gailey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The NFL coaching carousel reached the Georgia Tech campus Friday when athletics director Dan Radakovich confirmed that he has given permission to the Miami Dolphins to talk to Chan Gailey about their head coaching opening.
What do you think of Gailey going for an interview? What would you think if he got the job? If that happens, who do you think Tech should consider for a new head coach?
Permalink | Comments (261) | Categories: Georgia Tech
Should Falcons pursue Cowher?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher announced Friday he’s retiring after 15 seasons to spend more time with his family, and that he’s not immediately interested in any other NFL coaching vacancies.
His decision may affect the Falcons’ search for a replacement for the fired Jim Mora, since the team on Thursday interviewed Steelers’ offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. He figured to be prominent on Pittsburgh GM Dan Rooney’s list to succeed Cowher.
But what would you think of the Falcons pursuing Cowher? He’s a Super Bowl winner, he has molded a close-knit group of athletes and served as a gruff, tough but successful mentor who has generated the loyalty of players, team officials and fans alike.
Is that the coaching profile the Falcons need? What do you think of Arthur Blank’s and Rich McKay’s selection of coordinators — with no previous NFL head coaching experience — to interview at the start of the hiring process? Can they get a more experienced man?
Cowher moved his family to Raleigh, N.C. last year. Would that be close enough to Atlanta for Blank to turn on the charm and try to hire a championship coach for the Falcons?
Permalink | Comments (194) | Categories: Falcons
Saban says… Roll Tide!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, Bama fans - and we know y’all are out there - let’s hear what you think of Nick Saban’s move from Miami to Tuscaloosa. Are the glory days here again for the Crimson Tide with the arrival of St. Nick? How long will it take to rebuild the Tide? Is it too late to get blue-chip recruits? Be honest: When will the honeymoon end for Saban with fans and boosters? And Dogs fans, is the time right for a real Bama-UGA rivalry?
Permalink | Comments (421) | Categories: College sports
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