SB Nation User Blog: Chris Mottram

Ranking The Bowl Games, Part 1: You Know, Maybe There Are Too Many Bowls

Chris Mottram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:33:24 -0000

by Keith Srakocic - AP

Report: John Lackey Takes Physical With Red Sox; Deal May Be Imminent

Chris Mottram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:29:37 -0000

After Jason Bay turned down the Red Sox reported offer of four years, $60 million, Boston apparently decided to shift its focus to Angels free agent ace John Lackey. According to multiple reports (here and here), Lackey underwent a physical with the Red Sox on Monday, which could be the first step to a deal between the two sides.

Stay turned here for updates as they come.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - John Lackey	11-8	27	27	1	1	0	0	176.1	177	84	75	17	47	139	3.83	1.27

Syracuse Is Ranked No. 1, Based On KRACH Rankings

Chris Mottram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:03:18 -0000

KRACH was an acronym previously unfamiliar to me, but apparently it’s a rankings system used in college hockey. It’s similar to RPI in that it uses mathematic formulas that are designed to confuse, but unlike RPI, a win over an awful team won’t negatively affect the team’s ranking. In RPI “bad wins” can cause SOS to decrease, thus decreasing the team’s overall ranking. KRACH derives its rankings from wins and losses, giving more value to wins coming against teams that are higher in the KRACH rankings, but never penalizing a team for a win over a weak opponent.

Or at least I think that’s how this all works. Our Michigan State blog Only The Colors has a better explanation, along with the top 100 teams in college hoops based on KRACH. The top 10:

1. Syracuse 110.44 (9-0, SOS = 5.812)
2. Villanova 98.299 (9-0, 5.173)
3. Kentucky 73.479 (10-0, 3.499)
4.New Mexico 58.276 (10-0, 2.775)
5. Texas 57.524 (8-0, 3.384)
6. Purdue 54.108 (9-0, 2.848)
7. Georgetown 53.720 (8-0, 3.160)
8. West Virginia 42.984 (7-0, 2.866)
9. Kansas 36.192 (9-0, 1.905)
10. Missouri St. 36.119 (9-0, 1.901)

Video: Highlights From Fight-Filled Xavier-Cincinnati Crosstown Shootout

Chris Mottram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:44:08 -0000

This year’s version of the Crosstown Shootout between Xavier and Cincinnati was already thrilling enough as it went to double overtime, but when you throw in a couple altercations that nearly erupted into all-out brawls, you’ve got the recipe for a classic contest. Here are the video highlights of the game that Xaiver eventually ended up winning. (Sorry, ESPN would rather you watch their video on YouTube instead of right here in this update.)

Video: DeMarcus Ware Injures Neck, Gets Carted Off Field

Chris Mottram — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:26:55 -0000

Here is video of the play in which DeMarcus Ware suffered a scary neck injury on Sunday against the Chargers. We say “scary” because, well, anytime a guy is immobilized and carted off, it doesn’t look good. But looks are deceiving in this case: It’s a sprained neck for Ware, and not a serous injury. The medical staff was just being overly cautious here:

Mixed Doubles Added To '12 Olympics; Will We See Roddick, Serena Pairing?

Chris Mottram — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:31:21 -0000

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SBN's Waggle Room Talks To Kenny Perry About Array Of Non-Tiger Woods Topics

Chris Mottram — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:24:25 -0000

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White Sox Sign J.J. Putz, Who You May Recall Was Once A Good Closer

Chris Mottram — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:50:15 -0000

The White Sox have signed closer J.J. Putz to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to the Chicago Tribune. Putz, you may recall, was one of the league’s best closers in 2007 for the Seattle Mariners, and his 40 saves even earned him his own bobblehead likeness:

Putz struggled with Seattle in 2008, and pitched in just 29 games last season for the Mets before undergoing elbow surgery. With the White Sox, he’ll serve as an emergency closer in case Bobby Jenks goes down, or — as the Tribune points out — Chicago could opt to trade Jenks this offseason.

For all your White Sox needs, head over to SB Nation’s South Side Sox.

Memo To Rick Reilly: Tiger Woods Doesn't Need Your Advice

Chris Mottram — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:58:06 -0000

by David J. Phillip - AP

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The Premature All-ACC Team, Starring Scheyer Face

Chris Mottram — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:36:32 -0000

by Gerry Broome - AP

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