The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports

February sucks. Until March, sports have lost most meaning, as the NHL and the NBA are stuck in mid-season drudgery. The madness of March waits impatiently in the distance, and the beginning of baseball season has been overshadowed by recent congressional action involving Roger Clemens, who is out to destroy an American institution. So, this week, my excavations go deep into the upper mantle of the sports knowledge for the nuggets that keep you afloat in the turbulent current of casual conversation.

Continuing in the tradition of keeping this nugget first on the list, The Memphis Tigers are hardly coasting to the perfect season that many have predicted. After a very ugly win over Houston, the Tigers played at UAB on Saturday. Chris Douglas Roberts and Antonio Anderson played inspired ball, combining for 59 points in a 79-78 victory over their pesky Conference USA rivals. This sets up a weekend match-up between #1 ranked Memphis and #2 ranked University of Tennessee.

Obviously, I am a Memphis fan, but I am going to contend that the travesty against UAB can only help the Tigers. Past issues that have kept the team from achieving greatness still persist and need to be figured out. The two most poisonous problems affecting team chemistry are Joey Dorsey's inconsistency and his dismal free throw shooting. The two problems go hand in hand, considering the fact that Dorsey is fouled most often, and his free throw percentage would be just as good if you blindfolded him and made him punt the ball from behind the basket. I would also like to congratulate ESPN for sabotaging the rankings so they can have a nice telecast of a 1-2 game this weekend. I predict Memphis will win in a close low scoring game.

Besides the cross conference trades that have brought Shaq and Jason Kidd to the West, the only excitement to come out of the NBA recently was the newfound awesomeness of the dunk contest. Over the All-Star break, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic won with a ridiculous Superman throwdown, defeating Gerald Green, who, on his final dunk, blew out a candle on a cupcake sitting on the rim. Over the past few years, the dunk contest has been plagued by Michael Jordan's harsh judging, but the recent absence of his hate has inspired the young stars of the NBA to reach for Youtube superstardom.

For the lower half of the United States, February can be a very exciting month as the religion of NASCAR begins its yearly ministries. Ryan Newman made a move on Tony
Stewart and Kyle Busch in the final lap to take the opening contest of the Sprint Cup season. This year I will keep an eye on Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin. All of these drivers tasted success last year, and consistency is the next logical step for these drivers to assert themselves as Cup contenders.

Here in Florida, this time of year marks the beginning of spring training. The Atlanta Braves hold their spring training at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. For the baseball fans on campus, The Houston Astros, the Detroit Tigers, and the Cleveland Indians will all host their spring training games in Central Florida.

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