Welcome to the second edition of The Milwaukee Brewers Chronicle. I had this earlier, but due to time and staff problems, it was discontinued. Now, with my new look, I have it back and better than ever.
Duke's Tourney Bid No Longer a Sure Thing Yoni Cohen
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Blue Devils' fourth consecutive conference loss raises an unpleasant question: Is the program's best days behind it? Between 1988 and 1992, Duke's Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski guided the Blue Devils to five consecutive Final Fours and two national titles. But in the nine seasons that followed, he managed only three Final Fours and one national championship. In the five years since, Krzyzewski's record has been less than overwhelming: one Final Four and no national championships. Most programs would rightly consider even Duke's recent run a tremendous accomplishment. March troubles aside, the Blue Devils have won a higher percentage of their games this decade than any other. But after Sunday's loss at Maryland, Duke finds itself in uncharted territory. No longer is Duke's greatest fear a third consecutive Sweet 16 exit. After falling to 5-6 in the ACC, DeMarcus Nelson, Josh McRoberts, and Jon Scheyer cannot be assured an at-large invitation. Duke's road loss to Maryland sent the Blue Devils on their first four-game league losing streak in more than a decade. With road games at Boston College, Clemson, and North Carolina still on the schedule, it is possible — perhaps even likely — that Duke will finish with a sub-.500 league record. In which case history won't be on their side. In the past eight seasons, 12 ACC clubs have finished 7-9 in conference. Only two have gone dancing. With non-conference wins over Indiana, Georgetown, Gonzaga, and Air Force, Duke is despite the losing streak well positioned for March's main event. But the Blue Devils' margin for error is small and getting smaller. Duke has already lost to both Georgia Tech and Maryland on the road. Lose all three remaining ACC road contests and fall to either the Yellow Jackets or Terrapins at home and Coach K's club would have to win two league tournament games to merit an at-large invitation. That's easier said than done. Much as success begets success, failure breeds failure — especially for a young squad. Duke's fourth consecutive loss should be understood partially as the result of its first three. After several heartbreaking defeats, the Blue Devils were unable to match the Terrapins' first-half energy and fell behind 29-9 in the game's first 11 minutes. For the half, Duke committed 12 turnovers, which led to 17 Maryland points. "They played with amazing energy, especially at the start of the game," said Krzyzewski. "Our team hasn't experienced that level of energy and it knocked us back to where were down by 20 points ... of the four games we've lost, three we had a chance to win. This game, something a little more extraordinary had to happen for us to win after we gave up that huge lead." Instead, Duke was quite ordinary. Thanks to 11 first-half points from Scheyer and 16 in the second from McRoberts, the Blue Devils were able to chip away at Maryland's advantage, eventually cutting the lead to six with just under 10 minutes left in the game. But then the young Blue Devils returned to their careless ways, committing three costly turnovers, one each by Martynas Pocius, Greg Paulus, and Nelson. The Terrapins extended the lead to 10 during this stretch and never looked back. "We would break the press, then we would be in a rush to make the play," said Paulus. "Sometimes we turned it over, other times we should have slowed it down." Indeed, it was the Terrapins' press that proved Duke's undoing. Always offensively challenged, the Blue Devils let Maryland dictate the pace of their offense. As a result, Duke shot poorly from the field, 43.1 percent, and behind the arc, 28.6 percent. "Their press had two residual effects," said Krzyzewski. "They forced turnovers and forced the speed and pace of our offense ... I wouldn't call us a team that has a number of hot hands. The thing that has been difficult throughout the year has been finding offense ... in the games that we lost before this streak, that was the reason we lost, whether it be Marquette or Virginia Tech. We gave up a lot of points off turnovers." It remains to be seen whether Duke, which started three sophomores and two freshmen against Maryland, can bounce back in ACC play. After the game, the Hall of Fame coach readily admitted his young team was more likely to internalize the losses than were some of his more veteran squads. Yet he emphasized the importance of staying positive as the season winds down. "The one thing you have to do whether you're a coach or a player is keep a positive attitude, prepare, fight, and attempt to win the next time," said Krzyzewski "We've been in that position coming off of many, many wins. Now we're in that position coming off of four straight losses. You can't feel sorry for yourself." Then the legendary coach added: "Not everything I do works." If the Blue Devils aren't able to quickly turn their season around, Duke fans and critics alike will soon concur. They'll then ask if Coach K has lost some of his luster. That question may be premature, given that Duke is still a good bet to make the NCAA tournament. It may also be callous, because even in the past five seasons, few coaches have had as much success as Krzyzewski. But it won't be entirely without cause. After several years of disappointing in March, Coach K's club is underperforming in February.
25 Words-Duke has been really sucking it up lately, and they might be in danger of not making March Madness. And they are really, really close.
Part of me thinks that this article came about for three reasons. One, the East Coast Bias clearly is in effect here. Two, it's the ACC. Apparently, I can't go anywhere without anyone saying that the Duke/NC is in an "Off" year, while North Carolina is 4th, YES, 4TH in the polls. Finally, it's because it's Duke, and Yoni Cohen, Jeff Goodman, and the rest of the world knows that Duke is the best ever, because their dynasty will NEVER end.
No Williams Now, Maybe No Mo Next Year
--> TAMPA, Florida (AP) - As the New York Yankees prepared to start spring training without Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera talked about the possibility of not being with the team a year from now. Rivera will get $10.5 million this season, the option year of a contract paying him $31.5 million over three seasons. He is eligible to become a free agent after the World Series. "If they want to talk, we're willing to listen," Rivera said on Monday following a pre-spring training workout. "But I'm going to bring nothing to the table. I'm just going to focus on what I have to do and see what happens. I have a contract for this year. That's what matters. All I have to do is focus on this season. I just have to worry about being able to help the team as much as I can." Rivera has spent his entire career with the Yankees, just like Williams, helping the team win four World Series titles and six American League pennants. The outfielder said on Friday he was leaning against accepting New York's offer of a minor league contract. "Bernie was one of the big guys on the team," Rivera said. "You have to understand this is a business. I would love to have Bernie back, but who am I to say I want Bernie back? Definitely it's going to be strange not seeing Bernie, but we have to move on and we have to continue." Rivera was sidelined from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22 last year because of a muscle strain near his right elbow. The 37-year-old right-hander finished 5-5 with 34 saves and an 1.80 ERA. On Monday, three days before the start of official workouts, Rivera threw for 15 minutes on flat ground. "I'm not concerned at all," he said. "My body is ready to go. I'm feeling good. I've been throwing for a little bit. I can't wait to go to spring training." In addition to Rivera, catcher Jorge Posada is eligible for free agency after this season. In addition, third baseman Alex Rodriguez can opt out of his record $252 million, 10-year contract after the World Series, giving him leverage to force an extension. "I know that I have one more year, that is this year," Rivera said. "After that year, I don't know what's going to happen. Definitely I want to finish my career here, but if they don't give the respect that I deserve, I have to move on. "The Yankees always give me the respect. When the time comes, if they want me back, they want me back. Otherwise, I'm not going to sit in my house crying. I have to move on." Meanwhile, Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa had his first bullpen session pushed back to Thursday because of rain.
25 Words- Basically, Mariano Rivera is saying that he next year, if the Yankees don't give him an offer, he's done. Rivera's not going to try much.
He's only whining because he want's more money. That's what they do. That's what they'll always do. And plus, he plays for the Yankees. For all we know, he'll squeeze another 30 million dollars out.
Steven Avery Case Basically, I don't know if you want to know anything about this case. And if you do want to know things, I don't know what. That's what reader comments are for. So, for know, I'm putting the websites of the major paper that has the details. http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section ?category=trial
Scores No Scores Today; Next Issue
Predictions Tonight's Predictions: Pittsburgh over Louisville Georgetown over West Virginia MY UPSET SPECIAL: Texas over Oklahoma State
My Poll After the huge week in College Basketball, including a new poll in which Duke dropped 9 spots to #26 in the AP Poll, it was time to come out with a new release. For all future releases, they will only be on Monday because it’s SO much easier on me. So, here is the February 12, 2007 Edition of “Chorizo’s College Basketball Top Teams!”
Team AP Rank Points Previous Record Wisconsin 3 1 84 1 24-2 Florida 1 2 83 2 23-2 Ohio State 2 3 69 4 22-3 Memphis 8 4 65 7 21-3 Texas A&M 6 5 63 8 21-3 Nevada 11 6 63 6 22-2 North Carolina 4 7 62 9 22-3 Butler 13 8 62 5 23-3 UCLA 5 9 61 3 21-3 Pittsburgh 7 10 60 10 22-3 Kansas 9 11 59 11 21-4 Washington State 10 12 52 15 21-4 Air Force 16 13 48 13 21-4 Georgetown 14 14 47 NR 18-5 Marquette 12 15 43 12 21-5 Oregon 15 16 35 14 20-5 Oklahoma State 17 17 31 16 19-5 Duke 26 18 19 17 18-7
Reader Comments None today. Oh well.
Editorial Well, I can say that if UCLA never lost, Florida would be first in the poll. Why? That road win over Kentucky. That 8 point game boosted Florida to a tie, which would have been won by Florida.
“Where else can you get a free newspaper that’s shorter than a school newsletter?”
Welcome to the first edition of The Milwaukee Brewers Chronicle. I had this earlier, but due to time and staff problems, it was discontinued. Now, with my new look, I have it back and better than ever. Now that I have a better idea of how to work it, you are guaranteed 182 issues, if I don’t quit. Well, here’s the new Table of Contents.
Sports Article #1 This article will be a sports topic found on any local sports site. I will copy the article, and then I will add my two features. The first one is “25 Words.” This one is where I recap it in 25 words. Duh. The other feature is “Stupid Things You Didn’t Notice.” This is pretty much a VERY sarcastic view on the article. Usually funny, too.
Sports Article #2 This is the same as the first article, but a different one.
Wisconsin Article You guessed it, it’s about Wisconsin. Now, how many of you know about the Steven Avery trial? For those who don’t, these next six weeks will include whatever I can shove into this space. Also, I will add links to local newspaper websites covering the case. After the trial, it’s BREWER time!!
Scores Obviously, it’s scores from the previous day/night. For those days with a lot of games, I’ll pick some selected or bigger ones. Ok?
Predictions This part includes predictions for the week/day. I haven’t depended which one it’s going to be yet. I’ll keep a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly record. This is where you guys can chime in.
Top 10 Duh. If I feel like it, I’ll put a “Chorizo’s Top 10” in. Maybe. If you’re lucky.
My Poll Again, duh. If it’s time, I’ll give the latest update. I might even take in reader polls.
Reader Comments If anyone has a really funny comment or a good suggestion or anything, it’ll be featured here. Yup.
Editorial This is where I’ll wrap things up for the day; add in a couple more comments, thoughts, etc. Also, this might be where I’ll take any reader questions. Maybe.
Well, this is it. I’ll give the first “real” issue tomorrow. Also, special issues/reports are entirely possible. Again, reader participation is ENCOURAGED. Well, let’s figure out how I’m going to close it. I got it! “Where else can you get a free newspaper that’s shorter than a school newsletter?”
The Brewers Chronicle 
