It's been four months since my last post, and the only reason I am back is to announce that this will be the last post ever by me on Fox sports.com.

In a month or so I will have the official launch of the new gunn show located at www.thegunnshow.com with a long college football preview. An exact date hasn't been set but look for it before May 15th.

You may also purchase a hard copy of the preview for $8. Yes this is a lot, but I'm not Houghton Mifflin, and I don't have a printing press so deal with it.

The worst part is, we may never know who has the better team, Florida or Michigan. Not like it matters. Ohio State could play the Indianapolis Colts and still drop 42 points. What matters is that we have a college football system we created to solve problems- instead it has just created more questions. Beyond the arguments of Michigan fans there are severe problems with the system that propose many different questions.

The Detroit Free Press with the help of BCS guru’s published an article today outlining the numbers of voters who were swayed last week. A rough estimate showed that 120 voters from the Harris Poll and the Coaches Poll changed their vote. Fine, I can deal with that- Florida is a good team- but what’s to say this won’t be a different, more unfair situation later?

Who says that next year 120 voters won’t change their vote to a team lower in the polls? Maybe putting a two-loss team ahead of a one loss team? Who says 150 voters won’t change their votes? Or all of them? Who says a one-loss team ranked fifth in the nation because a poor strength of schedule couldn’t jump four spots because all of the voters wanted them too? You know the voters compile 66 percent of the BCS formula.

Across the board, coaches and Harris Poll voters across the nation said they didn’t want to see a rematch between Ohio State and Michigan. I’m sorry, tell me in the BCS rule book where it says voters are supposed to vote for the most appealing title game? Voters aren’t being asked to vote on what is appealing or not. They are asked to vote on the top 25 teams. If they want to vote on what is appealing they should go to Hot Or Not.com.

We’ve already seen what a flip-flop of votes can do to the system when people want to see a more appealing match up. This year at least. What happens next year when it happens to another team? To your team? What happens when another year of college football is wasted because of more unnecessary controversy?

Almost every year they change the BCS to fix potential glitches- usually after they happen. This year they expanded a game to give 10 teams a shot at the BCS and give mid-majors another shot- but still the potential flaws are still there. If only 10 teams can go to BCS games and there are guaranteed spots to six conference winners, Notre Dame if they are in the top eight , any team in the top four and any mid-major in the top 12- there are ways where the system mathematically cannot work. Yes it is highly unlikely, but lets not wait until hit happens to realize that the system is screwed up.

Another major flaw nobody seems to be talking about is how an 11-1 Wisconsin team is not allowed to go to a BCS game because Ohio-State and Michigan are already in one. I’m sorry since when does winning 11 games and only losing to the No.2 team in the nation on the road in September by 14 points mean you aren’t worthy of a top tier bowl game? People will argue that Wisconsin had a weak strength of schedule, but Boise State did too, but we have different rules for Boise State because they are a mid-major. Their strength of schedule doesn’t matter. Wisconsin’s does. And what would have happened if Wisconsin finished in the top four? Do they still get neglected from a BCS game? And why didn’t Wisconsin even get a shot at Ohio State? All those voters keep saying Michigan had their chance to play OSU, but Wisconsin didn’t- what if 150 voters decided it was time to see Wisconsin in the national title game? Again highly unlikely but lets not wait until something like this happens to change the system.

I’ll agree that the BCS has produced some lights out matchups over the years but so have regular bow games in the past. Had this been 1994 Ohio State would be headed to Pasedena to play USC, in a great game. If they won they would have the national title, no controversy there. Florida would get the automatic bid from the SEC and go to the Sugar Bowl and play the next best at-large team- Michigan. So if OSU lost, you could have a national champion waiting in the shadows.

Instead we are left wondering what should be the national championship game?

Should Jim Tresell had voted? Should coaches be allowed to skip voting?

Should we base or system on voting and people’s often biased opinions- or should we get more standard criteria?

Should you have to win your conference to make it to the BCS title game? Its never said so before?

Should you have to lose a game early rather than late? Or do you just have to play better teams?

Do you have to play 13 games? Have a conference championship game? Or have to play all your teams in your conference like the Pac-10 did this year?

Are there too many discrepancies?

What about Notre Dame? Why do they have special rules? They don’t even have a conference? Navy doesn’t have special rules why do they have an unfair advantage?

What about Rutgers? Why were they so low at 8-0 this season, is it because they sucked in the past? How is that fair?

How is any of this fair? Why am I still typing? Why are you still reading?

Your not the NCAA, and your not a magic 8-ball. You cant answer these questions and neither can they.

Lets get a system that can.

I had a really elaborate post planned out about this weekends game.

About how Tedd Ginn  had two fumbles agains tthe Wolverines last year, how coach Carr still had a safe job. How all the analysts picked Ohio State for no real good reason. And as much as I wanted to say those things it doesn't matter because this rivalry would be nothing without Bo.

 And my love for Michigan wouldn't be the same without it.

 Rest In Peace Bo. I don't know what else I can say.

 Tomorrow will be a sad day. Its going to no doubt be tough for Lloyd Carr who has been coaching for him forever.,


 

The old crumbling red brick row is chipping away as every moving car passes by Michigan and Trumbell. Weeds fill the sidewalks where vendors sold hot dogs for over 90 years, and the parking lot, usually accustomed to street vendors clad with min-bats and Tigers hats has long been emptied.

Nine years ago the white baseball mansion otherwise known as Tiger Stadium still carried the smell of hot dogs and the crack of wooden bats into the overhanging bleachers in right field.

A lot has changed since 1999 when the Detroit Tigers took to the hitter’s park for the last time.

            Old friends named Alan Trammel, and Kirk Gibson came back, and left, again. A singing hot dog vendor emerged, as did new landmarks of three story high prowling tigers, baseball bats, and a dolphin swimming on a building side overlooking the center field wall.

            As Comerica Park became christened as the new baseball Mecca in Detroit, Old Tiger Stadium with it's long Wrigley like concrete ramps, MLB pennants, and throwback Tigers logos was forgotten.

            Last week, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick met with members of the Detroit City Council to discuss the future of one of baseball's most historic landmarks.

            After the meeting, ideas of demolition swirled and plans to turn the corner of Michigan and Trumbell into a shopping center, or another parking lot emerged.

            But is demolition for the future home of compact cars, or a Super K-Mart really the proper burial Tiger Stadium deserves?

            For nine decades Tiger Stadium was home to players like Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Jack Morris and Al Kaline, home to Ernie Harwell, the '84 World Series champions and the culture of Detroit sports.

            Many advocates and Detroit baseball die-hards have created websites and lobbied to restore the building that was once home to so many great baseball memories and records.

            But without the man power or will to restore and maintain Detroit's most coveted sports landmark it is merely a lost cause.

            Instead of half-heartedly leading an effort to restore the now peeling and crumbling sports stadium, Mike Illitch and the Detroit Tigers organization need to give Tiger Stadium a proper burial by bringing back one more series to where baseball previously thrived.

            For just one weekend series, either this season or next, the Tigers should give the place a face lift and one last hoorah. They could play a division series against an old-rival, and bring back the old players to raise the excitement level of what would be an already historic weekend.

            They could pull the weeds, paint the chairs, and remove the tree that is growing in the outfield. They could bring back the vendors, the hat stands, and the old crowd that used to watch baseball back when baseball was America's pastime.

            Money shouldn't be an object. Never mind the fact that Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch is rolling in wads of cash from his other business ventures: Olympia Entertainment which encompasses Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena, The Fox Theater, Hockeytown Cafe, Hockeytown Authentics, the Tigers, the Red Wings and so much more.

            Besides, fans young an old would no doubt eat the cost of an inflated admission ticket, or a hot dog and a box of Cracker Jack's just for a shot of that old time baseball nostalgia.

            The idea is feasible from an economical standpoint because it is certain baseball fans would still care enough to see one last home stand at the corner. In terms of man power and restoration efforts, the lobbyists would help because they already pushed to refurbish the tiring eye sore that hovers over Interstate-94.

            To the casual fan it may be over the top, but to long time, old fashioned baseball enthusiasts it's the proper send off Tiger Stadium has earned. After weekend series, turned Tigers celebrity alumni weekend party, mayor Kilpatrick can bulldoze the old white walled structure as soon as he can.

            Sure it will be sad. Sure it will signal the dawning of a new era for the corner of Michigan and Trumbell - an era that will either involve 24-hour one stop shopping, or five dollar easy out parking, but that's okay, because old Tiger Stadium will have gotten the it's ride into the sunset.

Eight years and just getting worse. I don't understand how the "computer polls" have Michigan ahead of Ohio State, why USC is better than both of them and why the whole system is a compilation of about 1,000 so -called experts predictions.

Basically we have all these polls with coaches, newspaper writers, and some guy named Harris, and still the system is flawed. Every talking head complains about how the system needs help yet everyone still votes and still supports this system that no longer includes strength of schedule, quality wins or margin of victory in the formula.

So really the system just keeps getting worse. I can understand why margin of victory is not in the mix anymore, but what's the point of excluding it if you don't include strength of schedule. Because really when you eliminate the strength of schedule your saying the opponents don't matter, and if the opponents don't matter then why is margin of victory not included- why are peoples opinions more important that the scores, the schedules and results?

What a mess.

I’m glad to be such a proponent for change. After last week’s rant about Tedd Ginn being the only receiver in ESPN’s Heisman watch, Chris Spielman added Calvin Johnson- who by the way still isn’t the best receiver in the NCAA, and kept Ginn in the mix, probably because Kirk Herbstreet paid him.

But I digress.

Spielman is getting closer to getting his list right but here’s how I would have my wide receivers ranked.

- Mario Manningham WR- Michigan –Twelfth in the NCAA in receiving yards with 527; first in the NCAA in touchdown receptions (9).

- Calvin Johnson WR- Georgia Tech – Just ahead of Manningham in yards (559) right behind him in touchdowns (8).

- DeSean Jackson - WR – California/ Robert Meacham WR Tennesee – Solid numbers all around.


In the case of running backs Northern Illinois finesse back Garrett Wolfe has still been overlooked by Spielman even though he has 496 more rushing yards than any other back in the nation. He may play in the MAC, but 353 yards against anyone, even Ball State, is worth a tip of the cap.

Besides, Ball State heads to Ann Arbor in a month, and I’d bet my life Mike Hart doesn’t crack 253 yards against the Cardinals. Spielman still has him on his list though, along with Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma who has 400 less rushing yards and five less touchdowns.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone Wolfe put up 285 total yards on Ohio State plus a touchdown. To find someone with a performance that good you must go back to last September when Vince Young had 340 total yards. I wonder if he was on Spielman's list?

And I've heard so much about this "it" factor- I thought I knew what "it" was, but I apparently I don't know what "it" is when Steve Slaton is listed as a contender, but Garrett Wolfe is left in the cold. If this kid did any more work they'd call him Larry Johnson. 

I can't help but notice that ESPN is behind the times when it comes to throwing out names of Heisman candidates. It shouldn't bother me, except for the fact that ESPN has a stranglehold on the whole Heisman award show, stat tracking, and fan polling to the point where it majorly influences who is in the running from the beginning of September to the end of December.

Tedd Ginn is currently on their list of Heisman hopefuls along with some other clowns who don't deserve to be there. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourselves- the stats don't lie- and Ginn isn't even the best receiver on his team. Here is how Ginn stacks up with three other receivers in the NCAA- all of whom are not on ESPN's prestigious list of Heisman knockouts.

Tedd Ginn - WR OHIO STATE 331 yards from scrimmage; 5 touchdowns

Mario Manningham - WR MICHIGAN- 463 yards from scrimmage; 7 touchdowns

Calvin Johnson - WR GEORGIA TECH -447 yards from scrimmage; 7 touchdowns

Robert Meacham - WR- TENNESSEE- 585 yards from scrimmage; 5 touchdowns

want some non BCS affirmations that Ginn is either overrated by ESPN or isn't playing as well as he can?

Johnnie Lee Higgins- WR- UTEP - 493 yards from scrimmage; 6 touchdowns.

How about from non- BCS schools consistently getting pummeled by BCS schools?

Jared Dillard WR- Rice- 516 yards from scrimmage with 7 touchdowns; including scores against UCLA, Texas, Houston, and Florida State. Not bad competition. So what if they lost to Army? He picked up his game by reaching pay dirt three times!!!!

And what about Sidney Rice from South Carolina?

161 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

In one game!

But ESPN.com is right Ted Ginn is the best receiver in the nation. Which is why he is currently the only receiver among this list mentioned in their weekly Heisman hopefuls list compiled by Chris Spielman. Sorry Chris, maybe you shouldn't have quit your day job with the Detroit Lions- although I don't blame you.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who is about to watch the first Tigers playoff game of his life in 56 minutes. He would also whomp on Chris Spielman in all things college football. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu or by hitting the pound key on your Verizon Wireless phone.

Thoughts on Michigan Football:

Michigan defeated Minnesota  28-14 this weekend, but before I even had time to watch the replays my State fan friends were already talking smack. 

“If Michigan was so good why did they only win by 14.”

 I must have heard this at least three times since Saturday. People downplaying a fourteen point win, yet when we talk about USC’s 28-14 win over Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl- USC thumped them. Isn’t this a double standard? And didn’t Michigan State just lose Illinois? How comments are like that even remotely justified.

Thoughts on High School errrr Michigan State Football Reading the newspaper today I realized that Michigan State cared more about who was planting what on the 50-yard line after Saturday's game- than what was on the scoreboard.

And it's not like a team that just lost to bottom feeding Illinois even has the right to oppose a flag plant in the first place- but the ironic thing is they were the ones who started the flag planting in the first place.

Forget about Notre Dame and the Golden Megaphone trophy- nobody brings the Megaphone trophy to the games anyway. What is important is that the players are more motivated to fight after games they lose, and taunt the Irish after wins, than they are to beat a team with as much prestige as my flag football team.

Say what you want about who was right or who was wrong but ask yourself a question: Would Ohio State ever flag plant, or get in a fight after a game? What about Auburn, USC, Michigan or Texas? Definately not. So if John L. Smith wants his team to become elite like the powerhouses I've mentioned maybe he needs to
have his team act like one. Otherwise they will never play like one.

And its not like he's going to have a long time to do it. Surely the search for John L.'s replacement began moments after the loss to Illinois but is there anyone really out there. Gary Barnett and Rick Nueheisel and Steve Mariucci come to mind as great replacements for the Spartans. They would surely help continue the trend of Spartan coaches who couldn't control their teams actions on and off the field.

Mid-Major coaches are a tough breed to choose from too- Smith has proven that since he came up from Lousville as did Dan Hawkins with this terrible thing he calls a football team over in Colorado. Then you have the coordinators and assistants from around college football in the NFL, but would anyone really leave a job in the NFL to coach for MSU and risk career suicide? And would anyone leave a cushy job as a play caller to take the reigns of a program struggling to breathe right now?

Probably not.

 Thoughts on Howie Long’s thoughts on the Lions:

 During Sunday’s NFL pre game show on FOX Howie Long stood up for Matt Millen crediting Millen with a tough job in managing the Lions. As if his Radio Shack commercials aren’t bad enough, he has the nerve to support Matt Millen the worst general manager in the history of sports. Yes he is way worse than Isaiah Thomas.

When the Lions hired Millen in 2001 he was in charge of rebuilding a mediocre team who had limited success in four previous decades. A few sporadic playoff appearances, a couple wins, and a whole slew of 8-8, 9-7 and 10-6 records. The Lions needed a little help to become a little more consistent, take some shape, and become a contender now and then. But with Millen, the best they have done is 5-11. Basically, Howie Long supports a guy who has managed to rebuild so poorly that it needs to be rebuilt again. He supports a general manager who drafts terrible players, chooses poor coaches, makes bad media decisions (calling Johnny Morton ####) and offends fan more than anything else. He also supports a team president who has presided over the worst stretch of Lions football ever. You look it up. In the pantheon of terrible Lions stretches has there ever been a worse five years for them? No.

 I could go on for hours but the point is clear, the Lions have always been terrible, Millen has made them intolerable, he is just as bad, if not worse than any one else in the organization. Every one is to blame, and if Howie Long doesn’t think so, maybe he should ask himself how he would evaluate the situation if this was his favorite team.

If someone told me back in May that on this day in September the Tigers would own a one game lead in the AL Central I probably would have had them institutionalized. But now here it is-September 18, and all my excitement has shifted elsewhere.

It's no that I'm not a Tigers fan- really I am - and I've been one before 2006. I can't even count how many classes I skipped or lectures I diregarded in the spring to focus on Tigers baseball-but since football season came around baseball doesn't seem as important.

I've always thought football was the greatest sport to follow-especially college, but now- even with the first Tigers pennant race of my era- I can't get excited over baseball.

If I someone could have harnessed the excitement I had back in April, maybe I'd actually care that  I have tickets for next Friday's game agains the Royals, one's I had hoped would enable me to see the Tig's capture their first playoff birth in 18 years. I should be excited that Tigers tickets go on sale tomorrow for the playoffs. We're talking ALDS, ALCS and World Series. But instead of dropping down $90 for a skybox seat in a potentail October matchup versus some pushover from the NL, I'm thinking I'd rather spend that money on a Michigan-Ohio State ticket- which is running anywhere from $500-$2,000 on Ebay right now. And it's only three games into the season!

This coming from a guy who has already spent $500 on two sets of season tickets. One for Michigan, one for Michigan State and a couple scattered games for Central Michigan, Boston College, Western and hopefully the Tennessee-LSU game later this season.

After all that, I don't know why I don't feel inclined to at least try for a World Series ticket. Especically since I paid for 16 seperate tickets to 16 games in 2004 at Comerica Park where the Tigers went 0-16, including two more losses against the White Sox during a July road trip.

Then again- I don't know anyone in their right mind who would go see the Tigers play to an 0-18 record if football season was going on which makes me think that even though the Tigers are sweet, and I'll be excited over them in April, Michigan football is where it's at in the fall.

Of course I haven't been able to say that in a while considering Michigan dropped it's previous six road openers leaving them out of the national title race befrore the thick of the Big Ten race. But now things are different. The win against Notre Dame proves that new defensive coordinator Ron English is on to something. His "Old English D" has me seeing shades of a 1997 team that led the nation in defense and subsequently defeated Washington State for a Rose Bowl win and share of the national title.

Michigan still has a few key matchups to go undefeated  into their rivalry match with Ohio State-Wisconsin being one of them. I will preview that later on this week-but now its time to watch the Tigers

I just wanted to stop by and say that today's Michigan-Notre Dame game was a thing of beauty. Much better than that Nebraska game I wrote four posts about in December.

That is all. 

Two must be worth at least double!!!!!

And  three pictures are worth a whole bunch more!!!!

Thanks also to NEED FOR SHEED.COM  for this lovely cartoon.

Some thoughts on game three of the Eastern Conference championship between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons….

What is Tom Brady doing rooting for the Heat?

     My friend and Lions insider Ramsey were appalled tonight when we saw Tom Brady rooting for the Miami Heat. I thought this guy was a Michigan Man? And all this time we’ve been rooting for him as a Patriot under the pretense that he was one of us? Tom Brady has bandwagon fan written all over him.

      So let’s break it down. Brady’s from California, but he played ball in Michigan, and now he plays ball in New England. Abiding by the normal rules of sports allegiances Brady is allowed to root for the following basketball teams: The Celtics, the Pistons, the Clippers the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, or the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s a pretty nifty bunch of teams in there including some good historical teams and current teams that in no way involve the Heat. Sorry Tom, you are a bandwagon fan. I better not see you rooting for the Tigers come October.

And what’s the deal with Usher?

Why is Usher attending Miami Heat games when he owns the Cleveland Cavaliers? It obviously didn’t work when he cheered against the Pistons in the last round so why try it this round while you’re wearing a pink shirt? Come on Usher, you’ve almost reached Lil’ John intolerable “I carry around a crunk cup” status. Simmer down.

I don’t know what is worse in the series the constant hack-a-Shaq, or bump-a-Ben campaigns or the announcers.

      Late in the fourth quarter after Pat Riley instructed his players to foul Ben Wallace away from the ball twice in a row, Hubie Brown starts talking about how it is a great sign of strategy and gamesmanship.

     How in the world is fouling a known poor free throw shooter good gamesmanship Hubie? It’s the exact opposite. I don’t agree with hacks on poor shooter when he has the ball or doesn’t. The Pistons are notorious for hacking, and although I am a huge fan, I don’t agree with their actions.

   Oil slick Riley took it a step further today fouling "Big Ben"when the Heat  was up ten points. I mean where do you draw the line? This type of action may be part of the game but it is unethical and it falls into the gray area of sports.

   I tried to think of a comparison of a similar ethical dilemma in another sport but all I could think of is walks in baseball, but that can’t compare, because a walk actually gets you somewhere, but a free throw isn’t guaranteed.

    Shaq and "Big Ben" shouldn’t be missing all this free throws, but they shouldn’t be sent to the foul line too often either. I think overall the foul on purpose gig may be a good strategy but it is wrong and it paints the wrong picture. As a national announcer for ABC, Hubie Brown should realize this not as gamesmanship, but as poor sportsmanship.

The Pistons do not impress me.

Too many turnovers and too many minutes for people like Tony Delk. If any guards are coming off the bench it should be Hunter and Delfino in that order. Delk isn’t a consistent shooter, he has a terrible turnover to assist ratio and he drives worse than a Adobe.

In case you missed the first batch, here are some more headlines with an interesting anecdote that you is surely headline news in itself.

MYTH BUSTERS-A.J. Pierzynski proved today contrary to baseball fan's beliefs, putting your ear against Michael Barret's fist does not enable you to hear the ocean.

BOULEVARD OF BROKEN LEGS-Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro broke his leg during the Preakness Saturday ending his racing career and he will likely be put to sleep because he can no longer compete. In an unrelated story, Trent Dilfer should be thankful he is not in the business of horse racing or he would have been turned into glue a decade ago.

MICHIGAN MILLIONS-The University of Michigan Athletic department approved $226 million worth of stadium upgrades that would increase the Big House's capactiy by 750 seats. This comes just days after the Ohio State athletic department approved $226 million worth of salary cap growth for the Buckeyes football team for the 2006-2007 season.

FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT- The Associated Press has reported an 18-year-old teenager accused of stealing Walter Payton's Hall of Fame ring is being held in a Kane County correctional facility. The Associated Press failed to mention that Payton's old laptop computer was also stolen by the members of the Connecticut men's basketball team.

BEEP BEEP!- The Nextel Cup All-Star challenge was held tonight. The no points race changed formats this season. Instead of the first place finisher being awarded $1 million, the first racer to disable the annoying two-way beeping alert will be awarded $1 million and the Nobel Peace Prize for ending noise pollution.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism major at Michigan State University who seriously thinks Ohio State pays its football players. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu

     We're only half way through the NBA playoffs and already the television stations have managed to run one of my favorite current songs into the ground. Two years ago it was The Black Eyed Peas with Let’s Get It Started, last year it was Rob Thomas's song How a Heart Breaks, but I'll tell you, what really makes a heart break is when TNT commercials ruin a Fort Minor song.

     I guess I can't blame them though, music goes great with the NBA playoffs, so great in fact, and I’ve compiled the 2006 NBA Playoff mix featuring theme songs for all the remaining playoff teams.

Dream On by Aerosmith for the Cleveland Cavaliers- "Dream until your dreams come true." And I hope your dreams include blowing a 3-2 lead against the Pistons. Facing a game seven in Detroit that's the only way the Cavaliers dreams are coming true.

Piece of $&!@ Car by Adam Sandler for the Detroit Pistons-  There’s a broken seat, missing mirrors, the c.d. player is broken too and the car is seven different colors. Yeah, that sounds like what I’ve been seeing lately.

Another one Bites the Dust by Queen for the Dallas Mavericks- Another one has bitten the dust twice in a row, as in twice in a row the Mavericks have killed an opportunity to finish the Spurs. When it happens for a third straight time, the will have officially bitten the dust for the umpteenth straight time.

Ridin’ by Chamillionaire for the Phoenix Suns – I’m going to be honest, like every other rap song, I have no idea what the lyrics to Ridin’ mean, so I’ve created my own remix for my NBA jam session mix.

Sing to the tune of Ridin’:

“You see Nash drivin’

You hatin’

Defendin’ and tryin’ to catch him passin’ dirty.”

Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers for the Los Angeles Clippers- Is there a better way to represent the trendy underdog team from the west coast than with the new trendy rock song by a band from California? I think not. Let’s just hope Chris Kaman never comes on the court during game seven with just a sock on. (Shivers).

We are the Champions by Queen for the San Antonio Spurs – This is the Spurs song, they’ve earned it, and they own it until someone else proves otherwise.

Middle of Nowhere by Hot Hot Heat for the Miami Heat – If I didn’t know any better I would think there were only six teams left in the NBA playoffs because the Heat finished off the Nets so long ago. Until the mess of remaining game sevens are cleaned up the Heat, will be like the song- in the middle of nowhere, practicing and awaiting their next opponent.

     Flip to side B: What you were expecting a c.d. or a stylish iPod playlist? Give me a break, I’m a college student, I can’t afford one of those wacky gadgets. Now flip the tape over, and check out the other songs.

The Golden Years by David Bowie – The golden years are upon Shaq. Will he be like Roger Clemens and Chris Chelios and still play well into his mid-life crisis, or will he turn into Oliver Miller or the “fallen and I can’t get up lady”?

Back in Black by AC/DC- Here’s another song for all the Diesel fans out there. Shaq Daddy is back in black with Miami, but can he take his team to the championship like he did when he donned the black and blue for the Magic in the mid 90s?

Sister Christian by Night Ranger once more for the Detroit Pistons- Motorin’ will describe the Pistons once they can get their offense in gear and start scoring more than 85 points, until then listen to Sandler’s song which is currently a better fit for the Detroit Pistons offensive situation.

The Wheel in the Sky Keeps on Turning by Journey for the Phoenix Suns- This one is pretty self explanatory, besides, you can’t have a mix without journey, or Soundgarden for that matter.

Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden for Antoine Walker and only Antoine Walker – If Antoine Walker’s life and more importantly, his basketball career had a soundtrack, Black Hole Sun would be the LP.

      So far I have tinkered with names for this potential professional basketball mix but I haven’t been able to think of anything title worthy. I wanted to get a fitting name that would describe the 2006 NBA playoffs but all I could come up with is America’s Funniest #### Shots.

Jon Gunnells is a journalism major at Michigan State University who tried desperately to get the ####e Girls on his mix, but couldn’t because of space concerns. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu.

     “That Guy”- There is always one member of crazy cast of characters that can be classified as “that guy.” In NBA broadcasting Bill Walton is “that guy,” in baseball managing Ozzie Guillen is that guy, and in the world of drunken sports whatever-you-want-to-call-it there is this guy, who thought it would be a good idea to use the Wrigley Field wall urinals as a slip and slide.

     Shock ‘em – Earlier this month, I wrote a post about the Wichita St. Shockers unique little hand signal that stands for much more than “shocking” the competition. (You can access that blog here). My blog question of whether or not adults knew what the hand signal stood for has now been answered after six high school baseball players were suspended after using that same gesture in a yearbook picture. One player said he was disguted after finding out what the hand signal really mean. Sure buddy, now you’re disgusted -now that your parents know.

          Initiation Roundup- A big thanks once again to the folks at badjocks.com who are offering an end of the year initiation roundup showcasing all of this years hazing experiments and wild sports parties gone wrong. From Duke University lacrosse party pictures to Northwestern University soccer pictures you can’t go wrong.

       Roid Patrol- I found a pretty cool link showcasing baseball cards of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire side by side for every year they played baseball. Go here to decide who you think roided up better.

     Go Jesus!- It’s official throwback jerseys are not overplayed now that a company has bible themed throwback jerseys. Ironically, David Dejesus still doesn’t have one jersey sold yet.

Now that you've seen my hot links for the week, I will leave you with this week's line of the week:

"Flip Murray couldn't guard him with a tire iron," George Blaha on Cavaliers guard Flip Murray who apparently couldn't guard Chuancey or Rip with, well, a tire iron.