After some discussion, I've decided to break away and create my own blog called "Sports Night with Howie Mansfield." The content will be the same, just with greater visibility and a chance to promote my work. The new posts will be coming fast and furious soon. So hop on board and go west to my new blog...

After stating on Talking Trash Wednesday that Syracuse had a great chance to make the NCAA Tournament, they go and LOSE BADLY to DePaul. Here's some of the stats that stand out... -Worst loss in the Jim Boeheim era...and that says how bad this was. -First time since 1971-72 season that Orange gave up more than 100 points in a regulation 40-minute contest. -SU's RPI rating drops to 36, and would cost them the NCAA bid if they lose to Villanova. (I don't think a win over Cincinnati in first round of Big East Tournament would save them.) Syracuse beat writer Mike Waters has a great webblog that is a must read for any SU fan. I think he sums up the DePaul "wipeout" pretty well. On a happier note, Gerry McNamara scored his 2,000th point in the blowout. He's a class act and deserves better than his fate this season. If Devendorf was here with G-Mac and Hakim Warrick, this would be a top-5 team easily. Here's the silver lining to this loss: Syracuse can either roll over and take their NIT bid...maybe make a little run there and give G-Mac a few more games in front of the home crowd. or... They can go out and beat Villanova, then Cincinnati, and make a strong case for the NCAA's. I don't believe that Boeheim will let this loss get to the team, but they need to assess the ramificiations. At 19-10, they are a good team, but they need to win that 20th game. If they don't, they shouldn't be in. They have a great NIT resume, but a subpar NCAA one. The last time Syracuse lost to a team with an RPI lower than 100, was Rutgers in 2003. It was a very tough loss...a close game, but at least it was close. They did go on to win the national championship, but they had a very high RPI (9) and were 24-5. Losing to DePaul is not the type of loss you want at the end of a season. DePaul did shot extremely well from the field, and especially from beyond the arc...if DePaul had a usual shooting night, they beat Syracuse by 10. Bottom Line: Villanova is a must win, and if they don't win, they should be considered for the Big Dance.

After a great show on Jan. 25 with the three amigos...Jason and I took to the big screen and did a nice job. There was a good flow of information...trading comments between calls. Sometimes people don't call in to a show when they enjoy the hosts' rambling. Topics included UVM Hockey and Men's Basketball, Super Bowl XL, T.O. to the Broncos and the Olympics. I enjoyed talking about sports for a full 30 minutes. I really liked the "Two-Minute Warning" segment that Jason started this week. A great way to start the show and get the conversation rolling. For a look at the show, visit Jason's site online. There's a picture of the crew, as well as information about the show's humble beginnings. Have a good day!

Syracuse always seems to play close games against Rutgers. Wednesday night's game was no exception. I was impressed with how Terrance Roberts got open and knocked that shot down. Gerry McNamara wasn't open, neither was Demetrius Nichols. I hope this was a turning point game for the Cuse. Heading into games against UConn and St. John's, you need momentum. A big shot in a big game. The loss to Seton Hall hurt, but not at bad as losing to Rutgers. A big win...now 16-6 and 4-4 in the Big East.

As a sports journalist, you have an opportunity to meet some special individuals...people who are more than just athletes. Greg Paulus, now starting freshman point guard for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball squad, is one of those players. I was fortunate enough to interview Greg, and his brothers who played at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse. He's a classy kid who comes from a grounded background. Greg was an okay basketball player...there were others in the Syracuse Central NY divisions who were just as good if not better than this Paulus. On the football field, there was no equal. Greg was rated as the nation's top quarterback coming out of high school last year. He had schools like Florida State, Alabama, Notre Dame and many others druling at the chance to bring him onto their campuses. But this Syracuse boy chose, instead, to attend Duke...and play for one of the top college coaches of all-time. Can you blame him? I have been watching his progress and he is definitely putting up good numbers given his role. He reminds me of Bobby Hurley, and he could be as successful. For more on Greg's success, visit his Duke University page online. The resume is quite impressive. For more reading, I found one of my old stories after Greg's team won a sectional championship. Check that out here. Have a great day - Howie