With NCAA men's basketball just getting underway, the preseason polls and ranking have recently been published. Men's basketball is known for having the typical powerhouse teams such as Duke and North Carolina, but this year some other schools are making some waves and the powerhouse teams are finding themselves further down the list in rankings.
The ACC conference has been known to produce some very successful teams in the past few seasons, followed closely by the Big 10. The associated press top ten look like this:
1. Kansas
2. Michigan State
3. Texas
4. Kentucky
5. Villanova
6. North Carolina
7. Purdue
8. West Virginia
9. Duke
10. Tennessee
The ESPN poll looks very similar, but Butler appears in the number 10 slot with Tennessee following at number 11.
Top ranked Kansas won their season opener against Hofstra with a convincing 101-65. In fact, the entire Big 12 conference is undefeated winning every one of their season openers.
Number 2 Michigan State also started their season with a convincing win over FGCU with a 97-58 victory. Much like the Big 12, the Big 10 conference is also off to a great start winning all games with exception to one (Iowa).
The NCAA basketball season is long. Most coaches refer to is as a marathon, not a sprint. It is important for these teams to show up every day. These teams will face detrimental injuries, and the top ten teams will likely change every time it is published.
For now, Kansas sits in the top spot. Only time will tell if they deserve the number one ranking, and we will all find out soon enough.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Book Review- I Dare You
The book I Dare You, by William H. Danforth is one of the best motivational books that I have read this far. It focuses not only on motivational tools for athletics, but it also focuses on motivational tools for life in general. One of my favorite quotes from the book is:
“I dare you to think bigger, to act bigger, and to be bigger. I dare you to think creatively. I dare you to lead and inspire others. I dare you to build character. I dare you to share. And I promise you a richer and more exciting life if you do!”
The book was published in 2003, though it has the feel that it was written quite a while ago. It is an easy read, as the book is only 152 pages long. The books main message focuses on four main pillars in life, and the four key components in life need to be in balance at all times Physical, Mental, Social, and Religious.
Danforth also co-founded the American Youth Foundation, which is an organization designed to develop young men and women, and help them prepare themselves for a life of responsibility and leadership. The book really emphasizes leadership and being a good leader.
“I dare you, boys and girls, to make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.” Danforth pushes the readers to be a strong person, and to take risks and do the things that they really believe in and truly want to do with their lives.
I really enjoyed the book I Dare You. It is inspirational, and it gives easy points and easy passages that inspire you to be a great leader. The book can be purchased on amazon.com in a hardback or paperback edition for a very reasonable price.
“I dare you to think bigger, to act bigger, and to be bigger. I dare you to think creatively. I dare you to lead and inspire others. I dare you to build character. I dare you to share. And I promise you a richer and more exciting life if you do!”
The book was published in 2003, though it has the feel that it was written quite a while ago. It is an easy read, as the book is only 152 pages long. The books main message focuses on four main pillars in life, and the four key components in life need to be in balance at all times Physical, Mental, Social, and Religious.
Danforth also co-founded the American Youth Foundation, which is an organization designed to develop young men and women, and help them prepare themselves for a life of responsibility and leadership. The book really emphasizes leadership and being a good leader.
“I dare you, boys and girls, to make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.” Danforth pushes the readers to be a strong person, and to take risks and do the things that they really believe in and truly want to do with their lives.
I really enjoyed the book I Dare You. It is inspirational, and it gives easy points and easy passages that inspire you to be a great leader. The book can be purchased on amazon.com in a hardback or paperback edition for a very reasonable price.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Football Update
Going into week 11, there have been some dramatic changes in the top 10 rankings for Division I football. Florida is still holding strong in the number 1 spot, and have a 9-0 mark on the season. This weekend they will take on South Carolina at South Carolina, and will yet again be challenged for the top spot.
Alabama and Texas sit at numbers 2 and 3 respectively, and there is some controversy in the different polls who belongs in which spot. In the BCS standings, Alabama sits at number 2. In the Associated Press top 25, Texas claims the spot. In either situation, both teams remain unbeaten and boast 9-0 records.
The TCU Horned Frogs are at number 4 in both polls, and will face one of their toughest challenges of the season this weekend when they take on number 16 Utah.
One of the most drastic changes that Division I football saw over the weekend was the then number 4 Iowa Hawkeyes get taken down by unranked Northwestern. It was the biggest upset of the week, and it saw the Hawkeyes drop from number 4 to number 10, and also lose their undefeated record.
The big game to watch this weekend is the Big Ten Championship matchup between number 10 Iowa, and number 11 Ohio State. The game will be played Saturday at 3:30pm at Ohio State. The Hawkeyes enter the game with a 9-1 record, and the Bukeyes bring an equally impressive 8-2 record to the contest.
Rounding out the top 10 you have 5. Cincinnati 6. Boise State 7. Georgia Tech 8. LSU and 9. USC. Teams 1 through 6 all remain unbeaten on the year.
Alabama and Texas sit at numbers 2 and 3 respectively, and there is some controversy in the different polls who belongs in which spot. In the BCS standings, Alabama sits at number 2. In the Associated Press top 25, Texas claims the spot. In either situation, both teams remain unbeaten and boast 9-0 records.
The TCU Horned Frogs are at number 4 in both polls, and will face one of their toughest challenges of the season this weekend when they take on number 16 Utah.
One of the most drastic changes that Division I football saw over the weekend was the then number 4 Iowa Hawkeyes get taken down by unranked Northwestern. It was the biggest upset of the week, and it saw the Hawkeyes drop from number 4 to number 10, and also lose their undefeated record.
The big game to watch this weekend is the Big Ten Championship matchup between number 10 Iowa, and number 11 Ohio State. The game will be played Saturday at 3:30pm at Ohio State. The Hawkeyes enter the game with a 9-1 record, and the Bukeyes bring an equally impressive 8-2 record to the contest.
Rounding out the top 10 you have 5. Cincinnati 6. Boise State 7. Georgia Tech 8. LSU and 9. USC. Teams 1 through 6 all remain unbeaten on the year.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Eating Right
Leading a healthy lifestlye is an important part of being a successful athlete. Putting good things into your body can only make you a better athlete. This doesn't mean that you have to eat only organic food, and you can't even think about going to McDonald's, it just means that you should be conscious about what you are putting into your body.
The day before competition it has been proven that the intake or carbohydrates can be beneficial to your performance. It gives you the energy you need on game day. What you eat also depends on what sport you play. A cardio intensive sport like cross country, soccer, basketball, or track will allow you to consume more carbs than a low cardio intensive sport such as baseball, softball, or golf.
Depending on what you want your body to do, also varies in what you eat. A lot of male athletes come in to college trying to gain weight. These athletes need to eat a lot more calories, but it is important that they are consuming good calories. Proteins such as chicken breast and red meats are healthy fats that can be consumed.
It is important that you balance all of your food groups, you don't want to eat a lot of protein each day and have that be it. You want to be sure to get your full servings of fruits and vegetables, because your body needs the vitamins and minerals that these can provide for you.
Fruits and vegetables are very low in calories and are typically very low in fat. The fat that you do find in these items is generally good fat that your body needs to comsumer anyway
The day before competition it has been proven that the intake or carbohydrates can be beneficial to your performance. It gives you the energy you need on game day. What you eat also depends on what sport you play. A cardio intensive sport like cross country, soccer, basketball, or track will allow you to consume more carbs than a low cardio intensive sport such as baseball, softball, or golf.
Depending on what you want your body to do, also varies in what you eat. A lot of male athletes come in to college trying to gain weight. These athletes need to eat a lot more calories, but it is important that they are consuming good calories. Proteins such as chicken breast and red meats are healthy fats that can be consumed.
It is important that you balance all of your food groups, you don't want to eat a lot of protein each day and have that be it. You want to be sure to get your full servings of fruits and vegetables, because your body needs the vitamins and minerals that these can provide for you.
Fruits and vegetables are very low in calories and are typically very low in fat. The fat that you do find in these items is generally good fat that your body needs to comsumer anyway
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Book Review
For any athlete, I would strongly recommend reading the book I Dare You! by William Danforth. The book is not only a good motivational tool for athletes, but it is also a great motivational tool for life.
The whole book is based around this "I Dare You" concept, and Danforth is trying to push the reader to do things. Here is one of my favorite passages:
“I dare you to think bigger, to act bigger, and to be bigger. I dare you to think creatively. I dare you to lead and inspire others. I dare you to build character. I dare you to share. And I promise you a richer and more exciting life if you do!”
He really makes you think about things outside of sports, and it really motivates you to take control of the little things, and to take control of your life. Danforth says that he wants the readers to be "my own self, at my very best, all the time." Just reading about how simple it can be to make changes in your life that will impact society, and how much you can help others really makes you put things in perspective.
I would recommend this book not only to athletes, but to anyone. It gives a great outlook on life. Sports are typically just as much mental as they are physical, and if you go into competition with the right mental mindset then you are already one step ahead of the competition. If you go in with the wrong mental mindset, then you have already started to beat yourself. Clearing your head, and thinking of the simplicity of things can really help you when you are about to enter a tough competition.
The whole book is based around this "I Dare You" concept, and Danforth is trying to push the reader to do things. Here is one of my favorite passages:
“I dare you to think bigger, to act bigger, and to be bigger. I dare you to think creatively. I dare you to lead and inspire others. I dare you to build character. I dare you to share. And I promise you a richer and more exciting life if you do!”
He really makes you think about things outside of sports, and it really motivates you to take control of the little things, and to take control of your life. Danforth says that he wants the readers to be "my own self, at my very best, all the time." Just reading about how simple it can be to make changes in your life that will impact society, and how much you can help others really makes you put things in perspective.
I would recommend this book not only to athletes, but to anyone. It gives a great outlook on life. Sports are typically just as much mental as they are physical, and if you go into competition with the right mental mindset then you are already one step ahead of the competition. If you go in with the wrong mental mindset, then you have already started to beat yourself. Clearing your head, and thinking of the simplicity of things can really help you when you are about to enter a tough competition.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Division I Athletics
There are a lot of different factors that go into sports. If you like what you are reading in these blogs, there are more detailed and specific articles that you can read on http://divisiononeathletics.com. These articles go into more detail about a variety of topics.
There are articles on how to get recruited by a D-1 school, how to tailgate, how to pick a college, how to fix your baseball or softball swing, how to prepare yourself for collegiate athletics, the drug testing policies, a list of recommended products, and an about me page.
The how to tailgate article gives a long list of products that would help if you are a beginning tailgater.
The Division I website gives some great insight from a Division I athletes perspective. There are other sites and blogs that you can read that give information about athletics, but divisiononeathletics.com has the slight edge because it is written to give opinion and suggestion from an actual Division I athlete.
If you want more information, go check out http://divisiononeathletics.com. You can learn a lot about every angle of athletics.
There are articles on how to get recruited by a D-1 school, how to tailgate, how to pick a college, how to fix your baseball or softball swing, how to prepare yourself for collegiate athletics, the drug testing policies, a list of recommended products, and an about me page.
The how to tailgate article gives a long list of products that would help if you are a beginning tailgater.
The Division I website gives some great insight from a Division I athletes perspective. There are other sites and blogs that you can read that give information about athletics, but divisiononeathletics.com has the slight edge because it is written to give opinion and suggestion from an actual Division I athlete.
If you want more information, go check out http://divisiononeathletics.com. You can learn a lot about every angle of athletics.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bets Off
Gambling on sports by collegiate athletes is illegal and puts your scholarship in jeopardy. The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering on college sports. Sports wagering has become a serious problem that threatens the well-being of the student-athlete and the integrity of college sports.
With the internet becoming easier and easier to access, betting on sports is becoming easier and easier. The NCAA adopted rules that prohibits not only student athletes, but coaches, athletic department staff members, and conference office staff from engaging in sports wagering. The rules apply to any institutional practice or competition in an NCAA-sanctioned sport. An athlete that bets or is involved in sports wagering on the student-athletes institution permanently loses all remaining regular season and post season eligibility in all sports.
If the student-athlete is involved in sports wagering activity that involves college sports or professional athletics through internet gambling, the student-athlete will lose all regular season and postseason eligibility for at least one year.
An athlete can bet on collegiate sports and not even know it. Every spring when march madness rolls around, there are brackets posted all over the web and all around communities. If an athlete pays to fill out a bracket, this is considered gambling and they can lose their eligibility.
Gambling has played a huge roll in sports over the years, quite possibly the most famous case was Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds. Rose was caught and charged for betting on games, and was even accused of intentionally throwing games, Rose was expelled from the MLB forever, and he forever tarnished his name.
Athletes have to be careful about gambling, because it would be an awful punishment for an honest mistake. It is easiest to just stay away from gambling all together, to avoid putting yourself in a tough situation.
With the internet becoming easier and easier to access, betting on sports is becoming easier and easier. The NCAA adopted rules that prohibits not only student athletes, but coaches, athletic department staff members, and conference office staff from engaging in sports wagering. The rules apply to any institutional practice or competition in an NCAA-sanctioned sport. An athlete that bets or is involved in sports wagering on the student-athletes institution permanently loses all remaining regular season and post season eligibility in all sports.
If the student-athlete is involved in sports wagering activity that involves college sports or professional athletics through internet gambling, the student-athlete will lose all regular season and postseason eligibility for at least one year.
An athlete can bet on collegiate sports and not even know it. Every spring when march madness rolls around, there are brackets posted all over the web and all around communities. If an athlete pays to fill out a bracket, this is considered gambling and they can lose their eligibility.
Gambling has played a huge roll in sports over the years, quite possibly the most famous case was Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds. Rose was caught and charged for betting on games, and was even accused of intentionally throwing games, Rose was expelled from the MLB forever, and he forever tarnished his name.
Athletes have to be careful about gambling, because it would be an awful punishment for an honest mistake. It is easiest to just stay away from gambling all together, to avoid putting yourself in a tough situation.
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