TODAY’S LINEUP
A look at the top sports stories in today’s edition of The Herald.
1. Trip south of the border leaves Tips feeling ill
The Everett Silvertips’ chance to take over sole possession of first place in the WHL’s U.S. Division went south Tuesday, as the Tips got shut out in Portland. The good news is that Everett is still tied for first place. The bad news? The Tips were taking an early break for the 2014 Olympics. At least they’ll be back in time for the playoffs, as evidenced by Thursday’s start of postseason ticket sales.
2. It’s tourney time in Tinseltown
The men’s Pac-10 tournament begins today, with WSU hoping to beat an Oregon team that’s already had the Cougs’ number twice this season. After that play-in game, the big boys get started on Thursday, and Cal appears to be the favorite in this year’s tourney. Just don’t sleep on the Huskies. (And don’t bet on them, either, Blackjack Breath.)
3. If they keep improving like this, she’ll have them battling for fourth place in 2012
The Huskies decided to bring back women’s basketball coach Tia Jackson for a fourth season, even though the worst three-year run in program history happened under her watch. The players said they wanted to play for “Coach J.” What the athletic department didn’t realize was that they were talking about Phil Jackson, whom they had hoped to pry away from the Lakers.
4. He’s sworn off Pac-Man forever
Having been passed over for the Pac-10 player-of-the-year award, UW’s Quincy Pondexter said it felt kind of like when he was left off the McDonald’s All-America team in high school. After that snub, he stopped eating McDonald’s. Let’s just hope his protest of the latest honor doesn’t involve the Pac-10 tournament, or his next pre-game meal will be at the U-Dub cafeteria before the Huskies’ home game in the first round of the NIT.
5. If he goes all Sidney Crosby, we’re not letting him back across the border
Lacrosse star Rhys Duch of the Washington Stealth was added to the Team Canada roster Tuesday. Fortunately, lacrosse is not an Olympic sport … is it? The Closer has to be honest here: The only thing he knows about Lacrosse is that it’s where they used to make Old Style beer.
THE WARMUP PITCH
‘The 12th Man … is that how many it takes to screw in a light bulb?’
The Seahawks already gave up on backup quarterback Seneca Wallace. Now the Browns have cut Derek Anderson, who subsequently ripped Cleveland fans. The hometown hater looks like a leading candidate to replace Wallace as Matt Hasselbeck’s backup in Seattle, so cover your ears, Seahawks fans. (Wallace has better footwork, but when it comes to legs, Anderson’s former classmate even puts Wallace to shame.)
It’s not like he killed anyone (although he sure gave it his best shot)
NASCAR placed driver Carl Edwards on probation for three races after he successfully drove a rival into an aerial spin. Apparently, attempted vehicular homicide is auto racing’s version of cross-checking.
The man not even lovable losers could love
New M’s outfielder Milton Bradley said that being in Chicago was like being a “prisoner.” Apparently, he’s never been to Tacoma.
Running back roulette still hasn’t landed on SEATTLE
Veteran running backs are finding homes, and none of them are in Renton’s 425 area code. Former Jets running back Thomas “O Brother, Where Art Thou Now That Seattle’s Done With Ye” Jones landed in Kansas City, while future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson is reportedly interested in the Vikings. Meanwhile, Edgerrin James and Shaun Alexander are battling for the starting job at the Merrill Gardens Senior Community in Mountlake Terrace.
Ernie Kent has about as much job security as The Closer
The Oregon men’s basketball team is privately looking for a new coach, even though no official statement has been made about Ernie Kent’s impending ouster. One familiar candidate who has emerged is former Sonics coach P.J. Carlisemo, who said he’d love to take the job as long as the Ducks don’t have anyone named Sprewell in their upcoming recruiting class.
Why Butler and UConn are on Lorenzo Romar’s Christmas list
Championship Week continued Tuesday night, with several conference tournaments helping to paint the landscape for this weekend’s NCAA Selection Show. The Washington Huskies were relieved to see Butler avoid an upset while rolling to the Horizon League title. Meanwhile, UConn’s tiny bubble popped after those Huskies got pounded by St. John’s in the first round of the Big East tourney. UConn has about as much chance of going to the dance as the UW women have of winning an all-Huskies NCAA championship game over Geno Auriemma’s Dawgs.
CURVE BALLS
The wild and wacky news from the world of sports …
When the Mets sign an all-star, it usually doesn’t turn out well
Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker has found a home, only it’s a long way from his stops in Dallas and Miami. Walker recently signed with the Guaynabo Mets of a pro league in Puerto Rico. Apparently, Walker tried to follow Stephon Marbury to China, but there weren’t enough forced shots in the country to satisfy them both.
He’s got plenty more worries than practice these days
Allen Iverson emerged from the shadows — sort of — when he announced on his Twitter account that he’s “going through some very tough times right now.” Rumors have been circulating about A.I.’s crumbling marriage, battle with the bottle and gambling woes. That would put Iverson in third place on Fox’s new show American Sports Idol Meltdown, trailing only Tiger and Ben Roethlisberger.
Multiply him by 50,000, and that’s how Derek Anderson feels about Browns Stadium
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is not exactly the most loved man in sports, and this week former Cowboys star Emmitt Smith piled on. In an interview with Slam Magazine, Smith said looking at Snyder makes him “want to pummel somebody.” That’s the same way The Closer feels when he’s forced to watch “Dancing With the Stars.”
THE RUNDOWN
Stephon Marbury is playing in China, Antoine Walker is in Puerto Rico, and Allen Iverson is at the wheel of an out-of-control car. Some recent NBA stars have sure hit the skids in recent months. It got our staff here at The Bullpen thinking: Where might some current NBA stars be in five years?
Ron Artest
Riding with the painted cyclists at the annual Fremont Solstice Parade.
Chris Andersen
Hanging on a wall at the Smithsonian’s modern art display.
Shaquille O’Neal
Standing in the winner’s (or is it “loser’s”?) circle on “The Biggest Loser.”
Earl Watson
Hogging the ball during a Greenlake pickup game while four teammates stand around saying, “I’m open!” (One of them looks suspiciously like Luke Ridnour.)
Gilbert Arenas
Making notch marks on the wall while asking cellmate Plaxico Burress what he’s in for.
Contact The Closer at inthebullpen@heraldnet.com.
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