The inevitable occurs, Wildcats win national championship

Anthony Davis, Kentucky, against Kansas guards/AP Images

It almost seemed inevitable. 

By Trevor Hass

After all, they were the best team all season long. They had five players who will likely go pro. They had the best player in the country in Anthony Davis.

Sometimes the inevitable is denied in college basketball, as Goliath is slung and history is made.  Norfolk State beat Missouri and Lehigh beat Duke (on the same day, mind you). Upsets were galore throughout the tournament, but no team was able to upset the best team in the country, the Kentucky Wildcats.

The inevitable happened Monday night at the Superdome in New Orleans, as the Wildcats knocked off the Kansas Jayhawks 67-59, to capture their first championship since 1998.  

Anthony Davis didn't make a field goal until there were five minutes remaining and he was still remarkably named the MVP. He finished with six points, 16 rebounds, five assists, six blocks and three steals and showed why he was named AP player of the year.  

Doron Lamb had 22 points and Marquis Teague added 14. The Wildcats were up 41-27 at halftime. Kansas made a push late in the game as they have so often this year, but ultimately Kentucky’s physicality and balanced scoring were too much.

Thomas Robinson led the way for Kansas with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Tyshawn Taylor scored 19 points and finally connected on his first three of the tournament late in the second half, after previously missing 20 straight.

Kansas hung around and was somehow down only six with 1:37 left. The Wildcats made their free throws and put the game away, and the most Goliath of all possible Davids in Kansas was denied.  

Many are calling this Kentucky team one of the best in history, as they finished the season at 38-2 and set the records for most wins in a season.

MVP Breeding Ground

AP Photo

Three of the most prominent candidates in this year’s MVP race belong to NL Central teams. Two of the most outstanding players play a similar game. Now the question is, who deserves it more? BY: Andrew Muckell

The 2011 National League Most Valuable Player contest sports some of the biggest names in the NL Central.1B Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and four time runner-up, made a remarkable mid-season adjustment to his swing and powered the St. Louis Cardinals to an unforeseen World Series win. He hit three home runs in a World Series game, tying a record held by Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth. Despite his great comeback late in the season, his lack of consistency in April and May hurts his chances for winning the prestigious award.

This season, the Milwaukee Brewers looked like an MVP breeding ground. LF Ryan Braun and 1B Prince Fielder powered the team to the playoffs and boasted some of the league’s most impressive offensive numbers. These players are ranked in the top six in on-base plus slugging, total bases, RBIs, and home runs in the league and in the top ten in many others.

Verlander Deserves MVP

The best player in the American League only takes the field every five days. No one can change the game more than Detroit ace, Justin Verlander. By Mike Izzo

OK, let's get this out of the way, I believe in Justin Verlander. 

My AL Cy Young Top 10:
1. Justin Verlander (DET)
2. James Shields (TB)
3. C.C. Sabathia (NYY)
4. Jered Weaver (LAA)
5. C.J. Wilson (TEX)
6. Ricky Romero (TOR)
7. Mariano Rivera (NYY)
8. Felix Hernandez (SEA)
9. David Price (TB)
10. Justin Masterson (CLE)

My AL MVP Top 10: 1. Justin Verlander (DET, SP) 2. Curtis Granderson (NYY, OF) 3. Miguel Cabrera (DET, 1B/3B) 4. Adrian Gonzalez (BOS, 1B) 5. Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS, OF) 6. Jose Bautista (TOR, OF) 7. Dustin Pedroia (BOS, 2B) 8. Robinson Cano (NYY, 2B) 9. David Ortiz (BOS, DH) 10. TIE, C.C. Sabathia (NYY, SP) and C.J. Wilson (TEX, SP)

MVP Race: Mid-Season Edition

by Scott Simone

The NFL season is nearly halfway through. It’s only normal that MVP buzz has started to float around the league. With so many names being thrown into the ring as potential contenders, EP takes a look at who really deserves to be in the running for MVP.

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, QB
It’s almost laughable that some were writing the Colts off after starting 2-2 in their first four games of the season. Maybe it’s because Peyton doesn’t garner as much media attention as say, Brett Favre, or maybe it’s because we’ve come to expect nothing short of greatness from him, but it seems Manning has been moved to the back burners. But his numbers speak for themselves. Through seven games, Peyton has thrown for 2184 yards, completing 66 percent of his passes. If he continues at this pace, he’s on track to throw for 34 touchdowns and only five interceptions for the season. And, he’s done all that without Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, and Anthony Gonzalez at various points in the season. Manning has to be the front-runner.

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots, QB
Although we should deduct some points for his new flowing locks, Brady has to be in the race for MVP. Although his individual numbers lag behind Peyton’s and Drew Brees’, Brady has navigated his New England Patriots to a tie for the best record in the NFL (6-1). He’s also efficiently thrown for over 1600 yards, with a 3:1 TD to interception ratio. He always seems to put himself in contention for not only MVP, but a championship every year he steps onto the field.


3. Arian Foster, Houston Texans, HB
Although Adrian Peterson leads the league in rushing yards, Foster has helped his team to a winning record with impressive wins over the Colts and the Redskins. With an impressive outing last week (102 yards) against the Colts, Foster has rushed for 737 yards and seven touchdowns in as many games. He’s also shown ability to catch out of the backfield, compiling 245 receiving yards. His numbers put him in contention, so if his team continues to win, and possibly make a run for their first playoff berth in franchise history, he should be right at the top of the list.

4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, QB
The New Orleans Saints seemed to be struggling at the beginning of the season, but they still have a winning record (5-3) behind Brees. Brees has thrown for 2,334 yards on the season, and has completed an astounding 70 percent of his passes this season. His 11 interceptions this season knock him down below Peyton and Brady, but his 16 touchdowns are ahead of both. If the Saints find themselves back in the playoffs to defend their title, it’ll be largely in part to Brees’ arm.


5. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans, HB
Arguably the best running back in the game today, Johnson has propelled the Titans to a winning record of 5-3. He has rushed for 721 yards and eight touchdowns in as many games. He’s been able to amass these numbers despite facing two of the best run defenses in the league, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Once again, he is showing his versatility, racking up 90 receiving yards. He's been the one consistent player for the Titans, who have shuffled between Vince Young and Kerry Collins at QB, seemingly every other week. If they are successful, it’s in large part due to Johnson.