Today in Sports

Sports History For March 31st

1906 - The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States was founded to set rules in amateur sports. The organization became the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1910.

For more sports history (on-this-day.com)

365 Sports line up

• Final Four: Kentucky vs Louisville 5:09CST / Ohio St vs Kansas 7:49CST (CBS)
• NBA: Hawks vs 76ers 6:30CST (Comcast)
• Grand-Am Rolex Series: Porsche 250 12:15CST at Barbers Motorsports Park Leeds, Al.

365 Predictions

In to days Fianl Four I have the Kentucky Wildcats outlasting there in state rivals the Louisville Cardinals 87-77

On the other side of the Final Four I'm taking the Jakhawks of Kansas in a close one over the Ohio State Buckeyes 75-72 

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

  

Could Nash be the final spark for the Heat? (Revised)

The 38 year old Phoenix Sun's point guard Steve Nash will be a highly sought after free agent after the season. He will have his pick on where he wants to end his career and maybe how he wants to end it. The true questions that he will have to answer is if the Sun's bring in some help will he stay in Phoenix or will he be choosing between money or a legit chance at a ring?

Steve Nash has enjoyed a long career in the NBA, but he's never won a title. This is his last chance to make a move in that direction. The Sun's will have to make some major changes adding a lot more pieces to the puzzle to enhance them to be a contender. If the Suns don't make these changes then Nash will be gone.

Does he have money $$$ on his mind? Nash could be wooed away from the Suns to a mid level team for a large paycheck. If a team is trying to put some pieces in place and need a point guard for next year and have a lot of cap space then why not put in a bid for Nash? The true question is does Nash care about the Money?

Winning a ring and sailing off into the sunset is how most all athletes want to end there career, and this is  rarely how it goes, but Nash might have that chance. The Miami Heat who is one of the most hated teams in the NBA or all of sports for that matter because of there dream team status. The Heat's big three comes at a big price which pushes there amount of cap space. If Nash was to join the Heat he would be leaving millions upon millions of dollars on the table, but could he gain something more? The Heat was a game away last year, but adding Nash would be the final spark that will push them over the top.

Steve Nash wants to go out on top he's made that clear, but it might cost him millions. Cash or a ring that is the question he will have to answer.

Here's the view from a Heat fan on this subject:

Matt Pierce And Jason terry looking at the heat

3 hours ago ·

Patrick Pierce Yeah I know both couldn't go, not enough cap, but I could see maybe Terry would go to the Heat and Nash to the Mavs.

2 hours ago ·

Patrick Pierce Dont know if Terry will want to take that pay cut he has the ring already.

2 hours ago ·

Matt Pierce Well he is 34 so he getting up there I would rather have terry then Nash cause we have young and rising PG

2 hours ago ·

Patrick Pierce I would still take Nash and sign him to a two or three year deal.

2 hours ago ·

Matt Pierce Well you and ur team can have all the old players I'd take Jason terry, chalmers is playing his best this yr still making mistakes but could start on a lot of other nba teams

2 hours ago ·

Patrick Pierce Yall should trade Chalmers if you get Nash or Terry. What you need is a good center.

about an hour ago ·

Matt Pierce Ronnie turaif we just got him he's real physical but y trade chalmers for old ppl

about an hour ago ·

Patrick Pierce Becasue Chalmer is no good! Nash could control the ball movement useing all his tools (Lebron,James,Bosh) while racking up on assists and give you 10-12 points a night. Where as right now Spoelstra doesn't want the ball in Chalmers hands, Nash or Terry would change that.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13 

The Big Tuna + The Big Easy = A Big Stink!

Bill Parcells to the Saints rumors and talks have been spreading for days now. Will he, won't he, should he etc... Sean Payton is suspended from the team for this season, and his mentor Parcells The Big Tuna as they call him is his so call chosen fill in for this season. What are the pros and cons of this move not just for the Saints, but for Parcells and Payton?

Pros: Parcells gives you experience and leadership to keep the ship sailing in the right direction. The Saints are a good team, and even though I think they will be okay with out Payton for a year bringing in Parcells might be the Saints trying to buy a little insurance on this season. Facing the media, Parcells is not known for being media friendly in fact Parcells is the kinda of guy the Saints want facing the press instead of an assistant coach. If they win this season with Parcells and make a good run then it would enhance Parcells legacy. 

Cons: Parcells legacy could take a hit though if it doesn't work out, and would start his hall of fame clock of five years back over. I think this team could run it's self for a year with out Payton, but Parcells like to have control. What if the player don't give him that control because he's just a substitute teacher? The two could mix like oil and water causing what could have been a manageable season turn into disaster. 

If Parcells is asked by Payton and excepts the job then I think you will see a whole lot more of the cons then pros. The assistant coaching staff which has head coaching experience could hold things together for this season with out Parcells. I think it would be a bad move on all parts if the Big Tuna takes control of the Big Easy.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Tide reels in a big one! (6'4" 324)

Andy Dodd commits to Alabama today according to multiple reports. The big 6'4" 324 pound lineman out of Georgia chose the Tide over: Florida St; Georgia Tech; South Carolina.

Alabama commitments for 2013

• Reuben Foster LB 6'2" 228lbs *5 Star
• Altee Tenpenny RB 5'11" 200lbs *4 Star
• Bradley Bozeman OL 6'5" 315lbs *4 Star
• Raheem Falkins WR 6'4" 192lbs *4 Star
• Grant Hill OL 6'6" 315lbs *4 Star
• OJ Howard TE 6'5" 221lbs *4 Star
• Tyren Jones RB 5'8" 185lbs *4Star
• Ardarius Stewart ATH 6'3" 190lbs *4 Star
• Andy Dodd OL 6'4" 324lbs *3 Star  

*Star ranking according to Rivals.com

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

 

The Final Four Preview & Predictions

Later this week the classic bars in New Orleans French Quarter will start to fill up. Another rematch and national championship is on its way to the big easy, but I'm sure Louisville and Kentucky will both make it past half court. Theres is no mid-majors, no Cinderellas, no true underdog storeys from this years final four. This is a final four of powerhouses, legendary coaches, and bluegrass.

Kentucky vs Louisville: First you have to look at the coaches Kentucky's John Calipari and Louisville's Rick Pitino (besides the fact that both of them could have landed rolls on The Sopranos) both are future Hall of Fame coaches. Pitino and Calipari are the only two coaches to take three different teams to the final four (Calipari's U Mass and Memphis teams final four runs were later vacated by the NCAA) I give a slight edge to Pitino because he did win a championship while at Kentucky. Coaches don't make the shots though, and Kentucky is the better team on the floor. Louisville does have a little more depth, but Kentucky will have almost a week to rest up. My pick Kentucky 89 Louisville 79

Ohio St vs Kansas: This is a big time match up of two very similar teams; both are lead by coaches who have been here before, and both are two seeds. Bill Self of Kansas is only a handful of years removed from his national title, and if he wins another this year would put him into that elite of elite ranks. Thad Mattta has taken his Buckeyes beyond the final four before, but lost to Florida in 2007. When the par of two seeds face off I think you will see a very equal back and forth game, but I think the Jay hawks really found them self's in the Elite eight when they took over the game in the final minutes to beat UNC. MY pick Kansas 79 Ohio St 77

Crazy things happen in NOLA, and this final four weekend will leave it's mark on the crescent city. Its final four week, and almost the end of the madness (unless you live in Kentucky) and I'm sure there will be one more plot twist before the next champ cuts down the nets.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13 

A epic SEC Final 4? Or will it have a bluegrass theme? Let's play the what ifs

Last nights sweet 16 games started paving the way for what could be a great elite 8 and a epic final four. There's still a lot of basketball to be played, but chances are starting to go up for a %50 SEC final four. Kentucky and Florida have real chance at meeting for the fourth time in a epic final four battle. Maybe an even better match up would be a %50 state of Kentucky final four how big would a Kentucky vs Louisville be? I know there is still a lot of basketball left to be played, but I'm just playing the what if game.

What if Kentucky gets revenges on Indiana, and escapes a Bear trap and rolls on to John Calipari's 3rd or 1st (depending on how you view it) final four? You could then get Kentucky vs Florida (If Florida bets L'ville) again, but this time its worth much more. It would be Billy Donovan in the final four were he's at his best facing Calipari who will have the better team. It would be a SEC vs SEC final four and it would be EPIC here in the south OR you would get Kentucky vs Louisville (If they beat Florida) battle. The basketball proud bluegrass state would just shut down on that day. You would have rival mob bosses facing off --> Rick Pitino vs Calipari, who will end up swimming with the fishes after this epic match up? All Kentucky has to do is handle its business, and a huge final four will be assured.

The other side of the bracket might be just as intriguing with teams like Kansas, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio St still in the mix. I think this is going to be the year of the big boys unless Ohio has another upset or two up there sleeve, but I don't see a Butler/VCU in this years final four.

They call it MADNESS for a reason, and even though I see a path for Kentucky vs Florida or Ohio St vs Kansas type final four the likely hood of everything working out is...well madness. Ah what the heck I'm calling for Ohio Bobcats to finish putting on the glass slippers ;)

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13 

Spring Showers = Alabama National Championships

We're only a few days into spring here in the deep south, and a rainy spring day is washing away the pollen. There's lots of things that the spring brings with it: warmer weather, blooming flowers, allergies and yes National Championships.

Yes NCAA Football National Championships are won in the winter, earned in the fall, and built in the summer, but spring is were it all starts.

Think back about a half decade ago to Nick Sabans first spring at Alabama. It was there the building blocks to the "Process" were put in place. The packed out Bryant Denny lead to the excitement that built up to a #1 recruiting class. That class went on to produce a Heisman Trophy winner the schools first and it's 13th National Title, but first in well over a decade.

Spring is back, and that excitement is building up. Soon these showers will be gone, and March Madness will have crowned another basketball champion, and football will fill the air thicker than the spring pollen.... well maybe not as bad as the pollen, but pretty close.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Tebow to the Jets, Rex Ryan jumps the shark!

Tebow to the Jets is one of the worst trades I've ever seen. The Jets are talented but they have a huge off the field issues in the locker room. I guess there's a therory that Tebow could be some sort of great uniter, but I don't think that will be the case.

Mark Sanchez confidence is very fragile as it is and now your going to bring in a guy who will be looking over his shoulder? What if Sanchez starts losing or has some bad interceptions? Here's whats going to happen "Tebow, Tebow, Tebow" that's right Tebowmania will hit New York, Linsanity will be a thing of the past. More divide will set into the Jets locker room, and this team could collapse.

Rex Ryan has done some crazy things as the head coach of the Jets, but I think making this move will be his jump the shark moment. I like Tebow and hopes things go well for him in the Big Apple, but I just can't see it.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Tebowcat? Coming to a city near you?

What if Tim Tebow is traded to a team like the Jets or Packers? Both teams are looking at him, and it makes sense in both cases.

I'm not sold on the Jets, but I can see a positive reason to bring in Tebow. The Jets have a lot of talent, but the x-factor with them last year was not on the Field, but in the locker room. Tebow brings a lot of passion with him, and maybe the Jets locker room needs some Tebow in their life. The flip side is that Sanchez struggled most of last season and with a guy like Tebow on the sideline looking over his shoulder with the crowd cheering "Tebow, Tebow, Tebow" The Jets would have packages for him, but at the end of the day I see this splitting this team up even more than it already is.

The Packers have Aaron Rodgers one of the best QB's in the NFL, so why bring in a guy like Tebow? A few reasons; first they just got rid of a solid back up in Matt Flynn. Second reason would be to have a Wildcat option aka the "Tebowcat" as I'm calling it. Think back to the Chris Leak/ Tim Tebow days how did that work out for the Gators? Rodgers is a great QB and there would be no calling for Tebow from the fans, this would allow Tebow to have his own packages, and develop. Every 3rd and 1 just roll Tebow to move the chains.

After looking at the four teams who are looking at Tebow I would have to say I think the best move would not be back to the sunshine state, but to cheese head country.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on twitter @Patrickp13

Who's going to be Tebowing?

Now that Peyton Manning is in John Denver words "Rocky Mountain High" it opens the speculations as to where Tim Tebow will go.

I think the only place he can go is home (The state of Florida) and there are two teams in that state that just so happen to be needing a QB. 

Jacksonville Jaguar QB Blaine Gabbert has the size and arm of  a typical NFL QB, but has not shown that he can be a playmaker. WHY Tebow for the Jaguar's? Two reasons first Tebow would bring the excitment back to J'ville. Ticket and jersey sales would be skyrocket AKA Tebowmania (money matters). Second he's been a proven winner, and put him in the back field with Jones-Drew plus a big target like Marcedes Lewis to toss the ball to. I think that Tebow will make this team a wildcard contender, and that sound pretty good to a Jaguar fan right now.

Miami Dolphins are still looking for a QB to replace Dan Marino, could Tebow be that guy? NO if your replacing Marino's stats, but maybe in fandom. Owners care about making money sometimes more than the on the feild product. The Dolphins might have a little more fan interest than Jacksonville, but not much more. Tebow would be a big draw, and thats somthing the Dolphins have been looking for.

Final Take:
The most important thing to remember here for any team going after Tebow is make your offense work around Tebow. Don't make Tebow learn your NFL offense. He's not a pure passer, but he's a winner, and will work hard to dominate 365 days a year.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow Me on Twitter: @Patrickp13

Dominate365 Sports

Rivalries are the heart beat of sports, and anyone who has a rival knows they want to dominate the 365 days a year. This is a sports blog that will mostly follow sports in Alabama and the SEC, but will talk about a number sports related topics that are driving the media.

About Me: My name is Patrick Pierce I'm a Newscast Director and Media Content Manager at Alabama's 13 News. I'm an alumni of UAB. I'm married and have one son.

Follow me on Twitter: @Patrickp13