Championship Rings & Galaxy Conquer DC United

CARSON, CA - After the storm the sun shines brightly, which describes not just the Los Angeles weather, but also the Los Angeles Galaxy's season thus far.
On a sunny, yet windy day at Home Depot Center would prove to be historic, especially when the Galaxy players and head coach Bruce Arena received their MLS Championship rings. Which ironically was given to them in front of their long time DC United rivals.

Sporting a two game losing streak, the Galaxy needed a win, especially on championship ring Sunday.

The Galaxy almost allowed a repeat of their previous games to happen, when DC United's Dewayne De Rosario blasted a shot at the goal, but thanks to some timely wind and defense, the goal attempt flew pass goalie Josh Saunders' net. That seemed to be the wake up call that the Galaxy needed, moments later Robbie Keane drove into the box for a potential score, yet was upset when he wasn't awarded a penalty kick by referee Toledo. After many attempts by Galaxy's David Beckham, Robbie Keane, DC United's Joe Willis was put to the test at goal.

Thanks to relentless efforts of Keane, who would not be denied as he was set up properly by teammate Mike Magee, that allowed Keane to score just before halftime 1-0 in the 44th minute of play.

In the second half the Galaxy turned up the intensity and pressured the United's net, and once Keane in the 69th minute scored an impressive goal thanks to the great assist by Landon Donovan. DC United goalie Joe Willis could not stop the goal that was fired from about 20 yards out on that play.

Denying DC United's request to score, thanks to the superb defense by Galaxy goalie Saunders, who just tipped away a shot attempt by DC United's Emiliano Dudar.

After not starting due to fatigue, Edson Buddle entered the game, which was a nightmare for DC United who had no one who could truly defend Buddle especially in potential breakaway situations.

Around the 85th minute, the Galaxy closed the deal, as Beckham assisted Sarvas with scoring a goal, which gave the Galaxy a 3-0 lead. Less than a minute later, as somehow the Galaxy forgot to get back on defense, DC United's Nick DeLeon quickly responded with a goal helping his team avoid the shutout.
That score did not make head coach Bruce Arena very happy. However, the Galaxy defeated rival DC United 3-1.

After a grueling schedule, the Galaxy can enjoy this victory, rest up and practice until March 31st when they take on the New England Revolution at Home Depot Center.

Robbie Keane spoke about the victory on championship ring day "we just played, and took alot of chances. We hadn't done that, we just took chances, and we got the victory."

Also at halftime AEG CEO Tim Lieweke spoke about team goals, how he wants them to win multiple champions. He believes in this team, yet he is upset with how the MLS has scheduled his teams games the last two weeks.

A great victory mentality and physically for the L.A. Galaxy, and their almost 20,000 fans in attendance, as they move on through the season.

Arizona Too Wild For Bruins Down The Stretch

LOS ANGELES - After defeating USC, the UCLA Bruins knew the had a tall task at hand by trying to defeat the Arizona Wildcats. UCLA would have to play a much game than against their previous opponent to advance to the semi-finals of the Pac-12 championship. Led by Kyle Fogg, the Wildcats knew in order to get to the semi-finals and the championship, UCLA would not be a push over, and they had to bring their A game.

Arizona was focused and ready leading most of the entire first half, leading by as much as 10 points over UCLA thanks to a 14-5 run by Kyle Fogg and Solomon Hill. It also got physical as Bruins guard Lazeric Jones took a nasty shot to the nose, where he left the court to seek medical attention. When he returned, he hit a big 3 pointer that capped off a 12-8 run, which kept UCLA within in striking distance going into halftime down 29-23. In the half, both teams had a combined turnover

Arizona turned up the heat in the second half, as Kyle Fogg hit a 3 pointer than increased the lead to nine points. UCLA decided they had enough, led by Jerime Anderson led a 15-8 run with seven crucial point, then Tyler Lamb stole the ball for a layup that gave UCLA their first led of the game at 46-45, with 10 minutes left in the game. The two teams traded baskets as heavyweight boxer traded blows, until Anderson hit a huge 3 pointer to tie the game with Arizona at 51.

Arizona began to pull away, playing solid defense against UCLA, getting Josh Smith to foul out in just nine minutes of play only scoring seven points. The defense continued as Fogg made a huge block on Lazeric Jones, and also caused Travis Ware to pick up his fourth foul which proved to be very costly for UCLA.

Later on Travis Wear ended up picking up his fifth foul & fouled out for the first time this season.

Arizona proved to be too much for the UCLA Bruins as they fall 66-58.

Arizona's Solomon Hill led all scorers with 25 points, Kyle Fogg contributed with 13 points, as the Wildcats shot 24-27 from the free throw line.

UCLA's Lazeric Jones finished with 17 points, Jerime Anderson who scored 14 points, along with Travis Wear who scored 10 points.

This loss to Arizona snapped the Bruins three game winning streak, and will not allow them to participate in the NCAA Tournament this year. The Bruins have also stated they will not be apart of the NIT Tournament. This loss doesn't give coach Ben Howland much room to breathe, and if he doesn't make it to the Final Four next year with the big recruiting class he has coming in, UCLA will be searching for a new coach in 2013.

Lazeric Jones talks about the disappointing loss "It hurts and I'm sad knowing that we're done, so soon. It's not the way we wanted it to be."

Next up for Arizona, the hungry Beavers of Oregon State on Friday.

Huskies Get Biten By Beavers in Pac-12 Tourny

LOS ANGELES - The Washington Huskies came into the Pac-12 Tournament as the champions thanks to a loss by California. It was understood they still had something to prove not only to the conference, but to the NCAA Tournament committee as well. The Huskies would face a hungry, on fire Oregon State Beavers team who refused to just roll over, lay down, and be intimidated.

Coach Craig Robinson would now have a reason for his brother-in-law President Barack Obama, to legitimately place his team in a NCAA tournament bracket this year.

The first half started off slow and somewhat sloppy by both team, it seem to take awhile before the Huskies and Beaver got into rhythm and really play at a high level. The Beavers began to pull away as the lead going into halftime 48-33. A stunned and shocked Washington had their work cut out for them in the second half if they wanted to advance and have an opportunity to win the Pac-12 Tournament.

Second half the Huskies turned a 15 pointed deficit into a 8 point lead over the Beavers, thanks to a 22-3 run that was sparked by the excellent and precise play of Washington's Tony Wroten who had an amazing 29 points, along with C.J. Wilcox who dropped 16 points, and Terrance Ross scored 15 points.

However Beavers' Jared Cunningham would not be denied scoring 18 points despite blowing free throws down the stretch, yet was able to convert two key free throws when it was needed. The Huskies had an opportunity to come back, but could not covert crucial free throws within the last 2 1/2 minutes of the game.

With about 31 seconds to go, Cunningham saw an opportunity to score and took advantage of it. Again the Huskies had an opportunity to win, but free throws became their achilles heel, which cost them the game and the opportunity to play for the championship.
Huskies fall in a close contest 86-84 to the Beavers.

One of the most exciting games of the Tournament, Hollywood couldn't have written a better script.

After the game Beavers Coach Robinson talked about the fight of the team, "I know that I could not be more proud of a team, and have not been prouder of a team, than I am of this team. We have fought hard and lost our share of games by five points and under, and it's not due to these guys' lack of hard work."

"The stretch at the ending was definitely nail-biting" said Jared Cunningham who described the atmosphere of the game.

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar was asked about missing the free throws near the end of the game "We were trying to make the first, obviously, and miss the second one. Our guy knew what to do. And in Terrence's zeal to get it, he shot a little too hard there."

*The Huskies shot a terrible 9-21 from the field.

Oregon State would move on to face Arizona on Friday night, Washington will have to sit and wait for selection Sunday to see where they will be seeded to play in the NCAA Tournament.

*In attendance to watch Oregon State, former NBA stars Gary Peyton "The Glove" & the Ironman, multi champion and former Laker A.C. Green.

Stanford Runs Sun Devils Out Of Staples Center

LOS ANGELES - The Stanford Cardinal had alot of momentum coming into the tournament after beating their rival Cal Golden Bears, led by superstar Chasson Randle. The Cardinal came to the Pac-12 Tournament to make a serious impact. The Arizona State Sun Devils, knew it was win or go home, so now was the time to shine. Business was definitely about to pick up big time.

It was all Stanford as Randle led the charge with an impressive 18-4 run closer to halftime scoring 27 points, breaking the previous record in a half last year by Washington State's Klay Thompson. Randle also hit five 3 pointers as the Cardinal went into halftime up 50-30 over Arizona State who had no answer for Randle.

Second half the Cardinal continued where they left off only this time the balance attack of Stanford continued to dominate the Sun Devils. Aaron Bright led the second half charge with 11 points, allowing Randle to finish with 30 points, as Stanford routes Arizona State 85-65.

Sun Devils' Chanse Creekmur and Jordan Bachynski scored 11 points each, while the team as a whole committed 14 total tunrovers. This is the second losing season under head coach Herb Sendek, who couldn't find an answer on why his team just bring any intensity or effort against Stanford.

Stanford moves on for a rematch against their rival Cal Golden Bears on Thursday, who just five days earlier cost Cal a shot at winning the Pac-12 title.

Trojans Fight Was Not Enough To Get Past Bruins in Tourny

LOS ANGELES - Inside the bright light of Staples Center the Pac 12 Tournament had descended upon us once again, as it became rivalry day between USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins. The 12th seeded Trojans had much to prove not only to themselves, but to the rest of the conference.

In the first half both the Trojans and the Bruins started out in a back and forth battle, to many surprise, the Trojans fought to stay in the game in the first half. The defense came alive and the Bruins had no answer. With absence of Bruins center Josh Smith who was suspended for one half due to violation of team rules.
The Bruins had to settle for outside shooting, and excellent ball movement lead by guard Lazeric Jones.

USC guard Maurice Jones was held scoreless in the first half, which didnt stop freshman Byron Wesley from being aggressive to shoot and create away from the basket. By halftime UCLA held on a slim 22-21 over USC.

Second half proved to be a totally different for the Bruins, as they came out clicking on all cylinders, Josh Smith entered the game picking up 3 quick fouls, but not before finishing with 5 points, which the Trojans had no answer for him. Bruins cruise to a 55-40 victory thanks to the solid play of Lazeric Jones who finished with 15 points along with Travis Wear who finished with 12 points.

USC's Byron Wesley finished with 13 solid points, Maurice Jones finished with 7 points, 6 assist.

To sum up the game against UCLA whom they have played three times USC coach Kevin O'Neil honestly stated "they [UCLA] are bigger than us in warm ups ok. I think they have the best front line in the entire country. I thought our team executed well especially in the first half, just didn't finish well."

UCLA moves on to play Arizona on Thursday in the Pac-12 Tournament.

For USC, Kevin O'Neil remained hopeful for next season, as he will look to his new recruits, to build up a great program to compete with the rest of the conference. O'Neil also has the support of AD Pat Hayden, so look for O'Neil to grace the sidelines of Galen Center next season.

At Spring Training w/ Colorado Rockies Pitcher JEREMY GUTHRIE

Ready For 2012 Opening Day: Let's Play Ball...

Major League Baseball hasn't had this much buzz about the Baseball Winter Meetings in a very long time. The Winter Meetings became an appetizer, for the huge main course we are all going to indulge in this season beginning with Opening Day.
 
Not having a big bat in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, could prove to be costly down the stretch. After the huge resigning of outfielder Matt Kemp to a multi year deal, and NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw for a 2 year extension, due current ownership issues, the Dodgers made no more off season moves. As Dodger fans not only in Los Angeles but Dodger Nation across the country can only hope that a great group like Magic Johnson & Steve Kasten could propel the Dodgers back to championship status one day soon, as the ownership bidding war continues.
 
Despite their neighbors to the south in Orange County, who set off the free agency season, the L.A. Angels had to make moves especially while the Dodgers were down, for Southern California supremacy. The Angels made huge noise by signing one of the greatest hitters of our time Albert Pujols fresh off a world series championship, and former Texas Rangers rival pitcher C.J. Wilson. The addition of Wilson add a huge depth dynamic to the Angels rotation that has been much needed for a long while especially down the stretch. There is also talks of Mark Trumbo moving to third base or maybe even DH, which would give the Angels a solid, yet powerful line up against some of the American League's greatest teams this season.
 
The Miami Marlins (formerly the Florida Marlins) also made huge news with new uniforms, logo, and very controversial world series manager in Ozzie Guillen. The Marlins didn't stop there by adding former Mets hitter Jose Reyes, catcher Joe Buck, closing pitcher Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle. Also with the addition of their new state of the art multi million dollar ball park set to open this season, which includes a real fish tank, Miami fans should have quite a bit to cheer about this season. Miami can finally start to look up as they placing themselves in winning atmosphere as they compete in a very tough NL East division, against the Braves, Phillies, Nationals, and Mets.
 
The Detroit Tigers seem to be one of the premiere teams to beat this season. 
After a stellar 2011 by Tigers' ace Justin Verlander, manager Jim Leyland was all smiles, until he got an earlier Christmas gift as the team signed in a blockbuster move first baseman and All-Star Prince Fielder to a multi year deal. From the folks I spoke with no one including myself saw this move coming. Even a strong campaign ploy by good friend Matt Kemp wasn't enough to convince Fielder to sign anywhere else but Detroit it seems. Leyland I'm sure was probably doing back flips in his office when he received the news of Fielders signing. How long will Fielder hold up? Will he lose weight to maintain his body to stay healthy? How well will he fit into the line up? Those answers will come I'm sure as the season progresses.
 
A surprising team to watch for I believe will be the Cincinnati Reds, lead by the explosive bats of Brandon Phillips and Joey Vato, the Reds look to prove the doubters wrong and win their division in convincing fashion. This is the most confident I've heard manager Dusty Baker sound in a long time.

How will the Milwaukee Brewers recover from the chaos of the Ryan Braun test results, and how will he perform this season? Only time will reveal that answer along with so many others.

Regardless of who your team is, and/or if your just a baseball fan its going to be a great 2012 season, so....Let's play ball!