MVC Tournament Bracket: Men

For the fourth-straight year, the State Farm MVC Tournament will have a different top seed. Northern Iowa, which shared the regular-season title with Creighton, earned the No. 1 MVC Tournament seed for the first time in school history. The Panthers, picked sixth in the league’s pre-season poll, finished with a regular-season record of 20-10 and 14-4 in league play, and held the tiebreaker over co-champion Creighton (25-6, 14-4).

It’s the first ever Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title for the Panthers and 14th for Creighton. The Panthers’ previous best finish was a second-place tie in 2004, a year in which UNI won the State Farm MVC Tournament.

Creighton, meanwhile, last earned a league regular-season crown in 2002, when the Bluejays were co-champs with Southern Illinois.

This year’s tournament -- the 33rd Missouri Valley Conference post-season tourney and 19th-straight in St. Louis -- begins on Thursday, March 5, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Notably, the top seed of the league men’s basketball championship has only won the title once since 1998 as Drake swept the regular-season and tourney titles last season. Drake beat Illinois State in the championship game a year ago.

The tournament, which features nine games in four days, culminates on Sunday, March 8, with a nationally televised championship game on CBS Sports at 1 p.m. CST. Six games (the four quarterfinals and two semifinals) will air on the MVC Television Network. All nine games of the tournament will be available on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Creighton has been to a league-record 11-straight post-season (NCAA or NIT) tournaments, while Southern Illinois is hoping to continue its lengthy post-season streak, which currently stands at seven in a row.

Southern Illinois is the only league school to win three-straight titles - doing so from 1993-95 in St. Louis. SIU’s other titles came in the first year of the tournament, 1977, and most recently in 2006. The last time a Valley school defended its tournament title was in 2003 when Creighton won after also winning in 2002. Creighton owns the most MVC Tournament titles, 10, of any Valley school, its last coming in 2007.

2009 State Farm Insurance Missouri Valley Conference Tournament

Thursday, March 5 -- Session I [No Television]
Game 1 -- #8 Drake (17-14, 7-11) vs. #9 Indiana State (10-20, 7-11), 6 p.m. [Sirius XM Satellite Radio]
Game 2 -- #7 Wichita State (15-15, 8-10) vs. #10 Missouri State (11-19, 3-15), 8:30 p.m. [Sirius XM Satellite Radio]

Friday, March 6 -- Session II
Game 3 -- #1 UNI (20-10, 14-4) vs. Winner Game 1, noon [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]
Game 4 -- #4 Bradley (17-13, 10-8) vs. #5 Southern Illinois (13-17, 8-10), 2:30 p.m. [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]

Friday, March 6 -- Session III
Game 5 -- #2 Creighton (25-6, 14-4) vs. Winner of Game 2, 6 p.m. [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]
Game 6 -- #3 Illinois State (22-8, 11-7) vs. #6 Evansville (17-12, 8-10), 8:30 p.m. [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]

Saturday, March 7 -- Session IV
Game 7 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 1:30 p.m. [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]
Game 8 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 4 p.m. [MVC TV Network, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]

Sunday, March 8 -- Session V
Championship -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 1 p.m. [CBS Sports, Sirius XM Satellite Radio]

OVC Tournament Bracket: Men

The field for the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament has been set following the end of regular season play on Saturday.

UT Martin (14-4) claimed the No. 1 seed and its first OVC Championship with a victory over Morehead State on Saturday night. The Skyhawks will host No. 8 seed Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. Austin Peay, Morehead State and Murray State will also host first round tournament games.

All first round games can be seen live on OVCSports.TV. The first round matchups will be played on campus sites on Tuesday, March 3. The semifinals and finals will be held at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. on March 6-7.

First Round - Tuesday, March 3 (Campus Sites)
#8 Tennessee Tech at #1 UT Martin, 7:00 p.m. CT (OVCSports.TV)
#7 Eastern Illinois at #2 Austin Peay, 7:00 p.m. CT (OVCSports.TV)
#6 Tennessee State at #3 Murray State, 7:30 p.m. CT (OVCSports.TV)
#5 Eastern Kentucky at #4 Morehead State, 6:30 p.m. CT (OVCSports.TV)

Semifinals - Friday, March 6 (Sommet Center, Nashville, Tenn.)
Semifinal #1, 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
Semifinal #2, 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

Championship - Saturday, March 7 (Sommet Center, Nashville, Tenn.)
Championship Game, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN2)

Grounded Redhawks

Mercifully the 2008-09 basketball season ends for the Southeast Missouri State men with a ten point loss at Austin Peay.
I have only covered 11 seasons of SEMO basketball but this has to rank as the worst in school history.
The brutality of this past season goes beyond wins and losses. NCAA probe, Head Coach bought out, player arrested and later kicked off team and lack of fan support. Those are just a few "issues" which immediately come to mind...I'm sure I'm forgetting a few but I don't want to ruin the remainder of my evening.

Since making the move to the Division 1 level SEMO has posted four seasons with less than ten victories:
8-19 (1995-95)
6-22 (2001-02)
7-20 (2005-06)
3-27 (2008-09)

Click on the picture below for a look at results from the season)

I honestly hope this "rock bottom" for the men's program so there is nowhere to go but up.

OVC Tournament Bracket: Women

The 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament field is set. Murray State won its first OVC regular-season crown and the top seed. Eastern Illinois earned the second spot while Tennessee State and Morehead State round out the top four. Austin Peay is the fifth seed followed by Southeast Missouri, Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State.

First round games take place on Tuesday at the campus sites of the top four seeds while the semifinals and finals will be on Friday and Saturday, respectively, in Nashville.

The entire tourney is available on OVCSports.TV and the Championship game will be televised on KFVS 12.

2009 OVC Women's Basketball Tournament Schedule

TUESDAY, MARCH 4 – FIRST ROUNDS – CAMPUS SITES
#4 Morehead State vs. #5 Austin Peay – 4:30 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
#1 Murray State vs. #8 Jacksonville State – 5:15p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
#2 Eastern Illinois vs. #7 Tennessee Tech – 7:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
#3 Tennessee State vs. #6 Southeast Missouri – 7:00 p.m.(OVCSports.TV)

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 – SEMIFINALS – SOMMET CENTER – NASHVILLE, TN
Semifinal 1 – 12:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)
Semifinal 2 – 2:00 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 – CHAMPIONSHIP – SOMMET CENTER – NASHVILLE, TN
Championship – 3:00 p.m (Live on OVCSports.TV, KFVS, WCTE, WJIX, WEIU and Delayed on CSS on March 8 at 10 a.m. CT)

Chiefs Make Trade: Upgrade

The Kansas City Chiefs make a move they hope solidifies their need at quarterback by aquiring Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots. Also in the deal veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel. All it cost the Chiefs is their 2nd round draft choice in the upcoming first year player draft.

Cassel had been the backup in New England when Tom Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, was injured minutes into last season's opener.
Cassel hadn't started a game since high school but helped lead the Patriots to an 11-5 record. It wasn't, however, good enough for a playoff berth.

Brady has suffered setbacks in his return from a torn ligaments in his knee, including a second operation to fight an infection. The Patriots tagged Cassel as their franchise player, meaning they
would have to pay him $14.5 million to keep him on the roster as insurance.

Matt Cassel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe could create a lot of headaches for opposing defenses. I think it is a great trade for KC.

My Debut...Oh boy.

My mom always told me to tell the truth...So here is the truth. I'm scared, nervous and somewhat excited at the same time. Why?

Tonight I get the play the part of "color guy" for the KFVS12.com Webcast of the Sikeston vs Perryville Class 4 District 1 baseketball tournament game. KFVS 12 Sports Director Todd Richards will handle play-by-play duties.

I grew up dreaming of joining Hall Of Famer Marty Brennaman as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds, but somewhere only the road of life I took a detour. I fell in love with TV and bypassed radio.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for game broadcasters (radio and tv). Tonight I carefully walk into the world paved by the greats... John Miller, Vin Scully, Marty Brennaman and Jack Buck.
Not in my wildest dreams do I think I will ever be on their level or even on the same planet as those golden voices. I only hope I get through tonight and avoid embarrassment.

The best thing to do...Not Speak.

Hope you enjoy the game.

IHSA Wrestling (Murphysboro Red Devils)

I have not forgotten Illinois wrestlers... Murpshysboro High School Athletics Director sent this press release updating the Red Devils.

For the third straight year, the Murphysboro High School Red Devils Wrestling Team will bring home championships from the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Tournament. Congratulations to Head Coach Dan Baker, and assts. Jarrod Karnes, Casey Ancona, and Mark French.

5 Devils advanced and competed at this weekend's tournament at the Assembly Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Michael Rodriguez, Tarek Aldroubi, Deven Tyrone, Jake Miller, and Shea Baker.

Michael, Tarek, and Deven all had their fate decided in the final seconds of their matches. All 3 battled courageously and very easily could have won each match. However, the breaks didn't go their way, on this day. Congratulations to each of these Devils that represented the school and community with much pride and determination.

And the red carpet is rolled out for Jake Miller and Shea Baker:

Jake finished in 3rd place at today's tournament by defeating Andy Smith of Byron by the score of 11-5. The win finishes Jake's season record at, 37-1 (his first loss of the season came in the semi-finals earlier today). Recapping Jake's career, this marks the third straight year he has reached All-State status. His frosh year he was a 1st place state champion, and last year he won the 3rd place championship. Way to Go, Jake!

And then there's Shea Baker. Shea can call himself an IHSA State Champion! By defeating Devon Johnson of Pittsfield by the score of 6-3, Shea is crowned State Champion in the 171 weight class! The win caps a perfect season for Shea as he finished the season at a perfect 36-0! This is also the third straight year that Shea has reached All-State. Last two season's finishing third, and today on Top of the Hill! Job Well Done, Mr. Baker!

Perhaps the best news of all.... the season continues for the Red Devils Wrestlers as the team is in the running for a team championship. Next Tuesday, the team travels to Vandalia to take on Roxana in team competition. With a win on Tuesday night, the team can compete at the state level for a Team Championship!

MSHSAA Wrestling

I must admit by no means do I have a ton of wrestling knowledge. In fact it's pretty limited, I once asked a college wrestler (who just won a national title)... "So what's next, the WWF". I thought he was going to put me in a choke hold.

Despite my naiveté, I have tremendous respect for the athletes, coaches and fans. The support given to the sport is something to salute.

I guess wrestling never caught on with me because it was basically non existent in high schools where I grew up...Out of sight out of mind.

With each wrestling tournament or practice I cover I try to increase my knowledge so one day I can carry on a conversation about the sport with a hardcore fan and not compare it to "professional wrestling".

The heartland has a rich history in the sport and it continued to shine this weekend at the state wrestling tournaments. Congratulations to all involved.

I attached a few graphics with results from Missouri.

If You Build It They Will Come (To The Show-Me-Center)

If you (SEMO) build a winner they (the fans) will come to the Show-Me-Center. Even the most jaded and cynical Redhawks basketball fan would probably agree with me.

I don't think I am off base by any stretch of the imagination. Did you see how packed the Show-Me-Center was last Wednesday night for a pair of high school basketball games? 7,121 filled the arena witnessing one of the best nights of basketball played on the parquet floor in years.

Not every fan in attendance had a rooting interest in the game. Sure the overwhelming majority have a connection to one of the four schools playing (Oran, Saxony Lutheran, Scott County Central, Sikeston), but I talked with many people that night who bought a ticket just to be part of the event and soak-in the atmosphere.

The buzz in the Show-Me-Center that night was not unlike that of the SIU Arena in Carbondale for a Southern Illinois Saluki men's basketball game. I know comparing SIU and SEMO is like comparing watermelons and olives, both are fruit but both compete on different levels. SIU has a larger budget and plays in a more successful conference (the Missouri Valley). Mentioning SIU tends to ruffle the feathers of some in Redhawks Nation. I guess it's an inferiority complex.

Not all that long ago both University's football and men's basketball programs were in the tank.
I won't bore you with the gory numbers (I'm having a good day and don't want to ruin my mood), but trust they were not good. Over the span of a few years Southern Illinois hired AD Paul Kowalczyck, men's basketball coach Bruce Weber and head football coach Jerry Kill...
Southern Illinois continues to thrive.

Southeast Missouri State has produced flashes of greatness unfortunately the flash faded.
During those briefs moments when the planets seemed to align and SEMO was winning football games and contending for a OVC championship in basketball there was ample support for both programs.

Remember the first few years under Gary Garner? The basketball team played home games in front of large (rowdy) crowds. Think back to some of the battles in Cape Girardeau with Murray State...remember the thorns in SEMO's side (Aubrey Reece and De'Teri Mays).

In a nutshell... If new SEMO AD John Schaffer can put the right people into position to lead the basketball team to bigger and better seasons I have no doubt fans will once again pour into the arena which sits a few hundred yards off Sprigg Street.

To quote a longtime D-1 assistant coach familiar with the plight of the Redhawks.
"SEMO is a gold mine....It's the best job in the OVC, I would take that job in heartbeat."

I hope someone soon finds gold. Like me I'm sure most Redhawks fans have the fever for gold and are tired of trying to polish fools gold.

Let The Games Begin!

As a sports fan this is probably my favorite time of the year. I love football but there is something about February, March and April which feeds my hunger. Maybe it's the move from cold temperatures and a shorter amount of daylight to warmer weather and longer days. Heck...Who am I kidding... It's two things! Basketball and baseball!
The cream of the crop from the high school hoops season is rising to the top, the Madness of March is knocking at the door and MLB Spring Training workouts are ready to begin.

Cubs fans are walking around with a smile and the belief ..."this will be the year we win the World Series." That in itself is enough to make my day a little brighter.

There is a freshness in the air...I can close my eyes and smell the cut grass and the spilled stale beer puddled in Bush Stadium. Soon everything will be in perfect harmony.
However the beauty of it all will come crashing down (for me) when the Cincinnati Reds take the field.

[Note to Cubs fans]
Before you e-mail and complain let me say I am much worse than you (Cubs fan)!
Like you, I believe my team can and will win the World Series...But unlike you...My team is not of the caliber of the Cubs. We are the classic example of someone with a champagne taste operating on a beer budget. It's just not a recipe for long term success.

Ok... To the point of this post:
If you love baseball as much as I do you more than likely play some type of fantasy baseball.
So, I invite you to join my (free) league at Yahoo! which I will set-up soon as possible.
Here is the catch... I only have 5 open spots.

To make it fair I will take the first 5 people to send me an e-mail with the following information:

Send it to: cfryman@kfvs12.com

• In the subject copy and paste: Fryman From The Sideline Fantasy Baseball
• Your Name
• Your location (Cape, Jackson, Carbondale, etc.)
• Your e-mail address

If you do not have an account with Yahoo! you'll need to create one...No worries it's free.

There are usually 12 teams in the league and I set it up as an automatic draft. I would love to do a "live" draft but coordinating something that massive would be tough.

To the winner I can offer only bragging rites and a congratulation on the air during a future sportscast.

Get Ready For A Packed Show-Me-Center

Here is the official press release sent out from KFVS 12 concerning Wednesday nights doubleheader of basketball at the Show-Me-Center.
I can't wait to take in the atmosphere...should be electrifying!
--- --- --- ---

KFVS12.com WebCast to Feature Doubleheader

Saxony vs. Oran – Scott County Central vs. Sikeston

(Cape Girardeau) The most anticipated game of the year is sold out but fans who didn’t get a ticket can still see the game LIVE. The KFVS12.com WebCast is scheduled to feature the marquee high school doubleheader this Wednesday night live from the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The matchups are:

· Saxony Lutheran vs. Oran – 6:00 p.m.
· Scott County Central vs. Sikeston – 7:30 p.m.

The multi-camera WebCasts will be presented live around the world at KFVS12.com, and then archived on the web site for users to watch at their convenience. Both the live presentation and the archived version will be available free of charge. The archived version will be posted shortly after the end of event coverage.
Announcing the games will be KFVS12 Sports Director Todd Richards. Joining Richards will be former KFVS12 Sports Director Randy Ray.
“Fans have been waiting more than 35 years to see the late game of the doubleheader,” said Richards. “If some of them didn’t get a ticket, we hope they join us for all the action from both games.”
Since the KFVS12.com WebCast premiered in the fall of 2007, the free on-line video presentation has featured nearly 100 regional events including local high school and college football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball events, along with softball, parades, and local ceremonies.
“These games have been talked about for weeks and we’re thrilled to be able to WebCast these regional matchups,” said Paul Keener, Director of Marketing for KFVS12. “We want to thank Mitch Wood of Oran, along with the other athletic directors involved for helping to make this happen.”
Sponsors for the Wednesday night WebCasts are McLard’s Automotive, Missouri Delta Medical Center, Charter Communications, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Animal Health Center, and the Show Me Center.
“The WebCast continues to establish itself as the premiere on-line source for local events,” said Mike Smythe, Vice President and General Manager for KFVS12. “We want to thank our sponsors for helping to make them possible.”
“This is a great chance for out of town fans, friends, family, and alumni to see these games that would not be able to enjoy them otherwise,” added Keener. “And we think the players, coaches, and parents will enjoy watching on-demand when it’s convenient for them.”
In an exclusive arrangement with Raycom Media, Inc., parent company of KFVS12, the station will stream full coverage, multi-camera events live at www.kfvs12.com. The content will also be archived for on-demand viewing following the end of event coverage. All WebCast content will be available free of charge.
KFVS12 is the CBS Network affiliate serving the Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Harrisburg television market, and is a free broadcast service of Raycom Media, Inc. KFVS12 also operates The Heartland’s CW (WQWQ-TV), KFVS12.com, and The StormTeam Weather Network.

Games Will Be Webcast On KFVS12.com

Just got official word the upcoming Sikeston vs Scott County Central and Saxony Lutheran vs Oran games at the Show-Me-Center WILL be webast on KFVS12.com.

I figured once the event was sold out KFVS would get the "ok" to feature the games on our website.

If you don't have a ticket to the games just cozy up to the computer and enjoy them for "free".

Food for thought: Imagine what the Show-Me-Center would be like if the Southeast Missouri State Men's basketball team consistantly won games! The selling-out of the two high school games proves to me area basketball fans are hungry for a winner and would support the Redhawks.

However, I don't understand why the arena is nearly empty when the Redhawk women play. They win games and play good basketball.

If I was a paying fan I would rather watch the women play...then call it a night.

SOLD OUT: Sikeston vs Scott County Central

Just got this press release from the Show Me Center concerning next weeks twin bill at the arena (Scott County Central vs Sikeston and Oran vs Saxony Lutheran).
The Game is SOLD OUT!
I wouldn't be surprised if KFVS is given the "green light" to webcast the event.
--- --- ---
February 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL v. SIKESTON / ORAN v. SAXONY LUTHERAN BASKETBALL SOLD OUT!

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Anticipation for the upcoming meeting between Scott County Central and Sikeston, the first meeting of the two schools in over 38 years, has finally hit near-fever pitch. As of 12:10 PM today, tickets for the February 11th game are officially sold out. Fans and students are encouraged to check out www.showmecenter.biz/blog to watch the countdown and speak with other fans about the upcoming match up.

FEBRUARY 11 – SHOW ME CENTER
Doors will open at 5:00 PM
Saxony Lutheran v. Oran at 6:00 PM
Scott County Central v. Sikeston at 7:30 PM

Stay tuned to for more information. http://www.showmecenter.biz/

Super Bowl XLIII Delivers Excitement

Even though Super Bowl XLIII did not end as I hoped (an Arizona victory) it was a great game to watch.

Pittsburgh 27
Arizona 23

I heard NBC Announcer Al Michaels ask it Kurt Warner is a Hall of Famer... As I wrote in an earlier post, I say "Yes". Warner did everything you could ask, completing 31 of 43 for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. Unfortunetly the one interception he threw turned out to be a momentum changing 100 yard pick-six by James Harrison. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history.

Another question... Will Kurt Warner return to play next season, will he have to battle Matt Leinart for the starting job in 2009 or will Warner enter as the starter?

I hope Warner returns...I would hate to see him leave the game with his last play being a fumble in the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl Prediction (I Hope Is Wrong)!

If you saw Heartland News at Ten Saturday night (or read my first blog entry) you know which team I hope wins Super Bowl XLIII.... The Arizona Cardinals.

You know I picked Arizona because Mary-Ann Malony asked John Dissauer and I which team will win. Before I could answer Mary-Ann turned to me and said "I know you hate the Steelers." I wish I had more time to say something but the producer was counting down to the end of the newscast..."10..9..8..7..."

It's tough to make a substantial statement in just a few seconds. So, I will "blog" how I wanted to respond last night.
"Mary-Ann, hate is such a strong word.... But in this case it fits. As a Cincinnati Bengals fans it's in my dna to become ill when I see the "Terrible Towel" or hear anyone utter "Pittsburgh Steelers".Since this is a family newscast I won't even mention Kimo von Oellhoffen's cheap shot on the knee of Bengals QB Carson Palmer in the 2005 Wildcard game. That only touches the surface of my dislike for the Steelers. I could go on for hours... But I'll stop."

That would have been an interesting moment at the end of the newscast.

Take a look at the pictures of the hit on Palmer... Looks like a cheap shot to me...you decide.

I want to be clear... Don't take my "hatred" for the Steelers too seriously. I wish no harm to anyone and don't "hate" any of their players. I just like to see the Steelers lose football games. Heck I would love to have Hines Ward wearing Bengals stripes and catching passes from Carson Palmer... and I might even welcome Kimo von Oelhoffen (a former Bengal) back to the team if I thought he might help the defense.

This is why sports are great....They give fans an outlet to release frustration in a healthy manner. Unfortunelty some take their "hatred" to and extreme (fan-on-fan violence, etc.)
I experienced fan-on-fan violence first hand... or should I say first fist, while in college. I'lll save that story for another entry.

Ok...If you made it though my ramble.... Here is my Super Bowl XLIII pick (I Hope Is Wrong):
Pittsburgh 31
Arizona 28

What's your prediction?