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It's finally time. Time for every single NCAA basketball fan to hide their phone under their desk so their boss (or teacher in the case of us at RationalFanz) doesn't catch them watching the games. Of course, everybody loves a good tourney filled with upsets (see 2011 Butler and VCU), and it's heartbreaking when your team falls, but exactly which teams can become the classic Cinderella and crash the big dance?
EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES (13 seed, South Region) Eastern Washington resembles Wisconsin just a smidge in that the Eagles rely heavily on their offensive game (80.8 PPG) and their defense is nowhere to be found (73.6 PPGA). Those two numbers are good for first in PPG, but last in PPGA of the 68 tourney teams. Eastern Washington's pairing in the round of 64, a tourney opener against an overrated Georgetown, is the prefect starting point to kick off their run for the trophy. BYU COUGARS (11 seed, West Region) BYU is a team who has some huge wins this season, and also some big losses. The Cougars have struggled this season, mainly at the beginning, but they've roared back (no pun intended) by ending their season 8-2, including handing Gonzaga their second loss of the year. They joined Arizona as the only other team to beat the Zags this year. The one downfall to the Cougars is their losses to bad teams such as St. Mary's, Pepperdine TWICE, San Diego.... you get the idea. At any rate, the Cougars have the best potential of any double-digit ranked team to run the table. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN LUMBERJACKS (12 seed, South Region) The team who came into the 2014 tourney as a 12-seed and knocked out VCU has the same potential one-year later. The Lumberjacks are easily the most selfless team in the entire tourney, averaging 17.8 assists per game, and that could mean defensive nightmares for teams. When a team averages nearly 17 assists per game, that means that there's usually a guy open. Therefore, the opposing team needs to lock down on D, keep the Jacks to a passing minimum and boom, game over, SF Austin is knocked out. But wait a sec, it's not that easy. SF Austin's leading scorer is Thomas Walkup, at 15.7 points per game, and their second-leading scorer is Jacob Parker at 14.1 PPG. Both of those guys can rattle off 20 point games at any given moment, and the balanced scoring attack is how the Jacks can go far. TEXAS LONGHORNS (11 seed, Midwest Region) I don't really consider the Longhorns that big of an underdog, but since they were "awarded" an 11-seed, I'll put 'em on here. The Longhorns started the season on a good note, winning all of their cakewalk games along with a 71-57 beatdown of Iowa. The Horns' only loss in their first 11 games was against Kentucky, and we all know how Kentucky is... Texas followed up their victory over Long Beach State with an atrocious loss at home against Stanford. Everything fell apart for the Horns from their, who proceeded to go 8-10 in the Big 12 along with 2 losses to 9-seed Oklahoma State, who I feel got way overranked. Nonetheless, Texas managed to rein in the runaway train at least a little, and after taking Iowa State to the wire, they are ready to make a splash for revenge. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (10 seed, West Region) Ohio State is one of many teams this year who I feel got underrranked. For example, Oklahoma (22-10, 12-6 Big 12) was granted a 3-seed, but 23-10, 11-7 Ohio State was given a 10-seed. Does one game difference really mean a 7-seed gap? Probably not, but being a 10 gives OSU that much more of an opportunity for upsets. The Buckeyes lack a good win against opponents outside the BIG 10 and some of their losses in conference are simply embarrassing. The huge bright spot for the Buckeyes is obviously D'Angelo Russell. The fabulous freshman is averaging 19.3 PPG and has the skill set to go off for a huge game. The bottom line for Ohio State is how well Russell plays. In 7 of the Buckeyes losses, Russell has scored less than his season average. So goes Russell, so goes the team. If D'Angelo plays like his potential, OSU can make a deep tourney run. HONORABLE MENTIONS: DAYTON FLYERS, VALPARAISO CRUSADERS, BELMONT BRUINS, BUFFALO BULLS, UC IRVINE ANTEATERS So put the finishing touches on your bracket and get it in! Make sure you pick enough upsets to appease the basketball gods. 1. The Jets will run mainly the single wing formation- In 2014, the Jets passed for 2946 yards. That might have been good in 1962, but those aren't exactly stellar numbers today. Geno Smith staked his claim for worst quarterback in the NFL, right behind Michael Vick (also of the Jets), and right above Ryan Leaf, formerly of the San Diego Chargers, and most recently a member of the Great Falls, Montana Prison Sand Lot football team. There is a bright spot, however. In 2014, the Jets ranked 3rd in rushing with 2280 yards. I predict that next year the Jets will abandon the concept of the quarterback and run the single wing formation.
2.The Seahawks will miss the Playoffs- Russell Wilson will get paid this offseason, and rightfully so. If Colin Kaepernick can get a QB megadeal, then so can Wilson. However, if Wilson does get paid the money he deserves, then the Seahawks will fall apart. Free agents like Kevin Williams and Marshawn Lynch will chase the money and take their talents elsewhere. The Patriots demonstrated in the Super Bowl that the "Legion of Boom" can be easily beaten given the right matchups. The Seahawks will go 10-6 and miss the playoffs in a tightly contested NFC. 3.The Bills will win the AFC East- With Kyle Orton retiring and EJ Manuel a questionable alternative, the Bills 2015 season seems in doubt. However, with the signing of Rex Ryan as head coach, the Bills could be an exceptional team. Ryan is going to stress the importance of defense, and the Bills have a suffocating one. With pieces like Mario Williams and Leodis McKelvin already in place, the Bills won't have to worry about that side of the ball. I believe that EJ Manuel will do a decent enough job of managing the game, and the one-two punch of CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson will give them just enough offense to go 11-5 and win the AFC East. 4.Jay Cutler will revive his career... in Cleveland- Nearly every sports fan in the Midwest feels like "quarterback" is a dirty word (that is, except for Colts fans). The Bears and the Browns are two of the most unfortunate teams when it comes to signal-callers. (Rex Grossman, Tim Couch, need I say more?). Johnny Manziel of the Browns turned out to be nothing more than Johnny Jersey Sales, and Jay Cutler has been a turnover machine since he joined the Bears in 2009. I predict that the Browns will sign Brian Hoyer and do a wholesale QB for QB trade with the Bears for Jay Cutler. Jay Cutler will be refreshed in his new role as the low expectations quarterback on a team that is synonymous with failure. Cutler will finally display mechanics on par with his arm strength and lead the Browns to a 10-6 record and a playoff spot. The Bears, on the other hand, they'll be as dissatisfied with Hoyer as they were with Cutler and finish in the bottom half of the NFC. 5.Four quarterbacks will throw for 5,000 yards... and none of them will be Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning- 2014 saw some amazing feats from the QB position. Big Ben threw for 6 touchdowns in two straight games, Aaron Rodgers threw 6 touchdowns in one half against the Bears, and Andrew Luck became the eight quarterback to throw for 40 touchdowns in a season. Oddly enough, however, no one threw for 5,000 yards. That won't be the case next year. I predict that Andrew Luck of the Colts, Matthew Stafford of the Lions, Ryan Tannehill of the Dolphins, and Eli Manning of the Giants will all throw for 5,000 yards. Andrew Luck had a breakout season last year, putting up 4,761 yards. With weapons like T.Y. Hilton and Dwayne Allen, Luck will only continue to improve. Matthew Stafford has already thrown for 5,00 yards (5,038 in 2011). He threw for 4,257 yards in 2014 despite what seemed to be a decline in the Lions offense. With Golden Tate emerging as a star and Calvin Johnson still as big and athletic as ever, Stafford will eclipse the 5,000 yard mark. Tannehill is the wildcard here. He took a big step forward in 2014, throwing for 4,045 yards. Mike Wallace will finally deliver on his huge free agent contract and Brian Hartline staying a consistent receiving threat, Tannehill will have a huge breakout season and throw for 5,000 yards. People don't realize that Eli Manning had a really good season in 2014. He threw for 4,410 yards, even though his team was awful. In a last ditch effort to save his career in New York, (and with a little help from Odell Beckham Jr.), Eli will eclipse the 5,000 yard mark for the first time in his career. 6.The Colts will face the Lions in the Super Bowl- Yes, you read that right. Colts and Lions. Here's why: Colts- Everyone can agree that Andrew Luck is outstanding. After just three years, he is already one of the best QB's in the league. What has held the Colts back has been their running game and their defense. They should be able to draft a quality running back outside of the first round (Jeremy Langford perhaps). They already have talent like Vontae Davis, D'Qwell Jackson, and Jerell Freeman on the defensive side, they just need to put it all together and consistently play like a solid defense, not up and down like last season. All in all, I think the Colts will go 12-4, finally beat the Patriots, and end up in Super Bowl 50. Lions- If we learned anything from the Lions last year, it's that they can still win without Matthew Stafford throwing for a ton of yards. Their defense was suffocating, but when their defense did lapse, they struggled to produce the offense they needed to win. That will change next year. Matthew Stafford will return to his 2011 form and lead an explosive pass offense that will be one of the four best in the league. If the Lions resign Ndamukong Suh, they will have a dominate front seven that will catapult the Lions to a 12-4 record and a Super Bowl 50 berth. The All Star game has come and gone and now teams have started playing the last 30 or so games of their season, either gearing up for the playoffs or trying to salvage what they can out of a lost season. There are many predictions to be made for the final part of the season including playoff position, award races, and whether the Knicks will get to 20 wins. So let's get to them. 1. THE CAVS WILL NOT MAKE IT TO THE FINALS- sorry band-wagoners but Lebron can't always lead his team to the promise land. Well, at least not this year. The Cavs have been playing well as of late, but when it comes to playoff time, they will lack the experience together as a team that is needed to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy (see last years Spurs if you're confused). 2. A GUARD WILL WIN THE MVP AWARD- the West is stacked. Not only are the teams stacked but it contains most of the top ten players in the entire league, including three guards who are MVP candidates. Steph Curry is hot off winning the three-point contest, Russell Westbrook won the MVP award in the All-Star game with an astonishing 41 points in 26 minutes, and James Harden, well, lets just say every defense in the NBA fears the beard. Barring injuries, if one of these players does not win the MVP award, everyone here at Rational Fanz will be utterly shocked. 3. THE BULLS WILL FIGHT THROUGH IT ALL AND MAKE IT TO THE FINALS- here's where you all begin to hate me, but yes I do believe the Bulls will be in the Finals come June. They had two All Stars this season, and they weren't even named Derrick Rose or Joakim Noah. Jimmy Butler is finally turning into the stud that he has always seemed like and will most likely win Most Improved Player award this year. Pau Gasol is being tracked down by Indiana Jones so that he can tell him where the fountain of youth is in Chicago, because Gasol is having one of the best seasons he's ever had and he's 34. Joakim Noah is returning from a knee surgery this off season and is looking better every game. Derrick Rose may be back during playoff time but whether he is or not the Bulls will continue to fight. Thibedeau is one of the best coaches in the league and always gets the best out of his players, especially during hardships like this. Not to mention the Bulls' bench is as deep as the Mariana Trench, ( The deepest part of the ocean in the world for those of you who are somewhat illiterate) with Doug McDermott, last year's NCAA Player of the Year, at the very end of it. The East is weak, and Chicago has always proven that they will fight no matter what.
![]() Fantasy baseball draft season is finally here. Get out your cheat sheets a pad and paper and start taking notes, as we break down which fantasy players you must get. Note these players are pretty high on most peoples draft boards so I cannot guarantee you will be able to get all players. 1. Jose Abreu: Chicago White Sox, 1B- Jose Abreu is an absolute hitting machine he finished with 36 homers last seasons along with 107 RBI's to go with his .317 batting average. He should be right near the top again this year.... barring any injuries. 2. Andrew McCutchen: Pittsburgh Pirates, CF- McCutchen may not have the numbers of a Jose Abreu type player but his consistency is what makes me put him on here. Week in and week out you know you will get an all star player who performs. 3. Miguel Cabrera: Detroit Tigers, 1B- Miguel is coming fresh off his ankle injury last season which tampered his outlook for this upcoming season, if you have a late first round pick don't hesitate to take him. He should return to his 2013 MVP form this season 4. Madison Bumgarner: San Francisco Giants, P- Last season Bumgarner posted a career high in strikeouts, wins, and walk rate this is all before he had a remarkable postseason pitching a whopping 57 innnings. Bumgarner will be a serious threat this year for the CY Young award. 5. Evan Longoria: Tampa Bay Tays, 3B- Longoria had a bit of a down season last year, he had only 22 home runs with a .404 slugging percentage a career low. He did play in all 162 games though. This season should be much different for Longoria I expect him to blast at least 30 homers this season as he pushes himself to the top of fantasy baseball. 6. Chris Sale: Chicago White Sox, P- Chris Sale is a great pitcher. Last season he posted excellent numbers, a 2.17 ERA along with a 10.76 K/9. He only allowed 13 homers in 174 innings. Sale is one of the pitchers you must have. 7. Anthony Rizzo: Chicago Cubs, 1B- Rizzo had some fantastic numbers last year finishing with 32 homers 78 RBI's and a .286 batting average. He unloaded on right handers with a .928 OPS while his struggle with lefties was a little bump in his stats. He should be an all star fantasy prospect this season. 8. Jose Altuve: Houston Astros, 2B-Jose Altuve has the speed of a cheetah when running. He stole a whooping 59 while only getting caught stealing 9 times. He also lead the league in batting average last season at an insane .341 he is a top prospect this season. 8+1. Yasiel Puig: Los Angeles Dodgers, OF- Yasiel Puig is just a fantasy all star. He should be taken top 10 in any league, if you really want him you should take a chance take him higher. |
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