The Sad Saga of the Chicago "DL Duo"

Chicago Cubs head coach Lou Pinella named Wade Miller the team's fifth starter, ending any discussion of Mark Prior making the opening day roster, while Kerry Wood is already on the DL

It has been three tumultuous years since the Cubs were only five outs away from a World Series berth. Mark Prior was on the mound for game six and if that wasn't enough, fellow ace Kerry Wood was geared up for game seven. The Cubs would prove the curse's existence losing to the Florida Marlins as well as their aces of the future, Prior and Wood.

Now, as the 2007 season approaches, the circus that has become Mark Prior and Kerry Wood continues on with a full head of steam. Prior will start the season in the minors, while Wood is working on setting the record for number of times on the designated list (DL), this being his 10th time.

Meanwhile, another pitcher recovering from injury, Wade Miller has looked exceptional this spring. Miller is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in five starts, including a solid performance against the San Francisco Giants this past Saturday going five innings, striking out five, and giving up no runs. Miller had shoulder surgery back in 2005 with the Boston Red Sox and pitched in five games last year for the Cubs going 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA.

However, it is Miller who will be able to show is worth to start the season while Mark Prior will have plenty of time to think about his mechanics or why he and Wood have become the biggest weaklings in baseball.

It is hard to believe that since 2003 the "DL Duo" has combined for a meaningless 30 wins, Prior has 18, while Wood only has 12. In 2003 alone, Prior went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and struck out 245, while Wood finished at 14-11 with a 3.20 ERA and 266 strikeouts. It was more Wood than Prior that displayed their dominance in the postseason that year as Wood almost single handily took down the Atlanta Braves in the divisional series.

However, today's Chicago Cubs prepared themselves by spending close to $300 million so that Wood and Prior's health would not affect the ball club. The Cubs went out and signed lefty Ted Lilly and former Cardinal Jason Marquis, who will be in the second and third spots of the rotation. The fourth is lefty Rich Hill, and of course the ace is Carlos Zambrano.

In the end, the start to this season is just another headline in the sad saga that is the "DL Duo." You can say they are cursed with bad luck or they don't take care of themselves off the field, but in the end neither of that matters because neither will be on the opening day roster. It is Wade Miller's spot to lose to Mark Prior, but don't bet on it. Miller's numbers this spring have been head and shoulders above Prior, while Wood can't seem to get out of his own way.

After this season, it is time to say goodbye to what was supposed to be the future of the Cubs only three years ago. The story of the "DL Duo" is a tragedy through and through. However, for all Cubs fans, let's hope for the best with whatever they can deliver this year.

It's been 98 years since the Cubs won a World Series, so it's safe to say, hope is all we got.

A Final Four Battle for the Ages: Ohio State vs. Georgetown

Oden vs. Hibbert, Lewis vs. Green, Conley Jr vs. Sapp, Butler vs. Wallace and all the role players in between

It has turned into a heavyweight battle. Strength against strength, height versus height, and confidence throughout. The eyes of a nation will be focused on the opening tip when freshmen sensation Greg Oden at 7-0, 280 pounds stands toe-to-toe with junior beast Roy Hibbert 7-2, 278 pounds.

The paint will shrink to almost nothing when both these two are on the court; however, players like Jeff Green, Jessie Sapp, and Dajaun Summers will take their shots at Oden for Georgetown, while Ron Lewis, Mike Conley Jr., and David Lighty will show no fear in driving against Hibbert. The match-ups are incredible with all key players playing at all-time highs. Therefore, don't be surprised when this game comes down not to the giants patrolling the lane, but the slashers, offensive leaders, and 3-point specialists.

The match-up of Jeff Green versus Ron Lewis is one of great intrigue. The 6-9 Jeff Green has the versatility to guard the 6-4 Lewis on the perimeter and inside. Green displayed his versatility against North Carolina were on consecutive possessions he guarded center Tyler Hansbrough, forward Rayshawn Terry, and speedy point guard Ty Lawson. Lewis will not be guarding Green, but it will be their production offensively that could prove to be the difference maker.

Another key match-up is between the two stellar point guards, Ohio State's speed-demon Mike Conley Jr. and Georgetown's physical Jessie Sapp. Conley Jr.'s play throughout the tournament has rightfully given him the title of "Best Point Guard in the Country." His ability to drive the lane, sick dishes, changes in tempo, and overall poise have been displayed throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Sapp showed he is no slouch whatsoever when he shut down freshmen star Ty Lawson to the tune of five points on 2-9 shooting and forced him into five turnovers. Sapp also had the energy to tally 15 points and eight assists in the Hoyas victory over UNC Sunday. This match-up will also play huge dividends for whichever team gets the most production.

Another match-up features the main 3-point specialists for each team, Buckeyes' Jamaar Butler and the Hoyas' Jonathan Wallace. Butler responded admirably to his disappointing performance against Tennessee in which he netted only three points by dropping 12 points and four assists against Memphis. However, it was Wallace's clutch 3-point shot that brought the Hoyas all the way back from 11 down against UNC to tie it at 81 with 31 seconds remaining. That shot proved to be the deciding factor as the Hoyas blasted UNC 15-3 in overtime and cruised to a 96-84 victory. Wallace finished with 19 points and seven assists, while remaining one of the most accurate overall shooters in Division I basketball this year. Whichever guard gets going early from distance will enable Oden or Hibbert to work more freely inside.

The final match-up features role players versus role players, and there are plenty of them. The Buckeyes' possess two super freshmen in Daquan Cook and high-riser David Lighty, while the Hoyas' boast freshmen talent Dajaun Summers and junior garbage man Patrick Ewing Jr. All four of these players will have an impact on the game, but whether it is negative or positive is the difference. All four players had positive impacts on their teams in the the elite eight match-ups so expect the same trend to continue.

However, it is Dajaun Summers that stands out the most of these role players. Summers dropped 20 points and snatched six boards against an extremely athletic UNC front line, after tallying 15 points and seven rebounds against Vanderbilt. If Summers becomes the third scoring threat and scores in double-digits the Hoyas will be unbeatable. It will be up to Lighty and Cook to use their athleticism to control Summers and Ewing Jr. on the glass, inside, and on the perimeter.

Yet in the end, all eyes will return to the talented big men on the inside, Oden and Hibbert. Their presence alone as caused tons of shots to be altered, while their emphatic blocks make the opponent think twice about driving to the hole. Both have been in foul trouble throughout the tournament, so it may easily come down to whoever is able to avoid those silly fouls.

Regardless, this Final Four match-up is not just about Ohio State-Georgetown, it has so many more dimensions. There will be an incredible amount of young talent on the floor with Ron Lewis being the only senior to see significant action. Freshmen's Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr, and Dajaun Summers will have immediate impacts on the game, while upperclassmen Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, and Ron Lewis will display leadership to the youngsters.

However, when the final buzzer sounds, it will be Greg Oden's dominance, Ron Lewis' clutch play, Mike Conley Jr's brilliance, and the role players' consistent play that will propel the Buckeyes to the national championship game on April 2.

The only question left is who will claim victory in the night cap in a rematch of last year's championship game between Florida and UCLA to face the Buckeyes?

Ohio State Buckeyes are Cool Customers, But Ron Lewis is the Coolest

Buckeyes finish game nailing 20 straight free throws, while making 35-41 overall

A free throw is supposed to be the easiest means to score in basketball. Every player has practiced the simple shot hundreds of times, yet it is never a given. In those mere 15 feet, the result of that free throw can make or break a game or even a season.

For the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU), the charity stripe lived up to its name Saturday against Memphis. The Buckeyes calmly and collectively drained 20 straight free throws to turn a close game into a blow-out, 92-76. They finished the game drilling 35-41 overall, which figures out to an impressive 85 percent enabling them to advance to Atlanta for the Final Four. For being an incredibly young team, OSU displayed the poise of grizzled veterans at the foul line.

Despite all the attention Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. receive, it has been senior guard Ron Lewis who keeps displaying the leadership and cool demeanor needed to advance to the Final Four. Lewis has hit all 21 of his free throw attempts in the tournament including going 10-10 against Memphis and 7-7 against Xavier.

It is clear that Ron "Cool" Lewis knows a thing or two about remaining calm following his miraculous three against Xavier that tied the game with two seconds remaining enabling OSU to squeak by in overtime. Lewis has jumped into the spotlight with his deadly scoring prowess. He has now tallied 22, 25, and 27 points in three consecutive NCAA tournament games including saving the Buckeyes season. Lewis also helped OSU erase a 17-point halftime deficit against Tennessee by dropping 18 of his 25 in the second half.

Oden and Conley Jr deserve all the praise in the world for their dominating play. Conley Jr. has solidified his claim as the best point guard in the country as a freshmen, while he plays with soon-to-be No.1 overall NBA pick Greg Oden. Oden's praise came long before the tournament began, but it has been Lewis game in and game out who has not let the Buckeyes' national championship hopes die.

Having only averaged 12.8 points a game during the regular season, Lewis' stretch of three games really extends to his last eight. He has averaged close to 19 points per over that stretch with all eight being in double-digits. Expect the streak to continue when Ohio State takes on the feisty Georgetown Hoyas this Saturday at 6:07ET.

Lewis has done exactly what Tyrus Thomas of the Chicago Bulls did at this time last year playing for LSU, improve draft value. Now, Lewis will not by any means be a lottery pick, but he has darted up the draft board from a likely early second-round pick to a late first-round one.

That kind of rise will mean millions of dollars for Mr. Lewis. Not all players are capable of handling the spotlight of March Madness, but Ron "Cool" Lewis has done more than handle it. He has become a star.

Big Ten Gains One Coach, Loses Another

On Thursday, Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith bolted for Minnesota, while Iowa head coach Steve Alford departed for New Mexico

After having a weekend to think over the coaching moves done by Tubby Smith and Steve Alford, I am still left in a state of confusion and surprise.

Both coaches suffered from having to fill the shoes of coaching legends, Rick Pitino and Dr. Tom Davis. However, it can be argued that Tubby Smith did fulfill expectations by taking Kentucky to 10 NCAA appearances in his 10-year tenure, while winning a national championship in 1998. Steve Alford on the other hand failed immensely. Alford took Iowa to only three NCAA appearances in eight years, while going 1-4 in those games including the unforgettable 2006 exit to Northwestern State on a miraculous three-point shot as time expired.

Looking at the basketball programs of Kentucky and Iowa there is a great difference in tradition. Kentucky is and will always be a basketball school, while Iowa as emerged in the last five years as a football dominated institution. Therefore, it is fair to say that Tubby Smith simply wanted to part ways as he saw fit.

The Wildcats went 22-12 overall and 9-7 in SEC play this year, while getting knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the second-round to an extremely talented Kansas Jayhawk squad. Yet despite what many would consider a solid, respectable season, it simply does not cut it in Kentucky. The Wildcats storied tradition dates back to the great Adolph Rupp and his four NCAA tournament championships (1948, '49, '51, and '58). However, that was in an era that was white-dominated. Today's college basketball is a distant memory of those days in which African-Americans now dominate.

The true situation with Tubby Smith is that he was never given a fair shot having to fulfill the shoes of Rick Pitino and even the late, great Adolph Rupp. Smith did win a national championship in 1998, but that was Kentucky's last final four appearance and over the last 10 years their recruiting as suffered greatly.

However, it is not the fact that Tubby Smith left Kentucky with four years remaining on his contract that surprises me because he was a lame duck anyway. It is the fact that he left to coach a Gopher program that has had minimal basketball success since the Bobby Jackson era and the 1996-97 season. That was a magical year for Gopher basketball in which they reached the Final Four only to lose ironically to Kentucky. Minnesota finished 31-4 and ranked third in both the final AP and USA Today polls.

Yet today's picture of Gopher basketball is bleak. Minnesota is coming off a dismal 9-22 season, while going 3-13 in a weak Big Ten. Hopefully for Gopher fans the seven-year $12.6 million contract sent Smith's way will change the nature of the program in the coming years.

But being a realist I do not see that happening anytime soon. The Big Ten got a great addition to the conference in a head coach like Tubby Smith, but Minnesota Golden Gopher basketball is a few years away from being a contender.

Iowa on the other hand, was a contender only a season ago in which they finished 25-9 before exiting in only a way the Hawkeyes can.

It was and still is a heart-breaking 64-63 lost to Northwestern State in the first-round of the NCAA tournament. After rolling through the Big Ten tournament, Iowa wound up with a great three seed. Yet, even with all that momentum and a senior-laden team, head coach Steve Alford's legacy was written with that disappointing meltdown. The Hawkeyes were up 16 with less than eight minutes to play before completely falling a part.

With that loss, Steve Alford's best team had fallen victim to the upset special of the NCAA tourney. His NCAA record fell to 1-4 in three appearances. Getting only one first-round victory in three appearances is downright pathetic. Therefore, like Tubby Smith, Alford was a lame duck after going 17-14 overall and 9-7 in the Big Ten this season. Alford had simply made too many enemies within the Iowa community for his ego to continue to stay.

Upon signing on to become the new head coach at New Mexico, Alford cited two reasons as to why he was leaving: a new challenge and a school that put basketball first. Now, when taken together those two reasons make Alford look like a complete moron. Making Iowa a more predominant basketball school is a challenge in itself, and if I'm not mistaken in his eight-year tenure Alford accomplished a whole lot of nothing. Yes, he did have seven-straight winning seasons, but none of those proved to be anything more than a nice regular season followed by a dismal post-season.

In Alford's case, he also had huge shoes to fill in Dr. Tom Davis, but the constant distractions of the Indiana job, off-court issues with Pierre Pierce, no NCAA success, and Alford's inability to fit into the Iowa community doomed him.

As a Hawkeye, all I have to say is good luck in New Mexico Steve, you're going to need it.