Selection Sunday

Today is the big day. Several conference championships (SEC, ACC, Atlantic-10, Big 10) are today with guarantee berths on the line. Be sure to watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show at 6 PM ET (5 CT) on CBS, and then come back here for a printable bracket/analysis.

Houston Cougars: Tournament Bound

For the first time in 18 years, the Houston Cougars will play in the NCAA Tournament. Houston defeated #25 UTEP today 81-73 in the Conference USA Championship to earn an automatic bid into the Big Dance for the first time since the 1992 season. With the nation's leading scorer, Aubrey Coleman struggling all afternoon, senior guard Kelvin Lewis stepped up for 28 points, on a sizzling 11 of 15 shooting to snap UTEP's 16 game winning streak. For Houston coach Tom Penders, history was also made as he became only the 8th coach to take four different schools to the NCAA tournament. "We're dancin', we're dancin', " said Penders, in his sixth season as coach of the Cougars. "I may be dancin' a little slower than I was the last time I went, but we're dancin'." UTEP, which will still probably make the tournament, was led Randy Culpepper, who had 20 points.

#1 Falls Again

The Louisville Cardinals, playing their final home game at historic Freedom Hall, closed it off with a huge win, upsetting #1 Syracuse 78-68 today before a record crowd of 20,135. Backup guard Kyle Kuric had 22 points, while senior Edgar Sosa, who is shown above being carried off by fans, added 12 points and 10 assists, for Louisville, which may have clinched a spot in the NCAA tournament with the win. Syracuse, which will still be the #1 seed in next week's Big East tournament were led by Scoop Jardine, who had 20 points.

NFL Free Agency Frenzy

The first day of NFL free agency brought plenty of deals. Here are the major transactions.
Bears Sign Peppers
The Chicago Bears landed the top free agent on the market, signing DE Julius Peppers to six year, $91.5 million dollar deal, with $42 million guaranteed.
Ravens Acquire Boldin
The Baltimore Ravens acquired WR Anquan Boldin and a fifth round pick today from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for third and fourth round picks. In addition, Boldin, who was entering the last year of his contract, agreed to a 3 year, $25 million extension with the Ravens.
Patriots Extend Wilfork
The New England Patriots gave pro-bowl NT Vince Wilfork a 5 year, $40 million extension today, making him the highest paid nosetackle in the NFL.
Texans Resign Walter, Turk
The Houston Texans resigned WR Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk to contracts today. Walter's deal is 5 years, $21.5 million, while Turk, who is 42, agreed to a 1 year, $1.8 million deal.
Robinson signs with Falcons
Former Texan cornerback Dunta Robinson, who is a native Georgian, signed a six year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, with $27 million guaranteed.
Vanden Bosch to Detroit
The Detroit Lions signed DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to a 4 year, $26 million deal.
Giants sign Rolle
Free safety Antrel Rolle, who played for Arizona last season, has signed a 5 year, $37 million contract with the New York Giants.
Dolphins get Dansby
The Miami Dolphins have signed Karlos Dansby, who also played for Arizona last year, to five year, $43 million deal.
Colts resign Brackett
The defending AFC champs have resigned MLB Gary Brackett to 5 year, $33 million deal.

Shakeup Saturday

Both #1 and #2 in college basketball fell yesterday, and as we near the madness of March, stick with your "March Madness Central", here on The Sports Scene.

#19 Tennessee 74, #2 Kentucky 65
J.P. Prince scored 20 points as the Volunteers held off a late Wildcat rally to upset the #2 team in the country. Tennessee, which earlier in the season beat #1 Kansas, scored the last nine points of the game, are now 21-7, and virtually guaranteed a trip into the tournament. Kentucky freshman sensation John Wall had 19, but the Wildcats shot just 2 for 22 from the three-point arc.
Oklahoma State 85, #1 Kansas 77
Just another day in the Big 12. The Cowboys shot an incredible 60% from the field, and controlled the game from the start, as they upset the #1 team in the country in Stillwater Saturday. As usual, Oklahoma State was led guard James Anderson, who had 27 points, despite dealing with a bad back, as the win probably puts them over the top into the NCAA tournament. Kansas, which lost for just the second time this year, was led Sherron Collins' 22 points. The fans at Gallagher-Iba Arena stormed the court as the buzzer sounded (pic below), as it was first time Cowboys had beaten a #1 since 1989.

NBA All-Star Saturday Recap

Geico H-O-R-S-E
Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant successfully defended his title, beating Rajon Rondo in a shootout, and Omri Casspi who was eliminated earlier in the competition.
Haier Shooting Stars
Team Texas took home the title Saturday night, as the team of current NBA star Dirk Nowitzki representing Dallas, NBA legend Kenny Smith representing Houston, and WNBA star Becky Hammon representing San Antonio beat team Los Angeles in the final round. Team Atlanta and Sacramento were eliminated in the first round.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Phoenix Suns and ex-Dallas Maverick guard Steve Nash won the Skills Challenge for the second time, defeating the 2008 champion Deron Williams in the final round. Nash had a final round score of 29.9 seconds. Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, filling in for the injured defending champion Derrick Rose and Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings were eliminated in the first round.
Foot Locker Three Point Shootout
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce followed up a 17 in the first round with 20 points in the final round, as he hit all five money balls to edge Golden State guard Stephen Curry in the Three Point Shootout. He outlasted Denver guard Chauncey Billups, defending champion Daequan Cook, Suns' center Channing Frye, and Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari.
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
In one of the most disappointing dunk contests ever, Knicks guard Nate Robinson won for a record third time, edging Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, in the final round fan voting. Lakers guard Shannon Brown and Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace were horribly unoriginal, and were eliminated in the first round.

Super Bowl XLIV Preview: Saints vs. Colts

QBs: Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning

Drew Brees guided the Saints attack to become the NFL’s #1 offense during the regular season, and has continued the masterful job throughout New Orleans’ two playoff wins, throwing for 444 yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions. If the Saints’ offensive line protects Brees, he should have another big game. Meanwhile, it was just another year for Peyton Manning, as he won his 4^th MVP award, in leading the Colts to win every game it has tried to win. Considering the fact that he had to incorporate two young, new receivers in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie midseason and still put up his typical passing numbers shows that the award was well justified. Against a defense that thrives on turnovers, look for Manning to be careful with the ball and not force throws.

Slight Edge: Colts

RBs: Pierre Thomas-Reggie Bush vs. Joseph Addai-Donald Brown

Part of the Saints attack new to this year was the success of their running game, with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Bush is an ex-factor, as he has the ability to break a long run with his elusiveness and speed, as well as make a costly mistake, like fumbling the ball. The Colts have been looking for a running game all season and it sort of emerged in the AFC Championship, as Addai and Brown gained over 100 rushing yards for one of the few times this year for Indy. The success of the running game of each team will be key to take pressure off of the great passing game of each team, while also allowing play-action to be more successful.

Edge: Saints

WRs: Marques Colston-Devery Henderson-Robert Meachum vs. Reggie Wayne-Pierre Garcon-Dallas Clark

The Saints, while they don’t have one great receiver, have a group of very good ones. Brees spreads the ball around between Colston and Meachum on shorter routes, Henderson on deeper routes, as well as running backs coming out of the back field. Reggie Wayne is the best receiver in the game, and is Manning’s big play target. Clark is a great tight-end that can line up at receiver and cause matchup nightmares, while Garcon as well as rookie Austin Collie have shown great improvement late in the season. I’ll give a slightest of edges to the Saints group of receivers.

Slight Edge: Saints

Defense:

Saints:

This unit has definitely been up and down the whole season, but the one consistent positive for New Orleans is their ability to force turnovers. They forced five turnovers on the Vikings, after accumulating 39 in the regular season. Against the run, they have struggled a bit this postseason, so look for the Colts to try to exploit that fact.

Colts:

Indy’s defense is a lot better than they have been given credit to, as they shut down the Ravens and Jets’ attacks in their AFC playoff games. Key is the health of All-Pro pass rusher Dwight Freeney and how effective he can be against the Saints o-line. Solid against the run and tough in the red zone, the Colts’ weakness is its secondary, and look for New Orleans to try to take advantage.

Edge: Colts

Kickers: Garrett Hartley vs. Matt Stover
The Saints’ Hartley has more range, while Stover is a little more accurate and brings years of experience.

Edge: Colts

Coach:

What a job Sean Payton has done in New Orleans after taking over in 2006, taking a perennial joke of a franchise to its first ever Super Bowl. The Colts Jim Caldwell became the first rookie head coach in NFL history to start 14-0, and has done a wonderful job taking over for Tony Dungy.

Edge: Saints

Bottom Line:

For the Saints to win, they must win the turnover battle and play well defensively, especially in the redzone. Controlling the clock with a solid running game to keep Manning off the field as much as possible is also key. For the Colts, they must get pressure on Drew Brees to avoid getting picked apart in their secondary. Offensively, they just have to play solidly and avoid costly mistakes. In the end, I just don’t think the Saints defense can find away to stop the Peyton Manning and the Colts from winning their third title.

My prediction: 30 26

Last week's record: 0-2
Season record: 181-85