Random Thoughts on NFL Playoffs, College Hoops and All-Star games

I went 0 for 2 on my championship game picks last week in the NFL Playoffs to bring my playoff tally to 6-4. Denver's defense was masterful in their shut down of New England and Carolina just took Arizona to the woodshed. I won't be talking much about Super Bowl 50 at this point. The two week wait for the big game is too long. The manufacturing of hype and non-stories for the media to drum up is excruciating and exhausting. Sportstalk radio becomes completely unlistenable as most of the shows go to Radio Row and all the same guests are paraded through to each program. 

I would like to welcome those you who haven't been watching college hoops to the season already in progress. Great move by the SEC & Big 12 to have their out of conference challenge games at this point of the schedule while football is down and the the NBA and NHL are approaching their all-star games. The marquee matchups are #1 Oklahoma at LSU and #20 Kentucky at #4 Kansas which should live up to the billings. I personally love college basketball way more than the NBA and have already been watching quite a bit but really love the wall to wall coverage available through February to wet the appetite for March Madness.

Speaking of all-star games, as the NHL has theirs this weekend, the NFL has the Pro Bowl and the NBA jumps in next weekend. All Star games are completely unwatchable to me no matter which sport. The NFL should rename theirs the Stars game or something since so many of the voted in players drop out. Honestly, if the players don't care about the game, why should we would. I applaud the NHL for at least trying something new with their 3 on 3 tournament among the divisions, at least this way they are not masquerading the usual 5 on 5 double digit scoring games that torture the goalies as an actual game. I used to think the NBA had the best one when it had real competition but they have totally foregone defense altogether. I would have to say MLB's is the best since it does stand alone and at least can replicate regular season action since they don't have to guard as much from not getting hurt like the other sports, but that really isn't saying much since managers feel the need to use all of the players after the starters put in their three inning token appearance. I totally dislike giving the winning league home field advantage for their team in the World Series as it does not always reward the best team from the REGULAR season. An exhibition should never have bearing on a playoff.

I'll have a new podcast for you next week. While I always post them here on the website, you can always access them on iTunes, SoundCloud and TuneIn. As always, I'd like to request your participation and opinions to my blog postings and podcasts by using the comments section on the blog or following me on Twitter @jeffallen_88

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