On Wednesday morning, Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts revealed early artist renderings of proposed improvements to Wrigley Field and the surrounding area. If approved by all necessary parties, construction would begin immediately following the 2013 season.

The most notable improvement of the $300 million renovation is the 6,000 square foot video board positioned behind the left field stands, three times larger than the current center field scoreboard, other renovations include the kitchen and bath remodeling in St. Louis, which will be the last getting done. Wrigley Field has lagged behind the rest of Major League Baseball in this regard, relying on the manual scoreboard in center field and personal scorekeeping for far too long.

The proposed scoreboard will also be equipped with light banks to accommodate 40 night games in 2014.

Other improvements in the proposal include increasing concourse bathrooms by 45 percent in size, larger concession and kitchen areas for Wrigley Field employees, as well as expanded clubhouses, batting tunnels and training facilities. if you are looking for good contractors that focus on residential projects, here you can find roof repair in Colorado Springs, CO.

In addition to sports field maintenance and renovations on the inside of the stadium, the team has also agreed to terms with the city of Chicago on adding a seven-story hotel, a six-story office building and an outdoor plaza next to the stadium, scheduled to be completed five years from the plans launch.

During the construction phase, any issues with drywall installation must be promptly addressed to ensure a flawless finish. In cities like Minneapolis, drywall repair experts are invaluable in this regard. Minneapolis drywall repair services will be instrumental in managing any imperfections or adjustments needed as the walls are installed and finished. Their expertise will help ensure that the walls in both the hotel and office building are not only visually appealing but also meet the high standards required for such significant additions. This attention to detail will contribute to the overall success and longevity of the new structures.

Despite plans being agreed upon in principle between the Cubs and the city of Chicago, there is still a chance business owners around the stadium could interfere with the plans based on the twenty-year contract the club signed with rooftop owners in 2004 who also scheduled some repairs to be completed by local experts you can hire if you check my site. Rooftop owners were guaranteed a clear view of the by contract, an issue has halted talks of a new left field scoreboard for some time. In accordance with this contract, the rooftop owners pay 17 percent of their gross revenues.

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The 2012-13 season was a successful one for the Big Ten, finishing with an NIT Finalist and seven NCAA tournament teams, including four Sweet Sixteen teams, two Elite Eight teams and the National Runner-Up Michigan Wolverines. Influenced by a historically thin draft class and impressive performances on the sports biggest stage, much of the top Big Ten talent has chosen to make the jump to the next level. In particular, Michigan and Indiana could have radically different looking starting rotations next season, If you’re considering home additions to refresh your house, give KBF Design Gallery a call.

Michigan 

31-8, 12-6 Big Ten

L 82-71 to Louisville in National Championship

Key Losses:

Trey Burke – 18.6 PPG, 6.7 APG. #7 overall prospect, #2 PG

Tim Hardaway Jr. (not official) – 14.5 PPG, 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. #52 overall prospect, #14 SG

Glenn Robinson III – #14 overall prospect, #3 SF

Mitch McGary (not official) – #15 overall ranked prospect, #2 overall PF.

As expected, sophomore guard Trey Burke has made his draft commitment official, putting the cap on a historic season that netted him four different player of the year titles, including the Wooden Award given to the nations top collegiate player. This move will likely trigger a chain reaction of Michigan’s underclassmen bolting for the NBA. Michigan will look for help from their 2013 recruiting class to complement Jon Horford and Nik Stauskas. 

Names to Remember:

Zak Irvin – 6’6” SF, 24^th overall prospect in 2013 class

Derrick Walton – 6’0” PG, 35^th overall prospect in 2013 class

Mark Donnal – 6’8” PF, 86^th overall prospect in 2013 class

Indiana

29-7, 14-4 Big Ten

L 61-50 to Syracuse in Sweet Sixteen

Key Losses:

Victor Oladipo – 13.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.2 SPG, #6 overall prospect, #2 SG

Cody Zeller – 16.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG – #10 overall prospect, #2 C

Jordan Hulls

Christian Watford

Tom Crean will rely heavily on Yogi Ferrell and Will Sheehey for leadership, but the brunt of Indiana’s production will fall on two years worth of elite recruits looks for their chance to reload Indiana’s starting five.

Names to Remember:

Jeremy Hollowell – 6’8” Forward, 42^nd overall prospect in 2012 class

Hanner Mosquera-Perea 6’8” Forward, 71^st overall prospect in 2012 class

Noah Vonleh – 6’8” Forward, 8^th overall prospect in 2013 class

Troy Williams – 6’7” Forward,  42^nd overall prospect in 2013 Class

Luke Fischer – 6’9” Center,  67^th overall prospect in 2013 class

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First Round – Thursday, 3/14

GAME 1
#8 Illinois (21-11, 8-10) vs. #9 Minnesota (20-11, 8-10) – 11am CT on BTN

GAME 2
#5 Michigan (25-6, 12-6) vs. #12 Penn State (10-20, 2-16) – 1:30 CT on BTN

GAME 3
#7 Purdue (15-16, 8-10) vs. #10 Nebraska (14-17, 5-13) – 5:30 CT on ESPN

GAME 4
#6 Iowa (20-11, 9-9) vs. #11 Northwestern (13-18, 4-14) – 8:00 CT on ESPN2

Quarterfinals – Friday, 3/15

GAME 5
Illinois/Minnesota vs. #1 Indiana (26-5, 14-4) Quarterfinals – 11:00 CT on ESPN

GAME 6
Michigan/Penn State vs. Wisconsin #4 (21-10, 12-6) – 1:30 CT on ESPN

GAME 7
Purdue/Nebraska vs. Ohio State #2 (23-7, 13-5) – 5:30 CT on BTN

GAME 8
Iowa/Northwestern vs. Michigan State #3 (24-7, 13-5) – 8:00 CT on BTN

Semifinals – Saturday, 3/16

GAME 9
Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 – 12:45 on CBS

GAME 10
Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 – 3:15 on CBS

Finals – Sunday, 3/17

GAME 11
Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 – 2:30 on CBS

TIEBREAKERS
1) Total points in Big Ten Championship Game
2) Points for leading scorer in Big Ten Championship Game

With scheduling set, Iowa enters Thursday as the #6 seed in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, set to face the #11 seed Northwestern at the United Center. The Wildcats, losers of their last nine and winless on the road since January 17^th in Champagne. Northwestern limped to the finish line, finishing 4-14 in conference and a road-home sweep at the hand of the Hawkeyes, giving Iowa an ideal matchup in the first round.

The quarterfinals matchup against #3 seed Michigan State presents a significantly tough matchup, with Michigan State ending the season with two wins after three straight loses against #1 Indiana and on the road against #18 Ohio State and #4 Michigan. In their lone matchup of the season, Sparty was able to hold off Iowa on the road with a 2^nd half rally, but that was without Devyn Marble in the lineup. The junior guard will be in action for this matchup, as well as Mike Gesell making a return for the Big Ten Tournament.

Iowa

Overall: 20-11

Home Record: 16-2

Away Record: 2-8

Neutral-Court Record: 2-1

Conference Record: 9-9

Signature Wins: Iowa State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois

Northwestern

Overall: 13-18

Home Record: 8-11

Away Record: 2-8

Neutral-Court Record: 2-0

Conference Record: 4-14

Signature Wins – Baylor, at #23 Illinois, #12 Minnesota

Michigan State

Overall: 24-7

Home Record: 17-1

Away Record: 6-5

Neutral-Court Record: 1-1

Conference Record: 13-5

Signature Wins: #7 Kansas, #11 Ohio State, #4 Michigan, Illinois

Ohio State

Overall: 23-7

Home Record: 16-2

Away Record: 5-5

Neutral-Court Record: 2-0

Conference Record: 13-5

Signature Wins – #2 Michigan, #3 Michigan State, #2 Indiana

A win against Michigan State, a projected #2-#3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, would make a big statement and add another crucial signature win to an Iowa tournament resume that includes victories against Iowa State, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois – all home games.

Two wins in the Big Ten Tournament would vault Iowa to a winning conference record and at least 22 wins, the most wins since 2006 and only the 3^rd time an Iowa team has reached the 22 win plateau since 2000. Failure to advance to the semifinals on Saturday will likely put Iowa on the outside looking in, stamping their ticket to a second straight NIT Tournament appearance.

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After a 60 minute weather delay pregame, Coffman rebounded nicely after being replaced by freshman Nate Sudfeld on the second drive of the game, finishing 21-33 for 315 yards and three touchdown passes to Cody Latimer, who finished with 113 receiving yards. Fellow receiver Kofi Hughes also contributed 110 yards receiving, including a long of 77.

James Vandenberg finished the game 21-34 for 249 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The offense appeared to be clicking early when Vandenberg marched the Hawkeyes 71 yards on six plays resulting in a 24 yard TD pass to Kevonte Martin Manley. The play marked the first touchdown pass thrown by the Iowa offense since October 20th against Penn State. On the next play for Indiana, Freshman QB Nate Sudfeld’s pass was intercepted and taken 18 yards for a score by LB Christian Kirksey, putting Iowa
ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. Kirksey finished with an interception for a touchdown, a fumble recovery and eight tackles in the losing effort.

After the early offensive outburst, the Iowa passing offense slowed, resulting in 35 passing yards for Vandenberg for the remainder of the half. Iowa’s offensive line, consisting of Nolan MacMillan (first career start),Matt Tobin and true freshmen Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh, struggled at times getting very little push up front and committing penalties in the first half that hamstringed the Iowa offense.

Iowa falls to 4-5 on the season (2-3 conference), putting their bowl hopes in jeopardy.

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Since Iowa’s 2009 Orange Bowl Championship run, the Hawks have struggled to find consistency and an identity, watching their win total slip from eleven in 2009 to seven last season.

Entering James Vandenberg’s final season running the offense, headlines surrounding the team have focused primarily on the problems at running back and the youth of the defensive line.

After a 2011 season marred by running back curses and painful losses to the likes of Iowa State, Minnesota and Penn State, Iowa scrounged their way 7-5 regular season record (4-4 vs. the B1G), culminating in a lopsided 31-14 loss to Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl.

This season, the Legends Division has three other teams besides Iowa who feel they have a legitimate chance at making the B1G Title game, making for a difficult conference schedule.

Despite the grim predictions and jokes about a “cursed” running back position, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in the 2012 season.

This is a team that may suffer a slip-up against a weaker opponent early due to inexperience, but they also have the talent on both sides of the ball to pull off a few unexpected wins.

Follow the Leader

Keokuk’s own James Vandenberg put up big numbers in his first year as a starter for the Hawkeyes, finishing the 2011 season with 3,022 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

Entering Vandenberg’s senior season, however, the Iowa offense is facing questions about how it will perform after graduating top receiver Marvin McNutt (Philadelphia) and changes at the running back position.

Despite less-than-stellar predictions for his offense this season, I see Vandenberg proving the skeptics wrong and combining his signature accuracy with another year of maturity at the helm to lead this team.

The running back situation isn’t as big of a disaster as everyone thinks it is: there is still plenty of raw talent in incoming freshman Greg Garmon and Michael Malloy.

With McNutt gone to the NFL, the #1 receiver title and the bulk of the receptions fall into the lap of Sr. WR Keenan Davis, but don’t be surprised if you see the return of the Iowa Tight End passing game this season with 6’7” C.J. Fiedorowicz ready to live up to his expectations in his Junior season as a legitimate offensive threat and NFL talent.

Another newcomer on offense to look out for is RS Freshman WR Jordan Hillyer, a 6’4”, 205 lbs. receiver who holds his high school’s all-time records in receptions (180), yards (2,879) and touchdowns (27). Hillyer is now on the depth chart at WR, surpassing Don Shumpert and putting him in the 3^rd – 4^th receiver spot to start the season.

These big targets will provide enough of a mismatch for the accurate Vandenberg to take advantage of, and that doesn’t even factor in sophomore receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley.

Another thing to note: James Vandenberg leads all returning Big Ten quarterbacks in passing yards entering 2012.

No More Time for Running Back Woes

Since 2002, 14 Iowa running backs have left the program with eligibility left.

De’Andre Johnson was dismissed from the program a month ago and Jordan Canzeri and Barkley Hill both tore ACL’s in spring practice. It’s time to move on.

Despite the unsightly attrition of the 2012 RB depth chart, the position still has talented underclassmen ready for their chance to earn their share of carries this season.

While Damon Bullock will start the season at the top of the depth chart, the true surprises may come from the two true freshmen Greg Garmon and Michael Malloy.

While it’s true Bullock is the only back with any college experience, Garmon and Malloy have been impressive in their short time in Iowa City and figure to both get looks this season as true freshmen.

Garmon, a 6’2”, 200 lbs. 4 star recruit out of Erie, Pa., rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns his HS senior season.

Before Michael Malloy suffered a serious knee injury his senior season, he rushed for 1,668 yards and 29 touchdowns on his way to all-state honors as a junior at Heelan in Sioux City.

With FB Brad Rogers offering the only real depth at the RB position, the options are scarce, but the youth is talented and will have an opportunity to perform. Of the many things that drive Coach Ferentz crazy, fumbles by running backs are near the top of the list. Expect the back that performs well without becoming a fumble concern to secure this job.

New Faces in New Places

In addition to the changes at the RB position and coaching staff, the 2012 Hawkeyes have plenty of underclassmen in both starting and key backup positions who will have an impact on the 2012 season.

28 players on the depth chart are either sophomores or freshmen this season. Redshirt Freshmen Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh look to share time at OG, both looking like future stars on this line.

Sophomore Louis Trinca-Pasat impressed this spring and at camp and has vaulted himself to the starting DT spot and true Freshman Kevin Buford will be backing up Sr. Corner Back Micah Hyde. It will be critical for Buford to be ready to step in with Hyde also working as Iowa’s punt returner this season, a spot that could cause him to potentially miss some snaps on defense.

With Greg Davis entering his first season with Iowa after 13 years as offensive coordinator at Texas, this could be the wrinkle Iowa fans have been waiting for – no one knows how the previously predictable offense will change with the addition of Davis’s own play calling and philosophy.

It is easy to speculate the pass will be a bigger factor this season with the youth at RB, but the targets Vandenberg has at WR and TE made that assumption inevitable. With four of the first five games at home this season, it will be interesting to see if Davis feels any inclination to kick the tires on a few of his plays and players early in the season.

The Defensive Line Will be Tested

Only one starter returns to a unit that ranked seventh in the Big Ten in rushing defense last year. Dominic Alvis started eight of the first nine games of 2011 before tearing his ACL against Michigan, ending his season. He’s fully recovered and ready to lead this

inexperienced Iowa defensive front. In fact, Alvis and Steve Bigach are the only two linemen on the team who have earned a letter.

Expect to see time shared between Louis Trinca-Pasat and Darian Cooper at DT, as well as Senior Joe Gaglione fighting for back up time for Steve Bigach and Dominic Alvis at Defensive End with RS Freshman Melvin Spears out of Allen, Texas.

The experience in Iowa’s secondary will also provide an obstacle for this young D-Line by discouraging teams to throw the ball over the middle or challenge the Hawks veteran CB’s.

With veterans James Morris and Christian Kirksey anchoring the Line Backer position with Junior Anthony Hitchens, Iowa returns their top two tacklers from 2011, where they tied for the most tackles with 110 each.

CB Micah Hyde returns for his Senior season ranked as a Phil Steele Preseason B1G Conference 1^st team CB, as well as his 5^th overall Corner in the country.

B.J. Lowery will start at the other CB position, an experienced Junior who started 7 games in 2010 as a true freshman and 8 in a 2011 season delayed by a preseason injury that cost him the first five games of the season.

Not to put more pressure on the D-Line, but they will be facing the 13th, 17^th and 22^nd ranked offensive lines in the country, according to Phil Steele’s 2012 rankings. Also, don’t forget about the slew of QB’s in conference this season who love to run the ball as much as passing it.

Denard Robinson, Kain Colter, Taylor Martinez and MarQueis Gray will also be interesting challenges to handle for this line. It’s also going to be difficult for the youth to contain the quality of running back competition it will face in Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell and Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead.

Bold Predictions

This is an extremely difficult schedule to predict. It scares me to death saying “guaranteed 5-0” out loud, but I would be disappointed if the Hawks couldn’t clean up their non-conference schedule with the help of home field advantage to start this season off strong.

On the flipside, Iowa will face difficult conference away games against Michigan State, Northwestern and Michigan, as well as a rematch from last year’s inaugural matchup with Nebraska in Iowa City to close the season.

Realistically, based on the strength of schedule, this team is capable of winning 8 games this season, without a question. If Iowa finished the season with 8 wins and earn an Outback Bowl berth, I would be satisfied as a fan.

That said, there’s a fair chance Iowa could slip somewhere earlier in the schedule on top of the conference schedule. Even so, I don’t anticipate this team losing more than 5 games, giving them a 7 win floor.

If the Hawkeyes hope to have a say in representing the Legends Division this season, no games will be more crucial than both matchups in Michigan. While Iowa has taken 3 straight victories against Michigan and 3 of the last 5 against Michigan State, both games are away from Kinnick and both Michigan teams are fighting for a B1G Title this season.

7 wins – solid season. 8 wins – successful (and attainable) season. 9 wins – Don’t hold your breath, but I like to dream as much as the next guy.

The post The Season Ahead: Iowa appeared first on KRUI Radio.

September 1^st, 2012 – In the 4^th installment of the Cowboy Classic at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Michigan Wolverines open the season against Last year’s BCS National Champion, a pivotal game that will decide whether or not the Wolverines will be fighting for a National Championship birth or a B1G Title.

With 13 returning starters after an 11-2, #12 in the final AP poll 2011 season, Michigan is looking at themselves as B1G Title contenders, and maybe more.

After a successful season in Brady Hoke’s first year at the Helm in Michigan, including a victory over Ohio State for the 1^st time since 2003, the Wolverines are ranked #8 on the AP Preseason Poll, highest among B1G teams. Of course, this ranking means nothing until an outcome is determined on September 1^st.

Pretender or Contender

The season starts out strong with Michigan traveling South to Arlington, Texas to take on last year’s BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide.  The Tide start the 2011 campaign ranked #2 in the AP Poll.

Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. CT (ABC)

In a matchup of programs that have 25 national titles between them, Alabama looks to be in contention again with 8 players receiving preseason All-American honors. With a strong run defense, Alabama is a true test for the ground attack of Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint, assuming Toussaint can overcome some offseason trouble. Whether Toussaint plays or not is still in the balance.

If the run isn’t there for Robinson, expect him to look for Sr. WR Roy Roundtree as his number one target. This game would vault both the Michigan Wolverines in the AP Poll as well as QB Denard Robinson in the respective Heisman voting.

Offseason Arrests Could be Costly

This summer, Fitzgerald Toussaint plead guilty to a reduced charge of operating while visually impaired in District Court.

Toussaint, who has been suspended by Michigan following his arrest, was charged with operating while intoxicated after running a red light on campus on July 21. The junior back registered a 0.12 blood-alcohol content.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has not decided the status of Toussaint nor Frank Clark for Saturday’s game against Alabama. He said, that he’ll decide “sometime before the game.”

“You can ask me when I’m going to make that decision, and it’ll probably be before the game,” Hoke said.

Toussaint had four 100-yard games in the last six contests of the season, a big part of his 1,041 yards in 2011.

Is He the Real Deal? The Plight of Denard Robinson

Though his statistics slipped from 2010 to 2011, Denard Robinson still finished with 2,173 yards in the air while rushing for 1,176 yards last season. 2012 will be Robinsons second year working with Brady Hoke’s modified offense, a solid indicator Robinson will have a better grasp of the offensive strategy and translate that into positive statistics.

If Robinson lives up to expectations in his 3^rd year manning the Michigan offense, he has a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman trophy this year, which is awarded to the best player in College Football each season. His biggest opposition comes from USC QB Matt Barkley, the 4^th year starter and preseason Heisman favorite.

Barkley should flourish with an outstanding supporting cast on offense and a weak PAC-12 schedule that offers the obstacles of road games against Stanford and home games against Oregon and Notre Dame. For Robinson to have a real chance at the trophy, he needs to have an impressive early showing against Alabama.

Divisional Tests

If Michigan is serious about playing in a BCS Bowl this season, they will have to earn it. After breaking a seven year drought against Ohio State, Michigan returns to Columbus, part of a grueling away schedule that also includes Alabama, Nebraska and Notre Dame.

Based on strength of schedule, Michigan has a top 5 most-difficult schedule in the nation, providing plenty of opportunities for the Wolverines to prove where they belong in the rankings. Although, the now Urban Meyer coached Ohio State Buckeyes are ineligible to win the Big Ten and play in a bowl game, they will still prove to be a tough opponent for Michigan on November 24th for the final Big Ten game of the year.

Blood in the Water

Iowa has vanquished Michigan in their last three matchups, including last year’s goal line stand by Iowa as time ran out. This year, the Wolverines will host the Hawkeyes in what is sure to be a game where Michigan would like to make a statement against a divisional rival.

While Iowa has dominated the series lately, Michigan still holds the advantage at 40-13-4 all-time against the Hawks. Michigan also has the advantage of playing Michigan State at home, a team Michigan has suffered four straight losses to. They also have the advantage of matching up Denard Robinson against the unproven junior Andrew Maxwell.

Predictions

With a little luck, this 2012 Michigan team could match their season win total from last year (10) and play for the B1G Title against likely Leaders Divison Champ, the Wisconsin Badgers. Have no fear of their late September non-conference trip to South Bend: Denard Robinson has torched the Irish the past two seasons, setting personal records in both passing and rushing in attempts, yards, touchdowns, long and completions.

The entire tempo of the season hinges on the Saturday outcome against Alabama. Michigan is either looking at a top 5, National Championship contending squad with a Heisman favorite quarterback, or a team fighting for the chance to play in the Rose Bowl, with a quarterback that can’t quite get his team over the hump. Michigan is 3-1 vs. SEC opponents since 2002. Alabama is 3-0 against B1G opponents since 2010, including two victories against Penn State and the 2010 trouncing of Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl 49-7

The ABC Game of the Week will take place on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas and it should prove to be a good one.

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