1. He stole the food. He wasn’t GIVEN the food by an “anonymous booster.” 

The crazy thing is, I bet this would have been blown out of proportion even more if some FSU alumni had given Winston the food as opposed to him stealing it. The media will twist anything they can for a story. This one was simple and (seemingly) one-dimensional. Jameis stole the food on his own, and he’s getting charged for it-that’s it. Also, the NCAA just had a rule change allowing “unlimited meals and snacks to collegiate athletes.” So it doesn’t necessarily make sense that Winston would steal food, but he saw the crab and he wanted it-so he took it.

2. Crab is delicious…

Have you ever had seafood in a state that’s connected to an ocean? Because it’s usally 17 times better when you do. And if you check out the website for the supermarket he stole the food from, it looks to be like a pretty respectable place. Heck, the crab legs and crawfish he stole were probably caught that morning. The temptation was real!

3. Stealing crabs is better than having crabs.

Laugh all you want. But the headline: “Jameis Winston Caught Stealing Crabs” is a lot better than “Jameis Winston has crabs.” And hey, he was stealing food-$32 worth of FOOD. This wasn’t a bank robbery. He didn’t go on a joyride in some exotic vehicle. The kid stole crab legs and crawfish.

I’m done.

The post 3 Reasons it was Okay for Jameis Winston to Steal those Crab Legs appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Earlier this week James was quoted saying he’d be one of the top 4 players to ever play the game. He also mentioned Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson when talking about the metaphorical “Mount Rushmore” of basketball. All of this talk “coincidentally” has come around the time MVP race talks have been firing up between Kevin Durant and Lebron himself. Lebron doesn’t have anything to prove, necessarily, but he still wants it. He wants it all. If anyone questions is confidence, they can take a look at what he did on Wednesday (the 12th) against Golden State…

So long, Captain Clutch.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Yankee hater or not, you can’t hate Derek Jeter. 5 World Series rings, multiple Gold Glove awards, and over 3,000 hits-all for the same team. Oh, and he did all of it without using any performance-enhancing drugs in one of the most drug-heavy eras in all of sports. Jeter announced he would be retiring after the 2014 season. Here’s the official letter he wrote announcing his retirement, and also, here’s an article on all of the girls Jeter has dated throughout his time in the league. You’ll be impressed with both.

“Social” Recruiting

The company that recently turned down a 3 BILLION dollar offer from Facebook will now play a potentially crucial role in collegiate recruiting. It was announced earlier this week that the NCAA has recognized Snapchat as a type of electronic submission (of conversation) that is now allowed for coaches/universities to use in attempt to recruit athletes. I can only imagine what coaches will be sending to kids now. Just think, a 10 second video of Kirk Ferentz telling you to come play football for the University of Iowa. Wow.

Game Off!

One of the biggest rivalries in all of sports is between UNC and Duke. Less than 10 miles separate the 2 campuses, and 6 inches of snow had fallen on the night of their game on Wednesday. People were already in route to the Smith Center before the official cancellation was announced. Students of each school line up days in advance to get to the games these 2 teams play in every year, and cancelling had to have ticked some people off. The game is rescheduled for February 20th, where the Tar Heels will look to knock off Duke, who has been having a much superior season out of the 2 North Carolina powerhouses thus far. Read a more detailed article here.

Perfection

Syracuse remains undefeated after Tyler Ennis hits a game-winning, buzzer-beater 3 to beat Pitt 58-56. Sometimes a little luck is needed to stay perfect this long into the season. Syracuse is going to be a force to be reckoned with come March. Here’s a video of the shot. Just watch it.

The post Weekly 5 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Dribble, dribble, spin, catch, bend, extend, release. After that, it’s up to the rim, backboard, net, and basketball.

Some people have rituals, some have routines, some just shoot. The only constant is that everyone is 15 feet away from the hoop, behind a line, wide open, with a ball and a goal-1 point.

When the game of basketball was created by James Naismith in 1891, free throws were nowhere to be found on the original 13 rules of the game. It took 5 years for free throws to implemented into the game and another year to move them from 20 feet to 15 feet. For 29 years after that though, the fouling team could elect who they wanted to shoot the free throw. That rule changed in 1924, when whatever player who was fouled was required to shoot their own free throw(s). From 1939-1952 teams could actually elect to inbound the ball at half court as opposed to shooting. Also, it wasn’t until 1990 that the NCAA allowed 3 free throws for players who were fouled on 3-point shots.

The idea of a free throw was (and still is to some extent) criticized to this day. The main argument is “Why should one shot, with no defense on it, be allowed to alter or in some cases win a basketball game for a team?” Naismith’s theory, which is still supported today, revolves around the thought that the game wasn’t won by free throws, but lost by fouls. Obviously he had the right idea. But are free throws really all that “free?”

Dirk Nowitzki is a career 87%  free throw shooter. Dwight Howard is a 58% free throw shooter. Both are approximately 7 feet tall. What’s the difference? Now, arguably Dirk is the best 7 foot jump shooter of all time, but how is he almost 30% better at shooting free throws than Dwight? Is is all in the shooting form? Is it all concentration? Is it how Dwight holds the ball? Is it work ethic? The answer to all of those questions is yes…and no.

During Shaquille O’Neal’s prime, he was regarded as one of if not the most dominant centers in the league. His career free throw percentage-53%. The term “Hack-a-Shaq” was coined after a number of teams developed a strategy around fouling O’Neal so he was have to go to the line, (most likely) miss his free throws, and give the ball back to the other team. The strategy worked, and it still works today. The Houston Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday (Nov. 7th) by 1 point. The Lakers implemented “Hack-a-Dwight” in the final minutes of the game and ended up with winning results.

So what’s so hard about making a free throw? Professional basketball players, who have been playing their entire lives struggle with it, while Ted St. Martin made 5,221 in a row during a 7 hour period. Who is Ted St. Martin? He’s a retired dairy farmer, and also the Guinness World Record holder for most free throws ever made consecutively (among other shooting records). He has never played basketball past the high school level. So what is it about the free throw that makes it “free”?

How much would Dwight Howard pay to have half of the ability that Ted St. Martin has regarding shooting free throws? How much money would some players have paid to have a free throw back in a game they lost for their team in the remaining seconds? In the past and in the future, free throws will either make or break a player in games. One thing is for certain though, free throws are anything but “free”.

The post The Best Things In Life Are Free appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This past Sunday the Thunder announced Westbrook would be out for the remainder of the 2013 Playoffs with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. To show respect and honor their injured teammate, Kevin Durant and Hasheem Thabeet arrived to the Toyata Center in Houston Monday night wearing shirts that look like they came from a thrift store. They were loud and a little obnoxious.

It was a nice gesture, but the Thunder could not pull off the sweep against the Houston Rockets as they fell 103-105.

The Rockets look to stay alive in the series as they go back to Oklahoma City Wednesday night for game 5.

In essence, Russell Westbrook could care less what him or his teammates are wearing, unless it’s a ring.

The post Dress to Honor. Dress to Impress. appeared first on KRUI Radio.

There are only 9 teams in the MLB that haven’t won a championship: the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners. Coincidentally, none of those teams are the spectacle of this piece. This team has won 2 World Series Championships, and they were consecutive. If it weren’t for those 2, who knows what kind of madness the fan base would possess.

Before Frank Selee took over the club in 1902, they had been called the White Stockings, Colts, and even the Orphans. The Chicago Cubs are currently owned by a family trust of  TD Ameritrade founder Joe Rickets. They play at one of the most nostalgic stadiums in all of baseball, “The Friendly Confines”, -Wrigley Field. The field itself is one of the remaining “original” diamonds in the majors. It was even the last stadium in the MLB to attain lights for its field. Everything has been in place for the cubs to be a great organization; their even valued at being worth $879,000, 000 (4th most valuable team in the MLB). There’s only one problem: They don’t win championships.

Not only do the Cubs lose, but they do it in a fashion that crushes the souls of anyone with an emotional stake in the organization. 2008 was supposed to be THE year for the Cubs. At the All-Star break the Cubs led the Central Division and were tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the best record in the major leagues. They also tied a National League record with eight players selected to the All-Star team. They stayed hot and ended the regular season with 97 wins, the most the club had achieved since 1945. It would have been 100 years since the Cubs had won the World Series that year; everything seemed perfect, until the postseason.  The Cubs’ first round opponent for the NLDS were the Los Angeles Dodgers, of whom only had 84 wins in the regular season. In typical Cubs fashion they got swept in the series, losing 3 consecutive games. Since then, the Cubs have had one winning season while posting an awful 290-357 record. They’ve gone four straight seasons without making the playoffs, including three consecutive losing seasons.

Events like that are just the norm to Cubs fans. They’re not called the “Lovable Losers” for nothing. There’s just something about being a Cubs fan. It’s as if they are all patiently waiting for their next championship so they can rub it in the faces of everyone in the world-which they would have every right to. Hopefully none of them are holding their breath though. Who knows what fans would be like if the Cubs were actually good every single year? As Every Cubs’ fan would agree, there IS some hope this year.

Some things the Cubs have going for them…

Theo Epstein is their President of Baseball Operations. The same guy who brought 2 championships to the Boston Red Sox after an 86 year drought.

Starlin Castro is a franchise player, who plays a franchise position, and puts up franchise numbers.

David DeJesus and Alfonso Soriano provide veteran leadership.

Anthony Rizzo is only 23 years old. He has power and is a nice compliment to Castro.

Matt Garza and Travis Wood have the potential to be the leaders of a solid pitching core.

The pieces are there, now they just have to come together. If the loyalty and dedication of their fans could win ball games for them, the Cubs would go undefeated. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. It’s not like their fans try to LOSE games for them…right?

-Bartman out.

The post This Is THE Year! appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The truth is, it’s not fair to say either player is better than the other. Not right now anyway.

Only when LeBron James’ playing career is over can the judgement be made. Until LeBron James matches everything that Michael Jordan did (or goes beyond), he will always be viewed as the lesser of the two players. Even if LBJ did exceed all of MJ’s accomplishments, there would still be biased people with excuses like: MJ played in a “tougher” time, MJ didn’t have a team of all stars around him, Michael stayed true to his city, blah blah blah.

Honestly we will never be able to “fairly” compare the two players because they played in different times of the game of basketball. The comparison right now though is not even close. Right now MJ is considered to be better than LeBron; there’s not even an argument to be made there.

What the questions should be are: Will LeBron James have a better career than Michael’s? and When LeBron’s career is over, will he be considered a better individual basketball player than Michael?

Michael Jordan redefined the game of basketball. LeBron James doesn’t necessarily have the chance to do that. It will be tough for the accolades of MJ to ever be touched and I honestly don’t think anyone will ever do all that he did, not even LeBron. Michael’s career isn’t even realistic. How do you take a break in the middle of your prime to pursue baseball and then return to basketball and keep winning the same way you did when you left? Regardless of how awful of an owner he is as the owner of the Bobcats, MJ’s playing career will stand as the greatest of all time.

Rumors have recently been spreading about Jordan returning to the league and potentially having a veteran-bench role on a team. This is a joke, right? Antawn Jamison recently made remarks regarding the stories of Michael beating people 1 on 1 and was quoted as saying if on the right team and system, MJ could score double-digits for a team off the bench. The guy just turned 50. Five-Zero. His playing career is over. The only “hoops” he’ll be getting are earrings. LeBron James would throttle MJ if they played 1 on 1 right now. In their primes I don’t think the result would be that much different either.

LeBron James is a physical freak. The combination of speed, strength, size, and basketball i.q. he possesses  puts him above any player ever. I’m taking nothing away from Michael Jordan as he is arguably the “greatest scorer of all time”. Though, as an individual, I think LeBron has the upper-hand.

When he first came into the league he was considered “weak” with a “below average” jump shot. At this point in his career – being all-around bigger and having developed a dangerous outside shot – he has the ability to score the basketball anytime, anywhere, and against anyone. The scariest part about LeBron James? He’s still getting better.

There will always be biases. There will always be controversy. There may never be a clear victor in this ultimately meaningless debate. My opinion/prediction has been voiced: Career: Michael Jordan, Individual Player – LeBron James. I can’t wait to see how the career of potentially the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James, pans out. You better believe Michael is keeping a close eye on it too.

The post Michael Jordan vs LeBron James: No Stats? No Problem appeared first on KRUI Radio.

1. It’s going to become a “level” playing field, or at least we have to begin to think of it as so. Just as Lance Armstrong and the entire world of cycling was recently exposed for drugs, the MLB could be on a similar path. One has to think , “Well everyone seems to be doing it, so maybe there’s ultimately no advantage at all.” Sure, there will always be some players who never touch illegal drugs, but what about the players who the public THINKS never take anything, but have have been all along? How many high-profile players are going to have to be confirmed of taking something like Urine Luck before fans realize how popular it really is? There seems to be no end in sight to the potential this situation has to taunt America’s past-time forever. Will the game ever be “fair” again?

2. How much does the general public really know? When these reports come out of baseball players being involved with purchasing/using illegal drugs the public is usually clueless to what’s actually going on. Someone hear’s “drugs and baseball” and it just seems to be normal now. These “lists” have been coming out from certain “pharmaceutical” companies with players’ names on them over the past few years. What does that mean? There are so many questions that could be asked that the MLB isn’t giving us the answers to: How are so many players passing these “random drug screenings” for years and then one day showing up on a list with multiple other players for purchasing league-banned drugs? How many other big-name players have taken or are still illegally taking something to enhance their performance that we’ll never know about? Who administers these drug screenings? The list could go on. 

3. It could be anyone. We’ve seen time and time again these “icons” of men have their entire reputations ruined. Children’s heroes being exposed for being cheaters. The individuals that entire cities look up to are being called out. The great thing about sports though is that no one is above the game. No one that gets caught cheating in any way goes without some sort of punishment (regardless of if it’s the proper punishment or not). I recently heard the statement “No professional athletes should be idolized,” from a colleague of mine;  I’m starting to understand why. These players are playing their sport as a profession, not just “for fun”. Sadly, money rules all. Professional baseball players (and all professional athletes alike) typically want to perform to the best of their abilities to earn more money. The biggest names in baseball are beginning to be exposed, so who’s next?

The post On a Baseball “High” appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Amidst this excitement, golf aficionados seeking to refine their own skills might find solace in exploring innovative avenues like indoor golf experiences. Platforms like https://chgolf.com.au offer a unique blend of technology and recreation, allowing players to practice their swings and sharpen their strategies regardless of weather conditions or time constraints. Just as McIlroy and Woods showcase their prowess on the driving range, individuals can immerse themselves in a virtual golfing realm, honing their abilities and indulging their passion for the sport.

No longer will we see Rory sporting his Jumeirah/Titleist hat which he had worn since he came into the PGA golf scene in 2009. Both of his previously sponsored companies held back any attempts to extend a contract with him after hearing about the mega-deal Nike had offered. Nike truly hit a hole-in-one with this signing, especially at this point in golf and McIlroy’s career. The game of golf is currently thriving off of new, colorful faces, like Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, and Rory himself. Last year he topped both the PGA and European earnings list. He also has the opportunity to win a Major championship in three consecutive years. Now Rory is in the same company of other elite Nike athletes like: Tiger, Roger Federer, and Lebron James.

You don’t need to of read the recent Wazaki irons review to know that, the world may never see a person dominate a sport the same way Tiger Woods dominated golf in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Before Tiger Woods Nike was irrelevant in the golf world, and since his dominance and popularity Nike has become one of the most profitable golf brands in the world. Rory had been using Titleist clubs since he came on tour and had success with them. Through recent workouts at Nike testing facilities  McIlroy claims he is already comfortable with all of the Nike equipment he will be using. Nike landed the current #1 golfer in the world and would want nothing less than for him and Tiger to battle for every single tournament their in this year.

The bigger question here may be: What does this all mean for Tiger? He was put into the #2 spot via rankings almost on cue earlier this week right behind McIlroy who wrote this golf sun glasses review. Jack Nicklaus was recently quoted saying something along the lines of Tiger needing someone like Rory to come into the game of golf and push Tiger around. Neither Tiger or Rory would probably admit that Tiger “needs” someone to challenge him and get his fire going again, but in the back of everyone’s head that is the general thought. Tiger has not won a Major since his epic battle with Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open. The biggest difference for Tiger about this year though is there are no excuses. None of his previously impending injuries seem to be causing any trouble and he has been staying out of the negative media light for the most part by focusing on his children and his foundation. If there was a time for Tiger to have his “second coming” in golf, it would be right now.

This may be one of the biggest years ever in the history of golf. So many story-lines, so many new faces, so much talent. The story that will trump any other story though, will be when Tiger and Rory are on the course at the same time. This week the two men are paired together for the first two rounds of the  Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Not much can be judged from this early in the year, but be sure that the media is going to blow everything out of proportion-as they rightly should with these two. Golf needs the rivalry of young and old. Golf needs the action. Golf needs the drama.

Picture this: Sunday, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy sharing the lead and walking up to the the 18th tee box at a Major championship as the sun is slowly starting to set. We can only hope that we get to see these two square off against each other with their games at their peak sometime this year.

One thing Tiger Woods will most likely always have over Rory McIlroy is experience. The commercial ends with Tiger one-upping Rory and Rory asking, “How’d you do that?” Tiger simply responds with, “You’ll learn.”

The post Nike Golf: We Just Did It appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This year, I arrived roughly seven minutes late to our draft party, which was held in the basement of one of the league’s members. I came to find out that the draft, of course, had started twenty minutes ahead of time. Names had already been drawn out of a hat for the order of draft choice; I somehow got the tenth pick of the draft. I almost immediately had to make a pick when I arrived. Under pressure and unprepared, I quickly pulled out my mock draft sheet and crossed out players had already been chosen. With my first pick of the draft, I selected Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions (mainly due to an outstanding year in fantasy last year). With his selection, my team donned the name Staff Infection. Fantasy football team names are nearly as important as the players on the team.

By “nearly as important,” I mean not important whatsoever, but typically the more creative your name is, the better chance you have of being recognized by the Fantasy Gods and potentially winning. Along with my team name of “Staff Infection,” there are a few other clever names in our league, such as Snakes on Reggie Wayne, Teddy Ginn & Juice, Nice Hands Larry, and Andres Johnson. Most of the other team names are either too vulgar to mention, or just plain stupid.

Only one other member of the league (coincidentally the commissioner) lives in Iowa City. All of the other people in the league are in school somewhere else. Truthfully, Fantasy football has been an excellent way to keep in contact with some friends that I normally would not talk to. That brings me to my next point, one of the best parts about fantasy football: the trash talk.

Immediately after the conclusion of the Monday Night Football game two weeks ago, and my win over the much-disliked DahmsDOTcom team was secured, I received a phone call from the owner of that team (who was not even present at the draft and had his team picked by a “friend”) who went on a rant saying things like, “you got so lucky” and, “if only so and so would have scored a few more points,” and blah, blah, blah. The bottom line is, he lost and I won. I usually try to keep my trash talking to a minimum because I believe in a little thing called karma.

Including myself there are four teams with a record of 4-1 in the league. Going into this week I am again predicted to win. I plan on making the playoffs this year and making a run for the championship. Just remember though, fantasy football is not ALL about football.

And who was my final pick in the draft you ask? Tim Tebow, of course.

Amen.

The post Dear Fantasy Football Gods… appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The Iowa Volleyball team took on the #24th ranked Michigan State Spartans Saturday night on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. After losing in 3 sets to Michigan the night before, the Hawkeyes were looking to get back on track in the Big 10 versus the Spartans.

Iowa started off strong with a 6-3 lead and the momentum on their side. The Spartans proved to be ready for the challenge though as Iowa had to take it’s first timeout when they were down 11-15. After another Iowa timeout with the score of 13-18, Michigan State ran away with the first set and won 25-19.

Some impressive plays brought the Hawks back from a 3 point deficit to lead by 2 in the 2nd set 13-11. Michigan State then immediately replied with 5 unanswered points which led to an Iowa timeout. The rest of the 2nd set was sloppy to say the least for the Hawkeyes as they lost 16-25.

The 3rd and final set of the match was a different story. The Hawkeyes tightened up their defense and started converting more kills which led to an 11-6 lead early. Michigan State still proved to be too much for the Hawkeyes to handle though as they eventually won the set 25-22 which gave them a 3-0 set sweep over the Hawkeyes for the night.

The post Iowa Volleyball stumbles against the Spartans of Michigan State appeared first on KRUI Radio.