U.S. Open Women's Preview

As I have already previewed the men's draw for the US Open in a previous post, it's time to preview the women's draw, which myself, and many experts agree is wide open for 2011. Defending champion Kim Clijsters is out of the tournament with an injury and top seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark had been bounced in her first match at 2 tournaments prior to winning in New Haven today for the fourth straight year.

Women's Draw

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

2. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)

3. Maria Sharapova (RUS)

4. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

Others to Watch:

5. Petra Kvitova (RUS)

14. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)

28. Serena Williams (USA)

Favorite:

???

Wozniacki is coming off a win at the Yale Open in New Haven, CT today, which should mean she has a fair bit of momentum heading into the US Open. However, not sure that is really the case since she has won New Haven the past three years and is still looking for her first major title. Caroline is likely the best defensive player on the WTA Tour presently, however, her lack of a major serving weapon or go-to ground stroke has been her downfall as she encounters the Sharapovas and Williamses late in major championships. Her draw for the Open is good for her, in my opinion, to make the Round of 16 with relative ease. In that round, she has the potential to face a previous US Open winner in 15th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, who's experience I think can give Wozniacki all she can handle. While I do believe Caroline will win that match and make the semifinals of the Open, going through 6-seed Li Na in the quarterfinals, I would not be at all surprised if Svetlana won that match.

In the bottom half of Wozniacki's half of the draw is the 4-seed, Victoria Azarenka. Unfortunately for her, she was the unlucky person to be the highest seed in the same section of the draw with Serena Williams, who was given a 28 seed, even though she has won 2 hard court tournaments since returning to the circuit from injury and won the US Open Series as a result of those 2 tournament wins. The USTA chose not to bump Serena's seed up to the top 8 from her WTA ranking, even though they have the direction to do so and Serena is a three-time US Open champion and hard court is her best surface; where her powerful serve is even more amplified. Also in Azarenka's draw is 7-seed, and 2010 French Open champion, Francesca Schiavone of France and former world #1 in Serbia's Jelena Jankovic. I fully expect a Round of 32 Williams/Azarenka matchup and I do expect Serena to come out on top of that one and ultimately go through Shahar Peer of Israel and and Schiavone on her way to a semifinal matchup with Wozniacki.

On the other side of the bracket is 3rd seeded Maria Sharapova, fresh off an ugly win in the finals of Cincinnati 2 weeks ago against Jankovic. With Sharapova as the only woman of the top 4 seeds to have a grand slam title (3 in total), one would think she might be considered the favorite in this tournament. While I certainly feel that way, I think she has a very difficult draw, with a potential quarterfinal matchup against fellow Russian Kvitova, who defeated Maria in the Wimbledon final a few short weeks ago for her first grand slam title. Maria should be able to advance to the Round of 16, but a potential date with 12-seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland or 13th seeded Peng Shuai of China could pose a roadblock, especially if Sharapova piles up the double faults and unforced errors, as was the case in the Cincinnati final. Ultimately, I think Maria is fully back and will be able to limit the double faults to a reasonable amount to exact revenge on Kvitova in the quarters and reach the US Open semifinals again.

Opposite of Sharapova's draw is where you'll find 2nd seeded Zvonareva as the highest seeded player. Vera is still looking for her first major title as well and I just can't see her getting it in this year's US Open either. She is not particularly strong on the hard courts and the depth of the other women included in her draw is quite strong, including 9-seed Sam Stosur of Australia and 14th seeded Cibulkova, who has been quickly rising up the rankings over the past year. Additionally, an unseeded Venus Williams can be found in this section and one can never count out a Williams sister, even though Venus hasn't had a particularly great season thus far. While I don't expect Venus to make as deep a run in the tournament as her sister, I wouldn't be especially surprised if she made the 3rd round, or even the Round of 16 to face Cibulkova. I can see Cibulkova being a breakout star in this year's tournament and I really like her to take out Zvonareva in the quarterfinals and advance from this part of the draw to the semis.

My Picks:

Semifinals -

Wozniacki vs. S. Williams

Sharapova vs. Cibulkova

Finals -

Wozniacki vs. Sharapova

Champion -

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova has been knocking on the door of a grand slam title this season, with deep runs at the French Open and Wimbledon in the past few months. With hard courts being her best surface, I think it's time for her to finally get the job done and add to her three career grand slam titles. But with a field this wide open, I also wouldn't be shocked to see none of my picks even make the semifinals, much less win the whole thing. The unpredictability of this year's women's field is going to make the 2011 US Open one of the best in recent memory in my opinion.

U.S. Open Men's Preview

As we tend to write about the same sports over and over (e.g. football and basketball), I figured I'd add a piece previewing the U.S. Tennis Open since the men's and women's draws were set on Thursday afternoon.

Men's Draw

Top 4 Seeds:

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2. Rafael Nadal (ESP)

3. Roger Federer (SUI)

4. Andy Murray (GBR)

Others to Watch:

7. Gael Monfils (FRA)

8. Mardy Fish (USA)

18. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)

Favorite:

Djokovic

Djokovic has had an historic season, with only 2 defeats to this point (Federer - French, Murray - Cincinnati), he did have to retire with a shoulder injury in the Cincinnati final and looked extremely gassed throughout the tournament. I think the grueling schedule Novak has put himself through this season getting to #1 is finally catching up with him and he's not going to be taking home his first US Open title this season. The draw is good for Djokovic, until a potential quarterfinal matchup with Monfils, where I can see the charasmatic Frenchman taking out the #1 seed.

While Federer has a challenging section that includes solid players such as Philipp Kohlschreiber, hard-hitting Bernard Tomic, 11th-seeded Serbian Viktor Troicki, and Fish, I like R-Feds to get to the quarters of that draw relatively easily. American Mardy Fish has been hot on the hardcourts this summer, winning 2 tournaments and the Olympus US Open Series, and will pose a strong challenge to Roger in the quarters. While I like Fish's play this summer, R-Feds's history is too strong to go against him.

Murray has a loaded section of his draw with 5-seed David Ferrer, 6-seed Robin Soderling, 2009 US Open Champion Del Potro, and the hardest server on the ATP Tour in John Isner, all in his section. Murray did win Cincinnati when Djokovic had to retire, however, I just don't believe Murray is playing well enough or is skilled enough on the hard courts to make it out of this section. I'm going with Del Potro out of this section as he is now healthy and appears poised to make a run to another US Open title that he wasn't in top shape to defend last year.

Finally, the bottom half of the draw is all about Rafa. While Andy Roddick (seeded 21st) is in this section, he has been playing terribly all summer long that I can't see him making it past the 3rd round at Flushing Meadows this season. Nadal has no other single digit seeds in his section of the draw and appears to have a pretty easy and straight-forward path to the semifinals.

My picks:

Semifinals -

Federer vs. Djokovic

Del Potro vs. Nadal

Finals -

Federer vs. Nadal

Champion - Roger Federer

I'm going with Roger Federer adding to his all-time major record with another US Open title in 2011. I expect another epic Federer-Nadal battle in the final on 9/11/11, but I have R-Feds winning in 4 sets to once again be the King of New York in the tennis world.

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Steve Spurrier: Pay Players?

After writing my last article I realized I needed to elaborate more on this subject.

For a while I was really on the fence about paying players, but as things go on and on and we see more and more issues crop up it becomes obvious; those following the rules are at a disadvantage. Couple that with the fact that the NCAA has absolutely no way to actually police its own rules and that's a big issue.

Spurrier came out the other day and said he thought that players should be paid $300 per game out of the coaches salary. It's an interesting idea, with an arbitrary number. I absolutely get where he is coming from and agree with the principle of his idea, although I don't think he has the correct answer it is a great place to start.

In my opinion, NCAA President Mark Emmert is asking the wrong question, just like the city of Iowa City is while they go through their 21 only downtown legislation. They are asking the wrong question. The city continues to ask the question "How can we stop underage drinking?" Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating underage drinking, but anyone with any sort of sense realizes you can't do it. If a kid wants to drink they will find a way. The question the city should be asking is "How can we keep our students safe?" What this ordinance has done is it has taken kids away from well lite, downtown Iowa City where they are police-able and sent kids on mile hikes to house parties on dimly lite streets. As a parent that would scare me.

I feel Emmert is in the same boat, he is continuing to ask how the NCAA can make the most money and how players can't be paid and the biggest one, how we can police it. The real question he should be asking is how the playing field can be competitive for everyone. Right now it's not. If you follow the rules you're at a disadvantage.

How to level the playing field? First and foremost Football needs a playoff. without question in my mind that is one huge step towards making things equal. I outlined here my thoughts about that last year. I still think that idea holds a lot of water. Once NCAA has a playoff I think at that point they can logically address paying players. The idea has been thrown around that some players would feel they deserve more then the players that don't play. So then why not do it? Give incentive for players to work harder. Have a base pay system of $100 per game and add in $x per snap a player plays or $y for a start. Additionally, if Emmert is so concerned about smaller schools not having enough money to pay, why can't x% come off the top of playoff (err I mean bowl) revenue, that seems logical and keeps schools on an even ground.

I don't have an answer for the problem, but the NCAA needs to start asking the right questions or things will not get better.

Tresselgate: How does it affect the B1G?

In what seemed an inevitable conclusion to a situation that spun more out of control than Pearlgate down in Knoxville, Ohio State coach, Jim Tressel resigned on Memorial Day. He resigned over five months too late and likely as many lies. The back story, as I am sure everyone knows, is that many players, over the course of his entire career at Ohio State had been trading memorabilia for cheap or free tattoos.While sources have said that this has been going on for years, it came to light this past December when, among others, star QB and former #1 recruit, Terrelle Pryor was found to have been driving numerous cars and having traded signed memorabilia to Fine Line Ink when a federal probed the parlor on drug charges.

What gets me the most was some of the revelations in this SI article, Tressel claims to know nothing about any of this, well at least until last spring when he received an email about Pryor, yet anyone on campus could have told you what was going on?

I don't care if you are Buckeye faithful, college enthusiastic or a Buckeye hater - There is an issue here. Is some of it outside of the coaches control? Maybe partially, but that doesn't mean they can't try to fix the issue. Can Tressel stop every booster from thinking or trying to give out money and cars? Maybe not, but if he had the integrity that he preached than the issue should never have gotten to where it is today.

How hard will the Buckeyes be hit by the NCAA? I think it will be hit worse than the Trojans were. The reason being that USC had issues, over a very short time involving two players, mostly Reggie Bush and some what O.J. Mayo. The NCAA had barely any evidence, specifically evidence that would be permitted in court, and they hit USC with a multiple season postseason ban as well as a loss of scholarships.

And the Buckeyes? They have multiple years of issues and actual 'evidence'. If any of the Pryor car deals is true, that only spells the doom for the Buckeyes program for the next 3-5 years. And I don't care what anyone around the Ohio State University says; they will be searching for a new President and Athletic Director in the near future.

So how does this affect the rest of the B1G?

For starters it helps Wisconsin. The Badgers move ahead as the favorite to win their half of the B1G and PSU also gets a small boost as well as Ohio State could be hurting big time the next few years. Illinois could be a sleeper team if they ever get rid of Zook and try to compete. A new AD might make this a make or break year for Zook, which could help lead the Illini football program in the right direction.

And for the other half? Nebraska might become the leading candidate to win the conference this year and be their BCS representative in their first year in the league. If I had to bet today, Pryor won't see the field next year for the Buckeyes, either because of an extended suspension or because, more likely, he enters the NFL's supplemental draft.

On a side note I really did enjoy Steve Spurrier's thoughts on paying athletes. Yes it is a very slippery slope but the fact is it already happens. Those that play the game right are at a disadvantage to those that don't. And for all the whine and fuss about how BCS schools would have a clear advantage over non-AQ conferences, I offer you this. When the NCAA finally does the right thing and institutes a playoff (see my prior thoughts on this here) that given advantage would become much less then everyone assumes.

While I agree that the $300 number that Spurrier through out is arbitrary, it is a starting point. There is a way to make this work Mark Emmert. The NCAA makes too much off these kids to not try to find a way to make it work.

The Deron Williams Theory

The Nets made a huge splash prior to the deadline, sneaking in and grabbing All Star point guard Deron Williams from the Jazz. Thing is there is no way that Deron stays with the Nets after next season (if there is a season). I don't care about any of the reports that he is close with King and that he is helping decide which players to bring in. The fact of the matter is Dwight Howard will not come to the Nets via trade next year unless he 'Melos it and forces his way there and I just don't see that happening. The Magic can get more back from the Bulls, Lakers and even the Knicks. Yes some of the potential trades require the Magic to take on brittle knees, but something is better then nothing.

Which team will end up with the Team USA PG?

This trade will end up making one of the worst trades ever articles and setting the Nets back a few years. The Nets gave up Derrick Favors, who I disagree with many and feel his upside isn't quite as high but he could be a solid rotation player, the number 3 pick in this years draft, which will likely be Derrick Williams, Brandon Knight or Enes Kanter. All three of those could be really good players to help build in Brooklyn. A Favors/Lopez/Knight team could be one that makes the playoffs in a few years.

Oh and don't forget they gave up another one next year.

So where does that leave the Nets? Just think Denver Nuggets, with less drama and you wouldn't have to hear quotes about it on Sports Center after every game, more likely only two or three updates a day on ESPN Insider Rumors, with nothing to back them but a random tweet form a sports writer, usually somewhere within the lower 48.

The Nets will have to trade Deron Williams, as much as it will hurt Mikhail Prokhorov's ego to admit he was wrong, there is no way they can sit idly and watch him walk away like Cleveland did with King James and Toronto did with Baby Bosh.

So Deron is on the market, who calls?

Glad you asked! I think there will be quite a few teams that would be in on the mix, and actually I think these teams would have discussed a trade with Utah this last season had they known he was available. Still can't believe Utah didn't shoot a text over to the Clippers and ask what they'd give up.

Would Kevin Durant drool over getting to play with Dwill? A point guard that can create, score when needed and doesn't think he is DRose with half the skill and a worse shot selection (Yes I'm talking to you Westbrook) and, ironically, wouldn't Westbrook fit well in New Jersey when he'd be the star of his team? (I can't believe I just called him a star). Wouldn't it make sense for the Thunder to throw Westbrook and a few other players at New Jersey for Deron? Westbrook, Nate Robinson and Nick Collison's atrocious contract and a 1st for Deron and Travis Outlaw? ESPN Trade Machine tells me this works number wise. I think it makes total sense for both teams as well, Westbrook is likely the single best player that the Nets could come away with, and in New Jersey he wouldn't be tearing out Durantula's heart with every shot. Additionally, Westbrook gives the Nets a player they can get away with calling a star.

Atlanta Hawks SF, Marvin Williams

Would Atlanta finally admit their obvious mistake of taking Marvin Williams over both Deron and Chris Paul? Could he be the missing link that makes Joe Johnson worth that unbelievable contract he got last year? Honestly I don't think anyone could do that, but Deron has a better chance then Kirk Hinrich does. I mean really? The Hawks consider themselves one of the best teams in the East and Hinrich starts at point? Alright back to Deron, The Hawks could give up a package including Josh Smith and Marvin Williams plus picks and/or Pape Sy and Jeff Teague? Trade Machine tells me the numbers work on this one as well. I can't see why the Hawks wouldn't want to put their faith in Deron, he would likely be the best point to ever wear their uniform and if any player can get that jumbled mess going I'd put my money on Deron. For the Nets they get Smith who is a great defender and could help, Williams is a solid player at the three and Sy/Teague and draft picks could be useful considering New Jersey traded their picks away.

We all know that they want Dwight Howard, but after making a poor head coaching decision maybe the Lakers would realize the best way to keep Kobe healthy is to have someone else set him up and handle the ball? No they prolly won't, but they could offer a decent package. Bynum could be shipped with draft picks and Luke Walton (because I hate him) or maybe Ron Artest or Lamar Odom, actually I like that trade a lot, let's get the Kardashian's all in New Jersey. Wouldn't Lamar love to play with Kris? Just think we could have a new show! But Deron makes almost too much sense for the Lakers not to pursue. This trade makes a lot of sense if the Nets feel they have a cure for Bynum. Even more, if the Nets wanted to get tricky they could try to finagle something like this, wouldn't every Lakers fan love to see Gasol go, only to find out that Lopez is more of a girl than Pau could ever try to be? Deron gives the Lakers something they have lacked for quite some time, a point that can set Kobe up, thing is they would have to break up their team even more then other teams to try and get him because I don't think the Nets would want anything to do with Odom or Artest (and rightful so, unless Prokhorov is planning on having games where he needs the stands rushed in Brooklyn and who knows, maybe he is?). For the Nets it could get them Gasol, who would be a worthwhile addition to the team, although I'm not sure he could last in Brooklyn.

And here is one of my kickers, we all know that Conley played well enough to get the Griz a few wins in the postseason, but wouldn't Deron fit really well in Memphis? I think so. The Griz have enough pieces that they could make a solid offer, although obviously lacking star power. They could rid themselves of Conley's contract, although the asking price would likely include Rudy Gay. The trade is interesting as the Griz give up three starters, but overall I think it improves both the Griz and the Nets, Gay would be a good player for the Nets and Williams would have a better supporting cast then he has ever played with.

And what about the team that I truly feel that Deron will end up with? Yup you heard me right, the LA Clippers!

Doesn't it make too much sense? So much sense that not even David Kahn, let alone Donald Sterling couldn't mess up?

This trade basically means that the Clips would have to do the same thing they did when they paid the Cavs to take Baron Davis, destroy their draft for the next few years. This would likely take at least two first rounders to get it done. But seriously, is there a better point guard to pair with Blake? C'mon don't kid yourselves, there isn't.

What about this? Kaman, Bledsoe and Aminu (plus picks) for Deron. Is it star studded? Absolutely not, but it has two players who I think could be good players given the right chance in Bledsoe and Aminu and gives the Nets, basically, the two picks they traded away for Deron (in Aminu and Bledsoe) along with two future 1sts and a solid big man in Kaman.

LA is really the only destination I could see Deron forcing himself to, his summer home is in San Diego and LA is a big market, they have talent and Deron would have the best team around him he ever has. But do the Blakers have enough to land him? If it becomes a bidding war I don't think so.

One more team I think needs to be mentioned and that is the Trail Blazers. With Roy's worse-knees-in-the-league-behind-only-teammate-Oden's the team really needs to address the point position if they want to contend.The problem is that Roy's trade value rivals Bynum's. The trade would have to revolve around Wallace and draft picks to make sense. But a combo of Aldridge and Williams could be a title contender, especially if Roy can regain some former self and give them 20-25 minutes of that a game, I think, like Kobe, getting the ball out of Roy's hands would only benefit him. If the trade revolved around Wallace, Oden and a player like Babbit and a few firsts, I think we could have a solid offer for the Nets here. (replace Miller with Oden) Oden could still be a good player if managed properly (and if he gets away from the Portland curse) and Wallace is a good scorer who would fit well in New Jersey.

And lastly, can you ever count out Cuban? Absolutely not! Wouldn't Deron fit in well with Dirk, save Kidd some wear on his knees? Again this is a trade that lacks star power but could pay off on a well managed and coached team. Trade Machine wouldn't let me do this trade with JJ Barea, But if you put together a deal of Jason Terry, Rodrigue Beaubois and Barea and a few picks for DWill straight up I think you have a trade that could really help each team. Deron and Drik would be a fearsome duo, especially have Marion, Kidd and Chandler as secondary players.

Here's what we know, Deron being with the Nets is only slightly more believable then the rapture we all just lived through on Sunday. Could it happen? Yeah sure, a 'getting Dwight miracle could have huge ramifications for Deron and the Nets, but I just don't see it happening. When this is all said and done I think we're going to end up with one big pseudo three team trade that took place over the course of a year and whoever ends up with DWill ends up coming out on top by a hair.  Could things change if the next CBA is ever signed? Sure but I don't see the Nets keeping Deron, and I still believe the Jazz made a bad choice by trading him away.

University of Connecticut Huskies Win the NCAA Championship!

If you went to Storrs, CT last October, and told them that one of the Basketball teams would win the Title, very few would have picked the Men's team to win it. But that is precisely what has transpired in the past season, culminating tonight with the Men's team capping off a 14-0 season in single elimination tournament play, Maui invitational, Big east tournament, and now the NCAA Championships.

Congratulations to Uconn, all the players and to Jim Calhoun for his 3rd title with the Huskies! You earned it!