Week 7 Picks & Game Announcers
Just a reminder, here are my straight up week 7 picks:
Green Bay, San Diego, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, New England, Houston, Atlanta, NY Jets, Carolina, Chicago, New Orleans, NY Giants, Philadelphia.
Announcers
1pm
Minnesota @ Pittsburgh- Fox- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa.
San Francisco @ Houston- Fox- Chris Myers, Brian Billick.
Green Bay @ Cleveland- Fox- Ron Pitts, John Lynch.
New England @ Tampa Bay (in London)- CBS- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms.
San Diego @ Kansas City- CBS- Dick Enberg, Dan Fouts.
Indianapolis @ St. Louis- CBS- Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots.
4pm
Atlanta @ Dallas- Fox- Thom Breneman, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver.
New Orleans @ Miami- Fox- Dick Stockton, Charles Davis.
Chicago @ Cincinnati- Fox- Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan.
NY Jets @ Oakland- CBS- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf.
Buffalo @ Carolina- CBS- Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker.
College Hoops: Twitter Topics
-The University of Washington recently renewed a yearly rivalry with in-state rival Gonzaga with the matches resuming next year in nearby Seattle, rather than alternating each year with the Huskies heading to Spokane. Via Twitter, ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla ripped into Washington and wondered why ‘Zags Head Coach Mark Few would renew an annual matchup with a team that’s clearly below them.
“Love Lorenzo Romar but if I were Mark Few, I would tell Huskies to take a hike in wanting to renew series. Zags don’t need UW game at all!” Fraschilla said. “UW’s desire to play all games in Seattle and terms of series are bush league. Do they think they are Duke or Kentucky?”
I completely disagree with what Fraschilla is arguing. Playing a regional rival every year is good for basketball in the state of Washington, and the Huskies are going to be excellent next year if they keep their great backcourt of Sophomore Isaiah Thomas and Freshman Abdul Gaddy. Despite that, Fraschilla still told SprungOnSports that it was a bad move for Gonzaga.
“I love UW back court but the Zags don’t need them. Seems like Huskies waited for Zags graduate guys before making offer.” With top player Matt Bouldin graduating this year, he may have a point there for Gonzaga. But to me, having the two best teams in the state playing each other every year is a good thing.
-Cincinnati practically won the lottery when they landed super-prospect 6’5 New York City swingman Lance Stephenson, and he’s definitely the odds-on favorite to win the Big East Freshman of the Year and could get the Bearcats into contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. He’ll clearly be Mick Cronin’s top option and he’ll have to have a huge year for Cincy to remain relevant.
“I think Cincy is a good fit for Stephenson,” said Peter Robert Casey, the official Twitter blogger for the St. John’s Red Storm, an expert on the Big East. “He’s really impressive when he’s focused–So elusive for his size.”
Based on how much every team relies on their point guard, Syracuse’s Brandon Triche could also be in contention for the rookie award along with 6’5 Villanova Shooting Guard Dominic Cheek, who will garner a lot of attention as the Wildcats bring back all their players from last year’s final four run.
“Cheek and SU’s Triche, as SprungOnSports pointed out, are two other freshmen I’m looking forward to watching.” Casey said.
