Bri Moore is a sportswriter for The Daily Journal in Johnson County, Indiana–it may or may not be on a map–as well as the managing editor for High School Sports The Magazine in Central Indiana.  He’s also a soon-to-be father of three, as more Moores are expected within the next few months.  Please give him your utmost attention, even if he rambles irreverently with little sense.  The man has no life.

After watching the incredible college basketball duel between No. 24 Arizona and Illinois, in which the Lute-less Wildcats overcame a 13-point first half deficit to win 78-72, I don’t know what impressed me more: Arizona’s young, athletic team winning a tough road game at the United Center, or  Steve Lavin’s colorful color commentary.

In case you missed it, it was nothing short of a revelation - like watching “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” for the first time.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present, the quotable Steve Lavin.

On Wildcats’ star Chase Budinger, who shot an atrocious 2 of 8 from the field:

“He’s lacking some vitamins or minerals. Looks like he needs some porridge.”

And after Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless took the ball from the top of the key and imitated the Dominque Wilkins, taking off from just inside the paint for a dunk with less than a minute left in over time, Lavin was nearly speechless, but managed to muster the ever-popular:

“With authority!”

(Say, where’s Bill Walton’s “Throw it down, big man, throw it down” when you need it?)

And despite Googling every overused phrase imaginable, Lavin even had time with 50 seconds left in OT to offer some love:

“…shout-out to Walt Simon [father of Arizona assistant coach Miles Simon] who’s recovery from surgery in Anaheim Hills.”

But the crème dele crème came at after Illini guard Trent Meacham hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left in OT, to cut Arizona’s lead to 74-72:

“That’s why Illinois was so frustrated when Meacham was trying to put the ball on the floor like a hound dog or a hamster.”

I can’t tell you what any of this meant - I’m not sure anyone can - but I can tell you it was highly entertaining.  Thank you for failing so miserably at UCLA, Steve.  The Bruins loss is our gain.

They’re number one in the nation, and Ty still can’t figure out whether he’s sold on the Ohio State Buckeyes or not. Hear him mix it up with Ken Gordon from the Columbus Dispatch and talk about:

• How deserving the Buckeyes actually are of another shot at the BCS title
• The prospect of playoffs in college football
• The SEC and “Southern Speed” vs. the rest of college football
• Television’s benefit on smaller football programs
• Jim Tressel’s success at Ohio State
• Beanie Wells’ breakout season
• How the 2007-08 Buckeyes compare to the ‘06-’07 and ‘02-’03 teams
• Ohio State being the underdog against LSU

Click below to listen or download the audio.

To subscribe, point your aggregator to:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/quickslantspodcast

To email contact: tyhildenbrandt@gmail.com

 

 Quick Slants - Talkin' Buckeyes [48:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Well, well, well… it’s been quite some time since our last post in this space — about seven months to be exact — but we’re still alive and kicking at QuickSlants.com. Over the next 48 hours, stay tuned for a major site renovation as well as the addition of a podcast.

Yes, a podcast.

Those that know me can confirm that I’ve long overturned the podcasting stone. But this new venture should be a breath of fresh air and is timed to help fill the 30+ day void between the end of college football’s regular season and the BCS Championship Game. I’ll be revving things up on Thursday night when I kick things off and talk with Ken Gordon from the Columbus Dispatch. We’ll see how things go and take it from there.

Anyway, we’re a-movin’ and a-shakin’ here at the old site, so check back soon.

As some of you may or may not know, we are responsible for the internet radio phenomenon known as Yankee Fan Club Radio, a weekly radio endeavor in which we openly display our disdain for Carl Pavano, Kyle Farnsworthless, and Marty Miller the evil (former) strength and conditioning coach. So, you had to figure it was only a matter of time before we weighed in on this whole Alex Rodriguez story.

What we’ve grown to love about A-Rod, like any other individual with superstar status, is how common storylines snowball into lethal avalanches capable of burying his career as a New York Yankee. These stories would not have packed one-tenth of the punch that they have if A-Rod weren’t so openly sensitive about every word the media speak about him. Perhaps that’s the main reason why small issues surrounding baseball’s highest paid player have escalated from a couple sparks into a full-blown benzine fire.

So, this latest “headline” is really no different. On second thoughts, perhaps it’s part of a greater plan.

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen »

From the deranged world of edgy men’s publications comes a strange and confusing tale of grave injustice:

Lindsay Lohan has emerged as the hottest woman on the list of the 100 hottest women released by Maxim magazine. Not surprisingly Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are not featured on this elite list.

Lohan was on the 4th spot in 2005 and jumped to the 3rd position in 2006. This year she beat “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria for the top honor. The former was placed ninth this year after topping the charts for the previous two years.

In short, we are flabbergasted by this announcement. Dumbfounded, even. Hotter than Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Eva Longoria? Umm… WHAT?!? Haven’t we already established Lohan as a runaway truck careening out of control? Who the hell was in charge of this operation, Skip Bayless?

Maxim’s editor-in-chief Jimmy Jellinik said Lohan’s popularity was unparalleled. “There is no other star in the world that causes more of a stir in the public eye than Lindsay. Her every move is watched and reported on,” he said in a statement.

True… usually because she’s setting her career ablaze. Please, Jimmy, don’t try to explain the logic behind this. You’re not helping.

Though we suspect Lohan may have slipped them a mickey on decision day, we can’t help but question the integrity of the Maxim panelists, who just might be more corrupt than the Bush Administration and that crooked French ice skating judge, combined!

Dear God, what a travesty.

Link: Lindsay Lohan leads Maxim’s Hot 100 list [EarthTimes.org]

ESPN.com, as displayed at 3:00 pm ET on Monday afternoon. It’s not always easy to commend the Worldwide Leader, but kudos here on one of the more underhanded headlines we’ve seen in quite some time…

If there’s one thing that’s always gotten our goat, it’s athletes, particularly fading or wannabe stars, who charge for autographed memorabilia. We understand the need to make a living after a rugged life of professional sports; however, we can’t help but wonder if the athletes and their agents, themselves, truly understand the laws of supply and demand. Perhaps Darren Rovell should intervene before things get out of hand.

Why are we bringing this up now? This link to the Subway Series Show, sent in by our old college buddy “Gou” in Manhattan, pretty much confirms our suspicions: those in charge of determining market value are somewhat removed from the real, actual world. It’s the only logical conclusion after seeing that current Yankee backup — and “future Yankee star” ??? — Wil Nieves commands $25 per autograph, despite going hitless since the fall of 2002. Seriously, look it up. How is this possible?

In fact, after catching our breath from the star-studded cast of second-rate guests that will be at this affair — seriously, the axis of the planet may tilt a degree or two — we couldn’t help but ask several other, equally puzzling questions:

• If Doug Sisk wants $20 to sign a baseball, but nobody shows up, is it still worth $20?
• When did Aaron Heilman go from a middle reliever to being marketed as a Mets “star”?
• How much to tug on Jose Valentine’s well-groomed mustache?
• Will the $20 paid per autograph to Ambirox Burgos be used to re-imburse the Mets front office?
• Who the hell is Randy Niemann?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how insecure is Robin Ventura that he will NOT, under any circumstance, sign photos of himself fighting Nolan Ryan? Seriously, don’t even @#&%in’ bring it up.

We’d feel a lot better if we could get some clarification. But all that aside, this show is clearly worth the $10 entrance fee, if only to see so many utility guys, role players, and nobodies under one roof. Plus, for only an additional $12, you can get the other, whiter and older Frank Thomas, an “original” Met, to inscribe “Sucka!” on a baseball. Everyone knows you could use that to fleece someone on eBay.

LINK: The Subway Show