General

Shanoff’s WUC: Tide, Arenas, Hawk, KU, Weis

Jan 7, 2010, 1:25 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Alabama vs. Texas, Gilbert Arenas vs. David Stern, Andre Dawson vs. Bert Blyleven, Charlie Weis vs. Matt Cassel, Kansas vs. Cornell, Dan LeFevour vs. Troy, Charles Barkley vs. Tim Tebow.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: Maybe I’m still scarred.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe memory is still too fresh of Alabama destroying Florida. The Tide offense steamrolling the Gators’ otherworldly defense; Bama’s D turning Florida’s offense into a JV unit.â†µ

â†µâ†µAnd, later that night, of Texas nearly losing to Nebraska, unable to move the ball against a Huskers defense that is good - but not nearly as good as Alabama’s. Beyond Texas’ mild 2010 sched, they haven’t seen a team as good as Alabama in the McCoy Era.â†µ

â†µâ†µSo: Alabama drilled what could be the 2nd-best team in the country. Texas nearly lost to a good -- but hardly elite -- conference rival. Tonight’s game shouldn’t be close.â†µ

â†µâ†µWe could talk about Alabama’s juggernaut qualities: Dominant O-line. Heisman-winning RB (with a back-up who is even better). The most talented WR in college football. A QB playing as confidently as any in the country. Murderous D-line. The best LB in college football. And a secondary as well-disciplined as any in the country. The team is insanely focused.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut why talk? We all saw both teams up-close a month ago, in championship settings. Trust your eyes.â†µ

â†µâ†µAlabama 34, Texas 13.â†µ

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â†µGilbert Arenas "not currently fit" to take the court in an NBA game ... for now? For the season? For life? It's hard to tell, and the whole process is opaque (and seemingly personal). â†µ

â†µâ†µWould Arenas have avoided this harsh of a punishment if he had laid low since the incident, rather than going “guns up” in the middle of a pre-game circle on Tuesday night? Almost assuredly. â†µ

â†µâ†µBeyond “how long,” the next question is whether the Wiz will get their chance to void his contract. This is a pretty sad situation for one of the NBA’s biggest stars.â†µ

â†µâ†µKansas survives at home against feisty Cornell, and all I could think about when the game was over was that -- despite the loss -- I’m going to file this away until March to justify picking Cornell into the Sweet 16.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Jon Scheyer homecoming to Chicago was wildly successful: 31 pts on 10/19 FG shooting, in an 86-65 Duke rout over Iowa St.)â†µ

â†µâ†µCharlie Weis hired by the Chiefs. Offensive coordinator is a perfect role for Weis. If he can ramp up the Chiefs offense -- and QB Cassel, WR Bowe and RB Charles aren’t a bad foundation -- it will help repair the damage to his rep he created at ND.â†µ

â†µâ†µGood Read: Vinnie Iyer’s Wild Card picks. Cowboys, Packers, Jets, Ravens. (I’ll have my picks tomorrow.)â†µ

â†µâ†µAndre Dawson elected to the Hall of Fame. I grew up a Cubs fan and have a special place for Dawson, but I respect the problem some have that his on-base percentage is the lowest of any outfielder in the Hall by 20 points. I thought it was pretty ludicrous that only one player got in, but it’s obvious that Alomar and Blyleven are as good as in next season. (But if you’re one of the handful of voters who kept them out and you’re going to switch your vote next season, you probably shouldn’t have voting privileges.)â†µ

â†µâ†µDan LeFevour! Down 12 in the 4th, LeFevour rallied Central Michigan to an double-OT win over Troy in the GMAC Bowl. LeFevour (33/55 for 395 yds, w/ 1 pass TD and 1 rush TD) can do anything. Maybe GMAC can hire him to fix their balance sheet.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Draft: Florida TE Aaron Hernandez is going pro, and like CB teammate Joe Haden, he could be the first player taken at his position. Regardless, also like Haden, he leaves as the best to ever play his position at Florida.â†µ

â†µâ†µRecruiting: Matt Elam is one of the best players in the class of 2010, but he’s having a bit of trouble making up his mind. First, Florida was his team. Then he decommitted, and picked Florida State. Then today, he decommitted again, with Florida regaining the lead. He’s going to declare on Saturday, but maybe that should be “declare.”â†µ

â†µâ†µPop Culture: Charles Barkley is hosting Saturday Night Live, and I’m not sure why. If they were looking for an athlete to do it, I’m surprised they didn’t ask Tim Tebow, who could have given a Montana-esque performance.â†µ

â†µâ†µVarsity Letters tonight! If you live in New York City, be sure to drop by the Varsity Letters Reading Series, tonight at 7 (so you can get home in time to watch the BCS title game). It’s in Dumbo and, as always, it’s free. Terrific event.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: “I’m sorry for my teammates, the city of Washington, the memory of Mr. Pollin and his family, and all my fans that support me and the game of basketball. I mean that. This shouldn’t have happened. It shouldn’t have got this far. I know that.” -- Gilbert Arenas. Obviously too little, too late.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff. â†µ

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