Bracket Purgatory

Where brackets come to die. This is what happens when some guys identify a concept and take it into the lane hard. Our grasp of sports is natural, and our ability to fry has Iron Chefs envious and Goku mad with rage. Get ready. E-mail us: [email protected] Bracket Purgatory on (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); Head Writer: Danny Rinehart Site Owner, Editor: Mike Tarpey michaeltarpey.com Writer, Chief Madden Correspondent: Dominic "99" Johnson Writer: Donny "GB" Pennington Writer: Chris Cronin Writer: Brandon "QB Sneak" Dilbeck Writer: Dylan Spratt Writer: Matthew Utsler Writer: Nick Brilvitch Tiger Woods Photo Credit: Zimbio.com No copyright infringement intended. Feedjit Live Blog Stats var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24616190-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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Algarve Cup Final Preview (3/13/13)

The USWNT is back in action today as they take on Germany in the final of the prestigious Algarve Cup. The game can only be seen via online pay-per-view at 1:00 pm ET. The U.S. defeated Iceland 3-0, China 5-0, then tied Sweden 1-1, winning Group B to advance to this championship match. Meanwhile, Germany made it through Group A unscathed to set up this showdown between the world's top two teams. These two teams faced off twice last October, and both of those games finished in a draw. However, that was during the Pia Sundhage era. New coach Tom Sermanni is at the helm now, and an Algarve Cup championship victory over Germany would be a great start to his tenure.

The U.S. will have a tough time beating the Germans today. Injuries are mounting for the Americans, and it remains to be seen whether or not they'll be able to overcome them. Two of their goalkeepers are out for several weeks, with Hope Solo breaking her wrist and Jill Loyden breaking her hand. The U.S. will also be without two of their central midfielders. Carli Lloyd has a broken bone in her shoulder and will miss a couple months, while Lauren Cheney left Portugal to return stateside after her grandfather passed away. The U.S. has plenty of depth to overcome injuries, especially in the midfield, but will a backup GK be able to hold off the talented German squad?

Prediction: The United States (8) and Germany (2) have won 10 of the 19 Algarve Cups since this event was created back in 1994. Germany comes in as the defending champs, and despite the U.S. being ranked #1 in the world, I think the German women have to be the favorite in this game. The USWNT has only been with coach Sermanni for a couple of months, so there's still an adjustment period happening within the team. Players are still getting used to his tactics, while Sermanni is still experimenting with different lineups. Plus, not having key players like Solo, Lloyd, and Cheney will be big against this difficult opponent. The U.S. still has plenty of talented playmakers (Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, etc.) but the Germans are just so talented and balanced at each position. They should be able to limit the U.S. attack and put enough pressure on whoever is in the USA goal to be able to repeat as Algarve Cup champions. Germany wins 2-1.

-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/12/13)

Los Angeles Lakers C Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard made his much-anticipated return to Orlando tonight. It was his first game back there since he was traded to the Lakers this past summer. Howard was greeted with a chorus of boos, but D12 ended up getting the last laugh. He was flat out dominant in a 106-97 Lakers win. With Kobe Bryant having an off night, Howard put the team on his back and carried the Lakers to an important victory. Howard had a season-high 39 points to go along with 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. However, his most important stat came at the free throw line. Howard tied an NBA record with 39 free throw attempts, and he hit 25 of them, which is a great shooting night for his standards. The Magic tried to use the Hack-a-Howard strategy, and it did not work. At all. Howard shot 16-for-20 (80%) when he was fouled intentionally. It was definitely a great night for D12 to have his best game of the season, as he was able to send a big statement to his former team. But more importantly, it allowed the Lakers to keep their hot streak going, putting them back into the #8 seed in the Western conference playoff race. LA will need Howard to continue playing like the superstar that he is if they want to finish this second half run with a spot in the postseason.

Source of image:

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9614425/20130312_pjc_sd9_058.0_standard_352.0.jpg

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/10/13)

USA OF Adam Jones

The 2013 World Baseball Classic is starting to heat up. Group play is finished, and now the real fun begins with the double elimination second round. Team USA has advanced, but it wasn't easy. They entered play today in full desperation mode, needing a win against Canada to move on to the next round. After repeatedly failing to produce clutch hits with runners in scoring position throughout this tournament, the U.S. found themselves needing a big hit while trailing 3-2 in the top of the 8th inning. Adam Jones stepped to the plate with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, and he delivered the biggest hit of the tournament so far. He hit a line drive into the gap in left center, driving in both runs to give the USA a 4-3 lead. The U.S. eventually blew the game open in the 9th inning to win 9-4 and finish in first place in pool D. But they couldn't have done it without the timely hit by Jones, who finished today's game with 3 RBI overall. There's nothing more clutch than coming through in a big moment with your country facing elimination, and Jones did just that. Now, the U.S. can live to fight another day. They'll take on Puerto Rico on Tuesday night. Hopefully Jones and company can keep the wins coming as they go for their first ever WBC title.

Source of image:

http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.4788841.1362959157!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_600/image.JPG

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/9/13)

Baylor Bears PG Pierre Jackson

The Baylor Bears entered play today needing a lot of help to ensure a spot in the NCAA tournament. Hosting #4 Kansas on senior day offered the Bears a chance for a solid win to boost their resume heading into championship week. Baylor took full advantage, not only beating Kansas, but destroying them by the score of 81-58. Senior PG Pierre Jackson was tremendous in his final home game, scoring 28 points, dishing out 10 assists, and grabbing 6 rebounds. He shot 11-for-13 from the field, and played all but two minutes, practically carrying his team to a much needed victory. Baylor is now 18-13 on the season, and 9-9 in conference play. According to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, the Bears now find themselves as the second team OUT of the big dance. Still, they're in much better position now than they were in at the beginning of the day. If Baylor can grab a couple of wins in the Big 12 tournament, perhaps that would be enough to get themselves into the NCAA tournament, allowing Jackson one more opportunity to conclude his great collegiate career on the big stage.

Source of image:

http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2013/0309/dm_130309_ncb_pierre_jackson_ltt/dm_130309_ncb_pierre_jackson_ltt.jpg

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/8/13)

Brooklyn Nets PG Deron Williams

History was made tonight in Brooklyn, as the Nets torched the Wizards in a 95-78 victory. Deron Williams was simply unstoppable for the Nets, pouring in 42 points to go along with 5 assists. But the real story was his incredible shooting from beyond the arc. Williams drilled an NBA record 9 three-pointers in the first half, and he ended up with 11 for the game, falling one shy of another NBA record. Overall, he was 11-for-16 from downtown. Williams is a complete player, and not necessarily a guy you could envision getting trigger-happy from long distance. But while he's certainly no Stephen Curry, Williams can light it up from the three-point line if given the green light. And of course the Wizards, one of the worst teams in the NBA, gave him that green light all night long. Williams made them pay, delivering a solid win for his team and cementing his name in the record books.

Source of image:

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9355941/20130308_jla_aw8_114.0_standard_352.0.jpg

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/5/13)

Oklahoma City Thunder PG Russell Westbrook

The Los Angeles Lakers had been on quite a roll. Entering play tonight, they were 13-5 in their last 18 games, and as a result, they were finally at the .500 mark for the first time since December 28. So much for all of that. LA ran into a buzz saw tonight in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers looked lost defensively for much of the game, and trailed by double-digits for the most part, eventually losing by the score of 122-105. More specifically, LA had no answer for Russell Westbrook. He did it all, pouring in a game-high 37 points to go along with 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Perhaps most importantly, Westbrook took good care of the ball. He only had one turnover on the night, and in fact, the entire team only had two turnovers. Westbrook had everything working for him tonight, driving into the paint at will, and keeping the defense honest with his devastating midrange game. He's one of the most athletic point guards that this league has ever seen, and if he can continue playing at this high level, OKC may just be able to ruin Miami's dreams of a repeat.

Source of image:

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/001/998/553/hi-res-6742630_crop_exact.jpg?w=650&h=440&q=75

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/4/13)

Miami Heat SG Dwyane Wade

The Miami Heat have been on an incredible roll lately. Entering play tonight, they were riding a 14-game winning streak, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. That winning streak has now reached a franchise-record 15 games after the Heat blew out the Timberwolves by the score of 97-81. It was Dwyane Wade's turn to shine tonight. He nearly came up with a triple-double, scoring a game-high 32 points to go along with 10 assists and 7 rebounds. The Heat were +23 with Wade on the floor. With the duo of Wade and LeBron James playing some extraordinary basketball right now, the Miami Heat simply cannot be stopped. Their schedule is relatively weak going forward, so who knows how long this streak can last? Of course, that's not the end goal. These wins mean nothing if the Heat aren't hoisting another championship trophy in June. And with Wade turning out these kind of performances, to go along with the unstoppable James, I honestly don't see anyone dethroning the champs this season.

Source of image:

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/003/008/097/hi-res-162323570_display_image.jpg?1362003319

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-Danny Rinehart

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2013 Algarve Cup Preview

The USWNT is in Portugal as the 2013 Algarve Cup gets started this week. The Algarve Cup is an annual tournament involving 12 women's national teams from around the world, and it's one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. The U.S. has emerged as the champion in 8 of the last 13 years. However, they were upended by Japan last year and had to eventually settle for a third place finish. You can bet that the U.S. will be out for revenge and that they won't be satisfied with anything less than first place this time around. 

The Algarve Cup is set up with three groups, each containing four teams. Group C contains second-tier teams that don't factor into the championship. Groups A and B are loaded with talent. Each team plays the other three teams in their group. After group play is finished, the winner from Group A plays the winner from Group B in the championship match, with the two runner-ups playing for third place. The U.S. finds themselves in Group B this year, along with Sweden, China, and Iceland. Each of those three opponents are ranked in the top 17 in the world, so it will be a difficult task to advance as the winner of the group. And if they make it to the final, Germany or Japan, ranked #2 and #3 respectively, likely awaits.

This will be an interesting tournament for Team USA. It's the first major competition for the squad since new coach Tom Sermanni took over at the start of the year, and it'll also be the first big games for some of the new faces, including blossoming star Christen Press. For the most part, the roster appears to be intact. Alex Morgan is healthy after tweaking her ankle a few weeks ago, so she and Abby Wambach will be back together up top. The back line is starting to come together with Ali Krieger's return to the lineup, with Christie Rampone anchoring that unit. The midfield is still a revolving door. There's just so much talent at that position, so expect the likes of Carli Lloyd, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Heather O'Reilly, and Megan Rapinoe to all contribute at some point during this tournament. The main omission from the roster is GK Hope Solo. Solo has a left wrist injury that requires surgery, so she will be replaced by either Nicole Barnhart, Jill Loyden, or Ashlyn Harris. All three are solid alternatives, but perhaps the back line doesn't have as much room for error without Solo as the last line of defense.

Prediction: The U.S. begins Algarve Cup play against Iceland. That game will be played on Wednesday, March 6 at 9:00 am ET. The Americans shouldn't have too much trouble in the opener. After that, they take on China. This game will be played on Friday, March 8 at 9:00 am ET. China has always been one of the USA's biggest rivals, and they usually play a very tough and physical game. Just based on talent level, the U.S. should be able to squeak by in that one. The final match of group play is on Monday, March 11 at 11:00 am ET against Sweden. This is an incredibly intriguing matchup. If all goes according to plan, both these teams will be 2-0 with the winner advancing to the final. And on top of that, former USA coach Pia Sundhage is now the head coach for Sweden. It will be the first time that Sundhage has to face her former team. There's a lot of talent on both sides, so expect this game to come down to the wire. I think the U.S. goes undefeated in group play, setting up a showdown in the final against defending champion Germany.

Source of image:

http://wsn247.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/USAvSCO-Starters.jpg

No copyright infringement intended.

-Danny Rinehart

Note: There will not be a preview article posted for each individual game. However, if the U.S. advances to the final, which will be played on Wednesday, March 13, there will be a preview posted prior to the start of that game.

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Performer of the Day (3/3/13)

AZ Alkmaar FW Jozy Altidore

It goes without saying that soccer has yet to catch on in America to the same extent that it has around the world, but it's definitely getting there. American soccer players continue to excel overseas in the best leagues in the world. Clint Dempsey made waves last season when he scored the most goals ever by an American playing in Europe, netting 23 of them for Fulham of the English Premier League. That record no longer stands, as Jozy Altidore continues to star for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. He broke through with his 24th goal of the season today, albeit in a losing effort. He now has 17 goals during league play, and seven during the Dutch Cup. Altidore is only 23-years-old, so it's great to see him finally start to show some of his vast potential against some quality competition. He remains a big part of the future of the U.S. men's national team, and he will be needed going forward as the USA attempts to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Source of image:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/atidore-sets-american-goal-scoring-record-europe-article-1.1278280

No copyright infringement intended.

-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/2/13)

Duke Blue Devils PF Ryan Kelly

The college basketball world had been anticipating round two between Miami and Duke for quite some time. The Hurricanes threw down the gauntlet and destroyed Duke 90-63 back in January, asserting themselves as an elite team. With the Blue Devils seeking revenge, this ACC rematch in Cameron Indoor Stadium figured to be a good one. It ended up being better than that. This game turned into an instant classic. Duke got some terrific news before tipoff, when it was announced that star PF Ryan Kelly would be playing for the first time since suffering a foot injury against Clemson on January 8th. He immediately gave the Blue Devils an incredible jolt. Kelly surprisingly played 32 minutes in his first game in nearly two months, and he didn't miss a beat. He scored a career-high 36 points, shooting 7-for-9 from three point range, and also pulling down 7 rebounds en route to a 79-76 victory. Kelly was practically a one-man wrecking crew tonight, putting up one of the greatest individual performances in Duke history. It's no surprise that Kelly had a big game. The surprise is the fact that he was able to play so many minutes and show no rust whatsoever after missing 13 straight games. Duke is now 4-0 against teams ranked in the top 5 this season, and they're 16-0 with Kelly in the lineup. His return comes just in the nick of time, with March Madness right around the corner. His presence immediately vaults the Blue Devils back into the conversation as a legit national championship contender. 

Source of image:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/3/2/4058096/miami-duke-basketball-final-score

No copyright infringement intended.

-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (3/1/13)

Utah Jazz C Enes Kanter

The Jazz have been in a little bit of a funk lately. They've played mediocre basketball of late, and injuries are starting to mount. Their spot in the playoffs is anything but a certainty, especially with injuries to Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, plus a pretty difficult schedule ahead. But despite being without their two big men for tonight's game, the Jazz were able to pull out a commanding 98-68 win against the Bobcats. A big reason for Utah's dominance tonight was the play of Enes Kanter. Pressed into the starting lineup thanks to the injuries, Kanter dominated. He played 44 minutes, and put up 23 points and 22 rebounds while shooting 10-for-12 from the field. The Jazz were +26 with him on the court, by far the highest of any of their starting five. In just his second year in the league, Kanter has potential to be a solid player in this league. He just needs the consistent opportunity. It's difficult to get minutes playing alongside Jefferson, Millsap, and Derrick Favors. But with Jefferson and Millsap becoming free agents this summer, perhaps this performance convinces the Jazz that Kanter is the long-term solution at center. But in the meantime, the Jazz are just concerned with making the postseason, and depending on the severity of the injury situation, Kanter's role with this team over the final month and a half could be crucial.

Source of image:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLnwWQHQnjY/T5_ZtRTjx-I/AAAAAAAAAAw/6GVpOCFKd2M/s1600/enes-kanter.jpg

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/28/13)

Chicago Bulls C Joakim Noah

Entering play tonight, there hadn't been a 20-20-10 game in the NBA since Shawn Bradley did it all the way back in 1998. That's how rare a triple-double of that nature is. That stat is now history, as Joakim Noah filled up the box score in a 93-82 Bulls win over the 76ers. Noah, who became a first-time all-star this year, scored 23 points, pulled down 21 rebounds, and blocked 11 shots. For a player like Noah, who brings incredible energy and hustle on a nightly basis, the 20-20 stat line isn't too surprising. It's the 11 blocks that are incredible. It's not very often you see someone in the NBA manage double-digit blocks. Noah continues to set the tone for the Bulls, who are one of the better defensive teams in the league. He's a big reason why this team appears to be safely in the postseason despite Derrick Rose not playing in a single game this year. Hats off to Noah for the phenomenal 20-20-10 triple-double.

Source of image:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/18547850-419/charged-up-joakim-noah-delivers-triple-double-in-93-82-win-over-76ers.html

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/27/13)

Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry

It's not too often that players on losing teams get rewarded with performer of the day honors, but this is one of those rare occasions. Stephen Curry was phenomenal tonight, racking up a career-high 54 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 7 assists. He also knocked down 11 three pointers. Curry did everything in his power to get the Warriors a road win in New York, but the Knicks were just too much, pulling out a 109-105 win. The Warriors could have used David Lee tonight, who was suspended for this game after being involved in the brawl against the Pacers last night. Many around the NBA already believed that Curry was the best shooter in the game today. For the few who didn't share that opinion, there's no doubt about it now. Curry is an incredible shooter, and a solid overall player. He's been derailed by ankle injuries to this point in his career, but if he can stay healthy, Curry will be a star in this league for many years to come.

Source of image:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/sports/basketball/game-belongs-to-warriors-stephen-curry-but-knicks-earn-win.html?_r=0

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/26/13)

Miami Heat SF LeBron James

LeBron has done it again, capping off an extraordinary month of February with arguably his best game of the season. The Heat struggled mightily with the lowly Kings, but in the end, they were able to pull out a 141-129 win in double overtime, extending their winning streak to 12 games. King James was simply phenomenal tonight. Granted, he had a lot of help from Dwyane Wade, but still. LeBron put up 40 points, a career-high 16 assists, and 8 rebounds. He was efficient as well, shooting 14-for-23, but of course the efficiency doesn't come as much of a surprise anymore. He's been efficient all season. The way that this man can fill up the stat sheet on a nightly basis is something that is rarely seen in basketball anymore. His numbers for February? 29.7 PPG, 7.8 APG, 7.5 RPG, and 64% FG. Words can't even properly describe just how great of a player LeBron is. He's on his own planet right now, and there's simply nothing anyone can do to stop him.

Source of image:

http://www.trbimg.com/img-512d6ce6/turbine/sfl-miami-heat-sacramento-kings-scoreboard-s022613/400/400x225

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/25/13)

Atlanta Hawks C Al Horford

In today's day and age, 20/20 games are somewhat rare in the NBA. There are only a few guys who can legitimately put up those kind of numbers, and two of them (Dwight Howard and Kevin Love) are not completely healthy. But Al Horford was able to put up those kind of monster numbers, and in doing so, he led his Atlanta Hawks to a 114-103 victory over the Pistons. Horford was superb tonight, finishing with 23 points and 22 rebounds. He played a game-high 40 minutes, and shot an efficient 10-for-13 from the field. The win improves the Hawks to 32-23 on the season, good enough for the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Horford has quietly put up solid numbers this season (16.7 PPG and 9.7 RPG), and he's one of the more underrated players in the league. With the balance of this Hawks team and the consistency displayed on a nightly basis from Horford, perhaps this can be the year that Atlanta finally makes some noise in the playoffs.

Source of image:

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8726555/20130225_ajw_af2_412.0_standard_352.0.jpg

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-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/24/13)

PBA bowler Jason Belmonte

The second major event of the 2012-13 PBA season took place today. The USBC Masters featured a loaded field, with the top five bowlers surviving an incredibly long week at the lanes. But in the end, it was Australian two-hander Jason Belmonte, the #1 seed, bringing home the title. He defeated the #3 seed, Wes Malott, in the championship match by the score of 258-245. Belmonte had his back against the wall late in the match, but he stepped up under pressure and delivered six straight strikes to close out his game, forcing Malott to strike out in the 10th frame to win by one pin. Malott was unable to do so, giving Belmonte his sixth career title and his first ever major. Belmonte took home a cool $50,000 for his efforts, and the win made him the second foreign-born player in PBA history to take home the coveted USBC Masters crown. And in doing so, Belmonte has put himself into the conversation for PBA Player of the Year, and has without a doubt, cemented himself as one of the top bowlers in the world. 

Source of image:

http://photos.nj.com/star-ledger/2013/02/us_bowling_championship_16.html

No copyright infringement intended.

-Danny Rinehart

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Performer of the Day (2/23/13)

UFC fighter Ronda Rousey

History was made tonight in the octagon for UFC 157. It was the first ever female UFC fight, featuring Liz Carmouche and reigning champion Ronda Rousey, with the bantamweight title on the line. Rousey was already a "rockstar" in MMA, gaining fame through good looks and her incredible armbar technique, which is pretty much impossible for any opponent to stop. In fact, Rousey entered tonight's historic bout with a career record of 6-0, with all six wins coming via the armbar in the first round. Five of those six fights didn't last more than a minute. Carmouche put up a good fight tonight, even scaring Rousey a little bit with a rear naked choke attempt, but Rousey was able to escape from danger. She eventually wore Carmouche down and got her with that trademark armbar with 11 seconds remaining in the first round. The main event definitely lived up to the hype, with Rousey coming through yet again and gaining stardom in UFC. But more important is the fact that these female athletes finally got the opportunity to compete at the sport's highest level, and they both made the most of it. This is just the beginning for female fighters in UFC. Congrats to Rousey for making history and setting the path for those aspiring to do the same.

Source of image:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-ufc-157-ronda-rousey-live-coverage-20130223,0,3695001.story

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-Danny Rinehart