Early in 2009, AOL Sports will become FanHouse.com Here is a sneak peek! Check It Out

Posts by Adam at FanHouse

Read Kevin Blackistone on AOL Sports

Show the Mid-Majors Some Respect: Mercer

They are going to end up ruining your brackets in March, so you might as well get to know them now. FanHouse will take a look at some of the top Mid-Majors making news, allowing you to say, "I knew them when" before they start making noise in March.

Maybe we shouldn't be surprised that Mercer has upset two SEC teams this year; they made big news last season when they embarrassed USC in O.J. Mayo's debut at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. (Though we are starting to identify a pattern with the Trojans.)

But after last year's win and this year's two impressive wins over SEC, it's time to show some respect for Mercer University.

If It's a Tournament, UCLA Must Lose


Turns out that UCLA's failures in a "final four" are not limited to just that Final Four.

Ben Howland's Bruins are indiscriminate when it comes to choking losing in a tournament semi-final. NCAA semi-finals, or just a meaningless tournament in November -- the Bruins always find a way to fall to the occasion.

No. 4 UCLA lost to unranked Michigan, 55-52, in the 2K Sports classic on Thursday night in Madison Square Garden.

That, of course, is bad news for organizers of the tournament who were looking to bring Duke and UCLA together in the finals -- figuring that these two former Super Powers could actually win a tournament for a change.

Turns out that was a little bit myopic of them. Perhaps next time they could find an NAIA school for the Bruins to beat. And let's be honest, Michigan is just barely above that level.

Just make sure John Beilein isn't coaching the team. The former West Virginia coach continues to dominate Howland, even with lesser talent. Beilein twice defeated Howland's Bruins when he was coaching the Mountaineers and the magic continued on Thursday night. For some reason, Howland just can't figure out that zone.

But is it time to go into full panic mode in Westwood?
ADVERTISEMENT

Featured Voices

ADVERTISEMENT