Catch of the Day.

HOOK:

This one is easy.  Sure, we are in the key weeks of football season.  Sure, there is plenty to talk about.  But, I am personally waiting for the hours to tick by so we can get to the tip of the Duke-Wisconsin college basketball game.  This will be as epic as a game can be this early in the season.  It is at the Kohl Center, meaning it will be loud as hell.  It will most likely be competitive, as the UK-KU game was not earlier.  Most people like Duke in this matchup, and I will concur the athletes and individual talent are primarily on the Duke side.  But, this is a team game.  Dekker, Hayes, Kaminsky and company will make sure Okafor doesn’t go for 25.  The old school sister defense of UVA will guard the paint and get hands up in shooters’ faces.  Wisconsin needs one of the OTHER young Duke kids to not go off and they will be fine.  And avoid the run.  Sam Dekker is my favorite college player right now, and if his health holds out, so does Wisconsin.  Neutral floor?  I might say differently.  But this being in Madison guides my final opinion.  Experience, home court, and catching the Duke freshmen before they get TOO much more experienced.  Wisconsin takes down Duke 71-68.

And whatever happens, don’t worry…they will see each other again…and most likely in late March or early April.

LINE:

Now THIS is a line.  Happy trails, Jean Beliveau.  20 seasons all with Montreal, 507 goals, 10 Stanley Cups as a player, 7 more Stanley Cups as an executive, 176 playoff points, 2 MVP’s, NHL All-Star 13 times (6 for first team), won first Conn Smythe.  Stud.

SINKER:

Kirk Heinrich’s foul to send game to OT almost got this one today, but I have to go with the Hoyer announcement.  Do I dislike Johnny Manziel?  Yes.  Do I kind of want him to fail?  Yes.  Am I curious to see him play?  Hell, yes.  I get the playoff scenario in throwing your new guy into the mix with a 7-5 record fighting for a playoff spot, but the coach already showed his doubt by putting him in last week.  Such a tease.  If we want to test the power of the internet, just start him.