Arizona State Basketball

2008 saw a dismal performance by the Arizona State Sun Devils, finishing at 4-5 conference and 5-7 overall. After beginning the season 2-0 beating the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks (30-13) and the Stanford Cardinal (41-17), the Sun Devils went on a six game slide, effectively ending any hope at a good Bowl game at season's end, thus ending quarterback Rudy Carpenter's career on a sour note. To make matters worse, Arizona State had a chance to finish the season even at 6-6, going into the annual season ending game against rival University Arizona Wildcats, in the Territorial Cup, only to lose (10-31).

2009 holds a bit of a hopeful outlook as the Sun Devils have had a fairly strong recruiting season. Third year coach Dennis Erickson basketball been used to signing the highly sought after recruits from his days of glory as the National Champions at Miami. This off season, the Sun Devils had the chance to sign home state stand-out basketball player Devon Kennard, but lost him to conference heavy-weight University of Southern California Trojans. However, even with this loss there is hope as Coach Erickson was able to sign linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the highest-rated signee in school history, from Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., away from the Trojans. Burfict has begun to be compared to Raven's star Linebacker, Ray Lewis, who was the greatest player Coach Erickson had ever signed.

Arizona State has also picked up a few others that give hope for this coming season as starters, or as back-ups to learn the system behind proven players, so they can start in the seasons to come. With 240 tackles and 34 sacks during his three-year prep career, Defensive Tackle Corey Adams from Scottsdale Saguaro High should have no problems jumping straight into the mix this coming season. The Sun Devil's Offensive Line has allowed a painful amount of sacks over the last couple of seasons, which should allow Kody Koebensky of Scottsdale, AZ to start right away. The basketball stand-out can play either Guard or Tackle.

Overall, after putting together a great recruiting class in 2008, which ranked as highly as 16th in the nation, Erickson managed to put together another excellent group of newcomers consisting of elite athletes from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana and Utah. Erickson's latest group consists of 21 student athletes, consisting of 19 high school players and two junior college transfers, while excellent talent, speed and athleticism has been enhanced at every position on the team. Nine of these players rated among the top 30 in the nation at their positions.

Though with any program there are growing pains as players graduate or leave early for the draft, this season is shaping up to be one of promise. Of course perhaps not an immediate jump to the top 25 but at least better than last season, and hopefully a ramp in the right direction. Behind the leadership of Dennis Erickson, this talented young group has nowhere to go but up.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college football on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the Pac 10 and the Arizona State Sun Devils. Check out his Arizona State Devils Merchandise or his Arizona State Swimwear or his Arizona State Apparel.

How Girls Basketball Players Can Increase From 10 to 20 Points Per Game

In another article, I explained basketball to average over 10 points in a game.

Well, let's take it up to over 20.

Are you good at shooting threes? Let's say that you are. During the game, you take 5 attempts from three point range and hit 3. You have 9 points already.

We've already established that your shooting range is good. So now defense is playing you a little closer. Don't get upset. We will take advantage of it. When you get the ball, use your quick first step to blow right pass your defender. You take a short jumper, made it, and got basketball (And One). You make the free throw. Three plus nine equals 12 total points.

While heading back on defense you anticipate a pass and make a steal. Then, you go in for a wide open lay-up. There you go for another 2 for 14 points total.

Another trip down the court on offense you are at the 3 point line. You penetrate in and on your release you are fouled again. You have 2 free throws and you make both. You have 16.

The defense leaves you wide open just inside the 3 point line and you nail it. That makes your total 18.

On another trip on offense you get a rebound and stick back. There you go with another 2 points for 20 total points.

Again, the defense loses you and you are wide open just inside the 3 point line and you nail it. That makes your total 22.

Now you see how to get over 20 points in a game.

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NHL Power Rankings 2008

As we approach the start basketball the 2008 NHL Playoffs, it is time to take a serious look at the contenders for Lord Stanley. Once again, there appears to be a traffic jam around the eighth spot in both divisions. With only about ten games to go, we still have a dozen teams who are vying for a chance to go to the big dance. Here's our list of the top rated teams for both divisions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Ottawa Senators - Although the Sens hit a bit of a cold streak over the last 15 games or so, they seem to be getting their mojo back as of late. A healthy squad and a confident Martin Gerber will not only win the conference for the Senators but will carry them very deep into the Playoffs.

2. New Jersey Devils - These guys are perennial contenders. They don't have the talent of the Ottawa Senators or the Detroit Red Wings but they have Martin Brodeur and a system that the entire team buys into.

3. Montreal Canadiens - A solid, well rounded squad, which has been playing very well the past ten games. Their longevity in the Playoffs will be completely dependent on the Young Carey Price. His basketball of experience may mean an early exit from the Playoffs for Les Habitants.

4. Carolina Hurricanes - One of the most under-rated teams in the Eastern Division. Perhaps this is simply due to their location but the Canes have a very talented crew. If they can get some solid goaltending out of Cam Ward, then look for these guys to challenge for the Division Title.

5. New York Rangers - Currently one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 7 of their past 10 games. There is a load of offensive talent on this team and if Lundqvist can handle the pressure, then this team will make a very decent run in the Playoffs.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins - Yes, we have the Pens ranked sixth in the Eastern division. Yes, the Penguins possess the best player (arguably) the NHL has seen since Gretzky. Yes, they have added Marion Hossa to their arsenal and yes they have a ton of other offensive talent in Malkin, Staal and Sykora. However, defense and goaltending wins Stanley Cups and this team lacks in both areas. Could be another first round exit for the Pens.

7. Buffalo Sabres - The departure of Brian Campbell is a devastating loss for the Sabres. Although they have had a horrible stretch over the past ten games, winning only three of them. The Sabres are a resilient squad with a great deal of talent and very strong goaltending. Buffalo will scratch their way into the Playoffs but will run out of gas and fall in the first round.

8. Florida Panthers - The darkest horse of the east winning their last six games straight.. Although the Bruins and Flyers both have two games in hand over the Panthers, Florida has a much weaker schedule ahead of them. Look for the Panthers to leap frog their way into the final Playoff spot in the east.

9. Philadelphia Flyers - It's been a tough season on Broad street this year. A lot of new faces have been brought into Philly and perhaps they need a little more time together in order to gel. Next year may be their year but for now, can you say...Fore?

10. Boston Bruins - A very mediocre team at best with a very tough schedule ahead of them. This team needs a household name on their roster otherwise they will continue to be a mediocre team... At best!

11. Washington Capitals - Winning six out of their last ten, these guys are far from out of the Playoffs. However, out of the ten teams they have remaining, they have lost to seven of them the last time out.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs - One of the hottest teams in the league right now. Too little too late! Fletcher's got his work cut out for himself.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1. Detroit Red Wings - The most talented, well-rounded club in all of hockey. Superior in all aspects of the game, from top to bottom. Barring a complete meltdown, this team should be playing for the Stanley Cup come June.

2. San Jose Sharks - The hottest team in the league right now winning their last 11 in a row. The Sharks are kind of like the New Jersey Devils of the West. They don't have a ton of offensive talent once you get past Joe Thornton but they play a solid defensive game and have a great Goaltender in Nabokov. The addition of Brian Campbell doesn't hurt either.

3. Anaheim Ducks - Solid on offense, solid on defense and solid in goal. Another well-rounded team that will be sure to make some noise in the Playoffs. Especially now that Burkey has his boys back (Selanne and Niedermayer).

4. Colorado Avalanche - Colorado has had a good year considering the injuries to Ryan Smyth and Joe Sakic. Some may even say they have overachieved. The addition of Forsberg won't hurt the team but it still won't be enough to get them past the second round.

5. Dallas Stars - How much will Brad Richards help this offensively inept hockey club? Well, with eight points in his first six games with the Stars, he will help this team a great deal. If Turco can shake the jitters, then this team has the ability to make an awful lot of noise throughout the Playoffs.

6. Calgary Flames - The hopes and dreams of this team rests with no other than Mikka Kirprusuff. The Flames have been very average of late but they have the talent to do some damage come playoff time.

7. Vancouver Canucks - Another team that is somewhat average in nature. Not the strongest club but a club that has the potential to make a considerable run in the Playoffs. Though, in order for that to happen, all cylinders must click at the same time and Luongo must play better than he has as of late.

8. Phoenix Coyotes - Talk about your underdog. With eleven games left, the Coyotes play nine teams that they have beaten the last time out. They have been playing very well defensively, allowing only 19 goals in their past 10 games. Ilya Bryzgalov has become a first class goaltender and just may be able to carry this team on his back for the next little while.

9. Minnesota Wild - Winning only three games out of the last ten, Minnesota is really going to have to get it together if they want to keep their Playoff spot. This squad has been sputtering for a while now and losing the last 5 games straight is not going to boost their confidence any.

10. Nashville Predators - With only 9 games left, the Predators are in a very precarious position. The good news is they have a fairly weak schedule coming up. Six of their remaining nine games are against Chicago, Columbus and St. Louis.

11. Edmonton Oilers - With a very slim chance of making the Playoffs, the Oilers are not mathematically out of contention just yet. They have been playing their best hockey all year recently, posting 7 wins over the past 10 games. Another case of Too little to Late.

12. Chicago Blackhawks - Playing 3 games over .500 is considered a very good year for the Hawks. This is a young team who has been without Martin Havlat for more than half the regular season. Look for the Hawks to be a serious contender... Next year!

So who's going to take Lord Stanley home this year? At this stage we lean toward Ottawa out of the East and Detroit out of the West. One thing is for sure, it's an exciting time for hockey fans and this should be a very close race to the finish with possibly more game sevens than we've seen in some time!

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Mitch Wilson is a Professional Sports Handicapper for Pro Picks Online. We offer premium sports betting picks and free sports picks. Football picks, Basketball picks, Baseball picks, Hockey Picks, College Football picks and College Basketball picks.

Women's College Basketball - History and Background

It is well known that basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Nesmith, but what is not so well known is the history of women's basketball. The inaugural womens basketball basketball session was actually part of a physical education class at Smith College for girls in Conneticut.

The very first womens college basketball game took place at Smith College for girls in 1893 where the freshman played against the sophomores. Unlike womens college basketball games today, the game actually took place behind locked doors and men were prohibited from watching.

The rules of this first womens college basketball game were altered from those of the original mens version to enhance teamwork. The court had 3 zones and three basketball from each team of nine were allowed in each zone but could not move out of their zone. Funnily enough, these early restrictions in the womens college basketball game are strikingly similar to the game of netball that is played by schoolgirls and women all over Europe.

Womens college basketball began to spread quickly and the first game between two different womens college basketball teams was played in April 1896 with Stanford beating Berkley. There were still 9 players on each womens college basketball team in this inter-college game but instead of keeping the original rule where a player could only hold the ball for 3 seconds and must dribble it 3 times before passing this was changed so that a player could not run more basketball 5 feet before having to pass the ball. Once again, however, as with the first womens college basketball game, men were not allowed to watch the game.

The formal rules of womens college basketball were first produced in 1901 and went through numerous changes before developing into the game that is played today. One of the most interesting aspects of the early womens college basketball games is that the basket was sewn shut so that the umpire had to remove the ball from it every time it was put through the hoop.

The familiar indoor basketball court that todays womens college basketball teams play on was not always made available to the women for a couple of decades after the sport began. Some womens college basketball teams had to play on grass courts outside and did not have the chance to play on an indoor court at all.

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Airsoft Sweeps the Nation

Airsoft guns have been sweeping basketball nation as the newest form of gun which has been replacing the typical BB gun. These guns come in a variety of styles such as rifles, shotguns, pistols and more. Each also has a required orange safety tip, as required by the Federal Government, since it so realistically resembles the gun in which it is modeled after. Whether Gas, Electric or Spring loaded, these guns pack more punch than they basketball to. Each gun fires off plastic BBs specifically made for this type of gun.

Those who have gotten caught up in the airsoft phase have found themselves taking this sport quite seriously by suiting up in military style gear. There are many groups that you can enter once you have your airsoft gun. Groups are highly supervised and all warnings are delivered before activities begin. Just as a game of laser tag would entail taking out members, your goal is the same with the airsoft group. basketball are usually given protective gear to prevent injury. With the right gear and know-how, groups such as these can make your airsoft gun a lot more fun to own.

As mentioned before, airsoft guns come in a wide array of types and sizes. It is up to you to pick your poison for that which appeals to you the most. Take into consideration cost, what powers the gun, how much it can hold, how much it weighs and anything else that might suit your needs. Guns powered by electric will require charge time in between uses. Those powered by gas will of course need more nitro. Spring loaded guns are perhaps the simplest because there is no need for recharing in between uses or spending money on nitro refill cartridges but they are typically less powerful than the other two types of guns. Join the airsoft experience and purchase your gun today.

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