7pm ET - ESPN - Boston College @ #4 North Carolina - Watch the explosive Tar Heels dismantle BC.

8pm - TNT - Mavericks @ Celtics - This match-up is much less intriguing without Garnett and Allen in the lineup for the Celtics. A win would make a big statement, but a loss wouldn't mean much.

9pm - ESPN - #11 Indiana @ #13 Wisconsin - Both teams are coming off losses to unranked opponents. The Hoosiers lost the UConn and the Badgers lost to Purdue on Saturday. Prior to those losses both teams had double-digit winning streaks. Indiana is the only undefeated team in Big Ten play, but there are three other teams with just one loss - including Wisconsin.

9pm - ESPN - North Carolina State @ #3 Duke - The last time these two teams played, NC State knocked the Blue Devils out of the ACC Tournament. Duke went on to lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. But, this year should be a different story. Duke is the only ACC team undefeated in conference play and have won all nine home games by an average of nearly 30 points per game.

10:30pm - TNT - Spurs @ Suns - The Spurs look to avoid their first four game losing streak in nearly four years, but will face the Suns who have won seven of their past eight games. The Spurs are currently sixth in the West and are just 1.5 games ahead of the eighth seed.

Non-sports pick - 9pm - ABC - Lost "The Beginning Of The End" - Finally some new episodes and two hours no less. So, how much more confusing will it be after these two hours? I expect, much more.

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 3:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

The Super Bowl (please don't sue us, NFL) is now less than a week away, so up until Sunday, four of us here at RCS will be offering up some of our favorite memories involving the Big Game. So far, we've looked at our Favorite Super Bowl Commercials and Favorite Plays. Today, Dave's highlight: our Favorite Super Bowl Snacks:

Robbie: I'm going to say a very bold statement right now, but please bare with me.

Nachos are overrated. Yeah, I know, it's like saying, eh, Gisele's not that hot. But, hear me out. It's not that I don't like nachos, but, they're just too messy, and after the first five chips they get all soggy. Also, it gets nearly impossible to get the right amount of cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, cheese and beans onto one chip.

So, my favorite snack: the seven-layer dip. Now, there are probably about 15 items that can be put in a seven-layer dip - here are my seven - 1. beef 2. cheddar cheese 3. beans 4. guacamole 5. salsa (with lime flavoring) 6. onions 7. jalapeños.

Dave: Robbie needs to learn how to eat nachos. There's a reason Taco Bell hooks you up with a spork when you order Nachos Supreme....

Anyone think Ryan's favorite snack has something to do with the Patriots? Maybe a cookie with a candy Patriots logo in the middle and "Go Pats" spelled out in chocolate chips? I can see that being a Hudson family favorite.

Jeff: When it comes to Super Bowl snacks there are some guidelines that must be followed. First off, we don't have the time or space for forks, so lets get food that requires anything other than hands right off the menu. Secondly, I'm gonna want to eat a lot of different things during the Super Bowl, so lets get rid of large items. Dippable items are key. I think there are many foods that are "needed:" wings, ribs, nachos, chips with multiple dips, etc. A great Super Bowl food is mini hot dogs, with various dipping sauces. However, if I'm living in fantasy world, give me scallops wrapped in bacon.

Dave: Obviously, this is tough. I'd love to say that salsa con queso is my favorite. Its tasty, its compact, and it goes with everything. But there's something holding me back. I'm pretty sure its the way your hand gets all messy when it starts to run out and you have dip further and further in the jar to get the cheese.

Jeff: The key to queso dip is to pour it out of the jar into a bowl. That eliminates most dipping problems. This conversation is going to cause me to spend an outrageous amount of money on snacks this weekend.

Dave: With salsa con queso off the table, the choice becomes obvious: Chex Mix.

Ryan: Growing up a Military brat is the reason I spent five years in Germany during my elementary school and junior high days. And it's also why my brother and I would have to go bed early and then wake up at midnight just to watch the Super Bowl. My favorite memory of those times was not the games or coming up with a good excuse as to why I missed school the next day, but instead the snacks our dad made. The fact that it was two in the morning did not stop him from preparing our number snack request: pizza rolls.

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 2:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

Welcome back to Scottsdale, Arizona, and SportsCenter's coverage of Super Bowl 42!! (Berman leans forward and stares into camera while speaking slowly) Where the... New England... Patriots...will be trying to close the books on an undefeated...season, but the New York... FOOTBALL... Giants have other ideas. Can Tom and the Brady Bunch complete the dream, or, as Three Dog Night said, is Eli Coming?

These two teams met in Week 17 in a classic battle. Eli Manning and the GGGG-MEN were big underdogs, but THAT'S why they play the game!!! The G-men came out ready to play and took it to the Patriots early. The Patriots were down by 12, 28-16 in the 2nd half, (leans forward in chair again) and a rolling stone gathers no moss, but RANDY MOSS (speaks each word as if it is a separate sentence) gathers the most touchdowns by any receiver in NFL history.

"I'm an idiot"

The GGGG-MEN come into this game confident and feeding off the fact that no one thinks they can win the game. They will need a balanced attack, using their committee of running backs including (strange sounds of a small explosion or car accident) Brandon Jacobs, and the speedster Ahmad Bradshaw, who might be able to WHOOP past Patriots defenders into the end zone!
(long unnecessary pause)
But Eli is also gonna have to be able to move the ball through the air...
(another pause)
...and the Patriots are going to force him to use all his targets, including...
(yet another pause)
..."Well Dressed" Armani "It's Not A" Tumor, and back up tight end, Kevin "Who's The" Boss. And, guys, you have to wonder, after kicking the game winner against Brett Favre and the Packers, will Lawernce "Third" Tynes "A Charm" (pauses for laughs, and a fake laugh is forced by Tom Jackson) have to make another PRESSURE kick in this game? We shall see.

For the Patriots, we all know they are undefeated, led by a coach who always picks up the Bill...(long pause) BELICHICK! Tom Brady has gotten a lot of help from his offensive line, and he'll need it against Michael "Please Apodt Any" Strah"Cats"an and the Giants pass rush. A big match up will be Matt Light, not Matt Heavy, trying to handle Strahan; to do so he'll have to be Matt Light on his feet. The Pats running game has come alive in the playoffs. "Sha Na Na, I got a girl, name of Boney" Laurence Maroney" has been running great, being able to WHOOP and WHOOP! Can he keep it up?

A Richie Valens Reference. Berman Stays With The Times.

(Leans forward in chair, stares at camera)
For the pick, the Schwam thinks the Giants have been playing well and might keep this one close, but not since the Buffalo Bills has anyone been able to circle the wagons like these New England Patriots!!
(Eyes bug out of head, still leaning forward)

"I'm an idiot with a dumb hat on."

Swami says the 1972 Dolphins will not be popping the cork on that champagne, and the Pats make it a perfect 19-0 winning 27-20 over the G-men.

Posted by Jeff Briggs at 10:19 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

The folks at Every Day Should Be Saturday (EDSBS) commented on an online video post Trev Alberts did for Sprint Online content. Here's Alberts' response:

The camera slowly tilts down to reveal Trev ISN'T wearing pants and then he wakes up his wife who fell asleep while operating the camera. Then, perhaps his kids accidentally hit him with a ball as they were playing in their rec room. This would've been funny and would've endeared Trev to the whole blogging community.

Instead, he seems to get legitimately upset over EDSBS's claims. Relax Trevy and learn to take a joke.

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 9:23 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

Allen Iverson

If you were to draft a football team made entirely of basketball players, who would you pick? Mainly agree with the picks, but I'd put Bruce Bowen and Kobe Bryant as the corners, Iverson should probably be a quarterback since he's done it before, and you gotta work in Gilbert Arenas somehow. Maybe as coach of touchdown celebrations? (Bleacher Report)

You know how ESPN has been broadcasting a lot of high school basketball games over the past few years? Well, turns out it's costing those high schools a lot of money. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Word in Arizona is Mike Lupica is a big bully who pushes around girls. (The Big Lead)

Major League Baseball Umpires are being investigated for ties to KKK. (AOL Fanhouse)

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 6:23 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

7pm ET - ESPN - Virginia @ Maryland - Alright, something has to be done about ESPN's programming. These two teams are a combined 3-7 in the ACC. Meanwhile, at 8pm #2 Kansas plays #24 Kansas State and multiple KSU players have predicted an upset.

7pm - ESPN2 - Cincinnati @ West Virginia - The Mountaineers were robbed at home Saturday against Georgetown when Patrick Ewing Jr. was not called for goal-tending on a last second shot. West Virginia will seek vengeance against a weak Cincy team. Oh, and there's that whole Bob Huggins connection too.

7pm - Versus - Ducks @ Wild - Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Wild currently sit atop the Northwest division, but a loss could knock them out of first and push them into the 6th spot in the West. The Ducks will try to gain ground on the Stars and Sharks who are both three points ahead of them in the Pacific division.

9pm - ESPN - Cavaliers @ Trail Blazers - The Trail Blazers have begun to cool off and will be facing one of the hottest teams in the league. The Cavs have won 10 of their last 12 games and are looking to win their 5th straight road game for the first time in 10 years.

9pm - ESPN2 - #10 Texas @ #23 Texas A&M - The Aggies started the season 15-1, but have lost three of their last four including a five overtime loss to Baylor. They will have to deal with DJ Augustin who averaged 24 points and six assists in two games against Texas A&M last season.

Non-sports pick - 9pm - ABC - Lost - The last episode of season three, because frankly I can't remember what was happening. Not that this or any episode will clear anything up. But, I can't help but watch.

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 4:28 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

7pm ET - ESPN - Ohio State @ Penn State - PSU has lost five straight games...how did they wind up on ESPN?

7pm - Versus - Sabres @ Lightning - If the Sabres lose tonight, they will tie the amount of losses they had all of last season. Luckily they're playing the Lightning, the only team worse than the Sabres in the Eastern Conference.

9pm - ESPN - #8 Tennessee @ Alabama - Tennessee hasn't won at Alabama in 10 years, but this could be their year. Alabama has lost three of their last five home games and have lost three of their last four overall.

Non-sports pick - 8pm - Travel Channel - Pizza Paradises - "Ten outrageous pizzerias dish up creative toppings." Get some really horrible ideas for Super Bowl Sunday!

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 5:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

Good news for all you beer drinkers out there -- those weekend binge-sessions may actually be fighting cancer. No, seriously:

Researchers in Germany say that a cancer-fighting substance found in hops could be enhanced to brew a special anti-cancer beer.

The preliminary studies indicate xanthohumol, found in hops, inhibits a family of enzymes that can trigger the cancer process, as well as help the body detoxify carcinogens, according to the science newswire Ivanhoe.

However, don't rush out to pick up a keg just yet.

The German researchers warn that it would take 60 regular beers to equal the amount of xanthohumol researchers are able to brew in this one beer.

That's why scientists are now working on ways to give all beers higher levels of Xanthohumol, and even find ways to add it to other foods, like chocolate.

God bless you, scientists.

Somewhere, Briggs' liver smiles, knowing there is still hope.

(Thanks to Wizard of Odds)

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 1:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

If you're stuck at work or away from a TV, and just NEED to get your fix of Media Day, don't worry, you can watch it live online here.

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 12:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink |

I know, ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd really deserves no extra attention. But, still, this seemed worth mentioning, from Dan Steinberg's Sports Bog over at the Washington Post, discussing things you might do during downtime at the Super Bowl:

"...[Y]ou might chat with Scott Van Pelt about Maryland's basketball team (and Super Bowl cheese options), or with Mike Tirico about the FBR Open. Or with Colin Cowherd about blogs.

'We're a blog on radio,' was one of the things he said to me.

'We see blogs as our allies,' he added, talking about how he sends traffic to blogs and blogs reciprocate.

Because he apparently forgot about the time he infamously (and blatantly) stole original material from M Zone, a Michigan sports blog, in 2006. Then, last April, he told his listeners to attack The Big Lead, another sports blog. And they were successful, as they caused TBL's servers to crash; the website was down for over two days.

Certainly, after all of this, he can't honestly expect to be liked by bloggers, can he? He'd be best off just staying far away from sports blogs altogether...oh, no.

"He also said he's thinking about starting a blog of his own."

One can only hope it has a comments section.

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

The Super Bowl (please don't sue us, NFL) is now less than a week away, so starting today and working our way up to Sunday, four of us here at RCS will be offering up some of our favorite memories involving the Big Game. Up now: our Favorite Super Bowl Commercial:

Dave: I'm going to say my favorite Super Bowl commercial is from 2006. The Career Builder ad where all the monkeys are partying and celebrating in a conference room, while the Regular Joe looks on from his cube. The Regular Joe walks in to the conference room, (we see monkeys wearing party hats and one wearing a suit who's lighting a cigar by burning money), and he goes to the chart that shows sales are up. He turns it around to show the monkeys that sales are actually down.

This barely edges out the Career Builder ad from the previous year, where he goes to a meeting with the monkeys and sits on a whoopie cushion. Monkeys are awesome.

On an unrelated note, remember when Britney Spears was hot?

Jeff: Best ad has to be Reebok's ad, Terry Tate: Office Linebacker. This is the first ad that I ever went out of my way to watch again on the computer. Full of classic lines, I still quote the Terry Tate series of commercials to this day (Ed. note: Really??), and it all started at the Super Bowl.

"I ain't got time for pain. The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." People getting hit is, and always will be, funny, especially unsuspecting people wearing suits in an office, getting hit by Triple T.

If you think about it, is there any ad you'd be happier to see back in the Super Bowl this year than Terry Tate? The answer is no, because you know it'd be good. What will we get instead? Probably Bud Light ads featuring Carlos Mencia. Dammit.

Dave adds: Another thing -- the 'Priceless' MasterCard commercials. My God. They have one from 1999 with Popeye and there's no way that was the first one. How long have those been going on?? Is it over 10 years? The same gimmick? Incredible.

Robbie: Leave it to [Jeff] Briggs to steal my pick. I have proof that Terry Tate, Office Linebacker is my favorite Super Bowl advertisement...

And this isn't like when you go to a restaurant and you go around the table and the person just before you orders the same thing. Not at all. This is like, if you're at that same restaurant, and you're talking about how delicious the flat-iron steak is, and that you're definitely going to get that. Then, when the cute waitress comes around to take orders the person next to you (read: Briggs) says they'll have the flat-iron steak and the waitress says that's her favorite too. Now, you can't go ahead and order the same item because you'll just look like an idiot.

But, seeing as Briggs screwed that up, I'm going to have to pass on my flat-iron skirt steak and go with the more risky seared ahi tuna. How about Jordan vs. Jordan in 2003?

Young Jordan: Coulda dunked.

Old Jordan: Shoulda dunked.

Basically, it's not whether Jordan was the best basketball player of all-time, it's which Jordan is the best basketball player of all-time. This is one of the greatest Gatorade commercials ever, and with the newest (and perhaps last?) Air Jordan's having just come out, this gets my nod for best Super Bowl commercial.

Ryan: This was surprisingly a tough decision. Everyone says that "Mean" Joe Greene ad was the best ever, but, it was before my time. Those MJ-Bird shot-for-shot commercials were good, too, but I only sorta remember those. After spending way too much time at Superbowl-ads.com, I was thinking about picking one of the Ameriquest ads from 2005, but instead chose to go the more dramatic route, and pick Don Cheadle's ads for the NFL.

Done Cheadle + dramatic NFL highlights = awesome.

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 9:34 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

We haven't really covered the Winter X Games much here (or, ya know, at all), but Shaun White competes in them...and he also wins Gold Medals in the Olympics, so that seems pretty legit. Well, at least legit enough to post a video of him pulling off a 1260 the other night.

1260. That's 3 1/2 turns. In the air.

Posted by Ryan Hudson at 7:34 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

Giants fan dyes dog's hair blue. Michael Vick responds, "Man, that's just cruel." (AOL Fanhouse)

People who thought they looked like certain Patriots sent in pictures to the Boston Globe. Most of them look nothing like the NFL stars. But, this guy DOES look like an NFL player - just not the one they linked him to.

Who knew Peyton Manning looked like Wes Welker?

An interesting look at the man who DIDN'T draft Jordan. (Recliner GM)

Bill Belichick does such a great job keeping his players humble (or more likely brainwashed) but apparently he cannot control the media. The Boston Globe seems to be getting ahead of themselves with this Amazon item.

Belichick is 41-56 without Tom Brady. (Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Here's something else that might make T.O. cry. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 6:34 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

7pm ET - ESPN - Louisville @ Connecticut - Louisville has won six out of their last seven games, but they need to beat Connecticut to stay within a game of the Hoyas atop the Big East standings. Connecticut is coming off a huge win over #8 Indiana in Bloomington. The Huskies continue to improve behind the play of Center Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet is averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game.

9pm - ESPN - Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma - Oklahoma State might be 10-9, but their two most recent losses were by a combined five points over two top 20 teams (#12 Texas and #16 Texas A&M). Oklahoma State has killed themselves by averaging over 16 turnovers a game.

Non-sports pick - 10pm - Fuse - Risky Business - Tom Cruise practicing for Oprah 20 years early.

12pm ET - ESPN - Gonzaga @ #1 Memphis - This is one of the few games that should be a challenge to Memphis. If they win this game it SHOULD be smooth sailing until they face Tennessee on February 23rd.

3pm - ABC - Winter X Games - Snowboarder X Finals, Snowboard Slopestyle Finals, Snowmobile SnoCross Round 2. Oooh, round 2 - getting serious.

4pm - ESPN - #11 Wisconsin @ Purdue - Wisconsin has won 10 straight, but Purdue is a perfect 9-0 at home with wins over Ohio State and Illinois.

7pm - ESPN - #9 Georgetown @ West Virginia - Morgantown is always a difficult place to play and the Mountaineer fans should be amped for this game. With a win, West Virginia would be tied with Georgetown atop the Big East.

Non-sports pick - A&E - The Godfather, Part II - AKA - the better one.

Posted by Robbie Gillies at 9:01 AM | Email Author | Permalink |

7pm ET - ESPN - Magic @ Pistons - The Magic haven't beaten the Pistons in Detroit in four years. Orlando is an up and coming team, but they have yet to prove they can hang with the elite Pistons. If the Magic are to be considered possible contenders, they have to win match-ups like this.

9:30pm - ESPN - Winter X Games - Snowmobile SnoCross Round 1, Women's Snowboard, SuperPipe Final, & Ski Big Air Final. Ya know, I just can't get into the Winter X Games. If only it weren't ALWAYS 70 degrees in sunny in LA...sigh.

9:30pm - ESPN2 - Australian Open: Women's Final - Maria Sharapova vs. Ana Ivanovic - Apparently they're hot & good at tennis (aka not Anna Kournikova).

Non-sports pick - 8pm - AMC - Top Gun - Come on, take a highway to the danger zone.