Take that for rooting for Florida State!

What you’re about to read is a true story. Do not adjust your monitors.

There I was. It was Monday night, the Monday before Thursday Madness, and I was filling out my bracket. I came across the East Region portion of the bracket and was staring at the 12-5 matchup between Wisconsin and Florida State

Before I continue, you have to know one thing: I am a Miami Hurricanes freak. Not fan. Not fanatic. Freak. I despise all things related to the Florida Gators, I despise all things related to the Va. Tech Hokies and I definitely despise all things Florida State. Back to the story.

My first instinct, of course, was to pick the Badgers in the typical 12-5 upset that is so commonplace in the field of 65. Instead, for the sake of my bracket – and nothing else, I swear – I picked the Seminoles. Twice. And what do those bums from Tallahassee proceed to do? They blow the game after leading, 31-19, at the half.

I was beside myself.

I drank the Tallahassee Kool-Aid and all it gave me was … well, it starts with an S and ends in hit.

I could never forgive myself. My fellow Hurricanes’ fans shouldn’t forgive me, either.

To this very moment, sitting here writing this, I am still pissed off over this whole thing. Even more pissed off than I am at the fact that Wake Forest got throttled by Cleveland State (I didn’t have Wake advancing past the Sweet 16, so I really don’t care).

The icing on the cake, the lowly Gators – DAMN THAT CHOMP! – slid past Miami in the second round of the NIT.

Wonderful.

Oh, and Virginia defeated the Hurricanes’ baseball team, 9-4.

What a freaking day!

Lesson learned. Never trust those thugs from Tallahassee in any sport.

Hell, they had the best lineup and one of the best No. 1 pitchers in college baseball a couple of years back and still got bounced from the College World Series. I can take solace in the fact that it was the Hurricanes which did so.

But, that’s another sport for another time.

(Special to Fan Fanatic Sports by Jorge Bannister. He can be reached at jbannister11@yahoo.com)

Fantasy Baseball (starting pitchers): No sophomore jinx for Tiny Tim Lincecum

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
A good ace, every Major League Baseball team wants at least one. The same can be said for every team in fantasy baseball. Many owners are blinded by offensive stats and tend to think "decent" pitching can be had in the middle to late rounds. True, but you won't find an ace that late in the draft. Just like a stud bat, an elite arm can make up for so-so other starters -- the guy that gives up 5 runs in 2 innings, but your ace covers his #$& with a complete-game shutout. Do you have confidence that middle-tier arms can produce on a weekly basis? I don't buy that diamond in the rough theory. Yes, it does happen every now and again, but good luck finding one. I'll take my chances with drafting an elite pitcher in the late first round or anywhere in the second round. You can bet I'll get a pitcher in the top three rounds. 

I love pitching, need it and always want more. Sort of like a chocolate junky.

What I really need is a Tim Lincecum to anchor my rotation. He's my clear-cut No. 1 guy; I really believe this kid has what it takes to carry a team. He's only done it for one year (18-5 record, 227 IP, 265 K, 2.62 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), that's the only thing detractors can come up with -- a sophomore jinx. I believe you don't register 265 Ks and then in one season can't get guys out. Opponents have proven they can't hit the 24-year-old and that trend will continue this year. 

CC Sabathia now pitching in New York! YES! Expect better stats than (17-10, 253 IP, 251 Ks, 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) this year. Well, since he's now back in the AL, strikeouts may be slightly donw and ERA and WHIP may be a little up. But his record should be better with the Yanks ... 20-game winner, at least, and a can't-miss guy on draft day.

Johan Santana is still good, but he had only 16 wins and his strikeout totals fell from 235 in 2007 to 206 last year. He's been rehabbing in the preseason, and perhaps we've already seen the best of him in 2006 (19 wins, 245 Ks, 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)?

Injuries are always a concern and I'd steer clear of guys who are currently nursing bum arms: Cole Hamels and Ervin Santana. They may be fine during the year, but for where you're going to have to draft them, I'm not even that big of a gambling guy.

I'm still not sold on them: Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (He's always hurt and he has bouts of wildness and only seems to last 5 innings because he's over 100 pitches), Edinson Volquez (yes, he was 17-6 last year, but his second-half woes definitely frighten me) and Rich Harden (huge talent, injury prone every year).

Young guns: Boston's Jon Lester (even a Yankees fan believes in this lefty), Joba Chamberlain (don't dig in on Joba. He's filthy and tough to hit) and David Price (sky is limit for Tampa lefty, but don't expect an amazing season just yet. He needs to pay his dues).

Can't go wrong: Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Dan Haren, Brandon Webb.

Sleepers: San Francisco's Matt Cain (I think this is the year he finally puts it all together), Zack Greinke, Gavin Floyd, Max Scherzer, Matt Garza, Fausto Carmona.

(Coming tomorrow: Relief pitcher rankings by Jim Ingram)

TOP 20 STARTING PITCHERS

1. Tim Lincecum (SF)
2. CC Sabathia (NYY)
3. Johan Santana (NYM)
4. Roy Halladay (TOR)
5. Brandon Webb (ARZ)
6. Dan Haren (ARZ)
7. Josh Beckett (BOS)
8. Jake Peavy (SD)
9. Roy Oswalt (HOU)
10. Francisco Liriano (MIN)
11. Cliff Lee (CLE)
12. John Lackey (LAA)
13. Jon Lester (BOS)
14. A.J. Burnett (NYY)
15. Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)
16. Chad Billingsley (LAD)
17. James Shields (TB)
18. Joba Chamberlain (NYY)
19. Cole Hamels (PHI) * only because of injury concern, would be a top-5 pitcher
20. Ervin Santana (LAA) * injury concerns