Tiger's Back on the Prowl

By Matt Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a crazy weekend in sports! Spring training is wrapping up, as are the NHL and NBA regular seasons, and how about the last second wins in the NCAA Basketball and Hockey tourneys. Still with all that going on, the most exciting moments this weekend happened in Orlando at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. As you well know by now, Tiger is back, which means the PGA Tour is watchable again.

Although Tiger wasn't at his best on Saturday, he was able to put himself into the last group for Sunday which meant everything. The youthful Sean O'Hair never had a chance once the two were paired together for Sunday, even with a five shot lead. Don't get me wrong, O'Hair had his chances to wrap it up during the round but consistently shot himself in the foot. You can't expect to have four bogies in the final round of a tournament and beat the best golfer of all-time, and yes, Tiger is the best ever.

The backbreaking shot happened on the par-5, 16th when Tiger had to layup from a bad tee shot landing in the deep rough. O'Hair's biggest moment would come when he had a choice; he could lay up short of the water surrounding the green or increase his one shot lead and put it on in two. He and his caddie decided to end it on the 16th; after all it was only 175 yards to the hole. He did "end it" when his ball landed in the water short of the green. After the ball became alligator bait, O'Hair was bent over ready to bring his lunch up. At that point everyone knew that Tiger's pressure got to him and he was all done. If that wasn't bad enough Tiger lined up a 16 footer on the 18th green in the twilight to win it. In Tiger's dramatic fashion he put the ball right in and O'Hair was finished with a fist pump.

Even though Tiger is only three events in since surgery and is a little rusty, he still has the intimidation factor on his side. In a couple of weeks at the Masters, he will need that intimidation as well as a more overall consistent game if he wants to beat a full PGA field. Not to take away the accomplishments of Sean O’Hair, but the skills and mental fortitude of Tiger’s competitors at the Masters will surpass that of what he experienced this past weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

NCAA Men's Hockey: BU only #1 seed to the Frozen Four

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Can you say upset city? Forget the NCAA basketball tournament. This was the craziest weekend in hockey that I've seen in some time. If you want to have a good laugh, go back to my NCAA preview and look at my predictions. BU is the only Frozen Four team I got right, and I am a whopping 3 of 12 in my game picks thus far. Not pretty, but I am just one of many who had no idea what was to take place this weekend.

The weekend started off with a bang when Michigan was shutout by Air Force. Then came Miami of Ohio's thrashing of Denver. Two #1 seeds, two losses. The final upset of Friday came when Vermont beat Yale 4-1 practically in their home town.

Saturday wasn't much different. BU may have rolled over Ohio State 8-3, but no one saw Notre Dam losing to Bemidji State 5-1. Even though UNH played at home, I was very surprised to see them beat North Dakota in a thrilling overtime game. Later in the Day Vermont and Miami punched their tickets to the Frozen Four.

Sunday brought us the final two games of the regionals. BU won a game they shouldn't have with :15 seconds left. They were vastly outplayed by UNH, and were only in the game thanks to freshman goalie Kieran Milan. I couldn't tell you how many times ESPN's John Buccigross went nuts after a save. Bemidji State and Cornell played the late game. Bemidji State easily beat Cornell to complete the Frozen Four.

The Frozen Four has two #4 seeds, a #3, and a#1 in Boston University. While I believe BU will win the championship, it's not as easy a path as you'd think. BU will face Vermont in the opener. Vermont is the only Hockey East school to have a winning record against BU and swept them at Agganis Arena early in the season. The Catamounts know how to disrupt the BU's flow of play. They make it much harder for the Terriers to complete their cross ice passes which is their bread and butter. Ultimately, hockey playoffs come down to goal tending, and you won't find a better goalie in college than Keiran Millan. He is the main reason BU is heading to the Frozen Four. BU fans just need to hope the two week layoff doesn't hurt his momentum.

Predictions:
BU vs. Bemdji State in the finals

NCAA Champs:
Boston University Terriers

NL East Preview: Watch out for the Mets

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Can the Philadelphia Phillies repeat?

It's easier said than done.

While the Phillies possess a loaded lineup with Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth that shouldn't have an problems with producing runs, I'm a little concerned about the Phillies' pitching.

Ace southpaw Cole Hamels (wasn't he outstanding in the postseason?) has had arm issues in the preaseason and that really worries me. He's tested it out and reports no problems, but you just never know. After Hamels, the Phils don't really scare you. Tough guy Brett Myers has a nasty right-cross and occasionally features great stuff, while old man Jamie Moyer keeps you guessing with a slow -- I'm mean Little League slow -- changeup. Yes, he's still winning at 100 years old, but this has got to be the year he finally becomes the Crypt Keeper, right? Then there's Joe Blanton, big deal. So, see, it's not a very impressive staff. Are Philly fans confident in that rotation?

This is why I think the New York Mets finally have a real shot at winning the National League East. Well, if they don't collapse in September ... again!

The Mets shouldn't be able to blame their bullpen this year. They went on and landed setup man J.J. Putz (he can still close on a lot of teams) and Francisco Rodriguez, better known as K-Rod, who notched 62 saves last year. The bullpen is now a strength.

Johan Santana leads the staff ... he's still nasty but not as overpowering as in years past. The Mets are also iffy in the rotation with Oliver Perez and John Maine. But they also have the offensive goods with third baseman David Wright (.302 BA, 33 HRs, 124 RBIs), shortstop Jose Reyes (.297 BA, 16 HRs, 113 R, 56 SBs), and center fielder Carlos Beltran.

I think the Mets have all the pieces to overtake the Phils, finally. How many times can the Mets get kicked in the stones before they finally stick up for themselves?

The Florida Marlins are littered with young talent -- shortstop Hanley Ramirez is a complete 5-tool stud -- but don't have enough juice to contend in the division. They should finish third just like last year.

Florida, however, does have the best rotation in the division in Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco (15-8 record, 3.52 ERA, 186 Ks, 1.10 WHIP ... I'm starting to believe, but need to see another highly productive year), Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez and Andrew Miller. I'm also interested in watching center fielder Cameron Maybin develop. He's got the pieces to become a very nice player in the upcoming years. Dan Uggla can rake, but it'd be nice to see him hit for a little average, too.

The Atlanta Braves did some nice things in the offseason -- signed Mr. Consistent Derek Lowe and also helped out the staff by trading for Javier Vazquez. Is this Kenshin Kawakami any good? I'll hold judgement until I see more footage. Add Jair Jurrjens to the rotation, and the Braves will be competitive on the mound. Problem is they only have Chipper "Stop Crying About The World Baseball Classic" Jones to spearhead the offense. I'll bet Larry gets hurt again this year -- ribs, wrist or back ... bank on it.

The Washington Nationals don't have a chance. This team really stinks -- sort of like an overused Port-A-Pottie on a hot day. I like the signing of outfielder Adam Dunn (he'll hit his complimentary 40 HRs again and bat .220) and I like closer Joel Hanrahan's stuff. I'm also looking forward to watching top prospect, Jordan Zimmermann, pitch at some point this year. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is an above average player, and outfielder Lastings Milledge should keep improving. But you'll still need your homemade Ninja mask to watch these guys play. Only go to games if the tickets are free.

PREDICTION 

1. Mets

2. Phillies

3. Marlins

4. Braves

5. Nationals

(Coming tomorrow: NL Central preview by Jim Ingram)