This was supposed to be the best group of young players that Canada had ever assembled; a squad composed almost exclusively of players in professional club and academy environments. Qualification for the FIFA U20 Mens World Cup being held in New Zealand in May was supposed to be a question of when rather than if for Canada – little more than a formality. So when our under-20 mens team crashed spectacularly out of World Cup contention on Sunday – losing a must-win qualifying match to Cuba by a score of 2-1 – the inevitable question must be asked: Who is to blame? I dont blame the players for failing to qualify – they are just kids. They will probably be the first to admit that they didnt perform up to their abilities and while Im sure they worked hard and went into each game fully prepared and with the best intentions, for a variety of reasons, they didnt perform. I dont blame the coaches, either – although they will probably admit that they, too, could have made different decisions along the way that may have altered the outcome of the qualifying tournament. Coaches are the most self-critical group in soccer, and Im sure there will be many sleepless nights ahead for head coach Rob Gale and his team of assistants, questioning every decision they made along the way. I dont blame the Canadian Soccer Association – the target of every ill-informed critic whenever one of our national teams falls short of expectations – at least not directly. There is little more that the CSA could realistically be expected to have done to prepare this group of players for World Cup qualifying, and our governing body cannot be called out for every poor result in every age group with every national team that takes the field. But indirectly, our repeated failures in the international arena can only be fixed by the CSA – because they are the only entity in Canada that has the power to do what needs to be done to improve the development of players in our country. If these results were happening in hockey, we would have a national inquest broadcast live on every network from coast to coast. The phone-in lines of every radio show across the country would be lit up with callers demanding a change, demanding a fix. No stone would go unturned in our collective desire to right this wrong, to return Canada back to its rightful place atop the throne of the hockey world. Fans would storm the offices of Hockey Canada, demanding that a plan be put in place to restore our national pride. But this isnt hockey - and therein lies our problem. While soccer is the sport played most by Canadians, it does not hold our collective hearts. We do not have the same national passion for our international soccer results as we do in hockey. In fact, the news of our failure to qualify for the U20 World Cup will barely register on anyones radar. It has been four days since our mens U20 team failed to qualify for the World Cup – and not a single word has been written about it. The apathy towards our international results is why nothing is going to change. Youll never hear angry fans calling in to radio shows demanding that the coach who presided over our latest failure be fired. Youll never see angry fans protesting outside of stadiums demanding that the CSA do something – anything – to help the countless volunteer coaches who are trying to teach the next generation of Canadian kids how to play the beautiful game. When it costs $950 to take a Provincial B licence, it is little wonder that there are so few qualified coaches in Canada. Because this public pressure will never come, the CSA will keep its head down, do nothing, and wait for the few people who do care to simply go away. We do not have a soccer culture in Canada. Kids dont grow up dreaming of playing professional soccer, of playing in the World Cup or of winning the games greatest prize. They dont dream of pulling on the Canadian jersey and leading their country to glory on the international stage. Its a bit perplexing, really. Canadians love soccer – just look at the number of Canadians who passionately watched the World Cup last summer, or who watch the UEFA Champions League each year. Canadians just dont love Canadian soccer. Some people believe that this is because we lack our own domestic professional league. They believe that a top flight Canadian league – as opposed to what we currently have, which is three Canadian teams (made up of mostly American and foreign players) playing in an American league (MLS) – is the panacea that will fix our woes. That belief is very na?ve, because it is based on the assumption that the only way for Canadian soccer to succeed is to mirror what is done in other, successful soccer nations. The logic goes like this: Nations that qualify for the mens World Cup on a regular basis all have their own domestic professional leagues. Therefore, in order for Canada to qualify for the mens World Cup on a regular basis, Canada must have its our own domestic professional league. This train of thought is fundamentally flawed, though, because it fails to take into account a very important factor: We are a unique nation that requires a unique player development system. While we do need our own professional league in the long-term, forget about the top of the pyramid for the time being - the bottom of the pyramid is where the real problem lies. For decades, the CSA has taken a hands off approach to youth player development. There are many reasons for this, not least of which is our nationwide governance structure – an upside down mess that puts all of the power in the hands of the people at the bottom, rather than in the hands of those at the top. The byproduct of this governance structure is that is it virtually impossible for the CSA to mandate change – in large part because a significant portion of the CSAs operating budget comes from player registration dollars (which pass through the hands of the provinces on their way to the CSA). Because of this, the tail wags the dog when it comes to player development. The provinces, rather than the CSA, hold all the power. The provinces do what their districts want them to do; the districts do what their clubs want them to do; and the clubs do what their customers want them to do – which is rarely what is in the best interests of player development. The result of this is a broken, fragmented development system that has sunk to the lowest common denominator. Important player development decisions have been left to the provinces, districts and clubs to figure out, a method of self-policing that has failed miserably. The win-at-all-costs competition structure that has existed for decades in Canada has encouraged the hoarding of athletes with size, speed and strength, rather than the encouragement of skill in young players. While unqualified, untrained coaches failed to teach players the skills they needed to succeed in the game over the long-term, these coaches were allowed to thrive – to succeed, for lack of a better term - because they were able to recruit the biggest, strongest, fastest players needed to win in youth soccer. The success of these coaches masked the fact that their players failed to learn the fundamental skills required for long-term success in the game. For decades, we have been producing players who are technically, tactically, physically and mentally lacking the skills needed to succeed at the most competitive levels of the game. The proof has been there for all to see for years and years, yet the CSA has been powerless to address the underlying issues. Canadian teams – both male and female – have been routinely outplayed and overmatched technically, tactically, physically and mentally against countries with a fraction of our resources. Why? Because those countries – either through their existing footballing cultures or through proactive steps taken by their governing bodies - focused on teaching skills to their young players, and we didnt. We have done a terrible job of developing young soccer players in Canada, and a domestic professional league isnt going to fix that. If you disagree with that statement, if you think that a professional league will fix our player development woes, take a look at the current composition of our three Canadian MLS teams. Of the 26 players listed on the Vancouver Whitecaps senior roster, six are Canadian – only one of whom (Russell Teibert) played regularly in MLS last season. Of the 25 players listed on the Toronto FC roster, seven are Canadian – only one of whom (Jonathan Osorio) played regularly in MLS last season. Of the 29 players listed on the Montreal Impacts senior roster, seven are Canadian – only three of whom (Patrice Bernier, Maxim Tissot and Karl Ouimette) played regularly in MLS last season. If Canada, as a nation, was doing such a wonderful job of developing professional calibre players, why are these rosters not loaded with Canadians who are playing week in, week out? (Lets ignore the fact that in order for Canadas mens national team to be competitive at the international level, it must be stocked with players who are starring in MLS, rather than with players struggling just to get a game.) The problem isnt that we dont have our own professional league; the problem is that we dont produce players good enough to play professional soccer. And the solution to that problem lies at the bottom of the pyramid, not at the top. Until the CSA can wrap both of its hands around grassroots soccer and completely overhaul our player development system – and that incorporates a wide range of topics, from coach education to training curriculum to competition structures - nothing will change. We will continue to struggle at the international level, we will continue to produce a fraction of the players that a nation with our resources should produce, and we will continue to hang our heads in shame when we tell people we are involved in soccer in Canada. 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While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month.OKLAHOMA CITY - Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook made it through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since his most recent surgery. Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Coach Scott Brooks said Westbrook looked good in the practice and could returnn to game action Thursday at home against the Miami Heat.dddddddddddd. Westbrook, a three-time NBA All-Star, tore the lateral meniscus in the knee during the playoffs last April. He underwent an operation after that injury and had another procedure on Oct. 1 to remove a loose stitch. Oklahoma City (43-12) went 20-7 after Westbrooks latest setback and has the leagues best record. 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Morgantown, WV (SportsNetwork.com) - Abdel Nader finished with 19 points as No. 17 Iowa State held off 14th-ranked West Virginia 74-72 on Saturday. Georges Niang finished with 16 points and five rebounds, Dustin Hogue netted 11 points and Jameel McKay chipped in with six points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Cyclones (12-2, 2-0 Big 12), who have won nine of their last 10 games. I couldnt be more proud of how our guys fought through adversity tonight, said Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg. (Nader) was unbelievable tonight, not only hitting shots, he was getting to the free throw line and getting to the basket. I thought he showed good poise against the press. We needed every one of those points and he hit some big free throws down the stretch. Juwan Staten scored a game-high 23 points and Devin Williams supplied 14 points and 15 boards as the Mountaineers (14-2, 2-1) had their seven-game winning streak come to an end. We had guys open and we didnt pass the ball, West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said. We struggled to make shots at times. You have to pass the ball and have a defense to do that anyway. The Mountaineers pulled within three points as Connor Chase made a trey and after the two teams traded baskets, Statens 3-point play made it a 69-68 game with 55 seconds to play. Gary Browne stole the ensuing inbounds pass and called a timeout. Jonathan Holton missed a layup and Bryce Dejean-Jones went down the court for a layup and a 71-68 lead with 29 seconds to go. Staten missed both shots from the foul line, but Holton and Williams each made a pair around two from Nader for a 73-72 score with just six seconds remaining. West Virginia quickly fouled to send Naz Long to the line. Long made his first shot, but missed his second. Nathan Adrian quickly pulled the ball down and heaved it from his side of half-court, but the ball fell short as time expired. Iowa State led by eight points early on, but West Virginia used a 10-3 run to draw even heading into halftime. Browne and Staten each supplied triples and Statens pair of free throws with two seconds to play made it a 32-32 contest. With the game tied less than three minutes into the second half, Monte Morris hit a trey to ignite a 7-0 burst that put the Cyclones back ahead 44-37. After McKay threw down a slam for an eight-point Iowa State advantage, West Virginia began to dismantle the Cyclones lead. Jaysean Paige bookended a 10-2 run with triples that made it a 55-55 game with 7:37 to play. Brownes free throw gave the Mountaineers a 58-57 lead, but McKay went in on a layup and Nader hit two free throws to put the Cyclones back on top with under five minutes to play. Staten cut the deficit to one point with a layup, but Nader drained a triple off a dish from Long and hit two free throws for a 66-60 score with 3:28 to play. Game Notes Iowa State has won six straight games against conference opponents ... The Cyclones lead the all-time series, 4-1 ... Iowa State is now 19-2 when Morris has at least five assists. He finished with six ... The Cyclones shot 50 percent from the field, while the Mountaineers were held to a paltry 32.4 shooting percentage. Chiefs Jerseys . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Custom Chiefs Jerseys . Diego Costa headed in Gabis corner seven minutes from time to secure victory ahead of the return match in Madrid on March 11. "We know that at Madrid it will be another game, which will also be important and very difficult," Milan coach Clarence Seedorf said. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Yout ... fs-Jersey/. -- Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings will be on the sideline as the Packers make their push for a perfect regular season. Armani Watts Chiefs Jersey .com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Armani Watts Jersey . -- League scoring leader Anthony Mantha had two goals and two assists to lead the Val-dOr Foreurs over the Blainville-Boisbriand Phoenix 6-3 on Wednesay in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play on Wednesday.ANAHEIM, Calif. - Between the 20-year-old goalie with 39 saves and the 21-year-old forward with two goals, Teemu Selanne wasnt sure which youngster deserved the most credit for propelling the Anaheim Ducks veterans to the brink of the Western Conference finals. Selanne is only certain the Ducks youth movement is happening at an ideal time for their Stanley Cup hopes. John Gibson was outstanding in his second career playoff start, and Devante Smith-Pelly scored two goals 1:23 apart in the second period of the Ducks 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 on Monday night, putting Anaheim up 3-2 in the second-round series. Selanne is older than Gibson and Smith-Pelly combined, but the Finnish Flash knows the kids are why the Ducks are in position to finish off their Southern California rivals in Game 6 on Wednesday after a raucous meeting at Honda Center. "They answered the bell again," said Selanne, who had a sublime assist on Smith-Pellys first goal. "Devo has all the tools. Gibby is rock-solid. Theyre pretty special players, and they both took care of it for us tonight. You need special contributions from everybody to do what were trying to do." Nick Bonino and Jakob Silfverberg also scored for the Ducks, who jumped out to a three-goal lead in the second period and hung on behind their rookie goalie, earning the first home victory by either team in the series. Smith-Pelly is the Ducks unlikely leader with five post-season goals after a superbly energetic effort in Game 5. He has three goals in the past two games, capitalizing on his promotion to Anaheims top line with captain Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry after scoring just two goals in his 19 regular-season appearances for the Ducks. "Were just having a lot of fun," Smith-Pelly said. "This is what you dream about, playing in the playoffs." The Ducks also got another standout game from Gibson, who shut out the Kings in Game 4 to even the series in his Anaheim playoff debut. "I think I got tested more," Gibson said. "Its fun. Im just trying to take it all in and win some hockey games." Gibsons fifth career NHL appearance was tougher than the first four — but his teammates also helped out much more this time, scoring four regulation goals against the Kings for the first time in the rivals 10 total meetings this season. Marian Gaborik scored his NHL-best seventh and eighth goals of the post-season for the Kings, including a redirection with 5:48 left to trim Anaheims lead to one goal. Los Angeless pressed throughout the final minutes to finish with a playoff-high 42 shots, outshooting the Ducks 14-2 in the third period, but couldnt beat Gibson for the equalizer.dddddddddddd. "We were talking about how we have to get to Gibson, and if we do, things are happening," Gaborik said. "If we get shots through and try to go to the net, rebounds are there, and we got some chances. We have to keep doing that and we have to clean a lot of stuff up. Were coming home. Were confident we can win and come back here." Trevor Lewis also scored and Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for the Kings, who will face their fifth elimination game of the post-season at Staples Center on Wednesday. Theyre on their second three-game skid of the playoffs — bookending a six-game winning streak. The road team had won every game in the first series between these rivals separated by 30 miles of freeway, but the Ducks snapped the Kings four-game road playoff winning streak dating to their 0-3 comeback in the first round against San Jose. "Tonight isnt about the third (period), its about the second," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "We made too many easy mistakes, and we had to try to come back the way we did. Its too hard." After Bonino and Lewis traded goals in the first period, Anaheim took the lead for good 1:11 into the second when Mathieu Perreaults shot off Selannes pass glanced off Smith-Pellys toe in the crease. "I didnt really do anything," Smith-Pelly said with a grin. Smith-Pelly then broke in alone on Quick 83 seconds later when Getzlaf intercepted Martinezs pass in the neutral zone, and Silfverberg put the Ducks up 4-1 midway through the period. The Kings gathered themselves and finally capitalized on a double-minor by Smith-Pelly when Gaborik scored in front, getting his fourth goal in the series three games in Anaheim. After several minutes of fruitless work for the Kings, Brown shovelled a backhand at the net and Gaborik redirected it home. NOTES: Perreault returned to Anaheims lineup after missing Game 4 with an injury, and rookie Rickard Rakell was scratched. Ducks F Matt Beleskey missed his second straight game after getting hurt in Game 3. ... F Jordan Nolan replaced Kyle Clifford in the Kings lineup. Nolan hadnt played since Game 3 of the first round against San Jose, sitting out eight straight games. ... The Kings are still without two key veteran defencemen. 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UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum. After all, the Islanders had won just nine of 20 previous games in which they led after two periods. But Ryan Strome scored 39 seconds later to restore the two-goal lead, and New York cruised from there Saturday night to a 4-1 victory over the lowly Buffalo Sabres. On a recently completed road trip, the Islanders let two-goal leads get away in the third periods of losses to Edmonton and Calgary on consecutive nights. "When (Buffalo) got that power-play goal to start the third period, I know you guys were thinking, Here we go again," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "We battled back and we were resilient. It was a good bench. Guys were positive." Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo staked the Islanders to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Strome then netted the big goal to push back the Sabres, and Cal Clutterbuck sealed the win with an empty-net goal one night after New York lost 4-3 at home to San Jose. The Islanders (26-34-9) earned their 10th home win (10-17-8), and did it in a rare matchup against an opponent they are ahead of in the standings. "Anybody can beat anybody in this league no matter where you are," Okposo said. "Thats been proven throughout this whole year. Theyve got some skill over there. "We stuck with our game plan and we outplayed them." Backup goalie Anders Nilsson (3-4-2) earned the win in his 15th NHL game. He lost his shutout bid 56 seconds into the third when Tyler Ennis scored. Nilsson made 33 saves while subbing for No. 1 netminder Evgeni Nabokov, who lost on Friday. "I had the post with me one time, and I think the whole team in front of me played an unbelievable game," said Nilsson, who will turn 24 next week. "They cleared the guys who were in front of me, so I got a clear view of every shot. That makes it a lot easier." Jhonas Enroth stopped 34 shots for Buffalo, which has the fewest points and goals in the NHL. "Scoring has been our problem all season. Tonight was no different," Enroth said. "The effort was there, but we struggle to finish." Earlier in this disappointing season, the Islanders and Sabres swapped star forwards Matt Moulson and Thomas Vanek, but both impending free agents have both been dealt elsewhere since. Fans periodically voiced loud chants of "Snow Must Go," directed toward Islanders general manager Garth Snow. Despite being outshot 14-10 and short-handed three times in the first period, the Islanders took a 2-0 lead. Nielsen put New York in front before the games first stoppage, and Okposo doubled the lead with a power-play goal. After holding his stick in the air waiting to fire, Nielsen unleashed a hard drive from the left circle that struck Enroths glove and found its way in at 3:31 for his 22nd goal. Okposo made it 2-0 with 2:36 left when he corralled a pass from Brock Nelson in the slot and whipped a shot past Enroth 1:11 into Henrik Tallinders holding penalty. It was Okposos team-leading 27th goal and 69th point. He also helped set up Nielsens goal, tying him with injured captain John Tavares with a club-best 42 assists. New York nearly had a third goal, but Enroth made a fine stop against Josh Bailey at the left post when he tried to follow up on Nelsons wraparound attempt. Buffalo mustered five shots during its three failed power plays in the first period. The only advantage the Sabres gave to the Islanders in the frame proved costly when Okposo scored on New Yorks only shot. The trend reversed in the second when New York had a 14-10 shots edge, but neither team scored. Nilssons first scare came when he stopped a shot by Matt DAgostini 2:13 into the second and then had to reach behind him after the puck slid through him and trickled toward the open net. "I thought I had it, but then I heard the fans chanting a little, so I figured it was probably laying behind me," Nilsson said. "Those things happen, but luckily it didnt end up in the net." The Sabres nearly got on the board in the final two seconds of the middle frame when Drew Stafford ripped a shot off a faceoff win in the Islanders end during a Buffalo power play, but Nilsson was there to block it. Ennis scored his 18th goal during that advantage. "You cant expect to win if you score only one goal," Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. "We had some good looks, but we couldnt finish." NOTES: Okposo is one goal shy of 100 in the NHL. ... The Sabres recalled D Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester (AHL) due to the absence of D Tyler Myers (arm), who will also likely miss Sundays home game against Montreal. ... 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Charlotte took a big step on Wednesday night with Jefferson scoring 35 points and Kemba Walker adding a double-double in a 116-111 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The win pulled the Bobcats within 1/2 games of sixth-seeded Washington, which lost Wednesday night to Phoenix, and three games behind the fifth-seeded Nets. "I think if we continue to win games everything will take care of itself, everything will work out," Jefferson said. "At this point we should be happy and blessed to be in any (playoff) spot." Walker had 20 points and 12 assists, and Chris Douglas-Roberts added 16 points, including two big jump shots in overtime. Deron Williams finished with 29 points for Brooklyn after scoring 18 in the first quarter. Joe Johnson had 18. Josh McRoberts put the Bobcats ahead for good in overtime when he cut to the basket, received a pass from Jefferson and twisted his body in midair for a reverse dunk in traffic, bringing the crowd to its feet. Douglas-Roberts and Johnson traded 3-pointers before Walker hit a 19-footer over Williams to push the lead to 114-111. Shaun Livingston missed a driving layup with 35 seconds left and the Bobcats got the ball. McRoberts was blocked on the ensuing possession, but Douglas-Roberts tracked down the loose ball and made a 20-footer from the left wing to push the lead to five and seal the victory. "I thought the defence was great, but in the end, we come up with a blocked shot, the ball bounces, and you know CDR, he makes a shot with the shot clock winding down and so everybody executed," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "The ball just bounced their way tonight." Williams tied the game with 26.8 seconds left in regulation when he knocked down a 20-footer from the left wing. The Bobcats had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but the ball slipped out of Walkers hands as time expired.dddddddddddd Douglas-Roberts joined the Bobcats in December from the NBA Developmental League and has been a reliable contributor during the teams playoff push. He saw extra minutes off the bench with Gary Neal out with an ankle injury. "Im very confident when Im on the floor and I go in there knowing I have to contribute for this team," Douglas-Roberts said. Williams set a career-high with 57 points in this same building against the Bobcats on March 4, 2012. And early on he looked like he was aiming to better the mark. Despite missing the morning shootaround with an illness, he made seven of his first eight shots, including four 3-pointers to finish with 18 points in the first quarter. The Bobcats, who have surrendered 62 points to Carmelo Anthony and 61 points to LeBron James this season, seemed intent not to allow that to happen again. They shaded their coverage to Williams in the second quarter and he was limited to only two more points before halftime. In the meantime, Jefferson was starting to heat up, scoring 22 points in the first half on 9-of-14 shooting, using a variety of low-post moves and jump hooks. "We gave him some easy ones early," Brooklyns Mason Plumlee said. "... You cant give a great scorer easy buckets early." Brooklyns Jorge Gutierrez was ejected from the game with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter after a flagrant two foul against Cody Zeller. Zeller grabbed an offensive rebound and Gutierrez came down hard with both hands on Zellers shoulders, sending the 7-footer crashing to the hardwood. "I watched the replay and it looked pretty bad -- but that wasnt my intention to do that," Gutierrez said. "Coach always says Nothing easy. Make them earn it on the free throw line. I was just trying to do a hard play." NOTES: The Bobcats are 12-7 since the All-Star break. ... 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Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, San Jose Sharks forward Brent Burns and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith have been named finalists for the 2013-14 NHL Foundation Player Award, presented to "an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community." The 30 NHL clubs each submitted a nomination for their team and the finalists were selected by a judging panel. Bergerons community intitatives include “Patrices Pals,” a program that provides children from various youth organizations the opportunity to watch Bruins home games from a luxury suite. Among the charities that have participated are Boston Childrens Hospital, Defending the Blue Line, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, The Jimmy Fund, The Home for Little Wanderers and Massachusetts General Hospital. Burns has donated more than $1 million to Defending the Blue Line, which provides children of military families the opportunity to play hockey. He hosts guests in the “Burnzies Battalion” suite at SAP Center each season and his hockey equipment drives at Sharks Ice at San Jose are the organizations most lucrative fundraisers each year. Burns also shaved his infamous long hair and beard to raise $24,000 for DTBL and the Katie Moore Foundation this season, established by close friend and former teammate Dominic Moore to help those suffering from rare cancers. Keiths impact in the Chicago community is felt through his charity, Keith Relief. Keith and his wife assist others by alleviating some of the financial and emotional burdens of families and individuals during times of medical crises. Keith Relief has raised more than $250,000 through benefit concerts since 2012, with all proceeds benefiting the organization as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Trenton Cannon Jersey . LOUIS -- David Ross never expected to be on a World Series podium. Trenton Cannon Jets Jersey . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season. http://www.thejetsjerseysshoponline.com ... ts-Jersey/. This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. New York Jets Jerseys . The moves were the first punitive steps taken by the Dolphins since a report on the NFLs investigation of the case was released last week. Investigators found that guard Richie Incognito and two teammates engaged in persistent harassment directed at tackle Jonathan Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer. Sam Darnold Jets Jersey .9 million deal Thursday. The 25-year McGinn had 19 goals and 19 assists in 79 games last season in helping the Avalanche tie a franchise record with 52 wins.Rob Green says he is counting down the days until he leaves QPR having been frozen out over a contract clause. The 36-year-old England keeper will trigger an extension of his current two-year deal if he plays 30 Championship matches and has been told he will not play again this season.Several clubs were interested in signing him in the winter transfer window, including Crystal Palace, but he was unable to secure a move away and has not played since New Years Day. Green told the Daily Mail: [New manager] Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink spoke to me soon after he arrived and said; look, its nothing personal, but because of budgets and things youre not going to make the 30 games.I played one more game on New Years Day then missed a couple through illness, and by then Alex Smithies was fit and available. I guess they figured they might as well make the change then.Im not massively angry.dddddddddddd Im not going into training wanting to kill people. After 20 years in professional football you have seen it all, so it never really surprises you.But its the first time in my life Im sat around on a Saturday afternoon not doing anything. I didnt go into football to earn money. It was because I liked playing football. It took me six weeks to get my head around it.I am counting the days. Its like a sponsored keep fit until the summer so I can hit the ground running when I hopefully do get another club.I can apply a bit of perspective. We are very fortunate to do this job. But Im desperate to play because this is hurting me. Also See: QPR video QPR fixtures QPR stats Bet ￡5 Get ￡20 Free Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Jerseys NFL China Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping China Jerseys Cheap ' ' '

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - OUTLOOK: Change has been good for the ACC the last couple of seasons and that trend should continue in 2014-15. The league added Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame last year and gets powerhouse Louisville this season to ease in alongside stalwarts North Carolina and Duke, forming arguably the most dominant conference in all of college basketball. Despite the embarrassment of an academic scandal in Chapel Hill over two decades, it is the Tar Heels that reign supreme heading into the 2014-15 campaign. Roy Williams squad won 24 games a year ago, but hasnt made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2010. With a solid core and a stellar recruiting class, UNC will find its way to the top of the ACC once again. If any recruiting class rivals UNCs it is Dukes. Mike Krzyzewski has once again reeled in tons of talent and that talent should help the Blue Devils push the Tar Heels and others for conference supremacy this season. After Miami surged to the top of the conference in 2012-13, it was Virginias turn a year ago, as Tony Bennetts Cavaliers finally put it all together in capturing the ACC crown. While improvement on a 30-win season is a lot to ask, the Cavaliers arent going away anytime soon. Expect them to defend their crown with stifling defense once again and hang around the top of the standings all season long. Holding down the fourth spot in the preseason is a nice place for newcomer Louisville to begin its ACC era. Rick Pitinos Cardinals may be young, but they are scary talented. That will go a long way in Louisvilles first season in the conference. The second tier in the ACC is probably good enough to win other conference crowns, as NC State, Syracuse and Florida State will jockey for position in the upper half of the league. A ton of experience returns for NC State, with the one glaring loss being last years ACC Player of the Year. Still, Mark Gottfrieds team can match its 22 wins from a year ago and perhaps improve on its 9-9 conference finish. Jim Boeheims Orange also lost a key component to the NBA, but recruiting is never an issue with Boeheim, whose squad is once again young and extremely gifted. The Orange won 28 games last season and finished second in the ACC. That wont happen this time around, but they shouldnt be too far off the mark. Two of the conferences top-20 scorers return to Florida State, which may be the biggest team in the league. From a physical standpoint, not many teams compare. Translating that into wins will be Leonard Hamiltons job. The next set of teams vying to climb the ACC ladder are Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Miami-Florida and Clemson. Jamie Dixons Panthers have a top-notch backcourt, but matching that production up front with a slew of newcomers is a tall task indeed. Mike Breys Irish get a boost from the return of their best player after being kicked out of school last year, but is there enough around him to help the Irish make a move in the right direction? Jim Larranagas Hurricanes are just a year removed from a conference crown, but last year was a dose of harsh reality with just seven conference wins. A similar fate may befall the Canes this time around, as too much hinges on newcomers. Brad Brownells Tigers won 23 games a year ago and made a nice run in the NIT. The team does have four starters back, but the one defection was all-conference. The bottom of the conference will feature Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Boston College. Three of those programs are under new management. Buzz Williams is a master motivator and the Hokies are likely to overachieve as a result, but inching close to .500 would be a huge step in the right direction after winning just nine games a year ago, including a mere two ACC bouts. The Yellow Jackets continue to rebuild with Brian Gregory, but he will need newcomers to perform at top level for Georgia Tech to make any significant move up the ACC. Wake Forest has found its man in Danny Manning. The former Conference USA Coach of the Year with Tulsa, Manning knows how to win both as a player (1988 national title) and as a coach. Rome wasnt built in a day, and neither will Wakes return to the ACC elite. It will take some time, but Manning is more than capable. Steve Donahue just couldnt get the job done at Boston College, which opted for Jim Christian to take over this season after a successful run in the Mid-American Conference with Ohio. There is some talent to work with in Chestnut Hill this season, just not enough to be relevant in terms of competing with the conference big boys. CONFERENCE CHAMPION: North Carolina PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1. North Carolina, 2. Duke, 3. Virginia, 4. Louisville, 5. NC State, 6. Syracuse, 7. Florida State, 8. Pittsburgh, 9. Notre Dame, 10. Miami-Florida, 11. Clemson, 12. Virginia Tech, 13. Georgia Tech, 14. Wake Forest, 15. Boston College TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS: NORTH CAROLINA: An NCAA investigation continues to loom large in Chapel Hill, but so does heavy expectations for this years basketball squad. Roy Williams team is loaded with both veterans and an influx of young talent that should push the team to the top of the ACC. The team won 24 games a year ago, but a third-place finish in the conference standings simply isnt good enough at UNC. The team loses James Michael McAdoo to the NBA, but it may be a case of addition by subtraction, as the 2014-15 squad is shaping up to be a much more cohesive bunch. The backcourt will feature star guard Marcus Paige (17.5 ppg, 4.2 apg), but doesnt stop there. Nate Britt (6-1, 165) adds depth along the perimeter and the addition of McDonalds All-American Joel Berry (6-0, 188) could make the UNC backcourt special this season. Out on the wing another McDonalds All-American comes to town with tons of hype in the 6-6, 192-pound Theo Pinson, who can jump out of the building. The frontcourt has even more depth than the backcourt, starting with swingmen J.P. Tokoto (9.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and freshman Justin Jackson, yet another McDonalds All-American. Junior Brice Johnson (10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and sophomore Kennedy Meeks (7.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) will handle the dirty work in the paint. There simply arent many weaknesses when sizing up the UNC roster. The Tar Heels havent been in the NCAA Tournament for a few years, but that should change this season. DUKE: Not to be outdone by UNCs acquisition of three McDonalds All-Americans this season, Mike Krzyzewski nabbed four. In all the team has nine former McDonalds All-Americans on the roster, the most in the nation (tied with Kentucky). The Blue Devils must deal with the departure of stars Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood to the NBA, but the aforementioned dearth of quality youngsters should help fill the void. The Blue Devils boast of a really good point guard in Quinn Cook (11.6 ppg, 4.4 apg) and the scary thing is that he might be beaten out for the job by freshman sensation Tyus Jones (6-1, 180). Jones is a superb court general with a pass-first attitude, but possesses the requisite skills to fill up the basket as well. Throw in junior guard Rasheed Sulaimon (9.9 ppg) and freshman Grayson Allen (another McDonalds All- American) and Coach K has to like his options along the perimeter. The frontcourt is even deeper thanks in large part (pun intended) to the arrival of seven-foot freshman Jahlil Okafor. The top recruit in the country, Okafor (7-0, 265) is already slated as the No. 1 pick in next years NBA Draft. A do it all post presence, Okafor could vie for National Player of the Year this season. Junior Marshall Plumlee (7-0, 260) will give Okafor a breather at times and keep the big guy fresh. Versatile junior Amile Jefferson (6.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and freshman Justise Winslow will press for minutes along the wing. With more young talent than any team in the country, Duke will get its chance to get back in the ACCs drivers seat. VIRGINIA: Everything went right for the Cavaliers last season, as their tough- as-nails defensive mentality led to a program-record 30 victories, while they captured both the regular season and tournament titles in the ACC (first time in school history). Virginias ascension to conference elite came in steady fashion, with the team improving its conference mark in each of Tony Bennetts first five seasons. Improving on last years 16-2 league mark isnt likely this time around, but that doesnt mean Virginia will give up the conference crown without a fight. The Cavaliers lose scorer Joe Harris (12.0 ppg) and rebounder Akil Mitchell (7.0 rpg), but there is still plenty of depth. While not possessing the flashy playmakers that UNC and Duke have, Virginias roster is stockpiled with hard workers that have bought into Bennetts system. The backcourt this year will be headlined by All-ACC guard Malcolm Brogdon (12.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and London Perrantes (5.5 ppg, 3.8 apg). Both players handle the ball extremely well and arent prone to turnovers. Newcomer B.J. Stith, son of Virginia legend Bryant Stith could be a valuable scorer early on and give the team a serious perimeter threat. The frontcourt lacks a star, but makes up for it with numbers. Juniors Anthony Gill (8.4 ppg), Mike Tobey (6.4 ppg) and Evan Nolte (2.8 ppg) are serviceable, while freshman Isaiah Wilkins (step-son of Dominique) should push for minutes. The Cavs have a target on their backs this season, but that shouldnt stop them from staying within striking distance down the stretch. LOUISVILLE: The addition of Louisville to a conference as talent rich as the ACC almost doesnt seem fair. The Cardinals are only two years removed from an NCAA title and made a run to the Sweet 16 last season. Rick Pitino must find a way to replace All-American Russ Smith (18.2 ppg) and Luke Hancock (12.3 ppg), while taking a big step up in terms of competition from the AAC to the ACC. The cupboard isnt exactly bare, but matching last years 31 victories would be a minor miracle. First and foremost, the team must find a backcourt identity now that Smith has moved on. The point guard spot is in good hands with the return of Chris Jones (10.2 ppg), while the hope is that sophomore Terry Rozier (7.0 ppg) takes the next step in his development alongside. Spelling Jones at the point will be freshman Quentin Snider (6-1, 170), who has great potential as both a scorer and facilitator. Louisvilles frontcourt is in much better shape, thanks to Montrezl Harrells decision to return to school instead of jumping ship to the NBA. Harrell (14.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg) will vie for All-America honors as the go-to-guy for the Cardinals this season. Senior forward Wayne Blackshear (8.2 ppg) has plenty of experience, while freshman Shaqquan Aaron (6-7, 175) is dripping with potential. The Cardinals arent going to blow by many teams with gaudy point totals this season, but they possess the requisite defensive skills to have a very successful debut season in their new conference. NC STATE: Mark Gottfrieds Wolfpack picked up 22 wins last season, but the team struggled a bit in conference play, with a 9-9 ledger, good for just a seventh-place tie. The team was paced by a superstar in ACC Player of the Year T.J. Warren, who finished third nationally in scoring at a hefty 24.9 ppg. Unfortunately, that led to Warrens exodus to the NBA and leaves Gottfried without a centerpiece. There arent a ton of people worrying in Raleigh this year though, as most of the complementary pieces return. The backcourt will be a strength this season, led by senior guard Ralston Turner (10.5 ppg). Gottfried has the luxury of two quality ball handlers this season in sophomore Anthony Barber (8.5 ppg, 3.5 apg) and Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey (11.3 ppg, 3.2 apg two seasons ago). Throw in juco transfer Desmond Lee (8.4 ppg) and an NC State legacy in Chris Corchiani Jr. and the backcourt seems well stocked for the present and future. The frontcourt is where NC State must prove its worth. There arent any real commodities to speak of down low. The hope is that star recruit Abdul-Malik Abu (6-8, 230) makes an immediate impact. Sophomore forward Kyle Washington (6-9, 225) will get extended minutes as well after flashes of strong play in limited action a year ago. The Wolfpack arent likely ready to contend for the conference crown, but they will be competitive throughout and should remain in the upper half of the league standings. SYRACUSE: Jim Boeheims Orange were their usual selves last season, posting 28 total victories and finishing second in the ACC with a stellar 14-4 record. Syracuse has been very tough of late thanks to strong play at the point. A couple of years ago it was Michael Carter-Williams that bolted to the NBA early and this past season Tyler Ennis (12.9 ppg, 5.5 apg) was one and done. The frontcourt will also need an identity with the losses of C.J. Fair (16.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Jerami Grant (12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg). Boeheim is likely to go with another youngster at the point and the hope is that 6-3 freshman Kaleb Joseph fits the bill. A top-50 recruit, Joseph is a facilitator with a ton of energy. Harnessing it will be job one. Perimeter scoring will come in the form of junior guard Trevor Cooney (12.1 ppg). The departures of Fair and Grant up front cannot be minimized. However, Rakeem Christmas (6-9, 250) is a force down low, especially defensively. A healthy DaJuan Coleman (6-9, 280) will provide another big body and freshman Chris McCullough (6-10, 220) can block shots as well. Junior forward Michael Gbinije could surprise a lot of people with more playing time. This will once again be a team relying on a very young point guard. If Joseph delivers like his predecessors, Syracuse will remain competitive in a top-heavy ACC. FLORIDA STATE: It may be a little surprising, but FSU ranks third over the last six years in conference wins (62). Leonard Hamilton gets the job done year-in and year-out and last season was no different, as the Seminoles amassed a 22-14 record overall. The team loses Ian Miller (13.7 ppg) and Okaro White (13.6 ppg), but Florida State shouldnt miss a beat, with a nice returning core of players, some talented additions and of course, the bruising style of play that is synonymous with FSU. The hope in the backcourt is that freshman Xavier Rathan-Mayes (6-4, 210) has been worth the wait. Ruled ineligible a year ago, Rathan-Mayes will finally suit up for FSU at the point. That should allow 6-3 junior Devon Bookert (8.5 ppg) to be much more of a scorer this time around and really complement outstanding junior Aaron Thomas (14.5 ppg) along the perimeter. FSU will boast of the biggest frontcourt in the ACC thanks to three seven-footers on the roster. Junior Boris Bojanovsky (5.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 bpg) is the best of the big men, that includes Kiel Turpin (7-0, 225) and Michael Ojo (7-1, 292). Freshman forward Phil Cofer (6-8, 205) will get every opportunity to thrive in FSUs frontcourt this season. The defense will once again be there for Florida State, but if the offensive weapons materialize as well, Hamilton may have one of his better squads in some time and that is saying a lot. PITTSBURGH: The Panthers certainly asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in their debut season in the ACC, finishing 26-10 overall and a respectable 11-7 in conference play, good for a fifth-place finish. Jamie Dixons squad must move on without stars Lamar Patterson (17.1 ppg) and Talib Zanna (13.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and that is a daunting task given the state of the roster this season. Long known for its defensive tenacity, Pitt may need to lean on that in 2014-15, at least early on. The Panthers has some stability in the backcourt with the return of both senior Cameron Wright (10.5 ppg) and junior James Robinson (7.6 ppg, 4.1 apg), Expect more from sophomores Josh Newkirk (4.6 ppg) and Chris Jones (2.4 ppg) as well. Sophomore forward Michael Young (6-9, 235) is the go-to-guy up front to start the year. The hope is that a healthy Durand Johnson (6-6, 210) is back to form and that Vanderbilt transfer Sheldon Jeter (6-8, 225) can provide offensive balance. Juco transfer Tyrone Haughton (6-9, 220) could evolve into a solid pivot, although he is a much better defender and shot blocker than scorer at this time. Dixon seems to always have a squad that can impose its will on opponents on the defensive end. That may need to be the gameplan once again until offensive weapons emerge. NOTRE DAME: Mike Breys squad lost one of the ACCs top scorers a year ago and as a result, the Irish were never the same, finishing a dismal 15-17 overall, with a mere 6-12 league ledger. It marked Notre Dames first losing season since before the turn of the century. The good news is that the return of Jerian Grant should push the Irish back over the ,500 mark all but itself. Grant is a dynamic scorer, who netted 19.0 points and 6.2 assists per game in the 12 he played last season before being shelved for the year. He has found his way back on the court for Notre Dame and that is a huge plus for this team going forward. Grant will be joined in the backcourt by sophomore Demetrius Jackson (6.0 ppg), who did some nice things as a freshman last season. Jackson will see an increased role with the departure of Eric Atkins (13.9 ppg). Senior Pat Connaughton is a jack-of-all trades out on the wing, providing scoring (13.8 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and distribution skills (3.0 apg). Center Garrick Sherman (13.5 ppg. 7.3 rpg) was solid in the middle for Notre Dame last year, but has moved on. A couple of incoming freshmen will get a chance to make an impact in Bonzie Colson (6-5, 225) and Martinas Geben (6-9, 230), while 6-9 junior Zach Auguste (6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg) will move from valuable reserve to primetime contributor this time around. The Irish will improve simply with Grant on the floor all year long. However, to make a move up the conference ladder, the newcomers will need to excel from the get-go. MIAMI-FLORIDA: Despite having a slew of newcomers last season, Jim Larranaga managed to lead the Hurricanes to a winning record. The Hurricanes did win the ACC the year prior, but a 17-16 overall mark was really a solid job considering all that had to be replaced from that championship squad. Unfortunately, this season will likely mirror last year, as the team needs to replace a ton of talent, including Rion Brown (15.5 ppg) and Garrius Adams (10.2 ppg). The good news is that Kansas State transfer Angel Rodriguez is ready to suit up and handle the point. A gifted distributor and defender, Rodriguez posted 11.4 points and 5.2 assists per game for the Wildcats two seasons ago and was an All-Big 12 defensive team member two times. The point guard spot is settled, leaving scoring along the perimeter to be vetted out. Texas transfer Sheldon McClellan could be the man for the job, after averaging 13.5 ppg in 2012-13 with the Longhorns. Sophomore guard Manu Lecomte (7.7 ppg) showed flashes of strong play a year ago and a lot is expected of incoming freshman scorer DeAndre Burnett (6-2, 191), who averaged a ridiculous 37.0 ppg as a high school senior. The frontcourt isnt nearly as stocked as Miamis backcourt and balance may be hard to come by. There simply werent any players of note on the roster following last year, but the hope is that Niagara transfer Joe Thomas (6-7, 235) and/or incoming freshmen Chris Stowell (6-7, 190) and Omar Sherman (6-8, 220) can develop into solid contributors. CLEMSON: Brad Brownell was on a bit of a hot seat at Clemson a year ago, but his team responded with a 23-win campaign and a sixth-place finish in the ACC (10-8), resulting in a six-year extension for Brownell. No player meant more to his team than forward K.J. McDaniels, who averaged 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while also being named the ACCs Defensive Player of the Year. McDaniels has moved on to the NBA, leaving a huge hole to fill along the frontline for the Tigers in 2014-15. Clemson made it to the NIT semifinals last year and does return four starters from that group, so the cupboard isnt completely bare. The backcourt is in good hands with veterans like seniors Rod Hall (9.7 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Demarcus Harrison (7.8 ppg) and junior Jordan Roper (7.4 ppg) back in the fold. Redshirt freshman Patrick Rooks and true freshman Gabe DeVoe add to the perimeter depth on the roster. The frontcourt is void of that kind of depth and will likely keep the Tigers fighting for position in the ACC all year long. Sophomore forward Jaron Blossomgame showed flashes of strong play a year ago, but suffered a leg fracture in the postseason. Blossomgame needs to take it to the next level as a key figure up front for Clemson this season. The center position will be manned by junior Landry Nnoko (6-10, 250), who was third in the ACC in blocked shots a year ago. Freshman Donte Grantham (6-8, 205) is the prized recruit coming in and will need to make an immediate impact for Clemson to compete at a high level this season. VIRGINIA TECH: Three straight last-place finishes in the ACC was simply more than the Virginia Tech brass could handle, prompting an all-around change. The streak should stop there with the arrival of Buzz Williams, who left Marquette for the task at hand in Blacksburg. The roster is well stocked with four of five starters returning and a strong recruiting class. The backcourt will feature a myriad of options starting with 6-1 junior Adam Smith (11.0 ppg), 6-5 sophomore Ben Emelogu (10.5 ppg) and 6-4 sophomore Devin Wilson (9.2 ppg). A lot is expected of incoming freshman Ahmed Hill (6-4, 197) as well. The frontcourt isnt nearly as loaded, although familiar faces like senior forward C.J. Barksdale (8.1 ppg) and junior forward Joey van Zegeren (6.4 ppg, 1.7 bpg) should provide some balance. Juco transfer Shane Henry (6-8, 193) is on the frail side, but plays much bigger with his rebounding and shot-blocking skills. The Hokies ranked 326th in the nation in scoring last season, but that is likely to change this time around. Despite improved scoring though, scaling the ACC landscape is a few years away, even for Williams. GEORGIA TECH: Brian Gregory was supposed to deliver in 2013-14, but a slew of injuries prevented Georgia Tech from making a move up the ACC, instead finishing with a mere 16-17 overall mark and a tie for 11th in the conference at 6-12. Excuses arent acceptable though and Gregory could find himself on the hot seat in 2014-15 if things dont get better fast. The good news is that the backcourt seems to have some depth. USF transfer Josh Heath will get the first crack at the point. Heath left USF after his father, Stan was fired as head coach. He has been given immediate eligibility and has three seasons left. Travis Jorgenson (6-0, 177) will see minutes at the point as well following a redshirt year last season for an ACL injury. The two distributors will try to get the ball to scorers in junior guard Marcus Georges-Hunt (11.7 ppg) and prized recruit Tadric Jackson (6-2, 220). The frontcourt has much more work to do, thanks in part to the transfer of Robert Carter (11.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg) to Maryland. Likely candidates to replace Carters production include East Carolina transfer Robert Sampson (9.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg in 2012-13), Maryland transfer Charles Mitchell (6.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Ole Miss transfer Demarco Cox (6-8, 276). Scoring along the perimeter will be a strength, but if balance doesnt come in the frontcourt and Georgia Tech doesnt start showing results in the win column, the writing could be on the wall for Gregory. WAKE FOREST: The Demon Deacons did finish last season with a winning record (17-16), but an 11th-place finish in the ACC (6-12) simply wasnt the kind of year that Wake Forest was looking for. The powers that be went out and made a huge splash by landing one of the most accomplished players in the history of college basketball in Danny Manning. The hope is that the former Conference USA Coach of the Year with Tulsa will make a difference right out of the gate in Winston-Salem and restore Wake Forest to conference relevancy. There are some key losses, most notably Travis McKie (10.7 ppg) and Coron Williams (10.2 ppg), but there is enough left on the roster, along with some intriguing newcomers that points to a bright future for the Demon Deacons. The backcourt returns 6-3 junior Codi Miller-McIntyre, who can both score (12.6 ppg) and distribute (4.2 apg). Freshman Mitchell Wilbekin (6-1, 165) signed on at Tulsa and was allowed to come over when Manning made the move. He is the younger brother of SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin (Florida) and has some of the same attributes as his accomplished brother. Wakes frontcourt has talented depth, starting with 6-9 junior Devin Thomas (11.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg). Campbell transfer Darius Leonard (6-9, 225) could develop into a go-to player under Mannings watchful eye, after averaging 10.2 ppg for the Camels a year ago. Juniors Andre Washington (7-0, 240) and Aaron Roundtree III (6-8, 195) provide defensive grit. Wake is in good hands with Manning, although a climb up the ACC isnt expected in year one. BOSTON COLLEGE: Jim Christian did some nice things at Ohio the last couple of seasons and the hope is that it will carry over to Chestnut Hill, as Boston College moves away from the Steve Donahue experiment. The Eagles finished with just eight total wins a year ago despite having a couple of top-notch scorers, with only four wins coming in an ugly conference run that saw the team finish in 14th place. Joe Rahon (9.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.2 apg) was a savvy do-it-all guard but he is now gone. Senior Lonnie Jackson (7.0 ppg) will see more minutes at the point as a result. The off-guard spot is much more stable with the return of prolific scorer Olivier Hanlan (18.5 ppg), who scores from all over the floor. Rotational players in the backcourt include Old Dominion transfer Dimitri Batten (11.0 ppg) and seniors Patrick Heckmann (6.0 ppg) and Alex Dragicevich (3.9 ppg). The frontcourt lacks similar depth, and the transfer of two-time All-ACC forward Ryan Anderson (13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg) to Arizona only adds to the problem. The team may be alright if oft-injured big man Dennis Clifford (7-1, 250) can stay healthy. Clifford played just two games a year ago due to injuries. There just arent many standout performers on a roster in desperate need of them. The Eagles will remain at the bottom of the conference as a result, although Christian will have them competing each and every game. 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GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone above his left eye but has no other serious injuries after being hit in the face by a line drive in a spring training game. Team doctor Timothy Kremchek said Chapman could be playing again in six to eight weeks. The left-hander with a fastball that has reached 105 mph hopefully will start exercising and throwing in a couple of weeks, Kremchek said. The doctor called Chapman "a very lucky guy." Kremchek said a metal plate will be inserted in the bone above his left eyebrow, with perhaps a bone graft as well, and will remain there permanently. Chapman has a very mild concussion but no other brain injury and no injury to his eye, Kremchek said. "Hes feeling better and he has some pain management. Were optimistic that he is going to be on the mend," Reds manager Bryan Price said after meeting with players Thursday morning at the teams spring training facility. "Obviously, well stay in touch. We will make sure we follow the process as we continue to get familiar with the injury itself. We will let him know how much support he has and that we care about him. Hopefully, we will see him here very soon." Catcher Brayan Pena, a fellow Cuban and Chapmans close friend, was one of several Reds players who visited the injured pitcher Wednesday night and spoke to him on the phone Thursday morning. "He was talking to me and we joked a lot," Pena said. "He just wanted to make sure for me to tell everybody that he appreciate so much the fans prayers, especially our teammates, our coaching staff, everybody around, how much support and how much love he received and got from all of us." Pena said Chapman was very happy when they spoke Thursday, "talking and joking. He was talking a lot about some Cuban jokes and thats good because that means his memory is still working pretty good." The frightening incident, widely available on video via the Internet, occurred in the sixth inning of Wednesday night game at Kansas Citys spring training facility in Surprise, Ariz., when the Royals Salvador Perez lined Chapmans 99 mph fastball into the pitchers face. Chapman was knocked backward to the ground, then rolled on his face, kicking in pain. Pena rushed to the mound. "Honestly when I saw it I wanted to cry," Pena said. "That was my first feeling because it was very scary. It was very scary because I saw the line drive going straight for his face, and then I saw him bleeding and kicking and moving around the way he was." Pena said Chapman "wasnt even talking. He was just like mmoaning and making sounds and then when I got there I panicked because I didnt know what else to do.dddddddddddd Then the medical staff guys got there, and those guys were great." Chapman was taken off the field in a stretcher as the crowd fell into an eerie silence and the game was called off. The pitcher was taken to a nearby hospital, then transferred to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. Kremchek said he expected Chapman to remain hospitalized for a couple of days, perhaps being released on Saturday. The ball hit Chapman in one of the most protected areas of the skull, the doctor said. "If you get hit in the side of the head, that could be disastrous," Kremchek said. "Where Aroldis got hit, you dont want to say he got hit in a good spot because hes undergoing surgery, but it could have been a lot worse, a lot more injuries, a lot more permanent. Hes very lucky." The 26-year-old Chapman has a fastball that regularly tops 100 mph. The two-time All-Star defected from Cuba in 2009 and made the Reds club in his first season of 2010. He had 38 saves each of the past two seasons, with 122 strikeouts in 71 2-3 innings in 2012 and 112 strikeouts in 63 2-3- innings in 2013. Price, a former pitcher, said pitchers are in a dangerous situation, "regardless of how hard you throw." "Its hard to defend yourself from 53, 54 feet," the manager said. "And everyone finishes their pitches differently. Everyone is not in a perfect fielding position and even if you are there is no guarantee that you can protect yourself when a balls hit that hard." Major League Baseball approved a protective cap for pitchers this winter following several terrifying scenes similar to this one in the last few years. The hats were available for testing during spring training on a voluntary basis but most have rejected them. Besides, the hats would offer no protection to the face, where Chapman was hit. Chapman particularly wanted to thank the Royals organization for its support and offer assurance to Perez that it is just something that happens in baseball and was not his fault. Pena said he also felt some responsibility. "I kind of blame myself a little bit because I could have called slider or I should have called changeup," Pena said. "Thats your thought process. Everything goes through your mind and youre looking for answers. ... You kind of put yourself in that guilt feeling." But Chapman, Pena said, told him "You know, its not your fault. I should have thrown slower. Im the one feeling very bad about it and hes the one thats cheering me up. Hes the one in the hospital." Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Jerseys NFL China Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping China Jerseys Cheap ' ' '