Remembering Pat Summerall

It will be hard to describe the greatness of Pat Summerall in just one article, but I will try. For people who group in my era, the 1990s, Summerall basically WAS the NFL. The tandem of him and John Madden is arguably the most famous announcing duo in not just NFL history, but sports history. When you woke up on Sunday mornings and come home from church and turn on the television set, if you heard Summerall, you knew it was a big game.

Summerall announced 16 Super Bowls, 26 Masters Tournaments and 21 U.S. Opens. He and Madden announced eight Super Bowls together, including five while with CBS. The final Super Bowl the tandem announced was one of the most memorable in NFL history, a New England Patriots 20-17 upset over the the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. Of those Super Bowls he announced, he and Madden called Super Bowl XXXI, a victory for the Green Bay Packers against the Patriots.

Summerall and Madden went together like peanut butter and jelly. Upon hearing about Summerall's death, Madden called his longtime friend and announcing partner 'The Voice of Football.' It is hard to argue with him. He was the Keith Jackson of the NFL.

Jackson announced college football for 41 seasons for ABC, including 16 Sugar Bowls and 15 Rose Bowls. He also was credited with nicknaming the Rose Bowl, 'The Granddaddy of them all.' Coincidentally, Jackson's final game was also a memorable one, as Vince Young led the Texas Longhorns to an upset win over Southern California, ending the 34-game winning streak of the Trojans.

Both Summerall and Jackson have more than just that in common, though. They both had that calm announcing voice that made you want to tune in. It was like "Edward R. Murrow reporting on World War II." They both did not need to go over the top to be noticed like Gus Johnson. They both had their style and both were darn good at it.

As a fan of the Packers, I have very fond memories of Summerall announcing games, as the Packers were just beginning their dominance when Summerall and Madden switched over to FOX following the 1993 season. It does not seem like that long ago when he announced the Packers/Patriots Super Bowl. I still can hear Summerall's call of Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return in my head.

For fans of the 90s and even the 80s, if you think of the NFL, one of the first things you think of, right along with the 49ers, Packers and Cowboys, is the tandem of Summerall and Madden. They worked brilliantly together and we can only hope a tandem half as good as that one will emerge in the future.

Griner in the NBA would be a joke

There has been talk about whether Brittney Griner, one of the most dominant women's college basketball players of all-time, should try to go into the NBA. That would be an absolute joke if an NBA team picked Griner in this June's NBA Draft. The only reason a team would pick Griner is to try and sell more seats because of the media circus that would go on by the team that drafts her.

Griner, who averaged 23.6 points and nine rebounds per game, led her Baylor Lady Bears to three straight No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Baylor won the championship during the 2011-12 season with a perfect 40-0 record. Her Bears had a record of 135-15 in Griner's four years and went 108-5 in the last three.

But that is women's basketball, where Griner towers over the competition. In the NBA, or even boys high school or men's college basketball, she would not have that advantage. The tallest opposition for Griner is shorter than the shortest NBA center.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has recently stated he may draft Griner. But that just be to get people talking. After all, this isn't the first time Cuban has been involved in controversy.

At 6-8, she would not only not have the size advantage, but she also would have be at a disadvantage in terms of strength, speed and quickness. In women's college basketball, she would have a natural position of center because she is naturally just bigger than everyone else. However, in the NBA, she would have to play small forward. The problem with that is the fact that she does not have the quickness to do that. Imagine her trying to defend LeBron James or Kevin Durant, or even reserves like Chase Budinger or Matt Barnes.She would stand no chance. None at all.

If she were to be a power forward, the big men would have an easy time getting into the paint against her. She would not stand a chance against players like Reggie Evans, let alone players like Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. There is just too big of a strength differential.

She also would have a hard time getting past defenders and getting to the rim as well. In women's college basketball, her shots stand little chance of being blocked. In the NBA, if she were to not reach the paint, she would have to do a mid-range shot or try to do a hook shot, and players like Dwight Howard and Serge Ibaka would eat that shot for dinner.

Not to discount what she has done in women's college basketball because she is perhaps the greatest women's college basketball player ever, but she just does not stand a chance in the NBA. The players are too big, too fast and too strong. She would not be able to compete. It would be a mistake for any team to draft her. She would not even be able to compete in the NBA Developmental League. She has the potential to be one of the greatest WNBA players, though.

Indiana receiving "Back-to-back Sweet 16" rings

Last season, Indiana head coach Tom Crean handed out rings to all the members of the Hoosiers commemorating their turnaround season. They finished 27-9 and won two games in the NCAA Tournament before being bounced in the Sweet 16 by the eventual National Champion, Kentucky Wildcats. On the rings, they featured wins over No. 1 Kentucky, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan State.

This year, Indiana, despite being a No. 1 seed and the heavy favorite to go to Atlanta, was upset in the Sweet 16 by Syracuse. But Crean was so proud of his players that he once again has had rings made in honor of their accomplishments. They will have "No. 1" on them, commemorating the Hoosiers being No. 1 in the country 10 weeks this season in the Associated Press rankings. They will also have a Michigan State logo on them with a line through it because of Indiana's impressive two wins over the Spartans on the year.

"Last year, we announced to the world that Indiana basketball is back," Crean said. "Now, this second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance announces to the world that Indiana basketball is really, really back."

When reporters asked Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim what he thought of the rings, Boeheim thought the rings should show Indiana big man Cody Zeller getting his shot blocked against his Orange in Indiana's loss to Syracuse in the Sweet 16.

"Did Zeller even score any points that game," Boeheim asked. All I remember about that game is Zeller getting his shot rejected every single time he shot it. I asked my assistants if we had signed Dikembe Mutombo."

In addition to the rings, Indiana will be selling "Back-to-back" Sweet 16 T-shirts. All proceeds will be set aside for the 2013-14 Sweet 16 rings, assuming the Hoosiers get back there.

"This probably is not the end of giving out rings," Crean said. "I am just so proud of this group of players that they deserve everything given to them."

Crean went onto say there will most certainly be rings given out to the Hoosier team that finally beats the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers have not lost to Indiana since the 2006-07 season and Crean has yet to beat Wisconsin as the coach of the Hoosiers.

"I cannot wait to hand out those rings," Crean said. "Unfortunately, we might have to wait another 10 years for that to happen."

Best of the Year: Green Bay Phoenix

With the season over for the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team, it is time to reflect back on a season in which Green Bay overcame a slow start to finish with an 18-16 overall record and make it to the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament. The strong end to the season could signal a sign of things to come for next year's Phoenix squad, as it returns everyone but Brennan Cougill and adds transfer Alfonzo McKinnie.

Best performance: Keifer Sykes, at Valparaiso, March 9

Sykes started the season with a 31-point performance against Chicago State. Valparaiso is no Chicago State and the Horizon League Tournament is more important than a non-conference game. Sykes almost willed the Phoenix to an upset victory over Horizon League champion. He matched his career high with those 31 points, while going 11-of-20 from the field. He did not just score, though, as he hauled in five rebounds and dished out six assists while also picking up two steals. But Sykes and Green Bay was left thinking "What might have been" after Valpo's Ryan Broekhoff hit a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer and Valpo made the NCAA Tournament.

Honorable mention: Keifer Sykes, vs. Chicago State; Sykes scored 31 points on 7-of-14 shooting and shot 19 free throws, making 17 in Green Bay's 72-67 season-opening victory.

Best unexpected performance: Jordan Fouse, vs. Cleveland State, Jan. 19

Fouse is known for stuffing the stat sheet without scoring a ton, but against Cleveland State, he showed he can score a bit too. He scored a career-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds and had four assists and three steals in leading Green Bay to a 77-50 victory over Cleveland State, capping a four game winning streak.

Honorable mention: Sultan Muhammad vs. Illinois-Springfield, Muhammad scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting in an 84-43 win; Cole Stefan at Loyola, Stefan went 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point territory. He scored 13 points in all and added five rebounds in Green Bay's 73-65 win.

Best game: Green Bay vs. Marquette, Dec. 19

The Phoenix hosted Marquette for the first time at the Resch Center. Green Bay was coming in at 3-7 and had lost seven of its last eight. The lone senior, Brennan Cougill, also sat out the game. The good news was that it was 2-1 at home and it would be fired up playing against the eventual Big East co-champions. Green Bay started out strong, having a 25-16 lead with five minutes left in the first half. But the Golden Eagles dominated the final five minutes, going on a 15-2 run before a jumper by Kam Cerroni ended the half, as Green Bay trailed by two at halftime. The game was close throughout the second half, as the biggest lead of the half was just four points. With 35 seconds left and Green Bay ahead by a single point, Marquette's Vander Blue missed the front end of a 1-and-1, but Marquette secured the offensive rebound. The Golden Eagles wound down the clock on the last possession and had an open shot with three seconds left. But Jake Thomas missed the 3-pointer in the corner and Alec Brown secured the rebound. Brown was fouled and made one free throw and Marquette's last ditch effort missed and the Phoenix secured the upset 49-47.

Honorable mention: Green Bay vs. UIC, 64-63; Green Bay at Cleveland State, 66-59

Best play: Sultan Muhammad's game-winner vs. UIC, March 8

In a close game throughout, Green Bay took a six point lead with six minutes left. But Hayden Humes took over for UIC, going on a personal 7-0 run to take the lead 59-58 with three minutes left. With the game tied at 61, Keifer Sykes fouled Gary Talton on a jump shot. Talton made both free throws to put UIC up 63-61. On the final possession, Sykes dribbled the ball up the court. He dribbled past halfcourt and found an open Sultan Muhammad on the right wing. Muhammad buried the 3-pointer, giving the Phoenix the 64-63 win to advance and play Valparaiso the following day.

Honorable mention: Sykes' one-handed jam vs. Chicago State, Jordan Fouse's basket and foul vs. Milwaukee in Horizon League Tournament

Best moment: Green Bay upsetting Marquette, Dec. 19

Ever since I became a student at Green Bay, this was the game I really wanted to go to. As a Phoenix fan/student and also a Badgers fan, I hate Marquette with a passion. This was my last game as a student, so there would be nothing better than to go out on a high note and see the Phoenix upset one of my least favorite teams. The last few minutes, my legs were shaking the entire time. On the final possession, Marquette had an open shot with Jake Thomas, which would have won the game. When Thomas put the shot up, my heart was in my throat because I thought that shot was going in. When it didn't, I was so pumped up. It was the most fun I have had watching a basketball game ever. I don't know if any game will top it. What a way to end my collegiate career. A snowstorm hit the following day, forcing me to not be able to move back until Dec. 21 when I could have gone home after graduation because all my finals were completed. I also lost my voice during the game. It was all well worth it.

Honorable mention: Sultan Muhammad's game-winning 3-pointer vs. UIC, Alec Brown joins 1,000-point club with dunk at Milwaukee

Same old, same old, from Packers fans on Thompson's FA inactivity

In 2007, it was Randy Moss. In 2010 it was Marshawn Lynch. In 2013 it was Steven Jackson. Every year, a lot of Green Bay Packers fans are up in arms over General Manager Ted Thompson's inactivity during free agency.

After Green Bay failed to sign running back Steven Jackson, fans on Twitter were fuming. Fans were calling for his firing. It was a little extreme for a running back who will be 30 by the time the season rolls around. Fans should know Thompson does not actually spend a lot of money during free agency. But every year, Green Bay still wins. Over the past four seasons, Thompson has compiled a 47-17 regular season record along with a 5-3 postseason record, including a Super Bowl win.

Signing big name free agents rarely works, just ask the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. What happened with big time free agent Albert Haynesworth and his $100 million contract? That marriage lasted just two seasons and he seemed to stop caring after his big payday. Philadelphia made big free agent signings in 2011 of former Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins and highly coveted cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha as well as traded for another cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. That team was called the "Dream Team" by quarterback Vince Young, who was all signed as a free agent that offseason. Well, all of those players are no longer with the Eagles and that dream turned into a nightmare after a 12-20 record in these last two seasons. If a team makes a poor free agent signing, it cripples a franchise and it takes them a few years to recover from it.

People wanted the Packers to sign Jackson as well as re-signing wide receiver Greg Jennings. I would have loved for that to happen, but there is a thing called a salary cap. At this moment, the Packers are comfortably below the salary cap. However, all that cap will be used up when they sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is a free agent after 2014, and linebacker Clay Matthews to hefty new contracts. That does not even include defensive tackle B.J. Raji and James Jones, who are also free agents after next season. There was absolutely no way Thompson would be able to re-sign all of them as well as sign Jackson. Would you sacrifice re-signing Matthews or Raji to re-sign Jennings and sign Jackson? I didn't think so.

Thompson has a proven track record and has proven to make the right decisions more often than not. Green Bay is in the mix for former New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. If he signs, great, but if not, I am not worried. Thompson knows what he is doing and I would not trade him for any other GM in the league. No matter what happens, the Packers will be fine.

Top 10 Wisconsin NCAA Tournament Moments from the Bo Ryan era

Before Bo Ryan became the coach at Wisconsin, the Badgers had only seven NCAA Tournament appearances. Since he got to Wisconsin, the Badgers have made the NCAA Tournament all 12 years. In those 11 prior years, the tournament has provided thrills for the Badgers which has seen five Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite 8. Here is my list for the top 10 Wisconsin moments from the NCAA Tournament under Bo Ryan.

10. Mike Bruesewitz hits a crucial 3-pointer vs. Kansas State, 2011

After a steal by Jordan Taylor with less than two minutes to play and the game tied at 64, Taylor dribbled up the court and found an open teammate. That teammate was Bruesewitz on the right wing who buried a 3-pointer to put the Badgers in front for good, 64-61. Wisconsin never relinquished the lead as it went to the Sweet 16 with the victory. More from this game coming up.

9. Wisconsin comes back from big deficit to beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 2007

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored the first 10 points of the game and took a 25-7 lead with 5:29 left in the first half. Wisconsin ended the first half on a 12-2, led by Alando Tucker's eight points in the run. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took a 12-point lead, 40-28, early in the second half, but Wisconsin went on a 24-8 run to take a 52-48 lead with a little less than nine minutes left. Wisconsin scored 57 in the second half and pulled away down the stretch as the Badgers avoided the upset with a 76-63 win against the Islanders. Wisconsin would fall two days later to UNLV.

8. Jared Berggren's deflects away Vanderbilt in the final seconds, 2012

With Wisconsin leading by three with 1.3 seconds left, Vanderbilt had one last chance, having to go the length of the court for the tie. Lance Goulbourne looked and tried a long pass, but Berggren got his paw in the way and deflected the ball in the air and celebrated the big 60-57 win in the round of 32 No. 4/5 matchup.

7. Jason Bohannon's crucial 3-pointer vs. Florida State, 2009

With Wisconsin trailing by one point with less than a minute left and the shot clock winding down, Joe Krabbenhoft drove down the lane, but was cut off and passed it to an open Bohannon at the top of the key. Bohannon launched a deep 3-pointer and nailed it to take a 52-50 lead. That set the stage for one of the best tournament finishes under Ryan. More from this game coming up later.

6. Wisconsin comes back vs. North Carolina State, 2005

Wisconsin struggled in the first half against the Wolfpack and trailed by as many as 10 points before trailing 30-21 at halftime. Wisconsin started the first half on a 26-7 run to turn a nine point deficit into a 10-point lead. Alando Tucker scored 12 points in that run, which included an eight point run of his own to help the Badgers build a 47-37 lead. North Carolina State cut the lead to four points, but could get no closer as Wisconsin won the Sweet 16 matchup 65-56 to set up a showdown against North Carolina in the Elite 8.

5. Jon Leuer shoots Wisconsin to victory vs. Wofford, 2010

With less than a half minute left and No. 4 Wisconsin and No. 13 Wofford tied at 49, Wisconsin had the ball and needed a basket. After an offensive rebound by Keaton Nankivil, the Badgers nearly used the entire shot clock as Leuer was open on the baseline and nailed the open jumper to give Wisconsin the 51-49 lead. Wofford turned the ball over on the next possession and Leuer stepped to the line and calmly sank two free throws to give Wisconsin the 53-49 win.

4. Taylor blocks Pullen, 2011

With Wisconsin leading the Kansas State Wildcats 66-63 late in the game, Kansas State star Jacob Pullen pulled up for a 3-pointer to try to tie the game. Taylor fouled Pullen on the shot and sent him to the line for three free throws to try to tie the game. Pullen made two of the three free throws. Taylor made two free throws on the other end, setting up the same scenario. Pullen scored 38 on the night and would certainly get the ball. Taylor knew he would draw the assignment of guarding Kansas State's best player. Pullen received a handoff and tried a 3-pointer from the left wing. Taylor tried to contest the 3-pointer again. This time, Taylor got all ball and the ball floated down to Josh Gasser, who was fouled. He made both and Wisconsin went onto the Sweet 16 with a 70-65 win over the Wildcats.

3. Chambliss to Tucker, 2005

This is the only moment from a losing effort. Wisconsin was a heavy underdog against the eventual National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels. Wisconsin played right with the Heels and used an 11-0 run to tie the game going into halftime. North Carolina tried to pull away multiple times in the second half, but every time North Carolina made a run, Wisconsin answered. Late in the game, Wisconsin trailed by five. Senior transfer Sharif Chambliss executed a beautiful alley-oop to Alando Tucker to pull the Badgers within three points. Wisconsin would get no closer and would lose 88-82, but Tucker's alley-oop is one of the signature tournament plays in Ryan's tenure.

2. Hughes quiets Florida State, 2009

I told you there would be more from this game. Here it is. Florida State controlled the entire first half, leading 31-19 at the break. After Wisconsin took a 10-4 lead, the Seminoles ended the half on a 27-9 run to go into halftime with all the momentum. But Wisconsin stormed out of recess with a 13-0 run, led by sophomore Keaton Nankivil, who scored eight in the run, including a pair of 3-pointers. Florida State would take a 7-point lead on multiple occasion in the second half, but Wisconsin responded each time. After the Bohannon 3-pointer, Florida State star Toney Douglas made a pair of free throws. Freshman Jordan Taylor missed a wide open 3-pointer at the buzzer and the game went into overtime. Wisconsin trailed by one point with 8.3 seconds to play. Tim Jarmusz inbounded it to Hughes and he went to work. The junior point guard drove into the lane and put up a tough shot. He hit it going glass, with a foul on top of it as Douglas grabbed Hughes' jersey. Wisconsin was the lowest seed ever under Ryan in 2008-09, but Hughes made sure it would create some magic before it was eliminated.

1. Owens caps the comeback, 2003

Wisconsin, led by Devin Harris and Kirk Penney, had won its first outright conference title in 56 years. The Badgers struggled with No. 12 Weber State before moving on. Before the second round game against Tulsa, people did not think Freddie Owens would play as he sprained his ankle in the win over Weber State. But play he did, and he sure made a significant impact. Wisconsin was down 13, 58-45 with 4:08 to play. CBS thought the game was over, so it switched to a different game. Wisconsin would go on an 11-0 run to cut it to 58-56. After a Tulsa basket, Harris scored on a layup to cut it to two. Tulsa would turn it over on a shot clock violation on its next possession to set the stage for the thrilling conclusion. With 12.1 seconds left, Harris took the ball up the court. He drove the lane and Tulsa's defense surrounded him. He found an open Owens in the corner. Owens drilled the 3-pointer with one second left and Wisconsin won 61-60 in one of the more improbable comebacks for Wisconsin in recent memory.

My thoughts on the tournament backet

The first thing that I noticed when the brackets came out is that the Midwest region is brutal. The top overall seed, the Louisville Cardinals, seemingly stole the No. 1 seed from the Indiana Hoosiers. A week or two ago, not many people had Louisville as a No. 1 seed let alone the top overall seed. Indiana had the top seed in the Indianapolis region all but wrapped up. That was until Louisville went on a hot streak and blew through the Big East conference tournament and Indiana was upset in the semifinals in the Big Ten Tournament by Wisconsin.

In addition to the top overall seed and arguably the hottest team in the country in Louisville, perhaps the best of the No. 2 seeds in the Duke Blue Devils. Before the upset loss to Maryland in the ACC Tournament, Duke had won every game it had played with Mason Plumlee in the lineup. Plumlee is back and I expect the Blue Devils to put the loss to Maryland behind them. The Michigan State Spartans are the No. 3 seed and they may be the best No. 3 seed as well. Michigan State finished a game behind Indiana in the Big Ten standings. Michigan State has the toughness and low post presence to go far in the tournament. And don't ever count out Tom Izzo's bunch come tournament time. St. Louis, the No. 4 seed, is a great team, who swept Butler in three games and beat Virginia Commonwealth twice, including the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game. The Billikens are coming in having won 15 their last 16 games.

Oregon has a gripe about their seeding. It is a No. 12, having swept UCLA and having a road win over UNLV and another win over Arizona. Oregon won the Pac 12 Tournament as well. This seeding made no sense to me, especially with teams like San Diego State, Oklahoma and Colorado receiving higher seeds than the Ducks.

I have yet another matchup between Louisville and Michigan State in the regional final with Louisville winning. It would be the second consecutive season and the third in the last five. The teams have split those two tournament meetings.

To me, the weakest region is the East. Indiana may have lucked out by not being placed in the Midwest region. The Hoosiers are placed in the region with perhaps the weakest of the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in Miami and Marquette. If Marquette gets past Butler and Miami into the Elite 8, it could set up a matchup between Indiana and coach Tom Crean against his former team, Marquette. I think Indiana should breeze into the Final Four.

As much as Michigan State and Louisville have met, Wisconsin and Kansas State could meet once again in the tournament. It would be the third time it has met since the 2008 tournament and second in three years. Both prior times the teams have met in the tournament, it has been in the round of 32. And it would meet once again in that round should the teams meet this year.

After the top two in the South region, the teams fall down considerably. Kansas and Georgetown are a worthy top two, but Florida struggles mightily away from home. The Gators also struggles in close games and there are bound to be some in the tournament. Florida has lost four of its past six road and neutral site games. I do not see Florida getting past the Sweet 16. This region has a Kansas/Georgetown Elite 8 matchup written all over it.

This tournament is sure to provide thrills, just like every other tournament. Now, it is time to just sit back and relax and enjoy the greatest two sporting days of the year.