Well, it wasn’t the best weekend to be a Coyote.

The classic rivalry between SDSU and USD happened on the hardwood at Frost Arena in Brookings this past weekend, with both the men’s and women’s teams taking the floor. Every time these teams take the field or the court, you know it will stimulating. These games were no exception, minus the part where the Jacks won.

The men played on Saturday, which many didn’t think coming in that the Coyotes would put up much of a game, knowing the struggles they’ve faced all season with injuries and what not. But, the Coyotes came to play and had a double-digit lead at halftime. I thought to myself –wow. Honestly, I was pretty excited and built up hope that maybe the Yotes are going to pull off an upset.

Then the second half happened. Jacks got hot, Mike Daum got 3,000 — which is the 10th time a college basketball reached that milestone — and they got the 94-89 dub. It was a great game and the men did a great job fighting. Besides, now we got our nationally-ranked women playing the next day.

The women also played an excellent game, but the outcome wasn’t great.

The overtime thriller game that saw USD’s guard Ciara Duffy get a near double-double with 23 points and 9 rebounds but also saw SDSU’s guard Macy Miller also go off with 28 points ended in a 82-78 blue and yellow victory.

Gross.

So, this wasn’t the best weekend, but it’s far from over. I predict us to meet the Jacks again in the Summit League tournament next weekend, and this time, we’ll take the W when it matters most.

One of the best college rivalry games happened last night, UNC vs. Duke –cue hard punk music with montage of classic moments. While this game in a classic rivalry was less to be desired with the Tar Heels taking the victory over the Blue Devils 88-72, what happened 36 seconds into the game was “apparently” the highlight of the night.

Zion Williamson, a hyped-up college star and probably a future 1st round pick in the NBA, broke out of his shoe and got injured.

Williamson played 36 seconds of this game, and all ESPN could talk about and replay out of a 40 minute game was Zion breaking his shoe, doing the splits and wincing in pain. Turns out, Williamson suffered a mild knee sprain.

But let’s talk about ESPN.

After the game, they replayed this around ten times. Over covering a college athlete and probably one of the most hyped up college basketball stars in years. This isn’t the first time though, as they seem to post something on their social media pages about Zion Williamson almost every time Duke plays a game or is about to play a game. It’s like LeBron all over again, but Zion isn’t even in the NBA yet.

Don’t get me wrong, Zion Williamson is a great basketball player and could potentially become something special in the big leagues, but all this coverage of a college kid, this 18-year-old kid who –mind you–is only a kid! Lot of trivial weight is put on someone so young just because major sports media outlets dropped it on him.

Speedy recovery, Zion. I look forward to hearing from ESPN what you had for breakfast the morning after your injury.

Dear Joe,

I knew this day would come. It wasn’t a matter of “if” Joe Flacco got traded but “when”. Well, I guess today is the day and on this bittersweet day, as a Baltimore Ravens fan, I salute you.

#5, you were the first NFL jersey I ever got way back in 2010 on Christmas. You were a rising name in the quarterback ranks, in your third year as a pro QB. You were promising, guiding us to back to back to back winning seasons since you arrived in Charm City in 2008. 13-year-old me was proud to wear your number on my back. Living in South Dakota, you didn’t see a lot of Ravens fans around our neck of the woods, but there I was, wearing a Flacco jersey.

2011 felt like our year to get to a Super Bowl. We had the defense and we had the offensive pieces. It was a matter of time that we would finally get to the big dance again. We knew Ray Lewis was close to calling it quits and that our time had a window that was closing. We got a first round bye in the playoffs, beat the Texans in the divisional round and we were off to Foxborough, just one game away.

Then Billy Cundiff happened.

I didn’t blame you, Joe. You played a great game. You could have thrown the game-winning touchdown had Lee Evans not have had butter on his hands and your kicker hit a 32-yard field goal to at least give us another chance in overtime. But it wasn’t our year, AGAIN! Another disappointing year in the books.

2012, the world was supposed to end. I felt like it did when we lost to the Bengals and dropped to 10-6 for the year and when Ray Lewis finally decided he was going to hang up the cleats after this year. We still made the playoffs, but we’d have to win four games to be world champs, and not many teams can do that. It started off great–we beat the rookie Andrew Luck in the first round at home. Okay…..but……..then we had to go to Denver and play Peyton Manning.

HOLY SH-T! MILE HIGH MIRACLE! FLACCO, YOU CLUTCH SON OF A GUN! I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT! WOW, WHAT A PLAY!

And in overtime, we ended up winning. But……we had to go to Foxborough……AGAIN!

And just like that, we left Tom Brady flustered, and Joe, you played another good game, showing off your playoff dexterity. We, for the first time since 2000, were headed to the Super Bowl. And a lot of that reason was because of you, Joe!

18 heart attacks and a power outage later, you were the Super Bowl MVP. You did it, Joe! You guided us to the Super Bowl and won it for us! You sent the legendary Ray Lewis off into the sunset with another ring on his fingers. You gave great players such as Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Anquan Boldin ice on their fingers, too! Seeing you lift that Lombardi was an amazing moment for me to witness. Joe Cool was who you became, one of the best postseason runs ever in NFL history.

Then you signed a big contract and became Joe Un-Cool.

Through 2013-2018, it was kind of disgruntling to watch you play, except the 2014 season when you had a great season with Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator. But injuries and a lack of weapons plagued you and our winning ways. We wondered when we were going to get a new quarterback, even after the postseason greatness you gave to us years ago. But, that was YEARS AGO. You have to win NOW in this league.

I went to see you play live last year in Minnesota. We got wrecked. You tripped over yourself to the amusement of many Vikings fans, and nothing but a face palm from me to show my displeasure. It was at this time I finally decided that maybe it was time to move on from you, and so did the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson was selected in the first round and eventually took over the team, leading us to our first playoff berth in four years and going 6-1 down the stretch while you sat on the bench. It was the end of an era. Flacco time had run out.

And now today, with the news coming out that you are going to be a Denver Bronco next season after 11 seasons in Baltimore, the era has officially come to a close. But Joe, hang your head high.

You will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up watching you and enjoyed the great moments that you flashed for us Ravens fans, one of those moments lifting the greatest prize of them all — the Lombardi. We had our ups and downs throughout these 11 seasons –absolutely– but I am forever thankful for what you did as a Raven. It was time to move on as we say hello to our new guy under center, but I will root for you, always. Once a Raven, always a Raven.

Thank you, Joe.

Sincerely,

A Ravens Fan

Milestone reached.

For the first time in program history, the South Dakota women’s basketball team has broke into the Associated Press Top 25 ranking in D-I basketball. The Coyotes have been receiving votes throughout the season, which is well deserving if you’ve seen them do their thing on the court. A stellar core of players and the dauntless direction that head honcho Dawn Plitzuweit has installed in this squad has these ladies on a mission to achieve their best record in team history.

With a record of 22-3, the women are on top of the Summit League, with a 10-1 record in conference play–the only loss coming from a 104-99 shootout with Denver. With wins over ranked Iowa State and Missouri earlier in the season, it wasn’t a matter of how these ladies would sneak into the Top 25 polls, but when.

Well, now they’re there. 25th in the nation. With a gritty defense and unselfish players that can be a top scorer any given night, this team is riveting. The only direction that is acceptable now is up–keep climbing the ladder of rankings.

Congratulations, ladies! Keep fighting for Yote Nation!

Do it for us. Do it for yourselves. Do it for each other.

I’m going to go a different route for this blog post. I’ve been blogging about recent happenings in the world of sports, but today I’m feeling a little thankful. I don’t know why, it’s not like it’s Thanksgiving or anything, but bear with me on this one. Today, I just wanted to show my gratitude towards all the sweat, all the tears and the countless hours of prepping physically and mentally that go into sports.

I wasn’t always into sports. I never really payed attention to them until I was around 12. But then one day, it just clicked. Sports became interesting to me. The lunch table became one to discuss who was the best quarterback or point guard in their respective leagues, while using stats to back up your claims. It was as if every time you chattered anything sports, you felt like an analyst on ESPN. With sports, I felt like I had a voice.

I went out for football in high school–no, this isn’t a story that gives a vibe that peaked in those years. I was never the best player and my position was not one on the field, but making sure the bench was warm. Actually, scratch that, we stood on the sidelines. I never received accolades or got much praise for my athletic ability, but what it did teach me is that the results you get in the end depends on the work you put in. Not everything is handed down–you have to work for it. Innumerable hours in the weight room, sweat causing down your back and sore muscles didn’t necessarily help me be a starter, but it built up work ethic and made me stronger willed. It kept me chasing for goals. But more importantly, it taught me to be a team player. Show appreciation for those who succeed–don’t put them down. Be selfless and continue to work hard not just for yourself, but for your team. With sports, I felt like I was a team player.

College rolls around and here I am broadcasting my first ever game in Division I sports, shaking in my boots. It was a volleyball game and I wasn’t necessarily an expert in the game. To make a long story short, my first broadcast was subpar. However, it was good wake up call, and that in order to be better, you had to put in the work, just like any other sport. It was a cycle of bettering oneself. I am still trying to improve, but with the help of broadcasting sports, it’s progress in the making.

Sports isn’t just some random people running around with a ball or hitting small objects with sticks, but it can build character. It brings people together and helps people find a voice. So with that, I just wanted to say to the games we enjoy and watch, thanks!

Is your preference of a great gridiron duel involve one team going three and out and the punter getting more yards through the air kicking the ball than that team’s offense, only for the other team to hardly do anything except kick a few field goals and then FINALLY punching one in for six late in the 4th quarter?

If you answered yes, you may be certifiable.

But maybe not.

Listen, there isn’t wrong with playing a little defense. That’s part of the game! But being part of the WHOLE game!? I understand football is supposed to be a physical, arduous game of hitting people and knocking them into the next zip code, but these days people want to see offense. We love seeing offenses march up and down the field and score, and put up points and watch a duel that comes down to the final seconds. We want to see both teams combine for hundreds of points combined. We want to see players doing the limbo or doing a choreographed dance in the end zone. With all the new rules that the NFL has installed into the system of play, the laws of play favor the offense. We see quarterbacks throw for more yards than ever. 5,000 yard passing used to be a treasure, a remarkable milestone. Now, it’s common to see someone do that each year; it’s not as impressive.

You would of thought with how dynamic the Rams offense was the whole season, and how Tom Brady can engineer a touchdown drive with ease, we would have seen an offensive clash.

But we didn’t. We saw an offensive stalemate for most of the game. Jared Goff looked more like Jared “Off”. The Rams played more like lambs. Belichick proved once again his defensive genius is no match; you might as well call him Hannibal Lecter because he silenced those lambs.

And of course, the NFL has conditioned us to enjoy games based on powerhouse offenses and a lot of scoring. This is why no one seemed to enjoy it. This why my friends at the Super Bowl party yawned and put the chips away early. There wasn’t much left to see.

Was this the worst Super Bowl ever? Some may think so, others who might find the pleasure seeing hard-fought, defensive battles might beg to differ. But whether you prefer offensive juggernauts or hard-bitten defense, at least we can come to a consensus that the Maroon 5 halftime show was garbage.

Congratulations, Tony! After your mildly successful NFL career as the Dallas Cowboy signal caller, you finally made it to the biggest stage of the NFL season. Whatever happens on that field will go down in gridiron lore, with fingerprints pressed on the prized Lombardi Trophy and be crowned champions of the 2018 season and forever engraved as victors of Super Bowl LIII.

Except, you won’t be on the field. You’ll be in the booth.

For the first time, Tony Romo will be at a Super Bowl. No, not as a player, but a commentator for the CBS booth alongside the legendary Jim Nantz. Even though you weren’t my favorite player and were the butt of many jokes I chuckled at, like how your favorite soft drink was “Choke”-a-Cola, or how you could put a bakery out of business from all your turnovers, I respect you as the commentator of the game.

I do sports commentary here at the University of South Dakota and I’m nowhere near as good as Mr. Romo or ever will be. You aren’t just a Grade-A professional with the headset on, you are a wizard, Tony, and a thumping good one. You predict the future and call out plays before they even happen. For the first time in my life, I’m excited to say I look forward to seeing Tony Romo at a Super Bowl. You make it so fun and interesting, Tony!

Now only if he could use his wizardry and predict the outcome of the game.

Booooooooooooooo.

That was probably what Knicks fans were saying when they heard the news that their once “savior of their disgruntled franchise” is now headed to a brand new team in a blockbuster trade to help out a Dallas Mavericks team that has seen the emergence of rookie Luka Doncic and their legendary, but old as dirt power forward Dirk Nowitzki try not to die out on the court each night.

With the acquisition of All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks will be sending Dennis Smith Jr., Deandre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks. Along with Porzingis, Dallas will get Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee.

I don’t think this is the worse trade ever. Knicks receive an all-star center in Deandre Jordan, who is really good at grabbing boards and can be decent on the defensive side as a post defender. Dennis Smith Jr. is a young point guard who I think the Knicks could really use regarding their current PG situation. And two first-round picks? Better spend those wisely New York. Dallas on the other hand get an emerging star who was savagely boo’ed by Knicks fans on Draft Day- remember that?

I’m excited to see the Porzingis-Doncic duo on the court once Kristaps gets back on the court after an ACL injury last February. If Porzingis can stay healthy, this team will be good. It’s also interesting to see Porzingis go to the team that his idol, Dirk, plays on and has been compared to early in his career. It’s like a “pass the torch” type of deal, since we have most likely seen the end to the Dirk Nowitzki era, but one door closes, another one opens.

So there was a report that speculates LeBron James and his association want third year coach and former NBA player Luke Walton booted from the sidelines. Yet another story where King James wants to dethrone his coach and send him off to the pit of coaches that LeBron “apparently got fired or wanted gone.”

We’re looking at you Tyronn Lue, David Blatt, Erik Spoelstra, and Dwane Casey. Is Luke Walton next?

If they do Luke Walton go -who mind you still has the Lakers on the brink of still getting a playoff spot halfway through the NBA season at 25-24 record, a few games behind that other Los Angeles team who currently has the eighth spot in the Western Conference – who are the Lakers going to hire next?

Here’s my suggestion: LeBron James. But why? Well…..

1. No more drama or speculation of LeBron getting a head coach fired.
2. He’s definitely one of the best to ever do it; he’s gifted athletically and has a high basketball IQ. He knows the game!
3. Players can coach a team. Bill Russell coached the Boston Celtics while he was still a player from 1966 to 1969. He also won two championships during that span.
4. Maybe if LeBron struggles as a coach, he will realize that being a head coach and having the best player in the game and arguably one of the greatest to grace an NBA court and having many young guys and a few veterans might take some time to work out kinks and it’s not that easy.

Yeah, I like number four.

Once dominating the mound for the New York Yankees in the crunchiest of crunch times for decades, the 13x All-Star, 5x World Champion relief pitcher Mariano Rivera isn’t just now one of the greats, he’s a hall of famer, perhaps the best title you can get in any major league sport.

For the first time ever, Rivera was the first player ever to be inducted with 100 percent of writers’ ballots; all 425 vote casters agreed on one thing. That’s very impressive, but for a great player and maybe even better person, this is a well deserving to nod to one of the greatest relief pitchers to ever grace an MLB field.

Am I the biggest baseball fan in the world? Absolutely not. The only time I watch MLB is if we somehow grab tickets to go see the Minnesota Twinkies-err, I mean Twins, or if its the postseason.

That’s where I’ve seen Rivera thrive.

He’s perhaps the best postseason player, winning the World Series MVP back in 1999 and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP, while also holding records for lowest earned run average, with an ERA of 0.70 and most saves with 42. 42? How fitting, since that’s the jersey number Rivera graced for decades.

Mr. Sandman, congratulations on the unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame and playing the game with not only your vast skill set, but with humility.