The VI Urban Pro Hoops squad just took home their 2nd Title in 3 seasons and are looking good again this summer!

A special “VI Wall of Fame” T-Shirt will be coming out soon to celebrate the individual and team achievements of the Village Idiots Sports family!  Stay tuned for a special preview of the shirt, right here on VillageIdiotSports.com!

Hey there sports fans, Allock of the Week here and you there…

Huge championship weekend coming up in the NFL that needs coverage, and that’s what I’m here to provide.

Green Bay at Chicago

Great matchup between two of the NFL’s oldest rivals.  They split the season series with the Pack winning the crucial game in Week 17 to get into the playoffs.  Since then, the Pack have been rolling like Wally’s Tide over their first two opponents.  Aaron Rodgers has made the faithful forget about Brett “Penis Pics” Favre and is poised to take them to the promise land.  However, Chicago’s formidable defense isn’t going to make this easy.  In the end, I like the Pack in a very close game, maybe something like 20-17.  Dr. Ron’s Bears will have to wait another season before they get a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.  Boosh kadoosh!

Jets at Pittsburgh

A re-match of the Week 15 battle between these two powerhouses.  The J-E-T-S have taken down two future Hall of Fame QB’s in their run to the title game while their own young QB, Mark Sanchez, has shown improvement week after week.  The Steelers’ D is nasty and they love to hit (clean and dirty) and the Jets love to run so this should be a great matchup.  Ben “Female Bathroom Attendant of the Year” Roethlisberger lead his team back from a terrible start to take down a tough Ravens team – but he can hold onto that magic for another week?  In the end, I’m going with my boys in green and say the Jets win in another close game 24-20.  Hope there is still some snow in the backyard!

In other predictions for this weekend:

Mystery Reporter (-3) over Smitten

JDubs (-9) over Baskin Robbins

Da Knippa (-1) over Full Tilt Poker

Mike Zec (-7) over Dr. Ron   

I would like to focus on the bowl games from Jan 1st on, well those that i think are relevant.  What happened to just the title game being after jan 1st.  Now its the dingleberry bowl, the toilet bowl on Jan 8th!  YAWN!!

Key matchups

1. PSU vs. Florida - I am going PSU.  As usual, 1. because I am an alum, 2. Tim Tebow is gone and 3.  I think they use this game as a building block for next season.  UF has some injuries and they have been inconsistent as has PSU.  However, I am going with the numbers.  PSU has had GREAT success vs. the SEC in recent years in bowl games, but in bowl games overall.  Although history does NOT win games.  I like the way PSU has played for the most part since losing that joke of a game vs. Illinois.  PSU is a VERY young team with almost 50 of the 85 scholarship players being freshman.  Speaks volumes hopefully for time to come. Key injuries to UF’s secondary, look for PSU in a close one….

2.  Ohio State vs. Arkansas - I equate this to Al Capone getting caught on tax evasion.  OSU finally got caught.  I blame the NCAA, OSU and the players on this one.  The players knew better, cmon son, you know better than that.  OSU knows better, and they should of been on top of these kids more, but mostly the NCAA.  They are a bunch of hookers, name the price and they accept… Supposedly a collection of the brightest university admin help run it, suprising to me, Mr. Zec has more smarts in the brownbeef hash that comes out of his ass and that is NOT saying much considering the personnel.
OSU players should be suspended for the bowl game as well.  This is part of what is wrong with college sports.  Regardless, how do you receive a gift from the University for your athletic accomplishments, but then its not really yours?  I don’t really understand that one,  sounds like Indian giving to me…? 
In this game, Arkansas will go as Ryan Mallet goes, if he is on, and has time to throw, Arkansas will win.  If he gets knocked on his rear end, I think OSU can score points so it will be a long day for Arkansas.  Look for a shoot out!  Arkansas squeeks one out if they can score… If NOT unfortunately in this case CHEATERS win!

3. Wisky vs. TCU - First time in a while, NO ONE really cares about the Rose Bowl.  I think Wisky will shove it down TCU’s throat. TCU did NOT play anyone.  Wisky will be banging them nutt to butt all night long.  Wisky wins.  Clay has a big day

4.  UCONN vs. Oklahoma- NO SHOT UCONN!  They made it by default because the big least had to send someone.  Oklahoma wins, not a very exciting game to watch

5.  Stanford vs. Va Tech - Stanford wow.  Like PSU and BC, its true academics and athletics can go hand and hand.  Harbaugh has done a spectacular job. Andrew Luck, Stanford QB is a 1st rounder.  They beat MZ’s Hokies by 10-14 pts.  Sorry but Va. Tech has not been the same since the days of Michael Vick…

6. Bama vs. Michigan St- Michigan St is a better team than years past, but how do you stop Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Richardson, all three are NFL bound players.  Just too much talent on both sides of the ball for Michigan St to win this one.  Sorry big ten, if bama does NOT turn the ball over, they should win by 10-14

7. Miss St vs. Michigan - If Michigan does NOT win, big blue country is going to be even more pissed off.  Although  its better to be pissed off then pissed on.  Unfortunately UM got pissed on in some games this year. Sorry big ten fans, expect more of that this game.  Miss State should of beaten Auburn and Arkansas and they will win this one.  The RUMBLINGS in Ann Arbour get EVEN louder.  Personally i do not see the fit of RR in Ann Arbour.  He has never had good defenses and the defense for Michigan is HORRIFIC!  While young, i just don’t like the style.  Too gimmicky for me, that  NOT Michigan football.  There is FAR too much talent in the coaching world to settle for RR, NOT a fan. 

8. Oregon vs. Auburn - I expect this to be a VERY exciting game, shoot out of sorts.  Both offenses are explosive.  It will be whose defense steps up, turnovers and special teams play that wins this one.  Auburn has had some shaky wins, but they WON.  NO ONE has come close to beating Oregon.  I like Auburn though.  Cam Newton and Auburn are just so explosive.  I think with the opponents they have played.  They have played in a tougher conference.  They know how to win.  I expect a shoot out, but Auburn wins it out.  Newton wills them to win like Vince Young did for Texas in that epic battle vs. USC

That is all, off to dinner. 

Happy New Year and God Bless
GFY ZEC!

The VI were almost on the outside looking in when the playoff brackets were layed out… but after winning their last three regular season games to finish 5-3, they held a tie-breaker advantage and snuck into the play-in game as the 5 seed.  That break was all the Idiots needed because on the court they dominated their opponents in 3 straight double-digit playoff victories, culminating in the Championship on Thursday night!

Throughout the playoffs, defense was the priority in the VI gameplan… In the first round matchup, Chris Cline shut down the league scoring leader from Green Like Money as the Idiots avenged a 20-point early season loss to move onto the semi-finals, and even though the Idiots lost their go-to post man Ed Caceres to a broken hand in that game, Mike Rausch and Dan Knipscher more than made up for his absence by doing serious work in the paint on both offense and defense throughout the post-season.  Add in Aubrey Brown performing his usual harrassment of opposing point guards, and no VI foe had any energy left to contend with the quick drives of Linc Isetta and VI ballhandler Ty Springer dancing through the lane, often finding VI rookie Steve Gates slashing to the hole.  The high octane attack from the Idiots beat down opposing defenses and the Idiots’ sharpshooting, led by Chris Boccioliatt, put the nail in the coffin night after night!

After using that formula to avenge another early season loss against the top-seeded Hands-Down Man Down in the Semis, the Village Idiots had all of the confidence they needed to take the trophy!  The Finals game was nearly over before it started as the usually defensive-minded Rausch came out firing and scored 11 points in the early going as the VI opened up a double-digit lead… and after a minor comeback before the half to cut the lead to 7, three straight Idiot 3-balls to open the 2nd half stretched it back to an insurmountable number with the Idiots’ defense clamping down on the other end!  The Big & Bad Division Championship was all VI after the 12-point victory!

. . .

The Urban Pro Fall Championship marks the latest in an amazing year of achievements in the Village Idiots Sports world!  Other team accomplishments include a Nassau County Softball Tourney Championship in April, a Weekend Hoops Championship in May, and a Long Beach Softball Summer League Title in September, as well as Basketball Finals appearances in the Urban Pro Winter League and Town of Hempstead Summer League.

Individual achievements include a Nassau County Soccer Championship for Head Coach Fred Paul, a Nassau County Coach of the Year award for Mike Stanley; and a ton of VI Runners Club activity with marathons completed by Amie Weber, Greg Gormsen, Edwin Caceres and Mike Zec; Half-Marathons completed by Tom Weber, John Walls, Meredith Zec, Gerry Connors and Carissa Suero!

With another HUGE VI Extreme Ski Tour starting things off this winter, 2011 should be a geat one as well!!!  Have a great holiday season and stay tuned for all the news and events right here at VillageIdiotSports.com!

This Saturday afternoon, the Village Idiots tailgating tour will head over to Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University to cheer on the Carey Seahawks in the Nassau County conference 2 championship game.  Carey (10-0) will be taking on their much hated rivals Garden City (9-1) at 12:30 pm in a matchup of the top two seeds of their conference.  Head coach Mike Stanley, an original member of the Village Idiots, will be looking to give Carey their first county title in 32 years.  The Seahawks have been outstanding all season and have been recognized on several local high school football polls.  They are currently ranked #3 on Long Island in the Newsday large school poll.  Carey is also ranked in the MSG Varsity Tri-State poll at #23 and the New York State Sportswriters Association has them ranked #5 in New York state in their class.

 Good luck to Coach Stanley and the Seahawks!

Okla @ Mizz - #1 @ #18.  UPSET ALERT!!.  Okla is hot and cold all season.  Crushing FSU, then squeezing out a 30-29 win against Cinci.  They took care of biz last week but they are going into a tough place to play.  Okla wins a close one…

 NC @ Mia - I am just gonna keep picking miami.  They are more talented then everyone.  But their QB turns the ball over more then he should.  They don’t run the ball enough.  NC has so many suspensions, they just cant make up for it.  MIA by a TD at home

LSU @ Aub - God I hate Aub.  All their tough games come at home.  Newton is good but beatable.  LSU has a solid defense and no offense.  Miles is not a good coach.  Chizik is.  Aub by a TD

Neb @ Okla St - Look for Okla st to remain undefeated for a showdown with the sooners!

ZAMBONI’S Roast beef pick of the week

Wisco @ Iowa - Big game for the battle of the big 10.  This is like twins fist fighting one another.  Similar balanced offense.  Similar stout defenses…  Wisco coming off the biggest win since 1980 defeating the #1 ranked Buckeyes last week.  Iowa does not have a signature win yet, losing to an AZ team they had no business losing to.  Stanzi and Robinson lead a balanced offense for the hawkeyes. Tolzien, Clay, Toon and Hendricks lead the way for the badgers..  I feel like the badgers have more talent on offense and the Hawkeyes more on defense…  Tough call here.  But I am gonna go with the home team under the lights..  Iowa by 5!

Rather than b.s. about my absence for the first couple of weeks, let’s just talk some football.  J Dubs has done a good job in the last few weeks picking some games, so let’s go into this week’s games:

Alabama v. South Carolina:  South Carolina has looked good so far, but the Crimson Tide have been solid all season long.  Aside from the near upset from Arkansas, Alabama looks poised to make another run at the title game.  South Carolina had problems with Auburn last week and that won’t bode well against the Tide’s potent offense.  Perhaps a matchup between Saban and The Old Ball Coach would’ve been more interesting if they were still coaching the Dolphins and Redskins, respectively.  I say look for Wally’s Tide to roll, or as he likes to say “role” over the Gamecocks.  

Michigan State v. Michigan:  Good matchup between two 5-0 teams.  Michigan State is riding an emotional high after the heart attack of Coach Mark Dantonio, while Michigan has cruised under the play of one-trick pony Heisman hopeful, Denard Robinson.  State is coming off an impressive win over then #11 Wisconsin while Michigan beat Big 10 “powerhouse” Indiana.  Personal feelings about Rich Rodriguez aside, I say State beats the Wolverines in a good, close game.

LSU v. Florida:  LSU squeaked out a lucky victory last week on a Tennessee miscue while Florida got bitch-slapped by #1 Alabama.  I really don’t think either of these teams are that good, and am predicting a very boring game.  That being said, Florida should be able to take this one since they definitely have the better paid talent on their roster.

USC v. Stanford:  USC took a tough loss last week to Washington while Stanford got smacked down hard by Oregon (who I like to win the Pac-10).  Both teams put up tons of points, but neither one really plays well on the defensive side of the ball.  I like Stanford to come back after last week’s loss and beat USC in a close one. 

FSU v. Miami:  While I personally detest both of these teams, it should turn into a decent game.  These two teams are ranked pretty evenly in terms of scoring offense and defense.  I like Free Shoes U. in an upset over the Hurri-cons in this year’s matchup simply because Jacory Harris turns the ball over way too much in big games.       

South Car @ Aub #12 @ #17 - The ole ball coach has himself a stud in the backfield for the first time in decades.  Auburn has been winning with Cam Newton. But they just lost their starting RT for the season.  That means a John Sullen gets the nod.  SC has a solid defense and a good pass rush.  Newton is an athlete..  It’s at home for the tigers but I like Spurrier here to get a big win for SC.  Gamecocks by a TD

WVU vs LSU - # 22 vs #15 - WVU makes a lot of mistakes and turns the ball over a lot..  Not sure what to think of LSU but one thing I do know is that their defense is STRONG.  LSU by 2 tds.

Org @ ASU - Pac 10 play Begins and ASU welcomes the #5 ducks to Sundevil stadium.  ASU nearly knocked off Wisco last week and they have a big one at home.  ASU is tougher then most think but I don’t think they have the big dogs to pull of the upset here.  Ducks in a close one.

BAMA @ ARK #1 vs #10 - This is gonna be a barn burner.  Ark has been excellent on offense.  Mallett is completing 70% of his passes and is distributing the ball pretty evenly to his 3 top receivers.  Adams is the big play guy.  Williams and Childs are consistent.  They are an elite offensive team with a big win under their belt.  Bama has been getting all the press.  Allowing 1 Td in 3 games including a shut out of a ranked PSU squad.  But they have not faced an offense like they will this week.  Bama’s ground game was dominant to begin with and with the return of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram things just got worse for Opposing defenses.  This one stays close for the entire 4 quarters with Bama’s defense and ball control offense being the big difference.  Bama by a TD.

UNOFFICIALLY -  here are some others that I like

TEMPLE @ PSU - I smell upset here

Stan @ ND - I think ND gets even with a win here at home but it’s gonna take a couple of turnovers and a good game offensively.

Nev @ BYU - Kappernick is very similar to Denard Robinson and will take games over.  He will do that here.

1 - The big 10 is a good football conference but can’t say they are the top dog with the way Michigan, Iowa and Wisco and PSU are playing.  Eeking out wins against weak competition..  OSU is still elite

2 - SEC is Still VERY VERY STRONG.  Bama, FLA, Ark, South Car, Aub, LSU,UK all undefeated.  And 6 of those 7 teams are ranked.  Touch conference..

3 - I can’t make heads or tails of the sooners.  One week they look crappy.  Next they look excellent and then back to crap again

4 - I am the only prognosticator in the crew that has BALLS!  Allock, Mystery Reporter, Dr Ron…  Where are they.  What are they doing?? 

5 - Temple PSU is something EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE AN EYE ON.  Upset alert here.

6 - Dantonio of MSU has BIG BALLS and I love it.  What a play… 

7 - Lou Holtz is getting annoying with his defense of ND