2015-16 College Football Preview: Conference U.S.A. (West Division)

It's that time of year again.

No, it's not time for football just yet. However, it is time to start predicting how every team will fare this upcoming season. And what's the only thing better than seeing actual football getting played?

That's right.....

TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL!

This is a tradition that I have done for almost 10 years now and is a big reason why I got into writing about sports to begin with. It's no secret that college football is my favorite sport. I absolutely love football and I think what we see on the college field is the most exciting product we can get. Yes, the NFL is fantastic. However, give me young, enthusiastic, excited players who are looking to make a name for themselves ANY DAY over over-paid professionals who may or may not show up on any given weekend.

College football is the fastest growing sport in the United States for a reason. Twenty years ago, no one cared about the sport outside of people who actually went to college or NFL scouts. These days though? You will have someone who never even stepped foot on a college campus watching the University of Memphis play Wyoming because one of the teams has a wide receiver who runs a 4.28 forty-yard dash. That's the power of college football.

Seeing as this beautiful sport is literally right around the corner. It's time to start making some predictions for the upcoming season. Over the next few weeks, you will see EVERY team in EVERY conference get previewed right here on the pages of THE ULTIMATE SPORTS BLOG! We are called "THE Ultimate Sports Blog" for a reason people. There's nothing we can't do......

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

Conference U.S.A.

West Division

1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2014 Record: 9-5 (7-1)


Head Coach: Skip Holtz (13-13 all-time at Louisiana Tech, 67-61 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 46 (252.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 88 (148.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 14 (37.4 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 39 (24.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Cody Sokol (3,486 passing yards, 58.0% completions, 30 TD's, 13 INT's)

Rushing - Kenneth Dixon (253 carries, 1,299 rushing yards, 22 TD's)

Receiving - Trent Taylor (64 receptions, 834 receiving yards, 9 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Kenneth Dixon (RB), Trent Taylor (WR), Carlos Henderson (WR), Paul Turner (WR), Joseph Brunson (RG), Kirby Wixson (C), Jens Danielson (LT), Aaron Brown (DT), Vernon Butler (DT), Vontarrius Dora (DE), Adairius Barnes (CB), Kentrell Brice (SS), Xavier Woods (FS), Jonathan Barnes (K), Logan McPherson (P)


Top Incoming Players:  J'Mar Smith (QB), Jaqwis Dancy (RB), Rhashid Bonnette (WR), Courtney Wallace (DL), Johnny Shaw (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Southern
vs. @ Western Kentucky
vs. @ Kansas State
vs. Florida International
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
vs. @ UTSA
vs. @ Mississippi State
vs. Middle Tennessee
vs. @ Rice
vs. North Texas
BYE WEEK
vs. @ UTEP
vs. Southern Mississippi
BYE WEEK


Conference U.S.A. Title Game: vs. Marshall (W)


Early Prediction: 11-2 (8-0)

The USB Roundtable: MLB All-Star Game, DeAndre Jordan, Serena, and More

This week on The Ultimate Sports Blog Roundtable; Dustin James, Steve Cook, and myself discuss the MLB All-Star Game, NFL players using fireworks, Serena Williams dominating, and DeAndre Jordan deciding.

Do you care about the MLB All Star game?

Dustin James: No, but to be honest....my interest in MLB as a whole isn't that great. While I still have a deep down love for the game of baseball considering it was my favorite as a kid, I just don't have a team to root for in MLB so I don't really care all that much (it's weird how those two things corresponde with each other isn't it?). If it isn't October playoff baseball, I'm probably not watching. Unless someone's pitching a perfect game or something else historical is going on, but who isn't watching then?

Steve Cook: *Puts on All-Star Game 2015 hat*

Boys, this is one of the greatest nights of the sporting calendar every single year. Where else are you going to see all of baseball's most outstanding players in one ballpark on the same night? Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Todd Frazier, Buster Posey, Aroldis Chapman, Kris Bryant, Jason Kipnis, half of the Kansas City Royals & St. Louis Cardinals...the list goes on and on. The All-Star Game is the only night this happens. People used to complain about how it was just a meaningless exhibition, but now it counts! When those Cardinals & Royals face off in the 2015 World Series (a possibility which unfortunately for those of us outside of Missouri has a pretty good chance of happening), the host of Game 7 will be the team who helped their league win on a humid, probably rainy July night in Cincinnati. You can argue about whether or not that's fair, but them's the rules. All baseball fans, whether it's to see their favorite players, whether it's to see some of the great players they don't get a chance to see on a regular basis, or whether it's because there are no other games going on, will tune in. 

OK, I'm biased since I'm getting paid to be there. But it's still a fun event that gives us a few days off from the Bataan death march that a 162-game baseball season usually is. Like I said in the All-Star Game columns I wrote for this website, the ASG is supposed to be fun. It's not supposed to be life & death, it's a celebration of the game. I don't expect people like Jeremy & Dustin to understand it...Jeremy's a newer fan that doesn't really get into pageantry or tradition, and Dustin doesn't know anything about baseball & will be watching porn instead. But to true baseball fans, the All-Star Game is a tradition unlike any other. It comes to your town once a generation...I was 4 years old the last time the All-Star Game was in Cincinnati. Shockingly I don't remember it. This one I will. 

So it better not rain.

Jeremy Lambert: I like All-Star games, except for the NFL Pro Bowl because they neuter the game and no one wants to play in it. Other All-Star games are a fun showcase for the fans that the players seem to enjoy. 

However, I don't like the MLB All-Star game because "it counts" and they make sure to remind you that it counts every single inning. Having an exhibition game featuring players who aren't going to be in the World Series decide which team gets home field in the World Series is the dumbest thing ever. Sadly, the Reds aren't going to be in the World Series, but if the NL leads in the 9th inning, they are going to ensure that the NL gets home field advantage when they send Aroldis Chapman up to the mound. Or maybe Chapman gives up a game-winning home run to Brock Holt of the Boston Red Sox. Two players from two teams who won't even make the playoffs deciding home field in the most important games of the season is absolutely stupid.  

Did DeAndre Jordan make the right choice in returning to the Los Angeles Clippers?

DJ: Yes. The Clippers are a better team than the Mavericks are and there's also that thing called "chemistry" that DeAndre Jordan already has built up with the Clippers that takes some time to form. The Clippers knew how bad they needed him when they sent the whole roster to DeAndre's house for a sleepover and held him hostage in what quickly became my favorite NBA free agent news story ever. DeAndre apparently just needed to be shown how much Chris Paul and company appreciated him and he's going to pay them back next year by making 42% of his free throws instead of 40%. ::insert thumbs up emoji::

SC: Probably. It seems like all the guy wanted was some love, which is a basic human emotion, but frankly makes me think less of him & his thought process. A guy like LaMarcus Aldridge weighs all of his options, takes a look at the situation, makes a decision & sticks with it. DeAndre Jordan makes a decision, waffles, and runs back home to the ex-girlfriend. The whole thing with the Clippers locking him in a room & Mark Cuban driving around Houston, no matter what actually happened, was an embarrassing situation for everybody involved. Funny to us, but nobody's taking these guys seriously. The Clippers aren't the complete joke they were when Donald Sterling was running them, but this doesn't bode well for their future. It was still the right decision because Dallas would be a worse situation for him. They got Dirk and...yeah. There's no Chris Paul there to get him the ball at the right time.

On a side note, what the hell is going on with the NBA where we're giving all this money to guys with obvious flaws in their games? Jordan can't be in a close game late because other teams will put him on the foul line and he can't shoot there to save his life. OKC just gave a ton of money to a guy who's never played a defensive possession. These guys are like the government spending way too much money on things just because they can. It is what it is...I just wish I wasn't a slow fat white guy.

JL: No, only because he would've weakened the Clippers and was going to turn the Mavericks into contenders thus making things a little easier in the west for my Thunder. I think Chandler Parsons said it best when he said that DeAndre was scared to be "the guy." He wasn't ready to be the focal point of the team because he knows that he's not that type of player. He, like the rest of the Clippers, is bitch made.  

Is Serena Williams the most dominant athlete in sports?

DJ: Yes. She's a beast. The only person who can even hold a candle to her right now is LeBron James, but something tells me if she laced up a pair of Jordan's...she might make that a game. That's how scary athletic she is. 

SC: I wanna say it's Ronda Rousey because Samer Kadi's head explodes every time somebody says that she's the most dominant athlete in sports. But it's very tough to argue against Serena. She's won the last four Grand Slam events & will more than likely win the US Open to have the official calendar year Grand Slam that means more than a non-calendar year Grand Slam for some reason. It's an amazing feat, but one I've had a tough time getting into. Tennis is at its best when great rivalries are involved. Agassi vs. Sampras. Borg vs. McEnroe. Navratilova vs. Evert. Seles vs. Graf. Unfortunately there's nobody even close to Serena's league right now. Sharapova? Child please. There's no drama there. Gotta give Serena all the credit in the world, but hopefully somebody comes up through the ranks & gives her some competition soon. 

JL: Nope. Serena might be the most dominant women's athlete in the sports, but Floyd Mayweather is the most dominant athlete. Serena dominates the competition, but she's lost before. Mayweather has never lost. He's beaten all the top competition in multiple divisions and does it with relative ease. Also, it's just a fact that it's easier to be dominant in women's sports because the competition level isn't as high as it is among men. Take nothing away from Serena, just runs through the everyone in her way, but she's facing quanitity over quality. 

Should the NFL ban fireworks?

DJ: No, but they should probably do something to create better awareness amongst their players for how dangerous fireworks really are. Every year people die from firework accidents because you have irresponsible people who don't respect them, mis-handling them. Part of that is because most people don't think they really are that dangerous until an accident happens to someone close to them and their world is awakened. However, you can't ban the things. There's far more dangerous things that are legal that NFL players can do damage with other than fireworks. Plus, who really cares if a few guys blow their fingers off? There's a reason we have ten of them. You can afford to lose a couple. 

SC: Of course. Why would you let fans bring fireworks to football stadiums? That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. 

Oh, you're probably talking about the NFL players that keep losing fingers in firework accidents. This doesn't make any sense either. Why are these guys setting off their own fireworks? They have enough money to pay professionals to do that for them. I don't know if the owners can find a way to ban it, but it isn't the worst idea ever. 

JL: No, NFL players should be smarter. The next person who sues the NFL over concussions should cite this offseason as an example of what can happen when you've been hit in the head too many times. 

2015-16 College Football Preview: Sunbelt Conference

It's that time of year again.

No, it's not time for football just yet. However, it is time to start predicting how every team will fare this upcoming season. And what's the only thing better than seeing actual football getting played?

That's right.....

TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL!

This is a tradition that I have done for almost 10 years now and is a big reason why I got into writing about sports to begin with. It's no secret that college football is my favorite sport. I absolutely love football and I think what we see on the college field is the most exciting product we can get. Yes, the NFL is fantastic. However, give me young, enthusiastic, excited players who are looking to make a name for themselves ANY DAY over over-paid professionals who may or may not show up on any given weekend.

College football is the fastest growing sport in the United States for a reason. Twenty years ago, no one cared about the sport outside of people who actually went to college or NFL scouts. These days though? You will have someone who never even stepped foot on a college campus watching the University of Memphis play Wyoming because one of the teams has a wide receiver who runs a 4.28 forty-yard dash. That's the power of college football.

Seeing as this beautiful sport is literally right around the corner. It's time to start making some predictions for the upcoming season. Over the next few weeks, you will see EVERY team in EVERY conference get previewed right here on the pages of THE ULTIMATE SPORTS BLOG! We are called "THE Ultimate Sports Blog" for a reason people. There's nothing we can't do......

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

Sunbelt Conference

1. Appalachian State Mountaineers

2014 Record: 7-5 (6-2)


Head Coach: Scott Satterfield (7-5 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 74 (219.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 18 (241.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 26 (35.7 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 72 (27.3 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Taylor Lamb (2,381 passing yards, 61.4% completions, 17 TD's, 9 INT's)

Rushing - Marcus Cox (255 carries, 1,415 rushing yards, 19 TD's)

Receiving - Malachi Jones (36 receptions, 585 receiving yards, 3 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Taylor Lamb (QB), Marcus Cox (RB), Simms McElfresh (WR), Malachi Jones (WR), Shaedon Meadors (WR), Barrett Burns (TE), Jesse Chapman (C), Colby Gossett (RG), Parker Collins (LG), Beau Nunn (RT), Nathaniel Norwood (DE), Ronald Blair (DE), Tyson Fernandez (DT), Kennan Gilchrist (LB), John Law (LB), Eric Boggs (LB), Devan Stringer (LB), Latrell Gibbs (CB), A.J. Howard (SS), Doug Middleton (FS), Zach Matics (K), Bentlee Critcher (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Daniel David (QB), Zireycus Letman (WR), Mondo Williams (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Howard
vs. @ Clemson
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Old Dominion
vs. Wyoming
vs. @ Georgia State
vs. @ ULM
vs. Georgia Southern
vs. Troy
vs. Arkansas State
vs. @ Idaho
BYE WEEK
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
vs. @ South Alabama


Early Prediction: 10-2 (7-1)

Inside the Mind of DeAndre Jordan

Inside the mind of DeAndre Jordan.

July 1st - Morning

It’s a great day to be alive. I’m a free agent and all 30 teams want to sign me, DeAndre. I’m the best defensive player in the league and I make 70% of my shots, making me a force on offense. I’m gonna enjoy this courting period. I’m like the hot chick in high school that all the guys want to take to prom. Ask away, gents. 

July 1st - Night

It’s been a busy day. Everyone loves me, DeAndre, especially Dallas and Los Angeles. Dallas sent over Dirk Nowitzki and my boy Chandler Parsons to tell me how much they love me, DeAndre. Chandler called me the best center in the league. And he’s right. I am the best. Maybe the best ever. And Dirk is a legend. He showed me his fancy ring. I’ve been playing with guys who can’t get out of the second round. But Dirk has a fancy ring. 

Although the Clippers did sign Paul Pierce today. He has a fancy ring as well. He’s expecting me to return to Los Angeles. He told me he only signed in Los Angeles because he wanted to play with me, DeAndre. 

Every other team loves me as well. The Cavaliers got me a fruit basket, the Lakers got me a Kobe DVD, the Bulls got me some wind in a jar, the Knicks got me cookies in the shape of a triangle, and the Blazers got me some crutches. It’s good to be me, DeAndre.

July 2nd - Morning

It’s another beautiful morning. All 30 teams still want to acquire my services. I slept really well last night. I dreamt about playing with LeBron, Carmelo, Kevin, Kobe, Rondo, Dwight, and every other great player in the league. Could you imagine me and Dwight on the same team? No one could stop us. Combined we’d shoot 100% from the free throw line. 

I really like it here in Los Angeles, but everything is bigger in Texas. And I’m already pretty big. The Clippers really want me back. I’d like to play for a great franchise like the Lakers, but they are also trying to sign LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe. They are good, but they aren’t me, DeAndre.

Time to eat some of my cookies. 

July 2nd - Night

I don’t know much about Roy Hibbert, but I’ve heard teams are going to try and acquire him if they don’t sign me, DeAndre. That just makes me feel bad. I wish I could lend my talents to all 30 teams on every night. But I’m just one man. I’m sure Roy is a good player, but he’s not me, DeAndre. I don’t think teams should trade for Roy if they don’t sign me. I think they should wait and try to trade for me during the season or sign me next season when I’m a free agent again. I’m gonna be a free agent every season because this courting process is so much fun. I hope the Knicks send more cookies. 

July 3rd - Morning

I’ve narrowed down my list of teams to four.

The Clippers: I’m familiar with the team. We’ve won a lot of regular games and lost a lot of playoff games together. I owe a lot of my success to them. But sometimes Chris is mean to me and hurts my feelings. Sometimes he throws the ball up in the air to Blake and not me. I miss 100% of the shots I don’t take but make 70% of the shots I do. You do the math. 

The Lakers: I’m familiar with the building. They play in the same building as the Clippers, so I could keep my locker and my house here in Los Angeles. Kobe is one of the best to ever play the game and he has five fancy rings. I don’t even have five playoff series victories. He said I could borrow his fancy rings. 

The Mavericks: Mr. Cuban is on a popular TV show and promised to put me on TV shows and commercials. Dirk let me play with his fancy ring and his was newer than Kobe’s. They made me feel really special and kept calling me the most dominant big man in the league. That’s me, DeAndre.

The Knicks: They got me cookies. 

July 3rd - Afternoon

I’ve made my decision. I’m signing with the Mavericks. They really wanted me, DeAndre. It sucks to be leaving Los Angeles, but the this is what I feel I have do. Mr. Cuban said I’m gonna be the star in Dallas. Dirk is getting older, Chandler is very good but not the best defensive player in the league and a 70% shooter, and I don’t know who else is on the roster. So the whole team will be centered around me, DeAndre, the best center in the game. That wasn’t possible in Los Angeles because Chris and Blake are the stars and Doc even has his kid on the team. That’s ok. No hard feelings. I love Los Angeles and now I’m gonna love Dallas. 

July 4th - Morning

Happy Birthday, America. And happy birthday to me, DeAndre. I’m about to get PAID. But first I’m gonna go see Magic Mike XXL.

July 4th - Night

Mr. Cuban said on radio what he told me in person. That I’m the most dominant center in the league and they are gonna center the offense around me, DeAndre. That was great to hear. It’s one thing to tell just me, but he told the entire world. He even compared me to Shaq. That’s the highest form of praise. Shaq has a lot of fancy rings.

Magic Mike XXL was great. Mr. Cuban said he’s gonna put me in the next one and call it Magic Mike DeAndre. 

July 5th 

If you're horny lets do it, ride it, my pony

My saddle's waiting, come and jump on it

July 6th

It’s still a good day to me, DeAndre.

July 7th

My former teammate J.J. Redick made me feel very bad today. He gave the Clippers offseason a “F-minus” because they failed to re-sign me, DeAndre. I only went to college for one year, but I know that’s a very bad grade. He said all these great things about me and how much I meant to the team. I don’t won’t to disappoint anyway, especially a nice guy like J.J. He was my best friend on the team. He never left me hanging on high fives. I haven’t officially signed my contract with the Mavericks. I told them I would sign with them, but that was just my word. I know word is bond, my name is DeAndre, not James. 

July 8th - Morning

Tomorrow I can sign my contract. But I’m not sure which team I’m going to sign with. 

July 8th - 11:30 AM

Coach Doc told me that if I come back to the Clippers, they would hire a big man coach to increase my shooting to 100% and that I would get more touches in the post. This is getting tough. I love Coach Doc. Every day I ask him, “What’s up Doc?” like Bugs Bunny. Except I’m DeAndre. I’ll miss that. 

July 8th - 12 PM

I just talked to Blake. He told me he’d put me in some of his commercials. That really means a lot to me. I really like Blake. I know he has one of those faces that you want to punch, but I don’t want to punch him. I want to give him a big hug. 

July 8th - 3 PM

It’s been a crazy few hours. I’ve talked with so many people. Even Kobe called me to tell me that I should stay in Los Angeles because there are more banners at the Staples Center and banners are forever. Chris and I are friends again. A bunch of people are coming over tonight to be with me in my time of need. I knew I was a big impact on the court, but I can’t believe the impact I have off the court. The Mavericks and Clippers are rivals, but here’s me, DeAndre, bringing the two teams together. I really am the best. 

July 8th - 7 PM

All my friends from the Clippers are here. Blake brought over cookies, Doc brought his family, Paul arrived in a rocket ship, J.J. brought me even more cookies, and Chris cut his vacation short to be here. Chris was on vacation with Dwyane, LeBron, and Carmelo. All of those guys have been out of the second round, so I’m not sure how he really fit in with them, but he must really love me if he left them to be here. 

I keep waiting for the Mavericks to arrive, but they aren’t here yet. It’s strange. I haven’t heard from that at all. No calls or texts. I thought Mr. Cuban liked me a lot, but maybe he was lying to me. 

July 8th - 10 PM

I’m having a blast with all my Clippers teammates. We are playing cards and they are redecorating the house. Blake even put a chair in front of the door, which was hilarious. I love these guys and they clearly love me. I feel bad that I am going back on my word to the Mavericks, but it doesn’t seem like they care since I haven’t heard anything from them. 

July 9th - 12AM

Just signed my next contract with the Clippers. They are gonna pay me $110 million over the next five years just to me, DeAndre. 

The USB Roundtable: LaMarcus Aldridge, Women's World Cup, Antonio Gates, and More

Welcome to the first ever Ultimate Sports Blog Roundtable. Every week (usually Monday or Tuesday) we here at THE USB will look back at the big events of the week and look ahead to the upcoming week, giving our thoughts and "expert opinions" on all the happenings and ongoings. 

Did you watch the Women's World Cup Final?

Dustin James: No. That's not a knock on the game at all, but I just rarely ever have time to watch any sports on television outside of football. I did watch the celebration at the end though, so that has to count for something? No?

Jeremy Lambert: I watched the first 17 minutes, which meant I watched Team USA take a 4-0 lead, figured things were well in hand, and then went back to watching Netflix. Also, I tuned back in to see the celebration. I was fully prepared to watch the whole 90 minutes, but if one team takes a 4-0 lead in soccer, that's pretty much the end of things, especially given how well Hope Solo and the Team USA defense had been playing all tournament. 

Steve Cook: Hell yeah I did! In fact, that's part of why my contribution was late this week...Sunday night was spent drinking & watching soccer. I'm not an expert on all things soccer, but the World Cup, men's or women's edition, is one of the biggest & best events in sports. The pageantry, the nationalism, the drama is second to none. The great thing about the women's World Cup that puts it closer to the men's event than most equivalent women's sports events is that America is really good at it. Any time you can root for a U.S. American team that's expected to win, you have to jump on the bandwagon, whether you enjoy the sport or not.

I don't think this leads to women's soccer taking over the country more often than every four years, but I don't see the problem with that. It's nice to have a Hope Solo to have around for a bit every four years, then forget about while she's chilling with her family.

Does LaMarcus Aldridge signing with the San Antonio Spurs make them the title favorites this upcoming season?

DJ: No. LaMarcus Aldridge is not that good (LULZ). He's a guy who's going to give you stats, but that's about it. I'm not a bitter Blazers fan here (OK, I'am...so what?), I'm just spitting the truth. How many playoff series' did LaMarcus Aldridge win during his nine years in Portland? One. And he won that one off the back of Damian Lillard. Aldridge is a good NBA player, but he's not a great one and the San Antonio Spurs are about to find that out. Aldridge has absolutely zero leadership skills and he has a personality that's hard to get along with. When things aren't going his way, he's the first guy to check out of a game (he basically quit on the Blazers during the Memphis series and whined his way off the team).

There's a reason Damian Lillard didn't try THAT hard to recruit Aldridge back to the Blazers. While there were reports that Lillard was going to fly to meet with Aldridge, instead he gave him a phone call. Why? Because the more Lillard thought about it, the more I think he was fine moving on without Aldridge. Do you think Lillard is going to do that if he honestly thinks he can win a championship with LA? No. He's going to be on his hands and knees begging for Aldridge's return. Yet, now it seems like he's perfectly content with Aldridge no longer on the team. The Portland fans also seem content to move on as well. Were there millions of people burning Aldridge jersey's like there were in Cleveland when LeBron left? No. Because Aldridge isn't even close to LeBron's level and even the NBA fans know that.

As far as the Spurs championship window is concerned. It will pretty much shut after this year. If the Spurs are going to win a championship with this line-up, they need to be in "WIN NOW" mode next year, because after next season, it could get bad. Once Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili walk away....what's left? LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard? Is that really a better two-some than Aldridge and Lillard were? Aldridge loves a true "back-to-the-basket" center to play alongside. Will he get that in San Antonio? So many people are saying that the LaMarcus Aldridge/San Antonio Spurs is such a perfect marriage, but I think if there's one thing us sports fans know....it's that nothing in sports is perfect.  

JL: The Golden State Warriors still have to be considered the favorites. They are the champs and are bringing back all of their core players. That said, the Spurs are probably second. Greg Popovich, the greatest NBA coach of this era, will mask Aldridge's weaknesses and get the most out of his positives. We always worry about the Spurs getting old, but Tim Duncan is Benjamin Button and Tony Parker still has something left in the tank. Manu is all but useless, but they still have good young players in Kwahi Leonard and Danny Green. 

I don't think Aldridge is as good as he was made out to be in free agency, but he's still one of the better post players in the league and he's going to fit in nicely with the Spurs. 

SC: The Spurs are always title favorites. People try to write them off every single year, but they always seem to make an impact. Even this past year, their first round loss to the Clippers was the best series the entire playoff season.  Pop has that franchise running like a well-oiled machine, and LaMarcus Aldridge knows that going to San Antonio & playing with them is the best way to get championships & anything else he could want. Putting him down low makes the Spurs even more dangerous & extends their run even further.

Is Antonio Gates still a Hall of Famer following his PED suspension?

DJ: Yes. Antonio Gates is one of the most phenomenal players to ever play the tight end position, and I don't care if the guy is taking PED's to extend his career in his old age. What the guy did from 2004-2010 isn't something that most tight ends should be able to achieve in this league. During that time, he was one of the best tight ends in the game and was pretty much uncoverable. Trust me. As a Kansas City Chiefs fan who saw him on the opposite side of the field twice a year, the guy was amazing. 

Now, I know it's a little suspect that he went from 538 yards in 2012 to 800+ receiving yards the last two seasons, and hopefully the truth will be revealed eventually, but I'm not holding it against him. I've long been a believer that athletes should be able to take PED's. If there's a drug out there that makes athletes better and extend's their playing careers....I'm all for every single one of them taking it (right, Daniel Tosh?). That's a debate for a different day though. As far as this debate goes, you can't take away from what Antonio Gates was able to achieve in the beginning of his career just because he reportedly took a pill to keep it going. At least, that's just this man's opinion. 

JL: I'd put him in, but I think voters will keep him out for at least a year. I'm in the same boat as Dustin in that I don't mind players taking PEDs, as long as it's regulated, if it means we get a better product on the field. Gates is a top-10 all-time tight end and really re-defined the position when he came into the league. Voters really look down on PED use though, and could punish Gates for getting busted. Their argument will be that he used PEDs all throughout his career and that all of his numbers are tainted even though that's probably not the case and it's more likely that he, at the age of 35, was looking to extend his career. 

SC: Football writers are a more forgiving & less moralistic bunch than baseball writers, so I think they'll be far kinder to PED users when considering them for Canton than baseball writers have been for their hall. Antonio Gates, along with future first-ballot Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, revolutionized the tight end position & paved the way for guys like Gronk & Jimmy Graham that put up crazy numbers today. Using PEDs towards the end of his career to treat a body that's been through so much doesn't take away from his accomplishments one bit.

Whose to blame for the awkward interview: Colin Cowherd or Jim Harbaugh? 

DJ: I actually had the "pleasure" of listening to this live on my drive to work and I was blown away by how bad it was. This interview was entirely Jim Harbaugh's fault in my opinion. He was very "stand-offish" from the beginning and was giving Colin short answers and was really putting Cowherd on the spot. Colin even told Jim that he didn't think the interview was going very well and cut it off early. Do you really think he's going to do that if he thinks the bad interview is his fault? No. He's going to try and save face so he doesn't get picked apart by other members of the media. 

Colin's job is to be entertaining and ask good questions and he did his job. It's not his fault that Harbaugh is an "interesting" personality and is known as one of the hardest people to get along with in the world of football. There's a reason Harbaugh burned the bridges he did in San Francisco. You can be an asshole when you're a college coach, because it works. Most kids will respect an asshole (out of fear mainly) and will listen to your every word. Professional grown men though? Ya...good luck with that. We knew this was the kind of person Jim Harbaugh is so we shouldn't be surprised when he comes across as extremely unlikeable. It's his thing. Just ask Pete Carroll. 

JL: Harbaugh deserves more of the blame, but it is Cowherd's job as the interviewer to steer things back on course. I thought Cowherd asked some softball questions with weird phrasing, but Harbaugh gave him very little to work with in the form of answers. It seemed pretty clear that Harbaugh doesn't like Cowherd, which makes me wonder why he agreed to do the interview in the first place. 

SC: Can I answer "both"? Seriously though, Cowherd knew what he was getting into when he had Jimmy on. The guy's an odd duck when it comes to pretty much anything other than xs & os. He's not a stock market guy, when when Colin asked him if the Big 10 was a "buy", he thought he meant "bye" as in "bye week". Dude's been crapping on the conference for years, I can see where the confusion sets in. Harbaugh was not on his game & didn't come off well at all, but Cowherd hanging up on him & ripping him after the interview was the epitome of unprofessionalism. Sadly that's what we've come to expect from him & too many of his ESPN cohorts. Athletes & coaches should do interviews with us, we'd treat them with the proper respect.

NBA Free Agent Tracker (DAY 2)

We have arrived at day two of the NBA free agency period and while today may not be as crazy as yesterday, we still have some big-named free agents available (LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, etc.).

With that said, welcome to DAY TWO of The Ultimate Sports Blog's NBA free agent tracker! Make sure to continue to check back throughout the day as this page will continue to be updated as free agents "sign" with teams.

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

NBA Free Agency Tracker

Day 2

Atlanta Hawks

-Re-signed Paul Millsap (PF)

NBA and NHL Free Agent Frenzy Live Blog

Welcome everyone to THE Ultimate Sports Blog live coverage of NBA and NHL Free Agent Frenzy. That's right, I'll be covering all the news from both leagues as 60 teams get ready to spend a lot of money. The NBA Free Agent market opened at midnight while the NHL Free Agent market opens at noon in the east. Buckle up.

*Keep refreshing for the latest updates*

Let's catch up on all the NBA news that happened between midnight and now.

Just a note, all news/rumors come from Adrian Wojnarowski (NBA) or Bob McKenzie/TSN (NHL). If they don't report it, I don't believe it.

Midnight-9AM

*News: New Orleans Pelicans sign Anthony Davis to five year deal worth $145 million.

Davis wasn't a free agent so the Pelicans were in no danger of losing him, but anytime you can lock up the best big man in the league and a top five player at the age of 22, you have to do it. This deal is now the richest contract in league history, surpassing Kobe's seven year deal worth $136 million signed in 04-05. That means Kobe will now sign a five year deal worth $150 million.

*News: San Antonio Spurs sign Kawhi Leonard to a five year deal worth $90 million.

He had a disappointing playoffs this past year, but he's still the future in San Antonio and one of the best defenders in the league. He was never going anywhere.

*News: Portland Trailblazers sign Al-Farouq Aminu to a four year deal worth $30 million.

Solid pick-up for the Trailblazers, who just traded Nic Batum and will likely lose Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge today. He's a good defender who can guard multiple positions, although he won't help them much offensively.

*Rumors: Brooklyn Nets close to re-signing Brook Lopez and Thad Young. Portland Trailblazers nearing max deal with Damian Lillard.

Most people figured Lopez and Young would stay in Brooklyn, who still need to somehow offload those terrible Joe Johnson and Deron Williams contracts. Good on the Blazers for locking up Lillard. They really needed to get that done since they've lost their entire starting five outside of him.