Monday, February 25, 2008

"Ok, Alright" Just Feel Me Up Why Don't You

When we say Bruce Pearl is a hands on coach...I don't think we meant this!! Wow. Not that I would turn down the chance but after meeting Erin last year - I don't think she liked this too much :).

Omaha World Herald's Neat Coverage of Korvers

Sunday, February 24, 2008

JUNO Finally Won An OSCAR!!

Finally Juno won something at the Oscars!! I was beginning to get worried that it might get shut out. Juno just won for "Best Screenplay" and it is SO deserving. It was so well written, so well done and Diablo Cody (the writer) looks like she wrote an auto biographical movie. I mean, she was a stripper once. The movie will be a joy to watch for years to come because of the language of the picture. Ellen Page should have won for "Best Actress" but at least it won for the writting because that's what set Juno apart!

NU Has A Big Week - CU Gets A Big Win Too

I will never be confused with a Nebraska basketball fan. This is known.

However, even I have to acknowledge the job that Doc Sadler has done over the past week with the Husker basketball team. Back to back wins over ranked teams (K St and Texas A+M) has put NU on the watch list for the Big 12 tournament as a team that Texas and Kansas won't want to play. At 5-7 in the Big 12, if Nebraska can get to .500 the NIT is probably a lock. The win over Texas A+M is the real eye opener. K St lost yesterday even though they got 44 from Beasley so Nebraska's win over them was diminished a little. However, going to down to College Station and winning was REALLY impressive. Cookie Miller's injury looked like a death nail for the team in a tight game but the Huskers managed to pull it out with great defense down the stretch. First time in 9 years that NU has won back to back games vs. ranked teams. Now let's see how they handle success against Oklahoma at home this week.

Right before Nebraska got their big win, Creighton shocked me by winning at Oral Roberts in the Brackbuster. Booker Woodfox has become the MVP of the team and his 3 point shot with just seconds left put the Jays up for good. The team played with energy and fire and wanted the game more than ORU. Sure, the Golden Eagles couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 3 but that's basketball. The Jays RPI went from 71 to 53! (Kenpom.com) They now have a HUGE game on Wednesday in Normal to worry about.

Enough with the stupid polls about who would win right now between Nebraska and CU. That game was already played and we can debate the programs next November. Let's just enjoy the fact that both programs are playing well right now and could be in the picture for the postseason....even if that postseason isn't the NCAA's.

Sidenote - The Valley might be staying in the Bracketbuster if they keep on going 8-2 in the thing. Big wins for CU and Drake pushed the Valley's average RPI above the A-10 (kenpom.com) - 88 to 91

In Matt's CD Player

I've wanted to do this for a while since music is such a big part of my life...not playing but listening to it. Most of the music that I listen to doesn't get played on the show. So, I thought that the blog would be a great place to talk about the music that I have found.

When I first thought about a career in the media, the first thing that I wanted to be was a music critic. I loved going to concerts and loved sharing my thoughts on the artists' work. The problem was that I couldn't be critical. All my reviews (unlike my show) were always positive since I only wanted to talk about acts that I liked or admired. Anyways, many of you will hate these selections but some of you might be interested in some new music that I've found awesome. And yes, this could read like a certain non-journal radio station in Omaha playlist.

Kate Nash - Made of Bricks

You have to realize that I really enjoy female singer/songwriters. It's different I know. A side from my standard favorites (U2, REM, Dave Matthews and the occasional metal/emo band), I listen to female singers mostly. I found Kate Nash while watching the Mojo show "London Live" and RAN to get her CD the next day. The first single of the album "Foundations" is an upbeat, witty track that sets the stage for the rest of the album. She's 20 years old from England and has the humor that comes with being young and excited by life. Her amazing accent sets up her songs beautifully. "Mouthwash" is my favorite track on the CD. Scale of 1 to 5 - 4.5

Sara Bareilles - Little Voices

Sara was in Omaha last week and really opened my eyes to her musical talent and amazing voice. "Love Song", her first single off the album, is a really fun song about not buying into the music biz's demands. However, the tracks beyond that are AMAZING and what really make the CD worth buying. "City" and "Gravity" are tracks that really capture Sara's story telling ability. I can tell you first hand after sitting in for her live performance for Star 104.5, she is the real deal. Her anti-establishment songs remind me of a sold-out version Ani Difranco (if that makes any sense) - And I mean that in the kindest way. I've always been attracted to artists who do it there own way and eventually reap rewards for it. I give it a 5 out of 5

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

This album is FULL of interesting tracks. You can't put this into one category because it has so many levels and dimensions to it. From pop to jazz to rock, "Under" offers a lot to a lot different tastes. I think we aren't done hearing from this act any time soon. They have super star written all over them. "15" is a track that will make you think and cringe at the same time. "Breakin' Up" is my current favorite track. 4.5 of out 5

Graham Colton - Here Right Now

Here is where I struggle because I don't like this album and upset that I spent 10 bucks to get it. With exception of the catchy single "Best Days", this album is boring. Nothing special about it at all and it sounds like it was rushly put together. Buy the single, skip the album. 1.5 out of 5.

Also check out:

Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection. AMAZING album full of great songs from today and yesterday from Alison. She is my favorite country act and a must have for any fan of hers.

I'll try to do this again in the near future.....enjoy the music!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Disgusting......

There aren't enough words to discribe how bad the Bluejays are right now. This was a year that was suppose to be up and down but the one thing that you can't ever forgive is lack of effort and energy. For back to back road games, CU hasn't been out-everything'd by their opponent. Today is Bradley HAMMERING the Jays in every area! Last game it was Evansville making more plays than the Jays. It's pretty sickening to watch this team right now. NOTHING positive to build on.

We are talking about some pretty serious records being in jeopardy all of a sudden. The Jays have gone to the postseason for 10 straight years. They have won 20 games for 9 straight years. They have won 10 Valley games 11 straight years. ALL ARE NOW IN QUESTION!

17-8. 8-7. The schedule the rest of the way is Vs. Missouri St. @ Oral Roberts, @ Illinois St., Vs. Bradley. 2-2 is possible but no guarantee. That would make the first game of the Valley tourney a must win to keep the 20 win streak alive.

Plus, with the NIT now allowing the champions of leagues that don't make the NCAA to auto qualify - it becomes much harder to make the field of 32 for the NIT. The Jays will need to finish no lower that 4th in the Valley in my opinion to get in. Right now, the sit in 4th place but with a ton of teams right around them. The Jays could finish as low as 7th if they aren't careful!!! And do you still believe in Dana's ability to coach in St. Louis? I do. But this team is so inconsistent you can't believe in them to win 3 games in a row in 3 days.

There is still time....but not much time. If the M.O. holds true - the Jays should win their remaining 4 games....but it sure doesn't look like that is possible right now.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Ball Park Debate Coming To A Head

We'll hear about the plan on Monday from the Baseball committee but before that, we have a day of baseball talk planned for you:

3pm - Mayor Mike Fahey to talk about the ballpark debate
3:20 - Replay of portion of Hal Daub of MECA and Alan Stein of the Royals interviews
5:15 - Ed Servais Head Coach of CU to talk about CU's side of the debate LIVE on SITE! at Farrells

-Also 2:30 Jim Les HC of Bradley Basketball.

**We are Live at Farrells for our first Fridays at Farrells! 2 to 6pm!!!**

Monday, February 11, 2008

Call Your Congressman!

We are asking the audience of Big Sports 590 to contact your congressman in order to get them to wave the taxes on the Von Maur Victims Fund. Right now, unless the families and those affected can prove need, the money will be taxed by the IRS. Source: www.omaha.com

Call in Nebraska and tell them to give the fund the same treatment as the Virginia Tech Fund:

Ben Nelson: Omaha office (402) 391-3411

Chuck Hagel: Omaha office (402) 758-8981

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Imagine that?....

St. Joe's has a better record and a higher RPI than Oregon. Maybe I'm not crazy to wait til February before I talk about "signature wins".

Great win tonight by the Jays. Finally the monkey gets punted off their backs. Jays beat SIU by 26 in 1988....tonight it was by 19. Jays will need to run table to finish the regular season 23-6 and then win 2 in St. Louis to get an at large bid. They still need to win it all in St. Louis for them to go to the tourney....P'Allen, Cavel and Booker finally went off and played well in the same game - that's the future of the Jays.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Sighning Day Show For Today

We are very busy and lucky me - I've got an inner ear infection so I'll be off after 4 pm. I've got to go to the doctors so here is the rundown for the show today:

2 pm - Bo Pelini's Press Conference live from Lincoln
2:30 - Will Compton Nebraska star linebacker prospect
3 pm - Writer cover Colorado's recruiting day
3:15 - Kody Spano QB signee
3:30 - Jamie Newberg Scout.com National Recruiting Writer
3:45 - Omaha product Sean Fisher NU signee

4pm - 6 pm - Travis Justice and Petey Mac will take over the show with Steve Ryan from Big Rep Report.com to talk about signing day

5 pm - Steve Warren - Former Husker to talk about Dream event tomorrow

REMINDER - We'll be live at Hooters tonight for Trivia Night from 7 to 9 pm

Also** Big Show live at 7 Monkeys for Dream's Kickoff Party from 2 to 6 tomorrow!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Congrats To The Giants....

Pats had a chance to make history....and they blew it when Samuel dropped the interception in the 4th quarter. Giants win. Patriots lose. Brady got outplayed by Eli Manning.....I don't know how the heck that happened. I haven't felt like this since 1996. 3 wins - 3 loses in the Big Game in my life. Red Sox are 2-1 at least .