Time to challenge everyone in the NCAA bracket pool.  This one will be ran by CBS Sports and to join click on this link.  The rules are a bit different, and this will be my first time trying this format.  There is also a password that is mountainwest

Each round is worth 32 points, round one each game is one point, round two is two points, and double till the final  The twist is that whatever seeds wins their round the seed is multiplied by the round score. For example is a five seed wins a round two game then they would get 10 points.  You take the two points the round is worth and then multiply it by their seed.

Though this would bring an interesting twist to the game.  Click here to go to game page and the password is mountainwest

I along with others forgot some of the picks, but getting 98.3% is pretty good.  All right the warmup is over and now time moves on to the big show.  Join our CBS Sports Bracket game and see how good you can do.  Password is mountainwest and here is the link.

This is a great interview that was done during the conference tournament and it is a good listen.

The interview is a lot about the basketball being so good and the extra money the league and participating teams will get.  The real topic was expansion since at these tournaments the schools get together for informal meetings on the league.

To me it sounded like Craig Thompson was approaching expansion as a reactionary instead of a proactive approach. He said since nothing was done with teams realigning or contact being made with their schools; most specifically from the Pac-10 to Utah.  I get his point that there is no need to panic, but with all the public knowledge from the Pac-10 and Big 10 looking to expand the MWC should be looking to protect themselves. 

The biggest shocker was that any Mountain West school that wants to leave can without penalty which is odd since every league has some type of penalty such as The Big XII where any team must give two years notice and forfeit 50% of revenue.  That might be enough to keep Colorado from jumping ship, especially since they are keeping around Dan Hawkins and not buy him out.

Craig Thompson made the impression that if a team does not want to be there then fine we do not want you, and that also comes across as saying it is a privilege to be in the MWC.  The other item of interest on expansion is that the league commissioners do no the super secret BCS formula with their weight and that Thompson believes that the info will be released next month.  Also, since he knows the numbers and that will determine if they expand  **cough Boise State cough** to ten 10 teams.  Money is an issue since to expand the revenue needs to be at least equal with a 10th team as each nine teams are getting now.

I guess since he knows the formula expansion will hinge on if the MWC is above the threshold then why expand, but then again who says that the league will keep their current success of three top 25 teams and a BCS appearance. Adding Boise should guarantee a BCS invite, and I still expect it to come this summer.

OK so some did fill out their picks, no biggie.  Wow! D. Blad is tearing up.

DirecTv and Versus have been in a dispute over fees since late August and has been off the air since August 31st, but as recently as last week there was a glimmer of hope that the two sides agreed to terms to bring the channel back to DirecTv.  The satellite company has approximately 17 million subscribers who have not been able to see the NHL, Mountain West, Big XII, Pac-10 sports, and the WEC. 

The supposed agreement would have been a bad one in my opinion where DirecTv would have placed Versus on their sports tier package which is similar to HBO and would cost about $12.95 per month.  Not really the best way to gain more MMA or NHL fans to their sport.

Continue reading this post »

Sign up now the game is live in about 14 hours!!

In prelude to the Big Dance ESPN has set up a conference tournament pick'em game (for practice I guess).  However, I have set up a group for all of us to compete against each other.  Here is the link no password is needed just sign up, and of course the group name is Mountain West Connection.  So, what is on the line?  Just pride and a pat on the back for the winner.  The game kicks of in six days with minor conferences before the big boys get going, so sign up.  Time permitting Ill post the daily standings here or just a link to the group with a mention of the leaders.  If you are wondering we will have a March Madness tourney game as well.

All BYU vs. Utah games seem to have some sort of dramatic side story. 

In the post game press conference Wednesday following Utah's loss to BYU, Jim Boylen and Salt Lake Tribune writer Gordon Monson had bit of an exchange.  Boylen was clearly upset, but his comments were probably uncalled for.  You can go ahead and listen for yourself.  

Audio via 1320 KFAN

Once again the "class" card is pulled out by Gordon Monson, who Jim Boylen accuses of spotty Utah basketball coverage.

I wouldn't think too much of it.  Yes, his comments were out of line, but it was following an embarrassing home loss.  You could expect him to be frustrated.

More photos » Greg Wahl-Stephens - AP

Browse more photos »

Apparently we jumped the gun -- along with others -- about Utah's running back Matt Asiata gaining an extra year of eligibility because of his torn ACL that he suffered early this season, and because of his broken foot he suffered back in 2007.

So, what does this mean for Utah?

Well, it means that the Utes will have cluster of backs and a position change could be coming to one of the players.  Matt Asiata, Eddie Wide, and Sausan Shakerin will stay at running back.  The change will come to Shaky Smithson who came to Utah as a wide receiver, but made the switch to running back when Asiata was out with his torn ACL.  Smithson did play running back at his previous junior college stop.

Continue reading this post »