To hear Tyler & Josh’s College Hoops Power Rankings live, listen to WGEM SportsCenter every Tuesday from 7-9 a.m. on ESPN 1440 or wgemradio.com/sportscenter, where … We’ve Got Your Game.

                          NOTE: Baseball Power Rankings set for next week

1) Pittsburgh (28-4) fourth straight week — It’s funny how the Panthers’ leading scorer is not one of the guys many talk about. Sam Young has been awesome the past month.

2) Louisville (28-5) up five spots — Winners of the Big East regular season and its conference tourney. Not too shabby!

3) North Carolina (28-4) down one spot -– No other team milked a No. 1 seed like Tar Heels. No Ty Lawson in the ACC Tournament meant Roy Williams was willing to skip it and go for the national title.

4) Memphis (31-3) fourth straight week — The Tigers are fastest team in the nation yet again. They take a 25-game win streak into a first round game. They have also allowed over 49 points a mere one time over the past six games.

5) UConn (27-4) down two spot -– Enter the weekend losing two straight. But does the six-overtime battle with Syracuse count as a loss, though?

6) Michigan State (26-6) fifth straight week -– A Big 10 Conference Tournament title would have been nice, but they needed rest as well.

7) Oklahoma (27-5) down two spots — The Sooners finished the season on a slide, losing four of their final six games. They fell quick the Rankings as well.

8 ) Duke (28-6) third straight week -– Hooch still wants Syracuse here. Duke benefited from the Tar Heels taking the weekend off.

Bye bye: None.

Posted under Sports

Editor’s note: This entire week the boys from the WGEM SportsZone will bring you their favorite moment from the NCAA Tournament. Feel free to chime in with your moment as well by commenting at the bottom.

By: Josh Houchins, Host of WGEM SportsCenter

When you have an older brother, the opportunity to prove him wrong and have a shining moment doesn’t happen too many times as a kid. So, when the following bet was placed, I thought it may be my one chance to shine.

The Bet: Five dollars on the line to pick the winner of the 1994 NCAA Final.

My older brother, Justin, was my idol growing up. So, when he guaranteed Duke would win yet again, I, roughly 13 years old, tried making all the arguments in the world that Arkansas was better. The only way I could get him to shut up was by saying, “Well, I bet ya they will!”

He loved it. He saw $5 rolling over in his hand just like that. But then Scotty Thurman came to play. He hit the high-arcing 3-pointer with 53 seconds to go to win the game. It was beautiful! I had just predicted a win! I won FIVE BUCKS.

I looked over and my brother was asleep. I dug into his pocket and got his wallet and walked upstairs with my reward.

Thank you, Scotty Thurman!

Posted under Sports

Take a trip with WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins, as he recaps the weekend in his own weird way…

* I love how two days out of the year sports fans sit in front of their TVs and watch news and no actual game of any sort. The NFL Draft and Selection Sunday amaze me. That is why the NFL and college basketball may be the most popular sports in the U.S.

* Mizzou (above) deserved a No. 2 seed over Oklahoma. The Tigers beat them. Mizzou won the Big 12 conference tourney. Mizzou had more wins against teams in the Top 25 (two) than Oklahoma (one). If it came down to which of the two deserved a No. 2 spot, the Tigers take the cake.

* Illinois lose without Chester Frazier. Win one game if he’s in.

* My four No. 1s in order from best to worst: UNC, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Memphis.

* ESPN.com had the “Bubble Watch” going on all weekend. Oddly enough that was what the 30 minutes of bathtub time was called for me as a child. (Come on, admit you laughed at that one!)

* BRACKET BEDLAM STARTS TODAY ON WGEM SPORTSCENTER!!! You could win a Traeger Pellet Grill, retail value $499!

* Who knew Howie Mandel was the voice of Gizmo in Gremlins?

* I will brag a bit that I was never involved in having the mercy rule enforced on my team (sans football, of course) while growing up. But the U.S. team had the mercy rule placed on them in a loss to Puerto Rico in the WBC. Pros getting the mercy rule!

* If you watched any of the Big East Tournament last week you should still be talking about Syracuse PG Jonny Flynn. Not only did he play nearly every minute the entire weekend, but he was one of the best-spoken players from the collegiate ranks I have heard for a long time.

* Late Saturday night after all the basketball viewing had drained my system, I was flipping channels and saw Heaven’s Gate (right) was on. This movie, which is nearly four hours long, is widely known as the worst movie of all time. I had never seen it, so I stayed up way past midnight to take it in. It was way too long, but overall I didn’t mind it. Chris Walken is not a good cowboy, though.

* SCARY THOUGHT: On my very first game of my very first season with the St. Louis Cardinals on MLB 2K9, Skip Schumaker booted a routine groundball. Even the computer knows it may be a long season.

* Speaking of the Cardinals, Mike Shannon went crazy laughing at the bees during Sunday’s game against the Phillies. At one point Mike and John Rooney were discussing how bees seem to always disturb their golf games, with Rooney piping up how bees get in his soda. Shannon’s response: “My soda usually starts with a B and that’s Budweiser.” A belly laugh ensued.

* Jay Cutler to Bears for a 1st and 3rd-round pick. Get it done, Chicago. Throw in Devin Hester while you’re at it.

* This is one of the craziest stories I have ever seen.

* And finally, I watched the two-hour debut of Kings on NBC last night and give it one and a half thumbs up. The initial plot was a tad confusing but overall I may watch the next episode. Ian McShane is starting become one of my favorite actors. Then, if I can find the other half of my thumb I may give it a full endorsement.

–HOOCH

Posted under Sports

To hear Tyler & Josh’s College Hoops Power Rankings live, listen to WGEM SportsCenter every Tuesday from 7-9 a.m. on ESPN 1440 or wgemradio.com/sportscenter, where … We’ve Got Your Game.

1) Pittsburgh (28-3) third straight week — The Panthers beat UConn AGAIN … proving they are the best team in the country by far. It seems very simple.

2) North Carolina (27-3) up three spots – A nice win at home versus Duke was good. But it was a game they were supposed to win, so why did it jump the Heels all the way up to No. 1 in the AP?

3) UConn (27-3) down one spot -– It’s amazing that the Huskies have three losses on the season and two have come to Pitt. Can they win the big games against big teams when it matters most?

4) Memphis (28-3) third straight week — The Tigers beat bad teams. At least they don’t lose to bad teams like other “top teams” in the nation.

5) Oklahoma (27-4) down two spots — The biggest fall of the week. The Sooners need a run in the Big 12 Conference Tourney to prove they belong back atop the Power Rankings.

6) Michigan State (23-5) fourth straight week -– The Spartans, according to Tyler, are getting scary. Houchins still thinks they are an average team. They won a bad Big Ten. Congrats.

7) Louisville (23-5) fourth straight week — Winners of seven straight … and even the day their coach wears an all-white suit that makes him look like a P.I.M.P. The Cardinals could be the most dangerous team in the nation right now.

8 ) Duke (24-5) second straight week -– Hooch thought ‘Nova belonged back in the Top Eight, but Tyler gets his way with the argument that the Blue Devils lost on the road to UNC.

Bye bye: None.

Posted under Sports

Take a trip with WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins, as he recaps the weekend in his own weird way…

* QHS wins Regional? QHS wins Regional? Really? Get out of town! For all of those idiots out there questioning the coaching abilities of Sean Taylor … SHUT UP. Not only is he a good guy, but he’s a good coach. Congrats, Blue Devils. Cool stuff.

* And then QND did it as well! Every year we see a surprise team advance in the area, and Western was one of the teams that shocked me. The Wildcats fell this weekend in the Class 1A Sectional Championship to Lewistown. Marty Hull was a dominant player in the area at one time and he may well be on the move to become a great coach as well.

* And once again, it makes me laugh how both sides of the Mighty Mississippi says “Lewistown.” It’s Lewis-TOWN on the Missouri side, while it’s Lewis-TON east of the river. Just makes me laugh.

* By being part of WGEM Radio I was involved in the Home and Living Show all weekend at the OLC. It’s crazy that the economy is on everybody’s mind, but when you get in a big area with a lot of local small businesses, things turn out positive. That is what’s great about this area. Nothing seems to get people down.

* Jessica Biel as Jessica Rabbit on Saturday Night Live is hot.

* So, now Ryan Franklin is “officially in the mix” as closer for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tony LaRussa came out and said Franklin has joined Chris Perez, Jason Motte, and Josh Kinney as potential closer for the upcoming season. Motte seems to have the inside shot right now, but don’t count out Perez. My question is what happens to the two that don’t get the closer or setup job? Kinney and Perez or Motte need innings, so do they go to the minors?

* Hey, Steph Curry … thanks for playing. See you in the NBDL.

* I just love seeing baseball highlights. Cuba had a big, fat dude dancing in the stands of a WBC game. Made me laugh like crazy. I’m ready for summer.

* ARod is out a while and the biggest question crossing the Web was more about where he may fall in fantasy baseball drafts. NERDS!

* I play fantasy baseball, so I guess I just called myself a nerd. That backfired.

* MIzzou’s Mike Anderson (right) got screwed out of the Coach of the Year honor for the Big 12 this weekend. It doesn’t matter that Kansas lost a lot of players from a team that won the national title last year. The Jayhawks were 28-3 during regular season last year and 25-6 this year. Tigers were 16-15 last year and are 25-6 this year. Umm…

* Jimmy Fallon will be gone as Late Night host in five months.

* And finally, the Buffalo Bills made the year’s best signing over the weekend by adding T.O. for one year at $6 million. Even if he is out of the league midway through the season because of a tantrum, the Bills will have cleared a ton of cash with tickets and jerseys. It’s similar to the Dodgers and Manny. The selling of a player to their city or fan base can be worth the headaches.

–HOOCH

Posted under Sports

Have you ever wondered what some of the star athletes that once roamed the area are up to these days? Well, Ben has scoured the depths of the WGEM Sports Zone for some interesting characters who are still on the minds of many. Here we go as Ben shares a six-pack of questions…

…with Mike Smith (left), Van-Far High School all-world player/dunker and current East Tennessee State starter averaging 15 points and eight rebounds.

Question #1: ETSU has lost four of its last five games by the slimmest of margins (as of February 26 when the interview was conducted. ETSU has won three games since.). How fine is the line between winning and losing?

Smith: Ha, that’s funny you asked. We just got a long speech from our head coach (Murry Bartow) telling us how it comes down to getting defensive stops. The team that gets the most stops down the stretch will usually win. It’s also about players making plays. You can run all the offense you want, but you have got to make plays, and hopefully I’m always on the winning side!

Question #2: What is the biggest goal, team-wise or individually, that you hope to accomplish before your time is up with the Buccaneers?

To make it to the NCAA Tournament is a major goal of mine (ETSU is currently second in the Atlantic Sun Conference). I’ve got one more year after this year to get it done. I feel we have a pretty good chance to do it this year as long as we come ready to play each night!

Question #3: Besides winning a state championship, what’s the best memory of your time spent at Van-Far?

Playing with my older brother, Matt. It’s been a blessing to me to have him as an older brother. He’s always pushed me to work the hardest no matter what it takes. Also, Van-Far was an amazing place to play. When you come into the gym and it’s standing room only it really meant something to me and my fellow teammates.

Question #4: What do you do for fun when you’re away from basketball?

Usually, I’m busy with homework or hanging out with the guys. I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend as well. It’s hard to get away from the game of basketball, though. It’s what I live for.

Question #5: You are more than halfway through your college career now. How fast has it gone?

It has flown. It’s crazy that I’m going to be a senior next year. It feels like I was just playing in the Hearnes Center for a state championship. It’s been a blessing to me, though.

Question #6: Where is Mike Smith five years from now and what is he doing?

Hopefully playing professional basketball somewhere, whether it’s overseas in Europe or Asia. I feel I want to ride this career as long as I can!

Are you curious what an area athlete is up to now? Just post below or e-mail Ben at anytime at sports@wgem.com.

Posted under Uncategorized

Arnold Schwarzenegger will never be remembered as a great and talented actor. The Governator’s work will never be confused with a Tom Hanks or Paul Newman film.

But they are entertaining.

So, after having a relaxing day off from work when I watched three Arnold movies in a row for the heck of it, I thought a little Midweek Bliss was due.

Your thoughts are always welcomed, so if you agree or disagree … just comment below.

HOOCH’s TOP FIVE ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER FLICKS

5. Total Recall (1990) — It’s one of the weirdest movies Arnold ever did, but still ranks up there. It’s set on Mars (or at least we think?) and has Sharon Stone. Enough said. But we all remember Kuato appearing out of the guy’s chest. We remember Benny’s arm folding out. Oh, and Arnold pulls a huge red thing out of his nose. A “little person” fires a pistol. And a woman has three … uhm … you know.

4. Twins (1988) — Ah, Arnold as a true actor. This was actually Danny DeVito’s movie, but Arnold was great as well portraying the little guy’s twin brother. He lifts the car to offset the car alarm and to see DeVito’s facial expressions was priceless. Awesome banter: “You’re a virgin?” “That’s private.” “A 230-pound virgin!”

3. True Lies (1994) — Three words: Jamie Lee Curtis! Holy crap was she hot in this movie. This movie kind of had everything. The sexy co-star (Curtis) along with the sexy evil witch (Tia Carrere). It had the zany and awesome idiot (Tom Arnold). And then it had the hero in Arnold.

2. Terminator 2 (1996) — This movie by itself changed the way we think – and the way movies are made — about movies altogether. When we saw the T-1000 turn from pieces of silver into a melted object that looked human was freaking crazy. When the theme music (duh-duh dun-da-dun) comes on it sends shivers down my spine. When we see Sarah Conner doing pull-ups and then stab a pen into the guy makes you say, “That is one crazy chick.” T2, and not the original, made the series popular and why two remakes (the fourth installment is out soon) and a TV series has been created.

1. Predator (1987) — Possibly the best alien-based movie ever made. Yes, Alien was pretty solid. But the adventure in Predator kept you going. You knew Arnold was to meet back up with the alien in the end and put on a mano-y-mano fight to save mankind (OK … we didn’t see the stupid sequels to follow). And the cast was stellar. Jesse the Body playing a tobacco-spitting, machine gun-wielding stud! Sonny Landham (Billy) and Carl Weathers (Mac) set the tone. Favorite quote: ”I’m scared, Poncho.” ”Bull*#*#. You ain’t afraid of no man.” ”There’s something out there waiting for us, and it ain’t no man. We’re all gonna die.” I LOVE IT.

Bottom Five: 5) Raw Deal, 4) Conan the Destroyer, 3) Red Sonja, 2) Batman & Robin, and 1) Jingle All the Way.

–HOOCH

Posted under Uncategorized

We have given you the first half, plus #65…now we bring you the rest of the teams that will be dancing come March Madness. Tyler Tomlinson presents his filled out bracket!

#1 Seeds
Oklahoma Sooners — Their set back against Texas will not hurt them when they win the Big 12 Tournament.

North Carolina Tar Heels — There are a lot of good ACC teams, but UNC will rise as the cream of the crop.

#2 Seeds
Michigan State Spartans — These guys are getting hated all over on WGEM Sportscenter, but I think they are at least Sweet 16 bound with Tom Izzo at the helm.

Duke Blue Devils — Strong wins vs. Maryland and VA Tech have the Dukies looking primed for the postseason.

#3 Seeds
Wake Forest Deom Deacons – A team at once atop the entire NCAA has fallen to a 3 seed.

Kansas Jayhawks — Bill Self has coached this team to a 3 seed, amazingly done for the defending champs.

#4 Seeds
Xavier Musketeers – They have hit some rough spots but will finish with a conference tournament title.

Missouri Tigers – This team has exceeded all expectations and deserves this spot in the tournament.

#5 Seeds
Arizona State Sun Devils — On their way to a strong finished they stubbed their toe against the Washington schools which will hurt.

Illinois Fighting Illini — A solid 5 seed for the Illini, a good place to surprise some teams.

#6 Seeds
Washington Huskies – This team has gotten flaming hot at the right time, knocking off ASU and others.

Syracuse Orangemen — They have the capability to play well, but doesn’t every team in the Big East?

#7 Seeds
Florida State Seminoles — ‘Noles benefit from being in the ACC, sweeping Clemson helped.

Ohio State Buckeyes — This may be too gracious.  It’s a toss up between them and Minnesota.

#8 Seeds
Minnesota Golden Gophers — I was high on this team since the start of the season.  Gotta love Tubby!

West Virginia Mountaineers — Late season win against Villanova will pad resume.

#9 Seeds
Tennessee Volunteers — The SEC exists this season?  Bruce Pearl has a lot of talent that he cant control.

Wisconsin Badgers — A WGEM Sportscenter producer (BH) says there are no good coaches in the Big 10, this team has one of the best in the nation, Bo Ryan.

#10 Seeds
Cincinnati Bearcats — The team causing all the controversy got a big win over WV, especially if the Mountaineers get in.

Kentucky Wildcats — I would most likely have moved South Carolina up and kept Kentucky here, now I have them both as #10′s.

#11 Seeds
Virginia Tech Hokies — Must win one of their last two regular season games or this prediction flops.

Miami Hurricanes — Hello ACC teams.  Calm down Tyler, it’s like your favorite team is Duke or something.

#12 Seeds
Siena Saints — Siena stacked their schedule, TEN, PITT, OK ST., KANSAS, it may help out in the end, 1st round upset anyone?

San Diego State Aztecs – They are like last year’s San Diego, but not as good.

#13 Seeds
VCU Rams – The team that knocked off Duke last season comes back with the same star Eric Maynor and a better supporting squad…watch out!

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – This team has given us some fun games in the tournament.  Expect the same this year.

#14 Seeds
Vermont Catamounts — Is it just me or is this team ALWAYS in the tournament?

American Eagles — For the second straight year the Eagles are the dominant team in the Patiort League.

#15 Seeds
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks — Marquis Weddle and the Hawks will win the Ohio Valley Tournament.

Belmont Bruins — I expect the Bruins to shock Van-Far grad Mike Smith and E. Tenn. State and win the Atlantic Sun.  Belmont knows how to win.

#16 Seeds
Radford Highlanders — It would be a shock if Radford last the Big South Tournament.

Alabama State Hornets — The Hornets played some SEC teams tough…the first ever #16 team to beat a #1 seed?  Also have the best name in hoops Chief Kickingstallionsims.

Posted under Sports

To hear Tyler & Josh’s College Hoops Power Rankings live, listen to WGEM SportsCenter every Tuesday from 7-9 a.m. on ESPN 1440 or wgemradio.com/sportscenter, where … We’ve Got Your Game.

1) Pittsburgh (26-3) second straight week — The Panthers did lose to Providence after claiming the top spot in everybody’s hearts, but they are still the best team in the nation … meaning a spot atop the Power Rankings for two straight weeks is justified.

2) UConn (27-2) second straight week -– How can they keep winning sans Jerome Dyson? They may not when the Huskies travel to Pitt this Saturday.

3) Oklahoma (26-3) second straight week — The blind spot in the Sooners’ vision is every team not scared of them anymore and it keeps growing and growing. How to beat them? Make Blake Griffin stay on the court. If he gets into foul trouble at all the team is done.

4) Memphis (26-3) second straight week — Haven’t lost since Dec. 20. We’ll know more about them when the Big Dance comes.

5) North Carolina (25-3) second straight week -– Have bounced back following Maryland loss with 104-point output against Tech. The Heels wrap up the season against Duke on Sunday at home. Big game … more for confidence than anything else.

6) Michigan State (23-5) third straight week -– The best team in the Big Ten. What does that mean? Not sure anybody really freaking knows!

7) Louisville (23-5) third straight week — With two games remaining in the Big East schedule for the Cardinals, it’s unlikely they can win it. But they would love a rematch with UConn in the Big East Conference Tourney, though. A 17-point shellacking earlier this year didn’t settle well.

8 ) Duke (24-5) NR -– They’re back. What does it mean? Who knows.

Bye bye: Arizona State.

Posted under Sports

Take a trip with WGEM SportsCenter host Josh Houchins, as he recaps the weekend in his own weird way…

* It’s March and it’s about freakin’ time! I’m ready for MLB, March Madness, NHL Trade Deadline, spring turkey season, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. Wow, what a pointless way to say I’m ready for spring.

* Speaking of the start of baseball, check out these photos. Awesome stuff.

* So, Mizzou couldn’t hang with Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. Like many, I was not surprised the Tigers lost. I was just surprised by the manner in which they lost. It was terrible! The Tigers looked scared the entire first half … either by driving to the hoop looking over a shoulder for Cole Aldrich, or by watching Sharron Collins just simply drive to the hoop. I’m still on the bandwagon, but I have one foot hanging off the back dragging the dirt road.

* Like I predicted but forgot to tell anyone, Geoff Ogilvy defeated Paul Casey in the Tiger-less Accenture Match Play Championship. What a solid win for Geoff, who by the way, is not related to Slap Shot’s Ogie Ogilthorpe.

* The word is Chris Carpenter (above) is feeling great and ready to have a Cy Young season. Or 110 innings and 10 wins, either/or. I think him on the mound every fifth day would be amazing. The fact some (not me) were comparing him to Mark Mulder late last season says a lot.

* The Mets batted the pitcher in the 2 Hole this past week. Have I said how much I love Spring Training baseball?

* 10,000 BC — terrible movie. I was fully unaware that every prehistoric clan had one extremely hot woman. Thanks for wasting my time, HBO.

* Not to be a pessimist, but I would love to see the Redskins’ deal with Albert Haynesworth turn out to be like Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, or Mark Carrier. Those guys were in the late stages of their careers, though.

* I was watching something and the New Kids on the Block came on and Donnie Wahlberg was decked out in baggy pants with his big straight-bill cap turned sideway. My question was: How can that guy be the same guy who played Lt. C. Lipton on Band of Brothers?

* Five bucks to someone who knows what team Randy Johnson is pitching for right now. If it takes you more than two minutes … bet’s off. (answer is below)

* Why is Clive Owen seemingly in every movie?

* Speaking of actors, John Candy (left) is one I truly miss. The Great Outdoors and Uncle Buck, Spaceballs, JFK … he is a guy who left this world way too soon in my book.

* UNABASHED SHOW PLUG: March Madness is approaching and something very cool is coming up on my show. That is what we call a “tease” in the showbiz world.

* Beverly Hills Chihuahua comes out on DVD tomorrow! People will do any movie for money.

* Answer to Randy Johnson trivia: San Francisco Giants.

* And finally, time to play NFL GM and player. Arizona, sign Kurt Warner you freaking idiots. Kurt, take a tad less and sign, you idiot. Match done. I did it. Why is Free Agency that difficult?

–HOOCH

Posted under Sports