Sports Agenda for Thursday (2/3/11)
Big Story:
National Signing Day came and went Wednesday and as expected, Florida State dominated the recruiting wars in the Sunshine State. FSU actually finished either number 1 or number 2 in the country on the recruiting wars. UF had a good class and UM, well, better luck next year Hurricanes. As I said repeatedly in articles though, winning the recruiting wars means nothing come August. Still, there's a good chance FSU is ready to make people fear the spear again and UM has declined into a nice tropical depression.
Heat: @Orlando (8:00 p.m. on TNT)
The Heat's big three took their fair share of negative comments after they joined forces to bring their talents to South Beach. The Magic were one of those teams who said the Heat weren't all that. Tonight, the Heat travel to Orlando to take on Dwight Howard and the Magic and the Heat, well specifically LeBron, will be out to give the Magic a little crow to eat.
Orlando, for all their talk, are looking up at the Heat in the Southeast division. The Magic are currently 3.5 games back of the Heat and are coming off a loss as they go into Thursday night's game. The Heat have won 3 in a row, but are only 5-5 over their last 10 games. The Heat are also 3 games back of the Celtics in the Eastern Division.
Some interesting notes for the game tonight: for all the talk of the Lakers being the team to beat, yeah, you might want to talk to San Antonio about that. The Spurs have the best record in the league (40-8) are currently 6.5 games ahead of the Lakers.
At their current pace, and assuming they play every game, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are on pace to score 4,239 points this season or roughly, 51.7 points per game between them.
Panthers: (next game vs. New Jersey on Friday)
Mercifully, the Panthers return home from Canada after they dropped their last two games in a row. But on the Bright side, the Panthers welcome in the worst team in the Eastern conference on Friday, so they've got that going for them.
Interesting notes: Florida has a winning percentage of .490 for the season and are currently 25 points behind the best team in the league, the Vancouver Canucks. (Blame Canada!)
Dolphins:
Off-Season, but the mock drafts are currently in full swing. The latest mock draft from the Palm Beach Post gives Miami Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder. This would allow the Fins to move Vernon Carey into the guard position, where he might be better suited to play.
But if the Dolphins select an offensive lineman in round one, the team better be ready to catch some hell, especially someone like Solder.
My opinion, the Palm Beach Post first mock draft is a reach, but most of them are. I'm researching mine right now.
Marlins:
T-Minus 14 days until the pitchers and catchers report for the beginning of spring training.
College Football:
Seminoles win the recruiting wars, UF comes in second and UM brings up the rear. Golden better be able to coach his tail off, because another recruiting season like this one and the Canes fans will be howling. Of course Canes football hasn't been relevant to the National Championship discussion for the last several years, so they need to realize they are not the program they were a decade ago.
