The throne is NOT set in stone

After preseason camp, UCF head coach George O'Leary came out and announced redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo as the starting quarterback. With not much experience beyond the practice squad, many had questions about how DiNovo would adjust to the role after the mark left by Blake Bortles and the Knights' success last season.
I mean, it's a tough spot to be in. DiNovo wasn't even the front-runner for the starting job heading into summer and then he played his first game with his new role in Ireland! It seemed the throne was Pete's to get comfortable on once his name was announced, but not so fast.
The original front-runner, sophomore Justin Holman, was named the new starting quarterback for the Knights on Thursday as his heroics pulled UCF out a growing hole in its season opener.
To be frank, DiNovo wasn't quite ready to play on that stage. Not to say that he's a bad quarterback, but he didn't have as much game experience. The coaching staff must have agreed because after just one game, not even an entire three quarters, DiNovo was yanked from the number one.
Holman was said to be a "game manager" while the role was still up for grabs. He got the most playing time in the spring game but was beat out for the starting job. Now that he's regained the reigns the question becomes: can he continue?
I would hope he can continue to progress because he showed great signs in the Croke Park Classic. With continued growth, UCF can very remain successful.
But remember Justin, the throne is clearly not ever set in stone.

NBA Finals Preview/Prediction Contest

It's the day we've all been waiting for...well most of us. The NBA Finals rematch begins tonight, as Tim Duncan tries again to capture that fifth title and LeBron and the Heat go for a three-peat (I wonder if Pat Riley made money off of me typing that).

Anyway, check out this video for my prediction on who will win this series and details on The Rundown's NBA Finals contest to see how you can win! Catch game 1 tonight at 9pm on ABC. Happy Finals!

The Rundown 2.0!

I know it has been ages, but I really want to make a comeback. I've gotten so many opportunities since I launched The Rundown and I couldn't be more grateful. But it did cause me to severely neglect the place I came from. I can't say I'll post every day as I used to, but I really want to get sports talk back up and running on The Rundown. With that, I present to you all the new addition to the Rundown.....VIDEO!

I now have my own video equipment, as well as editing system, so I am trying to make the transition from articles to more digital information on The Rundown moving forward. Watch the short video below to find out just what I'm trying to do with these changes and what I need from you all!

Expectations For Heat vs. Pacers Round 2

The Beasts of the East, Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, match up tonight  for the second time in eight days at the American Airlines Arena. If you haven't already, please don't feed too much into the hype. Much is made of the Pacers blatant pursuit of the Heat after falling short to them in the playoffs for the past 2 years in a row. The Pacers camp is not backing down from the challenge and are making no secret of the fact that they see this, and frankly every game against Miami, as a statement game. Miami is sticking with its subtle arrogant approach in not acknowledging these games as more than competitive regular season games. The first meeting ended in a 90-84 home win for Indiana. So does this make tonight a must win for Miami at home? Yes...and no.

Let's put things into perspective. This is not the playoffs. We are barely approaching the All-Star Break. We are only 24 games into the season so I would agree with Miami in saying this isn't a statement game, at least not for them. However, it is more than just a "good" regular season game. This is a brewing Eastern Conference rival that can pan out to be about as good as the growing Heat-Celtics rival of the past few seasons. It may not be a game in which Miami needs to make a statement, but it definitely needs to respond. If we're going to give the Heat the right to brush the hype of these games off because of the great success they've had the past 3 years, they had better step up and remind those that they think are beneath them, who they are. Losing on their own home court would give Indiana another stroke of confidence that Miami probably won't want to see the results of in the long run.

With all that being said, it still isn't do or die. If Indiana wins, the pot just stirs that much more as we anticipate April and further proves that this team is a force to be reckoned with, for those who weren't convinced. A fan mentioned to me on Twitter today that the Pacers have been putting on a show with the mentality to play every game like its their last, giving it 110%. My question to that would be: When facing Miami, what team doesn't? It isn't fair to sweep every Heat loss under the rug but they are undoubtedly the one team, if no other, that each of the other 29 teams in the league put on their best show for. It's not as easy for the opposition to do the same.

I expect LeBron to play, I expect the maximum regular season effort possible from both sides, and I expect the best playoff type atmosphere one could create in December. It might just a little chippy but unless LeBron is seriously limited and off his game, I don't see why Miami can't win. I'm not conceding the win to them though. Indy has had this game circled for months and there are no motivators that are quite the same as revenge and dislike. Above all, I just want fans on both sides to know one thing. It takes more than four regular season wins to dethrone a real champion, just as it only takes four blows to the head until that crown can wind up in the river fishing right along with you in April.

The game starts at 7pm on ESPN.

Image Source: Washington Post

Deron Williams To Possibly Sit Beyond The Preseason

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd said on Saturday PG Deron Williams could possibly miss a few games to start the season as he recovers from a sprained ankle.

"But we're not rushing him. So if we have to start the season with him still trying to get better, I think we all feel comfortable, but we would feel a little bit more comfortable if he was starting."

With the additions of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to virtually take Brooklyn to the next level of contention, Williams' health and presence are equally important. Of course the slow and steady method would be best being that ankle injuries do die hard. Still, this team will need ample time to mesh. Brooklyn went through a substantial makeover this summer by adding a new head coach in Jason Kidd and greats Pierce and Garnett.

Williams has been limited in training camp and won't play in any of the four preseason games Brooklyn has. Brooklyn needs to strike while the iron is hot. Williams is still in his prime so the time is now.

As a sidenote, Jason Kidd will also miss the first two games of the season after being suspended by the NBA for pleading guilty to driving while impaired. That is the least of Brooklyn's problems right now though.

Sources: ESPN New York, ProBasketballTalk