How proud the Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece would be of the Michigan State team that carries their name in Edward James Dome against Number One seeded North Carolina tonight. Michigan State used a deep bench and tough defense to get past such basketball powerhouses as Duke and Kentucky to get to the Final Four for the fourth time in seven years, and there they face North Carolina, the team that offers the most potent triple-threat of talent, coaching and history in this year's tournament. Will the Spartans stage another shock, or will Roy Williams get one step closer to that elusive national title?
Illinois and Louisville both pulled off spectacular comebacks in the Elite Eight to get to the Final Four at St Louis - now one or the other will find out that it was all for nought when the winner goes on to the National Final and the loser can only take it like a man. Louisville start as three point 'dogs but the big question is - were the Illini lucky to survive against Arizona? Should the Wildcats have polished them off, and, now that they didn't, will the Cards do the job for them? Or is there such a thing as destiny, meaning that Illinois is a good bet to rip open the gaps found by West Virginia in the first twenty minutes against Louisville and go one step further to fulfilling its destiny?
They mightn't have won a World Series in five years - which is forever in Bronx terms - but the New York Yankees are hot favorites for what would be their 27th World Championship this year. Holders Boston are second favorites, with the surprising LA Angels of Anaheim third. Current National League Champion St Louis is the first NL team to feature, while Cubs' backers are still keeping the faith. The Braves and the Twins are both tempters at 13.00, and the Washington Nationals, making their Major League debut on Monday at Philadelphia, will return $31 on every dollar if they have the most fairytale of debuts and win it all at their very first attempt.
They're the two biggest cities in population in the United States, but in professional basketball, New York and Los Angeles have problems. The Knicks visit the Lakers at the Staples tonight in a game that matches two of the most storied franchises in the league as both desperately fight to escape the mire of bad recent form. The Knicks have lost their last three straight, all on the road in the West, but the Lakers haven't won in eight games, which is just awful for so famous a franchise. Can either team do it when they're playing for pride alone?
Illinois has been the best team in the nation since the season started back in October, but when the Fighting Illini face Arizona tonight at Rosemount, Chicago, will they be facing a team with the right combination of momentum and moxie to take them on? The Illini have answered all questions posed them this season, and have cruised serenely through to the Elite Eight. Arizona only snuck past Oklahoma State on the buzzer in the last round but in Channing Frye and Salim Stoudamire, the Wildcats proved they have the men for the big occasion. Are the Illini St Louis bound, or will Arizona march on to the Final Four?
Five times the Utah Utes have taken the floor against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Big Dance and each time they've got stomped. This year they're hoping it's all change, as the sixth seeded Utes are coming off a nine point upset win of third seeded Oklahoma in the second round. Second seeded Kentucky has made stately progress in the past two rounds, disposing of Eastern Kentucky and Cincinnati to make the Wildcats fourth Sweet Sixteen appearance in five seasons.
When the seedings for the NCAA Tournament were first announced, there was a school of thought that said the Huskies were seeded too high at 1 and the Cards too low at 4. We'll find out today who was right and who was wrong when the two schools go head to head in a Sweet Sixteen matchup at Albuquerque. Both Washington and Louisville crushed the oppostion in the last round, but was Louisville's win over Georgia Tech a bigger achievement than Washington's win over Pacific? The line makes the Huskies dogs even though they're the higher seed - will Washington prove a point in Albuquerque?
The Players Championship has long been called the "Fifth Major" because of the quality of the field and the exquisite difficulty of the course at Sawgrass. This year it's all that again, but it also has the added bonus and delight of the top four players in the world - Woods, Els, Singh and Mickelson - all in form and winners already this season. Woods is the only one of the four to have won the Players Championship - four years ago, in 2001 - so does that mean that it's now time for one of the other three? What about Davis Love III at 33/1, winner here in 2003 and 1992? Or what about Ireland's Padraig Harrington, second here for the past two years but already a winner at the Honda Classic?
The Miami Heat are the hottest team in the NBA right now, riding a twelve game winning streak that's made them the first Eastern team to qualify for the playoffs. Tonight the Heat are at Houston, where the Rockets have been plagued recently by inconsistency, not least in their shooting. That shooting won't be helped by the loss of forward Juwan Howard, who's strained his MCL and is probably out for a month. Can Yao and T-Mac fire up the Rockets and cool down the Miami Heat?
After Don Nelson's departure as head coach in Dallas, the Avery Johnson era has started well with an easy win over Charlotte. Tonight the Mavs are an unsurprising double-digit favorite over New Orleans, against whom the Mavericks enjoy a twelve game winning streak. However the last encounter between the two was close as Dallas only edged New Orleans by four on February 28th. Does that give hope for the Hornets, who are a shocking 0-12 against Southwest opposition?
Mike Krzyzewski tied Dean Smith's all-time record of 65 wins at the NCAA Tourney when No 1 seeded Duke beat Delaware State on Friday. Now Coach K looks to set a new one when Duke is an eight point favorite against No 9 Mississippi State at Charlotte. Not only did the Bulldogs thump Stanford by in the first round, but their 23 point win easily covered their two point start. Duke had 26 to cover against Delaware St but even Mike Krzyzewski himself can't have been impressed with how long it took the Blue Devils to send Delaware back to the first state. Will Duke's lack of depth cost Coach K against Mississippi State?
Even though the schools are only eighty miles apart, the second round game between seventh seeded Cincinnati and fifth seeded Kentucky at Indianapolis tonight will be the first meeting between the schools in fifteen years. Kentucky eased past Eastern Kentucky by eight points on Thursday night, but the Wildcats came nowhere near covering their 17 point start. Now they start with three and one half against Cincinnati, but can they deliver? The Bearcats blew Iowa away by twelve and easily covered their 3.5 start, and don't much care for being dissed by Kentuckians for the past fifteen years. After a day of shocks yesterday, will there be another tonight?
The return of BJ Elder from injury has brought the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from a pre-tournament bubble pick to a dark horse each way contender for the title - by way of a stunning upset of the Tar Heels in the ACC Tourney in between. The first obstacle Tech faces in its attempt to light up the Tournament as it did last year is George Washington at Nashville, the only Atlantic-10 team that's dancing this year. The Colonials are riding the momentum from their first ever Atlantic-10 title, but will be enough against Georgia Tech?
Tiger Woods is back, and he's a popular pick with bettors at the Bay Hill Invitational at Orlando. Woods won four Bay Hills in a row prior to his strange slump last year, but now he's a short price to restore normal service, especially after his Ford Championship at Doral win restored his World Number One status. Ernie Els is second favorite, back in the USA from back to back wins on the European Tour in Dubai and Qatar. Vijay Singh is also a short price, after being very unlucky to lose to Padraig Harrington in a playoff at the Honda Classic. Does reigning champion Chad Campbell offer each way value at 33/1, or how about an Irishman for St Patrick's Day? Darren Clarke is returning $410 on every sawbuck if he wins the Bay Hill Invitational, but Woods still looks like the the man to beat.
The seedings are announced, the brackets are filled, the courts and the nation are ready. All that's left to do is pick your winner of the NCAA Tournament and get your money down. Illinois and North Carolina start as joint favorites, but both the Fighting Illini and the Tar Heels still have their doubters. Duke's return of $100 on every $10 wagered has to be a tempter, but while the Devils have the pedigree, have they got the depth? Reigning Champions Connecticut are lurking with intent, as are the surprising Huskies. Or how about a longshot each-way investment on Louisville or the Michigan State Spartans? All the NCAA action, all the way through the tournament, right here, right now! BET ON SPORTS
I am amazed that over the past few weeks I have been able to naturally lose weight with a great herbal supplement called ADVALEAN. I don't really know how it works, but I think it has reduced my appetite a little, but mostly it has the effect of making me sweat off more pounds when I ride my bikeE all around town, and when I work out at at the recreation center.
I weighed 206 just a few months ago, and today I wiegh 183. That's a total loss of 23 pounds and I am so happy. I really believe it was this ADVALEAN supplement, I really do! I have also been taking at the same time a privately sold product called Reliv, the Classic blend. Combined with the Advalean it has really helped me lose weight.
I have been trying for years to lose this unwanted weight. I could not be happier now. I originally found this product at Progressive Health. I ordered it and it was at my door in 3 days. I am going to celebrate by taking a trip to Mexico this Spring.
I have found a line of cool notebook computers with some great options and versatility. They are all made by TOSHIBA.
Engineered for Dependability. The sleek, stylish Tecra® A4 offers wide-screen versatility at a very affordable price. Use the 15.4" WXGA display to work spreadsheets and documents side-by-side, or after hours to view movies!
The Tecra® A4 also features a powerful Intel® Pentium® M processor, high speed 802.11 wireless LAN and fast one-touch docking. Like all systems in the Tecra® line, it's engineered for dependability and long life.
Designed for entrepreneur's and small business owners, the Satellite A60 Series includes intelligent software to aid users in connecting to the Internet, creating presentations and troubleshooting problems.
The Satellite A60 Series is powered by the ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP graphics processor to enhance presentation quality on the 15.0-inch diagonal display. Using a convenient TV-out port, users can quickly connect to a television, projector or other device to show multimedia presentations to a large group.
Qosmio is true digital media convergence simply achieved through state-of-the-art and streamlined design. It's 4-in-1 functionality combines TV, Audio, PC and DVD features in one compact package. The multiple plug-and-play ports transform the unit simply into a gaming monitor, a digital camera slide show screen, audio-out to home systems for TV and MP3s, and more! Qosmio's sleek style echoes consumer electronics design, to complement existing electronics in the home.
Portégé Notebooks have a proven track-record spanning nearly ten years, and are designed for the Mobile Warrior desiring innovation and reliability, all in a light-weight, no compromise package. Today's models continue their award-winning tradition with two separate designs: the M200 Convertible Tablet PC and the ultra-portable R100.
CONSUMER NEWS — When it comes to buying diamonds experts say you should know about the four "C's" - color, clarity, cut and carat weight. But, nowadays you may want to consider a fifth a "C" - computers.
You can get some great deals buying diamonds online. This is if you know what you are doing. How do you know you are really getting what you paid for?
Buying expensive jewelry without ever seeing it, touching it or trying it on may seem scary, but not to Rob Bowen and Jennifer Williamson who just said "I Do" to buying a diamond online.
Jennifer Williamson, Diamond Shopper "It's the most sparkly, beautiful diamond I've ever seen. I absolutely love it!"
The newly engaged couple is not alone. An estimated $2.8 billion worth of jewelry will be sold on the web this year.
Experts say shoppers are becoming more comfortable buying luxury goods online. And, the sites have gotten much better at showing off the gems.
Carrie Johnson, Analyst, Forrester Research "The site visualization technology, as it's called, has come so far in terms of being able to look at an actual stone or a setting."
Many times, companies allow you to zoom in, rotate, or even get a 3-D view.
Johnson says, "There are actually a lot of specs around diamonds, like cut, color, clarity, and you can really compare apples-to-apples, two diamonds to each other."
Once you are blinded by the beauty of a stone how do you make sure you're not being blindsided by a ripoff? Industry watchdogs say make sure you're comfortable with the site itself. Is the retailer reputable?
Cecilia Gardner, Jewelry Vigilance Committee "You don't want to buy something from a Web site seller who, you know, in a month is gone off the Internet. "
Check them out with respected trade and consumer groups like the Jewelry Vigilance Committee and the Better Business Bureau. Make sure the site offers an official certification or grading report from a well-respected group like the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute Of America.
Bill Boyajian, President, Gemological Institute of America "If you have a third party document like a GIA report, you can be much more comfortable in the diamond that you're buying."
Always look for a clear money-back return policy. Then, once you get your gem, find an independent appraiser.
Rob and Jennifer found their stone was appraised for about $2,500 above what they paid.
Williamson says, "We're very happy with our purchase, very glad we bought it online."
If you're considering buying a diamond online, make sure you get the hard copy of your grading report, not just the one you can print off the web site. Also, find out what others have to say about the site before you buy. You can use chat rooms and comparison-shopping sites to see how others rate the company
It's really a cool product called SPEPPER that is a combination of salt and pepper in the same shaker. I love this stuff, and it is NOT like the salt and pepper found in shakers typically, but a more gourmet variety of spices.
The company was founded by 2 brothers James and Nathan Banker of Denver, Colorado. James came up with the original idea, and his brother Nathan, being an entrepreneur in his own right, took up the gauntlet of developing the product.
They applied for a trademark and got it, for the word SPEPPER, and now they sell it online in it's various forms. They have Original, Garlic and they say they have a new one coming in the next few days called Spicy Spepper (not sure if I have that name exactly) which is a blend with some type of pepper.
I have never tasted a better salt and pepper than this stuff. They were on the Food Network Unwrapped in November 2004, and it reruns every now and then under the program title "2 in 1", but Spepper is not specifically named in the title. I found the video of their episode segment, and the link to it is on their website. WATCH THE VIDEO
I recommend it to everyone out there who is tired of plain old salt and pepper like we get in the grocery store. What a kick to taste a better version of something !!!! I just love it on everything I eat. The Garlic Spepper is best on salads and pasta, or in a saute', sauce or whatever.
On their site are tons of FREE RECIPES so you can use the product in the best ways in the beginning, but I have already discovered that the Garlic is awesome with the bar-b-que on burgers, chicken or any meat at all. Love it!!!
Tecra® A4
