Sports Agenda for Wednesday (1/23/13)
Big Story:
The Heat are coming off a five-day break after a brutal road trip. The Panthers are colder than the ice they're skating on. The U welcomes the Dukies into the Bank United Center tonight. And the Dolphins head to the Miami-Dade council for a key discussion on the stadium renewal deal.
Quote of the Day:
"A word to the wise ain't necessary – it's the stupid ones that need the advice." – Bill Cosby
Miami Heat: (vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports)
Yes, the Miami Heat hit the hardwood at the AmericanAirlines Arena for the first time since January 6.
Since then, the Heat have gone 3-3 on the road, but did when their last two in a row.
Of course those were against the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, not exactly a murderer's row there.
Speaking of the Lakers, this is how far Dwight Howard has fallen…
The Brooklyn Nets prefer to keep Brook Lopez and will not entertain trade offers for Howard.
So Brook Lopez is preferred to Dwight Howard.
Yikes.
Anyways, back to the Heat.
They got a five-day rest at the perfect time and should be mostly healthy when they play Wednesday night.
I say mostly because I believe I read LeBron may have had a "cold."
Not that that would stop him, because yknow, it is the Raptors after all.
Interesting stat of the day…the Big Four in Miami, including Ray Allen, are all scoring in double figures, led by LeBron and Wade at 26.3 and 20.1 respectively.
A little better play out of Mario Chalmers and they could have five players scoring in double-figures.
We'll see how the Heat bounce back in the next few games starting Wednesday night at the AAA.
Florida Panthers: (off Wednesday)
I couldn't help but think of a quote, I believe it's from Vince Lombardi, while watching the Panthers game last night.
"What the hell is going on out there?"
Seriously, the Panthers have scored exactly one more goal than I have in their last six periods of action.
That's just brutal.
Last night they got skunked again, this time by the Montreal Canadiens.
I'm trying to come up with a good reason why, but every time I was watching the game, it was just ugly if you are a Panthers fan.
In the third period, the Panthers managed just 8 total shots on goal.
Goalie Scott Clemmensen got his first career loss to the Canadiens after giving up 4 goals last night.
Two of Montreal's four goals also came on the power play, which doesn't bode well for Florida long term.
They get a well-needed night off tonight before hitting the ice tomorrow night against the Senators, who blanked the Panthers on Monday.
UM Hurricanes: (vs. Duke Blue Devils, 7 p.m., ESPN)
Yup, the Canes basketball program hits the big time tonight with Dickie V and ESPN in town for the Top 25 matchup with number one ranked Duke.
Duke is the measuring stick program in the ACC, so we'll find out what Miami is made of tonight.
I don't know, but it feels like everything is in place for a big time upset tonight.
I can't put my finger on why, but it just seems like things have come together just right for UM basketball to take a big step forward.
If Miami can spring the upset tonight, don't get near the court when the final horn sounds or you'll get trampled.
Also, it'll be a signature win for head coach Jim Larranga and a much needed distraction from the Frank Haith/Nevin Shapiro mess that sprung up again this week.
Let Mizzou deal with Haith…good luck with that Tigers….paging Brad Stevens, Mr. Brad Stevens, there's a Brinks Truck outside from Columbia, Missouri for you.
Miami Dolphins:
Finally, the Dolphins will head before the Miami-Dade Commission to pitch their stadium deal today.
I'm guessing they are going to get a VERY chilly reception for the plan from Commissioners.
However, if the area wants to remain competitive for the Super Bowl and other major events, Sun Life has to be upgraded.
Or it will have to be rebuilt.
Upgrading sounds mighty preferable to building a brand new stadium huh?
But in an era where the word tax is equivalent to sacrilege of the highest magnitude, the Dolphins may be out of luck.
They can also thank the Marlins…who essentially screwed every sports team in South Florida with their actions.
Hey, can we trade the Marlins for another team?
Seriously, anybody….Bueller……Bueller……
