Guilty Pleasure, Manny Being Manny, Buzz Will Punch You In The Face

• Finally watching the new Celebrity Apprentice---hey, NBC helps pay the bills---and this is a full bag of mixed nuts, or as they're classified here, celebrities. This show is an instantly forgettable guilty pleasure.

Know many of these people?

• Adam Carolla is one funny guy. If you haven't read "In 50 Years, We'll All Be Chicks", I highly recommend it (not for kids).

Funny.

• Saturday Night Live with Myra Rudolph as guest host was terrific.
• The A's signed Manny Ramirez. Why? He no longer can hit, even with steroids, which oh by the way, he'll have to sit out 50 games. Again.
• Matt Gatens told me he still thinks the Hawks can make the NCAA tournament. He's right, if Iowa doesn't lose, which isn't going to happen. I wish it would. Gatens has played his heart out for four years and never played a post-season game. 
• The story on our news about those abused dogs breaks my heart. How can people have such a dark heart? Anyway, thanks to the people who are helping nurse those dogs back to health, and to those who will provide a home.
• Do not tell Buzz Aldrin the moon landing wasn't real.

• Andy Fales' story on Presidents Day was a lot of fun. If you missed it, I'm sure it's somewhere on whotv.com. Andy is a good writer.
• If you're on twitter, please don't ask for retweets. All your followers thank you in advance.
• Dan McCarney stayed in the hospital less than a week after suffering a stroke. Glad to hear Mac's doing well. Hopefully it wasn't the Grey Goose.

Gatens Delivers, Meeks' Manners, Bad Service

Good Iowa showed up Sunday night. The Hawks dominated #18 Indiana. Make it three wins over top 20 teams...

Matt Gatens played for some bad Iowa teams, and he's likely leaving with no post-season appearances, but Gatens is underrated. He scored 30 against Indiana---seven threes---and it perplexes me when Hawk fans say the only player they're losing next year is Gatens, like he's easily replaceable. He's not...

Melsahn Basabe is a microcosm of Iowa's season. When he shows up and plays hard, he's really good. When he doesn't, he looks bad. Same for the team...

Royce White leads Iowa State in nearly every statistical category, but he was mostly quiet Saturday, and the Cyclones still had no problem with Oklahoma. Good sign...

Melvin Ejim has to be smarter than he was Saturday...

I watched my first start-to-finish Jeremy Lin game when the Knicks hosted the Mavericks. He was good, and the game was fun...

Roosevelt's John Meeks sat in the Cave with B-Ross on SoundOFF. Meeks is being congratulated far and wide for his four state titles and undefeated career (168-0), and he should be. It's a staggering accomplishment. However, after watching him wrestle several times and witnessing his sportsmanship, then seeing him at the television station and observing his manners, his parents deserve props too. They did a great job...

More calls and emails on girls wrestling. It's obvious many people still don't like the idea...

One of life's frustrations: seeing several empty tables at a restaurant, but waiting 15 minutes before being seated...

I saw "Safe House". Intense, exciting, violent. Denzel Washington is at his charismatic best, and Ryan Reynolds ups his game. Recommended for action fans...

Did I mention violent?

ISU Rolls Without Royce, Ferentz Hires Ferentz

By Chris Hassel

For the 8th time this season, Royce White failed to score in double-digits for Iowa State --- and the Cyclones improved to 8-0 in those games. That says a couple things. One....Iowa State isn't a one-man team. Two...Royce White can be effective even when he doesn't score. ISU did what it needed to do against OU. Now it's time to do the same against Texas Tech, Wednesday. 

I can't tell if this little Cyclone is excited, or really angry.

What in the heck happened to Illinois? Nebraska went on a 34-4 run against the Illini, today. Nebraska! Bruce Weber may be fired before he sets foot on the team plane at the Lincoln Airport.

Iowa plays another 5pm Sunday game, tomorrow. Am I the only one that hates these? Unless it's a huge game, college basketball doesn't belong on Sunday's, especially at 5pm. I wouldn't have a problem with it if it only happened a couple times a year, but it seems to be becoming the norm.

Drake would be fine if it never again traveled West for a basketball game. Just a couple months after losing by 46 at Boise State, the Dogs got drubbed at New Mexico State in the Bracketbuster game.

For the 25th consecutive year, Saturday night at the state wrestling championships is sold out. John Meeks will be taking the mat sometime around 7:30pm in hopes of becoming the 6th person to finish his career unbeaten, with 4 state titles. I don't see any way he loses.

Kirk Ferentz hired his own son to be Iowa's offensive line coach. Brian Ferentz must be an up-and-comer if he had already ascended to tight ends coach in New England. In addition, Ferentz hired LeVar Woods as the teams' new linebackers coach. I like the moves. A new infusion of young blood into the program...not to mention they're both former Hawkeyes. The only position left to fill is the offensive coordinator position.

Father and son will reunite on the Iowa sideline this fall.

I made the mistake of leaving my Twitter account open at work again. For some reason, Andy and our photog Brandon McCauley think it's cool to post dumb comments and attack other tweeters on my account. Andy did it a couple weeks ago, and I got him back reeeal good. Brandon has no idea what's about to hit him.

Black is Back, Meeks on the Brink, Lucky 21 for ISU

By Chris Hassel

Megan Black did it again. A day after becoming the first girl to beat a boy in a contested match at the Iowa State Wrestling Meet, becomes the first girl to ever medal at the meet. After barley losing her quarterfinal round match, Black returned to win her first consolation match. That ensures that she will be on the medal stand, Saturday night.

Roosevelt's John Meeks is one win from making history of his own. The senior is 167-0, and a victory in tomorrow's finals from finishing his career unbeaten. Meeks would become only the sixth wrestler in Iowa history to finish his career unbeaten, with 4 state titles. His dad, Keith, told Zach Borg that it would be even more special to the Meeks family because John would become the first African-American to accomplish the feat --- and during Black History Month no less.

You have to feel for Cory Clark. The Southeast Polk wrestler is also one win from a 4th straight state title, but he isn't unbeaten. Clark lost earlier in the year to Iowa City West's Jack Hathaway, who Clark beat in the quarterfinals today. The senior says his regular season loss was probably a good thing in the long run. It's good to see Clark using such a tough defeat as a positive.

Northern Iowa got the short end of the stick on some calls down the stretch at VCU. I've never seen Ben Jacobson so upset. If the Panthers keep playing like they've been playing, lately, they'll be a tough out in the Valley Tournament. UNI needs to finish strong if it wants to nab an invite from the NIT.

The Cyclones have a couple ho-hum home games coming up. Saturday, ISU hosts 9th-place Oklahoma before hosting last-place Texas Tech on Wednesday. You can look at the games in one of two ways.
1 - Two easy wins which Iowa State desperately needs as it moves towards an NCAA tourney berth
2 - A no-win situation. These are games everyone expects Iowa State to win, and win big, and anything less than a blowout will be unacceptable. 

Unfortunately, I'm leaning towards number 2. I'm not excited in the least for these two games. The Cyclones need to win, and look good doing it. If they somehow drop of these games, their NCAA hopes may go by the wayside. Here's how I'm looking at the final few weeks of the season for ISU. I think the 'Clones will win these next two games, lose on the road at Kansas State and Missouri, and then beat Baylor at home in the regular season finale. If that happens, ISU is in the tournament no matter what happens in the Big 12 tourney.

However, even if the Cyclones win these next two games, I think they need one more win to guarantee a selection. The committee isn't going to be too fond of a team on a 4-game losing streak going into the post-season. Loses at K-State, Missouri, home to Baylor, and in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tourney would likely send the Cyclones to the NIT. Basically what Iowa State needs to do is get to 21 wins...somehow, some way. 21 wins in any fashion, against any of the remaining teams will get them in. But first things first --- they need to take care of biz in these two easy games at home.

Black is Back, Iowa is Late, Bacon is Good

Megan Black is a good wrestler. Not a good wrestler for a girl. A good wrestler...

Megan Black. (Photo by Des Moines Register)

John Meeks is 165-0. Staggering...

John Meeks (Photo by Des Moines Register)

Parents of a 9-year old hockey player in Massachusetts are getting legal representation because they're upset the league wouldn't stop a game to honor their son when he scored his 200th goal. This kid doesn't have a chance...

LeBron James says he can see himself playing for Cleveland again. LeBron must be tired of Jeremy Lin getting all the attention...

Iowa finally woke up and started playing at Penn State, but it was too late. Not even five straight threes by Matt Gatens could overcome a 16 point deficit. Gatens deserves a postseason. Looking less likely he'll get one...

Hard to believe Gary Carter is gone, and gone way too soon at 57. My first thought of Carter is always the '86 World Series. I wanted the Red Sox to win, but the Mets would not go away...

RIP Gary Carter

I'm supposed to design a pizza for a Gusto bracket contest. I love Canadian bacon and sauerkraut, but no way that's winning...

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival sold out in less than 20 minutes. That's nearly 5,000 tickets for Saturday's big event. Brooks Reynolds dropped by some bacon today---delicious---and some bacon flavored gelato. It kind of tasted almond flavored. Not bad, but if I want bacon flavor, I want it from bacon, not ice cream...

I saw Brian Brown at my son's basketball game. Drake Relays is lucky to have Brian. He's busy right now too. Olympic year...

Brian Brown

Hope for Spring, TCU Arrives, Total Consciousness (which is nice)

The Iowa Cubs' Scott Sailor sent this picture from Principal Park. I love it. It's always nice to welcome our visitors from Canada...

I can't wait for baseball season. My two young kids can't either. Spurred by Zach Borg's memories of his dad pulling him out of school and taking him to a baseball game, and my grandfather doing the same, I surprised both Cade and Colin with an I-Cubs game last April. Got the go-ahead from their teachers first, of course. The kids haven't forgotten either. They bring it up about once a week. I've already told Cade he better bring that math grade up or no cold baseball for him...

Nashua-Plainfield's Cody Marks showed why many coaches didn't want their state qualifiers wrestling in the team duals Wednesday. Marks broke his hand and is out of the tourney. He says he now regrets wrestling. Nashua-Plainfield did go on to win the dual title. The Iowa High School Association is in a tough spot, and I'm sure it's more complex than we realize, but it seems a move to earlier in the season makes sense...

Jeremy Lin did it again. Seven straight for the Knicks. Even Andy Fales' is paying attention to the NBA. That's when you know the story has left the boundaries of fandom...

Great stat from Iowa State: Royce White is the only player nationally to lead his team in scoring (13.2), rebounding (9.2), assists (4.8), steals (1.2) and blocks. Notice free throw shooting did not make the list...

Could TCU have made a worse first impression on the Big 12? No. It could not. TCU is making West Virginia look like Stanford...

Andy asked me what I think of when I think of the Dalai Lama. Easy: Bill Murray in Caddyshack...

Carl Spackler discusses the flowing robes.

Anyone who travels through Drake frequently, like I do, has seen Paul Morrison walking no matter the time of year. Morrison has served his beloved Drake University for 78 years. Wednesday, Drake surprised Morrison with the news that part of Forest Avenue will become Paul F. Morrison Way. Great idea.

Thanks to Drake for the picture.

 

Best In Show, McCarney Joking, Worst Love Songs

The Jeremy Lin story has it all, and anyone who isn't enjoying it, is a fun-smashing hater...

The crowd favorite, the Pekingese, wins Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. We used to have a Pekingnese when I was a kid. His name was Gooch. He was a nice dog. He would not have won...

(Photo courtesy AP)

The Big 12 finally released its football schedules for next season. Gone are Missouri and Texas A&M. Iowa State will travel to TCU, and host West Virginia. Those still don't seem like Big 12 teams...

Dan McCarney says he plans to coach North Texas during spring practice. Sounds like Mac is feeling  good for a guy who just had a stroke. First hint might have been McCarney telling the Register's Randy Peterson that people should send Grey Goose, not cards or flowers...

The Iowa High School Athletic Association and wrestling coaches need to get on the same page regarding state duals. There's got to be a way to make the duals matter more without coaches and wrestlers thinking they're hurting their chances at state...

"Parenthood" is going full heartstrings tonight. Must be dusty in here...

2:30 in the morning. I intended to be asleep 90 minutes ago, but then in one final channel surf, HBO was showing the underrated Amistad, and I happened to catch the great, "Give Us Free!" scene. Hooked. http://movieclips.com/RYVHX-amistad-movie-give-us-free/ After that, I had to stick around to catch John Quincy Adams' (Anthony Hopkins) lengthy closing argument in front of the Supreme Court. Outstanding...

We had fun on the Murph & Andy Show on Valentine's Day with best and worst love songs. Here are my choices:

BEST LOVE SONG:

1 "IN YOUR EYES" - PETER GABRIEL

WORST LOVE SONGS:

5 "GROOVY KIND OF LOVE" - PHIL COLLINS

4 "I SWEAR" - ALL 4 ONE

3 "I CAN'T LIVE, IF LIVING IS WITHOUT YOU" - HARRY NILLSON

2 "ETERNAL FLAME" - BANGLES

1 "YOU'RE HAVING MY BABY" - PAUL ANKA

How can I start this with something original?

Jeremy Lin. (As required by recently passed bloglaw.)

I thought Iowa State might win at Baylor. I thought wrong. Iowa State's defensive intensity, or lack thereof, had Fred Hoiberg so frustrated he had steam coming out of his ears in the post-game. Hoiberg likely thought the Cyclones were past an apathetic night. I did too. They're not.

Royce White went on twitter and told Cyclone fans that's the worst game they'd see from him. White says Baylor's zone threw him off, and now he knows.

The BTN says someone paid $2100 for the chair Fran McCaffery slammed at Michigan State. The money goes to the Iowa baseball program. McCaffery's "coach with passion" is a nice touch.

Conversation piece.

Here's hoping a speedy recovery for Dan McCarney. If the medical staff at his Texas hospital needs a pep talk, they've got the right guy.

Randy Moss wants to play again. Who saw that coming? Only everybody.

I'm watching Smash again. It's good. I understand the glowing reviews. Still, I don't think I can get past the musical numbers. After Nikki Minaj, I should be more tolerant.

Kate Upton is on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She's just 19. 

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny.

Scattershots on a Sunday Night.

Billy Cundiff is first class. Drake couldn't have picked a better guy to honor.

Maybe Fred Hoiberg should shove more players. Since he woke up Chris Allen, the guy has been a different player.

The Cyclones are fun to watch for a several reasons, and unselfish ball movement is one.

I can tell the Grammys were on Sunday night. We got several look-alike nominations for Bruno Mars and Chris Babb.

Bruno Mars.

Chirs Babb.

Adele is a perfect storm of talent, material,and moment. She is the rare performer who deserves all the praise heaped on her at the Grammys. And she's 23.

Adele (Courtesy: Reuters.)

Should the ex-boyfriend who broke Adele's heart get some kind of partial writing credit? No. But he should inspired some great work.
Good gosh, Jennifer Hudson can wail.

Nikkie Minaj, what the heck was that?

Springsteen can still rock. We Take Care of Our Own is his best arena anthem in years. I just hope no politician takes it.

Phil Mickelson crushed Tiger Woods Sunday. Tiger did not look anything like a guy who has his mojo back.

Does anybody really look forward to Valentine's Day?