Westplex Today Sports Page:   November 19, 2008

In men’s college basketball:   How scary are the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels?   Even without the services of the reigning National Player of the Year and another starter, the Tar Heels had no problems handling Kentucky last night.   North Carolina coasted to a 77-58 victory over Kentucky without needing Tyler Hansbrough or Marcus Ginyard.   Hansbrough is still trying to recover from a stress “reaction” in his right shin—a precursor to a stress fracture if not treated with enough rest.   Ginyard, a defensive ace for the Tar Heels, will not be available from foot surgery until sometime next month.  Despite their absences, North Carolina is off to a 2-0 start.  

Meanwhile, Kentucky is 0-2 to start the season.   St. Charles High alumnus Josh Harrellson played 9 minutes for the Wildcats, but did not score and only had 2 rebounds.

SIU-Edwardsville is finding out how difficult Division-I basketball can be, after several years at Division-II.   SIU-E visited Wisconsin last night, and suffered an 88-58 loss for their efforts.   SIU-Edwardsville is 1-3 in its debut season in Division-I basketball.

St. Louis U. hosts Kent State tonight, beginning at 7:00 .   The Billikens won their first game in less-than-convincing fashion, a 48-33 endeavor over Division-II UMSL.   Borgia alumnus Paul Eckerle scored 3 points in that season debut.   Kent State is also 1-0, after walloping North Carolina Central 83-42.   Brandon Parks of Bunker Hill, Illinois had 10 points and 6 rebounds in that season opener.

In high school basketball:   The season begins next week for schools across Missouri .   KFAV will tip off our award-winning play-by-play coverage this Tuesday, as Troy hosts Hazelwood Central in a game featuring two perennially-tough teams in the St. Louis area.   Yours truly and Bob Hall will have the call of the game, beginning at 6:40 with the “Countdown to Tip-off Show”.

Before that, I’ll get you ready for the upcoming boys basketball season this Friday morning, as KWRE features the High School Basketball Preview

Edition of “Instant Replay” from 9 to 10 a.m.

In baseball:   In an MVP race that had no strong candidates in the American League, Red Sox 2^nd baseman Dustin Pedroia was able to win the award yesterday.   Pedroia’s offensive numbers weren’t that great, compared to Cardinal 1^st baseman Albert Pujols—the National League MVP.   Pedroia had 17 homers, 83 RBIs, a .327 batting average, while leading the American league in hits, runs scored, and doubles.   Pedroia also won the Gold Glove for excellence in fielding, so he is a complete player…just not a dominating physical specimen.   Twins outfielder Justin Morneau was 2^nd in the voting.   Pedroia is just the 4^th second-baseman to win the American League Most Valuable Player, and the first since 1959.

In college football:   while Missouri has the weekend off, fans are wondering where the Tigers will play a bowl game.  Well, it could be feast or famine for the Tigers, depending on if they win the Big 12 Championship Game December 6^th.   If Mizzou wins the Big 12 Championship, they could rise as high as a top-eight team in the BCS Standings and play in a BCS Bowl Game—such as the Fiesta Bowl against USC.   However, if Mizzou loses the Big 12 Championship, it would be no better than the 4^th best team in the conference, and it could drop all the way down to the Holiday Bowl against Oregon or Arizona …also-rans from the Pac-10.   So, Tiger fans…keep your fingers crossed for a Big 12 Championship, if you want the Tigers to play in a top-shelf bowl game.

In the NBA, the LA Lakers recovered from their first loss of the season to post a 116-109 victory over the Chicago Bulls last night.   Pau Gasol had 34 points to lead the Lakers.   In other highlighted games, the defending champion Celtics dispatched the Knicks 110-101 to improve to 10-2 this season.   And, Cleveland beat New Jersey 106-82 behind LeBron James’ 31 points.   LeBron replaces Kobe Bryant as the youngest player to reach 11,000 points for his career.

In long-distance running:   The American resurgence in marathon running continues.   Last month, Kara Goucher became the first American woman to finish in the top 3 at the New York City Marathon since 1994.   Now, Ryan Hall hopes to become the first American man to win the Boston Marathon in 26 years.  Hall is the American men’s Olympic Trials champion, and he will race in the most fabled marathon of all on April 20^th…Patriots Day.