Chat It Up! Bowl Picks

Ben and Matt pick all 35 bowl games. Loser has to wear the other's school colors to the first day of classes next semester. Want to join in the fun? You can! http://es.pn/fSOdGC

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Weekly Chat Tine!

Ben and Matt talk FIFA, Houston vs. Philly, and LeBron James' return to Cleveland.

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Bonus Chat!

Matt and Ben wrap up the Lonestar Showdown. They also previewed the big games from Friday, but due to technical difficulties and other things, that part has been cut because of its current irrelevancy. If you must know, both Matthew and Benjamin picked Auburn and Boise State to win. Ben picked Oregon and Matt chose Arizona. Oregon, Auburn, and Nevada were the actual winners in those games. Enjoy.

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Thanksgiving Weekly Chat!

Matt and Ben talk about what they've been most thankful for in sports this past year, plus preview the Thanksgiving Day Lonestar Showdown.

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I Was There

I was there. Standing at the back of the Texas A&M locker room, watching the players just moments before they would take the field against the 8^th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers on national television. Each player had their own way of getting ready for this matchup. Many made last minute equipment adjustments, and for those without their own headphones on, locker room DJ Von Miller provided a Phil Collins groove to pump up the team. Eddie Brown paced through the middle of the room, imploring his teammates to get ready for the night’s battle. Coach Sherman’s speech was succinct and to the point, reminding his team that they expect to win this game, then asking the question of the moment: Are you ready? Hell yeah.

Weekly Chat-Talkin' BCS

This week Ben and Matt discuss the BCS National Championship game.

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Weekly Chat

Ben and Matt preview all 30 NBA teams in 3 words, or less, or equation, or symbols. If you're short on time, then the short version is for you. If you have plenty of time on your hands or want the full discussion, then listen to the long version parts 1 and 2. If you'd rather not listen, then don't click on the play buttons below.

Short Version!

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Long Version Part 1!

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Long Version Part 2!

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Turn the Tide, Tannehill

Much has been made this year of the apparent Texas A&M senior quarterback curse. Mark Farris, Dustin Long, Reggie McNeal, Stephen McGee, and now Jerrod Johnson. All of these Aggie quarterbacks have suffered extreme disappointment in their senior seasons. It comes in a variety of forms, from injury to poor performance, but rest assured it has come, much to the chagrin of the Aggie faithful. The reason for the disappointment, though, stems from the expectation placed on each of these quarterbacks because of the job they did in replacing their predecesor.

First Video!

It's a bit of a test run, just seeing how we might be able to work this thing out. But I hope that you enjoy anyway! (And don't forget to leave some feedback!)

BCE Video #1 from The Ben Crook Experience on Vimeo.

Another Year, Another Hate the BCS

Alright, let's knock this out real quick. The first BCS standings of the college football season will come out this Sunday, and if ESPN's projections are to be believed and everything goes according to plan this weekend then Boise State University will start at number one. Key word: start. I know already that this is upsetting for some out there, but consider this before you start your ranting:

Your One Week Late Big 12 Preview

Yes, I am completely aware that the college football season has started. But previews are such a devilish thing, especially in college athletics. Teams constantly change every year, so while it is possible to have a general idea of how a team will perform, it's very hard having never seen that specific group of players take the field together. So let's take a look at the Big 12, now that everyone has begun their seasons.

Thoughts on Reggie Bush Heisman

If you haven’t heard by now, (maybe pop on ESPN.com or Yahoo! or any other source of informative media site), Reggie Bush quite possibly will lose his title of “Heisman Trophy” winner for the 2005 college football season. The reason? Well, after reports of his little “income increase” in college were proven to be true (a whole other story, which unfairly led to the current USC players to be punished somehow...), the Heisman Trust have been reported as to rule Bush ineligible for that 2005 season, thus not able to claim his trophy.

A Little Treat

Quick thoughts on Boise State following last night's 33-30 win over Virginia Tech, presented unabridged as it was texted between Matt and Ben.

Decisions, Decisions

And with that, it's over. All of the drama, poor reporting and anticipation has faded into the past with LeBron James announcing his decision to join the Miami Heat.

And with that, it begins. All of the drama, over reporting and anticipation arises anew with the announcement that LeBron James is joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.

Go Ahead and Celebrate!

Yes, Algeria is ranked 30th in the world according to FIFA, and the USA is ranked 14th. The USA, along with England, were favorites to advance out of group play. We as a nation expected, rightfully, that we would move on. But now there seems to be a dilemma regarding the appropriate response to the United States' 1-0 win over Algeria. I say: get excited, but make sure it's for the right thing.

Addressing Your Concerns

Once again, this post is directed toward my fellow Aggies, addressing some of their concerns about Texas A&M staying put in the Big XII.

Big XII (-2) Stays

NOTE: This is written by an unabashed Texas A&M supporter, and focuses primarily on Texas A&M and concerns of Texas A&M fans. So if it seems biased and whatnot, you're right. Forget rose-tinted glasses, mine are maroon.

The idea is that the Big XII is Lazarus, and the University of Texas is Jesus. Lazarus was in the grave for days until Jesus came to the rescue and told him to come out and join the party, and now Texas has come and rolled away the tombstone so that the Big XII may live once more. Such is, and will be, the perception of the public at large regarding this situation. But is this how it really happened? That story will probably never make it out, but I think that Aggies can take heart in the fact that their university went through this process admirably, making the decision in the end that they felt was most beneficial to the university.

Why the Blackhawks will lose the Stanley Cup Finals

Marian Hossa

World Cup Roster Announced

Bob Bradley, U.S. men's national team coach, announced today the 23 players that he will bring to South Africa for the World Cup. This comes on the heels of a 4-2 defeat to the Czech Republic last night, but that game saw many presumable starters not even dressing. The final match of the send-off tour, this Saturday in Philadelphia against Turkey, will feature players that will be in South Africa. Let's break down the squad.

Brian Cushing Suspension

It'll never happen to me. That's what we always tell ourselves, about everything. My car will never be stolen, that tornado will never hit us, my team will never be the one that has a cheater. But it appears the unthinkable has happened. Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans will be suspended the first four games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.

MLB All-Star Game

We here at The Ben Crook Experience are men of the people. If you have any questions, we are more than glad to answer them. The topic of today’s post derives from a question posted by Mr. Christopher Chartier via our Facebook fan page. Mr. Chartier wants to know our thoughts on the changes to the MLB All-Star game.

"I don't like needles."

LeBron James said that. I always get a kick out of athletes when they say that, because usually they have the most ink-laden bodies. King James was speaking of getting a cortisone shot, which I'm sure feels different than tattoo needle, but it's still a needle. Oh well. If you can put up 35/7/7 without a cortisone shot, I don't think that you really need one.

European Football Season is Winding Down

While we here in America are only just now starting our soccer season, European football leagues are drawing to a close. The major leagues only have two to four games left and only the Champions League Final in Madrid remains for cup competition. The four biggest leagues all have very intriguing races for their respective domestic titles, so let's shift across the Atlantic for some good old football, fútbol, calcio, and fußball (depending on your nation/league of choice).

The First Round, Pick By Pick

The night started innocently enough, with the first several picks going as reasonably expected. Then things started getting crazy. The Raiders made a sensible pick, Jacksonville gave us a "Say what?" moment and then the wheeling-and-dealing that is draft day trades began. Let's break down the first night. Shall we?

It's Draft Time

Well hello, hello to all you sports enthusiasts out there. It feels great to be here, and what an honor it is, to work with my good buddy Benjamin Crook. I have just recently joined the BCE staff and will be contributing my thoughts on a variety of topics. As previously stated by Mr. Crook, I am a freshman currently attending the University of Texas at Austin, and sports is what I do, all day, every day. I am looking forward to sharing my views, and hearing yours, on all aspects of professional, collegiate, and all other types of athletic competition.

My first topic of the year takes us to the NFL, and yes, I am aware that it is April, but the NFL is a league that never sleeps. For those of you out there who do not know me very well, I live and die for all things Philadelphia sports. So, I figured i would start by breaking down the upcoming draft for my “hometown” team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

New Addition

The Ben Crook Experience is proud to announce the addition of Matt Reese as a contributor to the blog. Matt is a freshman journalism major at the University of Texas at Austin, and will be sure to add some fresh viewpoints to The Experience. You can find out more about Matt on his page, just click on the tab with his name, which should be coming soon if it's not there already. You'll notice that those tabs up there are new, as we are constantly looking to update and better the blog.

NFL Draft: Houston Texans Edition

The 2010 NFL Draft is fast approaching (it begins this Thursday on ESPN), and every NFL page is inundated with mock drafts by their respective draftniks and would-be general managers. I do not have the time, resources, or willpower to go through an entire mock draft, but maybe I'll reach that level some day. Plus, I figure that there are enough out there already, and there are only so many logical combinations and permutations you can put out there. So for now, you'll just have to be content with me focusing on one or two teams, and an overview of my thoughts on this year's crapshoot draft. Let's start with the hometown team (at least for me): the Houston Texans.

At Long Last: Dynamo Stadium Deal is Done

Earlier today, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to approve the downtown stadium deal for the Houston Dynamo. With this development, only one last step must be taken before they can start breaking ground on the new stadium.

Mailbag

The Ben Crook Experience is happy to announce that we are now accepting emails: bencrookexperience@gmail.com. If you have a question, comment, or topic you'd like to see discussed, send it our way and we'll address it either in a post or (if we get a decent amount of emails) in a collective "mailbag" post.

Involving the Common Student

It is my belief that Texas A&M's athletic department is one of the best when it comes to getting involved with students. Admittedly, I haven't exactly researched this, but I was blown away when I got here at the opportunities to mix right in with the athletic programs and student-athletes, which at least to my limited knowledge is unprecedented in Division 1 college athletics, especially at a "BCS" school.

It's Soccer Time

Lost in all of the march madness, playoff pushes, draft preparations, and spring training was the start of a new season for Major League Soccer. The season began last Thursday night in Seattle, with the home Sounders defeating the newest addition to MLS, the Philadelphia Union, by a final tally of 2-0. The best part was that the game took place, as the player's union and MLS management were finally able to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement and were able to avoid any work stoppage. Let's take a look at what's going on around the league.

Breaking it Down: Texas A&M vs. Purdue

Well this game was certainly all it was billed to be. A tough, physical defensive battle. One thing the pundits did get wrong was that both teams made it into the 60's (albeit with five extra minutes to do so). Let's break down the good, the bad, and the ugly in the heartbreaking end to Texas A&M's season.

Most Accomplished 22 Year Old?

On the heels of Canada's 3-2 OT gold medal win, ESPN's Sportscenter ran a segment detailing some of the most accomplished 22 year olds in sports history, with the question of where Sidney Crosby fits in. Crosby now has an Olympic gold medal to go with his Stanley Cup, World Junior Championships gold and silver medals, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, along with a litany of other awards and honors. Other athletes that ESPN chose to spotlight included Tiger Woods (Masters win, #1 world ranking) and Magic Johnson (NCAA championship, NBA championship), among others.

Texas vs. Texas A&M: Lonestar Showdown

This is a running blog of the run-up to (and possibly during) the Texas vs. Texas A&M men's basketball game. Posts are in descending order (i.e. new posts first).

Told You So

So far this blog has done well for my prediction making. The latest from Austin is that Texas is not talking with the Big Ten. Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds says, "All the sports have been good for us. We've built up some good rivalries. It's been good for us." Don't you love it when you're right?

Meanwhile, I'm thinking about a running blog from Turgeonopolis outside Reed Arena, and possibly inside, for the Texas A&M/Texas men's basketball matchup this Saturday. Look for that to start as early as tomorrow afternoon.

Extreme Makeover: Tim Tebow Edition

Since I am now a member of "the media", I thought it appropriate to say some nice things about Tim Tebow. Or are we supposed to deride him now? I get so confused sometimes...

Tebow, in preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft in April, is changing his throwing delivery. He has enlisted the help of four coaches that are helping him adjust his game in order to present a more appealing product to NFL coaches and general managers. He has been roundly criticized all through the previous season and succeeding post-season for his long, looping delivery and inability to take snaps from under center. Tebow has responded by changing the position that he holds the ball from his waist to above his shoulders, along with working on his three- and five-step drops from under center. He is planning to unveil his new look delivery during his pro day on March 17 instead of the scouting combine this week.

Help me out people!

I'm looking for something real nice to say in the light blue area underneath the blog title. Leave your suggestions as a comment! Keep spreading the word, also. People have no idea unless you tell them about The Experience!

Rockets Make Their Move

The Tracy McGrady era of Rockets basketball is officially over, it would appear. Here is the basic sum up of the deal:

• Knicks get: Tracy McGrady from Houston;  Sergio Rodriguez from Sacramento
• Kings get: Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from Houston; Larry Hughes from New York
• Rockets get: Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento; Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, and the rights to swap first round picks in 2011 and take the 2012 first round pick from New York
  

Texas Moving?

The hot topic in college athletics nowadays is the issue of conference expansion and realignment. It started off innocently enough, with talks of Missouri joining the Big Ten, or some Utah teams joining the Pac-10.  But now it seems this rumor weed has grown too big, as Texas is starting to join the names of those who could move. Now we’re getting serious. So the question is: Should (or will) Texas move?

Cromwell Leaves

Nolan Cromwell has left his position as offensive coordinator as offensive coordinator for Texas A&M, making him the second (out of two) coordinator to resign this offseason. Cromwell left to become WR coach with the St. Louis Rams, the same franchise that drafted him in 1977 and he subsequently spent his entire 11 year NFL career. Cromwell joined the Aggies in 2008 as offensive coordinator under Mike Sherman and the Aggie offense has been rapidly improving.

Welcome!

Here's what we've all been waiting for: The Ben Crook Experience Blog! The main focus will be on the world of sports, although anything is up for consideration. Bookmark it, check for new posts, comment and tell me what you think. That's an order.