OCR Text |
Show /port/ AtO MONDAY • JANUARY 8 • 2007 Gators gain from BCS From WISDOM-A9 heavy-hitting BCS club. When Florida gets past Ohio State, the talk of "should they have been there" will fly out the window. The talk of "Why not a rematch with Michigan?" was cleared up by the drubbing they took from Southern Cal. But Boise State, as the only undefeated team, will gripe about their record, making them some kind of king in college football land. Of course the BCS system is off its rocker, but the powers that are make the money that is out there and the little guy, like Utah in '04 or Boise this year, won't ever have a shot at a title until the playoffs happen, which won't be for ages. Imagine a playoff this year. Who wouldn't want to see how the Broncos would fare against the Buckeyes or Gators? It would even be nice to see them face USC, LSU, or Notre Dame; but it's just not happening. Not because it isn't the right thing, but because it isn't the best thing for the elite group that controls the worst postseason system in the entire sporting world. If there were a playoff in place this year, we might still see Florida v. Ohio State in Glendale Jan. 8, but we might not. The fun of getting there is what college football fans, players and coaches are missing out on. All the while, the presidents of the BCS schools make excuse after excuse of why a playoff isn't possible. Like having over 50 days off is a good thing-Ohio State had that much time between playing the Wolverines and playing the Gators. It's another off-season. Teams don't shrug off the dust until midway through the second quarter and in essence we only get to see part of a national championship game. That is why I am taking Florida to beat the Buckeyes. OSU will be rusty and rigid to open up the game and Florida will have to shake some rust off its own. But by the time OSU gets into it, Florida will have the lead and it will be too much for Smith to get out of. Should this make Florida national champs? It doesn't matter cause it will. Netxnews/ Mark Johnston Former Wolverine Ronnie Price helped the Kings come back to beat the Jazz. want to w o r k for t h e college times? stop by room sc 220 ft Price getting time in second year Ben Webster Sports Editor w e need: copy editors photographers writers designers We understand that establishing your credit is difficult. A Visa® Credit Card from America First Credit Union can help get you started. The Sacramento Kings' team security Joe Nolan had to practically drag former UVSC guard Ronnie Price out of the Energy Solutions Arena when the Kings visited the Jazz in mid-December. "It's nice," Price said. After Sacramento came from behind to give Utah a rare home loss Mike Bibby, Ron Artest and the rest of the Kings waited on the bus while the snow dumped down on Salt Lake City. The Kings were eager to get back to Sacramento for the next day's game. Everyone was loaded and ready to go except Price. He was comfortably at home visiting with those who waited to greet UVSC's only NBA player on the Energy Solutions Arena floor. Former teammates, old friends and friends's kids shook Price's hand and congratulated him after he hurried out of the locker room to see them. It was hard to tell who was more excited, the fans that came to see him or Price. While at UVSC, Wolverine fans and students had the opportunity to watch the third leading scorer in the nation. NBA scouts often visited the Mckay Events Center to see Price score at will on opponents. Wolverine fans and students can still watch Price play basketball; but other than when the Kings visit the Jazz, fans have to watch him when the Kings play on national TV. This year, Price is getting more TV time because his minutes are up just like his play. Price is averaging 10 minutes a game playing back-up point guard behind seasoned veteran Mike Bibby. 'Tve practiced hard, and this year it's paying off and I'm getting a chance to play," Price said. Although Price didn't see much playing time as an undrafted free agent last year, Coach Rick Adelman said good things about his work habits in practice and never thought about putting him in the developmental league. This year Price continues to get praised by new Coach Eric Musselman, "For a second-year player he's done a great job. He had a great summer league. He works extremely hard." Price has had to work hard to get where he is. As a freshman at Nicholls State before transferring to UVSC, he played without a scholarship his first semester. That year he averaged 11.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He led the team in scoring, assists and steals earning freshman of the year for the team. From there he came to the Wolverines and under Coach Dick Hunsaker he flourished. Price improved his scoring average every year at UVSC, but more importantly he continued to work. "He was always the strongest practice player we had, and it showed in the games," Hunsaker said. With Price's improvements in the NBA, Sacramento has a choice after this year: resign him or Jet him go. Price signed a guaranteed two-year contract that ends during this off-season with the Kings. According to Musselman, they would like to see Price stay in a Kings uniform for a while, "He's a guy, when we look long term with the Kings, [who's] a part of our plan." Here's why our Visa is your best choice: Low interest rates that keep your card affordable Reasonable credit Limits for responsible spending Professional representatives to help you choose the right card And you can put your personal picture on your card for free at www.amehcafirst.com Apply today: AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION www.americafirst.com 1-800-999-3961 Your nearest branch office Free 401 Diamond Education Free TitaniumMen's Bund with Men's Purchase iS300 Minimum) £ 40% OJI Mats Bund with Center Diamond & Ring Purchase §ierra~West J E W E L E R S Federally insured by NCUA and an Equal Opportunity Lender. NCUA 23 Other VreeScr\'iccf Valued Up to $2000 - • 1344 South BOO Ean, Orcm • SouthcaJt of Untvcnily Mail • 801-22&-600b • BQQ-65B-B47S 6OEatt 10600 Souih, Sandy » EflH or South Towne Mail « 801-9B4-6870 6190A South State Sliwt, Muriay • Wcsi ol Fashion Place Mail •. QOl-713-1900 www.nlerTawcnjrwelers.com |