Astros Stat Prognostication, Four More NCAA Teams Punch Their Dance Card, A Tribute To Heat Futility, A Hot 21st Birthday, Incredible GW Shot By 9 year old

As we get closer to the start of the MLB season, I will poke around a few publications and see what their projections for the Astros are this year.  Today we begin with Rotowire (rotowire.com).

Chris Johnson .280BA 15HR 61RBI .312OBP .434SLG

Clint Barmes .246BA 13HR 58RBI .292 OBP .398 SLG

Bill Hall  .228BA 13HR 42RBI .296OBP .399 SLG

Bret Wallace .270 14HR 52RBI .320OBP .415SLG

Carlos Lee .288BA 27HR 90RBI .332OBP .487SLG

Michael Bourn .269BA 3HR 36RBI 53Steals .338OBP

Hunter Pence .288BA 27HR 88RBI .340OBP .489SLG

Humberto Quintero .235BA 3HR 17RBI (he was projected as part time player before Castro injury)

Brett Myers 9-11 3.95ERA 205IP 172K/68BB

Wandy Rodriguez 13-10 3.62ERA 189IP 185K/66BB

JA Happ 12-12 4.26ERA 171IP 132K/74BB

Bud Norris 14-11 4.23ERA 183IP 175K/71BB

Brandon Lyon 4-5 2.88ERA 33saves

What are your thoughts on these numbers?  Which ones are too optimtistic/pessimisitc? mattandadam@sports790.com

In regards to the Jason Castro injury, Nationals catcher Jesus Flores has been mentioned as a potential trade target.  Flores missed the entire 2010 season with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder , but hit .301 with 4HR's in 100 plate appearences in 2009 for the Nationals.

Three more teams clinched automatic bids to the NCAA tournament Monday night.  Here's what you should know about each winner for your upcoming bracket predictions. Reminder to pre-register for our $100,000 Bracket Challenge presented by Bud Light. https://houston2011.mdmgames.com/tourney/login.aspx?

Saint Peter's Peacocks (17-14) MAAC Champions

What's to like: The Peacocks are the #1 FG defense team in the country according to the Pomeroy rankings,  http://www.kenpom.com/.  Alot of thet has to do with their extremely slow pace of play.

Upset Potential:  Zero, none, nada.  The Peacocks turn the ball over on 25% of their possessions.  They rank 312th in the country in FG shooting.  They should be a 16th seed and get a massive beatdown.

Old Dominion Monarchs (27-6) Colonial Athletic Conference Champions

What's to like: The Monarchs have a convincing win over Xavier, a road win at Clemson, and a narrow 3 point defeat at Georgetown. The Monarchs are the #1 offensive rebounding team in America recovering over 45% of their misses. That is an insane number.

Upset Potential: This team could make a deep run in the dance. They will probably be seeded between 7-11, and I imagine I will be picking them to win their 1st round game. Last season this same group beat Notre Dame in the 1st round of the dance and gave Baylor a hell of a 2nd round game.

Wofford Terriers (21-12) Champions of the Southern Conference

What's to Like:  They took Xavier to triple overtime on the road. The Terriers are 6th in the country in 3 point shooting.

Upset Potential: They had Wisconsin on the ropes last season. They will need to draw a team that lacks athletes.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-9) Champions of The West Coast Conference

What's to Like: Coach Mark Few has been to the NCAA tournament more than a dozen times. The Zags played a tough schedule which included wins over Xavier and Marquette and close losses to Notre Dame and San Diego State. The Zags have a nice post up game with Robert Sacre.

Upset Potential: It hardly seems like an upset when the Zags win, but they are likely a double digit seed this year. They certainly won't be intimidated by the tournament experience, but this is not one of Mark Few's best teams.





I am relishing every single Miami Heat loss, so you better believe I enjoy a compilation of their greatest misses.


Did you know James Debarge from Debarge had a musicly talented daughter? Yeah, me neither, but she (Kristinia) turns 21 Tuesday and is smoking hot.


Cue up "One Shining Moment" for Nine Year Olds!