Time for some random thoughts!
• The hype for Super Bowl LI is there is no hype. The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons are quiet and efficient in their preparation with hardly a word coming from Houston.
Even though the city is the fourth largest media market, Houston isn’t known as party central or a place for high jinks. It has been an uneventful week leading up to one of the biggest events of the year.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn wants to be like the New England Patriots, and the Patriots’ goal is just to be a better version of themselves.
My prediction: New England 25, Atlanta 19.
• I had a blast at the Allstate Arena the other night watching former Notre Dame College Prep star Rodney Pryor lead Georgetown to a win over DePaul, 76-73. Pryor had 26 points and 5 rebounds. Notre Dame Coach Tom Les, some of his current players and several alums came out to support this young man. I was one of the assistants at the time he attended and we all thought when Rodney walked into Notre Dame he was a longshot at best. He is a talented player who is primed for the next level.
Even more important, this fifth-year senior beat the odds, and is an inspiration, now going for his Master’s degree.
Well done young man!
• National signing day for college football recruits was Wednesday. Here’s my take on it: does anyone really care?
• I am not feeling the love for the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup Trophy this year. I hope I’m wrong.
• I was watching ESPN hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic do Super Bowl coverage from Houston this week. Their topics? Bill Murray movies and the Charles Barkley-LeBron James feud. You can only hype the un-hypable so long.
• And on that note, can we please just play the game?
• If you enjoy some good music and nostalgia, check out Micky Dolenz of The Monkees fame at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles on Feb. 11. Last year The Monkees, featuring Dolenz and Peter Tork, released a 50th Anniversary album.
• The Carmelo Anthony trade talk is one-sided. News is the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested, and the New York Knicks are keeping the rumor alive because they want Kevin Love, though the Cavs are saying no. Anthony sat in the fourth quarter in a win against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night.
• Has any story been more ridiculous than the one saying the Bears coaches have the upper hand with rookies because they coached in the Senior Bowl? Really? It was suggested it helps to some extent, and I guess after a dismal 3-13 season, we’ll take whatever help we can get.
• Thanks to all the Daily Herald readers who have been listening to my “Sticks and Stones” podcasts at via iTunes, podcastarena.com and audioboom.com. With your help, we are continuing to grow.
Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday!
• Follow Mike on Twitter @north2north. Check out his podcast Monday-Friday at podcastarena.com, iTunes or audioboom. His column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald. For more, visit northtonorth.com.
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