Remember the good ole days when Arkansas would sign half of their players from Texas. Well this class will have more players from Texas than anywhere else but it is not half the class.
25% or 6 from Texas
20% or 4 from Arkansas
15% or 3 from Oklahoma
10% or 2 from the states Tennessee and California
5% or 1 from the states Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, and Mississippi
Percentages are rough (it only adds up to 90%)
Richard Davenport of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette wrote this in today’s paper:
davenport@arkansasonline.com
Arkansas 2012 signee and commitments
SIGNED
POS. NAME HT/WT 40 SCHOOL
DE Austin Flynn 6-4/260 4.47 Wilmington (Calif.) LA Harbor CC
COMMITMENTS
POS. NAME HT/WT 40 SCHOOL
LB Vin Ascolese 6-2, 220 4.5 North Bergen, N.J. OL Cordale Boyd 6-3/298 5.3 Memphis Ridgeway CB Ray Buchanan Jr. 5-10 1/2/180 4.47 Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge CB Jared Collins 6-0/165 4.4 Tulsa Washington WR D’Arthur Cowan 6-3/170 4.56 Olive Branch, Miss. WR Courtney Gardner 6-3/215 4.37 Rocklin (Calif.) Sierra College WR Keon Hatcher 6-2/197 4.5 Owasso, Okla. WR Eric Hawkins 6-0/171 4.25 Longview, Texas CB Will Hines 6-1/180 4.47 Waco, Texas Ath. Nathan Holmes 6-1/175 4.43 Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial DE Taiwan Johnson Jr. 6-3/235 4.79 Manvel, Texas DE Brandon Lewis 6-5/225 4.9 Memphis Ridgeway ATH Defonta Lowe 6-3/190 4.5 Bearden RB Donovan Roberts 6-0 1/2/200 4.50 Norman, Okla. ATH Jeremy Sprinkle 6-6/220 4.6 White Hall LB A.J. Turner 6-2/204 4.6 East Poinsett County OL Jeremy Ward 6-4/280 5.03 Pottsville RB Jonathan Williams 5-11/205 4.45 Allen, Texas DE JaMichale Winston 6-6/230 4.50 Prichard (Ala.) Vigor DE Deatrich Wise Jr. 6-6/235 4.82 Carrollton (Texas) Hebron
Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams runs back a punt for a touchdown against Tennessee at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Nov. 12, 2011. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)
Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams breaks tackles to return a punt for a touchdown against Tennessee at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Nov. 12, 2011. UT lost the game 49-7. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)
Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams breaks past Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph to return a punt for a touchdown at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Nov. 12, 2011. UT lost the game 49-7. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS
Federal Spending Grew More Than Ten Times Faster Than Median Income
Everyone wants to know more about the budget and here is some key information with a chart from the Heritage Foundation and a video from the Cato Institute.
When federal spending grows faster than Americans’ paychecks, the burden on taxpayers becomes greater. Over the past few decades, middle-income Americans’ earnings have risen only 27 percent, while spending has increased 299 percent.
PERCENT CHANGE OF INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS (2010)
Download
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and White House Office of Management and Budget.
The charts in this book are based primarily on data available as of March 2011 from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The charts using OMB data display the historical growth of the federal government to 2010 while the charts using CBO data display both historical and projected growth from as early as 1940 to 2084. Projections based on OMB data are taken from the White House Fiscal Year 2012 budget. The charts provide data on an annual basis except… Read More
Authors
Emily GoffResearch Assistant
Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy StudiesKathryn NixPolicy Analyst
Center for Health Policy StudiesJohn FlemingSenior Data Graphics Editor
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. (born February 16, 1959) is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles (three at Wimbledon and four at the US Open), nine Grand Slam men’s doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title. McEnroe also won a record eight season ending championships, comprising five WCT Finals titles and three Masters Grand Prix titles from twelve final appearances at these two events, a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. He posted the best single season win-loss record in the Open Era in 1984 at 96.47% (82/3). In addition he won 19 Championship Series top tier events of the Grand Prix Tour that were the precursors to the current Masters 1000.
He is best remembered for his shot-making artistry and superb volleying; for his famous rivalries with Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl; for his confrontational on-court behavior which frequently landed him in trouble with umpires and tennis authorities; and for the catchphrase “You cannot be serious!” directed toward an umpire during a match at Wimbledon in 1981. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999, and is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.[2]
McEnroe is the older brother of Patrick McEnroe, who is also a former professional tennis player and the former Captain of the United States Davis Cup team, a position in which John served previously. They also both are now often commentators for Grand Slam tennis television coverage in the United States, and John McEnroe is also a commentator on Wimbledon for the BBC.
McEnroe was born in Wiesbaden, West Germany, to Kay (née Tresham) and John Patrick McEnroe, Sr.[3] His father, who is of Irish descent, was at the time stationed with the United States Air Force.[3] In 1960, the family moved to the New York City area, where McEnroe’s father worked daytime as an advertising agent while attending Fordham Law School[4] by night. He has two younger brothers: Mark (born 1964), and former professional tennis player Patrick (born 1966).
McEnroe grew up in Douglaston, Queens. He started playing tennis when he was eight years old at the nearby Douglaston Club with his brothers. When he was nine, his parents enrolled him in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association, and he soon started playing regional tournaments. He then began competing in national juniors tournaments, and at twelve—when he was ranked seven in his age group—he joined the Port Washington Tennis Academy, Long Island, New York.[5] McEnroe attended Trinity School and graduated in 1977.
I like this CD a lot mainly because of it rhythm and how it is the most relaxing of Coldplay’s albums. “YELLOW” “SHIVER” “DON’T PANIC” “TROUBLE” “SPARKS” are all great songs. I would have to say that Parachutes was a good song but it was too short. Altogether I would give this album a 9/10! However, this is the 5th best album of Coldplay. Next Monday I will reveal the 4th best album. Wilson Hatcher
Coldplay – 42 Live Coldplay perform on the french television channel W9. In 1992 Woody Allen took up with one of his adopted kids and lived in with her. He was given over to the pursuit of pleasure. Actually he has made that a major focus of his life. In the latter part of his […]
In the past three years I have written many posts concerning the spiritual meaning of the Coldplay songs. There is something going on with them. Even with one of the songs on their upcoming album there is something spiritual they are driving at. Tonight on Letterman the band will perform. Elusive: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris […]
In one of his philosophical and melancholy musings Woody Allen once drily observed: “More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” Life tortures Woody Allen posted by Rod Dreher […]
Brian’s Blues, Brian Jones on guitar in the early stones years. unreleased track Brian Jones died at age 27 just like Amy Winehouse did. I remember like yesterday when I first heard the song “I can’t get no satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones. I immediately thought about Solomon’s search for satisfaction in the Book of […]
Papa Roach – Last Resort (Censored Version) Amy Winehouse died at the young age of 27 and she had lived a life filled with drug and alcohol addiction. This series on Papa Roach is meant to provide answers to those who feel trapped. Hopefully it will people to avoid troubles like Amy Winehouse experienced. Today I […]
Elusive: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin in a rare shot together at a beach party in the Hamptons I was very interested in the first single that came out from Coldplay a few weeks ago, but this second single escaped my attention. Then this morning my son Hunter told me all about this second song […]
I have noticed that Arkansas never seems to have great recruiting years like Tennessee and Florida and Alabama do. However, the 2008 class that will graduate in 2012 for Arkansas included some great players like Joe Adams and has been re-ranked as the 5th best performing class. That class led Arkansas to a final ranking of #5.
Constrast the 2009 class at UT when Kiffin brought in the #10 class of the year with 23 players. Now only 9 players are left in the program and only one player has started over 10 times. THE LESSON IS CLEAR. SIGN BOTH FOR TALENT AND CHARACTER!!! Read on:
Former Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin looks on during a 2009 game against Western Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn.
On Feb. 4, 2009, Lane Kiffin stepped to the podium and addressed what would be his only signing class as University of Tennessee football coach.
“Understand that this class is far below the standards that we have here and what we’ll need here in the future,” Kiffin said.
Who knew then just how precise he would be?
Kiffin and his staff of relentless recruiters had two months to scramble and assemble a class, and they were praised for compiling a crop that was strengthened with the late additions of safety Janzen Jackson, all-purpose back David Oku and tailback Bryce Brown, the nation’s No. 1 prospect. Rivals.com ranked Tennessee’s 23 signees 10th in the country, but only eight from that class are still with the program following a string of arrests and academic shortcomings.
Last summer, Rivals.com ranked Tennessee’s ’09 class as the most disappointing nationally in the past decade.
“I don’t care who you are or where you are, you cannot have a class like that,” longtime recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. “You can’t have a bunch of kids to where a year or two later most are gone. Your roster is going to be depleted, and that’s exactly one of the big reasons why Tennessee is in this situation right now.”
The Volunteers are 18-20 the past three years and went 5-7 this past season, losing seven league games for the first time in program history and finishing last in the SEC East for the first time as well.
Ed Orgeron, Lance Thompson and Eddie Gran were the heralded recruiters three years ago who helped Kiffin land five players in Rivals.com’s top 100 — Brown, Jackson (No. 17), receiver Nu’Keese Richardson (No. 68), linebacker Jerod Askew (No. 79) and Oku (No. 97). None of those five lasted more than two years with the Vols, with Brown transferring to Kansas State before his sophomore season and Jackson to McNeese State before his junior season.
Brown left Kansas State’s program last October after rushing three times for 16 yards and hasn’t spoken to the media since August. He and Jackson are bypassing the rest of their collegiate eligibility and have declared for April’s NFL draft.
There were 11 players remaining at UT from the ’09 class at the start of this month, but Vols third-year coach Derek Dooley recently announced the dismissals of defensive tackle Arthur Jeffery and linebacker Robert Nelson. Dooley also said guard JerQuari Schofield is not on the team for academic reasons but is still in school.
The only active member of Tennessee’s ’09 signing class with more than 10 career starts is cornerback Marsalis Teague, who has 16.
TEMPORARY ROLL
Before Tennessee’s additions of Jackson, Oku and Brown in ’09, the Vols were reveling in the signings of Richardson and Teague.
Those two had been committed to Florida, and snatching players from the Gators meant taking from the very best. Less than a month before that signing day, Florida won its second BCS title in three seasons under coach Urban Meyer.
“You can already see where we’re going to be very powerful in the state of Florida recruiting,” Orgeron boasted on signing day. “In order to beat the national champs on the field, you have to beat the national champs in recruiting, and we beat them twice.”
Kiffin wrongly accused Meyer of cheating during the recruitment of Richardson and was quickly reprimanded by SEC commissioner Mike Slive, but that hardly put a dent in Tennessee’s new momentum. The Vols had rebounded from their subpar 2008 class in Phillip Fulmer’s final year, a group that was headed by E.J. Abrams-Ward and the late Aaron Douglas and was rated 35th — unheard of by Tennessee standards — by Rivals.com.
Snagging Jackson gave the Vols another superstar safety alongside Eric Berry, and then there was the biggest catch of all, even to his fellow signees.
“I show up to a spring practice, and there is Bryce Brown, the No. 1 recruit in the country,” said Kevin Revis, the former Rhea County lineman who signed with the Vols in ’09 and transferred last year to UT-Chattanooga. “It was just a crazy time. You didn’t know who they were going to bring in.”
Kiffin’s one autumn in Knoxville yielded a 7-6 record, and there were notable moments compiled by the ’09 signees.
Brown rushed for 104 yards in the opening rout of Western Kentucky and finished with 460 yards as Montario Hardesty’s backup. Teague had two touchdown receptions and Richardson one, while Oku set the program’s single-season mark for kickoff returns (33) and kickoff-return yardage (863). Jackson amassed 37 tackles and an interception, and Greg King had 24 tackles and a pick.
But there would be far more lows than highs.
THE UNRAVELING
Tennessee’s ’09 class suffered its first setback when James Green, a promising receiver from Tallahassee, couldn’t get through the NCAA clearinghouse.
Then came the early morning hours of Nov. 12, when Jackson, Richardson and Mike Edwards were charged with attempted armed robbery at a Pilot convenience store on Cumberland Avenue. Richardson approached the driver’s side of a parked car wearing a hooded sweatshirt and holding an air-powered pellet pistol, and he instructed the people inside to “Give me everything you have.”
Edwards, approaching from the passenger side wearing a hooded sweatshirt, said, “Do what he says.”
Richardson and Edwards were dismissed from the program, and Jackson was suspended for two games. Charges against Jackson eventually were dismissed, but Richardson pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery and Edwards pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless endangerment.
Kiffin bolted to Southern Cal three weeks before signing day in 2010, and the exodus of ’09 signees continued. Dooley announced on the first day of the 2010 spring practice that Brown had left the program for personal reasons, and safety Darren Myles was dismissed that July after being arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting and evading arrest following a Knoxville bar fight.
It was the second arrest for Myles in a three-month span.
“That’s why it really pays to rank these classes three, four or five years down the road,” Newberg said. “At the time Tennessee’s class looked awesome, especially the way they got some of those kids late in the game.”
Tennessee’s ’09 crop was not without concerns even before the defections. The Vols did not sign a quarterback that year, and Revis, Schofield and Daniel Hood were the only offensive linemen.
That left Tennessee inexperienced in each area during Dooley’s first season, when the Vols went 6-7.
Revis considers himself among the fortunate after transferring to the Mocs and starting 10 games this past season at right guard. He admits his one year with Kiffin, who has the Trojans poised to make a run at the 2012 BCS title, was entertaining but much prefers the stability of coach Russ Huesman’s program.
As for being a part of the most disappointing signing class of the past decade? Well, that’s just something he and 22 others will have to live with.
“No matter where you go, there is going to be some attrition, and I guess they had to get that class together so quickly,” Revis said. “I roomed with Naz Oliver and Arthur Jeffery and JerQuari Schofield, and I still talk to them all the time. People went their separate ways, but I still keep in touch with a lot of the guys.”
It seems to me that there are a few surprises in the recruiting game this year. Below is a rivals article and the one below it is an article from 3 months ago. January 27, 2012 Rivals.com analyst Chris Neereviews recent rising and falling in the 2012 team rankings as National Signing Day nears. Five […]
Photo by Justin A. Shaw, Special to the News Sentinel Jarnell’s mother Shunta Stokes said his college decision was “solely up to him. I support his decision wholeheartedly, he’s the one that has to attend the school, not me. His dad and I are behind him 100%.” Yesterday when I got in the car at […]
Recently I posted that I was saddened by the Saturday Night Live reckless skit on Tim Tebow that among other things endorsed Mormonism. In response, I gave several evidences from archaeology that disproved the Book of Mormon. Then I included a five part video series that showed the archaeological evidence that supported the historical accuracy of the Bible. (Archaeological […]
Charles Murray is the W.H. Brady Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He received his B.A. in history at Harvard University and his Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has written for numerous newspapers and journals, including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Weekly Standard, Commentary, and National Review. His books include Losing Ground: American Social Policy 1950-1980, What It Means to Be a Libertarian, and Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America’s Schools Back to Reality. His new book, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010, will be published at the end of January.
The following is adapted from a speech delivered in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 28, 2011, at a conference on “Markets, Government, and the Common Good,” sponsored by Hillsdale College’s Center for the Study of Monetary Systems and Free Enterprise.
THE CASE FOR the Department of Education could rest on one or more of three legs: its constitutional appropriateness, the existence of serious problems in education that could be solved only at the federal level, and/or its track record since it came into being. Let us consider these in order.
(1) Is the Department of Education constitutional?
At the time the Constitution was written, education was not even considered a function of local government, let alone the federal government. But the shakiness of the Department of Education’s constitutionality goes beyond that. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution enumerates the things over which Congress has the power to legislate. Not only does the list not include education, there is no plausible rationale for squeezing education in under the commerce clause. I’m sure the Supreme Court found a rationale, but it cannot have been plausible.
On a more philosophical level, the framers of America’s limited government had a broad allegiance to what Catholics call the principle of subsidiarity. In the secular world, the principle of subsidiarity means that local government should do only those things that individuals cannot do for themselves, state government should do only those things that local governments cannot do, and the federal government should do only those things that the individual states cannot do. Education is something that individuals acting alone and cooperatively can do, let alone something local or state governments can do.
I should be explicit about my own animus in this regard. I don’t think the Department of Education is constitutionally legitimate, let alone appropriate. I would favor abolishing it even if, on a pragmatic level, it had improved American education. But I am in a small minority on that point, so let’s move on to the pragmatic questions.
I remember when I first Keith Green. He had a great impact on me. Below are some quotes on Keith:
Quotes
“It’s time to quit playing church and start being the Church (Matt. 18:20)” — Keith Green, as quoted by Melody Green in the introduction to A Cry in the Wilderness, Sparrow Press, 1993.
“I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!” — Keith Green
“You shouldn’t go to college unless God has definitely called you to go.” — Keith Green, ‘Why YOU should go to the mission field’, 1982
“No Compromise is what the whole Gospel of Jesus is all about… ‘For I tell you…no man can serve two masters…’ (Matt. 6:24). In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer…Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!” — Keith Green, No Compromise
No Compromise
No Compromise is the second album release by American pianist and gospel singer Keith Green, released in 1978.The album’s title derives from track #2, ‘Make My Life A Prayer To You’, which begins: “Make my life a prayer to You / I wanna do what You want me to / No empty words and no white lies / no…
album, 1978.
“If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence? You’d be bored to tears in heaven, if you’re not ecstatic about God now!!” — Keith Green
“The only music minister to whom the Lord will say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant,” is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister’s most important goal!!!” — Keith Green
Leonard Ravenhill was an English Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival. He is best known for challenging the modern church to compare itself to the early Christian Church as chronicled in the Book of Acts…
, Keith’s mentor, borrowing from Hebrews 11:4 (KJV) in his 1990 2-page Memories of Keith tribute from a computer file, part of the Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD, also known as CD Extra and CD Plus, is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players….
version of No Compromise by Melody Green with David Hazard.
Mainstream recordings
Besides the first disc release in May 1965 (pictured above), two more Decca disc releases occurred before Donny Osmond took the spotlight.
For Him Who Has Ears To Hear is the debut release by piano, gospel singer Keith Green, It was released on May 20, 1977. The album photography was taken by Garry Heery with help from Max Blanc in the way of art direction…
No Compromise is the second album release by American pianist and gospel singer Keith Green, released in 1978.The album’s title derives from track #2, ‘Make My Life A Prayer To You’, which begins: “Make my life a prayer to You / I wanna do what You want me to / No empty words and no white lies / no…
So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt is the third album released by American piano, gospel singer Keith Green, It was released on May 7, 1980.The album was listed at #49 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music….
The Keith Green Collection is the fourth album released by American piano, gospel singer Keith Green. It was released on August 11, 1981. This is also the only compilation album to be released during Green’s lifetime.-Making of the Album:…
Songs for the Shepherd is the fifth album released by American piano, gospel singer Keith Green. It is the last album which had been completed prior to his death in a plane crash in July 1982…
I Only Want to See You There is a posthumous album by pianist and gospel singer Keith Green, released in 1983. It consists mostly of previously released material, though not necessarily Green’s “greatest hits” .-Track listing:# My Eyes are Dry – [Long Remix Version]# Trials Turned to Gold – [Album…
(March 21, 1983)
The Prodigal Son (August 15, 1983)
Jesus Commands Us To Go (July 20, 1984)
The Ministry Years, Volume One (1977-1979) (1987)
The Ministry Years, Volume Two (1980-1982) (1988)
The Early Years (1996)
Best of Keith Green: Asleep in the Light (1996)
Because of You: Songs of Testimony (1998)
Here Am I, Send Me: Songs of Evangelism (1998)
Make My Life a Prayer to You: Songs of Devotion (1998)
Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful: Songs of Worship (1998)
Keith Green – The Ultimate Collection is a 2-disc package released posthumously in 2002 containing a CD with 20 of Keith Green’s most influential songs, and an hour-long DVD documentary and biography entitled Your Love Broke Through: The Keith Green Story about his life as described by his wife,…
(2002)
Live Experience (CD Release) (April 29, 2008)
Live Experience Special Edition (CD/DVD Release) (April 29, 2008)
Greatest Hits (April 29, 2008)
Happy Birthday to You Jesus (Nov 23, 2009)
Mainstream recordings
Keith Green Live (His Incredible Youth) (1995)
The Early Word (February 13, 2009)
Tribute albums
No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green (1993)
Rhapsody is an online subscription music service, launched in December 2001, and available in the US only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody’s version of digital…
Nadal did very good the whole match by taking Novak to the 5th set. He had him beat when he was up 5-4 in the final set but then Novak began to play like he did at last years US OPEN. It got down to who had more left in them and it turned out being Djokovic.-Wilson Hatcher
MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovicripped off his shirt and let out a primal scream, flexing his torso the way a prize fighter would after a desperate, last-round knockout.
This was the final act in Djokovic’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final — a sweat-drenched, sneaker-squeaking 5 hour, 53-minute endurance contest that ended at 1:37 a.m. Monday morning in Melbourne.
Djokovic overcame a break in the fifth set to win his fifth Grand Slam tournament and third in a row. None, though, quite like this.
This one involved tears, sweat and, yes, even a little blood. It was the longest Grand Slam singles final in the history of pro tennis and it came against Nadal, the player who built a career on his tenacity — on outlasting opponents in matches like these.
Garber: Djokovic On Brink Of History
For those thinking Novak Djokovic’s 2011 was an overheated mirage, the first Grand Slam of 2012 proves otherwise, ESPN.com’s Greg Garber writes. Story
Ubha: A Stunning Performance
After nearly six grueling hours, Novak Djokovic finally beat Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open. You had to see it to believe it, ESPN.com’s Ravi Ubha writes. Story
“It was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the match that both of us, physically, we took the last drop of energy that we had from our bodies,” Djokovic said. “We made history tonight and unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners.”
When the drama was finally over at Rod Laver Arena, the 24-year-old Djokovic joined Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Nadal as the only men who have won three consecutive majors since the Open Era began in 1968. Nadal was his vanquished opponent in all three.
Djokovic will go for the “Nole Slam” at Roland Garros in May.
As the players waited for the trophy presentation, Nadal leaned on the net, while Djokovic sat on his haunches. Eventually, a nearby official took pity and they were given chairs and bottles of water.
Nadal held his composure during the formalities, and even opened his speech with a lighthearted one-liner.
“Good morning, everybody,” he said.
A few minutes earlier, after hugging Nadal at the net, Djokovic tore off his sweat-soaked black shirt and headed toward his players’ box, pumping his arms repeatedly as he roared. He walked over to his girlfriend, his coach and the rest of his support team and banged on the advertising signs at the side of the court.
“I think it was just the matter of maybe luck in some moments and matter of wanting this more than maybe other player in the certain point,” Djokovic said. “It’s just incredible effort. You’re in pain, you’re suffer(ing). You’re trying to activate your legs. You’re going through so much suffering your toes are bleeding. Everything is just outrageous, but you’re still enjoying that pain.”
The match was full of long rallies and amazing gets. Djokovic finished with 57 winners, along with 69 unforced errors. Nadal had 44 winners against 71 unforced errors.
Laver was part of the 15,000-strong crowd when the players walked on at 7:30 p.m. Sunday to flip the coin and start the warmup. He was still there, along with most of the crowd, after 2 a.m. for the trophy presentations.
Djokovic called it the most special of his five Grand Slam wins.
“This one I think comes out on the top because just the fact that we played almost six hours is incredible, incredible,” he said. “I think it’s probably the longest finals in the history of all Grand Slams, and just to hear that fact is making me cry, really.
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic proved his 2011 season was anything but a mirage with his third Australian Open championship.
“I’m very proud just to be part of this history.”
It went so long because Nadal refused to yield. He was trying to avoid becoming the first man to lose three consecutive Grand Slam finals — and seeing his losing streak in finals stretch to seven against Djokovic, who beat him for the Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles and took his No. 1 ranking last year.
After a grueling four-set loss to Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last year, Nadal said that, indeed, he may have found a slight opening — a glimmer of hope for next time against the player who dominated the 2011 season and had dismantled him time and again over the year.
This one was, in fact, closer, though not necessarily because of any strategic changes, but rather, because Rafa summoned up the heart to take this one the distance.
Nadal stayed in the contest for almost every point, sprinting from one side of the court to the other, chasing down balls and making Djokovic work extra time for the victory. But in the end, the same man was holding the trophy.
Nadal thought his win in the 2008 final against Federer was the best match he’s played, but gave Sunday’s match a top place in his personal rankings nonetheless.
“This one was very special,” he said. “But I really understand that was a really special match, and probably a match that’s going to be in my mind not because I lost, no, because the way that we played.”
Djokovic had his off moments during this two-week tournament Down Under. He appeared to struggle for breath in his quarterfinal win over No. 5 David Ferrer and again during his five-set semifinal win over No. 4 Andy Murray. He blamed it on allergies, and he managed to control it better against Nadal.
Yet, at times in the final, he looked as if he couldn’t go on.
When Nadal fended off three break points at 4-4 in the fourth set to win the game, spectators jumped to their feet and chanted “Rafa, Rafa, Rafa, Rafa!” Djokovic had lost the momentum. Play was stopped moments later when rain started to fall and a suddenly animated Nadal threw his arms up in disbelief and walked slowly back to his chair. The stadium roof was then closed.
Djokovic picked up his game after a 10-minute break and his pockets of supporters waved their Serbian flags again and started their own competing chant of “Nole, Nole, Nole” — inserting Djokovic’s nickname where “Ole” belongs in the tune and rhythm of the Spanish soccer chant.
Complete results
Need the scores from any match played in today’s Aussie Open? Courtcast
It wasn’t enough to get him through the tiebreaker in the fourth set, though, when Nadal won the last four points to finish it in 88 minutes. Nadal dropped to his knees on the baseline and pumped his arms at that point, celebrating as if he’d won the final. All he’d done was prolong it. This pair had never gone to five sets.
Just as he did during the first set, Djokovic took off a white shirt and replaced it with a black one.
It didn’t seem to help immediately as he went down a break and a defeat loomed.
The match clock hit 5 hours with the score 2-2 in the fifth. Nadal won the next point and Djokovic started to stumble slightly, unsteady on his feet.
Nadal held that game without losing a point and then broke Djokovic for a 4-2 lead.
The turning point came in the next game, when Nadal had an open court but knocked a backhand volley wide down the line. He challenged the call, but the ball was clearly out. Instead of being up 40-15 and one point from a 5-2 lead, the game score became 30-30.
Djokovic found energy again and got a break point with a backhand that forced an error from Nadal. He pounced on a Nadal second serve to convert the break as the match clock ticked to 5:15, confirming it as the longest match in the history of the Australian Open. Nadal had that record, at 5:14, in his five-set semifinal win over fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in 2009.
This match had already long surpassed Mats Wilander’s win over Ivan Lendl at the 1988 U.S. Open, in 4:54, as the longest final in the terms of duration.
Djokovic started to look better physically and Nadal started to make some unforced errors, giving the Serbian some extra seconds between points to get his heavy breathing under control. After getting back on serve at 4-4, Djokovic kissed the crucifix around his neck twice.
With Nadal serving, the pair engaged in a 31-shot rally that Nadal finally won when Djokovic committed a backhand error. The Serb fell flat on his back on the court, fully stretched out, arms over his head, while Nadal doubled over on his side of the court, hands perched on his knees.
It appeared Djokovic was ready to throw in the towel, but he said he never thought about staying down.
“At that point I was just thinking of getting some air and trying to recover for next point,” he said. “Thousand thoughts going through the mind. Trying to separate the right from wrong. Trying to prioritize the next point. I’m playing against one of the best players ever — the player that is so mentally strong. He was going for everything or nothing.”
When Djokovic got the break to go up 5-4, the Serbian fans jumped up with their flags and screamed while the rest of the crowd sat in stony silence.
After kissing the crucifix around his neck repeatedly in the later games, Djokovic openly prayed out loud and looked upward as he got within points of sealing his victory.
“I was trying find every possible help and energy that I possibly can,” he said. “It paid off I guess.”
Pele as can be expected came back to play with Brazil in the 1962 World Cup which was played in Chile. This time however Pele was much more known to the fans as well as opposing players; who were not really all that eager to see him score another six goals or perhaps more in this world cup. Brazil were defending champions with basically the same players which won the world cup in 58 and who despite the passage of four years were still relatively young. All of which making it easy to see why a second world cup for Brazil in as many tournaments was not out of the realms of realistic possibilities. Specially since there were no other teams which were really strong enough to challenge them. Germany going through a rebuilding period while Italy still did not have the sort of team which could aspire to recapture their glory days of the 30s. Uruguay pretty much being but a shadow of their former selves.
The world cup known as Chile 62 however become a very defensive affair as teams were no longer willing to score as many as three goals or more in loosing efforts as had been the case in Switzerland 54 and Sweden 58. Teams became more eager to hold on to their leads once they had them and not risk them by going forward for more goals. This making most teams play with four defenders and only three forwards where before it had been with two defenders and five forwards.
Brazil for its part got off to what looking back might have been considered a good start in beating Mexico by 2-0 with Pele scoring Brazil’s first goal yet despite this victory; Brazil was severely criticized with much of the blame falling not only on their performance but on Pele. This despite Pele’s having scored one of Brazil’s two goals. This perhaps allowing Pele to see for himself what Mazola had experienced four years earlier when despite having scored two goals in Brazil’s first match; still had people saying he should not be on Brazil’s team. It being a case that Brazilian fans in those days were used to seeing Brazil beat Mexico by much more goals than only two. Brazil, after all had beaten Mexico by 5-0 in Brazil 50 and by 4-0 in Switzerland 54. All of which standing to their reason that a defending world champion should be able to beat Mexico, once again by at least as wide a margin as their teams in the past had done if not by a wider one.
Brazil’s next game came against Czechoslovakia. This a match which ended in a 0-0 draw and with even more criticism aimed at Brazil by their fans and media back home. It was also in this match that Pele left the field injured not to return for the rest of the tournament. Pele had not even been touched by any of Czechoslovakia’s players yet despite this managed to do damage on himself which would take him out of the remainder of the world cup.
For my part, I being skeptical about almost everything, wonder if Pele’s injury was such that he could not have played Brazil’s next game against Spain. Pele after all had not broken anything and had not even been fouled. Was it perhaps an attempt to try another player? Pele had not really played all that well in Brazil’s first two matches or such it was perceived by the fans and the media back home. So I often wonder if perhaps Brazil’s trainer did not exaggerate the gravity of Pele’s injury in order to try another player in his place like he had done with Pele in Mazola’s place four years earlier. It being Amarildo who took Pele’s place against Spain in a game which though not an absolute must win game for Brazil; was one in which they would have to do better than they had in their first two matches. This if perhaps not to qualify, at least to demonstrate to their fans that they were still a team capable of producing great football.
The game started with Spain taking a 1-0 lead when Adelardo scored 35 minutes in to the game. Spain would even take a 1-0 lead in to the second half. This something which had not happened in a very long that that Brazil ended the first half behind on the scoreboard. Brazil at this point even finding themselves in danger of being eliminated in the first round. This being the case that Spain with a win would have had four points which would have put them first in the group. Brazil with a loss would have had three points which would leave them depending on what Mexico (who was already out of the competition) could do against Czechoslovakia. Naturally a Czech victory or even a tie would have left Brazil out had they lost.
All however proved to be academic, as Brazil came back in the second half to win the game by two goals to one with both goals being scored by Amarildo; who just happened to be the man playing in Pele’s place. Obviously Pele’s replacement was doing his duty so I wonder if Pele would have been able to return to the starting team even if he had been healthy or if his injury was such that it was the real reason he was kept out of the starting lineup.
Amarildo had played well against Spain, this there was no doubts about and specially in a world cup in which defensive play was the order of the day unlike it had been in the last two previous world cups. Spain, in fact having a strong team back then which two years later went on to win the European nations cup.
Brazil went on to win their next two matches with relative ease. First against England by 3-1. This in a game which Garrincha scored two truly amazing goals. First one off a header and the next one of a free kick which could not have been better placed. Brazil’s other goal being scored by Vava, who continued where he left off in Sweden 58. Brazil’s next win came in the semifinals against the home team, Chile whom they defeated by a score of 4-2 with once again; Garrincha and Vava doing the scoring for Brazil. It being Garrincha who scored Brazil’s first two while Vava scored Brazil’s third and fourth.
Brazil was clearly playing well and was in top form and all without Pele. It was a case of this team being of such a high quality that even the absence of Pele did not disturb anything. Apparently Amarildo had been more than capable of filling the void left by Pele while the rest by just keeping up their level allowed Brazil to easily get in to the final. Of course, one could always say that this world cup did not really have very strong teams and those which were in fact solid such as the Soviet Union (winner of the 1960 European Championship) and Hungary did not really live up to expectations; apart the fact that Brazil did not have to face them anyway. Brazil was in the finals however and to their credit deservedly so and all without the man who many would later call the best player of all time.
In the finals Brazil met Czechoslovakia for the second time in the tournament yet unlike in their first match; this one could not end in a draw. Czechoslovakia, for its part like Sweden four years earlier also scored the first goal though not as early in the match as Sweden. Czechoslovakia in fact having to wait till the 15th minute of the game when Masopust slipped past Brazil’s defense to give his team a 1-0 lead. Brazil however being the solid team they were did not take long to reply. Brazil in fact having to wait but two minutes till Amarildo (Pele’s replacement) scored to level matters at one a piece. Amarildo, scoring a brilliant goal from a very tight angle which perhaps Czechoslovakia’s goalkeeper; Schroijf should have saved yet the score none the less was tied at one all.
Czechoslovakia for what concerned them, were playing well and went in to the half time break tied at one though it is my opinion that they perhaps celebrated too much after scoring. This allowing Brazil to get back in to the game after only two minutes of having gone down by a goal to nil. Czechoslovakia had its chances in the first period and had it not been for their lack of concentration after scoring and Schroijf’s error perhaps would have gone in to the half time break with a one goal lead or perhaps a two goal lead. This if they had continued with the solid play which had gotten them to the final in the first place.
Brazil however regrouped at the half and came out strong with Zito scoring his first world cup goal and Brazil’s second in the final to put them up by 2-1. Brazil perhaps was not dominating as strongly as they had in 58 yet were definitely in the drivers seat. It being in the 78th minute of the game that Garrincha sent up a high ball which in all honesty should not have given Czech goalkeeper, Schroijf any problems what so ever yet he somehow managed to drop it. The ball falling straight in to the path of the ever opportunistic Vava, who scored his first goal of the match and Brazil’s third to make the score 3-1; which is how it would end.
This last goal making Vava the first player to score in two finals. Brazil had won the world cup and became just the second team, after Italy to win two in a row and to a certain extent Pele had picked up his second world cup win though in all truth, as I have clearly pointed out; he hardly played. Naturally, to many at the time this did not really matter as Pele was a man who at the age of 21 had already won two world cups even if the second one was just for being on the team and little else. This perhaps making it possible for Argentina to say that Pasarella won two world cups with Argentina, who as a matter of fact only played in their first game against South Korea but I ask is this enough to say he is a double world champion? I would go one step further and ask if Brazil had beaten France in 98 then could Ronaldo claim to have won three world cups as well since he was on their world cup winning team in 94 though did not play at all? This being a matter of interpretation of course.
As an added comment, I would like to say that I feel it is sad that Amarildo did not really get the credit he earned for his performance in Chile 62. It being Amarildo, who to a certain extent with his two goals against Spain saved Brazil from the humiliation of being eliminated in the first round. Amarildo even scoring in the final when Brazil was loosing by 1-0 yet despite his efforts which were important in Brazil’s second world cup win, is rarely if ever mentioned amongst the great players of all time though he undoubtedly was.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book “New York’s Opera Society”. My works also include the books “What Should Not Matter”, “Love Your Sister” and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.
It seems to me that there are a few surprises in the recruiting game this year. Below is a rivals article and the one below it is an article from 3 months ago.
1. Stanford Cardinal Current class rank: No. 12 Reason for the move: Stanford made a move this week when it landed the best prospect of its class so far in Puyallup (Wash.) four-star offensive guard Joshua Garnett. Garnett selected the Cardinal on Thursday afternoon. He is considered the No. 2 overall guard in the nation and No. 33 overall in the Rivals100. Stanford also added the services of Kansas City (Mo.) Staley strongside defensive end Nathanael Lohn. Between now and NSD: David Shaw and Co., could end with a real bang. Five-star offensive tackles Kyle Murphy of San Clemente (Calif.) and Andrus Peat of Tempe (Ariz.) Corona Del Sol remain in play. Also, Stanford remains a top candidate for Atwater (Calif.) Buhach five-star defensive end Aziz Shittu. The Cardinal also must do some work to retain the commitments of Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola four-star wide receiver Kodi Whitfield and Pleasant Grove (Utah) four-star offensive guard Brandon Fanaika, who continue to leave the door ajar for some other programs. More Stanford: CardinalReport.com
2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Current class rank: No. 32 Reason for the move: A pair of new commitments helped the Scarlet Knights make a move over the past week – but the good vibes may not last long because coach Greg Schiano has since departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schiano helped to lure Fairless Hills (Pa.) Pennsbury four-star offensive tackle J.J. Denman away from Wisconsin. Also, one of the better in-state players decided he wanted to be a Scarlet Knight when Long Branch (N.J.) three-star offensive tackle Ryan Brodie pledged his services. Between now and NSD: With a coaching change this late in the cycle, it will be interesting to see how Rutgers does with regards to retaining the 17 commitments and closing out the class. A pair of in-state prospects remain atop the wish list – Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep five-star defensive end Darius Hamilton and Old Tappan (N.J.) four-star athlete Devin Fuller. More Rutgers: ScarletNation.com
3. UCLA Bruins Current class rank: No. 18 Reason for the move: Jim Mora and his new staff have had success down the stretch getting prospects to flip their commitments. The Bruins have added nine new commitments over the past month with two new additions this past week. Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta four-star defensive end Jeremy Castro decided to switch his commitment from Oregon to the Bruins. Also, Elk Grove (Calif.) Sheldon defensive end Nate Iese hopped on board. Between now and NSD: UCLA remains a serious contender for Sacramento (Calif.) Grant five-star safety Shaq Thompson, who is currently committed to California, and Atwater (Calif.) Buhach five-star defensive end Aziz Shittu. Shittu is expected on campus this weekend. A number of other prospects remain in play as Mora tries to cram a year’s worth of recruiting into a one-month time span. More UCLA: BruinBlitz.com
4. North Carolina Tar Heels Current class rank: No. 50 Reason for the move: North Carolina made its way into the top 50 with four additions over the past week. The top commitment that Larry Fedora and staff landed in the past week was Greensboro (N.C.) Page dual-threat quarterback James Summers. Summers was a four-star commitment to in-state rival North Carolina State. North Carolina also added a trio of three-star prospects in Auburn (Ala.) offensive lineman Caleb Peterson, Brandenton (Fla.) Manatee safety Clinton Heaven and McDonough (Ga.) Eagle’s Landing Christian defensive end Justin Thomason. Between now and NSD: North Carolina will host a number of prospects during this weekend, the final weekend prior to National Signing Day. Leading the list is Dallas (Texas) Wilmer-Hutchins four-star safety LaDarrell McNeil, who is committed to Tennessee. McNeil is part of the Rivals100. Rivals250 wide receiver Davonte Neal from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral is also expected in Chapel Hill. Other visitors include highly ranked three-star wide receiver Ian Thomas from Reistertown (Md.) Franklin and defensive end Junior Gnonkonde from Lakeland (Ga.) Lanier County. More UNC: TarHeelIllustrated.com
5. Tennessee Volunteers Current class rank: 11 Reason for the move: The Volunteers moved up four spots on the shoulders of the addition of Columbus (Ga.) Carver four-star cornerback Deion Bonner. Bonner, a Rivals250 prospect, chose Tennessee after a recent official visit to Rocky Top. Between now and NSD: Tennessee isn’t only battling to win over uncommitted recruits, but the Vols are also battling to retain the ones they already have. Crowley (La.) four-star athlete Davante Bourque and Van (Texas) three-star linebacker Dalton Santos, both Tennessee commitments, continue to draw a great deal of attention from other suitors. Tennessee hopes to add the services of some other prospects such as Lynchburg (Va.) Brookville four-star defensive tackle Korren Kirven, Hutchinson (Kansas) Hutchinson C.C. four-star wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, Gaffney (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Quinshad Davis and others. More Tennessee: VolQuest.com
Five Down
1. N.C. State Wolfpack Current class rank: NR Reason for the move: N.C. State suffered a big blow when the Pack’s top commitment, Greensboro (N.C.) Page four-star dual-threat quarterback James Summers switched his commitment to their in-state rivals, North Carolina, this week. Summers was the lone four-star in the Wolfpack’s class prior to his switch. Between now and NSD: N.C. State, for the most part, is done with the 2012 class, even with the departure of Summers. Palm Desert (Calif.) College of the Desert three-star linebacker Robert Caldwell is marked down for a visit this weekend. N.C. State also must work to retain all of its commitments as schools such as Georgia and Illinois look to steal some targets between now and Wednesday. More N.C. State: TheWolfpacker.com
2. Georgia Bulldogs Current class rank: No. 21 Reason for the move: Georgia slipped some this week after Hinesville (Ga.) Bradwell Institute three-star offensive guard Chester Brown parted ways with the university, due in large part to an immigration issue involving the school’s bylaws. Brown’s departure wasn’t offset in any way, as Georgia added no new commitments over the past week. Between now and NSD: Georgia will be one of the main teams to keep a close eye on down the stretch. The Dawgs could add a half-dozen or more prospects down the stretch. Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes five-star athlete Josh Harvey-Clemons is near the top of the list of those desired by Mark Richt and staff. Others include Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) four-star offensive lineman Avery Young and Hutchinson (Kansas) Hutchinson C.C. four-star wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. More Georgia: UGASports.com
3. Auburn Tigers Current class rank: No. 20 Reason for the move: Miami Beach (Fla.) four-star wide receiver Ricardo Louis switched his commitment from Auburn to Florida State, before finally deciding to no one until he reaches his final decision – likely on National Signing Day. Louis is a Rivals250 prospect, so his departure hurt the ranking, but when the dust settles it is very likely he ends up back in the class for Gene Chizik. Between now and NSD: In addition to Louis, Auburn is looking at a number of other Rivals250 prospects to close out the class. Auburn remains heavily involved with Rivals100 prospects such as five-star defensive tackle Eddie Goldman from Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy, five-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs from Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel, four-star defensive end Leonard Williams from Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland, four-star cornerback Ronald Darby from Oxon Hill (Md.) Potomac, and four-star offensive tackle Avery Young from Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.). Auburn could be one of the biggest movers, in the right direction, over the final week. More Auburn: AuburnSports.com
4. Wisconsin Badgers Current class rank: No. 46 Reason for the move: The Badgers dropped with Fairless Hills (Pa.) Pennsbury four-star offensive tackle J.J. Denman‘s decision to switch his commitment to Rutgers. It dropped the Badgers’ class to just 11 prospects and dropped them to just four four-star prospects total. Between now and NSD: The bad news may not be over. Cleveland (Ohio) Cleveland Heights four-star offensive tackle Kyle Dodson is thought to be a likely candidate to switch his commitment, departing Wisconsin for most likely Ohio State. The Badgers will look to rally as they pursue the likes of Jeannette (Pa.) four-star safety Demetrious Cox, Chicago Simeon four-star offensive tackle Jordan Diamond and Whiteland (Ind.) three-star offensive tackle Jake Meador. More Wisconsin: BadgerBlitz.com
5. Texas A&M Aggies Current class rank: No. 10 Reason for the move: Texas A&M slipped a few spots, settling in at No. 10 overall. Their slight drop can be credited to Aledo (Texas) three-star offensive tackle Michael Wilson‘s decision to switch his commitment from the Aggies to Oklahoma State. Between now and NSD: Texas A&M may very likely replace Wilson with Friendswood (Texas) three-star offensive tackle Seaver Myers. The biggest name that the Aggies remain involved with is Dallas (Texas) Skyline four-star wide receiver Thomas Johnson. Johnson is also looking heavily at Cal and Oregon. A linebacker is also another possible addition for Texas A&M before it reaches the finish line. More Texas A&M:AggieYell.com
In the latest update of 247Sports team football recruiting rankings, nothing has changed at the top as Texas still has the nation’s top class. According to our formula, the Longhorns have a slight edge on Alabama at this time for No. 1 overall. Five-star running back Johnathan Gray (Aledo, Texas) and five-star defensive tackle Malcom Brown (Brenham, Texas) headline a stellar class for Mack Brown and the Longhorns.
Michigan (No. 4) and Texas A&M (No. 6) are two of the big surprises of the recruiting cycle. The Wolverines could get closer to No. 3 Florida State (there is a bigger statistical difference between the Wolverines class and the Seminoles’ class than there is among the top three) should they land four-star wide receiver Jordan Payton (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian), who could make a decision as early as Tuesday.
A quick note about Ohio State (No. 36), USC (No. 50) and Wisconsin- All three of those programs are projected to sign classes in at least the top 30-40 (most likely higher) but at the moment, the number of prospects on the commit list causes the scores for both programs to be lower than they normally would be. The Buckeyes, of course, are going through a transition with their program, but there is quality there. Even with the limited numbers the Trojans have (and don’t forget that the nation’s top prospect- lineman Arik Armstead- recently de-committed), we expect them to have a higher-ranked class than they do now. Remember- in recruiting it’s all about where you finish the first Wednesday in February (or in some cases after that). Five of the Badgers’ 11 current commits are rated four stars are higher by 247Sports, so in the end, this will be a very highly-regarded class headed to Madison.
Here’s a look at the current top 50. Look for another update on Thursday of this week.
1- Texas (761.239)
2- Alabama (760.541)
3- Florida State (759.663)
4- Michigan (755.673)
5- Florida (747.452)
6- Texas A&M (746.045)
7- LSU (742.963)
8- Notre Dame (741.808)
9- Auburn (736.727)
10- Clemson (736.362)
11- Miami (Fla.) (735.946)
12- South Carolina (734.203)
13- Virginia (732.729)
14- Tennessee (724.514)
15- Penn State (721.689)
16- Oklahoma (719.503)
17- Texas Tech (717.238)
18- Georgia (713.995)
19- Virginia Tech (713.407)
20- Baylor (711.590)
21- Arizona State (707.513)
22- TCU (705.842)
23- Stanford (705.145)
24- Rutgers (702.641)
25- Arkansas (701.550)
26- Arizona (700.876)
27- Missouri (699.755)
28- Oklahoma State (699.452)
29- West Virginia (695.650)
30- Michigan State (694.880)
31- Vanderbilt (694.402)
32- Cincinnati (692.411)
33- Kentucky (691.526)
34- Mississippi State (691.334)
35- Pittsburgh (687.794)
36- Ohio State (686.653)
37- Purdue (685.285)
38- Louisville (682.244)
39- Minnesota (678.587)
40- Indiana (678.536)
41- North Carolina (677.575)
42- Maryland (675.061)
43- Boise State (674.288)
44- N.C. State (672.494)
45- SMU (671.614)
46- Colorado (663.457)
47- BYU (663.082)
48- Washington (662.957)
49- UCLA (661.360)
50- USC (660.044)
Amy Smotherman Burgess, ©KNS/2011
Amy Smotherman Burgess, ©KNS/2011
Amy Smotherman Burgess, ©KNS/2011
Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue
Federal Spending Is Outpacing Inflation
For those thinking Novak Djokovic’s 2011 was an overheated mirage, the first Grand Slam of 2012 proves otherwise, ESPN.com’s Greg Garber writes. 
Need the scores from any match played in today’s Aussie Open? 
The Daily Hatch 