Sochi Finals – NCAA – NBA – NASCAR & More

Everything wrapped up in Sochi over the weekend.   A three hour closing ceremony with a funny twist of humor and respect to the ill fated opening ceremony.  U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Larry Probst praising Team USA despite disappointing results in figure skating, speedskating and hockey.  Probst said, " I couldn't be more proud of our Olympic team" And there was certainly a lot to be proud of as the United States finished second in total medals behind the Russian host.  Team USA rounded out the contest with 9 gold 7 silver and 12 bronze for a total of 28 while Russia earned 13 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze for a total of 33.

Final Results

RUS - 33 Total

USA - 28 Total

NOR - 26 Total

CAN - 25 Total

NED - 24 Total

GER - 19 Total

AUT - 17 Total

FRA - 15 Total

SWE - 15 Total

SUI - 11 Total

NASCAR News

One of the biggest stories of the weekend came from Daytona Florida as the Daytona 500 saw Dale Earnhardt Jr. cross the line in the first position.  It took a decade and a six hour and 22 minute rain delay for June Bug to claim his second Daytona 500.  A 55 race drought, ended.  It was better than any other considering he finished second in 3 of the last 4 Daytona runs.

Finishing out the top 5

2nd- Denny Hamlin

3rd- Brad Keselowski

4th- Jeff Gordon

5th - Jimmie Johnson

NCAA News

The top 25 in the NCAA saw 4 teams playing Sunday.  It was all highlighted by the in-state battle between 13th ranked Michigan State and 20th ranked Michigan.  Michigan goes to the top of the rankings in the Big 10 after taking down State 79-70 final score.  This was after overcoming an 11 point deficit during the first half.  Meanwhile, Doug McDermott is now 10th in the NCAA all-time scoring list after pouring 29 points into the drain to lead No. 11 Creighton to a tight 72-71 win over Seton Hall, and the SMU Mustangs defeated No. 21 Connecticut 64-55.

MLB News

Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner and the staff have reached an agreement on a new four year, $50 million contract extension, with a club option for a fifth year.  The 30 year old outfielder expressed his excitement about staying in pinstripes by saying, "I don't want to be anywhere else.  There's no better place to play baseball than New York.  I've never been anywhere else... this is where I want to be."

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zach Greinke has inadvertently started an international incident by downing major league baseball's decision to start the season off "down unda".  He told MLB officials and the Aussie officials "I would say there is absolutely zero excitement for it.  There just isn't any excitement to it.  I can't think of one reason to be excited for it."

NFL News

Last week some things got leaked that the NFL"s competition committee is contemplating establishing a new rule that would make using the N-word on the field a 15-yard penalty.  Steelers safety Ryan Clark thinks the rule would be nearly impossible to enforce.  "I think its going to to be really tough to legislate this rule, to find a way to penalize everyone who uses this word."  The 12 year veteran went on to say, "And it's not going to be white players using it toward black players.  Most of the time you hear it, it's black players using the word."  NFL owners could enact the rule at their meetings in late March.