Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

2010 NFL Draft: Rounds 1 and 2

First round

Pick #	NFL Team	Player	Position	College
1	St. Louis Rams	Sam Bradford	Quarterback	Oklahoma
2	Detroit Lions	Ndamukong Suh	Defensive tackle	Nebraska
3	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Gerald McCoy	Defensive tackle	Oklahoma
4	Washington Redskins	Trent Williams	Offensive tackle	Oklahoma
5	Kansas City Chiefs	Eric Berry	Safety	Tennessee
6	Seattle Seahawks	Russell Okung	Offensive tackle	Oklahoma State
7	Cleveland Browns	Joe Haden	Cornerback	Florida
8	Oakland Raiders	Rolando McClain	Linebacker	Alabama
9	Buffalo Bills	C. J. Spiller	Running back	Clemson
10	Jacksonville Jaguars	Tyson Alualu	Defensive tackle	California
11	San Francisco 49ers ^{(from Chicago via Denver)} ^{[R1 trade 1]} ^{[R1 trade 2]}	Anthony Davis	Offensive tackle	Rutgers
12	San Diego Chargers ^{(from Miami)} ^{[R1 trade 3]}	Ryan Mathews	Running back	Fresno State
13	Philadelphia Eagles ^{(from San Francisco via Denver)} ^{[R1 trade 4]} ^{[R1 trade 5]}	Brandon Graham	Defensive end	Michigan
14	Seattle Seahawks ^{(from Denver)} ^{[R1 trade 6]}	Earl Thomas	Safety	Texas
15	New York Giants	Jason Pierre-Paul	Defensive end	South Florida
16	Tennessee Titans	Derrick Morgan	Defensive end	Georgia Tech
17	San Francisco 49ers ^{(from Carolina)} ^{[R1 trade 7]}	Mike Iupati	Guard	Idaho
18	Pittsburgh Steelers	Maurkice Pouncey	Center	Florida
19	Atlanta Falcons	Sean Weatherspoon	Linebacker	Missouri
20	Houston Texans	Kareem Jackson	Cornerback	Alabama
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Jermaine Gresham	Tight end	Oklahoma
22	Denver Broncos ^{(from New England)} ^{[R1 trade 8]}	Demaryius Thomas	Wide receiver	Georgia Tech
23	Green Bay Packers	Bryan Bulaga	Offensive tackle	Iowa
24	Dallas Cowboys ^{(from Philadelphia via Denver and New England)} ^{[R1 trade 9]} ^{[R1 trade 10]}^{[R1 trade 11]}	Dez Bryant	Wide receiver	Oklahoma State
25	Denver Broncos ^{(from Baltimore)} ^{[R1 trade 12]}	Tim Tebow	Quarterback	Florida
26	Arizona Cardinals	Dan Williams	Defensive tackle	Tennessee
27	New England Patriots ^{(from Dallas)} ^{[R1 trade 13]}	Devin McCourty	Cornerback	Rutgers
28	Miami Dolphins ^{(from San Diego)} ^{[R1 trade 14]}	Jared Odrick	Defensive tackle	Penn State
29	New York Jets	Kyle Wilson	Cornerback	Boise State
30	Detroit Lions ^{(from Minnesota)} ^{[R1 trade 15]}	Jahvid Best	Running back	California
31	Indianapolis Colts	Jerry Hughes	Defensive end	TCU
32	New Orleans Saints	Patrick Robinson	Cornerback	Florida State

Second round

Pick #	NFL Team	Player	Position	College
33	St. Louis Rams	Rodger Saffold	Offensive tackle	Indiana
34	Minnesota Vikings ^{(from Detroit)} ^{[R2 trade 1]}	Chris Cook	Cornerback	Virginia
35	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Brian Price	Defensive tackle	UCLA
36	Kansas City Chiefs	Dexter McCluster	Running back	Ole Miss
37	Philadelphia Eagles ^{(from Washington)} ^{[R2 trade 2]}	Nate Allen	Safety	South Florida
38	Cleveland Browns	T. J. Ward	Safety	Oregon
39	Tampa Bay Buccaneers ^{(from Oakland)}	Arrelious Benn	Wide receiver	Illinois
40	Miami Dolphins ^{(from Seattle via San Diego)} ^{[R2 trade 3]} ^{[R2 trade 4]}	Koa Misi	Defensive end	Utah
41	Buffalo Bills	Torrell Troup	Defensive tackle	UCF
42	New England Patriots ^{(from Chicago via Tampa Bay and Oakland)} ^{[R2 trade 5]}	Rob Gronkowski	Tight end	Arizona
43	Baltimore Ravens ^{(from Miami via Denver)} ^{[R2 trade 6]} ^{[R2 trade 7]}	Sergio Kindle	Defensive end	Texas
44	Oakland Raiders ^{(from Jacksonville via New England)} ^{[R2 trade 8]}	Lamarr Houston	Defensive tackle	Texas
45	Denver Broncos	Zane Beadles	Offensive tackle	Utah
46	New York Giants	Linval Joseph	Defensive tackle	East Carolina
47	Arizona Cardinals ^{(from Tennessee via New England)} ^{[R2 trade 9]}	Daryl Washington	Linebacker	TCU
48	Carolina Panthers	Jimmy Clausen	Quarterback	Notre Dame
49	San Francisco 49ers	Taylor Mays	Safety	USC
50	Kansas City Chiefs ^{(from Atlanta)} ^{[R2 trade 10]}	Javier Arenas	Cornerback	Alabama
51	Minnesota Vikings ^{(from Houston)}	Toby Gerhart	Running back	Stanford
52	Pittsburgh Steelers	Jason Worilds	Defensive end	Virginia Tech
53	New England Patriots	Jermaine Cunningham	Defensive end	Florida
54	Cincinnati Bengals	Carlos Dunlap	Defensive end	Florida
55	Dallas Cowboys ^{(from Philadelphia)}	Sean Lee	Linebacker	Penn State
56	Green Bay Packers	Mike Neal	Defensive tackle	Purdue
57	Baltimore Ravens	Terrence Cody	Defensive tackle	Alabama
58	Houston Texans ^{(from Arizona via New England)}	Ben Tate	Running back	Auburn
59	Cleveland Browns ^{(from Dallas via Philadelphia)}	Montario Hardesty	Running back	Tennessee
60	Seattle Seahawks ^{(from San Diego)} ^{[R2 trade 11]}	Golden Tate	Wide receiver	Notre Dame
61	New York Jets	Vladimir Ducasse	Offensive tackle	Massachusetts
62	New England Patriots ^{(from Minnesota via Houston)}	Brandon Spikes	Linebacker	Florida
63	Indianapolis Colts	Pat Angerer	Linebacker	Iowa
64	New Orleans Saints	Charles Brown	Offensive tackle	USC

Now calling out: the red and black recidivists on the volleyball court!

Mr. Randy Totorp:

Webster's dictionary defines recidivism as "Committing new offenses after being punished for a crime." In this instance, the crime was to be out of form against the likes of Orange Coast College, whose only losses were to Irvine Valley (who got eliminated by Moorpark in five), on February 12.
Last night, your Vikings were recidivistic in their four-set defeat to the Pirates. Come on now. Your guys had TWO MONTHS and TEN DAYS to figure out how to even the score, and they couldn't get it done. I am in pure disbelief as to why they couldn't do any of the fundamentals right: hit, serve, and especially dig. They made it as easy as possible for the Pirates to finish the job, even after salvaging Set 3.

Guess what, Randy? Your returning players got THE REST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR to think about the futility that plagued your title defense. They didn't play like title contenders, or defenders. Long Beach City College played like PRETENDERS. Pretenders don't win anything (and a runner-up plaque doesn't not count as anything, not like it's going to matter; they couldn't even make the championship). Your boys have no one to blame but themselves for this atrocious inability to rebound from the humiliation dealt to them in February. I hope they make the most of their time to train their hearts out, to condition themselves like there is no tomorrow...anything to turn their fortunes around next season.

One more thing: if Moorpark, for some hare-brained reason unbeknownst to man, wins Saturday...it's the end of the world as we know it.

Yours truly has spoken,

JR Salazar.

BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Topaz Match Day 6

ARENA 01: [Nagato Yuki] Ichinose Kotomi by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 02: [Asahina Mikuru] Saginomiya Isumi by <=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 03: Kawashima Ami [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 04: Fujibayashi Ryō [Sanzen'in Nagi] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 05: Konjiki no Yami [Sengoku Nadeko] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 06: Maria [Misaka Mikoto] by >=1200
Over/Under: 5200
Over
ARENA 07: Kushieda Minori [Fujibayashi Kyō] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 08: [Katsura Hinagiku] Akaba Chizuru by >=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 09: Hirasawa Ui [Senjōgahara Hitagi] by >=800
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 10: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Holo] by >=750
Over/Under: 5200
Under
ARENA 11: [Akiyama Mio] C.C. by >=1100
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 12: [Ibuki Fūko] Furude Rika by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 13: Minami Chiaki [Shiina Mafuyu] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 14: Sunohara Mei [Hirasawa Yui] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 15: [Fate Testarossa] Nymph by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 16: Furude Hanyū [Sakurano Kurimu] by >=900
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 17: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Haramura Nodoka by >=1200
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 18: Shiina Minatsu [Saber] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 19: [Shana] Takamachi Nanoha by >=900
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 20: [Nakano Azusa] Okazaki Ushio by >=950
Over/Under: 5300
Under

ARENA 21: Saten Ruiko [Tōsaka Rin] by >=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 22: [Izumi Konata] Louise Vallière by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under

ARENA 23: [Aisaka Taiga] Furukawa Nagisa by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 24: Ikaros [Hiiragi Kagami] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 25: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Fukuji Mihoko by >=1300
Over/Under: 5000
Over

Special Match

ARENA 26: Hōjō Satoko [Perrine-H. Clostermann] by <=600
Over/Under: 4000

Over

ISML 2010: Mikoto Misaka tops the Topaz after 5

ISML 2010: Mikoto Misaka tops the Topaz after 5

April 21, 2010

Mikoto Misaka, already at the top of the overall International Saimoe League standings, consolidated on her lead with a 2977-1870 demolition of Illyasviel von Einzbern. Barring any surprising results in the last two matches, Misaka is two wins away from earning her first-ever ISML necklace.

Despite the circumstances, the Railgun was quick to downplay all of it.

"Well, at least Taiga's tamed for now," Misaka said with a shifty smirk to Kuroko Shirai, who shrugged her shoulders in return at the press conference on the Tokiwadai Junior High campus quadrangle. "Obviously the next two matches will be big ones, and I'm gonna make sure they fall in my favor this time.

"I do believe that the voters are giving me the respect that I did not get last year, and I hope this continues all the way to the end. I'm really enjoying this tournament much more that I did before! This is great!"

Taiga Aisaka remained unbeaten with her 3333-1416 tearing of Rika Furude but dropped to fifth in the Topaz standings.

Defending necklace holder Yuki Nagato's hopes of retaining her Topaz were boosted with a 3267-1583 annihilation of Isumi Saginomiya. However, she is fourth in the standings and will need help in addition to winning out. Hinagiku Katsura, the defending ISML Champion, also stayed unbeaten with a 3279-1573 beatdown of Fuuko Ibuki. She is third in the Topaz standings.

Chasing the Railgun is Shana, who rose to second with an easy 3490-1457 torching of Minori Kushieda. Mio Akiyama, who is also still unbeaten overall in the ISML, cruised past Ami Kawashima 3467-1405 to remain in seventh place. Also with an outside shot but still unbeaten is Saber, who slashed her way to a 2849-2019 victory over Mikuru Asahina. She sitts sixth on the table.

Once again, Bakemonogatari picked up a sweep. Hitagi Senjougahara pinched Konjiki no Yami 2680-1894 and Nadeko Sengoku poisoned Chiaki Minami 2967-1558.

In the special match, old school opponents met. Oscar Francois de Jarjayes became the first ISML contestant with a male name to win a match, a 1242-1117 victory over Candice White Ardlay.

In other ISML action...Holo swallowed up Nodoka Haramura 3392-1060, Yui Hirasawa thrashed Ikaros 2972-1869, Chizuru AKaba scored an impressive 2411-2151 victory over Kotomi Ichinose, Kagami Hiiragi whipped past Mei Sunohara 2868-1720, Nagisa Furukawa scored prevailed over Minatsu Shiina 2377-2204, Konata Izumi took out Ui Hirasawa 2598-2072 and Tomoyo Sakagami cruised past Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 2733-1983.

Mafuyu Shiina picked up a 2799-1779 victory over Tsukasa Hiiragi, Kyou Fujibayashi trounced Nanoha Takamachi 2603-1968, Rin Tosaka squashed Nymph 2906-1612, Fate Testarossa defeated Ruiko Saten 2613-2019, C.C. scored a thrilling 2334-2321 victory over Maria and Azusa Nakano pounced all over Ryou Fujibayshi 3329-1443.

Wrapping up ISML action today...Kurimu Sakurano got on the win column with a 3162-1016 beatdown of Mihoko Fukuji, Haruhi SUzumiya scored a 3363-1382 walkover of Hanyuu Furude and Nagi Sanzen'in was in cruise control over Ushio Okazaki, 3057-1601.

Match Day 6 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase is scheduled for Thursday, April 22. Vote on your favorite candidates online and join the forum debate at InternationalSaimoe.com.

BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Topaz Match Day 5

ARENA 01: [Holo] Haramura Nodoka by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 02: Ikaros [Hirasawa Yui] by >=600
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 03: Akaba Chizuru [Ichinose Kotomi] by <=900
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 04: [Sengoku Nadeko] Minami Chiaki by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 05: [Katsura Hinagiku] Ibuki Fūko by <=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 06: [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Konjiki no Yami by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 07: Sunohara Mei [Hiiragi Kagami] by >=8000
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 08: [Furukawa Nagisa] Shiina Minatsu by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 09: [Aisaka Taiga] Furude Rika by >=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over

ARENA 10: [Misaka Mikoto] Illyasviel von Einzbern by >=1000
Over/Under: 5150
Over

ARENA 11: [Nagato Yuki] Saginomiya Isumi by >=900
Over/Under: 5200
Over

ARENA 12: Hirasawa Ui [Izumi Konata] by >=600
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 13: Louise Vallière [Sakagami Tomoyo] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 14: [Shiina Mafuyu] Hiiragi Tsukasa by <=800
Over/Under: 4900
Under

ARENA 15: Kawashima Ami [Akiyama Mio] by >=950
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 16: Takamachi Nanoha [Fujibayashi Kyō] by <=800
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 17: [Tōsaka Rin] Nymph by >=750
Over/Under: 5300
Under

ARENA 18: Saten Ruiko [Fate Testarossa] by >=500
Over/Under: 4800
Under
ARENA 19: [C.C.] Maria by <=500
Over/Under: 4800
Under

ARENA 20: Fujibayashi Ryō [Nakano Azusa] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 21: [Saber] Asahina Mikuru by >=1000
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ARENA 22: Fukuji Mihoko [Sakurano Kurimu] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 23: Kushieda Minori [Shana] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 24: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 25: Okazaki Ushio [Sanzen'in Nagi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 5200
Under
Special Match

ARENA 26: [Candice Ardlay] Oscar François de Jarjayes by <=500
Over/Under: 4000
Under

ISML 2010: Taiga still waiting to be tamed through Topaz 4

ISML 2010: Taiga still waiting to be tamed through Topaz 4

April 19, 2010

Taiga Aisaka stayed at the top of the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase after the midway point, Match Day 4.

"The job for this one's not done yet," Aisaka said after routing Rin Tosaka 3162-2229. "I have three big ones coming right up. So I understand that it's not done and dusted."

Staying in second on the Topaz and remaining undefeated overall was Hinagiku Katsura, who cruised to a 3083-2367 victory over Azusa Nakano. "I have to see if I will be facing Taiga, Mio [Akiyama], Shana or Mikoto [Misaka] in this phase but I can tell you those matches I will compete in will be key turning points," she said, sitting next to a tea-sipping Hayate Ayasaki. "without a doubt."

Misaka climbed to the top overall position in the ISML with a 3037-2280 win over Nadeko Sengoku. Akiyama was never troubled in her 3363-2063 landslide win over Holo, but she dropped a few places. Shana's sword was blazin' hot in her 3476-1977 torching of Konata Izumi.

Yuki Nagato and Saber also picked up key victories to stay in the hunt for the TOpaz. Nagato whipped past Yui Hirasawa 3026-2409 while Saber was never in any danger against Kurimu Sakurano in her 3171-2213 blowout win.

The SOS Brigade picked up a sweep on Sunday. Haruhi Suzumiya prevailed over Nagi Sanzen'in 2844-2540 while MIkuru Asahina added to Mihoko Fukuji's woes, 3821-1205. Also sweeping were the duo from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha. Fate Testarossa scored a 2662-2490 victory over Kagami Hiiragi while Nanoha Takamachi completed the Hiiragi sweep 2749-2234.

In other ISML action...Illyasviel von Einzbern flattened Nodoka Haramura 3583-1288, C.C. still had in her 2668-2362 win over Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness), Chizuru Akaba chalked up a 2912-2052 decision over Ushio Okazaki, Kotomi Ichinose leftt Mei Sunohara heading for the exits 2810-1646, Nagisa Furukawa defeated Ruiko Saten 2843-2310, Isumi Saginomiya prevailed over Ikaros 2550-2362 and Minatsu Shiina annihilated Hanyuu Furude 3006-1816.

Ui Hirasawa scored an impressive 2558-2480 win over Ami Kawashima, Nymph got on the win column once again with a thrilling 2333-2318 victory over Rika Furude, Fuuko Ibuko left Ryou Fujibayashi seeing stars 2506-1884 and Minori Kushieda defeated Chiaki Minami 2574-2195.

Wrapping up action in the main draw...Maria scored a 2587-2438 win over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere, Tomoyo Sakagami defeated Hitagi Senjougahara 2657-2486 and Kyou Fujibayashi outlasted Mafuyu Shiina 2590-2472.

In a special match for this match day, it was a surprising Touhou curtain call...with a surprising result. Alice Margatroid, who was not a participant in last season's ISML, defeated 2009 participant Marisa Kirisame handily 2410-1747.

"It's an honor to be competing, if only for an exhibition, in a tournament that saw my friends Reimu Hakurei, Marisa, Remilia Scarlet, Patchouli Knowledge and Aya Shameimaru take part last season," Margatroid said at a press conference, surrounded by her doll Shanghai, Marisa and all those who participated from Touhou, along with Meiling Hong, Flandre Scarlet, Suika Ibuki and Sakuya Izayoi.

"We, along with all the residents in Gensokyo, would like to thank the International Saimoe League for giving us the chance to show what we can do. Even though we did not perform well last year, the experience and memory of being in the ISML is good enough for all of us and it's something that we believe can never be taken away." Her remarks of gratitude were met with a standing ovation by those present.

Topaz Match Day 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20. Vote for your favorite candidates and join the never-ending forum debates online at InternationalSaimoe.com.

BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Topaz Match Day 4

ARENA 01: [Saber] Sakurano Kurimu by >=1000
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 02: Hirasawa Yui [Nagato Yuki] by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 03: [Asahina Mikuru] Fukuji Mihoko by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 04: Sengoku Nadeko [Misaka Mikoto] by <=900
Over/Under: 5200
Over

ARENA 05: Haramura Nodoka [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 06: C.C. [Konjiki no Yami] by <=500
Over/Under: 4900
Under

ARENA 07: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Takamachi Nanoha] by >=500
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 08: [Akaba Chizuru] Okazaki Ushio by >=600
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ARENA 09: [Ichinose Kotomi] Sunohara Mei by >=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 10: [Shana] Izumi Konata by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 11: [Saten Ruiko] Furukawa Nagisa by <=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 12: Ikaros [Saginomiya Isumi] by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 13: [Shiina Minatsu] Furude Hanyū by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 14: Kawashima Ami [Hirasawa Ui] by <=500
Over/Under: 4800
Over

ARENA 15: [Furude Rika] Nymph by <=500
Over/Under: 4800
Under

ARENA 16: Fujibayashi Ryō [Ibuki Fūko] by <=500
Over/Under: 4700
Under

ARENA 17: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Suzumiya Haruhi by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 18: [Hiiragi Kagami] Fate Testarossa by >=500
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 19: Holo [Akiyama Mio] by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 20: [Kushieda Minori] Minami Chiaki by >=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 21: [Maria] Louise Vallière by >=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 22: [Katsura Hinagiku] Nakano Azusa by <=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 23: [Aisaka Taiga] Tōsaka Rin by <=700
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ARENA 24: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Senjōgahara Hitagi by <=600
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ARENA 25: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Shiina Mafuyu by <=800
Over/Under: 5000
Under

Special Match:

ARENA 26: Alice Margatroid [Kirisame Marisa] by >=700
Over/Under: 4000
Over

Quick hits, April 16, 2010

This Laker team could be in for a rough postseason. I warned the folks about the Lake Show crashing into the finish line, and my fears were realized on Wednesday. This team just may not have it. Facing the facts, whether you like or not, is generally your best option.
---

Woo-hoo, I am closing in on finishing the write-up and presentation slides for my IS 600 capstone. I can't believe it. Even though I don't expect my grade to be too high, the effort and attempt to get the others on my team to contribute has to be considered and given more weight. Let's see what happens.

---

So now I have this new person on topix who I am now waging a little flame war with. His name is Kratos, and I am enjoying going tit for tat with this s.o.b. Stay tuned.

---

Holy cow! I'm now a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Tomorrow, after my presentation...I will be heading off to the HDC to cover another game. Already notified the people up top to reconsider the decision. I hope that my credential is not denied.

ISML 2010: Taiga roars to the top in the Topaz

ISML 2010: Taiga roars to the top in the Topaz

April 16, 2010

Is Taiga Aisaka looking to take no prisoners and grab the International Saimoe League necklace for herself?

"Not really," she says. "I just want to kick ass in the Tiara when I qualify for the damn thing. That's all. This is just candy."

Aisaka rose to first in the 2010 ISML Topaz table with a 3475-1474 flattening of Chiaki Minami.

The top four overall in the ISML remained unbeaten in all-too-obvious mismatches. Mio Akiyama cruised to a 3678-1450 victory over Ryou Fujibayashi, defending champion Hinagiku Katsura took down Nodoka Haramura 3936-1004, Shana torched Nymph 3813-1303 and Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Ikaros 3368-1629.

Claiming a sweep once again were the girls from Fate/Stay Night. Illyasviel von Einzbern edged Kurimu Sakurano 2511-2366, Saber slashed Ui Hirasawa down to pieces 3183-1990 and Rin Tosaka wore down Fuuko Ibuki 2810-2140. Both Saber and Tosaka are in the running for the Topaz along with the overall unbeatens.

Bakenomogatari also picked up a perfect day in Topaz 3. Hitagi Senjougahara dismissed Kotomi Ichinose 2650-224 and Nadeko Sengoku sent the mad cobras out on Mikuru Asahina 2726-2372. Sengoku remains in the hunt for the TOpaz.

Yui Hirasawa stayed in the hunt with a 3266-1714 beatdown of Ami Kawashima. Also staying in the hunt was Azusa Nakano, who knocked Minori Kushieda around and upside down by the score of 3321-1770. Yuki Nagato rounds out those in the running. She scored a 3967-996 walkover of Mihoko Fukuji.

In other ISML action...Holo chomped up Rika Furude 3000-1823, Kyou Fujibayashi pounded Ushio Okazaki 3148-1352, Konata Izumi bounced back with a 2701-2329 decision over Isumi Saginomiya, Haruhi Suzumiya took out Maria 3134-2126, Tomoyo Sakagami rolled past Chizuru Akaba 2853-2019 and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere dusted off Hanyuu Furude 2800-1888.

The friendly rivalry between Fate Testarossa and Nanoha Takamachi saw the 2008 ISML Champion gain the upper hand once again, 2726-1462.

Ruiko Saten broke out the aluminum bat on Tsukasa Hiiragi 2566-2265, Mafuyu Shiina defeated Nagisa Furukawa 2511-2291, Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) defeated Mei Sunohara 2553-2123, and Kagami Hiiragi scored a 2685-2221 victory over Minatsu Shiina to confirm a disappointing day for the girls of Seitokai no Ichizon.

In the special match, Fairy Tail's Lucy Heartfilia, a good friend of Suzumiya, prevailed over The Sacred Blacksmith's Lisa 2134-1738.

Match Day 4 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase is scheduled for Sunday, April 18. Vote online for your favorite candidates on InternationalSaimoe.com.

BoBA ISML 2010 Predictions: Topaz Match Day 3

ARENA 01: [Holo] Furude Rika by >=800
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 02: Okazaki Ushio [Fujibayashi Kyō] by >=900
Over/Under: 4600
Over

ARENA 03: Asahina Mikuru [Sengoku Nadeko] by <=800
Over/Under: 4800
Under

ARENA 04: Saginomiya Isumi [Izumi Konata] by <=700
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 05: [Katsura Hinagiku] Haramura Nodoka by >=1100
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 06: Maria [Suzumiya Haruhi] by <=1000
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 07: Kushieda Minori [Nakano Azusa] by >=700
Over/Under: 4750
Over

ARENA 08: Sakurano Kurimu [Illyasviel von Einzbern] by >=500
Over/Under: 4900
Under

ARENA 09: Akaba Chizuru [Sakagami Tomoyo] by <=500
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 10: [Louise Vallière] Furude Hanyū by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 11: Ibuki Fūko [Tōsaka Rin] by >=800
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 12: Ichinose Kotomi [Senjōgahara Hitagi] by <=700
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 13: Nymph [Shana] by >=1100
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 14: [Fate Testarossa] Takamachi Nanoha by >=800
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ARENA 15: [Hirasawa Yui] Kawashima Ami by >=500
Over/Under: 5100
Under

ARENA 16: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Saten Ruiko] by <=600
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 17: [Furukawa Nagisa] Shiina Mafuyu by >=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 18: C.C. [Sanzen'in Nagi] by >=600
Over/Under: 4600
Over

ARENA 19: Hirasawa Ui [Saber] by >=900
Over/Under: 4600
Over

ARENA 20: Fujibayashi Ryō [Akiyama Mio] by >=900
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 21: Konjiki no Yami [Sunohara Mei] by <=500
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 22: Fukuji Mihoko [Nagato Yuki] by >=1100
Over/Under: 4900
Over

ARENA 23: [Aisaka Taiga] Minami Chiaki by >=700
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 24: [Misaka Mikoto] Ikaros by >=1100
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 25: Hiiragi Kagami [Shiina Minatsu] by >=600
Over/Under: 5000
Over

Special Match:

ARENA 26: Lisa [Lucy Heartfilia] by >=300
Over/Under: 3000
Over

ISML 2010: Hinagiku rises to the top after Topaz 2

ISML 2010: Hinagiku rises to the top after Topaz 2

April 14, 2010

Defending ISML champion Hinagiku Katsura was all smiles after taking the lead after Match Day 2 in the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase.

"Delighted," Katsura said after her 3287-1509 blowout victory over Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere. "I think I will be on track to qualify for the top 16 if this keeps up."

The other overall unbeatens picked up huge wins. Mikoto Misaka never had any trouble with a 3230-1526 wipeout over Ushio Okazaki and Mio Akiyama breezed to victory, 3399-1459 over Mei Sunohara. Shana also had an easy day in Topaz 2, thumping Hanyuu Furude 3631-1268.

Bakemonogatari picked up a sweep today. Nadeko Sengoku pounded Kurimu Sakurano 2612-1918 and Hitagi Senjougahara rolled past Fuuko Ibuki 2639-1997.

Team Nanoha-TSAB also cruised to a sweep. Nanoha Takamachi trampled past Nymph 2566-1795 and Fate Testarossa prevailed over Illyasviel von Einzbern 2427-2125.

In other ISML action...Kagaki Hiiragi rolled past Minori Kushieda 2874-1847, Azusa Nakano scored an impressive 2574-2324 victory over Kyou Fujibayashi, Minatsu Shiina scored an eyebrow-raising 2582-2154 decision over Ui Hirasawa, Saber never was out of it against Ruiko Saten 3032-1806, C.C. bounced back against Ryou Fujibayashi 2675-1933, Chizuru Akaba earned a decisive 3142-1081 victory over Nodoka Haramura and Taiga Aisaka roared past Konjiki no Yami (Golden Darkness) 3011-1755.

Haruhi Suzumiya tore apart Rika Furude 3250-1514, Rin Tosaka won a thrilling 2342-2270 contest against Holo, Yuki Nagato was all business against Tsukasa Hiiragi 3300-1437, Mafuyu Shiina made it a sister sweep with a 2540-2163 victory over Mikuru Asahina, Yui Hirasawa scored a 2596-2132 victory over Konata Izumi and Nagi Sanzen'in rebounded with a 2966-1720 landslide win over Ami Kawashima.

Nagisa Furukawa whipped past Chiaki Minami 2725-1742, Maria took out Mihoko Fukuji without breaking a sweat 3222-1143, Kotomi Ichinose sounded out Ikaros 2457-2005 and it was all Tomoyo Sakagami against Isumi Saginomiya, 2949-1774.

The special match was never even close. Riku Harada, the 2003 2chan Anime Saimoe champion, stomped 2004 champion Rosemary Applefield early and often, 2771-438.

Topaz Match Day 3 of the 2010 International Saimoe League is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2010. vote on your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com.

BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Topaz Match Day 2

ARENA 01: [Hiiragi Kagami] Kushieda Minori by <=500
Over/Under: 4700
Over

ARENA 02: [Nakano Azusa] Fujibayashi Kyō by >=400
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 03: [Hirasawa Ui] Shiina Minatsu by >=700
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 04: [Takamachi Nanoha] Nymph by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Under

ARENA 05: Louise Vallière [Katsura Hinagiku] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over

ARENA 06: Saten Ruiko [Saber] by >=700
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 07: Fujibayashi Ryō [C.C.] by <=400
Over/Under: 5000

Over

ARENA 08: [Shana] Furude Hanyū by >=1000
Over/Under: 5100
Over
ARENA 09: Haramura Nodoka [Akaba Chizuru] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 10: Konjiki no Yami [Aisaka Taiga] by >=1000
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 11: Sunohara Mei [Akiyama Mio] by >=500
Over/Under: 5050
Over
ARENA 12: [Suzumiya Haruhi] Furude Rika by >=600
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 13: [Tōsaka Rin] Holo by >=600
Over/Under: 5200
Under

ARENA 14: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Nagato Yuki] by >=900
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 15: [Asahina Mikuru] Shiina Mafuyu by <=600
Over/Under: 4900
Under
ARENA 16: Izumi Konata [Hirasawa Yui] by <=800
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 17: Kawashima Ami [Sanzen'in Nagi] by >=700
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 18: Ibuki Fūko [Senjōgahara Hitagi] by >=800
Over/Under: 4800
Over
ARENA 19: [Furukawa Nagisa] Minami Chiaki by >=750
Over/Under: 4900
Over
ARENA 20: Okazaki Ushio [Misaka Mikoto] by >=900
Over/Under: 5400
Under
ARENA 21: [Sengoku Nadeko] Sakurano Kurimu by <=560
Over/Under: 5300
Under
ARENA 22: [Maria] Fukuji Mihoko by >=800
Over/Under: 5000
Under
ARENA 23: [Ichinose Kotomi] Ikaros by <=800
Over/Under: 5100
Under
ARENA 24: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Saginomiya Isumi by >=750
Over/Under: 5000
Over
ARENA 25: [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Fate Testarossa by <=500
Over/Under: 5350
Under

Special Match:

ARENA 26: [Harada Riku] Rosemary Applefield by >=400
Over/Under: 4500
Over

ISML 2010: Chiaki Minami first after Topaz 1

ISML 2010: Chiaki Minami first after Topaz 1

April 13, 2010

The 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase began on Sunday, and Chiaki Minami took an early lead over the rest of the winners on Match Day 1 with a 2694-1181 walkover against Mihoko Fukuji.

"I believe the Japanese voters last year touted a show that no one cares about outside of Japan," Minami said after her match. "No one outside of Japan knows what Saki is, and I would believe that very few people outside the hardcore followers even play the game as seen on the show. As a result, the rest of the league (including myself) are making them know their place.

"I won't be surprised if one of them finishes winless, while the other goes 1-49."

The top four after Aquamarine 7 cruised to victories in a match day that saw a significant lower of voters, resulting in huge payouts for the under.

Defending champion Hinagiku Katsura continued the one-sided dominance over Nagi Sanzen'in with a 2987-1489 blowout victory. Shana, a longtime ISML favorite, had no problems against Haruhi Suzumiya, winning 2744-1974. Mio Akiyama was all business against Kagami Hiiragi, winning 2904-1793. Mikoto Misaka turned the lights out on Fate Testarossa with a 2722-1923 decision.

The defending necklace holder, Yuki Nagato, was going to be tested early against Tomoyo Sakagami. She prevailed, 2489-2214.

Mio's fellow representatives from Hokago Tea Time earned victories to make it a K-ON!! sweep. Ui Hirasawa took out Ryou Fujibayashi 2419-2020, Yui Hirasawa crushed Maria 2774-1920 and Azusa Nakano whipped past C.C. 2743-2009.

Another group making a successful sweep was the girls from Fate/Stay Night. Illyasviel von Einzbern defeated Ruiko Saten 2452-2136, Saber slashed past Mafuyu Shiina 2560-2111 and Rin Tosaka was never troubled in her 2508-1898 win over Nanoha Takamachi.

The Toradora! trio also claimed a sweep on Topaz 1. Taiga Aisaka defeated Hitagi Senjougahara 2574-2126, Ami Kawashima took out Ushio Okazaki 2253-2057 and Minori Kushieda wiped out Hanyuu Furude 2441-1769.

In other ISML action...Mikuru Asahina defeated Tsukasa Hiiragi 2661-1828, Isumi Saginomiya prevailed over Mei Sunohara 2362-2045, Holo chomped over Chizuru Akaba 2487-2036, Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) stomped Rika Furude 2438-1830 and Ikaros wiped out Nodoka Haramura 2669-1217.

Nadeko Sengoku sent the cobras out on Minatsu Shiina 2513-1828, Nagisa Furukawa prevailed over Kurimu Sakurano 2379-1996, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere defeated Fuuko Ibuki 2288-2049 and Kyou Fujibayashi torched Nymph 2756-1576.

In the special match for Topaz 1, a closely contested battle between Hayate the Combat Butler's Athena Tennos and Seitokai no Ichizon's Lilicia Toudou saw Tennos victorious, 2148-1862.

The 2010 ISML rolls on with Topaz Match Day 2. Vote online for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com as our countdown to the tiara continues!

ISML 2010: Topaz 1 Recap coming Tuesday morning...

Everyone:

The recap for Match Day 1 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz Phase has been delayed to Tuesday morning due to yours truly needed some rest ahead of some pollworking duty. Nonetheless, I got the quotes from the winners.

Stay tuned.

BoBA 2010 ISML Predictions: Topaz Match Day 1

ARENA 01: [Katsura Hinagiku] Sanzen'in Nagi by >=600
Over/Under: 6400
Over

ARENA 02: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Saten Ruiko] by >=500
Over/Under: 6100
Under

ARENA 03: [Aisaka Taiga] Senjōgahara Hitagi by >=750
Over/Under: 6300
Over

ARENA 04: [Asahina Mikuru] Hiiragi Tsukasa by <=600
Over/Under: 6000
Over

ARENA 05: Sunohara Mei [Saginomiya Isumi] by <=700
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 06: [Saber] Shiina Mafuyu by >=800
Over/Under: 6100
Over

ARENA 07: Holo [Akaba Chizuru] by <=800
Over/Under: 6000
Over

ARENA 08: [Konjiki no Yami] Furude Rika by <=500
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 09: Fukuji Mihoko [Minami Chiaki] by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 10: [Izumi Konata] Ichinose Kotomi by <=800
Over/Under: 6050
Over

ARENA 11: [Ikaros] Haramura Nodoka by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Under

ARENA 12: [Hirasawa Ui] Fujibayashi Ryō by >=700
Over/Under: 5900
Over

ARENA 13: [Hirasawa Yui] Maria by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Over

ARENA 14: Hiiragi Kagami [Akiyama Mio] by >=700
Over/Under: 6400
Over

ARENA 15: Shiina Minatsu [Sengoku Nadeko] by <=1000
Over/Under: 6500
Under

ARENA 16: [Kushieda Minori] Furude Hanyū by >=800
Over/Under: 6100
Under

ARENA 17: [Furukawa Nagisa] Sakurano Kurimu by <=500
Over/Under: 6100
Under

ARENA 18: [Misaka Mikoto] Fate Testarossa by >=800
Over/Under: 6500
Over

ARENA 19: Louise Vallière [Ibuki Fūko] by <=500
Over/Under: 6100
Under

ARENA 20: [Shana] Suzumiya Haruhi by <=600
Over/Under: 6500
Over

ARENA 21: [Tōsaka Rin] Takamachi Nanoha by <=500
Over/Under: 6100
Over

ARENA 22: [Nagato Yuki] Sakagami Tomoyo by >=700
Over/Under: 6500
Under

ARENA 23: Okazaki Ushio [Kawashima Ami] by >=900
Over/Under; 6000
Under

ARENA 24: Nymph [Fujibayashi Kyō] by >=1000
Over/Under: 6000
Over

ARENA 25: [Nakano Azusa] C.C. by >=800
Over/Under: 6000
Over

Special Match

ARENA 26: Tennos Athena [Tōdō Lilicia] by >=700
Over/Under: 5000
Over

BoBA Post Number 900!

In between discussions and capstones and laundry services, I decided to take one more trip to Long Beach City College's Small Gym to watch the men's volleyball last time. Once again, we were taking on Pierce College to finish our regular season. Randy Totorp's men wrapped up the 2010 Western State Conference championship with a sweep of Moorpark College. I told them guys, "Treat this as a warm-up for the 22nd of April at Orange Coast College. Congratulations on winning the conference, by the way."

I was surprised that Los Angeles Pierce did give us a game. It did take them the third set to finally show up. However, early on signs were pointing to a sweep.

In the first match, the Vikings were keeping pace with the Brahmas until we pulled through late to win 30-28. However, in the second set, tempers flared on the Pierce end and one of their players was sent off for arguing with the official and delaying the game.

It was a unusual sight. I never saw a junior college match that saw a player get redded. But here's the thing: Pierce College was going through a tough season. They were 4-12 (4-5 WSC) and needed to finish a tough year on the right note. However, a few of the players continued to argue with the officials and even I was telling them, "Enough! Get on with it; know where you are you punks!" They still argued.

That reminded me of something: a few weeks ago, I applied for a lifetime membership to the LBCC Alumni Association. for $250...I ended up getting a red piece of construction paper with black print for a card.

I felt cheated. Couldn't they have treated me with respect and used red plastic and did it in the way of the CSULB Alumni Association? To give my card some of the dignity it lost, I had it laminated at STAPLES for a buck and change. That's $251 and change for the entire lifetime membership.

Knowing that a red card in volleyball is an automatic expulsion, I pulled it out and showed it to the crowd as a strong suggestiong of what this official should do. If I'm the white maggot on top making the calls, I'm not messing around; this guy is gone. And so he was. Because of that, LBCC won the second set.

What irked me is the inability of this team to close the deal. In the third and fourth sets, I watched the Vikings squander their chances. Bad serves. Terrible digs. And too much improvisation. They were out of position, and I was not pleased by this.

So I told them, as the fifth game began, "You WILL finish the job, or you're gonna be one and done at OCC two Thursdays from now!" Understanding my frustration, they torched Pierce 15-7.

I still have my doubts, but they proved that they can still deliver when a match goes the distance. One of the sophomores will be heading to UCI, another to Hawaii, another to Lindenwood, an NAIA school in Missouri.