Weekend Watch (Feb. 3-5, 2012)

NFL - Super Bowl XLVI: Giants vs Patriots (Feb. 5, 6:29PM, NBC)
Saas-level: The Saas of the Divine

This is the grandest stage of football, the gridiron of them all, the Super Bowl. Everyone will watch this game (even none sporting fans for the commercials or Madonna’s halftime show where she promised no wardrobe malfunction…sigh). Now, if you are here to see a quality football game, I’m here to tell you that you won’t be let down. The Giants have been on fire since fighting to make the playoffs. They dismantled the Falcons in Atlanta, and then they went to Green Bay and took down the defending champs on the Frozen Tundra. Finally, they went to Candlestick in San Francisco and battled it out with the 49ers to get to the Super Bowl. The Patriots didn’t leave home. They beat down an over achieving Tebow team, and were outplayed by Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game, winning off of a shanked kick.

Both teams got to Super Bowl XLVI in different manners, but none of that matter when Sunday night comes around. We are getting a rematch of Eli and Brady. Can New England’s secondary stop the likes of Cruz, Manningham, and Nicks? Can the front four of New York put pressure on Tom Brady and make him uneasy? The Giants will need to keep a balance attack between handing the ball to Jacobs and Bradshaw and throwing downfield. Tempo and clock management will be the best defense against the Patriots. Also, the Patriots tight ends, Gronkowski and Hernandez, are the biggest threat the Giants must watch. The Patriots will also want to control the clock and keep the right tempo. The downfall of the no huddle that Brady runs so well is that it allows less time for the their defense to catch its breath. Another thing that New England needs to do is establish a running game. The Giants allowed 5.4 yards a carry against the 49ers. Additionally, using Hernandez to establish the run will work well because the defense won’t expect a run and will have a defensive package that is exposed against it.

All I have left to say about this game is that it is a must watch for any fan. These two teams are good. Both have an elite QB and coaching staffs that have demonstrated they are the best. Expect a well played and entertaining game.
Tsaasify Nod: New York Giants

NCAA Men’s Basketball – Ohio State vs Wisconsin (Feb. 4, 2PM, ESPN)
Saas-level: Chipotle Saas

Wisconsin likes to play it slow. Ohio State likes to run and gun. See the issue? This should be a good match-up if Wisconsin does slow down the Buckeyes. Their defense is capable of making the game manageable, but I don’t think the Badgers’ offense is at the same level and can’t keep up even with a slowed down Ohio State.
Tsaasify Nod: Ohio State

NCAA Men’s Basketball – Kansas vs Missouri (Feb. 4, 9PM, ESPN)
Saas-level: Chipotle Saas

Two top-tier Big 12 programs will be dishing it out Saturday night. Kansas will not only have a tough night in Mizzou Arena, but Iowa State last week showed an area of the game the Jayhawks lack confidence in. The Cyclones spread the floor against Kansas and put up a solid fight. Fortunately for Missouri, they have the talent and team chemistry to spread the floor successfully. Expect a good game.
Tsaasify Nod: Missouri

NCAA Men’s Basketball – Virginia vs Florida State (Feb. 4, 1PM, ESPN3)
Saas-level: Spaghetti Saas

Personally, these two teams are good but not great. They are over-achieving and look better than they are because they play in a diluted ACC. With that said, this game could still be a fun one to watch. FSU has been dangerous lately, and has taken down the top dogs of the ACC. They have home court advantage and the bodies to match against UVA’s Scott, but these guys will cool down sooner than later. Plus Virginia is looking to stay in the ACC race.
Tsaasify Nod: Virginia

NCAA Men’s Basketball – Marquette vs Notre Dame (Feb. 4, 1PM, CBS)
Saas-level: Spaghetti Saas, Hot Saas

Marquette has surprised many with their play this season. Currently on a seven game winning streak, the Golden Eagles look primed to challenge Syracuse for the Big East, being only a single game behind.  This game is another example of slow-pace and grind-it-out versus a fast run and gun type team. Notre Dame will have match-up troubles against Marquette, but this is at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Elite teams lose there: plain and simple.
Tsaasify Nod: Notre Dame

NCAA Men’s Basketball – West Virginia vs Providence (Feb. 5, 12PM, ESPN3)
Saas-level: Gravy Saas, Ole Gold Saas

This game should be a beat down. Providence is the worst team in the Big East, and West Virginia is still looking for a win since St. John’s schooled them, the referees rip the upset at Syracuse, and again at home against Pittsburgh. Look for a solid performance from Kevin Jones and Truck Bryant. The ole Gold and Blue won’t lose four straight.
Tsaasify Nod: WVU

NBA – New York vs Boston (Feb. 3, 8PM, ESPN)
Saas-level: Spaghetti Saas

I must confuse. I don’t follow the NBA too much until playoffs, which happens to be when teams begin to play creditable defense, but this game has some intrigue. The Celtics are finally back above .500, and Rondo is still feeling symptoms from his sprained wrist. It will be interesting to see the “old” trio, Garnett, Allen, and Pierce, compete against the clash of egos called the Knicks. If Stoudemire and Anthony put up some stout numbers, they could pull a win out of Boston, but the chemistry the trio has might be too much.
Tsaasify Nod: Boston