How many games into the season can fans begin to assess the Phillies? Can the Eagles succeed without a franchise QB? CineSport's Noah Coslov and the Daily News' Rich Hofmann discuss.
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
As we all have been entranced by the La Salle Explorers and their run to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, it is time to acknowledge this:
That the Explorers were the second-to-last team in the 68-team field...
...and that they have won three games so far...
La Salle's first trip to the Sweet 16 since 1955 has the city feeling nostalgic. CineSport's Noah Coslov asks the Daily News' Rich Hofmann what it all means when the Explorers' run will end.
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
KANSAS CITY -- “Everybody’s blowing me up,” Lionel Simmons was saying, standing in a hallway outside of the La Salle locker room on Friday evening. The Explorers had just won their second NCAA Tournament game and Simmons motioned to his phone and started reeling off the names: Bobby Johnson, Jack Hurd, Craig Conlin, Bron Holland, more. He said a bunch of them were getting together in Philadelphia to celebrate. He sounded a little bit wistful that he was missing it, but just a little.
The L-Train -- who, along with Tom Gola, is the definition of La Salle basketball royalty -- made the first stop in Dayton and the next stop here. He is in the stands, badgering the officials. He is in the locker room, interacting with the current players, the living, breathing example of what La Salle can be. After 21 years away from the tournament, it is a time that he can appreciate more than most.
“I’m very proud,” Simmons said. “It’s been a complete turnaround. John (Giannini) has done a great job with the program. The players believe in each other, care for each other. It’s just a great feeling right now for us...
CineSport's Noah Coslov asks the Daily News' Rich Hofmann about his concern level for Roy Halladay, the Sixers' future without Andrew Bynum, and the Philly teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
It can already be written -- about the Phillies, and Roy Halladay, and the 2013 season. After what happened on Wednesday, when Halladay threw behind Washington’s Tyler Moore in retaliation for Stephen Strasburg hitting Chase Utley with a pitch, the narrative was set up -- and the narrative rules.
So it will go one of two ways.
This way:
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Ryan Howard is looking healthy again, but are the Phillies in good shape heading into the season? CineSport's Noah Coslov talks with Daily News columnist Rich Hofmann about the latest Spring Training happenings.
What was it like to cover Buddy Ryan and the '86 Eagles? Will Jonathan Papelbon cause issues in the Phillies clubhouse? CineSport's Noah Coslov & the Daily News' Rich Hoffman discuss this & Andrew Bynum.
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
I don’t know what kind of greeting James van Riemsdyk is going to receive tonight at the Wells Fargo Center when he arrives wearing the uniform of the Toronto Maple Leafs. My guess is that it will be respectful, at least at the start. But if you were in the same building on May 2, 2011, it will be impossible not to make the mental comparison.
May 2, 2011.
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
PITTSBURGH -- The first curveball of Wednesday night’s Flyers-Penguins game has just been thrown by Pens coach Dan Bylsma. He has decided to start backup goaltender Tomas Vokoun rather Marc-Andre Fleury.
There has not been much difference in the numbers so far this season. Fleury has played 12 games with a 2.34 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Vokoun has started six games with a 2.27 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Bylsma said that Fleury has probably gotten a little more work that originally planned, and that he wanted to give Vokoun a start at some point this season against the Flyers, and here we are.
Because, make no mistake: despite the fact that the Penguins lead the NHL Atlantic Division with 22 points and the Flyers are fourth with 15 points, this is still very much Penguins-Flyers, with all of the attendant emotion.
