Time to Draft

You may be curious as to why I'm talking about the NBA. Didn't the season just end? Well, yes, it did, but that doesn't mean everything basketball is done with. The 2011 NBA Draft will begin tomorrow, with teams keeping their fingers crossed that they not only score some raw talent but that the looming lockout stays far away as well.

Basketball is not an easy thing to keep track of and getting lost in the shuffle of endless teams and players is nothing to be ashamed of. That's why I'm going to make checking out some future NBA stars pretty brainless on your end. Here are 10 of the most talked about babes heading into the draft tomorrow...

1. Kyrie Irving, Duke

Irving is an Australian-American basketball star who is bypassing his final three years of college for the big leagues.

photo via The Locker Room

2. Derrick Williams, Arizona
Williams originally signed with USC but then changed his mind and moved over to AZ. He was the Pac-10 Player of the Year this season.

photo via Big Lead Sports

3. Brandon Knight, Kentucky
 This Florida-native frosh spent only one year playing college ball before declaring for the NBA draft.

photo via Bleacher Report

4. Enes Kanter, Turkey 
Due to receiving cash benefits, this 6'11" Turkish star is ineligible to play basketball in college and declared for the draft.

photo via World News Blog

5. Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania 
I have no idea how to pronounce this dude's last name or the team he plays for in Lithuania (Lietuvos Rytas), but I do know he's a top draft pick.

photo via Fiba

6. Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
 In high school this SDSU star was named "Mr. Basketball California". His father was shot and killed at a car wash in 2008.

photo via Fox Sports

7. Kemba Walker, UConn
Walker was born in the Bronx and is not only an amazing baller but a dancer and sociology major as well.

photo via Every Joe

8. Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
 The 6'11" Czech star is part of a family full of talented athletes. His father played basketball, his mother played volleyball and his sister is also a bball player.

photo via NBA Draft Insider

9. Bismack Biyombo, Congo 
Nicknamed "B-Smack", this Congolese stud was discovered at the age of 16 and plays in the Spanish ACB League.

photo via Pro Basketball Talk

10. Jimmer Fredette, BYU
This Mormon baller has acquired a hefty sum of awards throughout his career and actually played out all four of his college years.

photo via Fire Rick Reilly

If you haven't already, make some bets on who will go in the top 10 with your guy (or lady) friends. Enjoy draft day!

And do yourself a favor and check out this awesome take on the draft. 

Cosmo Clue:
The 2011 NBA Draft starts tomorrow.

Find out more about the actual draft here.

Rookies of the Year

Happy Draft Day!

As I mentioned in my post a couple days ago, the 2011 NFL Draft starts TODAY! To some of you this may be a regular Thursday for the books, but for football diehards, it's like the best thing ever.

You get to see the new talent your team acquires and who your opponents grab. It also gets you pumped for football season (even though if it DOES happen, it's still a few months away). Basically, it's an excuse for us football fans to get together, down some adult beverages and talk sports. I'll take it.

Each year there are loads of pro-football newbies with tons of talent. Draft analysts spend months predicting which players NFL teams will choose and which rookies get picked up. Though different analysts have different opinions, there are always some college stars whose names stick out.

Take a look at some of the most talked about rookies to grace this year's draft:

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback/Return Specialist, LSU

photo via Zimbio

Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

photo via EveryJoe


Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M

photo via Fox Sports

Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

photo via Jonathon Hood Show

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

photo via SI

Julio Jones, Wide Reciever, Alabama

photo via NYDaily News

Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri

photo via Mizzou Nation

Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

photo via CBSCharlotte

Robert Quinn, Defensive End, North Carolina

photo via Fox Sports

and though he doesn't top the draft lists, he's my personal favorite for more reasons than just his QB skills (hello dark-tall-and-handsome stud muffin)...

Christian Ponder, Quarterback, Florida St.

photo via BleacherReport

No one knows for sure where these football wonders will end up by Saturday, but one thing's for sure - they'll go quick. 

Make sure to check out the draft between now and Saturday to see who your team goes home with. And keep your fingers crossed that the NFL dickwads can get their situation straightened out and give us a chance to see these rookies tear it up. 


Have a great draft weekend!

Cosmo Clue:

Many of the same college studs top different draft analysts' lists.


Wondering what the rookies do pre-draft day? Check out this video. 

Can't get to a TV? Stay online here to catch the draft live.

Draft Day

Though the NBA & NHL playoffs are uber exciting right now, we need to take a break and switch gears to football and the NFL. Yes, the amazing, exciting, fabulous sport that may or may not be in affect this year. But even with all the lockout lameness, the 2011 NFL Draft is still happening.

photo via MJB News

Draft analysis' (and most likely your boyfriend and every guy you come into contact with) have been yapping about the draft for months. The time is finally here (almost!). 

Since the draft can be sort of confusing, most guys aren't willing to help. Whatever you do, just don't ask a guy how the process works during it. You'll either get snapped at, shushed away or given a nasty blank stare. It's like talking to us during an episode of Sex & the City. It's just off-limits.

To prep you for draft day and to forgo the mean looks from your guy, I'm here to help. Here are some of the basics on the draft. 

photo via NYDaily News

What is the draft? 

The NFL teams choose eligable rookies out of college to join their teams. 

When is it? 

Round 1 (there are different rounds) starts on Thursday. Round 7 (the last round) wraps up on Saturday.

Where does it take place?

At Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

photo via MMA Spot

Who gets to pick first?

NFL teams' selections depend on their record from last season (with the exception of the Super Bowl teams, who always go last). Basically, selections go from the worst teams choosing first, to the best teams choosing last. It's the one time that coming in last comes in handy. Here is a list of the draft order for Round 1.

Who do the NFL teams pick?

Most NFL teams figure out where their teams need help, and draft a player who dominates in certain positions. For example: If a team doesn't have a great QB, they'll usually look for a rookie with a good arm and so on. Having holes on a squad plays a huge role in where and who the team will draft. Also, some teams will draft a player, even though they already have a stud in that position, to start making a future-franchise superstar.

Who attends the draft?

Some big-wigs in the NFL, fans, analysts, rep's for the teams, etc., and a record 25 rookie players are scheduled to attend this year. The team's owners, coaches and personnel stay off-site, in their local areas, phoning in selections and deals.

photo via Cincy Jungle

How many players get drafted? 

There are 7 rounds, and an NFL team picks a player per round. 224 players are selected to teams each year (32 NFL teams). There is no limit to how many rookies can declare though, and many players will go undrafted.

I could get real complicated and try to explain how NFL teams can swap round picks with other teams, but I won't. I've only had one cup of coffee today and my brain just won't go there. If you want to be a draft day know-it-all, read up on it for yourself here.

 So whether the draft means nothing to you, or everything, at least now you won't have to ask the boys about it. You're pretty much a draft day diva now. Congratulations!

Wondering who the rookies are that will go quickly in the draft? Stay tuned for Thursday's post!

Cosmo Clue:

The NFL Draft takes place this Thursday-Sunday.

More on everything draft right here.

Sweet 16: Celebs Who Root

Hopefully you've been keeping up on March Madness and the college boys duking it out. Most of the teams have been eliminated and it's down to the fun part - Sweet 16! 

So far the tournament has been full of ups and downs, crazy finishes and some big upsets. A few teams who were expected to make it far (like Pitt, who I picked to go to the finals!) are finished, leaving some happy underdogs still swimming.

These are the teams still hoping to make the Final Four:

East

Ohio State

Kentucky 

Marquette

North Carolina

West

Duke 

San Diego State

Arizona

Connecticut

Southwest

Kansas 

Richmond

VCU

Florida State

Southeast

BYU

Butler 

Florida 

Wisconsin 

Though it's strange to think of celebs attending college - some actually did. Here are some Sweet 16 alums:

Ashely Judd bleeds Kentucky blue.

photo via Wild Cat World

Funny guys Jason Sudeikis & Paul Rudd are Kansas alum.

photo via BuddyTV

   photo via therealmtoys

Who knows if Nicole Richie & Kourtney Kardashian are bball fans, but they went to Arizona!

photo via Robert Redford

photo via Channel Guide

Maybe the best Asian man EVER - Ken Jeong spent his college days at Duke.

photo via BD Horror

Sports reporter Erin Andrews is a huge Florida fan; she was even on the dance team.

photo via E!

Hopefully your bracket is looking better than mine; less red and more wins. Games start back up today, so skip your manicure and have a babe watching sesh instead. (Don't worry, the games will end before Jersey Shore starts.)

Cosmo Clue:

The NCAA basketball tournament is down to 16 teams; games today and tomorrow.

Check schedule here

Madness Mayhem

March is a pretty sweet month. St. Patty's Day gives us an excuse to party and drink too much green beer. A new season makes it okay to buy a completely new wardrobe. And the time change allows for more sunshine & sundresses. But ladies, we're forgetting one amazing treat that we get with March...

MARCH MADNESS!!

photo via NCAA

What is this "madness" I'm so happy about? March Madness is a ginormous NCAA (college basketball) tournament and it's one of the best sports events of the year. People (and probably your boyfriend) talk about it for months before and it's all ESPN has been covering. It's a tournament with 68 schools, all duking it out to be named the #1 college basketball team. 

There's a pretty confusing system to decide which teams participate, but if you're up for a challenge, figure it out here. Basically, the winners from each conference get an automatic spot, and the rest are chosen by a NCAA committee.

The teams who will be scrambling for the top spot were announced yesterday and here is the schedule & brackets. It's a single elimination tournament - one you lose, you're dunzo. After the first few rounds, the tournament will get down to a "Sweet 16" and things get really intense. The first games are this Tuesday so don't forget to set your DVR. Finals start on April 2nd, so do your best to keep up 'til then!

Even if you aren't in love with basketball, March Madness is seriously exciting and can bring you back to your glorious college days. Feeling competitive? Pick your teams and take on the boys in a betting bracket at the office.

I'll be rooting for a home town team, SDSU! Let's go Aztecs!!

photo via Bay News 9

Cosmo Clue:

March Madness is a huge basketball tournament and decides the top college team. 


Want more Madness? Look here.

College Cuties

SaturDAYs are all about college football! 

photo via ratestogo

For many avid sports junkies, college sports are do or die. Pride runs deep throughout major college campuses and students love to show honor, any way possible. Whether its body paint, or a beer bong coordinated to the schools colors, these fans know how to represent. 

photo via Phi Kappa Psi 

These athletes are young, sprung, and the best part about it them = they aren't getting paid to play. Most of them are still in love with the game, and not in love with a paycheck. Plus, watching college sports can take college alums, like myself, back to our glory days. Shout out to all my Chico Wildcats! It also doesn't hurt that these young studs are in their pre-beer belly/receding hairline days. Hellooo Christian Ponder.....

photo via zimbio

I know Saturdays can be spent curling up on your couch, catching up on reality TV, but that's what TiVO is for. So turn your blush in for some face paint, your Starbucks in for a beer, and flip on a college game!

*Tip - if you can't decide which team to root for, go with the cutest jerseys. 

Not a football fan? Here's a link to the NCAA (The National Collegiate Athletics Association), where you can dab into the college sport of your fancy.