http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/home.aspxOur hoops insider Suzie Franchise takes a critical look at what’s happening in the world of sports (mainly basketball, soccer, football and tennis)en-usCopyright 2013, CFRB-AMWed, 22 May 2013 05:08:36 GMTThu, 18 Apr 2013 12:34:05 GMT1http://emmisinteractive.comIt has shaped up to be another disappointing season that has seen the Toronto Raptors left out of the playoffs for the fifth straight season, but they ended it on Wednesday night with a 114-90 win over the Boston Celtics.But fear not, the team sees this as the next step in the building process, and as coach Dwane Casey so clearly puts it - getting to the playoffs.And Casey didn't hold back in summarizing the roller coaster of a season calling it "a tale of three different seasons.""Three different teams, three different seasons,'' Casey said. "We are disappointed. I am disappointed. But if you disregard the 4-19, then we are knocking on the door of the playoffs.''That 4-19 start left the Raptors digging out of a three feet hole as Casey and some of the players have candidly put it throughout the 34-48 season. And even ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10532797sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10532797Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:34:05 GMTCall them the comeback kings. Call them one of the toughest team in US college hoops or whatever you want, but quite frankly the Louisville Cardinals are the best this year and they have the NCAA title to prove it after beating Michigan 82-76 on Monday night.The Cardinals proved that the NCAA selection committee didn't get it wrong in picking them as the top overall seed in the tournament, but they had to work hard for it in their last two games.On Saturday, Louisville rallied back from a 12-point deficit in the second half against Wichita State before clinching the 72-68 victory. On Monday, they also fell behind by 12 but this time in the first half, before Luke  Hancock led the comeback wiping out the entire deficit before the break.This was the sixth game this season that the Cardinals came from behind to pull off a ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10528231sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10528231Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:52:27 GMTThe finals of the NCAA are set to go with overall top seed Louisville to square off against the South Region's No. 4 Michigan.The Cardinals rallied from a 12 point deficit to beat Cinderella team Wichita State to book their tickets to the finals, while the Wolverines held off a second quarter rally from Syracuse to get there.Louisville had never trailed in the tournament up until Saturday night when the Shockers took control of the match, using a tight defence that took the Cardinals out of their comfort zone. With Kevin Ware out to a gruesome injury, the Cardinals appeared to be out of sorts and had to rely on a solid effort from their bench to get the win. Luke Hancock came off the bench to score 20 points and walk-on Tim Henderson, hit two 3-pointers when the Cardinals were down, to turn the tide against the ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10527652sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10527652Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:35:50 GMTAfter two weeks of action packed basketball, the Final Four of the NCAA tournament are left standing and will play on Saturday night to book their tickets to Monday night's finals.So, who will make it to the big dance?SYRACUSE vs MICHIGANIn the battle of the No. 4 seeds, this game could be the most exciting of the two matches. Both teams seem to be equally matched and this will be a close affair from the get go.Syracuse's tight and stingy defense will be put to the test by a Michigan offense that is dangerous from the three point line.The Orange have allowed fewer than 46 points a game and have forced their opponents into 29% shooting, including 15% from outside the arc. Michigan on the flip side is one of the country's best three-point shooting teams and the Wolverines have managed to shoot better than ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10526880sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10526880Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:51:54 GMTAfter two action packed weekends, only four teams are left standing in the NCAA tournament.Top overall seed Louisville remain the clear favourites after an inspiring win over Duke. After a close first half that saw the Cardinals lose guard Kevin Ware in a gruesome injury, the team regrouped to pull off the 85-63 win over the Blue Devils.Ware snapped his lower right leg after coming down awkwardly while defending a three pointer, in front of the Louisville bench, where his team mates reacted in shock after seeing his broken leg dangling.     Before Ware was wheeled off on a stretcher, the sophomore gave his team mates a pep talk, urging them to get the win and bring it home to his hometown Atlanta, where the next two rounds will be played.The Cardinals will face Wichita State who have lived up to their nickname - the Shockers....http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10525013sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10525013Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:39:38 GMTAfter a weekend of shockers, close games, clutch shots, and many busted brackets, sixteen teams are left in the NCAA tournament.March Madness has lived up to its hype so far, after seeing some of the top teams bounced from the tournament.And like previous years we have a Cinderella team in the South Region's No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast who left many people stunned - and cursing - after defeating No. 2 Georgetown on Friday. And the Eagles proved their win over the Hoyas wasn't a fluke, following it up with an impressive 81-71 win over No. 7 seed San Diego State, becoming the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen.Up next for the Eagles will be third seed Florida who easily downed No. 11 Minnesota 78-64 on Sunday. The West Region's No. 2 seed Ohio State had a close call against No. 10 Iowa State ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10521854sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10521854Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:06:42 GMTDay 1 had it all, some close calls, blow out losses and a stunning upset that no one expected.UPSET OF THE DAYThe West Region's No. 14 seed Harvard came up with a genius plan pulling off the upset over No. 3 New Mexico, the Mountain West Conference champions, and a team that most had pegged to make a deep run in the tournament.Quebec's Laurent Rivard scored five 3-pointers in the Crimson's 68-62 win over the Lobos who were known for their stingy defence all season.It was New Mexico's first loss to an Ivy League team in 15 games. The Lobos had never played the Crimson before. Harvard will play Arizona on Saturday.CLOSE CALLSWhat should have been a fairly easy match turned out to be one that was too close for comfort. No. 1 seed Gonzaga was pushed to the limit by No. 16 Southern, ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10521010sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10521010Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:21:17 GMTThree weeks of intense basketball action. 68 teams all looking to be the last one standing. March Madness is once again upon us and everyone will be making their picks to see who will take it all. Now, if you're trying to figure out who the hands down favourite is to win this thing altogether, I couldn't tell you, as there are a handful of teams that could take it all. And that's what makes this year's tournament very exciting.Looking back on Selection Sunday, it appears that even the NCAA's selection committee couldn't make up their minds on who the top seeds were. Louisville, Indiana, Kansas and Gonzaga were all named No. 1 seeds, but of course there were arguments for both Miami and Duke who ended up as No. 2 seeds. Now after looking at the brackets carefully, I can see a number of possibilities, some more likely ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10518856sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10518856Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:19:44 GMTWe've heard the members of the Toronto Raptors say time after time that they really like each other and that they're really close.They're even willing to defend one of their own when things go bad, for example, we've seen teammates step up and defend Andrea Bargnani who has been booed by fans since returning from injury weeks ago.Well with the latest dance craze the Harlem Shake making the rounds on the Internet, and everyone having their own version of the video posted, the Raptors pretty much showed their team spirit and brotherly love by creating their own.Somehow power forward Amir Johnson convinced his teammates, head coach Dwane Casey and the team's mascot to participate. And even the newest member of the team point guard Sebatian Telfair looked right at home with others dancing around in silly costumes.But hey if this off court camaraderie translates to more ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10509722sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10509722Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:38:17 GMTAs the clock quickly ticks to the NBA's 3 p.m. trade deadline on Thursday, all eyes will be on the Toronto Raptors and what they do with Andrea Bargnani.And from the looks of things or perhaps rumblings, it appears that the deadline will pass and Bargnani will still be a Raptor.But if President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo is absolutely serious about the team making the playoffs, then he should consider working the phones and sweet talking other GMs to get a deal in place to send the 27-year-old power forward/centre somewhere else.Now I won't hop on the hate Bargnani bandwagon, but since his return from a two month long injury layoff, he has done nothing to help his case. The big man has been booed by fans game after game since returning on February 6th, and he has been really struggling as of late, scoring a ...http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10506909sfrancis@astral.com (Suzette Francis)http://www.newstalk1010.com/blog/suzettefrancis/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10506909Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:34:13 GMT