THE sports world according to Fitz: Pack it in; Green Bay
is just too toughIsn't there some big sporting event going on this Sunday?
Oh, yeah. The Super Bowl - or for many of the fans hanging out on Bourbon Street in New Orleans - it might be the Stupor Bowl.
The New England Patriots playing in the Super Bowl in New Orleans brings back a great memory for Chicago Bears fans.
Mike Ditka's Bears, with Jim McMahon at quarterback and Walter Payton in the backfield - along with perhaps the best defense in NFL history under Buddy Ryan - clobbered the Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX in 1985.
The Bears finished at 15-1 that season and shut out both the New York Giants (21-0) and Los Angeles Rams (24-0) in the playoffs.
Actually, the game started out in more typical Bears fashion. Payton fumbled deep in the Chicago territory and New England jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
And even in the blowout, Ditka couldn't avoid controversy as William "Refrigerator" Perry was allowed to score a late touchdown, even though the great Payton - who had excelled with so many lousy teams over the years - hadn't scored one.
University of Hawaii assistant coach Ken Margerum played in that game for the Bears- and is undoubtedly flashing that big and shiny Super Bowl ring on his current recruiting trips.
A prediction for this year's game? OK, the new commercials and halftime show might be as good as the game itself. But the big spread might make it interesting for the many bettors.
Green Bay 31, New England 14.
BIG ROAD TRIP: The University of Hawaii men's basketball team is heading into a crucial three-game road trip, which could even determine its postseason chances.
The Rainbows are off to a great start at 12-3 and 4-1 in the WAC.
Anthony Carter has been sensational, especially in the WAC games, and he also played well on the road - even in the loss at Air Force.
Now that he is hitting his outside shot, opposing teams aren't able to sag off him defensively and stop him from driving the lane. He also runs the fast-break with outstanding peripheral vision.
UH head coach Riley Wallace didn't come out and say it, but I'm sure he would settle for two victories out of the three games at San Diego State (Saturday), San Jose State (Thursday) and Fresno State (Feb. 1).
Hawaii should win at San Diego State, although the Aztecs (11-4 and 3-2) are tough. They don't draw very well, though, so the home advantage isn't as strong as in other places.
The Rainbows should definitely beat San Jose State
9-5, 1-3), although the Spartans have a good home atmosphere.
Beating Fresno State (12-6 and 4-0) at home before the wild Red Wave crowd would be a huge upset. But Jerry Tarkanian's team is similar to UNLV - excellent athletes, but inconsistent shooters - so it's a real long shot, but possible.
Still, UH would be content with victories at San Diego State and San Jose.
Winning just one game out of the three would really hurt, but still leave time to bounce back.
Losing all three games - always a possibility with the Rainbows' past road record - could virtually end UH's hopes for postseason play, unless they can somehow win the WAC tournament, which will be extremely difficult this season.
RODMAN REAX: I thought the 11-game suspension of Dennis Rodman was excessive and that the photographer at least borderline faked the injury.
The replay showed that the kick didn't hit him in the groin and he sure had a late reaction if it did.
I'm not saying that Rodman shouldn't be disciplined for it, but the league and referees are obviously after him - although he should realize it by now and try to adjust his on-court behavior.