Trivia Challenge (Week 12)

WEEK 12 TRIVIA QUESTION (7/31)

No Outside Resources. This means you cannot use other people, the internet, or other means to help your answer. 

It is logo time. Which franchise or team does each logo belong to? You will receive 1 point for each correct answer and 5 extra if you guess all correctly. 

1. Colorado Avalanche

2. Wyoming Cowboys

3. Georgia Bulldogs

4. Miami Marlins

5.  Chicago Bears

6. Golden State Warriors

Week 12 Scoreboard
Name	Week Score	Cumulative
Bruce*	4	55
Bryan	11	88
Derrick	5	61
Josh*	11	66
Jarred		14
David*	11	96
*Note: Extra points for Blog Submission

Check out the Question and Leaderboard from Week 11

GRH Preseason Top 10

The 2014 Coaches Poll is set to come out Thursday, July 31, 2014. Here at Ground. Rule. Huddle., we are ready for the 2014 Season to begin. To appease our enthusiasm, we are each going to list our Preseason Top 10. This list will be updated each week during the season. 

Brian's Preseason Top 10

Note: This list ranks the teams I think are in the Top 10 starting the 2014 season, not the teams I think will necessarily finish in the Top 10. On the list, I will bold the teams I think will finish in the Top 10 at the end of the season. 

1. Florida State: Defending National Champion, and still loaded with talent. 

2. Auburn: Auburn's schedule makes me wary of thinking they will still be in Top 10 at end of season. However, if given Alabama's schedule, I think they would be a lock for Top 10 at end.

3. Oklahoma: Nice Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, and OU looks settled at QB.

4. Ohio State: Yes, they under performed at the end of last season, but they still have Braxton Miller and Urban Meyer.

5. South Carolina: Dylan Thompson has solid experience at QB, and Mike Davis is one of the best RBs in the nation. Look for South Carolina to make a major push this season.

6. Stanford: David Shaw has Stanford consistently at the top, and they are built to compete with anyone in the nation. 

7. Alabama: I have a lot of questions about Alabama, notably concerning their QB situation. This puts them lower than usual in my Preseason Top 10. However, I'm sure Saban will have them going full steam by the end of the year. 

8. LSU: LSU had a very young defense last year which should be much better. I am concerned as well about their QB situation, but LSU seems due for a breakout season. 

9. Michigan State: Solid end to last season, and Dantonio should have the defense firing on all cylinders again. 

10. Baylor: I like what Art Briles has done at Baylor with their offense and mentality in general. Bryce Petty is back, and they should have a potent offense again.

Just Missed the Cut: UCLA, Oregon, Georgia

Jeremy's Preseason Top 10

1. Florida State: They're still loaded and play in the watered down ACC. As long as they can continue to avoid the stupid upset (think NC State), there's no reason the Noles shouldn't be #1 again.

2. Oklahoma: Again, the conference is weak and this will give the Sooners a great opportunity to build off their big win in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.

3. Oregon: Mariota back at QB and the offense is always good. They have a tough trip to UCLA on the schedule but I think they can overcome it and get it done.

4. Alabama: I know their rival is loaded on offense but the schedule breaks in the Tide's favor this year. They have to go to LSU but they have time to break in a new QB and their offensive backfield is loaded to give them more time. 

5. Auburn: This offense is going to be loaded. Gus Malzahn has never had a QB return as a starter and Nick Marshall is pretty dang good. The question is the defense and the schedule. Trips to both Miss schools, Kansas State, Georgia, and Alabama. Tough

6. Michigan State: They just get work done without anyone knowing. Dantonio will have them ready again. Starting QB returns. Solid RB. Nasty defense. 

7. Ohio State: 24-2 under Urban Meyer. Braxton Miller is coming back. How good will the defense be though? A trip to Michigan State may be the make or break game for the Buckeye title chances.

8. UCLA: The Bruins have continued to build momentum under the guidance of NFL throwaway, Jim Mora, Jr. The trend should continue. Their QB returns and two way threat Myles Jack could lead the way to a big season.

9. Baylor: The Big 12 just isn't very good. Baylor's offense will be. Their defense should be a little better. 

10a. Georgia: Even without Aaron Murray, the offense is loaded. Todd Gurley is the best RB in the nation if healthy. There is depth at receiver as well. The defense has possibly the best LB core in the SEC. The secondary is the concern. Will Jeremy Pruitt be the difference maker?

10b. South Carolina: Dylan Thompson is more than capable and Mike Davis is a beast. The Ol Ball Coach just knows how to get it done. The winner of their game at home against UGA should win the SEC East.

Trivia Challenge (Week 11)

WEEK 11 TRIVIA QUESTION (7/24)

No Outside Resources. This means you cannot use other people, the internet, or other means to help your answer. 

Since college football is almost upon us, here are some college football hodgepodge questions. 1 point for each correct answer, 5 extra points if you answer all correctly.

1. Which Top 10 program from last year is known for playing the 2001 Space Odyssey Theme during their stadium entrance? South Carolina

2. After leading his team to the 2012 Sugar Bowl, this Big 10 coach has not won more than 15 games over the past 2 seasons with the same program. Brady Hoke

3. Which FBS team led the 2013 season in total offense? (HINT: West of the Mississippi River) Baylor

4. Which FBS team led the 2013 season in total defense? (HINT: Team has a new coach for 2014 season) Louisville

5. Which FBS team has the most wins since 2000? Boise State

Week 11 Scoreboard
Name	Week Score	Cumulative
Bruce*	3	51
Bryan	3	77
Derrick	4	56
Josh*	3	55
Jarred	0	14
David*	4	85
*Note: Extra points for Blog Submission

Check out the Question and Leaderboard from Week 10

Elite Coaches Since 1990: No.1

1. Phil Jackson

There is no question that Phil Jackson is the best coach since 1990, if not, since, ever. Sure, people argue all the time that Jackson coached elite talent, such as Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, or Bryant, but if you follow the NBA enough, you will probably realize that talent alone doesn't win championships. For example, this past season, the Miami Heat had 3 of the best players in the NBA, but were completed dominated by the Spurs, a less talented but much better coached team.

Further, how many championships did Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, or Bryant win independent of Phil Jackson? Zero. Ok, so Shaq did win 1 with the Heat...

From 1989 to 2011, with a few years off in between, Jackson won 1640 games with a 70.4% winning percentage. However, the most impressive statistics involve the NBA Finals. During this time span, Jackson led his teams to the NBA Finals 13 times and won 11 of them. 11 NBA titles ranks Phil Jackson as #1 all-time in the NBA, edging Red Auerbach's 9 NBA Championships. 

Some may argue that coaches, such as Coach K, Pop, or Wooden, are the best basketball coaches in terms of fundamentals, but at the end of the day, coaches are generally judged most by championships. Phil is #1 in my book and is arguably the best coach I have seen in any sport for managing a multitude of egos and personalities, including Dennis Rodman. It will be interesting to see how Jackson performs as President of the New York Knicks. 

Don't forget to check us out @GRHuddle. Who do you think are elite coaches? Submit your feedback to us with the hashtag, #GRHEliteCoach

No. 2: Pat Summitt

Trivia Challenge (Week 10)

Here's how it works:

1.Over 20 weeks, we will be asking a trivia question each Thursday. The challenge started Thursday, May 1, 2014. 

2. Answers must be submitted to groundrulehuddle@gmail.com by 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day the question is posted. 

3. Scoring will be based on each week's question. 

4. During the 20th week, we will have a final bonus question that allows for movement on the leaderboard. 

5. The winner will receive an Amazon Gift Card and an opportunity to be featured on the blog. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THIS CHALLENGE

6. FOR EACH PERSON YOU RECRUIT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRIVIA CHALLENGE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 2 BONUS POINTS. THE SAME RULE APPLIES TO YOUR RECRUITED FRIEND AS WELL (EACH PERSON THEY RECRUIT, THEY WILL RECEIVE 2 BONUS POINTS).

7. FURTHER, IF YOU WRITE A BLOG ENTRY THAT WE APPROVE OF TO BE FEATURED ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5 BONUS POINTS. THERE IS A 1 BLOG ENTRY LIMIT. 

WEEK 10 TRIVIA QUESTION (7/17)

No Outside Resources. This means you cannot use other people, the internet, or other means to help your answer. 

There are only 5 NBA players in history who have won 4+ scoring titles (scoring title=highest avg ppg in a season). Name the 5 players. 

(HINT: 2 of the answers played for the 76ers at some point and another played for the Spurs during his scoring titles)

You will receive 1 point for each correct answer and 4 points if you guess all correctly.

Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, George Gervin, Allen Iverson, Wilt Chamberlain 

Week 10 Scoreboard
Name	Week Score	Cumulative
Bruce*	3	48
Bryan	4	74
Derrick	2	52
Josh*	4	52
Jarred	0	14
David*	9	81
*Note: Extra points for Blog Submission

Check out the Question and Leaderboard from Week 9

Elite Coaches Since 1990: No. 2

2. Pat Summitt

Geno Auriemma may have 1 more national championship than Pat Summitt, but Pat Summitt paved the way for dominance in Women's College Basketball at Tennessee. She is definitely one of the most influential coaches in sport, as she has written three books, and holds the most all-time wins for a coach in NCAA basketball history. 

From 1974 to 2012, Pat Summitt won 1,098 games to only 208 losses, a staggering record with an 84% winning percentage. During this span, she led the Vols to 8 National Championships and 16 SEC Championships, and she was named coach of the year 7 times. Further, during her coaching career, she made the NCAA tournament each year. 

In addition to her winning and accolades, she has guided numerous players to the WNBA, including Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw. Unfortunately, Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2011, which led her to retire earlier than she would have likely preferred. Even though she is no longer coaching, I will never forget her "death" stare and intensity to win!

Don't forget to check us out @GRHuddle. Who do you think are elite coaches? Submit your feedback to us with the hashtag, #GRHEliteCoach

No. 3: Bill Belichick

Trivia Challenge (Week 9)

Here's how it works:

1.Over 20 weeks, we will be asking a trivia question each Thursday. The challenge started Thursday, May 1, 2014. 

2. Answers must be submitted to groundrulehuddle@gmail.com by 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day the question is posted. 

3. Scoring will be based on each week's question. 

4. During the 20th week, we will have a final bonus question that allows for movement on the leaderboard. 

5. The winner will receive an Amazon Gift Card and an opportunity to be featured on the blog. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THIS CHALLENGE

6. FOR EACH PERSON YOU RECRUIT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRIVIA CHALLENGE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 2 BONUS POINTS. THE SAME RULE APPLIES TO YOUR RECRUITED FRIEND AS WELL (EACH PERSON THEY RECRUIT, THEY WILL RECEIVE 2 BONUS POINTS).

7. FURTHER, IF YOU WRITE A BLOG ENTRY THAT WE APPROVE OF TO BE FEATURED ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5 BONUS POINTS. THERE IS A 1 BLOG ENTRY LIMIT. 

WEEK 9 TRIVIA QUESTION (7/03)

No Outside Resources. This means you cannot use other people, the internet, or other means to help your answer. 

Happy 4th of July Holidays!

Name the 5 highest rated TV sports events of 2013 (January 1-December 31, 2013). You do not have to name the teams involved, just the event. 

Please note that different games of playoffs/series/rounds count as different events. For example, the rating of World Series Game 1 would be different than the rating for World Series Game 2...

If you are unsure of what a rating is, according to Nielsen, a rating is an estimated percentage of the universe of TV households tuned to a program at once. Ratings are expressed as a percent.

You will receive 2 points for each correct guess and 8 points if you rank them in order. 

Week 9 Scoreboard
Name	Week Score	Cumulative
Bruce*	4	45
Bryan	6	70
Derrick	6	50
Josh*	6	48
Jarred	0	14
David*	8	72
*Note: Extra points for Blog Submission

Check out the Question and Leaderboard from Week 8

Elite Coaches Since 1990: No. 3

3. Bill Belichick

While Bill Belichick started his head coaching career at Cleveland and actually had a losing record, he has been fantastic as the head coach of the Patriots, posting a .728 winning percentage. It is debatable that Saban has dominated his level more than Belichick, but I give the nod to Belichick for his success at the highest level. 

Since 2000, Belichick has won 163 games, 11 division titles, and 3 Super Bowls. In addition, under his direction, the Patriots have appeared in a total of 5 Super Bowls. Perhaps what makes these accomplishments so impressive is the NFL scheduling. When an NFL team wins its division, for parity, the following year, it has to play all the division winners in its conference. 

This scheduling undoubtedly makes it harder for a division winner to repeat, as the schedule becomes significantly harder the following year (just look at the turnover of division winners in the NFC South). Thus, what Belichick has done at New England, given the fact they are almost always playing the other division winners in the AFC, is quite impressive. 

Don't forget to check us out @GRHuddle. Who do you think are elite coaches? Submit your feedback to us with the hashtag, #GRHEliteCoach

No. 4: Nick Saban