(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

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Spring football is officially over, which also means that we’re now one step closer to the start of actual games this fall. And in honor of it, it’s time to start up the Aaron Torres Sports summer podcast series with one of my favorite guests: Barrett Sallee of BleacherReport.com.

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Simply put there is no one who knows this conference better than Barrett, and on Wednesday Barrett broke down all the major story lines from this spring, specifically in the SEC East (note we will do the SEC West in the coming weeks).

However before we could talk football, we needed to settle a movie debate once and for all, beginning with:

- An argument on the merits of both Major League and Major League II. Barrett explains why Major League is a classic, and I explain why Major League II is one of the more underrated sports movies our time. We also debate Willie Mays Hayes’ character, the genius behind “Black Hammer/White Lightning” and agree that Jack Parkman is the boss of all bosses.

- Moving to actual football conversation we begin in a strange spot… with the Kentucky Wildcats. Both Barrett and I have been thoroughly impressed with what Mark Stoops has done and also wonder what this program’s ceiling might be with him as coach.

- We next move to the other new coach in the conference, Butch Jones at Tennessee. Both Barrett and I have been impressed with what he’s done so far, but have concerns with his ability to get this program back to their winning tradition. Both of us agree that success will start with the run game.  

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports Images)

As you’ve probably heard by now, Andrew Wiggins is a Kansas Jayhawk. On Tuesday, the No. 1 basketball player in the country, who some say is the best high school hoopster since LeBron James, elected to become a Jayhawk, choosing the school over offers from Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina, Nike and Reebok.

Ok, so I’m obviously kidding about the last two, but Tuesday did wrap up one of the wildest recruitments in recent college basketball history, one which seemingly started in the Mesozoic era and ended with everyone in the college basketball world left clueless as to which school Wiggins would choose. In the process it turned John Calipari in a rumbling, stumbling tweeting mess on Tuesday morning, and even led Bill Self to say afterward, “we never had any idea which way he was leading.”  

And really, doesn’t that last sentence tell you how crazy these last few months have been? When the best recruiter in the history of college basketball is forced to sell the virtues of his program through social media, and the coach who ultimately signed the same kid had no idea he was coming, well, that’s when you know things got weird.

They certainly did get weird with Andrew Wiggins.

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

The moment college basketball fans have been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived: Andrew Wiggins is set to make his college decision. On Tuesday, the super-recruit from Canada will announce whether he plans on playing college hoops next year at Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina or Kansas.

Now for those of you who don’t run in super-nerdy sports circles like I do (aka, you have this thing called “a life” keeping you busy) Wiggins’ announcement is big for two very distinct reasons:

A. Many believe Wiggins to be the best basketball player to come through the high school ranks since LeBron James graduated in 2003, a statement which needs no further contextual explanation.

And also…

B. Wiggins’ recruitment has been one of the most over-speculated, under-reported sports stories in recent memory. The simple truth is that no one outside of Wiggins and his family seem to have any idea where the kid is going to college. Yet that hasn’t stopped just about everyone from weighing in with an unfounded opinion on where he’ll end up.

Now in Wiggins’ defense, it seems as though the delay in his college decision is much more because he’s a genuinely torn 17-year-old (can you believe Wiggins was born in…1995!!!) than because he’s looking for any type of ancillary attention… which admittedly, is a good thing. Still, we’ve all got lives to live (even you, “Weird Message Board Guy No. 7261”) and when Wiggins does finally make his announcement, it will allow all of us to move on with ours.

Simply put, everyone has their own reasons as to why they’re excited about Wiggins’ college decision.

Here are 50 of mine.

As you’ve probably noticed by now, Aaron Torres Sports is in fact a sports website, however if there’s one thing you need to know about Aaron Torres personally, it’s that I like educating myself about stuff outside of realm of bats and balls as well.

Part of it is of course that whole “knowledge is power” thing, but the other is that I am genuinely interested in meeting anyone who is truly passionate about what they do. Some of my best friends on this planet have job titles that I can barely spell and definitely can’t pronounce, yet what I always admire about them is that they bring the same passion to their field (be it geology, civil service or again, some inaudible career choice) as I do to sports and writing.

That’s also why when the t-shirt company Design by Humans invited me down to their offices a few weeks ago, I was game; one look at their website and it was obvious they were passionate about what they do, and the product they provide.

Well folks, the third and final Captain Morgan “Perfect Getaway” challenge is here, and with it, your third and final chance to win great prizes. I’ve already got great swag to give away, but if we can somehow win this challenge, one reader of this site will win an iPad mini, Beats by Dre headphones and more. Last week we finished in third place out of 10 competing websites.  

By now you know the drill: Captain Morgan has provided a clue. You need to watch the video, review the clue and then answer the question in the comments section below. Please note that only answers in the comments section will be accepted.

Also note: This clue will again require some minimal Google research on your part. In addition to that research, feel free to reference your answers with others in the comments section.

Anyway, here is this week’s clue:

The mechanism used to set the prisoner free; the number of these found in the 2010 Panama excavation is this challenge’s key. (Hint: Sundance)

Again, there’s nothing much to this giveaway. Just Google the answer to the question and enter in the comments section below.

As always you’re more than welcome (and even encouraged) to hit me up on Twitter, via my Facebook page or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Now, get to Googling and share some answers!!
 

To quote Jim Nantz: Hello, friends!!

It’s Tuesday, and like I did last week, it’s time for another Challenge with Captain Morgan. This is the second of three challenges that can net you a ton of great prizes via Captain Morgan including an iPad mini, Beats by Dre headphones and lots of other cool stuff.

Unfortunately last week we did not get enough responses to qualify for any of the big prizes, but there are still two more challenges for you to enter and win. Plus, I do still have Captain Morgan SWAG to give away to my winners as well.

Anyway, it’s time for the second clue, which reads as follows:

The Captain’s vessel is of great fame. The answer to this challenge is in its name. (Hint: Morgan’s flagship)

Now please note, that after consulting with some other websites who are participating in this event, to find this answer, it may require some very minimal Google research in addition to watching

Once you do have the answer though, please just write it in the comments section and submit.

Remember, only answers in the comments section will be accepted, but once you do comment you’re automatically entered to win all the great prizes I mentioned above.

Also remember that the website with the most comments wins the best prizes. Therefore, feel free to share this post with friends, family and anyone else who might be interested in entering.

As always if you have any questions or comments for me, feel free to hit me on Twitter @Aaron_Torres or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Now, get to Googling and share some answers!!
 

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

A few weeks ago, the good folks at My Golf Locker shared a fun post with Aaron Torres Sports, about ‘Classic Masters Moments.’ It was a huge hit, and when my friends over at GolfPoser could do their own post, I quickly obliged.

Here is their take on golf equipment and clothing, and its importance to your success on the course.  

The PGA Tour is a year-long grind, where the world’s best golfers are forced to play some of the toughest courses under some of the most averse conditions.  In the coming weeks, PGA pros will have to play in the humidity of Florida, the extreme heat of Texas and at stops in New England, the Midwest and deep South, before the tour wraps up in Ohio in early October.

And just like their favorite professionals, weekend warrior golfers have to consider all the elements when they get set to take the course as well. Being in peak mental shape isn’t the only thing that makes a successful golfer; other variables such as the equipment they use, the caddie they have and even the clothes they wear are important too.  

Speaking of golf clothing, here are a few things golfers need to consider when they hit the links this spring and summer.

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

Now that we’re officially into the off-season of the two sports which are most near and dear to my heart (college football and college basketball specifically), it has allowed me to not only breathe a sigh of relief, but also to get out into the fresh air and enjoy a little bit of life outside the bomb shelter I call an apartment.

Good times! Well, unless you’re the guy who collects my cable bill every month from September to March.

But beyond the whole “bright blue skies” and “birds chirping” thing, my newfound free time has also allowed me to attend events I might not otherwise be able to. One of them came Thursday, when Jamba Juice sponsored a Fitness Expo, where the guest of honor was none other than Venus Williams.

Ever heard of her? You know, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, who also happens to be a Jamba Juice franchise owner? Well yeah, Venus was in attendance on Thursday and working hand-in-hand with both her sponsors and the expo, to promote health, wellness and overall fitness in a fun and (to steal Jamba Juice’s term) “fruitful” way.

Anyway, after the event, Venus was nice enough to also chat with the media, where she discussed her diet routine, staying healthy on the road and how she keeps her hair looking so darn good, under such adverse conditions (admittedly, that wasn’t my question).

Enjoy!

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

(Enter Aaron's giveaway with Captain Morgan, to win great prizes including an iPad mini and more!!)

Spring practice is winding down at schools across college football, and it only seems appropriate that as we head into the 2013 season, we start by discussing the biggest story in the sport: The Alabama Crimson Tide.

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The two-time defending National Champion (don’t let hear Nick Saban call them that) held their ‘A-Day’ spring scrimmage this past Saturday and as always, TideNation.com’s Alex Scarborough was there to cover it all. On Wednesday he was nice enough to join me on the show to discuss some of the biggest stories from the Crimson Tide’s spring, including:

- Alabama’s recent trip to the White House, and why meeting the President is just about the only thing that leaves Alabama’s players in awe these days. Also, is Nick Saban even a little bit intimidated by meeting the most powerful man in the free world?

(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)

(Enter Aaron's giveaway with Captain Morgan, to win great prizes including an iPad mini and more!!)

He is one of the leading names in the college basketball media, and a voice that every fan in America knows. And on Monday, he stopped by the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast to talk about his new book ‘Toughness.’

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Yes, that man is of course Jay Bilas, who has not only become the pre-eminent voice in college basketball, but also one of the most articulate people in the media on any and all subjects related to college sports. And on Monday he stopped the show to discuss his book, while also sharing deep insight into the people and circumstances that made him into the man he is today.

The topics we chatted about include:

- Why a 2009 ESPN.com article served as inspiration to write this book, and why the response by people not just in sports, but in the military and other walks of life let him know how important this subject is to so many people.