#1 Cochran - PSR Showdown
What are you most looking forward to in 2007?

The Pens' playoff push
By Rob King
Fox Sports Pittsburgh

Old Bill Shakespeare once warned to "Beware the Ides of March." That's the old English guy whose plays we read in high school, and not the former Notre Dame player (who, incidentally, was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1936, but never did play in the NFL).

Anyway, I am looking forward to the Ides of March, which shows up as the 15th on your modern calendar. By that time, we'll have a good idea of whether Pitt will have what it takes to break through the Sweet 16 barrier; whether Ray Shero has added a piece or two for the Penguins to make a playoff run; and whether Dave Littlefield has assembled a Pirates' team that can build on its second-half success (relatively speaking) of 2006.

By then we'll also know whether the Penguins will be playing here full-time. Let's hope that's the case, because little in sports is more energizing than a long NHL playoff run by your team. The pacing is perfect - a game, a day to digest it, fret about it or celebrate because of it - and then another game. A good month of that - with the ups and downs, the healthy ill-will a close series engenders, and the inevitable overtime games that have you staggering to the coffee machine the next day at work-is about unmatchable in sports.

And with the newly re-opened game-and with Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and company perfectly tailored to excel in it-a glorious new era, filled with long playoff runs, appears to be on the horizon for the Pens.

But there's also a new potential road-block: the new era of free agency in the NHL, which threatens to dismantle teams building with youth, like the Penguins, just as they appear on the verge of a dynasty. That should imbue Shero with a sense of urgency. Not that he appears to be the kind of guy to sit around and watch the grass-or his team-grow.

There are holes, of course. A sniper for the top two lines would come in handy, and perhaps another steady defenseman to go along with Mark Eaton, when he returns, or a bruiser on the blue-line. Let's hope the holes are filled, that the Penguins enjoy good health, and that by the Ides of April, we're enjoying playoff hockey, and that this promising season has not been, as ol' Bill once said, "Much Ado About Nothing."

Rob King is an anchor on Pittsburgh Sports Tonight on Fox Sports Pittsburgh.

Pitt hoops and the Final 4
By Rob Cochran
# 1 Cochran

With 2007 upon us, what will be the big sports story? The Steelers bouncing back from a painful 2006? The Pirates finally getting over what seems like a life-long hump? A break-through season from the Penguins with Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and Andre-Fleury leading the way?

While any of those possibilities could happen, I think next year's biggest story will come from Oakland. The Pitt men's basketball team has reached new heights over the last six years. Their won-loss record rivals that of any other program in the country. The only criticism could be the failure of the team to make it past the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. But I expect that even that will change this year.

A strong big man, good outside shooting, a deep bench and-most importantly-a team-first attitude, will lead Pitt deep into March. Much credit should go to Jamie Dixon, who quietly prepares his team to play disciplined, team basketball.

It was not that long ago when every year would bring a new reason for a Panther February swoon. That's not been the case lately.

As one who is a fan of all Pittsburgh sports, I can think of no more exciting environment than the Petersen Events Center hosting a Pitt-UConn battle or a Pitt-Georgetown slugfest. We'll get to see both in the same week later this winter.

Looking deeper at this season's team, there are many reasons to be excited. Start with senior center Aaron Gray: more experienced, more focused, something to prove - all a good combination. The Panthers will have strong, deep guard play affording coach Dixon the luxury of going with the hot hand at any given time. Levance Fields, Ronald Ramon, Antonio Graves, Keith Benjamin, and Mike Cook will be a strong unit. Finally, the team has improved the three and four positions: Cook, Tyrell Biggs, Sam Young, and Levon Kendall bring a good combination of athleticism and grit to the team.

All in all, while these Panthers have no dominant superstar, they have many strong pieces of a potentially championship caliber puzzle.

For those that said Pittsburgh wasn't a basketball town, just wait until March. A special season awaits.

Rob Cochran is the chairman, president and CEO of #1 Cochran, Inc. Rob is also a frequent contributor to the Pittsburgh Sports Report.