Breaking Tweets Sports

Denver takes series over Dallas in Game 5 amid record crowd

Denver is certainly a mile high tonight.

Per the Dallas Morning News, the Denver Nuggets closed out the series with the Dallas Mavericks 124-110 at home in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals amid the largest crowd ever at Denver's Pepsi Center. The Nuggets advance to the conference finals for the first time since 1985.

Dirk Nowitzki had a slow start for the Mavericks, only attempting one shot in the first seven minutes of the game, but the entire Dallas squad couldn't hold off Denver. The Nuggets out shot Dallas 67 percent to 53 percent along with allowing an 18-4 run in the first quarter

The Mavs looked like they got a second wind by opening the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run but it didn't take long for the Nuggets to squash that by putting up a 14-point deficit and a 10-4 run.

Twitpic posted by @philzajicek

Tonight's win was a gold mine for Denver fans, some speculating on who they'll play next:

Ovzback It looks like the Nuggets are ready 2 come play at the Staples Center! 14 May 2009 from mobile web

ExecOfDaYear What a three point shot by Billups even though it did not count! The Nuggets got this game locked down. 14 May 2009 from mobile web

BlackPegasus The nuggets are killing it. I am at this sports bar in denver. Its crazy packed 14 May 2009 from txt

Stax_23 Nuggets got this. Lakers here we come! 14 May 2009 from TinyTwitter

thedust The Nuggets are dominating. My new favorite team (since the Hawks were eliminated). Why? Hate the Lakers, Celtics and Cavs (bitter). 14 May 2009 from web

EUR0X the nuggets are the best 3 point shooting team in the playoffs 14 May 2009 from web

nparikh27 Nuggets vs Cavs in the finals....Nuggets win..debate over...Melo >> Lebron 14 May 2009 from web

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Dallas fans are putting their team's season in its final resting place:

klierman25 seriously give me 1 month with the mavs players and i would have them playing the best defense of the NBA 14 May 2009 from web

Guiseppe21 Rest in piece Mavs 14 May 2009 from txt

djfireman RIP Dallas Mavs its over. 14 May 2009 from TweetDeck

tayfab Lets play a drinking game....drink every time the Mavs miss a shot. At this rate, I should be passed out in 15 minutes. 14 May 2009 from web

alextanPR another Dallas sports team disappoints me again. #fail #mavs #cowboys #stars #rangers 14 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Jim_oreilly no matter what happens in the 4th quarter the mavs have had a great year and are closer than farther to becoming elite again.. 14 May 2009 from web

Penguins advance with blowout win over Capitals in Game 7

Home ice and Alexander Ovechkin be damned, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby are taking their ice capades to another East Coast city.

The Penguins ran out to a 5-0 lead over the Washington Capitals in the second period on the way to a 6-2 victory, per ESPN, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals against the winner of the Boston Bruins- Carolina Hurricanes series (also heading to a Game 7).

Crosby scored the first goal for the Pens, and was followed just by eight seconds later by Craig Adams.

Bill Guerin, Kris Letang, and Jordan Staal were the other goal-scorers. Crosby scored again in the third period, eliminating any thoughts of a Washington comeback.

Steel City Twitterers enjoyed the surprising outcome:

chrislovett To some #Caps fans - This is what you deserve for your hate and jealousy of Sidney Crosby. (via @penschat) 14 May 2009 from Tweetie

Chris__Fink oh, hello Washington Senator. what's that? u're choking? on your own teeth that the pittsburgh penguins kicked down your throat. aw. pity 14 May 2009 from web

hellohahanarf This Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game just might be the thing to help make me feel like not crying. GO PENS! 14 May 2009 from TwitterBerry

swiftyjim Hockey's big chance to get back on the radar and it's Penguins 5, Caps 0. Doh! 14 May 2009 from web

blue182skies @ChiBlackhawks Whatever it is that has happened to the Caps, I am thoroughly enjoying it! GO PENS! =) 14 May 2009 from twhirl

pmazur Penguins killing the Craps in the playoffs...it's just like the old days 14 May 2009 from web

Ovechkin scored a goal as did Brooks Laich, but Caps fans had nothing cheer about:

tmccool Ovechkin is a sad russian 14 May 2009 from txt

Rhodes21 I'm confused, I see Ovechkin but I thought the season finale of The Biggest Loser was last night?!?! 14 May 2009 from web

kweennikki If the caps lose tonight i think Ovechkin is gonna throw a molotov cocktail in the locker room and kill his whole team 14 May 2009 from txt

carldunniii If anyone has seen the Real Washington Capitals please send them to the Verizon Center!!! #washcaps 14 May 2009 from Tweetie

Truth_About_It I don't think Osama Bin Laden could have scripted are more disastrous start to this Washington Capitals - Pitt Penguins hockey game. 14 May 2009 from web

One Tweeter captured this shot of Ovechkin during the second period:

(Twitpic by @tylerabramfitch)

Derby winner Barbaro's brother earns first win

Nicanor, a full brother to the late Barbaro, earned the first win of his career Wednesday, leading wire-to-wire to win on the turf at Delaware Park, according to the Blood Horse.

Nicanor got his first win in his first start on the grass. In three prior races, he'd finished second twice. The 3-year-old colt led throughout under jockey Rosie Napravnik, drawing clear down the stretch to win by about 15 lengths according to the article.

Barbaro began his career on grass as a 2-year-old but later switched to the dirt, on which he won the 2006 Kentucky Derby. The colt broke down in the Preakness and was euthanized in January 2007.

Nicanor has drawn intense public interest, including a blog dedicated to him, because of his famous older brother. Racing fans on Twitter celebrated the colt's win.

hcfarm Yeah! Nicanor got the win today on turf! Freakin' excited right now! 13 May 2009 from txt

wowhorse Way to go, Nicanor! Holy smokes! Barbaro's baby bro broke his maiden today by 15 1/4 lengths when on the grass for the first time! 13 May 2009 from web

MJ_SCTrekWidow Woo hoo! Go Nicky Knocks! Barbaro's baby bro Nicanor breaks his maiden by 15! 13 May 2009 from TwitterBerry

Three_Chimneys BARBARO's little bro NICANOR (both by Dynaformer) just trounced his competition by...get this...more than 15 lengths!!! 13 May 2009 from web

SuzInQueenCity Nicanor broke his maiden by 15 on turf! Go Nicanor! 13 May 2009 from web

jlaner0408 Nicanor broke his maiden!!! 13 May 2009 from web

HorseRacingInside posted a video of the race on YouTube.

Tweeting Coaches

There is no industry more competitive in sports than recruiting. Just read the latest scandal brewing at USC. Read Yahoo Sports' story here.

Because the recruiting arms race is so fierce, more college coaches are embracing social media. High-profile guys like Trojan football coach Pete Carroll, Florida football coach Urban Meyer and Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean are now Tweeting. It begs the question-- are they on Twitter because they feel it can give them a leg up in recruiting, or are these alpha males looking for a wider audience to broadcast the daily minutia of their lives? Here at BT Sports, we thought we would take a closer look.

Pete Carroll- The USC coach not just bleeds Trojan red, but Laker purple and gold as well. Not sure where the party is after the game? No worries...just follow Coach C's feed. He even finds time for a shout out to recent grads:

PeteCarroll i hear the best laker party in the south bay is going to be at boogaloo cafe: http://www.boogaloo.com/ 12 May 2009 from web

PeteCarroll Great night to watch the lakers.romp!! 13 May 2009 from TwitterFon

PeteCarroll last day of finals here at sc, congrats to all on finishing the year! song of the day: school is out by gary u.s. bonds: http://bit.ly/MgCsX 13 May 2009 from web

Urban Meyer- No after-hours party recommendations from the two-time national champion coach, but he loves his Florida Gators, and not just the ones in helmets and shoulder pads. Meyer sends congratulatory Tweets to other Florida teams. Hey, you're either a Gator or you're not! He also Tweets for a reason that gets to the heart of social media's purpose...self-promotion.

CoachUrbanMeyer Great article on www.coachurbanmeyer about how we trying to teach the players about life outside of football, we did this every tuesday ... 10 May 2009 from txt

CoachUrbanMeyer Congrats to UF softball as they are the overall #1 seed in the NCAA tourney 11 May 2009 from txt

CoachUrbanMeyer Heading to Polk County for a Gator Club Gathering. Hope to see you there. 12 May 2009 from txt

Tom Crean- In the catagory of pure volume of Tweets, the Indiana basketball coach wins hands down (16 Tweets on May 3rd alone). Whether he's refuting a report he was seen Tweeting while driving; sharing what show he watched on cable that night or quoting Bob Knight, Crean is a must-follow for all sports Tweeters.

TomCrean Gettin back to Terry i was NEVER twittering while driving only talking on the phone. I am under strict orders on the no texting while dr ... 02 May 2009 from txt

TomCrean Who dont have such good judgement that their judgement isnt very good, make good leaders. Bob Knight 07 May 2009 from txt

TomCrean Watching the New York houswives reunion special. Priceless entertainment on the Bravo Channel. 13 May 2009 from txt

Tweeting coaches--good for the school or good for their egos?

Gators' coach Urban Meyer doesn't like criticism

Florida football coach Urban Meyer's ego stretches from the Florida panhandle to the setting sun of the Florida keys.

It's no wonder then that Meyer took great disdain to the criticism former Florida quarterback Shane Matthews levied against his alma mater after Florida's only loss to Ole Miss last year, per the Orlando Sentinel.

Matthews, according to Meyer, needs to "bleed orange and blue". This said of a quarterback who in 1993 finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and set new marks for career passing yardage.

What was the Twittersphere saying (including a few from ESPN)?

SwamiG8R Urban seems to have it out for our boy Shane Matthews? 27 Apr 2009 from web

sagesteele Gimme a break - Urban Meyer needs to lighten up! Shane Matthews has a job to do.. and he's doing it. Don't be so paranoid, coach! 13 May 2009 from web

2nickeldropper why does urban meyer need any more support? he talks his team into the national championship every year anyways 13 May 2009 from web

rjw3000 So according to Urban Meyer, you have to always kiss his ass and say nothing bad about the program if you were a Gator. Ok there, jackass 13 May 2009 from web

jeffemanuel ESPN: Urban Meyer says fmr players who criticize him will no longer be welcome in the #Gators facility http://tinyurl.com/pu6j2u #NCAAF 13 May 2009 from feedly

gillee Urban Meyer is so easy to hate http://bit.ly/tx2H 13 May 2009 from web

momo34 I have trouble putting my hatred for Florida into words. Oh and Urban Meyer is becoming as hated as Spurrier to me... http://bit.ly/uHkjE 13 May 2009 from Seesmic Desktop

LauraSteelWoods Urban Meyer's mandate has so many flaws, I don't know where to start. http://tiny.cc/d1KAB 13 May 2009 from web

happyhourvalley Urban Meyer Does Not Like You Questioning His Authori-tah: http://tinyurl.com/oeoxg2d 13 May 2009 from web