The existence of villains keeps things lively

"It was all about going out there and getting the checkered flag and bringing home the trophy and kissing the pretty girl. That's pretty much how Kurt Busch and I were both raised, and when we finished second or third in our local short track days, we went home mad. We weren't happy that we were there because we weren't there to finish second or third."One thing you can never take away from Kyle Busch is the fact that he has an immense amount of talent. The existence of villains keeps things lively.He is exactly what NASCAR needs, someone who keeps the fans coming back for more. Watch out for this guy next year, although he wont be running full time in the Nationwide Series, he will put on one hell of a show in Cup..

To be fair, there are but a few scholarships allotted for any collegiate basketball program. So one or two guys not making the five-year mark on graduation can really bring a program under uninformed scrutiny.But the Maryland Terrapins are consistently in the lowest percentile of graduation rates, and are consistently on the local medias hit list for it This year they are at the 10 percent mark. Williams has cited a number of legitimate reasons for poor rates on graduation in the pastattrition to professional leagues being the most used.But lets be honestCollege Park, Md isnt necessarily a hotbed for one-and-done players. Transfers maybe, but certainly not blue chippers with their eyes on the draft.I have no doubt that players are exhausting their four years at UMD and heading on to lucrative careers in international and development leagues.

Not really Williams fault, but it certainly isnt a stat to celebrate in the NBA breeding ground that is the ACC. But something has to give with a program that is putting just one or two players on a commencement stage every five years.If Williams and the academic support system dont do it own their own, the media will ensure it remains an issue until it changes.Technorati Tags: Gary Williams , Maryland Terrapins This article is also featured on Stet Sports Blog. Regardless of whether there is a replay, or Thierry Henry remains a villain in Dublin for the remainder of his days, Ramon Domenechs inability to put together a formidable side despite the relative riches France enjoy post-Zizou, should not go unmissed.Yes, there is every chance that France, and maybe Argentina under Maradona, could spring a surprise and emerge victorious in South Africa, such are there pools of talent and in spite of their shaky qualification but at the moment this seems a remote possibility.Ribery, Benzema, Gillette Henry, Gourcuff, Nasri, Anelka and new sensation Gignac is the array of attacking talent that Domenech could only muster 18 goals from in 10 qualifying matches. It took an illegal prod of the hand to ensure that William Gallas was able to head into an empty net and avoid Domenechs future as France coach becoming defined by a penalty shootout.He may well have taken France to the brink in 2006, but this was largely thanks to an Algerian born wizard giving the world one last hurrah on the biggest of stages, before succumbing to the insults of a mouthy Italian.There is case that now, with Ribery two years more polished, as are Benzema and Lassana Diarra, and the unearthing of Zidanes potential heir, Yoann Gourcuff, that France are a better team than four years ago. Lest we forget they have maybe the most lethal full-back combination in Europe, maybe the world between Sagna, Evra and Clichy.With such ability going forward, and a firm base in Lloris, Gallas and one of Mexes, Abidal or Squillaci, how is it that the French have almost stumbled their way to the finals. It certainly isnt a Galactico issue with Domenech, as at no point and not always through injuries, have all of the aforementioned attackers been thrown on to the pitch at the same time. Maybe it is worth a try...In fact try could be the key fault in Frances stricken armour.