RF Sports Radio: 2012

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Rice Shocks Falcons as They Come Out On Top In The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

After being down at halftime by 7, the Rice Owls started to find their rhythm in the second half as they outscored Air Force 26-0.

2012 Armed Forces Bowl - Air Force vs Rice; More than a game

In the mix of bowl games that seem to continuously flow from mid-December until after New Year's, one always stands out. It is not so much the game, but what the game stands for. This year the Armed Forces Bowl will make it's way back home in Fort Worth at TCU's new field for good. The last two years the game has been held at SMU Ford Field. It's outside the stadium prior to the game and after that really tells the story.

Outside the stadium is a fair of military power and pride. Drone aircraft, tanks, servicemen and women all adorn the booths with information and activities for all ages. Young men test their strength on the "pull-up" bar and awe at the helicopter perched on the practice field. Most bowl games do not offer the same experience.

Ernesto Marcano, an USAF veteran, will be attending the game for the first time. He learned about the game from his visits to the VA hospital in Dallas. "I'm looking forward to seeing my fellow servicemen the most. I am also taking my brother-in-law and his kids."

This year's game features the Air Force Falcons (6-6) against the Rice Owls (6-6). Rice earned their right to play in the Armed Forces Bowl by defeating UTEP in the Sun Bowl 33-24. Air Force will be playing in it's fourth Armed Forces Bowl, but have only a 1-7 record in Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Since 1998, the Falcons have faced the Owls a total of six previous times with the Falcons winning five of those games. This will be the first time the teams will meet on a neutral field.

Tickets are still available for the game and are as low as $20. Small price to pay to show your support to a bowl that is more than a game.

Get more information here: www.armedforcesbowl.com

Previous Bowl Coverage:

Sports Election Day 2012 - Polls are Open - Your Vote Counts!

On this day of civic duty, RFSPortsRadio.com wants YOU to cast your sports vote! Take our sports poll today on our home page and make your vote count.

This ad paid for by the "We Care Sports Fan" party....

Cowboys get an impressive win over the Giants 24-17; Romo looking good

After a lackluster preseason plagued by injury and arrests, the Cowboys open the season with a bang. Everything that seemed to hold this team back last year; like bad defense at the end of games and an offensive drop-off in the second half, seemed to be a thing of the past. Kevin Ogletree has to be the most added player in fantasy football today!

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRAP-UP

Show: Dwight Howard, Chad Johnson, Team USA, 2012 Olympics Wrap-up, NFL Preseason, Dallas Cowboys

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The Dwight Howard trade
Chad Johnson
NFL Preseason talk
Dallas Cowboys
Olympic Wrap-up
Team USA

Plus your calls and comments!

Team USA advances over Australia thanks to Lebron James triple-double

Usain Bolt, Barry Bonds, NFL Training Camp, T.O. a Seahawk, Olympic boxing

10:30pm CST: Join us for more sports talk from a Fan's perspective! Joining us tonight Ryan Henry, our newest member of the team.

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Errol Spence's loss overturned

Associated Press

LONDON -- A few hours after the U.S. men's boxing team thought it was done at the Olympics, amateur boxing's governing body decided Errol Spence deserved to fight on.

AIBA overturned Spence's loss to Indian welterweight Krishan Vikas late Friday night, five hours after the defense-minded Vikas had apparently clutched and grabbed his way to a 13-11 victory.

After the American team protested the result, AIBA's competition jury reviewed the bout and ruled Vikas had committed nine holding fouls in the third round alone. He also intentionally spit out his mouthpiece in the second round, which should have resulted in at least four points of deductions.

[+] Enlarge Errol Spence

Kyle Terada/USA TODAY SportsWelterweight Errol Spence, left, lost Friday, but after the American squad protested the result officials ruled that Spence should have won. Spence will stay in the tournament.

Spence advanced into the quarterfinals to face Russia's Andrey Zamkovoy on Tuesday. If he wins, the American men's team will avoid leaving the Olympics with no medals for the first time ever.

"I am obviously thrilled that the competition jury overturned my decision and I can continue chasing the gold medal I came here to win," Spence said late Friday night. "I am going to make the most of this second chance that I've been given. I can't wait to get back in that ring on Tuesday."

Spence felt he had won the bout afterward, expecting his hand to be raised in the ring, but wasn't terribly surprised when Vikas got the nod. The welterweight from Dallas already was the last U.S. man standing after his eight male teammates lost in the previous five days, including three-time Olympian Rau'shee Warren's 19-18 loss to France's Nordine Oubaali an hour earlier.

Spence stopped the eight-fight skid, but must beat Zamkovoy to save the most successful team in Olympic boxing history from its first medal shutout and its worst showing at any games -- although three U.S. women are still alive in their first Olympic tournament, which begins Sunday.

Spence's late reprieve was surreal for a team that appeared headed home with nothing. Spence struggled to penetrate Vikas' technical, plodding style despite showing superior power and entertainment value.

"We did a lot of work, got a lot of coaching, but it's the judges that we feel we're going against most of the time," Warren said.

The 2008 U.S. team won only one bronze medal in Beijing, the worst showing so far -- but at least that team won six total fights, one more than the London team. The American men have won only one gold medal in the last three Olympics, by Andre Ward in Athens in 2004.

The vaunted American team has claimed at least one boxing medal in every modern Olympics where boxing was a sport except the boycotted Moscow Games, and many of the men who won them are among the giants of the sweet science.

Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Floyd Patterson, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr. all won medals for U.S. teams, leading generations of boxing talent the world couldn't match.

[+] Enlarge Raushee Warren

Chuck Myers/MCT via Getty ImagesAmerican flyweight Raushee Warren, right, lands a punch on France's Nordine Oubaali during the third round of Friday's bout. Oubaali beat Warren, 19-18.

The Americans' 48 gold medals and 108 total medals are easily the most in Olympic boxing history, with 45 more medals than second-place Cuba.

The London team actually won its first four fights last weekend, but then the losses piled up with alarming speed. The Americans' poor performance caps a two-decade struggle to adapt to changes in the amateur sport, with steadily declining medal counts ever since boxing went to a computerized scoring system that rewards a style with stark differences from pro boxing.

The U.S. seemed headed for a better showing last week. The 4-0 start showed its improved team chemistry after the Beijing team squabbled and argued its way to a dismal showing.

The current U.S. team has a strong relationship with coach Basheer Abdullah and his staff, even though Abdullah only had about six weeks to prepare as a late hire by USA Boxing. None of the fighters blamed the coaching-staff turmoil for his performance, but the string of losses was stark: Three fighters lost on Wednesday, followed by two more on Thursday before Warren's defeat.

After Spence's apparent loss, Abdullah came close to suggesting the judges might have been biased against some American fighters, although he also believes U.S. boxers need years of training in the amateur sport to compete at its highest levels. Amateur boxing features five ringside judges who award points only when they believe a punch lands, rather than traditional scoring systems that evaluate skill, style, technique and aggression.

The amateur sport moved to a computerized scoring system after Jones' infamous loss at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, when three judges awarded a decision to South Korea's Park Hi-sun after Jones dominated their fight.

"I don't blame any (scoring) systems," Abdullah said. "I blame the people that operate them. I'm disappointed in some of the things I'm seeing."

Spence knew the feeling after three rounds of trying to break through the passive guard of Vikas, who fights a rigid amateur style emphasizing defense and tactical aggression. India's amateur boxing scene has surged in popularity in the four years since Vijender Singh won his nation's first Olympic medal in Beijing, with thousands of prospective Olympians training in the amateur style with no intention of ever turning pro.

"I thought I won the fight," said Spence, a talented puncher who intends to turn pro this fall, along with most of his teammates. "I thought I threw more punches and landed more shots. I thought I was the more aggressive boxer. It was kind of frustrating, but he's fighting to the computer system."

Warren's loss was particularly heartbreaking. The undersized dynamo nicknamed "Nuke" twice passed on a pro career and a chance to provide financially for his growing family to take another shot at hanging a gold medal around the neck of his mother, Paulette.

He waited well over a decade for this moment, climbing the amateur ranks in his native Cincinnati and avoiding the pitfalls that put two of his three brothers in prison. He got to the top of the amateur sport -- and then stumbled at the three biggest moments of his career.

Warren wept in Beijing when he lost his opening bout on a last-minute tactical error. Four years and another one-point loss later, he seemed dulled to the pain of going winless in his unmatched Olympic career.

And he won't be back for Rio: Warren said he'll turn pro, probably along with every member of his team.

"It ain't really no setback for me," Warren said. "I've got big things coming up. This isn't the end for Rau'shee Warren."

Oubaali rallied from a first-round deficit with more aggression and precision than the third-seeded Warren, a former world champion. Warren also lost his contact lenses in the opening round and couldn't size up Oubaali, who mostly controlled the final two rounds.

Warren still thought he might have eked out the decision, but few fans at ExCel seemed surprised when Oubaali got the decision. Abdullah also said he agreed with the decision.

Now 25, Warren says he's still happy he stuck around to become the first three-time U.S. Olympic boxer -- even though he might still turn out to be the biggest disappointment on the least successful American team ever.

"It's always a good experience," he said, "to do something people don't normally do."

NFL Training Camp, NBA Schedule, Mavs Roster, 50 Cent, and 2012 London Olympics

If you missed last nights show, you missed a great one! We got into some good NFL, NBA, Olympic, Boxing, and Mavericks debates.

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Mavericks Announce 2012-13 Season Schedule

DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks announced their 2012-13 season schedule today, which includes eight games on TNT, seven on ESPN, seven on NBATV, one on ABC and two on ESPN Radio.

The Mavericks tipoff their 33rd season by traveling to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Opening Night, Oct. 30, where they will battle the newest Laker and former Maverick Steve Nash. That game will be televised exclusively on TNT. Aside from the opener, TNT will also televise at Phoenix (Dec. 6), vs. Miami (Dec. 20), at Oklahoma City (Dec. 27), atGolden State (Jan. 31), at San Antonio (Mar. 14), vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Mar. 26) and at Los Angeles Lakers (Apr. 2).

The Mavericks’ seven ESPN telecasts include at Los Angeles Clippers (Dec. 5), at Boston (Dec. 12), at Los Angeles Clippers (Jan. 9), vs. Oklahoma City (Jan. 18), vs. San Antonio (Jan. 25), at Brooklyn (Mar. 1) and vs. Brooklyn (Mar. 20).

Dallas also has seven televised games on NBATV. They are vs. Denver (Dec. 28), at Miami (Jan. 2), at Oklahoma City (Feb. 4), at Minnesota (Mar. 10), at Portland (Apr. 7), at New Orleans (Apr. 14) and vs. Memphis (Apr. 15).

Additionally, ESPN Radio broadcasts two Mavericks’ games this season: vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 24) and at Los Angeles Lakers (Apr. 2).

The remaining portion of the Mavericks’ local television schedule for games on Fox Sports Southwest, TXA 21 and HDNet will be released at a later date. All games can be heard on ESPN 103.3 FM and on KFLC (1270 AM) in Spanish.

Mark Followill, former Mavericks guard Derek Harper and Jeff “Skin” Wade return for all the Mavericks telecasts. Chuck Cooperstein and former Dallas guard Brad Davis call all the action on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM, while Victor Villalba is back as the play-by-play voice for the Spanish broadcasts on 1270 AM KFLC.

After beginning the season with the first two games on the road at Los Angeles (Oct. 30) and at Utah (Oct. 31), the Mavericks will play eight of their 14 games in November at home. The November home schedule is highlighted by a visit from the New York Knicks (Nov. 21) and Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 24).

March will prove to be the Mavericks’ busiest month when they play a season-high 16 games. March will come in like a lion when the Mavericks are on the road for six of their first seven games, including the team’s first-ever trip to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to take on Deron Williams and the Nets, but will go out like a lamb with the Mavericks playing the final six games of the month within the friendly confines of American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks have 16 back-to-backs this season with only one stretch of four games in five nights. In total, 10 back-to-backs are on the road, three begin at home and conclude on the road and three are road-to-home.

For information on full season, half and mini packages, call 214-747-MAVS for the best available seating and ticket plans in American Airlines Center.

Ernie Els wins The Open Championship as Adam Scott collapses

POLL: 1992 DREAM TEAM VS 2012 TEAM USA

Tonight we debate the 1992 Dream Team vs the 2012 Team USA, but we want to hear from YOU!

Who wins in a best-of-7 game series? Who would win in a one game winner take all?

{leave your comments below}

MAVS INTRODUCE NEW ROOKIES JARED CUNNINGHAM, JAE CROWDER, BERNARD JAMES

We take inside the Mavs press conference to introduce their 2012 draft class. Don't miss our interview with Jared Cunningham #1 and Jae Crowder #32.

SPAIN BEATS ITALY 4 - 0; BACK-TO-BACK EURO CUPS

This is indeed the biggest match of the summer worldwide. Spain dominates Italy 4 - 0.

Click here for a full breakdown

PHILIPPINES TOPS LIST OF COUNTRIES FOLLOWING THE NBA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER OUTSIDE THE U.S.

- Record 278 Million Fans Following the NBA, Teams and Players on Social Media Globally-

-NBA is Number One Sports League in China on Social Media with 52 Million Followers on Sina Weibo and Tencent QQ-

NEW YORK, NY, June 18, 2012 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), which has a record 278 million fans following the NBA, teams and players globally on social media, today announced that the Philippines tops the list of countries following the league on Facebook and Twitter outside the United States and China. During The Finals, the NBA will use social media to provide coverage and interact with fans around the world in real time.

TOP FIVE ON FACEBOOK	TOP FIVE ON TWITTER
1) Philippines	1) Philippines
2) Turkey	2) Indonesia
3) Indonesia	3) Brazil
4) Mexico	4) United Kingdom
5) France	5) India

*Not including U.S. and China     *Not including U.S. and China

In China, the NBA is the number one sports league across social media with 52 million fans on the league’s official accounts on Sina Weibo and Tencent QQ.

The ‘NBA Game Locator’ Facebook application will drive Finals tune-in by detecting the origin of fans in more than 140 countries and territories and informing them of where and when games will be broadcast in their home market. The NBA has official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Sina Weibo and Tencent QQ. Approximately 50% of the followers on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are international.

In addition to the league’s 278 million followers, the NBA is the most popular sports channel on YouTube, with more than 883 million videos viewed since 2005.
In addition to the NBA’s main Facebook account, the league has 11 international Facebook pages offering customized in-language content targeting fans in each market: Germany, UK, France, Spain, Greece, Latin America (ene-be-a), Africa, India, Turkey, Italy, and Philippines.

- Courtesy of the NBA

VIDEO: RF SPORTS RADIO -NBA FINALS-GAME 1-THUNDER 1-0 OVER HEAT

NBA FINALS 2012 TO HAVE UNPRECEDENTED LIVE GLOBAL COVERAGE ACROSS TV, INTERNET, MOBILE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

- Reaching Fans in 215 Countries and Territories in 47 Languages -

- Record 278 Million Fans Worldwide Following The Finals on Social Media -

NEW YORK, June 12, 2012 – The 2012 NBA Finals will have unprecedented global coverage, reaching fans live in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets. A record 278 million fans globally will follow The Finals on social media.

More than 277 international media members from 34 countries will converge in Oklahoma City and Miami. There will be 14 broadcast partners airing The Finals for the first time.

Through NBA.TV (www.NBA.tv) fans outside the U.S., Canada, and China can access all Finals games live, along with extensive highlights and interactive statistics on their PC’s, mobile phones and tablets.

The ‘NBA Game Locator’ Facebook application will drive Finals tune-in by detecting the origin of fans in more than 140 countries and territories and informing them of where and when games will be broadcast in their home market. The NBA has official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Sina Weibo and Tencent QQ. Approximately 50% of the followers on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are international.

The NBA has 11 international Facebook pages and 14 international NBA.com sites offering customized in-language content in markets such as Italy, the Philippines, Brazil, Africa, and India.

For the first time, fans in China will have access to “Star Cam” presented by Lenovo on CCTV and its website CNTV.cn beginning with game 3. Fans will be able to vote three times per game online to decide which player the isolated camera will focus on. This will be part of CCTV’s 25^th anniversary broadcast which will feature live commentary in Mandarin and customized sponsorship elements targeting Chinese consumers.

Fans in China will have unprecedented digital coverage including live games on Sina. Tencent will offer comprehensive behind-the-scenes coverage, bringing millions of online viewers in China behind-the-scenes in real time through the use of LiveU technology -- a wireless-enabled backpack that will allow a correspondent to report live from anywhere at Finals. The NBA, the most followed sports league across social media in China, will provide coverage and insight in real time to 52 million followers on Sina Weibo and Tencent QQ.

The NBA will have unprecedented Finals coverage in India. Ten Sports will be onsite and all games will air live. A new trivia program, the “NBA’s Biggest Fan,” was conducted in India this season during NBA broadcasts on Ten Sports and two fans won trips to The Finals. Ten Sports will chronicle the fans’ behind-the-scenes Finals experience to complement their game coverage. Journalists from other top Indian outlets will also be onsite including Times of India, the Hindu, and Times Now.

Al Jazeera will televise the games live for fans in the Middle East; fans in Africa will receive expanded coverage with three partners airing Finals for the first time: SABC1 (South Africa), Spectrum TV (Cameroon) and Multi TV (Ghana).

In Europe, The Finals will be live in 48 countries and territories in 32 languages. There will be expanded coverage through new partnerships with D-Smart and CNN Turk (Turkey), OTE Sport (Greece), and Viasat SportEast (Russia).

The Finals will be live in 47 countries and territories and 4 languages throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. ESPN will bring The Finals to fans throughout the region and games will be live in movie theaters in seven Mexican cities through Cinepolis Cinemas.

Fans throughout Asia will receive live coverage of The Finals and the league will host a series of viewing parties in the region. In the Philippines, NBA Premium TV and Basketball TV will host viewing parties beginning with game four; ESPN Australia will host a game two viewing party for more than 100 guests; and WOWOW in Japan will host 300 guests for game two in conjunction with Basketball without Borders taking place in Japan from June 13-16. NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo, Sam Dalembert (Houston Rockets) and Vladimir Radmanovic (Atlanta Hawks) are scheduled to attend in Japan.

Four international players will compete in The Finals: Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka (Congo) and Thabo Sefolosha (Switzerland) as well as the Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf (France) and Joel Anthony (Canada).

- Courtesy of NBA League Office

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