YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS

Tim Floyd and Steve Lavin !!!!!!!!!!

Let's see, the last time we saw Tim Floyd at the collegiate ranks, he was resigning his job at the University of Southern California because of allegations he paid an agent for OJ Mayo to have him sign with the school. So instead of taking the heat of a NCAA investigation, he quit. And now the University of Texas/El Paso in what can only be seen as one of the dumbest moves ever, has hired him. Talk about inviting the NCAA into your program 24/7. But the real blame is clearly on the president of the university. He's put shady at best athletics over academics.

As for Steve Lavin, he's been out of coaching for seven years, broadcasting for ESPN. And now he's back, being tossed straight into the fire of the Big East. A west coast guy having to break into the traditions of NYC basketball. What could the Johnnies be thinking. He got a bit of the proverbial shaft at UCLA and he seems to be a genuinely nice guy, so here's hoping he can get the job done and return St. John's to prominence.

Holy Hoosiers!! It's Butler Baby!

"Five players on the floor functioning as one single unit: team, team, team - no one more important that the other."

"And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen."

"I'll make it"..."I love you guys."

So now you know, I'm putting my money on Butler to cut down the nets Monday night before the home folks in Indy for a "Hoosiers" sequel.

THE POWER OF X

A game for the ages. Sure to show up on ESPN Classic as soon as today. That was last nights double overtime slugfest between Xavier and Kansas St. March Madness was invented for moments like last night.

A small Jesuit school taking on a large conference foe. David versus Goliath. Let's face it, the tag Mid Major fits any school not associated with a football related BCS conference. But it is totally these so called mid majors that have provided and will continue to provide all the drama years after years that give March Madness its ultimate madness.

We didn't come out on top last night and those morons at ESPN, Dukie V, Digger and Bilas will always look at us as that nice little basketball school in Cincinnati but we know we are so much more than what they will ever give us credit for. And that is alright by me. I know the real score. Go X.

Thank You Twins

The signing of Joe Mauer to the fourth largest contract in baseball, right behind three Yankees, spoke volumes across the sport the last several days. It sets a potential blueprint how other small market type teams can not only build their clubs but also retain their stars.

And to think, the Twins were up to be retracted only a few years ago. It makes for competitive balance and healthy bottom lines and in a time where the entertainment dollar is in short supply, baseball can still flourish as a sport and our National Pastime.

So thanks again Minnesota for showing up and doing business the right way and in turn providing your fans the opportunity to root on a winning team for many summers.

The Health Care Debate Goes On

There are a lot of things right and a lot of things wrong with this bill. But let's hear from the arch-Conservative.


From John:

"This doesn't come anywhere near reform. It's nothing more than Chicago politics and a massive power grab by the party in control of Congress. It's great to have compassion for the 30 million of questionable Americans without health coverage but which is more compassionate: to provide health-care for 30 million uninsured or to ease the economic suffering of 300 million Americans?"

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/capitalhill.htm

I'm as concerned as anyone about government overreaching. But in this instance, we may need it.  it's clear that healthcare and personal economics go hand in glove and for better or for worse, the government is the only one in a position to make a decision.

It's a rock-solid truth that having or not having access to health care/insurance drives work decisions, family life and personal health. Right now, the way we dole out health care is by ability to pay. But that ability to pay (i.e. access to health insurance) is determined either overtly (exclusions for certain groups or pre-existing conditions) or covertly (premiums) by the existing marketplace.

I've had direct experience with both situations. It turns out to carry too much weight when making life decisions. We're better off realizing that everyone should have access to health insurance.

This bill should have turned out better and it will take a while to straighten out. But it's a start.

Stumps?

After reading these paragraphs, taken from an online news source, can you name the sport and what the terminology means*?

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan thinks England would be facing defeat in the second Test if the television referral system was in place in Mirpur.

Ian Bell, Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan survived close calls as England took a 21-run lead at stumps on day three.

"You have seen the TV. You have seen what the decisions were and what the decisions should have been," said the 22-year-old Tigers skipper.
"It is really bad for us that we did not use the referral system."

I'm sure our discussions of baseball and basketball can sound just as esoteric.

* Me neither. Stumps?

We're Number 10706!!!!

Bracket analysis: I did well in the west and not horribly in the midwest. I got killed in the south. Only the Dukies got through. (click on the bracket for a larger image).

Health Reform, Finally

It was an ugly, ugly process. But we need health care reform. And now we have it. There are plenty of provisions for everyone. And plenty for everyone to criticize. But really, it's time to move on from politics to performance.

The Gaels Go Marching In

St Mary's over Villanova is just another upset in a great tournament. If Northern Iowa can hold on against Kansas, this will be one of the least watched Sweet 16s of all time.  Except it will also be one of the best.

We're still on track for a Xavier v St Mary's final. Jesuits v LaSallians.  Bring it on.

Brackets - Day 2

It looks as if Cornell will defeat hammer Temple. West Virginia rolls after a really slow start. Xavier might hang on. Whew. Who else is playing? Lucky I don't bet.

Cornell can shoot. Their big guy is much better than you'd expect from the IVY league. And Whitman is an amazing shooter. Makes you wonder if Harvard should have been invited. Certainly the tournament could have justified another IVY instead of the 2/3 of dozen they invited for a one-and-done visit from the Big East.

Brackets - Day 1

Notre Dame busted the bracket early. First game of the first round. Unfortunately, it seems that the longer players stay at ND, the worse they get. I applaud their graduation rate, but some of the guys they've had recently have gone sideways or even regressed. If they're really pro prospects, they should consider leaving early. Oh well, I digress ...

Let's see if BYU and 'Nova can hang on.

What's in YOUR Bracket

Every year I get a bunch of calls - mostly from family members - who ask me to help them with their brackets. They know I love college basketball and will be glad to share my picks.

Of course my picks usually begin and end with "pick the UConn women". Choosing on the men's side is much harder. Or even impossible. But I try.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Here's a little bit of Riverdance.

CYO Final Four

How's this for a  Final Four?

Three from the Big East. And a mid-major! Looks like a CYO pickup game.  

Click on the brackets to see a larger image.

Graduation Rates Are Awesome

Derrick Z. Jackson of the Boston Globe is not happy about the graduation rates of some of the universities in the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA publishes an annual list of graduation rates and it provides serious tsk-tsk material for sports writers who otherwise act as homers for their local college basketball favorites. The list comes out in November, but it's scrutinized at the time of national collegiate championships, particularly football and basketball.

What Happened to the Constitution

When I was student way back when, I sort of remember being taught that in order to become law a bill had to pass both the House of Representatives and Senate.

March Madness is Here

1. I don't want to hear any bitching from any #1 seeds that they have a tough road to the Final Four in Indy. You have a #1 seed for a reason...you're supposed to be better than everyone else in the field. Play up to your seed or go home.
   
2. Duke, Duke Duke... There is no way they deserve to once again get the benefit of the draw. First, their body of work within a weaker than usual ACC doesn't compare to take your pick, Syracuse or West Virginia of the Big East. Second, they are slotted to play in the South Regional, closer to home than Syracuse, sent to Salt Lake City. Lastly, they draw the weakest possible ever #4 seed in Purdue. A team who lost their best post player and now a top guard.
   

What Could Have Been

You have to believe when UConn set the all time record for consecutive wins, two women contemplated decisions they made that coincided with the start of the streak. As the UConn women's basketball team marches (again) into the history books, Pat Summit and Elena Delle Donne must be at least thinking about what could have been.

Two years ago, Delle Donne was the most heavily recruited high school senior in the country. Even with the incredible Maya Moore (pictured) finishing just her freshman year at UConn, Della Donne seemed to be the next cover girl for the program, poised to be the next Diana Taurausi.

NOMAH!

He was one of the greatest Red Sox players of all time, even if his career was cut short by injuries. The Red Sox are signing Nomar Garciaparra to a one-day contract today so he can retire as a Red Sox. 

It's a classy - if somewhat puzzling - move by the Red Sox who have reconciled with several players who ended their careers elsewhere including Dewey Evans, Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn. Evans, Fisk and Lynn did not leave as a result of contract negotiations with the current management team, nor was their departure as bitter.

Health Care Reform v Political Reform

We need health care reform. In the eighties and nineties as an independent contractor, I paid $10-20K out of pocket every year for my family's health care.

At one point - even though I had insurance - I owed more than $500,000 for health care costs. Each and every year I had to find health insurance, because after one year of coverage, rates would skyrocket. I commiserate with the millions of Americans who cannot get insurance or who are underinsured.

Oh, Canada!

Great Olympics, Canada. In your honor:

The Best of the Best

When played at the highest level, there is no better sport than hockey. End to end rushes. Crunching checks. Hockey matches and surpasses all other sports at combining artistry and finesse with brutal physicality.

Yesterday's USA - Canada match-up was a game for the ages and a showcase for how sports can be played.