Big thanks to Mo Egger on ESPN1530 for having me on to talk a little college hoops yesterday and double-dipping the CNati with C. Trent later in his show. If we ever invent the CNati Snuggie, Mo will receive the first one off the line.
1. Jamel McLean. Last week I wrote about his improved play being the difference for Xavier. And he's continued it since, now averaging 11.5 points and 10.2 boards over the last five games.
Some more behind-the-scenes on McLean today from Shannon Russell. It includes Dante Jackson having some fun with McLean's lack of focus.
What didn't make the story was Chris Mack actually calling McLean an "airhead."
Honestly, thought it was a little odd for Mack to say that, but it was clearly in caring way (he concluded with, "but he's our airhead," if that helps").
Regardless, Xavier is a scary team when McLean averages a double-double. Combine that with Jason Love, Jordan Crawford (the likely Player of the Year in one of the five best conferences in the country) and a team that shoots among the best in the nation from behind the arc and you have a recipe for March success. If you scroll down John Gasaway's advanced statistics look at the conferences, you can see he believes Xavier could be the most underrated team around and able to do serious damage in the tournament.
Not that that is anything new off Victory Parkway.
2. Bearcats in the tournament. The well-dressed journalism machine that is Josh Katzowitz takes a logical look at UC's realistic shots. He says they are on life support. I only hope for the sake of Bearcats message boards causing explosion of the Intertubes that DePaul doesn't pull the plug on Wednesday.
DePaul isn't great, but they are not so inept they couldn't beat a UC team still thinking about Sunday.
3. Bob Huggins. It's always great to see Huggs get tossed from a game. Ah, yes, reminds me of my youth. (*Nostalgic sigh)
It is also always great to hear him speak his mind, in particular about the absurdity of the NCAA, college presidents and, in particular, the major problem with the tourney expansion idea.
Teaser: "The presidents need to get their heads out of its asses..."
4. Tony Pike. Good for him if he can impress enough to slip into the first round. Nobody saw that coming as recently as two months ago.
He showed a lot of skills at UC, but to be put into the Joe Flacco territory I think is a little high on the expectations meter.
5. Montages. It's a montage! If you don't love a good 80s sports movie montage then you shouldn't be reading my blog. Seriously. Leave.
Not going to lie, I am completely torn between between the intoxicating on-screen contrast of the Rocky IV training montage and the epic rock ballad of the Karate Kid fight sequence.
1. Bracket-Buster. Xavier should be happy it has evolved beyond the Bracket-buster Saturday level.
2. UConn. When did this happen? How can they be so bad against UC and now look so good ever since. I wouldn't want to be a 5 seed and draw the Huskies, I know that. The Big East is just odd.
Oh, and Kemba Walker is good at basketball.
3. Urban Meyer. For all the love we see between Meyer and Tim Tebow and how much Meyer cares about Tebow the person more than anything -- answer me this: Why was Tim Tebow not changing his throwing motion years ago?
Are we expected to believe at some point in the last four years Meyer didn't think or hear someone say that Tebow's mechanics were not going to translate to the NFL? Still, no attempt at changes were made.
Why? Because it would have set the Gators back. And probably lost them some games and maybe a championship.
In case we didn't know this already, in big-time college football, especially the SEC, it's never about the kids.
4. International Women's Ice Hockey. I couldn't help but think as the US Women ran up another blowout win in the Olympics yesterday while giving tribute to Diamond Dallas Page, this time 8-1--- when did we become this much better than the rest of the world in women's ice hockey.
I have never seen a women's ice hockey league or know anyone who knows anyone who considered playing it. Yet, our national team absolutely massacres everyone they play in the sport.
I honestly am curious, when did this happen?
5. TV. You are going to put the "star" of comic disaster According to Jim in a new drama, but I can't get another season of Tim Riggins. America, you disappoint me.
Leave a comment