Thinking out loud…while wondering if you're waiting for the waiter, doesn't that make you the waiter?
Ok, admit it. More than once this past weekend, you said to yourself "the Friars should be in this game." Or, "this could be us." Amiright?The path was possible. But even Dorothy had a few detours following the yellow brick road, trying to get back to Kansas.
The TV audience for Kansas and North Carolina across all platforms was the largest in cable history. The tournament increased in viewership by 13 percent over 2021, and had its' largest audience share (the number of TV's in use on one program) since 1994.Providence finished 13th in the national polls, 24th in the NET rankings ICYWW…and 32nd in the much-discussed and cussed kenpom.com. But 1st in the nation in luck, however.Tweet of the Week I, from @kenpomeroy: "Ok, kenpom out. As always, thanks for all the support, especially from all the Providence fans. Enjoy the offseason, everybody."Kansas' record-setting, 16-point second half comeback to beat North Carolina was a sign of the Jayhawks' own grit and determination this season, much like Providence had. And something tells me – they're going to need a lot of that in the coming weeks.Bill Self earned his second natty at KU (the other was in 2008), and it would not be surprising to see him move on…either by force or perhaps for a 'short' retirement until the coppers bug out.
Mule muffins, you say? Consider this, first.
The program is awaiting its' punishment from the NCAA (through the IARP established by the Commission on College Basketball), with Self at the helm and responsible for five Level I violations uncovered through the recent FBI investigations into several programs across the country.
Nothing like getting out of town while the getting is good – especially if you hope to ever coach again. Self is only 59 years old. There's still some tread on those tires…tires that apparently dug in too deeply at one point, or five, in Lawrence, KS.
Kansas' celebration of winning its' fourth national title could be another Bobby Ewing/Dallas dream sequence episode. Like it never happened. Google that if you don't know what I'm talking about, TV buffs.
One more thing about Rock Chalk – they don't win that natty without Arizona State transfer Remy Martin, who was injured and also in the coaching doghouse part of this season. He was THE reason KU beat PC. Good for Self – eventually figuring out who could win him games.Ed Cooley's honor was certainly upheld, if not firmly established, by his receiving the Naismith National Coach of the Year award during the Final Four in New Orleans. Saying 'congratulations' seems a little empty here.So, I'll simply say "Way to go, knew you could do it." Those that know Ed also knew it, too.
Is it possible, perhaps, that some in the national media now believe he'll be in Providence for a bit longer and NOT chase after alleged "bigger jobs?"
At last check, he's #2 behind Villanova's Jay Wright in Big East salaries, the campus has transformed itself into a gleaming example of what's possible through athletics and fundraising…and he has the continuing support of the administration…both incoming and outgoing…and several contract extensions.
Twenty-five years ago, perhaps, Providence was one of the tougher jobs in the country…certainly within schools considering themselves 'high major' programs. The specter of football loomed large over basketball-centric schools at that time. But not anymore.
If PC continues to win in this Big East, the Smith Hill campus has flipped the script – becoming a destination. Sure, Rhode Island isn't as fertile for recruits as other areas may be, but when you expand to include Massachusetts and the New England prep ranks, local talent is there to be had.
Michigan? Maryland? Louisville? Cooley's name was automatically included with each of those recent searches. He has his 'big job,' and he sure seems happy with it.
How about the coaching list within the Big East for next season? Former XU and Arizona boss Sean Miller is at Xavier; Seton Hall gets its' man in alumnus Shaheen Holloway moving from St. Peter's; Thad Matta returns to coaching – and to Butler – after sitting out the last few seasons following his departure from Ohio State.Oh, and the Naismith National COTY is PC's Ed Cooley. Hall of Famer Jay Wright is still around at Villanova, too.
It's beginning to feel like the old Big East within coaching circles. But big names these days don't guarantee big success, not with "The Portal" in play.Big East player portal updates: Providence's Matteus Case, who played just six minutes in four games this season, is looking for a residence. And while disappointing, it's hard to feel anything but gratitude for Justin Minaya's single season in Friartown as he makes the decision to begin his professional career.
Xavier's Dwon Odom (transferring) and Nate Johnson (NBA Draft) will not return to the Musketeers to play for Coach Miller, but center Jack Nunge and sophomore Colby Jones will – they're the best of that bunch; Montez Mathis will stay at St. John's; Butler's Bryce Golden and Simas Lukosius will test the transfer waters, while Jayden Taylor stays. Georgetown's Tre King and Kobe Clark depart, Seton Hall's Tyrese Samuel stays.
Want a REAL EARLY look at the Big East for next season? Transfers notwithstanding – and there will be more than a few – Creighton is at the top of the list with their returning players. Villanova likely is still second and Xavier looks like a postseason contender, but everyone else has major questions that need answering.Who can rise from a rather muddled middle? UConn, PC, Seton Hall, Marquette and (don't laugh) DePaul figure to follow.
'Sup with the locals? Seven players from Northeastern have decided to look elsewhere, six from URI, three at Brown, at Bryant and South Kingstown's Tomas Murphy at Vermont is looking again.The grass ain't always greener on the other side, you know.
Ten players are leaving UTRGV (Texas-Rio Grande Valley). They'll be putting in a brand-new lawn. And more than 1200 student-athletes are already in the portal, potentially looking for new gardens.
Kids these days – they change their minds more often than they change their socks.
The Mitchell twins, ex of URI, are committed to Fayetteville, Arkansas to call the Hogs for coach Eric Musselman next season. Arkansas may be a preseason favorite to win it all, but not necessarily because of the Mitchells' arrival.
Several "in the know" say that 6-7 Oregon forward Eric Williams is hearing from the Friars as is 6-4 South Carolina guard Devin Carter. Williams has one year of eligibility remaining after spending two seasons at Duquesne and two with the Ducks. Carter played just his freshman year at USC.
Additionally, late this week, former Friar recruiting target Noah Locke, who played at Florida and Louisville, is apparently back on PC's radar. And 7-foot freshman-to-be Christ Essandoko has reopened his recruiting.
Which tells me the Friars could be re-thinking things, within the portal.
Ex-St. Andrews, Villanova and Syracuse forward Cole Swider has decided to turn pro. The Portsmouth, RI product led the Orange in three-point shooting this past season at 41%, but the team managed only a 16-17 record – the first losing year for Jim Boeheim in his Hall of Fame career.Current Fox analyst and former St. John's and UCLA coach Steve Lavin is headed back into the coaching game at San Diego. He stepped away from the Johnnies in 2015 because of his health, but did lead SJU to two NCAA appearances in his five seasons.The Atlantic-10 has its' own name game going on with coaches – Archie Miller from Indiana to URI, Frank Martin from South Carolina to UMass, and 73-year-old Fran Dunphy, retired from Temple…is onto his alma mater, LaSalle. Dunphy will be coaching his third team out of Philly's "Big 5."Bryant pulled on its' big boy pants and announced an extension for hoops coach Jared Grasso through the 2026-27 season…which includes the building of a new on-campus arena. Those plans were initially announced by the school last month, and the 3400-seat facility should break ground sometime next year.So, we now know who is replacing Bryant in the NEC after the Bulldogs' athletic teams move to America East (and the Big South for football) next year: Stonehill. The Skyhawks move up to Division I from the DII Northeast-10 Conference. Seems like a logical move, and a good one for Stonehill. Time to be a part of the madness.
The rather idiotic Gonzaga-to-the-Big-East rumors that started up again this week won't happen…if for no other reason than it creates a Bulldog mascot overload within the conference.Season ends. Gonzaga to Big East rumors begin. Wash, rinse, repeat. See you next year.
Hockey East is stepping up its' media game. The league announced this week a six-year partnership with ESPN and ESPN+ with more than 300 games televised or streamed annually on their platforms, including women's hockey. NESN will remain a major player as well, televising a minimum of 50 games per season.My buddy "Big E" sez he was preoccupied with his "honey do" list while talking to a customer service rep on the phone this week. So, when the call was over, he instinctively said 'bye, love you' to some lady in India.The Patriots Hall of Fame nominees for this year are on point. But none of this – not even Bill Belichick or the Hall itself – exists without the tenure of Bill Parcells. Place your stubbornness and your idiocy aside – even his ex-players, the ones he allegedly jilted, feel he should be in.So let it be written, so let it be done.
Three finalists will be voted for by fans, before the ultimate selection – here's thinking Vince Wilfork, Mike Vrabel and Wes Welker probably make that cut.
But Parcells belongs, period. And I will continue to hammer this nail until the coffin lid is shut. On one of us.
Wait, wut? The Patriots get a receiver…from a division rival? I don't know about you, but the Dolphins seem confident DeVante Parker's trade to New England won't comeback to haunt them.Hey, they now have Tyreek Hill. Cool. They beat the Pats twice last year without him. But I'm a lil' bit old school. Never trade within the division to a team that can always come back to beat you twice.
Keep your foot on their necks. Even if those Drew Bledsoe and Lawyer Milloy trades to upstate NY were made once upon a time. See Bills, Buffalo (circa 2000-2020, 5-35 record vs. NE).
Parker, FWIW, has more contested catches than any other receiver in the NFL over the past three seasons…even with his injury history. And if his presence doesn't help the Patriots significantly in the red zone, then the Patriots just can't be helped.
Draft likes for this year? Seems to me New England could do worse than select guys named Zion.Zion Johnson is a stud offensive lineman from Boston College who, conceivably, could plug right in. Zyon McCollum is a cornerback from Sam Houston State. Both are on the radar.
Like Buffalo's position – a lot. Reminds me a little of New England's once upon a time, what with Stefan Diggs getting his $70 million guaranteed this week. You might say, Buffalo showed him the Bills.
ICYMI, 75-year-old ex-Sox lefty and Sox Hall of Famer Bill Lee (aka 'the Spaceman') came out of the stands last week in an exhibition game for the Savannah Bananas…with a beer in his hand…and struck a guy out.Not for nuthin', but that qualifies as bananas in my book.
Tweet of the Week II, from @JonHeyman: "All Blue Jays players making their opening day roster are vaccinated, which may give them a real home field advantage. Unvaccinated players by current law r unable to travel to Canada to play immediately. Though vaccination rates r up, many players on other teams remain unvaxxed."Likely, this includes the Red Sox. Especially considering where everyone stood at the end of last season. File this under 'no more excuses.'
They literally can't, or won't, take one for the team?
You had your shots before you ever attended public school. It should be simple – no vax, no play. Canada has it right.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled whining about the Red Sox on the field. And was anyone surprised Chris Sale this week went on the 60-day IL?MLB Insider Hector Gomez said this week Rafael Devers has already turned down a contract extension because it was "too low." Good start, fellas.Pitchers will have the opportunity to shake off their catchers electronically this season. It's called PitchCom, and it will allow battery mates to transmit signals between each other so there can be no sign stealing.It's an optional mechanism for players to use – but if it speeds up the pace of play, do it. After three, three-and-a-half hours and it's not a one-or-two run game? I'm out. Just sayin'.
Picks? Glad you asked. I'm on the Blue Jay train in the AL East. The Sox should be in the mix as long as their presently undermanned pitching staff keeps them in it. DraftKings sez the Boston O/U win total is 85.5? I'll take the over, by a smidge, and hope it's good enough to play October baseball.
Gulfshore Business reports this week the Red Sox are finally looking to develop 20 acres of land in southwest Florida, adjacent to Jet Blue Park. Since if you've been there, you know there's not much around it.Here's a Masters' note for you, as you watch Tiger return, courtesy of sports business writer Darren Rovell: Those tasty, traditional pimento cheese sandwiches on the course that sold for a buck back in 1990? They only cost $2.17 this year – factoring in inflation, they've gotten cheaper over time.Wonder if my car can run on pimento cheese?
No matter how the Celtics finish, it's a better finish than what the Lakers had. LA missed out on the bloated NBA playoffs with the 4th highest payroll in the league. They spent $164 million in the offseason on salaries and held the second-best odds to win it all.They can't improve through the draft this year, either, as New Orleans holds their first-round picks through 2025. Brutal.
Are the Celtics really trying to 'duck' the Nets for the playoffs by losing late in the season? Lame. And extraordinarily non-title worthy.Mama, do let your babies grow up to be ESPN Insiders. Adam Schefter (about $9 million) and Adrian Wojnarowski ($7 million) re-signed with the network this week to provide inside info within their respective sports.Crazy cash to be a know-it-all, amiright?
Interested in having your questions on local Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? It's your chance to "think out loud," so send your questions, comments and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We'll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Would appreciate the follow on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and join in on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
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