Thinking out loud…while wondering if you have two choices and take one away, aren't you really left with none?
The preliminaries are ovah. No more messin' around.
With roughly a month left in the college basketball regular season, now's the time to play for titles and earn tickets to the Big Dance.
You should know what you have in your team at this stage of a season. Contender, or pretender? Even if it has been a struggle thus far, the beauty of college hoop (in most cases) usually provides one last shot to play the role of Cinderella, through a conference tournament.
Rhody has it going that way right now. So do Brown and Bryant, even if both teams are still very much in the hunt for an invite on their own merit…as is PC. You're not dead in this sport, actually, until you're told you're dead.
Which for this year, comes on or about March 12th – the end of the regular season. Can three of RI's four Division I teams actually earn their way into the Madness?
It's possible. And it would be unprecedented.
As the season has progressed, so has PC's Noah Locke. Named this week to the BE Weekly Honors list, Locke told the Ed Cooley Show this week it hasn't been the easiest of transitions for him since his transfer from Louisville…and now on his 4th head coach in three years.
It's the downside to the transfer portal door opening wide to athletes everywhere for more 'opportunity.'
Jared Bynum's worth to the team? His ability to open the floor up for others, to start. And his ability to score – he passed the 1K mark for his career at Xavier. Bynum also sez he doesn't mind coming off the bench. Selfless.
What kind of season has Ed Croswell had? Better than you might imagine. Since 1985, only two players in the Big East have had a better offensive rebounding percentage than he has – Notre Dame's Jack Cooley and Xavier's Tyrique Jones.
Oh, and this one: Are the Friars good at halftime adjustments? It isn't your imagination. In conference play, PC, Florida and Clemson rank highest among all teams within the analytic facts and figures of second half surges.
It's one reason why Ken Pomeroy (kenpom.com) doesn't have PC among his "luckiest" this season, as compared to last. Their offense, at midweek, rated as the 17th most-efficient in the country.
Big East update: five programs are now in the Associated Press and USAT Today coaches' poll Top 25's – Marquette, Xavier, Providence, UConn, and Creighton. Only the Big 12, with six teams in the Top 25, has more.
Finalists for the elite individual awards are being named, and the Big East has two candidates for the Bob Cousy Award and the nation's top point guard, as announced by the Naismith Hall of Fame: Xavier's Souley Boum and Marquette's Tyler Kolek, the Cumberland, RI native.
A Cumberland, RI kid is possibly the nation's best point guard? Whoa.
The Jerry West Award for shooting guard features UConn's Jordan Hawkins as a finalist. The Julius Erving Award for top small forward has Xavier's Colby Jones and Creighton's Baylor Scheierman as candidates.
You wouldn't think of him in terms of the broad-shouldered, one-time great mailman Karl Malone, but the Malone Award for top power forward does have PC's Bryce Hopkins as a finalist. Come to think of it, he does tote the mail and deliver a little like Malone did a few decades back.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award? UConn's Adama Sanogo, Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner, Xavier's Jack Nunge. Year of the 'Big' in the Big East, don'cha think?
This Week in the Big East features Souley Boum from Xavier, St. John's coach Mike Anderson and the one-and-only Andy Katz on the present and future of the NCAA Tournament. Catch it on Sirius 134, XM 201 and Online 964 at 11am ET Saturdays, and online at westwoodonesports.com and bigeast.com.
Brown had a big weekend last weekend? Might be the difference between the postseason and also-ran status for Bruno, after sweeping a two-game road trip at Dartmouth and at Harvard.
Mike Martin also tied a program record for most career wins as head coach, with his 133rd. He can hold that all to himself with a win against Cornell at home Saturday – and the Big Red are tied with the Bears and Penn for 3rd in the Ivy. Top four make it to the Ivy postseason soiree.
The Ivy Player of the Week this week also resides within the Pizzitola Center – senior guard Paxson Wojcik. He averaged 19 points per game and shot 43% from three.
Bryant is back in the mix, after whacking Albany Wednesday night for the Bulldogs' third win in a row. Presently tied for second in America East with UMass-Lowell, Bryant is only a game and a half in back of first place Vermont with a game at UMBC Saturday, and five more remaining in the regular season.
The Bulldogs also had a league (America East) Player of the Week residing on campus this week. Junior Earl Timberlake led the Bulldogs to a sweep over UNH, averaging 15.5 points and 12 rebounds for the week.
We asked last week why URI's Atlantic-10 unbeaten women's team wasn't getting any poll love. So, the NCAA decided to step into the mix and named Rhody the "NCAA Team of the Week." Maybe the poll voters can show some "like" next week, and do a little homework maybe?
Not because he's 78 years old. Not because he still whines like a pre-teen kid. But Jim Boeheim's 'harrumph' attitude toward the sport of college basketball today strikes me as more than just odd.
It strikes me as sour grapes – because others are able to do to him (and to his Syracuse program) what he's done to the masses for decades…when it comes to luring players to upstate New York.
The score still has a way to go before it evens out, Coach.
Did you hear about the NIL contract worth more than $13 million falling through – and being rescinded? Eighteen-year-old ex-Florida QB recruit Jaden Rashada was headed cross-country from California to Miami, then to Florida (where he had this deal in place), then the deal was pulled back. Just like that.
He's now at Arizona State, with no apparent NIL deal in place. In wild, wild west parlance, dude just got KO'd at the OK Corral.
You don't have to be curmudgeonly, whiny Jim Boeheim to realize this isn't where college sports should be headed. At all.
Not against student-athletes earning income off their own names and likeness. It's the 'anything goes' attitude prevalent these days, without direction, oversight, or guidance, that will get teams, coaches, and naïve players in eventual trouble.
Texas and Oklahoma finally have their due date for a move to the SEC in July of 2024, at a total combined cost of $100 million. Chump change, when you consider SEC schools are divvying up $802 million in total revenue from 2021-22 – which comes to a bit more than $54 million per school. Per year.
USC and UCLA are still bound for the Big Ten. And the 12-team College Football Playoff takes hold in 2024, too. Times…and money…they have a' changed.
My buddy "Big E" sez he doesn't understand all this talk today about "AI," 'cuz artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
And here I thought "AI" stood for "Allen Iverson." Who knew?
Yay, the Patriots are making coaching changes to their staff. As well they should. But who else has wondered why BB waited so long, and essentially sacrificed 2022 (and maybe Mac Jones' future) to save a couple of bucks?
Or, to save the careers of a couple of loyal foot soldiers on his staff? And how did that work out?
Revis Island was only for a year, but it was a Super Bowl year. And he's the only connection this year to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Patriots. Should we claim that one? Probably have to, since Ty Law delivered his good news.
Excited about the Big Game? Meh, but I'll watch. And curious as to why some can call it the Super Bowl, and others call it "The Big Game?"
All about the Benjamins. If you are an advertiser and not an official "Super Bowl" sponsor, you can't use the term to benefit your cause, unless you PAY for it. Hence the 'big game' references and bleep outs from commercials you see or hear.
Speaking of commercials, one thing you won't notice in this years' ad inventory – is crypto. No crypto commercials, unlike last year. Hard to sell something that ain't really real. Just sayin'.
Some advertisers are paying up to $7 million for a 30 second spot. But not in crypto.
Thoughts to think about going in – traditionally, Super Bowls are won and lost with defense. The Eagles and Chiefs ranked 1-2 in sacks this season…which may be the most important defensive statistic of all, considering the high-octane offenses and mobile QB's in play.
My buddy Russell points out the Chiefs are making their fifth SB appearance, the Eagles their fourth. The media has had heart palpitations over KC in five straight AFC title games?
Pleeze. Wake me up in 10 years and let's see where they stand, amiright Patscap?
But if Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs win, he'll be the first QB in SB history to win the Lombardi Trophy AND lead the NFL in passing yards during the regular season.
On the other side, Philly's Nick Sirianni could become the 36th different head coach (in 56 games) to win the Big Game. Seven of the last 10 winners have been first-time Super Bowlers.
Biggest takeaway from Grand Poobah Goodell's "State of the Game" address this week? That he thinks officiating in the NFL has "never been better."
The psychedelic drugs have finally kicked in, haven't they Rog?
Did anyone actually watch the Pro Bowl? Reportedly, there were 6.2 million Americans with nothing better to do than waste three hours of their lives watching flag football last Sunday.
But the NFL will keep it around, as long as $$$ is made off of it. So forget doing away with it.
Got any good prop bets going for the game? Color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach? How long will the National Anthem be? What song will Rihanna sing first at halftime?
May run with "Umbrella" at +600. And "S&M" at +1000. What you got?
And as you psyche yourself up for a Super Sunday, here's a sobering thought – concussions in the game were up 18% across the league for 2022, as compared to a three-year period from 2018-20.
It's also true the newer concussion protocol broadening the definition of what a concussion is…is likely a big reason for the rise.
Not surprised that the Celtics decided to stop the foolish talk about trading Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant. Durant ended up in Phoenix this week, while Brown accidentally got a face full of Jayson Tatum's elbow in a win Wednesday night against the Sixers.
Just how accidental was it, though? Hmmm? I just love a good, nutty conspiracy theory.
The very definition of delusional – Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban thinking Dallas had finally attained all the pieces they need to win an NBA Championship by trading for Kyrie Irving this week.
LBJ became the NBA's all-time scoring leader this week, surpassing Kareen Abdul-Jabbar. Never been a big LeBron fan, if only because the guy is SO self-absorbed. Top five player all-time? Sure, I'll go along with that.
But best ever? Please. He lost that shot when he pulled off that "not one, not two" made-for-TV press conference called "The Decision" in 2010. Which was nothing more than a public jilting of Cleveland for Miami and an egregious show of conceit and entitlement.
He's a self-absorbed dink. That immediately eliminates him from any consideration of "best ever."
We have a need to embrace our stars. James is not embraceable, and never will be.
Any conversation of "best ever" needs to include a lot of winning. Isn't winning what it's all about in the end? That puts him, in my estimation, behind Jordan, Russell, Jabbar, Magic and maybe Tim Duncan, too.
The London Daily Mail reported Fenway Sports Group might be keeping Liverpool FC, possibly looking at different ways to raise capital and retain control of the team. John Henry put the team up for sale in November – and hasn't had many tire kickers in the soccer team marketplace.
Not for nuthin', but maybe FSG would consider throwing a hat in the ring for the Knicks and Rangers…as MSG sez they're looking for new minority ownership. The Knicks are valued at $6.1 billion, the Rangers $2.2 billion.
Yeah, let's help the rivals win more. Certainly not helping our own.
Pretty crazy that this years' Beanpot final is the first time in the 70-year history of the event that Northeastern and Harvard will meet in the title game. Not sure what that really sez about either team or program, but 'wow.'
RIP, Burt Bacharach. What the world needs now? Those raindrops keep falling on my head, so I'll just walk on by.
Viola Davis = EGOT. I had to look it up. But the Central Falls High School and Rhode Island College grad is the 18th person to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award in their career…after claiming the G part this past week for her recording of her memoir, "Finding Me."
We're Number One! Are we sure this isn't "Road Island?" Saw a study this week from ConstructionCoverage.com that sez Rhody has the WORST roads in the country…with nearly 40% of them in disrepair and in poor condition.
Massachusetts ranks fourth on this list of worsts, too. So, if your commute involves both of these territories (like mine does), well, hope you've got a handy spare tire.
And patience. Lots of patience.
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 ...
Don't forget to tune into Providence's 103.7 FM, every Saturday from 7:00-9:00 am for Cordischi and Coit! Call in at 401-737-1287 or text at 37937.
