Thinking out loud…while wondering, outside of tournament games, if the NCAA is capable of ever getting things right…
• Love me some Madness. Grateful to have it with us again, to agonize over it again, to scream at my paper shredder as my bracket travels through it again.
• Although, this March hasn't been without controversy that could have – and should have – been avoided.
• Disclaimer: My broadcast career began at the behest of women, more than 40 years ago. Former Texas athletic director and Executive Director of the Women's Sports Foundation Donna Lopiano – a one-time softball star at Southern Connecticut State and now President and Founder of Sports Management Resources – hired me after a campus-wide audition and search process.
• So, I was there right in the middle of it, when women's athletics began their fight for equality in the 1970's. Right inside the heart of Football Country, the great state of Texas where only two sports really existed at the time.
• Football, and Spring Football.
• And while I know why the NCAA screwed up royally last week with the controversial mess over the disparities in weight room and workout facilities between the men's and women's NCAA tournament set ups, it is disheartening to think we really haven't come a long way, baby.
• No excuses, and Dan Gavitt (the ex-Friar coach and the NCAA's VP for Men's Basketball) owned up to it. So did NCAA Grand Poobah Mark Emmert. But the NCAA has been uber-focused (and some would say rightfully so) on the men's tournament that rakes in a billion dollars – even with grandstands partially full.
• The women don't rake that kind of cash, nor carry that kind of cache. It's not the letter of the law (Title IX, hello!), but it is the unwritten, unspoken reason behind the 'controversy' over the past week.
• The NCAA was wrong. It is wrong. Sure, they fixed the problem that existed briefly in San Antonio with the work out facilities this past week. But the real problem of equality remains systemic after 40+ years of struggling and still needs a major, fundamental correction – a changing of attitudes to keep these things from happening in the first place.
• But money talks. Money also addles the brain, jogs the memory askew, and makes otherwise sane, reasonable people do unreasonable things. The NCAA is a business, and they can't afford to spend the same money on the women as they do the men…because the men simply bring in more.
• It is all about the money. No one in their right mind will turn away from it and they'll do almost anything to get it. And no matter the laws that are written, or the good intentions inferred…the money will always rule the roost. For better or worse.
• Sorry ladies. The NCAA messed up. But it isn't hypocritical, so get over it. It'll happen again, you know, because life and sports aren't fair. But when your tournament and your game can carry a billion-dollar swagger, you'll get your seat at the equity table.
• Even though it shouldn't be that way. We all know it.
• And the #NotNCAAProperty social media movement? That's fine. Nothing like exercising your right to freedom of speech.
• But please, ladies and gentlemen, as you embark upon learning another life lesson, let's not forget what the actual value of your scholarship to school is worth in the open marketplace…not to mention the private tutoring, training, meals and swag you take with you – which are unavailable to the general student bodies of your respective institutions.
• Just sayin'.
• And not for nuthin', but Maine is the only New England state that, as of this moment, does not have an athlete-rights Name-Image-Likeness bill on its' legislative docket.
• Strangely, three Big Ten states are also presently on the NIL sidelines (OH, WI, IN). But each of those states also have university leaders with ties to the NCAA, so…
• Memorable moments from the opening week of tournament play? I don't know about you, but sure, I felt badly for VCU when they were forced out of the tourney due to Covid protocols.
• The blame lies squarely at the feet of the Atlantic-10 in two ways – 1) moving the tourney up a week and creating a week off prior to the championship game, and 2) not sequestering the championship teams within facilities where precautions could be taken seriously.
• The hotel where VCU and St. Bonaventure were headquartered in Dayton was overrun by a high school basketball tournament, players and families, who apparently didn't adhere to mask guidelines. Referee Roger Ayers ended up infected, and it's undoubtedly where the Rams got into trouble.
• One of the most heart-breaking moments in recent NCAA Tourney history is all on you, A-10.
• Tweet of the Week I, from @BWMcGair03: "Remember when the #Friars beat Villanova and Creighton this past season?"
• Don't look now, but Big East bashers are having a difficult time 'splainin' how two teams from a supposed middling league this year reached the Sweet 16, with only Michigan surviving from the "Best Conference in America," in the vaunted Big 10. C'mon man.
• As in all things within sports and life – it's cyclical.
• Typically, this is what happens when conference foes beat up on each other during the struggle of the regular season. It's happened in the Big East when they've been top-ranked…like last season.
• So no, I'm not surprised at the Big 10's lack of post-season success this year. And they had some very good teams – Illinois and Ohio State for two. But how do you fix this?
• The Big East coaches need to figure it out – 'cuz they're likely to be back on or near the top of the list next year if everyone comes back that says they may come back.
• And don't look now, but Villanova and Creighton have Baylor and Gonzaga lying in wait.
• College basketball could be incredible to watch next year – if only because future pros take advantage of the extra year of eligibility given to them by the NCAA because of the pandemic.
• College basketball could be the NBA "minor" league it should be…with more developed, more seasoned and more mature individuals. And not just athletes.
• Villanova has had the chance to work out its' obvious shortcomings without Collin Gillespie in the lineup…who says returning next season is a possibility. Yeah, they have Baylor next, but kudos to Jay Wright and those kids for figuring out how to turn adversity into a strong finish.
• Creighton gets Gonzaga. That could be some game to watch. Considering the emotional ride the Blue Jays have taken with the verbal misstep from their coach late in the year, a punchers' chance might be all they need to pull off the shocker.
• Or, get punched in the mouth themselves.
• For a program that seemingly has had so much success and a reputation with prominence, this is the first trip to the Sweet 16 for Creighton since 1974…and first time EVER since the tournament expanded to 64/68 teams.
• Was that the same swaggerin' UConn team we all saw at the end of the year? Where did that team go? Against Maryland, the Huskies turned into the "Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight." Did they catch Friar-itis?
• And James Bouknight left his Superman cape behind in Storrs. It'll be interesting to
see what his decision might be for next season…'cuz he could use more consistency to his game.
• Just like David Duke at PC – who has gone down in the eyes of some scouts based on his finish to the season. But as we've learned, post-collegiate opportunity is all about the "fit," and where that fit might be.
• For both guys.
• If the Friars have everyone coming back who is eligible to return, including Duke and Noah Horchler, they would likely be the most-experienced team in the Big East next season. Is that a target on their backs they can handle?
• Butler will be close behind – four seniors Aaron Thompson, Jair Bolden, Bryce Nze, Christian David) have all already said they'll be back for the Bulldogs next year.
• Who else noticed Georgetown players and coaches took a knee during the National Anthem before the Hoyas opened the tournament with Colorado? Apparently, they left their game in the kneeling position on the floor, too.
• Not quite the best yet at Bryant…but a heck of a step forward for the Bulldogs. They lost in the CBI at Coastal Carolina, after coming oh-so-close to reaching the Division I NCAA Tournament for the first time.
• 15-7 overall. A second postseason tournament in their still brief (13 year) DI history. The Bulldogs could conceivably bring everyone back from this season on another ride next year, too.
• Jared Grasso continues to be a coaching commodity on the marketplace for others to poke and prod…like so many fruits and vegetables on a farm stand. He's definitely a hot pepper.
• The question is – can Bryant athletics handle his heat? The program was 3-28 before he arrived. What's that worth keeping around?
• The transfer market is gettin' ready to 'splode. More than 1000 men's college basketball players should close one door and look for another to open, especially with the NCAA expected to approve the one-time immediate transfer rule in time for the next school year.
• There are already more than 800 players in the 'portal,' nearly double the number at this same time a year ago. PC's Jimmy Nichols and Georgetown's Qudus Wahab joined this week.
• Also of note, Cumberland's Tyler Kolek, ex-Davidson shooter Kellan Grady (a Weymouth native), Northeastern's Tyson Walker, Myreon Jones from Penn State and Indiana guard Al Durham are all being re-recruited.
• And all of the latter five should be on Providence's radar for potential roster improvement next season.
• URI's Fatts Russell is hearing from some big time, high major programs. Brown's Tamenang Choh (from Lowell, MA) is also looking for a landing spot, while Brown's (and Barrington, RI's) Matt deWolf found his at Washington State.
• St. John's Julian Champagnie, the leading scorer in the Big East, is entering the NBA Draft process but keeping options open to return to school. And this week, Vermont transfer Stef Smith committed to play for the Red Storm.
• Shaka Smart leaving Texas to go to Marquette? Why would he do that? Two reasons: 1) Marquette's #1 sport is hoop. At Texas, it might be third. 2) He gets out of Austin ahead of the posse. Plus, Smart is from Madison, WI.
• That, and the Golden Eagles have zero tourney wins in the past eight years, while Smart had zero tourney wins at Texas. Looks like a match.
• And once Loyola-Chicago is knocked out, expect Porter Moser's name to surface as a top candidate for the head coaching job at DePaul.
• As expected, PC hockey was left waiting in the wings as their selection for the NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament never came…even though they were the first 'alternate' in case a participating team came down with a positive Covid test.
• Which did happen. St. Lawrence, the ECAC champ, had to pull out because of a positive test…but because it happened outside of a very short window of opportunity, and because it happened to an auto bid team…Quinnipiac got the nod as the ECAC regular season champ and tournament runners' up.
• Friars' hockey forward Tyce Thompson signed a two-year, entry level deal with the New Jersey Devils this week, moving on after 101 career games played and scoring 94 points. He was 3rd in DI hockey scoring two years ago.
• Don't look now…but URI football was ranked 18th nationally this week – for whatever it's worth – in the FCS after a second straight road win over a ranked team (Albany) to start their spring season.
• Wait, wut?
• "I do remember we always made fun of the teams that spent a lot in the offseason. We know nothing is guaranteed, and I'm very cognizant of that," was what Robert Kraft told Peter King in his "Football Morning in America" column this week.
• Our good friend Russell Baxter also wrote about it this week in the NFL Spin Zone on FanSided. What changed? A losing season for the first time in 20 years? Missing the postseason for the first time in 13 years? Yeah, that should do it.
• But are they completely out of character with this spending spree? Rather, the Patriots have benefitted from a market adjustment and…call it the 'Patriot Way' or whatever…have been fortunate to have that market feature several available veteran players in a depressed financial situation…with the salary cap shrinking.
• Luck? Timing? Or part of the Patriot Way – cold, calculating examination and foresight? 'Cuz they did kinda mess up in the draft the last few years.
• "It's like investing in the stock market," Kraft told King. "You take advantage of corrections and inefficiencies in the market when you can, and that's what we did..."
• To me, two of the BEST moves the Patriots have made in the still-early off season have been to bring back James White and Lawrence Guy. Two players who deserved to return, based on their talent, production, character, and work ethic.
• One-time URI and Marshall kicker Justin Rohrwasser was quietly released by the Patriots this past week. I realize Nick Folk has a new deal to return to New England next season, and Roberto Aguyao is also on the roster, but I'm still surprised Rohrwasser hasn't found his way back.
• Streaming video ain't goin' nowhere. Best get used to it. The day where companies like Amazon challenge CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC/ESPN for broadcast rights to all major events is coming, soon. Amazon Prime already has the Thursday Night Football package, starting in 2022.
• Live bodies at the NFL Draft next month in Cleveland? Apparently so. Teams will invite "fan ambassadors" who must be vaccinated and masked. The draft will utilize the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, FirstEnergy Stadium, and the Great Lakes Science Center for mostly outdoor events that will also promote Covid-19 vaccines.
• Elgin Baylor was one of the first 'superstar' athletes I can recall from my formative years. Shooter, rebounder, passer. He had a running bank shot that seemingly never missed. Baylor was also one of the first athletes, as my memory will allow me to recall, who could 'sky.'
• He was one of the reasons why I wore weights around my ankles while in junior high school, because I wanted to jump like he could…even though he was pretty much done by 1971. The Hall of Fame, ex-Laker forward passed away this week at the age of 86.
• And when I discovered announcing was in my long-term better interests when it came to basketball, Joe Tait's talents were out there leading me along that pathway. Tait was the Voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers for 40 years; had a descriptive, energetic accuracy to his call that motivated me to improve my game, and always had a kind word or a piece of advice to pass along if I asked for it.
• Tait retired from his NBA microphone 10 years ago. He also passed this week, at age 83.
• Long time sports broadcaster and one-time Red Sox TV voice ('75-'78) Dick Stockton told the New York Post this week he is retiring at age 78, after a 55-year career. In the mid-'60's, he made $200 a week doing overnight radio in Philly. He ended up becoming the signature voice behind the Celtics-Lakers' NBA Finals in the '80's for CBS and spent the last three decades at Fox.
• Fifty-five-year career? Doing something you love? Calling Carlton Fisk's famous Game Six, '75 World Series home run at Fenway? We should all be so lucky. Congrats, Dick.
• The Newport Daily News reported this week that the City-by-the-Sea may end up hosting the USGA's Senior Open anyway…after losing the prestigious event to Covid last summer. Looks like it will be back on the agenda for 2024. The official announcement should come next month.
• My buddy "Big E" sez his minister really laid out a long, dry, sleep-inducing sermon at church recently. When he had finished, he made the announcement to the congregation there would be a "meeting of the board" right after the service.
• "Big E" showed up for the meeting, which surprised his minister. "Sir, this meeting is only for our board members," was his reaction. And Big E? "I know," he said. "If there's anyone here more bored than I am, I'd like to meet them."
• Tweet of the Week II, from @JoeyMacHockey: "A few seasons ago, I was having a conversation with a current NHL player about how to make the game more entertaining. When I suggested putting a mic on every player, he quickly said: 'We would all end up in jail or suspended permanently.'"
• Just like NHL referee Tim Peel was this week, perhaps permanently, when a mic picked him up saying he wanted "a f-----g penalty against Nashville early." Dude is toasted. Stupid is as stupid does.
• For those states wavering (like Massachusetts) on the issue of online sports betting, hear this: Goldman Sachs predicted this week the industry will sustain a HUGE growth rate over the next 10 years, and be worth nearly $40 billion by 2033.
• TJ sent me an old-fashioned email this week: "You are too classy to say it but if you ever catch up with Dan Shaughnessy can you educate him on why college sports have not been pointless nor solely motivated by greed during the last year? Yeah, the TV money was a motivator, but why doesn't he ever talk to the student athletes and get their take rather than just scoff (along with fellow Globie T Sullivan) that all this is folly?"
• TJ, thanks for the note, appreciate your reading. But I'm not too classy to let YOU say that. And I will add, playing through the pandemic has also had a role in keeping the economy moving forward, and those of us who rely on these games for making a living somewhat gainfully employed. Not all of us get paid whether games are played or not…but I digress.
• It's real easy to make a stand, to have an opinion, or dismiss what you don't agree with…when it doesn't affect you.
• 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 jrooke@weei.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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