In the aftermath of the pandemic, there has been a sea change of a move by much of corporata away from massive office complexes.

If folks in accounting can work the spreadsheets on their laptops at home while still in their jammies slurping the remnants of Frosted Flakes, let ’em.

Saves moolah for Mother Company, saves the worker bees parking fees.

I see guys in the gym every morning who now work from home on their personal time clock.

Good for them. It’s apparently a win/win. Except for the leasing companies of the office buildings and downtown sandwich shops.

But one thing those folks won’t have between now and Monday night is that coffee room to sneak off to, grab a cup and have at it with the gal from marketing who is an ardent fan of arch rival.

Because here in the abysmal heat of late July, along with the skeeters there shall be Feathers vs. Fur.

The Ville vs. La Familia in a concerto grosso of String Music in the World’s Greatest Basketball Arena, Freedom Hall Louisville, Kentucky. The one true epicenter of college hoops.

Winner to TBT Final Four.

 * * * * *

One of the blessings of The Basketball Tournament is how it invites that we reminisce of the days of yesteryore more than we usually do.

Who among the diehard Cardinal faithful in the 48 hour run up to Wednesday’s game against Team DRC didn’t regale someone in detail of how he/she reacted to that glorious moment in ’05 when trash talking Memphis State Tiger star Darius Washington had three at the charity stripe with 0:00 on the clock. Two would have tied it, three for the W and conference tourney crown.

He missed the last two. Fell to his knees. And was comforted by the fellow who has coached both of U of L’s most hated rivals. How sweet it was.

I know what we were doing the HummelDome where our gang watched. Screaming and laughing and pointing at the screen.

Such moments is what the term schadenfreude was invented for.

Washington, a little thicker and longer in the tooth was in orange Wednesday.

He committed a couple of turnovers early in his stint off the bench. Canned a couple of shots. But committed a critical offensive foul that allowed the Cards to add a Trezl deuce, the last tally before the Elam.

Given that I have been mired in some early onset maturity since that ’05 laughfest, I simply smiled with glee this time around as The Ville rolled from there to an 83-68 victory.

 * * * * *

So now, for the next few days instead of wondering where I’ll be able to find some worthy late July peaches, I won’t be able to stop thinking back to that regional semi in ’14, when the Cards had the Cats on the ropes. Until the Harrison Twins took over.

They are key cogs in this UK alumni squad. Along with W C-S.

It’s time for the Big Payback.

Oh, if I didn’t care so much.

But I do.

  * * * * *

The Ville kept its foe measured the whole night.

17-13 after the 1st.

38-30 at halftime.

63-56 after three.

75-66 into the Elam.

Nick Mayo drained a triple on The Ville’s first possession. Russ canned a couple of FTs, getting a mulligan for a third try after a lane violation. Chris Jones closed the deal with a trey, a really efficient four possession closeout.

Russ had 15 on 5/10 shooting.

David Johnson matched his total.

Harrell had 11 and 7.

Jones, 11.

Chinanu Onuaku, back after sitting out Game 2, scored 6, grabbed 8 boards, and dished for 7 assists. Nice slash line.

Monday’s tilt is set for a 9:00 tip.

— c d kaplan