Trying to be more clever than I oughta in my Pigskin Prognostications this week, I made a historical mistake about Greek Mythos. About Sparta and Troy and that Wooden Horse, and who was zoomin’ whom.

Which a more knowing reader than I called me out on.

Good on him. Or her, whichever applies.

I’m getting to hoops, but I’m a wordy guy and it’s a long winding road, and I’ve got time because I rescheduled my HVAC appointment ’cause the guy was running hours late. Stick around, we’ll get there.

After a couple of minutes and a few added seconds of research, I relearned that the whole Trojan War brouhaha started when Paris of Troy charmed Helen, while she was betrothed to Menelaus. Who was the King of Sparta. Hubby didn’t take kindly to that.

Or, somethin’ like that, if my reading comprehension of Mr. Wiki is correct.

What I did learn of peripheral importance here is that, according to the various chroniclers of said conflict, neither of my personal favorite Greek GodWarriors — Naismithius and Bronconagurskius — were hidden in that horse. Probably a good thing, given there probably wasn’t any sort of bathroom facility inside said wooden trap.

Which senseless riffing leads me to what I am not going to do as an entry to chatting about Michigan basketball coach Dusty May.

So, no conjecture about Wolverine or Hugh Jackman or Marvel Comics. Never watch any of those flicks. And the last comic I probably read cost 10⍧, and featured Scrooge McDuck.

Wolverine, Michigan Wolverines . . . my thought processes are seriously addled.

Here we go, Hoops.

Dusty May, who was U of L’s either first or second choice to be the next coach, opted for Michigan. You know, like I said, the Wolverines. The other wish Scott Drew stayed at Baylor after both my favorite school and arch rival gave him a shot.

(Drew’s choice as an opening foe might have been a mistake. Baylor 63, Gonzaga 101.)

May, on the other hand, seems to have rejuvenated the program in Ann Arbor. Michigan lost 15 of their last 16 a year ago. One report of their opening night beatdown heralded how much fun it was, and how ready the fans were.

Sound familiar?

But here’s my point.

May: “We told them (his team) before the game, this place will probably be half full tonight, By the next month, because of the way we play and the way we interact with each other and the way we represent Michigan, we want it to be full. We’ll give them a month.”

OK, I have no idea whether Pat Kelsey is as good or even better than Dusty May. Or, Scott Drew for that matter. Time will tell.

But, I am convinced, though third choice, he was absolutely the best choice for the situation at Louisville. His work in the portal, his enthusiasm, his embrace of Cardinal culture put a legitimate 12,000 rabid fans in the stands for the Cards’ opener.

A month? PK don’t need no stinkin’ month.

Top 15 Rocky Top is coming in at noon Saturday.

My guess is 12,000 and half again as many (or more) will be in the Yum! for Tennessee tip.

Dusty that.

 * * * * *

While we always wonder what hoops coaches are under the gun or they’ll be fired, there’s no real panoply of Hot Seat Lists like football. Like who is the next perennial #1 Kevin Stallings?

That said, there’s already a leader in the clubhouse.

Kyle Neptune come on down.

Replacing an icon is never an optimal situation. You don’t have to go back to Greek mythology for proof of that. So Neptune moving into Jay Wright’s chair at Villanova was not an easy task.

He was an odd choice, after one season in first chair at Fordham where he went 16-16. This is his third season on the Main Line. 17-17 in the first. 18-16 in the second. One and done in the N1IT after each.

So yeah, his buttocks was warm if not smokin’.

Until now.

The Wildcats lost their opener by double digits — 90-80 — to Columbia of the Ivy League. Columbia, picked to finish 5th in the Ivy League. Columbia, which has won only 7 conference games over the last three years in the Ivy League.

Sayonara Neptune is not the name of the next Wolverine flick.

It is you know whom’s situation.

Rollie Massimino, the Wildcat Nation turns its longing eyes to your spirit force.

— c d kaplan