Forty Days and Forty Nights.

Until Selection Sunday.

Actually it’s a few days less than that — 37, 38, 39? — something like that.

But, ya know, a McKinley Morganfield reference seems appropriate at these somewhat stressful times when the Louisville Cardinals are posited to actually punch their Dance card.

The Waters are still a bit Muddy.

So, hoopaholic U of L obsessive that I be, checking on their status daily has become a thing.

The day after the BC beatdown, the answer to the ever so critical injury status of Chucky Hepburn and J’Vonne Hadley blowin’ in the wind, here’s where we’re at:

Bracket Matrix (consensus of all those who deign themselves card carrying members of the bracketologista): 7 Seed.

Their opinionation might not factor in the BC result. Bracketology is rendered irrelevant annually at 7:00 pm Selection Sunday. But seems about right for obsessives who give it store in early February.

Ken Pomeroy: #28.

Bart Torvik: #24.

Evan Miyakawa: #27.

NCAA Net Rankings: #28.

Not that I’m checking in with everybody or anything.

Then there’s that outlier BPI deal at espn.com which has the Cards slotted in the NIT. Or, so it’s reported, I haven’t looked. It’s time for positivitude.

Plus the metrics displayed above are the ones that matter.

Soooooooo, it appears that Louisville is far from Lock status.

But the needle is hovering toward the Should Be In side of the meter, rather than Work To Do.

But, there is work still to do.

Muddy waters and all.

During tight games, I’ll often scratch in the margin of my notes, “Make FTs, Win Game.”

Cards: Win, you’re In.

Selection Sunday. As a character said in a William Powell film I watched yesterday morning on TCM while on the elliptical, “I live in anticipation.”

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Here’s the oddest sight I’ve seen while watching college hoops this week.

During St. John’s upending of Marquette Tuesday in the World’s Most Famous Arena, sitting at the press table right next to the seat of the Johnnie’s bespoke coach was one Kenny Klein.

The SID G.O.A.T. A couple of years retired from U of L.

Apparently Pitino called upon KK to help out for a few weeks.

When The Rick summons etc, etc, etc.

Of course, RP has the team f/k/a the Redmen humming. The guy can coach.

Sorry Dion, these days RP’s the current King of the New York Streets.

Given the new NIL era, controversy might not ensue. All that Smart Water moolah that fuels his cache of St. J cash is legal these days. Ballers will drop in his lap.

Still, seeing Kenny Klein courtside was more than a little disconcerting.

 * * * * *

Alex Squadron at hoopshq.com had an interesting suggestion.

That college hoops should have the equivalent of NFL Red Zone.

Even suggested that up and comer John Fanta take the Scott Hanson role.

I love me some Red Zone. It’s where I watch the pro pros during the regular season. Except when the Lions game in full is on display.

But, ya know, given how different college hoops is than football, I’m not sure it would work. Maybe. I dunno?

I know during that glorious first weekend of the Dance, the various networks always have real time scores and game clocks up in the corner. Allowing me to click over. Unless of course, Louisville is playing, when I stay put, even during timeouts.

Do love the floating of the idea though.

When it comes to college basketball, less is not more, less is less, more is better.

 * * * * *

Beat Miami (Fla).

— c d kaplan