Yeah, chalk talk . . .
. . . . because, obviously, the four #1 seeds are the quartet that remain in play. Chalk.
And, because it reminded me that my first foray into sports punditry was titled “Chuck’s Chalk Talk.” In the early 60s for the Atherton Aerial. Indeed that’s the actual logo above.
Not only is this foursome this year’s best, they each rank in Ken Pomeroy’s Top 10 for all the seasons he’s been at it. Since ’96-’97. They all have adjusted O and adjusted D in the top ten this campaign, factoring in of course their Dance moves.
Plus, and it may be of interest only to me, yet something that simply makes me smile. Three of the coaches are of the Hebrew Persuasion. Bruce Pearl. Todd Golden. Jon Scheyer. The latter two of which have dual citizenship with Israel.
Not to be left out, Houston Cougar Emmanual Sharp is also an Israeli citizen.
A Star of David Final Four.
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Those of us who live beyond the Mason Dixon Line, figuratively if not literally, and outside the Confederate States of America are grateful the uberheralded SEC only has a couple still standing, one of which will battle Monday night.
We were a bit edgy when there were four Conference Which Cares More members still contesting in the Elite Eight.*
Unlike the misreporting at one of the too many hoops sites I visit, it’s not the first such occasion. In ’09, Pitt, UConn, Villanova and the Ville were still alive out of the Big East. (Don’t get me started on that strangest of Cardinal contingents which spit out the bit against Sparty.) In ’16, Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse and UVa out of the ACC were still alive.
* * * * *
Because I am admittedly obsessed with the guy, I have to weigh in on The Rick.
He’s a great coach. He can be charming and funny. He’s certainly among the most charismatic people I’ve even been in the presence of. He can also be insufferable and dismissive and arrogant.
His personality defects most often arise after losses.
I hate how he passively aggressively threw his star RJ Luis under the bus after the Johnnies fell to the Razorbacks. Pitino at his least likable. Unacceptable. He sat the kid for the last five minutes of the game, then left him dangling in the wind with his post game comments.
The man who infamously traded future NBA Finals MVP Chauncy Billups after 50 games as a rookie, the man who wanted to get rid of Russ Smith after his freshman year, the man who banned Francisco Garcia from the practice facility after the Cardinal choose an agent different than RP’s suggestion, should have been kinder about the Big East MVP who led St. John’s all season.
Luis, with a season of eligibility left, has entered the portal and the draft process.
Good for him.
* * * * *
How many times through the years have I written this in the margin of my notes?
“MAKE FTs WIN GAME”
Many.
Texas Tech, who had the hook around the Gators’ neck, duct tape in hand to secure those toothsome jaws in a closed and locked position, missed the front end of two 1+1s late while Florida was coming back.
The four points would have kept the eventual victors at bay, sapped their momentum.
The game was lost.
* * * * *
The Alabama/ BYU affair was futuristic. Less than fascinating.
Threes are the new game. Which can make for some boring basketball, to these eyes anyway.
This one was like Celtics vs. Warriors in October. Not especially fun to watch.
* * * * *
Coaching matters.
Really, Chuck, we hadn’t noticed?
Proven yet again, when Grant McCasland outmaneuvered John Calipari, and Tom Izzo outmaneuvered Chris Beard.
* * * * *
My favorite slam of the tourney was Sparty leaper Coen Carr going all Helicopter Knowings on the Rebs in the Sweet Sixteen.
* * * * *
Kevin Willard finally did what anyone paying attention knew he was going to do.
He’s off to the Mainline and ‘Nova.
That peripatetic Buzz Williams has thrown his hat in the ring for a move to College Park as a replacement sounds about right.
The Buzzer builds programs up, then bumps his head against a ceiling, but is crafty enough to get outta Dodge City before the locals gather a posse.
* * * * *
Note to my fellow hoopaholics, who may be scared of jonesing between now and Saturday night.
There are games on every day just about this week. Including some in the afternoons.
From Vegas on FS1 in that Made for the Murdoch TV affair called the College Basketball Crown.
And the NIT semis and final from Hinkle on The World Wide Leader.
After next Monday, cold turkey.
— c d kaplan
Have to weigh in on Rick The Prick, especially given my handle, which harkens back to his putrid run as coach of the Celtics in general and Chauncey Billups especially. It still haunts me a bit, even after all these years as a Boston-area resident and Celtics fan. While I’m of course happy that the Cards (always my favorite college team since growing up in Louisville many seasons ago) found success under Pitino, I was also glad when he was finally run out of town trailing the stink of personal and professional scandal.
With The Rick, it’s always someone else’s fault and that’s an unforgivable trait. So, as you said, good for RJ Luis for going into the portal and maybe the draft and getting away from Pitino.