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. Continue reading Chalk Talk: Last Four on the Floor & More →

Terrance Edwards Jr., star of 30+ win James Madison, Sun Belt POY, Transfer Portal Top 10, has announced his commitment to Pal Kelsey and the University of Louisville.

And there was evening, and there was morning, a the sixth day.

Yes, fellow hoopaholics of the Cardinal persuasion, it’s been about as invigorating week as a diehard could possibly hope for.

Three recruits. Most of the staff. A million simolien gift to the 502Circle.

Be still my beating heart.

And, loyal readers, be grateful I didn’t morph full biblical on ya. I did pull out The Holy Scriptures presented me at my Bar Mitzvah to see if I could somehow fashion a lengthier lede. But, since it is a sacred time of year — Easter, Passover, Ramadan — thought I’d be respectful. I do have a filter on occasion.

U of L Hoops is a matter of faith, but, ya know, not quite the same.

A new coach is not exactly the Second Coming, but . . . hope springs.

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Chris Mack to College of Charleston.

How symmetrical. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Musings of Title Week →

How many conversations did I have with my bestie hoopaholic pals — Smarts and Doc — over the weekend?

Correct answer: A whole lot.

During one with Doc, he asked rhetorically how many freshman were playing significant roles for the teams still alive?

The only name that immediately came to mind was UConn’s Stephon Castle.

We agreed that college hoops success is now — and possibly always has been frankly — predicated on experience. Among other factors, like, oh, talent and a great guard running the show, etc.

So, looking for some anecdotal evidence, I actually did some research on the squads of the Final Four survivors.

Of the players on UConn, Alabama, NC State and Purdue who have averaged double digit minutes over the course of the season, exactly four are rookies. Castle, one kid balling for the Boilermakers, and a couple rolling for the Tide. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Frosh, Final Four & the Portal →

Yes, my fellow hoopaholics, the Dance is just hours away.

Thank you, Naismithius.

Before I get to other peripheral considerations, all signifying nothing really, one more gratuitous diss of a former Cardinal coach.

Not the one who once upon a time wore leisure suits, but the one who was all bespoke all the time.

Because, well, it’s what I do, because it’s what taking hostages in fandom is about, because I’ve got the key to get it up and into the cybergalaxy. Because the devil makes me do it, and I’m not about to argue.

And yes I’m obsessed.

It makes me so so sad that he shan’t be stomping those new custom made tassel loafers on an NCAA sideline. Not.

But the new, mature, wisened, seen it all and going to just sit back and relax Rick, at his “final coaching stop,” couldn’t help himself after his Johnnies were not tabbed to participate.

During his post reveal presser, which he actually held, unlike the time here in Louisville when he failed to show up at Porcini’s because he was pissed with his seed, RP said “bitterness doesn’t help,” and “we’re not gonna gripe.” Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Tip Off Tuesday →

Warning: This was posted before Sunday’s conference finals.

Let the madness commence.

Oh yeah, it already has.

But first, a didactic riff on my annual admonition.

I had the opportunity the other day to advise a friend of  Seedy K’s College Hoops Post Season Rule #1.

At our regular weekly lunch on Wednesday, Mike mentioned how he’d already set his DVR to record Kentucky vs. Tennessee in the SEC title game.

At which instant, after a spit take, it was time to set him straight.

Understand this fellow knows his basketball. He played in HS, and claims to have gotten the best of Wes Unseld, once anyway, which he shares with sort of a wink. He was a senior. Wes was still learning how to play early in his first varsity year.

What gives a scintilla of credence, if that, to my pal’s claim is he owns that a couple of months later Unseld turned him over under sideways down.

My guy also played collegiately, albeit in the Ivy League.

But I digress. (As those of my ilk are inclined to do these days as we anxiously await the announcement that Coach X will be coaching the now coachless University of YouKnowWhomI’mTalkingAbout next season.) Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Selection Sunday →

Word is filtering out more and more that the powers that be are legitimately considering a ruination of the singular thing they do right.

The NCAA basketball tournament.

Expansion.

To as many as 96 schools.

Cue the Barret Strong: “Money/ That’s what I want.”

It is perhaps the worst idea since, oh, the beginning of ideas. Or, at least, the Edsel.

I keep thinking of a fellow who helped guide me through the early days of my recovery.

One of his go to sayings, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Which he would say with such stentorian conviction that you’d think he invented the catchphrase. Continue reading No, No, No, NoCAA →