So, as a tease, I was going to start today’s blog with something like: “Did you see the big game last night? How about Samoa’s boffo start against Fiji in the Rugby 7s Las Vegas consolation game?”

But I won’t for several reasons. One, I know less about rugby than cricket. Which exercise in somnambulism I kind of understand. Two . . . well . . . one is enough.

* * * * *

Actually I’d be commenting more on the NBA playoffs, were I able to stay awake to watch whole games.

Take the second battle of the Spurs/ Grizzlies series the other night. I turned it off and headed to bed when it seemed apparent that San Antonio had the game in hand. Entered slumber. Awoke the next day to discover that Memphis forced OT. Sounds like it was pretty exciting.

So, last night, I was determined to watch the entirety of the Miami/ Indiana opener. Especially after watching a bit and realizing it was destined to be close throughout.

So I did, save for a few clicks over to that rugby match during timeouts. (Teams get 5 points if they touch  it down in the endzone, or whatever they call it. Two more, it they kick it through the uprights afterward.)

Then I nodded out. You know those moments that come around 10:00, 10:30 when you try like hell to keep your eyes open so you can watch the game, but lose the ability to focus, then eventually kick back the recliner and give in to the Sandman? That’s what happened.

But I did awake with about 11 clicks to play in regulation, just before Paul George nailed that forty footer to send the tilt to extra time. (George matriculated at Fresno State, FYI. Remember back in the day, when we knew where all the pros played in college?) Then stayed with the game, in which George drained three FTs for a one point advantage with :02.2 left in OT.

You knew Miami was going to win, right? I did. (Here’s a thumbs up, for the great NBA rule, which makes these end of game situations so exciting. The Heat got the ball in side front court.)

(The down side, of course, is that, in this “player’s sport,” coaches call about 15 timeouts each when games are close in the last minute.)

Anyhow, LeBron James (St. Vincent – St. Mary HS) did what superstars do. Paul George overplayed him. LBJ took the pass, moving to his left in the key. One unimpeded step later — Pacer pivotman Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) was watching from the bench — the MVP laid it in, while subs Sam Young (Pittsburgh) and Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina) got a great view of the winner, watching from the court.

To his credit, Indy coach Frank Vogel took the blame for the L, for calling timeout and taking Hibbert’s imposing presence in the paint out of the game, allowing James to soar in for the winning score.

* * * * *

It seems to me that the casual NBA fan, meaning any college hoops lover without a pro team to faithfully root for, would come to understand that San Antonio plays the “most collegiate” type game in the league.

The Spurs pass, cut, screen, move, the whole schmear. They are a joy to watch. Without ego. “Star” Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) was on the bench the other night — without pouting for a nanosecond — because Mastermind Greg Popovich had other plans.

Memphis has shown resilience in the playoffs this year. But I’d be surprised if the Grizzlies can come back from two down and make it to the Finals.

* * * * *

Turns out that Rugby 7s match was played in February. Who knew?

Samoa prevailed in OT.

* * * * *

I stand by my previous admonition to you, the sporting public, that far and away the biggest event of the week is this Saturday’s School Figure 8s at Jeffersonville Sportsdrome.

But there’s another intriguing scenario, I realized this morning.

Tonight is Gildan Underwear Night at Slugger Field. Be sure to get to the ballyard early to take advantage of the u-trou giveaway. There’s only a limited supply.

* * * * *

U of L’s top seeded Cardinal nine lost their Big East tourney opener to UConn in 12.

Not a good thing.

* * * * *

The Cleveland Indians’ Nick Swisher is on Paternity Leave.

Does MLB know something I don’t know?

* * * * *

You gotta feel bad for Rakeem Buckles. Kept getting hurt at U of L. Transferred close to home to Florida International to heal and play for Pitino the Younger.

Now what?

* * * * *

One of Kevin Stallings Vandy Commodore hoopsters wants to transfer to Pitt, so he can be closer to home. And, maybe he doesn’t like playing for Stallings. The coach is prohibiting that move.

Former Okie State QB Wes Lunt wants to transfer. Cowboy coach Mike Gundy listed about a hundred schools where he won’t allow a release.

Of all the idiotic NCAA rules, the one that allows a school to dictate where a “student athlete” can’t transfer without penalty (other than having to sit out a year) is among the most heinous.

Later.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/05/23/okay-lets-talk-nba-other-thursday-sports-stuff/feed/ 4 http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/05/21/sports-shorts-tuesday-t-will-titles-t-bone/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/05/21/sports-shorts-tuesday-t-will-titles-t-bone/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 15:25:06 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8520 Branding is one thing.

Brandishing, another altogether.

Rick Pitino has used the former, advertising terminology, regarding his mission at U of L. As in “rebranding the program.” I hate such talk, but know what he means.

Brandishing is what former Cardinal baller Terrence Williams has been charged with. As in waving a gun about in a threatening manner toward the mother of his child.

The former might be a reprehensible concept as far as college athletics are concerned, but it’s accepted behavior, even the norm these days.

The latter is a crime.

T-Will’s pro career has been spotty at best. This development certainly can’t help his standing with the Celtics, who apparently can opt out of their contract with Williams anytime before Halloween.

The occurence, sadly, is not surprising. It was well known in and around the U of L community that Williams had a predilection for packing heat.

While he was one of the more popular U of L players of the Pitino Era, I found him to be a most disagreeable sort. Frankly, he’s my least favorite Cardinal of the Pitino Era, but that’s neither here nor there. I certainly don’t wish him ill. But do hope that justice is served. The charge against him is serious.

* * * * *

At the other end of the spectrum is Teddy Bridgewater.

Who, it is reported, has asked Charlie Strong and the U of L starmaker machinery to forgo any Heisman Trophy PR campaign.

* * * * *

An eagle-eyed reader sent me the latest Capital One Cup Standings.

Even that program’s web site doesn’t fully explain how the points are calculated. But the purpose is to measure the strength of the entire athletic programs of the nations’s colleges. Louisville’s male athletes rank 3d behind Michigan and Indiana, which are knotted at the top of the standings.

U of L’s female athletes rank 16th.

I know that national championships get you points. I’m not sure if how far a school advances in the post season is a factor? Or, if league titles count?

Whatever. Those lofty perches confirm what Louisville Cardinal fans have been saying to each other this entire school year: “It’s a great time to be a Cardinal fan.”

* * * * *

By the by, the U of L nine won the Big East regular season pennant with a sweep of Pitt last weekend.

* * * * *

Coming soon are some of the biggest events internationally in car racing.

Indy 500.

Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

Coca Cola 600.

And the grandest event of them all, coming up on the 25th of the month right across the river on the hallowed asphalt of the Jeffersonville Sportsdrome.

School Bus Figure 8s.

To paraphrase someone more eloquent than myself, about a far lesser event, “You ain’t been nowhere, or ever done nothin’ til you been to the School Bus Figure 8s.”

There is no exhilaration in the world of sport quite like seeing a couple of big yellows t-boning at the crossroads.

* * * * *

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my Detroit Red Wings are up 2-1 on Chitown in the Western Division semis of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Black Hawks have been on cruise control all season after starting out unbeaten in something like their first 25 games. The boys from Hockeytown seem to have caught the Second City gang looking ahead.

* * * * *

While I’m on the subject of sports you could care less about, and to clear off the desk, did you notice what’s happened recently in the world of European soccer?

Of course not. Briefly . . .

Lowly Wigan upset Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Athletico Madrid beat crosstown rival Real Madrid for the first time in like a quarter century to capture the Copa del Rey.

And Dortmund Borussia will face Bayern Munchen in all-German Champions League Final on the 25th. (Don’t worry the game at Wembley will be over in time for you to make it across the river to the Sportsdrome.)

As I’m sure you’re aware, this matchup is also totally unexpected. An all-Spanish final would have been chalk. Dortmund bested Real Madrid by aggregate score in the semis, while Bayern bashed Messi-less Barcelona, 4-0 and 3-0. (Each match has two games, one on each team’s pitch. Total score advances. Away goals trump home goals.)

* * * * *

Brett Favre is still retired.

Later.

– Seedy K

I’m drinking a Tuesday morning cup o’ joe, in a city that took its coffee seriously way before Seattle told us we must. Along with it, I’m enjoying a cinnamon scone, which contains significantly less than an ounce of cinnamon, much to my relief.

I would love to be reading the Times-Picayune to enhance the experience, and learn which local pol shook down which local contractor and in whose home was found stashed enough cash to save the economy of Greece.

But, no, it’s Tuesday. Apparently this is not one of the three days each week that absentee owner Advance Publications now allows the 175 year old newspaper to hit the stands. One would hope that the spirit of longtime T-P columnist Edgar Allen Poe would infest the Advance offices with some sort of pox or another.

So, I’ve decided to do what I do pretty well. Which is comment on affairs of sport without really knowing what’s going on.

* * * * *

As usual I have no tips on that little horse race coming up this weekend.

I refer you to my pals Bill Doolittle, Rick Cushing and Billy Reed for that.

My one observation of Derby is that, from the photos, there has been a maximization of millinery. The hats which ladies are sporting around the Downs now seem as large as beach umbrellas.

I doubt it will affect the performance of any of the contestants. Unless one blows off and tumbles across the track like sagebrush as the horses thunder down the stretch, thereby spooking a potential winner.

* * * * *

Just want to give a shout out to the two most beleaguered pro jocks of the moment.

Jason Collins. Good for you, dude. Long may you run. (Chris Broussard, find a deep hole, crawl down, cover yourself with dirt.)

Tim Tebow. Not sure what you’ve done to piss off so many people.

Sure, the guy’s a little too religious, wears it sometimes like a badge. But he’s never been anything but decent. And a winner. Denver couldn’t wait to get rid of him. The Jets just threw him under the bus.

Maybe he’s simply a tweener, with no defined spot to play in the NFL. He wouldn’t be the first.

But why all the hatin’?

* * * * *

I see where my Detroit Red Wings slipped into the Stanley Cup playoffs as a #7 seed.

Cool as Hockeytown ice. It’ll give me something to watch with a rooting interest when I get home from JazzFest.

* * * * *

If you haven’t been reading Eric Crawford’s most excellent profiles of each of the national champion Louisville Cardinals, shame on ya.

Here’s a link. Check them out.

* * * * *

Like most other Cardinal fans, I’m still glorying in the school’s third NCAA crown. I’ve been wearing colors around New Orleans, and receiving periodic “Go Cards” acknowledgments.

Yesterday, while listening to Los Po-Boy Citos at the Louisiana Music Factory, a guy was hanging next to me, wearing a Michigan cap.

“You go to school at Ann Arbor?”

“Hopefully, I’ve applied.”

Pointing to my cap, I said, “The Wolverines just played a game against my team.”

“How’d we do,” he asked?

“Not bad. Maybe next year.”

There seems to be a buzz building about what mayy happen next campaign. I refuse to make conjecture about next season’s possibilities. It’ll play out one way or another.

This one just past is too sublime to let go of.

* * * * *

If you’re looking for some interesting reading, peripheral to the world of sports, I’ve got a recommendation.

“Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter” by Frank Deford.

The guy can write. (One of his quirks is that he likes to end sentences with prepositions. Miss Walston would be aghast.)

And has a penchant for relaying the most fascinating of conversations from the past with athletes and cohorts.

* * * * *

For those who have inquired: No, I have not and do not intend to get a Louisville Cardinal tattoo.

– Seedy K

Forced to walk the plank off the Cruiser Cardinal by Cap’n Rick, Jared Swopshire swam to shore off Lake Michigan, landing in Evanston at Northwestern. Where he’s been toiling this season for the ever underperforming Wildcats under the mediocre tutelage of Bill Carmody.

As I’ve mentioned probably too many times, I think the kid got a dirty deal here. Which he handled like a mensch. He wouldn’t have played much this season for the Cards. And his spot has been filled with the serious potential of Silent L. But, you know, U of L had a commitment to the kid, but The Rick wrapped his arm around his shoulder, praised his efforts as Cardinal, all the while hipchecking him out the door. Okay, enough.

Anyhow, last night the former Cardinal led NW to its best W of the season, a 7 point smashing of reeling Minnesota. (Tubby’s Golden Gophers have dropped 3 in a row, the L last night and two to Top 5 squads.) Swopshire tallied 16 with 8 boards and a couple steals.

The Mildcats still stand 12-8 on the year. They’ve never played in the NCAA. Ever. The only big conference school that hasn’t. And they shan’t again this post-season, unless they happen to stun the world with a Big Ten tourney title.

If Vandy and Duke can be legit, so can Northwestern, another of them academic schools. It’s time to can Carmody.

* * * * *

It’s the time of year when Ls by Top 25 teams are less noteworthy than which schools continue winning. (With the exception of that dumbfounding performance by the Blue Devils in Coral Gables.)

Just last night, in addition to Duke and Minnesota going down, so did Butler to LaSalle and Creighton to Drake.

Florida continues to pummel conference mates, smashing Georgia by 17 in Athens, after trailing by 3 at the break. New Mexico hung tough, holding on against feisty Colorado State.

* * * * *

The only descriptor for Miami’s smackdown last night is “stunning.” Okay, that’s the one I’m going to use.

The Canes are good. They now lead the ACC by two games. Winning at home was not an upset. Beating the top-rated team in the land by 27 is, well, you choose your own words. I watched with my mouth agape.

The Blue Devils would miss a shot, Miami would get the rebound and move the ball with dispatch down court unimpeded for a hardly contested bunny. Duke played like a bunch of guys in sweatpants at a Wednesday night beer league at St. Polycarp.

It was the sixth worst beating in the Coach K era. They got trapped a couple of years ago at Clemson. The other losses on that list are from the 80s. Including a 38 point lesson from Denny Crum’s Louisville Cardinals in January of ’82.

The Hurricanes were en fuego. They hit 57% from the field, 9/19 long balls.

Duke didn’t turn it over much. Only 10 times. They simply couldn’t score the ball. And donned their Jarlsberg costume on defense. As my nemesis David always says, “You look good when you’re making your shots.” And vice versa. Playing defense also helps.

* * * * *

I don’t talk much about high school sports around here. Don’t follow it that closely. Even the Trinity/ St. X football rivalry that is in this burg’s thrall.

But I must note that the Tiger Community seems to have said to itself, “Enough is enough.” Trinity has become a national power. St. X also ran.

So the Poplar Level Road gang hired former NFLer Will Wolford, who has brought on board Browning Nagle and Mike Flores. They’re in addition to 13 other assistant coaches retained from Mike Glaser’s staff.

* * * * *

I’ve been watching a bit of the Aussie Open each night. If only so the warmth of Melbourne summer helps heat up my abode. The ladies semi-finals were contested in 97 degree heat.

Saw the beginning of last night’s Sharapova loss to Li Na. I was taken by what a funny gal the player from China is. They played a clip of her explaining her husband’s reaction to the new training regime she undertook. Very cute. The gal’s got personality.

* * * * *

Here’s how Drexel (Milt Wagner’s Original “One of them Academic Schools.”) beat Hofstra last night.

* * * * *

Looks like another botched investigation by the NCAA may free many involved at Miami — including U of L’s Clint Hurtt and Missouri b-ball coach Frank Haith — from future sanctions.

I’m always bemused at those who throttle the NCAA in these situations, when it is simply an organization made up of the nation’s universities it monitors in athletics.

Which is why I’m reminded of the famous Walt Kelly quote in the comic strip “Pogo”: We have met the enemy and he is us.”

– Seedy K

Fourteen teams in the Top 25 lost last week. And that doesn’t include not-in-Top-25 Wisconsin, who gave a Top 10 performance in Bloomington before going Bottom 150 in a loss to Iowa.

It’s conference play time. So much fun it is.

* * * * *

Loyal reader CookieMan called me on the carpet this morning for not mentioning in my blog on U of L/ Syracuse that the Cardinal football team — at least about 1/3 of it — was introduced. To the expected, raucous Standing O. The intro came during the fist media timeout of the 2d half. When, sigh, the Cards were up 48-40.

Five time MLB All-Star Fred McGriff was also in the house yesterday.

* * * * *

Manti Te’o spoke yesterday. Or, so it is said. To Jeremy Schap in a non-videoed conversation.

Apparently he said he “embellished” his romance, but was still the victim there.

Okay, Manti, whatever you say.

Truth, even I have had enough of this “scandal.”

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t use the bully pulpit the refresh your memories about a real tragedy in which Notre Dame football is involved. Not so valiantly either.

I’m talking about the suicide of Lizzy Seeberg, a young woman who really existed. And who is now really dead. She took her own life after allegedly being intimidated by Fighting Irish pigskinners after reporting a sexual assault by one of their teammates.

You can read more details here.

Dave Zirin, the Thomas Friedman of sports columinsts (usually astute, but always arrogant and self righteous) weighed in even more heavily here.

So, tell me Athletic Director Swarbick, does Lizzy’s tale bring you to tears like that of your hallowed linebacker?

* * * * *

Charles Barkley was in full form last night during the UK/ Auburn game.

He called pro agents, “scumbags.”

* * * * *

Now falling near the top of the list of Teams That Will Probably Make The NCAA Tournament That You Don’t Want Your Contender To Face: Colorado State Rams.

Larry Eustachy’s team is 15-3 after last night’s W over Vegas.

Eustachy could always coach. Now that he’s been clean and sober for awhile, he can really coach.

Also perched to prey in that category: Dana Altman’s Oregon Quack.

* * * * *

Atlanta and the 49ers are getting read to kick off.

I sure hope today’s games are exciting. Because I could care less who wins.

* * * * *

In case you haven’t noticed, and I’m sure you haven’t, the NHL opened play this weekend.

* * * * *

In case you haven’t noticed, and I’m sure you haven’t, Part Deux. FC Barcelona lost yesterday in La Liga. They blew a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 at Real Sociedad.

They now stand 18-1-1 on the season.

* * * * *

Lance Armstrong is still an asshole.

* * * * *

Earl Weaver was such the grouch, he never got quite as much respect as a manager as he deserved.

The same fate came upon his passing.

He bought the farm on the same day as all-time all-star, all time Hall of Famer, all-time good guy, Stan Musial. How cool was the former St. Louis Cardinal who had one of the most unique batting stances ever? He alway carried a harmonica in his sportcoat pocket.

May you both rest in peace.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/01/20/sunday-sound-off-the-full-manti-much-more/feed/ 1 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/12/29/there-will-be-blue-in-the-stands-its-u-of-ls-fault/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/12/29/there-will-be-blue-in-the-stands-its-u-of-ls-fault/#comments Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:00:53 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8129 When this annual rivalry game is played, there are always fans from the visiting school who manage to find their way into the arena.

When Louisville plays in Rupp, there’s some red, but it’s a smattering.

I’ve been there once for the game, DeJuan Wheat’s and Jason Osborne’s first as Cardinals, the year the tilt opened the season in November ’93. A pal’s brother in law was an assistant baseball coach. He was out of town, so he gave us his tickets. We did not wear red. But the people in the seats around us knew we were aliens, and treated us so.

Here’s what happened the first time I stood up. It was way before tip off. The teams were warming up. I merely wanted to stretch my legs. The guy behind me told me to “sit down and shut up.”

My pal’s brother in law was severely chastised and advised never to give his seats to U of L fans again.

When the game was played in Freedom Hall, there would always be a Blue presence, perhaps 500-1000 Wildcat fans scattered around, mostly in the cheap seats.

The one previous game in the Yum! was an entirely different story.

There were several thousand of the Big Blue Nation in attendance, a good many in the primo seats courtside.

Tom Jurich can be as pissed about as he wants — Rick Bozich wrote about it yesterday here — but Louisville’s AD has nobody to blame but himself.

It’s U of L’s fault.

I’m not going to go on and on as I have before about how long time die hard Louisville fans who were season ticket holders for decades were thrown under the bus when seats were divvied up in the new venue.

But it’s fact. Those dedicated fans bought tickets because they cared, and had done so for a long time, many since the days when Louisville played at the Armory (Louisville Gardens). Most would never have considered giving tickets to a UK fan. Sure it happened now and again, but it was rare and never happened twice.

Those seats are now owned by corporations or less devoted individuals who view it as a business expense. So when a supplier or good customer says, “Hey I’d love a couple for the UK game,” they say, “Of course.”

I’m so very sure there will be way more Blue in the crowd this afternoon than there should be.

It will piss me off no end.

But I’ll know whose fault it is.

– Seedy K

The most obvious reasons Guidry’s been passed over were manifest last night, before and during WKU’s sad loss in the Motor City Pizza Pizza Bowl. In no particular order, they are:

1) His idiotic, literally sophomoric pregame speech. It sounded like he’d just misread “Knute Rockne’s Greatest.” Veins in his neck popping, spittle spewing, he was screaming at his players, who were standing about, looking dumbfounded. When the crescendo finally peaked, he turned and ran to the door. His players then sauntered after him.

I was reminded of my sophomore year of prep pigskin. All season long, when the team wasn’t intense enough, coach would call us “cake eaters.” “That’s what the other schools think of you,” he’d bellow.

When we got to the locker room to dress for the traditional season ender against our rival, there was a sheet cake with 3×5 cards stuck in the icing.

“Look what we found by the locker door when we got here tonight. Cake. See? This is what they think of you.” He grabbed some of the confection and rubbed it in the faces of key players.

Listening to the hokum, even at the tender age of 15, I looked around, wondering whether my teammates actually believed that this cake with dismissive notes to key starters, was actually left by our opponent? I didn’t have the courage to ask.

Maybe Guidry can get a job at my high school. It’s been a long long while since the Rebels had a winning season.

2) Guidry’s even more dumbfounding, more stupid last minute strategy, which cost Western a shot at winning the game.

Down three, the Toppers were 4th and 2 with :51 to play at the Chippewas’ 19 yard line. Guidry had allowed more than 30 seconds to run off the clock already, before calling timeout.

Instead of kicking a very makeable field goal that, if converted, would surely have sent the game to OT, Guidry inexplicably went for it. QB Kawaun Jakes overthrew a receiver in double coverage, while another was wide open just beyond the first down marker.

This was not Tom Osborne going for it in the Orange Bowl against Miami to win the national championship. That was before there was OT.

This was not Willie Taggert, knowing his squad was reeling and way tired, going for two to upset UK.

This was dumb and dumber, a guy showing he had more gumption than common sense. He robbed his team of its best chance of winning the game.

Sayonara, dude.

* * * * *

The dynamic of Saturday’s U of L/ UK game changed dramatically last night, when The Rick announced that center Gogui Dieng is healed and fit and will start against the Wildcats, after missing a month of action.

Can there be any doubt that it will help Louisville?

Yet, it poses some problems for the Cards, if not as many as it does Kentucky.

How basketball ready is Dieng? The Cards have developed a fluidity without his presence in the lineup. Without any games to smoothly change the flow, will U of L be out of sync? He’ll be playing in front of his parents for the first time. Will that adversely affect his game?

The flip side is that Coach Cal is forced to revamp his pregame preparation. Checking Dieng as opposed to Stephan Van Treese and Zach Price is something else entirely.

Just another factor to ponder in a game that is always over analyzed.

* * * * *

ESPN.com’s excellent Dana O’Neil has captured the U of L/ UK rivalry in a piece you can read here.

Only 51 hours until tipoff.

– Seedy K

Of course, we chatted about the tumultuous but glorious last ten days. I asked if, back when he played in the late 60s, he could have conceived of the school’s station in the world of college sports, if he could have conceptualized playing in the Sugar Bowl?

He shook his head no, and laughed.

He agreed we were just excited when they put stands on the empty side of Fairgrounds Stadium.

That’s but one measure of how far U of L football has come.

* * * * *

I’ve spent Sunday morning watching the Manchester Darby.

It is not a horse race.

It’s what they call the incredibly intense soccer rivalry between Man U and Man City. Not only do these neighboring clubs hate each other, they also stand 1 and 2 in the English Premier League table. (Table = Standings.)

U took a 2 nil lead into halftime on a couple Wayne Rooney goals. City fought back to knot it in the second half. Then, with just a few moments to play, Man U tallied on a free kick for the W, to increase their first place lead in the EPL.

This being soccer in England, matters got testy in the stands. A projectile hit one of the Man U players above the eye, opening a gash. A fan ran on the field, apparently toward the referee, though it wasn’t shown on the telecast.

And hundreds of bobbies surrounded the Man U cheering section.

* * * * *

The antithesis in terms of intensity was yesterday’s UCLA vs Texas basketball game played in Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The crowd in the football venue, which seats 71,000 + for that sport, was announced at a hearty 2,797.

Dickie V was distraught.

It was an underwhelming game, won by the underwhelming Bruins, who outscored the Longhorns 12-2 to capture the W by a deuce.

* * * * *

Sam Houston State won in Bozeman Friday night, upsetting Montana State in the NCAA Div I-AA quarterfinals. Yesterday, Georgia South won at higher seeded Old Dominion. Several favorites also won.

Here’s my point. Division I-AA will have a legitimate national champion. The school that prevails will have won it on the field. Every team with a legit claim to the crown will have had an opportunity to prove its worth on the gridiron.

Unlike, well, you know. Division I-A. The Football Bowl Subdivision.

The upcoming four team playoff. Not even close to being fair to all contenders.

* * * * *

I need a show of hands.

Who out there, other than Kirk Herbstreit, cares who wins the Heisman Trophy?

* * * * *

I know about as few of you could give a shit about hockey as care about soccer, but . . .

. . . it sure would be nice if the NHL could settle it’s labor dispute, so we could see some pucks.

* * * * *

Not much of a boxing fan these days.

But I must admit. I just watched a video of Juan Manuel Marquez’s knockout of Manny Pacquiao last night.

I feel so guilty. So, I’ll bid you adieu until later.

– Seedy K

Yesterday I ate lunch with a bunch of fellows, U of L fans all, except for John, who likes the Cards but favors blue a bit more. Soon enough the conversation got around to comparing column inches of Courier-Journal coverage between you know who(m) and you know who(m). Of course, the plaint was that Louisville was being give short shrift . . . as always.

Then this morning there was an email in my inbox from a much more measured fellow, who now is all Cards all the time, but was a Cats fan when I met him. (No, it’s not John Yarmuth, but that description also holds true for my former editor, currently employed in D.C.) Here’s what this fellow asked, “why-oh-why is the C-J (and one supposes the local TV folk as well) so in love with UK and Coach Cal?”

Hmm. My response: “State university. Large following in Jefferson County. Defending national champs. Coach Cal, a PR genius. Just had their pre-season photo session which always generates pub, as it will for U of L. Bottom Line: They’re THE CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Even with the C-J’s stature precipitously in freefall, I’m of the generation that still cares about our local print newspaper. But, I’ve never really been bothered by how much coverage they afford the state’s two flagship schools. In this age when you can read all you want about any subject at any time simply by turning on your favorite internet access device, it matters not a whit.

But the rivalry, and the enmity attendant thereto, certainly abide as strongly as ever.

* * * * *

What I do care about is the woeful editing and proofreading that now plagues the daily. I know I should give it up, but I simply can’t help myself. (Besides these blogs are filled with lots of errors, so people in glass houses, etc, etc.)

Kentucky went from a 14 point favorite over Top 25 Mississippi State in yesterday’s edition to a 10 1/2 point underdog today.

A 24 1/2 point swing in the spread. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Talk about smart money making a move early in the week. Uh, no. Yesterday’s line was obviously a typo. One of the many that plague the Courier these days every day. Such a pity.

* * * * *

Get ready for more baseball commentary here, starting with the playoffs this weekend.

My Detroit Tigers survived, so I’ll be tuning in with more than a passing interest as long Jim Leyland’s nine is alive.

Baseball aficionados will often talk about how the subtleties of the game make a difference, even if they are hardly noticed by the casual fan. The Tigers shuffled along behind the ChiSox for most of the season. Every once in awhile they’d tie for the AL Central lead, then fall back.

Until last week when Detroit beat Kansas City for a pivotal victory. The winning run came in the bottom of the 8th, when Jhonny Peralta hit into a sure thing double play that would have ended the inning. Except that RF Andy Dirks took out the guy covering 2d, so he couldn’t make the throw to first to complete the DP and end inning. Which allowed PH Don Kelly to score the winning tally.

The stuff teams work on in March won it for the Tigers in September.

This came the night after Anibal Sanchez, out of the blue, hurled a masterful 3-hit shutout.

Detroit never looked back. The Chicago White Sox flinched.

* * * * *

The surest sign yet that hoops season is just about upon us?

No, it’s not the photo spread of Anthony Davis wannabe Nerlens Noel in the paper.

It’s the news that yet another major injury has hit the Louisville camp before the official beginning of practice. So now we bid a sad adieu to the Mike Marra Era.

The Rick might want to check the practice facility for ghouls. Or Jimmy Hoffa’s body and the curse that surely goes along with it.

One guy’s opinion. An exorcism is in order.

– Seedy K

College football, and soon thereafter the game played by the play for more pay guys, are bout to kickoff. Not soon enough if you ask me. (Though my Tigers are neck and neck with the ChiSox for the AL Central title. So I’ll be keeping an eye on the “national pastime.”)

So let me get a few things off my chest, so we can put the brats on the grill.

* * * * *

My pal David, who apparently is avoiding real life as much as possible these days, called yesterday all excited.

“Are you watching the Little League World Series?”

“Uh, no.”

“Well, going into the last inning, Tennessee was up 15-5 and California scored ten to tie it . . . “

“Well . . . “

“You should be watching.”

“Well . . . I could care less.”

“Really, turn it on. Goodbye.”

I understand that as a sports fan, I’m supposed to do what the World Wide Leader tells me to do. But . . . I don’t do Little League on the telly. I played Little League. I loved it. Every game day I’d wake up and pray it didn’t rain. I still remember specific game situations.

Heck, my dad was the Commissioner of the League.

But those kids shouldn’t be playing on national television.

Period.

* * * * *

A few thoughts on Lance Armstrong.

I think if the guy wasn’t such an asshole, the organizations that say they run international cycling wouldn’t be so adamant about bringing down the multi-time Tour de France winner. The guy’s a putz. Nobody much likes him. Ask Sheryl Crow.

That said, as much as I dislike the use of performance enhancing drugs — Lord, I hate the visions of Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire hitting cheap chemically induced taters — I could care less if Armstrong was on steroids or not. For one, everybody was apparently doing it at the time. (Maybe still.) And, I’ve been watching a lot of the Tour the last couple of years, and that sport is so arduous, it wouldn’t matter to me if he had a motor implanted in his legs.

Fifteen mile climbs at a 12% grade. Let ‘em put whatever they want in their systems.

* * * * *

Tiger choked it up again yesterday.

All together now: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

* * * * *

Speaking of the World Wide Leader, ESPN ranked the Top 50 college hoops programs of the past 50 years.

Caveat: Before I continue watch out for flying objects and enraged fans wearing a dark shade of blue.

Kentucky only came in 3d. Behind Carolina and UCLA in that order.

Remember Cats fans, I’m only the messenger, I didn’t do the rankings.

I like that Louisville was ranked 6th, one spot ahead of the Hoosiers.

Three of the top 7 within miles of each other. That’s why any claims that Tobacco Road is the epicenter of college basketball is bogus at best, fraudulent at worst. Hoopsylvania uber alles.

* * * * *

Coming Soon to a computer near you: Round Uno of Seedy K’s Pithy Pigskin Prognostications 2012.

– Seedy K