Noogie.

Then again, I don’t have the storied tradition of excellence that was the C-J and its sports section for decades. Which is not an excuse, but reality. I resolve to do better in ’13.

But I feel compelled to start the New Year by pointing out today’s inexcusable C-J gaffe.

At the top of PAGE THREE, right above a column in which the sports editor fails yet again to be as funny as he would like, there’s this stat: “50 years since the Arizona Cardinals (and the Chicago, St. Louis and Phoenix versions of the Cardinals before them) have won an NFL football game.”

Which statistic would be of mild interest . . . perhaps . . . if it wasn’t so totally wrong.

The Cardinals beat Green Bay, 51-45, in a 2010 playoff game. After winning three playoff battles the year before against Atlanta, Carolina and Philly to make it the Super Bowl. Oh yes, they beat the Cowboys in a Wild Card game in ’98.

The once great newswpaper compounded the felony on the next page when reporting correctly that Arizona’s coach, Ken Whisenhunt, fired yesterday, had led the team to a Super Bowl.

I know I’m being a crank, but I still read the C-J every morning as I’ve done since my age was a single digit. More and more I find myself looking for the errors, which are manifest on a daily basis now, more than insight into the world of sports.

Nougat. To Bill Walton. It was great to hear his voice again. He did color commentary the other night during UCLA’s resurgent W over Missouri.

There’s something about his exuberance and willingness to call it as he sees it that I find refreshing.

I also have a soft spot for Walton. In ’90, I was hit by a car while jogging and my left leg was held together for a year and a half by an Iliazarov Fixator. He was in town covering a U of L game. When the former Bruin superstar saw me hobbling down the steps toward my seat, he, who has dealt with serious leg and foot problems throughout his career, stopped, chatted me up and offered words of encouragement.

Hope to hear his voice more during the coming hoops season.

Nougat. To James Franklin’s Vanderbilt Commodores, who finished their season 9-4, after bashing NC State by two TDs yesterday in the Music City Bowl.

Vandy. 9-4, including SEC games. One of them Milt Wagner academic schools that doesn’t even have a separate athletic department.

That, football fans, is a piece of work.

Noogie & Nougat. To two of Louisville’s future ACC compatriots.

Speaking of academic schools, Duke had a win just about secured over Cincy the other day in the Something or Another Bowl, driving into the Red Zone with the game knotted for a sure score with only a couple minutes to play.

They fumbled, giving up the ball to the Bearcats, who soon enough tallied on a long pass play. Then scored again before the gun sounded for a two TD triumph.

But another future U of L conference mate came through last night in the clutch. Clemson fought back from 11 down late to beat LSU in the Cows Want You To Eat Chicken Bowl. Hit a field goal. Held the Tigers to a 3 and out. Scored a TD, but missed the try for 2.

Held the Tigers to another 3 and out. (Though LSU’s three straight incomplete passes when they could have probably run out the clock on the ground was a monumental strategic miscalculation. Wonder if that Bayou Bengal QB coach, a fellow named Kragthorpe, was making those ill advised calls?)

Then Clemson drove for a winning FG as the clock expired.

Noogie. To those who are trying to make a big deal out of that free throw situation in the UK/ U of L game, when Alex Poythress replaced Nerlens Noel at the line, when Noel was probably the Cat fouled.

So what? Only Sean Hannity or Keith Olbermann could find controversy there. Okay, Ann Coulter too.

Nougat. To Boise State for staying in the Mountain West, where it belongs. And to that league for making it happen.

Noogie. To the Big East . . . whatever it may actually be. It’s hard to conceive what next year’s U of L football schedule is going to look like.

Perhaps the Cards can schedule a home and home with Trinity HS. The opener at Papa J’s. The season ender at Marshall Stadium in beautiful downtown Saint Matthews to decide which school has the best team in town.

Nougat. To the Colts and Bengal, Louisville’s “home” NFL teams, for making the playoffs.

Well, my New Year’s resolve to write only positive stuff in 2013 lasted a solid 9 hours and 26.5 minutes on the game clock.

Hope this annum is a peaceful and serene and productive one for you and yours. (And that includes you editors at the C-J.)

– Seedy K

It’s time we must bid a sad adieu to the soon-to-be-yesterday’s-stale-bagel Big East, her intense rivalries, Dave Gavitt’s well-intentioned promise, her glory early spring days in the Garden, Big John with his shoulder towel vs. Little Louie in Macy’s ugliest sweater, and her sad but inevitable decimation and demise.

The Big East, she will be gone, but not forgot, remaining forever in our memories.

This one is sad, but inevitable. Louisville jumping to the ACC was the straw that broke the camel’s back (to coin a phrase).

It makes total sense for the hoops-only schools to do their own thing. Actually it would be more accurate to describe them as non football schools, since they need a league for their minor sports too.

Which leaves that muddled mess of Cincy, UConn, South Florida, the C-USA  and Mountain West jumpers standing around looking at each other woozily like a bunch of wasted guys at closing time early on a Sunday morning at their favorite bar, looking at each other, wondering, “What da fuh, where did all the babes go?”

Thinking globally, but concerned locally, let’s hope this means the ACC and U of L can get their act together so the Cards can compete in its new home next school year.

* * * * *

I’m also thinking about Willie Taggert.

Lots and lots of talk about Western Ky hiring Bobby Petrino to replace Taggert, but what about the up and comer’s move to South Florida?

The Tampa Bay area school has been considered, “the next great college football power,” given the recruiting base, etc. Yet, it is mired in po with little mo. The potential is there, the upward momentum is not.

Especially now that last rites have been recited for the Big East, I have to wonder if Taggert made a wise move?

It ain’t lookin’ so good at this point. The Toppers and Bulls could end up in the same league.

And, lest we forget, Tommy Tuberville, come on down.

How’s the move to Cincy woikin’ out fer ya?

* * * * *

Which brings us to deposed SoFla coach Skip Holtz who, thanks to name recognition and who knows what else, has landed at Louisiana Tech.

* * * * *

While watching the very intense volleyball semi last night in which Texas stormed back to win the last two games and the match, I got to thinking about Louisville coach Anne Kordes.

If you’ve been in her presence, you know what a determined young woman she is. For awhile I’ve been trying to figure out who she reminds me of?

It finally came to me last night. Pat Summitt.

Given Kordes’s focus, given what a volleyball hotbed this town has become, given her resources, I would be most surprised if she doesn’t turn the Cardinals into a national power in the next few years.

* * * * *

Excellent ESPN.com hoops writer Dana O’Neil has written a terrific piece on the seminal Loyola/ Mississippi State NCAA game in ’63.

You can read it here.

* * * * *

I can’t help but smile at the ineptitude of the Los Angeles Lakers.

* * * * *

I watched some of the Harrrison twins last night on TV.

One has a strained hammy. Aaron or Andrew, I’m not sure. Their school, Travis, ended up winning in OT, but, to be honest, I was expecting more dominance.

Then again, I don’t watch enough high school hoops these days to discern which players are really special and which aren’t? One must assume that the recruiting gurus and Coach Cal, who was in the stands last night, know what they’re talking about.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/12/14/fridays-final-shots-sayonara-big-east-goodbye-willie-whatup-la-more/feed/ 0 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/23/sunday-afternoon-qb-maximum-pigskin-punditry/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/23/sunday-afternoon-qb-maximum-pigskin-punditry/#comments Sun, 23 Sep 2012 20:34:47 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7864 At the outset, I feel compelled to advise that I’m blogging while wearing, for the first time, my Strom Thurmond High School long sleeve t-shirt. It was given to me by a friend who has moved to that vicinity near South Carolina. I trust I’m the only one on my block with such an item of apparel.

The school’s nickname is, as you have surely guessed, the Rebels. And we’re talking Confederate Rebels. (Unlike my alma mater, J.M. Atherton H.S., whose Rebels were in fact Confederate Rebels during my matriculation decades ago. But, somewhere along the way, during a fit of political correctitude, JMA’s Rebel became a Revolutionary War Rebel, a conflagration about which I shall make no further comment.)

Anyway, be advised that SHHS’s Rebels stand 4-0 on the season after Friday’s 42-14 shellacking of Silver Bluff. As for Atherton’s Rebels, well . . . it’s time to move on to more serious pigskin observations.

* * * * *

Okay, one more parenthetical before I regale you with observations of Saturday’s action.

As I write, I am savoring the wonderfulness that is the NFL Red Zone. Thank you Time Warner and NFL Network for cutting the deal. I shall not disparage big time corporata and the greed attendant thereto for at least the rest of this day.

This NFL Network feature is, simply stated, the greatest development for football fans since the invention of pizza delivery not DeGiorno. All the action. None of the commercials. Non stop football on Sundays from 1:00 until the afternoon games are complete.

It’s especially marvelous for people like me, who don’t have such an allegiance to one team, that we need to see the entirety of a particular game. It might be an anathema for purists who need to observe the ebb and flow of a particular game — you know who you are, Ron Jaworski. And, perhaps, those who revel in dissecting one on one matchups along the line as a game progresses.

In this household, autumn Sundays are all about Red Zone. When it comes to the pros, I’m a highlight kind o’ guy.

* * * * *

I must mention the Big MAC Attack.

Yesterday, coming from all directions, Midwestern Athletic Confernce members — Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Ball State — continued the league’s stellar autumn performance against the big boys. The Cardinals continued South Florida’s woes. Skip Holtz is now on the Dead Man Walking list, after his Bulls lost 27-31. The Huskies beat Rock Chalk Charlie Weis, 30-23. The Chippewas slipped past Iowa, 32-31. The Broncos bested UConn, 30-24.

Just to remind you of previous work by league members: Ohio 24, Penn State 14. Ball State 41, Indiana 39.

* * * * *

Willie Taggert is now obviously Flavor of the Month.

Other than against the nation’s two best teams, Bama and LSU, his Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have been unbeatable since the middle of last season.

Yesterday with Family Harbaugh in the house, the Toppers battered Southern Mississippi, 42-17.

I gotta ask: How long will his heart be in Bowling Green?

By the by, cbssportsline.com’s Power Poll has the Toppers ranked 17th in the nation. (U of L, ranked 10th after beating UK, are not on the list.)

* * * * *

The flip side is Joker Phillips.

That his offense didn’t have a QB ready to play against Florida is — there’s no other descriptor — inexcusable.

* * * * *

How the power has shifted in the Big Ten.

The numerically challenged league’s two best teams appear to be newcomer Nebraska and . . . Northwestern. Undefeated Northwestern.

* * * * *

It appears as if those ugly rumors about Bob Stoops are true.

The Boomer Sooner mentor has misplaced his ability to win big games. Yesterday Oklahoma lost at home to the nation’s most underrated team, Kansas State’s undefeated Wildcats.

* * * * *

Oregon continues to prove that there’s no end to the imagination of Phil Knight’s uniform design department. The always sartorially resplendent Quack remain the haberdashers’ favorite team. And a mighty fine one on the field, as well as in the dressing room.

Yesterday’s victim, to the tune of 49-0, Arizona’s Rich Rods. The Ducks, by the by, have leapfrogged LSU, and now sit second in the two major polls.

* * * * *

Yo, John L, how’s that job you gave up at Weber State lookin’ now?

* * * * *

Louisiana Tech is a really glossy 3-0. The Bulldogs, who only in the contemporary world of cockamamie college confederations would be members of the Western Athletic Conference, have scored 50+ in their three wins.

Yesterday, La Tech tallied 52, holding Illinois to just 24.

* * * * *

A couple of TV notes.

I still don’t understand the deal with ESPN3. The World Wide Leader has many exclusives it chooses to run on computers and mobile devices exclusively. Like last night’s U of L vs. FIU encounter.

During these games, which I believe are being shown nowhere else, they take the usual absurd number of commercial timeouts. Yet, no commercials are shown during the game. They now run trivia questions on the screen during the delays in play.

I certainly am not going to complain about the lack of ads. But . . . why the delays in the game?

I’m also dismayed by the increasing number of big games being shown against each other on Saturday night. Last evening there was Florida State/ Clemson on one network, Notre Dame/ Michigan on another and Kansas State/ Oklahoma with Gus Johnson and Erin Andrews on another.

Yo, network poobahs, we junkies watch games before sundown too.

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/23/sunday-afternoon-qb-maximum-pigskin-punditry/feed/ 1 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/02/03/furious-friday-royalty-raging-rivalries-recruiting/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/02/03/furious-friday-royalty-raging-rivalries-recruiting/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:43:29 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7358 Are we tired of hearing about Peyton Manning?

I certainly am.

The King of Super Bowl Media Week has morphed into Brett Favre before our very eyes. You’d think they guy stopped funding for breast cancer research or something of little consequence like that.

* * * * *

Sports fans here in Hoopsylvania pride themselves on the intensity of the Cats vs. Cards rivalry.

Of course, they are pipe dreaming, the reference to Howard Schnellenberger, former UK player, former U of L coach, fueler of the flames, more than coincidental.

Those who know the name Harvey Updyke know that no matter how virulent matters might get in the Commonwealth, it’s but child’s play compared to Auburn vs. Alabama on the gridiron. Updyke’s the guy with over 50 Crimson Tide ballcaps, who poisoned the oaks at Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner. Then was Celeb du Jour on Bourbon Street before Bama whupped up on LSU in the BCS “title” game. Seems all the houndstooth-wearing, Saban acolytes wanted their picture taken with the staunchest of Tide acolytes.

Well, kids, truth be told, Americans are pikers when it comes to expressing their allegiance to their favorite teams.

Futbol fans around the globe, now that’s another level altogether.

There was the soccer player in Colombia who, a few years back, was shot and killed in a bar after scoring an own goal, a game-losing goal, in an important match. (Own goal is the odd terminology used when a soccer player inadvertently scores one for the opposition.) At lunch the other day, a pal described a South American stadium with a moat around the field to protect the players from overzealous fans, and barbed wire-enclosed, covered area for visiting fans to sit. In Britain’s Premier League, fans do NOT intermingle in the stadium, with police at the end of each row in the aisles, separating the fans.

Which brings us to that tragedy in Egypt the other day.

Seems home-standing Al-Masry upset highly-touted favorite Al-Ahly, 3-1. In celebration, fans stormed the field — literally — chasing the visitors (team and fans) out of the stadium with stones, sticks and anything else of heft they could find. 79 people died.

I’m pretty sure a fellow in red wandering into Big Blue Country — may it rest in peace — during the annual Feathers vs. Fur battle would have been treated with a modicum more deference. At least I hope the brickbats would only be verbal.

I understand the psychology of rabid fandom. Allegiance to a diversionary cause. Escape from the realities of day to day life. Camaraderie. Twitter talk. But too much is too much.

I’d suggest that what happened in Egypt has been fostered by the political and social turmoil in that country for the last little while. Then again, those futbol fans don’t need anything to get riled up over a match.

It’s only a game, gang, only a game.

* * * * *

Local football star Anthony Wales is, as they usually say, taking his talents to play for Willie Taggert at Western Kentucky.

Just a few weeks ago, he declared his undying allegiance to U of L, saying he wanted to be “the face of the program.”

Then decried that Louisville’s coaches didn’t give him enough love after his “commitment.”

Of course, he’s just a kid. I don’t recall that I made a whole lot of wise decisions when I was his age, including where I fist matriculated at college. But the word is U of L gave him an offer and a deadline when they needed to know if he was coming or not, so they could move on if he chose elsewhere. It is said he took more time than asked.

So U of L moved on. And Wales was forced to do the same.

Which, one man’s perspective, means that the kid got a very important, real life lesson. College football is big business, a lot of the time unfair. There’s always another entity with more power.

It’s a shame. I’d like to see more quality local kids playing for the Cardinals. But this stuff happens.

– Seedy K

I would have hoped that it might have ended on a more positive note.

But, noooooooooooooooooooooo . . .

U of L’s Cardinals lost the Belk Bowl.

U of L’s Cardinals lost their Big East opener against Georgetown.

U of L visits Rupp for a New Year’s Eve encounter when more will be dropping than the traditional balloons at midnight.

My sweetie has a fractured T-12, suffered when some snowboarder blasted into her from behind on the Utah slopes last week.

And Joey The Vig, still on holiday in the Seychelles, but with a fresh bevy of beauties especially flown in for his pleasure, left a one word text: “Ha.” It was in obvious reference to my less than stellar prognosticatory power this bowl season.

* * * * *

Much has been said and written about this season’s Trinity High School football team. The State Champion Shamrocks blasted through their schedule, essentially unimpeded. And, have been crowned, by several ratings gurus, as “National Champion.”

The other contender for that latter title has been Don Bosco, a prep school in New Jersey.

Since the teams don’t play each other — though they tried to set up a game — we really don’t know which is actually the best.

But it is clear who has won the PR battle.

Don Bosco.

In the latest edition of The New Yorker — You read that right, The New Yorker — there is a 16 page article about Don Bosco’s football team. Yes, that is the correct page count. This is a ‘zine that still eschews sound bite McJournalism.

* * * * *

As for Joey The Vig’s Pool, I’ve plummeted in a very short space of time from a tie at the top of the standings. Now I’m firmly nestled in a tie for 31st place. There are only 38 participants, several of whom, frankly, don’t know the difference between a football and croquet ball.

Louisville lost. Western Michigan let me down. California let me down. I liked Toledo over Air Force, but chose not to include that game on my ballot.

Which means I’m now buying The Vig his Mai Tais at the pool bar.

His guys, Sal and Vito, stopped by this morning, bearing a holiday gift.

Sal: “The Vig asked me to drop this by, Seedy K. He knows you are of the Jewish persuasion. You celebrate Chinookah, right? He just wanted me to tell you how very much he appreciates your voluntary participation in his little endeavors. Right, Vito?”

Vito: “That’s exactly right, Sal. Good work.”

The gift: A pocket calendar with a faux leather cover, reading “Goomba’s Auto Parts.”

The Vig is nothing if not thoughtful.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/12/29/the-vigs-don-boscos-revenge-its-time-for-this-week-to-end/feed/ 1 http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/08/28/daily-briefing-sunday-828-killing-time-till-kickoff/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/08/28/daily-briefing-sunday-828-killing-time-till-kickoff/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:01:57 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=6792 Using my pal Bruce’s method of counting days, it’s 3 days and wake up until kickoff.

* * * * *

Unfortunately I did not make it out to see #1 U of L skunk UCLA, 2 zed, in the season’s soccer opener. (It was Saturday Night Datenight. The Film Babe and I took in a flick then had a lovely al fresco meal at 732 Social in the town’s new hip ‘hood, NuLu.)

I do have a couple of thoughts anyway. (Just because I didn’t see any of the game doesn’t mean I can’t comment on it. Don’t confuse me with the facts.)

Coach Ken Lolla is obviously yet another of Tom Jurich’s incredible hires. It was obvious at Akron that the guy was The Deal, and it hasn’t taken him long to vault the Cardinals to the upper echelon of college futbol.

Seven thousand plus surrounding the pitch for a collegiate soccer match in the epicenter of college hoops: Incredible.

I’ve never understood the nomenclature, “own goal.” I know what it is — inadvertently putting the ball into your own net for a score for the opponent — but the name doesn’t make sense.  Own is defined as “and adjective or pronoun used with a possessive to emphasize that someone or something belongs or relates to the person mentioned.”

I dunno, shouldn’t be a “their goal?”

Anyway the Bruins gave the Cards one of those last night. Then star Colin Rolfe tallied another.

* * * * *

In case you haven’t been paying attention, baseball’s best pitcher — and Griffin McLarty’s favorite, you remember he’s the Little League kid — Justin Verlander won his 20th of the season last night. On August 27, no less, four days and a wake up from September.

The last time it happened was 2002. Curt Schilling, if want more info.

* * * * *

If you notice, there’s been an eerie silence as football season draws nigh.

It’s been a Favre-free fall.

Shhhhhhh. Don’t wake the ghost.

* * * * *

“No red shirts,” sayeth The Rick.

Which means there are going to be some battles in practice just to make the travel squad.

* * * * *

Riddle me this.

How can Andre Drummond in one day go from a hoops recruit in the class of 2012 to a member of the class of 2011 to freshman orientation at UConn to a member of Jim Calhoun’s squad?

* * * * *

COMING SOON (In a day or two in fact): The Return of Seedy K’s Pithy Pigskin Prognostications.

Each week I’ll advise who is going to win five of the best collegiate football encounters of the upcoming weekend. Remember caveat emptor is the prevailing philosophy. Wagering on college sports is illegal.

– Seedy K

Item #2 updated again at 6:40 pm, 8/26.

Apparently Kevin Ware, U of L’s Next Great Point Guard, isn’t going to be academically eligible until, at the very least, the second semester.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

Looks like Jordan Jefferson, who was out hours after curfew at a bar in Baton Rouge, got involved in a fight during which he kicked a U.S. Marine who was on the ground, and who was neither charged nor arrested by the crack city PD, remains in good standing on the team and will start the opener for Les Miles against Oregon.

Imagine our surprise.

Update: Jordan Jefferson and teammate Joshua Johns are said to be turning themselves into the police after felony assault warrants were issued for their arrest. There is no information available as to what effect this will have on LSU’s Fulmer Cup standing, what the player’s bond might be, or whether Les Miles will suspend them at all pending resolution of the charges.

All together now: Imagine our surprise.

Update #2: Les Miles has, since my last post, suspended Jefferson and Johns for the opener against Oregon, at least, and possibly longer. Two other LSU Tiger pigskinners are people of interest in the matter, but have not been charged with any offenses yet.

* * * * *

Tiger Woods, who has been having trouble hitting it in the fairway, putting it into the hole, scoring consistently under par or acting like a decent human being, has been named to the President’s Cup team by captain Fred Couples.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

Texas A & M advised the Big 12(10) that it was going to explore other conference opportunities.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

Danica Patrick, who has had far more acclaim for her godaddy.com ads than on the IndyCar circuit, is jumping to NASCAR next season.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

Nary a whisper of news from the players or owners of the NBA about any labor talks in the works.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

While four teammates who were involved in a bar fight well after curfew remain in good standing on the squad, LSU WR Russell Shepard has been suspended for the team’s opener against Oregon for talking with a teammate about an NCAA inquiry.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

Texas A & M is still a member of the Big 12(10).

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

ESPN nationally televised one of Duke’s exhibition games from China, but did not, to my knowledge, televise any other school’s summer junket games.

Imagine our surprise.

* * * * *

My alma mater, the woeful J.M. Atherton Rebels, are a 4+ touchdown underdog to Country Day.

Imagine my surprise.

– Seedy K

Pretty heady stuff for a kid his age. Pitched a shutout and hit a game winning homer in front of 40,000+ and a prime time national TV audience. Frankly, it’s hard to comprehend. When I played Little League, there might be 20 or so parents in the bleachers on each side, showing their kids some love.

The thrill for me was when my dad came to watch. He was the Commissioner of the league, so he was most always taking care of business. Having him stop by my field during play was always a special moment.

Interviews after the game? I doesn’t compute. All we wanted to do was go to Frisch’s for a Big Boy with all the other kids and their folks, then scurry home to watch “Sgt. Bilko” on TV.

* * * * *

While McLarty seems to be getting all the acclaim, he was far from the only star of the team’s opening shutout. Jacob Bates made a really heady play on a bobbled grounder at first, throwing a tying runner out at the plate. And Jackson Mason, the diminutive catcher, with LLWS sculpted on his noggin, had that one and another putout at the plate. The kid was solid.

I loved Mason’s post game interview — on national TV. To paraphrase, “I really wanted to show what I could do. And I think I did.”

Son, you made this old LL catcher proud.

Tonight, the Kentuckians play Huntington Beach, Cali at 6:00.

* * * * *

Heading into another college football season, it appears Auburn is going to sweep all the awards from the last one.

With less than two weeks to go, the Tigers hold what would appear to be an insurmountable lead in the Fulmer Cup standings.

Auburn University has lapped the field with 81 points. Second place Syracuse only has 22.

Not familiar with the Fulmer Cup. Check out one of college football’s best sites: edsbs.com. The yearly competition gives points for players arrested and involved in serious transgressions.

Auburn’s runaway victory confirms yet again the efficacy of my own Pakistani Graduate Student Theory. Which, stated simply, is that a college football team’s victory total is directly related to the number of pigskinners on the squad who will beat up a Pakistani graduate student, walking across campus with a laptop, simply because they feel like it.

In these halcyon days of college pigskin profligacy, one shouldn’t be embarrassed by cynicism.

* * * * *

My Detroit Tigers could get a good grip on the AL Central if they sweep the Tribe today. And, they’d do so without Griffin McLarty’s idol, baseball’s best hurler Justin Verlander, taking the mound.

A victory today would give Detroit a 4 1/2 game lead.

I am looking over my shoulder at Rick Bozich’s ChiSox, who’ve been playing better as of late, and are within five games.

* * * * *

Professional sports labor troubles are not simply an American problem.

Did you notice that the Spanish Soccer League has delayed its opening because of labor strife?

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/08/21/daily-briefing-sunday-821/feed/ 0 http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/01/27/pitino-goes-mini-cal-sivas-not-sosa-recruiting-shtick-tigers-peeved-mo-thursdays-tit-for-tat/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2011/01/27/pitino-goes-mini-cal-sivas-not-sosa-recruiting-shtick-tigers-peeved-mo-thursdays-tit-for-tat/#comments Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:03:52 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=6252 All Glare, No Froth. Several readers have already inquired this a.m. if I know at whom The Rick was looking daggers squared after the final buzzer last night, while the rest of the gym was suitably celebratory?

I didn’t see it. But, my guess, from hearing the post game comments, is that George Goode was objet d’ venom.

The 4th stringer apparently missed setting a pick for Preston on the Cards’ final play. Which is why Siva had to pull one out of his ass for the game winner.

In GG’s defense, he was at the rim for a follow, should Siva’s shot not fallen. Speaking of Siva . . .

. . . Freudian Slippage. (And I’m not talking about the poor TV sucker who inadvertently typed Jew York Jets on the screen during last week’s AFC title game.) I’m talking about all the people in recent weeks who mean to say “Siva” but say “Sosa” instead.

Doc Ken says the similarity and faux pas may be for this reason. The Rick didn’t let Siva play through his mistakes last season as a freshman. So Siva sat and watched how Sosa played, and processed the situation as “I need to play like Sosa. That’s what coach wants.”

Siva does drive too much to the hoop, ending up in the forest without knowing the way out.

But, he’s not Sosa. Siva’s leadership qualities are significantly greater. His desire to succeed as a teammate is much greater. One guy’s opinion is that Siva is going to be a really good point guard for U of L.

Siva is not Sosa.

Besides, he threw one in over the tall timber for the game winner last night. It’s a good thing.

Speaking of frosh point guards . . .

. . . Some Props for Russ Smith. In yet another of his inexplicable substitution patterns, The Rick played little used R Smith in the 2d half against West Virginia, instead of his favored Elisha Justice.

Seems like Russ was on the court when the Cards were storming and he contributed significantly.

A Fortuitous Circumstance. I, for one, think we’re blessed that Brett Favre is not playing in the upcoming Super Bowl.

Tiger Woods is back on the links this week. Which means he’s taken over as the prima donna of choice.

Doesn’t like his starting time. Doesn’t like his course assignment. And this is for the pro am.

Just seems to me that the blogosphere, as vast as it is, wouldn’t be big enough for both of these guys at the same time.

FredetteAboutIt. Now that’s something I wish I’d thought up myself. Most clever phrase. Some BYU fan had it scrawled on a sign at last night’s showdown with San Diego State.

When I blogged last night, the score was tied at 44. From then on, it was All Mormon All the Time. BYU rolled.

Both teams are now 20-1 on the year. Both teams are legit.

As is Jimmer Fredette. Who reminds me of the legendary Pistol Pete Maravich, without the passing chops. After watching most of last night’s tilt,

I’m convinced that either one of these squads — though likely not both — could make it to the last weekend of the season.

It’s always stunning to see players of color wearing a Brigham Young uniform. Given how none of them are among the chosen 44,000 and all.

Breathlessly Awaiting The Word. That was the exact phrase one scribe sarcastically used when asking Jody Demling last night where Jon Davis is going to school. The Eastern High pigskinner, considered among the state’s top players, committed to UK a long time ago. And, now, it is said, he’s torn between the Cats and Illinois and U of L.

Another recruiting insider, not Demling, offered that Davis will probably choose the Cards.

That same source indicated that Seneca star DeMarcus Smith will honor his commitment to Charlie Strong. I’m advised that Smith’s relationship, whatever the extent of it, with Central Florida comes through a familiar name to Cardinal fans.

Brandon Bender. Who now is apparently acting as a go between for high school athletes. A runner for some higher up or another.

– Seedy K

It’s about the guy I’ve seen running in Cherokee Park in the heat of the afternoon several times during this heat wave. Wearing a black hat to absorb the heat. Carrying a couple of big water containers in his arms to aid weight. And adorned in a fleece pullover with a hood.

Nice work, Macho Dude, we’re really impressed by what a manly man’s man you must be.

✔ Let’s hear it for my man, FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, who headed in the winner in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Germany to advance to the World Cup Final on Sunday against The Netherlands.

The Spaniards ran their Ray Mears offense. Lots of passing. Lots and lots of passing. Very deliberate. Very effective.

The Germans were on the defensive most of the day, rarely mounting any viable counter attacks. Given that this was the exact same result as in the last European championship, one supposes it’s an accurate measure of the teams.

The Spanish W assures there will be a first time champion.

✘ Is it any wonder that 17 year old high schoolers call press conferences to announce where they are going to attend college to play sports?

No.

Of all the absurdities that abound in the major commerce that is now Big Time Sports, none matches a prime time hour long TV show on ESPN for the purpose of He Who Wishes He Were King LeBron announcing where he will play basketball for the next few years.

✘ Mike Garrett is apparently still athletics director at Southern Cal. There are reports that he had to apologize to several schools he had claimed were tampering with some of his Trojan footballers. Look who’s posturing on the high ground.

The only thing I can figure out is that Garrett has photos of the Southern Cal president in flagrante delicto with a sheep or something. It’s the only reasonable explanation. Otherwise, Garrett would have been shown the door months ago, given the wild and wooly ethos of USC sports.

☹ What on earth was Bobby Gonzalez thinking?

✘ If Eric Bledsoe’s relatives and close family friends paid his mom’s rent after they moved to a new school district in high school, how come those folks took so long to come out and say it?

✎ Vote for Joey Votto.

☂ Has Pete Rose been vacationing in Japan? There’s a gambling scandal in the world of sumo wrestling.

– Seedy K