As many in the SU intergalactic subscriber base are aware, SU is all in on Michigan football and basketball. I watch just about all the games and really enjoy how Coach John Beilein runs his program. He plays a motion offense, emphasizes team ball, yells but doesn’t curse along the lines of Joe Girardi and recruits players who will be successful in his system. They are generally competitive, get out-rebounded every game, find a way into the NCAA field come tournament time and as a fan, provide an enjoyable couple of hours. Sure, there are many frustrating moments but during this period of the awful Knicks, Jeremy Lin’s injuries and Novack Djokovic’s slump, for SU they are must see tv.
Yesterday’s win over Louisville was as rewarding a win for SU since the Elite Eight win over Kansas back in 2013 in their NCAA finals run. Louisville was a Final Four caliber team and Michigan battled its way back in the 2nd half and found a way. This last week of basketball including the 4 wins in the Big Ten Tournament and now these 2 NCAA victories will be lasting memories coming on the heels of the plane crash. They have a shot against Oregon who is missing their big man and then a match up vs. Purdue or Kansas. Why not them?
Northwestern was gifted a win vs. Vanderbilt with the intentional foul and then fell victim to the missed goal tending call in a furious rally late vs. Gonzaga. SU felt badly but the reality is that you cannot get caught up in the officiating. The quality of the officiating in the NCAAs is really uneven and you can either get frustrated or you find a way. The good teams find a way even when it looks like you will be hosed the entire game. SU believes the refs will look to even up the calls at half time no matter which way things are going.
Going into the Sweet Sixteen, it’s pretty wide open now. Kansas has that look but they go through long stretches of terrible shot selection. And how about Kentucky? John Calipari is a great recruiter but does he run any offense? His teams play like Mt. Vernon’s high school team: throw up any shot and crash the offensive glass. SU has them in the Final Four but they were awful yesterday. Watch out for Wisconsin who plays a style no one wants to go up against. The Big Ten has 3 teams in the Sweet Sixteen — good for them.
Have you ever seen a longer last 5 minutes of a game than Duke – South Carolina last night with all of the foul calls? SU has a theory that a team takes on the attitude of its coach when it comes to arguing foul calls. The more the coach complains, the more the player whine. Coach K was going after the refs and so were his players last night and it just doesn’t help. Duke was also playing in Greenville, SC and that was like a road game for them.
Finally, SU read an article in today’s New York Times about the 20-year old prospect Torres who they got from the Cubs in the Chapman deal. They may even bring him up in the summer and have him playing 2nd, short and 3rd base. Could he be up the replacement for Chase Headley? This could be very, very good.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
The NCAA tournament continues to live up as the best tournament hands down. Almost every game over the weekend went down to the final few minutes. Just great games and for the most part such great team effort.
I do agree with you on how Kentucky plays… more street ball like, but these talented players who know how to penetrate also know when to give it up and find the open man… usually for a dunk. If you notice their field goal percentage is good so how can anyone complain based on their style of play. They also play very good defense… which most of the NBA has no clue about.
The game has boiled down to who the strongest MEN in the paint are. Wisconsin and Michigan both have a few strong dudes which have helped the, Duke did not and that’s why they always seemed on back of their “heels.” no pun intended.
I must be missing something here bvut aren’t the Yankees only 2 solid Starters away from being real contenders? Yes, the youngsters still need to prove themselves but the optimist that I am feel their offense will be quite good and Ellsbury will re-emerge… with both Gardner and himself scoring over 100 runs.
Even if the Knicks tank and obtain a top 3 pick in the draft its their system which needs a total overhaul. What a shame that the players are so powerful overall…. as they are killing the game.
Spring training has looked good for the Yankees but spring training is a time for optimism for every team. There have been bright spots. There are also some warning signs among the bright spots including alarming strikeout rates for Judge and Frazier. But Tanaka looks great and the bullpen guys too. Pineda looks good but the problem has never been the games in which he looks good…the problem is his flakiness and tendency to turn in absolutely awful performances every 3 or 4 starts. In limited time, CC has been less successful. says he’s fine which is what he always says while he’s being lit up. Bird is looking good and I’m glad but I see him a solid player with limited upside and following Mattingly, Martinez, Giambi and Tex, it’s hard for me to look at a first baseman with a glove on his left hand. And we may see Torres even sooner if Didi’s WBC injury turns into something meaningful.
Yes, just read about Didi’s shoulder injury. We need to hope that is not too serious or lingering. He is a key guy for this team. I know you are not high on Greg Bird but I think you will be pleasantly surprised. He is better than you think. Andy, the Yankees may be 2 starters short but exactly where are you going to find them? I say throw the young guys out there like Green, Cessa, and see what you have there.