SU tips its cap to Villanova.  They are a very good team with strong players up and down the roster.  Michigan would have had to play its best game last night to win and they did not come close on the offensive end.  In SU’s view, they were a bit gassed – certainly Moe Wagner was.  Coming from behind to beat Loyola took a lot of effort and Beilein has not subbed as much in the NCAAs as he did in the regular season.

Villanova was able to crash the boards time and again for 2nd shots that were killers.  DiVincenzo was a monster and clearly the difference in the game.  Michigan actually held most of their other players in check but this guy went off.  SU note to NBA scouts: buyer beware on Jalen Brunson.  He’s a nice player but the neck snaps that he uses to get literally every foul call from the refs will not fly in the NBA.  SU suspects he was doing that even in the celebration last night.

SU has no regrets.  As I have said many times, it’s a journey.  You start the season with hope and enjoy the ride to see how the team evolves, progresses, rebounds from tough losses, etc.  The reality in the NCAAs is that Michigan played one good offensive game out of 6 and still made it to the finals.  Other than the win over Texas A&M, they did not shoot well.  They have a great freshman class coming in, some guys leave or graduate, and you start over.  Tom Izzo will get his new class of one and dones up in Michigan State but Beilein will continue to do his thing the right way.  SU will take that.

A thing to note and follow in Yankee Land.  It’s been very subtle so far and the broadcasters are part of this.  It’s the “trash Joe Girardi” campaign.  Listen for it.  For example, Tyler Wade.  “The Yankees felt he wasn’t given the chance last year to get regular at bats.”  Translation: “Girardi didn’t play him enough over the objections of Cashman.”  SU says Wade was totally over-matched last year and so far this year aside from one hit, he is still over-matched.  Another example: Dellen Betances.  Girardi didn’t coddle him enough last year and he lost his form and confidence.  Well, so far, it seems like 2017.  They will quietly blame Girardi for not communicating with Betances last year.

SU was a Girardi supporter.  He managed with his binder but what’s wrong with that?  He was masterful with the relievers and he generally was good taking starters out at the right time.  Boone is a different guy.  He says he doesn’t care if a hitter hit 2 home runs the day before (see Tyler Austin Saturday).  He will sit him the next game if it’s not a good match up.  It’s something to watch.  If you listened to him on ESPN, he is not a brainiac.  We will see if communication skills is what rules the day over a long season.

Great 2nd guess by David Cone on today’s Yankee broadcast.  David Robertson pitching in the bottom of the 8th inning.  Second and third, 2 outs and Yankees ahead 4-3.  Boone elects to walk Donaldson to pitch to Smoak with the bases loaded who had homered his last at bat.  Cone says right away: bad move; “I don’t like it.”  “It’s a mistake to make the pitcher have to throw with the bases loaded.”

Boom: grand slam on a 3-2 pitch.

Welcome to managing in New York.  But of course, he will communicate well to Robertson when he gets to the dugout and will no doubt give him a big hug.  Somewhere Joe Girardi is smiling.

SU knows it’s early but the Yankees’ dominant right-handed line up pounded out 4 hits through 8 innings.  It’s a long season.

SU forgot to mention the UConn women’s game Friday night.  Very interesting match up vs. Notre Dame who had lost 4 players to ACL injuries during the season.  It was nip and tuck and UConn lost on a buzzer beater in the semis for the 2nd year in a row.  A few comments:

• Geno Auriemma, for all his greatness, is only 11-7 in NCAA semifinal games.  SU says this shows just how hard it is to get there and make it through to the finals.  That is still a great record.  But no guarantees.
• Auriemma is committed to his seniors and upper classmen players.  He really only goes 6 players deep.  On Friday night, Samuelson had 4 fouls for the last 7-8 minutes of the game and Notre Dame really exploited that.  She basically stopped playing defense and escorted her man to the basket on a series of drives to avoid getting that 5th foul.  If this were a men’s NCAA tournament game, that player is on the bench for a few minutes.  SU says that was a tactical mistake.  Sure, you want her outside shooting and scoring (for which she got none in those minutes) but you need to substitute offense-defense or just sit her for a few minutes.  That was a key to the game.
• While SU loves to watch UConn, it’s actually good for the women’s game that they lose once in a while.  They had a great team this year but in a close game, they blinked.  Notre Dame played zone for much of the game and UConn did not really respond well to that.  That was surprising.  They struggled to run their offense.

You have to say this: Michigan finds a way.  They have played one complete game in the NCAAs – against Texas A&M.  The rest of the games have been offensive struggles with their defense being consistently tough throughout.  Last night’s first half will not go into the time capsule – that’s for sure.  Moe Wagner kept them in the game along with Matthews.  SU says Jordan Poole must get more minutes – he is the offensive spark – and that whatever you lose on defense is worth it.  He was the key in the 2nd half and scored on two quick driving lay-ups to provide some offensive firepower.  Against a team like Loyola that switches on everything, you need to drive the ball to the basket.  As we all know, not every player is good at that.  He can efficiently do it.  SU felt that if they could just get the lead in the 2nd half, Loyola would fold.  They are a scrappy team with no size that had a terrific run.  Great story.  So, where will the Loyola coach be next year?  No doubt he is destined for something bigger.

Villanova is a stud team and a heavy favorite tomorrow night.  No weaknesses.  However, SU says that they played their best game last night blowing out Kansas.  Rained down 3s from all over.  SU says sometimes teams fall in love with the 3-ball and if you are off, then it’s a different game.  Maybe, just maybe, that will be the case tomorrow night.  Michigan should be loose – few will expect them to win.  I feel this may be a closer game than one would expect.  Or not…  SU would have much preferred facing Kansas.

So, what does a $200 million payroll get you?  If you are the Yankees, you are down to 3 healthy outfielders for the next week with Judge in centerfield.  Billy McKinny ran into the wall yesterday and is now on the DL and Aaron Hicks is already there after pulling something on opening day.  Ellsbury does not come off the DL until next weekend from his latest paper cut injury – for $22 million a year, the dude cannot stay healthy.  SU does not like playing Judge and Stanton next to each other in the outfield – that is a collision waiting to happen and nothing good will come from that.  Adam Warren took a line drive off his ankle yesterday.  Andujar was called up – this is the chance for the youngsters to shine and take advantage of these opportunities.  The issue is that with the 40-man roster, you can’t just call up some random minor league player without releasing someone from the 40-man roster who can then be picked up by an team.  SU says Cashman will be conservative and hope for rain every day this week.

Todd Frazier with a 2-run double for the Mets – could he be the signing of the year?  SU says no.  Settle down.  The Mets are off to a quick 2-0 start and their starters are pitching to form.  That is the key for them plus avoiding injury.

Trey Burke with 18 points and 15 assists last night – 1 turnover.  How is he not your starting point guard next season?

Novak Djokovic has split with Andre Agassi. Ominous sign for his comeback.  He may be officially done both physically with the elbow and mentally.  Unless you are Roger Federer, you have to appreciate the moment because you can’t guarantee your health (see David Wright).