SU has had it with Dick Vitale. He’s a good guy, does great work with his charities and has been good for college basketball forever. But he has become unlistenable. Just words nonsense in a steady stream of noise. I finally had to mute the ESPN broadcast tonight – and I never, ever turn off the sound for any sports event. And when you watch with no sound, you realize how much ESPN covers Tom Izzo on the sideline arguing with the refs. Constant. We know Izzo complains all the time but do we need to see it in action? SU used to think the Big Ten Network had the worst broadcast but it’s ESPN now. Congrats to them. After losing to Michigan, I watched his post-game news conference. Izzo is the Serena Williams of college basketball. Give as little praise to the winner as possible and just focus on why you didn’t win.
So, I stumbled across this video on how to shoot under 100 in golf (for me that is the holy grail). I don’t play much but who knew the game could be this easy?
It looks like we are going to have fans in the stadiums for baseball games nationwide and pretty soon. Gary Sanchez already has 2 home runs in spring training for the Yankees. Note: this is not a good thing. I would be happier to read that he had hit 3 singles to right field. For Yankee fans, spring training is all about which pitchers will be shut down for Tommy John surgery. You know it’s coming. As opposed to other years, it does feel like they have enough depth this season to absorb a loss with a number of younger guys ready to take the next step.
The Mets continue to operate under the radar but SU believes they will be right there in the end for 2021. The Subway Series is back – these will be good games between contenders. Enough of the big hugs.
SU continues to be worried about the NCAA Conference championship tournaments. You are crowding multiple teams together day after day. The NCAAs start in just a couple of weeks. You cannot risk losing a top team at this point or even having a team have to forfeit a game once the brackets are set. The experts are showing a lot of love for Gonzaga this year. It’s always hard to know with them as their regular season schedule is not especially competitive. Illinois looked to be all world punching Michigan in the face on Tuesday but SU says beware of teams that peak too soon. But as a sports fan, I am really looking forward to the NCAAs this year. Three weeks of fun and elimination hoops. Predictions to come.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I agree on Dick Vitale as the game has changed but he has not. His energetic routine was great during 1990’s battles between Duke and UNC and Cameron, but it has run its course. That being said, he was the voice of college basketball for the better part of two decades and his “PTPer” comments kept everyone on the edge of their seats. How many people would impersonate his “It’s awesome baby” during water cooler talk?
To continue the attack on 80 year old men, as for not putting out on a golf hole in an uncompetitive round… not one person should care about that, whether it is Donald Trump or your father-in-law. People should be able to enjoy their retirement and if three putting after taking 5 shots to get on the green when hitting from the up tees ruins your day, just pick it up and take the 7. Really, no one should care about this. And, I am fairly certain that Rex Chapman lives in a pretty big glass house and should not be throwing stones.
I just don’t see the Mets being any better than 4th in the East.
No major thoughts on the NCAA tournament yet, but Michigan appears to be strong and FSU is very well coached. FSU thought they had a legitimate chance last year and may be playing with a little extra motivation. Gonzaga is a well-oiled machine and should be expected to be one of the last four standing, at a minimum.
Thanks, Pete. Florida State has had a solid season in the ACC in what is a down year for the blue bloods like Duke, Syracuse and UNC. Michigan has a nice team but is just as athletic as some of the other teams and Illinois treated them like Texas Tech did a couple of years ago in the NCAAs. I worry about those highly athletic and physical teams but Michigan is a joy to watch this year as they are all about team. I do think the Mets will surprise you. The NL East is an interesting division – one worth watching and I like Girardi and Didi on the Phillies.
I like what the Mets have done and I think Lindor is one of the best players in the game. As you pointed out, the Phillies are going to be intriguing, the Braves have the right mixture of youth and experience (and experienced youth), and the Nationals still have two of the best pitchers in baseball. It may come down to who stays healthy. Duke seems to be a better team since Jalen Johnson opted out, and I think that if Duke or UNC make the tournament they could make things interesting. Of course we have not mentioned Baylor who is strong across the board.
Regarding your policy on turning down the volume when Dick Vitale is announcing, I have a 5 word response:
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?
So funny – someone texted me that exact same message a little while ago!