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.

SU has been on the road for a spell which explains the radio silence on the blog.  But of course, we need to weigh in now on our fearless NCAA predictions for the men.  A few thoughts:

• SU is very fired up about Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament win and running the table of 4 wins in 4 days.  They played the best they had played all season, and Derrick Walton Jr. should be an NBA draft pick come June.  I generally don’t like teams that win their tournament in the NCAAs as it requires a lot of energy.  But I am thinking differently here with the Wolverines.
• Duke is the trendy pick.  SU is not seeing it.
• I actually don’t have a good feel for the winner this year.  It just doesn’t seem like there is a clear favorite out there.
• UCLA is interesting and a lot of people like North Carolina.  Kansas is always a threat but I feel they win despite Bill Self and his coaching.

I am high on Michigan making a run in the tournament.  I think they will beat both Oklahoma State and Louisville.  The team to watch is Arizona which has some edge to them and is coming off a Pac 12 Tournament victory.  I also think Kentucky is ready to make a run here.  SU’s final four: Michigan; Kentucky; Villanova; and Arizona.  And it will be Arizona over Kentucky in the finals.  So, there you have it.  What say you?  As always, SU will give credit where credit is due!

As we gear up for the NCAAs and the start of baseball season, a few random thoughts and observations this weekend:

• SU loved this piece by Andrew Marchand of espn.com about Jacoby Ellsbury having possible the worst free agent contract in Yankee history.  SU is no Ellsbury fan and it’s depressing that he has 4 more years at $22 million a year left on his deal.  But Marchand lays it out pretty starkly.  I am guessing he won’t be getting that invitation to Ellsbury’s Christmas party this year.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/95784/is-jacoby-ellsbury-the-yankees-worst-free-agent-signing-ever

• Just read that Noah Syndergaard signed this year with the Mets for $605,500.  This should make Dellen Betances feel better.
• Did you see Derrick Rose’s response to a question about whether he likes playing in the triangle offense?  In case you missed it: “S—, do I have a choice? Do I have a choice?”  SU loves the honesty.  I guess I have two reactions.  First, listen to the coach and they are paying you a lot of money so do your job.  Second, why is it that no player, and I mean no player, likes to play in this system in today’s game?  I think that is more telling and Phil Jackson is from a by-gone era.
• At the end of last night’s Knick game, Melo took a game tying attempt with 2 players draped all over him and his teammates open all around the court.  The fact that all of them had had better shooting nights did not come into play.  SU asks this question: if Porzingis is the future, shouldn’t they run plays so that he is taking these shots?  Or is he taking any shot in the last 3 minutes?  Rose and Anthony freeze him out all the time at the end of the game.  On the other hand, SU likes the strategy of going for the 1st round pick and tanking the rest of the season.  Keep it going.
• SU is very concerned with my man Novak Djokovic.  He lost a quarter finals match to Kyrgios this week and has really lost his nerve on the big points.  He is just keeping the ball in play these days rather than going for it.  Boris Becker had him playing more aggressively but he has reverted to playing defense which doesn’t cut it against a hot player on any given day.  He needs to figure this out.
• Greg Bird hit 3 home runs this week.  There is major relief in Yankee World unless the plan is to send him to the minors and go with Chris Carter to start the season.  Stranger things happen every year in Tampa.  But SU will hope cooler heads will prevail.

SU has not rooted for the Knicks since the Isiah Thomas era so the fact that the Knicks are never competitive and boring to watch is a non-factor to me.  But I have subscribed to the NBA Season Pass for years in order to watch other teams and certain players.  But I have reached a point where I rarely even tune into that channel anymore.  Let’s explore why that is:

• Absence of team ball.  I think there may be more superstar players today than at any time but the style of play is too oriented to 1 – on – 1.  Golden State, Cleveland, San Antonio all play the right way and even Denver moves the ball.  I like the faster pace that we see today but you still have to get on D.
• The next tier teams are dominated by superstars who also tend to take about 25 shots a game.  Boston has Isiah Thomas, Toronto has DeRozan, Houston has Harden which is all well and good.  But I still do not find it entertaining to see one player dominate.
• SU is getting old. May be becoming cranky and less tolerant.  But I don’t think so.
• It’s a Star league and this is what the fans want.  I think that is likely true.  People like to see the 45 – 50 point outbursts by one player.  The 25-point quarters by a single player.
• Last night, I watched a few minutes of the Sixers – Wizards.  I like to check on Nik Stauskus.  Aside from the fact that the ball rarely finds him on offense, I was impressed with the speed of John Wall and he can go coast to coast in a blink of the eye.  But that’s all it is: no one else touches the ball on offense.  The Wizards got blown out.  So, does that really work?  If one player dominates and others can’t get in the flow, is that the way to play?
• Final point: SU is a big basketball fan.  I want better games and better teams that are fun to watch.  I think this is a problem.

All of which means we need to focus on baseball and of course, the NCAAs in March.  SU liked the comments from Jeff, Andy and Steve from yesterday.  Always good to see Met fans disparage the Yankee players.  SU has no problem with that but note to E. Steele, Jeff, and others: how about a little spring training intelligence from Port St. Lucie about the Mets?

I will give you my take.  No way the starters stay healthy – never happens.  Bruce needs to have a big year but I don’t feel like he has the mental make-up to play in NY.  Their roster is very solid and they should be competitive. Famillia is a must in the bullpen and who knows if he gets the Chapman treatment with a 50-game suspension.  And with their pitching staff, they should be in every game.  SU believes that they will once again dominate the back page of the NY tabloids as the Yankees are what they are.

For the Yankees, the key to watch come opening day is whether Cashman keeps the youngsters on the roster or seems to go with the wily veterans.  The other key is to see where Chase Headley hits in the line up.  If he is batting 7th or higher: 75-win season.  8th or lower (and with Ellsbury right behind him), there is hope.  You can also follow this in spring training.

Thoughts?  I know there are many NBA fans out there.  What am I missing?

SU was very excited to see this from the Yankees’ first spring training game:

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18758672

Supposedly, Judge has altered his batting stance during the off season and will be cutting down on those strikeouts.  Of course, it’s just February but we need to think positively.

SU returns you to your regular Knicks’ programming.

We are one hour away from the NBA trade deadline and the latest on the proposed deal to send Derrick Rose to Minnesota for Ricky Rubio is this from Ian Begley at espn.com:

One holdup in the Minnesota talks for Derrick Rose has been that the Knicks hadn’t budged on their insistence that a second piece be added to the deal in a return for Ricky Rubio – a player or a draft pick, according to a source. With one hour to go, it will be interesting to see if the Knicks lower their demands or if Minnesota acquiesces.

SU says make the deal.  While Rubio can’t shoot from the outside, he is a pass first point guard which would greatly benefit Porzingis.  Rose is a “shoot first, I will pass the ball only if triple teamed on my way to the rim point guard.”  Rose will get his points but really seems to have no interest in passing.  Great offensive player with limited defense these days.

It’s a fair trade.  Don’t screw it up.

Let’s face it: February is just not prime time sports viewing but of course, that all changes in March with the NCAAs.  A few random thoughts for your consideration:

• NBA trade deadline is tomorrow.  The Sacramento Kings are able to move Boogie Cousins in what most feel was a terrible deal for them.  This guy is toxic.  Extremely bright, personable and a lunatic.  They got some high draft picks in return though.  Keep in mind this is a team that also had Isiah Thomas now starring for the Celtics.  They had two superstars but couldn’t make it work – not even close.
• Jeannie Buss fires her brother at the Lakers.  Brings in Magic Johnson and hires a former agent to be the GM.  Magic is a busy guy but if nothing else, he will attract free agents to the Lakers.  That alone has to be worth something.
• The Knicks are now rumored to be looking to move Derrick Rose (to the T’Wolves for Ricky Rubio), Kyle O’Quinn and even Brandon Jennings.  The Knicks have a lot of pieces that must be attractive to playoff contending teams.  How does Carmelo Anthony view this?  If they go back to square one in terms of rebuilding, does he really want to go through that?  There are still rumors of him moving to the Celtics, Clippers and Cavs but hard to see a path for that to happen.  The reality is that he will be satisfied with going through the motions of taking 25 shots a game and playing out the string.  SU says that is interesting.  Some players burn for a chance to win a championship while others take the money and “get theirs” (as they say).  I think that is Melo: good guy, stands up to the media to answer questions but in the end, will retire without a ring.  Hope I am wrong and really, really, really hope he approves a trade in the next 24 hours.
• It’s interesting how A-Rod is very active in Yankees’ camp and Derek Jeter is no where to be seen.  Going forward, it seems A-Rod will be much more of a presence.  He is apparently working on a TV deal with the YES Network which would be great.  Surely he can move ahead of Al Leiter in the color man rotation.  We have all seen enough of the circle change grip on TV.
• Lots of coverage and comments about the Dellin Betances arbitration decision and Yankee President Randy Levine’s trashing of Betances and his agent.  The choice was $5 million or $3 million and Betances lost.  SU says set-up guys, even great ones like Betances, are not getting that type of money.  But there was no need for Levine to do the dance in the end zone and spike the ball in his face.  Time heals all wounds and Betances will get his contract as a closer in a couple of years – but not in NY.  In the meantime, he needs to keep his arm healthy and learn how to throw to different bases.  This will be a non-story come opening day.
• Finally, SU caught 15 minutes of the Mariano Rivera Yankeeography last night.  What a classy guy.  They had some great behind the scenes shots and conversations – he is what he is all the time.  One for the ages.

SU knows we are close to the beginning of baseball season when long-time subscriber, A. Grossman, starts emailing with his Yankee concerns.  Just a snippet from this week’s communication:

“It appears that the post George style for the Yankees in spending their money (wisely) is to remain competitive until a week or two before the trading deadline and then become either big buyers or big sellers. Last season we did the right thing though who knew the Yanks and Sanchez in particular were going to make things quite interesting until we finally faded near the end. I still can’t believe that the Cubs wouldn’t aggressively go after Chapman. Anyway, George would have done both… get some high profile players before the season and do more of the same near the deadline. I really haven’t seen much success since he can only be seen out in Monument Park. How did Boston beat us to signing a couple of great all ready proven pitchers? Are they connected with the New England Patriots?”

SU  says it’s fair to wonder if Hal Steinbrenner is as committed to “making the Yankees great (again)” based on some of his recent moves as his father was.  Clearly, he wants to get the payroll down and grow the roster with prospects and SU is fully behind this at the cost of being mediocre for a couple of years.  Once they rid the roster of Chase Headley and Chris Carter (it’s not too soon to start not liking this latest move – beat the rush), and move Jacoby Ellsbury for anyone, we will see real progress.

But the truly interesting news this week out of Yankeeland were Hal’s comments on Alex Rodriguez and his expanded role for the team.  Andrew Marchand of espn.com picked up on this and surmised that perhaps A-Rod might be the Yankees’ future manager.  SU thinks this would be a great move.  He is a student of the game and loves talking baseball with anyone who will listen, he works well with the youngsters and has taken many of them under his wing over the years and he knows how to deal with the media.  In-game strategy?  OK, you get some bench coach to help with that and let’s face it, the in-game strategy is over-rated in today’s power game.  The real value is being a good people manager and dealing with the egos.  Plus, think how muscular the Yankee players will be?  Just another benefit.  And it’s not like he needs the money and what’s he going to do if you fire him?

SU is a Joe Girardi fan and feels he is an excellent manager.  But he has been here since 2008 and like everything else, sometimes you need a change.  Don Mattingly is the other likely candidate but he is employed in Miami.  Willie Randolph would be another possibility but it’s not as compelling a story as A-Rod.  Hal has real affection for A-Rod.  This would be too good to pass up.  I don’t know if Brian Cashman would sign up for this but I suspect he doesn’t have the power anymore on these types of decisions.

Tyler Austin has a broken foot – out 6 weeks which is basically spring training.  Tough break literally for the youngster as he will be competing for 1st base and right field.  SU is hoping someone, anyone who plays 3rd base has an unreal spring training making Headley expendable.   It’s not too early to get on Chase Headley and his drive for 10 homeruns which will take the usual 500 at bats.

A-Rod for Yankee manager?  Who’s with me?

There is always a lull between the Super Bowl and the start of March Madness.  Ideally, the NBA would get us through but we are disappointed year after year – especially here in New York.  But SU is here to toss out a few tidbits to help you stay engaged:

• While the Knicks seem like a circus now following the Charles Oakley incident, there were a few promising signs yesterday in the win over the Spurs.  First, Carmelo Anthony’s shooting arm is in good shape as evidenced by the number of shots he threw up in the 2nd half.  It was staggering to the extent that others are frozen out of the offense.  He had a good day but obviously this is easily defended.  SU was pleased by the performance of Willy Hernangomez – Hubie Brown loves this guy.  He seems to have good chemistry with Courtney Lee and moves without the ball.  Of course, neither Derrick Rose or Melo will throw it to him but it’s a start.
• Interesting how James Dolan had something like 8 former Knicks at yesterday’s game including Latrell Sprewell.  Too funny.  Charles Oakley is holding a press conference later this week.  I am sure that will go well.
• SU went to another Westchester Knicks game this past Friday night with long-time subscriber S. Caley.  There is no truth to the rumor that Charles Oakley’s son was barred admission to the County Center.  As mentioned before, this is great value – fun to see almost NBA talent from just a few feet away.  And they play hard.  What a concept.
• People need to move on from Kevin Durant going to Golden State.  Russell Westbrook is a great, athletic talent but you can see how playing 2nd fiddle to him gets old.
• UConn women going for win #100 in a row tonight vs. South Carolina.  Point spread is something like 13 which seems crazy.  SU anticipates a close game here – very physical.
• SU read that Noah Syndergaard added 15 pounds of muscle this off season and is hoping to throw even harder.  I am not a fan of bulking up like this – only bad things happen.  Time will tell but this needs to be watched.
• Finally, Northwestern with a big road win over Wisconsin.  They need to break the streak and make the NCAAs this year.  Doug Collins’ son doing a great job as coach.  Michigan beat Indiana for the 2nd time in two weeks and Indy coach Tom Crean is approaching meltdown mode.  He is just ahead of Tom Izzo in my book for most annoying coaches.  Always struggles to give credit where credit is due.  Michigan trying to be inside the bubble instead of out.