Bracket Don't Lie...and notes on cheating

There's a ton of pressure in those brackets. This pressure can make an old man dance around like a little boy and can make another weep like a baby. We saw a bit of that last night as Kalin Lucas' college career ended. This is a guy who deserved much better than what he got this year- He didn't deserve to have malcontent teammates who were forced to exit, he didn't deserve to watch his teammates crumble in injury time and time again, he didn't deserve to watch his well-respected coach nearly have a mental breakdown in the closing minutes of most games, and he didn't deserve to have his achilles tendon rupture last season. He's a truly great player, but this is a team game and his team's season is now over.

As Purdue fans we can relate too well...as people we can probably relate even more.

And this is far from the only case of heartbreak- Louisville's Knowles rolls his ankle, and at the same time, Morehead State plays a great game...and just like that, a member of EsPN's favorite conference goes down in a heap. A team we all know well, Richmond, out-grits a Vandy squad that was in the top-25 for most of the season as their dynamic duo, Harper and Anderson outclass the 'Dores like they did Purdue back in November. Injuries, unconscious shooting, foul trouble, poor coaching decisions...they all come out in the wash as each team earns its right to play in their next game.

It's funny- when a team wins a big game, you often hear a player say, "It hasn't sunken yet." But, when a player loses, he knows right away what's happened. I think that's an example of what Painter's been talking about for a few weeks- winning makes you soft in some ways. It's like an opiate that numbs your senses and makes you ignore the faults and imperfections of your reality. If that's the case, losing is shoving smelling salts up your nose and having your face forced into frigid water. Immediately, you're aware of the scope of all that's happened around you. A player might even see his entire career, mistakes and failures alike, all right in front of him as he questions what he might have been able to do to change the trajectory of his team's fate. And win or lose, the tournament format simply doesn't lie. The team that's playing the best at that point of the season wins the whole ball of wax.

We've said it one hundred times and we'll say it again- thank God the NCAA lets the teams decide who will play for the national championship...in basketball. Yesterday, I gave credit to CBS for its joint venture with TBS that we've all been enjoying- I was told my praise was misdirected. Fair enough. Congrats to the NCAA for getting this tournament right. The coverage has been excellent and has given the consumer/fan the ability to choose exactly what he wants to watch regardless of when dinner time is, if the local news is on or if a regional favorite is playing.

Now go fix football.

And speaking of fixing things, NCAA, you're a pitiful joke when it comes to punishment. Nice job in botching an open-shut case of blatant disregard for your structure and respect of authority.

Some might think that five games is a suitable suspension for players getting tattoos in exchange for swag (I don't, by the way). But I don't believe anyone outside of the corrupt cabal known as an Ohio State University thinks this punishment is fitting for this case of cover-up in the name of winning, or attempting to win, a national title. Please note, I didn't just say Ohio State's athletic department...that's intentional. The moment Gordon Gee muttered his hilarious quip, "I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me..." It became a university-wide conspiracy to skirt the rules and get away with whatever's possible.

If karma truly existed in sports, the Buckeyes would lose today to UTSA...but it doesn't. In lieu of karma, I'll be rooting hard against the Buckeyes and hoping for their early departure. Being part of the same conference doesn't mean we should look the other way as one of our own cheats its way to success...afterall, Purdue isn't a part of the SEC- but aOSU clearly wishes it was. Sorry fellas, you're too far north.

I've always had a suspicion that Thad Matta skirted the rules to get players to come play for him. And I'll admit, there is still no concrete proof of my opinion. But, there is absolute proof that aOSU, as an institution, will do anything in its power to win. And since that university's administration, its athletic department and its coaches are working along side the NCAA to not stop cheating, I'll keep believing exactly as I do.

So, as always, Go Boilers- today could be the first step in Purdue's quest to earn its first national title in the modern era of the tourney. And after my alma mater, I'll be rooting for whomever is in the path of the Buckeyes, UK Wildcats, Volunteers and UConn Huskies and others to win. While the NCAA doesn't seem overly-willing to completely stop cheating coaches and athletic departments from doing what they do, another team might be able to send them a message...even if it's temporary. While the playing field might not be completely level during the off-season or in the classroom, during the season and subsequent tournament, a good coach can bring a team together to level things up. Here's to one of those programs, coaches and teams, that does it the right way raising that wooden trophy in April.

Go Boilers. Like Matty's squad, I couldn't be more ready for Purdue to play.

Nothing Sticks to the Smart Ones

It took the feds a long time to actually get something to stick to John Gotti. Like all big time gangsters, the guy knew the law and knew how to dodge the big rap. But, eventually, a life of breaking the law caught up with him and he ended up in prison.

Are we seeing the same thing at Kentucky as things seem to be closing in on Teflon John Calipari?

Truthfully, I doubt it...Calipari is smart-enough to clean his dirty laundry through channels of people who don't seem to even know whom they're working for. But, the story surrounding Eric Bledsoe has more layers than an onion and its stench is much stronger.

This one's got a bit of everything- academic impropriety, money exchanging hands, people hiding things so investigators can't get information and tons of denials and important parts giving the silent treatment...it's a bushel basket of rules, if not laws, being broken by quite a few people...and the whole mess leads back to the guy who does no wrong, Kentucky's current coach.

Perhaps this story will be what sends Cal to the NBA once again as he and Bron Bron finally make their love for eachother public.

Monday Gumbo

A-O-KK

Purdue's football team scrimmaged again this weekend, and this time the defense showed up. Gone was the 10 yard/carry performance by ATM, and it was replaced by more-human 7yds/carry while Carlos averaged around 3. But, the 2nd and 3rd-string QBs were kinda sloppy with the ball as they had a combined 4 picks.

Robert Marve had a solid day without any picks. Based on the stats being released, it seems (not surprising to anyone) that Marve is putting space between himself and Henry/TerBush.

Kawann Short had a pick six on a screen and is now going by "KK" on GBI. No problem there as a big, bad dude can do what he wants...but Kawann sounds a ton-more tough, at least to me, than KK. Hopefully his old nickname doesn't become what's printed in media guides.

Spring football is so odd- because, as a fan, you really don't want to hear about either side of the ball dominating...so these manic swings of success are a good thing. But, if you're like me, they're not easy to hear about. It's gotta be difficult to play the same guys and same coaches, day-in, day-out as adjustments are meant to combat very-specific strengths and usually work. Regardless of outcome, it's good to see some of the early injured players in camp are getting back on the field and most of the veterans are showing as they should be.

F1 Lite

As some of you know, I'm an Indy Car fan. But what I saw yesterday, while an extremely-clean race, was flat-out boring.

Much like it is in the F1 ranks, this race had little to do with the drivers and everything to do with preparation and what happened behind the walls in the pits. And, once-again, Penske came out on top as Castroneves was a mere technician in the equation. I thought the venue looked good on TV, but it clearly didn't race well as passing was nearly-impossible. This is quite a contrast when compared to the previous races that seemed to be more competitive and had some solid action as out-breaking your adversary paid off...not so much in 'Bama.

When you think of the deep Southeast, you obviously think Indy Car first...right?? And, when you think of road course, after road course, after road course, same thing?? Me neither. This series needs to figure out its identity in a hurry.

I was glad to see Danica not in contention for most of the race though and Duno was a non-factor as well. I'm not comparing the two, because Danica at least has guts and ability...but I like getting a break from her cute mug in front of the camera whining or being the focus of a human interest story.

No Surprise

Mickelson won the masters going away on Sunday as he made a ton of big shots and simply made the tournament into no contest. Westwood couldn't stay with Lefty's pace and Woods simply had an off day...but still finished in the top-5. While I think he'll win at least one major this year, I think his season will get more-interesting as the shelter of Augusta are lifted and he ventures further-out into the real world.

For me, almost- nothing is better in HD than golf, especially the Masters...and this weekend didn't disappoint. But, the loss of USA's coverage was disappointing as there were huge gaps in the TV coverage and the online cameras didn't show the entire course.

The Fall Guy

In case you haven't been following it, the NCAA, EsPN and USC are following a predictable business model in their handling of the long-overdrawn saga of Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo. The formula is quite simple, as we saw in Columbus a few years ago.

Step 1: Vilify a player that's inconsequential.

A few years ago, it was Clarett who's reputation took it on the chin. Sure, he was an easy guy to dislike as he clearly didn't have a work ethic and had been given everything in his life...but he wasn't the devil incarnate that aOSU and the media made him out to be. Remember, his pal Troy Smith was also involved in receiving a car and other perks that weren't within the rules of the NCAA, but he went on to win the Heisman and a National title...not so much for Tressel's former prized recruit.

In SoCal, Bush, Mayo, some coaches and some parents' reputations are taking on the chin...kinda. Too bad their breaking of the rules, and maybe the law, don't really matter at this point.

Step 2: Find an internal part of the Athletic department that can be publicly-humiliated and eventually fired.

That part in the aOSU case was Andy Geiger...and Tressel, who didn't know what was happening, kept his job and handsome vest.

For the Trojans, that guy is Mike Garrett. Right before the NCAA's findings are about to be released, Tim Floyd's complaint of Garrett as a boss has come to light...and conveniently, so have ex-players' accounts of how much of an angry, out-of-control guy Garrett is.

Pete Carroll has exited stage left to the NFL ranks, without a slap on the wrist, mind you...Bush and Mayo have gone on to become sanctioned professionals at their game of choice...Tim Floyd has gotten a job elsewhere in the NCAA where, of course, he could never break any rules again. And the hammer's about to come down on Garrett, not USC, with great vengeance and furious anger!

I'm not saying he's a good guy or doesn't deserve some of the blame. But, I'm amazed that these literal scandals, especially with the cash cows of the NCAA, seem to always tie up so neatly and tidily. It's funny how that happens, isn't it?

At the same time, programs like IUPUI's athletic department are shaken to their foundations by much-lesser accusations and findings...and the Purdue's of the world get set-back 5-10 years with less-egregious rules being broken...but guys like Kiffin, Tressel, Calipari, Calhoun and even legends like Holtz and many others skate on with the bubble of protection around them that some simply don't have the opportunity to utilize.

Step 3: Continue as you were like nothing happened.

Ta-Da! Scandal over, disaster averted...and the NCAA's big-money programs continue as they were.

Hey UK Fans-

I talked about it with you...warned you...and now it's getting closer.

Let's all countdown until the NCAA comes a-callin'!

At this point, isn't it a question of when, not if?? Enjoy your deal with the devil.

Since they're already not focusing on Purdue...This isn't a big deal

"Shut up...get some facts and come back and see me."

UConn's basketball Coach, Jim Calhoun might have to answer a few more questions that aren't related to the Purdue game in the next two days.

It seems UConn might be under NCAA investigation in the very near future...Granted, they'll probably get the dreaded probation or nothing at all since I'm sure they've self-punished enough (wait, wrong school)...but it is a distraction none-the-less.

But, we already know it's a foregone conclusion that the squeaky-clean Calhoun and the choir boy, Calipari will meet in the round of eight...so much ado about nothing, I guess.