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.

When Is It Okay To Rush The Court?

B-dowd and I were discussing this topic this morning, especially in light of Illinois students rushing the court after their upset win over MSU. An act that Dick Vitale took serious issue with but that Illini students felt was their right, especially in that moment.

First off, Dick Vitale is a buffoon and he's been a caricature of himself for going on 20 years. He adds almost nothing to broadcasts, he's annoying, he bellows stupidity and paws at his play-by-play guy and, worst of all, he makes me like Bob Knight as a color guy. For Vitale -- a clown who gets animated over the stupidest little things -- to criticize students for going crazy is, well, effing stupid. They're going bananas, Dick, just like you do when talking about John Wall like you want to hump his leg. But I digress.

When, dear readers, is it okay to rush the court in college basketball? I was thinking today that there is hardly a situation left where it would seem that Purdue fans would rush the court...correct? I mean, let's say the rankings are reversed when MSU comes to WestLaf and Purdue wins -- the students aren't rushing the court then, are they?

And by the same token, there's absolutely no way MSU fans are storming the floor if they win over the Boilers tomorrow night. That we can say with certainty.

On the other hand, you had the Illini fans rushing on after beating #5 MSU and, earlier this year, you had IU fans storming the court after knocking off powerhouse Minnesota.

So when is it okay? Because there has to be a time, right? Or are you always supposed to pretend you've been there before? We want your opinions on this one.

I'll tell you some of my personal guidelines for what I think is okay:

1) You're mediocre and take down the #1 team in the country. A great example of this was a marginal South Carolina team knocking off #1 and undefeated Kentucky a couple weeks ago. That was cause for celebration.

2) You're a small-time team from a small-time conference and you knock off a powerhouse team from a big-boy conference. Doesn't have to be a #1 team, but they should definitely be top ten, let's say, and a team that is a shock for you to beat.

3) The win clinches a conference title or undefeated season or championship of some kind that's been a long time coming.

That's about it for me.

Times when it's definitely not okay but seems to have become acceptable:

1) When it's a conference foe that's not #1 in the nation. You're supposed to sometimes beat your conference opponents. Acting like you can't believe you pulled one out against a conference opponent is kind of embarrassing. This falls under acting like you've been there before, because you probably have.

2) When it's simply a team ranked higher than you. If you're #25 and you beat #15, simply cheer from your seats.

3) When it's going to get you mocked relentlessly. See Indiana over Minnesota.

What say you, BS faithful?

I didn't expect 'em to be ranked...but come on.

File this under getting what you ask for- Many Purdue fans want Purdue to stay under the radar for as long as they can. Well, nationally, they'll continue to do so. The AP Poll came out and while I didn't expect Purdue to be ranked, they didn't receive ANY votes??? Huh?

-Wisconsin loses to the very same Purdue team that didn't receive any votes, and they were vaulted 6 spots...I guess that's based on their big 3-point win over Michigan?

-IU loses to unranked, undermanned UConn and goes up two spots...But they did beat Big Ten powers, Penn State and Iowa.

-Arizona State loses their last THREE games and is still ranked, with 5-losses.

-Villanova loses two straight to unranked Rutgers and Notre Dame...now has five-losses...They're of course 18th.

-Dayton gets DUMP TRUCKED by 23rd-ranked Xavier, then loses to Richmond (their third loss in three games) and is now a 4-loss team in the Horizon League-esque A-10.

-Xavier is still ranked...and had an undefeated A-10 week. Congrats, Muskies. But, they lost this season to both Ohio University and 9-9 Temple.

-Pitt is still highly ranked for their 4-loss record...but they lost to the 9-11 Cincy Bearcats this season.

What's my point? Well, I understand that Purdue has lost to some lousy teams...So has much of the top-25. But, Purdue has one, and arguably three (if you count receiving votes Louisville on a "neutral" Conseco court) quality wins and is one of the hottest teams in the nation winning 8 of their last 9 and 5 in-a-row, including two road wins and a near-win on the road in East Lansing.

I'm pretty sure that Matt Painter doesn't care about rankings...but the problem is if Purdue is on the bubble, come March, they'll need every bit of help they can get to land a bid. Without weeks of national exposure, it will be hard to get into the dance. We'll see how this plays out, but I'm going to go ahead and call the polls, at this point, BS (not Boiled Sports).

Keep winning and it all comes out in the wash...Leave no doubt, Coach Painter & Co!