 |
 |
 |
|
ST. LOUIS -- I had no problem with the elimination of Chief Illiniwek.
But this is too much.
There comes a time when every man must take a stand, and for me that time is now. So Kansas State administrators, listen up. I submit that any person who goes through the trouble of finding a live chicken and sneaking it into a basketball arena damn well ought to be allowed to throw it on the court. The only alternative would be to sit there with the chicken the entire game, and chickens rarely sit still. They fidget. So it would be a huge mess, and just disruptive in general.
|
|
| Hey, PETA: Surely, chickens would rather run around the Bramlage Coliseum court than be stuck in a cage. (AP) |
Don't forget that part.
Granted, it's the most baffling tradition I have ever heard of -- throwing live chickens on the court whenever Kansas is in town to mock its Jayhawk mascot. But caving under pressure this week to an animal rights group wasn't necessary. I know PETA sent a letter in which it claimed chickens were being subjected to "deafening noise, bright lights, terror, abusive handling and likely death for the sake of amusement."
But what's the big deal?
Sounds exactly like a trip to Disney World to me.
Anyway, here's the Friday Look Ahead.
Game worth flying to see in person: One team (No. 3 Kansas ) has won seven consecutive games by an average 25 points and might be playing better than anybody in the nation. The other team (No. 15 Texas ) has won six consecutive games by an average of 13.3 points and absolutely has the best player in the nation. That's right, Kevin Durant is visiting Allen Fieldhouse for the first -- and barring a miracle, final -- time Saturday with the Big 12 regular-season title at stake. Sometimes I try to get cute with these things, but there's no need here. Far as final-weekend matchups go, few years offer something this intriguing.
Game worth driving to see in person: Is Florida spiraling or merely following the same pattern it did last season before it ran off 11 straight victories to win the national title? We should have a good idea of the answer Sunday after the No. 5 Gators host Kentucky, but in the meantime it's hard not to wonder what Billy Donovan privately thinks of his team's recent troubles (Note to self: Call Dick Vitale).
Game worth watching on TV: "I can't remember the last time North Carolina and Duke played with both coming off a loss," is what UNC coach Roy Williams said before last month's meeting between the two rivals. Personally, I can't remember the last time North Carolina and Duke played when they both weren't coming off losses, because those rascals (that's the inner Roy coming out in me) have done it again. No. 14 Duke lost to Maryland on Wednesday; No. 8 North Carolina lost to Georgia Tech on Thursday. Consequently, this matchup, scheduled for Sunday at the Dean Smith Center, between a pair of teams trying to avoid losing streaks must have Dean Smith shaking his head.
Some non-BCS love: I'm here at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament this weekend, and there's a great quarterfinal game late Friday. Wichita State, once ranked as high as eighth in the nation, begins its quest to salvage a season gone bad when it meets Missouri State. The Shockers must advance or prepare for the NIT (if they're lucky). Meanwhile, Missouri State must win or start sweating, because though the Bears are projected to make the NCAA Tournament, a loss would seriously damage their chances considering they would then be 21-10 with an RPI in the 40s. That sounds OK, I know, given Missouri State has a victory over Wisconsin. But the Bears didn't make the field last season with a 20-8 record and 21 RPI, so would they really make it this year with worse credentials? Like I said, big game here in St. Louis.
An obvious prediction: Winthrop will win the Big South Tournament title game when it hosts VMI. The Eagles have won 17 consecutive games and 22 straight at home, and they've been successful in their six previous trips to the league tournament championship game, so there's no reason to assume any of those streaks will end Saturday.
A crazy prediction (but it might happen anyway): Going out on a limb here, but Oklahoma State will win Saturday at Baylor. What? You don't think that's crazy enough because Baylor is 3-12 in the Big 12? Well, did you know OSU hasn't won a true road game all season, that the Cowboys are 0-6 away from home and even have a loss at Colorado? Didn't think so. And now I'm picking them to win on the road while Mario Boggan serves a suspension? That's not just normal crazy, that's Britney-Spears-with-a-shaved-head-and-umbrella crazy.
Player trying to keep rolling: Thaddeus Young was supposed to be a special freshman at Georgia Tech, and he has been while averaging 13.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. Problem is, Durant makes all other freshmen look bad, which is why Young's star -- or at least the perception of his star -- had dimmed a bit. But then came Thursday, and the 6-foot-8 wing showed glimpses of his made-for-NBA talent. Young sank 10 of 18 shots, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, to finish with a career-high 25 points and lead the Yellow Jackets past North Carolina. And if Young has another one of those performances in him, he would be wise to use it Sunday against Boston College because anything less could result in a loss, and Georgia Tech -- 19-10 overall, 7-8 in the ACC -- probably can't afford another loss if it wants a reasonable shot at an NCAA Tournament bid.
Player trying to get rolling: Speaking of bubble teams, West Virginia -- owner of perhaps the most misleading 20-8 record in the nation -- must close the regular season with a win over Cincinnati to avoid bringing further attention to the fact that 17 of its victories have come against opponents ranked outside the Top 100 at CollegeRPI.com. To ensure as much, Frank Young probably needs to be better than he was in Tuesday's loss to Pittsburgh in which the Mountaineers' leading scorer missed six of seven shots to finish with two points and four fouls.
Three things you should know before you go
1. After being picked eighth in the preseason, Virginia can win its first outright ACC title since 1981 on Saturday with a victory over Wake Forest. The task seems manageable on the surface considering Wake Forest is awful. But remember, these Cavaliers have already lost to last-place Miami, not to mention Utah by 24 points. So while it's OK for Virginia fans to go ahead and buy champagne, I'd advise keeping the receipt, just in case.
2. There is only one team that would still earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament even if it didn't win again before Selection Sunday, and that team is UCLA. The Bruins' set of credentials is so impressive -- 5-0 against the Top 25 at CollegeRPI.com, 10-1 against the Top 50 -- the idea they could be bumped is inconceivable, meaning Saturday's game at Washington won't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Regardless, don't expect UCLA to take the day off. Washington swept the Bruins last season, so returning the favor is an obvious goal.
3. When Michigan State visits No. 4 Wisconsin on Saturday, Drew Neitzel should be over the flu-like symptoms that plagued him in Tuesday's loss at Michigan. But now Raymar Morgan is sick, and Tom Izzo must be going nuts. First, he gets a disadvantageous Big Ten schedule featuring a total of four games (two home and two away) against Wisconsin and Ohio State while another school (ahem, Illinois) had to play the league's powers just once each, both at home. And now Izzo has to finish this crappy schedule with a depleted team and aggravating cough while trying to ruin Alando Tucker's Senior Day. Does any of this sound fair?
Final thoughts
I've decided to again relinquish this space to Katman2000, the diehard Kentucky fan who is so upset with the current state of UK basketball he has taken to filming videos of himself ranting into a camera.
It's possible I just don't get out enough anymore, but discovering Katman2000's videos was the highlight of my week. After I, in the Monday Look Back, provided a link to Episode 44 that focused on how losing to Vanderbilt twice in a season is "frickin' bulls---" I was forwarded what can only be described as a Best of Katman2000 compilation.
It's excellent.
If it was a box set, I'd buy it.
My favorite is Episode 19, which appears to have been recorded following Kentucky's Jan. 20 loss to Vanderbilt. If you're not offended by moderate cursing and/or a Southern accent, I suggest you click this link, sit back and enjoy.
Thank me later.