Still Smarting After All These Years… Michigan Fab 5 vs Duke

Duke University is one of the top Academic Schools in the country.

They also have an awesome Men’s NCAA Basketball program.

Doesn’t men I root for Duke when any of my “home” teams play them. Fat chance! Go Terrapins! Go Hoyas!

Nor can you begrudge their success …

Or can you?

Jalen Rose, formerly of Michigan apparently is still smarting from getting Whupped by Duke in ’92 (by 40 points), and then Whupped by the OTHER top tier team in the ACC – North Carolina in ’93.

I also don’t recall any Duke Players from their actions getting their school suspended, and an entire season’s victories overturned.

The Fab 5 were great players… Unfortunately they weren’t, and by Rose’s comments – great people.

Jalen Rose On Duke: “They Only Recruit Black Uncle Toms”

Michigan — In the new ESPN 30 for 30 on Michigan’s Fab 5 premiering this Sunday, former Wolverine and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose professed his hate for Duke. Rose even took a shot at the Black players they recruited.

“For me, Duke was personal. I hated Duke. And I hated everything I felt Duke stood for. Schools like Duke didn’t recruit players like me. I felt like they only recruited black players that were Uncle Toms.”

Rose later clarified his comments, while still sticking by his stance.

NCAA Basketball Player Cut From Team For Premarital Sex…

This isn’t the NBA… It’s not even the “usual” in terms of NCAA bad behavior.

Brigham Young University has cut their starting Center, on their #3 ranked team…

For admitting to having sex with his girlfriend.

Now, I understand the Honor Code, and a desire to instill morals and fortitude in young folks but…

Wasn’t Brigham Young the guy who brought America polygamy?

NCAA Star Bounced for Having Sex

Dropping from a 1 or 2 Seed to a 7 or 8 In the Big Dance...

Provo • BYU center Brandon Davies was suspended from the Cougars’ nationally ranked team for the remainder of the season because he violated the school’s honor code provision that prohibits premarital sex, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.

Davies, a sophomore from Provo High School, acknowledged his transgression to BYU officials on Monday, according to multiple sources.

After BYU’s stunning 82-64 loss to New Mexico on Wednesday night, Cougars coach Dave Rose addressed Davies’ dismissal for the first time, saying, “I think it was a surprise to everyone.”

Asked whether he believes Davies will play basketball for BYU again, Rose said, “yeah, I do.”

On Tuesday, the school owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Davies had been dismissed from the team but was being allowed to remain in school while his situation was under review by the Honor Code Office.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said Davies’ suspension from the team was for the remainder of the season and that his future at the school has yet to be determined.

Two of Davies’ teammates, Jimmer Fredette and Charles Abouo, said Wednesday night after the loss that they stand behind their former teammate and have no resentment toward him, saying they consider him a brother.

“Everyone makes mistakes in their life,” Abouo said. “We are reaching out and trying to help him get through this.”

 

Basketball Jones… Who’s Number 1?

Was going to write this earlier today, but got tied up in something else. Kansas State beat me to my point tonight in taking Kansas to the cleaners.

Think Kansas is a good team… But not Top 10.

Why? Look at their schedule. They only play 1 Team the whole year in the Top 10.

Calling Kansas #1, or Texas for that matter which lost to both Big East Teams it played seems a bit of a travesty, when you consider many of the other teams – Duke, anyone from the Big East., take on all comers…

Kansas – The only team Kansas has played theoretically in the Top 10 is Texas. They lost.

Texas got beat by both Big East Teams they played, Pitt (5), and UConn(8).

Ohio State got beat by the only Top 10 They faced, a streaking hot Wisconsin Team now ranked at #10.

Meanwhile Pitt has faced 6 Teams ranked in the Top 10 – just as most everyone else in the Big East has…

Ergo the rankings this year suck. Good thing they base selections on RPI for the “Big Dance”.

1st Official BTx3 Ranking?

1. Pittsburgh
2. San Diego State
3. Ohio State
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgetown
6. Duke
7. Wisconsin
8. Purdue
9. BYU
10. Texas
11. UConn
12. Louisville
13. North Carolina
14. Florida
15. Kansas
16. Villanova
17. Vanderbilt
18. St. Mary’s
19. George Mason
20. West Virginia
21. Xavier
22. Colorado State
23. Temple
24. Syracuse
25. Arizona

And no, I don’t watch NBA.

Let the Madness Begin!

OK – I admit it… I’ve a “Basketball Jones” for NCAA Hoops.

You couldn’t get me to an NBA game with a free skybox and a limo – but the College kids…

My favorite Sports Extravaganza.

With that – BTx3′s predictions!

First of the #1 Seeds out?

Kansas. There are 3-4 teams in their bracket as good or better than Kansas despite their (unearned in my opinion because they didn’t play many teams in the top 10) vaulted rating. The Midwest bracket is a beast, with Ohio State, Georgetown, Tennessee, and Michigan State all being contenders for the Final 4. I like Georgetown-Michigan State as the Elite 8 matchup, the winner dependent on which Georgetown team shows up. I know a lot of folks think Michigan State is weak this year, but somehow – year after year – they find a way to get it in gear come tournament time. While Georgetown has had some ugly losses – they also beat 3 of 4 of the #1 seeds this year.

Kentucky – If West Virginia or New Mexico make it through, they(Kentucky) get their first real test in the elite 8. West Virginia has a strong inside game, and guards who can shut down Kentucky’s. I think next year Kentucky is the odds-on favorite to win it all – but inexperience could be their downfall this year.

Final 4 Picks?

Georgetown, Syracuse, West Virginia, Duke

1st Round upsets?

I think – Look for ODU to take it to Notre Dame. Washington over Marquette, St Mary’s over Richmond, Sienna over Perdue, and (gasp!) just possibly –  UTEP to give Butler all they can handle, and ditto with San Diego State and the Vols.

Best outside bets in my view?

ODU, St Mary’s, San Diego State.

Now – on with the woofing!

President Obama at Georgetown/Duke Basketball Game

President Obama and VP Joe Biden attended the Georgetown-Duke basketball game today in DC (Georgetown won).The Prez makes a pretty good commentator!