So, then that happened. Things escalated in a hurry. Yeah, Brick killed a guy.
From the "Talks too much" studios, thanks for the madness.
Duke bench react during the second half of the NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament championship game against Wisconsin Monday, April 6, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Duke
Got to admit we were this close to turning it off and cashing our chips after Wisconsin goes up nine with 13 minutes left.
This close.
We're glad we stuck around, though, and witnessed Coach K and Duke rally all the way back, using some of the same methods Wisconsin used to bully Kentucky down the stretch on Saturday to secure a 68-63 national title win for the Blue Devils.
It was Duke's surrounding freshman - MOP Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow, Grayson Allen - around potential top-pick one-and-doner Jahlil Okafor that made the difference, too. Okafor battled foul trouble and was outplayed for most of the game by Wisconsin star and player of the year Frank Kaminsky, but his trio of classmates were awesome.
So too was Coach K, who called a time out when the Badgers lead ballooned to 48-39 with 13:23 left. Six seconds later out of the break, Allen drained a 3 and he scored Duke's next points as the Devils moved back into the game.
From there, Duke made more plays - and Wisconsin fans are certainly saying they got more calls - to secure the crown.
It was a great end to another forgettable college basketball regular season.
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Wade on the move?
UTC ace beat writer Mean Gene Henley has his version of the reported agreed upon deal between VCU and Will Wade here.
UTC head coach Will Wade watches his players from the sidelines during a game at McKenzie Arena in Dec. 2, 2014, photo.We are not shocked by this, if it is announced today as the reports widely speculate.
We are a little surprised, though, since after turning down a big raise to go to Charlotte, we thought Wade was going to return to UTC for an expected big run in 2015-16.
Still, you understand why Wade would go. There likely will be an extra digit in his annual compensation, going from $187,000 to something in the seven-figure range. VCU is a known brand - whether that brand was Shaka Smart or Rams basketball will be the true measure of whomever is the next head coach.
And you can win on a large scale there.
If it is announced today, we tip our visor to Wade and his two-year run in Chattanooga. He was easy to deal with, gave thoughtful answers when asked thoughtful questions and he certainly left the Mocs in a much better place than he found them.
That said, and while the announcement is expected, it's certainly not official, we'd really like to have seen what this Mocs program would look like intact next season.
And if he is gone, we'll start it here: Who you want Mocs fans as the next UTC coach?
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Masters Tuesday
Ah, Augusta.
Tiger was out Monday doing Tiger things by all accounts.
There was even talk that he played the front nine at Augusta National on Monday in 30 during an afternoon session.
Yes, cue the music and the Allen Iverson clip, "We talkin' bout practice," but let Tiger start quickly on Thursday and that's the story.
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, putts on the 13th green during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament Monday, April 6, 2015, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) In fact, we'll ask here: What do you think the biggest story line of this Masters is? We still say Tiger is No. 1 and Rory chasing the career slam is second. Thoughts?
Oh, yeah, one more thing: Have you entered the contest?
And on more before we get to the part where you can win stuff: Here's a survey ESPN took of 103 PGA players, and the truth of Bubba Watson's lack of likability is clear.
We are definitely will have the fifth annual Masterfully Mastering the Masters Contest. The rules are simple: Pick five golfers in the Augusta field and the top four count. Where they finish in the standings is the number of points each player earns and the lowest total wins. For example, if you have Jason Day (who we have as the favorite) and he wins that's worth one point.
5-at-10: Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker.
Mrs. 5-at-10: Rory, Phil, Jordan S., Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker
Spy: Rory, Matt Kuchar (three top 10s in last three years), Jimmy Walker, Jordan Speith and JB Holmes.
scole023: Tiger, Bubba, Spieth, D. Johnson, Adam Scott
Matt W.: Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson
Sportsfan: Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jimmy Walker, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day
John C.: Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, and Jason Day.
Believer: Phil, Fowler, A. Scott, Rory, Paul Casey
We have more to input, but do we have your entry?
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This and that
- Avery Johnson apparently has the best agent in the world. That or Alabama AD Bill Battle had $18 million that if he did not spend he was going to lose it. Yes, Johnson has an impressive NBA resume, but $3 million a year for six years for a guy that was not on anyone's list defies the logic of supply and demand. So it goes, maybe it was like Brewter's Millions with Richard Pryor only with Bill Battle in the lead role.
- ARod got a nice ovation Monday at opening day in New York. We were a little surprised about that.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran throws in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during their opening day baseball game in Miami on Monday, April 6, 2015.- Braves win. Braves win. Braves win. An efficient 2-1 win on Monday puts the Braves on track for 162-0. And of course Jason Grilli would be on pace for 162 saves. Take that Craig Kimbrel.
- Know this: The NFL really wants Aaron Hernandez, who is on trial for murder and had his defense rest Monday, to serve some time. If he is cleared of all the charges, it will be a severely sticky situation when some team inquires about signing him
- Happy birthday Buster Douglas, who turned 55 today. He would likely make a Rushmore of Busters.
Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks during a news conference at the NCAA college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, March 21, 2015. Duke plays San Diego State in the Round of 32 on Sunday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) ---
Today's question
Is Coach K the best men's college basketball coach of all-time?
Discuss, because there are a slew of mitigating factors.