From Jay
OK, do you have some announcements to make? Cue Judge Smails We’re waiting.
Jay and everyone –
We got some things to discuss.
First, we are committed to the “First Out, Last In Challenge.”
The brackets will be released on Sunday night. The rules are simple. Pick the first No. 1 seed to get bounced and the last double-digit seed to be eliminated. (The 1 seed is worth 1 point; the correct double-digit seed is worth 1.1 points.)
You can leave you entry in the comments of the 5-at-10 or email them to me at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
If tie-breakers are needed we’ll handle those when we get back.
Which leads us to the second thing. We are heading out of town for Spring Break, and taking the clan to Hawaii. So there’s that.
You guys play nice around these parts next week because I will have limited access to check in. Deal? Deal.
Finally, we’re a little melancholy this morning. Today would have been my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. I am glad they are together again, but I still miss them.
(That said, they clearly did not ‘care’ enough about me to spend all their money getting me into an elite private college. Because if they had to bribe someone yo get me into Auburn, well, they got sold a bill of goods.)
Phil Mickelson follows through and tracks his drive from the fourth tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday. The round was not completed, but Mickelson was in the lead.From Ernie
Do you trust Mickelson?
In a “friendly” match, I would not divert my eyes from him, and it would not be due to awe! Even if he gave me 27 a side!
Rushmore of pro athletes not to trust: Mickelson, Rose, Lance Armstrong, A Rod.
Ernie –
Speaking of the admissions scandal, Phil Mickelson admitted to using the firm run by Rick Singer, the key figure in the entire scheme that was busted in Operation Varsity Blues.
Here’s more. Joe Montana also said he and his family used Singer’s service
I will not speak about Mickelson’s daughter, who attends Brown, a very prestigious school. I do not know and I am going to err on the side of right here.
(Just like I refuse to assume that every minority at a prestigious college is there because of affirmative actions, I will not assume that every rich kid is at an Ivy League school because Mommy and Daddy bought their admission.)
Considering Mickelson’s past – he’s dang fortunate he’s not doing time on felony insider trading charges – well, Ernie’s question is certainly valid.
But I will say this: I long ago realized that being an all-time great athlete does not make anyone an all-time great human being. Hall of Fame skills does not mean Hall of Fame character.
The examples are too many and too varied and too common. And Mickelson is no exception.
As for your Rushmore, well, that’s a pretty strong one. I am pretty sure I don’t want Jose Canseco holding my wallet either.
This week’s Rushmores
Rushmore of Billy: Billy the Kidd, Billy Graham, Billy Joel and of course the ol’ Billy Baroo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJPg1Fivmqg And that’s leaving several qualified Billys on the cutting room floor.
Rushmore of westerns: Unforgiven, Outlaw Josey Wales, The Searchers, Butch and Sundance. (And for those of you who suggested Lonesome Dove, I put that in the TV/mini-series category. Otherwise it’s there. For sure. McRae and Call are two of the best cowboy characters of all-time.)
Rushmore of TV skit comedy shows: SNL, Carol Burnett Show, In Living Color, Dave Chappelle Show.
Rushmore of celebrities you would pay to see take a lie-detector test: Trump (and really every living president), O.J., Nick Saban, Tiger Woods. (This one is very subjective for what it’s worth.)
In this March 28, 1992, file photo, Duke’s Christian Laettner runs down the court after making the last second, game-winning shot to defeat Kentucky 104-103 in overtime of the East Regional Final of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Philadelphia.From Kelly
Wow, how good is Zion W.? He’s the best college basketball player I have ever seen.
Who is on your Rushmore of college hoops players? Thanks and I love your show.
Kelly –
Easy, now.
Zion is great, there’s no doubt. And cue the music because I am truly excited for Duke-UNC tonight with a healthy Zion. Giddy-up.
How excited, well, Duke-UNC tips at 9. I have to have the fam in the car and headed to the airport by 5:30 (5:45 at the latest) in the a.m. and I have every intent to watch it from whistle to horn.
My Rushmore of best college basketball players I have seen – and that’s key because I do not recall Walton, Alcindor, Maravich or those dudes from that era.
For me, I’ll start with Christian Laettner, who made four Final Fours and owned dudes like Shaq and Alonzo Mourning in head-to-head meetings. (Side note: Laettner was a full generation ahead of his time. His skill set in today’s stretch-4 NBA would have led to great success.)
Lenny Bias is on there for me. Dude was simply amazing.
Danny Manning did more with a collection of average Joes than anyone this side of Peter LaFleur. (Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.)
I’d likely go with Ralph Sampson in the final spot, but that last one could be challenged since Sampson’s teams so underachieved in the Dance. (Hansbrough from UNC was a dude and had a monster career.
From Jeff
Is it me or does ESPN give Duke basketball a pass like no other program in America?
Jeff –
Completely fair question.
First, Dickie V needs knee pads when discussing Coach K.
Secondly, the roster of former Duke stars describing Duke doing Duke things at times can make me squeamish. Hey Jay Williams, maybe next time you should not wear your Duke sweatshirt to the set.
Speaking of J-Will, uh, dude, relax about the tripping incident. And can anyone connected to the Duke program have that level of outrage about anything like that considering the decades of dirty incidents – Laettner stomping the UK dude, JJ Reddick, all of Grayson Allen’s 14-year career – from the Devils.
To Jeff’s question, there is a fair amount of sanctimony in terms of the tone and tenor most folks use when talking about Duke.
Heck, Coach K has embraced the one-and-done every bit as much as Calipari with half the grief Cal gets for ‘renting’ five-star dudes for five months.
As for tonight, if Duke wins, the Devils are a for sure one seed after what Zion did last night. Buckets, he is a beast at getting to the bucket.
The reverse is also true. If UNC beats Duke for the third time – and the first time with Zion – then the Heels deserve a 1 seed regardless what happens in the ACC title game.
Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith (4) closes in on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray during the Crimson Tide’s 45-34 victory in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29.From Allen
Would you be surprised if the Raiders and Gruden draft Kyler Murray and shake things up tremendously?
Allen
Interesting theory my man.
I think no because his system does not maximize Murray’s strengths. That said, I do not think Jon Gruden is married to Derek Carr by any measure.
But the overhaul of the Raiders is an interesting case story for certain.
We think if Carr had not already been extended, he would already be gone. But that contract is not my brother, it’s heavy.
He signed a five-year, $125 million deal with $70 million guaranteed. And if he was dealt or cut, he would have more than $34 million in dead money.
That number drops to $7 million after 2019, so this is a huge year for Carr if he wants to be a long-term part of Team Gruden.
So in truth, I can see Gruden being a player in the quarterback-rich 2020 draft class if Carr does not make the most of an improved offensive line and a plethora of perimeter play-makers.
Hey, let’s explore some hate mail.
Giddy-up
You are an elitist (bleep)hole!!! Of course you do not think White Collar Crime is a big deal because you are a white apologist.
Good start.
Why do I waste my time reading your bullcrap articles? Of course you would back the white fan who was insulting Westbrook. You are so predictable. I am done with your racist view!!!
Yeah, but how do you really feel?
(BLEEP) YOU! Why can’t you write anything positive or be more like David Cook? He’s kind. You think your funny and your not.
Almost there.
Tell the truth and shame the devil, Greese.
And finally
You suck!!! I hate you!!!
Have a good weekend friends. (And we’ll have some college hoops picks later today.