Go Hang

At the gym this morning, I glanced across the free weights to the adjacent basketball courts, and spotted some middle school-aged kid sporting a Psycho T replica. (That's Tyler Hansbrough for you non-college fans)

What a nerd!

To make matters worse, he was not flopping. He was not jumping into people with arms flailing. He did not exhibit more desire and hustle than all other Division I college basketball student-athletes combined.

He did posses a similar, Beaker-like quality to him, though.

+ Zimbabwe obviously needs to work on their comebacks.

A Plea for Reason

Last four posts: The Beas, Josh Hamilton, The Beas, Josh Hamilton, so...

Checking CBSSports yesterday evening, I noticed the epic K-State v. USC The Beas v. Mayo game is slated for a Thursday evening 7:10 PM tip. Obviously, the marquee match-up is a natural for prime time. Nice!

But... upon further schedule perusal, I spied Duke v. Belmont is also slated for a Thursday 7:10 PM start. A creeping feeling of dread started creeping over me. Might CBS dare to slot the Duke/Belmont game for my local CBS affiliate (WHP)?? I certainly hope not! However, Duke is situated in the east (along with Belmont) and often associated with the "northeast" region. Doing the math... I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best.

I just can't fathom CBS denying even part of the country... well, except for North Carolina, the opportunity to catch the freshman national POY (The Beas) squaring off against one of the top four freshman in the nation (Mayo). And oh yeah, don't sleep on K-State's Bill Walker (OJ Mayo's best friend) and Jacob Pullen and USC's Taj Gibson and Daniel Hackett. Please, CBS/WHP, do us a solid.

The Beas is Better

BAH emailed me ESPN.com declaring Tyler Hansbrough POY with the message, "Surprise, surprise."

/sarcasm tag not included, but the quality mockery registered. Anyone who watched "the four letter's" UNC v. Dook coverage last weekend could have deduced their endorsement. Their logic is laughable. Allow me to paraphrase take liberties: "Beasley is clearly more athletic and possesses worlds of more talent, has better stats and is the clear-cut #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but... I'm still giving it to Hansbrough because he works hard."

Aside: talking hard > working hard

Gonzaga coach Mark Few geniunely repeated this sentiment during his interview today on The Jime Rome Show.

I couldn't disagree more.

To morph The Beas' logic to suit my argument, The Beas is better than Hansbrough at home. The Beas is better than Hansbrough at Hansbrough's house. The Beas is better than Hansbrough in Africa. Wherever they are, The Beas is better.

In the end, college POY bears little weight. This shouldn't be post-worthy. POY or not, Beasley will be taking it straigh cash, homey, next year while Beaker will be lucky to occupy the 11th or 12th man spot on a bench in the Association.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As much as I dislike when I see people in the comments section of sports blogs state, "I believe the first round Thursday/Friday games of the NCAA Tournament should be national holiday" I must admit as Championship Week is upon us and the tournament draws near I feel the same way. Thankfully, for me, my employer declares Good Friday a company holiday. And the Friday of Good Friday just happens to be the same Friday of the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Yay!!! I'm already fully immersed in Championship Week, but starting Thursday, March 20 at 5:00 PM, I'm going to be watching March Madness until the final Thursday night game ends and then start back up again Friday at noon without the chains of corporate shackles. This makes me happy.

+ ESPN wasn't too blatant trying to ensure that the its preferred candidate, Tyler Hansbrough, receives POY over The Beas. I lost track how many times "the four letter's" babbling heads, both on Gameday and during the UNC / Dook contest (where Hansbrough disappeared for much of the second half), pleaded that "Psycho T" is the deserving player. Anyone who can't objectively contrast The Beas' smooth, transcendent, multidimensionalism with the great white hope's spastic flailing in the lane aka "relentless work ethic" and find The Beas to be clearly superior in every way needs an optometrist stat!

+ Sunday afternoon I enjoyed catching The Valley Championship. Drake spreading the floor, driving the lane, kicking out and raining three's. Gotta love the Drake. Plus, Korver sighting!

+ Bonus bit: Way back in November, when LRH and I were returning to PA from Colorado Springs, we spotted and dined with Ohio Valley Conference hoops squad Austin Peay at Denver Int'l Airport. Who knew at the time AP would win the OVC conference championship and earn the automatic bid? Good luck, Governors!!

They're Kind of a Big Deal

Via clutch TINWA operative BAH comes evidence that USC alum and Pete Carroll homeboy Will Ferrell may be crushin' on a new NCAA hoops squad...


Ferrell hanging with K-State's The Beas and Bill Walker.


And Ron Burgundy making a point to K-State football coach Ron Prince. "Stay classy, Prince! ...and don't forget your Power Towel!"

Ferrell was in Manhattan in-and-around February 4th to perform at Bramlage Coliseum and promote his upcoming flick Semi-Pro. He may have also taken in the Wildcats triumph over KU.

Beating Teams in Africa

Charlie is dead... allegedly [Spoiler!]

Hey! Lost is back toni... Zzzzzzzz...

Oh, who am I kidding? I'll probably watch.

+ Due to TBL's perpetual drumbeat for the show, Friday I finally tuned into Friday Night Lights. I enjoyed the show and thought it was well done... although I really didn't know any of the characters. Smash certainly has a quick temper, though.


+ Heckuva night on the college hoops scene last night. Props to ESPN News for cutting into the K-State / KU game with about five minutes left, and staying with it until the end. What a scene. The Beas and Walker are the truth. In addition, Cincinnati traveled to WVU and battered Huggy Bear and the 'Neers. The Bearcats are back in the national discussion!