By Staff
March 16, 2001
Thoughts whizzing about while Day One of the best 2 1/2 weeks of CBS television is going on…
March Madness. There's nothing like it, is there?
I'll answer my own question. Nope.
At 3 p.m. on the opening day, there have already been a couple of nice upsets. Tubby Smith's Kentucky Wildcats came oh, so close to buying the farm against 15th seeded Holy Cross Crusaders.
Reminds me of South Carolina/Coppin State a few years back. Whether or not you are a huge college basketball fan, that's the kind of stuff you gotta love. That's what makes it so unique.
I'm sure office pools all over the place are already getting heated and brackets are becoming unrecognizable. And you know what, it's going to get a lot worse, too.
But alas, I'm a little sad. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I won't be involved in the bracketology. There's no office pool for the Dark Side this year.
It seems no one here at my daily grind was interested in getting together a friendly contest.
Or if they were, they weren't interested in asking me to take part. I guess I shouldn't whine, though, because you know what they say, if you want to get something started, you have to do it yourself.
Or something like that.
Well since the tournament has already started, I guess I can't make any prognostications in print. Well, maybe just one. Since they haven't played at the time I'm writing this, I'll go here.
Yes, you guessed it. It's only one, but it's the big one.
And personally, I wish it were one that I didn't have to make, but I'd be a fool not to.
It's the one everyone is making. And for good reason. (Sigh,) the 800 pound gorilla, er, the Duke Blue Devils are going to win it all again this year. They just have way, way too many weapons. And imagine how bad they would be if their starting center wasn't injured. One of the Blue Devil guards is injured as well.
It's kinda sickening that they are that good, really.
Especially to all of you staunch SEC faithful around the area.
Speaking of the SEC, I have to say, they landed a couple of big blows in NIT action Wednesday night.
But enough about college hoops, how about a little pro?
I know it's a tad early to be talking NBA, since the playoffs don't begin for another five weeks, but I simply have to respond to the Michael Jordan/Charles Barkley comeback talk.
It's all garbage or at least it better be.
Since Charles is the easiest of the two targets, I'll start with him. Now, I like Sir Charles, don't get me wrong, but he is CERTAINLY well past his prime, and the man is 30 pounds overweight.
I mean, my goodness, has anyone seen the man on his TNT show lately?
I won't say he's fat, but at Chuck's current pace, if he ever leaves Turner Sports and decides to substitute teach, he may have a problem. If he turns around to face the class, he'll erase the chalkboard.
Now, Jordan on the other hand, is a tad more intriguing. Yes, I wouldn't be too surprised if he came back just to show everyone he could do what Mario Lemeiux has done this year.
As I leave you, I'll ask you a couple of questions and hope for a lot of responses.
Do you think his Royal Airness could come back next season and actually be great again, or at least get it done?
Here's another one I'd love to get a lot of area responses on.
The Vancouver Grizzlies appear to be poised to move to New Orleans.
It's no secret that this area harbors plenty of Saints fans. But if the Grizzlies do wind up coming to the Crescent City, how many folks in this area will make the 195-mile, three-hour trek down I-59 to see them play?
Well obviously you wouldn't be going just to see them. I mean come on, they are the Grizzlies, after all.
But maybe to go and catch the big-name teams.
And, hey, who knows, maybe Meridianites and others in the surrounding area will be making the drive to see … Jordan.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.