Bye Bye Bode

2 things: First, I think you know, if you read the blog on regularly, that the whole goal is to promote discussion, and I think that's been done, whether you agree or disagree with my take on things because that's all it is, my take. And second, I promise not to talk about figure skating for 4 years.

I'll say one more thing about the Olympics and that will be all (I think). The Nike ad campaign featuring Bode Miller was titled, "Join Bode". Well, I can only assume it meant join Bode at the bar because that's where he did his best work these last two weeks. After another late night out, he missed a gate in the early stage of his 1st slalom run today, ending his pathetic Olympic effort. You could almost see it coming, there was no intensity or fire when he came out of the start gate. When asked about his disappointing Olympics, Miller said something to the effect that these two weeks were what the Olympics were all about, the partying and the socializing and he enjoyed partying like a rock star. Basically, he really didn't care how he did, which is disappointing. There has to be someone sitting at home who missed the Olympic team by one spot saying to himself, "If I got a chance, I would make the most of it, not take it for granted like he did." I hope I never hear about Bode Miller again. He's become as relevant as Britney Spears is to me.

Now for the hoops review:

• Miami got off to a hot start at Kent, starting the game with a 17-3 run. But Kent was even hotter in the 2nd half, going 7/12 from the 3 point line to win 70-63. This pretty much assures Kent the regular season MAC title and the #1 seed in the conference tourney. Miami is in a dogfight with Akron for the #3 seed, with Akron holding the edge by a game. If they were to finish tied (which could happen as Akron still must play Kent again), the tiebreaker would go to Miami.
• What has happened to Syracuses's Gerry McNamara??? He was dynamite his freshman year with Carmelo and the team that won the 2003 NCAA title, but it seems as if he's been in a shooting slump ever since. He doesn't get much help from his supporting cast, who don't do enough to take the pressure off GMac. Today, it was #2 man Terence Roberts who didn't come to play (2 points, fouled out in just 18 minutes).
• How about Arkansas?!?!?! Another great comeback win today at Tennessee. The Vols were up 13 with 8 minutes to go, but it didn't matter. Ronnie Brewer only scored 9 points, but he dished 9 assists, most coming during the comeback. Congrats to Stan Heath and his team, they're playing their way into the Dance. 2 things concern me about Tennessee: team defense and rebounding. They'll create turnovers, but they have a hard time playing defense for more than 15 seconds. And to close out games, you need to rebound, and they struggle sometimes doing that. They got outrebounded by 21 today!!!!
• If Ohio State can win the Big 10 regular season title outright, they will be a 2 seed, unless they lose in the quarterfinals of the conference tourney. They didn't shoot the 3 ball well today, which is usually their bread and butter, but they really concentrated defensively against a Michigan team that scored 85 on them in their first meeting. They managed just 54 today.
• Southern Illinois got their must-win, though it was far from pretty, winning 46-45, yuck. Neither team can be considered a lock. Yup, that includes you Northern Iowa after losing two straight. Failing to break 50 in back-to-back games isn't helping your cause. Ben Jacobson needs to be taking more than 9 shots a game for UNI, he's too good of a player to only take that many.
• While Arkansas is playing their way in, Seton Hall is playing their way out, losing at DePaul today. The Hall has lost 4 of 6, including losses at St. John's and DePaul now, two teams that aren't very good. Unfortunately, coach Louis Orr is now back on the hot seat.
• LSU is now starting to win these close games, holding onto beat Kentucky in Baton Rouge. Glenn Davis isn't just a load, he's a wide load with great hands and an ability to finish. 28 points and 15 boards for the big fella today. And why did UK not get the ball to Randolph Morris at the end of the game when they had a chance to tie it??? Granted, Sheray Thomas had a nice game off the bench, but do you want a proven starter taking the last shot, or an inconsistent bench player? Kentucky's not home free yet for an NCAA bid, not with games at Tennessee and vs. Florida left.
• North Carolina St. totally gave away their game with Boston College today. They had 3 chances to win the game at the end of regulation and the 1st overtime and a chance to tie it up at the end of the 2nd overtime. Each time coach Herb Sendek called a timeout, and each time they didn't score, and each time they didn't even get a quality look at the basket. Painful to watch.
• Iowa is an enigma. How can you play so differently away from home??? At Iowa, Illinois only scored 48 in their first meeting. Illinois had 48 with about 13 minutes to go tonight. Difference in the game: Iowa only had 7 assists on their 21 field goals; Illinois had 16 assists on their 23 field goals.
• Game I'm glad I wasn't at: Stanford 39, Washington St. 37.
• Texas proved without a doubt they're the best team in the Big 12, and that Kansas is a year away. The Texas zone made Kansas tentative on offense, forcing them to overpass, which also took leading scorer Brandon Rush out of the game. LaMarcus Aldridge for UT got off early, and AJ Abrams and Daniel Gibson rediscovered their respective outside shots. Julian Wright for Kansas, wow. He can shoot and he can put it on the floor and stay under control, rare qualities for a 6'9" freshman. Kansas shoots it better than I thought, but they need to stay aggressive on offense.
• Tomorrow has some interesting games as well: Michigan St. at Indiana (must win for IU, this is their season), Villanova at UConn (the rematch, winner is probably assured of a #1 seed), Maryland at North Carolina (must win for the Turtles), and California at Washington (Cal could use a win to cement their NCAA status)

And unfortunately, I'm going to end with bad news again. Don Knotts is dead at the age of 81. My first memories of Knotts go back to the old Scooby-Doo hour long mysteries when they had special guests which included: Knotts, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Milton Berle among others. Knotts is more famous for his role as Barney Fife on the old Andy Griffith show back in the 60s and 70s. It's probably my dad's favorite show and it is very funny.