Ramblings and Wrecks.
J. Panetta
March 12 2008

Well we are half way through storm the court week, which is also known as "Championship Week" in NCAA Men's Basketball and bubbles team are holding their breath.

Teams like Florida, Syracuse, Ohio State and others are all collectively watching the smaller conference championships in hopes that the top team takes the title in each conference. The reason is if the top team like Memphis looses it conference tournament to Southern Miss., both teams would end up in the big dance and knock one of those bubble teams out.

Many people complain about the automatic bid to the conference winners but I like it. It adds some excitement to what would be boring. Look if you weren't going to the tournament then what would it matter if you won your conference tournament. In my view if you are a bubble team worrying about getting in, they you should have played better, scheduled tougher teams and won more games.

Look at the Florida Gators for an example. For the two time defending champions, out of their first 20 games this season, at least 15 of them could have been considered patsies that hurt their overall RPI and strength of schedule. When you add to that the disappointing SEC results that they achieved, it is no wonder why they are a bubble team this year.

If they had scheduled tougher, played better and won more then they wouldn't need to be hoping and praying on other teams. This how ever is where the conference tournament comes in. Even though the Gators had a tougher than normal year, if they get on a run and win the conference then they are in. We all know what happens once you get in, don't we?

Another argument for bubble teams is that they won 20 games this season. When did that become a factor? As I stated read above. The Gators first 20 games in the schedule they had 15 gimmie games. Look when you schedule Flagler, Lynn, North Dakota State, Stetson and other no matter schools then you should win at least 30 games to be considered in the dance. Give me a break on that one will you.

The Yankees are kicking spring training into high gear with their little brawl and war of words with Tampa Bay. Over the past week we have seen pile ups at the plate, hit batters, high cleat slides, player ejections and a brawl. Heck the season hasn't even started. Imagine these two teams are in the same division and will play multiple times this season. You can only wonder what will take place once the regular season is under way.

Also in Yankee news is the little ditty that comedian/actor Billy Crystal will suit up and play a game for his beloved Yankees. Of course we have had all of the purist and geeks shouting out with there it makes a mockery of the game speech.

Look all of you writers, geeks and other who believe this really need to get a life. I mean come on, it is Spring training and it hurts nothing. If anything it ads a little fun to the game.

It has been reported that MMA champion Anderson Sylva would like to box Roy Jones Jr.
Is this something that should happen? Would it have a good pay-per-view buy in? Will it happen? Well here is what I think. Maybe, probably and NOT. Look other than money what does Roy Jones have to gain by this? Nothing. He would probably school Sylva but what if Sylva got lucky, what the Jones reputation be then? Boxing is bad enough now, imagine if Jones was knocked out or down by Sylva.

The MMA would finally, truely be able to say that they have taken over boxing.

Golf swing coach and guru Butch Harmon fire often troubled John Daly this week after his act ran dry at the PODS Championship in Tampa, FL. That's right, normally the golfer fires the coach but not this time. Harmon stated that all Daly wants to do is get drunk and also said that Daly using Tampa Bay football coach John Gruden as a caddy was a joke.

I agree, all that Daly seems to want to do is throw both his career and life away. I how ever thought that is was fresh to use Gruden as a caddy. Lighten golfers, you are too stuck up anyway.

The was a great article today in The USA Today about golfers having now to take drug test. They were of course crying about it, thinking that they are above it. Look if a any other athlete has to take a drug test; what makes you think that your country club but shouldn't have too.

You golfers amaze me with your holier than now attitudes. To be honest I don't know why people watch golf on television any how. With the exception of a John Daly blow up or Tiger Woods being on, watching golf is like watching a mud puddle dry up.

Happy Trails to NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett who will park his ride and retire after this weekend's Food City 500 in Bristol. Jarrett who has 43 career victories, 3 Daytona 500 wins and the 1999 Cup Championship to his credit will go to work for ESPN/ABC. Jarrett has had a great career even though the past few seasons have not been up to DJ standard. He will be misses on the track but will still be around the track.

 

Have a great weekend.


You can send your comments to Joel Panetta by email at joel@thesportsblitz.com