Tipping Off a Great Sports Week--Get the Remote Ready!

Monday Morning Morsels and Ponderings:

*Duke's Coach K will attempt to win his 5th National Championship against those gritty, Wisconsin Badgers. Bo Ryan's boys were clutch against Kentucky down the stretch, now can they knock down mighty Duke? My bracket had the Dukies knocking off Notre Dame in the finals, thus I foresee the national championship trophy headed back to Raleigh North Carolina!

*Anyone surprised at how poorly Kentucky shot the ball from the mid-range? How about the poor spacing in Coach Calipari's offense? As a former hoop coach who "hates" to criticize any officiating crew, was I the only one wondering if that was indeed the best college referees in the land?

*I love to razz the San Francisco Giants and their wonderful fan base whenever possible--however, what in the world have the Chicago Cubs done to host the inaugural game of the 2015 baseball season? Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals were stellar, in a 3-0 win, but I have to ask--shouldn't that game have been played in Pandaless AT&T park?  (Harvey's in South Lake Tahoe listed the over/under wager line at 83 1/2 for the defending champs by the way.)

*A's fans missing Cespy yet? The A's outfield won't start the season with much swag-or power. Surprise, surprise, the Green and Gold can pitch, but will they score? Oakland faithful hoping for a season full of 3-2 wins! (Psst, hey Athleticos fans, any of you disappointed Lester lost again? I didn't think so. Lester appeared almost as happy in the Windy City as he did in the East Bay!)

*Could this be the year the Mariners and Padres reach the fall classic? Fans east Spokane drooling over that possibility. The Padres appear all in....however, I will keep it in the red, and take the Cardinals over the Angels. In recent years, has there been a more wide open MLB?

*How's the short game? As I tend to pull for the Northern California guys, how about a Master's victory for the ball-striker from just down the road-that would be Stockton's Ricky Fowler? Can you imagine the number of flat bills and orange polos (Giants fans are happily approving this notion) across golf links everywhere if Ricky dons the green jacket? (Green and orange, Miami U style!)

A toast to: Frank Kaminsky and his Badgers. Tied at 60 with just over 2 minutes to go, and the team with the ugliest jerseys in the land shut down the undefeated Wildcats. Well done Wisconsin!

                                        Sonny Gray on the bump in Oakland tonight vs Texas.
                                        Can he lead the A's back to the postseason? Is Sonny
                                        a Cy Young candidate?

We're Back for Final Four Saturday!

The Final Four

Prediction: Monday Night will be epic!

In the first semi-final, Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans are becoming a regular player in the Big Dance, and this year is no exception. The run ends on Saturday as Duke and 6-11 Jahill Okafor will own the paint, and overcome the always-good-on-the-boards guys in green. Duke was surprised by Notre Dame in the ACC final, the Dukies won't be surprised again in 2015!

The undefeated Kentucky Wildcats then take on Wisconsin, in a rematch of last year's 2014 semifinal. There seems to be a lot of steam behind the Badger's and 7-0 Frank Kaminsky, derailing the 38-0 Wildcats. There have been a lot of comparisons to Wisconsin and Notre Dame, and the Irish's near upset of Kentucky last Saturday in Cleveland seems to have a lot of folks believing in the Badgers. I have a different take--the Wildcats and Coach Calipari had a week to retool after last Saturday. Freshman forward Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points vs ND) and his superstar laden teammates Kentucky will cover the 5-point spread, and have the Wildcat nation dreaming about title number 9 and a magical 40-0 season. (Hint, don't bet on it!!)

Movie(s) to watch this weekend:  If you have not yet seen ESPN's 30-30 "I Hate Christian Laettner, the documentary is an absolute must see! If you are feeling the need for back-to-back films, take in the older "Fab 5" 30-30. The two productions share a tremendous amount of insights on college basketball, race, culture, and fandom in America. Jalen Rose perhaps the best soundbite of all time!

I Raise My Glass and Toast...

*Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey. Brey's team was spectacular the last couple of weeks, and had they cashed in some free throws in the second half, they may be playing this weekend. During the tournament, Coach's mother passed away, however I feel her eyes were smiling on her son last week. Peace to you Coach Brey, and thanks to you and your team for such a joyous run! By the way, those jerseys were funkadelic, but nothing finer than when the Irish sport the green and gold! (I experienced a serious brain freeze earlier....the Irish Coach is Mike BREY!)

**Speaking of green and gold, Sacramento State tasted their first real taste of success in Division I, winning 21 games and earning a spot in the College Insider.com Tournament. Head Coach Brian Katz, a Sacramento native and long-time personal acquaintance of mine, well let's just say I look forward to the Hornets playing in the Big Dance in the not-too-distant future! Sac State has our own Coach K!!

(Update: Coach Katz won the Hugh Durham Award! Article in the April 4 Sacramento Bee.)

***A former high school coach of mine Del Enos was recently acknowledged by the Sacramento Kings for his 30 years of service as a statistician. Previously,  Mr. E toiled for many years as a football, basketball, and athletic director, at my alma matter, knucklehead-laden Rio Vista High School. I wish I was there Coach E, I would have given you a deserved standing ovation!

I love this picture of Coach Brey with his guys....so close to the Final Four!