By Tim Clark / / College Sports, Column, Tim's Two Cents
Two

No, there is no groundhog to tell us there is six more weeks until March Madness, but fortunately my calendar knows. With six weeks until March, this is the time of year that through the falling snowflakes of winter when you can start to get a sniff. Madness is near.

It seems like the perfect time to check in on the sport that has gives us great games on a nightly basis. The next check in will be to discuss who we think is in, who is out, and who is squarely on the bubble. For now let’s do a little mid winter evaluation of the college basketball landscape.

SEC

The SEC is the best conference in college basketball, and it is not remotely close. No, this isn’t like football where the SEC gets an automatic boost from the media. This is for real. The SEC earned the title during November and December when they simply dominated the field.

Thirteen of the sixteen teams in the SEC are in the top 50 of KenPom. You can make a not so difficult argument that all 13 of those teams should make the tournament. Out of conference, the SEC went 185-23, arguably one of the best performances by any conference in history.

Now the teams in the SEC get to beat up on each other. History tells us that sometimes that takes its toll on teams come March. Or will we see another version of 1985 when three Big East teams made the Final Four. Barring a collapse by one or more of these teams, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama will all be 1 or 2 seeds. Upwards of 14 teams could be dancing come March.

Studs
  • Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee

These four teams all have a great chance to get to the Alamodome in April. Auburn is the most likely to run the table. Bruce Pearl’s squad is dynamic on both ends of the floor. The ankle injury to Johni Broome is a bit concerning. There is no definitive word on when he will return. The other three teams are very similar and only a half step behind Auburn.

Blooming Buds
  • Mississippi, Mississippi St, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas

This is where it gets tricky. Some of these teams will end up with double digit losses. Will the committee still take a twelfth place team with 11, 12, or 13 losses? The Mississippi teams are Sweet Sixteen or better teams, along with Kentucky and a healthy Texas A&M. I am still not totally sold on Missouri, Vandy, Georgia, and Oklahoma but all have really good quad one wins. Texas will need some big wins over the last month and a half or the Longhorns will be on the outside looking in. A new coach could be in their future.

Duds
  • Arkansas

It is starting to look like John Calipari’s best years are behind him. The best thing to happen to Kentucky was Calipari moving on. He is now at Arkansas lowering expectations. His team will need a big month and a half to get to the right side of the bubble. The talent appears to be there, but is the coaching.

Say What?

Calipari is in midseason form with his gobbledygook press conferences.

 

Big 12

This isn’t vintage Big 12 this year, but there are still some really good teams in the conference. I think we are really looking at just seven teams this year. Right now all of those seven would be top half of the tournament seeds. The addition of Arizona adds another elite team to the mix.

Studs
  • Iowa State, Kansas, Houston

Bill Self is a legend, Kelvin Sampson has a long history of winning, but Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger may be the best coach in the conference. The Cyclones have proven they can play with anybody. They took Auburn to the wire and have been beating teams handily most of the season.

Kansas has a roster I still love, however the Jayhawks have not completely hit stride yet this year. I trust Bill Self to figure it out. He has yet to get AJ Storr fully implemented in the lineup. If he plays to his potential, then look out.

Houston struggles to score too often, and that is why I have doubts about the Cougars come March. On the flip side, Houston plays as good on defense as any team in the country. They are physical and intimidating.

Blooming Buds
  • Arizona, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Baylor

Arizona and Texas Tech have the ability to rise to the stud level by year’s end. They are both really close right now. Baylor isn’t bad enough to be a dud, but the Bears have not lived up to billing to date. West Virginia, on the other hand, has left the circus of Bob Huggins in the past. The Mountaineers are moving forward with the steady hand of Darian Devries at the helm. It helps he brought his sharpshooting son, Tucker, with him. WVU announced the seriousness of their intentions by beating Iowa State this past weekend.

Duds
  • TCU, Arizona State

I would suggest Jamie Dixon(TCU) and Bobby Hurley(ASU) are close to wearing out their welcome at their respective schools. Both peaked years ago and have been in steady decline.

Say What?

Everybody has moments, but Bill Self has fewer than most. Here he is nothing but complimentary of Iowa State after their loss last week.

 

Big Ten

As is the case most years, this will be a topsy turvy league all season long. Winning home games won’t be a guarantee, but road wins will be big. I’m not sure there are any great teams in this league, which could lead to another disappointing tournament performance across the board. Parity rules the day, as ten teams in the middle are all capable of winning big games. A new twist this year, with 18 teams in the league, is that the bottom four teams will not be invited to the conference tournament.

Studs
  • Michigan State

The Spartans are not only studs, but surprising studs at that. Just when I start shoveling dirt on Tom Izzo, he has a team that looks capable of beating anybody. The Spartans play typical Izzo hard nosed basketball, but are more offensively capable than a lot of Izzo’s recent teams. The Spartans are 10 deep in their rotation. Plus, they have one of the best names leading them in Frankie Fidler.

Blooming Buds
  • Purdue, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon, Wisconsin, Maryland

All of these teams have had spurts where they look good, very good. However, consistency has eluded all of these teams, particularly Maryland. This group is fairly close to being locks for the tournament.

Duds
  • Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Penn State, Indiana

Rutgers recruited two absolute studs who have played like stars. Yet, the Scarlet Knights are 9-8. In my opinion, head coach Steve Pickiell is better getting the most out of lesser talent. USC and UCLA are finding that traveling cross country constantly isn’t going to be easy. In USC’s case, Eric Musselman is still trying to mesh together an entirely new roster. Penn State was in prime position but lost 4 straight before beating Rutgers last night in a must win. Indiana looks elite one game and like a dumpster fire the next. Mike Woodson was jeered all day long in the Illinois debacle at home last week.

Say What?

Mick Cronin is pulling no punches on the stupidity, yet inevitability of the Big Ten schedule. This was the second time last week that Cronin addressed the situation. This one was classic Cronin.

 

Big East

The Big East probably feels out of place in today’s world of mega conferences. With a meager 11 teams, the Big East is not super deep this year. As a matter of fact, the conference could receive as few as four bids to the tournament. DePaul finally won a Big East game and Chris Holtmann has the Blue Demons playing better. Butler and Providence are down this year and Seton Hall is awful. That leaves 7 viable teams.

Studs
  • Marquette

Shaka Smart is one of the best coaches in America. He was a square peg in a round hole at Texas, but at Marquette he is getting the players and his system plays to their strengths. Kam Jones is one of the best players in the country. Marquette has proven they can compete with anyone. They also have lapses that could cost them come March. Still, as of this writing Marquette is the class of the Big East.

Blooming Buds
  • St. John’s, Creighton, UConn

I am still riding my St. John’s to the Final Four pick. I really like Rick Pitino’s team and I know they are being coached well. They have toughness and just enough playmaking ability to make a run. Richmond and Louis can be dynamic at times. Creighton had some wobbles early on, but seem to be hitting the stride that made me think they could contend for first place. The win at UConn was a big boost. UConn isn’t as good as they were in their back to back championship years. Having said that, why would you ever doubt the evil genius of Danny Hurley?

Not Duds but still could land with a Thud
  • Villanova, Xavier, Georgetown

The computers don’t love any of these teams. Xavier upset Marquette at their place over the weekend. Let’s see if that feather in their cap leads to a positive burst. Villanova has some really bad losses, and a win against UConn doesn’t offset those. The Cats will need to pocket quite a few wins down the stretch to have tourney hopes, and possibly to save Kyle Neptune’s job. Easy Ed Cooley is reviving a moribund Georgetown program. Last night the Hoyas scored 11 straight to come back and beat Villanova in Philly. That may have been the death knell for ‘Nova and a boost for Georgetown.

Say What?

Rick Pitino is a lot of things, I realize. One of those things is that he is great for student athletes because he gets it. This is a great minute on the importance of soaking in the moments.

 

ACC

Kramer: The ACC the worst basketball power conference in the country?

Jerry: Say it ain’t so.

Kramer:Oh, it be so, buddy.

It is Duke and all the rest this year. And all the rest are way behind. The team taking the most advantage out of this current down cycle? How about the Louisville Cardinals under first year coach Pat Kelsey. The Cards are clearly the second best team in the league. Duke has a number one ranking in KenPom, but you have to drop to 26 to find the next ACC team, Clemson. Louisville is 29. Meanwhile seven ACC teams are under 100 in KenPom. How the mighty have fallen.

Studs
  • Duke

Duke is a very good basketball team. I hate Duke. Cooper Flag is a fantastic freshman, and probably the best player in college basketball. I hate Cooper Flag. And that is just how the Blue Devils and Flag want it. Nobody wears the black villain hat as well as Duke. Will playing cupcakes for two months hurt the Dookies come March?

Blooming Buds
  • Louisville, Clemson

Pat Kelsey’s energy is contagious. Even with two key injuries early in the season, Kelsey has the Cards playing lights out. They play tenacious defense, hustle after every loose ball, and have different players step up offensively each game. Plus, Kelsey is quickly gaining the reputation as the best out of bounds/after time out coach in the game. The “Reviville” is real in Louisville. Clemson’s only conference blemish is to Louisville. The Tigers are grinders and that tends to play well in March. They have a veteran presence and good cohesion. They aren’t going away.

Start blossoming now or…Duds
  • North Carolina, Wake Forest, Florida State, SMU, Pitt

Hubert Davis better start sweating in Chapel Hill. The every other year approach won’t cut it at Carolina. He has too much talent on this team to be floundering. Wake Forest just seems like they should be good this year. They only have four losses, but the computer numbers don’t favor them. Time for Steve Forbes to put up or shut up. Florida State and SMU are good enough to keep an eye on, but not good enough to get truly excited about. Pitt suddenly hit the skids. I honestly think this is a tournament team, but Jeff Capel’s bunch better halt the skid pronto.

Say What?

In the grass isn’t always greener section, Micah Shrewsberry is bottoming out in year two at Notre Dame. He got tossed at Syracuse Saturday after his team blew a 17 point lead. He appears to have lost it, and with his own kid on the team it’s a very bad look.

 

In more uplifting news, Louisville coach Pat Kelsey saw a car full of Louisville fans while driving down the road. His reaction…

 

L’s up, baby.

What about the rest?

Studs
  • Gonzaga, St. Mary’s

Oh surprise, surprise. These two teams have become a yearly fixture in this spot. Those teams playing out of the spotlight for the two months leading up to March that nobody wants to play. I have nothing new to add. Mark Few has Gonzaga playing an uptempo style that can compete with most any other team. Randy Bennet has the Gaels playing a steady, balanced style that usually needs a little more oomph come March.

Blooming Buds
  • Memphis, San Diego St, Utah St, New Mexico, Boise State, UC Irvine

Penny Hardaway is more comfortable as a coach these days, and he has the talent to make people very uncomfortable come March. The four Mountain West teams are almost interchangeable. Young Richie Pitino has New Mexico playing the best right now, but all four could inch their way to the right side of the bubble come March. UC Irvine plays games late at night so nobody east of the Mississippi ever sees them. But 17-2 is 17-2.

It has been a fantastic first two and a half months for college hoops. Most nights give us at least one really good game. Sure there are negatives. The officials are too inconsistent from one half to the next. The last two minutes don’t need a stoppage for every out of bounds call to add two tenths of a second back on to the clock. Otherwise, we have been treated to some great basketball so far. Watching college games is so much more enjoyable than the crap the NBA is producing these days.

The hoops groundhog says six more weeks of great basketball before…

Buckle up, hoops fanatics. It won’t be long.

Two Cent Takes

NFL Playoffs

~I feel bad for Lions fans. This was the team. This was the year. Then 18 defensive injuries and the Lions were playing with three practice squad players in a playoff game. The other thing is that Jared Goff may not be good enough to get you to the finish line, and if he isn’t then what?

~Jayden Daniels is “that”guy. As a rookie. On an average team. Daniels has his team in the NFC Championship and nobody would be shocked to see the Commanders advance. The happiest player on the team has to be Terry McLaurin who always had star ability but nobody to get him the ball.

~The Rams have the best coach in the NFL in Sean McVay. McVay almost got the big upset in snowy Philadelphia. In the end, a rookie offensive lineman whiffed twice forcing a sack and a bad throw by Matthew Stafford. Otherwise, I think the Rams were going to score. Puka Nakia and Cooper Kupp are not elite athletes, yet they are always open. If Stafford has anything left, this could be a Super Bowl contender next year.

~Has any team reached the Super Bowl and still fired their head coach? Philadelphia feels like that kind of team. The Eagles are clearly Super Bowl caliber in talent, despite a bozo for a head coach. Jalen Hurts doesn’t seem quite right, but Saquon Barkley more than makes up for it.

~Houston played better in the playoffs than they did all year. CJ Stroud still needs a couple more wide receivers. Injuries killed them at that position this year.

~The Chiefs actually do get every call. Patrick Mahomes is now getting the Tom Brady treatment, which is don’t even breathe on him. To his credit, Mahomes works it for everything it’s worth. As for the rest of the team, eh. The game against Houston came down to an old song and dance. Mahomes and Kelce. Kelce and Mahomes.

~Taxes, the sun rising, and Lamar Jackson playing lousy in the playoffs. What are three things we can always count on. This year’s Jeopardy board included one thing we didn’t see coming. What is Mark Andrews getting a case of the drops. Baltimore used its powerful run game behind Derrick Henry to storm back with a chance to tie. But Andrews dropped an easy pass on the two point conversion. Lamar was pedestrian again in the playoffs, including two turnovers. I, for one, am not surprised.

~Buffalo may not have the big names on offense, but it is Josh Allen’s best supporting cast. Allen doesn’t need a lot. He is close to falling into the wear a Superman cape status. The Bills defense is inconsistent. They looked great early, and were hanging by a thread late. Never doubt the Von Miller effect. First the Broncos, then the Rams, now the Bills?

~Games in the snow are so much fun for fans, especially on TV. However, you don’t get the best football and sometimes it effects the outcome.

~The ridiculous Mahomes nonsense aside, referees just simply miss too many calls. It is time for replay to be able to do quick fixes on some of these plays.

NHL

~Good for Connor McDavid for taking matters into his own hands on this play.

 

No call was made, and on a star player to boot. Typical NHL nonsense.

College Football

~Around 9:30 last night, I started getting texts from my “elite” prognosticator pal. He wanted to make sure I recognize his greatness in picking Ohio State in the preseason column. This makes 4 of the past 6 years he has picked the correct national champion. So, here is his shout out.

Oh great, the swag is back. Anyway, WE picked the champion. He says I am responsible for picking USC to make the playoffs. Okay, that’s probably true but whatever…

~Ohio State jumped out to a 24 point lead and began to coast. Notre Dame refused to quit, and we ended up with a decent game in the end. Marcus Freeman gets every ounce out of his team. That was not an ultra talented team, yet there they stood in the championship game. The Buckeyes were ultra talented and finally let it show during these playoffs.

~How many Ohio State fans still view this season as a failure because of the Michigan loss?

~Things to be fixed in college football: column coming soon.

The Weekly Shiny Penny

Well, I guess Ueck finally is in the front row.

One of the great personalities ever to grace baseball, Bob Uecker passed away at age 90. His self deprecating humor was second to none, and his role in the movie Major League was phenomenal. Hopefully he found Norm Macdonald when he got to Heaven so they could create more stories like this.

 

A Penny For My Final Thought…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are becoming nothing more than a Bob Nutting grift.

The team had their annual Piratesfest program this past weekend. Fans can come for fun and games, meet some players, and participate in a Q&A with management. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with a team doing one of these events. Most teams have some type of event like this.

The Pirates are a different animal. Nutting is one of the most hated sports figures I can remember in Pittsburgh. The owner is notoriously cheap and gives every indication he could care less about winning. Everything he does is on the cheap. This offseason more “Sell the Team” billboards have been put up than players have been signed. Way more than any legitimate signings.

So Piratesfest should have been a time for fans to show their utter disgust and disinterest in participating in the sham the Pirates have become. But then we wouldn’t have had anyone to report on the utter sh*tshow this thing was.

  • The Pirates sold outdated soda at the event.

 

  • They misspelled the name of one of the best players to ever wear a Pirates uniform.

 

  • When chants of sell the team began, Pirates shill Greg Brown reprimanded the fans. Brown has to sell his dignity to kiss the butt of Nutting in order to keep his job.

 

Bob Nutting’s avoided the Q&A sessions, while leaving team president Travis Williams, GM Ben Cherington, and manager Derek Shelton to lie to the fans about how they are going to make the moves to finally build a contender.

Again, what a sham. A complete embarrassment, but what is new?

Here are the most recent moves the Pirates made this offseason.

 

Anthony Santander was signed yesterday by the Toronto Blue Jays for 5 years and 90 million dollars. 18 million per year for a power hitting outfielder you desperately need doesn’t seem like a lot for a team with a next to nothing payroll. But the Pirates wouldn’t have seen Santander because they shop at the dumpster behind the Dollar Tree.

So while the Pirates continue to stand pat with their 90 loss team —despite having Paul Skenes lead a promising pitching staff— the owner rolled out the red carpet for fans.

Stale soda, misspelled star players name, and lies, lies, and more lies with chants of “sell the team” in the background. It was the Pirates at their embarrassing best. It was Bottom Line Bob at his cheap best.

Too bad people actually showed up. Too bad people will show up at PNC Park in April. Nutting won’t get the hint from billboards or chants. He may get the message from an empty ballpark and complete disinterest from his hometown fans.

Just my two cents…