If at First You Don't Succeed

John Calipari has taken three different schools to four Final Fours. The last three were filled to the brim with bitter disappointment. Last night, Coach Cal's cup ran over with champagne.

UK fans celebrate back in Lexington. 1

FUTILITY

In 1996, Calipari led the UMass Minutemen to the Final Four (though the achievement would be vacated from the record due to NCAA violations). They would lose in the National Semifinal game to the eventual National Champion Kentucky Wildcats, coached by his one-time mentor-turned-nemesis Rick Pitino.

Cal would lead the Memphis Tigers to the National Championship Game in 2008 (a run that would also be vacated from the record due to NCAA violations), but, leading Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks by three in the final seconds, his Tigers would go 0 for 4 from the free throw line. Mario Chalmers of Kansas would make a clutch three point shot at the end of regulation and KU would win in overtime.

In 2011, Kentucky was a heavy favorite but fell to red hot Connecticut and Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun. UConn would go on to win the National Championship. Again, Calipari's team was nothing more than a footnote in another team's championship run.

For all of Derrick Rose's greatness in the NBA, his college career will forever be remembered for the free throw he missed. 2

"FAVORED" DOES NOT MEAN "EASY"

Kansas was not going to bow down and kiss the UK ring. Naismith Award winner Anthony Davis (6 pts., 16 reb., 5 asst., 6 blks., 3 steals) did not make a shot from the field until there were just over five minutes remaining in the game. Davis, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, went 0 for his first 8 shots from the field. He did not score until the second half.

Kansas made multiple runs to cut the Kentucky lead down to 10 points or less. The Jayhawks forced the high percentage shooting Wildcats to take more shots from the perimeter than they normally do. Kentucky found itself playing the clock milking game in the second half because of how thoroughly Kansas locked down the Kentucky post game.

In the end, it made no difference. While John Calipari stood in the shadow of the 2008 meltdown, the Wildcats never broke, in spite of a lot of bending. In spite of yet another masterful second half, come-from-behind coaching job by Kansas' Bill Self, Kentucky's superior talent, their physical skills, and the clock were too much for Kansas to overcome.

Thomas Robinson (18 pts., 17 reb.) made the contest a two possession game, cutting the lead down to five with two clutch free throws in the final two minutes. That was as close as the Jayhawks would come. Calipari finally claimed his long coveted and ever-evasive national championship.

Tyshawn Taylor (10) got gangsta slapped by Anthony Davis (23). 3

LEGACY


What will be remembered from last night's game will not be the details of the game. It will not be Tyshawn Taylor's questionable insistence on driving into the lane and challenging one of the greatest single-season shot blockers in NCAA history, Anthony Davis, to no avail. It will not be Kansas' lapses on defense, such as leaving Marquis Teague (14 pts., 3 asst.) of Kentucky wide open along the perimeter several times. It will not even be the furious late comeback that brought Kansas within striking distance.

What will be remembered is that John Calipari, one of the greatest college coaches of his time, validated his membership among the coaching elite with a championship. What will be remembered is how five starters, including three who will likely be in the NBA next year, played unselfish team basketball all season long and dominated almost every opponent who got in their way. The pristine excellence against a basketball blue blood opponent, culminated with a championship, not seen in several years will be the lasting impression of the 2012 National Championship Game.

Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats and Head Coach John Calipari on his first, ever national championship.

4

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1) Image from www.kentucky.com
2) Image from www.prosportsbloggers.com
3) Image from www.nj.com
4) Image from www.nydailynews.com

Happy Girls from Kentucky

I am guessing that it is a good day to be a Kentuckian.




1) Image from Getty Images via http://features.rr.com

Prelude to a Championship

The Final Four has begun. The three semifinal games are over. We are down to two teams vying for One Shining Moment. As promised last Thursday, the Hat Trick will preview the championship game.

The last time Kentucky cut down the nets was under Coach Tubby Smith in 1998. (Trophy presentation and One Shining Moment in the video from You Tube).

KENTUCKY

Kentucky’s path to the National Championship Game was an extremely straightforward one. The best players on any one team played exceptionally as a team, did not make mistakes, and stayed healthy. The Louisville Cardinals, UK’s bitter intrastate rival and opponent in Saturday’s first National Semifinal, threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Wildcats.

They forced a tie in the second half. They never make Kentucky sweat. Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino’s composed and accepting demeanor after the game signaled to me that Pitino knew he was playing with house money, made the most of it, but couldn’t beat the odds, which always favor the house.

Seeing Anthony Davis reject people in the lane is the epitome of ESPN's SportsCenter's Stuart Scott's trademark "GANGSTA SLAPPED!" exclamation. FEAR THE UNIBROW! 1

KANSAS

The Kansas Jayhawks faced a scare in their first Final Four matchup. Ohio State controlled the first three quarters of the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the second half. Alas, college basketball games are 40 minutes long and the team that leads during the game is irrelevant, just the team ahead after the second half buzzer. Kansas led for less than four minutes, but the bulk of that time was near, and included, the end of the game.


KENTUCKY WINS IF…

It shows up and plays its game to the best of its ability. Limit unnecessary turnovers. Take smart shots. Do not commit stupid fouls. In short, what they have done all year. The media has thrust Associated Press Player of the Year Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 BlkPG) into our living rooms almost constantly since the beginning of the tournament. However, Kentucky needs forward Terrence Jones (13 PPG, 7 RPG) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (12 PPG, 8 RPG) to play their “A” games to keep Kansas from threatening Kentucky’s very favorable chances of winning tonight.


KANSAS WINS IF…

The Kentucky players fill up on too much rich New Orleans food before the game and have stomach issues? I don’t know. It’s a L..O..N..G shot!

If the Jayhawks are aggressive about challenging Kentucky in the paint and can force Davis into some early foul trouble, Kansas could have a ray of hope. If Kansas can keep Kentucky out of the lane and force Kentucky into taking low percentage shots, the Jayhawks could have a second ray of hope. A few rays can begin to light a room.

If Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) can get the better of Davis and UK’s post defenders and get to the free throw line, Kansas has another ray of hope. If Kansas big man Jeff Withey (9 PPG, 6 RPG, 4 BlkPG) can challenge Davis, get physical with him, and foul Davis at strategic moments in the game, Kansas has yet another ray of hope. Most importantly (and possibly the ray of hope that Kansas is hopeless without) point guard Tyshawn Taylor (17 PPG, 5 APG, 4 TOPG) absolutely has to make good decisions with the basketball and be all but turnover free in key moments of the Jayhawks’ rays of hope will go “lights out”.

Good news: Taylor stole the ball from William Buford in the final seconds against Ohio State, appearing to slam the door on Kansas' opponent.
Bad news: Taylor turned the ball back over almost instantly, giving OSU one last gasp, which would be extinguished. That cannot happen tonight if KU has a shred of a chance. 2

FINAL ANALYSIS?

Kentucky is too good. Kansas has to be just short of perfect AND Kentucky needs to make mistakes of proportions they have not experienced all season. Lightning seldom strikes in the same place twice.

Advantage: Kentucky

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from http://sports.yahoo.com
2) Image from www.ctpost.com

If Only Virginia Were Still in the Big Dance

Then we might see more of (Virginia alum) Tina Fey!



Bummer.... 1

1) Image from www.bleacherreport.com

Must See Sports - Fifth Weekend of March 2012

Last two week's advantage/disadvantage record: 7-3
Must See Sports 2012 record: 41-28

This week, someone will cut down the nets in New Orleans to "One Shining Moment" and MLB is back!

Thursday, March 29


NBA

Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat

This rematch of the 2011 NBA Finals means more for the Mavericks than for the Heat, but expect it to be a contentious affair tonight. The Mavs are 2.5 games back of 3rd place in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for Dallas, the Heat have only lost twice at home all year and LeBron James (27 PPG, 8 RPG, 7 APG), who dislocated his finger on Monday, is going to play tonight, according to Associated Press reports. Miami is simply too good, especially at home.

Advantage: Heat


Saturday, March 31

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Final Four – National Semifinals

(4) Louisville Cardinals vs (1) Kentucky Wildcats

It has been like a civil war in Kentucky. Big brother Kentucky versus little brother Louisville. Former Kentucky Wildcats coach Rick Pitino versus longtime rival coach John Calipari. Louisville as David…Kentucky as Goliath. The winner plays for the National Championship.

I had the rare honor of being able to interview Coach Pitino in person back in January. In his own words, he said he didn’t think anyone could beat Kentucky, except possibly Syracuse. A part of me is rooting for him, but I am going to hold Coach Pitino to his word. And I agree with him. Kentucky looks bulletproof.

Advantage: Kentucky

Calipari, left, and Pitino, right, will "take it to the mattresses" on Saturday. Kentucky vs Louisville is all out war! 1

(2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (2) Kansas Jayhawks

This is a true clash of the titans. Ohio State has looked, at times, to have potential similar to that of Kentucky. However, they have been tripped up by some unexpected underdog opponents at unexpected times, suffering rare home losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin and an inexplicable loss to Illinois. They have already lost at Kansas once earlier this season.

The head to head matchup of two of college basketball’s best players, Ohio State’s Jared Sulinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) of Kansas, should offer viewers a one-on-one battle between two for the game’s most powerful inside players. Kansas has not lost a regular season game since February 4th. I think they have just a little more than the Buckeyes have.

Advantage: Kansas

Thomas Robinson of Kansas, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Peyton Siva of Louisville, and AP Player of the Year Anthony Davis of Kentucky 2

Sunday, April 1

NBA

Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder

The team with the best record in the East travels to play the best in the West. This could be a preview of the NBA Finals in June. This one is not a though one for me to pick. MVP candidate Kevin Durant (28 PPG, 8 RPG) has scored 25 or more points in four consecutive games while Derrick Rose (23 PPG, 8 APG) of the Bulls has missed eight straight games with a groin injury. The Bulls have played well in Rose’s absence, but they have not played the Thunder.

Advantage: Thunder

Derrick Rose, right, was quoted as saying Kevin Durant, left, is the front runner for the 2012 NBA MVP award. 3

Monday, April 2

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Final Four – National Championship Game

This game will be previewed after Saturday’s National Semifinal games.


Wednesday, April 4

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins

The Great American Pastime is back! The defending World Series champion St. Louis and Miami will debut the MLB season on American soil. Starting pitchers have not been officially announced yet. However I would be stunned if Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright (20-11, 2.42 ERA, 213 K in 2010), who missed all of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery, did not face off against Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.64 ERA, 56 K, 60.1 IP in 2011) of Miami, whose red hot start to last season was interrupted with a shoulder injury in May. The Marlins went down in flames after a good start and quickly fell out of the pennant race following Johnson’s injury.

Miami made a host of additions during the offseason, coinciding with their name change from the “Florida” Marlins, uniform change, and new stadium. The Fish added former Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA in 2011), 2011 National League batting champion Jose Reyes (.337, 7 HR, 44 RBI in 2011) from the New York Mets, and lights-out closer Heath Bell (3-4, 2.44 ERA, 43 SV in 2011) from the San Diego Padres in the offseason. By the way, they acquired former World Series champion manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox.

Miami is loaded. They are pumped. And they are at home to start the season.

Advantages – Game: Marlins, Series: Marlins

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The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from http://www.sbnation.com/
2) Image from http://www.247sports.com/
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Giving Kentucky Something to Cheer About

University of Kentucky Cheerleaders. Heading to New Orleans? 

Image from www.thesportsbank.net

Must See Sports - Fourth Weekend of March 2012, Part 2

Now that the Elite Eight participants are in, here is the rest of Must See Sports!

Satruday, March 24

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - Regional Finals

West Region - (4) Louisville Cardinals vs (7) Florida Gators

I don't know what to say about this one. The Florida Gators have consistently failed to rise to the occasion when facing a better ranked or seeded opponent. Thursday's game against third seeded Marquette was the first time my gut told me Florida was going to break through but my brain told me to look at their track record. I picked Marquette. I was wrong.

I have no idea who is going to win this game. Both teams have talent. Both teams look really good when they are good. Both teams can be inconsistent at the most inconvenient times. Both teams have risen to the test during March Madness. And the coaches of both teams, legendary Rick Pitino of Louisville and his protege Billy Donovan of Florida.

I think Louisville wins if they can penetrate Florida's defense can bottle up Florida guard Erving Walker (12 PPG, 5 APG). Florida wins if they can neutralize Louisville guard Peyton Siva (9 PPG, 6 APG, 2 StlPG) and keep the ball out of Kyle Kuric's (13 PPG, 4 RPG) hands inside the wing areas.

I would call this game a "push" were it not for the importance of the outcome. Therefore, I'm going to defer to the chalk.

Advantage: Louisville

Pitino (left) and Donovan (right): teacher and pupil 1

East Region - (1) Syracuse Orange vs (2) Ohio State Buckeyes

Four words: Game of the Week. This is the first of two #1 seed vs #2 seed matchups in the Elite Eight round. Syracuse has persevered in spite of losing Big East Defensive Players of the Year, Fab Melo (8 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 BlkPG), due to a university imposed academic-related suspension. In spite of some close calls, the consistent, clutch leadership of senior point guard Scoop Jardine (9 PPG, 5 APG) has helped pull the Orange through to this point.

Ohio State appeared to be on track to a #1 seed, if not the #1 seed in the entire tournament. However, late regular season hiccups derailed those prospects. Today is the day for senior guard Will Buford (15 PPG, 5 RPG), sophomore forward Jared Sullinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and the Buckeyes to prove that, in fact, they are among college basketball's elite.

The keys to victory are very simple in my opinion. This is about what Ohio State can or cannot do. Syracuse wins if they can neutralize Sullinger, a tough task without Melo anchoring the zone, and keep Buford from getting hot. The Orange have gotten by on talent differences thus far. But Ohio State is in the same class and Syracuse and I think that the consequences of Melo's absence will become evident tonight.

Advantage: Ohio State

Can OSU Coach Thad Motta break through to the Final Four and cut down the nets this year? 2

Sunday, March 25

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - Regional Finals

South Region - (1) Kentucky Wildcats vs (3) Baylor Bears

This has been a very exciting 12 months for Baylor University athletics. Between Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin, III, also known as "RG3", in football and the rise to the ranks of the elite in basketball, anchored by "PJ3", Perry Jones, III (14 PPG, 7 RPG), the Bears have had plenty to cheer about.

It ends today. Not to sounds like a broken record, but Kentucky looks invincible. The only hope to take the Wildcats out in the Big Dance vanished with the suspension of Syracuse's Fab Melo. Kentucky wins to day if it makes either few, as many, or slightly more minor mistakes than Baylor. Yes, I am suggesting that Kentucky is so much more talented that they can makes a few more mistakes than Baylor and win.

Baylor wins if they can get hot with their outside shooting, AND draw Kentucky's Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 APG, 5 BlkPG) into early foul trouble, AND force Kentucky into making critical turnovers...MAYBE Baylor will be withing striking distance in the final minutes. Ponder this: Indiana is the only school to beat Kentucky during the regular season. Indiana, in last night's regional semifinal, was the first team to put up 90 points against Kentucky all year. Indiana wasn't even close, losing by 12.

Advantage: Kentucky

Good luck, Baylor. 3

Midwest Region - (1) North Carolina Tar Heels vs (2) Kansas Jayhawks

Injuries can be the downfall of any great team. The Jayhawks had a legitimate claim at a #1 seed, but it went to Carolina instead. Since the left (non shooting) wrist injury to Tar Heels 6'4" point guard Kendall Marshall (8 PPG, 10 APG) and the narrow escape against 13th seeded Ohio University in last night's regional semifinal, the claim for superiority (at least on paper) has shifted to the Jayhawks.

Simply put, 6'0" freshman Stilman White (2 Pts., 6 Asst. vs Ohio) is an adequate plug-in for an "easy win" opponent like Ohio (in spite of Ohio's last second heave hitting the iron before the Tar Heels pulled ahead for good in overtime). He is no match for Kansas senior Tyshawn Taylor (17 PPG, 5 APG).

Kansas wins if Marshall does not play. Even if Marshall does play, I question how effective he can be with a surgically repaired left wrist, just a week after the break of that wrist. North Carolina wins if Marshall plays, is adequate in his execution, and senior forward Tyler Zeller (17 PPG, 9 RPG, 2 BlkPG) of UNC can body up and limit the post play of Naismith Award finalist Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG) of Kansas.

Advantage: Kansas

6'0", 160 lbs. Stilman White (1 PPG, 1 APG), left and 6'4", 195 lbs. Kendall Marshall, right. Yep...it's over Tar Heels fans! 4

Next week: The Final Four from New Orleans, Louisiana!

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image spliced from www.usatoday.com and http://topics.floridatoday.com.
2) Image from www.annarbor.com
3) Image from www.usatoday.com
4) Image spliced from http://rivals.yahoo.com and  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

March Madness Cheerleaders - South Dakota State University

SDSU was eliminated from he Big Dance. Their cheerleaders needed to let go of all of that disappointment...and their clothes, in exchange for bikinis. Now that's what I call a win-win! 1

1) Image from www.guyism.com



Must See Sports – Fourth Weekend of March 2012

Last week, we had to skip Must See because, on Thursday, I didn’t know WHO we must see. With no compelling First or Second Round action in the NCAA Tournament, no particularly compelling NBA action, and no knowledge of who would be in the Third Round, there was not much Must See to write about.

This weekend is a different story. The participants in the Elite Eight will be determined by Sweet Sixteen action tonight and tomorrow.

Get your popcorn ready!


Thursday, March 22

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Regional Semifinals

West Region – (1) Michigan State Spartans vs (4) Louisville Cardinals

Earlier today, I heard this matchup described on ESPN Radio as the “Paisan Bowl” – as in future Hall of Fame coaches Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Rick Pitino of Louisville, both Italian-Americans. In addition to the coaching matchup, I think the matchup of the stars, Draymond Green (16 PPG, 10 RPG) of MSU and point guard Peyton Siva (9 PPG, 6 APG, 2 StlPG) of Louisville, will decide this one.

Both teams are capable. However, the Spartans have been hot and consistent. The Cardinals have had a number of badly timed hiccups this season. I like Michigan State.

Advantage: Michigan State


West Region – (3) Marquette Golden Eagles vs (7) Florida Gators

Regular readers are probably thinking, “Oh boy. He’s going to pick on Florida again!” Florida has improved and gotten hot down the stretch. The question is can the pairing of Florida’s Kenny Boynton (16 PPG, 3 APG) and Erving Walker (12 PPG, 5 APG) match wits with the sheer dominance of Marquette’s defense and post presence of Jae Crowder (17 PPG, 8 RPG).

Marqeutte, on paper, is the better team and, for the last two seasons, I have consistently stated that Florida is great until they run across a better opponent. I do have concerns about the Golden Eagles matching up with Florida in guard play. I think Florida has an opportunity to break through and slay an opponent with a better resume, but like the State of Missouri, they will need to “show me” first.

Advantage: Marquette


East Region – (2) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (6) Cincinnati Bearcats

This is an eagerly awaited intrastate, interconference game between the Buckeyes from the Big Ten and the Bearcats from the Big East. Cicinnnati, behind the power and presence of senior forward Yancy Gates (12 PPG, 9 RPG), has had an impressive run, particularly late in the season. But I think the tandem of Naismith Award candidate Jared Sullinger (18 PPG, 9 RPG) and Will Buford (15 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG) of OSU will be too much and the Cincy run stops tonight.

Advantage: Ohio State


Friday, March 23

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Regional Semifinals

South Region – (1) Kentucky Wildcats vs (4) Indiana Hosiers

Do not think for one second that Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari and his team did not circle this date on the calendar and begin licking their chops the moment the brackets were released and they saw Indiana paired up with them in the South Region. The Hosiers handed Kentucky their only regular season loss of the season at Indiana on a last second shot by Christian Watford (12 PPG, 6 RPG), spoiling what had been a perfect season at that time.

I don’t think the Hosiers’ Cinderella story will repeat itself in Atlanta on Friday. Indiana plays good team basketball, but none of their guys are a match for Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (14 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 BlkPG), a Naismith Award finalist and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s national player of the year. In addition the Wildcats, whose starting lineup consists mostly of freshmen, have had time to gel since their December meeting with Indiana. Frankly, I don’t think the Hosiers have a chance.

Advantage: Kentucky


The remainder of Must See will be published on Saturday morning, after the Regional Semifinals have concluded.

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

March Flu

Today is a microcosm of Super Bowl Sunday. It is the start, in earnest, of the NCAA Tournament (round of 64). It has a holiday-like atmosphere in every office in America. People who have not watched a half of college basketball all year often fill out office pool tournament brackets.

There is, of course, one complication. The Big Dance starts in the middle of the day on a weekday. As a result, the first day of the tournament is often a popular day for people to call in “sick”, then head over to Bennigan’s for some green beer and college hoops action.

Today, the Hat Trick is going to look at the different strains of “March Flu”.


THE BUYER’S REMORSE SPONTANEOUS STOMACH BUG

Who: This is the guy who got out of bed planning to work a full day, then got a whiff of the Madness and decided to blow off what was left of work to watch the games. This could be either the casual fan who filled out a bracket, then went somewhere for lunch and didn’t want to pry himself away. It could also be the hardcore fan who thought was exercising some willpower and discipline then fell off of the wagon.

How: Either way, the Buyer’s Remorse strain of March Flu works something like this. A guy goes to lunch. He eats “something that doesn’t agree with him”. Then lets the boss know he won’t be coming back because he’s been chained to the toilet for the last hour.

Outlook: The boss didn’t get to be the boss by being stupid. The person in charge knows that the Dance starts today. This tactic will go into the boss’ mental Rolodex as a negative. In fact, even if you really are sick this will be held against you. However, if your attendance is otherwise good and you aren’t leaving your coworkers holding the bag by being absent, chances are this isolated incident will just slide. Understand, however, that you aren’t fooling anyone.

This guy! 1

THE PROGRESSIVE MORNING FLU

Who: This guy got out of bed planning on a lunch and dinner menu filled with college basketball. Still, he wants to at least pay lip service to the job. Better to at least show his face than not show up at all.

How: His plan is to show up at work, “checking in” so to speak. Once it becomes clear to him that he won’t be missed that day, he gets a “tickle in his throat”. And by “tickle in his throat”, I mean he coughs like he has a tickle in his throat and is sure to let everyone around him know that he has a tickle in his throat. The tickle progresses to a cough. The cough progresses to feeling run down and wanting to take the rest of the day off.

Outlook: This guy is probably not fooling anyone. However, if he is a skilled thespian and does not make a habit of missing work, he will get the benefit of the doubt and his departure will likely go unquestioned. What kind of jerk questions someone who says he’s sick? Still, this will earn you a “minus” in your boss’ plus/minus rating of you. The one time you go downhill from the start of the day happens to be the first day of the field of 64? Your boss was born during the day, not yesterday.

Oh yeah. That headache is getting intense. 2

THE FENDER BENDER FLU

Who: This is the guy who is determined to sell his absence as a legitimate coincidence. He figures that it is better to offer up a legitimate roadblock and not even set foot into the office. He can’t be compelled to stay if he never shows up, right?

How: This guy calls his boss about 45 minutes before he is supposed to be at work. He says that he had “a little accident” on the way. It is nothing too serious, but he’s feeling a little stiffness and wants to get checked out. A couple of hours later, the doctor suggests that he takes the rest of the day off.

Outlook: This is office place Darwinism at its best. The office survivor makes an appointment to see his doctor, winks at the doc while describing the “accident”, and gets a note. Perhaps Fender Bender Guy heads to the pharmacy and purchases a brace to apply to the stiff area to wear to work on Friday and possibly the following Monday. He may even have a buddy tap a car into the back of his car at 3 miles per hour, just enough to leave the tiniest ding or scuff in the bumper.

The office prey thinks no further than the end of his nose. The car is sparkling the following day. There’s no doctor’s note. And he goes around the office talking about the marathon he plans to run over the weekend. He may still get away with it for now, but the boss now has a big target on this guy’s back.

Before and after. 3

THE HARD SELLER FLU

Who: This is a guy who probably often uses the expression “cut my losses”. He wants to see the NCAA Tournament Games. He knows that everyone knows he wants to see them. He is doing it anyway and doesn’t care what anyone thinks.

How: This guy picks up the phone when he gets out of bed, calls the boss, and says, “I’m sick and I’m not coming into work today.” If we lived like The Jetsons, where telephone calls work like Skype, there would be a giant middle finger on the video screen.

Outlook: Understand that you will earn a red mark, automatically for this. If your boss is a dick, it won’t matter. Nothing ventured…nothing gained.

If your boss is someone you actually don’t mind working for, choose this technique carefully. The boss will probably appreciate that you, unlike three other dudes, didn’t try to pull the wool over his/her eyes and just came out with it: “I’m not coming in.” If you are an office stud, this will be forgotten soon. If you are dead weight at work, all you are doing is giving the brass an easier task if there is a downsizing event. You’ve moved closer to the top of the list!


Via video conference 4 

 THE STRATEGIC FLU

Who: This is a guy who embraces the mantra, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” When Valentine’s Day rolled around, the mental alarm clock sounded and this guy knew it was that time of year again: time to get his March Madness alibi together.

How: This guy thought ahead, way ahead. He may very well be having a get together at his house. What he is not doing is working today.

The first round games are played on Thursday and Friday. What this means is that his plan of action should commence on Monday. Monday is the day in which he tells a few people (maybe the boss…maybe not) that he feels a tickle in his throat. These darn springtime allergies are acting up again! On Tuesday, the tickle progresses to a cough. On Wednesday, it is a constant cough, a runny nose, and possibly some sneezing (he probably inhaled a few grains of pepper). Perhaps, if he is a non-smoker, he inhales a pack of Marlboro Reds the night before to stifle his breathing on Wednesday.

Outlook: This lines everything up for Strategic Flu Guy to be absent on Thursday and possibly on Friday. If he plays it properly, he can tell the boss on Wednesday that he definitely won’t be there on Thursday. Nobody is going to question him as he has been going downhill all week. Chances are this guy is probably a better worker in the first place because he is smart and actually plans ahead.

The only downside to this flu is that you can only use it once per boss. If you have the same boss next March, that boss is going to put two and two together if you start getting the flu and have to miss the Thursday that coincides with the start of March Madness in consecutive years. Still, this guy plans ahead. He may very week be the boss by next year!

This guy played his cards juuust right! 5

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Melo – Not so Fab

Syracuse University announced that center Fab Melo (8 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 BlkPG) will not be eligible to play in the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues. On one hand, I would like to commend Syracuse. This is an action initiated by the university. The NCAA does not screen players for academic eligibility mid-semester.

Melo is a standout defender in college basketball. This move is to the detriment of the basketball team. Many writers, myself included, speculated that this development would cause Syracuse to have an earlier than expected exit from the tournament.

On the other hand, I have to question what was so bad that the university took such a drastic step, crippling the basketball team. Melo missed three games this season due to a university imposed suspension. I do not know the details, but whatever Melo did was bad and stupid.

Major universities on track to a championship, as Syracuse is, do not shoot the team in the foot without a really good reason. Academic issues are often, with good reason, kept private. So we may never know what he did. But in the Hat Trick court of opinion, Melo is liable and guilty!

Shame on ya! 1

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Sheet of Integrity

I listen to the Mike and Mike show on ESPN Radio every morning. One of my favorite segments is their “Sheet of Integrity” in which they make their NCAA Tournament predictions. It is out in the open and on the record. Either Mike saying, “I told you so,” during the tournament will have a few million witnesses. Likewise, I would like to have a few…hundred witnesses for my college basketball vision and brilliance.





Hardcore proof....


FIRST ROUND

I like Western Kentucky, Iona, Lamar, and South Florida to survive the play in games and reach the field of 64. Remember that Virginia Commonwealth has to play in the first round and reached the Final Four. While the 16 seeds, WKU and Lamar, will be cannon fodder for #1 seeds Kentucky, and North Carolina, respectively, Iona has a very talented, game changing point guard in Scott Machado (14 PPG, 10 APG, 5 RPG), the number one offense in the country (83 PPG) and a 50% field goal percentage. South Florida reached the tournament after a very competitive Big East regular season schedule. Stranger things have happened in the Big Dance.

Shaka Smart and the VCU Rams showed that the First Round games matter. 1

ROUND OF 64

I do not expect a lot of first round surprises this year, like we have seen in years past. The only lower seeds I expect to advance are #12 seed Virginia Commonwealth over #5 seed Wichita State in the South region, #10 West Virginia over #7 Gonzaga in the East region, and, in the Midwest region, #9 Alabama over #8 Creighton and #10 Purdue over #7 St. Mary’s.


ROUND OF 32

The only lower seed I expect to advance is #5 Vanderbilt over #4 Wisconsin (who, at times, can’t buy a bucket) in the East region. In the other 15 games in the round: straight chalk, homie!

Randy Moss' opinion? Straight chalk, homie! 2

SWEET 16

Another chalky bracket…. I think that Baylor has the pieces, particularly in the paint (on both sides of the court) to outlast Duke in this round. I expect the higher seeds to advance in the other seven regional semifinals.

Update: Yesterday, Syracuse University announced that starting sophomore center and defensive standout Fab Melo (8 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 BlkPG) will be ineligible to play in the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues. I will leave my original predicitons as they were, but, with this information, I would like to change my East region semifinal winner from Syracuse to Vanderbilt.

ELITE EIGHT

The chalk stops here! I expect #1 seeds Kentucky (South region) and Syracuse (East region) to reach the Final Four by rubbing out Baylor and Ohio State, respectively. I think that Michigan State’s ride, after ascending unexpectedly to the #1 seed in the West region, comes to an end at the hands of three point shooting Missouri and senior Marcus Denmon (18 PPG, 5 RPG).

I also expect Kansas to redeem themselves after exiting the Big XII tournament in the semifinal round and losing a shot at a (what many expected to be an automatic) top seed. Both North Carolina and Kansas do everything exceptionally well, but Kansas has a tougher presence down low in National Player of the Year candidate Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG), resulting in opportunities for higher percentage shots. I think that will be the separator in this game. 

Update: Yesterday, Syracuse University announced that starting sophomore center and defensive standout Fab Melo (8 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 BlkPG) will be ineligible to play in the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues. I will leave my original predicitons as they were, but, with this information, I would like to change my East region final winner from Syracuse over Ohio State to Ohio State over Vanderbilt.

This is the prize for the Elite Eight winners. 3


FINAL FOUR

“Chalk up” Kentucky and Syracuse in the National Championship game, as many have expected for quite some time. I think Kentucky looks nearly invincible and, with their length, I expect them to thwart Missouri’s jump shooting game. Syracuse’s zone defense will be the kryptonite for Kansas’ Supermen tandem of Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor (17 PPG, 5 APG).

Update: Yesterday, Syracuse University announced that starting sophomore center and defensive standout Fab Melo (8 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 BlkPG) will be ineligible to play in the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues. I will leave my original predicitons as they were, but, with this information, I would like to change my National Semifinal winner from Syracuse over Kansas to Kansas over Ohio State.


NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Like I said, Kentucky looks nearly invincible. I expect Coach Calipari to finally capture the ever-elusive National Championship. It couldn’t happen to a better coach.

Update: Yesterday, Syracuse University announced that starting sophomore center and defensive standout Fab Melo (8 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 BlkPG) will be ineligible to play in the NCAA Tournament due to academic issues. I will leave my original predicitons as they were, but, with this information, I would like to change my National Championship Game loser from Syracuse to Kansas.

Kansas coach Bill Self would love to relive this moment from the 2008 National championship game: missed Derrick Rose free throws that kept his team alive to send the game into overtime and ultimately win. Then-Memphis coach (current Kentucky coach) John Calipari would like to rewrite this moment in history. A rematch isn't out of the question. After the Fab Melo (Syracuse) suspension was announced, it may be "likely". 4

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Stop! Bracket Time!

It is here! It is time! Cue "One Shining Moment"! MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!!!

BURSTING BUBBLES

Another Selection Sunday has come and gone. Much of what was expected happened. As usual, there were a few unexpected surprises.

The University of Washington, the Pacific 12 Conference regular season champion, was the first ever team to be excluded from the Big Dance after winning the regular season championship of one of the power conferences (Pac-12, Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC, Big XII). Drexel, regular season champion of the Colonial Athletic Conference, was snubbed in spite of a 27-6 record after losing to 2011 Final Four participant Virginia Commonweath in the CAA Tournament Championship Game.

Southeastern Conference teams Ole Miss and Mississippi State, both with 20+ regular season wins, did not receive an invite to the Big Dance. South Florida and Seton Hall, both with 20 wins from the hyper-competitive Big East did not get their tickets punched to the field of 64 (USF has to play in a First Four game, Seton Hall was eliminated). Marshall, in spite of being the runner up in the Conference USA tournament, regular season wins of invitees Cincinnati, Iona, a close loss to Syracuse,  and an RPI ranking better than 50, did not receive a bid.

Colonel Reb needs consolation. 1

THE TOP SPOTS

In spite of losing their conference tournament championship games, Kentucky, Syracuse, and North Carolina received three of the four #1 seeds in the tournament, with UK and the top overall seed. This all came as a surprise to nobody, which may be, in large part, why their opponents had windows of opportunity to beat them in their conference tournaments. What few people, except for yours truly, saw coming was Michigan State claiming the fourth #1 seed, as I projected on Thursday.

Conventional wisdom dictated that Kansas, ranked #3 after the conclusion of their regular season, would claim that fourth #1 seed. In the event of Kansas losing unexpectedly early in the Big XII Tournament, as they did to Baylor in the semifinal round, many expected that a Missouri victory in the Big XII tourney would send the #1 seed over to Mizzou. Neither would happen. Instead, Michigan State would beat #7 Ohio State for the second time this season in the third meeting between the teams. The result would be MSU winning the Big Ten Tournament and a #1 seed.

A walking, fighting orange. Yep! It's March Madness! 3

ONE SHINING MOMENT

Bubble team or not, top seed or not, what happens, going forward, will be entirely determined by what 68 teams do in 67 games on the hardwood over the next three weeks. With inspiration from NFL wide receiver Randy Moss, my projections for the Final Four in New Orleans: "Straight chalk, homie!"

I expect #1 seeds Kentucky and Syracuse to be in the Final Four and would be stunned if either of them failed to do so. While I would not be surprised to see both North Carolina and Michigan State in Big Easy, either, I think that a number of teams could give them the slip.

In the Midwest Region, I think that Michigan could present a big problem for UNC in the Sweet 16, though I expect Carolina to survive. I do think that a motivated Kansas team, barring injury to Tyshawn Taylor (17 PPG, 5 APG) or Thomas Robinson (18 PPG, 12 RPG), will be able to outlast North Carolina or any other opponent in the Regional Final in St. Louis.

In the West region, there are several good teams that will take aim at Michigan State and could hit the target. Marquette, Florida, and Missouri could all pose matchup issues for MSU. In the end, I expect an experienced Missouri team, on a mission since a premature exit from the 2011 tournament, to emerge from the West Regional Final in Phoenix.

Get your popcorn ready and fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a fast, wild ride!!!

4

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Must See Sports - Second Weekend of March 2012

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record: 4-3
Must See Sports 2012 record: 34-25

Thursday, March 8

NBA

Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls

If you want to see the difference between a “very good” regular season and an “outstanding” regular season, check out tonight’s matchup between the Magic and Bulls. Derrick Rose (23 PPG, 8 APG) showed the clutch ability that made him the 2011 MVP with his buzzer beating game winning shot against the Milwaukee Bucks last night. The Bulls simply find ways to keep winning.


The Orlando Magic win games, but with the uncertainty of Dwight Howard’s (21 PPG, 15 RPG, 2 StlPG, 2 BlkPG) short and long term future with the team, I don’t think the Magic are reaching their full potential. They won’t until there are some final answers to the short term question. I don’t think they’ll beat the Bulls in the United Center, in large part, because of that.

Advantage: Bulls

Derrick Rose --> Money! 1

Sunday, March 11

NBA

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers

Arguably the best and most historically significant interconference/interleague rivalry in the history of sports takes center stage on Sunday. Both teams need the win. Neither team would have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs if the regular season ended today.


The Celtics suffered a 32 point beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers last night, snapping a five game winning streak. Not only are the Celtics’ playoff seeding prospects in question, but their confidence could be too. Boston hasn’t beaten an in-conference opponent with a winning record since upsetting the Bulls on February 12.

While the Celtics’ problems can be boiled down to age-related symptoms: they can’t get to the basket enough and they are getting pounded under the boards, the Lakers troublesome dynamics are far more complex. While the Celtics' long time stars appear to be in decline, Kobe Bryant (29 PPG, 5 APG, 6 RPG) is having his best season in the last five years. However, internal strife, triggered by former Head Coach Phil Jackson’s retirement, the hiring of Mike Brown as his replacement, and trade negotiations involving Pau Gasol (17 PPG, 11 RPG), has had the four-time Pacific Division champions looking up at the cross town Clippers in the standings for most of the season.

That said, the Lakers problems are external, not necessarily execution. At Staples Center, I like L.A. (I love it!)

Advantage: Lakers

Kobe hasn't just gotten older; he's gotten better. 2

NCAA Basketball

2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - Selection Sunday

Tune in to CBS at 6pm Eastern time for the big announcements. Bubbles will burst while others will continue to float. The big questions are: who will be the number one seeds and in which regions? Who will be the #1 overall seed.

For what it is worth I think the #1 seeds will go to Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina, and Michigan State. Kentucky, Syracuse, and UNC are virtual locks. I know I am reaching a little on MSU and that Kansas probably has the inside track on a #1 seed before Michigan State. It’s a gut feeling. Missouri, Ohio State, and Duke may still have a dog in that hunt, also.

Watching teams celebrate (or not) while watching the tube on Selection Sunday has become an annual tradition. 4

Tuesday, March 13


NCAA Basketball

2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – First Round

In my mind, the “first round” will always be the round of 64, not a First Four involving four should-be bubble teams and four mid-major tournament champions. Then again, in my mind, the Titans of the NFL should still be the Oilers. Still, after Virginia Commonwealth advanced from this round and reach the Final Four last season, this round has significance and is worth watching.


Wednesday, March 14

NCAA Basketball

2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – First Round

We can't write the play in games as "extras" anymore. 3

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Conversation with Tennessee Assistant Coach Jon Harris

The high school I cover, Madison Prep Academy, advanced to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association semifinal round with a thrilling win over Hornbeck High School on Tuesday night. Jarell Martin, Madison Prep’s star player, had a few eyes upon him in the audience. While Tennessee assistant John Harris is not permitted, by NCAA rules, to discuss recruiting, I doubt his wife was out of town, there was nothing on TV, and he decided to drop in to Baton Rouge to watch a little high school basketball.

I had an opportunity to speak with Coach Harris, whose Volunteers play LSU in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center tonight. I stuck to questions about Tennessee and the SEC so nobody would get into trouble! Here is what he had to say.

Tennessee Assistant Coach Jon Harris 1

The Daily Hat Trick (TDHT): I am here with University of Tennessee Assistant Coach Jon Harris. Coach, thank you for visiting (and) looking at these fine students in Louisiana here tonight. I know you guys have LSU tomorrow at the PMAC. Big game…. Tell me what’s going through the minds of the Tennessee players right now as you guys are battling really hard for positioning in the (SEC) Tournament.

Jon Harris: We’re just trying to stay the course, man. Taking this thing…one game at a time. LSU is playing some really good basketball right now.

TDHT: You guys had some ups and downs this year. A while ago, people in Baton Rouge (sports media) were saying (that LSU could) write this Tennessee game off as a loss. And now, with the run they’ve made lately, it looks like it’s going to be a real battle. What do you think are going to be the keys for your team in tomorrow’s game?

Harris: You know, again, just staying consistent, man. Playing together…playing our defense…working the ball around trying to control the tempo.

TDHT: In the SEC, who do you think, besides the obvious, Kentucky, are going to be the other real threats to the Vols in the SEC Tournament?

Harris: (scoffs) We’re fighting for our lives, man. You know, like I said, taking this thing one game at a time. Every game in this league is going to be a dogfight.

TDHT: After what happened to (fellow SEC school) Alabama last year, going 12-4 in the league (and being excluded from the NCAA Tournament), would it be fair to say that you guys are feeling a little “bubbly” right now?

Harris: You know, again, that’s something that’s out of our control, man. We’re just trying to do what we can control and play our game and win the games we can win and see what happens.

TDHT: I appreciate you coming down to visit and I hope that you enjoyed your stay here and this game tonight.

Harris: Appreciate it.


I have had the privilege of meeting a number of coaches in major college basketball while covering Madison Prep Academy. Some coaches are very open and willing to talk basketball. Some keep their thoughts closer to the vest. I respect that. They have a job to do and their programs should come first.

Coach Harris clearly kept his thoughts close to the vest. But what he did reveal through his tone of voice, body language, and verbiage is that his Volunteers, while talented, were streaky and as a result of the losing portions of those streaks, his team has its back against the wall for an NCAA Tournament berth. Every game, including tomorrow’s game against my LSU Tigers, will be critical to Tennessee’s survival into March. The Daily Hat Trick is very appreciative for Coach Harris’ time and interest in our athletes here in Louisiana.

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Big East Race - Things Just Got Interesting

Syracuse locked up the Big East regular season championship and the top seed in the conference tournament quite some time ago. Marquette comfortably sat in second place after this past weekend. While the #3 and #4 seeds, which would receive first and second round byes in the 2012 Big East Tournament, were still available to several teams, Notre Dame, who was riding a nine game winning streak prior to last Saturday, had a leg up on Georgetown for the third seed. Georgetown appeared to be hanging on to the fourth spot and the two round bye. Then last night happened.

Georgetown freshman Otto Porter slices past three Notre Dame defenders en route to the basket. 1

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

The once blazing hot Notre Dame Fighting Irish has little pieces of them left all over the Verizon Center, getting obliterated by 18 points at Georgetown. Notre Dame was never really in the game. After the game, Big East fans were left with a host of possibilities that could shift several teams up or down by several seeds between now and the end of the regular season this Sunday.

As of this morning, there are five teams - Cincinnati, Louisville, South Florida, Notre Dame, and Georgetown, who, collectively, could be seeded anywhere between the #2 seed (ensuring a two round bye and a favorable quarterfinals matchup) and the #7 seed, forced to compete in the round of 16 with unfavorable matchups being likely in the subsequent rounds. Marquette, currently in second place, could fall to as low as fourth place with back-to-back losses against Cincinnati and Georgetown to close out the regular season.

The Bearcats are currently in sixth place. They could still finish third after Saturday. 2

RACE TO THE FINISH

Like last year, there is tremendous concentration at the top of the Big East. Like last year, the Big East, who sent nine teams (including eventual champion, 9th place regular season finisher Connecticut) to the NCAA Tournament last year, could be the conference leader in teams invited to the Big Dance. And like last year, all of the questions, except for where Syracuse can expect to be seeded in the March Madness, will have to be sorted out by the results in the Big East Tournament.

The tournament cannot start until the regular season finishes are settled. Five Big East games will be played in the next five games to decide six different seeds. Get your popcorn ready!

The Big East race is as explosive as the Daytona 500 was last night! 3

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