No-Action Friday: 02/08/08

Recap: 02/07/08


Now that's what I'm talkin' about! 6-5-1 after You-clu and IU both beat the spreads, and I knew I should have taken the Trojans.

O, Gambler's Remorse, such a fickle lover.

Indiana got lucky in 2 OT, and I have to admit a bit of arrogance I assumed. The crowd did mess with Gordon's head for the entire first half; I dismissed the effect it would have on the freshman. Those people were mean; certainly would have rattled me.

The Bruins did it with superior talent and confidence. The Cougars made a valid effort to contain "The Love", but were finally beaten down toward the end underneath. Which happened to coincide with Collison's second-half awakening.

Question of the Day:

Is WSU this year's last year's Clemson?

The second half of their Pac-10 season has the potential for profit or disgrace. Let us consider...

IF:

They can stop "The Condiment" (my newest nickname, for O.J. Mayo of course; he makes everything taste better! I'll work on it.) on Saturday, (which I'm intrigued to see the line on) they will put themselves in a decent position for...

Revenge matches at the Oregon's. The Pullman sweep has to have both home teams hungry for redemption, but on paper/the processing of computers, let's assume the Cougar's numbers hold, launching them into...

Home games against the Ari's. The Bay Boy's beat you at home? Why not the Ari's? But we'll give ya a split, which leads to...

Those Bay Boys, inviting you into their own arenas. No way in hell WSU escapes with two wins, let alone one. So as for the finale..

Beat up a weak Washington team. This is still an in-state rivalry, so no guarantee the Huskies will assume the doggie-position. But I'm trying to stay positive.

So at best, we'll call this a 6-2 run. They make it to finals from the third seed in the P10 tourney, and receive a decent slot come Selection Sunday. All is well for a shot at the sweet-sixteen.

Then again:

Let's play negative-Nate. Playing in the Pac-10 obviously helps their profile, but even if they go 6-2 to close the season, and we give them a couple wins in the conference tourney, they will have assumably lost to the only top-25 team they will have played (Stanford, & I'm guessing twice).

But 2-6 is just as possible. The only guaranteed money-line wins in my opinion are at Oregon St. and hosting Arizona St. At 7-11 in conference, 19-11 overall, might the Cougars be smelling a bit like last year's Tigers?

On The General's End:

Enough has been said so I'll make this quick. Nobody forced these kids to go play for him, or stay with the program. You knew you were going to go play for one of the biggest assholes in sports history.

Now I say that with no disrespect to Coach Knight. I imagine he'd tell ya he was an asshole if the question was honestly asked. There's nothing wrong with that. What do you think it takes to be a successful General? You think Patton or U.S. Grant, (or Hilter, Castro, Mao, etc..) were freakin' nice guys? It generally helps to be a real prick if you really want to win.

But you know Bobby, a lot of coaches have gotten a lot out of their players without tirades, head-butts, chair throwing. A little bit more self-control might of put you in a different echelon.

But fuck it! Seriously, how many games did you will those boys to win? You took a bunch of Indiana schmucks and made champions out of them! That was your job. You may have used tactics that seem a little harsh compared to other teachers, but the mission was generally accomplished.

Aside 1: I swear to God my choir teacher in high school is the closest thing I've ever personally confronted that reminds me, from my understanding from two-minute ESPN clips, of Bobby Knight.

You've never met a crazier bitch: insanely intelligent, perfectionist extrordinaire, could smile right through you and bleed your soul. She'd get so pissed off over the littlest shit and make a complete ass out of you in front of everyone. But we had a God-Damn good choir; you actually put effort into the organization in her presence, and saw/listened to the results.

Aside 2: To boys entering high-school: do the gay shit, at least your first couple of years. Marching Band, the Thesbian club, etc. If you have any game whatsoever, this is where you meet chicks. Until you get a car.

Anyway, let's get to the weekend picks: