March Sadness
The first weekend of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament has come and gone and so has the Kentucky Wildcats’ chance for a ninth national championship. Actually, as any member of the massive entity called Big Blue Nation knows (and many despair of), the Cats didn’t even get past the first round, losing in Indianapolis to 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s University. Perhaps their grief was assuaged, ever so slightly, by Saint Peter’s next upset, on Saturday, when the Peacocks eliminated yet another Kentucky team from the tourney. Murray State fans, we feel your pain. While it’s probably too late to suggest loved ones of rabid Cats fans hide the sharp objects, John Calipari’s squad is not the only team considered to have a shot at the big prize that didn’t survive the opening weekend. In the Southeastern Conference alone, sixth-seeds Alabama and LSU lost in the first round, while third-seed Tennessee (which beat UK twice this season) and second-seed Auburn lost in the second round. As our misery loves company tour continues, we find that top-seeded Baylor and third-seeded Wisconsin will be on the sidelines for what some of their fans (and ours) are likely calling March Sadness. Of course, further adding to the Big Blue Nation’s blues is the fact that top-seed Duke will continue its Coach K farewell tour. (By the way, I’m seeking a copyright on the phrase “March Sadness,” so don’t get any big ideas for t-shirts, bumper stickers or yard signs.) Some UK fans have soured on Coach Cal, who many thought had the perfect blend of experience (most of it from transfers) and youthful talent for the proverbial deep run this March. An article in the Lexington Herald-Leader pointed out how unlikely it would be for school brass part with him, if only because he was still owed about $45 million, give or take a few hundred thousand. Coach Cal is, in large part, a victim of the success in the first two-thirds of his dozen years at UK. As UK’s website points out, “During Calipari’s 12 seasons at UK, he leads all coaches in NCAA Tournament wins (31), Final Fours (four), Elite Eights (seven) and Sweet 16s (eight).” I was one of those who didn’t agree with Calipari’s assertion that the day five players (all but one a freshman) on his first UK team became first-round NBA draft picks was the proudest day in “program” history. My response – to myself and friends, not Cal – was, “No, UK’s proudest days were when players graduated or teams won national championships.” I happen to think John Calipari’s a fine coach – not just a great recruiter – who cares about his players. There’ve been no big scandals since he took over, a lot of kids have become better on and off the court (and a lot richer) and UK remains at the top of the heap nationally – though of course, it would be nice if this year’s squad still had a chance to finish first. In the meantime, here’s how to make basketball better at every level: instruct referees to take the ball away when players palm or carry the ball. Enforcing the prohibition against it – I think it’s still on the books, and if it’s not, it should be – will lead to more passing, more movement away from the ball and fewer shrieks from your humble scribe. On that note, I’ll offer a suggestion to a fellow who knows a lot more about basketball than said humble scribe or, I’ll wager, most anyone reading this column: “Set some darn picks away from the ball!” The only defensive players Cal’s teams screen are those guarding the ball-handler. Screening away from the ball will help free up shots for players who may not be the quickest Cats, but are great shooters. Also, I find the dribble-drive offense boring, not unlike an NCAA tournament UK has departed early. Anyway, as one F. Gump said many years ago, “That’s all I have to say about that.” P.S. It’s just a game.