Easy on the zebras.

Maybe ive just noticed it more because of all the social media and opinion that is out there but could we please stop blaming losses on the referees??? Im as guilty as the next person about this subject but i have decided to except as part of the sports fan experience that officials are prone to making mistakes. The officials are not part of a conspiracy designed to defeat a particular team they are there to restore order and let the athletes determine the winners and losers of competition. The officials are very seldom the  only reason a team loses a game. The reasons can probably be traced back to a pattern of mistakes usually related to execution or the lack of fundemetals during the game. Buzz peterson marquette basketball coach said it best when asked why his team lost to syracuse during the tourney. He didnt blame referees or say something lame like we gave them the game or we are the better team but just not today. He said we lost because they were better. Imagine that some stark truth in the middle of whining whimpering and excuse making so many fans like to do. Thanks Buzz.

Husker love.

A big round of applause goes out to the University of Nebraska for allowing a little boy to live out a fantastic memory. Seven year old Jack Hoffman who is battling brain cancer is on the field during the spring football game. He suddenly finds himself  carrying the football and breaking free on his way to a sxty seven yard touchdown. When Jack enters the endzone he is greeted with hugs of celebration and love. I can only imagine how much joy his parents must have felt seeing their little boy run his heart out surrounded by so much love. I will be praying for Jack and his family and thanking God for a bunch of warm hearted Huskers who showed love to a little boy.

Rutgers rats.

Eric Murdoch former Rutgers assistant basketball Coach waits months before releasing the video of his coach abusing his players. Files a wrongful termination suit and wants to be paid.I dont really see any deep concern for his players. Coach Rice is abusive and a bad basketball coach but he also is getting paid 1.2 million dollars a cell phone and a car. No deep concern for his players just a lame apology and a quick trip to the bank to cash a BIG check. The shrimpy assistant to coach Rice that isnt suing Rutgers is probably already stuck his nose into another assistant position somewhere having collected plenty of salary from the school for his classy coaching. The athletic director says that he wanted to fire Rice but the powerful university board of trustees made him suspend the coach. The President who still has his job says he never saw the video untill just before all the turmoil. Murdoch is an extortionist who wants his money. Rice is a bully a bad basketball coach and a rich thief who needs anger management classes. The AD is a liar with a good reputation and a wimpass who passes the buck. The President is a liar with his head in the sand who is really lucky he has a job. The general rule when dealing with university employees in high profile positions is that the more money and power you give them the more likely bad things will happen. The real losers here are the athletes and students who have to deal with this all too fimilar behavior. The solution is too pay everyone less and put sports in its proper perspective out of big money and back into being an inexpensive part of someones college education.

Cards fly past Michigan.

Michigan vs Louisville in the title game is a basketball tornado ready to happen.Open court dunks and fast breaks should be the norm but the team that rebounds and plays better defense will win the championship. Hearing cheers for Michigan in an Iowa City bar is like nails on a chalkboard and Iowa fans should be ashamed of themselves. Big Ten loyalty is a concept i really never completely understood. Cheering for a school that has completely dominated  Iowa for a century in both football and basketball is absolute nonsense. Louisville is annoying but they are a better defensive basketball team that is more experienced and slightly better at playing 94 feet. This will be a great game full of excitement and an excellent way to end  the college basketball season Louisville 77-69.

Why Alford?

Steve Alford coaching at UCLA might be the worst hire in the history of modern day college basketball. The Bruin program just fired a coach that won a conference title and made an appearence in the NCAA tournament this year. The bruins pride themselves in not settling for less than national championships so WHY would they hire Steve Alford??  Resume stops include SW Missouri state Iowa and new mexico decent programs but not schools that realistically have a shot at a national title. STRIKE 1. Since Alford is leaving behind an excellent coach in craig neil who is responsible for most of his recruiting success his chances of  dominating recriting in southern California are not as good as the Bruin AD might think. STRIKE 2. Alfords post season track record is nothing short of a disaster STRIKE 3. Being a fan of the University of  Iowa i saw first hand Alford and his dispicable actions covering up a sexual asssault. He was horrible to media and business people here in Iowa City and he left the program in far worse shape than it was when he arrived.  His actions crushed a program that many Iowans hold near and dear to their hearts and for that i hope UCLA and its haughty ridiculous program and fan base kick his ass to the curb.

Mark Cuban crazy?

Mark Cuban dallas mavs owner says Baylor star player Brit Griner would be worth drafting in the upcoming NBA draft?? Of course Mark likes to stir the pot and create buzz when his basketball team is terrible so im not going to rant and rave about his comments. She would be killed in the NBA. The college womens game needs someone like a Griner to make it relevent again. The idea of women having the same opportunities as men in basketball is something I support but am afraid is a dying proposition. Griner was great for womens college basketball but i think Mark Cuban following through on his promise to draft Griner would definately encourage more girls and young women to persue their basketball dreams.That is a wonderful idea.

CENA vs THE ROCK.

I am becoming a big fan of WWE wrestling. The athleticism and story lines behind the characters are very entertaining. My favorites are Dwane johnson and John Cena. The two combatants will square off in a week at wrestlemainia and it should be hilarious. The winners and losers really are not important to me but the story line behind WWE wrestling is worth a watch.  I CAN SEE John Cena and I CAN smell what the ROCK is cookin!!! My prediction is Cena will defeat the Rock at wrestlemainia and set up a third match between the two mega stars sometime this summer.