Now here’s a class I could guest lecture: “Joe Paterno, Communications and The Media.”
Mike Poorman, who conceived the course and will teach it, is an old friend. I don’t think Joe is quite as crafty and calculating in his dealings with us as Mike does. Still, Joe’s been doing what he does, in the same place, for a half-century, during which the media has changed much more than he has. Joe could be an interesting prism through which to view those changes.
NCAA observations:
My brackets are heading toward the paper shredder, but I’ll stay with UCLA to win the whole deal. I mean, I don’t care who the played - 70-29?
Everybody talks about offense as a strong marker for tournament success, and it is, but I still think the way to sustain a program and avoid upsets year after year is to be able to smother people defensively. Georgetown, Michigan State, UCLA, Pitt, and Louisville are programs that, right now, can win without scorers. Although I still think Coach K and Jim Calhoun are among the best coaches out there, Duke and UConn are no longer in that category.
Duke is without question limited, but didn’t mail it in Friday. Belmont played terrific, especially on the offensive end, played hard and shot well. I’m sure I’m in the vast minority here, but I think the Dukies beat West Virginia.
USC, however, did mail it in. Maybe I’m being harsh, but does O.J. Mayo fall a little short of greatness in the make-your-teammates-better category? I realize he’s a teenager, but he’s probably played his final college game, and as of now he’s just another big guard who wants to monopolize the ball. There are only about 14,000 of those in The League.
On the other hand, I believe the Sixers could find a role for Michael Beasley.
Pretty sure I’m not the only one wondering if the SEC is a bit fraudulent while watching Siena (from the Metro Atlantic, which would have to improve to be called mid-major) hammer Vanderbilt. And Tennessee struggle against Patriot League champ American.
How can Arizona have no depth?
Notre Dame-Washington State is, it says here, a matchup of two of the best 15 teams, and best 10 defensive teams, in the entire dance. And neither of them are as good as Pittsburgh.
In real-world news: The Hillary machine is coming to town.
