The Notebook Nine: The Top Current College Basketball Coaches
I’ve decided to be more generous and expand the list to nine coaches—the Notebook Nine. Here’s my choices:
J.P. Flynn
About J.P. Flynn
Posts by J.P. Flynn:
Would A Kentucky-Duke NCAA Final Be The Highest-Rated Ever?
Ben Cohen of The Wall Street Journal wrote a short piece on Sunday night saying that it was time for this NCAA Tournament to just cut to the chase and give the public what it wants–a Kentucky-Duke battle for the national championship. Earlier in the weekend I had texted a couple friends to throw out this hypothetical–would a Kentucky-Duke title bout get the best TV ratings in NCAA history?
The Washington Redskins Blunder Badly In Letting Colt McCoy Walk
All reports are that the Washington Redskins have decided against bringing back Colt McCoy next season. I think this is a significant mistake, and as a Redskins fan I don’t know if I’m more depressed, furious or just plain crushed by this news.
Anticipating The Coming AL Central Race
The Detroit Tigers have won this division each of the last four years, but the gap is clearly narrowing—most obviously by the fact that it was Kansas City who went storming through the American League playoffs. Detroit also has to keep an eye on the Cleveland Indians, who made the playoffs two years ago and posted a winning record last year under the leadership of Terry Francona.
Don't Sleep On Wichita State Basketball This Year
A year ago at this time, Wichita State basketball was the talk of the nation, as they were preparing to take an undefeated record into the NCAA Tournament. Those hopes ended with a crushing loss to Kentucky in the Round of 32. Wichita State is more under the radar this year, but don’t sleep on these Shockers—they still have what it takes for a Final Four run.
How March Madness History Evolved To What We Know Today
The ramp-up to March Madness is in gear, with conference regular season championships being finalized this week, the league tournaments going next week, fights for at-large bids and seeding in full-force and finally Selection Sunday going on Sunday, March 15. As we get set for another great college basketball run, here’s brief look back on the seminal moments in the development of March Madness history as we know it.
The National Championship Chances Of Wisconsin Basketball
I see Wisconsin’s situation as very combustible in March. I like the way they match up with the top teams in the country, including undefeated Kentucky. However, we also know that nationally elite teams (seeded #1 or #2 in their regional come tourney time) get taken out in March all the time. I see Wisconsin as perhaps the likeliest of the top seven or eight teams to get their hearts broken on the tournament’s opening weekend.
The Mystifying Outrage Of Nick Markakis
Nick Markakis was a staple of the Baltimore Orioles outfield for the past eight years, and he had hoped to retire as an Oriole. Given that, I suppose it’s not surprising that he’s upset with his former organization for not re-signing him this offseason. Markakis took a four-year, $44 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. What is surprising is what he chose to be angry about and how he expressed it.
Evaluating The Troubled Mike Shanahan Legacy
The ultimate Mike Shanahan legacy remains in some doubt, presuming the former head coach of the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins never returns to the sidelines. To some, he’s the two-time Super Bowl winner, a surefire Hall of Famer and was only derailed in D.C. by a meddling owner and a diva quarterback. To others, the question “What has he done without John Elway?” is the concise summation of the criticisms.
Guessing The New England Patriots Thursday Night Opponent On Opening Night
…in honor of the fact that it’s a slow time in sports before March Madness, and I obviously have too much time on my hands, we’ll take a look at who the New England Patriots Thursday night opponent might be.
The Toronto Raptors: Forgotten Team In The East
When you hear NBA pundits talk about the Eastern Conference race, all the chatter revolves around three teams—the front-running Atlanta Hawks, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. But nestled in between those teams in the Eastern standings is a team that everyone seems to have forgotten about—the Toronto Raptors. Here’s a basic primer on what Toronto brings to the table for the coming playoffs and what they don’t.
Why The Boston Bruins Playoff Chances Are In Jeopardy
The Boston Bruins have been a playoff mainstay in the NHL since 2008, qualifying easily in most years and succeeding in the spring, most notably with a Stanley Cup in 2011 and a trip to the Finals in 2013. This year’s been a tough one for the Bruins, and even with yesterday’s 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks for an NBC audience, the B’s are in a three-way fight for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Let’s take a look at why the Boston Bruins playoff chances are in jeopardy.