Channel Surfing

  I know I didn’t think too much of the Big Ten this season. Nobody really could beat the top teams and they managed to beat each other in conference play. The outlier was Michigan, which went 19-1 in conference during the regular season. Yet the Wolverines couldn’t get past Purdue in the conference tournament final. Purdue was 13-7 in conference play, which tied them for fourth place with UCLA but placed them behind Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan State at 15-5  and Wisconsin, which went 14-6.

The conference which received the most NCAA slots was the SEC. Ten schools made it in. All had 20 or more wins and at least a .500 conference record. Florida was a #1 seed and came into the tournament as defending champion. Texas was a #11 seed and was relegated to a play-in game versus NC State from the ACC; the ACC received 8 bids, with SMU also in a play-in game (versus last team in Miami of Ohio) like NC State. And the once-powerful Big East  only was able to get U Conn, St. John’s and Villanova into the tournament.

Instead, much of the focus was on the Big 12. Arizona was the big team coming from that league.The Wildcats had a 35-2 record this season, 16-2 against its conference mates. Houston was right behind them 14-4 and 30-7 overall. Eight Big 12 schools landed in the Big Dance—Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech, BYU, TCU and UCF joined the party. While no school had less than a .500 in conference record, each had 20 or more wins on its resume. 

The NCAA Selection Committee still thought enough of the Big Ten to take nine schools from the Big Ten—all which had a .500 record or better in conference play. The last one in was 10-10 Iowa, which still managed to go 24-12 overall. This was despite the detractors who thought too much of a bias was given to the Power 5 conferences, especially the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12. 

Thus, when the smoke cleared from the first weekend’s battles, the Big Ten had a conference-record six teams left in play in the Sweet 16. The Big 12 had three left. The SEC still fielded four schools in that group. The remainder came from the Big East (UConn & St. John’s) and ACC (Duke). 

Not that this guarantees a clear path to the Elite Eight or the Final Four for multiple Big Ten teams. After Thursday’s games, three of four Big Ten schools in action moved on. Purdue, Iowa and Illinois advanced; Nebraska couldn’t as it lost to conference foe Iowa. Correspondingly, the Big 12 lost #2 seed Houston when Illinois vanquished the Cougars, (somehow unfathomably playing in an arena 2.5 miles from campus) and for the SEC, a highly-underrated Texas team bowed out in a loss to Purdue. 

On Friday before the start of the games, it remained possible that the Big Ten could get four schools in the Final Four, as Michigan State and Michigan had to win on Friday to keep that possibility viable. Michigan State lost to U Conn while Michigan won its game. 

From the Elite Eight, we knew that either Iowa or Illinois was headed to Indianapolis and the Final Four. For Iowa, they had a mini-Big Ten Tournament of their own, facing Nebraska and Illinois in back-to-back contests. 

Furthermore, on Friday, it was up to Iowa State and Arizona to maintain Big 12 pride as it was for St. John’s and U Conn to keep the flame alive for the Big East. Duke was the lone school left for the ACC. Duke and U Conn were victorious. 

The SEC still had Tennessee and Alabama alive. The Volunteers had to face #2 seed Iowa State and Alabama had to play #1 seed Arizona. A true SEC-Big 12 showdown. The Wildcats won, but Tennessee defeated the Cyclones.

By the way—no real Cinderella teams this year. No non-Power 5 schools won more than one game. High Point may have been the best of the lower seeds to win unexpectedly. Over #4 seeded Wisconsin, a Big Ten school anticipated to win handily. 

VCU’s win against North Carolina was nice, but the folks in Chapel Hill are more in turmoil than ever with the firing of Head Coach Hubert Davis, a Carolina alum and despite his top player, potential lottery pick in the NBA Draft, out with an injury. Will the administration go for a big hire like in football with Bill Belichick? Is UNC really even on par with Duke right now? These are questions which will be answered when the next coach is selected—presumably before the April 7 transfer portal opens. 

And how about LSU reclaiming disgraced former head coach Will Wade, who had just lost in the play-in game leading NC State? The guy was involved in a FBI investigation of illegal payments to players before N-I-L came into vogue and subsequent recruiting violations led to his termination. He went on to Mc Neese State and then NC State to continue his winning days. I ask this: is he truly rehabilitated so that LSU, infused with Mc Neese people in their athletic administration, won’t be sorry about this choice? 

In the women’s bracket, six SEC schools made the Sweet 16. The SEC has always been a powerhouse league for the women’s game. The conference began the festivities with 10 members in this Big Dance. So it was really no surprise that so many SEC teams were still playing. Texas and South Carolina were top seeds in their regions (undefeated U Conn and one-loss UCLA were the other two top seeds). 

While U Conn and UCLA drub opponents, there is one other star in the women’s game. Hilda Hidalgo of Notre Dame has nearly single-handedly carried the #6-seeded Irish to wins over higher-ranked opponents. In defeating #-2 seed Vanderbilt, Hidalgo’s statistics read as follows: 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and 7 assists. 

Thus, the SEC received 10 bids in each tournament. I realize that the field has to be filled to draw it down. But this proves how much a money maker the NCAA Tournament is and how much of a slant it is towards the SEC. Same thing in football. 

Nonetheless, the Big Ten won the College Football Playoffs. Indiana triumphed over an ACC school—Miami (FL). Could this repeat itself—no SEC school wins the Men’s Tournament and a Big Ten team wins the Big Dance too? (It would be the first time since 2000 when Michigan State won) And perhaps the UCLA women knock off U Conn? 

With the way the games are going, I bet the NCAA is happy. So, too, are CBS, Turner on the men’s side along with ESPN, which airs the women’s games. 

Oh yeah—the NBA is now in its playoff push. In the East, Detroit has clinched a playoff spot and remains 4.5 games ahead of Boston. Detroit has gone 8-2 in its last 10 games while the Celtics, who are one game in front of New York, has gone 7-3, just like the Knicks. 

Miami, Charlotte, Orlando Philadelphia are all in pursuit of Atlanta and Toronto, the final teams not residing in the play-in games. Only two games separate the haves from the have nots. Charlotte is 7-3 in their last 10 games and defeated the Knicks at home on Thursday night. Philadelphia has re-united Joel Embiid and Paul George, the latter having served his suspension for using a banned substance; they still miss Tyrese Maxey, their All-Star guard, who is out with a tendon strain in his right pinky finger. They could be dangerous if everybody is healthy. 

In the West, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder maintains a two game lead on San Antonio for the top spot in the conference. They each have gone 9-1 in their past 10 games, with OKC having had a 12 game streak stopped by Boston earlier this week. 

For slots 3 through 5, two games separate the Lakers, Nuggets and Timberwolves. LAL is also 9-1 in the past 10 games; Denver is surging with a four game winning streak. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards is now listed as day-to-day with knee inflammation—good news for the team’s chances. 

Portland and the Clippers are battling for the 8-9 spot, and could make a run at Phoenix, which is three up on its pursuers. Golden State is floundering with no Steph Curry; they are below .500, but safely remains in the 10th and final spot. Without a healthy Curry, GSW is toast. He has nine games left to get better and shake off any rust—if that is at all possible. 

I heard a commentator saying that Buffalo, the surprise team this season in the NHL, is starting to swoon. That’s because they lost their last two games in overtime, then suffered a home loss to Detroit on Friday night. That brings the Sabres record in the past 10 games to 6-2–2. Not too many teams can match that—a couple have won seven like Ottawa, Philadelphia and New Jersey. 

Ottawa, Detroit, Philly, Washington and New Jersey have the mathematical chance to catch the teams ahead of them—Montreal, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Boston and the Islanders. It’s going to be a scramble to the finish in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo, Carolina and Tampa Bay all are in good stead to make the playoffs. 

The best team in hockey may be Colorado, which has 106 points and only 13 regulation losses. Dallas and Minnesota seem to have the playoffs locked up. Possibly Anaheim, too. Edmonton, Las Vegas, Utah, Nashville, the LA Kings, Seattle, Winnipeg and San Jose still have a chance to catch someone and make the post-season. 

Yes, it is baseball season. The New York Yankees overpowered the Giants in San Francisco to begin the campaign. Back-to-back shutouts. A franchise record to begin a season. 

Don’t just anoint the Yankees champions just yet. Aaron Judge’s four strikeout Opening Day performance didn’t sit well with the fan base. He redeemed himself with a two run homer in the second game. 

As much as the implementation of the ABS system for contested ball/strike calls will initially create havoc, this first step is way overdue. Too many calls resulted in strikes or balls being called when they should not have been called. 

I hope this works, because a wider usage of the systems is needed to make the right calls more often. For the integrity of the game. It helped Judge on Friday.

Besides watching games on your local team’s network, MLB hasn’t stopped adding partners. FOX, FS1, ESPN, TBS, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, MLB Network, NBC/Peacock and Netflix will be televising games. 

If you don’t have cable or cannot stream or subscribe to additional services, you are going to miss games. Plenty of them. The day of local over-the-air TV broadcasts has been long gone. 

The prices to watch games in person is ridiculous enough. Add cable and streaming—the cost of watching games over the course of a baseball season is nearly prohibitive for so many loyal fans. 

Andrew Marchand calculated what it would cost to watch all the Yankees games this season. The price to see games on ten networks was a whopping $760. 

This is why salaries are so out-of-whack with reality. The money the owners make is so much and can be shared without denting their considerable profits given the new partnerships in advertising and marketing along with television. 

Wherever money is available, somebody always wants more. Good for the WNBA players to nearly double their salaries in a new contract. It’s the same in baseball, the NBA, NFL or the collegiate ranks with N-I-L. 

Sure, the games are exciting. Playoffs and tournaments are great and the level of competition is outstanding. But when this dollar train is ever going to end, I cannot say. 

For right now, enjoy yourselves watching March Madness and the end of the regular seasons in the NBA and NHL as well as the start of baseball. I will. As long as I can locate the correct network when channel surfing to see the games.

Puerto Rico & March Madness

  My wife and I are back from a five day vacation in Puerto Rico with our family. This was a bucket list item (along with the Virgin Islands but prices there in March during Spring Break were outrageous) going back to the time my parents went to Puerto Rico when I was in high school. 

My father went there for the gambling and sun. He wasn’t big fan of the island. He was more a Vegas-Atlantic City kind of gambler; craps was his game of choice. 

They stayed at the Caribe Hilton, the first “international” hotel in the chain founder Conrad Hilton built. I do recall that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War, as Spain had very little use for the island. Puerto Rico is not a nation—even if island pride bespeaks differently. 

Thus, all these years later, it was incumbent on me to stay in the same hotel my parents did. A hotel which has undergone tremendous renovation and expansion, some due to hurricanes and some simply based on the demand to stay in a luxurious and historic place. 

The Caribe Hilton claims to have invented the Pina Colada;I had a sip of the real deal and imbibed a mock one. Delicioso. 

I went away for vacation. Some rest and relaxation. Mission accomplished. 

We toured El Younque National Forest on the eastern end of the island. It is a majestic rain forest with waterfalls, lush vegetation and spectacular vistas. And yes, it actually rained momentarily in the rain forest. 

A couple of times we were near or in Old San Juan. The colorfulness of the buildings on narrow, cobblestone streets reeked of a history that was tropical and European. Plus the strategic military position of the island was evident from the forts standing and those in ruins along the northern shore. 

The music was everywhere. In the hotel, on the streets, in cars or in restaurants. The Latin beat was omnipresent. Upbeat and metallic, with rapid fire lyrics and abundant spectacular sounds. And no, I didn’t encounter Bad Bunny.

The natives were warm and friendly. They didn’t resent the hordes of tourists who incessantly overpopulate the everyday activities of those who reside in Puerto Rico permanently. Tourism is the number one industry of Puerto Rico and it is well marketed. 

The food was exceptional. We went to a variety of different places to sample the island’s better cuisine. We were not disappointed. Even at the hotel continental breakfast or at a downtown bakery/cafe where we had a delicious grilled Swiss cheese sandwich on a croissant-lie roll. 

Most of the time, the weather cooperated. Temperatures remained in the mid-80’s during the day and low to mid-70’s at night. The only drawback was the gusty winds which resulted in the issuance of a Small Craft Advisory at the beginning of this week. 

Surprisingly, the water in the pools and in the ocean was colder than expected. I thought that it would be closer to bath water. It wasn’t frigid. Just not warm enough for my tastes. The only heated water was in the jacuzzi, which was very much welcomed. 

Sports abounds in Puerto Rico. Baseball. Soccer. Basketball. All have a distinct place on the island. 

When we arrived at the hotel, much to our surprise we learned that the Caribe Hilton was headquarters for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 competition. Everywhere there were athletes, some wearing official t-shirts, others in team garb or shirts from different races. Expensive bicycles were in the lobby, as the competitors had to go through inspection of their vehicles. 

Ironman participants are a tough lot. They look so in shape and ready to do battle. For that matter, a great number appeared to be ex-military. 

The course originated in an adjacent lagoon for the early morning swim portion of about 12 miles. The bike part of the triathlon was a 50 mile tour of the scenic coastline into San Juan. The contestants finished the event with a half marathon run. 

There was a boisterous celebration at the bar/stage area that night. The winner was from Brazil. I can tell you from riding the elevators that the number of countries represented in this contest was numerous. 

The triathletes weren’t the only notables staying at the Caribe Hilton. The 2026 FIBA Women’s Qualifying Tournament was going on while we were there. Puerto Rico was the host team. 

Teams from Italy, New Zealand and Spain stayed at our hotel. They received motorcycle police escorts to and from the venue; the buses had the event label on the sides. 

We saw the women in the hotel; at the pool and beach; and even in Old San Juan. 

TV commercials, signs and billboards promoting the tournament and the Puerto Rican national team were everywhere. Young girls wore the team jersey. 

The winner of the tournament was the US team. Caitlin Clark, April Reese, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum and former Rutgers stalwart and current Phoenix Mercury star Kahleah Copper led the way as the team finished 5-0. 

The US still is the number one team in the world—for good reason. The assemblage of talent is among the greatest we have ever had. As they get used to playing with each other, this group will actually get better—and they dominated the opposition. 

Team USA stayed at the Sheraton, which was much closer to the arena. Our first night’s dinner was close to that building. I think I saw two members of the team at dinner on Sunday night. Otherwise, that’s as close as I came to seeing our team.

Plus there were Caitlin Clark supporters visible in Puerto Rico. They wore Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball shirts.  

In what was a busy period for Puerto Rico, our arrival coincided with the conclusion of the Puerto Rico portion of the World Baseball Classic. Pool A was held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Described as an electric atmosphere originating from the host team’s fans along with those who traveled from Cuba, Canada, Colombia and Panama, the Canadian and Puerto Rican teams emerged from pool play to the quarterfinals. 

Seemingly throughout Puerto Rico I observed host team paraphernalia. Stores offered an array of jerseys of different colors and hats were the new fashion. It way outnumbered the MLB team hats and even the Ironman shirts. The pride the people had for their team was apparent. 

After all, Puerto Rico has produced a plethora of stars who played in the big leagues. Yankees fans know that Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams were Puerto Rico natives. ( I did see plenty of Yankees hats and a few more Los Angeles Dodgers ones, too, while roaming the island) Places like Santurce and Caguas, which only were names to me, now were before me.

After all these years since his tragic death, Roberto Clemente remains revered on the island. The number 21 is retired in Pittsburgh and Puerto Rico. For good reason. He was a star among stars and a great humanitarian. 

As for the WBC, the US survived a stunning loss to Italy and had to sweat out Italy’s game versus Mexico to move forward. A run differential was the tie breaker which allowed the American team to move on.

Japan was eliminated by Venezuela in a major surprise. Team USA held the Dominican Republic bats in check to create a Venezuela-US final.

Venezuela had great pitching, was hungrier and played sold baseball. They effectively silenced the vaunted Team USA bats; Aaron Judge had a horrible night and only Bryce Harper’s two run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning saved the team from an embarrassing shut out. Even after the US tied the score with Harper’s homer, the resilience of the Venezuelans showed as the team scored the winning run in the top of the ninth inning. 

Pundits raved about the success of the tournament. Still, they felt cheated that this happened before the regular season. 

Buster Olney of ESPN proposed that the preliminary rounds be conducted during Spring Training. Then, in July when all players were up to speed, play the concluding contests during what would have been All-Star Week, which would include the Home Run Derby, Skills Competition and thus generate even more enthusiasm as well as raising the level of play even more. Not a bad idea. 

US television was present in Puerto Rico. New York local stations were available to me. I did not want for New York or national sports news. 

Of course, I did not miss the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday after Purdue topped Michigan for the Big Ten automatic berth. It is a March Madness staple for me. 

I think that the Committee did a commendable job, although I question why 31-1 Miami of Ohio couldn’t have gotten a #10 seed instead of having to face SMU in a play-in game. Which the Red Hawks won handily. Before being ousted in the next round. 

My bracket went up in flames beginning with the Tuesday games. I didn’t get either right. Only Miami salvaged the Wednesday’s contests for me. 

Picking the right upsets is always hard to do. I learned after the fact that this was the 21st consecutive year that an #11 seed downed a #6 seed. Texas, a play-in victor over NC State, took out BYU and VCU came back from a 19 point deficit to stun North Carolina. Is it time for UNC to move on from Hubert Davis as head coach? 

My #6-#11 upset was South Florida defeating Louisville. The Cardinals were simply the better team in ousting USF. I had Tennessee stopping Miami of Ohio in another #6-#11 matchup. 

#12 seed High Point outshot #5 Wisconsin, with their three point ace scoring his only two point field goal of the year to eliminate the Badgers in the last seconds of the game. When a #9 seed triumphs over a #8 seed, it is simply not an upset in my mind. So when all #9 seeds made it to the second round, did the committee treat each school just a bit too lightly while maybe overrating the #8 seeds?

Game of the tournament thus far goes to Kentucky-Santa Clara. Santa Clara, in the NCAA’s for the first time in 30 years, stayed with UK. Enough so that with 2.4 seconds left, a three point shot put the Broncos ahead by three points. 

It would have taken a miracle for Kentucky to tie the game and send it to overtime. Which happened when a thirty foot desperation shot caromed off the backboard and into the net. The Wildcats had clawed their way back into the game and would not be denied in the overtime session, winning by a score of 89-84. 

In Division III women’s action, NYU had its 91 game winning streak stopped by the University of Scranton. While the Violets didn’t match the streak which the UConn women put up of 111 straight victories, it is still very admirable and a DIII record. 

It was good to come home to the NCAA Tournament to keep me occupied with the spate of colder weather. But now it is Spring and the NCAA’s move on in basketball, hockey and wrestling with the MLB season ready to start this week. The NBA and NHL are nearing the April homestretch. My daughter returned to Los Angeles and a new project in the film industry to find that there was a name plate over a parking space in the lot she now uses belonging to that movie mogul LeBron James. (The Lakers have been surging since they are all healthy again)

Puerto Rico offered more than enough to keep me going. A nice respite in a sports-crazed territory. Now March Madness insanity is in the air.