As February Ends...

                                                              As February Ends...

     It is February 27th--just 2 days left in this month. Already, at least in New York City's weather annals, this has been the warmest February since the National Weather Service began keeping such records. Today it is 57 degrees here in New Jersey and tomorrow the temperature will be in the 60's. All this with no snow presently on the ground. After all, it is still Winter until March 20th. And some of the biggest snowstorms ever have occurred in the next 3 week time frame. Remind me--there isn't any significant global warming? At least not in the Midwest and Upper Great Plains, anyway.

     Here in the East, it is a time to wind down winter sports and to gear up for the spring and summer months. With this being the largest market in the United States and with the plethora of games broadcast on cable television and via the computer, there is absolutely no respite for the sports fan. As if the addicted fanatics want any respite anyhow.

     Where does this writer stand today in his interest level? Somewhat subdued on his winter sports and not quite enthused about the spring and summer ones. Time to explain the mixed emotions.

     My alma mater, Franklin and Marshall College, plays mostly in Division III. The notable exceptions are wrestling and both men's and women's squash. The men's basketball program has legendary D-III coach Glenn Robinson, who holds the all-time record for wins in that section. My expectations are always high with Coach Robinson's squad, winners of numerous Centennial Conference championships and trips to the NCAA's including three to the Final Four.

     While missing the presence of an experienced big man and down one key player plus battling some untimely injuries, this Diplomats squad came on strong at the end of the regular season, finishing second with an 18-7 overall mark. Although this team had two wins over the eventual champion, Swarthmore College, there were some unfathomable losses and difficulty with the likes of Ursinus, Johns Hopkins and Dickinson. Even having conference leading scorer Brandon Federici making incredible and timely shots, there were some question marks about this group. The season ended on Friday night with a 6 point loss to Dickinson in the semi-finals, a game which F&M led at the expiration of the first half but surrendered the lead late in the second half. Federici had a subpar evening and the hopes of the Diplomats were squashed. As were mine.

     The remainder of F&M's teams went down with either a whimper or some modest achievement in squash against the bigger name schools. I have given up hope that wrestling will give me some satisfaction, for F&M is virtually non-competitive versus the bigger D-I programs.

     For the spring sports, baseball lost 2 of 3 at #12 Washington & Lee. Lacrosse lost both their matches this weekend too. I have the feeling that my attention will be glancing at the scores in March though May, hoping for something good to happen.

     Then there is Rutgers. Basketball is almost over. Tomorrow night I see my last home game with the Maryland Terrapins coming to the RAC. Coach Pikiell has coached the heck out of this group and they have been hanging tough for the most part. Maybe they can steal a win from Maryland, Illinois on Saturday, or in the Big 10 Tournament. It has been a struggle this season, at times very frustrating. The record may be below .500 yet there has been significant improvement.

     Wrestling took a hit when they were soundly defeated by Lehigh in the National Duels. The Big 10 Championship is in Bloomington, Indiana; I anticipate 4 to 6 Scarlet Knights grapplers to emerge for the NCAA's in St. Louis. Not too shabby. Especially for Rutgers.

     Women's hoops is another story. Not fun to watch Hall of Fame Coach Stringer's team get trounced almost every game. Next year will be much, much better, for there a number of players coming back to Rutgers who are legitimate scoring and defensive threats.

     Rutgers baseball always starts out slowly, a byproduct of no outdoors training in warmer climates (notwithstanding this year's record temperatures). A win down at the University of Miami gave some hope. Against #12 Virginia in Charlottesville this past weekend, Rutgers fared poorly. It is too early to evaluate this team--so I am waiting until they hit the Big 10 schedule to see if they are any better than last year's below .500 team. Maybe men's lacrosse will be somewhat decent.

     College basketball overall is an open book as to who will win the National Championship.  There are so many contenders this season that truly anyone can win. One thing for certain, the suspense is over with Gonzaga's loss to Brigham Young on Saturday--there will not be an undefeated team this year.

     The three NHL teams are in varying states of flux right now. The New Jersey Devils are near the bottom of the playoff chase. I don't see much happening to change their position concerning the playoffs. The Islanders switched coaches recently; even with some wins, they are not going to make the playoffs either unless they get redhot. Whereas they will make the playoffs and perhaps win a round or two, the Rangers are inconsistent--winning against Washington but being humbled at home yesterday by Columbus.  No Stanley Cup championship for them this, the franchise's 90th year. Thus I'll cheer for Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins.

     Pro basketball in New York is bad. The Knicks are still barely in the playoff hunt, but need a miracle. I cannot stand another news item regarding owner James Dolan, Team President Phil Jackson or superstar Carmelo Anthony. I cannot wait for the season to conclude. The Brooklyn Nets are hopeless.

     Thankfully I can still watch and root for the Golden State Warriors. Playing on the East Coast for back to back games tonight in Philadelphia versus the sometimes competitive 76'ers and tomorrow night in D.C. to play the vastly improved Wizards, Golden State has to navigate a tough remaining schedule which includes  7 of the next 8 contests on the road and trips to San Antonio (twice) and Houston and Oklahoma City. Still the favorites to emerge from the Western Conference to the NBA Finals, Curry, Thompson, Durant & company will have their hands full. In the Eastern Conference, the defending champs, the Cleveland Cavaliers and all-world Lebron James might not make it past Washington, Boston or Toronto.

     Baseball has started spring training. The stories from Florida are coming fast and furiously about the Mets and Yankees. I will not get very excited. These are exhibitions. I pray for no injuries when Opening Day arrives. Then I can be interested in earnest.

     This is where I stand at the end of the last full month of Winter. Some things to watch, some things to wait on.

     But not to worry. I received a call from a representative for the New York Jets, wanting to know how I felt about the team and its off season changes. I felt sorry for the guy. I did not hit him to hard. My plate was too full. After all, it is still the end of February...