I might get in trouble for this with the boss but, before I get back to sports, I'm going to devote a paragraph towards the disastrous typhoon that recently hit the Philippines.
Obviously, Mother Nature has served them up a world of trouble. The final casualty count won't be know for some time, but it's safe to say this was a serious disaster. Umpteen thousands, if not millions of people are in dire need of relief efforts. Yours truly would be more than happy to contribute what I could, just as soon as -- all the millions of people in my country that are homeless and dying on the streets every day have been given food and shelter. Though I sympathize with the plight of the Filipinos, why would I send my money overseas when so many of my countrymen are still without the basic necessities of life? And where is China? After all, they're right next door to the Philippines, they certainly have the manpower, and their economy is booming. They can afford it. How come they don't jump in to help out? Why is the US always so quick to help others abroad, while they continue to leave so many of their own in dire straits? It really doesn't make sense. Never has. OK, end of that rant.
In college hoops, #2 ranked Michigan State squares off against #1 ranked Kentucky tonight. Sure, the season is just starting and, from now to next March, the rankings will likely ebb and flow. For that matter, despite all the hype that fans will hear as the season wears on -- none of it really matters. It's all about the NCAA tournament in the spring. Who was ranked where in November will be totally forgotten.
Nonetheless, this presents an interesting early match up. MSU head coach Tom Izzo is known for cultivating toughness and sheer will with his teams. The Spartans typically have several upper-classmen leading the way. They have learned through experience.
On the other hand, UK head coach John Calipari has become famous, or infamous, for how many "one and dones" that briefly pass through his program before jumping to the NBA. The Wildcats typically have several freshmen on their team. They don't know anything about experience at the major college level -- but the school seems to successfully recruit a handful of 5-star blue chip prep players every year. Put them all together and give them a while to mesh, and it turns out they can be really good. It's almost like Kentucky recruits the equivalent of the University of Michigan's 1991 Fab Five EVERY year. And hey, a lot of people must think they're doing something right -- hence the #1 early ranking.
The line has UK as a 2.5 point favorite. Some folks think it should be the other way around.
Either way, it's projected as being a close game.
We shall see.
Besides, what else is there worth watching in the sports world on a Tuesday?
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