March. NCAA madness indeed

See Michigan State get walloped in the Big 10 (actually 14, but they're a little slow catching up with the times) tournament by their arch-rival Michigan. For the second time this season.

See the Spartans drop from #2 nationally to a mere #3 seed in the tournament. Ouch. Though always hyped to the heavens, Izzo's Whizzos in East Lansing caught a break in their first two (likely) games, hello Sweet Sixteen, but are ripe to get knocked out (again) of the tournament by the Dukies when they get there. IF they get there.

And let's not forget those pesky investigations by both the feds and the NCAA are ongoing into the alleged hanky-panky some of the MSU players committed in the past. Depending how that turns out, Tom Izzo can deflect all he wants for now, but it just might be his head will be on the chopping block when the season is over. The former Prez and athletic director of MSU are already gone in shame for their lack of oversight. Just because a head coach of a sports teams made far more money than both of his superiors combined (and how stupid is that?), doesn't mean he's immune if and when the doo-doo hits the fan. We shall see.

Of course, then there's Michigan. Hail to the Victors. Hail to the conquering heroes. Hail, hail to Michigan..... a school that continues to name its teams after an animal (wolverine) whose only existence in the entire state is in zoos.

[Idle thought. Could this be from whence the term "cager" arose when it comes to basketball players?]

[Idle thought II. The Spartans of Michigan State have nothing to crow about either. Their namesakes were crushed THOUSANDS of years ago by the Romans. Or was that the Greeks? Who cares? They lost, big time, never to be heard of again, until MSU came up with the not so bright idea of naming its teams after a colossal loser.]

So how is it that Gonzaga wound up a #4 seed when their 30-4 record is better than any of the #2s or #3s, and second only to Virginia, even among the #1s? Weren't these same Zags in the Finals not long ago, losing by a just a whisker on a last second shot for the title? What does it take to get a little long overdue respect?

You know the world has gone plum loco when....

Who was that guy on ESPN in the pork-pie hat?

This is the same hat circus barkers used to wear. "Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and buy your tickets so see the 800 pound bearded lady. And the three-eyed man hanging by his prehensile tail."

It's even reminiscent of Oliver Hardy in slapstick of old. "This is ANOTHER fine mess you've got me into Stanley".

But wait, that guy was none other than -- drum roll please -- Lebron James.

And you just know thousands of his adoring fans are going to run right out and buy hats just like it.

Only in America.

Sigh.....