Catch of the Day.

HOOK:

“Research.”

Want to see two good men’s college basketball games, study four teams that could make a Final Four run in March, and not have to spend the hours of viewing a college basketball junkie like myself has to do?  Watch tonight’s games between Notre Dame-UNC and Oklahoma-Texas.  I think Notre Dame might run the most offense in the land with second tier athletes.  UNC has talent and has semi-reloaded, but I still don’t see a LONG run in the tourney.  OU is up and coming and finally has a nice blend of experience and talent to play with anyone.  Texas is back and is now running on all cylinders with their PG back.  None of these teams will spend time at #1 this year, but you should make a note that any of them could wreck your bracket.

LINE:

“Trends.”

After the NFL Wildcard weekend, I thought about the losing teams and whether they were trending to the good or bad.  For example, I am excited if I am a Lions fan.  They have core skill position players in their prime, and will be scary next year.  The Cardinals are trending up with their defense and coaching, but clearly need some more weapons on offense to score more.  The Bengals don’t have to tinker with anything to be right on that cusp of the playoffs, but need a key additions to scare anyone in going further.  Sad to say it, but I fear the Steelers might be trending down a bit.  Saturday simply was full circle for me, as they ended up being the team from earlier in the season.  Aging QB, one RB of note, and a defense that just can’t make big plays.

SINKER:

“Scapegoat.”

Lions fans who blame everything on that blown no call.  I get it.  It is maddening.  We can sit here and get mad at Bryant being on the field without a helmet, the procedure that was followed DURING the no-call, or the fact that it seems a little shady with it being the Cowboys and all.  But, there was a whole game that was played.  It sucked that one call tainted a solid football game, but it is what it is.  I think the NFL needs to keep referee TEAMS together in the playoffs to help with communication.  Shame though, and I personally was rooting against the Cowboys.

That is all for today.  Peace.