PTI is a show on ESPN usually involving Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon who debate the day's sports and entertainment headlines. I'll pretend the question's are aimed at me.
The First Word:
1) Why did Kentucky win?
They won, because they were better, had better players, and made less mistakes then Kansas did. I can't count the number of times Kansas missed layups. Even though UK shot less than 27% in the 2nd half (26.9%), they were up 14 at half and held Kansas at bay. There were 2 key plays in the game:
1) Kansas had trimmed an 18 point deficit down to 14 at halftime. They scored first to begin the 2nd, forced a UK missed shot, had a run out on the subsequent rebound and missed a dunk that would have gotten it to 10.
2) Down 5 with 1:37 to go, Travis Relaford went for a steal, missed and got called for a reach-in foul. Anthony Davis made 1 of 2 free throws, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist blocked Tyshawn Taylor's layup at the other end and that was that. Kansas made it a competitive game after trailing by double digits most of the game, but the missed layups really hurt them, and was the main reason why they lost.
2) What's next for Calipari?
A very good question. Now that he's got Kentucky their first title since 1998, any time they don't win a championship will be a failure. Tubby Smith succeeded Rick Pitino at Kentucky, won the 98 title his first year, never back it back to the final 4 after that, and the UK fans ran him out of town. Every stop in college under Calipari has been a success: got UMass to #1 in the country and the 1996 final 4; and got Memphis to the 2008 championship game. However, he had a brief career in the NBA with the Nets where he had a disasterous 72-112 record in 2 and a quater seasons. With as many as 4 people leaving school (Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb and Terrance Jones) with a possibility of a 5th (Marquis Teague), he'd have to do a serious effort to reload. With John Wall already with the Washington Wizards (played for Calipari in 10 at Kentucky), if the Wizards win the lottery and draft Davis they would have two Calipari players on the roster, and with an interem coach he could bolt back to the NBA like Pete Carroll bolted back to the NFL after winning a championship at USC after having a medicore career in 2+ seasons with New England. Since the Wizards have an interem coach, Calipari would draw interest, but I think he enjoys his time in college, and the recruiting trail is next for him.
3) Best big man since Duncan?
Yes. There haven't even been that many other true "big" man to come through college since Duncan anyways. Kevin Love at UCLA and Joakim Noah at Florida would be the only ones in the running with Davis anyhow.
4) RG3 refuses to work out with Colts?
Well, when was this "workout" supposed to be anyways, because he was in Denver at the women's final four? It's non news worthy, the Colts have their sights set on Andrew Luck, and I think Robert Griffin wants to go to Washington more anyways; the offensive system works better for him then in Indianapolis anyways.
Headlines:
1) Will Tiger win the Masters?
I can never get into a golf tournament, even the Masters even on Sundays, even if it's close. Tiger won his last tournament, and plays well at Augusta, but you have better odds picking the field then picking 1 player, especially when the field has caught up to Tiger and has won the last 13 majors. I'd look for Angel Cabrera, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott or Rory McIlroy to challenge Tiger for the green jacket on Sunday
2) What's at stake for Griner?
Nothing, because she's a junior, so she'll be back next year along with the rest of the key contributors off of that team. Women's basketball isn't like men's basketball, most of these players stick around for all 4 years, only player I can ever remember leaving early was Candace Parker of Tennessee, and Griner has already said she'll be back for her senior year. Anyway, the team only has 3 seniors and 2 of them don't even play that much, so they have the ingredients ready to get back here next season. There's more pressure on Baylor as a team because basketball is a team sport: 39-0 heading in, and with a win would be the first team in basketball history to finish a season 40-0. They would be the 7th women's team to finish undefeated, but the highest previous total was 39-0. Indiana, the last men's team to finish undefeated, was 37-0. With teams only being allowed to play a maximum of 31 or 32 regular season games, it'd be pretty difficult to pass 40-0. Notre Dame was just in the championship game last year and Baylor couldn't even get to the final 4, so if ND starts out hot, that 39-0 record could be all for nothing. Note Baylor ended up pulling away the final 10 minutes to win 80-61; a lot closer then the score indicated
3) Claiborne's score leaked?
Who cares that Morris Claiborne the LSU CB scored a 4 on the wonderlic test? I don't even know what this test is.
Word:
1) __________ to give Votto Big Extension
Costly. The Reds own their own TV station (FS Ohio), but unlike other teams that own their own TV stations (Nationals, Orioles, Indians, Red Sox, Yankees, Mets), the Reds don't get as much profit as those previous 3 do. With Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols both gone from divisional rivals and out of the division, the Reds can compete for the next couple years. However, putting 22.5 million for 10 years to 1 player with not a high payroll team can cost them. Joey Votto is a great player, now probably the 2nd best offensive player in the division, but a 10 year extension for $225 million is big. Brandon Phillips, a key cog for the offense is probably gone after this season because the team will have no money to pay him. The Reds organization put all their eggs in 1 basket, I hope it works out for them and he doesn't get hurt like Joe Maeur did for the Twins.
2) Seahawks new uniforms are ______________________
Oregonian. Nike unveilved new uniforms for all 32 NFL teams. Nike is also in charged of handling the Oregon Duck uniforms, I don't think they've had the same pant/shirt combination in the last 3 seasons.
3) The Fray's national anthem was _____________
Not neccessary. I like a couple of The Fray's songs, but can people just sing the anthem and get on with the game?
4) Jets on "Hard Knocks" would be ________________
Media driven. They've already been on once. Get another team, but put a camera on linebacker Bart Scott though.
Big Finish:
1) 5 game suspension?
I'll take it. Ubaldo Jiminez hit his old teammate Troy Tulowitzski in the back over the weekend. 5 game for a pitcher is 1 start, not a big deal.
2) Back on the rise?
Los Angeles Clippers are on a 6 game winning streak, their best in 20 years. Their game against the Lakers tomorrow will go a long way to deciding who wins the Pacific division and avoids the Thunder in the second round (division winner would finish 3rd, second would finish either 4th or 5th and would play West #1 Oklahoma City in second round). Clippers currently trail by a game and a half and have a game in hand
3) Mood in Bulls Corner (Wilbon is a bulls fan)?
Tired, this is what happens when you play the equivlant of two college seasons in 1 season (66 games in about 125 days). Their still 2.5 up on Miami in the East, 9 up on Indiana in their division and have already clinched a playoff spot. Once Rose gets back for the playoffs, they'll be fine.
4) 4,000 fewer seats?
That means the Redskins have 4,000 less tickets to give away this year if they collapse down the stretch.
5) Will Yanks win this year?
6 times Kentucky has won a championship, the Yankees have won the World Series the following October. I say it ends this year, the AL is too strong, and the AL representative has lost in 4 of the last 6 World Series
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