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3,409 comments Add your comment
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:14 pm
BTW ATLANTANS please send us more recruits. LATRELL SCOTT is back in at RICHMOND, and as head coach this time.
cabravesfan
February 3rd, 2010
10:16 pm
Richbrave-
You can have him
– I really do hope he works out there…he seems like a good kid
Jeffrey D-
Corp transferred to Richmond because he lost out on the starting job to Matt Barkley and then lost the backup role too…
cabravesfan
February 3rd, 2010
10:17 pm
Sorry- didn’t get to finish my comment- He chose Richmond so he wouldn’t have to sit out a year
jeffrey d
February 3rd, 2010
10:19 pm
Corp transferred to Richmond because he lost out on the starting job to Matt Barkley and then lost the backup role too
Lost the starting QB job at USC? That must mean he doesn’t look like a Backstreet Boy
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:21 pm
TOM O’HAWK:
Have you got any jazz favs from the seventies and eighties? I saw you put on a collection last night from the period. I’m checking out PAT METHENY’s AMERICAN GARAGE tonight.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:24 pm
Hey, CAB:
ADRIAN TRACY will be a beast in the NFL. Mark it down.
TnBrian
February 3rd, 2010
10:26 pm
I’m sorry, but since this is not only a Braves blog, but also a music blog I have to link this video. I just have to. It’s a pretty popular song and listening to some ACDC and some other YouTube vids I came across this oldie. Good song, bad hair:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB17uWuBrL0
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:27 pm
I’m not sure SEAN LISSEMORE will cut it, but I’ve got a premonition about TRACY like I did last year with GREG TOLER who went to ARIZONA.
DAP
February 3rd, 2010
10:27 pm
govclinton tyree Did you know that Johnny Damon has scored 1320 runs (110/yr) the last twelve years?
do you realize that for 9 of those years, he has hit at the top of the order for some of the strongest offensive teams in the AL? i think johnny damon is a good player, and i hope the braves get him, but lets not overstate it. runs scored is heavily dependant on who is in the lineup to drive you in.
Salamander
February 3rd, 2010
10:28 pm
DOB – thanks for the Baseball Talk online link to the Javy interview. His comments regarding steroids in baseball were very intriguing. I mean, he basically said that no one cared about steroid use, and guys that used them seemed to get fat contracts, so why not try them and get paid? Good stuff.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:29 pm
KANSAS………………..cool.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:31 pm
DAP:
And we have……………….TROY GLAUS…………………????????? Well, here’s hopin’. As the zen-master said, “we’ll see.”
TnBrian
February 3rd, 2010
10:33 pm
The lead singer in that video looks identical to a guy I used to work with. The stache, the nose, everything … except his hair wasn’t that long. Just found that funny.
Braveheart
February 3rd, 2010
10:36 pm
are these fans at Colorado really chanting overrated at Kansas with 14 minutes to go? Hey, it’s cool you’re tied, but, geez, that’s way too early to start effin’ with the bull for fear he’ll give you get the horns and destroy you by 20+ with all that time remaining
RHR
February 3rd, 2010
10:37 pm
Dammit jeffrey you made me get choked on my ice with that caveman comment.
TnBrian
February 3rd, 2010
10:37 pm
Now this is coming from me, so it won’t have nearly the same affect as someone like DOB saying it, but …
I have a feeling Damon isn’t coming to Atlanta. Nothing proves my thinking, but it just doesn’t seem like it’ll happen. The main reason is obviously Boras and how I think he don’t care to drag it out until ST or later if Det. or Atl. doesn’t give him what he wants. I think Wren will get sick of fooling with it, if he isn’t already, and go with what he has.
bigchiefrg
February 3rd, 2010
10:38 pm
Wow… Finally caught the HBO documentary on Ted Williams. I had read a few books that had stories about him but that was very well done. Can you imagine if someone of his stature spit at the media box after crossing home plate in today’s game? Just think about what happened to Yunel last year after showing a little discontent with the scorers.
A couple of things really caught my ear. The most impressive story to me was about his first time to the ball park taking batting practice upon returning stateside following his 2nd extended ‘time off’ from baseball serving as a fighter pilot in the Korean War. After telling everyone how worried he was that he may have lost his swing, he hit balls out of the park with his first 11 consecutive swings. After about the 5th or 6th shot, he yelled at the pitcher to stop watching the balls fly out of the park and throw it harder.
The second was seeing the highlights from the 99 all-star game at Fenway Park with him in the pre-game festivities. What a classy play that was. DOB, were you covering that game. If so, I know you have to have some pretty interesting perspective.
The last thing that really hit me is how integral writers are in game of baseball. I love reading old books about baseball and writers are always big parts of those stories. I feel as though we are extremely lucky to have a writer that makes me feel almost part of team.
cabravesfan
February 3rd, 2010
10:39 pm
Richbrave-
Not dissing your team at all! Sorry if it seemed that way. Richmond is a great program
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:41 pm
Nobody worries about KANSAS anymore.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
10:43 pm
CAB:
Mark it down. TRACY will be almost as good as SHARPER.
RHR
February 3rd, 2010
10:44 pm
I have a feeling Damon isn’t coming to Atlanta. Nothing proves my thinking,
cabravesfan
February 3rd, 2010
10:45 pm
Richbrave-
That argument you might have to take up with VJ
nolie
February 3rd, 2010
10:52 pm
Sign Damon!!! Leave Heyward in AAA all year!!!
brian
February 3rd, 2010
10:53 pm
why would any crowd start chanting overrated with 14 minutes left in the game against the #1 team in the country? Even if colorado was up 15 points at the time, why, why, why???
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
10:54 pm
DOB -
Gotta say….I am totally surprised that this CU-KU game is this close…The Buffalos have the ball and only down 3 with 5:49 to go…
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 3rd, 2010
10:55 pm
Close game in Boulder. DOB’s Jayhawks lead Colorado by 3 with around 6 minutes to play.
jed
February 3rd, 2010
10:56 pm
“Can you imagine if someone of his stature spit at the media box after crossing home plate in today’s game? Just think about what happened to Yunel last year after showing a little discontent with the scorers.” bigchief
excellent point.
jed
February 3rd, 2010
10:57 pm
that bigchief post i quoted above is at 10:38. he’s talking about ted williams
jeffrey d
February 3rd, 2010
11:00 pm
Dammit jeffrey you made me get choked on my ice with that caveman comment.
Thanks. I thought it was hilarious myself, but no one said anything.
Braveheart
February 3rd, 2010
11:01 pm
What’s the deal with the color of Colorado’s home unis?
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:02 pm
Hmmm…59-58….2;20 to go…
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:06 pm
Wow…56 seconds left…60-59 Buffalos
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:10 pm
60-60 game… 38.2 left… Colorado has the ball. DOB has got to be sweatin’ bullets.
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 3rd, 2010
11:10 pm
I find myself pulling for Colorado. I’d like to see the upset.
RHR
February 3rd, 2010
11:12 pm
Normally I would pull for the upset, unless it was one of my teams, of course, but since they chanted overrated..eff ‘em. I hope they choke on those words.
joerochester
February 3rd, 2010
11:13 pm
I’m thirsty for some Soco and Sprite..who’s with me?
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
11:14 pm
RICHMOND feasts on the BIG 12.
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:14 pm
Absolutely horrible there by Colorado. Too passive. Lookin’ like overtime.
nolie
February 3rd, 2010
11:15 pm
I’m fine with my vodka and orange Metamucil thank you joe
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:16 pm
These end game situations remind me of another reason why I do not like the NBA. I don’t think that in teh NBA you should be able to take a timeout and advance the ball to half-court.
haggard 1
February 3rd, 2010
11:18 pm
bigchiefrg — The last thing that really hit me is how integral writers are in game of baseball. I love reading old books about baseball and writers are always big parts of those stories. I feel as though we are extremely lucky to have a writer that makes me feel almost part of team.
Good post, bigchiefrg. I’m especially fond of the old “Armchair Books Of Baseball”. Am very much looking forward to the Willie Mays biography being released this month. James S. Hirsch is the author and it’s the first time Mays has cooperated with a biographer
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 3rd, 2010
11:18 pm
Nice play call from Bill Self. Bad execution. Had a chance….
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:18 pm
I have a question…if you have the ball out of bounds with less than a second to go…can you just shoot it? Does it count if it goes in and no one touches it?
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 3rd, 2010
11:20 pm
Heath,
I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t count.
David O'Brien
February 3rd, 2010
11:20 pm
Boulder is not the place a visiting team wants to be going to OT, and that’s where KU’s headed for second game in a row. They already looked tired as hell from the elevation and rough game. Now, OT. Not good.
First bad game they’ve played since the horrible performance at Tennessee. Missed 15 or 16 free throws already.
TnBrian
February 3rd, 2010
11:21 pm
RHR, cute, REEEAAALLL cute.
David O'Brien
February 3rd, 2010
11:21 pm
Heath, of course you can’t shoot the ball from out of bounds. (And if you could, you’d just have a three-point shooter shoot it from there every time in that situation.)
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:24 pm
Thanks DOB. Never anything I’ve ever heard about or even discussed before.
KU has responded well to start the OT so far….
Steve from OH
February 3rd, 2010
11:28 pm
DOB–good call on AtlantaBaseballTalk. I heard the interview they did with you a while back and have been listening when I’ve had time ever since. I’ll have to check out the Javy interview.
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 3rd, 2010
11:28 pm
What happened to Texas?
David O'Brien
February 3rd, 2010
11:30 pm
richbrave, just saw your 10:41. stick to JAZZ.
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:30 pm
…KU escapes. Colorado looked awful in OT.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
11:34 pm
David O’Brien
February 3rd, 2010
11:30 pm
richbrave, just saw your 10:41. stick to JAZZ.
LOL. That was just for you DAVE.
Heath
February 3rd, 2010
11:36 pm
Night all.
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
11:43 pm
richbrave
February 3rd, 2010
11:14 pm
RICHMOND feasts on the BIG 12.
How about this one DAVE………….SPIDERS 59 – TIGERS 52, or UR 69 – KU 68 in LAWRENCE no less.
TALKING ABOUT BBQ
February 4th, 2010
12:08 am
Anyone coming to Pt. St. Lucie for any Mets games (with or without Braves) can find some good barbecue at Sonny’s in Stuart, about a mile south of the Roosevelt bridge. The owner has four stores and the one in Stuart is by far the best. It has been there about 30 years. It must be the seasoned fire brick that gives it the better taste. The pulled pork is first class as are their ribs.
And in Chicago you can always find some of the best ribs anywdere in the country at the Twin Anchors….not far north of Wrigley Field.
P'cola Brave
February 4th, 2010
12:19 am
Can anyone tell me how far Rome, GA is from Marietta?
jed
February 4th, 2010
12:30 am
has any sport changed as much as basketball in the last 25 years? do they even bother running plays anymore? i’m no old fogey like nolie, but basketball used to be interesting to watch and now even college ball is boring. pro? forget about it…
jed
February 4th, 2010
12:35 am
pcola–75 minutes
P'cola Brave
February 4th, 2010
12:38 am
Thanks Jed.
Have you ever seen the Rome Braves play? Is it worth the trip? Gwinnett and Atlanta are both gone the weekend I’ll be there
haggard 1
February 4th, 2010
12:41 am
P’cola Brave— Marietta to Rome is just over 50 miles.
jed
February 4th, 2010
12:45 am
cant help you there…never seen em…
haggard 1
February 4th, 2010
12:46 am
P’cola Brave–Yes–it is well worth the trip. Nice drive up into northwest Georgia/ northeast Alabama region and the ballpark is great!
StingerSplash
February 4th, 2010
1:04 am
Jason Isbell and his band at Loco’s in Savannah on Feb. 16.
Alas, I expect to be in the metro ATL that weekend on bidness. Damn.
nolie
February 4th, 2010
1:09 am
Can anyone tell me how far Rome, GA is from Marietta? P’Cola
probably around 60 miles depending on where in Marietta obviously.
Jay212033
February 4th, 2010
1:14 am
P’Cola
Rome games are definitely worth checking out especially this season if you like pitching you’ll be in for a real treat with Teheran, Vizcaino & Crew there.
nolie
February 4th, 2010
1:20 am
you’ll be in for a real treat with Teheran, Vizcaino & Crew there. Jay212
yeah that should be interesting. here’s hoping they all stay healthy and make some progression.
Jay212033
February 4th, 2010
1:27 am
Actually Teheran has a great chance at making the Myrtle Beach rotation. But there will still be great pitching there as well as The Man, The Myth, The Legend……..Riaan Spanger-Furstenburg lol!
Braves_Fan_RSD
February 4th, 2010
1:52 am
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski says the team is not close to signing Johnny Damon despite claims from the outfielder’s agent that he wants to play there.
Dombrowski told the Detroit News yesterday, “We’re not close to making any kind of deals at this point.”
The newspaper says, “It’s also true that Scott Boras and Dombrowski have not yet discussed the 36-year-old outfielder’s interest in the Tigers,” made public by Boras this week.
The Braves could have interest in the lefty hitter, with assistant GM Bruce Manno telling scout.com, “Never say never.”
”Obviously, things change daily,” Manno explained. “We recognize and realize what kind of player Johnny is and has been. We like our team as it is today.”
In pining for a return to the Yankees in a WFAN interview, Damon said he is still seeking a contract of $11 million annually to play somewhere.
The Yankees signed Randy Winn last week to seemingly close the door on Damon’s return.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/report_tigers_not_close_to_signing_rK52PPL9kCjQPUhWD7lxMK#ixzz0eY0k7RR0
nolie
February 4th, 2010
2:05 am
he ain’t helping himself with 11 mil per year talk, that’s for sure
Couch Tater
February 4th, 2010
6:51 am
Scoots, Wayne in UT- I hope you had a chance to read this story about your Clemson Tigers recruit…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/02/03/clemson.commitment.lb.ap/index.html
dpelfrey
February 4th, 2010
8:44 am
As a Clemson alum, it makes me proud to read that SI article. Thanks for posting. Swinney’s a good guy, and he seems to keep things in the proper perspective. It’s a bit of a sharp contrast to the cut-throat USC’s, Florida’s and Alabama’s of the world. I imagine they would never waste a scholarship on a kid that’s recovering from a stroke and will likely never play. I hope this story gets more national press.
Hillbilly
February 4th, 2010
8:52 am
Heath, I saw you mentioning the Gerorgia/Arkansas game in last night’s posts. Did you watch the game? I didn’t get a chance to see it, so I was wondering how the Hogs looked…especially in the 2nd half. Was it a case of them pulling it together and playing with confidence and cohesiveness, or did Georgia just fall apart?
Soph
February 4th, 2010
9:06 am
jeffrey d-
The Hawks were actually down big to the Clippers?? Seriously? THE CLIPPERS??? Ouch
Hey hey now, cab. Everybody has off-nights. Except the Clippers…every night is an off-night.
Lost the starting QB job at USC? That must mean he doesn’t look like a Backstreet Boy
Haaaaaa.
Couch Tater
February 4th, 2010
9:11 am
dpelfrey,
uh…Swinney and I are both cut-throat Bama alumni, but you’re welcome.
DAP
February 4th, 2010
9:19 am
from that ny post article: In pining for a return to the Yankees in a WFAN interview, Damon said he is still seeking a contract of $11 million annually to play somewhere.
this has got to be a mistake. damon still looking for $11mil?he must be nuts. who is counseling him? is he paying attention at all to anything?
reason
February 4th, 2010
9:20 am
about the great movies — Outlaw Josie Wales
— Is there any possiblities that Dye might fall in out lap as his price drops?
Bill
February 4th, 2010
9:21 am
Thanks Tnbrian..Love the songs by Kansas..Always called it “Don’t you Cry no more.”
Damon =Damn if you do, Damn if you don’t…………..lets play ball.
Darlington
February 4th, 2010
9:26 am
DOB – Buy the new Midlake. Its’ excellent.
Arkansas Transplant
February 4th, 2010
9:29 am
It’s not 11 mil a year, that’s over 2 years.
Arkansas Transplant
February 4th, 2010
9:30 am
Check the article. It doesn’t say annually, it’s an 11 million dollar contract… 5.5 average a year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Tigers-cool-on-Damon-?urn=mlb,217595
Jeff R
February 4th, 2010
9:50 am
I can’t imagine Wren signing Damon unless he gets him for a bargain basement price. Heyward either starts the season in Atlanta or joins the club late spring/early summer. Schafer will hopefully rebound quickly, and could be with the big club sometime in the summer.
Melky doesn’t get much respect in these quarters, but he’s twenty-five and could be a darn good 4th outfielder when all is said and done.
I think Wren is going to wait out developments rather than sign Damon, yet another older player whose range is diminished and arm is suspect. I believe Damon signs over in the AL, where he can DH, mostly. Did I mention how much I can’t stand the DH?
Daslied
February 4th, 2010
9:55 am
DOB, can you get them to delay spring training? I’m taking the family to Disney World on April 5th. I should’ve planned better.
DAP
February 4th, 2010
9:56 am
arkansas transplant
this quote directly from the nypost article: Damon said he is still seeking a contract of $11 million annually to play somewhere.
thats says $11mil annually. could be a misprint, but thats what it says.
richbrave
February 4th, 2010
9:58 am
My guess is a multi-year deal is the sticking point with DAMON more than the money. If he feels he’s on the backside of his career (obvious to anyone except possibly the individual themself) then he wants to hang on as long as possible somewhere. If four or even five million for one would get him on the team, should the BRAVES look at that? I’m sure LIBERTY would O.K. the bread if management felt it worthwhile
18 Wheels of Love
February 4th, 2010
10:01 am
Can’t stand Clemson but good on Swinney for doing that. That’s a great gesture.
Seriously though. how many stories have come out of my old high school, TL Hanna? First there was Radio, then that long distance runner Ben Comen, who has cerebral palsey, now this LB kid with the seizure. And I think there was another story about a runner a few years back. And also the girl on the MTV real world show.
Seriously, the stories about Radio that didn’t make it into the movie are better than the movie.
Arkansas Transplant
February 4th, 2010
10:04 am
If 11 annually is the case, he’s definitely dreaming. But if it was around 11 over 2 years, that’s not a bad deal. I couldn’t see where the Braves won’t profit by offering a 2 yr 10mil offer. It would definitely make him a little more trade friendly if we decided that Schafer and Heyward were ready. If nothing else it would at least give us another trade chip at the deadline.
Moe Berg
February 4th, 2010
10:06 am
According to MLB.com, it is $11M for 2 years. (”Damon was reportedly looking for something in the two-year, $11 million range.”) Not sure which place has it correct, but for two years seems to be far more in line with where the market seems to be.
Eric from MO
February 4th, 2010
10:11 am
From the beginning I didn’t think Damon would be coming to Atlanta. However, I honestly don’t know where he will be next year. Seems like every option he had earlier has closed its door…such as Detriot, Oakland, Seatle, and now even the Yankees. So that being said, I give it a 3.33% chance that Damon plays for the Braves. Meaning there is 30 teams and I think the Braves have as good chance as anybody to sign him. That being said I am still not real big on the idea of adding him unless it is for what Melky makes or less. So we can then just turn around and see what we get in return for Melky.
Willy Wally
February 4th, 2010
10:12 am
It’s a bit of a sharp contrast to the cut-throat USC’s, Florida’s and Alabama’s of the world. I imagine they would never waste a scholarship on a kid that’s recovering from a stroke and will likely never play. I hope this story gets more national press.</em
Yeah, you're right, Alabama's so cutthroat they would never do such a thing. Nevermind that after Tyrone Prothro basically snapped his leg in two, Alabama honored his scholarship for 3 years thereafter until he earned his degree.
Eric from MO
February 4th, 2010
10:13 am
Would people please stop saying if Damon dont work out we can just trade. Seriously if a team doesnt want to sign him at that price now, why would they in the near future want him for that price+a prospect. Seriously stop it. It makes no sense.
lexbrave
February 4th, 2010
10:14 am
i’m not sure how any voter could watch kansas play of late and think, now there’s the #1 team in the country.
darren
February 4th, 2010
10:14 am
Bill,
If your into blues try this..best blues most people dont know..very cool story
SEASICK STEVE – Cut My Wings
Seasick Steve – Save me – 1 string diddley bo’
O.J.
February 4th, 2010
10:26 am
Eric from MO, the reason is because Damon has said that he could see a mid-season trade back to the Yankees and Cashman has said as well that he would trade for him mid-season, because he would only cost half of what his contract is, and if his contract for this year is 5 million, the Yanks would only have to pay 2.5 million mid-season, much more doable than 6 million.
Lew
February 4th, 2010
10:34 am
OJ-Thing is that if he’s so intent on returning to the Yankees, why would we want him if his mind is elsewhere? Not so sure the Yankees would be all that interested in coughing up yet another prospect, either. Cashman may just be paying lip service to the situation to shut Damon /Boras up for a while.
O.J.
February 4th, 2010
10:36 am
Lew, while that is a possibility about Cashman, I still think that if the Braves were in the playoff chase, Damon’s mind would be totally focused on the Braves, but if the Braves were out of the race come trade deadline, i could see Damon thinking about moving elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that.
Lew
February 4th, 2010
10:43 am
OJ-Not a case of him THINKING about going somewhere situationally at the trade deadline. It’s his desire RIGHT NOW to return to the Yankees whenever possible.
I’d like to sign him, but I think that aspect HAS to be taken into account. At this point he should be happy someone actually wants him (he should be shooting the finger at the Yankees by now, vowing never to return there) and not concerning himself with “well, I can get them to trade me in a couple of months”.
Just read Frank Wren’s monthly Cop Talk colmumn and I can tell you that the Braves are perfectly comfortable going into the season with the pieces we already have, starting Heyward (if not at the beginning o the season then sometime not far down the line) and having Melky platoon at all three outfield positions. They won’ty even consider Damn if he’s not focused or if the porice isn’t at rock bottom. They really don’t need him, though IMO he could throw us over the edge and push us to a serious contender (we may be anyway) for the Division Title.
bravesgrl4life
February 4th, 2010
10:50 am
For any blues fans, do you guys (used universally) like Ronnie Baker Brooks. Not pure blues, but really good bluesy, R&B-R&R.
Daslied
February 4th, 2010
10:54 am
The new Corrine Bailey Rae (”The Sea”) is really, really, really good. Really good – not at all what I expected.
David O'Brien
February 4th, 2010
10:56 am
i’m not sure how any voter could watch kansas play of late and think, now there’s the #1 team in the country. — lexbrave
Then I can only guess you’re not watch their games. You’re looking at scores, or select games (like last night’s). Most pollsters are probably paying closer attention. They probably watched Kansas dismantle a good Missouri team last week, then win Saturday in the in overtime on the road against a highly ranked Kansas State team in a raucous arena that the ESPN broadcasters said was the loudest they had experienced all season (after a record 8,000 turned out that morning for the GameDay show).
lexbrave, last night KU missed half its free throws, 17 or 18 misses for a team that came in shooting 71 percent from the line. It happens. A team can have a bad game, particularly at mile-high altitude in front of a sold-out crowd fired up to face No. 1.
It’s the first bad game Kansas has played since its terrible performance at Tennessee. But again, you probably don’t watch the games other than your Wildcats (who are perfect this season, right? Haven’t lost any?).
There’s a reason that Texas and Kentucky weren’t able to hold the No. 1 ranking for long. Teams get particularly motivated to face No. 1, especially at home before their own boisterous fans in sold-out arena. Texas lost at Kansas State after moving to No. 1. Kentucky lost at a mediocre South Carolina after moving to No. 1.
Kansas won at a strong Kansas State in overtime, then won four days later in overtime again at Colorado. If you can’t see how they might have had a letdown, particularly after taking a huge early lead at Colorado, well, like I said, I gotta think you’re probably not watching many games start-to-finish, other than games involving your ‘Cats.
Every team near the top of the rankings has had at least one loss, and every team has had at least one or two near-losses in games that, on paper, it should have won more easily. Nature of the beast in college hoops.
There are four teams — Kansas, Syracuse, Villanova, Kentucky — that most observers believe have separated themselves from the rest, at least a bit. There’s not much difference between those four, and two weeks ago I would’ve had Syracuse and Kentucky ahead of Kansas. But not after the blowout against Mizzou and the win at K-State.
If KU plays another bad game Monday at Texas, it’ll lose and you won’t have to worry about them being No. 1. But when a team plays a bad game and wins in overtime on the road in a hostile environment like KU did last night, some observers might take that as a sign of its toughness and veteran leadership.
Are they the best team? I don’t know. I think those other three are right there with them on any given night. But until they lose, they will probably remain No. 1 on the basis of the huge advantage they have in first-place votes.
Come March, it’ll mean nothing. Long as you have one of the four No. 1 seeds, it really doesn’t matter. The overall No. 1 seed might have a slightly easier first game, but other than that, means nothing in the tournament.