First, my apologies about not blogging the last few weeks. As you can imagine, we've been very busy with the Sports Expo, NCAA Tourny, and so many live shows. So here are a few things to get off my chest.
Good for Bill Self passing up huge money and his alma matter to stay at Kansas. Oklahoma State might have been tempting for a few minutes, but Kansas is one of college basketball's best jobs. Self is already a god in Lawrence after winning the National Championship in dramatic fashion, and has lots of job security. Actually, I'm a little sursprised he stayed put at Kansas, given his past history at Tulsa and Illinois. Don't expect former Self assistant Billy Gillispie to leave Kentucky for Oklahoma State. The former UTEP head coach has a great situation in Lexington, and isn't about to give up after just one season with the Wildcats. I've been told by a "good source" that Tony Barbee could be on the Oklahoma State short list of candidates.
As for Memphis, it's a shame that free throw shooting cost them the National Title. CDR and Derrick Rose will be haunted by their misses from the foul line for a long time, and head coach John Calipari surprised many by telling the media he told his team to foul Kansas in the final 10 seconds of regulation. No foul, 3 point basket by Mario Chalmers to force OT, and the rest is history. I expect Memphis to reload and contend next season, but I doubt Calipari will ever have a better shot at winning a championship than he did Monday night.
Don't push the panic button after less than two weeks of the MLB season. The Tigers finally won their first game of the season and they'll be fine. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets have also struggled out of the gate, but all three have the talent to rebound quickly. Good to see teams like KC, Baltimore, and Florida begin 2008 with hot starts.
Soccer is alive and well in Juarez. Attracting more than 22,000 fans to watch Mexico battle the US and Canada in Olympic qualifying is a great sign of things to come. Lots of El Pasoans have also crossed the border to take in the action. The US and Canada have bragging rights on the line in their Saturday finale, and both have qualified for Beijing. Also wondering if the rumors are true about Hope Solo. The blonde haired, blue eyed goalkeeper for the US is apparently dating former UTEP WR/QB Lorne Sam. If the rumors are true, Sam hit the jackpot!