I couldn't think of a better subject for my first blog entry than a random collection of thoughts I've had recently.  There is no rhyme or reason to any of this, but it doesn't really matter since I'm sure no one is gonna read this thing anyway!

1.  Since it is getting down to crunch time in college basketball...why the hell can't any Big Ten team win on the road?  All we hear about is how good the teams in this conference are, and I definitely agree, but are you telling me that the home court advantage in this part of the country is THAT much better than in other conferences? 

2.  Speaking of the Big Ten...I've just about had it with MSU.  In the interest of full disclosure, I should reveal that I'm an alum who typically does not get too worried about the ups and downs that occur during the course of a long season...but this year?  These guys should have ran away with the Big Ten title this year...they're definitely the most athletic team in the conference and have a solid post player.  What really surprises me about the Spartans is how mentally fragile they have become...this is supposed to be a Tom Izzo team?  If they don't get ahead early...especially on the road...the game might as well be over.  If I may, I'd like to humbly offer 2 suggestions to Coach Izzo for the Big Ten tournament...

First...as I said, your team is as athletic as any in the conference...utilize that skill by pressing full court.  This might not work against a team like Illinois, but the other teams in the league are nowhere near quick enough to handle a well put together press.  Use some in your face defense to get Ager and Brown out on the fast break for some higlight reel action!

Second...and this is most important...get Paul Davis on the block!  Stop using him to pick and pop all the time...yeah, that's a skill that he's gonna need in the NBA, but right now, his best value is in the post.  When State runs their offense through him in the block, their chances of scoring improve greatly.  While he's not a great low post scorer, he's effective enough down there to require a double team from most teams in the league.  That would leave Ager, Brown, and Neitzel open to hit some triples.  Besides, if Davis doesn't get involved enough, he'll start making this face, and no one wants to see that!

3.  FX has a new TV series coming out where they turn white families black and vice versa...sounds like a semi-interesting idea.  I have 2 questions about this though.  First, was C. Thomas Howell consulted?  Second, if J.J. Redick was turned into a black athlete for this show, would fans still hate him?

4.  Roger Clemens buzzes his son after Koby hits a homer off him.  Man, this guy Clemens sounds like an ultra-competitive guy...if he goes after his own flesh and blood in a meaningless simulated game, then he must be a hell of a post-season pitcher...or maybe not. 

5.  This has been covered ad nauseam around the country today, but how does Vince Young score a 6 on the Wonderlic test?  How can you comprehend a complicated offensive playbook, but not know some of these questions?  I guess college really is a different experience for high level student athletes. 

6.  Finally, if like me, you consider The Shawshank Redemption amongst the finest movies ever made, you should do yourself a favor and check out the short film, The Sharktank Redemption.  It stars Morgan Freeman's son, and is a very clever spoof of the original flick. 

I'm out like Bode Miller's sponsorship dollars...