Any big news today? Yes.
Burnley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Burnleys Burnleyed yesterday, Burnleying Tottenham Hotspur by a score of 1-0. It was an uncharacteristic Burnleying, in that Burnley won and actually, by many metrics, outplayed one of the six potent footie clubs in England. There was a 0-0 vibe to the thing, then Ben Mee headered one in off of Josh Brownhill’s foot (Brownhill’s been a man possessed this week), the Clarets held, and there was much rejoicing.
Other beautiful things from yesterday:
- In typical Ottawa Senators fashion (yes, this is a divine synchrony), Tottenham’s manager went into the press conference after the game and basically said, “Well, now they’re gonna have to fire me.” (Actual words: “Maybe I’m not so good. Tottenham called me to change things but I’m too honest. I could just take my salary, but I’m too honest. We’ve lost four out of five games. This is unacceptable.”)
- In feel-good city, a Burnley fan in the early stage of Parkinson’s Disease who placed an ad in the paper asking for rides to games not only got his rides locked up for the next season and a half, but even got to watch yesterday from the owner’s box (which was especially nice considering it was cold and raining). The best part is that when the club asked the man if he’d like a friend to come with him, he asked for the stranger whose seat has been next to his for the last five years or more. Here’s the full story.
- Burnley moved into 18th in the table, ahead on goal differential of all four teams directly ahead of them (who are all within four points of the Clarets) and holding games in hand over three of the four. Back from the dead, but plenty of work left to do.
And the not-so-beautiful:
- Maxwel Cornet was out with a foot injury. Unclear how significant it’ll prove to be.
Now, back to beautiful:
- Maxwel Cornet has been learning English.
Next match is Saturday down in London against Crystal Palace. Winnable, but it’d be a pretty big surprise. A draw would still be a great result heading into a tough next week (home against Leicester and Chelsea). There is time, but making the most of the hot stretch would be massive.
Joe Kelly Wants to Stay a Dodger, Save Baseball
Joe Kelly appeared on a Los Angeles radio station last night, and while we failed to get a call in (it’s a busy season in NIT blogger world), it does sound like Kelly, predictably, wants to stay with the Dodgers. The other recent news has been that the Cardinals approached him, so keep an eye on that, but it does seem like a situation where he’ll be willing to give a team a discount to stay in Southern California, and the Dodgers will be willing to be the ones who take that discount.
In news NONE OF YOU TOLD ME ABOUT (guys, come on), Joe Kelly “and Friends” have started a brand called Baseball Isn’t Boring to save the game of baseball. Here’s the Twitter account. Here’s the Instagram page. What a development. Launched almost two months ago! Serves me right for trying to spend less time on social media, I guess.
Texas, NIT Friend
Well this was a layup we’ve been missing. New segment: NIT friend. For those who support the NIT.
Last night, it was looking grim for our beloved TCU Horned Frogs. The score was in their favor here in Austin early in the second half, and somewhere back in Fort Worth, Jamie Dixon’s wife was panickily looking up things to do in Greenville, fearing a final postseason destination other than our beloved New York City. Texas, though, had other plans. The Longhorns roared back, TCU was vanquished, and while the Purple and Gray aren’t guaranteed an NIT slot, their case is very much alive. Keep the faith, all ye who ribbit.
NIT or NOT? Virginia
Virginia played this perfectly. Burdened with the possibility of a they-swept-Duke narrative but lacking a résumé generally worthy of NIT inclusion, the Cavaliers entered last night not knowing quite what to do. With a win, they might miss the NIT on the high side, but with a loss, they could ultimately miss the postseason altogether. They took the risky route. They lost. But they did it narrowly, like an NIT team should against a good-not-great squad out of Durham. Respect, Tony Bennett. You always deserve respect.
NITe Train: Rutgers
I’m saying it. If you can’t beat a Michigan team without a head coach (I’m imagining the Wolverines just played the game pickup-style, including calling out the score after each basket), you’re not missing the NIT in the way you want to miss the NIT. Rutgers has now lost two straight, and four more could be coming. Butter ‘em up, God. We’re ready for that toast. (Editor’s note: wtf Stu)
Game of the NITe: Maryland @ Indiana
So the thing with Gonzaga/San Francisco is I keep forgetting to go through and figure out the new NIT favorite. Please, everyone remind me to do that tomorrow. Pretty please, in fact. Anyway, San Francisco’s probably gone, the throne is vacant, and this doesn’t tie into Indiana so much as…hey, wait a minute. I was going to say just that tonight’s game isn’t some last stand for the Dons, making Maryland/Indiana all-important, but now that I’ve said what I said, maybe Indiana should be the NIT favorite. They’re clearly over the whole “Assembly Hall? The NIT??” thing. They’re clearly not a great basketball team. They’re also clearly a competitive basketball team with a whole lot of swagger and a booty that just won’t quit.
Sorry.
Defense.
A defense that just won’t quit.
Anyway, losing tonight to Maryland could be their ticket in. They’re swimming in bubble juices already. Like a crockpot chicken recipe you got off the back of a packet that came with the crockpot (from your aunt, who gifted you the crockpot, not as a Christmas present or a housewarming present but instead an I’m-worried-about-your-health present, which is the kindest of all of those, if we’re being real).
Good luck to all involved.
***
Tonight’s viewing schedule (we’re bringing it back, no I don’t know why it just kind of happened this way):
- 6:00 PM Texas Time—Game of the NITe, FS1
- 8:00 PM Texas Time: Belmont @ Murray State, ESPNU (holding out hope we can somehow snag both of these guys—for them, not for us)
- 10:00 PM Texas Time: USC @ Oregon State, ESPN2 (never say never, Andy Enfield)
