The Final Four is set, and the people are excited.
Ag Schools Romp, New York Awaits
Texas A&M came out aggressive against Wake Forest. Washington State took to new heights in the second half against BYU. While Tuesday’s NIT quarterfinals were instant classics, each decided at the wire, last NITe’s were displays of force. A&M generated 21 takeaways. Michael Flowers dropped 27 on 20 shots for WSU.
The two are set to collide in the semifinals, and it’s no secret that the winner of their game Tuesday will be the better team in whatever championship matchup materializes. The issue, though, is something more intangible: How well will these schools travel? St. Bonaventure and Xavier are both pure basketball schools, and Bonaventure’s particularly close. Texas A&M is a football school with strength in its numbers. Washington State is a Washington State school with strength in its passion. We’ll see what the Garden looks like on Tuesday, but the oddsmakers are already giving the Bonnies something of a home-court edge, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that for whichever team wins that semifinal on the left side of the bracket.
The things you have to contend with in the NIT, people. Nothing’s easy here.
Brad Keselowski Killed a Guy
Ok, not really, but Brad Keselowski has been penalized 100 points and 10 playoff points (should he make the playoffs) for having an altered body in his car. Yikes! Allegedly, this just means he and his team messed with a few panels, but you’d be forgiven were you to jump somewhere more graphic, especially after what he nearly did to Harrison Burton at Daytona.
The Sens Are Back Tonight
In action, I mean. Not back to being good. Long way from that. They just play the Jets this evening. 8:00 PM EDT. ESPN+. Sounds like Travis Hamonic will make his debut on the third defensive pairing with Victor Mete. Oh God.
County Cup, World Cup
Burnley FC Women won the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup yesterday, and today a pair of Burnleyers are trying to get Wales into the World Cup. The Welsh—led by Connor Roberts and Wayne Hennessy (sorry, Gareth Bale, but you don’t play for Burnley, you’re too good to play for Burnley)—have just finished off Austria, meaning they’ll advance to play either Scotland or Ukraine in June in the decisive qualifier.
There are other Burnleys playing in international friendlies, but no one else went to the trouble of compiling a comprehensive list, so I sure as heck won’t either.
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Viewing schedule tonight, with basketball taking a few nights off from mattering:
- 8:00 PM EDT: Senators @ Winnipeg, ESPN+
- 10:00 PM EDT: US Men’s National Team @ Mexico, CBSSN
