Separating the player from the phenomenon ahead of a hyped MLB debut. Also: What makes hockey attention hard, some conference realignment, and the playoff weekend ahead.
Joe’s Notes: College Basketball’s Players Era Festival, the NIL MTE, Is a Terrible Business Model
Why not keep the nine million dollars? Also: Baseball players dodging the draft, hockey players being exciting, and Knicks getting hurt.
Joe’s Notes: Anthony Edwards, and a Difference Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
What Ant and MJ have and had that LeBron doesn’t. Also: America doesn’t like Arena Football, the Wolves are a serious contender, and Jeremy Swayman does not allow goals.
Joe’s Notes: What Is the College Football Players Association?
A look at the burgeoning field of college football labor organization. Also: The duality of Cubs pitching, why the Stars might be overvalued, and the Marlins did something smart.
Joe’s Notes: Doc Rivers Has Lost With Some Great Players
The best championship-less players these last 15 years all played under Doc. Also: Details on the potential House v. NCAA settlement, Cubs vs. Brewers, and Braves vs. Dodgers.
Joe’s Notes: The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Rich and Bad
Uniquely so. Also: Will the Suns and Kevin Durant part ways? Should the Braves be World Series favorites? And how good will UConn’s latest additions be?
Joe’s Notes: What Conventional Wisdom Gets Wrong About Home-Ice Advantage
The good thing about getting a series to 1–1 is not stealing home-ice advantage. It’s avoiding going down 0–2. Also: The problem with “hit rate,” the good thing for the Celtics, and Iowa State’s going to Dublin.
Joe’s Notes: One-and-Dones Aren’t Just Freshmen
So far, first-year transfers come with a firm ceiling. Also: Mason Miller and the trade deadline, fuel savings and crash avoidance, and where the Bulls go with LaVine and DeRozan.
Joe’s Notes: FedEx’s Memphis NIL Investment Is a Non-Story
Money is fungible, and $25 million isn’t that much. Also: The size of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alex Caruso’s status tonight, and updates on Core Score and Gelo.
Joe’s Notes: The WNBA CBA Is Holding Back Caitlin Clark
The league and its union did not account for a generational superstar. Also: What Jimmy Butler’s injury does to the Heat, Reed Sheppard goes pro, and Jameson Taillon prepares for his season debut.
Joe’s Notes: Indiana Will Always Be a Factor in College Basketball
Ballo to Bloomington. Also: Shilo Sanders might be running recruiting for Colorado, the Warriors might have breathed their last, and the Bulls’ very specific moment has arrived.
Joe’s Notes: Why the Flyers Might Pull Their Goalie Early Tonight
The Eastern Conference tiebreaker situation. Also: A potential issue with college sports’ transfer markets, BYU’s hire, and playoff experience vs. playoff inexperience.
Joe’s Notes: Should the NBA Playoffs Be Smaller?
Checking in after a rote Game 82. Then: Kentucky loves Mark Pope, the Coyotes are (probably) moving, and a case for believing in the Bulls.
Three Things: Shōta Imanaga Continues to Get It
Also: Image consulting for Caleb Williams, and getting psyched for Bulls vs. Hawks.
Joe’s Notes: Chris Collins Has Done It Again
Is Chris Collins a good coach? It depends when you look. Also: WAB vs. SOR, Knecht vs. Zeigler, and a culture advantage for Iowa State.
Stu’s Notes: The Desecration of the MAC
Some things should be sacred. Also: It’s ok if Jon Scheyer lied, Joe Kelly hasn’t allowed a baserunner all spring, and the Sens allowed so many goals.
Joe’s Notes: Basketball Is a Vibes-Based Game
Rob Dillingham will be even better in the pros. Also: The part we’re missing about a 14-team playoff, obligatory 6-bid MWC talk, and WSU vs. Arizona.
Joe’s Notes: Arizona Loves Arizona. That Might Matter.
Desireé Reed-Francois left the SEC for an athletic department with a nine-figure landmine in its budget. Also: The Pac-2 has a commissioner, what UConn’s loss doesn’t say, and the new face of good vs. accomplished.