The New Big 12 just produced only one first-round draft pick. Also: Which first round series are over, Jackson Holliday’s demotion, and the Bears’ real accomplishment.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Three Terrible Ways to Lose
How do you bounce back if you’re the Sixers, Lakers, or Islanders? Also: Caleb Williams and Eli Manning, designated scapegoat Zach Wilson, and April’s place among the sports months.
Joe’s Notes: Replay Review Is About Fairness, Not Perfection
The ending of last night’s Knicks game was imperfect. Was it fair? Also: Mark Stone and LTIR, Kyle Hendricks’s injury, and Tyrese Hunter is transferring to Memphis.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Coby White Has the Best Smile
The Bulls are still standing. Also: NBA Playoff team likability, Shane Doan’s banner, and Oregon’s ditching the woodsy court.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Is the In-Season or Play-In Tournament More Like the NIT?
Then: Watching the NBA Playoffs on behalf of our country, Michael Busch keeps homering, and dugout dinger celebrations will soon go the way of the bench mob.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Scottie Scheffler Should Get Better at Golf
A recommendation. Also: The Brewers have more beef, a note about Two Dog Special, and what if the Fever don’t pick Caitlin Clark?
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 Thoughts: Mitch Barnhart Took a Big Swing
Hiring Mark Pope was anything but “settling.” Also: What’s next for BYU, and the Yankees might be back.
Three Things: What Was Bryson DeChambeau Doing With That Sign?
Also: Every team wants an NIT star, and what if Shohei Ohtani wasn’t Asian?
Three Thoughts: Shohei Ohtani and Manti Te’o
What happens we don’t know a guy but think we do? Also: Jordan Montgomery fires Scott Boras, and Dan Hurley and Scott Drew tell Kentucky no.
Two Dog Special: The Masters Begins, Jackson Holliday Debuts, and the Packers Are Going to Brazil
All the sports you need on a Thursday morning in April.
Three Thoughts: Setting Expectations for Jackson Holliday
How good is good for this year’s biggest baseball debutant? Also: How many Sycamores can Josh Schertz bring to SLU? And would you rather play the Knicks or the Bucks?