With another NIT legend in the fold, is this the year Pitino finally wins it all? Then: Lotteries are too much fun, Joe Kelly’s on the IL, and the Timberwolves castrated the Denver Nuggets.
Stu’s Notes: The Other Other Tom Brady Story
Is Tom Brady about to vaguely cheat again? Also: Noses vs. tongues, F1 might be interesting again, and Rudy Gobert procreated.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Even LeBron Is Out on Bronny James
Tough look. Then: Appreciating the Calder Cup, appreciating the Riverside Stride, and is the advertising industry ok?
Stu’s Notes: We Were Right. Beekeepers Belong in Sports.
Also: Joe Kelly’s groin, these Brewers’ first real scrap, and why we stopped liking Georgia.
Stu’s Notes: The NIT Is Dominating the Transfer Portal
Also: Revisiting the opt-outs, spin rate and the NBA, and Kawhi Leonard should have retired young.
Joe’s Notes: Will the 2025 NFL Draft Be Deeper Than 2024’s?
Our best guess at Howie Roseman’s reasoning. Then: A potential settlement in House v. NCAA, Mike Trout’s knee surgery, and is LeBron worth the hassle?
Stu’s Notes: Which NBA Teams Are Deserving of Respect?
Four of them are still in action. Then: Which NHL teams should exist? Is Arizona the most tortured sports state? And take a look at baseball players’ privates while the opportunity is there.
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: Big 12 Football Needs a Juggernaut
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.