Theories. Also: How’s Jerome Tang liking Kansas State? With Bellinger back, who’s the Cubs’ biggest threat? And what’s going to happen with NIL now that it’s even more legal?
Today’s Best Bets: Sunday, February 25th
Two college basketball moneylines, one NASCAR longshot.
Stu’s Notes: Not Everybody Makes the NIT
Clearing up a prevalent misconception. Also: Our dream NIT Championship, Virginia is for lovers, and Daytona’s magic is fickle and fragile.
Joe’s Notes: It’s Still UConn and Purdue…Right?
Arizona and Houston have closed the gap, but has UConn widened it back? We regroup. Then: Kirk Schulz likes to talk, the Canes are always beefing, and we enjoyed our annual Mac McClung weekend.
Stu’s Notes: Rob Manfred Begins His Five-Year Retirement Tour
Rob Manfred is retiring. In 2029. Also: Learning which hockey players are good, Austin has two Dillos, and the best fireballs so far in the young stock car season.
Joe’s Notes: Why Caitlin Clark Became a Phenomenon When Kelsey Plum Didn’t
What’s different about Clark, and what’s changed in women’s basketball. Also: That signing deadline might be a good idea, UConn vs. Marquette, and NASCAR brings chaos as it returns.
Joe’s Notes: The Case Against Conference Tournaments
Conference tournaments are a moneygrab which makes competition worse. Also: The Big 12 is in bad shape, Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 hopes are on the line, and there’s a reasonable rhyme to the Cubs’ deliberate rebuilding pace.
Stu’s Notes: Chris Holtmann’s Firing Makes Ohio State an NIT Championship Contender
How the move puts the Buckeyes back in the thick of the NIT race. Also: Ranking the losses by Indiana State, Texas A&M, and Virginia.
Stu’s Notes: The Jets Might Be Dumb
A shocking twist. Also: Can Netflix make people like sports? Does F1 hate America? And what is going on with figure skating’s math?
Stu’s Notes: An NIT Renaissance in Spokane?
Also: Arch Manning Bust Watch, Matthew Stafford vs. the moon, home-field by latitude, and Oregon likes cheese.
Joe’s Notes: Hope for Chicago State
Chicago State has a path to relevance, and all it took was one big win. Also: The redshirt/restraining order mess, Ohtani’s opt-out, Hoskins vs. Bellinger, and some miscellany.
Stu’s Notes: Is FAU an NIT Contender?
The Owls have us hooting. Also! UNT raised a banner, Connor Stalions has a strange LLC, the Dodgers might be bankrupt, and the Cubs hired a personal enemy.
Stu’s Notes: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, and Confidence
Football and relationships, plus: Tim Wakefield, who to cheer for in the MLB Playoffs, Ryder Cup reflections, college football demons and Devils, and more.
Joe’s Notes: How Does the Ryder Cup Work?
Also: How many steals is 70, Bakhtiari to the IR, Connor Bedard debuts, and the Brickyard returns to NASCAR.
Stu’s Notes: Welcome, Women, to the NIT Experience
Also: Taylor Swift, Sean Payton, more on Bears fans, the bobblehead night, Texas Motor Speedway, Burnley’s back, Sens preseason, and a quarrel with Austin FC.
Stu’s Notes: Does Colorado Have Bad Fans?
These guys are out of control. Also: Lane Kiffin did some needling, the Packers loss is on NIT Stu, Joe Kelly won the NL West, and so many allegations. So many.
Joe’s Notes: A Case for the Cubs
Plus: The Rays might stay put, SMU got some money, that Iowa State game, Alabama’s quarterback, that Packers game, Phil Mickelson’s statement, and more.
Joe’s Notes: Is the NFC Bad?
The Lions don’t need to be great this year to have a great season. Also: Aaron Jones, Marcus Stroman, the Ohio Bobcats, the Bristol night race, and Taj Gibson.