Clearing up a prevalent misconception. Also: Our dream NIT Championship, Virginia is for lovers, and Daytona’s magic is fickle and fragile.
NIT Bracketology: February 19th, 2024
Where things stand around the bubble, and various thoughts/explanations.
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.
NIT Bracketology: Friday, February 16th
Last four in, first four out, and how close Memphis is to missing the cut.
Stu’s Notes: The NIT TV Schedule Is Official
And our favorite tournament is moving up. Also: What’s holding up an NIT video game, Scott Boras is holding up Jordan Montgomery’s signing, and the Super Bowl should stay on Sunday.
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.
Joe’s Notes: What’s Going on With the Pac-2?
Summing up a noisy week in WSU/OSU news. Then: Pitchers and catchers, home-court advantage, and why now for Ohio State and Chris Holtmann.
Stu’s Notes: The Latest MLB Fiasco – Fanatics Made Bad Uniforms
Major League Baseball reloaded its foot-shootin’ gun. Also: Technology destroyed morale, golf got too drunk, and can the NIT and NCAA T*urnament coexist?
Stu’s Notes: John Calipari Isn’t Bringing Championships to Kentucky
Once a national champion at Memphis, Calipari’s performance in Lexington has never matched the promise of 2013. Also: Patrick Mahomes’s kids names, the world vs. Caitlin Clark, and Morgan Rielly didn’t want to fight.
Stu’s Notes: What Does ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ Mean?
Is it about the comeback? Or do you have to be a player? Also: Chekhovian doinks, Joe Barry chaos, and MLB vs. Flopping.
Joe’s Notes: Why You Should Expect the 49ers to Win This Super Bowl
Dueling simplicity. Also: Nebraska and the bubble, Gonzaga and the bubble, and eleven other places our model and the consensus disagree.
NIT Bracketology: February 9th, 2024
Featuring: The Thad Matta Bowl.
Stu’s Notes: The Other Reasons Trevor Bauer Hasn’t Signed
It’s more than the assault allegations. Also: The Bears try to get softer, Nick Saban inches towards professional wrestling, and a study on Target Field’s target.
Joe’s Notes: Trade Deadlines and Inefficient Markets
The odd economics of trades in professional sports. Also: Ranking the Boras Four, the Bulls’ empty deadline, and looking towards Opening Day.
Stu’s Notes: The Big Ten’s Big NIT Hopes
The dream of Midwestern NIT prominence is not yet dead. Also: Kelvin Sampson is a baseball coach, Armando Bacot and the grind, and a women’s basketball question we promise is earnest in its nature.
Stu’s Notes: Will Wade’s Buyout – The Man Has Done It Again
Hahahahahahahahaha. Also: Tylor Perry’s repeat MVP quest, Joel Embiid’s on midlife crisis watch, and Las Vegas doesn’t want the A’s.
Stu’s Notes: Hey NFL. The NIT Was There First.
Holding your championship in Las Vegas? *Yawn.* Also: College sports should have a World War, the Bulls should be allowed Hope Bankruptcy, and we play a round of NIT or NOT.