Opening Day Eve and the Sweet 16

So here we are, one of my two favorite times of the sports year. Opening Day, the NCAA. tournament, and the Masters.

So let’s recap:

KU does not get to the Sweet 16 again for the 4th consecutive year

The Jayhawks lose to St. John’s on a last second shot. I’m not the Little Ball of Hate for no reason. I was disappointed pissed, but KU had no business winning that game. Give credit to St. John’s although frankly they should not have been a No. 5 seed, I would say a 4 or 3 seed. But that is water under the bridge. A frantic comeback in the last 3 minutes was fun to watch.

And now attention turns to Bill Self. It’s no secret his heath issues have been worrisome the last two years. I’m not going to mince words ever since KU hired him, everything he has done, I have loved him. So if he decides to retire I will not blame him. Two National Championships, so many Big 12 Conference championships. The most wins in Kansas history, and he always honored the KU basketball history, way more than Roy, yeah I said it.

But now I’m going to be selfish, I want one more ride into the sunset. A farewell tour that he deserves, so KU fans can give him the proper send-off that he deserves.

After that, next head coach of KU is the question. One of the most coveted jobs in college basketball, heck maybe all of sports. Best facility, best fan base, and the history of college basketball. In my opinion, Jacque Vaughn was hired for this reason. But we will see.

So basketball has supplanted football at Nebraska

Meanwhile in Big Red Nation things are getting crazy. I was in Nashville for the NU-Vandy game, so fun to watch Vandy fans all wondering how did a Husker team beat them. I did almost get into a fight.

And it sounds like OKC got taken over by the Red Wave. Now we get Iowa. Does it get any better than that? Give credit to Iowa taking down the defending National Championship Florida. So is that better for Nebraska without Florida or is a rival worse, especially when NU is in unprecedented territory?

All I know is this ride has been fun to watch. The Mayor Fred Hoiberg is now the Mayor of Ames and Lincoln. The big question is will the Red Nation take over Memphis?

And main event:Opening Day

So my Twins and Orioles open up their seasons in Camden Yards. Should I be at the game of course, but I can’t go unfortunately. I will be watching of course, the question is what can we expect for both teams.

We’ll start with the Orioles

Obviously they can’t be as bad as they were last year. I think the Os will make the playoffs. I do not see them winning the division. The AL East is too stacked, but, this lineup is now stacked, with the Polar Bear, Ward from the Angels joining the team really changes the entire lineup. Gunner Henderson will have protection.

Adley needs to have a bounce back season. Holliday and Westburg need big seasons and is Mayo the guy, we will see. I do not think so, I hope I am wrong.

Pitching staff is solid: Rodgers, Bradish, Baez (great trade), Bassitt and Eflin. Heck they sent Kremer down. They have a lot of starting depth. The bullpen is not as secure.

As for the Twins…

Not sure what to say, they have young exciting players, and I was happy they did not trade Ryan, Lee, Buxton or Lewis.

I do not believe in this ownership group, especially after last year’s fire sale at the trade deadline. The bullpen is a barren desert. A new manager, which for both the Orioles and Twins, the players choked and it is the man’s fault.

Anyway, Opening Day is still exciting. So enjoy what should be a National Holiday.