TicketsFinding fresh concepts to write about becomes increasingly difficult when all the action on the court stops. We've been going nonstop between football and basketball since August and these last few days are the first time to sit back and take a breath.
It's kind of nice temporarily, but makes filling the Breakfast space slightly more difficult with no real news to talk about. No worries, though, that all changes next week with the return of football. Not quite as exciting as an NCAA tournament run, but critical for the program all the same.
I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing where all the players are at with the offseason workout and in particular the improvements from the young defense. Learning anything by watching spring football is sort of like watching a detailed movie you've seen 10 times. You're not as concerned with the plot or big picture, but spotting differences you'd never seen before.
While on the topic -- top five movies I will watch over and over again. 1) The Big Lebowski -- "8-year-olds,dude, 8-year-olds." 2) Forrest Gump - The scene over Jenny's grave stirs emotions every time (don't judge!) 3) Anchorman - "Don't act like you're not impressed" 4) Karate Kid - The soothing sounds of Banarama make it irresistible 5) Ghostbusters - "Let's not forget the nice woman who paid us in advance before she turned into a dog."
Let's eat...
--- Tommy G sat down with Butch Jones and talked about spring football and pro day next week. Good stuff, as always. The most interesting piece of information was that Walter Stewart, who moved around positions last year, but played predominantly at OLB, has put on 35 pounds and will be a full-time defensive end next year.
That makes more than 55 pounds of muscle Stewart put on over the last two seasons when he broke on the scene as a freshman.
His move will be exciting for the defensive line with Derek Wolfe anchoring the middle along with Brandon Mills, who really came along last season. Stewart will adjust to playing at full speed with the extra weight, but once he combines his athleticism with the extra power, he could be a devastating force off the edge.
The question then becomes who will fill in at the linebacker spot that was so thin last season. The coaches will probably spend quite a bit of time analyzing options once spring practice begins. As will we here.
--- The most important aspect of spring ball will be to keep everybody healthy and avoid what's happening at Louisville where 14 players will be forced to miss spring due to injury.
--- Dan Hoard weighed in with a postseason column with some great analysis and information from the basketball side.
Now that the season is over and Mick Cronin solidified his status at UC, opening up about the pressure surrounding his situation is easier. I liked the honesty of responding to Dan's question if he thought he would lose his job if he didn't make the NCAA and said, "probably."
He said many times during the season and before it that he couldn't think about this season in that manner. The pressure exists every season to win (look at Oklahoma, firing Jeff Capel two seasons after an Elite 8). That said, it's impossible not to understand the ramifications of wins and losses late in the season. We don't talk much about the pressure Cronin likely dealt with internally, but understanding it makes the work done all the more impressive.
--- Cronin also addressed some of the rumors circulating out there. One of them had him as a candidate for the Arkansas job. Also, Mike DeCourcy wrote today that Cronin should be at the top of the list for the N.C. State position.
Here's what Mick told Dan before the UConn game:
"Nobody has contacted me - let's get that on the record. Everybody knows that is my dream job. It's my home and it's where I want to be. All I'm really concerned about it making sure that the support of our program is commensurate with the expectations. (Athletic Director) Mike Thomas is working on that with other people, but that's something he and I will discuss when the season is over. Everybody knows where I want to be, but I do want to make sure that the support of our program is commensurate with the expectations in the Big East. We have a lot of people in our league with big budgets, and big arenas that are full, and I'd like to try to win a national championship. We have to continue to improve everything around our program."
--- Buzz Williams of Marquette ran the media junket yesterday on Scott Van Pelt and PTI among others. I've always like Williams as a coach, but really enjoyed him after hearing him on PTI. He's funny, intelligent, honest and incredibly gracious. You just don't see that combination often. Now, add successful in postseason to the list with this Sweet 16 appearance and list of phenomenal coaches in this conference grows.
--- Not good news up the road at the University of Dayton. First Juwan Staten leaves, now Brandon Spearman.
--- I enjoy watching VCU as much as anybody and truly appreciate their efficiency in disposing of Georgetown and Purdue. But calling them the third best team remaining in the tournament is poppycock.
--- On to some randomness...
--- This makes me feel old. "Juicy" to this day is one of the greatest hip hop songs.
--- I don't care if Ron Artest scores three points with two rebounds, he should be your postgame interview. Every. Time.
--- Alex Trebek calls the highlights of Stanford-Oregon. Before you know it, Watson will be the head coach of the Cardinal.
--- Curtis Granderson attempts to pick out his at-bat music. Finding out the new walkups for the Reds is one of my favorite parts of Opening Day.
I'm a little surprised Granderson passed on the Step By Step theme song. That's one catchy tune.
--- Why do I feel like this list could be renamed "The 2011 Fall Season of Celebrity Apprentice"?
--- For my fellow fans of both Community and Funny or Die. Here you go.
--- If you have an elaborate Dolly Parton tattoo, we probably aren't meant to be together.
--- BearcatsBlog spotted a Dion Dixon highlight video. Some good stuff from his breakout year. Watching the score on those UD highlights just reminds me of the absurdity of that beatdown.