Not a Great Tourney for the Committee

Everyone always makes a big deal on Selection Sunday about the last couple of teams in and who should have gotten in the tournament instead. Normally, the committee does a good job and everyone forgets about it after the Thursday-Friday games. However, looking back on the first round, it is apparent that the teams that were on the bubble may have been better off in the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament. Only #12 Villanova saved the day for the committee late last night.

Bubble teams in the tournament:
#9 Oregon - L 69-76
#10 Arizona - L 65-75
#10 South Alabama - L 61-81
#10 Saint Mary's - L 64-78
#11 Baylor - L 79-90
#11 Kentucky - L 66-74
#11 St. Joseph's - L 64-72
#12 Villanova - W 75-69

Note - Even though Kansas State was an #11 seed, I don't consider them as a bubble team - everyone thought they were in already.

The Best 2 Days of the Year

So yes, I have not posted in about 7 months, but Thursday and Friday are my favorite 2 days of the year. There is nothing like the beginning of the NCAA Tournament. It brings me back to when I was in high school and getting passes out of class to go to Mr. Shaffer's room to watch the games. He always planned a lab the first 2 days of the tourney so he could watch the games. There was also the time that we had a movie in one of my classes so I listened to the games on my Walkman. This may be the best reason to be back in grad school right now - spring break means no classes on these two days.

Also, I do want to post on the OSU Terrelle Pryor signing, but I'll save that for early next week.

A Season Saving Win

Today was one of those games that can easily change the course of the rest of the season. A loss to KC would have meant dropping 2 of 3 to the Royals and heading back to face the Twins up only 1.5 on Detroit and 4.5 on Minnesota. Instead, Grady Sizemore saves the day, hitting an outside pitch with two strikes and two outs and then Asdrubal Cabrera comes through to tie the game. As an aside, does anyone think J-Barf will ever get his starting job back?

Finally, in the 11th, the bats come alive with 2 outs as Pronk and V-Mart finish the job driving in two. One of the most surprising things was Borowski actually having a 1-2-3 save! I still think he will end up being the downfall of the Tribe this year, but it was nice to see him come through.

It feels like the playoffs have already begun. Every game is huge. I was frustrated after they wasted yet another gem of CC's on Friday and pumped after the bats came alive Saturday. Today, when I got home and saw the score in the 8th I was mad yet again at the bats, but I had the need to stick it out through the game. I'm glad I did.

I'll Say It Again...

Joe Borowski is NOT the answer. First off, I know I haven't posted in awhile, but finals are going on so I have been pretty busy. I had just settled in today to work on a paper and listen to the Tribe on Gameday Audio. The game was going fine, Lee got roughed up a little, but the offense was coming through. I was thinking that to finish this road trip 5-5 wouldn't be all that bad. Then, Borowski came in to "close" the game. I know he has had some good games recently, but when he enters, there is not a feeling that the game is over. Sure enough, he gives up the bomb to Bradley (of all people) and then puts enough runners on base to ensure the loss. I'm sorry, but they have to get someone better or there is no chance of staying with Detroit in the Central or holding onto the Wild Card down the stretch.

Also, it may sound funny to say this about a team up 2-1, but Game Four could very well be a must win for the Cavs. With Detroit up 3-1, the Cavs cannot afford a 7 game series with the Nets which I feel it could be if NJ ties it up tomorrow night.

Back to work.

Not a bad day for the Browns

Well, the front office surprised me. Going into yesterday's draft, I was quite scared about the Browns in the draft. I was pretty convinced that the Browns would find yet another way to mess up a high draft pick. This was not helped by numerous mock drafts having the Browns taking Brady Quinn with the #3 pick when an offensive lineman that could step in next year and start was sitting there. Then, the Browns did the smart thing. They drafted Joe Thomas with the #3 pick. Fantastic. Maybe the organization has finally turned the corner, I thought. Later in the day the completed what could be one of the best first rounds in Cleveland draft history by trading with Dallas to draft Quinn at #22. While unexpected, this move makes perfect sense (even while giving up next year's #1 pick). You have a quarterback that was on everyone's list as a top-5 pick that dropped all the way down into the 20s. He will have a chip on his shoulder that will force him to work that much harder to prove those other teams wrong. Plus, he grew up rooting for the Browns. Now, am I ready to print playoff tickets? No. Heck, I'm not even ready to buy a Brady Quinn jersey. But for a franchise that has been in disarray since returning in '99, finally a step in the right direction.

And yes, the Browns play both the Raiders and Dolphins next season.

Joe Borowski is not the Answer

Yes, the Cavs won tonight, but if the Wizards had Arenas I would be paying a lot more attention to the series. I just don't see them being challenged in this round.

The real story tonight is the Indians. Somehow, they found a way to win another game in extra innings. Of course, I should be talking about C.C. running his record to 4-0 on the season. However, he imploded in the 6th and then Joe Borowski gave up a run in the top of the 9th with two outs and blew the save. Obviously, the game in New York last week was worse, but with a short turnaround for tomorrow's game, it would have been nice if Cabrera didn't have to go 2 innings (but he did a fantastic job). Borowski also gave up a run in yesterday's win and has allowed a hit or a walk in 8 of his 10 appearances this year. If this team is going to make a run at the playoffs this year, Borowski can't be the guy.

Welcome

Hello everyone, and welcome to Captain Redbeard's Rants. Hopefully you will find this blog enjoyable as I write about sports in general, but specifically Ohio sports. As a lifelong Cleveland/Ohio State sports fan I have been through a lot. I was living in Colorado during The Drive and The Fumble and I was in Glendale for the Debacle in the Desert. After the 1997 World Series, my friends were not sure if they would see me the next day. Of course, there have been some good moments as well. I was at Game 6 of the '97 ALCS in Baltimore and the 2002 OSU National Championship was fantastic. I'll be posting on all things Cleveland and Ohio State while also commenting on other sports events through the year. I'm also a high school track coach, so I'll probably dive into that as well at times.