Sports Mumbling, March 15th

This is one of the great times of the sporting year no doubt. March Madness is upon us, the NBA enters the final quarter of the season, baseball is at spring training, and Golf's show piece, the Masters is drawing near. While I'm not keenly aware, I'm sure there are exciting things going on in tennis, soccer, professional fishing and Nascar right now too. Too bad the NHL is only in the news for not having any. Anyway, I mumble on....

First about the University of Utah.....

• The University of Utah stumbled slightly in the Mountain West Conference Championship against New Mexico. However, I think we need to break out of the negative mindset. It was a terrific game to watch. New Mexico is playing well and Danny Granger is terrific right now.
  
• A note about the Utes loss, was that Bryant Markson was competing and trying to help the Utes win, despite dealing with the deal of an Aunt to whom he was really close. He missed the funeral to be with the team, but instead of traveling home with the team, went straight to be with his family. Hang in there Bryant!
• Utah's 6th seeding is the highest ever for the Mountain West Conference. Remember however that the league is all of about six years old.
• Utah's first round game against UTEP is anything but a gimmee. UTEP rolls in with a 27-7 record and has the athleticism to win against the Utes. Not saying they will, but they could.
• If Utah were fortunate to get to the sweet sixteen they'd probably be playing....who else, but Kentucky. Kentucky seems to be the team to knockout the Utes every year.
• Maybe you didn't know.....All 5 Utah losses came against NCAA tournament teams (Washington, Arizona, Utah St, and New Mexico-twice) and on the road. That means it takes a quality team to beat the Utes. The Utes did beat tournament teams: LSU and New Mexico.
• Utah outscored 26 of 29 regular season opponents in the 2nd half.
• A Utah win over UTEP could bring a matchup with Oklahoma in the 2nd round. As Utah was hoping to play the Sooners in football and didn't get the shot, this might be at least a small consolation prize.
• ESPN has a good wrap-up of Utah's season available for all to see.

More Mumblings...

• Ever notice that much ado is made about all the team's on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. It is interesting to see who gets in, but really how often do those teams make any dent in the tournament. Of course, I'm speaking from the vantage point of a #6 seed, University of Utah fan.
• Carlos Boozer won't be in Cleveland when the Jazz make their first visit there since acquiring him. The Cleveland fans are still pretty chapped over the whole thing and you don't have to look hard for a group of Cav fans who are still steaming. I wish Carlos was healthy enough to play and get this behind him. All the drama aside, the chance to see Lebron James makes the game something to look forward to.
• I bet you aren't up to date on the USPPBA. You know, the United States Perforated Plastic Ball Association. You know, The Wiffle Ball League? Yeah, there is a such a thing. Their website requires registration to see much, but its kind of interesting. Here are other two sites I recommend. First, www.wiffle.com, is your place to get wiffle balls, equipment, and souvenirs. Second, Major League Wiffleball, is a great site with statistics, standings, wiffle ball rules, and a connection to some major league baseball players. So if you want to swing big without the aid of Steroids and the intense media glare that comes from the big leagues, go back to the basics and play some wiffleball!