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By this time tomorrow there will be a new national champion crowned for college basketball. Either the Texas Tech Red Raiders or the Virginia Cavaliers will be champions for the first time in program history. Which is cool. I guess.
The Kentucky Wildcats could have been here. They had the path. But a poor offensive showing against the Auburn Tigers doomed us to watch the Final Four playout from afar.
There’s always next year.
At least the Duke Blue Devils aren’t playing tonight.
Tweets of the Day
Source on Rick Barnes to UCLA: “Don’t be surprised if it happens. I think it’s real - on both sides.”
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 8, 2019
After swinging and missing (bigly) on John Calipari and the mess with Jamie Dixon, the UCLA Bruins will be lucky to get a coach the quality of Rick Barnes. And imagine the Tennessee Volunteers next year without Barnes, Jordan Bone, Admiral Schofield, and Grant Williams. Real shame.
Last week it was announced that Guns N Roses would headline Louder Than Life Fest. Now here’s the rest of the lineup! pic.twitter.com/Yux1losWhQ
— Shannon The Dude (@ShannonTheDude) April 8, 2019
That’s one helluva lineup!
WE HAVE A BRAWL!!!!!
— Reds Baseball Take (@CincyRedsTake) April 7, 2019
(Kind of) pic.twitter.com/zV6DrbbSxz
The Reds are an embarrassment in every way this season.
Quickies
Mark Stoops upbeat after Saturday Scrimmage | Cats Pause- Coach Stoops knows that he has a lot to replace from last year’s 10 win team. He’s been pushing his guys hard and so far he likes what he sees.
Cats lose series at Mizzou | UK Athletics- After winning on Friday to open the series, the Cats dropped the next two in a row. 17-15 isn’t cutting it.
Rick Barnes a serious candidate for UCLA | 24/7- It would be a huge blow to the Vols program if Barnes does decide to bolt to LA. Finally the basketball team is on stable ground after the Bruce Pearl years.
National Title game predictions | CBS- This one is split down the middle and it really is anyone’s game. Both teams are similar in their styles and their rosters. Don’t be shocked at a 50-45 final score.
Close calls and Controversy at the Tourney | ESPN- The end of the Auburn/Virginia Final Four game was full of missed/questionable calls. Here ESPN takes a look at the history of such calls. The Arizona/UK title game makes the list but somehow the missed shot clock violation in the 2015 Final Four missed the cut.
Baylor wins NCAAW basketball title | Sports Illustrated- Hopefully tonight’s game will be as entertaining as the women’s version was. The Bears outlasted the Irish 82-81.
Virginia Tech replaces Buzz Williams | CBS- Wofford’s coach Mike Young will replace Buzz Williams as he returns to Texas A&M.