ON MY MONDAY MIND:
NOT HALF-COCKED THIS TIME: Tennessee played their best basketball game of the season on the heels of their worst. After a disinterested, selfish effort Wednesday vs Vandy the Vols not only matched but exceeded the intensity of a South Carolina team that is the first to grasp Frank Martin's maniacal method. The Vols had five more steals (12-7), one more block (3-2) and were even on the boards (34-34) which is a win against the taller Gamecocks. Because the Vols shared the basketball and refused to settle they shot 32 FTs and made 30 a 15 point advantage at the stripe which -along with 18 additional points from beyond the arc- helped overcome the only glaring advantage the Cocks enjoyed; points in the paint (40-14).
Kevin Punter was special (36 points; 4 steals), Robert Hubbs was dialed in (12 pts; 8 boards), Kyle Alexander is growing up (6 reb), Detrick Mostella had double-figure points and only one turnover and Admiral Schofield refused to surrender to Carolina's toughness while showing signs of emerging from a mini-slump. The Vols now need for both Armani Moore and Devon Baulkman to play more within themselves, provide more scoring and be more solid with the ball in their hands especially late in contests.
SEC HOOPS TIDBITS
TIGERS TRENDING: I guess talent really does overcome coaching. Even Johnny Jones hasn't been able to keep Ben Simmons from showing the hoops world that he is every bit the superstar he was touted to be averaging 19.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and has 19 blocked shots for good measure. Keith Hornsby (13.6), Craig Victor II (13.2) and Tim Quarterman (11) join Big Ben as double-figure scorers. After a 3-3 start the Tigers have won 9 of their last 13 and are currently tied with Kentucky at second place in the SEC at 5-2
CATS ARE COMING: Funny how a team that does an almost annual complete roster turnover can be looked upon as
struggling at 15-4 but that was the popular opinion after Kentucky was upset at Auburn on January 16th. After showing a level of toughness that many questioned they could muster in a win at Arkansas and drilling a Vandy squad in Rupp that was on a three game conference winning streak it looks as though the Cats'
issues were somewhat exaggerated. Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray are among the nation's elite backcourts and Alex Poythress (9 pts; 7 reb) and Marcus Lee (8 pts; 7 reb) provide upperclassman frontcourt experience uncommon these days in Lexington. The Cats are unquestionably one of the league's very best teams along with Texas A&M and LSU. Looks like the rest of the league should have gotten Kentucky while they were
struggling.
LOTS OF LOVE FOR THE SEMIS I'm not sure if I'm alone but I like the Final-4 in every sport better than the championship games or series. The League Championship Series in baseball, the CFB Playoff Semifinal Bowl Games, the Final-4 in CBB and the Conference Championship Games in the NFL are all more enjoyable to me than the final. I can't put a finger on why especially with CFB since the playoff is in it's infancy and I was several years into MLB fandom before the LCS was born. I guess it's the intensity of teams being eliminated when there are games remaining to be played. The only sport I seem to like the finals better is the NBA. That is probably a product of being a casual fan at best of that league.
NFL PLAYOFF PIECES:
New England @ Denver: If that is indeed the last matchup we ever see between Peyton and Tom Brady it was indeed exciting even if it wasn't a thing of artistic beauty. Both QBs managed the game as well as could be expected with each offensive line getting totally overwhelmed. Not only could neither front hold off the pass rush (Broncos 4 sacks; Pats 3 sacks; Combined- uncountable hurries) the Pats ran for a measly 2.6 ypc with the Broncos only slightly better at 3.3. Peyton was an efficient 17-32 for 176 yards 2 TDs and no picks while Brady was 27-56 for 310 with an UN-Tom-Terrific-like three picks. What can't be denied however is the greatness of he and Rob Gronkowski who almost combined for one of the great finishes of all-time. Had the two-point conversion been successfully executed and the Pats won in OT we would have seen the 40 yard 4th and 10 beauty and the 4th and goal jump ball both caught by Gronk for a lifetime. As if life isn't hard enough already.
Arizona @ Carolina: I guess it's too much to ask to have two competitive games. Carolina and Arizona both came in with high-scoring offenses but the only one that actually made it to the NFC Championship Game was the Panthers. Carson Palmer was under intense pressure all night but I never dreamed it would turn him into Brian Hoyer. He had an abysmal six turnover game with four interceptions and two lost fumbles. Cam Newton on the other hand continued his NFL MVP-worthy play with 335 yards passing 2 TDs and only 1 Int while rushing for an additional 47 yds and 2 TDs.
PRO BOWL BLUES (and GRAYS): If I had a Top-50 list of favorite sporting events the Pro Bowl wouldn't make honorable mention. I was thinking while watching previews for it during the Conference Championship Games that the change in scheduling -placing it before the Super Bowl- has made it an even less desirable event. It's now the NFL version of the Blue-Gray game where you hate to see the helmet of your favorite team during the broadcast.
IN CLOSING: I'm glad I will have the opportunity to see Peyton play at least one more time.
