Better Late Than...

Yesterday afternoon, while your focus was no doubt on the neck-and-neck Appalachian State-Wofford Southern Conference first-round game, the Chicago National League Ballclub's opened their Cactus League season with an 8-7 victory over the new home of the idiot formally known as Frank Thomas. I know that it is just a start, but please allow us Cubs fans our excitement. After all it is still March and, therefore, as a loyal reader of the Random Thoughts pointed out in response to Wednesday's post, the boys in blue have not been eliminated quite yet (look I love a clever rip as much as anyone, but how about letting us know who you are?).

And why not be excited? Juan Pierre did something really neat in his first two times at bat. He held his bat out when the pitch was approaching the plate, expertly placed the ball in play and made it to first base safe safely (on his second attempt). I think Pat Hughes referred to it as a bunk or a dunt or something. Not really sure, though. It's been awhile since Bobby Dernier patrolled center field and the mind tends to wander.

Even better, when Pierre got on first base he actually knew the proper direction of second base and ran the right way. After seeing ESPN's Sports Heaven commercial, I must admit that I was a tad concerned.

I have no doubt that Pierre will be a tremendous upgade at the top of the order, but I must ask...what if Felix Pee-Ay truly is as good as we have been led to believe? Is there a place for him to play? It is my understanding that Pee-Ay is viewed as the centerfielder of the future. If Pee-Ay is that good, perhaps the Cubs would have been better off picking somebody else off the Marlins' scrap heap. How about Billy the Marlin? Is there concern that he would eat all of the ivy?

More impressive than Pierre and Pee-Ay (he tripled in two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the 8th) was the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cubs had the winning run on third and only one out. Now I do not know what the guy's name is, but some wanna- be came to the plate and actually drove the run home to win the game. Yes, you read that correctly. He did not strikeout. He did not pop out. He did not hit a meek grounder back to the pitcher. He did not get called out for batting out of order (with the Cubs' luck, it's probably coming folks). He actually put the ball in play and got the run in. Give that guy a contract!

Now let's not get too excited. Michael Wuertz looked in mid-season form. While, it is true that he did not let the runner score, but he did walk the lead-off hitter in the top of the ninth with the score tied. Do that too many times and John Koronka is going to have a job in the bullpen after all.

What's that mumbling in the background I hear? Speak up, please. Yes, you're right. It is only March 3 and the Cubs are already getting more attention than the Sox. Okay, just because you asked and I do not want the Random Thoughts to be confused with the Dusty Daily, I'll mention the Sox as well. As of this writing, the Sox have played three spring games and have lost all three by a combined score of 23-4. Happy now?

Alright, on to our daily does of Madness...

UAB followed the lead of Florida State and Texas A & M and won a huge game that is certain to get the committee's attention (self-congratulatory pat on the back for predicting this on Wednesday). That said, let me repeat what I said yesterday...it is not wise to overreact to one game. The committee's mandate is to look at a team's "entire body of work." My guess is that UAB will get in (whether they truly deserve it is another issue) and the Memphis win will trigger the invitation, but one game does not a season make.

Let's look at how ridiculous and unfair it would be if they WAS the way that it worked. Under such a scenario, certain teams would have an advantage simply as a result of WHEN they played the really good teams. The Blazers, Seminoles and Aggies are just lucky that they drew Memphis, Duke and Texas at the end of the season. Had they beat those teams in January, I doubt that Dick Vitale would be jumping up and down screaming "they are in -- I'm telling you, they are in, baby?" Actually, that's a bad example. Dick Vitale probably would do that (after all, someone needs to remind Dick that the tournament field does not consist of 154 teams). Let's say that the more reasonable Jay Bilas would not be saying such a thing.

An example... last year Iowa received a questionable bid. Many immediately justified their inclusion by pointing to the fact they beat Michigan State and lost a tight-game to Wisconsin in the last week of the season. Two weeks earlier, Indiana beat Michigan State and lost at Wisconsin on a last-second putback (in a game that still pisses me off to no end as I am sure that many of you remember). Indiana also ultimately finished a full-three games ahead of the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten. Now, I am NOT saying that IU deserved to be in the field last year. Clearly, they didn't. But, neither did Iowa (and I ruined an entire meal at Friday's complaining about their inclusion...damn committee!).

Fast forward back to the present. Don't you think that Indiana wishes that they played soon-to-be-officially-crowned Big Ten Champion THE Ohio State University now, instead of back at the beginning of the Big Ten season? I hear the committee conversation now... "Indiana beat potential #1 seed Ohio State? Huh, that's nice. But did you see Texas A & M's win over Texas!!!!!)

By the way, did you see Texas A & M's victory over Texas? With the game tied 43-43, the Longhorns' P.J. Tucker apparently forgot that there was a shotclock and let it expire by dribbling around with a little more that five seconds left in the game (that guy from Indiana State from the tournament about five years ago feels your pain!). What the heck? Such stupidity leaves one wondering whether Tucker is spending a little too much time with the Wunderific Vince Young on the UT campus.

If we are going to have a knee-jerk reaction to the FSU, A & M (the ampersand really is an annoying character to keep typing), and UAB, then shouldn't we also rule Syracuse definitively OUT? Look, if you are a bubble team, you simply cannot lose to a team that is unlikely to make its conference tournament (especially at the end of the season, eh?). And you certainly cannot lose to such a team by 39 points!!! For those of you busy watching ethnic comedies on the WB, the Blue Demons of DePaul hammered Syracuse 108-69 last night. Yes, the same DePaul team that was averaging a woeful 63 points per game.

Need a transition here...let's see...anyone remember DePaul's loss to Indiana State in the 1979 Final Four? Yeah, that will do.

Earlier this afternoon, the Indiana State Sycamores saw their season come to a close with a Missouri Valley quarterfinal loss to Wichita State. I mention Indiana State, merely because their opening round victory over Drake is very hard to believe. The Sycamores scored 10 points in the first half, while holding Drake to 19. Missouri Valley officials then took the lids off of the baskets at halftime and Drake scored an impressive 44 points in the second half. Not enough, though, as Indiana State went on to a 72-63 victory. You do the math...

Indiana State's second half output of 62 points (BTW, DePaul scored 60 in the second stanza against Syracuse) is like a full game for bubble-team Air Force. In fact, it is like an Air Force game that goes into quadruple overtime. That's not the benchmark for offensive ineptitude, though. Based on recent play, Washington State would need 9 or 10 OTs to hit such a mark. In fact, I've often said that if Air Force and Washington State played, they would not need a scoreboard. Just a couple of people to stand on the sidelines and count on their fingers. Heck, they may even be able to use a couple of finger-challenged people from the wonderful world of Springfield. Barney needs a job...

The Razor Shines Interesting Name of the Day: Last night the Stetson Hatters upset Florida Atlantic in the Atlantic Sun Tournament. Scoring two points and pulling down two rebounds was 7'1 Stetson center Chief Kickingstallionsims. He just has "Chief" on the back of his jersey. What other choice did they have? I doubt that Stetson has much of an athletic budget.

Gotta go soon, the Carolina - Duke pregame show is probably starting in a few minutes. After all, the game is only 29 hours away.

Finally, bubble games to watch this weekend:

- The mess in the Missouri Valley will hopefully be sorted out, culminating in the Championship on Sunday (CBS). Who is already in? Who needs a win to cement a bid? Who is in real trouble? I'm not even going to pretend to be able to figure it out.

- Seton Hall at Pittsburgh: The Hall needs to follow up their win versus Cincy with a big road win (Friday)

- West Virginia at Cincinnati: Cincy needs another signature victory and a win over the Mountaineers would do it. Rumor has it that Huggy Bear has been invited by Bearcats Eric Hicks and Armein Kirkland to attend the senior day festivities. No indication whether he will be driving himself. (I say Cincy gets the win. After all, I have already put the Random Thoughts curse on West Va).

- Indiana at Michigan: Hoosiers lock up a bid with a win. Not crucial though with Big Ten tournament approaching (Sat)

- Texas A M (screw the ampersand) at Texas Tech: Aggies do not want to lose the positive feelings emanating from P.J. Tucker's meltdown (Sat)

- Tennessee at Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt could put themselves back in the discussion with a win. (Sat)

- Florida State at Miami (Fla): See Texas A M game above (Sun). Substitute "the referees hading them the big victory that they needed" for "P.J. Tucker's meltdown"

- Villanova at Syracuse: Syracuse needs to bounce back from the DePaul debacle. If they play like they did last night, 'Nova may win by 85.

Next week, we will discuss, among other things, what is a "good win" and a "bad loss" and how the rules are not always consistent, the selection criteria -- including the human element, and the media and the fact that they are clueless (dang, I just gave away my conclusion). I know you just can't wait...