First Weekend

There are a bunch of UConn fans on here. A lot of stuff went down after UConn lost to Florida. For the record, I took the high road focusing on Dan Hurley's teary post-game press conference. [Editor's Note: The Notes passed on a chance to be snarky? Mark it on the calendar.] It's a new week: time to get real.

Hurley walked off the floor with his team after the loss. Right past the Baylor squad who were waiting to take the floor. For some reason, he yells at them that he hopes they don't get fucked [by the refs] like his team. Two things. 1. Hurley knows that officiating squads don't call two games in a row, right? 2. His team hit only two shots over the last 8 minutes and allowed two offensive rebounds on free throws down the stretch. But, yea, sure, it was all the refs' fault.

I get it, coach upset after a loss, news at 11:00. But it doesn’t end there. The reason anyone knows about this is because a reporter, Joey Ellis, recorded and Tweeted it. The response was swift. Check out the first reply (these people know that Twitter is public, right?!).

A UConn official named Bobby Mullen then threatened Joey Ellis saying he would "ruin his life" if he didn't delete the video. Incredible. The story is updated in the clip below. Is UConn actively trying to become the most hated program in the sport?

Calm down, Kiva; I'm just kidding. But it's what everyone is talking about. Did Maryland's Derik Queen walk when he hit the last second shot to defeat Colorado State? Honestly, it didn't even occur to me in real time or even after watching all the replays. When they went to the studio, it was the first thing out of Barkley's mouth. They brought in former official Gene Steratore (who seems like a nice guy, but has he ever said a ref missed a call?) and after examining the replay like the Zapruder film for 10 minutes they all agree that he didn't walk. I agree. Moreover, if the refs had ruined that game (the best of the tourney by a wide margin) with a whistle it would have been a complete abomination.

Speaking of refs, can we build a huge bonfire for those fucking replay monitors? Why do the refs on the floor make the decision on questionable calls? Give Gene Steratore back in New York 10 seconds to agree with the refs and move on. Seriously, we at home along with the announcers typically come to a decision pretty quickly (30 seconds?). If it's ambiguous after that long, call stands. But no. The refs literally spend five minutes or more at the monitor and then they reenact the Lincoln-Douglas debate at mid-court. The SEC refs are the absolute worst in this regard. Looking at you Pat Adams. Actually SEC refs are the worst, period. A fan should never know their names but these guys crave screen time more than Timothée Chalamet. Rant over.

[Editor's Note: Hurley thrown under the bus, references to the Kennedy assassination and the 1860 Presidential election and then the refs go under the bus too, one by name. I thought this was a basketball blog. I think I like the sleep deprived version better. Back to the Notes.]

[Shout out to Mat for suggesting that we text Kiva: "He def walked" Wimmer started it!] 😂🤣😂

Caleb Love is still in college?! The prep superstar who didn't quite live up to expectations in Carolina transferred to Arizona. Apparently he's still there, as he led the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 with a win over Oregon. I'm not gonna line, I started formatting the email in the second half of that game and was hoping there wouldn't be an upset (requiring commentary). Love made sure that didn't happen, taking over down the stretch (he even hit a 3, which is not his strong suit). Oregon, which led by 15 early on, missed 10 of 22 free throws in the losing effort.

Still not sure about this "Crab Five" thing, Maryland.

Willard is rumored to be headed to Villanova. The reports that the Colorado State coach is headed to Minnesota appear to be more than rumors.

Tom Izzo is back in the Sweet 16. I'll have more to say about that, but it will not be brief.

MSU defeated New Mexico, coached by Richard Pitino. Rick was in the stands, next to his small granddaughter who burst into tears when her Dad's team lost. Rick consoling her was sweet. But can we have a word about that scarf?

Ole Miss absolutely destroyed Iowa State to become the 7th SEC squad to move on to the Sweet 16, a record.

The Big 10 got 4 teams through the weekend as did the Big 12.

The ACC has one (but who's counting).

Alabama had no trouble with St Mary's, who are the Gaels. As in Gaelic. Apparently, back in the 1920s Grantland Rice (probably the first great sportswriter) created the moniker because there were several Irish kids on the team. Rice also is the one who dubbed the 1924 Notre Dame football backfield the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse". That's good.

Cooper Flagg's twisted ankle still seems fine.

An evening off. What to do? Re-watch the second half of the UK-Illinois game? If you insist!