Knucklehead of the Week
Let me begin by saying I don’t trust someone who has four names. Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker is in a county jail in Utah after missing a sentencing hearing last week. TTAW showed up to court 45 minutes late, which won’t help his case when he does gets sentenced. TTAW is a former NASCAR driver who got in trouble two years ago after leading cops on a 150-mph chase that covered three states. When state troopers finally stopped him, they discovered meth, marijuana and vodka in his car. Not surprisingly, NASCAR suspended TTAW in 2007 for drug-policy violations.
I attended UD’s thrilling First Four win over Boise State and enjoyed the show. But when you’re in the gym it’s obvious that TV timeouts have destroyed the flow of college basketball. At one point Friday, I found commercials on all four channels showing games. It’s only a matter of time before NCAA tournament matchups average three hours.
The worn-out Dayton Flyers just won't go away. Next up is Oklahoma tonight, and conventional wisdom says there's no way UD can hang with the Sooners. But at this point, I wouldn't bet against UD. These kids are amazing and have played the hand they were dealt beautifully.
To spring an upset in Columbus, the 11th-seeded Flyers will need to rebound better than they did Friday against Providence. One thing we know UD will have: the best defender on the floor in Kyle Davis.
I'm sick of the CBS analysts whining about the "home-court advantage" UD has enjoyed. The Flyers should never have been in the First Four, and I don't think that will happen again. As far as playing in Nationwide Arena, the NCAA tries to keep teams close to home if possible. Funny, never heard anyone complain about Kentucky's home games in Louisville.
Alter graduate Chris Borland stunned the sports world last week by retiring after one season with the 49ers due to head injury concerns. Only Borland knows how many concussions he's sustained, so you have to respect his decision. Pro football has become a gladiator sport. It'll be interesting to see if more players follow Borland's lead.
Pete Rose has applied for reinstatement into Major League Baseball, hoping new commissioner Rob Manfred will show mercy. The Hit King turns 74 next month. He's done 26 years in baseball purgatory; it's time to let him back in. The commish could attach some stipulations to cover his bases. That way, everyone wins.
Trending up: Ron Hunter, Ally Malott, UCLA. Georgia State's coach is a breath of fresh air among a fraternity of college basketball coaches who are wound way too tight. Hunter, a Chaminade Julienne alum, led his 14th-seeded squad into the first weekend of the NCAA tournament and enjoyed every minute of the ride.
Trending down: Delton Williams, LaDontae Henton, Tom Pecora. Williams has been suspended from the Michigan State football team after he allegedly brandished a firearm in public. Not a smart move by Williams, who was among the Spartan running backs competing to replace Jeremy Langford.
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