Beware the Ides of March Sorry for the lengthy delay in posting. March Madness starts in mid-February around these parts...

Much has been done and seen over the last 10 days or so, let's recap:

- Went back to the old place for senior night. I was there for their first game. I wanted to be there for the last one at home.

Unfortunately, they weren't up to snuff on the court and lost. But like a loyal reader (and equally loyal fan of the old place) will attest to: it's not enough to win the game. You must win the post-game too. By last count, said loyal reader and assistant coach compadre in the City with a Lotta, lotta Culture...they're undefeated in the post-game.

As for me, well, I consider it a good day when the last bit from the Beechmont and the first bite from the Avenue Deli come just hours apart.

Of course, the old place also had its regular season championship in its own hands on Sunday night and blew it, which led to a 2002 Red Sox playoff-like outburst which claimed a picture frame and a pintglass. They enter the 2006 MAAC Tournament as the #2 seed, beginning play on Saturday night. I love 'em and they're still my pick to win it, but the confidence level is waning.

- I dunno when the trend of quitting, resigning under pressure, or getting fired (aren't they all the same thing with different semantics?) in the middle of a college basketball season started. Was it Mike Jarvis? Did that get this ugly trend going?

Quin Snyder. Mike Davis. Now, Gary Waters.

I mean, I can understand - especially in this business when the outside, mitigating factors contribute greatly to success, W's and L's. Rumors of ones demise, even rumors of ones imminent departure can hurt recruiting. It can alienate your fan base. It can force administrators against the wall, with big-pocketed alums and boosters, flexing the muscles they simply should not have.

But c'mon. What is the true mission of the whole business? In the end, it was all going to turn out the same way. But isn't there a better way, or tact, to doing it? And who is the most important constituency involved in these issues? Sometimes I fear the student-athlete takes up the part of the totem pole that you can't see visibly.

I'm opening a can of worms here. But it bears discussion.

- As if you needed any more evidence as to why Rhode Island is the best state in the Union, check out this article about last night's marina expansion hearing on Block Island...and the B.I.,R.I. resident standing - arms folded - in the back of the room.

- Tell you what... I just looked at the photo album of Manny reporting to Red Sox Spring Training and holy schnieckies... My man has been doing Pilates or some shit.

Physique-wise, he looks like David Givens. Demeanor-wise, he looks just like a big kid (with orange dreads) that sees a shiny red bike under the Christmas tree...everywhere he looks!
Granted, Manny isn't a book you can judge by the cover. He might not even be a book, even one with lots of pictures or one of those pop-up books from back in the day. Somedays, he's not even a pamphlet. Somedays, he's a pdf file.

Either way, he's in camp and he's going to play baseball, seemingly for the Red Sox. I've taken to him the same way i did when I felt the Pedro era was coming to an end - ignore all the off-field stuff, both the stuff created by the player and the stuff created for him thanks to the media. Ignore all that and just focus on the fact that Red Sox fans are getting to watch one of the best players of our time.

The few things you can never knock Manny for are his preparation and his numbers. We've been lucky to see it, and everyday we get to see it from here on out is our benefit. (author's note: I am what you may call a Manny sympathist, almost blindly.)

- I found a new site which has helped the iPod and the work day go by quicker: emusic.com. It features a lot of the indie or small-label bands I like and, the great thing is, you get 50 free downloads just for signing up. Check it out - you can take your 50 free songs and then cancel with no obligation! It's real! No scams!

Not yet at least.

- ESPN.com lets you pick 12 guys who you'd like to see on the next Team USA.

I picked mine, you pick yours.

My roster would include:
Chauncey Billups (the SI article on his a few weeks back was terrific, really sold me on him);

Elton Brand (even though, by this point, the story has Beyrer blocking his shot, going the length of the floor to hit the gamewinner, and taking Brand's girlfriend to the prom);

Dwight Howard (best young post player in the NBA);

LeBron James (I heard he was pretty good);

Rashard Lewis (dunno, there's just something about versatile 7-footers);

Brad Miller (you're going to need some rebounders to get dirty inside...as you'll see with the rest of my picks);

Adam Morrison (he can shoot it);

Chris Paul (can get the ball to Morrison so he can shoot it);

Paul Pierce (can score it);

Michael Redd (need to pick someone in my own likeness: lefty, can shoot the shampoo out of the ball, lives in Milwaukee);

Amare Stoudemire (this guy I used to know didn't think he'd be a good player...a wasted draft pick...told Jerry Colangelo so...consequently, is not working for the Suns...);

Dwyane Wade (heard he went to school out this way)

My team would run a motion offense, akin to a West Virginia in that all five players on the floor would be able to shoot from the outside, if need be, or cut to the basket and score that way.

My offense would utilize the shot clock, as patience and precision with the ball can lead to a broken defensive play, and net an open/high percentage shot. If my team misses its shot, I have rebounders. I have shooters. I have athletes. I have point guards.

And with this team, I'd have a gold medal.

Ok that's about it out in this neck of the woods. Will hopefully be coming up with some top fives soon.

All the best. And take it to that next step, wouldja?
One.  ¶ 4:56 PM