Monday Musings: March Madness, Spring, Working on Sixteen

• Watched a little CBS coverage of the NCAA tourney selection yesterday. While I knew going in that Bama wouldn't get called, it's still kind of depressing to sit there and watch it unfold. There was one particularly bright moment, though. When debating who should and should not get a number one seed, Doug Gottlieb compared Gonzaga to Notre Dame football- said they had a pretty record but hadn't beaten anybody. That Bama was the team that got to expose those frauds still makes me very happy...

• Coach Saban held a press conference on Saturday to discuss spring practice. He mentioned that spring is a time to set expectations for players and new coaches while focusing strictly on player development. Said that we probably shouldn't read too much into the Joneses and Dee Hart working out with the DBs since there may not be any plans to make permanent changes there, intimating that it has more to do with preparing for worst-case injury luck. He sent his thoughts and prayers to Coach Mal Moore as he undergoes some medical testing following apparent pulmonary issues- a sentiment I'm sure we would all like to express- said that Coach Moore is "in good spirits" and in great hands at Duke. He also spoke to the team's offseason response to the national championship, suggesting that some of the players may not have handled success well initially (briefly mentioned the Skittles Four) but seem to have regained focus. Lots of work ahead if a three-peat is to be, but I ain't worried- how 'bout y'all? If nothing else, at least we are signing ALL THE COACHES...

• Not sure what to make of Ole Miss' Marshall Henderson. Before playing the SEC championship against Florida, he stated ever-so-eloquently that it would be "the biggest snub ever in the history of the rest of the NCAA tournament" if Ole Miss were denied an at-large bid, ultimately rendered moot when the Rebels won. When asked about his postseason goals, he said he'd like to "make a name" for himself so he "can get this money." What money would that be, Marshall? My d-bag meter is going off big time with this kid...

• Speaking of d-bags, Ol' Johnny Football managed to get himself into the news again this week, posing shirtless for a photo in order to show off a Texas Longhorn tattoo which he claims is fake. The piece discusses Johnny complaining about not getting a "regular college kid" experience. Really, Johnny? You know as well as anyone that a good 10,000 male students in College Station would gladly trade places with you, and even if you were oblivious to that little detail I'd think that pulling stunts to get yourself shoved into the limelight sort of contradicts your complaint, no? I hope CJ, Hubbard, and company knock Johnny senseless come September...

• I highly recommend this piece by Roy Exum of The Chattanoogan covering a speech Coach Saban made at a recent engagement. Lots of great insight into the attention to detail that has driven the success of the program, but this juicy tidbit really stood out for me. Who do you think he's talking about?

  "Not long ago, we had a receiver that didn't do what he was supposed to do. And he missed a lot of time. Missed spring. And we had a quarterback that wanted him back, really wanted him back. And I was like, Nuh uh. Ain't gonna happen. I can't look at those other 84 guys who have been doing what they're supposed to be doing, what we expect, buying in ... and then just welcome this guy back after he really hasn't done anything right? No way, wasn't going to happen."

  
  

Roll Tide, errbody.