Sunday, January 16, 2005
on the grange
-- The Washington Post entertains the notion that the Atlantic 10 may be a one-bid league. Unless a capable Temple team dominates in conference play, I fear the Post's thought will bear fruition.-- When even Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal is unable to learn Danny Granger's status following his arthroscopic surgery, you know New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay is doing a tremendous job respecting his star player's privacy request. Granger wisely figures that when it comes to NBA scouts, ignorance is bliss.
-- Indiana defeated Purdue in double-overtime. But one need not look much farther than the SportsCenter highlights to believe that Mike Davis knows he's as good as gone. After Marshall Strickland & Co. began to celebrate following their improbable victory, a frustrated Davis was seen -- with nary a smile -- walking to shake hands with coach Keady. There is no joy in Bloomington. (And why should there be)?
-- Louisville's gut-check victory over Cincinnati was a win-win for both squads. Louisville learned it remains talented enough to make a run at the Final Four. Cincinnati learned they are a much better team than the pundits expected in preseason and can hang with the country's elite. Come March, the Bearcats are as good a pick as any to upset a team or two en route to the Sweet Sixteen or -- you heard it here first -- Elite Eight.