a second opinion

-- See both sidebars for the long-awaited and much-anticipated update to the Blogroll. If I missed your site (and you were kind enough to add a permanent link to this blog), email me. Included in this update? A link to a second Wonk, also an Illini fan (!), a handful of team and school blogs, and several other interesting reads.

-- According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Tim Floyd has signed a contract with the University of Southern California. The hang-up preventing a public announcement? The New Orleans Hornets. The NBA squad has yet to approve the deal, demanding to see evidence from USC detailing how much Floyd will be paid and, therefore, how much less the club can expect to have to compensate its old coach.

-- ESPN's Joe Lunardi has written his first "Bracketology" of the season. Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA and Washington represent the PAC 10. Gonzaga and Boston College check in as three seeds, while Pittsburgh is -- and I am not making this up -- a two seed and Connecticut -- ditto -- a four seed. Lunardi better shape up before season's end.

-- Chris Walton's muscle strain should not keep him from contributing the rest of the season, according to a Drexel University abdominal specialist San Diego State had sought out for a second opinion. Here's hoping Pops Walton serves as the play-by-play man or on-air analyst for an upcoming Aztecs game. His commentary on Luke Walton, then at Arizona, was, well, biased.

-- Major Parker, Billy Donovan's first recruit at the University of Florida and the Gators' current staff assistant, a few hours ago pleaded not guilty to five counts of cocaine distribution. Not exactly "Gatorade."

-- Mike Lucas of the Madison (WI) Capital-Times has a nice piece about Dan Monson and the under-the-radar Gophers. My suggestion for Minnesota fans is to enjoy the victories while they last. In the Big Ten, wins won't come easily for Monson's mix-and-match crew. Even if the Gophers currently rank No. 1 in both overall field goal percentage (.514) and 3-point field goal percentage (.420).

-- North Carolina State is desperate. The latest sign? Herb Sendek is hoping Will Roach's return will right his sinking ship. Fat chance. (Though, given time, Julius Hodge will lead the Pack to the Sweet 16).