UMass hands committee a quandary
F1 soars into the lead on Apple TV
Good morning, all and Happy Friday!
March Madness is in full swing and the NCAA tournament hasn’t even begun.
The University of Massachusetts men’s basketball team, the number eight seed in the MAC tournament, bumped off previously unbeaten and number one seed Miami of Ohio in a tourney first round game on Thursday in Cleveland, 87-83. The Minutemen trailed by 11 points with 8:33 remaining in the game and rallied to defeat a RedHawks team that entered the tournament 30-0.
Now what? The winner of the MAC gets an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, but the MAC is not a Power 4 conference, meaning it is rare that an at- large bid is voted in my the selection committee. Will Miami join the conference tournament winner and gain an invite? The panel has quite a decision to make, doesn’t it?
There is some speculation that because Miami had not lost a game since last March, it deserves to be in. You asking me? I say “no.” The MAC not being a Power 4 conference has to be taken into account by the committee. Now had the RedHawks lost in the tournament semifinals or finals, you could make a case an at-large bid was deserved. Losing in the first round? I do not think so. But I have zero say, which puts me on equal footing with UMass coach Frank Martin, whose team vanquished Miami.
“It would be an embarrassment, a complete embarrassment, if this league doesn’t get two teams in,” said Martin.
Miami is hoping history is on its side. The last time the MAC received an at-large bid was 1999. The team? Miami.
Speaking of tournaments
Now that Team USA has been given a reprieve thanks to Italy’s win over Mexico, 9-1, in the WBC tournament, let the quarterfinals begin. By the way, the U.S. has made some notable roster changes, particularly on the pitching front. Among the most significant is the dropping of pitcher Clayton Kershaw from the roster and the addition of Minnesota Twins right hander Joe Ryan.
For your convenience, here is the tournament schedule starting with tonight’s game between USA and Canada:
Enjoy!
The business of broadcasting
Former NFL coach Tony Dungy has confirmed he is out as a member of the NBC Sunday Night Football pregame show cast. The few times I watched the pregame, I liked the job Dungy did, but that is the broadcast business. And to be honest, I have never been one who watches pregame shows, although their ratings get solid numbers regardless of the network. I’m one of those who dismisses the pregame hype and tunes in, once the games begin. But that’s just me, I guess.
Here are some other thoughts on the second Friday in March:
QB Kyle Murray has signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. You think, if the Vikes had it to do all over again, they would have kept Sam Darnold? Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy must be wondering what is going on.
QB Geno Smith: “The Jets are getting a better player than when I left.” I hope so.
Let the competition begin. Apple TV won the broadcast rights from ESPN for F1 Racing and the early numbers are promising. Last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix Race garnered more viewers on Apple TV than the same race last year on ESPN. Apple TV has the F1 broadcasting rights for the next five years.
In case you are wondering, MLB is back on Apple TV for Friday Night Baseball again this season, beginning on Mar. 27.
BTW, I am old enough to remember when Opening Day of the baseball season did not arrive until Apr. 10. Now the season begins a half-month earlier and ends a half-month later.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. As always, thank you for subscribing and have a fantastic Friday!
DAN