Am I the only one who thinks this year in sports has already gotten off to a strange start? The North Carolina men’s basketball team is 5-11 and the New England Patriots are one win away from the Super Bowl. Now, I know the Pats were in Super Bowl XXXI, but it is New England. Taking a look at these strange occurrences, the last time North Carolina did not qualify for the NCAA tournament was 1975. Lyndon Johnson was president, Jaws was big in the theatres, and Barry Manilow had the No. 1 song with “Mandy.”
North Carolina is in serious danger of not only not making the big dance, but they are also in danger of not even going to the National Invitational Tournament. Of course, the NIT selection process is a little more lenient. They could end up taking the Tar Heels simply because they are North Carolina.
In 1975, the dynasty known as UCLA won their 10th national title in 12 years. If there is one thing I was always told, it’s that history repeats itself. I’m not saying that UCLA is going to win the national title this year. I’m saying that maybe this is another time that a dynasty takes over. The Carolina fans are going to enjoy this. Duke, I’m talking about you.
As for the Patriots. I want a show of hands: how many people think the Raiders should be playing Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship this weekend? My hand is raised. If you saw the game, yours probably would be raised too. If you haven’t heard about it yet, here is a synopsis of what happened.
Saturday night, in the fourth quarter, New England quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to throw the ball. He made a throwing motion, probably a pump fake and brought the ball back down, grabbing it with both hands. At that point, a Raider defender stripped the ball loose, causing a fumble, which the Raiders recovered. After reviewing the play, the officials determined that Brady was in the process of throwing the ball, resulting in an incomplete pass. The Patriots eventually tied the score and won in overtime, putting them in the AFC title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, going by the rule book, the officials did make the correct call. But, since when does holding the ball in front of you with both hands constitute as a throwing motion? The Raiders got “snowed.”
I know it seems like I’m always complaining about someone’s fans every week, but I have to say something about Alabama’s fans–arrogant.
Congratulations should go to Dorsett Davis and Conner Stephens of the MSU football team. Dorsett and Conner are representing the ‘Dawgs in the 2002 Senior Bowl to be played this Saturday in Mobile, Ala. .
Finally, according to “bracketologist” Joe Lunardi, the MSU men’s basketball team has dropped out of the NCAA tournament picture at 15-4, while Mississippi is a sixth seed with a record of 14-4. One question, Joe: why Ole Miss? Two weeks ago, State was as high as a five seed, now all of sudden, we’re totally out of the tournament. When exactly did we screw up that bad? This Saturday starts a key stretch for the ‘Dawgs with games against LSU, Georgia and Alabama at the Hump, and Auburn and Florida on the road. It would be nice to go 4-1 through that stretch, but that’s just my opinion.
Categories:
Strange occurrences in pro, college sports
Commentary by Derek Cody
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January 25, 2002
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