JMU did its job to shed snub by NCAA
After the season it’s had, the James Madison men’s basketball team shouldn’t lack respect from the NCAA. But had the Dukes not won the Sun Belt Tournament while rising to 31-3 — had they finished a “mere” 30-4 and failed to extend their national-best Division I active win streak to 13 — they likely would have been snubbed by a selection committee that keeps major schools with double-digit losses in the picture. The strength-ofschedule numbers-crunching that supports the caste system isn’t without merit. But it’s amazing the lengths officials will go to give the majors the benefit of the doubt.
Senior citizens: Maybe nobody has done a better job than JMU of capitalizing on the expanded COVID eligibility rules. The Dukes’ starting lineup consists of three fifth-year players and a fourth-year senior.
On the move: As so often happens at mid-majors, JMU’s success means the school will be looking for a new head coach any day now. Mark Byington is a hot property.
Taking the lead: By winning its own national basketball title this week, the Newport News Apprentice School showed other commonwealth hopefuls how it’s done.
Rebound: Leading up to the Big South Tournament victory that sent Longwood to the dance for the second time in three years, Griff Aldrich’s team was 2-8 in conference play on Feb. 7.
The hangover: Now that disappointing results have led to the dismissal of William & Mary basketball coach Dane Fischer, the firing of Tony Shaver five years ago is as inexplicable as ever. How long will the cloud created by this baffling decision hang over the program?
Clark’s bar: Women’s college basketball on the Fox Sports TV platforms, the network reports, “greatly” outrated their men’s games this season. The Caitlin ripple effect? More like a roaring rapid.
Measurements: The relative growth in popularity of the women’s game can also be measured by how many more people fill out bracket sheets for their tournament.
It’s coming: March Madness pools are innocent enough, but the relentless presence of online betting platforms — heavily supported by sports leagues — has America headed for a massive gambling-addiction epidemic among Millennials and Gen Z.
Word choice: Commanders head coach Dan Quinn eschews the word “rebuild,” preferring instead, “recalibrate.” Just so you know.
Trivia: The Commanders’ problems begin at quarterback, of course. They’ve had 12 different starters at the position since the 2017 season.
Politically incorrect: Aaron Rodgers’ presence on the short list of vice president candidates for the wackadoodle ticket couldn’t be more on brand. But, still, this weirdo is just a jock looking for more attention.
Rush job: The Dodgers moving Mookie Betts to shortstop two weeks before the start of the season is the most intriguing development from spring training.
Update needed: The defending NBA champion Nuggets are skipping the customary visit to the White House, moved from last June to March 18 by the Biden administration. It has nothing to do with politics. With a day off between road games in Dallas and Minnesota, the team says it’s guarding against travel fatigue. Charles Barkley mocks Denver’s decision, but these victory laps at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue are so played out. When it comes to photo ops with athletes, White House pomp should be reserved for Olympic heroes and national teams.
In closing: The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic is the NBA’s MVP. No arguments will be entertained.
Bob Molinaro is a former Virginian-Pilot sports columnist. His Weekly Briefing runs Fridays in The Pilot and Daily Press. He can be reached at bob5molinaro@ gmail.com and via Twitter@ BobMolinaro.