Wrestling with Mistakes, Shawn's Surprise, Taste the Taser

• Des Moines' Montell Marion can't seem to stay out of trouble. Public intox, vandalism, and now worst of all, OWI. As Marion wrestled his way to a second place finish at the NCAA wrestling championships in March, he told our Shawn Terrell he was ready to put childish mistakes behind him and get on with being a man. Drunk driving is not what Montell had in mind. The University of Iowa has a three strikes and you're out policy (more info in Wednesday's Register). It will be interesting to see if Marion is out. He was not arrested for the 2009 vandalism, though he did admit to doing it.
• Shawn Johnson knows how to make 8,000 screaming kids even louder: break news. Shawn announced at the Hy-Vee Hall "Exercise Your Character" rally that she's back to training at Chow's Gymnastics, and plans to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. Good for her. It won't be easy. She's been away from competitive gymnastics for 20 months, she had reconstructive surgery on her knee a few months ago, and after growing several inches and aging two more years, she'll find the tumbling more challenging. Don't doubt her. Shawn's been so busy being a celebrity, we forget at one time she was the best gymnast on the planet, the world champ.
• I think beyond the physical challenge---gymnasts peak in their mid teens---it will be difficult to give up all those treats Shawn finally tasted after years of going without. I'm talking about everything from junk food to hanging with friends to just doing nothing. When you're training for the Olympics, it takes an incredible amount of discipline and dedication. I couldn't do it. Shawn can.
• Liang Chow is the man.
• Shawn, Lolo, Keely (possibly) all headed for London. We should probably start planning early. Boss, are you reading this? My Visa is up to date.
• Paddy O'Prado may not be a slacker after all. He says through an interpreter he's thinking of running in the Preakness. Way to go, Paddy! Now we have to wait and see if the Preakness is also on Andy's bucket list. Gosh, I hope not.
• I just watched American Idol. Frank Sinatra wants his songs back.
• Fans who run on the field in the middle of Major League Baseball games are fools who should feel the Taser if they're not quickly caught. I'll never forget seeing that Royals first base coach take a beating.
• It's 12:30 a.m. I've got to start finishing these sooner! I still have to watch Parenthood.

Hoiberg's First Assist, Barnstormer Buzz, Mother's Day Mystery

• Fred Hoiberg made his first good coaching decision. He either encouraged Charles Boozer to transfer, or quickly accepted Boozer's decision. Either way, it was the right call. Hoiberg has enough goodwill built up that he could have suspended Boozer and still claimed character counts, but the police report on Boozer's arrest was ugly, and there's no place on Hoiberg's team for a player who (allegedly) pushed, slapped, and kicked a woman. Boozer says he'll seek treatment. I hope he does. Before Saturday, Charles had a stellar reputation.
• Jim Walden is wrong. Most coaches won't root against Fred Hoiberg suceeding. The unique circumstances that make Hoiberg a chance worth taking at Iowa State won't suddenly make coaching experience irrellevant, even if Fred wins championships.
• I'll be interested to see if the buzz returns for the Barnstormers after two straight wins. I thought the move up to the top level of arena football would have more people talking, and more fans in the stands.
• The Pacific on HBO is brilliant, but it's not always easy to watch.
• Mother's Day confuses me. I thought I needed to buy my mother a present. Now I'm hearing I need to buy my wife a present because she's a mother, my sister a present because she's a mother... where does it end?!

Boozer Arrested, Cubbies Streaking, Broken English

(Chris)

It didn't take long for that warm and fuzzy feeling to fade away from the Iowa State basketball program. Three days after Fred Hoiberg was introduced as head coach, he already has a player problem. ISU guard Charles Boozer was arrested, on Saturday, and charged with simple assault. We don't know what exactly happened in Ames, that afternoon. Coach Hoiberg doesn't either. He was in Minneapolis tying up some loose ends at his former job. He said he will meet with ISU administrators when he returns.

Remember the days when the I-Cubs would put up 8, 9, even 10 runs a game? Yeah, all those players are now in the majors. It's been a rough opening month for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. To make matters worse, one of Iowa's top hitters is heading to the shelf. Jason Dubois will spend the better part of two weeks rehabbing a bad back in Arizona.

The C-Cubs are streaking, again. Three wins, three losses, three wins...they're more inconsistent than Oprah's diet. If you're keeping track, the Cardinals at 4.5 games ahead of the Cubbies after one month of play.

David Zabriskie...the football player? Sounds crazy, but ISU's 2010 NCAA wrestling champion is trading in the headgear for a helmet. The Browns are giving him a chance to compete for a spot on the team at mini-camp this spring. Most invitees don't make it, but the would-be linebacker sure knows how to tackle.

Andy and photographer James Searls did a fantastic job at the Derby, last week. I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice the strange sounds of an English track announcer, in Louisville....where they don't speak English.

Paddy's Day

Sure, everyone in Iowa would have loved to see Paddy O'Prado win the Kentucky Derby, but a third place finish is incredible.  Perspective helps.  Just a few months ago, Paddy was a long-shot just to qualify for the Derby.  Jerry Crawford, one of the owner's with Donegal Racing, said Paddy was knocked off his stride in the final turn, which may have prevented the horse from winning.  Either way, the Central Iowans that make up Donegal Racing made millions on Saturday.  Paddy won't run the Preakness, and the Belmont remains up in the air.  But at the very least, he'll command a sizeable stud fee for the rest of his life.  It's a charmed life (I'm talking about the horse, of course).

Fran McCaffrey landed a recruit on Saturday...again.  According to Hawkeyenation.com, Meslahn Basabe will sign with Iowa.  Basabe is a 6'7" forward out of New York.  He originally signed on to play for McCaffery at Siena, but was released from his letter of intent when McCaffery left for Iowa.

I'm headed to Kansas City on Monday to see Pearl Jam at the Sprint Center, and I'm bringing Mark Meisenheimer with me.  Mark has never seen PJ live, so I'm interested to see his reaction.  This will be my 18th show, for those of you scoring at home.  I can't wait to hear some of the songs off the new album live for the first time, and to hear "Even Flow" for the 18th time.

Peace out,

Shawn

A Horse of a Different Color.

I can't remember ever looking forward to the Kentucky Derby as much as I am this year.  Iowans love to root for other Iowans, even if the other Iowan is a horse.  Full disclosure, Paddy O'Prado has never set hoof in Iowa, but he's owned by a group of Iowans.

Andy Fales is having more fun at Churchill Downs than Clark W. Griswold did at Wally World.  Expect Andy to miss work the next couple of weeks as he undergoes a plastic surgery procedure to wipe the smile off his face.

Andy reports the odds on Paddy O'Prado have improved throughout the week.  There's at least a couple reasons for that... Paddy will start in the 10th position, which is ideal.  Also, the wet track conditions should favor the horse (his mudder was a mudder).

I survived "The Hangover II," but just barely.  Four days in Vegas for my brother's bachelor party led to antiboitics and eight days of recovery.  But it was worth it.  It might have been the best four days of my life.

Shawn

Bucket List, Hoiberg Hire, Little Big Dog

• I'm happy for my friend, Andy Fales. I don't think I've ever seen him look happier on the job than he does this week at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Andy is covering the Iowa owned horse, Paddy O'Prado. Paddy is 20 to 1, but running from the best position---the 10---and he likes the mud. That could matter, a LOT, Saturday.
• Kentucky Derby tops Andy's sports bucket list. What's on yours? I'll start with the Masters, Wimbledon, and Notre Dame vs. USC football.
• Good first day on the job for Fred Hoiberg. I'm sure he had help, but a solid recruit right out of the gate makes already excited Cyclone fans downright giddy.
• The Hoiberg hire makes more sense to doubters the more they learn about the man and the plan. Still no lock, but then what hire would have been?
• I can't wait for some sunny weekend weather and an I-Cubs game. Might not be this weekend.
• My parents just showed up for a long visit. We love having them here. They make our lives easier, and they're fun. Each year it means more.
• We have a four pound dog, Maggie, who thinks she weighs 40. It's amusing to watch her try and intimidate dogs who could eat as a snack. I think they laugh.
• Shocker: early reviews for MacGruber are all positive. Several say the movie is hilarious. The movie must improve on the SNL skit. That almost never happens. Ladies Man anyone?

Right Said Fred

• Fred Hoiberg had a great news conference. No surprise. As Shawn Terrell said, Hoiberg seems like a guy who will succeed at whatever he does.
• Some of us who remember Fred in high school are shaking our heads that he's now the head coach at Iowa State. Time flies.
• We had Hoiberg on our radio show. He has a plan. He's confident. He knows why (some) people doubt him. I can't imagine anyone with no head coaching experience having a better shot at working out. Fred Hoiberg is not Clyde Drexler.
• Jamie Pollard told us every hire is a roll of the dice. (see Chizik, McDermott) Pollard believes Hoiberg is a safer bet than most. He might be right.
• Pollard sold some season tickets. Cyclone fans haven't been this excited about the basketball program since Larry Eustachy's prime.
• Johnny Orr, Jim Hallihan, and Gary Thompson all told me they have zero doubts Hoiberg will succeed.
• Bottom line: The Iowa State basketball program has a much brighter outlook than it did a week ago. It can't get much worse than fan apathy, bottom of the Big 12, and no Hilton Magic. Fans should be excited.

Hoiberg Hire: Inspired or Desperate?

Wow. That didn't take long.

Greg McDermott out. Fred Hoiberg in. Wait, did I just write, Fred Hoiberg in. Yes I did. He's the new men's head basketball coach at Iowa State.

Talk about making a splash. I talked to several Cyclone fans who are so excited, they can't contain it. Fred Hoiberg is a living legend, a Cyclone icon, a reminder of Hilton Magic. What he isn't is a head coach with any experience.

Anyone who says this is a great hire, or an awful one, is just flat out guessing. We don't know, and won't know for years. It's either inspired or desperate, but it's definintely a go for broke reach by Athletics Director Jamie Pollard. He's is either a visionary or short-sighted.

A big part of Pollard's job is to sell tickets, entice donors, and energize the fan base. Hiring Fred Hoiberg will do all three. Eventually, winning must follow. It's like building a new Major League Baseball stadium. For a few seasons, fans will sell it out no matter the product on the field. Sooner or later, if the team's not winning, fans stop coming. Just ask the Orioles.

I like it, but then I like Fred. I figure it can't get worse than the past four seasons. Iowa State's already ahead, and Creighton paid to make it happen.

I think Fred's experience as an NBA player and executive will help with the kind of egos and agendas McDermott could never figure out. It won't hurt that Fred can recruit by saying, "Want to get to the NBA? I know what it takes." Fred's love of Iowa State will help too, but nothing matters more than his staff. Retaining TJ Otzelberger is smart, he can recruit. Jeff Grayer could help too. He can get after players more than people realize. The other spots are key. Nick Nurse is out. Who's in? Hoiberg needs to add an assistant with extensive D1 experience. If he's been a head coach, even better. (A guy like Kirk Speraw, who just joined Fran McCaffery's staff at Iowa.)

The outlook for the 2010-2011 season just improved greatly. The years after that... who knows? Pollard knew from the jump who he wanted. He got him. I can't wait to find out if it works.

Win-Win-Win: Iowa State, McDermott, Creighton.

Cyclone fans aren't exactly celebrating, but I think most feel a sense of relief. For reasons McDermott supporters could never fully explain, Mac's four seasons in Iowa State just didn't work, and there was little reason to believe better days were ahead.

Some Cyclone fans feel jilted because McDermott broke up with Iowa State instead of the other way around. It's like a relationship you're in, you know it's not working, you're starting to not even like your girlfriend, but then she breaks up with you, and even though you wanted that to happen, it hurts. You feel cheated.

Iowa State is a better job than Creighton, even though Creighton is a great landing spot for a coach under fire. If McDermott were fully confident he'd get it done in Ames, I think he would have stayed. Mac never seemed to relate to Big 12 players. Most think they're NBA bound, even though most are not. In the MVC, it's a different mindset. For whatever reason, McDermott did not adjust, in the same way Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Tim Floyd flopped in the NBA despite being great college coaches.

McDermott is a nice man. He has a nice family. I believe he's sincere when he says he wants to coach his son, Doug, who Greg didn't think was a good fit for the Big 12. Like father, like son. This could work out better for nearly everyone: McDermott, his son, Iowa State, Jamie Pollard, Cyclone fans, Creighton, etc.

Who pulled a bigger Houdini: McDermott or Chizik? I'd say Chizik. He parlayed two horribly mismanaged seasons and 10 straight losses into a prime SEC gig. Still, four straight losing basketball seasons and 0 post-season wins into a 10 year contract at a good basketball school isn't bad either.

Pollard has now misfired on two big hires in four years, but he bounced back from the Chizik debacle by hiring a coach who actually wanted to be at Iowa State, Paul Rhoads. Pollard showed McDermott loyalty, some would say too much, and that should help sell the job to someone else. Pollard has been under a lot of pressure, and knows he needs to get this one right.

I feel for Nick Nurse and Jeff Grayer, especially Grayer. Nurse tells me he has several options, including a return to the Iowa Energy. Grayer has wanted to join the Cyclone coaching staff for years. Hopefully the next coach has room for a legend who really wants the job.

Neck Hole, Paddy's Day, McDermott's Decision

(Chris)

I usually enjoy covering I-Cubs games, but today (50-degrees, windy, rainy) wasn't the least bit enjoyable. There were around 500 people in the seats for the 1:00pm start. I was surprised there were even that many. The good news is, every fan that came was able to snatch up a free blue catchers mitt. My best highlight in the 90 minutes I spent in the ballpark was a boy trying to find the neckhole in a poncho.

Iowa-owned Paddy O'Prado is a 25-1 favorite in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. For some perspective, the Cubs have a better chance to win the world series at 22-1. In other words, I wouldn't bet on it. I wouldn't bet on either.

Two more Hawkeyes and another Cyclone will get a shot in the NFL. Iowa WR Trey Stross signed a free-agent deal with the Texans. Hawkeye OL Dace Richardson has been granted a tryout with the Giants. And Cyclone punter Mike Brandtner inks with the Jaguars. As for the draftees...only 4 teams in the country had more than Iowa's six.

Three years ago, Steve Alford was feeling at heat Iowa and bolted for New Mexico. Now, some Cyclone fans believe Greg McDermott may be thinking about jumping ship to Creighton. Personally, I think it would be a good move for him to make. He's entering a lame-duck year at Iowa State. I find it hard to believe that this team is talented enough to post a winning season. The additions of Nurse and Grayer are great, but coaches don't play.

Andy bought a Twix out of the vending machine, today. He was crying about how they're making all the standard sized candy bars smaller. I didn't believe him, until he brought it over. They either shaved two inches off the regular bar, or they enhanced the fun size bar. Either way, Andy is none too happy about it.

45 straight, We need Lightning, Back to Iowa

(Chris)

The 101st edition of the Drake Relays is in the books and, for the 45th consecutive year, the final day was sold out. Lolo Jones ran a fast 100m hurdle race, but her season-best time of12.68 wasn't good enough to beat her friend. Damu Cherry broke Lolo's record in the event. Afterwards, in the post-race press conference, Lolo told Cherry that she wasn't going to let her come back, next season (tongue in cheek of course). We'll get to see Lolo race, again, in late June. That's when Drake hosts the USA Track & Field Championships.

Katie Flood's Drake Relays career might be over, but she'll be back for the state meet in a few weeks. Flood set two more records on Saturday, including the 1,500m, where she bested her previous relays record by 5 seconds.

To be honest, when I came to Des Moines three years ago, I wasn't a big fan of the relays. It seems as if I enjoy them a little more with each passing year. 2010 was the best yet. I was there, on Wednesday, when there were ten's of people in the stands for the beginning of the Heptathlon. It's really neat to see the stadium fill up, and the excitement build, with each passing day.

I returned to the sports office just in time to watch Usain Bolt in the Penn Relays on ESPN2. Drake pulls in its fair share of top-notch talent, but there isn't a track and field athlete in the world that compares to this freak of speed. 54-thousand fans watched Bolt run the anchor leg of a 4x100m relay. Jamaica won and, needless to say, it was a Penn Relays record. If Drake can, somehow, come up with the funds to get Bolt to our Relays...that would sure be something to watch.

For the first time since joining the AFL, the Barnstormers are a winner. Iowa beat Oklahoma City, on Saturday night, 68-60. The 'Stormers are now 1-2 on the year. That's the good news. The bad news is, the crowd of 8,312 was a bit lacking. It had some to do with the Drake Relays, and more to do with the fact that it started at 8:10pm. I know it's Saturday night, but the thing didn't end until 11:00. You could argue that the NFL Network actually hurt the team, Saturday. After all, I think you need to be an employee of the NFL to actually get the NFL Network.

One-fourth of Iowa's starters from a year ago are now in the NFL. In all, six Hawkeyes heard their names called. I'm just glad its over so ESPN can start running promos for next years draft. I didn't watch of a lick of it.

Speaking of not watching, I still haven't seen a single inning of Cubs baseball, this year. I see they're 3-1 since moving Big 'Z' to the bullpen. Problem solved!

The most common headline on Cubs.com over the last two seasons...? Take a guess. If you said "Samardzija to Iowa", you're correct. Here's to hoping the 87th time is a charm, Jeff.

Creighton basketball coach Dana Altman is heading to Oregon. He is expected to be introduced as the new head Duck on Monday. His return flight from Eugene to Omaha is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 6:00am.

Indianapolis Hawkeyes, Good Hires, Rain Go Away

• The Colts love them some Hawkeyes! Indianapolis takes linebacker Pat Angerer in the second round. Pat wasn't even watching the draft because he didn't expect his phone to ring until at least round four. The Colts know a football player when they see one.
• Angerer, Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, Mitch King, Jim Caldwell, Tom Moore... why don't they just change the name to Hawkeyes.
• If Tony Moeaki stays healthy, the Chiefs stole a potential All-Pro tight end in the third round.
• The Lions take Iowa corner Amari Spievey in the third round. I guess Spievey was right to leave early. He said he thought he'd go in the first three rounds.
• Four Hawks in three rounds. Pretty impressive.
• I love the Fran McCaffery hire of Kirk Speraw. Speraw was the Head Coach at UCF for 17 seasons and led the Knights to four NCAA Tournaments. Speraw's been trying to work his way back to Iowa for years. He played for the Hawkeyes, coached alongside Lute Olson, and knows what Carver-Hawkeye Arena was like when basketball mattered. He'll help.
• I also like Greg McDermott adding Jeff Grayer to the staff. Johnny Orr has been trying to get an Iowa State coach to add Grayer for years. Arguably the greatest Cyclone player ever, Grayer brings NBA credibility, but more importantly he should help remind players what Hilton Magic once was, and what it could be again (to paraphrase Terrence Mann). Sure, there's PR in this hire, but it's still a good move.
• Iowa State needs to name the Hilton Coliseum court "Johnny Orr Floor". Grayer's return makes the timing perfect, and we don't know how much longer we'll have Orr around to honor.
• The Drake Relays is one of the best run events anywhere, but they can't control the weather. I love track and field, but I'm not sitting in the rain. I suspect I'm not alone.
• Tasty Tacos. Mmm.

Kyle Orton Doesn't Wear Tim Tebow Pajamas

• The NFL draft has gone from a VFW folding table with men sitting behind helmets and rotary phones to an over-the-top extravaganza that resembles the Golden Globes.
• I loved the legends being introduced, even though it was a little cheesy. Jim Brown finally looks old, but Barry Sanders looks like he could run for 100 this weekend.
• The Rams draft Sam Bradford at #1. My friend Paul Burmeister with the NFL Network thinks Bradford's the real deal. We'll find out. The NFL is littered with first round failures at QB.
• Three of the first four picks were Sooners. Does that mean Big Game Bob Stoops couldn't win a championship the past couple years with an NFL team?
• The Broncos take Tim Tebow in the FIRST ROUND! Wow. Kyle Orton doesn't wear Tim Tebow pajamas.
• Right before Tebow picked up the phone, the NFL honored our servicemen and women. Nice moment.
• Jimmy Klausen falls to the second round. I guess character counts. Dude can play though.
• Did you see all those Yellow Jackets in the first round... none looked too impressive in the Orange Bowl when the Hawkeyes took their lunch money.
• I wish I could watch the NFL Network, but since it's not on Mediacom, ESPN had the coverage. The draft has a lot of moving parts and the anchors struggled at times. They stepped all over each and other, and had several moments where they didn't realize their mics were hot. I've been there myself.
• Word before the draft was Iowa's Bryan Bulaga might slide out of the top 5, or 10, or even 20. Word was right. Bulaga fell to the Packers at 23. Perfect fit. Though Bulaga is not an "Iowa farm boy" as Chris Berman described, Bulaga does look like he'd drive to Lambeau Field on a John Deere tractor. It all worked out in the end.
• Greg McDermott hiring Nick Nurse as Associate Head Coach makes a lot of sense. Nurse knows how to work with NBA wannabes, he has overseas connections, and he brings new up-tempo ideas. I think it's also a sign no one at Iowa State is thinking McDermott is a lame duck coach.
• Dowling's Katie Flood makes running 3,000 meters in under 10 minutes look effortless.

Drake Predictions, Night-Hawks, Slugger sent to 'Pen

(Chris)

The 101st edition of Drake Relays gives us something the previous 100 couldn't...a 14-year-old competitor. Prior Lake, Minnesota's Shaina Burns is in 7th grade and she's competing against college and pro athletes in the Heptathlon. Impressive.

A few predictions for this weekends events:

1. Someone by the last name of "Flood" will win a race.
2. Lolo Jones will wear sun-glasses, rain or shine.
3. Andy will be spotted, off-duty, under a tent.
4. Keith will use the term "vapor trail" in a sportcast.
5. Keith will use the term "vapor trail" again...

The Hawkeye football team will play two more regular season night games in 2010. The Sept. 18th road game at Arizona, and the Oct. 2nd home game with Penn State will both be played under the lights. If you're wondering why the home game against Ohio State on November 20th will be played during the day, it's because the Big Ten's TV contract doesn't allow in-conference night games after Nov. 1st. Bogus.

Former Hawkeye offensive tackle, Bryan Bulaga, will go early in Thursday night's NFL Draft. The consensus is, he'll either go 5th to Kansas City, or 9th, to Buffalo. One draft guru has him slipping out of the top 20, but that's not going to happen.

It sounds like Todd Lickliter, did, have a good incoming class for next season. South Dakota native Eric Larson asked out of his letter of intent when Fran McCaffery was hired. Today, he said he would sign with the Gators. Florida is a top-notch program. They've won a pair of national titles in the last 5 years.

Nick Nurse tells the Register he'll talk with Jamie Pollard, on Thursday, about the vacant top-assistant coaching position at ISU. I've heard people say that he would be taking a step down from D-League head coach, to D-I assistant coach. I think it's a lateral move, at worst, and somewhat of a step up. The only concerns I would have, is that he may be out (along with McDermott) after one season.

The Cubs moved Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen. They're now without an opening day starter, and their best hitter.

Big Ben gets a big suspension. Roethlisberger will have to sit out 4-6 games, to begin the 2010 season. Some say he may not be with the Steelers at the end of the week. I'd be surprised if they traded away a 28-year-old two-time Super Bowl MVP. He's a good decision-maker...........on the field.

Keith compared me to George Costanza in yesterday's blog. That's the best compliment I've ever gotten. All I've ever wanted in life is to drape myself in velvet, and naw on a block of cheese the size of a car battery.

New Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a finalist for the Iowa State head coaching position, a few years back. Gene Chizik ended up getting the job, and Kelly went to Cincinnati. Today, on the Dan Patrick Show, Kelly said he doesn't want ND to join the Big Ten because he doesn't want to have to take his players to Ames. We now know why Kelly didn't get the ISU job...he thinks the Cyclones are in the Big Ten.

Locust Avenue Vapor Trail, Hassel Costanza, Guilty Pleasure

• The Grand Blue Mile is another winner for the Drake Relays. I still can't belive a man ran through downtown Des Moines, 5,280 feet of it, in 3 minutes 54 seconds.
• The forecast for the Relays is a big bummer. Ed hopes he's wrong. Experience tells me he's not. Forecast calls for rain. And Pain.
• I'm glad we have the Iowa Energy, going to a game is a fun night out, but that was a small crowd for a win or go home game.
• Did I mention the Cubs aren't very good?
• MLB suspends Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez 50 games for testing positive for PED's, but since he's already on the DL, he's not playing anyway, yet those missed games count. Pathetic.
• Vikings at Saints to start the NFL season? I'm in.
• New shows worth watching: Justified, Parenthood, and Pacific.
• Guilty pleasure: Glee. Even my wife makes fun of me.
• Don't miss Chris Hassel in this week's "Juice". He looks like Bagger Vance, and sounds like George Costanza. Jannay Towne is the lovely cover lady.
• It's a clean sweep... USA Today names Ames Senior Harrison Barnes its boys basketball national high school player of the year. No surprise. Vance Downs is the coach of the year. (Thank you Des Moines Register.)
• Shawn Terrell is in Las Vegas for his brother's bachelor party. Have you seen the Hangover? This is the sequel.

Weekend in Wrigleyville, Full Moon, Pregnant Marathon Runner

• Props to the Des Moines Airport. Every time I fly somewhere else, I'm reminded how well run things are run back home.
• Flew to Chicago Friday. That's an easy flight on United. Took the train to our hotel, checked in, another train to Wrigleyville in plenty of time for lunch at the Cubby Bear, and first pitch at 1:20.
• Wrigley Field is not a nice ballpark by today's standards, but there's something magical about walking in the place, even when the ivy is still brown.
• The Cubs aren't very good this season. Alfonso Soriano serves as a microcosm for the the entire team. Great at times, awful at others, overall slightly above mediocre. And expensive.
• After spending a car payment for an afternoon of baseball, we headed to the Blackhawks playoff game. It was the first NHL playoff game for me. Awesome. 23,000 fans going bonkers, especially during the national anthem. The Blackhawks forgot to show up, but they can afford to add free agents in the off-season with what they charge for tickets, food, and drinks.
• Even though I know better, and I dressed in layers, I was still cold at Saturday's game. One thing to know about Wrigley in April and May is it can be very cold in the shade, even when it's nice and comfortable in the bleachers. We were behind home plate with the lake wind blowing straight at us. Brr.
• We ate a week's worth of calories at Gino's East. That deep dish pizza is ridiculous. They warn you when you order it will take 45 minutes to cook, and it's worth it.
• We hit the wall Saturday night and stayed in to watch a movie. Were we just tired, or is Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness a convoluted mess?
• I am thankful for our annual "guys weekend". It's good for the soul to laugh so much. We even set aside five minutes to catch-up on family.
• Must have been a full moon for SoundOFF Sunday night. The callers were nuttier than squirrel turds.
• Congratulations to Chris Hassel and Shawn Terrell, Northwest Broadcast News Association Eric Sevareid award winners for outstanding sports reporting. Chris won first place, and Shawn an award of merit.
• I can't imagine running a marathon, let alone a marathon while I'm six months pregnant. Well, I can't imagine being six months pregnant either. Anyway, an Urbandale woman, Leah Newman, completed the Boston Marathon in 4 hours 21 minutes. She tells the Register's Bryce Miller she would have finished much sooner but she had to stop and pee all the time. Check Bryce's story here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100419/SPORTS13/100419032/1003/SPORTS/Urbandale-woman-six-months-pregnant-finishes-Boston-Marathon-in-4-21

Spring "game", Ferentz plays dumb, Rainy Relays

(Chris)

I was in Iowa City on Saturday, but I didn't attend the Hawkeye spring game; no one did. It's not a game, it's a practice...a practice that Ricky Stanzi, DJK, Marvin McNutt, Jewell Hampton, Adrian Clayborn, etc. didn't compete in. That being said, there was a football involved, so 23,500 Iowa fans showed up.

What did we learn? Well, DJK isn't allowed to talk to the media, for now. Big surprise. He's a great sound-bite, because he speaks his mind. That's exactly the reason Iowa doesn't want him to talk.

We also learned that Kirk Ferentz is well aware that the Hawks are pegged as a preseason top-10 team, even though he tries to play dumb. He told us he he happened to see that his team was ranked "somewhere" in the top-10 in SI (the sports mag has them 5th). One sentence later, he made a comment about his team not being the 5th best team in the country. He's crafty, and it works.

Jerome Tiller played better than Austen Arnaud at ISU's spring game. Keep in mind, however, that Tiller played against the extremely young and inexperienced second-team defense.

I'm glad to see that SEP walk-on Jeff Woody is making an impact in the backfield. He's a good, smart, player. However, I will be surprised if he really ends up grabbing the #2 spot on the depth chart as a RS freshman.

Is it me, or can Paul Rhoads grow a full goatee in less than a day?

Drake Relays week 'officially' begins with Monday's Beautiful Bulldog contest. The weather will be great, but the forecast for the main events on Friday and Saturday doesn't look good. Sound familiar?

A day after the Cardinals lost in 20 innings, the Cubs lost in 10. Are they better for only needing half the amount of innings to lose, or does that make them worse? It's going to be a long year on the north side, and for us miserable Cubs fans. Ryne Sandberg may be in Wrigley by next April.

Chris

Spring Football and The Hangover - Part Two.

I think I know less about the Iowa and Iowa State football teams than I did 24 hours ago.  Spring games/scrimmages are notoriously bland, and Saturday was no different.  I don't blame Kirk Ferentz and Paul Rhoads for keeping the games vanilla.  Compared with college football's elite teams, depth will always be a probem in Iowa City and Ames.  It doesn't make any sense to risk injuring starters in a game that doesn't count.  I think fans get it...most are just looking to cure their football fix on a nice spring day, and that was certainly accomplished on Saturday.

What a weird day in major league baseball.  The Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez walks six batters but still manages to throw the first no-hitter in franchise history.  And as I write this, they're about to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the 3rd time at Busch Stadium.  The Cardinals and Mets are in the 20th inning.  My Cubs play a four-game series with the Mets starting Monday, so I'm glad to see NY's bullpen get taxed.

I'm off to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party tomorrow.  Needless to say, it should be a fun week.  I hope I don't run into Mike Tyson.

Shawn

The Barnstormers go to Milwaukee looking for a little revenge against Bob Landsee, but come home with a loss.  Iowa is now 0-2 on the season.

Ted Lilly pitched so well for the I-Cubs that he'll drop down to Single "A" Peoria for his final rehab start.  Seems like a good approach.  Next time I have a bad sportscast, I will attend an audio/visual class at Valley High School to get my confidence up.

Dallas Clark receives the Ray Pillar of Character Award, and he's deserving.  Other than one minor incident at a high school basketball game a few years back, Dallas has always set a positive example.

Austen Arnaud will be the face of the Iowa State football team in 2010.  What's encouraging for cyclone fans... Paul Rhoads says Arnaud is his most improved player this spring.

Spring football practice wraps up with games/public scrimmages in Ames, Iowa City and at Drake on Saturday.  I doubt any will be very exciting, but in April, fans are looking for any kind of football fix.

Shawn

Pollard Says Colvin Exit Part of a Larger Problem

• A source told me weeks ago Iowa State basketball player Chris Colvin was telling teammates and friends he'd made up his mind to transfer. At the same time, Cyclone head coach Greg McDermott felt Colvin had reassured him he was not leaving. Thursday, Iowa State confirmed what Cyclone fans had come to expect: Colvin is indeed gone.
• Colvin told our Shawn Terrell he just doesn't like McDermott's style of play, and wants to go somewhere he can run and gun. I'm not sure how McDermott's offensive strategy escaped Colvin during his recruitment, but Colvin never seemed happy at Iowa State. McDermott suspended Colvin for walking out of a team meeting, then made the questionable decision of reinstating him early due, in part, to Iowa State's depleted roster. Colvin showed flashes on the court, but mostly disappointed. He had bad body language, and never seemed to put the team first. 
• Cyclone fans run the spectrum from concerned to angry. Iowa State is proud of its basketball history, but it's been a bad five years. I can't overstate how much Greg McDermott is liked and respected throughout the Iowa State athletic offices, not to mention the coaching fraternity. I also know there's not a fan anywhere more frustrated or disappointed than McDermott himself, but Mac's record in Ames is getting harder to defend, and the defections are arming critics with more ammo.
• The Wesley Johnson transfer blindsided McDermott two years ago, Lucca Staiger was the mid-season surprise, Justin Hamilton the post. There have been many other departures, which Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard sees as more of a generational trend than an indictment of McDermott. Pollard remains a strong supporter of McDermott, and I believe Pollard is convinced McDermott is the right man for the job, but needs more time and better luck. Here's what Pollard is writing to Cyclone fans concerned about the defections:

Certainly we share your frustration, disappointment and even anger about the transfers in our men's and now even our women's basketball programs (women have now lost all four of their recruits from last year despite having Elite 8 and Sweet 16 teams). I can assure you both Coach McDermott and Coach Fennelly are concerned and trying to figure out how best to combat it. Part of Coach McDermott having two coaching vacancies is a direct result of his wanting to try and address the issue.


However, it also helps to keep our transfers in perspective. My peers and I continually discuss the epidemic around the country in the sport of basketball. In the past two years over 500 men's basketball players have transferred from a Division I team to another program. That number is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately if a kid's world is not absolutely perfect (in their mind), they run from the problem rather than deal with it. Makes you wonder if it is the first signs of our society's change in our early education program (no longer give kids grades - everybody passes; can't keep score, everybody has to win; if you do not like something, have mom or dad complain on your behalf). Personally I wonder how that generation is going to survive in the real world when mom or dad or AAU coach are not there for them during their first job interview or first job evaluation. The bottom line is life is not a video game, you can't just hit reset if you do not like your initial score.

Here are several links that clearly help put our transfers in perspective. Doesn't solve the issue but perspective on this issue is important.

First Link (SEC Transfers)

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20100414/ARTICLES/100419770/1136?p=all&tc=pgall

Second Link (List of over 300 transfers in 2008)

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=667122

Third Link (more on 2008 transfers)

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=942701

Thanks again for your support. One way or the other, we will get basketball fixed.

Go Cyclones!

Jamie Pollard

• McDermott is fortunate to have a boss who  has his back the way Pollard does. And Pollard is right, players are transferring everywhere, they are more entitled than ever, and the reset culture is troubling, but I doubt this makes Cyclone fans feel better. All coaches and schools are dealing with this reality; however, most aren't struggling the way Iowa State is. Successful coaches in the power conferences have to massage egos, recover from inevitable defections, and get everyone working toward the same goal. In that way, the college game is becoming more like the NBA.
• Greg McDermott and Todd Lickliter both proved a long time ago they can coach, but at a different level. Remember succesfull college coaches John Calipari, Rick Pitino, and Tim Floyd all failed miserably when they tried the NBA. In 2010 you have to find a way to relate to all your players, and for reasons I don't understand, that's where McDermott and Lickliter apparently struggle.
• I like Greg. I sincerely hope he finds a way to make it work in year five. It's hard to imagine right now, but it would make for a hell of a story.

Lilly's Temporary Pad, Minnesota Rain, UFO's Over Iowa

• Ted Lilly looked solid for Iowa Wednesday night. He's headed back to Chicago Thursday.
• Another perfect April night for I-Cubs baseball. Between Ryno managing, and this unbelievable weather, Iowa should make a run at the attendance record.
• The big Cubs won with a sweet comeback. Won't be long before the faithful start believing again.
• Did you see Twins fans trying to figure out what that wet stuff was falling down during the game? It's worth it to be out of the awful dome.
• Drake Relays Director Brian Brown went hard after Usain Bolt. Didn't land the big fish, but how cool would that have been. Keep trying, Brian.
• Our phones exploded during the newcast with viewers reporting bright lights they saw streaking across the sky. A logical explanation usually follows, but we're still waiting. I'm going home to watch Close Encounters.

The Norm, The Ridgemont, and the Lilly Pad.

To put a new spin on an old Seinfield line, "What's the deal with guys named Norm?"  Every Norm I know is colorful, charasmatic, and a little on the portly side.  Norm Parker has all three of those characteristics.  Iowa's defensive coordinator only speaks with the media two or three times a year, but it's always a treat.  Norm is 69 and continues to battle complications from diabetes so, when he does meet the media, he's inevitably asked how long he plans to keep coaching.  The answer is generally always the same, but Norm always finds a way to put a new spin on it.  Tuesday's retort: "I'll probably croak right on the field someday, you know?  I hope we're ahead when I do it."  Classic Norm.

Now that former Iowa State forward Justin Hamilton has transferred to a school (LSU) closer to to his home in Utah, we can move on.  That's good for me, because everytime I hear the name "Hamilton" I'm reminded of Judge Reinhold's character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Brad Hamilton.  "Hamilton!  You're going over there as a representative of 'Captain Hook Fish and Chips.'  Part of our image, part of our appeal is that uniform.  You know that."  I wish Justin well in Baton Rouge, and I hope he pays a little more attention in his geography class at LSU than he did at ISU.

Due to schedule conflicts (and Keith's month-long vacation) I have yet to catch an I-Cubs game this season.  That changes on Wednesday.  Ted Lilly (pad) is scheduled to make a rehab start after getting scratched last Friday and on Sunday.  I can't wait.

Shawn

Fire Marshall Bill, Twins Heaven, Hawkeye Worries

• Back from a quick vacation in Belize, and my nose may fall off. I wore SPF 70, like the Irishman that I am, but a day at sea snorkeling has turned me into Fire Marshall Bill.

• This was the view off our deck. (I should have spent more time there.)

• I vowed to unplug for five days, and I really did. No email, texts, TV, Facebook, Twitter, radio, Blackberry or newspapers. I did it, and highly recommend it, though I'm glad to have all my toys back. It's only good to be oblivious for so long. (Insert joke here.)

• Congratulations to the Des Moines Register and photographer Mary Chind. The above River Rescue photo won a Pulitzer Prize.

• The Minnesota Twins no longer have to play in the worst baseball stadium in the history of the world. Congrats Twins fans. Target Field looks awesome.

• Wesley Johnson didn't last long at Syracuse either. The move sure worked well for him though.
• I know it's easy for Hawkeye fans to worry about another Iowa recruit backing out, but this almost always happens. Players generally commit to coaches, not schools. Fran McCaffery deserves time and patience. It can't get worse.
• I need to go apply more aloe.

We're not just watching TV

(Chris)

Continuing with Shawn's theme of a "glimpse behind the curtain", I'd like to dispel a common belief that all sports anchors do is watch TV. While we, often, do work with as many 5 TV's on in the background, we are rarely able to sit down and enjoy, say...The Masters.

On Sunday I anchored the 5pm and 9pm sportscasts. I arrived at the station at noon, set my rundown, and headed over to Principal Park for the I-Cubs game. Yes, we shoot our own video as well. Unless its a big, meaningful, game we don't stay for all 9 innings. Thankfully, Jason Dubois hit a homer, and a girl in front of me was eating a huge pickle. Those two shots, along with a strikeout, here and there, were good enough for me.

I then returned to the sports office to edit and write the I-Cubs video, including a couple of other local and national stories. By 4pm, I was in good shape...and then I had to leave, again.

The Energy played at home in a deciding 1st-round playoff game. I shot the first half of the first quarter and high-tailed it back to the sports office. As I walked in Andy, who had just arrived, was screaming over a shot Phil Mickelson had just made, and I had just missed.

After anchoring the 5, there was nothing more to shoot. I spent the majority of the rest of the night helping Mr. Fales put together his Tiger Nike ad spoof. By 11:15pm I was home playing my new Tiger Woods '10 ps3 game. When I was done playing, I went to bed. That was at 4am.

Another glorious day as a sports reporter.

Happy Monday,
Chris

What's a gelding?

My thoroughbred racing knowledge is pretty limited, but it's pretty cool that a colt owned by a group of Central Iowans will run in the Kentucky Derby.  Congratulations to Donegal Racing, and Paddy O'Prado.  I've already volunteered to go to Churchill Downs to cover the race.

Saturday's 3rd round of The Masters was the second-most entertaining round of golf I've ever watched.  It's hard to top the final round at Augusta in 2004 when Lefty caught Ernie Els.  If I remember correctly, there was also a hole-in-one down the stretch in '04 as well.

Nick Nurse sounds interested in joining Greg McDermott's staff (see video at whotv.com).  I know Nurse can coach, and I know he can shoot. But Nurse hasn't been around the college game in more than a decade, so he seems like a risky hire.

The Ryne Sandberg era is off to a great start, if you don't take into account the I-Cubs record.

And yes, I know what a gelding is. 

Shawn

Frenetic Friday

One of the questions I often get from both friends and strangers alike... "Who decides what stories you put in the sportscast?"  Answer:  99 percent of the time, Keith, Chris and I do. Whoever is anchoring on a given day has a three minute canvas... we get to paint it any way we choose.

Most days, we have a pretty good idea how we're going to fill that three minutes before we ever get to work at 2 p.m. We have a calendar in the sports office that we use to keep tabs on games, news conferences, etc.  On top of that, we read the paper, watch TV, listen to the radio, and check the internet in the a.m. to find out what else is happening in the world of sports.

But there are also days like Friday when unexpected stories pop up.  These are the fun days (sarcasm).  For example, at 5:15 on Friday, The University of Iowa sent out a news release confirming that Aaron Fuller was transferring and that incoming recruit Cody Larson had been granted a release from his letter of intent.  Also around that time, a Houston television station reported on its website that ISU assistant basketball coach Daniyal Robinson had accepted a similar position at the University of Houston.  At 5:30, I got a phone call from Charles Zanders confirming a tip I received last week... that he would be named the new head men's basketball coach at Simpson College.   Needless to say, I had to re-shuffle my sportscast.  All three stories were more newsworthy than anything else I planned on putting in the sportscast.  So the challenge becomes figuring out a way to make all these new "pieces" fit into our three minute "puzzle."  It's actually fun... in a weird sort of way.  Long story short, when I went on the air at 6:20, my sportscast looked nothing like I thought it would at 5:20.

Another glimpse behind the curtain...

Shawn

It's complicated.

I've always had a hard time explaining exactly how I feel about Tiger Woods, and the shenanigans that have come to light over the last five months only complicate my feelings.  Part of me despises the guy, while part of me can't help but cheer for him. 

I've never met Tiger Woods, so my opinion of him is completely based on his behavior on the golf course and during interviews.  And his behavior has always bugged the crap out of me.  First of all, the guy has always acted like a whiner and an entitled brat on the course... whether it's swearing, slamming clubs, or scowling after a bad shot. Tiger has always left me with the impression that he thinks it's the fault of the ball, the club, the lie, or the spike mark when a shot doesn't end up in the fairway, on the green, or in the hole.  He could never accept that it was (sarcastic gasp) his fault.  His defenders will point to his extreme competitive nature.  That's a cop out.  Other golfers are just as competitive, and the most don't behave that way.  Other Wood's apologists will imply that because the camera follows his every move, his outbursts stand out more compared to less notable golfers.  Again, I don't buy it.  On Monday, Tiger vowed to tone down his on-course antics, but I didn't see a noticable improvement during the first round of the Masters.

As for Tiger's recent off the course exploits, they bother me. But not for the reasons they bother most.  I'm not a moralist.  I'm not going to judge the way others live their life.  On top of that, I've covered sports long enough to know that a large percentage of professional athletes, if not a majority, cheat on their wives and girlfriends. What bothered me most about Tiger's sex scandal was the hypocracy of it all.  Tiger worked very hard to cultivate an imaged that portrayed himself as buttoned-down, morally-sound family man.  He was the exact opposite.  He was a phony. And I don't buy that he's a sex addict.  Again I'll preface, I don't know the man.  But I think Tiger sought sex rehabilitation mostly to expediate the rebuilding of his image.  It's much easier for the public to forgive someone that claims to be an addict.  Addiction implies the subject can't control his/her actions.  And it sounds better p.r.-wise compared to the alternative conclusion... that Tiger is just another sex-crazed male with power.  Chris Rock said it best... a man is basically as faithful as his options.

I'll give Tiger this... he's paid a steep price.  He's acted genuinely remorseful and appears to accept responsibility for his actions.  Still, the reception Tiger received at Augusta on Thursday was a little too warm for my taste.  He was applauded not just warmly, but as loudly as ever.  I wish it would have been a little more icier, if you will. I didn't want, or expect, people to jeer or boo.  But it just seemed like he eased right back into his comfort zone amongst the fans a little too easy.  It wasn't much of a pennance, considering the huge distraction he's become for the game of golf.

But here's the strange part.  Having said all that, I root for the guy on the course.  I can't help but be amazed when he hits a great shot.  I couldn't wait to see Tiger's first tee shot at Augusta.  Maybe it's just because I like to see golf played well, and tournaments are so much more interesting when Tiger is in contention.

Like I said, it's complicated.

Shawn

Best Week Ever 2

(Chris)

Shawn's post about the best sports week got me all fired up. I'm the biggest college football fan out there, but Capital One Bowl Week isn't a week...it's a season! The thing lasts about 23 days...so that's out.

On the national scene, it's hard to beat a week featuring the NCAA title game, MLB opening day, and The Masters. But there's nothing local about that, unless we're talking I-Cubs.

The best day of the year, is the Thursday opening round of the NCAA tournament. But, the best week of the year, is the first week in September. Nothing beats the start of college football. Bowl games are fun, but lets be honest, most of them are meaningless. Get back to me when they rename it Capital One Playoff Week.

We're without the best sport on earth for 8 long months. The good news is, we only have 5 months left to kill.

Chris

Best Week Ever?

It's Shawn.

Hopefully, VHI won't order "Murphy's Law" to cease and desist for copyright infringement.  The point being, this week is a great week for sports fans.  The Final Four, opening day in Major League Baseball, and The Masters.  It's the convergence of three great sports.  While I always enjoy this week, it's not my favorite week of the sports year.  Many of my friends and collegues disagree.

First, I love the Final Four.  But for me, it doesn't compare to the excitement and wall to wall basketball that accompanies the first two days of the NCAA tournament.  Opening Day in MLB is a great day, but I never get truly excited about baseball until at least Memorial Day.  And while I love golf, and The Masters is my favorite golf tournament, I refuse to get caught up in the four day drool-a-thon over Amen Corner and Butler Cabin.

Give me Capital One Bowl Week any week of the year.  Is it college football season yet?

Shawn

"Let's Be Mad Again"?, Barnstormers Wide Awake, Dragon Training.

• The Eagles trade Donovan McNabb. Saw that coming. But they traded McNabb to the Redkins! Bold. McNabb will try to make the 'Skins pay twice a season, and Mike Shanahan now has the quarterback he needs.
• "Let's Be Mad Again"? Nice effort. Bad idea. Anytime you have to explain a slogan, the slogan doesn't work.
• I can't remember a Final Four with less buzz. I still think it has a lot to do with busted brackets. When fringe fans no longer have a rooting interest, they need a contending office pool bracket to keep them engaged. Most of us were out when UNI punked KU. What will happen to office pools when the NCAA Tournament expands to 96 teams. Two sheets? First round byes? If people don't play pools, it will impact interest from the casual fan.
• I'd love to see Butler win, but can't see it happening. Prove me wrong, Bulldogs!
• Butler reaching the championship game does provide new hope for Hawkeye fans. Maybe Iowa can also play for a title three years after Lickliter leaves.
• Surreal to see the President on TV, he only mentions one winning team from the NCAA tourney, and it's UNI.
• UConn vs Stanford in the NCAA Women's basketball final. Who saw that coming? Oh yeah, right, everybody.
• Great to see baseball back. The Yankees & Red Sox started it off with a good, see-saw game. Growing up in New England, I'm always happy when the season starts with a Red Sox win, and a Yankees loss.
•  I can't believe ESPN picked the Yanks & Sox. Shocking.
• Former Hawkeye QB and KWWL sports anchor Paul Burmeister is a great success story. He's now a major player at the NFL Network, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
• Boy, the Barnstormers got a wake-up call. This isn't af2.
• I loved "How To Train Your Dragon". It's a great movie for kids, or anyone who was ever a kid. I went with my two boys, and it was good for bonding. Fun.

The Butler did it

It's Shawn.

I'm sure every newspaper in America will adopt that pun-induced headline on Tuesday if the Bulldogs can pull off the upset against Duke.  While the Butler-Michigan St. slugfest did make me long for the up-tempo days when teams like Loyola-Marymount and UNLV would regularly eclipse the century mark, I am pulling for the Bulldogs.

The West Virginia-Duke semifinal was a dog, although I was taken aback twice while watching the game.  First, I learned Bob Huggins was twice an Academic All-American during his playing days at West Virginia. That's not what most would expect, considering Huggins' track record of recruiting poor students during his tenure at Cincinnati.  Although to be fair, Huggins roster at WV features some players that are very good students.  I digress. The other surreal moment occured when Huggins came to the aid of injured player Da'Sean Butler.  Huggins got down on the floor and straddled Butler for what seemed like an hour, and whisperered to his player.  Huggins face was literally two centimeters from Butler's face.  I honestly thought he was going to kiss him.  I understand how close the bond can be between players and coaches, but Huggins took it to another level.  Weird.

Until next time..

Shawn

Barnstormers, Twins, and it's all about the benjamins.

It's Shawn.

Everything about the Barnstormers return to the AFL was electric... except the team's play on the field.  Actually, Iowa didn't play that bad.  But falling behind 17-0 in the AFL is akin to falling behind 35-0 in the NFL, and the Barnstormers don't have Frank Reich on their roster.

Speaking of the Barnstormers roster, it might benefit from a few free agent signings.  I blogged earlier in the week that the lack of AFL-caliber talent concerns me, and Friday's game did nothing to change my mind.  To be fair, Chicago is expected to be one of the top teams in the league.  But I don't think the Iowa will make the playoffs with the roster it has right now.

The Twins opened up Target Field with an exhibition loss to the Cardinals on Friday.  I only caught a couple innings of the game, so don't ask me for a rundown of Target Field's sweet amenities.  But anything is better than baseball in the Metrodome.

With a new stadium in tow, I'm a little confused why Major League Baseball would schedule the Twins to play their first seven games of the season on the road.  Wouldn't it be better for the Twins to show off their new digs on opening day?  Then again, MLB might have been playing the percentages.  Target Field does not have a retractable roof.  On average, I'm guessing the second week of April in Minneapolis is warmer than the first.

I have yet to hear anyone (friends, collegues, or members of the media) applaud the idea of expanding the NCAA tournament to 96 teams.  The only people that seem to be in favor of expansion are the NCAA talking heads.  It's obvious the proposed expansion is all about money which, on the surface, seems selfish.  But consider this... According to a recent USA Today article, only 14 Division I schools (including Iowa) had self-sufficient athletic departements last year.... meaning more than 300 Division I schools rely, in part, on tax dollars and student fees.  As more and more pressure is put on institutions to stop using tax dollars to support college athletics, maybe generating more television revenue for more schools isn't a bad idea. 

I just wish the NCAA would call a spade a spade.  Don't patronize us by selling the 96 team tournament as a way to enrich the athletic experience for more student-athletes.  Just come out and say the bigger tournament is all about money.   Remember, this is the same institution with the same conference commissioners that continue to shoot down an eight team playoff for college football because it would have a negative affect on football players classroom attendance.  But in college basketball, it's okay for student-athletes to (hypothetically, worst-case scenario) miss three straight weeks of class?  BS.  A 96 team field in college basketball and the current college football bowl system are the best way to maximize ticket sales and television revenue.  And as I indicated above, that's not my biggest issue.  My biggest problem is with the NCAA's sales pitch.  We're not fools.

I feel much better.

Shawn

No Barnes, Bracket Busted for Good, Packers of the AFL

• Nice job raising money for Coaches vs. Cancer. The First Annual Senior All-Star showcased many of the CIML's best basketball players, though there was one notable absence: the top recruit in the nation, Ames Senior Harrison Barnes. Have to cut Barnes a break though, he was in the McDonald's All-America game the night before.
• The WNBA invites its first Cyclone to the draft. Congrats Alison Lacey. Lacey didn't dream that big while growing up in Australia.
• Ali Farokhmanesh couldn't find the magic in the 3-point shooting contest either. That's okay. He'll always have Kansas. And UNLV.
• I'll still watch the Final Four, but it's a lot less interesting when my bracket's been completely blown up. I'll bet I'm not alone, and the NCAA should think about that before going through with the obvious cash grab of expanding the tourney. How many fewer brackets will people fill out when it's two sheets and 96 teams?
• Nice article on Marshalltown's Jeff Clement in USA Today. Jeff's one of the good guys. I had forgotten for a moment he's now a Pirate. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/pirates/2010-03-31-clement-breakout-player_N.htm
• The weekend means making good on my promise: "How To Train Your Dragon". Anyone see this?
• The Barnstormers are the Packers of the AFL. Look for a record crowd Friday night. If you're not on Mediacom, and you get the NFL Network, you can watch and hear former Hawkeye QB Paul Burmeister on play-by-play.

Barnes Is The Real Deal, Hamilton Loves Iowa State, Hassel Up Close

• Harrison Barnes even stands out at the McDonald's All-America Game. It's the country's best blue chip recruits all on the floor, and Barnes wins co-MVP. He just looked more polished and mature than anyone in the game. It's painful to see another elite recruit leave our state, the recruit, but it's hard to fault Harrison. When Ol Roy and North Carolina come calling, kids pay attention.
• Shawn Terrell interviewed Justin Hamilton on camera about his surprising decision to transfer out of Iowa State. Hamilton said a few weeks ago he was leaving to be closer to his home in Utah, but his first visit was to a school actuallyy farther from Ames (Virginia). Hamilton told Shawn he loves Iowa State and loves Cyclone fans. Shawn asked why leave then? Hamilton answered, "No comment.".
• Iowa State wins the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. No one noticed. It's who won the football game first, then everything else is a distance second, third, fourth...
• Shawn Terrell just told me he's never seen "This Is Spinal Tap". I feel like I don't even know Shawn now.
• I do know Chris Hassel after that Barnstormer story he did Tuesday (it's in our video player). The close-up of Chris allowed us to count his pores and nose hairs.

Football season is here!

Arena football season, that is.  Shawn here...

The Barnstormers were borderline dominant in just their second year of competition in the af2.  I'm concerned, however, that the franchise hasn't updgraded its talent enough to be a force in the AFL.  Iowa kicks off the 2010 season against Chicago on Friday night. 

Friday's game will be televised live on NFL Network.  I'm interested to see if the live telecast has any effect on attendance.  The Barnstormers were 2nd in the af2 in home attendance in 2009, averaging more than 9,000 fans per game.  The broadcast probably won't help attendance, but I don't think it will hurt either. Like most minor league sporting events, the allure lies in the experiencing the event live.  With the exception of a few hundred hard-core fans, most people at arena football games are there for the atmosphere, the people watching, and the excuse to tailgate in April.  Besides, most of the Barnstormers games in 2009 were broadcast locally, and that didn't seem to have a noticeably effect.

Brian Brown is a phenomenal ambassador for the Drake Relays.  Brian is everything a event director should be; personable, available, and creative.  Once again this year, Brown has come up with a few new ideas to spice up the Relays.  If only Brian could guarantee sunshine and 80 degree temperatures for April 22-24.

Both Iowa junior Kachine Alexander and Iowa State senior Alison Lacey were named honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.  I think Lacey would have had a legitimate shot at making the 2nd team if not for a late season bout with pneumonia.  Lacey returned and played in the NCAA tournament, and tried to down-play her health, but she wasn't close to 100 percent in March.  Still, it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference against UCONN.  By the way, the Huskies only beat Flordia State by 40 to advance to the Final Four.

Shawn

It's All About Fran the Man

• Fran McCaffery goes from no-name to household name in one day. Only in Iowa.
• No red flags from McCaffery's news conference. I was impressed. He knew what needed to be said, and heard.
• McCaffery will run an up-tempo offense and, at times, pressure defense. This shows Gary Barta listened to the fans (and Bobby Hansen). Fans want to see a return to the style of the 80s and 90s. This is a start. Of course, it only looks really good when it leads to wins.
• McCaffery has turned three programs around and taken all three to the NCAA tournament. This is different from Todd Lickliter, who took an already good Butler team and made it slightly better (and since Lickliter left, it's only improved more).
• McCaffery stressed recruiting over and over with reason. This remains the key and great unknown. Without the players, you can't win in the Big Ten. (Well, Tom Izzo could probably take Iowa with last season's players to the Final Four.)
• Lickliter's players felt no closeness to their coach. McCaffery has players to his house all the time and gives out more hugs than Oprah. Can't hurt. Also nice to see Fran the Man reaching out to former players.
• McCaffery knows Carver-Hawkeye Arena once rocked, and now snores. He already had a meeting on how to wake the place up. This is key.
• Winning fixes everything, everywhere.
• Gary Barta got off a good joke about installing a seat belt at CHA for McCaffery's wife. She was once tossed out of a game for yelling at the refs. Any energy is welcome right now.
• Six year contract? Why give a coach unproven at this level six years?
• McCaffery may look like your accountant or dentist, but he doesn't lack swagger. He's had a lot of success, and he'll let you know it.
• All told, I was impressed by McCaffery. Unlike Lickliter, and especially Gene Chizik at Iowa State, I think McCaffery does understand what he's getting into. That's important.
• Fans have already passed through the stages of a hiring: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Acceptance.
• Some nuggets confirmed on the Murph & Andy Show by key search commitee member Bobby Hansen, who knows better than perhaps anyone exactly what Iowa needs in a coach: Bruce Pearl, Lon Kruger, Jamie Dixon were all on the list, but too expensive to even pursue a conversation. Brian Gregory and Doug Wojcik were the other finalists with McCaffery, who was Bobby's top choice. Gary Barta did interview BJ Armstrong, but with no coaching experience, was an outside the box choice.
• We won't really know how Fran McCaffery worked out for a couple years, but he's off to a good start. That's all you can ask at this point.

It's Shawn.

Nothing told me more about the UNI basketball team than the video our photographers captured in the locker room following the loss to Michigan State.  Many of the Panthers were crying their eyes out. Because of that, I have even more respect for this team.  Why?  Despite 30 wins, the MVC regular season and tournament titles, and the trip to the Sweet Sixteen, the Panthers still wanted and expected more.  They weren't happy just to be in St. Louis, they truly expected to leave St. Louis with nets around their necks. And the players were devastated when it didn't happen.  That's the mark of a champion.

Season-ending video of players crying is good for perspective too.  Fans and the media alike often place huge expectations on these players.  We're often quick to criticize when a player doesn't play well, or perform up to a level that we expect... because on the court, these players are phenomenal athletes.  They're men.  But seeing them curled in a ball last night was a reminder... they're just kids.  18-22 year-old kids.

Congratulations to the Panthers on a phenomenal season, and thank you for playing with the heart of a champion.

Shawn

Panthers run comes to an end

It's Shawn.

What a run for the Panthers.  It's too bad the magic ran out before Indianapolis. A few UNI fans have already emailed to (jokingly, I think) blame the SI cover jinx, but I thought the better team won.

What's frustrating about the loss... the Panthers didn't play up to their capabilities... not even close.  Throughout the season, UNI won countless games by limiting turnovers and being clutch at the free throw line, but that was not the case Friday night.  Granted Michigan St. had a lot to do with the number of Panther turnovers.  The Spartans length, quickness, and atheticism was a notch above what the Panthers faced most of the season.

Tom Izzo again proved why he's one of the best coaches in the game.  That must have been some halftime speech.  The Spartans halftime adjustments might have been the difference.  Jordan Eglseder was a big reason why the Panthers led by seven at the break, but Eglseder was a non-factor the final 20 minutes.

I could break it down 10 different ways, but here's the bottom line... it's hard to win any game without making a field goal in the final 10 minutes.  The Spartans shut down the Panthers down the stretch.

Until tomorrow,

Shawn

Jeering Wes, UNI Favored, A Real Cubs Collapse

• I won't name names, but not all Cyclone fans are over "face of the program" Wesley Johnson bolting Iowa State for Syracuse. I work with two diehards who were openly cheering for Butler to upset the Orange, and they left no doubt why. Wes won't make the Final Four, but no one can say going to the 'Cuse was a bad move. The guy is now a first team All-American and future NBA lottery pick.
• As Butler upset Syracuse, I wondered if he regretted leaving the perfect fit for his coaching abilities and limitations. It's easy to say he wiped his tears with hundred dollar bills, but I know a lot of people who were happier before they were wealthy.
• Greg McDermott is proud of his friend, Ben Jacobson, but I also wonder if Mac watches UNI and wonders.
• Some Vegas oddsmakers now favor UNI against Michigan State, and 6 of 8 ESPN analysts are now picking the Panthers. Don't you think Tom Izzo loves the way this is setting up?
• Hoover's Cassondra Boston plays in the DII national championship game Friday night. Boston led Emporia State to the 'ship. Nice going, Cassondra.
• Dwight Gooden was arrested for DUI while driving his 5 year old son to school. Sad.
• Bad sign for the Cubs. Derrek Lee hurt his back when a chair collapsed. He's going to be okay, but my goodness. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Freak-injury-time-Derrek-Lee-hurts-back-in-chai?urn=mlb,230255
• I was supposed to be at the Black Eyed Peas with my wife and two of our older kids. It's a birthday present concert. UNI's run changed our sports schedule, so I'm here, and Jenny is there, sending me constant text pics of Fergie, Will.i.am, and flying neon motorcycles with messages like, "I can't believe how incredible this concert is!". She's like the Gus Johnson of texting.
• March 26th, or as it will forever be known, the day Hot Tub Time Machine was released. I hope the movie lives up to the title in a way that Snakes On A Plane did not.

UNI & Jacobson both smart, No Pearl at Iowa, Hot Tub Time Machine

• Ben Jacobson got paid. And secure. UNI A-D Troy Dannen wisely locks up Jacobson for 10 years. No, it won't keep Coach Jake from leaving if he wants to go, but it's a smart preemptive strike. No way Jacobson goes anywhere this year, not after Dannen made the announcement at a pep rally in front of UNI's most faithful.
• The deal is $450,000 a year with a $25,000 bump every year (none of it from tax dollars, UNI emphasized). A man can live comfortably in the Cedar Valley with $5 million over a decade.
• There is little doubt Jacobson could pursue bigger paying gigs in BCS conferences. He saw his best friend Greg McDermott do that. Do you think Mac seems happier? More successful? Secure?
• McDermott deserves a nod for the recruiting class of Eglseder, Ehelegbe, Koch, and Dunham. Those guys worked out pretty well.
• Ali Farokhmanesh gets the Sports Pickle treatment.Among the quotes: Farokhmanesh is listed at 6'0", 190 pounds, but he stands closer to 5'9". The three-inch difference meant Farokhmanesh was not recruited coming out of high school, and it also makes Kansas' lost to Northern Iowa three inches more hilarious. http://www.sportspickle.com/article:752/who-is-ali-farokhmanesh
• The Des Moines Register's Rick Brown, one of our state's best and most respected sportswriters, tells me you can scratch Keno Davis, Bruce Pearl, and Ben Jacobson off Iowa's list of coaching candidates. None appears interested.
• The Iowa job is a good job, but not a great job, not right now. The hire will follow a predictable course. Some fans start by thinking every coach in America would love to come to Iowa. Reality starts to set in, and expectations are lowered, especially as coaches previously described by fans as beneath Iowa, show no interest. Iowa eventually does hire someone. Initial reaction is outrage, "We hired this guy?", but then turns to acceptance as the positives are talked up, negatives down. There are plenty of good candidates out there.
• Urban Meyer acted like a bully when lecturing a reporter for quoting one of  his Gators accurately. Wasn't the reporter's fault someone said something that came across as a small shot at Tim Tebow. It's good Meyer stands up for his players, but he could have, and should have, handled it better. No wonder he's so stressed. I hope he mans up and apologizes. I bet he does. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5025822
• Paging Tony Robbins. Bill Fennelly has his hands full making his Cyclones believe they can beat UConn. I'm not even sure it's possible to make them believe it. Not only has UConn won 74 straight games, the Huskies won the first two games of the tourney by a combined 110 points. Iowa State could play its best game of the season and still lose by 20. That's how big the gap is. The Cyclones have nothing to lose, and need to play loose, or they'll be the third straight team to lose by 50+. Comparisons to UNI vs KU don't apply. Connecticut is a monster. I'm not into moral victories, but I just hope Iowa State avoids what Temple experienced Sunday. By the way, this is Fennelly's greatest coaching job. (Don't miss his locker room speech at http://www.cyclones.com/ ) Back-to-back Sweet Sixteens.
• American Idol is having a bad season.
• Two days until Hot Tub Time Machine!

Ali on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and this time it's not Muhammad

Also, here are two videos video of Hitler reacting to UNI's upset win over Kansas (warning: some profane language in subtitles.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uejv2zz6bU

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZMuVBopvfY

Don't Sleep on the Cats

• It's surreal. The entire nation is still talking about the UNI Panthers. Monday, Ali Farokhmanesh was on the Dan Patrick Show, Jim Rome interviewed Ben Jacobson, David Letterman told jokes---at KU's expense. "The whole state of Kansas lost to a part of Iowa." UNI Sports Information Director Colin McDonough told me it's been non-stop national media requests since the Panthers shocked the Jayhawks.
• Love how the Panthers are not buying into the whole Cinderella concept. They really thought they could beat Kansas, and they don't look at it as some miracle.
• It was no fluke, UNI outplayed Kansas, but Jayhawk fans will spend the off-season wondering why KU didn't press sooner. The players can reflect on their lack of urgency and how they looked past the Panthers. Big mistake. Don't sleep on these Cats.
• The Stanford women are killing us. Last year they ended Iowa State's season. This year, Iowa. Both times it was over before the half.
• Parity may have arrived in NCAA men's basketball, but it is nowhere to be found in the women's game. The #1 seeds always dominate the early rounds, and no one is going to beat UConn.
• Props to CBS for saying no to the ridiculous five minute interview with Tiger Woods. It's like speed dating, only it's speed interviews. You know what we learned from the five minute interviews by the Golf Channel and ESPN? Absolutely nothing, other than the fact Woods remains a robotic control freak. I don't care either. I just want to see him play golf.
• The Pacific on HBO is terrific, as expected. I can't fathom what some of those men endured.
• On the other end of the spectrum, I think I'm in for Hot Tub Time Machine. It looks ridiculous, and funny.

Still in Shock, 'Clones roll, UNI is done....

Chris here....

I'm still having a hard time coming to grips with what I witnessed, on Saturday. We (photog Brandon Bingham and I) did a story, Friday, about how UNI was ready to show the country what it was made of. Honestly, I didn't know if they really believed they could do it. Any team can say they're ready to take on the big boys, but Northern Iowa meant it. College basketball games are 40 minutes, and the Panthers led the Jayhawks for 39 of them.

Before I left, last Tuesday, for Oklahoma City, I DVR'ed UNI's game with UNLV. When I watched the final Ali 3, I noticed a bunch of fans in royal blue, cheering for UNI. Kind of ironic, don't you think?

One of the funniest moments of the game was when Kansas found itself down 5 with a few minutes left, and a call went the way of the Panthers. I looked to my left, and saw a fellow media member (tv reporter from Kansas) jumping out of his chair to scream at the officials. I think he already had his hotel rooms in St. Louis, and Indianapolis, booked.

I picked UNI to lose to UNLV...and they won. I picked them to lose to Kansas...and they won. You can probably guess what going to pick them to do against Michigan State. Gotta stick with what works.

Michigan State may be without its best player, Kalin Lucas. MSU head coach Tom Izzo thinks Lucas tore his ACL. If that's the case, he's done. Lucas averaged 15 points a game for the co-Big Ten champs, this season.

In case you're wondering. UNI would get the winner of #2 Ohio State vs. #6 Tennessee, if they can get past the Spartans.

The ISU women made quick work of Lehigh, Sunday night, in Ames. When I saw the score for the first time, Lehigh had 3 points. That was with 10 minutes left in the 1st half. Bill Fennelly, still, wasn't happy. They get UW-Green Bay in round two on Tuesday night. If they win, which shouldn't be a problem, they get UCONN in Dayton. OUCH!

My favorite part of SoundOFF was when some guy started yelling at Andy during his live shot from Hilton Coliseum. Between that, a woman breaking down, on the air, when talking UNI hoops...and a caller telling me that he hates my Gary Dolphin impression more than anything in the world...I'd say we had a pretty memorable show. The one thing we'll never know, is what the guy that called in to talk about Grand View women's golf was actually going to say about their spring break trip down south. Keith had a quick trigger finger on that one.

I, also, really enjoyed the piece that Shawn put together, for SoundOFF from the NCAA wrestling championships. Those guys aren't afraid to say exactly what's on their mind. Wrestlers are of a different breed. It's pure gold for a sports reporter.

Northern Iowa's basketball season is over...for the women. The Panthers lost big to #1-seed Nebraska.

I'll be off work, Monday, for the first time in 2 weeks. I'm planning on sleeping until 5:30pm, when the wife gets off work. Daytime TV is depressing...never more so than the Monday following the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.

We're Iowa. Deal with it America.

• What an amazing day of sports in our state. UNI takes down the #1 team in America, Kansas. The Hawkeye women knock off the winningest coach in Iowa history, Vivian Stringer, and Rutgers. Iowa wins its 23rd national wrestling title, with three individual champions, Iowa State finishes third and crowns two champs. One for the books.
• Nothing tops the biggest day in the history of UNI sports. I expected Northern Iowa to hang with the tourney's top seed, but not to win. I felt bad UNI got such a bad draw because the Panthers earned better than a 9 seed, and I thought they could beat a number of high seeds, just not KU. Wrong. UNI earned that W. The Cats led throughout and were not intimidated in the least.
• Talk about playing to win... Ali Farokhmanesh showed Volkswagen sized stones with that pull-up three, leading by one, and 30 seconds to go on the shot clock, 37 in the game! Swish. That's the moment of the tourney. Farokhmanesh is now a Panther legend. First the three to beat UNLV, now this.
• Ali wanted to play at Iowa, but Iowa showed no interest. Bad move.
• Steve Alford had a great season. He's a finalist for national coach of the year. But enough with the shots at Iowa. After 11 seed Washington blew out Alford's 3rd-seeded New Mexico team, I half expected Alford to blame it on all the resources he didn't have at the U of I.
• If Hawkeye fans are now interested in Ben Jacobson, they won't be alone. Jacobson's stock just shot through the roof. He'll have more than one offer.
• Iowa's dominance at the NCAA wrestling championships was inevitable from the moment the Hawks scowled during last year's trophy presentation. From no individual champions to three. Iowa State did well too, with two.
• Allow me a moment of pride. Shawn Terrell and Chris Hassel (and photojournalists James Searles and Brandon Bingham) did a great job of reporting all week. I know how much work it is on the road, and they did it up right. I hope they found time for some fun too.
• Final thought: my bracket will now end up embarrassingly bad, but UNI's thrilling win was worth it. Thank you, Panthers. You made us proud.

Hawkeyes Dominate, #1 and #2, Tombstone in Justified

• It's already over. The Iowa Hawkeyes have been cranky since winning last year's wrestling national championship. No individual champions diminished the team title in the eyes of Iowa. This year, five Hawks made it to the finals. Wanna bet a few win it all?
• Iowa's absolute dominance overshadows a nice comeback by Iowa State. The Cyclones had a miserable first session, but they've been rolling since. Iowa State could finish second, albeit a distant second.
• Tom Brands told Shawn Terrell he likes to relax with a chainsaw. I'm not sure what it means, but it sounds right. Love Brands.
• I just drove home and the roads were terrible. How can it be 65 and sunny Thursday, 25 and snowing Friday? Iowa.
• It's also snowing in Oklahoma City. It's snowing so much Chris Hassel and the boys are worried about making it back in time for SoundOFF Sunday night. No one thinks of an extra night in Oklahoma City as a vacation. Props to the Ford Center though. Nice place.
• My dad went back to Florida today. I already miss him. He's a good soul, and keeps us laughing.
• I'm anchoring Saturday because Shawn's in Omaha and Chris OKC. I realize you're not stopping by to check my schedule, but if I write it, I'm less likely to forget to show up for work.
• Those I-Cubs commercials have me ready for baseball.
• A local sanitation and septic company has a great slogan. "We're #1, and #2."
• UNI is built for a run in the tourney, so did it have to be Kansas already?
• Watching "Justified" as I type. Another winner for FX. Any series based on an Elmore Leonard character that shows a Tombstone poster in the first 10 minutes is destined for good things.

Ali Wins, Ka-Boom! Down Goes UNLV

• Ali Farokhmanesh hit one of the biggest shots in UNI history. Who knows, maybe it's #1. (No, still Maurice Newby of Des Moines East vs. Missouri in 1990.)
• Nice of UNI to give most of us a rooting interest, and it's hard not to root for these guys. They're impressive on and off the court. It's hard not to think of Drake two years ago. Except the Panthers made it to the second round. (Ouch. Sorry, Andy. I know that hurt, and I didn't enjoy it.)
• My dad turned to me in the second half, and said, "This team is a lot more fun to watch than Iowa or Iowa State." He's right.
• Chris Hassel said the UNI locker room was not overly celebratory. The Panthers treated this like a business trip. Too bad Kansas comes next, but you never know, the Panthers are good, and fear no team.
• Ben Jacobson's stock just went up.
• What a great first day of the tourney. This is why the NCAA should resist the cash grab and leave it the way it is: perfect.
• Steve Alford is one of four finalists for national coach of the year. Hawkeye fans still don't want him.
• Iowa has already locked up a third straight NCAA wrestling championship. The Hawks are dominating. My favorite moment of Thursday night was when Shawn Terrell asked Tom Brands if he was ready to say it's over. Brands stared a hole right through Shawn. Great moment.
• I thought the Cyclones would show up stronger.
• Shawn says the thousands of fans at the sold out Qwest Center in Omaha are paying no attention to the basketball tourney. They're focused--- like Brands.
• I had a great time at the St. Patrick's Day parade. The Friendly Sons couldn't have been better to my family, and my father had one of the great days of his life. We did it up right without overdoing it. (photo by Nuzum Photo)

• My youngest boys thought riding on a car was cool, but they would have rather been standing on the side with a big bag to collect candy.
• Catching up on new additions to my DVR. The Pacific is off to a great start. It may do the impossible: live up to Band of Brothers. Parenthood is good and getting better. The Marriage Ref would make a decent half hour, but it's spread way too thin over 60 minutes. Plus, why is the show open about baseball? Baseball has umpires, not refs. Parks & Recreation has improved so much from its nearly fatal rookie season that I've added it to my series recordings. Southland just had its best episode ever (what was NBC thinking?!), the excellent Men of a Certain Age already wrapped, Celebrity Apprentic remains my guilty pleasure, I love Ellen on American Idol, though the talent has been underwhelming, and I'm looking forward to Justified. Best thing I did was listen to your advice, Modern Family is terrific.
• Notice I didn't give you any details about my NCAA bracket? No one wants to hear about anyone else's bracket. No one. Trust me.

March Mayhem begins

It's Shawn... and to be clear, the title of this entry is not a reference to my St. Patrick's Day plans.  On Tuesday, Chris Hassel accompanied the UNI basketball team on its charter flight to Oklahoma City.  Chris claims he used to be scared of flying, but no longer is.  No one in the sports office believes him.  Is it really possible to out-grow a phobia?  I sat next to Chris on a flight back from the Outback Bowl last year... He popped three quaaludes from taxi until take-off.  Okay I'm kidding, but he seemed very uneasy.  Anyway, the point of this little diatribe is that we're in the midst of a very fun, yet hectic week in the sports office.  Look for Chris' reports on the Panthers throughout the week.  I'm heading to Omaha to cover NCAA wrestling.

As I write this, Iowa has not yet hired a new basketball coach.  I don't expect Gary Barta to make an announcement for at least a week, probably longer.  24 hours into the search, there has been plenty of speculation, but no confirmation on any of the candidates Barta is targeting.  Why does it feel like Barta is going to have a hard time selling this job to his top three or four choices?  Probably because the job isn't nearly as attractive as it was when Barta hired Todd Lickliter three years ago.  Hawkeye fans expecting a home run hire are being delusional.  Speaking of Lickliter, how long will he bite his tongue?  To my knowledge, no media outlet has been successful getting him "on the record."  The longer he stays silent, the bigger story that will become.

So I've added "renew driver's license" to my list of uncomfortable experiences that adult males must endure every five years (you might be able to guess some of the other experiences on that list).  My trip to the DMV on Tuesday was every bit as brutal as I thought it would be.  One positive... good people watching for the hour(s) spent waiting.  Not as good as the State Fair or Iowa Speedway, but what is?  As a former sports reporter at Channel 13 once remarked... "Are there any normal people that drive?"

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Shawn

Lickliter Gone, So Is Chris, Jeriann Could Sing Lead for Poison

• Well, that didn't take long. I've been certain since the post-game news conference following Iowa's loss at the Big Ten tournament that the Hawkeyes would have a new head basketball coach next season. Todd Lickliter looked like he knew what was coming, and Athletics Director Gary Barta left no doubt when he praised the players, but not the coach.
• Barta said he didn't decide to fire Lickliter until Monday, but there must be a technicality in that statement. He had to know where this was headed after he met with players, and certainly as he was raising the money needed for a buyout.
• I don't think it's fun to see a good man lose his job, but Barta really had no choice. Iowa hasn't just been bad, it's been historically bad. Making a bad situation worse was the tell-tale sign down the stretch that several key players were not buying the "Butler Way". The threat of more transfers forced Barta's hand. It's the one thing Iowa could not have. There is some good, young talent on this team, but it's still the same players who were often blown out in the Big Ten, and losing even one player would hurt.
• Lickliter can coach---you don't take Butler to a Sweet 16 otherwise---but not every mid-major coach makes a successful jump to BCS conferences. Lickliter failed, Greg Mcdermott has yet to have a winning season. Mid-majors rely more on coaching. In the Big Ten, you can't grind through an 18 game conference schedule and beat more talented teams with a "system". You need players. The team with the best players usually wins.
• Iowa prides itself on not firing coaches. Remember, Tom Davis finished his contract, Steve Alford left ahead of the posse. So you know this was bad. Carver-Hawkeye Arena two-thirds empty, and fans unwilling to donate more money, speak even louder than the losses.
• Much will be made of Iowa pushing out Davis, Alford, and Lickliter---three successful coaches, but the U of I can still attract a top candidate. Barta has the money, even with the buyout and practice facility, and it's a sleeping giant.
• Fans want up-tempo basketball again. No more Hoosiers, no more Butler Way. Bring back the 80s and 90s.
• Did it just get better or worse for Jamie Pollard and Greg McDermott?
• It's unfortunate the women's teams were bigfooted by the Lickliter story Monday. Congrats to Iowa State, Iowa and UNI on making the NCAA tournament. Proud year for a proud state.
• Chris Hassel is gone. He begins reporting from Oklahoma City, with the Panthers, Tuesday.
• Shawn Terrell begins reporting from Omaha, with the grappling Cyclones, Hawkeyes, and Panthers, Thursday.
• Andy Fales begins reporting from Ames with the Lady Cyclones Sunday.
• I begin reporting from the St. Patrick's Day Parade Wednesday.
• I still haven't seen part one of HBO's The Pacific, but I have it on the DVR, and I can't wait.
• Is there a guiltier pleasure than Celebrity Apprentice. What a silly show. But where else can you learn Poison's Bret Michaels is smaller than Jeriann Ritter?

Committee gets it right, Lick's days are numbered

Christopher here...

When the day began, I thought UNI would be a 7 or 8 seed, in the NCAA tournament. I was wrong. They're a 9. At first, I thought the committee was way off. A team that went 28-4, and won the Valley tournament, will be an underdog in the opening round? No way! Way...and here's why.

Not only has UNI not beaten a ranked team, this year, they haven't even played one. Their opponent, 8th-seeded UNLV, played 6 games vs. the top-25. They won four of them.

UNLV lost 7 games, to UNI's 4, but the Panthers had 3 losses that were worse than any of UNLV's. The worst team the Rebel's lost to, was Utah.

UNI got what it deserved, in seeding. It's just too bad they'll have to play overall #1 Kansas in the second round. KU looks like a team that is going to roll to a national title.

Couple quick facts:
- UNI has lost all four of its NCAA tournament games, this decade, by 5 points.
- The last time Kansas was in Oklahoma City, they were a 3 seed. They played 14th-seeded Bucknell, in the opening round, and lost.

I'll be heading down to Oklahoma City with photographer Brandon Bingham. Look for reports on Northern Iowa, beginning Tuesday night.

The UNI women clinched a berth in the tournament for the first time in school history. They join Iowa State in the 65-team field. Iowa should sneak in, as well. The selection show is Monday.

After a quiet weekend, expect the Todd Lickliter saga to reach new heights, in the coming days. Gary Barta was in Indianapolis, for the Big Ten tournament, all weekend. I, like most of you, think he's done.