“March Madness” as originally coined by Henry V. Potter just isn’t as maddening to me as it used to be. My younger life revolved around the tournament this time of year. I knew 100’s of players and which school they played for. Then again, they were around for 3 or 4 years with the same team. Going into this year’s tournament, I think I knew one player outside of my Razorbacks’ roster. Sure, the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back, but I knew those guys and their stories. It made rivalries more real when the same guys butted heads multiple times. This hit a low point recently when some of the top high school talent wasn’t even doing the one and done, they were going straight to the G-League. Who could blame them? It’s a path to their dream while making a few bucks and not having to pretend to go to class. But has NIL changed that??? These days top high school talent can make big time bank going to school. The G-League is chump change in comparison. Will the NIL also entice kids to stay in school longer? I think it will. The NBA only has a 2-round draft and some of those drafted don’t make an NBA roster. Many that left school early on bad advice ended up overseas to play professionally. That same level of player can make 6 or even 7 figures to remain in school. It would be smart to take it and continue to develop. It would be even smarter to get a degree while you’re getting paid to do it. Maybe they’ll even be around long enough for me to remember their name…
The Big Ten had something to say this year about who the best college football conference was, but the SEC put a huge stamp on the best basketball conference! 14 schools in the tournament, which is a record. Granted, conferences are generally bigger these days, but still. 7 SEC teams are in the Sweet 16. That’s impressive too! Given the amount of money almost all SEC schools are pumping into their basketball programs, it looks like they’re here to stay for a while.
Yes, what the SEC did this year has been impressive, but to me it doesn’t match the old Big East back in the day! The countless star players! The coaches were great and had personality out the wazoo! The rivalries back then were the best ever! Georgetown was often at the center of things and had a great run under John Thompson. Give me the Georgetown v Syracuse rivalry all day, every day! The stoic Thompson facing the Orangemen and their often spastic and whiney coach Jim Boeheim. Villanova v Georgetown was a great one too. Thompson v the sometimes-crazy Rollie Massamino! That one is still around, but no way is it as intense. The venues were great too! Mostly older band boxes with personality galore. Those were the days I tell ya!
The NCAA Wrestling Championships took place at the end of last week just as March Madness was getting started. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I was glued to the TV for almost every match! Penn State’s Carter Starocci won his 5th NCAA Championship which is the most ever and may never be equaled, but the biggest story of the tourney went to the big men imo. The 285-pound final came down to #1 seed Gable Steveson of Minnesota v #2 seed Wyatt Hendrickson from Oklahoma State. Steveson is an incredible specimen for a big man. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone that size be so quick and nimble. He was already a 2X champion who had also won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling back in 2020. He then went on to try the WWE and signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 to give football a shot, but neither worked out. So, with one year of eligibility somehow remaining, he came back this season and was the odds-on favorite to win. He was on a 70 consecutive match win streak so… sure. Hendrickson was the underdog, but had the style to maybe give Steveson a battle and boy did he! He squeaked out a 5-4 decision in what was an outstanding match. Wow! If you still haven’t given college wrestling a try, mark it on your calendars for next year. It will not disappoint!
So, AA-Ron Rodgers met with the Steelers for 6 hours last Friday and left without a contract. As much as I feel Rodgers would give the Steelers the best chance for some W’s this coming season, I’m with Cam Heyward. If you don’t want to be a Steeler, then keep on moving brother. Then again, does being a “Steeler” mean as much around the league as us older fans may think? Probably not. This isn’t the draft for the team to get the QB of the future in all likelihood. There’s been some talk of Jaxson Dart if he falls to 21, but I doubt that happens. QB’s always float up the draft boards even if they don’t deserve it. (Pickett anyone?) My guess is Mason Rudolph is under center this year and gets the chance that some say he never got before. I don’t feel that way, but some do. Maybe Shedeur Sanders keeps scaring teams and falls? Nah, and I wouldn’t want that anyway. I still can’t wait for the post Tomlin Steelers era and if Rudolph is our QB1 this year, I think many more will be joining me.
Doug Riley
