John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud

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Wednesday, April 04, 2012

John Rooke, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

Thinking Out Loud…while wondering whatever happened to one-time March Madness icon, Billy Packer?

• I’m not sure anything can be done to slow it down, but the exodus of college basketball players to new schools this year may be unprecedented. More than 200 Division I players could move to new destinations before the next school year. What does this really say about the sport?

• In case you’re keeping score, 31 Division I coaches are also leaving, most of them NOT of their own doing. 15 NBA early-entry candidate players, too, and counting…eight have hired agents already, including Big East players Moe Harkless (St. John’s), Hollis Thompson (Georgetown), Dion Waiters (Syracuse) and Maalik Wayns (Villanova)…

• Not for nuthin’…but you know things have gone over the top when dialysis patients are slugging it out over Kentucky and Louisville in the Final Four, and when Kentucky fans take to the streets of Lexington for post-game rioting. Guess it’s been too long since they last won anything meaningful…

• This year’s inductees into the Basketball Hall of Fame include former Celtics player and coach Don Nelson, and former perennial pain-in-the-butt shooter Reggie Miller. Great choices. But Ralph Sampson? I know he was a three-time player of the year in college, but does that make him a Hall-of-Famer?

• Now the NCAA says they’re going to consider the WIDE disparity among some Division I schools, with the possibility of a separate governing body overseeing the big boys, or splitting them off altogether from everyone else. If this happens, that light at the end of the tunnel might be an oncoming train for college athletics as we know them…

• Paying college athletes above and beyond their scholarships may not be far away. Whether you like that idea or not, it will serve to drive the “haves” further away from the “have nots” across the country. WWHCD? (What Will Holy Cross Do?)…

• Speaking of financial decisions…my buddy Statbeast sez he’s responsible for making his wife a millionaire. So I asked him what she was before they married. “A billionaire.”  Just sayin’…

• All NFL turnovers will now be reviewed by instant replay. Oh joy. Can four-hour games be far behind? Football should ask baseball about those…

• However, I do like the new overtime rules for the regular season, following the postseason rules. Basically, first team to punch it into the end zone wins it…as it should be…

• Anyone excited about the Bruins clinching a playoff spot? Nah, didn’t think so. We’re too spoiled by success around here…

• Wasn’t the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo trade bait just a couple of weeks ago? Who came up with that brilliant idea?

• No truth to the rumor that Red Sox pitching has an abundance of thumb injuries because of too much whining and thumb-sucking about the rotation and bullpen…

• Alfredo Aceves and Felix Doubront should be the pitchers to occupy the Red Sox rotation, at least to start the season. But don’t be surprised if Dice-K figures into this mix before too long…

• With teams coming to the end of training camp, however, I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see the Sox swing some kind of a deal for another starter, given the apparent fragility of Josh Beckett and even Clay Buchholz. Boston is better with Aceves and Daniel Bard in the pen – expect Aaron Cook to get a quick hook from Pawtucket…

• The Patriots now have 10 receivers fighting for about six spots. So…what are the chances of finding one defensive back to come in and play any spot in the secondary?

• Gronk has been getting around a lot lately…from autograph sessions, to car dealerships and now he’s a company spokesperson. He’s scheduled to appear at the 2012 Playboy golf tournament. Hope his 15 minutes aren’t up yet…

• Wonder if he needs a caddy for that golf event?

• The NY Jets’ Darrelle Revis played a little word association on ESPN last week, and when asked the first word to come to mind when he hears the name “Bill Belichick,” he replied “jerk.” Oh yeah…the season can’t get here fast enough…

• With the Masters upon us, I haven’t decided whether I’m ready to root for Tiger Woods again, or not. He’s just not easy to root for. And it has nothing to do with his past indiscretion, but everything to do with his present ability. Despite his winning a tour event for the first time in three years, he isn’t “super human,” like he once was. And I don’t care what his former porn star mistresses think of him, not one bit…

• Stupid is as stupid does…I heard a lot of loudmouths last week say Kentucky could beat the Washington Wizards, especially if it was just one game. The Wildcats have what, five or six NBA prospects? The Wizards have what, 13? Do the math, geniuses…

• After spending more than three decades as a college hoop TV analyst, covering 34 Final Fours, Billy Packer retired from CBS’ March Madness coverage after the 2008 event. He’s now 71, and working in private business in North Carolina. Anyone who gets Charles Barkley to call him a “jackass” (which Barkley called Packer a year ago) should still be heard somewhere, shouldn’t he?

• Our mailbag question this week comes from Drew in St. Petersburg, FL: “After three straight 1000-yard seasons, do you think the Pats kick the tires on a staring-down-the-barrel-at-thirty Cedric Benson?” Drew: Probably not. Although it’s not a horrible idea if contracts could be worked out. New England has had success with players looking for “redemption” in some form, but the Pats seem happy with their 2nd round picks from last year in Ridley and Vereen. For now…

• Interested in having your questions on local sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, @jrooke0722…and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...

• And you’re up early anyway…don’t forget to join Scott Cordischi and myself for GoLocal Sports on 103.7 FM, every Saturday from 7:00-9:00 am! Call in (401) 737-1287, or text 850850…and send email to the show - [email protected] ...
 

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