REFEREES ARE RUINING THE SPORT OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

I've been a fan of Women's Basketball for some time now.  I can recall the early teams of Head Coach Vivian Stringer at the University of Iowa.  They were good, athletic and tough.  But those were the early days.  Even though I watched the Hawkeyes, I didn't have the same buy into the game that I do today.  Caitlin Clark no doubt had a big part of that notion. Her play took the game into another part of the sports stratosphere.  

We have a major issue in Women's Basketball 

What also came along with this greater interest was the better athletes and many more "good" teams.  Competition was full screen.  And viewership jumped immensely.  A little over two years ago, during Iowa's run to two straight National Championship Finals we began seeing Clark harassed, hand checked, held and knocked down. At first, she took it.  Then after a while, she began fighting back.  And the battle was on. 

In the 2023 South Carolina-Iowa title game the referees were severely scrutinized for the job they performed.  Some were critical of the fact three women officiated the game, others said their race was a factor.  And then perhaps the biggest was criticism was that they were inexperienced. 

Fast forward a couple of basketball seasons and were still seeing the same issues.  It makes one wonder why the NCAA hasn't stepped in and asked more of their referees.  Do they need further training?   Do they need to have a lessened workload, so they are fresh?  Are the qualifications they need to have been reached?   I have no answer to those questions.  But I do know this.  It's the old axiom..."If you keep doing the same thing, you'll keep getting the same results"-Albert Einstein.  

A recent NCAA Tournament game featuring Notre Dame and TCU brought the same old mindset.  TCU was extremely physical and won 71-62.  The internet showed fan's immediate thoughts:

"Social media, as expected, blew up.  Complaints mounting against officiating have been a common theme this year in the women's tournament.  But to see it happen against some of the biggest pairs in the game?  Obviously, fans had their piece to say.  The NCAA community did not react well to the matchup's outcome.  'This Notre Dame-TCU game is one of the worst officiated games in women's college basketball history.  Absolutely painful to watch.  This officiating crew should never work another game'.  One fan said on X, holding nothing back against the game officials.  This was a relatively common sentiment amongst supporters.  Refs are absolutely screwing Notre Dame against TCU". 

So, what is being asked of referees? 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILTY

Referees are the authority figures on the court, tasked with making calls on fouls, violations, and other in-game decisions.  They play a crucial role in maintaining order and ensuring the game is played according to the rules 

FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY

Referees are expected to make unbiased decisions, treating all players equally regardless of their race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.  Thet receive specific education and training to apply the laws of the game consistently and fairly.

Fairly?  Perhaps you'll recall an NCAA Tourney game last year when at half-time an official was replaced because she had a high graduate degree from one of the teams that was playing.  How was that not known?     

The answer to this mess will not be a simple one.  The words below, sadly, offer what most likely will happen: 

The Athletic conducted more than 50 interviews with NCAA sources, administrators, coaches, players, commissioners and more than a dozen Division I current and former women’s basketball officials, many of whom requested anonymity to speak freely. Stakeholders within the sport painted a bleak picture: Currently, three people control more than 75 percent of the regular season officiating jobs; officiating styles are inconsistent across conferences; the system lacks a formal developmental framework and security for officials; and there has been limited transparency on almost every level.

“This is a five-to-10-year fix,” said one high-ranking administrator. “And we’re nowhere close to starting that.”

As we head to the last weekend of both the men's and women's title runs be aware of a part of the sport that absolutely sucks.  Bad refereeing.  I recall a quote from an old basketball coach friend of mine.  "The best games are the ones you didn't notice the officials".

If only we could be so lucky.....

IOWA'S AD BETH GOETZ OWED APOLOGIES FROM MEDIA AND FANS ALIKE

"They better name her the full-time AD.  I don't want to put any pressure on anybody, but she's as good as it gets".  This was a comment from Boston Celtic president Brad Stevens several years ago as Beth Goetz was being promoted in her job responsibilities to interim athletic director at the University of Iowa. That's the kind of respect Goetz had come by in her sports administration life. What was Beth's first big task? 

 The first big hurdle in her Iowa career involved the Hawkeye football team.  Last fall, things had reached such a head with OC Brian Ferentz that University President Barb Wilson directed Beth to dismiss him at the end of the season.  Brian had entered the season with a clause in his contract that the offense needed to average 25 points per game.  When it was obvious they were going to fall short, rumor has it, head coach Kirk Ferentz lobbied for another year as a prove-it for his son.  Wilson put a quick end to that notion instructing Beth to meet with both son and father and deliver the edict.  For Beth it was a defining moment, and she came through the situation stronger and more focused.  No doubt it led to her promotion to lead Hawkeye Athletics in January of 2024.     

Next up was Women's Basketball.  After two seasons of runs to the National Championship title game with Caitlin Clark, things seemed like they were continuing upward to compete with the top programs in the sport.  Iowa Women's Basketball was selling out and a stellar recruiting class was coming in. Nothing looked better.  Then on May 13th, Head Coach Lisa Bluder offered her resignation. Days before that, there had been several meetings to with Bluder and Goetz to fine-tune a successor.  Their back and forth led to the perfect person, Jan Jensen.  Not only did Jensen's appointment help retain the players that were returning but also kept every last recruit in the fold.

Then came Fran McCaffrey.  The 2024-25 season was one riddled with injuries for the Big Ten squad.  When it was all said and done, the Hawkeyes finished 7-13 in the league and 17-16 overall.  Data showing tickets scanned for Big Ten home games on Saturdays average 8,172, while all other days during conference play averaged 4,655 tickets scanned.  These numbers simply became something Goetz could not ignore.  Additionally, Fran was not a public relations person.  His demeanor on the bench and at press conferences lack emotion or any sense of passion.   And it became obvious when the season concluded there would be a change at head coach.  Iowa made the conference tourney on the final game of the season by beating Nebraska and then won their first game at the Big Ten's knocking off Ohio State.  In the early morning after losing to #24 Illinois 106-94, Beth returned home to Iowa City. 

Here is where the first part of the apologies needs to be offered. 

The team flew back several hours later after Beth left Indianapolis with McCaffrey on board.  A meeting with Beth was to take place on his arrival back in the early afternoon.  Around the plane touchdown in Cedar Rapids at 12:30 p.m. a story moved from Pete Thamel from ESPN that McCaffrey had been dismissed....according to sources.  Where he came by that information, I'm not sure.  No local reporters were saying anything publicly, if they knew.  What is rather irksome of this news is that both Beth and Fran weren't accorded an opportunity to conduct this coaching change in the right manner.  Rather awkward wouldn't you say with both parties knowing word had leaked out before they even met?   After 15 years, Fran deserved better.  And as a young AD, Beth did too.  Here are the details:

1.  Fired, not a resignation:  ESPN reported that McCaffrey was fired, not that he resigned or retired.

2. Buyout: McCaffrey's contract had a buyout clause, which Iowa had to pay to terminate his contract.

3. Buyout Amount:  The buyout was estimated to be around $4.2 million

4. Reason for Firing:  The Hawkeyes had a disappointing season, missing the NCAA Tournament for         the second straight year, and finished with their lowest wins and lowest Big Ten regular season finish     in seven years   

5. Contract Details: Fran's contract was through 2028.  His base was $2.1 million for 2025-26; $2.1 for      2026-27 and $2.2 for 2027-28.

So, Pete Thamel, I believe an apology is in order. Your words caused undue harm to many who deserved a little compassion at the time.  Most importantly do you realize, Pete, how many coaches, families and friends were affected by your quick release words.  In this day and age, it's better to be correct than the first to throw out words to a story.   

Battle tested Beth leads the Hawks

So, with that debacle behind her, Goetz set sail to hire her first head coach where she did the lion's share of the search work.  It was in many aspects her first real hire.  

Hawkeye fans were fraught with delight. The favorite in fan land was West Virginia head man, Darian Devries, a former Drake coach, that had always dreamed of leading Iowa.  It was an added plus that Darian had his son, Tucker, a smooth as silk forward, available to come with him.  Tucker had sustained an injury early in the 2024-25 making him eligible to petition for another year.  The message boards became a sea of support for DeVries. Anybody else would have been a disappointment.  But there was another head man sitting quietly in play, his team in the NCAA Tourney, Drake Head Coach, Ben McCollum.  It looked like #1 Devries and #2 McCollum for the Iowa job until out of nowhere came the Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana felt Darian possessed all the characteristics they wanted in a head man. They began finalizing a contract for DeVries and then who should appear, but Pete Thamel, saying Devries was no longer a candidate for the Iowa job.  That cleared the way for Indiana to offer DeVries.  Of course, many Iowa fans wondered who this Pete guy was again.   

It suddenly became a Ben McCollum or have egg on your face for Beth.  But here is where I offer a feeling, I had from the very beginning of this Iowa coach search.  I think Ben was Goetz's first choice all along.   McCollum was born in Iowa City, raised in Storm Lake and went to college at NIACC in Mason City.  As a youngster he attended a Hawkeye Basketball camp and had his picture taken with Coach Tom Davis.  But fans were feeling letdown.  Not sure why, because his creative half-court offense had led to success over the years at Division II, Northwest Missouri State.  McCollum won four national titles in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.  And most importantly, McCollum had just completed a 31-4 mark at Drake.  The buyout for DeVries at West Virginia of nearly $6 million combined with McCaffrey's $4 million might have been the death blow to landing Darian.  Message boards were ripe that Beth was in over her head and her plan or plans were quickly evaporating. 

On Sunday morning, a Hawkeye website reporter dropped information that Iowa and McCollum were finalizing details on a contract.  Hawkeye fans were reinvigorated!  One hour went by, then another and then a report from Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register brought things to a halt.  "Not so fast", he intimated.  Things weren't in the finalization stage, but they were talking.  A deal could be had soon, possibly.  Through the remainder of the day into the evening, the message boards and internet were ablaze. Was there going to be any good news coming?  Was West Virginia making a strong pitch for Ben?  It wasn't until the wee hours of Monday that McCollum accepted details of the contract.       

 But she came through and it's here where apologies can certainly be offered again.  I think she got it right.  In the end, McCollum earned the job, and he's a very fitting coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  

Will we ever know how close Beth came to losing McCollum to a late bid from West Virginia?  Most likely not.  In the end, we know Goetz knocked it out of the park with a quality hire to energize the Hawkeye faithful.  

Interesting that the last three Drake coaches will now be leading Big Ten programs in 2025-26.  Niko Medved at Minnesota; DeVries at Indiana and McCollum at Iowa.  Sure, says something about the Bulldog program. 

What's next on the Beth Goetz calendar?  Will she need to look to replace Rick Heller the tremendously successful Iowa baseball coach?  Or will it most likely be the future of Hawkeye football head man, Kirk Ferentz.  He's just a couple of wins from becoming the winningest coach in the Big Ten history.  He has 204 victories and Woody Hayes has 205.  Ferentz is also close to qualifying for the College Football Hall of Fame.  He needs to boost his all-time record to a 60%.  If he does that and qualifies for the Hall, does he look to hang it up? 

Stay tuned!   

And watch, Beth will have a solid plan in place.  She's as good as it gets.  I heard that once. 

 

   

IN A WIDE-OPEN FIELD, WHO'S YOUR MEN'S NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPION? WOMEN'S?

March Madness is here again.  And for the first time in quite some time there isn't a clear-cut favorite.  There could be any number of teams that grab the trophy in San Antonio in early April. The four #1 seeds are set:  Houston, Duke, Florida and Auburn.  For a good share of the season, I was leaning Auburn.  That was until Florida has played so well in recent weeks.  I'm picking the Gators.  Here's wishing myself good luck.  Oh, and you too.

The remainder of the 68-team field is cluttered with hopefuls.  The Big Ten is on the outside looking in.  Their best offering might be Wisconsin.  Maybe Michigan.  Really don't understand how Michigan State got a #2 seed.  Sure, they won the regular season crown.  Coach Tom Izzo factor no doubt.  Purdue without big man Zach Edey this year has a real tough road.  It goes without saying, the Big Ten is very so-so.  Speaking of hopefuls.  The SEC has a record 14 teams in the tournament, an NCAA record.  It might very well be that the conference is becoming the leader not only in football, but basketball.  Money, money, money.  The Big 12 has a couple of interesting teams to watch with Arizona and BYU.  The Cougars have a nice-looking squad and open with VCU, a very winnable game.  Arizona has been trending upward in recent weeks.  And let's not forget St. John's.  Head coach Rick Pitino is leading the Redmen into the tourney.  It's the sixth team he's put a team into the field.  A record.  Amazing.  Who has the toughest road to Tampa?  Looks like Auburn.  

There are some teams that we've come to know that are always in the top seed area, that aren't this season.  #7 Kansas is the biggest notion.  2025 marks the first time the Jayhawks haven't been at least a number 4 seed since 2000.  Their opening round game against #10 Arkansas and John Calipari could prove interesting.  One and done?  Wouldn't that be a shocker?  Two-time defending champion #8 UCONN will have their hands full against #9 Oklahoma.  The Huskies are a team that is hard to gauge.  On experience alone they might have a run in them.       

How about a couple of sleepers?  Liberty is an interesting ballclub.  As the #12 seed they open with #5 Oregon.  With 28 wins they could provide some fun.  Nobody else really jumps out at me except maybe St. Mary's and Creighton.  There are a couple of other teams (not sleepers) to watch like #2 Alabama.  They led the nation in scoring with a 91.4 average.  They've been on the cusp in recent years, this might be their time to sneak into the Final Four.  And don't forget #2 Tenneessee.  Just another SEC team on the prowl.  Clearly, the 8-9 games are going to be barn burners (UCONN-Arkansas; Mississippi State-Baylor; Louisville-Creighton and Gonzaga-Georgia.  

Will Cooper Flagg's ankle injury keep Duke from a deep run?  Many have suggested they are a good team, but not a great team without Flagg.  And then there's Houston.  Always like how the Cougars play so physical, but they seem snake bit.  I think this will be another year like that.  

The trophy awaits its new home

So, who were some of the overlooked in 2025?  The snubs as we like to call them.  Perhaps the biggest was West Virginia.  The words from head coach Darian DeVries sums it all up.  "Obviously, we are extremely shocked, saddened and disappointed with not being selected for the NCAA Tournament.  We strongly believe that we have a resume that is worthy of an NCAA Tournament Team".  Indiana, Ohio State and SMU probably feel the same way.  What is noteworthy is DeVries is a candidate for the Iowa head coaching position that became vacant when the Hawkeyes dismissed Fran McCaffrey on Friday.  The Mountaineers weren't selected to play in the NIT or turned it down and now word is they won't play in the new College Basketball Crown tourney either. West Virginia will be sitting the post-season out completely to see if they still have DeVries as their head man.  Just another matter where sports and business collide.               

Brackets?  Brackets?  Let's not forget them.  We have a Family Traveling Trophy tourney every season.  I'd like to think I could win that sucker every year.  Not the case.  All it takes is a couple of upsets to screw up your bracket.  BTW, nobody has ever filled out a perfect bracket.  As far as the NCAA can tell, only one person has ever even picked perfectly through the Sweet Sixteen

Best to you with your picks.   

The Women's field is set now too.  The #1's are UCLA, USC, South Carolina and Texas.  Two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams.  Of the four, only South Carolina was in their conference last season.  All the others are in their first season with their new setting.  If, I was a betting man, which I'm not, I'd probably go with South Carolina.  They have one of the easier brackets and they seem like they're ready to bust the doors open since they didn't grab the #1 overall seed.  UCLA did.  

This is a truly fun time in the sports world.  There will be a ton of games and a whole lot of agony and ecstasy.  But if you have a hard time and you're left high and dry again, remember there's always next year.  

FRAN McCAFFERY ERA IS OVER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

It's the aftermath of the 15-season career of Fran McCaffrey at the Hawkeye basketball helm.  17-16 in 2025 pretty much says it all.  Slightly above average.  That number no doubt led to the reason Iowa has decided to move on.  It will now be in the hands of Athletic Director Beth Goetz to put her stamp on the Hawkeye program with her first hire involving a search for a new head coach. 

After 15 seasons the run is over 

In the time McCaffrey was at Iowa he became the school's all-time winningest coach with 297 wins.  However, to further argue the average state of the program, many would look at his all-time record in the Big Ten during that time period (143-141 a .504 mark) as unacceptable.  He was known as a developer of talent i.e. Luca Garza and Keegan and Kris Murray.  Their superior play made Iowa relevant during the 2018 to 2022 seasons.  But the next three years saw records of 11-9, 10-10 and 7-13 in Big Ten Play.  Iowa won the Big Tourney just once in 2022, made the NCAA Tournament seven times and never made it to the Sweet Sixteen.  The writing was on the wall.  It was time for change.

Some felt the two technicals he received in his team's Big 10 tourney game versus Illinois this past week led to his dismissal.  That wasn't the case.  It was in some respects a final nail in the coffin, but it was not the determining factor. 

Others have suggested Fran's relationship with the press and his lack of public relations skills made the decision easier for Goetz.  He was not the friendliest coach to deal with and he often displayed an indifferent attitude to reporters in answering questions.  Despite some of those assumptions, it came down to winning.  And that is something that is now going to fall to another individual.

What was the most disappointing aspect of this news was the way it went down.  For several days McCaffrey had been telling everyone he'd be back.  Not sure if this was hopes on his part or not.  Friday morning, several national reporters made public Fran's dismissal.  How awkward that must have been considering he was enroute back to Iowa City as these rumors were being reported.  I think he deserved those words coming from Beth Goetz herself.  She didn't make the official announcement until the 5 p.m. hour.  The both of them should have had the time to meet and discuss the situation.  Jump the gun reporting.  Kinda sucks....     

I wish Fran well and hope he can now enjoy the next few years by watching his youngest son, Jack, when he begins his freshman season at Butler.  McCaffrey and his wife, Margaret are familiar with this Indianapolis area.  Both have roots at Notre Dame.  Margaret as a women's basketball player and Fran as an assistant coach with Men's team.   In addition, he has a son, Conor, coaching at Butler and another, Patrick, who completed his career there this season.   

So, we move on.  Who will be entrusted with the program?  Some suggested Darian DeVries who is from Iowa and is currently coaching at West Virginia.  Others like Ben McCollum, the head man at Drake, who also has spent time during his childhood years at Storm Lake and Iowa City.  As the Bulldog Head Coach, he has taken them to a 29-3 record, one of the best in Drake history.  Both men are first year coaches in their programs.  Might there be someone else to consider?  Time will tell.  DeVries and McCollum both have their programs headed to tourney play.  That might make naming the new coach a delayed process.  Someone else could sneak in the door as a result or their current team might step up and renegotiate contracts.  

No matter who the next coach is, this is Goetz's call.  She will have a chance to put her stamp on the Hawkeye program.  She had the strength to make the tough call to replace McCaffrey.  Now comes her next big decision.  And hopefully that will put fannies back in the stands at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  That would be a win and perhaps more victories on the floor can follow.         

   

  

 

NFL REVISIT: HOW HAS YOUR TEAM DONE IN EARLY SEASON TRADING AND FREE AGENCY?

This past Monday came with the unofficial opening to Free Agency in the National Football League.  Not sure why they play this game with the public and for that fact, the teams.  Wednesday at 3 p.m. was the official opening of the 2025 season.  Not Monday.  But if you look at the internet, you'd seen that nearly anyone of value had pretty much found a home and agreed to terms but not signed until it became Official.  Wink.  Wink.  There are a few retreads left out there but not many.

So how did you team fair?  Did they improve themselves with some smart pickups.   Have they strengthened themselves before the Draft coming up at the end of April?  And will those additions make it more obvious where their draft strategy might lie?  The coming weeks will prove an interesting run to Thursday night, April 24th in Green Bay.  Answers to those questions above might be answered.

Looking at it right now, I think there are number of teams that have improved themselves immensely not only through this free agency but some wise trading that took place before Monday.   

  

Sudden Sam headed to the Northwest

The Washington Redskins, ohhh, sorry, the Commodores, sorry again, the Commanders, might be the leader in the clubhouse.  They've added WR Deebo Samuel, LT Laremy Tunsil, DT Javon Kinlaw and SS Will Harris.  And they still have some money to throw around if need be.  With these adds to the roster I think they've put themselves in a prime spot to challenge the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming year.  Philly lost a number of players in free agency, but they always have a tendency to trade, trade and trade to add to their draft haul.    

The Chicago Bears are another team that hit it big.  And they had too.  They provided a complete upgrade to the interior of the offensive line with LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman and RG Jonah Jackson.  And on the defensive side they inked DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Grady Jarrett.  New Head Coach Ben Johnson can now look to go with Best Player available with the 10th pick in the draft.  Perhaps RB Ashon Jeanty or TE Tyler Warren.  It might finally, might, get interesting in the NFC North.

The Packers did very little.  Detroit the same.  And what is going on in Minnesota?  The Vikings let QB's Sam Darnold (Seattle) Daniel Jones (Indianapolis) and Nick Mullens (Jacksonville) walk.  As I post this, they might have Marcus Mariota coming to the Twin Cities, but he would only be a backup for J.J. McCarthy.  They did add heavily to their defense with (DT Brian Allen, DT Jason Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rogers and offensive lineman, C Ryan Kelly and LG Will Fries but yikes....coming off two knee injuries, that's placing tremendous pressure on their No.1 draft choice in 2024 to produce. Today they only have four draft picks.  Four.  Not hardly enough in this day and age.  

The Buffalo Bills brought on Joshua Palmer, former speedster with the LA Chargers in addition to DT Larry Ogunjobi and DE Joey Bosa.  Those pickups are adding to their favorite status in the AFC East.  The New England bought heavily too. They added T Morgan Moses and the No. 2 free agent DE Milton Williams to the Northland.  In addition, they now have LB Harold Landry III and CB Carlton Davis on the defensive side of the ball.  Their main weakness continues to be wide receiver.  If they add someone of note there, that coupled with new coach Mike Yrabel, the New Englanders could finally become relevant again.   

You could probably drop the names of other franchises that spent wisely.  The LA Rams, Tampa Bay Bucs, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals are improved.  Not certain what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing.  Not sure they've really addressed their offensive line issues, running back is still a concern and wide receiver has two people with legal issues. Okay maybe only one.  It seems Xavier Worthy talked his way out of his domestic situation.  Rashee Rice's is still up in the air.  TE Travis Kelce is a year older, and their defensive backfield now has some holes.   

Everyone else is in a wait and see mode.  There has been a buttload of money thrown around.  The Patriots have spent $214 Million thus far.  The Cleveland Browns $12.  Who will be this year's Commanders team to rise from the depths to challenge for a title?  It's anybody's guess.  But we have a long way to go yet.  For the next 6 weeks you can look at mock draft after mock draft to see who the experts think where players will land.  Good luck with that.  You might have a better idea then them of who is going where.  

If you don't have anything on your schedule for April 24-26, get online and book your free credentials to go to the NFL Fan Experience in Green Bay.  

https://www.nfl.com/draft/event-info/registration

I went several years ago to Kansas City and had a super time.  It was a great draft party and a chance to rub shoulders with friends and foes alike.  Got mine for this year too!!!  

Happy Mocking....     

      

   

  

ARE YOU READY FOR THE MADNESS OF SPORTS HEADED OUR WAY?

 

It's that time of year when the sports world is busting at the seams.  Much of it has to do with March Madness.  But there are a whole lot of other things going on too.

The Women are completing the run to the championship games in their conference tournaments in college basketball.  NCAA Tourney pairings are nearly here.  And then the portal window opens.  Heck, girls are heavy into in their high school state championships, too. Then once completed, many will begin making decisions on their college and life choices.    

The Men.  They are just about to blast our airwaves with their run to the Final Four.  And much of that is because there is no clear-cut favorite this year.  It could be Houston or Auburn.  Maybe Tennessee, Duke or Florida.  Who's your pick in the bracket?  Good fortune whoever you choose.  Boys Basketball is nearly upon us as well.  

This next month is going to be crazy.  The TV will be chalk full of game after game after game.  I almost feel sorry for someone who hates sports.  Almost.  Afterall, can't they tune into Fox News, CNN, C-Span or any of the movie sites there are?  I will say their options will be severely limited.  

Topsy Turvy Times

Let's take a look at what else will be going on in the sports world:

The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday, March 7th.  Hockey GM's love to make trades.  There will be some interesting players moving to new addresses.  Then the run for the Stanley Cup begins.  A long, long run.  

Major League Baseball is in full stride with Spring Training.  The season will open the end of March.  And it goes without saying, "there is nothing quite like Opening Day".   Hopefully, someone can challenge the Dodgers this year.  If there's one consolation, you don't win the title based on "paper".  

Let's not forget the NBA.  There are roughly 20 games left in the year.  Many fans wait until the playoffs to get really involved.  It's such a difference between the regular season and playoffs.  Will there be someone new on the mountain top in 2025?   Ya just never know. 

Football?  Football?  We're not going to forget Football, are we?  The window opens on Monday for NFL free agency.  Even though teams can't sign players until Wednesday, the 12th, player signings often become public before then.  Once the fur is done flying with player acquisitions, comes the NFL Draft.  Get ready for that the end of April.   

MLS Soccer is underway and runs into the early fall.  I'm not a big follower but kudos to anyone that's a fan.  

College Wrestling is in the Championship mode too.  Team and individual champions will be decided March 20-22.  Penn State looks like the favorite again.  Their dominance speaks for itself.

Lastly, the UFL begins play at the end of March.  If you haven't gotten your fill of sports by then, check it out.

I'm sure I'm leaving some sport out but will mention College Baseball and Softball.  Gymnastics, MMA, Boxing, Golf and Tennis.   And the only reason is, it's hard to keep up with it all the Madness headed our way.  I ask again.  Are you ready?   

P.S.  How does one forget the WNBA?  Caitlin.  Are you ready for an encore?  We can't wait.

Have fun all and enjoy your teams in the upcoming months!!!