\nVandy falls 78-73 in OT at Alabama. Finishes 25-6, 10-6 in the SEC and 15-0 non-conf, along with 19-0 at home. And that’s good enough for third in the SEC East. That would make you think the SEC was the Death Star of basketball but this year, I’m not sure that’s the case. Take as example Kentucky, who were shite on toast until January and still finished above us in the conference race, despite needing double-OT to beat us at home and taking the worst hiding since the Romans ran up against Hannibal at Cannae in the return match at Memorial.\n<\/p>\n
\nWe ought to be pretty good – nobody but Florida seems to be able to contain Shan Foster – but a one-and-done seems more likely this year than in our last two NCAA appearances.\n<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, Newcastle United look to be for the drop. They are only 3 points clear of relegation and have not won since changing managers. After casting a weathered eye around the Premiership, I’m leaning toward Aston Villa if Newcastle goes away. For three reasons:\n<\/p>\n
\n1) They are from Birmingham. Like me! Sort of.\n<\/p>\n
\n2) They are owned by Americans – namely the guys who own the Cleveland Browns, and that lot have a specialty in returning football pride to depressed steel towns.\n<\/p>\n
\n3) They are managed by Martin O’Neill, the Ulsterman who shares my birthday and who put Celtic back on top. (Hail! Hail!)\n<\/p>\n
\nSo I can kind of count on them not being horrible. I’m also thinking about Man City because I’m afraid Gene Hunt will come beat the hell out of me if I don’t. (“Today, my friend, your diary will read ‘rebuilt two workstations and was stomped by armed bastards.'”)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vandy falls 78-73 in OT at Alabama. Finishes 25-6, 10-6 in the SEC and 15-0 non-conf, along with 19-0 at home. And that’s good enough for third in the SEC East. That would make you think the SEC was the Death Star of basketball but this year, I’m not sure that’s the case. Take as … <\/p>\n