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We're not quite sure how this whole RPI thing works — foolishly, we did not major in bracketology in college — but we know a pissed-off coach when we see one. Cincinnati's Andy Kennedy is none to pleased with his Bearcats being left out of the NCAA Tournament, and unless we miss our guess, right about now he's rounding up a few of the guys down at the dorm to go out and find them some NCAA Tournament Committee nerds. "I m open to anyone telling me a justifiable reason as to why this team did not get to the NCAA tournament other than, 'Andy, we can t let nine teams from one league get in. It sends the wrong message,'" Kennedy told the Associated Press. "It s a disappointing, an unfit ending for these kids." At 19-12, a lot of folks figured the Bearcats would get in, but an 8-8 record in the Big East did them in, apparently. Also among those left out were Florida State (19-9), Maryland (19-12), Hofstra (24-6) and, for the eighth straight year, Michigan (18-10). More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=160041&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. Jennifer Sterger And Her Friends Are Not The Hottest Girls On Campus. And it's really not even close. The FSU Cowgirls are certainly the most famous pretty faces on the Internet from FSU, but a stroll through campus reveals that girls as attractive as Jen and her pals — or moreso — are pretty common. Take a walk by Landis Green on a warm day (which in Tallahassee means between February and November), or any pool near campus where the co-eds sunbathe, and your eyes may pop out of your head. Many a young man, the author included, thought the prettiest girls in the world were on SEC campuses until he matriculated to FSU. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159889&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. Head Coach Tommy Amaker Is Squeaky Clean. That's what you would expected for a four-year starter under Mike Krzyzewski. But as good as Amaker played at Duke, he and the other five former Duke assistant coaches under Mike Krzyzewski have 13 NCAA appearances in the equivalent of 53 seasons to their credit. Krzyzewski has 21 all on his own. Not quite like the Bill Walsh success factory, eh? And let's face it, Amaker is pretty boring too. Detroit Free Press columnist Michael Rosenberg noted in 2005 that Amaker chooses his words as carefully as anyone he's ever dealt with, and after reading this online listing of his quotes, it's easy to see why. Never have so many pixels been burn to say so little to so damn many: "This is a tremendously positive day for the University of Michigan and our basketball program. We are so appreciative of the news we received. I am thrilled for the young men on our team, and I believe they truly deserve this opportunity." (Sound of an unconcious Eric falling headfirst into his desktop.) More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159914&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. This Is The Best Missouri State Team In History. This is sort of like saying that my pet snake is my best friend even though he's my only friend, but still. The school changed its name from Southwest Missouri State following last year s centennial celebration. So technically this is the best team they ve had because it s the only one they ve had as Missouri State so far. Hooray for lame jokes based on technicalities. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159917&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. Trust The Frosh With The Rock. Creighton was 17-5 for the season before losing true freshman point guard Josh Dotzler to a knee injury, and went 2-4 without Dotzler, who will be back for the NCAA tournament. Dotzler isn't the first true freshman to start at the point for Creighton: Dotzler succeeded Tyler McKinney, who was a four-year starter, and McKinney succeeded another four-year starter, Ryan Sears. Which means that Creighton's next point guard is probably lighting up his fifth grade YMCA league right now. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159883&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. Bob Huggins Won Lots Of Games And Has Lots Of Baggage. In 16 seasons at Cincinnati, Huggins won 399 games and took the Bearcats to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Of course he is just as well known for not graduating his players - 20 percent during his tenure, losing regularly in the second round of the NCAA tournament and being arrested and convicted on DUI charges. Huggins' contract was bought out in August, leaving fans of opposing teams with few places to use their Huggins-and-handcuffs jokes. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159881&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. What's in A Name? The team nickname was The Flying Dutchmen forever, and then it was changed to Pride in 2001. There was actually a bit of an uproar over this change, with many "well-educated" Hofstra alumni worried that the athletic teams would now be "gay" ... because, you know, Flying Dutchmen is WAY more masculine. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=159894&view=rss&microfeed=true 1. They Were Nearly "The Bomb." The famed Hawk mascot turned 50 this year, but the team nickname has been around since 1929, when a student yearbook editor started a contest for naming the athletic teams. "Hawks" just barely beat out "Grenadiers," the name of World War I soldiers who specialized in tossing grenades. "Hawks" was chosen in part to symbolize the aerial attack of the football team. Ten years after the name was chosen, football was discontinued and the Hawks haven't fielded a varsity team on the gridiron in more than six decades. More »
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