Ok, Ok. It's been waaaaay too long. I get it. Well that ends today! The Bri Blog is back. With so many events having transpired and so many more on the horizon I felt it time to dig into my readers' emails and questions from the last 3 months. Without further ado:
The Big Ten is absolutely loaded next year but are my beloved Hoosiers really worthy of topping the way-too-early preseason top 25?
Larry - Terre Haute, IN
What's the deal with college teams and the state of Indiana? Every time Notre Dame is half-way decent they're ranked in the top 10. Now we have to deal with the same hysteria for Indiana basketball? C'mon man!
Bo - Lansing, MI
In 49 other states it's just basketball. We're back!!
Ryan - Middle-of-nowhere, IN
When talking about who shouldn't be ranked #1 you have to then ask yourself who should be ranked #1. It's gotta be someone. Why not a team returning all 5 starters and bench players that matter, have a top 10 recruiting class, and have the biggest home-cooking homecourt advantage in basketball? Let's look at the rest of the way-too-early top 10:
Indiana
Louisville
Kansas
Kentucky
Ohio State
NC State
Michigan State
Michigan
Florida
Baylor
Overrated: Kansas and Ohio State (you don't lose Sullinger and Buford and simply move on)
Underrated: Kentucky (yes, even at #4, and even with a new team)
It's ESPN's job to create intrigue and having the one-time flagship program of the Big Ten atop the polls certainly does that.
When is UofM gonna put our banners back up! Will I ever be welcomed back in the doors?
Chris - Ann Arbor, MI
Yeah!
Jalen - Ann Arbor, MI
It's an absolute joke that the UofM President has continued to pretend that one of the greatest college basketball teams of my lifetime never existed. I don't understand what warrants a ban on you, Chris. We all know Ed Martin had no affiliation with the University, but this is why Michigan holds itself to a higher standard. Leaders and Best. Don't fret Jalen, we got one Big Ten Championship banner going up from this year and more to come!
I saw a few tweets of yours in regards to the Masters a few weeks ago. Golf?!??? What happened to you? You've really taken that leap? During opening week of baseball no less!
Tim - Hammond, IN
I know, I know. Highly questionable. But, fact of the matter is it can be kinda fun, sometimes, under the right conditions, with the right people, on certain days, here and there. It is unique in the fact that it combines a sport/hobby with a social outing. 2 in 1! As far as coinciding with baseball (sigh), I don't know what to say. I grew up loving baseball but my indifference really has reached a zenith and I can honestly say it's not just the fact the Cubs won't win 70 games. Is it the fact that all other Chicago teams are essentially playoff teams? Probably. Is it that I can't name the starting infield? Probably. Is it because baseball in general has barely any of the day-to-day appeal compared to the NBA and NFL? Probably. I guess in the end it boils down to the fact that the Cubs stink, won't be good any time soon, and the Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks are all better. Oh well....I guess it's tough playing second, er, third, wait, I mean fourth fiddle.
Seriously, no Lebron post in weeks? Are you ok?
J.T. - Miami, Fl
After a long day at work I used to be able to count on reading something about how Lebron is not worthy of a championship because he tried to cut corners to win by joining forces with what should've been his career-long rival, because he routinely disappears in crunch time, and because he's just an overall agonizingly painful player to root for. Hmmm, I guess it all sunk in. Thanks!
Michael - Chicago, IL
All I have to say about the NBA playoffs is if I ever hear the term "Gametime decision" again, it will be too soon. I understand there's a condensed schedule but I never remember hearing about players resting missing games during the Jordan-era. Seriously, did Jordan ever miss a game for essentially no reason? From the '84-85 season to the '97-98 season, Jordan played in at least 78 games except for 3 times: '85-'86 played 7 games due to broken foot (and Jordan wanted to return), '93-'94 swinging and missing at curve balls, and '94-'95 played 17 games after coming back. Reason # 1,246 why he's the greatest ever.
P.S. NBA playoff podcast full of predictions with Davis and Anthony coming as soon as playoff seeding is announced.
You wanted me out? Fine. Show me how it's done. Draft's in 4 days
Jerry A. - Chicago, IL
Pretty simple. If Michael Floyd is there, take him without hesitation. If not, take the best DE. Round 2 take an OL and the rest defense. There. done. 12-4.
More to come.
