Blizzard of '06: Day Two

One would think Denver would be prepared for 25-35 inches of snow, yet there has been zero plowing in our driveway and complex, so I've been trapped here. But it worked out, I can watch more basketball with less guilt. No more, "Go outside and get some exercise" babbling from the elders in this brothel (just kidding).

-- Oklahoma State 95, Pitt 89, in double overtime. I'll bet you a Thomas Jefferson two-dollar bill that you will hear people say, "They didn't hit their free throws" or "They didn't close down Boggan," but this game could've gone either way. The Panthers had chances to pull away and chances to clinch a win, but credit OK State, it battled back and went stride for stride.

Is Pitt still good? Yes, it is still a very good team. But it needs to start winning games that matter soon, or I'll be off the bandwagon. I've marked off Dayton as a tough game for Pitt. And don't look now, but the Big East schedule lurks nearer and nearer with each passing day.

-- Somewhere, former Celtic great Vitaly Potapenko is smiling. How did he convince his family that going to Wright State was the right choice? American basketball players can't even convince their families that Wright State is the right choice. But I guess when your other option is service in the Soviet army, basketball anywhere within the United States is a better option. Can you believe the Ukraine Train made 36-million dollars from the NBA as of this year? And he even left early from Wright State! Make sure you also check out the hilarious "Hall of Fame Probability" stat on his basketball-reference page:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/potapvi01.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263552750

-- It looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins might move after all. Who could come up with a more terrible idea than the NHL letting Pittsburgh lose its team? That's like letting Toys 'R' Us move out of the Neverland Ranch. What, too soon?

-- Duke finally won a meaningful game. I take back everything I said last night...Not. (Tell me you've seen Borat.)

-- Remember when Utah was good at basketball? Keith Van Horn? Andre Miller? Rick Majerus?

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263550077

-- Wasn't Virginia ranked at some point this season? Where is Mayaguez, Puerto Rico?

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263552503

-- The SEC is AWESOME!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263550238

-- Chalk one up for Christmas AND the Big East.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263550087

-- Remember when URI beat Murray State in the first round of the 1998 NCAA tournament en route to an Elite Eight appearance and a choke-job that will forever live in infamy? No? Well still, look at Murray State now. I bet Mark Gottfried is glad he's at Alabama, now he doesn't even have to work to be overrated!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263550093

-- Go ahead, ESPN, keep trying to convince us that Marquette's loss to North Dakota State is a quality one. I can only assume Southwest State (Minnesota) is in the southwestern part of the state? Right next to the gigantic sign that says, "IF YOU LOSE TO NORTH DAKOTA STATE, YOU ARE TERRIBLE."

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263552449

-- What a perfect matchup for the Christmas season! God is the real winner in this one, folks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263552628

-- Good to see former Pitt assistant Barry Rohrssen is doing well at Manhattan. Look at St. Francis, NY's record.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263552597

-- Speaking of Manhattan, how is Bobby Gonzalez doing at Seton Hall?

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=263552550

No, that's not a quality loss. The only quality losses against ACC teams are against UNC, Duke, Georgia Tech and maybe Florida State on a good night. Yes, I'm saying Boston College, Maryland, Clemson and Virginia are not good -- deal with it.


So that wraps up a late night update from your boy in the Mile High City. Hope you enjoyed it. I know I did. And next time you see Vitaly Potapenko, ask him what he's done with the six-million dollars he made in 2005. Tell 'em Jeff sent ya.