SPORTS - CINCINNATI STYLE

🏀 Xavier got smashed by Gonzaga Saturday in the Elite Eight round.  The ride was fun but they were just never in it against the Zags. Sophomore point guard Edmond Sumner has announced that he will turn pro and try his luck with the NBA next season instead of coming back to the team.

🏀 Archie Miller has taken the Indiana University head coaching job.  Archie led the University of Dayton to four straight very successful seasons.  He is the brother of Sean Miller, head coach at Arizona and late of Xavier.  Archie's real name is Ryan - he was called Archie early on because he had the personality of Archie bunker.  Does that tell you anything?

🏀 Both of our local reps in the Ohio State H.S. boys basketball tourney, Moeller and Roger Bacon, lost in the finals.

🏀 Mount Notre Dame did win the girls state D1 tourney.

⚾ It looks like Devin Mesoraco will not be ready to start the season for the Reds.  Too bad, they need all the offensive punch they can find with the pitching staff they have.  Will he ever recover from surgery?  We may have to trade him to an American League team so he can be a designated hitter.

⚾ Less than a week until opening day in Cincinnati and the Findlay Market Parade.  If the weather is good, town will be packed.  I'm still trying to figure out who Scott Feldman is.  Did you hear of Amir Garrett?  Match those two up with Brandon Finnegan and a rookie named Rookie Davis and the long awaited Cody Reed and you have our current starting rotation.  Can you believe it?  It is open to revision.  Expected top starters on the shelf are Anthony De Sclafani, who should be ready soon, and Homer Bailey, who should be ready in about a month.  Don't bank on it.  The team picked up a seasoned back-up for the infield in Scooter Gennett and sent top prospect Jesse Winker back to the minors for more 'seasoning.'  How could you not love a guy named Scooter?

🏈 The Bengals finally let Ray Maualuga out to pasture.  We were never quite strong enough covering passes in the center of the defense and runs to the outside while he was here.  Linebackers really need speed in today's NFL.

🏈 It's a done deal now - the Oakland Raiders will move to Las Vegas starting in the 2018 season.  I wonder if this means my nephew Michael will become a Raiders fan?  Don't bet on it.

🏈 UC football is having "spring practice" right now.  Can't wait to see what they put on the field next Fall.

🏇🌹 The Spiral Stakes was run at Turfway Race Track last Saturday and "Fast and Accurate" grabbed the winner's take.  This race is one of the Kentucky Derby prep races.  The Derby is run the first Saturday in May - horses qualify for it by their showing in the prep races.  "Fast and Accurate" should be there.  "Thunder Snow", an Irish bred, has the current lead in Derby qualifying points but may not cross the pond for the race.  "Gunnevera" and "McCraken" are the early betting favorites. A lot of track can be covered in the month leading up to the Derby.  Don't place your bets yet.

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