NEWS OF THE WEEK - SPORTS

SPORTS EDITION

The final four college basketball teams were decided.  They will have a small one-and-out tournament this weekend in San Antonio to crown a champion.  Tonight we have Duke University with a high school aged man-child leading them; one of the top scoring teams ever, being coached by a young upstart versus Houston University coached by a guy whose been around the block way too many times, with five scrapy sorts who play defense for 40 minutes like their life depended upon it.  You can also watch Auburn University, led by a do-it-all super-star with a banged up elbow, who play close games every day and are coached by a grizzled veteran versus The University of Florida who play more players than other teams would dream of and are coached by a young guy who doesn't know any better.  Can't wait.   

The Cincinnati Reds completed the first week of their season on Thursday and no one knows what to think.  They lost two to the Giants - in one they gave up a lead in the ninth.  The Texas Rangers came to town and the Reds creamed them 14-3; scoring more runs than in any game last year.  The next two games were lost despite sterling pitching performances.  They traveled to Milwaukee and the Brewers were treated to the same scenario that the Rangers enjoyed.  Another 1-0 loss; the third in a row.  On Friday, the Reds finally broke the drought but it wans't enough - losing 3-2.  As of today, the Reds stand 2-6; yuk!.

The UC Bearcat basketball team played in a new made-up tounrament in Las Vegas called The Crown.  They won their first game and lost the second.  The amateur college basketball players got $30k to split by the first win but missed out on $50k with the loss.  What are we doing here?

FC Cincinnati edged Nashville SC last weekend 2-1 to bring their record to 3-2-1 and 8th place in the MLS.  They host the NE Revolution tonight.  I find it hard to keep up with the soccer boys.

The Bengals are sitting tight and playing the waiting game with Trey Hendrickson, their All-Pro edge rusher.  They're also not signing available free agents.  I think they're waiting for the draft to see how it goes.  This is a calculated risk they could lose.  

XU announced that Rick Patino's son, Richard, would be their new head mens basketball coach.  The Italian father and son duo are both coaching at Catholic universities.   Say it isn't so.  

We're heading into "Masters" week.  In America, the most prestigious of all golf tournaments, will held in Augusta, GA, if it's not under water, beginning on Thursday.  The bookmakers are putting their money on Scottie Scheffler.  Rory McIlroy, John Rahm, Ludvig Aberg and Colin Morikawa follow him. in that order.  Tiger Woods is not ready to compete.