Favorite teams--it was a tough day yesterday. The ND men's hoops team was out-rebounded and out-toughed by a St. John's squad picked to finish near the bottom of the Big East.
Not good. I'm really worried that if ND doesn't tighten it's defense and rebounding significantly, they'll make the NCAAs again, but get bounced out quickly in the first or second round--again.
Meanwhile the Indianapolis Colts lack of a running game, lack of a solid offensive line (harmed by injuries all year), and they're running into a hot San Diego team on the road all led to the Colts dropping a heartbreaker in the first round of the NFL playoffs, 23-17 in overtime.
It's definitely an opportunity missed, as the Colts had enough talent to go far. But I don't think they ever quite got it fully together this year and played consistently dominating football. I think the injuries played a big part in it. The Colts couldn't run the football and make first downs on short-yardage downs. In the playoffs, with a lot of good teams around, that can kill you. The Colts have to upgrade the O-line.
But at least the ND women's hoops team showed toughness and poise--again--in defeating a good young Seton Hall team, 66-60. The Irish get yet another road win. They'll sure be glad to get back home.
Meanwhile, internationally, Israel continues to pound away on Hamas.
By the way, the NY Times among others yesterday trumpeted that Israel hoped through this military action to get rid of Hamas. Gosh--wouldn't that be great?
NFL picks today--I was 0-2 yesterday.
Baltimore 2 over MIAMI. PICK: DOLPHINS. I like Chad Pennington and that running game.
Philadelphia 3.5 over MINNESOTA. PICK: EAGLES. Donovan McNabb will outplay Tarvaris Jackson and/or Gus Frerotte.
