Logic isn’t always the end result in big-time sports

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 14 September 2010 18:30

It’s clear that when the Big 12 will have only 10 schools in its conference next year and the Big 10 will have 12 teams, something doesn’t add up for these institutions of higher education. At the very least, math doesn’t appear to be their strong suit.

Perhaps the Big 12 will call itself the Big XII – II, and the Big 10 will be the Big X + II.

Here are some other thoughts and ideas that may cause you to stop and go, “Say what?”

• From a fan on The Onion Web site: “Let me get this straight—the NCAA is going to expand the basketball tournament to 96 teams before expanding the football tournament to four?”

As it turns out, the NCAA is only expanding the basketball tournament to 68 teams next year.

• Quote by Stan Van Gundy, coach of Orlando Magic: “Baseball gets their whole playoffs and World Series done in like three weeks. Us, it takes us the first round to go three weeks.”

He has a point. The Magic beat the Bobcats in Game 1 on a Sunday. The teams had two days off before a game on Wednesday, and they didn’t play again until Saturday in Charlotte.

The NBA playoffs began April 17, and didn’t end until June 17. What’s two months of playoffs among friends?

• Now for some words of wisdom from former athletes and coaches:

“I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn’t recruit me and he said: “Well, Walt, we took a look at you, and you weren’t any good.” (Walt Garrison)

“I’ve found that prayers work best when you have big players.” (Knute Rockne, Notre Dame)

“I don’t expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation.” (Bob Devaney, Nebraska)

“I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades.” (Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State)

“I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game.” (Bear Bryant, Alabama)

“It’s kind of hard to rally around a math class.” (Bear Bryant, Alabama)

“After you retire, there’s only one big event left…and I ain’t ready for that.” (Bobby Bowden, Florida State)

• If you don’t think fame is fleeting, consider the following observation by ESPN.com columnist Rick Reilly: “Is there anything as perishable as sports superstardom? Nine months ago, the three most popular athletes in this country were Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and LeBron James. Since that time, Woods has become the Sultan of Sleaze, Manning is suddenly the guy who can’t get it done in the big moment, and James is disloyal, narcissistic and cruel, apparently. It’s like one of those ancient cultures that would anoint a man king just long enough to kill him, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Sports fame is like riding a tiger. It’s fun for awhile, but how do you get off without being eaten?”

• And finally, a few words about the passing of former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner from Paul Lukas of ESPN.com: “It’s worth remembering that Steinbrenner had one of history’s greatest uniform-related quotes. It came in 1999, when most MLB teams were wearing those crazy futuristic uniforms. The Yankees were one of the few teams that declined to participate in the promotion, and at some point someone asked the Boss why the Yankees weren’t wearing their uniforms of the future. His simply reply: “We already are.” Well said. RIP, George.”