SNAKEBITE SATURDAY
Saturday was one of the worst days for ranked college hoops teams in years - No. 1 Duke lost to unranked Georgetown, No. 2 Florida lost to Tennessee, No. 9 Pitt lost to St. John's, and No. 15 Wisconsin lost to North Dakota State.
Jeff Sez: We'll have to sit down with the cast of "My Name Is Earl" to sort out the karma from this action. I will however, say this - yes, Duke, Florida and Pitt all fell ignominiously from the unbeaten ranks, but seriously - North Dakota State?! The Bison are only halfway through some 5-year mudpit quagmire switch from Division VII to Division I and they absolutely spanked the Badgers like one of Madonna's back-up dancers after a bad vogue. Hopefully, NDSU's not lookin' to join the Big Ten.
FIGHT IN VEGAS APPARENTLY NOT RIGGED
Philipino lightweight Manny Pacquiao avenged a defeat he suffered last March by knocking out Mexican legend Erik Morales in the 10th round of their bout in Las Vegas this weekend.Jeff Sez: Philipinos and Mexicans came out in such force for this fight (14,000-plus) that it had to be moved to UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center. Or maybe Mandalay Bay just didn't want its valet stand jammed with thousands of 1983 Toyota Supras and late-model Hyundai Typhoons with "No Fear" stickers on their back windows. THIS is what boxing's all about, people - rabid nationalism focused on two warriors, neither of whom had drapery fringe on their trunks or online betting parlor logos tattoed to their foreheads. "Winter Olympics? We don't need your stinking Winter Olympics!" The Philippines and Mexico aren't exactly vying for the luge medal stand, so this was their winter solstice festival.
TIME FOR HEART ATTACK #2?
Two weeks ago Terry O'Neill, 50, of Pittsburgh, suffered a heart attack at a sports bar seconds after Jerome Bettis fumbled late in the fourth quarter in the Steelers eventual win over Indianapolis. Jeff sez: Fortunately for O'Neill, the Steelers sprinted to a huge lead against Denver. That's better than a double dose of Coumadin, my friends. I'd say at worst O'Neill suffered mild heartburn.
BOB HOPE BONGO CLASSIC
Chad Campbell started strong Wednesday with an opening round 63 and outlasted the field to win the 5-round Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Rancho Mirage, California.Jeff Sez: Tip of the cap to Campbell but I think the real news is Mike Eruzione, Roger Clemens and Matthew McConaughey winning the celeb team title. Hockey player, baseball player, insane actor. This'll show you what a night in the Rancho Mirage clubhouse naked with some herb and bongos can do for team unity.
