Hoyas, Wildcats, and Blue jays, Oh My!

If you were able to pull the covers off and get out of bed after the tearful loss of the U.S. men's and women's curling teams, there was plenty of excitement to be had, as another busy Saturday in Men's NCAA basketball came and went and showed the crazy potential for the March tournament.

Conference titles on the line, no. 1 seeds in jeopardy of losing undefeated status, and teams desperately trying to convince the judges of their worthiness to be included in the big tournament, inspired me to remain in my pajamas all day, forgo the makeup, and procrastinate even further on the Mt. Everest-like stack of homework piling up on my desk. That's what Sunday night is for anyway.

Luke Harangody was back in the lineup for Notre Dame as they upset the Hoyas 78-64, despite Georgetown's Greg Monroe's 15 point effort. The Fighting Irish reclaimed it's mighty three, uniting Harangody, Abromaitis, and Tory Jackson, (not to mention stellar play by Ben Hansbrough), for a Big East victory. The Irish are a distinctively different team when they are Gody-less. They are set to play West Virginia and Cincinnati before closing up the season.

The SEC added to the list of upsets, when #2Kentucky fell to #19Tennessee. The always animated Bruce Pearl, who typically looks as if his face is taking on the bright color of his orange blazer, was all smiles, as he saw his senior leader J.P. Prince put on a clinic in the last 90 seconds of the game. Much to Ashley Judd's dismay, John Wall and the rest of her beloved Wildcats were only able to muster a disappointing 35 pct field goal percentage, which inevitably contributed to their first loss since their game against South Carolina.

The arena was ear drum shattering in Oklahoma, when Kansas standouts Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich weren't able to sustain their team's undefeated prowess in the Big 12, as they trailed the entire game in an 85-77 loss to Oklahoma St. The match up provided for the Cowboy's first road win over a top-ten ranked opponent in nearly 52 years. It also highlighted the talent of James Anderson, Oklahoma State's best player, 6th in the country in Division 1 scoring, whose name for some reason doesn't find its way to the headlines like many of his peers. Why, I'm not quite sure? Maybe the press has something against Cowboys?

Got My Eye on Reeves

Snickerdoodles, a well done 32 oz sirloin steak, Snuggies -- all things I love dearly. Enter UCLA's Reeves Nelson.

Besides being a friggin' beast, this freshmen forward slams the boards and scores. Sound footwork and a lofty free-throw pct, also round out his fearless style of play.

Two weeks ago in a game against against Cal, Nelson butted heads with Bear's Markhuri Sanders-Frison, resulting in a nice shiner that would please any UFC fighter (insert my 32 oz steak mentioned earlier above - could've brought swelling down). Nearly a week later, after throwing down a monstrous jam, or as I like to call it now, a "Nelson," he lands on the same eye, rupturing the lump, forcing him to head to the locker room with only 7 minutes left in regulation.

He emerged this week like Frankenstein on his way to a board meeting, outfitted in a suit, paired with this season's most coveted accessory: a black, blue and purple eye, complete with 15 stitches. Sources say the large lad underwent eye surgery and lucky for Bruin fans and ME, he will be back in the lineup this Saturday against Washington.

Prior to the news that he would be returning to play the Huskies this next week, I thought a pirate patch might add to his rough demeanor, of course it would have to painted blue and gold.

Nelson adds to the already lofty list of players on the Bruin's injury list including, Senior forward James Keefe, who would have if healthy, helped prop up the team's so far, awkward and unpredictable season.

Yesterday, against Oregon, UCLA is a markedly different team without the talented brut. At halftime the Ducks were up 10, and one couldn't ignore that Roll, Dragovich and Honeycutt could have used his toughness in the key.

While I'm not clear on how the Bruins will perform in the Pac-10 tournament in a few weeks, an appearance by a healthy Reeves Nelson will make for a much more and exciting afternoon for me, who will be donning a Snugee and glued to the t.v.

I heart Reeves Nelson!