Yes Scheyer

Mike Krzyzewski has done it again. Once more Duke's evil genius has found the correct mathematical equation and grouping of talent to make it to another Final Four. From the way the announcers have been spinning it, you would have thought that Duke hasn't enjoyed tournament success since Kennedy, but the truth of the matter is that Krzyzewski has taken his team to the big dance a handful of times -- I'm entertaining a number like 16.

Baylor on the other hand, hasn't been to the Final Four since 1953. We're talking decades, back when people were just getting warmed up to the idea of the color television, a far cry from today's halftime Hooter's commercials.

Today's Elite 8 game was quite a battle however. Baylor did everything right up until the end, when Duke, led by a pesky John Scheyer, went on a mini run that gave the Blue Devils just enough momentum to dash any Bears hopes of making it to the Final Four.

Duke had no answer for Baylor's big men. More specifically, Ekpe Udoh and Quincy Acy, who combined for 30 points. Krzyzewski and an animated assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski, were shuffling big men in and out like Tiger Wood's uses up call girls. It was Duke's outside game, chiefly the work of Nolan Smith, who led all scorers with 29 points, that sealed the "W". Zoubek and the Plumlee boys experienced the wrath of the Baylor inside game, and were forced to kick the ball out to their guards.

Unfortunately for Bears fans, their team just wasn't able to pull it out.

Baylor loses a talented senior guard Tweety Carter this year, but the Bears will certainly be back. They gave every top seeded team they encountered a run for their money, and even brought a normally cool and collected Krzyzewski to his feet in angry rage during the first half. Kudos Baylor!

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!