So, this has been on my mind for a while... I'll start by saying that, obviously, anonymity is not a good thing for everybody. There are some folks who were obviously bullied as children, have no cohones (or small you-know-whats), or are stuck in delusions of their own intelligence and importance that seem to think the Yard is a place to be disrespectful and hostile, to cyberstalk, or to randomly and consistently thumb-down others in the Yard simply because they don't have to be held accountable. Seriously cowards. Who does that? If you know that what you're saying is inappropriate, and you wouldn't say it to another person's face - or if you had to own up to it - then don't say it in the threads. No one should have to feel threatened, or attacked, or have to consider leaving the Yard because of some of the bullshit that's going on.

Disagreements are one thing. Disagreeing is highly appropriate and should even be encouraged. How else do we all enjoy the freedom to express our own opinions? But it seems that even some of the disagreements spiral into personal attacks (for whatever reason). Grow the fuck up. Everyone does not have to agree. No need to launch your own behind-the-scenes revenge thumbs-down campaign in order to feel better about yourself. That's what therapy is for - which I would recommend for a few Yard members who are obviously dealing with some extreme anger (among other) issues. The Yard is not the place to work that shit out. Step up to the plate and show your face. Disagree, debate, argue even. But don't take it personally. And don't make it personal. And one more thing. Some of the stuff I see on the threads of the athletes (and written about athletes)... Wow. What's with the name calling? Is this the 7th grade? Do you know them? Just FYI... and opinion and an attack are NOT the same thing.

That being said, there are some amazing folks in the Yard. Insightful, crabby, funny, sarcastic, respectful, opinionated, and kind folks who make the Yard a great place to be. Ironically, they are the ones who seem to be getting frustrated with all the bullshit. And they are also the ones that seem to take the brunt of the attacks. I hope enough of them stay and continue their amazing work because they're the ones who make the Yard what it is.

And just so you know... I'd say any of this to anyone's face. AND I wouldn't be ashamed if my mother popped on and read it (yes, she knows about my potty mouth). It's a good gauge. Some of you should try it.

I know we've all heard this news by now. And the reply from the Spurs is a big, fat, "Thanks! We feel much better knowing you feel that way." But it's not so much that I want to talk about the missed call as I want to discuss: WHAT THE HECK WAS JOEY CRAWFORD DOING WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE SPURS after the fiasco with Tim Duncan that got him suspended last year? Who made that decision? And knowing Crawford and his volatile nature, why would you even tempt him? Now all that's left to do is bring back Donaghy.

Once again, proof that if a girl just so happens to be better than the boys, she gets punished. I think this is ridiculous. And just what lessons are those parents teaching their sons?! If you aren't better than the girls, just get the girls kicked off the team (or fired, when they get older)? Or that girls aren't supposed to be better than boys, or have the same opportunities? Or, worst of all, boys don't have to work harder, or get better, because SOMEONE will make sure the girls don't have the same opportunities so they don't ever have a chance to show the boys up? Good grief. For obvious reasons, this one sets me off.

In the stories of Julius Caesar and William Shakespeare there was an implied honor - or just end - when its characters committed suicide in the wake of some exposed (or soon to be exposed) shameful act. And now we know the fate of Kirk Wright, who swindled millions from his clients. Honorable?

Some of us woke up to the news (East Coasters), and some of us went to bed knowing that the Warriors were officially out of the playoffs. My mind can't help but go back to a few games that the Warriors should have won, but didn't. Wasted opportunities - squandered chances to win? Absolutely. The Warriors definitely had a few occassions where they truly needed to take care of business, but didn't (think Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, maybe one game in that 0-5 start). And being 3-5 in April certainly doesn't help.

But the thing that kills me is that I look at the East and 5 TEAMS that have fewer wins than GS are going to make the playoffs. Something about that just ain't right. In any case, I'll miss seeing the excitement that the Warriors bring to the court in this post-season. Hopefully next year things will fare better for them. And despite the sad, sad outcome, it was still a pretty good season.

I'm taking no calls today.

It has been my understanding - as confirmed by comments by the "experts" during the seeding shows - that the #1 overall seed in the tourney is supposed to have the so-called easiest path to the Final Four, as kind of a reward for all their hard work in the regular season. Well, we can confirm that this is clearly NOT the case this year. It was said after the pairings, and it still rings true today, the East is by FAR the toughest bracket of any of the four. Proving that if a team works hard enough all season to get a #1 overall seed, and gets to stay close to home, they'll be able to watch as other #1 seeds coast while they tow the most difficult road to the Final Four.

As Memphis, UCLA (joke bracket), and Kansas get to watch their "competition" slowly disappear at the hands of teams who clearly had something to prove to the entitled elite, the East bracket sits unscathed - not an upset in nary one game (unless you really consider the Arkansas/Indiana game an upset) - as 1, 2, 3, and 4 all prepare for a trip to Charlotte.

So, is the #1 overall seed worth it? I'm not so sure. I can say with certainty it wouldn't be so bad to be UCLA, at this point, with the bracket AND the refs on my side. On the other hand, with all the haters, the Heels have something to prove. And what better way to shut up the masses than to beat the best?

Clearly a game handed to Duke thanks to poor coaching decisions down the stretch by Belmont's head coach.

FIRST! Why suck all of the momentum out of your team by holding the ball - after a timeout - when you're up by one and you've been scoring effectively by spreading Duke's defense? Unless you have an opportunity to run the clock out, take the first good basket and make Duke guard you. But no, Belmont thought it'd be a good idea to stand there with the ball and then try to create something with less than 9 seconds on the shot clock.

SECOND! What the heck kind of inbounds play call was that from under the basket? Please tell me it was NOT a lob play against a taller and clearly more athletic Duke team.

Indeed Belmont just wrapped up the trip to the second round, put a big red bow on it, and handed it over to Duke with their blessing. You can't just play 39:30 of good basketball and expect to beat a team like Duke.

Don't believe what you read about Georgia being some freaking Cinderella team, or being mentally or physically tired from the SEC tourney fiasco. They were clearly on their way to being the better team today, with leads as large as 11, except for a SLIGHT differential in freethrows: Georgia: 3-5 to Xavier 27-33; AND the fact that Xavier was allowed to play an incredibly aggressive style of defense that seemed to be fouls on Georgia's end. I HATE games like this. And I am disgusted by referees who call games like this. Ugly start to an exciting day at the expense of the Georgia Bulldogs who outplayed Xavier and truly deserved to be in the second round.

And in case you're wondering if any of those freethrows were at the end of the game when Georgia was fouling trying to catch up. The answer is, yes. Two of them.

My money (as well as my prayers) is on that he stays with Golden State. But you never know.

To all the Dookies who were hollerin' "Wait til' next Sunday!" after that butt-whoopin we put on ya last week, I have but one thing to say, "Not gonna happen." Because, you see, you would have actually had to have MADE the ACC FInals in order for there to have been a rematch (the only real prerequisite). And to the Dookies who will seek their solace tomorrow (those who will even bother to watch a real winner) hoping beyond hope that Clemson puts it to us, I have but one thing to say, no matter the outcome, we STILL made it further than you did (feels good). Also, at least we even bothered to show up for that so-called rematch. Hey, if you didn't want to play us again all you had to do was say so.

Dont hate. Celebrate! GO HEELS!

Did he not see what happened in the game those two girls were mouthin' off to LeBron? Does he not realize we're still in season? Three words to Deshawn, if the Wiz happen to take a beatdown the next go-round, "It's your fault."

What in the heck is Golden Girl looking at? And how is she an expert?

What do people think happens in recruiting? Seriously? Most coaches are going to do whatever they can get away with to get the recruits needed to win and keep their jobs. If they get caught, sure, they get a slap on the wrist, possibly vilified and penalized, and in extreme cases possibly lose their jobs. But if they don't - and don't make the tourney, they will most certainly be fired. It is a tempting, dangerous Catch 22. But... if they get away with it, and win... national rankings, tournament berths, contract extensions, and more money await. So, what do YOU think happens when 100 schools are competing for 20 elite players each year? Come on.

Former Rutgers women's basketball player, Debbie Paladino died Sunday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 44. Although I knew who she was, I did not know her personally. But what I do know is that there were many women who came before, that played in virtual anonymity, who paved the way for the coverage and popularity of women's basketball that we see today. Can't thank 'em all personally. So, at the very least, I can make mention when the buzzer sounds and their time in this particular game expires.

I'm on a roll today - still disturbed by the goings on at Indiana. And here is my proposal to the NCAA. Instead of allowing crooked coaches to move freely from university to university - leaving the previous universitys to bear the brunt of the penalites levied when cheating occurs (ala Eddie Sutton). Let the cheating coaches - regardless of whether or not they claim ignorance regarding the goings on in their programs - bear the brunt of the penalites. Bet that would clean up some of this crap.

I'm a little upset about Sutton too, while we're talking cheating, because he went on to be glorified at OK State (drinking and drugs at both places aside) while one of his Kentucky assistants got virtually blackballed (Casey had to go to Japan to coach, while squeaky clean Dickey went on to further his coaching career right here - what's up?), a kid (Manuel) got banned from the NCAA for life, and the AD (Hagan) got fired. Didn't know what was going on? Well I can tell you that's just a crock a you-know-what! Seriously.