Basketball from a fan’s perspective

HBCU Commit 

Last summer Makur Maker announced he would attend Howard University.  With the move Maker became the first high profile prospect to attend a historically black college in several years.  If we fast forward to the 2020-21 basketball season, we discover Maker suffered an injury then to compound the situation Howard was forced to shut down its basketball program due to covid-19.  I speculated at the time my uncertainty if this bold experiment would set a future standard for HBCU schools. 

March 31, 2021 HBCU news was made once again, Hercy Miller a 6-3-point guard from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis announced he would attend HBCU Tennessee State.  Miller like Maker had offers from Southern Cal, LSU, Mizzou and HBCU Morgan State but he decided in favor of Tennessee State.  It should be of note Tennessee State’s Robert Covington is the last and only player today from an HBCU school in the NBA.  For those familiar with the entertainment industry Miller, you might recognize the name Master P.  He’s a rapper, actor, record producer and is involved with other pursuits. 

10 Reasons why I hate Kansas Basketball

Okay technically there is but a single reason and it’s not about the Kansas basketball team…it’s countless of fans of the school.  Rest assured this doesn’t apply to all who root for the program however if this is you are already aware.  They are among the most arrogant basketball fans about, please allow me to cite a recent example for you.  A writer for Jayhawk Nation wrote this quote which I paraphrase below.  Written Monday evening “I can go to bed tonight realizing Scott Drew has won only one game at Allen Fieldhouse.” 

No doubt the writer is probably correct however why shine a negative light on Baylor basketball when they are on the mountain peak?  Even said in jest it’s not very funny at least to me and others who are not part of Jayhawk Nation.  I once held a conversation with a Kansas fan, I stated; “It sure would be nice if Mizzou and Kansas met in the preseason since they were no longer in the same conference.”  His response to me, “If Mizzou made it to the NCAA more often, they might have an opportunity to play Kansas.”  End of conversation on my part, I felt no need to respond.  Because we are making noteworthy statements how about this one from a Mizzou fan.  Please inform us the last time Kansas won an NCAA championship, it was what year?     

Far too many names to list them all

It seems every day we read of another college player declaring for the NBA draft.  The number of players is too great to list, and the fear is someone may be omitted unintentionally.  The college transfer portal is much the same, the most recent account list 100 players attempting to find another school to attend.  A number are graduate seniors desiring to play another year while others are doing the old-fashioned way they just want out.  Mizzou will attempt to fill out the remainder of its roster with transfers which is good and bad.  The good you add a player familiar with playing at the collegiate level, the bad is simple.  You transfer in the guy who is unable (or unwilling) to adjust to the team's style of play or perhaps the strength of a different conference.   

Losers

The Wolves now have the worst won-loss record in American professional sports, they passed the NFL Buccaneers this season.  Despite the terrible record owner Glen Taylor is likely to receive a check for $1 billion when he eventually sells the team.  The question is when because Taylor will sell the team one day.  Kevin Garnett who holds most of the team’s scoring records was supposed to be in the running to purchase the team, Taylor now claims Garnett's group never made a serious bid.   

Whatever the case the former Wolves player has now removed himself or according to Taylor was maybe never in the picture.  In any event Garnett now claims his interest is with an expansion Las Vegas or Seattle franchise should the NBA decide to expand one day.  As for Minnesota Included in the purchase of the Wolves would be the Target Center which was renovated several years ago.