Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursday

I didn’t see the game

In the Saturday issue of Off the Dribble I mentioned the conflict with the Missouri-Georgia game would cause me to miss the match between number one Auburn and number two Alabama. In a tough, tough SEC matchup Auburn defeated Alabama 94-85. Auburn's Johni Broome stood out with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Reserves Chaney Johnson and Tahaad Pettiford contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively. The teams will meet again on March 8, on that date Alabama will have a chance for redemption for the loss on Saturday. Once again the SEC provided a national television audience just how good the conference is at the top especially with an outstanding Auburn win.

This is interesting

The "Wemby Arena" might be constructed without county funds, according to a report in the San Antonio Express-News. For clarity, the Wemby Arena is intended as a downtown replacement for the Frost Bank Center, which currently serves as the home of the Spurs. Although the existing arena, built in 2002, is not considered old, there is a belief in San Antonio that replacing it now would prepare the city for the anticipated large influx of fans and visitors eager to see Wemby and the Spurs. With rising costs, such public projects often become joint city-county efforts.

This is the approach being taken in my hometown, with Kansas City (MO) and Jackson County collaborating on an effort to build a downtown baseball stadium for the Royals and refurbish Arrowhead Stadium. The proposed arena in San Antonio and related project components are expected to cost around $1 billion. Initially, the city aimed to have Bexar County hold a referendum in May; however, a county judge objected to this timetable. According to sources from the Texas Comptroller’s Office, the City of San Antonio could finance the project independently if Bexar County declines to participate. This development is primed to be intriguing, and I intend to follow the story as closely as possible.

No longer the dominate team

On Sunday morning, I discovered that Utah defeated Kansas on Saturday night with a score of 74-67.  Given it was a late-night game from Utah, this account is verified only by the box score. Once again it raises important considerations for the Big XII conference and its ongoing expansion efforts. The commissioner continues to discuss adding teams, fans of the program must recognize Kansas basketball no longer holds dominance within the conference. One of our local sports talk radio host has been critical of John Calipari now at Arkansas.

This host has argued that “Calipari has not adapted to the current coaching style in college basketball.” It’s interesting, while he identifies flaws in Calipari’s approach, he seems reluctant to critique Bill Self. This hesitance may be attributed to the station’s broadcast contract with the school. It is worth noting that my opinion of Coach Self is not influenced by his record but rather his personality. He and Dan Hurley at UConn are currently the only active coaches with two NCAA Championships each. Despite this downturn in play this season Kansas will receive an invitation in March. However, fans of the program should manage their expectations there is unlikely to be in for a deep run in the tournament. From the pre-season number one team in the nation to number 17 and sliding downward.

Listen to the man

Apparently Luka Doncic has more pull with the front office over that of AD. You might remember the Lakers were trying to acquire a Big Man, several names were mentioned as possible acquisitions. Once Mark Williams was acquired it was a surprise to me and most of Laker Nation. What occurred, Rob Pelinka was listening to Luka’s voice over that of AD. You remember AD has long complained about his desire to move to power forward, of course he wanted the Lakers to acquire a center.

Newly arrived Luka hearing some of the names was reported to have made a request of Pelinka. Luka claimed his best basketball was played with lob centers Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively this past season with the Mavs. Based on the conversation between the two Pelinka made the decision to trade for Williams over some of the names mentioned in media over the past few weeks. There is one downside to the acquisition of Williams…health. This He’s had issues remaining on the court for the Hornets however when available to play has proven he is a rising talent, we shall see how this eventually plays out for the Lakers and Mavs as well.