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I’d bet money (if I had any)

This is written February 28, 2026…as for the headline the bet on my part is easy. Unless you have a connection to the school somehow or live in the area you are perhaps similar to 99% of the nation. Did you realize at this late date in the college basketball season there is a team that’s played spotless basketball? I’d bet money you had no idea because neither did I and it’s my responsibility to report this stuff. The University of Miami (OH) RedHawks have 29 wins and 0 losses, they lead the Mid America Conference (MAC) with a 16-0 record.

Miami is the lone remaining undefeated team in the nation, despite the fact most are unaware the AP ranks Miami the number 21 men’s basketball team in the nation. Although their past history has not been successful they have appeared in NCAA tourney play 17 times dating back to the first in 1953. The schools’ been responsible for sending former player and GM Wayne Embry to the NBA. In addition to Embry there was former Cavs, Bulls and Laker guard Ron Harper plus Wally Szczerbiak now a broadcaster for CBS Sports and MSG.

A Second Golden Age

Reading the headline some might be wondering “Did I miss the first one,” or “What is he talking about?” It was said by many in the media the NBA really came into its own with the emergence of Magic-Bird and later the MJ led Bulls. You’ve read this blog enough to know the NBA of today took its baby steps in 1947, despite that fact it was generally considered a “minor league sport," I can cite you an example to ponder. 

In 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball it was headline news, when Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd and Nate ‘Sweetwater’ Clinton entered the NBA in 1950 it created news but nowhere close to the headline that occurred three years earlier with Robinson. This professional basketball league tried to match those established earlier, the NFL and baseball but it never materialized until Magic-Bird arrived. Even though there were a string of Celtic championships in the 1950’s and the Minneapolis Lakers were also winning it failed to raise the level of professional basketball in the eyes of most in the nation, the college game was far more popular at the time. We have traveled from the ground floor (1947) to the second floor (1950’s & 60’s) to the 4th floor (1980’s). The popularity of the game leveled off a bit in the late 20th Century, it didn’t disappear it just failed to move upward at the previous tempo. I believe we are at the beginning in my view of the Second Golden Age, the ever evolving game will began to grow once again at a stepped up pace. 

No one is able to successfully predict the future however it looks promising from where I sit. We have talented players arriving in the NBA from the draft and internationally on an annual basis. Victor Wembanyama, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and AJ Dybansta are the future of the NBA if they are able to avoid extended injuries during their careers. Most of you reading this should be excited, we are at the beginning of a new generation and the dawn of a Second Golden Age for the NBA.

Meanwhile….

Dave Winfield was enshrined at Cooperstown, the baseball Hall of Fame. Why am I writing about a baseball player, this is due to the fact he might be one of the most talented athletes in history based on what occurred. Winfield was drafted in 1973 by the baseball Padres, also in that year he was drafted by the NBA Atlanta Hawks. We take it further when its discovered Winfield was also drafted by the ABA Utah Stars in operation at the time. Finally the 1973 NFL draft witnessed him being taken by the Minnesota Vikings despite the fact he’d never played football. What an athlete, chosen by 4 teams in 3 different sports quite an accomplishment and certainly a display of his athletic potential. He went to the University of Minnesota on a baseball scholarship but the 6-foot 6 inch Winfield also played basketball.  

I claim no basketball insight or expertise, the truth of the matter some of you reading this are years beyond me. You likely have play the game at least at the high school level which I was never able to accomplish. Despite what you just read I continue to take issue with the “talking heads” whether its television or radio. In the instance of radio they have a 4-hour slot to fill, however that becomes the problem. I have no idea how much rehearsal goes into these programs, I happen to believe you cannot just go on the air and begin talking. For me, the question has always remained, when is it informative versus scripted. Does he or she believe in their statement(s) or is this simply an attempt to entertain an audience. My chief problem at times they report a story provide you their opinion, which is often the only correct one in their view. Keep that in mind next time you are viewing, listening or reading a column by one of them. I often provide you with my opinion however I attempt to be cautious expressing the view you might disagree with me and that’s okay.

From time to time I imagine myself to be the Midwest scout for the Lakers, I am assessing talent to infuse into the lineup. Everyone is looking at Darryn Peterson, there is another Kansas player who garners much of my attention. It’s forward Flory Bidunga who’s from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bidunga stands 6-foot 10 and 235 pounds, he’s averaging 14 points a game up from his freshman number of 5.9. The portion of his game I love, shot blocking and his lob capability, in addition he is averaging 9 rebounds a game. Check this next portion out, nbadraft.net fails to include his name in their mock. On the other hand nbadraftroom.com (45), tankathon.com (34) and bleacher report (37) list Bidunga as a second round and note the number behind the draft site is where they place Bidunga. Now the assessment, he is extremely raw and requires additional work. What I’ve seen to date has me believing if he decides to declare for the draft and is available in the second round the Lakers should entertain the prospect of drafting him.  

As this is written Victor Wembanyama can only miss 3 games the remainder of the season. As you are aware the NBA has instituted a 65-game rule to qualify for post-season honors. Wemby leads the NBA in blocked shots and has discussed in the past his desire to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The NBA placed the rule into effective in an attempt to curtail load management. From my perspective, I question the validity of this rule, as bonuses are typically awarded to most players who exceed the standards outlined in their contracts. If the possibility of earning additional income does not serve as sufficient motivation to perform well, I am interested in understanding what would.