A basketball fans outlook

Sunday & Monday-Wednesday-Friday & Saturday

Blood is thicker than water

The title of this account simply implies the views or position of a relative is generally more important than any other person. That is the case for former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl now a college basketball analyst. Last Saturday Pearl went on the record, this was his observation, and I paraphrase. He claimed Auburn, with 14 losses, deserved an NCAA invite over undefeated Miami of Ohio. We realize the SEC, of which Auburn is a member has more prestige and is certainly a stronger conference than the MAC. The question might be asked of Pearl how do you exclude a team with no losses versus one with 14.

The basis for Pearl’s reasoning is simple, it’s a bloodline issue. Shortly before the 2025-26 college season began (September 2025) Pearl announced he was stepping down after 11 seasons at the helm. His son Steven would be taking over the Auburn program, I have no issues with the son taking over the program or anything else, however I do take issue with the position taken by the father. I am the only amateur who’s been critical of Bruce Pearl for his take, several media members have soundly criticized the take of Pearl. While I understand the father's defense of his son, this was neither the issue nor the appropriate moment.

Bottom feeders

Our concentration is always on the teams at the top, those who earn playoff berths. This column is different because this is a check of the teams on the bottom who qualify for the lottery. Since this is written prior to the end of the season there is no guarantee all qualify for the lottery. Who do we suppose needs that top pick the most? If you said the Kings remember earlier it was pointed out management for this team has been pathetic for a significant period of time. Of the teams listed it’s my belief that with a key draft pick the Pacers, Mavericks, Bucks and surprise the Wizards might be the contenders to finish near .500. Below are the other teams on the bottom:

Western Conference

Memphis Grizzlies

Dallas Mavericks

*Utah Jazz

New Orleans Pelicans

Sacramento Kings

Eastern Conference

Milwaukee Bucks

Chicago Bulls

Washington Wizards

Brooklyn Nets

*Indiana Pacers

*Fined by the NBA for tanking

This is a surprise    

If I ask you the question, “Who is the best Division I basketball team in the State of Missouri?” If you said It’s the University of Missouri you are wrong, if you named Southeast Missouri State you’d still be incorrect. The best team in Missouri is the St. Louis University Billikens, as this is written they have a 13-2 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The schools’ overall record is 25 wins versus only 3 losses and a number 23 ranking in the nation. I believe one of the reasons not much is talked or written about the Billikens it’s the conference.

The A-10 is not considered a power conference and for a variety of reasons ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports avoid discussing it. Sure they report the scores but that’s about it, its clear someone knows about the Billikens. As some are aware Kansas State has replaced head coach Jerome Tang, the school is conducting a national search for a head coach. Among the names mentioned has been that of Josh Schertz who began his coaching career at Division II Lincoln Memorial. He then spent three seasons at Indiana State prior to being hired at St Louis University in 2024. This is me, if I am in the position of Schertz I wouldn’t choose to take the job at Kansas State unless there were huge sums of money involved.