Vegas Watch

UConn lost to Providence last night. I do not know why everyone is (was?) so high on them. Yes, Thabeet is a defensive force inside- they are first in the country in 2-point FG defense. But their perimeter defense is terrible. Their offense is okay- Price and Thabeet are very good, Adrien is solid, Robinson is athletic but uninspiring. Their undoing last night was 21 turnovers. Depends on the draw, of course, but I'd be shocked if they win more than two games in the tourney.

Favre Moses Kinsaul's parents are mean. Or maybe just dumb.

When something in the NBA catches my attention, you know it must be impressive: LeBron went absolutely nuts against the Knicks. This was after talking to Jay-Z in the middle of the game.

Posnanski has been doing some very amusing AL division previews: East, Central, West. Here's Oakland's:

To the Moneyball man go of all the spoils
The most famous GM on American soil
But this part ain’t funny
He’s still got no money
And a roster that’s filled with ex-Royals

The Indians are not on Sunday Night Baseball in the first half of the season. But at least we all get to enjoy the BBTN team of Ravech, Kruk, Steve, and EY. Remember when that show used to be insightful? That was a long time ago.

FJM's Junior has a great idea for the Mets' 2008 slogan:

How about a billboard that just shows Baseball Prospectus' playoff odds in real time? That would be a good slogan.

I'm serious.

Posnanski checks in from Japan.

If you're an Indians fan, do not read this (via LGT).

Will Carroll on the Byrd-HGH stituation.

Lozo's hysterical post about an e-mail exchange with another member of his fantasy football league.

Last JoeChat of 2007? And Ozzie thinks the White Sox should bunt more, apparently.

There are a lot of Wooden Award candidates.

Akon was supposed to perform here at Emory last night, like 100 yards from my apartment. That didn't work out.

New Jay-Z: No Hook, Blue Magic, Roc Boys

Late Entry: Ufford:

"I've never really put much thought into why I hate Joe Buck so much.
'I hate his stupid face' is about as introspective as I get in the matter.
But does a mongoose have to think about why the cobra is his enemy?"

Late Entry 2: PSA to Red Sox Nation. "...that means you, Giuliani." (via AA)

Shockingly, Dick Vitale's playoff predictions were quite poor.

There is a new "Boom King", apparently.

Basketball Prospectus made its debut this week.

The PITCH f/x data is available to everybody, which is kind of cool.

Manny Acta dislikes bunting, and enjoys blogs.

Sheehan in his chat yesterday:

"I'll go one further: no one should sign any free agents this offseason. The chance that a 2007-08 free agent will generate a positive return over the life of his contract is comfortably under 10%"

Leitch's NY Times playoff blog:

"Analysts are still trying to figure this whole Rockies business out. During last night’s game, TBS broadcaster Bob Brenly went back to the basics. “They play the game,” he said. “They pitch. They catch.”

These are admirable attributes in a baseball team, and are undoubtedly keys to a successful baseball franchise. That no one thought to mention this before September 2007 speaks poorly of previous Rockies management, I think."

Finally, music news that nobody except me cares about. In a recent interview, Jay-Z described his upcoming album as "the lyrical side of Reasonable Doubt meets the musical majesty of Blueprint". That would be incredible, and though I doubt it's even possible, I appreciate the sentiment. More Hov: "Roc Boys", "Blue Magic" video.