While most sports were silenced during the pandemic, the NFL was very busy.
There were plenty of free agent signings, led by Tom Brady going to the Bucs. The Colts added Phllip Rivers, the Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater. The Saints re-signed Drew Brees.
In one day, several big names were traded. DeAndre Hopkins, David Johnson, Stefan Diggs and DeForest Buckner were all dealt.
Others like Todd Gurley were let go and signed elsewhere. Gurley landed in Atlanta.
March 12, 2020 is a day college hoops fans will never forget.
In fact, fans of all sports were shocked by various cancellations.
There was no other choice by the NCAA but to cancel Mach Madness.
My heart goes out to all the players, coaches and fans, etc. that dreamed of being part of this magical tournament. However, this is the time where sports had to take the back seat to the concerns of public health. Salute seniors like Markus Howard of Marquette, Myles Powell of Seton Hall, Payton Pritchard of Oregon and Cassius Winston of Michigan State, who played their last game.
Luka Garza of Iowa was a junior and Obi Toppin of Dayton was a sophomore. They have remaining eligibility, but odds are they will enter the NBA Draft.
I have often said March Madness is one of the greatest sporting events. This year it was sent to the sidelines.
There was other news as Rick Pitino is back on the sidelines. He accepted the Iona job and I believe he will have them as a mid-major power within three years.
I had a blast calling the Kansas-Texas Tech game. Lubbock had an electric atmosphere.
The Jayhawks have the best duo in America in Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike and they led Kansas to the winner’s circle for the 16th straight time.
Tickets were punched for the big dance. Congrats to Utah State, upset winners over San Diego State, and Belmont of the OVC for getting the first two.
I had a blast calling two games this weekend.
The atmosphere at Dayton was incredible. The Flyers extended their win streak to 18, clinching the A-10 regular season title by beating Davidson. Obi Toppin showed why he is a player of the year candidate, dunking, passing, defending, scoring. He was brilliant.
Then we called a great Duke-Virginia game. The Cavs moved to within a game of first in the ACC. It was a defensive duel and Jay Huff has a special performance, scoring and blocking shots. His 12 rejections were two short of Ralph Sampson’s school record.
Duke was held to a season-low 50 points.
It was an exciting sports weekend.
Baylor, Gonzaga and San Diego State saw long win streaks snapped. Kansas got a big win at Baylor, led by Uduoka Azuibuike with 23 points and 19 rebounds. BYU blew out Gonzaga while UNLV handed the Aztecs their first loss of the season.
I called the Florida-Kentucky game and I love going to Rupp Arena. Big Blue Nation is such a passionate fan base.
Tyson Fury was so impressive in a seventh round TKO over Deontay Wilder.