The Fives: April 2nd, 2010

Five observations from Thursday in sports…

1.     Now that it is a foregone conclusion that the NCAA Tournament is going to expand to 96 teams, I’d really like to see the NCAA go from 96 to 32 teams in that first weekend.  It’ll just add two extra days to the week and everyone will still get to see the top seeds on the weekend.

2.    A little nervousness for Phillies fans with the start of the season coming next week.  Three pitchers going on the DL (a starter and 2 relievers), but the Phils have the pitching depth at the start to get them through the first month.

3.    It looks like Oregon aimed a little too high for its coaching search.  Tom Izzo is probably going to stay at Michigan State, Pittsburgh locked up Jamie Dixon, and now Minnesota is trying to sign Tubby Smith to an extension.  I think the Ducks need to set their sights a little lower.

4.     I see Brian Kelly received his “Lou Holtz Gloom & Doom” handbook the first day of spring practice with Notre Dame.  How long before he says playing Purdue on Sept. 4^th will be playing the “greatest team in college football history”, hmm?

5.     So, should North Carolina now consider its’ season unfulfilled by not making the NCAA Tournament and then losing in the NIT Championship?  I certainly would.

Five top performances from Thursday…

1.      Dwight Howard, Magic C:     17 pts, 20 rebs in ORL’s 97-82 win over DAL

2.     Marcus Johnson, Dayton G:     20 pts, 3 ast  in Dayton’s 79-68 NIT championship win over UNC

3.      Will Graves, North Carolina G:     25 pts, 7 made 3-pointers in UNC’s 79 –68 loss to Dayton

4.      Scott Clemmensen, Panthers G:    36 svs in FLA’s 1-0 win over BOS

5.     Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets F:     25 pts, 5 rebs in DEN's 109-92 win over POR 

Five games to watch on Friday…

1.     NHL: Canadiens at Flyers, 7:00 PM

2.     NBA: Bucks at Bobcats, 7:00 PM

3.     NBA: Hawks at Cavaliers, 8:00 PM

4.     NHL: Flames at Avalanche, 9:30 PM

5.     NBA: Jazz at Lakers, 10:30 PM