The four one-seeds came through on the weekend and AJ Moye led by Chris Bewley rose to the top of the First Annual Bous Theory Bracket Challenge.

 1. AJ Moye (Bewley)  (Georgetown vs UCLA) (Champ:  UCLA)

2.  Adrian Padilla (North Carolina vs Memphis) (Memphis)

3. Painterforprez (Staley) (North Carolina vs UCLA) (UCLA)

4. The Sears Theory (North Carolina vs UCLA) (UCLA)

5. Client Number 10 (Spehler) (North Carolina vs UCLA) (North Carolina)

6. Helly (Helwig) (Kansas vs UCLA) (Kansas)

7. Raleigh Roadtrip (Kopsea) (Indiana vs Memphis) (Indiana, ouch!)

8. Betten’s Busters (North Carolina vs UCLA) (North Carolina)

9. Worm’s Wrong Ones (Hankenhoff) (North Carolina vs UCLA) (North Carolina)

10. Burk’s Driveway Hoop (Marques) (Georgetown vs Memphis) (Memphis)

That’s the top ten, but with the happenings of the weekend there are just 6 teams left with a chance of writing their own blog on the Bous Theory.  They are Spehler, Padilla, Staley, Helwig, Carroll, and Bewley.  You have to love six teams with a chance this late in the year.  Stay posted and keep your thoughts fresh for your own personal entry.

I stayed up entirely too late last night watching a valid attempt at a comeback by Western Kentucky versus UCLA.   That’s actually not the whole truth; it was Tracy Morgan being on Howard Stern on Demand that took me past the 1 o clock hour.  Regardless, the quick hitters won’t skip a beat as we head into another round of games tonight, followed by the Regional Finals this weekend.  With Western Kentucky out of it, I’m going to be pulling for Davidson and Stephen Curry (as well as Stephen Curry’s mother, Sonya).  

Has anyone ordered Papa Johns using their online feature?  I tried it out last night, and I’ve gotta say, calling up on the phone probably takes about 7 to 8 minutes less.  Granted, I didn’t have my new address or debit card info saved in there, but I felt like it took a good 10 minutes just to punch in the order.  There must have been 4 “are you ready to checkout?” screens before you actually “checked out”.  I also ended up spending $10 more than I would have if I ordered it by phone or in person.  Everything is just a click away and everything looked so good.  Ranch Sauce?  Give me two of those!  Bacon-Cheesebread?  Gotta have some of that!  Another Ranch?  You bet’cha.  I was going through my order like it was all free.  Then comes the tip, so you feel pretty generous since you just punch in the number.  $24 later, I still had half a small pizza left and countless slices of cheesebread.  My ranches were gone though.

Is that how Davidson is?  Going through, checking people off and having a good time doing it, without even really thinking.  Will tonight be the night they get their bill?  Speaking of Davidson, check out this story about kids getting the opportunity to go to the games in Detroit.  Is that sick or what?

Going with the sick theme, did Joe Alexander come out of nowhere or what this season?  This may help explain it.  My favorite part of the whole article was when it mentioned his voicemail says he’ll be returning calls when their season ends.  I bet he’s got a ton of calling to do tonight.  I’m thinking that I’ll probably start using that as my voicemail.  I’ll call ya back when my season is over.       

The school formerly known as Southwest Missouri State has hired a new coach.  In a time when they could have played Oakland A’s style small ball and sacraficed a runner to 2nd base, they hit a home run.  Purdue associate head coach Cuonzo Martin assumed head coaching duties at a press conference today in Springfield.  I don’t think I’m alone when I think that this is the perfect fit.  A budding star in the coaching ranks landing in the Missouri Valley Conference, which has made quite a name for itself over the past five seasons.

 Martin has been making his name for a lot longer than that.  Remember the three straight Big Ten titles for Purdue in the mid 90s?  Martin was a huge part of that, and as an IU fan, he stood out as a likable guy on those squads.  On the court, he’s a winner.  Off the court, a winner.  Cancer?  Beat that.  Winners in life are natural leaders and Martin is just that.  I don’t know the whole Gene Keady situation when they were looking for a successor.  From the outside looking in, I thought that Martin would be a viable option to take over the program.  There’s no doubt he would have succeeded in doing so.  As the higher ups decided, they went with another former Boiler in Matt Painter to come in after a year at Southern Illinois to take over.  Martin never bantered and continued being the best associate head coach that he could be.  It’s paid off.  There’s no question having Gene Keady and Matt Painter as lead references helps your resume.  In fact, there’s no question it didn’t take too long for the folks at Missouri State to make their decision.  Purdue finished their season on Saturday, and Martin gets named head coach by Wednesday afternoon (and before that).  That right there says a lot about the candidate.

I was fortunate enough to spend my summer watching a lot of basketball.  One common person that seemed to have a presence at these events was Cuonzo Martin.  Head coaches from every school carry around with them a presence.  I have to say that Martin carried himself around with a head coach-type presence.  His presence in Indianapolis was definitely noted with commitments from JaJuan Johnson and Jeff Robinson.  He helped create some inroads from Indianapolis to West Lafayette which will continue to benefit the Boilers if they can maintain that connection.  It could also benefit the Bears, as well as his St. Louis area ties.

The Bears lose four starters from a team that went 16-15 last season, although they do return some key contributors in Chris Crooks, Wade Knapp, Shane Laurie, and sophomore starter Justin Fuehrmeyer.  Expect some recruits start looking towards Springfield, MO; immediately!  Marin has the luxury of being the first head coach coaching in the new JQH Arena.  The 11,000 seat arena cost the school $67 million, but shows their commitment to their hoops program.  And in this case, their commitment to Cuonzo Martin.  14 of their 16 wins this season came at home which also shows the community’s commitment to the program. 

Success can be had in Springfield.  I actually followed the Bears while Steve Alford coached there.  In fact, while attending Manchester basketball camp in 7th grade, I suited up for SMS.  Notice how it takes a former Hoosier and Boiler to make them realize that.  Just as Alford succeded there in the mid to late nineties, expect nothing less from Cuonzo Martin.  Winners and likable people succeed in life, and Cuonzo Martin is just that.  I know he’ll be missed in West Lafayette.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but weren’t the Pacers supposed to switch hands to Larry Bird about three years ago?  It seemed as if they put him in position to be the heir apparent five years ago, but I thought he would fully take over after a year on the job.  What happened with that idea?  They’ve made it tough to be critical of Bird, now that we don’t know exactly what moves he was responsible for.  Regardless, here is their list of notable transactions since July of 2003 when Bird was hired in as the heir apparent.  The bold transactions mark ones in which I found “questionable”.  There were quite a few mind-numbing transactions in here, such as using the trade exception on Al Harrington.  Keep reading because you may see things stick out further down the list, after thinking it was initially bad.  Trading Peja to the Hornets and not re-signing Maceo Baston stick out to me as the best moves.  The problem is, they screwed up the trade exception that they received from the Peja deal.  Danny Granger also fell to them at #17, which doesn’t show draft brilliance, but more stupidity from other league GM’s.

7/16/03 – Resigned Jermaine to a 7 year 126.6M Contract (had to do it at the time, problem is JO hasn’t been the same since.  We should have opened our eyes when Kenyon Martin used to dominate him.  Like I said though, had to make this move).

7/23/03- Signed Anthony Johnson to a 2 year, minimum contract (notice the minimum for later on this list).

7/24/03-Sign and trade with Kings for Brad Miller.  Lost Brad Miller and Ron Mercer, gained Scot Pollard (no cap room)

8/20/03-Resigned Reggie Miller to a 2 year contract (REG-GIE)

8/21/03-Signed 2nd Round Pick James Jones (No first round pick due to Tinsley trade in ‘01.  Hawks draft Boris Diaw) (Who would you rather have now?  Tinsley or Diaw?  Probably a toss-up, as both are abnormally lazy.  That’s funny how that’s what ended up being the two guys involved).

8/27/03-Fired Isiah Thomas as Head Coach (Excellent)

9/3/03-Hired Rick Carlisle as Head Coach  (Excellent if only given 2 years with grown men).

6/24/04- Draft David Harrison with pick #29, Rashad Wright at pick #59

7/15/04-Trade Al Harrington to Hawks for Stephen Jackson *(Solid trade)

7/16/04-Resign Anthony Johnson to a 4 year, $11M Contract (I referred to this earlier)

10/28/04-Waive 2nd round pick Rashad Wright

10/29/04-Re-signed Tinsley to a 6 year, $40M Contract (Outside of the brawl, this is what has held our team hostage the most).

Here’s where the fun starts…..11/19/04 Pacers-Pistons Brawl.  The death sentence for the Pacers organization.  Instantly went from the best team in the league to signing Britton Johnsen, Tremaine Fowlkes, Marcus Haislip, and Michael Curry just to fill body spots.

5/19/05- Reggie Miller Retires (Bye, bye leadership)

6/28/05-Draft Danny Granger with pick #17 and Erazem Lorbek with pick #46

7/25/05-Sign Sarunas Jasikevicius to a 3 year, $12M Contract (Cold hands)

8/25/05-Trade James Jones to Suns for 2008 Second Round Pick (Solid character, solid shooter)

Sometime in December of ‘05 - Ron Artest decides he doesn’t want to play for Indy anymore.  Thanks, Ron.  After knowing this all summer, team brass seems to overlook it.

1/25/06-Find an Artest taker.  Trade Ron Artest to Kings for Peja Stojakovic (although you may only get Peja for 40 games, at least you got someone.  Turns out Peja had Puss-itis in his half season here).

2/4/06-Jonathon Bender retires (he and Steve Stipinovich are the poster children for why we shouldn’t get a top 5 pick)

6/28/06-Draft Shawne Williams #17, and Alexander Johnson #45.  First way to build a team…Stockpile it with 6′8″ wing players.  Point guards don’t help do they?  I mean does Chris Paul help the Hornets?  Deron Williams?  Nash?  Nah, we just need a bunch of 6′8″ wings.

6/28/06-Trade Alexander Johnson, 2007 2nd Round Pick, and 2008 2nd Round Pick to Blazers for James White. (Doublecheck.  yes that’s right…3 picks for James White.  Read Below)

7/6/06-James White is Released (really check out the transaction right above this one)

7/12/06-Trade Austin Croshere (8 mill came off in a year) to Mavericks for Marquis Daniels

7/12/06-Peja signs with the Hornets for 5 years $64M.  Somehow we finagled a $7.5 M trade exception out of that one.  That’s George Shinn….we’ll blow that later.

7/24/06-Trade Anthony Johnson to Mavericks for Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell, and Rawle Marshall.

7/28/06-Sign Maceo Baston to 2 year, $1.8M deal.  What?  Louis Bullock wasn’t available?

8/22/06-Trade 2007 1st Round pick to Hawks for Al Harrington and John Edwards (is there any reason at all we gave this guy 2 of his opportunities to make the league?) (Trade exception was used on Baby Al Harrington)

1/17/07-Yes, just 4 1/2 or 5 months later, Pacers realize Al Harrington doesn’t fit their system.  Trade Al, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Josh Powell to Warriors for Ike Diogu, Mike Dunleavy, Keith McLeod, and Troy Murphy.  The Warriors sweetened the deal by making the untradable guy from a year ago (Diogu) available.  He really fits into our current system as you can see by minutes played.  I can’t knock the trade because something needed switched up, but how you have to include Al in the deal is mind-numbing.  Why you use your trade exception on Al is even more mind-numbing.  This guy wasn’t an All-Star while he was here, what fooled you into thinking he’d be good again?  With Dunleavy and Murphy, we added two white guys which is looking like the goal.  The first all-white starting lineup since 1958.

4/25/07-Pacers fire Rick Carlisle

5/31/07-Pacers hire Jim O’Brien

6/28/07-No first round pick yet again, but did trade our 2009 second round pick for a guy named Stanko Barac.  We really scout Europeans well, so everyone be ready for Stanko.  (Where’s Lorbek?)

7/3/07-Pacers make waves in free agency signing game changers Andre Owens, Kareem Rush, and Stephen Graham

7/19/07-Pacers decline to match Raptors offer to Maceo Baston.  Woohoo!  This seriously was a great decision and one that a year or two ago, would not have been made.  We’d have re-signed him for a couple mill over market value.

7/23/07-Pacers sign Travis Diener to 3 year, $4.9M contract.  See note above about starting five.  Folks, this is scary! 

3/26/08-Pacers sit at 29-42 and have a realistic shot to make a playoffs.  Just check out their remaining schedule.

Let’s not bring lawsuits or anything like that into this.  We know there were character issues so let’s not harp on that.  I’m tired of hearing about that, but let’s keep it at basketball.  What does this team need to do?  I think it needs to start by trading Danny Granger.  I believe they’ll have to re-sign him first, but he may be the only asset we have.  If someone is dumb enough to take Mike Dunleavy after the season he’s having this year, then unload his $10M in the process.  That pricetag will make him untradable, but it’s worth it to at least find out.  They’re on pace to have a top 10 pick this season which could add another cornerstone.  They need a franchiser and no one on their current roster fits that bill.  Time to look elsewhere.

The highly anticipated Friday night matchup of Arkansas and Indiana passed by as quickly as IU’s season fell apart.  A decent start had the makings of witnessing a team that had been hiding out for a solid month.  Again, like the season, that also passed before the midway point of the first half.  For the fourth time since 2002, I sat and watched uninspired, unimpressive basketball ending yet another season for the Hoosiers.  Outside of the second half versus UCLA last season, this team has been stuck since losing to Maryland.  I’ve gotta say, that type of play even rubbed off on me.  I thought I was mentally prepared for the game, and even got hyped on about six occasions, but like the squad, I can’t say that I was mentally all there.  The IU shades that you can tend to wear have you thinking that IF you beat Arkansas you could play with North Carolina.  “The talent is there.” “DJ can matchup with Hansbrough, EJ can handle Ellington, etc etc.  This Hoosier squad would have been handled easily on Friday by North Carolina A&T.  

So now we sit and wait for the “Blue-Ribbon” panel to make a decision on bringing in a new coach for the 2^nd time in three years.  If you hear a name mentioned closely to the job, you might as well cross it off the list.  I’m just waiting for the first coach to be rudely asked about the IU job after a tough tournament win or loss.  Nothing helps team chemistry like speculation on coaches during a tournament.  With this hiring, the tournament could serve as a week or two week long interview.  There will be more to it than that, but at least we can now cross Kevin Stallings off the list.

  To me, it’s actually an exciting time.  No matter what or who, there will be a new brand of basketball established in Bloomington in a few weeks.  For all we know, it could be Todd Bozeman, regardless it will be some fresh blood and everyone in the IU family should be excited about that.  The “No Names on Back Pin Stripers” need take a back seat and welcome whoever IU hires with open arms. 

  Watching the Arkansas game on Friday, I was watching Sonny Weems thinking, “I wish we had a guy like that.”  6’8” smooth, good shooter, inside-out game.  My buddy Sears was quick to point out, “Oh you mean like Devin Ebanks?”  Ouch.  Yep, that’s exactly the guy.

  If the game wasn’t bad enough, I also had some “sideline reporters” down in Raleigh keeping me posted with the host city.  In one word, Raleigh was awful.  Everyone was spaced out, the locals didn’t care about basketball, and hitch-hiking was common practice.  In other words, it was no Indianapolis.  At least they’ll get to be watching basketball for another couple of weeks.

  I think the real shame in everything that went on in Bloomington this season is the fact that everything overshadowed the season that D.J. White had.  It wasn’t just the numbers he put up.  It was the fact that you could count on him game in and game out to be ready mentally and physically to win the ballgame.  He battled through injuries, new head coaches, and teammates leaving throughout his time at IU.  In return, he lifted, shot jumpers and worked endlessly on his game to steadily improve each season.  Not only did I notice, but about 30 NBA GM’s did as well.  Kudos to D.J. White and his perseverance.

 It looks as if the Pacers might actually eff around and make the playoffs.  If that’s the case, it will be hard to get up for a series against Boston that will go 5 games tops.  The end of this season leaves me thinking ahead, “I guess there’s the Colts.”  And Davidson and Western Kentucky as well!