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December 07, 2014

Final Four - Week Four

Awright, enough about college ... football.

Let’s talk about college basketball, you know the sport with a real playoff system, one that goes beyond a mere two games. Yawn.

FINAL FOUR - if it was held this weekend.

  • Kentucky. They didn’t so much win their game against Texas as Texas lost that game. Granted, some credit goes to Kentucky for their start of the second half. But Texas came back and had their guard Isaiah Taylor played ... the game would have been different, especially had they played on a neutral court.
  • Duke. Duke played very well in their game against Wisconsin at Wisconsin. Tyus Jones, Quinn Cook, Sulaimon outplayed their Wisconsin counterparts. That being said Traevon Jackson almost made the difference singlehandedly. Duke had a better game plan for Kaminsky and Dekker than Wisconsin had against Okafor, Plumlee, Jefferson, etal.
  • Louisville. I hate having to say this. But their defense is overwhelming, just ask Ohio State. They have depth, leadership, big men, big guards, a deep bench and yeah, Rick Pitino. Their game against Kentucky ... whew, gonna be wild.
  • Villanova/Texas/Virginia

Villanova. They continue to dominate. They have solid guards, big and plentiful big men, a seasoned lineup with Junior and Seniors and a great coach - Jay Wright.

Texas. Texas will be a beast. Texas will win the Big 12 - season and tournament, breaking KU’s 10-year reign.

Virginia. Went to VCU’s home and won, big. Big and easy. Course, VCU can’t shoot - layups, 15-footers, three’s. Can’t shoot. Have no shooters. And their defense is predicated on them scoring... sometime in a game.

DARK HORSES - Without a Steed

Most of them lost their steed.

  • UNC? Lost to Iowa at home while Iowa shot 25% or less?
  • Arizona? You need overtime to win against Gonzaga, at home?

DARK HORSES - Maybe

  • Ohio State? Probably not enough to run this race, this year, but they did come back in the second half against Louisville, at Louisville. They showed some heart and toughness and the ability to score.
  • San Diego State? Maybe. Only their free-throw shooting against Arizona cost them that game.
  • Utah. Where is Utah? 25th? No; that ain't right. They might make a run at the end of the year.
  • Wisconsin. Still in the mix.

Also Rans

Butler, Georgetown, Florida before the year's over, Miami - maybe.

 

Posted on December 07, 2014 at 12:31 PM in College Basketball |

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Books I've Read and Recommend

  • Jackie Huba: Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers into Fanatics

    Jackie Huba: Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers into Fanatics
    a bigger challenge than I predicted. It’s not what to say that challenged me. It’s what NOT to say. I start reading and within 3-4 paragraphs, I’m nodding my head and saying Yes, yes, exactly. Bam. Bam, baby. Yeah, come on. Can I get a witness. Then I want to share verbatim Jackie’s translation of Gaga’s strategy. Here’s why. It’s a strategy with 7 steps that any, ANY, business can execute under its own terms and under its own budget no matter how small or large. Granted, I enjoy reading this strategy as it’s applied to Gaga. And Jackie's a good writer. But, what's really inspiring is understanding how even a car wash could apply this strategy with these 7 steps and find success. You could build a global empire selling gardening mulch if you followed these 7 steps. And you could lower your advertising and marketing budgets, to boot.

  • Kevin Allen: The Case of the Missing Cutlery: A Leadership Course for the Rising Star

    Kevin Allen: The Case of the Missing Cutlery: A Leadership Course for the Rising Star
    Yes! Finally a leadership book and author who bring empathy, caring and listening to the front of the leadership room instead of insisting it sit in the back, laughed at or ignored with no champion and certainly no budget to help spotlight its role in creating engaged leaders. He had me as a reader and fan on the first page of his introduction. Here’s what he wrote: Years later, when I was made Executive Vice President at McCann Erickson Worldwide ... I came to realize that the gift of human empathy, which had guided me through those early days at Marriott, would allow me to steer literally thousands of people to row in the direction of McCann Erickson’s future. I’ve learned things the hard way, through trial and error, mostly error. Through it all, I came to realize people follow you because of who you are; because you have come to understand the deep desires and hopes of your people; and because, by connecting with them, you have created a culture and a common cause they believe in.

  • Chuck Blakeman: Why Employees Are Always a Bad Idea

    Chuck Blakeman: Why Employees Are Always a Bad Idea
    I love this book. It's true that I say this about every book I review here. And why shouldn't I? Why waste time reviewing a book I don't love. That being said...Why Employees Are Always a Bad Idea: (and other business diseases of the industrial age) is one of my favorite business books for a long time. It starts with the title. It's eye-catching, provocative, right? Mentally, it's a head-slap, positing a theorem inside your head then pounding it home with AlwayandBad to let you know you're not getting away; you're going to have your mind changed. Right now. As I kept looking at the title, tilting my head like a dog - one side to the other - I began to smile. I read a kindred spirit. Here's a rebel, a true disruptor, someone who's willing speak up, take a stand; I like that. I might not agree with what I'm about to read, but his title made me smile without being cloying or clever so I knew I was in for a good ride.

  • Stephen Lynch: Business Execution for RESULTS: A practical guide for leaders of small to mid-sized firms

    Stephen Lynch: Business Execution for RESULTS: A practical guide for leaders of small to mid-sized firms
    I'm an avid reader, always have been. I've read a lot of business books and I’ve led a small business. I recommend you read Business Execution for Results: A Practical Guide for Leaders of Small to Mid-Sized Firms. It is a very, very good book, among the best, most usable business books I’ve read. As a writer, he does things that make the reading very pleasant, very inspiring, very engaging. Very good. He offers personal stories, anecdotes, little clips. They’re genuine, sincere, well-organized to capture your attention, engage you in the story that illustrates the next lesson. I found myself thinking...I can relate...I am relating....I see, feel, remember this personally. And Stephen’s writing is very crisp, very concise in taking you from these stories to the principle with each chapter...and as important to the steps you’re going to take to generate the results you want to see. No hitch in the reading flow. VERY nice.

  • Kerry Patterson: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High

    Kerry Patterson: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
    I came with low expectations. I was severely disappointed. It's a great book. This is a well-written, timely, book with tips and reminders and steps to take with each page you read. Real-world examples, real-world steps, to create real, meaningful conversations when the stakes are high. (*****)

  • Gregg Fraley: Jack's Notebook: A business novel about creative problem solving

    Gregg Fraley: Jack's Notebook: A business novel about creative problem solving
    I read this book completel, too. That should say enough. Even more, I plan to read it again this month. It's a great story whose purpose is to share useful, practical, tips and steps you can take to more effectively and more creatively solve challenges. (*****)

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