Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

Howdy. I'm in Radio City sitting right behind the Jets table. We've got 37 minutes until the draft begins. Frank Beamer, DeAngelo Hall, Bruce Smith and Michael Vick are here as part of the ceremonies for Virginia Tech. Have about 30 minutes til that starts. I'll provide updates shortly.

I'm sitting with Newsday's football guru, Bob Glauber. He knows everyone here. I'm 23, but I feel like I'm 5 at this joint. I suggest checking out Bob's blog. The dude knows the NFL. Ask ESPN, they use him on Cold Pizza pretty much non stop.

JaMarcus Russell first -- as it should have been. Not sure if I've put this on here before, but I heard a story a few years ago that when he was coming out of high school (Mobile, Ala., I think), he showed up at a combine, kneeled down on the goal line (both knees) and fired a football 65 yards.

I do like the all black suit. Great choice.

The Lions took the best player in the draft. I know everyone's freaking out because of their draft history, but I think they had to take him. If you look below, I've already penned him in as one of the all-time greats. With respect to talent, he's as can't-miss as any draft pick. As I finished that last sentence, the "Fire Millen" chant began.

I'll end with this: All week I've had to relive Johnson's personally dismantle Virginia Tech last September. It was a fun afternoon...if your name was Calvin Johnson.

The No.3 pick of the NFL draft is fishing with his dad. Someone call him and tell him he just made a few million dollars. There's a "Cleveland sucks" chant going on in here. I like the pick, but the fans are right, Cleveland has a ton of work to do. Also, everytime there is a selection, a melee of light erupts, there's a strong chance I'll wake up without retinas tomorrow.

Gaines Adams is a good story considering he ended up the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft. He went to prep school (Fork Union, prep power house) and wasn't one of these studs coming out of high school (like the first three picks). What Adams lacks in mass (about 260 pounds), he has in speed and intensity. He worked extremely hard under Tommy Bowden to make himself the best defensive lineman in his class and I think that bodes well for the Bucs.

Levi Brown makes two Virginia high school products drafted in the top 5. I love it. Fellow Virginian high school product Tim just sent me a message which got me thinking. It wouldn't be that shocking if Daniel Snyder drafted Brady Quinn. I know he has Jason Campbell, but he's proving that he's insane...they should trade this pick. But they'll probably take Jamaal Anderson.

Quick funny story. So, I have a great seat, but the problem is that everyone keeps milling in front of me. However, about 15 minutes ago, Michael Strahan does an interview on the side stage and is getting ready to leave Radio City with his people. Some producer-type stops him to do another spot or something and he says he HAS to leave because he a has a flight. In the same breath, one of his people looks over at the guy and goes “I’ll bring him right back.” Should I expect a plane to roll through Radio City?

LaRon Landry is awesome, but not for Washington. I really don't understand this pick. A few days ago I bet a friend on Landry's bench press. I took the under at 400 and lost. The dude benches 425, get out of town. I owe him a drink in New Orleans this June (my buddy, not Landry).

My awesome seat:

Adrian Peterson to the Vikings. I like this pick. The Vikings have vested interest in Jackson at QB and as Bob Glauber said earlier this week in the Newsday.com video we've dubbed as "Free Pizza," the Vikings had Chester Taylor who is "servicable."

This leaves Brady Quinn all alone in the green room. Has to be a lonely feeling. Not sure where he'll go. Honestly, weeks ago the talk was Quinn to the Dolphins. As a life-long Dolphins fan, I wouldn't like this, but then again, I haven't liked much of what the Dolphins have done lately. Who knnows what's going to happen with Quinn. He's a smart QB, I always just go back to his performances in big games, which is probably unfair of me.

If I thought Brady Quinn would have been a bad decision, I'm not quite sure what to say about Ted Ginn, Jr. Great college player, but a Top 10 pick? No, sir. This place erupted, I got three phone calls within 10 seconds. Friend, Nick, texted me "hahaha." I replied "I don't want to be a Dolphins fan anymore." Here's the day's first true bombshell.

Where does Quinn fall to now? Houston just traded for Matt Schaub. San Fran has Alex Smith. Buffalo at 12 could take him, same with St. Louis at 13, but it's not like they NEED Quinn. Might be worth the money at 12-13 to take a chance, ayedunno. After that it's Carolina, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Giants, Denver and Dallas -- all have guys. If any of that group drafts a QB, I'd say Carolina, maybe Dallas, but it's unlikely. Kansas City at 23 could take him. Then again, it's draft day, we'll see. I'd expect Houston to take the tackle from Central Michigan, Joe Staley. Pick will be announced in a minute.

Nevermind, Houston just said "Thank you, Miami. We'll take the 19-year-old defensive tackle with all the potential in the world."

"Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley is on while the Bills are on the clock. I have to say, draft day is one of my favorite times of the year, being here makes it that much cooler. Anywho, Patrick Willis was good for San Fran. He and Clements are going to boost that D. However, he's a little undersized, which is something to keep an eye on. However, the scouts like him, so that says a lot.

Bruce Smith came out, said "God bless the Hokies" said the Bills drafted Marshawn Lynch (who I think is a great RB and will be great if he gets 15-20 carries a game). All the while, Roger Goodell came over to where I'm sitting to field questions from Bob (told you he knows everyone) and Judy Battista of the New York Times. Pretty surreal stuff. Also, the VT pin looks sharp on Goodell.

Adam Carriker to the Rams. That leaves Quinn to possibly Carolina at 14, Dallas at 22, Kansas at 23 and, who knows, New England at 24 (little Tom Brady protege action). This is getting interesting.

So, we had a little James Taylor going while we were waiting for the Panthers, but then we hear the Jets traded up. They want a cornerback. Leon Hall or Derrelle Revis....I'd go with Revis.

Good pick by the Jets and not a bad trade. Not a great trade, but considering what might be left on the board at 25, not bad at all. If Chris Baker wasn't a Jet, they would have taken Olsen I'm sure. Revis is lockdown and they need lockdown.

Lawrence Timmons. What else to say except he was a beast at FSU. That defense has had so much star power over the last who knows how long. If I am a blue chip defensive prospect, I'm looking to play for Mickey Andrews. He flat out puts guys in the NFL.

I have to admit that I don't know much about Justin Harrell. He's large, was hurt earlier in his career, played on a defense that was very "just okay" against the run (UT ranked No. 72 in that dept. last year) and he's going to Green Bay, who was actually decent against the run last year. I'm not afraid to admit this is one pick I'm not too versed on...

So, Denver traded up to get Jarvis Moss. Now, Moss is a great player and was vital in Florida's run at the crown (see the South Carolina game), but did they have to trade up to get him? They were at 21 and jumped four places for two later picks...they found out something that made it necessary to make the deal I suppose.

While I'm thinking about it, I want to be linked to a mock draft that's predicted 50-75% of the picks so far. I certainly did not see it going down like this. And, to be frank, it's not because of crazy trades, it's more just complete bizzare behaivor by all the clubs.

Roger Goodell just introduced 10 members of the armed services and a great U-S-A chant. I don't know about you, but I love a good U-S-A chant.

On a more related-to-the-NFL note: EVERYONE here is talking about Brady Quinn. Not much else matters at this point amongst people wearing suits today. Random big wigs in the NFL are stopping by our table and getting Glauber's take on it. He's writing about it as I speak. Check it out on his blog.

Leon Hall...I'm a little concerned with how productive he'll be in the NFL. He was one part of a mutli-faceted defense that was superb at stopping the run. Michigan's front seven made it tough for any opposing offense and I can't shake the images of Hall getting smoked by Dwayne Jarrett in the Rose Bowl (the same Jarrett being knocked for his supposed lack of speed).

Just wanted to write that Jaws just got an extra layer of cake batter on his face for the cameras. Tons of male makeup in this place.

Michael Griffin over Reggie Nelson? Someone explain this to me. Seriously. Explain it.

Leading up to the Giants pick they played Five for Fighting's "100 Years" to a highlight reel of Tiki Barber. At least 30 grown men wearing Barber jerseys cried in here.

Taking Ross at 20 wasn't the right move. Ross might be the 5th best defensive back in this draft. Beason is the second or third best linebacker in a class of linebackers that's just okay. Ross can be lumped into a group of DBs that will be available in the second round.

Reggie Nelson has to be happy he's staying close to home and playing for a pretty good defense...I guess the knock on him is that he misses tackles. Now, this can be attributed to bad angles, being out of place, etc. Guess what? That's all very coachable.

Here we gooooooooooo. Cleveland trades up. They get Brady Quinn. So what began as disaster for the Browns turned into genius (pending the details of the trade). The quarterback, the tackle to protect him, Braylon Edwards, Jamaal Lewis (I still think he can be good again)...not a bad base. And...I know the tackle is expensive, but how many millions did the Browns save on getting their quarterback? Pretty smart.

Okay, the second round pick and next year's first round pick. Pretty pricey if you ask me. But you gotta pay to play. I absolutely love the move by Dallas.

Dwayne Bowe is good. Branden Merriweather is good (but falls under that whole "character" umbrella). But Bill Belichick will not tolerate nonsense. He could be very productive for them. I still think Chris Houston on the board is a steal at this point.

Sorry for the interlude. I ran into two guys I graduated with last year and with what happened two weeks ago, we had a lot of catching up to do. But while we were talking, Dallas trades the pick it gets from Cleveland and drafts Anthony Spencer. Guess he's a future OLB in that 3-4. Once again, did they need to move up for him? I don't think so. But I'm just a guy with a blog.

Joe Staley at 28. Not bad. Baltimore has an important pick here. Also, why haven't any of the three big-named guards been selected yet (Sears, Blalock, Grubbs)? You have to think at least one of them was pretty high on someone's board. All played in big conferences against top defenses blocking for premiere running backs and quarterbacks, not to mention their measurables are all up to par.

Called it. Grubbs to Baltimore at 29.

Craig Davis is good, but not first round good. As long as LT and Antonio Gates are a part of that offense, Davis will be fine with the single coverage he'll see. At LSU, he was a third receiver behind Doucet and Bowe, I guess that's why I am surprised he's a first rounder...seven career TDs.

Alright, the first round was the longest in history. Six hours, eight minutes. I'm wrapping it up unless something else big happens before I leave Radio City. Been fun. Many thanks to Bob Glauber for getting me in. Quite a day...

By Adam Abramson

How in the world did Alabama get 92,000+ people at their spring game? Well, the answer is actually simple: Nick Saban.

After bolting out of Miami faster than Dwayne Jarrett's dropping draft stock, Saban got Tuscaloosa fired up (doesn't take much when it comes to football) and the town filled up with Crimson two weeks ago. I can't really describe it more than the picture does below.

I went to a football-rabid school. I know people that went to other football-rabid schools (FSU, Penn State, etc.) but this is insane. It's SEC football.

Put it this way, when Virginia Tech plays Miami on a Saturday night in Lane Stadium and both are ranked in the Top 10, the crowd will be 25,000 people fewer than Bama's spring game.

Also, props to Ohio State for its crowd of 75,000+

JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn?

That's the big question this week.

Well, I actually think you can't pass up on Calvin Johnson. I pulled a Brent Musburger-esque mush session over him today and ranked him with Jerry Rice on the all-time receivers list. In all seriousness though, he's going to light up secondary units for years.

Buuut, if you had to choose between the two field generals you gotta go with Russell. I'll point to one rather unorthodox moment in January's Sugar Bowl to validate my stance: Russell's only interception in the game. I told you it was unorthodox, but I point to this because the reason he threw it was because the Notre Dame defense couldn't tackle him. One or two guys had reached him for what looked like would be a sack, but the 6'6, 260-pound mountain of a man didn't go down. Yeah, it was a bad decision to make the throw (he was hit by an additional defender as he released, if I remember correctly), but a good QB coach will fix that in no time.

The dude threw a pick because two defenders couldn't make one of his knees touch the ground. I want that guy on my team.

I'll hopefully be at the Draft on Saturday courtesy of colleague Bob Glauber (Me being there would have been a lock if I woulda pulled my head out of my rear and locked up a credential). Then again, I really wasn't thinking straight last week.

So now that Russell's gone, who do we look to?

Well, we know names like Ryan Perrilloux (LSU, might not start until 2008 though), Mitch Mustain (Arkansas), Tim Tebow (UF) and the young Clausen (Notre Dame frosh this year). Don't sleep on my boy Tyrod Taylor at VT either…

But I was trolling the message boards today and came across a name you might become familiar with in the future: E.J. Manuel. The class of the '08 quarterbacks will be Terrelle Pryor (drawing Vince Young comparisons), but Manuel has size, speed, a cannon and even looks like Russell a little bit (see the pic). I'd guess by the time he starts for a college he'll be at least 25-30 pounds lighter though, but just as tall as Russell.

I should say he's a Virginian, and we all know I get high and mighty about the guys from the Commonwealth, but guys I trust on the board speak highly of this kid. Expect Miami, Florida and LSU to gun after Manuel hard. As for Pryor, not sure where he'll land, but I'd guess close to home (Penn State, Ohio State, maybe Pitt).

That's all for now. I'm burned out. Hopefully I'll be coming to you from the Draft. If I think of anything I want to write about, I'll be back on here Thursday or Friday. Be cool.

By Adam Abramson

It's been 183 hours since I first learned there was a shooting at Virginia Tech.

It's so strange. About 200 hours ago I was unwinding from a weekend in Atlantic City. After a great weekend and a really good episode of Entourage, it couldn't have gotten much better.

And then I woke up Monday morning.

In the time Jack Bauer can save the world seven times over, I've had friends tell me they've been reliving last Monday in their dreams, except this time they were in Norris Hall or they knew people who were killed. I've cried for the first time in years. I've been scared to turn on the TV. I've become so filled with rage I had to pull the car over. I saw memorial funds spring up faster than the weeds in the God-forsaken flower bed in my front yard. I saw pictures of vigils in parts of the world I'll probably never visit. I read Chris Fowler's powerful words about my favorite place on Earth. I listened to more tribute songs than A-Rod home runs this year (my favorite being Lil' Flip's). I've had beers bought for me. But, most importantly, I've been thankful more times than I could count.

Penn State's spring game

I'm not quite sure if it has really sunk in yet. To be honest, I'm not quite sure it ever will.

I know it's been a week, but I'm craving normalcy. I don't know if or when I'll stop mourning, but each day my smile is becoming more sincere.

Maybe it's because I'm such a neurotic, but my quest for the restoration of said normalcy is being aided by my passion for sports.

I remember when 9/11 kicked the world in the stomach, a lot of sports journalists printed the life is bigger than sports columns. But we need the trivialness of sports to help make things right, even if it's temporary.

If you're familiar with a town like Blacksburg (State College, Tallahassee, Tuscaloosa, Knoxville, etc. etc.), you'll know what I mean when I say each Saturday this fall will be one giant group therapy session. I'm going to do everything I can to be in Lane Stadium come Sept. 1 because Blacksburg needs football. I need football.

A Branden Ore touchdown run or Xavier Adibi sack won't erase a milligram of 4/16/07, but we don't need it to. Nor should it. We're going to need it to lift our spirits, the same way Penn State, Ohio State, Ward Burton, Mark Buehrle, Terry Francona, West Virginia, the University of Virginia, Texas A&M, my coworker Tim Hughes for wearing maroon on Friday and everyone else has this past week.

Fall practice cannot come soon enough.

By Adam Abramson

I guess everyone has their own outlets.

Watching the television today I saw people crying, smiling, cheering, reading poems, praying, taking pictures, signing memoirs, et al.

For me it’s writing. It’s now 3 a.m. two days after. Yes, I’ve finally honed in on what day it is (although I couldn’t find my car when I left the office an hour ago).

The world’s support has been tremendous. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I really can’t comprehend the fact that the entire world is suffering with the Virginia Tech community. It’s too...grave.

The poise and grace of Blacksburg has made me more proud than ever to don Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange the last two days. I’ve long-tried to tell people how fortunate I am to have spent four years of my life in the most beautiful place you could imagine. Strangely enough, one of the feelings inside of me now is vindication. The world has met 32 Hokies that led extraordinary lives and embodied the spirit that made Virginia Tech what it is. They are why I’ve not stopped bragging about Blacksburg since the day I stepped on campus in August 2002.

It truly warms my heart to see America’s colleges take up arms with us and become Hokies. Just two hours down the road, the long-rivaled Cavaliers of Virginia have given Blacksburg one collective bear hug and aren’t letting go. It’s something I’ll never forget. I saw men and women holding up signs at sporting events all around the nation supporting the Virginia Tech community. I saw members of the Washington Nationals don Virginia Tech hats. I’ve seen students from countless colleges holding vigils and keeping Blacksburg in their thoughts. Wow.

I’m reminded of the network America instantly formed on September 11, 2001. The human race is a phenomenal thing.

All throughout Tuesday I found myself picking up the phone, without forethought, and calling professors I hadn’t spoken to in over a year. I heard from people I had not spoken with in 10-12 years. I heard from people I’ve never spoken to in my life. I even found myself writing a note to the student who barricaded the door with a table and saved his classmates’ lives just to say “Thank you.”

Even though they won’t read this I also want to say thank you to President Bush, Governor Kaine, President Steger, Nikki Giovanni and the other speakers at Tuesday’s convocation.

When I started writing this, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say. I’m still not sure if this is what I want to say. But this is how I’m coping. I implore you to find your outlet and do the same — as long as it’s positive.

God Bless the Hokies. And when I say Hokies, I’m including you.

By Adam Abramson

How am I supposed to feel after Monday?

Lucky? Do I feel lucky that as of the end of Monday none of my friends were killed as a gunman roamed West Ambler Johnston and Norris Hall? I guess I do. I don't know. I'm just heartbroken. A friend described it as "like watching your house burn down right in front of your eyes."

I've made it no secret on this blog that I am an alumnus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and I, along with the other 170,000 or so living alumni, cannot believe it happened in our beautiful corner of the world.

The last thing that would ever come to mind in a word association game with Blacksburg is dangerous. Blacksburg is the town where I could go to the grocery store and leave my car running with the windows down. It's the town where, during holiday breaks, I didn't really think to lock my apartment door because...well, it's Blacksburg. It's the town I had no problem walking around alone late on a Friday night.

As I said, I haven't heard that anyone I know was killed or injured on Monday, but I do. The dozens physically afflicted by the bad apple of the bunch are the fabric that make up the place I'll always call home. Virginia Tech isn't just a place. It's not just a college. It's me, Ryan Clark, Ty Biagas, Michael Vick, Tim Mulherin, Amie Steele, Jeremy Doehnert and everyone else who has called Blacksburg home.

It's been a long day for the Hokie Nation. I'm not lying when I say I've referred to today as Thursday four times in the first five paragraphs. I've spent the last 12 hours in a lethargic daze, basically just trying to make sense of this all. But I'll never be able to.

When the sun rises in Blacksburg on Tuesday (it took me two minutes to realize I originally typed Friday), everyone will wake up and brace for the list of names that will inevitably be released and the hodgepodge of emotions we've experienced Monday will happen all over again. Although I won't be at the services and gatherings Tuesday, I'm there. I know I'll be there because I was there Monday. I was there in the WAJ, the building I called home for July 2005 (two floors below the shooting). I was in Norris, where I sat next to Reba Canada in calculus every Tuesday and Thursday the second semester of my sophomore year. I'll be there tomorrow.

I'm not worried about where Virginia Tech goes from here. The spirit of the 33 killed is amongst all of us. They are Hokies. They're now sadly immortalized. Yes, VT now faces some tough questions, but there are few stronger communities than the Blacksburg-Virginia Tech kinship. With the spirit of the departed, Tech will bounce back from this stronger and more full of love than before, if possible.

The outpouring of support from everyone has been tremendous and Blacksburg will not forget it.

Not sure who said this, but I came across it a few times Monday: "This is a tragedy in American history. So for today, forget any and all of your college affiliations. For today, we are all Hokies."

By Adam Abramson

I want to close out the basketball season the same way CBS does: "One Shining Moment."

I aimed to dedicate this piece to Luther Vandross because I mistakenly assumed it was the first montage since Luther's death, but I was shocked to find out it's almost been two years (July 1, 2005).

However, I think every "One Shining Moment" should be dedicated to Luther because, well, he's Luther.

My buddy Tim said you don't have a pulse is if it doesn't give you chills. Below is the video followed by my thoughts.

• I've gone back and forth for a while on which mascot is better. Florida has won the football, basketball and Nike running titles this year and I'm very tempted to give UF the edge for Albert the Alligator over Brutus the Buckeye. I sought the council of Eileen, my trusted colleague who sits across from me and finished 6th in the Newsday office pool (I finished 34th).

  Adam: Eileen, I need your help. Who is the better mascot: Albert the Alligator or Brutus the Buckeye?
  Eileen (looking at a picture of Brutus): What's that on his head, a pumpkin?
  Adam: No, that's his head. A buckeye.
  Eileen: What's a buckeye?
  Adam: A nut.
  Eileen: Oh, I like that one (Brutus).
  Adam: Well, I think I like Albert. Who do you think would win in a fight?
  Eileen: Considering the Buckeye has opposable thumbs, I'd go with Ohio State.
  Adam: Well, an alligator has sharp teeth.
  Eileen: (Rolls her eyes)
  Adam: Okay, who would win in a fight: Me or an alligator?
  Eileen: The alligator.
  Adam: Well, I have opposable thumbs.
  Eileen: Aren't we talking about mascots? I don't think a plush alligator could crush anything with its teeth.
  Adam: Mascots are real.*

  *Eileen wouldn't respond after my last comment.

  Whatever, I'm giving the edge to Albert. Sorry, Columbus.

• Moving on with the video. The video editing is near flawless. Examples: "the ball is tipped" (:22), "running for your life" (:27), "shooting star" (:31), "blinking of an eye" (1:04-we'll talk more about this later), "wind in your face" (1:39), etc.

• At the :38 second mark, the Branden Wright block might be the most baller play of the video. As I like to say, Wright ate that kid's lunch on national TV.

• The Vanderbilt chick at 1:04 is incredibly hot. If you happen to be reading this or you're someone that knows her, tell her to drop me a line.

• A three-second clip of the UNC mascot? I think everyone has forgotten about him. Jason Ray deserve more love. RIP.

• At the 1:50 mark, you can hear "dagger." Nobody drops a better dagger than Steve Buckhantz. Everyone can try, but nobody will top it.

• 2:16, our first and only Bill Raftery clip, and a modest one at that. Put it this way: I watched the first half of Georgetown-Ohio State on TV, but had to get in the car at halftime. I listened to the first 12 minutes of the second half on the radio (Ian Eagle, Bill and John Thompson). When I got to where I was going I didn't want to get out of the car. Not because I wouldn't be able to watch the game, but because I would have to go back to watching Nantz and Packer call it.

• Too much Joakim Noah. He wasn't the MOP again. There were 65 teams, no need for 18 Noah clips. Brewer I can understand, but I'm not even sure anyone likes Noah at this point.

• We needed more play-by-play calls.

• I noticed this during the game, but the folks at CBS won't let us forget Al Horford's sad attempt at an Antione Walker shimmy at the 2:46 mark. I have a feeling I know what happened to him, it's happened to me before. You do something special, know you have to do something, but you haven't thought it out beforehand, so you just do the first thing that comes to mind.

• Lastly, I think Tim is right. You need to get some sort of emotion stirred when watching the montage. It's safe to say that this Tournament was highly anti-climatic, but the fact remains that it's still one of the greatest sporting events America has to offer.
  
  That's about it. Later.

By Adam Abramson

How's the saying go? "Fool me once, I'll hire a good graphic designer and try to cover it up."

It's been about a week since the West Virginia Mountaineers have won the NIT Championship and were jumping around in shirts reading "West Virgina." Since that precious moment, WVU quarterback Pat White has stopped by here to trash the basketball team (yes, I fully believe that's him...), the team's coach John Beilein bolted town for Ann Arbor and major media outlets such as ESPN and Campus Confidential exposed the t-shirt blunder.

West Virginia could have hung its head in shame. The powers at be in Morgantown could have demanded a public apology from the t-shirt company. The Blue and Gold nation could have had a collective meltdown. But no, none of these things happened. As loyal reader Jeremy pointed out, the West Virginia website took the high road.

They either staged a new shot and got some guy to do a really great thumbs up or they hired a very skilled Photoshop artist. See below (below the website screen grab is the same picture I ran last week).

I know it's not the same exact photo. The one I grabbed was an Associated Press photo, perhaps theirs is an inhouse.

You almost got away with it, WVU. But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades...not Campus Confidential.

By Adam Abramson

I would have liked to write a game preview for the title game, but I spent Sunday in the office helping out with the Mets season opener and spent all of Monday at Yankee stadium working on my first video story. Check it out below.

If you like it, thanks. And I don't care if you don't like it...I'm posting it everywhere so you'll just have to deal with it for a day or two.

Moving on.

About a month ago I told you about the team draft I do with my buddies.

When I received word that I had first pick, I thought for about 4.5 seconds and chose the Florida Gators.

I laughed then at the heat I received for the pick. Florida had just lost three of four games and the talking heads were beginning to question a No. 1 seed in the Tournament.

And now I'm still laughing because the writing has been on the wall the entire time. I'll rehash one last time:

1. Same starting five from last year.
2. Two 6'11 forwards who are on the cusp of double-double averages.
3. A 6'9 do-it-all forward who nobody talked about a month ago (who leads UF in scoring).
4. A 45.5% three-point shooter who could hit the Rock-and-Jock 10-point shot with no problem.
5. A two-point field goal percentage of 60.
6. A scoring margin of +17.6 (they beat Ohio State by 26 the first time around).

Should I keep going?

When I said writing on the wall, I meant it. Just look at the National Championship game. Brewer defended everyone from Conley to Oden, Humphrey hit the big jumpers and Horford and Noah were strong while in the game (and when they were out, Chris Richard and Marreese Speights did just fine).

While I'm talking about the players, Al Horford should be the Tourney's MOP. In the final two games he knocked home 27 points and 29 boards (Oden had 38 and 21).

It's clear that the Buckeyes' effort was a far cry from their football brethren when they took on the Gators back in January in that other revenue sport. It just boils down to the fact that Florida is the class of college basketball far and away.

I thought about just how good Florida is in the grand scheme of past champions, but I think that's impossible to gauge. The Gators have to be among the better teams ever though. And as far as the recent dynasty the school as put together…wow. I'd love to see the athletic revenue sheets in Gainesville.

Anyway, it was great game. Fun to watch and I'm sad to see it end. But baseball and spring football are here, so I'll get over it. 27-29, 36-22