AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

By Paul Casey Gotham

It is that time again. Let’s hear from you, readers. We had another week of stellar performances. Pick the ONE (1), UNE, UNO from March 21st-27th that stands out to you, and tell us a story.

Butler’s Shelvin Mack gets my POTW.

The Butler guard put bookends on a 74-71 victory over the Florida Gators as the Bulldogs clinched back-to-back trips to the Final Four.

Mack hit his first three attempts from the field as Butler jumped to an early 8-4 lead in the Southeast Regional final. The junior from Lexington, Kentucky capped the game with his team’s final five points as the Bulldogs rallied to defeat the Gators in overtime.

In all, Mack finished with 27 points and four assists. He is averaging 21 points and three helpers in Butler’s four NCAA tournament wins.

Who gets your POTW?

Photo by Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard

By Paul Gotham

Who says the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee doesn’t have a sense of humor. Judging by the pairings in the West Region, Dan Guerrero and his gang shared a few laughs while putting together the bracket.

Consider this – how many at-large teams have 12 losses AND made it to the tournament in front of the team they most recently fell to?

The answer is two: Florida and Louisville.

Here’s the difference. Louisville fell in the Big East tournament to Cincinnati. The Bearcats finished the season 18-15. Can anyone make a case for Cincy in The Dance? Not to mention the Cardinals handed Syracuse half (2) of their losses.

The Gators on the other hand? Billy Donovan’s squad lost to Mississippi State. All the Bulldogs did was advance to the SEC tournament final where after 39 minutes and 55 seconds they had a three-point lead on the Kentucky Wildcats.

What happened next was nothing short of the planets aligning.

Down three, Eric Bledsoe hits the front end of a one and one. The freshman then gently puts his next shot off (who said the Wildcats didn’t want to win the SEC) the back of the iron. The ball bounces high and then (and all of this happened in 4.9 seconds) DeMarcus Cousins tipped the ball. John Wall grabbed the ball. John Wall dribbled. John Wall shot…an air ball. Cousins alertly noticed it was short. He grabbed the ball and scored – all before the horn. Kentucky went on to win in overtime. For their parting gift, Mississippi State got the NIT.

Florida got BYU. The Gators haven’t been IN the tournament since they last WON the tournament in 2007. It’s as if the committee said: okay, we’ll let you back in, but there is a price to pay. We are going to give you BYU in the first round. The Cougars haven’t won a tournament game since 1993. That looks good on the surface. The problem is BYU thrives on what Florida isn’t exactly very good at.

Statistically, Florida has two strengths: ball control and defense. That is if you want to call them strengths. Florida commits just 12 turnovers per game which ranks them somewhere around 50th in the nation. Other than personal fouls per game, that is the Gators best statistical area. To go with the low turnovers, they are in the top 100 of assists. Combining the two areas, Florida ranks 49th in the assist to turnover ratio.

Those are not exactly stellar numbers, but they are what the Gators have to hang their hats on.

Florida has one more statistical category in the top 100 – scoring defense. Specifically, the Gators are 76th in the nation for three-point percentage defense. Keep one thing in mind. Florida plays in the SEC. The SEC does NOT have one team in the top 60 in three-point percentage.

Along comes BYU. The Cougars are number three in the nation in which category? You guessed it: three-point field-goal percentage.

It is as if the committee showed the Gators some mercy by inviting them to the party only to make them responsible for serving the hors d’ouevres.

At least all of the joke is not on Donovan’s crew. The Cougars are number one in the nation from the charity stripe (78.6). The Gators only commit 14.5 fouls per contest. BYU’s strength at the line might not get a chance.

The humor in the West does not stop there.

Gonzaga played the final of the West Coast Conference tournament as if they were in a trance, losing 81-62 to St. Mary’s. The game was not even that close. How is it possible that the Bulldogs could look mildly complacent? Their reward is a date with the Florida State Seminoles – the number one defensive team in the country.

Gonzaga’s offense is ranked 26th in the country. They score over 77 points a game. They hit almost 50 percent of their shots (6th in the country). The Bulldogs will get a chance to see how good their offense actually is. The Seminoles limit their opponents to 37 percent from the field and 68 points per game.

The committee did not do Butler any favors. The Bulldogs, winners of their last 20, drew UTEP. The Miners front line is Butler’s antithesis. Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward, Willie Veasley are finesse. UTEP’s forwards play with brute force.  Derrick Caracter, Arnett Moultrie, and Jeremy Williams will try to dictate a physical match.

Those twists are fine. For Syracuse, their first round match-up is no laughing matter.

A sixteen seed versus a one seed. It is supposed to be a reward for the one seed. The only problem is the opponent. Five years ago, the Orange were a four seed when they lost in the first round. The thirteen seed Syracuse played? None other than the Vermont Catamounts. It doesn’t matter though. All the faces have changed. Sixteen beating a one seed? It can’t happen. Can it?

Match-ups to die for: Pittsburgh and Xavier each need a win for a rematch of last year’s Regional semi-final. The Panthers trying to put the clamps on Jordan Crawford could make for great theater.

Syracuse and Gonzaga could meet in the second round. Anyone want to post an over-under for that game? Gonzaga’s three-point barrage going up against SU’s zone. Not to mention the fun ‘n’ gun possibility in transition for both squads.

Syracuse versus Florida State could be rather bruising. Syracuse won’t get much in transition. Solomon Alibi will need to stay out of foul trouble against the Syracuse front line.

The chance of Syracuse tangling with Kansas State is tantalizing. Jamar Samuels, Curtis Kelly, and Dominique inside against Rick Jackson, Arinze Onuaku (if healthy), and Kris Joseph would be a battle to remember.

Players to watch: Remember the name Marqus Blakely. The list of Vermont Catamounts in the NBA is short. In fact, there is not a list. Blakely might start a list. Syracuse and Vermont play Friday night at 9:40. Tune in. It will probably be the only chance you get to see this kid.

UTEP’s Randy Culpepper is a gamer. He knows no fear. The mistakes he makes, are born out of aggression.

Matt Bouldin (Gonzaga) – he is pure basketball at its best.

Minnesota has a kid named Iverson. No relation.

Jimmer Fredette (BYU) averages almost 22 a game. He is from Glens Falls, New York.

Solomon Alabi (FSU) might be the best defensive big man in the country.

Jordan Crawford (XU) – what can I say that I haven’t already?

Jacob Pullen (KSU) – we might see a few beards in the crowd.

Almost forgot Rautins and Johnson. Oh wait, SU fans think there is a Johnson conspiracy or something.

What to look for: Onuaku’s health will play a role. He is not supposed to be back this weekend. The Orange could get through the first two without their center. After that, things could get dicey.

Frank Martin’s Wildcats do not beat themselves, but these guys have very little experience winning tournament games.

It would be nice to say this is Butler’s breakthrough year. Not in this region. Thankfully, Howard, Hayward, and Mack could return next year.

Sure, Pittsburgh is a threat. But if Jamie Dixon could not get to the Final Four with Levance Fields, DeJuan Blair, and Sam Young, how can he with this roster?

Have I mentioned Xavier?

What is everyone looking forward to from the West?

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Atlantic 10 meets the Southeastern Conference at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida when Chris Mack and his Xavier Musketeers (16-7/ 8-2) pay a visit to Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators (17-7/ 6-4).

Plot: Jockeying for an at-large bid is always a concern this time of year. The Gators face an uphill battle in the upcoming SEC conference tournament with the possibility of facing  Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee. Xavier’s plight is not easier. The A-10 has been ranked as high as fifth by the RPI.

Sub-plot: Both schools play their final non-conference game of the regular season.

Flashback: Xavier and Florida have only tangled once in their history. The Musketeers downed the Gators 86-74 in the 1959 Hurricane Classic.

Under Billy Donovan, the Gators have made nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament including back-to-back National Titles in 2006-2007. The Gators have earned 14 berths in The Dance, but have not been in the field of 65 since the winning the championship.

Florida has lost their last two contests versus the A-10. Earlier this season, Richmond downed Florida 56-53. UMass topped the Gators last season 78-66.

Xavier has danced on 20 occasions in school history. The Muskies have made two Elite Eight and one Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last six seasons.

Xavier is 1-0 this season against the SEC, beating LSU 89-65.

Foreshadowing:  Twenty former Gators have made rosters in the Association. Current players include Matt Bonner, Corey Brewer, Udonis Haslem, Al Horford, David Lee, Mike Miller, Joakim Noah, Marreese Speights and Jason Williams.  Sixteen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, James Posey , and David West.

Conflict: Xavier is 21st in the country with 79 points a game. The Muskies hit 46 percent of their shots, including 39.4 percent from behind the three-point arc. Florida limits opponents to 31 percent from long range and 63 points.

Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker drive the Florida engine. The back court tandem goes for 27 points and eight assists per outing.  The freshman and sophomore have hit a combined 100 three pointers on the season. But their biggest contribution tonight will be slowing the Xavier perimeter game.

Florida’s front court is imposing in stature. Alex Tyus (6’9″), Chandler Parsons (6’9″), and Vernon Macklin (6’10″) haul in 19 boards per outing and have led the Gators to a 3.3 rebound margin.

Jordan Crawford leads three Musketeers in double figures. The sophomore transfer has put behind his questionable shot selection of earlier this year to lead the X-Men. Crawford scores 19 a game hitting 41 percent from long range. The shooting guard has adjusted well to opposing defenses, averaging just under three assists.

Make no mistake though, Terrell Holloway gets it going for Xavier. The sophomore point guard has an assist to turnover ratio of 2.2:1. Holloway makes it difficult for opponents to make up late deficits hitting 86 percent (100-116) from the free throw line.

Jason Love averages 11 points and 8.4 rebounds. The senior center uses a jump hook that is nearly indefensible. Love hits 58.6 percent of his shots.

Jamel McLean and Dante Jackson round out the starting five.

McLean is an instinctive ball getter. He is listed at 6’8″, but plays much bigger because of his agility. Florida will have their hands full trying to keep McLean from his nearly seven rebounds a game.

Jackson only averages six points, but the small forward is capable of exploding. Jackson hit five of eight from behind the arc against Dayton.

Resolution: Florida will find it difficult to keep up with Xavier’s bench. Mack uses a nine-man rotation with Kenny Frease, Mark Lyons, Brad Redford, and Andrew Taylor all seeing significant minutes.

Redford leads the Muskies hitting 44 percent from long range. Holloway has become proficient in finding Redford open in transition for the trifecta. Florida will need to gather themselves quickly to hold down Redford.

Frease averages just under six points and slightly less than five rebounds. The sophomore has four double-digit point outings and three performances of ten or more rebounds.

Last time out, Xavier was hammered by Dayton. The Muskies are itching to play, and the Gators will be recipients of ‘misplaced’ aggression. Xavier makes it 2-0 versus the SEC.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: It’s time for an SEC showdown at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on the University of Florida campus.  John Calipari comes calling with his No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats (16-0/1-0) to take on Billy Donovan and his Florida Gators (11-4/0-1).

Plot: After beginning the season with eight victories, the Gators have limped through a 3-4 stretch with losses to Richmond, South Alabama and most recently at Vanderbilt, 95-87. Six of Kentucky’s victories have been by single digits.

Sub-plot: Florida has shown flashes of brilliance this year. They recovered from a second-half eight-point deficit to draw even with the Syracuse Orange in November. Kentucky deceives its opponents into thinking they can be beaten. SEC rival, Tennessee knocked Kansas from the ranks of the undefeated by going with a zone. Will Billy Donovan follow Bruce Pearl’s lead?

Flashback: Walter Hodge led Florida with 18 points as the Gators closed last year’s SEC regular season play with a 60-53 victory over Kentucky. Alex Tyus added 11, and Erving Walker chipped in 10 off the bench. Kentucky leads the all-time series 86-32, but Florida has won the last five in Gainesville and eight of the last ten meetings between these rivals.

The two schools have combined for 15 NCAA Tournament appearances since 2001. The Wildcats reached the Elite Eight in 2003 and 2005. Florida won back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Foreshadowing: Sixty-seven Wildcats have made their way into the NBA including current players Kelenna Azubuike, Keith Bogans, Chuck Hayes, Jamal Magloire, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Randolph Morris, Tayshaun Prince and Rajon Rondo. Twenty former Gators have made rosters in the Association. Current players include Matt Bonner, Corey Brewer, Udonis Haslem, Al Horford, David Lee, Mike Miller, Joakim Noah, Marreese Speights and Jason Williams.

Tone: Florida needs redemption. Losing four of their last seven has the Gators in a tail spin. Knocking off the number two team in the country could propel Florida into SEC play. Going undefeated is unrealistic in 21st century division one play. Kentucky will lose eventually. Is it tonight?

Conflict: Nine Wildcats average double-figure minutes played per game.

Six Gators log at least 22 minutes per game. Ray Shipman plays just under 15 minutes per contest. Erik Murphy gets 9.8 per game. Which number is closer to reality and which is closer to fiction?

Do all the Wildcats get meaningful minutes, or has Calipari been able to substitute liberally in blowout games?

Five Gators average double figure points per game while three Wildcats score 15 or more.

Kentucky scores at a rate of 82.4 per tilt. Florida holds its opponents to 61.7 per game. Kentucky has a rebound margin of 10.6 while Florida grabs 2.6 more boards than its opponents.

Kentucky hands out 16.6 assists per game. Florida gets eights steal per night.

Which force will succeed?

Figuring out Kentucky out Kentucky becomes an analysis of the cart and horse theory.

Popular opinion suggests rookie sensation John Wall is the horse. Wall leads the Wildcats with 17,  seven assists and two steals.

Would Wall’s effectiveness decrease if he did not have Eric Bledsoe hitting threes. Bledsoe averages 45.2 percent from long range. It is not so much that Bledsoe has hit from behind the arc, but it is THAT he can hit from long range. Bledsoe nailed back-to-back three pointers as the Wildcats took a one-point halftime lead over Indiana and turned the game into a 17-point blowout.

Of course, Bledsoe and Wall benefit from Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins combining for 17.5 boards per game. Cousins grabs almost four offensive rebounds per game.

Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker combine for 26 points and eight and a half assists per game to lead the Gators. The back-court tandem has hit 60 three pointers and 73 free throws.

Vernon Macklin, Alex Tyus, and Dan Werner will have the responsibility for keeping the Wildcats off the boards. The trio combines for 17 rebounds.

Chandler Parson adds 11 points and six and a half rebounds off the bench.

Symbol: Florida prides itself on defensive pressure, but playing an extended man-to-man against Kentucky is a losing proposition. Will Billy Donovan deploy a zone?

Resolution: There is long way to go before the end of the season, but Florida needs this game more than Kentucky.  The Gators can not afford to start out conference play in a two-game hole.

As a team, the Gators shoot 70.4 percent from the free throw line. Kentucky finishes 68.6 percent from the stripe, but the Wildcats have made 118 more attempts (398-280) than their conference rival.

Kentucky is ripe for a loss, and the Gators are prepared to do the picking.

Got any comments on the game? Please post them here.

AP Photo/Matt York

By Paul Gotham

Just another night at the office

Steve Nash’s numbers on Christmas Day: 14 pts. on 6-10 shooting from the field/ 1-1 from the free throw line and 1-3 from the arc. To go with those points, Nash accumulated eight assists.

The final number should not be overlooked. With eight, Nash had more assists than baskets made.

Phoenix defeated the lowly Clippers 124-93 on Christmas night.

Getting more assists than baskets is a familiar situation for the Sun point guard.  Against Oklahoma City on the 23rd, Nash went 10-17 from the field with 12 assists. Two nights earlier, the Santa Clara grad finished 7-13 against the Cavs with 10 assists.  Nash dished out 15 assists versus the Wizards going 6-12.

Nash has 7,852 career assists with 5,074 field goals.

It can be argued that Nash has more field goal attempts than assists. Imagine if the NBA kepth track of assist attempts. How many lay ups does Nash provide for teammates that go unfinished? Better yet, how many shots does Nash provide where a foul and miss occurs?

Is there any coincidence Phoenix leads the league in scoring? Nash is an old school point guard who thinks pass first and shot second.

Go figure

Pittsburgh’s Penguins rank number one in the NHL with 26 wins. The Penguins’ 121 goals rank third in the league. Sidney Crosby with 22 goals and 24 assists is fifth in the league with 46 points.

Despite those impressive offensive numbers, Pittsburgh ranks dead last in power play efficiency. Pittsburgh has had 169 power play opportunities (more than any team in the league). The Penguins have connected on only 26 of those chances – or 15.4 per cent of the time – 30th in the league.

Miller for MVP

How much longer before Buffalo’s Ryan Miller is mentioned in the MVP conversation? The Sabre netminder has made 913 saves out of 976 opportunities for a league-leading save percentage of .935 per cent.  Miller is second in the league with 4 shut outs (Ilya Bryzgalov leads with 5). Miller’s 1.98 goals against average is second only to Boston’s Tuuka Rask. Rask has played 17 fewer games than Miller.

Don’t hold your breath

USC’s Joe McKnight is under investigation for the use of an SUV. Anyone wonder how long the inquisition will take? After all, we are still waiting for a decision on Reggie Bush.

McKnight. Bush. OJ Mayo. Matt Leinart. Who is the USC compliance officer? How much is that person making? I am about ready to apply for the job.

Timing is everything

Someone please explain why Urban Meyer had to come out and announce he was stepping down over a week BEFORE the Sugar Bowl. Why not wait until after the game? And now Meyer has already changed his mind? Geez. Who is he taking lessons from? Bobby Cremins? Or Brett Favre? Or both?

Forecast calls for…

SNOW in Boston on Friday. Should be a great day for an outdoor hockey game. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.

Anyone have a rebound and putback? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: The St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida is the backdrop for a top ten clash as Billy Donovan’s #10 Florida Gators do battle with Jim Boeheim’s #7 Syracuse Orange in the Big East -SEC Invitational.

Flashback: Syracuse leads the all-time series 2-1, including an 89-83 victory for the Orange in last year’s O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE.

Plot: Boeheim and Donovan teams combined for three national titles in the past decade. Deans of their individual conferences – Boeheim (34 years) and Donovan (14 years) are the longest tenured coaches in the Big East and SEC.

Sub-plots: The maintenance staff should prepare for soggy floor conditions as both teams will make it rain with 3s. After taking just 10 attempts from behind the arc in a 77-74 win over Michigan State, the Gators have taken 19 a game in three contests since – making 50% or better in those games. Florida made 12 of 20 in a win over Jacksonville.  As a team, Syracuse has made over 42% of their attempts from behind the arc knocking down nine or more trifectas in seven of eight games.

Tone: Both teams will have a chip on their shoulder trying to prove the pollsters wrong. Neither the Orange nor the Gators earned a top 25 ranking from any major media outlet.

Suspense: Syracuse’s rebound margin equals 3.4. Florida’s margin is 3.5. Which force will win out?

Conflict: Vernon Macklin meet Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson. The 6’10″ Macklin has avoided foul trouble thus far while posting 11.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg. 42.6% of Macklin’s rebounds come on the offensive end. Orange opponents have made it a priority slowing down 6’9″ wide bodies, Jackson and Onuaku. Can Macklin stay out of foul trouble while limiting Onuaku and Jackson? Will the Orange zone keep track of the Gator front court? Macklin should know a thing or two about the Orange; he transferred from Georgetown.

Florida averages 8.3 steals per game (49 in the past five games), and Syracuse swipes 14.3 per game. Can the Gator back court get out and disrupt the Orange? If Florida takes chances, will the Orange capitalize? Or will the defensive pressure bother SU’s three-point barrage?

Syracuse averages 90 ppg while holding opponents to 61.6. Florida scores 75.8 per game but keeps opposing offenses to 57.9.

Pick your poison: Five players have led the Orange in individual game-scoring this season. Nine different Orange have scored double digits.

Characters: Andy Rautins (4) and Wes Johnson (2) have hit five or more threes in multiple games.  Mookie Jones has hit 14 of 30 from behind the arc.

Freshman Brandon Triche has shown poise taking over the point from Jonny Flynn. While fans won’t see the spectacular athleticism of Flynn, Triche provides stability at the point. The Syracuse native holds an assist to turnover ratio of 1.2/1.

Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton lead the Gator attack with 13.9 ppg and 11.8 ppg respectively. The back court tandem has combined for 25 threes to date and have dished 68 assists with 34 turnovers.

Florida hits 71% from the free throw line with Walker and Boynton getting to the charity stripe a combined 61 times through eight games.

Resolution: Florida is 4-2 at The St. Pete Times Forum. The Orange have not been  out of upstate New York since November 20th. This could be a welcomed respite from the recent winter weather, but it comes at the expense of playing in front of a partisan Gator crowd.   Both teams have their sites set on an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.  Onuaku and Jackson will prove themselves too much for the Florida front court. Rautins will continue his sharp shooting as the Orange earn a key early-season win.

Got any comments about the game? Post them here.

The College Football Belt

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

By Paul Gotham

’08 – ’09 Results: 25 – 11 (9 – 7 SEC). Lost to Penn State, 71 – 62, in the third round of the NIT.

Coach: Billy Donovan 310 – 126 in 13 seasons at Florida / 345 – 146 in 15 overall seasons.

Key Returners:

Kenny Kadji – 4.4ppg, 2.7rpg

Chandler Parsons – 9.2ppg, 5.7rpg

Alex Tyus – 12.5ppg, 6.2rpg

Erving Walker – 10.4ppg, 2.4apg

Dan Werner – 8.9ppg, 4.9rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/24 vs. Florida St., 11/27 vs. Michigan State, 12/10 vs. Syracuse, 1/3 at North Carolina State, 2/13 vs. Xavier.

Stat of Identity: 1.39 assist to turnover ratio – 9th in the country.

Billy Donovan could have grown jaded with winning. After all, the Florida Gators coach guided his squad to back-to-back titles not so long ago.  Since then, the Gators could have changed their name to Bazooka (think gum) because they have only known life on the bubble.

If he didn’t know before, Donovan learned last year how small the difference is between a win and a loss. Only once did Florida lose by double digits in ’08-’09. In fact, eight of Florida’s eleven losses were by six or fewer points.  The Gators have had time to lick their wounds.

Florida returns eight players who fought in those battles.

For Donovan and the Gators the recipe stays the same. Florida values the ball, always looks for the open man, and it’s bombs away from behind the arc.

The Gators led the SEC hitting 42% from behind the arc last season. The 294 trifectas made were second in school history only to the ’06 ‘-07 title team.  Erving Walker earned All-Sec Freshman honors leading the way hitting 42% from long range. Erving will take over point guard. Adam Allen returns after sitting out last year with a knee injury. Allen hit 43% from behind the arc as a freshman.

Alex Tyus led the Gators in rebounds and field goal percentage last year. Tyus should only improve as he slides into his more natural position at power forward.

Florida’s 1.4 assist to turnover ratio ranked seventh in the country. Their 12.1 turnovers per game ranked second in school history.

Kenny Kadji, Dan Werner, and Chandler Parsons give the Gators depth and a balanced attack. Freshman Kenny Boynton should make an instant impact.

Ray Shipman will help the back court.

With 13 years under his belt, Billy Donovan is now the dean of SEC coaches.

Tim Casey / GatorCountry.com

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

To play or not to play? Not quite the same philosophical pondering of Hamlet, but a question many players, coaches, and now-a-days, doctors, face on a weekly basis.

When a BYU defender planted Heisman winner Sam Bradford’s shoulder into the turf against Oklahoma on the opening weekend of 2009, many thought the Sooner’s hopes of a national championship were planted with it.

Even scarier, however, was when Tim Tebow suffered a concussion during defending champion Florida’s SEC opener at Kentucky. Though Urban Meyer’s postgame address dealt with the severity of the injury after the game, the rest of the nation couldn’t help but think ahead to two weeks against national powerhouse LSU and whether Tebow would play.

Here the college football world sits almost two weeks later still wondering if Tebow will take the field in what could be a pivotal game in the national championship picture. But a head or spinal cord injury is not something to rush. A tweaked ankle or sprained knee might be detrimental to one’s career, but a head injury could be detrimental to one’s life.

Last year in North Carolina, a public high school varsity football team conducted practice as it usually does before Friday night lights. A running back for the team took a jarring hit. Because it was a suspected head or spinal cord injury, the player was evaluated by the team trainer and later that night, a medical doctor. Both cleared him to play the following night.

On the team’s first offensive possession, the same young man who staggered off the field the day before carried the ball for a short gain before being taken down by what was called a textbook tackle. He rose to his feet and walked to the sideline, much as he did the day before. Showing symptoms of a concussion, he was sent to the hospital where he later died.

The nation has seen the severity of Tebow’s injury; only a fool would force a young man back so quickly from a terrifying snapping of the head.

But this is college football, and this is the BCS. The BCS has created a yearlong playoff system. Lose a game at the wrong time, and title hopes are dashed. Lose a player at the wrong time, and a team is sentenced to the same fate.

A playoff system would allow for a clean slate for some competitive teams. A slip up late in the season against Oklahoma after a big win versus Texas? Texas Tech, your new season is upon you to prove your worth.

Run the table in what is ominously dubbed a “mid-major” conference? Utah, you may dance with the big boys to prove your merit.

Best player goes down with an injury at the most inopportune time? Then, Oklahoma and Florida should be granted the same rebirth come playoff time.
The problem is they won’t and a freak injury such as Tebow’s might hamper Florida’s plans at repeating.

All eleven defensive starters returned for Florida this year, and now their prophetic placement in the BCS bowl system lies in the Apollo-like equations of a computer. Heck – just have the priestess tell the public that the BCS computer is located at Delphi.

Like anything else, the BCS has its advantages and disadvantages. But Tebow’s injury may have highlighted another problem with the lack of a playoff system. With such a big game on the horizon, will doctor’s feel pressured to allow Tebow to return to play too quickly?

That’s not to say that doctors won’t have Tebow’s best interests in mind. The point is though that doctors are human, too, and may feel pressured to a make a decision that they normally wouldn’t due to a player and his team’s status.

Meyer and Tebow have too much of an invested interest, but can anyone tell the nation’s best player that two weeks isn’t enough with such a serious injury?

Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Sounds a little like Hamlet’s musings. Nevertheless, Hamlet and Tebow weren’t and aren’t worrying about something minuscule. The question here, however, is whether or not the BCS supersedes a player’s well-being. Hopefully not, but it also can’t be making such vital decisions any easier.

The College Football Belt