Commentary: UD women worth trip to the arena


Knucklehead of the Week

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman, perhaps craving attention because his piercings are sagging, visited North Korea last week. The Worm sat next to Kim Jong Un at a basketball exhibition and told the ruthless dictator, “You have a friend for life.” Rodman also tweeted about “running into the Gangnam Style dude.” Uh, that dude lives in South Korea. Its border is a bit more secure than the one separating California and Tijuana.

It’s March, which means we must start thinking about our brackets. My kids need to understand that basketball comes first this month. I’m still steamed about missing Thursday’s epic prep sectional doubleheader at UD Arena because I had to help our youngest with a school project. Grades over hoops? Not this month, honey.

Sometimes it's hard to see greatness when it's right in front of your nose, unless it's a cold Yuengling. Exhibit A: UD's women's basketball team. The Flyers are 24-1 and ranked No. 12 in the country. Not conference — country. They are a hustling, high-scoring team loaded with local talent, and they execute at an altitude most of us can appreciate (below the rim).

I mention this because the Flyers wrap up their regular season at 2 p.m. today at UD Arena. UD’s opponent is Saint Joseph’s (11-2 in the Atlantic 10). The game will be televised on ESPN2, which is cool, but it’s almost as economical to watch in person. Tickets are $1 if you wear white (ticket windows open at 1). If you haven’t seen this UD team play, I strongly recommend heading out to the arena. And if the youngsters need a refresher on defense, tell them to watch Kelly Austria.

UD is playing the waiting game with the Big East, which now has nine members — the Catholic 7 plus Xavier and Butler. There must be a lot of hand-wringing at 300 College Park, because if the Flyers get left out in the cold they'll be part of a crippled Atlantic 10. Heck, if that happens they might as well give the Horizon League a call.

I’m guessing Notre Dame is causing the delay in filling out the Big East roster. The Irish want to accelerate their entry into the ACC, but if that doesn’t happen they’ll play next season in the Big East, giving the league a manageable 10 teams. If Notre Dame gains early entry into the ACC, it’ll be a free-for-all for that 10th spot in the Big East.

Wayne High grad Braxton Miller is on the cover of Sports Illustrated, even though college football doesn't kick off for six months. Selection Sunday is two weeks away and football grabs the cover? Any question about what sport is king in this country?

I was late for a meeting earlier this week because "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock was on the radio. I cranked it up and must have looked like quite a goofball in the parking lot. … Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was a scratch from a spring training game last week because his arm was tender after getting a tattoo. Really. … Has Manti Te'o finished his 40-yard dash yet?

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