But the biggest thing N.C. State offers is an emotional tie. I don’t think that will be enough. Indiana? Ohio State? I could see Archie at either of those deep-pocketed schools. The timing would be right, too. The Flyers’ decorated senior class is making its last run, so that leaves fewer emotional ties for Miller at UD. Bottom line: He can call his shot; there’s no posse nipping at his heels, as was the case when Brian Gregory ran to Georgia Tech.
RELATED: 4 reasons Archie Miller is coveted by bigger schools
The Reds really wanted to get rid of Brandon Phillips. Cincinnati traded Dat Dude to the Braves … and will pay all but $1 million of his $14M salary in 2017. Amazing. Phillips could've been a valuable utility man and mentor to the young Reds, but he wouldn't accept that role. The Reds also were concerned that Jose Peraza would start dipping himself in ketchup and relish.
Jake asked me a tough question: Who will win the NCAA Tournament? There are about a dozen contenders in what promises to be a truly maddening March. Gonzaga? Could be the year. Villanova? Tough to repeat. Kansas? Maybe the most solid team. Baylor? They'll lose to a team with "Middle" in its name. Kentucky and Oregon will be dangerous. After expending much brain power I settled on UCLA. I don't like Steve Alford, but the Bruins can score.
MLB Network's Top 100 Right Now includes just one player from my favorite team (No. 35 Brian Dozier, Twins) and one player from my adopted team (No. 10 Joey Votto, Reds). Sounds like another long baseball season for yours truly (and there's no way Votto is the 10th-best player in baseball). Middletown's Kyle Schwarber checked in at No. 72, even though he doesn't have a position other than "stud hitter."
RELATED: Votto re-energized after near burnout
Michigan State is making improvements to Spartan Stadium. I think the scowl on Mark Dantonio's face is staying, though. The most fan-friendly move is the addition of bathrooms that will be accessible to fans before the game. What a refreshing concept – a university that makes tailgating easier!
Trending up: UConn women, Sidney Crosby, Adele. The Huskies won their 101st straight women's basketball game Saturday. It's an amazing accomplishment and there's no end in sight to the streak. That's bad news for the sport. Watching the UConn women is as predictable as a rerun of Friends. It's fun in spurts, but it doesn't keep your undivided attention.
Trending down: Homer Bailey, Trent Richardson, Dan Dakich. It's becoming a rite of spring – Bailey starts the season on the DL. The Reds' return on his six-year, $105 million deal has been 11 wins and 31 starts. He has three years left on his contract – one for every elbow surgery. This contract has become an anchor to a franchise that will be rebuilding for years to come.
Knucklehead of the Week
Darrelle Revis turned himself in to Pittsburgh police Friday night. The New York Jets cornerback is facing a litany of felony charges after allegedly punching two guys unconscious during a late-night melee. Revis told police that one of the guys was following him with “video” going on his phone. I can see how that would annoy anyone, and the guy probably deserved a smack. But this incident occurred at 2:43 a.m. so I think the saying “nothing good ever happens after midnight” applies here. The charges won’t stick because there are too many questions in this case, but Revis should know better.
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