THESE GATORS GOT BITE!

In probably the least exciting version of March Madness I've seen, the Florida Gators ended it mercifully by repeating as champions. In the age of hot prospects leaving school early for the riches of the NBA, repeating is indeed a rare feat. The gators team which remained largely intact from last year seemed to have no trouble bulldozing their way through the competition this year. Juakim Noah probably lost the most by staying put as he likely would have been the top pick last year while this year his numbers slipped and he hs been pushed out of the limelight by super-freshmen Greg Oden adn Kevin Durant. Speaking of Oden, he played like a man possessed tonight but tired near the end as he was wore down by the revolving door of bodies guarding him. I have a hard time believing this guy is 18 years old! He is a true manchild. Well, anywayz, this year will basically go down as the year with no surprises in the tournament which led to a lot of good solid basketball, but nothing too exciting. That's what's usually so exciting about March Madness - the cinderella stories and upsets. The only interesting storyline was the continuing emergence of traditional football powers taking over college basketball. Florida is the only team to ever win the the national championship in both football and basketball.

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In Hockey news...The mad genius that is Lou Lamoriello continues to amaze with his antics. For the second time in 8 years he has fired his head coach while being in first place in the division and also second in the conference. I guess it worked back in 1999 when he fired Robbie Ftorek and Larry Robinson took over to lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup. I'm guessing that's why he thinks it will work again. It's the second time in a year Julien's been blindsided as he was let go by the Canadians with no warning late last year. The only thing I can pinpoint as a reason for this move is the lack of goal scoring - the Devils sit near the bottom of the league in that category. I guess the only reason they're where they are is the stellar play of sure-fire hall of famer Martin Brodeur. Really, I just think Lou likes being in the news. Either way it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.