Bird Hunting

2013-2014 season.  Nope, it's a brand new season: the 2014 postseason.  As a friend of mine pointed out, all you have to do is win 10 games.  Nothing to it.

Here's the deal, this is basically like playing a video game.  I'm not much of a gamer myself, but I do have history with Mario Brothers (OG, Super, and 3), Duck Hunt and Angry Birds.  This season was like when you are playing Super Mario Brothers 3, and you are just coasting along.  Collecting coins and stomping mushrooms like a boss.  And then you get the Ice Kingdom and you just CANNOT move forward.  Slipping and sliding, losing life left and right.  That fire ball doesn't work right.  You just can't figure it out.  And after what seems like an eternity, you finally get through the kingdom.  February was the Ice Kingdom for OSU basketball.  But we are past that now.  Time to put on that flying raccoon suit and soar.  Channel your inner Jimmy Edwards, and let's get The Wizard up in here.  Programming note: Travis Ford will be playing the part of Fred Savage.

Speaking of Travis Ford, can the Negative Nancies give is a rest for a while?  Good gracious.  We all get it, your feelings aren't a secret.  But can you just focus on cheering on the team and lay the, "He Must Be Fired!" propaganda to rest for the rest of the month.  You're so focused on how terrible he is, that you are missing some really great individual and team performances.  I've got my issues with him as well, but maybe you can give up the whining and negativity for Lent.  The rest of us will be super appreciative.

And just so we are all clear.. when do we point to coaching in regards to what is going on on the court?  Is it only when it's bad?  When we don't foul while up 3, or rebound, or drive into the lane to shoot?  What about when we are playing well?  Is that not coaching?  When we are getting good ball movement, when we are playing on-the ball defense, the full or 3/4 court press is working, we are getting the ball into the post.  None of that is coaching right?  Because it seems that I only hear about Ford's coaching when it's bad...not when it's good.  But when it comes to Bill Self, he's a coaching genius when they are playing great.  When they turn the ball over 20 times in a game, seem completely lost, and shoot with a full shot clock, then that has to do with extenuating circumstances.  Definitely not coaching.  I just need someone to clarify the rules for me...  I'd hate to let facts get in the way.

So it's time to take on Kansas again.  A daunting task for any challenger.  We are armed with the right tools: the Power Star (Marcus Smart), the Super Mushroom (Markel Brown), and the Fire Flower (Phil Forte).  We'll need that invincibility power, flying ability, possibly a frog suit, and some of that hidden crap that only serious players knew about.  It's totally doable.  We're coming for you Bowser... Princess Toadstool will be ours.  Oh yes, she will be ours.