Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

It's Indiana! Heat-Pacers in East finals; plus Heat bigger faves than ever to repeat, D-Wade prom video, Oxbow, Sad-O-Meter & more

1) It is SATURDAY, MAY 18. Sesame Street is introducing a new character named Armando or "Mando," which may or may not be an homage to Herald sports writer Armando Salguero. Mando is pictured at right. (Is it me or do half of the Sesame Street characters sort of look like this?) 2) Former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle dead at 71 of reported suicide. Sad story. All-time great name, Dick Trickle, but a sad story. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat Game 5 win, Wade health poll, LeBron No. 2 in money, most disappointing hotel, catchers' fake fingernails, Sad-O-Meter. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.

Another year, another horse fails to win Triple Crown: Affirmed in 1978 remains the last to do it after Kentucky Derby winner Orb finished a disappointing fourth in today's Preakness Stakes, won by Oxbow with ancient Gary Stevens aboard. Orb started on the rail and really struggled to extricate himself from traffic.

Hit Wade Strikes Back for my column off Wednesday's Heat win.

"David Beckham is retiring? What a big, big loss for the sport of underwear endorsing." --Greg Cote

UPDATED: HEAT CRAZY-BIG FAVES TO REPEATS AS CHAMPS: If you want the other side you stand to make some big bucks. Are you that daring? New from Bovada, championship odds on the five teams still alive show Heat at 1-3, Spurs 5-1, Grizzlies 6-1, Pacers 20-1 and Knicks 40-1. Miami odds to win East and get to Finals: 1-9. Man! Based on the public perception that sets the odds, let's just go ahead and plan that parade right now. I'm just sayin'.

EASTERN FINALS SET: HEAT VS. PACERS: Indiana beat visiting New York 106-99 tonight to win the series 4 games to 2. Miami will host Eastern finals Game 1 vs. Pacers on Wednesday night. The series suggests Pacers are a better team, although that is debatable. Both teams fared well against Miami this season, Indy going 2-1 against the Heat and the Knickerbockers 3-1. The other factor in answering the poll question below was the vantage point of your vote. It might have been based on which team you think would be an easier draw for the Heat. Or you might have voted for what you think the more exciting series would be. On the latter criteria the clear preference would seem to have been New York, a bigger rival with more starpower and boorish fans in constant need of shutting up. Based on results, your choice was pretty clear. Enjoys the Eastern finals anyway.

UPDATE: HEAT MIDDLE-FINGER LADY: South Florida's most famous birder is keeping sharp between playoff series. After honing her skills against the Bulls' Joakim Noah, Middle-Finger Lady now prepares for Indiana or New York in the next round. Pictured left, MFL transmogrifies into a clownishly grinning LeBron James in a final, parting-shot farewell to Noah. At right, Middle-Finger Lady inexplicably proffers the Flying Digit to an adorably dumbfounded polar bear.

DWYANE WADE: PROM DATE: What cute story. Archbishop Coleman Carroll senior Nicole Muxo posts a YouTube video asking Heat star Dwyane Wade to be her prom date. He calls her cell phone with his regrets, then moments later walks into the Friday ight event in Coral Gables, shocking her. Later Wade Tweeted, 'I had a blast at Prom. Never be 2 scared to ask.' The couple is pictured on the dance floor. This, among a million other reasons, is why South Florida loves Dwyane Wade.

Click HERE for a 3-minute video on how Wade pulled off his big prom surprise. Good stuff.

LATEST TRAVAILS OF CHAD JOHNSON: Free-agent receiver Chad (nee Ochocinco) Johnson lessens his chances of ever playing again with a warrant for his arrest for failing to report to his probation officer stemming from the domestic violence issue that got him cut by the Dolphins. The latest misstep is indicative of Johnson perhaps suffering from DAS, Dumbass Athlete Syndrome. There is no known cure.

UPDATED! MARLINS' SAD-O-METER: We have this new blog feature we update as long as Marlins' winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within dubious reach. Well, six straight losses with last night's have brought the S-O-M roaring back as the season inches past the one-quarter mark. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 11-31 (.262). Season projection, 42.43 wins, 119.57 losses.

BACKSTORY: COMPANY NAMES: Took this pic on my phone camera as proof there is a baked-goods company operating in South Florida under the name Bimbo. (Primary dictionary definition: "A foolish, stupid or inept person.") I am envisioning the initial meeting of company investors. "OK, first things first," says the boss. "We need a name that represents who we are. Thoughts?"

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G4: Heat 88, Bulls 65: Miami owns night, up 3-1; plus name Heat's biggest rival (poll; vote now!), '14 NFL draft, Sad-O-Meter, Jackmerius Tacktheritrix & more

Yes, it's Radio Tuesday: I'll be back in-studio with Le Batard and Stugotz starting at 3 today on 790 the Ticket and FM 104.3, even though, frankly, I'm dog-tired after a late night and early flight back from Chicago.

1) It is TUESDAY, MAY 13. New blogpost coming later today if I can, or early Wednesday. 2) Big Sunday for Tiger Woods fans like me, with his victory at The Players Championship and his adversary Sergio Garcia's embarrassing late collapse. 3) Hope all you good Ma's had a nice Mother's Day! 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat G3 win, return of Good Job Good Effort Kid, Heat aviary update, Palm Beach Dolphins, Super Bowl bid, Maxim Hot 100. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

LeBron earns defensive honor: NBA named LeBron James to its all-league defensive first team for fifth straight season. Other forward is OKC's Serge Ibaka. Guards are Memphis' Tony Allen and Clips' Chris Paul. Center was a tie between Knick Tyson Chandler and raging Bull Joakim Noah. No second-team Heaters. Shane Battier and Dwyane Wade got a couple of honorable-mention votes each.   

Chicago redux: Back in Chicago Monday, I paid $49.95 fee for early check-in. Won't ever stay in this Unnamed Rattrap again. On a positive note, on my full Southwest flight, one of only two empty seats on the entire plane was the middle next to me. I credit that to either dumb luck or my ability to secrete a skunk-like stink.

G4: HEAT 88, BULLS 65: SMOTHERING DEFENSE CARRIES MIAMI: LeBron James had 27 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds last night in Chicago, but the story was a defensive effort that limited the Bulls to 65 points on abysmal 25.7 percent shooting. Miami now with a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Miami Wednesday night for Game 5. The other big story of the night, for me, was the state of Dwyane Wade, working on a shaky right knee and held to six points. Wade's performance the rest of this postseason could be a key to Miami repeating. I explore in THIS COLUMN from Chicago off last night's victory. ..... Original post: Swing Game as defined by me: Miami wins tonight for 3-1 series lead heading back home and the chance of a nice, neat, quick five-games series becomes extremely likely. Miami loses tonight to even things and suddenly the chance of a full seven-game series looms large. Bulls then will be playing for their playoff lives in Game 4, realistically. But talent and health trump intangibles and home court, so I like the Heat once again. The return for Chicago of Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich again seems unlikely, and the return of Derrick Rose seems even more fanciful. Health frustration has got to be the root of Chicago's spate of technical fouls, three ejections and two league fines in this series -- the most recent a 35K slap to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau for implying the officials want the Heat to win. Poor Tom sounds like he's expecting the opposite treatment and sympathy for his injuries. Doesn't work that way. Even fully healthy, Chicago would be a clear underdog to the champs. Chitown has no answer for LeBron James. The better team almost always wins in a seven-game series. And the better team -- the much better team -- is winning this one. As expected.

WHO IS HEAT'S BIGGEST RIVAL?: I've always been interested in what constitutes any team's biggest rival. Sometimes it isn't an easy call. I don't think it is with the Heat; hence, a blog poll! For me the answer used to be Knicks without much question (is it still?), then it sort of became Celtics (is it still?). Or is it Bulls now? It isn't just this current series that resumes Monday with Heat leading 2-1; Miami has faced Chicago in the postseason more than any other opponent. "Biggest rival" is a lot about gut feeling. So when I say, "The Heat's biggest rival is...", you say what? Vote now and say why.

MIAMI'S BRIDGEWATER PEGGED 2ND IN '14 DRAFT: ESPN's Mel "It's Never Too Early" Kiper is out with his first top 25 "Big Board" for the 2014 NFL draft, and it is led by South Carolina DE Jadevon Clowney, followed by Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater (pictured), the Miami-born former Northwestern Bull. No Canes, but four other state-school players in Gators CB Loucheiz Purifoy (10th), Seminoles DT Timmy Jernigan (15th), Noles OT Cameron Erving (19th) and USF DE Aaron Lynch (25th). Also of note, slotted 25th: Texas A&M QB and Heisman winner Johnny Manziel (should he enter the draft, of course).

UPDATED MARLINS' SAD-O-METER: We have this new blog feature we update as long as Marlins' winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within dubious reach. Well, two straight losses have brought the S-O-M back. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 11-27 (.289). Season projection, 46.89 wins, 115.11 losses.

HAVE YOU MET JACKMERIUS TACKTHERITRIX?: Love the comedy duo Key & Peele, and especially love their spoof of football player introductions with a parade of increasingly ridiculous names. Click HERE to watch and listen. With one notable exception all of the names made fun of belong to African-American "players." Key & Peele also are black. Had this same video been done by a white comic I wonder if he'd have come under fire for making fun of blacks? I'm just asking!

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G2: Heat 115, Bulls 78. Champs strike back!; plus bizarre story behind Middle-Finger Lady, Lil Wayne, Dolphin threats, Charles Ramsey song & more

1) It is THURSDAY, MAY 9. The national group, People Who Feel Sorry For Jodi Arias, will be meeting tonight in that phone booth over there. Plenty of room. 2) Marlins closing off upper deck for some games to make crowds seem bigger. What a major inconvenience for the six fans who've been sitting up there! 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat's Game 1 loss, Derrick Rose poll, the non-LeBron voter, Serena 'n Sloane, baseball awards odds. 4) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

Click on Sense Of Order Restored for my column off last night's Heat's series-evening Game 2 rout.

Well I reckon this here photo from Wednesday's Game 2 pretty much shows how much Heat fans in general love Joakim Noah and how cute we think his adorable little hair-bun is!!!: (I can't be sure, but I think her middle finger might actually be lodged in Noah's right ear). Dear Joakim: We sure appreciative your constant sneering, whining and arm-flapping. We wish your hair-bun would catch on fire. Love, Miami.

[Postscript: Bizzare backstory to Middle-Finger Lady: She is Filomena Tobias, her daughter told the Sun-Sentinel today. Name ring a bell? Her wealthy husband Seth drowned in his Jupiter swimming poll in 2007. No foul-play was determined, but his four brothers sued Filomena in civil court claiming she drugged him and caused his drowning. The guy pictured with her fiance, the VP of an Atlanta wealth-management firm. The daughter said, "She's embarrassed [by the photo] but she's being a good sport. All she has to say is that people need to get a life." Here is The Herald's story].

News Mashup: What if the Heat's Middle-Finger Lady had been in Cleveland during Charles Ramsey's hero interview?: I believe this woman has found a possible new cottage industry as the Irate Lady who appears in all circumstances and situations angrily delivering da bird.

Wade strikes back in post-game attire: LeBron James had the crazy interview-session garb after Game 1, all floral and bird-y. Challenged, a sartorially splendid Dwyane Wade (pictured) struck back impressively last night with a shirt/light jacket combo that looked like it was the creation of Versace on hallucinogens.

G2: HEAT 115, BULLS 78; MIAMI EVENS SERIES 1-1: LeBron James' 19 points and Ray Allen's 21 off bench lead six Heat players in double figures as Miami win by the biggest margin in club playoff history and deals Chicago its worst playoff defeat. Brutal game. Nine technical fouls and second each leading to ejections of Bulls Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Headed to the Midwest now at 1-1 as speculation continues to swirl about a dramatic Game 3 return by Derrick Rose. Column off tonight's game should be posted soon. Original post: You can partly blame the rest/rust factor for Monday's 93-86 Game 1 Heat loss that featured clanky 39.7 percent shooting and unusually disjointed defense. Or you can simply target the fact that Heat 3-point specialists Shane Battier, Ray Allen and Mike Miller were a combined 4-for-15 beyond the arc. If each hit just one more 3, Miami wins. But I look to other stats that must be corrected tonight in what, realistically if not literally, is a must-win for Miami. Chicago outrebounded the Heat 46-32; that gap must narrow. Four Bulls had more boards than Chris Bosh. Step up, Bosh! And this: Dwyane Wade took zero free throws Monday, and LeBron James took fewer than either Nate Robinson or Jimmy Butler. That must change. Miami can't rely on making 3's so much that it concedes the paint. The Heat need a manlier, more aggressive mindset on both ends of the floor. They'll have it tonight. I see Miami -- team and fans -- showing up a lot better than in Game 1. They'd sure as hell better.

Just to be annoying, Heat nemesis Lil Wayne hops on Bulls bandwagon: As if Miami didn't have enough incentive tonight to even this playoff series after dropping Monday's opener? Rapper Lil Wayne hates the Heat and shows it at every turn, including boasting on-stage that he'd had relations with Chris Bosh's wife. Here Wayne is pictured celebrating with Bulls players after Game 1, courtesy Bulls guard Rip Hamilton, who posted the pic on Instagram. Wayne, referencing Nate Robinson's 24-point second half, also Tweeted, Nate the Great! Somebody show this photo to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and maybe especially Bosh. They play better angry.

ON DOLPHINS' THREATS, ROSS' ODDLY TIMED PHILANTHROPY: What a strange time for the very top of the Dolphins organization in the wake of its stadium-renovations defeat in Tallahassee. Two quick thoughts. On the Dolphins' threats: Club president Mike Dee, asked about team's long-term future in Miami, said ominously, "I wouldn't want to prognosticate what the future holds but it is clearly bleak." Hmm. My friend Danny Webster tells me "bleak" means "without hope or encouragement, depressing, dreary..." Is that really how the franchise wishes to portay the state of the franchise? That's dumb, and unnecessarily upsetting to customers (a.k.a. fans). That attitude is mindful of the kid who didn't get his way so he threatened to take his ball and go home. It also sounds like a defeatist attitude. Time to be grownups about this, Dolphins. (Dee is pictured with owner Stephen Ross, their smiles belying the bleakness all around them). On Ross' oddly timed philanthropy: Comes word this week that Ross, 73, has joined the Warren Buffett/Bill Gates initiative in which the wealthiest of the wealthy pledge to donate at least half their money to charity over time or posthumously. It's a billionaires philanthropy club, a wonderful thing. Good for Ross. But the timing only underlines how well he can afford to pay for the desired stadium renovations himself. Ross is pledging to give away more than $2 billion when it would take only a fraction of that to refurbish his stadium to a Super Bowl-attracting, future-assuring shine. Maybe the smart, pragmatic billionaire businessman should consider that whatever money he did spend would come back to him in increased franchise value. That, in turn, would help ensure the club's long-term future here beyond Ross' eventual death -- something he claims he wants. Do what made you a billionaire, Mr. Ross: Get it done. Meantime, enough with the threats about leaving. South Florida deserves better.

HEAT'S SPOELSTRA SECOND IN COACH VOTE: NBA yesterday announced Denver's George Karl was its 2012-13 coach of the year, with Miami's Erik Spoelstra finishing second. Not a surprise.

"DEAAAD GIVEAWAY!" THE MARVELOUS CHARLES RAMSEY: Ramsey (pictured) is the Cleveland neighbor-turned-hero who this week rescued those three young women who'd been held captive for 10 years. The crime was horrific. But Ramsey's description of his role in the rescue is exceptional. It is entertaining, even funny. Click HERE to watch and listen. Ramsey colorfully references McDonald's, eating ribs, salsa music and "big testicles." He ends by saying, "I knew something was wrong when a pretty little white girl runs into a black man's arms. Dead giveaway. DEAAAD GIVEAWAY!" In a later interview, Anderson Cooper asked Ramsey if he wanted a reward and he said, "I get a paycheck. Give the reward to the rescued women." Charles Ramsey, you're my hero. McDonald's, give this man free cheeseburgers for life! (Yes: I am aware Ramsey is an imperfect soul reportedly with domestic-violence arrests in his past. No: It does not diminish his role in this matter, or the fab interview he gave). In the spirit of celebrating Ramsey's role in this -- not making light of the crime -- we present two alternate versions of the interview:

* Charles Ramsey interview remix: Songified. (Grade: A-plus) 

* Charles Ramsey interview animated: Crazy Taiwanese Style. (Grade: B)

Poll results: Deeply divided on Derrick Rose drama: We asked, and 46.6 percent said the medically-cleared Bulls guard should be playing, but 45.2% supported his decision not to, and 8.2% were undecided.

UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER" RETURNS! (UNFORTUNATELY): We have had this new blog feature we update as long as Marlins' winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within reach. Well, the Sad-O-Meter disappeared for a little bit but three straight losses including yesterday's shutout in San Diego have brought it back. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 10-25 (.286). Season projection, 46.29 wins, 115.71 losses.

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Who's the idiot? LeBron 1 vote shy of unanimous for MVP; plus new NBA playoff odds, Dolphins' big loss, Tyson Clabo, Sad-O-Meter retired & more

1) It is SUNDAY, MAY 5. Happy Cinco de Mayo! 2) NCAA refuses to dismiss UM case in advance of June hearing. "No duh," says rest of America. 3) Click on Random Evidence for today's Sunday notes column, leading with Heat playoffs. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): The building and branding of Dion Jordan, Bulls-or-Nets Heat poll, Susannah Collins, Tim Tebow prank. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

LEBRON MVP VOTE: NEW PROOF THAT 1 OF EVERY 121 PEOPLE IS A MORON: Heat's LeBron James got 120 of 121 frst-place votes for league MVP today, denying him the first unanimous vote in NBA history even though he was deserving. A funny Internet rumor spread that my colleague Dan Le Batard cast the lone vote for Carmelo Anthony. It wasn't true. That didn't stop it. "Probably a writer out fo New York," surmised LeBron, likely more accurately. LeBatard, sensing Twitter gold, didn't deny the initial speculation, merely re-Tweeted it. Deadspin said it was so. One of life's small pleasures is watching self-important Deadspin say, "Ah, um, uhh, oops. My bad!" Anyway, the mystery lunatic-voter is still out there. Oh he WILL be found!

HEAT-BULLS ON DECK; NBA NEXT-ROUND PLAYOFF ODDS: Second-round pairings and betting odds via Bovada, by conference, entering second-round play: Eastern: Miami over Chicago: Heat a prohibitive overall favorite at 2-11 to win East, 4-9 to repeat league title. Bulls are 40-1 to win East, 75-1 overall. There are no early indications Derrick Rose will play vs. Miami, but the fact he might will be an intriguing cloud hanging over this series. New York over Indiana: Knicks are 6-1 to win East and 14-1 to win league. Pacers are 12-1 and 25-1. Western: San Antonio over Golden State: Spurs are a big 5-7 pick to win West and 11-2 to win it all. Warriors are 9-1 in conference, 40-1 in league. Oklahoma City over Memphis: Thunder is 3-1 in West, 9-1 in league. Grizzlies are 5-1 to win West, 14-1 to win it all.

A WORD TO ROSS AND TO NFL IN WAKE OF DOLPHINS' LEGISLATIVE DEFEAT: Although it sounds as if Florida House speaker Will Weatherford (the smug-looking guy on the far right) may have done a bit of backstabbing up there in Tally, I can't get as worked up or disappointed as I'm sure Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is over the sudden collapse of his plan for massive stadium renovations. That's partly because the plan faced a likely defeat in a Miami-Dade referendum vote even if the Legislature had let it get that far. A quick word to Ross (near right), and to the NFL. To Ross: Understand that most Dolphins fans think the stadium is fine as is (and it is), and are hugely more concerned about the Dolphins getting in the Super Bowl than they are about the stadium hosting Super Bowls. As long as your emphasis is on a winning team, you'll be fine with Dolfans even if there is no canopy to shade them. To the NFL: Threatening to withhhold future Super Bowls if this renovation didn't pass sounded a bit like extortion to folks down here, and that didn't play well. Miami -- even with Dolphins stadium as is -- should continue as a main-rotation factor in the awarding of Super Bowls. This is a destination city. That won't change. Also, a league that just awarded an outdoor Super Bowl to New Jersey -- where snow is very possible and freezing temps all but assured -- ought not wring hands over the idea a Miami Super Bowl might face the threat of rain. If the NFL wants to do what's best for the league and for fans, it should swallow its pride over this legislative defeat and get back to realizing Miami was, and is, a Super Bowl-caliber host.

Dolphins sign Clabo: That's Tyson Clabo, the long-time ex-Falcons right tackle, 31, a one-time Pro Bowl guy (2010) who'll help the blocking front. Good signing.

ORB TAKES KENTUCKY DERBY: Orb, third-to-last early, saves energy for a brilliant finish and comfy win. Smartly run race. Good to see the Florida Derby as the springboard here. Pictured: A familiar former FAU football coach, Mr. Howard Schnellenberger, takes in the race today with his properly be-hatted wife Beverlee. Original post: The 139th running is today to launch racing's Triple Crown season, and my rooting interest probably is the betting favorite, Orb. I always root for our Florida Derby winner to represent. I have a funny feeling, though, that 5-1 shot Goldencents may carry the day. It's Rick Pitino's year, and he's part-owner. I always put more stock in gut feelings and supersition in horse racing than in other types of betting. Is that weird? Doubt that'll change until the horses start talking.

DOES MEDIA HAVE PRO-GAY, ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS?: A reader passed this political cartoon along to me, and I found it thought-provoking enough to post in the blog. I don't know that Christian vs. gay is a parallel discussion. Christian vs. atheist or gay vs. straight would be parallel. I'd also point out that something very unusual is more newsworthy than something common, and so Tebow's religious beliefs are much more common than Collins' ground-breaking revelation. Nevertheless, the cartoon makes its point very well.

UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER" IN HIBERNATION: We have had this new blog feature we updated as long as Marlins' winning percentage was under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the worst season in modern MLB history and Marlins had been on pace to threaten for awhile. But Miami is now at 10-22 (.313) after today's win, so our Sad-O-Meter is on indefinite hiatus.

Poll result: No contest. Bulls tougher next foe than Nets: We asked, and by an 84.8 percent landslide you said Chicago would be a tougher next playoff opponent for the Heat than Brooklyn. (They meet in Game 7 tonight in the Kings County borough for the right to face Miami).

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Good news on Heat's preference for next round; plus Dolphins' biggest need (with poll), Tebow rumor, Broussard, Sad-O-Meter, glowing sheep & more

1) It is THURSDAY, MAY 2. Happy dos de Mayo! 2) Always been a big Snoop Dogg fan. Now here is the reincarnated, reggae-fied Snoop Lion: Here Comes The King. 3) Panthers not making the NHL postseason? Unfortunate. Me not having to feign interest in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Priceless! 4) Click on Weatherman Battles Hiccups on Air for funny vid. 5) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): NBA's gay player, Dolphins' SB odds, Ed DuBois, Sad-O-Meter. 5b) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

Dolphins/Tebow rumor: How'd it start? I mean beyond ther usual Internet nonsense? Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on WQAM this week he "wouldn't be shocked" if Miami showed interest in free agent QB Tim Tebow. That's how. Drew was doing what good agents do: Trying to drum up business. Tying to create the illusion of smoke so there appears to be fire. Most who follow the team closely would be far more shocked than Rosenhaus if Miami showed any interest. Bet against it. Big.

HEAT (AND FANS) SHOULD HAVE CLEAR PREFERENCE IN BULLS-NETS SERIES: [Update: Nets beat Bulls tonight to tie series 3-3, with Game 7 in Brooklyn]. What opponent should Heat players and fans most want to face in the second round starting Monday in Miami? Players would never say it because to do so would build confidence in the team they'd least like to play or incentive in the one they'd prefer. (Also, the confident Heat "fears" no team; Miami instills fear in others). But there is no doubt the Heat matches up better with Brooklyn than Chicago and should hope the Nets -- who tied the series tonight and now host Game 7 -- can win one more. Miami was 3-0 vs. Brooklyn this season by an average margin of 18 points, but only 2-2 vs. Chicago, which ended Miami's 27-game win streak. But it's more than that, and more than the possibility (however remote) that Bulls star Derrick Rose could make his lonnnnng-awaited return in the next round. It is that Chicago defends Miami's strength better than any team in the NBA. LeBron James driving and then kicking it out for an open corner-3 (Ray Allen's moneymaker) is a huge part of the Heat's game. Miami shot 44 corner 3's in swamping Milwaukee in the first round, or 11 per game. But Chicago's defense this season allowed an NBA-low 3.6 corner-3 attempts per game. ESPN.com statwonk Tom Haberstroh has more on this here. Defensively the Bulls were better than the Nets this season in most categories, but it is their denying the corner-3 that would most challenge the Heat. Also worth noting, Chicago outrebounded Miami by 36 (175-139) in the four season meetings, and limited the Heat to 30 percent on 3-point shots (21-for-70), versus Miami's 41% on 3's against everybody else. Don't get me wrong. Miami still would be a heavy favorite to beat the Bulls, and deservedly. But the challenge would be a stark contrast to the playoffs' "soft opening" in that sweep of the Bucks.

DOLPHINS' BIGGEST REMAINING HOLES, POST-DRAFT: Left tackle seems to be getting most of the current attention and tryout calls (which must make Jonathan Martin feel like crap), and I can understand that. But for me there are other roster soft spots of some concern. They include cornerback, where starters Brent Grimes and Richard Marshall would hardly count among the NFL's best tandems; tight end, where Dustin Keller is a marginal upgrade over departed Anthony Fasano; and perhaps running back, where Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas leave Miami lacking proof. Also wonder if we might add linebacker, where Koa Misi and newcomers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler have much to prove in an overhauled unit. What do you think is the Dolphins' biggest remaining area of concern and why?

Poll note: One choice above is garnering roughly two-thirds of all the votes. There is a phrase in the business for something like that. The phrase is, "Lousy poll idea."

PETITION TO SUSPEND BROUSSARD CIRCULATING: ESPN basketball analyst Chris Broussard is under fire for calling out-of-the-closet NBA player Jason Collins a sinner and saying his homosexuality is an "open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ." The faith-based group Faithful America (click for the petition) is collecting online signatures calling for ESPN to suspend Broussard for what the group's executive director Michael Sherrard called allowing Broussard to "mischaracterize our faith and use the teachings of Jesus as the basis for gay-bashing." Faithful America's slogan is, "Love thy neighbor. No Exceptions."

MARLINS "SAD-O-METER" LIVES ON: We have this new blog feature we're updating as long as the Marlins' winning percentage is under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the single worst season in modern MLB history and the Marlins had been on pace to threaten that ignominy. A recent three-game win streak almost tipped the Fish up over .300 to at least temporarily shut down our Sad-O-Meter, but tonight in Philly made it two losses in a row. So: MARLINS SAD-O-METER: Current record, 8-21 (.276). Updated season pace, 44.69 wins, 117.31 losses.

SOUNDS LIKE A BAA-AAAD IDEA: Scientists in Uruguay have engineered a "genetically modified" sheep that glows in the dark. (And you became a scientist for what exactly!?) WWMT? [What Would (Ron) Magill Think?] Click here for the story. Remember. This is a blog. I couldn't say it if it weren't true.

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Grading the Dolphins draft. Poll. Vote!; plus Heat's decisive sweep of Bucks, Canes avert draft shutout, Larkin's smart decision, Marlins' updated Sad-O-Meter & more

1) It is MONDAY, APRIL 29. Click on Random Evidence for the Sunday notes column, leading with Dolphins' fight to reclaim market's top-dog status from Heat. 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Dolphins draft: Dion Jordan and Day 2; Heat Game 3 win, Shane Larkin, Marlins Sad-O-Meter. 3) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

GRADE THE DOLPHINS' 2013 DRAFT: I know. It's a little bit insane, an instant-grade poll like this. So what! Sure, it takes a couple of years or even longer to fully, fairly judge any draft, but we're running a blog here, not an encyclopedia. I don't care how you view this draft in restrospect after several years; I care what you think now. I don't care what Mel Kiper says; I care what Dolfans think. Looking for gut reaction here. From the trade-up for the top pick through to today's Day of the Gator (three picks from UF), how much did the Dolphins help themselves? Did they fill needs? How excited are you vs. how you hoped to feel? Factor in whom they might have drafted but didn't and give Jeff Ireland and Miami a grade on this draft, then say why. (Why did I not include an 'F' grade? Simply to disappoint Jets fans bent on anarchy). So here is a list of all Miami's picks to refresh the memory, followed by the poll. And the overall grade is...?

1st round (3rd overall) --  DE Dion Jordan, Oregon

2r (54th) -- CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State

3r (77th) -- OT Dallas Thomas, Tennessee

3r (93rd) -- CB Will Davis, Utah State

4r (104th) -- OLB, Jelani  Jenkins, Florida

4r (106th) -- TE Dion Sims, Michigan State

5r (164th) -- RB Mike Gillislee, Florida

5r (166th) -- PK Caleb Sturgis, Florida

7r (250th) -- S Don Jones, Arkansas State

Poll result: Dion Jordan pick grew on you: This was an anomaly. Normally it just takes a few hundred votes for trends to set pretty firmly and results to not change much. But with the Dolphins' selection of Dion Jordan third overall, that was not the case. The immediate-reaction/initial-wave showed "don't like it" in the lead, but that would change substantially. The final verdict: "Love it" 29.0 percent, "like it" 28.3%, "don't like it" 17.7%, "lukewarm" 14.8% and "not sure" 10.2%. That's still a mixed approval rating, but the favorable side grew steadily.

Canes avert draft shutout: Cornerback Brandon McGee goes in the fifth round (149th overall) to the Rams, and running back Mike James in the sixth (189th) to the Bucs. Remembering when UM used to be all over the first round, not Day 3 scraps. FIU equals Miami with two picks: safety Johnathan Cyprien (2nd round/33rd) to Jaguars, and defensive end Tourek Williams (6th/179th) to Chargers.

G4: HEAT 88, BUCKS 77: SWEEEEEEEP!: Dwyane Wade sat out but LeBron James scored 30 to complete the four-game sweep Sunday in Milwaukee. Miami now awaits Chicago-Brooklyn winner, likely Bulls at this point. ..... Original post: Dwyane Wade is a game-time decision today with a sore knee. He should sit. Even if he says he can play, he should sit. Miami, up 3-0 in the series, can win without Wade and also can afford a loss here. The clear priority should be geting Wade's knee right so is healthy in the ensuing series when he is far more needed.

CAN'T BLAME LARKIN: Two and done, Shane Larkin bolting the Hurricanes for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year. It's too bad for UM, but its understandable. Larkin is healthy and coming of an ACC Player of the Year season for a Sweet 16 team. His stock may never be higher, unless you think it will be one year older and coming off the down-to-earth season Miami is facing. It would have been tough for Larkin top repeat as a conference all-star as the only returning starter. He made the judicious call. Now, hvaing said that, he's still a borderline fiorst-round pick who is not seen as a future NBA star. Analyst Steve Kerr pegs Larkin a backup point guard in the pros. But I doubt one more year of college seasoning would have improved that judgment either. 

UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER": We have a new feature we'll update in the blog throughout the season as long as the Marlins' winning percentage is under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the nadir in its class -- the single worst season in modern MLB history. Now, your Marlins are threatening that ignominy. Marlins Sad-O-Meter: Current record after Sunday's win, 6-19 (.240). Updated season pace, 38.88 wins, 123.12 losses.

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Dolphins draft: Dion Jordan poll, Day 2 picks, Bess trade; plus Heat in charge, Larkin gone, Marlins Sad-O-Meter & more

1) It is SATURDAY, APRIL 27. New blogpost coming later this afternoon! 2) We made some news with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross on the Le Batard show yesterday. (You're welcome). 3) R.I.P., George Jones, the country-music legend, gone at 81. 4) Pictured right, what Mike Wallace looks like in Dolphins' new unis. 5) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat-Bucks Game 2, Chris Bosh animation, my Mock Draft, Dolphins draft poll. 5b) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

FRIDAY DOLPHINS DRAFT UPDATES: BESS, TAYLOR, THOMAS, DAVIS: Dolphins trade WR Davone Bess to Cleveland for mid-round Saturday pick. Not positive on this deal. Bess was a reliable 50-catch guy. ..... Miami selects Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor in second round, 54th overall. Gut feeling: Strong pick. Position of great need. Very fast (4.39 40) and fourth-rated CB by draftnike Mel Kiper. ..... Dolphins pick Tennessee OT/OG Dallas Thomas in third round (77th overall). Durable; 37 straight starts to end college career; Miami sees him at tackle ..... Miami trades out of 82nd overall pick but then trades into 93rd pick, selects Utah State CB Will Davis. Second corner of night reflects need at position. ..... Day 2 action leaves Miami with five Day 3 picks: 4-104, 4-106, 5-139, 5-166 and 7-250. ..... Biggest Day 2 question is that Miami failed to complete the trade for Kansas City OT Branden Albert.

THRILLING THURSDAY: MIAMI'S BIG 4 PRO TEAMS ALL TOOK STAGE: This was rare. Last night, all intersecting, we had Dolphins in first round of NFL Draft, Heat-Bucks Game 3 in Milwaukee, Marlins back home to face Cubs, and Panthers in their season home finale. Those are two big events and two sad ones. Marlins are pretty awful (and lost again, 4-3) and Panthers (who lost 4-0) are wrapping up a really disappointing hockey season. So let's accentuate the positive as our two biggest teams took the national stage:

DOLPHINS' FIRST-ROUND: A BIG TRADE-UP FOR DE DION JORDAN: Miami gives up its 12th overall pick and its higher of two second-round picks to trade up to third overall and select Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan (pictured). Not expected. A referendum on GM Jeff Ireland's judgment as much as on Jordan. Click on Trusting Ireland for my column on the selection. Now give us your reaction in new poll just below. Original post: up, trade down or stay with the 12th overall pick? We'll find that out before we learn the identity of Miami's newest sports star. Click on '13 MOCK for my 22nd annual Mock Draft. You know by now I think Miami will and should select Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. A wild-card on this draft day is the negotiation to acquire Chiefs tackle Branden Albert by trade for a second-round pick. Talks have been ended until after each team's 1R pick tonight. That's a risk for each side. KC could lose its trade partner if Miami chose an O-lineman, a decision the Dolphins now must consider. Cornerback, offensive tackle and a pass rusher are other primary needs, but with 11 picks as of now including five in the first three rounds Miami will have a chance to address every need. Drafting Eifert would give the Dolphins (they would hope) what the Patriots have in Rob Gronkowski, and continue the emphasis of surrounding QB Ryan Tannehill with weapons.

My mock did not rock: I am not pleased. Overall I correctly picked 24 of the 32 first-round selections, but only three to the exact teams. That's slightly below average on the overall and significantly so on the exactos. Tough year; muddled draft. Florida State QB EJ Manuel going 1R surprised me and just about every other mocker. My biggest miss was Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o, who was not selected Thursday night after I'd had him going 20th.

Poll result: Eifert would be popular pick with fans: We asked and 62.1 percent said they'd like to see Miami draft Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert, vs. only 8.7% for Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes and 5.9% for Alabama OT D.J. Fluker. Another 23.3% voted "somebody else."

G3: HEAT 104, BUCKS 91: CAN YOU SAY 'SWEEP'?: Ray Allen's 23 points off the bench led Miami and LeBron James added 22 but the story of the night (despite the win ) might have been Dwyane Wade scoring only 4 points on 1-for-12 shooting despite big minutes. He had 11 assists and five steals, yes. But his night offensively called into further question the health of his right knee moving forward. Original post: Heat made it look pretty easy in going up 2-0 in Miami. Milwaukee must hold serve tonight at home for any realistic (read: remote) chance of getting back in this series. Doubt it will happen. Thinks Bucks could pinch Game 4 Thursday, but see Heat with a win tonight. It'll be interesting to see if Dwyane Wade's balky right knee allows him to put on a show for the Milwaukee crowd, his former hometown fans from his Marquette days, because you know he'll want to. (Meantime, Brandon Jennings still thinks Bucks will beat Heat in six games; clear here to hear what "delusional" sounds like).

SHANE LARKIN TURNING PRO ALL BUT OFFICIAL: His announcement news conference is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, but chances are it will be anticlimactic -- stating the obvious. It is widely assumed he will forego a return to UM and instead enter the NBA Draft, with ESPN reporting it's a done deal. That would leave Jim Larranaga with zero returning starters from his Sweet 16 team. 

UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER": We have introduced a feature we'll update in the blog throughout the season as long as the Marlins' winning percentage is under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the nadir in its class -- the single worst season in modern MLB history. Now, your Marlins are threatening that ignominy. Marlins Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 5-17 (.227). Updated season projection, 36.8 wins, 125.2 losses.

They're kidding, right? No!?: The Marlins just sent out the following Tweet. It made me laugh out loud:

Voting for the 2013 All-Star Game has started! Cast your ballot for your favorite #Marlins players here:miami.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/events/all…

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 25, 2013

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Vote! Who is Heat's MVOG (Most Valuable Other Guy)?; plus Heat-Bucks schedule, Kiper plays Ireland, Marlins, reflections on Boston & more

1) It is THURSDAY, APRIL 18. NFL says Larry Litttle will anounce Dolphins' 2nd- and 3rd-round draft picks. 2) UM linebacker Eddie Johnson officially departs for Hinds Community College. 3) R.I.P. Pat Summerall, 82, for many the voice of football. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Boston Marathon tragedy, Man vs. World on Heat, Dolphins' Mount Rushmore results, UM spring football, New Orleans visit. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

Heat-Bucks schedule: Game 1--Sunday 21st at MIA 7 pm; 2--Tuesday 23rd at MIA 7:30; 3--Thursday 25th at MILW 7; 4--Sunday 28th at MILW 3:30. If necessary: 5--Tuesday 30th at MIA tbd;p 6--Thursday 2nd at MILW tbd; 7--Saturday 4th at MIA tbd. Click on Must Win for my forward-looking column off last night's regular season finale. Dwyane Wade says Miami must win a repeat title for the record-setting regular season to matter.  

Click UM In Right, But NCAA Has Might for today's latest column.

FORGET THE BIG 3. WHO HAS BEEN HEAT'S MOST VALUABLE OTHER GUY?: LeBron James will win another NBA season MVP award or the league should be disbanded. So a vote on the Heat's season MVP would be pointless; it's obvious. Likewise, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are the Heat's second and third best and most valuable players beyond argument. But after the Big 3? There the debate begins. In this poll I offer a choice of the eight other players who have played most. Any of four of them, to me, might be legitimate picks here. Have your say. Vote and say why.

KIPER PLAYS IRELAND ON DOLPHINS DRAFT: Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, take the month off. ESPN draftnik Mel Kiper has done your job for you by revealing Miami's picks in the first three rounds. Dolphs are only NFL team with five, by the way. They'll be, says Mel: 1st round (12th overall)--Alabama OT D.J. Fluker; 2R (42nd)--Florida State DE Tank Carradine; 2R (54th)--UConn CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson; 3R (77th)--North Carolina State CB David Amerson; and 3R (82nd)--Harvard FB Kyle Juszczyk.

MORE REFLECTIONS ON BOSTON: I grew up in South Florida but was born in Massachusetts, 25 miles west of Boston, in Lawrence. Many longtime readers know the Red Sox and Carl Yastrzemski were my first love in sports. My second was the parquet floor on which Bill Russell and John Havlicek worked. But of course I felt Monday's Boston Marathon tragedy not because of those roots, but as an American. Background matters not at a time like that. We are all one country. It sounds corny, but it is the one truism that the terrorists fail to understand: That what they think will tear us apart, binds us together instead. I was so moved to see people running toward where the bombs blew, to render aid. To hear of runners sprinting straight from the race to the nearest hospital, to donate blood. New York understands, and so the Yankees last night displayed both teams' logos with the banner, 'United We Stand,' and played the Red Sox anthem Sweet Caroline during the game. (Click here to see and hear that sweet gesture). Times like these remind us there are so many evil people in the world .. but also that there are so many, many more who are good. [Click on We Deal With It for my reaction to the tragedy, a column I am grateful to say has appeared in newspapers all over the country].

Papelbon goes there: Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies (and ex-Red Sox) pitcher, might have had a little internal voice saying, "Don't go there." But he went there. He might have heard that little inward voice warn, "Don't be that guy." But he was that guy. Papelbon, yesterday, on the Boston bombings: "Today's day and age has gotten so crazy. Shoot, man, Obama wants to take our guns from us and everything."

MARLINS UPDATED WORLD SERIES ODDS. NO, SERIOUSLY!: Hey, Mr. Vegas wants somebody to bet on everybody. Hence, odds. Updated World Series odds from Bovada, new today, have a bunched crowd for favorite, with Tigers 7-1, Braves 15-2 and Nationals 8-1. Your Marlins are dead last now at 1,000-to-1.

SHANE LARKIN, DON'T GO: Hurricanes point guard Shane Larkin's protrcated decision whether to return to UM or enter the NBA draft is said to be leaning toward go-pro, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. That would be unfortunate for him, I think. Larkin would not be a certain first-round draft pick. TNT's Steve Kerr, appearing on 790 The Ticket recently, responded to my question about Larkin's NBA future by saying he'd be a career backup. Larkin needs another college season to solidify his first-round status and improve perceptions about his upside on the next level.

On FIU's basketball hire: Norfolk State's Anthony Evans taking over FIU men's basketball feels like a solid hire if only because -- unlike star names Richard Pitino and Isiah Thomas before that -- Evans seems like he might not treat the job as an immediate stepping stone. FIU doesn't need another fast-break outta town. It needs a coach who wants to stay, and build.   

"DEAR GREG...": "...your blog's OK but would be better if occasionally you would show a picture of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill riding a go-kart. Thank you." Dear reader, I'll see what I can do. No promises.

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Referendum on referendum: Do you support Dolphins stadium-improvement plan? Poll. Vote!; plus Manti in Miami, The 3 Faces of Marlins Fans & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10. In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Marlins drop home opener, Louisville wins NCAA, Tiger/Masters odds, Heat play it safe with Wade. 2) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

Manti Te'o on official Dolphins visit: Notre Dame linebacker/slow-40-runner and girlfriend-hoax victim Manti Te'o is headed to Miami as one of the Dolphins' 30 official draft-prospect visits, the Palm Beach Post reports. Very slim chance they'd actually take him I'd imagine.

A REFERENDUM ON THE REFERENDUM: YOU FOR OR AGAINST DOLPHINS' STADIUM-IMPROVEMENT PLAN?: A planned May 14 Miami-Dade referendum will ask vote to approve or deny a plan to use public tax dollars to help renovate Dolphins stadium. Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Giminez and Dolphins president Mike Dee announced agreement on the plan, but their agreement means what Granpappy used to call diddly-squat without voter approval. The issue is complicated; click here to read details. But I have kept my ballot simple. Are you for or against using tax dollars to help renovate the stadium? We had a related ballot on this issue back in January; time for another, more streamlined pulse read. Vote and say why.

THE THREE FACES OF MARLINS FANS: Face 1--The Boycotter. These fans will have nothing to do with the Marlins as long as detested Jeffrey Loria is owner. Or at least as long as the team remains low-budget and lacking major-league talent. Face 2--The Loyalist. These fans will continue to root for the uniform, for the hometown team, despite the owner. Face 3--The Angry Attendee. These fans will attend, but not be happy about it. Meet Rachel P. and her father, who last night attended their 14th consecutive home opener together in the loss dropping Miami to 1-6 -- but did so wth a message to convey. Thanks for the pic, Rachel. You have taken the Classic Paper Bag protest to a different level with the T-shirt adaptations. (Particularly like the Triple-A'ing of the word MAAArlins). Photo was shot on a concourse. We can only imagine that moments are this image was taken, the two of them were swept away by Loria's Gestapo, never to be heard from again.

Protesting fans booted from park?: There have bee reports (click here) that some Marlins fans protesting Loria were escorted by police from the game last night. 

WOMEN: UCONN, LOUISVILLE = TWO SHOTS AT A DOUBLE: Women's NCAA basketball wrapped up in New Orleans last night with UConn beating Louisville. It made for a double shot at history in category of one school's men and women both reigning in same season. Very short list. Only UConn has done it, in 2004. Louisville had a chance last night after its men had won Monday night.

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Classic!: Louisville wins NCAA; plus Marlins shut out in home opener (hitters wanted), Masters odds, "Kid K" Fernandez, D-Wade's injury, Shalala verdict & more

1) It is MONDAY, APRIL 8. No live blog chat today due to my being on furlough. Chat will return next Monday. 2) R.I.P. to two women of disparite greatness: Margaret Thatcher, 87, and (pictured) Annette Funicello, 70. 3) Click on Random Evidence for yesterday's latest Sunday notes column. It leads with NCAA's basketball party juxtaposed with group's rough time for scandals. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Shalala's responsibility, UM's risky play with NCAA, Bosh burglarized, Marlins' tough start, Dolphins draft. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

MAJOR MONDAY: MARLINS DROP HOME OPENER: Marlins opened their 21st season at home tonight with a 2-0 loss to Atlanta and it might be the oddest year yet for the club: A still-sparkling-new 1-year-old ballpark speaking of optimism and better days, but fan unrest and and a low-budget team inside that park. The 1-5 road trip to start the season only underlined forecasts of a long, losing season. Now this. And Giancarlo Stanton's early struggles at the plate are an early concern. You want a bright spot? Despite a blown save that cost him a win, 20-year-old Jose Fernandez (pictured) -- "Kid K" (patent pending) -- pitched five strong innings, giving up only three hits, one walk and one run, and striking out eight in his big-league debut. Very impressive. Very encouraging. As for tonight's opening crowd, the announced gate was a near-sellout 34,439. The actual crowd seemed a bit smaller. Club owner Jeffrey Loria attended outfitted in a bulletproof vest. OK I made up that last part.

MAJOR MONDAY II: LOUISVILLE WINS NCAA: No. 1-seed Louisville was a 4-point favorite over No. 4 Michigan and it was hard not to like the Rick Pitino's Cardinals here. They won 82-76 in a thriller, trailing by as many as 12 but proving to be the better team. Great game. Feels like the NCAA Tournament in men's basketball started months ago, hundreds of teams ago, a million shredded brackets ago. March Madness has been going on so long, March couldn't even contain it. Now, finally, it ended with somebody cutting down the net. My pick was : Louisville, 72-66. The semifinals:

No. 1-ranked Louisville d. No. 9 Wichita State, 72-68 -- Emotional factor clearly resided on this half of the Saturday doubleheader. Wichita State's impossibly nicknamed Shockers were rightly cast as the surviving Cinderella, but heavily favored L'ville took on a whole new level of rootability when guard Kevin Ware suffered that gruesome broken leg last week. I thought only a particularly hot night by W-State's 3-point gunners would keep it close, but the u-dogs led early and kept it tight. Thought the Cardinals were the national champion-designate, and a clear choice here. About the only edge I gave to Wichita State was the mascot. My pick was: Louisville, 78-62.

No. 4-ranked Michigan d. No. 4 Syracuse, 61-56 -- This was doubleheader's better half, what should be and was a great game between contrasting teams. It was Michigan's run-and-gun featuring national player of the year Trey Burke vs. Syracuse's befuddling 2-3 zone defense. Over/under on TV screenshots of ex-Heatnik Tim Hardaway cheering Wolverine Jr.: 4.5. I could see why Michigan was slight favorite, but I just had a hunch about the Orangemen. The hunch was wrong; Wolverines won despite an off-night (7 points) by Burke. But I nailed the score if not the winner. Would have had an exacto if not for Michigan's last-second layup. My pick was: Syracuse, 59-56.

TIGER WOODS BIG BETTING PICK AT MASTERS: El Gato is 5-2 to win this week at The Masters, an usually heavy favorite for golf. Rory McIlroy at 8-1 and Phil Mickelson at 10-1 come next. Defending champ Bubba Watson is 33-1, tied for 12th.

SMART HEAT TELL WADE TO TAKE IT EASY: Dwyane Wade's tempermental right knee needs babying right now, and so the Heat properly are babying it. Wade last played March 29 and could sit until the playoffs. Meantime teammate LeBron James is the NBA's player of the month for March. He also was player of the month for November, December, January and February. No player has ever been POM five straight months in one season. Gee, I wonder if LeBron will be named MVP again!? (Is the Pope Argentine?)

Poll result: Shalala bears responsibility in UM's NCAA mess: We asked what UM president Donna Shalala's responsibilty level is in the Hurricanes' NCAA matter, and 24.3 percent said "a great deal," 32.4% said "moderate," 29.9% said "minimal" and 13.4% said "none."

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