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I happened to be walking past the Michigan locker room postgame Sunday right as the Midwest regional bracket was getting announced.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a couple of managers and videographers anxiously looking up at the TV with their laptops open.
As soon as the 8-9 matchup was announced — Michigan’s potential opponents should it advance past Round 1 — they screamed: “Georgia and St. Louis. Let’s go!” Then they ran into the coaches’ locker room to begin prep for the busiest and best time of the year.
It brought me back to my teenage years, when I seriously considered pursuing a career in basketball coaching rather than writing. I managed for my high school team. I got a kick when The New York Times — via some guy named Pete Thamel, whatever became of him? — wrote a story on all of the dirty work that managers did to help their teams.
The sport, much as I hate to admit this, just isn’t covered the way it used to be. That’s not to say there isn’t great coverage out there — I won’t name them all, for fear of leaving someone out — but there was a time, not that long ago, when The Times itself would cover the Big East men’s basketball tournament at MSG as thoroughly as it would a White House event.
Those days, unfortunately, are long gone.
I do some hoops coverage here when relevant. I’d like to do more if that’s what you guys want. Let me know.
I was at the Big Ten Tournament last week, since it was here in Chicago. I’ll be at the Midwest regional next week, also here. And I’ll be at the Final Four in Indianapolis, since it’s a short drive away and it doubles as a convention of sorts for the college sports industry, which helps inform me to better serve you.
Michigan, according to several sportsbooks, is the favorite to make it to Indy and win it all. Are the Wolverines your pick?
We’re happy to introduce The Inside Zone Bracket Challenge on CBS.
The rules are simple: One bracket per entry. Winner-take-all.
What’s the winner get? I’ve got some ideas cooking (think exclusive merch), but I’m open to other ideas.
Test your knowledge against mine, then talk endless amounts of trash when you beat me.
Good luck.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
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