We're still in withdrawal over the end of college basketball season, as it really is our favorite time of the year, although we are stoked for the Masters this week.
Some things we thought we'd pass on to you, the loyal readers:
- If you caught the end of Florida's repeat national championship performance you saw a ton of face-time for former Notre Dame assistant Lewis Preston, who a year ago was still employed by the Irish. Not a bad move for Preston and it worked out well for Notre Dame, who hired Gene Cross.
- Jeff Samardzija's Web site is up-and-running again, complete with his own blog (Hey Jeff, link us up). He's starting the season with the High Class A Daytona Cubs and, according to his site, supposed to make his first start of the year Friday. Former teammate Jeff Manship had hoped to join Samardzija in High A, but it turns out he'll start the season in Low Class A Beloit. Why should this matter? Well, Beloit is in the Midwest League, which means he'll be making appearances in both South Bend and Fort Wayne.
- The coaching carousel continues to spin and as one Big East job was filled (Stan Heath to South Florida, which could be a great move for the Bulls) another opens as West Virginia coach John Beilein heads to Michigan. While scheduling could be a ways away, it could also open the door to a renewal of a Michigan-Notre Dame series with Mike Brey's good friend, Tommy Amaker, no longer employed in Ann Arbor. It also means they'll be at least two new coaches in the Big East next season.
- Looking to 2007, SI.com expert blogger Luke Winn has Notre Dame just outside of his immediate preseason Top 10 for next season in men's basketball, another good sign for the Irish.
- The final ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll is out, and Notre Dame dropped out after losing to Winthrop in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Also, did anyone else notice no "One Shining Moment" highlights for Winthrop on Monday night. Did I miss it? How disappointing.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette
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