North: Now Ventura must get White Sox focused
This Chicago White Sox debacle (do I need to explain I am referring to the sudden retirement of Adam LaRoche after he was asked to bring his son less often to the team's clubhouse?) almost seems like a fictional story.
It has had so many twists and turns, I don't know what is true and what isn't.
I talked to two sources who believe the White Sox clubhouse has been lost, even though a statement by owner Jerry Reinsdorf was issued to right the ship.
I believe Robin Ventura is the only guy in Sox management who can straighten out this mess and get this team focusing on the game again. If they can get off to a good start, it will help them move on.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon has chimed in, saying kids are allowed in their clubhouse but they are gone three hours before the game. There was no mention of lockers for kids.
• In the NCCA tournament this weekend, Northern Iowa allowed Texas A & M to tie the game despite leading 69-57 with 35 seconds left in regulation.
The Huskies' collapse was the worst in NCAA history, and unfortunately Iowa's players will never forget their double-overtime loss (92-88).
Hopefully the sting will diminish over the years, but that's a stain no detergent can get out.
• It has been a tournament of upsets and surprises as Michigan State, a No. 2 seed, suffered the worst upset in NCAA history, losing 90-81 to Middle Tennessee State, a No. 15 seed. The loss is one of the few blemishes on an otherwise spectacular resume of Spartans coach Tom Izzo. Vegas won more than $1 million on that game alone.
• Here's my degenerate gambler story of the day. A guy bet $150 on the money line on Michigan State to win just $2. That may be the dumbest bet ever!
• While I love the NBA, I must say I hardly watched a minute of it over the last few days because I was so engrossed in the NCAA tournament. I did, however, catch a little of San Antonio's win over Golden State (87-79).
I have said before that copying the Warriors' style of play, like nine or 10 teams including the Bulls have tried to do, would be counterproductive. Why would you try to run with Golden State if you don't have the horses?
The Spurs won because they picked up Stephen Curry at half court like Oscar "The Big O" Robertson suggested a few weeks back on my Fox Sports Radio show. It worked.
The Spurs can push the ball, but Gregg Popovich knows that wouldn't help them win.
• A shout out to the Benedictine Eagles of Illinois for making the Division III men's basketball national championship Saturday night. They lost to St. Thomas of Minnesota, 82-76.
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