Steelers announce resting starters not traveling to Cleveland

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that the starters who are sitting out this week to rest ahead of the playoffs did not travel with the team. This means quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive lineman Cam Heyward, center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker T.J. Watt will stay back in Pittsburgh while the rest of the team heads to Cleveland to try to knock the Browns out of playoff contention.

In addition, Pittsburgh also announced that kicker Chris Boswell and safety Terrell Edmunds are staying in Pittsburgh while they deal with injuries. Matthew Wright will handle the kicking duties this week and in Edmunds’ place, look for some combination of Jordan Dangerfield and Marcus Allen.

There was no mention of cornerback Joe Haden not traveling with the team but Haden, along with tight end Eric Ebron and linebacker Cassius Marsh were all placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Source: Steelers announce resting starters not traveling to Cleveland

Steelers vs. Colts score: Pittsburgh rallies from 17 points down to win the AFC North crown  28 – 24 – CBSSports.com

The Steelers win the AFC North while also ending their three-game losing streak

Down 24-7, three Ben Roethlisberger touchdown passes in less than 11 minutes propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to a come-from-behind, 28-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. With the win, the Steelers ended a three-game losing streak while clinching their first AFC North division title since 2017. The Colts, who came to Pittsburgh with a three-game winning streak, are 10-5 entering the final week of the regular season.

Two Jonathan Taylor touchdown runs, along with Phillip Rivers’ 42-yard touchdown pass to Zach Pascal, had given the Colts a 21-7 halftime lead. But after falling behind 24-7, Big Ben and the Steelers’ offense woke up, as Roethlisberger hit Diontae Johnson (39 yards), Eric Ebron (five yards) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (25 yards) to take a four-point lead with 7:38 to play. Rivers, who threw an interception on the Colts’ ensuing possession, managed to get Indianapolis to the Steelers’ 33-yard-line on their final possession before firing three straight incomplete pass.

Source: Steelers vs. Colts score: Pittsburgh rallies from 17 points down to win the AFC North crown – CBSSports.com

Pittsburgh Steelers Drop 3rd Consecutive Game After 27 – 17 Loss To Cincinnati Bengals On Monday Night

CINCINNATI (AP) — Giovani Bernard scored two first-half touchdowns after turnovers and the Cincinnati Bengals held on to stun the badly slumping Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 on Monday night.

The Bengals (3-10-1) led 17-0 at halftime and survived a rally by the Steelers, who lost their third straight after 11 consecutive wins to start the season. Pittsburgh didn’t get a first down until more than halfway through the second quarter.

Cincinnati snapped a streak of 11 straight losses to Pittsburgh in the most unlikely fashion, with Ryan Finley at quarterback. The second-year player, starting in place of injured No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow, completed seven passes for 89 yards, but his 23-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter all but sealed it for the Bengals.

It was the second huge upset of this NFL weekend. Pittsburgh was a 14-point favorite, and the Los Angeles Rams were favored by 17 before losing to the previously winless New York Jets on Sunday. It was the first time since the 1970s that two teams favored by 14 points or more lost on the same weekend.

Three weeks ago, the Steelers were on track for the top overall seed in the AFC, but now they could end up a wild card. Pittsburgh has tough matchups remaining against Indianapolis (10-4) and Cleveland (10-4), which trails the Steelers by one game in the AFC North.

Source: Pittsburgh Steelers Drop 3rd Consecutive Game After Loss To Cincinnati Bengals

Steelers list Ben Roethlisberger as questionable for Monday – ProFootballTalk

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was out of practice for the third straight day on Saturday and his status for Monday’s game against the Washington Football Team is uncertain. The Steelers listed Roethlisberger as questionable to play. Roethlisberger was listed as out of Thursday’s estimated practice for non-injury reasons, but a knee issue has been added [more]

Source: Steelers list Ben Roethlisberger as questionable for Monday – ProFootballTalk

PHOTOS: Steelers Defeat Baltimore Ravens; Remain Undefeated – Pittsburgh Current

By Jake Mysliwczyk
Visuals Editor
Jake@pittsburghcurrent.com

After two coronavirus-related postponements that started on Thanksgiving night, the Pittsburgh Steelers remained undefeated at 11-0 after beating the Baltimore Ravens 19-14 at Heinz Field on Wednesday, December 2.

This rare Wednesday afternoon game was previously scheduled for Thanksgiving night and was rescheduled three times due to multiple members of the Ravens testing positive for COVID-19 over the course of a week.

The game wasn’t a showcase for either team. The Ravens, however, had an excuse for sloppy, uneven play without several key members, including Quarterback Lamar Jackson. And while the Steelers were without running back James Connor, the running game wasn’t Pittsburgh’s only issue. The receiving corps dropped passes that should have added to the Steelers lead. The defense held its own, however,  intercepting Baltimore’s quarterback Robert Griffin III early in the first quarter for a touchdown and recovered a fumble.

The Steelers now only have five days to prepare for its next game against the Washington Football Team, a 5:00 p.m Monday Night Football matchup at Heinz Field on December 7, 2020.

Source: PHOTOS: Steelers Defeat Baltimore Ravens; Remain Undefeated – Pittsburgh Current

WWE’s Pat Patterson dies at 79 | TribLIVE.com

WWE legend and Hall of Famer Pat Patterson has died, according to the wrestling company.

Patterson was 79.

Born Pierre Clermont, he was the first WWE Intercontinental Champion and thought to be the first openly gay wrestling star, which he detailed in his 2016 book, “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.”

Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. After retiring as an active wrestler in 1984, he worked behind the scenes in WWE and was credited with originating the Royal Rumble, one of the company’s signature events.

Source: WWE’s Pat Patterson dies at 79 | TribLIVE.com

Steelers-Ravens Tuesday Night Game Postponed Again | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

The Steelers-Ravens game originally scheduled for Thanksgiving has been moved yet again.

The game originally was rescheduled to Sunday at Heinz Field, and then it was pushed back to Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora both tweeted that the game now is scheduled for Wednesday.

If the game is played Wednesday, it’s likely the Steelers’ game Sunday against the Washington Football Team would have to be moved. The Steelers would be playing the game on just three days’ rest; Washington, which defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, would be playing after a 10-day hiatus.

Source: Steelers-Ravens Tuesday Night Game Postponed Again | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

Steelers practice canceled as team awaits NFL decision on game Sunday vs. Ravens | TribLIVE.com

Coach Mike Tomlin canceled practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday as the team awaits a decision from the NFL on whether the game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens will be played.

The game is in danger of being postponed for a second time because of the coronavirus outbreak in the Ravens locker room.

Source: Steelers practice canceled as team awaits NFL decision on game Sunday vs. Ravens | TribLIVE.com

Steelers roll to 10-0, but they aren’t thinking about perfection | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After dispatching of another rookie quarterback and taking care of business the way they should against the NFL’s lower echelon, the Steelers insist they are not ready to even begin thinking about a perfect season. Nor should they.

Maybe it will become more of a reality if they manage to beat the suddenly slumping Baltimore Ravens a second time on Thanksgiving night at Heinz Field. And it might start dancing in their head if they get past the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills two weeks later.

For now, they are managing to get away with less-than-perfect performances, which was the case Sunday when the Steelers scratched out three touchdowns and a pair of Chris Boswell field goals against the AFC’s worst scoring defense in a 27-3 victory against the one-win Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We don’t anticipate rolling out of tunnels and people laying down for us,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We step out of tunnels expecting a 60-minute fight every week.”

Source: Steelers roll to 10-0, but they aren’t thinking about perfection | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers vs. Bengals score: Ben Roethlisberger’s four touchdowns propel Pittsburgh to 9-0 start – CBSSports.com

The Steelers are still undefeated after routing their division rivals in Week 10

The Steelers became the 21st team in the Super Bowl era to start 9-0 after posting a 36-10 win over the visiting Bengals on Sunday. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 333 yards with four touchdown passes, propelling Pittsburgh to its 11th straight win over Cincinnati (2-6-1).

Roethlisberger’s touchdown total on Sunday was his highest in a game since he had five touchdown passes in Pittsburgh’s win over Carolina in Week 10 of the 2018 season. For his career, Roethlisberger is 26-7 against the Bengals and 22-2 against rookie quarterbacks. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked four times while recording his third lowest passing output of the season. Two of those sacks were by T.J. Watt, who led a Steelers’ defense that held the Bengals to an 0-of-13 mark on third down.

Down 12-0 in the first quarter, the Bengals found pay dirt after Burrow hit fellow rookie Tee Higgins on a two-yard pass on fourth-and-goal. Pittsburgh responded with consecutive scoring drives that included Roethlisberger’s eight-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster. Roethlisberger threw for 243 yards in the first half, while Diontae Johnson caught six passes for 116 yards in the first half, including his 12-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.

Source: Steelers vs. Bengals score: Ben Roethlisberger’s four touchdowns propel Pittsburgh to 9-0 start – CBSSports.com

Dodgers claim first World Series title in 32 years, rallying past Rays in Game 6

Dodgers win first World Series since 1988 after beating Rays in Game 6.

Los Angeles has officially transformed into Titletown.

For the second time in October, the city claimed a major sports championship as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series. Of course, the LeBron James-led Lakers already brought home the NBA title after topping the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

[Yahoo Store: Get your Los Angeles Dodgers championship gear here!]

The Dodgers triumph ends a 32-year championship drought for one of MLB’s most decorated franchises. Not since Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser became postseason legends in 1988 has the team’s season culminated with a celebration. It some ways, the wait felt a lot longer. Probably because the Dodgers have fallen short time and time again since becoming perennial World Series contenders in 2013. Now, all of that built up pain and frustration can give way to jubilation.

Source: Dodgers claim first World Series title in 32 years, rallying past Rays in Game 6

Dodgers intent on ending title drought in World Series Game 6 | One America News Network

There will be no backing down from the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with their best pitcher on the mound and a relentless offense in tow.

The Rays’ assignment: stopping the Dodgers from winning their first World Series title in 32 years.

The determined Tampa Bay offense was held in check Sunday night as Los Angeles took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 4-2 victory, but it was not for a lack of inventive thinking.

Even in the Game 5 defeat, the Rays’ bold and brash offensive mindset was represented by an attempted straight steal of home by Manuel Margot. It failed, but just barely, as Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy alerted Clayton Kershaw and the pitcher’s snap throw home — as catcher Austin Barnes applied the tag — stood out as the contest’s turning point.

The bottom of the fourth inning was trending the Rays’ direction. Margot was on third base and Hunter Renfroe was on first with no outs and the Rays trailing 3-2. But Kershaw got Joey Wendle to pop up before striking out Willy Adames.

Instead of relying on a two-out hit from Kevin Kiermaier, Margot broke for home. Kershaw stepped off the rubber and got the ball to Barnes just in time.

Kershaw’s resolve only seemed to grow stronger. He retired the next five batters he faced before manager Dave Roberts went to the bullpen and Los Angeles shut down Tampa Bay from there.

“(I’m) always confident in this bunch,” Kiermaier said. “If there’s any team that can respond well with their backs against the wall, our group is the group that has come through when we need it the most.”

Tampa Bay built a 5-0 lead for Snell in Game 2 as the offense got a jump on what was essentially a bullpen day for the Dodgers. Brandon Lowe emerged from a postseason slump with two home runs.

Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin started Game 2 and went one inning on short rest. He will take the mound again in Game 6 in more of a traditional start, although he likely would have to be dominating in order to go five innings.

A bullpen-heavy game is not the Dodgers’ forte, although it did get them through Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against Atlanta. Gonsolin pitched two innings in that one but gave up two of the Braves’ three runs.

Source: Dodgers intent on ending title drought in Game 6 | One America News Network

Why Titans vs. Steelers could be the game of the year – Behind the Steel Curtain

Expect a shootout in Week 7.

The Steelers have a really good defense. let me be clear about that, they are a top 5 defense right now, and are likely to do what Mike Tomlin defenses do, and get better as the season continues. I’m a huge fan of this defense, and I think they can thrive even without Devin Bush.

But this isn’t about the whole season, how good this defense is the last 6 weeks and into the playoffs, or how we will look at this defense 5 years from now. This is week 7, facing the Tennessee Titans, and an offense that is the best in the NFL.

The Steelers offense is underrated, they are better than the normal stats say they are, and while they are not producing the numbers the Titans are, they are also a really good offense.

Source: Why Titans vs. Steelers could be the game of the year – Behind the Steel Curtain

Ellwood City Area School District Will Allow Up To 1,000 People At Homecoming Football Game – CBS Pittsburgh

The Ellwood City School District is allowing up to 1,000 people at its homecoming football game Friday.

This decision comes despite the school board’s solicitor recommending the district follows the state’s recommended limit on gatherings.

Source: Ellwood City Area School District Will Allow Up To 1,000 People At Homecoming Football Game – CBS Pittsburgh

Steelers, Pitt Broadcaster Bill Hillgrove Suspended | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

PITTSBURGH, PA — Longtime Steelers and Pitt Panthers radio announcer Bill Hillgrove has been suspended for the first two games of the season by both teams. The move comes as Hillgrove is facing DUI charges.

Police said Bill Hillgrove, 79, drove his car into two glass panes at Ferri’s Shur Save supermarket in Murrysville in June. KDKA-TV reported that Hillgrove acknowledged to police that he had “a couple of beers” before the incident.

Hillgrove was hired in 1969 as a broadcaster for the Pitt Panthers basketball team, and later became a color and lead announcer for Pitt basketball and football games. The former WTAE-TV sports director has been the radio play-by-play announcer for Steelers games since 1994.

Source: Steelers, Pitt Broadcaster Bill Hillgrove Suspended | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

BREAKING: Legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula dead at age 90 – Sports – The Palm Beach Post – West Palm Beach, FL

Don Shula was arguably the greatest coach in the 100-year history of the National Football League as measured by his record 347 victories. He won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins, including a perfect season.

Two words, simply scrawled on a blackboard in the corner of a locker room. Amid all the celebrating and champagne and cameras, the message easily could have gone unnoticed, or faded from memory, if not so perfect.

BEST EVER.

An equipment man had written that in honor of the 1973 Miami Dolphins, who had just won their second consecutive Super Bowl. And although a wide smile managed to pierce the stern jaw of Don Shula when he saw it while walking out to pick up the trophy, years would pass before anyone, Shula included, could fully appreciate them.

BEST EVER. That’s Donald Francis Shula, who died Monday at age 90.

Shula was the greatest coach in the 100-year history of the National Football League as measured by his record 347 victories, that beacon of a bottom line he so treasured.

>>READ MORE: In one of Don Shula’s last interviews, he talked favorite career moment, future of the team

How strange that this morning, his legacy shines even brighter through the prism of the greatest loss that could ever be associated with him — the loss of the man himself.

Gone is an icon, a man who could stand alongside Henry Flagler for the sculpting of a Mount Rushmore for Florida. It’s not simply because he won some football games, or even all of them in that glorious 17-0 season of 1972.

It’s the manner in which he did so: stressing a work ethic, respect and integrity in a way that grabbed Larry Csonka and Dan Marino by the collar just as surely as it did the brick layer in Hialeah and the landscaper in Lantana.

Don Shula made us feel better about calling ourselves South Floridians.

Source: BREAKING: Legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula dead at age 90 – Sports – The Palm Beach Post – West Palm Beach, FL

2019 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon results

Gold medal winners announced

The gold medal winner of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon men’s division was Boniface Kongin of Kenya, with a time of 2:10:34.

“I feel so happy and to make it more happier I did it in Pittsburgh,” Kongin said. “I felt the crowd kept me moving on such a difficult course. I am just super happy and this gave me the moral boost I needed.”

The gold medal winner of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon women’s division was Bizuwork Getahun Kasaye of Ethiopia, with a time of 2:36:29.

Source: 2019 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon results

Kentucky Derby 2019 winner: Country House wins after Maximum Security is disqualified – Los Angeles Times

Country House won the 145th Kentucky Derby on Saturday after Maximum Security, which crossed the finish line first, was disqualified for a contact foul while making its way onto the final stretch.

Source: Kentucky Derby 2019 winner: Country House wins after Maximum Security is disqualified – Los Angeles Times

Steelers’ first-round draft pick enjoys first official meal at Primanti Bros.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 first round draft pick, Devin Bush, takes a bite out of an “Almost Famous” Primanti Bros. sandwich at the restaurant brand’s Strip District location in Pittsburgh – his inaugural meal upon arriving in the Steel City. SOURCE: Primanti Bros

Devin Bush visited the original Strip District location on Saturday.

Source: Steelers’ first-round draft pick enjoys first official meal at Primanti Bros.

Get your 100 percent accurate NFL Draft scouting report – SBNation.com

Give us your name and we’ll give you your NFL Draft scouting report!

The NFL Draft is here again, and once more we pore over scouting reports, salivating and recoiling in fear when our favorite teams make a pick. With a firm belief that turnabout is fair play, we want to give you the ability to make your own scouting report too — full of the same dumb terminology and inane justifications for players that we’ll hear all weekend long.

We used powerful computer technology to build just such a tool. It’s a state-of-the-art algorithm which replicates actual NFL Draft scouting reports, with a fun twist.

SB Nation’s 100-percent Accurate Draft Scouting Report Generator features thousands of potential combinations that form together to make your perfect scouting report. Some will relate to football, others won’t — and the result might even make you mad. This is the essence of being a college football player on draft day, watching as your character is picked apart.

Try it out! Then send it to your friends to make your own big board of character concerns and quirks that will make you utterly undraftable.

Try it out! Then send it to your friends to make your own big board of character concerns and quirks that will make you utterly undraftable.

If the generator is not showing up for you, click here!

Source: Get your 100 percent accurate NFL Draft scouting report – SBNation.com

Pens-Flyers Game 2 Recap: Penguins unlucky on Friday the 13th, lose 5-1 – PensBurgh

By

1st Period

Both teams were feeling each other out through much of the first period. The Flyers brought much more physicality to the contest and made sure to finish their checks early on.

There wasn’t a lot of meaningful action to report. The Penguins hit the post a few times throughout the period, but never found the back of the net.

With 1:30 left in the first frame, Zach Aston-Reese was penalized for boarding Ivan Provorov. With 36.9 seconds left, Shayne Gostisbehere capitalized on a failed clear and shot the puck pastMatt Murray for a 1-0 lead.

The period would conclude with the 1-0 Philadelphia lead intact.

2nd Period

47 seconds into the period, Sean Couturier was the beneficiary of the puck bouncing off Kris Letang’s body and the Flyers would extend their lead to 2-0.

Claude Giroux delivered a brutal backside hit to Kris Letang near the halfway mark of the second period. Letang would leave the ice under his own power.

With 12:28 left in the period, Travis Konecny was called for roughing Chad Ruhwedel. The penalty was killed by the Flyers after a few good Penguins chances.

Four minutes later, Patric Hornqvist and Andrew MacDonald were sent off for matching slashing minors.

Sidney Crosby was sprung on a breakaway, but was denied by Brian Elliott.

With five minutes left in the period, Travis Sanheim was penalized for hooking Derick Brassard. This power-play effort resulted in absolutely nothing for the Penguins.

With 1:37 left in the period, Wayne Simmonds was cited for roughing Evgeni Malkin. Kris Letang would return to the bench before the start of the power-play.

The Penguins ran out of time at the end of the period to halve the deficit. The Flyers would maintain their 2-0 lead through forty minutes of play.

3rd Period

The carryover power-play time expired to resume 5v5 play.

1:29 into the third period, Travis Konecny would extend the Flyers lead to 3-0. He would not be denied by the defense or Matt Murray.

Four minutes into the period, Bryan Rust was called for slashing. Nolan Patrick would bury an easy one, catching Murray out of position. The lead was upped to 4-0.

Right after the power-play goal, Patric Hornqvist would snap the shutout. Hornqvist simply beatBrandon Manning to beat the goaltender.

With 13 minutes left in regulation, the goalscorer, Hornqvist, was called for roughing Nolan Patrick. The penalty would be killed off.

9:29 remained in regulation when Wayne Simmonds was penalized again for slashing Malkin. During the power-play, Hornqvist was cross-checked into boards by Andrew MacDonald. He was called for boarding while Hornqvist was called for embellishment.

The Penguins pulled Murray for the extra attacker with four minutes left in regulation. Hornqvist and Brandon Manning were subsequently sent off for the rest of the contest with matching misconduct penalties.

Andrew MacDonald scored the empty-netter. 5-1 Flyers.

The game would come to an end with the Flyers taking Game 2 by a score of 5-1.

Source: Pens-Flyers Game 2 Recap: Penguins unlucky on Friday the 13th, lose 5-1 – PensBurgh

Trout season opens Saturday in Southwestern Pennsylvania | TribLIVE

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Opening day applies to all stocked trout waters in Pennsylvania, with the exception of 18 southeastern counties that have an early opening on March 31.

Nemacolin guides prefer the following waterways , according to Steiner:

• Youghiogheny River, from Confluence to Ohiopyle;

• Laurel Hill Creek, a tributary of the Casselman River, which is a tributary of the Yough;

• Meadow Run, a tributary of the Yough; and

• Dunbar Creek, a tributary of the Yough.

With the exception of Laurel Hill, which is in Somerset County, all are in Fayette County.

Source: Trout season opens Saturday in Southwestern Pennsylvania | TribLIVE

Penguins and Flyers to meet in Stanley Cup playoffs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

 

The NHL postseason will have a Pennsylvania flavor, as the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will meet in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals this week.

“It never hurts when we play the Flyers,” Patric Hornqvist said recently, talking specifically about getting up for games. “There have been a lot of good memories and good battles. They’re always fun games.”

 

Flyers center Claude Giroux celebrates his second-period power play goal with teammates center Sean Couturier, center, and Nolan Patrick, right, against the New York Rangers on Saturday.

The Penguins have home-ice advantage for the best-of-seven series, which should draw plenty of national attention and easily could start Wednesday — the first night of games.

The Penguins swept the regular-season series against the Flyers, 4-0, totaling 20 goals in those four games. It’s the first time since 2006-07 (8-0) that the Penguins have swept the Flyers in the regular season.

Source: Penguins and Flyers to meet in Stanley Cup playoffs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

Penguins beat Canadiens 5-2 to clinch playoff berth | News & Observer

Patric Hornqvist picked up his 200th career goal and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins clinched their 12th straight playoff berth with a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

March 31, 2018 11:17 PM

Updated March 31, 2018 11:18 PM

Source: Penguins beat Canadiens 5-2 to clinch playoff berth | News & Observer

NCAA tournament The best team (Villanova), the hottest team (Michigan) and a fitting title game come Monday night

The drama is out of the NCAA tournament, and that’s OK. Because on Monday night, two teams that should be playing for the national title are playing for the national title.

SAN ANTONIO — It had been that kind of NCAA tournament — a little bit wild, a lot unexpected. Then afternoon turned to evening, and the Final Four fell back toward normalcy, in a basketball purists’ sense, anyway. UMBC, then Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean, had allowed us to revel in the underdogs, in the idea that anybody could truly beat anybody no matter the resource divide.

This is what makes college basketball more egalitarian than its football counterpart: Loyola-Chicago can live in this world and be loved in this world. In the end, though, it has a hard time winning it all in this world.

So the two favorites won their Final Four games, and now Michigan and Villanova will play in the championship game, two recognizable basketball brands with tradition and history and three national titles between them.

Source: NCAA tournament The best team (Villanova), the hottest team (Michigan) and a fitting title game come Monday night

%d bloggers like this: