Billy the Cat, does that ever bring back memories. Alan, I hear what you are saying and I am a pretty low frills guy, but while I like to get away from it all whenever I can with walks, hikes, drives whatever the case may be, I do like to know the results of big games. I don't ask for much but suspense in those situations is too much for me to take, which I why I can never understand players on the bench turning away from end of the game plays in any sport.

The best way to learn about D1 basketball I can remember was the College Blue Ribbon Yearbook. It would have the records from last year, list the NCAA and NIT bids for the conference and give a projected 1st team from the conference. Then each D1 team had a 500 word summary which included back history on the program. Very interesting nuggets on key graduations or coaching philosophies that only conference insiders would know. Phil Steel does some of it it football with his mags. He will give you an observation say TCU is fast becoming a program like Virginia Tech dedicated to building stronger and faster players. Only one statement. Blue Ribbon 500 to 750 words on the conference as a whole and each team individually.