Milwaukee North Side gang bangers?

No - but they might as well be. Gates (top) and Guyn are fellow teammates on the University of Cincinnati basketball team. They got into it with players from rival Xavier and the shit hits the fan. As you watch the video, you'll see that an Xavier player does retaliate against Guyn, but Guyn threw the first punch. Not as much of a whallop as Gates' punch, but a punch nevertheless. Plus, Guyn's altercation/punch started the whole mess.

Gates for sure will be suspended. He should be arrested for assault and tossed out of college hoops for good. And the Xavier players involved should also be disciplined.

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Student-athlete = Not Kemba.

Not that you didn't already have this in your head about many student-athletes, but UConn basketball star Kemba Walker readily admitted it in Sports Illustrated.

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Happy 99th Birthday, Coach John Wooden!

I'm not a basketball fan. But it's difficult not to admire a 99-year-old man who's revered in the sports and coaching world.

Wooden 3 Rules - 1) always be on time, 2) no obscenities, and 3) never criticize your fellow players.

A note all coaches and athletes should take note of.

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Wisconsin versus Illinois in Big Ten Basketball Tourney Finals

The Badgers (27-4) beat Michigan State today and will face Illinois (15-18) Sunday in the tournament finals. Wisconsin already won the Big Ten outright.

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Wisconsin Badgers Wrap Up Big 10 Basketball Title

Some good news to report in the world of Wisconsin sports. 3rd time in 7 years. Before Bo Ryan took over we hadn't won a Big 10 title in over 50 years. Nice job, Badgers!

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Reaction to Bobby Knight's coaching departure

I posted a story a couple days ago about Knight's leaving Texas Tech and retiring from college basketball coaching. Considering his volatile history - the tantrum, throwing chairs, harsh treatment of the press, grabbing/hitting players, I thought these quotes were appropriate:

"I am very happy for Coach Knight because he got to start and finish his career exactly the way he wanted." - Steve Alford, New Mexico head coach, started for Knight at Indiana.

"...he should be treasured in our sport...outside my immediate family, no single person has had a greater impact on my life than Coach Knight...Simply put, I love him." - Mike Krzyzewski, Duke head coach, who played for Knight at Army.

"...one of the outstanding teachers the game has. His methods, just as General Patton's, were different...I have the utmost respect for Bobby Knight. I just differ and disagree with his methods." - John Wooden, former UCLA coach, owner of 10 NCAA titles.

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Bobby Knight Retires.

Though it may be considered a tired cliche, Bobby Knight is a coach you either love or hate. It's that simple. He just stepped down from coaching basketball at Texas Tech the other day...perhaps to finally retire. He finished his NCAA career with 902 wins - the most of any coach. He also has 3 NCAA titles - all with Indiana (Big 10) and numerous other awards.

His record obviously speaks for itself. He was an effective coach. He also made sure his players made the grade and graduated. His antics on and off the court with players, refs and the press are well documented. I don't approve of throwing a chair across the court during a game. Do I mind getting a bit physical with his players? No. Do I mind the way he treated the press? Not at all. The media sucks and I wish its members would just get the plague and die. For every 1 person who hates Knight, there must be hundreds who adore him. Ask the players he coached and the people who knew him best. And even if there was one other person who appreciated Knight aside from myself, it still wouldn't matter.

If I were a basketball player, he'd be my first choice as a coach. He'd make sure I was up to snuff academically, and his no-nonsense approach to the game fits my personality almost to a tee. I'm not shy in telling people I have an authority issue but I've also said that, as an actor, if a director chose to treat me in a manner that Knight treated his players - I would have no problem with that as long as I knew that the director believed in me and had my best interests in mind.

I believe Bobby Knight did. Below are some clips you should watch. The first two are classics you may not have seen or heard. I laughed my ass off. The rest give you an overview of the man that some hated - but many more loved.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m1ihZ5xJSNw - This is my favorite. Takes place on HIS OWN SHOW.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yw7KijRfU-c - 2nd favorite. Someone, maybe a player, taped Knight during a half-time meeting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-vHXiZ_7IOk - Bobby golfing.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=30Ai--MfDfs - Knight doing a military recruitment ad. Remember, his first coaching job was at West Point.

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&vid=0040f991-cdda-4993-b93d-af12ce4147da&from=Fox%20Sports&MSNHPHMA - This is a compilation video, which includes him throwing a chair during a game and a number of "assaults" on players and referees.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CddtuzQaoKU - Reflecting on ESPN - a lighter side of Knight.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3Ukj6Qi5W_k - Top 10 sound bites from ESPN.

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