Hooping It Up

You know, for all of the talk about the lack of mid-majors at the NCAA Tournament -- I am sure it is completely incidental, I assure you -- they are in spades at the NIT.  And you know what?  That tournament is better for it.  I have been watching those games, and they have been closer/more compelling than the Tourney, the mid-majors are winning, and honestly, the environment is better.  The houses are packed, the crowds are into it, and they have the drama and totality of winning and losing.  You could see the kids from KSU as their season ticked away, and the joy of the Ramblers as they were moving on.  I realize they won't change the tourney, but there is something to be said for the NIT now.

I also watched CSU lose in the CBI, which was not played in a packed house, or at a good time.  Much like KSU, CSU hung around for a while, but talent, size, and 3-point shooting told their tale, and the jig was up.  Still cool for them to be there.  Joe Lunardi was the color commentator for the game, and he made some interesting -- and good -- comments about the NCAA Tournament, namely that by loading up the brackets with teams from three conferences, it is less of a national tournament (though the Big Ten and ACC are certainly national in scope now!).  I realize no one was watching, so it was ok, but it was a good point.

‘Own it, fire Waltz, move on’: White House allies fume as group chat scandal grows - POLITICO
This story is hilarious, and more to the point, someone should go; I think Waltz was spilling the beans to the press (why else have an Atlantic journalist on group chat?) and that is reason enough, to me.

Unlikely Activist Scott Presler’s Campaign to Make JD Vance President in 2028 - WSJ
This is hilarious, and as far as I am concerned...long may this continue.  I rather like our new and diverse GOP, thank you very much, and I cannot wait for us to start lecturing the Dems about how they are a bunch of whiny and intolerant scolds.