Starting Five 

As fellow readers are well aware, John is out of the office today. So, guess what? You are left with a 19-year-old college kid. Ha! You lose. Anyhow, @okerland filled in yesterday, meaning Medium Happy will continue its non-holiday weekday streak of providing you the distinguished IAH! post. Even Cal Ripken Jr. could appreciate that.

Any disgruntled fans can reach me at @J_Anstey. Because I already like this so much, any gruntled fans can also reach me at the same feed. Look, we all win on this one.

Without further ado, let’s get down to business.

1. The Melee of Orem

The Utah State Valley Wolverines defeated the New Mexico State Aggies in OT, 66-61, giving the Wolverines a 1-game lead in the Western Athletic Conference. It was what happened after the final buzzer, however, that will grab the attention of sports fans across the country. Seconds after the game, New Mexico State guard K.C. Ross-Miller, in what seems like a deliberate manner, hurled the basketball – hitting Utah Valley’s Holton Hunsaker, who happens to be the coach’s son. Simultaneous with the provocative actions of Miller, Utah Valley’s students started rushing the court — creating a prime condition for chaos.

The altercation only lasted roughly 30-seconds, but it was the speed at which things developed that is so intriguing. Discussion will continue about the safety hazards that are created by students rushing the court, and this incident will not help matters. It is shame, considering the excitement that rushing the court creates for students. As commonly unveiled, the actions of a few will inhibit the actions of all.

2. Philly Troubles

The Philadelphia 76ers, who are a pedestrian 15-43, have lost 12 straight; the road ahead, moreover, does not get any sunnier in Philly.

In fact, let’s observe the numbers:

• Since beating the Celtics, 95-94, on January 29, the Sixers have lost 12 straight by an average of 19.5 points. Remember, this is the NBA, not your standard Junior High game down the street.
• Eight of the twelve teams that defeated Philadelphia were, and currently still are, under .500 for the season. Their last two opponents – Milwaukee and Orlando – have a combined 29 wins. Indiana has 44 wins thus far. A margin that speaks for itself.

Compounded by the fact that the Sixers traded away both Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes, their two best players, we can only expect a continued train wreck in Philly. Luckily for them, this year’s draft is loaded with stars, albeit still teenagers.

Doug McDermott, on the other hand, will luckily avoid Philly. Early birthday present, I suppose.

3. O’Reilly. Oh, Really?

Bill O’Reilly opened his mouth — again. This time, Mr. Attention Seeker sought out weaknesses in women. Joined by Kirsten Powers and Kate Obenshain, O’Reilly ostensibly shuttered with amazement by the guests’ refusal to admit a fault in women, as their roles relate to a president’s duty. The interview starts awkwardly, after O’Reilly tells Powers “I know you’ve probably thought about this [the idea that women have innate weaknesses].”

Sure, Bill’s a man of many words. However, by seeking out weaknesses in females, O’Reilly just falsifies himself even more. Do some women have weaknesses? Yes. Does that mean all women have the same weakness? Hell no. We’re human, Bill. Imperfection is the norm, get use to it.

Oh, and if you really want to see a Journalism 101 mistake by the purported genius, check the preceding link (around 2:30). Contradicting yourself is one thing. Contradicting yourself literally seconds after saying something is, well,  inexcusable.

4. 74 Years and Counting

74 years ago today, the first collegiate basketball game was televised on NBC. That game, between Fordham and Pittsburgh at the Madison Square Garden, was recorded with only one camera. Pittsburgh defeated Fordham, 57-37, and the Panthers were coached by legendary coach Henry “Doc” Carlson. While at Pittsburgh, Carlson went 367-248, winning two Helms Athletic Foundation championships, one in 1928 and the other in 1930. When the third NCAA Tournament was held in 1941, Carlson led his Panther team to the Final Four, losing to eventual champion Wisconsin. Eight teams competed in that NCAA Tournament, not 120 68.

Carlson, moreover, has since been inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame (1949), the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1959), and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006). The latter two, Carlson was inducted during the respective Hall’s inaugural year.

 5. To Tenure or Not to Tenure

I told you I was in college, not which college I was in. Well, I am a student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Born and breed. And, as a side note to this post, I must say I am not a member of the University’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications program, nor am I employed by the student run newspaper, the Daily Nebraskan. No page view benefits for me.

Apart from that, this development is quite interesting. Co-authored by UNL students Gabrielle Lazaro and Melissa Allen, this story depicts the dissenting views of a university and their students, the soul of the university. I understand the benefits that a professor has when tenured, and I understand the slight (really, it can only be slight, considering Scott Winter has taught there for nine years) risk for the university that goes along with tenuring a professor. However, when you have numerous students crediting their success to a specific professor, one must think that professor is influential.

As the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is concerned, their future is on the line here. It is not a die or live situation, but it is a precedence setting decision that will affect it in the future. The fact is, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is statistically worse than other Big Ten institutions regarding academics. Why, then, push out one of your most influential professors that, even more telling, helps students bring home awards?

I came here to be a part of an up-and-coming university, not a static movement. I could have gone elsewhere, but didn’t. It is time to keep Mr. Winter before he leaves. Leaves to, potentially, another Big Ten institution.

Remote Patrol

No. 4 Syracuse at No. 12 Virginia

(Saturday) ESPN 4 p.m.

After Saturday night’s game, the winner of the Orange and Cavaliers will have the key to the ACC regular season championship in their possession. The Cavaliers have won 12 straight, and the Orange have lost 2 of their last 3. Even more impressive, the Cavaliers boast one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the country, only giving up 55.3 points per game. We’ll put Jim Boeheim’s aggression on hold as we enjoy college basketball at its finest.