LamarCheeks

Al clears everybody out, then he falls down. Good grief ... Lucky he got bailed out with a foul there. And little Richard is lucky he didn't get a T. Should have, actually.

Keep in mind that Cronin was at least No. 4 on UCLA's depth chart. First, it was Cal. Then it was Barnes. Then it was Dixon. And only after they whiffed on those three, did they turn to Cronin. I'm not sure if that's the exact order -- and there may have been more they chased -- but those are the ones I remember.

The deal is done. Beilein is officially a free agent ...

Actually, it's not a myth. Most coaches at top programs will at any given time, have at least four years remaining on their contract -- whether they are a "strong" coach or a "weak" coach.

I think he gets next year because that is the critical season. After that, you pretty much have to do one of two things: Fire him and move on; or extend him. Next season is the fourth year of a seven-year contract. So barring any changes before then, after next year, Archie is down to three years remaining. For recruiting purposes, you don't want your coach at a Power 5 basketball program having less than four years on his contract. That's why you cut bait or add another year to his contract (or two, depending on how things shake out next season).

Without a significant development on the administrative side, I don't see him going anywhere. Unless they somehow in the next month or so pull a new AD out of the hat, I think Archie stays. I believe (not totally sure on this) that Glass is leaving in May. They certainly don't want him making the decision on Archie's fate. That'll be up to the new AD, and if they don't have a one until then -- that's not an optimal time to be to be looking for a basketball coach. The timing for a firing of Archie just doesn't work. At least the way things stand now.

Rodents 72 Hoosiers 58

Funny, but totally inaccurate. He doesn't strike me as the goalie type. He'd demand to play right wing -- on the first line -- even though he can't skate and can't shoot.

Good grief -- this gets more ridiculous all the time. He wants to play some shooting guard? I always thought one of the prerequisites for playing shooting guard is that you can shoot. HE CAN'T SHOOT! ... Holy cow. Man, I sure hope that by next year, he's someone else's problem. And by someone else, I mean a different coach at a different school. Not a different coach here.

I don't get it, either ... My only thinking on that is that Justin has an influence over the rest of the guys and Archie worries about losing the team. Although I've heard/read that Devonte and Justin have had issues in the past, so who knows? ... Maybe Archie's just hoping that the dude will transfer and he won't have to deal with him anymore next year. ... But all that said, I'm not sure he's one of our five best players anyway, so why continue starting him?

One thing that puzzles me (OK. There are a lot of things that puzzle me). ... Does problem # 1 (I'm guessing we all know who that is by now -- or can guess) have such a hold or influence over the fellas that if Archie decides to bench him, he fears losing the team? Because from where I sit, he doesn't contribute that much anyway. What's the risk in benching him? That we lose? Hell, we've already lost nine times and are gonna lose more, especially if we have a couple guys giving a half-a$$ed effort. To me the risk vs. reward is too skewed toward risk if we keep playing him. Sit his a$$.

In the proverbial "if the season ended today" scenario, we'd play Nebraska in the B1G tourney for the right to play Rutgers. That's just sad ... And three of the top five seeds -- 1. Maryland; 2. PSU; 5. Rutgers -- would be newbies (sorry, but to me, PSU always will be a newcomer).

Very interesting. One of the two coaches from the 2018 NCAA title game already bolted to the NBA -- and reportedly is ready to quit. Will the winner of that game be the next to test the waters? If Jay Wright wants to give the Association a try, fine. But if I were him, I'd stay far, far away from the Knicks. That franchise is a mess.

I can totally see Justin and Damezi. Justin, because I don't get the sense that he and Archie have ever been on the same page, and if he finishes work toward his degree, he can leave as a grad transfer. ... Damezi, because he just doesn't seem to be good enough at the Power 5 level and/or he just clams up in games and doesn't perform when called on. But why Al? ... I've been disappointed in his play for the most part this season, but he starts every game and gets plenty of PT. What are the issues with him? Not doubting you or anything -- I'm just curious.

This probably will be unpopular here, but I've got no interest in Beilein. Not now. Not anymore. The story goes that we had him all but signed, sealed and delivered back in 2006, but Adam Herbert put the kibosh on it because he wanted a black coach (and mistakenly thought Sampson is black). Whether that's true or not, I have no idea. Back then, I'm 100 percent in. Not anymore. There's a reason he left Michigan, and I think it's this: He didn't want to be chasing down 16- and 17-year olds and trying to persuade them to come play for him. He's pretty long in the tooth -- 67 -- and I think is at the end of the line in coaching. He just wanted to coach and had enough of the recruiting and all the other stuff that comes with college ball. And if there's already discussion about leaving the Cavs after a half-season? I just sense his heart isn't in it anymore. Besides, after the 2006 debacle, would he even want to come here? Like the title of the old teenage novel: That Was Then, This Is Now.

What made Justin -- who's 6-7 -- think he was gonna beat a dude who's 7-1? ... He a great athlete, but has no basketball skills. He's a very smart dude, but has no basketball smarts.

In one of our very early possessions, he had the ball 10-15 from the bucket, started a drive and -- stopped and kicked it back out. He looked as if he'd have been able to take his man -- and there was room to do so. He's been non-existent ever since. Very puzzling.

This one's over ... This is where we go sit in the corner and cry ... Nothing we've done in this game or in the past when we're down by double digits in the second half on the road tells me this will be any different.

He doesn't seem to realize when nothing is there. He doesn't have to shoot every time he gets it. Kick it back out ... Those last few possessions, he's not even shooting it -- just flinging it up there and hoping it will go in.

He had (I think) Rob and Al right there on the perimeter -- shoulda kicked it back out .

Too much one-on-one there, Brunk ... If it's not there, kick it back out.

Guess if he misses it, it's a Devonte-like shot. If he make's it, it's a Haston-like shot!

Simpson taking a Devonte-like shot there.

That was just stupid, Devonte! (how many times have I typed that over the years???)

Yet ANOTHER missed layup.