Jon Joseph

Here's an interesting factoid. Three Final 4 coaches are members of the Tribe of Judah and one is a member of a Native American tribe. Coaches Golden and Scheyer played professional basketball in Israel. Final Four shatters stereotypes: Three Jewish coaches take center stage in San Antonio - Saturday Down South WWW.SATURDAYDOWNSOUTH.COM Three of the 4 teams at this year's Final Four are led by Jewish coaches - Auburn's Bruce Pearl, Florida's Todd Golden and Duke's Jon Scheyer. Bruce Pearl grew up in Boston, the Olde Towne where Red Auerbach of the Jewish faith won 16 NBA titles in his 29 years of coaching. Four No. 1 Aces go at it today. Thanks again, 30, for leading the BBall way.

Tough outing for the UCLA Women last night but the Bruins and the Trojans elevated the play in the B1G as did the OBD Women's team that went to the dance. This was UCLA coach Cori Close's first trip to the UConn Geno Auriemma Invitational otherwise referred to as the Women's Final 4. 14 years for Cori at UCLA, a Biblical 40 years for Geno at UConn. The Bruins handily defeated South Carolina during the regular season and USC(E) has a very good shot vs. UConn in tomorrow's champ game.

Thanks, 30. I have Duke vs. an SEC team 😛. A gutsy comeback win by Florida over Texas Tech but it took help from the Raiders gaging from the free-throw line. (BTW, under John Wooden's rules, Bruce Pearl would not be allowed anywhere near the bench.) OT, Tough, tough outing for the UCLA women last night. But this was Cori Close's first Final 4 and Geno's 101st. This is Kelvin Sampson's 3rd Final 4, two with Oklahoma, and the first for the other three coaches. Duke Coach Scheyer won a title with the Blue Devils in 2010. Duke, with three teenagers, including Cooper Flagg, who all contribute, has the youngest roster. The other three teams do not start a teenager. Will the Duke youngsters with first-time Final 4 coach Scheyer hold up under the pressure the Houston D brings? In 2024, Houston played in a far more difficult conference than Duke. But, and I know the game was in Indianapolis, Purdue, with fewer 'athletes' on the roster than Duke, came 'this close' to taking down the Cougars. In honor of our friend Gat, Go Gators!

Thanks again, H, for the clarity you provide with facts and not supposition. Yep, OBD receives, over six seasons, as is the norm for all conferences, its respective $ 2.33 M revenue share, which will be disbursed to all B1G member schools from this season's NCAA Basketball Tournament. OBD also receives a full share of the CFB revenue earned by the B1G. The B1G came in second behind the SEC in 2025 CBB revenue but first in CFB revenue. Postseason equal revenue shares for all conference members are no longer the case in the ACC and I expect the B1G and the SEC will follow suit, probably in 2030 for the B1G when a new media deal begins.

Young But B1G Guns. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/oregon-softball-ducks-big-ten-missy-lombardi-248229032/?source=column&lctg=26140&eid=c7d8647c6247db8d08c59fe44bc30380a147aa90b9e33099045cd46ddc6a485b

SI with House Nuts and Bolts. Landmark House Settlement Set for Final Approval: Here’s What to Know WWW.SI.COM On Sunday evening in Tampa, the NCAA will crown a new national champion in women’s basketball. The next night in San Antonio, it will be the men’s turn to hoist

More Thoughts on Josh Conerly + the Draft. NFL Draft Sleeper? Oregon Ducks' Offensive Lineman Josh Conerly Jr. Best Team Fits WWW.SI.COM Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr has gone somewhat under the radar during the last month of the offseason. Is he an NFL Draft

Moore to Moore, What is it Good For? A Heisman? Hmmmm? https://athlonsports.com/college/oregon-ducks/oregon-wide-receiver-makes-bold-dante-moore-prediction-before-2025-season

This excellent article by Dennis Dodd cites why CFB is undervalued. One reason, the wheat, the Power 2, has yet to separate from the chaff, the ACC, B12, the Group of 6, and the NCAA and capitalize on their place in college sport's pecking order. Why should the biggest of the B1G and the SEC tie themselves into a settlement that caps direct payment to athletes at $20.5M? Of course, this amount will be exceeded by well-managed NIL collectives, but being held back by Cincinnati for example, being able to come up with $20.5M is absurd. The B1G and the SEC formed an 'Advisory Group' for a reason. The two have separated financially from the pack. So, why enter into a settlement along with 'competitors' not able to compete with you? The NCAA's best interests are not financially aligned with the Power 2's best interests. Is college football undervalued? America's second-most popular game still leaving billions on the table - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Ripe for venture capitalists and mega streaming deals down the line, college football's bottom line is getting astronomical The B1G and the SEC do not need to peddle their respective equity to Investment (Vultures) Bankers to survive. The two conferences working together have a positive economic future not shared by lesser conferences. With a new administration in place, be bold, recognize a players' collective, bargain with the collective, and go to Congress for relief from litigation. Relief that is not afforded by the House settlement. I'm sorry to wallow in business matters but the House settlement will change the college sports business paradigm and the B1G and the SEC should not be tied down by an agreement that in theory, benefits the collective.

Monday Night Gators vs. Cougars? And Other Men's Final 4 Takes. Five bold men's Final Four predictions: Who's in national title game Monday night? WWW.YARDBARKER.COM The 2025 men's NCAA Tournament Final Four is Saturday in San Antonio. Before Auburn-Florida (6:09 ET) and Duke-Houston tip off (8:49 ET, CBS), here are five predictions for this year's national...

Do I Love LA? How About, No! But I Get Why Riley in LA is Asked About the House Settlement. He has no idea of the effect the settlement will have on CFB and other college sports. Neither does his AD and the President of USC. Like typical CFB lemmings, they are allowing the NCAA to settle a matter that settles NOTHING! Stupid Is as the NCAA Does. The 'brilliant' folks in charge of our nation's largest universities haven't figured this out? Lincoln Riley previews House v. NCAA settlement, reveals how enforcement model could work - On3 WWW.ON3.COM Lincoln Riley previewed the upcoming House v. NCAA settlement approval hearing and shared how an enforcement model would work.

Sigh. It's Difficult to See a Bright Future Behind You, Isn't It? Here's Hoping That Ify is the Real Deal. Danno's Stars Need to Start Shining. Co-DC Chris Hampton sees bright future at Oregon for CB Ify Obidegwu DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Oregon Ducks redshirt freshman CB Ify Obidegwu is drawing some high praise early on in spring football.

Thank you, Charles and DanL. No two schools deserve to be hoisted on their smelly petards than the Left Behind Pac-2. 'You Ducks destroyed a conference!" OSU and WSU didn't do this to the MW? 'You Ducks are not honorable.' Did Oregon sign a deal for game inventory it is trying to weasel out of less than a year after signing? 'Travel will have you begging to return in a couple of years.' But it's perfectly okay to invite a school from Memphis, New Orleans, and wherever Texas State resides in Texas to the party, right? Washington State football. Since playing well in 2024, the Head Coach, O Coordinator, and star QB have Couged It out of town. Oregon State football. Paying $1.5 M to a QB, Malik Murphy, who was going to lose his starting spot at Duke to a transfer from Tulane. Murphy has now taken his act from the SEC, Texas, to the ACC, Duke, to the Pac-Whatever, plus Gonzo. 🤪 Regarding the new media deal, it's a good thing the Pac-Whatever hired, 'Trust Me, It's All Good' George Kliavkoff as a consultant. Thanks for creating the 6th member of the G6 and have a really nice day. 🤓

Thanks, Alex. I loved the video you included. Going to a solid Eagles team would be great.

Bye, Bye, to Eight Games without a Break. Byes in Week Six and Week 10 are close to perfect.

It's Always Sunny in South Central, Right? 😁 USC Trojans abruptly lose potential star to the Transfer Portal SATURDAYBLITZ.COM Just when it seemed like USC was building up some solid depth at running back, the Trojans got hit with a bit of a curveball. A’Marion Peterson, a promising yo

Not Good News for J. Smith and his Spartans. Tuck Problems Still Comin' Report: Michigan State under investigation for alleged recruiting violations under Mel Tucker - On3 WWW.ON3.COM Michigan State is under investigation for alleged recruiting violations that occurred under Mel Tucker, The Detroit News reported.

Thank you, Mr. Editor, for turning my scribbling rags into a prom-worthy gown. 😎 Compare OBD's 2025 schedule with Wisconsin's, and it's easy to see that the Battle for the B1G in 2025 is a far more challenging task for the Badgers. The opener vs. Miami (OH) is not a MAC walkover. And to the difficulty of the conference schedule, why not add on a trip to Tuscaloosa to play the Tide? One day, if a game against the SEC is on the schedule of every B1G team, playing an SEC team out of conference makes sense. But this will not happen unless the SEC and the B1G are both guaranteed four teams in the playoff field. In the meantime, I'm fine with OBD playing an SEC opponent in the postseason and not before. Brace yourselves for 2027. The Ducks have but six home games, play Baylor in Waco, are on the road vs. Michigan, Nebraska, and UWho, and play Ohio State and Penn State in Eugene. WOW! There are serendipitous moments when writing these articles, none more sublime than learning that mob boss, Tony Soprano, went to school in Jersey. 🤩 CAGE THE BOBCATS!

IMO, 'shock jock' athlete announcers' and their enablers deserve to be punished, There is a difference between Freedom of Speech and Slander. Ole Miss student Mary Kate Cornett intends to take legal action against Pat McAfee, ESPN for spreading viral rumor - On3 WWW.ON3.COM Ole Miss freshman Mary Kate Cornett plans to take legal action against ESPN and host Pat McAfee for helping spread a viral rumor in late February.

The House Settlement will be approved, or not, next week. Of course, the decision could also be delayed by Judge Claudia Wilken. Posted below is Kirby Smart's take on the Settlement and the state of the game. He very much doubts that the proposed up to $20.5 Million in direct payments to 'student-athletes' will act as a ceiling. His concern is warranted. The salary cap in the NFL does not restrict players from marketing their NIL. Any such restriction would be a Restraint On Trade. The law will not be determined differently for college athletes. The Settlement establishes an NIL Clearing House comprised of seven Deloitte accountants who will determine whether NIL deals reflect the market. Good luck trying to stop a NIL deal because it exceeds 'market value.' Such a decision is DOA in any and every court in the land. Georgia will spend the $20.5M thusly, 75% on Football, 15% on Men's Basketball, 5% on Women's Basketball, and 5% on All Other Sports. This will be the breakdown or close thereto, for every Power 4 school. (Big East and other schools without an FBS football program will allocate more money to basketball.) Title IX challenges will be filed but are not likely to be sustained under the current administration. States with their own Title IX-like legislation could be a different story. 'Poaching' backed up with NIL money will continue. P4 Football rosters capped at 105 players means more marginal players will enter the portal. However, players in every sport whose school is in a conference with 'protected scholarships,' including the B1G, will continue to receive the same financial support if a player is 'cut' and does not transfer. As I have noted before on The Forum, the Settlement settles nothing in the short and the long run. The Settlement does not stay existing antitrust litigation, or prevent future litigation. Nothing will be settled in the long term unless and until 'management' can negotiate with a players' union. Objections to the Settlement have been filed and a decision may be deferred or the Settlement rejected by Federal Judge Wilken. Kirby Smart issues strong warning about House settlement, calls out tampering problems WWW.ON3.COM . I for one, hope the Settlement is rejected.

The Terps Get Their New Head Turtle. Success Wherever He's Coached. Maryland hires Buzz Williams: Terps poach Texas A&M coach to replace Kevin Willard after controversial exit - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Willard left for the vacant job at Villanova after the Terps' Sweet 16 exit from the NCAA Tournament

Don't Miss These B1G Games. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-predicting-best-must-see-game-every-week-in-2025-season

BB should at least be in the best LB discussion. Oregon Ducks' Bryce Boettcher College Football's Best Returning Linebacker? WWW.YARDBARKER.COM Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher began his college football career as a walk-on in and is now one of the key pieces to the Ducks defense. Boettcher

OK, April Fool's! 😁 But the take on McAfee and the Ole Miss coed situation is legit. Pat is being called out by many of his ESPN brother and sister broadcasters. Ole Miss student Mary Kate Cornett slams Pat McAfee, Barstool after... NYPOST.COM Ole Miss student Mary Kate Cornett alleged she is "the victim of a deliberate and coordinated cyber attack spreading categorically false and defamatory information," which includes false rumors...

As I 'cut' this article for posting on the Forum I couldn't help but think about all of the cable cord-cutting going on. A new broadcast paradigm is coming. I think college football will be marketed directly to the public via in-house streaming of game inventory; directly to the market and not using a 3rd party media middleman to resell the inventory to advertisers. Google B1G commissioner Tony Petitti. He is as media savvy as any person in the business of college athletics. He doesn't need help dealing with the media. ESPN suffered another blow this week when Pat McAfee repeated unfounded rumors about an Ole Miss coed when he was supposed to be discussing Rebels QB Jaxson Dart's draft status. Pitchforks are being raised in McAfee's direction by influential sports journalists and others. The World-Wide-Leaders world is shrinking. ESPN announces major change to College GameDay for 2025 season SATURDAYBLITZ.COM After announcing that all SportsCenter Los Angeles employees would be moving back to the company's Bristol, Connecticut headquarters, ESPN has lifted the curtai I imagine the folks at FOX are not sending condolences the way of Bristol, CT.