*When the Bucs replaced the popular Raheem Morris with Greg Schiano, it was apparent they wanted a central casting adult and disciplinarian–not a nice-guy contemporary–in charge. But who knew Schiano was also the class act who would wear his compassion for the paralyzed Eric LeGrande, his former player at Rutgers, on his Buccaneer sleeve?
The Bucs–in effect, Schiano–symbolically signed LeGrande, which only further buoyed the spirits of an uncannily admirable young man. But Schiano also sent an unmistakable signal to his players. He is all football, as seen in his intense, meticulous attention to detail and structure. But if the time ever comes, he also has their back. Literally. It will matter.
* Indiana and North Carolina have announced that their annual, much ballyhooed basketball games with Kentucky will not continue. Apparently it’s over venue disagreements. Too bad it wasn’t in protest of a rogue, de-facto pro program with a team of one-and-done13th graders.
* USF sophomore guard Victor Rudd recently removed his name from consideration for the NBA draft. He will return to USF. This is good for USF, which can use Rudd to build on this season’s run to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. This is also symptomatic. Since when does a player averaging 9 points a game seriously consider leaving school early for the “next level?” Or is it that the “next level” is just not what it used to be?