March Madness’ final call in college basketball:
• It was only a note to some and not headline material, however, relevant to today’s world was the comment by Providence head coach Ed Cooley prior to his men’s opening game in the round of 64 in the first round to bring calm to disconcerting players: “No matter what happens it’s only a game. What’s happening in Ukraine is real cause for concern. It’s life and death.” Providence won two games and gave eventual champion Kansas all it could handle before a round of 16 defeat, 66-61.
• Kansas, led by head coach Bill Self, former University of Illinois head coach, set an NCAA record for biggest comeback from a largest deficit to claim victory. Kansas trailed by 16 points late in the first half and took the 72=69 victory against North Carolina. Kansas broke the record that had been in place since 1963 when Loyola University-Chicago which rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat twice-defending champion University of Cincinnati, 60-58, in overtime.
• The one-game do or die sense of urgency in the college tournaments offers a greater interest than seven-game series in professional ranks in all sports.
• Jim Nance keeps busy at this time of year. The voice of CBS-TV professional golf and the voice of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, finished his work in New Orleans Monday evening to call the championship game won by Kansas, 72-69, against North Carolina. He was efficient and professional in his post-tournament interviews and trophy presentation. He did not waste time arriving in Augusta, Ga. to call the Master’s Golf Tournament this week.
In other notes:
• Boys and girls from our familiar areas participated in the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals Sunday, April 3, on the eve of the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.. The participants included Michael Jorski from Clarendon Hills in DuPage County who took first place n the boys 12-13; Eloise Fetzer, from La Grange, eighth place in the Girls 7-9; and Lisa Copeland, from Naperville, who was third place in the Girls 12-13.
• North Central College athletic director Jim Miller will be conducting a search for next year’s cross country and track and field head coach. Frank Gramarosso recently announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 academic year. He succeeded Al Carius as head coach.