Victory

Let it be known that Tom Saxton has claimed
The Sacred Carp Chalice.

Symbolic Loss

Photo courtesy of Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press

Last night's MSU loss to North Carolina was more than just a game, according to Dave Zirin at The Nation:

Something more substantial than a basketball contest was taking place. It was rooted not in the economic insecurity and hardship of one state, where unemployment is listed conservatively at 12 percent, but an entire country.

Michigan for most of the last two decades, was viewed and discussed as a remnant of this nation's past: high unemployment, an aging infrastructure and an auto industry whose best days had passed. Unless Michael Moore was pointing his camera in the state's direction, few noticed the rust. But now when looking at Michigan we don't see a nation's past but its present and maybe its future. The banks haven't been nationalized, but Flint sure has. We empathize because we sympathize. But as difficult as things are nationally, and as inspired as many have been about Michigan State's run, Detroit, still stands at the vanguard of pain.

The Don Knotts of sportswriters

Sean Brennan, a very nervous basketball writer for the New York Daily News, gets absolutely terrified at the thought of covering the NCAA Tournament in Detroit. And he's even more squeamish about Flint:

"You want assaults? Hey, we got ‘em, ranked second in the nation. Murder? Got that, too, with Detroit also landing the silver medal in homicide. Want your car ripped off? Give it a minute or so. Guess who’s No. 2? We are!

"Apparently, Detroit criminals are more into working outside than inside, as burglaries came in at an anemic 17th place.

"But if that’s not enough mayhem for you, nearby Flint, Mich., can supply you with your fill of felonies. In an attempt to show up Detroit, Flint apparently went on an assault binge to come in first in the country. And while it only took the bronze in murder, Flint does receive a silver medal for burglary.

"But at least you can park your car in Flint - for a little while anyway. It ranked a mere 28th nationally in car theft.

"I’m not sure what I’m going to do here on my free time. Maybe visit the Drive-By-Shooting Museum. Or maybe I’ll just sit in my hotel room, push my big dresser in front of the door and watch documentaries on TV.

"Maybe one on Beirut."

I think it's safe to say Sean won't be signing up to be a war correspondent anytime soon.