Thought #1

Have you ever dated a really insecure person? One of those people who just constantly needs to be reassured they aren't getting left. Probably even did the whole paranoid midnight phone call thing and no doubt pulled the more than occasional pop-in visit. All that time and effort just to make sure you weren't hanging out with the pretty girl that worked at Starbucks, secretly plotting to run off together and start an organic fruit stand in Mexico.

The Big 12 recently started making those same paranoid phone calls to the teams in it's conference. In fact it's even laid down one of those give me a ring or it's over ultimatums, telling Nebraska and Missouri they have until 5 p.m. on Friday to let them know they are not going to the Big Ten.

As rumors swirl around teams being plucked from them by rival conferences, it seems the Big 12 has officially hit panic mode and needs a little assurance that they aren't going to be stood up. Should Texas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State expect to hear the phone ring come midnight?

Thought #2

There are three certainties in life, death, taxes, and riots at soccer games, apparently even if the game doesn't count. This morning in South Africa as Nigeria and North Korea set off for a little tune up game, fans stormed the main gate in hopes of getting free tickets.

What is it about soccer that just makes people go nuts? I mean it was just last year that 22 people died during riot at a qualifying match and sadly, it's not like that was a first. No, soccer has long tradition of having far more violence in the stands and at the gate than on the field. Is it the over abundance of national pride? Is it the frustration of watching a contest for two hours and only seeing one goal? Or perhaps it's no stop bug-like humming during the contests?

No matter what the cause is, South Africa better get things straighten out over the next week or they could very easily have an absolute disaster on their hands.

Thought #3

Denny Hamlin apparently did not want to be left out on Sunday. After a last lap wreck that took out at least ten of his competitors Denny, who took the checkered flag, must have decided he didn't want to be the only one whose ride had a clean bill of health.

During what has become the traditional post race burn out Denny put the left front of the Fed Ex Toyota into the wall. Come on Denny, didn't you see Kendry Morales last weekend? Sure everyone loves a good celebration, but you want to be remember for the win, not going Gus Frerotte on your ride post race.

Thought #4

Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for Sunday night. Now granted I'm sure both the teams have enjoyed the mini vacation between game 1 and 2, but who does the lay off really benefit? Will the Lakers momentum carry on over the three day break or did the time off allow the Celtics to regroup and refocus?

One thing the time off did allow for was Garnett and Gasol to trade a little bulletin board material. It will be interesting to see how this match up pans out, but I believe it will all come down to how KG handles the situation. If he has the maturity to not take it personal, not try to go one on one with Pau, and rather resort to playing solid team defense, he will win this battle. Otherwise its more likely he will be in severe foul trouble by the second quarter and Pau will have another stellar game.

It may seem early to call this game a must win for the Celtics, but let's face it, lose this one and raising banner 18 seems pretty far fetched. Game 2 will no doubt tell the tale of how this series will play out.