Bracket Busters and Reds Catch a Break
The Key for the week of March 17, 2025
Let the Games Begin
Yes, it’s that time of the year again, when we annually scratch our heads and say, “Where the heck can I find TruTV?” With NCAA men’s tournament games spread out across the cable universe, it’s time to make out our brackets, scream at the television or the computer screen, and rip up said brackets by the time we get to Sunday evening. This is a year when the likes of North Carolina and Xavier have to play their way into the field and the SEC, known for its football, places 14 basketball teams in the Dance, a tournament record. North Carolina and Xavier making it in meant West Virginia and Indiana were out, which will increase the calls for an expanded bracket field. Ben says don’t be surprised if that happens in the next year or two.
Can the Reds Catch a Break at Catcher?
The Reds may have dodged a roster bullet at that position, after both starting catcher Tyler Stephenson and backup Jose Trevino were hurt in games late last week. It was feared both would miss significant time, which looks to be true for Stephenson and his oblique strain, but not necessarily for Trevino, the former Yankee. He was hit on the hand by a foul tip and the Reds feared they had lost both catchers in one day. By the weekend, though, Trevino said he was fine, and x-rays confirmed there was no break. So for now Trevino is, as we all are, day-to-day.
The Bengals Are on the Clock
Signing their all-world wideout team of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase may have been Job #1 for the Bengals, but let’s not forget that the team had both of them last year and still didn’t make the playoffs. Defense continues to be a top priority, from defensive coordinator on down, and with the draft coming up in a little more than a month, the Bengals need to consider what position player might be around with the 17th pick. Just about all the mock drafts have the Bengals looking at defensive needs, from linebacker Jihaad Campbell of Alabama (The Athletic) to EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee (Pro Football Focus) to DL Walter Nolen of Ole Miss (CBS Sports). We’ll find out when the teams gather in Green Bay starting Thursday, April 24.
Ben’s Best Bet
Anyone worried about Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury? Duke doesn’t seem to be, saying that the super freshman will be available for the start of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA doesn’t seem to be, keeping the Blue Devils at their expected #1 seeding. And the betting line doesn’t seem to be, putting Duke as the favorite to win the National Championship according to BetMGM, with Florida close behind. Auburn, Houston and Alabama complete the top five favorites. The twisted ankle hardly ranks up there with UC’s Kenyon Martin breaking his leg before what should have been a Bearcats’ national title run, but you have to wonder what the wear and tear of a tournament will do to Flagg’s injury. At the same time, Florida has been looking like world beaters in winning the SEC Conference Championship. Ben says it wouldn’t be a bad direction to go to the Gators to chomp their way to the title.