Final Four Withdrawal

A bit less than 24 hours before the Final Four commences, and I'm having withdrawals. I'm also suffering from The Office and Heroes withdrawals :P

I plan on commenting on the latest news regarding Pat Tillman, but I'll save my thoughts for a later post.

- Anyone wanna take a trip to Dublin, Ireland? Try these directions on for size :P

- ESPN Insider John Hollinger wrote a piece on the 25 best contracts on the NBA. Again, an ESPN Insider subscription is required to access this article. It's not surprising to see Chauncey Billups--a mid-level signing, if you can believe that!--and Steve Nash--did you know he isn't a max-salary player?--on the list. Seeing Chris Webber--post-buy-out--Michael Finley, and Eddie Jones--post-amensty waivers--on the list doesn't shock me either.

- Kentucky is going to offer Florida coach Billy Donovan a $1 million a year raise. Donovan, in an earlier press conference, said he was solely focused on UCLA at the moment, but notice that he did not rule out leaving for Kentucky at the end of the season. If Donovan had no interest, at all, in the Kentucky job, wouldn't he have said that during the interview? If Florida repeats as champions this year, I'll say it's 75%-25% that Donovan will bolt for Kentucky after the tournament. Call it a cash grab, if you want, but I have to disagree. Florida would be insane to not match any offer Kentucky makes to Donovan (assuming it's not a huge pay increase), unless they don't want to stand in the way of what Donovan really wants, and I'm guessing Donovan really wants to coach in Kentucky. Why wouldn't he? Kentucky is, arguably, the second-most storied franchise in all of college basketball, and Donovan brings the team instant credibility in the recruiting race. It would not surprise me if Donovan went to Kentucky and brought an NCAA championship in the next seven years.

- A man in Arlington won't be charged for the murder of his wife's lover. Instead, the wife will be charged with manslaughter and making a false police report. Wow. I'm not sure the woman will get convicted, but good for the grand jury to attempt to make the charge stick on the woman. Having an affair with another man, getting caught by her husband, and then accusing the guy of raping her? She truly deserves any punishment that's coming to her, though I forsee a slap on the wrist coming for the false report charge.

- Hornets' sharpshooter/benchie Peja Stojakovic suffered a setback, and his return to the team is in doubt. Um, how is that news? And how was this guy not on Hollinger's list of worst contracts of the league? What, did NOK expect to get a full season out of this guy? By the way, the Hornets do realize that there are ten games left in the season, right? According to the article, his return will be "pushed back." How much farther can that be? Let's say that he is able to return in two weeks; that would leave about five games left in the season. Even assuming he shakes off the rust quickly, how many meaningful games will he be able to play? Peja, shut it down for the season.

I know I have more to talk about, but I'm drawing blanks right now. More to come later.