With a week to digest the rather compelling WEEI.com news that Shots led the way on late last week, it’s clearly time for a Winners and Losers edition of “As the Boston Sports Media Market Turns”:

WINNER
Glenn Ordway

The biggest – in every sense – winner is none other than Glenn “Pay Day” Ordway, whose contract is expiring with WEEI 850 AM. Ordway has the leverage of a Posey and the WEEI.com component of the equation could very well make Ordway famously wealthy, should he manipulate the web extensions to his benefit. (Similar to Posey, Ordway is going to want the extra year AND the extra dollars.)

Some of the things Ordway can now roll into his contract demands would be additional monies for live-streaming (or TV broadcasting) of The Big Show; exclusive on-line chats with the Big-O; a “Big O Big Blog”; Interactive elements to his show; and whatever other scams Ordway and his handlers can figure out.

With all that the Big O has meant to the station, ‘EEI pretty much needs to show him the money.

In short, Ordway is probably just weeks away from becoming the town’s highest paid sports media personality ever. And considering some of the stupid money that’s been thrown around this town (Hello, WCVB and WBZ!), that’s saying something.

LOSER
Local Mainstream Sports Websites

Boston.com’s sports package on the web probably doesn’t need to start quaking in its big boots just yet, but we’d suggest that the Boston Herald’s digital sports division might want to get a move on things. Without Bradford’s blog, the meager Herald site is sure to lose traffic and loyalists.

Further, Bradford’s pending arrival in the New Balance Building means that he’s going to be given the keys to some very interesting toys, aka resources. Video, written word, spoken word and community development options will all be elements available to Bradford. (Might be worth looking at what the Worldwide Leader is doing with something it’s calling “Streak for Cash.” In essence, it’s building brand loyalty and offering fabulous cash and cache prizes.

Bradford thought out of the box on the beat and he will have to continue to go where others fear to tread in his new content editor role for WEEI.com. Best yet, he will still be allowed to spread his wings as a writer.

WINNER/LOSER
Hank Hryniewicz

It’s a mixed bag for Help Me Hank, the Herald’s resourceful sports editor. On the one hand he loses Bradford, a true talent and a voice that popped from his pages (web and print).

On the other hand, he has a built-in escape hatch that can plop John Tomase right on to the Red Sox beat and keep him away from Foxborough, where the whole situation is bound to be a festering sore unless Tomase is quietly shifted off football and back onto baseball. We’re told it’s Tomase’s sport of choice and he has done some of his best work from the clubhouse, not the locker room.

The Bradford departure affords everyone at the Herald a more workable situation with Karen Guregian able to take lead duties and Jeff Horrigan and Tony Mazz able to augment her efforts. Throw in Buck and a couple of Callahan classics and the Pats beat is covered pretty securely while the Sox beat gets the best available replacement for Bradford (although Herald freelancer Alex Speier is a close second).

WINNER
Local Off-Mainstream Sports Websites

WEEI.com operatives are trying to convince us that the content-providers (i.e. columnists and commentators) for the new-fangled website won’t just be old graybeards looking for a check. We’ll believe that once the re-launch is complete and there’s not a Borges or a Peter May to be found on the site. Still, the promise of new blood is encouraging for some of the established local sports blogs that might be able to add content for WEEI.com VP/GM Tim Murphy and Bradford’s newborn baby.

Creative sorts like the people behind Soxaholix, or, dare we say it, 38pitches.com, would be able to bring established audiences to the WEEI site and help to quickly build a loyal audience. It’s almost a shame that Chad Finn jumped to Boston.com because he’s the kind of pick-up that would indicate ‘EEI.com recognizes a “true” blogger-type.

WINNER
Michael Holley

After Gerry Callahan (who probably doesn’t need the headache of writing anything beyond his limited Herald offerings), Holley is the in-house candidate who could help WEEI.com the most. Give him an exclusive column once a week and use him for whatever video component Bradford settles upon and the result would be some original content from an original fella with worthwhile takes. Holley is a five-tool guy and he’s smart enough to know that some groundfloor, reasonably-priced web work for the employer will serve him well down the road.

LOSER
The One Trick Ponies Currently at WEEI

While intrusive laughing, general ignorance and single-mindedness play well on sports talk radio, the effectiveness of our generic, moronic, Meaty Men for use on the website is going to be negligible. Beyond re-packaging the snorts and soundbites of Smerlas, DeAwful and The Dwarves, it’s not like any of those big, bad, bullies could ever blog or otherwise communicate effectively. Sentence writing, we’re guessing, wasn’t high on the course list at Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

The beauty of what WEEI.com is going to be able to do, is that it won’t have to strictly rely on in-house (non-)talents to fill the web pages. Murphy and Bradford will be able to line up freelancers and gifted souls who aren’t beholden to fart jokes and homophobia. Even if the majority of WEEI’s radio talk isn’t intelligent and barely entertaining, the website has the hope and ability to be both.

WINNERS
Jason Wolfe and Julie Kahn

Say what you will (and Lord knows we have) about Entercom’s Boston Duo of Dynamic, but this significant move into the digital market could very well be a coup for the company and ‘EEI in general. The ability to use the WEEI brand across platforms and do so in a new, and much-needed way for the market is the kind of move that will keep ‘EEI on top for a long time to come.

Still, the question of whether the Entercommie culture will overcome guys like Murphy and Bradford or whether they’ll be able to overcome IT, will eventually foretell the success or failure of the initiative.

LOSER
ESPN 890

They lose their only legit local-originating show’s host and he not only jumps ship, he jumps back to the dominating competition. As Felger said to Paul Flannery at BoMag, most (including Shots) figured 890 would last a year. They’ve been around three years now but their effectiveness and place in the market is still as poor as when they began. “That was a tough road to hoe,” said Felger late last week. “I got my brains beat in for three years by WEEI and Glenn. I enjoyed 890 and having my own little show. Yeah, a (better) signal would have helped but it’s all about the competition at WEEI. They have such resources to draw on.”

An 890 spokesman this week indicated the station would have new line-up information in two or three weeks, but for now capable Kevin Winter has been hosting a show inexplicably called “Prime Time Live” in the old Felger slot from 3 to 6 p.m. All the usual suspects have been mentioned as possible permanent replacements for Felger, but the longer the delay in announcing the changes the more likely it is that 890 will be forced to shutter once and for all.

WINNER
Hamilton College

WEEI is now Hamilton College East. Both Murphy and the guy who brought him into the New Balance building Jim Rushton are Hamilton College grads. Both graduated in 1992. Go Continentals! (Worst. Nickname. Ever.)

[One clarification on Murphy's career path from our reporting last week. Here's how Murphy confirms his profession progression in resume form: 1994-1999, Titleist & FootJoy Worldwide, last title was Senior Brand Manager; 1999-2006, NYTimes Company/Boston Globe Media, last title was VP of Advertising & Marketing; 2006-2007 Monster.com, VP of Strategic Marketing; 2007-2008, Comcast/Golf Channel, Director of Digital Media; Current, WEEI.com, VP/GM.]

• The Hartford Courant’s Red Sox beat guy, Jeff Goldberg confirms that he is taking the paper’s buyout (effective at the end of the Sox season) and it’s likely he’s not the only sports desk member of the Hartford staff that takes the option.

Said Goldberg via email, “I grew up in West Hartford, went to Hall High (and eventually Central Conn. State Univ.) and started an internship in the sports department (at the Courant) the summer before my junior year at Hall (16 years old, I’m 39 now). I did just about everything up the sports department food chain – took high school scores over the phone, filed photos, did agate, copy-edited, then started writing on a regular, full-time basis about 10 years ago.

“But, all good things must come to an end, I’m afraid,” said Goldberg, who hopes to continue writing in the Boston market. “UConn won the first 70 games I covered (Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird crew) for the Courant. (Goldberg) switched to the Sox beat in 2007 and between UConn and the Red Sox, I’ve covered four championship teams in six-plus seasons. Not bad.”

Mark our words, as guys like Felger and Goldberg leave newspapers, there will not be 20 years-at-one-paper writers for a foreseeable stretch and the mere thought of Lifers like Bob Ryan and Dan Shaughnessy is laughable in today’s race-up-the-totem-pole world of sports journalism.

“Leaving the Herald is by far the hardest part of all of this,” said Felger last Friday. “I’m 39 years old. This would have been my 20th year at the Herald. It’s going to be weird not being in the paper. It really is.

“But the brand of WEEI is huge. They are No. 1 in the market and what they’re doing is the future.”

• Familiar Providence voice Scott Cordischi confirms to Shots that he will be hosting a show on WPRO on Saturday mornings from 9-11:45am. “It will be called ‘Scott Cordischi On Sports’ and starts Saturday (July 19th),” he said via email. “I am very much looking forward to talking sports with Rhode Islanders and Southern New Englanders once again here in Providence. I have missed talking about things like the Sox, Yankees, the Celts run to a championship, the PC coaching search, the NFL Draft, etc. It’ll be nice to do it again.”

• While I agree with the general sentiment that ESPN Ombudswoman Le Anne Schreiber has been mostly effective and aggressive in her role, I couldn’t help but giggle this week when she brought up the fact that ESPN announcers sometimes do game coverage from the confines of a Bristol bunker.

The practice has been going on for years and we had exposed it two years ago, but the tactic is still employed and there is very little way for viewers to know what is ral and what is Memorex. It was misleading then and it is still misleading now. Schreiber’s ignorance on certain rudimentary matters is still puzzling to me and it makes me wonder just how effective she really is and how seriously her Ombudsing is taken by the higher-ups.

• A different take on Josh Beckett from Friend of Shots (FOS), Matt Waxman.

• Speaking of former CSTV cohorts, look at what goodies the former network (now CBS College Sports) is pulling out starting this Monday:

CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK RELIVES THE ACTION AND EXCITEMENT OF THE 2008 NCAA® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH “NCAA MARCH MADNESS® REWIND”

Extensive Programming Block Begins Monday, July 21, and Features EveryGame from the 2008 Tournament

CBS College Sports Network relives March Madness this summer with a special encore presentation of the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. “NCAA MARCH MADNESS REWIND” features all 63 tournament games, from the first-round to the championship game, in their entirety, beginning Monday, July 21 (NOON, PM ET). A full programming schedule is available at www.cbssports.com/cbscollegesports.

Kansas’ thrilling overtime win against Memphis in the National Championship Game will air twice, Friday, Aug. 1 (10:00 PM, ET) and Saturday, Aug. 2 (6:00 PM, ET). Other memorable games include:

First Round – #12 Western Kentucky over #5 Drake (101-99, OT)
Airs Wednesday, July 23 (10:00 PM, ET)
Drake erased a 16-point deficit in the final eight minutes of regulation to push the game into overtime. Down 99-98 in OT with 5.7 seconds left, Western Kentucky’s Ty Rogers hit a desperation three pointer from the wing to notch the win and give the Hilltoppers their first tournament victory since 1995.

Second Round – #1 UCLA over #9 Texas A&M (51-49)
Airs Sunday, July 27 (4:00 PM, ET)
Down for much of the game, the Bruins survived the Aggies with the help of Darren Collison’s late game heroics. Collison’s shot with 9.5 seconds left gave the Bruins the lead for good, propelling them to the Sweet 16.

Second Round – #3 Stanford over #6 Marquette (82-81, OT)
Airs Sunday, July 27 (6:00 PM, ET)
Stanford’s Brooke Lopez hits the winning shot with 1.3 seconds left in overtime. The Cardinal overcomes the first half ejection of coach Trent Johnson and a six-point halftime deficit.

Second Round – #10 Davidson over #2 Georgetown (74-70)
Airs Monday, July 28 (9:00 PM, ET)
Led by Stephen Curry’s dominating second half performance, Davidson upsets Georgetown. Curry outscored Georgetown 25 to 22 over the final 14:24 of the game.

. . . For the record, I’m still not ready to watch the Memphis-Kansas game. Maybe another decade or so.

• Brand new farmer’s market starting up in Hull on Friday – see you there.

David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. and can be reached at shotsATbostonsportsmediaDOTcom.

Scott’s first book, with Memphis Coach John Calipari, is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2009.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Shots will be accompanying the Memphis Tigers basketball program on its upcoming trip to China. Because of that, our Boston Sports Media duties will be on hiatus. But you can follow the journey from Hull to Huizhou at the Conference USA website beginning Monday and continuing through June 2.

Before we board that big bird to the Far East, here’s a few media morsels to tide you over. We should be back with regular posts by mid-June, barring any unforeseen international incidents.

When we did our liveblog of the Tomase story release a week ago we conducted a very informal poll of where T-gate ranked in Boston sports media lore. Inexcusably, we omitted the Lisa Olson story from the conversation. As one Herald hero reminded us this week, “That was before the Internet so people were calling the office directly. They had to hire an intern just to field all the calls.”

With Tomasegate, that anger was vented on the message boards and at sites like this one. So the actual impact to the staff was not felt as deeply. However, BECAUSE of the Internet, this go-round of the Herald’s inglorious history probably had a wider initial impact and a longer residual effect.

. . . Tomase mentioned in a blog item this week that he wouldn’t be writing for a few days. It would appear to be a great time for Tomase to take some time away from the game and the games. It would also appear to be decision time as to whether or not he can continue on the beat.

And heck, everyone’s taking personal timeouts these days.

• At the core of any good media case study is the over-used, but under-utilized term, “transparency.”

The more forthcoming, and the more transparent media organizations, bloggers – even corporations – can be, the more trust and loyalty they will instill in their users. In return, they will likely have repeat customers that help support the cause, as it were. Without that transparency, readers are left to wonder, “What else aren’t they telling me?”

Case in point came from the Globe’s Tuesday A-1, above-the-fold Dan Shaughnessy article – NOT a column, mind you – on Jon Lester’s wonderfully poignant no-hitter. Shaughnessy scraped together a passable report on the accomplishment but he did it from his couch. Shaughnessy was not at the game and a bulk of the quotes in his story appear to have been taken off the NESN broadcast. None of that is noted in the story.

Shouldn’t it have been? Why not even play it up a bit and columnize the concept with a goofy dateline like: MY COUCH.

Shaughnessy saw the game the way thousands and thousands did – on TV and there’s no shame in that. But it’s a fairly important piece of background information if he wasn’t at Fenway for the moment.

Gordon Edes – who was at Fenway and had the no-no gamer on the front of sports – should have been given A-1 and Shaughnessy should have banged out a quick Sports-1 column from home and acknowledged that he was doing just that.

. . . No progress to report on the Edes buyout denial appeal at the Globe, but it is certain that Edes has retained counsel to present his case to the ERISA board, at whatever time that occurs.

Globe sources have indicated that the paper desperately wants to be able to fill the Edes slot with a new hire and if the buyout is granted after the appeal hearing, they can not do that per the terms of the buyout.

• Jerry Remy riffing on hospital gowns during the Wednesday night 9th inning was one of those ever-dwindling times when Remy’s silliness was well-appreciated and quite hysterical. But that needs to be the end of the Pajama Game he’s been playing with Don-O. The Japan trip was many moons ago.

. . . And ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy on “humping” during the Celts’ game on Thursday was also pretty damn amusing. JVG has really shone in these playoffs and if he can shake the coaching urge, he should remain at the TV table.

• Despite FOBS’ (Friends of Bill Simmons) strong denials, Shots is still seeing the strains of his dot-com days wearing on the Sports Guy. The recent launch of his separate blogspot page has been more than just a forum to run his old columns; it’s become a forum for his festering feud with the ESPN.com powers-that-be.

However, just because the former Boston Sports Guy is unhappy with the constrictions that go with his web work, it doesn’t necessarily signal the end of the Disney/Simmons relationship. Even if Simmons’ writing for the website declines, it would only mean more opportunities for multi-media Simmons (E:60, Podcasts, Original Entertainment, etc.), indicating the thought of Simmons bailing out of his most recent contract appears unlikely. But his swipes at the dot-com’s rules and regulations will probably continue unabated.

• New UMass head coach, Derek Kellogg, was masterful in his first Coach’s Caravan stop at Clarke’s on Wednesday night. Kellogg worked the room deftly, gave a solid, enthusiastic stump speech and genuinely looked at home in his new role. Kellogg’s still trying to add a big man late, but really likes his guards.

. . .Speaking of UMass guards, Jim McCoy was in the house to greet DK (or is it Coach K?).

• A very strong showing from ex-Providence coach Tim Welsh on the 7 p.m. Thursday “Out of Bounds” on CN8. Welsh took part in a “Crosshairs” segment and not only gave concise, honest, insightful answers to his inquisitors but also deftly managed his flimsy umbrella as an early evening thunder storm passed through his live shot outside the Garden.

Welsh hasn’t hooked on anywhere to coach this upcoming season, so one of the networks need to snatch him up for some analyst work either in the studio or at courtside. Welsh has all the skills necessary to climb quickly through the TV ranks. And he has a good handle on both the college and pro game.

• I shoulda stayed in Sports Information. Grizzer’s a class act and always has been. I just wonder when Shots’ early mentor, Howie Davis, is going to pull that trick at UMass!!!

• Bob “Neumie” Neumeier, who has been fantastic as always on the first two legs of the Triple Crown, will also handle NBC hockey desk duties for the network’s hyped-up Stanley Cup coverage. Alongside Pierre McGuire and old friend, Mike Milbury, Neumie will be taking his on-site studio show cues from producer Sam Flood, the former captain of the Williams College hockey team (Class of 1983) and the son of a hockey coach.

• We will have some sort of earthquake disaster fund-raiser when we return. We’ll have a better grasp on what will be most beneficial after our trip.

David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. and can be reached at shotsATbostonsportsmediaDOTcom.

Scott’s first book, with Memphis Coach John Calipari, is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2009.

11:57 p.m.

• They’re stretching this thing out longer than the Oscars.
• Shining delivered as usual, but the Luther V. version isn’t all that great. But the pictures tell the story for the most part.
• I could go for DiGiorno right about now.
• There’s Bonnie – completely underused. You wish Weber won when you hear him speak.
• ESPN did a cutting-down-the-nets feature in their pre-game with an emotional connection to Jim Calhoun’s symbolic strand he left the first year.
• It’s always necessary to give praise to “One Shining’s” genius writer/composer, David Barrett, a folkie who, at last check, was living up in Ann Arbor. They (CBS muckety-mucks) re-did his with Luther (and wasn’t Teddy P also used?), but the original will ALWAYS be my favorite. One of the favorite mini-profiels I ever did was on Barrett.
• Unplanned, but still quite apropos: We squeezed out a Sweet 16 of entries.
• On the other hand, Neel’s blog had no post-game observations as of this post. Shouldn’t they dock his pay or something? That’s the kind of crap that gets me all fired up when some of these bozos complain how hard they work. It boggles the mind and frustrates the crap out of me – and other over-qualified observers. He did NOT Blog, so please stop advertising it as such – now and forever.
• Okay, Roy, go away. You got your title. Be on your way, now gosh dang it. “I can’t say too much” about you either.
• Happy Birthday, Sean May. Indeed.
• Packer had a bit of struggle having to throw it to break after the May interview. McCants would have to wait.
• May outdid his dad by one rebound – Nice!
• How did Craig Ferguson get that late show gig? He’s nasty bad.
• A great, great tourney that we were proud to share with you. Cue crying.
• All right – we’ll get with you again real soon.

11:29 p.m.

• At least it’s not Duke.
• Pure exuberance. And some jersey tugs as well.
• What’s with taking off the jerseys? It was big in the dunk contest last week, too.
• Final Four MOP? Gotta be Mays, right?
• Nantz’s “It’s Monday night – a guy named Raymond stars in the late stages for North Carolina,” was tastefully placed. Packers giggles weren’t.
• Free throw shooting, as it turns out for Enberg, wound up as a factor. The piece was still awfully contrived.
• Nice title lid this year – “Hey Wetzel – get me a hat, ya bastard.”
• One more entry after One Shining and then it’s all over. . . until the NFL Draft EVLOG. Regular columns will still appear weekly – at various times.

11:19 p.m.

• If UNC blows this one, Roy Williams won’t be able to find an Applebee’s in the state of North Carolina that would even seat him, much less hang his photo on the wall.
It would be a damaging defeat to Roy Williams and his team,” said Nantz. Understatement.
• Did Johnny Damon diss Dave or Dave dissed Johnny Damon? No one disses Dave – that’s just stupid. Idiotic even.
• We sign off after “One Shining Moment,” but you should try and catch the post game pressers for pure entertainment value.
• “Luther Head. . . and we’re knotted at 70. . . Two thirty-two to decide it.” . . . cut to commercial. Jim Nantz is good. Damn good.
• Marvin Williams, who Vitale expected huge things out of it, played like a freshman – a true freshman. Until his ridiculous lefty tip-in to make it 72-70.
• You gotta show MJ now. Don’t you?

11:10 p.m.

• Is Deron Williams Tayshaun Prince? Or vice versa?
• Jawad has been Jawawesome, eh?
• Sox win last night? Any one?
• Long Trail Ale time.
• Ahhhhhh. The Mountains of Green.
• Trying to do an all short items entry for your reading pleasure.
• Not working.
• Okay, now it is.
• . . . And they say I’m unreadable? Hah!
• Percy the Dog would attack the fruity Burger King too. Fo’ real.
• Is it ‘Revenge of Batman’ or ‘Star Wars Begins?’
• Mitch is what, 28?
• Mitch needs to rent a car at 28?
• Mitch has issues.
• I just wanna say, Thanks for reading. . . Mom.
• Terrmel Sledge for MVP. Seriously.
• “I look forward to going to work everyday,” says a guy in the Monster ad.
• Isn’t he unemployed? Ergo, lying? Hire him, for sure.
• Two-to-one PIP (points in paint) should mean you win. Let’s see. . .
• I’m taking Michigan State tomorrow night even though I can’t name a player
• And I only know the coach by sight. Ditto for Baylor.
• We’ve got a classic brewing.
• I just picked up MY fourth foul. Jeeeshh.

10:45 p.m.

• Enberg’s halftime ode to free throws was a calamitous clang off the back iron. He’s not old, he’s ancient. Armen Keteyian needs to assume that role, and soon.
• Where’s Bonnie been?
• Sean May stands to make himself the most money with a win and a continued impressive performance.
• Okay, this is a crude game, but one that gets played at various times in various groups: Illinois’ Augustine kid? Honk or Bro?
• Two fouls in a minute and ten seconds? Hello, Danny Fortson.
• Packer’s love affair with May’s hands is disturbing to say the least.
• Worst. Halftime. Ever.
• No MJ sightings yet? And what about Bill Murray? Kendall Gill?
• Refs have been consistent – and for a stretch, consistently bad for Illini fans. But as we always say – it equals out. Looks like two East Coast guys, Cahill and Whatshisname.

10:01 p.m.

• Billy Packer was quoted in today’s USA Today as saying he enjoys the preparation for the games more than the games themselves. Which is only funny because we enjoy his preparation (which we never see) to his participation (which is hard to avoid).
• Get ready for CBS’s big 25th year of the Tournament celebration all next season. It’s sure to be overbearing.
• It’s worth the visit to the link below, sent in by a true Shots friend, to see Johnny and the new Mrs. Damon and her, uh, Damons. This guy is officially “SHOT,” and it’s not necessarily the worst thing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=photogallery/johnnydamon/050404#

• Do we give Weber credit for wearing the old Howard Johnson’s orange blazer or do we condemn him? Too bad it wasn’t plaid AND orange.
All we know is that Boeheim didn’t feel the need to go Orange, and he went to the damn school.
• Cool overhead of the jump ball with the Final Four logo’s ball seemingly being thrown up form the hardwood.
• Pedro K’ed a dozen, but Foulkie wasn’t in the bullpen for him. His post-gamer seemed tame and for at least one blown-save, the Diva appears composed. And his jheri curls are tight. Real tight.
• With afternoon baseball coming up on Tuesday and temps climbing, we may have to launch Porch Dining ’05 at Chateau Scotts. Reserve your seats now. It’s sort of like sitting in the Monster Seats, but overlooking Nantasket Ave. and the ocean instead of Manny and Fenway.
• Free Shawn Kemp.
• If you were wondering, the NCAA this year has three “corporate champions” (Cingular, Coca-Cola and Pontiac) and four “corporate partners” (The Hartford, State Farm, Kraft and Monster). It would appear State Farm was a late addition, as they did not appear in early material for this year’s Tournament.
Why does any of this matter? Because it’s all about the money, friend, and these companies have big money invested in this event. And I came across the info on a random visit to their website.
• I keep wasting my time clicking over to Eric Neel’s pseudo blog. For his most recent entry, he bitches about his crappy seat in the rafters.
Trust us, it’s a better seat than he deserves.

9:21 p.m.

• The half-time Long Trail glass is chilling for the post-half-time LT. Some traditions are better left untouched.
• Seth just did The Davis Wave in the CBS sign-on. Someone make him stop. Please.
• Shots is once again proud to present the rambling, meandering and philandering writings of Iona’s Mike Laprey, our Down Under Blogger for this Shots’ three-day endurance fest. Laprey is available for weddings, bachelorette parties and all your SID needs.:
OK, disclaimer – been (imbibing) since 10:00 am. if the australian
gov’t thinks it’s OK, then it’s fine with me.
here’s my red sox opening day blog . . .
disclaimer 2: naughty words will be displaced by the word “shampoo”

One,
ML

• Laprey gets no more pub here – he’s funnier and more coherent than Shots. ShampooHead.
• Game time. Go Gaels!

9:01 p.m.
• Boston homey, Andy Katz, reported on ESPN at 8:54 that Michael Jordan is in the house and sharing a suite with Dean Smith. Let’s see if CBS milks it the way ESPN overdid the Gerry McNamara parents during the regular season.
I’m surprised Katz’s “scoop” didn’t make the ticker.
• Digger took Illinois (by three) as did Bilas (no spread) and Vitale and Fowler took UNC. Earlier, Vitale predicted a Maalox Masher and a 3-point spread as well.
• For the record, Shots is taking the Iona Gaels, plus the points. Go Rules!
• “Two and a Half Men” appears to be awful, awful, awful. But the eye candy could convince lesser men to watch. . . and enjoy.
• Gearing up for the final (men’s) college hoops game of the season and wondering these two things about Boston Sports Coverage:
1. Will Howard Bryant ever again write a column not about steroids? It’s one thing to be working on a book, it’s another to be auditioning the book with each day’s piece. Until further notice, he is to be called, Steroid Bryant or ‘Roid, for short. Thank you.
2. We were told – and saw glimpses – that Jerome Solomon had begun his tenure at the Globe, but we gotta ask: Is he part-time? He’s been thoroughly unimpressive, completely beaten by the likes of Mike Reiss and Michael Felger-Underwood and, to this point, been an absolutely preposterous hire.
• Save yourself the trouble of forwarding those last two grafs to Al Sharpton. Shots doesn’t see matters of black and white (newspapers) in terms of Black and White. For proof, see our critiques of Gee, Michael; Guregian, Karen and Shaughnasty, Danny Boy, et al.
• All right, one more bitter thing to get off our chest: America’s Most Incompetent Blogger, Eric Neel, posted this morning at 8:30 a.m. CST and then was right on top of things with another post at 2:42 p.m. CST. In those six hours, he managed to do a company promotion bit with Michael Wilbon of PTI and then gave regular old, newspaper-style coverage of the Hall of Fame inductees. The next time this guy does a blog, can we call it what it is: A notebook.
Oh, and one more Neel issue: His description of the Runyon’s party should earn him a lifetime ban form the Final Four’s Finest Fete. Neel, who clearly was snuck in by someone from ESPN, wrote: “Fewer sweats than the adidas party, and one less DJ. More silver-haired, country-clubbish older guys in blue blazers with gold buttons. They all look like they might be ADs somewhere, or boosters, or Ted Knight impersonators.”
They happen to be the fabric of college basketball and the only impersonator on hand at that party – and for the entire weekend – was one Mr. Eric Neel. Guilty of impersonating a blogger and further guilty of wasting the time of his ESPN.com readers.
• James Worthy checked in with ESPN’s pre-game show from the national Cable Convention in San Francisco and called tonight an “almost must-win” for Roy Williams. Keep up that frankness and Worthy will find himself a good home with ESPN (an ESPNU banner was prominent in the background, so it appears Worthy has some type of deal in the works – or already in place, with the network.)
• Steve Lavin was also at the SanFran convention, a gathering that Shots once crashed during the UMass Glory Days. In the course of playing in the inaugural ( I believe) Wooden Classic in Anaheim, we managed to crash the Huey Lewis concert in a ballroom at our hotel one night. Irony of all ironies, Shots’ Mentor Bill Strickland (my fellow Huey gatecrasher) will be a registered participant this year in his work for fledgling Collegiate Sports Images.
• Vitale just lobbied – jokingly, we think – for him and Jay Bilas to get the Virginia job and “go after the Dukies.”
• We’re not going to believe it if Syracuse’s Mike Hopkins doesn’t get out of the Frozen Dome this season. He would have been a nice fit at Siena – and probably better than Travis Ford, too.