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The Back Nine comes at you after an interesting weekend that included a little bit of everything (to quote the Dawes song). And now, it is Masters week.
10. I have to say that the most nervous I was all weekend was not standing over a three-foot putt or wondering if Florida could come back from down 8-3 in baseball or freaking out over the final seconds of the first Final Four game. It was watching Bri Edwards – a late sub – finishing off the day with her vault. If she stumbles, Florida’s season is over. She did not. The Gators live on, but the chances of them winning it all without Trinity Thomas are slim. We’ll see what her day-to-day status turns out to be.
11. Was it just me or did anyone else watch Lamont Butler’s buzzer-beater against FAU and think Michael Jordan? Not just that he hit a jumper to win the game, but it was basically a one-handed shot? What a game and now we have no Florida teams and UConn vs. San Diego State. UConn will win because the Huskies have played in the postseason the way they played in Gainesville on Dec. 7. They hammered the Gators by 21 and looked like a team that could win it all on that night.
12. The semifinals of the women’s tournament were awesome. The final, not so much. I’m not a fan of Kim Mulkey’s and it has nothing to do with the fact that she dresses like she’s the main act at a children’s party. But she can really coach. And what Caitlin Clark did in the semis was amazing, but did anyone else notice she needed 31 shots (plus six free throws) to get to 41 points? Then again, you have to ride that horse that got you there.
13. I never thought that the big concern for Florida’s baseball team would be starting pitching, but that has suddenly become the case. Since Brandon Sproat opened conference play with a one-hit shutout, Florida’s starters have an ERA a tick over 9.0 with 31 walks in eight games and six hit batters. And yet, here is Florida with a 7-2 record in the SEC. Unfortunately, that’s good for fourth place because the strength is in the East this year.
14. Softball, I can’t figure it out. Last year, I thought the Gators were down and they went all the way to Oklahoma City. So, I am reserving judgment on a team that is currently under .500 in conference play.
15. Wait for it, because it is coming. As we move closer to the NFL Draft, a lot of general managers are going to stay awake thinking about Anthony Richardson. And a lot of them will want to make sure their fans aren’t upset they didn’t pick him so they will leak info to the NFL media. I’ve seen it before. AR will be fine. He just needs to go to the right team. I’m hoping it’s Seattle.
16. So, I said this on radio and my podcast that I was picking Jon Rahm to win the Masters. Then, I changed my mind and wanted to go with Jordan Spieth. And then, I wanted to pick someone not among the favorites. The truth is, I have no idea. Don’t pick our friend Billy Horschel because he struggles at Augusta.
17. I watched the women’s amateur at Augusta National and came to the conclusion that I could watch anybody play that course. You, your 4-year old and your dad on a walker could be playing and if it was televised I’d watch it. That’s how much I love that course. Anyway, I’ll stick with Rahm.
18. I didn’t have my car this weekend. Long story. I missed my tunes. And still came up with a playlist:
* “Buy You A New Attitude” by Tianna Esperanza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDA-2W_70q4
* “Bummer Days” by Liza Anne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Jgdww18TM
* And for an old one, “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?”
by Elvis Costello.
