If you’ve watched any college basketball for, oh, the past six weeks at least, you’ve noticed the motivational T-shirts teams have worn. For example, Duke players donned the “[Insert team here] never stops” version during warmups and on the bench.
Wisconsin, the Blue Devils’ opponent in Monday’s NCAA tournament title game, sported “Make ‘Em Believe.” There’s no better stage than March Madness to do so, given the gauntlet champions have to run to hoist the trophy.
In the end, Duke held off the Badgers, 68-63, in a scintillating game that saw numerous ties and lead changes throughout. Tyus Jones poured in 23 points for the Blue Devils, who won the fifth championship in school history.
As fantastic as that was, there’d be a few changes to the tournament if RedEye had its way.
Make ‘Em … Release a bald eagle before every major sporting event. Because that’s just badass. Of course, remember to clear all small mammals from the area first. And any rodent-like mascots, just to be safe.
Make ‘Em … Get a haircut. Not sure what Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig was thinking with that ‘do. Even if racing lines have come back into style, they shouldn’t have.
Make ‘Em … Work on their outside shots. The big men in particular. Watching a center like the Badgers’ Frank Kaminsky—a Lisle native—light it up from distance makes you appreciate the Dirk Nowitzkis of the world.
Make ‘Em … Study Jahlil Okafor. Not to be outdone, the Blue Devils’ star center—ahem, who’s from Chicago—has about 1,000 finishing moves near the basket. That kind of touch is rare for a player so young, though it doesn’t have to be.
Make ‘Em … Design better uniforms. Looking at you, Adidas. We know your intention is to stand out from the crowd, but there has to be a better way than shorts that resemble peekaboo tighty whiteys.
Make ‘Em … Use the sideline camera more. You’d see that angle when one team would bring the ball up the floor, but that’s about it. There has to be something more.
Make ‘Em … Create a Stenographer Cam. Mostly because it’d be fun to see if they rolled their eyes every time CBS analyst Bill Raftery made up a word.
Make ‘Em … Mic the coaches. Let’s face it, the interviews with sideline reporters are useless. But what the coaches say in-game could be wildly entertaining—even if they have to show it on HBO.
Chris Sosa is RedEye’s sports editor. @redeyesportschi
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