Note to self: Don’t be the reporter that breaks the story on John Calipari’s cheating ass. Your name will be smeared all over Facebook, which is almost as bad as getting your name smeared on blogs. Almost.

[The Caliparis continue to use social networking tools to bash Pat Forde]

If you ever wanted proof that an ugly man can buy the love of a beautiful woman, look no further than this beautiful woman with this hideous man (also known as Joakim Noah). It’s hard to imagine this girl has a great time when the lights go off. Sure, she doesn’t have to look at that awful facial hair anymore, but if his moves in bed are like his moves after winning an SEC Title, it might be a little awkward.

[The Big Lead]

That’s the scoop via The Big Lead, and I gotta say, why not? Now if only Isiah can implement a salary cap he can destroy, and trade the bulk of his team for guys like Zach Randolph and Stephon Marbury, this team will be in business.

Please, Florida International, make this hire. You make my writing life so much easier.

[Report: Isiah Thomas Close To Take Coaching Job at Florida International University]
[The Big Lead]

You can view it here. And though I haven’t looked into next year’s rosters, and really have no clue who’s going to be good and who isn’t, I find it odd that they put UNC as the No. 3 team under the assumption that Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson return. If that’s the case, Danny Green and Tyler Hansboro will be the only players gone, Marcus Ginyard will be back, and Ed Davis will take over for Tyler Hansboro, and he showed in this tournament that he can definitely handle the load.

Anyway, enjoy the preseason, way too early top 25. It is what I thought it was.

[Rivals]

If you watched the first five minutes of last night’s game, then you already know the end result: Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansboro and Wayne Ellington were just unstoppable. Danny Green and Deon Thompson, they hit shots when they needed to. All together, MSU just couldn’t get anything going.

The Tar Heels jumped off to an early lead, and had 55 points posted by halftime, a NCAA Finals record. Ty Lawson had 21 points to lead the Tar Heels, dishing 6 dimes and getting a Finals record 8 steals. All in all, it was a game dominated by UNC, with MSU occasionally looking as if it was going to make a run in the second half, only to have those hopes dampered by another UNC three pointer or some second chance points off the board.

I’d have to go look to give a prediction for next year, but an early favorite of mine is Kansas. I’ll have a pre-season top 10 out at some point this week.

Arizona found its coach, and now Xavier will be looking for one (just stay away from Bruce Pearl, please). Sean Miller, who coached at Xavier for five years and led them to the Elite 8 last year and Sweet 16 this year, has agreed to terms to coach the Wildcats in lieu of Lute Olson retiring.

It was reported earlier in the day that Miller wasn’t going to take the new gig, but hours later a report broke that he had indeed agreed to coach the Wildcats. This hire came just four days after Tim Floyd, coach of the USC Trojans, turned down an offer from Arizona. Miller had a 120-47 record in five seasons as the head coach at Xavier. He took over for Thad Matta, who currently coaches at Ohio State.

[ESPN]

Tonight marks a very sad night: The end of the college hoops season, and the beginning of nothing but baseball and the NBA. Wheep, friends, wheep.

UNC and Michigan State tip off at 9:22 tonight in a game not many picked — I personally had UNC, but Louisville, who lost to MSU in the Elite 8, was the team I tabbed to play them. Vegas says UNC by 8, and given that UNC hasn’t had anyone play them within double digits, it may be a good bet.

I’m just hoping for a good game. It’s the last sporting event I’ll care about until the NFL Draft, so my hope is that it’s one that lingers for a while. I may chime in from time to time during the game, but will more than likely be drunk. Sorry.

It’s not much of a shock, given that Kentucky is Kentucky, Memphis is Memphis, and his pay was double. Sleeping on it, to be honest, didn’t make much sense. (Let’s be honest — what were the benefits of staying in Memphis? Can anyone think of any?)

Hopefully Kentucky makes the tournament next year, or Carlipari’s stint might be brief. Ol’ Billy was 11 games over .500 in two seasons, won 22 games last year, and still got the axe.

[ESPN]

UNC beat Oklahoma in a game where the Sooner didn’t look like they knew what to do when Blake Griffin didn’t carry them on his shoulders. Michigan State beat a Louisville team that just didn’t look like it knew it was doing, period.

UNC advances to play for in its second Final Four in as many years, where it will meet the feisty Villanova Wildcats, who needed a last second driving basket to sink Pitt in the waning moments.

In the first game this afternoon, Michigan State beatdown Louisville, who couldn’t dribble, couldn’t rebound, and couldn’t shoot. MSU hit big shot after big shot, and when they did happen to miss, one of their guys was there to grab the board.

Don’t be surprised to see UCONN and UNC in the finals. Right now, both teams just look too good to lose.

This tournament hasn’t seen too many buzzer beaters, but such wasn’t the case during the Villanova/Pitt matchup. What looked like it might be a five second violation turned into a perfect catch, pass, and drive. Villanova plays UNC in the Final Four, who after today’s beatdown of Oklahoma, looks almost unstoppable.