Random Thoughts (April 3, 2008)

The Red Sox are already one-game up in the AL East and the talk of "magic" numbers can't be too far away. Back in reality however, the Sox have a brutal stretch of games on the horizon. They are in Toronto this weekend where they will face a very good -- good enough to win the National League good -- Blue Jays team before coming to Fenway to raise the World Series banner, hand out some rings and, oh yeah, play the loaded Tigers. After Detroit passes through Boston, the Yankees come to town. All things considered, April will be a tough month for the Sox. After looking at the schedule, if they are 17-12 going into May, I would be happy... For the few UMass hoop fans out there, make sure to watch the Minuteman take on the Ohio State Buckeyes tonight in the finals of the NIT for two reasons. The first reason is that UMass fields a very exciting team, one that was on the bubble of the NCAA's before a collapse in the first round of the Atlantic-10 conference tournament to Charlotte stamped their ticket to the NIT. Secondly, UMass coach Travis Ford may be moving on to bigger and better things in the immediate future. Ford could land himself at Marquette to replace Tom Crean or LSU to replace John Brady. Either way, tune in tonight... The NFL Draft is getting closer and the more I think about it, I would love to see the Pats move down in the first round so they can acquire more picks. If Arkansas' Darren McFadden is on the board at No. 7, Dallas owner Jerry Jones would certainly dump the two first round picks the Cowboys hold at No. 22 and 28 for the right to nab the electric tailback. The Pats need depth, especially at linebacker and in the secondary, so the more quality picks they have, the better... An NBA 6-Pack and a preview of the NBA playoffs is on the horizon... What a night of college basketball on tap for Saturday night. North Carolina-Kansas and UCLA-Memphis do not need any hype... Enjoy UMass tonight...