It’s here! It’s here! Yes, the recruiters work is all done and it’s time to play ball. Of course many lambs will be led to slaughter over the next few weeks as the big boys try to [adopts coachspeak] ‘find a rhythm’ and ‘adapt to the new shot clock’ and ‘learn to play well with others’ and ‘get comfortable at this level’ and ‘understand the offense’ and whatever. These platitudes are usually thrown out after a 103-49 dark alley-mugging of a game against a clearly inferior team that needs a few bucks for their program.

So let’s all give a condescending “Good Game!” cheer to the likes of Colorado, Albany, Siena, Mount St. Mary’s, Morgan State and hell, even Lehigh as they do battle with respectively, ISU, Kentucky, Duke, Maryland, UVA and Syracuse. Gather your shattered egos at the door, kids.