The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board

OK, as previously discussed, there was a mix-up with the registration for the bracket competition this year, and multiple pools formed. This is my version of the standings going into the final game. It does not match the one you’ll find in any pool’s home page. I combined them, and the major change was Josh kelley is in first in one pool and fourth overall in the combined pool. There are no other discrepancies, and honestly, that one doesn’t even matter because the best he can do is finish third. (Aside: Kudos to Zachary Smith (2) for getting this far with his winning team eliminated in the second round and getting him one of a possible 63 points. It really is an achievement.)

It all comes down to this tonight: Peter Bodensteiner and Scott Price share the lead, and we’ll need a tiebreaker to pick a winner if North Carolina wins its sixth national championship. Peter picked 133 as the total combined points score. Scott chose 150. That said, Matt Moyles will jump from a tie for eighth place and win the pool if Gonzaga wins its first title.

Don't ask me how pro day went. pic.twitter.com/UEjgn7g81i

— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) April 4, 2016

Today’s headline … not a typo. A question. One never knows.

Despite past experiences and being kept at Inspector Gadget’s arm’s length away from the action, we will endeavor on-site coverage from pro day at West Virginia University. I will not be bringing you 40 times tracked on my cell phone. I will work the small space we’re allowed to roam and provide updates as can.

People made some money here last year, but it’s always up to the individual, as was the case with Wendell Smallwood, to calculate risk and reward.

His 4.47 40 and other short-space drills proved his speed and explosion, but Smallwood, who’s a junior in the draft as a running back, wanted to show off more than he did that day.

“I knew I could do better,” he said, “so I did.”

He said scouts told him his 40s Monday were timed between 4.37 and 4.39.

“I just like competing,” he said. “I wanted to beat that time. That’s why I did it.”

Smallwood, who also credited WVU’s strength and conditioning staff for improving his form, didn’t have to run. No one there would have blamed him. Some who were there wondered why he did, but Smallwood answered that with aplomb.

“A lot of scouts were pretty happy I ran,” he said. “A lot of them said they didn’t think I should run, but they said, ‘Hey, you ran better.’”

Smallwood said it was a gamble but one he knew he’d win, and he said some teams told him they didn’t know he was as fast as what he showed them. And that’s all he’ll show the rest of the way.

“I’m done,” he said. “I won’t run again until I get to where I’m going.”

What wonders does 2017 hold?