As y’all may have gathered, the conference hoopsball torneos (in retrospect, maybe not a great idea given how vital that sweet NCAAT broadcast money pile be) have been lousy with #NuAIDS.  We might get a new twist on the “Bracket Buster” concept.  If it were up to me, the ACC would engrave #NuAIDS on the league trophy.  But ain’t nobody ever ask my cracker ass.

But Lesser Footy rolls on, with minimal interruption!  Huzzah FOAR that.

Bananapuddings Leeds host shit-hot Chelski to start your day (7:30, NBCSN).  This has all the makings of an absolute cracker, as the Brits say (and given how they prepare food, you can see why a saltine might be held in such high esteem across the pond).  Aren’t easy jokes just the best?  Anyway, a Leeds victory might open the door just a crack for someone to compete for 4th.  But much more plausible that Chelski pip Lester for 3rd.  Or even United for 2nd?

Your West Brom 10:00 Window Misery ToUr continues apace, away to Uncle Woy’s Palace (NBCSN).  Jesus Christ, there might be 3 attempts on target.  Combined.  A good time to point out that, at similar crossroads – Fulham chose to back their manager, and continue playing recognizable football (while still tightening up at the back – it truly isn’t an either/or thingamabob).  The Brummies went lazy, and Fat Sam will make sure they are paying for that mental sloth, for years to come.

Everton get Spotlght Dance, and it’s streaming only (12:30, Peacock)?  Pure fuckery, I says.  But I get it somewhat, nobody likes to watch Boo-urnley play.  No doubt, this will be a hard watch, especially if one cares about the Toffee’s Fight FOAR Fifth.

I care.  Quite a bit too much, really.

Our intrepid Mighty Whitey welcome the only-slightly-derailed Man City Steamroller to the Cottage (3:00, Peacock).  It had to leave a mark when Ole beat Pep last weekend, as any hope they’d play the U-23s went right out the window.  Still…don’t be surprised if Handsome Scott Parker’s charges give Pep’s crew a real battle.  And – close your ears, Scotchy – I fear Kevin the Broom might be starting to slow down.

Also, the last thing this City side needs (pssst, it’s depth, especially in attack) is Over the Hill Messi.  Get younger, fuckadoos.  Footy Manager does not lie.  Though it seems like Barca will continue its “anchored to the shitshow” ways, and retain Messi on exorbitant wages.  The hardest/smartest/cold-bloodedest decisions are NEVAR easy.  But they need to be made.

For reference, Messi and Ronaldo both bowed out of Shempions League at mid-week.  Which is good for the sport – let’s see some new stars in the making, or even some non-star systems get their moment in the sun.  Just too bad the Shite made it to the quarters, but hopefully it keeps their League form nice and fucked.

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Balls Notes:

I was told there would be Litre_cola input I could retort to.  Plus punch and pie.

Obviously,  I have been misled.  Or Litre got high and sort of wandered off.

Either way,  I should address the Messi and Ronaldo bashing in this here article. First off,  I should say that I was never in the Ronaldo vs Messi debate.  They are two different players and I like them both.

The other problem I have with the Ronaldo vs Messi debate is that it ignores the other 10 players on the team. This is not basketball where one player can make the difference between a good team and a great team.

The problem that Messi has had in recent years is that Barça’s defense is portrayed below:

Actually,  that’s not being fair.  Barcelona’s defense has been LIQUID shit for years.

Ronaldo switched from a Real Madrid side that was losing its identity to a Juventus side that was trying to regain its identity after being relegated TWICE for financial rule-breaking. The cupboard was not exactly full is what I’m saying.

Despite that,  Messi is leading La Liga in goals while Ronaldo is leading Serie A.

They’re not Over The Hill!!

Fuck,  Zlatan Ibrahimovic should be ample proof that great players do not all of a sudden become “Over The Hill” because of their age.

The way that great players remain great is by surrounding them with great players. It’s as simple as that.

And if you doubt me,  go have a conversation with LeVeon Bell about playing with the Steelers, the Jets,  and then the Chiefs.